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Finding Amy
When Sabrina Gilmore attends the funeral of her grandfather in England, she learns Gilmore Manor is in foreclosure, and her inheritance is only an old trunk containing her former doll, Amy. However, Amy’s cloth body now holds a valuable jeweled necklace.
But someone else knows about the necklace and is intent on getting it. Sabrina’s rooms are trashed, she’s followed, and finally kidnapped, the doll stolen. Can she and a handsome Englishman, history scholar Hugh Pendleton, find a way to recover Amy and the necklace?
But someone else knows about the necklace and is intent on getting it. Sabrina’s rooms are trashed, she’s followed, and finally kidnapped, the doll stolen. Can she and a handsome Englishman, history scholar Hugh Pendleton, find a way to recover Amy and the necklace?
296 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 7, 2014
12 people want to read
About the author
Phyllis A. Humphrey
21 books6 followersI was born Phyllis Ashworth in Oak Park, Il., went to Morton High in Cicero and then Northwestern. Got married and divorced a couple of times, had three great kids, then moved to California where my "real" life began.
As a child I read everything I could get my hands on and I knew then that I wanted to be a writer. But life got in the way until I reached California and settled down with my third husband...the perfect one. We lived in the Bay Area for many years, then moved to the San Diego area for a while, but now live in a beautiful community in Palm Desert.
Here I write and am active in our local performing arts club. But mostly I write. I'm a member of Romance Writers of America as well as Mystery Writers of America and have recently formed a local writer's group in my community, dedicated to helping aspiring writers to network.
My credits include eight romance novels, the latest being ROMAN HOLIDAY, which was published in print in July 2009. I have also published a mainstream novel and a memoir of my husband's aunt. A member of Romance Writers of America, one of my books was a Golden Heart finalist and my romantic suspense novel won the San Diego Book Award. I was also a finalist in the 2009 St. Martin's Press Malice Domestic "Best First Traditional Mystery" contest. And I've sold a few short stories.
My non-fiction book, Wall Street on $20 a Month, was published by John Wiley & Sons, and I have sold many articles to such magazines as MS, Thin World, Savvy, Fact, Indianapolis, Campus Life, O-T-C Review, South Bay Accent and others. I have ghost-written three books, one published in the religious field and two self-published by a businessman client. Finally, I have had two radio scripts produced by American Radio Theater. My article, "Two-Part Harmony," was published in The Writer Magazine. The article, "Critique Groups, A Writer's Best Friend," appeared in San Diego Writers Monthly.
I have been on radio and television (for my non-fiction book), have participated in book signings in stores, plus book fairs, and have been featured in national and local magazines.
Finally, I am a member of Mensa and am listed in Who's Who in American Women. Oh, I should mention that my husband and I have a total of seven children and twenty-one wonderful grandchildren. But we don't have a lot of spare time!
As a child I read everything I could get my hands on and I knew then that I wanted to be a writer. But life got in the way until I reached California and settled down with my third husband...the perfect one. We lived in the Bay Area for many years, then moved to the San Diego area for a while, but now live in a beautiful community in Palm Desert.
Here I write and am active in our local performing arts club. But mostly I write. I'm a member of Romance Writers of America as well as Mystery Writers of America and have recently formed a local writer's group in my community, dedicated to helping aspiring writers to network.
My credits include eight romance novels, the latest being ROMAN HOLIDAY, which was published in print in July 2009. I have also published a mainstream novel and a memoir of my husband's aunt. A member of Romance Writers of America, one of my books was a Golden Heart finalist and my romantic suspense novel won the San Diego Book Award. I was also a finalist in the 2009 St. Martin's Press Malice Domestic "Best First Traditional Mystery" contest. And I've sold a few short stories.
My non-fiction book, Wall Street on $20 a Month, was published by John Wiley & Sons, and I have sold many articles to such magazines as MS, Thin World, Savvy, Fact, Indianapolis, Campus Life, O-T-C Review, South Bay Accent and others. I have ghost-written three books, one published in the religious field and two self-published by a businessman client. Finally, I have had two radio scripts produced by American Radio Theater. My article, "Two-Part Harmony," was published in The Writer Magazine. The article, "Critique Groups, A Writer's Best Friend," appeared in San Diego Writers Monthly.
I have been on radio and television (for my non-fiction book), have participated in book signings in stores, plus book fairs, and have been featured in national and local magazines.
