Sadie's Secret

Will the notorious Will Tucker ever be captured? As we have followed his elusive trail from the beginning, it all reaches a breaking point in Sadie's Secret, the third and final novel in The Secret Lives of Will Tucker Series. We pick up with Sarah Louise Callum, whom her family fondly calls "Sadie" as she is about to be assigned her biggest case ever as a Pinkerton detective. Not exactly the model agent with her being a female but each of her successes have established her as a true professional. Now if only she could find a way to tell her family, who believes she has been accompanying her Uncle in his travels while working as a Pinkerton. To say that her family is a bit overprotective is an understatement. There only goal in life for Sadie is to find a suitable husband and settle down to begin a family. But she has other plans.

British Detective William Jefferson Tucker has made a promise to his mother to stop by and check on the welfare of his twin brother, William John Tucker. Just when he felt everything was going along as planned, his twin and a guard in the prison make arrangements for Jefferson to finish out the term of John's prison sentence. Something he believes Jefferson can handle much better than he can. So while an innocent man is in prison for crimes he didn't commit, his twin brother is assuming his life outside the prison walls. Only one person will be able to save him from a fate worse than death, but will she be willing to do it?

Sadie is the only one who is able to figure out the subtle differences between Jefferson and John Tucker with the slight variation of colors to their eyes, something a woman has no problem noticing. She has been tasked with finding a way to convince a judge that they are holding the wrong man, getting him released from prison and escorting him to town until another Pinkerton agent can meet her to take over. They believe only Jefferson can lead them straight to John. But even thought they may look alike, they are far from being different. Jefferson has no idea just where John would be headed and he can only hope someone else finds him before he does.

I received Sadie's Secret by Kathleen Y'Barbo compliments of Harvest House Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own. I have thoroughly enjoyed each addition to this series and think Kathleen has nailed it with the conclusion. It is great to see some of the previous characters in the series make an appearance in this one and love the way it is all resolved in the end. Truly a historical return of the prodigal son and well worth 5 out of 5 stars. If you love historical romances with strong female characters, you will want to pick up this series from Kathleen Y'Barbo.

For more information about Sadie's Secret, Kathleen Y'Barbo, or where to pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Sadie's Secret by Kathleen Y'Barbo

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Millie's Treasure

"Clipped to the second page was an envelope with his name written in Henry's scrawling handwriting. Inside Kyle found a letter, a match and a key. 

December 24, 1888

While I cannot be absolved from keeping you away from family on Christmas Eve, I can at least make up for the fact by providing a brief respite before work on this case begins in earnest on January 2. Arrangements have been made for rooms at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis form tomorrow night through the aforementioned second day of the New Year. Should you find that your work on the missing gold case requires it, of course the agency will pay for as many nights past that as you deem necessary.

Our friend Taft suggested that the rooftop of the as-yet-unopened Cottn Exchange building on Second Street might prove the venue for your test flight. To that end, he has secured access for you and assures me the three of us are the only ones who have knowledge of this. Thus, I hasten to warn that you must not be caught lest you alone will be forced to explain. And, per Mr. Taft, please remember to leave the key in the Weather Service office on the third floor before the service employee arrives at work after the holiday and realizes it is missing.

Consider this a small measure of thanks for your dedication to the agency. And no, I have not cleared this with Mr. Pinkerton, thus the need for the match. I am sure you will make good use of it, as always.

Best regards,

Henry

December 24, 1888
Memphis, Tennessee

Cook was right. The best thing about marrying Sir William Trueck and beginning a new life in London was that Millie Cope would leave Memphis and everything she knew and once loved   behind. And this was no small thing.

For she knew she could not stay, not when her life in this house was merely the wisp of a shadow slipping into darkness. As Sir William Trueck's American bride, she could step out of that shadow. She tried to recall that when fear rose to make its attempt at choking out good sense. And Millie Cope was nothing if not sensible.

After the death of her mother and two elder sisters, Julia and Sarah, to a yellow fever epidemic a decade ago, the distance that yawned between her and her father had become unbearable. So when Father brought his new business partner, Sir William Trueck, home for dinner, it was Cook's idea for Millie to smile sweetly in his direction. To allow him to court her when he asked. And, finally, to accept his proposal of marriage, but only if it came with the assurance that she would be allowed to live in England and have complete freedom to do as she pleased.

