Guest Post by Michelle Griep: BOW STREET RUNNERS Reviews by Rebecca Maney and #GIVEAWAY

Inspiration. . . You Never Know When it Will Strike

Today we offer a Guest post by Author Michelle Griep!

Some people listen to music to fire-up their muse. Others take a stroll out in God’s great creation. And what’s not inspiring about art masterpieces or great pieces of literature? These are all fantastic ways to spark free-thoughts and creativity.

But never underestimate the potential in a ratty old yellow-paged newspaper. 

My recent trilogy about the Bow Street Runners all stemmed from a small advertisement I came across in an old London newspaper. It encouraged the public to send a note to the Bow Street magistrate as soon as any serious crime occurred so that a “set of brave fellows could immediately be dispatched in pursuit of villains.” That one short phrase opened a floodgate of questions in my mind . . . Who were those fellows? What made them brave? Why would they willingly pursue dangerous criminals?

And so was born The Bow Street Runner trilogy: Brentwood’s Ward, The Innkeeper’s Daughter, and The Noble Guardian.

The first story is set in the streets of Regency London, from the grit of the alleys to the sweep of a grand ballroom. The second story takes place in Dover. Why the change of scenery?

A few years ago I visited the famed white cliffs, and while I was hiking, I came across several caves. Smuggling used to be prevalent in that area and it got me to thinking . . . could one of the caverns I’d peeked into have been a hide-out for stolen goods? What kind of goods? Who would put them there? Those are the questions that spawned The Innkeeper’s Daughter.

On that same trip we headed back up to London and visited the famed Hounslow Heath. It’s not as vast and open as it used to be, but there’s still a fair amount of unoccupied wild land. The heath is famed for being the haunt of highwaymen. We ate dinner at The Spaniard’s Inn (a known hangout for those rascals) and ended up walking quite a ways back to our tube stop in the dark. It was a tad creepy—which of course got me to wondering . . . how scary would it be to get stopped and robbed? Would anyone protect us? How dangerous is this area? And that’s where The Noble Guardian was born.

So, a newspaper article, hiking a trail, and staying too late at a restaurant were my unlikely places of inspiration. Motivation really can happen anywhere. Just be sure to keep your eyes open and dare to raise questions.

Deb here: And we're very thankful for that newspaper article, Michelle! I have both of these stories in audiobook which means I can (and have) enjoyed them more than once...okay, more than twice! 

Visit Michelle's Website, Twitter, Facebook page, Instagram, Goodreads, and Pinterest pages!

REBECCA's REVIEWS!

In anticipation of #3 in the Bowstreet Runner series, A NOBLE GUARDIAN and tomorrow's reviews, Rebecca couldn't help but share love for the first two in this series!

BRENTWOOD'S WARD:
“I fell in love with Michelle Griep’s Bow Runner series from the very beginning. Having read Brentwood’s Ward at least four times, it’s nice to know that book three in the series, The Noble Guardian, releases in just a few weeks!”

Nicholas Brentwood is a member of the elite Bow Street Runners; a highly trained law enforcement agency for hire, who does not make enough money risking his life for others to provide adequate care for his beloved, terminally ill sister. When offered a lucrative bodyguard position, he accepts; albeit with extreme caution after discovering that others have turned it down.

Emily Payne is beautiful, stubborn, and spoiled; and the fact that her father has hired a personal guard before leaving England on a business trip, has her extremely vexed. Nicholas Brentwood is a formidable character and leaves little room for argument while he investigates potential dangers that hover just below the surface of her pampered lifestyle; even posing as Emily's "cousin"; accompanying her to highly touted social occasions, and joining her on multiple shopping excursions.

The depths of this book are extraordinary; characters who long to be cherished, friends who cannot be trusted, family members who have regrettably "sold their soul", heroes willing to face down evil in its worst form, displays of courage and honor and faithfulness that are remarkable, surrounded by a constant reminder of a God who embodies everlasting love. The cruelty of human nature is gentled by mesmerizing romance within the chapters of this story, which emerges with dignity and grace.

"Brentwood's Ward" is truly an astounding read!

THE INNKEEPER'S DAUGHTER:
"There is nothing more - nor less - than trusting God. Therein surrender, and you will find rest."

Innkeeper Johanna Langley is bone tired; tired of trying to make ends meet, tired of chasing down her errant brother, tired of carrying the burden of her family's livelihood on her young shoulders. The old dilapidated Blue Hedge Inn stands just one payment shy of foreclosure, which would send all three members of her family to the poorhouse, when Joanna literally falls into the arms of an handsome stranger on their doorstep; Alexander Morton needs lodging and he is eager to reward their hospitality with bright gold guineas.

