The Christmas Courier ~ Review

The Christmas Courier

By Roseanna M. White

For Madeleine (Mado) Perrin, Christmas this year will be very different. Her father's death has marked her family, and she wants to be there for her mother, so the time off from teaching will allow them to be there for one another. And it will allow her to pass on information to the French Resistance in the papers she has managed to smuggle home hidden in the essays she needs to grade. 

But when childhood friend Daniel Raymond shows up in her family's apartment seeking help, Madeleine and Daniel have a second chance at a future together. But in occupied France, second chances are hard to come by with betrayal lurking just around the corner. And Daniel's Jewish heritage and ties to the Resistance make him the perfect target for betrayal.

With the future she has long dreamed of about to be stolen away, Madeleine, along with her family, plots the perfect way to rescue Daniel and the future that is slipping away. 

The Christmas Courier is a quick read and one that, if you are like me, will keep you reading. This book is set at Christmas, which gives it an added attraction. The fact that it is based on true events from World War Two added a historical factor that I loved. This book gives a rollercoaster of emotions as Madeleine and Daniel navigate the world in a state of chaos, hate, fear, and hope. Determination drives them to right the wrongs that have come upon them. I loved the faith elements that were present throughout and the importance of waiting on God's timing in all things. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

1943. 

Lyon, France. 

After bidding her students farewell for the holidays, Madeleine Perrin is looking forward to a quiet, simple Christmas at home with her mother. With the war raging on and rations tight, she knows it will be up to her to make the day festive and find special ways to remember the papa she lost and honor his love for Christmas. But first, Madeleine must smuggle secret messages hidden in her students’ essays to the Resistance network. She never expects the person waiting to receive them is her childhood best friend, the man who broke her heart.

Daniel Raymond has thrown himself into his work as a courier for the Resistance, carefully concealing his Jewish ancestry that, if discovered by the Nazis, could put his life at risk. Haunted by regret about the day Madeleine professed her love, and he turned her away, Daniel longs to make things right. When he sees her again, he dares to hope for reconciliation―and realizes the love he once denied has only grown deeper.

As Christmas nears and Daniel recovers from a wound sustained in a courier run, forgiveness and romance soon blossom between Daniel and Madeleine, and the two begin planning a future together. But when a mission goes wrong, and Daniel is captured by the Gestapo, Madeleine must turn to her Resistance allies―and a centuries-old law―to attempt a dangerous rescue before it’s too late.

Boots and Roses ~ Review

Boots and Roses: A Retelling of Puss in Boots and Beauty and the Beast 

The Roumaterra Chronicles #6

By Erin Halbmaier

Narrated by Elaine K. Schultz

The Roumaterra Chronicles are best enjoyed by reading or listening to them in order. You don't have to, but some aspects of the story make more sense if you do. Boots and Roses is the sixth book in the series and is an enjoyable mashup of Beauty and the Beast and Puss in Boots. This book covers much of the same time period as book five Trials and Command and these two stories are definitely intertwined (not saying more in case you haven't read it).

Liesl thought Tobias had feelings for her and was interested pursuing a relationship with her, but then he left without revealing his heart in search of a missing princess (from book 4 Arrows and Gems). Tobias's only companion was a black cat, whom he talks to, constantly.

When Liesl finds herself separated from her travel companions, she is thrust into a world cut off from everyone and everything she knows. At least Tobias's beloved cat, Puss is still at her side. But there is a murderous ogre called Beast, a village of suspicious people, and a magical barrier keeping her trapped in this valley.  But Liesl is determined to think positive thoughts-- Tobias isn't dead, Beast isn't as violent as the villagers think, and she will escape this valley.

Beast has been told he murdered all the men in the village 20 years ago, but his memories of the past are hard to recall. When Leisl stumbles into the valley she brings a change with her. She is not frightened of him, well not very frightened, and he'll do anything to keep her and her cat safe.

