The stakes have never been higher for American heiress Gemma Lancaster Phillips, now firmly ensconced as both resident and employee of her ancestral estate, Cherrywood Hall. Together with her cousin Evan, 8th Marquess of Kentshire, and her boyfriend Kyle, the estate manager, Gemma wants nothing more than to pull off the royal wedding of the season while planning the premiere and U.S. tour for the … the period drama series, Castlewood Manor, and attending the Telly Tiara awards show. But an ex-love threatens Gemma’s and Kyle’s relationship, while the reveal of explosive secrets has the potential to shatter Gemma’s relationship with her cousin and her future at Cherrywood Hall. Jealousy and revenge mix with royal drama, power plays and scandal as the Tellys grow closer–with deadly results. Will Gemma, with the help of Scotland Yard, be able to put a stop to the mayhem? Or will the wedding, the tour, the Tellys–and Gemma’s life–be ruined?
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Deadly Receptions is perfectly titled, as it’s the third novel in a three book series with a possible fourth on the way, “My Almost American Cousin.” It’s a cozy mystery and escapist women’s fiction that takes the reader on a wild ride from a posh estate in the UK to the golden shores of America in search of the winners of the “Telly Tiaras.”
As I have come to expect from the main character Gemma, a PhD with a rocky, romantic past hailing from Malibu she has an amazing appetite for gourmet food and always seems to be in the midst of glamour, good eats, royal visits and “accidental” murders. She is of royal British connection by way of her late Great Aunt Pippa. A ghost and a strong character in her own right who oversees the family from her portrait in an atmospheric manor house by the sea.
A dramatic TV series named Castlewood Manor is being filmed on the grand estate and Gemma’s mother Ma-Ma, as she’s fondly called is in line for a prestigious award for her stellar acting performance in the show being televised on the grounds.
The renowned architect, Stephanie Rutherford, who is also a pilot and is gorgeous to boot, has also turned the estate into a wedding venue thanks to the brilliant design of a new wedding pavilion. She was once considered a possible rival for Sir Kyle’s affections for Gemma, but it turns out that her sights were set on Penny Atkins, the wardrobe director of the TV series.
Sir Timothy is a tall handsome man with class and style who is the be the first groom alongside Lady Kimberly in the new wedding pavilion. All the pomp and circumstance one might expect from a royal wedding like this creates mayhem and draws the paparazzi in droves to the point that tents are set up with food and drink to hold them at the gates of the estate in wait for the photo ops that might maker break a career. “The public was treated to a complete history of royal tiaras and their origins, as tiara fever swept the nation.”
When the nuptials finally begin there is a dramatic and romantic feel to the story as the reader is captivated by what a royal wedding might be like to attend. “The wind picked up a bit, but it lent a dramatic edge to the pictures, with Lady Kimberly’s veil billowing out over the cliff edge.” I particularly enjoyed this imagery.
The author has a way of bringing wit and humor into her stories in the midst of chaos, “The queen had fainted dead away, and was now lying spread eagle on Prince Thaddeus’ lap.”
One can’t help but enjoy a giggle at the expense of a wealthy family who might have the highest standards of social propriety and never allows real-life to encroach on their public personas.
Needless to say things don’t go as planned and for a few days Gemma and Sir Kyle are whisked away once more to experience a fairy tale setting that bodes well for a romantic and ideal weekend. “The sounds of a Scottish bagpiper, heralding the morning, woke us as the sun crept in through the heavy drapes.” Count me in!
Eventually the dreamy scene ends and the characters are anxious and stressed out, but only because they await the awards show in New York City where once again we are given images of incredible parties, fanciful ball gowns, jewels and the glittering world of the elite.
A new character named Burt is introduced and he’s a total Neanderthal, an old-Hollywood type who is chasing Ma-Ma to be his next meal ticket as her agent. The fine social play an actress might have to endure to make it in the business becomes part of her negotiations to stymie Burt’s aggressive pursuit. It’s clear she doesn’t want to be part of it, but it makes you also wonder how much she’s had to sacrifice to be where she is in the film industry. Ma-Ma is an endearing character. Although she is very much about her looks and career, she is also kind, and cares deeply for her friends and loves her daughter Gemma.
This story has quite a few twists and the bodies start piling up when possibly reasons why this is occurring are introduced. Is it the cheating ex boyfriend Dr. Michael West? The academic father who seems to come and go with the wind? A royal who is possibly related to Great Aunt Pippa’s rival back in the day? Or a terrible curse that coincides with the Telly Tiaras?
The possibilities are endless as to who’s next and why. Along with the intrigue there are lots of mice playing and a little bed hopping. Nothing ever goes beyond the classy and this part is left to our imaginations. The end was a fabulous wrap up and so totally romantic, it won me over and I just loved it for the amazing imagery.
Sir Kyle has definitely become more romantic and self-assured in his relationship with Gemma and he truly is a swoon-worthy gentleman any woman might hope to have as her boyfriend, husband or lover. The heat turned up a bit more in this book and I enjoyed that immensely. This novel could be a stand-alone, but I suggest you read from the beginning so that you can savor Gemma’s journey as she finds her way in the many adventures, fashions shoots and fabulous parties in the series.
