Storm Warning ~ Review

Storm Warning

Hidden Bay #1

By Elizabeth Goddard

In a word WOW. Elizabeth Goddard has done it again with this debut book in her new series.

Lost memories. Danger around every corner. A potential killer storm. A missing employee. A stranger who just happens to be on hand to rescue Remi Grant when she most needs it. Yeah, her life in hiding has just gotten a whole lot more complicated.

Remi Grant wanted to travel the world, so she enlisted. But when she returned to civilian life everything went wrong. She has bits and pieces of memories but nothing to answer the questions she most needs answers to. Answers that may cost her, her life or save her from the people hunting her.

But can she trust Hawk Beckett, who happens to be on hand to rescue her from certain death, not once but twice? She doesn't know him, but there is something that niggles at her lost memories.  But are they true memories or a fiction created by her mind with various bits and pieces? If she is to live long enough to discover the truth she needs to trust someone. Is that person Hawk? And what secrets is he hiding?

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Haunted by a half-forgotten past, former army photographer Remi Grant is working at an isolated storm-watching lodge on the rocky Washington coast when she receives a mysterious puzzle piece. The puzzle piece may be the catalyst to unlock a disturbing incident she struggles to remember--the event that sent her into hiding. But with heavy storms rolling in, she has to focus on the present, not get caught up in the past.

When a mysterious man at the lodge saves her life--twice--Remi becomes suspicious and confronts him. After a catastrophic event in his own life, former military pilot Hawk Beckett is trying to get some perspective at the suggestion of his former commanding officer. Faced with the fiercest storm to hit the coast in a decade, Remi and Hawk are forced into survival mode. But they're not alone at the lodge.

Someone doesn't want Remi to remember what happened--and they will stop at nothing to see her dead.

Heart of Beauty ~ Review

Heart of Beauty

Hearts of the West #11

By Danielle Grandinetti

Caleb Orson is considered to be a beast, at least in his personality. And he may be a big guy with a beard that hides most of his face. And he can be a bit grumpy. Okay he's a beast, but he lives with the memories of what he saw during the war and the lives he took. Now he's responsible for Sal Beauregard.

Sallie's been disguising herself for years. Her father was determined to keep her hidden away from Brendan Doran. But when Sallie accidentally reveals her true identity while trying to save Caleb's stallion from Doran, she finds herself the target of Doran. He wants to claim her as his wife. And in Doran's opinion she has no choice but to accept.

This a enjoyable read that offers a twist on the Beauty and the Beast theme. This is a sweet read and would appeal to fans of Janette Oke's Love Comes Softly books. For those who have read Daniella Grandinetti's previous works there is a link. Oh, yes, I'm giving you a teaser and not saying anything else. But this was a quick read perfect for a weekend when you need to get out of the cold. (I'm currently enjoying subzero temps, so, yeah I'm all about seeking out ways to avoid the outdoors.) This book is a great way to be introduced to the author's writing if you have yet to read any of her work. I highly recommend it and feel it is appropriate for those 13 years or older.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Publisher: Hearth Spot Press

Release Date: February 11, 2025

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

How can a beauty save a beast?

Blue Spruce, Montana, 1871—When Caleb Orson’s prize stallion escapes his ranch, Sal Beauregard rides to the rescue, revealing her true identity as a one of the few eligible females in town. She’d do it again if it meant saving an animal from the cruel retaliation of Brendan Doran. The man has no respect for women or God’s creatures.

But the sun’s early setting strands her at Caleb’s ranch. Worse, Sallie’s father unceremoniously leaves her there under Caleb’s protection. However, Doran refuses to lose again to Caleb—first a horse, now a woman. He wants Sallie as his wife and not even the reclusive ogre of a cowboy can stand in his way. No matter Sallie’s opinion.

Choosing to make the best of a difficult situation, Sallie takes over the gentling of Caleb’s stallion. She believes she can reach Caleb as well. Only, the first blush of friendship grows into something … more. Something that threatens the desires of Caleb’s enemy. And if Doran cannot have a beauty like Sallie, neither can a beast.

