HOW SWEET IT IS, IT'S YOUR LOVE, THE WAY YOU LOVE ME (Deep Haven / FOX FAMILY Collection) Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

REBECCA REVIEWS THREE ROMANCES in SUNRISE PUBLISHING'S FOX FAMILY COLLECTION (PART OF DEEP HAVEN COLLECTION)

#1 HOW SWEET IT IS by Andrea Christenson

"Paris was her dream. And she wasn't giving that up."

When gourmet baker Robin Fox's dream job in Paris turns into a nightmare of sorts, she decides to take a break and travel back home to Deep Haven. Her grandparents have asked her to keep their bread bakery in business while they take a much needed vacation in Florida. The only caveat? . . . "just don't change anything around here". Well . . .

Sammy Johnson loves his home town of Deep Haven, he just doesn't know how to re-acclimate after finally recovering from a horrific logging accident. Much to his surprise, he learns that his high school friend, Robin Fox, is back in town. When he happens upon Robin knee deep in water due to a busted pipe, Sammy steps in with his time and handyman talents; his only compensation???? . . . some of those delicious cupcakes she has started baking.

It soon becomes apparent that Robin's baking skills have the potential to whisk her far, far away from Deep Haven again, perhaps sooner rather than later. How exactly was that going to work since Sammy's heart had gotten all mixed in with the baker herself? A really sweet, and quite romantic story about discovering God's plan; "fitting in and belonging aren't the same thing".

Caution: Don't be at all surprised if you crave cake throughout the reading of this book! 3.5 stars

#2 IT'S YOUR LOVE by Rachel D. Russell

"We like to pretend we have a lot of control in this life, but the fact is, we have very little. But we have faith."

Grayson Fox's faith had been shoved to the back burner of his life . . . for a long time, if he was honest with himself. Returning to his home town of Deep Haven was supposed to put a plan into motion for realizing his dream of owning ranch property in Oregon, yet selling his family acreage has become much harder than he anticipated . . . perhaps that difficulty revolves around his new temporary summer job at the Trinity Horse Camp . . . or more accurately, it is the horse camp's interim assistant director who is giving his head a spin.

Could a face-to-face with Grayson Fox have been more embarrassing than having a heat-stroke inside a ridiculous book costume after being chased by a contingency of barking dogs? Ummm . . . the short answer is . . . no. Her teen-age crush . . . or "something" was back in town and looking like an honest-to-goodness cowboy, who was slated to be working at . . . "her" camp over the summer???

This sparks-are-flying reunion in a small town where everyone knows your name is so entertaining that it would be easy to concentrate on the fun factors and overlook the faith journey taking place . . . Beth and Grayson have deep-seated fears brewing inside their generous hearts and selfless motives . . . because when it comes down to it, he is leaving at the end of the summer and Beth is staying in Deep Haven forever  . . . and that is a problem that only God can work out! 3.5 stars

#3 THE WAY YOU LOVE ME by Michelle Sass Aleckson

"Love is never easy, Lena. Life together will be muddled and difficult at times. Relationships are risk."

Love was a risk that Lena Larson thought she would ever take again . . . except that when Oliver Fox arrived back in Deep Haven with an adorable little girl, her defenses began to crumble, one little giggle at a time. The man in question had shattered her heart those many years ago, and it seemed that even this newer version of Oliver Fox needed a big, bright caution sign hanging around his handsome neck.

Oliver Fox had made so many mistakes . . . but hopeful that he was on the right path forward. Coming back to his hometown with a list of amends could assure the custody of his five year old daughter . . . which meant providing Kiah with a stable home environment sourced from a steady income. Falling in love (again, if the truth were known) with his next door neighbor certainly hadn't been on his court order.

Do you love a story with deeply flawed characters whose understandings and misunderstandings collide at the best and worst of times, recovering with offers of love and forgiveness along with immeasurable measures of grace? Throw in family dynamics, a precious child, and animals who provide a multitude of comedic interruptions and there you have it . . . "The Way You Love Me" . . . a wonderful, romantic finish to this heartwarming series.

*I purchased all of these stories and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

 

SEE THE BACK COVER BLURBS and 

BUY THE FOX FAMILY BOOKS (PART OF THE DEEP HAVEN COLLECTION) AT AMAZON IN DIGITAL EBOOK, PAPERBACK, OR AUDIOBOOK

SUMMERLIN GROVES by Elizabeth Camden, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

REBECCA'S REVIEW
"A skeletonized body wasn't an emergency, merely another blow in a string of disasters over the past eighteen months."

"Sometimes it was terrible to have a conscience." For if discovering a decades old skeleton on the perimeter of her orange grove wasn't enough, it was the object in the deceased's hand that proved to be the biggest anomaly; Jenny Summerlin felt as if she just couldn't catch a break. Her family's reputation was already in shatters, she had surreptitiously burned a portion of her property to negate an aggressive citrus canker, and now? Now there would be a hoard of investigators tromping all over the grove, including the one person whom she dared hope would stay away . . . but didn't.

Captain Wyatt Rossiter had severed contact with the woman he had fallen in and out of love with . . . until now. Despite their troubled past, Wyatt felt terrible about encroaching on Jenny's privacy, but ironically it was because of their previous relationship that he had been tasked with the job of getting some answers. When he realizes that there is more, much more, to the situation than meets the eye, his hopes of avoiding contact, and thus conflict, with the lovely grove owner becomes impossible.

