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Reverence in the Wilderness by Andrea Byrd Review and Giveaway

March 10, 2024March 10, 2024 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: Reverence in the Wilderness

Author: Andrea Byrd

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: March 5, 2024

She’s desperate to save the homestead she’s poured her life into…but is a marriage of convenience with him the answer?

Alone in the Kentucky wilderness, Keturah Elliot finds herself bereft of family and facing the looming threat of losing all she has left. After toiling alongside her demeaning father for two years, she cannot bear losing the homestead they built with their own hands. Keturah has no choice but to trust the Lord’s urging—she must marry to protect all she holds dear. But when a candidate presents himself in the form of a wealthy dandy from back East, can she find enough redeeming qualities to accept him?

Haunted by his mother’s death and a lifetime of failure and isolation, Daniel Scott sees little hope of a better situation when he’s sent to a remote Kentucky station. But when he meets a captivating Scottish woman in need of a husband such as he, he’s determined to break the cycle and prove himself once and for all.

Brought together by circumstances beyond their control, can these two opposites overcome their challenges to build the future they both crave?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Andrea Byrd is a Christian wife and mom located in rural Kentucky, who loves to spend time with her family in the great outdoors, one with nature. Often described as having been born outside her time, she has a deep affinity for an old-fashioned, natural lifestyle.

With a degree in Equine Health & Rehabilitation gathering dust and a full-time job tethering her to a desk eight hours a day, Andrea decided it was time to show both herself and her children that it is truly possible to make your dreams come true. Now with over 1,000 contemporary Christian romance novellas sold, Andrea is pursuing her passion of writing faith-filled romance woven with a thread of true history.

More from Andrea

In many ways, Reverence in the Wilderness is deeply personal for me.

To read about Daniel Scott is to receive a glimpse at my own husband. Dark hair and a golden-brown gaze…and my complete opposite in nearly every way. He is also talkative, entertaining, and gentlemanly. He definitely shares Daniel’s fun-loving and caring nature. Just as God blessed Keturah with Daniel, God blessed me with a man who perfectly complements me while keeping life interesting.

And, not to provider spoilers, but the miscarriage was drawn from one of my own experiences. During my most recent pregnancy, I experienced a threatened miscarriage. I just knew without a shadow of a doubt that I had lost my baby, and in that moment, I glimpsed the hopelessness one would face during a miscarriage. Thanks to the prayers of others and the good Lord above, I was blessed with a healthy pregnancy from then on out and now have a beautiful, healthy baby boy. However, there are so many women who must face that grief and loss in full force. And for always, my heart will break for them. As soon as I returned home from the hospital that night, I knew I had to represent their plight within these pages.

This book is dedicated to every woman who has ever experienced a miscarriage or threatened miscarriage.

My Impressions

“Ye need land, an’ I need a husband. But only if ye can pull yer weight.”

Whoo, boy, you know exactly what to expect out of Andrea Byrd’s historical romance, Reverence in the Wilderness, when you read Keturah’s words to Daniel. Well, at least you know two people are hurtling head-long for adventure, compromise, hurt, and possibly love. When Keturah’s mean-spirited father is killed suddenly, she realizes the only way to keep her land is to find a man to marry who can help her homestead it. So off she heads husband-hunting at the nearest trading post.

Daniel has been injured and left behind by his westward traveling party at the post to recuperate. But, Daniel knows it goes beyond that. Failure could be his first and last name, with rejection being his middle name. Can he ever prove his mettle before God and others, or did God make a mistake when He made Daniel, as his father believes?

Keturah believes God has answered her prayer for a husband quite quickly, and decisions are made that must be lived with. I will give credit to both Keturah and Daniel for seeking out advice. Says James Skaggs, the trading post owner,

“Marriage itself is an adventure, one that must be learned along the way…You cannot allow the fear of failure to cause you to turn from something that could be the best choice you ever make.”

Both Daniel and Keturah had fathers who greatly influenced them in a negative way. Although the fathers are not present in the novel, their attitudes towards their children have caused severe scars. In at least Keturah’s case, when things begin to go south, she sees the Heavenly Father through the lens her earthly father provided. “Had she somehow lost favor with her Heavenly Father as she had long ago done so with her earthly father?”

As difficulties multiply and walls build and become insurmountable, will the newly established family crumble in the dust or find its firm footing in faith and forgiveness?

A heart-rending story of two deeply damaged hearts searching for the ultimate love of the Father and the deep, abiding love of a faithful, caring spouse.

Trigger warning: miscarriage

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

Notable Quotable:

( What Characters Need to Learn)

“It is sometimes difficult to remember the truths of reality when you are being fed a lie.”

My Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Magnificent! I want to read more by this author!

Blog Stops

Madi’s Musings, March 5

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 6

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 6

Texas Book-aholic, March 7

Books You Can Feel Good About, March 8

She Lives to Read, March 9

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 10

For Him and My Family, March 10

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, March 11

Lighthouse Academy Blog, March 12 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Betti Mace, March 13

lakesidelivingsite, March 13

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 14

Cover Lover Book Review, March 15

Jeanette’s Thoughts, March 15

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, March 16 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, March 16

Holly’s Book Corner, March 17

The Lofty Pages, March 17

Pause for Tales, March 18

Life on Chickadee Lane, March 18

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Andrea is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/2a550/reverence-in-the-wilderness-celebration-tour-giveaway

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

Protecting the Mountain Man’s Treasure by Misty Beller Review and Giveaway

March 8, 2024 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: Protecting the Mountain Man’s Treasure

Author: Misty M. Beller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: February 6, 2024

In the wild mountains of the Montana Territory, the Coulter ranch is a place of family, loyalty…and a hidden fortune.

