Category: NetGalley

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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, 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!

ARC, Bethany House, BLOG, Favorite, Just Read Tours, Kindle, NetGalley, Purchase

The Shop Down the Lane by Leslie Gould Review and Giveaway

Babbling Becky L

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Shop Down the Lane by Leslie Gould, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Shop Down the Lane
Series: Letters from Lancaster County
Author: Leslie Gould
Publisher: Bethany House
Release Date: May 6, 2025
Genre: Amish Romance

Leslie Gould delights in this sweet and humorous Amish romance reminiscent of The Shop Around the Corner and You’ve Got Mail.

Lois Yoder has always found solace in the quiet life of Paradise, Pennsylvania, where she manages a gift shop that reflects her Amish community’s simple values. Her tranquil world is upended when Moses Lantz, a former Amishman turned Mennonite and the man who broke her heart, buys the shop with ambitious plans to transform it into a tourist hub–a move that Lois fiercely opposes.

Seeking a distraction, Lois joins a bird watchers’ circle letter under an alias. But unknown to her, Moses does the same at the urging of a friend. While their correspondence blossoms into a tender romance, the enmity between Lois and Moses in real life only intensifies. Can they overcome their animosity and embrace the love they’ve found through their letters, or will their stubborn hearts keep them apart forever?

This heartwarming Amish romance includes themes of bird watching, correspondence by letters, enemies to lovers, and family secrets for readers of Beverly Lewis, Wanda E. Brunstetter, and Shelley Shepard Gray.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Bethany House | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop | BookBub

Also Available

About the Author

Leslie Gould is a Christy Award-winning and #1 bestselling author of more than 48 novels, including four Lancaster County Amish series. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history and an MFA in creative writing. She enjoys church history, research trips, and hiking in the Pacific Northwest. She and her husband live in Portland, Oregon, and have four adult children and two grandchildren.

Connect with Leslie by visiting lesliegould.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.

My Impressions

“She should have quit when Moses first bought Paradise Found, which was Paradise Lost now to her.”

Leslie Gould gives us a humorous remix of “You’ve Got Mail” and “The Shop Around the Corner” in The Shop Down the Lane. When her mentor Scotty sells the Amish souvenir shop she manages, Lois Yoder is doubly upset to discover the new owner. He’s none other than Moses Lantz, former Amish turned Mennonite, and one with whom she shares a past. Unable to bring themselves to be civil to each other, tensions escalate between the two while their individual woes pile up as well. Both Lois and Moses join an Amish birding circle letter separately, under assumed names. As their real life relationship crumples, their friendship on paper becomes a beacon of hope. Gould applies some good twists to this story, and uses birds to teach valuable lessons as well. 

Casey and Amy probably tie for my fave secondary characters. Both are incredibly perceptive and wise. Without Amy, Lois probably wouldn’t have had the strength to remain in the Paradise community. Amy may be the closest thing to family Lois has. Casey is a good friend to Moses, but he also holds him accountable for his actions, and makes Moses think about his life’s direction. Casey is also a supportive friend to Lois.

Since I love birds, and novels with twists, this book hit some sweet spots for me. I loved how many different birds are mentioned, along with their descriptions, habits, and habitats. Such a treat for any birder! And Teresa, the Amish woman who initiates the birding circle letter, loves to compare birds to people. “They live by their values, something we would do well to emulate. Everything they do is for a purpose, from their singing to nest building to hunting.” A few times Lois has to stop and consider as she reads these lines, she is not living by her values. 

At one point John rather glibly replies to a statement, saying that God had worked out all things. While this may be true, Lois is hurt. Sometimes we hurt others, spouting off Scriptural thoughts blithely, ignoring the pain a friend is presenting. Yes, God does work things out, however-

“Sometimes there was quite a bit of pain before “things” worked out. Sometimes people were stuck in the middle of something for years before it did work out. Or perhaps it never worked out in the way you hoped and you simply moved on, knowing Gott still had a plan.”

God, help me to be careful in offering empty ( albeit true) platitudes!

I recommend this novel!

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

Notable Quotables:

“Nurture others, she’d written. But depend on their strengths too.” – Teresa

“Everything we do is motivated by either love or fear,” he said. “We must decide which will motivate us before a trying situation arises. Will we be motivated to love our neighbors or fear them?”

“it was up to management to educate employees into the workers the business needed.”

“Gott made you, just as He made every single bird, to be YOU. Let others see the beauty He created in you, both internal and external.”

“God’s creation is what gives me hope. There’s so much beauty and joy, tragedy and trauma, harmony and hope. No matter how difficult life is, I feel at peace when I’m birding.”

