EVERY HOUR UNTIL THEN by Gabrielle Meyer, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

TIMELESS SERIES #5

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
" . . . there was only one thing to do. I had to surrender to God's plan. I wasn't sure what it was, or how it would work, but I was at the end of my own abilities."

Managing her life between London, England in 1887 and Washington, DC in 1938 has just gotten a lot more complicated. Coming to the realization that her sister's banishment from their London home was essentially a death warrant, Kathryn's work as a guest curator at the London Museum becomes all the more crucial. Jack the Ripper was an elusive historical figure in one time period and a dangerous criminal in another.

Might Kathryn's research expose the identity of the cold blooded killer and thus provide her with the evidence necessary to prevent her sister's demise? Time-crossers (of which she was one) were warned against trying to change history in either path, automatically forfeiting that portion of their life forever . . . which made the situation all the more heartbreaking, since this particular portion of her life included her beloved.

Absolutely brilliant! It is almost inconceivable to realize how skillfully this author twisted and turned the cogs of history to write this alluring, believable conclusion to one of history's most infamous mysteries ever autopsied within a narrative.
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

SEE KIM'S REVIEW

 

BackCover Blurb:
Gifted with the ability to time-cross between Victorian-era London and World War II Washington, DC, Kathryn faces two lives fraught with danger. In 1938 amid the looming shadow of war, Kathryn is invited to the London Museum as a guest curator to create a groundbreaking exhibit on Jack the Ripper and his reign of terror. As she delves into her grim research, she uncovers a chilling truth: Her own sister is destined to become the Ripper's final victim decades earlier.

In 1888, in a race against fate, Kathryn is assisted by her handsome childhood friend in hunting down history's most elusive killer. As they unravel the threads of mystery woven through time, Kathryn must decide if she'll unmask the murderer history has chosen to hide, forfeiting a life with the man she loves to save her sister. 

 

Bethany House Publishing, May, 2025

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

Buy EVERY HOUR UNTIL THEN at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House 

 

 

 

 

(Three!) HOLLY NOVELS by C. C. Warrens, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

 
REBECCA'S REVIEWS:

Crossed Off (Holly Series #3)

"Every single person matters, and no one should simply disappear. No one should ever have to think, no one's looking for me."

In spite of every precaution, every measure taken, every safeguard . . . Holly Cross is convinced that her foster brother Collin will find a way . . . to destroy her, and all those who occupy a special place in her heart. He's crossing people off of a list . . . starting with a fiery blaze at a women's shelter.

After one of her dearest friends succumbs during the fiery blaze, every instinct tells Holly to go on the run . . . again. The only thing holding her back is a promise, Holly has assured a little girl who survived the fire that she would remain by Maya's side until family members arrive. Determined never to be a victim again, Holly continues to indulge Detective Marx's protective vigilance (most of the time) by making sure that she never ventures anywhere alone. Will it work? The final pages of this book hold the answers.

Despite taking a rather dark turn, this horrifying chapter in Holly's story stands as a testimony to God's faithfulness even in the "valley of the shadow of death"; for we are never alone.

Content Advisory: The final quarter of this book was difficult to read, the depravity of man being on full display. Honestly, I read over some portions to avoid dwelling on the evil, choosing instead to reach for what was "true, noble, honest, right . . . excellent or praise worthy" . . . . because there were plenty of those things in this story as well.

BackCover Blurb:
Collin Wells is relentless and ruthless, and he’ll stop at nothing to get what he wants: his foster sister, the girl who always manages to slip through his fingers.

Holly’s foster brother has haunted her footsteps for years—taunting her, toying with her—and until recently, she never dared to stop running and build a life for herself. Now, everyone she loves is in danger.

How can she protect the people she loves when her foster brother comes to collect?

Cross the Line (Holly Series #4)

"You guys find missing people, right?"

That hard rattling at the front door of Holly and Jordan's investigative agency in the dark of night? Just a very young girl scantily dressed and carrying broken stiletto heels, that's all . . . that's all???? Of course trouble would come knocking when Holly was there alone, but we all know that she would never pass up a desperate plea for help, even if investigating Camilla "Cami" Chen's disappearance would take her straight into the most dangerous part of the city.

"I wasn't a licensed investigator, and I didn't know the first thing about navigating digital trails, but I was an excellent snoop."

It would take all of Holly's street smarts to arrive back home safely after her trip to Bushwick, but she did manage to return (barely) with clues that she didn't fully realize at the time that she had accumulated. Of course her business partner (and second-best friend) was frantic with worry, but even with Jordan's help, this story was destined from the beginning to become terribly complicated and a lot more dangerous.

Spending more time with these characters seems like a rare privilege, their diverse personalities and wide ranging life experiences fit together so perfectly, forming a ring of support around Holly that she so desperately needs. The humor! It's so refreshing. And the faith elements! They are everywhere just waiting to be discovered, for yes, "God always comes through".

BackCover Blurb:

An unexpected, late-night visitor.

And a missing teenage girl.

Holly’s quiet evening at the investigative agency takes a curious turn when a frantic woman shows up on the doorstep after closing with a tale about a missing prostitute.

