LOVE AND BASEBALL by Jaime Jo Wright and Chloe JoAnne, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

CLEAN Young Adult ROM COM

REBECCA'S REVIEW

"Soooooo . . . like, I sorta pretended you into existence. Now that you are real and here, everyone thinks we are dating."

Tired of trying to explain why having a boyfriend wasn't on her radar, book and baseball fan Brielle Walters thought she had come up with the perfect solution . . . create a fake! Using AI and a host of little white lies (or untruths that she failed to correct) Brielle conjures up Brooks Mason, who conveniently lives very far away. And her plan was working just fine, until a very real Brooks Mason shows up at school.

What???? There were only so many places for a girl to hide, but viral social media reels were not one of them.

This is just about the sweetest, funniest, conundrum of a story that I have ever read! 

BackCover Blurb: 
She needed a boyfriend. AI came to her rescue. But then her fake boyfriend showed up at school.

Brielle has never wanted a boyfriend. She's happy with her book boyfriends--purely fictional, right? Easy to maintain. She's also not a huge fan of sports, except baseball. Not playing it. No. Again, books and cozy afternoons are her thing. But Brielle can get into baseball with the best of them when it comes to watching, repeating stats, and wearing her favorite jerseys. But apparently, that's not enough in life. At least according to her four nosy aunts, who all think she needs a boyfriend, people at school who are convinced Brielle is a closet serial killer because she's happier with her books, and yeah. Valentine’s Day is on the calendar.

There is a purpose for AI, and Brielle decides the genius thing to do is make a fake boyfriend. Complete with deepfake photos, Brielle creates the perfect boyfriend, and no one needs to know he's entirely fictional. They just need to believe she met him over summer vacation, and he lives somewhere in North Carolina. Only he doesn't. When baseball catcher, Brooks Mason shows up at high school, a lookalike to Brielle's AI boyfriend, her entire world becomes a dog-eared, bent pages book nightmare.

Brooks is getting sick of all the girls at school wanting to date him. He wants to play ball and hang out. So, yeah. It makes sense to help Brielle out. Fake date? Why not? But once together, dating for show becomes an act that both Brielle and Brooks aren't quite prepared for, and dealing with unexpected attraction, complicated situations, and interfering aunts and bffs?

It's a grand slam of problems just waiting to happen, plus a game-changing shot at a championship home run at love.
** CLEAN YA Rom-Com Fiction you can read without skipping a page **
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review
 

MadLit Publishing, February, 2026

Available in digital ebook or paperback

Buy LOVE AND BASEBALL at Amazon 

THE LOST STORY OF VIA BELLE by Melanie Dobson, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #NewRelease

PAULA'S REVIEW:
“A good story is strong enough to save a life.”

 I am partial to dual-timeline stories and Ms. Dobson is an expert at weaving the two times together. 

This is such a great story about a popular author Via Belle of the 1940s who goes missing after her second marriage. 

Harper in the 2006 returns to a place she visited as a child and is caught up in the stories of Via Belle as she searches for a topic for a script that she wants to write. What she finds is a little romance and connections that are surprising. 

Especially interesting is the historical look at the life of an author from the past and her struggles with her faith and her newfound love. The descriptions of the house, gardens and lake that were an inspiration to Via put you right in the story. I began to care about the heroines in both timelines and cringed at the duplicity of the villain. All the mystery and subterfuge made for an exceptional story. 

You will want to put this on your list!
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Tyndale via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.* 5 stars and a solid faith thread 

BackCover Blurb:
Searching for a story to adapt for film, an aspiring screenwriter becomes captivated by a bestselling classic novel and the mysterious disappearance of the woman who wrote it.

1940. Via Belle's sweet romance novels made readers believe in happily ever after. But Via's reality was much more complicated. While her first husband was alive, her creativity thrived in a beautiful stone estate situated above a pristine lake and moonflower garden. After his tragic death and a whirlwind second marriage shrouded in secrets, Via vanished from public life, leaving behind a shadow of scandal . . . and her final story.

2006. Screenwriter Harper Rayne is desperate for a breakthrough, if only she can find the right story to tell. But when she digs into the life of her late mother's favorite novelist, she never expects it to become personal. Drawn to the quaint Pennsylvania town where both her mother and Via once lived, Harper discovers more than a mystery to solve—she finds echoes of her own longing for love, healing, and home. As long-buried secrets come to light, Harper must decide if she'll protect the past or rewrite this particular ending.

-Described as a "powerhouse in dual-timeline Christian fiction" (Library Journal), Melanie Dobson delivers another rich, atmospheric novel about the legacy of sacrificial love and the redemptive power of truth.

-Standalone dual-timeline historical mystery filled with drama, faith, and intrigue
-Clean, suspenseful historical fiction, perfect for fans of Susan Meissner, Lisa Wingate, or Patti Callahan Henry

-Includes discussion questions for book groups

Tyndale Fiction, April, 2026

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy THE LOST STORY OF VIA BELLE at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House

THE SONG BIRD by Carrie Cotten, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

(The Huntress: Medieval Christian Fiction Book 5)

PAULA'S REVIEW:
Viking adventure story worthy of a saga. 

“Every mighty wind began with a whisper of a breeze, and every legendary ballad with a single note”

This is an exciting tale of mortal enemies and brutal war. Of ancient people who believed in many gods who are being taught about The Christ and having to stand for their convictions. But it is also a love story that is brought about through hardships and a common faith. 

