Shades Of Earl Grey - Laura Childs

Summary Of This Book:
Theo is mingling with the cream of Charleston society
at the engagement soiree of the season.
But as they eagerly await the dazzling young couple's arrival,
the groom meets with a freak accident.
The exquisite wedding ring a family heirloom from
the crown of Marie Antoinette is mysteriously missing,
and Theodosia suspects that trouble is brewing.
But when she goes to the authorities, they treat her
like she's been reading tea leaves -- and that's the
surest way to put Theodosia's kettle on the boil . . .

About The Author:


Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries,
Scrapbook Mysteries, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries. She is married to a professor of Chinese art history, loves to travel, rides horses, enjoys fund raising for various non-profits, and has two Chinese Shar-Pei dogs. Laura specializes in cozy mysteries that have the pace of a thriller.

I've read and reviewed the last two books of this series. I've liked every single one! But I love mysteries and of course tea! I have come up with this kind of rule that when I'm reading one of these books if it's named after a kind of tea, I'm going to drink that tea while reading the book. So... This book is named Shades Of Earl Grey, so that's what I drank, Earl Grey tea! I've gotten quite a collection of tea since hearing of this series.

Theodosia Browning has been busily working on a line of tea-based bath products for her growing business, but first she is attending the engagement party for Camille Cantroux, Theodosia's friend Delaine's niece. In the garden room, Camille's wedding ring, dating back to Marie Antoinette, is on display for the guests.

Before Theodosia gets a chance to admire the heirloom, the roof of the glass atrium collapses, leaving Camille's fiancé dead and the ring box empty. Theodosia can't imagine one of the party guests walking off with the ring during the crash and promises, with the help of her tea shop assistant Drayton, to search through the glass rubble to locate the ring. Even though Theodosia knows she has more important things to worry about, she knows her friend and fellow merchant Delaine is distraught over the accident and the missing ring.

Discreetly, Theodosia begins making inquiries and realizes that someone is stealing personal and often priceless heirlooms from Charleston residents. Theodosia is sure the only way to catch the thief is to set a trap and since the police, including her somewhat partner in crime, Detective Burt Tidwell, aren't inclined to take Theodosia seriously, she and Drayton take matters into their own hands.

I loved reading about the different schemes Theodosia comes up with to catch the cat burglar of the Historic Society.

Emily's Rating Of This Book:


The next book is Unlawfully Wedded Bride by Noelle Marchand.


God bless!

Lady In The Mist - Laurie Alice Eakes

Summary of This Book:
By virtue of her profession as a midwife,
Tabitha Eckles is the keeper of many secrets:
the names of fathers of illegitimate children, the
level of love and harmony within many a marriage,
and now the identity of a man who may have caused his
wife's death. Dominick Cherrett is a man with his own
secret to keep: namely, what he, a British nobleman,
is doing on American soil working as a bondsman
in the home of Mayor Kendall, a Southern gentleman
with his eye on a higher office. By chance one morning
before the dawn has broken, Tabitha and Dominick
cross paths on a misty beachhead, leading them on a
twisted path through kidnappings, death threats,
public disgrace, and . . . love? Can Tabitha trust
Dominick? What might he be hiding? And can either of
them find true love in a world that seems set against
them?

This book caught my notice first cause it's about a midwife. Seeing how that's what I'm working on becoming, I am intrigued by anything dealing with midwives... Also, it's a Christian book. And it's a romance! Also it's a historical, and I am a HUGE history junkie! As I started reading the book, I caught on that it's a mystery too! It had all the things I like in a book! So yeah I was going to read it!

I LOVED Tabitha's character. She's very giving, and cares for others before she cares for herself. She learned the trade of being a midwife from her mother who learned it from Tabitha's grandmother and so on. Needless to say the trade of midwifery has been in their family for generations. And they always pass down the skills as soon as their daughter turns sixteen.
She's had a very tragic life. First her father dies when she was sixteen, then her mother dies when she's twenty. Right after her mother dies her fiance gets kidnapped and taken aboard a British naval ship. Then her grandmother dies shortly after that. So she takes on the role as midwife for her town. She also takes care of any medical need the town has because she's the only one in the town who knows medical stuff. So she has her plate full.
Then comes in Dominick Cherrett. He's British, and is a redemptioner in the town of Seabourne. A redemptioner is someone who has disgraced their family and needs to pay it back by working. Dominick is working off his as butler for the mayor of Seabourne.

