Category: PB

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

The Sleuth of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep Review and Giveaway

Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: The Sleuth of Blackfriars Lane

Author: Michelle Griep

Genre: Historical Christian Fiction

Release Date: April, 2024

Wife. Mother. Homemaker. Detective. Kit Forge wears many hats, and if that’s not enough, she’s partnered with her father to open a new detective agency. It’s hard to be all things to all people, but Kit never shies away from the impossible. Despite her hard work and good intentions, some things fall through the cracks.

Namely, her husband.

But Jackson barely notices. He’s too busy putting out his own fires. As the new chief inspector of a busy London station, he must salvage the disaster left behind by the former police chief—an obstacle made all the harder when the superintendent breathes an ultimatum down his neck.

Against her father’s advice, Kit takes on a case involving a missing child, one in which she and Jackson become a little too emotionally involved. . .and end up endangering their own little girl in the process.

Can Kit and Jackson learn that just because they can say yes doesn’t mean they should?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She is the Christy Award-winning author of historical romances: A Tale of Two Hearts, The Captured Bride, The Innkeeper’s Daughter, 12 Days at Bleakly Manor, The Captive Heart, Brentwood’s Ward, A Heart Deceived, and Gallimore, but also leaped the historical fence into the realm of contemporary with the zany romantic mystery Out of the Frying Pan.

More from Michelle

Oh Inspiration…Wherefore Art Thou?

There are several questions I am asked frequently as an author.

“Hey, how much money do you make?”

“Can you help me get my book published?”

“How come it takes you so long to finish a story?”

But probably the most common query is this: what sorts of things inspire you? Now that is a question I can go on and on about! Don’t panic, though. I’ll be brief.

Story ideas come from every place imaginable. I’ve had plot thoughts from watching kids’ movies or even from eavesdropping at a coffee shop (note: beware what you say in public). TV series are also a favorite of mine, so much so that my latest release, The Sleuth of Blackfriars Lane, is loosely based on one of my all-time favorite PBS series.

Have you seen this show? If not, do yourself a favor and ride that pony. If you have, then you know what I’m talking about. Either way, you should know that, the main character, is a detective in Victorian London—a very sassy yet classy lady. And that’s what struck me light a lightning bolt.

This woman is Kit, the heroine in my Blackfriars series, like right there on the big screen.

So, for book III, I decided I’d let ol’ Kit open her own private investigation agency with the help of her father, a recently retired police sergeant. Of course much intrigue and chaos ensues, just like in my all-time favorite PBS series, bringing the Blackfriars series to a satisfying end.

Inspiration honestly comes from anywhere, so next time you’re rubbing elbows with an author, beware. You just might end up as a character in their next book.

My Impressions

“What a fine bucket of fish guts this was turning out to be. She’d hoped for an intriguing first case to solve— Not an impossible one.”

Ah, this story by Michelle Griep!! First, because it is a Griep, buy now, ask later. Seriously, my motto for her books. However, I must say you will want to have read The Thief of Blackfriars Lane and The Bride of Blackfriars Lane, so you feel like Jackson and Kit are close friends you respect, even if it’s impossible to predict their actions. Common themes to Griep are forgiveness and trust, plus judging others and teamwork. Beautifully depicted.

Kit has so much spunk and impetuosity, plus a great nose for mystery solving that she has connived to get her father to open a detective agency with her. All is well and good if Kit stays where she belongs, according to her father and Jack, safe in the background, in the office. As if!

Kit finds that motherhood has changed her in so many ways. She yearns for her child, yet leaves her daily with her good friend, Martha. Can she put aside her mothering instincts long enough to be an unprejudiced part of the detective team? Can she remember she is a mother enough to be sure she avoids danger? Can we say Kate is very conflicted?!

Jackson has his own issues. He might not miss Kate’s shenanigans so much if he didn’t have a precinct to run, with multiple officers needing attention of various degrees, and a supervisor ready to shut the whole office down. Plus a nuisance vagabond hanging around. Oh, vey!

Jackson is fortunate to have a loyal friend in Charles Bagette, an officer who entered training when Jack did. But Bagette has two strikes against him. He’s charged with keeping Kit safe. And, he’s falling for Martha, a baker and soup kitchen cook. Martha just happens to be Bella’s ( Kit’s daughter)babysitter, in addition to Frankie’s mother. The same Frankie who either has a future as a thug or a detective, under Kit’s tutelage.

One thing I always love about a Griep novel is the multiple storylines woven in and out around each other. We have all the above, plus the very complicated mystery that Kit takes on against her father’s consent. So now we also have that relationship thread to follow.

Danger. Action. Twist. Repeat. Biblical truth. Short contemplation how that should affect the character’s action. Swift, short, cry-outs to God. Then start at the beginning of this paragraph with danger and repeat the scenario. My heart barely survived the action, but surviving the emotional tugs was worse!

I cannot do justice to this book. But it will be on the very short list for my fave book of the year!!

I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit via Netgalley, plus I bought a paperback. This is a book to be shared! No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“it always comes back to trusting in God’s plan. Rest assured that no matter what you do or don’t do, you will not thwart whatever our mighty Creator is up to.The best we can accomplish is to hold tight to our faith and keep walking towards eternity a step at a time.”

“ …love covers a multitude of sins. So, pursue that. Pursue love instead of dwelling in past failure. That path can only lead to a denial of the present and a forfeiture of the future.”

