April 2022 - Library of Clean Reads

Thursday, April 28, 2022

Secrets of Rosenli Manor by Heidi Eljarbo (Review and Giveaway!)

A warm and light-hearted story with a little bit of mystery, intrigue, and just a smidgen of romance.

Book Details:

Title: Secrets of Rosenli Manor by Heidi Eljarbo
Series: Mysteries of the Modern Ladies’ Society #1
Category: Adult Fiction, 212 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Independently published
Release date: March 29, 2022
Content rating: G

Book Description:

Betrayal and trust go hand in hand in the first book of Heidi Eljarbo’s new turn-of-the-century series.

It’s 1898, and Lilly has spent most of her life motherless and living with a father who never looks for a silver lining. When her great-aunt Agatha passes, Lilly’s existence takes a drastic turn. She packs her few belongings and moves into the old lady’s magnificent estate, Rosenli Manor.

In the days that follow, Lilly tries to understand who Agatha really was, and hidden secrets slowly rise to the surface. Her great-aunt’s glamorous legacy is not quite what Lilly had imagined. She must trust in newly forged friendships, and to her surprise, she discovers what it means to truly fall in love. But not everyone is happy about the new mistress of Rosenli.

Intrigue, mystery, and a touch of romance in the Norwegian countryside fill the pages of Secrets of Rosenli Manor.

My Review:

Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

Lilly is a young woman who is a feminist at heart. She is an accountant in an era when women were not considered to be capable of entering the workforce reserved primarily for men. Much to her surprise and that of all the other family members, Lilly is the sole heiress of her great-aunt's beautiful estate and logging business. But along with the property, Lilly gains her aunt's friends as she accepts her position and discovers secrets of her aunt Agatha's past.

This is a warm and light-hearted read with a little bit of mystery, intrigue, and just a smidgen of romance. It's the first book in a series and it introduces the characters and how the Modern Ladies’ Society begins. I like that it is historical fiction set in Norway.

I liked Lilly as a character. She is smart, kind, and courageous. Some of the characters were a little too villainous without the balance of other traits. It seemed characters fell into two characters: good or bad.

Apart from this, Secrets of Rosenli Manor is entertaining and a pleasure to read. However, I did not find it as exciting as Of Darkness and Light, a book by the same author. You can read my review of that book here.

Buy the Book:

Amazon ~ Goodreads

About the Author

Heidi Eljarbo writes historical fiction. She grew up in a home filled with books and artwork and she never truly imagined she would do anything other than write and paint. She studied art, languages, and history, all of which have come in handy when working as a freelance writer, magazine journalist, and painter.

After living in Canada, six US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She and her husband have a total of nine children, thirteen grandchildren—so far—in addition to a bouncy Wheaten Terrier.

Their favorite retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summertime and ski the vast, white terrain during winter.

Heidi’s favorites are family, God’s beautiful nature, and the word whimsical.

If you would like to know more, please visit Heidi’s website. You can also follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

Enter the Giveaway!

Ends April 29, 2022

Monday, April 18, 2022

Shadow of Murder: A Mac Faraday Mystery by Lauren Carr

If you're a Lauren Carr fan this is another good addition to her series, with a theme not previously explored in any of the past books I've read by her.

Book Details:

Title: Shadow of Murder: A Mac Faraday Mystery by Lauren Carr
Category: Adult Fiction, 496 pages
Genre: Murder mystery
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Release date: March 30, 2022
Content rating: PG-13 For murder scenes and occult themes. There is no graphic violence or explicit sex. There is some very mild language (hell or damn, very few and far between) No F-Bombs!

Book Description:

You can't move to the next chapter of your life, without tying up loose ends in the previous.

True crime blogger, Erica Hart starts a new chapter in her life with a bang when a dark shadow darts into the mountain road to send her SUV off a cliff and to the bottom of Deep Creek Lake. Spencer’s newest addition to the police force, Dusty O’Meara assumes it was a bear. Erica is not so sure.

Soon afterward, contractors discover Konnor Langston’s body at the bottom of an abandoned swimming pool at the new summer home of Mac Faraday’s son.

