Written in Secret ~ Review

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Written in Secret by Crystal Caudill hosted by  

JustRead Publicity Tours!

 

Written in Secret 

The Art of Love and Danger #1 

By Crystal Caudill 

Lydia Pelton finds herself in trouble with the law when she agrees to help out a friend. But that is nothing when someone decides to bring her writing out of the realm of fiction and into the real world. Lydia's mystery series meets out justice to those she feels have escaped it. Now someone has decided to use her stories as a blueprint. With a serial killer targeting her victims, Lydia finds her "hero" suspect number one. 

Officer Abraham Hall doesn't have time for Lydia's antics, and their first meeting is not about to be forgotten soon. First impressions aside, he is even more flabbergasted when Lydia's alter ego turns out to be prime suspect number one. 

 

But when the very city who embraced her hero, Billy Poe turns on him, Lydia's life just gets much more complicated. How can she prove that a character who is only a figment of her imagination is innocent? And when the good people of Cincinnati decide that her writing is it blame, how can she get the answers she seeks and keep her loved ones safe?

 

This is an interesting read that delves into more than just murder and motive, it examines the heart. Do the words we use make us guilty even if we don't do the deed? Is it the thought that counts? And then there is the question of justice, vengeance, and mercy. Which do we pass out? 

This is a book that makes you think and examine while entertaining. I love how the characters grapple with these very issues. This book was a page-turner that had some moments of levity, it isn't heavy or dreary. This is a historical romantic suspense that is well-worth reading. I love how Lydia compares what she is "experiencing" to how she writes the scenes. 

 

Of note: There are no overly graphic scenes, but there is enough description that one feels the scene. (Sensitive readers may find some scenes a little disturbing.)

 

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: Written in Secret 

Series: The Art of Love and Danger #1 

Author: Crystal Caudill 

Publisher: Kregel Publications 

Release Date: March 11, 2025 

Genre: Christian Mystery & Suspense Romance 

What happens when fiction becomes reality? In the corruption-infested Queen City, danger lurks in every shadow, but Lydia Pelton refuses to stay silent. She writes under a pseudonym, E. A. Dupin, crafting crime novels to exact justice and right the wrongs she sees in society. When a serial killer decides to be the sword to her pen, Lydia is confronted with the consequences of her words. Four men are dead, and the city blames her. 

With murders on the rise, Officer Abraham Hall's only lead is Lydia's fiction, and he is thrust into an investigation with the "Killer Queen of Romance." Despite his misgivings about the woman, he realizes that even with his reputation for catching elusive criminals, he needs her help. But his unexpected attraction to Lydia proves as difficult to manage as the woman herself. 

As the mystery unfolds, Abraham and Lydia race to rewrite the ending, not only for Cincinnati's citizens, but for their own hearts too.

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

Also Available

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About the Author

Crystal Caudill is the Christy Award–winning author of “dangerously good romance,” including the Hidden Hearts of the Gilded Age series. She is a stay-at-home mom and caregiver, and when she isn’t writing, Caudill can be found playing board games with her family, drinking hot tea, or reading other great books at her home outside Cincinnati, Ohio.

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

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of Written in Secrets 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 March 12, 2025 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on March 19, 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.

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

Shattered Sanctuary ~ Review

Shattered Sanctuary

The Erin Delaney Mysteries #1

By Nancy Mehl 

Erin Delaney has cut herself off from everyone who she used to know. Guilt and PTSD have controlled her since an on-the-job incident changed her life. She's now a former police officer and a best-selling author. But joy is missing and hope is nonexistent. When her online friend, Kaely Quinn-Hunter, a former FBI behavioral analyst, invites her to spend time at a secluded cabin, Erin doesn't jump at the chance, but she does agree to come.  

The cabin is secluded and has a somewhat disturbing past, a past that makes for some unsettling moments which add to the suspense. But the real problem comes when Erin and Kaely are drawn into a case involving a potential serial killer. Rest and relaxation and deep discussions are no longer their only focus. 

