THE BABY INHERITANCE by Tina Radcliffe, Reviewed by Kim #ReleaseDay

Tina Radcliffe always writes great stories that are full of faith, sweet romance, and humor. Her families are ones that you can’t help loving and they always live in the best towns! She draws me in from the first page and I usually end up reading them in a just a sitting or two. And did I mention her hero’s?! They are always amazing!

Drew and Sadie are complete opposites, yet they are so perfect for each other! Sadie is a by the book professor and when I say by the book, I’m mean she believes in book learning basically everything. Drew is completely laid back and easy going and I absolutely loved him! I really enjoyed watching them come to depend on each other and I loved their commitment to baby Mae. The epilogue was the best!

The Baby Inheritance is book one of the Lazy M Ranch series and after reading it, I am so ready for the rest of the stories in this series! I loved getting to know the two main characters, Sam and Olivia, that will be featured in book 2, The Cowboy Bargain.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. The faith thread is light. 5 stars! 

BackCover Blurb:

An infant in need…

But she’s a package deal.

After the tragic loss of his best friends, rancher Drew Morgan willingly accepts guardianship of their six-month-old baby—until he learns big-city professor Sadie Ross has temporary custody as well. Opposites in every way, the pair now has eight weeks together on Drew’s ranch to decide who will become the permanent parent. Could this makeshift family turn into something real…before the deadline is up?

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

Lazy M Ranch

Book 1: The Baby Inheritance
Book 2: The Cowboy Bargain

Love Inspired, April 2023

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and mass-market paperback at Amazon, Christianbook .com 

THE WORDS WE LOST by Nicole Deese, Reviewed by Kim

I love Nicole Deese’s stories, so I have been looking forward to reading The Words We Lost for awhile now. I never read back blurbs, so I had no idea what this story was about when I started reading it. This story deals heavily with grief and how people deal with their grief in different ways.

I really liked how there was a book within this book that helped us understand the friendship between Ingrid, Joel, and CeCe. It made the story, as a whole, feel a little lighter because it felt like CeCe was alive for many parts of it. I really liked CeCe’s personality and I loved her relationship with both Joel and Ingrid. I also really liked Joel. I liked how he and Ingrid fell in love and how he was so loyal to her even when she didn’t remain as loyal to him and his family. I struggled to connect with Ingrid though. I wished she would’ve stayed in Port Townsend to deal with her grief and to help all those that were also grieving CeCe. I felt the side story about her dad was unexpected and interesting.

While this is not a story I would normally read, I want to say that The Words We Lost is a very well written book, but also very heavy throughout.

 

SEE WINNIE'S REVIEW

SEE REVIEWS BY TRIXI AND PAULA

BackCover Blurb:
Three friends. Two broken promises. One missing manuscript.

As a senior acquisitions editor for Fog Harbor Books in San Francisco, Ingrid Erikson has rejected many a manuscript for lack of defined conflict and dramatic irony--two elements her current life possesses in spades. In the months following the death of her childhood best friend and international bestselling author Cecelia Campbell, Ingrid has not only lost her ability to escape into fiction due to a rare trauma response, but she's also desperate to find the closure she's convinced will come with Cecelia's missing final manuscript.

After Ingrid jeopardizes her career, she fears her future will remain irrevocably broken. But then Joel Campbell--the man who shattered her belief in happily-ever-afters--offers her a sealed envelope from his late cousin, Cecelia, asking Joel and to put their differences aside and retrieve a mysterious package in their coastal Washington hometown.

Honoring Cecelia's last request will challenge their convictions and test their loyalties, but through it all, will Ingrid and Joel be brave enough to uncover a twice-in-a-lifetime love? 

Bethany House Publishing, April 11, 2023

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

Buy THE WORDS WE LOST at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

 

 

 

THE ONE SHE CAN'T FORGET by Tara Grace Ericson, Reviewed by Kim

The One She Can’t Forget is a sweet, faith-filled romance with likable characters, a great secondary cast, a good faith thread, cameos of characters from past books, and nice pops of humor.

After a car accident, Monica can’t remember the last 6 months of her life. Those 6 months are when she and Jake fell in love. I really liked Jake and I felt so bad for him when he learns that Monica doesn’t remember their romance. She still thinks they are only friends. I liked how supportive he was of her and how he did everything he could to help her remember, without pressuring her too much. Monica was a little harder for me to like because I felt like she was unfair to Jake a few times. I did end up warming up to her in the end though. I loved catching up with all the firefighters too. They have great camaraderie!

