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Shiloh by Jennifer Lynn Cary Review and Giveaway

Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: Shilo: A Sweet, Quirky, Romantic Muddle (The Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue: Book 7)

Author: Jennifer Lynn Cary

Genre: Sweet Romantic Comedy

Release Date: May 1, 2025

From Breck Girl to Hippie to Jesus People…

…It’s been a long journey back home

But can her heart truly find peace where it all began?

When free-spirit Shilo Anderson inherits two million dollars with an unexpected condition—marriage—she refuses to be bound by her grandfather’s will. Until her beloved aunt faces cancer with no insurance to cover chemotherapy.

She won’t marry for money for herself, but to save her aunt’s life? She’ll make that sacrifice in a heartbeat.

Maybe.

Jesse Franklin never forgot his first love. When her grandfather’s will brings Shilo back to their hometown, he discovers his love for her has only deepened with time. Offering to marry her to help save her aunt, no problem.

Keeping it a marriage of convenience, that might be a problem. More like impossible.

As their feelings grow stronger, Shilo faces her greatest fear: revealing the truth about her past decade. Can she make Jesse see she doesn’t belong on anyone’s pedestal?

Return to 1973 Kokomo, Indiana, where faith shapes the journey and the legend of the cardinal in the sycamore still proves true love endures all seasons.

You will enjoy this sweet, quirky tale of second chances, because sometimes the rough patches prepare us for the wildly wonderful.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Historical Christian Romance author and three-time Selah Award nominee, Jennifer Lynn Cary, likes to say you can take the girl out of Indiana, but you can’t take the Hoosier out of the girl. Now transplanted to the Arizona desert, this direct descendant of Davy Crockett and her husband of forty-plus years enjoy time with family where she shares tales of her small-town heritage and family legacies with their grandchildren. She is the author of The Crockett Chronicles series, The Relentless series, and The Weather Girls trilogy, as well as the stand-alone novel, Cheryl’s Going Home, her novella Tales of the Hob Nob Annex Café, and her split-time novels The Traveling Prayer Shawland The Forgotten Gratitude Journal. Her current spin-off series, The Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue, contains standalones with a common thread.

More from Jennifer

The story for Shilo has been fermenting in my brain for a long time. I had always loved Neil Diamond’s song of the same title and could see his characters playing out their parts and thought what would happen if the girl came back after ten years?

However, what I didn’t catch was that Shilo in the song was a boy, an imaginary boy who’d been a friend to a lonely boy.

In my brain, I missed the importance of him turning to his only friend in his mind.

Instead, I had a little girl moving in next door—she was Shilo—and they went from being friends to first loves, but something called her away and though he understood, he called her name like before hoping she’d return.

Okay, so not what Neil Diamond had in mind, but it became Jesse’s back story.

Then I had to ask, what was so important that she had to leave? That’s when I remembered Breck Girls. Do you remember them?

There was a time as a child that I thought one of the Breck Girls on the back of a magazine was so beautiful, I said, “She’s prettier than Mom.”

I was quickly (verbally) chastised by my dad who made sure to inform me that no one was prettier than my mom. I never thought of it as an insult. My mom was the high standard for beauty, and for someone to be even prettier, they were definitely a looker. However, I learned to keep those types of opinions to myself if my Dad was around. Mom understood and didn’t take offense—in fact, as I meant it, she thought it was a compliment that I found her so pretty.

All that to say that Breck Girls were a part of my growing up years, into the seventies. I wondered how Breck Girls were chosen, and if Shilo could/should be one. I learned there’s even an exhibit at the Smithsonian dedicated to Breck Girls and those lovely pastel portraits.

So, when (my) Shilo told Jesse she had to go before he could tell her that he loved her, it was because she’d been chosen to be a Breck Girl. Now I had a framework to start building the story.

I hope that when you read Shilo: A Sweet, Quirky, Romantic Muddle, you will be transported back to 1973 with many of your own memories.

Abundant blessings,

Jenny

My Impressions

“A legend’s been handed down for many generations, some believe all the way from the Native American days, concerning the sycamore tree in our backyard and a cardinal. They say if a couple kisses beneath its branches, and a cardinal lights above them, then theirs is a true love destined for a long and happy marriage.”

Kokomo, here we come again! Shiloh by Jennifer Lynn Cary is the 7th book in the loosely connected series, The Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue series. This series is a hoot! After this many books, how Cary keeps coming up with fresh 70s references that delight me and cause me to remember things like Kreske’s, is beyond me. The many time-related references kept me eagerly reading the story, just as the storyline did. 

Two former childhood friends, Shilo and Jesse, separated by 10 years of silence, are suddenly thrust back together by a will. Shiloh has returned to small-town Kokomo from California, to find her former dear friend much more serious, competitive, and spineless than ever. On the outside, Jesse is doing well, a successful lawyer at his grandfather’s firm. However, Jesse’s biggest fault may be that he no longer ventures out like when he followed adventurous Shilo, but rather kowtows to his totally overbearing, demanding grandfather. 

Shilo is everything that Jesse remembers. Beautiful, compassionate, and unafraid. Except… she now has joined the Jesus people and has a real relationship with Him, living her life differently because of her beliefs. 

Shiloh’s compassion leads to a marriage of convenience. While this marriage has benefits for both, both hold secrets that could destroy any renewed relationship Shilo and Jesse are attempting. As Shilo worries and informs Jesse, “‘if you put me on a pedestal, I’m going to disappoint you…you have to see me as I really am.’ ‘And what’s that?’ ‘A messed-up chick who God chased down and dragged out of a never-ending spiral.’”

This is one of those stories when I wanted to shout at the characters, “Communicate!” But how many times do doubts or fears of what others might think of us hold us back from saying things we know need to be said? These two are blessed to have forces like Aunt Sarah (“Just talk to each other. Always. It’ll make the difference, or at least be one thing that will.” ) and Viv in their lives. Maybe less blessed to have Grandfather and Eli! 

One quote that I loved, because it illustrates how quickly Shilo turns her problems to God. “‘What haven’t you told me, Jesse? Something I should know?’ Dread tasted like bile in her throat. Oh, she needed to get somewhere where she could pray and talk with Jesus.” THIS!! Because Shiloh’s first panic reaction is prayer!! How many times do we first attempt to reason things out, complain, discuss them with others, then finally turn to prayer as a last resort?

A sweet little 5-year-old recovering in the hospital is my third choice after Aunt Sarah and Viv for fave secondary characters. 

Next up in the series is Bernadette, which I am more than eager to read. These Kokomo 70s faith-filled romances are quite addicting!!

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

Notable Quotables:

“Their marriage wouldn’t be genuine until he saw her, the imperfect but redeemed ragamuffin, now a daughter of the King.” -(Shilo)

“Believing something doesn’t make it true. It’s true whether anyone believes it or not. Nothing changes the truth.” – Shilo

“God remained here with her. Even if Jesse let go of her hand, He never would.”

– (Shilo)

    “And when one gives up their backbone at an early age to please the one in power, it’s mighty difficult to grow another.” – (Jesse)

    My Rating

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    Magnificent! These characters are becoming so real with each successive book, you may find me searching Kokomo on my next visit for the Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue!

