CROSSBONES by CC Warrens, Reviewed and hosted by Paula Shreckhise #JustReadTour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Crossbones by C.C. Warrens, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Crossbones 
Series: A Holly Novel #6 
Author: C.C. Warrens 
Publisher: Independently Published 
Release Date: May 15th, 2026 
Genre: Romantic Suspense

"Sticks and stones will break your bones, if you make me hurt you.” 

Some truths are better left buried, but Jace Walker is determined to unearth the skeletons in her family’s closet. Leverage is all she needs to keep her brother alive, and she’s willing to risk everything to save him. 

Even her life. 
But is she willing to risk the lives of her friends? 

Holly and Jordan take on the case, but what should be a simple investigation takes a deadly turn when they stumble onto a murder. Family secrets are the least of their concerns as their path intertwines with a killer intent on remaining hidden. 

He doesn’t want to be found. 
He doesn’t want to be known. 
And anyone who threatens his anonymity dies.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Buy from the Author | Amazon | BookBub

More in This Series

 

PAULA'S REVIEW:
Crossbones has serious subject matter sprinkled with humor to break the tension.
This series is one of my favorites. 

Ms. Warrens knows how to write an absorbing story with characters you come to lve. The relationship between Holly and her cohorts is priceless. They support her through all her many perilous adventures. They care so much for her: Jace as her best friend, Marx as her Dad figure and Jordan as her childhood friend who wants to be so much more. And let’s not forget the canine companion Riley and Sausage the cat. 

The faith of the characters is forefront in their lives and guides their actions, although they are all fallible. Even in the underbelly of New York City, Holly has a soft heart and wants to help those lost souls that she can empathize with. The danger not only effects Holly but also her best friends and they there to help her figure out the many impossible connections. These stories just keep getting better and better.  

In my estimation, this is the perfect contemporary, thriller/suspense book that takes us into the world of Holly Cross and teaches many worthwhile lessons.
*A complimentary copy of the book was provided through Just Read Tours. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*5+ stars and a solid faith thread

About the Author

Jesus and laughter have brought C.C. Warrens through some very difficult times in life, and she weaves both into every story she writes, creating a world of breath-stealing intensity, laugh-out-loud humor, and a sparkle of hope. Writing has been a slowly blossoming dream inside her for most of her life until one day it spilled out onto the pages that would become her first published book.

If she’s not writing, she’s attempting to bake something—however catastrophic that might be—or she’s enjoying the beauty of the outdoors with her husband. One of the many things she’s learned since she started this journey is that the best way to write a book is to go on a long stroll with her husband. That is when the characters—from their backgrounds to the moments that make them laugh or bubble over with anger—come to life.

Connect with C.C. by visiting ccwarrens.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a grand prize of a signed Crossbones paperback with bookmark, sticker, character art card, and a $10 Amazon gift card!

Up to (5) winners will each receive an ebook of Crossbones, delivered via Bookfunnel!

Up to (4) winners will each receive an audiobook download of Crossbones!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 25, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 1, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only for grand prize. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

A CHANCE FOR KALLIE MAE by Ann Gabhart, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

Southern Historical Fiction set in the Appalachian Mountains

with Friends-to-Lovers Romance

PAULA'S REVIEW:
In the Appalachian hill country there are bound to be feuding families with long-held grudges. But that makes no sense to Kallie Bertram and Quinn Spencer. But their budding romance brings hostility to their clans. In spite of the animosity, this is a heartwarming, touching story. The author uses the Appalachian dialogue to give a cozy, down-home feel to the characters. She showed that even though some folks were unschooled, they had the desire to be more educated. The history of the Moonlight Schools was fascinating. 

Ms. Gabhart made me care about Kallie Mae with her strength and resilience since she took on the role of mother to her baby sister after their mother died. She and Quinn looked to God and Aunt Sudie for guidance and did want to respect their parents. But they were growing up and knew they needed to strike out on their own. 

This story hit all the feels for me. I love the faith that the author infuses into her stories, which touched on forgiveness and reconciliation. And the setting is magical.
*A complimentary copy of the book was provided by Revell on behalf of the author and 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:
She believes her dreams have been buried until one is rekindled--but the other threatens to cost her everything she loves.

Kallie Mae Bertram has harbored two dreams since childhood: to learn to read and to one day marry Quinn Spencer. But her first dream slipped away after her little sister died of a fever and her mother passed in childbirth. Kallie promised to care for the baby and her younger brother, which meant putting aside her own desires in order to keep her family together. But then a Moonlight School for adults offers Kallie hope of finally fulfilling that goal.

After Kallie's father forbids her from seeing Quinn, her second dream seems impossible. That is, until her frantic search for her missing sister leads to an unexpected encounter with Quinn in the woods--their first meeting in six years. The love they shared as children burns stronger than ever, awakening hopes Kallie thought were forever buried. But with their families locked in a bitter feud, following her heart could cost Kallie everything she's worked to protect. 