A Tale of Tenacity, Romance, and Peace

The Mouse and the Fairy ~ Review

The Mouse and the Fairy

The Intertwined Tales

By H. Eleanor Long

Hailey's been cursed, and the only way to break her curse is through true love. Well, Hailey's pretty sure true love isn't going to find her as she is a widow and she has been turned into a mouse. The mouse part is a bit problematic when you know you need to break a curse by finding true love. But other than knowing she'll spend the rest of her life as a mouse life is pretty good. She has a dear friend, Egbert, who is cursed to be a mole and a young woman, Thumbelina, whom she views with motherly affection. And then there is the cat, who is also cursed and he wants to eat her. So maybe everything isn't great, but she's resigned to her fate.

But when a fairy prince decides that Thumbelina will be his sweetheart, her life takes another unexpected turn. She needs to help Thumbelina meet all the challenges that will prove her a sweetheart worthy of a fairy prince. Neil doesn't have any expectations of marrying Thumbelina but she is a very pretty and sweet young woman. He also enjoys the time spent with Hailey, and when a substitute sweetheart needs to step in Hailey is a lovely substitute. 

This is a lovely retelling of Thumbelina and The Forest Bride. The weaving together of these two fairy tales is seamless resulting in a unique retelling that entertains and holds the readers attention throughout. I would recommend this book to readers 12 and older without hestitation, as this is a clean read.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Retelling Thumbelina and The Forest Bride

About the Book:

A fairy prince. A mousy widow. A contest of crowns—or hearts?

Hailey’s life has been anything but smooth. From the death of her husband to being cursed into a mouse, nothing has gone right. Her only solace is the kindness of her dear mole friend, Egbert, and the companionship of a sweet girl named Thumbelina. But just as Thumbelina and Egbert get closer, a handsome stranger crashes into their burrow…

Neil has never had any hope of inheriting the throne as the second of three princes. But when his father declares an unexpected contest for the throne, Neil must find a sweetheart right away. When he awakens after crashing in the snow to find a beautiful maiden caring for him, he considers Thumbelina a gift from above. But if fate brought him to Thumbelina, why does his heart beat for her mouse friend?

Retelling Thumbelina and The Forest Bride

The Intertwined Tales is a multi-author series of clean fairytale retellings. Each novella entwines a famous fairytale with a lesser-known story to create one happily ever after. These standalone stories can be enjoyed in any order.

Pearl and the Baker ~ Review

Pearl and the Baker

Once in a Wood #1

By Sienna Peake

 

What's a young woman to do when she overhears her step-mother plotting against her and her young brother? Why run away into the woods, of course. Pearl Hartley refuses to allow her young brother to be sent away to the worst boarding school in the land. And she refuses to be sent into service to support her step-mother's excessive lifestyle. With her father slipping deeper into his detached existence, Pearl has no choice but to leave. Henry's life depends on it.

 

But slipping away in the night does not solve all their problems. Pearl needs to seek work and shelter so that she can keep Henry and herself safely hidden away from her step-mother. An unfortunate mishap finds Pearl and Henry seeking shelter with Rowan Barrington and his aunt. Pearl being Pearl refuses to accept their aid without working in someway to not be an unexpected burden. Can this hidden cottage in the woods provide the safety Pearl and Henry seek, at least until they can again set out on their own?  

Pearl and the Baker is a sweet retelling of Hansel and Gretel that most definitely has a Regency feel to it. This story would be appropriate for readers 12 and up in my opinion. This is a clean read that has all the main elements of the classic fairy tale while presenting them in a unique and original way.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

A girl. A baker. A cottage in the woods.

Pearl Hartley is determined to protect her brother from being sent away, even if that means fleeing into the forest by night.

Rowan Barrington wants nothing more than to work peacefully as a baker deep in the woods, forgetting his painful past.

When an accident leads Pearl to Rowan's doorstep, will they discover they no longer have to struggle alone?

