The Woman in the Camphor Trunk by Jennifer Kincheloe - Audible version

The Woman in the Camphor Trunk
by Jennifer Kincheloe
Audible version

 ☆☆☆☆☆☆

The story set in 1908 Los Angeles. A different time. 

But women were finding their voice and their life plans.

Anna Blanc might have been one of those women.

Anna is fearless and clever and unstoppable.

She has a faith that is just planted in her. 

Anna doesn't even think about it. She just lives it.

 

 Anna is police matron on the LAPD. She has a clever

mind and she out does the men on cases. They do not 

appreciate her. Well, except for Detective Joe Singer.

He knows how smart she is. How capable. How shrewd.

And he is tortured with how sexy she is. Along with

the rest of the LAPD.

 

Anna and Joe work together, begrudgingly, to solve

this very important case. She feels as though she

owes a debt to a long time friend. They both are

trying to stop an all out war between races in LA.

 

Jennifer Kincheloe has written another Anna Blanc tale

that has it all. Humor. Drama. Surprise. Life lessons.

Family. Romance. Anna will never fail to shock you.

The Woman in the Camphor Trunk is narrated by the

wonderful Moira Quirk. Ms Quirk is genius with her voice.

She is perfect for this story. While she is exactly right

for Anna Blanc, she does a great job for everyone in the

story. I was so glad to hear her doing this second

Anna Blanc story.

 

 

I bought my copy from Audible.com

Review by Lisa Hutson

 

 

 

 

Once Upon a Spine by Kate Carlisle

 

Once Upon a Spine

by Kate Carlisle

☆☆☆☆

This is a long running very popular series. Once Upon a Spine

is the 11th book in the series.

The main character is Brooklyn a book lover and a magnet for

murder scenes apparently. She is a part time sleuth and

she makes interesting things out of homemade paper.

Seriously, she could not be a more interesting character.

Her love is Derek. And his character alone makes me want to

try out an audible version of this series.

They are a terrific couple and only want to 'help' the police.

In the end, their assistance turns out to be what solves the case.

Kind of.

 

It was a fun mystery story. And my first Kate Carlisle story.

The neighborhood sounds like the perfect place for a

murder scene. Plus there always seems to be good food

just across the way.

The shop owners and other characters are hilarious

 and unpredictable.
"I went scooting up and down the aisles looking for
anyone who might be bleeding or moaning.
So where had the bullet gone?
I just hoped it hadn't killed any books."

 

Review by Lisa Hutson

 

 

Susan's Review of One More Promise by Samantha Chase

Ambitious Paige Walters is ecstatic when she's hired to recruit musicians for a literacy campaign—it's her chance to prove she's got the chops to make it in the family business. She certainly isn't going to let some fallen idol screw it up. But as the work brings Paige and Dylan closer together, their attraction grows...and so do their challenges...

I wondered how Samantha Chase was going to make Dylan Anders, the bass guitarist for the band Shaughnessy, likeable. How do you convince a reader to relate to a rock and roll star just out of rehab? Can you make him likeable? Isn’t he going to go back to his partying ways?

Samantha Chase has created the perfect friends- to -lovers romance for the fallen rock star Dylan Anders and super-efficient public relations executive, Paige Walters. At first glance—Dylan and Paige seem like an unlikely couple. He’s a jeans and t-shirt guy and Paige is a sweater set, scarf and skirt person. Maybe they have more in common than they think?

Paige works at her father’s PR firm in Los Angeles and as a manager she can choose projects that interest her. Paige loves to read and wants to be a part of the Literacy Now project. She envisions famous authors meeting children and encouraging them to read. Paige’s sister, Ariel, finds out about the project. Ariel makes a few changes to the program behind her sister’s back. Paige can’t believe that Ariel has invited celebrities, not authors to the program and that her father approves of the changes!

Shaughnessy guitarist Dylan Anders has completed his required 90-day stay in rehab after a DUI. Rehab has had a positive impact on Dylan; he’s decided to accept responsibility for his behavior. He’s not going to hide behind a vodka bottle. Dylan understand he needs to make some serious lifestyle changes – he wants to be a better man. Participating in the Literacy Now campaign enables him to complete his required community service, help others who struggle with reading and obtain some positive press.

Loved that Paige had no clue that Dylan was a famous musician. Her first impression of the scruffy, tattooed bass player isn’t positive. She is sure that the only reason Dylan is joining the project is to complete his three- month community service requirement. Paige is floored when she learns that Dylan understands what she is trying to accomplish with Literacy Now and that Dylan is an avid reader. Loved that Dylan did not judge Paige and he took the time to listen to her. As Dylan and Paige’s relationship evolved, it was apparent through Dylan’s actions that he was committed to be a better man. In my opinion, this compelling character choice moved this book from a good to an excellent read.

The secondary characters add so much color to the novel. Samantha Chase’s depiction of Ariel is spot on. The author’s description of the sister’s rivalry and their back and forth banter gave the reader insight as to Paige’s family and work environment. Loved Daisy—Paige’s loyal assistant. She adds a lot of humor to the story. Loved that Dylan and Paige connected with the Shaughnessy band members and that Paige saw Dylan’s devotion to his music.

I enjoyed that the romance between the couple developed slowly—at first Paige and Dylan resisted their attraction to each other. Both characters struggled with their own insecurities which made their journey towards happiness relatable to me. Loved the superbly written conclusion to One More Promise. There are several compelling plot twists and a few surprises in this emotional story which is full of drama, heartbreak, forgiveness and most of all—love.

One More Promise has it all the feels--captivating characters, family drama and a heartwarming romance! And I guarantee that you will fall in love with former bad boy rock star Dylan and the woman who inspires his desire to change.

Reviewed By Susan Gorman
ARC from Net Galley