The One She Can’t Forget by Tara Grace Ericson is the second story in A Christian Firefighter Romance Series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. There’s a nice sneak peak at the end of this story that has me looking forward to book 3!

*I purchased this book and was under no obligation to provide a positive revew.
BackCover Blurb:
The sweet memories of our relationship haunt me more than any fire I've ever fought.
Because she can't remember any of it.

I thought my world was falling apart when Monica was in the car accident. Waiting desperately with her family in the hospital, I couldn’t let anyone see just how much I cared.

Our secret relationship meant my hidden torture as I waited for her to wake up. But when she finally did, the truth, was so much worse.

Thankfully, she’s healing perfectly fine–except she can’t remember the last six months.

Which means she still thinks we merely tolerate each other for her brother’s sake and are more inclined toward animosity than attraction.

She doesn’t remember our first kiss.
Or our first date.
Or our promises of forever.

No one else in town knew we were together, especially her brother--my best friend. And when I tried to tell her, she doesn’t even trust me enough to believe it.

But I’ll do everything I can to make her remember. And if that doesn’t work, I’ll just have to make her fall in love with me all over again. Even if it was nearly impossible the first time. I'll be The One She Can't Forget.

Silver Fountain Press, March, 2023
Buy THE ONE SHE CAN'T FORGET at Amazon

 

DAWN'S UNTRODDEN GREEN by Carolyn Miller, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

I love Ms Miller’s stories set in Regency England. This time Wallflower, Theodosia, has a blemish that has set her firmly upon the shelf in a very small community. This does not diminish her servant heart. When her neighbor, best friend Clara dies, she takes on the care of 16 year old Rebecca until her uncle Daniel can fetch her. Daniel Balfour is a war hero and upon arrival wants nothing more than to stay out of the limelight.

The characters are delightful as is the banter between Theo and Daniel. They are both seeking the will of God and think they have their lives planned out, but that remains to be seen. Ms. Miller captures the flavor of the times in the customs and language and the rich details of the setting, transporting you back in time.

A fitting end to a delightful series, with an uplifting and joyful message of hope.

* I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kregel on behalf of the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*4 stars and solid faith thread

BackCover Blurb:

Not much happens in Theodosia Stapleton's tiny Northumberland village. Certainly not to her. She has resigned herself to spinsterhood, caring for her ailing mother in the home of her grandfather, known to the locals as "General Contrary." When her dear friend dies and leaves behind a daughter, it's simple enough to take the child into her own quiet world. That is, until her ward's famous uncle unexpectedly arrives and throws Theo's tidy orbit completely off-kilter.

Fame was the last thing Daniel Balfour sought when he fought in the Peninsular War. But his brave exploits caught the attention of the King, and now the honors he was given hound him everywhere . . . even on his rushed trip to rescue his orphaned niece.

Theo's quick wit and warm smile reassure him that Rebecca is in good hands, and he finds himself free to swiftly return to London and his responsibilities. But those caring hands are beginning to look like they could also safely hold his heart, and he's tempted to linger. Unfortunately, marriage is simply not in the cards; the army is spouse enough for him.

Then an accident and a scandal lead both Theo and Daniel to discover that their best-laid plans may not have been what God designed for them after all.

Regency Wallflowers Series:
Dusk's Darkest Shores
Midnight's Budding Morrow
Dawn's Untrodden Green  

Kregel Publications, April 2023

Available in digital ebook and paperback:

Buy DAWN'S UNTRODDEN GREEN at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House   

HOLDING ON TO HOPE by Janet Ferguson, Reviewed by Winnie Thomas

 

I was immediately intrigued when I saw Janet Ferguson’s newest book, Holding on to Hope, mainly because the setting is in one of my favorite places--Grand Teton National Park and Jackson, Wyoming. I’ve been there so many times it was easy to visualize the scenery and the ambiance there. Another reason I wanted to read it is because I’ve read most of the author’s other books and enjoyed them. She is a master at creating flawed, hurting, but engaging characters, placing them in challenging situations, and helping them out the other side better and stronger than they were before. 

Hope Rodriguez and Caleb Donnelly are wonderful main characters. They are both so caring and compassionate. As they work together to put together a memorable wedding within two weeks for a friend, encountering many obstacles and problems, they begin to see each other differently. Inspirational themes of family, forgiveness, faith, and hope are strong in this story.

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

 

BackCover Blurb:
A fun road trip romance to the Grand Tetons!

