Hannah and the Nightingale ~ Review

Hannah and the Nightingale
Once in a Wood #4

By Sienna Peake

This was a delightful nod to Hans Christian Anderson's The Nightingale. In this Regency retelling we meet Hannah Bell the eldest daughter of the vicar who has a special talent with a violin. Her musical gift charms the Duke of Arlington and his son Rupert. In keeping with the original tale, Hannah is replaced in the Duke's estimation by a young lady of the peerage. 

I loved how various aspects from the original were reworked into a new enchanting tale. Hannah is kind and giving often to her own detriment. I loved how Rupert saw Hannah and her true worth even when expectations were on him making a better "social" match.

This is the fourth release in the Once in a Wood series but is able to be read and enjoyed without reading the previous stories as this a standalone story complete in this one volume. This is a feel-good story that, while short, will leave you with a smile and a lighter heart.

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

About the Book:

He's the son of a duke. 

She's the daughter of a vicar. 

Will the power of song bring them together?

Hannah Bell is overwhelmed. Her mother passed away two years ago, and her father is constantly busy with his duties as a vicar, leaving her to manage the household and her five younger siblings. Playing the violin is one of her few sources of solace. When two unexpected visitors arrive in the forest, Hannah's life begins to change. Will her music lead her to a brighter future? Will she have the strength to grasp it?

Rupert de Lacy is the only son of the Duke of Arlington, and he knows he must never forget it. His father expects him to be the perfect model of stiff, stern propriety, but Rupert's heart is set on fairy tales and long walks in the woods. When he stumbles upon a new friend at the edge of the forest, he feels safe to be himself for the very first time. But will he have the courage to move forward, even against his father's wishes?

Hannah and the Nightingale is a sweet, clean Regency romance inspired by the fairy tale The Nightingale. It is the fourth book in the Regency fairy tale retellings series Once in a Wood. Each book is a stand alone work, and the stories can be enjoyed in any order.

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

Pearl and the Baker - inspired by Hansel & Gretel

Rosalyn and the Wolf - inspired by Little Red Riding Hood

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

Hannah and the Nightingale - inspired by The Nightingale

Doyle ~ Review

Doyle

Minnesota Kingstons #3

By Susan May Warren

Doyle Kingston is trying to escape the pain of his past, and Tiana (Tia) Pepper is trying to prove she is worth noticing. When they both end up in Mariposa as codirectors of Hope House, they are both more than a little surprised. "Co" was nowhere noted in the job description. Tia takes it as a challenge, and Doyle, well, she's not sure what his take on all of this is, but she can see a disaster in the making.

This is the third book in the Minnesota Kingstons series, and this time we get to know Doyle, who left Minnesota and the family inn behind, as he works on getting his life back together after the tragedy that destroyed it five years ago. (Yes, run-on sentence, but it needs saying.)

Everything is going along fine until Doyle and Tia manage to run afoul of the local gang. Add to that a fundraising event, a treasure hunter, and some unexpected seismic activity, and this story is suddenly ripe for looming disaster. And disaster happens, big time. This actually reminds me of whenever something happens, then everything just dumps at once. 

And poor big brother Steinbeck just can't get a break in his protection detail of Declan Stone. A woman from his past just keeps showing up, and he's pretty sure she's up to no good.  I'm interested in how this story thread develops in the future books.

Lots of suspense and coming to terms with the past and how it has affected their present. A good, quick weekend read.

About the Book:

There's Trouble Up North...

Meet Doyle, who finds peril in paradise in this rivals romance, book 3 in the Minnesota Kingston series by USA Today bestselling author Susan May Warren

When love and danger collide, paradise plays by its own rules.

When Tiana Pepper lands on the lush island of Mariposa, she just wants to put her sad past behind her. Her goal is a new beginning as fundraiser and director of Hope House, a local orphanage. Except she’s not the director. She’s co-director, and nobody told her she’d have to work with an impulsive, out-of-bounds, depend on his charm, annoying disaster rescuer, named Doyle Kingston.

She can run this show on her own, thanks.

Doyle Kingston, bearing the weight of his own grief, arrives at Hope House ready to leave behind a history of loss. He hopes to find forever homes for these orphans, and the last thing he expects is to have to work with a woman who thinks she’s the boss of this island paradise.

And yet…they have problems.

Like becoming the target of a local gang.

