Rebecca Reviews ~ The Barrister and the Letter of Marque | Todd M. Johnson + GIVEAWAY

As a barrister in 1818 London, William Snopes has witnessed firsthand the danger of only the wealthy having their voices heard, and he's a strong advocate who defends the poorer classes against the powerful. That changes the day a struggling heiress, Lady Madeleine Jameson, arrives at his door.

In a last-ditch effort to save her faltering estate, Lady Jameson invested in a merchant brig, the Padget. The ship was granted a rare privilege by the king's regent: a Letter of Marque authorizing the captain to seize the cargo of French traders operating illegally in the Indian Sea. Yet when the Padget returns to London, her crew is met by soldiers ready to take possession of their goods and arrest the captain for piracy. And the Letter--the sole proof his actions were legal--has mysteriously vanished.

Moved by the lady's distress, intrigued by the Letter, and goaded by an opposing solicitor, Snopes takes the case. But as he delves deeper into the mystery, he learns that the forces arrayed against Lady Jameson, and now himself, are even more perilous than he'd imagined. 

PURCHASE: Baker Book House (Pre-Release SALE)

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"Who are these people? Why are they doing this? What do they want?"

What a brilliant historical thriller; begging the rather predictable question of "who done it", while simultaneously focusing on the unpredictability of "who" will come to the aid of the innocent, ensuring that readers will remain steadfastly engaged until the very end. Some rather unlikely heroes come forward with the truth, legitimizing the barrister's confident statement that, "the case will . . . be won or lost in the courtroom."

The barrister being referred to is of course the notoriously clever William Snopes, whose cunning, unorthodox methodology has begrudgingly earned the man a great deal of respect. This case however, is different from any other, for William must decide whether or not Lady Jameson and her uncle, Captain Harold Tuttle, are worth facing down the Crown, for the Letter of Marque has simply disappeared. . . . . assuming it had ever existed.

In spite of the rather methodical beginning, as most legal plots tend to require, this story gained momentum rather quickly as each and every character darted in and out of the shadows of possibilities, climbed in and out and around every obstacle and relentlessly pushed towards the inevitable certainty that the light of truth would prevail . . . and in this case, not a moment too soon.

"If lies are so unnatural, then remind me what truth is in this world, Mr. Snopes, and how it can be hidden so. I've forgotten.

Father Thomas will tell you from his profession that it is God's most fundamental trait. The essence of who He is. In the courtroom, truth is tool and brick: powerful to wield and the only foundation for real justice."

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, and also purchased a copy. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.

**GIVEAWAY RULES**

Rebecca is offering a copy of The Barrister and the Letter of Marque to one commenter. 

1-Be sure and leave your email address in a non-spammy format (jane at doe dot com). 

No email. No entry.

US only (48 contiguous states)

2-Be kind and say hello, not just "Enter me." 

Thanks!!!

Giveaway ends August 4th.

New Way to Follow by Email

because Blogger is always changing and Feedburner is no longer sending out emails. 

I'm always late to the ballgame when it comes to techie things and I know I put this off way too long but life has been busy and I've had way too many distractions. 

While I'm pretty sure that no one is receiving any content update from the blog in their email, on the off chance I'm wrong, I hope you'll come over and follow the blog by using the NEW EMAIL FOLLOW button in the top right sidebar. >>>>>>

I know a lot of bloggers moved to MailChimp but I chose 

because I could figure it out on my own a little easier. At least , I think I have!

Only time will tell. LOL

Please leave me a comment if you are able to sign up through there. I appreciate you!!!

Have a blessed day,

Review ~ Between the Wild Branches | The Covenant House 2 | Connilyn Cossette

About the Book

Ten years ago Lukio fled Kiryat-Yearim, where he'd been adopted by the Levite family who guarded the Ark of the Covenant. Feeling betrayed by everyone, he returned to his birthplace in Philistia to become a famous fighter. Now the champion of Ashdod, Lukio has achieved every goal with the help of his ruthless cousin. But just as he is set to claim the biggest prize of all, the daughter of the king, his past collides with his present in the form of Shoshana.

