Category: Fly in the Ointment

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

Posted Sunday, 2 February, 2025 by jorielov Baker Publishing Group, Counter Attack, Patricia Bradley, Pearl River series, Revell 0 Comments

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.

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.

Counter 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

The Pearl River series:

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

About 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

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

#CloakAndDaggerChristmas 2024

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

Happy #blogmas! A #RomanceTuesdays Book Review | “The Doctor’s Christmas Dilemma” by Danielle Thorne

Posted Tuesday, 17 December, 2024 by jorielov Danielle Thorne, Harlequin Books, HarperCollins, Love Inspired (imprint) Harlequin, The Doctor's Christmas Dilemma 0 Comments

Acquired Book By: In (2020) Ms Thorne contacted me about her first Love Inspired novel (“His Daughter’s Prayer”) of which I reviewed and hosted her during @SatBookChat. Fast forward to 2022 and I caught a notice about her review team which led me to asking her about joining the team. I was delighted to receive her second release with Love Inspired as I had fondly remembered the joy I had in reading her debut with the publisher. I was grateful I could join her review team knowing how much I love her writing instincts for telling Contemporary INSPY Romantic stories as much as the fact I love reading stories by this publisher for Romantic Suspense.

I received a complimentary copy of “The Doctor’s Christmas Dilemma” direct from the author Danielle Thorne 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. All promo materials for this novel were provided by the author herself and are used with permission.

On the joy of reading Love Inspired by Ms Thorne:

I truly loved how she developed the character of Ali – a woman who was self-determined to make it on her own terms and to develop a small farm that not only could sustain itself but have enough profit for its owner. I love that about having land where the land itself can produce what you need and even more which can be shared with your community. Farming in all varieties on the local level is where the future is because they have the tendency to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly with lower impacts on the natural environs around them. It was refreshing to see all of this explored and celebrated throughout my readings of The Beekeeper Next Door.

In this novel, I saw the growth of Thorne’s writing style as she interwove more of the faith-based antidotes and references into the storyline. She also found a better balance in how she told the story – by letting the characters take us on a fuller journey without resolving some aspects of that journey for us as readers. She wasn’t telling us but allowing us to see those moments of growth as her characters started to expand their hearts and minds in front of us. I even appreciated how she showed how they each had to process the passage of the past with the newer truths they uncovered in the present. Life is hard enough but overcoming loss (ie. death of a parent or a spouse, as this story focuses on both) is a personal journey of its own and not one that is easily navigable. It takes time and it takes patience, and it takes a lot of faith and prayer to overcome to where living doesn’t feel oppressively hard. Lose is part of all our lives but it is one of the harder moments to reconcile especially when it comes to our emotions and memories – and Thorne did a great job of showing that side of it too, as she focused on Ali and Heath’s path towards self-healing.

-quoted from my book review of The Beekeeper Next Door

I have have been happily reading the stories by Ms Thorne for the last four years – as it all started when I read her Jane Austen inspired novel Josette. From there, I followed her into her publishing career at Love Inspired. Becoming a member of her Review Team has been an honour and a joy to see her personal growth as a writer but also, to tuck close into the lives of the characters’ she’s been bringing to life. I love the gentle storytelling styling of hers but also, the convicting characters who have such realistic lives who have relatable obstacles to work through and endearing romances to rally behind.

Each story is a bit of a treasure to read because of the heart and soul knitted into the framework of the stories themselves. For readers who already appreciate INSPY Fiction, they will be won over by Thorne’s style of narrative but also, the homespun small towne settings wherein you feel an immediate part of the local communities she’s built into her novels. I love the uplift of spirit reading her stories, too. The stories are inspiring and give your heart a lift of joy to read them.

For these reasons, I am a reader who is full of appreciation for having crossed her path and am happy I can continue to celebrate her stories and be a book cheerleader for her as we embark on a New Year of stories and characters throughout 2025.

Speaking of which, the new novel forthcoming next Spring, 2025 is about a baker! As mentioned during my last Sunday Post, baking is an art and skill of interest of my own! In fact, I’ve determined to make the New Year one of exploring baking more and of sorting out how to keep a sourdough starter inasmuch as I want to perfect baking bread and other homemade goodies with a keen interest in making them healthier and less sweet but not with an absence of sweet but using better ingredients than regular sugars, etc.

