THE GENTLEWOMAN COMPANION by Emily Opal, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay

The Gentlewoman Series Book 4

PAULA'S REVIEW:

Louisa is a merchant’s daughter who is escaping an arranged marriage and makes a Big Mistake. She seeks employment and eventually becomes a companion to Lady Halverton who sees the gentlewoman that is hiding in Louisa. At Lady Halverton’s tutelage, she becomes well read and capable. She captures the attention of Lord Halverton, son of Lady Halverton. Lord James is following in his father’s legacy until he finds a flaw in his father’s character.
 

With an authentic voice, the author takes us to Georgian England following a hero who is searching for his true calling and a heroine who is trying to overcome her past. Louisa and James grow and subjugate the constraints of society to seek the good they can offer to others.
 

This was a sweet, clean historical romance with likeable, honest characters and a setting that puts you in the story. Lessons include righting wrongs, taking responsibility, standing up yourself and furthering worthy causes.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*4 stars, clean read, faint faith thread 

 

BackCover Blurb:

United by love, two hearts must confront the secrets that threaten to unravel their bond.

Louisa Thorpe is determined to leave her past mistakes behind and forge a new path as an independent woman free from her family, who is eager to see her wed. To this end, she obtains employment as a lady’s companion. Despite her aversion to marriage and her firm resolve not to fall in love, she cannot deny the magnetic connection she develops with her employer's son, James Halverson.

James recently inherited his father’s title and is focused on fulfilling his duties in the House of Lords, leaving no time for romance. However, he can't help but be captivated—and delightfully unsettled—by Louisa's unconventional manners. When shocking revelations about his father's past challenge his perception of trust and duty, James finds himself questioning everything, including Louisa's loyalty. In this heartfelt tale of love, betrayal, and the fight for independence, will Louisa and James's love withstand the storm of secrets that may destroy them? 

 

Emily Opal, August 2025

Available in digital ebook or paperback at Amazon

 

 

WHAT THE RIVER KEEPS by Cheryl Grey Bostrom, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay

PAULA'S REVIEW:
Set in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, the author eloquently and vividly describes the landscape. She depicts a fragile, vulnerable heroine, biologist Hildy Nybo, who shows strength even though she questions her sanity. The past haunts her, but she finds purpose in wildlife and the reclamation that will come once the dam is torn down on the Elwha River. 

Luke Rimmer, a still grieving widower, is helping his sister with her pottery shop in the cabin next to Hildy. As they grow together, Luke shows infinite patience when Hildy tries to reconcile her past with her present. “A chess game, this relationship,”  

This was a slow-build romance with complicated family dynamics. The author presented clear Biblical truths with realistic situations. “God can wash a person clean, restore hope, but consequences can scar a heart up pretty bad.” 

This was an expertly crafted story with a lot to ponder, a suspenseful thread and a satisfying ending.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale on behalf of the author via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.* Beyond 5 stars and a solid faith thread 

BackCover Blurb:
Hildy Nybo is a successful biologist, her study of the Pacific Northwest’s wild fish both a passion and a career. But behind her professional brilliance, Hildy’s reclusive private life reflects a childhood fraught with uncertainty. Despite her father’s love and her mother’s sympathy, she grew up constantly losing even her most cherished belongings, unable to recall where she misplaced them. Haunted by the confusion of those early years, she now records her life in detailed diaries and clings tightly to memory-prompting keepsakes.

Then her mother’s health fails, and Hildy accepts a job near her childhood home, joining a team of scientists who will help restore her beloved Elwha River after the demolition of two century-old dams. There Hildy settles into one of the cabins on her family’s rustic resort—a place she both loves and dreads, for reasons she can’t fully explain.

When local artist Miranda Rimmer rents an adjacent cabin for her pottery studio, Hildy shrinks from such a close neighbor. But then Miranda’s carpenter brother, Luke, shows up to help with construction and captures Hildy’s attention. Now a few years beyond a tragedy that brought him to his knees, Luke recognizes a kindred soul in Hildy, and they build a relationship that dismantles the walls Hildy’s built to keep people out. As troubling pieces of the past surface, Hildy dares to wonder if she can banish the shadows that have burdened her and follow her river’s course to freedom.

