Axel by Grace Burrowes ( Jaded Gentlemen Series)

Axel Belmont has been summoned from his warm and cozy greenhouse during a cold January evening because his neighbor has been murdered. He is the local magistrate and is required to investigate the case. Axel needs to ascertain if Colonel Stoneleigh committed suicide, if his death was an accident or if he was killed. After observing the body and crime scene in Colonel Stoneleigh’s study, Axel is certain that the colonel was murdered. However, he suspects that something is amiss with the colonel’s widow Abigail.

The first chapter of Axel outlines the story and provides insight into the main characters of Axel Belmont and Abigail Stoneleigh. Grace Burrowes does a fabulous job of weaving murder, mystery and romance in this novel. There are several concurrent minor plot threads in the novel which are effortlessly intertwined with the main characters actions. Axel has a different feel than the other books in the Jaded Gentlemen series because the element of suspense is felt throughout the entire book. As a reader, I needed to focus on each word in each scene so I would not miss a nuance or clue. Axel approached solving the murder using his observation skills and scientific knowledge. His expertise helped Axel sort out which clues would lead to the identity of Sir Gregory’s murderer. 

There are several villains in this suspenseful drama. Sir Gregory’s true nature is disclosed as Axel investigates his murder. The author does a fabulous job revealing Sir Gregory’s character and motivation as the investigation unfolds. Enjoyed the conversations between Nicholas Haddonfield, Matthew Belmont, Abigail and Axel which take place at the breakfast table and in the study. Matthew provides Axel with advice on how to approach interviewing the Stoneleigh servants. The discussions between Matthew and Axel provide the reader with insight into Axel’s first marriage, the importance of Axel’s work in his greenhouse and Axel’s desire for the Oxford fellowship. Nicholas (my favorite Grace Burrowes hero) flirts with Abigail. The banter between the two motivate Axel to come to terms with his feelings towards Abigail and allows the author to add the element of romance to the story. 

The attraction between the characters evolves as the murder investigation continues. Axel is one of the author’s longer novels. The longer length enabled the author to provide a story which perfectly blends the elements of romance, mystery and suspense. I enjoyed this book very much and am hoping the author will write another romantic suspense novel very soon! 

Reviewed By Susan Gorman 

Edited By Brian McGee 

Book purchased via Amazon

One Wish by Robyn Carr Audio Version

One Wish

by Robyn Carr

Audio version

This is number 7 in the Thunder Point series.

Running time 9 hours 58 minutes.

I have listened to most of the books in this series.

I have been enjoying them all. But this one, One Wish,
is easily my favorite. It's the best book I have listened
to in a while. I love audible books. They are 

very convenient for me.

Grace is a florist in Thunder Point. She works hard and loves

 the work she does. She is also great with people.

A skill that is helping her build her business. Funny thing is,

no one in town knows where she came from. How she got

to be here. And no one seems to wonder about it. Grace fits

into this town wonderfully. She is happy and friendly.

Troy is a teacher at the high school in town. He has a

reputation. A good one. Troy is great with the students.

When he is not working at the school, he enjoys his time off.

He enjoys an active life. He has decided that Grace does

not have enough fun. Appointing himself her fun coach, they

slowly settle into a relationship. Getting to know each other and

have a lot of fun while they are at it.

Neither Grace or Troy are looking for a permanent relationship.

Graces past is full of drama and is very complicated. She is

happy to keep it all in the past. But we don't always get to

decide these things. While Graces past comes to the present,

Troy is realizing he is all in with their relationship. But maybe

it's more than he can handle. 

Can Grace open up and allow someone new into her life circus?

Can Troy welcome someone new permanently into his feelings,

future and plans?
Grace is asking for help.  Something she has never done. Troy is

the guy that is always glad to help. But he isn't sure he can 

manage this.

Robyn Carr is a wonderful story teller. They lend themselves

very well to audio form. Therese Plummer always does a

wonderful job with the narration. She manages very well

making each character distinct and recognizable. Without

sounding ridiculous. Not all narrators can do that.  

I recommend her and this story. 

Review by Lisa Hutson

I bought my audio copy from Audible.com

   



A Girls Guide to Moving On by Debbie Macomber | Review

A Girls Guide to Moving On

by Debbie Macomber

Debbie Macomber is very popular and has been around

for a long time for a reason. Her books are wonderful.
She is a terrific writer. I cannot imagine where the

characters come from. They are always different.
Her stories don't seem to have a formula that she

follows all the time or anything. A Girl's Guide to

Moving On is exactly that. Storytelling at its best

Nichole and Jake have a child, Owen. They are divorced.
Leanne is Jake's mother. She is divorced from Jake's father,

Sean. The two women are very close. They support each other.

They each know where the other has come from. And Leanne

loves spending time with Owen. They live in apartments

across from each other in an active area of Portland.

The story is told from each of the women's viewpoints. It is 

the story of moving on. Just as the title says. I won't give 

away any more.  I will only say that its a wonderful story.
Its well written with a readers flow. Terrific characters.
As we all are, they are humanly flawed. I do recommend

this story to anyone, though I guess it does speak to 

women better.

I appreciate being able to get this copy from NetGalley.

This review is written by Lisa Hutson