With JGH Investigations in financial distress, and a client who can’t afford their services, Holly decides to tackle this investigation on her own time. She soon learns, however, that this missing girl isn’t just missing—she’s been taken. Holly’s questions dredge up more danger than answers, and if she’s not careful, she might disappear just like the girl she’s trying to find, the girl some people believe is already dead.

Determined to keep Holly safe, Jordan joins the investigation, and together, they wade through a world of prostitution, wealth, and lies in search of the truth. But the truth is hard to find, when even the witnesses have secrets.

Crossroads (Holly Series #5)

 

"Despite the warm May temperature, memories shivered through my bones - bones that had been bruised and broken under the roof of the two-story structure in front of me."

There were no good memories from that place, but Holly Cross was willing to brave a return if it meant establishing a re-connection with her foster sister. She and Cassie had been separated for half a lifetime, her last words to the small girl running through her memory; "Run and don't look back. I'll find you when it's safe". Tragically, fifteen years passed before Holly could feel a small modicum of safety.

Cassie's last known location sent Holly and her good friend Jordan to the mountains of West Virginia where they immediately met with trouble. Members of a remote religious community come to their aid, but without cell service or transportation Holly and Jordan find themselves at the mercy of the good Samaritans. Their gracious welcome quickly turns into something far more sinister; what exactly is going on at Shepherd's Ridge? More importantly, where is Cassie?

Consistent in style with previous books in the series, this story is replete with humor, helplessness, and the power of the Holy Spirit . . . deepening the bond between author and reader . . . strengthening the tie between character and writer. . . energizing the commitment between God and reader. Who wouldn't want to read a book like that?!

BackCover Blurb:
RUN AND DON'T LOOK BACK.
I'LL FIND YOU WHEN IT'S SAFE.Those were the last words Holly whispered to her six year old foster sister before the little girl fled into the trees and disappeared from existence.

Fifteen years later, Cassandra Ward is still missing.

Holly is haunted by the possibility that she sent her foster sister running from one monster and into the clutches of another. How else could a child vanish without a trace?

Determined to find her, Holly sifts through her own dark memories for clues, revisits her past, and chases a lead across the country with Jordan by her side. But the search for Cassie takes a dangerous turn when an altercation in the mountains leaves them stranded, cut off from the outside world, and running for their lives.

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

NOTE: We offer other HOLLY NOVEL reviews over the years in the list at the right.

EVERY DEADLY SUSPICION by Janice Cantore, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #NewRelease

PAULA'S REVIEW:

This suspenseful story starts out with a suspicious death and just gets more interesting.
 

Police Chief Hanna Keyes has only ever heard stories about her father who was convicted of two murders that took place before she was even born.
 

It was a very exciting, twisty plot that brought out many moral issues.
 

Hannah has a solid faith and relies on God to help her in her vocation. She is drawn to two men, Nathan, a colleague who shares her faith and Jared a firefighter who has returned after a long absence. She counts on both to help her in her current struggles.
 

Ferreting out the truth can be a dangerous game in this close-knit community. And forgiving someone you barely know can be difficult. But Hanna needs to reconcile with her father,who is on hospice, in order to have questions answered and for the daughter of the victims to have closure.
 

This many-layered story with cleverly connected characters, delves into the twisted mind of a criminal and culminates in an exciting conclusion.
*A complimentary copy of the book was provided by Tyndale 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:
Thirty years after a federal agent and two suspects disappeared in the wilderness, the case is cold, and they’ve never been found. Now their suspected killer is about to go free. But is the truth really what it seems?

In Dry Oaks, California, Chief of Police Hanna Keyes has long believed her father, Joe, is a murderer, justly imprisoned. When she’s told he’s dying and is being given compassionate release from prison, she wants nothing to do with him. But taking him in might be Hanna’s one shot at cracking the cold case, so she reluctantly agrees to oversee his care.

Joe’s arrival in Dry Oaks seems to set off a chain reaction of crimes. Then an infamous true-crime podcaster comes sniffing for information, and Hanna’s first love, Jared, shows up just when she least needs the distraction. As Hanna tries to convince Joe to reveal what he knows about the missing persons, evidence in the cold case surfaces at a suspiciously rapid pace . . . suggesting there’s more to the murders than people thought.

With Joe’s strength failing, Hanna and her colleagues look for answers, not only about the past but also about recent criminal dealings in Dry Oaks. As the puzzle pieces start to fit together, it becomes clear that there’s a sinister plot at work, far more wide-reaching than anyone suspected, and that someone is desperate to silence the truth at any cost.

Stand-alone contemporary romantic suspense novel
Includes discussion questions for book clubs
Police drama
Cold case murder mystery 

 

Tyndale Fiction, March, 2025

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

Buy EVERY DEADLY SUSPICION at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

FIREFLY DIARIES and DRAGONFLY ASHES by C. C. Warrens, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

REBECCA'S REVIEWS

CHERRY CREEK MYSTERIES BOOKS ONE AND TWO

FIREFLY DIARIES
"One thing she knew for certain was that something strange was going on in this village, and it was beginning to feel like her house was at the center of it  . . . "

Seeking refuge in a new place to start her life all over again, Noelle McKenzie purchases an old, dilapidated house in rural Ohio through an online auction, thinking that a physical, mental, and emotional renovation is just what her broken heart needs. Upon arrival, she is shocked at the structure's actual appearance, it seems the old house has a story to tell, and it's not a happy one.

