Tag: Christian Historical Romance

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

When the South Wind Blows by Barbara A. Curtis Review and Giveaway

Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: When the South Wind Blows

Author: Barbara A. Curtis

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: July 14, 2026

He’s spent his life chasing headlines—until the woman behind the story captures his heart.

Elizabeth Canton never planned to abandon her budding theater career, but after witnessing a crime, she has no choice but to disappear. When a family invitation offers refuge at the Double E Ranch, she seizes the chance to hide and finds unexpected purpose helping her young cousin rehearse for the stage, never expecting to be drawn to the local reporter who sees past her carefully kept secrets.

Ranch hand Logan Palmer has always dreamed of writing stories that matter, not livestock columns for the town paper. Elizabeth’s grace catches his eye. But it’s her patience and tenderness with her cousin that captures his heart, even as her mystery stirs his reporter’s instincts. The closer he grows to her, the more he questions whether some stories are better left untold.

As Elizabeth and Logan grow closer, danger follows her to Idaho. When her past catches up with her, she’ll have to choose between protecting her heart and trusting in love. And Logan must decide what matters more—the story that could launch his career, or the woman who’s stolen his heart.

Set against the rugged beauty of the American West, this touching historical romance explores the healing power of family, second chances, and learning that sometimes the greatest role we can play is simply being ourselves.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Barbara A. Curtis lives in Connecticut with her husband, and they have one grown son, a blessing to their hearts. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Novel Academy.

More from Barbara

Chocolate, Chocolate

What part does chocolate play in When the South Wind Blows? To little Susannah, it plays a big part, as Logan is going to help her frost her salvaged cake.

“Miss Lizzie?” Logan hadn’t moved from his spot next to the stove. “If it’s all right with you, may Susannah and I make the frosting for the cake?”

He knew how to make frosting? And again, he included the little girl.

“Thank you. Susannah, why don’t you pull out the cookbook for chocolate that your grandma and I like, and you and Logan will be in charge?”

“Oh yay! The Hershey’s Cookbook? They have the best frosting recipe.”

Yes, in 1934 Hershey’s had published a cookbook, so it would have been well loved and used in the Double E Ranch kitchen in 1950.

And Nestlé’s Toll House cookies weren’t far behind, as Nestlé acquired the rights to the original recipe in 1939. By World War II, the cookies were a staple included in packages sent to US servicemen overseas. Do you think they’d mind that Elizabeth called her version Victory cookies? Though they had nothing to do with the war but a little victory right at home.

Have you ever renamed a favorite recipe just for your family for fun?

I hope you enjoy When the South Wind Blows, the final book in the Blooms of the Bitterbrush series. Maybe with a cup of tea and a chocolate chip cookie to go along with it.

Blessings.

Barbara

My Impressions

“Always remember, little one, what you’ve been rescued from. Go to your new family and live with joy.”

The above words are a part of the play in which Susannah and Elizabeth perform, in When the South Wind Blows by Barbara A. Curtis. I chose these words as my teaser because, after reading the novel, I can picture God saying this to us, His children. What freedom can be found as we realize the depth of His love and the forgiveness He offers, as He places us in His family. Found family, freedom, forgiveness, second chances, and being oneself are all tag words for this historical romance, #4 in Blooms of the Bitterbrush. 

An aspiring 1950 NYC Broadway actress, Liesel Rosette Roberts, née Elizabeth Canton, abruptly leaves the Broadway scene, fleeing for her life to distant family on the Double E Ranch. Hiding her occupation and her true purpose for being on the ranch leaves hopeful newspaper man Logan Palmer suspicious.

Everyone wants to belong and be accepted. Elizabeth watches the Calloway family interact with genuine, warm love and care for each other. She wishes her own family of origin could be like them. Truly, I liked all the Calloways and Morgans are special, but Lizzie, Miss Eliza, and little Susannah are my faves. We see many characters from past novels, so this series is best read in order. 

Struggling to make his mark on the world, Logan has designs beyond the ranch. Logan’s main job is being a ranch hand, living at the ranch, doing chores, and training horses. He wants desperately to fit in at the ranch, to feel like he is part of the family. Indeed, the family treats him like part of their circle, but Logan can’t feel the love because of his past and lack of ties. Will his obsession of discovering the story of Elizabeth’s past cement his place in the family? Is he really helping,  or “were some stories better left untold?”

A beautiful story of love, trust, danger and a romance that requires putting aside personal gain for others’ good. 

 

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

Notable Quotables: 

“How about we let God do whatever fretting needs to be done?” “Silly, God doesn’t fret.” “No, He doesn’t. So we don’t need to either.” – Elizabeth, Susannah

“We’ve tried to reach out to him, to offer forgiveness, but he wants none of it. But we’ll keep trying.” -Lizzie

“Wasn’t that the story of his life? Always too late or in the wrong place or… Just not good enough.” – (Logan)

“So even though he wasn’t a real member of this family, he loved them and would do whatever he could for them. Including—no, especially—exposing Elizabeth Rose Canton if she was an imposter.” -( Logan)

“…God promises that when the south wind blows through, when its destruction is past, that behind it He sends the quiet by a south wind also.” -Pastor

“‘I spend my days bringing joy to people. With words.’ He’d relate to that, as he dealt with words in his writing. ‘To strangers I’ve never met. To those who feel unseen.’”- Elizabeth

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Great! Some fave Truth Nuggets in this story of found family, love, and danger.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 4

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 5

Simple Harvest Reads, August 6 (Guest Review from Marilyn)

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, August 7

Texas Book-aholic, August 8

Life on Chickadee Lane, August 9

lakesidelivingsite, August 10

Books Less Travelled, August 11 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, August 11

DevotedToHope, August 12

Connie’s History Classroom , August 13

Cover Lover Book Review, August 14

Sydney Schmied Books, August 15

History, Hope & Happily Ever After, August 16 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, August 17

Pause for Tales, August 17

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Barbara 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://gleam.io/oVpBV/when-the-south-wind-blows-celebration-tour-giveaway

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

The Bachelor Spy by Pepper Basham Review and Giveaway

Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: The Bachelor Spy (A Freddie and Grace Mystery Book 5)

Author: Pepper Basham

Genre: Christian Fiction/Historical Fiction

Release Date: July, 2026

Spies Infiltrate Havensbooke Hall. . .and Another Mystery Adventure Begins

Stephen Blake’s life goal is to protect people, especially those closest to him, but war in 1914 England doesn’t follow any rules. When Blake is informed that a noted German spy may have taken up residence at Havensbrooke Hall—his cousin Lord Astley’s estate, which is being used as a convalescent war hospital—he’s sent there to uncover the plot.

Lady Grace Astley has become a force to be reckoned with while Frederick is out on the war front. With Havensbrooke as a hospital, she’s shocked by the devastation the war is bringing home; but ever hopeful, she is determined to help these weary soldiers find some relief. However, not everything is as it seems inside Havensbrooke. Precious items soon start disappearing. . .and not just the kind that are worth a lot of money.

Through a case of mistaken identity, a comedy of errors, a kidnapping, and a race for time within the crumbling subterranean passageways beneath Havensbrooke, can Blake and Gracie work together to root out the criminals, thieves, and spies before time runs out?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance peppered with grace and humor with southern Appalachian flair. Both her historical and contemporary novels have garnered recognition in the Grace Awards, Inspys, and ACFW Carol Awards. Her historical romance, The Thorn Healer, was a finalist in the 2018 RT Awards. Her historical romance novels, My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge and The Red Ribbon, and her contemporary novels, the Mitchell’s Crossroadsand Pleasant Gap series, showcase her Appalachian heritage, as well as her love for humor and family. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is the mom of five great kids, a speech-language pathologist to about fifty more, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus.

Excerpt

Prologue

May 7, 1915

Stephen Blake had been trailing the presumed spy most of the voyage—first to secure his target, and then. . .to strike. Every clue pointed to the fact that the gregarious businessman Donald Leaman was none other than Albert Stein, a German informant ferrying English war secrets straight to the fatherland.

Unfortunately, every opportunity Blake had found to confront the man had been thwarted: too many watchful eyes, too much pomp and luxury for a clean cornering. With the Lusitania’s transatlantic voyage ending in less than a day, his time to complete this mission was slipping away.

Worse, he couldn’t shake the feeling he was being followed himself. Only a limited few knew of his operation to uncover a ghostlike informant who’d used their “ordinary” position to gain extraordinary intelligence—from transfer stations, casualty clearing posts, even a general’s bunker at the Western Front. The spy had proven madden-ingly elusive, slipping through every trap British intelligence laid

with almost theatrical flair.

