Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Deception on Sable Hill

GIVEAWAY

GRAY, SHELLEY
DECEPTION ON SABLE HILL

The World’s Fair is nearing its end, but the danger in Chicago lingers.

 It’s mid-September of 1893 and Eloisa Carstairs is the reigning beauty of Gilded Age Chicago society. To outsiders she appears to have it all. But Eloisa is living with a dark secret. Several months ago, she endured a horrible assault at the hands of Douglass Sloane, heir to one of Chicago’s wealthiest families. Fearing the loss of her reputation, Eloisa confided in only one friend. That is, until she meets Detective Sean Ryan at a high-society ball.
 
 Sean is on the outskirts of the wealthy Chicago lifestyle. Born into a poor Irish family, becoming a policeman was his best opportunity to ensure his future security. Despite society’s restrictions, he is enamored with Eloisa Carstairs. Sean seethes inside at what he knows happened to her, and he will do anything to keep her safe—even if he can never earn her affections.
 
 Eloisa longs to feel normal again in the midst of the danger surrounding the Chicago World’s Fair, but a killer is on the loose. In the last month, three debutants have been accosted in the city by an assailant wielding a stiletto. As the danger in the city increases, and as Eloisa’s and Sean’s romance blossoms, they both realize they want to be seen as more than how the world views them. But will they catch the killer before all their hopes come tumbling down?
 
 My Review:
 
 Riveting second book in the A Chicago World's Fair Mystery series. And while this one does start where the first left off (including some carry-over characters and plot) you don't need to have read the first one in order to embrace Deception on Sable Hill. And it's definitely the kind of book you want to hug! :-)
 
 The clash of class distinction in the late 19th century is at the heart of this story. Gray portrays the challenges of change for both the wealthy and the poor in vivid emotional detail. I especially found the contrast of opinion between a lower class man courting an upper class lady in comparison to an upper class gentleman wooing a lower class woman totally fascinating -- and annoying! Definitely adds an extra edge to the overall plot. Not to mention the romance.
 
 I have to 'fess up and admit to adoring a self-made Irish hero and Sean Ryan fits the bill to a T. He's got that confident swagger,  a wee bit of blarney dripping off the tip of his tongue and, saints preserve us -- that grin! Mind you, he needs the luck o' the Irish and no small amount of divine intervention to achieve his happily ever after! Of course, Eloisa is smitten. How could she not? But Gray has not been kind to this heroine -- not in the first book of the series and not in this one -- so be prepared to run a gamut of emotions during this read.
 
 There's the bonus of a secondary romance as well. And a dark mystery to solve. All in all an enthralling read. Can't wait for the third in the series to release in November -- Whispers in the Reading Room -- about a librarian!!!! Be still my book-loving heart.
 
 Side Note: Can anyone venture a guess on how to pronounce Eloisha's name? Ee-loy-sha? Ee-li-sha? Ee-lee-sha? I called the poor girl all of the above but I'd really like to  knowthe correct pronunciation.
 
 GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Deception on Sable Hill please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday July 19 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

32 comments:

  1. How could you not love this book by just the cover alone. I am drawn to it. Ah, this sounds like a swoon worthy book that I look forward to reading . Excellent review, Kav !
    Deanne
    Cnnamongirl at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I haven't read much about this time frame with the world's fair and I love a good mystery. I definitely need to read this one. I don't know how to pronounce Eloisha either. I'd be interested to find out. Thanks for the review and giveaway!
    momrain(AT)aol(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes -- and find out before you start reading the book. LOL I should have just shortened her name to El as I read. Good luck, Loraine.

      Delete
  3. I'd love to read more about the World's Fair in Chicago. Sounds like a very good mystery.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow, what a name! :) Sounds like a great story with a hero to pine for.
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Blissful sigh -- oops, sorry, thinking about that hero. LOL Good luck, Merry.

      Delete
  5. I'm reading a book on the Chicago fire right now which has me fascinated - haven't read of the Chicago fair - but I do want to. And for that matter - yes I'll read the others too. Lol. rrwalter34ATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Once you've read one, you won't want to stop. Good luck, Becky.

      Delete
  6. Love the cover. Her books are always good. kamundsen44 at yahoo dot com. Kim

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can't get over how many new releases she has out now between the Amish and this series. I love that she writes that fast, but I don't know how she does it. Good luck, Kim.

      Delete
    2. I think years of writing she probably has a certain way of getting the books written plus I know she loves writing to.

      Delete
    3. I think she has magic fingers...or maybe a magic keyboard! Wouldn't that be cool? LOL

      Delete
  7. Ah! I've really wanted to read this series, and your review makes me want to even more! Great review!
    Hmm. Maybe her name is El-oe-ee-za? Idk...It looks like "Eloise" with an "a"?
    pocoauthorATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, there's another slant on the name...makes sense though. Good luck, Nicole.

      Delete
  8. Not familiar with this series, but I did read another mystery set around the worlds fair in Chicago a few years ago... What an exhibition that must have been!

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's really good series, Patty, and a great backdrop. Good luck!

      Delete
  9. Reading about the Chicago World's Fair with romance & a twist of mystery sounds like a perfect mix for reading pleasure...and another book to add to my "Must Read" book list :) Thanks for the opportunity of this giveaway!

    nj[dot]bossman[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'd read it based on the cover alone....I have serious cover love! :-) I've seen this one around recently and it's definitely on my want-to-read list! Thanks for the review and giveaway opportunity!
    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know -- really different cover, isn't it? Good luck, Trixi.

      Delete
  11. Thanks for this great review, Kav. I might have over-looked this book otherwise. I always love a good mystery, especially with a bit of romance. I'd love to win. I'll have to look up the first book in the series too.
    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're welcome, Pam. I love the historical/romance/suspense combo too. Good luck.

      Delete
  12. I would pronounce it El-o -e- sha. Sometimes names are questionable! Thank you for a great review, Kav!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And there's another pronunciation! But that's a mouthful to read over and over again. LOL Good luck, Melanie.

      Delete
  13. It looks like L - O - E - sha to me.
    melissa dot snoopy at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This poor heroine will answer to just about anything, I think. LOL good luck, Melissa.

      Delete
  14. All the reviews for this series of Shelley Gray's have been amazing.

    tlhcoupon (at) hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a great combination of historical and suspense. Good luck, trosado.

      Delete
  15. Kav, you got me at "Irish hero"! Seriously, I've enjoyed Shelley's Amish fiction and have wanted to read this mystery series for some time, just haven't gotten hold of the books yet. Thanks for the opportunity.
    cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's very different, Carole, but she as good. This author knows how to weave a compelling story no matter what the genre. Good luck.

      Delete