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The Rose in the Wheel by S.K. Rizzolo - Book Tour & Review + Giveaway

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The Rose in the Wheel
by S.K. Rizzolo

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GENRE:   Historical Mystery

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BLURB:

This well imagined, carefully detailed, and cleverly plotted debut draws on actual historical events of 1811 London.

Regency London knows Constance Tyrone as the conspicuously celibate founder of the St. Catherine Society, dedicated to helping poor women. One wet November evening a carriage mows down Constance outside her office. Why was a gentlewoman abroad in the night? And if she died under the wheel, whose hands bruised her neck and stole her monogrammed crucifix?

Dismissing the idea of an accident, Bow Street Runner John Chase forms an unlikely alliance with Penelope Wolfe, wife of the chief suspect. A young mother paying the price for an imprudent marriage, Penelope is eager to clear her husband Jeremy, a feckless portrait painter whose salacious drawings of the victim suggest an erotic interest. Barrister Edward Buckler, drawn despite himself to Penelope, shakes off his habitual lethargy to join the investigation.

As horrifying murders on the Ratcliffe Highway claim all London’s attention, the trio discovers that it won’t be easy to unravel the enigma of Constance Tyrone, a woman who revives the legend of martyred St. Catherine.

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EXCERPT

Penelope tumbled out of sleep, stifling a scream. Someone was in the room. A step shuffled; a drawer edged open with the scratch of old wood. Her arm reached instinctively for the child at her side, but Sarah still slept, warm and sweet, breathing softly.

A form detached from the shadows by the bureau and moved toward her. She heard a thud followed by a muffled curse.

“Jeremy?”

“Who left that blasted thing in the middle of the room?”

As he bent to right the rocking horse, Penelope slipped out of bed, groping for the tinderbox on the nightstand. Fingers trembling, she struck metal against flint until a spark caught. She lit her candle and turned to face him.

Jeremy stepped into the flicker-glow, slivers of light illuminating eyes, nose, or mouth, each in turn then thrust back into darkness. He was smiling.

“What do you want?” she said.

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My Review
The Rose in the Wheel is an interesting sort of "whodunit" mystery with a historical flair. Set in 1800s London, which is what drew me in, the story does start a little slow. I had a bit of a hard time actually getting into the book, but once I did, the pages just sort of started flowing, and I found myself eager to discover the truth behind the crime. Who murdered Constance Tyrone? 

 I really enjoyed Penelope Wolfe's character, although there were times I found her a bit frustrating. I suppose times were different back then, so her behavior was normal for that time. I also liked John Chase. He was a very determined man. And, of course, learning more about who Constance Tyrone was made the story even more appealing.

The plot does start off slow, but once you push past that first 10% or so, that's when the book picks up pace and gets really intriguing. It's a really curious murder mystery, and the setting of regency London makes it even more fun to read.

 I will admit, I don't normally read historical books, but I've always been fascinated by that time period in London, so that's why I was willing to give The Rose in the Wheel a chance. Plus, it was a mystery, not a romance, so that was even better. Nothing against romance, of course, as I do read it, but historical romance isn't my thing. 

 Anyway, back on topic... Overall, I found myself drawn in and anxious to figure out who had done such a horrible thing. Once you get to the end, well... just read the book and find out what I mean. That's all I can say. It was pretty darn exciting.

 I rate The Rose in the Wheel 3.5 stars. Check it out!
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

S.K. Rizzolo writes dark regency mysteries—no dukes, earls, or ballroom debutantes need apply. After developing a childhood obsession with Henry VIII’s headless wives, she became an incurable Anglophile and went on to watch practically every Masterpiece Theatre show ever made. By day she teaches literature to high school students; by night she retreats to her dusty attic to craft her own stories. Her mystery series features a trio of crime-solving friends: a Bow Street Runner (an early English detective), an unconventional lady, and a melancholic lawyer—all of whom live much more exciting lives than she does. The Rose in the Wheel is the first title in the series followed by Blood for Blood, Die I Will Not, and On a Desert Shore. Rizzolo lives in Los Angeles with Oliver Twist and Lucy, her cats, and Michael, her husband. She also has a grown actress-daughter named after Miranda in The Tempest.

Social Media links:


Buy links:






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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION



S.K. Rizzolo will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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33 Comments

  1. Goddess Fish PromotionsAugust 15, 2017 at 5:12 AM

    Thanks for hosting!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. S.K. RizzoloAugust 15, 2017 at 4:09 PM

      Thank you so much for hosting me! I really appreciate your review of The Rose in the Wheel.

      Delete
  2. UnknownAugust 15, 2017 at 6:28 AM

    congrats on the tour and thanks for the chance to win :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. James RobertAugust 15, 2017 at 10:43 AM

    Congrats on the tour and thank you for the excerpt and giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Marcy MeyerAugust 15, 2017 at 2:45 PM

    Enjoyed the review and excerpt. Thank you for the giveaway chance.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Deb HollowAugust 15, 2017 at 4:18 PM

    The description and excerpt really held my attention.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. S.K. RizzoloAugust 15, 2017 at 6:53 PM

      Thank you for your kind words, Debra. Enjoy your day!

      Delete
  6. DanieXAugust 15, 2017 at 5:41 PM

    great excerpt! thanks for sharing your book with us!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Victoria AlexanderAugust 15, 2017 at 7:00 PM

    I enjoyed reading the excerpt - thanks for sharing :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. James RobertAugust 16, 2017 at 5:53 PM

    Happy Hump Day! Make it a great one and thank you for the chance at winning.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Gwendolyn JordanAugust 16, 2017 at 11:56 PM

    Congrats

    ReplyDelete
  10. James RobertAugust 17, 2017 at 5:06 PM

    Hello! I am back to once again thank you for taking the time to offer us this great giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  11. James RobertAugust 18, 2017 at 2:13 PM

    It's that day so many of us look forward to. Happy Friday! Thank for the opportunity to win this giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  12. James RobertAugust 19, 2017 at 2:16 PM

    Thanks so much for the opportunity you have brought to all of us to win the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  13. James RobertAugust 20, 2017 at 7:25 AM

    Have a wonderful Sunday and thanks for the chance at winning.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Jodi HunterAugust 20, 2017 at 12:48 PM

    Sounds Incredible!

    ReplyDelete
  15. James RobertAugust 21, 2017 at 3:51 PM

    Happy Monday! Have a great day and thanks for the opportunity to win.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Bridgett WilburAugust 23, 2017 at 11:38 AM

    I just love your cover and would love to read your book.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. S.K. RizzoloAugust 24, 2017 at 11:27 AM

      Thank you, Bridget! I hope you do get a chance to read the novel. I think the artist did a good job on the cover.

      Delete
  17. S.K. RizzoloAugust 24, 2017 at 11:26 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete

Please try not to spam posts with the same comments over and over again. Authors like seeing thoughtful comments about their books, not the same old, "I like the cover" or "sounds good" comments. While that is nice, putting some real thought and effort in is appreciated. Thank you.