LOVE IN THE CASTLE LIBRARY by Ann Swindell, Reviewed and Hosted by Paula Shreckhsie #CelebrateLit

About the Book

Book: Love in the Castle Library (In the Castle Library Book 2)

Author: Ann Swindell

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

Release Date: October 15, 2025

Predictability and efficiency have marked Delphine DuVert’s orderly life as Castle Stewardess in the small European country of Lethersby—until she is tasked by the monarchy to hire a British researcher. Lethersby needs help solving the 100-year-old mystery of their Lost Queen, a young royal who disappeared into the night during World War I.

Delphine’s split-second decision to hire Jack Worthington, a doctoral student at the University of Oxford, has long-lasting consequences when he steps in to protect her from an angry colleague determined to ruin her life. The only catch? That protection looks like Jack posing as her beau.

Jack Worthington believes that his instinct to protect Delphine was the right one, but he’s determined to stay focused on his research for Lethersby—and keep his emotional distance after reeling from a broken heart. Yet as the clues to discovering the Lost Queen’s story unravel and the Delphine’s future hangs in the balance, both Jack and Delphine must step out in faith, choosing to trust that what God has ahead for them is worth any risk.

Click here to get your copy!

PAULA'S REVIEW:
This story was an absolute delight to read. 

Delphine Duvert is the stewardess of the castle in Lethersby, a fictional country in Europe. According to the first book in the series, Queen Alma secretly left the country in 1918 in order to volunteer as a nursing assistant during The Great War, never to be heard of again. Research has begun to track down her movements after a letter of hers was found. Delphine hires Jack Worthington from England to help research because his grandmother was a nurse in WWII and he is already delving into that subject.

These fascinating bits of history being researched by Jack lead to some amazing discoveries. The wonderful thing about this book is that it is steeped in scripture. Among the verses cited are my absolute favorites in Romans 8. I love the way that Jack is a committed Christian and lets God guide him through constant prayer. His way of life has a profound impact on Delphine and she contrasts that with the remembrances of her father.

This is a well-rounded story that contains some obstacles in the form of a jealous colleague and an uncertain future for Delphine. I could not stop turning pages, anticipating the end.
And Yay! There is another book in the works for this fabulous series.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by WhiteCrown on behalf of the author and through Celebrate Lit tours. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*

About the Author

ANN SWINDELL writes stories that point to Christ’s presence in our day-to-day lives and the hope He brings to our hearts. She is the award-winning author of multiple books and the owner of Writing with Grace, where she teaches Christ-centered writing classes for women. Ann lives in West Michigan, and she enjoys adventuring with her family…usually with a cup of Earl Grey tea in hand.

More from Ann

Love in the Castle Library is set in two of my favorite places—one imaginary, and one real. When I started the In the Castle Library series, the main character’s journey in book one (Christmas in the Castle Library) takes her to Lethersby, a small, fictional European country full of tradition, beauty, and charm. I tried to put much of what I love about Europe into this fictional country that I wish existed. From what readers have told me, they wish it was real, too!

Book two, Love in the Castle Library, is also set in the castle in Lethersby, but I decided to make my hero and heroine take a jaunt to Oxford, England—my favorite real country outside of the USA.

I spent a summer in college studying abroad in England, and Oxford was the city that captured my heart. The “city of dreaming spires” is ancient, beautiful, and academic—a heady mix for a nineteen-year-old girl who traveled there for the first time. I even gave a nod to one of Oxford’s most well-known professors through the hero’s name, Jack.*

I had the gift of getting to go back to Oxford with my family over a decade ago, and while I’m aching to go again, including some of my favorite places in Love in the Castle Library helped me to enjoy the city vicariously through my characters. Look for some of my favorite places to eat—including Ben’s Cookies and the King’s Arms—when the characters visit. And if you ever have the opportunity to make it to Oxford, make the effort to buy one of those cookies (they’re sold by weight!) and enjoy some ice cream at G&D’s…the hero recommends chocolate of any kind (and so do I!).

I hope you love this story as much as I do, and that these tastes of beautiful places, both real and imagined, point your heart to the beauty of Christ that is at the heart of every story I write.

*Jack was C.S. Lewis’s nickname, and he taught at Magdalen College in Oxford from 1925-1954.

