Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for The Hidden Key of Brooke Sumner by Susan L. Tuttle, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Hidden Key of Brooke Sumner
Series: Treasures of Halstead Manor #3
Author: Susan L. Tuttle
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Release Date: March 24, 2026
Genre: Mystery & Suspense / Romance

Will the key unlock more than a vault filled with treasure?

Brooke Sumner has been carefully avoiding Storm Whitlock ever since he betrayed her trust. When he joins Caspar’s mysterious treasure-hunting group, she steps away to focus on her antique shop and keep herself busy.

Then Caspar invites her back for one final assignment, and Brooke is torn. Returning to Halstead Manor to help the team find the second half of a key is intriguing. It also means she’d be working with Storm. But she doesn’t trust his motives, so she reluctantly rejoins to keep him in check.
As they dive into their expedition, Brooke finds her heart softening toward those she’d once held at arm’s length. And is it possible she misunderstood Storm’s betrayal of their friendship?

“In this friends-to-more romance, we get to see the beauty of being known, being loved, and finding the people who want to walk alongside us.” —Toni Shiloh, Christy Award-winning author

Also Available:

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About the Author

Susan L. Tuttle is a pastor’s wife, mom, and the director of women’s ministry at her church near Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her previous writing includes The Rare Jewel of Everleigh Wheaton, The Novel Adventures of Natalie Daughtry, the Along Came Love series, and the Carol Award–finalist Love You, Truly.

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

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My Impressions

“Not understanding you are enough to be loved. You already are loved.” He held her gaze. “And that love will never leave you.” She blinked rapidly. “That’s a promise you can’t make.”

What an exciting fictional world Susan L. Tuttle has created in her book, The Hidden Key of Brooke Sumner! As Book three of Treasures of Halstead Manor, I was curious. I wanted to read the book, but I hadn’t read the first two. I highly recommend reading the books in order to avoid spoilers. However, I was pleased to find Tuttle gives enough backstory to make the pieces fit, should this be your first! I loved this book!

Brooke has deep abandonment and trust issues stemming from a childhood of rotating foster or group homes. Always hoping that this time, she wouldn’t mess up and be returned to the system. Brooke ends up believing that she is not good enough for others to love, and closes herself off, before others can reject her. She enjoys working with the team that Caspar sets up ( Charlie’s Angels, anyone?) and begins to feel close to Natalie and Everleigh again, and even Storm. But she reminds herself:

“This wasn’t permanent. She wasn’t meant for good things. She wanted them. She worked so hard to be deserving of them. To be good enough. But she inevitably failed.”

About Storm. He was a young boy who had first met Brooke in a home. Finding 8-yr-old Brooke heartbroken, 9-yr-old Storm becomes her protector. In his mind, for life. The two age out of foster care, set up a treasure-finding business together, and are well on their way to falling in love. Then a customer named Annika drives them apart. Now Brooke has lost her last mooring.

Fortunately, Adam, a friend who helped the two start their original business, helps Brooke start over. But, when Brooke appears to be in danger, Adam calls in Storm to help. Talk about unwanted, unwelcome help that creates conflict in her soul!

There is a bit of a dual timeline involved in the story. My heart broke for the relationship of the cousins. But everyone has to make their own choices.

I loved Gertie! She is blind, but sharp as a tack and a former FBI agent. And her puns are so terrible, but amusing. What she lacks in eyesight, she more than makes up for in insight. She often encourages Brooke to see beyond the apparent traits of people ( especially Storm) and look for the heart. Brooke just can’t get past her feelings of being abandoned by Storm, She feels if she could just belong to a family, but Storm messed up her last chance. “I’m not asking you to go from feeling. I’m asking you to go from truth.” Gertie’s fingers softy pressed into Brooke’s arm. “Life is going to bump and bruise us, and in the process we feel hurt. Lost. Tossed about. But feeling those things doesn’t change the truth of God.” Her words held firm in a way Brooke only wished her own heart could. “He sees you. He wants to anchor you. To hold you when life’s battering away at you. And he wants to heal your heart in the aftermath.”

The suspense factor gets so tight! And the twists were so great! I also loved the author’s use of specific art to further explain the story themes. I would love to experience a museum of immersive art like Tuttle describes! I wish I could go back and reread this story again- for the first time!

I received a copy of the book from the author and publisher via JustRead Tours. I also bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“If he quieted every disturbance in our life, we’d only see him as our fixer. We’d never know him as Jehovah Shalom, our God of Peace.” – Storm

“Wrong perceptions can lead to misguided actions,” -Adam

“Relying on others, thinking she belonged, always led to chaos and hurt.”

“A life without hope might feel safe, but it’s actually the most dangerous place to be. Without hope, our world turns dark.” – Storm

“But striving to be good all on your own all the time is exhausting. And impossible.” – Storm

“History depends on the lens with which you’re viewing it. If your lens is faulty, then what you see is distorted.”- Caspar

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Superior! Run out and grab your copy!! I have a new author to add to my fave list!!

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Tour Giveaway

1) winner will receive a copy of The Hidden Key of Brooke Sumner and $20 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight April 15, 2026 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on April 22, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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

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Stronger Than the Storm by Deena Adams Review

April 14, 2026 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Title: Stronger than the Storm

Author: Deena Adams

Publisher: Scrivenings Press

Genre: Christian Women’s Fiction

Releases: April 28, 2026

A runaway teen. A wife’s devastating secret. A family’s reckoning.

Beth Holbrook has spent years building a life centered on faith and family. As a pastor’s wife, mother of three, and respected parenting coach, she’s devoted herself to helping families raise godly children. Now, with a publishing contract within reach, Beth stands on the verge of realizing a lifelong dream.

Then her daughter runs away.

Eighteen-year-old Leesa is tired of living under expectations she feels she can never meet. One impulsive decision sends her fleeing to Myrtle Beach, determined to take control of her life. But when she returns home weeks later with shocking news, the fragile peace inside the Holbrook family fractures.

As tensions rise, Beth struggles with growing conflict in her marriage, painful criticism from her mother, and the crushing realization that the advice she’s given other parents may not save her own family. Worse still, the secret she’s hidden for nearly two decades threatens to destroy the very foundation of her life.

When a powerful hurricane barrels toward their Virginia Beach home, the Holbrooks must confront the storm raging inside their hearts.

Can grace and forgiveness rebuild what secrets and betrayal have broken—or will the truth tear their family apart?

Perfect for readers who love Christian women’s fiction filled with emotional depth, family drama, and themes of redemption and healing, Stronger than the Storm is a powerful story of faith, forgiveness, and the courage to face the truth.

