Annette Lyon

Wow! This book is one I know I’ll be thinking about for days. It’s one of those stories that completely pulls you in and you just have to keep reading. It’s one you’ll want to talk about and would definitely make a great book club read. It’s the story of the power of friendship, secrets, and murder that slowly builds to a shocking climax. Told from the alternating perspectives of two best friends, we read what happened the day of Jenn’s death and the aftermath from Becca, and then the 17 months leading up to her death from Jenn’s POV.

When Becca gladly agrees to help Jenn out by babysitting her infant daughter Ivy, she doesn’t realize this will be the last time she sees her friend. When repeated calls and texts go unanswered, she takes Ivy home only to discover Jenn unresponsive in the bathtub. She immediately calls 911 and attempts to administer CPR but to no avail. What proceeds is Becca’s journey through grief and trying to figure out what happened to her best friend.

Jenn is happily married to Rick. He’s an up and coming attorney trying to make partner. Jenn’s past was difficult. Growing up in foster home after foster home, her dream was to have a loving family with a husband and children. Little by little, Jenn recognizes some disturbing inconsistencies with Rick, but is it just her imagination? As a librarian, she knows how to do research and sets off on a quest to learn the truth about her husband’s past.

This gripping, chilling mystery kept me quickly turning the pages. At times, I was disturbed and then filled with a great sense of loss. It’s clear Becca and Jenn were the best of friends, yet I couldn’t help thinking things might have been different if only they would have communicated better. Becca and Jenn are both sympathetic characters and I kept wondering what I would have done in their place. Becca is certainly a caring, thoughtful friend and I enjoyed how she supported Jenn. Jenn is a loving mother who wants to do what’s best for her daughter. Rick is definitely a slime ball, but it’s hard not to second guess everything.

The ending blew my mind. I don’t want to spoil anything so I’ll leave it at that. It’s one of those mysteries that will keep you guessing and wondering if we really got the truth. Highly recommend to mystery/suspense fans. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.

Content: Mild swearing (Less than 10 uses of the “s” word, h*ll, d*mn), suicide, death/murder (not graphic), emotional abuse/gaslighting… (más)

Jenn has finally met the person she wants to spend the rest of her life with. They marry and then things start to slowly fall apart. Jenn is a librarian and she begins to do research on her husband. She soon discovers that he is not the man she thought. He has a horrible past and now she must protect herself and her newborn baby.

This novel kept me intrigued from start to finish. I had no idea at first what actually happened. But, as the story unfolded, I had so many emotions! I wanted to beat up her husband so badly. I also wanted to grab Jenn and shake her and say “Stand up for yourself!” So, I will say this, the ending is a bit out of character for Jenn. This just didn’t sit too well with me. She is not the same someone portrayed throughout this book! But, you read this and let me know your thoughts.

Need a good family, suspense drama…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!… (más)

With a lot of sadness and illness in my life lately I needed a quick read that would pep me up. I needed a story that I could finish with a smile on my face instead of tears in my eyes. I enjoyed reading Falling for a Duke so much that I decided to pick up another volume in the Timeless Regency Collection, A Night in Grosvenor Square.

Like all of the books in the series, A Night in Grosvenor Square includes three short stories by three different authors. I was especially excited to pick up this volume because all three authors are original authors to the series, plus one is one of my new favorite authors, Heather B. Moore. What is charming about this collection is that each story features a scene that occurs in Grosvenor Square in London sometime in the early 1800's.

A Match for Princess Pompous is a story of a widowed matchmaker in 1810 named Adelaide. Instead of being concerned with her own love life, Adelaide chooses to focus on helping other women find their true love and the more challenging the case the better.

No case is more challenging than that of Odette Armistead, otherwise known as Princess Pompous. Odette has a reputation in London for being one of the most disheartening maidens, but what no one knows is that she has purposely acquired this title. The truth is that her, and the man that she loves, Jack Hewitt, planned this for the Season, so that once it was over, they hoped, they could tell their disagreeable parents, and finally be together.

Their plan is faulty from the start, and really falls apart when Odette cannot fool the matchmaker! When I first started reading I had an ideas about where the story would take me and, though predictable at times, I liked how it all turned out. I must admit that I grew a little bored with the story of Odette and Jack, and the predictability, and actually would've loved to have seen more from Mr. Lexington (Jack's best friend) and the shy Ms. Summerfield, but I also understand this is a short story, emphasis on short. I did enjoy the story and found it over charming. This is the first time I've read any of Sarah M. Eden's work but I really liked her writing style and how she brought her characters, and this time period of London and Society, to life.