    Blog Stops

    Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, November 15

    The Important Things in Life: God, Books, & Chocolate , November 15

    Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 16

    Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 17

    A Reader’s Brain, November 18 (Author Interview)

    Texas Book-aholic, November 19

    A Modern Day Fairy Tale, November 20 (Author Interview)

    For Him and My Family, November 21

    Books Less Travelled, November 22 (Author Interview)

    Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 23

    Mary Hake, November 24

    The Mommies Reviews, November 24

    Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 25

    Roads to Everywhere, November 26

    Fiction Book Lover, November 27 (Author Interview)

    Pause for Tales, November 28

    Giveaway

    To celebrate her tour, Jennifer is giving away the grand prize of a $50 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.

    https://promosimple.com/ps/3d5a5/shilo-celebration-tour-giveaway
    ARC, BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Kindle, Purchase, Wild Heart Books

    Maggie and the Maverick by Erica Vetsch Review and Giveaway

    Babbling Becky L

    About the Book

    Book: Maggie and the Maverick

    Author: Erica Vetsch

    Genre: Christian Historical  Romance

    Release Date: October 13, 2025

    A jaded lady marshal and a stage driver with a past—bound by duty, tested by lies, and drawn to a love that could change everything.

    A wary lady marshal and a reformed stage driver—entangled by secrets, shadowed by danger, and tempted by a love neither dared to trust.

    U.S. Marshal Maggie Davis has learned the hard way not to trust men with charming smiles and winning ways. Her reticence makes her the perfect undercover investigator for a string of daring stage robberies. When the case leads her to stay with a local family, she finds herself drawn to Cal McConnell, the handsome stage driver who could either be her greatest ally or her prime suspect.

    Cal has worked hard to put his wild past behind him and build an honest life as a stage driver. When a mysterious new lady comes to town selling ladies’ garments, he’s instantly captivated by her beauty and fierce independence. But as stage robberies escalate and murder enters the picture, Cal must decide if he can trust this woman who seems determined to keep him at arm’s length—even as his heart tells him she could be the one.

    When the line between truth and deception blurs, will they cling to caution—or risk everything for something real?

    Click here to get your copy!

    About the Author

    Best-selling, award-winning author of The Debutante’s Code, first in the Thorndike & Swann Regency Mystery Series, Erica Vetschloves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum.

    More from Erica

    Did you ever watch the movie Stagecoach? The movie that launched John Wayne’s career? My father introduced me to the movie when I was young, and that sparked my interest in westward expansion, cowboys, and stagecoaches.

    When I was a teen, I read a book called Six Horse Hitch, by author Janice Holt Giles. In the book, she goes into all the details of stagecoach driving, stations across the west, the coaches, the passengers, the US mail delivery, and more. I was enthralled.

    Stagecoach drivers (sometimes called Jehus) were a breed apart. Brave, resilient, and bold. Heroic.

    Which meant, when I became an author, I wanted to create a hero who was a stagecoach driver. Enter Cal McConnell in Maggie and the Maverick. He’s the third of three sons, with a dry humor, and a bit of a jaded outlook on life.

    Truthfully, I patterned him after Heath Barkley, a character on the 1960’s TV show, The Big Valley, played by Lee Majors. Even down to the light brown/dark blond hair and blue eyes.

    One thing that is important when writing romance is to ensure that the heroine is worthy of the hero and vice versa. So I imagined what kind of a woman would be a great life partner for Cal. She would have to be spunky, smart, and compassionate.

    Maggie Davis, an undercover agent, fit the bill. Her guise was that of a ladies’ unmentionables saleswoman, and that job leads to a memorable encounter upon meeting Cal for the first time.

    I’m so thankful that Maggie and the Maverick is getting a new release out into the world through Wild Heart Books. I hope that you enjoy this rollicking western with a stage driving hero and undercover agent heroine.

    My Impressions

    “Agents who worked secretly for the U. S. Marshal’s office couldn’t afford to let anyone that close. Which made Maggie the perfect candidate for this type work. She didn’t trust anyone anyway.”

    Erica Vetsch has re-released her series The Brides of Money Creek, as part of The Brides of the West series with Wild Heart Books. Maggie and the Maverick is the third book in the Brides of Money Creek sub-series. 

    A historical romantic fiction novel set in the Old West, Maggie and the Maverick has a bit of an unusual premise. The stage has been robbed multiple times near Silver Creek, and US Marshalls are secretly sent in to discover who the thieves are. One undercover Marshall is Maggie Davis, who is to ride the stage back and forth, posing as a salesperson for ladies’ unmentionables. A very amusing incident occurs as Maggie meets our hero, stage driver Cal McConnell for the first time. 

    Both Maggie and Cal have had very hard knocks in life that have caused them to be slow to trust. As Cal realizes, “Trust is built up slow.” If only he knew just how slow!

    While both try to guard their hearts, what will happen when they both prove untrustworthy? It’s like hearing the Oregon Trail disaster music playing, this time not only for any romance between Cal and Maggie, but for their bruised hearts as well. 

    Fave secondary characters are Georgia, Jack, and Angus. Georgia for her loyalty and willingness to listen to people who have messed up. Jack, because he’s not very brave or confident, yet he’s a wild card. Who will he help when the chips are down? He’s a great catalyst to story action. And Angus. Stinkin’ drunk, no- good, tavern vermin Angus. Maybe no one is beyond redemption. 

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

    Notable Quotables:

    “It’s been my experience that people who are suspicious of everybody are usually hiding something.” – Cal

    “I’ve been paying lip-service to trusting God and not being afraid of what men can do to me, then turning back to do things my way.” – Maggie

    “I don’t think Cal will survive much more of you doing your job.” – Alec

    “Her experience told her once a scoundrel always a scoundrel, and it was the ones who pretended to change that needed watching the most.” – (Maggie)

    “She played you like a fiddle, and you danced like a trained bear.”– Powers

    “Both of them taught us how much we needed God’s love and forgiveness.” – Cal

    My Rating

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐

    Great! Fun historical romance set in the Old West.

    Blog Stops

    Devoted Steps, November 11

    Pens Pages & Pulses, November 11

    Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 12

    Lyssa Loves Books, November 12

    Fiction Book Lover, November 13 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

    Texas Book-aholic, November 13

    Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 14

    Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 15

    For Him and My Family, November 15

    Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 16

    Devoted To Hope, November 16

    Melissa’s Bookshelf, November 17

    Artistic Nobody, November 17 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

    She Lives To Read, November 18

    lakesidelivingsite, November 18

    Simple Harvest Reads, November 19 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

    Locks, Hooks and Books, November 19

    Book Looks by Lisa, November 20

    Life on Chickadee Lane, November 21

    The Mommies Reviews, November 21

    Cover Lover Book Review, November 22

    Blossoms and Blessings, November 23

    Holly’s Book Corner, November 23

    Vicky Sluiter, November 24

    Pause for Tales, November 24

    Giveaway

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

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

    https://promosimple.com/ps/3d59d/maggie-and-the-maverick-celebration-tour-giveaway

    ARC, BLOG, Favorite, Just Read Tours, Kindle, Launch Team, Purchase

    His Boss’s Little Sister by Danielle Grandinetti Review and Giveaway

    Babbling Becky L

    Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for His Boss’s Little Sister by Danielle Grandinetti, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

    About the Book

    Title: His Boss’s Little Sister
    Series: Apron Strings Tea Tales
    Author: Danielle Grandinetti
    Publisher: Hearth Spot Press
    Release Date: November 18, 2025
    Genre: Historical Romantic Suspense

    Broken hearts, underground smuggling, and a meddling family … one Wisconsin Teehaus offers a love of more than sweet treats.

    November 1931—Needing a new start, Samantha Martins escapes the happily-ever-afters of her hometown to take a waitressing position at a German Tea House. But all is not as it appears beneath the pretty trappings. When she discovers illegal oleomargarine on the premises, which could shut down the cafe, and thus cost her job, she goes searching for the source.

    Samantha’s old beau, Kyle Docherty, returns to Crow’s Nest a changed man, both inside and out. An apology burning in his heart, he finds she’s left home. However, with trouble on her trail, Samantha’s brother hires Kyle to be her bodyguard. But will she even speak to him? And if not, will she at least allow him to protect her, even without the arm he lost in a logging accident?

