Abducted in the Woods ~ Review with IG Giveaway

Abducted in the Woods

Forest Ranger Rescuers #2
By Kerry Johnson
Published by Harlequin/Love Inspired

Sarah Brindley thought she was safe. But the men who killed her husband have found her and her seven-year-old son. But why these men are so intent on finding her is beyond her understanding. 

Now she her only hope of rescuing her son lies with the help of her brother-in-law and his K-9 partner. But when she discovers the secrets her husband held, she knows that the men after her won't be satisfied until she is permanently silenced. This Christmas season is anything but jolly!

Abducted in the Woods jumps right into the action from the beginning. As the story unfolds, secrets are slowly unveiled and they don't paint Sarah's just murdered husband in a good light. This is a story of forgiveness, redemption, and second chances. And for kitty lovers there is a cat in addition to the dogs.

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

About the Book:

Pursued by criminals—with a child’s life on the line.

Just when Sarah Brindley believes she and her son, Liam, are safe from the men who murdered her husband, they are attacked—and Liam is taken. Her only hope is to team up with her brother-in-law, forest ranger Tucker Brindley, to uncover who is targeting her family. When they discover her late husband’s ties to an underground medical black-market ring, it’s clear the trail of danger runs deeper than they realized. With assaults on them ramping up, they must race against the clock to recover young Liam…before they become the next victims.

To enter the giveaway go to the following link https://www.instagram.com/p/DRye54TCsVU/

⇒ Giveaway – (1) winner will receive a $30 Amazon gift card!

⇒ TO ENTER

⇒ LIKE, SAVE, and SHARE this post

⇒ FOLLOW me @kerryjohnsonauthor @justreadtours

⇒ TAG a friend (up to 3x per post)

⇒ VISIT each hosted post of this tour for more entries. Schedule at @justreadtours. (US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics. Instagram is not affiliated with nor responsible for this giveaway. Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM EST on December 10, 2025.)

⇒ Required Hashtags (bold hashtags if limited to 3) – #justreadtours #AbductedintheWoods #KerryJohnson #LoveInspired #ForestRangerRescuers

---

Links –

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

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

Release Date: November 25, 2025
Genre: Romantic Suspense

Just when Sarah Brindley believes she and her son, Liam, are safe from the men who murdered her husband, they are attacked—and Liam is taken. Her only hope is to team up with her brother-in-law, forest ranger Tucker Brindley, to uncover who is targeting her family. When they discover her late husband’s ties to an underground medical black-market ring, it’s clear the trail of danger runs deeper than they realized. With assaults on them ramping up, they must race against the clock to recover young Liam…before they become the next victims.

And the Mountains in Reply ~ Review

And the Mountains in Reply

The Carols of Christmas

By Sienna Peake

Sarah Gibson is about to become Prescott, Arizona's first teacher. She left behind the life of luxury she was used to living in Philadelphia. Here she's determined that all children will be able to attend her school, and with the help of local carpenter Elijah Phelps she extends the invitation to the children some deem unfit for school.  

Elijah isn't the most sociable of men, nope he has scars both visible and of the soul. For him, his work in Prescott is a temporary stop on his way further west. Helping Sarah with various school related tasks gives him a glimpse into what could be, but he knows if she learns the truth about his past, she'll turn her back on him.

And the Mountains in Reply is a story of grace, second chances, and seeing worth in others. A lovely and sweet romance, perfect for teens and older who want a clean read.

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

About the Book:

The music of Christmas mends hearts in frontier Arizona

When Sarah Gibson arrives in Arizona, she has nothing to her name but the clothes on her back and a set of lesson plans to start her life as Prescott's first teacher. From the start, complications arise, and they all seem to bring her in contact with the same taciturn carpenter: Elijah Phelps. When Sarah's school plans begin to fall apart, she'll need to work with Elijah to prepare a Christmas concert powerful enough to bring the town together and maybe the two of them as well.

And the Mountains in Reply is a stand-alone novella in the Carols of Christmas series of Christian romances inspired by classic Christmas hymns.

