Deadly Currents ~ Review

Deadly Currents

Hidden Bay #3

By Elizabeth Goddard

Cressida Dane is trying to complete the book her father was researching when he was killed. She has his notes, at least most of them, and Hidden Bay is next on her list. But hidden danger awaits and she is soon being protected by Braden Sanders, a county detective, who has his own closely guarded secret.

But the danger that hunts Cressida is of the deadly variety and could be tied to her own father's death. Worse, whoever is behind the attacks on Cressida seems determined to not only stop her research but to end her life. The question is why? Why would someone care about research concerning lost ships? As Cressida and Braden search for answers the danger only grows as do their feelings for one another. But Braden knows once Cressida learns the truth, she'll never forgive him.

This book opens with the danger present, and it slowly builds throughout the story leaving one in doubt as to the identity of just who is out to stop Cressida and why. And we finally get to know more about the secretive Evelyn Monroe! Get ready for the unexpected. I know I didn't guess what the enticement of the Specter's Bounty was. 

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

About the Book:

USA Today Bestselling Author Elizabeth Goddard Presents a Gripping Thrill Ride

Investigative journalist Cressida Dane arrives in Hidden Bay after a worldwide journey to finish her late father's manuscript on shipwrecks. As she tries to discover the story behind the "ghost ship" Specter's Bounty, her only lead is a name her father left behind--Evelyn Monroe. As Cressida uncovers more about the ship, she quickly realizes that her research has placed her in the crosshairs of dangerous forces.

County detective Braden Sanders is in Hidden Bay for one reason--to get his niece lifesaving medical treatment. To do that, he is assigned to protect Cressida from a revenge-driven enemy. Together, Braden and Cressida dig deeper to discern the myth from the facts surrounding the Specter's Bounty.

But more is brewing under the surface than they could ever imagine. Entangled in secrets, they must unravel the past before the current sweeps away their future.

Praise for the Hidden Bay Series
"A thrilling ride, perfect for devouring in one sitting."--Lynette Eason, bestselling and award-winning author, on Storm Warning

"Fans of Lynette Eason and Nancy Mehl will love this thrill-a-minute ride from Goddard."--Library Journal on Storm Warning

Brace yourself for Elizabeth Goddard's final adrenaline-inducing installment in the Hidden Bay series. This clean romantic suspense combines maritime mystery with protective hero romance that readers of Dani Pettrey and Nancy Mehl will enjoy.

Eye of the Mind ~ Review with Giveaway

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for 

Eye of the Mind by Sara Davison, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Eye of the Mind 

By Sara Davison 

Be careful, little eyes, what you see...

Jules Adler is less than thrilled when her two BFFs set her up on a date through a dating profile. They think she needs to get out and find someone. Well, her date is anything but stellar, and if she never sees Dante de Marco again, it will be too soon. At least until she witnesses a murder and needs the police. Yup, that date was with a police officer. 

Dante didn't want to go out on a date, but his sisters pushed him into it. And charming is not what he's going for. But when his date ends up witnessing a murder and is seen by the killer, well, he has a major guilt trip. Because Jules can't identify the killer, she can't visualize his face. And now the killer is toying with her. She's the mouse to his feral cat.

But as Jules and Dante work together to keep Jules and those she loves alive, they work on discovering who the killer is. And just maybe they'll realize that they should have given the other a chance on that not-to-be-forgotten awful first date.

This was an intense read as Jules and Dante come face-to-face with a killer who can only be described as pure evil. To survive, they will need to lean on more than their own strengths and skills. This is a book of second chances, faith, and suspense. 

This was a well-written book that pulled me into the story from the first line. Highly recommend for those who want intense suspense without all the gory details or foul language, who want their main characters to be flawed and yet followers of Christ.  

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

About the Book

Title: Eye of the Mind 
Author: Sara Davison 
Publisher: Independently Published 
Release Date: December 17, 2025 
Genre: romantic suspense (with thriller elements)

She can't picture his face. 

But he knows hers. 

Firefighter Jules Adler suspects her blind date with Officer Dante de Marco will not go well. When she witnesses a violent crime, the night goes from bad to worse fast. 