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Magnificent! If you enjoy Amish romance or birding, you will enjoy this novel.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card and a print copy of The Shop Down the Lane!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 13, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 20, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

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

The Accused by Cara Putman Review

Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Title: The Accused

Series: Secrets to Keep, #2

Author: Cara Putman

Publisher: Kregel

Released: April 15, 2025

Genre: Legal Thriller

A brilliant novel that fans of the genre won’t want to miss!”
—Tosca Lee, New York Times best-selling author of The Line Between

When a popular college student is murdered, her international roommate, Anneliese, becomes a prime suspect. But law professor Margeaux Robbins doesn’t believe that the quiet, lonely German girl in her class is the killer.

Chase Crandall is a burned-out defense attorney ready to extricate himself from the grind of criminal law. After he loses a client to tragedy, he’s ready for an in-house corporate position.

When Chase is assigned to Anneliese’s case, Margeaux is horrified. She doesn’t want him to provide legal counsel—not after what happened to his past client. And not with the evidence incriminating Anneliese.

Despite their mutual misgivings, the lawyer and professor pair up to find the killer and prove Anneliese’s innocence. Will they be able to untangle the mystery—and navigate their growing interest in one another—before the wrong person is charged with murder?”Gripping and brimming with chemistry, this novel will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.”
—Lynette Eason, best-selling and award-winning author of the Lake City Heroes series

Purchase here:

https://mybook.to/IadZm

About the Author

Since the time I could read Nancy Drew, I have wanted to write mysteries. In 2005 I attended a book signing at my local Christian bookstore. The rest, as they say, is history. There I met Colleen Coble. With prompting from my husband, I shared my dream with Colleen. Since those infamous words, I’ve been writing award-winning books with the count currently climbing to 40 published and more in the works.

In addition to writing, I am a mom of four, attorney, Clinical Associate Professor at a Big Ten university who also runs a center, and all around crazy woman. Crazy about God, my husband, and my kids. I graduated with honors from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Go Huskers!), George Mason Law School, and Purdue University’s MBA program. You can learn more about my books on my website, which is easy to find because it’s simply my name dot com. And if you’d like to read my legal suspense novella, Dying for Love, simply connect with me on my website, and I’ll send you the link.

My Impressions

“Sometimes you have to do what’s right even when it could cost you everything.”

Stunned! That was my  reaction on finishing The Accused, a legal thriller by Cara Putman. A spin on the Amanda Knox case of a few years ago, my heart was in my throat nearly all the way through the book. 

Putman starts out by introducing us to the two main characters, Margeaux Robbins and Chase Crandall. Margeaux teaches law at a small college, cares deeply for her students, but has no courtroom experience. Chase, conversely, is a burnt-out court-appointed criminal defense lawyer who doesn’t appear to care much about his clients. 

When German exchange student Annaliese is arrested for murder of her roommate, she contacts Margeaux, who cannot help…not only is she not qualified for the courtroom, as Chase so quickly points out, but Annaliese won’t confide in Margeaux or anyone.

Each doubting the other’s legal abilities, Chase and Margeaux team up to defend Annaliese in court. Strange, given their mistrust of each other. “I wonder which is more important to the attorney. Justice? Or the truth? Because sometimes they get in the way of each other when we’re trying to live by ‘innocent until proven guilty.’” However, both lawyers begin to see Annaliese as worth defending, although the doubts of her innocence start to creep in. The evidence is invariably confusing and Annaliese won’t talk. 

I wasn’t sure I would survive the stress until it was all sorted out. Or if I would like the outcome. I was certainly left slack-jawed at Putman’s ability to create a legal thriller with so many twists and turns. 

I like how faith was an integral part of the novel . Margeaux’s past has made her slow to believe God is always with her. Chase has turned away. With the stakes so high, will the two do things their own way or look to God for help?

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

Notable Quotables:

“God should never be her last resort, yet he often was.”

“Slowly she sensed his peace flowing into her, reminding her that even when she forgot to turn to him first, he was still working and waiting for her to remember. She was never built to be an island. And even if she was alone, she wasn’t ever alone.”

“Emotion is dangerous in my line of work…I have to keep a tight grip on logic to defend my clients.”

“A simple twist here and another twist there and suddenly constitutional protections disappeared, lost in meaningless legal wrangling.”

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Superb! Nail-biting suspense! I never saw the end coming!!

ARC, BLOG, Favorite, Kindle, NetGalley, Purchase, Thomas Nelson

Some Like it Scot Review and Giveaway

Babbling Becky L

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Some Like it Scot by Pepper Basham hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Some Like it Scot
Author: Pepper Basham
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: April 8, 2025
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

She lives her life on the fly. His heart is double-knotted to home. Can two different souls create a life together?

Popular travel writer and podcaster Katie Campbell roams the world collecting other people’s stories. She’s built a career as “Miss Adventure,” known for saying yes to anything new–country, food, or experience–and predictably finding those adventures taking a downward turn into misadventures.