Officer Alexander Moore, a celebrated Bow Street Runner, has just been handed the chance of a lifetime or a dreaded death sentence depending on the outcome; find the traitor and "ingratiate, eliminate, then extricate". If only it didn't involve gambling away his entire future at the cost of dimming the lustre in Joanna Langley's beautiful eyes. She's a rare beauty, but Alex has his orders, and they involve the daughter of a viscount, not an innkeeper.

Danger lurks around every corner in this alluring story, where everyone is exactly who they aren't and "broken things are always the beginning of better things". It's Michelle Griep at her very best!

*I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. The opinions stated are entirely my own.


BUY ANY AND ALL OF Michelle's books at Amazon

ENTER REBECCA's GIVEAWAY of a paperback of BRENTWOOD'S WARD:
 a Rafflecopter giveaway


RETURN TOMORROW FOR MICHELLE'S GIVEAWAY (June 1st): Michelle is giving away signed copies of The Innkeeper's Daughter and The Noble Guardian!

THE KING'S MERCY by Lori Benton, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise, #INTERVIEW and #GIVEAWAY

Today we have a special guest, Author Lori Benton! Interviewed and reviews by Paula, along with a super giveaway!

Paula: What sparked your interest in Early American History? 

Lori: Right about the time I saw the Revolutionary War movie The Patriot (Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger), in the early 2000s, I happened to be reading several novels set during the mid-18th century that presented aspects of frontier settlement, plantation slavery, and Native American culture that intrigued me. But what cemented my fascination with that era was the fashion choices of men at the time, as portrayed in The Patriot. I just really like knee breeches! When I decided to try my hand at a historical novel the first thing I researched was the date knee breeches went out of style. I quickly learned I’d need to set my story sometime during the 1700s if I wanted my male characters wearing such garments. It was nothing more profound than that to begin with (apart from those tantalizing glimpses in those novels of what would become my writing passions). But little did I know what a treasure trove of history I was about to uncover. I haven’t stopped exploring the 1700s since.



Paula: When did your journey as a writer begin?
 

Lori: In 1978. I was in the third grade when, without any warning at all, my friend wrote a story and showed it to me. Though already an avid reader, it hadn’t occurred to me that I could write my own story—about anything I wanted. I promptly did so. I still have that story; it’s called Yellow Feather and the Wild Mustang, about a Native American girl who finds a wounded horse, heals it, and rides it in a race and beats the boys!

Paula: How long does it take you to write a book?

Lori: Each book presents unique challenges and some can be overcome more quickly than others. There have also been times that life presented a few extra challenges that impacted a novel’s journey. Therefore it’s varied from eight months (The Wood’s Edge) to four years (an as yet unpublished novel). The usual is more like eighteen months.

Paula: What does your writing day look like?

Lori: It can vary and has changed over time. Right now I work from about 8:30am to 10am most often on anything needing to get done that isn’t the actual novel I’m writing (research, social media, bookkeeping, promotional writing, correspondence). Then I break for breakfast. Next I’ll write from 10:30am to around 1pm, when I break for a bike ride and lunch. The afternoon depends on what life has thrown at me that day. I might come back to work a few more hours (if I have a deadline closing in, I absolutely will) or I might get busy in the kitchen, running errands, or work around the house. And in all the interstices, I read.
Paula: Any work in progress you can tell us about?

Lori: I’m continuing to write more stories set during the 1700s, including the sequel to that unpublished novel that took me four years to finish. Hope to have more news to share about those soon.

Paula: Do you have an heirloom or antique that is special to you?

Lori: Not with me in Oregon, aside from a few dishes that belonged to my grandmother that hold fond memories from my childhood. But my mom has a rustic rocking chair my grandfather built (when Hoover was president, I’m told), a basket that I think his father wove, and an old woven blanket someone else back in our family made. Though I don’t have them with me, I like knowing we have them preserved.

Paula: What is one interesting thing you found when doing research? Did it make it into one of your books?

Lori: How to choose one interesting thing from the thousands? I’ll stick to my newest release, The King’s Mercy. I was fascinated to discover how the Jacobite prisoners taken off the field at the Battle of Culloden and imprisoned in England discovered their fates (trial or exile). For many it was by lottery! And yes, I absolutely wove that into the story.


Paula: What was the last book you read for fun?

Lori: I listened to the audio version of L. M. Montgomery’s The Blue Castle on a recent road trip. What a delightful story, which I do believe I enjoyed more than her other classic, Anne of Green Gables.

Paula: What is your favorite genre?