Always the wedding planner, never the bride.

Hope Rodriguez loves planning weddings. There’s nothing more special than helping a bride become a princess for a day, but she’s not sure that’s her calling in life anymore.
If only she had her own special someone. Her only current prospect leaves her with more questions than answers about where she falls in his list of priorities.
Yet, when a lifelong friend asks her to plan a destination wedding across the country in only two weeks, she’ll have to figure out how to pull off the impossible…alone.

After being burned as a child and deserted by his family, Caleb Donnelly has an intimate relationship with pain. Despite all he’s endured, one ache refuses to leave him—the throbbing in his heart where Hope is concerned.
So when Hope needs help with their friend’s wedding, he can’t stop himself from volunteering to travel two thousand miles to Jackson, Wyoming.
As long as he keeps his feelings in check, he might not ruin their friendship. Because a beautiful woman like Hope could never love a scarred man like him. There’s no way their longtime friendship could ever become more.

When Hope and Caleb’s plans go up in flames, it’s their hearts that might never recover.

 Grab your copy of Holding On to Hope...a Southern Contemporary Christian Romance novel from the Coastal Hearts Series.

 

Southern Sun Press, April, 2023

Available in digital ebook and paperback at Amazon

SCEPTER OF FIRE by C.F.E. Black, Reviewed by Kim

 

Scepter of Fire is the epic conclusion to the Scepter and Crown series by C. F. E. Black. This story was so good, beautifully tying up all the loose threads. And while I absolutely love Aly and Red, Grey is still my favorite character! He’s that secondary character that immediately jumps off the page right into your heart!

Without giving away any spoilers, I can say this story exceeded all of my expectations. I am totally happy with how the main characters and the secondary characters stories ended. I was totally sighing during the last few chapters! The action in this story had me turning the pages as fast as I could to see how Aly and Red were going to win the final, epic battle. This is such a creative series and I loved seeing how it all unfolded!

While I’m sad this series is over, and I will definitely miss these characters, I cannot wait for Ms. Black’s next story! It sounds amazing! I highly recommend this YA fantasy series!

*I bought a copy of this book and I also received a complementary copy. This is a clean read, but full of allegory. 5 stars.

BackCover Blurb:
A world in darkness. A love that cannot be.Shocked by the revelation that followed the official coronation, Aly and Red march toward dangers they never saw coming and away from the things they both want most. Each must face their deepest fears and darkest secrets, finding strength when all hope is lost.

Death follows them. Evil hunts them. As a battle looms and a shadow rises, there remains only one path forward, and it will bring them toward their most difficult decision yet. To succeed is to lose something dear, but to fail is to watch the world fade into an eternal night.

Will the Beacon and Beholder fulfill their destiny—and will it be what they all hoped?

Enjoy the final installment of this swoony, high-stakes epic fantasy series today!

HillCity Press, April, 2023

Available in digital ebook and hardcover at Amazon 

AFTER THE SHADOWS by Amanda Cabot, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

A new historical series has the setting in a small town in Texas. Emily is returning to Sweetwater Crossing after the death of her husband. She is not sorry to come back until she discovers her pastor father has died and her sister does not believe that her husband kept letters from reaching her family. So much happens in one day! The new, widowed school teacher arrives to find his boarding house has burned. Emily offers her family home to Craig, son Noah and Mrs. Carmichael, the landlady without a home. The relationship between Craig and Noah was sweet and showcased a caring involved father.

Ms. Cabot continues her story with mystery, blooming romance and prejudices common to the times and small communities. She brings the characters to life and shows that Christian principles were lived out, as well as illustrates evil to overcome.

I look forward to the next in the series as Louisa, a younger sister, takes center stage.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Revell Reads Review program. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*4 stars and a solid faith thread. 

BackCover Blurb:
A brighter future awaits--if she can escape the shadows of the past

Emily Leland sheds no tears when her abusive husband is killed in a bar fight, but what awaits her back home in Sweetwater Crossing is far from the welcome and comfort she expected. First she discovers her father has died under mysterious circumstances. Then the house where the new schoolteacher and his son are supposed to board burns, leaving them homeless. When Emily proposes turning the family home into a boardinghouse, her sister is so incensed that she leaves town.

Alone and broke, her family name sullied by controversy, Emily is determined to solve the mystery of her father's death--and to aid Craig Ferguson, despite her fears of men. The widowed schoolmaster proves to be a devoted father, an innovative teacher, and an unexpected ally. Together they must work to unmask a killer and escape the shadows of their own pasts in order to forge a brighter future.

