Safehouse Under Siege ~ Review

Safehouse Under Siege

Lone Star Defenders #5

By Virginia Vaughan

Four years ago, Emily Matthews' life was changed when she witnessed her fiancé murder before her very eyes. Since then, she has been hidden away from the life she had before. But someone is determined to silence her, and they won't let WITSEC's anonymity stop them.

Four years ago, Wyatt Briggs lost his brother and the woman who brought so much to their lives. When a fellow US Marshal reaches out to let him know Emily's identity has been compromised and that a mole exists within their organization, Wyatt vows to do whatever it takes to keep her safe.

But first he has to find her in a small town called Mercy, Texas, with no resources he can call on to help him get her to safety before it is too late.

After four years of living as someone else, Emily is not ready to just pack up and run. What's to stop the man hunting from chasing her for the rest of her life? She's got friends in Mercy and people she trusts to help keep her safe. But can she convince Wyatt that they need to stand firm in Mercy? Or will they flee in the night, leaving questions in their wake?

Safehouse Under Siege is the fifth book in Virginia Vaughan's Lone Star Defenders series. This a clean romantic suspense from the Love Inspired Suspense collection. You can expect twists, community, found family, clean/wholesome romance, non-graphic violence, second chances, and near escapes. And there may be a HEA or HFN to cap off the book, but you'll have to get your own copy to find out if Wyatt and Emily can escape an enemy who has no fear of the law or justice thanks to his deep pockets and lack of compassion. 

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

 

Deep in the heart of Texas,

he’s her only chance for survival.

US Marshal Wyatt Briggs will risk his life for his job—but when Emily Matthews’s WITSEC identity is compromised, keeping her safe becomes personal. Once engaged to Wyatt’s deceased brother, Emily is like family, yet now she means even more. Both find themselves targets on a drug kingpin’s revenge list, forced to flee from one compromised safe house to another. With a mole lurking in the Marshals Service, Wyatt and Emily must risk everything to protect each other. Emily’s testimony brought the criminal down once, but now they’ll have to work together to deliver justice again, all while staying one step ahead of deadly threats.

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
Book 5: Safehouse Under Siege

Her Reluctant Amish Heart ~ Review

Her Reluctant Amish Heart

Humble Blessings #3

By Pamela Desmond Wright

Elam Muller pulled away from his Amish roots following the death of his parents. He sought a feeling of belonging, and he thinks he's found that in the Englisch world and his love of fixing automobiles. But when he makes a decision that could have cost a young man his life, Elam's life is upended, and he finds himself doing community service on the very farm of the young man who was hurt. 

Anika Glick's life is a mess. After a tragic accident changed everything, the last thing she needed was for her younger brother to be injured when a former Amish young man makes a selfish decision. When Elam Mueller shows up at her door to work off his community service hours, well, she is not pleased. 

But as Elam helps out, Anika comes to realize just how much her life has changed in the last couple of years, of how much she has lost. And Elam discovers how much he gave up when he left the faith and beliefs that guided him before he lost his way. But can he give up the outside world, the excitement, the cars, the racing for a simple life?

This was a good read that showed how loss affects people differently. Both Anika and Elam respond differently, but at the root of both their reactions is pain and grief. As they work together, their lives begin to change, and their hearts open up to new possibilities. But can they truly break free of the shackles of their old destructive choices? If you're a fan of sweet romance, second chances, and Amish fiction, I would recommend this book, which can be read as a standalone title. And as this is a Love Inspired title, you can be assured of a clean read, wholesome level one romance, and a satisfactory ending with a happily-ever-after in their future.

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

About the Book:

Can her guarded heart

find its way to love and redemption?

When a reckless street race injures her brother, Anika Glick wants nothing to do with the man responsible—especially when he’s sentenced to help her family. But Elam Muller is desperate to prove he’s changed. As they work together on her family farm, Anika finds herself drawn to Elam’s remorse and kindness. But when they're presented with one last risky race that could secure their future or destroy it all, everything they’ve built is put to the test. Will their growing love survive the pull of the past—or will it all come crashing down?

From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

The Robber and the Witness ~ Review

The Robber and the Witness

The Christmas Cabin #4

By Danielle Grandinetti

Okay, I totally love The Christmas Cabin series by Danielle Grandinetti, which is set in 1930s Wisconsin. Of note, you do not have to read the books in order to enjoy them, but it is fun to do so, as there are references to previous Christmases and characters who found their way to love there.

This time we are introduced to Evangeline (Eva) Whitaker, whose older brother needs to be away over Christmas. Now Eva is known for her kind heart, and Evan doesn't trust her not to get in trouble because of this compassionate quality. So he has their old family friend escort her to another home, to strangers, to spend the holiday in their company.

