THE BRUNSWICK by Callie Murray, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"What good is the anchor when the ship is already sinking?"

Cora Cain's life has become as predictably ordinary as the Air Line Belle railway station that sits across the road from her family's once thriving Norcross, Georgia hotel, The Brunswick. Except that the railroad isn't on the verge of bankruptcy, whereas the hotel's guest rooms stand empty and the once grand lobby has been reduced to housing a general store. When a virtual stranger walks in the door and offers to take some of the load off of Cora's shoulders, it seems as if a lifeline has been thrown her way.

Needing a bit of anonymity, Thomas Watkins leaves medical school in New York and makes his way towards Norcross, where the rest of his family has already resettled. Family and friends encourage Thomas to offer his services to Cora, who is bending under the weight of paying off her father's debts. When the opportunity presents itself for The Brunswick to serve as a safe haven for Jewish children seeking refuge from the escalating atrocities in Austria, Thomas accompanies the group scheduled to retrieve the children, never imagining the consequences. Meanwhile, the curtain has been pulled back on the secrets that both Cora and Thomas have been so desperate to conceal.

Drawing from bits and pieces of historical detail gathered from various local, international, and personal sources and experiences, the author has woven together a generous story of family, faith, and the determination to grow beyond original intentions; "cut, bound, and healed" . . . "grafting" . . . better and stronger together.

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

 

SEE REVIEWS BY  PAULA, and WINNIE

BackCover Blurb:
When Cora provides a safe haven for Jewish refugee children, she discovers that opening her doors means risking everything, including her heart.

In 1939 Georgia, far removed from the war brewing overseas, Cora Cain's world feels small--and shrinking. There, she runs The Brunswick, her family's once-grand hotel, which is now struggling as the town's general store. When Thomas Watkins arrives seeking work and solace after his mother's death, a connection sparks between them. Through Thomas, Cora glimpses a life beyond obligation and her war hero father's unpredictable moods.

But everything changes when Cora is asked to turn The Brunswick into a sanctuary for Jewish children fleeing persecution in Germany. As Cora and Thomas prepare for the children's arrival, they struggle to confront their pasts--and the prejudice of their neighbors--as their fragile hope is put to the test.

Meanwhile, in Vienna, ten-year-old Charlotte is offered refuge in America. But even with the horrors she sees around her, she wonders how her parents could possibly send her away. As war's shadow begins to reach small-town Georgia, each person must face what love demands and decide what to hold on to and what to let go. 

Revell Publishing, May, 2026

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

Buy THE BRUNSWICK at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House  

ATTEMPTED MOUNTAIN MURDER by Jaime Jo Wright, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"Her apartment was ransacked."

When Lainey Jo Beckett returns home to chaos, and before she could even process that development a bullet grazes her forehead. Running for safety she dives into the front seat of a rusty old truck parked across the street from her apartment building, pleading with the unknown driver to just "Go, go, go!".

Bowen Mays (who just happens to be a former Navy SEAL) knows trouble when he sees it, and his frantic passenger has trouble written all over her face. The fact that she is in the Witness Protection Program confirms their suspicion. Her cover has been blown. But who? And why?

A tense suspense with all the markings of a complex web of deceit. Add in a gracious, kind grandmother along with a work-in-progress hero and Lainey Jo gains much more than she loses.
*I purchased this book and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 

BackCover Blurb:
The key to survival
is staying one step ahead of a killer.

When a sniper shoots at Lainey Jo Beckett through her apartment window, she knows her cover in WITSEC has been blown. Injured and desperate to escape, she jumps into the first car she sees, which just happens to have former navy SEAL Bowen Mays behind the wheel. He may no longer be on active duty, but when they discover her WITSEC handler dead, Bowen takes Lainey Jo’s protection into his own hands. As they escape deep into the Bighorn Mountains, with not one but two shooters on their tail, can Bowen overcome his past failure and keep Lainey Jo alive?

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith. 

June 2026

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and hardcover

Buy ATTEMPTED MOUNTAIN MURDER at Amazon or Christianbook

THE RELUCTANT HEALER OF HALIFAX by Terrie Todd, Reviewed by Paula and Rebecca #ReleaseDay

ENDURING HOPE SERIES #6

PAULA'S REVIEW:
This was such an eye-opening book about a tragedy that I was not aware of. The devastating explosion of a ship in Halifax, Nova Scotia, carrying munitions and explosives in December 1917.   

Seen through the eyes of a courting couple who were neighbors: Pearline and Oliver, an injured soldier back from the war in France. 

Ms. Todd expertly wove real history into the story of this catastrophe, incorporating many details about the aftermath of this profound event. 