Sometimes second chances are the only chances, and while Wyatt and Jenny take the circuitous route, the destination is the same. Along the way, there are many painful obstacles to overcome . . . especially when their discoveries manage to rock their entire community over a priceless treasure that except for a random lightning strike, might have remain buried for centuries.

An enjoyable blend of history, mystery, and contemporary romance!
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 3.5 stars

SEE WINNIE'S REVIEW

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:

Elizabeth Camden's first Contemporary Romance!

Jenny Summerlin is struggling to save her dying orange grove when a baffling mystery upends her world. A skeleton buried with a priceless treasure has been found on her land, which brings of flood of investigators onto her property to study a decades old crime.

Captain Wyatt Rossiter is charged with solving the puzzling discovery. Unfortunately, he is also the man who broke Jenny's heart two years earlier. Plagued with regrets and unresolved feelings for Jenny, Wyatt resists getting drawn back into her world, but he cannot rest until he solves the unusual crime.

The former lovers are trapped on a case neither of them want. Soon they awaken a fifty-year old mystery involving Cold War espionage and a forbidden romance. Will resurrecting the old secrets endanger the survival of her grove and everything she holds dear?

Available September, 2024 in digital ebook or paperback at Amazon

REDISCOVERING CHRISTMAS by Mindy Obenhaus, Reviewed by Winnie Thomas #JustRead

An Uplifting Inspirational Romance (Hope Crossing, 6)

WINNIE'S REVIEW
Rediscovering Christmas by talented author Mindy Obenhaus is charming and sweet with realistic, relatable, and engaging characters. I love small-town stories with friendly, helpful, and compassionate townspeople, and this tale is filled with them. It opens with seemingly the last straw for Tori Stallings as her home burns down after she has lost her husband and parents. She and her small son move in with her mother-in-law and brother-in-law, but she has lost her faith in God and his goodness. Her brother-in-law, Micah, is a big help to Tori and her son Aiden and will do most anything to help them. He and Tori have been friends for a long time, and he doesn’t want to do anything to damage their relationship. Aiden is adorable and such a delightful addition to the tale.

This is a Love Inspired Christian fiction book, and, as such, has a strong faith thread. Tori’s faith journey is quite prominent in it. Obenhaus has incorporated it into the story seamlessly, and the Christmas theme goes well with it. It’s part of the Hope Crossing series, but it can easily be read alone. I recommend this author and book to those who enjoy clean, faith-filled entertaining stories.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

BackCover Blurb:
She feels she’s lost everything…

Will love give her hope?

When a wildfire destroys her home, widowed schoolteacher Tori Stallings finds herself unexpectedly living with her mother- and brother-in-law—and struggling with her faith. With everything Tori owns consumed by the blaze, Micah vows to help his late brother’s wife and son rebuild their lives. The two of them have always been friends, but living under the same roof has their friendship turning into something more. Can love bloom amid tragic loss and shaken beliefs, and give them a fresh start for Christmas?

From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.
Hope Crossing
Book 1: The Cowgirl's Redemption
Book 2: A Christmas Bargain
Book 3: Loving the Rancher's Children
Book 4: Hidden Secrets Between Them
Book 5: Rediscovering Christmas

 

LOVE INSPIRED, November, 2024

Available in digital ebook, or mass-market paperback

Buy REDISCOVERING CHRISTMAS at Amazon or Christianbook .com

THE COWBOY'S CHRISTMAS TREASURES by Jill Kemerer, Reviewed by Trixi and Winnie #ReleaseDay

An Uplifting Inspirational Romance (Wyoming Legacies Book 4)

 

TRIXI'S REVIEW:

God, You've forgiven me. It doesn't change my stupid choices or the mistakes I've made, but I don't have to keep punishing myself anymore. I'm ready to move on. Please help me. ~Dean; page 168

I really love reading Jill Kemerer's stories because they always have a lot of heart in them! I enjoy her characters, because they deal with real-life issues that keep them back from moving past hurts, mistakes or missteps of their pasts. It encourages me and reminds me of times when God has helped me in these areas as well.

Both Dean and Brooke have to overcome some pretty scary fears that hold them back from a brighter future God has in store for them. Their path isn't easy towards healing, but together they can face them and help each other. I really liked how they began to open up to each other about their fears and insecurities. I think that helped strengthen the bond of friendship that led to a happily-ever-after. And those girls of Brooks—Alice and Megan—just added an extra sweet layer to make this story even better! Their bubbly personalities and little girl giggles made me smile every time. There wasn't anything I didn't like about this book, it had it all for me ... love, laughter, family ties, faith and plenty of heart-to-heart talks that made Dean and Brook more real to me.

Lastly, I did read the previous book in this series United by the Twins so it was great to revisit Marc and Reagan and catch up with their lives! You can totally read this as a stand alone, of course, I just love to read each book in a series because I like to see what the characters are up to.