And boss, Billionaire Declan Stone has invited his fancy friends to the island to see Hope House up close, in hopes they’ll donate and get the orphanage on its feet. So…please, could they work together?

And wouldn’t you know it but among the donors is a treasure hunter who believes a pirate left a stash under Hope House. What-ever.

Then an earthquake rocks the island, kids go missing and Tia and Doyle have no choice but trust each other if they hope to save the children and each other.

Doyle is a pulse-pounding romantic suspense featuring rivals turned rescuers, where opposites attract amidst peril in paradise, are two hearts scarred by tragedy just might find a second chance at true love.

The Minnesota Kingstons
Book 1: Jack
Book 2: Conrad
Book 3: Doyle
Book 4: Austen
Book 5: Steinbeck

Traitor in the Scottish Isles ~ Review

Traitor in the Scottish Isles

Roxbury Scions #1

By Paige Edwards

This book follows Cairstie Henderson, the youngest daughter in the family, as she deals with the fallout of her ex-boyfriend being caught in a horse racing scandal. No one cares that they broke up before everything broke. Her life as a model and social media influencer is over. And her friends, not so friendly anymore. When a chance at an unexpected inheritance allows Cairstie to escape the scandal and her brother-in-law's friend Sheridan she jumps at the chance to remove herself to a remote Scottish Isle. Now she just needs to figure out how to live without all the amenities she's used to. First up, washing her own clothes and making meals.

When Sheridan turns up on the same island as Cairstie they both have a big problem. Cairstie with Sheridan's role in her recent breakup; and Sheridan because Cairstie knows his true identity, and she could blow his undercover assignment. 

But soon, both are forced to admit that there is more to the other and that their first preconceived impressions just may have been wrong. This actually a very good thing because someone is trying to kill them. And the reason behind all this suspense is because there is a traitor hidden among the locals and they could very well bring Great Britain to her knees if Cairstie and Sheridan canna figure out who is behind these attempts.   

This book had the perfect amount of tension to keep the suspense relevant in this enemies-to-lovers story. I loved seeing how Cairstie changed and grew throughout the story and would love to revisit these characters again.

About the Book:

An intercepted message. Missing MI6 agents. And a traitor hiding in plain sight.

To receive her inheritance and escape a scandal not of her making, wealthy socialite Cairstie Henderson moves to a small town in the Scottish Isles, far from the city lights and runways she frequents. There, she encounters the Irish spy responsible for the public breakup that made her the laughingstock of the Scottish Borders.

Sheridan, a hardened MI6 agent, is on an undercover assignment to locate missing operatives and the mysterious traitor passing top-secret information to the Chinese. Unfortunately, there’s one Cairstie Henderson knows his true identity—and she detests him.

But when Cairstie surprises an intruder, she seeks the one man who can protect her, Sheridan. Over time, these opposites give way to attraction that eventually blossoms into love, but with a dangerous criminal stalking their steps and intrigue around every corner, will Cairstie and Sheridan obtain their happily ever after, or will they end up dead?

Burning Justice ~ Review

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for 

Burning Justice by Lisa Phillips 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

 

Burning Justice 

Chasing Fire: Alaska #6 

By Lisa Phillips 

Fifteen years ago, Maria Sanchez lost her parents, her mother murdered and her father captured. Fifteen years of her father being a pawn, a commodity to be brokered and sold. But now she is so close to getting him back. Of course, she has to do so under the cover of fighting raging wildfires in Alaska.

Kane Foster lost his life saving Marie when she was captured by the enemy, and he's been helping her search for her father ever since. Kane's not a ghost, but he's been declared dead following a betrayal. Now he needs to stop a traitor and help Marie find her father, not so easy when there are Alaskan wildfires to fight and a dangerous weapon to recover. 

Burning Justice packs a wallop in this conclusion to the multi-author Chasing Fire: Alaska series. Danger surrounds them, and it's not only Alaska that's in danger; nope, the entire nation is at risk. But to achieve victory, they'll need to depend on those around them to have their backs because what they are about to face is huge. And they can't let their hearts get in the way of doing their jobs.

To sum this book up in a sentence: Burning Justice is intense, life-threatening action in the face of treasonous betrayal and denied attraction.

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

About the Book

Title: Burning Justice 

Series: Chasing Fire: Alaska #6 

Author: Lisa Phillips 

Publisher: Sunrise Publishing 

Release Date: August 5, 2025 

Genre: Romantic Suspense

RESCUE. DANGER. DEVOTION.

