MONDAY BOOK MUSINGS: WHAT AM I READING? 30.6.14

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A bit of sun breaking through a weekend of rainy storms - exactly how the reading seemed this weekend as well~ the lovely sight of sunshine! * I completed a few reviews- the 1st upping my Canadian Book Challenge #7 totals to 21 for 2014.   *

A fav annual Challenge, #8 begins Tuesday on Canada Day!
Join us? Sign up at John's BookMineSet [see my Canadian Challenge page or Book Reviews in tabs for ideas]  * Anne of Green Gables LM Montgomery audiobook Anne of Avonlea LM Montgomery audiobook Postern of Fate Agatha Christie audiobook The Art of Arranging Flowers Lynne Branard kindle * I then treated myself to Julianna Deering's newest  Drew Farthering mystery set to release Tuesday - July 1st! {Great Canada Day celebration for this smitten reader} *

I LUV the series! Vintage covers, the hero, 30's dialogue and the setting is perfection - a manor house in the English countryside.  *  Here's the 1st Paragraph Intro~ "Actors," the barman muttered to no one in particular as he wiped a freshly washed glass." * Here's a teaser ~ "That would be Fleur.  One moment purring like a kitten, the next, claws out and yowling.  One can never tell about the fairer sex." {Joining Tuesday Intros at Diane's and Teaser Tuesdays at MizB's} * The synopsis ~

Just as Drew Farthering thinks his life has found smooth waters, Fleur Landis, an old flame, reappears in his life. She's married now, no longer an actress, and he expects she'll soon disappear--until she comes to him in dire need. The lead actor in her old troupe's production of The Mikado has been murdered, and Fleur is the police's number one suspect. 

Drew would love nothing more than to just focus on his fiance, Madeline, and their upcoming wedding, but he can't leave Fleur in the lurch--even if she did break his heart once. As Drew, Nick, and Madeline dive into the murder, they discover more going on behind the scenes of the theater troupe than could ever have been imagined. Nearly everyone had a motive, and alibis are few and far between. It's Drew's most complicated case yet.

* Intelligent, quick witted, and personable, I am definitely in luv with Drew Farthering. All manners, dynamic and debonair, he knows what he's about relationally and in his peerage connections.  When Fleur, a former actress and attachment, appeals to Drew for assistance, he is drawn into the scenarios at the reproach of his American fiance, Madeline, who prefers Fleur leave Drew out of her troubles. The repeated contacts have Madeline distressed and troubled waters between her and Drew add to the confusion Drew faces in dealing with the murder amongst the actors.
Always a treat to pick up another Drew Farthering mystery. Ms Deering has mastered the 1930's era in dialogue and manner, making each edition a pleasurable escape into the English manor life. 
The stories are easily read as individual entries, but the development of Drew and Madeline's romance is a lovely continuum best enjoyed throughout the series. And of course our knowledge and involvement increases if we're following the series from the 1st book.

 Mysteries that keep this reader guessing to each satisfying conclusion.

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*Appreciation to BethanyHouse for providing a reading and review copy without cost or compensation.








* That's my current picture for Monday's reading, Teaser Tuesdays, and Tuesday's Intros. * A great lineup of books is waiting to keep me happy when this weather keeps me indoors ~

 

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Some great book giveaways pinned HERE

and a brand new giveaway offer for upcoming release of
Camille Elliot's Regency mystery novel,
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along with several more great novel Giveaways at goodreads 
{currently open}

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Jane Austen fans, don't forget signups for AinA are open... Next week I'll try to have some of my anticipated books ready to post for inspiration.