Blog Stops

To Everything There Is A Season, December 6

Mary Hake, December 6

Lily’s Corner, December 7

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, December 8

Where Faith and Books Meet, December 8

Leslie’s Library Escape, December 9

Inkwell Inspirations , December 10

Mrs. Ryan Moser’s Book and Movie Reviews, December 10

Devoted Steps, December 11

Texas Book-aholic, December 12

Holly’s Book Corner, December 12

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 13

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 14

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 15

Devoted To Hope, December 16

Stories By Gina, December 17 (Author Interview)

Lyssa Loves Books, December 17

Simple Harvest Reads, December 18 (Guest Review from Donna)

Raining Butterfly Kisses, December 19

The Bookish Pilgrim, December 19

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Ann is giving away the grand prize of a $50 gift card to Amazon and a signed paperback copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

GIVEAWAY LINK

THE MARRIAGE MASQUERADE by Erica Vetsch, Reviewed and Tour Hosted by Paula Shreckhise #Giveaway

About the Book

Book: The Marriage Masquerade

Author: Erica Vetsch

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: July 8, 2025

A disgraced captain and a runaway heiress—hiding from the past and bound by fate—will their marriage masquerade lead to true love?

Noah Kennebrae, disgraced ship captain, has escaped to a remote lighthouse to avoid his grandfather’s schemes and the ghosts that haunt him. Taking a job under an assumed name, he’s determined to start over—until he meets Annie Fairfax. The feisty housekeeper’s warmth and spirit captivate him, and he falls for her despite his best efforts. But he’s keeping secrets that could destroy her trust…and his chance at redemption.

Desperate to escape the calculating grasp of her father, Anastasia “Annie” Michaels flees home to become the unlikely housekeeper on an isolated island. Working incognito at the lighthouse, she finds solace in her newfound independence and unexpected friendship with Nick. However, as their relationship deepens, Annie’s fear of abandonment resurfaces when she learns the truth Nick has been hiding.

Caught in a marriage masquerade of their own making, Noah and Annie must navigate secrets, lies, and painful pasts in hopes of a future together.

 Click here to get your copy!

PAULA'S REVIEW:
Another Kennebrae brother, another arranged marriage by a determined grandfather. 

Annie is an heiress being forced into marriage to a man she knows nothing about. Noah is from a wealthy family and is hiding from an embarrassing accident. They meet on an Island on Lake Superior where they were hired to work at a lighthouse.
Intriguing story and a forced proximity trope with a few twists. The setting was a lighthouse and details about how it worked was interesting. 

The characters drew me in. I was anxious to see how the romance and story developed.  

The author kept my interest with her descriptions and intriguing plot. The faith of the characters was portrayed naturally.

I missed this series when it was first published and I am glad I got to catch up with them now.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Wild Heart Books through Celebrate Lit Tours. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.* 5 stars and a solid faith thread

About the Author

Best-selling, award-winning author of The Debutante’s Code, first in the Thorndike & Swann Regency Mystery Series, Erica Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum.

More from Erica

I love a hidden identity story! And in the case of The Marriage Masquerade, both the hero AND the heroine are hiding their true identities.

The Marriage Masquerade features Noah, who is running from the guilt of a mistake he feels he made that lost both a Great Lakes ship and several lives. Anastasia Michaels is running away from an arranged marriage.

They both flee to a remote lighthouse on the North Shore of Lake Superior, he as an assistant lighthouse keeper and she as a housekeeper and cook.

The lighthouse in The Marriage Masquerade is based directly upon the Split Rock Lighthouse, one of my favorite places to visit along the North Shore. Situated on a cliff high above the lake, Split Rock is one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world.

When I first visited this exquisite place, I fell in love. And when I fall in love with an historical site, I need to know as much of the history of the place as I can. Several of the incidents that occur at the fictional lighthouse in the story come directly from the history of Split Rock.

Filtering liquid mercury, polishing the Fresnel lens, hiding dishes in the oven when the inspector comes, and other happenings in The Marriage Masquerade actually happened in the real lives of the lightkeepers at Split Rock.

Noah and Anastasia’s story is a forced proximity romance, with a dash of hidden identity, redemption, and learning to stand on your own two feet. I hope you’ll enjoy their journey from fearful, guilt-ridden characters to healed through love, confident, and ready to embark on a lifelong journey together.

