Becky’s Book Reviews with a Bent to Christian Historical Fiction, Biblical Fiction, and Cozies!
Author: Babbling Becky L
I am a first and foremost a follower of Jesus Christ. Having formerly taught elementary school, I am now a retired special education para-pro. I miss our amazing students! I am married with three great young adult children, one married in South Carolina. My husband and I are empty-nesters but share our home with a huge tiger cat and a playful Shih-Tzu, plus often the granddog. More time for my fave past-time now-reading!😊
( Not in order of reading. Some books were obtained from authors and publishers, some ftom JustReads, some Celebrate Lit. In all cases I also bought my own copy to support the authors.
1.The Weary World Rejoices- Naomi Craig – seasonal Biblical fiction novella. A jealous king, the sage wisemen from the East, and a Scribe who copies the Truth, but is blind to what he reads and writes. I cried!!
2. When the Mountains Wept by Kendy Pearson- the Civil War tests loyalties, relationships, and especially affects a nurse and her fiancé- whose injury leaves him with amnesia, unable to remember anything about her.
3. Pretending to be the Mountain Man’s Wife by Misty M. Beller. Another Coulter brother finds a wife. But, oh, the troubles he encounters as he discovers her identity and searches for his missing brother as well. I loved the danger and caring in this one.
4. All the Days of My Life by Debbie Viguié- we are closing in on the beginning of the end of the series. Remember the Green Acres tv show ditty? “Green Acres is the place to be…” Well, not only was it the worst possible place to be, many books ago, but some bright person on the Good Shepherd staff decides it would be a good thing to revisit the campsite, taking all the church staff there for a retreat. Things can only go downhill from here!!
5. A Healing Touch by Suzanne Woods Fusher- a return to beloved Stoney Ridge, this time with an emphasis on the life of Doc Stoltzfus – the Bishop’s sister. Both the Plain and Englischer communities interact with saving grace for each other. You’ll love the characters, some old friends, some new. You might guffaw a time or two!
6. Maybe Now, Maybe Never by Chris Posti/ three old high school friends reunite after a small-town reunion. As they do life together, their hurts, joys, problems, and needs are exposed, along with romance later in life.
7. ‘Tis the Time, ‘Tis the Season by Chris Posti-the three friends are back in their high school town again, but their choices, attitudes, and ambitions threaten to destroy their friendship. Can they save their friendship and help each other, or is it time to cut their losses and look out for number #1?
8. A Calculated Betrothal by Denise Weimer- the latest episode of the Scouts of the Georgia Frontier, we see what happens to the spoiled twin from the former book who unexpectedly sacrifices her future for her sister. A lot of swamps, a lot of military maneuvers, is this any place for a genteel Southern Belle?
9. What I Left for You by Liz Tolsma- this is a beautifully told, well-plotted, researched, and executed dual timeline concerning a minority non-Jewish group in WWII Poland. Also about the present day burnt-out social worker who travels to Poland looking for a relative. Do not read without Kleenex handy!
10. Investigation of a Journalist by Danielle Grandinetti- we are finally full- circle in this Harbored in Crows Nest series, having started with Adaleigh and David’s story. Now it is time for their wedding. But Buck, forever a thorn in David’s side, just may overshadow the wedding and preparations as he searches, with his former fiancé, for the truth that will set him free.
11. To Choose the Longshot by Lisa Prysock- travel back to the beautiful land of Kentucky bluegrass, powerful racehorses, and horse owner mansions in then Gilded Age. A runaway bride flees her rich, powerful groom once. Will she give in to social and family pressure and choose him a second time, or will she ask God for clear guidance to see the hearts of the two men courting her?
Most of these I have written longer reviews for this last month. A full review for What I Left for You is coming.
Book: ’Tis the Time, ‘Tis the Season (Next Act Series: Book Three)
Author: Chris Posti
Genre: Women’s Fiction with Elements of Faith & Later-in-Life Romance
Release date: October, 2024
Welcome to tiny Port Mariette, Pennsylvania, where three women in their late fifties reunite at Christmastime, facing tangled relationships with one another and the men in their lives.
Marla rushes from Manhattan to her daughter’s side in a quiet Port Mariette hospital, determined to strengthen their relationship by backing her daughter’s dream project, no matter the cost. She wins support from the town’s general contractor, but fierce local opposition arises, spearheaded by her longtime friend Rachel.
Meanwhile, newlywed Suzanne, scarred by fears and heartbreaks, returns to Port Mariette from California, where the earth subsiding beneath her home threatens both her retirement savings and her marriage. Seeking refuge in the familiar embrace of friends, Suzanne finds herself boxed into a financial corner while navigating the delicate dynamics of friendship and rivalry.
Amidst the holiday cheer and twinkling lights, Rachel stands as a pillar of the community, deeply rooted in the small town she’s never left. Yet her steadfastness falters as she grapples with her own insecurities and desires. Unwittingly, she stirs a pot of conflict that strains her relationships with everyone who matters to her.
In this small town tale of love, friendship, faith, and forgiveness, these women will discover growth can emerge from the ashes of the past and that change is possible at any age.
