If you loved the first Blackfriars Lane book, are a fan of Murdock Mysteries, and prefer a hint of romance with your detective novels, this book is for you! In The Bride of Blackfriars Lane, Michelle Griep takes readers on another wonderful adventure with Jackson and Kit. I loved the opportunity to revisit these familiar characters and to see their story progress. While the two do grapple with some communication issues, they learn and grow so much throughout the story. Overall, this was a fun Victorian read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

*Thank you to Michelle Griep, Barbour Publishing and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

An exquisite story that takes the reader on a wonderful adventure! The romance was written in such a fun way that it kept me hanging by a thread. The cases that Kit and Jackson worked on had me on the edge of my seat the whole book. The danger and action was exciting not to mention it keeps the reader guessing trying to figure out who committed the crime. This is such a fun read that it was so hard to put the book down for even a moment. If you want an adventure that has so many twist and turns along with a romance that keeps your heart pounding this is definitely a book for you!
Was given a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Net Galley and the author for allowing me to read this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Where to begin, as I never read the first book of the series, I was fairly impressed with how easy it was to understand the characters and their relationship to one another. I had actually thought this was a standalone novel, and it actually can be read that way, which brings me to the purely well written prose the author displayed in her novel. I am fairly new to Ms. Griep's work, and this did not disappoint as a well written narrative with engaging characters that must work together to plan for a wedding whilst handling side missions.

It's absolutely stunning to read a book with characters that balance one another so well and bring out the best in one another. With a perfect balance of mystery, romance, and twists--it makes the reader wonder if these two will make it to the altar at all.

I believe this has been the best romance novel I've read so far this year and I gladly and happily bestow it with a 4.5 out 5 stars. Magnificent storytelling Ms. Griep, I hope to be able to read more of our works!

What a delightful book! I can imagine that the author had a lot of fun writing this! I really enjoyed the setting in 1885 in London with Constable Jackson Forge and his bride-to-be Kit Turner, trying to keep law and order in such cleverand street-smart ways. The wedding gift Kit wants to give Jackson is perfect, but perfectly hard to get. The whole situation was creative and fun!
I appreciate being able to read this book from NetGalley and Barbour Publishing, and the opinions expressed are my own.

Really loved this story about Kit and Jackson, I wish I had read the first book in the series first, but that made this one no less entertaining. Both of the main characters had a lot to learn about themselves and each other and that was accomplished in this book. The mystery had plenty of twists and turns that kept the story interesting. 5 stars.

This is the second book of this series and after reading this book, I wish I had read the first book. This book was so interesting and I would have loved to see how it had all started with these interesting characters. Witty and adventurous as is Griep's trademark in this riveting tale. On the streets of London she has painted a web of intrigue with romance and mystery. Jackson and Kit face nonstop danger as they try to solve several mysteries. Mysteries that are detrimental to their engagement. Will their love survive these events? Can't wait for the next book in these series....Thanks to Barbour for allowing me to read and review this great book.

Kit Turner and Jackson Forge are at it again in The Bride of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep. With a setting in London in 1885, this sequel of The Thief of Blackfriars Lane has the loving couple at odds with each other when Kit fails to show up for their wedding. Griep’s skill at writing witty banter and imaginative scenes shines throughout the book. Colorful characters and crazy adventures abound to keep the reader amused and captivated.

“Kit Turner could talk a bandy-legged pirate into donning a white robe and joining a cathedral choir, such was her silver tongue—just one of the many reasons he admired the fiery woman.”
“But anyone can change, Jackson. By God’s grace, who we are today is not who we will become.”

With plenty of action, adventure, suspense, romance, and a dash of inspiration, this tale kept me turning the pages and rooting for Kit and Jackson. 4.5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing. All opinions are my own.

The Bride of Blackfriars is an action packed romp through the back streets of Victorian London. This is a side of London not usually written about in romantic novels. The second in the series, this finds Jackson and Kit ready to be married but their desire to right wrongs and misunderstandings derail their nuptials.
Kit is spunky, resourceful, curious and stubborn, while Jackson is smart, steady, devoted and equally as stubborn. Their match is unlikely but perfect.
The book is witty and charming. There are many twist and turns, mysteries to solve and secrets on the way. The characters learn many lessons in faith, love and reliance on God.
This author is so talented in pulling off a suspenseful adventure with two already betrothed characters that kept pace with so many moving parts. Well done!
Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read this book. The opinions are entirely my own.