After a heartbreaking end to her secret friendship with Lukio, Shoshana thought to never see the boy with the dual-colored eyes and the troubled soul again. But when she is captured in a Philistine raid and enslaved in Ashdod, she is surprised to find that the brutal fighter known as Demon-Eyes is Lukio himself.

With explosive secrets and unbreakable vows standing between them, finding a way to freedom for both may cost them everything.

PURCHASE: Baker Book House

*I am NOT affiliated with any vendors. Purchase links are for your convenience only. 

My Review 4 STARS 

Cossette's strong writing pulled me in immediately. The historical detail is exceptionally good, as usual, and fans of this author will enjoy seeing Lukio's redemption, as well as a more in-depth look at the Philistine life. Between the Wild Branches has a rawness to it that made it kind of hard for me to read though.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. No compensation received.

Rebecca Reviews ~ Glimmer in the Darkness | Coventry Saga Book 1 | Robin Patchen

About the Book

Nothing could get her home…but this

Cassidy Leblanc worked hard to shake off her tragic childhood. As a foster child with a mother in prison for murder, she was an outcast in her small New Hampshire town until she met James. But she and James's sister, whom she was babysitting, were kidnapped. She escaped, but Hallie didn't survive, and everybody assumed Cassidy killed her. Like mother, like daughter, after all. With public opinion and the authorities united against her, young Cassidy fled. Now, a decade later, another little girl has been kidnapped, and Cassidy may be the only person who can find her.

He doesn't know who to trust

James Sullivan never believed that Cassidy killed his sister, no matter what the authorities said. When his best friend's daughter goes missing a decade after Hallie's murder, James keeps his opinions on the matter to himself. But when he finds Cassidy sneaking around his property, his thoughts turn dark. If she's not behind the recent kidnapping, what is she doing back in Coventry? Her answer—that she's returned to find little Ella, and she needs his help—has him reeling. Can he trust Cassidy, despite what the police tell him? If there's any chance he can save Ella, he has to try.

Danger lurks on the mountain

Together, they search for the elusive cave where Cassidy and Hallie were taken, but somebody will stop at nothing to make sure they don't find it or, if they do, that they don't come out alive.

Pulse-pounding suspense, second-chance romance, and a precious little girl who only wants her daddy. Start reading Glimmer in the Darkness today.

Purchase:

Amazon (e-book $2.99)

*I am NOT affiliated with any vendors. Purchase links are for your convenience only. 

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Rebecca's Review 4 STARS

"If you ever cared about me . . . I need your help. I can't do this by myself."

A desperate plea from a voice from his past, James Sullivan can scarcely believe his eyes or ears. She looks different, older, more mature . . .but amazingly gorgeous. Is Cassidy LeBlanc a cold blooded child killer like everyone in the small town of Coventry seems to believe, or has she been terribly misunderstood and betrayed by the very justice system that should have protected her as the victim of an horrible crime? Right now, it's irrelevant what everyone else believes, James must decide for himself what to do with the terrified woman cowering in his backyard.

As James and Cassidy push their own tragic history into a locked compartment, they race to find a small child who has been kidnapped, presumably by the same person who snatched Cassidy, along with James' young sister, ten years earlier. Cassidy is certain that the child is being hidden in a remote cave, if only they can find it; her recollection of the incident is sketchy at best and filled with tortured memories, the worst being guilt.

What a great story! Extraordinary plot, wonderful characters, intense pace, palpable romance, impressive spiritual depth, and an ending that will satisfy each and every reader with the reminder that we are loved by. . . . .

"The God of hope, . . . . . . He was the God of comfort too, wasn't He? He could handle her hope and her heartbreak. He could handle it all."

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Have you read any of Robin Patchen's books? 

This one looks so intriguing to me. I think I need to get a copy. 

Happy Reading!

Review ~ The Mistletoe Countess | Pepper D Basham

COMING SEPTEMBER 2021

Will the magic of Christmas bring these two newlyweds closer together, or will the ghosts of the past lead them into a destructive discovery from which not even a Dickens’s Christmas can save them?

