18 December 2024

an honorable deception | book review

about the book


In the trying art of balancing investigations and love, a detective must determine his priorities when faced with dangerous circumstances that could threaten everything he holds dear.

As the leader of the Imposters, an elite private investigative firm, Lord Yates Fairfax has made an art of concealing his identity. But when his newest client, the beautiful Lady Alethia Barremore, is shot while leaving their meeting, he throws caution to the wind and rushes to her aid. Though Lady Alethia thought she was only looking for her missing former nanny, she has clearly stumbled upon something much more dangerous.

Lady Lavinia Hemming suspects her longtime friends hold more secrets than they're willing to admit, and when she stumbles upon the truth that they're the esteemed Imposters, she recruits herself into the firm. While she is happy for the distraction of an investigation, Lavinia's own family secrets continue to haunt her. And the one thing bringing laughter back into her life--her friendship with Yates--lands her squarely on the disagreeable side of her best friend: his sister.

Tormented by a past she doesn't dare voice aloud, Lady Alethia does what she can to help her handsome host, her new friends, and the investigators. But as clues lead them deeper into the dark side of society, Alethia, Yates, and Lavinia learn anew that the gentry isn't always noble... even as they fight to hold fast to their own honor.

publisher: bethany house publishers
release date: november 19, 2024


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17 December 2024

a journey to unshakable faith | excerpt + giveaway

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Left with no other option, fourteen-year-old Esther is forced to leave the castle for her own safety, not knowing if she will ever see her mother and father again. With only a pack of food and her faithful horse Onyx, Esther sets off on an adventure to find her mother’s people. But the enemy is never far behind, closing in on the princess who eludes them. Will she be able to make it to safety? And will she ever see her parents again?

When all hope seems lost, Esther soon finds that God never leaves His children on their own. At every turn, Esther meets friendly faces willing to help her as she strives to find a way to get back to her parents. With only her faith in God as her weapon, Esther turns back to home, determined to have the victory once and for all. But will that be enough? It seems that Esther will never see her parents in this world again. And all hope seems lost when Esther is finally captured and hidden away. It’s time for the villagers to take up arms and fight for their freedom. Will they prevail? Or will evil finally win? The true victory lies in finding a faith that is unshakable.

publisher: independently published
release date: july 2021


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16 December 2024

line of fire | excerpt + giveaway

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The enemy is relentless, but they made one fatal mistake: they underestimated him.

Australian mercenary Tyler Reid, known as “The Ghost of OZ,” has a talent for evading detection, a skill that has caught the eye of multiple government agencies. When a shadowy group targets a CIA asset and her revolutionary drug ND1, the Deputy Director calls in Tyler. Eager for action, Tyler takes the job. He soon realizes that the enemy is not only after the drug, but also out for his blood. Then the mission goes south, and he is forced to seek an unlikely ally.

For covert foreign operative Alexandra Romanova, freedom is a distant dream. Escaping one prison only led her to a more dangerous one. Her deadly skills are at her boss’s disposal, but she’ll use them only to escape. Her final chance hinges on retrieving ND1, but the elusive Ghost of Oz complicates things. Tyler Reid isn’t an easy mark, and the better she gets to know him, the more she questions the mission she’s tasked with. Soon she faces a dire choice: kill a man she is convinced is good, or pay with her own life.

As Tyler and Alex venture beyond their orders, the line between enemy and ally blurs. On the edge of failure, trust becomes a dangerous gamble with every decision dragging them deeper into the line of fire. As enemies close in and alliances shift, they are ensnared in a ruthless battle where survival depends on split-second choices. In this high-stakes fight, time is running out, and the margin for error is zero.

Line of Fire is the first book in the Christian thriller series Dauntless Defenders. It is NOT a standalone novel.

publisher: independently published
release date: november 7, 2024


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11 December 2024

rescued at christmas | book review + giveaway

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about the book


Rescuing her was his Christmas miracle…

But will she be gone again by New Year’s?