Pearl and the Baker is a sweet, clean Regency romance inspired by the fairy tale Hansel and Gretel. It is the first book in the Regency fairy tale retellings series Once in a Wood.


Once in a Wood series--Where fairy tale forests meet Regency romance

Pearl and the Baker - inspired by Hansel & Gretel

Rosalyn and the Wolf - inspired by Little Red Riding Hood

Guinevere and the Three Brothers - inspired by Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Hannah and the Nightingale - inspired by The Nightingale

 

 

 

Ace, Marvel, Spy ~ Review

Ace, Marvel, Spy

By Jenni L. Walsh

Alice Marble is not a name one hears in everyday conversation, yet she lived an extraordinary life of determination in the face of daunting challenges. Ace, Marvel, Spy shares a window into her life.

Alice's tennis career was all self-taught and brute strength until, at seventeen years of age, a professional tennis coach offered to take her on. Tennis is now expected to be Alice's whole life. Her coach, known as Teach, wants Alice to live, breathe, eat, and dream tennis all day. Alice's career had ups and downs, many which were the result of health related issues. When tragedy struck, Alice's life reached a new low, but this tragedy led to her working with Army Intelligence.  

This is book sounded intriguing and I wanted to like it, but I just couldn't connect with it. There were moments when I could empathize with Alice, but then something would take place and I just couldn't. 

I was under the mistaken impression that this book was published by Thomas Nelson , because of an email I received from Harper Collins Christian. I later found out it was from Harper Muse. I was less than thrilled with certain aspects (relations outside of marriage and astrology) I just did not like. 

This book alternates between past events in Alice's life mainly focusing on the 1930s and 1940s so the story is presented in a nonlinear.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Trailblazer, superstar, activist, and spy: 

Alice Marble is a true American icon.

Alice strives to have it all.

At seventeen, Alice Marble has no formal tennis skills and no coach. What she does have is an ability to hit the ball as hard as she can and a strong desire to prove herself. With steadfast determination and one sacrifice after another, Alice plays her heart out on the courts of the rich and famous, at national tournaments, and—the greatest of them all—at Wimbledon, rising to be one of the top-ranked players in the world.

But then her world falls apart.

With the outbreak of war with Germany, Alice’s tennis career and life come to a screeching halt, and for the first time, she is forced to confront who she is without tennis. As she seeks to understand her new place in the world and how she can aid in the war efforts, a telegram arrives with devastating news from overseas. Heartbroken and lost, she feels like she can only watch as the war wreaks havoc in every area of her life.

Until an unexpected invitation arrives.

Alice is given the chance to fight back when the US Army sends her a request: Under the guise of playing in tennis exhibition games in Switzerland, she would be a spy for them. Alice aches for nothing more than to avenge what the war has taken from her and to prove herself against this new opponent. But what awaits her might be her greatest challenge yet.

From her start as a promising athlete with worn-out shoes to her status as a glamorous international star, Alice Marble’s determination to control her own life and destiny fuels a story of achievement, discipline, loss, and love.

The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds ~ Review

The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds

By Jennifer Moorman

Josephine Reynold's is lost. Her whole being was wrapped up in her late husband, and now she is floundering. Her withdrawal from the world outside her home has caused her sister Katherine to speak up. 

This intervention results in Josephine selling the home that Nate designed to his tastes. In a lucky happenstance, her great-grandmother's house comes on the market. But when Josephine starts restoring the house's outer appearance, including the front door, strange things begin happening. Cue the creepy music!

Josephine can now enter 1927 with its Jazz music, speakeasies, prohibition, and unique clothing! She is so out of her element, but she needs to spend some time-period cramming when she discovers she has wished herself out of existence piece by piece. Yikes!

But how do you undo a wish you made at a low point? Josephine needs to save her great-grandmother's life and restore her family's history before it is erased forever.