    When the breadcrumbs lead them into a trap, putting Kyle’s life in danger, Samantha faces an impossible choice: listen to Kyle and run for help, or stay a captive and outwit a criminal. If only the ticking bomb were on their side.

    A touch of fairy tale, a spoonful of history, and a teacup of hope.

    His Boss’s Little Sister is a stand-alone novella in the Apron Strings Tea Tale multi-author series, and a 1930s historical romance retelling of Hansel and Gretel.

    Fans of the Harbored in Crow’s Nest series will enjoy revisiting familiar characters and discovering the HEA of the hero’s little sister from Confessions to a Stranger.

    PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | DanielleGrandinetti.com | Amazon | BookBub

    Also Available

    About the Author

    Danielle Grandinetti is an award-winning inspirational romance author fueled by tea, books, and the creative beauty of nature. Her stories combine romance, mystery, and suspense against the backdrop of the 1930s to tell the tale of finding home and hope in hard times. With a master’s in communication and culture and a passion for intercultural communication, storytelling has been her heartbeat for as long as she can remember. Married to her hero, Danielle is a second-generation Italian-American, a dairy farmer’s granddaughter, and a boy mom from Chicagoland who now lives along Lake Michigan’s Wisconsin shoreline.

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

    My Impressions

    “…she’d trust him with everything except her heart.”

    Le Sigh!  The above quote, from Danielle Grandinetti’s The Boss’s Little Sister, is so poignant. While this book is part of the Apron String series, all books are loosely connected, involving tearooms and Mrs. Canfield’s Cookery Book. However, this book is very closely tied to The Harbored in Crow’s Nest series. You will want to have read all of that series to understand the backstory of the Martins family ( Samantha -Sam- and her brothers David and Patrick), plus Kyle’s backstory. Sam had thought herself in love with Kyle, but Kyle had gone away to a lumber camp, then out West, refusing to communicate with Sam or acknowledge her expressed feelings. Honestly, neither Sam nor Kyle was very likeable in previous books. So I really enjoyed watching each of them prove their maturation in this book. But, oh, the trials they go through to prove their mettle!

    I have rarely wanted to truly live in a time period or place of a book setting. But 1930s Wisconsin?! Yes, please! Grandinetti has done her research and the danger in this book revolves around “The Oleo Wars” in Wisconsin. (How I wished I could have lived in a state that outlawed oleo growing up!!😂) Grandinetti’s writing caused me to do my own research into the Oleo Wars. I always consider a book that causes me to leave it long enough to research its topic on my own, a great book. 

    And the fairy tale Hansel and Gretel connection? I was like, I don’t see it!  I didn’t see the culprit until I, too, would have been trapped! Love those kind of mysteries, where the clues are there, but there are enough red herrings that it is easy to be fooled by the ending!

    I received a copy of the book from Just Read Tours. I also bought my own copy, and will be buying one for my trophy shelf. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own. 

    Notable Quotables:

    “The day’s weariness crashed into her like a Lake Michigan wave, catching her about the knees and knocking her off kilter.” – Sam

    “Margarine was outlawed from being served in restaurants, but margarine that had been turned yellow to look like butter? That was a serious offence here in Wisconsin.”

    “We can’t force people to choose help, to choose love over bitterness and hate. All we can do is pray and show them compassion.” – David

     “Trouble shakes out all the excess to leave only what’s true behind.”- Sam

    “that’s why, when you have questions, you need to ask what’s really going on so you can learn the truth.”– Sam

    “This was a mistake. The whole plan was a mistake. He shouldn’t have listened to Marian Ward Cox urge his return to Crow’s Nest. He shouldn’t have agreed to Detective O’Connor’s request to keep his niece safe. He shouldn’t have accepted David’s job offer. And he sure as foolin’ shouldn’t have let Patrick convince him that forgiveness was possible.” – Kyle

    My Rating

    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Superior! I haven’t met a Grandinetti story I haven’t loved, but between the characters’ growth arcs, the fairy tale retelling, and the history of the WI Oleo Wars, this is a standout!!

    Tour Giveaway

    (2) winners will each receive a paperback copy of Confessions to a Stranger & Escape with the Prodigal!

    Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 10, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 17, 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, Celebrate Lit Tour, Favorite, Kindle, Purchase

    Defending You by Robin Patchen Review and Giveaway

    Babbling Becky L

    About the Book

    Book: Defending You

    Author: Robin Patchen

    Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

    Release Date: October 14, 2025

    She stumbled onto a deadly secret. The man she once wronged is the only one who can keep her alive. 

    Cecilia “Cici” Wright has built a life she loves as a jewelry appraiser. But when her latest find—a priceless ruby necklace—links to decades-old murders in her hometown of Shadow Cove, Cici becomes the target of ruthless killers. Forced to flee for her life, she must rely on the man she humiliated in the most shameful moment of her life.

    Asher Rhodes puts his Navy SEAL training to good use as a bodyguard for high-paying clients. Keeping his emotions locked away is the secret to his strength. But Cici Wright isn’t just a client—she’s the girl who scorned him, the last woman in the world he ever wanted to see again. Having her close churns up all the reasons he once loved her. Protecting her means facing not just the killers chasing them but the wounds she left behind.

    Cici and Asher find themselves in a deadly game of cat and mouse, where trust is their only weapon and attraction their greatest vulnerability. With time running out, they must overcome their painful history and work together to defeat their enemies—before it’s too late.

    Don’t miss Defending You, book 7 in Robin Patchen’s Wright Heroes of Maine series. Packed with heart-pounding suspense, sizzling romance, and unforgettable characters, you won’t be able to put this one down.

    Click here to get your copy!

    About the Author

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

    More from Robin

    Meet Cici Wright: The Relatable Heroine of Defending You

    There’s nothing I love more than crafting a heroine who feels like a friend—someone to root for, cry with, and cheer on as she faces impossible odds. In Defending You, the seventh book in my Wright Heroes of Maine series, that heroine is Cici Wright. She’s a jewelry appraiser with a sharp eye for gems, a heart full of courage, and a quiet struggle that I think many of us can relate to: the need to prove she matters.

    A Woman on a Mission

    Cici Wright is the middle daughter of five girls, and if you’ve read the earlier books in the series, you know her older sisters, Alyssa and Brooklynn, have come through some difficult times—and proved themselves not just capable but heroic.

    When we meet Cici in Defending You, she’s doing what she loves: traveling from city to city and gazing into some of the world’s most precious gems. But beneath her confident exterior lies a woman who feels the weight of her sisters’ accomplishments and wonders if she’ll ever measure up.

    Who hasn’t felt the pressure to prove themselves—whether to family, friends, or even their own inner critic? Cici’s journey begins when she discovers a long-lost necklace tied to a decades-old crime. Her decision to protect it sets off a chain of events that thrusts her into danger, forcing her to confront not just external threats but her own insecurities.

    Strength in Vulnerability

    What I love most about Cici is how her strength shines through her vulnerability. She’s a woman who loves beauty, who finds joy in the sparkle of a well-cut diamond, and who’s suddenly caught in a deadly game with rules she’s never learned. Despite her lack of training, Cici manages to keep herself alive long enough to get help.

    Cici’s resourcefulness proves that heroism doesn’t always come from training or experience; sometimes, it’s born from sheer determination and a refusal to give up.

    Enter Asher Rhodes, the bodyguard tasked with keeping her safe. Their history—his high school crush was crushed by the most humiliating moment of his life—adds layers to their dynamic. I loved writing their reunion, which is filled with tension, a little humor, and a slow-burn romance that I hope will leave you swooning.

    Cici’s not afraid to call Asher out when he’s being overbearing—which she thinks is pretty much all the time. But she learns to trust him…for the most part.

