MEET ME AT THE CHRISTMAS COTTAGE by Christen Krumm, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

 

A JONATHON ISLAND NOVEL

PAULA'S REVIEW:
Meet me at the Christmas Cottage by Christen Krumm is a cute but complicated Christmas story that takes place in the Jonathon Island Universe, an island that mimics Mackinac Island- isolated, no cars, infrequent ferries- just the place to get stuck in for the holidays.

Bronte, a successful author chose the island to be able to write her latest book whose deadline is looming. She rents a cottage but gets interrupted by the unexpected arrival of the owner’s brother, Jonah, an army doctor on leave. You guessed it, sparks fly in this close proximity story.

The author pulled me in to the story with the wonderful premise, the witty banter, the friendly inhabitants and the Christmas atmosphere. The likeable hero and heroine, who are working through their past disappointments and expectations, fall in love quickly, but it makes perfect sense. They are good for each other and Jonah encourages Bronte to trust God again, not without a few glitches along the way.

A warm, cozy, Christmasy story. This makes me want to return to Jonathon Island for more stories.
*I won an ecopy from Library Thing. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and a solid faith thread.

BackCover Blurb:
She just wants a nice, quiet holiday getaway. Too bad her new—and way too handsome—accidental roommate comes with an annoying dose of holiday cheer.

Successful, but writer’s blocked author Bronte Parker just needs some holiday peace and quiet to jumpstart her brutal writer’s block. Hence her rental at a quaint cottage on quiet and remote Jonathon Island. So what’s the deal with the double booking? And worse…the sudden Santa can’t leave—not with a record breaking blizzard overtaking the island. Suddenly her world is all about eggnog, Christmas movies and decking the halls with all type of distractions.

He's a soldier who needs a merry Christmas…

After two years away, Army surgeon Jonah White is thrilled to be going home for the holidays. Too bad his parents have escaped the island for a tropical Christmas cruise, renting out their place—his home!—to a seriously uptight author. And thanks to a blizzard, he can’t even escape.

But when he discovers the author has writer’s block, well, the doctor is in. He’ll help her fix it by showing her a real Christmas—something foster kid Bronte has never had. And maybe it’s working because as surprise Santa sweeps her up in the magical Jonathon Island Christmas festivities, a new story starts to come alive inside…one where maybe a happily-ever-after could actually exist.

But is this just a holiday romance? And what happens when the blizzard ends, the air clears, and duty calls. Is the magic over?

Enjoy this enchanting Jonathon Island Christmas story about being snowed in with an unexpected hero…and taking a chance on the happy ending you never saw coming.

The Jonathon Island series is created by USA Today bestselling, award-winning author Susan May Warren.

Tropes:
Forced Proximity
Grump/Sunshine
Christmas
Military hero
Stranded

Jonathon Island
Book 1: Meet Me at The Grand
Book 2: Meet Me on Lilac Lane
Book 3: Meet Me at the Fudge Shop
Book 4: Meet Me on Blueberry Hill
Book 5: Meet Me at Sunset Cove
Book 6: Meet Me at the Christmas Cottage

 

Sunrise Publishing, September, 2025

Available in digital ebook and paperback at Amazon

CHRISTMAS HARBOR SECRETS by Ciara Knight, Reviewed by Paula #NewRelease

PAULA'S REVIEW:

This was very intriguing from page one. The writing style was crisp with no nonsense dialogue. The story was a slow romance of forced proximity. Rone is a hero who really does not want to be a hero because of a troubled past. Isobel is gutsy and determined. She has to find out what happened to her dad and will not back down. Trouble follows the pair as someone taunts them with threats. As they are pulled deeper into the mystery, they do not know who to trust. 
 

The writing was compelling as it evoked vivid pictures of the action. This is the first time I have read this author and the distinctive prose makes me want to read more. A great addition was the loyal dog Echo who once belonged to Isobel’s dad. But Echo chose people and was in protection mode when it came to Isobel. Echo and his actions were captured expertly. The danger felt realistic and complicated. The outcome was very compelling. Although there were scenes of danger, nothing was graphic. This was a clean read from a Christian World View without overt Christian preaching but a clear understanding of right and wrong. 
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and a clean read

 

BackCover Blurb:
The past never truly sinks…it just waits for the tide to rise.

Isobel Lane plans to sell her estranged father’s old trawler after her ex leaves her penniless—until she uncovers evidence pointing to his murder.

Haunted by the partner he couldn’t save, Rone Archer has spent years trying to outrun his guilt. Protecting Isobel from a danger that mirrors his past feels like his one chance at redemption.

