Review ~ Petticoat Detective by Margaret Brownley

About the Book

Pinkerton detective Jennifer Layne is no stranger to undercover work. But posing as a lady companion named Amy at Miss Lillian’s Parlor House and Boots is a first for her. She’s finally landed a high-profile case and is on the trail of the notorious Gunnysack Bandit, when one of Miss Lillian’s girls essential to her investigation meets an untimely demise. Only a handful of people are in the house at the time of her death, including handsome Tom Colton, a former Texas Ranger determined to clear his brother’s name. Amy has many reasons to suspect Tom of murder—and one very personal reason to hope that she’s wrong about him.

My Review 

Petticoat Detective is my favorite book from Margaret Brownley! It’s a fast-paced, funny and poignant tale of a female Pinkerton detective who goes undercover in a brothel. Doesn’t sound like something you would want to read? Well, you just might be surprised! It really is a great story. There’s the trademark humor Ms Brownley is famous for, but along with that is a deep and satisfying story of how women come to be in certain situations, and the hope of redemption through Christ. 

I read this book in just a few hours. I could not put it down. It has one of the best casts of characters!  I’m a dialogue person and it’s fairly snapping in this book! The mystery is solid but what got me was how beautifully the inner hurts and secret longings of the women were portrayed. Miss Lillian, the owner, is a hoot. On the surface she seems to be just an older washed up and worn out madam, but she’s got spunk--and secret aspirations of being a legitimate business woman. 

Jennifer Layne aka Amy isn’t the only one wearing a ‘mask’.  By the time the ending came, I was completely surprised on several accounts and the whodunit kept me bewildered right up until the Gunnysack Bandit was revealed. I’m looking forward to the next book in the Undercover Ladies series. I honestly don’t know how this one is going to be topped. 

I want to thank Margaret Brownley for sending me an electronic ARC for review purposes. No compensation has been received.

About the Author 

Thrills, mystery, suspense, romance: Margaret penned it all. Nothing wrong with this, except Margaret happened to be writing for the church newsletter. After making the church picnic read like a Grisham novel, her former pastor took her aside and said, "Maybe God's calling you to write fiction."

Margaret wasn't sure that was true, but she wasn't about to take chances. She now has more than 28 novels and is a New York Times bestselling author. Not bad for someone who failed 8th grade English. Just don't ask her to diagram a sentence.

  

You can find out more about Margaret and her books by visiting her website: http://margaret-brownley.com/

Review ~ Gunpowder Tea by Margaret Brownley

Available now!!!

Gunpowder Tea 

A female Pinkerton agent goes undercover. A male Wells Fargo agent goes undercover.

Same place. Same time. Same ‘ranch’ channel. Ok, I couldn’t resist J

Seriously, Gunpowder Tea is the highlight of The Brides of Last Chance Ranch series for me! With her trademark humor firmly in place, Margaret Brownley brings the adventure and mystery to an impressive conclusion.

Miranda Hunt has made a name for herself as one of the best Pinkerton agents. Applying to be the heiress of Last Chance Ranch is the perfect cover to find the criminal she’s looking for. Jeremy Taggart has so many aliases it’s hard to know what his real name is anymore but he’s hot on the trail of a gang leader, The Phantom. Hiring on as a ranch hand brings him into close proximity. Both Miranda and Jeremy are strong characters, with realistic flaws, that learn to work together toward a mutual goal. Their investigative techniques and interaction played out magnificently. I felt as if I was watching a classic western movie.

If you enjoy historical stories set in the west that are filled with mystery, humor and romance, you’re sure to love all the books in The Brides of Last Chance Ranch series, especially Gunpowder Tea.  A totally satisfying end to a delightful series!

In exchange for my honest opinion, Margaret Brownley sent me an ARC of the book. I was not required to write a positive review. 

When you use the product widget below to purchase, I make a small commission on the sale of the book.

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Have you read Margaret's books? If so, do you have a favorite?

Review ~ A Bride For All Seasons by Margaret Brownley

About the Book

And Then Came Spring by Margaret Brownley

Mary-Jo has been unlucky all her life. But who would guess she’d travel halfway across the country to meet her match . . . only to find him dead!

My Review

A Bride for All Seasons is a collection of four novellas, set in four different midwestern and western towns during 1870. Melvin Hitchcock is the owner and editor of The Hitching Post Mail Order Bride Catalogue. As such, he feels he has the right to read the letters going back and forth between his clients. You know, just in case he needs to “fix” what he feels might not be presenting them in their best light. After all, he wants these guys and gals to get hitched. The ensuing embellishments cause all kinds of misunderstandings and distorted communications leading to some humorous moments between the mail order brides and grooms-to-be.

Each author has done an excellent job in this collection. The stories are fast-paced with plenty of sparkling repartee that kept me positively engaged. The character development is good and there are some precious moments between the brides and bridegrooms.

Introducing us to the ramifications of Melvin's meddling is author Margaret Brownley's And Then Came Spring. With her trademark wit, Margaret blends feelings of fear, abandonment, and grief into a work of fiction that is both funny and sweet, while showing how God works his perfect will in life. Lots of chuckles and oh no's, along with some serious head shaking made my family look askance at me a few times while I read this novella.

