Happy #blogmas! Albeit a few months late! A #ChristmasReads book review | “Tales of a Paperboy” (A Christmas Story) by Andrew J. Mair

Posted Sunday, 9 February, 2025 by jorielov , , 0 Comments

#blogmas book review banner created by Jorie in Canva.

Acquired Book By: In (2020), I was contacted by Andrew J. Mair to review his novel “Tales of a Paperboy” (A Christmas Story) and I was very grateful to receive his novel for review consideration at that time. I don’t completely remember the order of events which led me to push forward this review by four years – however, since (2020) and especially the last two years wherein my father entered the hospital and exited into long-term care – I would presume there were a lot of different reasons why I kept finding myself losing traction to read and review this lovely novel until now. I do regret it took me this long to pick up the book again but I am grateful I can finally put mind and heart into the story and share my reactions with my readers and followers alike whilst giving the author a chance to know how the story resonated with me.

I received a complimentary copy of “Tales of a Paperboy (A Christmas Story)” direct from the author Andrew J. Mair in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein. 

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On the harder undertone of the novel “Tales of a Paperboy”:

I, believe one of the reasons I struggled to read this over the last four years was due to the nature of the story itself as it is about a young both of fourteen who is grieving the loss of his mother from Cancer. It was an aggressive form of the disease and she sadly, passed away during Christmas. It threw his entire family into a maelstrom of emotions and grief, and it took a long time for them to emerge out of that sorrow to where joy could be a part of their lives again.

Mair delves directly into that nexus of emotion when you’re on the fringes of losing a loved one whilst he counters the harder undertones of the story with flashbacks and sequences of insight which stem from the journals left behind by Daniel’s grandmother. As she had written a full account of what life was like during that time and how hard it was to process the hours as they were lived as much as it was hard to reconcile what had happened after Daniel’s Mom had died.

I usually shy away from reading stories about terminal illness because they are just emotionally wrecking to read. However, I do make a few exceptions to that rule – Tales of a Paperboy felt like such a strong story to read because it was about a young boy choosing to find his own path through his grief and to find out how courage can take you to a place in life you hadn’t expected to arrive. I was not disappointed but for those who are sensitive to stories involving terminal illness and Cancer, take caution with your readerly heart as this story might be a bit too hard for you to read. Just know – this is definitely Daniel’s story, but grief is a main factor of this timeline within his story.

There is the sense of abandonment Daniel feels for his father isn’t with him as he had to travel out of state for work. Daniel feels lost and alone and adrift, and you can understand why because his whole world has been upturnt. He’s lost his friends when we relocated, and his sense of purpose and direction has become a bit muddled in the process. This is a coming-of-age story about overcoming personal loss and finding yourself through your growing years.

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Sadly, I was on track to finish reading this novel during December, until my work hours overtook all my days off and I quite literally worked 13 out of the final 14 days of the year. Some years, you find yourself overly extended during the holidays with work and this year was definitely one of the heavier workloads I’ve managed to undertake! Last year was quite similar and I’m not entirely sure how I survived both holidays back-to-back! The only small bit of good news this year, I was able to sneak in time with my father whilst Mum and I watched quite a few Christmas films which lifted my spirits as much as watching Leeanne’s vlogs on Cocktail Hour at the Coop!

I will admit though, the heaviness of this story is very hard to read at the holidays – it might be better suited to a different time of year to read whilst embracing the elements of Christmas knitted into the story. Any story which touches on Cancer and Christmas is going to be an emotional read and FYI if you’re a sensitive reader to those topics like I am myself (ie. terminal illness, Cancer, etc) you’ll find yourself at times struggling to finish reading the story because you might be concerned about what the next pages will review. I hope my review will give a bit of keen insight into the story but also, as a guide to help other readers know if they can handle the content of it.

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Happy #blogmas! Albeit a few months late! A #ChristmasReads book review | “Tales of a Paperboy” (A Christmas Story) by Andrew J. MairTales of a Paperboy
Subtitle: A Christmas Story
by Andrew J. Mair
Source: Direct from Author

Following the death of his mother, fourteen-year-old Daniel Morgan moves from Texas to Utah to live with his grandma and new step-grandfather while his dad pursues a job out of state.