If you're looking for a heartwarming story full of faith, cute twin girls, strong family bonds and ending in a sweet happily-ever-after, then look no further!
*I received a complimentary digital copy from the author but was not obligated to leave a favorable review. All opinions are my own. *

 

WINNIE'S REVIEW:
It was so enjoyable to return to Jill Kemerer’s small-town Wyoming setting for another charming and delightful story, The Cowboy’s Christmas Treasures. Kemerer is a master at creating realistically-flawed, relatable, and endearing characters. This book stars Dean McCaffrey who returns to help with the family construction business after his dad had a heart-attack. Brooke Dewitt is a widow with twin toddlers, and she needs her house wheelchair accessible in case she has future health problems. I enjoyed the interaction between Dean and Brooke, along with the adorable twin girls, when Dean steps in to complete the remodeling of her home.

“Our fears don’t necessarily reflect reality.”

It was uplifting to see Dean and Brooke help each other face their fears. I loved the small-town spirit of compassion and people stepping in to help each other. This is a faith-filled, inspiring tale that will put a smile on your face. Themes of faith, family, and hope make it a wonderful Christmas story that can be read any time of the year.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

 

BackCover Blurb:
Making peace with his past to be a part of their future

After his father’s heart attack, ranch hand Dean McCaffrey has no choice but to temporarily take over the family business—while hiding a shameful secret. But he doesn’t expect to fall for pretty widow Brooke Dewitt and her twin toddlers while remodeling their house. Brooke is counting on Dean to make her home wheelchair-accessible by Christmas. And soon she’s dreaming of a life with the handsome cowboy. But with both their futures uncertain, can they overcome their fears…and place their trust in love?

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

Wyoming Legacies

Book 1: The Cowboy's Christmas Compromise
Book 2: United by the Twins
Book 3: The Cowboy's Christmas Treasures
Book 4: The Cowboy's Easter Surprise 

 

Love Inspired, November, 2024

Available in digital ebook, mass-market paperback, and paperback

Buy THE COWBOY'S CHRISTMAS TREASURES at Amazon, o or Christianbook .com

SHADOW OPERATIVE and SHADOW CHASER by Christy Barritt, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

REBECCA'S REVIEWS:

SHADOW OPERATIVE  Book #1

"More than anything, all she wanted to do was run and hide. Unfortunately, that wasn't an option."

Nia Anderson has blood on her hands, literally . . . but how in the world? She regains consciousness in a business acquaintance's apartment, lying beside his dead body, and has no memory of anything about the evening or Rob Lesner past their dinner meeting over a contract issue between their two companies. What does she do now?. . . . .she can run, but can she hide?

After rushing to book a flight, Gage Pearson arrives in Miami at the request of his long-time friend Rob Lesner. Rob's sense of urgency on the phone did not include a death threat, but that's exactly what Gage discovers in his friend's apartment; a dead body. Trained as a military operative, Gage immediately begins to surveil the scene, tracking down the image of a young woman from the security footage; tech executive, Nia Anderson.

Who can Nia trust? Who can Gage trust? They don't exactly trust each other, but then again they actually do want to trust each other, because a lot of things are not adding up . . . especially when Nia begins receiving text threats. Someone wants what they think she has and Gage is determined to do what he does best . . . find answers.

A really fine example of romantic suspense . . . emphasis on SUSPENSE!

SHADOW CHASER Book #2

"Coincidences like this didn't happen. There had to be some mistake."

Except it was Emily Rankin staring at him across the table . . . his assignment had stated that he was meeting a single mother who had escaped a burning home only to discover that her young daughter had been kidnapped in the process. Having been warned away from contacting the police, a stranger had suggested hiring The Shadow Agency, which had brought Austin Greenwich full circle . . . after seven years . . . back to Emily Rankin.

She would just have to trust Austin. Emily had no other choice at the moment. Of course he would need to pry into her background in order to track down her daughter . . . how much courage did Emily have . . . dare she tell him the truth?

This second chance story barely has time for that heart-to-heart conversation; the clock is ticking and a little girl's life hangs in the balance, every logical explanation reaches a dead end, and Austin begins to wonder  . . . maybe this wasn't about Emily at all.

Never fear! The fast pace packs a solid punch with a soft landing! 

*I purchased these two books and was under no obligation to provide a positive review 

These and all of the SHADOW AGENCY SERIES is available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook at Amazon

70 NORTH by Kimberley Woodhouse, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

ALASKA CYBER HUNTERS #3

 

REBECCA'S REVIEW

"Everything up to this point was peanuts in comparison to what he had planned next - his final judgement. A cleansing. An opportunity for his brilliance and power to change the world."

Members of the Cyber Solutions team are racing to out maneuver a brilliant criminal with maniacal tech skills and a stone cold heart; the psychopath had killed before and he would kill again . . . of all people, David "Mac" McPherson would know. Up close and personal, Mac had seen the man who murdered his family, barely living to tell the story . . . thanks to the equally brilliant skills of surgeon Tracie Hunter, who had stitched Mac back from the brink of death to keep him in the land of the living. Was Mac grateful, affable or patient? Hardly.

Shortly after Tracie releases Mac from her pervue, he sustains an epic panic attack from which few people would have recovered, but it served as a "come to Jesus" moment for the big guy and his demeanor changes . . . just in time for Tracie's world to be turned upside down when carefully planted accusations about her past are released to the public . . . threatening to ruin her future. It seems this killer enjoys taunting Mac's friends.

