Queen of Reckoning ~ Cover Reveal

Today I'm thrilled to be part of Sunrise Publishing's Cover Reveal for Queen of Reckoning Blood of Kings: Legends #5 Jill Williamson presents Kelly Fernlake

Title: Queen of Reckoning

Series: Blood of Kings: Legends, Book 5

Authors: Jill Williamson and Kelly Fernlake

Publisher: Sunrise Publishing

Pre-order sale price: $4.99 (ebook)

Retail price after release: $7.99 (ebook)

Release date: June 23, 2026

Available in ebook, print, and audiobook

Sunrise Shop: 

https://sunrisepublishing.myshopify.com/collections/blood-of-kings-legends

Amazon: 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GX2SRVN6

SYNOPSIS

She’s a queen. He’s her kingdom’s most inconvenient problem.

And they might just save each other.

Mandzee Hamartano has her crown—but barely. The new queen of Jaelport rules a city on the edge of revolt, bound by a treaty she didn’t want with a king she doesn’t trust. Every reform she dares to make earns her another enemy. And she’s already running out of friends.

The last person she needs walking through her gates is Lovell Dunn—King Gidon’s royal envoy, devastatingly charming, and predisposed to distrust every mage he’s ever met. She throws him in a dungeon. He talks his way out. She offers him a tunnel out of the city. He refuses to leave.

When dark forces inside the city align with a threat she never saw coming, Mandzee must navigate a deadly mage tournament, a treacherous brother returned from the grave, and a half-blind envoy who sees more clearly than anyone around her. If she’s going to save her kingdom, she’ll need to trust him—and maybe even trust the God he serves.

But in a city built on power and magic, falling for the one man immune to both might be the most dangerous thing she’s ever done.

For fans of Shari L. Tapscott and faith-forward fantasy romance, Queen of Reckoning delivers enemies-to-more slow burn, political intrigue, and a romance worth fighting for.

Blood of Kings: Legends
Book 1: Squire of Truth
Book 2: Lord of Winter
Book 3: Lady of Shadows
Book:4: Heir of Light
Book 5: Queen of Reckoning

About the Authors: 

Jill Williamson is a multi-passionate creative who loves the arts. She’s written over two dozen books for readers of all ages and is best known for her Blood of Kings fantasy series, two of which won Christy Awards and made VOYA magazine’s Best Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror list. She produces films with her husband and teaches about writing at conferences. Visit her at jillwilliamson.com.

Kelly Fernlake loves writing fantasy adventures spun with a touch of romance and timeless truth. Besides reading and writing, her favorite things include roaming through castles; classic old movies; comfy sweatshirts; dark chocolate; and hockey. A North Dakota native, she now lives in Florida with her husband, two teenagers, and a furball pup. Learn more at kellyfernlake.com.

Primary Tropes

• Enemies-to-More

• Slow Burn

• Forced Proximity

• Queen & Commoner

• Reluctant Protector

• Magic Healer Heroine
  
  

Queen of Reckoning is a faith-forward romantasy featuring:

• Enemies-to-more slow burn romance that simmers on every page

• A fierce, morally complex queen learning to lead with mercy instead of fear

• A half-blind hero whose wit is sharper than any sword

• Forced proximity, interrupted kisses, and one very inconvenient dungeon

• Political intrigue, a deadly tournament, and shadow forces threatening an entire city

• A faith journey woven through the action—hope, redemption, and trusting in something greater

Edge of Truth ~ Review

Edge of Truth

By Janice Cantore

Narrated by Jeannie Sheneman

Fifteen years ago, Lainie Jensen made an arrest that she thought was a career changing moment. It was but not in the way she imagined. And when an opportunity to again bring this criminal to justice occurs, the FBI in the form of Special Agent Ben Issacs swoops in cutting Lainie out.

Soon Lainie has bigger worries when her sister Evie goes missing in Hawaii. And the story her brother-in-law is selling, well Lainie isn't buying it. 

When Ben Isaacs shows up in Hawaii, well, let's just say Ben's case and missing partner are about to converge with Lainie's suspicions and her past case-gone-bad. And someone seems determined to keep them from discovering the truth. But what is the truth and how does it link to Lainie's missing sister. Lainie can't help but wonder just what and who will be left when the dust settles, because it is obvious someone is targeting her family.

