Of Mist and Mirrors ~ Review

Of Mist and Mirrors

Agents of the Convent #3

By Rebecca Connolly

Minerva Dalton (aka Mirrors) is undertaking her first long-term assignment posing as Lady Beddingsford when a most unexpected incident occurs at her first event - Lord Beddingsford appears. So she does the only thing possible - publicly greeting her long-absent husband.

Griffin Russell (aka Mist) is seeking information about a missing clerk. A clerk who could pose a security threat to England. What he didn't expect when taking on the persona of Lord Beddingsford was finding himself with a wife. A wife he has never met before. So he does the only thing he can - respond in kind to his wife's greeting.

Minerva and Griffin usually work without partners, but thanks to a lack of communication between the higher-ups, they are now forced to work together as husband and wife. And the eyes of society are on them. The only question is whether they can convince society that they are very happily married without killing each other when away from society's prying eyes.

Of Mist and Mirrors is the third book in the Agents of the Convent series and builds on the continuing thread that was introduced in the London League series, specifically To Sketch a Sphinx. I loved a specific scene in which Minerva and Griff are to be outfitted by Tilda and both are equally dreading the moment. Anyone who has read any previous books in which Tilda has been in will greatly enjoy these two operatives who face danger and possible death being afraid of a woman who is going to see that they are properly attired to catch Society's eye.

This is a fun read set during the Regency era. And I loved how these two characters set everything in motion with their first meeting. Presenting themselves as a married infatuated couple while away from the public eye they were anything but. Coming from two very different backgrounds one can see how that would be an issue and yet it also proved to be a strength when it came to their skills as operatives. And the cover of this book is perfect for what it is presenting.  If you have read any of the author's previous works you know what to expect and you won't be disappointed - danger, intrigue, humor, and romance all presented in a read that you won't be able to put down, at least I couldn't (can you say 5:00 am?). 

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

About the Book:

Minerva Dalton is an experienced operative among the Agents of the Convent and not easily ruffled by the nature of her work. But when the first social event of her assignment is interrupted by another operative using the same alias surname as her own, she has to make a sudden adjustment that changes the course of both missions. And that of her life.

Griffin Russell did not expect the surprise that was Minerva when he'd taken this assignment, but he was not about to argue with a woman who was stunning as well as dangerous. He takes up an unlikely partnership with her to protect them both from discovery and failure, and discovers just how skilled and accomplished an agent she truly is.

Working together, can they accomplish both missions and not kill each other in the process? Or will something far more complicated and far less expected arise from their predicament?

Ranch Under Fire ~ Review with extras

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Ranch Under Fire 

by Tina Wheeler, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Ranch Under Fire 

By Tina Wheeler 

When a shooter enters her workplace, Bailey Scott takes cover before trying to escape from a masked killer. But the killer has a secret to protect, and Bailey is a threat. Fortunately (or not), Jackson Walker comes to Bailey's rescue. What does a handyman know about avoiding a determined killer? What Bailey doesn't know, and Jackson isn't at liberty to say, is that he is an undercover DEA agent. But for her safety, Bailey is kept in the dark. 

But when the killer seems to know their every move, Jackson fears that there may be a leak and nowhere will be safe. 

Ranch Under Fire is a standalone book that immediately throws one into the middle of the action. There is non-stop danger as Bailey and Jackson work together to figure out what is happening. 

This is the first book by Tina Wheeler that I have read, and her writing style is well-executed. The characters are believable, and of course, there are secrets that could destroy a possible romance. Ranch Under Fire is what one would expect from a Love Inspired Suspense offering. Danger, Suspense, Clean Reading, and the potential of a happy ending. 

The cover is what caught my eye first. I love books with horses, and though the horses are just the smallest part of the story, you can tell they are involved from this cover. 

I would love to revisit this setting and these characters if a sequel comes along, which is the highest praise one can offer an author. I recommend this book to fans of clean-reading romantic suspense. If you are a fan of  Virginia Vaughan, I would suggest Tina Wheeler as a read-alike author.

About the Book

Title: Ranch Under Fire 

Author: By Tina Wheeler 

Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense 

Release Date: January 24, 2023 

Genre: Christian, Romantic Suspense 

A witness on the run. 

A mission to survive. 