Mary-Jo Parker arrives in Colton, Kansas expecting her groom to meet her at the train station. The agreement was they would get “hitched up” right away but after a few hours of waiting, he doesn't show so she goes looking for him. Of course, being such a highly superstitious person, she has to be extremely careful. Margaret managed to introduce me to all kinds of superstitions people have that I wasn't aware of. Thanks to Sheriff Tom Garrett and his steadfast faith in the Lord, Mary-Jo learns that there's no need to live in fear of stepping in the wrong place, spilling salt or any of that other nonsense. God is the one in control! And you'll meet Eddie, a little boy who has firmly planted himself in my heart and I hope gets a grownup story of his own someday.

I highly recommend this collection of novellas to all Historical Fiction fans!

I received an ARC of the book from the author in exchange for my review. No other compensation was received.

About the Author 

Thrills, mystery, suspense, romance: Margaret penned it all. Nothing wrong with this, except Margaret happened to be writing for the church newsletter. After making the church picnic read like a Grisham novel, her former pastor took her aside and said, "Maybe God's calling you to write fiction."

It turns out God was and Margaret did. She now has more than 20 novels to her credit. In addition, she's written many Christian articles and a non-fiction book. Still, it took a lot of prodding from God before Margaret tried her hand at writing inspirational fiction which led to her Rocky Creek series. "I love writing about characters at different stages of faith," she says of the new direction her writing career has taken, "and I'm here to stay."

Happily married to her real-life hero, Margaret and her husband live in Southern California.

Connect with Margaret at any of the places below:

 margaret@margaretbrownley.com

Twitter

 http://twitter.com/margaretbrownly

FaceBook

 Visit Margaret's FaceBook page

To purchase A Bride For All Seasons visit  Thomas Nelson.

"Honk if you Love Books" Contest

I couldn't resist passing this information along. I absolutely adore Margaret's stories! This is a fabulous contest that is being offered through her publisher. 

In Waiting for Morning, an historical romance set in the Arizona Territory

in 1896, Dr. Caleb Fairbanks introduces the residents of the Last Chance

Ranch to his beloved gas-powered "horseless carriage," Bertha. This foreign

contraption divides townspeople's opinions between fascination and

irritation thanks to Bertha's incessant rattling and backfiring. When Caleb

and backfiring Bertha incite gunfire from former dance hall girl, Molly

Hatfield, the handsome doctor knows he's in for an adventure with the

intriguing woman and her spirited, wheelchair bound kid brother, Donny.

To celebrate the publication Margaret's book, her publisher is running a fun

contest. All you have to do is share a memory of a car that played an

important role in YOUR life's story for a chance to win a $100 gas card.

Send it (and a photo if you have one) to  

contests@nancyberland.com

Please DO NOT leave any contest entries on this blog! THEY WILL NOT COUNT!!!

Review ~ Waiting for Morning by Margaret Brownley

**

Book Blurb

If Molly Hatfield’s purple attire doesn’t blind you, her dazzling smile will. She doesn’t just sing to the cattle, she puts on a whole show. If only she wasn’t so stubborn about her brother’s care. Or so distrustful of a certain handsome doctor...

Available for Pre-order now from Thomas Nelson.

My Review

Waiting for Morning has so many facets that it's hard to pinpoint which one I enjoyed the most!

Molly Hatfield is a lovingly fierce sister and wants to protect her wheelchair bound younger brother, Donny, from the hurt that can be caused by rude and judgmental people. This part of the plot really struck a chord in me. As the parent of a child who had multiple disabilities, and was in a wheelchair for many years, I can fully relate to Molly's protective nature.

Dr. Caleb Fairbanks comes back to the area after medical school and befriends Donny. He feels that Donny has some untapped potential in being able to eventually care for himself and become at least partially independent. The sparks fly between Molly and Caleb about this thought because she is convinced that Donny couldn't possibly do any more for himself and she must sacrifice her life to be his caretaker. There's some romantic sparks flying for them too, and boy howdy are they something! It was fun to watch events unfold and witness the changes that take place in each of these characters. I loved watching Donny gain confidence in his abilities. That made Caleb a hero in my book!

Of course, the ranch hands of Last Chance Ranch each make their appearances and bring much humor and delight to the story. There's a very important role for a horse named Orbit, as well! You'll fall in love with him just as much as Donny did. Animals can be a huge influence in the lives of those with disabilities and Margaret has done a superb job with this in the book. Whether it was intentional or not, I don't know but it really adds dimension.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an intricately written historical novel.

Thank you, Margaret, for my ARC. I thoroughly enjoyed this second book in The Brides of Last Chance Ranch series and look forward to the next!

*I edited the book cover in PicMonkey to add the caption* 

Amazon (Kindle and Paperback)

Author Bio


Thrills, mystery, suspense, romance: Margaret penned it all. Nothing wrong with this, except Margaret happened to be writing for the church newsletter. After making the church picnic read like a Grisham novel, her former pastor took her aside and said, "Maybe God's calling you to write fiction."

It turns out God was and Margaret did. She now has more than 20 novels to her credit. In addition, she's written many Christian articles and a non-fiction book. Still, it took a lot of prodding from God before Margaret tried her hand at writing inspirational fiction which led to her Rocky Creek series. "I love writing about characters at different stages of faith," she says of the new direction her writing career has taken, "and I'm here to stay."

Happily married to her real-life hero, Margaret and her husband live in Southern California.

To contact Margaret:

 website 

 Visit Margaret's FaceBook page

 margaret@margaretbrownley.com