Acquired Book By: I recently started hosting with Prism Book Tours, having noticed the badge on Tressa’s blog (Wishful Endings) whilst I was visiting her blog as we would partake in the same blog tours and/or book blogosphere memes. I had to put the memes on hold these past several months (something I hope to resume in 2018) but as I enquried about hosting for Prism, I found I liked the niche of authors and stories they were featuring regularly. I am unsure how many books I’ll review for them as most are offered digitally rather than in print but this happily marks one of the blog tours where I could receive a print book for review purposes. Oft-times you’ll find Prism Book Tours alighting on my blog through the series of guest features and spotlights with notes I’ll be hosting on behalf of their authors.
I received a complimentary copy of “A Priceless Find” direct from the author Kate James in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.
Why I was intrigued by this story-line:
I admit, I have liked reading Harlequin authors long before the last Acquisitions and Mergers went through – as I remember finding the publisher in the early 90s as I have been a reader of Romance for every decade I’ve been alive! lol I started out reading Roms when I was a young girl – smitten by the Regency and Victorian eras (first and foremost, of course!) before I explored other options – ironically or not, Contemporary Roms were one of the last ones I fancied which I have a better appreciation for finding now that I am a book blogger. The main imprint I used to read the most was Mira, however, there were different sub-series and imprints by Harlequin I have long admired – including the wholesome stories of the Heartwarming series and/or the Love Inspired. They also purchased my beloved mail-order series Heartsong Presents before it finally was closed a few years ago prior to the last merger.
The one thing I have appreciated about Harlequin authors though is how approachable they are and how friendly they are to speak with about their stories and writings. They also have the tendency to write the kind of stories you expect to find on Hallmark Channel – inspiring, uplifting and bursting with wicked good Romances! I find the channel to be a pulse of joy to watch (even if I’m currently a cable-cutter without access to it!) as you can curl up inside those movies with a sense of peace and a joyfulness in your spirit. Who doesn’t like that?
This is how I feel about reading stories by Harlequin – I like the lighter side to literature, as although I’m a drama lover, there is something to be said for a kind respite and a lighter story-line which picks up your spirits just at a moment where a story like these can be a balm to your weathered soul! I am thankful I found Prism Book Tours – if only to start to seek out new authors under Harlequin’s imprints and start to make enroads once again in reading them regularly!
-quoted from my Spotlight on behalf of this novel w/ an Extract
A Priceless Find
Subtitle: A Camden Falls Novel
Can opposites really attract?
A robbery followed by the discovery of a forgery at a respected art gallery thrusts Chelsea Owens into the center of an investigation headed by Detective Sam Eldridge. The instant chemistry between the high-spirited aspiring curator and the tall, dark, brooding cop is a classic case of opposites attract.
Complications arise when Chelsea uncovers a connection to an unsolved art heist. Teaming up with Sam to find the stolen paintings ignites feelings that could lead to lasting love. But Sam isn't ready to move beyond the tragedy in his past, no matter how promising his future with Chelsea could be…
Places to find the book:
ISBN: 9780373368587
on 3rd October, 2017
Pages: 384
Published by: Harlequin Heartwarming
Converse via: #Contemporary + #Romance and #HarlequinHeartwarming
About Kate James
Kate spent much of her childhood abroad before attending university in Canada. She built a successful business career, but her passion has always been literature. As a result, Kate turned her energy to her love of the written word.
Kate's goal is to entertain her readers with engaging stories featuring strong, likable characters. Kate has been honored with numerous awards for her writing. She and her husband, Ken, enjoy traveling and the outdoors, with their beloved Labrador Retrievers, Harley and Logan.
My review of a priceless find:
You have to smirk whilst reading this novel – how can you not? Ms James has created such a wicked opener as having her heroine full of moxie as she took-on the lead detective in a crime against her neighbouring store-owner’s shop! She works at the gallery (next door) but as soon as she saw the lights & commotion whilst making her commute to the gallery; her heart pulled at her at all angles – would she know the (potential) victim of this crime?! The answer of course is yes, she does – but more to the point – she ignores the rules of an active crime scene in-progress – going head-on into the shop to reassure Mr Rochester whose been injured! Where you smirk the most is how she first engages with Sam – the alarmed detective who couldn’t understand why the detective on sentry duty allowed her through the door! Meanwhile, it’s her thoughts which keep you smirking – as her heart & mind are all in throes with Sam – the detective whose confounded by why the damage is greater than the loss in merch.
Sam was trained in the city (of Boston) bringing with him a history of experience not limited to the small towne of Camden Falls where he was currently working. From his work history, the heist in question has him marking red flags all over the crime scene – from how it was executed to the purpose behind what was left behind. His mind was trying to sort out anything plausible to lend a conclusion which made better sense than the evidence he’d collected but all-in, there wasn’t too much to go on at this point in time. Which is why cheeky or not, he was going to focus on something else – such as getting to know the spunky woman (Chelsea) who worked at the gallery next door! Chelsea had already discussed her encounter with Sam with her bestie – finding she was keenly aware of his presence and attributes but other than what she saw of him, she couldn’t quite understand why she’d feel this way overall – she was in a dating slump and more to the point, he wasn’t the typical bloke she’d find attractive.