Evangeline doesn't mind that Gideon Lundgren will be escorting her. Nope, she secretly had a childhood crush on him. But it's been years since they have seen one another. Of course, in the few minutes between Evan's train leaving and Gideon's arriving, Eva does exactly what Evan feared she would do. She helps out a stranger and finds herself tangled up in a robbery!

Now with a winter storm threatening their travel, Gideon outside of his deputy jurisdiction, and the robber desperate to retrieve the money he stole, Evangeline is about to have a Christmas unlike any she has ever experienced. And maybe she'll get the Christmas gift she is wishing for.

Yes, this was a sweet historical romantic mystery. Perfect for readers who want their romance and mystery closer to a G rating than an R. If you want romance that doesn't cross any lines and mysteries that don't rely on profane language or graphic violence, you will want to experience this newest addition to the Christmas Cabin series. Highly recommended and appropriate for the youngest romance reader.  

About the Book:

Christmas … a time of reunions and unexpected surprises.

A simple favor, a best friend's promise, and the end of the line.

Wisconsin, 1931—When Gideon Lundgren agrees to escort his best friend's sister to Manitowish Waters, plans go awry when she witnesses a robbery. He thinks he's merely escorting the girl he once knew, but she's grown into a charming beauty.

Evangeline Whitaker's older brother always warned that her kind heart would be the death of her. It might at that. First, when she's an unwitting accomplice to a robber. Second, when her childhood crush becomes her bodyguard.

With a robber on their trail and a tangle of emotions between them, Evangeline and Gideon detour to his boss's cabin to wait out the ensuing manhunt. However, Evangeline's Christmas spirit might be the death of them both.

One cabin in the Northwoods … a decade of Christmas miracles.

A 1930s Historical Romantic Mystery

This page-turning novella offers a slow-burn romance mixed with cozy suspense. Set during a December 1931 manhunt, it unfolds against the backdrop of a secluded Wisconsin cabin. Perfect for fans of Laura Frantz and Rhys Bowen looking for an inspirational read.

The Robber and the Witness Tropes:

Best Friend’s Sibling
Bodyguard/Protector
Forced Proximity
Grumpy/Sunshine
Holiday Romance

Christmas … a time of reunions and unexpected surprises.

The Preacher's Promise ~ Review

First off, I have to say I have very mixed feelings about this book.

Read my review and judge for yourself if it is for you.

The Preacher's Promise

Men of Midas #2

By Victoria Bylin

Reverend John Leaf is not proud of his past, but a stint in prison was just what he needed to turn his life around. Unfortunately, a heart washed clean by the gift of salvation can't erase the sins of the past, and John Leaf's past has come to Midas in the form of Abbie Windsor, the woman he loved and left years ago.

Abbie has a problem; her teenage daughter Susanna has run away in search of her father. The father who did not know she existed, and this unknown, missing daughter is John's greatest fear come true. He knows he isn't father material and he should never be one; he knows the darkness that lives within him.

Now this book came with a content warning of references to past domestic violence. In my opinion, it is a little more than that, as it actually occurs to another character in the book's real time. It is also a major factor throughout the book because Abbie is still dealing with the scars mentally, physically, and emotionally through the majority of the book. Which, unfortunately, is how real life happens: one doesn't just survive abuse and move on as if nothing traumatic occurred. It shapes one's future interactions and is evident in how Abbie deals with those people in her life and defines her feelings and reactions to John.

This book definitely left me with mixed feelings. I had to take this book slowly and was not able to read through it quickly as I often do.

Was it well-written? Yes.

Were the characters engaging? Yes.

Would I recommend this book to others? Yes and no.

I feel this book would help those who haven't suffered abuse to get a glimpse into what friends or family who have might be silently experiencing. So yes, but with a warning that it could be unsettling to the reader.

What I did not like:

The main characters engaged in premarital relations, which resulted in an unplanned pregnancy. This in turn led to Abbie's marriage to her abusive husband.

Too much physical intimacy for my tastes or comfort level.

Nakedness of Abbie, which I realize was to drive home the extent of the abuse she suffered under her husband.

This is a story of redemption, forgiveness, and second chances. It is a glimpse into the mercy of God in allowing one to accept the healing power of Salvation. Of working through hidden pains.

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

About the Book
Title: The Preacher's Promise
Series: Men of Midas #2
Author: Victoria Bylin
Publisher: Independently published
Release Date: June 4, 2026
Genre: Western Historical Christian Romance

Because Love is Worth the Risk

Reverend John Leaf wasn’t always the man he is now—a fact driven home when a letter arrives from a fifteen-year-old girl claiming to be his daughter. What John fears most in this world is passing on his bad blood to a child. But if the letter from Susanna Windsor is true, he’s already done exactly that.  