    A Journey We All Understand

    For Cici, the story is about more than surviving danger; it’s about discovering her own worth. She starts desperate to distinguish herself, to be seen as more than the other Wright sister. By the end, she’s learned that her value doesn’t come from outshining others but from embracing who she is—flaws, fears, and all. It’s a journey I think many of us can relate to, whether we’re chasing a career goal, navigating family expectations, or simply trying to find our place in the world.

    As I wrote Cici’s story, I thought about the readers who’ve told me they see themselves in my heroines. Cici’s not perfect—she’s stubborn, a little impulsive, and sometimes lets her pride get in the way. But she’s also fiercely loyal, quick-thinking, and willing to risk everything for what’s right. She’s the kind of heroine who reminds us that courage doesn’t mean being fearless but acting despite the fear.

    Join Cici’s Adventure

    Defending You is a story of heart-pounding suspense, a romance that sparks amidst danger, and a heroine who discovers her own strength when it matters most. If you’ve ever felt the need to prove yourself or wondered if you’re enough, Cici Wright’s journey will resonate with you. And if you love a good mix of action, mystery, and a love story that grows through trust and second chances, I think you’ll fall for Cici and Asher as much as I did.

    My Impressions

    “He wasn’t here to win her approval. He was here to keep her breathing. That was the job. That was all that mattered.”

    Robin Patchen is one of the authors who has had a great influence in convincing me that romantic suspense is a genre I truly like! The Wright Heroes of Maine is such a great series! Each book details the story of a different Wright family member and his or her Romance amidst much danger. While each, including book 7, Defending You, can be enjoyed as a standalone, I am glad to have read each of the previous ones in order, as they do build. Especially this book builds on the characters and events of the book immediately preceding it.

    Cici Wright, a jewelry appraiser, is witness to a murder. On the run for her life from the jewelry thieves, she finds herself in the company of the last person she would have selected to be her bodyguard- Asher Rhodes. Currently working for the Green Beret Protection Agency, Asher was once a shy, geeky high school classmate of CiCi’s, and one whom she had cruelly humiliated. 

    Both Asher and CiCi have some healing and growing to do. CiCi feels the need to excel in such a way that she will standout from her sisters and be noticed at long last by her dismissive, high-ranking father. Asher feels the need to prove himself at the agency in order to secure his job as well as to show CiCi that her rejection didn’t scar him- if only that were true! 

    To protect his heart as he protects her safety, Asher treats CiCi with disdain and as if she is an underling to be commanded. CiCi, with her sense of needing to prove herself and having a bit of entitlement, insists on having much more a say in the protection plans Asher leads them into. “She laughed, though the sound held zero humor. “Look, I get that you’re better than I am in dangerous situations, but that doesn’t make me stupid. My opinion counts. I’m not your soldier or your lackey.”

    The action is intense, steady, and addictive! The couple are both flawed, and it took me a while to at least like Asher. He is a one man- no questions asked- show. 

    I felt most deeply for CiCi, so desperate to do something notable, in an effort to secure her father’s love. I was happy to see Asher finally able to open up and help CiCi realize that her earthly father’s failings didn’t represent how her Heavenly Father felt about her. “You do know what He’d”[ her Heavenly Father] “say. That you’re the person He created you to be, and He adores you. So…not that it’s easy or anything, but I guess my point is, who cares what Gavin Wright thinks when you have the King of the whole universe pleased with you?” – Asher

    Patchen does a great job of keeping the suspense high, throwing in truth nuggets, and surprise twists that make the story resonate! Highly recommended!

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

    Notable Quotables:

    “I’ve spent so much time trying to prove I matter that I forgot to actually live the life God gave me. To choose what I want instead of what I think will make other people happy.” – CiCi

    “…That’s why it’s better not to have anyone you care about…Love is a liability.” – Gagnon

    “You can’t judge someone’s character by their bank account.” – CiCi

    “To live is to risk. Security is an illusion.” – Asher

    My Rating

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    Superior! I’m very glad there are a couple more books left in this series!

    Blog Stops

    Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 30

    Pens Pages & Pulses, October 30

    Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 31

    Texas Book-aholic, November 1

    The Mommies Reviews, November 1

    Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 2

    For Him and My Family, November 3

    Mary Hake, November 3

    Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 4

    Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 5

    Stories By Gina, November 5

    lakesidelivingsite, November 6

    Blogging With Carol, November 7

    Holly’s Book Corner, November 8

    Book Looks by Lisa, November 9

    Cover Lover Book Review, November 9

    Blossoms and Blessings, November 10

    Pause for Tales, November 11

    A Good Book and Cup of Tea, November 12

    Bizwings Blog, November 12

    Giveaway

    To celebrate her tour, Robin is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a copy of Capturing You!!

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

    https://promosimple.com/ps/3d28b/defending-you-celebration-tour-giveaway

    Barbour, BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Favorite, Kindle, New-to-Me Author, Purchase

    The Daughter of Shiloh by Terri J. Haynes Review and Giveaway

    Babbling Becky L

    About the Book

    Book: The Daughter of Shiloh (Enduring Hope Book Three)

    Author: Terri J. Haynes

    Genre: Christian Fiction / Romance / Historical Fiction

    Release Date: October 1, 2025

    A Stampede Tramples Hopes

    Collect a series of six historical romances. When life seems weighed down by challenges, there are always pillars of enduring hope and love to be discovered.

    Lealie Bevard, a determined Tuskegee Institute student, attends the Shiloh Baptist Church convention in Birmingham on September 19, 1902, to request a scholarship for continued education at Harvard. But a beautiful gathering turns tragic when a stampede breaks out and Lealie is injured. While convalescing at the home of fellow Tuskegee student Milton Rafferty, Lealie’s concerns for her future are set aside to help Milton uncover a mystery revolving around missing church funds and a possible murder. Perhaps a pause in Lealie’s well-laid plans can be used for good and lead to love.

    Click here to get your copy!

    About the Author

    Terri J. Haynes, a native Baltimorean, is a homeschool mom, writer, prolific knitter, freelance graphic artist and former Army wife (left the Army, not the husband). She loves to read, so much that when she was in elementary school, she masterminded a plan to be locked in a public library armed with only a flashlight to read all the books and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. As she grew, her love for writing grew as she tried her hand at poetry, articles, speeches and fiction. She is storyteller at heart. Her passion is to draw readers in the story world she has created and to bring laughter and joy to their lives.

    Terri is a 2010 American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis contest finalist, and a 2012 semi-finalist. She is also a 2013 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Quarterfinalist. Her publishing credits include: Cup of Comfort for Military Families, Crosswalk.com, the Secret Place Devotional, Urbanfaith.com, Vista Devotional, and Publisher’s Weekly.

    Terri holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology, a Master’s degree in Theological Studies and a certificate in creative writing and graphic design, meeting the minimal requirements of being a geek. She and her husband pastor a church where she serves as executive pastor and worship leader. Terri lives in Maryland with her three wonderful children and her husband, who often beg her not to kill off their favorite characters.

    More from Terri

    Growing up in inner-city Baltimore as the fourth daughter of five, money was always tight. Each school year, my mother paid for one field trip because that was all she could afford. With only one shot, I had to pick wisely.

    I choose museums every year.

    Some years, it was the Walter’s Art Gallery. Others, The Baltimore Museum of Art. I passed up the amusement parks and sports games to go walk through history. My history walking hasn’t changed now that I’m an adult. If I’m traveling, I’m always checking to see what museums are nearby.

    History, for me, isn’t just about learning about old things. It’s about learning about old struggles, victories, and modern applications of those things. When I first learned about the Shiloh Baptist Church disaster, it struck me as horrifying and hopeless. As I began to research, however, I saw that this moment in history had a lesson to teach.