* HapPy Reading! More book updates at Sheila's BOOK JOURNEY
* MizB's Monday Musings and Teaser Tuesdays
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* Diane's Tuesday Intros

* FIND MORE FHC on BOOK DEPOSITORY | PINTEREST, TWITTER, GOOGLE+, GOODREADS, FACEBOOK, NETWORKED BLOGS * Tweet *

REVIEW: DEATH BY THE BOOK by Julianna Deering

Julianna Deering's 2nd in her thrilling mystery series featuring the debonair sleuth,
Drew Farthering,

DEATH BY THE BOOK

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Drew Farthering wanted nothing more than to end the summer of 1932 with the announcement of his engagement. Instead, he finds himself caught up in another mysterious case when the family solicitor is found murdered, an antique hatpin with a cryptic message, Advice to Jack, piercing his chest.

Evidence of secret meetings and a young girl's tearful confession point to the victim's double life, but what does the solicitor's murder have to do with the murder of a physician on the local golf course? Nothing, it would seem--except for another puzzling note, affixed with a similar-looking bloodied hatpin.

Soon the police make an arrest in connection with the murders, but Drew isn't at all certain they have the right suspect in custody. And why does his investigation seem to be drawing him closer to home?                                                                                         ~ publisher

* Series: Drew Farthering Mystery #2 Pages: pb 317, ebook 336, hb 500  Published: March 4.2014
Publisher: Bethany House 
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My Thoughts?
Having been won over by our hero in Ms Deering's first British mystery,

RULES OF MURDER
[click for my review] I awaited book 2 with MUCH anticipation.
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DEATH BY THE BOOK
[beside the gorgeous vintage cover art] solidified my reading relationship with the suavely sophisticated sleuth, adding author Julianna Deering's writing as a definite  mystery 'go to' for this reader.
* Characterizations are uniquely interesting - beside the delish Drew!  His girlfriend, an American  we met in Rules of Murder, holds her cards close regarding their relationship.   Drew proves himself more than capable of the challenge, when new arrival, the boisterous aunt Ruth, determines what the two need is some space between them and sets about insuring that reality, even if it means a return voyage to America!
* Ms Deering is adept at witty colloquialisms and banter of the 1930's era establishing authenticity and providing much humour
to lighten the topic! Though the book's theme is focused on the multiple murders, the scenes are well drawn without offputting graphic descriptions.  The relational aspects appear to be the focus and well developed at that.
* Drew finds himself included in the murder investigation by the attending Scotland Yard Inspector
when Drew's afternoon appointment  turns up a dead solicitor .   Add several red herrings and we're off on a merry murderous chase in the city, at his country club - even at his home in the idyllic English countryside of Farthering St. John.
* Descriptive home scenes of this wealthy bachelor's country estate centre me in the setting yet increase the tension as the investigation continues unsolved.  Intrigue, and to spare, as the murderer's toll arrives on Drew's very doorstep... and a stunning conclusion shakes you to the core! *
I won't spoil a moment of your fun as you reach for your own copy to discover all the antics and intrigue of this captivating teaser from Julianna Deering.
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Just don't miss it!

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*Note - Death by the Book definitely works standalone as all characters are well linked with references to Rules of Murder and nothing lost in translation. Just go ahead and enjoy!
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Author bio:

JULIANNA DEERING has always been an avid reader and a lover of storytelling, whether on the page, the screen or the stage and has always loved British history and is a particular fan of the writings of Dorothy Sayers and Agatha Christie.
Graduating from the University of Texas at Dallas with a degree in Business Administration, Julianna spent several years as a Certified Public Accountant. Julianna's keen interest in history and her Christian faith, shows in her tales of love, forgiveness, and triumph over adversity.

A fifth-generation Texan, she makes her home north of Dallas with three spoiled cats and, when not writing, spends her free time quilting, cross stitching and watching NHL hockey.
Her new series of Drew Farthering mysteries, set in 1930s England, debuted with Rules of Murder (Bethany House, Summer 2013), followed by Death by the Book (Bethany House,  March 2014) and the upcoming, Murder at the Mikado (Bethany House, Summer 2014). She is represented by Wendy Lawton of the Books & Such Literary Agency .  Find Julianna online HERE.

Death by the Book is available at Book Depository

as is Rules of Murder book #1

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Murder at the Mikado book#3 for preorders now

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{Free shipping included to US, Canada + most locations}

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