Snowbound Threat ~ Review

Snowbound Threat

Do You Hear What I Hear

By Lisa Phillips, Mary Alford, and Jessica Ashley

This collection will keep you up reading late into the night. Each of the three stories has links to the past that cloud the who-dun-it aspects. But investigating the past brings the danger into the present with lives on the line.

In Home a DEA mission gone wrong when traitors frame him, finds Caleb Rourke hiding out at his grandfather's home. What Caleb didn't expect was getting his grandpa and Tessa Langley, the girl next door caught up in his mess. Lives are on the line and long held secrets come to light in this page turner. And there are plenty of secrets. Now I need a story about Caleb's twin brother Noah!

In Silent Snowfall Secrets Charlie Wells comes home following the unexpected death of her grandfather. But what she finds are the ghosts of her past that had her fleeing Pine Haven all those years ago. But some secrets aren't meant to remain buried forever. But someone is determined to do just that. I was definitely kept in the dark as to who was the killer. Let's just say the suspense was kept at a high throughout. 

In Critical Velocity Beckett Wallace has spent the last ten years convinced that her late husband was murdered. With information, new but vague she sets out to discover the truth behind her husband's death. But to do so, she must reach out to Detective Shawn Sampson, whom she battled against in the past. Will Shawn work with the woman he hasn't heard from in years? And was the information she was given legit? And why now after ten years?  Another page turner high in suspense with hints of potential romance.

This is great way to experience the works of three author in one book. Perfect if you need something with plenty of suspense and a pinch or two of romance. Nothing overly graphic in regard to the suspense department to give you nightmares. And the romance is on the sweet side with a touch of angst.

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

About the Book:

Home - Lisa Phillips
Left for dead by a treacherous DEA team, Caleb Rourke returns to his quiet hometown in Montana, seeking to escape his troubled past. When his neighbor, Tessa Langley, discovers encrypted documents hidden in her father's secret safe, Caleb’s return takes a perilous turn. He soon realizes that both his enemies and an enigmatic ally know exactly where to find him. Tessa's family becomes a target for those intent on keeping the truth buried. Determined to protect her, Caleb confronts the secrets his own parents concealed for years. Together, they must rely on their faith, each other, and a God who sees what remains hidden. This Christmas isn’t just about the holiday—it’s about the future they could build together.

Silent Snowfall Secrets - Mary Alford
In the snowbound town of Pine Haven, Colorado, Charlie Wells returns home to settle her uncle’s estate—and stumbles into a chilling mystery. Fifteen years earlier, her best friend Abby vanished during a midnight meeting. Now, someone is determined to keep the past buried at any cost. As a deadly blizzard isolates the town, Charlie and deputy Ryan McCabe race to uncover the truth behind Abby’s disappearance and a string of deadly secrets tied to Charlie’s tragic past. But the closer they get, the more dangerous their search becomes—and the killer watching from the shadows will stop at nothing.

Critical Velocity - Jessica Ashley
Ten years after her husband’s plane crash, Beckett Wallace receives proof it wasn’t an accident. To find the truth, she must team up with Detective Shawn Sampson—the guarded man she hoped never to see again. He hasn’t forgotten the sharp-tongued lawyer who nearly wrecked his last case. Working together is a terrible idea… but their only shot. As danger closes in and sparks fly, the truth might cost them everything. And for Shawn, protecting Beckett may mean risking more than his badge—it may cost him his heart.

Heir of Light ~ Review

Heir of Light

Blood of Kings: Legends #4

By Jill Williamson and Niki Florica

Heir of Light, the fourth book in the Blood of Kings: Legends series, was such a good read. I've loved each book in the series, and they have to be read in order to fully enjoy and understand what is happening.

In this book, we are brought into Sir Rigil Barak's world. He is the chosen heir of his father's estate and title. But he feels that his mistakes and failings, which are numerous by his count, make him a poor choice for the role. And his biggest failings - he cannot protect those around him. An interesting take on his life, as he is a knight.