    The Shiloh Baptist Church stampede is a story of resilience. It gives a snapshot of people, in the worst moment of their lives, figuring out how to move forward. I was moved by the community coming together to care for the victims, many of them total strangers. How local business owners donated to the care of strangers or to cover funeral costs.

    History walking informs. It showed me, from a young age, strength and hope. It taught me lessons from ancient texts that helped me through the dark days I encountered in my personal life while writing this book. I wrote this book informed by history that I could face hard times because others did decades ago.

    So if you are feeling like there are hard days ahead for you, do a little history walking. Hit the museums or the books. Learn history’s lessons. They are rich and priceless.

    My Impressions

    “you are their beloved daughter, and I am their troublesome son.”– Milton

    The Daughter of Shiloh by Terri J. Haynes is a story of conflict, opposing opinions, and people uniting to work together despite their differences. Herein lies the hope of a story that recounts years of prejudice, discrimination, and a true tragedy of that occurred in a Birmingham church. I was somewhat uncomfortable reading of some of the prejudice that I cannot correct. Yet the story needs told, and I was thankful that the characters looked beyond their problems ( not denying them) to find Hope in following Jesus. 

    Lealia Bevard is highly intelligent, beautiful, and does exceptionally well at Tuskegee. She is on the fast track for a scholarship to Howard. She believes this is her and her family’s path out of poverty. She agrees to accompany Booker T. Washington to the Baptist convention in Birmingham at her former home church, Shiloh Baptist Church, because there she will be awarded the scholarship. A wise friend tells her, “I know you have hopes of how things will go in Birmingham, but remember, God may have other plans. His ways are not our ways, you know.”

    Not if Lealia has anything to do with said plans!

    Milton Rafferty, our other key player, is also a product of Shiloh Baptist Church. But his is not a love story. A continuously drunk father, an ill-timed event, and wagging tongues conspire to make Milton and his mother pariahs. The same people who are blessing Lealia are cursing Milton. As Lealia slowly gets to know Milton, she begins to see what a rock-steady nurse and man of character he is, because of his faith. Lealia is attracted to Milton, even as he hides his secret from her, and she becomes more and more involved in Shiloh Baptist Church. 

    What will it take for Lealia to shake off her arrogance and personal ambition to align with God’s will? What will it take for the members of Shiloh to accept Milton back into their midst? Can Lealia and Milton work together to help a hurting community and keep a church from being decimated in a totally different way? 

    One of my fave characters is Milton’s mom. She sloughs off insults like water off a duck’s back. She understands that “People who are afraid can sometimes act in very cruel ways.” Mrs. Rafferty still speaks kindly of the Shiloh people and treats them with respect. “You can’t change other people’s fears, Milton. But you can change yours.” (However, she also recognizes a quack!)

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

    Notable Quotables:

    “That’s why it’s called faith. Sometimes you don’t know if something is going to work or if you’re going in the right direction. You have to trust that God has a bigger plan for you than where you are right now.” -Mrs. Rafferty

    “The Talented Tenth will show the way to the future.” -DuBois

    “Going back to Shiloh was going to hurt. He could feel it.” – Milton

    My Rating

    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Magnificent! Food for thought in many ways, plus an excellent example of how people who may not agree can still work together in unity!

    Blog Stops

    Life on Chickadee Lane, October 29

    Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 30

    Texas Book-aholic, October 31

    Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 1

    Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 2

    Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 3

    For Him and My Family, November 4

    Devoted To Hope, November 5

    Stories By Gina, November 6 (Author Interview)

    Mary Hake, November 6

    Simple Harvest Reads, November 7 (Guest Review from Donna)

    Holly’s Book Corner, November 8

    Book Butterfly in Dreamland , November 9

    Cover Lover Book Review, November 9

    Pause for Tales, November 10

    Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, November 12 (Author Interview)

    Giveaway

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

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

    https://promosimple.com/ps/3d288/the-daughter-of-shiloh-celebration-tour-giveaway

    ARC, BLOG, Just Read Tours, Kindle, Love Inspired, New-to-Me Author, Purchase

    Escaping the Wilderness by Carrie Stuart Parks Review and Givaway

    Babbling Becky L

    Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Escaping the Wilderness by Carrie Stuart Parks, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

    About the Book

    Title: Escaping the Wilderness
    Author: Carrie Stuart Parks
    Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
    Release Date: September 30, 2025
    Genre: Romantic Suspense

    On the run through the mountains—
    with only each other to trust.

    Amanda Cotton’s privileged life takes a harrowing turn when her grandfather’s dying wish places a target firmly on her back and she’s attacked by unknown assailants. Rescue comes in the form of widowed outdoorsman Boone McGregor, but the threat is just beginning. Unable to trust local law enforcement, they flee across the rugged Montana mountains. As they evade deadly enemies and navigate harsh terrain, they must put aside their differences to survive. But when a family secret is exposed, danger is closer than they imagined and more than just their lives is at stake…

    PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Harlequin.com | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop | BookBub

    Also Available

    About the Author

    arrie Stuart Parks is an internationally known forensic artist and law enforcement instructor, working on major criminal cases nationwide. She trains law enforcement professionals such as the FBI, Secret Service, NCIS, Federal Marshals, RCMP, Texas Rangers, and local and regional officers. She was nominated for Law Enforcement Trainer of the Year offered by the Federal Law Enforcement Academy at Glynco, Georgia. Her career highlights also include winning Woman of the Year for the Spirit of the American Woman and the first Educator of the Year by the Lewis Clark Alumni.Her bestselling mystery/suspense novels have won numerous awards including two Christys and four Carols. She was mentored by her friend Frank Peretti for eight years before launching her fiction writing career. Before that, she wrote and illustrated best-selling art books for North Light Publishers. As a professional fine artist, her paintings hang in many corporate and private collections.

    Connect with Carrie by visiting stuartparks.com/carrie-stuart-parks-home-page to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.

    My Impressions

    “I’m also sending you the Bible I bought with the passages marked. I really need to change what’s between us and make things right, one way or the other. This deception can’t continue. If all else fails, I’ll send you the key.”

    Amanda Morton’s deceased mother has left a cryptic letter to her father, Amanda’s grandfather. Carrie Parks Stuart sets her Love Inspired romantic suspense, Escaping the Wilderness, in a remote, mountainous area of Montana. Amanda’s mother, before her death,  is largely absent in Amanda’s  life. Amanda’s caring grandfather has given her the “assignment” to go off grid with some of her mother’s belongings and write what she discovers about her mother. She is told to “get to know my mother through my heart, not my head.”

    Unfortunately, Amanda barely starts on this adventure before she is physically attacked, and her rental house and her mother’s belongings are destroyed by ruthless men. Boone MacGregor gets involved when he sees the original attack on Amanda. Thinking he will quickly get her to safety, it is soon evident that safety is hard to come by. Helicopters, drones, snowstorms, a fire, and much more all point to the fact that Amanda is hiding something. Yet, Amanda herself doesn’t know what she possesses that would be worth igniting this maelstrom of disaster. 

    It took me a while to become invested in these characters. I remained fairly detached until about midway through the book. Then it seemed the action kicked into urgent overdrive ( because it already was intense) and I finally cared very much about Amanda and Boone. I followed their progress closely as they had to decide who to trust, and if his simple rancher’s world can meld with her high society world, enough to even work together. “They were worlds apart. When they got out of this, could he fit into her world? Would she fit into his?” 

    Cookie, Boone’s Bernese Mountain dog, is a force that unites them.  She is a poignant, beautiful part of the story sure to appeal to any dog lovers. 