Chris Postiwrites award-winning fiction about real-life women experiencing the joys and challenges of friendships, families, careers, and later-in-life romances. Before pivoting to novels, she was a self-employed career & executive coach, newspaper columnist, and nonfiction author.
More from Chris
I wrote “’Tis the Time, ‘Tis the Season” (third book in the “Next Act” series) for women in the second half of their lives – age 50 to 100 – who want characters they can relate to, women who are facing challenges and overcoming them – along with a mix of faith, fun, and later-in-life romance.
When the Lord gave me the idea for the first book in this series, I had no idea it would morph into a trilogy. That’s the way it is with our Lord. He lights our path, we keep walking. Now, He has directed me to write a pilot for a TV series, and that’s what I’m working on right now. I pray one day you will see these characters come to life on your television screen. If you have a moment, would you offer up a prayer right now for that to happen? Thank you so much.
My Impressions
“Give up your life to gain everything that’s important. God will guide you all the way, if you just give up control.”
While these words are spoken to only one of the three *mature* friends in Chris Posti’s novel, ‘Tis the Time, ‘Tis the Season, they could have been spoken to any of them. Marla seeks to gain her biological daughter’s love by using her great wealth and business acumen. Suzanne and her new husband are having financial difficulties that are causing Suzanne to worry, fret, and scheme. And Rachel? As the new president of Port Mariette’s Business Association, she is busy schmoozing with the local business owners and townspeople, becoming quite self- important in her own eyes. How will the women’s life bumps affect their friendship and their separate romances?
Mitch gets my vote for fave secondary character. He is so patient and wise. He is quiet, yet strong, able to put life to Marla’s construction needs. He gently probes with his questions, but is not accusatory. He seems a very comfortable person to be around, one with whom you can be yourself without being judged.
I especially enjoyed this story because I read it within a month of reading its predecessor, Maybe Now, Maybe Never. Maybe this series should be binge-read, but it certainly would avoid spoilers if read in order!
I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. I also bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“dishonesty is like weaving a spider web. Eventually, you get caught in your own lies.”– Penny
“Words come from the heart,” -Mitch
“God has a way of taking care of everything. Even our mistakes.”-Grace
My Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Magnificent! I loved seeing the friends’ initial reactions to negative life events and was anxious to see if they would grow or implode on their life journey.
Book: Pretending to be the Mountain Man’s Wife (Brothers of Sapphire Ranch Book 6)
Author: Misty M. Beller
Genre:Christian Historical Romance
Release date: November 19, 2024
In the wild mountains of the Montana Territory, the Coulter ranch is a place of family, second chances…and a hidden fortune.
Determined to find his missing brother and catch the elusive mastermind behind the theft of his family’s precious sapphires, Gil Coulter embarks on a solo mission to the remote town where the criminal is rumored to reside. As Gil scours the surrounding wilderness for the thief’s hidden lair, he crosses paths with a captivating young woman who harbors secrets of her own.
Jess McPharland has spent her life hidden in the mountains, doing her best to stay separate from her family’s business. Yet the secret she’s just discovered will change her life forever. She offers a silent prayer, pleading for a man to help her conceal the truth she’s only just discovered. As if in answer, Gil Coulter rides through the trees, seeking the very criminal Jess calls Father. Now she must find a way to ask this stranger for the ultimate favor—to pose as her husband and shield her from the consequences of a change she won’t be able to hide much longer.
As Gil and Jess navigate the treacherous landscape and the greater danger from her father and his cronies, they find themselves caught in a web of danger, deception, and unexpected attraction. With each passing moment, the stakes grow higher, and the line between pretense and truth blurs. Will the love growing between them be enough to protect Jess’s secret and lead them to the justice Gil seeks, or will the truth shatter everything they’ve risked their lives to build?
From a USA Today bestselling author comes a mountain saga filled with high-stakes adventure, a pretend marriage, a secret baby, and love that heals wounded hearts.
Misty M. Belleris a 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
In Pretending to be the Mountain Man’s Wife, the heroine and her father live in a cave which is part of an intricate catacomb hidden inside Montana mountain.
I LOVED researching cave systems, especially those in Montana, and I was amazed at how many extensive tunnels and caverns have been discovered!
One of the most well-known is Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park, located between Butte and Bozeman. This spectacular limestone cave system features a series of caverns adorned with incredible rock formations. These days, visitors can take guided tours to marvel at the intricate stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and helictites that have formed over thousands of years. The cave is also home to several species of bats.
Another notable cave system is the Bighorn Caverns, situated in the Pryor Mountains south of Billings. This complex network of caves extends for over 14 miles, making it one of the most significant cave systems in the state. Experienced cavers can explore winding passages, underground streams, and vast chambers with unique mineral formations.
The Bighorn Caverns are very similar to how I imagine the cave system was that Jess lived in. As amazing as the tunnels are to explore, I’m not sure I’d want to live in such darkness. What about you?
I pray you enjoy Gil and Jess’s story in Pretending to be the Mountain Man’s Wife! J
Blessings!
Misty
My Impressions
“She would always be Mick McPharland’s daughter, and he’d never let her escape his control.”