With her life at a low, Lainie reconnects with the Savior she pushed out of her life years ago. Loss has given her a different perspective on events from the past. And now she has no one else to turn to who can give her the answers she seeks, and she is tired of regrets. 

The narration of this book was good, though like most audiobooks I did speed up the playback to 1.3. The overall feel pulled me into the story, and the twists were well presented, though I guessed the big one right away. Overall, I felt engaged by the story throughout.

About the Book:

One case almost destroyed her career.
Now the past seems to have caught up with her.
And as a high-stakes game of truth and lies unfolds,
someone's out for retribution at any cost.

As a detective in the Long Beach Police Department's violent crimes division, Lainie Jensen is no stranger to hard-to-crack cases and unusual disappearances, but then her sister Evie vanishes on a trip to Hawaii. After traveling there to look for her, Lainie quickly realizes her brother-in-law Stan is telling law enforcement a story that doesn't appear to add up.

FBI special agent Ben Isaacs has spent six months collecting evidence to take down a money laundering operation. While his fellow agent Efren Gomez goes undercover to infiltrate the ring, Ben investigates those connected to it, including Stan Moffitt, who Ben believes could help lead to the criminal kingpin. Then Stan's wife goes missing just days after Ben contacted her seeking information, and he knows there's more to this case, especially when he loses contact with Efren and law enforcement comes up short in their search for him.

When Ben's and Lainie's investigations converge, Lainie's not eager to work alongside Ben given their complicated history, but she's willing to do so if it means figuring out what Stan knows and locating Evie. Soon, Lainie can't deny Ben's dedication to finding the truth or her growing admiration for him. And the more the two examine the evidence, the more they suspect Evie's disappearance is tied to a highly publicized criminal case from Lainie's past . . . and someone is playing a perilous game aimed at personal revenge.

• Great for fans of thrillers by Lynette Eason, Colleen Coble, and Allison Brennan
• Police procedural featuring a detective and an FBI agent written by a former police officer
• Clean, stand-alone romantic suspense novel filled with high stakes, edge-of-your-seat adventure, elements of mystery, and themes of fighting for justice
• Includes discussion questions for book clubs

Instagram Giveaway for Of Hope and Honor!

Of Hope and Honor 

is one month old today! 

To celebrate the 1-month release anniversary, 

I am doing a paperback giveaway

for Of Hope and Honor

on Instagram.

Want a chance to win a paperback

copy?

Find all the rules on Instagram

at 

https://www.instagram.com/p/DW5tpjvjfGU/

The entry period runs from April 9, 2026 12:00 pm CDT

to April 13, 2026 11:59 pm CDT.

All for Love Book Giveaway on Instagram

 I'm taking part in a giveaway for All for Love

If you are on Instagram, be sure to check it out.

Then enter the giveaway for one of seven copies

of Jen Geigel Johnson's new release!

Here is the link:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DW1yf2LidVN/

Keeper of My Heart ~ Review

Keeper of My Heart

Discerning God’s Best #6

By Heidi Gray McGill

Cecelia Shankel doesn't have time for men who think she needs a man at her side to prove her worth in the saddle. No, she knows that she can get a job done and doesn't want to waste time on men who can't see who she is and what she's capable of. 

Jimmy Reeves comes from a wealthy background, but instead of leveraging his place in society he's pursued knowledge. He might have trouble interacting with people, but he knows the intellectual side of the study of pharmaceutical practices. But Jimmy wants more and his old school mate Thomas Shankel provides just the opportunity he seeks. Jimmy goes beyond the classroom and lab seeking the natural side of healing and heads west.

Jimmy takes this opportunity given him to grow as both a person and a healer. What he hadn't counted was meeting Thomas's sister Cecelia, a young woman confident in her own abilities and unlike any woman he has ever before met, one who guards her independence and doesn't have time to waste on a man who can't keep up with her.

Jimmy and Cecelia seem like such opposites. Two people one wouldn't expect to ever work together, but when lives are on the line, they do so. What's more they see that each has something to offer, and that maybe God has a better plan for them than what they had made for themselves.

