Showing posts with label Historical Mystery. Show all posts

Murder at Madison Square Garden by Linda Shenton Matchett ~ Book Review + Giveaway

June 27, 2021

About the Book

Book: Murder at Madison Square Garden

Series: Women of Courage, Book 2
Author: Linda Shenton Matchett
Genre: Historical Mystery
Release Date: July 15, 2020

The dream of a lifetime becomes a nightmare.

Photojournalist Theodora “Teddy” Schafer’s career has hit the skids thanks to rumors of plagiarism. With any luck, a photo spread with Charles Lindbergh at the America First Rally will salvage her reputation. After an attempted assassination of Lindbergh leaves another man dead, Teddy is left holding the gun. Literally. Can she prove her innocence before the police lock her up for a murder she didn’t commit?

Private Investigator Ric Bogart wants nothing to do with women after his wife cleaned out their bank account and left him for another man, but he can’t ignore the feeling he’s supposed to help the scrappy, female reporter who is arrested for murder at the America First rally. Can he believe her claims of innocence and find the real killer without letting Teddy steal his heart?

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts

This is an enjoyable historical mystery story centered around WWI and WWII. The author did a great job with the setting and added many details including songs of the time as well as cars, movies and the clothing. It makes the story come alive. Throughout the plot there is a good amount of mystery and suspense. The characters are well developed and engaging. Teddy made a great heroine. I enjoyed the banter/bickering between her and PI Ric. It made the relationship very realistic.

This is my second book by this author and I think she does a phenomenal job at weaving a strong Christian message throughout the story. Overall I thought this was a good story. If you enjoy historical mysteries then this would be a good addition to your list! Oh, and even though this is part of a series they are meant to be read as stand alones.

My Rating: 3 Stars/I liked it!

I received this book through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

About the Author

Bestselling author of over twenty books, Linda Shenton Matchett writes about ordinary people who did extraordinary things in days gone by. A volunteer docent and archivist for the Wright Museum of WWII, Linda is currently working with the curator to create her first exhibit, Shaped by Conflict that will be on display from May 1 to June 15, 2021. She is a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry. Linda has lived in historical places all her life and is now located in central New Hampshire where her favorite activities include exploring historic sites and immersing herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors.

More from Linda

Dear readers:

I grew up in New Jersey and often went into New York City for school field trips and family visits. One of my favorite places to go was Madison Square Garden. I have lots of happy memories, so I wondered if I could possibly set a book there. I spent a lovely afternoon digging into the building’s past and learning about the important, historic events that took place there. When I discovered that aviator Charles Lindbergh spoke at the Garden about the controversial topic of U.S. isolationism prior to America’s entry into WWII, I knew I had the beginning of a story.

My protagonist came about during one of my shifts as a volunteer docent at the Wright Museum of WWII. While talking to one of our guests about our wartime print and broadcast journalism display, the conversation turned to the role that women played. Therese Bonney was a one of the photojournalists highlighted in the exhibit. As I studied her picture, I was struck by her determination in the set of her jaw and look in her eyes. My protagonist Theodora “Teddy” Schafer was born.

I enjoyed my trip down Memory Lane at the Garden during my research and had fun subjecting Teddy to uncomfortable situations as she tried to prove her innocence. But most of all, I hope her story honors the men and women who served in countless ways during this difficult time in history.

Enjoy Murder at Madison Square Garden.

Linda

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 15
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, June 16
The Avid Reader, June 16
Daysong Reflections, June 17
Texas Book-aholic, June 18
Vicky Sluiter, June 18
Inklings and notions, June 19
For Him and My Family, June 20
Blossoms and Blessings, June 20
Betti Mace, June 21
deb’s Book Review, June 22
Blogging With Carol, June 22
Locks, Hooks and Books, June 23
Connie’s History Classroom, June 24
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, June 25 (Author Interview)
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 25
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, June 26
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 26
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, June 27
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 28

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Linda is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Visa Gift Card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/10d57/murder-at-madison-square-garden-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Murder at Madison Square Garden by Linda Shenton Matchett ~ Book Review + Giveaway

Phoebe's Secret by Sydney Tooman Betts ~ Tour + Giveway

October 11, 2020

About the Book

Book: Phoebe’s Secret
Author: Sydney Tooman Betts
Series: Phoebe's Mystery, Book 1

Genre: Christian Fiction, Historical Mystery
Release Date: June 20, 2020

In April of 1843, Phoebe’s family hears about a murder while they are traveling to their new home in the Shenandoah Valley. They arrive to learn the victim attended the church her father has agreed to pastor and the crime took place on a leading church member’s plantation.

Eager to make new friends, Phoebe forms a unique relationship that propels her into the middle of the mystery, and she begins to question several acquaintances’ motives. Will she uncover their secrets before the plantation owner’s charming son discovers hers?

Click here to get your copy today!

My Thoughts

This was my first book from Sydney Tooman Betts and it won't be my last. I really enjoyed her style of writing once the story got going. It was a little slow at first with lots of details to be covered but I guess that's because she is getting us ready for the following books to this series.

The characters were fun to get to know especially Phoebe and Augie. That Augie is definitely on precocious little boy! It was hard to figure out the mystery as it kept you guessing which was a great element to have in the story. The mystery was quite surprising to me at the end!

This author did a great job at keeping spiritual wisdom and insight throughout the book especially since this dealt with slavery and people's stances on the subject. I can't wait to see where the next book takes on and what adventures Phoebe will have next.

My Rating: 4 Stars/ Thoroughly enjoyed it!

(I received a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit Tours. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)

About the Author

Sydney Tooman Betts resides with her husband near the extensive cavern system that inspired the setting for several chapters in her series The People of the Book.

While single, Ms. Betts (B.S. Bible/Missiology, M.Ed) took part in a variety of cross-cultural adventures in North and Central America. After marrying, she and her husband lived in Europe and the Middle East where he served in various mission-support capacities. Her teaching experiences span preschool to guest lecturing at the graduate level.

Before penning her first novel, A River too Deep, she ghost-wrote several stories for an adult literacy program.

More from Sydney

Proverbs 25:11 says, “Words spoken fitly are like apples of gold in settings of silver.” I was not a great reader as a child, but I loved stories. We remember stories, whether told through movies, good sermon illustrations, parables, or simple novels.

Think of something you’ve read in the Bible. Did an instructional verse, a narrative, or a parable leap to mind? Stories have power because we can relate to them. We see ourselves in the shoes of the main character and ask what we might do in the situation. Mysteries, a new genre for me to write, are a little different. You are in the puzzle with the main character, working out the solution as you both come across the clues. I hope you will enjoy joining Phoebe in her first mystery as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Recipe:

Sally Lunn Bread

1 cup water
1 cup milk
¼ pound unsalted butter
8 cups of high-gluten or bread flour
⅔ cup sugar
2 tablespoons salt
¼ cup yeast
6 eggs

In a saucepan, combine water, milk and butter. Heat until the butter is very soft.

In a mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients with half the flour. Add the warm liquid, and mix well to form a smooth batter.

Add 3 eggs, one at a time, and mix well. Add another cup of the flour, and mix well. Add the second 3 eggs, one at a time. Add the remaining flour, and mix until the flour has been incorporated and the batter has formed a smooth ball. The dough should be less firm than bread and more firm than a batter.

Put the dough in a clear bowl with a little oil and cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Proof until double in volume. Divide the dough between two bund pans or two loaf pans, or one of each. Proof again until risen and doubled in volume. Bake at 350° for about 20 minutes. Makes 20 servings.