Fans of Nicole Deese, Karen Kingsbury, and Amanda Cox will love this compelling and heartfelt novel about family secrets, healing after betrayal, and God’s power to restore broken lives.

Get ( or pre-order)your copy here!

https://www.amazon.com/author/deenaadams

About the Author

As a Jesus girl for over thirty years, and a pastor’s wife for most of those, Deena Adams has a wealth of experience counseling women who’ve navigated unimaginable adversity. Through these interactions she’s gained great insight into topics women relate to, which fuels her passion to inspire others through hope-filled fiction based on true-life stories.

Three-and-a-half years as a Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer and completion of the Certified Mental Health Coach program through Light University have equipped her to write stories that address deep family-related themes with authenticity, wisdom, and compassion.

She is an active ACFW member, a six-year ACFW Virginia board member, and founder of the Marathon online writers group. Her writing awards include: 2019 Foundations Award finalist, 2019 ACFW First Impressions double finalist and winner, 2021 ACFW Genesis finalist and ACFW Virginia Crown Award winner, 2022 Cascade Award finalist, 2023 ACFW First Impressions finalist, 2024 ACFW Genesis double semi-finalist and winner, 2024 Foundations Award finalist, and 2025 ACFW Genesis finalist. She also enjoys promoting hope-filled fiction authors on her blog.

Deena lives with her husband near the coast in beautiful Virginia. When she’s not writing, reading, or serving in her church, you’ll find her hanging out with family and friends, playing board games, and doting on her seven grandchildren.

Connect with Deena through her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads, BookBub, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.

My Impressions

“God’s power can turn messes into ministry and trials into a testimony when we entrust our hurts to him. I’m living proof.”

Stronger Than the Storm by Deena Adams is a women’s fiction story I found more relatable than I would like. My family’s situation was not the same in many respects, yet I understood the pressure of living in a glass house because of being in a pastor’s family. Both Kevin, a pastor, and his wife, Beth, have hopes for the future based on their performance- Kevin hopes to advance to senior pastor of the church, and Beth hopes to publish her first book as a parenting expert.

Their dreams begin to crash around them like the winds of the hurricane that later attack the house. Their oldest daughter runs away, and when she does return, continues to make life choices that are both hurtful and dangerous. I found it interesting that Beth is the strict parent who wants firm rules and apologies from the errant young adult child. “God is full of grace and love, but His Word makes it clear there are consequences for sin. How will Leesa ever learn from her mistakes if we rescue her at every turn?” Kevin, much easier going, would rather “err on the side of grace.” “I’m more willing to offer grace and unconditional love.” And he does! Guess which parent Leesa gravitates towards? I wonder, if, in many marriages, there is a child-rearing theory conflict like this, each thinking themselves following God’s will and Word?

Things gets worse and stormier before they get better. The family is on the verge of total collapse. A secret kept for years. A grief that almost kills the marriage. I loved the fact that the two consider a Christian counselor to help. But one still needs to listen to any sound advice, pray a lot, and determine to obey God. Both Kevin and Beth are amazed by what they find when they take a look at their individual hearts. Will they have the strength to pursue reparation for their marriage and family? What about Leesa, who feels her life has ended before it has barely begun?

Isaac, Megan, Tyler, Jackson, and Teresa are all secondary characters with major influences on the three main characters. I love how accepting and helpful Jackson and Teresa are especially, but all are essential in this family drama.

Highly recommended! For mature readers, but possibly teens, depending on their exposure. For church people, to see what their expectations and gossip can do to their leaders. For leaders, to carefully re-evaluate the inner motives and transparency. And, of course, for parents of prodigals! Discussion questions at the end would make this book ideal for a book club.

I received a copy of the book from the author and publisher and pre-ordered my own ebook. No positive review was required and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“Perhaps embracing every seemingly insignifcant moment with those you love transforms normal into extraordinary.”

“You know going against God’s Word is never His plan, but He can and will use anything for good. Even our worst mess-ups.” – Jackson

“We all need second chances … and third, fourth, and “fifth.” – Kevin

“I’m learning relatability is more important than a perfect reputation. It’s hard to point people to hope if we hide our messy stuff.” – Beth

“We do what we think is right in the moment. If we learn from our mistakes, they’re never wasted”…“When we give our regrets over to God, He can redeem them in ways we could never imagine.” – Beth

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Superior!! Hard to believe this is Ms. Adams’s debut novel! She deals with such difficult, gritty topics so sensitively, connects with the reader’s emotions and shows how Hope can break through the storm.

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I Think I Fell Off the Edge of the Earth…🤣🤣🤣

April 11, 2026 Babbling Becky L

Or Maybe We’ve Been Family Focused!

Our fifth grandson arrived a little early (about two weeks, acc. to our expectations). So we hurriedly packed overnight bags and went off to our daughter’s to help out with her two other young sons. We enjoyed ourselves immensely, but, wow! We’re reminded there’s a reason God doesn’t generally give children to older people! 🤪

We played water squirt guns, (the three-yr-old got real ingenious and pulled out the soaker and got Poppy really good!) Super Heroes ( “You have to take turns with Superman, guys! I’ll set the timer on my watch.”) and dinosaurs and dragons got mixed in there, too! We chalked the sidewalk and, inadvertently, the dog.

We went to the park where the 3-yr-old convinced Poppy that going down the slides wasn’t just for kids!🤣

And just generally spent time together.

We stayed for several days and came home exhausted!

We were thrilled to go to our home church for Easter ( we had been away for the winter, then at our daughter’s the previous 3 weeks). And we went back to their house for Easter with the boys.

We got to meet our son’s fiancé’s parents the day before. They are neat people and had interesting stories about their jobs and lives in the UP.

We are still missing our Southern daughter and her family, but we were able to rent a house for three months this winter in their hometown. Lots of Grand time then! They took some great pics on Easter!

Now it is back to the birds and books for me ( I just put out grape jelly so I don’t miss the first orioles). I am reading like mad, the posts will start very soon! And hubby went golfing today, the first day the local golf course opened. And, of course, we are contemplating going back to work! 😔

Anywho, just in case you wondered why I haven’t been posting, switching homes and then the baby’s birth caused me to leave a lot of time open in my calendar for family and necessary transition. I still need to schedule in time to see my mom, too. She’s always happy to see us, though she doesn’t know our relationship to her. Just that we love her and vice versa.

Have a great weekend. See you with a bookish post again soon!

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Claire Holloway is Winging It Review

March 31, 2026 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Title: Claire Holloway is Winging It

Author: Angela Ruth Strong

Publisher: Kregel Books

Genre: Christian Rom-Com

Released: March 17, 2026

After Claire Holloway’s dream of becoming a ballerina plummets, she’s left with her boyfriend as her only support . . . until she decides to become a flight attendant for the free travel. Based out of state, she moves into a crash pad with a gaggle of other flight attendants, and her fear of losing Wyatt seems to become a reality.