Offered the chance to explore her ancestral roots through a three-week Edwardian experience, Katie finds herself immersed in the beauty and eccentricity of Scotland. In her period attire, with traditional foods and activities, the opportunities for misadventures are endless, especially with the presence of a maniacal macaw, a jealous co-worker, and an all-too-surly Scotsman.

Reclusive and protective Graeme MacKerrow doesn’t venture far from his island home. A stoic Scotsman, Graeme’s comfort zone has always been family, and after his sister’s death, he’s even more determined to save the MacKerrow ancestral home and keep those he loves close. The sudden intrusion of a six-foot-one American lass, famous for her traveling misfortunes, was far from his plan.

As this world of folklore, community, and woodworkers-in-kilts tempts Katie to discover her own story, could this one grand series of misadventures lead her directly to where she belongs? And would a settled-in-Scot ever risk loosening his grip on what’s familiar to allow a wanderlust writer a home in his heart? How could their very different worlds share the same page of life’s story when “home” is in two very different places? But maybe home–and the future–isn’t quite what either one imagined it would be. Maybe home is less about a place . . . and more about a person.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Faith Gateway | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Bookshop

Also Available:

About the Author

Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance “peppered” with grace and humor. Writing both historical and contemporary novels, she loves to incorporate her native Appalachian culture and/or her unabashed adoration of the UK into her stories. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC, where she is the wife of a fantastic pastor, the mom of five great kids, a speech-language pathologist, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus.

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

My Impressions

“My value wasn’t measured by her behavior. Or my mistakes. It was measured by God’s love. A love I couldn’t out-fail. Ever.”

May I say this quote above made me cry as it is something I need to remember often, when my mind takes me places it doesn’t need to stay. Like Katie, I need to find my ultimate value in God, not what others may have said to me. 

Hairy coos, puffins, a few exotic pets, an Edwardian Era adventure, an adorable ten-year-old, an American travel writer in Scotland, and a #hotScot!! Whew!! That’s a lot!! Mix them all up with a touch of faith, dependably but step-by-step guiding the characters through their choices and messes ( this *is* the social media phenomenon known as Miss Adventure for a reason),and we have a wonderfully endearing, humorous story that you will be sorry to close the book on. 

Scotland, with its nearly constant (as I read it)mist or rain has never been high on my travel list. But Pepper Basham is so talented, that in Some Like it Scot, she could convince the biggest naysayer that Scotland has a rugged beauty that needs to be seen, smelled, and felt! Not to mention meeting the #hotScot! A totally infuriating, standoffish, confusing, and ultimately, just maybe attractive #hotScot !

With a dysfunctional family in her background, our heroine Katie is desperately searching for a sense of belonging and home. A conversation with her brother highlights this. “What if Scotland is the place you’ve been searching for?…Home, Katie. We’re all trying to find it.…Sometimes it’s a place. Sometimes it’s a person. Sometimes it’s both.”

When Katie finally realizes her sense of home, will she accept it, or will she attempt to run? ( We often recreate the familiar, even to our own hurt!)

Fave character? Obviously, the two main characters are the winners here. But Mirren, with her soul-piercing discernment and unconditional love has got to be a close second!! And the Highlander Coo! ( I must say that Moolatté is disappointed in this representation of her adorable breed!) Could it be, that animals, and people, have inward qualities that cannot be judged by outward appearances? Katie can see this as relates to the #hotScot, but she has difficulty understanding how others see her because of who God made her to be. Will she be free to be herself, or will she forever be trapped trying to conform to ghosts of impossible expectations? This is a hilarious, must-read book!!

I received a copy of the book from JustRead Tours via NetGalley. I also bought my own ecopy. ( But I need the pb- this is one for the keeper shelf!!) No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own. 

Notable Quotables:

“Love lingers long.”- Mirren

“Graeme, it’s not about your hold on God. It’s about His hold on you.”- Greer

“When you know you’re loved, it changes everything.”

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Superior!! (My version of six stars!) Who knew I could become a rom-com fan? Are you?

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Some Like it Scot and hairy coo themed gift box!

(1) additional winner will receive a print copy of Some Like it Scot!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight April 9, 2025 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on April 16, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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

ARC, Bethany House, BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Kindle, NetGalley, Purchase

Dawn of Grace by Jill Eileen Smith Review and Giveaway

Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: Dawn of Grace: Mary Magdalene’s Story

Author: Jill Eileen Smith

Genre: FICTION / Christian / Biblical

Release date: February 18, 2025

From her earliest days, Mary Magdalene has known fear and loss at a level so deep she has no hope of surfacing. Bound to the demons within her and incapable of freeing herself, Mary walks in shadow–until one day she encounters a healer, a rabbi who is radically different from the religious leaders and family members who could do nothing to help her. One touch from Jesus and Mary is never the same.