Before Noelle can even get unpacked, she is warned away and calls local law enforcement to make sure of her safety. When Captain Derek Dempsey arrives from the sheriff's department to clear the house, his review of local lore doesn't make Noelle feel any safer, but it does give her perspective. The story only gets curiouser and curiouser, and a lot more minacious . . . especially when she stumbles upon a small girl's (who calls herself Firefly) journal.

"Was God her Firefly, trying to shed light into the darkness that had consumed her life? Was He whispering words that she couldn't hear?"

Such a good story on multiple levels! The word flow and chapter structure keeps the fast pace and raw edges flowing smoothly and effortlessly. The characters, while quite unique, are equally authentic. The setting, that appears so sinister in the beginning, mirrors life itself . . . redeemable.

Plus! Good luck figuring out what is really going on in the old Bechtel house.
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

See PAULA'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:
"The world whipped around her in a dizzying funnel of lights and shouts, people in uniforms pressing in from all directions. Noelle sat motionless in the street, barely able to breathe. His little body was too still. Too broken."

Noelle's world shattered that night, like the pieces of headlights scattered across the dark street. There was no rebuilding her life around the grave of her child.

Adrift in her grief, Noelle finds herself drawn to an old house as rundown and weary as her spirit. She might not be able to mend her own brokenness, but maybe she can restore this abandoned structure to its former beauty. Determined, she throws herself into a renovation project with the unexpected help of a local. But she soon learns that her new home comes with a blood-stained history and a chilling reputation.

When she stumbles across a diary written by a child with a disturbing life, and a teenage girl vanishes from the village, clues leave Noelle wondering if her house might somehow be connected. Someone -- or something -- wants her gone, but she has no intention of leaving without discovering the truth.

----

DRAGONFLY ASHES
"It was like a bug hugged his face."

Well, that didn't sound like someone who Noelle McKenzie wanted around her home or her daughter. Nevertheless, that was how Skyler had described the face that she had seen outside her window, and now Noelle had seen the same figure. What was it with people and masks . . . especially around Halloween. More disturbing was the fact that this particular apparition was reminiscent of the area's sole serial killer, the Dragonfly.

And then there were the barn fires . . .

Cleverly capturing the threads of its diverse cast of characters into one united storyline, this book takes turns deepening relationships (yes, Noelle and Derek are still an item, Skyler is settling in with her "second" mother, and Walt is just as ornery as ever, but slightly improved) while investigating the sort of misguided evil intentions that potentially fragment a community into a million pieces. Will dreams turn into ashes or will a little girl's fervent prayers be answered?

A wonderfully layered, carefully plotted romantic suspense that skirts the edges of being a thriller!
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 4.5 stars

BackCover Blurb:

Flames cast an ominous orange glow against the night sky as a barn catches fire, consuming everything within: from the hay bales to the victim bound and left to die.

News of the murder sparks fear in the small community of Cherry Creek, and that fear only grows when the arsonist leaves a calling card belonging to a killer everyone believed was long dead.

The Dragonfly mysteriously disappeared from the local asylum decades ago, stepping out of existence and into legend. The story draws the attention of Noelle McKenzie, a local author, and she digs into details from the past while Captain Derek Dempsey searches for evidence in the present.

But there’s more going on than either of them suspect, and this threat doesn’t just come knocking; it kicks in the door with a wicked plan and a lit match. If they don’t stop the arsonist soon, there may not be anything left of Cherry Creek to save.

BUY ONE OR BOTH OF THE SERIES AT AMAZON in digital ebook, paperback, or audiobook

THE BURNING OF ROSEMONT ABBEY by Naomi Stephens, Reviewed by Winnie Thomas

(A Whodunnit Historical Romantic 

Mystery Set in 1950's England)

WINNIE'S REVIEW:
Set in England in 1956, The Burning of Rosemont Abbey is an intriguing mixture of history, mystery, and suspense, with a bit of romance. The colorful and eclectic cast of characters added to the suspense with no clear indication of who the culprit was. Various twists and turns kept me guessing and turning pages.

Louisa Everly, whose twin brother Paul was suspected of setting fire to the Abbey, was certain of his innocence, since she felt he had died before the fire started. She wants to leave no stone unturned in finding his killer. Inspector Malcolm Sinclair, a childhood friend of Louisa and Paul, wants Louisa to back off and not get involved. There is quite a bit of witty banter between the two, which lightens the mood a little in this somber tale. I also found Mrs. Watson, an elderly eccentric lady, to be a comedic relief. She was such fun!

“Mrs. Watson looked at him. And if looks could kill, Malcolm would have been six feet under the ground with the service already spoken last Tuesday.”