If you would like to learn more about Split Rock and see glorious photos of this picturesque site, check out: https://www.mnhs.org/splitrock

Blog Stops

Blog Stops

Pens Pages & Pulses, August 12

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 12

She Lives To Read, August 13

Fiction Book Lover, August 13 (Guest Review from Marilyn)

Devoted Steps, August 14

Melissa’s Bookshelf, August 14

Life on Chickadee Lane, August 15

Texas Book-aholic, August 15

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 16

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 17

Devoted To Hope, August 17

For Him and My Family, August 18

Simple Harvest Reads, August 18 (Guest Review from Mindy)

Books You Can Feel Good About, August 19

Inklingsandnotions, August 19

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 20

Inkwell Inspirations, August 20

Artistic Nobody, August 21 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Blossoms and Blessings, August 21

Little Homeschool on the prairie, August 22

Vicky Sluiter, August 22

An Author’s Take, August 23

Books Less Travelled, August 23

Holly’s Book Corner, August 24

Pause for Tales, August 24

Jeanette’s Thoughts , August 25

Jodie Wolfe, August 25

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Erica is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click this link to enter.

UNDER FIRE by Lynn H. Blackburn, Reviewed by Rebecca PLUS #GIVEAWAY

"To Whom It May Concern: Remove the female agent from the protection detail on the president's visit to Raleigh, N. C., or we will make sure she is unavailable to serve."

"We saw the woman on the news tonight. She looks like a Barbie doll." What???? They had called her a what? . . . a seasoned, trained, highly intelligent Secret Service Agent . . . and that's what they came up with to taunt Special Agent Tessa Reed? She was incensed. Regardless of the shenanigans, the fact remained that someone did not want Tessa on scene during the president's upcoming visit to the area. And that fact alone had Special Agent Zane Thacker on edge. This was Tessa they were talking about, "his" Tessa, as if a threat would do anything but motivate her to work harder than ever.

It was complicated. It was always complicated with Tessa. Their friendship, their relationship, their whatever it was, had undergone monumental changes . . . some good, some not so good . . . but after Zane's promotion and subsequent move to Washington, D. C. the physical separation had given them some breathing room. Now, that space was narrowing really, really quickly.

"I will always be your friend. You're never going to lose that, Princess. But I want more . . . I want your love. I want your heart. I want all of you."

Did I enjoy the time that I spent between the pages of this story? Absolutely! However, it remained a little tricky to "rate"(sometimes I wish I didn't have to use those pesky little stars). . . . possibly because it was such a character driven story, in essence a romance (albeit a highly anticipated one), when I was expecting a higher level of suspense, (more plot driven); leave it to Tessa and Zane though, the last chapters of the book certainly filled that criteria. Nevertheless, it gave the author time to explore some highly relevant life issues, allowing the power of faith and the gift of forgiveness to "defend and protect . . . under fire".

"We're so thankful for your forgiveness . . . for the freedom to walk into the future knowing that our pasts, whatever they hold, have been redeemed in Jesus."

*I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher, I also purchased a copy. The opinions stated above are entirely my own. 3.5 stars

BOOK GIVEAWAY!!

Leave a comment mentioning your interest in being in our random drawing for UNDER FIRE paperback provided by Reviewer Rebecca Maney!

Questions: Do you feel you are currently reading more romantic suspense/ romantic thrillers  than you did a year ago? 

 

or Do you prefer multiple genres mixed in to your reading? (Example: Do you read sweet historical romances in between your contemporary suspense, or do you stick with one genre for a longer period of time?)

(safely leave your email address, or be sure we can find a way to contact you somewhere on social media. Giveaway limited to U.S. addresses and we will draw names midnight April 10th, 2023)

 

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

 

BackCover Blurb:
USSS Special Agent Zane Thacker has landed his dream assignment protecting the president of the United States. When the president plans a fundraiser at the exclusive estate of a political supporter in Raleigh, Zane is thrilled to be working again with Special Agent Tessa Reed, his best friend--and the woman he desperately wishes could be more.

Though Tessa almost lost everything, she battled her demons and came out on the other side healthy and healed. But when her role as the liaison between the Raleigh office and the president's protective detail wrenches her past back into the present, her greatest failure threatens to come to light.

Zane refuses to let Tessa go through this alone. But can he stand by the woman he loves and protect the president from a mounting threat at the same time?

Sparks fly as award-winning romantic suspense writer Lynn H. Blackburn closes out her Defend and Protect series with this explosive tale of secrets kept, lies exposed, and relationships restored. 

 

Revell Publishing, March 7, 2023

Available in digital and paperback

Buy UNDER FIRE at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

CRITICAL THREAT by Lynette Eason, Reviewed by Paula and Rebecca #GIVEAWAY #NEW RELEASE

EXTREME MEASURES SERIES #3

see Rebecca's GIVEAWAY below!

PAULA'S REVIEW:
Definitely high-stakes, heart stopping suspense in this one. Grace and Sam are psychiatrists working for the FBI. Ever since Sam learned his father was a serial killer, he has wanted to help the mentally ill and help catch more killers. When a new case comes up, they work together to profile the person who is committing these bizarre crimes. It is early in their relationship, but things in the past could slow down the romance brewing.