About this book:

“The Continuing Adventure of Jackson and Kit!
Detective Jackson Forge can hardly wait to marry the street-sly swindler who’s turned his life upside down. Kit Turner is equally excited to wed the handsome detective, and what better way to show her love than providing him with a gift any man of the law would love? She determines to bring to justice the men who years ago maimed his brother—despite Jackson’s warning to leave the past in the past. As she digs into the mystery of what happened, she unwittingly tumbles into her own history and endangers her future happiness with Jackson.”


Series: Book #2 in the “Blackfriars Lane” series. (Possibly a duology as this is the sequel to “The Thief of Blackfriars Lane”, review Here!)


Spiritual Content- Prayers & Thanking God; Church going, sermon, & benediction; Talks about God, hope, forgiving, & justice being in His hands; 'H's are capital when referring to God; Mentions of God; Mentions of prayers, praying, & thanking God; Mentions of churches, church going, sermons, choirs, & vicars/reverends; Mentions of blessings & being blessed; A few mentions of those & events in the Bible; A few mentions of a prayer book; A few mentions of Heaven, eternity, & eternal rest; A couple mentions of sins; A mention of the Saviour’s crown of thorns; A mention of Godspeed; A mention of spiritual counseling; A mention of a nun;
*Note: Phrases like: ‘saints above!’ (x1), ‘by all that was holy’ (x1), and ‘by all that was right and good!’ (x1) are said or exclaimed; Mentions of devils (regarding calling others a devil, making decisions, calling rats little devils, Jackson calling cucumbers a green demon, and making peace with a demon); Mentions of demons tormenting someone; Mentions of hellfire clubs & their rituals bordering on the occult (including a “prayer” and when they ask Jackson if he’d like to join, he says yes but thinks in his head that it’ll only be for the night and asks God to forgive him); A couple mentions of Jackson’s devil-may-care hair & Kit’s devil-may-care recklessness; A mention of questioning the devil himself for some answers; A mention of a gaze that would make the devil himself and confess; A mention of the possibility of the name of a place opening the cage of demons; A mention of a man being in the pit of hell; A mention of a branding iron being as red as the flames of hell; A mention of the ungodly weight on someone’s shoulders; A mention of a man saying that the bottle (drinking) was his salvation; A mention of making yourself a god (*Spoiler* [Kit realizes she’s done this to Jackson in regards of only telling him what she thinks he should know *End of Spoiler* (hide spoiler)]); A mention of a statue of a Greek goddess.


