Tracking the Missing ~ Review

Tracking the Missing

K-9 Search and Rescue #13

By Sami A. Abrams

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

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

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

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

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

About the Book:

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

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

From Love Inspired Suspense: 

Courage. 

Danger. 

Faith.

K-9 Search and Rescue

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

Giver of Wonders ~ Review

Giver of Wonders

By Roseanna M. White

Giver of Wonder is an interesting read. It is a Christmas story, but not in the way most people think. Set in the early days of the Christian faith, when it was on the edge of persecution and acceptable, it follows the Visibullis family. The father is a firm non-believer, while his wife and three daughters are.

Although the Visibullis women are forbidden from worshipping with fellow believers, we are given a unique look into the lives of believers who gather in their own gathering—home worship, as many of the earliest believers did. 

The youngest daughter, Cyprus was given a gift of healing that changed her life and that of her sisters when Petros and Nikolaos came to her aid. Soon, Cyprus and her sisters began a friendship with the young men. With many ups and downs, Cyprus and her sisters grew up and faced even more significant challenges to their faith. The greatest challenge comes just as the celebration of Christ's birth arrives - only a miracle can save them.

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

About the Book:

A miracle once saved her life ~ will another give her a future?

Cyprus was little more than a child when a fall left her paralyzed...and when the boy known as the wonder-worker healed her. Ever since, she has wondered why the Lord spared her, what he has in store for her. But her pagan father thinks she was spared solely so she could be introduced to the wealthy wonder-worker, Nikolaos.

Nikolaos has never questioned that his call in life is to dedicate himself to the church and to God. Never, that is, until he and his cousin Petros meet the compelling Cyprus Visibullis. For years he struggles with the feelings she inspires...and with the sure knowledge that Petros loves her too.

Petros knows he will never be good enough for Cyprus's father to consider him as a match for his favorite daughter not as long as Nikolaos is there. But when tragedy strikes the Visibullis family, he will do anything to save his beloved. Unfortunately, his beloved is determined to do anything to save her sisters ~ even at the cost of herself.

As the festival of lights bathes their Greek city in beauty, Cyprus, Petros, and Nikolaos celebrate the miracle of their Savior s birth together one last time. And in remembrance of their Lord's greatest gift, one of them will make the ultimate sacrifice for the others...and a centuries-long tradition will be born.

Rules of a Ruse ~ Review

Rules of a Ruse

Regency Christmas Brides

By Laura Beers

Great aunt Edith has decided it is time for her nephew Alden Dandridge to marry. And she dangles the proverbial carrot before him, a chance to own property. There is just a small problem, well, maybe two or four. He needs to marry for love, the horse farm is in Scotland, he needs to find a wife among the ladies living in the area of the farm, and he has to do all of this before Twelfth Night. 

Easy right? Not so much. Miss Elinor Sidney not only lives on this Scottish horse farm, she also manages it. If Alden fails to do his aunt's bidding she will inherit the farm that she loves. And when Alden asks for Elinor's help in finding a lady willing to be wed soon, she's more than willing to help him to not succeed.

But when hearts are on the line and Christmas is the season a chance at true love seems possible. But when a danger from Elinor's past makes an unexpected appearance, everything is upended. 

This is part of the Regency Christmas Brides series, which can be read as a standalone title. Love is has eluded several of her young family members and Edith is determined to help them all find true love before Christmas. What better way to accomplish such a goal than to offer them a heart's desire if they can find love? I love the idea that this older lady was concerned about her family not finding what she had-love. 

This book had moments of humor as Alden and Elinor both try to win the horse farm Overall this was a fun and sweet clean holiday read. 

I read this book via Kindle Unlimited.

About the Book:

Marriage was supposed to be the solution, 

but falling in love wasn’t part of the plan.

Mr. Alden Dandridge has received astonishing news: he is set to inherit a thriving horse farm in a quaint Scottish village. However, there's a formidable catch- he must be married by Twelfth Night. Undeterred, Alden journeys to Scotland, convinced that a marriage of convenience will solve all his problems.

Miss Elinor Sidney has been successfully running the horse farm for the past two years, and she has no intention of relinquishing it to Mr. Dandridge. Adding to the stakes, she learns that if Alden fails to secure a bride by Twelfth Night, the horse farm will legally belong to her. When Alden enlists her help in finding a suitable bride, Elinor agrees, though she has no true intention of aiding him.