The suspense is non-stop, the killer is crafty and now Grace is in danger. The characters are well represented and have issues that they want to overcome. The faith element is believable and solid.

Ms. Eason is a long time favorite who manages to come up with intriguing, fresh storylines that keep your brain active, trying to figure out who the culprit is.

Kudos to another fast-paced puzzler.
*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 solid faith thread. 

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
" . . . he paid attention to details, everything had gone according to the plan so far. No one would ever trace anything back to him. Ever. Because he was smart."

"Got a body". And just like that, Supervisory Special Agent Grace Billingsley's schedule changed for the day. As a trained psychiatrist and behavioral analyst for the F. B. I. it was up to her to create a profile of the person leaving the bodies of his female victims in public parks with a disturbing number of other similarities. They were now after a serial killer . . . with at least some knowledge of the Bible; "the mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom, but the perverted tongue will be cut out".

When prison psychiatrist Sam Monroe shows up at the scene, Grace is a bit surprised, but not necessarily in a bad way (their brief inter-action in the past left her wanting more, but apparently Sam's feelings had not coincided with her own), but in a curious way . . . until he unloads the reason why he has been called into the case. No wonder he hesitates to pursue relationships.

Apparently words mean an awful lot to this killer, for shortly after Sam makes sure Grace arrives home safely after the day that never seemed to end, she comes dangerously close to being the next victim . . . the intruder's only demand being, "I want to know what you said".

The criminal elements of this book are impressively intricate, and very cleverly telegraphed, leaving a sparse amount of space for relational depth between Sam and Grace . . . and yet, when the story ends, you're convinced "for the rest of our lives" is definitely a possibility. What a great addition to Eason's "Extreme Measures" series!

*I received a copy of the this book from Baker Publishing through Interviews and Reviews. I also purchased a copy. 3.5 stars

 

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNER OF THE CRITICAL THREAT GIVEAWAY -

MARYANN S.

*****GIVEAWAY*****

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT on our blog post before Jan 9 to be entered in a random drawing for the paperback version of CRITICAL THREAT, provided by reviewer REBECCA MANEY. Tell us if you've read other books by Lynette Eason! 

Limited to addresses in contiguous 48 states, and remember to safely add your email address or how to reach you if you are our random winner.

BackCover Blurb:

FBI Special Agent Grace Billingsley tracks serial killers, using her skills as a psychiatrist and behavioral analyst to get dangerous people off the street and safely behind bars. But prison psychiatrist Sam Monroe knows that just because a killer is incarcerated doesn't mean they're not a threat. His own father, Peter, is a serial killer--in prison but certainly not out of Sam's life, as much as he wishes he was.

When bodies start showing up with Peter's MO, Sam and Grace are both called in to consult. They've met before--and though Grace thought they'd made a real connection, Sam ghosted her. They'll have to get past the awkwardness and mistrust to solve this case--especially because it's about to get personal.

USA Today bestselling author Lynette Eason doesn't give you time to catch your breath in this breakneck race to stop a serial killer.

Revell Fiction, January 3, 2023

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

Buy CRITICAL THREAT at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or  Baker Book House 

 

YOU AND ME By Becky Wade, Reviewed by Nicole Cook #ReleaseDay #Giveaway

What a sweet heartwarming Christmas novella! Fans of Becky Wade's will love this Christmas tale with cameos of favorite characters from her Misty River Romance series. I have been waiting for Luke's story ever since book one of the series, and with his brief appearance in this novella, the anticipation continues to grow!

The storyline was perfectly paced, and readers will be rooting for Connor and Shay to have their happy ending. Beautiful spiritual messages are incorporated throughout the novella, including a live nativity that several of the characters participated in. You and Me will definitely get readers in the Christmas spirit and is recommended for fans of contemporary romance!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

GIVEAWAY!!!

Nicole ordered a signed copy before realizing she would receive one from the author. She is generously offering a signed paperback to one of our readers (48 US States). PLEASE COMMENT on the blog and leave your email address (safely ! Example  debra (at) internet dot com) and we will do a random drawing  on December 6th. IN YOUR COMMENT, tell us if you'd like to see a "crush" from your youth... face to face... or from afar.  Or tell us the name of a friend you might loan this signed paperback to... and will she give it back? :)

 

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Easy-going, artistic Connor Bryant fell hard for his friend Shay Seaver when they were both in the seventh grade. Now, sixteen years later, he's returned to Misty River. She's finally between boyfriends. And his crush on her hasn't wavered. Now's his chance.

