Murder in the City of Liberty by Rachel McMillan

Murder in the City of Liberty 

Goodreads:  Murder in the City of Liberty (Van Buren and DeLuca #2) by Rachel McMillan

Rating: Just Okay
Source:  Blog Tour

Description:  Determined to make a life for herself, Regina "Reggie" Van Buren bid goodbye to fine china and the man her parents expected her to marry and escaped to Boston. What she never expected to discover was that an unknown talent for sleuthing would develop into a business partnership with the handsome, yet shy, Hamish DeLuca.
Their latest case arrives when Errol Parker, the leading base stealer in the Boston farm leagues, hires Hamish and Reggie to investigate what the Boston police shove off as a series of harmless pranks. Errol believes these are hate crimes linked to the outbreak of war in Europe, and he's afraid for his life. Hamish and Reggie quickly find themselves in the midst of an escalating series of crimes that seem to link Boston to Hamish's hometown of Toronto.

When an act of violence hits too close to home, Hamish is driven to a decision that may sever him from Reggie forever . . . even more than her engagement to wealthy architect Vaughan Vanderlaan. 

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

Connect with Rachel

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

My Thoughts:

Murder in the City of Liberty by Rachel McMillan is a historical mystery. I have read several books by Rachel before and love them. This book, did not do it for me. I had a difficult time connecting to the mystery and also keeping the characters straight. This book has an awesome setting and started off with some actions, but as I progressed forward into the plot, I found myself day dreaming and even when I tried to get back to the book, I could not stay with it. The story, with the characters did not connect to me and I could not find myself interested in the book. This book and series might interest you, but it was my taste. Don't take my word on it, grab your copy today and you might love this historical mystery. Again, I have read several books by Rachel before and have loved them. Give this one a shot, despite my review. You might like this book.

About the Author:

Rachel McMillan is the author of the Herringford and Watts mysteries, the Three Quarter Time series of contemporary romances set in opulent Vienna, and the Van Buren and DeLuca mysteries praised for bringing an authentic 1930’s Boston world to life while normalizing the fictional conversation surrounding mental illness. Her first work of non-fiction, described as a romantic’s guide to independent travel, releases in 2020. Rachel lives in Toronto, Canada.

Heart & Home By Victoria Duerstock

Heart & Home By Victoria Duerstock

Heart and Home is a short devotional book with daily devotions for 90 days. The devotionals seek to draw clear connection between the basics of interior design and scripture that encourages spiritual growth within our hearts. The devotionals inspire women to have a captivating heart and home. Included in each devotional is an applicable design tip and photographs. Example devotional topics include unity and harmony, negative space, flow, focal point, and balance.

This devotional includes four-color photographs of home interiors throughout the book.

My Thoughts: 

I loved this little book! It has amazing and fabulous interior design with 90 devotions. I love that each devotion also contains scripture and prayers as well. This would make the perfect gift of an awesome gift to give away for a baby shower. This is a perfect coffee table or devotional and I loved the content. 

About the Author:

Victoria Duerstock wears many hats. None are more important than wife and mom, but she has certainly dipped her toe in a variety of interests and jobs through the years. She's been known to read everything under the sun, even a manual or two! With her nose in a book, she’s always learning so that she can figure out the next thing and writing has become her most recent passion.

Little did she know that her experiences that began over twenty years ago would influence her writing life today! After marrying Rob, she began working with him in the Interior Design industry. From managing the office of a retail design center, to assisting designers on their condo and house projects, Victoria was immersed in the retail design world for several years. Going to markets with him has been a perk that she has enjoyed through the years, not to mention the various samples and goodies from around the world that find space in their home. Access to furniture markets, trends, magazines have continued to fuel her interest and knowledge and she shares her thoughts with a monthly spot for www.just18summers.org combining home trends and parenting ideas, and at her personal blog www.everythingsgravy.com. 

Serving in their church body remains an integral part of their family life. Many roles have been filled through the years and Victoria has especially enjoyed those times when she has been able to minister to women. She has a heart for women and her mission statement includes the following – Intentionally seeking to inspire hope and ignite bigger dreams for God’s purpose and His glory in each of our stories. 

To this end, Victoria has not only enjoyed speaking to various women’s groups and conferences, but has also found success over the last couple of years writing short devotional anthologies with other amazing authors with Worthy Publishing. In the midst of this, the idea for this current book came to mind. Connecting the basic principles of Christian living, with the basic principles of Interior Design seemed to be a no-brainer!

Heart & Home: Design Basics for Your Soul and Your Living Space does just that. Publishing in April of 2019, this short devotional presents 90 days of Scripture, application, prayer and design tips into one full color volume. A devotional book that can be displayed in both the gift and inspirational markets, the full color photos make it beautiful to look at as well.