But what did they know? Stein was the spy’s last contact. And Blake was tasked with finding out what he knew.

The Lusitania was hardly Blake’s first ship, but certainly it was the grandest. It felt as though Claridge’s, the famous hotel in London, had taken to the sea, complete with its extravagant marble floors and its crystal chandeliers, with champagne in the air and ease all around. Just after luncheon, Stein had excused himself early and started down the grand staircase toward the lower decks. An odd choice for a first-class passenger, especially so near the end of the trip and with

his companions urging him to remain for cards.

So, of course, Blake followed.

Deck by deck, corridor by corridor, until the music and chatter faded into the deep measured thrum of the engines.

Occasionally, Stein cast a look behind him but never appeared concerned enough to stop his descent. This was certainly a planned meeting.

The elegance of the upper floors gave way to simpler decor, narrower corridors. Second-class accommodations. Stein stopped before a cabin door. His knock held an unnatural rhythm—three quick raps, a pause, two more. After only a beat of silence, a murmur from within responded.

Stein’s immediate whispered answer? “Octavia.” A code word, no doubt.

The door opened. Stein slipped inside, but before the door could click shut, Blake rushed soundlessly forward and caught it with his fingertips.

Perfect.

He released a self-satisfied grin and then pressed himself against the corridor wall, listening through the crack over the hum of the ship’s engine.

The cabin was small—voices carried easily in the confined space—and the faint scent of cigarette smoke drifted through the opening. “You’re late.” A man’s voice, crisp and impatient. Something about the cadence nagged at Blake’s memory, but he couldn’t place

  1. English, certainly. Kentish?

Blake frowned. He could overpower Stein easily—the man was more socialite than combatant, the sort who’d probably never thrown a proper punch in his life. But this unknown fellow, clearly in charge and confident enough to smoke a cigarette while conducting treason? That suggested either experience or exceptional stupidity. Blake hoped for the latter but suspected the former.

“It was difficult to get away without raising suspicion,” Stein replied, his accent thickening into full German. “Blake is on this ship.”

Blake’s pulse quickened. So Stein knew he was being followed. “I know.” The other man’s tone didn’t waver. A long exhale

followed, as if he were breathing out smoke. “We’ve been watching him to ensure he didn’t wreck things.”

We? Who?

Blake’s mind raced through the passenger manifest, through his team members, through every face he’d seen on this voyage. That voice. . .

“But with that in mind, we need to move quickly,” the Englishman continued. “What do you have for me?”

A rustle of papers. “The Midnight Angel’s next assignment. She’s to embed herself in a convalescent hospital—but not in France this time. There is too much interest in her there.”

Blake’s breath caught. She was called the Midnight Angel? The informant they’d been hunting for months. And she was a woman.

“Italy, then?”

“Nein,” Stein answered simply. “A place much closer to your front door, mein Herr.”

England? A convalescent hospital in England?

“Perfect,” the Englishman murmured. “Wounded officers talk too freely around nurses they think are angels of mercy.”

“Clever, no?” Stein’s voice held a note of pride. “No one suspects the nurses. They’re invisible, really. Moving between stations, tending to generals and privates alike. She’s already proven invaluable.”

“This is excellent information, Stein.” A pause. “And you’ve given

it so freely. Too freely, I’m afraid.”

Blake froze. He knew that tone—the shift from curiosity to finality. The Englishman was finished with Stein. The German had served his purpose, been found wanting, and now. . .had become a liability.

He couldn’t wait any longer. Stein had to be taken alive—had to be questioned, catalogued, and wrung dry of every detail about the Midnight Angel and her network before—

He drew his revolver and pushed through the door. The scene materialized in a horrifying instant.

Stein stood near a narrow desk, documents scattered before him. And holding a gun already drawn, already aimed at Stein’s head with casual confidence, stood Evan Montgomery.

Blake’s breath squeezed closed in his throat.

Montgomery? His colleague. His friend. The man he’d trained with in Scotland, shared terrible army rations with in the trenches, trusted with his life on half a dozen missions across the Channel. The man whose sister Blake had been half in love with for six months but was far too professional to mention. The man who was, apparently, a traitor.

My Impressions

“That’s what family does, Grace. We muddle through the terrifying bits together and hope for the best.” 

The. Perfect. Wrap-up! Well-done, Ms. Basham. Pepper Basham’s The Bachelor Spy is everything that we readers were anticipating! A light-hearted whimsical mystery, plenty of action, several different storyline threads, “new” characters,  faith strengtheners, and romance! And insight into Freddie’s past as well. 

Most books have twists in the second half of the book, if not near the end. The Bachelor Spy starts with a twist that sets up the uncertain mood of England during WWI. We begin with Stephen Blake, (cousin of Freddie’s) on board the ill-fated Lusitania in 1915. Uncertain relationships, treacherous dealings, and the search for a mole within the British spy system. Plus, the search for The Midnight Angel, a very dangerous and clever spy for the Germans who has eluded capture, resulting in many British deaths. 

Soon, the action switches to reveal Freddie and Grace’s estate, Havensbrooke. Freddie has been recalled to service in the army. Grace, needing to fill her time and feel useful, turns the house into a convalescent hospital for wounded soldiers. The secrets under that roof! Blake arrives wounded, but Grace is sure something’s off with their relative and beloved friend. Blake recognizes Grace has a secret, yet to be discovered, and he tries to hide his own identity, especially as a few of the nurses seem sharper than warranted. One nurse had my suspicions up, then another, till I suspected them all. 

Through it all, Grace traipses through life with her humor-filled,  adorable but childlike approach. When thievery begins,     Grace throws herself and the household staff into full-on mystery-solving mode.  Instructing the staff, Grace says, “we all ought to increase our mystery reading….“If our minds are already attuned to sleuthing, I imagine it will only make us more aware of clues and suspicious behavior.” Smiles from me, eyerolls from the staff!

When Grace’s secret is revealed, it ignites a latent fear in her heart. A character reminds her, “I hope you will remember that God is in this very moment, as well as the ones you cannot even see yet.” 

Another time, when asked why she shows unusual mercy and grace, Grace replies, “Because we all need second chances,” Grace said with a soft laugh. “Sometimes third. Or fourth.” Her faith comes back to buoy her. It’s a good thing it does, because there are plenty of twists, surprises (other than an orange cat causing mayhem 😊), and danger yet to come!! 

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:

“One simply does what needs doing for those in one’s … family.”

“The mission had grown substantially more dangerous. The Midnight Angel wasn’t just passing along intelligence about troop movements, patterns, and locations. She was building a kill list.”

“When she couldn’t see the future and didn’t understand all the reasons, if she believed He loved her as much as He promised, she could trust His timing.”

“…we all could do with a bit of kindness with all the very difficult things going on in the world.”

“…she was acting as if she didn’t trust God’s love at all! Even when hard things happened, didn’t He always promise to be the strength she needed for whatever the task?”

”Not enjoying reading certainly had to give the woman a dreary outlook on the world. Especially a world at war.“

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Superior! Well-done, Ms. Basham. It’s hard to keep a series going this strong for this many books, but each Freddie and Grace Mystery has been just as good, if not better, than the one before it. So long, little Zahra. You are one of my fave characters, along with Brandon in this book. 

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, July 30

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 30

Melissa’s Bookshelf, July 30

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 31

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 31

Texas Book-aholic, August 1

Books You Can Feel Good About, August 1

For Him and My Family, August 2

Book Holds and Jello Molds, August 2

Sylvan Musings, August 3

Jodie Wolfe, August 3

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 3

Where Faith and Books Meet, August 4

Connie’s History Classroom , August 4

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

The Vine and The Branch, August 5

Stories By Gina, August 6 (Author Interview)

Betti Mace, August 6

Mary Hake, August 6

Min Reads and Reviews, August 7

Wishful Endings, August 7

She Lives To Read, August 8

Blossoms and Blessings, August 8

Labor Not in Vain , August 9

Holly’s Book Corner, August 9

Lily’s Corner, August 10

Cover Lover Book Review, August 10

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 11

Pause for Tales, August 11

The Sacred Line, August 12

Devoted to Hope, August 12

Mrs. Ryan Moser’s Book and Movie Reviews, August 12

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Pepper 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://gleam.io/ovQ5J/the-bachelor-spy-celebration-tour-giveaway

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

The Robber and the Witness by Danielle Grandinetti Review and Giveaway

Babbling Becky L

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Robber and the Witness by Danielle Grandinetti, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

It’s time for Christmas in July! I never miss a book in Danielle Grandinetti’s Christmas Cabin series, and am excited to join Just Read Tours in presenting this book and author!