Finally, I am a member of Mensa and am listed in Who's Who in American Women. Oh, I should mention that my husband and I have a total of seven children and twenty-one wonderful grandchildren. But we don't have a lot of spare time!
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 30, 2014
This romantic suspense novel held my interest from beginning to end. As I was reading, it felt like a cozy gothic novel as you follow the heroine in her quest to unravel the mystery of an old trunk she was given in the will.
It's the kind of book you take to bed on a rainy day with a cup of tea or coffee and snacks and settle on your cushy bed (or a cushy chair) for a wonderful time.
Sabrina is a successful American, owner of three print shops, who has been called to England for a reading of her grandfathr's will. Her English father fell in love with an American and followed her to America, there becomming himself an American. Her father convinces her to go in his place as he is unable to go. He insists she must stop grieving for her dead fiance and get on with her life.
After the will is read Sabrina begins to find out more about her relatives and the fact that they are outraged that Gilmore Manor must be sold to pay the mortgage owed and that they must all vacate. They had been freeloading off the old man and have no clue that they were doing so, believing it's their right.
At the reading of the will she is instantly drawn to Hugh Pendleton. She finds out later he is not a relative but had been invited to the reading of the will because he has been left all of the old man's papers and manuscripts that encompass several centuries.
SPOILER: Sabrina begins to suspect each of the family members, including Hugh Pendleton as the "treasure" she had found in the old trunk she inherited disappears while she is having it appraised and a series of dangerous incidents take place, making her fear for her safety, if not her life. Although she begins to have strong feelings for Hugh, she still cannot check him off her suspect list although he is increasingly on the list of men she is falling in love with--a list of one. Yet her two-week stay in England stands as a barrier, for she knows she should stop herself from falling in love with someone she is going to leave in two weeks. It would only be heartbreak for she cannot leave her father in America.
Sabrina notes that the old 22-room manor reminds her of "Rebecca", a book she has read many times, and her descriptions of the old house are so well done that one can almost sneeze along with her as she is explosed to dust bunnies (dust elephants in England).
The hero of the book is well-developed and makes the reader pull for him as he makes no secret he has fallen in love with Sabrina.
I hope for more of these enjoyable mysteries from this author, who certainly can wrap the reader right into her pages and make them wish for more of the kind.
It's the kind of book you take to bed on a rainy day with a cup of tea or coffee and snacks and settle on your cushy bed (or a cushy chair) for a wonderful time.
Sabrina is a successful American, owner of three print shops, who has been called to England for a reading of her grandfathr's will. Her English father fell in love with an American and followed her to America, there becomming himself an American. Her father convinces her to go in his place as he is unable to go. He insists she must stop grieving for her dead fiance and get on with her life.
After the will is read Sabrina begins to find out more about her relatives and the fact that they are outraged that Gilmore Manor must be sold to pay the mortgage owed and that they must all vacate. They had been freeloading off the old man and have no clue that they were doing so, believing it's their right.
At the reading of the will she is instantly drawn to Hugh Pendleton. She finds out later he is not a relative but had been invited to the reading of the will because he has been left all of the old man's papers and manuscripts that encompass several centuries.
SPOILER: Sabrina begins to suspect each of the family members, including Hugh Pendleton as the "treasure" she had found in the old trunk she inherited disappears while she is having it appraised and a series of dangerous incidents take place, making her fear for her safety, if not her life. Although she begins to have strong feelings for Hugh, she still cannot check him off her suspect list although he is increasingly on the list of men she is falling in love with--a list of one. Yet her two-week stay in England stands as a barrier, for she knows she should stop herself from falling in love with someone she is going to leave in two weeks. It would only be heartbreak for she cannot leave her father in America.
Sabrina notes that the old 22-room manor reminds her of "Rebecca", a book she has read many times, and her descriptions of the old house are so well done that one can almost sneeze along with her as she is explosed to dust bunnies (dust elephants in England).
The hero of the book is well-developed and makes the reader pull for him as he makes no secret he has fallen in love with Sabrina.
I hope for more of these enjoyable mysteries from this author, who certainly can wrap the reader right into her pages and make them wish for more of the kind.
March 1, 2015
Review first posted on my blog: http://spoonfulofhappyendings.blogspo...
