FLAT DECEPTION by Paige Edwards, Reviewed by Winnie Thomas

With plenty of suspense and romance and a setting in modern-day Scotland, Flat Deception is a captivating tale of horses, racing, deceit, and the triumph of good over evil. Talented author Paige Edwards has filled this book with interesting, multi-layered characters. Lady Sophie Henderson is independent and determined to establish her horse breeding business. Zander Matthews is a fantastic main character and hero who wants to help Sophie and win her heart. It was so delightful to see their relationship grow and change. 

The suspense was well done and kept me guessing to the last. I recommend this book to those who enjoy clean and wholesome contemporary romantic suspense. 
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.4.5 stars

 

BackCover Blurb:
Lady Sophie Henderson has worked tirelessly to establish a breeding stable for racehorses on her family’s Scottish estate. But when her father cuts her funding, she’s desperate to find a way to achieve her life’s ambition. Selling precious heirloom jewels enables Sophie to care for her thoroughbreds, though it’s a temporary solution—and one that does not go unnoticed.

Zander Matthews is painfully aware of the role he played in Sophie’s loss of sponsorship. Now, he’s determined to use his hard-earned wealth to help her achieve her dreams. When Zander shocks Sophie with the offer of a business investment, it seems her aspirations are finally within reach. But the new partners discover that finding success will not be simple. There is a dark side to the posh British racing community, and Sophie and Zander have captured the attention of an enemy whose greed knows no bounds. Even as their partnership develops into something more, their happy ending is just beyond reach. Because in a world where people are willing to do anything to win, it’s impossible to know who to trust.

 

Covenant Communications, May 2024

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook:

Buy FLAT DECEPTION at Amazon

 

WHEN THE FLAMES RAVAGED by Rhonda Dragomir (Day to Remember Series #2) Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"Her family had to be alive. The Almighty was both powerful and loving, so no other outcome was possible."

"Time to ride with Jesus upon the storm."

Just that morning war widow Evelyn Benson had been snuggling with her nephew and watching her sassy niece argue about what to wear to the circus. Originally planning to join her brother and his family at the highly anticipated matinee performance, Evelyn had to give up her seat when the owner of the diner where she worked insisted that she come in for an extra shift. When a plume of gray smoke appears in the sky and the wail of sirens pierce through the afternoon bustle, Evelyn takes off in the direction of the circus . . . only to discover that an indescribable tragedy has taken down the big top.

"Fraidy Freddie" alias Hank Webb, (actually Henry Frederick Webster, but that's another story) a popular clown among his other jobs for the circus, collides with a desperate woman searching for family members outside the carnage that was once the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus. Recognizing her as the pretty young waitress from Clyde's Diner, Hank offers what help he can lend, while dreading to tell Evelyn what he already knew.

"No one should have to go through a trauma like this alone."

What an impressive impression of a "day to remember" in American history; July 6, 1944. Populated with vibrant characters, whose search for truth and the courage to live with the results merge with the deep desires of their hearts, making the spiritual journey required to embrace the goodness among the sorrow all that more precious. Proving once more that "as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:9

A highly recommended read for fans of well researched historical fiction layered with inspiration and romance. 

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

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:
Will Faith Perish in the Big Top’s Flames?

Introducing a new series of 6 exciting novels featuring historic disasters that transformed landscapes and multiple lives. Whether by nature or by man, these disasters changed history and were a day to be remembered.

Evelyn Benson’s husband perished in the Bataan Death March but not her faith. The World War II Gold Star widow is taken in by her brother and soothed by the love of his wife and children. Evelyn refuses to cower to grief. She may not understand God’s mysterious ways, but she has never questioned Him—until the circus fire.

The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus train chugs into Hartford, Connecticut, on a sweltering day one month after the Allies invaded Normandy. Among the roustabouts is a reluctant clown, Hank Webb. He may hide from his murky past behind grease paint as Fraidy Freddie, but God wants to offer Hank a chance to be found. Though first, what little Hank believes about God will endure a fiery trial.

On Thursday, July 6, 1944, a devastating blaze of unknown origins consumes the circus tent along with Evelyn’s hopes and Hank’s anonymity. 

Barbour Publishing, March, 2024

Available in digital  ebook, paperback, and audiobook:

Buy WHEN THE FLAMES RAVAGED at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

VANISHING LEGACY by Lynette Eason and Kate Angelo, (Elite Guardians Series), Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"I was doing my homework at the table when I saw her crawl through the hole under our fence and run in there. She looked so scared . . . "

The last thing that Elite Guardian Alana Flores expected to find after a harrowing day on the job was danger in her own back yard. Not only did she discover where her son had disappeared to, but she literally collided with a man who had a young girl under his arm, whose flailing limbs and screaming cries put Alana in instantaneous protective mode. What in the world?