On the Edge of Trust ~ Review

On the Edge of Trust

A Logan Point Novel

By Patricia Bradley

Tori Mitchell has avoided home and her father for years. She can't get past the part he played in her mother's death. But when her teenage nephew finds himself on the wrong side of a murder investigation, Tori returns to Logan Point.

Tori is dedicated to finding justice for those she feels were wrongly charged with a crime and found guilty. Over the years, she's ruffled a few feathers. Now she finds the occasional threat has actually become a reality. In addition to helping her nephew, she will also hide out from the person who seems intent on stopping her current investigation. And if her current investigation leads her back home to Logan Point, so much the better.

What she didn't expect was for danger to follow her home and endanger her family. Nor did she expect to reconnect with Scott Sinclair. With her life in danger, Scott is unofficially asked to help protect her, but with an injury that has him unable to use his right hand, Tori is skeptical of his usefulness. But to keep her family safe she agrees to the plan. 

On the Edge of Trust is a page turning read. Yes, this was a late night/early morning read that had me guessing up until the reveal as to the identity of the guilty party. The old adage about webs of lies leading to problems is so true. Adding to this is Tori's unforgiveness and her belief that people cannot change, which has damaged her relationship with her family. Overall this was an engaging and action-filled book. Reading the previous books in the Logan Point series is not necessary to enjoy this book.

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

About the Book:

Sometimes the closer you get to justice, 

the deadlier it becomes

When decorated FBI undercover agent Scott Sinclair suffers a gunshot wound in his right arm, the injury threatens his future career in the field. He is determined to regain his former job by training himself to use his left hand, and failure is not an option--especially when he's unofficially pulled into an investigation.

Tori Mitchell is a passionate crime reporter and podcaster who has dedicated her life to seeking justice. Her relentless pursuit of the truth has freed a wrongfully convicted man from prison, making Tori an enemy of the true killer. When her nephew is accused of a different murder, nothing can stop her from getting involved and clearing his name.

Soon after Tori and Scott reconnect on the case, shots are fired, leaving them to wonder which of them has been targeted. As the investigation intensifies, so do the threats and the sparks between them, but Tori's doubtful if she can extend grace and trust to Scott. They'll have to combine their skills and rely on their growing relationship to outsmart the killer.

Perfect for fans of Lynette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn, Elizabeth Goddard, and readers who love faith-based fiction and edge-of-your-seat thrillers, this riveting, clean romantic suspense delivers heart-pounding danger and forced-proximity romance.

About the Author:

Patricia Bradley is the author of multiple romantic suspense novels including the popular Pearl River and Logan Point series. She is the winner of an Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, a Selah Award, and a Daphne du Maurier Award. Bradley was selected as a Carol Award finalist, and three of her books were included in anthologies that debuted on the USA Today bestseller list. She makes her home in Mississippi. 

Learn more at PTBradley.com.

Love in the Castle Library ~ Review

Love in the Castle Library

In the Castle Library #2

By Ann Swindell

This is the second book in the In the Castle Library series, in which a small European country attempts to uncover the truth behind the disappearance of its lost queen. Queen Alma disappeared in the night during World War 1, and no one knows just where she disappeared to. For more than 100 years, the people of Lethersby have felt her abandonment as a personal shame. But with word that she may have made her way to England, there is hope that the truth of her life may finally be known. 

In this search for the answers they seek, the Lethersby research team needs access to British records. But to access them, they need a British researcher on their team. In steps Castle Stewardess Delphine DuVert to find their perfect candidate. For the first time ever, Delphine makes a quick decision; she offers the position to Jack Worthington.

Something about Jack just feels right for this position, and she feels a connection she hasn't had with any of the previous candidates. 

This was a lovely story in which both Jack and Delphine delve into the past with it secrets both for the Lethersby people and their own pasts. I loved how the story unfolded with moments where the answers seemed just within reach and moments where failure seemed imminent. Of course, there has to be a villain, and Max is the perfect cringe-when-he walks-into-the-room character. Nasty doesn't do him justice. But through it all faith plays a vital role as Jack and Delphine navigate the complexities of life, love, and traditions.

