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Showing posts with label Book Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book Review. Show all posts

1.22.2026

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.

1.20.2026

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.

1.13.2026

Of Dawn and Embers ~ Release Day and Review

Of Dawn and Embers
The Fireborn Epic #3
By Gillian Bronte Adams

This book was so good. I love how it builds on the previous book, Of Sea and Smoke. The fallout from rescuing Ceridwen is still being felt. Rafi has been captured and comes face-to-face with the past he has been running from. Jakim is returning home to his people, a people his sister long ago whispered he was destined to save.

But the land and the people are under attack from the empire and its usurper emperor. These three, separated, must somehow reunite in their efforts to stop the empire's push for an ancient power long dormant. But victory is not assured, with the numbers decidedly against them.

This book captures one's attention and holds it throughout. The future is in doubt. Throughout our heroes are faced with choices that could potentially lead to their deaths. But they are determined to free themselves, their people, and their lands from the sadistic cruelty of a ruler who will destroy them all in his quest for dominance. 

I loved how these characters all grew throughout the series yet still grappled with weaknesses as we all do. They weren't perfect but they were relatable. And I absolutely love all the Solborn horses. I so want one of each!

I enjoyed this book in both print and audio. The book is read by the author, and it is excellent, however you decide to enjoy it. I love the audio because the unique names and places are presented as the author envisioned them being pronounced. 

I was provided an early ARC with no expectations. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

He rides a dawnling, a steed of light and glory, destined to restore.

Jakim Ha’Nor will save his people, or so says the prophecy that upended his life and drove his brothers to betray him. Now, he has returned as the dawnrider to fulfill his purpose and reconcile with his brothers—only to find himself embroiled in a war.

Captured in the fallout of a deadly attack, Rafi grapples with the ghosts of the past. His brother is alive but no longer himself, and Rafi will stop at nothing to save him. Farther up the coast, Ceridwen strives to reignite the embers of the rebellion to burn the empire down. When Rafi is sentenced to execution before the imperial court, Ceridwen must rally every spear and steed she can for a blistering strike at the heart of the capital.

But the empire’s schemes are already in motion, and Jakim’s two missions collide when an unexpected encounter with one of his brothers reveals the true threat behind the imperial thirst for ancient secrets. Hidden forces intend to unleash a cataclysmic power, spurring Ceridwen, Rafi, and Jakim to challenge the full, crushing might of the empire for the fate of the world.

Stars weep and ash falls as the tides of battle propel the Fireborn queen, the Sea-Demon prince, and the Dawnrider priest toward a meteoric clash in this thunderous series finale.

 

1.08.2026

The Unending Light ~ Review with Giveaway

The Unending Light JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Unending Light by Brett Armstrong, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

The Unending Light
The Unending Light 
Quest of Fire #7 
By Brett Armstrong 

This is the seventh book in the Quest of Fire series that is split between to two eras. In each era, war is consuming the land, threatening those who are Knights of the Light and followers of the King.  

Keeping the faith and holding fast to what you know to be true even in the face of impossible odds is repeatedly played out. As the forces in opposition to the Knights seemingly continue to achieve victory and grow in strength Jason and Anargen find their hearts tested/ Will they hold fast to their vows or fall to their fears? When those we love are in danger what holds the greater sway over us? This is the question both young men face throughout. 

I really appreciated the thorough recap of the previous books in the series it was excellent. 

This book is one that grips you from the beginning. But you MUST read the series in order as each book builds on what came before. There is an obvious faith element through the book and series, but this is what gives this book its depth.

In my opinion, those who have read and enjoyed Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia, Lawhead's Bright Empires, and Walley's The Lamb Among the Stars series will find the Quest of Fire series equally engaging in depth and emotional engagement by the reader. I feel that this book is for older teens and up (or advanced younger teens).

My only complaint is that the series is now complete. There were heartbreaking loses throughout but moments of triumph that offered hope that maybe they can succeed. I really appreciate the obvious work the author put into the Quest of Fire. To bring so many threads together, weaving them into a cohesive and epic conclusion is just WOW!
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               About the Book

Title: The Unending Light 
Series:
Quest of Fire #7 
Author:
Brett Armstrong 
Publisher:
Expanse Books 
Release Date: December 16, 2025 
Genre: Christian, Epic Fantasy

War has consumed the Lowlands in both Jason and Anargen’s eras. Each teen struggles to keep true to the Quest as the armies led by the dark powers of the Lowlands edge closer to victory. 

