Falling for the Wolf ~ Review - Release Day

Falling for the Wolf

To Win a Dark Heart

By Megan Charlie

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

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

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

Nope, not happening ever. 

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

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

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

About the Book:

A woman who betrayed her family

A rogue hiding a hairy secret

And a blackmail arrangement with unexpected consequences

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

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

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

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

Love and Baseball AND The Cinderella Plot ~ 2 Book Reviews and Giveaway

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for 

Love & Baseball by Jaime Jo Wright (with Chloe Joanne) 

AND 

The Cinderella Plot by Pepper Basham, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Love and Baseball 
By Jaime Jo Wright with Chloe JoAnne 

First off this was a cute read. Brielle is being pressured by her friends in school and her loving aunts (yes plural aunts as in four) to find a boyfriend. Talk about a whole ton of unnecessary pressure. Yikes! I believe me I can totally sympathize having been on the receiving end myself from "loving" relatives.

But Bri is all about her books and baseball and doesn't want to take time away from either for finding and having a boyfriend, so she turns to AI create a fake boyfriend.  But when her fake made-up AI boyfriend has a total like-alike show up at her school with the same name she created for her boyfriend things get complicated.

Brooks Mason's first day at the new school he's starting mid-year is just odd. People seem to know him and are excited that he's there and they keep mentioning North Carolina and Bri. Whatever?  

Soon the keep from having the truth come out they are in a fake relationship. How hard can it be to pretend for just a short time and then have a breakup. But to do this they'll need to spend some time together, follow all her dad's rules, and deal with all the hype this awkward coincidence has caused. 

This is a cute, sweet read that features real life drama that stresses teens out while offering a fun twist to it. This book is free of most of the darker aspects and depressing issues that drive most YA fiction. This a refreshing read that has true life feel to it that most teens could relate to. Highly recommend to tweens and teens.

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

About the Book

Title: Love and Baseball 
Author: Jaime Jo Wright with Chloe JoAnne 
Publisher: MadLit Publishing 
Release Date: February 10, 2026 
Genre: Young Adult Romantic Comedy

She needed a boyfriend. AI came to her rescue. But then her fake boyfriend showed up at school. 

Brielle has never wanted a boyfriend. She's happy with her book boyfriends--purely fictional, right? Easy to maintain. She's also not a huge fan of sports, except baseball. Not playing it. No. Again, books and cozy afternoons are her thing. But Brielle can get into baseball with the best of them when it comes to watching, repeating stats, and wearing her favorite jerseys. But apparently, that's not enough in life. At least according to her four nosy aunts, who all think she needs a boyfriend, people at school who are convinced Brielle is a closet serial killer because she's happier with her books, and yeah. Valentine’s Day is on the calendar. 

There is a purpose for AI, and Brielle decides the genius thing to do is make a fake boyfriend. Complete with deepfake photos, Brielle creates the perfect boyfriend, and no one needs to know he's entirely fictional. They just need to believe she met him over summer vacation, and he lives somewhere in North Carolina. Only he doesn't. When baseball catcher, Brooks Mason shows up at high school, a lookalike to Brielle's AI boyfriend, her entire world becomes a dog-eared, bent pages book nightmare. 

Brooks is getting sick of all the girls at school wanting to date him. He wants to play ball and hang out. So, yeah. It makes sense to help Brielle out. Fake date? Why not? But once together, dating for show becomes an act that both Brielle and Brooks aren't quite prepared for, and dealing with unexpected attraction, complicated situations, and interfering aunts and bffs?  

It's a grand slam of problems just waiting to happen, plus a game-changing shot at a championship home run at love.  

** CLEAN YA Rom-Com Fiction you can read without skipping a page **

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

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About the Authors

Jaime Jo Wright is a multi-award-winning author of gothic historical mystery novels that weave suspense through dual timelines. Her debut novel, The House on Foster Hill (2017), won both the prestigious Christy Award and the Daphne du Maurier Award, establishing her as a compelling voice in inspirational fiction. An ECPA and Publisher's Weekly bestselling author, Wright specializes in chilling mysteries stained with history's secrets, drawing readers into haunting tales set primarily in turn-of-the-century Wisconsin. Her work has earned praise from Publishers Weekly for skillfully wrapping intricate mysteries around dual timelines with enough surprises to captivate lovers of gothic fiction. When she isn’t writing mysteries, she co-authors YA RomCom with her teenage daughter, Chloe JoAnne, with a passion to provide sweet and witty romance for teenagers with no apologies needed. Residing in Wisconsin's rural woodlands with her husband and their two children, Wright is a self-proclaimed coffee enthusiast and lover of all of her rescued felines.

Connect with Jaime Jo by visiting jaimewrightbooks.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.

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The Cinderella Plot

By Pepper Basham

What if you felt invisible to everyone around you? This is just how Paisley Harper feels. After all, even her dad doesn't want her, and she lives with her aunt and uncle. Books are her thing, but she wants something more - like an invite to Homecoming. But when no one really sees you, you're forgotten.