The last thing that trauma surgeon Dr. Cash Thomas expected to learn after a particularly rough rotation; that his daughter Penny had disappeared from an accident scene and was missing . . . his young autistic daughter for whom communication was a struggle. Thankfully she turned up in the back yard of a professional bodyguard? What in the world . . . times two.

Twisting and turning from beginning to end, this harrowing romantic suspense includes two delightfully dynamic duos; a son and a daughter, a father and a mother. How those relationships change is secondary to how they manage to stay alive. An enjoyable story by an emerging voice in romantic suspense who successfully pulls off an exhilarating finish! (plus some pretty romantic moments under a piano!)

" . . . when we are in the valleys, we don't usually notice the beauty all around us. We can only see the struggles . . . When we reach the top of the mountain, we get a different perspective. . . . . Sometimes we need the valley to appreciate the beauty of the mountains."
*I purchased this book and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 3.5 stars

 

BackCover Blurb:
For this Elite Guardian, protecting her client’s daughter just got personal.

Elite Guardian Alana Flores, former LAPD underwater dive detective, just wants a fresh start in Savannah, Georgia, with her son, Rocco. Hoping to repair their broken relationship, and provide a safer, more stable life, nothing could be more disastrous to her hopes than when they find a terrified, autistic child in her shed.

Oh no.

Enter Cash Thomas, a widowed trauma surgeon struggling to raise his autistic daughter, Penny. He’s put his wife’s disappearance and presumed death behind him…until someone tries to kidnap his daughter. Terrified of losing Penny to the same cartel that supposedly killed his wife, he turns to Alana and the Elite Guardians.

But is Sonia really dead? Or is she behind the kidnapping attempts? Cash and Alana must keep their children safe, uncover the truth about Sonia, and find a way to outsmart the cartel before it's too late.

And what about the spark between them? Could this be the fresh start they both long for? Certainly not while their children are in danger. And when their worst fears happen, will they lose everything?

With heart-pounding foot chases on River Street, underwater thrills off Tybee Island, and a climactic showdown at Forsyth Fountain, Vanishing Legacy will leave you breathless.

Elite Guardians: Savannah
Book 1: Vanishing Legacy
Book 2: Hunting Justice
Book 3: Guarding Truth

Elite Guardians Collection
Book 1: Driving Force
Book2: Impending Strike
Book 3: Defending Honor
Book 4: Christmas in the Crosshairs

Sunrise Publishing, April, 2024

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook:

Buy VANISHING LEGACY at Amazon

FOR A LIFETIME by Gabrielle Meyer, Reviewed by Kim

I absolutely love the Timeless series by Gabrielle Meyer! Each and every story is so innovative and so well written. The storylines are always immersive with so many wonderful characters. Whenever I think I know what is going to happen, Ms. Meyer throws me for a loop and does what I totally did not expect or even think of as a possibility! While For a Lifetime is book #3, it can easily be read as a standalone as can all of the previous books in this series.

Grace and Hope are identical twins with polar opposite personalities. I really loved their relationship with each other and how they depended so much on each other because of their time-crossing. In one of their timelines, 1692, they live and work in their father’s tavern during the witch trials in Salem, MA. This storyline was so interesting, yet sad and dark. I wanted them out of there so bad! In their other timeline, 1912, they both have careers that they love and both are close to their parents. I want to say so much more, but basically everything would be a spoiler! So, I will just say that I absolutely loved this story, I was shocked more times than I can say, I cried more times than once, and I was completely satisfied when the story wrapped up! It has been days since I finished this one and it’s still on my mind.

I cannot wait for the next book in this series! I highly recommend each and every story. What amazes me about all of the stories in this series is that there is a time in each when I think that there is no way Ms. Meyer can pull this off so that I am happy with the ending, but each and every time she manages to do it! That takes a talented writer!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. I also purchased a copy. All opinions are my own. The faith thread is light. 5 stars!! 

SEE REVIEWS BY PAULA AND REBECCA

BackCover Blurb:
Grace and Hope are identical twin sisters born with the ability to time-cross together between 1692 Salem, Massachusetts, and 1912 New York City. As their twenty-fifth birthday approaches, they will have to choose one life to keep and one to leave behind forever--no matter the cost.

In 1692, they live and work in their father's tavern, where they must watch helplessly as the witch trials unfold in their village, threatening everyone. With the help of a handsome childhood friend, they search for the truth behind their mother's mysterious death, risking everything to expose a secret that could save their lives--or be their undoing.