First Officer Nathan Stuart—a bit cynical since he and his fiancée broke up—meets a somewhat frazzled Claire on her very first day in the Seattle airport. When they end up on the same crew, he takes her under his wing, and they quickly bond.

When Claire’s once-supportive boyfriend’s attitude sours into resentment, she’s left wondering whether her newfound joy is the right way to go. Pulled between two men and her new career, Claire must learn to listen for God’s direction the same way her flight crew follows air traffic control.

In this hilarious rom-com, readers will lift off into the turbulent skies of romantic adventures as Claire navigates God’s plan for her life.

Get your copy here!!

https://mybook.to/y7QFl3

About the Author

Angela Ruth Strong sold her first romance novel in 2009, and her books have since earned TOP PICK in Romantic Times, been a finalist for the Christy, won the Cascade Award, and become Amazon bestsellers. Her book Finding Love in Big Sky released as a movie in 2022. To help aspiring authors, she started IDAhope Writers where she lives in Idaho, and she blogs for Inspy Romance and My Book Therapy. Get to know her even better at http://www.angelaruthstrong.com.

My Impressions

“That’s when it helps to see God as the control tower. He could be protecting you from something. Or even leading you somewhere better.”

I can count on an Angela Ruth Strong book for unpredictable, raucous laughter, hilarity, and a bit of mayhem. ( I may or may not have had to stuff a sock in my mouth late at night so as not to wake a sleeping hubby!) I can also count on Strong to slip in Biblical-based Truth that has me evaluating if my life matches my words.

Claire Holloway is Winging It had my attention from the first sentence. I was cracking up every other sentence, it seemed like. Claire has lost one dream, so she decides to embark on a new career. Problem is, she is sure she will fail and we all know how self-fulfilling prophecies work!

From Claire’s first unsuccessful airport encounter to her meeting helpful, good- looking pilot Nathan Stuart, Claire stumbles through belly-laugh inducing situations. While believer Nathan is determined to win Claire over, Claire has to deal with her absent ,distracted, and jealous boyfriend back home.

The story flows well. Strong tells it in her unique voice, using first person POV, alternating back and forth between labeled chapters for Claire or Nathan.

I loved the camaraderie that we see develop between Claire, Nathan, and Vincent and his wife, Desiree. Vincent and Desiree add plenty of humor, but they also speak Truth into both Nathan’s and Claire’s lives. Desiree starts small with Claire, by empathizing. “It’s hard to have your life reflowed.” Strong lets us see inside the back curtains of the flight world as she deftly weaves in the message that God has a plan for each life, though it may be different than what we were aiming for.

Vincent and Desiree are runaways for fave secondary characters. They are so funny, so kind, and speak the Truth so well! “Truly loving someone means you’re more afraid of harming them than losing them.” Ouch, that is a Truth Nathan doesn’t want to hear!!

I must say, though, Angel is a most interesting character. I had to wonder if I would have judged her as “less than” in real life. But when she learns spiritual lessons, she’s no faker!! I loved her! “Rather than take away our pain, Jesus joined us in it.” Angel shares this Truth, and Claire thinks of a flight “real-life example” she experienced. Suddenly, I too, was thrilled to feel I finally understood a Truth I could never quite wrap my head around!!

I received a copy of the book from the author and publisher via NetGalley. I also bought my own copy for the trophy shelf. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“It’s my job to make passengers happy.” “It’s never your job to make anyone happy.”– Claire, Nathan

“Fear is like gravity in a topsy-turvy world.

“You’ve got to take the good with the bad and trust that the smaller sacrifices are worth the greater good.” – Desiree

“Loving someone is never a mistake. Even if it hurts.”– Vincent

“But rather than place blame, we could focus on how we don’t have to bear our pain alone.” – Angel

“I think maybe God is the light, and we have to draw close to Him to see the difference between our false judgments and our true discernments.” – Claire

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Superior! Def in my list of top 2026 books!!📚

BLOG, Just Read Tours, Kindle, Love Inspired Suspense, New-to-Me Author, Purchase

Guarding the Child Witness by Sharee Stover Review

March 24, 2026 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Title: Guarding the Child Witness

Series: Iowa State Troopers, #1

Author: Sharee Stover

Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense

Released: February 24, 2026

Genre: Christian Mystery & Suspense

When Iowa state trooper Jaysa Camerota and her K-9, Remy, discover a scared boy trapped in a car wreck, they narrowly survive the gunfire that follows. With an unknown assailant closing in fast and the nonverbal child struggling to communicate, Jaysa is forced to accept help from her ex-fiancé, social worker Ender Hammett. Soon it becomes clear that young Trevor is harboring perilous secrets—and that someone will do anything to have him silenced. When Ender’s past becomes the key to exposing a killer, can they unravel this lethal plot…or is survival out of reach?

Get your copy here!

https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781335957580_guarding-the-child-witness.html

About the Author

Colorado native Sharee Stover lives in the Midwest with her real-life-hero husband, three too-good-to-be-true children, and a ridiculously spoiled dog. A self-proclaimed word nerd, she loves the power of the written word to ignite, transform, and restore. She writes Christian romantic suspense combining heart-racing, nail-biting suspense and the delight of falling in love all in one. Visit her at http://www.shareestover.com.

My Impressions

“…they needed to get answers out of Trevor and fast, because constantly living on edge with a faceless killer coming after them was not working.”

Sharee Stover has created quite a twisty inspirational romantic suspense novel in Guarding the Child Witness. The first book of Iowa State Troopers, what a great time to get in on a new series! This is my first book by Stover, but I will be back for more!

Iowa State Trooper Jaysa Camerota is charged with the protection detail for a young boy who has seen his father murdered. This case is important to Jaysa because she is on a mission to prove through her dog, Remy, that a multiagency K-9 team program should be developed. Remy is great at narcotics detection and also comforting people. But, Jaysa will have to successfully guard young, incident-mute Trevor for any hopes of her dream to come true. And, honestly, it does not seem very likely. At times, though Jaysa considers her ex, Ender Hammett, to be selfish, I wondered how self-serving Jaysa’s interests were.

Then there is the ex- this is a story of lovers -to-enemies-to-more. Jaysa is dismayed when Emmet, once a police officer, now a social worker and forensic interviewer, is assigned to work with Trevor. Now she has to keep them both safe. And she is still hurting from their break-up years past. Plus, as Jaysa grumps to her dog, “Ender’s a control freak, so expect a battle of the wills at every turn. But he’s no longer a trooper, which means I have the final say between the two of us.” Things get heated, and not necessarily in a good way!