Tove, the songbird, has become a Christian and sings the Psalms and Christian ballads. She brings hope to the hopeless. She is brave and warrior-like. Gerrit is a former pirate who has found Christ but is wary of revealing his beliefs. Once an enemy, he becomes bodyguard to Tove as they flee captivity to warn her Viking clan of impending doom. 

Excellent writing and a clear gospel message along with interesting, relatable characters make this an entertaining story.

If you like Medieval history, give this series a try.
*A great copy ofvthis book was provided by the publisher on behalf of the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.* 4.5 stars and a solid faith thread

BackCover Blurb:
Her songs were her secret—until they became his deliverance.

Tove Volfsbydottir is willing to do anything for the Shieldmaiden who redeemed her from slavery, even enter into a marriage alliance with a near stranger. But soon she finds herself homesick and heartbroken in her new village—and alone except for a little slave girl whose sorrows Tove understands well. Dark forces are at work around her, including a mysterious army sweeping through the land, looking to rid every village of those who follow The Christ. The one man willing to help Tove is the last person she has reason to trust.

Gerritt the Grimheart flaunts the most feared name on the northern sea, created one battle at a time in a desperate grasp at honor and atonement. But even after he abandons piracy, his attempts to live a new life result in havoc. When he loses Sanne, the child who means more to him than any treasure, his sole purpose becomes her rescue. Will the woman he knows only as the Songbird help him save Sanne, or will Gerritt end up destroying her life as well?

Can the simple melody of truth break through their sorrows and save the Northlands before it’s too late?

The Songbird is book 5 in The Huntress series, but can be read as a standalone. It is a closed door, kisses only, Christian romance.

April, 2026

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and hardcover

Buy THE SONG BIRD at Amazon 

 

DETECTING DANGER and ESCAPING PERIL by Christy Barritt, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

 TWO BOOKS FROM THE REFUGE COVE SERIES

 _________________

 

DETECTING DANGER
"Starting over was possible. Believing in herself enough to do it - that was the part that took practice."

Finally deciding to seek refuge away from all connections to her abusive ex-husband, Millie Anderson arrives at the secluded house of refuge in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains only to discover that it is owned and operated by Caleb King, a face from her past who represents a previous phase of deep heartache. Sensing Millie's distress at his presence, Caleb assures her that the property is secure and that Refuge Cove is a place where she can breathe easier without the anxiety of constantly looking over her shoulder. As it turns out, nothing could be further from the truth.

This second chance romance is riddled with speed bumps and pot holes that jar the reader to the point of no return in certain instances, yet step-by-step Millie and Caleb yield to the hope that they have been reunited for a reason.

A nice start to a new series!

BackCover Blurb:
He broke his promise of forever. Now he’s the one standing between her and danger.

Millie Anderson learned the hard way that love comes with consequences. After years of abuse at the hands of her controlling ex-husband, she's finally free—but not safe. With nowhere else to turn, she flees to Refuge Cove, a shelter hidden in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where women can find sanctuary along with their beloved dogs.

When Millie arrives, she expects to find protection. What she doesn't expect is to find Caleb King waiting there to welcome her. He broke her heart years ago. Now he wants her to trust him to keep her safe. But trust is a luxury Millie can’t afford—not when her past is closing in and unsettling incidents begin to plague the Cove.

Millie and Caleb must confront their painful history while racing to uncover the truth. Because someone is willing to kill to keep their secrets buried . . . and some second chances come with a deadly price.

Content Note: References to domestic violence appear in this story.

_________________

 

ESCAPING PERIL

"I just hope you remember what's important."

The problem was, Naomi King couldn't remember anything about the vicious attack that could have killed her if bystanders had not intervened. Leaving her New York City lifestyle behind, she moved to the Blue Ridge Mountains and settled down to help her family manage Refuge Cove, a safe place for women who needed to remove themselves from danger.

Now it seemed that a different kind of peril was confronting Naomi, not only did their immediate neighbors begrudge the fact that the King family had acquired their family property, but they were telegraphing their hostility in dangerous ways. In addition, one of their recent guests had betrayed their trust and now needed help; could Naomi add taking care of a newborn to her growing list of responsiblities? And what about those forgotten memories?

Enter Sheriff Micah Sutherland. Calm, consistent, protective Micah whose steady presence kept grounding Naomi when she needed him the most. Beyond that, Naomi kept battling her own insecurities and Micah was clearly keeping their frequent inter-actions in the category of totally professional.

A wonderful, multi-layered romantic suspense with a potent blend of characters and perplexing plot threads! 

BackCover Blurb:
She's running from a night she can't remember. He's determined to protect her from what she can't see coming.

Naomi King can't remember the night she was attacked and left for dead in New York City. Searching for healing, she leaves her successful career behind and finds new purpose at Refuge Cove, a women's shelter nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. But when a newborn baby suddenly needs protection, Naomi's decision to step in puts her directly in harm's way again—and forces her to face the truth her fractured memory has been hiding.

Sheriff Micah Sutherland has built his life around keeping others safe. He knows firsthand what it costs when you fail. Protecting Naomi is his duty. Getting close to her was never part of the plan. But as the threats escalate and danger closes in from every direction, Micah has to decide how much he's willing to risk—and whether the walls he's built are protecting him or just keeping out the one thing that might finally be worth the risk.

When enemies from the past refuse to stay buried, Naomi and Micah must trust each other with everything—their secrets, their safety, and the fragile hope that something good can still grow in the shadow of what they've survived.

*I purchased these two books and was under no obligation to provide a positive review 

Available from River Heights Publishing in digital ebook or paperback at Amazon