Dante, the police sketch artist, is tasked with getting enough details from her to draw the killer. If only Jules could visualize the man’s face. 

She and Dante are forced to spend a lot more time together than either would like, trying desperately to come up with a likeness. The problem is, with a ruthless psychopath closing in, that time is about to run out. 

For fans of fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat suspense, slow-burning romance, humor, and deep issues of faith.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

Also Available

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About the Author

Sara Davison is the author of numerous romantic suspense series. A finalist for more than a dozen national writing awards, including the Christy Award, Davison is a HOLT Medallion, Cascade, and two-time Carol Award winner for romantic suspense. She lives in Ontario with her husband, Michael. Like every good Canadian, she loves coffee, hockey, poutine, and apologizing for no particular reason. 

Get to know Sara better and subscribe to her short, monthly newsletter at ontheedgesuspense.com.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a paperback copy of Eye of the Mind plus a $25 Amazon card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight February 10, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 17, 2026. Winner 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

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

Her Mistaken Identity Cowboy ~ Review and Giveaway

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for 

Her Mistaken Identity Cowboy by Karen Baney, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Her Mistaken Identity Cowboy

Love at Vargas Ranch #1 

By Karen Baney

For eight years she's waited for this day. The day that the man who ruined her life would finally pay for his crimes. But she was wrong. The man she thought she knew is an innocent man-a man forced to live with what his brother has done.

Parker Quaid can't get out of the shadow of his twin's crimes. Worse he's been a victim too. And when anyone realizes who he's related to there goes any trust and respect. He's finally found a place when Shannon Burke arrives at Vargas Ranch and mistakes him for his twin brother. Parker is tired of being mistaken and blamed for Lucas's crimes. 

As Parker and Shannon work together on a fund raiser for Vargas's new equine therapy program things start to change. Both see a possible future they never expected, but is it real? 

This is a contemporary romance that offers mistaken identity, second chances, enemies-to-friends-to-something-more, and it's all wrapped up in clean and wholesome story about forgiveness and redemption. I loved the personal touches that made the characters relatable. Things like being Phoenix Suns fans, hands that showed use, repairing ranch equipment in freezing temperatures, and having doubts. All these details added to the book's appeal and encouraged me to read it through as quickly as possible. I would have liked a few scenes to be fleshed out a bit mote; but this was an enjoyable read and suitable for older teens  

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

About the Book:

eTitle: Her Mistaken Identity Cowboy 

Series: Love at Vargas Ranch #1 
Author: Karen Baney 
Publisher: Desert Life Media 
Release Date: February 3, 2026 
Genre: Christian Western Romance

He’s running from his twin’s crimes.

She’s haunted by the man who betrayed her.

Can she open her heart to his identical twin?

Shannon thought she’d buried the past—until she arrives at Vargas Ranch and sees the face of the man who shattered her trust. The man she swore she’d never forgive.

Parker has spent his life paying for his brother's sins. False accusations and shattered opportunities follow him everywhere—because no one sees the man behind the face. When Shannon mistakes him for his twin and has him arrested, his fragile fresh start shatters.

Now forced to work together in the ranch’s equine therapy program, Shannon and Parker must navigate a tense enemies-to-friends journey. As they confront the pain of the past and the pull of unexpected attraction, trust becomes the hardest battle of all.

She must learn to trust the man her heart keeps mistaking for the one who broke it. Parker must prove he's not his brother before he loses his second chance at love.

When the past collides with the present, can love build the bridge to healing and forgiveness?

A heartfelt Christian romance about redemption, mistaken identity, and love that dares to heal. Her Mistaken Identity Cowboy will steal your heart.

Purchase Links:

Goodreads | Buy from the Author | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

Also Available:

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About the Author:

Karen Baney is a member of Faith Hope & Love Christian Writers and the author of over 30 Christian contemporary cowboy romances and historical romances. She writes faith-laced stories where characters feel like lifelong friends—flawed individuals navigating second chances, redemption, and personal trials. As a transplant to Arizona, Karen loves researching the state's rich history and seamlessly weaving real settings and historical details into her novels.

