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

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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.

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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 

BOUND BY TROUBLE / BOUND BY MAYHEM by Christy Barritt, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

Beach Bound Books and Beans Murder Series

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BOUND BY TROUBLE (Book Four Review)
"So far, the grand opening of Beach Bound Books and Beans has been a smashing success."

However, it doesn't take long for Tali Robinson's dreams for a successful grand opening to take a dark detour. It all started with a stranger getting shot outside her back door and ended up with Mayor Mac MacArthur getting walloped in the back of the head. Why couldn't something go smoothly for a change?

As Tali, Mac, her host of friends and the Lantern Beach police begin to gather clues, it becomes clear that Tali's past has come knocking on the door of her newly minted shop. Who and why become the million dollar questions. And will this hiccup keep Tali and Mac from finding the time for an all-important personal conversation . . . or will the gap between them continue to widen ?

There is bound to be trouble in Lantern Beach! . . . unfortunately, especially when it comes to Talitha Robinson.

BackCover Blurb:
With the grand opening of Beach Bound Books and Beans, Tali Robinson’s dreams are finally coming true. She hopes to now put the past behind her and start a new chapter. When a suspicious stranger mysteriously shows up at her celebration, her hopes disappear faster than a bestseller at a book signing.

Mac MacArthur is ready to solidify his relationship with Tali. But mending their differences is easier said than done. Then someone sets their sights on Tali—and wants to put her out of print . . . permanently.

With trouble brewing, Tali and Mac have no choice but to dive into the chaos of the past. However, as more answers are revealed, the danger increases. The truth will come at a great cost . . . one that will bind them together or drive them apart.
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BOUND BY MAYHEM (Book Five Review)
"The past always finds a way back to you. Bah, humbug!"

Unfortunately, the Lantern Beach production of "Scared the Dickens Out of Me" that was slated for performance in the town's newly renovated community theater was not going to go off without a hitch. Someone had a wicked vendetta against director Abby Mendez and was determined to undermine not only her reputation, but to sabotage the entire event.

Of course Abby's friends rally around her as ghosts fly through the air, the town square's Christmas tree takes a tumble, and critical funds go missing. Lantern Beach needs glad tidings of great joy more than ever before, and maybe, just maybe, when the curtains finally close, another significant happily-ever-after will have the chance to take the stage.

This wonderful series of cozy mysteries ends with a bow and a vow!

BackCover Blurb:
As cast and crew members prepare for Lantern Beach’s first annual Christmas play, catastrophe strikes.

Abby Mendez, the director and brainchild behind the play, never shows up for a dress rehearsal. Threats emerge, and it becomes clear that not everyone on the island feels the Christmas spirit.

With dangerous encounters and ghostly disappearing acts threatening not only the play but also the safety of Lantern Beach residents, former police chief Mac MacArthur and Abby’s friend Tali Robinson jump in to help. The stakes rise as the perpetrator continues to haunt Abby’s past, torment her present, and threaten her future.

When it seems all hope is nearly lost, can the people of Lantern Beach work together to save the play? Or will this phantom scrooge steal the final act?

*I purchased copies of these books and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

BUY ANY OF THE SERIES AT AMAZON IN DIGITAL EBOOK , PAPERBACK, or AUDIOBOOK 

 

BOUND BY MURDER / BOUND BY MYSTERY / BOUND BY DISASTER by Christy Barritt, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

Beach Bound Books and Beans Murder Series

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BOUND BY MURDER (Book One Review)
There's nothing like finding a skeleton in the walls of your new property to bring a renovation project to a screeching halt.

That's exactly the position that Lantern Beach newcomer Talitha Robinson finds herself in while trying to convert her newly acquired downtown property into a coffee shop and bookstore. Thankfully Mayor Mac MacArthur gets involved, using his instincts as the former police chief to assist Talitha in figuring out what to do next.

And while it seems that Mac is a bit enamored with the attractive new citizen . . . wait a minute . . . there's more to this story.