If you love stories full of glitz and glitter wrapped in a cozy mystery, you will adore this series.
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There was so, so much going on in “Deadly Receptions: The Debut of Castlewood Manor” that it’s hard to know where to begin! In this third installment of the My American Almost Royal Cousin series, the big buzz is that Jillian Phillips (Gemma’s beloved Ma-ma) is in the running for a coveted Telly Tiara award. This sets up a whirl wind tour of parties, interviews, and receptions for our beloved British/American characters. It’s not all fun and glam games, however, as major confrontations, smear campaigns, and ego trips abound on the journey…all exploding into a full-blown murder mystery. My personal favorite of the adventures was the U.S. cross country train trip, which delightfully conjured up the essence of Agatha Christie and was positively to-die-for. From that point on, I found the book impossible to put down, so be prepared! Gemma and company have many surprises (both good and bad) in store for readers, perfectly paired with an emotional masterpiece of an ending. Fans of the cozy mystery genre…this is a must-read and will have you scrambling through your reading que to get to Book Four. Very well done!
Deadly Receptions was full of paparazzi, premieres, and even a proposal. The wedding pavilion opened and the season began at Cherrywood Hall, aka Castlewood Manor, and as promised, drama, deception and debuts ensued. I mean, who knew a veil with a sordid past could cause so many problems? LOL!
Book three didn’t disappoint in this funny, action-packed, and light-hearted mystery series of Veronica Cline Barton’s. I laughed, cried, and gasped (out loud) as twists, turns…and trains took me to various destinations- England, NYC, Vail, Malibu, and even Iceland (swoon)!
Gemma’s feistiness and sense of humor never fail to tickle me and I just love her and Kyle together. Some revelations that I can’t say and meeting her father had me surprised, but as always, Veronica’s characters are super lovable and, despite his flaws, I enjoyed getting to know Dr. David Phillips.
Jillian, aka Ma-Ma, Aunt Margaret, and Evan are always fun to catch up with and the drama in this one was high, at every turn, and kept me on my toes.
This book truly had it all and I absolutely loved it. I even told V that this one was my favorite thus far. She told me to “just wait”, I know what that means! 😀
Get on board and grab this series up for murder, mystery, and so much more. I’m excited to return to Castlewood Manor for Mistletoe and Mayhem…I mean who doesn’t wanna spend Christmas in a gorgeous English estate with Gemma, Kyle and crew? I know I do!
The story of the transformation of Cherrywood Hall into a highly popular British period drama, ala Downton Abbey, continues. The first season of the television series is completed and there are hints of awards being won in many categories.
Now, Gemma, Sir Kyle and potential award winners relocate 1/3 the way around the world for pre-award shows and celebrations.
I adore the way Veronica weaves so many different elements into her stories. She is a star in her dialogues, the settings are marvelous and the action is easily visualized. I quite enjoy her costuming and menus more and more. She makes me hungry at times.
The non-stop, cross-country train trip was a lot of fun. The perfect setting for dastardly deeds, as used by another celebrated female writer in the past. The tension of traveling with an unknown killer was tormenting for all involved!
I loved the story and the writing. “Deadly Receptions” gets 4.9 stars, the score would have been higher except for a handful of spelling errors.
Recommended for lovers of cozy mysteries, romance and all things royal.
Escape to the fantasy of aristocratic life.
Veronica Cline Barton’s hands-across-the-Atlantic series continues with the TV series ‘Castlewood Manor’ about to hit the screens, a royal wedding in the offing, and skullduggery afoot. (Also, as if that wasn’t enough there is an awards show to attend.)
Let me depart, however, from the plot – and consequent risk of spoilers – to say a few things about why I enjoy these books. First, they are populated by characters you care about, and the American-British links are well thought through. The stories are also properly paced, and the author understands the rise and fall of narrative necessary to engage a reader. She overlaps and interweaves the various elements skillfully, and introduces humour at appropriate points to prevent the flow becoming too mechanical. She keeps the language light. Let me offer some flavours of the author’s foreshadowing and storytelling skills:
“Well, this doesn’t sound good to me,” Ma-ma said, shaking her head. “It’s never good to mix old girlfriends or ex-wives with your fiancé, I don’t care what anyone says.”
And
“The bride and groom to-be smiled and responded to our questions, but their answers seemed flat and rehearsed, with little joy in them. Something was going on behind the scenes, I was certain. Was it just normal jitters? Or did Sir Timothy’s ex-girlfriend play into their moods?”
And
Chief Inspector Marquot began speaking. “I’m sorry I’ve had to gather you here this morning. I’d like to introduce Mr. Rodney Green, the general manager of the Vail Line. He has asked me to lead the investigation of the accident until we pull into Vail, where the police there will take over. I am sorry to report that [NO SPOILERS HERE!], the superfan who was selected for this trip, has been found murdered in her suite.”
Romance, royalty, comedy and an element of mystery – a winning combination.
(And, by the way, if you haven’t read the earlier books in the series, it’s not a problem!)