This is an interesting premise, the ability to erase one's entire existence through a wish made in grief and despair. When I was presented with an opportunity to read this book, I thought it was published by Thomas Nelson (Harper Collins Christian). No, rather, it was published by Harper Muse, totally my mistake as it was noted in a smaller font. So, there are a few elements that I was surprised to discover within the pages. Nothing graphic, but it does depict the era in its glitzed-up party atmosphere - smoking and drinking and hints at relations outside of marriage. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Can one thoughtless wish erase a life?

Widowed at thirty-five, Josephine Reynolds wishes she could disappear, but her concerned sister convinces her to buy their ancestral home, a Craftsman bungalow in disrepair and foreclosure. It's a welcome distraction, and Josephine can't believe her luck when she finds the home's original door in a salvage yard.

When she installs the door and steps through it, Josephine is transported into 1927, where she meets her great-grandmother Alma, a vivacious and daring woman running an illegal speakeasy in the bungalow's basement. Immersed in the vibrant Jazz Age, Josephine forms a profound bond with Alma, only to discover upon her return to the present that history has been altered. Alma's life was tragically cut short in a speakeasy raid just a week after their fateful meeting.
Josephine has a chilling revelation--her own existence is unraveling/vanishing--and she must race against time to rewrite history. Josephine is desperate to not only save Alma but save her own future in a time-bending journey where past and present intertwine in a desperate battle for survival.

Infused with Jennifer Moorman's signature blend of magical detail and heartfelt storytelling, The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds is a tale of resilience in the face of loss and a testament to the timeless bond of family.

Street Team Opportunity

Do you want to help spread the word about an upcoming multi-author collection?

Do you love fairy tale retellings? 

 

If you answered yes, you should apply to be part of the 

A Garden of Fairy Tales Street Team.

 

 

 

Your inbox won't overflow with countless tasks, and your email will not be shared with anyone. You also won't be obligated to share every task; we understand how crazy life can become. We're just grateful for your help!

 

The purpose of this street team is to spread the word about the series, beginning with cover reveals and ending with the final book's release. Don't worry---you won't be spammed with numerous emails per week. Tasks will include cover reveals, fairy tale retelling reveals, release day posts, and at least one countdown. 

 

The form link is https://forms.gle/f9uVhbVr9cVDSmdG7 

 

About the Series:

Spring has sprung with these eight swoony, sweet retellings. Each novella finds its happily ever after amidst themes of rebirth, hope, and new life. Each book is fully independent and they can be read in any order.

Release dates run from late March to early May.
Bleeding Heart by Kendra E. Ardnek,
Daylily by Madeline Kersbergen,
Snapdragon by Sarah Beran,
Carnation by Yakira Goldsberry,
Peaflower by Jessica A. Tanner,
Forget-Me-Not by J.F. Rogers,
Golden Lotus by Meagan Myhren-Bennett,
and Lilac by Madisyn Carlin.

Jack ~ Review

Jack

Minnesota Kingstons #1

By Susan May Warren

He is returning home for Boo, his little sister's wedding. For the last ten years, he's been trying to ignore what could have been the biggest mistake, make that regret, of his life. But it's all good. He's forgotten all about Harper, and she's sure to not be at the wedding. 

Okay, he's been running, but it has shaped him into the man he is today. He's a tracker. Sure, the pay is good, but the satisfaction of helping others drives him. Now, Harper is asking him to help her find an MIA bridesmaid. This is so bad, Boo's perfect wedding is threatened, and Harper needs his help. Jack can't help himself; he has to help, but he works alone and makes no promises.

But this is Harper, and she's not about to sit back while Jack works. Nope, she's in this, and Jack will just have to accept her help. But the deeper they dive into the mystery, the closer danger comes. And it could leave them dead.

As with all of Susan May Warren's books, there are ties to previous books and series. Just enough to whet one's appetite for another book, but not enough to detract from a story that can be enjoyed on its own. This book offers hints about what's to come in the series, but the story itself does not end in a cliffhanger. If you want romance, suspense, and a good dose of family drama Jack is waiting to be added to the top of your TBR pile.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

There's Trouble in the North...

