Taming Lady Temperance by Karen Witemeyer

 

Taming Lady Temperance was a wonderful western mystery/romance set in 1894 Albany, TX.  I especially enjoyed  Deputy James Paxton, who was beyond reproach when it came to the law.  He was also kind, tender, and his budding romance with Noreen O'Sullivan was pleasant to watch develop.  He has an incredibly keen mind for solving criminal mysteries.
Noreen is a survivor of abuse and therefore has zero tolerance for alcohol. At twenty-seven, she is invited into a secret society.
Very well written with plenty of faith moments. 

Quoteable: "We chose forget-me-nots because we wanted an emblem signifying that you are not forgotten. Not overlooked. Not unappreciated. Each of us was created for a specific purpose, one not tied to marriage and the production of children. Our Lord has not forgotten us, and we will not forget each other."
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I received this eVersion from the publisher and NetGalley without expectation or compensation.  All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

Expected Pub. 2/17/26

Read: 11/30-12/2/2025

📚2025 GoodReads Reading Challenge #217 Until next time,

Whispers at Painswick Court by Julie Klassen

 

Whispers at Painswick Court © 12/2/2025 by Julie Klassen Published by Bethany House

Gloucestershire, 1821 

Twenty-seven-year-old Miss Anne Loveday decides to escape an unfulfilled life for a time and accepts an invitation to stay with a spinster friend of her mother's in Painswick. That decision opens the door to a most unexpected and mysterious drama, full of family secrets, harmful intent, and medical points of interest. I was so fully engrossed in this tale and highly suspicious of several characters.  

I enjoyed Anne's character and her growing maturity, as well as her keen mind. 

I stayed up until midnight,  finishing it in one setting. 

I highly recommend this gothic, Regency romance. It is more mystery than romance, I would say. Faith is gently woven into the background of the story. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I received this eVersion from the publisher and NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation. 

Read 11/30/2025

📚 2025 Reading Challenge #216

Whispers at Painswick Court © 12/2/2025 by Julie Klassen Published by Bethany House Until next time, Hugs and a cup of Christmas tea!