Much like a seamstress would carefully thread her needle, the tentacles of this plot move and counter-move with precision. . . continually . . . and dare I say, seemingly endlessly? Thankfully, in the midst of so much darkness the growing relationship between Mac and Tracie (such an odd couple, who would have thought?) becomes a shining light; a broken and battered hero learning to love again . . . who doesn't love that?

And oh, about that killer???? No spoilers here.
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 4.5 stars

 

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW:

BackCover Blurb:
The Cyber Solutions team has managed to stay one step ahead of the madman who has killed so many. From the original 26 Below cyberattack in Fairbanks to the 8 DOWN serial murders in Anchorage and beyond, they matched wits with the killer and stopped him from reaching his ultimate goals.

But final judgment is coming. And this time, there may be no defeating him.

David "Mac" McPherson has a personal stake in making sure this predator stays down for good. His family died in the cyberattack. Mac knows that God says "vengeance is mine"—but surely an exception can be made.

Surgeon Tracie Hunter is determined to stay sober and keep saving lives in Fairbanks, Alaska—even if it means being a little obsessive. After all, that same kind of determination is how she kept Mac alive after the murderer targeted him. And she won't let Mac run himself into the grave looking for payback; he's come to mean too much to her.

Then someone hacks into the system at Tracie's previous job as a medical examiner and frames her in a murder cover-up. There's no one else skilled enough to create a digital trail this incriminating—the killer is back in action, exploiting cybersecurity weaknesses to destroy lives. Can Mac stay focused and stop the next attack when his own vulnerability is exposed? Or will his need to make someone pay for his pain allow the maniac to pull ahead and win at last? 

Kregel Publishing, October, 2024

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook:

BUY 70 NORTH at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

THE COLOR OF HOME by Kit Tosello, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

(Contemporary Small Town Women's Fiction about 

Family and Community set by the Mountains)

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"By the time the Charity Falls city limits sign comes into view, my eyes burn. . . Everything feels at once familiar and also like a scene from someone else's life . . . Same town. Same road. Different Audrey."

Thirteen years have passed since Audrey Needham has driven down the streets of Charity Falls, Oregon. As an interior designer for upscale California clients, her career totally consumes her; day after day, week after week, month after month . . . until her Aunt Daisy's request for assistance gives Audrey the impetus to arrange a short absence from her job, hoping that it will be waiting for her when she returns.

Wrapped tightly within the confines of the small idyllic town are the happiest and saddest moments of Audrey's life. Coming back is hard, her uncle's health is failing and based on the disrepair of the Needham's home, her aunt has not had the energy to ready the lovely cottage for sale. Surprisingly, Audrey immediately feels the semblance of home; escaping the frenzy of a big city allows time to breathe, to listen, to remember . . . her artist's heart viewing the landscape in living color . . . perhaps she needed this kind of space to hear the voice of the One who created it all. "How precious to me are your thoughts, God!"

An outstanding story! Experienced through dual points of view; Audrey and her aunt Daisy travel similar journeys from different directions, facing the hard times together, pulling back the scabs over wounds that had never truly healed, accepting that "grief isn't something you move past . . . it's something you learn to carry". Lest we forget the role that "Mr. Very Nice" (in the green shirt with a voice as rich as ginger, driving the classic two-tone Ford pick-up) has to play, "You always come out of the woods better than you went in".

*I received a copy of this book from Baker Publishing through Interviews and Reviews. I was not obligated to provide a positive review.

BackCover Blurb:
Audrey Needham, Bay Area interior designer to the rich and pretentious, is down to her last nerve. Her boss is impossible to please, her future is in jeopardy, and her great-aunt Daisy needs support as her husband descends into Alzheimer's.

When Daisy enlists Audrey's help preparing for a move to assisted living, Audrey risks her career to return to the idyllic small town of Charity Falls, Oregon, the summer stomping grounds of her childhood. But Charity Falls was also the place that broke her heart when her father was killed in a tragic fire at the Sugar Pine Inn thirteen years ago.

Despite Audrey's intent to avoid emotional entanglement, the pull of home is hard to resist. Something should be done about the deteriorating inn. A local girl with an incarcerated father needs a friend. And handsome local do-gooder Cade Carter is coloring Audrey all shades of uncertain.

Join award-winning writer and debut novelist Kit Tosello in this lyrical and often humorous exploration of how God redeems brokenness and draws us to the life we're meant to find. 

Revell Publishing, September, 2024

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

BUY THE COLOR OF HOME at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

THE LIBERTY SCARF by Aimie K. Runyan, J'nell Ciesielski, and Rachel McMillan , Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #NewRelease

The Liberty Scarf: A Story of Three Women, One War, 

and a Scarf That Binds Them Together

PAULA'S REVIEW:

“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul, and sings the tune without words, and never stops at all.” Emily Dickenson
 

A beautiful story of love and hope amidst the turmoil of war.
“Everything need not be perfect to be beautiful.”
 

Like the textile represented in the title, the three authors have woven an exceptional tale of hope and resilience during a time of upheaval in WWI. The descriptive details kept my interest as I watched the characters grapple with the difficulties that they faced in the time of war. I liked the way it was written in three parts for the three couples and a bit of mystery until the reveal at the end. Three different stories meshed together at the conclusion in a unique and satisfying way.