When Rigil's latest mission takes him to Land's End, he comes face-to-face with his greatest failing - Sethe, the young woman he thought captured or killed years ago. But Sethe isn't dead, and she needs Rigil's help to escape the man who is determined to use her in his bloodvoicing experiments in an attempt to overthrow those loyal to Arman, Prince Oren and King Gidon. 

But to free Sethe and to protect Armonguard, Rigil will have to trust Arman completely and let go of his feelings of unworthiness, of failure. Which is a big step for anyone, but for Rigil, it seems impossible.

I won't say this is my favorite book in the series. I don't think I could single out just one, but this was really good and up there at the top. It is appropriate for teens and up, in my opinion. 

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:

Sir Rigil Barak came to Land’s End expecting a routine mission: investigate some rumors, spy on some nobles, and above all, play the perfect knight. Instead, he is reunited with his less-than-shining past--the same past that has kept him on the road for years, fleeing his noble father's scorn and grieving the woman he thought dead.

Until now.

Because in Land's End, he sees a face he never thought he’d see again . . . at least, not outside his dreams. And if she's alive, he'll do anything for a second chance to save her.

Years of captivity to a madman left Sethe with a face full of scars and one rule: never be trapped again. Except, to keep that rule, she'll have to ask for help from Rigil, the thief who broke her heart and abandoned her long ago. Now, years later, he shows up to rescue her from Land’s End like a knight in shining armor? Who does he think he is?

And even if the boy from her past has become a real knight with real honor, can she fall for a man who lied to her?

Maybe that doesn't matter now, because Sethe’s old captor is hot on her heels with a new invention that could turn her into something worse than a prisoner. He could turn her into a weapon.

Fortunately, Rigil and Sethe always did know how to pull off a heist--and if they can steal the enemy’s deadly new weapon, they can save the kingdom. For Sethe, this means trusting Rigil without letting him anywhere near her heart. For Rigil, it means a second chance with the woman whose heart he once broke.

And this time, failure could cost them everything.

Dive into this swashbuckling story of second chances, forbidden love, espionage and epic adventure in this fourth book in the Blood of Kings: Legends series.

The Recluse's Vindication ~ Review with Book Giveaway

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for 

The Recluse's Vindication by Danielle Grandinetti, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

The Recluse's Vindication 
Our House on Heather Wynd 
By Danielle Grandinetti 

Sixteen years ago, Benjamin Ford fled Montana, leaving behind his best friend and the only woman he's ever loved. But to protect Eleanor Finch from the man he's afraid he's become - his father, a murderer. No cares enough to learn the hows and whys of George Browns death. No, they would rather blame the young man who is an easy target for their lying tongues, and the young woman he was trying to protect.

But the years he's been gone haven't been idle ones. No, Ben's been attempting to make a difference as Europe as it falls under the ever-growing threat of Hitler's Germany.  

When word of Ben's whereabouts reaches her, Eleanor has no choice but to travel to Scotland and try to bring Ben home. But the threat that drove Ben from his home and family hasn't stopped hunting him. Could she bring the danger to Ben's doorstep?

This was an enjoyable read that is set in 1933 Montana and Scotland. Poor Ben, feeling as those, he is a monster sympathizes with the monster rumored to exist in the Loch Ness. This also gave the story a Beauty and the Beast vibe throughout. I would love to read future books featuring these characters.

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: The Recluse's Vindication 
Series: Our House on Heather Wynd 
Author: Danielle Grandinetti 
Publisher: Hearth Spot Press 
Release Date: September 12, 2025 
Genre: Historical Romantic Suspense

The Loch Ness Monster isn't the only recluse seeking a Scottish haven. 

Bieldfell. Scotland, 1933—Falsely accused of murder sixteen years ago, American cowboy Benjamin Ford has chosen to hide out in the Scottish Highlands. Reclusive and not afraid to die, he rescues children out of an increasingly dangerous Germany. When his childhood best friend appears at his door, he's not the boy she remembers. 