As Alden spends more time with Elinor, he comes to realize that she is the perfect solution to his predicament. He just needs to persuade her to marry him. Yet, Elinor yearns for a marriage built on love, not convenience. When someone from Elinor's past reemerges, threatening her peace, Alden knows he must risk everything- including his heart- to protect her.

Love unfolds in unexpected ways in this light-hearted, clean, and wholesome holiday romance. 

Enjoy it as a stand-alone story or as the second book in the Regency Christmas Brides series.

Other books in the Regency Christmas Brides series:

A Seasonal Pursuit by Rebecca Connelly

Rules of a Ruse by Laura Beers

Yuletide Bride by Kasey Stockton

Married by Twelfth Night by Anneka Walker

Married by Twelfth Night ~ Review

Married by Twelfth Night

Regency Christmas Brides

By Anneka Walker

When he is promised the means to secure the future of his estate and that of his mother and sister, Richard Graham never thought fulfilling his great aunt's requirements for a bride would be so difficult. Worse, only one young lady seems to possess all the necessary qualifications. But to capture this perfect miss's heart, he'll need the help of her younger sister. Grace has none of the traits his aunt requires, but she captures his heart.

Married by Twelfth Night is a fun conclusion to the Regency Christmas Brides series. I love how Grace and Richard are convinced they are all wrong for the other. Weighing matters of the heart against his family's future is a big thing throughout this story.  

If you want a sweet Regency Christmas, read this new title from Anneka Walker. This is a no-spice, enemies-to-something-more read, and it wants to make its way to the top of your Christmas TBR list.

 

About the Book:

 Mr. Richard Graham will do anything to find a wife by Christmas, 

including calling in a favor from the one woman who despises him.

Richard Graham cannot believe his luck when his great-aunt promises him a fortune if he’s married by Twelfth Night. He can finally clear his father’s debts and save his beloved Belside Manor. Miss Ruth Steele meets all the marriageable requirements his aunt insisted upon, but he’ll need the help of her clever and beautiful sister, Grace, to win the quiet woman over. Not only is Grace a dear friend to his younger sister, with loyalties to his family estate, but she also happens to owe him a generous favor. If she can put aside her dislike for him, his Christmas miracle will be easily attainable by the looming deadline.

Grace Steele never planned to make a bargain with Richard Graham. She cares little for the overly charming man and his penchant for flirtation, and she has spent the last several years establishing this fact. But when Richard offers to scare away an unwanted suitor in exchange for her help, she relents. What harm can arise from a pretend courtship over the holidays? Besides his unsettling effect on her, it allows time for her impossibly shy sister to warm to Richard and sends a clear message to Mr. Dobson that she is unavailable. Once Ruth and Richard are married, she will be forever rid of the much-too-perfect Richard Graham.

And all by Twelfth Night. What could possibly go wrong?

*Love blooms in the least expected place in this witty, kisses only, holiday romance. 

Read as a stand-alone, or enjoy it as the last book in the Regency Christmas Brides series.

Other books in the Regency Christmas Brides series:

A Seasonal Pursuit by Rebecca Connelly

Rules of a Ruse by Laura Beers

Yuletide Bride by Kasey Stockton

Married by Twelfth Night by Anneka Walker

Yuletide Bride ~ Review

Yuletide Bride

Regency Christmas Brides

By Kasey Stockton

When Colin Birchall proposes marriage, no one is more surprised than Mercy Caldwell. She's been passed over by eligible men in favor of her younger sisters. But Colin needs a bride and to marry before Twelfth Night if he hopes to save his estate. 

Mercy hoped Colin might notice her, but it had been years since she had that dream. With her youngest sister soon to announce her engagement, Mercy gladly accepts this offer to not be the spinster sister helping her parents with their pastoral duties. 

Colin and Mercy might have a passing awareness of each other's identities, but nothing has prepared either for the compromises of personality and tradition they now face. Mercy believes in doing her fair share of the work, but Colin feels she should fill the role as his mother did. Can you see the problems brewing here? So when Great Aunt Edith pops in for a surprise visit to see if Colin has indeed married for love, disaster could be in their future if the estate does not crumble around them first.

This was an interesting read as Colin and Mercy navigate their marriage of convenience. Can two people who have such different backgrounds find love? They must both learn a couple of key elements, one of which is listening. This is the second book (in order of release) in the Regency Christmas Brides series and an enjoyable read if you want a break from the contemporary hubbub.

About the Book:

 When a marriage of convenience becomes inconveniently complicated...

