THE DESIGN OF PROVIDENCE: AN ANTHOLOGY CELEBRATING AMERICA'S 250 YEARS, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

TEN AUTHORS: LYNNE TAGAWA, JAYNA BASS, AVELLINA BALESTRI, JOHN M. CUNNINGHAM Jr, TED LAMB, LYNN DEAN, SHANNON McNEAR, PATIENCE O'BRIEN, NATHAN STONE, RICHARD TUCKER

PAULA'S REVIEW:
This is a group of stories set from 1770 to 1785 during the American Revolution. It was chosen to be released in honor of the 250th Anniversary celebration of America.
 

These were diverse tales based on records of events and documents that shaped our nation. While they are fictional, they are well crafted with the purpose of showing both sides of the conflict and the bravery of those involved as well as their faith in God.
 

The stories help to awaken us to our heritage and caused me to be grateful for those who formed our country and fought for our freedom. This book showcases how God moved through and in the lives of our founding fathers. And pointed out that there were people of faith on both sides of the issues. 

 

I appreciate the research that went into this book and the variety of stories that were portrayed. All were well written and interesting to read. Perfect for the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
 

Recommended for those who enjoy this time period.
*A complimentary copy of the book was provided by Blue Rock Press on behalf of one of the authors. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.* 5 stars and a solid faith thread

BackCover Blurb:
Before there was a United States, there was a dream forged in the crucible of revolution—and a steadfast belief that a divine hand was shaping the nation’s destiny. From the bloody snow of the Boston Massacre to the treacherous battlefields of the South, the path to liberty was fraught with peril, heartbreak, and impossible choices.

Intertwining fact and fiction, each story masterfully explores the personal cost of allegiance, the agony of families divided by war, and the quiet, persistent thread of faith that wove through it all.

Celebrate America's 250th birthday with this immersive, faith-filled journey into the soul of a nation's founding. 

 

Blue Rock Press, May, 2026

Available to buy in digital ebook and hardcover

at Amazon 

NOT PRECISELY MR. KNIGHTLEY by Carolyn Miller, Reviewed by Paula and Rebecca #ReleaseDay

PAULA'S REVIEW:

This was an enjoyable rom-com with lots of references to Emma by Jane Austen. 

A dating app, Dream Match, was thought up by Emma Jane Bennett and Jordan Knight, officially the firm of Woodhouse-Knightly as a nod to Jane Austen. It is meant to be a safe place for Christian singles to meet and possibly find love. 

Welcome to Australia and the atmosphere of Sydney and an appearance of a billionaire playboy Eric Churchill. Emma gets stars in her eyes as Eric wines and dines her. But is it for her or to take over her dating app? Best friend Jordan tries to get Emma to pray about investors and tread carefully. Things go awry. 

Many things reminded me of Emma and other tomes by Jane Austin including flighty Mrs. Bennett, sisters Olivia, Katie and Elinor and assistant Harriet. Nice references to Australian places and items- But I could do without the Vegemite. I have tasted it and am not a fan! 

Jordan must find a way to go from best friends to marriage prospect and it is a fun ride. 

I enjoyed the witty banter, the family connections, the spiritual struggles of the characters and the eventual happily ever after.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Barbour and via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.* 4.5 stars and a solid faith thread

REBECCA'S REVIEW:

" . . . she'd always had a thing for the finer things in life, something that was shown by her wannabe-designer clothes and focus on money, money, money . . . "

Emma-Jane Bennett had worked really hard for a long time, designing a highly successful dating app, while excelling at her full time position with Donwell Enterprises. Now was the time to see if the little bird could fly out of the nest and scale up "Dream Match" into a global product, meaning she and her business partner (and best friend!) Jordan Knight needed investors.

In theory, dropping her day job and schmoozing with the rich and famous had seemed like a good idea until Jordan starting reminding her of the true source of security and it wasn't listed on the stock market. Brushing off Jordan's caution, and not wanting to be reminded that her heart was dangerously close to being handed off to the wrong man, Emma-Jane convinces herself that the creator of a dating app certainly knows who the right man should be, right?

What kept me from loving this book as much as I wanted to was the setting, it continually muffled the narrative; details about travel modes, parks, shorelines, restaurants and other forms of entertainment took time away from quality conversations between characters who were battling for relationship and purpose, burying core elements of the story under a veritable travelogue.

That being said, the author did a wonderful job of bringing to light the challenges of building and maintaining a firm foundation of faith in a world, particularly the business world, that cares more about appearance and prestige than truth and integrity. Bravo to Emma-Jane and Jordan for finding their way!
*I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book for Barbour Publishing, the opinions stated above are entirely my own. 3.5 stars

BackCover Blurb:

Can the Matchmaker Find True Love?
 
Emma-Jane (EJ) Bennett and Jordan Knight are longtime best friends who co-designed the immensely successful dating app, Dream Match. Success starts to go to EJ’s head when she gets caught up in the famous and money-hungry social circles and starts dating the son of a TV mogul. But Jordan’s feelings have grown from friendship to more. He determines to protect her by exposing Eric Churchill for the two-timer he is, finally agreeing to attend a function with her at the Sydney Opera House. But his best intentions go awry when EJ is embarrassed and runs for the security of home, small-town roots, and The Silver Teapot Café, feeling like Jane Austen’s chastised Emma—only without her Mr. Knightley.
 
Don’t miss book 1 in The Silver Teapot series, Not Exactly Mr. Darcy

Barbour Fiction, May, 2026

Available in digital ebook, paperback, or hardcover

Buy NOT PRECISELY MR. KNIGHTLY at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House