*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Harper Collins through NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.* 5 stars and a clean read- general market

BackCover Blurb:
From acclaimed authors Aimie K. Runyan, J'nell Ciesielski, and Rachel McMillan comes an evocative, three-part novel about a thread of connection during World War I--a single scarf that links three extraordinary women, each battling societal expectations, enduring the devastations of war, and striving for personal growth amidst the chaos. The Liberty Scarf is a testament to the resilience of women and the enduring power of hope and unity in the harshest of times.

In the midst of a seemingly endless war, a scarf connects three women in the cold winter of 1917 . . .

London: As an ambitious scarf maker, Iris Braxton spends her days surrounded by color and luxury not often seen during the dark days of war that were promised to be over by Christmas. That promise has come and gone for three years with still no end in sight, and her days continue in a monotony of rations and threads while she spins a dream of becoming Liberty's first female pattern designer. She hasn't the time or interest in rakish soldiers, but the temporarily-on-leave Captain Rex Conrad is persistent--and before long his charm wins her over. But war is cruel, and, all too soon, Conrad leaves once more for the Front, but not before vowing to meet again in Strasbourg, France, the most magical of Christmas cities. Iris begins stitching small messages into each of the scarves she makes in hopes that one will find a way into Rex's hands to let him know she's thinking of him. And when she receives word that he's wounded in Strasbourg, she rushes to his side. Along the way, she passes a woman wearing one of her scarves . . .

Maine: Geneviève Tremblay, a French-Canadian immigrant, is a telephone operator living in Lewiston, Maine. Her beau is a member of a prominent family who has helped to Americanize her in a community often unfriendly to Canadians. As part of this effort, she enlists in the US Army Signal Corps to serve as a bi-lingual operator. Along the way, she meets a French officer who makes her question whether losing her identity is too heavy a price for acceptance.

Belgium: Clara Janssens, a Flemish Nurse, and Roman Allaire, an Alsatian violinist, connect in a Brussels palace-turned-hospital far beyond their routine provincial and countryside lives--and the expectations in those towns. Their love of music creates a spark between them, but the destruction of battle and the transient nature of their relationship threatens the bond they have built. Still, the appearance of a kind stranger and the unexpected gift of a treasured scarf bind them long beyond their stolen moments and offer them a future brighter than they could have even hoped.

The Liberty Scarf is more than a piece of fabric--it's a symbol of hope, resilience, and unity in the face of war, binding these three women together in an indelible bond. Experience their stories of love, sacrifice, and survival in this captivating novel from Aimie K. Runyan, J'nell Ciesielski, and Rachel McMillan.

Harper Muse, November, 2024 

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

BUY THE LIBERTY SCARF at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

THE CLOVERTON CHARADE by Sarah E. Ladd, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

(The Houses of Yorkshire #3)

REBECCA'S REVIEW:

"This entire journey would be what she made of it, regardless of what she encountered at Cloverton Hall."

What a divine opportunity! Olivia Brannon has received an unsolicited invitation to utilize her antiquities background that could transform her future into . . . certainly much, much more! Surreptitiously posing as Mrs. Agnes Milton's companion at an upcoming house party at Cloverton Hall, Olivia would be provided with the time necessary to appraise the widow's valuable private collection. Unknowingly, the designation also puts her in the limelight; no one knows who she is, thus creating an unwelcome aura of mystique, granting the one person who does recognize her the opportunity to sabatoge her efforts . . . if he so chooses.

Lucas Avery, also invited to Cloverton Hall by the recent heir of the elegant estate, was deciding how to proceed with his own discreet assessment of the recently deceased Francis Milton's prized possessions . . . when he spots a familiar face. At one time their families had been joined in business ventures, but that partnership had dissolved into competition. What was Olivia Brannon doing at Cloverton Hall, and what a lovely young woman she had grown up to be.

Like a red carpet; lush, colorful, and attention getting, this narrative rolls out its story one fold at a time, putting readers at ease with graceful word flow and intriguing detail. Despite the gay veneer, something curious, even nefarious is simmering just below the surface at Cloverton Hall, leaving Lucas and Olivia to ponder whether it would behoove them to join forces as partners. After all, they could be much stronger together . . . in more ways than one!

My favorite story in this series! 4.5 stars

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

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:
A long-held family feud reignites when two rival antiquities brokers arrive at the same house party in Regency England.

Olivia Brannon knows her goals are unconventional. As a young woman in Regency England, her best bet—according to society—is to marry well and secure a steady future for herself. But Olivia has never been interested in convention. She’d prefer to follow in her deceased father’s footsteps and journey to foreign lands in search of rare and valuable antiquities.

Eager to make a name for herself in the antiquities world, Olivia jumps at an invitation to join a wealthy widow at the famed Cloverton Hall to evaluate her private antiquities collection. Secrecy of the task is vital, and in order to conceal her efforts Olivia must pretend to be a house party guest to avoid suspicion and to explain her presence.

