Book Review: The Scarlet Pen

Book Title: The Scarlet Pen
Author: Jennifer Uhlarik
Publisher: Barbour Books
Publish Date: 7/1/2021 (256 Pages, E-Book)
Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, True Crime, History, Fiction
Series: True Colors #12
ISBN: 9781643529295 | ASIN: B093RW9W9R

Step into True Colors — a series of Historical Stories of Romance and True American Crime
 
Enjoy a tale of true but forgotten history of a 19th century serial killer whose silver-tongued ways almost trap a young woman into a nightmarish marriage.
 
In 1876, Emma Draycott is charmed into a quick engagement with childhood friend Stephen Dee Richards after reconnecting with him at a church event in Mount Pleasant, Ohio. But within the week, Stephen leaves to “make his fame and fortune.” The heartbroken Emma gives him a special pen to write to her, and he does with tales of grand adventures. Secret Service agent Clay Timmons arrives in Mount Pleasant to track purchases made with fake currency. Every trail leads back to Stephen—and therefore, Emma. Can he convince the naive woman she is engaged to a charlatan who is being linked a string of deaths in Nebraska?

Declaimer: "I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review." All reviews written are my own and honest.

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The last book in the True Colors series is called "The Scarlet Pen." What a story it told. Though at first, you might think about what is going on. Why would parents be concerned for their daughter and not allow her to marry her friend?

We meet a young woman and her sweet talk lover Stephen. But will they end up getting married, or will Emma finally see what is going on with their beloved and find true love? We seem to follow Stephen's journey from his marriage proposal to a young woman to his eventful capture.

There a young man on horseback comes to visit and do some business. As the twist and turns show up. Something happens to make Stephen and his friend jump town; Stephen tries to keep Emma at bay and in the dark. Clay seems to want to help and protect her. Emma seems to want to defend Stephen. Why is that?

There seems to be a trail of banknotes that keep leading back to Stephen and connecting to Emma. Will Emma confront a man that may harm her and possibly kill her. Or will someone come and save her.

Who is this serial killer? Why is he doing it? Clay seems to get hints and information and then loses Richards while he is on the run. Will they all make it out safe? Will Stephen get caught, or will he run free. I felt terrible for the family that brings Clay to face the past that happened to him and his family.

The True Color series is a favorite of mine. The books are set in history and tell about true American crimes and have some fiction. These books are great for historical fiction fans and crime fans as well. This one has quite a few killings but not too much detail of the gruesome deaths. Enough to know how it happened. The stories transpire based on actual crimes in American history, but there is some friction that the author brings up in the book.

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Book Review: The Sliver Shadow

Book Title: The Sliver Shadow
Author: Liz Tolsma
Publisher: Barbour Books
Publish Date: 5/1/2021 (256 Pages, E-Book)
Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, True Crime, History, Mystery, Thriller
Series: True Colors #11
ISBN: 9781643528342 | ASIN: B08NFSTVVG

Fiction Based on Strange, But True, History

A Shadowy Figure Is Intent on Harming Denver’s Women
Step into True Colors -- a new series of Historical Stories of Romance and American Crime

Denver of 1900 is still a dangerous place to be following the silver crash of 1893. And of out of the dark comes a shadow intent on harming women. Ambitious young Denver newspaper reporter Polly Blythe is searching for the big story that’s going to launch her career. On Friday evening, August 24, 1900, she gets her break when two women are cracked over the head within a two-minute walk of each other. But policeman Edwin Timmer thwarts Polly’s ideas of a serial criminal. . .until the shadowy figure strikes again. Will the reporter and the policeman team up to find the culprit before her strikes too close for comfort?

Declaimer: "I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review." All reviews written are my own and honest.

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Do you enjoy crime stories? Maybe a bit of true crime but with some fiction. This book "The Silver Shadow" is book eleven in the True Colors series. What a plot this is. There seems to be a mysterious person that keeps hitting women on the head.

We mean you introduced the main two characters—some of the crime that is going on. We meet a mysterious male that wants to teach women their place in the time of the 1900s. The woman is a reporter for the Denver Post. Edwin is the other main character; He works at the Denver Police department.

The more we get into the story or plot. It is more interesting. Polly gets another dressing down from her boss. She still wants this story and to solve these crimes. The detective has to get the runaround, and these bosses seem to think it nothing to be concerned about these crimes. The story is getting more twists and turns. The man shows up once more and remains described as the Silver shadow. Will he be caught?