Mercy Caldwell, the vicar’s eldest daughter, has watched her younger sisters march down the aisle while she remains resolutely on the shelf. When a chance at matrimony arrives mere hours after her youngest sister’s engagement, Mercy seizes the opportunity—and the man she’s secretly admired for years.

Colin Birchall’s grand estate is crumbling, and his aunt’s generous inheritance comes with one condition: he must be married by Twelfth Night. In Mercy, he finds the perfect candidate to meet his aunt’s exacting standards. It seems an ideal arrangement—until they’re forced to actually live together.

From differing views on marriage to clashing Christmas traditions, Mercy and Colin discover that convenience and compatibility are two very different things. But when Colin’s aunt arrives unannounced demanding proof of their love, they must convince her—and perhaps themselves—that their hastily forged union is more than just a festive facade.

Can Mercy and Colin turn their paper marriage into a love match before Twelfth Night? Or will their convenient arrangement crumble faster than Colin’s ancestral home?

Yuletide Bride is a heartwarming holiday romance that proves 

love often arrives in the most unexpected packages—no bow required.

Other books in the Regency Christmas Brides series:

A Seasonal Pursuit by Rebecca Connelly

Rules of a Ruse by Laura Beers

Yuletide Bride by Kasey Stockton

Married by Twelfth Night by Anneka Walker

A Seasonal Pursuit ~ Review

A Seasonal Pursuit

Regency Christmas Brides #1

By Rebecca Connolly

Rose Portman and three of her cousins have been promised what they most desire. There is just one catch: they are all expected to find love and marry by Twelfth Night. A Seasonal Pursuit is the first book in the Regency Christmas Brides series written by four authors.

Rose wants nothing more than to avoid society and enjoy a quiet life in a cottage. With just such a promise dangling in front of her, Rose has no choice but to attend a holiday house party in York away from her family. But can she find someone willing to marry her from amongst the other guests? And more importantly, can she find someone with whom she can find love?

Webb Rixton's mother and sister are pressuring him to find a new wife. His children need a mother, and he needs companionship. Marriage is the last thing he wants to pursue, but he agrees to attend a local house party. 

Rose and Webb soon form a friendship and agree to help one another with the family pressures they are both facing.  Soon, they enjoy an unexpected friendship that could lead to something more. But love, never! Rose refuses to abandon her dream, and love would undoubtedly complicate everything. 

This was an enjoyable read, with all the good feelings of a family Christmas. I love series that are multi-author offerings, as they offer a fresh feel with each book. And I love Christmas reads. I highly recommend this book if you want a clean Regency holiday romance.

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:

*Regency Christmas Brides: Four festive tales of romance.

'Twas the month before Christmas, and all through the house, 

four cousins have been told they all need a spouse...

Have yourself a married little Christmas…

Rose Portman, determined spinster, has a bit of a predicament. Her great-aunt has challenged her to get married before Twelfth Night and promised that, if she does, Rose will inherit the perfect country cottage with the funds to maintain it. Rose has always wanted to get away from London and Society, and this could be her chance! But the catch is that Rose has to attend a holiday house party in York and find a husband among the guests. Worst of all… she must marry for love.

Webb Rixton, Lord Downing, is attending a holiday house party hosted by his neighbor, but only because his mother and sister are making him. He knows his young children need a mother, but no one could possibly replace his late wife, so marriage and love are the last things on his mind. Still, he thinks he might have found a friend in the refreshingly frank Miss Portman, and a friend could be just what he needs to return to the land of the living. When she tells him of her situation, and her plot to thwart it, he is determined to help her, setting them both on a path of the most unexpected nature.

Will this season be particularly jolly for Rose and Webb? Or will the weather not be the only thing that is frightful?

*Decking the halls has never been quite so jolly in this sweet, snarky, swoonworthy holiday romance. Read as a stand-alone, or enjoy it as the last book in the Regency Christmas Brides series.

A Seasonal Pursuit by Rebecca Connolly

Rules of a Ruse by Laura Beers

Yuletide Bride by Kasey Stockton

Married by Twelfth Night by Anneka Walker

Investigation of a Journalist ~ Review

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Investigation of a Journalist 

by Danielle Grandinetti, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Investigation of a Journalist

Harbored in Crow's Nest #6

By Danielle Grandinetti

This is the sixth book in the Harbored In Crow's Nest series, set in 1931 Wisconsin. I love the historical aspect of this series and the suspense thread running throughout it. This time, we finally get Buck Wilson's story.  