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

About the Book:

Predictability and efficiency have marked Delphine DuVert’s orderly life as Castle Stewardess in the small European country of Lethersby—until she is tasked by the monarchy to hire a British researcher. Lethersby needs help solving the 100-year-old mystery of their Lost Queen, a young royal who disappeared into the night during World War I.

Delphine’s split-second decision to hire Jack Worthington, a doctoral student at the University of Oxford, has long-lasting consequences when he steps in to protect her from an angry colleague determined to ruin her life. The only catch? That protection looks like Jack posing as her beau.

Jack Worthington believes that his instinct to protect Delphine was the right one, but he’s determined to stay focused on his research for Lethersby—and keep his emotional distance after reeling from a broken heart. Yet as the clues to discovering the Lost Queen’s story unravel and the Delphine’s future hangs in the balance, both Jack and Delphine must step out in faith, choosing to trust that what God has ahead for them is worth any risk.

Purchase Links

READ | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Ann Swindell is the owner of Writing with Grace, where she teaches Christ-centered writing courses for women across the globe. She lives in West Michigan with her family and writes for many ministries, including Well-Watered Women, Risen Motherhood, and The Gospel Coalition. She has authored The Path to Peace and Still Waiting, and her first novel, Christmas in the Castle Library, released with WhiteCrown in 2024.

You can connect with her at AnnSwindell.com.

Author Links

Instagram | Facebook | Website

Echoes of a Silent Song ~ Review

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Echoes of a Silent Song by Amanda Wen, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Echoes of a Silent Song 

Melodies and Memories #1 

By Amanda Wen 

Blair Emerson is tired of the revolving door of high school choir directors. She longs for the days when Vic Nelson dedicated decades to the choir, inspiring them to excellence. And she can't understand how he endorsed Callum Knight for the roll. She can tell even before meeting him that Callum's heart isn't into it. 

But everything changes when Blair confronts Callum about his attitude and they discover an unfinished piece of music hidden away in the music library archives. Discovering the story behind this unsigned piece of work becomes their uniting goal. And the truth is more than a little surprising, and yet looking back...

I loved how the ending played out though it was tragic, too, but long hidden truths are finally revealed. The back and forth between past and present gave an added depth to the story as we learn Iris's story as Blair and Callum seek to find the rest of her unfinished piece of music. 

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

About the Book

Title: Echoes of a Silent Song 

Series: Melodies and Memories #1 

Author: Amanda Wen 

Publisher: Kregel Publications 

Release Date: October 21, 2025 

Genre: Split-time Romance 

A split-time romance from an award-winning author

When a choral composer and conductor falls victim to creative block, he resorts to his fallback plan of teaching high school choir. Callum Knight's goal at Peterson High is simple: rediscover his muse, extract himself from teaching, and get back to Boston as quickly as possible. 

As the long-suffering accompanist at the high school, Peterson-native Blair Emerson has watched the revolving door of choir directors and their negative impact on her choirs over the last few years. She is less than impressed when a disheveled Callum stumbles in on his first day. 

But then they discover an unsigned, unfinished, and handwritten choral composition by a clear musical genius. Blair recalls rumors of Iris, a Peterson student from the 1970s who composed music but was found dead during her senior year. Blair and Callum work to determine if the piece is hers, and the truth they uncover shakes both of them to the core. 

With rhythm and flair, Amanda Wen takes readers on an unexpected journey into the depths of a small town's history in this riveting first book in the Melodies and Memories duology. 

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

Also Available:

---

About the Author

Amanda Wen is a Carol– and Selah Award–winning and Parable best-selling author of inspirational romance and split-time women’s fiction, including Roots of Wood and Stone, The Songs That Could Have Been, and The Rhythm of Fractured Grace. She is also a professional musician. She lives in Wichita, Kansas, with her husband and three children.