In the latest novel in The Secret Lives of Will Tucker, Millie's Treasure by best-selling author Kathleen Y'Barbo, takes us back into the life of Pinkerton agent, Kyle Russel who has been tasked at searching for confederate treasure believed to be hidden in New Orleans. What he doesn't plan on discovering is that his heart has been lost to a society scientist, Millie Cope who may just be at the heart of his investigation along with her father. Dabbling in inventions along with his partner Lucas McMinn, who readers got an indepth look at in the first book in the series, Flora's Wish, Kyle is hoping to test his latest invention, a flying machine during the down time in his investigations. What he doesn't expect to find is someone who can match his intelligence, skill and passion for science in Millie. Millie's just hoping for a chance to immerse herself in books and research in cryptology and begin her own search for her family's lost treasure. A treasure that may in fact lead her to more than a way to escape the plan her father has in store for her.

I received Millie's Treasure by Kathleen Y'Barbo compliments of Harvest House Publishers and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. I am completely charmed and enchanted by this series, because the women characters that Kathleen's creates are much like how I would envision my own life if I lived at that time. Struggling between what is expected of women from upper society and the desires of their heart, ones that don't conform to what society or their family believes an proper woman should do. They are strong, smart and at times fail to see their own self worth, believing what their family thinks of them instead, but along comes a true hero that shows them they are a unique and beautiful creation, designed specifically by God and captivates their hearts. I easily give this one a 5 out of 5 stars and can't wait to read Sadie's Secret, which reader's get a sneak peek at in the end of this one. There is also a discussion guide at the end that is perfect for book groups.

For more information about Millie's Treasure, Kathleen Y'Barbo, or where to pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Millie's Treasure by Kathleen Y'Barbo

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To read more reviews on Millie's Treasure from the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance, please click here. 



 

Flora's Wish

She was the legendary Fatal Flora, the bride who had lost four fiancès to their untimely graves. All of Natchez knew that, so why not total strangers as well? He also knew that she had an ability to navigate heights, decent skill on the ballroom floor, and an interest in finding Will Tucker. It did not escape her notice, though, that somewhere out there was a strange man who knew her as Fatal Flora. A man who could ruin everything with Mr. Tucker.

That is, if Mr. Tucker ever saw fit to arrive for his wedding.

When a chance encounter at a masquerade ball behind a set of palms introduces Flora Brimm to Lucas McMinn, a Pinkerton agent on a reconnaissance mission at the Crescent Hotel in Arkansas where neither one of them was hoping to let on who they really were. However for Lucas, he seems to have the upper hand. Of course he has to be able to get past Millicent Brimm, her wealthy grandmother who seems to have plans for keeping Brimmfield from leaving the family. If Flora doesn't have an heir by the time her Cousin Winthrop Brimm turns 30, he will inherit the estate instead of Flora.

But the problem with Flora is none of her grooms-to-be make it to the altar before dying and with just 2 years left to secure a husband, a marriage and give birth to an heir, Flora has a plan. She has managed to convince Will Tucker, a railroad detective to marry her for just the legalities and give her a child that she will raise on her own. It's a marriage in name only. However when Will Tucker fails to show up for their wedding two weeks late, she feels there is something more going on with Will then what he's telling her. Especially when her grandmother claims to have seen him a week earlier but didn't know who he was. Will Will Tucker have an explanation that Flora will believe or will Lucas McMinn have other plans for the newlyweds?

In the novel, Flora's Wish by Kathleen Y'Barbo, we get a look at the unlucky circumstances of Flora Brimm. How one manages to get engaged four times and never married has many in town questioning whether Flora had anything to do with their untimely demises. Perhaps a Black Widow in disguise looking for a way to increase her holdings and keep her family's estate? Or is Flora's luck about to change? I can completely understand the motivation behind Flora's planning especially during the late 1800's where a woman's goal in life was to be married with a husband and family. Yet poor Flora can't seem to make a go of it no matter what she tries to do and feels desperate enough to marry in this case for money, but the money will be paid to Will Tucker to care for the needs of his family. At least that is the story he has told Flora, but perhaps the wisdom of Grandmama Millicent be just what she needs to finally hear and pay attention to before it's too late.

I received Flora's Wish by Kathleen Y'Barbo compliments of Harvest House Publishers and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. Being a huge fan of traditional regencies and historical western's you get a brilliant combination of both when you pick this one up. Flora's situation is similar to that of wealthy aristocrats but set in Arkansas in 1887. So this will appeals to fans of both book genres. Having never read a novel with this type of premise, I knew that this would be an interesting read and was not disappointed. I love how the author used the historical Crescent Hotel found in Eureka Springs as the inspiration for the setting as well as the Southern Belle lifestyle of her characters! I personally rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars and look forward to more from Kathleen Y'Barbo in the future. This is the first book in The Secret Lives of Will Tucker series.

For more information about Flora's Wish, Kathleen Y'Barbo or where to pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Flora's Wish by Kathleen Y'Barbo

You can also find Kathleen Y'Barbo on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest books.

To read more reviews from the Flora's Wish book tour hosted by Christian Fiction Blog Alliance, please click here.