Now Mary’s one mission in life is to serve the one who freed her. She is determined never to leave his side, fearing that if she loses him, she’ll return to her former bondage. Even when the unthinkable happens and her savior is arrested and sentenced to execution, she cannot abandon him as so many others did. Let her be buried in his tomb, for she cannot live without him.

On the brink of despair, Mary is about to discover that while the life of faith is never perfect, perfect love casts out fear–and Jesus makes all things new.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Jill Eileen Smith is the bestselling and award-winning author of the biblical fiction series The Wives of King David, Wives of the Patriarchs, and Daughters of the Promised Land, as well as The Heart of a King, Star of Persia: Esther’s Story, Miriam’s Song, The Prince and the Prodigal, Daughter of Eden, and The Ark and the Dove. Her research has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in biblical times. Jill lives with her family in Michigan.

More from Jill

Dawn of Grace, Mary Magdalene’s story, is a biblical novel based on the life of Mary Magdalene. Step into first century Israel during the time of Jesus Christ and meet the woman whom Jesus healed from demon possession. See how her life went from one of despair to one of grace.

We learn, through Mary’s point of view, what it might have been like to follow the rabbi, Jesus, throughout Galilee and Judea for at least part of His ministry. She is with Him as often as possible, and one of the few women in His circle who stayed with Him all the way to the cross—and watched Him die.

In her grief, Mary learned where they buried Him and determined to return after Shabbat to anoint His beloved body one more time. But when she arrived, He was not where they had lain Him. Distraught, Mary searches for answers until she hears Jesus call her name. She is the first to see the resurrected Messiah, and she is never the same again.

In Dawn of Grace, we imagine how the things we read about in the gospels might have played out through Mary’s eyes. The Bible tells us that she helped support His ministry out of her means, and she is mentioned often as one of His devoted followers. What emotions did she experience as she went from learning about a coming kingdom to hearing her Messiah speak about His coming death and resurrection? The men didn’t understand. Did she? What did she feel in that moment when she thought all hope was lost?

I hope you will gain a new perspective of what it might have been like for one of the New Testament’s most famous women, one who lived in a world where women were not given much notice or status. Yet Jesus included them, and even elevated them. The Scriptures tell us that there is no difference between male and female in God’s eyes. He loves us all. Mary got the chance to see God’s care for her and all women in a way she never expected. God’s love for all is the same today.

My Impressions

“Freedom coursed through me. This man, Jesus—I didn’t know who he was or where he came from, but one thing was certain. No one had ever helped me like he had. I never wanted to leave his side.”

Jill Eileen Smith authors a well-researched, Scripture-based fictional account of Mary Magdalene that will have you amazed, terrified, and wondering. You will be amazed by the miracles Jesus does as they are fleshed out with details that truly bring them to life. You will be terrified for Mary as you see her descent into demonic oppression and get a better grip on the horrors that began to be an unpredictable part of her life, until she wishes for death. You will be left struggling with the reality of Jesus’s predictions of his death, wondering how much you might understand if His teachings and miracles were a new thing. What if the Bible were happening before your eyes, not something well-known, documented, and read and learned. I read with fresh eyes as the disciples and others see multiple miracles and still struggle to process it all, to believe Jesus is really the Son of God as He claims. And then the seemingly contradictory statements. As much as possible, Smith has Jesus speaking using Bible passages, in a concerted effort to avoid any conflict with Scripture. It is so interesting to view Jesus’s ministry from a woman’s point of view- so many emotions while the men reasoned and argued. 

I found it especially interesting to see how Smith handles a few things, like Mary’s need for deep love. “What I really wanted, I didn’t have. I wanted someone to love me.”As Mary follows Jesus, she has accepted that He truly loves her, but she deals with the human emotion of trying to understand how God can love all people equally, when people naturally want to be the most important in a relationship. Can God love Mary ( and us) specially, uniquely, but still love others with the same intensity? Does His love spur us on to do for Him as it did Mary? And doubts. Can we have doubts? I loved how Smith imagines Jesus addressing the disciples’ doubts: “It is not wrong to have doubts and confusion, Philip.”… “It is what you do with your doubts and confusion that matters. Do they lead you to me, to faith and to seeking the Father, or do they push you to go your own way?”

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

Notable Quotables:

“We all have a past, Mary,” he said softly. “Everyone needs Jesus to forgive them of something. If we were all holy as God is holy, we wouldn’t need him.”

-Joseph Justus

“I did not come to make friends with those who think they are righteous. I came to save those who know they are not,” 

“To realize Jesus accepted the worst members of society comforted me in a way I could not explain.”

“I think we need him far more than he needs us.”

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Magnificent! You’ll see Mary Magdalene and Jesus’s Ministry with New Eyes!