Bestselling author Amanda Cabot transports you to 1880s Texas Hill Country for a brand-new series that will have you flipping pages to solve the mystery and get to the happily-ever-after you long for.

Revell Publishing, March 2023

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

Buy AFTER THE SHADOWS at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House 

 

BLIND TRUST by Natalie Walters, Reviewed by Paula and Rebecca

PAULA'S REVIEW:
Wow! What a climax to the SNAP Agency series. I just read the novella, Initium, that tells the background of the Agency and it provided valuable information.

This is Lyla and Nicolas’s story. Lyla seems fearless as she executes her role at SNAP. “It was not fear that drove her to take risks so much as it was her innate sense of making sure justice was served.” Nic sees fear as healthy: “It was God’s alert system to warn of danger, keep us safe...sometimes from ourselves.” And Nic is concerned for Lyla and wants to protect her. Lyla just asks Nic to trust her instincts. Then they come to realize just how much they mean to each other.

I like the whole premise of the Agency and the motivation of its founder, Tom Walsh. He wants to support the government or private interests from a Christian perspective of loyalty and justice. The members are all Christian and pray for God’s will but that does not mean Lyla will not act first and think later.

The plot was intriguing and showcased the teamwork. The characters had a camaraderie that was fun and showed their closeness. The present tangled with the past and was intricate enough to keep you interested. I did not figure out a key point. Surprise! Great ending to the series but I was sorry to say goodbye to these characters. I would love to see a reunion novella. 

*5 stars and a solid faith thread. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"I don't need you telling me what to do. We got the job done, and that's all that matters."

" . . . it was becoming clear that Lyla's personality was defined by the faith others had in her. And he'd been robbing her of that every time he questioned or doubted her."

"Nic, I know that what happened last week has been weighing on you. I've known her a long time, and I would have been shocked had she done anything different."

"Anything different". The woman could be infuriating; the risks she took, the way she ran towards danger instead of away from it, the many ways that she never backed down  . . . never  . . . did she back down. Was it that tenacious spirit that caused SNAP Agency team member Nicolas Garcia to lose sleep at night, or was it the woman herself that kept him tossing and turning. Without a doubt Nic felt an inexplicable draw to Lyla Fox that scared him, not only because she seemed oblivious to his attraction, but because they were facing a very dangerous adversary who had made it their mission to neutralize her. Since wrapping her up in bubble wrap was not really an option, Nic was hoping and praying that he could trust her to follow directions when it mattered most. (Who was he kidding?)

What a blew-my-circuits, exceeded-my-expectations kind of book! These characters, whose raw emotions bled out onto every page, kept me spellbound, transfixed, totally engaged. For love is a curious thing, it may come softly but blares loudly (danger! danger! danger!) when the one who is loved is threatened. Nic's genuine desire to bring out the best in Lyla, without stifling what made her who she was, demonstrated the depth of his character in spite of his frustrations, which were many . . . matched only by his reticence. Should he stay, or should he go?

Oh yes, and then there's the plot line! May I just mention how well it was written; camouflaging an ending that no reader would ever see coming, tying multiple loose ends together with impeccable timing, using characters from the first two books in the series to add substance and humor (ummm, Kekoa?)making this book the perfect balance of character, plot and godly inspiration!

"Let's roll, Stinkerbell."

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

SEE KIM'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:
Lyla Fox knows she has a reputation at the SNAP Agency for impulsivity, but when she receives a threatening letter from a man she helped put in prison, she can't stop herself from going all in to find out why he's coming after her. Unfortunately, she's going to need the help of the one person who questions her reckless choices more than anyone else.

Explosives and weapons specialist Nicolás Garcia agrees to help Lyla in order to keep her safe, but her recklessness continues to be a major concern, especially when her investigation into a conspiracy puts a target on her back. Dealing with bombs is dangerous. Working with Lyla is proving to be just as treacherous--to both the mission and his heart.

Natalie Walters closes out her SNAP Agency series with a bang with this nail-biting story of a deadly government conspiracy, an unlikely couple, and an ending that will leave you breathless. 

Revell Publishing, April 11, 2023

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

Buy BLIND TRUST at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or  Baker Book House

 

 

 

 

THE WORDS WE LOST by Nicole Deese, Reviewed by Winnie Thomas

 

“I’m learning that much like love, grief is meant to be shared.”

