Review TO ENTICE A SPY-Diane Scott Lewis, by guest Holly Schwartz

 

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A Riveting Page Turner

Set in the time of the French Revolution, To Entice a Spy is cleverly written from the English point of view. The tightly written plot follows the exploits of the headstrong, resourceful English widowed Countess Eseld Trehearne and her childhood love Baron Robert Penhale as they both work separately and unbeknownst to one another to root out a French spy disguised as an English aristocrat intent on financially supporting the revolution in France by using ill begotten British funds. Experienced historical fiction author Diane Scott Lewis did her homework and it shows. She embeds readers in the story from the first page on with her remarkably in-depth descriptions of the times. Readers are swept into the story and become a part of it by experiencing the architecture, fashions, foods, drinks, smells, sights, social mores, and sounds of England in the 1790s. Lewis has penned a deftly plotted tale that weaves ribbons of mystery and romance into a historical event and makes it come alive. The tautly written story is driven by love, loss, trust, betrayal, family ties, and the inner strength one must summon to face adversity created by both human fallibility and fate. The story moves at a comfortable pace with flawed, but believable characters who drive the plot. Readers find themselves rooting for the protagonists from the beginning to the end of the tale. The characters evoke strong emotions in readers right from page one. This reader found herself wanting to hug Eseld and Robert on one page and throttle them on the next. Lewis creates a huge conflict with a backstory to keep readers turning the pages to see how it all turns out. Part romance, part mystery, part thriller, and a part second chance at love; To Entice a Spy will capture the imagination of readers who enjoy a passionate love story fueled by human frailty, intrigue, and suspense. This terrific book has more than earned the five-star rating this reader has given it. ~Susie Black~

BOOK REVIEW French Ghost - Corrine LaBalme, reviewed by Diane Scott Lewis

 

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If you think this is a ghost story, like I did, you're in for a surprise with this lively romp.

Ghost writer, Melody Layne, travels to Paris to at the request of famous French movie star, Charles-Henri, to write his memoir.

She trades apartments and finds herself in a gorgeous place with a view of the Eiffel Tower.

She's spending the advance and looking forward to the additional money when tragedy strikes.

Charles-Henri dies in a drowning accident while filming a movie.

Now she has no job and no prospects. Unless she can write a serious biography about this man and not a "as told to."

Melody soon discovers that no one of the actor's acquaintance liked him, in fact, most loathed him. 

At the funeral she meets a surprising legitimate son of the actor that no one knew about. Carlos hated his father for deserting his mother after their rushed-together marriage. But he asks Melody to continue in her research into Charles-Henri's past.

Carlos needs to find a kindness, some goodwill, in his father, or his ill mother won't accept the huge inheritance. Carlos needs that money to care for her in her last years.

Melody's plight is amusing as she digs deep to find someone who can praise Charles-Henri. And was his death really an accident? Complications abound, and then she finds herself attracted to Carlos. The writing is lively and the story moves quickly. The attraction between Carlos and Melody feels real-though there's plenty of bumps in the road. Other obstacles, one dire, soon close in. 

Melody is a resourceful heroine who is easy to like. Carlos is enigmatic and full of secrets. A fun mystery wrapped in a romance. This is the beginning of a series, so maybe the cliffhanger ending will be expanded on. Well worth the read. Enjoy!

Diane lives in Western Pennsylvania with her husband and one naughty dachshund. 

To find out more about her novels, check out her Amazon page:

DianeScottLewis

She Wakes the Night-Darcy Carson, reviewed by Diane Scott Lewis

The Sixth installment in my book reviews from small and medium press authors is a treat to read.

To purchase SHE WAKES THE NIGHT AMAZON

Trell is a healer just returned to her homeland after intense study. She is young and eager to learn more.

After a spell from a wizard she thought loved her left her stuck as a tree for a thousand years, Trell is in-tune with nature, and leery of love. She travels and mind-speaks with her protector, Torkel, a dragon who floats above her in a cloak of invisibility.

In the Market place, she saves an Untouchable, a leper-like being, from being stoned. The man, Gren, is forever grateful and insists on traveling with her as she journeys to learn more about healing. But is Gren telling the truth about himself, or does he have more sinister motives?

Trell is confused by Gren's seemingly healthy being which he hides under rags. And he refuses to allow her to examine him. He is actually a prince who needs to bring Trell and her dragon to his kingdom so he may rule once his father dies. 

To complicate matters, they are both attracted to one another. Will Gren tell her the truth and will that cause Trell to flee?

Even if you don't care for fantasy, this book is definitely worth a read. Carson's prose is lyrical, her descriptions beautiful. You'll be drawn into a magical world of dragons, trees that speak, and plants that cry out when plucked without permission. 

I was immediately charmed by the prose and magical creatures, plus the two main protagonists.