His fears are confirmed when Abigail Windsor, once Abbie Moore, arrives in Midas. Widowed and accompanied by her incorrigible son, Abbie needs John’s help. Her daughter Susanna has run away from her Washington, DC home and is searching for him—not in Midas but in Bitterroot, Wyoming, where John’s most feared enemy has sworn revenge on him.

Susanna is in danger.  So are John and Abbie for entirely different reasons. Only love can heal past hurts and the emotional wounds left by Abbie’s violent marriage. But with love comes risk—and danger in the form of Ben Gantry, a man determined to exact revenge on John and his family.

https://www.amazon.com/Preachers-Promise-Second-Chance-Romance/dp/B0H452MG8T/

Available in Kindle Unlimited

Content Note: past domestic violence referenced

When the Silence Breaks ~ Review

When the Silence Breaks

Mercy Ridge #1

By Elizabeth Goddard

When a decades old secret is revealed, Sarah Ellison's life is changed forever. Her late grandfather revealed a secret that Sarah feels is directly related to her brother's death--a death she is convinced is murder. With what's left of her family in hiding, Sarah goes searching for answers on a mountain within the Cascade Mountains--a mountain that is even now looming large and deadly--threatening her search for the truth.

But to uncover that truth, Sarah needs Ryder Goodwin's help to get up the mountain. But going up the mountain is the last thing Ryder wants to do; to him it is the site of his greatest failure, and all signs are pointing to danger and a growing threat. 

Prepare yourself for betrayal and unexpected twists. Who will live? Who will die? My lips are sealed and my fingers are off the keyboard. 

If you have never read this author before this is a perfect time to introduce yourself as this is the first book in a new series Mercy Ridge which also happens to be the location of the book. If you like suspense, mystery, danger, decades long secrets, and romance with nothing graphic or overly descriptive thrown in, this is the book for you.

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

About the Book:

A deathbed confession. A decades-old secret. A mountain that holds the answers--and danger closing in.

When intelligence analyst Sarah Ellison learns of her grandfather's deathbed confession connected to her brother's murder, she's determined to protect her remaining family. After further investigation, she discovers the disclosed information points to a decades-old government secret buried deep in the Cascade Mountains. With this knowledge, she looks for a guide who knows the terrain like the back of their hand.

After his father's death in a tragic mountain accident, former Navy SEAL Ryder Goodwin no longer guides for the family business. At first, Ryder refuses to help Sarah, but he sees the trouble chasing her and can't stand by while someone brings danger to his small-town mountain community.

Ryder and Sarah gear up to climb the mountain in a race against time and a looming storm. When the danger escalates, their search for answers shifts to a survival mission. Their only chance to make it through involves trusting each other and confronting the truth no one wants them to find.

This gripping romantic-suspense thriller set in the Pacific Northwest from USA Today bestselling author Elizabeth Goddard is a series opener that will sweep you away in a rush of adrenaline.

Twilight Tactics ~ Review

Twilight Tactics
Soldiers in Shadows #1
By Lynette Eason

When their latest safehouse is compromised, FBI agent Sully Sullivan decides to move their witness to the only place he knows is safe - his cousin's ranch. But it soon becomes clear that the mob has found them yet again, and Ollie Callahan is still in danger. Is there a leak or is the mob that good?

When evidence points to a nearby prepper community as having targeted the ranch, survival expert and former community resident Elena Thompson decides to reach out to the community and seek answers. Yeah, like that will go well, but she has ties with the community, or she did years ago before she escaped it.

With the mob and the preppers surrounding them, one has to wonder if the timing is random or if something more sinister is at work? 

This is an intense, don't-let-down-your-guard read. And, yes, it will keep you reading into the late hours of the night. And the whole who is in danger thing definitely will keep you flipping through the pages, because readers want to know these things. Because how can one put down the book and get a good night's rest when the future of the main characters is in doubt? I suggest weekend reading or a vacation day. I did just that because stopping mid-chapter so I'm not late for work is not an option.

This is the first book in the author's newest series Soldiers in Shadows but there were characters from previous works who made an appearance. Reading the author's earlier works is not required to enjoy the suspense in this book.

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

About the Book:

He came to protect a witness. She came to teach survival skills. Now they're targets with an enemy who won't let either of them walk away.

FBI agent Sully Sullivan arrives at Broken Chains Ranch with Ollie Callahan--a foster teen and sole witness to a mob hit. The ranch, started by Sully's cousin to provide a trauma recovery facility for veterans, should be a place he can keep Ollie safe until the trial. But what was meant as a peaceful haven becomes a battleground when armed attackers surround the property.

Survival expert Elena Thompson teaches wilderness skills at the ranch and coaches Ollie in self-defense. As the series of attacks on the ranch escalates into a full siege, the question becomes who the attackers are after: Ollie, the young witness? Or Elena, with her mysterious past? With communications down and help out of reach, Sully and Elena fight to keep everyone alive as secrets and danger close in.