Devon Fairchild arrives in the small town of Maple Glen just weeks before Christmas to honor a promise she made to her late brother. Then she’ll get back to her life in the city. But when she’s injured, firefighter Finn McAllister rescues her and takes her home to his family, who shower her with compassion and holiday cheer. For the first time, Devon starts to feel like she belongs. But the walls she’s built around her heart have always kept her safe. If she lets them fall, will she truly be rescued… or will it only lead to more heartbreak?

publisher: harlequin heartwarming
release date: november 26, 2024


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09 December 2024

once upon a horse | excerpt + giveaway

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about the book


In the charming Heavenbrooke county, where country life meets big-city dreams, 28-year-old accountant Stella Barkley is about to discover that sometimes love arrives when you least expect it.

After a flat tire leaves her stranded on the side of the road, a handsome stranger comes to her rescue—Dr. Jason Alba, a dedicated veterinarian with a heart as big as his ambitions. Their initial encounter sparks an undeniable connection, aided by Stella's spirited Jack Russell Terrier, Milkbone, who takes an immediate liking to Jason thanks to his pocket full of treats.

As their paths intertwine, Stella finds herself drawn to Jason, despite their differing views on farm life and future aspirations. Their budding romance takes unexpected turns, especially when a mysterious missing horse from a local breeder, Enrique Rodriguez, complicates matters.

When Thanksgiving arrives, Jason becomes Stella's unexpected hero, saving her from a culinary disaster and charming her city friends with his warm spirit. But just as their relationship begins to flourish, a crisis emerges in the barn: the missing mare, Starling, is discovered in distress, leading Jason to perform a life-saving surgery that brings them even closer.

However, secrets and misunderstandings threaten to tear them apart. Stella’s desperate attempt to protect a champion mare sends her on a collision course with both Jason and Enrique, forcing her to confront her choices and the future she thought she wanted.

When Stella realizes that her life in Heavenbrooke may be over, she pens a heartfelt goodbye letter to Jason, leaving it at the church where their story began. Alone on Christmas morning, she grapples with loneliness and regret, only to be surprised by the appearance of the man who stole her heart.

Can a simple letter and the magic of Christmas lead them to a second chance? Will they find a way to bridge the divide between city and country, love and loyalty?

Join Stella and Jason on a heartfelt journey of love, loss, and the enduring power of second chances in Once Upon a Horse. Perfect for fans of contemporary romance, this tale of unexpected connections and the bonds we forge will leave you believing in the wonder of love.

publisher: everwind press
release date: november 15, 2024


07 December 2024

the seaside homecoming | book review

about the book


A surprise homecoming tests the bonds of sisterhood as a hidden past comes to light...

Disgraced eldest sister Claire Summers has been living in exile as companion to a stern great-aunt in Scotland. About to lose her place and longing to be reconciled with her estranged family, Claire sees an advertisement from someone looking for a "respectable female partner" in a Sidmouth boarding house. Is it a sign? She answers the ad, hoping she has not made another reckless mistake. When she meets the handsome, secretive proprietor, she wonders what he's hiding and if he's any more trustworthy than the nobleman who betrayed her years ago. Claire is drawn to him even though she fears he will reject her when he discovers her genteel façade hides a less-than-respectable past.

Meanwhile, the Summers family learns their great-aunt has died and Claire has disappeared without a word. The sisters rally together to find their lost sibling, but will their unexpected reunion heal old wounds and rekindle their bonds... or deepen the divide?

Return to the captivating Devonshire coast as the Summers sisters navigate romance, second chances, and the enduring strength of sisterhood in the face of adversity.

publisher: bethany house publishers
release date: december 3, 2024


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06 December 2024

csb grace bible for kids | review + giveaway

about the book


Dyslexia shouldn’t keep us from reading the Bible. And now, it doesn’t have to!

Designed to enhance readability for kids with all levels and varieties of dyslexia and reading challenges, the new CSB Grace Bible for Kids, created in partnership with 2K/DENMARK and Cambridge University, features an innovative and academically tested typeface, layout, and design. Experience the truth of God’s Word with Bibles designed specifically for dyslexia and reading challenges!