He tells Shay that he's found someone he wants to date and is in need of a makeover when it comes to his appearance and dating strategies. He asks if she'll serve as his consultant -- in hopes that he'll learn how he can become her ideal man. What he doesn't tell her? That she's the one he wants to date.

Sporty stationery shop owner Shay immediately agrees to Connor's request because he's one of the best guys she knows. However, she quickly realizes she's in over her head. She's pledged to help him win the affection of another woman -- even though she dearly wants to claim his heart.

It's Christmas in the mountain town of Misty River! This sweet contemporary romance novella, penned by Christy-winning author Becky Wade, can be read alone or paired with the other books in the series.

Available in digital ebook and paperback at Amazon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Becky Wade (www.beckywade.com) is the 2018 Christy Award Book of the Year winner for True to You. She is a native of California who attended Baylor University, met and married a Texan, and moved to Dallas. She published historical romances for the general market, then put her career on hold for several years to care for her children. When God called her back to writing, Becky knew He meant for her to turn her attention to Christian fiction. Her humorous, heart-pounding contemporary romance novels have won three Christy Awards, the Carol Award, the INSPY Award, and the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award for Romance. Becky lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband and three children.

UNDERCURRENT OF SECRETS by Rachel Scott McDaniel, Reviewed by Nicole Cook and Rebecca Maney #Giveaway

NICOLE'S REVIEW:
With two equally compelling storylines and a perfect blend of the past and present, Rachel Scott McDaniel's latest novel Undercurrent of Secrets is her best work yet. Readers will be captivated by the secrets that the 100-year-old steamboat holds and fall in love with two handsome heroes. This book was perfect for my romance loving heart.

Undercurrent of Secrets will definitely be on my top 10 reads of 2021. It is highly recommended for readers of historical fiction, contemporary romance, and time-slip novels.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"I don't want to be rude . . .  I can wait until the dance is over or until you tire of your partner. He seems pretty boring."

"Of all the . . .  " nerve, isn't that what Devyn Asbury was thinking . . . if she could even manage to think straight, realizing the voice belonged to the handsome stranger who had just witnessed her impulsive, imaginary promenade across The Belle of Louisville's stern. How embarrassing! Pulling her wedding coordinator persona together, Devyn was intrigued when Chase Jones explained why he was aboard ship; there were no nuptials involved, instead he was holding half of a vintage photograph, clearly taken aboard The Belle, and he wanted to know . . . who was the woman in the picture?

Two women loved the old steamboat; one whose entire existence had depended on it, and the other whose future would be re-navigated by the secrets it held. Penned with extraordinary finesse, "Undercurrent of Secrets" captures the reader's attention from the very first ("Some engagements end in happily ever afters, and some just end . . . on social media.") through the very last ( . . . as long as she stayed in the current of His love, she knew she could rely on Him in both the still and the troubled waters.") line. 

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

See REVIEWS from Kim, Paula, and Trixi

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Two women, a century apart, are bound by a haunting secret aboard a legendary steamboat.

Walk through Doors to the Past via a new series of historical stories of romance and adventure.

As wedding coordinator for the 100-year-old steamboat The Belle of Louisville, Devyn Asbury takes pride in seeing others’ dreams come true, even though her engagement had sunk like a diamond ring to the bottom of the Ohio River. When the Belle becomes a finalist in the Timeless Wedding Venue contest, Devyn endeavors to secure the prestigious title with hopes to reclaim some of her professional dreams. What she hadn’t planned on was Chase Jones showing up with a mysterious photo from the 1920s.

A century earlier, Hattie Louis is as untamable as the rivers that raised her. As the adopted daughter of a steamboat captain, her duties range from the entertainment to cook. When strange incidents occur aboard the boat, Hattie’s determined to discover the truth. Even if that means getting under First Mate Jack Marshall’s handsome skin.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Rachel Scott McDaniel is an award-winning author of historical romance. Winner of the ACFW Genesis Award and the RWA Touched By Love award, Rachel infuses faith and heart into each story. She currently enjoys life in Ohio with her husband and two kids. Rachel can be found online at www.RachelScottMcDaniel.com and on all social media platforms. 