In 1912, Hope dreams of becoming one of the first female pilots in America, and Grace works as an investigative journalist, uncovering corruption and injustice. After their parents' orphanage is threatened by an adversary, they enter a contest to complete a perilous cross-country flight under the guidance of a daring French aviator.

The sisters have already decided which timeline they will choose, but an unthinkable tragedy complicates the future they planned for themselves. As their birthday looms, how will they determine the lives--and loves--that are best for both of them?

Bethany House Publishers, May 2024

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

Buy FOR A LIFETIME at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House 

 

SHELTERED BY THE DOCTOR by Danielle Grandinetti, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #JustReadTour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Sheltered by the Doctor by Danielle Grandinetti, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Sheltered by the Doctor
Series: Harbored in Crow's Nest #5
Author: Danielle Grandinetti
Publisher: Hearth Spot Press
Release Date: May 21, 2024
Genre: Christian Historical Romantic Suspense

A fake relationship might keep her safe, but will it break their hearts? 

Wisconsin, 1931—Mindy Zahn can’t understand why her parents deserted the family farm, leaving her mute younger sister in her care. Until her mother’s cryptic warning to keep her sister safe becomes a life-threatening task. 

Searching for that elusive something to ease his weary heart, Dr. Nick Matrone is drawn to the cheery Mindy. He would never presume to bring such a sweet woman into his beleaguered past, so friendship is all he can offer. Except, he doesn’t expect needing to save her life. 

As the danger grows, they both must battle through physical and emotional wounds to have a hope of their counterfeit relationship becoming true. 

Welcome to Crow’s Nest, where danger and romance meet at the water’s edge.

PAULA'S REVIEW
Welcome back to Crow’s Nest, Wisconsin and the story of Dr. Nic Matrone and waitress Mindy Zahn. Nic is protective of Mindy and when danger threatens, they agree to a fake relationship. But their hearts have a different idea and the fake becomes real.
The research behind the story shines through. I was intrigued by the problems Mindy had in reading and why her sister Mable would not talk. The author shows these from a 1931 perspective. There are mysterious happenings in this small town and we see familiar characters from previous books band together to ferret out evil. 

Getting to know Nic and Mindy was a pleasure. They both feel unworthy and inadequate but as their faith grows, they realize their worth is in God, not men, which makes them all the more noble and humble. We see more of Buck Wilson, the Conglomerate head, who is still a puzzle. I am glad we get his story in the next and final book of this interesting series.

I recommend this whole series for historical fiction buffs.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bookfunnel on behalf of the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.* 5 stars and a solid faith thread.

 

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

More Books in This Series

     

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About the Author

Danielle Grandinetti is an award-winning inspirational romance author fueled by tea and books. As a FHLCW Reader’s Choice and Selah Award Finalist, she mixes romance, suspense, and history to bring her stories to life. Originally from the Chicagoland area, she now lives along Lake Michigan’s Wisconsin shoreline with her husband and their two young sons. Find her online at daniellegrandinetti.com.

Connect with Danielle at daniellegrandinetti.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win a Crow's Nest Prize Bundle which includes a print copy of Confessions to a Stranger, a Crow's Nest canvas tote, a Crow's Nest paperback notebook and Crow's Nest stickers!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 22, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 29, 2024. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

LADY OF BASILIKAS, Droseran Saga Novel #5 by Ronie Kendig, Reviewed by Kim #ReleaseDay

I have so wanted to know more about Vorn and Aliria and how they came to be together since reading the Droseran Saga, (which you absolutely must read if you haven’t already! It is one of my all time favorite series!) especially with the snippets we got to read in the paperback copies. Let me just say, it was totally worth the wait! I’ve always liked Vorn, but now? Now, I may have a slight crush! Lol. I absolutely loved him and how his relationship with Aliria came to be.

From the very beginning of Vorn’s story, we see that he has a bit of changing to do. I loved that my first impression of him was oh so wrong! And I loved watching him change. I seriously loved his redemption! Aliria also had some changing to do, but in her case, it was more of a maturing and I loved watching her do just that in this story. Their romance was perfect and I love them together! This is such a great story! Do not miss it!

Ronie Kendig never disappoints. I love everything about her writing style, her characters, and her storylines. All her books are must reads!
*I purchased this story. All opinions are my own. All. The. Stars.

BackCover Blurb:
She's determined to prove this errant king unworthy. He's determined to prove her wrong.