Thereby, I am most intrigued by reading a story set in or around a bakery – I was also keenly curious, is the baker the girl or the bloke? I oft wondered if anyone might make the baker the bloke rather than the girl as there are a lot of guys who love baking as much as girls’ too. Whichever route the story takes, I’m dearly intrigued and ready!

The Doctor's Christmas Dilemma
Subtitle: Coming home is just the beginning...
by Danielle Thorne
Source: Author Review Team

Genres: Contemporary (Modern) Fiction (post 1945), Inspirational Fiction & Non-Fiction, Sweet Romance, Contemporary Romance

Places to find the book:

Borrow from a Public Library

Add to LibraryThing

ISBN: 9781335597014

Also by this author: Josette, His Daughter's Prayer

Published by Love INSPIRED

on 24th October, 2023

Format: Mass Market Paperback

Pages: 217

Published by: Love Inspired (@LoveInspiredBks)
an imprint of Harlequin Books (@HarlequinBooks)
which is now an imprint of HarperCollins Publishing (@HarperCollins)

Note on Formats: Happily, Love Inspired novels have the same kind of flexibility as Harlequin Heartwarming wherein you can receive these print copies in Regular Print, Larger Print or True Large Print for those who are vision impaired and/or have low vision. I personally love the Larger Print editions for Harlequin Heartwarming, Love Inspired Contemporary Romance & Love Inspired Suspense as it is much kinder on eyes of a migraineur! Generally, I receive Larger Print copies of Love Inspired and/or Harlequin Heartwarming novels – however, I do on occasion receive Regular Print which I can’t read whilst in the throes of a migraine or shortly after one but when I’m migraine-free I can soak back inside them; hence why having different sized fonts available is a lovely gesture by the publisher for readers like me.

Converse via: #SweetRomance, #SweetRomanceReads or #SweetRomanceBooks

and #LoveInspiredBooks as well as #ChristFic, #ChristianFiction, #ContemporaryRomance,
#INSPYRomance or #ChristianFictionBooks on #bookstagram

About Danielle Thorne

Danielle Thorne writes from south of Atlanta, Georgia. She is the author of over fifteen historical and contemporary sweet romances. A graduate of BYU-Idaho, she has also published young adult non-fiction and worn an editor's cap. Her new release is a 2020 historical series set in the United States and follows the period of the American Revolution. Her first book with Harlequin's Love Inspired line will be out this summer.

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

#blogmas 2024

Posted Tuesday, 17 December, 2024 by jorielov in #blogmas, #RomanceTuesdays, 21st Century, Contemporary Romance, Content Note, Family Drama, Fly in the Ointment, Indie Author, Inspirational Fiction & Non-Fiction, Life Shift, Modern Day, Motherhood | Parenthood, Romance Fiction, Second Chance Love, Single Fathers, Small Towne Fiction, Small Towne USA, Southeastern USA

A #CrimeFicFridays Book Review | “The Auctioneer” (Chase Hardeman series, Book One) by D.J. Williams [this #newtomeauthor gave me an #unputdownable Thriller to devour!]

Posted Friday, 13 September, 2024 by jorielov Chase Hardeman Thriller series, D.J. Williams, Forgotten Stories LLC, The Auctioneer 0 Comments

Acquired Book By: This Summer, I’ve been contacted by a variety of different authors and publicists about stories in different genres of interest to find out if I might be keen on reading their stories. This particular author was pitching to me his latest release which is the second novel in the Chase Hardeman series “King of the Night”. However, as those of you will readily recognise who have visited with me over the years – I prefer to read series from the beginning rather than opt instead to read a sequel or another installment. Thereby, I asked if I could read the first novel alongside the sequel which is releasing in September, 2024. Thankfully he agreed and that is how I received both novels for review consideration rather than just one.

I received a complimentary copy of “The Auctioneer” direct from the author D.J. Williams in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.