But when a criminal organization tries to silence them, will they survive through Christmas, or will the tide claim more than her father’s secrets? 

 

Defy the Dark Publishing, November, 2025

Available in digital ebook and paperback at Amazon

 

 

OUT OF TIME by Irene Hannon, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

PAULA'S REVIEW:
In this third installment of the series Undaunted Courage by Irene Hannon, Tucker sibling Cara is Out Of Time as she helps translate old journals that could hold dangerous information. 

 

Lots of intrigue with just the right amount of romance for Cara and Sheriff Brad Mitchell as they ferret out a mystery that may or may not be connected to the journals. Ms. Hannon does a stellar job of ramping up the excitement and giving lots of possible suspects.
 

For a thrilling read with great inspirational insights, try this book, and the whole series.
 

I never miss a book by this author.
* A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Revell 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 

 

SEE REBECCA'S REVIEW

 

BackCover Blurb:

A century-old mystery, a hidden treasure, and an isolated estate where danger lurks in every shadow.

For historical anthropologist Cara Tucker, the chance to spend a sabbatical semester on a remote country estate--with full access to its vast library and century-old journals--is a dream come true . . . until a series of strange incidents begins to turn her dream into a nightmare. Someone, it seems, does not want anyone diving into the past and unearthing old ghosts.

Sheriff Brad Adams has seen his share of suspicious activities during his law enforcement career, but what's happening at the isolated estate is out-of-pattern in his quiet, rural Missouri county. Beset by danger, Cara and Brad work together to try to untangle the clues.

But when the peril turns lethal, the situation takes on a new urgency, and their mission is clear: Find out who is behind the string of menacing incidents before the perpetrator strikes another deadly blow.  

The Queen of Romantic Suspense presents another page-turning, clean thriller in her Undaunted Courage series. Fans of Colleen Coble, Patricia Bradley, and Terri Blackstock will find this shadowy tale electrifying. 

Revell Publishing, September, 2025
Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:
Buy OUT OF TIME at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

PROWL by Colleen Coble, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

 Small-Town, Second-Chance Romantic Suspense (Sanctuary Book 2)

 

PAULA'S REVIEW:
This second book in the Sanctuary series by Colleen Coble was engrossing from page one. I love the idea of a wildlife sanctuary and I was intrigued to see how far Paradise Alden had progressed in her search for her parent’s killer. But the quest seems to be side-tracked by another murder staged to look like a big cat attack. And someone from her past is trying to stop her investigating. The Sanctuary is in deep financial trouble and a solution presents itself. But is it a ruse or is it even viable. 

 

Then there is the matter of a missing will that poses an additional problem.
 

The romance between Paradise and Blake Lawson permeates the story, but with everything going on, it is hard for them to set a wedding date. Blake is in protection mode, not only with Paradise but with his mom and little brothers too. A lot is on his shoulders. Paradise still wants to assert her independence, however is very grateful for Blake when he comes to the rescue.
 

Ms Coble writes a well-researched, intricately plotted story that had me turning pages. I loved seeing the Lawson family connections, their strong faith and a few characters from other books.
 

This series is not to be missed. I am eager to see what happens in book three.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Thomas Nelson 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:
Prowl, the second book in USA TODAY bestselling author Colleen Coble's Sanctuary series (following Ambush), delivers exactly what her fans want: the ideal blend of suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat with just the right amount of romance. Perfect for fans of Laura Dave, Allison Brennan, and Dani Pettrey.

When a worker at the Sanctuary is discovered dead in the tiger enclosure, authorities assume the big cat killed her. But when the autopsy shows she was killed by a lethal dose of anesthetic delivered by a tranquilizer gun, suspicion falls on Blake Lawson, co-owner of the Sanctuary. Blake has his hands full trying to clear his name as well as get the Sanctuary finances back in the black. When a soil test turns up traces of rare earth, he's even more puzzled. Is someone trying to run them out of business to get to whatever is under the ground?

Meanwhile, wildlife veterinarian Paradise Alden is determined to find the brother she only recently learned even existed. When the results of the DNA test she ran mysteriously disappear from her portal before she can read them, she realizes someone must not want her to know the truth. A break-in at her new apartment is alarming, but she tries to pass it off as someone trying to scare her away. She refuses to turn tail and run when she is desperate for answers.

For Blake, the only solid ground is his relationship with Paradise, and he longs to propose--but how can they even think about starting a life together with so many forces working against them? 

 

Thomas Nelson, November, 2025

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

Buy PROWL at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House