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

---

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of Echoes of a Silent Song and a $20 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight October 29, 2025 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on November 5, 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/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

---

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

Dark Design ~ Review

Dark Design

The Erin Delaney Mysteries #2

By Nancy Mehl

When Erin Delaney learns that a serial killer has used a murder in her book as part of his bookish killings she is understandably upset. The only plus is that it requires her to stay with her friend Kaley Quinn-Hunter. The negative is that it requires her to leave the safety of her wooded cabin behind.

What follows is a race to profile the killer before he can strike again. But when a killer uses murders from various novelists it is hard to create a profile for a killer that doesn't have an established MO. The only unique clues are poems left with each victim.

Dark Design had some definite twists that kept the killer's identity in the dark. There were a couple of possible suspects in my mind, but they did not bear fruit and were innocents. I appreciated Erin's thoughts as this book progressed, and she began thinking about the influence her writing had in the murder tied to her book. This book is in a way a message on how our actions can affect others in ways not foreseen.

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

Check out my Instagram post and enter the giveaway at https://www.instagram.com/p/DQWvZhYDidI/

About the Book:

As she began to lose consciousness, she realized that she’d just made a very serious mistake. . . .

When Erin Delaney learns that a serial killer has mimicked the murder portrayed in her bestselling novel, her career as an author takes a detrimental turn. She joins her friend Kaely Quinn-Hunter, a former FBI profiler, to help identify a suspect, but the team is stumped, and Kaely fears for Erin’s safety as they work to dismantle a web of fear and chaos.

On top of tracking down a murderer, Erin must shoulder the weight of a haunted past and the claims that she stole the plot of her novel from one of her sources. But as the enemy looms closer than ever, Erin’s life hangs in the balance.

A Change of Heart ~ Review

A Change of Heart

Hearts of Avarin #1

By Madysin Carlin

Narrated by Sarah Kuklis

When Jo Linnd stumbles into something unexpected she finds herself in a most annoying situation - she is saddled with a bodyguard and the target of criminals. But why? No one can understand the reasoning behind Jo's missing recipe book and why she even came to the attention of these people. Jo refuses to be confined and is not happy having a bodyguard in her kitchen. 

But if Jo is unhappy, Detective Kaden McMartyn is even more unhappy with what he feels is a demotion. How can his father and grandfather see him as worthy of carrying on the family legacy when he can't work on a case?

This was an intriguing book, and the audio version was well presented. I loved how Jo's annoyance was presented. And when Kaden entered the kitchen, I could just see her holding her rolling pin all put out at the disruption to her routine, an invasion of her space. When Kaden was with his family, I could feel his wariness of what his next exposed deficiency would be. Sarah Kuklis's narration was excellent, and I am looking forward to the next book in the Heart of Avarin series. This was perfect for my daily commute and made for a week of enjoyable listening at 7 hours and 27 minutes. This is a clean Christian Fantasy Romance that offers action, suspense, and Cinderella feels woven throughout.

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

About the Book:

She's a grumpy baker. He's a stubborn detective.

All Josephine “Jo” Linnd wants is to prove herself worthy of one day taking over her family’s bakery. Her aspirations are crushed when a seemingly random robbery lands her a bodyguard. It wouldn’t be so bad if said bodyguard didn’t aggravate her to no end. Nor would it be so bad if that irritating personality wasn’t offset by a charming smile and kind eyes.

All Detective Kaden McMartyn wants is to prove himself worthy of his family’s legacy. When he’s assigned as the opinionated and feisty Jo’s bodyguard, he sees his new job as a demotion. Still, despite her propensity toward being more like vinegar than sugar, he’s drawn to her giving personality and gentle heart.

But not everything is cookies and cupcakes. Danger grows, more attempts on Jo’s life occur, and secrets lurk just beyond reach. Can two people who mix as well as oil and water put aside their differences in time, or will evil gain the upper hand…and destroy the growing attraction between Jo and Kaden?