 

At times poignant and heart-wrenching and at other times hopeful and heart-warming, The Words We Lost had me feeling all the emotions. Extraordinarily talented author Nicole Deese has penned a riveting story of friendship, second-chance romance, grief, forgiveness, and ultimately healing and hope. She easily swept me away to Port Townsend, Washington and introduced me to the area and to unforgettable, carefully-crafted, and multi-layered characters. I was able to feel and visualize the beautiful setting and get to know the people there through her impeccable writing.

 

Cecelia Campbell, Ingrid “Indy” Erikson, and Joel Campbell had such a remarkable, close friendship. The story is mostly told from Indy’s point of view, but I was very intrigued by the way the author included a manuscript Cece wrote for Indy and Joel that told the story of the three of them from Cece’s point of view. It gave valuable insight into their backstory and friendship. Although Cece had passed away when the book begins, we get to know her thoughts and feelings and the backstory of the three friends through the manuscript. It added a unique perspective through her eyes.

 

“No heartache has ever gone unseen, and no darkness is ever too solid for light to overcome.”

 

“I can’t erase the darkness for you, but I can be the one to hold the light when you’re ready to come home.”

I would recommend this book to those who enjoy clean contemporary romance. It’s a perfect blend of compelling characters, a fascinating plot, and swoony romance. Just a warning, though--you may want to have a few tissues handy. This is definitely on my list of favorite books and one for the keeper shelf!

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishing. All opinions are my own.

 SEE REVIEWS BY TRIXI AND PAULA

BackCover Blurb:
Three friends. Two broken promises. One missing manuscript.

As a senior acquisitions editor for Fog Harbor Books in San Francisco, Ingrid Erikson has rejected many a manuscript for lack of defined conflict and dramatic irony--two elements her current life possesses in spades. In the months following the death of her childhood best friend and international bestselling author Cecelia Campbell, Ingrid has not only lost her ability to escape into fiction due to a rare trauma response, but she's also desperate to find the closure she's convinced will come with Cecelia's missing final manuscript.

After Ingrid jeopardizes her career, she fears her future will remain irrevocably broken. But then Joel Campbell--the man who shattered her belief in happily-ever-afters--offers her a sealed envelope from his late cousin, Cecelia, asking Joel and to put their differences aside and retrieve a mysterious package in their coastal Washington hometown.

Honoring Cecelia's last request will challenge their convictions and test their loyalties, but through it all, will Ingrid and Joel be brave enough to uncover a twice-in-a-lifetime love? 

Bethany House Publishing, April 11, 2023

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

Buy THE WORDS WE LOST at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

IN HER SIGHTS (Pink Pistol Sisterhood Series #1) by Karen Witemeyer, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

(Pink Pistol Sisterhood Series Book 1)

A courtship pistol? Tessa James had never heard of such a gun, but if Annie Oakley's words held any truth . . . she sure could use a pistol like that . . . since Tessa's whole intent on learning to shoot in the first place was to impress her man . . . . even though he didn't know (or just didn't want to admit) he was "hers" yet. Goodness! The entire deal just about went up in smoke when Tessa accidentally shot her target!

What a fun little story!

*I purchased a copy of this novella and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:
He's sworn off love, but she has his heart in her sights and doesn't intend to miss.

Stained by his wastrel father's legacy, Jackson Spivey lives on the fringes of society. Townsfolk tolerate him since he keeps the local hotel supplied with fresh game, but mothers coach their daughters to avoid him. After tasting consistent rejection, Jackson spurns all attempts at courtship. The only things he can count on are his guns and his God.

Tessa James has been secretly in love with Jackson for ages, but trying to gain his favor only pushes him further away. When she learns Annie Oakley is traveling through Texas, Tessa seeks lessons from the famed markswoman. If Jackson's life revolves around guns, taking up shooting might help her engage his interest. Too bad she can't hit the broad side of a barn.

When Annie loans Tessa a custom pistol, however, things begin to change. The lore behind the mysterious weapon fosters hope that Tessa might finally hit the target of Jackson's heart. But when danger threatens, she might be forced to use the pistol for something other than finding love.

Hope and Light Publishing, March 30,2023

BUY IN HER SIGHTS in digital ebook and paperback at Amazon

 

LILAC COTTAGE by Carrie Fancett Pagels, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

Mackinac Cottages Series Book 2

More interesting adventures of the Dunmara, Welling and Parker clans on beautiful Mackinac Island.

