QUEEN BEE by Heather Day Gilbert, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

PAULA'S REVIEW:

This short novella packs a punch and tells a complete story. There is excitement and tension as Twila and her foster daughter flee from danger only yo find it knocking on their hideaway door. Plus add a violent wind storm and a power outage to the mix and things get doubly complicated. Twists I did not see coming. It was crafted so well I questioned everyone and everything. 

This makes me want to check out the Queen of Hearts series by this author.
* A complimentary copy was provided by the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and a clean read.

BackCover Blurb:
There can only be one.

In an effort to shield her foster daughter from a stalker at school, Twila relocates to a farmstead in an Appalachian radio quiet zone. Alongside battered women who have taken shelter at Cooper's Corner, Twila and her mute teen hope to find sanctuary caring for cows, chickens, and honeybees.

But their peace turns out to be short-lived when a man with an injured ankle and a flimsy story shows up in the woods. Before Twila can shuttle him off to a doctor, a straight-line windstorm rips through the area, downing trees and power lines and cutting off the well water.

As tempers flare and dark sides surface, Twila realizes she can't trust anyone. When one of the women goes missing in the night, she fears the worst has happened.

Like a tenacious queen bee, Twila plans to sting first and ask questions later. If push comes to shove, she's ready to sacrifice herself so her traumatized daughter can finally live again.

Fans of Agatha Christie are sure to enjoy this clean, fast-paced psychological thriller set in West Virginia by RWA Daphne Award-winning author Heather Day Gilbert. 

Wood Haven Press, February, 2026
Available in digital ebook and paperback at Amazon

WHITEOUT by Dani Pettrey and Lynette Eason, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

An Action Adventure Thriller Romantic Suspense 2-in-1 Novella Collection 

Set at Colorado Ski Resort

PAULA'S REVIEW:
These books were so good it only took me a day to read them. 

Buried in Shadows by Dani Pettrey:
A group of friends go to a resort for snowboarding. After an avalanche, they are stranded in an abandoned ski lodge and people go missing. Sounds like a page out of an Agatha Christie novel with a modern twist. Cassy Joel, Izzy and Talbot team up to ferret out who could be a stalker killing their friends. The danger ramps up in this snowy, suspenseful novella that packs a punch.
 

Snowbound Secrets by Lynette Eason:
A real nail biter when longtime friends Maya and Gideon meet again at a ski resort that is cut off after an avalanche. Someone wants to harm Maya and Gideon is there to protect her. Why someone is after her is tied to her past. With bits of scary, dangerous times in a snowy, unforgiving climate and several possible culprits, Gideon and Maya pray their way through the peril. 

Two excellent stories about two couples affected by the same avalanche in Colorado. Different but both were exciting, highlighting the characters faith through challenging circumstances.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided Bethany House on behalf of the authors and via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and a solid faith thread 

BackCover Blurb:
Brace yourself for double the suspense in these snowbound adventures as an avalanche forces two couples to face down their enemies in a ski resort shut off from the outside world.

In Buried in Shadows by Dani Pettrey, Cassandra Parker arrives at her best friend's destination wedding, praying her stalker hasn't tracked her to Colorado. Also part of the wedding party is Sheriff Joel Brunswick, the man she stunned by leaving at the altar to hide a dangerous truth. When an avalanche strands their ski group in an abandoned lodge, it becomes chillingly clear that Cassandra's stalker has followed her . . . and he's willing to kill to make her his.

In Snowbound Secrets by Lynette Eason, Dr. Maya Sullivan fully intends to escape her past and finish planning a retreat for military veterans at the ranch she's inherited. Unfortunately, her plans go sideways when an avalanche traps her in a Colorado ski resort. An unexpected reunion with her high school crush forces her to confront past wounds, but she soon realizes someone is targeting her, and their search for a shadowy enemy becomes a matter of life and death. 

Bethany House Publishing, February 2026

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

Buy WHITEOUT at Amazon, Christianbook, or Baker Book House 

A KINDA COUNTRY CHRISTMAS by Krista Phillips, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

PAULA'S REVIEW:
What a cute story set in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Sadie Jenkins owns a year-round Christmas boutique when world traveler Nate Meyers enters her store. Let the fun begin. 

Getting-to-know-you romance with a not-so-cute meet when Nate crashes into a Christmas tree with expensive ornaments on it. Sadie is a single mother who is penny pinching so her daughter can go to college. Nate, a redeemed bad boy, is guilted into volunteering to help with the Christmas play and the reason for the season melts his heart. 

This witty, heartwarming, faith filled story is just right for the Christmas season.
*A complimentary copy of this book was downloaded from Amazon. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and a solid faith thread

BackCover Blurb:
A CHRISTMAS ROMANCE NOVELLA!

Celebrate the holidays with this sweet contemporary inspirational romance novella (with a splash of humor!) about a woman who is surrounded by Christmas and a man who could - eh- do without it.