Fleeing after witnessing a shooting in her office, Bailey Scott must rely on cowboy Jackson Walker for protection when the gunman turns his sights on her. With a drug ring determined to silence her, Jackson promises to protect her at his ranch. But he’s an undercover DEA agent with secrets he can't reveal. Can he take down the criminals before their pursuers lead them straight into an inescapable trap? 

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith. 

PURCHASE LINKS: 

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | BookDepository | IndieBound | Christianbook | BookBub   

---

About the Author

Tina Wheeler is a retired teacher and award-winning author. Although she grew up near a desert in Arizona, her favorite place to plot a new story is on a balcony overlooking the ocean. She enjoys spending time with her large extended family, brainstorming with writing friends, discovering new restaurants, and traveling with her husband.

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

---

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive an autographed copy of the book and a $15 Amazon card!

The full tour schedule is linked below. 

The giveaway begins at midnight on January 30, 2023, 

and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 6, 2023. 

The winner will be notified within 2 weeks of the close of the giveaway 

and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of the prize. 

US only. 

Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

The giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

---

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

 

Yesterday's Tide ~ Review

Yesterday's Tide

By Roseanna M. White

Yesterday's Tide  is a delightful split-time book, which is one of my favorite types of Historical Fiction. The two settings are on Ocracoke Island, part of North Carolina's Outer Banks. As the story opens, we are introduced to two sets of characters whose lives are affected by war. 

In 1914, rumors of unrest had not yet drawn the world into conflict, but there's an underlying tension. Remington Culbreth is spending the summer on the island, hoping to put off a decision he doesn't want to make. He never expected to be drawn to Louisa Adair, a woman who is the opposite of everything his parents expect him to marry. Is this a summer romance or something more? But when war breaks out Remington must make a decision that could destroy his hopes for a future he longs to make his own.

In 1942, Ocracoke Island found itself on the front lines due to its coastal position. German U-boats have begun patrolling the sea lanes, threatening ships making use of the lanes. Evie Farrow has felt the pain these attacks have caused. When she finds Sterling Bertrand near her family's inn she knows that he was a victim of one of these attacks. But can she trust that he is an ally? Or could he be a threat to her family and friends? Is he truly tracking a threat on their shores? Can the two work together to stop a threat they never knew had made its way to Ocracoke, or will the secrets they hold keep them at arm's length?

I love how Roseanna M. White managed to thread characters from her other books into this one. The history and prejudices she managed to weave seamlessly into the story added a depth that made the story all the more meaningful. I can honestly say I can't pick a favorite character. I loved getting to know Evie and Louisa and their ties to both Ocracoke and their family.  

If you've never read any of Roseanna M. White's books before, this is a great book to start with, as it is a standalone title.  The writing is excellent, and the story is one that you'll want to reread. I highly recommend this book to readers of Historical Fiction, WWI, and WW2.  If you are part of a book club and are in need of a suggestion, this should move into your list.

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 1942, Evie Farrow is used to life on Ocracoke Island, where every day is the same--until the German U-boats haunting their waters begin to wreak havoc. And when special agent Sterling Bertrand is washed ashore at Evie's inn, her life is turned upside down. While Sterling's injuries keep him inn-bound for weeks, making him even more anxious about the man he's tracking, he becomes increasingly intrigued by Evie, who seems to be hiding secrets of her own.

Decades earlier, in 1914, Englishman Remington Culbreth arrives at the Ocracoke Inn for the summer, but he doesn't count on falling in love with Louisa Adair, the innkeeper's daughter. When war breaks out in Europe, and their relationship is put in jeopardy, will their love survive?

As Evie and Sterling work to track down an elusive German agent, they unravel mysteries that go back a generation. The ripples from the Great War are still rocking their lives, and it seems yesterday's tides may sweep them all into danger again today.

Bestselling and award-winning author Roseanna M. White whisks you away to two periods fraught with peril in this sweeping and romantic dual-time tale.

Her Heart's Desire ~ Review

Her Heart's Desire

A Season in Pinecraft #1

By Shelley Shepard Gray

Mary Margaret Miller needs to escape her Amish community. A community that has judged and condemned her based on an incident in her past, an incident that was exacerbated by the malicious lies spread by others. A vacation in Pinecraft, Florida, seems the perfect way to escape her past and allow her to be herself. Perhaps even make a friend, someone who doesn't judge her before she has a chance to meet them.