Ms. Pagels pulls you in with the scenic island and the dynamics of the various families and how they are connected.

I really enjoyed seeing this story through Rachel’s eyes and her compassion for her grandmother. She has been treated shabbily by her mother but has friends who stand up for her. She is also growing in her newfound faith.

The authors prose flows as we reconnect with characters from Butterfly Cottage. I love the renewed friendship of Rachel and Jack and their spiritual growth. You can see how God works in the lives of the characters.

This book is not short on intrigue and tension which is rounded out with the sweet romance. And I should not forget to mention the stunning cover! I am looking forward to visiting Mackinac again in other books by Ms. Pagels.

* I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*5 stars and a solid faith thread 

 

BackCover Blurb:

Inspirational Contemporary Women's Fiction from Award-winning Bestselling Author Carrie Fancett Pagels

Lilac Cottage set on Mackinac Island, Book 2 Mackinac Cottages Series

Out of options, Rachel Dunmara "camps out" at her deceased Grandmother's cottage on Mackinac Island. Next door, her childhood nemesis, Jack Welling, is overseeing his family's remodeling of their home on the West Bluff. When Rachel's new boss, at a local coffee shop, pushes her to work as Jack's assistant, for her second job, can they mend their rift?

Kareen Parker, widowed in the past year, returns to the island to share long-held information with her son and to transition ownership of her resort to her son. Her grandson befriends Rachel, who was banned by her family from associating with the Parkers.

In a summer full of secrets that are finally revealed, can three families be healed?

April, 2023

Buy LILAC COTTAGE in ebook or paperback at Amazon 

 

FRONTIER CINDERELLA by Regina Scott, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay

A Sweet, Clean Western Romance (Frontier Matches #3)

Another great story that takes place in Wallins Landing with all the familiar characters from past books.

Katie Jo works hard for her Uncle Cole, downplaying her femininity by wearing trousers and flannel. She feels beholden to her uncle and ailing brother Zeke. But it isn’t until she dons a dress that the men in the logging camp start to take notice. Especially Harry who caught her eye with his hardworking and polite ways. But her uncle just wants her to take care of him, always bringing up that she owes him since her parents died.

With humor and a little excitement, and characters who rely on God, the story comes to a fairy tale ending.

*I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own. 5 stars. Underlying faith thread

BackCover Blurb
What would you give to be the belle of the ball?Katie Jo McAllister never considered herself a prim and fussy sort of gal. Men are more likely to ask her help in chopping down a tree than taking a turn on the dancefloor. But when Katie Jo stands up with her friend, Ciara O’Rourke, at her wedding, all gussied up, suddenly every man in miles is angling for an introduction. Even the area’s most eligible bachelor, Harry Yeager, who has ignored her for months, comes calling. It’s enough to give even a strong gal a case of the vapors!

After being orphaned young and passed around among relatives, Harry Yeager is determined to start his own family. He has the claim, the cabin, and the income to support a wife and children. In an area with eight bachelors to every unmarried woman, finding the wife has proven problematic. But the sweet-natured Katie Jo McAllister just might be the perfect bride to rule beside him in his little frontier kingdom.

When danger comes calling along with a host of suitors, Katie Jo finds herself turning to Harry for help. But can he see the heart of the woman beneath all her finery, a heart that beats for him alone?

If you like warm, witty historical romances, then you’ll love this frontier romance by an award-winning author.

Edwards and Williams (April 17, 2023)

Available in digital ebook and paperback at Amazon

DEAR HENRY, LOVE EDITH by Becca Kinzer, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"Look, if this old lady needs a place to crash for a few nights, fine. Just so long as she stays upstairs and out of my way."

Let the games begin! Edith Sherman is definitely not an "old lady", and "staying out of his way" turns out to be nearly impossible . . . they simply don't know that "each other" is "each other". Yet. Then things really get complicated. Back when things were confusing, but simpler, Henry Hobbes rather enjoyed getting those nice little notes (along with homemade banana bread) from his nocturnal house guest.

Turns out that living an ordinary life before her grand adventure began was harder than Edith thought it would be. Small towns tended to under-estimate and over-exaggerate, but no matter how much this little Illinois town tried to convince her to stay, Edith was going to go . . . to South Africa . . . and not even a pair of gorgeous blue eyes was going to stop her.

Oh, Edith! Couldn't true adventure be found a lot closer to home; for it ended up being relatively simple, and involved "sitting on his bench" . . . which of course, Henry had no idea what she was talking about (pretty common, actually) but what he did know, was how to finish what they started . . . . . Dear Edith . . . Love, Henry.

