Michelle Emmanuelli ~ Author Interview

 Today, I'm thrilled to introduce you to 

Michelle Emmanuelli,

author of several upcoming releases 

including Of Might and Mettle.

1) Who is your favorite comfort read author? 

I’m very much a mood reader (even from week to week), so I would say a “comfort read”, to me, is feeling comfortable knowing what to expect of a book from an author I trust. I have quite a few authors that would fall into this category, and I really love Madisyn Carlin’s books. Each one is so different, but I love that I already know they’re going to be snarky, full of action, and heartfelt (and usually include some hilarious animal companion). 

2) What do you most like about this genre that you are writing in?   

I really enjoy the lighthearted, cozy aspects of fairytale retellings. Some of them can be really action-packed and tense, but for my current series, The Toymaker’s Chronicles, I love how a fairytale world can feel so fun and inviting while also promising an adventure!

3) What one book would you recommend that everyone read? 

This is not a fiction book, but one nonfiction book that completely changed my perspective is Every Woman’s Battle by Shannon Ethridge. I read it about five years ago, and I make a habit of reading it every couple of years. It’s pretty convicting, and I recommend it for younger single women especially.

4) Who is your favorite character in your book/story? 

My favorite character in Of Might and Mettle has to be the troublesome wolf pup, Peluche. This three-pawed menace gets himself into all sorts of mischief, and there’s a few running jokes throughout the book that directly involve this cuddly creature. 

Fun fact: “Peluche” is a Spanish word meaning “plushie”, “teddy bear”, or “stuffy” (it depends slightly based on context), and there’s more fun Spanish flair in Mettle where that came from! 

5) Is there a specific line or scene from (Of Might and Mettle) that you feel directed the entire story in a specific direction? That is, if it were not in the story, everything would have changed?

Ah, there’s quite a few! But I do have a particular favorite that encapsulates rather well the main themes of the book:  

“You are porcelain,” he said, “but not fragile. Beautiful in outward appearance and strong throughout. And wherever you are weak, mija, be happy. God’s strength is made perfect in our weaknesses.” 

Falling for the Dark Mage ~ Review

Falling for the Dark Mage

To Win a Dark Heart

By Lucy Winton

Seraphina is a disappointment. She knows that in her mother's eyes, she is useless, with only skills in creative magic. Her mother plans to marry her off, only as a bride to a king is she of worth. Seraphina does not wish to marry to further her mother's cruel and criminal ways. She has plans, but then a mage on the run for cursing his prince is welcomed into her mother's criminal empire. 

Damario is the missing ingredient in Phyllida's plans to control not only a criminal empire but the kingdoms around them. His curse was powerful, and she needed to create an unbreakable curse to expand her power. 

But when Seraphina and Damario form a friendship, something shifts. Seraphina knows that her chance to escape her mother's clutches and plans may be thwarted.

This was a well-paced retelling that kept my attention from the opening scene. An engaging tale that is unique, with whispers of the originals woven together to create something new. Appropriate for teens and up, with nothing to cringe at in the romance department.

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

About the Book:

A mage desperate to escape. 

A stranger with a dark past. 

An alliance that could free them both.

Seraphina is a disappointment. The daughter of a dark mage, she is unable to cast curses and can only create three charms. The sole way she can benefit her mother’s criminal empire is as a bride.

The first attempt ended badly, with her mother flying into a rage and cursing the reluctant groom to be frozen into his Bear form. Now Seraphina bides her time, practicing her Creative magic and waiting for her chance to escape.

When a newcomer arrives at the fortress, Seraphina’s mother takes a strong interest in his talents. On the run from cursing the crown prince of a neighboring kingdom, Damario could provide her dark mages with the one thing that’s missing from a curse they’re perfecting.

Seraphina’s escape plans are jeopardized when a familiar figure from her past appears. She is determined to leave the fortress, but can she manage it in time? And will Damario give Seraphina a reason to stay?

Falling for the Dark Mage is the eleventh book in the To Win a Dark Heart series, which retells fairytales as old as time, but this time it’s the villain’s turn to get a happy ending.

Through Smoke and Secrets ~ Review with Giveaway

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Through Smoke and Secrets by Rebecca Hemlock, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Through Smoke and Secrets 
Dangerous Heirlooms #1 
By Rebecca Hemlock 

Suffer in silence and with grace; these words have been drilled into Eleanor Blackwood from an early age and marked her adult life. And in 1927, she was afraid and no one took her concerns seriously. After all women in her condition tended to become overwrought.