Encouraged by his father, Daniel reluctantly starts his first job as a paperboy. Lonely and lost in an unfamiliar environment and with the holidays approaching, Daniel finds comfort and hope in the sound of local church bells.

Through his grandparents and the retired families living on his paper route, Daniel learns valuable lessons about responsibility and family. But will he find the spirit of Christmas he longs for?

Genres: Contemporary (Modern) Fiction (post 1945), Inspirational Fiction & Non-Fiction, Christmas Story &/or Christmas Romance



Places to find the book:

Borrow from a Public Library

Add to LibraryThing

ISBN: 9798670394819

Published by Self Published

on 17th August, 2020

Format: Paperback Edition

Pages: 221

This novel is Self-Published

Converse via: #ChristmasReads, #ChristmasBooks

About Andrew J. Mair

Andrew Mair

Andrew J. Mair is a Texas-based, Utah born, personal blogger and writer of fiction. He participates in several podcasts as a social media manager and contributor, most notably, the Utah based show, in podcast form, The Cultural Hall. 

His first book, Tales of a Paperboy – A Christmas Story, was released on August 17, 2020.

Andrew writes several personal blogs, including one entirely dedicated to Christmas. During December for many years, Andrew posts every day from December 1st to Christmas Eve about a range of holiday topics ranging from Christmas Carols and Angels and Shepherds also Santa Claus.

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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

  • #blogmas 2024
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Posted Sunday, 9 February, 2025 by jorielov in #blogmas, 21st Century, Death, Sorrow, and Loss, Debut Author, Debut Novel, Epistolary Novel | Non-Fiction, Family Drama, Indie Author, Inspirational Fiction & Non-Fiction, Life Shift, Modern Day, Small Towne Fiction, Small Towne USA

An #INSPYSundays #CloakAndDaggerChristmas Book Review | “Counter Attack” (Book One: Pearl River series) by Patricia Bradley

Posted Sunday, 2 February, 2025 by jorielov , , , 0 Comments

#INSPYSundays banner made my Jorie in Canva.

Acquired Book By: In February, (2023) I was one of the lucky Early Reviewers to receive a copy of “Counter Attack” by Patricia Bradley from LibraryThing. I have been trying to participate regularly in the ER programme via LibraryThing over the years without success. I was re-attempting to start my journey with the ER programme in (2023) but for whichever reason, I found the book languishing on my shelves to be read rather than getting into the storyline and finishing the book. My mind was distracted by life and work and just a hodgepodge of reasons truly which led to this book getting pushed forward over the last few years. I decided to begin anew in the New Year of 2025 and resume where I left off with both the book and the programme.

I received a complimentary ARC copy of “Counter Attack” direct from the publisher Revell in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein. Per the badge at the end of this review, I am also a member of the LibraryThing Early Reviewer Programme. All promo materials for this novel were provided by the publisher and are used with permission.

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On why I love reading Contemporary INSY Suspense:

I never meant to be so distanced from reading “Counter Attack” these past few years – as soon as I received the novel, I was anxious to read it. Contemporary INSPY (ie. Inspirational, Christian) Suspense novels is a sub-interest and focus I love in Lit. I share this affinity for these stories with my Mum. Of whom we’re both equally addicted to Love Inspired Suspense. I read a healthy amount of mainstream Suspense & Thrillers too, alongside Cosies (ie. both Contemporary & Historical) as well – but, what has me tucking back into the INSPY side of the bookshelf is how wickedly the authors are writing the stories with an uplifting centre in the heart of their stories. These are the faith-based stories in the genre and ones that I appreciate reading.

Authors I have come to love for INSPY Suspense are Dee Henderson (the original storyteller I was introduced to in this genre of interest), Lynette Eason, Laura Scott, Elizabeth Goddard and Lenora Worth to name a few. Each of these lovely authors write convicting storylines with the light of faith as the backbone of their stories and styles. I love being on pins & needles reading INSPY Contemporary Suspense novels but knowing that there is a line in the sand that won’t be crossed, too. As sometimes mainstream Contemporary Suspense (or Thrillers) can push me a bit past the envelope of what I can handle as a reader. This is why I am particularly particular about the kinds of Suspense & Thrillers I read as a reader.

More recently, on the mainstream side it was D.J. Williams with his The Auctioneer (see also Review) who dearly impressed me with his style of narrative and emotional rollercoaster he took me on!