-A compelling story of forgiveness, redemption, and overcoming painful secrets that explores the beauty of the natural world
-A poignant and emotive contemporary novel perfect for fans of Delia Owens and William Kent Krueger
-Includes discussion questions for book clubs

Tyndale Fiction, August 2025

Available in digital ebook,paperback, and audiobook:

Buy WHAT THE RIVER KEEPS at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

THE LAST LIGHT OVER GALVESTON by Jennifer L. Wright, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney #ReleaseDay

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"When we suffer, it reminds us that this life is short, and this world is not our home . . . Sometimes God has to tear down all the distractions . . . To see that after everything else is gone, He's still there."

Traveling as far away from home as possible, Kathleen McDaniel locks her privileged life in New York inside a proverbial closet and courageously tries to pretend the horrific chain of events that sent her running all the way until the end of the line had not happened. Landing in Galveston, Texas she collapses inside the front hall of St Mary's Orphan Asylum where she assumes a new identity and prays that her nightmare will never find her.

Her plan works until her timeline is shortened and an historic storm brews off the coast of Texas, eventually taking out every last light over Galveston. Will Kathleen survive yet another tragedy as she struggles to keep one promise while making another that she may not live long enough to keep?

An arresting blend of historical events that wrap tentacles around a young woman's freedom to make the choices of her heart, while discovering that who she really is had graciously been determined by a God who lovingly knit her innermost being together with everlasting stitches.
*I received a copy from the publisher and also purchased a copy, and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

BackCover Blurb:
Galveston, Texas. September 1900. Only months ago, Kathleen McDaniel returned from finishing school in Switzerland to her family home in New York’s Hudson Valley with a future of promise and privilege set before her. But one horrific event shattered her picturesque life. Now she has fled as far as the train line and a pocketful of money would take her, finding refuge at the St. Mary’s Orphan Asylum on Galveston Island, where she helps the nuns care for their young charges and prays her past will not find her. Despite her tenuous standing at the orphanage—and the grief and betrayal that drove her from home—Kathleen slowly begins to make friends. There is Emily, the novice nun she rooms with; Maggie, the tempestuous young girl who only bonds with Kathleen; and Matthew, a kind, handsome man recently employed by Isaac Cline at Galveston’s office of the US Weather Bureau.

Then in one fateful day, Kathleen’s fragile new life begins to crack as it becomes clear that she can’t run far enough to escape the reach of her former life. Meanwhile, as troubling news about a storm crossing the Gulf from Cuba swirls in the Weather Bureau offices, Matthew holds fast to Cline’s belief that no hurricane can touch Galveston. But as darkness falls on the island, Kathleen must gather her courage and reach for a strength beyond her own if she—and those she loves—are to survive.

-A stand-alone historical novel about the 1900 Galveston hurricane
-A gripping read inspired by true events
-Features themes of resilience, found family, and redemption
-Includes discussion questions perfect for book clubs 

Tyndale Fiction, August, 2025

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

Buy THE LAST LIGHT OVER GALVESTON at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

EVERYTHING'S COMING UP ROSIE by Courtney Walsh, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

A heartwarming tale of found family 

and a perfectly imperfect love

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"I want to tell them the truth so badly."

Actually the truth of the matter was that aspiring actress Rosie Waterman's life was nothing like that of her friends, or even remotely like she had so creatively described to anyone who took the time to ask. In reality, Rosie's childhood dream of making it big in New York City had fizzled down to packing her belongings into exactly one suitcase, sending out a gazillion job queries, and going home; only to have the surprise of her life! A job offer from a small theatre program in Sturgeon Bay, Illinois; the Sunset Players. Their summer production of Cinderella needed a creative team member. Rosie loved Cinderella!

It was obvious upon arrival that Rosie had failed to read the fine print. Oops!

A pitch perfect example of how memorable character driven stories can be, especially when Prince Charming, instead of searching for a glass slipper, learns how to ask the right questions. Dreams really can come true! (even if they change a little)
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.4.5 stars

BackCover Blurb:
Sometimes what you think you want and what you actually want turn out to be different things . . . In New York Times bestselling author Courtney Walsh's latest uplifting women's fiction, one woman discovers what it means to create a life that fits. Perfect for fans of Denise Hunter and Emma St. Clair.