Eleanor Finch's life ended sixteen years ago. In one horrible day, she lost her dreams, her reputation, and her heart. However, she never gives up the hope of finding her friend, so when she learns of Ben's whereabouts, she leaves all that is familiar to convince him to return home. 

But Eleanor isn't the only person searching for Ben. Hunters follow her trail. The thin veil of gossip and rumor may be their only chance of a future ... unless the Loch Ness Monster is real after all.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Buy from the Author | Amazon

Also Available

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About the Author

Danielle Grandinetti is an award-winning inspirational romance author fueled by tea, books, and the creative beauty of nature. Her stories combine romance, mystery, and suspense against the backdrop of the 1930s to tell the tale of finding home and hope in hard times. With a master’s in communication and culture and a passion for intercultural communication, storytelling has been her heartbeat for as long as she can remember. Married to her hero, Danielle is a second-generation Italian-American, a dairy farmer’s granddaughter, and a boy mom from Chicagoland who now lives along Lake Michigan’s Wisconsin shoreline.

Connect with Danielle Grandinetti by visiting daniellegrandinetti.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive paperback copies of: The Recluse's Vindication, 
The Italian Musician's Sanctuary, and The Heart of Beauty,
all by Danielle Grandinetti!

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

Shadowed Witness ~ Review

Shadowed Witness

The Secrets of Kincaid #2

By Angela Carisle

Allye Jessup knows what she saw and what she experienced. But other than the bruising on her neck there is no evidence to the brutal beating she witnessed. She saw a murder, at least she thinks she did. And with her recent memory issues she is beginning to doubt herself. 

The Kincaid police department investigates Allye's claims but they have no evidence to coroborate her claims - no body, no signs of a struggle, and a witness statement that throws doubt on her story. Detective Eric Thornton is the lone dectective in Kincaid and he is overwhelmed at present with other cases. But when it becomes apparent that something is going on and Allye might be in danger, Eric will do everything in his power to keep her safe. 

And with all engaging romantic suspense reads, there are secrets that both Allye and Eric are keeping that naturally stand in their way of finding love. And the secrets they are keeping are real doozies. Yeah, so some serious baggage to deal with. As for the ne'er-do-well responsible for the whole mess that Allye and Eric find themselves in, that is a whole other mess with some interesting twists that totally blindsided me. The climax was truly a climax.

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

About the Book:

Murder—that’s what photographer Allye Jessup knows she witnessed as she departed her studio one evening. Waking with bruises on her neck and a foggy memory, she believes she survived an attack, but everyone seems to think she simply sustained a head injury from falling down the stairs of her studio. Plagued by an undiagnosed health condition, she is torn between the haunting reality of what she may have seen and the possibility that her mind is playing tricks on her.

Without proof the other victim ever existed, Detective Eric Thornton can hardly declare the area a murder scene. Still, he adds Allye’s report to his already full caseload. But when new evidence surfaces to support her claims, Eric must stay one step ahead of a ruthless killer and uncover the truth before the suspect closes in on Allye again.

Angela Carlisle once again presents cutting-edge romantic suspense laced with danger, deception, and justice.

Connect online with Angela Carisle at

https://www.instagram.com/angelacarlislewriter/

https://www.pinterest.com/angelacarlislewriter/

https://www.facebook.com/AngelaCarlisle.Writer/

https://angelacarlisle.com/

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.

Capturing You ~ Review and IG Giveaway

Capturing You

The Wright Heroes of Maine #6

By Robin Patchen

This book is definitely a grumpy/sunshine romantic suspense that will keep you guessing at who is guilty of what.

Forbes Ballentine's been hiding most of his life, but now he's seeking answers. Brooklynn Wright was seeking the photograph of a lifetime, but instead, she's running for her life. They will need to work together to discover the truth if they want to survive. But with years of deception between them and the answers they seek, the killers just may get away with murder again. 

The deeper Forbes and Brooklyn dig, the more they unearth that Brooklyn's trusting personality won't be able to deny. Someone in Shadow Cove, someone she knows, is a murderer, and they are targeting her. The perfect photograph may cost her her life if they don't discover who committed murder all those years ago.