Buck Wilson has been an intriguing person to get to know. In Crow's Nest, he is a bit of an enigma, hated or disliked by most. Yet he has moments where he comes across as a caring, good person. But his associations paint him in a different light. But the time has come for Buck to reveal the truth; to do so, he must reach out to the one person he never wanted to bring into this life.

Caroline Wagoneer last saw Buck over two years ago. He left one month before they were to be married, so when he shows up asking for her help, she is faced with a choice. Does she help him stop a dangerous foe? Or does she turn her back on his plea? But his plea touches her heart. 

I enjoyed this book and feel this series is best read in order. Although this book can be read as a standalone title, you would be missing background information from the previous books. I love that Buck gets a second chance at the life he has had to leave behind. But a chance isn't a promise of tomorrow, and the people Buck is trying to stop won't go down quietly. 

I really enjoy this kind of book and am willing to forego sleep for it. If you enjoy historical fiction, I highly recommend it. Danielle Grandinetti has a way of making history come alive with her gift of wordsmithing, and she is on my must-read list of authors.

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

About the Book

Title: Investigation of a Journalist

Series: Harbored in Crow's Nest #6

Author: Danielle Grandinetti

Publisher: Hearth Spot Press

Release Date: November 19, 2024

Genre: Christian Historical Romance/Suspense

A second chance to set the record straight, and rekindle a lost love. 

Wisconsin, 1931—Buck Wilson refuses to accept failure as his reward for all he has sacrificed, but he’s kept secrets for too long to be believed. With his freedom on the line, there’s only one person he trusts to mine for the true story: the woman he left one month before their wedding. 

All investigative journalist Caroline Wagoneer wants is to shine a light on the truth wherever darkness threatens to obscure it. Which is the only reason she agrees to help her ex-fiance when he begs for her to go undercover in Crow’s Nest. What she discovers paints Buck in a whole new light. 

With lies and rumor hemming them in, Buck and Caroline realize their love may be doomed on the altar of altruism. 

Unless love can truly conquer all. 

Welcome to Crow’s Nest, where danger and romance meet at the water’s edge.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Buy Directly From the Author | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub

Also Available

---

About the Author

Danielle Grandinetti is an award-winning inspirational romance author fueled by tea and books. As a FHLCW Reader’s Choice and Selah Award Finalist, she mixes romance, suspense, and history to bring her stories to life. Originally from the Chicagoland area, she now lives along Lake Michigan’s Wisconsin shoreline with her husband and their two young sons.

Connect with Danielle at daniellegrandinetti.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

---

Tour Giveaway

(3) winners will each win a paperback copy of Confessions to a Stranger, a Crow's Nest tote bag, and a Crow's Nest Journal!

The full tour schedule is linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight on November 19, 2024, and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 26, 2024. 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.

The giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

---

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

The Noble Princess ~ Review

A Noble Princess

Cornerstone Series

By Saraina Whitney

Princess Aurelia of Galandra is soon to be the future queen of Nordenberg. But how can she leave her ailing mother and journey to a strange land and marry a prince she does not love? The answer is simple duty. Aurelia knows her duty and will fulfill it even if it tears her heart in two.

Wilder Beckington is the man tasked with seeing the princess safely to Nordenberg. But he Jas also been ordered to keep from a secret, a secret that could destroy everything if it comes out. But Becks is also Aurelia's friend and keeping the truth from her just feels wrong, but he knows his duty.

A Noble Princess was an enjoyable read. Duty is an interesting concept and one that is explored throughout this book. Duty versus wants, hopes, or needs. Who decides which is greater? One's self-worth is also explored, as both Aurelia and Becks struggle to see the!selves in the light others see them in. Becks sees the boy he used to be and Aurelia contrasts her skills against those of her mother. Both find themselves lacking even as they push on for the sake of duty and honor, no matter the cost. I feel that this book is appropriate for tweens and up.

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:

What happens when duty and love tear you in opposite directions?

Wilder “Becks” Beckington knows his duty as a royal bodyguard. Protect, no matter the cost. But when the elderly queen summons him while on her sickbed, she gives him an impossible command he somehow must fulfill. Escort the princess to marry her betrothed, all the while keeping a life-changing secret from her, one that could prove deadly in the wrong hands. He would rather die than lie to the woman who’s become his unlikely friend, but with her entire future at stake, he swears to secrecy.

Princess Aurelia of Galandra knows her duty as the daughter of the queen. Obey, no matter the cost. But with her mother’s health on the brink, she’s also reeling from the discovery of a terrible secret, one that shakes the very foundations of her reality. While anxieties about her future marriage plague her and nightmares about her past leave her sleepless, she undertakes the journey to the Kingdom of Nordenberg, as her friendship with her bodyguard, Becks, becomes more tentative and fragile by the day.