Blog Stops

Inspired by Fiction, April 3

Lights in a Dark World, April 3

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 4

Texas Book-aholic, April 5

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 6

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, April 7

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 8

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 9

Life on Chickadee Lane, April 9

Stories By Gina, April 10 (Author Interview)

Devoted Steps, April 10

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 11

Cover Lover Book Review, April 12

For Him and My Family, April 13

Pause for Tales, April 14

EmpowerMoms, April 14

She Lives To Read, April 15

Holly’s Book Corner, April 16

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jill is giving away the grand prize of a $15 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/00adcf54191

ARC, Bethany House, Biblical Fiction, BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Favorite, Kindle, Launch Team, NetGalley, Purchase

Before the King by Heather Kaufman Review and Giveaway

Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: Before the King: Joanna’s Story (Women of the Way Book 2)

Author: Heather Kaufman

Genre: FICTION / Christian / Biblical

Release date: January 21, 2025

Joanna’s wealthy family aspires to Herod’s inner circle, but when her father’s esteemed position in the Sepphoris Sanhedrin is threatened, her family harbors a dark secret. Entangled in the complexities of aristocratic life and an impending arranged marriage, Joanna is caught between her own desires and maintaining appearances. When tragedy strikes, Joanna grapples with a new future that challenges her sense of duty and hope for love.

Years later, Joanna is forever changed when a rabbi comes preaching a new kingdom and healing the sick. As she contributes to his ministry, Joanna treads a perilous path between a court that mocks Jesus of Nazareth, disciples who view her with suspicion, and a husband who guards his own secrets. With pressure increasing on all sides, Joanna must decide where her allegiances lie and protect her relationship to the Christ, whose message is as compelling as it is dangerous.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Heather Kaufman is the author of multiple books and devotions, praised by Kirkus Reviews for writing “a charming and well-crafted tale.” She delights in highlighting the goodness of God through storytelling. When not reading, writing, or accumulating mounds of books, Heather can be found exploring new parks with her husband and three children near their home in St. Louis, Missouri.

More from Heather

Hello, Fellow Book Lover!

My heart behind the Women of the Way series is to highlight the beauty of Jesus through the eyes of some of his lesser-known female followers. In Before the King, we behold Jesus through the eyes of Joanna. Although she’s only named twice in Scripture, the little we do know about her is compelling. In Luke 8:1-3, we discover that Joanna was healed by Jesus of an infirmity and then followed him, supporting his ministry from her own means. What’s so shocking is that she’s the wife of Chuza, Herod Antipas’ steward! During my research, I discovered that her husband’s position is better translated “procurator,” someone in charge of financial affairs. Such a position suggests that Chuza was a prominent man within Herod’s administration. But the surprises don’t end there! My research also indicated that Chuza was most likely Nabatean. Nestled just southeast of Herod’s own territory of Perea, Nabatea was a major world power at the time of Christ.

The more I researched, the more my jaw dropped to the ground. How did a Jewish woman married to a prominent Gentile within Herod’s administration come to support Jesus of Nazareth? Did her husband know? Did he approve? Did Herod himself ever find out? You’ll have to read Before the King to see just where my imagination took me!

I depict Joanna as caught between two courts—that of Herod Antipas and that of Jesus Christ. She chooses to risk everything for her faith and that choice pays off. The second time we see Joanna in Scripture is in Luke 24:10 as an eyewitness to the empty tomb. Not only did she behold the empty tomb, she gazed upon the risen Christ, for in Matthew 28:9 we read that as the women left, they encountered Jesus himself. What an amazing privilege to be one of the first to meet the risen Lord in the flesh!

I hope Joanna’s story encourages you to live a bold faith that clings to Christ, despite opposition. Our world now isn’t so different from hers then. Christ’s Kingdom is still advancing in the midst of political unrest, social division, and rampant greed. May we pin our hopes upon King Jesus, who is worthy of our devotion. Like Joanna, may we place all we have within his hands, deeming him worthy of the cost.

While you read, consider listening to the Before the King playlist! It’s full of inspirational music that ties into the themes from the book. Give it a listen HERE. Happy reading (and listening)!

Surrendering with you to Him,

Heather

My Impressions

“I have to believe,” came her simple reply. “In order to live, I have to believe that He is present and that He cares.”- Dalia

What a Biblical fiction adventure this book is! Before the King: Joanna’s Story by Heather Kaufman brings us into an influential Jewish family’s life during the time of Herod Antipas and Jesus. ( Having read Kaufman’s debut Biblical novel, Up from Dust: Martha’s story, I knew I wanted to read Kaufman’s second novel, too!)

