A Noble Scheme

This is book two in The Imposters series and is a complete story as a stand-alone, but I suggest if you want the full aspect of who they are then read book one first. In book one we meet Gemma and Graham and I was anxious to find out why she was so rude and hostile at times to him. Circumstances have them spending time together as they work together to find a kidnapped boy. As the story unfolds there are many twists and turns until the reveal of what occurred and you will want to see healing take place. I absolutely loved this quote, “ She could choose to be nothing but a moth-eaten rag fit only for the rubbish bin….or she could let God work her into lace, the holes left by pain and sorrow every bit as beautiful as the gossamer threads of faith and love that held her together.” The entire paragraph is so beautifully written that it made me weep. My favorite quote ever I do believe. God can take the hurt and pain in our life and weave something even more beautiful than we ever imagined and we find that truth within this story. A beautiful tale of love between two hurt and vulnerable people while solving a case that keeps you guessing. From the beautiful cover to the last page you will be totally engrossed in this book. I found the characters relatable with real issues and the story believable and very well written. I will be adding this to my favorite books this year. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher/author. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.

Just when I was thinking her last romance was okay and she might not write romances as swoon-worthy as usual, Roseanna M. White writes the most gut-wrenching, heart-warming, eye-stinging romance yet! The novel had a complicated plot, but not so complicated that I couldn't follow it, and was full of multi-layered characters with strong backgrounds and interesting backstories. The messages were beautifully done. With some books, you close them and forget them almost instantaneously, but it will take me a long time for this one. Gemma and Graham are part of my heart.

"Weight settled on Gemma’s chest, heavy but familiar. “Death is the only sure thing in life.”“No— death and the love of God .” Marigold reached over and squeezed Gemma’s hand. Ms. Thomas dipped her head. “That was what I’d been learning. That even when I embraced sin, God loved me. Even when I chose my own desires over Him, God loved me. Even when I was hungry and sick and lost the only person in the world who mattered, God loved me." This story was so good, I couldn't hardly put it down! This is only my second read of Roseanna's books, and it is part of a great series! Things I liked and loved: The frosty winter scene on the cover- so cold but lovely! The dual point of view (POV) that we get with this book. I love when stories are set up in this style! Getting to see a tidbit of Marigold and Merritt's wedding party and Gem writing an article on it. That scene where Graham "happens" to find Gem in disguise on a train. Hilarious, and yet so sweet how he tries to woo her. 😍 How brainy Gem and Graham both are: she with her writing, and he with his love and devotion to studying the past and it's architecture for their investigations. I liked how their personalities differ like fire and ice, but they still work together beautifully. Things that could be a bit better: There's not a lot here, just a few things to mention. Language: hellish is used once, fool and fools is spoken or thought maybe five times at most. -There's a mention of someone in extreme grief wanting to scream and demand answers of God. The person had been through a terrible time to be sure, but that's a really dangerous and disrespectful way to think and speak of God, and not at all advisable. I seriously enjoyed this book, and I'm looking forward to reading it's sequel, "An Honorable Deception" available November 2024! Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for the complimentary Netgalley e-book I received through LibraryThing Early Reviewers to review. A positive review was not required of me (but was my pleasure!) and the thoughts above are my own.

This book gets 5 stars from me, and as I turned each page it got better and better! I didn't want it to end! It is a story that begins with a taste to whet your appetite back in book 1, between he characters of Gemma and Graham, who are both part of the Imposters detective agency, where both these characters go thru something very serious, but you don't find out till you read their story in this book! And what an incredible story it is between Gemma and Graham, so here is a teaser...its a story where God takes broken lives that were almost swallowed up by bitterness, anger and pain, and lovingly builds them back together, with the holes still there but strength all around them. Now who can resist a story like that?? In this story you will find amazing, real, and relatable characters, who go thru real life issues, question God, deal with bitterness, which almost destroys more than one life, but you also see such love, friendship, teamwork, and the grace and love of the Lord poured out in Gemma, Graham, and the rest of the cast of characters that makes an incredible story! I was really able to relate to this story as I've shared some of Gemma and Graham's struggles, and was brought to tears more than once, but also rejoiced too!!! But again you'll have to read it to find out why! This book is like a dance, and every step became more and more beautiful as I turned the page! Can't wait for the next and last book in the series to come out after this one! So I highly recommend this book so so much!! Another incredible book by one of my favorite authors!!!

“Joy was meant to be shared. When it was closed up within him, it might as well not exist at all.” Confession - I cried through most of this book. I love Roseanna M White’s books and have laughed, cried, and loved with all the characters I’ve had the privilege to know. But never have I cried so much through her books. This book will grab your heart from the start and break it one piece at a time as you delve into the depths of Graham’s despair and Gemma’s hatred. I knew something big was at the foundation of their broken relationship but, wow, the details floored me. Yet, wrenching heartbreak and overwhelming grief are not all there is. The beauty of forgiveness and the awesome mystery of faith and reconciliation eclipse the pain and regret to offer a future based on hope and not crippled by the past. And, of course, there are The Imposters, Ltd. The harrowing journey the group takes to recover a kidnapped child is action-packed and filled with twists and turns (sometimes literally). I thoroughly enjoyed watching them work as a team and loved seeing Merritt take part in their covert operations. And Yates definitely added some fun banter and levity to the narrative. I can’t wait to read Yates’ story next! If you’re looking for an excellent historical fiction with hints of danger and intrigue, this is the perfect book. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House via LibraryThing and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All opinions are my own.