While Aurelia struggles to make sense of who she is and Becks battles to push down the rogue feelings he has for her, danger and unforeseen obstacles haunt their every step. The truth must stay safely hidden, or disaster will strike. Can Wilder Becks fulfill his mission, or will his heart and dark past overcome him, to the detriment of the princess?

A Noble Princess is a NA Christian fantasy Goose Girl retelling for readers 

who love hidden identity, forbidden love, and happily-ever-afters.

A Lady Most Entangled ~ Review

A Lady Most Entangled

A Grimm Regency Tale

By Mary-Celeste Ricks

Rupert Stilson is incognito, working in his family's mill to learn the ins-and-outs of how it works. His boss, Mr. Chernock is a hard-hearted, nasty individual and Rupert is looking forward to the day when he can replace him and improve conditions for those working there.

Charlotte Dawson has been working to keep her father from trouble. But when her father makes a deal to get out of debt Charlotte is the loser no matter how it turns out. She will be married to a man she's never met before, a man willing to take advantage of a man in a vulnerable condition. 

Can Rupert Stilson stop her unwanted marriage to Mr. Chernock? And what of the rumors that some young ladies are spreading about Mr. Stilson? Could he be the true villain in this tale? 

I really liked Rupert, his character is a true gentleman and kindness itself. I loved how this story retold Rumpelstiltskin in such a unique and delightful way. I loved how instead of spinning gold the task was to spin fabric - perfect for a Regency setting involving mills. This was a cute read.

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

About the Book:

What if the knight in shining armor wielded a loom instead of a sword?

Rupert Stilson can never resist a damsel in distress. When Charlotte Dawson becomes entangled in a plot to rob her father of his daughter and his estate in one fell swoop, Rupert rushes in with flax and loom to save the day. But the danger is hardly over once the wager is won. If Rupert cannot trust Charlotte with the secret of his real identity, her family will never truly be safe.

A Grimm Regency Tale series

• A Lady Most Engaged by Audrey Glenn
• A Lady Most Fitting by Sienna Peake
• A Lady Most Untamed by Amanda Panhorst
• A Lady Most Intrigued by Jenni Ward
• A Lady Most Entangled by Mary-Celeste Ricks
• A Lady Most Isolated by Heloise C. Kensington
• A Lady Most Alluring by Amy Newbold

Casters and Crowns ~ Review

Casters and Crowns 

by Elizabeth Lowham

In a kingdom divided mistrust and prejudice, Crown Princess Aria seeks to broker a peace to stop a war that could destroy her kingdom forever. But her father's hatred and execution of a young boy have pitted most Casters against the Crown. 

When Aria secretly approaches Widow Morton about an offer of peace she had no idea that she was about to forfeit her own life. Aria speaks the words she feels her father would expect of her. After all as king her father is never wrong and never makes mistakes. But Aria's offer instead brings a curse down upon her and all who live within the castle. 

When Baron Reeves seeks to take his father's place within the nobility he is denied. His crime? He is a Caster and therefore not to be trusted, no matter how loyal he has been to the crown. With a steward put in place the secret Baron is protecting is in danger of being revealed. When Princess Aria reaches out to him requesting help in understanding Casters and their abilities he agrees to share information through letters. 

Aria feels that her father's judgment of Baron was unjust. No crime was committed against the crown and worse no trial with Barron given a chance to plead his case. The king's judgment was swift and permanent. And for Aria to question him is a sign of her insufficiency as the next ruler. Her commitment is questioned and she is chastised for it. 

I really enjoyed this book. There is an overabundance of secrets being held. Some of the secrets are revealed early on, but there are a couple that are revealed near the end of the book and goodness they are kingdom changers. I like Aria, her sister, Baron, and his twin brothers. There are several supporting characters who were just lovely. But the king. Let's just say having power went to his head and he was under the mistaken impression he needed no advisors and that he was perfect because he was king. 

This is a book I would highly recommend. I feel it is appropriate for tweens who are testing the waters of teen fiction and is without all the overblown angst most teen books have that make older readers roll their eyes. There is a definite magic element throughout the book. The romance is there but not taking center stage, though it plays a pivotal roll in several scenes.

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:

Cursed by magic, bound by mistakes, Princess Aria’s destiny hinges on the mysterious Baron Reeves. 

Will love be enough to break the curse, or will war bring her kingdom to ruin? 