Rosie Waterman has one dream: to become a working actor. But lately, that hasn't been working out. When she loses her apartment and her job on the same day, she does what she always does--puts herself out there, ready to find the next big thing. But a trip home makes her realize that while she's been struggling to make this dream come true, all her friends have become real adults with careers and weddings and babies on the way. Rosie's been at this for years, and she has nothing to show for it. But how does she simply let go of her dream?

When she's offered a job as the director of a regional theatre's production of Cinderella, she jumps at the chance--even though she's only directed in college and the job is in Door County, Wisconsin, and not in New York. She has no other offers, and at least she'll be getting paid to do something theatrical. But when she arrives, she quickly realizes that the "regional theatre" is actually in a retirement community, and the "actors" are actually senior citizens with no acting experience whatsoever.

Working on the show presents new challenges, forcing Rosie to learn how to step up and be the leader this fledgling theatre troupe needs. The more time she spends with her new cast, the more she begins to rethink what it means to dream big, especially when that big dream hasn't turned out to be at all what she thought it would be. It's not at all what she expected, but could it be exactly what she needs?

Come for the quirky cast, stay for the charm, and fall in love with the beautiful mess of becoming. Filled with laughter, a bit of clean romance, and a reminder that life doesn't have to go as planned to be beautiful, Everything's Coming Up Rosie will leave you cheering, swooning, and reaching for one more chapter.

Thomas Nelson Publishing, June, 2025

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

Buy EVERYTHING'S COMING UP ROSIE at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

A LESSON IN PROPRIETY by Jen Turano, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

Merriweather Academy Series #1

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"Is it just me, or do you think it's odd that animals were wandering around the castle?"

Following a failed engagement, loss of family fortune and foreclosure on their lavish New York home, Drusilla Merriweather packs up her sister, mother and a childhood friend with the intention of relocating to a Chicago residence deeded to them by an out-of-the-ordinary aunt. Sporting a rather grand notion of opening a finishing school for young ladies in order to generate some much needed income, Drusilla is surprised to learn that the property is in reality a grand castle-like structure filled with a menagerie of animals, barely any staff, a resident ghost, and a slew of ghastly rumors.

When a nearby neighbor, Mr Renick Wittenbecker, happens upon a rather curious situation involving large, angry birds, he becomes especially star-struck by the beautiful brunette with the bedazzling blue eyes and does the only thing that comes to mind, he fumbles out an ill-timed proposal of marriage. It just so happens that handsome, clumsy, tongue-tied architects are the least of Drusilla's worries, for apparently their property is highly desirable by competing factions in Chicago's notorious underworld, whom Renick contends would gladly send Drusilla to the bottom of Lake Michigan.

You can imagine how entertaining this entire tale turns out to be, based on how it begins and how you can only hope that it ends! Propriety indeed!
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review

SEE REVIEWS BY PAULA AND WINNIE

BackCover Blurb:
LESSON ONE: Stand in the way of the Windy City's criminal world and expect a most improper proposal from an eligible gentleman in return.

With her father dead, her fortune stolen, and her fiancé casting her aside, Miss Drusilla Merriweather's privileged life has been upended. She is left with only one option: to provide for her family by opening a finishing school in the allegedly haunted castle she's inherited from her eccentric aunt. However, her plan is immediately threatened by unscrupulous developers keen on claiming the coveted estate for themselves by any means necessary.

Mr. Rhenick Wittenbecker, a dashing architect with a tendency to charm his way out of trouble, is convinced he can protect Drusilla but is challenged by her fierce independence. Yet when strange occurrences--walking suits of armor and unexpected ghostly visitors--arise within the castle's grounds, Drusilla must decide whether to risk her family's safety and her school on the gallant architect who seems to have found his way into her heart.

Laugh-out-loud witty banter, swoon-worthy romance, and delightful mischief in the Gilded Age string together this entrancing series starter. Fans of clean romance, Christian fiction, and strong female characters will enjoy this read. 