Misty M. Beller has done it again! She has developed another fresh but related Coulter brother story to add another facet to the diamond that is Brothers of Sapphire Ranch series. Pretending to be the Mountain Man’s Wife is #6 in this series, and it tells the narrative of Gil Coulter and Jess McFarland in 1870s Montana Territory. ( Do yourself a huge favor and read this series in order to avoid spoilers!)
Gil happens upon Jess on a mountainside, where she promises to help him find his missing brother, Sampson. Her price is that he help her escape her father’s control. To explain Coulter’s presence to her conniving, mean-spirited father and henchman, Gil and Jess pretend to be married. As Jess focuses on escaping, Gil insists on exploring and searching for his brother, plus the Coulter family’s jewels that were stolen recently.
This is a story about love and loyalty that give unselfishly and even when it hurts. It’s about a daughter who understands how wicked her father is, yet because of her need for security and affection, craves her father’s approval, knowing it will never come. Beller shows us how an earthly father without love for his child makes it difficult for that child to understand God as a good father. “It seemed impossible to think of Someone Who loved her, Who planned good things for her—hope and a future—and also think of Him as a Father.” She also shows God’s acceptance, forgiveness, and love for people who turn from their wrong ways to follow Him.
All these truths are wrapped up in a beautiful, romantic, and achingly sad story. There is plenty of action and suspense to keep the reader turning those pages to find out what happens next.
I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. I also bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“God forgave you the very first time you asked. He doesn’t hold your past against you.”
“God was with them. He would make a way, even when there seemed no options.”
“Father was as different from Gil as the darkness of the cave from noontime sunshine.”
“I was a possession to him, someone he could use for his advantage.”
My Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Magnificent! Another thrilling installment of the Coulter brothers’ stories, with the clear promise of more adventures to come!
Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Investigation of a Journalist by Danielle Grandinetti, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Title: Investigation of a Journalist Series: Harbored in Crow’s Nest #6 Author: Danielle Grandinetti Publisher: Hearth Spot Press Release Date: November 19, 2024 Genre: Christian Historical Romance/Suspense
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.
Danielle Grandinetti is an award-winning inspirational romance author fueled by tea and books. As a FHLCW Reader’s Choice and Selah Award Finalist, she mixes romance, suspense, and history to bring her stories to life. Originally from the Chicagoland area, she now lives along Lake Michigan’s Wisconsin shoreline with her husband and their two young sons.
Connect with Danielle at daniellegrandinetti.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.
My Impressions
“The grotesque Halloween masks decorating the wall seemed to mock him. He’d been wearing a mask for so long, he didn’t know how to take it off.”
Finally! Buck and Caroline’s story is here in book 6 of Harbored in Crows Nest, Investigation of a Journalist. Ever since book one (so yes, it really helps to read these books in order ) Buck has been a stumbling block to the upright citizens of Crows Nest. David Martins, one of the first characters we learn to love, considers Buck a thorn in the flesh at best, an enemy of those who want to make an honest living.
As we finally meet Caroline (Carrie), the Chicago journalist who Buck dropped like a hotcake a month before their wedding, some blanks in Buck’s past begin to be filled in. (There will be some blanks in your understanding, too, if you skip this prologue!) What happened to the wonderful man Carrie thought Buck was, before he broke their engagement and disappeared to Crows Nest?
On procuring info of a counterfeiting ring and being asked for help by Buck himself, Carrie goes undercover in Crows Nest. What she and Buck uncover will either incriminate Buck and send him to prison or prove him innocent and uninvolved with the irregularities occurring in the Conglomerate.
This is a fast-paced, historical romantic suspense-mystery with faith nuggets and wisdom seamlessly woven in. There may be a few swoon-worthy moments as well. “You can count on me to fight for you. Forever.” [ Buck] *Le Sigh*
Will Carrie and Buck glean enough information to prove Buck innocent? Can they do so without sacrificing one or both of their lives? Get your copy of Investigation of a Journalist today!
I received a copy of the book from the author and publisher. I also bought both an ebook and a paperback for the keeper shelf. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“…tonight she’d gain entrance into the world that had destroyed her marriage before it had the chance to begin.”
“Fighting for truth, for justice, for good to prevail always has a cost.” Her words were quiet. “How can we expect not to pay a price when we follow a God willing to send His Son to vanquish evil with His life?”
“You must trust me. You must trust that God will protect me. And if He does not, if I do not make it, then He will be there to catch you.”
“Hope was as fragile as a leaf. One day green and bright, the next it died, fell, and curled to a brittle paper to be crunched under a shoe.”
“Yeah, she had a heart condition, too. Broken, shattered, and still in love with the man who’d devastated it.”
My Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Magnificent! Grandinetti remains one of my fave historical romantic suspense authors! An auto-buy!
Tour Giveaway
(3) winners will each win a paperback copy of Confessions to a Stranger, a Crow’s Nest tote bag, and a Crow’s Nest Journal!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 19, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 26, 2024. 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.
In a world where wealth and status reign, can true love prevail?
Miss Delia Lyndon, a young woman born into the prestigious Spencer-Lyndon family, is initially enamored with Thaddeus, the son of a prominent local stable owner, when he begins vying for her hand in marriage. She is keenly aware of how a union between the two families would seal their status as one of the most beloved couples from Lexington. However, when Jake, a handsome and charming newcomer, arrives on the scene, he catches her attention, casting doubts and fears in Delia’s heart. Torn between two suitors, Delia must navigate societal expectations, family pressure, and her own desires. Will she choose the man who seemingly has it all – wealth, charm, and a shared background in Kentucky’s elite circles – or will she follow her heart to the humble yet captivating Jake?
