The Secret of Emerald Cottage by Julie Lessman

 

DESCRIPTION

She’s sweet & cozy mysteries. He’s fun & cozy flings.
Till a deadly secret reveals not-so-cozy things.

          Twenty-five-year-old Molly Stewart—ex-Navy nurse and former evidence technician for the Charleston Police Department—has been burned by love. So when her friend, Pastor Chase Griffin, begs her to move to scenic Lake Loon to be a nurse and companion for Miss Lilly, his elderly landlady, she jumps at the chance. The secluded and cozy cottage on a clear mountain lake seems the perfect place to heal from her fiancé’s betrayal as well as indulge in one of her greatest passions—cozy romance. First with reading them by the bookcase and then hopefully, if dreams come true, writing and solving them one day as an author and detective. But when Miss Lilly’s estranged great nephew shows up, it’s no mystery as to why he and Molly butt heads. Because it only takes one stolen kiss—while she’s sleeping, no less—to discover he’s an even bigger player than the ex-fiancé who broke her heart.

          When international playboy and Irish soccer star Brec McGill learns his long-lost great aunt is in a coma from a drowning accident, he rushes to her side. Not only is he anxious to reconnect with his only living relative he spent summers with as a boy, but her cottage on Lake Loon, Georgia is the perfect respite to heal from game injuries and escape a tabloid scandal. At thirty-three he’s disillusioned with the game, his fiancée, and life in general, craving nothing but a little peace and solitude to get his head on straight. But when he discovers his aunt’s cottage is not only inhabited by a crusty Aunt Lilly he hasn’t seen in years, but a pretty prude of a nurse as well, his plans take a nose-dive in the lake. Because suddenly it appears not only was Aunt Lilly’s accident no accident … but somebody out there wants to see them all dead.

MY REVIEW

Julie Lessman writing a mystery?! What?! I had my doubts that the "Kissing Queen" could pull it off, but I tell ya, there should never have been a doubt where this author is concerned! She can write y'all!! With 50% focus on romance and 50% focus on mystery The Secret of Emerald Cottage was a very entertaining/exciting read. Not only did my pulse get racing because of the steamy kissing, but a couple of suspenseful scenes had me holding my breath in anxiety, racing through the pages to find out what happens. I loved Molly and Brec as a couple. I loved Molly's desire to uphold her relationship with the Lord even through her attraction to Brec who wanted nothing to do with Him. I loved the message of "The truth shall set you free" throughout the whole book. As always, the message of redemption, forgiveness, and grace from the Father above was written throughout the story and made the characters struggles and triumphs relatable. For those that are used to Julie Lessman's romance novels I urge you not to hesitate grabbing this one! You will not be disappointed!

CONTEST!! 

Want to win a $50 Amazon gift card, a signed paperback of The Secret of Emerald Cottage (or choice of Julie Lessman's books), a character named for you or a loved one (great birthday/Christmas gift!) in her next book, A Hope and a Prayer, which releases early next spring and a signed paperback of that book? Just head on over to JULIE LESSMAN’S BLOG for all the details and GOOD LUCK!