Sadie Jenkins lives and breathes Christmas every, single day of the year. Owner of Bethlehem's Boutique in the tourist mountain town of Gatlinburg, TN, she has no room for the bad boys of her past and devotes her whole life to the struggling boutique and her teenage daughter, Maribelle. She's perfectly happy with her country-living life until he walks into her store. Nate Myers travels the globe for his job and has the bank account to prove his success. The former "bad" boy is in town for a short visit with his sister and is determined to not get caught up in all the Christmas hype. But then he falls for the beautiful shopkeeper—quite literally. Will these two (sorta) opposites be able to find a happily-ever-after together?

Find out in A (kinda) Country Christmas! 

2015

Available at Amazon in digital ebook or paperback

(Kindle Unlimited as of January, 2026)

BENEATH A RARE BLUE MOON by Johnnie Alexander, Reviewed by Paula #ReleaseDay

 

A Wholesome Christian Romance Novella (Unseen Valor Series)

PAULA'S REVIEW:
It is always educational to read a story by Johnnie Alexander. I enjoy her historicals so much. Beneath a Rare Blue Moon was fascinating. I had read another book about the secret city of Oak Ridge, Tennessee and this one just added to the mystique of the place.

Kathleen Forrest is part of WOOPs, women guarding the Norris Dam in Tennessee. She had lost touch with her one true love when he went to war. Roger Craig is currently trying to get back to the war in Europe. They meet again unexpectedly and are thrown together and tasked with finding out what happened at a secret facility at Oak Ridge.

It was an exciting adventure for Kathleen and Roger as they felt their way in unfamiliar territory to solve the mystery. The two sweethearts wanted to do what was right for the country and sought to please God as well. They ultimately follow their hearts as they reunite amidst obstacles.

Short but informative, this story is packed with interesting details of the secrets of WWII.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the author through Stories Past and Present. I was not required to post a favorable review. All,opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and a solid faith thread.

BackCover Blurb:
One rare night. One risky mission. A second chance at love.

Kathleen Forrest, a guard at Norris Dam during WWII, carries the pain of a love changed by the war. But everything changes on a rare blue moon night when she confronts a saboteur—none other than the man who once held her heart.

As an Army Intelligence agent, Roger Craig has slipped past guards, outwitted enemies, and dodged death more than once. But his latest mission to plant a fake bomb at the dam goes awry when Kathleen catches him red-handed.

Forced into an uneasy alliance by the Counter Intelligence Corps after a key informant’s mysterious death, Kathleen and Roger must uncover a potential spy ring in Tennessee’s “Secret City.” As they work together, every shared glance forces them to confront the painful history between them.

With danger closing in and national security at stake, can they trust each other with their lives—and their hearts?

December, 2025

Buy BENEATH A BLUE MOON in paperback or digital ebook at Amazon 

DEATH IN EARTHEN VESSELS and GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS PAST by Shaen Layle, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #NewRelease

PAULA'S REVIEWS:

DEATH IN EARTHEN VESSELS by Shaen Layle

This novella was sort of a brain teaser. I certainly didn’t see the outcome. John, a former police officer moved in with his sister after suffering a stroke. When suspicious things happen, he used his detective skills to try to find out what was going on. He reconnects with God and relys on Him to help him when the going gets tough. 

Succinct, but complete suspenseful story that kept me on my toes until the reveal.
*A complimentary copy of this title was provided by the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*5 stars and an underlying faith thread.

BackCover Blurb:

Retired police officer, John Hollingsworth, came to Mirror Basin to recover from a stroke, not to dig up buried secrets. But when a chance discovery pulls him into a decades-old cold case, recovery takes a backseat. Because in Mirror Basin, blood isn’t just thicker than water—it might be the only thing keeping him alive.

Buy DEATH IN EARTHEN VESSELS in digital ebook at Amazon

 ---------------------------------------

 

GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS PAST by Shaen Layle

Provocative tale of a woman whose ex-husband is trying to make her life miserable and turn her son against her. Despicable villain, a woman who found faith in Christ, and a child caught in between.

What happened one Christmas in the past is the catalyst for Mark to lead Lila on a wild treasure hunt in order to have her son returned to her.

The author builds the suspense to a surprising conclusion, and shows a heroine that grows in her faith.
* A complimentary copy of this title was provided by the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*4 stars and a solid faith thread

BackCover Blurb:
On a snowy Christmas Eve, Lila Warden's world shatters. Her son is missing, and all signs point to kidnapping by her dangerous ex-husband. Forced into a chilling scavenger hunt through the ghosts of her past, Lila must outwit a man who knows her every weakness before he disappears with their son forever. As time winds down, Lila will have to face not only the darkness of her past but the strength she never knew she had. 

Buy GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS PAST in digital ebook at Amazon

CHRISTMAS AT SUGAR PLUM MANOR by Roseanna M. White, Reviewed by Winnie Thomas

Set in England in 1902, Roseanna M. White’s new story, Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor, is perfect for getting the reader in a holiday mood. With plenty of sugar plums, Christmas cheer, and a nod to The Nutcracker, this charming tale is full of the magic of Christmas. The characters are well-drawn and engaging, especially Mariah and Cyril who reconnect after a shared childhood. As they rediscover their friendship and fond memories, they work together to bring Christmas joy to the people of the town.

