SHORT BLURB:

There’s no shortage of deadly deeds in 1881 Chicago as school administrator Cady Delafield and entrepreneur Doyle Flanagan plan their wedding. When one of Doyle’s workers is brutally killed he must use his considerable power to stop a mysterious enemy bent on destroying his reputation and business empire. But as Cady and Doyle struggle to keep their marriage on track, the murder victims might not be the only casualties.

Goodreads Link – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20703746-a-burning-truth?bf=1000&from_search=true

BUY LINKS:

http://www.amazon.com

http://www.champagnebooks.com

http://www.kobobooks.com

http://www.barnesandnoble.com

Excerpt

“Miss Delafield?” The young police officer’s cheeks were rosy from the cold, and she had a sudden urge to invite him inside for a warming cup of cocoa.

“Yes, this is Miss Delafield,” Doyle responded before she could even find her voice. “I’m Doyle Flanagan. What’s this about?” Within seconds he’d gone from brooding to his customary take charge mode.

“Inspector Dinsmore asked me to find Miss Delafield.” The boyish officer swung a look at her. “He’d like you to come to the police station. He requires your help.”

“Oh my.” Cady’s hand fell across the sudden nervous ripple in her stomach. “Did he say what it’s in regard to?”

“No, ma’am. He’ll explain when you get there. I’m to take you straight away. I have a cab standing by.”

“Go ahead, officer,” Doyle replied, issuing orders in his usual effortless, decisive way. “I’ll accompany Miss Delafield to the station.”

The policeman saluted as if Doyle were his superior officer then turned on his heel and jogged back into the shadows. She noticed the hack lurking beneath a street lamp a short distance down the block.

“Whatever can it be?” She shot a worried glance at the lit windows in the mansion. “Do you suppose something happened to my family?”

“It didn’t,” Doyle said clasping her elbow and handed her back into the carriage. “Dinsmore would have come personally if it was bad news.”

Spoken with utter assurance, his confident words gave her a moment’s respite from her escalating unease. Despite the warmth from the brazier near her feet, her teeth began to chatter.

“Perhaps Dinsmore knows something about young Robbie Finnegan,” he said.

If so, why send for her? The summons made no sense and none of the possible explanations rootling in her head sounded good.

“Don’t be afraid.” Doyle squeezed her hand and the firm pressure yielded the strong comfort she craved. She fought to reign in her imagination in which all sorts of horrific things like explosions, burglary, accidents and death took place.

“No matter what happens,” he said softly stirring some deep emotion. “I’m at your side.”

If she had any doubts about whether she could cope with any further adversity they were swallowed in a gush of bubbly, tender feelings.

Giveaway Information – $10 Amazon Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

BIO and CONTACT LINKS

Joyce grew up in Minnesota and attended college and grad school in Chicago. After working in mental health, she retired at a young age to write full-time. Her first book, Eliza, was published in 2012.  A Burning Truth is the second in the Cady Delafield series. When she isn’t writing mysteries or historical romances, she loves to travel, walk, read, and do crossword puzzles. She and her husband make their home in rural Minnesota in her very own little house on the prairie.

Visit her website at www.joyceproell.com or at www.facebook.com/AuthorJoyceProell

A Burning Truth by Joyce Proell

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

First of all, I did read the first book, and I honestly recommend that these books be read in order. While this book can stand alone, a reader who does not know the first story may struggle to fully comprehend the book. There are several references that could potentially confuse the uninformed reader.

That being said, permit me to commend the author on book two of this series. I don’t always prefer sequels, but sometimes I do. And this is one such case. Joyce Proell has written two strong characters who are sheer delight together. I appreciated the way in which Doyle and Cady interacted, and I found myself cheering for Cady every time she stood up for herself and who she truly was. Cady’s mother and grandmother surprised me, but Addison Brown was absolutely no surprise at all. The mystery kept me going till the end, and the romance was often red-hot. I truly felt transported to the time period, and controversial issues (women working and homosexuality) were explored in a civilized, fair way.

As to the negatives, they mere quite inconsequential. There was some profanity, and I could have done without it. But because it was minimal, I was able to tolerate it. The bedroom scenes were not consummated, and embarrassing details were left out. I did not skim through the physical times with Doyle and Cady, and I even relished those moments between the two of them. Yes, there is a homosexual character, but that area is never overstated. In fact, due to the time period, it was hidden, and so again, I was not offended.

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.

View all my reviews