“But it’s God who brings beauty from ashes. Don’t push away that gift. It is never prudent or wise to stiff-arm God.”

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Magnificent!!

On my very short list for fave book of 2024!!

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 26

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, April 26

Book Looks by Lisa, April 26

Live. Love. Read., April 27

Vicky Sluiter, April 27

She Lives To Read, April 27

Texas Book-aholic, April 28

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 28

All-of-a-kind Mom, April 29

Where Faith and Books Meet, April 29

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 30

Sylvan Reads, April 30

Pause for Tales, April 30

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 1

Blogging With Carol, May 1

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 2

For Him and My Family, May 2

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, May 2

Betti Mace, May 3

Wishful Endings, May 3

Bizwings Book Blog, May 4

Daysong Reflections, May 4

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, May 5 (Author Interview)

Kristina Hall, May 5

Tell Tale Book Reviews, May 6

The Lofty Pages, May 6

Cover Lover Book Review, May 7

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, May 7

Blossoms and Blessings, May 7

Holly’s Book Corner, May 8

Back Porch Reads, May 8

Lily’s Corner, May 9

Life of Literature, May 9

Jeanette’s Thoughts, May 9

Giveaway

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

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/2b146/the-sleuth-of-blackfriars-lane-celebration-tour-giveaway

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

Night Falls on Predicament Avenue by Jaime Jo Wright Review and Giveaway

Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: Night Falls on Predicament Avenue

Author: Jaime Jo Wright

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Release Date: April 9, 2024

In 1910, Effie James is living a dream for two. Her younger sister is harboring a secret that has left timid Effie determined to fulfill her daring sister’s grand plan of seeking out adventure in their small Iowa town. When a British gentleman arrives, disrupting their peace with efforts to find the wife many claim lived her final days at the now abandoned house at 322 Predicament Avenue, Effie is thrust into intrigue she couldn’t have prepared for. But what she finds inside will forever link her to the scandal staining the house’s walls and to a woman whose secrets promise a curse.

A century later, Norah Richman is living out her late-twin’s dream of running their great aunt’s bed-and-breakfast on Predicament Avenue–a place Norah believes nothing good can come out of after her sister’s abduction and murder thirteen years ago. Her first guest is a crime historian and podcaster, and Norah resolves to stay far away from the charming and enigmatic man–until another guest is found dead. As they dig deeper, something sinister unfurls that will reveal an ominous unknown far greater than the possibility of death itself.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Jaime Jo, the coffee-fueled and cat-fancier extraordinaire, has entwined her life with the legendary Captain Hook, residing serenely in Wisconsin’s rural woodlands.

Her literary vocation involves penning Gothic tales, a baffling change from that of Austenites, with a preference to the master of dark, Edgar Allan Poe.

More from Jaime Jo

True crime did NOT just become popular in this century! Scour the old newspapers for a full and detailed telling of the latest crime. That’s how I got the idea for Night Falls on Predicament Avenue! Yes! I read an old newspaper article from the late 1800’s in which they described in quite delectable detail, the crime scene of a murder in a house with questionable history. That being said, it’s also important to note, that forensics DID just recently become popular in the last 50-100 years. In the 1800’s, if you were murdered, it was common for your neighbor to tour and trample over your crime scene out of curiosity and/or the hope they might be of service in solving the crime. More likely than not, they were merely wanna-be podcast listeners of true crime shows simply born too early for that technological advancement.

My Impressions

“I can hear the darkness.”

“Sometimes findin’ out the truth is too painful. It’s easier to figure out how to get by an’ pretend the past doesn’t haunt you.”

Haunted, I am. Jaime Jo Wright, led by her self-acknowledged muse of Edgar Alan Poe, offers up one of her eeriest novels yet. What makes Wright, with her themes of death and fear so beloved?

For some, it may be the tendency towards the macabre. Wright pens this dual timeline and includes interludes of an unreliable narrator, totally obsessed with death and God’s judgment. At first, I questioned why I was reading something so dark. However, having read several of Wright’s books, I know that eventually the mysteries will be explained, and specters will be unmasked. Eventually, breaking through the dark clouds of the shadow of death, Wright will present that Ray of Hope that shines brightly enough to tunnel through the darkness victoriously.

Small town Shepherd, Iowa, holds secrets as it sees two murders a century apart. In 1901, the bankers’ daughters, Polly and Effie James, witness a terrible occurrence at 322 Predicament Avenue. Polly, terminally ill, becomes almost comatose after being an eye-witness. Effie, the bookish and more rule-oriented of the two, searches for a way to bring her sister back from what she believes is a premature sickness. Society conspires against Effie at every turn. At risk to her own reputation, Effie befriends a newcomer to town and starts investigating with him, breaking every expectation her parents have for her future.

Nearly a century later, Nora Richman owns 322 Predicament Avenue, capitalizing on its dark history to attract visitors to her B and B. A true-crime podcaster comes to stay, ruffling Nora’s nerves as he revives the two murders, one being that of Nora’s twin sister a decade earlier. Nora is a shell of herself since that event, barely able to leave her home, and wants nothing to do with resurrecting the hurtful past. Another death and a second visitor to the house sets in motion a course of events that could totally break Nora.