In addition to writing and speaking, Karen works as a Software Development Manager for a Christian ministry. Her faith plays an important role both in her life and in her writing. 

 

Karen and her husband, Jim, make their home in Gilbert, Arizona, with their two dogs, Bella and Daisy. They enjoy exploring Arizona together, discovering new adventures that often influence Karen's stories. Both are active at Rock Point Church in Queen Creek, Arizona.

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

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Tour Giveaway:

(1) winner will receive a "There's no such thing as too many books" tote & makeup bag, plus two slimline inspirational journals, and a signed copy of Her Mistaken Identity Cowboy!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight February 11, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 18, 2026. The winner will be notified within 2 weeks of the close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of the prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

The giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours' Giveaway Policies.

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Deadly Rodeo Threat ~ Review

Deadly Rodeo Threat
Stone Creek Ranch #2
By Sami A. Abrams

Her best friend went missing but there is no evidence that she didn't leave voluntarily. When a report of a found body leads Sheriff Isabelle Sinclair to an isolated location, she finds more than she expected.

Logan Russell has returned home to help find his missing twin sister. His arrival is just in time to save Izzie from an assailant who seems intent on seeing her dead.

Is the attack on Izzie related to her search for Lisa? Or is it something more sinister? Soon they are finding information that points to more than one missing woman. Logan and Izzie are soon caught in a race against time and a potential serial killer to find Lisa.

This is an intense what's going to happen next read. Both Logan and Izzie have past issues that find them dealing with these as they work together to find Lisa. I totally LOVED Shadow, Logan's service dog - a goofball until he needed to work. Dogs make stories better, in my opinion. But the ending is just "whoa!" and not because there are horses in the book. The villain is truly creepy in his actions, just saying.

This is a book of second chances and new beginnings. They just need to stop a killer first. This book, being a Love Inspired Suspense offering, is non-graphic in its descriptions, so nightmare material to keep you up all night.

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

About the Book:

A trail of missing women...leads him right into a killer’s trap.

When his twin sister disappears, Navy SEAL Logan Russell’s search for her leads him deep into the woods, where he finds her best friend in the clutches of a masked assailant. Sheriff Isabelle Sinclair is determined to solve Lisa’s mysterious disappearance the night of her last rodeo—and someone will do anything to keep her from digging too deep. When crucial evidence links Lisa’s case to a string of barrel racers who’ve also vanished, Logan and Izzie fight against the clock to track down a suspected serial killer. But when he sets his sights on Izzie, can they outsmart their enemy before both women end up dead?

Falling for the Crystal Fae ~ Review

Falling for the Crystal Fae

To Win a Dark Heart #4

By Anabelle Raven

This book captured me from the opening scene: 

My heart never stopped beating, but my imprisonment was its own form of death. It separated me from my throne, my power, and my tea.

This gave me such a sense of Khiona's pain and the reasoning behind her desire for vengeance.

When Khiona finds a lamp, she never expected to find someone imprisoned within it. Someone with the power to release her from her own prison. Someone who needs her as much as she needs him.

Andar has finally found a way to escape his prison, a prison that allows him access to unlimited power, but only at the bidding of another. He plans to help Khiona just long enough to trap her in his prison.

Of course, nothing goes quite to plan. Andar and Khiona are not what the other is expecting. Slowly, they start having trouble. How can you use someone when you start forming an attachment to them? 

I loved watching the transformation as these two made their way from the Winter Kingdom to the Autumn Kingdom. This was a story of second chances and redemption. Excellent reading.

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

About the Book:

A vengeful queen.

A sorcerer chained by magic.

A truce with power to destroy the realms.

Khiona once ruled her fae kingdom with an icy fierceness—until humans twisted her magic into a prison she could not escape.

Andar once collected enough power to control the cosmos, but he was bound so he could only use it at another’s bidding.

Alone, Khiona and Andar were captured, safely removed from society and trapped in prisons as unique as the villains themselves. But when an earthquake brings them together, they both devise ways to use each other to achieve their ever-distant dreams.