Under attack from without and within, Jherako teeters on the brink. Vaanvorn Thundred, suddenly in possession of a throne he never expected to inherit, will do anything to pull his kingdom from the edge, even if it means striking a marriage bargain with the formidable Faa’Cris. But a skycrawler opens Vorn’s eyes to realities outside his world, and his limits are tested.

Lady Valiriana has one goal when she is sent out from Deversoria: prove this Jherakan king, the one his people call the Errant, unworthy of an alliance with any Faa’Cris. When she exchanges her freedom for that of another, Valiriana finds herself under house arrest—in the king’s house. Determined to take advantage of her proximity, she delves into the depths of the king’s character. What she finds turns her mission on its head.

Vorn must decide: break a planet-wide Accord, risking his throne and life, or leave his country—his planet—vulnerable to threats far bigger than he ever imagined. And Valiriana grapples with unpalatable truths as she discovers the king is anything but errant, while her heart, on the other hand, is a different story.

 

Enclave Publishing, May 21, 2024

Available in digital ebook or hardcover.

Buy LADY OF BASILKAS at Amazon, Christianbook .com or Baker Book House 

TO CATCH A CORONET by Grace Hitchcock, Reviewed by Rebecca and Paula #ReleaseDay

A Novel of Best-Laid Plans #1

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"Baron Deverell, from the first moment I beheld you across the room of my parents' parlor last Christmas, I knew you were the only one for me."

"Murmurs filled the ballroom." (of course they did!) Muriel Beau had just done the unthinkable, proposed publicly, to a baron no less, in the middle of a crowded ballroom. (it gets worse) His answer was, "Why on earth did you think I'd say yes to such an unprecedented proposal?" (oops . . . . )

Naturally scorned by polite society and embarrassed beyond even her own belief, Muriel graciously accepts the kindness of her parents and follows through with their suggestion to visit mutual friends in the bustling city of London, where hopefully no one knows her name or her propensity for social debacles. Her bulging dowry should be enough of an incentive to catch the attention of an understanding noble, even if Muriel feels the most like herself in a kitchen, baking to her heart's content. Ironically . . .

. . . "of course you would find my kitchen" . . . (it's a kitchen where it all began . . . under just a teeny, weeny, itsy, bitsy shower of flour) . . . enter Captain Erik Draycott!

As you might imagine there is so much more to the story . . . friends, traitors, second proposals, no proposals, danger, more debacles, even more baking, finally! some kisses . . . all leading up to a most satisfactory conclusion . . . even though it was touch- and -go there at the end (what did you expect?!) as Muriel reaches out to catch her hard fought, well deserved coronet.

Beautifully written with exceptional story flow, perfect character combinations, delightful settings . . . witty, romantic, suspenseful . . . a delicious recipe for a highly recommended read!
*I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own! 4.5 stars

PAULA'S REVIEW:
Ms. Hitchcock has flawlessly made the leap back in time to Regency England from her previous Gilded Age romances. This engaging tale pairs baker and recent heiress Muriel Beau with Captain Erik Draycott.
 

When they meet, Muriel mistakes Eric for a delivery man and Erik mistakes Muriel for the kitchen help in Sir Ingram’s household. As the story unfolds, they are attracted to each other. Muriel is an unconventional heiress and uses baking as a way to relax and think things through. Erik has his own secrets to hide in order to act for the Prince Regent and his country.
Full of opulent settings, subterfuge, spys and danger, it is not short on romance, humor and noble causes. Erik and Muriel never lose sight of their faith as they navigate society in 1813.
 

Such an atmospheric story that will resonate with historical fiction lovers. This will have you wanting to take English Tea. Thankfully, there is a delicious looking recipe for scones included.
 

I am looking forward to what will happen for friends Vivienne and Tess in the next two books.
*I received a complimentary ecopy from Kregel on behalf of the author via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and a subtle faith thread

BackCover Blurb:
Sometimes the only way to outsmart a scandal is to find a crown big enough to silence it

Muriel Beau, country baker turned heiress, can't stop instigating outrage. She discards two arranged engagements, then further antagonizes Kent society by publicly proposing to a baron at a ball. His rejection leaves her with no choice but to flee to the city and to secure a coronet so splendid that her peers will forget her debacles. The glitter of the London courts convinces Muriel that it's possible to find the future she dreams of, until she finds herself entangled in yet another escapade--one that may cost her more than her crumbling reputation.

After years of serving as a privateer under an assumed name, Captain Erik Draycott, heir to Draycott Castle and soon to assume his uncle's title of Earl, returns to his London home to find it in disrepair thanks to his longtime nemesis. A staunch bachelor intent on returning to his ship, the captain is shocked when his mentor encourages him to take a wife. But while his alleged pauper status causes the potential London brides to turn their noses up at him, the ladies of Kent have no such qualms and are eager to fill his coffers with their fathers' wealth.