Jayson Raber has decided to make his life better than it has been. His younger sister will be provided for, and he'll have a steady job. The only catch is he has agreed to marry a girl back in Kentucky. This vacation in Pinecraft will be his last on his own. But then he meets Mary. Surely a vacation friendship is okay. 

Her Heart's Desire is the first book in the A Season in Pinecraft series. For those who don't know, Pinecraft, Florida, is a vacation destination favored by the Amish because of the small Amish / Mennonite community that calls it home. This community offers the various characters who have made this vacation destination a safe place to leave their cares and worries behind. But all too soon, the past has a way of catching up.  Each character - Mary, Betsy, Lilly, Esther, Jayson, and Michael - faces choices. Choices to remain trapped by the past with its judgments, fears, and hurts or to embrace a new future one not dictated by what was but rather what will be. I enjoyed getting to know each character as they tried to decide what would come next. Taking an honest look at one's life is often a difficult thing to do. They needed friends to help them see themselves. 

This is a contemporary fiction with a touch of romance. In my opinion, friendship is the many focus of the book. Everyone needs a friend. Friends help us deal with times of pain. They accept us for who we are, but they also help us grow to our fuller potential. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series and just what comes next for these new friends.

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 we allow our 

pasts to define our futures?

Mary Margaret Miller needs an escape from her small Amish community. She boards a bus, all alone, for a vacation in Pinecraft, Florida. Meeting Betsy and Lilly on the way, she's amazed to find two kindred spirits. They become fast friends and determine to have the best two weeks of their lives. For Mary, it starts when she meets Jayson Raber. The handsome and charming carpenter is taken by Mary from the get-go, but he has responsibilities back home in Kentucky--including a girl he's supposed to marry.

When someone from Mary's past shows up in Pinecraft, it seems like her perfect vacation is ruined. But that's nothing compared to what's coming when she realizes what Jayson has been hiding.

Take a vacation with New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray as she explores what happens when we allow our pasts to define our futures in this story of friendship, romance, and new beginnings.

Bonita Creek ~ Series Spotlight and Excerpts

Welcome to the Blog Blitz for the Bonita Creek series 

by June McCrary Jacobs, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Books

Title: Robin's Reward 

Series: Bonita Creek #1 

Author: June McCrary Jacobs 

Publisher: Independently Published 

Release Date: May 2021 (re-release) 

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

Is a relationship that began with both parties harboring secrets destined to survive?

Welcome to friendly Bonita Creek, a small town in the Coastal Mountains of the Mendocino Coast of California . . . 

Bonita Creek’s librarian, Robin Bennett, is heartbroken after being abandoned by her husband, Thomas. Mysterious Jeff Clarke arrives in town unexpectedly and touches Robin’s life with his wit and warmth. Without warning, Jeff’s harsh words and abrasive actions scare her off, and Robin’s hope of finding true, long-lasting love withers again. 

Can the couple move past their troubles and the obstacles in their path to find love and happiness together? Jeff and Robin must use their faith and their newly-forged bond with each other to remain strong and true. Will it be enough for them to embrace a life of love, trials, and blessings . . . together? 

'Robin's Reward,' Book One in the Bonita Creek Series, is a contemporary Christian romance story which is completely clean in language and content.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookDepository | BookBub

Excerpt:

         Robin put on her sunglasses as they headed toward the park across the street. "Ready for the

official tour now?" she asked.

       "Whenever you're ready."

       "This is Veterans Memorial Park. My Grandpa John Chaplin's name is on the World War II

memorial wall here. He was in the Army and was wounded in Europe. I think it was in France.

After he recuperated, he worked in intelligence at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., until the war

ended. He worked on codes and communications."

       "Sounds like a smart man."

       "He was. He was intelligent, clever, compassionate, and kind. I was blessed to have him as

my grandfather. His name is also shown on the Korean War memorial wall over here."

        They walked further into the park to see the Korean War wall.

       "He served in both wars?" Jeff asked.

      "Yes. In the Korean War he was stationed in South Korea and saw some combat.

Fortunately, he wasn't wounded in that conflict," Robin said with a slight smile.

      "I'm in awe of anyone who saw combat in not only one, but two wars!" Jeff replied.

      "It's pretty amazing, isn't it?" she asked.

     "Definitely amazing. Maybe more like astonishing since I don't come from a military family.

Is this all right?" Jeff gestured to a bench engulfed with shade.

      "Yes, it's nice and cool here."

     They both sat down and then Jeff handed Robin her ice-cold smoothie. She slid the straw

through the lid and took her first sip.