Bethany House Publishing, May 2025
Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:
Buy A LESSON IN PROPRIETY at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

ECHOES OF DARKNESS by Darlene Turner, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"Just when I thought I put you in the rearview mirror, you creep into my brain."

Growing up as the daughter of a notorious serial killer had been a nightmare, but after changing her name and devoting her life to making the world a safer place, Constable Oaklynn Brock is horrified to learn that a series of deaths in her small community appear to be the work of a copycat. Combine that disturbing news with the fact that a local cult's suspicious activities hint at a connection between the victims, and the conscientious law enforcement officer realizes that she has been handed a dire situation.

Working with Caleb Greene of the Canadian Watchers Squad, Oaklynn suppresses the reality of her past until it becomes absolutely necessary, and then is surprised to learn that Caleb has a few skeletons in his own closet. Time is of the essence, because this particular offender has now turned his undivided attention on Oaklynn.

"God will meet you in the darkest corner and provide the light for you to escape. You just have to let Him in."

Utilizing a complex series of twists and turns, this romantic psychological thriller rises above the darkness without, to display the light from within.
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 3.5 stars

SEE KIM'S REVIEW:

BackCover Blurb:
A serial killer stalks a small town, and a police officer must face her family’s dark past to catch him.

The sleepy community of Kenorapeake Falls in northern Ontario seems like somewhere Constable Oaklynn Brock can finally outrun her violent past. That is, until she’s assigned to investigate a series of suspicious deaths. She can’t reveal that she knows how serial killers think because she grew up with one. Yet the eerie similarities between these murders and those committed by her father, known as the Suicide Slayer, hint at a copycat in their midst. But why here and why now?

Caleb Greene of the Canadian Watchers Squad, a special task force, has his own reasons to be wary of working alongside Oaklynn. But with rumors of a local cult known as the Light Paragons gaining power, the stakes are too high to refuse.

As they explore connections between the killings and cult, Oaklynn and Caleb are forced to confront old secrets…and a terrifying new threat. Someone is watching Oaklynn’s every move. They know exactly who she is and what she might be capable of. And soon her biggest fear isn’t just having her past exposed, but that a killer will turn whatever days she has left into a living nightmare… 

Love Inspired Trade, June, 2025

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook:

Buy ECHOES OF DARKNESS at Amazon, or Christianbook .com

 

 

LULU'S CAFE by T. I. Lowe, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

Clean and Wholesome Southern Romance

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"Some scars don't ever heal . . . They're just too deep."

After barely surviving the brutality of an abusive relationship, Leah Allen follows what is left of her heart to the small South Carolina town of Riverton. Arriving in what could only be described as "death warmed over", she manages to snag a table at a lovely cafe where the food nourishes her body while the proprietor feeds her soul with an unconditional love that Leah only dreamed was possible. As her outward wounds slowly heal, it takes much longer for the ones inside to form a scar. And then along comes Crowley.

This story moves with a tender stealth that serves to magnify the impact of kindness, compassion, and everlasting joy. If only every town had a Lulu's Cafe! 

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

BackCover Blurb:
When a young woman is given a chance to reclaim her life in a small Southern town, she must reckon with the dark secrets she left behind in order to accept the love she deserves.

On the run from a violent past, Leah Allen arrives in tiny Rivertown, South Carolina, battered and broken but ready to reinvent herself. By a stroke of fate, Leah is drawn to the Southern hospitality of a small café, looking for a warm meal but finding so much more. Lulu, the owner, offers her a job, a place to stay, and a new lease on life. Leah quickly finds herself embraced by the quaint community as she tries to put herself back together.

Not long after arriving, Leah meets Crowley Mason, the most eligible bachelor in town. A lawyer and friend of Lulu’s, Crowley is wary of Leah’s sudden, mysterious arrival. Despite his reserve, something sparks between them that can’t be denied. But after all she’s been through, can Leah allow herself to truly love and be loved, especially when her first urge is to run?

Exploring the resiliency of both the heart and the spirit, Lulu’s Café gorgeously illustrates how old scars can finally heal no matter how deep they seem.