Caught in a whirlwind of high society and high seas, Muriel and Erik navigate a risky undertaking that threatens their futures and creating stakes that soar above the masts of Erik's ship. Will Muriel's bold charm and Erik's daring bravery be enough to outsmart the scandal and secure a future as glittering as the crown Muriel seeks? 

 

Kregel Publishing, May 2024 

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook:

Buy TO CATCH A CORONET at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House 

THE VANISHED (Secrets To Keep Series #1) by Cara Putman, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"There was an easy elegance to her style, yet she didn't seem quite comfortable standing in his museum."

Recently hired art museum director Carter Montgomery met "Janae Simmons, attorney-at-law" gazing at a painting during the celebrated opening of their "Women in Art" gallery. Learning that the lovely young lawyer had just arrived back in Kedgewick, Virginia, he seeks her advice regarding a disturbing situation; the museum had been accused of exhibiting stolen art. Two pieces; one on loan from a German gallery, the other owned by the Elliott Museum of Art.

Janae Simmons had been in Kedgewick less than a week and she was already second guessing her decision to return home. An embarrassing litigation error had cost one of her previous clients a considerable sum of money, and the pressures of a large law firm in a big city had combined to convince Janae that she needed a change . . . but this? Reluctantly accepting Carter's request to represent the museum in the event of a lawsuit, the case actually encourages Janae to take her career in a totally different direction. Surprisingly, her research not only unearths some unsettling discoveries about the two paintings in question, but also makes her question parts of her own family history.

This story boasts tentacles of secrets and intrigue, along with its interesting art history, that indiscriminately spread out in multiple directions prompting the reader to wonder whether they are destined to converge . . . or diverge. Enjoy discovering which path they take . . . including the one that leads straight towards a merging of hearts. 

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

 

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:
Janae Simmons left the small town of Kedgewick, Virginia, ten years ago to pursue her legal career and never looked back--until a professional mistake leads her to her grandmother's historic carriage house and to the town where her past threatens to find her. The quiet streets echo with her grandfather's sterling reputation, one that conflicts with fresh questions that claw at Janae, launching her on a reluctant journey to unearth his secrets. When her new job at a local law firm doesn't live up to expectations, she wonders if coming home was the right decision.

Carter Montgomery starts his art preservation career with the only job he can get--director at the Elliott Museum of Art. At least Kedgewick is a nice enough town to provide him and his nephew with a safe place to grieve the loss of Carter's sister. But Carter's calm days disappear when an elderly woman claims two paintings in the museum's collection were stolen from her family during World War II.

Carter enlists Janae's help to unravel the legal labyrinth of art ownership, and the peaceful facade of Kedgewick morphs into a hot bed of secrets. When an attorney turns up dead and Janae uncovers another painting, what began as a simple legal issue spirals into a race against time. As the web of intrigue tightens, the duo must confront a looming question: What dark truths lie beneath the surface, waiting to be exposed? 

Kregel Publications, April, 2024

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audio. 

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

 

FALLOUT by Lisa Phillips (Benson First Responders #7), Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

(Benson First Responders Book 7)
"Jasper had to choose between his parents, his job and Destiny. One choice might lead to happiness. The other was his duty. How on earth was he going to choose?"

Some might assume that Detective Jasper Hollingsworth led a charmed life based on his prominent family and ease of opportunity. Even most of his fellow officers did not know the full story, and up until this point Jasper had been reticent to correct their misconceptions . . . but for Destiny. Destiny Reed had a way of making Jasper believe that second chances might be possible.

"Do we have to understand the why of the pain to find the depth of comfort in healing? . . . you can trust God to bring you through all of this."

" . . . all of this" was proving to be a pretty big test of Destiny's faith. While trying to navigate her feelings for Jasper, her Vanguard Private Security and Investigations team members were being pushed to the limits by a criminal who was determined to destroy everything good about the town of Benson.

While sensational, the plot jumped through multiple hoops at such a rapid pace that it was a little disconcerting. However, on a scale of one to ten, the romantic tension was a solid nine, making this story really fun to read and a solid contribution to the series.
*I purchased this and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 3.5 stars

BackCover Blurb:
BIG CITY CRIME. SMALL TOWN HEROES.

A second chance.
Destiny Reed went to Africa hoping to make a difference, but when a dangerous group kidnapped her and another woman, her life took a dark turn. Recovery has her working as the executive assistant at Vanguard under the watchful eye of the team who rescued her. She might be willing to help the company that saved her, but if she lets go, the people she has at arms’ length will discover her dark secret.