Negative Content- Minor cussing (& British exclamations) including: a ‘bloomin’’, a ‘bosh!’, a ‘cod’s heads!’, a ‘fiddlesticks!’, a ‘goodness and light!’, a ‘hang it all’, a ‘heaven and earth!’, a ‘hounds a’fire!’, a ‘pish-posh’, a ‘rot!’, a ‘scab-nippity!’, a ‘stars and banners!’, a ‘stars and glory!’, a ‘what a load of balderdash’, a ‘what the blazes’, two ‘botheration’s, two forms of ‘caring a fig’, two ‘egad!’s, two ‘gads!’s, two ‘kipes!’s, two ‘pah!’s, two ‘posh’s, two ‘scads!’s, two forms of ‘stupid’, two ‘thunder and turf!’s, three ‘blasted’s, three ‘dash and rot’, four forms ‘blast it/blast *someone’s name*’, four ‘drat’, four ‘pish’s, four ‘thunderation’s, five ‘bah’s, six ‘what/why the deuce’s, seven ‘how/what/why the devil’s, and ten forms of ‘dash it all/dash *someone’s name*’; Mentions of curses (said, not written); A bit of eye rolling; Seeing a death by a wagon wheel (blunt, barely-above-not-detailed); Lots of Fighting, Knocking others out, Being held at knife-point, Being choked, Pain, Injuries, Blood/Bleeding, & Blacking out (up to semi-detailed); An explosion & pain (up to semi-detailed); Threatening harm against another; Close calls with alligators, a viper, & rats (up to semi-detailed); Jackson is forced to drink goldfish & is paddled on his backside (up to semi-detailed); Kit feels guilt for a making up a story in the pursuit of justice (she thinks that Jackson and probably God as well would not approve of such means to an end); Jackson later lies about his identity for a plan and doesn’t like doing so; Seeing others drinking (up to semi-detailed); All about many mentions of thieves, thefts, stealing, & stolen items; Many mentions of murders, accidental murders, deaths, how they happened, & finding a skeleton (up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of fighting, fights, pain, injuries, & blood/bleeding (up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of lies, lying, liars, & deception; Mentions of suicides, how they happened, hangings, & bodies/corpses (including Kit wondering if these emotions were why her mother committed suicide, *Spoiler* [ It’s revealed towards the end that her mother didn’t commit suicide but passed away after birth complications while being locked up *End of Spoiler* (hide spoiler)], up to semi-detailed); Mentions of the possibilities of getting stabbed, shot, or thrown into a river with your hands tied; Mentions of a brutal beating that left a young man not the same (mentally), other children being beaten up, & the bullies; Mentions of an abduction/kidnapping, ransom, deaths, & the possibility of a spouse planning it for the insurance money (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of prisons, prisoners, arrests, gangs/mobs, thugs, criminals, crime scenes, & crimes; Mentions of grave robbers; Mentions of an explosion, explosives, & a gas leak; Mentions of threats; Mentions of a men’s club’s rituals of being paddled on the bum (Kit thinks of it as perverse), being branded by a hot iron, drinking champagne with goldfish in it, & possibly drinking monkey’s blood (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of alcohol, drinking, & drunks (including side characters drinking); Mentions of smoking, pipes, & tobacco (including a suggestion to smoke to keep away mosquitoes); Mentions of gambling & swindling those with money; A few mentions of a young boy slipping rat poison into his father’s drink & killing him; A few mentions of fires & deaths; A few mentions of hired killers/assassins; A few mentions of a husband beating his wife and child when drunk; A few mentions of a snake bite (barely-above-not-detailed); A few mentions of manure, urine, & a man soiling his trousers A few mentions of dog & chicken fights; A couple mentions of evil men forcing little boys into slavery; A couple mentions of opium dens; A couple mentions of gossip; A mention of starvation;
*Note: Some rude comments from others towards a man who has mental disabilities; A mention of animal magnetism.


Sexual Content- An almost hand kiss, three (barely-above-not-detailed) hand/wrist kisses, two cheek kisses, two head kisses, three barely-above-not-detailed kisses, a border-line semi-detailed // detailed kiss, and a detailed kiss; Recalling kisses & embraces (barely-above-not-detailed); Wanting to kiss (barely-above-not-detailed); Touches, Embraces, Snuggling, Nearness, & Hand holding (up to semi-detailed); Noticing & Smelling (including curves and muscles, border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed); Kit wonders about their upcoming wedding night (this part mentions about Jackson removing her dress and her not being sure about “men and their needs, what should or shouldn’t happen on a first night together” other than what’s she’s heard on the streets; also a comment from Jackson that he’s looking forward to “finishing what he started” and that her virtue is safe with him until they’re married); Three men lustfully ogle Kit, stare at her body and bodice in an uncomfortable way, & try to proposition her (one keeps touching her hands and knee & gives her a hand kiss; the second touches her thigh, he says he would like to see a more of her (implied in a sexual way) and she asks if he’d like to see “bit o’ skin” and then threatens him with a knife; and the third one says that she would change her mind about men after “a tumble” with him); Mentions of men paying attention to Kit in an unwanted and lustfully way; Mentions of brothels, prostitutes/strumpets, their “services”, mistresses, & men wanting a certain woman for his “personal pleasure”; Mentions of kisses & kissing; A few mentions of a Jackson’s desire and longing for Kit; A few mentions of chasing skirts (women) or referring to a woman as a skirt (instead of her name); A couple mentions of flirting; A couple mentions of a young girl probably being propositioned by men with lust and greed; A couple mentions of doxies; A couple mentions of feminine wiles; A mention of a possible out-of-wedlock pregnancy; A mention of a man telling Jackson to marry Kit and bed her; A mention of the weather being like “a mistress, calling seductively to lovers”; A mention of dalliances being saved for after a wedding; A mention of a married man calling his wife a cow and that she knows nothing of his dalliances; A mention of a wife lying in her husband’s arms in their bed; A mention of wondering if a man has a penchant for fine women; A mention of jealousy; Love, being in love, & the emotions;
*Note: Kit says she won’t be dominated like a common scullery maid by her husband & does not like the “obedience card” that Jackson brings up about a wife vowing to honor and obey her husband; A few mentions of a mother passing away after birth complications (barely-above-not-detailed); A mention of the Elephant Boys’ name denoting the fact they were all male members; A mention of a punch to a man’s nether region; A mention of twisted men at a hellfire club wanting Jackson to wear a pair of knickers with a red target on the backside.