THIS TIME, THEIR HEARTS ARE ON THE LINE. 

She's been searching for her father for fifteen years... 

Maria Sanchez has spent her entire career as a CIA operative searching for her father, and she’s not going to let some tough, arrogant former-soldier-turned-hotshot stand in her way. 

His life was upended on a single fateful mission... 

After being betrayed, branded a traitor, and declared dead, Kane Foster has a lot to prove—and he’s not going to let his team—or his country—down. Even if he has to douse the sparks between him and his feisty teammate. Because some things are more important than love. 

Now someone tell that to his heart… 

As the smoke clears on this pulse-pounding series, buried truths will be uncovered and loyalties tested in this sizzling finale to the Chasing Alaska romantic suspense series.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Sunrise Publishing | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub

More in this Series:

 

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About the Author

Lisa Phillips is a USA Today and top ten Publishers Weekly bestselling author of over 90 books that span Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line, independently published series romantic suspense, and thriller novels. She’s discovered a penchant for high-stakes stories of mayhem and disaster where you can find made-for-each-other love that always ends in happily ever after.

Lisa is a British ex-pat who grew up an hour outside of London and attended Calvary Chapel Bible College, where she met her husband. He’s from California, but nobody’s perfect. It wasn’t until her Bible College graduation that she figured out she was a writer (someone told her). As a worship leader for Calvary Chapel churches in her local area, Lisa has discovered a love for mentoring new ministry members and youth worship musicians. Discover the exciting world of Last Chance County at www.lastchancecounty.com.

Connect with Lisa by visiting www.authorlisaphillips.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Burning Justice and a $10 gift card to the Sunrise Shop!

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 30, 2025, and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on August 6, 2025. 

The winner will be notified within 2 weeks of the close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond 

or risk forfeiture of the prize. 

US only. 

Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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

Of Sea and Sorrow ~ Release Day Review

Of Sea and Sorrow

Victorians at the Beach

By Heloise C. Kensington

Edith Linton's younger brother, Theo, is ill with consumption, and the only hope for him is the seaside town of Weymouth, although Edith has reservations about its curative qualities and the doctor overseeing his care. 

Dr. Henry Forester's new medical methods are viewed with suspicion. These include opening windows, frequent hand washing, changing linens, and disposing of soiled rags. Henry hopes he can aid Theo, but the long-term outlook is not good due to the length and severity of his illness.

As Henry becomes more involved in the Linton family, friendships form. Edith continues to hold him at arm's length until an accident allows her to see him with new eyes.

This book is a moving story of hopes, broken hearts, and misunderstandings. Both Henry and Edith manage to not share their thoughts when it is most important. Instead, misunderstanding and loss threaten to separate them forever. Edith is very stubborn and is her own worst enemy. She shares one trait with Mr. Darcy; her good opinion, once lost, is not easily changed. But overall, this was an easy read. Fortunately, her brother Theo opens Henry's eyes to the reasons behind Edith's "prickly exterior."

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

About the Book:

Disappointed in love, Edith Linton has given up on her dreams of matrimony and a home of her own. Concerned about her beloved brother’s health, she acquiesces to a summer by the sea after her mother determines it is the only way to improve his health, setting aside her own worries about her future.

Recently returned from the war in Crimea, Dr. Henry Forester hopes to improve medical practices in the seaside town of Weymouth, England. Not everyone is receptive to his new methods, especially his new patient's protective older sister.

Will Edith and Henry find a way to see past their differences? Or will all hope for the future pass before it has a chance to thrive?

Part of Victorians at the Beach, a series of standalone sweet Victorian novellas. Of Sea and Sorrow is a standalone novella in the Victorians at the Beach series, where seaside summers meet sweet romance.

Amidst Ruins and Remembrances ~ Release Day and Review

Amidst Ruins and Remembrances

Victorians at the Beach

By Amy Newbold

Eloise Deighton has gotten over the broken heart Griffith Hastings left her with when he promised to come back for her. He never did. At 26, Eloise knows her days as an eligible lady have come to an end, and she's good with that, really. After several years in London, she has returned to Whitby and its shores. If only she felt as if she belonged somewhere. 

But now Griffith, a widower, is back, and he has brought his young daughter with him. Can the past, with its pain, be overlooked? Can love bloom again? 