-Clean and wholesome Southern romance, perfect for fans of Kristy Woodson Harvey, Delia Owens, and Nicholas Sparks
-Themes of faith and friendship
-Includes discussion questions for book clubs
-Features a playlist inspired by the book

 

Tyndale Fiction, 2019, re-released 2025

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook

Buy LULU'S CAFE at Amazon, Christianbook or Baker Book House

SPLENDOR IN THE LAND by Connilyn Cossette, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay

The King's Men Book #3: Historical Romance Biblical Fiction 

Set in Old Testament-Era Israel

 

PAULA'S REVIEW:
An absolutely lovely story set during the reign of King Saul. This is Gavriel and Zahava’s story and what a striking one it is. I was so immersed in it as I was waiting to find out what happened to Shay, the lost young cousin, that Gavi, Avi, and Zevi have been looking for.
 

This was a look back to ancient times that made the Bible come alive. The author gave us everyday people who trusted in the One True God with many applications that we can use today. Zahava, a Kenite, worked with metal and was taught by her father from secret methods passed down for generations. As we see her work with gold, until the final polish, we also see what God can accomplish in us, taking away the dross, working in us, and refining us until the final polish by Him, so that we can reflect Him.
 

Gavi is a warrior sent by Yonathan to take the Kenites out of danger before Saul and his army attack. An incident forces a marriage between Gavi and Zahava. The romance between the two grows as they face danger and learn to appreciate one another.
 

We have a hint about the missing Shay, but we will have to wait until book four for that outcome.
 

If you like Biblical fiction, do not miss this series
* A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House through Interviews and Reviews 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:
Gavriel, a soldier in the elite company of Yonatan--son of King Saul--dreams of forging his destiny through crafting weapons with his own hands. Despite earning his place among Israel's finest, he is haunted by a dark past that no distraction can dispel. When his reckless behavior crosses a line, Yonatan gives him one last mission to prove his worth: help persuade a distant Kenite tribe to sever their ties with the Amalekites.

Zahava, a gifted goldsmith hidden behind her father's legacy, lives in the shadows due to her physical affliction. Her unmatched and unrecognized talent is a closely guarded secret within her family. Disheartened by a future that seems unattainable, she resigns herself to a life of obscurity. However, when Gavriel arrives in her village, they're tangled together in ways neither could have imagined. As they navigate unforeseen dangers and enemy threats, Gavriel must confront his past and either bend his knee to the One True King or lose the woman he loves forever.

Set against the backdrop of ancient Israel, this exhilarating Old Testament-era tale is threaded with themes of redemption, courage, and sacrifice. This Iron Age story will appeal to readers of biblical fiction, Francine Rivers, Tessa Afshar, and Angela Hunt.

 

Revell Publishing, August, 2025

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

Buy SPLENDOR IN THE LAND at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House

WHEN THE ROAD COMES AROUND by Katie Powner, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay

Contemporary Small Town Fiction Set on a Montana Ranch

 

PAULA'S REVIEW:
Ms. Powner spins such a good story that you think you are peeking at real life. Her characters are so realistic and they face real situations.
 

Anita, Dan and their somewhat challenged son, Sam, run a guest ranch. Anita is a prayer warrior who still hovers over Sam, wanting to protect him. Tad hires on to help Dan with the ranch, tend the horses and take guests on trail rides. He becomes a friend to Sam. He unexpectedly gets custody of a baby daughter he never knew about. Things get complicated.
 

The story is full of lessons in taking responsibility, giving grace when things go wrong, and learning to let go.
 

The characters grow as they come against difficulties. Things are not wrapped up in a pretty bow at the end but that is just fine because life is like that. Real life is messy. Real life does not end in neat solutions.
 

This is definitely a story to make you see the grace of God and how He uses people to help their neighbors.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by 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 solid faith thread

 

BackCover Blurb:
Only trouble can bring about the beauty of redemption and grace.

In the small town of Grady, Montana, twenty-four-year-old Tad Bungley has a reputation for trouble. When he lands a job at Come Around Ranch, however, his life seems to take a positive turn. As he develops a soft spot for Sam, the ranch owner's disabled son, and a special bond with TJ, a rescue horse with a poor reputation of his own, Tad becomes determined not to bungle it up this time.