“If he thought her arrival with Malcolm was odd, he didn’t say so. And she hadn’t had to do any improvisational fainting this time, thank goodness, though Mrs. Watson had graciously offered to be the next victim should they ever need one.”

Naomi Stephens is a new-to-me author, but I’m interested in reading more of her stories.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers. All opinions are my own. 4.5 stars 

SEE REVIEWS by PAULA AND REBECCA

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

 

THE LOST LIBRARY by Melissa Koslin, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

REBECCA'S REVIEW:

"Do you know why I am hiding?"

After a strange encounter with her employer, Calli Lebeau excepted the fact that Asher Cross had done her a great favor . . . at least for the moment he had rescued her from a fate that she had spent a tremendous amount of time and effort trying to avoid. Having him show up when she needed him the most seemed more than a simple coincidence, but trying to get information from the tight-lipped, reclusive billionaire was practically impossible. He acted like he cared; the question was why?

Asher Cross knew a great deal more about Calli than he could reveal, her resume not included her cryptology skills and fluency in multiple languages. Unseen forces had motivated him to make sure she was protected, but now that his intentions had come to light, he and Calli began a somewhat awkward dance between employee/employer and protectee/protector. When a discreet but powerful organization believes that Calli may know the whereabouts of The Golden Library of Moscow, a cryptic reservoir of ancient documents, the plot becomes extremely murky along with their feelings for one another.

"In the house built, History doth dwell."

A mesmerizing series of unforeseen events, crafted by an author who designs tragic, flawed, fearless, (and even a bit frustrating at times) heroes and heroines . . .with an authenticity that is rarely matched.
*I purchased this book and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 3.5 stars

BackCover Blurb:
Her past has caught up with her. Again.

Cali Lebeau has been aiding hackers with her cryptology skills to track an apparent terrorist organization. When they discover what she’s been doing, they target her. Asher Cross, billionaire recluse, insists on aiding her, though she doesn’t understand why.

Asher Cross has secrets. He must help Cali, keep her alive, but he cannot let her understand his past or his motivations—in order to protect her.

They discover that the terrorist organization is searching for the Golden Library of Moscow, which was first assembled by Ivan the Great and had grown over time to include the oldest and most valuable texts in the world, including missing masterpieces. They believe the library holds black magic and the secret to everlasting life. It was stolen from them by Cali’s ancestor, and Cali holds a clue to its location handed down by her mother. In order to free herself and Asher, Cali must race against the terrorists, find the library, and share it with the world.

Will they be able to solve the mystery surrounding the Lost Library or risk losing their lives?

Inkspell Publishing, 2024

Available in digital ebook and paperback at Amazon

BUY THE LOST LIBRARY

WALKING ON HIDDEN WINGS by Rachel Scott McDaniel, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

 

A Novel of the Roaring Twenties

"Love gives, not takes. It never forces another person to sacrifice but sacrifices itself for the other person."

Geneva Ashcroft had experienced very little true love in her life as the daughter of a New York elite, even her practically arranged marriage to a prominent newspaper titan was a calculated effort by her father to control publicity surrounding his upcoming senate campaign. Imagine her surprise when she actually liked Warren Hayes in all the little ways that had the potential to make her upcoming nuptials at least tolerable, hence making her grief nearly unbearable when Warren perished in a private plane crash just months after their wedding. The only thing Geneva has left are cryptic notes from her husband's private investigator, prompting Geneva to "take to the skies" as Stella Starling, the wing-walking barnstormer, following a path from small town to small town, never imagining what she would discover . . . or what it would mean.

An extraordinary story because? . . . all the necessary components . . . fascinating historical backdrop, flawless word flow, magnetic romanticism, a menagerie of secondary characters whose underlying motives were hidden in plain sight, cleverly constructed formatting . . . in fact, it was the brilliant use of "now and then" merging seamlessly into "now" that tipped the scales in the direction of a five star read . . . an outstanding book deserving of abundant attention.
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 4.5 stars

SEE REVIEWS BY KIM and PAULA, and WINNIE

Back Cover Blurb:
Geneva Ashcroft Hayes's marriage to a newspaper mogul might have been arranged, but the New York socialite is devastated when her husband's plane crashes a few short months after their nuptials. When the authorities suspect murder, Geneva sets out on a wild mission to find his killer--and to prove it wasn't her!

When mysterious notes surface pointing to Geneva's guilt in his death, they only strengthen her resolve. She has little to go on except for a detective friend's cryptic list of locations connected to her dead spouse. When the friend also disappears, she trades her sparkling gowns for coveralls and pilot goggles.

Armed with a new name and career as a wingwalker and barnstormer, she travels from town to town in hopes of unearthing clues and locating her missing friend. But Geneva discovers that her past may not belong to her . . . what she once believed as truth may be nothing more than lies and deception.

Kregel Publications, April, 2024

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook:

Buy WALKING ON HIDDEN WINGS at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

 

A TASTE FOR CRIME by Ellery Adams and Tina Radcliffe, Reviewed by Kim

(Hope Street Church Mysteries Book 8)

If it has Tina Radcliffe’s name on it, I will read it! She always writes wonderful stories! No matter the genre, her characters are always likable, her storylines always good, her humor is spot on, and her faith thread is always seamlessly woven throughout the story. A Taste for Crime, which is a cozy mystery, is excellent!