Fear of death. This is Effie’s predicament. “When a person lived afraid of death, when they could feel death’s cold breath on their neck every moment of the day, there was no courage left to be had. No anticipation. No hope. Only the force of one’s own will to try to outrun the fear before they were eaten alive by it. Before their greatest fear became their worst reality.” Whew, if reading that doesn’t explain Effie’s life and make you, the reader, afraid, I don’t know what will! Anderson, Effie’s English acquaintance, fears something very much.

Nora doesn’t so much fear death as life itself. Nora’s guest, Sebastian, is afraid of something that is altering his life. Nora has so many questions. How can she stop being afraid? Her friend answers, “He left you to live. So live, Norah. Believe there haven’t been mistakes, only a busted-up old world in need of hope.” The real question Wright challenges us, the reader with, is will we surrender to hope or fear? On what basis?

What an incredible wrap-up! I guessed one culprit, but never in a million years would I have nailed the other villain. Wright also drives home the point people are not as we judge them to be.

Bravo, Miss Wright! I’m ready for your next novel of creepy hope!!

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

Notable Quotables:

“Death had been a guest here at Predicament Avenue for decades, and it was clear that Death wasn’t ready to check out quite yet.”

“It’s a’right to admit you’re not a’right.”

“It was as if the sun had gone down at 322 Predicament Avenue the night Naomi’s murdered body had been found, and it had never risen again.”

“What was it about being afraid that pushed a person away from God instead of toward Him?”

“Fear steals our joy and is the agony of those with no hope. It will not define us. Fear is the enemy we will defeat.”

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Magnificent!! Nobody can tell a chilling tale like Jaime Jo Wright, yet bring enough hope into it that you are amazed at the journey, begging for more!!

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 10

Devoted To Hope, April 10

By The Book, April 11

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 11

Inspired by Fiction, April 12

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 12

Texas Book-aholic, April 13

Blossoms and Blessings, April 13

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 14

Blogging With Carol, April 14

Betti Mace, April 15

JESUS in the EVERYDAY, April 15

Live. Love. Read., April 16

For Him and My Family, April 16

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, April 17 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, April 17

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, April 18

Holly’s Book Corner, April 18

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 19

Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 20

Sylvan Musings, April 20

Bigreadersite , April 21

Back Porch Reads, April 21

Lily’s Corner, April 22

Simple Harvest Reads, April 22 (Guest Review from Mindy)

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, April 23

Denise L. Barela, April 23

The Lofty Pages, April 23

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jaime Jo is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 gift card to Baker Book House in Grand Rapids, MI and an autographed copy of the book!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/2af9e/night-falls-on-predicament-avenue-celebration-tour-giveaway

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

The Ark and the Dove by Jill Eileen Smith Review

Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Title: The Ark and the Dove: The Story of Noah’s Wife

Author: Jill Eileen Smith

Publisher: Revell

Genre: Biblical Fiction

Released: February 2024

Zara and Noah have walked together with the Creator for their entire lives, and they have done their best in an increasingly wicked and defiant world to raise their three sons to follow in their footsteps. It has been a challenge–and it’s about to get much, much harder.

When the Creator tells her husband to build an ark to escape the coming wrath against the sins of humankind, Zara steps out with him in faith. But the derision and sabotage directed their way from both friends and extended family are difficult to bear, as is knowing that everyone she interacts with beyond her husband, her sons, and their wives is doomed to destruction. And when the ark is finally finished and the animals have been shut up inside, Zara and her family embark on an adventure that will test their patience and their faith as they await deliverance and dry ground.

Experience the story of Noah and the flood like you never have before. With bestselling and award-winning author Jill Eileen Smith as your guide, you’ll never look at a rainbow the same way again.

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, and Daughter of Eden. She is also the author of the nonfiction books When Life Doesn’t Match Your Dreams and She Walked Before Us. Jill lives with her family in southeast Michigan. Learn more at http://www.jilleileensmith.com.

My Impressions

“What should I do, Adonai? Did God care about their personal spats with one another? He’d saved them to repopulate a world where evil ran rampant. But they could not run from the sin in their own hearts.”

Jill Eileen Smith. A name of long associated with Biblical fiction, yet The Ark and the Dove is the first book I’ve been privileged to read by Smith.

First, I suggest bringing your waders. While obviously this is the story of Genesis 6, the flood of Noah’s day, it is so much more. While it is an engrossing read, it is not a quick read, compared to many books. You will be immersed in the deep waters of the Nephilim, the Watchers, the ever-encroaching evil, and the intense oppression of Noah’s family as they build the ark and preach about the coming judgment.

Somehow, as a mother of adult children, this novel hits especially hard, emotionally, but even young adults can relate to the sibling issues. It seems we see the stresses on the family as seen mostly through the eyes of Zara, Noah’s faithful wife. She has to place her faith in Noah to lead her family spiritually, but it is hard for all of them to follow God’s few personal directives given only directly to Noah. It is also hard for each son to maintain his marriage and close relationships with the other two brothers as doubts and fears assail. I ached along with Zara as she is heartbroken when her the families of her daughters-in-law turn against them and join in the persecution and rejection. No matter how hard she tries, one of the wives seems bent on trouble-making. Do we know these things for gospel fact? No, we only know what the Bible gives us, which Smith quotes or rephrases multiple times. She even includes references to Romans 1. The rest is author’s license, as long as it does not contradict Scripture. That is what Biblical fiction is.