This was an enjoyable retelling of Beauty and the Beast that gave a unique twist by adding in the retelling of Puss in Boots. The two interwoven stories blended into the Roumaterra Chronicles story world in an altogether satisfying way. These books are definitely ones for the reread/relisten to shelf. Yes, they are that good and there are always little hints one has missed in the past that afterwards, I'm like, "Oh!" And comparing Liesl to her older sister Katy (book 2 Songs and Spun Gold and book 3 Spirits and Pacts) it is obvious they are sisters.  So maybe you should read the previous stories first to fully enjoy the experience of Boots and Roses.

I also enjoyed this book as an audiobook (purchased) and the audio was so good, The narrator does the voices so that one can recognize the different characters. I did listen at 1.25 times so it better matched my reading speed, but even at the slower speed of 1.00 it did not drag. Excellent and highly recommend for those commuting or suffering from eye fatigue after a day at the computer.

I was provided a complimentary advanced copy of the digital book. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Liesl is determined to find the man who broke her heart. 

Getting trapped in a cursed valley with a dangerous ogre isn’t part of the plan.

Tobias gave Liesl a reason to hope when he offered her the rose from his waistcoat, but then he volunteered to search for the missing princess he’d been half-heartedly pursuing. Liesl refuses to admit she cares, but when she learns he’s vanished without his beloved cat, concern overrides her hurt. Something is wrong, and she’ll track him down to ensure he’s safe – and to demand the answers she deserves.

Beast has no memory of who he is, only the desperate need to complete a task the valley’s magic won’t let him leave to finish. When Liesl appears with a familiar cat at her heels, eerily realistic dreams begin to trouble him. They feel like memories, but they can’t be. Because in the dreams, he’s human.

Liesl struggles to believe the villagers’ claims that Beast is violent, but she has a reason for ingratiating herself to him: she believes he knows something about Tobias. He isn’t averse to her company, but the mission Beast can’t recall doesn’t allow for a future with Liesl. And if he could remember, he wouldn't confess the reason.

Because some secrets must be kept. Even if his silence costs him the woman he loves.

Fans of K.M. Shea and Melanie Cellier will love this clean fantasy romance retelling of Puss in Boots x Beauty and the Beast, where quiet connection, magical mysteries, and impossible choices take you on an emotional journey. Pick up Boots and Roses and fall into a cursed valley where the truth can be dangerous – and love demands everything.

Available from Amazon 

Coordinates of Death ~ Review with Giveaway

Welcome to the Blog Tour for 

Coordinates of Death by Darlene L. Turner, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Coordinates of Death 

Arctic Protectors #2 

By Darlene L. Turner 

Corporal Aurora (aka Rory) Hunt's past is about to become part of a serial killer's twisted game of cat-and-mouse. Her deepest-held secrets are about to be held against her, taunting her, wounding her all over again. She is determined to get the person who eluded her two years ago. But she needs help, so she reaches out to childhood friend Kordell (aka Kord) Greene, as part of the Canadian Watchers Squad for assistance.

Kord has his own painful past, one filled with secrets, foster homes, and time as a teen runaway before he was adopted by Maxwell Greene. (I'm not sure how Rory reconnected with him or what his former last name was.) But he is determined to do what needs to be done to help her and keep her safe. The feelings they felt as teens are given a chance to be revisited after years of separation, and when a serial killer has you in their sights, that is not a good thing.

I found this book to be much darker than I had anticipated. The murder scenes had some definite eww factors, nothing overly graphic, but still disturbing, which may or may not have been made worse as I was suffering from a nauseating headache during the reading (full disclosure here).  And the killer, yeah, truly sick. (Can't say more because it would be a spoiler even if subtle.) Would not recommend reading right before bed; aim for daylight hours and go outside for breaths of fresh air and sunshine.

This book was decidedly twisted, delving into past pains, manipulating people, and just plain evil on the part of the villain. And the climax definitely played into creepy vibes as Aurora, Kordell, the Watcher Squad, and the Sweetwood Falls police force work to outsmart a killer who is more than two steps ahead of them in this twisted "game" of revenge.