I really enjoyed reuniting with Cooper and the gang to solve another mystery. I wish I could be a part of their Bible study group! Cooper and Jon’s relationship, which I love, is moving along nicely. The secondary storylines with Cooper and her family and her work really added to the plot. I love Zoe and the lesson she unknowingly taught Cooper - and myself if I’m being honest. LOL. I loved the faith thread! Here’s one of my favorite quotes:

“We need our Bible nourishment to make it through the week.”

Gosh, this is so true!

A Taste for Crime by Ellery Adams and Tina Radcliffe is part of a series, but it can totally be read as a standalone. I really loved this story and these characters. I hope we get more with this group of sleuths! 

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. The faith thread is light. 5 stars!

BackCover Blurb:

Welcome back to Hope Street Church, where friendships are formed, fresh starts are encouraged, and mysteries are solved . . .

When a scathing review by a prominent food critic threatens to ruin the career of local celebrity chef Anton Parsley, he turns to Cooper and her Bible study group for help. Cooper’s boyfriend was once mentored by the beloved chef, and Cooper will do anything she can to support his struggling restaurant. But before she can figure out how to restore the chef’s good reputation, the food critic is found murdered in his restaurant. Suddenly, Cooper and the gang must go from propping up the chef to tracking down a killer.

It’s well known that the food critic had built a lucrative career with her bombastic reviews, but as Cooper and her friends look into her background, they discover that she may not have been who she appeared to be. Suspecting that secrets from her past will lead them to whoever wanted her dead, the Bible study group cook up a scheme to trap the culprit. The risks are high and may just get them burned, but they’re dead-set on catching the killer before the chef’s career is toast . . .

Includes heavenly recipes from Magnolia Lee’s kitchen!

 

Beyond The Page Publishing, April, 2024

Available in digital ebook at Amazon

THE CROWN CONSPIRACY by Connie Mann, Reviewed by Paula and Rebecca #ReleaseDay

(A Speranza Team Novel)

PAULA'S REVIEW:

*Speranza = Hope*
Sophie Williams is on a dangerous search for a missing painting that was gifted to her friend Lise who has also disappeared. What mysteries does the decades old royal portrait hold? Sophie, an expert art forger, embarks on a seemingly wild goose chase from Germany to Italy for answers. She is pursued by an art recovery agent Mac McKenzie and others. Just how many are anxious to find this painting and for what purpose?

Spectacular suspense and excitement are non-stop as Sophie encounters a troupe of women called Speranza, a secret group who champions women in need. More action than a James Bond film and reminiscent of a heist movie, this excellently plotted book has a spiritual lesson included. “I believe in God, even when He is silent.”

This first in a series hints at more adventures for Sophie, Mac and the gang and some room for characters to grow in their faith; I am extremely eager for follow-up books.
*I received an ARC copy from Tyndale Publishing via NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone.* 5 stars and an underlying faith thread.

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"  . . . and I believe in God even when He is silent.
I believe through any trial there is a way."

"Stay in character. He can't possibly know who you are." Who would have thought that a little tiny thing like shapely calves could plant a seed of doubt into a savvy art investigator's mind? Sophie Williams' transformation into the much older "Frau Bauernstein" for the evening should have been flawless; she had a job to do, the opportunity to do it, and except for "the incredibly handsome blue-eyed, black-haired, tuxedo-clad man" who showed up on the dance floor, her disguise would never had been questioned.

"Had he found Robin Hood?" There was an incredibly elusive art thief roaming the streets of Germany, replacing stolen originals with beautifully painted forgeries and Mac McKenzie had been hired by the most influential man in the country to find one of them. Sensing that following the mysterious woman he had met the night before was key to discovering the valuable painting . . . he did . . . and then again he didn't. She was slippery as an eel and seemed to not only have enemies at every turn, but a host of very competent friends.

Multi-layered and overflowing with interesting characters, this high-stakes game of cat and mouse was as pleasant as it was perplexing. Multiple plot lines raced for priority while the details of each remained completely tangled, yet satisfyingly knotted. Admittedly it was a bit confusing at first to determine which story line would emerge as pivotal or which characters were worth noting, but it took no time at all to become fully invested in the carefully crafted drama that was taking place between the pages of "Speranza" . . . "Hope."

A finely written suspense with the promise of more of the same!

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Interviews and Reviews. The opinions stated above are entirely my own. 4.5 stars

 

BackCover Blurb:
She’s a master at spotting a forgery . . . and knowing how to create one. But can she solve a decades-old mystery?

The media spotlight is the last thing art thief and forger Sophie Williams needs. But when one of three long-missing royal portraits turns up in Germany at her best friend’s art gallery, the spotlight is exactly what she gets. Since the tragic deaths of Princess Johanna of Neuhansberg and her two children forty years ago, the whereabouts of these portraits have been unknown . . . and the timing of their reappearance—just days before a new prince’s coronation—reignites questions surrounding the infamous accident.