“When everyone works together, amazing things can happen.”

While this is a light-hearted, delightful story, the author also weaves inspiration into it with references to the Christ child and the real purpose of Christmas. It’s also filled with forgiveness, family, and hope. This tale should appeal to those who enjoy entertaining, easy-to-read, clean and wholesome stories.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

 SEE REVIEWS BY PAULA AND REBECCA

 BackCover Blurb:
The Nutcracker and Edwardian-Era England combine to weave a magical tale of love and friendship at Christmastime.

As the beloved stepdaughter of the Earl of Castleton, Lady Mariah Lyons cherishes her home at Plumford Manor, but her idyllic world will be threatened when the estate passes to Cyril Lightbourne, a childhood friend she hasn't seen or heard from in years. Once, Mariah dreamed their friendship would kindle into something more, but that was before she heard Cyril was courting the cruelhearted Lady Pearl. Now Mariah is willing to welcome him as a friend and pray he will be the heir her stepfather needs, but she'll keep her heart locked safely away from anyone with such poor taste.

Cyril Lightbourne has long avoided returning to Plumford Manor, yet he reluctantly arrives in time for Christmas. When his friendship with Lady Mariah reignites, he finds himself caught between his affection for her and her family's misunderstanding of his attachment to Lady Pearl. Then, more trouble arrives in the form of a Danish lord on a mission to win Mariah's hand by Christmas. Will the magic of the holiday season help lead to the discovery of true love, or will duty to country leave all longing for what could have been?

Bethany House Publishing, September, 2024
Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook
Buy CHRISTMAS AT SUGAR PLUM MANOR at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

WAITING FOR CHRISTMAS by Lynn Austin, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay

This was a delightful story in four parts, corresponding to the Four Candles of Advent: Hope- Love-Joy- Peace.
 

After his mother died, all 8 year old Jack wants is to find his 3 year old sister Polly and wait for his father to come home for Christmas. He runs away from an orphanage and hides in the bushes at the townhouse of Addy and Howard.
 

It was great to reconnect with Addy and Howard from All my Secrets to see how this lawyer and former wealthy lady are coping with married life. Howard is a worthy hero, hardworking and fighting for the underdog while supporting Addy and her dreams. Addy is determined to continue what her grandmother and mother started: to uplift women in the early years of the suffragette movement. She wants to be a good wife and learn domestic skills that were missing in her privileged upbringing.
Jack steals the show with his doggedness to find his missing sister and is certain his father will return by Christmas.
 

This story will tug at your heart and give you a peek at what New York City was like in the early 1900s.
 

With solid spiritual content, this story has characters who rely on God and use their God-given talents to serve their neighbors. It is all wrapped up in the joy of Christmas and its true meaning of Christ coming to earth.
 

I enjoyed this Christmas story that reminded me in a way of The Gift of the Magi by O’Henry.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale Publishing 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:
In this hope-filled Gilded Age Christmas novella from bestselling author Lynn Austin, the year is 1901 and the hustle and bustle of the holidays is descending on New York’s Fifth Avenue.

For the first time in her privileged life, Adelaide Forsythe won’t be swept up in it. She couldn’t be happier about the prospect of a quieter Christmas. That’s not to say her transition from Miss to Mrs. has been without challenge. Though she doesn’t regret marrying for love instead of wealth, she can barely light the hearth or cook more than burnt toast. She feels woefully unprepared to run her own household.

Then, on the first Sunday of Advent, winter winds bring change through two unlikely means: a young orphan boy, hiding near Adelaide’s front steps, and a seasoned housekeeper who seems too good to be true.

The boy, Jack, claims he isn’t an orphan at all and is desperate to reunite his family. Adelaide and her husband Howard work tirelessly to solve the riddle of Jack’s story, while Adelaide’s new endeavors open her eyes to a world beyond her past experience—and all the challenge and possibility it holds. As Christmas approaches, small glimmers of wonder light the way toward the answers Adaleide seeks and the most miraculous gift of all.

The novella length of this delightful work of Christmas fiction about the true meaning of Christmas makes this a great stocking stuffer or host/hostess gift
-Beautiful hardcover, giftable size
-Great companion to All My Secrets by Lynn Austin
-Includes discussion questions for book clubs 

 

Tyndale Fiction, September, 2024

Available in digital ebook, hardcover, or audiobook:

Buy WAITING FOR CHRISTMAS at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

CHRISTMAS AT SUGAR PLUM MANOR by Roseanna M. White, Reviewed by Paula and Rebecca #ReleaseDay

Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor: (An Inspirational Historical Holiday Romance Inspired by The Nutcracker Set in Edwardian-era England) 

 
PAULA'S REVIEW:
Delightful story full of the magic of Christmas. Mariah Lyons, stepdaughter of the Earl of Plumford, loves her stepfather and Plumford Manor. Too bad she cannot inherit the estate. It goes to a distant relative, Cyril Lightbourne. Long ago, Cyril and Mariah were friends but lost touch as they grew up. Now Cyril has returned to learn to become the Earl.

