Category: Love Story

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Method of Revenge

Method of RevengeWhy are children dying when wallpaper from Henderson and Company is hung in their bedrooms? Could there be something wrong? But why aren’t any parents talking about it?

In Cara Devlin‘s Method of Revenge, Leo Spencer is at a nightclub with her friend, Dita Brooks, when Gabriela Carter, the wife of a mob boss, dies from arsenic poisoning. Who would want her dead and is her death related to the deaths of various children?

Jasper Reid is assigned the case of Mrs. Carter’s death. As usually happens, since Leo Spencer is peripherally involved as a witness, she insinuates herself into the investigation, much to Jason’s consternation. But, since Leo’s observations move the case forward, he is secretly glad of her help.

As with the other two entries in Cara Devlin’s Spencer and Reid series, Method of Revenge, the second mystery in the series, is tightly written, with a plot that propels the reader forward. In addition to the mysterious deaths, Devlin also highlights the burgeoning, but slow-moving interest and love between the protagonists. Their relationship is under stress from certain aspects of their shared past, which causes sparks to fly.  A solid fascination about which way their love will flow lures me to wait eagerly for the next installment.

Enjoyable Read

Devlin created two likeable protagonists, both having strengths and flaws. Spencer is intelligent, as evidenced by her work at the morgue with her uncle, and her insightful tips to Reid on aspects of his cases. Impulsive and stubborn, Spencer gets herself into situations from which Reid and his partner, Detective Sergeant Lewis, must extricate her. Reid is honorable and hard working. However, he has kept certain facts about his past hidden, both from Spencer and Scotland Yard. When these facts come to light in his dealings with Spencer, tempers simmer and sparks fly.

I enjoyed the three offerings in Devlin’s Spencer and Reid series so far. I look forward to reading her Bow Street Duchess mystery series.

Method of Revenge
by Cara Devlin
© 2025
First Cup Press

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Shadow at the Morgue

Shadow at the MorgueWith Shadow at the Morgue, Cara Devlin has created a strong opener to her new Spencer and Reid series. With a splendid start like this, the series is bound to go from great to outstanding.

Devlin sets both Leonora (aka Leo) Spencer and Jasper Reid apart from ordinary humans. Leo is intelligent, savvy and outspoken. And, as Jasper readily agrees, impulsive and stubborn. Jasper is portrayed as a bit straitlaced, but good at his job of Detective Inspector at Scotland Yard.

A cryptic case draws Spencer and Reid in when a body of a woman run over by an omnibus is brought into the morgue run by Leo’s Uncle Claude. Why does a man come into the morgue to steal the woman’s necklace? Why does a witness to the accident say that a man was chasing the woman prior to the accident? How is the woman connected to two criminals recently released from prison?

Scotland Yard assigns the case to Detective Inspector Reid, and, of course, Leo is intrigued and does her own behind the scenes snooping. She unearths important information that helps solve the case, much to the consternation of Reid.

Nicely Done

Devlin balances the mystery nicely with the burgeoning romance between the main characters. Reid and Spencer have a connection from their youth – they were raised by the same guardian for a short while. But Spencer is a bit standoffish with Reid, thinking he doesn’t like her, or is uninterested at the very least.

The story is told from the viewpoints of both Spencer and Reid. This works well, as the reader is immersed in the workings of both characters’ minds. With this debut in the Spencer and Reid series, Devlin creates a cozy historical mystery universe set in 1884. She includes historical facts that enliven the plot, such as the roles women can and cannot undertake during that period. For example, Spencer’s work at her uncle’s morgue is frowned upon or thought to be strange and “unwomanly.” I will be reading the rest of this series as well as Devlin’s other works.

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Great Love Story

Only Twice, a great love storyOnly Twice by Garrett James is a delightful ode to love that highlights one man’s life and how the simple act of telling one’s story can change another person’s life. The conventional viewpoint is that true love only happens once in a person’s life. But is that really true? Only Twice, a great love story, will convince you otherwise.