With the INSPY side of Suspense, I know I am going to be in for a chilling read but that there are certain limits within where I will go with the story and sometimes, for me as a reader those limits are warranted. Especially as I have a lot of IRL stress with double-stacked jobs (night and day) and in my down hours it is nice to curl into a story which I know might leave me on the edge of my seat but it won’t leave me shattered. There is a wonderful JOY in reading a story that gives you a wicked good Suspense but one that promises to sprinkle in enough Hope and Light that leaves you uplifted by the end of the story.

When I first received “Counter Attack” the sequel “Fatal Witness” wasn’t published and I honestly never knew it existed until now. Imagine my surprise finding out the third novel released this past November?! I have both of those novels on my #mustbuy list to continue reading the Pearl River series.

As I was trying to say, I never meant to leave such a long gap of time between receiving “Counter Attack” and reading it. Nor did I intend to leave an absence from my participation in the LibraryThing ER programme as a result of not reading this in a more timely manner. I do want to give a shout-out to Abigail Adams and her kind courtesies of response to my messages about my lack of participation in the programme these past few years. With this review I am resuming my participation and becoming active once again.

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An #INSPYSundays #CloakAndDaggerChristmas Book Review | “Counter Attack” (Book One: Pearl River series) by Patricia BradleyCounter Attack
Subtitle: A Pearl River Novel
by Patricia Bradley
Source: LibraryThing Early Reviewer Programme

Her next move just might be her last

No sooner has Alexis Stone been sworn in as the interim chief deputy for Russell County, Tennessee, than a serial killer dubbed the Queen's Gambit Killer strikes again--this time in her hometown. Pearl Springs is just supposed to be a temporary stop along the way to Alex's real dream: becoming the first female police chief of Chattanooga. But the killer's calling card--a white pawn and a note with a chess move printed on it--cannot be ignored.

Pearl Springs chief of police Nathan Landry can't believe that his high school sweetheart Alexis (he refuses to call her Alex) is back in town, and he can't help wanting to protect the woman he never stopped loving. But as the danger mounts and the killer closes in, can Nathan come through on the promise he makes to himself to bring a killer to justice before it's too late?

Genres: Contemporary (Modern) Fiction (post 1945), Crime Fiction, Suspense, Inspirational Fiction & Non-Fiction, Romantic Suspense



Places to find the book:

Borrow from a Public Library

Add to LibraryThing

ISBN: 9780800741624

Published by Revell

on 16th May, 2023

Format: Paperback ARC

Pages: 378

Published by: Revell (@RevellBooks)
an imprint of Baker Publishing Group

Converse via: #RomanticSuspenseBooks, #RomanticSuspenseReaders
and/or #ChristianFiction and #ChristianRomance

Available Formats: Trade Paperback, Audiobook and Ebook
and Hardcover for Books 1-2

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The Pearl River series:

Counter Attack by Patricia BradleyFatal Witness by Patricia BradleyDeadly Revenge by Patricia Bradley

Counter Attack (Book One) – May, 2023

Fatal Witness (Book Two) – February, 2024

*brings the focus back to K-9 officer Mark Lassiter

Deadly Revenge (Book Three) – November, 2024

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About Patricia Bradley

Patricia Bradley

Patricia Bradley is the author of the Pearl River, Natchez Trace Park Rangers, Memphis Cold Case, and Logan Point series. Bradley is the winner of an Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, a Selah Award, and a Daphne du Maurier Award; she was a Carol Award finalist; and three of her books were included in anthologies that debuted on the USA Today bestseller list. She makes her home in Mississippi.

Photo Credit: © Noel Potts

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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

  • #CloakAndDaggerChristmas 2024
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Posted Sunday, 2 February, 2025 by jorielov in #cloakanddaggerchristmas, 21st Century, ARC | Galley Copy, Contemporary Thriller, Crime Fiction, Fly in the Ointment, Indie Author, Inspirational Fiction & Non-Fiction, Life Shift, Modern Day, Romance Fiction, Romantic Suspense, Small Towne Fiction, Small Towne USA, Southeastern USA

A #SciFiMonth Inner Space Odyssey Book Review | “The Heart of the Uni-verse” by S.D. Henke

Posted Monday, 13 January, 2025 by jorielov , , , 0 Comments

#SciFiMonth Book Review banner created by Jorie in Canva.