I will be thinking on this book for a while to come! I was glad I had previous teaching under my belt about the Nephilim and the Watchers. Otherwise, I might have wanted them explained a little more. The Ark and the Dove caused a good discussion between myself and my husband, and I believe it would be a great book for a church book club.

I received a copy of the book from Revell Reads through Netgalley. I also bought a paperback copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“Abba said that God did not want to judge us. His heart was broken by our rebellion. I never thought of the Creator as having a heart that could break like ours does.”

“We are made in His image, so perhaps that’s one way that we are like Him. We feel because He feels. Perhaps that is the greatest kind of love.”

“If someone wants to worship something other than the Creator, they will use anything to replace Him in their hearts. It does not have to be a creation of wood or stone. An idol can be anything we place above Him as the most important thing in our lives.”

My Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I ruminated for a while before rating this book. But not all precious gems are easily mined, and some may not be easily recognized at first sight. I believe this novel to be one of those very precious gems.

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

The Sleuth of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep Review

Babbling Becky L

(Graphic from Michelle Griep)

About the Book

Title: The Sleuth of Blackfriars Lane

Series: Blackfriars Lane (#3)

Author: Michelle Griep

Publisher: Barbour

Released: April 1, 2024

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Wife. Mother. Homemaker. Detective. Kit Forge wears many hats, and if that’s not enough, she’s partnered with her father to open a new detective agency. It’s hard to be all things to all people, but Kit never shies away from the impossible. Despite her hard work and good intentions, some things fall through the cracks.
 
Namely, her husband.
 
But Jackson barely notices. He’s too busy putting out his own fires. As the new chief inspector of a busy London station, he must salvage the disaster left behind by the former police chief—an obstacle made all the harder when the superintendent breathes an ultimatum down his neck.


 
Against her father’s advice, Kit takes on a case involving a missing child, one in which she and Jackson become a little too emotionally involved. . .and end up endangering their own little girl in the process.
 
Can Kit and Jackson learn that just because they can say yes doesn’t mean they should?

About the Author

I hear voices. Loud. Incessant. And very real. Which basically gives me two options: choke back massive amounts of Prozac or write fiction. I’ve been writing since I discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. I seek to glorify God in all that I write–except for that graffiti phase I went through as teenager.

My Impressions

“What a fine bucket of fish guts this was turning out to be. She’d hoped for an intriguing first case to solve— Not an impossible one.”

Ah, this story by Michelle Griep!! First, because it is a Griep, buy now, ask later. Seriously, my motto for her books. However, I must say you will want to have read The Thief of Blackfriars Lane and The Bride of Blackfriars Lane, so you feel like Jackson and Kit are close friends you respect, even if it’s impossible to predict their actions. Common themes to Griep are forgiveness and trust, teamwork, and judging others. Beautifully depicted.

Kit has so much spunk and impetuosity, plus a great nose for mystery solving that she has connived to get her father to open a detective agency with her. All is well and good if Kit stays where she belongs, according to her father and Jack, safe in the background, in the office. As if!

Kit finds that motherhood has changed her in so many ways. She yearns for her child, yet leaves her daily with her good friend, Martha. Can she put aside her mothering instincts long enough to be an unprejudiced part of the detective team? Can she remember she is a mother enough to be sure she avoids danger? Can we say Kate is very conflicted?!

Jackson has his own issues. He’d might not miss Kate’s shenanigans so much if he didn’t have a precinct to run, with multiple officers needing attention of various degrees, and a supervisor ready to shut the whole office down. Plus a nuisance vagabond hanging around. Oh, vey!

Jackson is fortunate to have a loyal friend in Charles Bagette, an officer who entered training when Jack did. But Bagette has two strikes against him. He’s charged with keeping Kit safe. And, he’s falling for Martha, a baker and soup kitchen cook. Martha just happens to be Bella’s ( Kit’s daughter)babysitter, in addition to Frankie’s mother. The same Frankie who either has a future as a thug or a detective, under Kit’s tutelage.

One thing I always love about a Griep novel is the multiple storylines woven in and out around each other. We have all the above, plus the very complicated mystery that Kit takes on against her father’s consent. So now we also have that relationship thread to follow.

Danger. Action. Twist. Repeat. Biblical truth. Short contemplation how that should affect the character’s action. Swift, short, cry-outs to God. Then start at the beginning of this paragraph with danger and repeat the scenario. My heart barely survived the action, but surviving the emotional tugs was worse!

I cannot do justice to this book. But it will be on the very short list for my fave book of the year!!

I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit via Netgalley, plus I bought my own ecopy and 2 paperbacks. This is a book to be shared! No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“…it always comes back to trusting in God’s plan. Rest assured that no matter what you do or don’t do, you will not thwart whatever our mighty Creator is up to.The best we can accomplish is to hold tight to our faith and keep walking towards eternity a step at a time.”

“ …love covers a multitude of sins. So, pursue that. Pursue love instead of dwelling in past failure. That path can only lead to a denial of the present and a forfeiture of the future.”

“But it’s God who brings beauty from ashes. Don’t push away that gift. It is never prudent or wise to stiff-arm God.”

My Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Magnificent! I foresee a rare re-read in my future!!