Then Sophie’s best friend vanishes, and a rumor about hidden treasure connected to the paintings surfaces, seemingly confirmed by a cryptic message on the back of the first canvas. Convinced that finding the other two portraits will lead to her friend, Sophie begins a twisty investigation that pits her against other ruthless treasure hunters, a handsome investigator who seems to dog her trail at every turn, and a mysterious group that offers help, wearing an emblem identical to one on the painting.

From Germany’s grand castles and soaring cathedrals through the Alps to the canals of Venice, Sophie must choose her allies carefully if she hopes to find the portraits, rescue her best friend—and perhaps save a throne—before time runs out.

A clean, contemporary adventure with a dash of romance
A thrilling cold case mystery
Includes discussion questions for book groups 

Tyndale House Publishing, June, 2024

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

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

THE LADY WITH THE DARK HAIR by Erin Bartels, Reviewed by Paula and Rebecca #ReleaseDay

(Dual Time Contemporary and Historical Fiction about Artists and Identity)

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"Maybe painting won't fill the empty places inside of me . . . Probably it won't. But surely it can make them more beautiful."

Viviana Torrens has been on the run, having lived a life in two dimensions already, incredibly and quietly existing in a third . . . one that will change the course of her young life forever . . . after the master of the French household where she is serving as a scullery maid, by strange coincidence, teaches her to paint. She's quite good, thus catching the eye of a traveling Gilbraltarian merchant, Francisco Vella, who travels the world acquiring and selling pigments to a wide array of artists. While Vella might be Viviana's ticket to freedom when danger calls, he's certainly not her savior, even though history confuses their story altogether.

"She was ordinary. Utterly ordinary in every way. Just a middle-aged woman taking care of her mentally ill mother. Alone."

Esther Markstrom's life has revolved around maintaining her family's ancestral ties to modestly acclaimed painter Francisco Vella; their small privately owned museum and gallery highlighting Vella's work provides her with a minimal source of income and perpetuates family pride. When Esther's former art history professor's visit raises some interesting questions, curiosity leads her to wonder even more about the identity represented on the canvas of the beautiful family heirloom painting titled, "The Lady with the Dark Hair". What will it require of Esther to seek those answers?

Two women. Centuries apart. Separated by continents. Sharing one goal. To discover their true identities.

A fascinating time-split written by an author who consistently writes unique stories with layers upon layers of starts and stops, her characters merging and diverging upon the page, much like the brushstrokes on the incredible portrait.
•I received a copy of this book from Baker Publishing through Interviews and Reviews. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.

PAULA'S REVIEW:

An intriguing story in dual time. 

I especially connected with the present when Esther goes to a flea market and antique shops . It reminds me of attending shows, flea markets and auctions with my mother who was an antique dealer.

The past timeline was rich in descriptions of an artist, his muse and the techniques of painting.

The connector was a painting titled The Lady With the Dark Hair by Francisco Vella. Family tradition says that Vella was an ancestor of Esther Markstrom through her mother who is also an artist. Esther has built her career around the painter by opening a gallery under the Vella-Markstrom names. She has a degree in art and has researched her subject well but still has things to discover as another painting surfaces.

The 1879 period recounts Viviana Torrens, her unique background and how she happened to accompany Vella on a world trip to acquire pigments which he sold to artists. This takes place during the Impressionist movement (one of my favorite artists is Monet) and Mary Cassatt makes an appearance.

This was an utterly fascinating story told in a winsome way.
*I won complimentary copy of this book from Library Thing through Revell and I also acquired a digital copy from NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and a clean read

BackCover Blurb:
Esther Markstrom and her artist mother have always been proud of their ancestor, painter Francisco Vella. They even run a small museum and gallery dedicated to raising awareness of his scandalously underappreciated work. But when Esther reconnects with her former art history professor, she finds her once-solid family history on shaky ground as questions arise about Vella's greatest work--a portrait entitled The Lady with the Dark Hair.

In 1879, Catalan orphan-turned-fugitive Viviana Torrens has found sanctuary serving in the home of an aging artist in Southern France. It is in his studio that she meets Francisco Vella, a Gibraltarian merchant who sells artists' pigments. When her past catches up to her, she is compelled to pose as Vella's sister and join him on his travels or be deported back to Spain to stand trial. Along the way she will discover that the many parts she has been playing in order to hide her identity have far-reaching implications she never could have foreseen.

This dual-timeline story from award-winning author Erin Bartels takes readers from the sleepy Midwest to the sultry Mediterranean on a relentless search for truth, identity, and the freedom to follow one's dreams.

Revell Publishing, March, 2024

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

Buy THE LADY WITH THE DARK HAIR at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House 

DOUBLE TAKE by Lynette Eason, Reviewed by Paula #ReleaseDay

(Lake City Heroes Book #1):

Physicians Assistant Lainie Jackson lived through a nightmare eighteen months ago and it has come back to haunt her, when she thinks she sees her dead fiancé, Adam Williams. Someone wants to scare her and possibly wants her dead. But toying with her mentally brings help in the form of Detective James Cross, the brother of her best friend.