Cyril and Mariah unearth an old play they composed when they were youngsters and enlist the village children to entertain everyone on Christmas Eve.

Full of the spirit of Christmas and quite a few things Nutcracker Suite, this tale also has themes of reconciliation, forgiveness and childhood innocence. And above all, it showed the reason for Christmas: that Christ came in humility to dwell among His people.

This story totally put me in the mood for Christmas with snow, sugarplums, nutcrackers and fairies. It was a community working together to bring joy.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House on behalf of the author and an ecopy via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and a solid faith thread

REBECCA'S REVIEW:

"Enter to a world of terror and delight. Of dastardly villains and heroes so bright. Enter to a world of magical things . . . of miracles and mayhem and the hope to which we cling . . . "

Not one, but two eligible bachelors arrived at Plumford Manor during this particular Christmas season. Both entertained thoughts of one lovely woman, perhaps for totally different reasons, and then again perhaps not. Lady Mariah Lyons had known Cyril Lightbourne as a childhood friend, and the stoic Danish Lord Gyldenkrone? . . . only from afar. Apparently, Soren wanted to close that distance and return home with an English bride-to-be; and Cyril? What did Cyril want?

Perhaps an enchanting encore performance of a familiar tale, re-written during the fanciful years of childhood will bring back the magic . . . or in this case the miraculous . . . applause.

"But that's what Christmas is about isn't it? The impossible becoming real. An infinite God becoming a fragile human babe. . . . Perhaps if I can help them to laugh and consider, just for a moment, that this world is more than it may seem at first glance, then they'll be willing to trust that the world beyond is more too."

A delightfully romantic Christmas tale!
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. 3.5 stars

BackCover Blurb:
The Nutcracker and Edwardian-Era England combine to weave a magical tale of love and friendship at Christmastime.

As the beloved stepdaughter of the Earl of Castleton, Lady Mariah Lyons cherishes her home at Plumford Manor, but her idyllic world will be threatened when the estate passes to Cyril Lightbourne, a childhood friend she hasn't seen or heard from in years. Once, Mariah dreamed their friendship would kindle into something more, but that was before she heard Cyril was courting the cruelhearted Lady Pearl. Now Mariah is willing to welcome him as a friend and pray he will be the heir her stepfather needs, but she'll keep her heart locked safely away from anyone with such poor taste.

Cyril Lightbourne has long avoided returning to Plumford Manor, yet he reluctantly arrives in time for Christmas. When his friendship with Lady Mariah reignites, he finds himself caught between his affection for her and her family's misunderstanding of his attachment to Lady Pearl. Then, more trouble arrives in the form of a Danish lord on a mission to win Mariah's hand by Christmas. Will the magic of the holiday season help lead to the discovery of true love, or will duty to country leave all longing for what could have been?

Bethany House Publishing, September, 2024
Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook
Buy CHRISTMAS AT SUGAR PLUM MANOR at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

A MATTER OF HONOR by Laura Frantz, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, but bears it out even to the edge of doom . . . "- Shakespeare

Love that bears all things . . . reminiscent of the book of I Corinthians . . . a love that Orin Hume and Lady Maryn Lockhart saw disintegrate one fateful winter evening when death and injury snuffed out the seemingly limitless bounds of youthful adoration. Much has changed on the outside since then, but on the inside?  . . . their hearts still beat with a familiar rhythm. If only they could remember the melody, when perhaps it will be the words. . ."ever thine".

One of the best novellas that I have ever read sporting a plethora of spirited, albeit careful conversations . . . an ever so tender excavation of painful moments and memories, alongside a faithful call to prayer when decisions become most difficult . . . plus! Revisiting these beloved characters was pure, unadulterated joy!
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

BackCover Blurb:
Orin Hume from The Rose and the Thistle comes of age in A Matter of Honor and ventures beyond Scotland's borders, achieving a renown all his own, only to return home again to reclaim the life and lady he once loved.

Having grown up at Wedderburn Castle in the serene Scottish Lowlands, Orin Hume is thrust into the dazzling realm of London society and Court circles as Poet Laureate of Britain. But at the height of his fame a former tragedy and his ties to a lass he once loved lead him home to Berwickshire again. When his return is further marred by lost love letters and scheming kin who conspire to keep the pair apart, can Lady Maryn Lockhart, now Duchess of Fordyce, forgive him? Or will the shadows of the past and the complexities of the present rewrite their love story?

July, 2024

Buy A MATTER OF HONOR in digital ebook or paperback at Amazon

 

THE ITALIAN MUSICIAN'S SANCTUARY by Danielle Grandinetti, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay

 Romance, history and intrigue at Our House on Sycamore Street

This is part of a series of books about the Ferryman family by various authors but it is also part of the books written by Danielle Grandinetti that fits with her characters of Italian descent.  

