Review: Speculations in Sin by Jennifer Ashley

 

Speculations in Sin (Below Stairs #7) by Jennifer Ashley

Publication Date: March 5th 2024 by Berkley

Pages: 320

Source: Publisher 

Rating: ★★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Kat Holloway’s cooking prowess affords her the best spots in wealthy houses, but she stays in the London area because of her daughter, Grace. There’s a whole backstory there that I won’t elaborate on. In this installment there’s trouble with the family Grace stays with while Kat is working. Sam Millburn, the father has been accused of embezzlement and it’s up to Kat to help the Millburn’s, who’ve been a godsend to her and Grace.

As they investigate, someone is murdered, upping the stakes even higher.

There's a lot of danger and action in this installment! Of course, Kat has Daniel, Cynthia, Mr. Thanos, Tess, and her other gang of friends she’s accumulated along the way. Kat inspires loyalty with her kindness and cleverness in tackling problems for those she loves. As usual, I wanted to thump Mrs. Bywater more than a few times! Kat is too good for that awful woman’s house!

I’ve been devouring the Below Stairs mysteries centered on Kat Holloway, a cook in the 1800s solving crimes while wowing people with her food. Speculations in Sin is the seventh book in the series, and so now Kat has made a name for herself in sleuthing. Each book has a separate mystery to solve, but the continuing story arc is her relationship with Daniel McAdam and the friends she’s acquired along the way. I’ve loved every book! The series is best started from the beginning. I’d start with the novella: A Soupçon of Poison, which introduces Kat and Daniel.

I read an e-copy of Speculations in Sin, but I’ve been listening to the audios of the previous books. Anne-Marie Piazza’s performance is fantastic!

5 Stars

Book Description:

To save an innocent man’s life, amateur sleuth and cook Kat Holloway must expose a financial scam that could ruin the most powerful aristocrats in Victorian-era London, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Secret of Bow Lane.

Kat Holloway is distressed to learn that Samuel Millburn, husband of the woman who looks after her daughter, has been accused of embezzling funds from the bank where he works as a clerk. The accusation is absurd, and Samuel’s wife fears that her husband will not only lose his post but be imprisoned. Kat vows to uncover the truth.

When she discovers the bank is involved in shockingly murky business dealings, Kat realizes she’s treading in dangerous waters. She turns to her confidante and handsome suitor, Daniel McAdam, for help. To exonerate Samuel, Kat and Daniel may have to expose the unseemly financial dealings of prominent aristocrats and government officials, and even those working to bring down the royal family. Kat will risk everything to protect the man who has sacrificed so much for her daughter, even if it means endangering herself and the friends she has come to love.

About the author:

Jennifer Ashley is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Below Stairs Mysteries, the Shifters Unbound paranormal romances, and the Mackenzies historical romances. She also writes as USA Today bestselling mystery author Ashley Gardner.

Review & Giveaway: White Tiger by Jennifer Ashley

White Tiger (Shifters Unbound #8) by Jennifer Ashley

Publication Date: April 5th 2016 by Berkley

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About the book:

A woman is lured into the shadows of a dangerous manhunt...
Wanted and on the run...

For twenty years, Kendrick, a white tiger Shifter, has been the Guardian of un-Collared Shifters who spend their lives living in secret—and in fear of being shunted into Shiftertowns. When Kendrick’s group is discovered and forced to flee, Kendrick is more desperate than ever to protect them
 
His only salvation was in a beautiful stranger.

In a diner in the middle of nowhere, lonely waitress Addison Price has seen a lot of unusual drifters come and go, but none has ever captivated—and intimidated—her like the imposing fugitive who wields a broadsword with incredible skill. But when he risks all to protect her, Addison’s fear turns to empathy—and empathy to desire as she learns more about her savior. Soon she’s more than willing to help the crushingly sensual white tiger and his cubs in a passionate bid for freedom. Whatever the cost.

My Thoughts:

Addie works at a diner and the night shift has given her something to look forward to ever since a big, strong, handsome man has been coming in with three small boys in tow.  Every night she serves them pie drawing out the shy and adorable boys with treats and silly faces in whip cream.  When they leave Addie analyzes every word and glance uttered by the handsome stranger, dreaming of the next time she can see him again.  Addie’s whole world changes when men show up gunning for the man and she’s caught in the middle.

Kendrick knows he shouldn’t keep going back to the diner for pie, but Addison, the beautiful waitress has captured his attention and he can’t stop himself.  Add in the fact that his cubs adore her and the pie she serves every night, and he’s a goner. As he feared, danger followed him plunging Addie into his Shifter world when he needs her help in looking after his cubs. If he’s being honest, Kendrick just doesn’t want to leave Addie and so he scoops her up and goes on the run. 

Urban Fantasy is one of my favorite escapes. I get action, magic, and romance wrapped up in one fun package.  I do love Shifter stories with their primal instincts and urges guiding a lot of their actions and the hierarchy and pack dynamics. While White Tiger was an entertaining read I can’t say it’s in the same caliber as my favorites like Kate Daniels or Mercy Thompson.  I’d call it Urban Fantasy lite: a fun way to spend the afternoon reading, but without the same depth as Kate Daniels or Mercy Thompson.  Still, like I said, it was a lot of fun and with plenty of sizzle! This was my second read of the Shifters Unbound series and I was happy to “see” Tiger and Carly again from book five, Tiger Magic. 

3 Suns

Connect with Jennifer Ashley:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

The lovely people at Berkley generously provided a Paperback Copy of White Tiger to one Waves of Fiction follower.  The giveaway is open to US or CA residents only.  Simply fill out the rafflecopter for a chance to win.