Gold, Frankincense, and Murder by Barbara Early

Title: Gold, Frankincense, and Murder

Author: Barbara Early

Publisher: White Rose Publishing

Publication Date: 12-01-2011

ISBN: 978-1-61116-123-6

Genre: Christian Romance, Mystery, Holiday

Length: 93 pages

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Heat Level: Sweet

Reviewer: TJ

Date: January 15, 2012

High school geometry teacher, Donna Russell likes her life well-ordered and logical, even if it is a tad solitary at times. But when a charming co-worker at the local food bank disappears just before Christmas, Donna is left with more questions than solutions.

After the missing man’s neighbor, muscle-bound EMT Sam Holton, volunteers as Donna's crime-fighting sidekick, sparks fly between them. Donna wonders if Sam can be trusted, or if he's trying to throw an unknown into her calculations—and her life.

And when police recover a body from the icy Niagara River, Donna is faced with the most frustrating equation of all: can murder plus mayhem ever equal romance?

Gold, Frankincense, and Murder is a sweet, short, sleuthy story. While I would have preferred a little romance to go with this holiday treat, I enjoyed the tone and pace of this story. Donna is not your typical romance heroine and it was rather refreshing to see the world through her eyes.

Wanted: Boyfriend for Christmas by Kimberlee R. Mendoza

Title: Wanted: Boyfriend for Christmas

Author: Kimberlee R Mendoza

Publisher: White Rose Publishing

Publication Date: Nov 2008

ISBN: B002TG4M70

Genre: inspirational holiday romance

Length: novel

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Heat Level: Sweet

Other: n/a

Reviewer: Brecken Stevens

Date: January 13, 2012

Heather and Daniel have been friends for college, but nothing more. Heather decides to take her dating life in hand and submits a personal ad, hoping to find Mr. Right, or at least Mr. Take Home to Mom’s. Daniel thinks he’s in love, but when he proposes to his girlfriend, he is shot down, shattering his dreams. He agrees to help Heather with her family, but as ‘pretending’ hits a little close to truth, both will have to decide if they’re ready to look for something more than friendship.

Wanted: A Boyfriend for Christmas, I love the title and the personal ad element had some cute and telling moments for Heather. I felt like I’ve read this storyline a few times. I adore stories where love was there the whole time, but it was spoon-fed in this one. Still, a very sweet read with a light Christian aspect. A nice, feel-good story for the holidays. 

Steaming by Vanessa Barger

Title:  Steaming

Author:    Vanessa Barger

Publisher:  Decadent Publishing Company, LLC  

Publication Date:    March 2011

ISBN:   9781936394920   

Genre YA Steampunk

Length:   42,000 words

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Heat Level:    1

Other: A few kisses

Reviewer:  Suki

My name is Cornelius Latimer, and I have fallen in love. The object of my affection isn’t tall and blonde with all the right curves. It isn’t even human. My love belches smoke and breathes fire. My world runs on steam and hard metal, and I am a master of both. My Uncle, Rufus Harrison, has funded my expeditions. He’s gifted me with a lab containing all the parts and space I could possibly need. For weeks I have been toiling over my journals, crafting my biggest and best creation yet. It’s heady, this feeling of power. But I made a fatal error. I told a friend about my machine. And now someone who should not know, does. I should tear everything apart, but I can’t.

Steaming from Vanessa Barger was a surprising page turner. I say surprising because it took me a while to get through the first few pages, honestly there was a moment when I didn’t think I could read more, not because it wasn’t well written, it just wasn’t my style of writing. But once I got about a chapter in, WOW the adventure begins and NEVER EVER stopped until the very end. Cornelius is naïve, young, insecure and a bit of a loner. He prefers his gadgets and inventions to the people of London.

UNTIL…until that fateful night at the ball when a beauty catches his eyes and he is smitten. But as you can imagine, things don’t go as planned. The Time Keeper is the perfect steampunk villain and tBea is the perfect Steampunk heroine/co hero.

I was genuinely drawn into the characters and the plot. I enjoyed entering the world Ms Barger created and couldn’t be more pleased that I didn’t let my initial feeling stop me from reading what was a very enjoyable read. The steampunk aspect wasn’t over played in the story,  many steampunk books forget that the plot must be there for the steampunk to work. This book set in nearly any time period would have worked, the story was that strong. The author left the door open for a sequel, one that I will buy on its release day.