Jake Williams is determined to prove his worth in the competitive world of horse racing. Despite his humble beginnings as a farmer, he refuses to be intimidated by his rival’s malicious attempts to sabotage his chances, both on the racetrack and in winning Delia’s affections. With his trusted steed, Horizon, by his side, Jake faces each challenge head-on, guided by his unwavering faith.
When mysterious events begin occurring leading up to the annual Phoenix Stakes horse race, Delia must look beyond appearances and uncover the truth that lies beneath.
Lisa M. Prysock is a USA TodayBestselling Author who writes both Christian Historical Romance and Contemporary Christian Romance books—”Romance with a Dash of Food, Fashion, Faith, & Fun.” She writes both traditionally and indie published novels.
Kentucky inspires her writing and is home. Happily married to her husband of more than 24 years, she homeschooled two of their five children, now grown. When she isn’t writing, she likes to cross stitch, crochet, sew, scrapbook, read, swim, dance, take walks, travel, explore historical homes, garden, cook for her family, learn to play the piano and violin, and read great books.
More from Lisa
Hello Celebrate Lit Friends and Readers! I’m back to share a looksie at Book 2 from Kentucky Debutantes of the Gilded Age. I’ve really enjoyed my deep dive into all things Kentucky Derby and the world of horseracing in To Choose the Longshot.
Most of us have heard of Churchill Downs and Lexington’s Keeneland. But before Keeneland was the Lexington Association Racetrack. The annual spring race generally opened each year on that course with a featured race known as the Phoenix Stakes. It dates as far back in history as 1831! You can take a peek at the fascinating horse names of all the winners from 1831 to 2012, here. Of course, I’ve fictionalized names of winners and many events around the races in my series, but it’s fun to peek at real-life history when crafting our stories.
Leading up to and through the Gilded Age, the time period and setting of this series, the Phoenix race was generally sponsored by the Phoenix Hotel in Lexington. And more than Kentucky horseracing history, in Book 2, readers will get to come along for a glimpse at another course located in Baltimore, Maryland when the story takes our main characters to Pimlico. They referred to this track as the Old Hilltop in the early days of American horseracing history.
And atop Pimlico sits the famed weathervane. Did you know that painting the Preakness Stakes weathervane is a grand Pimlico tradition dating to 1909? The vane style is unique, commissioned by the Maryland Jockey Club, bearing the shape of a thoroughbred and jockey ever since the original arrow-shaped one was struck down by lightning. The new vane was christened by the colors of the silks carried by that year’s winner, Effendi.
I had a great deal of fun writing To Choose the Longshot starting with the very first page. The novel opens with a runaway bride! It’s always a wonder what makes a bride runaway, and my imagination went to work at once creating the situation that causes this bride so much consternation.
Readers get to learn more about Veronica’s sister in Book 2, Miss Delaney Lyndon. Everyone calls the shy and demure middle sister, Delia. And all of Lexington expects one of the Lyndon sisters to marry into the Sullivan family, since these two families are “Kentucky horseracing royalty.” But who will Delia choose to marry? Will she marry her handsome, wealthy, and daring beau, Thaddeus Sullivan, or will a rugged newcomer and underdog in their midst from the Adirondacks, Jake Williams, turn her head?
I cannot fail to mention that the beloved character of Aunt Mae from Book 1 makes an appearance in Book 2. She certainly has her hands full attempting to help Delia reach a decision about who she should marry, knowing it will impact the future of Velvet Brooks Farm for generations to come. But if anyone can help steer Delia to a decision, it’s Aunt Mae. As our heroine grapples with perceptions and tries to balance expectations with what’s in her heart, find out what happens next with a deeper look at the world of horseracing, sure to give horse enthusiasts plenty to cheer about.
Happy reading!
Blessings!
Lisa
My Impressions
“Two different futures stared at her, and with both in reach, what did the Lord want her to do?”
This was my first time reading a book by Lisa Prysock. I enjoyed reading To Choose the Longshot. A double-entendre title, this historical fiction deals with Kentucky horse racing in the Gilded Age. It also plumbs the heart of one Lexington horse farm heiress who cannot decide which beau she should choose.
As the reader, there is probably little doubt which beau Delia should choose. But childhood friendship, neighbors, peer and social pressure, combine with human desires to muddle thinking.
I really appreciated Aunt Mae’s thoughtful, guiding questions for Delia as she considers the two men who are pursuing her. What a great idea to spend much time, just waiting on the Lord, being peaceful and quiet, seeking His direction foremost. How often are we willing to devote large chunks of time to that, though we long for answers we think we desperately need?
I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. I also bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“Sit up straight and be somebody.”
“Perceptions aren’t always a reflection of the truth.”
“One thing I do know—the truth has a way of coming out.”
“When they finally wed, all of her problems would vanish.”- [Delia’s belief]
My Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Great! A story about searching for God’s Will in the choice of a mate—set against the backdrop of Kentucky horse racing in the Gilded Age.