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

Set in Stone by Kimberley Woodhouse Review

Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Title: Set in Stone

Series: Treasures in the Earth

Author: Kimberley Woodhouse

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Released: March 12, 2024

A dangerous scheme could bury their long-held dreams forever. . . . 

From the time she was little, Martha Jankowski has been digging in the dirt, much to the dismay of her mother. Now she dreams of being a paleontologist and is determined to make her parents proud by uncovering the next big discovery. When Martha finds what she hopes to be a fully intact dinosaur skeleton–one that could win her an acclaimed exhibit–she learns another team is competing against her and could steal her chance at being recognized for this momentous discovery.

Paleontology student Jacob Duncan has fulfilled his dream of digging for dinosaur bones at last. In a race against time, he and his team are bent on unearthing a complete skeleton to claim a museum exhibit with their names on it. But when Jacob meets their charming competitor Martha and uncovers foul play within his team, love and danger grow hand in hand until a menacing ruse threatens to destroy it all.

About the Author

Kimberley Woodhouse is an award-winning and bestselling author of more than twenty-five books. A lover of history and research, she often gets sucked into the past and then her husband has to lure her out with chocolate and the promise of eighteen holes on the golf course. She loves music, kayaking, and her family. Her books have been awarded the Carol Award, Holt Medallion, Reader’s Choice Award, Selah Award, Spur Award, and others. A popular speaker/teacher, she’s shared with over 1,000,000 people at more than twenty-five hundred venues across the country. Married to the love of her life for three decades, she lives and writes in the Poconos where she’s traded in her hat of “craziest mom” for “coolest grandma.” Connect with Kim at

http://www.kimberleywoodhouse.com http://www.facebook.com/

KimberleyWoodhouseAu… http://www.instagram.com/ kimberleywoodhouse http://www.twitter.com/ kimwoodhouse

My Impressions

“But what good is it having dreams if they aren’t big?”

Woo-Hoo, Set in Stone, book two of Treasures in the Earth, by Kimberley Woodhouse, releases March 12! I absolutely love this series by Kimberley Woodhouse!

Set in Stone is just as exciting and suspenseful as its predecessor, The Secrets Beneath. Both involve a woman archaeologist, history, romance, and mystery. Set in Stone, as Secrets Beneath, can be a stand-alone.

This is a heart-wrenching story, at least for any daddy’s girl, of which I was one. Young Martha Jankowski is also one, idolizing her father, loving any time at home with him, and ecstatic when her archaeologist father lets her start “working”with him on a dig at age 6. But shortly after that, her parents return home from a trip, with her father maimed, unable to work any more, and greatly changed.

Unable to get her social-rule-conscious mother to show any love or approval, Martha hopes as an adult, by working her own dig, to gain her parents’ approval.

We meet Jacob Duncan working on an opposing dig, as the powers that be have pitted two digs against each other for dinosaur bones and speed. This is part of the Bone Wars that took place during that time, leading to sloppy practices, carelessness, and greed in a field demanding meticulous care. It is interesting to see how Woodhouse introduces Jacob and Martha to each other and how their lives become entangled both in matters of work and the heart.

If that were the only storyline present, Set in Stone would be interesting. But Woodhouse takes her novel a step above to “ominously mysterious” with the mystery over Martha’s father’s personality change and the invisible, ruthless owner of the other mine.

I loved the growth in the two main characters. The spiritual insights are as relevant for the reader as they are for the protagonists.

Don’t miss this exciting, mysterious second book in the Treasures of the Earth series.

Notable Quotables:

“…it doesn’t matter where God places you, it only matters that you use what you have to shine His light.”

“Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.”

Proverbs 17:9 ESV

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

The Irish Matchmaker by Jennifer Deibel Review

Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Title: The Irish Matchmaker

Author: Jennifer Deibel

Publisher: Revell

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Released: February 2024

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

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

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

About the Author


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

Author photo credit: Katherine Marini, Photography by Katherine Nicole

My Impressions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

My Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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

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

Small Town Secrets by Lillian Duncan Review and Giveaway

Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: Small Town Secrets

Author: Lillian Duncan

Genre: Christian—Romantic Suspense

Release Date: October 13, 2023

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

Serious crimes are practically nonexistent— almost but not quite!

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

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

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

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Lillian Duncan… turning faith into fiction.

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

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

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

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

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

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

More from Lillian

Small Town Life VS. City Life

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Serious crimes are practically nonexistent—almost but not quite!

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

Angie seems to have disappeared into thin air.

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

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

My Impressions

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

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

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

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

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

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

Notable Quotables:

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

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

My Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Magnificent! A thrill-ride!

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 10

Texas Book-aholic, February 11

Artistic Nobody, February 12 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, February 12

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 13

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 14

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 15

Bigreadersite, February 16

Guild Master, February 17 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 18

Fiction Book Lover, February 19 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, February 20

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

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

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 22

For Him and My Family, February 23

Giveaway

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

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

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

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

Up from Dust by Heather Kaufman Review

Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Title: Up from Dust: Martha’s Story -(ARC)

Series: Women of the Way

Author: Heather Kaufman

Releases: January 23, 2024

“A biblical story with a heart for today’s world, pulling out an array of joy and hope, sorrow and loss.”–Mesu Andrews, award-winning author

“Taking us on an intriguing journey through heartbreak and healing, Heather Kaufman leads her readers directly to the joy of the empty tomb.”–Connilyn Cossette, award-winning author

Martha of Bethany is no stranger to adversity. After her mother’s untimely death, Martha shoulders the responsibility of raising her siblings–quiet and studious Lazarus, and wild and rambunctious Mary. She finds solace in friendship and the beginnings of first love, but just as Martha begins to imagine a new future, hardship strikes again and her dreams crumble into dust.