 

At the behest of local police chief Adrian Nightengale, Erin and Kaely put their skills to work. Can they stop a killer before he, or she, strikes again? Their lives and the community of Sanctuary depend on them outsmarting the killer. 

This is the first book in the Erin Delaney Mystery series, and it is packed full of suspense. With a winter storm bearing down on them, time is a luxury they don't have. There are some difficult issues that are tackled in this book, but they are handled in a compassionate manner. Hurting people need to heal, and sometimes it isn't easy for them to ask for or accept help. Excellent reading and I look forward to the next book in the 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:

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Release Date: March 18, 2025
Genre: Christian Mystery and Suspense Romance

When she finally finds peace, she must confront her tragic past to stop a serial killer.

Grappling with the aftermath of a tragic incident that altered her life, ex-police officer and bestselling mystery author Erin Delaney finds solace in the tranquility of a cabin nestled deep in the Smoky Mountains. But her restful stay is shattered when cries pierce the night, hinting at a lurking presence haunting the woods. When local police chief Adrian Nightengale seeks her help with a carefully arranged murder scene, she is thrust back into the world of crime solving. As they delve into the investigation, Erin’s intuition reveals chilling truths about the killer’s motives and strategically perfected methods.

Joined by the enigmatic Kaely Quinn-Hunter, a former FBI behavioral analyst, Erin not only embarks on a quest to stop the merciless serial killer, but also confronts the revived ghosts of her past. In a race against time, Erin must defeat her own demons while outmaneuvering a cunning killer or risk becoming the next victim in this deadly game of cat and mouse.

Order before March 18, 2025, for this preorder deal at BakerBookHouse.com: Visit https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/598730 for 40% off, free US shipping, and a bonus signed bookplate and bookmark while supplies last.

 

Break My Fall ~ Review

 

Break My Fall

Gossamer Falls #2

By Lynn H. Blackburn

 

Dr. Meredith Quinn just wants to make a difference. Her dentistry practice in Gossamer Falls is doing just that, especially with her mobile clinic that allows her to travel to those most in need of her services. But her practice has put her in danger, and she's upset some very powerful people. Worse, she's outside Police Chief Grayson Ward's jurisdiction when she's visiting her patients, so he cannot keep her safe.

 

Grayson is determined to keep Meredith safe. But he refuses to allow her to get too close. He's lost too many people already, and he refuses to add one more to his list. Now if he could just get his heart to listen to reason. But the deeper Meredith sinks into the quagmire that has surrounded her, the more he fears losing her forever. 

But to get out of this alive, both must put aside their fears and work together. And they just may need to call in the Quinn family for a little extra help.

 

This is the second book in the Gossamer Falls series, and it continues the backstory that has the area more than a little concerned - increased drug trafficking in the area. This time, the focus is on Meredith and Grayson, with several of the characters from Downfall and Never Fall Again taking prominent supporting roles throughout. Break My Fall is a well-paced read, though there are times one would like to shake some sense into both Meredith and Grayson with their determined stubbornness. Overall, a good read if you are a fan of romantic suspense looking for your next title.

 

You can enjoy this book as a standalone title if you have not read the previous title! You can catch up later.

 

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

 

 

About the Book:

 

She's determined to make an impact in her community.
He's determined to make sure she lives long enough to do it.

Dr. Meredith Quinn always planned to return to Gossamer Falls to practice dentistry. Now that she's back home, she's made it a point to offer clinics to children and adults in nearby underserved areas. Unfortunately, those same areas are known to harbor drug traffickers, and Police Chief Grayson Ward suspects that local law enforcement is looking the other way.

After too many losses, Grayson has closed off his heart. But with Meredith in his life, he feels his walls crumbling, leaving him exposed and vulnerable. To keep her alive, he must keep her close, but that makes it impossible for him to retreat and rebuild.

Will she be the one who finally helps him emerge from isolation? Or will this force of nature leave him shattered?

