Books by Katydid

 The Bachelor and the Bride The Dread Penny Society Book 4 Written by: Sarah M. Eden Oh my goodness gracious! If you haven't had the chance to read any of the Dread Penny Society books, I suggest you start now because this one tops them all. There are so many spoilers and reveals that I can't share because it would ruin it for you but man this one is soo good. Sarah Eden has me sitting on the edge of my seat wanting to read faster but at the same time wanting it go by slow so I can savor it better. Dr. Barnabus Milligan is such a good-hearted guy- I mean all of the Dread Penny Society men are and Gemma is such a plucky, happy girl that you want them to figure things out to find their happily ever after. But there is soo much in their way- danger both of the heart and a physical nature. I can't say anymore otherwise I worry I will spoil it. I recommend making sure you have the time to read it all because I guarantee you won't want to set it down!

  The Merchant and the Rogue The Dread Penny Society Written by: Sarah M. Eden I don't know how Sarah Eden does it- going from Regency romances set in the high classes of society to penny dreadfuls set in the Victorian era mixed with a secret society of good doing gentleman who are trying to solve the problems of the common and street class of London. The mystery she has woven into the pages- of not just one story but three. All three stories had me intrigued and hooked until the end. Brogan and Vera's romance grew so slowly but sweetly in the midst of the dangerous events happening due to the low-lifes four fingered Mike and the Mastiff.  This story is just as great as her others. She really manages to show, not tell- giving life to the world of Victorian England. I can tell how much research Sarah Eden puts into each of her books. It breathes life into it and makes it more real than most of the stories out there. These stories are always a must-read for me. 

 A Bright New Beginning A Bright Harbor Novel Written by: Holly Stevenson It was so fun returning to the Bright Harbor universe with A Bright New Beginning. The characters all came back and we were able to get to know them better. This story focused on the love story of Charly and Nick while intermingling the perspectives of the other characters all throughout.  I love how Holly Stevenson balances out the secondary love stories and relationships with the main ones. As Charly thinks there is no hope for a relationship with Nick, she tries to move on. However, when she finds there is a possibility, she is respectful of the relationship she is currently in. I do want to see Charly's old boyfriend find his happily ever after. Holly does such a good job of making you relate to the characters and become interested in all of the secondary characters and their future happily ever afters.  The whole setting of Bright Harbor is dream-worthy. The ocean nearby with beautiful beaches ...

The Gentleman and the Thief Written by: Sarah M. Eden The Gentleman and the Thief showcases Sarah Eden's masterful writing skills. With unique dialects, an immersive world, and well-written characters, this story is a great sequel to The Lady and the Highwayman. From the beginning, Hollis Darby and Ana Newport have romantic inclinations but their differences in situations create barriers that they have to circumvent as suspense, adventure, and danger threaten the world they hold dear. Sarah Eden's books are always a favorite of mine and this one is no different. I loved  how it went from the pure romance genre to adding adventure and mystery. These additions made this book page-turning (in a digital way). The skillful writing of dialogue and character perspectives added to the genre to make this one of Eden's best works. I loved reading this advanced reader's copy and can't wait for it to come out in November to share with friends and family.

 On the Run A Guardian Novel Written by: Traci Hunter Abramson On the Run is a book that gives crime shows like NCIS, CSI, and Blue Bloods a run for their money. There is action, there is adventure, there is romance, and it all lies within the realms of national security for the United States while being set in a different country.  This is a great follow-up to Traci Abramson's other guardian novels but works well as a stand-alone novel as well. The plot line is cohesive and the mystery of whodunit lasts until Traci is ready for the big reveal. There are different pieces to different mysteries running all throughout which makes this such a good, intense read.  All of Traci's books give me the thrill of the chase without scaring me beyond what I can handle. Everything in this story feels so realistic. Traci Hunter Abramson's first hand experience with the intelligence communities shows in her expertise of writing. 

Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts A Steampunk Cinderella Written by: Nancy Campbell Allen I was so excited to read this retelling of Cinderella. Set in the steampunk world of Nancy Campbell Allen's fictional creation I loved how she brought it all together. With a human right's advocate for a Cinderella and a police inspector as the prince charming and a fun twist for the fairy godmother, every element tied together in the end to create a meaningful story that pushes for a better world while subtly mimicking the timeless fairy tale. Nancy's characters have strong personalities with flaws that follow their strength. She incorporates characters from previous books in ways that strengthen the story yet maintaining this story's stand alone status. The adventure and mystery drew me in so I wanted to keep reading from the very first page until I uncovered the answer to the plot while adding the perfect amount of romance to make my heart happy.

The Black Midnight True Colors: Historical Stories of American Crime Written by: Kathleen Y'Barbo Kathleen Y'Barbo did a fantastic job of incorporating historical facts into a romantic read. This mystery balances the suspense and thrill that can come from writing about murders committed by Jack the Ripper without overwhelming the story. The characters feel real while being smart and witty. There is relationship conflict that is more than just dealing with the terrible things happening. Usually I am not a fan of crime novels because they are too intense for me to enjoy. The Black Midnight was still such a good story to read.

The Green Dress Written by: Liz Tolsma This book  takes the true story of a serial killer and makes it come to life. With a setting that illustrates the time period and the desperate feelings of the characters within the story Liz Tolsma rewrote the history in a meaningful way. She managed to create suspense in who the killer was, keeping it a mystery between several different people while adding a hint of romance. Little bits of information throughout add intrigue and clues as to who will be the next to die and what is happening to each of the patients. While this story was short, the suspense and anticipation was high. I would have enjoyed a little more added to the story. It did provided a nice read on a late night.