Forty-eight-year-old Anita Wilson is too young to feel so old, but rheumatoid arthritis limits her ability to work on the guest ranch she owns with her husband. It was a risk to hire Tad for the summer, but Anita is convinced he just needs a bit of encouragement to find his footing. What she doesn't anticipate is that Tad's presence at the ranch will change everything, including her relationship with her son. And when Tad finds himself in more of a mess than ever, he and Anita must learn when to hold on, when to let go, and what grace really means. 

Revell Publishing, August, 2025

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

Buy WHEN THE ROAD COMES AROUND at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

FINAL APPROACH by Lynette Easton, Reviewed by Rebecca and Paula #ReleaseDay

Lake City Heroes Book #4: A Christian Suspense Thriller with Mystery and Clean Romance between a FBI Agent and Air Marshal

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"Someone went to a lot of trouble to try and send that plane down somewhere else."

Air Marshall Kristine Duncan was supposed to be on vacation, instead she was called upon to thwart an attempted hijacking of the very plane on which she and a group of friends were traveling. Following his arrest, the perpetrator gave law enforcement officials a nearly unbelievable and quite frankly, a very confusing story.

Before Kristine and F. B. I. Agent Andrew Ross can finish following a faint trail of evidence, it appears that Andrew's past undercover work within a notorious gang might become a factor; could Andrew have been the intended target of the foiled hijacking? During these early stages of the investigation, it's one of several viable hypotheses.

Spending more time with Andrew was something that Kristine had envisioned doing on a warm, sunny beach, but now? . . . everything seems to be up in the air, quite literally . . .

Enjoy this twisty, turning romantic suspense from its first landing through its final approach!
*I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from Baker Publishing through Interviews and Reviews, and purchased a copy. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 3.5 stars

PAULA'S REVIEW:

The gang of law enforcement friends have earned a vacation and are on a flight to warmer climes. A hijacking cuts their trip short and they investigate who is behind it all. Air Marshal Kristine and FBI agent Andrew are put through their paces figuring out who is really the target of attempts on their lives. And is there a connection to any previous hijackings in the area?
 

Non-stop action from the first chapter and a confounding mystery stumps the team at every turn. With the complicated family dynamics of Kristine and the past trauma that haunts Andrew, they still rely on God to watch their backs and heal them. Kristine and Andrew grow close enough to see a future with each other.
 

Come along on a bumpy ride with flawed but competent characters whose faith is evident and whose friends are trustworthy. A compelling, suspenseful book.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Revell through Interviews and Reviews via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*4 stars and a solid faith thread

BackCover Blurb:
She's intent on investigating a sinister plot of revenge, and it will take all her courage to survive.

Air Marshal Kristine Duncan is not on duty when a hijacker attempts to seize control of the plane she and her friends are on as they head out on a much-needed vacation. Jumping into action and aided by FBI Special Agent Andrew Ross, Kristine thwarts the attack and the plane lands safely. But as the investigation into the incident gets underway, Kristine and Andrew are confused at every step. Nothing about the investigation goes as it should, and each layer they peel back just reveals another layer of perplexity.

As the two work together to navigate a web of deception, blame, and personal reckoning, they find there's more to this story than meets the eye--and more to love and admire about each other. They'll have to put their skills to the test--and their hearts on the line--to unravel the truth and ensure that justice prevails.

Revell Publishing, August, 2025
Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:
Buy FINAL APPROACH at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

TO LOVE A BEAST by Karen Witemeyer, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

(A Christian Western Historical Romance Fairy Tale Retelling of Beauty & the Beast) 

Once Upon a Time in Texas Series #1

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"Hope sees possibilities, where fear sees only barriers."

Arriving at the formidable gates outside Manticore Manor, book binder Callista Rosenfield may have entertained a second thought or two, but reality reminded her to be practical. Rosenfield's Bindery depended on fulfilling this lucrative contract, never mind that her grand entrance was greeted with a dog the size of a lion and its master a bear of a man whose disfigured countenance bore unimaginable pain. Everett Griffin did not want her in his domain, making Callista all the more determined to stay.