A Patriot scout, a Loyalist widow, and a desperate fight to save what matters most.
The death of her titled husband means that not only is Tabitha Gage no longer a lady—but she’s also abandoned on an isolated Southern Georgia plantation on the eve of revolution. With the fine house and fields sold to a neighbor, she’s left with a log cabin on unsettled timber land. Rather than marry the neighbor’s son, Tabitha determines to make her own way—and never again be shackled to a man she doesn’t love.
Sergeant Edmond Lassiter is one assignment away from promotion when he comes to the aid of a red-haired beauty fending off cattle rustlers. Thrown together during an attack at a nearby fort, the Patriot scout and Loyalist widow are surprised by the values they share—including honesty, loyalty, and equality. When Edmond learns the same man who ruined his family is after what little Tabitha has left, he convinces her they should work together to make her land profitable—all while fighting off the British from East Florida and her greedy neighbor, who sabotages their every effort to succeed. Their work together will be a business arrangement…nothing more. But as a British invasion threatens, the truth soon becomes clear—continuing the connection between them will risk far more than their hearts.
North Georgia native Denise Weimer has authored around twenty traditionally published novels and novellas–historical and contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and time slip. As a freelance editor and Acquisitions & Editorial Liaison for Wild Heart Books, she’s helped other authors reach their publishing dreams. The mother of two wonderful young adult daughters, Denise always pauses for coffee, chocolate, and old houses.
More from Denise
There were only going to be four books in my Scouts of the Georgia Frontier Series. But have you ever had a character take over a story? That’s what happened for books four and five.
Temperance Scott, the shy but principled heroine of A Conflicted Betrothal who started her own Daughter of Liberty group during Savannah’s 1765 Stamp Act Protests, had a feisty twin sister named Tabitha. Tabitha kept marching all over the page in her bright silk gowns, making Temperance feel pale by comparison, jockeying to maintain her position as Daddy’s favorite, and plotting to steal Temperance’s beau. When that failed, she stole the end of the novel instead, saving her sister from authorities tracking down the spy who wrote the Townsman Letters that accused prominent Loyalists of supporting the Stamp Act. Then she wed her father’s choice for her, the much older Henry Gage, Lord Riley, and sailed away on his sloop to avoid punishment. As the book closed, Temperance got to marry her Royal Ranger-turned-Patriot, Ansel Adams, while Tabitha was left to an unknown fate in swampy South Georgia. I kept wondering whatever became of the Savannah belle down there with the snakes and gators.
When I learned that Fort Barrington on the Altamaha River changed hands several times during the American Revolution, becoming Fort Howe while under Patriot control, I had to write book five, A Calculated Betrothal. Fast forward ten years, and Tabitha is newly a widow. The intervening years have not been kind, as her husband marginalized her when it became clear she would not provide him with the heir he desired. Their finances have dwindled as he continually sent money to his wastrel brother-in-law in England. Upon his death, she discovers the fine rice plantation has been sold to their greedy neighbors, Loyalist father and son Hugh and Julian Jackson. Julian has an alternate plan in mind, but Tabitha has no intention of yoking herself to another man she doesn’t love—particularly a cruel slave owner and womanizer. She takes her maid-slash-best-friend Dulcie and flees to the cabin Dulcie’s husband occupies on the south side of the river. This land, at least, is still hers…even though it offers only undeveloped timberland and swampland, free range for the Spanish cattle Dulcie’s husband herds.
But there’s an enemy more dangerous than the snakes and gators, and maybe even than the Jacksons…the British-allied East Florida Rangers that raid into South Georgia—burning, stealing, and rustling cattle. A confrontation with their vengeful colonel puts Tabitha at the top of their list. With enemies all around, how will Tabitha establish her independence? Enter Fort Howe’s Sergeant Edmond Lassiter, a man determined to settle his own score with the Jacksons. He offers the help Tabitha needs, but with their hidden wounds and differing backgrounds, can they learn to trust each other enough to defeat their common enemies?
My Impressions
“What made no sense was that proximity to a certain dainty widow affrighted him more than the tangled bog and all its wild creatures—possibly including the human variety.”
Scouts of the Georgia Frontier by Denise Weimer is a series I’ve been reading as it releases. Now we are up to book 5, A Calculated Betrothal. We get to discover what happened to the selfish twin, Tabitha Scott, who uncharacteristically sacrificed herself to save her Patriot-leaning sister. Not only does Tabitha give up the man she was chasing to her sister, and take the blame for Temperance’s “crime” in court, but she also marries her father’s much-older choice for her. A Calculated Betrothal starts with the death of Tabitha’s rich, demeaning, heirless husband. Finally, Tabitha is free! If only!
Tabitha soon finds herself stripped of all wealth by greedy neighbors. The father will wipe out her debt if she marries his son, a known rake. Tabitha is relegated to a small cabin on the back acreage, which also houses her free married servants.