Let’s Talk About the Book

Title: The Robber and the Witness
Series: Christmas Cabin Historical Romance Novellas #3
Author: Danielle Grandinetti
Publisher: Hearth Spot Press
Release Date: July 21, 2026
Genre: Christmas Historical Romance/Mystery

Christmas … a time of reunions and unexpected surprises.

A simple favor, a best friend’s promise, and the end of the line.

Wisconsin, 1931—When Gideon Lundgren agrees to escort his best friend’s sister to Manitowish Waters, plans go awry when she witnesses a robbery. He thinks he’s merely escorting the girl he once knew, but she’s grown into a charming beauty.

Evangeline Whitaker’s older brother always warned that her kind heart would be the death of her. It might at that. First, when she’s an unwitting accomplice to a robber. Second, when her childhood crush becomes her bodyguard.

With a robber on their trail and a tangle of emotions between them, Evangeline and Gideon detour to his boss’s cabin to wait out the ensuing manhunt. However, Evangeline’s Christmas spirit might be the death of them both.

One cabin in the Northwoods … a decade of Christmas miracles.

A sweet 1931 Christmas mystery featuring a closed-door romance between a protective bodyguard and the woman who witnessed too much.

Where can you buy this book?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Buy from the Author | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

More to Explore in This Series

Just a note… you may notice that these covers are new and refreshed to be more unique to the series!

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Meet the Author

Danielle Grandinetti writes award-winning 1930s historical romantic mystery and suspense. She is the 2026 Holt Medallion winner and a second-generation Italian-American. Fueled by tea and nature, she crafts hope-filled historical romance novels exploring immigrant heritage, found family, and cozy Midwest traditions. Find her at daniellegrandinetti.com.

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My Impressions

“It’s what Evan is always telling me, that my kindness is going to be the ruin of me. He’s right.” 

Poor Evangeline Whitaker! Back in 1931 in a train station in Minnesota, there was no loud speaker such as we have in airports nowadays blaring over the air. “Do not watch the bags of strangers!” Danielle Grandinetti’s female main character in The Robber and the Witness is just too kind for her own good. Her brother Evan says so. The fact that she is stuck literally holding the bag when two policemen come to investigate says so. The only one who doesn’t say so is Deputy Gideon Lundgren, Evangeline’s brother’s best friend and appointed guardian for a Christmas visit to Gideon’s friends’. 

I loved the way Gideon smoothly assesses Evangeline’s situation and need and comes to her aid based on his knowledge of her past personality and his friendship with her brother. He is willing to give her the shadow of a doubt she needs in a sticky situation, and provides a great safety net for her. He provides confident leadership.

The train ride in the snowy Christmas atmosphere would have been magical if there weren’t the very real possibility of their being followed. Gideon is very good at assessing people, situations, taking charge, and giving commands to help protect not just Evangeline but the whole group of train passengers. 

Evangeline is very brave, stoic, and willing to follow GIdeon’s lead. But…Is she naive, or is she just willing to see the best in people? When her soft heart rises up yet again… will it be the death of her and Gideon and maybe more?!

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

If you like short, nostalgic, Christmas -themed romantic suspense, I recommend this book and series. Each book stands alone, but it is beneficial to recognize characters from previous books. 

Notable Quotables:

“The thief was a variable he could not account for.” ( Gideon)

“People don’t always believe me because they think I’m too kind, I think. Maybe. I don’t know. I suppose I don’t really understand why people don’t always believe me. But you do?”- Evangeline 

“…he led with quiet confidence and assurance that all would be well, even if he didn’t believe it.”– Gideon

“Don’t not be kind just because other people make bad choices.”- Gideon

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Great! Another great addition to this sweet series!

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What’s the Prize (Giveaway)?!

(2) winners will each receive a signed paperback of The Robber and the Witness, a notebook/pen set, and a wooden ornament!

Rules, Regulations, and Fine Print

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight July 22, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 29, 2026. 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

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

ARC, BLOG, Favorite, Favorite Truth Nuggets, Just Read Tours, Kindle, Launch Team, NetGalley, New-to-Me Author, PB, Purchase, Tyndale

The Light of Stars by Jenelle Hovde Review and Giveaway

Babbling Becky L

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for The Light of Stars by Jenelle Hovde, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Light of Stars
Author: Jenelle Hovde
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Release Date: July 14, 2026
Genre: Historical Romance

An arranged marriage. A powerful company tainted with corruption. Two souls caught between obligation and a longing to find their true calling in this Regency romance set in glittering London ballrooms and Calcutta street markets.

When Kitty Grenville’s grandfather announces her engagement to Sebastian Sinclair, she’s appalled. She barely remembers the boy she met once as a child—and now he’s a man tied to the East India Company, the very organization that tore Kitty and her brother from their mother and home in Hyderabad years ago. Unwilling to relinquish her dream of a love match or her passion for astronomy, Kitty is determined to refuse the marriage and find freedom in her own way.

Sebastian Sinclair carries the weight of duty and regret. To atone for past sins, he complies with his grandfather’s orders to return to England, fulfill a long-standing betrothal, and defend the maligned East India Company before Parliament. Though Kitty makes her disinterest clear, Sebastian is drawn to her intellect and spirit.

As Kitty navigates her first London season, her opinion of Sebastian begins to shift, especially when he shields her from scandal. When he’s abruptly called back to India, Kitty stuns everyone by marrying him and going with him, hoping to escape her grandfather’s control—and to find her mother.

But the challenges that await in India are greater than imagined. Together, Kitty and Sebastian must confront the legacy of family and empire—and discover if a marriage born of obligation can grow into a love strong enough to endure.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Tyndale | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Bookshop | BookBub

Also Available

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About the Author

Jenelle Hovde, an accomplished illustrator, author, pastor’s wife, and homeschooling mother, ventured off the beaten path when she transitioned from her career as a doctor of audiology to pursue her passion for writing. While her nine novels span different eras—from the ancient worlds to World War II—her favorite genre is sweet Regency romance that enchants readers with tales of love and intrigue set against the backdrop of nineteenth-century England. Drawing inspiration from timeless treasures found in antique stores, Jenelle pens historical romance novels that captivate readers with vivid storytelling and gentle messages of faith. Her stories have garnered impressive showings in multiple writing contests. Often found writing at the Florida beach, she navigates life with her family and manages two saucy cats who insist on interrupting her creative endeavors.

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

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My Impressions

“I’m not afraid of failure. I’m afraid of succeeding at things that don’t matter.” – William Carey

Book Coma!! Jenelle Hovde’s latest historical romance, The Light of Stars, has left me in a book coma.  I am so overwhelmed by this book I don’t know if I can move on. Typically, stories of India, The East India Tea Company, England, and Parliament do not sound exciting to me. But let Hovde get ahold of these threads, and she weaves them together with a marriage of convenience story and faith nuggets into a beautiful work of art! 

In London in December of 1814, unconventional, headstrong English heiress Kitty Grenville greatly resents her “Iron Colonel” grandfather, who treats her as a pawn in his grasp for money and power. Masterminding her kidnapping from a palace in India as a young girl, her grandfather now insists Kitty marry a man he chooses. This man, Sebastian Sinclair, is a grandson of the chairman of the board of The East India Tea Company. Kitty, who studies astronomy diligently, is threatened to have that freedom taken away, plus her inheritance, if she refuses to comply. Already caught with her brother between two worlds, Kitty has two desires: to be controlled by no man, and to find her mother. 

Sebastian, after years of wasteful living, has finally found God and returned to his place in his grandfather’s family. Leading the East India Tea Company will one day fall to him, but now he must prove his worth and loyalty by marrying the granddaughter of an old comrade of his grandfather. He must also defend the East India Tea Company before Parliament.

Kudos to Hovde, who helped me understand the politics of the time involving the East India Tea Company, the   response of India’s people to the company, and the mission of people like William Wilberforce and William Carey who believe the English heads of the company of great wrongdoing. Slowly, Wilberforce and Carey remind Sebastian of his duty to mankind as a Christian. 

“It is the true duty of every man to promote the happiness of his fellow creatures to the utmost of his power,” Wilberforce says. While Carey tells Sebastian, “The gospel is the true means by which the world changes, Sebastian—not these political positions you seek. To belong to Jesus is to embrace the nations with Him.” But can Sebastian be convinced that his precious tea company and his one way to prove his loyalty to his domineering grandfather might be less important than the call of God on his divided heart?

So many times this amazing book plucked at my heartstrings. Two adults desperately looking for approval from grandparents that are hard and overly demanding. Two young adults (not necessarily the same) who, due to their heritage, cannot find acceptance in either society. Again, two adults whose siblings are living lives the former are ashamed of and grieve over. Ah, the romance, the intrigue, the action, the suspense, and the twists! And the astronomy lessons! How fun to have the stars be a focus of the book, yet the happiness Kit would have, should she be allowed to continue her beloved studies, is as unlikely as a new celestial discovery by a woman. 

