City of Promises: A Counterfeit Lady Novel by Victoria Thompson with Ellen Thompson

(Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

Elizabeth Bates must use everything she knows about the art of the con to stop a fellow scammer in his tracks in this first-ever thrilling crossover in the Victoria Thompson universe, featuring characters from her bestselling Gaslight Mysteries.

Famed former police detective turned private investigator Frank Malloy and his wife, Sarah, come to Gideon Bates desperate for legal guidance. The Malloys’ adopted daughter, Catherine, a burgeoning star of the stage, has announced her engagement to a man she barely knows. Catherine has recently gained access to her trust fund, and Sebastian Talbot appears very eager to marry her as quickly as possible.

As Gideon and his wife, Elizabeth, investigate, it becomes clear that Talbot may not be who he says he is. As a former con artist herself, Elizabeth suspects one may be in their midst. Undeterred by her pregnancy, she must pull out all the stops to out swindle a swindler and save another woman from ruin.

my thoughts:

19020s. New York City. Historical mystery. I mean, how could I not read this book, right? Sounds like the perfect novel to get caught up in on a rainy summer day. Plus, this is the first crossover between Thompson's series - how cool is that? Also, if you have not read any of the books in her series of stories, you can still read this great new one as a standalone. 

So, what is this is riveting new read about? Well, it's about Elizabeth Bates working on a case - a husband and wife are worried that their daughter may be getting swindled by her new paramour. And, apparently, Elizabeth used to be a con artist, so she's using her personal experience to sniff out the culprit. And, that is all I will share about this fun and thrilling story.  Except, to say that this story is a treat to read. Not only is the writing top notch, but the characters are unforgettable and the story itself is unputdownable. I loved every second spent with Elizabeth and her husband, Gideon. I would happily recommend City of Promises to fans of Thompson and to anyone looking for their next great read. You are going to LOVE this book to bits!

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!

The Séance Garden: A Novel by Juliet Blackwell

(Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

New book alert! I just started reading this paranormal mystery for Summerween and must say, I am intrigued. I am really enjoying getting to know Harper and the town of Monterey. I can't wait to find out what happens next! 

Anyhow, I just wanted to alert you to this great new novel by Juliet Blackwell and provide a bit of information about it so that you will be enticed to grab a copy of your own. Here goes:

"After a cheesy ghost tour in one of California’s oldest towns stumbles upon an actual haunting, a skeptical historian of the occult becomes entangled in solving a murder case.

When Professor Harper Grae loses a bet with a friend, she finds herself on a local nighttime tour of “haunted” locations in Monterey. Harper’s a lifelong non-believer in the occult, though her academic career is devoted to the historical and societal significance of witchcraft, ghosts, and medicinal poisons of all sorts. But her skepticism immediately gets tested when the tour stumbles on the body of local artist Delilah Mason—who’s found murdered on the grounds of a nearly two-hundred-year-old mansion, once home to the infamous Perles family.

On the night Mason’s body is found, Harper catches sight of something in the house that she can’t shake, something that’s impossible to explain, at least not rationally. Soon the murder investigation reveals that this is the second time a woman has been found murdered beneath a sprawling cypress tree in the gardens of the Perles Mansion. And when Harper’s closest friend is questioned by the police, Harper fears the authorities will fail to uncover the real killer.

As Harper asks questions around town and digs deeper into the supernatural speculation and rumors surrounding the murders—two women killed in similar circumstances, separated by nearly two centuries —she sees evidence she can’t ignore that the notorious mansion truly is haunted by the ghost of Isabel Perles. 

What will it cost Harper to rethink everything she’s always believed to admit that the veil between the living and the dead might actually be crossed?"

How exciting does that sound? I always love these sleuthing mysteries - they make for such a fun time. Anyhow, I'm off to continue reading more - I'm still feeling under the weather, so reading all day sounds perfect. 

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!

Monday Musings...