It is a joy to see Tabitha journey from rich, conniving, and spoiled, to becoming a hard worker who values her servants as friends instead of chattel. She does, however, have a harder journey learning to trust God and learning to trust Sgt. Edmond Lassiter, whom she meets in a most unusual way. The two have many dealings together, as Lassiter is billeted at the nearby Fort. An area patriots previously considered unimportant sees much military action, which teaches the reader a lot of history and gives much suspense to the story. Between the British, the greedy, rakish neighbor, and the hard land, life holds plenty of hardship. Edmond offers to help Tabitha many times, but just as many, she turns him down, afraid of being controlled by a self-serving, cruel man again. If only Edmond would explain his history to Tabitha-but once she knows it, what will she make of his motives?
I loved that the people least likely to be listened to, in this story, possess and are willing to share the greatest Truth. And they do so, time and time again. Gently. With love. Without judgment of how others treated them. Convicting!
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. I also bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“Thank God for His grace and that He always gives us a second chance.”
“She had learned her lessons about trust. Any man she allowed close to her from here on out would have to prove himself worthy of it.”
“When a man run that fast from the readin’ of the Good Book? I can only think maybe he be holdin’ some anger against the author.”
“Talking about the past does not fix it. Taking action does.”
My Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Magnificent! Fun Way to Learn about History, Forgiveness, & Trust
Welcome to the Blog Tour for When the Mountains Wept by Kendy Pearson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Title: When the Mountains Wept Series: West Virginia: Born of Rebellion’s Storm #1 Author: Kendy Pearson Publisher: Pear Blossom Books Release Date: April 8, 2024 Genre: Christian Historical Fiction
CAPTIVATING CIVIL WAR FICTION INSPIRED BY HISTORICAL EVENTS
Amid talk of war, Augusta Dabney tends her younger siblings and dying father. But when hatred sparks tragedy, peace is but a shattered memory. Heartbroken and desperate, Augusta searches for a way to protect all she holds dear.
Defying family and friends, Dr. James Hill declines a prestigious commission in the Confederate Army to join the Union cause as a Regimental Surgeon. When the Dabney farm becomes a crossroads of colliding forces, Major Hill commandeers their barn for a hospital.
He is running from his legacy, seeking penance for his past.
She is desperate to preserve hers, at any cost.
As a wise, former slave nurtures James’s battered faith, cynicism crumbles, and James discovers grace and belonging with Augusta and her family unlike any he’s ever known, even as he must face the horrors of war and the evil it breeds.
But when James comes face to face with his past, secrets unravel until deception ends in disaster, leaving Augusta with only one option.
Kendy Pearson is a veteran high school teacher and an accomplished musician. She is also a worship leader, Bluegrass fiddler, and Civil War reenactment enthusiast. When she discovers a pocket of American history omitted from the schoolbooks, she enjoys digging in and turning that pocket inside out. Her novels lead fictitious characters through real historical events and settings; engaging with period personalities—and she always includes a romantic thread to warm the heart. Every story is a journey through tragedy, secrets, regrets, and God’s undeniable grace. Kendy is an eight-time award-winning author and enjoys public speaking and teaching writing workshops. She also relishes ice cream, snowy days, fireplaces, and maple trees. Kendy is the mother of four grown children and lives with her sweet hubby and two amusing miniature dachshunds.
Connect with Kendy by visiting kendypearson.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.
My Impressions
“Bondage comes in many forms, Doctor. Anger, bitterness, unforgiveness—they’s all shackles—and Massa Jesus, He has the keys. It’s Him who sets a man truly free.”
What is freedom? Kendy Pearson’s Civil War novel, When the Mountains Wept, shows a Virginia family, a wealthy doctor, and the country, all striving for freedom. The South battles the North; the Dabneys try to stir clear of the conflict, declaring, “This isn’t our war,” until finally, they are thrust in the middle of it. Augusta is trying to keep her family’s farm free from the bank, and Dr. James Hill is trying to escape the memories of his past.
I loved the relationships we see in this novel. Gus cares so much for her family and for her dying father. The love between family members is vibrant and alive. I love the faith and calmness that old Izzy brings to the family, as well. He is my choice for a fave secondary character with his intentional words, patience, and compassion for all.
Pearson exhibits a great deal of Civil War knowledge and teaches it through the Union army movements as relates to Dr. Hill’s commission. She also shows the sad division of our nation, even as friends and families splintered. This book is not for the squeamish!
I am glad to see there will be more books, as some family members need more of their story told.
I received a copy of the book from JustRead. I also bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“We don’t choose our family, James. God does.”
“Wasn’t her own happiness a small price to pay for her family’s future?”
“We need Yo help, Lord—to forgive. We know if’n we don’t forgive them that sins against us, there’s no forgiveness for us. Help us to forgive, lest that unforgiveness grab hold of our lives and pull us down so low we can’t never get up.”
“He, too, believed Virginia was sovereign. But along with that, independence rode an ugly black horse called slavery.”
My Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Magnificent! A new-to-me author I’ll be following!
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will receive signed copies of When the Mountains Wept and When Heaven Thunders, a character named after you in book 3, In Tempest Winds, and a signed copy of that book once it releases!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 11, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 18, 2024. Winners 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.