Barbour Fiction, September, 2021
Available in digital ebook and paperback:
Buy Undercurrent of Secrets at Amazon
Buy Undercurrent of Secrets at Christianbook.com
Buy Undercurrent of Secrets at Baker Book House
 

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THE UNLIKELY YARN OF THE DRAGON LADY by Sharon Mondragon, #ReadWithAudra Tour hosted by Trixi Oberembt #Giveaway

TRIXI'S REVIEW:
The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady by Sharon Mondragon

First, that title made me look twice. Second, I read the back cover blurb. After that, I just knew I had to read this story! It's one that drew me in very quickly and kept me turning pages.

I've never heard of a prayer shawl ministry before, so learning about it through the lives of Margaret, Jane, Rose and Fran was quite interesting. These four ladies are different in personality and how they approach life, but their heart for wanting to comfort those who are hurting bonds them together. God definitely used each one of them to touch the lives of those who would never step foot into a church and showed the love of Christ. When Father Pete kicked them out of the Prayer chapel to go knit in public places, that's where this story really begins! Not only did they touch the lives of strangers, God began to work in each one of their hearts to deal with some heavy things they've each tried to bury. 

 

Margaret was most like me, so I especially loved seeing her transformation! She's the groups' self-appointed leader who's also a bit of control freak. In spite of her supposed hard-heart, I learned of the reason behind it when the author penned her backstory. Each one of these ladies had a backstory that was emotional and just endeared me even more to them. 

 

Throughout the book I laughed, cried and felt like I made some friendships along the way myself. It has some definite spiritual truths that resonated in my own heart. I don't read women's fiction often, but this one was especially fun, adventurous, life-changing and emotional.

What a lovely debut novel, Sharon Mondragon is one to watch for!
*I received a complimentary copy from Kregel publishing through the Read with Audra blogger program. I was not obligated to leave a favorable review; all opinions expressed here are mine. *

About the Book:

A knitting group’s change of scenery changes lives in unexpected ways

Margaret, Rose, Jane, and Fran had a good thing going: meet every week in the quiet of their peaceful chapel and knit prayer shawls. No muss, just ministry. That is, until their pastor boots them out of the church in his last-ditch effort to revive the dwindling congregation.

Uptight Margaret isn’t having it. Knitting prayer shawls where people can watch is the most ridiculous idea she’s ever heard of, and she’s heard plenty. Prayer belongs in the church, not out among the heathen masses. How are they supposed to knit holiness into these shawls if they’re constantly distracted by the public? But with no choice, the others embrace the challenge. They pack their knitting bags and drag Margaret—grumbling the whole way—to the mall with them. She can’t wait to prove them all wrong when it fails miserably, and show the pastor that she always knows best.

Without the familiar mold the group has been stuck in, their own losses, pain, and struggles rise to the surface. And the people and situations they encounter every time they try to sit quietly and knit are taking them a lot further out of their comfort zone than they ever imagined. Can they find the courage to tackle the increasing number of knotty issues they learn about in the community--or will the tangle be too much to unravel?

Sharon J. Mondragon’s debut is warm and delightful, full of real laughter, grief, and personality. It beautifully illustrates the power of women across generations to reach people for Christ.
To read an excerpt of The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady click here. 

 

From Kregel Publishing, Sept, 2021 - Buy the digital ebook or paperback at Amazon
 

About the Author:
Sharon J. Mondragón writes about the place where kindness and courage meet. Her debut novel, The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady (originally titled The Heavenly Hugs Prayer Shawl Ministry) was the 2017 winner of the American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis award in the Short Novel Category, and she has also been recognized by The Saturday Evening Post where her short story, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” was an Honorable Mention Awardee in the 2014 their Great American Fiction Contest.

Mondragón has been active in prayer shawl ministry since 2008 and currently serves as facilitator for the prayer shawl ministry at her church, St. Paul Episcopal in Waxahachie, TX. She also knits with the Circle of Healing at Red Oak United Methodist Church. She is a Level 2 Certified Knitting Instructor through the Craft Yarn Council and teaches beginning knitting at a local yarn store.

Mondragón is the mother of five grown children and has four grandchildren. After 26 years as an Army wife, she has settled in Midlothian, TX with her hero/husband, her laptop, and her yarn stash.

Visit Sharon Mondragón’s website and blog at www.sharonjmondragon.com and follow her on Facebook (Sherry Mondragón) and Twitter (@SJ_Mondragón). 

 ENTER THE GIVEAWAY: 

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BURIED EVIDENCE by Kellie VanHorn, #Giveaway #Interview and Reviewed by Trixi Oberembt

!Book giveaway! (Print or eBook choice)
Welcome readers, and Kellie for an interview!

Author Kellie VanHorn

TRIXI: First of all, I'm curious to know how the story idea of Buried Evidence came about?