A book for historical fiction lovers, Regency romance lovers, readers of Julie Klassen and Sarah Ladd, plus those who enjoy reading of women in STEM and marriage of convenience stories. I adored it and highly recommended this novel!

I received a copy of the book from the author and publisher through JustRead Tours via NetGalley. I also bought a couple of paperbacks- one for my trophy shelf and one to share with a friend!

Notable Quotables:

“Yet even in this, I see the hand of Providence. I can trust Him—not only in the doors He opens, but in those He closes as well.” “Could I trust God to chart my path?”– Freddy, (Kitty)

 “We do not have to be bound to our family’s curses or their poor choices. We can choose differently, aye?”- Sebastian 

“Even those who think themselves uninvolved are often complicit if they do nothing.” -Carey

“We cannot allow our mistakes, nor the evil of others, to define our path or our identity.” – Freddy

“These men had not come to be entertained. They had come to change the world. Or set fire to it, if my grandfather was to be believed.” – Sebastian 

“…mercy is a necessity for peace. Perhaps this is why we so desperately need God’s help. To calm the storm.” – Kit

“They’re the same stars. But from here, they feel like a promise…Neither you nor I are lost, not when we see God’s handiwork.” – Sebastian 

“Forgiveness changes us,” he had told me once. “A repentant man is no longer defined by his sins.” – Carey

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Superior! The Light of Stars checks all the boxes for me. It is on my shortlist of fave books of 2026!!

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 gift card to their choice bookstore!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight July 21, 2026 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on July 28, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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

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

Freed by the Frontier by Review and Giveaway

Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: Freed by the Frontier

Authors: Sherry Shindelar, Denise Farnsworth, Susan F. Craft

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: June 30, 2026

Three remarkable women find themselves caught between two worlds on the American frontier. A captive of the Comanche must choose between escaping to white society or her growing feelings for a rising war chief in 1850s Texas. A Georgia judge’s daughter flees an unwanted betrothal during the War of 1812, only to be captured by Creek warriors but protected by a mysterious brave. And in 1754, an English lady traveling the Great Wagon Road to become a music teacher discovers her carefully planned future may not survive her attraction to a protective frontiersman.

From quaint civilized towns to treacherous mountain passes and wilderness villages, three couples navigate cultural divisions, overcome past wounds, and face deadly dangers to discover that love knows no boundaries. But as war clouds gather and ancient tribal alliances shift, will their newfound relationships survive the coming storm? Or will the clash of worlds tear them apart?

Three unforgettable romances prove that God’s greatest blessings often come disguised as our greatest challenges, and that true love can bridge any divide.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Authors

Originally from Tennessee, Sherry loves to take her readers into the past. A romantic at heart, she is an avid student of the Civil War and the Old West. When she is not busy writing, she is an English professor working to pass on her love of writing to her students. Sherry is an award-winning writer: 2025 Maggie winner, 2023 Genesis finalist, Maggie finalist, and Crown finalist. She currently resides in Minnesota with her husband of forty-one years. She has three grown children and three grandchildren. Connect with Sherry at sherryshindelar.com.

North Georgia native Denise Farnsworth, formerly Denise Weimer, has authored over twenty traditionally published novels and novellas—historical and contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and time slip. As a freelance editor and Acquisitions & Editorial Liaison for Wild Heart Books, she’s helped other authors reach their publishing dreams. A wife and mother of two adult daughters, Denise always pauses for coffee, chocolate, and old houses.

Nationally acclaimed writer of inspirational historical romance, Susan F. Craft retired after a 45-year career in communications. A widow who was married 48 years to her high school sweetheart, she has two adult children, one granddaughter, and a granddog. A history nerd, she enjoys painting, singing, and sitting on her porch watching chipmunks dine from her bird feeder. She recently learned how to play the ukulele. Soli Deo Gloria

More from the Authors

Imagine a time when the U.S. not far from the coast was unsettled wilderness. Where brave settlers faced the challenges of isolation and nature as they established a toehold of civilization. Where multiple nations clashed in battle as they vied for control of land and waterways.

This setting seeded with inherent danger and wild beauty calls to those of us who write frontier historical romances from the 1700s and 1800s. Three of us from Wild Heart Books—Sherry Shindelar, Denise Farnsworth, and Susan Craft—came together to pen a trio of novellas, Freed by the Frontier. Each of our stories connects to one of our previous series, but each novella can be read independently. We invite you to journey with us back to rugged mountains, wagon roads, and frontier settlements.

Wichita Path Sacrifice by Sherry Shindelar

The frontier has always captured my imagination. It is a place of hope and hardship, new beginnings and trials, dreams and risk, and in my stories, a place where love is forged. My novella is the prequel to Texas Forsaken, Book One in my Lone Star Redemption series. Wichita Path Sacrifice tells the love story of captive Maggie Logan (Eyes-Like-Sky) and Dancing Eagle, a renowned Comanche warrior. The story is set in Comancheria in the 1850’s when the Comanches ruled the southern Plains and settlers entered the Texas frontier at their own risk. Years ago, the real-life story of Cynthia Ann Parker broke my heart. Cynthia was captured by Comanches at age nine, and lived with them for twenty-four years, married, and had children. When she was eventually recaptured by cavalry and Texas Rangers, she wanted nothing to do with the settlers’ world. Her heart belonged to the Comanche and her husband and children who were lost to her. Cynthia’s story had a sad ending that haunted me. I wanted to write a captive story with a happier ending, and that desire led to Texas Forsaken. The prequel, Wichita Path Sacrifice, inspired by the real-life stories of Cynthia Ann Parker and her cousin Rachel Plummer, is an enemy-to-lovers story of love blossoming in the midst of trials, when it seems all hope is gone. It’s a story of choices between paths. Love requires sacrifice. Eyes-Like-Sky and Dancing Eagle must decide how much they’re willing to let go of and risk if they are to claim the dreams of their heart.

Ofuskee Trail Surrender by Denise Farnsworth

Keturah Caldwell disappeared from A Counterfeit Betrothal, the first book of my Scouts of the Georgia Frontier series. Pledged to wed the hero of that novel, the daughter of a Georgia judge  was abducted by thieves and sold to a war party of Creek braves. One of them, known as Wildcat, quietly protects her on the journey to his village in present-day Alabama. Keturah soon learns she has more in common with the adopted son of the micco than she would ever have guessed. When his cruel stepbrother turns his sights on Keturah and her younger sister, Keturah is forced to trust Wildcat in a marriage of convenience, though she vows to convince him to help them escape. They grow from enemies to lovers amid the War of 1812, as she learns that sometimes, greater blessings can come from abiding than from escaping.

Keturah also meets another captive, Susannah Moore, heroine of A Contrary Betrothal(formerly released as Bent Tree Bride), coming August 18 of this year.

Wagon Road Serenade by Susan F. Craft

An enemies-to-lovers historical romance, this novella is set in1754 on the Great Wagon Road spanning from Philadelphia, PA, to Augusta, GA. I wrote this novella as a complement to my three-novel Great Wagon Road series.

Elizabeth Stanton, her reputation marred from an injustice in London, seeks a second chance as a music teacher for a women’s academy in the Blue Ridge Mountains. She joins a wagon train, but scarred from her past, she vows never to rely on a man again. James Morgan, a widowed trapper, hears a vile rumor about Elizabeth and regrets agreeing to drive one of the academy’s wagons. To Elizabeth, James is another charming scoundrel. To James, Elizabeth is a tainted woman to be avoided. Both resist a growing attraction. James admires her willingness to help others. Her soft soprano voice fills the nights with a melancholy sweetness. Had he received false information and misjudged? Elizabeth tries to remain indifferent, but when he saves her and an orphan girl after Indians kidnap them, her heart softens.

Will his gentle treatment erase her misgivings? Can she trust him? Will their hearts reject discord and blend into a serenade of love?

My Impressions

Freed by the Frontier, by familiar authors feels like I’m coming to a visit with three friends, as I recognize author names whose historical fiction I love to read in this compilation. Sherry Shindelar, Denise Weimer, and Susan F. Craft have collaborated to show us that culture can be appreciated without dividing, and seeing the heart is more important than any outer appearance or speech. As I finish the set, I am comfortably sated, full of historical stories of the frontier and times of two people of widely different backgrounds finding common ground and love as they grow in faith. 

