A MOMENT TO LOVE by Tracie Peterson, Reviewed by Paula

Christian Historical Romance Set in a Small Town on the 

Western Frontier of Wyoming (Hope of the Cheyenne Book #3)

 

PAULA'S REVIEW:
Ms. Peterson brings relevant issues into a sweet, romantic, marriage of convenience story. This time, Dr. Carrie Vogel is tired of being in the shadow of her fiancé and having him steal her medical research and passing it off as his own. Upon returning to Cheyenne, she agrees to a pretend marriage with Pinkerton agent Spencer Duval to allow him to operate undercover.
 

Of course love blooms as the couple grows closer and discover shared values. Carrie questions her role as a doctor as not fitting the model of a Proverbs 31 woman. Spencer points out that her life of service can be different and still fulfill that model.
 

In a twist, the theme of forgiveness is presented in an unexpected way. “Forgiveness was letting go of a burden we were never meant to carry.”
 

I enjoyed this conclusion to The Heart of Cheyenne series. Ms Peterson never fails to give a fascinating, faith-filled story that entertains.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House through Interviews and Reviews 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:
A shared heart for justice pulls them together, but is their love strong enough to survive their trials?

Dr. Carrie Vogel's heart is shattered when her groundbreaking medical research is stolen and falsely credited to her ex-fiancé. With years of diligent work lost, she grapples with the disastrous turn of her career and leans on her faith for strength. When she learns that her Pinkerton friend Spencer Duval is on a justice-driven mission to her hometown of Cheyenne, she agrees to an arranged marriage to provide him with a cover story. But merely pretending to be in love with Spencer becomes increasingly difficult the more time she spends with him.

Spencer is determined to apprehend the ruthless murderer who killed his father years ago, but his quest ignites unexpected emotions--both for Carrie and about the desire for revenge that has dominated his life. As the web of suspects tightens, their futures hang in the balance, and they must learn to trust God's plan as unexpected love takes flight.

Return to Cheyenne, Wyoming, with bestselling author Tracie Peterson for a journey of healing and forgiveness in this exquisite western frontier romance that will appeal to readers of faith-filled stories and When Calls the Heart. 

Bethany House Publishing, October, 2025

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

Buy A MOMENT TO LOVE at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House  

ABOUT LAST CHRISTMAS by Rachel Scott McDaniel, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

A Sweet Holiday Romantic Comedy

 

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"I'll be by the bench near the turtledoves display with two hot chocolates on December fifteenth. Say around seven."

So her impaled-by-an-elf (definitely an inside joke! that happened outside!) handsome stranger named Leo didn't show up as promised, no big deal, right? Wrong. Was Greta Carlton disappointed? Absolutely. Did she put the incident behind her? Mostly. Nearly a year passes by, a year that is saturated with grief over the death of her beloved grandmother and taunted by the bizarre reappearance of her mother.

As the Christmas season approaches, Greta tries to ignore the fact that being the proprietor of a lovely antique shop in a small town that practically oozes with holiday cheer is not putting her in the spirit of the season. Until, Remington Orileo Mathis pops up out of thin air at a charity ball looking way too handsome for his own good in an expensive tuxedo.

This now-you-see-him, now-you-don't romantic comedy delivers every single sigh-worthy emotion imaginable as Greta and Leo finangle turning a chance encounter into the love of a lifetime. Is it easy? Are you kidding me? Is it worth it? Now there is an excuse to read a book if I ever heard one.

Charming, Christmassy, and classically entertaining!
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 3.5 stars

 

BackCover Blurb:
She’s trying to avoid a holiday disaster. He’s trying to earn his way off her naughty list. Both will need a Christmas miracle.

Greta Carlton is beautifully content running her antique shop in the snow-globe town of Silver Creek, sipping vanilla gingerbread lattes, and staying clear of drama. But a whirlwind encounter with a handsome stranger leads to a whimsical evening, stirring her heart to believe in movie-style romance. That is, until Leo disappears into thin (and snowy) air. Ten months later, he walks into her shop like the Ghost of Christmas Last, needing a favor.

She’s still mad.

He’s still charming.

Greta doesn’t have time for men with dimpled grins and the proclivity for vanishing. She’s got her own holiday project with an approaching deadline. Though the more she learns about Leo, the more she realizes he’s the only thing standing between her and a Christmas catastrophe. They agree to help each other reach their holiday goals. As they untangle feelings as stubborn as knotted Christmas lights, Greta wonders if second chances are like antiques—unexpected, imperfect, and everything you didn’t know you were looking for.