With Police Chief David O’Callaghan away on paternity leave, Deputy Chief Dusty O’Meara must lead the investigation in his first murder case since moving to Spencer. Not only does Dusty have to work under the shadow of the legendary Mac Faraday, but he also has to match his wits with Erica, who is determined to find justice for Konnor, her childhood friend.

Mac isn’t so difficult. Even Gnarly, the town’s canine mayor, is manageable if his authority is well-respected and he is kept entertained.

Erica Hart, Dusty finds, is more of a challenge. It wouldn’t be so difficult if she wasn’t so irresistible.

My Review:

Reviewed by Laura

I'm a fan of Lauren Carr's mysteries and I've loved all her series. Shadow of Murder is the 14th volume in the Mac Faraday series and I was excited to read it. All Lauren Carr's books are stand-alone novels and she includes a character list at the front of the book. This one took a turn into the unexpected, and at first, I wasn't sure how I felt about the paranormal element.

But let me start with what gets me turning the pages of Carr's murder mysteries every time: her fun memorable characters and her skill at creating intricate plot twists that are all neatly solved by the end. I love Gnarly, Mac's German Shepherd and mayor of Spencer town in this series. Yep! They voted a dog for mayor which cracked me up in Candidate for Murder. And he is back in this book. It took a while to get the story moving along as Carr sets up all the new characters and the clues that make the reader have aha moments as the mystery becomes clearer. Dusty and Erica played central roles in this book so I'm wondering if Carr will end up creating a new series with this new couple?

I had a bit of a hard time following all the characters because there are many! Thank goodness for that list at the beginning of the book. It took a while for me to warm up to some of the new characters, but Carr always includes a senior character that I love, and in this book, it turned out to be Gramps. I think for some characters a better intro was needed so that I would not have to be checking the list so often. Or perhaps having fewer characters and more of Mac and Gnarly since this is their series...

In this story, Carr incorporated witchcraft and demonology into her plot. I usually don't read books with paranormal elements, so this was unexpected, although it's not uncommon for these themes to come up in crime fiction. Of course, none of Carr's "good" characters practice the occult. Thank goodness or I would have dropped this book like a hot potato. Rather, this became very much a story about how good conquers evil, not only in the human world but also in the spiritual realm. Gnarly is as funny as ever, and he provides comedic relief. The other beloved pets in the story also add to the narrative, as is characteristic of Carr's stories.

If you're a Lauren Carr fan this is another good addition to her series, with a theme not previously explored in any of the past books I've read by her. If you're new to this series, I suggest you also read It's Murder My Son, the first book in the series.

Disclosure: Thanks to the author for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.

BUY THE BOOK:

Amazon

Add on Goodreads

Meet the Author:

Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, Thorny Rose, Chris Matheson Cold Case Mysteries, and Nikki Bryant Cozy Mysteries—over twenty-five titles across five fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!

Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and humor.

The owner of Acorn Book Services, Lauren is also a publishing manager, consultant, and virtual book tour coordinator for independent authors.

Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions.

She lives with her husband, and two spoiled rotten German shepherds on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

Connect with the author:

website ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ pinterest ~ bookbub ~ goodreads

Enter the Giveaway!

Ends July 1, 2022

Tuesday, April 12, 2022

The No-Show by Beth O'Leary (Review)

If you're looking for a different kind of romantic read, with a good twist ending, this one could be it!

Book Details:

Title: The No-Show by Beth O'Leary
Category: Adult Fiction, 352 pages
Genre: Contemporary romance
Publisher: Berkley
Release date: April 12, 2022
Content rating: PG-13 (sexual content, language)

Book Description:

Three women who seemingly have nothing in common find that they're involved with the same man in this smart new rom-com by Beth O'Leary, bestselling author of The Flatshare.

Siobhan is a quick-tempered life coach with way too much on her plate. Miranda is a tree surgeon used to being treated as just one of the guys on the job. Jane is a soft-spoken volunteer for the local charity shop with zero sense of self-worth.

These three women are strangers who have only one thing in common: they’ve all been stood up on the same day, the very worst day to be stood up—Valentine’s Day. And, unbeknownst to them, they’ve all been stood up by the same man.