Ms James does a great job of enveloping you into the gallery show – of feeling the joys of moving through the gallery admiring the different works by both classical and contemporary artists whilst giving you a nod of what it’s like to go to a gallery show itself. As you observe Chelsea at the event, you see how she has a passion for both art and the art of conversation – of finding ways to draw people into peering at the art with a newfound appreciation for what can be found in the art itself. She attempted this with Sam but she also know she long-term customers quite well. Especially in regards to when a new piece comes in someone might be keenly interested in purchasing for their collection.
The secondary characters – from Rochester’s nephew to the grandson of the gallery owner – you start to see threads of interest moving in and out of the foreground. Chelsea is the anchour to the drama – her movements are in and around what is happening but not directly connected. She has the heart for the art business and the joy of being apprised of the provenances of the art she sells but she’s not a criminal mastermind such as Sam presumes she might be as he’s not entirely convinced this isn’t an ‘inside job’ somehow or someway. I honestly kept smirking – Sam was simply trying to find a reason not to like her as much as she made his heart go a-flutter! Her ex-beau Joel (the gallery’s grandson) has a chip on his shoulder – someone you could see would easily become angered and jealous by his girlfriend’s actions or relationships; even if they were benign.
As the rumours fly regarding a missing painting – Chelsea and Sam find themselves unable to stay a part from one another. The plot thickens under the guise of what was the truer reason behind the jewelry store robbery – whilst the gallery itself has it’s own share of unanswered strife! Both Chelsea and Sam weren’t expecting to find someone they could relate too nor someone they’d be equally interested in pursuing but through their conversations – the times they took out to meet with each other round their hectic schedules – they were finding how well suited they truly were for each other. She had a sharp mind to match his and they both enjoyed wit and banter – giving the impression there was still hope for them both to find happiness in romance.
On the Contemporary writing style of Kate James:
One story-line I shy away from reading is terminal illnesses revolving around Cancer, however, in this instance – everything related to the disease and the characters who have it remained off-scene. Meaning, everything was in the ‘past’ for the characters in question and I appreciated this – as what could have been an emotionally difficult story had an uplifting ‘ending’ in regards to how those who have lost their loved ones after tragic circumstances find healing and a lift of heart after they’ve had a chance to heal. After such a difficult year myself – helping my Dad recover from his stroke and his hospitalisation last November/December – I’m even more cautious about the stories I am reading.
What I appreciated most though is how Ms James showed the character’s growth on behalf of Sam – he bottled a lot of his emotions close to his soul – whilst volunteering with a Wish Foundation for Children who are terminally ill, trying to keep his heart positive about what he can do for others whilst allowing himself time to grieve and heal. Counter-balanced to Sam’s heartache is the upturn of events surrounding Paige’s son (Chelsea’s bestie) who survived Cancer and is in remission. It was a good balance of the realities of terminal illnesses (including those not strictly related to Cancer) and the after effects of what happens when the patients either survive or pass on.
Meanwhile, as these threads are not the main focus (they were sub-focuses) – I enjoyed the gentle romance percolating between Chelsea and Sam. Neither of them were in a rush – if anything they were smitten by what they saw in each other but they were not too quick to allow themselves the time to get to know each other better. He never thought he’d find someone like her and she was at a loss as to why her last relationship faded out – they simply each found each other unexpectedly when their paths crossed. Which happily can be the case IRL as well. I liked watching them both go through the motions of their jobs whilst finding ways in which they could meet up with each other and have a bit of a trial dating run under the illusion of connecting after work or in regards to Chelsea for asking Sam questions regarding the gallery or jewelry store robbery.
Note about ‘Larger Print vs Large Print’ in Harlequin editions:
I don’t believe I’m read a ‘regular’ print Harlequin edition paperback – as I seem to get more Large Print editions – either for review directly or through my own purchases and even those editions I borrow through my local library. This edition, however, is the 3rd choice – the ‘larger print’ edition – I must say, it is easy on the eyes! Lately I’ve been dealing with an increase of health woes – stemming out of 3 migraines and newly minted Winter allergies – for a girl with intense *Spring allergies* having Winter ones now is maddening! This type of font is brilliant if your re-shifting back into reading off a migraine and/or your itching teary eyes from allergies feel exhausted before you even start reading, they can relax into the story-line a bit easier!
I’ll happily start to seek out this version of the stories whenever I can as their a godsend! Thanks Harlequin! And, an extra note of gratitude to Ms James for sending me this version!
This blog tour is courtesy of: Prism Book Tours
Click through via the badge to find out what else awaits you! 
{SOURCES: Cover art of “A Priceless Find”, book synopsis, author biography, author photograph of Kate James, blog tour banner and the Prism Book Tours badge were all provided by Prism Book Tours and used with permission. Post dividers by Fun Stuff for Your Blog via Pure Imagination. Tweets embedded by codes provided by Twitter. Blog graphics created by Jorie via Canva: Stories in the Spotlight and the Comment Box Banner.}
Copyright © Jorie Loves A Story, 2017.
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