This book has quite a few twists and turns. Who could be the mysterious Silver Shadow? When will they stop? It is a good book for adults if they want a little history and some crime and a mystery to go along with it. I hope to be able to read more of these True Color series books. I have read a few of them and enjoy them.

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Book Review: The Gold Digger by Liz Tolsma

Book Title: The Gold Digger

Author: Liz Tolsma

Publisher: Barbour Books

Publish Date: 12/1/2020 (256 Pages, E-Book)

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, True Crime, History,

Series: True Colors #9

ISBN: 9781643527123 | ASIN: B085LYML5Q

Fiction Based on Strange, But True, History

True, riveting stories of American criminal activity are explored through a unique stories of historical romantic suspense. Collect them all and be inspired by the hope that always finds its way even in the darkest of times.

In 1907, shy but loyal Ingrid Storset travels from Norway to support her grieving sister, Belle Gunness, who owns a farm in LaPorte, Indiana. Well-to-do widow Belle, who has lost two husbands and several children, provides Ingrid with enough money to start a small business. But Ingrid is confused by the string of men Belle claims to be interviewing for her next husband. When Nils Lindherud comes to town looking for his missing brother, who said he was going to marry Belle, Ingrid has a sinking feeling her sister is up to no good.

Declaimer: "I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review." All reviews written are my own and honest.

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This book is about two sisters though one seems to be doing something quite fishy. That fishiness seems to come out when a brother comes to town looking for his missing brother. We have Belle Gunness who seems to cry a lot or seem to be mean.

Why does the town seem to pick on a guy named Ray? Ingrid seems a bit naive about what her sister is doing but she loving her sister and children. Is her sister Belle a murder or looking for easy money? The town seems to think nothing of it when men go missing or think they just leave suddenly.

We do see that Ingrid and Nils seem to connect after meeting each other. They seem to take their time getting to know each other and courting. The plot of this story is deep and detailed. The story is done well. It just seems like found out who the killer is quite quickly. It just seems that Nils had to convince Ingrid and the town sheriff or the real killer and not the one they keep pulling in to question.

There are some surprises when it is all revealed and solved. Though there is still a twist at the end as well. There seem to be a mystery and lots of crimes. This is good in the sense that it tells some history of American crime and historical fiction and crime. It is a true crime. I rate this 4.5 Moons (stars).

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Book Review: The Red Ribbon

Book Title: The Red Ribbon

Author: Pepper D. Basham

Publisher: Barbour Books

Publish Date: 10/1/2020 (256 Pages, E-Book)

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, True Crime, History,

Series: True Colors #8

An Appalachian Feud Blows Up in 1912
 
Step into True Colors -- a new series of Historical Stories of Romance and American Crime
 
In Carroll County, a corn shucking is the social event of the season, until a mischievous kiss leads to one of the biggest tragedies in Virginia history. Ava Burcham isn’t your typical Blue Ridge Mountain girl. She has a bad habit of courtin’ trouble, and her curiosity has opened a rift in the middle of a feud between politicians and would-be outlaws, the Allen family. Ava’s tenacious desire to find a story worth reporting may land her and her best friend, Jeremiah Sutphin, into more trouble than either of them planned. The end result? The Hillsville Courthouse Massacre of 1912.

Declaimer: "I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review." All reviews written are my own and honest.

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If you want to find some crime stories to read. This book can help with the craze. This series also will help with your craze for crime and historical events. This book is called The Red Ribbon. It deals with historical events evolved around clans and the courthouse tragedy in one county.

This story is slow when you begin. Though, it does get better as you read. The plot is more interesting once the action starts. The main characters are a bit interesting. The clans are more telling. Hearing about the story of a father's death and how it connected in the book. It brings out the more about the historical events of the true crimes and what happens at the courthouse that triggers it all.

If you are a historical fiction fan or crime fan this book, is for you. I hope you have the heart to take all the death and crime that takes place. Ava and Jeremiah seem to be pulled into trouble that may have all started with a kiss. But who kiss starts a feud between families and clans? Ava story reporting that starts it when there a rift. What may have brought on a courthouse massacre?