A gripping romantic suspense thriller from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lynette Eason, full of action and danger and set on a remote ranch. Forced proximity, surprising twists, and a race against tech-savvy enemies make this a pulse-pounding read for fans of Irene Hannon, Dani Pettrey, and Elizabeth Goddard.

Ondine and the Soldier ~ Review

Ondine and the Soldier 

Once by a Shore 

By Sienna Peake 

Captain John Hubert is not a sailor, but his mother insisted that he retrieve her possession from a ship that has partially sunk. Well, things being what they are, he's less than thrilled about the whole thing. He's recovering from a wound and really should not be doing this errand she insisted upon. But while on this errand, a storm comes up, and non-sailor that he is (plus a small boat), it does not go well.

Ondine has always loved the sea, and when the weather gets stormy, she loves the wind and the waves. But when she finds a man washed ashore, she finds herself in a new friendship with this stranger who has lost all his memories. The only thing he has to call his own is the clothes he was wearing, much too fine for a common fisherman. 

Romance seems possible, but what if his past holds unexpected surprises or danger? 

This was a fun and delightful read. One that I recommend for tweens and up who are looking for wholesome romance but don't expect the journey to be all lollipops and roses. I love that this is a read-in-any-order series with the sea being the binding theme throughout.

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

About the Book:

Get swept away in this seaside, fairytale romance

Captain John Hubert is home from war, sent to retrieve a mysterious parcel from a wrecked ship along the coast of Cornwall. When an unexpected storm arrives, John suffers an injury that causes him to lose his memories. After he is discovered by the kind daughter of a fisherman, he finds a new life and new love. But when his memories at last return, will he lose all that he has gained?

Ondine Kellow was discovered as an infant and raised along the Cornish coast. She has often dreamed of adventure, and it arrives in the most unexpected form--a strange man washed ashore. After Ondine and the stranger form an attachment, new discoveries arise that threaten to tear them apart. When she at last adventures beyond the borders of Cornwall, will she find the love she has long been seeking?

Ondine and the Soldier is the first book in the Once by a Shore series of Regency fairy tale retellings inspired by water-based fairy tales. The stories in the series are clean and wholesome and can be enjoyed in a single afternoon. Each story is a stand-alone work and may be read in any order.

Available on Amazon.com

Bookmarked for Love ~ Review

Bookmarked for Love

Checking Out Love #3

By Sarah Monzon

Okay full disclosure here, when I'm not reading books for enjoyment or to post my opinion about them or writing them, I work in a library and have for many years. So, I had to read Bookmarked for Love when given the opportunity, because Hello? Library! Publisher! Wanna-be-published Writers! I am so in.

This was such a cute idea a publishing heir who needs help making the children's imprint viable and a children's librarian on a mission to save the library's children's department working together to help one another out. Well, as this book is a Rom-Com you know what's going to happen in the end or have a really good chance of having a rough idea. But it's the getting of here to there that will have you turning the pages. 

But it isn't all fun as the stress of trying to get his dad to slow down and step back starts to get to Julien King. It's up to Martha Aldridge to help Julien see stress and fear are turning him into someone he doesn't want to be. But how to get him to listen is the issue with time a major factor in Julien succeeding and for Martha to get the money the library so desperately needs.

Delightful blend of humor, levity, honesty, and romance and perfect for your Summer TBR.

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

About the Book:

Can a jeopardized children's library program 

spark a partnership that saves their careers 

but costs them their hearts?

When children's librarian Martha Aldridge learns about budget cuts that will not only put her out of a job but also shut down the library's children's programs, she's determined to raise the funds needed to save both. The good news is, she knows just who to ask for a large donation on the library's behalf. The bad news? She swore she'd never step foot in his office again.

Julien King has been groomed to one day run his family's publishing empire, and now he must prove he's ready to take the helm by turning around the company's languishing children's imprint. That wouldn't be a problem, except he doesn't know the first thing about children's literature. So when Martha waltzes into his office, he sees an opportunity and makes her an offer she can't refuse. He'll give her the money she needs for the library in exchange for her help in acquiring a bestselling manuscript that will resurrect the dying imprint. The longer they're forced to work together, however, the more they come to realize their jobs may not be the only thing on the line.

"With a uniquely heartfelt message, lovable characters, and laugh-out-loud moments, Sarah Monzon's novel is a delight!"--MELISSA FERGUSON, bestselling author on An Overdue Match

"This charming rom-com won me over from page one."--BECCA KINZER, award-winning author on Hearts in Circulation

In her charming rom-com style, Sarah Monzon delivers a bookish novel brimming with forced proximity, workplace romance, a curvy and plus-size heroine, the silver fox trope, and middle-age romance. For fans of Pepper Basham, Courtney Walsh, and Becky Wade.