“I am an ordinary woman whom God chose to put in extraordinary places. Any strength to be found in my story is His alone. I only did what I could with what I had, and this, I now know, is how His Kingdom advances. Each of us doing what we can with what we have by His power. So no, I am not brave. I am needy—desperate for Adonai to meet me with His strength. My story is how He did just that.”- Prologues can be wealths of information, tone, and general direction setting of the novel. Kaufman’s prologues are not to be missed! 

Though the story is told in first-person by Joanna, I find Joanna’s sister Dalia very central to the novel. Dalia has a serious illness, and the family decides to hide that fact in order to prosper in Herod’s court. Joanna rises to prominence and hopes for an advantageous love-match, yet her sister is never far from her mind. How can one sister have nothing and yet be happy, while the other has the world at her fingertips, and is still searching for that elusive feeling?

I love this novel because it shows how Jesus can reach down and touch any life, transforming even one that seems hopeless. It also shows, as does Kaufman’s debut novel, how Jesus cares about women’s needs for love, significance, and security: needs that were totally ignored and trampled in that society.

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

Notable Quotables:

“You are frightened to accept God’s abundance, as was I once. You say His mercy is what drew you to Him, and yet you push that mercy back in His face.”

“Then we would be in God’s hands—…“An infinite God who promises His presence is worth trusting.”

“You must release them from whatever untruths they knowingly or unknowingly harbored. You must do this for yourself.”

“What do we do when God doesn’t give us what we want?”“Well . . .” Dalia had scrunched up her nose in thought. “I suppose we trust Him to give us what we need instead.” “But what if He doesn’t answer us at all?” “Oh, He does, Jojo. You just may not hear it because it’s not what you expected.”

“God is as near as our own breath.”

“What others think of me has no bearing on who I am…What people think changes all the time. What is true never changes.” -Dalia

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Superior!! Heather Kaufman’s Biblical fiction is not to be missed!!

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 2

Stories By Gina, April 3 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, April 3

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 4

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 5

Life on Chickadee Lane, April 6

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 7

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, April 8

She Lives to Read, April 8

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impression, April 9

Cover Lover Book Review, April 9

Lily’s Corner, April 10

Bigreadersite, April 11

Inspired by Fiction, April 11

For Him and My Family, April 12

Pause for Tales, April 13

EmpowerMoms, April 13

Holly’s Book Corner, April 14

Inklings and notions , April 15

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Heather is giving away the grand prize of a $15 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/00adcf54190

ARC, Bethany House, BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Favorite, Kindle, NetGalley, PB, Purchase

The Daughter of Rome by Angela Hunt Review and Giveaway

Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: The Daughter of Rome (The Emissaries Book 3)

Author: Angela Hunt

Genre: FICTION / Christian / Biblical

Release date: March 4, 2025

In Nero’s Rome, Calandra helps her father, a renowned sculptor, complete the most significant commission of his illustrious career. But then a catastrophic fire nearly destroys the imperial city, leaving Calandra reliant on a group of Christians–unusual individuals unlike any she has encountered before. Intrigued by their worship of the Son of an invisible God, Calandra grapples with her mistrust, only to find herself indebted to these believers as they help her rebuild her shattered world.

When Emperor Nero begins constructing his opulent Golden House, the people of Rome grow resentful, suspecting him of starting the fire in order to clear the land for his immense palace. Needing a scapegoat, Nero points at those who follow the Jewish Messiah, forcing Calandra to make an impossible choice between right and wrong, friends and family, love and death.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Angela Hunt is a New York Times bestselling author of more than 160 books, with nearly 6 million copies sold worldwide. Angela’s novels have won or been nominated for the RWA RITA Award, the Christy Award, the ECPA Christian Book Award, and the HOLT Medallion. Four of her novels have received ForeWord Magazine‘s Book of the Year Award, and Angela is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from both the Romantic Times Book Club and ACFW. Angela holds doctorates in biblical studies and theology. She and her husband make their home in Florida with mastiffs and chickens.

More from Angela

Dear Reader:

Thank you for joining me on this blog tour for THE DAUGHTER OF ROME, book three in the Emissaries series. The book stands alone, but it includes characters from books one and two, so people who have read those books will have a fuller understanding of who those people are. But no worries!  If you haven’t read the first two books, you’ll still have no problem reading THE DAUGHTER OF ROME.

When I shaped the idea for this series, I had just finished The Jerusalem Road books, which centered on Jews who lived during Jesus’ life and ministry. I wanted to keep writing in this time period, so I shifted my focus from the Jews to the Gentiles—specifically, the people who came to faith through Paul’s ministry.

The first book in the series, THE WOMAN FROM LYDIA, is concerned with the seller of purple who hosted the Philippian church in her home. The second book, THE SISTERS OF CORINTH, features two competing sisters who lived, naturally, in Corinth. And the third book, THE DAUGHTER OF ROME, is about a young sculptress who lives in Rome during the time of Nero.