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Book Review: The Black Midnight

Book Title: The Black Midnight

Author: Kathleen Y'Barbo

Publisher: Barbour Publishing

Publisher Date: August 1, 2020 (256 Pages, E-ARC, E-Book)

Genres: True Crime, Crime, Historical Fiction, England, USA, Mystery

Series: True Colors #7

Two Series of Murders Seem Mysteriously Connected
Step into True Colors -- a series of Historical Stories of Romance and American Crime

Could a series of murders in London in 1889 be related to unsolved murders in Austin, Texas, 1884? Queen Victoria wants to know and asks her granddaughter—who left the queen’s good graces by going off to America to become a Pinkerton agent—to quietly look for any connection. The catch is the queen doesn’t want her to do it alone. Alice Anne must find her former Pinkerton agent partner—now an attorney in Austin—and enlist him in the hunt. As the pair get closer to finding their suspect, their lives become endangered, but they refuse to be intimidated. Can this case be solved?

Discliamer: I received a complimentary E-ARC copy of this book from Netgalley and Barbour Publishing for an honest review and was under no obligation to post a review.

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If you are a history lover and enjoy England, you will enjoy this book. Well, you will get a bit of a tour of London. Though we start in Austin, Texas. We are introduced to every strong Pinkerton detective and her partner. We seem to have unsolved murders in Texas. But our detectives seem to be quite busy otherwise while chasing down a killer.

Will Annie and her partner Isaiah solve the murders in Austin and London? Will they find the killer that is killing women in their beds in Austin and the connection with the killing in London? The queen seems to want her great-granddaughter to look into them with her friend from Texas.

The pages will make you want to read until the last page. You will be on your toes and turning or sliding your pages up reading until the end. Is the killer Jack the Ripper, or is it someone else? You will be trying to guess and figure out along with the Pinkerton detectives in their investigations.

I felt like I was investigating along with them trying to find the killer of the mysterious deaths. You do get pulled into experience the London along the way. Who or What is the Black Midnight? Is the Midnight Assassin the same person as The Black Midnight or Jack the Ripper?

All fans of historical fiction and crime will love this book and the series. It had me wanting more. It is in does go into details about investigations but not a lot into the deaths of killings. This is good in that way. What does the Prince want with his daughter? Why is he trying to bring his daughter home? Who is Annie Walters? Will she give herself away? What up with Cameron Blake and his reporting. Some entertaining story plots are going on. We go on as adventure with this one.

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Book Review: The Green Dress by Liz Tolsma

Book Title: The Green Dress

Author: Liz Tolsma

Publisher: Barbour Books

Publish Date: 6/1/2020 / Early Release Date 5/20/20 (256 Pages,E-Book)

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, True Crime, History,

Series: True Colors #6

Fiction Based on Strange, But True, History
True, riveting stories of American criminal activity are explored through a unique stories of historical romantic suspense. Collect them all and be inspired by the hope that always finds its way even in the darkest of times.

When Harriet Peters came to Boston in 1882, the Robinson family took her in like one of their own, and Harriet became closer to Lizzie Robinson than her own siblings. Now, four years later, Lizzie is deathly sick, failing quickly just like several others in her family have done over the past few years. How can so many in one family die from the same mysterious illness? Harriet doesn’t have answers, but she is determined to help the family, bringing in a new-to-the-neighborhood doctor, Michael Wheaton.
As Harriet and Michael close in on the answer, putting their own lives at risk, can the cause be found before anyone else dies?

Declaimer: "I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review." All reviews written are my own and honest.

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The Green Dress is about a woman who is staying with the Robinson family. There seem to be strange illnesses or deaths occur. It seems to be about a woman named Sarah Jane Robinson. What is going on in the house is strange.

Harriet seems to bring in a Dr. Weaton. She moved into the Robinson family household but things seem to happen more once Lizzie passes away. But we do not know who it is. As the story goes on and more death occurs. The suspicions rise. Who is killing the Robinson family members and why?

The author does a wonderful job of having you trying to figure out the culprit. You get a history of some of the members. What a way to show some true colors in some folks. This story has you wanting to turn the pages and rooting for the heroes to save the day. You are pulled in emotionally as well. I was guessing Dr. Beers or even Mrs. Robinson. Can Michael and Harriet save the Robinson family members or will it all go bad?