Murder In Hum Harbour: A Seaglass Mystery by Jayne E. Self

Title: Murder In Hum Harbour: A Seaglass Mystery

Author: Jayne E. Self

Publisher: Harbourlight Books

Publication Date: 9-30-2011

ISBN: 978-1-61116-100-7

Genre: Christian Mystery

Length: 264 pages

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Heat Level: Sweet

Reviewer: TJ

Date: October 13, 2011

There's a sleuth on the loose.

Part-time medical receptionist, part-time jewelry crafter, Gailynn MacDonald thinks she knows everything about everyone in Hum Harbour, Nova Scotia. That's the way she likes it. But when her former employer Doc Campbell turns up dead aboard his beached yacht, and her sister-in-law becomes the prime suspect, quirky, over-excitable Gailynn vows to unmask the killer. With Geoff Grant, Doc's handsome replacement, by her side Gailynn uncovers secrets and confronts childhood fears. And in the process she discovers that catching a killer is a lot like crafting her seaglass jewelry… it’s all in the details.

Murder In Hum Harbour introduces readers to a fabulous heroine and I cannot wait to read her next adventure. Gai is so endearing and she is such a bumbling detective that I’m surprised the culprit came to light at the end of the story. Geoff is a wonderful man with hidden depths and a kind disposition. Sweet cozies are a rare treat and this one offers laughs, secrets and intriguing human behavior. Having lived in a very small town myself I know how interesting the residents can be. The quirky individuals we meet might seem over the top if they weren’t so darn realistic. The location comes to life with amazing clarity and I can almost smell the fresh ocean air and feel the brisk winds in my face. The characters and setting are what made this book such a winner for me. If you are looking for a mystery with some maritime charm then you have to pick this one up.

Death by Scandal by Marguerite Butler

Title: Death by Scandal

Author: Marguerite Butler

Publisher: Musa Publishing

Publication Date:10/2011

ISBN: 978-1-61937-038-8

Genre: Regency

Length: 283 pages

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Heat Level: Sweet

Reviewer: TJ

Date: October 11, 2011

Lady Calandra can't help it if the scandal sheets have dubbed her “the dangerous debutante.” The Earl of Camden needed to be shot. And she certainly didn't poison her latest suitor for failing to make her an offer...although everyone seems convinced she did. She's never killed anyone, but someone is determined to make it look as though she has.  

Desperate to save her reputation, Lady Calandra needs a betrothal-now-and turns to one of the few friends she has left. Arthur, Lord Alsbury is only too happy to oblige her. Arthur has loved the beautiful musical prodigy for years. To save Calandra, he must put himself at risk. In order to unmask a killer, Arthur must pretend to be Calandra's next intended victim. If he fails her, the consequences are dire--either a slow death by scandal or a swift one at the hands of a murderer.

Death By Scandal is a witty whodunit and Lady Calandra and her set have become absolute favorites of mine. I love traditional Regencies with non-conventional heroines as I find it much easier to relate to them. Our leading lady and her friend Julia are very amiable characters and their circle of family and friends kept me in stitches. Arthur is a strong and steadfast hero. 

And I found myself holding my breath in the hopes that he would win over his friend’s affections. I enjoyed the action and the setting and could not get enough of the heroine’s outrageous Aunt. I appreciated how certain subject matter was handled with the proper amount of humor and deference and I am looking forward to seeing Julia buck society’s conventions and get her very own adventure. Overall I delighted in this story and I am looking forward to reading many more by this talented author.

Puppy Love by Stephanie Bedwell-Grime

Title: Puppy Love

Author: Stephanie Bedwell-Grime

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Publication Date: 9-21-2011

ISBN: N/A

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length: 60 pages

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Rating: 3  Diamonds 

Heat Level: Sweet

Reviewer: TJ

Date: October 2, 2011

Emerald Douglas has fallen head over heels in love with the puppy she found on her doorstep. Oscar fills an empty space in her life and heart. That is, until a chance sighting of a lost dog poster in the park changes everything. Emerald knows she must do the right thing—she just isn't sure what that is.

Cody Martin isn't sure what to make of the woman standing on his doorstep. And Emerald is not prepared for the man's heart-stopping good looks or his son's tremendous joy at being reunited with his furry companion.