I loved Sherry Shindelar’s Wichita Path Sacrifice as I recognized a character from another book she has authored, Texas Forsaken. In this prequel to the latter, Shindelar gives us the background of Eyes-Like-Sky and how she becomes a part of the Comanche tribe. I love how brave Eyes-Like-Sky is, in standing up for herself when no one else would. Oddly, it is that moment that becomes a turning point for Eyes-Like-Sky. I must admit, when this book ended, I was sad, having read its sequel. I wanted the story world that had finally found peace, to stay that way. 

Notable Quotables:

“Sometimes courage takes a charging bull to give it fire.” – Dancing Eagle

“Is that why he’d survived? Did the Creator of the wind, moon, and sky notice him?” – Dancing Eagle

“You are my spring, Eyes-Like-Sky, and it has been winter too long.”- Dancing Eagle

Denise Farnsworth pens another story titled, ”Ofuskee Trail Surrender.” As we meet spoiled, rich Keturah Caldwell, her family has been abducted by Creek Indians. While two young warriors of the tribe desire Keturah or her sister, the safety of the girls relies of a marriage of convenience. How long will Keturah look only for escape back to her former way of life? Can she accept her unwanted marriage and learn to trust her new husband and God Himself? Will Keturah understand she doesn’t have the resources in herself to make her iwn way in life?

“Where had her beauty, her education, and her spirit gotten her? Defenseless and alone in enemy territory.”

I especially love how Wildcat recignizes a kindred spirit in Keturah and gives her the name he himself bears. Plus, he realizes, as he considers his past and her situation, they are not so different. “Tears he could never show burned behind his eyes. They had more in common than she would ever guess.” Of course, he eon me over with his gifts!

Notable Quotables:

“‘You set your course in life by how you rise to hardship.”- Mrs. Foote

“Had God sent the Caldwell women to remind him of who he had been? Of an identity he had given up? To find out who he might have become?”

Lastly, but just as historically and romantically enticing is Susan F. Craft’s novella, Wagon Road Serenade. Craft explains the history briefly of the great wagon train road, which is helpful.  A young woman, Elizabeth Stanton, has suffered shame in England, and now travels on the wagon train to South Carolina to teach in a girls’ school. The wagon driver is a single trapper, James Morgan, who is returning to the town, Graniteville, where the school is located. Elizabeth proves herself kind, puts others first, and is very courageous (as well as musical and beautiful. How can James reconcile this personality with the rumors he hears of her in Pennsylvania? Many tense adventures await these two as they slowly discover the other’s real person and their lives become enmeshed with others surrounding them. Loved it! 

Notable Quotables:

“Divorce. Adultery. Betrayal. He knew the bitterness of betrayal…Honesty and loyalty meant everything to him.” – (James)

“Have courage, little one. God is with us no matter what happens. Keep hope and pray without ceasing.” – Elizabeth

“How many times have I fallen to my knees and asked You for forgiveness, and how many times have You answered me with grace?”-James

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

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Magnificent! Each story was everything I’d hoped for from that author, tying in with other books of theirs that I have previously read.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 11

Artistic Nobody, July 12 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 13

Texas Book-aholic, July 14

Jeanette’s Thoughts, July 15

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, July 16

Tell Tale Book Reviews, July 16

Lyssa Loves Books, July 17

lakesidelivingsite, July 17

Guild Master, July 18 (Author Interview)

Books You Can Feel Good About, July 19

Cover Lover Book Review, July 20

Simple Harvest Reads, July 21 (Guest Review from Donna)

Holly’s Book Corner, July 22

Fiction Book Lover, July 23 (Author Interview)

Pause for Tales, July 24

Giveaway

To celebrate their tour, the Wild Heart Authors aare 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://gleam.io/7zZDM/freed-by-the-frontier-celebration-tour-giveaway
BLOG, Favorite, JustRead Tour, Kindle, Purchase, Scrivenings Press

A Whole New Plan by Denise M. Colby Review

Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Title: A Whole New Plan

Series: Best-Laid Plans

Author: Denise M. Colby

Publisher: Scrivenings Press

Released: May 26, 2026

Genre: Historical Frontier Romance (Christian)

ometimes God’s best plan is the one we never expected.

California, 1870. Pastor William Baker has built his life on faith, routine, and safe choices—until Lydia Spencer walks in and turns everything upside down.

Independent, outspoken, and guarded, Lydia is unlike any woman he’s ever known. She has no interest in church… and no intention of revealing the truth she’s hiding.

Because Lydia isn’t just a schoolteacher.

She’s a Pinkerton detective, sent west to track a dangerous crime boss—and she’ll do whatever it takes to protect those she loves, even if it means keeping her distance from the one man who sees straight through her defenses.

But when unexplained thefts shake their quiet small-town rural community, and a desperate boy appears with ties to a deeper mystery, Will and Lydia are forced into an uneasy partnership.

As danger closes in, so do their hearts.

What begins as a reluctant alliance soon becomes a forced proximity neither of them expected—and neither can ignore.

Yet the very things that draw them together may be the ones that tear them apart.

Lydia’s life is built on secrets.
Will’s is built on truth.

And when her past catches up with her, they’ll have to decide what matters most—holding on to their own plans… or trusting the One who sees the bigger picture.

Because sometimes surrender is the only way to find the life you were meant to live.

Set against the backdrop of the American West, A Whole New Plan is a heartfelt story of faith, courage, and a strong woman learning to trust again—woven with threads of mystery and hope.>

If you enjoy western Christian romances with elements of intrigue and heart, you’ll love A Whole New Plan—perfect for fans of Misty M. Beller and Mary Connealy.

Step into a story of courage, trust, and unexpected love—grab your copy today.

Purchase Links:  Amazon | B&N | BookBub

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About the Author

Denise M. Colby writes historical romance sweetened with faith, hope, and love. She finds history fascinating and contemplates often how it was to live in the 1800’s.

Her debut novel, When Plans Go Awry, is a 2025 Carol Award finalist and placed 3rd in the Historical Romance category of the OCRW BBB contest.

She treasures the written word and the messages that can be conveyed when certain words are strung together. An avid journal writer, she usually can be found with a pen and notepad whenever she’s reading God’s word.

Every year Denise chooses a word to focus on. For 2025, her word is FLOURISH! Sign up for her newsletter at her website denisemcolby dot com or you can follow Denise on facebook or instagram.

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My Impressions

“If he knew she lied for a living, he would call her a hypocrite. And he would be correct.”

I have to admit, ever since I vicariously visited Denise M. Colby’s small town of Washton, CA, in the latter half of the 1800s, I’ve been wanting to go back. So, I jumped at the chance to read Colby’s third book of the Best-Laid Plans series, A Whole New Plan. We have many of the characters from before, plus a few new ones. And, the one I was especially hoping to see making an appearance, the town mascot, Bert! What a hoot Bert is! 

Lydia is a Pinkerton who comes to Washton to protect her friend, Jenny, from danger from a previous encounter with a mob. Most people in town are not privy to Lydia’s real identity, including young pastor Will, who is beginning to feel the need for a wife. ( And if he doesn’t pick his own, the townspeople will be happy to assist!) He becomes interested in convalescing Lydia, though it soon becomes apparent she is hiding something. 

I liked Will as a male main character. He is such a good listener, and always seems to know how to counsel people and guide them. He actually does a great job of helping Lydia think through various situations, and he knows how to insert Truth without becoming preachy. He is not afraid to risk himself for others. I loved the way he meets the need of young Ollie, who is the most lovable, sad waif. While he wishes to meet Lydia’s needs as more than a friend, he realizes there are huge obstacles in the way. She neither shares her mysterious past nor is she interested in his God or his faith. 

Lydia, herself, starts to develop an interest in Will, but she realizes how much he detests lies. Her life is based on lying. Also, her philosophy of life is much different from his. “When plans don’t go the way I want them to, I reassess. Will prays. It will be interesting to see which method works better.” (- from Lydia’s journal, which we are given peeks into at the beginning of each chapter.) Lydia had a very rough childhood and can’t believe that anyone who truly sees her could love her.  Can Will convince her that both he snd the Heavenly Father see her, and love her as she is? Can he keep her safe as she dives back into her past, so he can get the chance to tell her? 

This is a great book for historical fiction fans who like Misty M. Beller or Mary Connealy. Also, slow-burn, inspirational romance, small-town settings, and unique characters. 

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:

“The one thing they had was God. And it was time to trust Him completely.” 