Lori: Historical (bet you could guess that!); historical mysteries, historical romances, or straight-up page-out-of-history type novels. I’m also fond of cozy mysteries and just about anything set in Scotland at any time period.


LORI IS OFFERING A SIGNED COPY OF THE KING'S MERCY! (Comment and tell us you'd like to be in the random drawing! Drawing ends June 10th)


RANDOM GENERATOR CHOSE - Perrianne! congratulations, Deb will get in touch with you and Lori will send you the autographed copy of The King's Mercy!


PAULA'S REVIEW:

The King’s Mercy by Lori Benton is a fantastic Historical Christian Fiction Epic tale.

It is set in Cape Fear River, North Carolina during the years 1747 and 1748.

Alex MacKinnon has been given “The King’s Mercy “ in that he will not be executed for treason against the English King but be transported to the Colonies and indentured for the next seven years. He is a Scotsman who found himself on the losing side of a war and has not found mercy in his allegiance to King James, Bonnie Prince Charlie, nor the English King, George II. Can he find mercy from the True King Jesus?

Ms. Benton’s words are poetically eloquent. See what Alex sees as he comes upon a high cove while trying to return to Severn Plantation: “Once he had taken in what the eye could see, he began to see what wasn’t there, but one day might be.......As the mist crept along the creek’s course and kissed the first slant of morning sunlight breaking through clouds, he smelled the clean air and the pines and the autumn leaves, while behind him in the trees birds spoke, and knew...he’d found his place. “

The author evokes the feelings of the hardships Alex goes through. Here his master’s stepdaughter remarks that indenture isn’t the same as slavery. Alex responds: “Is that what ye think? We suffered in more ways than I care to say, Mistress, so believe me when I say that I DO grasp what those slaves yonder feel— a helplessness and rage the likes of which ye dinna ken. Never mind they’ve full bellies, clothes to wear, cabins to sleep in. None of it is by their choosing. LISTEN to them!”

I especially liked the secondary character Rev. David Pauling. Ms Benton used his voice to speak many spiritual truths. He was a steadying, wise influence to the other characters.

The story flowed very naturally. Ms. Benton captured the Scottish brogue and it added nicely to the story.

This is a book to be savored for the beautiful language, the lessons in life and faith and the interesting time in our country’s history. As Alex MacKinnon might say. “The lass has fashioned a braw tale.”

This is an author I will come back to again and again.

*I received a complimentary ARC copy of this book from the publisher on behalf of the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.* 

BACK COVER BLURB:
For readers of Sara Donati and Diana Gabaldon, this epic historical romance tells of fateful love between an indentured Scotsman and a daughter of the 18th century colonial south.

When captured rebel Scotsman Alex MacKinnon is granted the king's mercy--exile to the Colony of North Carolina--he's indentured to Englishman Edmund Carey as a blacksmith. Against his will Alex is drawn into the struggles of Carey's slaves--and those of his stepdaughter, Joanna Carey. A mistress with a servant's heart, Joanna is expected to wed her father's overseer, Phineas Reeves, but finds herself drawn instead to the new blacksmith. As their unlikely relationship deepens, successive tragedies strike the Careys. When blame falls unfairly upon Alex he flees to the distant mountains where he encounters Reverend Pauling, itinerate preacher and friend of the Careys, now a prisoner of the Cherokees. Haunted by his abandoning of Joanna, Alex tries to settle into life with the Cherokees, until circumstances thwart yet another attempt to forge his freedom and he's faced with the choice that's long hounded him: continue down his rebellious path or embrace the faith of a man like Pauling, whose freedom in Christ no man can steal. But the price of such mercy is total surrender, and perhaps Alex's very life.

Available in digital ebook, paperback and library binding:
Buy The King's Mercy at Amazon
Buy The King's Mercy at Christianbook.com

DRIFTWOOD BAY by Irene Hannon, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"Ignoring an obvious need would be wrong."

Jeannette Mason has been ignoring everything, and everyone around her, since moving to Hope Harbor, Oregon . . . . ..she has convinced herself that there's safety in loneliness . . . or so she thought. Who could have imagined that a precocious puppy from next door, digging up and absconding with her beloved lavender plants, could create such havoc in Jeannette's carefully guarded little corner of the world?

Dr. Logan West impulsively purchased a pet beagle for his grieving niece, hoping it might provide her with some much needed companionship; Molly had lost so much in her young life, and now their move to Hope Harbor had not gone as smoothly as he had hoped. Only so far, Toby had managed to destroy everything in sight. When Logan's elusive neighbor shows up to complain about his trespassing pup, Logan quickly decides that maybe his dog has led them down the right path after all. . . . if Jeannette ever decides to take him at his word.