My favorite line from the book is: "No one can foresee the future. What you have to decide is this: can you live with it if you never find out the answer?" Eloise and Griffith have a chance at their dream from ten years ago. This was a sweet read that provided a lovely evening of enjoyment. 

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

About the Book:

Where the ruins meet the sea, can love find a second chance?

Eloise Deighton grew up sharing secret adventures along the shores of Whitby, England, with summer visitor Griffith Hastings. One summer, Griffith declared his love for her and promised to return. He never did, leaving Eloise’s heart in ruins.

Now a widower, Griffith returns to the seaside town he loved as a boy, hoping to forge new, happy memories with his six-year-old daughter.

A chance encounter between Eloise and Griffith causes old memories to sweep in like the tide. Eloise’s resolve to protect her heart is crumbling like the abbey ruins, yet she fears Griffith will abandon her once again. Griffith is determined to win her back, but he will have to convince her that he has changed. Can the sea that once united them bring a second chance at love?

Amidst Ruins and Remembrances is a standalone novella in the Victorians at the Beach series where seaside summers meet sweet romance.

Perilous Tides ~ Review

Perilous Tides

Hidden Bay #2

By Elizabeth Goddard

When her father disappears, leaving a cryptic message, Jo Cattrel leaves the safety of where she has been hiding. But her fruitless efforts put her in the sights of the very people she's been hiding from for the last three years. What Jo doesn't know is why someone is after her. Is the murder she witnessed tied to her mother's death and her father's disappearance? Or is it merely a coincidence?

When Cole Mercer suddenly comes back into her life, Jo wants to keep him out of it. She doesn't need him to break her heart again, but he's promised to help her find answers and to keep her alive. 

In Perilous Tides, secrets are the prevailing theme. Secrets that Cole is keeping about his abrupt departure, all those months ago. Secrets that her parents kept from her. And the questions she and Cole have dug up. And why is she a target? Is there something from her past that she can't remember?

From the opening chapter, this book jumps right into the action. There were several twists that I didn't see coming, and they really amped up the suspense angle. Cole wants a second chance with Jo, but he needs her to understand his reasons, which is a little difficult when there are secrets between them. Again with the secrets, poor Jo. Overall, a good story with lots of suspense and a major mystery to solve, so a good sequel in the Hidden Bay series.

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

About the Book:

Three years after her mother's suspicious death, forensic artist Jo Cattrel is in hiding, working at a storm-watching lodge along the Washington coast. When her father sends her a disturbing and cryptic message, Jo leaves the safety of the lodge to find him. But during the ferry crossing, Jo witnesses a murder--and becomes a target.

More surprising to Jo than being in danger is the identity of the person who steps in to protect, none other than her ex, former Green Beret Cole Mercer. Now a private investigator, Cole has been looking into her mother's death. If he can just uncover the truth, maybe Jo can end her self-imposed captivity and the two of them can pick up the pieces and build a future together.

As Cole and Jo search for answers, the past rushes in like a dangerous tide to sweep them away before the truth can be revealed.

In this action-packed thriller, USA Today bestselling author Elizabeth Goddard serves up a complex plot and the sizzling romance readers have come to expect.

The Collector of Burned Books

The Collector of Burned Books

By Roseanna M. White

This book is, for the most part, set in 1940/1941 Paris. But we are given a glimpse of 1933, as a group of students gathers to burn books that don't fit their ideas. Christian Bauer is a professor of literature who hopes that someday Germany will again listen and allow ideas to flourish. Fast forward to 1940, as German troops move into and occupy Paris. First on Christian Bauer's to-do list: visit the various libraries throughout the city, examine all the books to determine which should be banned or sent to Germany. 

Corinne Bastien has a claim on the books in The Library of the Burned Books; she tended them, and now they guard a secret. A secret that could doom her or be an instrument to resist the Germans. When Corinne first meets the man who is given charge of her library, she can't see past the uniform. But when her eyes are finally opened, the two find they have more in common than being professors of literature.

I found this to be a most intriguing book, the need to control ideas, either by destroying the books or shutting down the libraries. Reading this reminded me of the Zion Covenant books written by Brock and Bodie Thoene. I liked the main characters who were, for all intents and purposes, trapped in a world not of their making, trying to survive without betraying their souls to the devil. How does one protect those most dear without losing one's soul in the effort? This is what Corinne and Christian need to discover. 