A secret buried in Ordumair can guarantee that evil Monarch Ilyron destroys the Tower of Light Anargen has striven to defend. And Jason’s brother, Dorian, has found an equally powerful weapon in the mysterious land of Jhi. The ancient threat of dragons returning to the Lowlands threatens to plunge the Lowlands into ruin. 

Losses that leave both teens grieving deeply and an ever-diminishing list of allies means they must be willing to give everything to rescue their world from the looming desolation. But they must face the truth that it is still far too little to win, unless they can hold on till the King’s Day arrives.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Scrivenings Press | Amazon | BookBub

More in This Series

      Shadows at Nightfall

Quest of Fire: Desperation


About the Author

Brett Armstrong

Brett Armstrong has been exploring other worlds as a writer since age nine. Years later, he still writes, but now invites others along on his excursions. He’s shown readers haunting, deep historical fiction (Destitutio Quod Remissio), scary-real dystopian sci-fi (Tomorrow’s Edge series), and layered, sweeping epic fantasy (Quest of Fire). Every story is a journey of discovery and an attempt to be a brush in the Master Artist’s hand. Through dark, despair, light, joy, and everything in between, the end is always meant to leave his fellow literary explorers with wonder and hope. Always busy with a new story, he also enjoys drawing, gardening, and spending time with his wife and son.

Connect with Brett by visiting brettarmstrong.net to follow him on social media and subscribe to email updates.


Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a $25 Amazon gift card and exclusive Quest of Fire digital content (series theme music and digital maps)!

The Unending Light JustRead Tours blog giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight January 7, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on January 14, 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


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12.05.2025

The Mistress of Wyndham Hall ~ Review

Cover art for The Mistress of Wyndham Hall by Jen Geigle Johnson
The Mistress of Wyndham Hall
The Widows of Lavender Cottage #3
By Jen Geigle Johnson

Eliza Tyndale is enjoying the unexpected freedom that widowhood has afforded her. Unfortunately, her sisters feel she needs to reintroduce herself to society and remarry as soon as possible. But when the Secret Society of Young Widows reaches out to her, Eliza is introduced to a whole new way of looking at marriage. love, and widowhood.

I found Eliza's sisters totally annoying when they decided to help her. They were like a runaway train and weren't about to stop for anyone. Loved how they were worried that others would try to take advantage of her situation. (Hello, sisters dear, have you looked in a mirror recently?) But her sisters really did care about Eliza and her future.

This was another enjoyable and interesting addition to the Widows of Lavender Cottage series. Eliza's steward Julian Brooks encourages her in finding herself and establishing a place that is of her choosing. But he has secrets that he is keeping; secrets that come as a shock to Eliza. And the truth could change everything between them.

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


About the Book:

A young widow not looking for love and a man who is not who he seems.


When widow Eliza Tyndale inherits her aunt's Somerset estate, she expects solitude and simple country life. Instead, she finds herself drawn to the charming steward who seems to understand her better than anyone ever has. Julian Brooks is everything she didn't know she wanted—intelligent, compassionate, and unafraid of her independence.

But Julian is harboring a secret that could change everything between them. As their friendship deepens into something more meaningful, Eliza begins to suspect there's more to the quiet steward than meets the eye. When the truth finally emerges at a public assembly, she feels betrayed by the man she thought she knew.

Fleeing to the sanctuary of Lavender Cottage and the Secret Society of Young Widows, Eliza must decide whether love is worth the risk of trusting again. Can she forgive the deception that brought them together, or will Julian's secret destroy any chance of a future?

As Christmas approaches and the local foundling home needs their help, Eliza and Julian are thrown together in service to others. Working side by side, they rediscover the connection that drew them together—but can they build a future when trust has been shattered?

In this charming tale of second chances and chosen family, one woman must learn that sometimes the greatest risk is opening your heart to love again.


12.03.2025

Abducted in the Woods ~ Review with IG Giveaway

Abducted in the Woods
Forest Ranger Rescuers #2
By Kerry Johnson

Published by Harlequin/Love Inspired

Sarah Brindley thought she was safe. But the men who killed her husband have found her and her seven-year-old son. But why these men are so intent on finding her is beyond her understanding. 

Now she her only hope of rescuing her son lies with the help of her brother-in-law and his K-9 partner. But when she discovers the secrets her husband held, she knows that the men after her won't be satisfied until she is permanently silenced. This Christmas season is anything but jolly!

Abducted in the Woods jumps right into the action from the beginning. As the story unfolds, secrets are slowly unveiled and they don't paint Sarah's just murdered husband in a good light. This is a story of forgiveness, redemption, and second chances. And for kitty lovers there is a cat in addition to the dogs.