Luke Ferryman has a quandry to solve. He is expected to take over the ferry business from his grandfather. But he is also slated to inherit the bakery from his grandmother. He is only one person and is torn between the two but favors baking over rowing. Another expectation is to marry sooner rather than later.
Another dilemma presents itself when Margherita is smuggled into England from Italy when her life is in jeopardy. This is the beginning of the Brown Shirt persecution of unfit people. One of the few things she is able to bring with her is her mandolin.

This well thought out story combines a spiritual struggle of obeying man or obeying God with the real danger looming before WWII. I was pleased by the unity and friendship of the Anglican minister from England and the Catholic priest from Italy. They both strove to do what Jesus would do. The author showed how family and community supported each other. The romance was sweet and the characters were guided by God. 

The writing was interesting, informative and well researched.
*I received a complimentary e book from the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and a strong faith thread

BackCover Blurb:
Hunted by one man, can she open her heart to another?
If you love historical romance with intrigue, you’ll love The Italian Musician's Sanctuary.

Eden Cove, England, 1931—Margherita Vicienzo flees Italy pursued by her former fiancé, a member of Mussolini's Blackshirt. Smuggled illegally into England, Margherita is a foreigner at the mercy of strangers. Her limp from an improperly healed broken leg means she has nothing to offer the Ferryman family, who offer her sanctuary, and nothing to appease their son who resents her presence.

Luke Ferryman needs a wife. He wants to marry for love, but carries the weight of his family’s generations-old expectations on his shoulders. Though he inherited the role of both baker and ferryman, he knows he can’t fulfill both needs once his aging grandparents retire. A wife would help, but not an illegal one like the refugee his matchmaking grandmother is harboring.

As opposite as night and day, Luke and Margherita forge a tentative friendship that grows despite the constant threat of Margherita's discovery. But when strangers appear in the close-knit seaside town, threatening Luke's livelihood and Margherita’s safety, the choice between justice and mercy becomes harder. And sacrifice proves the only answer.

Our House on Sycamore Street
Our House on Sycamore Street is a new multi-author, multi-genre series set in quaint and quirky Eden Cove, an English seaside town with plenty of spirit. With stories of redemption and salvation behind every door, you’re sure to find a new tale of romance, intrigue, humor or heart. All you have to do is knock!

The Ferryman's Light by Anna Jensen
The Italian Musician's Sanctuary by Danielle Grandinetti
The Outsider's Welcome by Vida Li Sik
The Daughter's Truth by Claire Lagerwell
The Light Keeper's Wife by Jennifer Mistmorgan
The Key Collector's Promise by Donna Jo Stone
The Maestro's Missing Melody by Amy Walsh
The Niece's Aussie Patient by Meredith Resce
The Runaway's Redemption by Allyson Koekhoven
The Bookbinder's Daughter by Lynn Dean
The Widow's Request by Ashley Winter
The Lost Daughter’s Irishman by Carolyn Miller
The Mother's Song by Caroline Johnston
The Wedding Planner's Predicament by Dianne J. Wilson

Hearth Spot Press, August, 2024

Available in digital ebook at Amazon

HENRI'S REGRET by Pegg Thomas, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

Forts of Refuge Prequel

Riveting novella that tells the background of Henri Geroux and his trip by canoe from Fort Detroit through two of the Great Lakes, past Mackinac Island and on to Green Bay in 1761 after the French and Indian War.

It chronicled the hardships of Henri and his Ottawa friend Dances Away and their encounter, capture and escape from the Lakota while trapping beaver. They are welcomed into a friendly Potawatomi camp and discover a foe in their midst. The author spins an informative story about early settlers that included triumphs and tragedy and searching for faith.

Very good historical information.
*I downloaded this ebook from Bookfunnel. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and an underlying faith thread.

BackCover Blurb:
Frenchman Henri Geroux can't sign the oath of loyalty to the British after the end of the French and Indian War. He leaves his home behind and sets out on an adventure with his Ottawa friend, Dances Away. But heading west to trap beaver doesn't mean he outruns his problems. Faced with a dangerous journey into an unknown land, he and Dances Away get caught up in more than they'd bargained for. 

Buy HENRI'S REGRET at Amazon in digital or paperback

 

THE WISE GUY AND THE STAR by Shannon McNear, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay

The Wise Guy and the Star: a Love's Pure Light Christmas novella

This novella is just the thing to get you ready for Christmas. It takes place on a train bound from Charleston, S. Carolina to St. Louis in December 1919.

The Wise Guys are the three Wise brothers named after the three wisemen: Goldwin, Franklin and Mervin (Nat). The Star is Estella Shepherd, daughter of a minister.

The author spun an engaging tale full of beautiful scenery where Aunt Lila and Stella get to know the Wise brothers on a long train journey. It was fun to see the parallel of the three wisemen traveling from the East. The brothers, who survived the Great War, were somewhat disillusioned in their faith and needed to renew their trust in God. I liked the tie-in of them singing “We Three Kings” and of Nat carving the three wisemen out of wood.
An appealing story to read any time of the year.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and a strong faith thread

BackCover Blurb:
Can a chance encounter be the connection they have always needed?