-Katherine “Kit” Turner
-Jackson Forge
P.O.V. switches between them
Set in 1885 (Final Chapter set in 1886)
320 pages

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Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- One Star (and a half)
Older High School Teens- Two Stars
My personal Rating- Two Stars

Like many books I’ve read lately, I have many thoughts and am not sure where to start.

I think I could summarize that this book simply wasn’t for me because of the romantic angst. I never thought I would say that about a book—especially the sequel to a book I mostly enjoyed, but here we are.

Content wise, it was about the same as the first book (with a lot less noticing of the other’s physical attributes but about the same with men propositioning Kit), but the murders and crimes felt heavier to me. Perhaps that’s because it was and there were more sensitive parts regarding those elements to play on my heartstrings.

If you read and enjoyed the first book tremendously, you would probably be okay with the content found it this one.

I, however, was quite frustrated with the lack of communication between Kit & Jackson. They are to be married and are so in love, but an important element for the first third of the book is them trying to understand the other and what a marriage-life will be like for them. The first bit of the story, I was finding the difference enjoyable. They weren’t falling back on the oh-so-common “we’re in love, so our differences don’t matter” thread I see often between two characters of very different upbringings and viewpoints in books. It was fascinating to see, for the first third of the book. But then harsh words are spoken and I was full of angst for nearly the entire rest of the story. This was my main problem with this book. And I’m really quite sad about it. I honestly wanted to lock the two of them in a room and make them talk and quit being petty towards the other! Their pride and stubbornness took over the story and honestly ruined this sequel for me, sadly.


Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...



*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Barbour) for this honest review.

I have not had the opportunity to read many works by Michelle Griep, so I was thrilled to find this book up for review. I had seen it recommended by other readers and authors, so I wanted to see what the excitement was about. This book did not disappoint! I have not read the book that precedes this one, and although I really want to know the backstory for these main characters, this story stood well on its own, too. The two main characters, Kit and Jackson, are opposites in many ways, but they both have the same heart of loyalty, love, and compassion for others. Kit is less familiar with the finer side of life as well as faith in God. Jackson comes from a more traditional family background and seems to have a deep faith. Kit and Jackson seem to be in one scrape after another as they investigate crimes and care for their friends from the Blackfriars neighborhood. Communication is difficult between the two of them throughout this story, and I enjoyed reading through the growth that they both experience - personally, professionally, and spiritually. The twists and turns in this story had me changing my plot predictions up to the very last page. I thoroughly enjoyed the accurate history portrayed throughout the book, as well as the historical facts to explain details at the end of the book. I loved the great variety of characters and the very real feel that each one has throughout the story. I highly recommend this book if you like a little mystery, a little history, a little suspense, and a lot of great plot!

I requested and received a copy of this book for review, but the opinions expressed here are wholly my own.

Why I like this book: Very few authors can write a sequel with the same characters as the first novel but Griep does a fantastic job!

Type of Book: Historical London, 1885

Overall: Why this story works:
Multiple character arcs blended with a solid plot line(s). Each main character is working out their own story and their stories blend together so beautifully. So, we have excellent characters, solid plot, believable arcs because the characters are realistic and relatable. The character's goals, motivations, and conflict--along with their highs and lows--flow together like a resonating harmony to move the story along. Well done!
From Inciting Event to each door the characters walk through, we are carried seamlessly from one point into the next with an ending that fits so perfectly with the story and characters.
Let's talk about the setting. I love the setting of Blackfriers--it offers a dynamic range of characters available to interact with our main characters. It truly is a character of its own.
Excellent pacing; clean, tight writing; great dialog. Griep makes you feel like you are there in Blackfriars and her writing keeps you there.

Favorite quote: Griep is great with descriptions: "The question hung between them like a cobweb, one she'd rather not touch, for it would be hard to shake off."

Bookshelf worthy? Absolutely. A full five stars.

Teenability: Acceptable for a teen read, but every teen is different. Here is the most "romantic" scene I came across: "His lips came down hard. Fast. Consuming her in ways that drove any doubt she might have into oblivion. Or was that her own hunger that kissed with such passion? Either way, she melted against him, giving back as much as she took. By the time he pulled away, she was breathless, and he was smug." So, if you've experienced it, you can picture it. But this is in no way explicit.