 In the present day, Annie Whitaker is preparing to open her antiques shop, the culmination of three years of work. But suddenly everything including her life is in danger of being destroyed. 

Annie's one hope of discovering the truth and surviving rests with Jack Calloway, a man from her past. A man, who with Annie's help, has a chance of unraveling a century old mystery that could claim Annie next. But can they hold something, a clue, that "could destroy a legacy built on blood and silence?"

Through Smoke and Secrets is a search for the truth in the face of mounting danger and long-held secrets. It is a story of second chances and faith. This is an engaging story and one that I wouldn't mind revisiting again. I look forward to exploring what comes next in this series.

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

About the Book

Title: Through Smoke and Secrets 
Series: Dangerous Heirlooms #1 
Author: Rebecca Hemlock 
Publisher: Independently published 
Release Date: January 21, 2026
Genre: Mystery Suspense

A century-old secret. A relentless enemy. One Locket that was never meant to be found. 

When antiques dealer Annie Whitaker buys an unremarkable locket at a routine estate sale, she expects nothing more than a quiet ride home through the Smoky Mountains. Instead, a shadowy vehicle sends her car skidding off a cliffside road—and she realizes the attack was no accident. Hidden inside the locket is a key, a cryptic letter, and the first thread of a mystery tied to the disappearance of Eleanor Blackwood, a woman who vanished over a hundred years ago. 

Someone has killed to keep that secret buried. 

And now they’ve set their sights on Annie. 

Her shop is ransacked. Her inventory destroyed. Her building intentionally set ablaze. With no phone, no transportation, and nowhere safe to go, Annie is forced to seek refuge in the only place left: the remote mountain ranch of Detective Jack Calloway, a man who once shared her obsession with cold cases—and who may be the only person she can trust. 

As Jack digs into the evidence Annie uncovered, the danger spirals. Break-ins, threats, shadows stalking the ranch at night—each clue reveals a darker truth. The locket isn’t just a forgotten keepsake; it’s the final piece in a long-buried murder. And someone with power, reach, and generations of secrets will do whatever it takes to silence the truth forever. 

With Annie marked as the next victim, Jack races to unravel a century of lies before time runs out. Every revelation tightens the noose around them both—and with Annie constantly in his line of fire, Jack’s focus fractures between the case and the woman he’s never been able to forget. The closer they come to exposing the killer, the more Jack realizes he may lose her long before the truth sees daylight. And every step forward draws them toward a final, deadly confrontation neither of them may survive. 

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Buy from the Author| Amazon | BookBub

Also Available

   

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About the Author

Rebecca Hemlock is an award-winning Christian Fiction author whose love for mysteries began in childhood when she first fell in love with all things Nancy Drew. That early spark grew into a lifelong passion for crime-solving stories, complex puzzles, and characters who must fight for truth even when the world around them is dark and uncertain.

Her novels are known for realism, emotional depth, and suspense that stays tightly wound until the final pages. Rebecca creates characters who face danger, trauma, and moral crossroads — moments that either test their faith or ignite a brand-new relationship with God. At the heart of every story lies her guiding verse and creative compass, Romans 12:21: “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” 

Before writing fiction full-time, Rebecca spent four years as a freelance journalist, where she honed her ability to spot the thread of a story, ask the right questions, and build tension from real-world details. That experience sharpened her voice and laid the foundation for the 15 books she has now published, ranging from romantic suspense and mystery to historical-tinged thrillers. She also writes children’s fiction under the pen name R.C. Burch. 

Rebecca is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Sisters in Crime, and she’s passionate about uplifting stories that blend danger, courage, heart, and hope. With a Bachelor’s degree in English and Creative Writing — plus an Appalachian Studies certificate — she brings layered settings, emotional authenticity, and cultural richness to her work. She continues to pursue further writing education, always seeking to grow as a storyteller. 

When she’s not writing, Rebecca enjoys traveling, reading mysteries, exploring historical places, and spending time with her family. Her work is written for readers who love suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat — and faith that keeps you anchored through the storm. 

Connect with Rebecca by visiting rebeccahemlock.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a book-themed prize bundle, including a tote, a mug, a kindle dust protector, a bookmark, and a $25 Amazon Gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight March 23, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 30, 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

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

Special Target ~ Upcoming Release Review

Special Target

By Jerusha Agen

Chicago social worker Ashley Sorenson has seen it all, but when she has to provide sanctuary to orphaned Matthew Borden, a sixteen-year-old with Down syndrome, she feels ill-equipped to handle it. She is baffled by his late parents' decision to allow him to be faced with such a life.

