Among the Fair Magnolias - Four Southern Love Stories by Tamera Alexander, Shelley Grant, Dorothy Love and Elizabeth Musser - Review

BACK  OF  THE  BOOK  BLURB

During the most turbulent decade of our nation's history, four

Southern women---their destinies forged by birth and heritage---face

nearly impossible choices on their journeys in live . . . and in love.

To Mend a Dream by Tamera Alexander

Savannah Darby would do almost anything to revisit her family home. So when the new owner Aidan Bedford seeks to redecorate the house for his fiancee, Savannah jumps at the opportunity. But can she find the box her father supposedly hid there during the war before her assignment is completed? And before she sees yet another battle lost on the home front--this time, a battle of the heart.

An Outlaw's Heart by Shelley Gray

Seven years ago Russell Champion was betrayed by the two most important women in his life. Now Russell returns home, but is it too late to make amends with his mother and find closure with his true love?

A Heart So True by Dorothy Love

Abigail Clayton hopes to reconcile with Dr. Wade Bennett and become his wife. But her father insists she marry her distant cousin Charles Kittridge so the plantations of the two families will be joined. With her wedding looming, Abby must choose between duty to her family and the yearnings of her own heart.

Love Beyond Limits by Elizabeth Musser

Emily Derracott loves her childhood friend Thomas McGinnis, but she cannot marry a man who doesn't share her strong convictions about the freedmen. Besides, she harbors a secret love for someone else. But the prospect of becoming his wife is not only improbable--it is completely impossible.

Includes Recipes and Discussion Questions

MY  REVIEW

Four enlightening stories by four great authors. Lesson learned, be sure you know both sides of the story before you make permanent decisions that will affect the rest of your life.

Mrs. Mayberry Meets Her Match by Susan Paige Davis - Review

BACK  OF  THE  BOOK  BLURB

(copied from Amazon.com)

Amelia Mayberry's rewarding career as a matchmaker is winding down. She'd like to close shop and spend her sunset years in peace. There's only one unfinished piece of business---an unsatisfied customer for whom she needs to set things right. Her late husband's friend wasn't happy with the potential bride Amelia sent his way, but she doesn't know why. The question is, will Lennox Bailey allow her to find him a new candidate?

MY  REVIEW

For a short story this was really good. I love the dedication Mrs. Mayberry has to make things right! Will she be able to accomplish the task to make her career 100% successful?

Dead-End Detective by Amanda Flower - Review of the first book in the Piper & Porter Mystery series from Hallmark Publishing

BACK  OF  THE  BOOK  BLURB

THEY WERE THE TWO GIRLS DETECTIVE AGENCY.

NOW, ONE OF THEM IS DEAD,

AND THE OTHER IS SUSPECTED OF MURDER.

Darby Piper is in shock. Samantha Porter--her mentor and business partner at Two Girls Detective Agency--has died in a car crash, and it doesn't look like an accident. In fact, evidence is pointing toward Darby.

Darby had expected to inherit Samantha's half of the agency, but Samantha had recently changed the will to leave it to Tate Porter, her nephew, who returns to town.

Tate is on P.I. He's a veteran, a world traveler, and something of a mystery himself. But as he helps Darby delve into secret histories and real estate development plans, he does seem to have a knack for the job. Can Darby prove her innocence? And will the agency have a future?

This cozy mystery includes a free Hallmark original recipe for Berry Trifle.

MY  REVIEW

This is quite the story, not only is Darby a suspect, there are several others, although Darby is the prim suspect. The author kept me interested and made me want to hurry and find out who the culprit was. I did figure it out but wasn't real sure until the end.

I will say they need to do a better job of proofreading as there are many 'small' errors. You know kind of like when you type a comment and after you post it you see a typographical error, fix it, then find another error, lol. It was readable but does need to be proofread again.

 

When Secrets Strike by Marta Perry - Review of the second book in the Watcher in the Dark series

BACK  OF  THE  BOOK  BLURB

IN LAUREL RIDGE, PENNSYLVANIA,

A COMMUNITY ONCE UNITED MUST SUSPECT ONE OF THEIR OWN

Amish quilter Sarah Bitler's dreams no longer feature a husband and family. Instead, she searches for success in the quilt shop within Blackburn House, a place once tarnished with deadly secrets. She refuses to let the past influence her future...until an ominous fire forces them to collide.

Firefighter Aaron King was the first to touch Sarah's heart--and the first to break it. Now a widower and father of two small girls, his return to Sarah's life brings her buried feelings to the surface. As a string of horrific incidents tears apart their community, an arsonist's wrath threatens to destroy them all. With Aaron as the only suspect, Sarah must follow her instincts to find the truth. But to protect an innocent man, she might risk her heart to Aaron again...and risk her life to an unknown killer.

MY  REVIEW

Another great mystery by Marta Perry. She keeps you guessing as the fires, and attacks, keep coming. Is it all one person, two or a group wanting to move in and take over a lot of the surrounding property? Hmmm, better get your copy so you can find out!!