I lost track of time, so caught up in the story.

I have two books to share. The regency mystery/romance from yesterday and a current romance set in modern day.

My favorite thing about the Regency read, aside from the great story was the setting. I love large old places filled with mysterious histories, hidden stairs, tunnels, and secret rooms. The other nice thing about the era is the opportunity for scenarios that would never work in our day and age. This story was full of all of that.

When Miss Rebecca Lane returns to her home village after a few years away, her brother begs for a favor: go to nearby Swanford Abbey and deliver his manuscript to an author staying there who could help him get published. Feeling responsible for her brother’s desperate state, she reluctantly agrees.

The medieval monastery turned grand hotel is rumored to be haunted. Once there, Rebecca begins noticing strange things, including a figure in a hooded black gown gliding silently through the abbey’s cloisters. For all its renovations and veneer of luxury, the ancient foundations seem to echo with whispers of the past–including her own. For there she encounters Sir Frederick–magistrate, widower, and former neighbor–who long ago broke her heart.

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My favorite thing about this story was the author’s careful treatment of the heartache, hopes, wishes and loves of each character. The main characters were well developed but so were many of the rest of the large family. I couldn’t put this down. It received 5 stars too.

A baby’s future hangs in the balance, sparking a heart-rending mystery. Why didn’t Cash’s sister leave him guardianship of her daughter?

Instead, she leaves her infant in her friend Jane’s care. Though a lifelong friend, Jane isn’t family. And the baby is the only family Cash has left. He insists on being involved in raising his young niece. In the midst of this, strange things start happening at Jane’s dress shop. Can the two overcome their differences–and perhaps build a new family together? Only if his heart of stone can be softened. From a Carol Award-winning author: a faith-filled, second chance romance with a touch of mystery.

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Must go before I turn into a pumpkin.

Happy Reading y’all