Confections and Pretense felt a lot like a Cinderella story to me. Anne Preston has lived a hard knock life. She has no family, lives in a boardinghouse in London in 1825, is thirty-one, considered an "old maid," with no hopes of ever getting married. She is lucky enough to work at Gunter's Tea Shop, an ice cream shop that is in a nicer London neighborhood, serving members of the ton. Anne pours everything she has into her job, slowly saving every cent, so that she can hopefully one day open her own ice cream shop in America.

Anne is a daydreamer, so when she meets a distinguished, older American man, her imagination runs wild, especially after he rescues her from what could've been a very bad situation. Little does the charming American, Davis Whitledge, know but he actually put Anne in an even worse predicament than either of them could've ever imagined; a matter of life and death.

Out of all of the stories, I would have to say that Confections and Pretense was my favorite. The plot did not lead where I thought it would and the ending actually gave me goosebumps with its twist ending. My heart felt for sweet Anne and her plight and I found myself rooting not only for her to find love with Mr. Whitledge but also to find a way out of her "societal rules," and able to pursue he dreams. Annette Lyon is also a new author to me, but I love her style of writing, and want to find books from her to read.

Little London was the story that I had anticipated by Heather B. Moore and was surprised it wasn't my favorite. It is the sweet story of Ellen Humphreys and Quinn Edwards, and their chance encounter in a small meadow near Harpshire Village, a small town on the outskirts of London, in 1826. Ellen is a country girl and Quinn is the Marquess of Kenworth, a title that he does not wish to bestow, but has grudgingly held since his father's passing a few years back. After Quinn and Ellen's parley in the meadow, they each know, due to their unequal status in Society, that they can never be together. As the story unfolds, events transpire, and characters come into play, and makes each of them both second guess everything they know.

Little London has its predictability (as most love stories in this series do) but it was an engaging read. What I loved the most was the epilogue at the end of the book. I hate when certain stories end and you're left to wonder where the characters ended up. With Little London, you do not have to worry! Heather B. Moore always does a wonderful job of character development, and this short story does not disappoint.

Just like the other books in the Timeless Regency Collection the stories are short, sweet, with little twists and turns and drama mixed in here and there. I enjoyed my time in early 1800's London and I'm sure you will too.… (más)

Novellas are my go-to reads during the busy holiday season, and A Christmas Promise was the perfect escape during a cold, rainy winter weekend. I adore each of these authors, and the tales they bring to the table are delightful!

I have reviewed each novella individually below and gave each story their own rating, each showing that there is still joy through the pain...you just have to open your eyes to see it.

♡ The Two Bells of Christmas by Joanna Barker

My favorite Regency stories are the ones where there is a rebel that goes against the grain, and that is exactly what you find with Cassie Bell. Her attitude and spirit is refreshing, and I can see why Roland felt the attraction. For a short story, this is perfection! Though a quick read, you feel like you really get to know the characters and plots, and I loved the chemistry between Roland and Cassie. such a sweet and fun read!

My Rating: ★★★★★

♡ Promise Me Again by Annette Lyon

So incredibly heartfelt! I cannot even imagine the pain and anguish that Jacob and Miriam experienced! To lose the love of your life is gut-wrenching, but I loved the beauty that came out of this tragic event.

My favorite part of this novella was the music aspect that came into play. Music always speaks to me, no matter the form and, in Promise Me Again, it was no exception. I could so hear Jacob's incredible voice flowing through the pages right to my spirit and it truly touched my heart. Though a tragic tale it was still charming in its own right, and had the happiest of endings.

My Rating: ★★★★★

♡ A Christmas Journey by Jennifer Moore

A Christmas Journey is hands down my favorite novella of the bunch! I adored every charming little detail, loving all the Christmas traditions and activities, especially the very special, and entertaining, Christmas Eve activities. To see a few traditions that have stood the test of the time warmed my heart. We need more traditions right now in our world.

All the characters are wonderful, each different and interesting, my favorite story line actually being with two of the supporting characters, Private Matthews and Meg. To me, their relationship is so very special, stealing my mind and heart, but truth be told, I loved them all!

This novella could not be more perfect and a sublime ending to this collection.

My Rating: ★★★★★

After reading A Christmas Promise I was more in the Christmas spirit than I had been before I picked it up! I even got a few ideas to include in my holiday celebrations this year! I love it! This was unquestionably one of my favorite holiday reads this season!

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views and opinions are completely honest, and my own.… (más)