A Change of Heart is a Christian fantasy novel with Cinderella vibes, all the autumnal goodness, and the tropes enemies-to-more and forced proximity.

The Heart of Bennett Hollow ~ Spotlight with Giveaway

Welcome to the Takeover Blitz for 

The Heart of Bennet Hollow by Joanne Bischof DeWitt 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Heart of Bennet Hollow 

Author: Joanne Bischof DeWitt 

Publisher: Tyndale 

Release Date: October 7, 2025 

Genre: Christian Historical Romance 

An Appalachian farmer’s daughter and a wealthy businessman find a surprising love but must reckon with what divides them in this retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice by the award-winning author of The Lady and the Lionheart . 

New River, Virginia. 1904. Lizbeth Bennet longs to preserve her family’s farm, securing a future for her and her sisters, a difficult task in their Appalachian coal mining town. Money is scarce, and Lizbeth is determined to find a way without giving up treasured pieces of her family’s legacy. But when the mine is put up for sale, it’s clear change is approaching. A contingent of coal barons descends on the town to investigate whether the mine is worth their investment, among them a young man rumored to be a very rich, eligible bachelor. 

William Drake arrives focused on business and keeping his distance from the townspeople, especially those living on land entangled with the mine, including a farmer by the name of Bennet. As William digs through legal issues, his struggle to weigh the potential financial gain against what is right for the community grows more complicated when he meets one of the Bennet daughters. 

Despite an awkward first meeting, Lizbeth and William continue to cross paths, and soon Lizbeth questions her first impression of the man she believed to be proud and indifferent. But just as their friendship begins to evolve, a revelation shakes Lizbeth’s tenuous trust, and she learns all may not be as it seems. To determine what is true, and step toward a love she’s barely dared dream of, Lizbeth must confront her own prejudices . . . and decide whether the future she’s always imagined is the one her heart truly wants most after all. 

An inspirational historical romance retelling of Pride and Prejudice for fans of Julie Klassen, Sally Britton, and Sarah E. Ladd. A clever, clean love story. Southern historical fiction in the vein of Michelle Shocklee and Pepper Basham. Includes discussion questions for book clubs.

Also Available:

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

---

About the Author

Christy and Carol Award–winning author Joanne Bischof DeWitt writes romantic fiction that tugs at the reader's heartstrings. Her historical romance The Lady and the Lionheart received an extraordinary 5 Star TOP PICK! from Romantic Times Book Reviews and was the very first independently published novel to win a Christy Award. It has also recently taken to the stage. As a longtime Jane Austen fan, Joanne is often making popcorn with her mom so they can rewatch their favorite adaptions, and as a new wife, she celebrates God's own redemptive love stories. Joanne thanks the Lord daily for bringing along her very own hero who's a perfect balance between Colonel Brandon and Mr. Darcy. Together, they're a blended family and the grateful parents of six teens and young adults, making them huge advocates for conversations, laughter, and large dinner tables.

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

---

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of The Heart of Bennet Hollow and a $25 gift card to Amazon, Baker Book House, Christianbook, or Walmart!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight October 22, 2025, and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on October 29, 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 the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

---

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

The Bookworm: Christmas Edition is now Available

Looking for something new to read or to gift?

Look no further - The Bookworm: Christmas Edition is here to help you out.

And before you say, "It's too early for Christmas books" The Bookworm offers a wide range of books in a variety of genres. There are over 90 books included!

BTW I've read several of the books listed and I enjoyed them immensely. You can get The Bookworm for free at https://dl.bookfunnel.com/6opw59
1dr1 until December 20, 2025.

Wasted ~ Review

Wasted
Windy City Westons #2
By Jerusha Agen

Victoria Weston's life starts falling apart when she tries to convince the police that her patient was murdered. But the detective in charge is less than thrilled with what he considers Victoria's interference in what he considers a clear accident. The only person to encourage her to follow this path of thinking is Cillian Doherty, her newest coworker and her high school crush. 

