The Crown Conspiracy - (A Speranza Team Novel) by Connie Mann

The Crown Conspiracy is a non-stop thrill ride filled with interesting characters and lots of plot twists. I didn’t want to put it down. I loved it and I look forward to reading more from this Connie Mann. Note: I received this book from the publisher and was not required to leave a review. The honest opinion is my own.

Wow! What a fast-paced, action filled adventure! This book will have the reader on the edge of their seat the entire time! There's intrigue, suspense, a mystery, kidnapping, and a hint of romance! There are so many wonderful characters! Sophie is a butt kicking, puzzle solving woman! She's also compassionate and extremely loyal! I love the crime solving team comprised of women! They each have their own special skills and they work well together! There are some difficult issues that come up in the book. Women are abducted from camps who are homeless or refugees. There are also some pretty intense fight scenes. But there is also hope! "I believe in God, even when He is silent." That says it all. I was provided a complimentary copy of the book from Tyndale via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wow! The Crown Conspiracy is a fast-paced well-written thrill ride from the start to the finish. Danger, suspense, treasure hunting, missing people, stolen art, Christian themes, a clean romance, and a team of women helping women - this book has it all, and more! I loved getting to know Sophia and Mac and the women from the Speranza Team. I'm excited this is going to be a new series, and can't wait for the next adventure. Many thanks to the author, Tyndale House Publishers, and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

The Crown Conspiracy by Connie Mann is the first book I have read by this author but I definitely want to read more of her books. I really enjoyed this thrilling, adventurous, romantic suspense novel. I'm really hoping that she is planning on writing more of these Speranza Team novels. I really enjoyed getting to know these characters and really want to see them go on more adventures. This story is told from multiple points of view, both from the protagonists' and the antagonists' point of view. Sophie is who I would consider the main female character. Though there are several other women whose points of view we see parts of the story through. And there are at least a couple of villains whose point of view we see. And then there is Mac McKenzie, not a villain, but someone who comes between Sophie and her goals more than once, while also getting closer to her, and maybe, just maybe, there are feelings developing. But, she doesn't know whose side he is on, so she doesn't know how much she can trust him. Sophie is a talented artist and can also forge paintings. Which seems a bit devious for the main protagonist, but she uses her skills for good. Her best friend, Lise owns the art gallery where she works and she is aware of her clandestine activities. She is also involved with a charity that helps the homeless. One day while looking into some suspicious happenings, she disappears. However, her disappearance coincides with the stealing of a long lost famous painting she received, so things are a bit suspicious. But Sophie trusts her friend and needs to find out what happened to her. And she finds herself pulled into events that are way beyond what she thought they were. Was Lise's disappearance linked to her help with the homeless, or with this painting? Or, are they all connected somehow? And then there is Mac who is also after the painting for his client, but also after Robin Hood, a art thief who steals paintings and replaces them with wonderful forgeries. And then there are the villains who are after the painting for different reasons. There is a chase across different cities in different European countries with lots of non-stop action and danger and intrigue. Plus there is a centuries old undercover society helping women in danger. So much going on in this book, and I loved it. And I also loved how the author brought everything together. As much as I loved the book, I did take off one star because of how many times the author said this or that character was "cussing." If it was the bad guys, it wouldn't have bothered me as much. But our main protagonists were doing a lot of that and I guess I assumed they would have been Christians. Then I realized, it didn't really say whether they were or not, though one of the main saying in the book is, "I believe in God even when he is silent." So, yes, there is belief there, but I would have loved to have seen more of a faith in God lived out in their lives. And no, I'm not saying Christians have to be perfect and not cuss ever. My feelings on that aside, I did love this book. I loved that there were strong women leads helping those in need. I loved the royal conspiracy that was a part of the story. And the fast paced chases and the treasure hunt and the undercover spy-ish feel. It had me scrolling through the pages as I needed to see what was going to happen next. I received an e-copy of this book through NetGalley as a member of the launch team and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own honest thoughts.

If you'd like a fast-paced adventure story set in picturesque European locations and featuring strong female characters, then The Crown Conspiracy by Connie Mann is the book for you. This story is filled with plot twists, breathless chases, priceless art, royal secrets, hidden treasure, and a society of women who help other women in need around the world. I love how the team members each use their unique skills to help the main character, Sophie, solve the art mystery—and search for her missing best friend. I can’t wait for another Speranza Team book!

This exciting romantic suspense thriller had me captivated from the beginning when Sophie begins her adventures as a Robin Hood type figure. She isn’t stealing from the rich to give to the poor, but rather she is in the business of restoring art treasures to their rightful owners. Skilled at swordsmanship as well as hand-to-hand fighting, Sophie has to call on all of her talents to escape the villains around her that are determined that she not find royal painting about a missing heir. I loved the non-stop action and the characters who were so dynamic and heroic, but I especially enjoyed getting to know the Speranza Team that showed up almost like magic whenever Sophie needed their assistance. With a symbol of hope for the downtrodden and innocent tattooed to show their allegiance, this all-women squad of super heroines tackles some really bad guys and make some harrowing narrow escapes. With exotic settings and a little romance going on, too, this book was everything I would ever want to read in a romantic suspense thriller along with more than a few surprises added in. Twists abounded in this compelling story of fighting for justice in this tale of escalating tension as the women raced down canals in Venice and streets in Munich, ever searching for the elusive paintings as well as for a missing friend. Breathtakingly complex and addictive, this is sure to be one of my favorite books of the year! Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16th CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Welcome to the world 0f Speranza - a network of women who help other women, right wrongs and get things done that really matter. Sophie Williams, an artist, but also one who could copy an original so that only the real artist would know for sure. This career was not about the money, but rather righting the wrongs in the world of paintings. But would her quick fingers be able to keep her safe, when so many wanted the painting she was tasked with finding? I believe in God, even when He is silent. With plenty of danger, intrigue and a royal mystery you will not set this book down. Abductions, castles and more - is she really on the right side? I loved this story and hope that the author continues to bring us further into the work of Speranza! An early copy was received through Tyndale and NetGalley. These thoughts are my own and were in no way solicited.