     "Delicious. Thanks."

    "You're welcome. Tell me more about your family." Jeff sat back with his legs stretched in front of him and began sipping his smoothie through his straw.

     "My grandparents raised me from the time I was fourteen. My mother died of colon cancer

after a lengthy battle. My dad was an emotional wreck after she died. We appeared on his

parents' doorstep in Bonita Creek one July afternoon about three months after Mom's death. He asked his parents to look after me while he tried to 'find himself.'"

© June McCrary Jacobs, 2015

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Title: Jorie's Journey 

Series: Bonita Creek #2 

Author: June McCrary Jacobs 

Publisher: Independently Published 

Release Date: May, 2022 

Genre: Christian Western Contemporary Romance 

  

After an idyllic life scarred by a traumatic event, is Jorie Woodstone ready to move forward to share her life's journey with a man who loves her unconditionally? 

Welcome back to friendly Bonita Creek, a small town in the Coastal Mountains of the Mendocino Coast of California . . . 

Jorie Woodstone is the owner and operator of the wildly successful Cowgirl Bakery in Old Town Bonita Creek. She appears to have it all. She is musically gifted and belongs to a warm, loving, supportive family, but she's built a brick fortress around her heart after being traumatized by an acquaintance in an unforgettable event three years earlier. 

Join this talented, spirited cowgirl as she journeys on through life's joys and sorrows with faith, strength, courage, and love on the road to true happiness. 

'Jorie's Journey,' Book Two in the Bonita Creek Series, is a contemporary Christian Western romance story that is completely clean in language and content.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

Excerpt:

     As she approached the front counter in her Cowgirl Bakery shop located on Main Street

in old town Bonita Creek, California, Jorie Woodstone wiped her wet hands on the fluffy towel

buttoned to her crisp white apron. Her long, thick hair was pulled into a ponytail peeking out

from beneath her red gingham scarf. An urge to make a detour to check her reflection in the

nearby mirror kicked in when the man standing at the counter turned to face her. His emerald

green eyes were set off by a head of thick, wavy dark brown hair.

     Jorie recited her usual greeting, "Hi, may I help you?" in a slightly more-friendly-than-

usual tone. To her surprise, the newcomer was so busy checking her out that he hesitated for

nearly thirty seconds before responding. When he spoke, his rich southern baritone vibrated

through her ears.

     "Hello, miss. I need to pick up a couple of pies to take over to my friend's house for

Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. The Cowgirl Bakery was highly recommended to me by my

hostess at the bed and breakfast inn where I'm staying. Please don't let me down by telling me it's

too late to order pies for the occasion." His mouth settled into a sweet pout.

     "What flavors did you have in mind?" Jorie tried to sound thrilled to have his business at

this late hour. In truth, she was exhausted from the multitude of Thanksgiving orders for pies and

other baked goods she'd received from her ultra-supportive hometown. She dreamed of going

home early tonight to soak her exhausted body in a luxurious bubble bath and watch a couple of

episodes of her favorite Masterpiece Mystery series.

     "What do you recommend? I mean, you're the one who works in a bakery and all."

     "I think it's always nice to offer an assortment of pies. How about one organic apple

cinnamon and one organic pumpkin nutmeg? Most people seem to like one or both of those

flavors."

      "I'm from New Orleans, so I was dreaming of a pecan pie . . ."

      "No can do," Jorie clipped off. "We don't usually do pecan pie here in California. Well, I mean we don't do pecan pie without some advance notice. It's too late to order organic pecans for tomorrow."

     "What a shame," the customer shook his head sadly. "Well, I guess I'll just have to accept

the fact tomorrow will be my first Thanksgiving feast ever without a slice or two or three of

pecan pie."

     He looked as if he were already grieving the loss of pecan pie on his Thanksgiving menu.

     Jorie felt a twinge of regret for his loss, but the line of customers behind him was stacking up and

she was short-handed today. Her most-experienced employee, Connie, had requested the day off

so that she and her husband could travel to spend the holiday with their family in Idaho. Her

other experienced employee, James, was home nursing a bad case of strep throat and was unable

to serve the public.

     She wanted nothing more than to hurry this man along. However, she accepted long ago

the reality that a large part of being a successful small business owner was to project the image

that said owner actually enjoyed working with the public. She always attempted to give the

illusion of being the queen of customer service in Bonita Creek.