A fight for the future.
Detective Jasper Hollingsworth compartmentalizes his life out of necessity. After all, his personal life could tear apart the professional world he’s built. He loves his job as a cop, but one wrong move will bring it all crashing down. While the police department hunts a deadly kingpin, Jasper grapples with his own history and his place in a world that bleeds blue.

March 2024. Available in digital ebook and paperback at Amazon

LOVE ON A WHIM by Suzanne Woods Fisher, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

 

Love on a Whim (Cape Cod Creamery Book #3): 

(A Heartwarming Contemporary Clean Romance Series Set in Small-Town Cape Cod)

*My brain said salad but my stomach autocorrected it to ice cream.* unknown

*Ice cream is duct tape for the heart.* unknown

A double dip of trouble in picturesque Chatham, Massachusetts. Brynn has done an impulsive thing while at a convention in Las Vagas, she met, married and ran away from T. D. DeLima. Her best friend, Dawn, convinces her to visit and think things through.

But Dawn, her mother Marnie Dixon and cousin Callie are caught up in a massive event- the wedding of Lincoln’s daughter. Bankrolled by Lincoln but dictated by his ex-wife, it becomes a fiasco that the Dixon clan and Brynn try to accommodate.

Angst, plot twist, and family drama are only part of the fun. We get to see favorite characters from past books like cowboy Leo. Through the tension, there is conflicting advice by Marnie and Dawn and soul-searching by Brynn.

Although I loved the story, I was hesitant to embrace the *follow your heart* thread. And I think the faith message could have been a little stronger.

What was clear was that communication is imperative, forgiveness is essential, and making your own decisions important. In the end hearts were mended and relationships were restored. A good read all around.
*I read a complimentary copy of this ebook provided by Revell via NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone.* 4 stars and an underlying faith thread

BackCover Blurb:
Brynn Haywood's impulsive marriage to a man she'd known less than 24 hours leaves her with deep regret. She flees to Cape Cod, finding refuge with her loyal friend, Dawn Dixon. As Brynn grapples with her emotions, Dawn acts swiftly, eager to help secure a lawyer for her through her mother Marnie's good friend, Lincoln Hayes. However, Lincoln's preoccupation with his daughter's lavish wedding brings unexpected challenges.

The arrival of Lincoln's estranged son, Bear Hayes, stirs the waters further. Alarmed by his father's extravagant generosity toward the Dixon family, Bear ignites friction between Marnie and Lincoln. As the wedding day arrives, Lincoln vanishes--and an unwelcome guest makes a surprise appearance.

Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher delights with this sweet story of love, family, and the unpredictability of life.

Revell Publishing, May, 2024

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

Buy LOVE ON A WHIM at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House 

 

LOVE FOR A LIFETIME by Mandi Blake, Reviewed by Kim #ReleaseDay

 

A Small Town Christian Romance (Love in Blackwater Book 2)

Love for a Lifetime by Mandi Blake is a sweet friends to more romance, which is one of my favorite tropes! You’re going to love Dawson and Olivia together! It’s also set in Blackwater, so we get to see a lot of friends from Ms. Blake’s previous series.

I loved Dawson and Olivia together! Dawson is such a great character. He has a great sense of humor, is always there for people, especially Olivia, and he’s loyal. Olivia is a very strong and independent character who has a gift for helping. She is always there whenever anyone needs help of any kind, but she struggles with letting people help her. Watching them fall in love and then beat the obstacles ahead of them was so fun! This story is definitely one of my favorites of Mandi Blake.

Love for a Lifetime is the second story in the Love in Blackwater series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. The bonus epilogue has me so curious about the next story! I was honestly kind of shocked at who it was. I really can’t wait to see what Mandi Blake does with this character and who she sets him up with!
*I received a complimentary copy of this story. All opinions are my own. The faith thread is light throughout, but ramps up at the end. 5 stars!

BackCover Blurb:
They’ll always be friends, but they can never be more.

Dawson Keller has held a torch for his best friend’s little sister for as long as he can remember. He might be a flirt, but his heart will always belong to Olivia.

Olivia Lawrence lives to serve others and work on the family farm. Helping people and tending animals keep her mind off the one thing she wants but can’t have—a family.

Her brother’s best friend might joke that they’re meant to be, but he doesn’t know how little she has to offer a husband. Especially a man like Dawson who loves kids and makes everyone laugh.

On top of that, Olivia’s best friend is head over heels for Dawson, and hurting her friend is out of the question.