    At first, faith is another area that drives a wedge between the two. Boone is a firm believer in prayer, Amanda has rejected it after her prayers for several people go “ unanswered.” Boone is not afraid to pray aloud. When Amanda dubs him religious, Boone responds, “Religion is man’s response to the Creator. I have faith in the completed works of Jesus Christ. There’s a difference.”  That starts Amanda thinking, as she watches Boone’s care and prayers for her as they have several enemy encounters. 

    I am not going to hang up my detective shingle yet. I thought I knew who was the mastermind early on, but there are so many moving parts and people that the truth gets hidden! And the twists! I got whiplash, for sure!! Well done, Ms. Parks. 

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

    Notable Quotables:

    “Sometimes family secrets take on a life of their own,” -Boone

    “Even the kindest, most thoughtful and loving people can have a side we never see.” -Boone

    “I truly believe everything happens for a reason, though I may not know, nor ever know that reason. I just have to trust the Lord, in His infinite wisdom, will work things out.” – Colleen

    “Trust was a fragile thing, easily shattered,” – Amanda 

    My Rating

    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Great! As a first-time Carrie Stuart Parks reader, I’ll be back for more!

    Tour Giveaway

    (1) winner will receive a small, original watercolor by author & professional fine artist Carrie Stuart Parks!

    Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 6, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 13, 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, Celebrate Lit Tour, Favorite, Kindle, NetGalley, PB, Purchase, Revell

    A Hidden Hope by Suzanne Woods Fisher Review and Giveaway

    Babbling Becky L

    About the Book

    Book: A Hidden Hope

    Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

    Genre: Amish Fiction

    Release Date: October 7, 2025

    Supervising two newly minted medical residents might be the toughest challenge Ruth “Dok” Stoltzfus has ever faced. Wren Baker, sharp and ambitious, graduated at the top of medical school with a hidden agenda in tow. Charlie King, at the bottom of the class, is determined to succeed–though Dok isn’t convinced he’s got what it takes. Then there’s traveling nurse Evie Miller, whose quiet love for Charlie doesn’t go unnoticed, especially by Wren.

    Boarding at Windmill Farm, the trio struggles to balance modern medicine with plain living. Between medical emergencies, cultural misunderstandings, and brewing romantic tensions, Dok finds herself juggling far more than she bargained for. Soon the stage is set in the small Amish community of Stoney Ridge for plenty of professional and personal complications.

    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 and Amish fiction. Suzanne and her husband live in a small town in northern California. Most friends act a little nervous around her 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

    The Kitchen Garden by Suzanne Woods Fisher

    “Gardening is a way of showing that you believe in tomorrow.” Amish proverb

    Whenever I visit my Amish friends, I always make a point of wandering out to their vegetable gardens to see what’s growing. Their gardens, usually not far from the kitchen, are bigger than most people’s backyards. Gardens, for the Amish, are a family affair. Husbands help their wives ready the soil and add the homebrewed fertilizer (ahem, manure), children help their moms plant, weed, and harvest.

    Like so many parts of the Plain life, their value of the home garden—for the sake of nutrition, for sustenance, for well-being—is a wonderful example to those of us who weren’t farm-raised. They’ve been living a sustainable life filled with fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables for over four hundred years. The rest of us are just catching on.

    One Amish mom told me a story about her daughter, the youngest of seven. “This girl was a born worrier. Whenever she started on her worry loop, I would send her out to weed in the garden. When she came back in, her worries were gone. There’s just something about weeding that helps a soul settle down.”

    I could expand that thought a little further. There’s just something about gardening that helps a soul settle down.

    So, it’s late on Saturday and I just wrapped up a very long week. I spoke at three book events and finished the first draft (the drafty-draft) of a novel. I can’t stop thinking about the novel. Is it a mess? As tired as I am, tonight I don’t think I’ve got one more word in me—not to speak, not to write. I’m spent! Done. My husband is out for the evening, so I had a few hours alone at home to relax.

    What did I do?

    I planted in my garden: lettuce and radishes and carrots. As I dug in the spongy soil, I could feel my soul settle. Worry and exhaustion slipped away as I scattered seeds into furrows. Little by little, that wonderful God-given sense of re-creation returned. Tomorrow, I would write again. Time spent in my little garden does that for me. It renews me and gives me a hope for the future.

    Or, at the very least, a good salad.

    Overnight Blueberry French Toast

    On a sunny July morning, we were served this breakfast dish at an Amish friend’s home and my husband couldn’t stop talking about it. You might be shocked at the amount of eggs, but don’t skimp! It’s worth every bite.

    12 slices bread cut in 1” cubes

    8 oz. cream cheese cut in ¾” cubes

    1 ½ cup fresh or frozen blueberries

    12 eggs

    1/3 cup maple syrup

    2 cups milk

    Place half the bread cubes in a 9×13 baking dish. Top with cream cheese blueberries and the remaining bread. Beat eggs, syrup and milk and pour evenly over bread.

    Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until well done.

    My Impressions

    “But peace doesn’t come from trying to fix the wrong. It comes from trusting that God will handle it, in his time.”

    Another return to Stoney Ridge with Dok Stoltzfus courtesy of Suzanne Woods Fisher? Yes, please! Fisher’s books are now auto-buys for me, and I especially  love this little Amish village and its people. 

    In case the reader has forgotten some of the Stoney Ridge characters, or just needs a refresher since the last book, a list of characters with their personality traits is included at the front of the book. Yay!

    Dok Stoltzfus has taken the first step towards lightening her workload. She applies for a resident. She gets not one, but two – very Englischer, very wet-behind the-ears doctors, Charlie and Wren. And one traveling nurse, Evie, with enough cultural background to understand the Stoney Ridge community. A battle of cultural sensitivity, professional respect, and emotional attachment ensue. Can any of these characters find the peace they are seeking in this environment? 

    A second main thread continued from the  last book is about Annie, Dok’s Amish receptionist, who desperately wants to join her love interest in the EMT field. How I identified with Annie’s ailment! Yet, Annie refuses the obvious solution. Are her dreams and future destined to go up in smoke?

    Yet a third intertwined thread deals with an emotional but medical condition, that because of its nature, many faiths, not just Amish, are reluctant to admit to or treat medically. How many people might slip through the cracks under the misguided guise of shaming the suffering individual into performing “normally”?

    David Stoltzfus, the friendly, wise, and godly bishop (and brother to Dok) is an important secondary character. He discusses the need for justice when Wren is about to bulldoze her way to obtain it. “True peace can only come with justice.” -Wren “I agree with you,” David said, “but true justice can only come from God. Only he knows what’s in a person’s heart.” David also counsels his doctor sister many times, sometimes as her brother, sometimes as the community leader he is, looking out for his flock. 

    Two tertiary characters that help make the novel as great as it is? Both Lapps. Fern for her wisdom: “Holding out hope for too long is one thing . . .Giving up too soon is quite another.”  Then there’s loud Hank! What chaos and humor he provides! 

    Discussion questions at the end help prolong the warm, special feels of the book and draw out the deeper themes for examination. Some of those themes: discovering one’s calling, finding true peace and justice, teachability, first impressions, and post-partum depression.

    A great twist or two elevates this novel into the superb category. Highly recommended!!

    I received a copy of this 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:

    “Good thing God doesn’t give up on us”– Charlie

    “You have all the tools to be a good doctor, but to be a great one, you need to treat the person, not just the illness.”- Dok

    “There’s no good that comes from being half a Christian. If you’re only halfway in, you’re just living burdened by rules, and you’re missing out on the blessings that faith brings. It’s like trying to drive a buggy with only two wheels.” – David

    “Practicing medicine here was as much about relationships as treatment.”- Dok

    My Rating

    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Superb!! I have so enjoyed these Stoney Ridge stories!! I can’t imagine missing a Suzanne Woods Fisher release, no matter the genre!