I have to be honest, there were some twists I didn't see coming. Small town living in Shadow Cove is not high on my list of places in books I'd like to live. My visits will be strictly via the printed page - it seems safer and spider-free. Yeah, I can't like spiders. But overall, this was an edge-of-your-seat read, especially the climax.

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

Be sure to check out the Instagram giveaway by clicking here.

About Capturing You

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/220169541-capturing-you

Series: The Wright Heroes of Maine #6
Release Date: June 17, 2025
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

In a town shrouded by secrets, a photographer and the reclusive heir of the Ballentine fortune join forces to unravel a deadly conspiracy.

Brooklynn Wright must win a photography contest to save her gallery, and the perfect sunrise shot at a remote inlet north of town is her best hope. But when she witnesses a smuggling operation at a hidden dock and is chased by armed men, her dreams of artistic glory become a nightmare flight for survival. Rescued by a mysterious stranger, Brooklynn is forced to take refuge with him in an abandoned mansion the townspeople claim is cursed—afraid to trust her grumpy protector but with no other choice.

Billionaire Forbes Ballentine returned to Shadow Cove for answers, not distractions. Haunted by the unsolved murder of his family twenty years ago, he’s spent his life in the shadows, hunting for the truth. He believes the network Brooklynn stumbled upon is tied to his family’s deaths, but protecting the cheerful photographer means jeopardizing the investigation he’s been chasing for decades. Especially when her presence stirs feelings he’s not prepared to face.

As Brooklynn and Forbes grow closer, so do the network’s ruthless enforcers. With everyone in town hiding something, they must navigate lies, betrayal, and deadly truths. When the network closes in, they’ll have to trust each other completely—or lose everything.

Dive into this gripping romantic suspense full of mystery, secrets, and danger, where two broken souls must uncover the truth while battling the enemies outside—and the wounds within.

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.

The Rules of Matrimony ~ Review

The Rules of Matrimony

Matchmaking Mamas #4

By Anneka R. Walker

Narrated by Mary Jane Wells and James Joseph

This is the fourth book in the Matchmaking Mamas series, which features a group of young people determined to escape the bonds of marriage and the matches their mothers are trying to arrange for them. Ian is the final Rebel to fall to the machinations of their schemes. But Ian's time has run out, and his father has gotten involved. If he wants to have a say in who he marries, he needs to act fast.

Miss Amie Tyler and her mother have been living on the charity of family and have endured the remarks of others who look down on their status. But when Amie's mother makes an outrageous claim about Lord Reynolds, Amie's name is linked to that of Ian's. Ian, being Ian, is determined to extricate his name from this engagement. 

But upon meeting Amie, Ian devises a plan to thwart his father's schemes and offer Amie protection and the freedom to live her life as she sees fit. However, there are rules involved, rules that would prevent the two of them from falling in love. Time for the Matchmaking Mamas to get to work!

This was another lovely read from Anneka R. Walker. We finally learn why Ian has been so against getting married. There are long-held secrets. And at the center of everything is family and friendship. I love how the Rebels take action and are convinced that their friend needs to discover love for himself. But with Ian's rules firmly in place, or are they, can Amie and Ian ever hope for something better? This was a clean read and can be enjoyed as a standalone book.

I also experienced this book as an audiobook, and the narration by Mary Jane Wells and James Joseph was excellent. I loved how "Amie" could enthuse over some of the situations that she found herself in. The book really came to life in the telling, and at nine and a quarter hours, it is an excellent length. 

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 at:

https://shadowmountain.com/product/the-rules-of-matrimony/

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/217004404-the-rules-of-matrimony 

Series: Matchmaking Mamas #4
Release Date: May 6, 2025
Genre: Regency Romance

London, England, 1823

Ian has vowed never to marry, steadfast in his resolve to shield himself from the heartache his father’s infidelity brought upon his mother. Instead, he dedicates his heart and soul to reforming criminal law with his Rebel group. A chance encounter in a country graveyard with the infuriatingly bold Miss Amie Tyler only solidifies his resolve to remain single. That is, until his life descends into chaos when rumors of his engagement—an engagement he had no part in or prior knowledge of—force him and the vexing Miss Tyler into a calculated marriage, a mutual scheme to protect Miss Tyler from her lecherous cousin and to save Ian from a political marriage he dreads.