When Victoria's life is threatened and she finds herself on the wrong side of the law, she finds her tight control over her life slipping. What's worse, she's upsetting her father and not the perfect example that her younger siblings need her to be. And she knows that the more she works with Cillian on this case, the harder it will be to make her father happy and keep her heart safe.

Wasted is the second book in the Windy City Westons series, which is a study of family dynamics. I love how Victoria's brothers and sisters rally around her in support and to help her find the truth about the death of her patient. There is a definite whodunit throughout this book. And the ending is just WOW! I love Victoria's dog, Max, and would love to get his backstory.  Books are always better with dogs. This book can be read as a standalone title if you have not read the first book. 

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

About the Book:

She always follows the rules. But what are the rules for murder?

Victoria Weston encounters tough things as a home health physical therapist, but this is a first—a dead body. The police call the patient's death accidental. Victoria knows that can't be true. Her efforts to convince the police they're dealing with murder get her labeled a troublemaker by all but one man—the troubler of her youth.

When Cillian Doherty returns to right the wrongs of the past, he finds his high school flame in a different kind of danger than he expected. As a social worker, he's in the perfect position to corroborate her cry of murder or give her what she wanted—to handle her problems without his help.

But someone wants to silence Victoria. When lies escalate to violence and threaten more lives, the Weston siblings join the battle to save their sister. But it will take a God more powerful than all of them for Cillian and Victoria to make peace with their past and catch the killer. Before the killer catches them.

Wasted continues the thrilling Windy City Westons series, featuring five siblings who encounter danger, love, and God in the city of Chicago. (Each book can stand alone or be read as a series installment.)

Sense and Suitability ~ Review with Giveaway

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for 

Sense and Suitability by Pepper Basham, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Sense and Suitability 

By Pepper Basham 

Two years ago, Emmeline Lockhart's heart was broken. He had promised to ask for her hand. Then he left with her reputation in shatters. Now under her aunt's insistence she is entering her third season. Aunt Bean has declared Emme will end the season with a husband. But with her literary secret Emme sees no need to settle for anything less than love. She isn't about to be tempted by her aunt's list of eligible men. 

Simon Reeves thought life was perfect, until it all crumbled around him, just like the estate he's inherited. With his assumed debt growing every day Simon needs to marry well. If only his heart did not lead him back to the only woman he's ever loved. The woman whose heart he broke. The woman who says she now despises him. If only he could believe her, he might be satisfied with marrying out of duty.

This is a fun and enjoyable Regency read, sweet and clean. As much as I loved Emme and Simon's story I really loved Emme's cousin Thomas. I loved his protective but good-natured personality. And Simon's younger siblings, goodness what a handful. And some of their antics. I can so see this. I loved how the author brought Jane Austen's works into this story. Loved this book with its blend of humor and seriousness, and would love if this became a series the characters are that engaging.

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

About the Book

Title: Sense and Suitability 

Author: Pepper Basham 

Publisher: Thomas Nelson 

Release Date: September 23, 2025 

Genre: Clean Regency Romance (Rom-Com) 

In this clean Regency romance, a woman with a scandalous past (and an even more scandalous secret) swears off love--until the man who broke her heart needs her help. What could possibly go wrong? 

After two failed social seasons, her family may think the third time will be a charm, but Emmeline Lockhart just wants to survive with her dignity (and singleness) intact. She thought she'd found her perfect match in Simon Reeves--charming, handsome, a veritable hero from a novel--until he vanished from her life without so much as a "farewell" or "my deepest regrets" (or even a vague apology scribbled on the back of a calling card). Lesson learned: never fall for a man known for his charm. 

Fortunately, and unlike many of the other eligible young ladies of the ton, Emmeline has no need for a husband--because she's already found success in her scandalous (and very anonymous) profession as an author. Why bother with matrimony when she can make her own fortune and write men exactly the way she wants them? 