I LOVE the scene when they first meet. Tabitha has just come back from a birth, and is walking home. The way she goes is on the shoreline of the ocean. She's deep in thought and does not notice Dominick standing there.

"What do we have here?" The quiet voice was real and male, deep and unmistakably English. "Are you all right?" He sounded friendly even warm, and not threatening. "Let me help you." Still speaking in an undertone, he stooped before her. She saw no more than a shadowy outline and dark hair tumbling around features pale in the misty gloom.
"No, thank you. I can manage myself." She tugged at her skirt and nearly toppled sideways.
"You don't look to be doing a very good job of it." Laughter tinged his words. The hand that clasped hers was masculine, strong and too smooth to belong to a fisherman of sailor. "Perhaps you can get to your feet if I help? Do you have feet? There does seem to be something trailing behind you. Perhaps it's a tail. Are you a mermaid?"
Tabitha snorted and tried to wrench her hand away. Flirtation would get the stranger nowhere with her. The instant she regained her feet, she would run back to town and warn the sheriff.
If the man let her go. At that moment, he gripped her hand with a firmness suggesting he would not.
"I'm not certain whether or not that noise you made was human." He closed his other handover hers. "But this lovely hand hasn't any scales on it, which argues on the side of silk." He rubbed the tip of a finger across her knuckles, and the skin along her arms felt as though lightning were about to strike. "What's a human female doing out for early?"
"Going home. What's an Englishman doing in Virginia?"
"President Madison hasn't managed to rid these shores of all of us yet."
"A pity."
"Ah, a hostile mermaid."
"I'm not hostile. I'm cautious and worn to a thread." Her voice broke.
"You must have been swimming against the tide. " Speaking with a tenderness that drew all-to-ready tears to her eyes, despite her contrary efforts, he rose, drawing her to her feet with him. "No, not a swim. Alas, a fatigued female human. That's a cloak, I see, not a tail. Forgive the mistaken identity. But I'd expect to see a mermaid out here before I'd think to fins a... lady."
"An understandable error. I wouldn't be out here if I weren't a midwife."
"Indeed?" His hand lingered on hers, that errant fingertip tracing the third finger on her left hand.
"Indeed."
"Then that's the last proof you're a human, since surely mermaids are hatched in the bottom of the ocean." He curved his hand over her forearm. "Then allow me to walk you home, Madam Midwife.".... "Have a care, Madam Mermaid Midwife."

I LOVED that scene. It shows the readers first off that Dominick is a 1800's Don Juan. He flirts openly with every woman. Though he does not do anything else besides flirt. He's a charmer, and knows how to use his charms on the women. Until he gets to know Tabitha, does he find that he really liked Tabitha, and when he flirts he means every word he says!


On another note, my reviews will be a little slower. I have started my Birthing Doula classes, and will be spending most of my time on the course. I will still do my reviews but they will be less frequent.

Emily's Rating Of This Book:


My next book will be Shades Of Earl Grey by Laura Childs.


God bless!

An Eye For An Eye - Irene Hannon

Summary Of This Book:
Can their relationship survive a killer with vengeance
in his heart?
After an accidental shooting during a tense standoff,
FBI Hostage Rescue Team member Mark Sanders is sent
to St. Louis to work as a field agent and get his
bearings while the bad press settles. Just weeks away
from returning to Quantico, Mark has a chance
encounter with his first love, Emily Lawson.
But their reunion is cut short by a sniper.
Now Mark must find the shooter before he strikes again.
But what is his motive--and who was his intended
target? Can Mark put the pieces together, keep Emily
safe, and rekindle a relationship at the same time?

