SABOTAGE GAMES by Danielle Grandinetti, Reviewed by Paula #ReleaseDay

A 1930s Historical Romantic Mystery (Di Stasio Giornaliste Agency Book 3)

PAULA'S REVIEW:
It was fun being a fly on the wall and experiencing the Olympic Trials at Lake Placid, New York in 1939.

Emma is a sports journalist with the Di Stasio Giornaliste Agency going to cover the trials for the Winter Olympics. She fortuitously is billeted in the house of two Olympic hopefuls. 

What fascinated me was the history of these particular games. Only two events were open to women athletes. But they were preparing to extend more of the events to include women. In addition, Franklin Roosevelt, who was governor at the time, was slated to start his campaign for the Presidency. It was a pivotal time in history considering the threat of war and the stigma that Jewish athletes faced. 

An absorbing story that saw Emma grow in her faith and also find things in common with Ryan Callahan, a speed skater and runner vying for a place on the Olympic team. With danger hovering, romance blooming and faith sustaining, this is another chapter in the Di Stasio Agency series that is sure to please historical fiction readers.

*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 solid faith thread

BackCover Blurb:
Who will pay the ultimate price for Olympic Gold?

LAKE PLACID, N.Y., 1932—Sports journalist Emma Hancock is determined to claim her place in the press box, despite the male colleagues who slam the door in her face. But when a mysterious illness begins systematically sidelining athletes, Emma’s gift for spotting patterns reveals a plot far more sinister than mere competition.

With the Games in his own backyard, Olympic sprinter Ryan Callahan laces up his speed skates to compete in his first winter games. He has no time for distractions—especially not the inconvenience of the beautiful female journalist staying as a guest in his family’s crowded home.

But when the pattern of sabotage deepens, Emma and Ryan must work together to follow the threads before they become the next targets to fall.

La Verità con Integrità. Truth with Integrity. The Legacy of a (Girl) Stunt Reporter.

A 1930s Historical Romantic Mystery

This page-turning novel offers a sweet, slow-burn romance mixed with cozy suspense. Set during the historic III Olympic Winter Games—the first year women’s speed skating was featured—it unfolds against the snow-covered, high-stakes press boxes of Lake Placid, New York, in 1932.

Perfect for fans of Rhys Bowen and J’nell Ciesielski looking for an inspirational read.
Sabotage Games Tropes:

Sports Romance
Opposites Attract
Small-Town Romance
Partners in (Crime-Solving)
Protective Pairing

An 1932 Olympic sports romance.

Di Stasio Giornaliste Agency, Book 2
Read the Whole Series
Prequel: 1892 – Undercover Wish
Book 1: 1931 – Eyewitness Sketch
Book 2: 1932 – Sabotage Games
Book 3: 1932 – Shrouded Trail
Book 4: 1933 – Fraudulent Progress
Book 5: 1935 – Pursuing Dust
Book 6: 1936 – Hostile Ally

BUY SABOTAGE GAMES at Amazon
digital ebook or paperback

SECRETS IN THE CASTLE LIBRARY by Ann Swindell, Reviewed by Paula #ReleaseDay

IN THE CASTLE LIBRARY SERIES Book Three

PAULA'S REVIEW:
“History, mystery and books? This was going to be fun.” So says Melanie who is researching a journal penned by Queen Alma who disappeared over 100 years ago. 

This was an engaging mystery bathed in the Christian Gospel that does not feel forced but rings true. Christ being the light in darkness was a prominent theme. 

This immersive story continues the quest for answers of Queen Alma’s abdication for a life of nursing in England in wartime. 

Only part of the story has come to light so far. Now Melanie and Eddie must scour the journals to find clues to a long kept secret.
Melanie, best friend of Princess Ellie and a US citizen, has taken a job at the university teaching US History. She is feeling lonely and out of place and just knows something is missing in her life. Eddie is curator of the National Museum and is helping Melanie try to figure out if there are hidden clues in the journals.

 The author had me on the edge of my seat in the scary hidden tunnel and emotional when the characters showed their faith as they prayed for each other. It was very romantic as Melanie and Eddie grew closer to each other and to God. I almost wish the Kingdom of Lethersby was real. 

Kudos for another well-written, exemplary novel.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by White Crown Press. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and a strong faith thread

BackCover Blurb
The past year of Melanie Tallebois’s life has unraveled, both professionally and personally. Usually unflappable, she can’t understand why life isn’t going to plan. So when she’s offered a professorship at the University of Lethersby, she seizes it as her chance to find the happiness that has eluded her for as long as she can remember. The fact that her best friend is the nation’s princess and has invited her to live in the castle for the summer doesn’t hurt, either.

The only thing eluding Eddie Canon are answers. As director of the National Museum of Lethersby, he’s spent years chasing the truth behind Queen Alma’s disappearance over a century ago. Now, tasked by the royals to tie up the loose ends of the national mystery, he’s studying in the castle library and still coming up empty-handed.

The last person Eddie wants to work with is Melanie, who inserts herself into his research—and his life. She’s brash, annoying, forthright...and altogether brilliant. Eddie thinks it wise to push her away, but as the research continues to stall, he can’t ignore that their friendship has begun to blossom.