Meet Jack, a tracker with a past he’s trying to escape the first epic book of the Minnesota Kingston series by USA Today bestselling author Susan May Warren.

Her secret blew apart his life—and now she needs his help? If only he could say no…

Ten years should be long enough for Jack to forget the girl-next-door, his kid sister’s bestie and the woman—no, girl—who derailed his life. Now, he sort of likes his loner world as a missing person’s tracker. Well, mostly. But of course, when he returns home for his sister’s wedding, there she is…
Nope, not forgotten at all.

Of course Jack the Grump has shown up for his sister’s wedding, and by the way he looks at Harper, um, clearly her sins aren’t forgiven. So what—she’s sooo over her best-friend’s brooding, dark oldest brother. Really.

Then a bridesmaid goes missing.

And sure, Harper is a journalist who knows how to sniff out truth, but the clock is ticking and there’s only one person who can help…Perfect. No problem. She’s not going to fall for her childhood crush again. Promise.

Yes, Jack can admit that Harper’s not the girl he used to call Pigtails anymore. She’s all grown up…but he’s not going to get burned again. Still, what’s a guy going to do?

So, find her missing friend, get the bride down the aisle and ditch town before they find themselves in over their heads…or worse.

Dead.

Jack is a best friend’s brother, childhood crush, grumpy-to sunshine, sweet but sizzly romantic suspense about second chances and finding the family you always wanted…

Tropes:

• Second Chance at Love
• Unrequited Love
• Return to hometown
• Grumpy/Sunshine
• Secrets
• Boy/Girl Next door
• Kissing only

The Minnesota Kingstons
Book1: Jack
Book 2: Conrad
Book 3: Doyle
Book 4: Austen
Book 5: Steinbeck

A Noble Protector ~ Review

A Noble Protector

Cornerstone #8

By Madisyn Carlin

Varrick Landreth, along with his brothers and sister, has been betrayed. He is dying and left to do so in utter agony. When his sister seeks out an outcast young woman for aid, Varrick is anything but pleased. He is the family's protector and he doesn't know this stranger who could endanger Elissy. 

But this stranger in the Dead Woods has sought this refuge after being betrayed and left for dead. Gwen Yesen fears what offering her aid will mean if she is seen. Those who sought her death will never be satisfied until she meets the fate of her parents. But Gwen is the only one who can help Varrick and his brothers find the cure they seek. 

A Noble Protector is a non-magical retelling of the Wild Swans. I loved how various elements of the original fairytale were reworked to remain in the story but in an entirely plausible real-world way. The betrayal that both Varrick and Gwen faced is seen after the fact, but the repercussions are far-reaching and guide the actions of both throughout this original retelling.

I highly recommend this book for tweens and up. It is well-written and offers a wide range of feelings—despair, fear, hope, determination, love, and so much more. This book does have moments of violence but nothing graphic, just enough to set the mood for the utter hopelessness of their situation, before hope is offered. There is a definite faith element running throughout that gives hope during the darkest moments and which is appreciated.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

She’s an outcast. He’s a dying prince. Together, they may be the kingdom’s last hope.

Outcast princess Gwyn Yesen has resigned to live in anonymity for the rest of her life. When her only friend, the princess of the land unintentionally granting Gwyn safety, needs help, Gwyn knows she must assist—even if it risks revealing who and what she really is.

What would you do to save your family? That's the question dying prince Varrick Landreth find himself answering. Willing to do anything to save his brothers and sister, he finds himself joining forces with a suspicious woman keeping too many secrets.

As death nears and time runs out, Gwyn and Varrick must work together to save the royal family before usurpers and schemers enact their final, deadliest plan. But secrets have a way of being revealed at the worst time, and soon Varrick finds himself not only fighting for his family and kingdom, but being forced to choose Gwyn’s fate.

A Noble Protector is a New Adult Christian fantasy Wild Swans retelling and is Book #8 in Cornerstone Series. 