Ten years later, Martha’s friend pleads for the new teacher, Jesus of Nazareth, to come and heal her husband. When Martha discovers that the carpenter-rabbi is connected to her past, she’s not sure she can trust him with her future. But as he continues to perform miracles, the invitation to believe becomes harder to resist, renewing Martha’s hardened heart, even as she faces an unknown future.

About the Author

Heather’s passion for storytelling started at an early age, from scribbled poetry at age six, to a full-length novel by sixteen. Over the years, her love of writing grew, eventually leading her to earn a BA in English from McKendree University and an MA in English, Writing Studies from the University of Missouri—St. Louis.

 

Heather is the author of The Story People (Concordia Publishing House, 2016) and Loving Isaac (Concordia Publishing House, 2018). Her debut novel with Bethany House Publishers releases January 2024.

 

She is married to Andrew and together they have three adorable children and one persnickety dog. When not reading, writing, editing, or accumulating mounds of books, Heather can be found exploring new parks with her family, enjoying yet another cup of coffee, or working on a home improvement project. She and her family make their home in St. Louis, Missouri.

Connect with Heather at

https://www.hmkstories.com/

My Impressions

“How can I begin to tell of the many things I have found? Or of the One who found me? I see His hand in my story like a weaver’s shuttle through the warp, steady and sure, pulling here, loosening there, doing the work necessary for beauty. How do I tell of His capable hands, the ones that rescued me?”

“Before I can share the many ways I was found, I would have to begin with the day I was lost.”

And so, in the prologue, ( I hope you read prologues!) we have the reason for Heather Kaufman’s imagination of Martha’s life long before she ever met Jesus. As with other great Biblical fiction, Kaufman utilizes a few verses and passages we know of a Biblical individual. These are not changed from Scripture. But where Scripture is silent, the author suggests possible life events that send Martha, Mary, and Lazarus on their different life trajectories until they encounter Jesus. “Maybe she or he reacted this way because…” In the meantime, Kaufman’s Martha becomes so real, so human, you will sympathize, you will judge, you will hold your breath as you hold her secrets, and you will wonder how she survived growing up in her father’s house. You will begin to understand a woman’s plight in Jewish society in the first century. Kaufman presents challenging relationships well. Some romantic, some familial, some friend-based. You will sigh, you will cry, you will ask, “Why?” But hopefully, when all is said and done, you will turn to the Biblical story to check out what truth we do know, and you’ll never view Martha or her siblings as 2- dimensional again!

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

Notable Quotables:

“Yahweh keeps providing beacons of light in your life to guide you when you need it most.”

***

“None of us is worthy. We are all naked and undone before the holiness of God.”

“Who can stand before this holy God?”

“Those who align themselves with His Son.”

***

“Sometimes love engulfs us suddenly, like a consuming fire.”“…Other times it comes over us slowly, like a sunrise.”

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’ve found another new-to-me Biblical fiction author well-worth following!

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

The Seamstress of Acadie by Laura Frantz Review

Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Title: The Seamstress of Acadie

Author: Laura Frantz

Genre: Historical Romance

Releases: January 9, 2024

I received a copy of the book from the author and publisher through NetGalley. I also ordered a paperback copy for myself and a friend. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

(As part of the Launch Team, I am reviewing an ARC of the book.)

As 1754 is drawing to a close, tensions between the French and the British on Canada’s Acadian shore are reaching a fever pitch. Seamstress Sylvie Galant and her family–French-speaking Acadians wishing to remain neutral–are caught in the middle, their land positioned between two forts flying rival flags. Amid preparations for the celebration of Noël, the talk is of unrest, coming war, and William Blackburn, the British Army Ranger raising havoc across North America’s borderlands.

As summer takes hold in 1755 and British ships appear on the horizon, Sylvie encounters Blackburn, who warns her of the coming invasion. Rather than participate in the forced removal of the Acadians from their land, he resigns his commission. But that cannot save Sylvie or her kin. Relocated on a ramshackle ship to Virginia, Sylvie struggles to pick up the pieces of her life. When her path crosses once more with William’s, they must work through the complex tangle of their shared, shattered past to navigate the present and forge an enduring future.

About the Author

Bestselling, award-winning author, Laura Frantz, has been writing stories since age seven. She is passionate about all things historical, particularly the 18th-century and her novels often incorporate Scottish themes that reflect her family heritage. She is a direct descendant of George Hume, Wedderburn Castle, Berwickshire, Scotland, who was exiled to the American colonies for his role in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715, settled in Virginia, and is credited with teaching George Washington surveying in the years 1748-1750. Proud of her heritage, she is also a Daughter of the American Revolution. Though she will always consider Kentucky home, she and her husband live in Washington State.

According to Publishers Weekly, “Frantz has done her historical homework.” With her signature attention to historical detail and emotional depth, she is represented by Janet Kobobel Grant, Literary Agent & Founder, Books & Such Literary Agency of Santa Rosa, California. Foreign language editions include French, Dutch, Spanish, Slovakian, German & Polish.