Callista's persistence paid off. And Everett Griffin turned out to be someone else entirely.

This tough but tender retelling of a tale as old as time showcases one of the sweetest happily-ever-afters that you will ever read.
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 4.5 stars

SEE WINNIE'S REVIEW:

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:
Beauty and the Beast in 1800's Texas.

Once known among New York's elite as the American Adonis, Everett Griffin now lives as a recluse in the wilds of Texas. The treachery of a former admirer left his face and his spirit riddled with scars, so he hides himself away, his only companions a trio of trusted servants and an oversized dog. Locals whisper of the beastly man who lives in the gloomy manor outside of town and his tendency to attack anyone who dares approach. Everett relishes his fearsome reputation and uses it as a shield to guard his privacy. Until a young woman as stubborn as she is beautiful infiltrates his sanctum and lays siege to his defenses.

When an injury to her father jeopardizes the family's book binding business, Callista Rosenfeld determines to fulfill the contract herself, and no insufferable client or woman-eating dog will deter her. Finding unlikely allies among Mr. Griffin's staff, Callista secures her position and sets to work transforming the manor's remarkable library. Her employer transforms as well, his ill-tempered growls subsiding to reveal a considerate, intellectual nature. Affection blooms as Callista and Everett discover hidden depths in each other, but the evil schemes of a vengeful hunter threaten to leave their love and their lives in tatters.

 

Hope and Light Publishing, June, 2025

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

BUY TO LOVE A BEAST at Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

UNDERCOVER HEIRESS OF BROCKTON by Kelly Goshorn, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay

ENDURING HOPE SERIES #2

PAULA'S REVIEW:
This was an excellent historical novel. Not only did it give a close up view of a real disaster in Brockton, Massachusetts, but the author wove a captivating romance into the details. 

Heiress Henrietta Maxwell is not content to sit back and enjoy her family’s new wealth. She has a philanthropic heart and raises funds for worthy causes, one of which is Fire Engine Company #1. She also has ambitions to be a newspaper reporter with her own byline. However society frowns on women in a man’s domain. So she adopts a pseudonym and disguises herself as a man and does it anyway. After falling out of a tree onto firefighter Leo Eriksson, her cover is blown. But an instant attraction is made. 

 

“If she were bold enough to flirt with Leo, would he douse the fire with water-or accelerant? The better question was could she be brave enough to find out?” 

When a boiler explodes at Grover Shoe Factory and collapses the building, Leo and crew lend a hand in rescue efforts. Etta is close by and helps during the chaos. It was fun to see just how the romance progressed.
 

The author did a good job of crafting complex characters in realistic situations with obstacles to overcome and calling on their faith in God to provide solutions to their problems.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Barbour via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.* 5 stars and a solid faith thread 

 

BackCover Blurb:
A Socialite in Disguise Seeks Truth and Justice

Collect a new series of six historical romances. When life seems weighed down by challenges, there are always pillars of enduring hope and love to be discovered.

Henrietta “Etta” Maxwell, heiress to the Maxwell fortune, is a hard-hitting investigative reporter for The Enterprise Daily. The catch? Etta must pen her columns under the nom de plume, Henry Mason—a fact that routinely puts a knot in her knickerbockers.

Leo Eriksson is a second-generation firefighter with a passion for rendering aid to those in need. When Leo discovers that Henry Mason is really Henrietta Maxwell, the fire department’s wealthy benefactress, he agrees to keep her identity secret.

After a sudden blast rocks the Grover Shoe Factory, Leo and Etta team up to determine if the explosion is related to a series of suspicious fires in the area. But sparks fly when Leo accuses Etta of negating the human side of the disaster in her determination to get a good story.

When an unnamed source reveals Etta’s secret identity to a rival reporter, she falsely accuses Leo of being the informant. As the truth comes to light, Etta must persuade Leo to give her a second chance or lose the only man she’s ever loved.

Also in the Enduring Hope series:
The Angel of Second Street by Barbara Tifft Blakey

 

Barbour Fiction, August, 2025

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook 

Buy UNDERCOVER HEIRESS OF BROCKTON at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House