About Last Christmas is a sweet holiday romance wrapped in witty banter, heartfelt twists, and the dreamy thrill of finding love in the glow of twinkling lights. 

October, 2025 Available in digital ebook and paperback at Amazon

ECHOES OF A SILENT SONG by Amanda Wen, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"He didn't care about winning them over. He cared only about recapturing his muse, so he could resign this job as quickly as he'd taken it, return to Boston, and get his life back."

So yet another in the front door, out the back door choral conductor had arrived at Peterson High, although this one seemed to actually know what he was doing, that was some consolation. Choir accompanist Blair Emerson was weary of seeing her students tossed from one director to another and while Callum Knight's resume of professional experience was impressive, his demeanor screamed that he would rather be anywhere else.

While searching through the school's music library for appropriate selections, Callum and Blair run across a discarded hand-written piece of music; absolutely brilliant according to Callum. The two find common ground in unraveling the previously overlooked details surrounding the young composer's untimely death and the loss of her prodigious composition. In the process they also discover there is a lot to learn about each other as well, for wounded hearts can be terribly fragile.

A lovely inspirational romance filled with the sounds of music!
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review 3.5 stars

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW:

BackCover Blurb:
A split-time romance from an award-winning author

When a choral composer and conductor falls victim to creative block, he resorts to his fallback plan of teaching high school choir. Callum Knight’s goal at Peterson High is simple: rediscover his muse, extract himself from teaching, and get back to Boston as quickly as possible.

As the long-suffering accompanist at the high school, Peterson-native Blair Emerson has watched the revolving door of choir directors and their negative impact on her choirs over the last few years. She is less than impressed when a disheveled Callum stumbles in on his first day.

But then they discover an unsigned, unfinished, and handwritten choral composition by a clear musical genius. Blair recalls rumors of Iris, a Peterson student from the 1970s who composed music but was found dead during her senior year. Blair and Callum work to determine if the piece is hers, and the truth they uncover shakes both of them to the core.

With rhythm and flair, Amanda Wen takes readers on an unexpected journey into the depths of a small town’s history in this riveting first book in the Melodies and Memories duology. 

Kregel Publishing, October 2025

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

 

ON THE EDGE OF TRUST by Patricia Bradley, Reviewed by Paula

A Christian Romantic Suspense Novel with FBI Intrigue and Clean Romance

 

PAULA'S REVIEW

After reading Shadows of the Past where Scott Sinclair is an important but side character, On the Edge of Trust by Patricia Bradley puts Scott right in the spotlight. Scott has changed from a troubled teen to an undercover FBI agent who is recovering from an injury and becomes embroiled in a troubling murder investigation as he re-connects with Tori Mitchell.
 

This was a riveting story with many moving parts as Tori and Scott team up to find out who killed Jenny Tremont and why. Not only is the murder of Jenny a puzzle but the case reaches back in time to the murder of Walter Livingston and the connections to Tori are astounding.
 

I was pleased with how Scott had grown spiritually. He helped Tori to see that God could be trusted and Tori could rely on Him to lead her and protect her.
 

With precision plotting, the author crafted an intricate mystery that kept me guessing, although I wanted to yell at Tori a few times, not only for her independence but to have here wake up to the romance that was happening with Scott. She also finally decided to connect with her estranged family.
 

As always, I appreciated the creative story by a masterful writer.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Revell on behalf of the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.* 5 stars and a solid faith thread

 

BackCover Blurb:
Sometimes the closer you get to justice, the deadlier it becomes

When decorated FBI undercover agent Scott Sinclair suffers a gunshot wound in his right arm, the injury threatens his future career in the field. He is determined to regain his former job by training himself to use his left hand, and failure is not an option--especially when he's unofficially pulled into an investigation.

Tori Mitchell is a passionate crime reporter and podcaster who has dedicated her life to seeking justice. Her relentless pursuit of the truth has freed a wrongfully convicted man from prison, making Tori an enemy of the true killer. When her nephew is accused of a different murder, nothing can stop her from getting involved and clearing his name.

Soon after Tori and Scott reconnect on the case, shots are fired, leaving them to wonder which of them has been targeted. As the investigation intensifies, so do the threats and the sparks between them, but Tori's doubtful if she can extend grace and trust to Scott. They'll have to combine their skills and rely on their growing relationship to outsmart the killer.

Perfect for fans of Lynette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn, Elizabeth Goddard, and readers who love faith-based fiction and edge-of-your-seat thrillers, this riveting, clean romantic suspense delivers heart-pounding danger and forced-proximity romance. 

Revell Publishing, November, 2025
Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:
Buy ON THE EDGE OF TRUST at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House