    Blog Stops

    Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, October 7

    The Avid Reader, October 7

    Maureen’s Musings, October 8

    Life on Chickadee Lane, October 8

    Simple Harvest Reads, October 9 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

    Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 10

    Devoted To Hope, October 10

    lakesidelivingsite, October 11

    Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 12

    Locks, Hooks and Books, October 12

    Jeanette’s Thoughts, October 13

    Mary Hake, October 13

    She Lives To Read, October 14

    Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 15

    Empowermoms, October 15

    Texas Book-aholic, October 16

    Blossom and Blessings, October 16

    Vicky Sluiter, October 17

    Little Homeschool on the Prairie , October 17

    For Him and My Family, October 18

    Holly’s Book Corner, October 18

    Cover Lover Book Review, October 19

    Blogging With Carol, October 20

    Southern Gal Loves to Read, October 20

    Giveaway

    To celebrate her tour, Suzanne is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a copy of the book!!

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

    https://promosimple.com/ps/3d270/a-hidden-hope-celebration-tour-giveaway
    ARC, Barbour, BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Kindle, NetGalley, Purchase

    Mistletoe and Mayhem by Janice Thompson Review and Giveaway

    Babbling Becky L

    About the Book

    Book: Mistletoe and Mayhem (The Little Red Truck Mysteries: Book Three)

    Author: Janice Thompson

    Genre: Mystery/Christian Fiction/Christmas

    Release Date: September, 2025

    A Wildfire Races toward the Hadley Ranch

    Breathe in the nostalgia of everything old red truck in book three of a new cozy mystery series.

    It’s less than a week until Christmas in Mabank, Texas, and just a few days away from RaeLyn and Mason’s wedding on Hadley ranch. Unfortunately, a wildfire with mysterious origin is rapidly traveling across several counties and headed right for the Hadley acreage. Fire fighters rush to put it out before the family homestead goes up in flames, taking the business and the old red truck with it. Their perfect wedding may be ruined, and RaeLyn and Mason are determined to find the source of the fire.

    Click here to get your copy!

    About the Author

    Janice Thompson, who lives in the Houston area, writes romantic comedies, cozy mysteries, nonfiction devotionals, and musical comedies for the stage. She is the mother of four daughters and nine feisty grandchildren. When she’s not writing books or taking care of foster dogs you’ll find her in the kitchen, baking up specialty cakes and cookies.

    More from Janice

    In the mid-90s, as my children and I drove up to the Mabank area from our home in Houston, we saw smoke off in the distance. The closer we got to my mother and stepfather’s acreage—sixty-three gorgeous acres of cattle land—the thicker the smoke got.

    When we arrived on Mom’s street the reality of what faced us was unavoidable. The property across the road, to our left, was in a roaring blaze, flames moving so fast my car could barely get past them on the narrow country road.

    We miraculously made it to Mom’s driveway and went inside her home, hearts racing. In that moment, a decision was made to gather in a circle and pray. We offered up a passionate plea for the Lord’s protection then rushed outside to grab hoses to help water everything down.

    As I sat to write Mistletoe and Mayhem, my latest cozy mystery from Barbour Publishing, I was faced with the memories of this terrifying trip. Just as you read in this story, firefighters got that massive blaze stopped, right at the edge of her property. And I can tell you as a first-hand witness that not a spark landed on any of us. Whenever I reflect on this event I’m reminded of God’s ultimate faithfulness. He spared us from certain catastrophe.

    I can assure you, we as a family never forgot the mercy and grace of God as we faced our Isaiah 43 moment. No doubt you’ve been through a few fires, too. Fear not. The Lord is right there, ready to carry you through. You can trust Him, even in the fiery trials of life.

    Blessings on you all,

    Janice Thompson

    “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

    Isaiah 43:1b-3

    My Impressions

    “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”

    ISAIAH 43:1–3

    Outside the small Texas town of Mabank, RaeLyn Hadley’s life dream of the perfect ranch wedding is about to come true. So we discover in Janice Thompson’s cozy mystery, Mistletoe and Mayhem, #3 The Little Red Truck Mysteries. These books are all quick, rather amusing reads. I would suggest reading them in order to get the best feel for the series and characters. Several secondary and tertiary characters are repeats from the first two books, and I got a clearer picture of them. In fact, the bride-to-be and main character-sleuth is beginning to rub off on me. Just as RaeLyn has an “infamous spreadsheet” for every wedding detail she’s planned, my spreadsheet would show which characters I now put into categories of “like,” “love,” ”don’t like,” or “wish they would change this trait.”

    As the wedding approaches, RaeLyn wonders if fiancé Mason is getting cold feet. Their usual communication and time together is tanking. Uh-oh. 

    I loved every minute we get to see Aunt Bessie Mae. As unique as her name, she is a blessing and a veritable matriarch of the family, though she has no children.

    I did want to give RaeLyn’s mom a good shaking. A parent needs to be willing to let her children mature and fly the coop. Yet RaeLyn’s mom is grasping each grown child by their tail feathers as they strive to make an independent life for themselves. I thought she would create her own Hades on earth! in her efforts to keep anything from changing. 

    Even this quiet little town has its share of greed, big corporations, rumors, and disasters. And of course, RaeLyn is neck-deep in it all the week of her wedding, when disaster strikes. Will the ranch survive? The wedding take place?

    Miraculously, through it all, RaeLyn manages to look out for others. She has a heart as big as Texas for her ever-expanding family. She encourages her blacklisted sister-in-law. “God redeems every situation, if we let Him. And clearly, you’ve let Him. Now He’s given you the desires of your heart.”

    Despite the turmoil and the search for an instigator, RaeLyn clings to her faith. She knows that is how they will all overcome the difficulties. “And pray… That’s the best gift you can give us right now. Pray.”

    For those who like cozies with a bit of Texas Blue Bell ice cream, small ranches, changing families, and faith, this is a series to be enjoyed. 

    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:

    “But there was coming a day when all would be made right.”

    “A hug could solve a thousand problems,”

    [my personal fave quote, next to Isaiah 43]

    My Rating

    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Great! A clean, faith-based cozy set in Texas.

    Blog Stops

    Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 3

    Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, October 4

    Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 5

    Texas Book-aholic, October 6

    Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 7

    For Him and My Family, October 8

    Blossoms and Blessings, October 9 (Author Interview)

    Mary Hake, October 9

    Leslie’s Library Escape, October 10

    Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 11

    Holly’s Book Corner, October 12

    Lights in a Dark World, October 12

    Bizwings Book Blog, October 13

    Pause for Tales, October 14

    Cover Lover Book Review, October 15

    Labor Not in Vain, October 16

    Giveaway

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

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

    https://promosimple.com/ps/3d26a/mistletoe-and-mayhem-celebration-tour-giveaway

    ARC, BLOG, Favorite, Just Read Tours, Kindle, Kregel, Launch Team, PB, Purchase

    Through Water and Stone by Karen Barnett Review and Giveaway

    Babbling Becky L

    Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Through Water and Stone by Karen Barnett hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

    About the Book

    Title: Through Water and Stone
    Series: National Parks
    Author: Karen Barnett
    Publisher: Kregel Publications
    Release Date: September 23, 2025
    Genre: Christian Fiction, Dual Timeline

    In 1948, Zion National Park ranger Henry Eriksson and his wife, Alma, are less than one year removed from their infant son’s sudden death in a flash flood, and the weight of the loss hasn’t diminished with time. When Henry discovers an abandoned baby in a hatbox on his morning rounds, he’s unsure how to react, but Alma is delighted, and she reignites with purpose at what seems to be a miracle from God.