There are potential triggers in this book that I was unaware of before I agreed to read it that you may want to be aware of: (in the past, various characters experienced) rape, miscarriage, kidnapping, abuse, and death of a loved one.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book 

Title: Coordinates of Death 
Series: Arctic Protectors #2 
Author: Darlene L. Turner 
Publisher: Love Inspired Trade 
Release Date: October 6, 2026 
Genre: Romantic Thriller

A police officer will do anything to catch the serial killer that got away—even if it means playing a deadly game in the icy wilderness. 

Sweetwood Falls, Yukon, has seen too much terror for one small town. Corporal Aurora Hunt still blames herself for not catching the Shadow Box Killer before five women lost their lives. The killings stopped two years ago, and her colleagues believe the murderer is dead. But Aurora isn’t convinced. 

A chilling discovery on a winter’s morning confirms her fears. The crime scene is all too familiar—a woman’s mutilated body, and beneath it, a box containing a gruesome souvenir. But this time, there’s a special message, daring Aurora to play a game that will lead her into the wilderness to try and save the next victim. 

Canadian Watcher Squad survivalist Kordell Greene is part of the past that Aurora has tried to put behind her. He’s also the only person equipped to guide her through this deadly terrain. But somehow, the killer knows all their secrets. Solving cryptic clues as they battle the elements, Aurora and Kordell must confront dark truths they’ve withheld, even from each other. And always, the Shadow Box Killer is one step ahead, drawing them deeper into a twisted game where the slightest mistake may be their last.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Harlequin | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop | BookBub

More in This Series

---

About the Author

 

Darlene L. Turner is a New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestselling author known for her high-octane stories and riveting twists. Sparked by Nancy Drew, she’s turned her love of solving mysteries into her writing, believing readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message. Dubbed “the plaid queen” for her love of everything plaid, Darlene resides with her husband Jeff in Ontario, Canada. You can connect with Darlene at www.darlenelturner.com where there’s suspense beyond borders.

---

Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a $25 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 6, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 13, 2026. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

---

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Sanctuary and Sabotage ~ Review with Giveaway

Welcome to the Blog Tour for 

Sanctuary and Sabotage by Lori DeJong, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Sanctuary and Sabotage 
Guarded Hearts #2 
By Lori DeJong 

Guilt over a failed mission finds Trevor Paxton returning to his hometown of Bandry, Texas, but when an emergency finds him reconnecting with a childhood friend after sixteen years, he's more than shocked at the changes in her life. Kinsley Talbot has taken over her late father's veterinary practice, turning it into a world-class operation. She's no longer the pigtailed tomboy who tagged along with her big brother Eli, and Trevor's best friend.

When a series of suspicious incidents start occurring at Kinsley's clinic, Trevor suspects someone has nefarious intentions and is targeting Kinsey or her clinic. The question is who and why. Soon Trevor has a list of possible suspects who have motives, but can he convince Kinsey to let him help her with what he does best?

Sanctuary and Sabotage is the second book in the Guarded Hearts series and is as good as the first book, but it can be enjoyed without reading the first book. This is one book I kept reading wanting to get the end just to find out who was trying to hurt or destroy Kinsey. And then waiting for Kinsey and Trevor admit to each other what was weighing so heavily on their hearts and minds, I was like, "Just say something, it's obvious that they know you are not admitting what is really bothering you." But overall, this was a good read that I'm pleased to recommend if you are looking a new Romantic Suspense option to add to your TBR pile.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book

Title: Sanctuary and Sabotage 
Series: Guarded Hearts #2 
Author: Lori DeJong 
Publisher: Scrivenings Press 
Release Date: September 15, 2026 
Genre: Romantic Suspense

The greatest threat isn’t the enemy outside—it’s the secrets between them. 

Protection Specialist Trevor Paxton returns to his Texas hometown carrying the weight of a mission gone wrong. Seeking sanctuary at his family’s ranch, he never expects danger to follow him into the life of Dr. Kinsley Talbot, the once-freckled tomboy now fighting to save her family’s land and the veterinary clinic that is her future. 

When Kinsley’s clinic is sabotaged and her barn goes up in flames, Trevor’s instincts tell him she's in danger. But Kinsley refuses his help, determined to protect her family’s legacy without revealing the secret that could bring it all down. 

