By Reservation Only

Deerbourne Inn (multi-author series) #1

by Barbara Edwards

It's the grand opening of The Deerbourne Inn! Award-winning Chef Nathan Harte has worked long and hard to restore this historic property in Willow Spring, Vermont. He's ready to greet his guests with fine cuisine, comfortable rooms, and maybe even a ghost or two.

He's escaping the rat-race of the city for a slower more rewarding life, but is he ready to deal with a broken arm, a quirky arsonist, and a long-ago mystery? And what might he find up in the three-hundred-year-old attics?

118 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 8, 2018

About the author

I’m Barbara Edwards and a native New Englander. I’m a graduate of the University of Hartford with a Master’s degree in Public Administration. I write poetry for myself and novels when I need to tell a longer tale. I’m fascinated by the past so naturally turned to writing historical romance. The dark paranormal stories evolve from nightmares. The romance comes from my belief in people’s basic goodness and longing for love.
I lived in Florida for several years and am past president of the Central Florida Romance Writers and a member of Romance Writers of America.
When I returned to Connecticut, I founded the Charter Oak Romance Writers, a Chapter of Romance Writers of America, along with several close friends.
My husband is a retired Police Sergeant. We share an interest Civil War re-enacting and travel the Eastern states to participate in events. I love visiting museums, galleries and battle sites, gathering information for my stories.
I taught Romance Writing at Manchester Community college for three years.
I’m fond of gardening and growing antique roses with limited success.
Most of my exercise is when my Belgian Shepherd, Dixie, demands a walk.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for free. I am voluntarily leaving this review and all opinions expressed herein are mine.

This is the first book in the Deerbourne Inn series. Here, Chef Nathan Hart has inherited the inn and decides to renovate it and reopen it. Close to the grand opening, Nathan is hit by a hit-and-run driver causing him some injuroes which impede his abilities to work on the inn. On top of that, a guest shows up before the inn is even open, wanting to stay at the inn to do research. Finally, there are a rash of arson fires leaving the townsfolk on edge.

This book mostly centers on the inn's renovations, Chef Nate's meal preparations and getting to know the good people living around the inn. The arson mystery is given a bit of a short shrift. It's a nice quaint story and an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon in a scenic Vermont town with some nice people.

I listened to this book - the narrator did a nice job.

[Emmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

•audiobook•
2 stars for the book, an extra overall star for the wonderful narration

A short book that seems to be an introduction to the Deerbourne Inn’s main characters.

Blossoming romance among some of the key characters should definitely indicate it’s in a Romance genre, even though I’m assuming some relationships will deepen more quickly than others.

I really think the capture and arrest of the arsonist was poorly handled. Adding to that, readers are not given any clues, so ... where’s the mystery?

I’m not a fan of deception in budding relationships, and it appears that’s a theme in this series. So although Ms Hagood did a fantastic job narrating this small town cast of characters, I wouldn’t follow the series.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

By Reservation Only
: Barbara Edwards

This novella lenght listen is an introduction to the characters and to The Deerbourne Inn. There's lots of excitment from getting ready for the grand opening, a hit and run driver, an arsonist, and a guest that arrives before the inn is actually open. Don't forget about whats at the quarry!!! This should be enough to get anyone started on the road to The Deerbourne Inn series.



The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed by Nila Brereton Hagood.



I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[C. Becker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable cozy story. The main character is a chef and the author makes the reader’s stomach rumble with all the food described throughout the story. I liked that the story had a mystery, but would have liked a longer chase finding the antagonist. Barbara Edwards is a skilled writer and craftily brings in subplots, introducing characters and romances. I wish the ending would have brought the two main characters (Nate and Emily) together, but Edwards sets up the possibility to a sequel that I would love to read. Likeable characters, natural dialogue, worth your time to read.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The publisher's blurb isn't half bad, but this first book is more novella length so that's okay. Most of it is a lovely story about people finding their way as family and new neighbors building a business. Parallel to that is a vacationer who really needs to complete her research in the attic of the Inn and becomes involved in the dailies. And then there's the arson problem. A nice comfortable read that you don't want to end!
The excellent narration is performed by Nila Brereton Hagood and she makes a good read even better!

[Suzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I requested and received a copy of this book for free from Audioboom. The views expressed are my own.

I enjoyed this book very much and intend to follow the series. The country/ small town setting is perfect. The mystery revolved around the arsonist who was destroying neighboring holdings and there is one person in the story who is not truthful about who and what they really are. The story line moved at a good pace and the reader made it even better.I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys small town mysteries and cozies.

[Lora Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

By Reservation Only has many elements that I love in a book. I picked it out because it was about an inn and I have a crazy thing for stories about a B&B. It didn't disappoint. It had everything cooking, a ghost story, a bit of suspense and a love story all wrapped into one book. I really hope that it is going to be a series because I want to come back to the inn and spend more time with these characters.

[Rebecca Goss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nate moved to Vermont when an old friend leaves her family Inn to him and his sister. He is a chef and plans to open the restaurant and Inn after he renovated it. Emily shows up and wants to research the Inn. I was surprised he wasn’t more curious about her motivation. I love books about Inns. This is a sweet story and the characters are very likeable. The ending leaves room for future books. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jean Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read that took us into the first book of the Deerbourne Inn series. Be warned - it may make you hungry, because the main protagonist is a chef! The author described this lovely town in Vermont, that makes you feel like you are there, down to a cast of lovable characters and an interesting story line. Looking forward to reading more books in the series.

[Tena Stetler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an entertaining set up for the new Deerbourne Inn Series. It’s a mystery so don’t look for a HEA. A few loose ends are left to tie up in the upcoming books.
The small town descriptions and the loveable characters development were well done. The main character is a chef. His culinary talents will leave your stomach rumbling. I look forward to reading more Deerbourne Inn series.

[D.V. Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heading to VT to look for the Deerbourne Inn

I love small town stories. The characters are people you could befriend. We are drawn in immediately when Nathan Harte is injured before the grand opening of the inn. Family friends and neighbors along with the mysterious Emily pull together to help.

[Amber Daulton · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the first Deerbourne Inn novella, Chef Nathan Harte is renovating the old inn he’d inherited from an elderly friend. Opening day is a week away when a hit-and-run driver nearly runs him over and leaves him with a broken arm, but Nathan and his staff are determined to see the inn and restaurant open on time.
Emily Harrington arrives at the inn to research genealogy records for a client, and much of that information involves the inn. She befriends Nate’s cousin and some of the townsfolk, and develops a little crush on Nate.
Most of the story is focused on Nathan getting ready to open the inn, so there was a lot of description about food, antiques, and the renovation of the property. This story is a mystery, not a romance. As the series starter, this book set up several locations and introduced the town’s main inhabitants.
I enjoyed the story and look forward to reading more books in the series.
4 Stars

Disclaimer – I volunteered to read and review this book. I am not paid or compensated in any way, shape, or form for this review. I will not change or alter this review for any reason unless at my discretion.