But then she and Matthew are in danger, their lives are on the line, and Ashley is forced to examine her feelings. When events from her past intersect with Matthew's life, she puts her life on the line to protect Matthew and discover why they are targets. But Ashley can't do it alone, but she doesn't know who to trust. Who wants to help them? And who wants to use them? If she can't figure it out their lives will be over and evil will prevail.

This is intense in both action and emotions. Definitely different than Jerusha Agen's previous works but still good and thought provoking. And there are no dogs in the forefront of this book. Both plot and character driven.

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

Available to order at https://jerushashop.com/collections/suspense-thriller

About the Book:

She’s trying to save the boy’s life.
What if he’s supposed to save hers? 

For tough-as-nails Chicago social worker Ashley Sorenson, it’s nothing new to risk her life for hurting children. Seeing innocent kids suffer every day may have made her a little cynical, but she’ll stop at nothing to rescue children from miserable circumstances. 

But Ashley faces a special challenge when Matthew Borden, a sixteen-year-old with Down syndrome, is orphaned. Finding a suitable foster home for the boy becomes the least of her problems when someone starts threatening her and Matthew. 

The sudden appearance of a mysterious FBI agent confirms Ashley’s growing suspicions that Matthew is no ordinary teen. The boy she thought no one wanted is wanted by many…dead or alive. 

Dodging danger at every turn, Ashley races to find the secrets that could save Matthew’s life. When the truth unearths her own dark past and threatens more than their lives, the God Matthew trusts may be her only hope for rescue.

Of Hope and Honor ~ Release Day

 I'm thrilled that Of Hope and Honor

is celebrating its Book Birthday!

That's right, one of the stories that I have been

working on for the last year is finally here! 

Here is a little bit about the three stories that my fellow authors and I had so much fun bringing to life.

Rémy and the Rats by M.K. Minnick
A town beset by a plague of rats. A young man, struggling to make his way in the world. A surprising inheritance that might offer the solution to both. But when Rémy is double-crossed by Saint-Thaddée’s treacherous mayor, he will have to choose between forgiveness and vengeance—either giving up on his dreams, or reaching out to take them by force. Will he take matters into his own hands, or rest in a Hope worth trusting?

Water's Gift by Meagan Myhren-Bennett (me)
When Princess Aveline’s brothers are lost seeking the legendary Water of Life, she joins forces with Prince Arthyr, who seeks the healing water for his father. United by shared loss and guided by their faith, they brave a perilous path into the Alundras Mountains, where obedience means survival and trust is imperative. To save their families, they must trust the Master to guide their steps as their shared quest draws them together.

Beneath Sand and Stars by Kelsie Engen
Princess Coral, fourth in line to Tepor’s throne, refuses to be claimed as a prize in a royal marriage race and flees into the desert, knowing capture means death. Disguised as a servant in a northern palace, she finds hard-won freedom, purpose, and an unexpected connection with a kind prince. But when a Fae-ordained test and a deadly plague threaten to expose her, Coral must choose between hiding in safety—or facing the truth.

I totally fell in love with Aveline and Arthyr, 

and can't wait for you to enjoy their story. 

I retold the fairy tale The Water of Life for this story

and did a mashup with another fairy tale also

titled The Water of Life. There were similarities in both--three brothers

and a quest to find and bring back some of this healing water.

But the reasons for bringing it back differed in both tales.

It was fun weaving these two tales together while

making the story my own.

Staged Evidence ~ Review

Staged Evidence

Pen and Dagger #2

By Traci Hunter Abramson

Tessa Seidel has a late-night delivery to make when she happens upon a crime. She stumbles into a murder and is on the run from the killer. With no way to contact anyone, she lost her phone at the crime scene and travels to the Hamptons in hopes of meeting her sister, Kimber Frost. She doesn't find Kimber, who had already returned to Manhattan, but she does meet Parker Sawyer, who agrees to offer her a place to hide out.

But as the evidence piles up against Tessa, she and Parker decide to disappear, while Kimber, along with Brandon, works with her contacts to help clear Tessa's name. But the police seem focused on Tessa and Tessa alone. Kimber trusts her sister, and given the police's recent track record, especially the officer in charge of the investigation, she doesn't trust them to discover the truth. But would someone frame Tessa, or is it just convenient that everything is pointing to her? 