Complications arise when those dreams do not align with each other and new feelings interfere with old agendas. Will the most powerful tyrants known to fae finally bring the world to its knees? Or will they destroy themselves with their own opposing plans—especially when none of those plans included falling for each other?

Falling for the Crystal Fae is a fairytale novella that combines fantasy elements of The Snow Queen and Aladdin. Set after the events in each of these stories, it is brimming with new adventures, dangerous dragons, redemption, betrayal, and a no-spice, sweet romance love story.

Falling for the Crystal Fae is the fourth 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.

Whiteout ~ Review

Whiteout

By Lynette Eason

  and Dani Pettrey

The cold isn't the only killer...

Can I just start out by saying WOW! Whiteout gives two times the reading suspense in this two-in-one book! We get Buried in Shadows from Dani Pettrey and Snowbound Secrets from Lynette Eason. Both stories are set in Colorado on a mountain when an avalanche cuts all concerned parties off from the outside world. Yes, this bad but soon an even greater danger is revealed when not one, but two killers are discovered among them.  

In Buried in Shadows Cassandra Parker had begun to think that her stalker had finally quit checking an eye on her, it's been a year since she was forced to back out of her wedding. But a friend's destination wedding finds Cassandra in Colorado with the man she jilted, Joel Brunswick, and her stalker. When an avalanche strands the entire wedding party in an abandoned cabin, the stalker lets Cassandra know exactly how far he'll go to keep her away from the man she loves. 

So, this story is suspense filled and just a little creepy as we get a glimpse into the stalker's POV. Okay more than a little creepy, more like a whole lotta creepy. And everyone's lives are in danger as the stalker makes his presence known while staying hidden in the background while a big old snowstorm rages outside. Not a before bedtime read, unless you want a reason to stay up late into the night.

In Snowbound Secrets Maya Sullivan is reunited with her past when she decides to take a few days at a Colorado ski resort. When an avalanche cuts the resort off from all contact from the outside world, she's surprised to find Gideon Price also there. She had crushed on Gideon when they were younger, but time and their pasts have left a mark on them both. But when someone decides to target Maya, Gideon offers to help protect her. But why someone would decide to do so is unclear. And until they can discover a motive they can't figure out who is after her.

This story kept me guessing until the villain was revealed, and it was definitely a page-turner and a late night read.

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

About the Book:

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.

A gripping romantic suspense novella collection from bestselling authors Lynette Eason and Dani Pettrey featuring second-chance romance, trapped together forced proximity, military and law enforcement heroes, a small-town destination wedding, and snowbound survival at a Colorado ski resort.

Falling for the Winged Witch ~ Review

Falling for the Winged Witch

To Win a Dark Heart #3

By Sarah Beran

Being a stepmother to children nearly your own age is not what Lindy wanted for her life. And apparently neither did her stepsons. But as a now unnecessary heir to the throne, her father needs to make way for her brother. Lindy's been trained to be a queen, and this is an excellent way to be done with her. So what if the king she is to marry is on the older side?

Lindy has an unfortunate reputation, and when the elderly king she's married to dies, she's blamed. Okay, maybe she did turn a prince into a frog, but that was years ago. She didn't kill the king, and she has no aspirations to the throne. Not that anyone believes her.

When her stepsons play yet another prank that goes too far, Lindy is left heartbroken and accidentally curses her stepsons, including the crown prince. The only way to set everything right is to flee the castle and the charges of murder being brought against her. She needs to break the curse, and to do so will take time.

As she works, she comes across another victim of her stepsons' "fowl" prank, a giant looking for his stolen goose. Yikes! But Atlas is determined to wait until the curse is broken. Yes, he wants his goose back that much. And he can't get much from Lindy. During the daylight hours, Lindy cannot speak; it's all part of the curse-breaking process. 

This was a cute mash-up of Jack and the Beanstalk and The Wild Swans. The story was a unique and engaging read. Perfect for a late-night reading treat.

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

About the Book:

A widowed queen trapped by her past.

A giant who just wants to be left alone.