The Light of Stars ~ Review with Giveaway

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for The Light of Stars by Jenelle Hovde, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

The Light of Stars 

By Jenelle Hovde 

Kitty Grenville's life was altered when she and her brother were taken from their home in India. Forced to hide her Indian heritage from the English society, Kitty resents that she must deny who she was or risk her grandfather's ire.

When she discovers that she is expected to marry Sebastian Sinclair, she is less than happy at the arrangement her grandfather has made on her behalf. Kept hidden away at her grandfather's country estate, Kitty has longed for the day she would go to London for a season. But London is denied her except for the means of securing her marriage to Sebastian.

Sebastian has been ordered home to England to marry Kathleen Aurora Grenville. If he doesn't, he will lose his inheritance, and his younger brother will be in charge of the Sinclair family's influence over the East India Company and he will deal harshly with the people under him.

Both Sebastian and Kitty are trapped by the expectations of their grandfathers. But perhaps the best way to throw off the chains that are holding them back is to do the expected - marriage to one another. For Kitty it is a chance to return to India and discover what happened to her mother all those years ago. For Sebastian it is a chance to rectify the mistakes of his past and protect the people of India. But at what cost will their marriage come?

I loved this glimpse into two people who long for something different in the life they have been given. And one often hears about the East India Company and the power they wielded over much of the world, this book offers an intriguing glimpse into the company itself, and the work of William Wilberforce and William Carey. I highly recommend this book to those who love Historical Romance and interesting family dynamics.

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

About the Book

Title: The Light of Stars 

Author: Jenelle Hovde 

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers 

Release Date: July 14, 2026 

Genre: Historical Romance 

An arranged marriage. A powerful company tainted with corruption. Two souls caught between obligation and a longing to find their true calling in this Regency romance set in glittering London ballrooms and Calcutta street markets. 

When Kitty Grenville’s grandfather announces her engagement to Sebastian Sinclair, she’s appalled. She barely remembers the boy she met once as a child—and now he’s a man tied to the East India Company, the very organization that tore Kitty and her brother from their mother and home in Hyderabad years ago. Unwilling to relinquish her dream of a love match or her passion for astronomy, Kitty is determined to refuse the marriage and find freedom in her own way. 

Sebastian Sinclair carries the weight of duty and regret. To atone for past sins, he complies with his grandfather’s orders to return to England, fulfill a long-standing betrothal, and defend the maligned East India Company before Parliament. Though Kitty makes her disinterest clear, Sebastian is drawn to her intellect and spirit. 

As Kitty navigates her first London season, her opinion of Sebastian begins to shift, especially when he shields her from scandal. When he’s abruptly called back to India, Kitty stuns everyone by marrying him and going with him, hoping to escape her grandfather’s control—and to find her mother. 

But the challenges that await in India are greater than imagined. Together, Kitty and Sebastian must confront the legacy of family and empire—and discover if a marriage born of obligation can grow into a love strong enough to endure. 

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Tyndale | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Bookshop | BookBub

Also Available

   

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About the Author

Jenelle Hovde, an accomplished illustrator, author, pastor's wife, and homeschooling mother, ventured off the beaten path when she transitioned from her career as a doctor of audiology to pursue her passion for writing. While her nine novels span different eras—from the ancient worlds to World War II—her favorite genre is sweet Regency romance that enchants readers with tales of love and intrigue set against the backdrop of nineteenth-century England. Drawing inspiration from timeless treasures found in antique stores, Jenelle pens historical romance novels that captivate readers with vivid storytelling and gentle messages of faith. Her stories have garnered impressive showings in multiple writing contests. Often found writing at the Florida beach, she navigates life with her family and manages two saucy cats who insist on interrupting her creative endeavors.

Connect with Jenelle by visiting jenellehovdeauthor.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 gift card to their choice bookstore!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight July 21, 2026 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on July 28, 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 the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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

A Filling of Fables and Firelight ~ Release Day and Review

A Filling of Fables and Firelight 

Enchanting Confections

By Sarah Beran 

Rana Schehera has very strong opinions about the new Sultan and they are not favorable. When she is given the opportunity to be the seamstress for the upcoming "Queen Contest" she can't say no.

But Kamaran is nothing like Rana suspected. In fact, he has moments where he is very ordinary. And he feels that no matter what he does he will forever be viewed as a failure. He knows what he lacks and feels that he is a disappointment to his late father. 

Kamaran mistakes Rana for one of the "queen" contestants and Rana regrets that she did not enter the contest when given the chance. But at the time she didn't realize just who the Sultan was. The repartee between the two is fun as they influence each other to be better. Rana isn't impressed by titles and Kamaran is not impressed by "wannabe queens' who throw themselves at him--sounds like a perfect match.

This was a sweet, yet sensitive story that has all the potential for love or heartbreak. The question is what will be the outcome? I loved this story especially the animal antics--I mean who wouldn't want a pet Fennec fox or a tiger? Highly recommend. 