*I received a copy of this book in advance for the purpose of review. Thank you and Barbour and Netgalley for the advance copy read. The opinions here are my honest thoughts.

Book: The Bride of Blackfriars Lane (book 2 in series)
Author: Michelle Griep
Publisher: Barbour Publishing
Publishing Date: 9/1/2022
ISBN:9781636092683
BISAC Category:FICTION / Christian/Romance
Page Count: 320

Michelle Griep’s stories never disappoint, and The Bride of Blackfriars Lane, is no exception. She keeps her readers hopping, eager to see what happens next.
Saucy and brassy Kit Turner has faced her share of challenges. And always she comes out the winner. Until she tumbles—literally—into a mess she can’t quite get to the bottom of. One which also goes against her future husband’s wishes. And threatens their future marriage—and her whole world.
Jackson Forge holds a more traditional view of a woman’s role, even though he’s well familiar with Kit’s wiles. When he can’t rein her in (which infuriates Kit) he begins to question their entire relationship—and threatens their upcoming nuptials.
Not only are the characters intriguing and the setting vivid, but the story is compelling, taking the reader on a journey as twisted and convoluted as the streets and alleys of London. A journey of love and compromise and self-discovery.

ROBIN’S FEATHERS
ALL | THE | FEATHERS!

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was under no obligation to read the book or to post a review. I offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my honest thoughts and reaction to this book.

#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day, #TRD, Book Review, The Bride of Blackfriars Lane, Michelle Griep, The Thief of Blackfriars Lane

I’m a big fan of Michelle Griep, so when I saw this book I said absolutely I want to read. Great author, and a wonderful story with characters you want to read about!

I just reviewed The Bride of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep. #TheBrideofBlackfriarsLane #NetGalley

I have read other books by Michelle Griep so I was sure I would enjoy this book when offered by CelebrateLit. I was not disappointed.

This is the 2nd book in the series, and sadly, I did not read the first book. I wish I had, but it doesn't take away from reading this out of order. You are given enough information to let you know how Kit and Jackson met.



Michelle Griep is very good at painting word pictures. It is easy to picture what their lives were like and the setting of the story. This is part mystery and part love story. I am happy to say I did not fully figure out the ending.



The story flowed well and there were only one or two errors in the ARC copy I was given. The main characters were very well developed and the minor characters were also.

I give this a 4 out of 5-star rating and would recommend this book to any who enjoys clean, historical fiction.



I was given an ARC of this book through CelebrateLit and this review is freely given and my own thoughts.

Review for the Bride of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep

4/5 stars

When I read The Thief of Blackfriars Lane, I fell in love with the characters, Kit and Jackson were so much fun to read. Their banter and the way they came together just made for an enjoyable story. I was stoked when I found out about the sequel.

While I was fully immersed in book one from the get go, It took me a bit to really get into the story in the sequel. While Kit and Jackson still had that lovely banter and wit from book 1, they went from misunderstanding to misunderstanding and just overall struggling with communicating. It was hard to enjoy it when a good chunk of the story was just them having a misunderstanding.

The storyline was great! Griep does mystery and suspense really well and I spent the whole book trying to figure things out but still being completely surprised by the end! I’m not much of a mystery/suspense plot person (unless there’s romance! :) ) but on this particular story, I was more invested in the mystery than I was in the romance. After a while, Kit and Jackson just got in my nerves a little bit with the miscommunication and going their own ways. I would have enjoyed it a lot more to see them working together to solve the mystery and further develop that “detectives in action” feeling. Although, I will say, throughout the book Jackson gained more confidence in who he was, which I loved, and Kit grew into her faith. The theme of faith in this book, I loved. Michelle Griep does a wonderful job of weaving faith and God’s love in all her stories and that’s one of my favorite parts of her writing.

Overall, the storyline itself was very fun to read and I enjoyed how each small mystery led to the big reveal. I had a hard time with Kit and Jackson this time around. They were so fun together in the first book! I was expecting a little more of that. It felt a bit disappointing, them not working together. You can have your differences and still work together!

Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for providing me with an advanced reader copy for my honest read and review.

I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Kit Turner and Jackson Forge in The Thief of Blackfrairs Lane, so I was eager for the next installment of their adventures, and The Bride of Blackfriars Lane delivered! The second book in the series picked up soon after the first book's conclusion so readers should definitely read these in order.