Mistletoe is beautiful and dangerous, much like the woman from Lord Frederick’s Percy’s past, so when he turns over a new leaf and arranges to marry for his estate, instead of his heart, he never expects the wrong bride to be the right choice. Gracelynn Ferguson never expected to take her elder sister’s place as a Christmas bride, but when she’s thrust into the choice, she will trust in her faithful novels and overactive imagination to help her not only win Frederick’s heart but also to solve the murder mystery of Havensbrook Hall before the ghosts from Frederick’s past ruin her fairytale future.

Pre-order - Amazon

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My Review 5 STARS!!!

‘God hadn't created her for plastic smiles and shallow relationships.’

Basham has gone all-out in The Mistletoe Countess, blending humor, adventure, longing and love to such an incredible extent that I could hardly put the book down! And it's the most quotable book I think I've ever read. I would give it 10 stars if I could!! Seriously, this story exceeded every expectation I had. It's filled with such an astounding uplifting of spirit through Grace, literally in the character, and in God's grace.

“I have very high standards, Lord Astley.” Her brows darted northward with a playful intensity. “I read fiction.”

Grace's character jumps right off the page and infuses life with boundless joy, energy, and love. She truly is one-of-a-kind in the heroine department. Her bravery and love know no bounds and draws everyone to life, especially Frederick. Grace is young, just 18, but God has gifted her such a strong faith in Him, even someone as wounded as Freddie can't help but be compelled by it.

‘He'd never have chosen Grace, but God knew what he'd needed. What his heart, future, and even Havensbrooke needed.’

It's no spoiler they get married and I loved seeing how they went from being virtual strangers to having their hearts forever woven together. Oh, they are just the best fictional couple!!! I sure hope the author decides to write an adventure mystery series featuring them. It would be simply smashing!!

"I know my heart holds a great number of emotions all the time and my head swirls with uncommon notions, but I do think you are the very best for me, and I can't imagine loving you more." She shrugged, hoping he caught her intention. "You've been absolutely and deliciously wonderful, Frederick Percy."

Basham includes an exceptional array of secondary characters as well. Readers will be clamoring for more, more, MORE!!!

I received an electronic copy from the publisher through Netgalley. No compensation has been received.

Review ~ To Find Her Place | Redemption's Light 2 | Susan Anne Mason

In the midst of WWII, Jane Linder pours all her energy and dreams for a family into her career at the Toronto Children's Aid Society. As acting directress, Jane hopes for a permanent appointment so she can continue making a difference in the lives of troubled children. But if anyone were to find out she is divorced, everything would change.

Garrett Wilder has been hired to overhaul operations at the Children's Aid Society. He hopes to impress the board members with his findings and earn the vacant director's position. A war injury ended his dream of taking over his parents' farm, but with the security of the director's job, he'd be able to contribute financially and help save the family business.

Despite their competing interests, feelings begin to blossom between them. But then Jane's ex-husband returns from overseas with an unexpected proposition that could fulfill her deepest desires. Suddenly at a crossroads, can Jane discern the path to true happiness?

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My Review 4 STARS!!!

Mason has once again brought forth a touching tale filled with misgivings, mild mystery and sweet love. To Find Her Home offers gentleness combined with an inspirational message that will touch many.

The plight of orphaned children is of course achingly emotional. However, watching Jane’s fierce love and mercy shown toward them is deeply moving. Garrett is a wonderful character in most every way. He jumps right into life at the Children’s Aid Society even though he is there to find out about the financial disparity taking place. Competing for the same permanent job also brings its own share of tension to this beautiful story.

It was easy to see that the author did some prodigious research in order to get the historical details as meticulous as possible. I highly recommend fans of historical Christian fiction procure a copy of this second installment in the Redemption’s Light series.

I was provided a copy by the author and publisher with no expectation of a positive review. No compensation received.

Blessed are the merciful, 

for they will be shown mercy. 

Matthew 5:7