The Hours Before by Robert Parry

File Size:  4464KB

Print Length:  424 pages

Publication Date:  March 1, 2015

ASIN:  B00ufz10AC

Source:  I read this book free through Amazon Unlimited

Another great read by one of my favorite writers, Robert Parry.  This book  keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.  It is the story of a woman's desperate search for  her daughter.  Her daughter was reported to be dead among other dead members of an occultist group.  The members' charred remains was discovered among the rubble of the building they were living in.  Deborah Peters is the mother of Penelope,  "Poppy" Peters..  Deborah Peters is the ex wife of Hugh Peters, a newspaper tycoon and she is  a very well known and  well loved clairvoyant   Their only daughter, Poppy had recently left home to live with an occultist group that is focused on doomsday and preys on  Europe's wealthiest citizens.  When the bodies of some of this group were found, it was assumed that Poppy was one of the dead.  Hugh accepts that his daughter is dead, but Deborah does not believe that Poppy died in the fire.  Because of her  clairvoyance she just knows deep within her soul  that  her beloved Poppy  is still alive.  

Hugh begins to make Deborah's life a living hell.   He blames her for influencing Poppy to make bad choices.  He makes vicious accusations and does his best to turn admirers against her.    He goes as far as claiming that she is insane.  With his influential power, he makes sure that there is something on every paper's front page on a daily basis.  He even employs a particularly despicable reporter to follow her around.  The reporter manages to always be around to take photo's  of her for the newspapers when she is looking her worst. To make matters worse, Deborah  is also  betrayed by her best friend, because she marries Hugh.  Deborah eventually hits rock bottom.

Deborah is determined to find  her daughter.  Along the way she meets Herman "Manny" Grace, a magician.  Manny is drawn to her and doesnt know why, but he  gets deeply involved with finding Poppy.  Over time Deborah runs out of things to sell and she becomes destitute and a mere shell of the wealthy lady she used to be.  Just as Manny gets information about Poppy's possible whereabouts,  he and Deborah are separated and he cannot get in touch with her. In an effort to find out if Poppy is at Castle Schloss Lethe, Manny makes the decision  on his own to infiltrate the group and pretend to be a new follower.  What he discovers is taking place  in this remote place is shocking

This is an awesome Gothic Victorian  tale.  It is a nice, long read that will keep you engaged from the first page until the end.  As you read this book you will have a hundred questions, but I assure you that you will not be disappointed with the answers.  And, all of them will be answered.

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The Second Best Time

by Lisa April Smith

Publisher:  Windgate Publishing

Date: January, 2016

ASIN: B019OU6Z00

Pages:261

Available at: Amazon, Barnes Noble, Books A Million

Although this book is the 3rd in the Charlie series, it can be enjoyed without reading the first two. Lisa April Smith managed to include her knowledge of psychology, history, and art into the story, and it was done beautifully. I have read most of her books and enjoyed all of them and enjoyed them. However, this one is hands down, my favorite. This is one of those books that is hard to put down. In fact, I stayed up way too late several nights reading this one.

The story continues to focus on Charlie, but a new character named Kat is introduced. Kat is almost as interesting as Charlie. Where Charlie is sophisticated, and educated, and accustomed to living among the wealthy, Kat is a working girl from a large Catholic family. Charlie has a difficult time handling money and taking care of things related to her art consultation business. Kat is efficient , organized , and hard working. She helps Charlie not only keep her business, but also to grow it. In addition to Kat, another character named Hayden ( a handsome artist cowboy) comes into Charlie's life and he really heats things up. Just how he manages to do this, well you need to read the book! You wont regret it! I promise!

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The Matchmaker of Perigord by Julia Stuart

Title:  The Matchmaker of Perigord

Author:  Julia stuart

Publisher:  Harper Collins

ASIN: B001D23SYE

Genre:  Romance

Pages:  322

KB:  313

Source:  Purchased from amazon



 

 

This book was an unusual one!  It was part fairy tale, and part romance with a bit of mystery thrown in for good measure.  Although I enjoyed it, I did like Julia Stuarts, Pigeon Pie Mystery better.  It is set in a tiny French town called Amour-Sur-Belle.  Guillaume is the local barber for many years, but as time goes by, his customers get older and start losing their hair, and therefore, also their reasons for getting regular haircuts.  Guillaume has to think of a new way to earn a living, and for some reason,he decides the the town needs a matchmaker.  He turns his barber shop into  a matchmakers office.  While Guillaume works hard trying to match up the towns people, you find out that he is the one that is in need of matchmaking services the most!  You will get  to know everyone in this tiny, strange town along the way.  Like Stuart's other books, this one is also filled with interesting, strange and quirky people.

 

Excerpt:

 

"Oh yes, she said, turning back to him.  Withour love we are just shadows." pg 157

 

"Now, remember to treat her as you would a good cassoulet:  ignore the rancid parts, delight in the duck leg, and shrug your shoulders at the little green button. Good luck." pg 213

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Called Home: Two Hearts Answer by Gloria Shuman

Title:  Called Home

Author:  Gloria Shuman

Publisher:Savant Books and Publications LLC

Publication Date:  8 May 2010

Pages:  342

ISBN:  0984117571 (ISBN13: 9780984117574

My Review:

This story starts off with a bang! It actually starts off with a tornado.  And from there, it is a tornado of emotions.  Emma has recently moved back home to help her Mom with the family farm.  David is a well known author that has recently fled the busy life of New York City.  They have known each other in the past but have not seen each other in a long time.  But when they meet again, the sparks begin to fly.  Emma is a very independent, stubborn girl and it is hard for David to get past her tough exterior.  But there is something about her and he cannot stop thinking about her. 

Despite the fact that she keeps blowing him off, he continues to make sure that he has reasons to be in her company.  It is not an easy task to get to know her.  But,  he keeps at it until finally she seems to relax a little.  This book is a wonderful, clean story.  There are some passionate kissing, but no graphic sex scenes.  I think the reason I liked this book so much is because Emma reminds me of my Grandmother( in her younger days).  Like Emma, she was a self sufficient, strong willed, stubborn, independent, beautiful woman.  It was interesting to see a woman with these personality traits being pursued by a successfull, Handsome man.  I kept thinking, Girl what is your problem!  Go for it!

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