Heroine Pearline was faced with the loss of her parents and found herself opening her home to orphans. Hero Oliver struggled with his injury and self esteem because of it. But both had sincere faith in God that saw them through, brought them closer together and set their priorities right.  

I was fascinated by the advancements in eye and plastic surgery of the times. And that so many people that were blinded in the explosion that a group founded an Institution for the Blind to train them. 

I am enjoying learning new things from this historical series, Enduring Hope.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Barbour Publishing and via NetGalley. 5 stars and a solid faith thread. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"Pearline Campbell stared at the shard of glass protruding from her left hand. How did it get there?'

A massive explosion in the Halifax, Nova Scotia harbor on the morning of December 6, 1917 ended the lives of thousands of people and changed the landscape for hundreds of others for the rest of their lives. Just a few days prior to the explosion, Pearline Campbell's life had already dramatically changed when her beloved fiance returned from the war in Europe with facial disfiguration and the loss of one eye. Her gratitude over his return was quickly snuffed out when he abruptly terminated their engagement. It was only the beginning of what Pearline would be called upon to endure.

Sergeant Oliver Hamilton could not put the woman he loved through the torture of his continued recovery, and so his strategy had been to cut ties quickly, allowing Pearline to live a happy life without him. Witnessing her disappointment had been brutal, but watching her lose nearly everyone dear to her heart just a few days later, was even worse.

This story struck so many chords; devastating history, unexpected grief, surprising blessings, tests of faith, and enduring hope for the future. If ever there were characters who took the truths of Psalm 91 to heart, they can be found within the pages of this book . . . "He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust". 
*I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.

BackCover Blurb:
Her Family, Her Home, Her Future—All Leveled in One Thunderous Explosion

When life seems weighed down by challenges, there are always pillars of enduring hope and love to be discovered.

Three days ago, Pearline Campbell's family was whole and Oliver Hamilton still loved her. But upon returning to Halifax disfigured and shellshocked, Oliver ended their relationship. Then came Thursday, December 6, 1917, when the Halifax harbor was leveled by a tremendous explosion. . .and Pearline fears nothing will ever be whole again. Her parents are dead, her brother is missing, and her sister refuses to speak. Pearline must fortify herself to open her home to needy orphans, including an unidentified baby. Where can she find the strength for each new day as misery grips the city?

More from the Enduring Hope Series:
The Angel of Second Street by Barbara Tifft Blakey
The Undercover Heiress of Brockton by Kelly J. Goshorn
The Caregiver of Wounded Knee by Debby Lee
The Daughter of Shiloh by Terri J. Haynes
The Girl from Tomorrow’s Town by Naomi Musch 

Barbour Publishing, August, 2026

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook

Buy THE RELUCTANT HEALER OF HALIFAX at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House 

BOOKMARKED FOR LOVE by Sarah Monzon, Reviewed by Winnie Thomas for #JustRead

WINNIE'S REVIEW:
Talented author Sarah Monzon’s contemporary rom-com Bookmarked for Love is entertaining and delightful. I enjoyed the witty and comfortable banter between the main characters, children’s librarian Martha Aldridge and Julien King, the heir to a publishing empire. When Martha approaches Julien about a donation to save her children’s program at the small library she works at, he agrees if she’ll help him try to save the children’s imprint at his company.

I was impressed how the author tackled some seldom-used tropes in her story—middle-aged main characters with age gap, plus-sized heroine, different social levels, etc.—and blended them together to add interesting elements to the tale. It was fun to see Martha and Julien accept their different strengths and life circumstances and be comfortable with each other.

With many laugh-out-loud moments and a bunch of chuckles and snorts, this story kept me turning the pages. This is the last book in Monzon’s Checking Out Love series but can be read as a standalone without losing much backstory. 
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

SEE REVIEWS BY PAULA AND REBECCA

BackCover Blurb:
Can a jeopardized children's library program spark a partnership that saves their careers but costs them their hearts?

When children's librarian Martha Aldridge learns about budget cuts that will not only put her out of a job but also shut down the library's children's programs, she's determined to raise the funds needed to save both. The good news is, she knows just who to ask for a large donation on the library's behalf. The bad news? She swore she'd never step foot in his office again.

Julien King has been groomed to one day run his family's publishing empire, and now he must prove he's ready to take the helm by turning around the company's languishing children's imprint. That wouldn't be a problem, except he doesn't know the first thing about children's literature. So when Martha waltzes into his office, he sees an opportunity and makes her an offer she can't refuse. He'll give her the money she needs for the library in exchange for her help in acquiring a bestselling manuscript that will resurrect the dying imprint. The longer they're forced to work together, however, the more they come to realize their jobs may not be the only thing on the line. 

Bethany House Publishing, July, 2026

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook:

Buy BOOKMARKED FOR LOVE at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House