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

About the Book:
Pursued by criminals—with a child’s life on the line.

Just when Sarah Brindley believes she and her son, Liam, are safe from the men who murdered her husband, they are attacked—and Liam is taken. Her only hope is to team up with her brother-in-law, forest ranger Tucker Brindley, to uncover who is targeting her family. When they discover her late husband’s ties to an underground medical black-market ring, it’s clear the trail of danger runs deeper than they realized. With assaults on them ramping up, they must race against the clock to recover young Liam…before they become the next victims.

Be sure to enter the Instagram Giveaway - You must go to Instagram to enter!

To enter the giveaway go to the following link https://www.instagram.com/p/DRye54TCsVU/

 Giveaway – (1) winner will receive a $30 Amazon gift card!

 VISIT each hosted post of this tour for more entries. Schedule at @justreadtours(US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics. Instagram is not affiliated with nor responsible for this giveaway. Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM EST on December 10, 2025.)


11.18.2025

Out of Time ~ Review

Out of Time
Undaunted Courage #3
By Irene Hannon

Cara Tucker has the opportunity of a lifetime: to study a dying language with one of its last speakers. Natalie Boyer has journals from her late great aunt Marie describing life in the Old Mines community. But there is a mystery surrounding Marie's death that Natalie hopes going through the old journals might shed some light on the nearly hundred-year-old mystery.

But as Cara and Natalie work together, oddities begin occurring on the Boyer estate. Are they just a coincidence or something darker? Sheriff Brad Mitchell doesn't believe in coincidences, but with little evidence that anything else is happening, there isn't much he can do. And the body found could have been a tragic accident... 

Out of Time really grabbed my attention. It was so hard to know who the true villian was. There were several possible suspects, and oh my, the slow reveal was well worth the reading. The suspense was at the perfect level of intrigue, but not over the top. The following statement came to mind as I read: "Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive." The motivation behind the evil deeds is just so sad, and secrets and hidden truths were at the heart of it all. My thought at the end was, "What if so-and-so had just explained and asked for what they needed instead?" This was an excellent look at the human heart and its motivations. Excellent reading.

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


About the Book:
A century-old mystery, a hidden treasure, 
and an isolated estate where danger lurks in every shadow.

For historical anthropologist Cara Tucker, the chance to spend a sabbatical semester on a remote country estate--with full access to its vast library and century-old journals--is a dream come true . . . until a series of strange incidents begins to turn her dream into a nightmare. Someone, it seems, does not want anyone diving into the past and unearthing old ghosts.

Sheriff Brad Mitchell has seen his share of suspicious activities during his law enforcement career, but what's happening at the isolated estate is out-of-pattern in his quiet, rural Missouri county. Beset by danger, Cara and Brad work together to try to untangle the clues.

But when the peril turns lethal, the situation takes on a new urgency, and their mission is clear: Find out who is behind the string of menacing incidents before the perpetrator strikes another deadly blow.  

The Queen of Romantic Suspense presents another page-turning, clean thriller in her Undaunted Courage series. Fans of Colleen Coble, Patricia Bradley, and Terri Blackstock will find this shadowy tale electrifying.

11.17.2025

And the Mountains in Reply ~ Review

And the Mountains in Reply
The Carols of Christmas
By Sienna Peake

Sarah Gibson is about to become Prescott, Arizona's first teacher. She left behind the life of luxury she was used to living in Philadelphia. Here she's determined that all children will be able to attend her school, and with the help of local carpenter Elijah Phelps she extends the invitation to the children some deem unfit for school.  

Elijah isn't the most sociable of men, nope he has scars both visible and of the soul. For him, his work in Prescott is a temporary stop on his way further west. Helping Sarah with various school related tasks gives him a glimpse into what could be, but he knows if she learns the truth about his past, she'll turn her back on him.

And the Mountains in Reply is a story of grace, second chances, and seeing worth in others. A lovely and sweet romance, perfect for teens and older who want a clean read.

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

About the Book:
The music of Christmas mends hearts in frontier Arizona


When Sarah Gibson arrives in Arizona, she has nothing to her name but the clothes on her back and a set of lesson plans to start her life as Prescott's first teacher. From the start, complications arise, and they all seem to bring her in contact with the same taciturn carpenter: Elijah Phelps. When Sarah's school plans begin to fall apart, she'll need to work with Elijah to prepare a Christmas concert powerful enough to bring the town together and maybe the two of them as well.

And the Mountains in Reply is a stand-alone novella in the Carols of Christmas series of Christian romances inspired by classic Christmas hymns.