 
Exciting from the first page, this story was non-stop danger, difficult family dynamics, with the faith of Lainie and James being tested but standing strong. Lots of unexpected twists and turns kept my interest and I finished the book in record time. It held breathtaking scenes like I was watching a movie. A thrill packed start to a new series that is sure to please fans of romantic suspense.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell on behalf of the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.* 5 stars and a strong faith thread

BackCover Blurb:
Detective James Cross has been honorably discharged from the Army Criminal Investigation Division due to wounds sustained when an IED blew up near him. Now with the Lake City Police Department, he's rooming with this good buddy and partner, Cole, while he figures out his family dynamics.

Physician Assistant Lainie Jackson is eighteen months out from an attempted murder perpetrated by her ex, which ended when she managed to grab the weapon and shoot him. When he appears to have survived and is back to finish the job he started, Lainie insists it's not possible. But someone keeps trying to kill her, and she keeps seeing his face.

Together, Lainie and James must work together to find out who, exactly, is after her and why he wants her dead. And failure is not an option.

USA Today bestselling author Lynette Eason will leave you breathless with this fast-paced first book in a brand-new series.

Revell Fiction, January, 2023

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

Buy DOUBLE TAKE at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House 

LOST DOWN DEEP by Sara Davison, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

The Rose Tattoo Trilogy #1

"The house should have been completely quiet."

After being brutally assaulted in her own home, Summer Velasquez recovers slowly from a traumatic brain injury followed by retrograde amnesia, meaning that she doesn't remember anything about her assailant, the attack, or even the past few years of her life. Knowing that she is putting the welfare of her parents in jeopardy if she returns directly home from the hospital, Summer makes a harried decision . . . she runs.

Following Summer to the small town of Elora, Ontario, Ryan Taylor befriends her, after all he is in no immediate danger of being recognized, for Summer shows no signs of remembering who he is. But something down deep inside of her must still be drawn to him, for Ryan sees flashes of their previous connection in her eyes before it quickly clouds over to mild confusion and eventually suspicion. Can he protect her from the real and present danger? Will forgiveness be able to repair what was so tragically damaged? Is God really big enough to lift their burdens, to be a "refuge and fortress . . . what could provide more safety and peace of mind than that?" Angels? They were going to need those, too.

Enjoy this creative twist on romantic suspense! There's a lot you don't know, until you do.
*I purchased this book and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 3.5 stars

BackCover Blurb:
She is the only one who can tell the police who attacked her in her home. If only she could remember …Summer Velasquez is on the run from a man she has no recollection of after an attack she can’t recall.Every face in the crowd is a potential suspect, so how is Summer supposed to know who is a threat to her and who isn’t?After fleeing her assailant and the parents who lied to her about what happened, she changes her name and seeks refuge in Elora, Ontario. 

The small town feels familiar, although she has no memory of ever having been here. Even in what should be a safe place, she can’t shake the feeling that she is being watched.When Ryan Taylor strolls into the Taste of Heaven Café where she works, Summer is immediately drawn to him. However, he may not be who he says he is either. As her suspicions grow, Summer prepares to run again.But at least one person is determined to stop her. Permanently. And if she can’t remember who he is, this time he may succeed.

April 2020

Available in digital ebook and paperback at Amazon

FIREFLY DIARIES by C.C. Warrens, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay

 

Noelle buys a house to rehab far from memories she is trying to get past. Little does she know what she will encounter when the house holds scary secrets and a relative of the former owner who wants her gone is still lurking on the property. Learning who to trust is only half the battle. Deputy Derek and his sister prove friendly and reliable. But Noelle comes across a blue diary of a ten year old girl that contains more mysteries that could be connected to a missing college girl.

This is a well plotted, thrilling story with characters you can relate to. The evil is portrayed with sensitivity and faith is seen as solid and growing.

A new heroine from Ms. Warrens. We will hopefully see more of Noelle in future books.
*I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*5 stars and a strong faith thread.

BackCover Blurb:
"The world whipped around her in a dizzying funnel of lights and houts, people in uniforms pressing in from all directions. Noelle sat motionless in the street, barely able to breathe. His little body was too still. Too broken."

Noelle's world shattered that night, like the pieces of headlights scattered across the dark street. There was no rebuilding her life around the grave of her child.

Adrift in her grief, Noelle finds herself drawn to an old house as rundown and weary as her spirit. She might not be able to mend her own brokenness, but maybe she can restore this abandoned structure to its former beauty. Determined, she throws herself into a renovation project with the unexpected help of a local. But she soon learns that her new home comes with a blood-stained history and a chilling reputation.

When she stumbles across a diary written by a child with a disturbing life, and a teenage girl vanishes from the village, clues leave Noelle wondering if her house might somehow be connected. Someone -- or something -- wants her gone, but she has no intention of leaving without discovering the truth.