Amie never imagined her unsophisticated life would lead to an entanglement with Lord Ian Reynolds. Living on her relatives’ charity, she is resigned to remaining a wallflower. But when her mother concocts a wild lie of her engagement to Lord Reynolds, she chooses to trust a gentleman she hardly knows with her future. Amie is thrust into a whirlwind marriage and is overwhelmed to find herself falling for Ian despite their agreement to maintain independence.

As they navigate their charade, Ian’s political ambitions clash with his growing affection for Amie, and Amie’s courageous attempt to help Ian’s family heal threatens to unravel their bond. However, a forbidden kiss and unexpected acts of kindness kindle the spark between them that neither can ignore. In a desperate race against societal expectations, the two must decide whether a future together is worth breaking their earlier vows of independence.

Be sure to check out the Rules of Matrimony JustReads Tour Giveaway on Instagram!

Click the following link to learn more:

 https://www.instagram.com/p/DKYlxLzsVEc/

Snapdragon ~ Review

Snapdragon: A Thumbelina Retelling

A Garden of Fairytales

By Sarah Beran

Percy loves flowers and working in her mother's flower shop is the perfect way to spend her days. It's a life she loves and can't see herself doing anything else.

When Percy's mother hints at romance, she just doesn't see it happening when the men who show up in the flower shop already have sweethearts or wives. Nope not happening, and her walk with a old friend goes so bad. But when a stranger forces her into a strange world, a world that is dying, Percy is at a loss as to figure out why. He keeps saying he's taking her home. Right, mmhmm. 

And then there is a Lord of Death (aka Hayes) and an underground community. Well, if three individuals can make a community, that is. Trapped in this Fairy Realm, Percy doesn't know how she'll ever return home. She misses her mother and her flowers.

This was an enjoyable story. There is a bit of violence and kidnapping which is where the Hades and Persephone retelling comes in. Then there is Hayes who is paying the price to keep the dying world alive. And then there are the secrets, lots of secrets which have a big bearing on the entire story. 

About the Book:

A spunky florist. A dying kingdom. A bond that could change the fate of a realm.

Persephina’s idea of a perfect future has always involved exactly two things: her mother and their little flower shop. Sure, marriage would be nice, but it’s hard to find love when the only men Percy meets are there to buy flowers for their sweethearts…until a mysterious, handsome stranger shows up in her shop.

But all is not as it seems, and when an innocent walk goes disastrously wrong, Percy finds herself in a whole new realm of trouble.

Literally.

Trapped in the dying Fairy Realm, Percy is left with no choice but to seek help from the so-called Lord of Death. Just when it looks like a future is going to blossom, however, secrets come to light that could change everything.

Because fairy princes are not all that they seem.

And in the end, death comes for all.

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. “Snapdragon” is a combined retelling of Thumbelina and Hades and Persephone, featuring tropes such as Found Family, Grumpy/Sunshine, and Hidden Identity. 

An Unexpected Journey ~ Review

Welcome to the Blog Tour for 

An Unexpected Journey by Ann Elizabeth Fryer, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

  An Unexpected Journey

  A Regency Hobbit Retelling

  By Ann Elizabeth Fryer

 The premise behind this story is intriguing The Hobbit combined with the Regency period. It is just that, sort of. It is indeed set in the Regency period of England and there are elements of The Hobbit but it is done in such a way that unless one was well acquainted with The Hobbit you could miss it.