But Paisley is determined to switch things up, starting with her appearance. It worked in The Princess Diaries, so why can't it work for her too? And she may have come across the perfect way to transform herself into someone who will be noticed The Cinderella Plot.

But her BFF has a different perspective that if you have to change outwardly to catch someone's attention, then they still aren't seeing you. But what does Chris know? He's just a guy after all. But there is something different about the way he's looking at her and even the things he's saying lately.

As Paisley changes she is faced with some questions about the person she is becoming. 

This is actually a really good book for making one stop and think. What is more important? Being someone noticed by all the popular people? Or being someone who has a few close friends? Self-centered or giving?

I love how Paisley's ah-ha moments give her pause. She doesn't always pick the right thing, but when she remembers who she is and the basics she was given she realizes what is truly important and what is worth pursuing. 

This was a cute read that touches on a timely topic with all the pressure tween and teens face in this time of social media and peer pressure. School has always been a place that demands conforming even without todays external factors and that makes this book timeless in the lesson it shares. 

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

About the Book

Title: The Cinderella Plot 
Author: Pepper Basham 
Publisher: independently published 
Release Date: March 19, 2026 
Genre: Young Adult Romantic Comedy

Paisley Harper is invisible. 

Not in a superpower way. More like the people-look-right-through-you-in-the-hallway kind of way. 

She’s the girl with the oversized cardigan, random book knowledge, and the uncanny ability to tutor the school’s star quarterback without actually being seen as anything more than helpful. Meanwhile, her aunt and uncle’s beloved small-town bookstore is under threat from a shiny corporate chain, her best friend keeps giving her looks that feel suspiciously loaded, and Homecoming is looming like a glittery reminder that senior year is running out…and she’s never been kissed. 

Enter The Cinderella Plot—a wildly popular self-help book promising total transformation in five easy steps. New hair. New confidence. New life. Maybe even… a date. 

With nothing to lose (except her dignity), Paisley decides to follow the plan. Because if fairy tales have taught her anything, it’s that invisible girls don’t get happy endings unless they change something first. 

But as Paisley starts stepping into the spotlight, she has to ask herself an important question: 

What if being seen comes at the cost of being herself? 

Full of heart, humor, bookish charm, and small-town magic, The Cinderella Plot is a romcom about friendship, first love, faith, and discovering that sometimes the greatest transformation isn’t becoming someone new—it’s realizing you were worthy all along.  

** CLEAN YA Rom-Com Fiction you can read without skipping a page **

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon

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About the Author

Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance “peppered” with grace and humor. Writing both historical and contemporary novels, she loves to incorporate her native Appalachian culture and/or her unabashed adoration of the UK into her stories. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of southwestern VA, where she is the wife, mom to five great kids, a speech-language pathologist, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus.

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

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a prize pack of Brielle's Faves (an signed copy of Love & Baseball, a copy of Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen, a Milwaukee Brewers lanyard, and a Brewers Christian Yelich baseball card) and Paisley's Faves (a signed copy of The Cinderella Plot, a Cinderella carriage jewelry holder, and a beautiful copy of Emma by Jane Austen)!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight March 2, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 9, 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 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!

Whispers in the Snow ~ Review with Giveaway

Welcome to the Blog Tour for 

Whispers in the Snow by Heidi Eljarbo, 
hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Whispers in the Snow 

Heartwarming Christmas 
By Heidi Eljarbo 

This was a cozy, sweet read featuring Cornelia Gran, a frustrated amateur detective who is inspired by the writings of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.  

I loved how this book is set in Norway and that it would have been during the time that my great-great-grandparents were still living there.   

Cornelia is supposed to be looking for a husband, sort of. But she is of a mind that she is not going to marry just to be married. No, only love will tip her to accept a proposal of marriage, and the town she is living in has no one to tempt her heart into fluttering. Instead, she fills her days with reading books, magazines, and newspapers. If she finds something to spark her curiosity, she is ready to investigate. 

When an article sparks Cornelia's curiosity about an abandoned home, she decides to investigate and find the long-gone owners. But soon, Cornelia's investigation leads to the discovery of a "ghost" related to the house. Then, strange men take an interest in the same house as Cornelia, and Cornelia finds that her life and anyone connected to the abandoned house is in danger. 

This book is an easy read and isn't at all graphic. I would have no issue recommending this book to tweens or my grandmother because of content. I would also love additional stories featuring Cornelia Gran and her sleuthing.

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

About the Book

Title: Whispers in the Snow 
Series: Heartwarming Christmas 
Author: Heidi Eljarbo 
Publisher: independently published 
Release Date: ‎ January 27, 2026 
Genre: Cozy Historical Mystery Romance

Of course, a young woman in Norway during the late nineteenth century can be a successful amateur sleuth, and goodness knows, Cornelia’s days are always more exciting when she can devote her time to resolving a local mystery. 