A new romantasy by Elizabeth Lowham.

When Crown Princess Aria sees her kingdom on the brink of war with the magic-wielding Casters, she takes it upon herself to speak with Widow Morton, the most dangerous Caster in the realm. If successful, Aria will not only ensure peace but also prove to her father that she is a worthy heir. But when her negotiations fail, Aria is dealt a terrible curse: Over the course of one hundred days, she will be unable to sleep, her body and mind doomed to waste away. And then the curse will pass to her sister, until every member of the king’s line is dead.

Aria’s best hope for breaking her curse is to seek help from another Caster—the handsome and charming Baron Reeves. He may be entitled to a place at the court, but as a magic user, can he truly be trusted? She vows not be fooled by his dimpled smiles or his devotion to his brothers, but as she spends more time with him, she discovers that her heart has other ideas.

Baron has no desire to see the princess suffer—especially since she might be the key to changing the king’s opinion on Casters—but he has secrets to protect and ghosts of his own. The last person he tried to save using his magic died, and he’s not willing to risk harming someone he loves again.

As the curse continues its deadly countdown, both Aria and Baron must risk their lives and their hearts to save each other and unite a kingdom.

The Gentleman's Confession ~ Review

The Gentleman's Confession

Matchmaking Mamas #3

By Anneka R. Walker

Jemma Fielding never planned to marry but her deathbed promise to her grandmother changed everything. Now she needs help from the Matchmaking Mamas Society and her best friend Miles Jackson. She needs the Mamas to find her perfect match. And Miles to help her understand love and learn how to make a man fall in love with her.

Miles would do anything for Jemma, but when she asks him to give her lessons on how to understand love, he balks. He's always loved Jemma and the thought of helping her find love with another man is torture. Miles knows that he is not worthy of Jemma or her love, but the promise of an hour with Jemma is just too tempting. 

Everyone has assumed for years that Miles would marry Lisette (Jemma's cousin). Just because he rescued her years ago when they were children. But Miles has always viewed Lisette as a sister and a friend. If only everyone else could quit with the expectations. Even worse is all the unattached ladies of the neighborhood who think he is in want and need of a wife. It is almost enough to make a gentleman run away. 

This is the third book in the Matchmaking Mamas series and this time the Matchmakers have made a doozy of a choice. A gentleman new to the area is there match for Jemma. Some of the situations Miles and Jemma find themselves in are just too much. Jemma's first meeting with Mr. Bentley had disaster written all over it. But some creative awkwardness kept it from becoming a wardrobe malfunction scandal. 

A promise made must be kept. But marrying for love seems more than achievable in Jemma's opinion. If she can find someone she can like surely that is a good place to start. And the Matchmaking Mamas have never been wrong before. But could the Mamas skills gone wrong this time?

There are a few humorous events that keep this book from becoming weighed down with the whole helping the woman you are in love with find love with someone else thing.  Miles is determined to be selfless in regards to Jemma but it grows harder as he is expected to help her. Jemma is more than clueless in how her very good friend treats her compared to his treatment of her cousin. One feels like giving Jemma a good shake to make her open her eyes to what is going on around her. And the rest of the Rebels other than Ian seem just as clueless. 

This was a fun read, even if I felt Miles and Jemma had made everything so much more complicated than it needed to be. But societal expectations, loss, promises, and broken dreams have a way of getting in the way of even perfect insight, so I'll give them both a pass. This book can be read as a standalone title and fully enjoyed without having read the first two books. I have no qualms about recommending this book to ages 13 and up. 

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.

Available to purchase at https://shadowmountain.com/product/the-gentlemans-confession/

About the Book:

Inexperienced in courtship and love, Jemma turns to her best friend, Miles, for guidance on how to win a man’s heart—not knowing that Miles has secretly loved her for years.  

Brookeside, England, 1822 

Jemma Fielding has always considered herself an independent woman, but to honor her beloved grandmother’s dying wish, she makes a promise that she will marry and fall in love. To fulfill her promise, she turns to the Matchmaking Mamas Society for assistance and is paired with the charming Mr. Bentley. Though he is everything Jemma could hope for in a match, she is clueless about how to win his heart. Desperate to make a good impression, she seeks guidance from her dearest friend, Miles Jackson, a humble rector with a talent for understanding matters of the heart.

However, Miles’s secret affection for Jemma has spanned years, and teaching her to love someone else threatens to betray his own heart. Despite his selfless nature, Miles fears he will never be more than a humble rector in her eyes.

