Review: A Whisper on the Wind by Joan Smith

A Whisper on the Wind by Joan Smith
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Rosalie falls in love with the charming Fraser Audry, who sweeps her off her feet with his good looks, charm, and extravagant gifts. They have a whirlwind courtship and a beautiful wedding in Paris. However, upon returning to England, Rosalie begins to feel that something is amiss. Strangers treat her like an old friend, and a man she doesn't recognize brings up a shared past. Rosalie becomes increasingly fearful as she follows false leads and encounters strange occurrences. Despite seeking solace in her husband's arms, a mysterious warning urges her not to trust her own heart.

This tale, brimming with suspense and uncertainty, will captivate you from the very first page. The author masterfully weaves an intricate tapestry of mystery, romance, and Gothic elements, keeping you on the edge of your seat until the final, jaw-dropping revelation.

View all my reviews

Review: Candles in the Wood by Anne Rundle

Candles in the Wood by Anne Rundle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Helen Comyn, a heiress, returns to her childhood home of Gallowmerry but she has returned a very different person than she was when she left. She is no longer the child of a servant in the manor, she can hold her own among the elite. But some feelings haven't changed, like those she had for Lennox Grant.

I loved the tension and uncertainty Helen faced when she came back to the manor. Her position was completely reversed from how it was when she left but the past catches up and not everyone could forget what she once was.

View all my reviews

Review: Cliffside Castle by Dorothy Daniels

Cliffside Castle by Dorothy Daniels
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Nancy Furnivall, having experienced sudden and mysterious deaths that have left her without family, is faced with the daunting task of uncovering a hidden killer before they claim more lives. Determined and alone, Nancy must navigate a treacherous path to unveil the identity of the murderer and put an end to their deadly spree. The stakes are high as she races against time to prevent further tragedy and bring justice to those who have been lost.

I absolutely love gothic romances with all of the mystery and the strong female characters. Dorothy Daniels is an amazing author who incorporates an unforgettable story with amazing characters.

View all my reviews

Review: Circle of Guilt by Dorothy Daniels

Circle of Guilt by Dorothy Daniels
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Eve Bennett, a talented singer, marries the charismatic Barney Anders against her sister Judith's concerns. However, Eve's letters reveal her growing unhappiness until she shocks Judith with the news that she is imprisoned for her husband's murder. Determined to clear her sister's name, Judith travels to San Francisco where she encounters a vibrant yet treacherous world. Amidst this unfamiliar environment, she discovers an unexpected romance and realizes that she has become the target of a desperate killer who will stop at nothing to silence her.

I absolutely love gothic romances with all of the mystery and the strong female characters. Dorothy Daniels is an amazing author who incorporates an unforgettable story with amazing characters.

View all my reviews

Review: The Shimmering Stones of Glendower Hall by Constance Walker

The Shimmering Stones of Glendower Hall by Constance Walker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Gwynneth Morys, an orphan raised by a kind couple in South Wales, finds herself alone once again after their passing. Struggling financially and without any remaining family, she accepts a job as a companion to an elderly woman in North Wales. As she approaches a majestic mansion on the moors, a place she has dreamt of her entire life, she believes her destiny has led her there. The dark-eyed Owen Price-Jones, who greets her, seems to be the man of her dreams.

Little does Gwynneth know that Lady Jane, the woman she is to accompany, has suffered the tragic loss of her daughter and harbors a deep desire for revenge. Unaware of the dangers lurking within the shadowy towers, Gwynneth is oblivious to the presence of an enemy, waiting for her to ascend a certain flight of stairs with no means of escape and no one to hear her cries for mercy.

This book was a captivating and engaging read that kept me hooked from start to finish. Constance's writing style made it easy to immerse myself in the story, and the perfect blend of descriptive passages and thrilling action kept me eagerly turning the pages. However, I did find that I was able to solve the mystery quite early on, as the clues were not very subtle. Nonetheless, the overall reading experience was enjoyable and I would recommend it to those who appreciate a good mystery.

View all my reviews

Window on the Square by Phyllis A. Whitney

3 stars

Format: Paperback

352 pages

Published by HarperCollins Publishers

Synopsis:

In a strange house on Washington square not knowing who to trust, Megan Kincaid finds herself swept up in her own feelings.  While having to take care of an unbalanced Jeremy, dealing with the beautiful Leslie Reid and mysterious master of the house, Brandon Reid, Megan will have to find out just where she fits.

My Review:

The mystery and suspense in this book left me on the edge of my seat.  Whitney makes the characters come alive and shine on the pages.  Megan Kincaid is truly a heroine to look up to; she has a strong sense of duty and an endearing stubbornness that helps her through her ordeals with Jeremy. This is a fast read that will keep you guessing until the very end.

About the Author:

Phyllis Ayame Whitney (September 9, 1903 – February 8, 2008) was an American mystery writer. Rare for her genre, she wrote mysteries for both the juvenile and the adult markets, many of which feature exotic locations. A review in The New York Times once dubbed her "The Queen of the American Gothics".

She was born in Japan to American parents and spent her early years in Asia. Whitney wrote more than seventy novels. In 1961, her book The Mystery of the Haunted Pool won an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for Best Juvenile novel, and she duplicated the honor in 1964, for The Mystery of the Hidden Hand. In 1988, the MWA gave her a Grand Master Award for lifetime achievement. Whitney died of pneumonia on February 8, 2008, aged 104.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/278679.Window_on_the_Square

Sea jade. by Phyllis A. Whitney

5 stars

Ready for an exciting adventure, Miranda Heath's life is never going to be the same after she descends the steps of the coach at Bascomb's Piont, the residence of her grandfather. She can never even imagine what he has in store for her! She is now trapped in a world where she doesn't seem to be accepted, a world where revenge consumes every part of the house. Unexpectedly she is trapped into a marriage with a dour Scotsman who seems to want her there even less than everyone else. There is no turning back for Miranda as she must face her new world and conquer it to the last.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1098720.Sea_jade_

Thunder Heights by Phyllis A. Whitney

5 stars

A novel to read over and over again without ever getting bored! Camilla King takes a trip to a gothic mansion named Thunder Heights where her grandfather resides, a grandfather that her father had done everything in his power to cut connections from. Curiosity might just be the end of cat on this one as she meets a family she didn't even know she had. She found two aunts; an Aunt Hortense who is set in a style of another day, Aunt Letty, haunted beyond reason, also Hortense's adopted son, Booth, a sarcastic man, idle in his ways and Ross Granger, an aid to her grandfather. Mystery and intrigue surround this story in Camilla's grandfather's will, a painting never quite finished, and a long kept secret that someone doesn't want revealed.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/278670.Thunder_Heights