The Matchmaker's Lonely Heart

The amount of insight to be gained from reading novels is tremendous.

One must use caution in sharing secrets or drawing others into a confidence. Be certain a friend possesses the skills necessary to remain silent.

Perhaps, for some, love strikes like lightning, but for me, it crept upon me like a thief in the night. A very handsome thief, who has quite stolen my once-lonely heart.

You must fight, my female friends, and never stop. If under attack, you must endeavor to forget all you have learned about proper behavior and claw your way to freedom. Others in your life may have alternate suggestions, but if they do not involve kicking and biting, clawing and hitting, you may safely disregard them.

He is just different. That is all.” She looked perplexed, but said, “Different is good. Different is wonderful.

Although solving murders and matchmaking ought to be as different as night and day, the thump of excitement in her heart was the same.

Though Amelie was a voracious reader of romantic novels, she was painfully shy around men in whom she found an interest.

My father was a constable and died while performing his duty. My brother-in-law and partner died while performing his duty. I saw the effects those deaths had on my mother and sister, and I cannot, in good conscience, do that to a woman I . . .” Her spirits sank as he trailed off. “What a shame, Detective. I suppose that such a woman would then marry a factory worker, or other laborer, or a man in any one of a number of dangerous professions. Or perhaps a banker, who is accidently trampled in the street by a runaway carriage. Or a farmer who contracts consumption at the village autumn fete and succumbs to it weeks later.” She shook her head and pulled back. He released her, remaining silent, watching her. She shrugged, stuffing the pen and notebook into her reticule. “We are all going to die someday, and what a pity it would be to lose the possibility for happy opportunities because of fear.

Be careful what you wish for, lest it come true.

She enjoys reading novels, solving puzzles, and helping couples find true love.

My brother, Stephen, has always said I live in a world of fairy tales. That is laughable, though, because the books I read contain all sorts of murder and mayhem, usually committed with revolvers or knives, and once even a machete.