Dawson keeps showing up to save her at all the wrong times. From a disastrous wedding date to an unfortunate camping incident, Dawson is always there when Olivia needs him.

When Dawson finds out her secret, and her friend feels betrayed, Olivia is at risk of losing them both.

If you loved the Blackwater Ranch series and the Wolf Creek Ranch series, get ready to fall in love all over again in Blackwater, Wyoming.

Available by the author May, 2024 

Buy LOVE FOR A LIFETIME in digital ebook or paperback at Amazon

 

THE DUKE'S LAST WORD by Sophie Leigh Fox, Reviewed by Trixi Oberembt

 

(Love, Most Ardently Book 1)

Miss Wilhemina Middleton is a fiercely independent country gentleman's daughter with a quick temper and cutting tongue to match...

James, Duke of Heighbury, is a man of means and a title who is accustomed to have the last word...

Will these two make a match of it or choose to remain single in spite of the dire consequences?

I love Regency fiction, arranged marriage troupes and witty banter between the hero and heroine. This ticked all those boxes for me! A little background here, James and Willa met at a ballroom a year ago where he snubbed her rather publicly. So there's already animosity between these two—which for me, makes a great background for that witty/sarcastic banter I love so much. She doesn't have a high opinion of him in the first place so he has to work extra hard to paint himself, or rather his character, in a better light. His flirtatious manner only incites her temper more. But these two are running out of time to save themselves from financial ruin by joining in matrimony. Their refusal to see eye to eye will result in disaster unless something changes.

The journey Fox takes us on to get to the eventual happily-ever-after was a whole lot of fun for me. I didn't know how she would ever get these two together, and it was completely satisfying how she did! Though this is a shorter novella length story, there is still plenty of action and depth of character to please my palate. These two certainly tried my patience, but it was so worth it in the end. I can't wait for the next installment of the ‘Love, Most Ardently’ series!
* I received a complimentary copy from the author through Interviews & Reviews and was not obligated to leave a favorable review. All opinions expressed here are my own. *

 

BackCover Blurb:
For Love or Money, Who Will have the Last Word?

Miss Wilhemina Rose Middleton is a fiercely independent country gentleman’s daughter with a quick temper and cutting tongue to match. Willa dotes on her widowed father, Sir Edgar. But when he wagers their estate on a game of cards, she becomes the clause in a contract that would force her to marry against her will or risk financial ruin.

James, Duke of Heighbury, is a man of means and title who is accustomed to having the last word in business and courtship. Looking to gain a wife in order to save his inheritance from a conniving cousin, James agrees to save Sir Edgar from losing Middleton Grange, contingent on a marital match with Willa.

Can the affable and charming Duke convince Willa that marrying him would bring her happiness and security? Or will his selfishness and greed backfire on his plan to champion her hand?

Can a loyal and unpretentious daughter overcome her willful resistance to leave her father and marry James? Or will the Duke of Heighbury always have the last word? 

 

March, 2024 Buy THE DUKE'S LAST WORD in digital ebook at Amazon

THE BRITISH BOOKSELLERS by Kristy Cambron, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"Alone is a place the human heart was never meant to dwell."

And yet the two people who once felt completely at home with each other are now miserably estranged; the lovely and sophisticated Eden Books gracing one side of Bayley Lane wile the stalwart Waverly Novels bookshop roosts on the other; rumors continually swirling about in the small Coventry community over their terse competition. What possible connection could the widow of an earl and the son of a tenant farmer share? As it turns out, there's a story about that . . . one that is begging for a happy ending.

With her beautiful word flow, the author uses the Blitz bombings through-out England as an historical backdrop for a story that passes seamlessly from its past to its present with a certain amount of genteel grace that convinces readers to empathize with every single character in spite of the circumstances in which they find themselves. Mistakes were made, words were regrettably spoken, promises were broken, hearts were devastated, and hope was seemingly lost . . . except for a tiny spark that forgiveness breathed back to life. The air of mystery that ran in between scenes was a clever bonus, utilizing minor characters to perfection. I finished this book loving Lady Charlotte Terrington Holt and Mister Amos Darby even more than I would have if their story had been a simple "happily ever after", rather than a glorious triumph over tragedy .

"Some pain would never go away. Some choices could never be altered. But if they had learned anything from the beauty and brokenness of this world together, it was that light always overshadowed the darkness."
*I purchased this book and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 4.5 stars

 

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

 

BackCover Blurb:
Inspired by real accounts of the Forgotten Blitz bombings, The British Booksellers highlights the courage of those whose lives were forever changed by war—and the stories that bind us in the fight for what matters most.