Readers can find Laura Frantz at http://www.laurafrantz.net

*Subscribe to Laura’s seasonal newsletter and receive new release information, news about contests, giveaways, and reader events, sneak peaks and teasers, signings and appearances, and more! To subscribe, copy and paste this into your browser’s address window:

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My Impressions

“The evil had come. It pulsated all around her, thick and black and unruly as a horde of gray wolves with no restraining hand.”

All Sylvie Galant and so many of her fellow Acadians wanted was to be neutral, uninvolved in the land grab in the “New World” between England and France. The Acadians just want to go on living life in their beautiful, productive land as they have for generations. But that right is ferociously torn away from them by the English governor, who vanquishes them all from the land of their dreams to exile in the English colonies… if they survive to arrive. While all Acadians know Bleu Galant, Sylvie’s half-brother, fights for them and the French, they also know that the man responsible for rounding up the Acadians is Le Diable Blanc (the White Devil), Le Loup ( the Wolf).

Laura Frantz, winner of the Christy for historical fiction in 2023, has written yet another novel, The Seamstress of Acadie, equally deserving of a Christy.

No one has a way with words like Laura Frantz. Frantz writes so beautifully, I can almost hear music or see art accompanying her words. I could certainly see Acadie in all its beauty, then its denudation of its people and prosperity. Frantz makes you feel like you are on those transport ships of death. I could feel the rise and swell of the waves in the storm, smell the odors of sickness and fear, feel the terror of the hurricane, taste the loss of dreams and faith.

Still, people that go through the same horrific circumstances can come out different on the other side. Frantz points the reader to the fact that this is because some, like Sylvie, devastated, turn to their faith to bolster them and provide a purpose for their lives. Others continue to stew in their hatred, with disastrous results.

Some, like Sylvie, attempt to share the bit of light they find. “God Himself collects our tears and stores them in a bottle…God takes note of our suffering. It is no light matter to Him. I find that . . . comforting.” Yet few are willing to see that God can be present in and allow horrible circumstances and still be directing a person’s path. “There is no bottle big enough for Acadie’s weeping.”

Sylvie battles fear, loss of family, loss of homeland, prejudice, and finally her own treacherous heart, falling for the one man she should hate.

With a map, glossary, and short historical note at the front, the reader is well-prepared for this both painful and beautiful journey. In The Seamstress of Acadie by Laura Frantz, I found a new book to reread for her rest of my life!!

Notable Quotable:

“Perhaps the Lord was leading her in ways she hadn’t planned or preferred, but still he leadeth.”

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Beyond Magnificent!! But read The Seamstress of Acadie for yourself. You decide.

BLOG, Favorite, Kindle, Kregel, PB, Purchase

Mini-Reviews/Spotlights for “Squeezed in” Books of 2023,

Babbling Becky L

Mini Reviews/Spotlights on These Books

I purposely left much of December open because of our schedule. Much to my delight, I found time to read these three books, all paperbacks (a rarity for me.) I met two of the authors, Crystal Caudill ( We Three Kings) and Carrie Turansky (The Legacy of Longdale Manor) at ACFW StoryFest in St. Louis in August.


I loved Crystal’s servant heart. She is so sweet! She writes sweet, Christian historical fiction. I have yet to meet Angela Ruth Strong, but hoping that will be soon. She is a hoot, and one should never miss her rom-coms!! Carrie Putman is a history professor who brings WWII times to life. The good, the bad, the redemptive!

I talked to Carrie Turansky for several minutes about the American Orphan Train and the British equivalent. ( Did you know there was such a thing?) Carrie is a historical wealth of knowledge on that subject!! I could have talked to her all day!!

Maddie Day ( who has a few aliases ) has written a clean cozy series that struck a chord in my heart A County Story Mystery series. I like to say they are about the “near South,” as a Northerner. Series takes place in the hills of Southern Indiana, not far from Bloomington.

The Legacy of Longdale Manor by Carrie Turansky

Two women–a century apart–embark on a journey to healing, faith, forgiveness, and romance.

In 2012, art historian Gwen Morris travels to England’s Lake District to appraise the paintings and antiques of an old family friend, hoping to prove herself to her prestigious grandfather. While at Longdale Manor, she meets David Bradford–the owner’s handsome grandson–who is desperate to save the crumbling estate by turning it into a luxury hotel. When Gwen stumbles upon a one-hundred-year-old journal and an intricately carved shepherd’s staff similar to one in a photo of her parents, she’s left searching for answers.

In 1912, after her father’s death, Charlotte Harper uncovers a painful family secret she can only confess to her journal. She and her family travel to the Lake District to stay on a sheep farm, hoping eventually to find a home with Charlotte’s grandfather at Longdale Manor, but old wounds and bitter regrets make it a difficult challenge. As Charlotte grows closer to shepherd Ian Storey and rebuilds her shattered faith, she must decide whether she will ever trust in love again.

