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 

 

 

 

LOYALLY, LUKE by Pepper Basham, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay

The third in a series and the icing on the cake of delightfully funny stories taking place in Skymar.
 

After Luke lands in Skymar and has a meet cute with Ellie in the airport, he texts cousin Izzy and sister Penelope. As usual, meddling Penelope has a runaway imagination and plots the future love life of Luke through romantic fiction tropes and Hallmark movie scenarios, complete with *chimes*. This is a hilarious but heartfelt story. We see just how likeable, loveable and legendary Luke can be when he is just being himself and befriends Ellie, the secret Princess and the workers and kids at the orphanage he is rehabbing.
 

The texts from Izzy and Penelope are over the top funny and the signature Pepper Basham closet scene has a clever twist. I loved so much about this book including the movie references from The Princess Bride to Jason Bourne to LOTR to Star Wars. And the amusing witty banter and silly trope references to a Happily Ever After were so much fun!

 

If you are looking for a feel good rom-com that has an uplifting message and a subtle faith thread you cannot go wrong with Loyally Luke. This one is too good to miss.
*I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the author and 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 love means embracing the good, the bad . . . and even the impossible.

Dear Reader,

My name is Luke Edgewood, and there are few things in life that I require. Mainly black coffee. And flannel. And lots of solitude. And my dogs, Chewy and Indie. What I don’t need is romance, so I have no plans to change my thirty-year-old bachelor status anytime soon.

But my youngest sister thinks that by accepting a short-term construction job in the small European country of Skymar, I’m going to follow along in her footsteps and discover my own romantic adventure. Nope. Bah humbug. The End. This time, her rom-com-movie senses are totally wrong.

Or maybe not. Because I’ve met a Grace Kelly look-alike who is annoying . . . until she isn’t. But she is impossible. As in, nothing can happen between us because she is a literal princess. Even though that’s easy to forget when we’re working together to restore a castle-like orphanage in a secluded mountain town and “forced proximity” includes a small closet, a secret one-hundred-year-old journal, and the tactile memory of an off-limits royal in my arms.

Basically, the whole situation has turned into an ooey gooey magical snow globe of romantic tropes complete with cute kids and an actual ball. Now, even my sentences are starting to sound like mush. Ugh. Send high levels of testosterone my way—I’m going to need it.

Loyally,

Luke

-Witty, hilarious, and heartwarming contemporary romance
-A sweet, kisses-only romance
-Stand-alone novel
-Book length: approximately 107,000 words
-Includes discussion questions for book clubs

 

Thomas Nelson Publishing, May, 2024

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook:

Buy LOYALLY, LUKE at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House 

 

WHEN HOPE SANK by Denise Weimer, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #NewRelease

(A Day to Remember Book #3)

Cade Palmer has been released from Andersonville at the close of the Civil War and has joined over 2000 passengers on the Sultana, bound for the North in order to muster out of the Army. A sudden disaster has all scrambling for their lives into the Mighty Mississippi. Helping with rescue efforts, Lily and her brother Jacob come upon Cade and his friend James and bravely bring them to safety. 
 

The catastrophic explosion was dramatically portrayed. The realism was relatable. The subsequent story of Caleb’s recovery and the interesting facts woven in about spies, ciphers and machinations of the Confederacy even after the South surrendered, made for an enjoyable, thought provoking read. 
Lily and Cade grow closer as she nurses him. “Pain is pain. It just hurts. But it hurts a little less if you share it.” And through it all they cling to God and His promises: “There is a perfect God waiting at the end of this. He will see justice done.” 

 

I enjoyed this imagining of the real event of the Sultana disaster at the end of the Civil War.
*I read a copy of this book provided by Barbour via NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and a solid faith thread 

 

BackCover Blurb:
Can Hope Resurface After Evil Tries to Drown It?

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

The Civil War has taken everything from Lily Livingston—her parents, her twin brother, her home. Now she works at her uncle’s inn and keeps her head down. Speaking up for her beliefs proved too costly in a part of Arkansas split by conflicting loyalties and overrun by spies and bushwhackers.

Emaciated in body but resilient in spirit, Lieutenant Cade Palmer is crowded onto the Sultana with other paroled Andersonville and Cahaba POWs for the journey north. But a fiery explosion on April 27, 1865, rends the steamer and empties two thousand men into the frigid Mississippi River.