Charleston, South Carolina, to Kansas City, Missouri, 1919

After the end of the Great War, pastor’s daughter Stella Shepherd accompanies her aunt on a business trip by train and meets convalescing war veteran Nat Wise and his two older brothers. The three men are whimsically named after the gifts of the biblical wise men and dubbed “the Wise guys” by their cousins. They claim to be down-and-out soldiers recently returned from the front, but they’re surrounded by mystery.

Stella secretly carries the family Nativity to comfort her while away from family during Christmas. Nat quietly spends his spare time carving a set of wooden wise men to honor his own deceased mother. To him, Stella is the perfect church girl—darling, but unattainable because he’s done too much for God to forgive him.

Stella longs to help Nat find renewed faith in God, but could he be the answer to the wanderings of her own heart?

Shenandoah Dawn; 2nd edition (July 25, 2024) 

Available in digital ebook or paperback at Amazon

CHRISTMAS NOVELLAS by Best Selling Authors T. I. Lowe and Toni Shiloh! Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

MOST WONDERFUL TIME by Toni Shiloh 

Lewis Family Series #3
This was a fun, faith filled story about Shanee, a new employee who hates Christmas. Gabriel, the bosses son, on the other hand is cheerful, even if his mother loves everything Christmas, naming her kids after all things Christmas.

I like the way Ms. Shiloh writes stories with solid Christian families. The Lewis family is close-knit and loving. Shanee, after an injury, learns to cope and through interaction with positive Gabe, mends her relationship with God.

Lovely, cozy feelings emerged while reading this cute novella. Just the thing for a Christmas lover.
* I won this ebook from Kav at Bestreads in October, 2023. All opinions are my own.*5 stars and a solid faith thread

BackCover Blurb:
Gabe Lewis loves Christmas, just not as much as his eccentric mother who gave him and his siblings Christmas names. When he discovers that his new co-worker Shanée Mitchell wants nothing to do with the season, he makes it his mission to show her the true meaning. But he never expected feelings to develop for the Air Force veteran. Can he take a chance that she feels the same way or miss the best gift of all?
Buy MOST WONDERFUL TIME AT AMAZON in digital ebook or paperback

 

THE HOLIDAY HUNT by T. I. Lowe
Just the thing to get you in the holiday spirit.

Cute touch: the chapter titles are Christmas songs.

Georgia has not been home in several years, putting all her effort into marketing the town of Willa Falls in her job as Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce. She has planned lots of fun projects around Christmas and it has paid off. Hunky Mac has been on her radar since she moved to town. Now to get him to notice her.

Witty banter, snarky side kick and manipulation mishap makes this a cute Christmas read.
*I purchased this book from Amazon in December, 2022. All opinions are my own.*5 stars and a solid faith thread

BackCover Blurb:
A light-hearted holiday romance by bestselling author, T.I. Lowe.
Georgie Harlow is all about spreading the magic of Christmas, but the magic of love keeps eluding her. Maybe mountain man Machlan Masterson will help her hunt it down once and for all. 

BUY THE HOLIDAY HUNT in digital ebook at Amazon 

A LOUISIANA CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER by Morgan Tarpley Smith, Betsy St. Amant, and Lenora Worth. Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

Three delightfully inspiring holiday romances with an amazing fluidity between stories, making the three voices that wrote them seem as one.

"I heard about your mistletoe moment."
Small towns. Everyone knows everything about everyone. Ugh! Mattie Hayes wasn't going to let the not-really-a-mistletoe-moment ruin her plans for the first-ever, hopefully forever, Moreau, Louisiana Christmas Festival; the goal being to generate enough funds to restore their town's beloved historic chapel. She had her list and was checking it twice, and no one with the first name of Paul was going to be a distraction. Gracious! Could the tiniest part of her heart want him to be a distraction? - A Louisiana Snow by Morgan Tarpley Smith

"Sounds like you might need to give yourself the gift of forgiveness this year."
What was she even doing here? Oh, that's right. Her grandmother's eightieth birthday party. Jolene Broussard's original plan was to drop into Moreau, join her family for the celebration, and then head back to . . . nowhere . . . nothing. So when she agrees to delay her departure in order to complete a town mural, (after all, everyone still considered her to be an artist) Jolene and a local contractor don't exactly see eye to eye on the plan (understatement alert!). Can a restoration project restore Jolene's shattered faith in herself? (plus, draw a permanent truce with the handsome man who has wormed his way into her heart). - Restoring Christmas by Betsy St. Amant

"  . . . Remy Vachon had shown up here in Moreau, Louisiana, in her town of all places. As a renowned architect at that?"
Adale Lavigne-Marchand Broussard's precise life tilted on its axis when the man who had broken her young heart arrived at her mother's eightieth birthday party. How was it even possible that out of all the historical architects in the universe had the town chosen Remy Vachon to restore the town's chapel? And even more infuriating? Her mother didn't seem the least bit surprised. Well, a lot of water had flowed under that Paris bridge over the years, and Adale was not especially ready to forgive or forget . . . or was she? - A Christmas Reunion by Lenora Worth

*I purchased this book and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 3.5 stars

SEE TRIXI'S REVIEW! 