"Driftwood Bay" is beautifully layered; not only does it feature Jeannette and Logan's incremental journey towards freedom, but the author uses her secondary characters; a family inserted into the Hope Harbor community after fleeing war-torn Syria, to breathe life back into Jeannette's shriveled existence. It's the kind of story that becomes better and better with each turning page.

*Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing through Interviews and Reviews. The opinions stated above are entirely my own. 

BackCover Blurb:
After tragedy upends her world, Jeannette Mason retreats to the tiny Oregon seaside town of Hope Harbor to create a new life. Vowing to avoid emotional attachments, she focuses on running her lavender farm and tea-room--until a new neighbor with a destructive dog and a forlorn little girl invades her turf. But she needn't worry. Dr. Logan West is too busy coping with an unexpected family, a radical lifestyle change, and an unruly pup to have any interest in his aloof and disagreeable neighbor.

Yet when both Jeanette and Logan find themselves pulled into the life of a tattered Christian family fleeing persecution in war-torn Syria, might they discover that love sometimes comes calling when it's least expected?

Bestselling and award-winning author Irene Hannon invites readers back to the charming seaside town of Hope Harbor, where they are sure to find peace, healing, and a second chance at happiness.

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover and audiobook:
Buy Driftwood Bay at Amazon
Buy Driftwood Bay at Christianbook.com

INTERVIEW AND REVIEW with Rachel Dylan. BREACH OF TRUST, hosted by Nicole Cook

Nicole: I am thrilled to have author Rachel Dylan join us today at Inkwell Inspirations to discuss her romantic suspense novel, Breach of Trust (Book #3 in the Atlanta Justice series). Breach of Trust was chosen as the May book club selection for the Avid Readers of Christian Fiction Facebook Group. Rachel recently led a live Facebook chat in the Avid Readers Group to discuss her book with the members of the group. 

Rachel, thank you so much for joining us today!

Rachel: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to be here

Nicole: Breach of Trust has characters in the storyline who work as attorneys in an Atlanta law firm. How has your experience as an attorney shaped your writing, and how do you schedule time for writing with your busy work schedule?

Rachel: Being an attorney has definitely impacted the legal stories I write. I pick storylines that are in different areas of law than I practice, but I still bring my experiences and my legal “voice” into everything I write. This is my 13th year practicing law, and I really connected with Mia from Breach of Trust because I also worked at a large law firm defending corporations. As far as fitting writing into my schedule, I basically only write on the weekends. Deadlines keep me very focused, and thankfully I’m a fast writer.

Nicole: Faith is an important theme in Breach of Trust, with the main characters Mia and Noah having realistic struggles and discussions about their faith after facing difficulties in their lives. What message or inspiration do you hope that people will get from reading Breach of Trust?

Rachel: I hope people will get that as Christians we all face struggles and hard times. Times where we question and grapple with the hardships in life. But that the Lord is there--even in the darkest times.

Nicole: Where did you get your inspiration for your characters, and do you typically base their physical descriptions off of real-life people and/or celebrities? You already know that I love the inspiration photos of Noah that you posted in the Avid Readers Group. I could stare at those photos all day...I sure do love the tall, dark, and handsome heroes!

Rachel: I usually dream up characters in my mind first as opposed to using someone as a point of reference. After I have the picture of them in my head, I pull photos and I use those to help the publisher with the cover creation. And I have to make sure that not all my heroes are tall, dark, and handsome LOL, but that would always be my default.

Don't miss the next one!

 

Nicole: I love being a member of the Avid Readers of Christian Fiction Facebook group, organizing the book club, and participating in so many wonderful discussions within the group.

As a reader, I get to share my love of Christian fiction with the other members in the group, and I have discovered so many new-to-me authors who have become must-read authors (including your books that I discovered earlier this year through recommendations from the Avid Readers Group).

From an author’s perspective, what do you like best about participating in the Avid Readers of Christian Fiction Facebook Group, and what has been your favorite part of having Breach of Trust as the book club selection this month?

Rachel: One of my favorite parts of being an author is interacting with readers. Being in the Avid Readers of Christian Fiction Facebook Group is a great place to connect and it’s also a wonderful place to get recommendations from others about wonderful books! Being part of the book club allowed me to expand my reach and share my books with people who have never read them. I read and respond to every single reader email I get, and hearing how my books impact people is truly amazing.

Nicole: Without giving away any spoilers, can you share any information about your upcoming Capital Intrigue series? You mentioned that there will be a tall, dark, and handsome hero in End Game (book 1 in the series), so I am already looking forward to reading it!