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

Available for purchase at https://books2read.com/fillingff

A slice of bridal competition
A dusting of mistaken identity
And a whisk of love that might be nothing more than a fable.

Rana Schehera is fully content with her simple life. Newly employed as a seamstress under one of the most sought-after tailors in El Huram, she’s paid enough for her beautiful creations to both provide for her aging grandmother and keep a steady supply of her favorite sweets. That simple life is threatened, however, when the new Sultan decides to select his bride the traditional way—through competition—and Rana is one of the lucky seamstresses chosen to attend the competitors. Still, it should all be fairly straightforward…until the Sultan mistakes her for one of the princesses he’s meant to be courting and inexplicably keeps coming back.

Kamaran knew the throne was inevitable, but he wasn’t prepared for it to be his so soon. Now, reeling from loss and weighed down by the crown he never wanted and the responsibilities he never cared for, his council of viziers has added insult to injury by arranging for him to select a bride. His plan is simple: Go through the motions, eliminate a prospect each week, and hope that by the end, the last one standing will be at least tolerable. What he didn’t plan for was the pragmatic princess with an obsession for needlework and stories that capture his imagination.

With each evening that passes, Rana begins to see that Kamaran is more than the fickle, irresponsible Sultan he pretends to be, and she wants to be the one to fill the empty spaces in his heart. But as the end of the competition draws near, it becomes all too clear that the story she’s weaving may never have a happy ending.

A Filling of Fables and Firelight, a retelling of 1,001 Nights, is a standalone novella, complete with tropes such as Mistaken Identity, Commoner x Royalty, and Forbidden Love. It is part of The Enchanting Confections series, a collection of clean and cozy stories guaranteed to delight your sweet tooth.

The Spy Keeper of Marseille ~ Review

The Spy Keeper of Marseille

By Roseanna M. White

Narrated by Megan Tusing

There is something about WW2-era books that touches the soul. I think it is the characters' attempts to right the world that has gone so terribly wrong. To do what must be done and sometimes at an incredible cost

In The Spy Keeper of Marseille, we are introduced to Zelie Bellerose, a widow and mother who is attempting to enter the occupied zone of France. She's on a mission, and her crossing is about to become treacherous.

With the opening chapter, we are transported to 1941 France and are brought into the Resistance. But Zelie is not in this to make a name for herself or to earn a place of power. No, she is doing what she does to ensure a better future and world for her children.

When she is forced to take command, she must deal with the mistrust of her authority because she is a woman. Handling paperwork, passing on messages, sure, but deciding what missions to assign and which operatives to send out, that is something else entirely. 

I loved how Zelie connected with Marcel Laurent over their shared appreciation of music. This book drew me in and made me care about the characters. I found Marcel's insights interesting when he looked beyond the uniform and instead saw just a man (or woman) when he played his music and it touched the listener. 

I enjoyed this book also in audio format (via Audible). The narrators did an excellent job of presenting this book and its emotional depth. I felt Zelie's fear after she was betrayed. And Marcel's determination to protect Zelie's children even as he is in the midst of his own tight timeline in his role in the Resistance. And that ending which is several chapters of nail-biting suspense (not that I was biting mine as I broke most of them stacking hay bales) but still I was held in suspense as to who would live and who would die. 

Both formats were good and were excellent ways to experience this book. The audio was great for my commute, and the book was great for sitting in a quiet corner trying to escape the summer heat.  

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

About the Book:

In occupied France, a woman becomes a spy for the Resistance and rises to lead the
largest intelligence operation in the country in this propulsive new World War II historical novel 
by bestselling author Roseanna M. White.

Marseille, France, 1941. Zelie Bellerose never fit the mold of an army officer's wife. She was too passionate in her convictions, too indifferent to societal expectations. After her husband is killed in the war, Zelie focuses on securing a brighter future for her children, hoping to help free her country from the Nazi regime by joining the Resistance. She is soon one of the most trusted operatives in Alliance, and when their leader is imprisoned, she takes command, hiding her identity from all but a few. With enemies closing in, Zelie must earn the trust of her network and prove herself to those who doubt a woman's place at the helm of France's largest spy ring.

Marcel Laurent was a renowned concert pianist before joining the French army and being sent to a POW camp. Freed in a prisoner exchange by a wealthy businessman with ties to the Resistance, Marcel agrees to spy for Alliance by conducting a youth orchestra, gathering intelligence from patrons who are loose-lipped Nazi sympathizers. Marcel's weekly radio broadcasts introducing the orchestra's performances give him the perfect cover to send coded messages over the airwaves.

As Zelie and Marcel grow closer through their shared love of music, she begins to rely on him. But betrayal from within Alliance puts everything they've fought for at risk. When a double agent infiltrates their ranks and the two are captured, their bond faces its greatest test . . . and any misstep could jeopardize not only Alliance but the very outcome of the war.