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

                                                                                                                                                                      

About the Book:

In this gripping World War II historical about the power of words, two people form an unlikely friendship amid the Nazi occupation in Paris and fight to preserve the truth that enemies of freedom long to destroy.

Paris, 1940. Ever since the Nazi Party began burning books, German writers exiled for their opinions or heritage have been taking up residence in Paris. There they opened a library meant to celebrate the freedom of ideas and gathered every book on the banned list . . . and even incognito versions of the forbidden books that were smuggled back into Germany.

For the last six years, Corinne Bastien has been reading those books and making that library a second home. But when the German army takes possession of Paris, she loses access to the library and all the secrets she’d hidden there. Secrets the Allies will need if they have any hope of liberating the city she calls home.

Christian Bauer may be German, but he never wanted anything to do with the Nazi Party—he is a professor, one who’s done his best to protect his family as well as the books that were a threat to Nazi ideals. But when Goebbels sends him to Paris to handle the “relocation” of France’s libraries, he’s forced into an army uniform and given a rank he doesn’t want. In Paris, he tries to protect whoever and whatever he can from the madness of the Party and preserve the ideas that Germans will need again when that madness is over, and maybe find a lost piece of his heart.

But he hadn’t bargained on meeting a beautiful Parisian scholar who is clearly keeping as many secrets as he is. As Christian and Corinne try to discern each other’s true loyalties, forces beyond their control are making plans that could destroy everything they hold dear.

Fantastical Summer ~ Review

Fantastical Summer

By various authors

Fantastical Summer is a interesting collection of 15 short stories. In each story the main character or characters is faced with an obstacle in their life. For some it is a physical characteristic. For others it is a missing family member. But whatever the cause they feel vulnerable and isolated from those around them.   

My favorite was Alli Prince's Soul Marks in which a young woman is born without a mark that will help her identify the man she is suppose to spend the rest of her life with. She is understandably bummed out about the whole thing as her friends find their "soul marks." I especially loved how someone drove home the point that true lasting love is a choice, that happiness is not guaranteed by a sign or a feeling.

I was also intrigued by Summer Miracles and The Girl who Lived Under the Water. Both take seemingly impossible situations and yet make them feel not only possible but probable. Throughout all of these stories is a message of hope. Hope for the future is always a positive in my opinion.

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About the Book:

What would you do if you started growing a fluffy tail every time you felt embarrassed?

A mermaid outcast, a girl who can steal stars, and a high schooler suddenly affected by gravity in a gravity-free world—these are just a few of the fantastical premises you’ll find in this collection of short stories.

Weaving classic coming-of-age themes into magical versions of our world, fifteen Christian writers each bring a fresh perspective on childhood, loneliness, and identity.

Save a spot in your beach bag, because this collection of clean, fun summer stories is more than a fluff read. This beautifully brave anthology leads us to ask hard questions while staying grounded in the truth of the Bible. You'll want to revisit these thought-provoking stories throughout the year.

Presented by The Company and The Pearl, Fantastical Summer features these short stories:
“Alone,” by R.J. Catlin
“Leaving Lake June,” by Lucy Grecu
“Summer Miracles,” by K.Ann
“Closed Doors Don’t Open,” by Vella Karman
“Oh Deer,” by Adara King
“Gravitational Issues,” by Vannah Leblanc
“The Beast,” by Noah J. Matthews
“Circus of the Moon,” by Juli Ocean
“Sneakers of Joy,” by Gregory O'Donnell
“The Girl Who Lived Under the Water,” by Brad Pauquette
“Soul Marks,” by Alli Prince
“Beachcombing,” by Sarah Sax
“Goodbye to Yesterday,” by Hannah Stiff
“Turn to Face the Wind,” by Faith Tevy
“Confessions of a Mermaid Outcast,” by Thirzah

Lilac ~ Review

Lilac: A Plain Princess Retelling

A Garden of Fairy Tales

By Madisyn Carlin

No matter what she does, Princess Ivelisse Shenden is a disappointment to her parents. Somehow, she's managed to drive away every prince that has come seeking her hand. Now she is being sent away to a remote cabin in the woods. What's worse she is being guarded by a less than thrilled spy, not that she's supposed to know that he is a spy.

Cage Nior tried to prevent the King and Queen from chosing his aunt to guide and help Ivelisse find herself away from the pressures of court. There is just one thing wrong with this plan, well maybe more than one, Ivelisse is not suited for working and living as a peasant.