Each book can be read as a standalone.

Squire of Truth - Now Available

 Jill Williamson's return to the land of The Blood of Kings

with Squire of Truth, 

the first book in The Blood of Kings: Legends series

from Sunrise Publishing.

About the Book:
Cole Tanniyn, squire to the soon-to-be king, has journeyed far from his days as a stray stable boy in a distant mountain village. Haunted by the echoes of past failures on the battlefield, he seeks solace in music, hoping to find belonging among fellow musicians. His quest leads him to Mistel Wepp, a spirited songstress determined to forge her own path on stage.

For too long, Mistel has been bound by a past of confinement and control. Now on her own, she toils tirelessly to make her mark, but the struggle to earn a living in a world that fails to appreciate her talents proves exhausting. When she connects Cole with the future king and discovers he’s a skilled lutist, she sees an opportunity to change her future.

When a heinous crime leaves Mistel’s roommate dead, she turns to Cole for help. Despite his inexperience as an investigator, Cole vows to uncover the truth. Together, they delve into the dark alleys of Armonguard, uncovering a sinister web of secrets and sorcery that threatens the kingdom. As their journey unfolds, their shared love of music catches the attention of the king, who commissions them to compose a song for his upcoming wedding, offering a glimpse of normalcy amid adversity. Can Cole and Mistel prevail against enemies wielding dark magic? Or will they become the next casualties in a deadly game of power?

Ambush on the Ranch ~ Review

Welcome to the Blog Tour for  

Ambush on the Ranch by Tina Wheeler, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Ambush on the Ranch
Red Rock Country #3
By Tina Wheeler

 

Janel Newman doesn't know why someone was chasing her, much less trying to kill her. And she has no idea who the killer is. All Janel knows is that she lost two days worth of memories, memories that may hold the answers she seeks.

 

Zach Walker is on the trail of a killer when he comes across Janel fleeing from a gunman. When it becomes obvious she is being targeted, he offers to provide protection to Janel and her twin sister Karla at his family's ranch. But even the presence of all three Walker brothers and their law enforcement ties isn't a deterrent to the person or persons after Janel.

 

This is a read that jumps into the suspense from the opening page and continues throughout, keeping the reader wondering just happened to make Janel a target. This is a story about family and trust at its core. This book is perfect for people who want to read suspense and romance that is clean and without graphic details.This was a quick read with good pacing that did not get bogged down in excessive details. It was overall a good read.

I was provided a complimentary copy with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book

Title: Ambush on the Ranch
Series: Red Rock Country
Author: Tina Wheeler
Publisher: Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense
Release Date: December 24, 2024
Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense

Seeking ranch refuge… with lethal threats at every turn. 

After running for her life through the forest, art gallery owner Janel Newman wakes up in the hospital with no memory of the past forty-eight hours. A car bomb and masked gunman make it clear she must’ve seen something she shouldn’t have. When she's forced to hide at deputy sheriff Zach Walker’s family ranch along with her twin sister, secrets are uncovered, and a murderous conspiracy is revealed. With ruthless criminals dogging their every step, will Janel and Zach be able to thwart these villains’ plan to silence Janel for good?  

Purchase Links: Goodreads | Harlequin | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop | BookBub

Also Available

 

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About the Author

Tina Wheeler is a Publishers Weekly Bestselling Author and retired teacher. Although she grew up on the edge of the desert in Arizona, her favorite place to plot a new story is on a balcony overlooking the ocean. She enjoys spending time with her large extended family, brainstorming with writing friends, discovering new restaurants, and traveling with her husband.

Connect with Tina by visiting authortinawheeler.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon digital gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight January 6, 2025, and will last through 11:59 PM EST on January 13, 2025. 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!

Tracking the Missing ~ Review

Tracking the Missing

K-9 Search and Rescue #13

By Sami A. Abrams

Tori Campbell's camping trip with her teenage son goes wrong when their campsite is attacked. With three missing teens and someone trying to silence her permanently she has to turn to her late husband's best friend Michael Lane for help. 