Rachel: I am SO excited about the Capital Intrigue series. It focuses on three women who went to Georgetown Law school and now they all have different career paths as an FBI Agent, a CIA analyst, and a State Department attorney. End Game features Bailey Ryan (FBI Agent) and Marco Agostini (NCIS agent). They are investigating a string of murders in the DC area involving elite members of the military. There’s also a JAG attorney and many twists and turns involved!

Nicole: Rachel, thank you again for joining us today! This has been so fun chatting with you. I can’t wait until January 2020 to read End Game!

Rachel: Thank you again, Nicole. I appreciate being given this opportunity so much!

AUTHOR BIO:
Rachel Dylan is an award-winning and bestselling author of legal thrillers and romantic suspense. She has practiced law for over a decade, including being a litigator at one of the nation’s top law firms. Rachel is the author of the Atlanta Justice series, which features strong female attorneys in Atlanta. Deadly Proof, the first book in the Atlanta Justice series, is a CBA bestseller, an FHL Reader’s Choice Award winner, a Daphne du Maurier Award finalist, and a Holt Medallion finalist. A southerner at heart, Rachel now lives in Michigan with her husband and five furkids—two dogs and three cats. She loves to connect with readers. You can find her at www.racheldylan.com.

Author links:
www.racheldylan.com
www.facebook.com/RachelDylanAuthor
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/rachel-dylan
https://www.instagram.com/racheldylanauthor/

          

NICOLE'S REVIEW:
Breach of Trust, the highly anticipated conclusion to Rachel Dylan’s Atlanta Justice series, immediately draws readers in and takes them on a thrilling ride with many unexpected twists and turns along the way. Attorney Mia Shaw finds her colleague murdered and vows to find justice for him. Technology expert and former ATF agent Noah Ramirez’s friend is charged with the murder, but things aren’t always what they seem. When Mia takes over her murdered colleague’s latest case, she finds herself and Noah both in danger and in the fight for their lives.

Rachel Dylan's real-life experience as an attorney gives her books authenticity and realism that readers will not find anywhere else. Readers will fall in love with tall, dark, and handsome Noah and his huge heart. He is such a swoon-worthy character and will definitely be one to add to the readers’ collection of favorite book boyfriends. The author intricately weaves the characters' faith into the novel in a realistic manner as the characters discuss the struggles they face and have overcome during their journey. The characters from the previous books in the series play a secondary role as they come together to support their friends in this novel.

This is a stand alone novel, so readers do not have to read the first two book in the series first. However, Rachel Dylan creates such a compelling story that readers will want to read the entire Atlanta Justice series. Breach of Trust is highly recommended for readers of romantic suspense, especially those who enjoy books by authors such as Lynette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn, and Elizabeth Goddard.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine. (After reading it, I enjoyed the book so much that I also purchased my own paperback copy!)

Back Cover Blurb: Corporate litigator Mia Shaw suffers the shock of her life when she finds her colleague and friend brutally murdered. Grief-stricken and furious, Mia vows that she will do anything to seek justice and make the killer pay.

The man accused of the murder is a friend of security tech guru Noah Ramirez, but the evidence just doesn't add up. To save his former ATF partner, Noah needs to convince Mia that the real killer is still on the loose.

Mia soon has more than the criminal prosecution to worry about, however. She is tasked with taking over her friend's last case and learns he was hiding secrets about his client. She thinks she may have stumbled upon corporate espionage that has turned deadly, but she has no idea of the danger involved. Her only ally is Noah, despite their difference of opinion on the homicide case. Can he win Mia over to his side and protect her from ever-growing threats?

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover and audiobook:
Buy Breach of Trust at Amazon
Buy Breach of Trust at Christianbook.com

The Avid Readers of Christian Fiction Facebook Group is a wonderful discussion group for book addicts to talk about what they are reading. Members can also choose to participate in the book club within the group. The group is made up of many Christian fiction authors and readers and is very well moderated. Any readers interested in joining the group can click on the following link and answer a few questions to be added.

The questions are easy and are meant to keep out spammers.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/AvidChristFicReaders/

NOTE: The June book club selection for the Avid Readers of Christian Fiction Facebook Group is Wooing Cadie McCaffrey by Bethany Turner.

 

A PROPER SCANDAL by Esther Hatch, Reviewed by Karen Klepsteen and Winnie Thomas

KAREN'S REVIEW:
Poor Grace! As soon as this story started I felt such sympathy for her and the impossible situation into which she is thrust. After leaving her hometown near Bristol and moving to London, Grace discovers that her new home is full of danger in the form of an uncle with no morals. After being given an impossibly short two weeks to ensnare a husband, Grace is pointed toward Nate Barton, a businessman in the rising railroad industry. Despite her impertinent questions and her social awkwardness, Nate is drawn to Grace against his better judgement. While desperate to find an honorable husband, Grace is still hesitant to let anyone into her heart due to some abandonment issues. How they overcome their unconventional introduction and arrive at their happy ending is both romantic and dramatic! I really enjoyed their unique storyline and circumstances. This book is a fresh take on the marriage of convenience, and I highly recommend it!