© June McCrary Jacobs, 2022

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Title: Christmas in Bonita Creek 

Series: Bonita Creek #3 

Author: June McCrary Jacobs 

Publisher: Independently Published 

Release Date: December 2022 

Genre: Christian Historical Romance with Military Elements

After seeing more than two years of combat in the Korean War, will the homecoming of two men from Bonita Creek be filled with the joy and romance they are yearning for, or will it bring them even more heartache?

It's late summer 1952, in friendly Bonita Creek, a small town in the Coastal Mountains of the Mendocino Coast of California . . . 

Estelle Vincent is missing her older brother, Sam, and her fiancé, John Chaplin, who are far away fighting for the US Army in the Korean War. They've been gone for more than two long years, and she is feeling out of sorts. 

When she has a frank discussion with her mother, Estelle realizes that she is not the only one who has been moody and bored with her uneventful life. Her mother's words inspire Estelle and catapult her into action organizing a community holiday project for the children and teens whose parents work for Mountainside Ranch outside of town. 

As the story deepens, Estelle learns that several people close to her are harboring secrets—including her mother, brother, and best friend. She learns to be flexible and understanding as she looks outside of her own life and examines the impact of unforeseen events on those closest to her heart. 

Join this intelligent, strong-willed hometown young woman as she navigates the obstacles and challenges of life with hope, perseverance, faith, courage, and love on her road to a brighter future filled with dreams come true. 

'Christmas in Bonita Creek,' Book Three in the Bonita Creek Series, is a historical Christian holiday romance story which is completely clean in language and content.

PURCHASE LINKS: Amazon | BookBub

Excerpt:

    Estelle sat quietly for a few moments before she smiled. She had been in love with John
since she was barely seventeen, much too young to marry according to her mother. At that time,
Sam and John were serving in Europe in World War II. Since John had been her brother's best
friend since childhood, Estelle felt like she knew him well even though he was five and a half
years older than she. Now at the ripe old age of twenty-four, Estelle knew her mother had been
right all along.
     By the time both men returned from Europe in mid-1945, Estelle had blossomed from a
lanky teen into a pretty young woman. When she turned eighteen, John asked Mr. Vincent's
permission to date his only daughter. The Vincents trusted John completely, so he and Estelle
began dating.
    It didn't take either of them long to discover that they were meant for each other. Estelle's
spirited, independent, outgoing personality perfectly complemented John's serious, intelligent,
reserved nature. They enjoyed going on long walks, fishing, swimming, going to the theater to
see movies and plays, and attending church services and events together.
    When Estelle turned twenty-one in 1949, John proposed to her at Evergreen Pond where
they liked to go to picnic and fish. She was taken completely by surprise when he proposed.
Without hesitation, she accepted; and John gave her a modest diamond ring set in gold. They
agreed to wait until the autumn of 1950 to marry.
     Unfortunately, like many young couples across the nation, fate had other plans for the
pair. In late June of 1950, President Truman entered the United States into the Korean War after
North Korea invaded South Korea on June 25, 1950. Sam and John were reactivated into the US
Army and were swiftly sent to Korea to join the military ranks fighting against the threat of
Communism.

© June McCrary Jacobs, 2022

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Box Set Sale

$5.99 for a limited time

---

About the Author

June McCrary Jacobs's debut novella, 'A Holiday Miracle in Apple Blossom', was the winner of Cedar Fort Publishing's 2013 Holiday Tale Contest. 'Robin's Reward', a Christian contemporary romance, is set in the Mendocino coastal region of California. It is Book One in the 'Bonita Creek Series' and was originally released in 2015; the second edition of the book was released in July 2022. The second book in the series, 'Jorie's Journey', was released in late May of 2022. The third book in the series, a Christian historical romance, 'Christmas in Bonita Creek

', was released in December 2022. 'Romance By Proxy' is a later-in-life clean, wholesome romance set in Humboldt County on the Northern Coast of San Francisco, which was released in August 2021. June's Christian historical romance short story, 'Handmade Hearts', was inspired by the true story of how June's aunt and uncle met in New Orleans during World War II and was released in December 2018. June's debut middle-grade novel, 'RES-Q Tyler Stop', a historical novel set in Sonoma County, California, in 1968, was released in the spring of 2019. In early 2022 she published two short story collections for children entitled, 'Carter's Cookies & More Family Stories for Children' and 'Banjo & More Pet Stories for Children'. As a retired elementary school teacher and literacy mentor, June finds writing for children to be a rewarding and challenging experience.