On Jorie’s return to reading Contemporary Thrillers:

It has been a very long time since I’ve read a Contemporary Thriller – as I was listening to each installment of two different series quite regularly until I reached a point, I had to take a break from listening to the Kay Hunter series (see this last Audiobook Review). It is my goal to pick up the threads of that particular series and carry-on with it. I am grateful to have learnt all the stories are available to listen to via Everand (which is the new website for Scribd) except for the short story in the series which I believe never went to audio. Aside from this series, I was also enjoying listening to the Tara Thorpe series by Clare Chase (see also this Audiobook Review) as she is another Contemporary writer I enjoy listening vs reading in print. Ironically or not, I hadn’t realised I haven’t been reading Thrillers since the pandemic began!

As previously disclosed (via this Post) I am starting to make my return to reading Thrillers and stories of Suspense this latter half of Summer. I have always enjoyed a wicked good Thriller or novel of Suspense especially it is writ well and not only holds my attention to the action and the drama behind the lead or supporting characters but if it is written in such a way as to keep me feverishly engaged and on the edge of my seat but without turning too gruesome or grisly with the depictions of violence. Some authors push the envelope for me in that respect and others, know exactly how to balance it all to where the enjoyment for me as a reader (or listener) is quite high indeed.

When I read about this particular series by Mr Williams, I knew I wanted to take a chance on reading it because it was something completely different than what I was thinking I’d want to be reading this Summer. As most of my readerly focus was on Romances, Romantic Suspense and Children’s Lit in respect to Middle Grade and YA novels of interest. Thereby, as I was looking over the information online about this series, I thought – wells, it has definitely been a long bit of time since I’ve taken a chance on something like that! And, why not? It felt like it would be a good fit for me and if anything, I love adrenaline rushing narratives which keep you on your toes and guessing each time you turn the pages!

Not to mention the fact I tend to watch more films of this nature than I do read a novel within the same genre – unsure when that particular tendency started to happen, but it is my intention to get back into reading and listening to these stories and not just rely on the films to entertain me! And, so, this marks my return and hopefully I can read more stories by other authors writing books in the same vein of interest as this series, too. Those authors include Clare Chase, Rachel Amphlett and J.S. Monroe (see also Review).

The Auctioneer
Subtitle: Introducing Chase Hardeman
by D.J. Williams
Source: Direct from Author

Chase Hardeman, a former special ops veteran, is left questioning whether his past covert missions in the Middle East are the cause of the chaos that's erupted in his life. Dreams of leaving a clandestine war behind and becoming a legend like his father in the auction arena teeter on the brink once he implements a contingency plan amidst an FBI investigation. Captivated by an old flame, Chase navigates the dark corridors of the collector car world in search of a myth. He believes finding this hidden treasure will reveal answers to a ghost buried in the desert of Mosul known to US intelligence as the Prodigal. On this perilous quest, Chase is drawn closer to a deadly threat as he leverages the criminal underworld to prevent a global terrorist attack. With the clock ticking, Chase is forced to relive the past in an imminent showdown and discovers the truth is not as it seems.

With echoes of Robert Ludlum's Jason Bourne and Lee Child's Jack Reacher, D.J. Williams' Chase Hardeman series is thrilling and action-packed, keeping you on the edge of your seat. Fans of espionage and military thrillers will love this fast-paced story that takes readers from the deserts of the Middle East to the high-stakes world of international auctions.

Genres: Contemporary (Modern) Fiction (post 1945), Crime Fiction, Thriller

Places to find the book:

Borrow from a Public Library

ISBN: 9780578427775

on 25th February, 2019

Format: Paperback Edition

Pages: 450

The Chase Hardeman Thriller series:

The Auctioneer (Book One)

King of the Night (Book Two)

→ *NEW release 9th September, 2024

Published By: Forgotten Stories, LLC

Converse via: #ContemporaryThriller as well as #ChaseHardemanSeries

Available Formats: Trade paperback and Ebook

This story took the award for BEST Contemporary Thriller.