Features:
-Inclusive Grace typeface, layout, and design
-Enhances readability for all levels and varieties of dyslexia and other reading challenges
-Unique, colored page overlays included to further enhance visual processing
-Complete text of the Christian Standard Bible® (CSB)
-Large, 11-point type size
-Durable Smyth-sewn, lay-flat binding


Order your copy of the CSB Grace Bible for Kids today!

publisher: holman bible publishers
release date: november 15, 2024


05 December 2024

the queen's cook | excerpt + giveaway

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about the book


In the heart of ancient Persia, the empire’s Jewish citizens face an ominous edict that threatens their very existence. Roxannah, the daughter of an impoverished Persian lord, is devastated by the news but feels helpless to come to the aid of her Jewish friends. Desperate to support her family, Roxannah approaches the royal physician, Adin–the man whose kind eyes haunt her–and seeks his help to find employment in Queen Esther’s kitchens.

In the opulent palace of Susa, Roxannah tries to survive the spiteful ploys of the other cooks as she ascends through the ranks. Her loyalty earns her the trust and friendship of Queen Esther, who is navigating dangerous politics with wisdom and grace. When Roxannah and Adin uncover a sinister plot against Amestris, the king’s most powerful wife and Esther’s archenemy, they find themselves tasked with the impossible job of discovering the culprit. As secrets unravel and alliances are tested, the fate of Esther’s reign hangs in the balance.

publisher: bethany house publishers
release date: november 19, 2024


02 December 2024

an unexpected journey | excerpt + giveaway

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about the book


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?

publisher: independently published
release date: november 28, 2024


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

27 November 2024

rediscovering christmas | review + giveaway

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about the book


She feels she’s lost everything…
Will love give her hope?

When a wildfire destroys her home, widowed schoolteacher Tori Stallings finds herself unexpectedly living with her motherand brother-in-law—and struggling with her faith. With everything Tori owns consumed by the blaze, Micah vows to help his late brother’s wife and son rebuild their lives. The two of them have always been friends, but living under the same roof has their friendship turning into something more. Can love bloom amid tragic loss and shaken beliefs, and give them a fresh start for Christmas?

publisher: love inspired
release date: november 26, 2024


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22 November 2024

the darkness deepens | excerpt + giveaway

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about the book


Their secrets protect them… but secrets are hard to keep.

No one in the army can find out that Captain Jesse Christensen has become a believer. He and bookstore owner Meryn O’Reilly are forced to meet in secret, facing imprisonment—or worse—if they are found together.

As their relationship deepens, so does Lieutenant Gallagher’s hatred for the Christians in their city, putting all believers, especially Jesse, in extreme danger.

Meryn wants to give her heart to Jesse fully, but her past holds her back. Although circumstances conspire to keep her silent, she needs to tell him her secret so nothing will stand between them anymore.

But when he finds out what she has been keeping from him, nothing will ever be the same.

publisher: mountain brook ink
release date: november 15, 2024


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20 November 2024

investigation of a journalist | excerpt + giveaway

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

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

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

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

Unless love can truly conquer all.

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

publisher: hearth spot press
release date: november 19, 2024


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14 November 2024

the paris portrait | excerpt + giveaway

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about the book


Fabiola stumbles upon a clue that indicates a royal portrait went missing almost two hundred years ago. Is this true, or is there substance to the rumor?

Paris, France, 1973.
After an enjoyable but dusty road trip, Fabiola and her friends, Pippa and Cary, arrive in a small village on the outskirts of Paris to spend a few days with Fabiola’s brother Eivind and his family.

On their first evening there, Eivind shows Fabiola an ancient recipe book he bought at an auction. The book is filled with old writing, and he asks Fabiola to decipher the pages. After the others have gone to bed, she spends hours reading and is gripped by the last pages that have nothing to do with recipes for baked goods and stews. Certain the author was a famous portrait artist at the time of the French Revolution, Fabiola and her friends set out on a treacherous investigation, dodging murderers and thieves to learn the truth.

Versailles, France, 1789.
Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun— portraitist and close friend of the extravagant queen of France, Marie Antoinette—has already painted thirty portraits of the queen. Her contemporaries compare her to the old Dutch masters, calling her one of the greatest portrait painters of her time.