Jude Coulter is far more comfortable in his family’s sapphire mine tucked in the Montana mountains than the bustling streets of New York City where he’s been sent to deliver a shipment of gems. His relief at boarding the train for the first leg of his journey home is short-lived when an accident renders him unconscious.

Angela Larkin worked hard to earn this assignment for the Treasury—an undercover mission to determine the source of the sapphires brought each year for auction in the city. When an accident causes her target to lose his recent memory, Angela jumps at the opportunity to create the ideal ruse. Jude seems surprised to learn the two of them had married and were returning from a glorious wedding trip, but he doesn’t question too strongly.

Yet when an unexpected threat arises, they find themselves dependent on the other to navigate the treacherous journey home. As the danger mounts, so too does an attraction neither of them anticipated. But can this love withstand the revelation of their tangled beginnings?

From a USA Today bestselling author comes a mountain family saga filled with a pretend marriage, amnesia, undercover agents, and a love worth treasuring far more than riches.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Misty M. Belleris a USA Todaybestselling author of 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 my latest release, the hero and heroine travel up the Missouri River in a steamboat, and I loved the research for that portion of the story!

Traveling on a steamboat in 1869 was an experience like no other, and took about two months to travel from St. Louis, Missouri to Fort Benton in the Montana Territory. Passengers would step aboard these floating palaces to find ornate decorations, plush accommodations, and the promise of new scenery at every bend in the river. Despite the occasional discomforts of travel—such as noisy engines and the ever-present risk of boiler explosions—passengers reveled in the novelty and the relative speed of steamboat travel.

The Missouri was notorious for its shifting channels, snags, and sandbars, which could easily ensnare even the most experienced pilot’s vessel. Navigating this river required an intimate knowledge of its capricious nature, and the river pilots were worth their weight in gold.

River towns along the Missouri thrived thanks to the steamboats. These towns became hotbeds of economic activity, where goods were loaded and unloaded, and stories from faraway places were exchanged. The arrival of a steamboat was an event, often met with fanfare and excitement by the local populace.

I pray you love the peek at steamboat life in Protecting the Mountain Man’s Treasure!

Blessings!

Misty

My Impressions

“You, Lord, are a healer of hearts. The only One mighty enough to redeem us when it seems impossible.”

If you are a fan of clean, historical westerns with dollops of romance and faith, Misty Beller is an excellent author to follow. Ms. Beller has quite a few books out, and since I can’t quite keep up with her prolific output, Protecting the Mountain Man’s Treasure is the first book of this series I’ve read. It’s actually the third in the Brothers of Sapphire Ranch series but could be a stand-alone. I believe it’s probably better read in order of publication, though.

Desperate for a reason to follow Jude Coulter back to his home and source of his sapphire shipments, Angela Larkin, a treasury agent, uses Jude’s amnesia on the train to her advantage. How long can she claim to be his wife before Jude’s memory returns and he finds out her deception? Angela doesn’t like lying, but surely this is a case of doing something for the greater good.

As Angela and Jude travel first on the train and then on the steamboat together, they each find the other very intriguing and appealing. But Jude has made a solemn promise and Angela is out to catch a tax evader and worse.

How does God fit into this story? His hand is actually working throughout, though Angela wants nothing to do with God at first. I love that Jude and God had a lot of conversations about her!

“I’m continually amazed at how God brings things together in ways that only He could manage.”

I enjoyed meeting some of the Coulter brothers and other family friends whose stories are probably told in the first two books. I definitely want to go back and find out Two Stones’s story!

My one reservation about this book is it seems to have been hurriedly written and needs more editing. The number of grammar mistakes, missing words, and misuse of homonyms was quite unusual for a Misty Beller book and lowered the enjoyment.

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

Notable Quotables:

(Made me think.)

“…truth wasn’t only in the words she spoke, but in the meaning the other person understood.”

(Made me laugh.)

“…it sure would be nice if God wouldn’t have given people so much free will.”

(Made me cry.)

“She knew rejection well. It had been her friend every time she stepped foot out the door of their flat when she was a kid. No one looked past the races of her parents to see her. To decide if she was worth knowing.”

My Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Great!

Blog Stops

Alena Mentink, March 1

Wishful Endings, March 1

Lighthouse Academy Blog, March 2 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 2

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 3

Splashes of Joy, March 3

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 4

Where Crisis & Christ Collide, March 4

Madi’s Musings, March 5

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, March 5

Texas Book-aholic, March 6

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 6

Betti Mace, March 7

Books You Can Feel Good About, March 7

Devoted To Hope, March 8

For Him and My Family, March 8

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions , March 9

Jeanette’s Thoughts, March 9

Cover Lover Book Review, March 10

Life on Chickadee Lane, March 10

Blossoms and Blessings, March 11

Mary Hake, March 11

lakesidelivingsite, March 12

Melissa’s Bookshelf, March 12

Holly’s Book Corner, March 13

The Lofty Pages, March 13

Lily’s Corner, March 14

Pause for Tales, March 14

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 nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/2a3d3/protecting-the-mountain-man-s-treasure-celebration-tour-giveaway

ARC, Barbour, BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Favorite, Kindle, NetGalley, Purchase

What I Promise You by Liz Tolsma Review and Giveaway

March 4, 2024March 4, 2024 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: What I Promise You

Author: Liz Tolsma

Genre: Christian Fiction / Romance / Historical Fiction

Release Date: February 1, 2024

A Family’s History Is Lost to the Ravages of WWII in Southwest France

1942
Noémie Treves, a young, pregnant Jewish woman, had her entire world shattered when she is arrested and taken to the Camp de Rivesaltes transit camp in Southwest France. No sooner does she arrive, though, than she assists in helping two young girls scheduled for transport escape to a nearby maternity hospital. The matron there befriends her and changes her name to help hide her. But nothing goes according to plan, and Hannah finds herself doing the unimaginable to save one precious life.