As time to clear Tessa slips away, the danger continues to escalate. Who committed the murder, and why does everything point to Tessa? And how long can she put her life on hold and be able to reclaim it when the truth comes out? 

Staged Evidence was a suspenseful read that kept me guessing who the murderer was. I suspected a couple of people, but I'll admit I was wrong. I love that this was a clean read in the romance department, and the suspense portion was well-written without delving into details that would offer up nightmares. I loved getting better acquainted with Kimber's sister, Tessa, and would happily revisit this series if a new book comes out. Highly recommend if you love clean-reading suspense and romance tucked within the covers of one book. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Add this one to your TBR list -- it has a publication date of April 7, 2026.

About the Book:

From the queen of clean romantic suspense—one terrified witness, 
one unsuspecting Broadway playwright,
and a killer who won’t stop until the final curtain falls.

When Tessa Seidel delivers costumes to a Manhattan television studio late at night, she expects an empty set—not a murder scene. After stumbling upon a woman’s body and nearly being attacked by a man fleeing the scene, Tessa escapes with no idea who to trust—and a fear that the killer knows who she is.

Desperate, she runs to a friend’s beach house in the Hamptons, where Broadway playwright Parker Sawyer is retreating to finish his next script. But he knows danger when he sees it and offers to shelter Tessa, even when they find out she is being accused of committing the murder.

Falling for the Wolf ~ Review - Release Day

Falling for the Wolf

To Win a Dark Heart

By Megan Charlie

Tasia may have told Prince Frank something about her family that she shouldn't have. Well, that was the last time she'd be able to spill the beans and betray their trust, because she was sent to a different kingdom to relatives she had never met. Talk about culture shock. What's worse, no one wants anything to do with her. Which is problematic when she needs to get a job and contribute to the household. 

What's a girl to do when there are no available jobs for her? Take the only one available—delivering medicine to an old woman known as Grandmother. One delivery a week, surely Tasia can handle that, can't she? Evidently not, because she gets lost in the woods. She needs help and happens to stumble upon Mitch.

Mitch is cursed. There is no other word for it, and now he's saddled with Tasia because she stumbled upon his secret. Now he's stuck helping her get from town to Granny's house. He's counting down the days until he can leave the town behind and start over somewhere else again. And he refuses to be anything but brusque and surly with Tasia. No way is he ever helping someone willingly again. 

Nope, not happening ever. 

So, yeah, that changed. And now the two of them must work together to stop an evil plot that could totally ruin their lives for however long they live. Right sounds totally dire. But they have a plan. Or will have a plan. They need to think of a plan. 

This is a cute story that brings together the villains from Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella in a delightful, fun reimagining from the POV of the other side of these well-known fairy tales. Mitch and Tasia are such opposites that they truly need one another to thwart the danger that has surrounded them and maybe their own Happily-Ever-After.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts expressed are my own.   

About the Book:

A woman who betrayed her family

A rogue hiding a hairy secret

And a blackmail arrangement with unexpected consequences

After her stepsister marries the crown prince, Tasia is shipped out of the country to live with relatives she’s never heard of before. Blamed and scorned for her role in that debacle, Tasia struggles to make a new life for herself amongst a community that doesn’t care for outsiders. But even that is less nerve-wracking than her weekly trips through the woods to deliver a basket of “goodies” to the sinister old woman known only as Grandmother.

Mitch helped a naive girl travel through the woods once before. After having his heart viciously yanked out and stomped on, he’s not doing that ever again. When Tasia comes along, all innocent smiles and no sense of self-preservation, he vows to stay far away. But she stumbles upon his furry little secret and he reluctantly agrees to play protector in exchange for her silence.

What seems like a simple arrangement soon becomes complicated as enemies from the past begin cropping up in unexpected places. When Mitch and Tasia stumble onto a villainous plot with far-reaching consequences they must choose between looking out for themselves or risking everything for faceless strangers. With lives–and possibly their hearts–on the line, how will two recovering villains decide what to do? And will their choices be compatible? Or just another betrayal?

Falling for the Wolf is a retelling that combines elements of Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella. Set after the events of each of these stories, this no spice romantasy is the 8th book in the To Win a Dark Heart series which retells fairy tales as old as time, but this time it’s the villain’s turn to get a happy ending.