Even as he gives Jemma lessons in love, Miles grapples with the challenge of convincing her that Mr. Bentley may be a perfect gentleman but he is not the perfect match for her. Will Miles’s advice in romance jeopardize their years of friendship, or will it reveal the attraction that has quietly blossomed between them, proving that this time, the Matchmaking Mamas may have made a mistake? Miles must decide if he’s brave enough to confess his feelings to Jemma before she is whisked away forever.

A Noble Purpose ~ Available Now

A Noble Purpose

Cornerstone Series #1

By Laurie Lucking

Princess Verena is twenty-five years old and has no desire to marry. But her father has decided that the time has come for her to marry and not be an embarrassment to the family. The embarrassment comes from the fact that she shows no joy or enjoyment in anything. The first man to make Verena laugh will be her husband and the future king. Can anyone see the problem with this? Obviously, the king cannot.

Princess Liesel is not going to sit around and do nothing. She will do anything to help Verena return to the person she once was. Even track down a guard who is stationed far away. If he could make her sister smile and laugh, he may be able to do so again.

Liesel sets out to find the one man who might bring her sister happiness. But the journey is not easy. There are unexpected dangers that Liesel, her maid, and her ever-faithful guard must overcome just to find Sir Jonas. Can they convince him to return with them?

Now, this was a lovely story about the bonds of sisterly affection. I also found it interesting how Verena's father felt she needed to be fixed because of a personality difference. As someone with a different personality from the rest of my family, I know that comments like, "I don't know where that comes from." or "Well, I always react such-and-such way." can be hurtful. So I'm sure her father's comments about her more solemn personality were not helpful, based on her reactions. I loved how Liesel accepted her sister's opposing personality.

This is an easy and satisfying read. It is acceptable content-wise for all readers over twelve. This was a sweet retelling of Hans, Who Made the Princess Laugh, and the first book in the multi-author Cornerstone series.

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:

To help her miserable sister, Princess Liesel must survive the elements, danger…and her grumpy guard.

Princess Liesel’s older sister, Verena, hasn’t smiled in years. Desperate to improve her low spirits, the king declares that the man who can make Verena laugh will earn her hand in marriage.

But his plan seems doomed to failure from the start. Each unsuccessful attempt only makes Verena more despondent, and a set of mysterious masked suitors raises suspicions about a plot by an enemy prince. When Liesel discovers her sister still harbors feelings for a guard who was sent away years before, she embarks on a desperate quest to find him, both for the sake of Verena’s future happiness and their kingdom’s safety.

As increasingly dangerous challenges hinder Liesel’s journey, she begins to wonder if they’re more than coincidence. Will she and her travel companions even make it to Verena’s former guard, let alone convince him to return with them?

With each impediment drawing her closer to her own surly knight, more than just her sister’s happily-ever-after may be hanging in the balance.

A Noble Purpose is a New Adult Christian fantasy Hans, Who Made the Princess Laugh retelling and is Book #1 in the Cornerstone Series. Each book can be read as a standalone.

Arabella's Song ~ Now Available

 

I am thrilled that Arabella's Song can finally be shared with anyone who wants to read it. To date, this is the longest-finished work I have done. At nearly 25,000 words, it sounds like so many words, but in the world of books, it is not. Yet I'm pleased with what I accomplished. 

It is currently available as a Kindle book, and the print version is still being formatted. Who knew there were so many steps involved in bringing a book to life? 

This has been a learning experience in so many ways, including how little sleep I can survive on while still pretending to function as a person. 

But if you are interested in enjoying Arabella's Song, which was part of the Lost Kerchiefs Arista Challenge, I'm providing the Amazon link here Arabella's Song on Amazon.

This title will be on Kindle Unlimited until Christmas, so don't delay. After that date, it will be available with other online eBook retailers.

About the Book:

A song calls her to her destiny until a betrayal threatens her future.

Arabella's future has long been decided, but she'll have to fight for it when her trusted servant betrays her.

All her life, a song has drawn her towards her destiny, and now it may very well be what saves her life.

With the aid of a talking horse, a mysterious stranger, and a foreign dignitary, Arabella is in a race against time to reclaim the identity stolen from her in this story based on the Goose Girl and the Pied Piper of Hamelin.

This is the first book in The House of Sorah series.

A Lady Most Engaged ~ Review

A Lady Most Engaged:
A Grimm Regency Romance
By Audrey Glenn

This was a delightful read. Thanks to a series of misunderstandings, the two main characters find themselves engaged to perfect strangers. 