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The Abduction of Nelly Don by Parrice Williams Marks

Book Title: The Abduction of Nelly Don
Author: Patrice Williams Marks
Publisher: Circa Publishing
Publish Date: July 2, 2015 (252 Pages, e-books)
Genres: 1930s, book, Gangsters, thriller, true crime, true story, Non Fiction, Mystery
Disclaimer: I received this from Circa Publishing on Tomoson site for an honesty review
Description: Based on a True Story:

It’s December 17, 1931. Millionaire fashion designer, Nell Donnelly, has just left her factory, accompanied by her driver, George. She is on her way home to care for her sick infant son, David. She’s worked extremely hard to get to where she is today. From sewing dresses in a spare room, to a factory filled with over one-thousand employees, Nelly has achieved success by any measure.

But these are desperate times. The Great Depression, the effects of the Dust Bowl, has a chokehold on even decent men. Kidnappings are becoming commonplace, with only the more high-profile making the papers.

While pulling into her estate’s driveway, armed men block Nelly’s car and take her by force. There are unexpected casualties. However, Nelly has always had a survival instinct. She uses that instinct to find the right moments to escape her captors. But it is more complicated and dangerous than she could ever imagine.

Captain Harrison, a copper who needs to redeem himself, makes this case his priority. Her philandering husband Paul, rallies their employees in an effort to find her. Neither of these efforts, on their own, bring Nelly back.

Senator Reed, a powerful ally and friend of the Donnellys’, personally steps in to lead the investigation. He was unable to help a close friend, whose son was kidnapped and murdered. He is not used to failure and decides to take extraordinary steps to rescue Nelly. These steps cross him over to the other side. He elicits the support of two Kansas City crime bosses; both requiring quid pro quo in return. This deal with two devils may very well be Reed’s downfall.

Twenty-five car loads of hardened gangsters are unleashed and spread out over Kansas City in search of Nell Donnelly. Will their involvement lead to finding her alive, or lead to her demise?

What a story this turned out to be. You see how a woman had to work and get up in the world. Though most of this deal on kidnapping, You see what it like in 1930's. It more crime and Mystery of who is creating all the mayhem.

A Senator wanted to help a close friend and son. Though when he could not help them. He get another chance. Will he do everything to find Nelly Don? You learn and get twist and surprises around every corner.

As you read, you are wondering who is it is? You will want to know why? It get you to want read until you get to last page. Though for me It only held my interest. Though it a great. I say it an 4 to a 4.5 rating.

If you are a reader of crime and / or mystery. This may be a book for you.

Entry-Form

Author, Screenwriter, Playwright

I’ve been a writer since age 6 when I pinned the wildly successful (in my own mind) THE DAY SNOOPY GOT MARRIED. My teacher at Nunaka Valley Elementary School was so impressed that she shared it with the entire school staff. Unfortunately, I never got it back!

I’ve written over 10 screenplays; some of which have been optioned. Hoping one will make it to the big screen some day. I envision Universal’s spinning globe, with its majestic horns announcing the opening of the film … my film. Gives me chills.

I’ve also written and directed a few short films, “STRINGER,” about a rogue photog on the edge of a nervous breakdown, and “F-HARMONY”; a funny spin on the dating site with an unexpected twist at the end. I’ve written and produced a short stage play, as well as founded “two film festivals. I’ve also written over ten screenplays; with two of them being optioned.

But after reading short stories from Derek Haas’ (bad-ass, big time screenwriter and producer/creator of Chicago Fire) website, aptly called “Popcorn Fiction,” (where he features short stories from writers), I decided to give it a go.

I came up the idea of marrying 1940’s Film Noir with Sci-Fi and ended up with “The Unfinished.” Love the idea of taking a character out of one world and implanting them in another… known as “fish out of water” story.

I’m also all about sharing what I’ve learned with people. Not only do I write fiction, but HOW TO books as well such as HACKING KICKSTARTER, INDIEGOGO: How to Raise Big Bucks in 30 Days, as well as WANT TOP CASH FOR YOUR GOLD?

But the novel I am currently working on, THE ABDUCTION OF NELLY DON, has me so excited as the release date is almost upon me.

Your feedback is always welcome, so please feel free to contact me!
Contact the Author: Facebook / Twitter / Youtube / Goodreads / Bloglovin / Website 

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