Hi vintage friends!
I have lots of Birdhouse Books news for you this week.
I just listed 600 fabulous auction items at reduced prices. You'll find vintage travel postcards, cookbooks, novels, DVDs, CDs, and more!
And some great vintage Valentines too! These are the type of cute die-cut cards I remember from childhood.
All these treasures are at: Birdhouse Books on eBay.
This vintage Valentine features a blonde mermaid. "Com'on, let's get into the swim on Valentine's Day."
A little blonde angel smiles on this vintage Valentine. "You are just out of this world teacher!"
A sweet pink elephant balances a tray of heart shaped cookies on this vintage Valentine. "You are just what I ordered Valentine."
This vintage Valentine looks like a twist on the American Gothic painting. A farmer and his wife pose with a pitchfork.
A sweet little bee carries a red heart on this vintage Valentine. "Bee my Valentine honey!"
This vintage Valentine features a pelican with a beak full of hearts.
A little boy poses with two bunny rabbits on this vintage Valentine. "Ears a Valentine for you!"
This vintage Valentine features a baby gorilla and a wild bird.
This vintage Valentine has a cute little zebra. "Don't get uppity -- be my Valentine."
A lion holds a pink heart on this vintage Valentine. "You're the grrr-eatest. I'm not lion." What a cute card!
I hope you enjoyed this sneak peek at the new arrivals at Birdhouse Books. Come visit my shop!
A southern girl chatting about books, ephemera, life, love, dogs and all things vintage!
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Saturday, January 9, 2016
Book Review and Giveaway - Murder Most Malicious by Alyssa Maxwell
Synopsis
In post–World War I England, Lady
Phoebe Renshaw and her lady’s maid, Eva Huntford, step outside of their
social roles and put their lives at risk to apprehend a vicious killer…
December 1918: As a difficult year draws to a close, there is much to celebrate for nineteen-year-old Phoebe Renshaw and her three siblings at their beloved family estate of Foxwood Hall. The dreadful war is finally over; eldest daughter Julia’s engagement to their houseguest, the Marquis of Allerton, appears imminent; and all have gathered to enjoy peace on earth, good will toward men.
But the peace of Foxwood Hall is shattered on the morning of Boxing Day, when the Marquis goes missing. Not entirely missing, however, as macabre evidence of foul play turns up in gift boxes given to lady’s maid Eva Huntford and a handful of others. Having overheard her sister and the Marquis in a heated exchange the night before, Lady Phoebe takes a personal interest in solving the mystery.
As the local constable suspects a footman at Foxwood Hall, Phoebe and Eva follow the clues to a different conclusion. But both young women will need to think outside the box to wrap up this case—before a cornered killer lashes out with ill will toward them…
December 1918: As a difficult year draws to a close, there is much to celebrate for nineteen-year-old Phoebe Renshaw and her three siblings at their beloved family estate of Foxwood Hall. The dreadful war is finally over; eldest daughter Julia’s engagement to their houseguest, the Marquis of Allerton, appears imminent; and all have gathered to enjoy peace on earth, good will toward men.
But the peace of Foxwood Hall is shattered on the morning of Boxing Day, when the Marquis goes missing. Not entirely missing, however, as macabre evidence of foul play turns up in gift boxes given to lady’s maid Eva Huntford and a handful of others. Having overheard her sister and the Marquis in a heated exchange the night before, Lady Phoebe takes a personal interest in solving the mystery.
As the local constable suspects a footman at Foxwood Hall, Phoebe and Eva follow the clues to a different conclusion. But both young women will need to think outside the box to wrap up this case—before a cornered killer lashes out with ill will toward them…
My Review
I had high hopes for Murder Most Malicious and was delighted to find that this historical mystery not only met, but exceeded, my expectations.
This novel is a wonderful read for anyone who loves Downton Abbey or Upstairs, Downstairs. It has a great cast of characters both upstairs and down. The story takes place after the end of World War II. The period details are perfect, and sure to delight fans of historical fiction.
Murder Most Malicious is also a cozy mystery. I loved the way that Lady Phoebe and her lady's maid Eva became involved in the mystery and worked together to solve it. I found the mystery kept me guessing until the end.
The characters are well drawn, and the dialogue moves both characterization and plot along. I especially enjoyed all the scenes with Phoebe and Eva.
This is a lovely, leisurely read for a winter weekend ... perfect to enjoy with a pot of tea. Very highly recommended!
About The Author
Alyssa Maxwell has worked in publishing as an assistant editor and a ghost writer, but knew from an early age that being a novelist was what she wanted most. Growing up in New England and traveling to Great Britain fueled a passion for history, while a love of puzzles of all kinds drew her to the mystery genre. She lives in South Florida in the current year, but confesses to spending most of her time in the Victorian, Edwardian, and post WWI eras. In addition to fantasizing about wearing Worth gowns while strolling manor house gardens, she loves to watch BBC and other period productions and sip tea in the afternoons.
Author Links
Webpage – www.alyssamaxwell.com
Twitter – @Alyssa__Maxwell
GoodReads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7163135.Alyssa_Maxwell
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AlyssaMaxwellauthor/
Purchase Links
Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Murder-Most-Malicious-Ladys-Mystery/dp/1617738301/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446575133&sr=8-1&keywords=Murder+Most+Malicious
Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25387762-murder-most-malicious
B&N – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/murder-most-malicious-alyssa-maxwell/1121697428?ean=9781617738302
IndieBound – http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781617738302
Giveaway
(1) Print Book Copy along with A Cozy Grab Bag of Books inside of a Kensington Mystery tote. (Ends 1/18).
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I received a copy of this book from Great Escapes Book Tours and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.