BackCover Blurb:
A Rare Snowfall Leads to a Christmas to Remember

Three heartwarming, interconnected stories of faith, love, and restoration, brought to you by three Louisiana-native authors. Will a rare snowy Louisiana Christmas bring restoration and hope to the hometown and hearts of three women from the town’s founding family?

In A Louisiana Snow by Morgan Tarpley Smith, meet Mattie: A passionate visionary who learns to forgive and finds love in unexpected places…

In Restoring Christmas by Betsy St. Amant, meet Jolene: An artist and prodigal daughter who discovers love exists in the very place she once called home…

In A Christmas Reunion by Lenora Worth, meet Adale: A beautiful widow who finally dares to love again…

And don’t forget Granny, whose feisty spirit, blunt dialogue, and quirky ways play an important and endearing role.

Barbour Publishing, September, 2023

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

Buy A LOUISIANA CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER at Amazon,

Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House 

 

MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME by Karen Witemeyer, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay

A very cute novella where Simeon Shepherd uses the song The 12 Days Of Christmas to show his true love, Anna, his heartfelt love.

The characters names come from the nativity story and each day is a twist on the old Christmas song, such as a (rifle) cartridge in a prickly pear cactus tree. Very clever.

A great addition is the devotion at the end explaining why Jesus came into the world as a baby. Much food for thought.

Excellent story and funny too!
*I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*5 stars and an underlying faith thread.

BackCover Blurb
The Twelve Days of Christmas get a romantic Texas twist!

Anna King has pledged her heart to Simeon Shepherd, but her father refuses to grant her hand to the young farmer. Simeon determines to be patient and earn David King's respect over time with hard work and evidence of his ability to provide. However, when a wealthy new suitor arrives in Bethlehem, Texas to woo Anna with her father's support, patience is no longer an option. Simeon has twelve days before Christmas to best his rival and prove once and for all that he is Anna's true love.

A fun, quirky read that is short enough to squeeze into even the busiest holiday schedule.

Available in digital ebook at Amazon

THE LAST MEMORY by Kathleen Rouser, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

A shipwreck leaves one survivor who cannot remember anything and the lighthouse keeper, Cal, rescues her. The young lady takes the name of the ship, Mallory.

The setting near Mackinac Island is a favorite since I once visited there. Lighthouses are very interesting to me and the descriptions brought me right into the story.

I liked the characters of Mallory, Cal and his daughter Lily. It was great to see Mallory interact with the little girl. Mallory knows almost nothing about her previous life, although she loves to draw and paint. But she does not know if she is married or has a family.

The romance was sweet but necessarily moved at a slow pace. The feeling of uncertainty was expressed very well, especially when someone from her past shows up. Mallory is confused but soon memories return.

This was a sweet, clean story with a solid faith thread that portrayed an honorable and Godly hero.
*A complimentary copy of this ebook was provided through Interviews and Reviews. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*5 stars and a solid faith thread

BackCover Blurb:
The lone survivor of a shipwreck, "Mallory's" past is a complete mystery when a head injury causes amnesia. Cal Waterson doesn't expect to be so attracted to the young woman he rescued on the lakeshore. His small daughter wishes she had a mom, but he isn't looking for a wife. The more time the mysterious young woman spends in their company the more a tenuous bond grows. When a stranger arrives, saying he's from her past, Mallory must decide whether there's a true home for her heart in the past or the present. And Cal must decide if she is worth the gamble for their future.

(The Last Memory was originally published as part of The Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides Collection.)

Novella available in digital ebook only. Buy THE LAST MEMORY at Amazon

 

DEAR BETH by Alyssa Schwarz, Reviews by Trixi and Nicole PLUS #Interview

Amidst the backdrop of a small town's quirky Valentine's Day tradition, Beth must decide if she is finally ready to risk her heart again with the man she once loved.

TRIXI'S REVIEW:
First of all, I HAD to find out if the Valentines re-mailing program was a real thing because what an awesome idea. Sure enough, I looked it up on the web and it IS real!! You can even buy an inscribed valentine card to send to your sweetheart or to others in the US. I love the idea of sending a special card via snail mail, we just don't do it enough anymore!

“You never know what God has waiting for you around the corner, but you have to be willing to look in order to find out what that is. ~Letter from a friend”

Okay so on to my review of this lovely book! I read Alyssa's debut The Glass Cottage and enjoyed it so much that I jumped at the chance to read another one of her stories. Was there anything I didn’t love about this? Absolutely not! The delightful characters...yes even those well-meaning matchmaker octogenarians Mavis, Edith, Irma, Harvey and Ed add their own special charm to an already charming love story. Beth is like a daughter to each one of them, and their misguided attempt to set her up with every eligible bachelor in town is for her best interest...or so they think! After all they only want the best for her, even if she gets exasperated at their meddling. However, she thwarts their well-intentioned plans by claiming to be dating Tye Prescott, who's back in town after three years. A second chance romance and a fake relationship story? Count me in double! These two are hilarious together, seriously one of the cutest fictional couples I've gotten to know. But then when real sparks fly and the old attraction to each other rekindles the fire, that's where the real romance story begins. There's also a more serious side to this when they both have to face some hard truths about the big break-up years ago. Working through the muck of the past will either glue them closer together or tear them apart even more.