Posted Friday, 13 September, 2024 by jorielov in 21st Century, Book Review (non-blog tour), Contemporary Thriller, Content Note, Crime Fiction, Modern Day

Celebrating #SelfPubFanMonth with a fantastical #SaturdaysAreBookish | diving into “Viking Quest” by Edale Lane

Posted Saturday, 24 September, 2022 by jorielov #SelfPubFantasyMonth, Edale Lane, Past and Prologue Press, Viking Quest 0 Comments

Acquired Book By: I had to re-arrange my plans during #WyrdAndWonder – as I was going to read all the lovely books by Edale Lane I had purchased either ahead or during of the event this year during May – except to say, my month held its own fair share of woes – from health, to work to all the little unexpected things that go wrong which add up to lost hours to read and blog! *le sigh* However, I chose to reveal my thoughts on behalf of “Heart of Sherwood” and “Walks With Spirits” during Wyrd And Wonder as I felt it was quite an interesting bookend: the first and the latest by Edale Lane. However, the hours did not yield to finishing of the second novel. I had begun to read the fourth novel of the Night Flyer series as well but realised the hours were limited and I wouldn’t get the chance to read the fifth – so I’ve pushed those readings into Summer which melted into Autumn readings.

As a small update: I’ll be listening to the audiobook for “Walks With Spirits” whilst continuing to read the novel, whilst shifting back into the Night Flyer series and diving into “Daring Duplicity” as well as Autumn starts to take hold. The joy of course, I was able to lengthen my time with Lane’s novels rather than to curate a readathon condensed into one singular month. All round, I am just thankful to have her stories with me to read and/or listen too.

I was not obligated to post a review on its behalf – as I purchased this novel ahead of Wyrd And Wonder Year 5 (May, 2022). I am sharing my thoughts on behalf of this novel for my own edification and a continued journey of sharing my readerly life on Jorie Loves A Story. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.

Note: I received the Press Materials from the author Edale Lane – of whom I have previously hosted during blog tours and have had her as a guest author several times on my blog. She was one of my @SatBookChat #WyrdAndWonder guest authors this year – on the 28th of May. And, she will be featured again within the next month – either on Jorie Loves A Story or @SatBookChat as those plans are still being finalised.

Hallo, Hallo dear hearts!

As I previously disclosed during my #RomanceTuesdays showcase for “Heart of Sherwood” (see also Review) I’ve been curating a long history of appreciating the stories writ by Edale Lane over the last few years! She is one of my mainstays in regard to which Self Pub novelists I regularly read and seek out to read on the regular. Others include the following: Jeannie Wycherley, Leanne Leeds, Jennifer Silverwood and Nicole Evelina. You can see a thread of connection too – as most of these authors are writing Speculative Fiction, with the exception of Evelina who writes in different genres of interest but did write a trilogy about Guinevere and King Arthur. You’ll find reviews of their stories throughout Jorie Loves A Story.

Over the years I’ve come to LOVE reading stories by Self Pub authors and storycrafters – ever since I first started blogging, I saw the doors open a bit wider to finding their stories via online routes of discovery and it has led me to having a healthy appreciation for reading self-published literature. Secondly to that pursuit is my love of Independently published (by Press or publisher) literature and for the most part, in both respects, my allegiances tend to lean on the Speculative even though I do read other genres through those publishing routes.

This is the first year I could join the event for #SelfPubFanMonth – which is why the final weeks of September will be happily highlighting the self-published authors I’ve read during #WyrdAndWonder whilst also delving into the works I’ve read this September with featured reviews. I am also going to be featuring a #ThrowbackThursday post highlighting one of my favourites from May. I love to find ways to shine a light on the writers who are writing the stories I desire to read most and to join the collective community online who are equally sharing their own joys as we all pursue the stories which excite us to be read. This is one reason why these events and niche communities are a lot of fun to participate inside as you just never know what you might find in regard to a new story, series or author — with the added bonus of finding new bloggers to follow, too.

There is one exception to this newfound joy — I haven’t been able to trace any activity on the Self Pub Fantasy Month website and my notes to the host this year went unanswered this month. I am not sure if there was an emergency or if plans shifted and the event is only running on blogs wherein some of us are still sharing content. If anyone knows any information – kindly leave a comment on this post and help solve the mystery because it is the first event I’ve joined that had an absent host and, erhm, event!?