Sabrina Gilmore was born an American, but finds herself back in the UK for her grandfather’s funeral and the reading of his will. She once spent a summer at Gilmore Manor, the family country home, and now is her first time back in England since she was a little girl. To her surprise, Sabrina learns she has inherited an old trunk filled with children’s books, dress-up clothes and her old childhood doll named Amy, which she left behind all those years ago. However, inside the doll someone has hidden an expensive necklace and Sabrina has no idea who the necklace belongs to or who put it there. On her search to find the answers to these questions, Sabrina is helped by the handsome British Hugh Pendleton who seems to have fallen for her. But when Sabrina’s hotel room is burgled and she even gets kidnapped, things start to become very serious very quickly…
I have to admit I wasn’t quite sure what to expect of this novel when I started reading it. I personally wasn’t particularly drawn in by the cover and the blurb seemed to promise a mixture of both romance and mystery, but already gave quite a lot of information about the storyline away. However, as soon as I had read the first chapter I was intrigued by the main character Sabrina and I finished the novel in two sittings, constantly wondering what would happen next and who had put that necklace in Sabrina’s doll. The author’s writing style was fast-paced and pleasant to read and there were quite a few twists and turns that managed to hold my attention until the last page.
The storyline includes a good dose of romance between the main character Sabrina and easily likeable Hugh Pendleton, but also includes an intriguing mystery element which made the book feel a bit like a detective novel. I really enjoyed this combination of romance and mystery and it has made me curious about Phyllis A. Humphrey’s other novels. It was a bit of a shame that we didn’t really get to know the characters, particularly Sabrina and Hugh, on a deeper, more detailed, level. I would have loved to have read more about them, their backgrounds, and the things that made them the persons they are. Overall, though, ‘Finding Amy’ is a well-paced, fun, and intriguing read that had me captivated from start to finish. I’m really glad I got the opportunity to discover Phyllis A. Humphrey’s writing and already look forward to reading more of her works in the future!
Sabrina Gilmore was born an American, but finds herself back in the UK for her grandfather’s funeral and the reading of his will. She once spent a summer at Gilmore Manor, the family country home, and now is her first time back in England since she was a little girl. To her surprise, Sabrina learns she has inherited an old trunk filled with children’s books, dress-up clothes and her old childhood doll named Amy, which she left behind all those years ago. However, inside the doll someone has hidden an expensive necklace and Sabrina has no idea who the necklace belongs to or who put it there. On her search to find the answers to these questions, Sabrina is helped by the handsome British Hugh Pendleton who seems to have fallen for her. But when Sabrina’s hotel room is burgled and she even gets kidnapped, things start to become very serious very quickly…
I have to admit I wasn’t quite sure what to expect of this novel when I started reading it. I personally wasn’t particularly drawn in by the cover and the blurb seemed to promise a mixture of both romance and mystery, but already gave quite a lot of information about the storyline away. However, as soon as I had read the first chapter I was intrigued by the main character Sabrina and I finished the novel in two sittings, constantly wondering what would happen next and who had put that necklace in Sabrina’s doll. The author’s writing style was fast-paced and pleasant to read and there were quite a few twists and turns that managed to hold my attention until the last page.
The storyline includes a good dose of romance between the main character Sabrina and easily likeable Hugh Pendleton, but also includes an intriguing mystery element which made the book feel a bit like a detective novel. I really enjoyed this combination of romance and mystery and it has made me curious about Phyllis A. Humphrey’s other novels. It was a bit of a shame that we didn’t really get to know the characters, particularly Sabrina and Hugh, on a deeper, more detailed, level. I would have loved to have read more about them, their backgrounds, and the things that made them the persons they are. Overall, though, ‘Finding Amy’ is a well-paced, fun, and intriguing read that had me captivated from start to finish. I’m really glad I got the opportunity to discover Phyllis A. Humphrey’s writing and already look forward to reading more of her works in the future!
October 29, 2014
Sabina Gilmore has found out that her Grandfather has died and has decided to return to London, a place that she hasn't been to since she was 9, in order to pay her last respects to him. At the reading of her Grandfathers Will, Sabrina is left an old blue trunk and that's all or so she thought. Many of her family members had traveled far in order to attend the funeral and the reading of the will and realized, that Sabrina's Grandfather was penniless and left them nothing of real value.
While examining the Blue Trunk, Sabrina discovered her long lost missing doll Amy. She loved the doll and was both excited and teary eyed to have finally found her. Sabrina soon discovered that her beloved doll Amy held a secret. A secret that has Sabina searching London and Paris for the doll and the secret that she holds. There is Theft, Kidnapping and a Wonderful Budding Romance between Sabrina and the Gorgeous and Charming Hugh Pendleton, a man with a Perfect British Accent that, she met to her Grandfathers Funeral.