Once they've each forgiven him for standing them up, they are all in serious danger of falling in love with a man who may have not just one or two but three women on the go....

Is there more to him than meets the eye? Where was he on Valentine’s Day? And will they each untangle the truth before they all get their hearts broken?

My Review:

Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

So far I've read all of O'Leary's books and I wondered what interesting situation she would come up with next. So when I saw her latest, I knew I wanted to read it, however, I was a little hesitant about the subject: one man dating three women... But, having read her other books where her male main characters have never been two-timers, but men worthy of their heroines, I decided to put my reservations aside and gave this one a go.

Well, this book turned out to be quite a surprise, deeply affecting and with some good unexpected twists. If you're basing the plot on the book description, it's not what it seems even though it's accurate. The plot is quite brilliant and O'Leary pulls it off. It kept me turning the pages because I wanted to solve the mystery of Joseph and his three women. But I won't discuss the plot because it's one of those books where you have to savor the Oh! moment as you are reading it.

I liked Joseph from the very beginning even if I was trying to figure out if he was a cheater. The three women, Siobhan, Miranda, and Jane are all different and unique. They each learn about themselves and grow in character through their relationship with Joseph. Character development is strong, a trademark of O'Leary's books. However, I wouldn't categorize this as a rom-com. It reads more like contemporary romance or women's fiction. As in all of O'Leary's books, she tackles mental health issues, toxic relationships, and strong friendships.

There are many swoony romantic scenes in this book, not too explicit. And there is some language (some f-bombs) but not as many as in her last book The Road Trip (thank goodness). If you're looking for a different kind of romantic read, with a good twist ending, this one could be it.

Buy the Book:

Amazon.ca ~ Chapters Indigo

Add to Goodreads

About the Author:

Beth O'Leary is a Sunday Times bestselling author whose novels have been translated into more than thirty languages. Her debut, The Flatshare, sold over half a million copies and changed her life completely. Her second novel, The Switch, has been optioned for film by Amblin Partners, Steven Spielberg's production company. Beth writes her books in the English countryside with a very badly behaved golden retriever for company. If she's not at her desk, you'll usually find her curled up somewhere with a book, a cup of tea, and several woolly jumpers (whatever the weather)

Connect with her here: https://www.betholearyauthor.com/

Wednesday, April 6, 2022

Her Country Gentleman (Audiobook Review)

A historical romance collection featuring three novellas that are fun, quick to read (or listen to) and clean. The audiobook version is very entertaining and I highly recommend it!

Audiobook Details:

Title: Her Country Gentleman
Series: Timeless Georgian Collection (Book 1)
Authors: Sian Ann Bessey, Sarah M. Eden, & Rebecca Connolly
Genre: Historical Romance, Georgian Romance, Inspirational Fiction
Publisher: Mirror Press (Feb 15, 2022)

Narrated by Kim Bretton

Length: 7 hours 31 minutes

Book Description:

Her Country Gentleman is the first book in the Timeless Georgian Collection, a new anthology series from Mirror Press. The book features three novellas from bestselling historical romance authors whose stories reveal that not all love is found in London...

Spring at Tribbley Hall by Sian Ann Bessey

When Charlotte's grandmother invites her to accompany her to Norfolk, Charlotte jumps at the chance to visit the sea and escape the fuss surrounding her sister's wedding preparations in London. Lord William Cheston, on the other hand, is most unhappy when his mother informs him that her old friend and a granddaughter are coming to stay. Not only is it lambing season, but he's also dealing with the mysterious loss of several sheep. The last thing he needs is a child underfoot. When Charlotte and William first meet, he does not realize that the lovely young lady is the granddaughter in question, and she assumes that the man dressed in work clothes in the barn is a servant. Soon afterward, however, Charlotte stumbles upon a clue to William's sheep's disappearance, and when her life is placed in jeopardy, William is forced to choose between saving his unwanted houseguest and catching the thief.