As threats close in and old feelings rekindle, Trevor makes a quiet choice that could cost him her trust. To save Kinsley, he’ll have to expose his own subterfuge—and convince her that love sometimes means standing guard, even from the shadows. 

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

More in This Series

---

About the Author

Lori DeJong (pronounced DeeYung) is an award-winning contemporary Christian romance author who enjoys penning stories full of grace and the redemptive power of God’s love that inspire others to hope regardless of circumstance, find joy in the moment, and grow in their faith.

Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Lori arrived in Texas in 2005 and dug those roots right in. She currently resides in beautiful Georgetown, north of Austin, with her husband of thirty years. Other than their two fur-babies, their nest is empty, as their daughter and son-in-law are settled in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. 

Lori loves to write about love and romance with a touch of suspense, with a firm foundation of faith. Clean but sassy, sparkly, and even goose-bumpy romance, with God in the middle and characters seeking and learning and changing, couldn’t be more heartwarming or spine-tingly. 

Lori is an ACFW Genesis Award winner, four-time Selah Award finalist, two-time ACFW Carol Award finalist, has been awarded an Angel Award, and placed second in the FHL Reader's Choice Awards. She's also a member of several organizations, including ACFW, Faith, Hope, and Love Christian Writers, Novel Academy, CenTex Christian Writers, among others. You can visit Lori at https://loridejongwrites.com and sign up for her newsletter for writing updates, book recommendations, a monthly giveaway, and more.

---

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card plus a signed copy of both Mistletoe and Malice and Sanctuary and Sabotage!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 5, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 12, 2026. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

---

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Cascade ~ Review

Cascade

The Waterfall Mysteries #3

By Linda K. Rodante

The book opens with Sid Martin and his friend Richard climbing a Waterfall early one morning while Christa Henson feels an internal prodding to head to the same area. What follows is a double shooting and unanswered questions about who and why that Sid and Christa decide to investigate. 

Now this book has two main characters with a whole lot of baggage in their pasts and of course it plays into the current day. Sid and Christa develop feelings during the course of their investigation, an investigation that brings them into even more danger. There are bears, killers, and a bunch of angry people who may or may not be involved in the initial shooting.

This was a shorter read that would appeal to readers who don't wants lots of graphic descriptions. I found the romance to be a bit rushed and had a bit more kissing than I prefer, but nothing overly descriptive, just my personal comfort reading level preferrence.

I will say that it was not surprising that the victim (not Sid's friend Richard) was shot, not that I think that is the answer to handling anything, but I could see how it happened. The guy was a jerk, and that is being kind. 

There are references to past relationships that were not chaste, nothing is shown just referenced. Additional issues that are referenced include spouse loss and drinking which the MCs are dealing with and are major points in their pasts that find them in the here and now of this book.

I have not read the previous books in this series but was able to easily read Cascade as a standalone title.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations all thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

A fresh start in the Tennessee mountains was supposed to bring peace. 

Instead, it brought a killer.

Crista Henson fled to a quiet Tennessee town to rebuild her shattered life, trading her past for a fresh start as a vacation planner and a deeper reliance on God. She wants peace. Instead, she finds herself tangled in a deadly web of secrets with enough suspects to challenge Hercule Poirot himself. She never planned on playing amateur sleuth—and she certainly didn't plan on Sid Martin.

Sid is running from his own devastating past, swearing off the wilderness forever.
But when a friend lures him back, a desperate cry for help and a brutal attempted murder force him to confront his guilt and his fears.

As their investigation expands and danger closes in, can Crista and Sid narrow the suspects in time to prevent their own demise?

Clean Romance
Brainy Mystery
Multiple suspects
Twists and turns
Suspense
Small town
Tennessee mountains
Rock climbing
Beautiful waterfalls
Swoony hero
Strong, relatable heroine
Faith and forgiveness

Throne of the Heavens ~ Review

Throne of the Heavens

The King's Men #4

By Connilyn Cossette

With the release of Throne of the Heavens we finally to learn more about Shay, the longtime missing cousin who has been feared dead by some. But his cousins have held onto hope for thirteen years that he is still alive.