A tenant farmer’s son had no business daring to dream of a future with an earl’s daughter, but that couldn’t keep Amos Darby from his secret friendship with Charlotte Terrington…until the reality of the Great War sobered youthful dreams. Now decades later, he bears the brutal scars of battles fought in the trenches and their futures that were stolen away. His return home doesn’t come with tender reunions, but with the hollow fulfillment of opening a bookshop on his own and retreating as a recluse within its walls.

When the future Earl of Harcourt chose Charlotte to be his wife, she knew she was destined for a loveless match. Though her heart had chosen another long ago, she pledges her future even as her husband goes to war. Twenty-five years later, Charlotte remains a war widow who divides her days between her late husband’s declining estate and operating a quaint Coventry bookshop—Eden Books, lovingly named after her grown daughter. And Amos is nothing more than the rival bookseller across the lane.

As war with Hitler looms, Eden is determined to preserve her father’s legacy. So when an American solicitor arrives threatening a lawsuit that could destroy everything they’ve worked so hard to preserve, mother and daughter prepare to fight back. But with devastation wrought by the Luftwaffe’s local blitz terrorizing the skies, battling bookshops—and lost loves, Amos and Charlotte—must put aside their differences and fight together to help Coventry survive.

From deep in the trenches of the Great War to the storied English countryside and the devastating Coventry Blitz of World War II, The British Booksellers explores the unbreakable bonds that unite us through love, loss, and the enduring solace that can be found between the pages of a book.

-Split timeline: WWI and WWII
-Stand-alone novel
-Book length: 118,000 words
-Includes discussion questions for book clubs 

Thomas Nelson Publishing, April, 2024

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook:

Buy THE BRITISH BOOKSELLERS at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

 

 

NIGHT FALLS ON PREDICAMENT AVENUE by Jaime Jo Wright, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"It was terrible, truly, that moment when you stared at a behemoth in the dark and knew you'd beheld a monster."

What in the world had possessed Effie James to go along with her sister's nonsense? . . . kissing the iron door knocker's lion head at 322 Predicament Avenue in the middle of the night, traipsing through the small cemetery bordering the back yard, imagining all sorts of things about the old, abandoned property . . . and then that life altering, blood-curdling scream!

Having inherited the Predicament Avenue property (turned-bed-and-breakfast) brought no peace to Norah Richman's anxiety-riddled soul. The old house had been part of her sister's dream for the future, not hers . . . Naomi, just the thought of her; a bright personality whose unsolved murder had turned as cold as the bodies buried in the secluded graveyard barely visible out the back window. . . much like Isabella Anderson's death over a century prior. The two could not be connected could they? It was impossible . . .wasn't it? Crime podcaster and house guest Sebastian Blaine isn't so sure.

Death, and all that surrounds it, is a delicate subject to explore. Even more challenging is the quest to bring hope when it seems that all is lost, life when it seems that all is dead, but this author accomplishes the seemingly unimaginable. Richly populated with her signature twists and turn-arounds, roundabouts and dead-ends, her characters emerge fully and completely whole . . . a testament to immeasurable grace. "Grace is costly. But it is ours. And in receiving it, we find our weakness infused with His strength. His hope. His future. Live it."

Quite a fascinating story!
*I purchased this book and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.
4.5 stars

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

 

BackCover Blurb:
As the walls of the house at Predicament Avenue reveal their hidden truths, two women--generations apart--discover that fear and foreboding are no respecters of time.

In 1910, Effie James is committed to doing anything to save her younger sister, who witnessed a shocking murder, leaving her mute and in danger of the killer's retribution. Effie must prove what her sister saw, but when a British gentleman arrives, he disrupts Effie's quest with his attempts to locate his wife, Isabelle Addington, who was last seen at the supposed crime scene in the abandoned house at 322 Predicament Avenue. Just as Effie discovers what she seeks, she finds that the blood staining the walls will forever link her to a scandal she couldn't imagine, and to a woman whose secrets promise to curse any who would expose them.

A century later, Norah Richman grapples with social anxiety and grief as she runs her late great-aunt's bed-and-breakfast on Predicament Avenue. But Norah has little affection for the house and is committed only to carrying out her murdered sister's dreams until crime historian and podcaster Sebastian Blaine arrives to investigate the ghostly legacy of the house's claim to fame--the murder of Isabelle Addington. When a guest is found dead, the incident is linked to Isabelle's murder, and Norah and Sebastian must work together to uncover the century-old curse that has wrapped 322 Predicament Avenue in its clutches and threatens far more than death.

Bethany House Publishing, April, 2024

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

Buy NIGHT FALLS ON PREDICAMENT AVENUE at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House