By chance, Jon drops down onto a barstool next to Matt Hansen, an older man, who was quietly nursing his whiskey. As Jon downs shots of tequila one after another, Matt looks at him and asks, “One of those days?” Little did either of them know that the outcome of that question would be lifechanging. Jon’s emotional reply of, “It’s been one of those lives,” encourages Matt to tell Jon the story of his life.

War, love, death, and a child, all hit Matt at once and suck him into a maelstrom of emotions that he tamps down to care for his child alone. Would love find Matt, again? Jon is irresistibly drawn into this tale of woe and lost love. But Matt disagrees and tells him it’s not about the losses you have in life. It’s about the love you get and receive. Would Matt’s story turn Jon’s life around?

Check out this tale of love lost and found again at www.amazon.com. And check out As Long as I Breathe by the same author at his website, www.garrettjamesproductions.com. (I reviewed this book here.)

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As Long as I Breathe

Rarely will you find a love story that will appeal equally to men and women. As Long as I Breathe by Garret James is such a love story. James has brought to life characters that both men and women can enjoy, cheer on, and visualize as themselves in that situation.

Stephanie (Steph) Morgan is caught in an abusive love relationship. Even so, she shows herself to be strong and capable in her role as a single mom who has two jobs to care for Lilianna Rose (Lily), her seven-year-old daughter. She has the stamina to carry on after her fiancé, Matt Peterson, is killed while on duty as a police officer.

Mason Cain seems to be what the outside world wants him to be—a tough, tattooed ex-con who’s led a tough life. No one, except his new acquaintance and neighbor, Steph, has the privilege of seeing his true inner self. As Mason and Steph become better acquainted and closer, Mason’s tender heart comes to the fore. What will they both go through as their love blossoms and deepens, and the jealous, abusive boyfriend goes haywire?

Even the secondary characters are interesting in their own right. Lily is a smart, rambunctious, but well-mannered seven-year-old. Nicholas Canon, a DCI agent, investigates Matt Peterson’s mysterious death.  He’s also a strong and steady influence on Steph and her sister Beth. Can he bring closure to the matter of Matt Peterson’s mysterious death? Wayne and Jo, an older couple whom Mason and Steph meet while they’re on a short vacation, are fun loving and a great influence on Lily.

Well-written adventure

This adventure grabs you and doesn’t let you go until the final page is turned. Well-written characters and a finely tuned, well-paced story will entice you to read about and enter the world of Mason and Steph. And come to the end of the story wanting more.

The book and ebook are out now at amazon.com.

The author has said he sees As Long as I Breathe as the first book in a series. Do you want to read more about Steph, Mason, and some of the other fabulous characters, again? If so, leave the author a message at www.garrettjamesproductions.com. While there, read about his other book, Only Twice. Also, leaving a review online will persuade the author to continue writing more of this story arc.

To view a video based on this review, visit my YouTube channel.

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Garrett James

If you’d like to read some excellent fiction, check out Garrett James at www.garrettjamesproductions.com. His writing style is superb, honest and enjoyable.

He and I worked together on two of his books. It was a joy to copyedit and proofread Garrett’s work.

Only TwiceOnly Twice is one man’s coming-of-age story as well as a truly amazing story of love striking one man’s heart twice. This book can be purchased immediately at www.amazon.com.

Garret’s other book, his debut novel, is As Long as I Breathe. This engaging story is one of love, jealousy, abuse and tenderness. Can a man who’s been viewed as a bad guy and ex-con for most of his life be the one who saves a beautiful, loving woman from an abusive relationship? Can he use his anger, the “beast” inside himself, to show love to this woman and her young daughter? As Long as I Breathe is still going through a revision process and will be available for purchase sometime later this spring.

Based on conversations with Garrett, I foresee a good number of great reads forthcoming over the next several years. So, stay tuned for more from Garrett James. He and I will be working together for a long time to come.