Love in Disguise by Carol Cox~~A Bethany House Book Review

My Review:

When the Lord closes the door, somewhere He opens a window.  Ellie Moore has had to learn to think this way. After the death of her parents, who were actors in an Chicago theatre, she was raised by her parents friends and fellow actors. She planned to follow in her parents footsteps and become an actress, but her plain looks caused her to be passed over. She eventually became a lady’s maid to the headlining actress, but when the actress leaves Ellie behind to go to Europe. Ellie needs to find another way to support herself.

Ellie manages to pull herself up by her boot straps and convince the management of the Pinkerton Detective Agency to hire her. The plan is for Ellie to travel to Arizona to help with an investigation into a series of silver shipment robberies, as Lavinia Stewart. When her partner announces she has decided to marry, and needs to leave the agency, Ellie decides to try to do the job of two people, and become Jessie Monroe as well. Not only is it harder than she expected, but her growing attraction to mine owner Steven Pierce complicates the situation even more.

Carol Cox's novel Love in Disguise caught my attention with first the cover and then the blurb. It is a fun book to read with a strong plot which includes Biblical truths. It also includes an interesting mystery that kept me guessing to the end. I also really enjoyed Ellie's quick-changes between Lavinia and Jessie, and what she learned about herself as she played the role of her life.

The Blurb:

Can she solve the crime before they uncover her true identity?

Jobless and down to her last dime, Ellie Moore hears about a position with the Pinkerton Detective Agency and believes it's the perfect chance to put her acting skills and costumes to use. Reluctantly, the agency agrees to give her one assignment, one chance to prove herself. Disguised as Lavinia Stewart, a middle-aged widow, Ellie travels to Arizona to begin her investigation. When the need arises, she also transforms into the dazzling Jessie Monroe, whose vivacious personality encourages people to talk.

Mine owner Steven Pierce is going to lose his business if he can't figure out who's stealing his silver shipments. In his wildest dreams, he never expected to receive help from a gray-haired widow... or to fall in love with her beautiful niece.

Then the thieves come after Lavinia and Jessie. Ellie isn't safe no matter which character she plays! Should she give up and reveal her true identity? What will Steven do when he realizes the woman he's falling in love with doesn't really exist?

Set in 1880s Arizona, Love in Disguise blends romance, humor, and mystery for a can't-put-down read.

About the Author:

Native Arizonan Carol Cox has an abiding love for history, mystery, and romance. The author of more than 25 books, she believes in the power of story to convey spiritual truths. Carol lives with her husband and daughter in northern Arizona, where deer and antelope really do play--within view of the family's front porch. Visit her website at here.

 

 

An Excerpt:

Love in Disguise

Blessings,

**Love in Disguise by Carol Cox was provided for me free by Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.