Acquired Book By: I’ve been wanting to read this lovely novel for the past year, as I received it ahead of #SciFiMonth in (2023) and had fully intended to either read it ahead or feature it during the event itself. Due to various reasons, I was delayed, and my review was pushed forward until now. The author reached out to me via my Review Policy page, and I was truly grateful they had as it was a different kind of story and format of a book, and I was most eager to read it. I am hoping by featuring it this year during #SciFiMonth other readers might give it a chance to leave an impression on them as well.

I received a complimentary copy of “The Heart of the Uni-verse” direct from the author S.D. Henke in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.

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An apology to the author for taking a bit longer to read this lovely story:

I had fully intended to read this lovely story closer to the time it arrived by Post, however, as it turnt out, the best timing for me was this #SciFiMonth instead. Everything was going fine, too, as I was hugged so dearly close into the story and appreciating the diversions of where the poetry moved along in sync with the journey we were undertaking with Pi. Then, of course, the events I mentioned on a book spotlight happened and I expanded what was going on personally in my life on The Sunday Post. To put it simply, I lost my footing with my final reads of #SciFiMonth and had to redivert my attention into reading by selecting some #cloakanddaggerchristmas reads (such as Prison Break Hostage) instead as well as some INSPY Contemporary Romances (such as The Doctor’s Christmas Dilemma) to put me back on track!

By the time I *finally!* realigned into the novel, it was a breath of fresh air as I truly loved the uniqueness of how its told and the style in which it was written. Thereby, I truly apologise to the author for taking a heap longer to read this novel than originally intended. I can honestly say, the times I’ve spent inside the story were wicked brilliant and I definitely look forward to seeing more stories by Henke now that I firmly have a grasp on her artfulness of storycrafting!

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A #SciFiMonth Inner Space Odyssey Book Review | “The Heart of the Uni-verse” by S.D. HenkeThe Heart of the Uni-verse
by S.D. Henke
Source: Direct from Author

PI confronts the everyday trials of an eleven-year-old grappling with the complexities of life, family, and friends, and the prospects of losing it all in a heartbeat as he faces his third and final round of open-heart surgery for a congenital defect. Struggling with the family dynamics of his exhausted mother, his deployed military father, and his declining grandfather, BIG PAW, Pi feels as if his life is spiraling out of control.

When it’s announced that his school will host the 3M contest an idea to alter his misfortunes springs into action. Pi sees this as his chance to change the course of his life. There’s just one problem, only eligible 6th-grade students are allowed to enter, and although he should be in 6th grade based on his age, he was held back a year due to his health condition. Crushed by the news that his dream could be foiled by the limits of space and time, he and his friends concoct a plan that can take them to the stage of the national science contest. 

Other things are changing for him as well as he navigates a budding new friendship with a sixth-grade girl, CEYLAN who has offered to enter the contest for him. With the added moral support of his best friend JAMAL, and the solace he’s found in science, Pi sees his own cosmic connection with the power of positive thinking as a path to help heal the hole in his heart.

Pi and his friends enter the contest and work together to bring ‘Mind Matters’ into the scientific spotlight. The evidence rests in the countdown toward Pi’s impending surgery. On top of that, the changes in Pi’s grandfather are taking a turn for the worse as Pi watches him drift away in direct conflict with what he is working to achieve.

Meanwhile, his own timer is up with his deployed father’s scheduled homecoming and the surgery moving ahead as planned. Pi is out of time and out of hope and failure seems to be allied with his everyday reality. Just when he thinks he has no other option than to give up, his own efforts to promote the positive has left an impact and his friends and his grandfather step up to show him that “Mind Matters” really do matter.

Genres: Children's Literature, Middle Grade, Poetry & Drama, Science Fiction



Places to find the book:

Add to LibraryThing

ISBN: 9781738125401

Published by Self Published

on 10th April, 2023

Format: Paperback Edition

Pages: 241

Published By: SDH Publishing / Self Published

Available Formats: Trade paperback and Ebook

Converse via: #SciFiMonth

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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

  • Sci Fi November 2024
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Posted Monday, 13 January, 2025 by jorielov in 21st Century, Blogosphere Events & Happenings, Book Review (non-blog tour), Children's Literature, Indie Author, Juvenile Fiction, Literature for Boys, Middle Grade Novel, Modern Day, Post-911 (11th September 2001), Reading Challenges, School Life & Situations, Sci-Fi November, Science Fiction

#TheWriteReads blog tour celebrating A NEW #MiddleGrade Heroine | Introducing “The Legendary Mo Seto” by A.Y. Chan

Posted Tuesday, 24 December, 2024 by jorielov , , , 0 Comments

The Legendary Mo Seto blog tour banner provided by The Write Reads and is used with permission.