When it becomes apparent that danger is encircling them Cage and Ivelisse must learn to trust one another if they hope to survive the evil that has found them.

This was a delightful story that took elements from The Plain Princess and Little Red Riding Hood to create a unique and engaging story of love, sacrifice, and self-discovery. Truly lovely and not to be missed.

FYI: This book is in the same storyworld as A Noble Protector and several of the characters make an appearance in Lilac. But it is not necessary to read A Noble Protector first to enjoy this book. 

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

About the Book:

She's a spoiled princess. He's a spy unknowingly protecting a deadly secret.

Spy Cage Nior is used to lurking in the shadows. What he's not used to is being called out of a mission and sent to babysit a withdrawn princess who has no idea how to smile or survive outside the palace walls. He expects the three months to pass in tedious dullness, but what he instead finds is danger and secrets.

Princess Ivelisse Shenden is used to hiding in the shadows, ignored by most and gossiped about by all. She's also used to rejection, and it's after her tenth courtship rejection that she finds herself shipped off to a humble hovel in the middle of nowhere. She expects drudgery and toil, but what she finds is danger and something she's long forgotten about---her purpose in life.

The quaint cottage may be surrounded by idyllic woods and fragrant lilac bushes, but sinister intentions shift in the shadows. If Cage and Ivelisse are to survive, they must learn to not only trust themselves, but each other.

Lilac is a combined Christian fantasy fairy tale retelling of The Plain Princess and Little Red Riding Hood and features tropes such as forced proximity, slow burn, and royalty x commoner.

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

Forget-Me-Not ~ Review

Forget-Me-Not: A Snow Queen Retelling

A Garden of Fairy Tales Book

By J.F. Rogers

Forget-Me-Not closely follows the original fairy tale that it is retelling. But, and this is the critical part, it is a more fleshed-out version of the original story. This is an excellent retelling of The Snow Queen, and I love the role the forget-me-nots play in restoring Kata's memories. 

Now, if you are not familiar with the Snow Queen, Kata must brave unknown dangers when her friend Mikkel falls under the Snow Queen's curse. Mikkel's heart is frozen, and his sight is distorted by icy shards of a shattered mirror. Kata's love gives her purpose and the strength to undertake this harrowing journey. 

But nothing is without cost, and Kata's quest to save the boy she loves could very well cost her her life and her freedom. But finding Mikkel is only the first step in bringing him home. She must also break the curse that has turned him against all those he loves.

This is a clean read and a sweet romance suitable for tweens and older readers. There is sweet romance that won't offend even the most sensitive reader's sensibilities. Highly recommended.

About the Book:

Inseparable friends. A cursed mirror. A harrowing journey.

Kata and Mikkel have always been each other’s world. But as Kata’s feelings deepen, Mikkel vanishes—drawn into the grasp of the Snow Queen.

Once, Mikkel risked everything to save Kata. Now, with a shard of a wicked mirror in his heart, he may not even remember her.

To save him, Kata must journey across a frozen world ruled by winter and sorrow. But if the boy she loves is lost to ice and shadow... can love still bring him home?

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

Forget-Me-Not is a retelling featuring tropes such as friends-to-lovers, magical corruption, and a perilous quest.

The Puzzle Within ~ Review

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for 

The Puzzle Within by Gina Holder, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

The Puzzle Within 
The Game Masters #1 
By Gina Holder 

Ari (Arizona) Powers has this last chance to prove she isn't crazy. But when the young woman she's assigned to protect is kidnapped, Ari finds that her life is on the line as the kidnapper lures her and the analyst assigned to the protection detail into a dangerous game.

Nick Trueheart isn't an agent and isn't sure why he's been assigned to protect the teenage daughter of an ambassador. But when Bridgette disappears from a locked escape room, he'll have to rely on his past to help him understand what's going on.

Ari and Nick find themselves facing a deadly foe who seems bent on vengeance. The deeper they dig, the more puzzling the case becomes. And time is not on their side. But when they discover links to their pasts, they realize that more than Bridgette's life is in danger.

The Puzzle Within delves into the power of memory, taking readers on an intense race against time. This book is filled with suspense and a determined villain. Several unexpected twists definitely kept me from figuring out who Enigma was and what the endgame was. There is a faith element that runs throughout as both Ari and Nick struggle to make sense of the case, each other, and their own painful pasts. A good and engaging read.