Lucas Avery, whose father was a rival of Olivia’s father, has also arrived at the Cloverton Hall house party, hired by the new master of Cloverton Hall—the widow’s nephew—to appraise the renowned Cloverton Hall collection. When Lucas discovers Olivia masquerading as a party guest while covertly conducting her own assessment, he’s keen to renew the family rivalry. But as their paths frequently cross, he’s unprepared for the effect the refreshingly honest—and beautiful—Olivia has on him.

Yet all is not as it seems. Both Olivia and Lucas are shocked by the astonishing discovery of counterfeit pieces, and when the unexpected occurs, everyone is a suspect . . . and Olivia and Lucas both must choose whom they will trust. Only the hidden treasure will allow Louisa and her sister to gain their freedom.

-Sweet Regency romance set in the same time period as Bridgerton
-Part of the Houses of Yorkshire series but can be read as a stand-alone novel
-Book length: 83,000 words
-Includes discussion questions for book clubs 

Thomas Nelson Publishing, September, 2024

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

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

 

INVESTIGATION OF A JOURNALIST by Danielle Grandinetti, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay

Harbored in Crow’s Nest Book 6

PAULA'S REVIEW:

If you have read the other books about Crow’s Nest, Wisconsin, you know that it is a small town but not without its problems such as corruption and people in power not trusting each other. Not many trust Buck Wilson, head of The Conglomerate. Now we get his story and why the Treasury Department is interested in this tiny hamlet in the North Woods.

The author has woven the history of the Secret Service, Al Capone, counterfeiting and innovative journalism with a story of second chance romance. Carrie Wagoneer is an investigative reporter who was days away from marrying Buck in Chicago. She was bereft when he left but life goes on. Then surprise, he needs her expertise.

This complex story has danger and cunning criminals but also upright citizens who help uncover the evil minded person behind the shady deeds of the powerful. With a solid faith thread and realistic characters, this story resonated with me because I used to live in a small town in Wisconsin that was close to the supposed hideout of Al Capone.

This was a satisfying conclusion to the series and a great story about Wisconsin.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*4 stars and a solid faith thread 

 
BackCover Blurb:
A second chance to set the record straight, and rekindle a lost love.

Wisconsin, 1931—Buck Wilson refuses to accept failure as his reward for all he has sacrificed, but he’s kept secrets for too long to be believed. With his freedom on the line, there’s only one person he trusts to mine for the true story: the woman he left one month before their wedding.

All investigative journalist Caroline Wagoneer wants is to shine a light on the truth wherever darkness threatens to obscure it. Which is the only reason she agrees to help her ex-fiance when he begs for her to go undercover in Crow’s Nest. What she discovers paints Buck in a whole new light.

With lies and rumor hemming them in, Buck and Caroline realize their love may be doomed on the altar of altruism. Unless love can truly conquer all. 

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

Hearth Spot Press, November, 2024

Available in digital ebook and paperback at Amazon

AN HONORABLE DECEPTION by Roseanna M. White, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay

(The Imposters Book #3): 

(English Historical Romance Series with Mystery and Private Investigators Set in Edwardian England)

PAULA'S REVIEW:
This series has been the best! Such a unique group of Imposters: elite private investigators, actors, acrobats, impoverished aristocrats. Now we get Yates’ story. Sister Marigold may be curtailed a bit because of her delicate condition but Yates still sheds his shoes and socks to scale walls to rescue those in danger.

As the elusive Mr. A, Yates takes on a beautiful client, Lady Alethia who is in search of her childhood nanny. The case takes a turn to the shady side of London society. With previous team members and new recruits, the Imposters are faced with danger, intrigue, disappearances of Ayahs from India and innocent children. Ms. White crafts a believable world of 1910 England. I was pleased to see characters from the Shadows Over England series play a vital part in uncovering injustice.

Loyalty among the Impostors was key along with Christian values. Romance takes an unexpected turn for childhood friends Lavinia and Yates. Humor and wit add to the atmosphere. Through it all we see strong faith depicted and the desire to right the wrongs that were not so hidden in society.

This wonderful story had me thoroughly engaged and I would welcome more in this story world.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House on behalf of the author and via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and a strong faith thread

BackCover Blurb:
In the trying art of balancing investigations and love, a detective must determine his priorities when faced with dangerous circumstances that could threaten everything he holds dear.

As the leader of the Imposters, an elite private investigative firm, Lord Yates Fairfax has made an art of concealing his identity. But when his newest client, the beautiful Lady Alethia Barremore, is shot while leaving their meeting, he throws caution to the wind and rushes to her aid. Though Lady Alethia thought she was only looking for her missing former nanny, she has clearly stumbled upon something much more dangerous.

Lady Lavinia Hemming suspects her longtime friends hold more secrets than they're willing to admit, and when she stumbles upon the truth that they're the esteemed Imposters, she recruits herself into the firm. While she is happy for the distraction of an investigation, Lavinia's own family secrets continue to haunt her. And the one thing bringing laughter back into her life--her friendship with Yates--lands her squarely on the disagreeable side of her best friend: his sister.

Tormented by a past she doesn't dare voice aloud, Lady Alethia does what she can to help her handsome host, her new friends, and the investigators. But as clues lead them deeper into the dark side of society, Alethia, Yates, and Lavinia learn anew that the gentry isn't always noble . . . even as they fight to hold fast to their own honor. 