*I received a copy of this book from the author and am under no obligation to provide a positive review. All opinions are my own.

WINNIE'S REVIEW:

I was immediately captivated by this charming novel by Esther Hatch. The setting in England, the cast of memorable, vividly-drawn characters, and the creative, complex plot of this book drew me right in. Grace and Nathaniel’s story reminded me a little of a comedy of errors. It seems like they were at cross purposes much of the time and victims of misunderstandings. Nathaniel, reluctantly and unwittingly, was drawn into Grace’s necessary scheme of finding a husband quickly. Grace, with little experience at dealing with attractive young men, finds herself in the middle of several misadventures. The relationship between Nate and Grace was delightful and funny. I loved the banter and the humorous ways that Grace tried to capture his interest.

The premise of this story is very creative, and it was refreshing to have the hero be a builder of railroads, instead of a titled nobleman. I loved the imaginative story line and Hatch’s clear, well-crafted writing. This novel has a bit of everything—intrigue, history, suspense, romance, and a dash of humor to round things out. I’ll definitely be looking forward to more books by this writer.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. 

BackCover Blurb:
Grace Sinclair has been callously cast out of her home. And though taken in as an orphaned child by the vicar and his wife, her unsurpassed beauty makes it impossible for her to remain in the vicar's household—with two daughters of their own about to enter Society, the vicar and his wife see Grace as nothing but competition. Thankfully, Grace's estranged Aunt Bell has agreed to take her in to her home in London. But Grace soon learns her situation has just gotten much worse.
It takes only a moment's acquaintance for Grace to ascertain that her aunt has married a detestable rake. And Aunt Bell, recognizing the danger of having her lovely niece too near her husband, gives Grace an ultimatum: the young woman has two weeks to find a man to marry, after which she will be turned out. With no experience in the art of attracting a husband, Grace quickly realizes that a worthy suitor might not be so easy to ensnare.

#CleanFiction 
Available in digital ebook and paperback:
Buy A Proper Scandal at Amazon
 

HIDDEN TWIN by Jodie Bailey, Reviewed by Trixi Oberembt

“The only choice she had in the middle of this dark, terrifying night was to trust the man determined to be her knight in shining armor. No one had ever wanted to be her rescuer.”

Jodie Bailey knows how to blend romance and suspense while keeping you running for your life, looking over your shoulder, and wondering how in the world you’ll get away from the bad guys! Having brought to light a sex trafficking ring three years ago, Amy Brady was under Witness Protection when her handling agent was killed. In steps US Marshall Sam Maldonado eager to get her to a safe place, but things go south before he can do that! Going dark and without help ramps up the danger! Everywhere they go, the killer is one step ahead of them and hot on their trail. Will they escape with their lives? This was a huge guessing game for me because I had no idea who was behind the attacks on Amy. When it was revealed at the end, I was shocked! Love when an author keeps you in suspense (pun intended) the whole book. Though you certainly don't have to, I would suggest reading “Mistaken Twin” to get a deeper connection to twin sisters Amy and Jenna.


What I didn't like? That it had to end! Then again, I don't think my heart could have taken any more adrenaline rushes. Inspirational romantic suspense fans will eat this up!


*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and was under no obligation to leave a favorable review. All opinions are my own. *

BackCover Blurb:
Off the grid…
And on the run
After years of looking over her shoulder in witness protection, Amy Brady has been found by the dangerous criminals who want her dead. With Amy’s handler killed and WitSec hacked, US marshal Sam Maldonado must break the rules to save her. But without backup as her would-be killer closes in, can he keep Amy alive long enough to reunite with her twin?

Available in digital ebook and paperback:
Buy Hidden Twin at Amazon
Buy Hidden Twin at Christianbook.com

DARKWATER LIES by Robin Caroll, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"She wasn't quite sure how she was going to handle what was about to become an international incident, but Adelaide was certain of one thing: she was about to find out."

Returning to the Darkwater Inn after a restorative sabbatical in England, Adelaide Fountaine's role as general manager is once again interrupted by tragedy; a robbery gone wrong, with no survivors. Apparently, after hacking into the inn's security system, someone had successfully pilfered a priceless tiara from the hotel safe. There are more questions than answers, and while the two men in Adelaide's life are both determined to help her find them, her mixed feelings about how each of them can fit into her future, is still as confusing as ever.