There is so much danger and action at every juncture in this story. Who is the real target? “Everyone has enemies,” he said. “My thoughts exactly. They just might not know it.”

Until Jaysa and Ender can figure this out, they might just be spinning their wheels.

I didn’t know who to finger as the suspect for most of the book. It seemed the case was so convoluted. Just like Jaysa and Ender’s relationship. They seem to soften towards each other, then take steps backwards. Can they find their way back to their former love, or will that have to be jettisoned for good?

I loved how good Ender is with Trevor, and how much Remy helps Trevor, too, but will that be enough to cure Trevor’s incidental muteness? I also liked how Jaysa begins to see the past with Ender through a more honest lens. But will she be willing to take a chance on the future- provided they survive to have one?

I received a copy of the book from JustRead Tours. I also bought my own ecopy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“She’d never embraced Ender for who he was, because she’d planned to change him from the start.”(Jaysa)

“Isn’t it funny that we both found healing outside of our relationship, and in doing so, discovered our mission to help others?” – Ender

“Normally, getting him to share his feelings was akin to pulling molars from a shark with a pair of tweezers dipped in cooking oil.”- (about Ender)

“Her heart’s defrosting toward Ender had to stop. She couldn’t afford to love him again.”

“He felt like he’d been sucked into a vortex of his past or endured surgery without anesthesia.”

“Your training trumps instincts, but your instincts enhance your training.” -Academy instructor

My Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I enjoyed this book, my first by Sharee Stover. I hope the next in the series is just as twisty!

ARC, BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Kindle, Misty M Beller Books, Purchase

Mail-Order Baroness by Misty M. Beller Review and Giveaway

March 19, 2026 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: Mail-Order Baroness

Author: Misty M. Beller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: February 10, 2026

Five sons of an English duke, all raised in the Rocky Mountains…

James Balfour, the charming middle son of an English duke, is determined to prove he’s capable of taking leadership of his family’s Montana ranch as the next deadly winter approaches. With the household stretched to its limits, James crafts a clever plan to hire Rose Prescott—his childhood best friend—and to right an old wrong.

Rose’s remarkable singing voice was meant to be her gift, but in Virginia City, it’s become her curse. Forced by her stepfather to perform nightly shows, she dreams of escape and a life free from his control. When a newspaper ad for a housekeeper offers her a way out, she risks everything and flees, hoping her stepfather can’t find her. She never expected to return to the Balfour ranch, nor to see James again, whose charm now reminds her too much of the men who’ve betrayed her before.

James’s desire to protect Rose is shaken when his old friend treats him like an enemy. Winning her trust becomes his greatest challenge yet. As tensions rise on the ranch, old secrets and new dangers threaten everything James and his family have built.

With enemies closing in, Rose must decide whom she can trust—and whether she’s willing to fight for the freedom and love she’s always longed for.

From a USA Today bestselling author comes a royal family saga featuring a mail-order bride, a second chance romance, and an aristocratic marriage of convenience…all set in the rugged Montana Territory.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Misty M. Beller is an ECPA and USA Today bestselling author with over 1 million books sold. She writes romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.

Raised on a farm and surrounded by family, Misty developed her love for horses, history, and adventure. These days, her husband and children provide fresh adventure every day, keeping her both grounded and crazy.

Misty’s passion is to create inspiring Christian fiction infused with the grandeur of the mountains, writing historical romance that displays God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.

Sharing her stories with readers is a dream come true for Misty. She writes from her country home in South Carolina and escapes to the mountains any chance she gets.

More from Misty

Hello Reader Friends!

I’m so excited to be back with you in the Lords of the Rockies world—where Regency roots and Montana grit collide in the best kind of way.

When I first dreamed up this series, I couldn’t stop thinking about what would happen if five sons of an English duke were raised far from ballrooms and titled expectations…out in the wide-open wilderness instead. No polished drawing rooms. No London Season. Just rugged mountains, hard work, and the kind of faith that’s tested (and strengthened) when survival itself requires perseverance.

And now I’m thrilled to share the newest installment with you…

Welcome to Mail-Order Baroness!

One of my favorite things about writing romance is getting to explore the truth that God is always in the business of redemption—of taking what’s been broken and offering something new. That’s one reason I especially love the second-chance romance trope.

There’s just something so moving about two people who have already been hurt—by life, by circumstances, sometimes even by each other—and yet are given an unexpected opportunity to try again. Not because everything is suddenly easy, but because they’re different now. Wiser. Humbled. More aware of what truly matters.

In Mail-Order Baroness, you’ll find a love story rooted in that kind of hope—the kind that doesn’t ignore the past, but doesn’t let the past have the final word either.

If you enjoy stories with:

old wounds that still ache
hard-earned forgiveness
trust rebuilt one choice at a time
and the gentle reminder that God can restore what feels beyond saving

…then I think this one will tug at your heart.

At its core, this book is about a fresh start that doesn’t come from pretending yesterday didn’t happen—but from bravely stepping forward anyway, learning to hope again, and discovering that the Lord can write something beautiful even after disappointment.

I pray you love Mail-Order Baroness! J

Blessings!

Misty

My Impressions

“She could barely fathom faith like that. No bargaining. Just a peace that what God sent would be exactly what they needed. No fear that one misstep might turn His face away.”

Misty M. Beller calls us back to 1869, the rugged Montana mountains, and the determined ranchers that live there. This series, Lords of the Rockies, involves an English family of the nobility whose mother brought her young sons to the American West. This is the second book, Mail Order Baroness.

James, one of four remaining Balfour brothers, hopes to reunite with a childhood friend, Rose Prescott, as the solution for the ranch’s need for more help for elderly Mrs. Wang.

When Rose answers James’s inquiry for household help, she warms up to his brothers quickly. While this wouldn’t be surprising since she had actually lived with the family earlier in life, she treats James like a hazard to be avoided. I must admit, I got a little tired of all of James’s jealousies! Fortunately, James redeems himself by being very protective of Rose, proving his love by the lengths he will go to, to ensure Rose’s safety.

Rose, for her part, remembers James and their original friendship more than she wants to admit. Forced into a life a servitude with no end in sight, she loves the warmth and safety of the ranch. But will escaping to the ranch endanger the others here? Or just her own heart, that longs for unconditional love and being seen as worthy? “Vincent had taught her that love was something you earned through perfect behavior. It always felt like God’s favor was like that too—contingent on flawless obedience.” Can James and his family show her differently?