KELLIE: The crime element in Buried Evidence was inspired by a true disappearance, which hit close enough to home that writing this book was surprisingly challenging. Club cycling was pretty popular at the large midwestern university I attended, and I got involved my senior year. The year after I graduated, a student disappeared while out riding her bike alone on one of the many country roads I’d traversed just the year before. Her bike was found dumped on the side of the road a couple of days later, but there was no trace of her. I knew her older brother—not well, but enough to make her disappearance that much more personal. They still hadn’t found her when I moved away the following year.

I checked back on the case a few years ago. Some hunters had stumbled across her remains three years after her disappearance, as confirmed by dental records. At first, the authorities believed she’d been accidentally struck by a vehicle and her body dumped when the driver panicked. Later, witnesses came forward and a different man was convicted of shooting her, apparently because he was angry his girlfriend had broken up with him. He was sentenced to 65 years in prison.

With the book, I wanted both to process this kind of traumatic disappearance and explore its impact on the characters, but at the same time alter the real events enough to create a story that would appeal to Love Inspired Suspense readers. Laney and Ryan’s occupations and history fell naturally into place once I had the story concept.

TRIXI: Laney Hamilton is a forensic anthropologist, which I find fascinating, by the way! What kind of research did you do to make this as authentic as possible?

KELLIE: I had a lot of fun researching and writing Laney’s occupation as a forensic anthropologist, especially because I got to dust off my college degrees. I studied biology as an undergrad and went on to earn a Master’s in anthropology, specializing in nautical archaeology. Though the forensics angle was new, the concepts of how to set up a dig, how to handle what you’re digging up, and how to analyze what you find are very similar to what an archaeologist or field anthropologist does. To learn more about how police handle evidence, I sat in on a fascinating talk at the last Romance Writers of America conference I attended. I also turned to the internet to better understand how forensic anthropologists identify remains (the key is the teeth!) and how much they can learn from the bones. Thankfully it’s such a popular field, there’s a lot of material out there for anyone who’s interested.

TRIXI: How did you come up with Laney and Ryan as your characters? Did they change any as you wrote this book?

KELLIE: Many of my characters take a while to fully develop in my mind, but Laney and Ryan more or less popped into existence full-fledged. Almost as soon as I had the plot concept down, I knew they needed to be a forensic anthropologist and a cop, and I knew I wanted to make their connection to Jenna (the missing girl) as close as possible. Since they both knew her in the past, it only made sense they’d know each other, and the reunion romance was born.

At their cores, neither of them changed much as I wrote, but I did go back during editing to try to make Laney’s motivations clearer. Early feedback from my critique partners showed they were having a harder time connecting with her than Ryan. She’s so unhappy, almost bitter, about coming back to her hometown in the beginning, and very reluctant even to see him again. All that negative emotion is hard to connect with if you don’t understand why the character feels that way, so during edits I had to work in more of her backstory to help make her more sympathetic.

TRIXI: Ultimately, what do you want readers to get out of your books?

KELLIE: Great question! My hope with all my books is simple—that the love of Christ will shine through my words to offer hope and encouragement to my readers. I put my characters through some pretty horrible situations, and like us, they have the choice to walk through their trials in faith or to wrestle with God. The road isn’t easy and sometimes they do both, but at the end they walk away stronger in their faith and better for trusting Him. It’s my hope that when we face trials, we too will trust the Lord and experience the blessing of His presence in the midst of hardship.

TRIXI: Lastly, what do you have in the works? I'm definitely looking forward to any future books you write :-)

KELLIE: Right now I’m working on what I hope will be a new set of books for Love Inspired Suspense set in national parks. If you’ve read my first book, Fatal Flashback, you know the story took place in Big Bend National Park in Texas. I love writing wilderness settings, as they’re perfect for torturing characters (for their own good, of course) and come with so many built-in possibilities for adventure in a suspense story. My current project is set in North Cascades National Park and involves a park ranger hero who has to help a future aerotech CEO heroine escape the bad guys chasing her when her plane crashes on a glacier. It’s been a lot of fun so far and has me itching to do some hiking! Just not with the armed hit men after me… 😉

Thank you so much for having me here today! I love hearing from readers, so feel free to visit me at www.kellievanhorn.com or my author Facebook page (@authorkellievanhorn) and get in touch!

TRIXI'S REVIEW:
“Can unearthed bones solve a ten-year-old cold case?”