Bram, Lord Rosedale, has had his presence at a house party demanded by his mother. FYI, Lady Rosedale is a tyrannical monster in the personality department. Said house party has been arranged so Lady Rosedale can have a say in who her son marries. Bram's need to marry soon has just become realized. If he hopes to inherit, he has to do so within three months. Surprise!

Harriet Thornhill, is at the house party only because she is accompanying her cousin. But when she accidentally finds herself in an innocent accident with Lord Rosedale, propriety demands that they marry. If Harriet doesn't agree to marry, her cousin and younger sisters will be tainted by her shame. Note to self: only try to awaken a sleeping person if you have witnesses to the event.

I loved the subtle nod to Sleeping Beauty in this story: the roses, the spindle, the cottage. This is a truly unique and enjoyable Regency romance. And if for no other reason than the cover, you should pick up this book. I loved Harriet's character; she could not be forced into anything until she could weigh the effects of her choices. And I absolutely loved Harriet, and it was evident that she was the person one would want in their corner. Perfect for Bram if he could get rid of the overbearing mother. Lady Rosedale makes Lady Catherine de Bergh look like a saint!

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:

Sometimes it takes more than a kiss to wake a sleeping heart...

Harriet Thornhill prides herself on propriety and sense of duty. The last thing she ever expected was to find herself at a house party in a compromising position with the Earl of Rosedale. Now engaged to a man she barely knows, Harriet must navigate a precarious balance between duty and her own happiness.

Lord Rosedale has spent years avoiding his domineering mother. In his absence, she’s run his estate precariously close to ruin. But when circumstances force Bram into an engagement with the spirited Harriet, he begins to see the world—and himself—in a new light.

As Harriet and Bram's reluctant alliance blossoms into something more, they must contend with the schemes of his manipulative mother and the neglect that threatens the estate and its tenants. Can Harriet learn to put her own happiness first without hurting those she loves? And can her determined spirit awaken Bram’s courage to defy his mother, or will the curse of least resistance doom them both?

This sweet Regency romance presents a gender-swapped reimagining of Sleeping Beauty. It's an enchanting story of love, self-discovery, and the courage to fight for one's own happily ever after that will make your heart flutter without venturing into steamy territory. At around 40,000 words, it's the Goldilocks of books - not too long, not too short, but just right for a fun and immersive read!

Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor ~ Review

Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor
By Roseanna M. White

This is an enjoyable and delightful retelling of The Nutcracker. The key elements of the story are there but they woven into the story so artfully that if you are not aware of it beforehand you may not notice it.

Lady Mariah Lyons loves her home at Plumford Manor, especially at Christmas time when she helps transform it into Sugar Plum Manor. Unfortunately as the stepdaughter of the Earl of Castleton, she'll never inherit her belief home. No it will be passing to distant relative of the earl's, Cyril Lightbourne.

Cyril was a close friend of Mariah after a delightful holiday while both were still children. But time and a misunderstood conversation have reshaped what everyone expected to have happened. Years have passed Cyril and Mariah finally get a chance to rediscover their bonds of childhood friendship.

This is a lovely story that retells a Christmas Classic without resorting to the use of magic or oversized rodents. My favorite scene involves the Christmas display and all the wonders one could conceive of. And when Mariah plans a surprise with the village children she changes this holiday into one no one will ever forget. Highly recommended if you want a quiet, clean read for the Christmas season. 

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:

As the beloved stepdaughter of the Earl of Castleton, Lady Mariah Lyons cherishes her home at Plumford Manor, but her idyllic world will be threatened when the estate passes to Cyril Lightbourne, a childhood friend she hasn’t seen or heard from in years. Once upon a time, Mariah dreamed their old friendship would kindle into something more—but that was before she heard that Cyril was courting the cruel-hearted Lady Pearl. Now, Mariah is willing to welcome him as a friend and pray he will finally be the heir her stepfather needs, but she’ll keep her heart locked safely away from anyone with such poor taste.

 

Due to misunderstandings, Cyril Lightbourne has long avoided returning to Plumford Manor, yet he reluctantly returns in time for Christmas. When his friendship with Lady Mariah reignites, he finds himself torn between his affection for her and her family's distance toward him because of Lady Pearl, a woman he’d rather forget. Then more trouble arrives in the form of a Danish lord on a mission to win Mariah's hand by Christmas…and to disgrace Cyril in the process.   

Inspired by The Nutcracker, this Edwardian-era historical romance is a tale of holiday spirit, love, and the power of family and friendship from bestselling and award-winning author Roseanna M. White.