THE MANHATTAN CONFESSIONS by Jocelyn Green, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

(On Central Park Book #3): Christian Historical Fiction About a 

New York Historical Society Librarian Set in the Roaring Twenties

PAULA'S REVIEW:
Little did Ivy Malone know when she interviewed Adelaide King for the Historical Society that it would have far-reaching consequences. For her job, her friendships and possibly her very life. 

This was an intricately woven story about Ivy, Elsa and Gina who live at the Beresford Apartments on Central Park in New York City in the 1920s. Well researched, the book takes a look at immigration through Ellis Island and details what was expected from Gina, Ivy’s cousin from Italy who came because she faced persecution. Some history of The Daughters of the American Revolution was also cited and their help to those waiting to be cleared to be admitted to our country. 

The theme of the book was relationships and the loyalty and cost of friendships. It carried over to how God was the ultimate friend who never wavers when others fail. 

Excitement and danger were depicted as well as a couple of budding romances. 

Quality writing and an interesting setting made for a very enjoyable read.
*I purchased a print copy from Baker Book House and read an ecopy through NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone.* 5 stars and a solid faith thread

SEE REBECCA'S REVIEW:

BackCover Blurb:
The streets of New York are brimming with secrets, and discovering the truth means navigating danger, deception, and an unexpected romance.

Ivy Malone, a New-York Historical Society librarian, is dedicated to preserving Manhattan's rich history, but when society grand dame Adeline King anonymously reveals her shocking life story, Ivy finds herself holding a highly coveted secret. Burdened with the responsibility of keeping Adeline's identity hidden, the matter grows increasingly complicated when two men claim ties to the elderly woman--one of them accusing Adeline of involvement in a crime.

Another dilemma brews when Ivy's Italian cousin, Gina, is detained at Ellis Island for lack of proper documentation. Hoping an immigration service can resolve the misunderstanding, Ivy employs their help but is instead thrust into a dangerous world. With time running out, she must unravel the tangle of secrets that bind Adeline's past, Gina's freedom, and her own safety. Who can she trust, and how far is she willing to go to protect those she loves?

This sweeping historical romance set against the backdrop of 1920s Manhattan, New York, and Ellis Island features family secrets, immigration, and a librarian's quest for justice. Fans of Elizabeth Camden and Roseanna M. White will savor this story that's perfect for book club discussions. 

Bethany House, April, 2026

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

Buy THE MANHATTAN CONFESSIONS at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House  

 

NOT WHAT WE PICTURED by Becca Kinzer, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

PAULA'S REVIEW:
Zany, mad-cap, hilarious fun! From the first line, I was chuckling or laughing out loud on every page. 

McKenna and Nate did not have a meet cute! Not when Nate got in the way of McKenna setting up a proposal for her baby sister and Nate was mistaken for a dead body on a bench!
Riotously funny, the unexpected always happened, from lost luggage with an expensive ring trapped inside to a fundraiser with all the Harrys. Let’s not forget the conversations with the goats and chickens. 

With a slowly progressing romance and some meddling from the geriatric crowd, humor was always on the menu. There was a slight faith element to remind us that God loves the individual as well as exhortation to forgive and reconcile. I think this could have been a little stronger throughout. 

Ms Kinzer is decidedly the royalty of rom-com. I enjoy this author and will read more books by her.
*A complimentary copy of the book was provided by Tyndale through NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.* 5 stars and a slight faith thread 

SEE REBECCA'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:
This is absolutely not how they pictured their summer going.

McKenna Boston is feeling stuck. She's spent years growing her photography skills only for her career to hit a wall. She's ready to move on, and she will, just as soon as she helps her sister's boyfriend stage the perfect proposal. But when her best laid plans go awry and a handsome stranger accidentally ends up with the heirloom ring, McKenna hops on a flight to retrieve it. Piece of cake, right?

Nate Lambert was hoping to enjoy a relaxing summer before starting his new job as a literature professor, but he arrives in Tennessee to discover his mom's bed and breakfast is struggling and there's a long list of repairs to be tackled. The last thing he needs is a gorgeous, determined photographer searching for a ring he doesn't have since the airline lost his luggage somewhere on his route from Nebraska.

With the ring nowhere to be found, all McKenna can do is wait and use the time to build her portfolio and plan her next career move. But she also can't help getting swept up in Nate's bed and breakfast renovations and in planning a community concert with the townsfolk. As both await news of Nate's suitcase, it begins to seem their serendipitous meeting, and the proposal gone wrong, could actually be everything going right . . . and that this may be their chance at a love neither could have pictured.

-A clean, witty rom com with a forced proximity trope and a reluctant allies love story
-Features laugh-out-loud humor and a sweet, endearing couple
-This contemporary summer romance with a Southern small-town setting is great for fans of Sarah Adams, Pepper Basham, and Emma St. Clair
-Includes discussion questions for book clubs

Tyndale Fiction, April, 2026

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

Buy NOT WHAT WE PICTURED at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House

 

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