Bethany House Publishing, November, 2024

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

BUY AN HONORABLE DECEPTION at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

CORNERED by Lynette Eason, Lynn Blackburn, and Natalie Walters. Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay

Three Romantic Suspense Novellas

PAULA'S REVIEW:

Three romantic suspense novellas that keep you turning pages and keep you guessing. Tough heroines and loyal heroes who love them and want to protect them makes for great stories complete with complex villains who make a mess of their lives. There is an underlying faith thread that shows the characters are grounded.

In the Dark- Lynette Eason
Steph is too ready to trust and needs to be more cautious. Tate gets a workout keeping up with her.

Downfall- Lynn Blackburn
Someone is sabotaging the kitchen in The Haven in Gossamer Falls. Who wants Cassie gone and why? Donovan searches it out. This was my favorite. I loved going back to Gossamer Falls.

Perilous Obsession- Natalie Walters
Stalking and a kidnapping keeps Lehela on edge but Briggs comes to the rescue and wants to take their relationship to the next level.

A great trio of suspense stories.
*A complimentary copy of the book was provided by Revell through NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone.*4 Stars and an underlying faith thread

BackCover Blurb:
Prepare for three times the thrills with these nail-biting page-turners from your favorite romantic suspense authors!

In In the Dark by Lynette Eason, accountant Steph Cross is cleaning out a coworker's desk after her untimely death when she finds cryptic notes that lead her to believe her friend's car accident was no accident at all. Detective Tate Cooper is determined to help her crack the case before someone else gets hurt. But can he protect the woman who has so quickly laid claim to his heart?

In Downfall by Lynn H. Blackburn, chef Cassie Quinn gets an offer she can't refuse: to fill in as chef at an exclusive mountain resort. But when the kitchen is destroyed and it becomes clear Cassie is in danger, she's forced to accept the help of her ex-boyfriend, Detective Donovan Bledsoe, to find the culprit and keep her safe.

In Perilous Obsession by Natalie Walters, teacher Lahela Young becomes the target of someone with a twisted obsession of righting a wrong. The first person she turns to is her good friend Briggs Turner. Briggs may have left his career as a police officer, but he still has the instinct to protect--especially for Lahela. 

Revell Publishing, November, 2024

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

BUY CORNERED at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

HOPE LIKE WILDFLOWERS by Pepper Basham, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

REBECCA'S REVIEW:

"Winter pansies. A simple little wildflower and yet, the way it rose toward the light despite the snow and wind captured a part of her doubts and wouldn't let go."

Lush with Appalachian wisdom and lore, this novel ushers in a vibrant modicum of hope; much like wildflowers pushing stubbornly and doggedly through a dusting of winter snow. Charming characters, bearing the brunt of past mistakes and poor decisions take center stage in this most remarkable story of everlasting restoration from the inside out . . .

Banished from her family, ("You done ruint yourself, girl. And I ain't got no place for ruint young'uns.") her father's declaration still ringing in her ears, Kizzie McAdams manages to trek across her beloved mountains towards the father of her unborn child, Charles Morgan. Collapsing from fatigue and pains signaling that her time was about up to secure shelter, Kizzie is rescued by a friend in time to provide a safe delivery. But after that? . . . .her starry eyed indiscretions have only made Charles more determined to make promises that he has no intentions of keeping.

There was only one Person who could give Kizzie the everlasting, enduring love that she so separately sought . . . and it was embodied in a Savior who offered a promise that He could (and would!) keep . . . "I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine".

Deciding to begin her new life in a new place, Kizzie and baby Charlie travel towards The Hollows one snowy evening where a chance meeting with an injured man (who imagines she is a "snow spirit" in his delirium), defies all expectations of leaving romance behind. Safe guarding her tender heart is going to be much harder than she thought . . . around Noah Lewis.

The sweetest of restoration stories . . . for only God can redeem what we cannot change. . . giving us hope . . . like wildflowers.
*I received a copy from the publisher, and I also purchased a copy. 4.5 stars

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:
An Appalachian Girl Seeks a Place to Belong

Return to the mountains of 1910s Appalachia with beloved author Pepper Basham to discover Kizzie McAdams's story.

Kizzie McAdams spent her childhood longing to see beyond the mountains of home, but when her job as a servant in a landowner’s house results in an unplanned pregnancy, her world tips into uncertainty and heartbreak. Disowned by her father, she seeks comfort in the arms of the man who promises to take care of her, but his support is conditional and inconsistent. She finds acceptance in the home of a nearby family who not only offer Kizzie friendship but point her to a deeper understanding of God’s love.

Despite her change of heart, her status as a social outcast brings with it continued threats and alienation so she flees her past in hopes of starting over in a nearby town. But her new world carries many of the same prejudices as the old. It also brings the unexpected friendship of businessman Noah Lewis, a man who lives with the same desire as Kizzie for helping the marginalized.

Unfortunately, Kizzie and Noah’s attempts to help those in need pit them against Noah’s elder brother, a powerful mill owner who holds control of the family finances. Is Kizzie and Noah’s growing romance strong enough to battle family power, social expectations, and Kizzie’s past to capture their happy ending? And when Kizzie’s first love returns to claim her, which future will she choose? 