The Inn At Hidden Run By Olivia Newport

The Inn At Hidden Run By Olivia Newport

A Father-Daughter Genealogy Team Link Present to Past on Family Trees

Meri’s family has been producing doctors for so many generations that no one remembers why, so when she flunks out of medical school, she runs as far from her parents as she can get. In the small mountain town of Canyon Mines, Colorado, she takes a job at the Inn at Hidden Run B&B. And waits. It’s only a matter of time.

What she doesn’t count on is genealogist Jillian Parisi-Duffy and her father, Nolan, having her back when it takes everything she has not to bolt again but to stay and face the truth that only unfolding her family’s history will reveal. While Nolan works on keeping Meri calm—and in town—Jillian pulls out of her gems of information she doesn’t know she has and arranges the puzzle pieces.

But none of that changes the fact that Meri’s family is closing in to haul her back to her “real” life. When their arrival inflames tensions and Meri finally does bolt, Nolan and Jillian may be out of time.

The Inn at Hidden Run is the first book in the Tree of Life series. Readers will come back to backdrop of a lovely mountain town of Canyon Mines again and again to explore and celebrate unforgettable family stories that inspire them to connect with their own family histories and unique faith journey.

My Thoughts: 

The Inn at the Hidden Run is the first book in the Tree Life Series and I enjoyed reading this book. I found myself intrigued with the genealogy in this book, which made me want to learn more about my own.  The modern telling of Yellow Fever was very interesting, especially as the author weaved a dual storyline into this book. To be able to craft a dual timeline into a story and do it well, is writing craft and Olivia Newport did an amazing job! I recommend the read!

About the Author:

 Olivia Newport’s novels blend the truths of where we find ourselves now with insights into what carried us in the past. Enjoying life with her husband and nearby grown children, she chases joy in stunning Colorado at the foot of Pikes Peak.

The Guy's Guide to Four Battles Every Young Man Must Face: a manual to overcoming life’s common distractions by Jonathan McKee

The Guy's Guide to Four Battles Every Young Man Must Face: a manual to overcoming life’s common distractions

by 

Jonathan McKee

About:

Honestly?. . . 

"Why wait for something when I can enjoy it now?"

“These images don’t really affect me. . .do they?”

"How could smoking a little weed really be that bad when it's becoming legalized everywhere?”

“I’d like to tell you I don’t care what others think, but honestly, I want to be liked."

 
Maybe you're thinking, "I've had one. . .maybe even a few of these thoughts, and I don't know how to even begin to deal with them."
 
The good news? You're not alone. And there is a way to fight these battles head-on, overcoming the past, pressing forward, and becoming the person God designed you to be.
 
So what's a guy to do? . . .
 
Join youth culture expert and author of the popular Guy's Guide to God, Girls, and the Phone in Your Pocket, Jonathan McKee, as he gets real about the four common battles every young man will encounter in his life:
 
1: Sexual Temptation
2. Screens
3: Controlled Substances
4: Self-Esteem


With humor and honesty, McKee offers up practical, spiritual advice filled with real-world application helping you face today’s distractions.

My Thoughts:

Author Jonathan McKee writes The Guy's Guide to Four Battles Every Young Man Must Face which is a great book that cuts to the chase. It is an honest, authentic book that makes a young adult man look at themselves and ask hard questions through scripture and application. This book has short chapters, great stories and truth throughout the entire book. This book would be a great for Father's do with their sons. I highly recommend getting a copy, especially as Father's Day is just around the corner. 

Card of Kindness for Courageous Girls compiled by Barbour Publishing Staff

Card of Kindness for Courageous Girls compiled by Barbour Publishing Staff

Your heart will delight in spreading kindness and inspiration wherever you go with these shareable Cards of Kindness!

Flip each page to discover a positive life message that will both uplift and inspire your heart—and the hearts of other courageous girls just like you. Once you’ve read through the devotion and pondered the message of loving-kindness, tear out the card and pass it on to another girl . . who will then be encouraged to keep the “Courageous Girls Are Kind” movement going. . .by passing the card along to yet another courageous girl!

Each Card of Kindness will spark positive, faith-building discussions with other like minded girls. You’ll enjoy spreading kindness and God’s love, page by delightful page! 

Be blessed, COURAGEOUS GIRL!

My Thoughts:

I love this book for girls! Each page has a teaching with a scripture verse. On the other side is  a piece of encouragement for girls to dream big, heal pain, bring peace, etc. The pages are perforated so they can be removed and given away. These are perfect to encourage friends, daughters, nieces, etc. It would be great to throw in their lunches. This is just such a neat little book for girls!