Arrows and Gems ~ Review

Arrows and Gems: 
A Retelling of Robin Hood and Snow White and Rose Red
The Roumaterra Chronicles #4

By Erin Halbmaier

Poor Princess Helena has so many problems. Hidden away because she was cursed as a child, then she fell into a long sleep and was forgotten by her family. Then when her curse was broken she discovered her true love had fallen in love and married someone else. What's a princess to do when she is ordered by the council to wed before the year is up? Run away and join a band of outlaws in another kingdom, of course.

Now I will admit this would not have been my solution to the problem, but then I'm not a princess who has her life completely upended. The plan is clever really, who would suspect a princess to go so totally rogue? Unfortunately for her the leader of the outlaws thinks it is all an elaborate trap to capture him. With Caps distrust of Helena so strong he doesn't trust her with anything. There may be one little problem, his heart has other plans.

This was a fun addition to the Roumaterra Chronicles series. This can be read as a standalone title but it reads so much better if read in series order. Arrows and Gems is a mashup of Robin Hood and Snow White and Rose Red totally works. The characters are believable in this story world that Erin Halbmaier created. Royalty in disguise. Noble purpose. Missing prince. Court intrigue. Misplaced trust. Thwarted love. But all woven together in a clean, attention-grabbing book. Yes, I stayed up to read this one. I should have been doing other things like sleep, but what can I say other than Helena and Cap won my empathy.

I was provided an Advanced Reader Copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All
thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

A runaway princess. An honorable outlaw. A crime that hasn’t been paid.
Princess Helena has always struggled to belong. When she wakes from her twelve-year enchanted sleep, she tries to 

adjust to the changes in her life. But her childhood sweetheart’s marriage and the council’s plan to choose her husband 

push her too far.

Cap just wants to protect the people suffering from the tyrannical regent’s rule. But his less-than-legal methods have 

put a target on his back. He’s wary of the woman he believes has been sent to trap him, but she has a way of slipping 

past his defenses. And he’s afraid she might be another sign that he shouldn’t trust his own judgment.

Can Helena and Cap work together to bring down the regent? Or will their insecurities and secrets destroy everything 

they care about?

Arrows and Gems is a clean, no-spice retelling of Robin Hood and Snow White and Rose Red. It is book four in The
Roumaterra Chronicles, a series of interconnected, standalone fairy tale retellings perfect for readers of Brittany Fichter,
Celeste Baxendell, and Annette K. Lars.

 

Cover Reveal ~ Lady of Shadows

 Today, I am participating 

in the

Sunrise Publishing Cover Reveal

for

Lady of Shadows

Blood of Kings: Legends #3

Jill Williamson presents Kelly Fernlake

Title: Lady of Shadows
Series: Blood of Kings: Legends, Book 3
Authors: Jill Williamson and Kelly Fernlake
Publisher: Sunrise Publishing
Pre-order sale price: $4.99 (ebook)
Retail price after release: $7.99 (ebook)
Release date: July 15, 2025
Available in ebook, print, and audiobook

SYNOPSIS

The only man she loves is the one she can never have…

Lady Tara’s dreams of marrying for love were shattered with her arranged marriage to
the sickly Lord Gershom. Fine. She may not have love, but she has purpose—a position
of power that lets her make a difference in the kingdom. At least her Carmack, her
fiercely loyal shield, remains by her side, even if she must deny her heart.
Then Lord Gershom dies. And to her horror, Carmack is blamed. Branded a traitor, he
flees, forcing Tara to choose between protecting the life she’s built or following the man
she loves.

Loving her might cost him everything…

Carmack Demry has secretly loved Lady Tara all his life, sworn to protect her at any
cost—even if it meant watching her wed another man. But now, accused of a crime he
didn’t commit, he’s on the run because staying away is the only way to keep her safe.
Except Tara has other plans.

Determined to clear his name, she plunges into a web of treachery and deceit that
reaches far beyond them both—one that threatens the very heart of the kingdom.
Together, they must navigate a world of danger, unravel a conspiracy, and face a choice
more perilous than any battlefield: deny their love or risk everything to claim it.