A fowl curse that could cost them both everything.

Lindy never wanted to get married or have children—especially not seven stepsons old enough to be her brothers and a doddering royal husband. Just when it seems like things couldn’t possibly get any worse, the king suddenly dies, and her sinister reputation for casting curses means that all eyes and fingers are pointed at her. Rather than support their new mother, her stepsons seem determined to do everything they can to make her life miserable. When the youngest fills her room with water fowl as a prank, Lindy finally decides to take things into her own hands—and everything goes wrong.

Atlas lives with his head in the clouds, and he likes it that way. His ancestral home is hidden away so high in the mountains that it’s practically inaccessible. But somehow the secret has slipped, and he keeps chasing away unwanted visitors. After the latest break-in ends with his prized goose missing, Atlas is forced to do the one thing never wanted: climb down the beanstalk.

Unfortunately, the scoundrel who took his goose is now a swan, and the only way to get him to tell Atlas where she is is to help the witch who cast the curse in the first place. The nettlesome woman won’t give him the time of day, refusing to speak until the sun goes down. When she does, it’s to instruct him in the most ridiculous task he’s ever heard of.

But Atlas really wants to get his goose and go home, and if knitting is the way to achieve that, so be it. If only the task didn’t threaten to knit his heart to hers in the process…

Falling for the Winged Witch is a combined retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk and The Wild Swans, featuring tropes such as Unlikely Allies, Found Family, and Opposites Attract. It is the third 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.

Target for Abduction ~ Review

Target for Abduction

Lone Star Defenders #4

By Virginia Vaughan

Five years ago Deena Thompson's life changed and she hasn't seen him since. Not until she thwarted a kidnapping attempt. Now she and her son are being targeted. Is it related? That's a question Deena and John Pearson, the FBI agent assigned to the case want to know. 

Did Deena come to the attention of the kidnappers because she rescued one small boy? Or was she already a target? A target they wish to eliminant.

Target for Abduction takes the reader on a journey of emotions as Deena and John are forced to confront the past while working to determine if the attacks and the kidnappings are related. 

As long held truths come out the danger increases and emotions grow. How do you separate your job from your family? If Deena and John can't figure out the balance they may lose everything they hold dear.

This was an intense and engaging read. This wasn't your typical kidnapping read. No, it was targeted and darker. It wasn't just about the children; it was about manipulation and undermining what is. As with all Love Inspired Suspense books there was nothing graphic and the language won't make you cringe. Perfect for those wanting their suspense and romance in the clean zone.

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

About the Book:

The search for missing children

reveals a dangerous enemy.

Thwarting a kidnapping attempt places Sheriff Deena Thompson in the crosshairs of a child-abduction ring, and now they want her son—and want her dead. To track down the vanished children, she teams up with FBI agent John Pearson, who’s determined to make up for his rocky past…and unaware that he’s the father of her child. When their investigation uncovers a sinister cult bent on brainwashing their young victims, Deena and John know they need to close in fast. With danger coming from all sides and threats against their son escalating, they race to dismantle this menacing scheme…before more innocent lives are taken.

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

Lone Star Defenders

Book 1: Dangerous Christmas Investigation
Book 2: Missing in Texas
Book 3: Protecting the Texas Witness
Book 4: Target for Abduction

Severed Ties ~ Day Review

Severed Ties

Dauntless Defenders #3

By Taylor S. Newport

First off, you can enjoy and follow this book without reading the first two, though you will be missing parts of the backstory that is referenced in the book.  Alex Romanova has a difficult past and is having trouble finding her way back into the life that was ripped away from her. Her family is limited to a grandfather whose health is failing and cousins she doesn't know. But when she learns that a drug her late mother developed has been stolen and about to be misused, she knows she has to recover it. Unfortunately, she must work with the man who she hasn't heard from in over a year.

Tyler Reid doesn't get close to anyone. He can't afford to, as a mercenary, they'd just be used against him. He's satisfied that Alex is safe in Russia living the life she was supposed to. The last thing he wanted was to be pulled into a dangerous situation with her. But with the director of the CIA pulling the strings they have no choice in the matter.