Connect with June by visiting authorjunemccraryjacobs.blogspot.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

---

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $15 Amazon Gift card + Bonita Creek Series e-books!

The full tour schedule is linked below. 

The giveaway begins at midnight on January 18, 2023, 

and will last through 11:59 PM EST on January 25, 2023. 

The winner will be notified within 2 weeks of the close of the giveaway 

and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of the prize. 

US/CAN only. 

Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

The giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

---

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

 

Cover Reveal ~ Winter of the Bees ~ Book Spotlight and Launch Campaign

Today I'm taking part in the Cover Reveal for 

WINTER of the BEES.

In addition to the cover reveal the 

Kickstarter Campaign for

WINTER of the BEES

is kicking off today!

Now before revealing the cover, 

here is a bit about the book...

Thirteen-year-old Niles Filzbin has a list of problems a mile long: his parents filed bankruptcy, his older sister ran away, he moved in with his whacky grandparents, and he’s stuck tending their farm of magical (or so Grandpa says) bees. One problem quickly tops the list--Grandpa is dying.

Niles is running out of time to help his family, and learn about Grandpa's stories that may hold the secret to Niles's future, too. While the bees know that winter holds no good thing, Niles misses their warning. But maybe magic can be found in even the darkest of places... And maybe, just maybe, Niles isn't as alone as he feels.

Winter of the Bees follows an ordinary boy who must learn to say goodbye to the people he loves... with the help of extraordinary bees.

You can support the publication of  

WINTER of the BEES

at

KICKSTARTER LINK

Author Bio:

 ANGELA R. WATTS is the bestselling and award-nominated author of The Infidel   Books and the Remnant Trilogy. She’s been writing stories since she was little, and   has over 23 works in print. She also writes articles for a few magazines and   publishers. Angela is a freelance editor, blogger, and artist. She lives in Tennessee   with her family and many pets.

Links:

Website/newsletter: https://angelarwatts.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AngelaRWattsauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelarwattsauthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PeculiarAngela

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Angela-R.-Watts/author/B07F97JNMY

Now for the Cover Reveal!

The Secrets of Emberwild ~ Review

The Secrets of Emberwild

By Stephenia H. McGee

Nora Fenton wants to decide her own future; she wants to train and race her colt, Arrow. But society frowns upon such action, and the men who work at Emberwild are less than helpful when she tries to break out of the mold her family is forcing her into. 

When her father dies, Nora is the only one to hear his confession, a confession that is left half unsaid. But the only thing Nora knows is that a lie has embittered her father's last years. And if the lie is what she suspects, everything around her will come tumbling down around her. 

Seeking answers, Silas Cavallero returns to the place his father died, was it indeed an accident? Or was it something more sinister? Feeling that the answers he needs may be found at Emberwild, Silas offers his skills as a trainer. Skills that Nora may need if her dreams for Arrow are to come true. 

But the secrets that Emberwild hides are deeply seeded and nearly impossible to uncover. And worse, discovering just what those secrets are could cost Silas and Nora their lives.

The Secrets of Emberwild is the perfect book. I've always loved books that featured horses, and this one does that while adding both mystery and romance to a historical backdrop. This was my first-time reading Stephania McGee's work, and I wasn't disappointed. The characters were well-written and the pacing was excellent. I can honestly say this is one I didn't want to put down it was that good.

If you judge a book by its cover, you won't regret picking this one up and getting lost amongst the pages. And it would make an excellent book club selection.

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 gifted trainer in a time women are not allowed to race, Nora Fenton prefers horses to men. They’re easier to handle, they’re more reliable, and they never tell her what to do. After her father’s passing, Nora is determined to save her struggling horse farm, starting with entering her prize colt into the harness races at the 1905 Mississippi Fair. If she wins, she may have a chance at independence. But when a stranger arrives and starts asking disconcerting questions, she suspects he may have other motives than unseating her in the training job that is rightfully hers.

Silas Cavallero will do whatever it takes to solve the mystery of his father’s death–even if it means training an unwieldy colt for Nora, who wants nothing more than to see him gone. But when mysterious accidents threaten their safety and circumstances shrouded in secrets begin unlocking clues to his past, Silas will have to decide if the truth is worth risking ruining everything for the feisty woman he’s come to admire.