• A thrilling, propulsive novel based on the real life of a female spy during World War II
• Perfect for fans of WWII historical fiction by Ariel Lawhon, Lynn Austin, Martha Hally Kelly, and Kristy Cambron
• A captivating romance featuring a strong female heroine and a musician hero
• Includes discussion questions for book clubs

The Princess List ~ Review

The Princess List

Heirs of Peverell #1

By Hannah Currie

There's nothing like getting an unexpected marriage proposal just as you are taking your first steps to find who you are. No, I have not personally experienced a marriage proposal, but this is what happens to Bayley Lorbera just as she's about to board her first airplane to a country that isn't Peverell. And, of course, it has to come from her childhood best friend, who is also the prince of  Peverell. Nope, not happening ever - she knows she is most definitely not princess material. Now she just needs to convince Cameron that there is someone better for him, somewhere.

But Cameron isn't about to take no for an answer, not when he knows that Bayley is the only woman her will ever love. But how is he to convince her of the truth he knows in his heart? But will his determination actually push Bayley away? And what if Bayley finds someone he could actually learn to love? Is he trying to force something that was never meant to be? 

 I loved how this book unfolded and how "the list" played such an important role. I think the underlying truth I got from this book was not the journey to find love or marriage, but learning to trust in God's timing and path. Worthiness is not determined by the opinions of others, who see only the outer appearance filtered through their own prejudices; no worthiness is a gift given by God. We have only to accept His gift.

This is a book I would recommend to teens and up. 

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

About the Book:

She has a list. 
Being a princess isn’t on it.

Having grown up in the palace, the daughter of two senior staff members, Bayley Lorbera knows all about palace life. Like where the best leftovers are stored after hours, and which forks go with which courses, and the quickest way to make an escape from any room in the castle. And the fact that she’s definitely not princess material. Princesses are supposed to be elegant, outgoing, and effortlessly charming. Not shy, average-sized, glasses-wearing, purple-haired girls more comfortable in fictional worlds than the real one. Bayley is perfectly content playing backup in a ballgown to the royal family while she works her way through the list meant to turn her into the kind of person she wants to be.

Hence the laughter when her best friend, Prince Cameron of Peverell, proposes. He can’t possibly be serious, can he? Marriage? Love? No way. Because seriously—not princess material. But Cameron is determined to win her, and she’s just as determined to prove to him how unsuited she is to the role, and find him someone who is. Easy, right?

Available to purchase at WhiteCrown Publishing and WhiteFire’s READ.

Overdrive ~ Review/Release Day

Overdrive
Dauntless Defenders #4
By Taylor S. Newport

Someone is after a surveillance system that the designer fears could be misused. Suddenly the people involved in its creation are being murdered. And Tyler Reid aka "The Ghost" is drawn into it as he had once provided protection to one of the victims. Tyler being who he is isn't about to allow an innocent girl to be taken or murdered, not if he can help it.

He doesn't want to pull the team into the mess, but he needs what they have to offer. And then there is Alex who cares too much for him while dealing with the mantle-ship of the family business, a role she never wanted. And Alex, like us, sees a new side of Tyler when he insists on providing protection for Mackenzie, a young girl, whose family is at the center of this highly sought after surveillance system.

There is a twist in this book that I did not expect, and it was a "What!" moment that sends the team and Tyler on an-out-of-time, must-save-her-now climax upping moment. And once again we are wondering if everyone will survive this unplanned mission.

This was an intense read that jumps into the action from the first page and doesn't let up. Overdrive is not to be missed IF you have read the previous books in the series. It makes this book flow better as you have the background info and each book builds on what comes before.

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

About the Book:

The mission looked simple. But the enemy is closer, faster, and deadlier than they imagined.

Tyler Reid needs a break, but trouble finds him first. A call from London pulls him into a missing-person case linked to a powerful surveillance project that’s suddenly worth killing for. The deeper he digs, the more bodies he finds—and the more obvious it becomes that someone wants the entire system for themselves.

Alexandra "Alex" Romanova is looking for an escape from Veritek and the weight waiting for her back home. A trip with Tyler should’ve been the break they both needed. But when the case escalates and puts her company in the crosshairs, she goes with him—trying to keep him grounded even as the danger forces him to speed up.

The investigation spirals into a breakneck pursuit, ambushes snapping at their heels as their unknown enemy stays one move ahead. Someone is erasing anyone tied to the project, leaving bodies instead of answers. With the elusive threat closing fast, Tyler and Alex are fighting to get ahead long enough to expose who’s hunting them.