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

About the Book

Title: The Puzzle Within 
Series: The Game Masters #1 
    Author: Gina Holder 
    Publisher: Scrivenings Press LLC 
    Release Date: June 3, 2025 
    Genre: Romantic Suspense

FBI agent Arizona Powers is haunted by nightmares—fragments of a childhood kidnapping no one believes ever happened. Still recovering from a nervous breakdown, she accepts a protection assignment for Bridgette Van Sloan, the strong-willed teenage daughter of a U.S. ambassador who's been receiving threats signed: Enigma. 

Nick Trueheart, a former escape artist known as "Nick of Time" turned diplomatic risk analyst, is grieving the loss of his beloved wife—and obsessed with finding her killer. When assigned to Bridgette's security detail, his biggest concern isn't the threats—it's the unstable agent with a vendetta against kidnappers. 

When Bridgette disappears from an escape room, Nick and Arizona become entangled in a high-stakes puzzle hunt and a race against time. They must confront their own failures and unravel the secrets hidden within themselves to rescue Bridgette … and survive a madman's twisted game. Because one thing becomes clear: Enigma’s real target is much bigger — and far more personal.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Scrivenings Press | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

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About the Author

Gina Holder is a hybrid author and stay-at-home mom. She’s had an infatuation with books for as long as she can remember. She loves sharing uplifting messages from God’s Word and introducing readers to new and new-to-them authors on her blog. When she’s not writing, Gina enjoys playing the piano, cooking, reading, watching Hallmark mysteries, and solving “escape room” puzzles. She loves growing in her craft as an author. She published her debut novel in 2017. Gina lives in Wyoming with her husband and daughter.

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

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card,
a signed paperback copy of The Puzzle Within,
and a pair of wooden jigsaw puzzle earrings!

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

Peaflower ~ Review

Peaflower: A Princess and the Pea Retelling

A Garden of Fairy Tales Book

By Jessica A. Tanner

Princess Marion Thornhill is forced to flee when her kingdom is attacked. She, her lady-in-waiting, and guards are sent to ask for aid from Princess Marion's betrothed. But surprises await Marion, starting with a betrayal. Thank goodness, Marion has Cleeevy, her loyal pet rat, to keep her company and assist her as she struggles to survive the evil plots of those who turned on her. When she unexpectedly crosses paths with Prince Rupert, her betrothed's younger brother, he helps her as much as his curse allows. But can they find a way to overcome curses and betrayals to find a happily-ever-after?

Peaflower is A Princess and the Pea retelling, but the further one gets into the pages of this book, the more nods there are to other fairy tales. Then there is Cleevy, who is a significant character throughout this book. We get to hear his thoughts and see his heroic personality in action. This is a charming read featuring a dangerous adversary or two who aim to bring down Marion and the Kingdom of Becker. Truly dastardly doings that need a furry hero to step up and thwart them.

I love Cleevy and wish all rats could be so helpful. This was a fun read, and I thoroughly enjoyed this truly unique retelling and mash-up of fairy tales. A few of the fairy tales I noted were Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast, and Jack and the Beanstalk. This is a world I would love to visit again. There were several characters whose lives I would love to explore further.

About the Book:

Her kingdom is under attack. His brother is her betrothed.

Princess Marion Thornhill and her lady-in-waiting Emma flee their kingdom of Brecker with the hope of reaching the princess’s betrothed and garnering help against attacking forces. But along the way, Emma reveals her true loyalties. Left stranded in the woods during a spring storm, Marion crosses paths with her betrothed’s brother Rupert, a prince cursed by an angered fairy. Rupert helps Marion - but can they get help for Brecker before it’s too late? And what about their entangled hearts?

Spring has sprung with these seven swoony sweet retellings. Each novella finds its happily ever after amidst themes of rebirth, hope, and new life. Each book is fully independent, and they can be read in any order. Peaflower is a retelling of The Princess and the Pea featuring tropes such as an evil lady-in-waiting and a princess with an animal sidekick. 