As Tyler and Alex face the dangers of rescuing a missing doctor, each step forward pulls them deeper into the net that Rawlings has tightening around them. Can they determine Rawling's end game before it is too late? 

This is an action-filled book that took this reader from Russia to Australia to Washington, D.C. to India, as danger and a dangerous threat threaten all. Tyler and Alex have some definite issues to work through. I'd suggest talking but a mercenary who wants to keep his distance from everyone and a woman who is haunted by her past and appearing weak already have a lot going against them. There are faith elements in this book, no in your face preachy moments. No, it centers on Alex and her desire to move beyond her past. When she feels moments of weakness she reaches out in prayer, asking for help and strength.

Overall, this was a good read and one I'd recommend to those who want action but not all of the graphic violence and language that come from mainstream publications.

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

About the Book:

He’s left the past where it belongs. But then it comes knocking at his door.

The silence following Tyler Reid's last mission has him eager for the next job. So when a woman from his past shows up on his doorstep with a new task—extracting a kidnapped Indian doctor from rival mercenaries—he’s ready to move. It’s dangerous. It’s fast-moving. It’s exactly what he wants. The only problem is Alexandra Romanova is going too—the one person who sees the cracks in his armor he's trying to hide.

Alexandra “Alex” Romanova has returned to Russia, but she’s not ready to step into her father’s legacy. So she seizes the chance to delay that future. Especially when she learns who’s missing—and who’s going after him. But working alongside Tyler again tests more than her training. He’s different. More guarded. And something in him is unraveling.

From Libya to India to Morocco, the team races to find the missing doctor while avoiding the trap the enemy has set. But every step closer to the truth puts more pressure on the cracks already forming. And as the mission begins to spiral, Alex realizes the real danger may not be the enemies chasing them—but the severed ties Tyler leaves behind when he decides the mission is over.

Falling for the Trickster ~ Review

Falling for the Trickster

To Win a Dark Heart #1

By Lucy Tempest

Falling for the Trickster is a Rumpelstiltskin/Goose Girl mashup that focuses on the maid who tried to usurp her princess. In this retelling, the princess is awful, and no one can blame Ottoline for wanting a better life, considering Princess Gertrude's abuse. 

When she is offered the chance to switch places and get the life Gertrude is assured of, Ottoline takes it. It will only cost her an unknown favor to Roderick. What could it truly cost if he can switch things up so easily?

Yeah, it's never a good choice to make a bargain without knowing the costs. But nothing is as Ottoline, Gertrude, and Roderick expected because the king of Orcage demands that the "princess" turn objects to gold. Her upcoming marriage to the prince is not enough to dispel the debts owed to Orcage. 

Does anyone else see the problem? 

With the assistance of Roderick again, for the price of a kiss, everything will be great. Not so, the king is not so easily satisfied, and Roderick's gold-turning abilities are limited. Everyone needs a reset, but nope, not happening. What follows is a sweet yet dangerous attempt to stop the king and get what both Ottoline and Roderick truly want.

I loved how various aspects of the Goose Girl and Rumpelstiltskin played out. There is a lovely interweaving that allows both tales to be fully present while offering something new and fresh. The villains get their day, and in this retelling, you will be rooting for them to succeed. 

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

About the Book:

Rumpelstiltskin meets The Goose Girl.

An opportunistic maid.

A manipulative faerie.

A gilded deal that binds them both.

Ottoline has had enough. After years of enduring Princess Gertrude’s cruelty, the maid’s patience snaps during their voyage to the foreign kingdom of Orcage, where the princess is to marry the crown prince to settle a royal debt. There, she crosses paths with a silver-haired, silver-tongued man with a penchant for deals and deception.

Cunning and ambitious, fae nobleman Lord Roderick von Ravenstock offers Ottoline the opportunity of a lifetime: to switch places with her tormentor and claim the life of a princess.

With a snap of his fingers, she is set to live the life she had dreamed of at the glimmering court of Orcage...until its superstitious king demands she fulfill her kingdom's debt by turning everything into gold.