    Nearly eighty years later, Talia Eriksson leaves her job at an athleisure company in Palo Alto, California, in disgrace and returns to Zion National Park to reconnect with her grandfather and review her life goals. But when an at-home DNA test exposes family secrets, Talia and her newfound friend, law enforcement ranger Blake Mitchell, work together to search for answers.

    Talia navigates the rocky path into her past with Blake by her side, what she discovers may alter everything she knew to be true about herself. With the uncertain future looming, Talia must learn that family is deeper than genetics and that trusting God can mean being still and clinging to the Rock.

    PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Kregel Publications | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub | Bookshop

    More in this Series:

    About the Author

    Karen Barnett is the award-winning author of nine novels, including When Stone Wings Fly, Where Trees Touch the Sky, and the Vintage National Park novels. A former national park ranger, she’s also a hobby photographer and enjoys teaching writing workshops with both Cascade Christian Writers and West Coast Christian Writers. She and her family live in Albany, Oregon.Connect with Karen by visiting karenbarnettbooks.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

    My Impressions

    “God’s voice can be heard through the water and the stone. Be still and listen.”

    Through Water and Stone by Karen Barnett is undoubtedly in my top 5 books of 2025! The setting location of Zion National Park, coupled with great physical descriptions of the park is amazing. While we have been to Zion, I found myself looking up each park landmark mentioned, reading about it, and then determining if it was something we had seen or not. Barnett is a great virtual tour guide, and makes me want to revisit Zion. 

    But the storyline! First of all, I am a huge fan of well-done dual timelines, and Barnett does a masterful job with this identity mystery. In one generation, a Zion park ranger and his wife make an unusual discovery in 1948 that changes the course of their lives. In the present-day timeline, the granddaughter of a legendary park ranger returns to Zion as a place to regroup after losing her prestigious job. 

    I loved the character growth of both of the female main characters, Alma in the early years; Talia in the present-day. Alma starts out as a defeated, empty shell of a woman and amazes me with the way she slowly opens her closed fist and learns to trust God with those dearest to her heart! Talia comes from a fast-paced business world and has to be reminded by both her beloved grandfather and her new park boss of a couple of hard truths: “The question isn’t whether the corporate world has forgotten you—it’s what does God have planned for you?”– Pops

    Can Talia trust God and seek out what He wants, rather than what she expects and thinks she deserves? 

    Her boss tells her: “You are the water, Talia. God is the rock. Don’t be so quick to pass Him by.” – Myrtle

    Fave secondary characters? M’s win it here. Mattie and Myrtle. Treasures in themselves. 

    So much angst, very real life-changing events transpiring in the two threads. Will the characters discover God is enough to see them through what seems to be their impossibly hard trials? Nail-biting suspense, amazing, godly friends, and terrific twists in each timeline. Plus some romance. Adding Through Water and Stone to what another reader calls my “trophy shelf.”

    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:

    “Still waters don’t always mean an easy swim.” -Alma

    “People see what they want to see.”- Mattie

    “Listen to Him speak. His voice is everywhere—in the stone, in the wind. And especially in the water.”– Sue

    “He’s a loving papa. He wants to hear everything that is on your heart.”… -Sue

    My Rating

    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Superb!! Through Water and Stone has easily earned its spot in my top five books of 2025!

    Tour Giveaway

    (1) winner will receive a signed copy of Through Water and Stone and $20 Amazon gift card!

    Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight October 1, 2025 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on October 8, 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/CAN 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!

    Biblical Fiction, BLOG, Just Read Tours, Kindle, New-to-Me Author, Purchase

    Survival Secrets by Lana Christian Review and Giveaway

    Babbling Becky L

    Welcome to the Blog Tour for Survival Secrets by Lana Christian, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

    About the Book

    Title: Survival Secrets
    Series: The Magi’s Encounters #2
    Author: Lana Christian
    Publisher: Scrivenings Press
    Release Date: September 23, 2025
    Genre: Biblical Fiction

    On the run from Herod and the Nabataeans, Akilah makes a desperate decision to venture into the unforgiving Wilderness of Paran. To reach Egypt’s safety, his caravan must survive the elements while maintaining their anonymity and protecting the secrets they harbor. Their knowledge of Yeshua is one of many secrets that jeopardize their lives. When calamity tears one Wise Man away from the others, the group’s resolve and newfound faith start to crumble. Farther from their goal of returning to Persia than ever before, they encounter Yeshua’s family again. Its ramifications raise the stakes for their cost of belief in the Hebrew God.

    Two thousand miles away, Akilah’s estranged cousin, Farzaneh, wrestles with the same as she tries to uncover secrets her husband took to the grave when he embraced the Hebrew faith. As life shifts radically for everyone, each person must risk trusting an unfathomable, sovereign God.

    PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

    More in This Series

    About the Author

    Lana Christian is an award-winning author in business and creative writing. Since 2021, she has won a dozen awards for her biblical fiction and nonfiction. Her debut biblical fiction novel, “New Star,” has garnered six awards to date. She was a 2025 Selah Awards finalist in the Devotions Online category and also won an award from Baker Publishing Group for her short story about Lot. Lana is a science and history geek who loves hiking, secret staircases, and masala chai tea. Her greatest desire is that her stories will immerse readers in another place and time they may know little about but come away with an experience that exceeds their expectations.

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

    My Impressions

    “…he could never repay her in full… He couldn’t put a price tag on finding Yeshua.” (Akilah)

    Survival Secrets by Lana Christian taught me much about the ancient world at the time of Christ’s birth. I was amazed at all the culture and history of so many nations that Christian’s knows and sews together to make one tapestry of the wisemen’s journey to find Jesus, and in this book, actually their return journey to their homeland. I was thankful for the summary of the previous book at the beginning, as well as the character list with pronunciations. And the maps! I only wish the one hadn’t been at the end of the book! I referred to the maps often as I moved through the book. 

    Danger, intrigue, and secrets are a common thread throughout the book. However, so many characters seem to vie for space that I had a difficult time connecting well with any of them. I would have preferred to see perhaps only the wisemen highlighted along with Akilah’s cousin with the others more in the background. 

    I did enjoy seeing the faith journey of both Akilah and Farzaneh. It was exciting to see Akilah pray, early in the journey, in wonder that he is approaching the Hebrews’ God, and later, in full faith. “I don’t know His purposes for us, but no matter how dark the night gets, we must never forget to look up—and look to Him.”

    Forgiveness is another topic that several of the characters are beginning to grapple with, especially in the Light of their belief in the One true God and His ways. 

    Survival Secrets is a book I will say I am glad to have read. I can appreciate much about it, but it was not a simple read. I also want to admit not every book is for every reader, and I see that many are truly enjoying this work. With the novel’s ending, I just may have to read book three to find out what happens in the characters’ lives!

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

    Notable Quotables: 

    “Knowing about the child isn’t as important as what we do with what we know”– Tallis

    “God of the Hebrews, deliver us out of this hardship or show me a way through it. I’m not wise enough to choose the right way all the time. No one is.” – Akilah 

    “The Hebrews’ God is concerned more about relationship than ritual. At least, that’s how He intends it to be. Not everyone practices that.” -Tallis

    My Rating

    ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

    Tour Giveaway

    (1) winner will receive a $15 Amazon gift card + Plum Deluxe tea sampler*

    (1) winner will receive a $15 Amazon gift card

    *tea sampler will include a packet of each of the following Plum Deluxe teas:


    No Obligations Decaf (a hazelnut almond black tea and author’s fave)
    Comfort Blend Cinnamon Orange black tea (caffeine)
    Magical Butterfly Herbal tea (butterfly pea flower + berries)
    (a close substitution may be made if one kind of tea is not available)

    Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 29, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 3, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

    Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

    Enter Giveaway

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