But fate--or the misfortune of Simon's reckless patriarchs--has other plans. Simon's once-proud estate is in shambles, his family fortune has been gambled away, and the younger impressionable siblings in his care are running wild across his estate (and possibly across all of England). Simon is in desperate need of a wealthy, prestigious bride . . . and a friend. 

Emmeline may not fit the role of heiress, but she can certainly be a friend. Just a friend. She'll help him find a suitable match, ensure his reputation remains intact, and keep things strictly platonic--no matter how dangerously appealing his new-and-improved sincerity and regret may be. 

There's just one small problem: the undeniable chemistry that still smolders between them. Can Emme play matchmaker for the man she's still in love with without losing her heart all over again? And is it possible that some love stories--especially the messy, inconvenient, impossible ones--are worthy of a rewrite? 

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Thomas Nelson | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub | Bookshop

Also Available:

 

---

About the Author

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

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

---

Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will receive a signed copy of Sense and Suitability (or winner's choice of Pepper Basham's books) and a $25 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight October 9, 2025 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on October 16, 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/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

---

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

Watch of Wand'ring Love ~ Review

Watch of Wand'ring Love

The Carols of Christmas

By Kendall Hoxsey

Constance Everston is determined to hold onto Star Ranch as she awaits word on her husband Johnny. Johnny is serving in the Mexican-American war and it has been months since Constance has heard from him. She's barely keeping the creditors away and each day she's slipping further behind.

When she finds a wounded man in her barn, Constance nurses him back to health. But this stranger is keeping a secret, a secret that could change Constance's life forever.

Adam McCleary wasn't just wounded in body but in spirit. He is carrying a secret guilt that could turn Constance against him, and he wouldn't blame her. Worse the secret he's keeping has put Constance and her home clearly in the sights of a dangerous foe, who will do anything to break her completely.

Adam and Constance need a Christmas miracle and a reminder of the gift of God's redeeming mercy and love.

Take a step back in time to 1848 with Watch of Wand'ring Love, a lovely and moving novella that is an enjoyable read. This book is part of the multi-author Carols of Christmas series, and is a standalone title celebrating new beginnings, second chances, and triumph over tragedy.

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 the quiet hills of 1848 California, love is both a refuge—and a reckoning.

Constance Everston doesn’t know if her husband, a soldier fighting in the Mexican-American War, is dead or missing. Star Ranch—her home—is surrounded by opportunists, and she can’t run it alone. Haunted by grief, she’s nearly forgotten what it means to hope—until a wounded stranger collapses in her barn.

Adam McCleary carries more than scars from the battlefield. He holds a final message from Constance’s husband... and a dangerous secret that could cost them both everything.
As Christmas nears and old ghosts stir, Constance must decide whether to bury the past—or let love find her again. But when powerful enemies threaten to steal the ranch and lies twist loyalty into betrayal, she and Adam must stand together to protect the land, the truth, and a second chance neither expected.

A story of resilience, romance, and redemption set against the rugged beauty of Alta California, Watch of Wand’ring Love is a heart-stirring novella about loving after loss—and the courage it takes to begin again

Western danger with plenty of romance, Watch of Wand’ring Love captures the rugged land and strong souls in nineteenth century California. A tale of heartbreak and hope.
~Michelle Griep, Christy Award-winning author of Of Silver and Secrets

Filled with heartbreak, redemption, and hope, Watch of Wand'ring Love is a story that explores loss and the unconditional love that can restore the most broken of hearts. A tale to savor and an author to watch!
~Tara Johnson, Christy and Carol award finalist of Engraved on the Heart

Watch of Wand’ring Love by Kendall Hoxsey is a tender romance that paints a vivid picture of the west in the nineteenth century—a story rich with heartbreak, resilience, and hope. A new author to be watching.
~Ane Mulligan

Kendall Hoxsey shines in this heartwarming Christmas novella. With romance and intrigue, she wraps a delightful story around two wounded hearts. For readers who love Tracie Peterson or Janette Oke, this author is one to watch!
~Publishers Weekly Best-Selling Author, Jaime Jo Wright - The House on Foster Hill