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

About the Book:

Cecelia Grace Trexler Shankel has never met her match. Raised on the rugged frontier, she rides harder, shoots straighter, and knows the land better than most men. At seventeen, she’s expected to marry, but no suitor has ever been her equal—and she refuses to settle for less. Independent to a fault and fiercely intelligent, Cecelia has no patience for anyone who can’t keep up with her.

Then James “Jimmy” Reeves arrives.

A brilliant but socially awkward pharmacist, Jimmy Reeves has spent his life mastering medicine, not people. After earning his medical degree in Philadelphia, he pursues further studies at the new school of pharmacy in South Carolina, refining his knowledge of formulas and precision-based healing. But instead of returning to a life of privilege, he heads west, determined to learn the practical side of medicine—where science meets survival.

His plan is simple: study natural remedies, assist his friend Thomas Shankel’s clinic, and return with newfound expertise. What he never expects is Cecelia Shankel—a woman as wild and untamed as the land itself, challenging everything he thought he knew about strength, skill, and survival.

Their first meeting is a clash of worlds—her bold confidence against his quiet precision. She thinks he’s too stiff and bookish; he finds her exasperatingly unpredictable. But when a sudden smallpox outbreak threatens the town, they are forced to work together, testing their skills, patience, and faith.

As sparks fly and respect grows, Cecelia finds herself drawn to a man who challenges her not with strength, but with knowledge. And Jimmy discovers that some things, like love and faith, can’t be measured in scientific terms.

But Cecelia isn’t ready to let any man keep her heart.
And Jimmy isn’t sure he’s brave enough to try.

In a world where independence is survival, can two opposites surrender to God’s best plan for their lives?

For Misty M. Beller, Lacy Williams, and Linda Ford fans, this standalone novel in the Discerning God’s Best series will capture your heart and leave you breathless. You’ll love this book if you enjoy gripping historical drama and compelling characters. Binge-read the entire series on Kindle Unlimited.

• Full-length Christian historical fiction
• A standalone novel in the Discerning God’s Best series
• Includes discussion questions for book clubs
• Timeline: 1875–1876
• For fans of Misty M. Beller, Lacy Williams, and Linda Ford

Book One: Desire of My Heart

Book Two: With All My Heart

Companion Christmas Novella: Stitched On My Heart

Book Three: Matters of the Heart

Book Four: Healing of the Heart

Book Five: Written on My Heart

Companion Christmas Novella: A Place to Belong

Book Six: Keeper of My Heart

Prequel: Deep in My Heart – available for free with newsletter signup. Search Heidi Gray McGill to locate her website

Wishing You a Blessed Easter

On the third day

the women went to the tomb.

When they saw the stone rolled away

they went inside,

and saw the body of Jesus was missing.

Mary went to Jesus's disciples

and told them that the 

body was gone.

Peter and John ran to the tomb

to see for themselves.

Peter went in first.

He saw that the body of his Lord

was missing.

Then John bent down and looked into the tomb.

He saw the cloths lying empty and folded

where the body of Jesus had lain.

And he believed.

The tomb is empty still

because Jesus has risen from the dead.

The Ultimate Blindside ~ Review with Giveaway

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Ultimate Blindside 

by Leslea Wahl, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

The Ultimate Blindside 

Blindside series #3 

By Leslea Wahl 

I have not read the first two books in this series, but the way this book was written meant I had no problem following the story.  The book opens with Jack and Sophie standing, watching the first day of filming about an incident from their lives. Jack is not overly thrilled to have his private life made public, but his life as a champion snowboarder makes him a person of interest.

But quickly the story shifts into high gear as Jack performs another daring feat of heroism when he rescues a mother and daughter from certain death following an accident. But this opens a whole batch of adventure and mystery as Jack and Sophie try to uncover what drove a mother to their rural Colorado town.

Jack and Sophie are soon caught up in a whole mess of trouble, and it's not their fault. No, really, trouble has a way of finding them, and then things sort of get crazy. And to top it all off, someone seems to be targeting Sophie, trying her whole life out of whack, by ruining her plans for the future. But through it all, these teens hold steady in their beliefs and their faith. 

I think fans of M. Liz Boyle's book might enjoy this one: action, danger, and faith. This is a book for teens, and even preteens, that features teens of character who, while facing situations most won't in their day-to-day, are relatable.

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

P.S. For teens who are Catholic, this is a book featuring teens who are likewise, which is scarce in today's market.