Constable Jackson and his fiance Kit work together to investigate crimes in 1885 London. In between getting themselves into all sorts of dangerous predicaments, they plan to marry and begin the next chapter of their lives. However, on the morning of the ceremony, only one of them is at the altar, but the other has a good reason for their absence. Will they ever say "I do."?

Michelle Griep writes great action scenes that put readers in the "front row" for it all - I'd love to see these novels adapted into a limited TV series. She's also skilled at conveying the muck and mire of the gritty side of London these characters inhabit. The plot includes lots of unsavory people and circumstances, but the author balances it with flashes of humor and a constant thread of faith and God's goodness. Kit and Jackson's backstories are also shared, which helps them feel more fully formed.

The only part of the story I didn't enjoy was the prolonged time Kit and Jackson were at odds with each other; their misunderstandings could've been resolved with a conversation or two. As a result, the middle section of the novel dragged. But the pace picked up in the final quarter, and I was curious about the details of the ending until the final page. Will there be a third book in this series?

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

After the first book, the hope is that Jackson and Kit were on their way to the altar. However, this story starts with challenges that place them at odds. However, they can't just walk away from each other. They care too much and that forces them to interact even as they don't want to. Add layers of mystery and danger and the pages will keep turning as you wonder what the future will hold. An enjoyable story for those who love historical romance laced with challenge and twists and turns.

I had no idea there'd be a sequel to the Thief of Blackfriars Lane but when I saw that there was I was so excited. The characters Kit and Jackson are great and they have gone through a lot together in both books. The writer's books without a doubt make you feel as though you are there experiencing the chock full of action and adventure that the characters are.
So well researched you get an authentic feel for the time period with the background information including speech,clothing types and setting. Well paced Victorian mystery that I had trouble putting down. I'll admit getting frustrated with the characters but I see they did come to their senses. Page turner and as with all of this author's books it's worth more than one read.
Please do yourself a favor and read The Thief of Blackfriars Lane first you will get the needed background to fully enjoy this book.

Pub Date 01 Sep 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

A street-smart former swindler and a justice-minded police inspector. Oh, the turbulent relationship Kit and Jackson have! Kit and Jackson argued a lot in this story. When they try to make amends, they argue some more. But, to their credit, they try again to make things right ... with a bit more arguing thrown in. I can see how they have their differences, but I was secretly (or not so secretly) hoping for a bit more romance and a bit less fighting. Of course, they make up in the end, and that's beautiful and good.

Michelle Griep knows how to turn a phrase! I never cease to enjoy her witty writing style, believable characters, and on-point descriptions. For example, take this witty gem: "A roly-poly sergeant advanced, the brass buttons of his uniform straining to remain in their assigned holes. The man was a walking weapon, in danger of putting someone's eye out should one of those buttons pop loose." 😂

The Bride of Blackfriar's Lane definitely had a murder mystery side story to it as well. I wasn't really expecting that, but the male protagonist is a police inspector, so I probably should've seen it coming. The plot had lots of twists and turns, suspense, and some cool moments where Jackson's savvy in questioning a person of interest showed him things based on their body language, nervous gestures, and as much what wasn't said as what was said.

Speaking of savvy, at one point, Jackson pretends to be Kit's brother in order to gain some information. And his cover name is ... (Drum roll, please!) Will Turner. Will Turner! Shall I type it again with more exclamation points? I am tempted to! 😄 ~Insert pic of Will Turner, A.K.A. Orlando Bloom from Pirates of the Caribbean here!~ (Yes, yes, I supposed I could actually do so. Regardless, insert fan girl squeal here!) Did I find an Easter egg? Was this a nod to Pirates of the Caribbean? Or is this all just a happy coincidence? We may never know!

All in all, this was a fun, romantic, murder-mystery-ish read, and I enjoyed it. I found it a little hard to identify with Kit at times, being so different from her, but Jackson was just great. While I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as some of Michelle's other books, that's probably just because murder mysteries aren't really my cup of tea. I give it 3.5 stars. That said, I'd definitely like to read a third book about Kit and Jackson's adventures in Africa, and hope a third book in the Blackfriar's series might be forthcoming.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Barbour Publishing through NetGalley. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

I enjoyed this one, just sadly not as much as I'd hoped too. It was still a fun read, but after the previous book I had high hopes, and I felt this one fell slightly short of it's potential, and ended up taking a different approach to the story than the previous one had. Still a fun read, but ended up lagging a bit in places do to the differing styles.