“God sees you as His precious creation. You don’t have to prove anything to Him because you are good enough in His eyes. “- Will

“You do know God is orchestrating all of this, right? He brought us together initially and continues to intertwine our lives. Helping us find our purpose. Where we belong.” – Olivia

“Having faith in someone is almost as important as having faith in God. We all need someone to believe in us.” – Will

“If we talk with God first, then listen, the enemy’s lies don’t reach us as much. And when they do, we can see them for the lies they are more clearly.”– Will

“Where some people fall away from God during tragedy, I turned to Him. And He carried me through. I found strength and solace, grace and patience. And I wanted to share that with others.” – Will

“The enemy likes to taunt us with our fears. Tell us we are not enough. Make us doubt our decisions.” – Will

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Magnificent! This book earned its stars for its unique characters, including Ollie & Bert. Also for the great amount of Truth Nuggets to be mined, plus unexpected suspense.

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

The Girl from Tomorrow’s Town Review and Giveaway

Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: The Girl from Tomorrow’s Town (Enduring Hope Book 5)

Author: Naomi Musch

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Release Date: June, 2026

Past and Present Collide on the Railway

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

Lily Mae Dodge flees Wyoming by night to find her mother, who sent her west on an orphan train ten years ago. After she’s arrested in Chicago, help comes from a man with a rare vision impairment whom she only just met on a train. Francis Basnett is a roustabout for the famous Hagenbeck-Wallace circus, where he helps Lily gain employment. Their friendship grows into more, and it seems Lily is closer than ever to finding her mother. . .until the night a rogue troop train slams into the stalled circus train, killing dozens and splintering hope.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Naomi Musch is an award-winning author who writes from a deer farm in the pristine north woods of Wisconsin, where she and husband Jeff live as epically as God allows near the families of their five adult children. When not in the physical act of writing or spending time loving on her passel of grandchildren, she can be found plotting stories as she roams around the farm, snacks out of the garden, and relaxes in her vintage camper. Naomi is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, the Wisconsin Writers’ Association, and the Lake Superior Writers. She loves engaging with others and can be found all around social media or at her site.

More from Naomi

Did you ever dream of running away with the circus? I must admit, it was never something I imagined doing, but like most kids of my generation, my wonderment did soar the first time I stepped foot beneath a “big top”. Some of those sensory memories stayed with me through the decades since, and of course, made their way into my novel. Nowadays, the trains or wagons no longer roll into town. There are very few circuses still around.

I grew up in the region not far from Barnum and Bailey’s Circus World in Wisconsin, but when traveling circuses were at their peak (much earlier than my day, I will add), there were nearly 100 of them traversing the country, nearly a third of them by rail. One of the largest was the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus based in southern Indiana. (Originally northern Indiana, but they transitioned to a warmer location where they wintered their animals.) They traveled in two trains—one that hauled the animals, laborers, and roustabouts, and the other that hauled the performers with their families and other work staff.

The circus was a city within itself, and more importantly, it became like family to most of the performers. Into this world is where my cast of characters gathers in The Girl from Tomorrow’s Town. Lily Mae Dodge is in search of just such a place to call home and people she can think of as family while she searches for her mother, lost to her when she was sent west on an orphan train as a child.

I never imagined myself writing a circus story, but when I learned about the real-life history of the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus, and tragically, the terrible circus train crash that stands as the most devastating in history, I needed to get to know some of the performers and people who worked there. I also wanted to add my own characters in a way that would bring this historic circus family to life. To tell the story of the crash, it was important to me that I do it in a way that would honor the lives and memories of those who were involved.

“Tomorrow’s Town” is a circus phrase referring to the place of the next show. The traveling circus season was a busy one, and sometimes performers who were already looking ahead to the next show simply referred to the next location as “tomorrow’s town.” While The Girl from Tomorrow’s Town is set in 1918 during WWI when the tragedy took place, it is primarily a story of hope, dreams, love, healing, and found family.

I hope you enjoy Lily and Francis’s story, and that you’ll settle into dazzling discovery with the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus!

My Impressions

“He might not see well, but everything about Lily was perfectly clear. She was searching for home, possibly for the mother who had never returned to claim her.”

The Girl from Tomorrow’s Train by Naomi Musch is a five-star read for me! Published by Barbour as part of its loosely connected series Enduring Hope, this is book #5. Sent West on an orphan train at nine years old, Lily Mae Dodge escapes a life of enforced slavery with her adopted family. Traveling East on a train, she meets Francis Basnett, a young man whose curious eye condition prohibits him from joining the War efforts in 1918. 

This novel is so many things. It is a historical romance. It is a story of an American tradition- the orphan train- that helped many, but harmed just as many, while adults turned a blind eye to children’s suffering. It is the tale of a young woman searching for the acceptance and love that she was denied as a child, her soul searching for answers.  

We also see a young man whose eye disease makes him the object of unaware society’s scorn. A young man who thinks his inability to see reflects on his ability to be the man God made him to be. Musch presents the historical Hagenbeck-Wallace circus train wreck of 1918, the largest and most disastrous circus train wreck in history. More than that, we are treated to a slice of life under the Big Top, backstage with the workers who  become family for each other. Faith shines through in the dark of the tragedy, and hope is born again.

Francis quickly falls for Lily, but feels himself unworthy. He realizes how much Lily is winging her every decision, and invites her to join him in working for the circus. He often encourages her in her faith, with sayings like this: “He’s a big God. There’s no telling what He’ll accomplish through your prayers. The charge to pray might seem simple yet be bigger than you know.” How I loved that reminder for my own life. And, he is so kind, so patient, and thoughtful of Lily. I was always rooting for the two of them, but Francis about “slew” me when he spoke a certain phrase to Lily, in a voice she couldn’t hear, but in the pattern in which she often speaks aloud to herself!

Lily grabbed my heart from the get-go, in her suspenseful escape, her cautiousness, and her need for someone to love her. Yet, she opens her heart to the people around her: first, Jenny; then Alice and Leslie. She looks for ways to help in the search for survivors among the train wreck and to offer aid. And finding Suzie, Lily recognizes and fills a big need. I also loved the way Lily helps Francis as she acts as his eyes, whether alighting from the train, or reading the news to him. Then…how do you describe colors to someone who had never seen them? “Pink is the first breeze on a summer morning, tingling up your arms with the dawn.” No wonder Francis falls hard!!

One paragraph made me especially think. 

“People happily came to see the shows and delight in the thrills, but many believed that the folk who lived and worked with the circus were mostly freaks and shysters. At best, they viewed them as a peculiar lot and not meant to associate in pubic life.”  THIS MAKES ME SO SAD!! But it is such a true statement of how we as society pass easy judgment, often ignoring the fact we’re guilty on the other hand of promoting an activity or (particpating in one) we claim is wrong. 

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

Notable Quotables: 

“It’s not ridiculous to want to go home.” A puff of air escaped her lips. “Is there such a place?” – Francis, Lily

“I can’t give up on the future. I must cling to hope if it takes my last breath.”- Lily

“God didn’t promise to remove our suffering while we’re here, but He promises to be the lap we can climb into while we go through it. He will hold us and love us through. He’ll give us peace.” – Francis 

“A still, small voice whispered into her ear that this was how it should be, that something good could come of her own hard past.” -( Lily)

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Superior! I love these stories of historical fact woven into fiction, where I learn so much while being entertained and built up in my faith at the same time. The romance doesn’t hurt!😁😮

Blog Stops

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 1

Simple Harvest Reads, July 2 (Author Interview)

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, July 3

Artistic Nobody, July 4 (Author Interview)

Life on Chickadee Lane, July 5

Connie’s history classroom, July 5

Guild Master, July 6 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 7

Fiction Book Lover, July 8 (Author Interview)

Pause for Tales, July 9

The Bookish Ledger, July 10 (Author Interview)

Cover Lover Book Review, July 11

Holly’s Book Corner, July 11

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

Texas Book-aholic, July 13

Books, Books, & More Books, July 14 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Naomi is giving away the grand prize of 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://gleam.io/M32Wq/the-girl-from-tomorrows-town-celebration-tour-giveaway

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

Mail-Order Viscountess by Misty M. Beller Review and Giveaway

Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: Mail-Order Viscountess

Author: Misty M. Beller

Genre: Christian historical romance

Release Date: June 9, 2026

Five sons of an English duke, all raised in the Rocky Mountains…

When a Montana blizzard strands two strangers in a cave, honor demands a vow neither of them want.

Nobody knows the truth about newly knighted Lord Thomas Balfour. He doesn’t deserve the honor being showered on him, so after this last trip with his brother and sister-in-law to Butte for supplies, he’ll leave this territory behind completely. But once he reaches town, he’s blindsided to discover his brothers have ordered him a bride by post. A woman complicates everything. And even worse—the bride has brought her sister.

Kate McKinney masterminded this journey west to rescue her younger sister from their controlling mother’s plans. Yet one look at the intended groom’s scowl, and Kate’s doubts bloom. Maybe this mail-order marriage scheme will be far worse for her beloved sister than the wealthy brute their ambitious mother arranged.