Love of My Heart by Sarah M. Eden

Cordelia Wakefield has never lived anywhere but London and is not overly happy when her family is forced to retrench to a small estate near Teviotbrae, Scotland. An ill-fated game of battledore and shuttlecock brings her face-to-racquet with Sebastian, who runs the home farm at nearby Teviot Castle. What begins as a clash of personalities, expectations, and preferences, soon leads to a friendship neither had expected. As the magic of Teviotbrae weaves its spell, the possibility of something more than friendship begins to blossom. But what future is there for a lowly farmer and a London lady?

Miss Smith Goes to Wiltshire by Rebecca Connolly

Martha Smith wants to marry for love, and will not be persuaded otherwise. She is highly sought after in Society for her beauty and status but refuses to consider any suitor whose only claim is that his prospects meet with her mother's approval. Her widowed mother has had enough of Martha's romantic sensibilities and is sending her to stay with unfortunate cousins in Wiltshire to show her that marrying for love is a risk that is too great. Benjamin Steele, Lord Hillier, is working on his new and dilapidated estate when he first catches sight of the striking Martha Smith. Becoming Lord Hillier has only brought him a house that needs significant repairs, tenant farms that had been abandoned, and only the money he'd already possessed. He wants meaning in his life, and he's more than willing to work for it. Though worlds apart in all else, on this point they can agree: a life of meaning would change everything.

My Review:

Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

The three novellas in Her Country Gentleman were a delight to listen to. I enjoyed all three stories. Although short, each had well-developed characters, a good plot, and an enjoyable storyline that featured heroines who each became enamored with a country gentleman.

Spring at Tribbley Hall by Sian Ann Bessey features Charlotte, a spunky heroine who escapes with her grandmother to the country and has a heart-pounding adventure when a sheep thief goes a little too far. Love of My Heart by Sarah M. Eden features Cordelia, forced to relocate with her family to the country where she discovers lovely vistas that inspire her artistic soul and draw her to a kind gentleman farmer. And finally, Miss Smith Goes to Wiltshire by Rebecca Connolly features a young woman who wishes to marry for love, and so is temporarily banished by her mother to the country to visit her aunt. Martha is charmed by the country life and a certain gentleman, and the reader is regaled with humorous scenes between the two.

The narrator Kim Bretton does an excellent job with all the character accents and she brings each story to life, with its lovely heroines and comedic scenes. Very entertaining. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this first collection book and I eagerly look forward to the next one.

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS

Audible.com ~ Audible.ca

AUTHOR BIOS

Sian Ann Bessey

Born in Cambridge, England, but grew up on the island of Anglesey off the coast of North Wales, Sian left her homeland to attend university in the U.S. and earned a bachelor's degree in communications with a minor in English.

She began her writing career as a student, publishing several magazine articles while still in college. Since then, she has published historical romance and romantic suspense novels, along with a variety of children's books. She is a USA Today bestselling author, a Foreward Reviews Book of the Year finalist, and a Whitney Award finalist.

She loves to travel and experience other cultures, but when she's home, her favorite activities are spending time with her family, cooking, and reading.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS

Sarah M. Eden

Sarah M. Eden is a USA Today bestselling author of multiple historical romances, including AML's "2013 Novel of the Year" and Foreword Review’s 2013 “IndieFab Book of the Year” gold medal winner for Best Romance, Longing for Home, and the Whitney Award's "2014 Novel of the Year," Longing for Home: Hope Springs.

Combining her obsession with history and affinity for tender love stories, Sarah loves crafting witty characters and heartfelt romances set against rich historical backdrops. She holds a bachelor’s degree in research and happily spends hours perusing the reference shelves of her local library. Sarah lives with her husband, kids, and mischievous dog in the shadow of a snow-capped mountain she has never attempted to ski.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS

Rebecca Connolly

Rebecca Connolly is the author of more than two dozen novels. She calls herself a Midwest girl, having lived in Ohio and Indiana. She's always been a bookworm, and her grandma would send her books almost every month so she would never run out. Book Fairs were her carnival, and libraries are her happy place.

She has been creating stories since childhood, and there are home videos to prove it! She received a master's degree from West Virginia University, spends every spare moment away from her day job absorbed in her writing, and is a hot cocoa addict.