Queen of Reckoning ~ Review

Queen of Reckoning

Blood of Kings: Legends #5

Jill Williamson presents Kelly Fernlake

I love that the Blood of Kings series has this engaging spinoff series to delve into. And the fifth book, Queen of Reckoning, does not disappoint. In this book, we return to Jaelport as Mandzee Hamartano tries to maintain her role as queen, but her treaty with King Gidon is viewed unfavorably by her people. 

Worse, her tenure seems doomed to be short. When Lovell Dunn shows up early in her role as a royal envoy, things become even more volatile as her connections with Armonguard are brought once again into focus.

With her worthiness and abilities called into question, Mandzee feels she must compete in an annual tournament to earn her people's trust as ruler. But the tournament could be the very thing that brings down her rule and shortens her life. With threats surrounding her, Mandzee might have to rely on Lovell Dunn to help her discover who is targeting her and why.

Lovell has the unique ability to thoroughly annoy Mandzee, but all he's trying to do is make sure she is following the terms of the treaty she signed, keep her safe, charm her, and leave Jaelport as soon as possible. Though why he has to charm her, he's not sure. It certainly has nothing to do with saving her life previously or thinking about her a lot.  Nope, it is just part of his personality. Umhum, right. Nothing else.

Queen of Reckoning is so good. I love how Mandzee is working through the best way to rule. Does she follow the examples of the queens who came before, including her mother? Delving into the magic that steals a piece of her soul little by little with each spell? Or does she instead turn to her new knowledge of Armon and learn from Lovell? 

This is, at its heart, a book about heart and trust. Will this be a new beginning to something better in Jaelport? Or will they fall deeper into the darkness that is already consuming them?

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

About the Book:

A queen who rules by magic and the one man she can’t disarm.

Mandzee Hamartano didn’t ask to be queen. She didn’t ask for the peace treaty that’s turned half her city against her, the mage tournament that’s about to put her life on the line, or the envoy from Armonguard who’s moved into her palace and refuses to leave.

She certainly didn’t ask to fall for him.

Lovell Dunn is King Gidon’s royal envoy, tasked with one job: shadow the queen, keep the treaty, and report back. He’s not there to be charmed by a mage with copper eyes and a laugh that could melt stone. He’s especially not there to let her heal the condition that’s been stealing his sight for years.

But Mandzee is in more danger than either of them realizes. A deadly mage tournament is being used as a killing ground. A dark force is gathering inside her walls. And her brother—believed dead—has just walked out of the shadows with a powerful spirit at his command and a blade aimed at her throne.

To save her city, Mandzee will have to trust an Armanite who distrusts magic. And Lovell will have to risk the one future he’s been fighting for—to protect the one woman he can’t get out of his head.

A Pint of Peaches and Poison ~ Review

A Pint of Peaches and Poison
Enchanted Confections

By Anabell Raven

Nykita was promised in marriage 100 years ago! No, she is not that old. But what's worse she is promised to a Mer-Fae Prince and fae are not to be trusted, ever. And especially if the said prince smiles too much and is way too nice for the whole pre-arranged marriage thing He must disguising his true purpose.

Warrick wants to have a marriage like his parents and hopes with time he will - he just needs earn her trust and get past the I'm-going-to-kill-you-first stage of their marriage. And deal with a rebellion that could destroy everything-the island, the alliance with his people, his marriage-everything.

This book was a fun twist on The Little Mermaid with peaches fire-breathing lizards, and expectations. Don't come in expecting an update to Anderson's original tale or an adaptation of what Disney presented, no, this is a tale as unique as the cover that graces its pages. And don't be surprised if you develop a hankering for peaches while you are reading.

                                            

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

About the Book:

1 Pinch of Poison.

1 Dash of Daring.

1 Fragile Alliance (and the lies that might set it on fire).

Their marriage was arranged a century ago, but she’ll do everything she can to stop it now.

Nykita spent years fighting her scheduled arranged marriage, and now that the day has finally arrived, she will take whatever measures she must to avoid binding herself to the ocean fae’s prince.

Warrick is determined to build a successful marriage with the human princess, but he did not expect to find her little kingdom on the verge of collapsing on itself.

Warrick and Nykita need to see past each others’ crisp edges and expose their own tender vulnerabilities if they hope to stop a rebellion and save the alliance between their people. It’s a good thing they have a fire chicken to help.

How will Warrick respond to life on land, reluctant rebels, and a princess who doesn’t eat sugar? What will Nykita do when she discovers she has worse enemies than the man she married? Find out in this delightful tale of magic, tension, and no-spice romantasy!

A Pint of Peaches and Poison, a wildly reimagined, reverse-gender Little Mermaid retelling, is a standalone novella, full of magic, betrayals, redemption, and delicious fruits. It is part of the Enchanting Confections series, a collection of cozy stories with no-spice romance guaranteed to delight your sweet tooth.

Order this Little Mermaid retelling at https://books2read.com/pintpp