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Geslacht: female
Nationaliteit: USA
Geboorteplaats: Newark, New Jersey, USA
Woonplaatsen: Newark, New Jersey, USA
Oklahoma, USA
Korte biografie: [from author's website]
USA Today bestselling author, Callie Hutton, author of more than sixty historical romance, romantic suspense, and cozy mystery books, writes humorous and spicy Regency with “historic elements and sensory details” (The Romance Reviews). With a million novels sold and translated into several languages, she continues to entrance readers with her heartfelt historical romances and mysteries. Her Victorian cozy mystery book, The Sign of Death was a finalist in the Simon and Schuster Mary Higgins Clark award in 2022.

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To Charm a Highlander (The Sutherlands of Dornoch… door Callie Hutton

*** 4.5 out of 5 Stars ***

This was another delightfully entertaining story of the Sutherlands of Dornoch. I have enjoyed all of the books in the series, but this one was particularly sweet and poignant.

Lady Donella Sutherland is the slow-witted sister to the Laird of the Sutherlands, Haydon Sutherland. Haydon dotes on Donella but has low expectations of her. That was not always the case. Once upon a time, Donella was vivacious, happy, curious, and interested in everything around her. Then, around her fourteenth year, something happened to her and she became vague, sad, and disinterested in everything around her. Haydon doesn’t know what to do or how to help her, so he just loves her and lets her be. That is how it goes until she trips and hits her head, which brings her back to being the way she was. She was, however, very lucky to have someone catch her.

Callum Gunn has been turned out by his clan because his vicious brother has spread lies about him. Fraser, his brother and newly minted Laird claims that Callum caused their father’s death. He didn’t, but Fraser won’t listen. So, Callum leaves his clan and wanders around a bit looking for a new home. He likes the Sutherland clan because they are honest and trustworthy in their dealings, so he petitions the Laird to become a member of the Sutherland clan. Haydon is just declining the request when Donella trips on the stone stairs and Callum dashes to catch and save her. After that, Callum becomes a member of the Sutherlands – but Haydon is still wary of him.

I love Callum and Donella together – he is so sweet and gentle with her as she remembers and has to deal with what happened to her in the past. He never rushes her and always allows her the space she needs – but he’s always close enough to support her should she need it. I also love that Donella respects Callum for who he is and doesn’t buy into those silly rumors for even a second.

I thoroughly enjoyed the short, entertaining story and I hope you will as well.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own… (meer)

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BarbaraRogers | Dec 21, 2023 |

The Sign of Death: A Victorian Book Club Mystery door Callie Hutton

A fun, cozy mystery. I love that Lady Amy and her Aunt stand up for themselves, despite the era they are living in. It was great that Lady Amy got to reveal herself as the mystery writer, woohoo!

Looking forward to reading more books in this series.

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Shauna_Morrison | 10 andere besprekingen | May 27, 2023 |

Homicide at the Vicarage: A Victorian Book Club… door Callie Hutton

I always love each new installment of this entertaining cozy mystery series. The talented, intelligent, gracious, kind, and often a bit scattered Lady Amy is delightfully entertaining. Then, the equally intelligent, talented, kind, and not at all scattered William is just as entertaining – especially as he tries to manage Amy and keep her in matching shoes. They are so well-suited to each other, their banter delights, and being doting parents to Charles is just perfect.

William had looked forward to moving his wife and newborn son to his quiet, tranquil country estate for several reasons. It is the perfect place to raise a child and in a quiet country village, surely his wife won’t be constantly tripping over dead bodies as seemed to be her habit in Bath. Too bad that dream of peaceful tranquility is quickly smashed.

Luckily the estate has a very large home on it because soon William, Amy, and Charles are joined by all manner of house guests who are also entertaining. Amy and William find their mouths constantly dropping open at the radical changes in each of their visiting relatives – they cannot believe the fastidious Aunt Margaret has become prone to crying, emotions, and less than fastidious appearance. Then, there is William’s mother and new step-father – who would believe what his mother is now very happily doing. Amy’s austere, by-the-book, staid, proper father’s change is as drastic as her Aunt Margaret’s. Yes, those jaw-droppingly changed individuals have descended upon William and Amy for the duration, plus they are joined by a myriad of others as the book progresses.

Poor William, so much for peace and solitude in which to enjoy his new family. Then, to add insult to injury, there is a murder – and then another. The magistrate in Reading is an incompetent, doddering octogenarian who offers no help and tells them they’ll have to solve it themselves – but he does send an equally doddering, inept old man to act as coroner. Yes, another house guest to add to the mix.

They know the murders have to be linked, but cannot find a link between the two victims. One was much beloved and the other was reviled. What could they possibly have in common? Amy and William know they are missing something but they have no clue what that could be – until Amy and Charles are in danger. William is desperate to protect them – but will he arrive in time?

This was an entertaining story filled with a mystery that is seamlessly interwoven with the everyday life of a small English village. The characters are all delightful and you will love seeing them and what they get up to. The only thing I was left wondering about was the state of the marriage of Amy’s father and Mrs. Elliot – it wasn’t mentioned at all. Maybe that will resolve itself in the next book – or between books.

I recommend this book and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.… (meer)

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BarbaraRogers | May 7, 2023 |

A Study in Murder (Victorian Book Club Mystery, #1) door Callie Hutton

When Lady Amy finds her former fiance dead in the library, she has no idea why he was even present, much less who could have done away with him. And when the police show up, they don't help matters when they immediately identify Lady Amy as the one and only suspect. Seeing that they have absolutely no interest in pursuing other explanations, Lady Amy decides to investigate on her own, with the aid of her friend (just a friend, as she protests too much) William.

This was a decent cozy mystery and I enjoyed the interaction between Amy and William, but I think the writing would have been more at home in a contemporary setting. Some of it doesn't read quite right for being placed in the Victorian era.

Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this digital review copy.… (meer)

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Alishadt | 10 andere besprekingen | Feb 25, 2023 |

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