Recovering from wounds that might end his career as a surgeon but clinging to his faith, Cade threatens both Lily’s defenses and her heart. How can she tell him she might’ve prevented the tragedy if only she’d reported a suspected saboteur’s claims? And when the man returns to town and encoded messages pass through the hotel, will Lily follow her convictions to prevent another tragedy?

Also available in the A Day to Remember series:
When the Waters Came by Candice Sue Patterson
When the Flames Ravaged by Rhonda Dragomir

Barbour Publishing, May, 2024

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook:

Buy WHEN HOPE SANK at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House 

 

SANDCASTLE INN by Irene Hannon, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

(A Hope Harbor Novel Book #10): 

(Small-Town Beach Contemporary Clean Romance Set in the Pacific Northwest)

"Slinking home to Oregon with her tail between her legs was the last thing Vienna Price had ever expected to do."

" . . for a guy who spent his life keeping beloved pets healthy, he was way out of his element trying to cure the ills of an ailing inn."

Back to Hope Harbor, where dreams come true and the fish tacos are other-worldly in taste and conversation . . . but neither new resident (albeit temporary) was feeling the vibe . . . just yet. An unexpected corporate level job loss had sent Vienna Price headed to Hope Harbor so that she could visit her mother while weighing her options, while veterinarian Matt Quinn was practically forced into taking a personal leave, just in time to rescue his sister from an investment gone awry; a dilapidated inn with a million dollar view.

Through a series of fortunate events, the two team up to renovate the full of potential, newly branded Sandcastle Inn, which they had already decided could become an upscale bed-and-breakfast with the right kind of finishes. Finding a down-on-his-luck but highly skilled carpenter filled in one of their essential components, but their time frame was getting shorter by the day . . . both to finish the project and to move on with the lives they left behind, unless . . .

"The danger of being too locked into plans is that we can breeze right past forks in the road that could lead to an even better destination than the one we had in mind."

One of my absolute favorite stories in a much beloved series! 

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

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:
Vienna Price never intended to return for more than a passing visit to Oregon and all the bad memories she'd left behind. But when your career tanks, home is where you go to nurse your wounds and chart a new course. Only temporarily, of course--because as much as she loves her quirky mom, anything more than a short stay would drive them both crazy.

A trip to Oregon isn't in Matt Quinn's plans, either, until a perfectly timed appeal for help arrives from his sister. What better place to decompress after a shattering loss than a quiet, seaside town named Hope Harbor? But R&R isn't on the agenda when he arrives to find his sister's new enterprise on life support.

Vienna, however, may have just the skills needed to resuscitate the foundering B&B--if Matt can convince her to hang around long enough to mend an inn . . . and his heart.

Revell Publishing, April 2, 2024

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

Buy SANDCASTLE INN at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House 

THE SONGBIRD OF HOPE HILL by Kim Vogel Sawyer, Reviewed by Trixi Oberembt

I'm so glad He (God) sees what we can be instead of what we are.

I've been a fan of Sawyer's books for a long time. I love how she tells stories of redemption, restoration and God making something new from the ashes of broken lives. This was just as good as I anticipated it would be!

I enjoyed getting to know Birdie, who was forced into a lifestyle not of her choosing. The guilt and shame she felt was palatable and connected me to her in a deep way. My heart rejoiced when both she and Olga decided to leave the brothel when preacher Isaiah Overly invited all the girls to a better life at Hope Hill. I was pleased to see how they much changed with tender loving care from Isaiah, his wife and the example of Christ they embodied.

Their son Ephraim followed in their footsteps with a heart for the downtrodden and ministered with his gift of music. He was patient, always kind, helpful and lent a hand in whatever needed done. His treatment of the girls that stayed at Hope Hill was a testament to his genuine character.