Thomas has no choice but to help escort the sisters back to the Balfour ranch. On the trail, a blizzard changes everything, tearing Thomas and Kate away from the others—straight into danger…

From a USA Today bestselling author comes a royal family saga featuring a mail-order bride, snowed-in peril, and an aristocratic marriage of convenience…all set in the rugged Montana Territory.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Misty M. Beller is an ECPA and USA Today bestselling author with over 1 million books sold. She writes romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.

Raised on a farm and surrounded by family, Misty developed her love for horses, history, and adventure. These days, her husband and children provide fresh adventure every day, keeping her both grounded and crazy.

Misty’s passion is to create inspiring Christian fiction infused with the grandeur of the mountains, writing historical romance that displays God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.

Sharing her stories with readers is a dream come true for Misty. She writes from her country home in South Carolina and escapes to the mountains any chance she gets.

More from Misty

His Brothers Did What?!  Meet the Hero of Mail-Order Viscountess

Every family has that one person who needs a little…nudging in the right direction.

For the Balfour brothers, that person is Thomas.

Lord Thomas Balfour is many things—newly knighted, fiercely capable, and absolutely convinced he doesn’t deserve any of it. He carries a secret that weighs on him heavier than the Montana snow, and he’s made up his mind: after one last supply run to Butte with his brother and sister-in-law, he’s leaving the territory for good. No fuss, no goodbyes. Just gone.

His brothers, of course, had other plans.

Because while Thomas was busy planning his quiet disappearance, his brothers were busy placing an ad—for a mail-order bride. For him. Without telling him a single word about it.

So imagine Thomas’s face when he arrives in Butte and discovers a woman waiting there to become his wife.

Actually, not one woman. Two.

Because the bride—Kate McKinney—has brought her sister along.

To say Thomas is less than thrilled would be an understatement. The scowl he greets them with says everything. A woman complicates his carefully laid plans. Two women? That’s a catastrophe.

But here’s what Thomas doesn’t know yet: Kate didn’t come west to trap a reluctant lord into marriage. She came to rescue her sister. And one look at Thomas’s stormy expression has her wondering if she’s made a terrible mistake—whether the Balfour brothers’ well-meaning scheme has landed her beloved sister somewhere far worse than the life they left behind.

Two people who don’t want to be there. One scheme cooked up by meddling brothers who love Thomas too much to let him walk away. And a Montana blizzard that’s about to strand them all together with no way out.

I pray you love Mail-Order Viscountess! J

Blessings!

Misty

My Impressions

“We’ve arranged something. Something we think will be good for you.”– James

Yikes! It’s the winter of 1860 in Montana Territory when Misty M. Beller’s character, Thomas, hears his brother utter those fateful words. Sure enough, in Mail-Order Viscountess, the three older brothers are still assuming they know what is best for their now-grown brother and trying to direct his paths. Thomas, who has always felt his opinions are ignored and has been trying to prove himself to his siblings, finds himself with James and Rose, greeting two young women at the train station. He has just been informed by his brother, James, that one of the young women is his mail-order bride. A bride he never sent for, but is now responsible for, half-a-continent away from their civilized home. The bride-to-be, Clara, is very quiet, but her sister, Kate, is very outspoken and protective of her sister, sizing Thomas up every chance she gets. Is Thomas Balfour really a safe, trustworthy man to hand her sister over to? “His brothers had ordered him one mail-order bride and gotten two women instead—one who’d come expecting marriage, and one who looked at him like he was something she’d scrape off her boot.”

Kate and Clara McKinney gladly seize the opportunity of the request for a mail-order bride. They can leave behind Clara’s domineering mother who would marry Clara off to a much older man. Clara can marry a rancher and Kate can start her own business in the West. Kate even finds the foothold into society she needs to start the business.

Then… once Kate and Clara understand the false pretenses that brought them, they still need a place to rest before deciding their next steps. As Thomas and Kate are separated from the rest of the party and put in a compromising situation, it seems the only solution is for a marriage of convenience between these two instead. 

I loved Kate’s protectiveness and love for her sister, of whom she could have easily been resentful. She sees her sister’s need for structure and does the heavy lifting of planning for the future of the two. Kate studies Thomas and begins to develop an understanding of the young man who feels unseen, unheard, and unappreciated by his Balfour brothers. 

I love how Thomas slowly falls for Kate as she shows him respect and sees him as an individual worth listening to. I did begin to wonder, though, if Thomas spends too much time being bitter when others had his best at heart….oh, yeah, that’s how he got in this crazy mess. Best strike out on his own, be his own person. Go to California. Kate quietly questions whether he is running away, then explains that there is a difference between running or choosing. “Choosing a path means you know where you’re going. Running just means you’re desperate to be anywhere but where you are.” 

This novel held a romance that I loved, a great marriage-of-convenience story, found family, trust, and a good deal of heart-pounding suspense. I believe this is one of Beller’s best. I certainly enjoyed every element! 

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

Notable Quotables:

“But sometimes the very thing we think will trap us is actually the thing that sets us free.”– Rose

“ ‘I don’t know if I can give her what she needs.’ James stayed quiet a long moment. When he spoke, his tone had softened.  ‘None of us know that when we start. We just choose to try.’ ”  -Thomas, James

“Truth doesn’t count for much when scandal makes a better story.” Thomas

“You’re not running from cowardice.” Kate’s words came softer now, almost gentle. “You’re running from the weight of everyone’s expectations. From having to be the hero they think you are.”

“Every instinct screamed at her to run—to protect herself from the vulnerability of binding her life to another person who could hurt her, leave her, fail her the way her father had.” ( Kate)

“…reputation is the only currency that matters out here. Once lost, it cannot be recovered.” -Mr. Hartwell

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Superior! I really enjoyed the combination of elements in this story and feel like Mail-Order Viscountess is one of Beller’s best!

Blog Stops

Book Looks by Lisa, June 24

Sydney Schmied Books, June 24

Devoted Steps, June 25

Melissa’s Bookshelf, June 25

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 26

Lyssa Loves Books, June 26

lakesidelivingsite, June 27

Artistic Nobody, June 27 (Guest Review from Marilyn)

Texas Book-aholic, June 28

Jeanette’s Thoughts, June 28

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, June 29

For Him and My Family, June 29

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, June 30

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 30

Book Holds and Jello Molds, July 1

Sylvan Musings, July 1

Tell Tale Book Reviews, July 2

She Lives To Read, July 2

Life on Chickadee Lane, July 3

Books You Can Feel Good About, July 3

Connie’s History Classroom, July 4

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

Cover Lover Book Review, July 5

Mary Hake, July 5

Holly’s Book Corner, July 6

Locks, Hooks and Books, July 6

Devoted To Hope, July 7

Pause for Tales, July 7

Giveaway

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

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

https://gleam.io/NbqMu/mail-order-viscountess-celebration-tour-giveaway

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

The Eyes of River by Cindy Sproles Review and Giveaway

Babbling Becky L
Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for The Eyes of River by Cindy K. Sproles, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Eyes of River
Author: Cindy K. Sproles
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Release Date: June 23, 2026
Genre: Historical Fiction

A heart-wrenching Appalachian novel from a best-selling, award-winning author

In the shadowed hollers of the early-twentieth-century Appalachian Mountains, Lizzy Haney is on the run. She’s been falsely accused of murder and is desperate to reunite with her brother, River, whose unforgettable green eyes haunt her. The secret in her past is a stinging wound, but it motivates her toward her goal: freedom.

But nine-year-old River, sent through the US Post Office to their late mother’s friend in Knoxville, never arrived. Lizzy’s dream of finding him and starting a new life away from their alcoholic and abusive father is ripped away.

Her hope rekindles as she happens upon an unexpected friend to help her dodge the law and save the missing youngin’. As she finds herself trusting him, she discovers the accuracy of the old adage her momma repeated: And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

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

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About the Author

Cindy K. Sproles is a speaker and best-selling,award-winning author of several novels, including Mercy’s Rain, Liar’s Winter, and Coal Black Lies. She is the executive editor for Christian Devotions Ministries and the director of the Asheville Christian Writers Conference. She also mentors and coaches new writers with Write Right Author Mentoring Services. She is an Appalachian-born-and-raised mountain girl who now lives in East Tennessee.

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

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My Impressions

“The truth shall make you free. The truth shall make you free. I kept repeatin’ the words, tryin’ to convince myself it was true. All the while, the memory of River’s eyes scorched my soul.”