Never one to ask for help, Tori has no choice when she fears for the life of Joey and his two friends. But why would someone attack their campsite during the night? Using his former contacts in the DEA Michael soon has answers, but they only increase the need to find the boys as soon as possible because as long as they are all in this Indiana wilderness the danger won't diminish.

Both Tori and Michael are both dealing with feelings of failure as they search for Joey and his friends. Michael has the added guilt of letting Tori down after failing to fulfill his promise to Ryan. Tori feels she has failed because she couldn't do it all on her own. Both have to come to terms that they are human and need to rely on God and His strength. 

This book provides suspense and danger without graphic violence, while offering inspirational moments and faith elements throughout. And big points because there is a dog involved, books are always better with dogs.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

A search for three abducted teens—and a K-9 on the case.

After surviving a vicious attack in the woods, Tori Campbell awakes to her worst nightmare—her son and his two friends are missing. She calls the one person she knows she can trust, her late husband’s best friend, former DEA agent Michael Lane. Together with his search-and-rescue K-9, they must track the boys and figure out who took them—and why. Only, the Indiana wilderness is full of dangers beyond their abductor. Can Michael and Tori find the teens…even if it means falling into a sinister trap?

From Love Inspired Suspense: 

Courage. 

Danger. 

Faith.

K-9 Search and Rescue

Book 1: Desert Rescue by Lisa Phillips
Book 2: Trailing a Killer by Carol J. Post
Book 3: Mountain Survival by Christy Barritt
Book 4: Search and Defend by Heather Woodhaven
Book 5: Following the Trail by Lynette Eason
Book 6: Dangerous Mountain Rescue by Christy Barritt
Book 7: Wilderness Hunt by Lisa Phillips
Book 8: Alaskan Mountain Search by Sarah Varland
Book 9: Alaskan Avalanche Escape by Darlene L. Turner
Book 10: Tracking Stolen Treasures by Lisa Phillips
Book 11: Alaskan Wilderness Rescue by Sarah Varland
Book 12: Lethal Mountain Pursuit by Christy Barritt
Book 13: Tracking the Missing by Sami A. Abrams
Book 14: K-9 Alaskan Defense by Sarah Varland
Book 15: Searching for Justice by Connie Queen

Lord of Winter ~ Cover Reveal

Today I'm thrilled to take part in the Cover Reveal for

LORD OF WINTER

by Jill Williamson and Andrew Swearingen.

This is the second book in the

Blood of Kings: Legends

a medieval romantasy series

from Sunrise Publishing.

About the Book:
Eric Livna, lord of the city of Tsaftown, arrives home from war, ready to properly assume the mantle of lordship. But the joyful homecoming is cut short by the return of Eric’s treacherous cousin, Sir Fenris Yarden. Eric is convinced that Fenris is at the center of a nefarious scheme to undermine House Livna. As Eric delves deeper into the mystery, he questions who he can truly trust. Even among his own family.

Lady Viola Livna, Eric’s wife, aids his quest to protect their city against Fenris. But her devotion is not fueled by love, but pragmatism. Five years into their arranged marriage, she knows that her success and the future of her family is tied to the fortune and Eric and their noble house. Yet Viola has a carries her own secrets that she trusts with no one else. Not even her husband.

The threat of Sir Fenris’s schemes force Eric and Viola to trust one another like never before as House Livna faces unseen forces plots stirring in the shadows of the frozen northern city.

LORD OF WINTER releases April 1, 2025 in ebook, print, and audiobook. Keep an eye on Jill's and Andrew's account for information about pre-order swag, which will be announced soon! You can preorder the book at these locations:

Buy link for retailers: https://books2read.com/squireoftruth

Sunrise shop buy link: https://sunrisepublishing.myshopify.com/collections/blood-of-kings-legends

The Paris Portrait ~ Review

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Paris Portrait by Heidi Eljarbo, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

The Paris Portrait
A Fabiola Bennett Mystery #3
By Heidi Eljarbo

Fabiola Bennett and her good friends Pippa and Cary travel by car to her brother's home just outside Paris. There Fabiola's brother, Eivind shows her an old cookbook he recently bought at an auction. Fabiola, being who she is, is intrigued and stays up late into the night studying the book and makes a discovery. The cookbook is much more than a cookbook and it is a clue to a potential find of historical significance if it can be proven.