When the long-lost queen’s mysteries finally come to light, Melanie is plunged into darkness—and Eddie questions everything he thought he understood about faith and love. Together, they must uncover the secrets in the castle library and decide whether they’re willing to trust God with a story far greater than their own. 

White Crown Publishing,  September, 2026

Available in digital ebook and paperback at Amazon 

MURDERS IN THE MARQUEE by Dana Mentink, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

(Murder Most Fowl Mysteries Book 1)

PAULA'S REVIEW:
A historical mystery set in the Marquee in San Francisco although patterned after the Peabody Hotel with its Duck Brigade. 

A few light moments in spite of the dead bodies are in store for Kitty, daughter of a famous opera star, Henry an elevator man and Saul fresh out of jail and tasked with overseeing a dozen mallards. 

Saul is sure he saw something drop from a balcony but the trio cannot find a body. They find lots of other puzzling happenings and fishy acting people. 

Ms. Mentink sends us on a merry chase with lots of suppositions by Kitty who wants to become a Pinkerton, new Christian Saul who strives not to be just another ex-con and Henry who wants to break into Vaudeville as a juggler. The author kept me guessing right up to the end. 

I wonder what these stealthy sleuths will get into next. There is a teaser that another case is in the works for Kitty, Henry and Saul.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Love Inspired through NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and a solid faith thread

BackCover Blurb:
In this witty historical murder mystery set in a San Francisco hotel, an unlikely trio of amateur sleuths must uncover a killer before another guest checks out for good. This first book in the Murder Most Fowl Mysteries is perfect for fans of Only Murders in the Building.

In 1905, the Grand Mallard Marquee is well known for its iconic style, as well as its daily duck parade. For Saul Niffler, a reformed jewel thief, working at the luxurious hotel offers a much-needed second chance. Staying out of trouble and in gainful employment is essential. Which makes seeing a body plummet from a penthouse window extra complicated.

Except…did he see it? There’s no body to be found, and Saul knows he should concentrate on his new duties as “Duck Commandant” rather than meddle. If only Kitty Rossi, a persistent young guest yearning to be a Pinkerton detective, would leave well enough alone. Kitty has already roped in Henry, the elevator man, to investigate suspicious goings-on around the hotel. And against his better judgment, Saul feels compelled to join them.

Between the mystery of Saul’s missing predecessor and a grisly discovery in a drain, all signs point to murder most fowl. And with a cold-blooded killer roaming the Marquee’s lavish corridors, keeping his job may be the least of Saul’s problems…

For fans of:Amateur Sleuths
Historical Cozy Mystery
Twisty-Turny Whodunits
Turn-of-the-Century Settings

Don't miss Book 2 in the Murder Most Fowl Mysteries series, Missing from Suite Five, coming Fall 2027!

Love Inspired, September, 2026

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook:

Buy MURDERS IN THE MARQUEE at Amazon, or Christianbook

FATAL FINALE by Nancy Mehl, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

Erin Delaney Series #3

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"They'd never see it coming. He was certain they'd forgotten all about him. But after he was finished, they'd remember him forever."

When Erin Delaney's best friend Kaely Quinn-Hunter fails to show up on time, worry begins to take root. Her anxiety only gets worse after she receives a cryptic phone call with a horrifying message, "you have six days to save her". Accompanying those heinous words are the first of six daily riddles that Erin, local police chief Adrian Nightengale and Kaely's husband, Noah must solve . . . and the clock is already ticking.

Meanwhile, Kaely is desperately attempting to use her unique profiling giftedness as a means to survive her dire circumstances. When she realizes the truth about her captor, it becomes a matter of staying alive long enough for her husband and friends to find her. As the days draw closer to her kidnapper's self-imposed deadline, every move she makes becomes more and more dangerous, and her strength less and less visible.

With an intensity equaling the plot line, readers and characters alike are caught up in the day by day determination to locate Kaely. The power of Scripture applied to prayer provides a deep sense of hope . . . but still . . . A fabulous series finale that deserves a rousing round of applause!  
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:
They'd started back to the house when they heard a male voice behind them. Then a shot rang out.
"Run!" Kaely said.

When bestselling author Erin Delaney's novel gets picked up for a movie deal, she eagerly awaits her friend Kaely Quinn-Hunter's arrival in Tennessee before they head to California to observe the film's production. However, when Kaely does not arrive at the scheduled time and Erin can't reach her by phone, her concern grows.

A cryptic phone call from Kaely's kidnapper confirms Erin's worst fear--she has exactly six days to save her friend's life by solving his twisted clues. The message comes with a warning: Contact the police or FBI, and Kaely dies. But Erin works for the Sanctuary Police Department, and Kaely's husband is with the FBI, putting her in an impossible situation. As Erin races against time, she's forced to crack the kidnapper's chilling puzzle before it's too late.

Nancy Mehl delivers thrills like no one else in the closure of her high-stakes Christian romantic suspense series full of action, investigations, cryptic clues, and dangerous threats. This promises to captivate fans of Criminal Minds, Lynette Eason, Colleen Coble, Irene Hannon, Susan May Warren, and Elizabeth Goddard. 

Bethany House Publishing, August, 2025

Available in digital ebook, paperback, library binding, and audiobook:

Buy FATAL FINALE at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House