Recent Reads {The Betrayed}

The Betrayed by Lisa T. Bergren - This is the second novel in Bergren's trilogy, and continues the adventures of the group of fourteenth century Christians known as The Gifted.  In the first novel, The Begotten, the group was brought together by circumstances and a portion of a mysterious illuminated letter from centuries earlier.  Each has a remarkable spiritual gift, and together they are learning to use their gifts for God's glory and to work together as a Body to discover God's calling for them, while facing the opposition of a dangerous enemy.  As The Betrayed opens, the band of believers is fleeing to Venezia where they hope to find more clues about their purpose, and the villain Lord Amidei and his allies are in pursuit with the goal of destroying the Gifted completely.  Many adventures await in Venezia, and the Gifted find some trusted friends and another of their number, all the while trying to discern what God is leading them to do, and keep each other safe from the enemy's increasingly vicious attacks.  They face some very difficult trials and great danger, and the suspense and drama of this compelling historical novel kept me on the edge of my seat.

By the same author:  The Begotten

Recent Reads {Tears of Pearl}

Tears of Pearl by Tasha Alexander - I'm finding the Lady Emily novels very enjoyable, and rather hard to put down once I've started!  They are generally a quick read as well.  This is the fourth in the series, and opens with newlyweds Lady Emily and Colin Hargreaves on their wedding trip.  They are looking forward to a relaxing and exotic honeymoon in Constantinople, but on their first night there one of the harem girls is found murdered.  It turns out the girl is the daughter of one of the British diplomats and had been kidnapped many years earlier.  Emily and Colin launch an investigation to find her killer, with Emily given access to the mysterious world of the seraglio so she can question the sultan's concubines and eunuchs.  The answers aren't easy to find, especially as new twists and turns - and more victims - keep bringing new questions into the investigation.  Emily's friend Margaret comes to Constantinople as well, and assists Emily with her investigation while providing the comfort and support of a trusted friend as Emily deals with some very personal questions and fears as well.  In this mystery, I had my eye on the suspect much earlier than in the previous installments, but was kept wondering how everything fit together and how Emily would find the solution and capture the killer.  Another winner in the series!

By the same author: And Only to Deceive,  A Poisoned Season, A Fatal Waltz

Recent Reads {A Fatal Waltz}

 

A Fatal Waltz by Tasha Alexander - in the third novel of suspense featuring Lady Emily Ashton, she and Colin Hargreaves attend a house party at the estate of a powerful member of the British government.  Lady Emily expects the event to be uncomfortable and tedious, as she despises the powerful Lord Fortescue, and attends only as a favour to her best friend Ivy, whose husband is a protege of Lord Fortescue.  It certainly is uncomfortable - one of the other guests is Kristiana von Lange, an Austrian countess who has a past relationship with Colin.  But the party is not tedious.  Lord Fortescue is found murdered and Ivy's husband is arrested and charged with the crime.  Lady Emily is determined to clear his name, and her investigation takes her to Vienna.  There she must continue to deal with the countess and her husband, and she matches wits with an anarchist, all in a race to find the real murderer before Ivy's husband stands trial.  In the end, Lady Emily must also trust the countess for Colin's safety as well.  An intriguing murder mystery and lovely romance all in one!

By the same author: And Only to Deceive,  A Poisoned Season