Viking Quest
by Ms Edale Lane
Illustrator/Cover Designer: Enggar Adirasa
Source: Purchased | Personal Library

When secrets and lies threaten the throne, can a fierce champion tame her passion in time to stop a cruel enemy’s ruthless march?

Viking Warrior Princess Lena craves revenge. Hunting a killer after her husband is brutally slain, she discovers a shadowy traitor is at play behind the scenes, working to disrupt the balance of power. Placing her need for vengeance on hold when the king falls gravely ill, Lena leads an expedition to locate a fabled healer across a treacherous sea.

Caitlin, snatched from her home in Eire and sold into slavery, prayed for a means of escape, and in storms Lena to her rescue. She is grateful, but realizes her feelings for Lena run far deeper.

Mighty warrior Gunnar is loyal to the core. But when his lord orders him to sabotage the princess’s royal mission, he’s plagued by doubt, uncertain he’s fighting for the right side.

Beset by foul weather and an uncharted island of trolls, Lena fears she’ll never avenge her husband’s death…. And now Gunnar must decide where his fealty rests as the tides turn to war.

Beset by a plethora of dangers and delays, Lena battles foes on every front, even as her heart softens towards the lovely Celt girl she longs to embrace. Gunnar must choose between honor and fealty, but in the end, will a traitor’s blade end all their lives?

Viking Quest is a breathtaking Historical Fantasy novel. If you like principled characters, battles of conscience, and tender F/F romance, then you’ll love Edale Lane’s action-packed epic.

Genres: Fantasy Fiction, Historical-Fantasy, LGBTQIA Fiction, Fantasy Romance, Sapphic Romance

Places to find the book:

Add to LibraryThing

ISBN: 979-8524703118

Also by this author: Chaos in Milan, Heart of Sherwood

Published by Past & Prologue Press

on 22nd June, 2021

Format: Trade Paperback

Pages: 242

Published by: Past and Prologue Press

Converse via: #VikingQuest or #SelfPubFanMonth and #SelfPubSept
as well as #WyrdAndWonder

About Ms Edale Lane

Edale Lane is the author of an award winning 2019 debut novel, Heart of Sherwood. She is the alter-ego of author Melodie Romeo, (Vlad a Novel, Terror in Time, and others) who founded Past and Prologue Press. Both identities are qualified to write historical fiction by virtue of an MA in History and 24 years spent as a teacher, along with skill and dedication in regard to research. She is a successful author who also currently drives a tractor-trailer across the United States. A native of Vicksburg, MS, Edale (or Melodie as the case may be) is also a musician who loves animals, gardening, and nature.

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | LibraryThing

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

#SelfPubFantasyMonth

Posted Saturday, 24 September, 2022 by jorielov in #SelfPubFanMonth, 11th Century, Book Review (non-blog tour), Content Note, Death, Sorrow, and Loss, Equality In Literature, Fantasy Fiction, Fantasy Romance, Fly in the Ointment, Historical Fantasy, Indie Author, LGBTTQPlus Fiction | Non-Fiction, Multi-cultural Characters and/or Honest Representations of Ethnicity, Romance Fiction, Sapphic Romance, Self-Published Author, Twitterland & Twitterverse Event

A #CrimeFicFridays Book Review | “The Secret at Sunset Hill” (A Katie Porter Mystery, Book One) by K.T. McGivens

Posted Friday, 23 September, 2022 by jorielov K.T. McGivens, Katie Porter Mysteries, Self Published, The Secret at Sunset Hill 1 Comment

Acquired Book By: Quite happily, my path with Ms McGivens crossed in early July, 2021 wherein I messaged her via Twitter and we struck up a conversation which led me to booking her for @SatBookChat and I received her first novel for the Katie Porter Mysteries in the mail. I had fully intended to read and review this novel closer to the time in which I spoke with her during my chat but sadly, that simply wasn’t in the cards. This August I started to resume my readerly life after a difficult Summer wherein I had a complete disconnection with both my reading life and my blogging life. Mysteries, especially Cosy Mysteries have always been the backbone of my readerly interests – thus, I had a feeling that if I returnt to reading this lovely to jump-start my #CrimeFicFridays again alongside other selections I’ve been blogging about during #WWWednesdays, I might find myself in happy cycle of reading more Crime Fiction before year’s end.

