Book Review - Death of an American Beauty by Mariah Fredericks

 

 

 

In 1913, Jane Prescott is a lady's maid but, she is taking a break to visit the opening of an art exhibition. The cubist exhibition is shocking and scandalous in New York City. This is also the fiftieth anniversary of Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation speech. The wealthy society women are determined to celebrate the occasion in style. 

Dolly Rutherford, the heiress to the glamorous Rutherford's department store, has gathered her friends to put on a play. Louise Tyler, Jane's employer, is scheduled to play the role of Lincoln. Jane is torn between helping Louise and enjoying her vacation. However, the decision is made for her when a murdered outside Jane's childhood home. The house is used as a refuge for working women who want to leave the profession. 

Her uncle runs the shelter and he falls under suspicion. Jane fears for him because he is keeping his whereabouts a secret. Jane decides to enlist help from her friends to help solve the murder. Will Jane be able to solve the murder before she is next?

This was my first book by the author. It seems that each book could be read as a standalone.  I thought the book was an interesting read but, sparse with twists and turns. I was able to guess the murderer halfway into the book. I did like that the author including tidbits of history in the novel. I look forward to reading more books by the author.

  **Disclosure -  This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - Love by the Numbers by Laura V. Hilton + Giveaway

Photo Credit - Amazon

A tragic accident claims the life of Lydia's fiancee and with a secret threatening her home life, Lydia flees to Jamesport, Missouri to help manage her aunt's gift store.  However, Lydia receives math induced headaches, so she is excited to learn that her aunt hired an accountant to help her with the daily accounting. When Caleb Bontrager enters the shop to help with the bookkeeping, both parties are shocked by each other's presence. Caleb is smitten by Lydia's charm and her personality, but he is afraid that her bright personality would lead down the path of temptation. Lydia is attracted to Caleb, but when Caleb asks another girl to become his girl, will Lydia be able to put her feelings for Caleb aside?

I have read a few Amish romances and I felt this one definitely had a bit more sauce to it. In this novel some of the characters live with their Mennonite relatives or have not joined the church so they use cell phones or electricity.  While this book is clean by my standards, there is mention of premarital sex, unwanted sexual advances and talks of temptation. Personally, I enjoyed the book and was emotionally involved with each character having a happy ending.  It was a delightful and refreshing read and I can't wait to read more works by the author.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion** 

About the Author

Laura V. Hilton is an award-winning, sought-after author with almost twenty Amish, contemporary, and historical romances. When she’s not writing, she reviews books for her blogs, and writes devotionals for blog posts for Seriously Write and Putting on the New.
Laura and her pastor-husband have five children and a hyper dog named Skye. They currently live in Arkansas. One son is in the U.S. Coast Guard. She is a pastor’s wife, and homeschools her two youngest children.
When she’s not writing, Laura enjoys reading, and visiting lighthouses and waterfalls. Her favorite season is winter, her favorite holiday is Christmas.

Giveaway

In honor of the tour, Whitaker House is giving away

Grand Prize Package: Love By the Numbers, Healing Love (Amish of Webster County #1), and The Snow Globe (The Amish of Jamesport #1) by Laura Hilton; “The Angels Cry Holy” scented candle in tin with lid from Abba Jerusalem

1st Place Package: Love By the Numbers, The Snow Globe (The Amish of Jamesport #1) by Laura Hilton, and Whitaker House/Anchor Coloring Book with Colored Pencils

2nd Place Package: Love By the Number by Laura Hilton and Whitaker House/Anchor Coloring Book with Colored Pencils!!!

Click the link to enter! https://promosimple.com/ps/c6ca