Can one small puppy lead three people on the path to becoming a family?

Puppy Love is a heartwarming short story that gives readers hope that every lonely person will find their happiness. Emerald is an interesting character facing some difficult circumstances. Cody is a strong hero who is coping as best he can with the challenging position of raising his child alone. His son is as bouncy and spirited as his dog and I enjoyed watching them both work to bring the couple together.  This light, uplifting story takes some very serious issues and gives them a cheery, upbeat solution. If you are looking for a carefree break this is definitely one for you.

Just The Way You Are by K.M. Daughters

Title: Just The Way You Are

Author: KM Daughters

Publisher: White Rose Publishing

Publication Date: 2011

Genre: inspirational Christian romance

Length: 90

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Heat Level: sweet

Other: n/a

Reviewer: Brecken Stevens

Date: August 18, 2011

 Noelle’s life changed when she stepped into a burning room to save her neighbor. Scarred and knowing she’s missing true joy in her life, she goes on a pilgrimage to Valselo, hoping to seek help from the Blessed Virgin and the ones she has spoke through in the past. She’s not asking for the scarring on her face to miraculously go away, she’s begging for the tools and acceptance she needs to have inner peace. Shane’s skills as a surgeon let him change people’s lives. In Noelle he sees someone who is truly worthy of his skill, someone completely beautiful on the inside who he wants to help. He goes to great lengths to arrange to operate on her face to help the outside match the inside, but in his zeal to fix Noelle, he misses enough to cost him a life time of happiness with Noelle.

The Christian slant on this is very Catholic, so an understanding of the Catholic faith helps. Noelle was fantastic, very well built and interesting. A fiction story just about her journey would have worked well. The romance element was weak and Shane and his faith never fully fleshed out. The descriptions of the location and the magic Noelle feels make Just the Way You Are a feel-good short read.

Bird Feathers and Horse Tails by Hilary C. T. Walker

Title:  Bird Feathers and Horse Tails

Author:  Hilary C. T. Walker

Publisher:  JMS Books

Publication Date:  2011

ISBN:  978-1-61152-111-5

Genre:  Contemporary fiction anthology

Length:  2,713 words

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Rating: 3.5 Diamonds

Heat Level: n/a

Other: n/Ba

Reviewer:  Starla Kaye

Date:  6-16-11

**Please note, this anthology is not romance**

This enchanting collection contains three short flash stories and one poem designed to be read while curled up in a comfy chair.

Enjoy the romance of a stranger communing with a wild bird in Lugano, Switzerland. A governess cart ride through the snow to Midnight Mass at Christmas. The antics of a foal as he encounters snow for the first time. And dastardly deeds at the local horse barn!

I enjoyed reading the three short flash fiction stories and the poem about a foal with his first experience of snow.

Foxgloves, Fancy Fungus and Fatal Family Feuds by J.L. Wilson

Title:  Foxgloves, Fancy Fungus, and Fatal Family Feuds  (Deadly Landscaping Series)

 Author: J L Wilson

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Publication Date: 5-04-2011

ISBN: 1-60154-912-1

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Length: 250 pages

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Heat Level: Sweet

Reviewer: TJ

Date: May 25, 2011

 Cassie Whittington's inheritance of fifteen million dollars has been put on hold while vengeful family members contest the will. But the potential loss of wealth is the least of her worries -- her ex-husband has re-entered her life and is wrecking havoc on her relationship with Sam Barlow, her boss at the landscape company. Cassie has to make a choice: return to her old life with Charlie or start a new life with Sam. An added complication is a police investigation involving Livvie, Cassie's dearest friend, and Livvie's fiance, who is accused of murdering the head chef at a prestigious local restaurant. Truffles and treachery may combine, preventing Cassie from making any choices ever again....

This is a light and fun suspense novel in the tradition of a cozy mystery and a great book to enjoy while curled up by the fireplace or lounging in front of the pool. Cassie is an interesting heroine and proves that life doesn’t have to get boring as you get older. I’m looking forward to a little gray in my hair if I can enjoy the same escapades she does. The supporting cast in this story is lovable and laughable and I loved the kitty antics. I’m looking forward to seeing just what Cassie and her cohorts will get up to in the next Deadly Landscaping adventure. J L Wilson gives readers a witty whodunit packed with remarkable characters and a charming location.