Book Review: All Things by Amber Belldene

All things by Amber Belldene

Publisher: Bookbuzz.net

Publication Date: September 9, 2018

Language: English

Genre: Mystery & Thrillers

ISBN: 9780997221176

About the Book

A priest and a rabbi walk into a lesbian bar…

If something is unjust in San Francisco’s Mission District, the Reverend Alma Lee will face it down. She leads her vibrant church of St. Giles’ with compassion and sass. Her busy days involve match-making, meddling, and saving the city’s beloved lesbian landmark, The Carlos Club. Alma meets the intriguing Rabbi Naomi Cohen there, and she’s smitten.

Death comes to the church’s door…

When the proprietor of The Carlos Club turns up dead on the steps of St. Giles’, Naomi’s brother is the number one suspect. She needs help exonerating him, and Alma’s knowledge of the neighborhood makes her the perfect priest to solve the case. If only Alma’s ex-boyfriend, homicide detective Cesar Garza will accept her help. She still feels the pull of their old connection, but she’s convinced the sexy-smart rabbi is her perfect mate. . . Too bad Naomi is playing by different rules.

About the Author

I grew up on the Florida panhandle, swimming with alligators, climbing oak trees and diving for scallops…when I could pull myself away from a book.  As a child, I hid my Nancy Drew novels inside the church bulletin and read mysteries during sermons—an irony that is not lost on me when I preach these days.

I’m an Episcopal Priest and student of the worlds’ religions.  I believe stories are the best way to explore human truths, and I’m passionate about the deep ties between spirituality and sexuality. Some people think it’s strange for a minister to write romance, but it is perfectly natural to me, because the human desire for love is at the heart of every romance novel and God made people with that desire. That's why every story is better with a love story!

I write mystery, romance, and women's fiction and live with my husband and two children in San Francisco.

My literary agent is the amazing Emily Sylvan Kim of the Prospect Agency.

Disclosure:

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the NetGalley <https://www.netgalley.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Review

Reverend Alma Lee is the best individual someone can ask for. She brings food for the community when she can, she supports the many causes and she even has a great attitude everyday. The Carlos Club has been there, right across from St. Gile's for for the longest. Now they are officially closing for good. Things couldn't get any worse? Till Cindy, Alma's best friend ends up the her church steps......dead.

All things bright and beautiful,

All creatures great and small

All things wise and wonderful

The lord God made them all.

-an English hymn by Cecil F. Alexander, 1848-

Now it's up to Alma to find out who really killed her? Who's stole is that in Cindy's blood?And who's this sexy stranger, Naomi who is new to town?

In my honest opinion, "All things" really had me on edge. The whole time I was trying to figure out who killed Cindy. Then you find out and it's like," Really." Of all people, it was you who killed her. I just couldn't believe it was.....that person. Can't be giving people hints here. Then the ending, I can not wait until the next book in the series.