Just when hope for escape from her servile way of life opens up, discoveries occur that cause unease and danger. Will God hear her cry for help this time? What will happen when Rose tells James the truth about the past?

Found Family, unconditional love, broken things redeemed, & Faith reclaimed are all themes of this romantic western. You will probably want to read these books in order to get the most out of this series. And, sigh, the online epilogue already has me curious and intrigued about how Thomas’s story will shape up!

I received a copy of the book from the author and publisher through Celebrate Lit. I also bought my own ecopy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“…family was built out of love, sacrifice, and being there when it mattered most. Not simply born—it was chosen.”

“The letter lay there between them, Vincent’s poisonous lies staring up at her like a living thing.”

“I think sometimes God’s best gifts come wrapped in our deepest pain.”– James

“But James had never taken, never demanded. He treated her like she mattered simply because she existed. Like her worth wasn’t something she had to prove… Could God possibly see her that way too? The thought was too big, too good to actually be true.” ( Rose)

“But it wasn’t just about being safe. It was about being seen—truly seen—and still being loved.” (Rose)

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Great! Already trying to figure out the next brother’s situation!

Blog Stops

Sydney Schmied Books, March 14

Madi’s Musings, March 14

Pause for Tales, March 14

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 15

Holly’s Book Corner, March 15

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 16

Simple Harvest Reads, March 16 (Guest Review from Marilyn)

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, March 17

Texas Book-aholic, March 17

Slyvan Musings, March 18

Devoted To Hope, March 18

Melissa’s Bookshelf, March 18

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 19

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 19

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, March 20

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 20

She Lives To Read, March 21

For Him and My Family, March 21

Life on Chickadee Lane, March 22

Book Looks by Lisa, March 22

Cover Lover Book Review, March 22

lakesidelivingsite, March 23

Lyssa Loves Books, March 23

Jeanette’s Thoughts, March 24

Fruitfully Planted, March 24

Books You Can Feel Good About, March 25

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 25

Connie’s History Classroom, March 26

Artistic Nobody, March 26 (Guest Review from Donna)

Blossoms and Blessings, March 27

Mary Hake, March 27

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Misty is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/F0qYE/mail-order-baroness-celebration-tour-giveaway

BLOG, Favorite, Kindle, Kregel, Launch Team, NetGalley, PB, Purchase

Sung in the Shadows by Crystal Caudill Review

March 18, 2026 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Title: Sung in the Shadows

Series: The Art of Love and Danger, #2

Author: Crystal Caudill

Publisher: Kregel Books

Released: March 17, 2026

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

When past darkness prowls, will stepping into the light lead to a brighter future?

In nineteenth-century Cincinnati, fear keeps Nora Davis caged with secrets and lies. Her true identity as the daughter of a famous opera singer is too dangerous to reveal with her former captors still on the loose. But weekly singing lessons at Longview Asylum—her paranoid mother’s permanent residence—light a flame in Nora, and it’s one she can avoid fanning for only so long.

With his suicidal ma in the asylum, Ezekiel Beaumont’s soul is weary, but Nora’s presence at the asylum intrigues him. As a Pike’s Opera House employee, Ezekiel thinks Nora might be cut out for the stage. He also begins to wonder if Nora’s ma is really the famed Constanza Brisbane, who went missing mid-performance. He’s determined to find out.

Though Ezekiel brings the performance world a little too close for comfort, Nora is drawn to his warm personality all the same. The two of them steadily grow closer, but then Nora begins to fear she’s being watched, and her own paranoia blooms.

As the line between what’s real and false grows fainter, will Ezekiel’s and Nora’s faith and love overcome?

“From the haunting halls of Longview Asylum to the dangerous secrets of Nora’s past, Sung in the Shadowsdelivers a riveting blend of romance, mystery, and redemption.” —Misty M. Beller, USA TODAY best-selling author of the Sisters of the Rockies series

Grab your copy here:

https://mybook.to/OTwvO

About the Author

Crystal Caudill is a tea-drinking, book-hoarding, history nerd. Her award-winning stories are ripe with history, danger, love, and hope. When not writing, Crystal can be found playing board games with her husband and boys, caregiving for loved ones, hiding in a book, drinking copious amounts of hot tea, or connecting with readers. You can connect with her at http://www.crystalcaudill.com or by joining her newsletter crew at bitly.com/CaudillNews.

My Impressions

“FEAR WAS A CAGE, AND it had Nora Davis’s family trapped and hidden beneath a canvas of secrets and lies.”

Crystal Caudill takes us back to the Gilded Age in 1869 New York , then 1881 in Cincinnati. Just as the cities as separated by vast miles and differences, the plight of the Davis family has changed from one extreme to another. In New York, Constanza Brisbane, famed soprano opera singer, is at the height of her career. Suddenly, following the kidnapping of her 11-year-old daughter Eleanora, the little family moves halfway across the country, assumes aliases, and embark on totally different lives. Music, once an integral part of their lives, is forbidden, as is the opera. As we see the little family 11 years later, it is now very dysfunctional. “Mr. Davis” is distant emotionally and often gone, “Mrs. Davis” has been placed in a mental asylum suffering from paranoias and dementia, and “Nora” has tired of her father’s restrictive rules.

Nora meets Ezekiel Beaumont, a composer and opera stage manager, in her visits to her mother at the asylum. Ezekiel’s mother suffers from her own severe mental health issues, and Ezekiel is at wits’ end how to help her. Surprisingly, Mrs. Beaumont takes well to both Nora and Nora’s mother. She even tries to encourage Nora’s mother’s floundering faith, and her need for forgiveness. But God… can use anybody. He not only uses Mrs. Beaumont in her weaknesses, but He uses the mind of a so-called crazy patient to challenge Mrs. Beaumont! “So God can abandon you, but He cannot abandon me? Are you the exception? Because if you’re the exception to His promise not to abandon, then maybe I’m the exception to forgiveness.” “There are no exceptions to His promises-”

As Nora and Ezekiel begin to form a bond and work together, of course the protective and rather hilarious Guardians group tries to help along the romance ( read: interfere) When spectres from Nora and Mrs. Davis’s past threaten to obliterate all their hopes for a return to normalcy, will God intervene?

I absolutely loved the tension of the story, as it builds throughout. I loved the tender love both Nora and Ezekiel hold for their mothers who are struggling. And their realizations help me in my real-life situations, too. “If there is one thing I’ve learned through Mum’s illness, it’s that her choices are hers alone. We can do everything in the world to protect our loved ones—put rules in place, hide them from the dangers posed, shield them from pain—but we were never meant to bear the burden of saving them from themselves. We cannot even save ourselves.” Thank goodness, Nora and Ezekiel begin to realize, as I am, that the burdens we bear for others are never meant to be a strangle-hold of responsibility, but an opportunity to turn that burden over to the One Who truly holds our our loved one in His hands.

