Tag: reading

Without a Clue by Melissa Ferguson//Squeaky Clean Mystery Book

Eliza NoelLeave a comment

Without a Clue by Melissa Ferguson is a squeaky clean mystery book that I highly recommend. It was probably one of my top fiction reads next year. Picture the perfect blend of Murder on the Orient Express, Knives Out, and Clue. It’ll be published next month, so be sure to pre-order a copy!

Audience

Older Teen Girls & Women

Genre

Squeaky Clean Mystery, Clean Contemporary Romance, Eccentric Murder Mystery, Rom-com

Author

Melissa Ferguson

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“It’s that bad isn’t it?”
“Perhaps a double shot of espresso. We don’t typically allow triple shots given the number of pacemakers on board, but just this once, I could slip you a third upon request.”

Growing up, one of my favorite books was “Cherry Ames, Cruise Nurse“. Without a Clue by Melissa Ferguson reminded me of that one. They’re both mysteries that take place on a cruise ship. I’ve read a number of Melissa Ferguson’s books now, and this one is my favorite. It tells the story of Pip, the assistant to an eclectic group of well-known authors. After organizing a cruise for them and all their fans, she finds the body of her boss, Hugh. The most likely suspects are the other authors, people she thought she knew and trusted. Overall, this book was the perfect blend of mystery, romance, and comedy! I definitely recommend it.

A few of my favorite things…

  • the fancy cruise ship setting
  • author MC’s
  • a protective and manly male MC
  • a mystery that kept me guessing the whole time

I didn’t care for…

  • I can’t think of anything!

Know that…

  • a man sleeps in a woman’s room to protect her from the lurking murderer, nothing sexual
  • the romance doesn’t go further than a few kisses (nothing over-the-top)

Perfect for…

Any women looking for a lighthearted mystery that will keep them guessing!

If you love reading clean Christian fiction (especially contemporary) sign-up for my email list here. I send reviews and giveaways here and there.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Terms and Traditions by Morgan Taylor Giesbrecht//Christian Christmas Fiction

Eliza Noel2 Comments

Terms and Traditions by Morgan Taylor Giesbrecht is a humorous Christian Christmas fiction novel that tackles some heavy topics. It tackles broken family relationships, scars from past relationships, and chronic illness. Despite all of that, somehow the tone remains light and seasonal. If you want a Christmas book that will make you laugh in the mood for the Christmas season read this one.

Audience

Older Teen Girls & Women

Genre

Christian Christmas Fiction, Christian Contemporary Romance, Closed-door Romance, Rom-com

Author

Morgan Taylor Giesbrecht

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Stephanie is perfectly organized and put together at her job as handsome millionaire Nash’s personal assistant. But her dating life- not so much. It’s anxiety-ridden and pretty much non-existent. Unless you count her 2-year crush on her boss who also happens to be part of her friend group. When Stephanie’s dad pressures her to bring a date to their very dysfunctional family Christmas trip, Stephanie speaks before thinking and asks Nash to be her fake boyfriend. Surprisingly, he says yes.

A few of my favorite things…

  • references to Christmas movies and songs I love
  • just alll the Christmas-y vibes, even the explanations and descriptions were enveloped in Christmas (for example, the exclamation “Sugarplums!” and the description “warm cocoa hug”)
  • Nash’s determination to not sleep with anyone but his future wife
  • Stephanie’s nana’s positive influence in her life, pointing her to Jesus
  • Stephanie’s tight friend group that walks through the ups and downs of life together
  • Nash being protective and deeply caring
  • cute kid characters
  • family holiday traditions

I didn’t care for…

  • clean, but it was still a bit kiss-y for me. At one point, characters sneak into a pantry to make out, but there’s no talk or thought of going further.

Know that…

  • some mean girls speculate that Stephanie slept her way to the top of the company (absolutely not true)

Perfect for…

Any woman looking for a Hallmark-y clean Christian Christmas fiction book to read!

If you love reading clean Christian fiction (especially contemporary) sign-up for my email list here.

Where Secrets Lie by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker//Christian Suspense Review

Eliza Noel3 Comments

Where Secrets Lie by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker was a great Christian suspense novel. In some ways, it gave me National Treasure and Night at the Museum vibes because of the treasure smuggling ring. Of course, it was much more serious and heavy than those family movies.  Unfortunately, I somehow missed the fact that it was book #2 in the Tupelo Grove series, so I felt like I spent the first bit of the book trying to catch up on the storyline. I loved the book, “I Think I Was Murdered”, by the same duo of Christian suspense authors, so when I saw this one available on Netgalley I immediately requested it (with little research obviously, haha).

Audience

Older Teens & Adults

Genre

Christian Suspense

Author

Colleen Coble and Rick Acker

Savannah Webster and her ex-husband, Hez, have been through a lot together. They lost their daughter and were almost murdered by a smuggling ring, just to name a few things. Now it seems they’re finally able to process their grief together and maybe even remarry. But then things start going wrong. Something’s off at the university Savannah was recently chosen to be president of. On top of that, someone planted a wine bottle in Hez’s trash can and now Savannah’s afraid he has relapsed into alcoholism.

Read this Christian suspense novel to see what happens next!

A few of my favorite things…

  • The main couple learning to process grief together.
  • A suspenseful ending that demands another book in the series.
  • Unexpected plot twists and turns.
  • An adorable little British boy named Simon.
  • Southern culture and scenery.
  • Fun dog side characters.
  • Complex family history.

Know that…

  • There are heavy topics. Adultery is mentioned in someone’s family history, a couple who divorced but is trying to get back together, smuggling, murder, alcoholism, grief…definitely for an older crowd.

Perfect for…

Someone looking for a Christian suspense series.

Amazon

Notes: I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I’m also an Amazon Affiliate, so I receive a commission on anything purchased through links I share.