11.11.2025

His Boss's Little Sister ~ Review

His Boss's Little Sister JustRead Blog + Review Tour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for His Boss's Little Sister 
by Danielle Grandinetti, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

His Boss's Little Sister book cover
His Boss's Little Sister 
Apron Strings Tea Tales 
By Danielle Grandinetti

When Kyle Docherty left Crow's Nest, Wisconsin, behind, he did so without saying goodbye to Samantha Martens. Sam's heart was bruised by Kyle's departure. But when Kyle didn't return home, Sam was left as the odd Marten out as her brothers found love, 

Determined to not be an additional burden on her brothers, Sam finds a job and lodging elsewhere. But when an illegal substance is found in the Teahouse where she works, Sam wants to find out where the margarine came from. Is someone cutting costs? Or targeting the German Tea House? 

When Kyle walks back into her life, they work together to find answers and to decide if they have a future together.

This was a quick and easy read and an enjoyable spinoff of the Crow Nest series. I found myself rooting for Sam and Kyle to get a chance at having a second chance. The historical aspects surrounding margarine and the dairy industry in Wisconsin were interesting. Who knew that margarine was smuggled over state lines? I sure didn't. I knew that it was illegal but not the full extent. Fun and enjoyable. 

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

If you are interested in reading Wisconsin's oleomargarine laws, here is a link to the law - 
Wisconsin Legislature: 97.18

Yes, this is a thing.


About the Book

Title: His Boss's Little Sister 
Series:
Apron Strings Tea Tales 
Author:
Danielle Grandinetti 
Publisher:
Hearth Spot Press 
Release Date:
November 18, 2025 
Genre:
Historical Romantic Suspense

Broken hearts, underground smuggling, and a meddling family ... one Wisconsin Teehaus offers a love of more than sweet treats. 

November 1931---Needing a new start, Samantha Martins escapes the happily-ever-afters of her hometown to take a waitressing position at a German Tea House. But all is not as it appears beneath the pretty trappings. When she discovers illegal oleomargarine on the premises, which could shut down the cafe, and thus cost her job, she goes searching for the source. 

Samantha's old beau, Kyle Docherty, returns to Crow's Nest a changed man, both inside and out. An apology burning in his heart, he finds she's left home. However, with trouble on her trail, Samantha's brother hires Kyle to be her bodyguard. But will she even speak to him? And if not, will she at least allow him to protect her, even without the arm he lost in a logging accident? 

When the breadcrumbs lead them into a trap, putting Kyle's life in danger, Samantha faces an impossible choice: listen to Kyle and run for help, or stay a captive and outwit a criminal. If only the ticking bomb were on their side.  

A touch of fairy tale, a spoonful of history, and a teacup of hope. 

His Boss's Little Sister is a stand-alone novella in the Apron Strings Tea Tale multi-author series, and a 1930s historical romance retelling of Hansel and Gretel. 

Fans of the Harbored in Crow’s Nest series will enjoy revisiting familiar characters and discovering the HEA of the hero's little sister from Confessions to a Stranger.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | DanielleGrandinetti.com | Amazon | BookBub

Also Available

Confessions to a Stranger

Relying on the Enemy


About the Author

Danielle Grandinetti

Danielle Grandinetti is an award-winning inspirational romance author fueled by tea, books, and the creative beauty of nature. Her stories combine romance, mystery, and suspense against the backdrop of the 1930s to tell the tale of finding home and hope in hard times. With a master’s in communication and culture and a passion for intercultural communication, storytelling has been her heartbeat for as long as she can remember. Married to her hero, Danielle is a second-generation Italian-American, a dairy farmer’s granddaughter, and a boy mom from Chicagoland who now lives along Lake Michigan’s Wisconsin shoreline.

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




Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a paperback copy of 
Confessions to a Stranger and Escape with the Prodigal!

His Boss's Little Sister JustRead Tours blog giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. 
The giveaway begins at midnight on November 10, 2025, 
and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 17, 2025. 
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.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway


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

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On the Edge of Trust ~ Review

On the Edge of Trust book front cover features woman with dark blond hair blowing across face
On the Edge of Trust
A Logan Point Novel
By Patricia Bradley

Tori Mitchell has avoided home and her father for years. She can't get past the part he played in her mother's death. But when her teenage nephew finds himself on the wrong side of a murder investigation, Tori returns to Logan Point.

Tori is dedicated to finding justice for those she feels were wrongly charged with a crime and found guilty. Over the years, she's ruffled a few feathers. Now she finds the occasional threat has actually become a reality. In addition to helping her nephew, she will also hide out from the person who seems intent on stopping her current investigation. And if her current investigation leads her back home to Logan Point, so much the better.