Dark intentions swirl through-out this intriguing second novel, in Robin Caroll's must-read Darkwater Inn series. 

*I bought this and was under no obligation to review.

BackCover Blurb:
Adelaide Fountaine, general manager of the Darkwater Inn, has just returned to New Orleans from a six-month sabbatical in Europe. She's rested and ready to take on the inn's busiest season: Mardi Gras. But Adelaide hardly has time to unpack before a jewel heist interrupts a visit from foreign royalty. A priceless tiara goes missing from the hotel's safe, and three people are left dead.
Detective Beau Savoie discovers the robbery was an inside job, making everybody at the Darkwater Inn a suspect--including Dimitri, the son of the inn's owner and Beau's competition for Adelaide's heart.

Tensions are high, and the stakes get even higher when Adelaide is abducted. Can Dimitri and Beau put aside their distrust and work together to save her?

Available in digital ebook and paperback:
Buy Darkwater Lies at Amazon
Buy Darkwater Lies at Christianbook.com

See Susan Snodgrass's Review of Darkwater Lies

MEET BOOK BLOGGER HEATHER SNYDER of Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen!

Debra:
Hi Heather! Thank you for agreeing to visit the Inkwell! 

Tell us how long have you been reviewing and how did you decide on the theme for your blog?

Heather: I started my blog, Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen, four years ago, and have been reviewing books since that time. My first book review was Murder in the Mystery Suite by Ellery Adams, and it has been so wonderful to review books—it feels like grown-up book reports! Meeting wonderful people while also discovering new books and authors has been such a joy! None of this would have been possible without the creation of my blog, which the Lord led me to pursue.

 

Debra: What’s the best part of being a reviewer?

Heather: The best part is getting to see books before they are published! It’s lovely to be a part of a book reveal or to know that a favorite author is coming out with a new story. Reviewing books is also a great way to read books outside of your normal genre of literature.

Debra: I admit I'm a bit jealous of all the new stories out there that I want to read...now! 
What’s the most difficult part of the ‘the job’?

Heather: I think the most difficult part can be finding the time and energy to get everything done. I want to help everyone, but I know I can’t read books 24/7—even though I wish I could. So, it can be challenging to complete the tasks at hand sometimes. It is so lovely when an author personally thanks you for your review, but it can also be discouraging when you never hear from the author or publisher. You wonder if your review was worth the hard work you put into it.

Debra: I will add that many authors don't read their reviews or only read half of them. I like to know when a reader has posted a review but, boy, some days insecurity raises its ugly head!  But reviews are important to the readers and publishers too, so even if an author doesn't personally thank a reviewer, they appreciate it.  Some authors are just too busy to respond to all or don't know how to get in touch with a particular reader. That's why book bloggers are such an important part of the process--it gives an author a real chance to be part of the conversation!

Debra: What was the last book you read that you couldn’t put down?

Heather: Daughters of Northern Shores by Joanne Bischof—this is an excellent series!

Debra: No surprise. I am actually waiting until I have a full weekend with no obligations before I start Sons of Blackbird Mountain (and I have the audiobook), because I know how gobsmacked I was with the Lady and the Lionheart. Joanne Bischof just blew me away with that one! #TeamCharlie

What keeps you busy or entertained (beyond reading and reviewing!)?

Heather: I love watching British mysteries, such as Endeavor or Agatha Christie’s Poirot. Outside of reading, these shows make my brain work hard as I try to figure out the puzzle. Of course, I rarely figure out who the culprit is!

I also love hanging out with my family.
 
Debra: I am "all British mystery all the time", so I get it. What is your fiction favorite…setting? Place and time? Genre’?

Heather: My favorite setting for a book is England, but that is because I studied English in England while I was in college. The Victorian era is my favorite era of literature. This includes works by Charles Dickens, Charlotte Bronte, and of course Jane Austen—even though Jane wrote her novels before the Victorian age. I would say mysteries and historical fiction are my favorite genres to read. I enjoy reading cozy mysteries, but I will always go back to classics, such as Little Women and Secret Garden. 
 
Debra: Well, I'm insanely jealous of your time abroad but this is a Christian fiction blog and so I will try to be a better person than that! :) 

If you had a rainy afternoon alone to watch a movie what would it be? And what meal would you have delivered if that afternoon included a quiet evening as well? I’m paying with my virtual bank account!

Heather: I would probably watch the six-hour film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. Other than that, I would choose Hallmark Christmas movies. For food, I would love to have Olive Garden delivered! Their fettuccine alfredo is amazing!