2022
Caitlyn Laurant is haunted by recent events in her life and hopes becoming a nurse on the mission field will help her forget. While in training, she and her friends travel to France where her grandfather was born. What should have been an easy search for his birthplace turns into anything but and reveals secrets that no one alive has ever heard.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Liz Tolsma is the author of several WWII novels, romantic suspense novels, prairie romance novellas, and an Amish romance. She is a popular speaker and an editor and resides next to a Wisconsin farm field with her husband and their youngest daughter. Her son is a US Marine, and her oldest daughter is a college student. Liz enjoys reading, walking, working in her large perennial garden, kayaking, and camping.

More from Liz

The Story behind the Cover of What I Promise You

In the late summer, I got the preliminary cover for What I Promise You. While Barbour Publishing always does a great job with their covers, and the one they sent was very nice, I wasn’t crazy about it because it didn’t tell the story at all. The mansion that plays such a big part in the novel was nowhere to be seen. Barbour is fantastic when it comes to working with me to get great covers, so I asked if we could include the real mansion that the story is based on. Turns out that they were having trouble getting copyright permission to use any image they could find of the maternity home.

That was disappointing. But I got brave and let them know that I took a picture of it when I was in France last year, and they could use it, but I’m not a very good photographer and I only used my iPhone. I attached the photo to the email and didn’t hear anything for a while.

Then in October, I wanted to include a preorder link to the book on social media or something and went to Amazon to grab it. And there was the cover. I went back and forth between the cover and my picture, and sure enough, it was the picture of the maternity home I had sent them! So I not only wrote What I Promise You, but some of my photography is on the front. I never thought that would happen. Am I in the wrong profession?? Just kidding!

My Impressions

“You can’t live your life looking over your shoulder. Keep your eyes focused on what’s in front of you.”

As I sat down to read yet another World War II novel, this one What I Promise You by Liz Tolsma, I had to wonder why. Why are so many novels being written about WWII? How is this one different than others I’ve read?

The first question might be self-explanatory as we as a nation are at a point where we have very few survivors of WWII still alive, and perhaps we are trying to grasp pieces of history before they’re gone forever. Certainly, that’s one promise we want to make our ancestors- that we will never forget the atrocities that went on in Europe, man’s inhumane treatment of his fellow man, especially during that time.

Tolsma’s novel stands out because it deals largely with the treatment and rescue and raids of women and children. To think that a few people, like Nurse Reiter, Eleanor, Aime, and Helene could affect so many! While the characters are fictional, several were loosely based on real, live, brave people.

Another way Tolsma’s novel stands out is the fact that it is not a dual timeline, but a triple timeline! We are with Noemie in 1942 Perpignan, France, in third person POV; with an unidentified narrator in Elne, France, in 1955, written in first person POV; and Barcelona, Spain and southern France with Caitlyn in 2022, written again in third person POV. Tolsma exhibits a great deal of skill to have separated all those story threads beforehand, then to slowly piece and wind them, bit by bit, back together again! I loved how not only is What I Promise You historical and romantic, but now another layer has been added- that of mystery.

The depth of this story! The emotions each time period evokes! My heart is raw! When will Helene stop trying to give more than she can, in order to atone for her perceived past sin? When will Caitlyn decide whether she is following God or her plans from her childhood? Who will God place in these young women’s paths who will be a light in their darkest times?

I personally loved all the French phrases and felt it added an authenticity to the book. A glossary is provided at the front.

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

Notable Quotables:

“To give your offspring the best chance they have at life is the greatest gift you can give them.”

“What is right is not always easy.”

“There’s always the choice to do right or wrong.”

“I can’t live my life in fear of what might be. If I do, I’ll miss out on what is.”

My Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Magnificent! I think this is the first triple time-line I’ve read, plus with a mystery thrown in?! I’m loving these twists on historical fiction!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 27

Life on Chickadee Lane, February 27

Lots of Helpers, February 28

Lighthouse Academy Blog, February 28 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 29

For Him and My Family, February 29

Betti Mace, March 1

Devoted To Hope, March 1

She Lives To Read, March 2

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 2

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 3

Texas Book-aholic, March 3

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 4

Blogging With Carol, March 4

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, March 5

Lily’s Corner, March 5

Bizwings Book Blog, March 5

lakesidelivingsite, March 6

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 6

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, March 7 (Author Interview)

Southern Gal Loves to Read, March 7

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 8

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, March 8

Cover Lover Book Review, March 8

Connie’s History Classroom, March 9

Holly’s Book Corner, March 9

Pause for Tales, March 10

Labor Not in Vain, March 10

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, March 11

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, March 11

Lights in a Dark World, March 11

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Liz is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon e-Gift card and print copy of the book!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/2a3ce/what-i-promise-you-celebration-tour-giveaway

BLOG, Favorite, Kindle, NetGalley, New-to-Me Author, Purchase, Revell

Embers in the London Sky by Sarah Sundin Review

February 29, 2024 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Title: Embers in the London Sky

Author: Sarah Sundin

Publisher: Revell

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction, Romance, Mystery

Released: February 2024

As the German army invades the Netherlands in 1940, Aleida van der Zee Martens escapes to London to wait out the Occupation. Separated from her three-year-old son, Theo, in the process, the young widow desperately searches for her little boy even as she works for an agency responsible for evacuating children to the countryside.

When German bombs set London ablaze, BBC radio correspondent Hugh Collingwood reports on the Blitz, eager to boost morale while walking the fine line between truth and censorship. But the Germans are not the only ones Londoners have to fear as a series of murders flame up amid the ashes.

The deaths hit close to home for Hugh, and Aleida needs his help to locate her missing son. As they work together, they grow closer and closer, both to each other and the answers they seek. But with bombs falling and continued killings, they may be running out of time.