Trapped by her own masquerade, Ottoline turns to Roderick again, and he offers to save her, in exchange for a kiss.

One kiss. One favor. One step closer to ruin.

As the king’s demands escalate, so do Roderick’s bargains, each adding another layer to his plot against the royal family, and drawing her deeper into a deadly game of magic and court intrigue. But when the king’s greed spirals beyond control, Ottoline has no choice but to escape into Faerie where she falls from one monster’s grasp into the next.

Risking his plans, Roderick saves her and, as she recovers under his watchful gaze, the forced proximity begins to crack their defenses, revealing who they are underneath their roles as the trickster and the fraud. Villains in the lives of others, but heroes of their own stories.

Together, they plot one last con to bring the king to his knees. But nothing ever goes to plan, especially when hearts are on the line.

Falling For the Trickster is the first 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.

Author Interview with Katherine Weda

 Today, I'm thrilled to share with you, my recent interview with Katherine Weda, one of the authors in the upcoming book Love & Loyalty.

Who is your favorite comfort read author?

Gosh, this is a hard one, but I'll try to give a straightforward answer. I love Joy Jenkins, who is the author of a contemporary novel, A Secret Service, along with the companion series, Open Case File, which is comprised of three one-shot collections following the characters from her novel. I have read A Secret Service at least once a year since purchasing it back in 2022. Joy and her characters never get old, and I hope she writes more someday.

Who, past or present, is one author you would like to mentor you?

Madisyn Carlin is an author I would love to have mentor me. She is an author who has written so many amazing, wonderful non-magical Christian fantasy novels and novellas and I wish I could pick her brain for how she delivers such complex and gripping stories that keep readers turning pages without the magic.

If you could have a cup of tea with anyone, who would it be?

I would love to have a cup of tea with a number of people, including three well-known British authors, but I think what I would enjoy most is sitting down with both sets of grandparents (3/4 have passed on now) and talk to them about what life was like as they were growing up. 

Who is your favorite character in your novella?

Do I have to pick just one? Fine, I'd have to say I enjoyed writing Malakai's character, even though I relate to Esther. I don't know how to explain it, I just really enjoyed writing Malakai's perspective scenes, and seeing things unfold from his point of view. Again, I do relate to different aspects of Esther and Malakai's characters, as both represent parts of me, Malakai is just, somehow, more relatable.

What is a favorite part of writing your novella?

My favorite part is including pieces that link back to the original fairy tale. I have, of course, taken liberties in this retelling, such as the fact that Malakai is not the crown prince (as he is often portrayed) and the fact that Esther's father is still alive (whereas he is dead before or dies soon after the start of the story in the original and many retellings). 

Also, I really enjoyed working with sibling bonds/dynamics, especially since I have a younger brother and wanted to portray an active sibling relationship (whereas other works in progress don't have such strong of a sibling element). I am giving a disclaimer now: any and all interactions between the royal children are inspired by but not directly copied from, my own interactions with my brother. 

Is there a specific line or scene from Project Dance that you feel pointed the entire story in a specific direction?

Without giving too much away, I think that the scene between Malakai and his brother, Adam, right before the first ball, is very powerful and after I added it, I went back to earlier chapters and tweaked some things to make it even more meaningful.  

What one question would you like to be asked, and how would you answer it?

I would love to be asked "what's next?" by my readers, since I have so many ideas yelling at me for attention that it's hard to keep track.  

The funny thing is, when I thought up Esther and Malakai's story, I didn't intend for there to be more in this world…but then I met a whole cast of characters along the way and began to learn their stories, several of which we begin to see hints of in this novella. School is, at the moment, my priority, but I am already hard at work plotting and brainstorming the next book(s). 

I'm keeping most of it under wraps for now, but my newsletter subscribers will be the first to know any updates. However, one thing I can share is that almost all of the books I have planned in the Kingdoms of Havengard have at least one main character introduced in my Love & Loyalty novella. 

Thank you, Katherine, for taking time to let us get to know you. I know I'm looking forward to reading Love & Loyalty. If anyone wants to preorder the book you can find it at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F9S4975F

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