Item: Family Jewels
Rating: 5
Author: Joy

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Rose Gardner is Back in Family Jewels, a cozy romance and it was more than I could ever hope for! Denise Grover Swank's writing was perfection.

Family Jewels by Denise Grover Swank
Series: Rose Gardner Investigations #1

Released November 29, 2016
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The first book in the Rose Gardner Investigation series, a spinoff of the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today best selling Rose Gardner Mystery series.

Trouble always comes to those who court it. Rose Gardner’s ability to see glimpses of the future has gotten her into hot water time and again, but so have her curiosity and her sense of daring. Those very qualities helped her defeat the most powerful man in Arkansas—a man so adept at hiding his crimes there was no way to defeat him inside of the law—but her success came at a steep personal price. Now she’s throwing herself into her landscaping business, trying to live a life that’s as orderly as one of her gardens.

Rose’s best friend, Neely Kate, is struggling with her own losses, so when she suggests they help a local man find a missing necklace, Rose agrees. It’ll give both of them a welcome distraction, and besides, it’s a simple investigation. What harm could befall them? But things that should be simple rarely are. In seeking out the necklace, Rose and Neely Kate find themselves in the thick of a power struggle in the Fenton County underworld, one that could dethrone Rose’s friend James Malcolm, the surprisingly moral king.

The last thing Rose should do is court more trouble, but she’s not the type to step away from a friend in need—and she’s also not so sure she wants an orderly life.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Welcome back, Rose Gardner.

I won’t lie, I had some fears going into Family Jewels. I was afraid it would turn from Romantic Suspense to more of a cozy mystery. I should have known better! This book was everything we have come to know and love about Rose Gardner. Suspense, humor, and love.

If you are new to the series, you will be able to pick up Family Jewels and not worry about the past story arc, you are filled in on the significant information and if you are a reader that has read from the beginning you won’t be bogged down with details from the previous books.

I was a little annoyed with Neely Kate at times because she was keeping things from Rose that I felt Rose needed to know to further their investigation. I know what Rose keeps things from NK as well, but I know what Rose is hiding since I am in her head. This is just a silly issue, therefore, I didn’t take a star away.

The case, in Family Jewels, felt simple but with everything Rose touches, things begin to spiral out of control and take you on crazy twists and turns until you have no idea how things will end up.

If you have read and loved the original Rose series, you will continue to love this one. If you are just now trying Rose out, you will fall in love with her like the rest of Rose Lovers. Check it out today. Check out my review of the next book in the series, For The Birds.