Historical Romantic Suspense

The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper Basham

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Reviewed by Sandra Merville Hart

Freddie and Grace Mysteries – Book 1

I love to read books set during the Christmas holidays. This 1913 book begins in November and ends at Christmas.

Grace Ferguson is more interested in the library at the mansion where her sister Lillias will marry an earl in a week’s time. The arranged marriage will save the earl’s England estate and Lillias is only marrying a man she doesn’t know to please her father.

Frederick Percy is trying to make up for his past by marrying Lillias. When she elopes after meeting him, Grace convinces him to marry her instead.

Attempts have been made on Frederick’s life and soon Grace is also threatened. She dearly loves solving mysteries—and she must solve this one before her new husband is murdered.

I enjoyed the story overall. The growing relationship between the newlyweds is very romantic and perhaps too quick. My interest was snagged by the mysterious attempts to kill Frederick and I tried to solve the mystery along with characters.

Some characters are as full of surprises as the twists and turns. The story left the door open to solve more mysteries in future books!

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The House on Foster Hill by Jaime Jo Wright

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1906—Ivy Thorpe is chilled by the discovery of a dead woman near the home at Foster Hill. Her father, the medical examiner on the case, reports that the woman recently had a baby. The sheriff and Joel Cunningham–the detective Ivy hasn’t seen since her brother died–can’t find the infant. The baby can’t survive long so Ivy decides to search, placing herself in danger.

Current day—Kaine Prescott can’t convince the police that her husband’s death was no accident. Nor can she can convince them that someone is now stalking her. Longing to escape the danger, she buys a historic home, sight unseen, on Foster Hill and moves to Wisconsin to fix it up.

But the house is far more dilapidated than the realtor’s photos showed … and sinister. When the stalker finds her again, she’s terrified. Can she really trust her new neighbor, Grant Jesse?

Riveting!

Both women face danger that involves the house at Foster Hill. Their stories are woven together in a way that escalates with every turn of the page. Suspenseful, dramatic, heart-wrenching. I wasn’t able to put it down!

Spellbound by this well-written story.

Looking forward to reading other books by this author!

-Sandra Merville Hart

Christianbook.com

Alice’s Notions by Tamera Lynn Kraft

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This historical suspense novel is set shortly after the end of World War II. Alice Brighton, widowed by the war, returns to her small home town of Burning Bush, West Virginia to start over. She opens a new fabric shop, Alice’s Notions, hoping to support herself and bring business to her town.

But nothing is the same. Her new landlord, Rick Morrison, is often away. He’s nice-looking but bossy. Her employee is a German immigrant. Old neighbors have changed.

Alice organizes a barn quilt tour to bring customers to the town. Why are so many up in arms about it? Who can Alice trust in the fearful environment following the war?

This novel is an eye-opener about the troubled environment and real danger to everyday folks after the war.

Once the story snagged my interest, it didn’t let go. The suspenseful quality drew me in as I tried to figure out who to trust along with Alice. Many aspects of 1940s life included in the story make this an enjoyable read.

-Review by Sandra Merville Hart

Christianbook.com