Oh my throat. I'm sick. A summer cold. My sister got it first and now I have it. Ugh. 

I have been reading. The first book was Shari Lapena's latest novel, Getting Away With Murder. 

I was looking forward to this one, but it wound up falling short for me. I didn't like the ending and just found myself rolling my eyes the majority of the time. Plus, the characters were all despicable, with no redeeming qualities whatsoever. Ugh.

So, of course, I read another Shari Lapena book. And thankfully, this one was way better. I gobbled it up in one sitting and absolutely loved chatting about it with my family. It was just too crazy and unbelievable not to chat about. A little girl goes missing in her small town and everyone is suspect. And, that is all I'll share. You have to check it out!

 

Up next, I'll be reading the new Lang Leav novel. I always enjoy Leav's poetry and her novels, so I'm excited for this one. 

Aside from reading, I watched the first episode of The Real Housewives of London - I love Juliet from Ladies of London and she's on this show. Unfortunately, she won't be on this show until episode 5. Oh well, it's still a fun watch. And, I started to watch Countdown with Jensen Ackles - it was canceled, but I'm a fan, so I'm excited to see this show. 

And that's all I have to share for now. I'm hoping to feel much better soon, so I can get back on track and catch up on everything. 

Wishing you all a lovely week. Happy reading!

My Friday Five...

1. Going away for a few days was just the ticket. I needed a break from the everyday chaos and my sister invited me and our mom for a mini-break in Orlando. She was there for work and we were there for rest and relaxation. I loved the hotel - felt like we were in a treehouse. Plus, it's always a great time when the three of us get to just hang out.

2. New Christmas movies on Hallmark are just not hitting the mark lately. I feel like the older movies were so much better. Oh well, they are still fun to watch.

3. The heat. It is HOT in FL and it feels stifling. UGH.

4.  I'm middle-aged and still getting guilt-tripped by my mom - how is that even possible? LOL!

5.  Iced coffees. I finally get the hype. I was never a fan and now I can't seem to stop craving them. 

Wishing you all a lovely weekend. Happy reading!

Up Next is The Dahlia Suite: A Novel by Carinn Jade

(Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

Up next on the docket is Carinn Jade's new novel, The Dahlia Suite. I love the cover and title. Plus, I think it looks like the perfect summertime read - makes me want to grab a fruity cocktail and sit by a pool, reading the day away. I'm definitely excited to dive right in and get lost in Jade's new book.

So, what's the story about? Well according to the blurb it's described as...

"In a riveting new novel from the acclaimed author of The Astrology House, three women come together to investigate a string of haunting disappearances in a tropical paradise.

When Paige arrives at Sueños, the Caribbean’s most exclusive resort on Beck Island, she’s eager to use the time away from her young son to shake off the writer’s block that has stifled her new career as an author.

Hollywood starlet Lindsay Law is on a mission of her own at Sueños: spiraling from a recent Oscar loss, she’s determined to find out why the winner in her category gave thanks to Mara Morgan, the legendary actress who owned Beck Island before her tragic death.

While Paige and Lindsay are drawn together by creative inspiration, Gabby, the resort’s concierge, is torn apart by the loss of a coworker and the mysterious appearance of a man from her past. Gabby still has the power to grant her guests’ most over-the-top requests, but she’s helpless against her own grief and confusion.

As the sun-soaked days of bliss morph into sinister connections, Paige, Lindsay, and Gabby are united by a shocking twist, and must race to untangle the knot of Beck Island’s mysteries before another woman vanishes."

How thrilling and suspenseful does that sound? A beautiful isolated resort screams TROUBLE, especially, when there have been disappearances. Hmm...and strangers drawn together always seem to lead to secrets and lies. Sounds like The Dahlia Suite is going to be one captivating and mysterious read - I can't wait to start reading!

Let me know if you've picked up this exciting new book and what your thoughts are on it. Happy reading!

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!