Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Review + GIVEAWAY: Whispers in the Reading Room


Whispers in the Reading Room
By Shelley Gray
A Chicago World’s Fair Mystery, #3
Zondervan, 2015


Summary

Lydia's job at the library is her world---until a mysterious patron catches her eye . . . and perhaps her heart.

Just months after the closure of the Chicago World's Fair, librarian Lydia Bancroft finds herself fascinated by a mysterious dark-haired and dark-eyed patron. He has never given her his name; he actually never speaks to a single person. All she knows about him is that he loves books as much as she does.

Only when he rescues her in the lobby of the Hartman Hotel does she discover that his name is Sebastian Marks. She also discovers that he lives at the top of the prestigious hotel and that most everyone in Chicago is intrigued by him.

Lydia and Sebastian form a fragile friendship, but when she discovers that Mr. Marks isn't merely a very wealthy gentleman, but also the proprietor of an infamous saloon and gambling club, she is shocked.

Lydia insists on visiting the club one fateful night and suddenly is a suspect to a murder. She must determine who she can trust, who is innocent, and if Sebastian Marks-the man so many people fear-is actually everything her heart believes him to be.


My thoughts

Every once in a while, a book that is uniquely different appears in the Christian market, and Whispers in the Reading Room is one of those. Lead characters are realistically flawed and complex, the writing sparkles in places, and the historical setting is vividly conveyed. Sebastian, a charismatic leading man, has a questionable career, much of the action takes place in a seedy section of Chicago, there’s a formal style of communicating, and Lydia and Sebastian are total opposites on the surface. Yet friendship is a beautiful theme woven throughout, and while spiritual elements are subtle, they are clearly communicated.

The setting is Chicago during the Gilded Age, 1894, and a major theme revolves around literature. With Chicago’s Lincoln Lending Library as a backdrop, this story holds a natural appeal for readers and I found it fascinating. Nothing about this novel makes it a typical historical romance, and I see it as more of a relationship-driven story with a historical setting – and therein lies its strength. An air of melancholy surrounds Sebastian and I was immediately drawn to this vulnerable leading man who struggles to find his place in society and life. These quotes convey that longing and the gateway he discovered through works of literature . . .


“He went to the library to read for pleasure, to lose himself in the
allure of printed pages without anyone in his world taking note.”

“Austen and Bronte and Wilde taught him to speak. Dickens
taught him about ills . . . and about what he had a hope of being.”

“. . . all of his learning had come from a poor boy’s desire to become something he’d only witnessed in printed pages.”

Lydia was lonely and anxious, weighed down by the responsibility of obtaining a wealthy husband in order to meet her mother’s needs. I loved the growing friendship between this unlikely pair, and the way Lydia made Sebastian desire to be a better man. Self-worth and sacrifice enter into this narrative, as well as how deceptive appearances can be . . . “Just as she feared Sebastian might bolt if he knew her exact address, he feared Lydia would run if she knew how disreputable he actually was.”

Much richness comes through the supporting characters of Vincent, Sebastian’s assistant, and Bridget, his maid. It was great to see not one, but two romances! Although this third story in the series stands alone, readers will enjoy seeing the return of previous characters Sean Ryan and Owen Howard.

The only thing that I found lacking in this otherwise excellent story was the rushed ending. In the last two short chapters, the timeframe jumps ahead by nine days, followed by another week, and storylines are wrapped up with little foundation or development. An excellent story overall, though, one that I have no hesitancy in recommending.


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Shelley Gray is the author of The Heart of a Hero series. Her Amish novel (written as Shelley Shepard Gray), The Protector, recently made the New York Times best seller list. A native of Texas, she earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in Colorado and taught school for ten years. She and her husband have two children and live in Southern Ohio.

Connect with Shelley at shelleyshepardgray.com, Twitter, and Facebook

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.


Litfuse landing page:


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My deepest thanks to Litfuse Publicity for making this giveaway possible!

GIVEAWAY

To enter the drawing for Whispers in the Reading Room, simply leave a comment and then please click on this link to my Facebook post and share. Thank you for visiting my blog and may all of you have a wonderfully blessed Christmas.

BE SURE to leave your name and your email address in a safe format - [at] and [dot] - for the drawing. E-mail required for entry. Contest ends at midnight PST on Tuesday, December 22. Winner will be chosen by Random.org and contacted by e-mail. Respond within 48 hours of notification or another winner will be chosen.

