Mark of Distinction Review

London is said to be the glittering jewel of society, a world unto itself—but to Julia Elliston it is a city of shadows. Her life is swiftly dissolving into scandal. And in Victorian society, even a whisper of scandal—substantiated or not—can be the death of a young woman’s reputation.

Now under the watchful eye of Lord Roy Pierson, one of most influential men in England, Julia begrudgingly accepts his protection. But Chance Macy’s power is far-reaching as well, and he is eager to assert his claim over her.

Thrust into society as the Emerald Heiress, Julia is the toast of London, a celebrated curiosity. But in reality she’s trapped between the clutches of two powerful men. Aided only by a gentleman whose intentions she prays she can trust, Julia must finally take control of her own fate—but outwitting one’s foe rarely goes according to plan.

And once again, like with the first book in the Price of Privilege Trilogy, I have to say something about this beautiful cover. All I have to do is glance at this cover and it makes me long to grab a cup of tea and  settle down for a good Jane Austen movie marathon. (I almost did but I decided to dive right into Mark of Distinction instead. But after I finished I grabbed my Pride and Prejudice movies :)

It took me a couple chapters to fully start to remember everything that had happened in the last book but once I had that figured out I was enraptured. I know there are some people who get frustrated when they aren't quite sure whose the good guy and whose the bad guy but thats what I like the most. It keeps you guessing.  

I love the mystery and dark drama of the series and I'm impatient to read the last book in the trilogy to finally know how it all ends!

5 out of 5. An Afternoon Snack so worth reading! 

I received a copy of this book from Tyndale House in exchange for an honest review.

Death by the Book Review

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 and closer to home?

Death by the Book by Julianna Deering is the second book in the Drew Farthering series. I really enjoyed the first book, Rules of Murder and couldn't wait to read this one. I wasn't as thrilled with Death by the Book as I was with Rules of Murder but I did like it a lot. I wasn't that impressed with the ending but I think overall that if you enjoyed the first book in the Drew Farthering series you'll also enjoy Death by the Book. What I loved most was the return of the same fun banter between the characters that was present in the first book.

4 out of 5. This Afternoon Snack was pleasant to munch on.

I got a free review copy of Death by the Book from Bethany House Publishers in return for my honest review.

Through the Deep Waters Review

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A past filled with shame can be washed away with a love that conquers all
Born to an unloving prostitute in a popular Chicago brothel, timid seventeen-year-old Dinah Hubley was raised amidst the secrets held in every dark, grimy room of her home. Anxious to escape, Dinah pursues her dream of becoming a Harvey Girl, waiting tables along the railroad in an upscale hotel. But when she finds out she isn’t old enough, her only option is to accept a job as a chambermaid at the Clifton Hotel in Florence, Kansas. Eager to put everything behind her, Dinah feels more worthless than ever, based on a single horrible decision she made to survive.

The Clifton offers a life Dinah has never known, but blinded to the love around her, Dinah remains buried in the shame of her past. When a handsome chicken farmer named Amos Ackerman starts to show interest, Dinah withdraws further, convinced no one could want a sullied woman like her.  Despite his self-consciousness about his handicapped leg and her strange behavior, Amos resolves to show Dinah Christ’s love. But can she ever accept a gift she so desperately needs?

Through the Deep Waters by Kim Vogel Sawyer was a book I finished the day I got it. It was amazing! I always feel so deeply for all of the characters that Kim writes about but there was something about Dinah that made it so much more real. My heart broke for her and what she went through and then it rejoiced with her when she accepted Christ. I also loved that Alice Deaton (From What Once Was Lost) made a small cameo appearance. All in all Through the Deep Waters is a moving story of  redemption and forgiveness that you will not soon forget.

5 out of 5. An Afternoon Snack that will forever be a favorite!

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.

Caught in the Middle Review

She Wants the Freedom of the Open Plains. 
He Wants the Prestige of a Successful Career.

Neither is Ready for What Comes Instead. 

The train to Garber, Texas, is supposed to bring life's next victory to Nicholas Lovelace. Instead, it gets held up by robbers who are thwarted by the last person Nick ever expected--Anne Tillerton from back home in Prairie Lea.

Anne's been hiding away as a buffalo hunter. She's only in town to find their runaway cook, but the woman flees--leaving Anne with her infant son. With Nick the only person Anne knows in town, the two form an unlikely team as they try to figure out what to do with the child.

But being in town means acting and dressing for polite society--and it's not going well for Anne. Meanwhile, Nick's work is bringing new pressures, and being seen with a rough-around-the-edges woman isn't helping his reputation. Caught between their own dreams, a deepening relationship, and others' expectations, can the pair find their way to love?

Caught in the Middle is the third book in the Ladies of Caldwell County series by Regina Jennings. It's a wonderfully written historical romance that doesn't disappoint one bit. I loved reading Nick and Anne's story. Both the main characters are well developed and fun to follow. They both make appearances in the earlier books but you really get to know them in Caught in the Middle. You really don't want to miss reading this book!

5 out of 5. An Afternoon Snack you don't want to be caught missing.  

I got a free review copy of Caught in the Middle from Bethany House Publishers in return for my honest review.

A Table by the Window Review

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Heirloom recipes, family secrets…and a chance for love 

The youngest heir to a French-Italian restaurant dynasty, food writer Juliette D’Alisa has spent her life negotiating her skill with words and her restaurant aspirations. When her brother Nico offers her a chance to open a restaurant together, she feels torn—does she really have what it takes? Should she risk leaving her journalism career?

After the death of her grandmother, Juliette discovers an antique photograph of a man who looks strikingly like her brother. As the truth behind the picture reveals romance and dark secrets, Juliette struggles to keep the mystery away from her nosy family until she can uncover the whole story. 

Inspired by her grandmother’s evolving story, Juliette resolves to explore the world of online dating. To her surprise, she finds a kindred spirit in Neil McLaren, a handsome immunologist based in Memphis, Tennessee. With a long-distance relationship simmering, Juliette faces life-shifting decisions. How can she possibly choose between a promising culinary life and Neil, a man a world away in more ways than one? And is it possible her Grandmother’s story can help show the way?

A Table by the Window is the first book in a three book series by Hillary Manton Lodge. I loved reading A Table by the Window, I especially loved Hillary's main character, Juliette. 

Oh! And the food talked about in the book! I'm so glad that A Table by the Window came with some delicious sounding recipes. I can't wait to try some of them! (I always feel like it's a special bonus for me when there are recipes in the book I'm reading). A Table by the Window is definitely not a book that will disappoint. 

5 out of 5. An Afternoon Snack that will make you hungry and at the same time satisfy.

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.