Full of hilarity, this romantic comedy skirts the borderlines of ridiculous, only to land squarely in the middle of a very fine story with a more than remarkable ending.

*I purchased the book and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 3.5 stars

SEE TRIXI'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:
He thinks she’s an elderly widow. She’s convinced he’s a grumpy old man. Neither could be further from the truth.

After a short and difficult marriage, recently widowed Edith Sherman has learned her lesson. Forget love. Forget marriage. She plans to fill her thirties with adventure. As she awaits the final paperwork for a humanitarian trip to South Africa, she accepts a short-term nursing position in a small Midwestern town. The last thing she needs is a handsome local catching her eye. How inconvenient is that?

Henry Hobbes isn’t exactly thrilled to have Edith, who he assumes is an elderly widow, dumped on him as a houseguest for the summer. But he’d do almost anything for his niece, who is practically like a sister to him given how close they are in age. Especially since Edith will be working nights and Henry works most days. When he and Edith keep missing each other in person, they begin exchanging notes—short messages at first, then longer letters, sharing increasingly personal parts of their lives.

By the time Henry realizes his mistake—that Edith is actually the brown-eyed beauty he keeps bumping into around town—their hearts are so intertwined he hopes they never unravel. But with her departure date rapidly approaching, and Henry’s roots firmly planted at home, Edith must ultimately decide if the adventure of her dreams is the one right in front of her.

Reminiscent of the beloved classic You’ve Got Mail comes a delightful new romantic comedy about mistaken identities, second chances, and finding love in unexpected places.

Tyndale House, January, 2023

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook:

Buy DEAR HENRY, LOVE EDITH at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I purchased a copy. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5382139120

A NOVEL PROPOSAL by Denise Hunter, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"Come on, God. I need an idea. And since there's three of You and You did create the entire universe, I'm sure it's within Your skill set to give me just one tiny idea."

Summering along the beautiful South Carolina coast was supposed to supply fledgling novelist Sadie Goodwin with some much needed inspiration. So far . . . zilch, zero, nothing, nada. She was not and never had been a romance writer, but her publisher was throwing her a life line . . . come up with one. Who would have guessed that the handsome, broody, grunted-responses-to-her-chatter neighbor might provide exactly what she needed, in more ways than one . . . along with a book and its tiny compartment.

Romantic, comedic, opposites attract and the girl-next-door vibes are all over this story. They say "all's well that ends well", but Sadie hardly imagined experiencing a broken heart to prove it. Sometimes the most enjoyable stories are the most predictable, and in this case, that sentiment certainly rings true.

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

BackCover Blurb:
When novelist Sadie Goodwin is forced to stop writing westerns and charged with penning a contemporary romance novel to rescue her lackluster sales, there’s only one tiny problem: She’s never been in love.

Desperate to salvage her career, Sadie begins devouring romance novels. Knowing she must devote herself to this confounding genre, she accepts an invitation to hole up at her friend’s beach duplex for the summer. Where better to witness love in bloom than on the beautiful North Carolina shore?

However, once ensconced in the charming ocean-front home with her sweet maltipoo Rio, she finds many ways to procrastinate. First there’s the beach, right outside her backdoor, with all its interesting visitors (research). Then there’s the free library she decides to build and set up by the back deck (She has to do something with all those romance novels). To say nothing of Sam Ford, the grumpy neighbor on the other side of the duplex . . . who she can’t seem to stop annoying.

A social butterfly by nature, Sadie soon gets to know all the beach regulars—sunbathers, walkers, and surfers alike. The free books draw a crowd right up to the house for nice little book chats, which further irritates her reclusive neighbor, to break up her “writing.” But things take an unexpected turn when Sadie opens a recently-placed novel to find a secret compartment—and tucked inside is a beautiful engagement ring. To whom does the ring belong? Sadie is convinced she needs to find the owner and save the man’s proposal from certain doom.

She draws a reluctant Sam into the project, and slowly their connection begins to develop. Are these weird fluttery feelings the first stirrings of love? Has Sadie managed to stumble upon the very subject about which she must write—and wouldn’t Sam make the perfect alpha hero?

Will Sadie find the ring’s rightful owner? And will she manage to pen a career-saving romance novel by summer’s end?