Bestselling author Ann H. Gabhart delivers a sweeping Southern historical romance where forbidden love, family feuds, and second chances collide in the early twentieth century Appalachian Mountains. 

Revell Publishing, May, 2026

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

Buy A CHANCE FOR KALLIE MAE at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House  

THE SHERIFF'S SECRET PAST by Tina Radcliffe, Reviewed by Winnie and Kim #ReleaseDay

An Uplifting Inspirational Romance (Aspen Creek Cowboys Book 1)

WINNIE'S REVIEW:
“Sometimes good things happen when you least expect it and when you think you can’t possibly manage one more thing in your life. And sometimes, they end up being the missing piece in your life.”

Talented author Tina Radcliffe is the queen of small-town romances. I always love the homey, down-to-earth characters and the charming, delightful stories she writes. The Sheriff’s Secret Past is the first book in her new Aspen Creek Cowboys series, and I’m already in love with all the people in Aspen Creek, Colorado.

“This town has a total of four gun shops, but only one grocery store. Our citizens take their Second Amendment rights more seriously than their avocados.”

The main characters, new owner and editor of the Aspen Creek newspaper Emily Taylor, and Sheriff Chase Everett, are engaging, realistic, and well-crafted. Furthermore, the attraction is still there from when they first met several years ago. When Chase finds that he’s going to be facing an election for his job, the last thing he wants is for Emily to be digging around in his past. He doesn’t need any scandal to ruin his chances for re-election or adopting his niece, Sarah. A stellar cast of supporting characters adds much fun and enjoyment to the story. Some of my favorites are the Soul Sisters, adorable Sarah, and Byron the dog.

Filled with witty, fun banter and heart-warming inspirational observations, this story kept me turning pages and smiling to the satisfying end. I’m looking forward to meeting more Aspen Creek Cowboys in the future. *I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

KIM'S REVIEW:
I’ve been reading Tina Radcliffe for years now, and her stories never lose their charm for me. There’s something so comforting about the way she blends warmth, humor, and heartfelt romance, all set against the backdrop of the small towns she brings to life so vividly. 

I’m especially drawn to second-chance romances, and this one absolutely delivered everything I hoped for. It had that emotional depth and tenderness that makes the journey feel real and satisfying. I also found myself really loving the town of Aspen Creek. It felt like a place I could step right into! The secondary characters added so much personality and richness to the story, especially Sarah and Byron.

This is the first story in the Aspen Creek series. I cannot wait for more! 
*I received a complimentary copy of this story. All opinions are my own. The faith thread is light. 5 stars. 

BackCover Blurb:
There are only two things on Sheriff Chase Everett’s mind: his upcoming reelection, and adopting his sweet niece after his sister’s death. The last thing he needs to worry about is the new editor of the local newspaper digging into his past. Newcomer Emily Taylor is eager for a juicy scoop for the Aspen Creek Journal, and the handsome sheriff is the perfect subject. But Chase has a dark secret that he’s desperate to hide. He needs to keep his distance from the feisty journalist, which should be easy, until a dog and a little girl bring them together…

From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

Aspen Creek Cowboys
Book 1: The Sheriff's Secret Past

Love Inspired, May, 2026

Available in digital ebook and paperback at Amazon, or Christianbook

THE LUMBER BARON'S WIFE by Lynn Austin, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"You mean move there? To Michigan?"

After the tragic deaths of their three children, Dr. John Wagner and his wife Hannah have the opportunity for a fresh start, miles away from Brooklyn, New York where their once happy memories incessantly taunt them. Moving to the untamed forests of Michigan, where lumber baron Henry Abernathy is making quite a name for himself and amassing an enormous fortune in the process, might be exactly what they need, a fresh start. Henry promised to provide the couple with a brand new home and was convinced that his very young wife would benefit from a friend like Hannah to guide her through the intricacies of social etiquette. Sadly, a few years later Kate Abernathy mysteriously disappears, never to be seen again.

The mistress of the famed, but deteriorating Michigan mansion had vanished without a trace, igniting Ashley Gilbert's double love of history and restoration, more convinced than ever that her husband's new job as a conservationist has brought them to a place they could finally call home. Naturally the relative newlyweds are still finding their rhythm and Ashley's lack of income as a volunteer in the Abernathy renovation project is a sore spot for her husband, who urges her to seek employment right away and hit pause on the notion of starting a family.

Three women, separated by over a century, converge as Ashley's motivation to help restore the beautiful property with a storied history grows in intensity, while quietly discovering a new love in her heart through the quiet testimony of an unexpected friend, much like Kate and Hannah had experienced so many years prior. Grief. Guilt. Generosity. Faith. Forgiveness. Family.

A wonderful dual timeline with carefully constructed characters who populate an unsolved mystery! 
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

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