  The need of a "thief" brings the Canfield family to the Grandview Estate, an estate slowly crumbling to disrepair. But also the home of Lady Laura Tamlow. Through a series of unfulfilled expectations Laura is unaware of the vital role she is expected to play in an attempt to retrieve the long stolen wealth of the Canfield and Tamlow families. Wealth lost due to scandalous events that began with Laura's grandfather's duplicitous actions more than 40 years ago. Thus the beginning of An Unexpected Journey. A journey filled with danger, intrigue, long-held secrets, and unexpected attraction. 

Sometimes God leads us to a place and changes 

our plans to enact His own plans.

I think the above quote from the book excellently describes and shares the heart of this story. The faith of the various characters is what keeps them continuing on in their journey, even in the face of doubts and unanticipated changes to the plan. But is it enough to see them through the danger and separations awaiting them? Can they stay the course? And what will the cost be to them if the succeed? If they fail debtor's prison, the workhouse, or a sentence to Australia is the best they can expect. A most unexpected reading experience is before you should you agree to go on it, but beware of the dragon, Lord Herrington who won't easily give up what and who he now claims as his!

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. 

This book was read through Kindle Unlimited.

About the Book

Title: An Unexpected Journey: A Regency Hobbit Retelling
Author: Ann Elizabeth Fryer
Publisher: Independently Published
Release Date: November 28, 2024
Genre: Regency Romance/Hobbit Retelling

A heritage neither of them desires, a wrong to right. A chance to end a family curse... 

When strangers tumble through the doors of once resplendent Grandview Estate, Lady Laura Tamlow is pulled into a rather unexpected journey, away from the village she's never left along with a gentleman unlike any she's ever known. 

Jonathan Canfield is out of options. And he'd do anything to restore his family fortunes in order to keep them from poverty, including roping Lady Tamlow into playing the part of thief. They must reclaim both his and her family jewels that were stolen the night of the fated Grand Masquerade of 1770, where both the Canfields and the Tamlows fell far from society's good graces. If only his thief weren't so lovely, he'd be able to focus on the mission without distraction. 

But there's a bigger problem at hand. The jewels reside at Lombard Park under the eye of Lord Herrington, a greedy dragon of a man who knows he's about to die. Yet he has bigger claims than they ever imagined and attempts to steal something far more valuable than family jewels. With deception afoot, will Jonathan ever see Lady Tamlow again? 

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub  

**The author is offering free swag to the first 20 people who purchase a paperback/hardcover book. Proof of purchase required.**

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About the Author

 Ann Elizabeth Fryer loves nothing more than using story and romance to relay   the depths and graciousness of a Father who holds us securely in the palms of   His hands. Daydreaming her surroundings from a young age, she's lived in   historic homes most of her life and regularly participates in backyard   archaeology. When she's not writing historical projects, her contemporary novels   show a flavor of her forever-passion for all things old. Ann, her husband, and   three children make their home in small-town Illinois where they can hear church

 bells keep time and tradition.

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

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a hardcover copy of An Unexpected Journey, a tote bag, swag, and a $10 Amazon gift card!

(1) additional winner will receive an ebook copy of An Unexpected Journey!

The full tour schedule is linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight December 2, 2024, and will last through 11:59 PM EST on December 9, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of the close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. No shipping restrictions. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

Dangerous Christmas Investigation ~ Review

Dangerous Christmas Investigation 

Lone Star Defenders #1

By Virginia Vaughan

Deputy Sabrina Reagan is on a mission, and nothing is going to get in her way. She will bring down the man she blames for her brother's overdose, and threats won't stop her. Her grief and anger turned against the man she loved and planned a future with. Now Detective Jake Harris is back in town working undercover to bring down the same man that Sabrina is after.

But there is a little secret between them, a four-year-old son that Jake never knew about. Jake's reaction is understandable - shock, anger, and loss. But if the two of them can't work together and get past their feelings of betrayal, they may not live to see what the future holds for them.

Dangerous Christmas Investigation is the first book in Virginia Vaughan's Lone Star Defenders series. If you have read her in the past, you won't be disappointed in this newest offering. I have to be honest; Sabrina annoyed me. Her whole attitude was just out of proportion concerning Jake. She took risks and allowed herself to be blinded to other matters of importance in her drive to get justice. I do get it: grief made her respond in a certain way, and then she was left to live with the consequences of those moments. Overall, this was good series debut.

