Calico Spy – Book Review

by Sandy Kirby Quandt

Margaret Brownley’s Calico Spy, book three in her Undercover Ladies series, is a fun read full of history, mystery and romance. It tells the story of Katie Madison, undercover Pinkerton detective, as she works at the Harvey House Restaurant in Calico, Kansas in the 1880s.

Katie goes undercover as one of the Harvey Girls to discover who killed two waitresses at the famed restaurant. While her detective skills may be top-notch, her waitress skills are not. Until Katie finds the murderer everyone is suspect, including the handsome widower with an eight-year-old son, Sheriff Branch Whitman. A man who never met a Pink he liked, much less one he was willing to work with to solve a crime.

As they work together to find the murderer, Branch is drawn to protecting the woman who is determined to solve the case, no matter the risk to her own safety.

The story moved along at a steady pace without allowing the accurate historical details to  slow it down. If you like to solve mysteries, enjoy fascinating historical details, a light romance and satisfying read with several twists and turns along the way, then Calico Spy is just the book for you.

Have you read this book? If so, what was your impression of it?

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject. Leave a comment below. If you think others would appreciate reading this please share it through the social media buttons.

I wish you well.

Sandy

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Jaded Book Review

by Sandy Kirby Quandt

In Varina Denman’s debut novel, Jaded, she creates memorable characters in a small  town Texas setting readers care for. Characters who keep the reader turning pages until The End.

While this book is filed under romance, this isn’t your sweet, smooth-sailing read.

Through realistic dialog and honest struggles, Varina brings life to her characters. If you don’t see yourself somewhere in the story, you may find someone else among the pages who you do know.

The story begins with Ruthie Turner thinking back thirteen years to the day in church when her mother read the bulletin, grabbed Ruthie’s hand, and abruptly fled the building. Never to step foot inside again.

Gradually, the reader catches glimpses of the powerful man who led a congregation to shun Ruthie and her mother all these years. Without standing on a soap box, Varina shows the damage that can result from judging others, blind trust, and the refusal to forgive.

And the romance? Who wouldn’t root for Ruthie and Dodd to finally smooth out all the rough spots and declare their love for each other?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and doubt I will forget it any time soon.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject. Leave a comment below. If you think others would appreciate reading this please share it through the social media buttons.

I wish you well.

Sandy

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Disclosure: I received a free book for a fair and honest review, which is exactly what I’ve given you.