Eligibility: US residents





33 comments:

  1. I am really looking forward to reading this one. Give me a library setting anytime. Thanks for the review and giveaway!

    momrain(AT)aol(DOT)com

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    1. Loraine, I love it when a book stands out in a different way. And I think any serious reader will be caught up in the library setting. It's always good to see you . . . and best wishes in the contest.

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  2. I have read Shelley's Amish books and I love them. Whispers in the Reading Room sounds like a book I would enjoy. The time era around the Chicago World's Fair is always interesting to read about.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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    1. Beth, this is my first read outside of Shelley's Amish fiction genre. She's an excellent writer and I'll be looking for more.

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  3. Sounds very interesting. Nothing like this ever happened while I worked as a librarian.
    tlw131 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. And librarians should not hold their breath waiting for something like this to happen in real life! LOL I hope you get to read this one eventually, Terri, because I'd love to know your thoughts.

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  4. I've added this to my gift list for Christmas. I would love to be able to cross it off by winning one. Thanks for the opportunity. robeader53@yahoo.com

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    1. Love your sense of humor, Robin! I wish you the best in the drawing.

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  5. This one is definitely on my want-to-read list!! I love Shelly's writing although I've only read her Amish books. I think this sounds like a delightful change from her norm! Thanks for the chance to win a copy of "Whispers in the Reading Room"

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Trixi, this is the first book I've read outside of Shelley's Amish fiction. She's just a good writer and I'll be looking for more. Although this is the final book in a series, it stands alone.

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  6. Sounds like a great one!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. Melanie girl, it is a great one - at least to me. Thanks for stopping by.

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  7. I have never read any of Shelly's books but this one sounds very intriguing. I am definitely adding it to my to be read list. My email is phoneticpanda (at)gmail (dot)com

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    1. Kathy, it's the last book in a series, but definitely stands alone. This is the first book I've read outside of Shelley's Amish fiction genre and it was very refreshing. Best wishes in the drawing, Kathy.

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  8. I'm glad I found your blog! What a great review. I have never heard of this book. It sounds intriguing. Have a Merry Christmss.
    Sarahsmithstorm@gmaildotcom

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    1. I'm glad you discovered my blog too, Sarah, and thanks so much for your comments. I think some of the book professionals encouraged Shelley to make some changes, but she felt strongly about what she had written and refused. Some gems can be found in Christian fiction, but a lot of it is similar. So glad for the refreshing uniqueness of Shelley's story. Glad to meet you and please come back, Sarah.

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  9. Oh my the book sounds intriguing and I enjoyed your comments for your review. It is nice to have a "out of the norm" in genres, and yes that includes Christian. I love your page and introduction to authors and their books. Merry Christmas and best wishes in 2016.
    Redrabbitt (at) aol (dot) com

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  10. Even though it's fictional, I love the idea of a story set in Chicago. Both my husband and I have ancestors who were in Chicago at the time of the World's Fair, so I'd love to know more about what it was like to live there at the time! mylittlebirdie (at) yahoo dot com

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    1. With your family history, Karen, this story would be even more meaningful. Thank you for visiting and best wishes in the drawing.

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  11. Love the mystery and unusualness of this story line - thanks for your excellent review, and the giveaway opportunity, Carole!!

    Shared post!!

    bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Bonnie, if you get to read this book, I'd love to know your thoughts. And thanks so much for sharing, as always.

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  12. This book sounds interesting and I know it would be great for winter reading.
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
    Maryann

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    1. It's great for winter or anytime, Maryann! Hope you get to read it soon.

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  13. I love the Library setting. And I would absolutely love to won this book. Merry CHRISTmas Shelley and a Blessed New Year !!!!!! annagrace1485@gmail.com

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    1. The library setting is definitely a treat, Anna Grace. You'd love some of the quotes also. Thank you for stopping by today.

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  14. I have read all of Shelley's Amish books. This one looks great, too!

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  15. I have seen several good reviews for this book and have wanted to have a chance to read it.
    donvelma(at)gmail(dot)com

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  16. This sounds so good. I can't wait to read it.
    grams57 [at] gmail [dot] com

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  17. I haven't read any Shelley Gray/Shelley Shepard Gray novels and would love to begin with this one. Thanks for the interesting review and offering a giveaway! volunteerval [at] aol [dot] com

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  18. Love the cover of this one, and the story sounds interesting, too! Thanks for the giveaway!
    bookgrace11(at)yahoo(dot)

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  19. I love Shelley Gray's books and I would love to win this one. Thank you and God Bless. My e-mail address is: bride57no1@yahoo.com

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  20. This looks like a very interesting read that I'd enjoy if I won! chemistryperiodically-22 (at) yahoo (dot) com

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