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:

An undercover mission…

turns into a fight for survival.

Agreeing to take his late twin brother’s place in an undercover DEA operation reunites detective Jake Harris with a familiar face—and throws him into the line of fire. After he and his ex-girlfriend, Deputy Sabrina Reagan, survive a drive-by shooting, they’ll have to work together to capture a merciless drug trafficker. But when a price is placed on her head, Jake discovers Sabrina has a secret—his four-year-old son. With armed criminals out for blood, can Jake dismantle this drug operation to protect the family he didn’t know he had?

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

Lone Star Defenders

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 Isolated ~ Review

A Lady Most Isolated

A Grimm Regency Tale

By Heloise C. Kensington

Arabella's has been hidden away from everyone and everything. Her guardian has kept her very existence a secret from all but her most trusted servants. Years have passed with little hope for friendship or marriage. That is until Charles Fairfax is sent to the family's estate in Dorsetshire at his uncle's request. 

Charles never expected to find a young lady hidden away. When he sent back to address a neglect an unusual friendship is formed. A friendship forbidden considering Arabella's seclusion, yet one that is needed by both.

I love this meshing of fairytales with Regency settings. It is a fresh and totally unique story that captivates one's attention. I have no qualms about recommending this book to teen and adult readers.

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 tower by the sea.

An unexpected attachment.

A lie capable of devastating the future.

Hidden away by her guardian, Arabella Stewart longs for the chance to experience society and dreams of finding friendship. When company arrives, being forced to live in a tower destroys her prospects.

Sent to an estate on the Dorsetshire coast at his uncle’s behest, Charles Fairfax is relieved to avoid London’s matrimonial traps. When he discovers a maiden in a tower, he begins to reconsider his reluctance to marry.

When a forbidden friendship between them grows into more, will they be able to free themselves from the constraints that bind them? Or will disapproval and deceit confine their hopes?

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

Across the Ages ~ Review

 Today, I am thrilled to feature Across the Ages by Gabrielle Meyer, the fourth book in the Timeless series.

One woman. Two separate lifetimes. A life-altering decision that could reshape her destiny.

This series has an intriguing premise: there are people among us who live in a second time period. Going to sleep finds you living your second life. You don't dream; you live.                                

In Across the Ages, Caroline dwells in 1727 and 1927. In both, she seeks answers about the "curse" she was born with. Could the answers she seeks come from the mother who abandoned her as a baby?

When a series uses a unique split-time scenario, such as this one, one would think it would become stale, but each time, it comes across as fresh and new. And with pirates in one timeline and gangsters in another, it is not boring.        

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. 

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Purchase at: 

http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/across-the-ages/422230
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/209357000-across-the-ages (or another link with purchase info 

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Series: Timeless #4
Release Date: November 5, 2024
Genre: Christian Historical Time-Travel Romance Fiction

Caroline holds a deep secret. Living in 1727 and 1927 simultaneously, each night she goes to sleep in one life and wakes up in the other. In search of answers to her unique existence, Caroline stumbles upon a letter from her mother hinting at her own experiences as a time-crosser, sending Caroline on a daring quest to uncover the truth. In 1727, Caroline disguises herself as a cabin boy and joins a ship sailing for the Bahamas, her mother’s last known location, where she crosses paths with a ruthless but handsome pirate and is caught in a web of secrets, deception, and unexpected alliances.

In 1927 St. Paul, Minnesota, Caroline grapples with her other life as the daughter of a renowned preacher. Her two older brothers have fallen prey to the corruption rampant during Prohibition, and Caroline struggles to keep their involvement hidden to save her father’s career. As her search for answers about her time-crossing leads her to the dangerous yet exciting world of speakeasies, Caroline enlists the help of a childhood friend who is now a police officer. But with her family’s future at risk and their loyalties tested, Caroline faces a life-altering decision that could reshape her destiny.