Book Review: The Woman in the Green Dress by Tea Cooper

The Woman in the Green Dress
by Tea Cooper
Rating: 4/5

After seeing this recommended on Instagram, I had to read it for myself. I was intrigued by the premise and I do love when two stories get folded into one. The mystery aspect was well done while the romance was not in the forefront which was a nice change.

Amidst the celebrating during Armistice Day, Fleur Richards receives news that her husband did not survive the war. She is confused and distressed to learn that he has left her a fortune in his home of Australia. She travels from London to Sydney in order to figure out what her husband has left her and transfer the inheritance to someone more deserving. What she finds is a mystery surrounding the shop and land owned by her late husband’s family. Can Fleur find out what happened to the supposedly cursed shop and family? Will the mysterious opal and woman in a green dress help give her answers?

The story moves back and forth between the past and present which can be a bit confusing without proper headings but the author was very good about giving you a timeline. As someone who has never been to Australia, I was delighted to learn new things about the animals and wildlife (I guess that’s the scientist in me). I loved learning about the history and am eager to read more. I was a bit disappointed that the author didn’t tie up all the loose ends but there is a satisfying conclusion to the mystery. I also felt the title was a bit misleading but it still works, I guess. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and characters.

I still recommend reading this book if you enjoy romantic mysteries set in historical Australia.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

July 15, 2020 by Kim Book Reviews

Book Review: The Last Eligible Bachelor by Ashtyn Newbold

The Last Eligible Bachelor
By Ashtyn Newbold
Book 3 in the Seasons of Change series
Rating: 5/5
Genre: Regency

So glad I saw this recommendation on Instagram. Available on KU! Quick and easy read that is so romantic and cute and funny and charming. I loved the banter between the two main characters. As I was reading I could totally see this book as a movie.

PG content.

Highly recommend if you enjoy regency romance with charming characters. Great summer read!

I definitely need to read more from this author!

***This book is on sale right now for only $0.99 on Amazon here and it’s on Kindle Unlimited.

July 6, 2020 by Kim Book Reviews

Book Review & CelebrateLit Giveaway: The Killing Tide by Dani Pettrey

About the Book

Book: The Killing Tide
Author: Dani Pettrey
Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense
Release Date: August 2019

When one Coast Guard officer is found dead and another goes missing, Coast Guard Investigative Service special agent Finn Walker faces his most dangerous crime yet. His only clues are what little evidence remains aboard the dead officer’s boat, and the direction the clues point to will test Finn and the Guard to their limits.

When investigative reporter–and Finn’s boss’s sister–Gabby Rowley arrives, her unrelenting questions complicate an already volatile situation. Now that she’s back, the tug on Finn’s heart is strong, but with the risks she’s taking for her next big story, he fears she might not live through it.

Thrown together by the heinous crime, Finn and Gabby can’t ignore the sparks or judgments flying between them. But will they be able to see past their preconceptions long enough to track down an elusive killer, or will they become his next mark?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Praised by New York Times best-selling author Dee Henderson as “a name to look for in romantic suspense,” Dani Pettrey has sold more than half a million copies of her novels to readers eagerly awaiting the next release. Dani combines the page-turning adrenaline of a thriller with the chemistry and happy-ever-after of a romance.

Her novels stand out for their “wicked pace, snappy dialogue, and likable characters” (Publishers Weekly), “gripping storyline[s],” (RT Book Reviews), and “sizzling undercurrent of romance” (USA Today).

She researches murder and mayhem from her home in Maryland. For more information visit www.danipettrey.com

My Thoughts

The Killing Tide
by Dani Pettrey
Book 1 in the Coastal Guardians series
Rating: 4/5

If you are in need of a fast-paced thriller, look no further. I am a huge fan of Dani Pettrey’s Romantic Suspense and I was not disappointed with this first book in a new series. Ever since watching the movie, The Guardian, with Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher, I have been in awe of what the Coast Guard rescue teams do. I was excited to catch a glimpse into their world and the author did not let me down.

After a traumatic rescue mission, special agent Finn Walker is forced to retire from his Coast Guard rescue team but joins the Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) as a second chance to help others. He is driven by a past that haunts him and his ability to save others. When tragedy after tragedy strikes, he knows that something is wrong and is determined to keep those he loves as safe as possible while unraveling the mystery.

Fearful after an attempt on her life, Gabby Rowley’s older brother forces her to come back home where he and his CGIS team can protect her. Gabby, an investigative reporter, is stubborn and hates that her independence is being taken away, but her real fear is seeing Finn again after she walked out on their relationship to pursue her career. She has a knack for sniffing out a story and when the CGIS loses a team member, she is determined to get to the bottom of the story despite the threat on her life. Will Gabby and Finn be able to do their jobs, stay safe, and work together without reigniting that chemistry? Can Gabby find a way to pursue her dream job and her dream of finding love?

This story was jam-packed full of interesting characters and storylines. As the first book in the series, the author is definitely trying to set up some of the next few books in the series while doing justice to the current story. I love that her characters are flawed and relatable. They have a sixth sense about investigating crimes and weaving all the clues together, but they have their own hardships and trauma to deal with. I am excited to read what comes next.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys clean romantic suspense.

My thanks to the author, NetGalley and CelebrateLit for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

More from Dani

Pettrey kicks off her new Coastal Guardians series with an intense blend of suspense, love, and faith. The Killing Tide features romance that’s as thrilling as the action, and faithful characters integrated seamlessly into a complex web of crime.

— Kate Campos BookList

The Killing Tide is the first book in my Coastal Guardian series. My husband was Navy, so why am I writing about the Coast Guard? Because I think their mission to keep our waters and our country safe should be highlighted more. Before I started writing The Killing Tide, I’ll admit I knew little about the Coast Guard. I had a friend in high school who joined the Guard right after graduation, but that’s about the depth of my experience with them. Then, my husband and I watched a movie called The Finest Hour.

If you haven’t seen it, I highly urge you to. It’s the true story of one of the most dangerous and daring rescue attempts in Coast Guard history. Boatswain’s Mate First Class Bernie Webber takes a small team to rescue the crew of the Pendleton T2 oil tanker, which split in half off the coast of Cape Cod during a brutal nor’easter in 1952. I won’t ruin the ending for you, but let’s just say it’s a wonderful testament to courage in adversity. After watching it, I knew I had to write a series about the Coast Guard. I began researching and came across the Coast Guard Investigative Service and my interest was highly peaked. After talking with Coast Guardsmen, both newly in the service and those long retired, I began to see the story weaving together like a movie in my mind. I hope you enjoy reading the CGIS Wilmington teams’ adventures, cases and…of course, romances.