Mrs. Jensen and Tristan are my fave secondary characters. They make me smile. Mrs. Jensen for her soft, witty, reasonable ways. Tristan, because he is sooooo bad and still a comfort to many!

Sung in the Shadows will dwell in the recesses of my mind for a long time, as a particularly great marriage of historical fiction, true tragic events of our pasts, great storytelling, romance, and inescapable Truth! Thank you, Ms. Caudill!!

I received a copy of the book from the author and publisher via NetGalley. I also ordered my own ebook, plus a pb for the trophy shelf! No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“My souls needs to sing. Music is as much a part of me as it is Mum.”– Nora

“Keeping secrets from those who loved her wasn’t a protective shield. It was an isolating cage that cast a debilitating shadow of fear, shame, guilt, and distrust over the relationships that mattered most.” ( Nora)

“We can do everything right and it still not be enough. Only God is enough, even though sometimes it doesn’t feel like He is. I don’t understand why He is allowing this. It feels wrong and unjust. I’m angry with Him, and I’m scared of what the future holds. I don’t want this burden He’s given us, but I know it’s not our fault. I know it’s not our job to save them.”– Nora

“Hiding your pain and thoughts doesn’t

make you a stronger person. It makes life lonelier to walk through. “- Ezekiel

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Superior! This novel checks all the boxes for me!

BLOG

Eyewitness Sketch by Danielle Grandinetti Review and Giveaway

March 10, 2026 Babbling Becky L

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Eyewitness Sketch by Danielle Grandinetti, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Eyewitness Sketch
Series: Di Stasio Giornaliste Agency #1
Author: Danielle Grandinetti
Publisher: Hearth Spot Press
Release Date: March 10, 2026
Genre: 1930s Historical Romantic Mystery

Finding love at Death’s Door might destroy them both.

CHICAGO, Ill., 1931—Gabriella Salatino, an illustrative journalist for the Di Stasio Giornaliste Agency, never planned to return to her island home at the tip of Wisconsin’s Door Peninsula. Nor did she plan to witness a murder. But when her life is threatened, she has no choice but to hide out under the protective care of the man she left behind.

Deputy Andri Jóhannsson has been coming to Gabby’s rescue his entire life, but having her in his secluded home tests the limits of his patience. The woman has no sense of self-preservation, and he has a smuggling ring to ferret out. Except, her skill with sketchpad and pencils might be the very investigative tool he needs in order to catch the bootleggers.

With a murderer on her trail and criminals evading detection, Gabriella and Andri must set aside the past or risk its eruption. Because this time, the collateral damage might include more than losing their friendship. It might cost them the lives of those they love.

La Verità con Integrità. Truth with Integrity. The Legacy of a (Girl) Stunt Reporter.

More in this Series

About the Author

Danielle Grandinetti writes award-winning 1930s historical romance filled with mystery, suspense, and hope. She is a second-generation Italian-American rooted in Midwest traditions. Fueled by tea, books, and the creative beauty of nature, her stories explore love and belonging in hard times. Find her online at daniellegrandinetti.com.

My Impressions

“If I draw, I could bring danger. If I don’t draw, justice won’t be served. I’m the eyewitness.”

Wow, does Gabby in Eyewitness Sketch by Danielle Grandinetti ever feel conflicted! Gabby doesn’t want to bring danger to the small 1931 community in northern Door County, WI, where she has taken refuge. Originally hailing from this small, tight-knit and staunch prohibition island, Gabby leaves after a family tragedy. Now, as an illustrative journalist for the DiStasio Agency in Chicago, Gabby has seen something that the rich and famous don’t want known. Only Gabby herself doesn’t know what it is. Can Andri, the young policeman back home who secretly has captured her heart, protect her?

So much to love about this story. Historical romantic suspense. Scenes out of “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.” Small town secrets. Best-friend’s brother trope, as well as friends-to-more. High-stakes action. Unfamiliar historical terms like “stunt reporter” and “the Volstead Act”( yes, I had learned about that in school, but that was a while ago!) gave me terms to research. I enjoyed researching the area around the tip of Door County as well. The Lake there is every bit as cold and unforgiving as Grandinetti presents it. Will Gabby find herself in the Lake as a victim? Or will she and Andri together with Emma, the chief, Ali, and Tabby find out what secrets Heima Island holds before more murders occur?

I received a copy of the book from the author and JustRead Tours. I also bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“Secrets have a way of getting revealed, but it always costs.” – Chief

“Making something ugly look pretty does everyone a disservice.” – Emma

“Her heart was already at risk if something happened to Andri.”

“You want to feel useful and you want to use your art for a reason, so when men you respect did not offer that to you, it hurt.” – Ruthie

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Superior! I do recommend reading the prequel, Undercover Wish, first. I can’t wait for the next installment, Sabotage Games!

Tour Giveaway

(3) winners will each receive a paperback copy of the prequel novella Undercover Wish and swag!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight March 10, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 17, 2026. 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 for prize as described. Ebook available instead if winner is outside the US. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

ARC, BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Favorite, Kindle, Launch Team, NetGalley, PB, Purchase, Revell

Raging Waters by Dana Mentink Review and Giveaway

March 2, 2026 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: Raging Waters

Author: Dana Mentink

Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense

Release Date: March 3, 2026

As the dam crumbles and water sweeps across the terrain, their battle for justice and survival is just beginning.

When Mackenzie Bardine’s brother Aaron was murdered in a drug deal gone wrong, she started a true crime podcast dedicated to exposing “Bullseye,” the drug kingpin responsible. But her protective heart has never let go of the blame she places on herself and Aaron’s best friend, Gideon Landry. On the run to the wilds of Washington to chase a recent lead, she meets none other than Gideon himself.

While conducting a wilderness survival class in remote Washington, Gideon never expected to cross paths with Mackenzie, and he’s certainly not interested in helping her after he’s already declined to participate in her vigilante podcasting. He carries a mountain of guilt about Aaron’s fatal choices, but not for the reasons Mackenzie suspects.

As killers begin to circle Mackenzie like sharks, it’s clear to Gideon she’s in over her head, and in light of his troubled past with her brother, he can’t bring himself to ignore her perilous situation. Then a flood threatens the town, turning their investigation into a race to escape the raging waters and the wrath of a powerful kingpin who wants to sink them both.