About the Author

arah Sundin enjoys writing about the drama and romance of the World War II era. She is the bestselling and Christy Award-winning author of Embers in the London Sky (February 2024), The Sound of Light (2023), Until Leaves Fall in Paris (2022), When Twilight Breaks (2021), and several World War II series.

Sarah’s novels have received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and Booklist. Until Leaves Fall in Paris received the 2022 Christy Award and was a semi-finalist for the 2023 Carol Award, The Sound of Light, When Twilight Breaks, and The Land Beneath Us were finalists for the Christy Award, and The Sky Above Us won the 2020 Carol Award.

A mother of three, Sundin lives in Southern California and enjoys speaking to community, church, and writers’ groups. Sarah serves as Co-Director for the West Coast Christian Writers Conference.

My Impressions

“On this day, our illustrious government banned the spreading of rumors. Are we to fight censorship in occupied lands by practicing it here?”

Air raid sirens. Criss-crossing search beams looking for enemy warcraft. Bombs screaming through the night air, people crying out in terror and loss. Embers in the sky as fires burn. Sarah Sundin knows few, if any, of her readers were alive during WWII, so she brings the war to us. Against this backdrop she recounts the story of a young Dutch widow, Aleida Maartens, and a famous BBC radio announcer, Hugh Collingwood.

Aleida is in England. She is very forthright, in stark contrast to her British compatriots, and very humble. She volunteers for the government department that oversees Londoners and refugees sending their children to the country to “safety.”

Aleida volunteers to interview refugees in various areas, hoping to locate her lost 3-1/2 year old son.

Hugh is a daring correspondent who is hiding a secret, who sees the future of reporting being live broadcasting and sets up a live broadcast whenever possible. He makes enemies as he criticizes the English government’s censorship of honest news and pushes for being allowed to report live from the front, as others argue for pre-scripted news from a studio. Yes, some war secrets need to be kept, but how much control should the government of a free land exert over its people during war? “But also sobering was the thought of adopting fascism in order to fight it. Surely a better way could be found.”

Will Aleida and High survive the war between countries? The war between social classes and statuses? The fear the threatens to overtake from within, and the resistance from the fellow Allies with differing views? And will Aleida ever be reunited with her darling son, or is their relationship another casualty of the war?

Sarah Sundin is a new-to-me author and one I will def be following from now on!

I received a copy of this book from Revell via Netgalley. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“What we know and what we believe can be two separate matters. We know what we know, but we don’t always know what we believe.”

“List your fears. Name those monsters, so you can fight them.”

My Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Magnificent! My first Sarah Sundin novel, I am now hungry for more of her captivating WWII fiction!

ARC, BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Favorite, Kindle, Launch Team, Love Inspired Suspense, Purchase

Trapped in Yosemite by Dana Mentink Review

February 26, 2024 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Title: Trapped in Yosemite

Author: Dana Mentink

Publisher: Love Inspired Trade

Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense

Released: February 27, 2028

When a massive earthquake levels the region, secrets and unknown dangers are exposed…

The ground in still-icy Yosemite National Park isn’t stable, and K-9 handler Von Sharpe fears the worst. But his worries are pushed aside when he sees an SUV viciously forced off the road…with his ex-fiancée at the wheel. It’s only when Stella Rivers steps out of the vehicle that the very ground under their feet cracks and breaks with the onslaught of a terrifying earthquake.
When her meeting with a mysterious client is ambushed, Stella witnesses the man being gunned down by a sniper and becomes a target herself. With the threat of aftershocks triggering landslides and floods, the new mom has no choice but to run to save her baby girl—even if it means teaming up with the man who has no idea he fathered her child.
Trapped in a dangerously unstable wilderness with a killer closing in, Von and Stella are running out of time to get to safety. And every fissure reveals a new secret that will shake them to their foundation…

Buy here!

https://tinyurl.com/TrappedinYosemite.

About the Author

Dana Mentink is a USA TODAY and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author. She’s written more than forty mystery and suspense novels for Love Inspired Suspense, Harvest House, and Poisoned Pen Press. She is honored to have received two ACFW Carol Awards, a Holt Medallion Award, and a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award. Please visit her on the web at http://www.danamentink.com to sign up for her newsletter, or find her on Twitter, Facebook and Bookbub.

My Impressions

“Stella Rivers scoured the dense shrubbery like she’d been doing for the past hour as if the branches might somehow reach out and snatch her van off the mountain road. Ridiculous, but the isolation raked her nerves.”

Yikes!! Dana Mentink knows how to build tension in the first sentence, and in Trapped in Yosemite, that tension only gets more and more taut until the last sentence!

Stella Rivers is an arborist with something to prove and a nine-month-old daughter to support on her own. She becomes a human target while going to an appointment near Yosemite. As Stella flees, her vehicle is destroyed, and she is rescued by her former fiancé, Von Sharpe. Von is ex-military and grudgingly leads tours in Yosemite at his brother’s wilderness survival camp.

Stella is keeping a huge secret from Von and has put up a wall around her heart. She vows to stay away from Von and to never make him as important in her life as he once was. “She wouldn’t and couldn’t make him her everything, the source of her happiness and fulfillment.”

Von doesn’t understand how to deal with a young child, but his precious Malinois is like a child to him. Burned once by Stella, Von finds himself protecting her from incredible natural and human disasters. Von doesn’t believe God gives second chances, and he’s not about to give himself or Stella any grace.

I loved the eventual solution to Stella’s mysterious stalker. I didn’t see it coming until just before the reveal.

If you love high-octane romantic suspense with mystery or secret baby trope, you will enjoy Dana Mentink’s Trapped in Yosemite.