For thirteen years Mattaniel has been a slave, rescued from an injury that robbed him of his memories, his past, and his name. Now he must tutor the daughter of the king of Tyre in the ways of a "pirate" culture to prepare her for her role as bride to a prince/king. 

Elissa knows her duty, but she cannot leave her mother or sisters for a distant land of savage pirates. But how can she prove to be an unfit bride when she is being tutored in the ways of a people she doesn't know?

This set up of course is going to prove the driving force in this whole book as Mattaniel starts having dreams or memories of his past. Why now and what does it all mean. Soon the kingdom of Tyre and the royal family are facing danger and Mattaniel and Elissa form a friendship that is forbidden. Yet this very bond is about prove pivotal in this book.

This book is excellently written and could be read as a standalone if you haven't read the previous books, but is better IF you are familiar with the first three, just saying. Mattaniel's (Shay's) story is a moving one that started thirteen years ago at the age of fifteen, now he is a man serving as a slave when he was meant to serve as a priest, a Levite.  A story of doing what is best for others at one's own expense, for following God's will, not one's own.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Flashes of his past life are all Mattaniel remembers from the time before he was taken captive by Sidonian traders. When a shocking revelation forces him into the service of the king of Tyre, he finds his future and his freedom hinge on a captivating woman far beyond his reach.

As the daughter of a king, Elissa knows her duty is to secure her father's ambitions with an advantageous marriage. Yet when her brilliant and enigmatic tutor uncovers a conspiracy that drags them both into a deadly game of treachery, she begins to understand that so much more is at stake. As more fragments of Mattaniel's past come to light, enemies close in, loyalties fracture, and their forbidden bond will ignite a chain of events that could reshape the destiny of nations.

The early years of King Saul's reign come to life in bestselling and award-winning author Connilyn Cossette's compelling, biblical-inspired tale. For fans of The Chosen, House of David, ancient historical fiction, Francine Rivers, Mesu Andrews, Lynn Austin, and Jill Eileen Smith.

Lorelei and the Traveler ~ Review

Lorelei and the Traveler

Once by Shore #2

By Sienna Peak

Author Sienna Peak has done it again, creating a delightfully engaging story that will enchant you. Well, I hope it does.

Lorelei Baird and her father are gathering a collection of stories, oral histories in rural Prussia, when Trig Hillam and Mr. Davies happen upon them. Trig is on his grand tour of Europe before he should take on the responsibilities of life. But Lorelei and the Prussian countryside have him, for once, not eager for his next adventure. Instead, he decides to help the Bairds with their project. 

I loved when the group went to Herr Muller to hear his tales. It was an unusual experience for them; a trade, if you will, for the stories he kept. I refuse to say more because it must be enjoyed as written without giving away any hints.  

This book can be enjoyed over a long afternoon and be read as a standalone without having read the previous one in the series. This series is a retelling of lesser-known fairy tales and legends tied to water. I love how there is a Regency aspect to them that further ties the stories together by era rather than a set locale.

This story offers a clean, wholesome, no-spice story that is suitable, in my opinion, for younger teens and up.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Where fairy tale charm meets Regency romance

Trig Hillam has been (almost) happily avoiding his impending responsibilities, spending time exploring and scaling mountains during his Grand Tour. Everything changes when he stumbles upon a beautiful young woman seated atop a rocky cliff. For the first time in months, Trig finds a reason to stay put, finding joy in a new project and especially in his growing connection to the mysterious young woman.

Lorelei Baird has spent her life helping her father collect and preserve folktales and oral histories throughout rural Prussia. Though she enjoys her work, she longs to find her place, yet she struggles to trust again after suffering an unexpected betrayal by her father's handsome assistant.

When a dangerous threat resurfaces, will Trig and Lorelei find their true place is with one another?

Lorelei and the Traveler is part of the Once by a Shore series of Regency fairy tale retellings inspired by water-based fairy tales and legends. The stories in the series are clean and wholesome and can be enjoyed in a single afternoon. Each story is a stand-alone work and may be read in any order.

Available to purchase from Amazon.