Acquired Book By: I started to notice I was receiving quite a few enquiries on my blog the last few months – in respect, to authors reaching out to me directly about reviewing their novels and one publicity firm I hadn’t worked with in the past as well. Ms Chan was the first author I responded back positively towards because of the note she attached to her query and how much the story itself resonated with me as a reader. I appreciate writers and/or publicists who take the time to look over my blog and know if their story and/or characters will be a good fit for me as a reader. I knew from what she shared with me; this particular story would be right up my street so to speak. 

I received a complimentary copy of “The Legendary Mo Seto” direct from the author A.Y. Chan in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.

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Why this particular story impressed me and why I wanted to read it:

I have had a long-held fascination and interest in Martial Arts – from the days wherein I practiced and trained in Tai Chi Chaun to the hours I’ve spent watching television series and/or movies which had a focus on Martial Arts, too. It isn’t often I find a writer who will put those elements into their stories or a grounding presence of Martial Arts as an important part of their character(s) lives, too. From that aspect of the novel, I was fully hooked and invested in curiosity to read the story! I wanted to know more about Mo Seto right away and find out what fuelled her passion for not just the practice of learning Martial Arts but the competitive side of her character as well.

However, there was a hint of a hidden secret history about her family and that out of her own courage to pursue the truth, she would find a lot to be revealled. From that angle of it, I was most intrigued, too. The last time I saw a story cleverly hide a family history secret was when I was watching the first season of Ms. Marvel and it truly captured my imagination. I need to follow-up with that series and see if they produced a second series, but I wasn’t sure if they would as the lead character was showcased in the film The Marvels.

The fact this novel was written for a Middle Grade audience also was well timed for me to read it – as I’ve been wanting to re-focus more on my readerly interests in both MG Lit and YA Lit – especially over the course of Summer. I had this idea to focus on YA Reads over Summer for quite a few years but either the intensity of storms (ie. severe lightning) would kick me offline or life would interfere, and I’d lose the hours to read the stories themselves – something always seemed to distract me from my efforts every Summer, until now. Mostly as our weather patterns are changing and the storms seem to be coming closer to the end of Summer than at the start of it, too.

I also love finding new heroines and heroes to champion in Middle Grade – especially when I find a book for MG Readers which is lovingly written for an MG Audience and isn’t writ too adult or with inclusions which would make it more Upper YA than Middle Grade. That seems to be the case a lot of the times these days in publishing and that is why I love celebrating writers who still keep the innocence and the adventure alive and well for the audience in which they are writing for rather than rushing ahead with more adult themes or content that isn’t always (I feel) suited for that audience. We all have to grow up eventually but sometimes I think we forget that there is something special and beautiful about still allowing kids to have wicked fun with their imaginations with stories that don’t have to make them feel like they need to hasten their own journey into adulthood.

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The Legendary Mo Seto graphic created by Jorie in Canva. Photo Credit: jorielovesastory.com

The Legendary Mo Seto
by A.Y. Chan
Source: Direct from Author

Mo Seto, martial arts movie star! Has a nice ring to it doesn’t it? If only there wasn’t a height restriction to audition. But 12-year-old Modesty (Mo) Seto has never let her height get in the way before, not when she became a black belt, or when she fought the meanest boy in her class, and she’s not going to let it stop her this time! Now if only she can figure out a way to grow five inches and fool everyone at the auditions… Join Mo on an adventure (and audition) of a lifetime and find out if powerful things really do come in small packages!