I have been fascinated by this time period ever since reading THE SILVER CHALICE and THE ROBE in my childhood. What would it have been like, I wondered, to live in a time when you could be executed simply for saying you believed in Jesus? Americans don’t really know what that’s like, but people in other parts of the world still deal with that danger today. The Bible tells us that this kind of danger is not going away—it will be prevalent during the end times as well. So I wanted to explore the world of the ancient Romans, and hoped to pull some lessons from it that will apply to us today.

I’ve also been amazed at what we can still see of ancient Greek and Roman art—how did they sculpt those massive statues? One such work, the Colossus, was so large it stood in the harbor and ships reportedly entered beneath it!

THE DAUGHTER OF ROME features one other fascinating element—a question that garners as much debate as “who killed JFK?” The story takes place during the time that the Great Fire of Rome nearly leveled the entire city, and to this day, no one is certain how it began. The people blamed Nero, Nero blamed the Christians, and it may have been a kid illegally cooking his dinner at the racetrack.

I hope you’ll enjoy reading the story as much as I did writing it. Thanks for coming along on the tour!

Angela Hunt

My Impressions

“I am a daughter of Rome,” I said, “so I will trust the gods of Rome for my future.”

I’ve been waiting 9 months ( half of forever!) for this book!! Third in The Emissaries series by Angela Hunt, The Daughter of Rome does answer the questions from the second book, The Sisters of Corinth. However, the main characters are not the same, and there is enough back story provided to let a first-time reader enjoy the book, too. Still, the completed storyline is richer if the secondary characters are already your friends. 

Callandra is a young woman , yet unmarried, who lives with her widowed and accomplished sculptor father. Callandra assists her father in his work and also paints the sculptures. 

Having read book two, I was certain that, as this novel occurs in the time of Nero and great persecution, it could be a hard book to read. It is, but it is also so compelling, romantic, and chock-ful of history and Bible passages, too! And, so worth it!! 

(A side note, there seem to be some parallels to the time of Elijah and the persecution of followers of God under Ahab and Jezebel. )

Callandra and her father are hired to sculpt a bust of a leading Roman senator. When he is pleased with the result, he hires Callandra and her father to produce an auspicious work. In their dealings, Callandra meets the senator’s compassionate and kind son, Hadrian. While a mutual attraction develops, any romance between the two is impossible because one is a patrician and one, a plebeian. 

And then, the great fire of Rome occurs and changes all of their lives. The fire sends Callandra and her father fleeing across the river for their lives. One group of people is welcoming. The same group that Hadrian, by his father’s command, keeps under house arrest unless they will change their beliefs. 

It is so beautiful to see the way both the Jewish and Greek Christians freely love, share, and witness. Their generosity in all areas attracts and effects change in many. Many try to reason with Callandra, who is embittered by the losses caused by the fire. “When I had sight, I was blind to the Creator of the world, but as a blind man I began to glimpse His hand. Now I see Him working every day.” But Callandra hangs on to her Roman gods. 

As Nero looks for scapegoats for the fire, the Christians make a convenient target. This was especially hard to read, as many of these are now people I think of as friends. The Christians could hold strong, because they believed, “Death is not our enemy; it is a journey to Adonai.” The question becomes, though, as these Christians remain faithful, does God see? Was He watching over these? What response will Callandra, Hadrian, and others who moved and interacted among these people have? Which gods or God will prove to love the people and care for them? 

My fave secondary characters were many. Priscilla, Petros, and Mariana and Marcus from the previous book. 

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

Notable Quotables:

“I am not the man I used to be, and my life is no longer my own.”

“Don’t ask for Adonai’s will, I wanted to shout, and promise you’ll do something for him if he does something for you. But Adonai did not operate like the Roman gods. Adonai demanded that his followers surrender everything to his control.”

“Adonai does not live to serve us. We live to serve Him.”

“Adonai always preserves a remnant. Always.”

“I prayed for Adonai to change my poor eyes, and He changed me instead.”

“Art was about more than size. Art was about beauty and design and its ability to provoke thought .”

“And I am content to remain in whatever state Nero confines me, for Adonai rules over kings and emperors.”

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Superior!! Grab the tissues as you learn more about Nero’s Rome and evaluate your own faith!!