I haven't posted Colin Firth in a while. This was overdue!

Debra: Cheap date, Heather! (Cheese makes life so much better!) As for Hallmark Christmas movies... I tried. I really did. haha.

If you could wiggle your nose and be in your dream career, what would it be? Or are you already living it?

Heather: As I continue my writing endeavors, I would love to work in a vintage bookstore. Of course, the bookstore would need to have a tea shop next door. I love hot tea and cranberry scones! 

Credit: ELIZARAXI https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0

Debra: (remember me when you need a cranberry scone baker!) Yes! Discovering great used bookstores while traveling is such a treat.

What piece of advice would you offer authors who are just starting out?

Heather: Remember the little people! Always remember where you started—everyone has to start from the beginning and work their way towards greatness. Goals start out small and then one day, with the Lord’s help, those goals, which were once dreams, become reality. It’s important to remember your journey, so that you can encourage others. Advice gained from experience is always incredible to hear. I am so grateful to those who have helped me to learn and grow because of the wisdom they passed onto me.


Debra: I am definitely thankful for your willingness to review The Case of the Clobbered Cad! Those kinds of opportunities are priceless for an author when there is so many books to choose from!

Thanks so much for visiting with us, Heather! I appreciate getting to know more about you and sending readers over to your blog!

Heather's
Blog: http://englishmysteriesblog.blogspot.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hjsnyder28/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hjsnyder28

Places you will find my writing: The Engrafted Word https://theengraftedword.net/ and The Daily Megaphone https://dailymegaphone.com/

SUMMER BY THE TIDES by Denise Hunter, Reviewed by Nicole Cook.

Summer by the Tides is the perfect summer beach read!  Denise Hunter is a favorite author of many contemporary romance readers because of her swoon-worthy characters, her captivating story lines, and her ability to weave the characters’ faith seamlessly into her novels. Summer by the Tides focuses on the estrangement between the Monroe sisters, but there is still plenty of romance in the novel that fans of Denise Hunter will love. This is a story of forgiveness, new beginnings, and finding true love. 

The three Monroe sisters (Maddy, Nora, and Emma) all rush to their grandmother’s beach house in Sea Haven, North Carolina after her neighbor Connor Sullivan calls and tells them that their grandmother is missing. Betrayal from long ago still haunts the estranged sisters as they work together to find their grandmother. Despite initially disliking each other, sparks begin to fly between Maddy and Connor, but Maddy is afraid of heartbreak and struggles to trust again. 

Connor Sullivan is not the typical hero of Denise Hunter’s, with his long golden hair often tied back and his scruffy face.  Maddy initially thinks that Connor has the careless look of a beach bum, but he quickly finds his way into her heart. This handsome, swoon-worthy character will definitely find a place in readers’ hearts everywhere. New revelations and shocking family secrets come to light that the readers will not expect. 

Readers of women’s fiction, contemporary romance, and fans of authors such as Beth K. Vogt, Robin Lee Hatcher, and Becky Wade will love this highly recommended novel by Denise Hunter. For readers who have never read a Denise Hunter novel, this is the perfect opportunity!  You will not be disappointed!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

Back cover blurb:

 When her grandmother goes missing from the family beach house, Maddy and her estranged sisters converge in Sea Haven, North Carolina. Being with uptight Nora and free-spirited Emma in the home where their family broke apart is a struggle Maddy is not in the mood to face, especially since she’s recovering from her ex-boyfriend’s betrayal.

As the sisters wait for word of their grandmother, they begin to pack up the family belongings—and unpack memories of the idyllic summers of their childhood. But with those memories come long-buried secrets, and Maddy discovers that all was not as it appeared that last summer in Sea Haven. Meanwhile, Gram’s neighbor, Connor Sullivan, seems overly interested in Gram’s whereabouts. Maddy is drawn in by his quick smile and steady gaze in spite of herself.

Undercurrents of jealousy and resentment threaten to pull the family under again, maybe for good this time. As tensions rise, the sisters must find a way to accept each other for the women they’ve become—and Maddy must decide if falling in love again is worth the potential heartbreak.

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover and audiobook:
Buy Summer by the Tides at Amazon
Buy Summer by the Tides at Christianbook.com

Author Bio: Denise Hunter is the internationally published bestselling author of more than 30 contemporary romances.  In 2016, two of Denise’s novels, The Convenient Groom and A December Bride, aired as Hallmark Original movies.  When Denise isn’t orchestrating love on the written page, she enjoys traveling with her family, playing drums, and reading as much as humanly possible.  After raising 3 boys in Indiana, she and her family are rapidly approaching an empty nest.