A CHANCE FOR KALLIE MAE by Ann H. Gabhart, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"The teachers here in the county have volunteered to open the schools at night to anyone ready to learn."

Kallie Mae Bertram thought that the chance for an education had passed her by, even if she had prayed for years to have the opportunity at attend school. Another dream lost along the way was that of true love. Quinn Spencer had been her one and only as a young girl, but family feuds in her mountain community were something fierce, strong enough that Kallie's father had once stated in no uncertain terms that he would rather see her dead than marry a Spencer.

Years passed, tragedy struck the Bertram family, and Kallie's dreams of a future with Quinn faded into mere whispers of fond memories. Completely by accident, or providence, Kallie and her little sister Emmie happen upon Quinn and his young sisters in the woods between their properties, causing a spark once thought extinguished to roar back into flames.

Everything that readers love about stories in this setting populate the contents of this enchanting historical romance; siblings and pets, generational foolishness and wisdom, dreams lost and found, feuds won and lost, lives simple but complicated, answered prayers and second chances . . . well, you really must read on to fully appreciate those. 
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

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  

CROSSBONES by C. C. Warrens, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

 

Christian Suspense (A Holly Novel Book 6)

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"I think you'll find that we are the only detective agency that keeps marshmallows in a sealed container for customers . . . "

JGH Investigations might appear a bit unconventional, but they make up for lagging aesthetics with their iron clad determination to track down every lead. Their current assignment hits extremely close to heart and home, for Holly's best friend Jace has requested that she and Jordan find out what really happened to Jace's brother Scott, who remains in a coma after a vicious beating. Unfortunately, Jace's mother continues to pursue legal action to end life support, literally burying any evidence related to the attack. Something isn't adding up. (Or being covered up?)

As the layers of the evening in question begin to unravel, the two investigators manage to track down leads that were either missed or ignored, directing their focus towards questionable characters, reluctant witnesses, dead bodies; resulting in multiple attempts on their lives. What in the world had Scott Walker been into, and how in the world is Holly going to explain it all to Jace? (If she has breath to tell the story.)

With her signature humor and deft plotting skills, (not to mention designing one of the most iconic personalities in contemporary suspense) this author has penned yet another wonderful blend of character and story, displaying deep spiritual connotations and unexpected outcomes.

I couldn't turn the pages fast enough! 
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 4.5 stars. 

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW 

BackCover Blurb:

“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. 

May, 2026

Available at Amazon in digital ebook, paperback, or audiobook 

 

ANCHORING YOU: PIRATES OF SHADOW COVE by Robin Patchen, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

THE WRIGHT HEROES OF MAINE Series #9

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"Much as she didn't like this playboy-turned-hero-turned . . . whatever he was now, she was no fan of drug cartels."

Kenzie Wright and Jasper Aylett met under duress, to put it mildly. What began as an ordinary day, doing what Kenzie loved to do best in her life as a yacht captain, turned ugly when pirates appeared out of nowhere and attempted to commandeer her boat . . . but wait! Another team of . . .  .whatever they were . . . whisked Kenzie and her crew away from danger before blowing up her boat!!! Boom!

The drama didn't stop there, in fact, it had only just begun. For while Kenzie's crew left on a rescue boat, Kenzie was left behind with Jasper, a DEA informant. The man had the gall to tell her that she had been transporting contraband; drugs, and lots of them. Before she could digest that disturbing bit of information, Jasper whisked her off to a safe house, put a wig on her head, pulled out a party dress, and off they went, under disguise, straight into a den of vipers.

This starts-fast and never-slows-down action romance hits the road running, but it does slow down enough for deep spiritual conversations and quiet considerations of what life could be like if everything turned out like it does in the movies, where the bad guys get caught and the hero drives off into the sunset with his lady. As you might imagine, it's a lot more complicated than that.

Put on your life jacket, you are going to need it!
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

 

BackCover Blurb:
On the glittering waters of the Caribbean, a yacht captain’s fight for survival forces her to rely on a man she swore she’d never trust.

A fiercely independent yacht captain, Kenzie Wright has spent her life disregarding her family’s expectations. She thrives on freedom, charting her own course, and never staying in one place—or with one person—for long. But when a routine voyage thrusts her into the crosshairs of a deadly drug cartel, her carefully crafted agenda is blown apart. Her last hope to save herself and her crew is the partying playboy, Jaz.

DEA informant Jasper Aylett has spent years hunting the cartel leader known only as the Ghost. The mission has cost him everything—his family, his reputation, and his chance at redemption. When a beautiful yacht captain gets caught in the Ghost’s web, Jaz risks his life to rescue her. It’s his last chance to secure the information he needs to take his enemy down—and get his life back.

Kenzie is forced into hiding with Jaz, and now two cartels want her dead. With their lives on the line, Kenzie and Jaz must work together to unravel the Ghost’s network before it’s too late. But the closer they get to the truth—and to each other—the more their past wounds and buried fears threaten to tear them apart, leaving them vulnerable to an enemy who won’t stop until they’re both destroyed.

 From a USA Today bestselling author… Don’t miss this heart-pounding suspense and swoon-worthy romance as Kenzie and Jasper discover their fight for survival—and for love—can only be won together. 

JDO Publishing, May, 2026

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:  Buy ANCHORING YOU at Amazon

A LADY'S HANDBOOK OF GADGETS AND GUILE by Angela Bell, Reviewed by Paula #ReleaseDay

(A Daughters of Genius Society Novel): A Whimsical Steampunk Christian Historical Romance set in Victorian-Era ... Inspectors and Disability Representation

PAULA'S REVIEW:
“There are no spare parts in the Mighty Mechanic’s workshop. Every piece, every person, is made with a divine purpose.” 

This was a delightful and whimsical book that was chock full of literary references from Mary Poppins and Little Women to some of my favorite Christian Fiction authors of today. 

I have a pet peeve with the phrase “she released a breath she did not realize she was holding.” Imagine my surprise when Ms. Bell turned it on its head. “Margaret exhaled the breath she was well aware she had been holding.” Bravo! 

So much fun in this informative story that was based on real women who broke the mold in their own lifetime. 

Margaret was dealing with chronic pain that was aptly portrayed. “All pain matters in God’s eyes.” Hero Charles shows her compassion, and unconditional love. He is a caring, self sacrificing, upright Christian man. 

The romance was precious and played out within the mystery that Margret led her colleagues to investigate. 

A thoroughly enjoyable and special book that will go on my keeper shelf and be among my top reads for 2026.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House through Interviews and Reviews via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*5+ stars and a strong faith thread.

BackCover Blurb:

Margaret Kingsley's routine revolves around invention not investigation--until her ordered world springs a gasket.

London, England, 1895
Ambulatory wheelchair user Margaret Kingsley secretly crafts gadgets for the Daughters of Genius Society, a covert team of lady inspectors disguised as harmless bluestocking spinsters. While her fellow inspectors gallivant about London solving crimes, Margaret has been perfectly content assisting from the sidelines--until her expertise is needed to infiltrate the domain of London's most prolific inventor.

Charles Noble sacrificed his career as a musician to support his family after his father's stroke. Now he balances ledgers as a secretary by day and tends to his disabled father by night, but he can't pass up the chance to take a temporary job as event coordinator for a famous inventor commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of his mechanical empire. As strange occurrences cause Charles' event planning to collide with Margaret's case, the pair must unravel a plot of sabotage against the inventor's legacy while also investigating the sparks of attraction between them.  

Bethany House Publishing, July 2026

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook:

Buy A LADY'S HANDBOOK OF GADGETS AND GUILE at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House