Genre: Women’s Fiction with Elements of Faith & Later-in-Life Romance
Release date: October, 2024
At 57, Suzanne is marrying the man of her dreams, confident he won’t disappoint her like every other man from her past, but a phone call during the ceremony makes her wonder if she’s made yet another mistake. Widowed Rachel attends the wedding on what would have been her fortieth anniversary, wearing a wig on her head and emotions on her sleeve, when her neighbor blurts out a proposal for a wedding of their own. Uber-rich Marla captures the attention of everyone in the pews as she sings a surprise solo, yet her efforts to impress have little effect on the one person who matters the most.
While navigating relationships with each other, their grown children, their aging mothers, and most of all, the men in their lives, the women unite to rescue their hometown and their own businesses from a spate of malicious online reviews that are suddenly jeopardizing everyone’s future.
Chris Postiwrites award-winning fiction about real-life women experiencing the joys and challenges of their friendships, families, careers, and later-in-life romances. Before pivoting to novels, she was a self-employed career & executive coach and wrote three nonfiction books. For 20+ years, she also penned a Sunday newspaper column.
More from Chris
In all the contemporary women’s fiction you’ve ever read, can you think of a single novel that features three women over 55 as the main characters?
Hmm.
Still thinking?
Until I wrote my series, I hadn’t come across any, either.
Being over 55 myself, I decided to fill that void by writing about older women who still have a lot of juice left in them—women who stick by their friends, overcome challenges, care for aging parents, grow in their faith, champion their hometown, and have second chances at love.
In other words, Maybe Now, Maybe Never is all about characters I relate to, and if you’re a woman of a certain age, I believe you will too.
This is the second book in the Next Act trilogy. The first, Falling Apart, Falling for You, was released in 2022, and the third, ’Tis the Time, ’Tis the Season was just released in October. It will also be on a blog tour starting November 22.
Come alongside these women. I think you’ll enjoy their journeys.
My Impressions
“God has a plan for your whole life, not just until you reach a certain age. If you’re a willing servant, the Lord still has many adventures in store for you.”
I found Chris Posti’s Maybe Now, Maybe Never to be a very enjoyable read about a group of three single ladies over fifty-five and their friendship with each other as well as their relationships with men and other people. I had never read Posti’s work before, but I look forward to reading more. I enjoyed how each woman was very different, and how they complemented each other and occasionally rubbed each other the wrong way, too.
Port Mariette is a little town all three have returned to, at least temporarily. Rachel, who lives there, has been widowed for a year. She runs a gas station-combo-restaurant with her adult son and dates her neighbor. Life is comfortable, but not exciting until her neighbor wants more and a discovery leaves her devastated.
Suzanne gets married to psychologist Rob, promising “I choose to be yours for the rest of my life.” Little does she foresee how that commitment will be tested in the days ahead, or how she will be involved with her old town’s progress.
New Yorker Marla comes for Suzanne’s wedding, but also to strengthen her bond with her birth daughter. Being a mover and a shaker, can she survive her visit in this slow, little town? Will she have any friends left after she operates like the New York businesswoman that she is, in a town used to slow change and neighborliness?
I loved how each woman grows throughout the book in her faith and in her treatment of others. Only trusting God could get them through some of the very real and relatable life events that happen to them!
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. I also bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“Love people as they are, not as you want them to be.”
“the only behavior we can change is our own…What do you think you could do differently to get a better outcome?”- Rob
“You are not nothing. You were created in God’s image. He loves you as much as he loves me.”
My Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Magnificent! A great contemporary later-in-life women’s fiction!
Ruth “Dok” Stoltzfus is the kind of doctor who still believes in house calls, addressing not just her patients’ physical needs but their emotional ones too. When newly widowed Bee faces a breast cancer diagnosis, Dok connects her with Fern Lapp for support. When her painfully shy assistant Annie finds herself drawn to a new calling, Dok goes to great lengths to help her achieve her dream. And when an abandoned newborn mysteriously appears at her office one frosty morning, Dok’s world takes an unexpected turn as ripples of change touch several lives.
A Healing Touch is a captivating tale of compassion, resilience, and the bonds that form in surprising places. Bestselling and award-winning author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you into a new story that’s like medicine for the weary soul. Join Dok, Annie, and the tight-knit Stoney Ridge community as they navigate the twists of fate, discovering that sometimes the greatest healing comes from the heart.
About the Author
Suzanne Woods Fisher loves stories worth telling about people worth remembering. With over a million copies of her book sold worldwide, this bestselling, award-winning author of more than 30 books is always on the lookout for the unsung hero with an untold story.
“a doctor can treat to the best of her ability, but only God can heal.”
If I hadn’t wanted to read this book before, the tongue-in-cheek descriptions of some of the characters in the cast of characters (at the front of book) would have convinced me!
I couldn’t wait to return to Stoney Creek with Suzanne Woods Fisher for more of her wonderful Amish community there. However, A Healing Touch is as much about Englischers as it is the Amish.
We get to see an intimate look at Dok Stoltzfus, the Bishop’s sister, who left the Amish ways behind. Dok obtained her MD, married an Englischer, but returned to practice among the People she left. Dok is much beloved and trusted in the community, but we begin to see her single-minded dedication to her patients is beginning to take a toll on her marriage. Will Dok find a reason to spend less time in the office and more at home?