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

Notable Quotables:

“Why hadn’t he told her the truth? Truth and facts were what kept people alive.”

“If you aren’t tied together by God, the world will tear you apart in short order.”

“‘You weren’t put on this planet to be happy.” ‘Tate’s equanimity only infuriated Von further. ‘Yeah? Then why am I here, oh, wise sage?’ ‘To learn how to love.’”

“‘I try very hard not to dwell in what ifs.’ That would turn into a spiral of intrusive thoughts that would hold her hostage. “

“Love couldn’t be enough without the bedrock of faith.”

My Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

An exciting, clean, and faith-filled high-octane novel with both a dog and a baby!

BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Kindle, Love Inspired Suspense, Purchase

The Marine’s Deadly Reunion by Loretta Eidson Review and Giveaway

February 25, 2024 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: The Marine’s Deadly Reunion

Author: Loretta Eidson

Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense

Release Date: December 26, 2023

When Sergeant Daria Gordon saves US Marine Jake Fisher and his baby niece from an attacker, she instantly puts a target on her own back. Someone murdered Jake’s sister, and now they want Jake and Daria dead. To survive, Jake and Daria must discover this ruthless killer’s identity. But can they uncover the truth and keep the baby safe . . . before the killer finds them?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Award-winning author Loretta Eidsonloves writing inspirational romantic suspense. Her first novel, Pursued in the Wilderness, published by Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, won the 2023 Romance Novel of the Year award in AWSA’s (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) Golden Scroll Awards and was a finalist in the 2023 Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference Director’s Choice Award in General Fiction.

She believes in the power of prayer and enjoys challenging her characters to trust God in all things. Loretta is an AWSA Certified Coach for aspiring writers, and she lives in North Mississippi, close to her family.

More from Loretta

One of the fun parts I enjoyed writing in The Marine’s Deadly Reunion is the interaction between US Marine, Jake Fisher, and his eighteen-month-old niece, Emma. He knows nothing about caring for a baby. He thinks if he isn’t hungry, Emma isn’t either. During one scene, he glances at her in the rearview mirror. She had tossed everything out of her diaper bag and found her juice cup. He grins, thinking this little human is self-sufficient and they’ll get along just fine.

My Impressions

“Something isn’t right. ‘Daria, I just received word from my confidential informant that this case isn’t over…And they’re after the rest of the evidence.’”

Can old friends from another lifetime reconnect in their new lives to help solve a murder and to keep a town safe? Loretta Edison brings us this question, along with a myriad of others, in The Marine’s Deadly Reunion. Police Sgt. Daria Gordon attempts to break up a parking lot scuffle, only to find her middle school best friend. Long since moved away, and now a former Marine Sergeant, Jake Fisher is furious that she intervenes in his protection of his 18-month-old niece, whose parents he believes were murdered. Can Daria and Jake get past their own ideas of “doing their job” their way and make room for help from each other? Both Jake and Daria have to relearn trust in God and their fellow man.

Did I say fellow man? Maybe bad word choice. Nobody is trustworthy, except hopefully our protagonists, until the end of the story. Now I know why I wear a neck pillow when I read. Eidson will whip you back and forth so fast, as you think you know the antagonist, then pull that rug out from underneath you and set you on another direction. ( Full-speed, of course!) Then, extreme action, apparent quiet, but no, that wasn’t the answer to safety for Jake, Daria, and little Emma, either! Back off to the races you go! I don’t think I’ve ever seen an author who made me think “peace and safety” so many times, and then added so many twists!

As the stakes heighten, Daria and Jake both individually realize their need to return to faith and prayer. I appreciated that their prayers were included. As Daria reminds Jake, “God hears all prayers, including yours and mine. Prayers don’t have to be perfect.”

The novel is brightened by the season, as well as baby Emma. I also loved the short respites of time Daria and Jake share with Robert and Gina. Those are precious.

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

My Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Magnificent! I would advise a neck pillow when reading, to avoid whiplash!! ☺️

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 21

Pause for Tales, February 22

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 22

Texas Book-aholic, February 23

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 24

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 25

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 26

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 27

The Lofty Pages, February 28

Betti Mace, February 29

Life on Chickadee Lane, February 29

For Him and MY Family, March 1

Holly’s Book Corner, March 2

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, March 3

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, March 4 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, March 4

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, March 5

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Loretta is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and an eBook copy of the book!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/2a257/the-marine-s-deadly-reunion-celebration-tour-giveaway

ARC, BLOG, Favorite, Kindle, NetGalley, PB, Purchase, Revell

The Irish Matchmaker by Jennifer Deibel Review

February 21, 2024 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Title: The Irish Matchmaker

Author: Jennifer Deibel

Publisher: Revell

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Released: February 2024

As daughter of a well-known matchmaker, Catríona Daly is no stranger to the business of love–and sees it as her ticket away from the sleepy village that only comes alive during the annual matchmaking festival. Enter Lord Osborne’s son, Andrew, who has returned to the festival after being disappointed by a rival matchmaker’s failed setup. Catríona seizes the opportunity to make a better match for the handsome man–and for herself!

Cattle farmer Donal Bunratty is in desperate need of a wife after loss left him to handle the farm and raise his daughter on his own. Shy and lacking the finer social graces, he agrees to attend the matchmaking festival to appease his daughter. But when he arrives, it’s not any of the other merrymakers that catch his eye but rather his matchmaker–who clearly has eyes for someone else.

Catríona will have to put all her expertise to work to make a match that could change her life forever. Will her plan succeed? Or will love have its own way?

About the Author

Jennifer Deibel is a middle school teacher and freelance writer. Her work has appeared on (in)courage, on The Better Mom, in Missions Mosaic Magazine, and others. With firsthand immersive experience abroad, Jennifer writes stories that help redefine home through the lens of culture, history, and family. After nearly a decade of living in Ireland and Austria, she now lives in Arizona.

Author photo credit: Katherine Marini, Photography by Katherine Nicole

My Impressions

Let Jennifer Deibel sweep you away to the beautiful land of Ireland at the turn of the last century. As the time for the annual matchmaking festival in Lisdoonvarna nears, professional matchmaker Catríona Daly rues the irony of being an unmatched matchmaker. Her dearest wish is to for some rich festival-goer to woo her away from this small, backward town to a bustling city.

Meanwhile, Donal Bunratty and his nine-year-old daughter are struggling to make a go of their small farm a few miles away. Donal will do anything for his daughter, so he reluctantly agrees to attend the matchmaker’s festival.

Andrew Osbourne’s match from last year was a flop. He is back with his determined parents, set on finding a match that will see him well politically.

When Catríona becomes the matchmaker for both men, scheming on more than one front nearly brings disaster. Will true personalities show through the posturing of such times? Will wisdom or personal gain drive decisions?

Of course, my fave character is 9-year-old Sara, so precocious in some ways and forced by circumstances to assume adult roles never meant for children. No wonder her father will go to great lengths to please her, or that she attracts goodwill and help from Caty.

A glossary at the front of the book helps with Irish words and phrases and gives an air of authenticity to the novel. It was fun learning some of the details of what went on behind the scenes of a match, like the “plucking of the gander.”

Bullying, social status, love of the land, and pure selfishness, plus romance and trust in God all make this a believable and enjoyable novel to be visited more than once.

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

My Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Magnificent! Jennifer Deibel’s novels will cause you to fall in love with Ireland and its people.

BLOG, Favorite, Kindle, LPC, Purchase

When Legends Rise by Daphne Self Review and Giveaway

February 18, 2024 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: When Legends Rise

Author: Daphne Self

Genre: Science Fiction

Release Date: July 26, 2022

He is now one of them. Genetically altered . . . Designed to kill . . . Trained to eradicate . . . Until he became more. Juliet 7-A was the top elite assassin for the Global Federated Territories until an ambush deemed him beyond salvaging. He was scheduled for decommission. His only recourse for survival is a new identity and his search for the one friend he had―a friend who defected and deserted him. Those he once hunted will save him. Yet it comes with a price. A price that demands much of him. What happens when an assassin awakens?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Daphne Self, formerly published under the name D.M. Webb, resides in Iowa. As a Mississippian transplant, she spends her days in the Midwest state writing, editing, reading, antiquing, and planning adventures. She pursues her dream as an editor and author with one goal in mind: To Glorify His Name. Daphne is also an avid reader who devours book in many genres. As a long time member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and Realm Makers, she volunteers her time helping published and unpublished authors.

More from Daphne

It started as an idea back in the late 90s. It came to fruition in May 2021. The inspiration was this: salvation is free. That began the questions of: what if someone committed horrible acts, what if that person was indoctrinated and changed, what if when faced with the truth how would he react, and finally, what story from the Bible would work for my character? Of course, the story of Saul of Tarsus (Paul) came to mind. Blood was on his hands, yet he found salvation in Christ. And the story of Samson gave a bit of a parallel to my story, too.

I wrote this book before the show Halo was released, yet I had been playing the Halo video game for years. I’ve always enjoyed the backstory of Master Chief, so the main character of When Legends Rise is a bit like Master Chief John-117. Plus, if you have seen The Mandalorian, then you will see a few common themes between my book and that show. There’s also a bit of a Star Trek vibe in that I use “tech” speak and plausible science.

And what began as one book has now evolved into a 5-book series titled Legends of Light. Book two, What Legends Become, releases in June 2024 and follows the family and the continuing story of salvation, persecution, faith, and hope.

My Impressions

“Jules mulled over that word. Free. That was what he had been wanting for so long. To be free.”

Wow!! Buckle yourselves in securely for a very wild ride with Daphne Self’s When Legends Rise. I selected this book because it was billeted as reminiscent of Star Wars and Star Trek. I also found several nods, in my opinion, to the childhood tale of Pinocchio, at least in the first part of the book.

A genetically altered assassin, whose job it is to hunt down and destroy the Christian Coalition in the Galaxy, finds himself about to be decommissioned. Fleeing his former Global Federated Territories squads, he searches for a friend who defected GFT after their last joint engagement. He pilots a cargo interplanetary ship as his cover, while transporting a few humans as he continues his search.

Much of the novel centers around the time on his ship, the Nightingale, with his coder/second-in-command Huey, his med-tech Anya, who supplies him with life-sustaining serum, and an unknown traveler, Abigail du Soleil.

I enjoyed the space details and felt the fear Abby has of being too close to outer space in many situations. The medical details were intriguing as they were revealed. In keeping with the Star Wars theme, there was a lot of space travel and fighting with advanced weaponry. You will definitely be anxious to discover if Jules can indeed break free from who he was created to be. And will he be loyal? To which side? I appreciated the inclusion of Scripture that guided the Christian Coalition and the path of salvation being clearly shown. Self also shows that life doesn’t become automatically easy once one chooses Christ, but there are still hard choices many characters must make, just as in real life.

If I had to describe the book in three words, I would say: riveting, terrifying, emotional. Grab it for yourself as this is the first of five in a sure-to-be sensational series!!

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

Notable Quotables:

“…things are always in motion. We live for today and let tomorrow worry for itself. We are not guaranteed safety in this world.”

“…forgiveness is not earned. It’s given.”

“You are okay now. I promised you I would keep you safe, and I meant it.” Her finger reached up and traced his bottom lip. “Some promises cannot be kept.”

My Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Magnificent!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 17

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 18

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 19

Artistic Nobody, February 20 (Author Interview)

Madi’s Musings, February 20

Texas Book-aholic, February 21

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 22

Wishful Endings, February 23

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 24

Exploring the Written Word, February 25

Blogging With Carol, February 26

Pause for Tales, February 27

Guild Master, February 28 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, February 28

Tell Tale Book Reviews, February 29

Fiction Book Lover, March 1 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Daphne is giving away the grand prize package of a paperback copy of the book, bookmarks, character cards, and a $25 Amazon gift card!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/29dbb/when-legends-rise-celebration-tour-giveaway

BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Favorite, Kindle, PB, Purchase

Small Town Secrets by Lillian Duncan Review and Giveaway

February 14, 2024 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: Small Town Secrets

Author: Lillian Duncan

Genre: Christian—Romantic Suspense

Release Date: October 13, 2023

On the surface, Shady Valley looks like the ideal all-American place to live with beautiful flowering trees lining both sides of the street as you enter the picturesque town. Neighbors help neighbors. Doors are often left unlocked.

Serious crimes are practically nonexistent— almost but not quite!

But like all small towns, everyone knows everyone, which means everyone knows everyone’ s business, and not everyone in Shady Valley is what they appear to be. Some have secrets— deadly secrets— that they hide behind the masks they wear.

When Angie McVey disappears on her wedding day, rookie officer Cami Martine is determined to find her best friend, but there are no leads to follow. Angie seems to have disappeared into thin air.

If Cami is to bring her best friend home, she will need to discover the deadly secrets of her friends and neighbors to find the one who wears the biggest mask.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Lillian Duncan… turning faith into fiction.

For years, my tagline was “stories of faith mingled with murder & mayhem” since I wrote Christian suspense and mystery novels.

In 2012, I heard the words, “you have bilateral brain tumors.”

I had no idea how much those words would change my life, but they did. When life changes for a writer, their writing changes as well. So I wanted my tagline to reflect the new me. I still love to write suspense and mystery novels but also have branched out into other genres.

In spite of being diagnosed with bilateral brain tumors and a rare genetic disease (Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2), God continues to strengthen me and give me peace and joy as well as the blessing to be able to continue to write.

I’m a multi-published author who lives in the middle of Ohio Amish country with my husband and a menagerie of pets. After more than 30 years working as a speech pathologist for children, I believe in the power of words to transform lives, especially God’s Word.

My goal is to write stories that entertain but also demonstrate God’s love for all of us.

More from Lillian

Small Town Life VS. City Life

I spent most of my growing up years in the country, then I moved to a larger city for college and then an even larger city for much of my adult life. And then I slowly made my way back to the area I grew up in. I’ve spent the last twenty-two years living in the quaint little town of Shreve, Ohio.

Shreve has two gas stations, one stop light and zero fast-food restaurants! I love living in Shreve. Is there a difference between small town life and city life? Absolutely.

Big cities have a lot to offer. You won’t get any argument from me about that. Museums, your choice of restaurants, plays and concerts. But small towns have a lot to offer as well. Neighbors that know each other’s names a sense of community, peace and quiet, and low crime. Oh, and did I mention peace and quiet?

I know people love living in big cities, but I’ll stick to small town life. And that’s why most of the books I write are set in small towns—not always but most of the time.

My latest book, SMALL TOWN SECRETS, is based in the fictional small town of Shady Valley, but definitely resembles my hometown of Shreve, Ohio. Except nothing this exciting happens in Shreve–which is a good thing. That’s why I like living there.

But nothing happening would make for a boring book so Shady Valley has a few secrets–secrets that could kill!

On the surface, Shady Valley seems to be the ideal all-American place to live with beautiful flowering trees lining both sides of the street as you enter the picturesque town. Neighbors help neighbors. Doors are often left unlocked.

Serious crimes are practically nonexistent—almost but not quite!

When Angie McVey disappears on her wedding day, rookie officer Cami Martine is determined to find her best friend. Unfortunately, there are no leads to follow.

Angie seems to have disappeared into thin air.

But not everyone in Shady Valley is what they appear to be. Some have secrets—deadly secrets—that they hide behind the masks they wear. If Cami is to bring her best friend home, she will need to discover the deadly secrets of her friends and neighbors and find the one who wears the biggest mask.

SMALL TOWN SECRETS is a fast-paced mystery and suspense novel that will keep you turning pages past your bed time. By the way, the book will also be available as a Large Print book as well.

My Impressions

“Her mind told her not to trust him, but her heart told her something different.”

Small towns can be a lot of fun with everyone knowing their neighbor and their business. Shady Valley, OH, is no exception, with its unlocked doors and safe environment. However, things take a dark turn when a bride goes missing on her wedding day, and secrets begin to unravel.

I was hooked by Lillian Duncan’s plot in Small Town Secrets. It was like I was transported down a rabbit hole, eagerly reading to discover who was behind Angie’s disappearance and the other crimes that followed. I was curious to see if Cami and Zack could put aside their differences and work together to bring justice.

If you enjoy contemporary mystery and suspense, with a touch of romance and faith, this book is definitely worth checking out. It also explores the themes of enemies-to-lovers, being unequally yoked as a couple, and mental illness. The book also emphasizes the need for earthly fathers to accurately portray the Heavenly Father. Even if you solve the mystery before the end of the book, you’ll still be on the edge of your seat between your knowledge and the criminal’s capture!

The book ends with a devotional note that offers guidance on how to deal with unjust situations.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit, but I also bought my own copy. This review is entirely my own, and no positive review was required.

Notable Quotables:

“You do know that you don’t have to keep the entire world safe. That’s not your job. God loves you for you, not for what you do.”

“God listened to her wordless prayer anyway. He knew her heart.”

My Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Magnificent! A thrill-ride!

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 10

Texas Book-aholic, February 11

Artistic Nobody, February 12 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, February 12

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 13

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 14

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 15

Bigreadersite, February 16

Guild Master, February 17 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 18

Fiction Book Lover, February 19 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, February 20

Because I said so – adventures in parenting., February 21

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, February 22 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 22

For Him and My Family, February 23

Giveaway

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

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/29c58/small-town-secrets-celebration-tour-giveaway

BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Kindle, Purchase, Wild Heart Books

Rescuing You by Robin Patchen Review and Giveaway

February 12, 2024February 12, 2024 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: Rescuing You

Author: Robin Patchen

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Release Date: January 9, 2024

A heart-pounding tale of danger and devotion, the riveting second installment of the Wright Heroes of Maine series by a USA Today bestselling author.

CIA agent Michael Wright’s world crumbles when his girlfriend, Leila, is snatched off the street and later seen in the grasp of a terrorist he’s been tracking, Michael blames himself. Keeping his identity secret from her clearly didn’t protect her. Now he must defy the Agency and fly to Iraq to rescue her.

Leila Amato escaped Iraq a decade earlier, only returning in her worst nightmares. But those nightmares have come true when she finds herself captive and all alone, or so she thinks until she sees her identical twin sister.

Michael tracks Leila to a desert compound, but his rescue mission goes awry when he discovers her sister needs to escape as well. His detailed strategy can only ensure one woman’s safety. Now they’re on the run, trying to get out of the country before their enemies track them down.

But Leila’s kidnapping is only one small part of a larger plot—one that endangers thousands of lives—and now he can’t trust anyone. Not even the woman who’s stolen his heart. A woman who’s been keeping secrets of her own…

A high-stakes international chase full of romantic suspense, spies, and a ticking time bomb that will keep you reading all night long.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Robin Patchenis a USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of Christian romantic suspense. She grew up in a small town in New Hampshire, the setting of her Nutfield Saga books, and then headed to Boston to earn a journalism degree. After college, working in marketing and public relations, she discovered how much she loathed the nine-to-five ball and chain. After relocating to the Southwest, she started writing her first novel while she homeschooled her three children. The novel was dreadful, but her passion for storytelling didn’t wane. Thankfully, as her children grew, so did her writing ability. Now that her kids are adults, she has more time to play with the lives of fictional heroes and heroines, wreaking havoc and working magic to give her characters happy endings. When she’s not writing, she’s editing or reading, proving that most of her life revolves around the twenty-six letters of the alphabet.

More from Robin

I spent a week this year serving refugee women on the Greek island of Lesvos. Along with helping to distribute food and clothing, I gave hand massages. It seems like such a little thing, but it was powerful.

Many didn’t speak English, and I found it difficult to connect even with those who did. What do I have in common with women escaping war or oppression?

But I could perch on a tiny stool at their feet and rub lotion on their hands. I didn’t know their stories, but God did. So while they chatted with friends in languages I couldn’t understand, I prayed silently. As I did, God stirred in me a deep love for each one.

Imagine the courage it must take to leave everything you know—your home, your community, in some cases, even your family—to seek freedom. Imagine how desperate or afraid or, frankly, hopeful a person must be to attempt it.

The heroine in Rescuing You did just that. An Iraqi who came to Christ as a teenager, Leila feared her family would discover her secret and felt she had no choice but to run away. Resettled in Germany, away from her mother, father, and twin sister, she built a life for herself and fell in love.

And then someone snatched her back to Iraq.

Rescuing You is about a man determined to save the woman he loves. It’s about a woman willing to risk everything for the freedom to…

…Love the man she chooses

…Live a life of purpose, and mostly…

…Worship the One True God

It’s easy to take our freedom for granted—and to forget that true and lasting freedom isn’t political or social but spiritual. Christians are free in Christ no matter what their society looks like.

But what an incredible blessing to live in a free country.

Rescuing You barely scratches the surface of the refugee crisis. It’s mostly about a man and a woman and whole bunch of terrifying villains. Even so, I pray it’ll stir in you a deep love for refugees seeking freedom worldwide. Pray for them and for the nations they’ve escaped. Our world needs Jesus.

My Impressions

“She was keeping secrets, but he was too. And he wasn’t ready to reveal his.”

Honestly, I fell in love with one of Robin Patchen’s books about another Wright brother, so I knew I had to read the stories of the other brothers as they are launched in this series, The Wright Brothers of Maine. Rescuing You is the second book of the series, and features the story of Michael and Leila. Michael, an undercover CIA agent in Germany, is horrified to find his girlfriend has been kidnapped by Vortex, the terrorist he is trailing.

Leila is a native Arab who left Islam to turn to Jesus. Her captors would not treat her well for defecting from the faith, their perception of a Middle Eastern woman’s role, or her first escape into Germany. Michael chomps at the bit when histeam leader, Brock, asks him to remove himself from the situation and let the team handle it.

Explosions, daring escapes, and shoot-outs up the suspense ante. Ruthless, strategic terrorists and a sick twin complicate matters. As does the fact that Michael does not stand down as told, nor does Leila like to be given commands without knowing ‘why.’

Secrets. This novel is all about secrets and trust. Both Michael and Leila hold dangerous secrets, and both need to learn to trust God and other people if they are to survive. There were a few times each I wanted to sit Michael and Leila down and “straighten them out, but good!”

Rescuing You is a novel that will also have you thinking about what some immigrants are willing to endure to reach our shores. By the end of the book, you’ll be looking to tie up a few loose ends and read more of the Wright brothers’ stories, starting with Bryan’s adventures in Finding You.

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

Notable Quotables:

“But in his arrogance—and his fear—he’d gone it alone. As he so often did. And because of that, he’d lost…everything.”

“Hope seemed lost, but God was a God of hope, wasn’t He?”