Positive Grace by Deb Haggerty

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Deb’s Dozen: Unmarried woman, young baby, fiancé dead, no money, nowhere else to go.

Melody Carlson has written a poignant story, The Christmas Blessing, about a young woman during World War II. While living in San Diego, Amelia had met and fallen in love with a young pilot. A wartime romance, short and sweet. They’d acquired their marriage license and planned to be married the next day. But James got orders to report for active duty that night. He left for war and left her pregnant.

Not wanting the stigma of being an unwed mother, Amelia quit her job as a beautician and moved across town to another salon. But she knew she needed more for her baby, Jimmy, named after his dad. Eventually, she found out James’s plane had gone down and he was lost. Practically destitute, unwilling to lean on the support of her roommate any longer, she headed out by train to the small town of Rockford where James’s parents lived. Amelia hoped they would accept her and her son.

While on the train, Amelia’s wallet was stolen with the remainder of her savings and what money she’d received from selling her engagement ring and buying a plain gold band. What was she going to do now? She didn’t want to just present herself and her son on her in-law’s doorstep, but her money was almost gone and her son was ill.

A sweet, sweet story. Formulaic to be sure, but worth the read. Amelia is a lovable woman and her father-in-law, Doctor Bradley, a prince of a man. Her mother-in-law? Well … Melody has written a Christmas novella that should stand the test of time. Three stars.

Melody Carlson is a much-published author with over two hundred books and six million copies sold. Several of her books are Christmas stories. She and her husband live in central Oregon.

Revell Books gave me a copy of The Christmas Blessing, but I was in no way obligated to write a review.

Deb’s Dozen: Murder Follows Visiting Professor. Threats and Danger Imperil His Investigation and Romance.

Donn Taylor has written a wonderful character in Preston Barclay. Murder in Disguise is the third book in his series. Preston Barclay is a professor teaching one summer term at the college where a dear friend was recently found dead. The verdict was suicide, but Professor Collier’s wife begs Preston to investigate—neither of them feel Collier would have done the deed.

Barclay’s inamorata, Dr. Mara Thorn, is also in town for the summer doing research, and Barclay hopes, to further their budding romance. The two share opinions and research and discover a missing clue along with a web of sex trafficking, money laundering, and other nefarious crimes. Will they convince the cops that Collier was murdered—before being murdered themselves?

Murder in Disguise is written from Preston Barclay’s point of view. He has a dry, almost acerbic, way of speech and a delightful quirk. He hears music that seems to accompany his thoughts and situations. You are reminded of wonderful classical music as Preston muses his way through the mystery. His hippie-looking assistant, Rainbow Glencannon, brings forth a jazz rhythm whenever she appears, however. Taylors somewhat dry manner of writing took some time to get used to, but by the end of the book, I was quite charmed by the style. If you like mysteries and eccentric characters, you’ll love the Preston Barclay Mysteries. Four Stars.

Donn Taylor spent a career in the Army, in the Korean Conflict, Vietnam, Europe, and Asia. The man has seen the world. Afterward, he earned a PhD in Renaissance Literature and taught at two colleges. He has written three suspense novels, a historical novel, and a book of poetry. He lives near Houston, Texas.

I was gifted with a copy of Murder in Disguise, but I was in no way obligated to write a favorable review.