Never-Ending TBR, Part Four

This has been a good month of reading! All the books, other than Hearts and Goals, were written by authors I’ve previously reviewed. 

After a Fashion by Jen Turano
A Class of Their Own, Book 1
Last month I read the story of Millie, a would-be nanny with unusual (by 1880s standards) ideas about caring for children. She found her Prince Charming thanks in part to the machinations of Reverend Gilmore and Abigail Hart, a society matron. When I discovered the book was the second in the series, I had to check out the first book. This story features Millie’s good friend and roommate Harriet Peabody. Like Millie, Harriet is an orphan, and her dream is to open a dress shop with affordable clothing for working women. To achieve this, she works as a milliner by day, and alters dresses that society women have donated to the church. When she’s dispatched to deliver hats to a difficult customer who then causes her to be fired from her job, she meets Oliver, a millionaire who happens to need a fiancée. Of course, this means Harriet will need instruction on how to behave like a lady, and that’s where Abigail comes in. This is a lovely sweet romance, full of wit and humor, and the ending is very satisfying. I can’t wait to find out how the third roommate finds her match.

Embroidered Truths by Monica Ferris
A Needlecraft Mystery, Book 9
Godwin DuLac, Betsy’s friend and most valuable employee, has had frequent run-ins with his partner John, so when he’s once again kicked out of the house they share, no one is concerned. But when John doesn’t show up at his law firm, Godwin enlists Betsy’s help to look for him. They find John in the house, the victim of a brutal murder. Since Godwin can’t verify his whereabouts the previous night, he’s the main suspect, and the local prosecutor is certain that he’s got the murderer. With Godwin incarcerated, it’s up to Betsy to prove him innocent. Her investigation uncovers unpleasant truths about John’s business dealings, pointing the finger at some dangerous characters. My local library has the next book on its shelves, so I’ll be picking it up soon!

Playing the Part by Jen Turano
A Class of Their Own, Book 3
Lucetta Plum is a star in the 1880s New York theater scene. Due to her talent and extraordinary beauty, she’s the recipient of endless offers to be kept in style, but she prefers to live simply. After her dearest friends Harriet and Millie marry the men they meet (in books one and two), she continues to stay with Abigail Hart in an older but respectable part of town. She’s about to begin a new production, starring in a role that was written specifically for her, when danger forces her to go into hiding in a gothic castle owned by Abigail’s grandson. This installment was as entertaining as the first two in the series, with a mystery, romance and humor to keep me turning the pages.

Murder in First Class by Helena Dixon
A Miss Underhay Mystery, Book 8
Kitty’s fiancé Matt has been asked to host a witness for an upcoming trial because it’s believed he’s in danger. When she drives him to the train station, the guest arrives, but someone has murdered him. They need to find out who killed him and why. 

In a side thread that’s been woven throughout, the man who’s been jailed for the murder of Kitty’s mother is being transferred to another prison, and Kitty has obtained permission to speak to him in an attempt to gain closure.

Hearts and Goals by Carolyn Miller
Original Six Hockey Romance Book 4
Carolyn Miller was my guest here at Four Foxes, One Hound earlier this month. I’d purchased her new book but hadn’t had time to read it before she came and shared it with us. When I did finally sit down to read it I discovered a well-written story about a young widow whose experienced sorrow and whose world has been limited due to fear of opening herself up to more hurt. Maggie works in the botanical gardens in Montreal, and Beau is the new goalie. When he visits the gardens with a friend, he’s immediately smitten, but wants to be sure she’s a match spiritually. I enjoyed Beau’s interactions with his teammates as well as his family – he seems almost too good to be true!

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