There were a few surprising twists and turns that were definitely heart-warming and made the story even better, in my opinion. This is a character-driven, faith-filled book that kept me glued to the pages; I had a hard time putting it down! I love the theme of forgiveness (even for oneself), new life in Christ, broken dreams reshaped into something better and, of course, a happy ending for all. Sawyer knows how to pen a great story not only to entertain, but also feed your soul!
* Many thanks to Waterbrook/Multnomah publishers through NetGalley for a copy of this book. I wasn't obligated to write a review & all opinions here are my own. *

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:
Driven by survival to a life at a house of ill repute, Birdie Clarkson now longs only for escape. So when Reverend Isaiah Overly and his son, Ephraim, appear and offer a better life, she jumps at the chance. Ignoring the furious raging of the madam, Birdie climbs into the back of the preacher’s wagon.

The men take her to Hope Hill, the haven the reverend and his wife, Ophelia, founded so women like Birdie can be taught skills to help them rise above their pasts. Soon a resistant Birdie finds herself singing in the choir Ephraim leads at revival meetings, even though she’s certain she’s the last person who should be representing God.

Reverend Overly teaches that no one is irredeemable, but even as Ephraim is falling in love with her, Birdie remains convinced that she’s past saving. After all she’s been through, can she ever believe that God’s redemption wipes every soul clean? And can Ephraim convince her that God loves her more than she can grasp—and that he does, too? 

Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing, April 2024

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

Buy THE SONGBIRD OF HOPE HILL at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House 

THE RHYTHM OF FRACTURED GRACE by Amanda Wen, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

SEDGWICK COUNTY CHRONICLES #3

"Broken instruments need to remember what they're capable of. . . lest they forget their purpose in life."

Sort of like people. Siobhan Walsh had been broken, in the most intimate and feckless of ways by a man who knew better and accepted no responsibility, eventually tossing her aside like trash while he maintained his flashy, moral veneer. She had survived . . . barely. When worship pastor Matt Buchanan arrives at the instrument repair shop where Siobhan works, toting his severely damaged heirloom violin, the guilt and shame that she thought was safely behind her . . . is clearly not. Will God be able to accomplish a new work in Siobhan's heart while she takes Matt's instrument apart piece by piece in order for it to play a new song?

Decades earlier, another young woman yearns for freedom from her past . . . surviving a brutal massacre that left her mother and younger siblings dead. Deborah Caldwell and her sister Elisabeth eventually recovered from their injuries, only to live with lingering headaches and horrific scars. Her father, a pastor who had been absent when the attack occurred, had nursed them back to health, his violin music a soothing balm from the pain of their long recovery. When tragedy strikes the family once again, Deborah faces one of the hardest decisions of her life . . . choosing forgiveness.

The implications of this story are massive . . . thankfully "redeeming the years that the locusts have eaten" is God's specialty and in spite of experiencing painful wounds; physically, emotionally, and spiritually, Deborah and Siobhan both learn the blessing of releasing it all into their Savior's capable hands . . . amazing grace indeed.

"She wasn't ashamed to be herself anymore . . . And part of being herself . . . was playing the violin." 

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

 

SEE REVIEWS BY WINNIE AND PAULA

BackCover Blurb:
Is Siobhan too far gone to respond to the song of a God who's calling her back to him?
 

When a new customer brings a badly damaged violin into Siobhan Walsh's shop, it is exactly the sort of challenge she craves. The man who brought it in is not. He's too close to the painful past that left her heart and her faith in shambles.
 

Matt Buchanan has had a rough start as the new worship pastor. A car accident on his way into town left him with a nearly totaled truck, and an heirloom violin in pieces. When he takes it to a repair shop, he's fascinated with the restoration process--and with the edgy, closed-off woman doing the work.
As their friendship deepens and turns into more, they both discover secrets that force them to face past wounds. And the history of the violin reveals more about their current problems than they could have ever expected.
 

On the nineteenth-century frontier, a gruesome tomahawk attack wiped out most of Deborah Caldwell's family. Her greatest solace after the tragedy is the music from her father's prized violin. Given her horrendous scars, she'd resigned herself to a spinster's life. But Levi Martinson's gentle love starts to chip away at her hardened heart, until devastating details about the attack are revealed, putting their love--and Deborah's shaky faith--to the ultimate test.
 

Full of forgiveness and the message that no one is too damaged for God's healing touch, the final book in the split-time Sedgwick County Chronicles will thrill fans of Rachel Hauck, Lisa Wingate, and Kristy Cambron.

Kregel Publications, February 2024

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and library binding

Buy THE RHYTHM OF FRACTURED GRACE at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House