A gripping, clean romantic suspense featuring enemies-to-lovers, second-chance romance, and high-stakes investigations set in small-town Washington, sweeping readers away on a turbulent wave of thrills and chills. Perfect for fans of forced proximity, wilderness survival, protective heroes, and justice-driven heroines.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Dana Mentink is a New York Times, USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author as well as a two-time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, and a Holt Medallion winner. She is the author of over fifty titles in the suspense and lighthearted romance genres. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, Revell and Poisoned Pen Press.

More from Dana

I’m afraid of deep water. There. I’ve said it. I live in California, famous for beaches sand and surf. If that’s not enough, there are swimming pools aplenty. I should be enjoying the surfing, boating, kayaking, sailing culture, but I’d much rather sit on a deck somewhere and watch others partake. So what’s a gal like me doing writing an adventure that takes place as a dam rupture overwhelms a town? I love to write that type of wilderness story, where stakes are high and the help is scarce. Similar to the previous book, Fire Mountain, the characters will have to dig deep of their strength and faith to survive. And you and I can enjoy it from the safety of our decks! Are you ready? Grab your book and your cuppa and let’s go!

My Impressions

“Being around Mackenzie Bardine was hazardous to a man’s health.”

When Dana Mentink publishes a new Romantic suspense, I run, not walk, for my favorite bookstore! This newest series of hers, Elements of Danger, now includes bk #2, Raging Waters. As someone who has only experienced being on the edges of a hurricane, Mentink’s descriptions of a violent storm, waterlogged earth, and threatened dam break were terrifying. But in a good way. The kind of terrifying of watching a scary movie or choosing a wild ride at the fair. Adrenaline pumping fast, I made sure I was breathing air, not choking on water, as I swiped my pages hoping that MacKenzie ( Zee) Bardine and Gideon (Gid) Landry could learn to get along. Maybe that would make the job of staying alive and out of the enemy’s crosshairs a tad bit easier.

Unfortunately, MacKenzie, now a cold crimes podcaster, has lost her brother Aaron a few years back. After helping police solve a few other cold cases with her results, Zee takes on her brother’s murder. She is upset when Gideon won’t help her in her endeavors, as he was Aaron’s best friend. “Their rapport since Aaron’s death had been at the matches and gasoline type of reactivity level.” Will the secrets that Gideon is hiding protect MacKenzie or will they backfire and leave her ripe for attacks? Fighting the awesome power of nature, some extremely powerful people, their own secrets, plus their attraction for each other…Whew! That’s a lot of conflict that makes for a very fast-moving, nail-biting suspense. Every character they meet is suspect. Can they trust anyone they meet? Can they trust each other? Most importantly, can they trust God?

Great twists! I loved the faith arcs, and loved how Gideon chooses to be present for MacKenzie even when he doesn’t feel like she has all the information, and she can treat him like a heel at times. As Gideon tells Zee, “I have a choice in all this, too. I choose to stay.” Sometimes I thought he was crazy! I was grateful to still be on dry land when the book was done, feeling safe and satisfied with the mystery of the novel worked out.

I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit via NetGalley. I also bought an ecopy, and a few pb copies for myself and a friend. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“In that moment he knew she was trapped, unable to free herself any more than her brother could from his torment. She was bound to this man by her need for revenge. It would blind her.

It would kill her.” ( Gideon)

“How easy it would be to kiss him properly, to let the feeling seep into her fragile glass heart that hadn’t beat right for a very long time. But there was such a thin coating around that battered organ. One crack, one tiny fissure and it might disintegrate into a pile of useless shards.”

(MacKenzie)

“Whom to trust? The environment might be hostile, but it was nowhere near as dangerous as a human enemy, the kind pretending to be a friend.”

“God will bring justice in this world or the next. In His time, not yours.”- Gideon

“Ugly and vengeful . . . Mackenzie wondered suddenly if that described her too. She shook the thought away. Maybe it had until Gideon convinced her otherwise. She’d let that be her core for way too long. That wasn’t the identity God meant for her, and he’d used Gideon to deliver the message.”

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Magnificent!! Sometimes who we think we are and who God shows us we are, are exact opposites!! What a lesson!

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, March 3

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 3

The Avid Reader, March 3

The Sacred Line, March 4

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 4

She Lives To Read, March 5

Texas Book-aholic, March 5

Leslie’s Library Escape, March 6

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 6

Lily’s Corner, March 7

Pause for Tales, March 7

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 7

Devoted To Hope, March 8

For Him and My Family, March 8

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 9

Melissa’s Bookshelf, March 9

EmpowerMoms, March 10

Blogging With Carol, March 10

Just Your Average reviews, March 10

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, March 11

Simple Harvest Reads, March 11 (Guest Review from Donna)

Lyssa Loves Books, March 12

Blossoms and Blessings, March 12

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, March 12

Cover Lover Book Review, March 13

Labor Not in Vain, March 13

Betti Mace, March 14

Bigreadersite, March 14

Life on Chickadee Lane, March 15

Lights in a Dark World, March 15

Holly’s Book Corner, March 15

Stories By Gina, March 16 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, March 16

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away the grand prize of a $100 Amazon Gift Card and a signed copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/OQ5p4/raging-waters-celebration-tour-giveaway

ARC, Barbour, BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Kindle, NetGalley, New-to-Me Author, Purchase

The Caregiver at Wounded Knee by Debby Lee Review and Giveaway

February 27, 2026 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: The Caregiver at Wounded Knee (Enduring Hope Book 4)

Author: Debby Lee

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Release Date: February, 2026

Rose Seeks Peace at All Costs

When life seems weighed down by challenges, there are always pillars of enduring hope and love to be discovered.

Rose Rushing Water, an Oglala Sioux trained back East in nursing, is torn between two brothers—one who seeks to appease the government and one who fights to cling to the old ways at all costs. Tribal policeman Nathaniel Gray Cloud struggles to keep peace on the reservation and support his sister, who is also desperate to hold on to family traditions. Can Rose and Nathaniel find a peace that comes only from God, or will they lose their families and their lives as tensions reach a boiling point at Wounded Knee Creek, South Dakota?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Debby Lee was raised in the cozy little town of Toledo, Washington. She has been writing since she was a small child, and has written several novels, but never forgets home. The Northwest Christian Writers Association and Romance Writers of America are two organizations that Debby enjoys being a part of. As a self professed nature lover, and an avid listener of 1960’s folk music, Debby can’t help but feel like a hippie child who wasn’t born soon enough to attend Woodstock. She wishes she could run barefoot all year long, but often does anyway in the grass and on the beaches in her hamlet that is the cold and rainy southwest Washington. During football season, Debby cheers on the Seattle Seahawks along with legions of other devoted fans. She’s also filled with wanderlust and dreams of visiting Denmark, Italy, and Morocco someday.