Trell and Gren are compelling characters with depth. Trell is kind-hearted and pragmatic in her search for medicines. Gren is on a mission, but his guilt at tricking her, plus his attraction to her, cause his motives to shred. Will they find love together, or face dangers that will tear them apart? You'll root for them both.

Highly recommended.

This is Book 3 of the Dragons Return Series and I recommend you read the first two to follow Trell's adventures.

Diane lives in Western Pennsylvania with her husband and one naughty dachshund. 

To find out more about her novels, check out her Amazon page:

DianeScottLewis

 

Book Review TWISTED LIES, C. B. Clark, by Diane Scott Lewis

Continuing my spotlight on small and medium press authors, today's book review is on TWISTED LIES by C. B. Clark.

Athena suffered a childhood tragedy while living on a remote island. Her parents sailed off and never returned. She drowns her pain in alcohol, struggles to stay sober, and even manages to become a lawyer. To hide from the scandal of her vanishing family, she changes her name and moves far from Vancouver where the event happened. She blames her parents' possible death/disappearance on the island's owner Angus, a man who always gave her the creeps.

That's why she's shocked to learn that Angus has died and left her all his money and business.

Russ was adopted by Angus at a young age after his parents are killed in a car crash. He's angry to learn that his supposedly loving 'father' has left his estate to Athena.

When the two first meet, it's instant attraction, until Russ realizes she's the woman who has stolen his inheritance.

Finally, together, they decide to find out why Angus left her the property, and what really happened to her parents.

The romance starts out a bit over the top, and Russ goes from zero to sixty in caring about Athena, a woman he shouldn't trust. But it is a Romance.

The mystery kept me guessing, with many twists and turns, and I was compelled to keep reading to find out what really happened.

Clark deploys the senses with lush setting details and vibrant smells. I felt I went where her characters traveled. Descriptions are excellent.

Romance readers will love Twisted Lies.

To purchase Twisted Lies, click HERE

Diane lives in Western Pennsylvania with her husband and one naughty dachshund. 

To find out more about her novels, check out her Amazon page:

DianeScottLewis

Hometown, Wendy Rich Stetson, reviewed by Diane Scott Lewis

 

The fourth in my series of small to medium press book reviews. This is a sweet romance with a hunky Amish man as one of the love interests. Enjoy.

HOMETOWN is full of folksy charm as Tessa fixes up her parents' house after being fired from her teaching job due to budget cuts. 

At the local market, she notices a tall, handsome Amish man. He and his niece sell Tessa's favorite dessert, whoopie pies. His sister, bitter Nora, also bakes delicious pies. And Tessa will require her help, soon.

Tessa has also met the local doctor, Richard, who is definitely interested in her. 

After she hires the Amish man, Jonas, to build a gazebo in her family's back yard, their attraction grows. Now she's torn between two men, one who lives in a different world.

Author Stetson writes with assurance, the emotions of her characters richly explored, detailed nuance throughout. They all have secrets from their pasts that skew their present. I found Richard too pushy from the onset, and Jonas sometimes not strong enough, but he's still a great character. Will he leave his community to forge a life with an outsider? Or should he stay and support his sister and niece after their tragedy?

Amish life is explored as Tessa finds it fascinating and limiting. Should she go with the sexy doctor who offers her a high-level life?

I loved fey Rebecca, Jonas' niece, who dances with fireflies. The late night drive through a storm baffled me since there was no emergency, though it made for great drama.

All the characters rang true for me and I vastly enjoyed this novel. Highly recommended for those who like their romances well-written and sweet.

To purchase Hometown, click HERE

Diane lives in Western Pennsylvania with her husband and ne naughty dachshund. 

What Happens in Denver, book review, by Diane Scott Lewis

Here is my latest book review, showcasing small and medium press authors. Enjoy a wild ride into beer brewing and romance.

WHAT HAPPENS IN DENVER by Liz Crowe

Andi, who runs a popular bar and beer tasting establishment, is shocked when her husband kicks her out and takes over with his mistress. His actions are horrible. Now she must reinvent herself, with a new job, and eventually a new man.

This isn’t your typical romance. Andi is not attracted to big, burly James at first. He’s not her type. He’s gruff and dismisses her, too. She’s focused on finding a job, though she has to start at the bottom and relocate to a new city.

Well written, with nuance, where even Sloane, Andi’s new friend, is rounded out as a woman who barely nibbles on lettuce, constantly exercises, but runs a business. She’ll need help later. The politics of beer and the history of brewing adds interest to the story. These are two damaged people struggling to love again, wrapped up in making a success of their beer business.

I wish Andi had spent less time moping in the beginning, and over-drinking, instead of making plans to find a new job. Her mom and friend force her to do that. The author shows her experience in the brewing industry. I learned some fascinating facts in this compelling read.

To purchase this book, click HERE

Diane lives in Western Pennsylvania with her husband and one naughty dachshund. 

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