OTHER BOOKS BY THIS AUTHOR:
Criss Cross (A Holly Novel)
Cross Fire (A Holly Novel)
Crossed Off (A Holly Novel)
Injustice for All (Seeking Justice)
Holly Jolly Christmas (Seeking Justice)
Imperfect Justice (Seeking Justice)

Available in digital ebook or paperback at Amazon

GLIMMER IN THE DARKNESS by Robin Patchen, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"If you ever cared about me . . . I need your help. I can't do this by myself."

A desperate plea from a voice from his past, James Sullivan can scarcely believe his eyes or ears. She looks different, older, more mature . . . but amazingly gorgeous. Is Cassidy LeBlanc a cold blooded child killer like everyone in the small town of Coventry seems to believe, or has she been terribly misunderstood and betrayed by the very justice system that should have protected her as the victim of an horrible crime? Right now, it's irrelevant what everyone else believes, James must decide for himself what to do with the terrified woman cowering in his backyard.

As James and Cassidy push their own tragic history into a locked compartment, they race to find a small child who has been kidnapped, presumably by the same person who snatched Cassidy, along with James' young sister, ten years earlier. Cassidy is certain that the child is being hidden in a remote cave, if only they can find it; her recollection of the incident is sketchy at best and filled with tortured memories, the worst being guilt.

What a great story! Extraordinary plot, wonderful characters, intense pace, palpable romance, impressive spiritual depth, and an ending that will satisfy each and every reader with the reminder that we are loved by. . .

"The God of hope . . . He was the God of comfort too, wasn't He? He could handle her hope and her heartbreak. He could handle it all." 

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

BackCover Blurb:
From a USA Today bestselling author comes this edge-of-your-seat Christian suspense that will keep you reading all night long.

Nothing could get her home…but this.

Cassidy Leblanc worked hard to shake off her tragic childhood. As a foster child with a mother in prison for murder, she was an outcast in her small New Hampshire town until she met James. But she and James’s sister, whom she was babysitting, were kidnapped. She escaped, but Hallie didn’t survive, and everybody assumed Cassidy killed her. Like mother, like daughter, after all. With public opinion and the authorities united against her, young Cassidy fled. Now, a decade later, another little girl has been kidnapped, and Cassidy may be the only person who can find her.

He doesn’t know who to trust.

James Sullivan never believed that Cassidy killed his sister, no matter what the authorities said. When his best friend’s daughter goes missing a decade after Hallie's murder, James keeps his opinions on the matter to himself. But when he finds Cassidy sneaking around his property, his thoughts turn dark. If she’s not behind the recent kidnapping, what is she doing back in Coventry? Her answer—that she’s returned to find little Ella, and she needs his help—has him reeling. Can he trust Cassidy, despite what the police tell him? If there’s any chance he can save Ella, he has to try.

Danger lurks on the mountain.

Together, they search for the elusive cave where Cassidy and Hallie were taken, but somebody will stop at nothing to make sure they don’t find it or, if they do, that they don’t come out alive.

Pulse-pounding suspense, a second-chance romance, and a precious little girl who needs her daddy. You don't want to miss it. 

January 2021

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook:

Buy Glimmer in the Darkness at Amazon

 

 

SECRETS SHE KNEW by D.L. Wood, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"She would spend the rest of her life wishing she hadn't."

Wishing she hadn't . . . . . found the dead body of a fellow classmate at the age of fifteen. The memories still haunt Boston police detective Danielle Lake, so much so that she rarely returns to her hometown of Skye, Alabama. And Dani has never gone back to the scene of the crime, where she is certain that her testimony only served to send the wrong man to prison.

What led her towards the honeysuckle vine along the river again on this occasions was an overflow of grief, what made Dani notice the old shed just a few yards away led her to an amazing discovery. Maybe now the case could be re-opened and true justice would be served. But local law enforcement isn't all that keen on helping her; there are a lot of people in Skye, Alabama who want bygones to be bygones; and after all, the case is closed.

That young victim; "There was no end to the secrets she knew."

What a clever story! With her clear, concise overlay of facts, clues, and wrong conclusions, the author has spun a tale that uses every tool at her disposal; engaging characters, an interesting plot, and hefty dose of "what"???????
*I purchased this book and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 

BackCover Blurb:
Boston police detective Dani Lake dreads returning to her small hometown of Skye, Alabama, for her ten-year high school reunion--and not just for the normal reasons.

At only fifteen, Dani tragically discovered the body of her murdered classmate, setting in motion the process that led to the unjust conviction of her dear friend and an unshakable burden of guilt she carries to this day. So when new evidence surfaces during her trip home which suggests the truth Dani's always suspected, she embarks on a mission to expose the real killer, aided by Skye detective Chris Newton--who happens to be the man Dani's best friend is dying to set her up with, and also the only person who believes her.

But when Dani pushes too hard, someone pushes back, endangering Dani and those closest to her as she unearths secrets deeper and darker than she ever expected to learn--secrets that may bring the truth to light, if they don't get her killed first.

Thrilling, clean suspense and mystery laced with romance and faith.
A Secrets and Lies Suspense Novel.


Silverglass Press, March 2020

Available in digital ebook, and paperback
Buy Secrets She Knew at Amazon