The Paris Portrait is a split-time story told in from two different perspectives. Fabiola's portion of the story is set in 1973. Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun's portion is set in 1789 and in the midst of the beginnings of the French Revolution.

Élisabeth is a court portraitist and as such she has become close to France's queen, Marie Antoinette. We are taken into the luxurious and extravagant life of the Versailles court. A court unconnected to the poor people who are growing frustrated with the excesses that are in stark contrast to their daily struggles. Élisabeth's talent finds her caught in the middle. She can see the truth of life outside of court and must walk a careful line in-between if she hopes to survive what she sees coming. Her life and that of her daughter depend on it.

This is the third book the Fabiola Bennett Mystery series, a book which can be read and enjoyed without first reading the previous books. I love how both portions are historical and that the "current day" mystery is played out in the distant past. I also love seeing the "mystery" being solved by Fabiola and her friends without the use of the technology we are so used to today - no cellphones, no computers, no GPS. No this is a day of maps, travel for research, and footwork. This is an excellent read and highly recommended as an escape from the familiar.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

   

 

About the Book

Title: The Paris Portrait
Series: A Fabiola Bennett Mystery #3
Author: Heidi Eljarbo
Publisher: Independently published
Release Date: November 12, 2024
Genre: Historical Mystery, Dual Timeline, Fiction

Fabiola stumbles upon a clue that indicates a royal portrait went missing almost two hundred years ago. Is this true, or is there substance to the rumor?  

Paris, France, 1973. 
After an enjoyable but dusty road trip, Fabiola and her friends, Pippa and Cary, arrive in a small village on the outskirts of Paris to spend a few days with Fabiola’s brother Eivind and his family. 

On their first evening there, Eivind shows Fabiola an ancient recipe book he bought at an auction. The book is filled with old writing, and he asks Fabiola to decipher the pages. After the others have gone to bed, she spends hours reading and is gripped by the last pages that have nothing to do with recipes for baked goods and stews. Certain the author was a famous portrait artist at the time of the French Revolution, Fabiola and her friends set out on a treacherous investigation, dodging murderers and thieves to learn the truth.  

Versailles, France, 1789.
Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun— portraitist and close friend of the extravagant queen of France, Marie Antoinette—has already painted thirty portraits of the queen. Her contemporaries compare her to the old Dutch masters, calling her one of the greatest portrait painters of her time. 

But outside on the streets, Paris is becoming more perilous with every day that passes. Madame Le Brun would be a fool to think the rumors of a revolution will pass, and aristocratic life will continue as before. 

Amid the turmoil, she paints one final portrait of Marie Antoinette, knowing well her association with the queen could cause her to be arrested or executed. As chaos and riots in Paris turn to violence, Madame Le Brun flees with her young daughter, hoping her royal friend and the portrait will be safe.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

More Books in This Series

 

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About the Author

Heidi Eljarbo grew up in a home full of books, artwork, and happy creativity. She is the author of historical novels filled with courage, hope, mystery, adventure, and sweet romance during challenging times. She’s been named a master of dual timelines and often writes about strong-willed women of past centuries.

After living in Canada, six US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She lives with her husband on a charming island and enjoys walking in any kind of weather, hugging her grandchildren, and has a passion for art and history. 

Her family’s chosen retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summer and ski the vast white terrain during winter. 

 Heidi’s favorites are her family, God's beautiful nature, and the word whimsical.

Connect with Heidi by visiting heidieljarbo.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon giftcard + a paperback of one Fabiola Bennett Mystery of your choice!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 12, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 19, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. No shipping restrictions. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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