I received a complimentary copy of “The Secret at Sunset Hill” direct from the author K.T. McGivens in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.

Why I wanted to read The Katie Porter Mysteries;

I was looking at the chapter sampler for the first Katie Porter Mystery “The Secret at Sunset Hill” and I was loving it. I have a soft spot for newspaper reporters… grew up on Lois Lane in one version or another and my fascination always stuck. Plus, like McGivens, I loved Nancy Drew as I cut my teeth on Mysteries quite young devouring the case files and reading the Hardy Boys too. By 8 or 9 I was given my first Miss Marple anthology of stories and I was literally in awe and set for life to be a Mystery, Suspense & Thriller reader. Although, I carry my Cosy sensibility with me as I don’t like anything too overtly violent or graphic, plus I’m not into overly peppered vulgarity in stories either.

And, then when I realised it was going to become a fully developed series with multiple installments, I knew I had to interview Ms McGivens on my chat as I felt this series and Katie Porter in particular would be a wicked good fit for @SatBookChat. As I have had the tendency of focusing on strong women & imploring narratives across genres which interest me most as a reader. There was something wicked clever, too, about Katie Porter – about how she’s quite the everywoman heroine and someone you can relate, too.

Similar in vein to how we all cross-identify with Nancy Drew but also with women like Anna Blanc but in a different capacity of course, as Ms Blanc’s life is a bit grittier than Katie & Nancy’s but evenso, there is a thread of connection between them in finding strong women set in historical eras who were choosing to live their lives on their own terms and just finding themselves able to solve mysteries as if they were bourne to it. Of course, this also brings to thought and mind the characters within Jennifer Lamont Leo’s novels & stories, too!

We could always use another wicked awesome heroine in our lives and for me, right now, that new heroine has arrived in the form of Katie Porter!

The Secret at Sunset Hill
Subtitle: A Katie Porter Mystery : One
by K.T. McGivens
Source: Direct from Author

About the Katie Porter series:

Set in year 1947, Katie Porter is a 21 year old newspaper reporter who finds herself caught up in various mysteries while researching and writing articles for her hometown paper, the Fairfield Gazette. Set before modern technology such as cellphones, computers, and the Internet, she must rely on her courage and wits to discover the truth and capture the culprits. She has a wide circle of friends who help her and her adventures are filled with friendship, loyalty, suspense, danger, tenacity, problem solving, and romance! Each book builds on the previous one as the reader helps Katie and her friends solve yet another case. Life in the town of Fairfield and Katie’s ancestral home, Rosegate, is never dull! And the mysteries continue...

Genres: Crime Fiction, Amateur Detective, Cosy Historical Mystery

Places to find the book:

Add to LibraryThing

ISBN: 978-1692346652

Published by Self Published

on 18th September, 2019

Format: Paperback Edition

Pages: 140

The Katie Porter Mysteries:

NOTE: Books One-Three are now in audiobook! 🎧📖

1. The Secret at Sunset Hill
2. The Mystery at the Mystic Museum
3. The Plot at the Pearson Playhouse
4. The Ghost of Golden Joe
5. The Murder of Major Pennington
6. The Disappearance of Devlin Douglas
7. The Passing of Preston Peabody
8. The Case of the Casual Killer
9. The Mystery at Maplewood Hall
10. The Incident on Ivory Island
11. The Odd Appearance of Anneliese Abbott
12. The Crime at Covington Corner
13. The Body in Bounty Bay

Converse via: #HistoricalMystery or #CosyMystery
as well as #KatiePorterMysteries

Available Formats: Trade paperback and Ebook

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

#CrimeFicFridays
2022 Backlogue Reviews

Posted Friday, 23 September, 2022 by jorielov in 20th Century, Aftermath of World War II, Amateur Detective, Book Review (non-blog tour), Content Note, Cosy Historical Mystery, Crime Fiction, Fly in the Ointment, Historical Fiction, the Forties, The World Wars

Category: Fly in the Ointment

The Pearl River series:

About Patricia Bradley

More Inspy Romantic stories by Danielle Throne:

About Danielle Thorne

About Ms Edale Lane