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 4

Batya’s Bits , April 4

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 5

Mary Hake, April 5

Texas Book-aholic, April 6

Inspired by Fiction, April 7

She Lives To Read, April 7

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 8

Lily’s Corner, April 9

Lots of Helpers, April 9

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, April 10

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 11

EmpowerMoms, April 11

Devoted To Hope, April 12

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 13

Books Less Travelled, April 13

Devoted Steps, April 14

Sylvan Musings, April 15

Holly’s Book Corner, April 15

Cover Lover Book Review, April 16

For Him and My Family, April 17

Pause for Tales, April 17

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Angela is giving away the grand prize of a $25 gift card to Baker Book House’s website 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/00adcf54192

ARC, Bethany House, BLOG, Just Read Tours, Kindle, NetGalley, Purchase

Kate Landry Has a Plan by Rebekah Millet Review and Giveaway

Babbling Becky L

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Kate Landry Has a Plan by Rebekah Millet hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Kate Landry Has a Plan
Series: Beignets for Two #2
Author: Rebekah Millet
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Release Date: March 18, 2025
Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

Forty-year-old Kate Landry’s carefully planned life has become as messy as the powdered sugar on her famous beignets. Juggling the responsibilities of running her café, raising her teenage niece, and the emotional baggage from her breakup, Kate finds her world once again turned upside down when her first-ever crush, Micah Guidry, returns to town as the hunky local librarian.

As Kate struggles to implement her plans to expand her café amid the New Orleans Mardi Gras madness and the meddling of her conniving ex-fiancé, Micah becomes the unwitting hero of her misadventures, stirring up feelings she thought she’d long buried. How can falling in love in the Big Easy be this hard?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Baker Publishing Group | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Bookshop

More Books from this Series:

About the Author

Rebekah Millet is a double Selah Award, Cascade Award, and ACFW First Impressions Award-winning author of contemporary Christian romance novels. A New Orleans native, she grew up on beignets and café au lait, and loves infusing her colorful culture into her stories. Her husband is an answer to prayer, who puts up with her rearranging furniture and being a serial plant killer. Her two sons keep her laughing and share in her love of desserts.

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

My Impressions

“Cowering Chihuahuas!” “Pitiful pit bulls!” and a “bridal bouquet targeting me like a deployed missle.”  Oy, vey, mix very creative clean swearing with hilarious, slightly sardonic attitude of our forty-something single narrator, you know we’re in for a barrel of laughs with Kate Landry Has a Plan, penned by the fabulous Rebekah Millet. Add in a setting of a St. Charles St. ( middle of Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans)café,  a best friend who is a love- life meddler, a jr. high school crush returned 20 years later, ooh, la, la!! Laissez le bon temps rouler!! ( Let the good times roll!)

What amazes me, is that in the midst of these laugh-a minute- pages, are tucked in faith nuggets and truths that Micah ( the jr. high crush returned as local librarian), Julia ( bff), and Mariah, the once-jilted  narrator, share and ruminate on. After all, Kate Landry and her now-deceased sister had a plan for their lives. And Kate is bound and determined to follow it. But as Kate pursues her path, she puts at risk her friendships, a chance at a new love, and her relationship with her adopted teenage niece. 

Julia confronts her. “‘Have you been praying on this?’Gentleness layered her tone. A dull ache began throbbing in my head. ‘Of course.’ ‘And listening for direction?’ ‘Yes.’ I rested my elbows on the table, massaging my temples. ‘And I’m not hearing anything.’ ‘Maybe you need to give it more time.’” How many times do we go ahead and act, after praying, when we haven’t heard an answer? Our earthly timeline becomes more important than God’s ability to see the future and map out the perfect plan. 

And my heart hurt. Both Kate and Micah have painful pasts, plus Kate has helicopter parents who are still trying to squish her into a very shallow mold. I watched a Kate gets busier and busier with her plan ( ouch) disregarding godly advice from friends. 

But don’t be fooled! Just because there are solid faith moments, the laughs never stop!! ( And how better to help us remember those important parts!) Meet C’est Fou ( gotta love that name!!), an animal bane of Kate’s existence. Or the “ugly” pet Kate had to put up with (although I take offense, as a lover of that breed).  As Kate’s mind spins between the ugly physical practical animal issues, her out-of-control business, will she lose sight of the plan God has for her?

I did not get a chance to read the first book in the series, Julia Monroe begins Again. Mistake. This book can be enjoyed without the first, but it would be so much richer knowing Julia’s story first and how Kate figures into that!

Fave secondary character? Probably Julia, possibly Mrs. Adélaide.

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

Notable Quotables:

“You don’t need an apology from someone to forgive them. And believe me, in this case, forgiving Ryan isn’t for him. It’s for you.”– Julia

“Just because God says not now, doesn’t mean not ever.”- Julia

“…you like helping people’s dreams come true.” – Micah

“You’ve got this, because God has you.”- Mayté

“Instead of praying and truly listening, I’d run headlong into my selfish desires. My old, sinful nature wanted control. But time after time, God had proven His ways were perfect for me.” – Kate

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Superb!! I expect this novel to win a Christy!!

Tour Giveaway

1) winner will receive a print copy of Julia Monroe Begins Again, Kate Landry Has a Plan, and a $20 Cafe du Monde gift certificate!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight March 26, 2025 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on April 2, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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