Blood of Kings: Legends
Book 1: Squire of Truth
Book 2: Lord of Winter
Book 3: Lady of Shadows
Book 4: Heir of Light

About the Authors:

Jill Williamson is a multi-passionate creative who loves the arts. She’s written
over two dozen books for readers of all ages and is best known for her Blood of
Kings fantasy series, two of which won Christy Awards and made VOYA
magazine’s Best Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror list. She produces films
with her husband and teaches about writing at conferences. 

Visit her at jillwilliamson.com.

Kelly Fernlake loves writing fantasy adventures spun with a touch of romance
and timeless truth. Besides reading and writing, her favorite things include
roaming through castles; classic old movies; comfy sweatshirts; dark chocolate;
and hockey. A North Dakota native, she now lives in Florida with her husband,
two teenagers, and a furball pup. 

Learn more at kellyfernlake.com.

 Available to pre-order at the following online retailers:

Sunrise Shop: https://sunrisepublishing.myshopify.com/collections/blood-of-kings-legends

Other retailers: https://books2read.com/boklladyofshadows

 

 

The Seeds are Sprouting ~ A Garden of Fairy Tales

 The Seeds are Sprouting 

The Garden of Fairy Tales

is starting to bloom... 

 

 Click here to preorder the books

Seer of the Wildwood ~ Review

Seer of the Wildwood

Bonded Realms #1

By Regan Allen

 

This book opens with Marya Santelyn running. Her curse made itself known in a public setting, and whatever she said while in its grip could cost her, her life. Her only hope of escape is in requesting aid from one of the Barbarians crossing through her city. 

 

When a young woman asks him to take her with him, Tam Randene can't refuse her. When he learns she has been blessed with the gift of visions, he vows to be her protector and to hide her in the Wildwood among his people. Now he needs to convince her that her feared curse is the hope of his people.

 

With the immediate danger gone, Marya wants to return home, but Tam is convinced that she must stay safely hidden away. And he can't help himself, he has to win her heart and help her discover just who she truly is. But what Marya sees, scares her. Danger is coming.

 

This is the first book in a new fantasy world. This book finds the main characters dealing with their miscommunications as they confront their feelings. There is a bit of angst amidst various escapes and perilous journeys. Apparently being the first seer in generations is a big thing, and each group wants her for an ability she doesn't want and cannot control. 

The idea behind the book has promise, and it is obvious that it is part of a series, while wrapping up the main focus in this book. There is the potential of additional stories for several of the secondary characters. If you like books that have angsty stories that find the characters in doubt of returned feelings and periods of suspense and danger, you will enjoy this book which is most definitely in the Romantasy category.  

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 might be his prize, but she can see things he can’t, like a future together.

Marya Santelyn, pampered daughter of the Merchant’s Guild, hides a secret. A power stirs within her, one that could destroy everything she holds dear, or save it. When her ability to see the future becomes too apparent for comfort, the spunky Marya takes matters into her own hands and runs, right into the arms of the enemy.

Tam Randene, warrior of the ancient race that makes the mysterious wildwood their home, never expected one of his tribe’s sworn enemies to request his aid to escape her pursuers, but he swiftly recognizes Marya’s value. The land of Alyna hasn’t had a seer in generations. The man who protects her would have a powerful ally, and the man who wins her heart could well rule all.

Captive among his tribe, Marya begins to learn how to embrace her gift even as she begins to feel far too at home with Tam’s rambunctious family. As her visions become increasingly more dire, she and Tam realize that danger is coming to Alyna, danger that will require her people and his to band together to survive. Can she convince her people to listen, or will they tear her from Tam’s arms? Because her heart tells her something her visions never could: Nothing is more important than being together.

If you like closed door, swoon-worthy fantasy romance—featuring intelligent, determined heroines and untameable, honorable heroes; dual points of view (hers and his); and a happily-ever-after with ongoing world conflict—in a land designed to sweep you away, grab this series starter perfect for fans of Kenley Davidson, K.M. Shea, JA Andrews, and Tara Grayce.