Whoo, boy! I feel just a little numb after reading this Appalachian novel, The Eyes of River, by Cindy Sproles. Writing with her unparalleled mountain voice, Sproles transports the reader back in time to 1913 Tennessee, south of Chattanooga. 

There we meet rough, but spirited Lizzy Haney, 17. After watching her deadbeat drunk father kill her mother, Lizzy believes her father’s threats to kill her younger 9 year-old brother, whose deep-green eyes “could bore a hole through your soul.” Her father can’t stand the judgment of those innocent, discerning eyes.  Believing herself River’s only protection, Lizzy mails him off to her mother’s friend in Chattanooga. Things progress from bad to worse when her cruel father sets Lizzy up to take the wrap for murders he commits. Soon on the run, with her plans in ashes, will Lizzy accept help from others? Will she find the truth that can set her free?

I love Alton for his patience with Lizzy. He has loved her for a long time, but Lizzy has looked no further than first impressions and appearances. Alton offers to help guide Lizzy in the mountains, at a risk to his own life, but Lizzy can’t stop depending on her own wisdom and insisting they do things her way. Alton finally rebukes her, “Lizzy, you need to learn to hush. Be quiet. You need to understand you don’t know everything, and sometimes folks is just trying to help you.”  Somehow, Alton has become a mature, wise man when Lizzy wasn’t noticing. 

Lizzy finds this journey not only dangerous but frustrating and full of self-discovery (“ye shall know the truth”), but often that truth is painful. As the Sheriff tells Lizzy, ( and so does Alton!) “You do have a problem with doing what you’re told.” If the rescue of River will depend on Lizzy being quiet and doing what she’s told, there could be some huge snags! 

I loved the variety of people that populate the secondary character stage. They are well-drawn, some heart-ugly, some beautiful from within, but all compelling and great catalysts for action. Jerelene and Joe are wonderful encouragers and “growth prodders” for Lizzy. Lizzy’s daddy and Yeager are worthy undesirable criminals who need caught! 

If I could hear a single song playing as the soundtrack in the background as I read this book, surely it would be Foreigner’s “I wanna know what love is. I want you to show me.” Lizzy wants desperately to know what love is. From some characters, she gets very skewed ideas or imperfect love. From others, like Alton, the Wileys, or Tilda, she sees true love, but as I said above, a love that cares enough to tell the truth. Will she connect with the Source of perfect Love?

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

Notable Quotables:

“…real love don’t care what or who you are. It just cares that you are.”

(what Lizzy learns from Jerelene)

“You can’t change what you are, no matter how you scrub the hide. Instead you learn to accept it and change from the inside.” – Jerelene

“At that moment I began to understand what it meant to trust. Trusting someone meant having no doubt they would do what they said they would do.” – ( Lizzy)

“A body doesn’t have to ask questions. He just has to listen. You learn a lot when you listen.” – Sheriff Mosley

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Superior! Capturing the raw Appalachian life from the early 1900s, Sproles has captured the essence of that era and voice. She shows how hardship forces a young girl to mature and find truth and love. Highly recommended!!

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of The Eyes of River and a $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 June 24, 2026 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on July 1, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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

BLOG, Favorite, Just Read Tours, Kindle, PB, Purchase

A Scattering of Light by Lori Benton Review and Giveaway

Babbling Becky L

Welcome to the Book Bee Blogger’s Choice Blog Tour with JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: A Scattering of Light

Series: Crockett’s Landing, Bk #1

Author: Lori Benton

Publisher: Story Architect

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Released: April 13, 2026

A Scottish drover spirited into servitude. A young Quaker woman wounded by loss. Their meeting will leave no heart unchallenged, no life unchanged.

Colonial Virginia 1734

Mourning her wayward brother’s death, Verity Wilde has turned her back on Williamsburg society, striving to live by her notion of true religion: to keep oneself unspotted from the world. But when she boards a ship to claim an indentured Scottish clerk, she’s unprepared to find another Scotsman, starved and gravely ill, left on deck untended. With scarcely more knowledge of the man than his name and place of origin—William Crockett of Skye—pity compels Verity to purchase his indenture too, meaning to provide the compassionate death denied him by the ship’s crew. Only he doesn’t die.

Will Crockett’s survival upends Verity’s carefully circumscribed life, while he awakens to find his world shattered beyond recognition. As they seek to reconcile their broken pasts, bitterness and fear vie with hope to chart their futures. Can they find the courage to trust each other, and a God who scatters light in the darkness?

Grab your copy here!

https://www.amazon.com/Scattering-Light-Crocketts-Landing-Novel-ebook/dp/B0GRG2MC68

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About the Author

Lori’s debut novel, Burning Sky, earned the 2014 Christy Award for First Novel, Historical, and Book of the Year.

Lori Benton was born and raised east of the Appalachian Mountains, surrounded by early American and family history going back to the 1600s. Her novels transport readers to the 18th century, where she brings to life the Colonial and early Federal periods of American history, creating a melting pot of characters drawn from both sides of a turbulent and shifting frontier, brought together in the bonds of God’s transforming grace.

Other Books by Lori Benton

Burning Sky

The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn

Many Sparrows

The King’s Mercy

The Pathfinders Series

The Wood’s Edge

A Flight of Arrows

The Kindred Series

Mountain Laurel

Shiloh

The Journey of Runs-Far

Books For Young Readers

Bear Country: A Teddy Bear’s Tale

Larkspur: A Mouse’s Tale

Connect with Lori and sign up for her newsletter at loribenton.com

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My Impressions

“His blessings freely scattered like light—readily seen if one didn’t close her eyes for fear of the darkness.”

If you are a fan of Christian historical fiction by Laura Frantz, Michelle Griep, or Shannon McNear, you will love Lori Benton. I first read her books years ago, but this book, A Scattering of Light, has been percolating for many years. I, for one, am ecstatic to re-welcome Lori Benton back to the historical romance world. 

Benton re-enters with a smash-hit! A young Scotsman ( Will Crockett) is rescued from certain death aboard a slaver ship and his indenture sold to a young VA Quaker woman (Verity Wilde) and her musical, odd father. When Will actually survives, Verity must rethink his place on their small plantation. Will has but one thought on his mind, that of his wife, Jenny, who was conscripted with him, but who is unaccounted for. 

A Scattering of Light is such a rich book it’s hard to know where to begin to describe it! It is full of diverse 18th century characters and their different levels of faith (from deep, hope-filled faith to none at all). The writing itself is both lyrical and dialect- rich. While there is plenty of action, the novel is also very character-driven. Will, with his take on righting wrongs and taking revenge, has to learn that man’s plans are not final. What a different story this would have been if they were. Jenny, kept apart from her husband, but a staunch believer, bids both Will and Verity via letter to trust the Almighty. “If all we ever dreamt for ourselves came true, but God was no’ in it … ’twould prove the worse for us.” Jenny trusts God with an impossible situation. Will retains an anger at God for the longest time. Verity, a professing Quaker, while kind and merciful,holds herself as spiritually superior to any who don’t keep exactly to her rigid beliefs. Again, Jenny with her soft ways and firm belief wears down some of the hardness of Verity’s heart. And, Verity’s friend whom she is constantly writing in the book, reminds her that in her severe observance of being “Plain,” she may be denying herself some of the blessings God has for her. “Was her hesitance not the godly prudence she believed it to be, but merely indication of what Jane cautioned her against? Rejecting God’s good gifts.”

These characters! So many great, noble ones that I loved. Great secondary supporting characters include Verity’s father Christopher, her father’s niece, Lucy Many-Beads, and Judah Looking-Wolf. Each is such a great support to Verity. While Christopher himself shows great growth in this novel, I am hoping for a story that tells more of Judah’s future. 

Do yourself a huge favor and read this book! I bought an ebook and also a paperback for the keeper shelf. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own. 

Notable Quotables:

“Will kent the look—the burden of not knowing, a grief not fully embraced, therefore never allowed to heal.” – Will 

“I’d long held the Almighty to account for all I’ve lost, as though he was beholden to do my will, no’ the other way ’round.” – Will

“…my Religion is become a List of Works to perform, and those through more willing Hands, a far cry from what thee possesses, a Faith that shines in the Face of Losses as grievous as my own.” – Verity

“God always makes a way forward—and nearer to Him. Oft ’tis the hard things that work the greatest good in that way.” -Jenny

“Everywhere I turn I see the Almighty’s blessings, and as he never changes, why should the future worry me? Whatever we need, he’ll see it provided.” -Jenny

My Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Superior! Well-worth the years of waiting!! But, hopefully, the sequels will write themselves much faster! On my Short-List of 2026 Faves!

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $30 gift card (winner’s choice of Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Christianbook, or Baker Book House)!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight June 8, 2026 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on June 15, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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