I read the first book in this series Against All Odds and I liked it. So I decided to read the next book in the series An Eye For An Eye. The description of the book got me intrigued.
I did like it, but I didn't love it. I got hooked on the first chapter, cause it's in the shooter's perspective. But then it got dull. Then it got interesting. Then it got dull again. Then at the end it got interesting again. It was like a roller coaster. It went up to exciting then down to dull. Up and down.
I did LOVE the banter between Cooper, or Coop as he's known and Mark. They've been partners for four years so they know each other pretty well. Coop was assigned bodyguard to Mark, cause they think the shooter is out for Mark. So Coop has to follow Mark wherever he goes. Which is funny cause while their trying to find the shooter, Mark is trying to woo Emily. :D So Coop follows Mark to Emily's condo because Mark wants to spend time with her.
I liked Emily's character. She's sweet and compassionate and cares for everyone she can. She even feels sorry for the shooter, when they catch him.
But would I say I loved this book, no. But it was a good book. I do LOVE Irene Hannon's work.

Emily's Rating Of This Book:


My next book will be Lady In The Mist by Laurie Alice Eakes.



God bless!

First Impressions - Debra White Smith

Summary Of This Book:

Loosely based on the beloved Pride and Prejudice,
Debra White Smith's First Impressions weaves a
spellbinding, modern-day tale on the challenges
and rewards of love.

Eddi Boswick has just settled in Texas to establish
her law practice. Joining a local theater group, she
is thrilled when she is given the role of Elizabeth
in Pride and Prejudice.

William "Dave" Davidson III amassed a fortune in the
computer industry but leads a quiet life on his ranch.
On a dare he tries out for the play and lands the
role of Darcy.

Sparks fly each time the lawyer meets the rancher.
When Eddi uncovers Dave's secret will her heart
soften? Will Dave's fear of "being tamed" keep him
from discovering love?

Okay, I LOVE Jane Austen anything, so when I heard this book was based on Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice, I was all over this book! :D Then I found out Debra did an entire series of books that were based on Jane Austen's classics! I was giddy!
I loved reading the book and pointing out certain things that related to P & P. The storyline lined up perfectly with P & P. I loved this book! Sure this is a modern twist on P & P, but the plot was still completely P & P.
Eddi was very much Elisabeth Bennet. Her personality and her characteristics were very much like Jane Austen described Elisabeth. And Dave, SO Darcy! I had so much fun reading about Dave, he was Darcy through and through! That's why I liked him so much! When I read P & P, I loved Darcy. Yes he was distant, and sometimes rude but the underneath... He was very sweet and romantic! As with Dave.
I loved Dave's friend Calvin! He was based on Darcy's friend Charles Bingley. He was SO funny! I remember one of the conversations Dave and Calvin had about Eddi that was FUNNY!

“Oh, so we’re not commenting on the lawyer?” Calvin teased. “Why not?”

Dave remained silent.

“Whatsa matter?” Calvin blurted. “Are you afraid of her?”

A caustic laugh bounced around the porch. “Yeah, right,” Dave retorted.

“Or maybe you’re worried she’s too smart for you! Ha!” Calvin laughed. “That’s a good one.”

“Oh, shut up, ” Dave groused. “If you must know, Eddi Boswick would have to be way more classy to keep my attention for long.”

When in truth, Dave had liked Eddi from the beginning. What intrigued Eddi to Dave was she was the only girl who did not throw herself at him.

If you're a Jane Austen fan then you're gonna LOVE this book! I cannot wait to read the other books in this series!

Emily's Rating Of This Book:


My next book will be An Eye For An Eye by Irene Hannon.



God bless!

Hometown Hearts - Jillian Hart

Summary Of The Book:
While summering in Wild Horse, Wyoming,
Dr. Adam Stone's young daughters gain an immediate
hold on veterinarian Cheyenne Granger's heart.
And the tall, handsome newcomer brings with him quiet
whispers of fairy-tale endings. But Cheyenne had
given up hope of a blissfully-ever-after when her
boyfriend walked out on her. And Adam is busy nursing
his own broken heart. Yet the girls are determined to
draw the two together. Is it possible there's a happy
ending—involving a family of four—in their future
after all?