Want to learn more about the author Jessica A. Tanner? Check out my recent interview with Jessica at the following link: https://bloomingwithbooks.blogspot.com/2025/05/interview-with-jessica-turner-author-of.html    

Guinevere and the Three Brothers ~ Review

Guinevere and the Three Brothers

Once in a Wood #3

By Sienna Peake

I loved how this book retold Goldilocks and the Three Bears in a Regency setting. Guinevere Goldwyn must find a husband now or face being forced to accept her stepfather's choice for her. In an attempt to help Guinevere find a match, her mother arranges a visit to a distant cousin in Yorkshire who just happens to have three eligible sons. But Guinevere refuses to settle for anything less than love. Is there a brother who is just right for her? But after several unsuccessful London seasons, she's just about given up hope of catching any man's eye. 

I really enjoyed this book. Guinevere's interactions with the three Morley brothers provide a definite nod to the tale on which it was inspired. There is a scene with jam that is perfectly reimagined for this retelling - I love it! Of course, I now need to try the featured jam. This is a sweet and clean story that is suitable for readers aged twelve and up.

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

About the Book:

In a manor in Yorkshire lived three brothers near a wood...

Despite several unsuccessful London seasons, Guinevere Goldwyn is determined to marry for love or not at all, no matter what her stepfather insists. A surprise trip to visit distant relatives in Yorkshire may be Guinevere's last chance at finding a match of her own, but when her attempts at courtship with the first two Morley brothers utterly fail and the third brother seems hopelessly out of reach, what is she to do? Guinevere must find the courage to reach for what she truly wants if she is to find her own happily ever after.

Guinevere and the Three Brothers is a sweet, clean Regency romance inspired by the fairy tale Goldilocks and the Three Bears. It is the third book in the Regency fairy tale retellings series Once in a Wood. Each book in the series is a stand-alone work, and the stories can be enjoyed in any order.


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

Pearl and the Baker - inspired by Hansel & Gretel

Rosalyn and the Wolf - inspired by Little Red Riding Hood

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

Hannah and the Nightingale - inspired by The Nightingale

To Kiss a Knight ~ Review

To Kiss a Knight

Best Laid Plans #2

By Grace Hitchcock

Vivienne Poppy is running away. She has no choice in the matter, not when her family is about to marry her off to the most deplorable of men. Of course, she didn't expect to be abducted by a highwayman. Nor did she anticipate having her funds stolen. 

Sebastian Larkby didn't think he would abduct a lady while in service for the crown, but he couldn't leave her in the company of the man he had just relieved of money and letters. He also didn't expect Vivienne to be so determined to escape him, to the point of putting herself in danger. He's even more shocked to learn that she has assumed the name of his nonexistent wife, Lady Larkby. When his grandmother hears about this, Sebastian has no choice but to convince Vivienne to play the role of his wife for his dying grandmother's sake.

But when you first attempt to deceive, you open a whole unexpected mess of complications. Now Sebastian and Vivienne have to deal with the mess they have created without falling in love. How does one break the news to your beloved grandmother who rallied from death's door because she learned you were married?  Breaking grandma's heart is the least of their worries. Enter the evil relatives who bring a whole host of problems with them. Yes, they are truly evil. They are the kind that, if you know they are coming, you pack up, move to a different country, and don't leave a forwarding address, and for good measure, add a moat around your house and fill it with sharks to be sure they don't decide to make themselves at home. I would also play the Jaws theme song, but Vivienne and Sebastian don't have this as an option. They have to deal with the problem.

Overall, this was a good read, and one that, reading the first book in the series, is not necessary to fully enjoy To Kiss a Knight. It is a clean read with a Regency setting. And I loved Vivienne's character; she had determination, kindness, and spunk in abundance.

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

You can purchase a copy of the book from Amazon at the following link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0825448107?

About the Book:

When everything is going right, something must go wrong

Vivienne Poppy's plans are working out quite well. She's run away from her family and the prospect of a horrid marriage of convenience and plans to spend her time writing under her pseudonym, Lady Larkby. Until she discovers the old Larkby title is not as dead as she thought.

Yeoman of the Guard and recently knighted Sir Sebastian Larkby is stunned to discover a Lady Larkby that he does not remember marrying. Suddenly, Vivienne is left with a choice: relinquish her pen name, expose her true identity, and break Sebastian's dying grandmother’s heart—or feign marriage to Sebastian to keep the title and fulfill the old woman's wishes.

This witty novel from award-winning author Grace Hitchcock is filled with scandal, mishap, and just the right amount of romance.

"A rollicking Regency with romance, danger, humor, and unexpected plot twists you won't want to miss!"
—Crystal Caudill, Christy Award–winning author of Written in Secret