But outside on the streets, Paris is becoming more perilous with every day that passes. Madame Le Brun would be a fool to think the rumors of a revolution will pass, and aristocratic life will continue as before.

Amid the turmoil, she paints one final portrait of Marie Antoinette, knowing well her association with the queen could cause her to be arrested or executed. As chaos and riots in Paris turn to violence, Madame Le Brun flees with her young daughter, hoping her royal friend and the portrait will be safe.

publisher: independently published
release date: november 12, 2024


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10 November 2024

the best christmas pageant ever | movie review + giveaway

about the movie


The Herdman kids are absolutely the worst. They lie, they steal, they bul ly…and they’ve hijacked the town Christmas pageant. Directed by Dallas Jenkins (“The Chosen”) and based on the international bestseller by Barbara Robinson, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever follows six siblings who sneak into church search ing for snacks and walk away with the lead roles in the town pageant. Grace (Judy Greer) is directing the performance for the very first time; she and her daughter Beth (Molly Belle Wright) and husband Bob (Pete Holmes) are less than amused. But the play’s mischievous stars might unwittingly teach a community the true meaning of Christmas. Featuring Lauren Graham. Screenplay by Ryan Swanson and Platte F. Clark & Darin McDaniel.

Buy tickets today to see The Best Christmas Pageant Ever in theaters starting November 8!


based on a book


This year’s pageant is definitely like no other, but maybe that’s exactly what makes it so special.

Laughs abound in this bestselling Christmas classic by Barbara Robinson! The Best Christmas Pageant Ever follows the outrageous shenanigans of the Herdman siblings, or “the worst kids in the history of the world.”

The siblings take over the annual Christmas pageant in a hilarious yet heartwarming tale involving the Three Wise Men, a ham, scared shepherds, and six rowdy kids. You and your family will laugh along with this funny story, perfect for independent reading or read-aloud sharing.

Ralph, Imogene, Leroy, Claude, Ollie, and Gladys Herdman are an awful bunch. They set fire to Fred Shoemaker’s toolshed, blackmailed Wanda Pierce to get her charm bracelet, and smacked Alice Wendelken across the head. And that’s just the start! When the Herdmans show up at church for the free snacks and suddenly take over the Christmas pageant, the other kids are shocked.

It’s obvious that they’re up to no good. But Christmas magic is all around and the Herdmans, who have never heard the Christmas story before, start to reimagine it in their own way.

release date: 1972


08 November 2024

a truth revealed | book review

about the book


In the midst of darkness, only faith and love can illuminate their path forward.

Laura Evans, a spirited young woman with a deep-rooted faith in God, returns home from college to her father--unaware of his dark secrets. Determined to live by her faith while respecting her father's contrasting views, Laura's world shifts when she crosses paths with a devoted preacher.

Wilson Porter is driven by a calling to work with the Shoshone people but faces constant delays from government officials. Then tragedy strikes, shaking his faith and causing him to question everything he once believed. As Will and Laura's tentative friendship grows into something more, they are ensnared in a web of dark secrets and injustices. Together, they're confronted with a daunting question: Will their shattered lives leave them with an uncertain path forward--or can love withstand it all?

publisher: bethany house publishers
release date: november 5, 2024


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07 November 2024

an ode to poison | excerpt + giveaway

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about the book


What do death by poison, a ruthless senator, and a poetry party have in common?

They combine to draw Livia Aemilia into her most dangerous investigation yet. She must risk setting foot in the house of her worst enemy, Senator Tiberius Gracchus, to investigate the death of his wife. (Don’t worry, she has a plan.)

The victim’s sister is convinced Gracchus is the killer. If so, proving his guilt in Rome’s law courts could put a stop to his nefarious threats forever.

Livia is sure this investigation is God’s plan to protect her family from their malicious enemy. And maybe it will finally convince her husband Avitus that God is real.