What she didn't expect was for danger to follow her home and endanger her family. Nor did she expect to reconnect with Scott Sinclair. With her life in danger, Scott is unofficially asked to help protect her, but with an injury that has him unable to use his right hand, Tori is skeptical of his usefulness. But to keep her family safe she agrees to the plan. 

On the Edge of Trust is a page turning read. Yes, this was a late night/early morning read that had me guessing up until the reveal as to the identity of the guilty party. The old adage about webs of lies leading to problems is so true. Adding to this is Tori's unforgiveness and her belief that people cannot change, which has damaged her relationship with her family. Overall this was an engaging and action-filled book. Reading the previous books in the Logan Point series is not necessary to enjoy this book.

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


About the Book:
Sometimes the closer you get to justice, 
the deadlier it becomes


When decorated FBI undercover agent Scott Sinclair suffers a gunshot wound in his right arm, the injury threatens his future career in the field. He is determined to regain his former job by training himself to use his left hand, and failure is not an option--especially when he's unofficially pulled into an investigation.

Tori Mitchell is a passionate crime reporter and podcaster who has dedicated her life to seeking justice. Her relentless pursuit of the truth has freed a wrongfully convicted man from prison, making Tori an enemy of the true killer. When her nephew is accused of a different murder, nothing can stop her from getting involved and clearing his name.

Soon after Tori and Scott reconnect on the case, shots are fired, leaving them to wonder which of them has been targeted. As the investigation intensifies, so do the threats and the sparks between them, but Tori's doubtful if she can extend grace and trust to Scott. They'll have to combine their skills and rely on their growing relationship to outsmart the killer.

Perfect for fans of Lynette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn, Elizabeth Goddard, and readers who love faith-based fiction and edge-of-your-seat thrillers, this riveting, clean romantic suspense delivers heart-pounding danger and forced-proximity romance.

11.08.2025

Love in the Castle Library ~ Review

Love in the Castle Library book cover - woman in front of library window
Love in the Castle Library
In the Castle Library #2
By Ann Swindell

This is the second book in the In the Castle Library series, in which a small European country attempts to uncover the truth behind the disappearance of its lost queen. Queen Alma disappeared in the night during World War 1, and no one knows just where she disappeared to. For more than 100 years, the people of Lethersby have felt her abandonment as a personal shame. But with word that she may have made her way to England, there is hope that the truth of her life may finally be known. 

In this search for the answers they seek, the Lethersby research team needs access to British records. But to access them, they need a British researcher on their team. In steps Castle Stewardess Delphine DuVert to find their perfect candidate. For the first time ever, Delphine makes a quick decision; she offers the position to Jack Worthington.

Something about Jack just feels right for this position, and she feels a connection she hasn't had with any of the previous candidates. 

This was a lovely story in which both Jack and Delphine delve into the past with it secrets both for the Lethersby people and their own pasts. I loved how the story unfolded with moments where the answers seemed just within reach and moments where failure seemed imminent. Of course, there has to be a villain, and Max is the perfect cringe-when-he walks-into-the-room character. Nasty doesn't do him justice. But through it all faith plays a vital role as Jack and Delphine navigate the complexities of life, love, and traditions.

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

About the Book:

Predictability and efficiency have marked Delphine DuVert’s orderly life as Castle Stewardess in the small European country of Lethersby—until she is tasked by the monarchy to hire a British researcher. Lethersby needs help solving the 100-year-old mystery of their Lost Queen, a young royal who disappeared into the night during World War I.

Delphine’s split-second decision to hire Jack Worthington, a doctoral student at the University of Oxford, has long-lasting consequences when he steps in to protect her from an angry colleague determined to ruin her life. The only catch? That protection looks like Jack posing as her beau.

Jack Worthington believes that his instinct to protect Delphine was the right one, but he’s determined to stay focused on his research for Lethersby—and keep his emotional distance after reeling from a broken heart. Yet as the clues to discovering the Lost Queen’s story unravel and the Delphine’s future hangs in the balance, both Jack and Delphine must step out in faith, choosing to trust that what God has ahead for them is worth any risk.


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About the Author


Author Ann Swindell

Ann Swindell is the owner of Writing with Grace, where she teaches Christ-centered writing courses for women across the globe. She lives in West Michigan with her family and writes for many ministries, including Well-Watered Women, Risen Motherhood, and The Gospel Coalition. She has authored The Path to Peace and Still Waiting, and her first novel, Christmas in the Castle Library, released with WhiteCrown in 2024.

You can connect with her at AnnSwindell.com.


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