Praise for The Legacy of Longdale Manor

“This novel will stir your faith–and your desire to visit England’s Lake District!”–JULIE KLASSEN, bestselling author

“Turansky opens the door of Longdale Manor and invites readers to explore the secrets hidden inside.”–MELANIE DOBSON, award-winning author

“A beautiful book to warm and lift the heart.”–CATHY GOHLKE, Christy Hall of Fame author

CARRIE TURANSKY is the award-winning author of more than twenty inspirational novels and novellas and a winner of the ACFW Carol Award, the International Digital Award, and the Holt Medallion. She loved traveling to England to research her latest Edwardian novels including No Journey Too Far, No Ocean Too Wide, Across the Blue, and The Highland Hall series. Her novels have received stared reviews from Christianbooks.com and Library Journal. They have been translated into several languages and enjoyed by readers around the world. Connect with Carrie on her website: http://carrieturansky.com/, and on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

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I loved this book detailing a painful failure, distant relationships with those one needs affection and love from, add in one reluctant romance, plus a generous, no questions asked acceptance from a non-family member. How God works in our lives through both good and bad to bind up our deep-seated wounds!

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We Three Kings & The Legacy Of Longdale Manor -photobombed by my daughter’s attention-seeking dog!!

We Three Kings by Crystal Caudill, Cara Putman, and Angela Ruth Strong

In this Christmas collection, Weise men still seek Jesus–and love

Best-selling romance authors Caudill, Putman, and Strong follow three generations of the Weise family in this third collection of Christmas novellas from Kregel that will prove just as popular as the previous award-winning volumes.

1. “Star of Wonder” by Crystal Caudill

The Christmas-themed maiden voyage of his family’s grand steamer ship was supposed to be Aldrich Weise’s chance both to instill investor confidence and to romance Celestia Isaacs. Instead, he must foil a criminal and leave his lady love behind forever.

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

2. “Beauty Bright” by Cara Putman

Lieutenant Charles Weise served as a Monuments Man after World War II and now works to restore stolen art to rightful owners. Captain Lillian Thorsen pairs up with him not only to return treasures but also to fix the war-torn lives around them.


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 Assistant 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 at http://www.caraputman.com. And if you’d like a copy of my legal suspense novella, Dying for Love, simply connect with me here (http://www.caraputman.com/contact/) , and I’ll send you the link.



3. “Perfect Light” by Angela Ruth Strong

Essential oils mogul Brendon Wise is drawn to Lacey Foster, the event planner for his huge Christmas lights festival. But when he inadvertently makes a spectacle of her on television, Lacey wants nothing to do with him. Will a chance to give gifts to those in need at Christmas be the key to discovering common ground–and maybe love?

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

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I loved the way each author contributed to the Christmas anthology, We Three Kings, by drawing on their strengths. Crystal Caudill writes intriguing historical fiction, easy to follow and always with a good romantic thread, including faith. We see the foundations of the Weise empire of at least family being built.

Cara Putman picks up just after WWII, with two very different individuals attempting to catalogue snd restore stolen art treasures to surviving Jewish families. One of their biggest hurts is, the people they are bending over backwards to help, would rather spit in their face. It takes much prayer, determination, and ingenuity to find solutions.

Angela Ruth Strong excels in contemporary romance. I love to read her work, because no matter the seriousness of the situation, Angela will include humor and a positive spin because of her faith in Jesus. Of course, her characters just might find romance, because, well, she loves to take the impossible and make it possible through Christ.

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Grilled for Murder by Maddie Day

The author of Flipped for Murder serves up a culinary cozy with all “the right combos for an entertaining read”—includes recipes! (Nightstand Book Reviews).

Robbie Jordan may have had reservations about the murder victim, but she still needs to turn up the heat on a killer if she wants to keep her new restaurant open for business . . .

In the charming small town of South Lick, Indiana, Robbie has transformed a rundown country store into the runaway hit Pans ’N Pancakes. But the most popular destination for miles around can also invite trouble. Erica Shermer may be the widow of handsome local lawyer Jim Shermer’s brother, but she doesn’t appear to be in mourning. At a homecoming party held in Robbie’s store, Erica is alternately obnoxious and flirtatious—even batting her eyelashes at Jim. When Erica turns up dead in the store the next morning, apparently clobbered with cookware, the police suspect Robbie’s friend Phil, who closed up after the party. To clear Phil and calm her customers, Robbie needs to step out from behind the counter and find the real killer in short order . . .“Grilled for Murder was another good mystery from the Country Store . . . Recommended for all cozy lovers!”—Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My!

Maddie Day is a talented amateur chef and holds a PhD in linguistics from Indiana University. An Agatha Award-winning author, Maddie writes the Country Store, Cozy Capers Book Group, and Cece Barton Mysteries, all from Kensington Publishing.

As Edith Maxwell, she write the Local Foods Mysteries (Kensington Publishing) and the Quaker Midwife Mysteries (Beyond the Page), as well as award-winning short crime fiction.

You can find all Maddie’s/Edith’s identities and work at http://www.edithmaxwell.com. She blogs every week day with the other Wicked Authors at wickedauthors.com and every second and fourth Fridays at mysteryloverskitchen.com. Look for her as Maddie Day/ Edith Maxwell on Facebook and @edithmaxwell and @maddiedayauthor on Twitter and Instagram.

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Something about the down-home, never-in-a-hurry atmosphere of the rolling hills of this area of our country attracts me and draws me in. Probably reminds me of the time I spent in Southern Ohio. So many similarities.

And a little country store/restaurant. A town where everybody knows your name… and unfortunately, your business.

Yummy food with recipes. A murder off page with almost everyone a suspect. Just good, clean fun.

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My Ratings

I gave all three books five stars.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Each was deserving in its genre!