Musings by Erin

  One of my absolute favorite genres to read is Biblical historical fiction. Because I'm not overly imaginative, the dryness the comes with the oral traditions and laws of scripture make it so that reading the Bible on my own does not allow it to stick very well. But when an author who has researched the culture and has the imagination to tell stories in Bible times, even using Bible characters, it brings the scriptures to life for me. When I next read the passages related to a Biblical novel I've read, I see the stories more clearly in my mind's eye. One of my favorite Biblical fiction authors is Tessa Afshar. I jump at the chance to read anything she writes and The Queen's Cook was one of my most anticipated releases for this year. Though the story of Esther has been told by countless novelists, Afshar took a different tack. Esther was a bit of a minor character in this book and it focuses primarily on one of the cooks in her kitchen, and the palace physician. Here...

  Roseanna M White is one of my go-to authors when it comes to historical fiction and I readily devour everything she releases. Since the beginning of The Imposters series, I've been not-so-patiently awaiting Yates's story and it did not disappoint! When a seemingly simple "missing persons" case becomes something much more sinister, The Imposters recruit some additional help to get a positive resolution. Bringing in some of my favorite characters from prior book series as well, this one had ALL of the things going for it. Here's a bit about the book: As the leader of elite private investigative firm the Imposters, Lord Yates Fairfax has made an art of concealing his identity. But when his newest client, the beautiful Lady Alethia Barremore, is shot while leaving their meeting, he throws caution to the wind and rushes to her aid. Though Lady Alethia thought she was only looking for her missing former nanny, she has clearly stumbled upon dangerous secrets. Lady Lavi...

  Michelle Griep has become one of my go-to historical romance writers as she adds a good level of suspense in with her stories. This one was no different and delved into Egyptian antiquities, shadow brokering, export tariffs, political maneuvering, curses, and of course romance. I thoroughly enjoyed this story! Here's a little bit about the book: In 1888 Victorian England, Ami Dalton navigates a clandestine dual life. By day, she strives to establish herself as a respected Egyptologist, overcoming the gender biases that permeate academia. But with a heart for rescuing black-market artifacts, she is most often disguised as her alter ego, the Shadow Broker.  After eight years in India, Oxford's most eligible bachelor, Edmund Price, has come out of the shadows to run for Parliament and is in search of an Egyptologist to value a newly acquired collection. Expecting a renowned Oxford professor, Edmund instead finds himself entangled with Ami, the professor's determined daughter...

  Though Colleen Coble is a name I've known for a bit and have thoroughly enjoyed, I was introduced to Rick Acker earlier this year in their first collaborative work. I enjoyed that one so much, I immediately jumped at the chance to read this next one. Though I was somewhat disappointed that this was not part of the same series as their first collaboration, I was nonetheless excited for this book. Here's a bit about it: A grieving young widow. The AI program that allows her to continue to "talk" to him. And a message she never expected: "I think I was murdered." Just a year ago, Katrina Berg was at the pinnacle of her career. She was a rising star in the AI chatbot start-up everyone was talking about, married with an adoring husband, and had more money than she knew how to spend. Then her world combusted. Her husband, Jason, was killed in a fiery car crash. Her CEO was indicted and, as the company's legal counsel, Katrina faces tough questions as the Fed...

  During the holidays (which are fast coming up!), I enjoy diverting my reading to encompass Christmas reads. This year, several have come out prior to the holiday season and so I've started reading my Christmas stories early this year. Though I'm of a mind that it's never too early to think about Christmas! When I spotted this one with a story by Pepper Basham in it, I knew I needed to snag a copy for myself. And getting to read stories by 2 new-to-me authors? Just a bonus! These 3 stories had a bit of a Hallmark movie feel to them, which I adored and I enjoyed this early foray into the holiday season. Here's a bit about the book: This Christmas, three couples find themselves under the mistletoe . . . whether they want to be there or not. Say No to Mistletoe by Sheila Roberts--Mistletoe is Hailey Fairchild's kryptonite. Every time she's kissed someone under the mistletoe it's led to love disaster. Not a good thing for a romance writer! When she was a gawky ...

  No one does creepy thrillers like Jaime Jo Wright. And so, every time she has a new book, I jump at the opportunity to read it! In addition to always having logical explanations for the ghastly apparitions (think Scooby Doo!), her stories always touch on a serious subject matter. Specters in the Glass House speaks to mental health. In addition to the creep factor, the mystery, and depth, there is also a solid faith thread that provides hope in the darkness. Here is a bit about the book: In 1921, Marian Arnold, the heiress to a brewing baron's empire, seeks solace in the glass butterfly house on her family's Wisconsin estate as Prohibition and the deaths of her parents cast a long shadow over her shrinking world. When Marian's sanctuary is invaded by nightmarish visions, she grapples with the line between hallucinations of things to come and malevolent forces at play in the present. With dead butterflies as the killer's ominous signature, murders unfold at a steady pac...