Genres: Children's Literature, Middle Grade, Martial Art History



Places to find the book:

Borrow from a Public Library

Add to LibraryThing

ISBN: 9781665937320

Also by this author: The Legendary Mo Seto

on 4th June, 2024

Format: Hardcover Edition

Pages: 320

Published by: Aladdin Books (an imprint of Simon & Schuster)

Follow @SimonTeen (via Instagram)

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Posted Tuesday, 24 December, 2024 by jorielov in 21st Century, Book Review (non-blog tour), California, Children's Literature, Debut Author, Debut Novel, Equality In Literature, Family Life, Father-Daughter Relationships, Geographically Specific, Martial Arts, Middle Grade Novel, Modern Day, Multi-cultural Characters and/or Honest Representations of Ethnicity, Post-911 (11th September 2001), Taekwondo

A #CloakAndDaggerChristmas this #CrimeFicFridays | Jorie returns to the Honour Bound series within the pages of “Prison Break Hostage” (Honour Bond series, Book 5) by Anna J. Stewart

Posted Friday, 20 December, 2024 by jorielov , , , 0 Comments

#CrimeFicFridays banner created by Jorie in Canva.

Previously, during #CrimeFicFridays,

I have featured the following Romantic Suspense novels by Anna J. Stewart:

I started this concentration in 2021 with the following reviews:
Undercover Heat and Colton on the Run

And continuing in 2022: Gone in the Night & Guarding His Midnight Mistress

I am hoping to read a few before the close of 2024 whilst continuing this series in 2025!

Acquired Book By: I have been actively reviewing for Ms Stewart as a member of her Review Team since 2021. My love her stories began with Return of the Blackwell Brothers – a Harlequin Heartwarming series. The Blackwells have several sequel series and it is a series I will be returning to reading in (2025). From there, I discovered her Butterfly Harbour series, the Honour Bound series and the Hawaiian Reunions series. Shifting into (2025) I will be reading her novels more often and thereby, will be sharing more reviews on behalf of her books as I resume the series I started and continue forward with them in the New Year.

I received a complimentary copy of “Prison Break Hostage” direct from the author Anna J. Stewart in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein. Per the badge at the end of this review, I am also a member of the author’s Review Team.

NOTE: All the Press Materials for this series (Honour Bound) were provided by the author, Ms Stewart for use on my blog. Whether she gifted me the books herself or whether I purchased them – as I asked if I could use them as I blog about this wonderfully lovely series.

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On returning to this series two years after I found my footing within it.

You might be curious why I took a leave of absence from reading this lovely series – after I had not only become dearly attached to the characters within it, but I had become achingly hungry to read the next story in the series after I finished Guarding His Midnight Witness. For the fuller context of time behind the years, you’ll have to remember my father entered the hospital two years ago this November, 2024 and exited into long-term care. Aside from the upheaval that provided my family – I also was having issues with my chronic migraines and with my vision; until I realised at long last late last year I was in dire need of Progressive lenses and that, dear hearts changed my life this year. The glasses afforded me a return to reading without straining my eyes to read the words and without the fear of bringing on another migraine, too.

If all things were equal, I would have come back into this series earlier in (2024) – however, as it was overall a hard-won kind of year, I am returning now instead. I felt re-inspired over Summer to pick up the threads of my blog and my socially bookish chatterment online – especially via the portals of #bookstagram and BlueSky. The latter of which happily has a much larger book world community on it now than even before Spring! Whilst taking literary vacations into reading Spookified books in October (via #SpooktasticReads) and Space Opera in November (via #SciFiMonth) you could say I was primed to re-enter my wanderings into Mysteries, Suspense and Thrillers this December!

So much so, it sparked a renewal of interest to showcase a featured set of reviews for these lovely stories as I renew my joy of #CloakAndDaggerChristmas! Thereby, I might have lost a few years but not my love, appreciation and JOY of reading the Honour Bound series. I’m itching to share my reactions about this installment of the series and progressing forward into books six through eight!

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a few notations about the series

from “guarding his midnight witness”:

There is a wicked enveloping of night in the opening pages of Guarding His Midnight Witness wherein you can feel the chill in the night air as much as the emptiness of walking the street alongside a seasoned detective. I’ve come to love how Stewart chooses to illuminate the scenes within her novels and when it comes to the Suspense ones in particular, it is how she tucks you close into a scene with her descriptive narrative which gives the best impression of ‘where’ she’s taking us both visually in the moment and throughout the length of the story. I especially appreciated in this installment how she elected to talk about the climate – how oppressive heat can change your mood and how welcome a cooler night is between Spring and Summer.