More from Debby

A crime against humanity occurred more than one-hundred years ago, a massacre that still resonates, and haunts people to this day. I’m referring to the massacre at Wounded Knee Creek, the slaying of hundreds of men, women and children, their lifeless bodies left on the frozen ground surrounding this small, winding body of water.

In writing my novel, The Caregiver at Wounded Knee, I traveled to the Pine Ridge Reservation in southwest South Dakota. In late April, the grasslands had not yet drank enough water or basked in enough sun to turn themselves green. Even so, I was taken in by the evocative beauty of the land. I noted the rolling hills that seemed to stretch on and on as if they wished to reach out and touch the tip of eternity.

As I drove to the site of the massacre I passed White Clay Creek. My characters, Rose and Nathaniel have a picnic along the banks of this creek. It’s the place where Rose flees to after witnessing the massacre, where she struggles to cope with the traumatic aftermath. Thankfully, Rose and Nathaniel create more happy memories there.

I included two real people in my novel, Doctor Charles Eastman and Elaine Goodale. Dr. Eastman by the way; was a real person, his Indian name being Ohiyesa. He was educated in the east and graduated from medical school. He married Elaine Goodale, a school teacher from Massachusetts. Together they operated a clinic in the community of Pine Ridge and were in many scenes throughout my novel.

When I reached the site where the massacre occurred, I couldn’t help but notice how big of an area the site encompassed. The creek itself surprised me. It wasn’t as deep or wide as I thought it would be and the banks leading to the water were fairly steep in some places. It looked serene and almost peaceful, but I thought, oh if those waters could talk.

I stood on a hilltop where I’m told a Catholic church had once stood and I gazed across the plateau below where the Lakota people were camped. I tried to picture the area where the soldiers were stationed, along with their Hotchkiss guns, which looked like small cannons to me. What went through the hearts and minds of the Lakota people?

I tried to imagine how the stomachs of Rose and those of her tribe were knotted with hunger, how cold they were as the icy wind swept over the land, how frightened they must have been as they were surrounded by soldiers with, Lord knows, what kind of nefarious intentions.

And I cried. I more than cried. I wept. I shed what felt like a gallon of tears for the injustice perpetrated against this tribe, for native people everywhere.

The military was confiscating the Lakota weapons, when gunfire ensued. Hundreds of women and children fell, wounded, dying, or dead. It’s been said they were simply caught in the crossfire.

And yet the body of a woman, who was shot in the back, was found by Dr. Eastman more than a mile from the site. Likely chased down and shot by 7^th Cavalry. Eight or nine young schoolboys, who were returning to boarding school, were playing on a slope, nearby. They were no older than ten. They were all were shot dead. An estimated 300 Lakota men, women and children were killed; compared to 31 Army soldiers, many who died from friendly fire.

After the massacre the bodies of the dead were buried in a mass grave at the top of a small hill. I added a scene where Rose and her brother visit the site to pay their respects. It wasn’t easy for her to return to the scene of such trauma, but in her mind, it was necessary.

The long rectangle shaped grave is now outlined with concrete and is surrounded by resting places of many other members of the Lakota tribe. A monument has been placed there, engraved with the names of many of the victims.

There are signs on the Pine Ridge Reservation offering directions to those who want to visit the site. If you’re ever passing through, I recommend a stop there. I know I will be forever changed by the time I spent traversing this hallowed ground.

My Impressions

“A stab of betrayal pierced her. The Lakota culture had been torn from her, and those in authority hadn’t given her a choice. Peter had had the option to retain his culture, like their younger brother had, but he had willingly chosen the white man’s ways. If the Lakota people weren’t careful, many of their traditions, oral histories, and stories would be lost forever. And her brother didn’t seem to care.”

After finishing Debby Lee’s The Caregiver at Wounded Knee, I have to say my feelings are in a jumble. There is no happily-ever-after in this story. Given the magnitude of the loss to the Lakota tribe and their culture, there cannot be. But slowly, there emerges a glimmer of Hope, that can only shine if people choose to let the Light in.

In 1890, after years away in the East, nurse Rose Rushing Water returns to the Lakota reservation in South Dakota, eager to help her people. She is also eager to reunite with her two brothers, Peter and Kaneenawup. Perhaps just as much, Rose wishes to re-enter into the customs and language of her people that were lost to her while in Boston.

What Rose finds on the reservation is fear, resentment, and hostility. The Lakota are distrustful of the whites who have taken over their land, brought new diseases, and have not shown concern or care for their welfare. The whites are afraid of the Indian dances, particularly the Ghost dance, and have put severe restrictions on the Native Americans to keep them subjugated and assimilated. In between are the Tribal police, Lakota men who are tasked as mediators between the government officials and the tribal people. Peter, Rose’s oldest brother and his best friend, Nathaniel are part of this small group.

As tensions ratchet, Rose tends to the sick of the reservation along with Dr. Eastman. She also begins secretly meeting with Nathaniel to re-learn the Lakota language, though being caught speaking it could land a person in jail. As Rose and her two brothers walk a tightrope in their relationships with each other because of their views on assimilation, a terrible tragedy for the Lakota stirs up rumors of an uprising. The government uses that as an excuse to come in to the camp at Wounded Knee, and a terrible massacre of mostly women and children takes place.

Rose has many questions for God. She is attracted to Nathaniel, but he believes God is in control. Rose wants nothing to do with the God that has been forced on her by people who have misused her and her people. Rose asks the age-old question, “How can a loving God allow… I loved how Nathaniel is able to empathize with Rose’s feelings, but separate angry feelings from bitterness and the need for revenge. Finally, Nathaniel lands on a word picture that helps Rose understand. He compares wood and religion. “We don’t blame the creator of the wood that’s used for evil. We blame the person using the wood for evil purposes.” He continues, “In a time when the world seems to be going crazy and there’s so much fighting between people, we can’t allow the evil actions of a few to keep us from enjoying the good things God has to offer us.” We can all mull that one over.

A heavy read, to be sure, but one that may give most readers a better understanding of the Wounded Knee massacre and the surrounding events.

I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit via NetGalley. I also purchased my own ebook. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“Did his God really snuggle close to those who knew Him, and offer them companionship in the midst of trouble?” (Rose)

“It seemed that everything about her people was being yanked from them and vanishing in the air like the vapor her breath left behind on this bitterly cold winter day.” (Rose)

“We can’t let our righteous anger fester into rage, bitterness, and a thirst for vengeance, no matter how much it hurts.”– Nathaniel

“She pushed her secrets deeper into the recesses of her mind, fearing they would someday fester.” (Rose)