Cornelia Gran is a dedicated daughter, friendly and kind; although, she has an exorbitant amount of curiosity. She devours Arthur Conan Doyle’s magazine articles and tries to follow the fictitious Sherlock Holmes’s investigative examples, but her fascination with solving puzzles always gets her into mischief. 

Each morning, Cornelia reads the newspaper, looking for a conundrum to solve. Searching for clues—and then chronicling her discoveries—thrills her. She certainly finds those activities more entertaining than taking her grandmother’s advice and attending one Christmas ball after another in search of a husband. 

But chaos and danger turn Cornelia’s quiet days upside down when her attempt to find information about the owner of a nearby abandoned cottage takes her into dangerous territory. As winter winds rattle the windows and swirl snowdrifts against the doors, she faces off with a ghost, gets in trouble with the police, and finds herself staring down danger without thinking of the consequences. In the middle of it all, she meets Simon and is captivated by his charm, good looks, and personality. 

Meanwhile, a real killer is after her, and he won’t stop until he gets information she doesn’t have! Christmas, with all its cheery festivities, hygge, and family traditions, has never been more threatened. Cornelia must call on all her investigative skills, not only to stop the ruination of her family’s holiday, but also to make certain Simon and his aunt keep what belongs to them. And maybe, just maybe, the amateur sleuth will discover the meaning of true love.  

Set in a fictitious town in Norway in 1891, this cozy historical mystery is perfect for those who enjoy curious and determined women sleuths, clean and wholesome romance, and the discovery of buried secrets in an abandoned house.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

More 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 and subscribe to email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a paperback copy of Whispers in the Snow and The Relic Thief, plus a $10 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight February 23, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 2, 2026. 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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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Last to Fall ~ Review

Last to Fall
Gossamer Falls #3
By Lynn H. Blackburn

In Last to Fall, we finally get to the heart of Mo and Bronwyn's story and why they haven't been speaking to one another for YEARS! In the previous Gossamer Falls books, we were given hints that they had once been close and may still harbor feelings for each other, but we didn't know why. 

This is definitely a second-chance romance book that may not have happened if Bronwyn's family hadn't been trying to get rid of her. And not get rid of as in an extended vacation. Nope, someone wants her gone permanently, and the Pierce family will never be the same once the dust settles in this high-tension read. 

This was a page-turner from the opening sentence, and it never let go of my attention. I may have been tempted to forego sleep just to find out what happened next. I totally love the Quinn family; they are such a stark contrast to Bronwyn's family. The Pierces are just awful, and nothing throughout this series has convinced me that any of them would be worth getting to know, with the notable exception of Bronwyn.

I loved how the book gave me glimpses into the past so I could understand how Mo and Bronwyn got to where they weren't speaking to one another, to the consternation and frustration of Mo's family. 

This book can be read as a standalone, but it is best read in series order to get the lay of the land. This book definitely has lots of suspense as Mo, Meredith, Cal, Gray, and the rest of the Quinn clan try to keep Bronwyn alive long enough to figure out where the threat against her is coming from. And there are suspects aplenty to keep one guessing.

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

 

About the Book:

She's caught in a deadly game. He's the only one who can help her win.

Bronwyn Pierce has poured everything into The Haven, her family's exclusive mountain resort in Gossamer Falls. But when financial discrepancies surface and the numbers suggest something far darker than simple mismanagement, she's forced to call on the one person with the skills to help her: Mo Quinn, a former Army intelligence officer, her first love, and the last person she ever wanted to trust again.

Mo has spent years avoiding the woman he once loved and the secrets that tore them apart. But when Bronwyn calls, he can't walk away--especially when it's clear someone wants her gone for good. As they dig deeper into the treacherous motives behind a blackmail scheme, their proximity reignites long-buried feelings neither of them are ready to face. And when the evidence points to an unexpected culprit, Mo faces an impossible choice: trust the proof in front of him or trust his heart.

With danger closing in and no one else to turn to, Bronwyn must break years of silence with Mo to uncover who's trying to destroy The Haven. They'll have to risk everything--including their hearts--to expose the truth before it's too late.

The finale to Blackburn's Gossamer Falls series is an exhilarating romantic suspense novel packed with tension. This gripping read will hook fans of the family rivalry, bodyguard, small town, second chance romance, and forced proximity tropes.

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 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.

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.

 

The Unending Light ~ Review with Giveaway

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

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

      

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About the Author

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.

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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)!

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

2026 is Here and Bookish News!

 Hope everyone had a lovely holiday.
I have submitted my story, Water's Gift, which you will be able to
enjoy in March 2026.

I can't wait for you to read my retelling of
The Water of Life, 
which will be published in 
Of Hope and Honor.

Preorder the ebook for only $2.99
(Now on sale for 50 % off)

https://us.amazon.com/dp/B0F9S7NT5B/

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.)

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Links –

https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781335957436_abducted-in-the-woods.html

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/228126590-abducted-in-the-woods