Another major character in the novel is Bee, who is a retired Olympic equestrian racer. Now widowed, she wallows in a haze of misery as life takes yet another unexpected turn. Will she allow a frenemy from the past to help with her beloved horses? What is the story between the two former acquaintances? You’ll love Fran, an Amish woman who comes alongside Bee (an Englischer) and teaches her valuable life lessons!
I especially loved seeing shy Annie, a young Amish girl, as she learns to overcome social anxiety. Dok has taken Annie as her secretary, hoping the position will nudge her out of her shyness. What nobody foresees is the interest that Annie develops. Can Annie trust God to work in her life and others’ to take her down the path He has for her?
I received a copy of the book from Revell via NetGalley. I also bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“Bad thoughts can be like weeds. Pull them out quickly before they take over. There’s no point in watering the weeds.”
“Faith infuses grief the way a tea bag steeps in hot water.”
“Extra kneading ends up with the best bread of all—light and airy and delicious. A little like life, I’ve always thought. Difficult times end up making us the best we can be.”
“…a person’s past wasn’t pertinent, only who they were now.”
“If you aren’t training…“you’re untraining.”
My Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Magnificent! Each Stoney Ridge story seems to be even better than the last! Do we really have to leave Stoney Ridge?!!
Welcome to the Blog Tour for I’ll Be Home by Sara Davison, Darlene L. Turner, Helena Smrcek, and Melanie Stevenson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Title: I’ll Be Home Authors: Sara Davison, Darlene L. Turner, Helena Smrcek, & Melanie Stevenson Publisher: Independent (Fab Four Press) Release Date: October 29, 2024 Genre: Contemporary Christmas anthology
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.
Sara Davison is the author of The Night Guardians, The Rose Tattoo, two sparrows for a penny, and In the Shadows series, as well as the standalone, The Watcher. A finalist for more than a dozen national writing awards, including the Christy Award, Davison is a Holt Medallion, Cascade, and two-time Carol Award winner for romantic suspense. She lives in Ontario with her husband, Michael. Like every good Canadian, she loves coffee, hockey, poutine, and apologizing for no particular reason.
Connect with Sara by visiting saradavison.org to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.
Darlene L. Turner is an award-winning and a Publishers Weekly best-selling author and lives with her husband, Jeff in Ontario, Canada. Her love of suspense began when she read her first Nancy Drew book. She’s turned that passion into her writing and believes readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message.
Connect with Darlene by visiting darlenelturner.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.
Helena Smrcek is an award-winning author, screenwriter, public speaker and writing coach. She is known for her thrilling and heartwarming stories. Her career began as a high school freelancer, leading to three decades in publishing. She co-founded Write!Canada and The Word Guild and has graduated from multiple writing programs.
Connect with Helena by visiting helenasmrcek.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.
Melanie Stevenson is an award-winning author and lives in Ontario, Canada, surrounded by her husband and four children. She attended the University of Waterloo and obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts. Melanie’s first book, One More Tomorrow, was shortlisted in the Word Alive Press publishing contest out of over two hundred entries across North America and was published in 2019. In 2020, she won Best Romantic Fiction for One More Tomorrow and Best New Canadian Author at The Word Awards—Canada’s top Christian literary awards. Her mission is to create stories of excellence that impact hearts and lives. Paper, canvas, and dirt are her favorite blank pages.
Connect with Melanie by visiting melaniestevenson.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.
My Impressions
If you want a Christmas contemporary novella anthology to get you in the mood for the Season, choose I’ll be Home by Sara Davison, Darlene L. Turner, Helena Smrcek, and Melanie Stevenson. One book is a cozy (Turner’s), one a split-time (Smrcek’s) dealing with WWII, one a story for those who love Anne of Green Gables (Davison) and one a story for those who are looking for success as the road to fulfillment ( hm, that could describe two of them)! All stories include a train in various capacities.
I have read many books by Darlene L. Turner, but never a cozy. I loved all the plaid references, which you will notice if you’re a Turner fan. A “Christmas ranch experience “ seems like a great way to try to make a ranch profitable- if there’ s no mayhem and murder!
I loved the copious amounts of snow in Turner’s story as well as in Melanie Stevenson’s. Plus the ice made for great situations in Stevenson’s. I struggled through the first-person stream-of-consciousness as the author seems to go to great lengths to prove the narrator’s ADHD and story just spins for awhile. There was another point where I struggled with believability of an event, but I *did* love the hero, his humility, and the whole beautiful feel-good ending!!
Davison’s story that heavily involves Anne of Green Gables had me smiling all the way through!! Any AoGG fan will adore it! But I loved the fact that the heroine has to realize there is a difference between a fictional hero and a real-life hero. They don’t have to match.
Smrcek’s story with a dual timeline ends in such a heart-warming way. I love the many generations involved. I am not a big believer in love at first date, because I personally believe that sets up many singles with unrealistic expectations. However, it occurs to me, that certainly relationships developed quickly during the war, and even in today’s world, love at first sight may truly be the the experience for some! Again, beautiful ending with possibly the best use of the requisite train theme!!
I received a copy of the book from one of the authors, also through JustReads and I bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
My Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Great! A very fun, mixed-genre bag of novellas to get you in that Christmas spirit!
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon card plus a paperback copy of I’ll Be Home!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 29, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 5, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions 