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Following the Clues by Dana Mentink Review and Giveaway

Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: Following the Clues (Security Hounds Investigations Book Four)

Author: Dana Mentink

Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense

Release date: May 27, 2024

A search-and-rescue mission
reveals a lethal secret.

After K-9 handler Kara Wolfe witnesses her childhood friend Beau O’Connor survive a targeted hit-and-run, she’s shocked to learn his mother’s missing. And Beau, who can no longer recognize familiar faces after an earlier attack, can’t shake the feeling these terrifying incidents are somehow connected. With the tracking skills of her blind bloodhound, Kara will help Beau locate his mother—but someone will do anything to sabotage their search. With the culprit on their trail, can they uncover a sinister plot…before their rescue mission turns into a fight for survival?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

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

More from Dana

The only thing more fun that writing about bloodhounds, is adding in some colorful new canine characters who aren’t quite your standard tracking champions. In this book, you’ll get to know Phil who was introduced at the end of book #3. He’s a livestock protector who steps in as a guide for Millie the bloodhound when her vision becomes impaired. Phil takes his job VERY seriously. He flat out refuses to wear a vest, or play with toys, and he doesn’t particularly like people, but he will lay his life down to protect Millie and Kara Wolfe. It was so much fun having this unlikely hero rise to the challenge as Kara and her ex-boyfriend must root out a saboteur on the local fish hatchery property. The secret they unearth will shock you, I hope! Please enjoy the adventure with Millie, Phil, and the rest of the Wolfe pack!

My Impressions

“Once upon a time we were dear friends, and no matter what’s happened, I’m going to act like we still are until you come around.”

So this is now my fave Security Hounds novel by Dana Mentink so far! Book 4 of this series, Following the Clues is everything I’ve come to expect from a LIS Mentink book about tracking bloodhounds, and then some! 

To begin with, let’s talk about the obvious: the bloodhounds. Each bloodhound in this series is a great SAR tracker for the Wolfe family’s venture. Each hound has a significantly odd trait, and is trained by a different sibling, whom we get to know as a main character in the novel. The trainer in this story is Kara, a young woman whose fiancé died of cancer and whose other friend, Beau O’ Connor, deserted her when she needed him most. The basis for this book just cracks me up, though, because I never would have thought such a thing possible. Millie, the bloodhound doing the sniff searching, is almost blind, so she has her own seeing-eye dog, a white Anatolian shepherd. “The dream team.”

Unfortunately, when Beau does return back home, Kara discovers the injury he received several months earlier has drastically changed him. He has been medically discharged from the marines and has a rare condition known as “prosopagnosia” or “face blindness.” Unable to recognize people he’s known his whole life, even family, Beau retreats into himself. His mother verbally confronts him: “sooner or later you’ve got to put whatever happened behind you. Marines don’t run, do they?”

Beau becomes very concerned when he returns home to find his mother missing. He contacts the sheriff, who contacts the SAR team, the Wolfe family, who together with Kara have to begin to understand why Beau has been treating them like absolute strangers. Once Beau’s secret is out, I am impressed by the different methods and hard work he employs to recognize people more quickly without using the method most of us take for granted!

Time is always of the essence in a search and rescue operation, and Mentink causes the reader to feel the desperation in the erosion of time as Beau, Kara, the other Wolfes, and neighbors of Ree O’Connor’s ( Beau’s mom) fish hatchery search for her. Lots of action, lots of danger, lots of breath-holding! Mentink makes the setting real by sharing details of running a hatchery, some issues that could cause trouble, and a big event the hatchery holds, Pioneer Day. 

While there are a handful of workers and neighbors who should all be supporting the hatchery and Ree, we are set up to wonder about a few! Was I surprised to find out who was behind the sabotage!! Great twist! Such an exciting story!

I appreciated the growth of the two main characters. Beau’s growth comes as he admits his disability and finds ways to circumvent it. Also, as he begins to realize he can be honest about his feelings. I love that Mentink shows that given time, Kara, grieving her fiancé’s loss, can also remember the good times with a smile. Because of my faith, this is where I am with some present grief, and where I hope to be in future grief!! 

I also loved the fact that through her pain of loss, Kara has learned lessons that affect her relationship moving forward with her family and with Beau. She isn’t complacent anymore, letting others care for her. She has learned to speak up for her needs. “But God showed me that I could stand up to it…I had a reservoir of strength I’d not realized because I’d never had to tap into it. When I did, God added His strength to my pittance, and it was enough. I was enough.” 

In summary, this is a great romantic suspense search and rescue team story, but it is so much more! Mentink has two more books left in this series. Can she top this one?! 

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.

Notable Quotables:

“But life wasn’t a safe adventure at all, she’d learned. And hiding from risk wasn’t what the Lord wanted from her.”

“The only reason he was able to face the day was that he knew God loved him, no matter what the status of his brain.”

“God made people to stand together in their pain. Sometimes it was the only way to stand at all.” – Kara

“In the midst of the storm, He was there, like He’d always been, that steady pulse of comfort. God would still recognize Beau…even in this new state of disarray he found himself.”

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Best in Show ( I mean Series) so Far! True Winner!!

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, June 24

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, June 24

Bizwings Book Blog, June 25

Carla’s Book Crush, June 25

Bigreadersite, June 26

The Avid Reader, June 26

Vicky Sluiter, June 27

Texas Book-aholic, June 27

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 28

Devoted To Hope, June 28

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 29

Betti Mace, June 30

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 30

Labor Not in Vain, July 1

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 1

Stories By Gina, July 2 (Author Interview)

EmpowerMoms, July 2

Blogging With Carol, July 3

Because I said So – adventures in parenting, July 3

Simple Harvest Reads, July 4 (Guest Review from Donna)

For Him and My Family, July 4

Lily’s Corner, July 5

Blossoms and Blessings, July 5

Holly’s Book Corner, July 6

Pause for Tales, July 6

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, July 7

Lights in a Dark World, July 7

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away the grand prize of a $75 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of the book!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54246

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

Call in the Canyons by Kathleen Denly Review and Giveaway

Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: Call in the Canyons

Author: Kathleen Denly

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: June 3, 2025

The bandits who murdered her father are back, but can she trust the sheriff to protect her home and her heart?

Sheriff Heath Monroe believed the wrong man, and although California’s most notorious gang leader was eventually brought to justice, Heath’s error shattered the confidence of the people he serves. With reelection looming, Heath is desperate to prove his worth. So when he learns of a new threat to the citizens of California, he doesn’t hesitate to take action, even though he knows the job will endanger the lives of those he cares about—something he swore he’d never do again. Haunted by the ghosts of past mistakes and second-guessing every decision, Heath sets out to put an end to California’s most dangerous bandit gang, once and for all.

Virginia Baker works hard to keep her desert cattle ranch going, and even harder to keep all men off her land. When the bandits who murdered her father return to her valley, memories of a friendship cut tragically short drive her to work with the all-male posse pursuing the gang in search of justice. Despite her determination to remain guarded, Heath Monroe’s steadfast integrity and unexpected humility begin to crack her defenses. But can she rely on the widower leading them, or will his secrets confirm her belief that no man is to be trusted?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Kathleen Denly lives in sunny California with her loving husband, four young children, two dogs, and ten cats. As a member of the adoption and foster community, children in need are a cause dear to her heart and she finds they make frequent appearances in her stories. When she isn’t writing, researching, or caring for children, Kathleen spends her time reading, visiting historical sites, hiking, and crafting.

More from Kathleen

The Power of Unlikely Alliances: Breaking Stereotypes in Call in the Canyons

When we think of the Old West, we often imagine familiar archetypes: rugged cowboys, tough lawmen, and damsels in distress. These characters have been depicted time and again in Westerns but often missing the complexity that truly defines who we are as individuals. In Call in the Canyons, I wanted to push back against those typical stereotypes, creating a world where characters defy expectations, form unlikely alliances, and challenge preconceived notions about who can be a hero, a villain, or even a love interest.

Virginia Baker: A Strong, Independent Heroine
Virginia “Ginny” Baker is a woman who embodies strength and resilience. She’s not the typical “damsel” you might expect from a Western; in fact, she works harder than most men to keep her desert cattle ranch going. Virginia is fiercely independent, having learned early on that the world isn’t kind to women who rely on others. A devastating attack on her father’s ranch that left her the sole survivor only solidified this belief. Yet even as she pushes people away, Ginny’s story is about growth—learning to trust, learning to forgive, and ultimately, learning to let others in.

Ginny doesn’t just defy the stereotype of the helpless woman; she is also a representation of the idea that strength can coexist with vulnerability. She has scars, both physical and emotional, from a past that refuses to be forgotten. And when the very men who killed her father return to the region she calls home, she is forced to work with a posse of men she doesn’t trust. Ginny definitely doesn’t see herself as someone who needs saving, but she eventually realizes that sometimes strength isn’t about facing the world alone—it’s about being open to help when it’s needed and accepting the joy that can be found in true fellowship.

Sheriff Heath Monroe: A Man on the Path to Redemption
Sheriff Heath Monroe is a man haunted by past mistakes, carrying the weight of guilt and a deep fear of failure. His tragic history has made him wary of letting anyone, especially women, take risks. As Sheriff, he has tried to prove his worth, but his past continues to cast a shadow over every decision.

When a new threat emerges in Call in the Canyons, Heath must confront not only the dangers facing his community but his own reluctance to trust others’ decisions. Through his partnership with Ginny, he begins to see that redemption isn’t just about regaining respect—it’s about letting go of the past, learning to let others take risks, and, most importantly, learning to trust God.

Challenging Stereotypes and Breaking Barriers
One of the most rewarding parts of writing Call in the Canyons was exploring how these two characters—Ginny and Heath—push against the boundaries of their worlds. Virginia’s fierce independence challenges the notion that women in the Old West were relegated to secondary roles. She’s not just a survivor; she’s an active participant in her own story, driving the action and decisions that shape her fate.

Heath, on the other hand, challenges the idea that a “hero” must be flawless. His struggles with guilt, loss, and self-doubt make him a hero not in spite of his flaws but because of them. His vulnerability makes him someone readers can empathize with and root for, as they see his journey not just as one of professional redemption but personal healing as well.

Both of these characters also challenge the notion that our past defines us. While acknowledging the very real impact that trauma has on us, their journeys demonstrate resilience and hope for joy-filled futures.

But the breaking of stereotypes isn’t limited to these two characters. Call in the Canyons is a world where characters of different backgrounds, races, and experiences interact and challenge each other. One of the novel’s key themes is that people should not be judged based on their race, their family, or even their past, and this is reflected in the relationships that develop over the course of the story.

An Unlikely Pair
Ginny and Heath’s evolving relationship is an example of an unlikely alliance—a pairing that grows from mutual distrust into something deeply beautiful. She’s been betrayed by men in the past; he’s been betrayed by his own decisions. Yet as they work together, they come to see each other as more than just their past mistakes or preconceived notions.

This journey from mistrust to love is a key theme in Call in the Canyons, and it mirrors the larger narrative of overcoming prejudice and embracing the idea that redemption and healing are possible, no matter who you are or where you come from.

Why It Matters
As readers, we often find comfort in familiar stories and familiar characters. But it’s the stories that challenge our assumptions and push us to reconsider what we believe that leave a lasting impact. In Call in the Canyons, I wanted to create a story that would give readers not only the exciting journey they expect in a Western but also something new, something to think about long after they’ve turned the last page

For that reason, Call in the Canyons is an adventurous story of healing, redemption, justice, faith, and love in all its beautifully messy forms.

To celebrate the release of Call in the Canyons, I am offering a giveaway package:

  • 1 metal sign depicting Cowgirls and listing scripture that reinforces who God says you are
  • 1 Hardback copy of When Strivings Cease: Replacing the Gospel of Self-Improvement with the Gospel of Life-Transforming Graceby Ruth Chou Simmons

My Impressions

“God’s love isn’t conditional on us always making the right choices. Sometimes…we do something wrong—or fail to do what’s right. But God forgives us and loves us regardless.”

This quote from Call in the Canyons hits on all the major lessons within the great storyline presented by Kathleen Denly. Welcome to Southern California, near San Diego in the 1870s. Both Ginny Baker, a man-despiser and social-norm defier and Sheriff Heath Monroe, clinging to his job for identity and fulfillment, will have to grow immensely in this  tale from their beginnings of fear. They will have to realize God’s love despite their flaws ( and who-boy, as a friend of mine says,)do they have those in spades! Their pasts loom big enough to smother their future, plus the bitterness, and, in Ginny’s case, the need for vengeance drive their actions and words. No wonder Ginny bites the head off the posse that had come to help her, but especially its leader, Heath. 

Both have an independent streak a mile wide, and Ginny, for one, has one basic tenet on her almost all-female ranch:

“He’d better not try giving her orders. Round here, folks answered to her.”

Heath has his own tenet: he will only work with those he trusts and they must trust him. So now Ginny has a double problem: as she sees Heath’s vulnerable, caring side, she’s attracted, but he holds some cards close to his vest, and doesn’t reveal everything in a straightforward manner. Trust him?! Plus, he has the added disadvantage of being born a male. Second strike!

Fortunately, secondary characters, some of whom we met in the last book like her sister Biddie and Gideon, help by encouraging Ginny to view others with a more tolerant and forgiving attitude. 

Did I say tolerant and forgiving?! Heath is also going to face situations that cause him to examine his attitudes and choose to live by long-held prejudices or choose God’s path of seeing all people as made in God’s image. Denly makes a huge point about stereotyping. “defining a person by one part of who they are is dangerous—especially, when that part is something we disapprove of, such as sin. Labeling someone by their sins—real or imagined—makes it easier to deny their humanity and helps you justify treating them however you like.” Words for today?!

If you’re looking for the action, gun-slinging battles of the Old West, harshness of the land depictions, and great twists and intrigue, Denly’s got you covered in Call in the Canyons, too! I suggest that Call in the Canyons may be calling your name!!

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 and Wishes:

“If words were cattle, his herd would fill the state.” -most made me want to lol, use myself

“She’d always thought of peace as the absence of problems, but now she knew God’s peace existed alongside the problems.”– want to practice 

Spot-on personal challenge: 

“if you push people away, you can’t affect them for good. And if you’re not influencing others, you’re not leaving a real legacy.”

My one wish: 

Would have liked to have had Spanish phrases and paragraphs translated next to original language . 

“But you can’t just push people away because they made a mistake. No one is perfect. I didn’t need the Bible to tell me that. But rarely are people purely evil either.”

“Forgiveness doesn’t require you to trust her. Forgiveness is a…gift—a letting go of resentment and anger. It’s a…releasing of the desire for revenge. Trust is a separate thing and must be earned.”

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Magnificent! I will be considering these lessons for some time to come!!

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, June 19

lakesidelivingsite, June 19

Melissa’s Bookshelf, June 20

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 21

Texas Book-aholic, June 22

Devoted To Hope, June 22

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 23

For Him and My Family, June 24

Bizwings Book Blog, June 25

Books Less Travelled, June 26

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 27

Blossoms and Blessings, June 28

Holly’s Book Corner, June 29

Cover Lover Book Review, June 30

Pause for Tales, July 1

Fiction Book Lover, July 2 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kathleen is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card, a metal sign, and a hardback copy of When Strivings Cease: Replacing the Gospel of Self-Improvement with the Gospel of Life-Transforming Grace by Ruth Chou Simmons!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54240

BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Favorite, Kindle, New-to-Me Author, Purchase, Wild Heart Books

The Bounty Hunter’s Surrender by Kylee Woodley Review and Giveaway

Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: The Bounty Hunter’s Surrender (Outlaw Hearts Book 2)

Author: KyLee Woodley

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: May 20, 2025

An expecting widow, a rugged bounty hunter, and a set of secrets that might shatter her fragile heart.

The death of Aubrey Willot’s wealthy but abusive husband left her with an unborn child, an empty chateau, and the last name of a criminal. When she learns he double-crossed a ruthless business associate, she’s forced to accept the protection of the handsome and daring bounty hunter tasked with finding her late husband’s fortune. Though Aubrey swore never to trust another man, she can’t help but be drawn to the bounty hunter’s rugged charm.

After a tragic mistake cost him everything, Nathan Reed spent years running from his past. Now, he needs funds to care for his orphaned niece, and quickly. The chance to retrieve a set of stolen documents offers an opportunity he can’t resist. He’ll find those papers and claim the reward, even if it means deceiving the alluring young widow.

As danger rises, Audrey’s strength, honesty, and compassion break down Nathan’s defenses, daring him to embrace a future he never imagined—a loving wife and a family of his own. But when his secrets are exposed, will his chance at redemption and Aubrey’s heart slip through his fingers?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

KyLee Woodley is a cheery romantic who loves to write about bygone days and heartwarming romance with a pinch of adventure. She teaches preschool at a lab school in Texas, where she lives with her husband of eighteen years and their three teenage children. On weekends, KyLee cohosts and produces the Historical Bookworm Show, a steadily growing author interview podcast for history lovers and readers of historical fiction.

In her spare time, she cares for a rescue mutt—Lucky Dog—a feisty feline named Hazel, and three adorable Boston Terrier puppies. She listens to Cricket Country and K-Love radio, reads classic books with her children, and watches Marvel movies with her husband, who might resemble Superman.

More from KyLee

When I began writing The Bounty Hunter’s Surrender, I had little more than an idea for a pregnant widow and a kind yet wounded man who had some history as an outlaw. The series is called Outlaw Hearts, so someone had to have a history as a bad guy. At one point, Nathan Reed—the reluctant hero—wonders if he can be a “good man” and remembers the Bible verse that says, “Can a…leopard change its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil.” Jeremiah 13:23 (KJV). I have always thought this verse so sad. After all, it sounds like it’s saying, “If you have been doing evil, you cannot do good.” But, of course, we also know that “…if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV). So there is hope for Nathan!

As for Aubrey Willot, well, her spiritual journey is a little different. She has already started on it when the story opens, but her greatest challenge is overcoming the fear from her past and living in the hopeful present. During her time as an abused wife, she became someone different, and now she is getting back to who God wants her to be. Here is a glimpse of Aubrey’s psyche just a few weeks after she’d entered widowhood:

Aubrey dared not admit the freedom she felt since Louis’s death. She could choose her own dress without worrying about smirks, criticisms, or being told to change. She had the ability to take as much jam at the breakfast table as she pleased. On her first morning after Pa and Jesse had left, once the will was read and she learned she was the sole heir to Louis’s estate, she spread enough jam on toast to feed five people. Then, she’d cried.

Sad to think that anyone would ever have to reach a place where they feel the way Aubrey does in the beginning of her story, but worry not. Her happily ever after is a sure thing. If you would like to join Nathan and Aubrey on their way to falling in love.

My Impressions

“How long would she feel the sting of his betrayal? How long must she atone for his sins?”

Poor Aubrey Willot, pregnant, young widow of criminal French transplant Louis Willot. Kylee Woodlee draws her MC in such a way I couldn’t help but care about her as I read The Bounty Hunter’s Surrender. We have been transported back to 1875 near the Barbary Coast region of San Francisco. Having married for love, young Aubrey soon discovers that she is only a trophy wife, neglected, cheated on, and abused by her crime-inclined husband. With his death, she is free to occupy the lovely chateau near San Francisco that he built for her wedding present, then denied her access to, most of their marriage.

We meet bounty hunter Nathan Reed as he is searching Aubrey’s chateau for papers for a large bank manager, Ellsworth, who though he runs in high social circles, is known by some as one whose hands are as dirty as they come. Nathan’s complicated feelings for Aubrey start with seeing her, so pregnant, alone,and vulnerable that night for the first time. 

As Aubrey attempts to set right her late husband’s estate at the large San Francisco bank, she simultaneously has to deal with the sudden visit of her vicious, controlling, French mother-in-law. Since Nathan is visiting Aubrey at the time, and Aubrey feels a safety connection, he is hired by Madame Willot to spy on Aubrey under the pretense of keeping her safe. May I say, “Cherchez la femme!” 

From here, the tension builds as Aubrey struggles with whom to trust. Nathan seems safe, but she finds him not always truthful. He wins points for rescuing her-“Any decent man would defend you.” “We were in a …full of decent men, but only one came to my rescue.”( I left out the word that tells exactly the situation.) Yet, she finds out later that he has relationships and a past that could brand him into Louis’s criminal category. “Could she even tell the difference between a good man and a bad man?”

As a reader, I knew which category I wanted Nathan to be in, as well as his friend Beau. But yikes, their pasts keep coming up to throw aspersions on how they might respond in the future. As Nathan’s future is uncertain, it in turn throws Aubrey’s future into uncertainty. Can the two learn to be totally honest, learn to trust each other fully, or will their murky pasts keep riding to obscure the future they begin to hope for?

I enjoyed the way Woodley draws her characters. I was constantly questioning what would happen, because they are  so 3- dimensional, not just totally good or even totally evil. It sure makes for great action scenes! It also produces great truth nuggets! (“Our worth is found in God, not the good or bad things we do.”– Aubrey- one example)

The inclusion of young children is often a hook for readers. There are two adorable babies in this story! I also enjoyed the photography angle and inclusion of some well-known historical figures.

Highly recommended for those who enjoy Western Historical fiction, with themes of atoning for the past, fear, spousal abuse, found family, true value, trust, and second chances.

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

Notable Quotables:

“There was nothing to do but rely on God. He was the only one who could help.”

“rotten apples come from rotten trees.”- Titus

“Most things in life of value take risk.”– Nathan

“No one should have to live in fear in their own home. Don’t sacrifice wisdom for politeness.”

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Magnificent!! I have found yet another historical fiction author to follow!! Yay, Kylee Woodley!!

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, June 16

Pens Pages & Pulses, June 17

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 18

Artistic Nobody, June 19 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, June 20

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 21

Fiction Book Lover, June 22 (Author Interview)

lakesidelivingsite, June 23

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 24

For Him and My Family, June 25

Holly’s Book Corner, June 26

Simple Harvest Reads, June 27 (Author Interview)

Devoted To Hope, June 27

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, June 27

Pause for Tales, June 28

Life on Chickadee Lane, June 29

Giveaway


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

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54238

BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Favorite, Kindle, Purchase

In Tempest Winds by Kendy Pearson Review and Giveaway

Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: In Tempest Winds (West Virginia: Born of Rebellion’s Storm #3)

Author: Kendy Pearson

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Release date: May 7, 2025

Not all heroes are born of battle.

Some heroes are born of loss.

War has a way of changing a man, taking more than he has to give. When Zander Dabney joins in the fight, army life is not what he expected, and it seems impossible to escape his hero-brother’s shadow. When Zander finally gets the chance to test his mettle, the horrors of battle shatter his faith and leave him questioning everything—even what he thought he knew about his brother.

Lola Wade has her hands full with the mercantile, rising prices, family, and a cunning thief. Despite her chaotic life, Zander has captured her heart. But the war has taken much from him. And he needs more than her love to confront his inner demons and fractured faith.

In a whirlwind of deception, the enemy attacks the town and garrison, leaving death and destruction in its wake. But this was no ordinary attack, and the evidence Zander has just falls on deaf ears.

He is determined to unearth the truth. She has lost everything and must make a heart-wrenching decision.

Betrayal plunges Zander into a nightmare of injustice and a perilous ordeal of sacrifice and endurance few can survive. He needs a miracle. A lot of them.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Kendy Pearsonis a worship leader, Bluegrass fiddler, and Civil War reenactment enthusiast. As a veteran high school teacher, she loves to discover a pocket of American history missing from the schoolbooks and turn that pocket inside out. Her novels lead fictitious characters through 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.

She has received multiple lit awards and enjoys public speaking and teaching writing workshops. When she’s not clicking away on the computer or scaling mountains of research, she 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.

More from Kendy

As always, writing from the Heart of Historyrequires I choose little-known events in history and weave a fictionalized story through them. In Tempest Winds is Zander’s story, the middle son of the five Dabney siblings of the “West Virginia: Born of Rebellion’s Storm” series. I promise, you will still laugh, cry, and maybe even swoon—and you will definitely learn a few things you didn’t know before.

I’d like to share a secret with you. When I wrote In Tempest Winds, I was thinking of two of my sons. Only a year and a half apart in age, they both joined the military around the same time. They each served one-year deployments. The first son deployed to Iraq and the second to Afghanistan a year later. They each left an infant child and wife behind. I held my breath for two years (barely hyperbole!).

As I researched the last desperate year of the Civil War, I somehow knew what events Zander must experience in this book. Like my sons, Zander is witty, athletic, handsome, and sensitive. And as a mother of veterans and the daughter of a two-war veteran, I know this to be a truth: “…War has a way of changing a man, taking more than he has to give.”

Zander’s journey in this story is a little like Peter’s experience on the Sea of Galilee. Peter learned a valuable, frightening lesson when he took his eyes off Jesus and started sinking. (But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid… Matt. 14:30). Peter lost his faith for a time, forgetting who made that sea in the first place.

So, you are wondering about the leading lady by now. Lola is adorable, with her fly-away blond hair and spectacles that won’t stay where she puts them. And boy, is she smart, feisty, and falling hard for Zander! When the fireworks spark, she gives our boy much to think about. Lola’s got faith and pluck. She’s determined to trust God, no matter what the tempest threatens to destroy.

If you’ve read the other books in this series, please shoot me an email (kendy@kendypearson.com) and tell me your ideas for a grown-up Will and Bertie! What will they be like? I am excited to write their stories next.

Blessings from the Heart of History, my friends!

Kendy

My Impressions

“Only a fool decides the sun just up and disappears just because he doesn’t see it. And only a fool chooses to ignore a hand that has the answers.”

Yet, Zander Dabney may be that fool. Surely the God he thought he knew wouldn’t have allowed the unspeakable acts of war Dabney experiences. 

In Tempest Winds- What an appropriate title for this third and final book of West Virginia: Born of Rebellion’s Storm by Kendy Pearson! I just finished reading this amazing Civil War novel and my emotions have run the gamut, from witnessing excitement, family love, suspicion, despair, faith, bravery, acceptance, sorrow, and romance. Each emotion comes and goes like the swell of ocean waves, some returning like the tides. Thankfully, ultimately, hope and faith rise to the surface, but -fair warning- the ending makes me wonder if a new series is on the horizon. 

Reading the other two books in order before this one is an absolute must. I felt by reading this series in order, I got the most from this story that is rich in history and truth nuggets. Zander Dabney is the main focus of In Tempest Winds. A lover of horses more than people, sensitive Zander has mustered up with the Union army. Yet, he frequently is compared to his older brother Fin, who had made a name for himself as a brave and intrepid scout. Resentment ensues. Zander’s army life becomes one of racing his beloved horse and saving money for his future as he waits for action. When it finally comes, Zander is appalled by war’s atrocities. Pearson doesn’t shy from showing the horrible reality of the war. “Had God been here, Zander would’ve prayed for a merciful deliverance. But the God he had called Lord was nowhere on this field of blood.” Zander’s brother and a few faithful friends try to direct Zander back to God, but Zander has his own plans. 

Just when Zander finally meets the girl of his dreams and believes their love serious, his sudden sullen moods and aloofness towards God cause disaster. 

Will Zander ever be able to return to the peace he possessed before the War?

I loved the many family relationships within the Dabney family that we are privy to. Coming from a large family, I could identify with the need to stand out.   It is fun to see the characters that we came to know in previous books. It is interesting to see how family members are weathering the storm of the war, and how they pull together. 

I loved how the person Zander holds the most resentment towards, is the one who works the hardest to see him return home. And the emphasis on prayer is so encouraging, even in the face of feeling helpless. “She may feel helpless, but she refused to be hopeless.” This can be us, if we, too, cling to our faith in impossible times. 

Most fun character probs goes to Lola’s ten-year-old brother, Felix. He’s excited to learn, gregarious, has a wide-eyed-wonder about him, is full of life, curious, and still innocent in so many ways. 

My fave secondary adult character is D.R. Leach. His faith is contagious and unending. He wants everyone to share it, especially Zander. “down here, I may not understand. But I’ll be doggoned if I’m gonna let go of . . . of that unseen hand that does hold the answers.” That’s the kind of faith I want to imitate! 

I read as fast as I could, because there is so much action and suspense! If you like Civil War era novels, this series is one that will be memorable! 

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

Notable Quotables:

“He remembered Fin telling him once that a man had cause real often to take his thoughts captive. Until now, he figured his brother was talking about women, but what if he meant to take them captive about other things? Like unpleasant sort of things.”

“There’s nothing more important to God than taking care of His children.”-Leach

My Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Loved this Series!! Hoping to see more of the Dabney family in the future!

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, May 30

Stories By Gina, May 31 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, May 31

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 1

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, June 2 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 3

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 4

A Reader’s Brain , June 5 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 6

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, June 7 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, June 8 (Author Interview)

Books Less Travelled, June 8

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, June 9

For Him and My Family, June 10

For the Love of Literature, June 11 (Author Interview)

Life on Chickadee Lane, June 12

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kendy is giving away the grand prize of a $40 Amazon gift card and a paperback copy of the book!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54232

BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Favorite, Kindle, New-to-Me Author, Purchase, Wild Heart Books

Arranged with the Earl by Jackie Killelea Review and Giveaway

Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: Arranged with the Earl

Author: Jackie Killelea

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: May 13, 2025

A spinster with a tarnished reputation. An earl scarred from war. Can their convenient marriage withstand those aiming to steal everything they have?

Catherine Blynn resigned herself to a life without romantic love after a disastrous broken engagement. Although she’s always hoped to marry for affection, her father arranges for her to wed Loftus Cromwell, the broken Earl of Hardwicke. If she defies her parents, she risks her family’s ruin.

Loftus Cromwell had no intention to marry for love, only for the sake of his estate. But If he fails to win the love of his spirited and unconventional betrothed, he risks his conniving brother claiming everything he holds dear.

As treachery unfolds within the manor’s walls and a foe from Catherine’s past resurfaces, can Loftus and Catherine trust one another enough to unravel the truth before tragedy steals any chance of happiness?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Jackie Killeleais a born and raised small-town girl from Connecticut with a degree in English and Creative Writing. She started off her writing journey with poetry, soon shifting into novels and becoming hooked. On days when she’s not busy with her nose in a book, she can be found typing away with a cup of tea at her side.

More from Jackie

In Arranged with the Earl, Loftus’ study of plants and flora is his foremost pastime, aside from his duties managing his estate and those that come along with being an earl. In his conservatory, there are a variety of different species of plants that he cares for but, would he actually have had these plants in his conservatory and would they have been able to feasibly grow there if he did?

Well, according to my research and a bit of wishful thinking…yes.

The thing is, Loftus has a few native plants in his conservatory and those certainly would have been able to grow there, given that they’ve pretty much just been brought inside from other counties in England. Loftus knows his home country and the landscape as well as how to care for those plants, already. The trickier plants to think upon are the exotics.

For instance, when showing Catherine the conservatory for the first time, he mentions Black Hellebore(Helleborus niger). How would he have come to own this? This plant is native to the mountains and woodlands of southern and central Europe, so we must assume that Loftus would’ve had it imported, or grown from seed. Still, would a woodland plant grow well enough to produce flowers in a conservatory setting?

Well, fortunately for Loftus, Black Hellebore actually grows fairly well in containers and does well in partial shade, so where he placed it in the conservatory was a prime location and it isn’t a stretch of the imagination to think that it produces blooms there.

With each plant I chose to be in the conservatory, I had to research if Loftus would reasonably have access to it and if it would grow under conservatory conditions–as well as during the season in which the book takes place. Of course you, as readers, will still need to use your imagination at some points. I’m sure Loftus would agree that ideas, like plants, need lots of water and space to grow.

I do so hope you enjoy Catherine and Loftus’ story in Arranged with the Earl!

Sincerely,

Jackie

My Impressions

“Your nightmares are caused by the war. Mine are caused by a man.”

Ah! A new-to-me author of inspirational  Regency Romance. Yes, please. Jackie Killelea has caught my notice with Arranged with the Earl, the second novel of the Saving the Spinsters series. These can definitely be standalone novels, judging from this one. 

Catherine Blynn, 24, once engaged to the well-known Earl of Balfour, is considered a poor marital match. This at a time and locale – England, 1818- when a good match was considered the most important way to secure a young lady’s future. Unfortunately, Catherine’s parents care nothing for her feelings or needs, but only for their own social status. When Catherine muddles two matches that would have benefited her parents, her father promises her to an Earl in Cumbria who advertises for a wife.

Both Catherine and the Earl, Loftus Cromwell, have extreme misgivings entering this arranged marriage. Catherine has been extremely hurt by both her former fiancé and her father, and now doesn’t trust any man. Loftus has been denigrated and despised by his family as long as he can remember. They would have been happier if he had died in the war. Returning from the war with physical scars makes Loftus undesirable to the women of the ton, so why should his new wife be different? But Cate is different from his family or high society. She tells him, “God has saved you for a reason.”

I enjoyed seeing the ability of both Catherine and Loftus to see beyond the shallow appearances and expectations of the ton. Both are very kind and compassionate, though they obviously didn’t learn that from their upbringing. 

It’s amazing the knowledge of plants that Loftus has. And he puts it to use to help others, yet he is viewed as a social misfit because of his interest. (Author Killelea obviously did a lot of research on plants for this book.) 

This book made me very sad to see how some parents and siblings can treat family members. How can people be so selfish and wicked? 

I loved the idea that despite gross wrongdoing on certain people’s parts in the novel, love and justice win. 

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:

“We all have worth in God’s eyes, even if you can’t see past your own inflated ego.”

“He wished for everything to be perfect for her, but he could never be perfect himself. “

“Imperfections had never repelled her. If only her husband knew that.”

“‘To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: a time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted.’”

My Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Magnificent! I will be anticipating more from this author!

Blog Stops

For Him and My Family, May 28

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 28

She Lives To Read, May 29

Holly’s Book Corner, May 29

Betti Mace, May 30

Devoted Steps, May 30

Texas Book-aholic, May 31

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 1

Romances of the Cross, June 1

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 2

Pens Pages & Pulses, June 3

The Important Things in Life: God, books, & chocolate, June 3

Devoted To Hope, June 4

Stories By Gina, June 5 (Author Interview)

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, June 5

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 6

Cover Lover Book Review, June 7

Book Butterfly in Dreamland, June 7

Book Looks by Lisa, June 8

Pause for Tales, June 8

Blossoms and Blessings, June 9

Blogging With Carol, June 9

Simple Harvest Reads, June 10 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Giveaway

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

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54230

Bethany House, BLOG, Favorite, Kindle, Launch Team, NetGalley, PB, Purchase

Of Silver and Secrets by Michelle Griep

Babbling Becky L

About the Book:

Title: Of Silver and Secrets

Series: Time’s Lost Treasures #2

Author: Michelle Griep

Publisher: Bethany House Fiction

Released: June 3, 2025

Genre: Historical Romantic Suspense

Buried underneath are truths bent on keeping them apart. . . . 

In 1889 Victorian England, Eva Inman is haunted by guilt over her parents’ deaths while struggling to care for her blind sister and manage her family’s crumbling estate. With the tax deadline looming, Eva’s situation looks dire until an ancient silver ring is unearthed on the property. Despite superstitions warning against disturbing the supposedly cursed acres, Eva’s need for funds ignites her curiosity about the potential of finding more buried relics.

Cambridge professor Bram Webb must prove a legendary Christian Roman settlement exists, or he’ll risk exposing his uncle’s deteriorating memory and they’ll both lose their positions. Then Eva steps into his office with the prospect of an archaeological dig that might lead to the very evidence Bram requires–provided he and Eva can set aside painful memories of a time they would rather forget. As the dig forces the two to confront their pasts, the work becomes fraught with challenges that threaten Eva’s and Bram’s hopes, as well as the growing attraction between them.

“Sure to delight fans of archaeological adventure and historical romance.”–JULIE KLASSEN, bestselling author 

Dive into the past in this clean historical romance as Michelle Griep transports you to Victorian England with an appealing mix of mystery, Roman archaeology, and charming banter. This enthralling tale will appeal to fans of Mimi Matthews, Andrea Penrose, Anna Lee Huber, and Miss Scarlet and the Duke.

Get your copy below!!

https://www.amazon.com/Silver-Secrets-Victorian-Archeological-Treasures/dp/0764242571

My Impressions

“The end of Eva’s world started with a window she never should have left open.”

Whew! What a gripping, suck-you-in-like-a-whirlpool opening sentence!Michelle Griep pens this Victorian romance with such beautiful, flowing artistry that I often had to stop and reread a sentence or a whole paragraph. Just for the beauty of the construction. So I’m in love with the writing style.

And the characters. A young lady, Eva Inman, who is convinced her mistake twelve years earlier caused her mother’s death, her sister’s blindness, and their now-fatherless estate to be in extreme need of funds. The corresponding male main character, Professor Bram Webb, who knew Eva in childhood,now returns to create an archaeological dig on her estate lands. ( Webb must prove an ancient Christian civilization, hiding from Roman tyranny, existed on Inman land.) Eva doesn’t know if she’s attracted to the man from her past or if she despises Bram, the man she considers “the first in a string of people to leave her.”

In some ways, there are elements that give the novel the feel of a certain well-known fictional archaeological character. Fun. Yet, Bram’s reason for joining his uncle Pendleton on  the dig are very self-sacrificing. I cannot imagine the fortitude Bram shows as he supports his history prof. uncle. I would have been explaining myself by this point. Eva doesn’t trust Bram becsuse of their childhood connection, but she fails to understand that Bram has undergone a transformation. Indeed, Bram has many enemies and people he would seem justified to hold a grudge against, but, instead of taking vengeance, he explains to Eva. “Perhaps his conscience is buried beneath layers of deceit and bitterness, yet it is not beyond redemption. Harsh words and flying fists will not change his heart. Only God can do that.” How he moves from ready-to-fight anger to a willingness to hand his enemy over to God speaks so much for his character! 

A great supporting character is Penny, Eva’s outgoing, curious, and unafraid blind sister. Penny is 13 going on 30. How will Eva ever keep her charge safe?

Twists! This novel has some truly great ones. My eyes widened as I read many times, surprised at how each successive obstacle worked out!  

Stars and thunder!! I was unhappy when I finished the book! I loved Of Silver and Shadows so much, with its many themes, truth nuggets, amazing romance and twists. I just didn’t want it to end!! My definition of a perfect book!

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

Notable Quotables:

“…though truth might be absolute, discerning the right course of action when living that truth was often anything but obvious.”

“It is easy to judge from the outside, but we can never truly understand the burdens others carry or the choices they feel forced to make. We are all fallen creatures.”

“Love is a gift, worth risking everything for… let nothing stand in your way.”

“The very first time you asked to be pardoned, you were. That is what grace is all about. “

“We are all tethered to something…When that tether snaps, as it is wont to do, this is when we realize the true extent of our faith.”

ARC, BLOG, Favorite, Just Read Tours, Kindle, Kregel, Purchase

Hearts Aweigh by Shannon Sue Dunlap

Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Title: Hearts Aweigh

Series: Love Overboard #2

Author: Shannon Sue Dunlap

Publisher: Kregel Publications

Released: May 20, 2025

This witty, heartfelt romance is an absolute treat for readers.”
—Elly Gilbert, coauthor of Under the Blue Skies

Cheeky septuagenarian matchmakers, the “Shippers” are on a mission to secure a dreamy Mr. Right for Abby O’Brien, a sunny, optimistic childcare worker for Monarch Cruises. She loves her job looking after the children of vacationing parents, but harbors one unfulfilled desire: to be a wife and a mother.

With his shy five-year-old daughter in tow, divorced elitist lawyer Spencer Randolph Masterson has anything but romance in mind. His goal on the MS Buckingham is to persuade his mother, Daisy, to leave her ridiculous cruise ship lifestyle and return to New Orleans. But Daisy isn’t interested in life on land. Besides, she and her matchmaking posse have a marriage to arrange.

When a secret from Daisy’s past surfaces and threats of blackmail start flying, the Shippers must protect their own while attempting to convince Spencer’s scarred heart to weigh anchor and boldly set sail for a future with Abby.

“Inspirational romance readers will relish every cozy moment they spend with the Shippers!”
—Bethany Turner, author of Cole and Laila Are Just Friends

My Impressions

“One voyage wasn’t long enough to fix the things that were wrong with this man.” 

Hearts Aweigh by Shannon Sue Dunlap is such a cute multi-generational rom-com!! The Shippers, 4 elderly ladies who practically live on the cruise ship, are back. (Yes, this is book 2 in the Love Overboard series. I felt like reading bk 1 first was helpful, but not entirely necessary to understand this one.) With one highly successful match under their belts, these fearsome ladies are ready to tackle victim ( I mean, client) number 2.    

I love the Shippers! We get to know each of the four a little more on this cruise on the MS Buckingham. Daisy, the Southern, genteel lady of the group, has secrets that nobody knew. And this cruise brings her some big surprises. 

I love that the Shipper’s target in this novel, Abby, a Kids Kingdom worker aboard ship, has asked for their help. “it’s lonely by myself. I’d rather have a partner. Someone to share things with. That guaranteed one person who’s always on my side. My best friend.” Of course, the Shippers eventually settle on stuffed shirt, workaholic lawyer Spencer as a possible match for Abby. Abby’s response is noted at the beginning of the blog!! 

A sunshine vs. Mr. Grumpy, a “child-whisperer” vs. a father who has no idea how to be a real dad. Someone who adores Daisy vs. someone who definitely does NOT!! How can this match ever work? And so begins a very trying back-and-forth, unpredictable romance. Will it be or won’t it? The one thing that IS predictable is the laughter!

Plus the adorable factor. That would be Spencer’s daughter, 5-yr-old Madeleine, afraid to speak, play, or move a muscle. How can Abby help this sad little girl out of her shell? But, Abby, being the Pied Piper that she is, has Madeleine playing and giggling and beginning to experience being a child. “Certain children claimed a room in a person’s heart and lived there.” As Maddie claims this spot in Abby’s heart, Spencer finds her invaluable. But he waffles on why he needs Abby near. 

With that romance teetering, the Shippers also have a blackmailer to catch. I love how all that works out, and I foresee another Shipper’s story coming out in a future book. 

If you like romcoms, this is a must-read! 

I received a copy of the book from Just Read Tours, and I also bought my own copy. No positive opinion was required, and all opinions are my own. 

Notable Quotables:

“A well-stocked library is as close as we get to heaven on earth.”– Seamus

“Once you repent, it’s under the blood. The Bible promises complete forgiveness. Feeling guilty isn’t part of the deal.”

“Faith is for when we don’t understand God’s plan. Sometimes we have to walk in the dark awhile and hold tight to his hand.”– Althea

“Dad gave her everything she needed.”“Not the things she needed most. Love, understanding, acceptance.”

“The greatest weapon you can wield is silence. When you say nothing, people rush to fill the awkward void. The one who speaks first relinquishes control of the conversation to the other person. Don’t be in a hurry to answer.”

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Superior! Quadruple the busybodies, quadruple the fun! Never a dull moment with the Shippers at work!

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

The Angel of Second Street by Barbara Tifft Blakey

Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: The Angel of Second Street

Author: Barbara Tifft Blakey

Genre: Christian Fiction/Romance/Historical Fiction

Release date: May 1, 2025

How Can Compassion be Considered Wrong?

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

Ida Dempsey has grown up in a privileged life of luxury thanks to her aunt and uncle. Although Second Street—where women of ill repute ply their wares—is off limits to respectable citizens, her heart of compassion compels her to frequent the area, hoping to make a difference in their lives. Ida has also befriended Qui Shau, a Chinese woman who keeps house for her family, but friendships between the whites and Chinese are taboo in Eureka. Ida tries to keep secret her forbidden compassion, but someone is watching and will use it against her.

When Blaine Prescott meets Ida at a church picnic, his parents warn him away from any relationship with the young lady who has been seen on Second Street in the company of a Chinese woman. But how could such a kindhearted, lovely young woman be anything but good? But when riots break out in Chinatown and Ida disappears, Blaine will do anything to find out where and why she has gone.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Barbara Tifft Blakey lives in the Pacific Northwest on five wooded acres with Terry, her husband of forty-plus years. She is best known for her award-winning, literature-inspired, language arts program, Total Language Plus, which she created over twenty years ago, and is used by thousands of homeschoolers. Barbara teaches Sunday school and enjoys speaking on various topics to Christian women’s groups. She and her husband have four grown children and five grandchildren. She enjoys camping at the ocean and is an avid soccer fan. During the day-light challenged winter months, she reads, crochets, bakes, and plots her next novel.

More from Barbara

As the birthplace of my mother, Eureka, California holds a special charm for me intensified by my grandmother’s stories of the area. Every visit I’ve made has encouraged me to dig deeper, to learn more, to experience this small, coastal town’s magnetism.

Its history includes the Wiyot’s massacre on Indian Island which can be viewed from the harbor and the expulsion of the Chinese population from Humboldt County. Carson’s Mansion is the most photographed Victorian dwelling in California, and possibly the United States, built to keep the lumber baron’s loggers employed during a downturn in the timber industry. Because of the numerous brothels, an entire section of Second Street located in the heart of the community was deemed out of bounds for children.

Both hero and heroine in Angel of Second Street are fictional, but my cast of characters includes real-life people such as Reverend Huntington, David Kendall, and Wei Lum and real historical businesses such as Wells Drug Store and Kitty Farris’s Joy Emporium.

I first wrote a version of this story more than a decade ago, but who can argue with God’s timing? Events that happened over 150 years ago feel current in today’s political climate where fear tactics dominate debates and spur regrettable actions. I didn’t set out to make a political statement, only to tell an engaging, thought-provoking love story, but in the midst of relating historical events, a deeper truth emerged as relevant today as it was in the mid 1800s.

I pray you’ll journey with Ida and Blaine through the turmoil of their times and be enriched to face the trials of today with renewed hope.

My Impressions

“On my way to the picnic yesterday, I asked God to show me the woman He’d chosen to be my wife, someone who loves Jesus as much as I do. I saw you first.”

Wow! Barbara Tifft Blakey held me spellbound as she wove the historical story of 1884 Eureka, California, and its Chinatown. While I love to read historical romances, I am finding they are often not something I would want to live through. The Angel of Second Street tells of two young people who are immediately attracted to each other upon meeting. Rich, eligible Blaine sees beautiful Ida as a direct answer to his prayers for a godly mate. His family puts up every roadblock possible to keep the two apart, including throwing a family friend’s daughter into his path repeatedly. 

I love Ida and Blaine. Both truly want to do more than follow society’s rules and make their families happy. Ida’s biggest wish in life is to tell others about Jesus. “God had opened the eyes of her heart, and everywhere Ida looked she saw hurting people. Even Mrs. Prescott.” She has a purpose, a mission, and a passion. She doesn’t give up. But she does battle within herself, having to deceive in order to carry out her definition of doing right. “Was anything more important than telling the lost about Jesus? But also important were the scriptural directives to obey one’s parents. In her case, didn’t that mean her aunt and uncle? Never before had she been forced to choose between two equally indispensable commands.” Blaine has his own struggles with his shipping tycoon father who has no interest in anyone’s true well-being. 

Whew, it’s incredible the mental struggles both Ida and Blaine must wade through, accompanied by much prayer, to figure out the right path. Sometimes the paths they choose are funny. Sometimes the resulting paths are loaded with strife. I wondered if I’d be brave enough to choose some of the paths they did, or would I choose to please people and just make life easy? 

I loved seeing the growth of thinking in both Ida and Blaine.

Some characters are surprising. How fun it was, to discover characters acting quite differently than what I expected of them! Great twists! 

My fave character is Reverend Huntington. It took me a while to figure out how he feels about the workers from Chinatown that the town wants to expel, or the ladies of Second Street that Ida is determined to help. At first he is unwilling to encourage Ida in her endeavors. Eventually, we see him in another light. 

It is so sad to see the general attitude of the town’s affluent businessmen. While their households and sometimes businesses benefit greatly from the Chinese workers, they despise them immensely. “Less than.” That is the rich, white opinion towards the Chinese. Blaine is like Ida in his disregard for class. He understands  the prejudice he is  seeing, directed at the Chinatown residents. “The way he saw it, the problems discussed were symptoms of underlying issues. Tackle those, and the contemptible manifestations would take care of themselves.” Hmmm… makes one think about today’s atmosphere of cancelling whole groups of people for the actions of a few. 

This is long, I know. If you’re still with me, I have to comment on Blaine’s revelation to Ida of his prayer for God to show him a woman at the picnic who loved Jesus as much as he did. My husband relates a similar tale. He says God told him his future wife would be at his baptism. There were only two of us girls there that day near his age, and I was moving 5 hours away in a couple of months! We didn’t start seriously dating until 5 years later because of the distance, but, wow. I sure am glad he didn’t blurt out that declaration when he first was baptized!!😂

Notable Quotables:

 “My heavenly Father is responsible for my joy—and for yours. You cannot protect me from this world’s trials. You don’t need to, because I have His defense and refuge.”- Ida

“If a man lost integrity, what did he have left?”

“I believe God is calling me to act, and I’m willing.”

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Magnificent! My mind is whirling with the thoughts and implications of this story. Looking forward to the next!

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 29

Pens Pages & Pulses, May 29

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 30

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 31

Texas Book-aholic, June 1

Stories By Gina, June 2 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, June 2

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 3

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 4

Simple Harvest Reads, June 5 (Guest Review from Donna)

For Him and My Family, June 6

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, June 6

Holly’s Book Corner, June 7

Pause for Tales, June 8

Cover Lover Book Review, June 9

Book Butterfly in Dreamland, June 9

Devoted To Hope, June 10

Bizwings Book Blog, June 11

Giveaway

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

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54231

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

Capture the Moment by Suzanne Woods Fisher Review and Giveaway

Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: Capture the Moment

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release date: May 6, 2025

Kate Cunningham is facing the opportunity of a lifetime. As a zoo photographer, she’s spent years photographing animals in carefully controlled environments, but now National Geographic has dangled an irresistible prize: If Kate can snag a unique photo of a legendary bear in Grand Teton National Park, they just might publish it. It’s the kind of challenge Kate has been waiting for, and she’s eager to prove herself in the wild.

With more enthusiasm than experience, Kate soon realizes that capturing an image of this bear isn’t as simple as she hoped. Fortunately, she crosses paths with Grant Cooper, a seasonal park ranger who knows the terrain–and the bears–better than anyone. His tracking skills could be exactly what Kate needs to succeed, and it doesn’t hurt that he’s easy on the eyes. But they’re not the only ones with an interest in the park’s most famous bear. And his motives are far from innocent.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Suzanne Woods Fisher is a Christy finalist, a Carol and Selah winner, a two-time ECPA Book of the Year finalist, and Publishers Weekly and ECPA bestselling author of more than forty books. Her genres include contemporary and historical romances, Amish romance, and women’s fiction. She and her husband live in a small town in California. Most friends act a little nervous around Suzanne because they usually wind up in one of her novels. She has four grown children and enough grandchildren to keep her young.

More from Suzanne

A Spark that Lit a Story 

By Suzanne Woods Fisher

Capture the Moment (Revell—May 6, 2025)

Inspiration can strike in the most unexpected places—like a gift shop in Grand Teton National Park. While browsing, I struck up a conversation with a college student who had never set foot outside Alabama until her mom dropped her off for a summer job in the park. One minute, she was home in the Deep South; the next, she was surrounded by towering peaks and moose crossings. Talk about a culture shock.

That conversation lit a spark that eventually became my National Parks Summers series. I couldn’t stop thinking about the fascinating mix of people who work seasonally in national parks. You’ve got fresh-faced college kids on their first big adventure, retirees finally living their bucket-list dreams, and everyone in between. These parks aren’t just natural wonders—they’re crossroads for people from all walks of life, all chasing something unique.

In Capture the Moment, I wanted to explore what happens when people and landscapes collide. Kate Cunningham, a determined zoo photographer, swaps enclosures for the wilds of Grand Teton, chasing an elusive bear and her own sense of purpose. Along the way, Kate meets Grant Cooper, a rugged park ranger with a knack for tracking and a talent for keeping her on her toes.

National parks are more than just beautiful backdrops—they’re places where people find themselves, lose themselves, and sometimes stumble into something extraordinary.

Maybe even love.

My Impressions

“399…Queen of the Tetons…”

“‘A living, breathing legend.’ ‘Exactly. She’s a symbol of the wild, a reminder that even in the heart of nature, there are stories, personalities, and connections waiting to be discovered.’”

And…we’re off on a journey to visit some of our nation’s great national parks with Suzanne Woods Fisher, told in her gentle, heart-warming style. First stop in this new series, National Parks Summers, is Grand Tetons National Park, in Capture the Moment. 

If you are a fan of nature, underdogs, Suzanne Woods Fisher, plot twists, and gentle reminders to listen to the still, small voice of God, this is a must-read.

I adored the novice photographer, Kate, who thought she would get the original photo that no one else had. What a shock she gets when she arrives at the best viewing spots for the old grizzly, 399, only to discover a great crowd of disdainful professional photographers ahead of her. Fortunately, Kate is willing to learn from her mistakes and not wallow in her failures. ( And being a city-slicker, there are plenty!) “She reminded herself that mistakes were a natural part of the learning process. “Each one has a lesson to teach,” she said to herself.” Another verse that helps her when she is amazed at her own obtuseness( and don’t most of us have blinders on in some area of life?) is “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Do you not perceive it?” What I love about this moment is that Woods points out this is a verse God brings to Kate’s mind because she had hidden it in her heart long ago. Do we have verses like that? Second, are we, as we age, still working on memorizing, so God can bring those verses to mind?

Woods populates her novel with so many other wonderful characters! Of course, everyone will love Coop! How can you not! Handsome, knowledgeable,  expert on bears, and compassionate. He champions Kate, the underdog, plus he understands and mentors the impossibly belligerent Frankie. This is no small feat, because it is obvious he would rather not have this sidekick 24-7! And, he is unafraid to tell the truth as it is… to those that need to hear it… which his acting director, Sally, tries to silence.

Sally. She is acting director of the park, and a piece of work! I was surprised to find that I didn’t like her any more after a night of “sleeping on it” than I did when I finished the story. 

And Tim and his granddaughter, Maisie! To meet Tim is to love him, unless you are Frankie. Such a wise, thoughtful, man rooted in faith. His granddaughter, Maisie, who frequently gets dumped on him? She’s 13, loquacious, loud, and goes non-stop 24-7. Everyone seems to have a love-avoid her relationship with her. Maisie wants so hard to be accepted, loved, and seen as special. Pops finally tells her on one occasion when she takes imitation overboard, “a tulip doesn’t struggle to be different from a rose.”

Bonus note: With a great detailed map of the park at the beginning and a list of the most important characters also at the beginning, I felt well-armed to tackle the book. 

I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit via NetGalley. I bought my own pb copy for my keeper shelf. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own. 

Notable Quotables:

“she realized that seeing things differently was a gift, not a burden.”

“But holding on to anger isn’t doing you any favors.”…“It’s like a poison.”…“Forgiveness is the antidote.”

“what you’re looking for can’t be found within. Only outside ourselves. Only in God.” 

“…he didn’t have to hang on to that hurt anymore.”

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Superior! National parks story told in Fisher’s heart-warming, feels-like-a-hug-style, complete with a grizzly, romance, humor, faith, and a bit of mystery.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 22

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 22

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, May 22

By the Book, May 23

Carla’s Book Crush, May 23

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 24

Devoted To Hope, May 24

Book Looks by Lisa, May 25

Texas Book-aholic, May 25

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 26

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 26

lakesidelivingsite, May 27

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 27

The Avid Reader, May 28

Blossoms and Blessings, May 28

Southern Gal Loves to Read, May 28

Stories By Gina, May 29 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 29

Blogging With Carol, May 30

For Him and My Family, May 30

Cover Lover Book Review, May 31

Karen Baney Reviews, May 31

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 1

Holly’s Book Corner, June 1

Jeanette’s Thoughts, June 2

Books Less Travelled, June 2

She Lives To Read, June 3

Pause for Tales, June 3

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, June 3

Lily’s Corner, June 4

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, June 4

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Suzanne is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card and an eBook copy of the book!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54226

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

To Kiss a Knight by Grace Hitchcock Review

Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Title: To Kiss a Knight

Series: Best Laid Plans, Bk 2

Author: Grace Hitchcock

Publisher: Kregel

Released: May 20, 2025

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

When everything is going right, something must go wrong

Vivienne Poppy’s plans are working out quite well. She’s run away from her family and the prospect of a horrid marriage of convenience and plans to spend her time writing under her pseudonym, Lady Larkby. Until she discovers the old Larkby title is not as dead as she thought.

Yeoman of the Guard and recently knighted Sir Sebastian Larkby is stunned to discover a Lady Larkby that he does not remember marrying. Suddenly Vivienne is left with a choice: relinquish her pen name, expose her true identity, and break Sebastian’s dying grandmother’s heart—or feign marriage to Sebastian to keep the title and fulfill the old woman’s wishes.

This witty novel from award-winning author Grace Hitchcock is filled with scandal, mishap, and just the right amount of romance.

“A rollicking Regency with romance, danger, humor, and unexpected plot twists you won’t want to miss!”
—Crystal Caudill, Christy Award–winning author of Written in Secret

Get your copy by clicking below!

https://mybook.to/QPVfA

About the Author

Grace Hitchcock is the award-winning author of multiple historical novels and novellas. She holds a Masters in Creative Writing and a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in History. Grace lives in the New Orleans area with her husband, Dakota, sons, and daughter. Connect with her online at GraceHitchcock.com.

My Impressions

“You should know that I was born with an extra dose of curiosity. It has never been kind to me, and no matter how hard I try to tame it, I fail when it matters most.”

Ah, travel back to the merry land of England in Victorian times.  Grace Hitchcock has captured the essence of the era well in her novel, To Kiss a Knight. All is genteel and well, unless one is…well, actually, one of several people in this book! The first is rather day-dreamy authoress Vivienne, who unexpectedly finds herself in a jam. Trying to escape an arranged marriage, her stagecoach is hijacked by a highwayman. She comes to consciousness, finding herself slung over his shoulder, traveling horseback. While looking for an escape, our intrepid heroine is thrilled for new ideas for her next book, which, of course, is written under a pseudonym,  “Lady Larkby.” After being delivered home by a very kind highwayman (“Goldie the Highwayman,” though he prefers the name Bash),  Vivienne begins to plan times for the community of Bath, to get to know her as her author alter-ego. 

This is well and good, (and worth plenty of smiles) until the Highwayman also is found to have an alter-ego. His is Sir Sebastian Larkby, which would make him the husband of our authoress. And so, this lark of a tale gets more tangled. When Sebastian’s ill grandmother hears from a gossip that he has married, she rallies. What will happen to her health, precarious as it is, if she hears that it is all a ruse? 

This novel has lots of Victorian atmosphere, many laughs, and of course, romance between two unlikely people, plus a dab of suspense. I enjoyed a few twists that Hitchcock threw in. I’ll be going back to read the first novel in the series, To Catch a Coronet, and I’ll be anxious for the third to come!

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

Notable Quotables:

“Some adventuring pays in dividends, and others in disaster.”– Bash

“After all, a fictitious wife required a fictitious romance.”

“A thief who cared for the poor and a lady’s honor was a conundrum.”

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Magnificent! Great Victorian atmosphere, with plenty of clean romance, secrets, and suspense!