Barbour Fiction, October, 2024

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook:

BUY HOPE LIKE WILDFLOWERS at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

 

 

SPECTERS IN THE GLASS HOUSE by Jaime Jo Wright, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

(A Haunting Dual-Time Inspirational Gothic Suspense Book)

 REBECCA'S REVIEW:

"Death was a fashionable thing. But admitting to others that you saw the dead regularly? That was not."

Marion Arnold, heiress to a brewery baron, has been dealt a triple blow; her mother is dead, her father is dead, and due to prohibition her inheritance is hanging by a thread, although some might consider Mullerian Manor near Milwalkee, Wisconsin to inhabit death as well. Tucked deep into the forest, the mansion was the perfect place for her father to effectively hide his eccentric wife and where Marion's mother could encompass herself with nature's sacred butterflies . . . until her untimely demise.

Years later a young research assistant, Remy Shaw, arrives at the mysterious property to aid a prominent biographer in his attempt to uncover the many layers surrounding Mullerian Manor, including the historic Butterfly Butcher, a serial killer whose identity had never been revealed. Upon arrival, Remy encounters one odd experience after another, including links to her own shadowy past, as well as that of Marion Arnold. When a supposed descendant of the Arnold family shows up, the story takes a dramatic turn for the worse, and Remy is left wondering if she has more in common with Mullerian Manor and its illusive mistress that she thought.

So much to love! A myriad of life lessons to ponder. A story that twists and turns deliberately into blocked entrances, hidden rooms, and butterflies . . . always the butterflies. In essence it's a story about belonging and believing and accepting God's imprint, no matter how curious and unique it is. "You are wanted."

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:
An ominous butterfly house. A sinister legacy. An untraceable killer.

In 1921, Marian Arnold, the heiress to a brewing baron's empire, seeks solace in the glass butterfly house on her family's Wisconsin estate as Prohibition and the deaths of her parents cast a long shadow over her shrinking world. When Marian's sanctuary is invaded by nightmarish visions, she grapples with the line between hallucinations of things to come and malevolent forces at play in the present. With dead butterflies as the killer's ominous signature, murders unfold at a steady pace. Marian, fearful she might be next, enlists the help of her childhood friend Felix, a war veteran with his own haunted past.

In the present day, researcher Remy Shaw becomes entangled in an elderly biographer's quest to uncover the truth behind Marian Arnold's mysterious life and the unsolved murders linked to an infamous serial killer. Joined by Marian's great-great-grandson, can Remy expose the evil that lurks beneath broken wings? Or will the dark legacy surrounding the manor and its glass house destroy yet another generation?

Bethany House Publishing, October, 2024

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

BUY SPECTERS IN THE GLASS HOUSE at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

THE BURNING OF ROSEMONT ABBEY by Naomi Stephens, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

(A Whodunnit Historical Romantic 

Mystery Set in 1950's England)

 

REBECCA'S REVIEW

"Louisa felt him die."

"Through the years, she'd heard many strange stories like this, of twins who could sense when their sibling was suffering or dying without being physically present." Overcome with shock over the strange sensation of her brother's death, Louisa Everly proceeds to swoon in her aunt's kitchen, the tea cup she was holding smashing to the floor. Shortly thereafter. . . Rosemont Abbey burns to the ground, presumably the work of her brother's hand.

Louisa is convinced that Paul Everly did not burn down the abbey, but the man in question is nowhere to be found, nor has his body been recovered. Their childhood friend, Malcolm Sinclair arrives, not to comfort, but to question. Circumstantial evidence is steadily mounting and although Malcolm expresses mild concern over suspecting Paul, as an inspector he simply cannot ignore the facts . . . nor can he ignore Louisa . . . for she is under his nose, in his way and driving his officers to distraction . . . determined to clear her brother's name at the expense of her own safety.

An absolutely delightful mystery! From the very outset, this story drops clues along a path where anybody and everybody is a suspect and no one and nobody can be completely ruled out. Enjoy the chase, for it's nearly impossible to come to a secure conclusion, that is . . . until the exact moment when Louisa's eyes widen with the truth of the matter. Adding to the thrill of victory is the almost-too-late bonus of a burgeoning romance between . . . you guessed it . . . the inspector and his lovely annoyance!

Well written and highly recommended!
*I received a copy and I purchased a copy, and I was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:
Everyone in Wilbeth Green has something to hide, but she's about to uncover their secrets.

1956: In a quiet English village, the smoldering ruins of Rosemont Abbey have set the residents' tongues wagging, and everyone is quick to accuse troublemaker Paul Everly of the crime of arson. Paul has vanished without a trace, leaving only his plucky twin sister, Louisa, certain of his innocence. Fueling her conviction is an inexplicable connection--she felt her twin's death an hour before the abbey went up in flames.

Armed with nothing but her wit and her keen sense of intuition, Louisa embarks on her own investigation, challenging the dubious townspeople and the disdain of her aunt and uncle. Even Inspector Malcolm Sinclair, once Paul's closest friend, warns Louisa to abandon her pursuit. But Louisa is determined to solve a murder no one else believes was committed, even if it means unraveling secrets that could shake Wilbeth Green to its core.

Bethany House Publishing, October, 2024

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

Buy THE BURNING OF ROSEMONT ABBEY at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House