This certainly had my attention when I read the back blurb about Laney Hamilton being a forensic anthropologist and solving not only a cold case, but quite possibly that of her long-missing best friend Jenna. Talk about ramping up the tension! I love cold case files and have watched many TV series based on real cases so this story definitely kept me glued. To add to an already tense plot, Laney works with ex-boyfriend police sergeant Ryan Mitchell, who also happens to be Jenna's brother, to solve the case and catch a possible serial killer.

The story ticked all the boxes for a good suspense and the ending was a shocker! I love it when an author can keep all the puzzle pieces scattered until the very end and then bring it to a fast-paced adrenaline-fueled conclusion. VanHorn had me on my toes the entire time wondering what was going to happen next. She even added a creepy psychological angle that made my skin crawl and sent shivers down my spine....all in the name of a good suspense, of course!

I also liked seeing Laney and Ryan work through their past history to find common ground again and have a second chance at love. The fact that they gave their heart to the Lord years ago and worked hard to rely on Him in everything encouraged me in my own faith walk. They both had great loss when Jenna disappeared, but eventually found peace and was able to forgive. I liked seeing them work together to solve the cold-case crime and catch the killer; I think they made for a great team.

I highly recommend this to any reader of suspense and second-chance romance lovers! I think you'll find this packed full of what makes for a great book to keep you guessing and riveted to the pages!
*I received a complimentary early reader copy from the author and was under no obligation to leave a favorable review. All opinions expressed here are my own. *

BackCover Blurb: 
Can unearthed bones solve a ten-year-old cold case?

Returning home isn’t easy for forensic anthropologist Laney Hamilton, especially when it means examining bones that could belong to her long-missing best friend—the sister of the man she once loved. But now someone wants Laney dead, and her ex-boyfriend, police sergeant Ryan Mitchell, must shield her. As the predator stalks them, can Laney and Ryan finally uncover the tragic truth about their past?

 

Love Inspired Suspense July 2021

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THE NATURE OF A LADY by Roseanna M. White, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney PLUS... #GIVEAWAY of paperback

" I always say that there are some born here. Some who visit. Some who leave. Others who stay. . . . . When we stay, it's because the islands know our names . . . "

Did these islands possibly know her name? Lady Elizabeth Sinclair wondered if anyone in her life had truly known her name, the hopes and dreams it represented . . . certainly not her brother, or he would have never insisted that she marry a man whom she hardly knew, much less loved. Surely sneaking away on a summer holiday would only postpone the inevitable, nevertheless, the Isles of Scilly would provide her with hours of uninterrupted enjoyment, for she was a lady who loved exploring nature far more that tittering away her time mingling with polite society. But never in her wildest imagination could Elizabeth have anticipated getting mixed up with the perplexing, albeit dangerous secrets of Isles. Or its handsome vicar.

"I'm just not a man of science, my lady. I'm also a man of faith. The sort who says God created an orderly universe, set rules in motion, . . . but who also believes that a God who made such rules can also break them on rare, very special occasions. . .. . . He can raise the dead."

Oliver Tremayne was a puzzle, to be sure. So knowledgeable about creation, and yet willing to have faith in a God whom he couldn't see. So kind, so genuine, so manly . . . . Elizabeth had never entertained the thought that she might take delight in studying a specimen of the male species. Birds, bugs, and flowering plants usually held her attention; but this man . . . and his friends, and his family (one of whom was missing, the other being missed already), and his faith. And they would need ever bit of all three to find the kind of treasure that others had been willing to kill for.

Enticing, entertaining, and enchanting all describe this considerable volume of pure reading pleasure, with its myriad of interesting characters who serve to evoke a lush, imaginative mirage of an island paradise where everyone knows your name.

"Libby . . . . listened to the night insects as they made their debut. And could swear that when the wind blew again, she could hear the islands whisper, 'Elizabeth'. "
*I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own. 4.5 stars

 

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BackCover Copy:

 1906
Lady Elizabeth "Libby" Sinclair, with her love of microscopes and nature, isn't favored in society. She flees to the beautiful Isles of Scilly for the summer and stumbles into the dangerous secrets left behind by her holiday cottage's former occupant, also named Elizabeth, who mysteriously vanished. 

Oliver Tremayne--gentleman and clergyman--is determined to discover what happened to his sister, and he's happy to accept the help of the girl now living in what should have been Beth's summer cottage . . . especially when he realizes it's the curious young lady he met briefly two years ago, who shares his love of botany and biology. But the hunt for his sister involves far more than nature walks, and he can't quite believe all the secrets Beth had been keeping from him.

As Libby and Oliver work together, they find ancient legends, pirate wrecks, betrayal, and the most mysterious phenomenon of all: love.

 

Bethany House Publishing, May 2021

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