I also absolutely love the quotes before each chapter, they certainly add to the story even more. If you're any kind of romance fan, I think you'll fall in love with this story of second chances and charming characters! There's also a good faith thread throughout that Christian fiction readers will find uplifting and encouraging.

P.S. The author even includes a recipe for Beth's favorite kind of hot chocolate with homemade raspberry marshmallows at the end!
*I received a complimentary copy from the author and was not obligated to leave a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone. *

NICOLE'S REVIEW:
“He believed in second chances, believed God brought him back here for a reason. He only hoped it wasn’t too late to make things right with Beth.”

Author Alyssa Schwarz’s latest contemporary romance, Dear Beth, captivates her readers with a heartwarming tale of the power of true love and second chances through God’s never-ending love and grace. Her debut novel, The Glass Cottage, earned a place on my Top 10 Books of 2021, and with this prequel novella, Alyssa Schwarz has become one of my must-read authors.

Dear Beth incorporates the real-life Valentine’s Day tradition of the Loveland, Colorado valentine re-mailing program that people all over the world can participate in. This event has been going on for over 75 years, and the author shared that there is even up to a 10 year wait-list to become a stamper.

The letters penned in Dear Beth bring back a beautiful sense of nostalgia as letter writing has become almost a lost art in the 21st century with email, social media, and smartphones easily accessible for instant communication. With well-developed characters and a handsome hero to fall in love with, readers will be be rooting for Tye Prescott and Beth to get their happily-ever after. I can’t wait to read more of the Prescott Family romance series.

Dear Beth is highly recommended for fans of inspirational contemporary romance, especially for readers who enjoy novels by authors such as Denise Hunter, Becky Wade, Melissa Tagg, and Susan May Warren.
*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.

Back Cover Blurb:

After finishing his veterinarian training, Tye Prescott is back in Colorado and ready to give his relationship with Beth another chance, only she's made it very clear she wants nothing to do with him.

 

Beth Walsh is a hopeless romantic, except when it comes to her own love life. In her opinion, love is best left to the storybooks. But when a few nosy octogenarians decide to play matchmaker, she grasps for the only excuse she can think of to avoid another set up.

 

Set against the backdrop of Loveland's historic Valentine's Day letter re-mailing program, Tye and Beth must work together to convince the town of their rekindled romance. But Tye has his own plans of winning back the woman who got away.

 

Might it finally be time for Beth to risk her heart again?

January, 2022
Available in digital ebook and paperback at Amazon

AND NOW MORE WITH THE AUTHOR:

Deb: Hi Alyssa! We're so happy to have you back! How did you learn about the Valentine's Day Letter tradition, and can you explain a bit more about it?

Alyssa: When I was little, my grandma used to mail all her Valentine's Day cards to Loveland so everyone in the family received a letter with the town's special Valentine's Day cancellation stamp on the envelope. She kept this tradition up every year, and it was always something I looked forward to. Now, my mom and I have continued the tradition as a way to keep the family connected and to honor my grandma's memory.

This year, Loveland, CO (Known as the "Sweetheart City") will be celebrating 76 years of their Valentine letter re-mailing program. The tradition was started back in the late 1940's when Loveland's postmaster, Elmer Ivers, received a few dozen letters requesting the Loveland ("Love"-land) postmark as a creative way to celebrate the holiday. He liked the idea so much, he partnered with the Loveland stamp club and the owner of the local Rialto Theatre to begin their own Valentine re-mailing program, complete with its own cancelation stamp. Every year, the design changes to include a new locally-submitted drawing and poem. Today, this program sees over 100,000 valentines from over 110 countries (spanning from Denmark, to China, to Japan) and employs 50 volunteers every year to sort and stamp all the letters.

To learn more or participate in this fun tradition, check out this link to a local news release about this year's events: https://www.9news.com/article/life/style/colorado-guide/loveland-valentine/73-91d5bc5d-4b23-4952-894d-5c4b8071d958

Deb: That is really sweet! No wonder you wanted to write about it! Tell me, how has writing a second book or novella in this series felt differently than working on a debut?

Alyssa: This novella was a lot of fun to write, and I loved getting to research and learn more about some of my home-state's quirky traditions. When I wrote my debut novel last year, that was the only thing I was working on. Having never published something before, I didn't realize how much time I would spend on editing, marketing, and design, but there is always something new to learn!

Deb: (sighs) Yes. I think readers are beginning to understand how much of being an author extends past 'writing'! If you wrote a single time-line, do you think you'd go with contemporary or historical settings?

Alyssa: Aside from The Glass Cottage, the rest of the Prescott Family Romance series will have a contemporary setting. I do have a few other ideas in the works once this series is completed, and they may include a historical setting or two.

Deb: Wonderful news for your readers! Thanks so much for visiting with us, and best wishes for this great series and all to come!