Thomas Nelson Publishing, March 2023

Available in digital ebook, paperback, library binding, and audiobook:

Buy A NOVEL PROPOSAL at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

 

Blessed Eternity! But Such a Loss. SUSAN SNODGRASS

Susan and Tom had their own glorious love story.

Here at the Inkwell Inspirations blog, and in so, so many parts of the Christian fiction community, we are grieving the loss of the inspirational Susan Snodgrass.

Susan was once one of our reviewers here, and went on to create her own blog when her love for reviewing and creating graphics grew beyond what we could do here with a 'full house'.

So we wished Susan well and watched her create the incredible Simply Susan blog!

Please take a moment to read this October 2018 "Introduction" Inkwell Inspirations post:

Susan comes highly recommended and many will recognize her name because she's long been an avid reviewer. I'm so happy to welcome her to the Inkwell as our newest reviewer and look forward to sharing her take on your favorite new releases, and old favorites!

I'm Susan Snodgrass, 60ish reader.  I love to read.  In fact, I love to read so much that my dream as a girl was to be locked in the library overnight. My mama always used to say, 'If you're looking for Susie, you'll find her somewhere with her nose stuck in a book.'  Always!  I even sniff books.

Tom and Susan

I'm married to Tom for 40 years. We have one grown daughter and a little dachshund who is the joy of our hearts. We are both active in our church and love the Lord with all our hearts.  My relationship with Jesus is the most important one in my life.

Samwise Gamgee

I was born and raised and still live in a small town in SC, population 5800.  I love it and would never want to live anywhere else.  We live a simple life, spending time with our church family, gardening, both vegetable and flowering.  I love to cook also and have developed some recipes of my own.

I thoroughly enjoy interacting with other readers on Facebook and have made many friends on the site who also love the Lord and love to read.

Thanks so much for joining us, Susan. I look forward to your reviews and getting to know you better. 
AND HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
You can also hang out with Susan and Sam Gamgee on Goodreads and Facebook! 

 

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April 12, 2023:

We are thankful for the promises of God and the glorious future we have and Susan is now living! We keep Susan's family in our prayers as they reconcile such a loss. She leaves such a hole in our community--how much more for her family! 

 
 

WAR OF TORMENT by Ronie Kendig, Reviewed by Kim #ReleaseDay

What an end to an absolutely spectacular must read series!! This story is epic and it completely exceeded all of my very high expectations! When I read the last word of War of Torment, I literally just sat there for a while thinking about the incredible journey these characters have been on. I felt sad knowing that their stories are over. I’m seriously going to miss Marco.

I don't even know what to say without going into spoiler territory, especially if you haven't read the first three stories in this series, so I will just say this story has it ALL! There's action, romance, an amazingly creative world, main and secondary characters that I could read about for a long long time, character growth in spades, heartbreak (don't worry, Ms. Kendig puts the pieces back together - mostly!), and jaw-dropping surprises that will make you squeal out loud. Every time I thought I couldn't be surprised, I was. Every time I thought I knew what was going to happen, I didn't.

Ronie Kendig is a brilliant, creative writer who draws you into her stories and keeps you sucked in until the very last word where you are always left wanting more! This series is epic. It’s not to be missed. Not only does it have a permanent place on my keeper shelf, but it is one of my all time favorite series. Do not miss it. All the stars!

*I bought and received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. In a class by itself!

BackCover Blurb:
The time for peace is over—now he demands vengeance

They followed him back. Against his will, against his intention. Now enemies threaten from every direction. Amidst it all Marco Dusan struggles to lead his people, to help them survive, even mayhap win the war. He will take any advantage to even the odds. But only after tragedy strikes does he learn just how much he’s willing to sacrifice.

He's not alone. Droserans fight as one, united against the offworlders—Symmachians who covet their planet. With the aid of unexpected allies, the Droserans battle on longer than anyone could have anticipated. Yet they cannot win. And the Faa’Cris, those supernatural warriors, fair of face and fierce of mien, do nothing.

But not all have turned their backs. After a bitter year of pain and loss, Kersei Dragoumis navigates a new heritage, ever intent on defending her people. Like her, light-years away from the Quadrants and even farther from the girl she thought she was, Eija Zacdari must come to terms with a new role. Or, rather, with an ancient one. And her success or failure may determine back in the Quadrants who lives and who dies.

In the end, Marco will have vengeance for the torment brought by this war. No matter the price. Not even if the price is his soul. 

Enclave Publishing, April 11, 2023

Available in digital ebook and hardcover:

Buy WAR OF TORMENT at Amazon