The more Livia and Avitus dig, the more it looks like they will finally bring Gracchus to justice. Until another victim is poisoned, and everything they think they know is turned upside down.

publisher: breakthrough christian publishing
release date: october 21, 2024


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06 November 2024

a path to healing | excerpt + giveaway

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Scarred. Blemished. Unwanted. These were all words that could describe Bethany. Since an accident disfigured the right side of her face, severing the betrothal to the man she loved, Bethany knew that no one would ever find her beautiful. When her mother insists she marries the only man willing to take her as a wife, Bethany begrudgingly agrees. Yet, the more she discovers about her new husband, the more she realizes that some scars are hidden deep within.

After becoming a champion gladiator to purchase his mother’s freedom, Ezra wished to live a quiet life as a shepherd. When he hires a troubled woman with a veiled face to assist him with his flock, he’s surprised to find himself drawn to discover the woman beneath the mask. After a hasty marriage, Ezra vows to do everything he must to spare his wife from harm. But will her thirst for revenge against the dark forces that plague their homeland and his desperate need to protect his family tear them apart?

Discover the story of a blemished woman in A Path to Healing.

This Christian Fantasy novel can be read as a stand-alone novel or as part of The Prodigal Woman Series.

publisher: independently published
release date: november 1, 2024


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05 November 2024

the carpenter | movie review + giveaway

about the movie


An adopted viking orphan becomes a carpenter’s apprentice to Jesus. The orphan, Oren, fights as a side hustle. His experience training as a carpenter with Jesus as his mentor changes his lifestyle.

The Carpenter is a powerful tale of transformation and redemption. Set in biblical times this film showcases a life-changing journey of becoming a carpenter’s apprentice to none other than Jesus Christ. Through the timeless skills of carpentry, a path of compassion and redemption is found.

Buy tickets today to see The Carpenter in theaters starting November 1st!


01 November 2024

a guardian till christmas | book review + giveaway

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about the book


She’s always in charge…

Until two little hearts take over this holiday season…

After the loss of her sister, Kylee Spokes plans to take custody of her orphaned niece and nephew and return to the big city by Christmas. Except corralling four-year-old twins is much harder than the businesswoman expects. And small-town paramedic Evan Hollister refuses to abandon his godchildren to someone who has no experience with kids—and can’t even boil water! Now these opposites must find a way to temporarily co-parent together. As grudging respect turns into something more, can they find a permanent solution… that lasts past the holidays?

publisher: love inspired
release date: october 22, 2024


31 October 2024

i'll be home | excerpt + giveaway

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about the book


With chaos and confusion all around them, can they find their way home this Christmas?

The people in these four stories are all searching for something—an escaped convict, a job promotion from a love interest, connection to a lost parent, answers across time.

Christmas should be a time of wonder and celebration, but the obstacles each faces seem insurmountable. Even, at times, life-threatening.

Perhaps they will find what they are seeking during this season of miracles and hope. Or maybe, with God’s help, they will discover that the longing of their hearts takes them to places—and people—they didn’t even know they’d been searching for.

I’ll Be Home is a collection of four stories of faith, hope, love, (and trains) that will warm your heart, encourage your soul, and draw you home this Christmas.

publisher: independent (fab four press)
release date: october 29, 2024


30 October 2024

terminal danger | excerpt + giveaway

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about the book


This woman and her K-9 are being hunted.

Exactly as she planned.

When a busload of schoolchildren disappears, Phoenix Gray knows the kidnapper is the unidentified serial killer she’s spent her life trying to catch. This time, she’ll find the killer and bring him to justice no matter what it takes. She and her Phoenix K-9 Security and Detection Agency join the search for the hostages, but they aren’t the only ones who want the criminal captured.

Callum Ross, an FBI agent who specializes in catching serial criminals, is about to resign. But not until he finds one last culprit, the killer behind a famous twenty-year-old crime Callum vowed to solve.

Despite the FBI agent’s uncanny understanding of her psyche, Phoenix refuses to be distracted from her goal. When the serial killer turns into the cat instead of the mouse, Phoenix thinks she’s ready. But will she need the God she rejected to achieve the justice she’s given her life to obtain?

publisher: sdg words, llc
release date: october 24, 2024


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