BackCover Blurb:

When widow Talitha Robinson buys an old store on the boardwalk in Lantern Beach, North Carolina, she’s in for a surprise . . . or several. She plans to renovate the space and open Beach Bound Books and Beans, but never expects to find a decades-old skeleton hidden inside one of the walls.

As word of the discovery spreads across the island, strange occurrences begin to occur around her. It soon becomes clear someone still knows something about the dead person—something they don’t want discovered.

Thankfully, former police chief and current mayor Mac MacArthur seems just as eager to unravel the mystery behind the skeletal remains as Tali. But as the two bind together to solve the case, a devastating secret is revealed.

Will their newfound friendship come unglued before they find the answers to the past? Or will their blooming relationship die like the man hidden in the wall?

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BOUND BY DISASTER (Book Two Review)
"Murder was interesting in books. But in real life? It was an entirely different story."

What if a suspicious murder victim washing up on the shores of Lantern Beach was connected to an unfinished manuscript? And what if that manuscript was the one just personally delivered to Tali Robinson? Has she already met the killer? So many questions. So few answers.

As Lantern Beach newcomer and proprietor of a yet to be finished bookstore and coffee shop, Tali Robinson once again finds herself relying on the support of mayor Mac MacArthur whose steady presence and years of experience as the former police chief make Tali all the more grateful that she agreed to just one dance.

This cozy mystery coasts to at a very clever conclusion.

BackCover Blurb:
Talitha Robinson is knee-deep in renovations as she prepares to open her new bookstore when a body washes ashore on Lantern Beach. While news of the suspicious death surges across the island, a stranger comes knocking on Tali’s door, begging her to endorse his unfinished suspense novel.

Unable to dissuade the author, Tali is left holding his manuscript in her hands. But she has no idea of the peril written on its pages.

Mac MacArthur has kept his distance from Tali since they uncovered a shocking connection about their pasts. But when someone begins to act out the murderous scenes from the book, one victim at a time, Mac’s protective instincts override his decision to stay away.

As danger escalates, Mac and Tali must manage their conflicting feelings as they work together to stop this killer . . . before the last chapter is written.

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BOUND BY MYSTERY (Book Three Review)
" . . . we have a witness who places you arguing with the victim right before she died in your store."

Impossible! Talitha Robinson had not killed anyone, especially on her own property. A recent newcomer to Lantern Beach, Tali was working hard to renovate her recent purchase into a combination bookstore and coffee shop, while living in the second floor apartment. But on the night in question, she had a house guest, a bookstore owner from a nearby island who stayed the night due to a storm that cancelled the ferry.

Former police chief and current mayor Mac MacArthur can scarcely believe that trouble has found his friend Tali all over again. His simmering attraction to the lovely woman has been put on hold (who is he kidding?) while they consider some awkward circumstances from their pasts. But as of right now, It's his civic duty to come to her aid, agreed?

An entertaining quest to find the killer who orchestrated a clever scheme to point the finger in the wrong direction. 

BackCover Blurb:
Talitha Robinson is well on her way to completing renovations for her new bookstore, Beach Bound Books and Beans, in Lantern Beach, North Carolina. But when she hosts a friendly meet-and-greet with bookstore owners from nearby islands, the progress she’s making comes to a deadly end.

Someone is backstabbed—literally—right under Tali’s nose. To make matters worse, Tali’s fingerprints are all over the murder weapon and a neighbor claims to have seen Tali commit the crime.

Mac MacArthur knows Tali isn’t the type to hurt anyone, but it doesn’t take a former police chief to figure out things don’t look good for her. The two work together to read between the lines and decipher the truth before Tali gets locked away for crimes she didn’t commit.

As more evidence stacks up, it becomes clear that someone wants to take Tali out of the story. For good.

 

*I purchased copies of these books and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

BUY ANY OF THE SERIES AT AMAZON IN DIGITAL EBOOK , PAPERBACK, or AUDIOBOOK