Jack McTavish is one of those kinds of blokes who doesn’t want someone else to tell him about his own story – on the level that, in this particular case, having suffered a greatly traumatic injury and has thus recovered from it (be sure to read the harrowing details at the end of Gone in the Night) – he doesn’t want others to treat him differently, walk on eggshells or even insinuate he’s half the bloke he was before the incident. He has a self-preserving grit about him which serves him well as a detective but he also has an internal strength and fortitude about him that means business; which is why he doesn’t like the effect of everyone’s supposed kindness towards him to sound as if it holds more pity than sympathy. You can immediately tell his state of mind but you can also recognise he’s a survivor – which is why seeing him back on the job questioning the call he was dispatched on felt good to see him back at what he loved to do.

Greta on the other hand was an artist with a sharp mind who just happened to stop Jack in his tracks so to speak on first meeting! I had a good smirk over how these two had instant chemistry even if they were meeting under more serious circumstances. I loved how ethereal Stewart penned Greta’s personality and presence in the scenes with Jack and Bowie (his short-term partner, whilst his partner is on holiday) as it evoked Old Hollywood and the artist eras of the past where creators like her could be isolated from society whilst they allowed their muses to find them. She was the kind of artist who appreciated being round people but she needed to find the solace and solitude away from them in order to create her art. I respected that and she was one of those characters you felt you could connect with as soon as she started to talk.

My favourite mysteries and suspense novels have one thing in common: interesting and beguiling characters who keep you turning the pages! In this instance, Greta is a no-nonsense kind of woman who feels it’s her duty to help Jack solve the mystery despite his best intentions of disentangling her from being so directly connected to his own case. The irony of course is that he too would like to stay in her constant company but for a different reason altogether which matched her own inclinations as well. It was definitely one of those meetings of the mind where despite the events which brought them together it was the connection, the instant bond and the chemistry they shared which meant more than the dangers lurking in the shadows. They were a wicked good match for each other especially since they shared something in common which united them: wounded souls with a desire to find the light and joy they felt was missing out of their lives.

Ooh my! The ending on this one – it truly eclipsed my heart because I was expecting a shocking surprise and I was given more than one by the time the story concluded! It was such a satisfying ending though – I didn’t want it to stop because I had become so connected to Jack and Greta! Theirs was one of those old-fashioned romances where neither of them felt they’d ever find someone and yet, their connection to each other was marred a bit by an evolving case and a crime which needed to be solved. Stewart pulls at your heart-strings with this one – from her capacity to write such an intricate and spellbinding psychological suspense to knitting a brilliantly lovely romance with two characters you’ll not soon forget. I ached to read more chapters of this one – hardly able to put it down even for an hour, much less a day whilst in the end, my heart cheered for Jack and Greta all over again. They truly had an incredible journey – one that only Stewart could have conceived and given us.

-quoted from my review of Guarding His Midnight Witness

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The Honour Bound series:

NOTE: I personally spelt honor as *honour* however, if you follow the feeds socially or socially engage on platforms be sure to use the American spelling #HonorBound to find other readers who are sharing their bookish reactions to the series. I am only spelling it differently as I review it on my blog but note the official title all the same. For me, honor is honour but that’s just a personal quirk.

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More than a Lawman by Anna J. StewartReunited with the P.I. by Anna J. StewartGone in the Night by Anna J. Stewart

Guarding His Midnight Witness by Anna J. StewartPrison Break Hostage by Anna J. StewartThe PIs Deadly Charade by Anna J. Stewart

Deadly Vegas Escapade by Anna J. StewartA Detectives Deadly Secrets by Anna J. Stewart

More than a Lawman (book one)

Reunited with the PI (book two)

Gone in the Night (book three) | (see also Review)

Guarding His Midnight Witness (book four) | (see also Review)

Prison Break Hostage (book five)

The PI’s Deadly Charade (book six)

Deadly Vegas Escape (book seven)

A Detective’s Deadly Secrets (book eight)

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View the list and keep tabs on this series via Fantastic Fiction!

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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

  • #CloakAndDaggerChristmas 2024
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Posted Friday, 20 December, 2024 by jorielov in #cloakanddaggerchristmas, 21st Century, Blogosphere Events & Happenings, Book Review (non-blog tour), Contemporary Romance, Crime Fiction, Modern Day, Post-911 (11th September 2001), Reading Challenges, Romance Fiction, Romantic Suspense, Suspense