I have read every one of Jillian Hart's The Granger Family Ranch series. And I love reading about this family! I was just waiting for Cheyenne's story and now I've read it! Cheyenne was by far my favorite character in the whole series. She's sweet, sassy, spunky, and funny! I loved reading about her making fun of Adam because he was from the city and now he's living in the country. He didn't even know how to deal with cows in the middle of the road! LOL
I loved Julianne and Jenny! They were SO cute! Julianne especially! She has such a kindred spirit. She wants to save every animal that's in trouble. :D
I also loved reading the continuation of all the previous couples in the series. Like Justin Granger and Rori Cornell, Autumn Granger and Ford Sherman, and Tucker Granger and Sierra Baker. And throughout all of those the father of the family Frank Granger and Cady Winslow.I loved reading about how Frank finally found the woman who will be true to him and won't walk out on him. And in this book he finally proposes to Cady!

Emily's Rating Of This Book:


My next book I'll be reading is First Impressions by Debra White Smith.




God bless!

Gunpowder Green - Laura Childs

Summary Of This Book:
The indigo Tea Shop, Charleston's favourite spot of tea, has just come out with its latest flavour: Gunpowder Green. Theodosia Browning cannot wait to hear its praises as it is unveiled at the annual yacht race. But when she hears the crack of an antique gun meant to end the race, a member of Charleston's elite falls dead. Theodosia has a hunch that his demise was no accident - and will go out of her way to prove it. But if she doesn't act fast, Theo will find herself in hot water with some boiling-mad Charlestonians - and more than a little gun-chai . . .

I loved the first book of this series! And I LOVE this book! I mean a book with tea and mystery? Oh, yeah!
In this book Theodosia's reputation of crime solver has gotten big, since she solved a mystery a couple months ago. Someone comes to Theodosia to help her brother get his named cleared for the murder of Oliver Dixon. So Theodosia puts on her detective hat and gets to work. Theodosia goes to extreme lengths to help this girl. Unfortunately, Theodosia goes a little too far. She is threatened by one of the suspects! Then her tea shop is threatened by another one of the suspects.
In this book Drayton does something at the Indigo Tea Shop that sounds SO good! He does a mystery tea! Pretty much you go to the shop and you eat fancy food, drink delicious tea, and solve a mystery! So cool! I want to one!
There's not much I can say about this book without giving away something important. Just know it's a good book.


Emily's Rating Of This Book:


On another note, my health declined Thursday night. I woke up Thursday night, coughing really bad, and with a MAJOR headache. I have to note I have headaches EVERY SINGLE day, but this headache was NOTHING like those. It was like the one I have every time my Pseudo Tumor Cerebri acts up. I walked out of my room just going to get some cough medicine. But when my mom saw me she said I was really pale (I also get really pale when it acts up). She asked me to check my eyesight, cause that was the deal breaker. If my eyesight is blurry I need to go back to the hospital. I checked my eyesight, and it was blurry, especially my right eye, which was the one that caused me a lot of trouble. I told my mom and she said that's it I'm calling the doctor (Yes we have my special doctor's cell phone number). The doctor called the hospital, and set it into motion. So at 11:30 PM we headed off to the hospital. I was checked in but the hospital was on red alert, so I had to wait. It was not till 3:30 AM that I got a room. So in short I was MISERABLE for five hours till I was able to get some pain medicine. They decided to wait till the morning to do the spinal tap. At about 9 in the morning I was rushed into a surgical spinal tap. Making my total to eight spinal taps, and 35 holes in my back. My opening pressure was 25, which is high, but not as high as the first time. They took off 18 ccs of spinal fluid and made the pressure to 16. So I was sent home, a couple hours after the spinal tap. My back is still swollen and it HURTS but at least I'm home!

My next book will be Hometown Hearts by Jillian Harts.


God bless!