This book is very Intriguing, Mysterious and Interesting, I found to hard to put down. The twist and turns will grab you and keep you glues to every word in book. I found myself being taken places that I have never been and the book made me want to shout out to Sabrina who the Villain was as soon as I figured it out! This is the very first that I have read that has Mystery and Intrigue and I was Very Delighted and Pleasantly Surprised and how much I enjoyed this book!
I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO EVERYONE THAT IS LOOKING FOR A GREAT NOVEL THAT WILL HAVE YOU GLUES TO EVERY PAGE AND HANGING ON TO ITS EVERY WORD!
AMY
While examining the Blue Trunk, Sabrina discovered her long lost missing doll Amy. She loved the doll and was both excited and teary eyed to have finally found her. Sabrina soon discovered that her beloved doll Amy held a secret. A secret that has Sabina searching London and Paris for the doll and the secret that she holds. There is Theft, Kidnapping and a Wonderful Budding Romance between Sabrina and the Gorgeous and Charming Hugh Pendleton, a man with a Perfect British Accent that, she met to her Grandfathers Funeral.
This book is very Intriguing, Mysterious and Interesting, I found to hard to put down. The twist and turns will grab you and keep you glues to every word in book. I found myself being taken places that I have never been and the book made me want to shout out to Sabrina who the Villain was as soon as I figured it out! This is the very first that I have read that has Mystery and Intrigue and I was Very Delighted and Pleasantly Surprised and how much I enjoyed this book!
I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO EVERYONE THAT IS LOOKING FOR A GREAT NOVEL THAT WILL HAVE YOU GLUES TO EVERY PAGE AND HANGING ON TO ITS EVERY WORD!
AMY
November 6, 2014
I have never read a book by this author before. I really enjoyed her writing style and character development.
This book had a perfect balance of intrigue and romance.
The story revolves around Sabrina who is American born but her Father was born and raised in England. Upon hearing about tribe death of her grandfather, Sabrina goes back to England for his funeral and discovers she has inherited a trunk full of dress up clothes and her missing doll.
At the reading of the will Hugh enters the picture as her grandfather leaves him different writings dating back to the 17th century.
High and Sabrina have an instant connection. They decide to spend time together while Sabrina is in England. With the oceans between them Sabrina tries to guard her heart from Hugh since she is going back to America.
Sabrina discovers inside her doll a stolen necklace from world war 2 that belongs to a powerful French family. Someone knows how much it's worth along with t's existence and things start happening to Sabrina
Hugh deems himself her protector when her hotel room gets broken into twice and she was drugged and kidnapped.
Sabrina and Hugh must figure out who wants the necklace bad enough to hurt Sabrina.
It was a great balance of mystery and romance with clean but beautiful intimate scenes. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it if you like romance, mystery and a HEA.
This book had a perfect balance of intrigue and romance.
The story revolves around Sabrina who is American born but her Father was born and raised in England. Upon hearing about tribe death of her grandfather, Sabrina goes back to England for his funeral and discovers she has inherited a trunk full of dress up clothes and her missing doll.
At the reading of the will Hugh enters the picture as her grandfather leaves him different writings dating back to the 17th century.
High and Sabrina have an instant connection. They decide to spend time together while Sabrina is in England. With the oceans between them Sabrina tries to guard her heart from Hugh since she is going back to America.
Sabrina discovers inside her doll a stolen necklace from world war 2 that belongs to a powerful French family. Someone knows how much it's worth along with t's existence and things start happening to Sabrina
Hugh deems himself her protector when her hotel room gets broken into twice and she was drugged and kidnapped.
Sabrina and Hugh must figure out who wants the necklace bad enough to hurt Sabrina.
It was a great balance of mystery and romance with clean but beautiful intimate scenes. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it if you like romance, mystery and a HEA.
October 12, 2014
Finding Amy is a delightful romp through London and Paris in search of a missing heirloom. Amy, however important she is to the story line, is not the main character, but Sabrina’s long lost doll from a childhood summer spent in England. Imagine Sabrina’s excitement at being reunited with Amy after 20+ years, only to find that Amy held a secret. Then there’s the dashing Hugh...the very good looking Brit Sabrina meets at the reading of her grandfather’s will. Together they go off on a wild goose chase in search of Amy and her secret. This is a delicious mystery with all the fun elements of kidnapping, theft and, of course, romance. Charming tale with unexpected twists around every bend.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews