THE CINDERELLA PLOT by Pepper Basham, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

REBECCA'S REVIEW: 

"And maybe that's the best part of every story. Not the one where you transform into someone perfect, but the one where you find the courage to show up as yourself - and discover you were enough all along."

High school senior Paisley Harper started out wanting to experience her own Cinderella story, and why not? She already felt practically invisible to everyone around her. What better way to accomplish her goal than according to a wildly popular self-help book, "The Cinderella Plot". And so it began; contact lenses, new hair style, updated wardrobe, shiny confidence . . . maybe that was stretching it a bit (but don't tell anyone). Exactly what did she receive in return? A lot of attention. Exactly what she wanted, right? Right. Except when it came to her best boy (with a space) friend, nothing felt right.

Simply put, I loved every single thing about this book. Humor perfumes the authentic struggles of an introverted teen who dares to be seen, when who she is on the inside already outshines any exterior makeover on the outside. She makes mistakes along the way, but don't we all? The overriding messaging of being "fearfully and wonderfully made" by the One who gives us the capacity to love others sacrificially, instead of loving and serving ourselves exclusively is crystal clear throughout, and makes this a story that mothers, daughters, grandmothers, granddaughters will all love to call their own.

*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW: 

BackCover Blurb

Paisley Harper is invisible.

Not in a superpower way. More like the people-look-right-through-you-in-the-hallway kind of way.

She’s the girl with the oversized cardigan, random book knowledge, and the uncanny ability to tutor the school’s star quarterback without actually being seen as anything more than helpful. Meanwhile, her aunt and uncle’s beloved small-town bookstore is under threat from a shiny corporate chain, her best friend keeps giving her looks that feel suspiciously loaded, and Homecoming is looming like a glittery reminder that senior year is running out…and she’s never been kissed.

Enter The Cinderella Plot—a wildly popular self-help book promising total transformation in five easy steps. New hair. New confidence. New life. Maybe even… a date.

With nothing to lose (except her dignity), Paisley decides to follow the plan. Because if fairy tales have taught her anything, it’s that invisible girls don’t get happy endings unless they change something first.

But as Paisley starts stepping into the spotlight, she has to ask herself an important question:
What if being seen comes at the cost of being herself?

Full of heart, humor, bookish charm, and small-town magic, The Cinderella Plot is a romcom about friendship, first love, faith, and discovering that sometimes the greatest transformation isn’t becoming someone new—it’s realizing you were worthy all along.

**CLEAN YA Rom-Com Fiction you can read without skipping a page ** 

MadLit Publishing, March, 2026

Buy THE CINDERELLA PLOT in digital ebook or paperback at Amazon

A HEART ON CONSIGNMENT By Mindy Steele, Reviewed by Trixi Oberembt

The Heart of the Amish Series Book #12

TRIXI'S REVIEW:

First off, I often tell myself that I need to add more Amish stories to my reading palate because I enjoy them so much. I love seeing the culture brought to life from an author who makes you feel like you fit right in. Mindy Steele has done an excellent job of this in my opinion! She made Salina and Seth characters that I quickly came to care for and long to see fall in love—in spite of all the difficulties they faced.

Salina’s Mamm tries to play matchmaker for her, overlooking the fact that she is happy as she is. Of course she longs for a family of her own someday, but her Mamm’s meddling ways are frustrating at times. Even trying to set her up with her best friend Jacob! Salina knows it’s all in God’s timing. She also feels a bit invisible and ignored by others. Learning that being different isn’t always a bad thing, but that God loves her and made her as she is. That’s sometimes a hard lesson! I love her steadfast faith; she’s a great example to me of what it means to trust in God for everything and in everything.

Jacob tries to run from a recent painful breakup, but running from God is impossible! He begins to feel like part of a community and is immediately drawn to Salina. In spite of his broken heart, she plays a part in his healing by bringing laughter and fun back into his life. Can these two discover what it means to embrace God’s will for them and find new purpose—maybe even love?

This is such a wonderful story! I have only read two other ones in the Heart of the Amish series, but have very much loved each one—they are all stand-alone in case you’re wondering. There are gentle reminders of God’s promises, love and faithful characters to walk alongside as they journey along life’s pathways. I especially like that this one also has a strong theme of forgiveness in it.

“Forgiving others and ourselves releases us from our hurts, which are memories of pain we can’t let go of. It’s the straight way to being forgiven by our Father.”
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.*

BackCover Blurb: 
Love Is Not for Sale

Full of faith, hope, and romance, this series takes you into the Heart of Amish country.

Despite knowing her parents are getting desperate for their only child to marry and give them grandchildren, Salina Stoltzfus is weary of seeking the perfect match. Every time she thinks she has found “the one,” he marries another.

The best way to forget you are the last woman any man in Havenlee, Indiana, wants to hitch his buggy too is to find something passionate to focus on. When the area is overrun with donations after a tragic storm, Salina suggests opening a consignment shop. The deacon supports the idea and offers his visiting nephew to help set things up.

After the embarrassment of having his fiancée call off their wedding, Seth Weaver takes his mother’s advice to leave Kentucky to stay with his uncle for a while. Unfortunately, Seth knows nothing about building furniture in his uncle’s factory, which is the only reason he agrees to help ready the consignment shop next door—not because of the little chatterbox working inside.

When Salina’s parents are caught meddling in her love life, she comes up with a crazy idea that might gain her some time and space. Could it be the road to happiness is paved with good intentions and epic fails—until we cross paths when the one made especially for us?

The Heart of the Amish Series Includes:
The Flower Quilter by Mindy Steele
Ruth’s Ginger Snap Surprise by Anne Blackburne
The Quilt Room Secret by Lisa Jones Baker
Courting the Amish Bishop by Mindy Steele
Mary’s Calico Hope by Anne Blackburne
Serenity’s Secret by Lisa Jones Baker
Stolen Kiss by Mindy Steele
Lizzie’s Little Mouse by Anne Blackburne
Hunting for a Husband by Mindy Steele
The Daughter's Choice by Kelly Irvin 

 

Barbour Publishing, April, 2026

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

Buy A HEART ON CONSIGNMENT at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House

 

EDGE OF TRUTH by Janice Cantore, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

PAULA'S REVIEW:

An excellent, suspenseful story that kept me reading until the wee hours. 

I was captivated by the premise that Detective Lainie Jensen is shocked at the death of her sister by a shark attack while on vacation in Hawaii. Lots of intrigue and unfolding connections to the first arrest Lainie made as a rookie cop. A lot can happen in fifteen years and the web of deceit gets more tangled. 

At first Lainie is upset with FBI agent Ben Isaacs when he takes her present case from her. But things happen to pair them together. 

The drama and excitement were mesmerizing. The romance was subtle but an integral part if the story. Faith plays an important part of Ben’s life and Lainie come to appreciate her spiritual roots and soon realizes she can trust God again.
Super good story. I have enjoyed many books by this author.
*I received a complimentary copy from Tyndale via NetGalley and I won a print copy from the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and a solid faith thread

SEE REBECCA'S REVIEW:

BackCover Blurb:
One case almost destroyed her career. Now the past seems to have caught up with her. And as a high-stakes game of truth and lies unfolds, someone’s out for retribution at any cost.

As a detective in the Long Beach Police Department’s violent crimes division, Lainie Jensen is no stranger to hard-to-crack cases and unusual disappearances, but then her sister Evie vanishes on a trip to Hawaii. After traveling there to look for her, Lainie quickly realizes her brother-in-law Stan is telling law enforcement a story that doesn’t appear to add up.

FBI special agent Ben Isaacs has spent six months collecting evidence to take down a money laundering operation. While his fellow agent Efren Gomez goes undercover to infiltrate the ring, Ben investigates those connected to it, including Stan Moffitt, who Ben believes could help lead to the criminal kingpin. Then Stan’s wife goes missing just days after Ben contacted her seeking information, and he knows there’s more to this case, especially when he loses contact with Efren and law enforcement comes up short in their search for him.

When Ben’s and Lainie’s investigations converge, Lainie’s not eager to work alongside Ben given their complicated history, but she’s willing to do so if it means figuring out what Stan knows and locating Evie. Soon, Lainie can’t deny Ben’s dedication to finding the truth or her growing admiration for him. And the more the two examine the evidence, the more they suspect Evie’s disappearance is tied to a highly publicized criminal case from Lainie’s past . . . and someone is playing a perilous game aimed at personal revenge.

-Great for fans of thrillers by Lynette Eason, Colleen Coble, and Allison Brennan
-Police procedural featuring a detective and an FBI agent written by a former police officer
-Clean, stand-alone romantic suspense novel filled with high stakes, edge-of-your-seat adventure, elements of mystery, and themes of fighting for justice
-Includes discussion questions for book clubs 

Tyndale Fiction, February, 2026

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

BUY Edge of Truth at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House

THE LUMBER BARON'S WIFE by Lynn Austin, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay

PAULA'S REVIEW:

“The choices we make are very important. Regret can be a very heavy weight to get out from under.”

 
I absolutely loved this book. I identified with modern character Ashley and her love of old houses and their preservation. I grew up in a house on the National Register and my mother was an antique dealer. This story spoke to my heart. It is so much more than the renovation of an historic mansion, it is the story of how God can renovate a hurting heart. It handles tough subjects that are common to every era.

This story was so well-crafted and very emotional. The characters were realistic and had depth. The two timelines were tethered by a 1870s mansion in Michigan owned by a lumber baron and the mysterious disappearance of his wife. The author showed that grief, hardships, and difficult decisions are part of the human condition and transcend time. But so are answers to age old questions. Christ has gone before us so that He is our strength in all types of situations. “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.”

 
This will easily be one of my top reads for the year and not a story I will soon forget.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Tyndale on behalf of the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*Beyond 5 stars and a solid faith thread 

 

BackCover Blurb:
When the young wife of a powerful lumber baron vanishes into the wilds of frontier Michigan, her friend is left to unravel the truth in this captivating dual-timeline novel from bestselling author Lynn Austin.

1873. After a devastating loss, Hannah Wagner never imagined she’d leave her comfortable home for the harsh, unfamiliar wilderness near Lake Michigan. But when Henry Abernathy―a friend of her husband, John―offers them a fresh start in a booming lumber town, where John’s skills as a doctor are sorely needed, Hannah reluctantly agrees. There, she meets Kate, Henry’s spirited, much younger wife. Kate’s sharp tongue and outsider status have made her unwelcome among the town’s elite, and when she begins confiding in Hannah, it’s clear her marriage is not what it seems . . . and that a secret from her past could destroy everything.

Present day. Ashley Gilbert never planned to settle in Michigan, but when her husband lands his dream job as a conservationist, she agrees to follow. While restoring their historic home―built in the 19th century for a doctor and his wife―Ashley becomes captivated by its past and its connection to the nearby Abernathy mansion, now being transformed into a museum. While volunteering with the restoration, she stumbles upon the unsolved mystery of Kate Abernathy’s disappearance. 

What begins as curiosity soon becomes a quest for the truth―one that will connect her to two women whose stories and struggles echo and inspire her own.Standalone historical fiction about marriage, grief, and the power of female friendships from the author of All My Secrets and Long Way Home
-A richly layered Christian women’s fiction novel with elements of mystery, perfect for fans of Martha Hall Kelly, Kristy Cambron, and Susan Meissner
-Includes discussion questions for book clubs 

Tyndale Fiction, April, 2026

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

Buy THE LUMBER BARON'S WIFE at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House