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Storm at Nottingham Castle by Ann Elizabeth Fryer Review

June 18, 2026 Babbling Becky L

Welcome to the Bookstagram and Review Tour for Storm at Nottingham Castle by Ann Elizabeth Fryer, hosted by JustRead Tours!

I am doing a review-only post for this wonderful book.

About the Book

Title: Storm at Nottingham Castle

Series: Sisters of Sherwood, #1

Author: Ann Elizabeth Fryer

Publisher: Indie publisher

Released: April 30, 2026

Genre: Inspirational Gothic Romantic Mystery

Three sisters are thrust into an uncertain future when their wealthy stepfather dies, leaving them with a small annuity to live upon. They find refuge with an aged uncle who convinces them to live in the apartments at Nottingham Castle, whose halls are shrouded in history and secrets, and whose residents watch the sisters with unsettling interest. Chief among them is the handsome property manager, Charles Rushforth, whose quiet authority conceals more than estate affairs and a brooding lodgekeeper who seems to know every hidden passage and whispered rumor…

Charlotte Fieldstone received a parting gift from her late stepfather—a set of valuable pilgrimage badges meant to safeguard them from want. But hidden hands seek the relics, and in the caves beneath the castle, a restless hunger stirs among those who trade in sacred things. At the center stands her uncle, whose charm deceives, and a Duchess, whose influence can tip scales on a whim.

As Charlotte’s uncle is swept into a dangerous quest, tensions rise. Charlotte must depend upon a stranger to shield her from a society whose motives aren’t as they appear. Will Charlotte be able to keep her sisters together as the tempest threatens to tear them apart?

Surrounded by deceit and danger, Charlotte must cling to faith and to one whose protection feels perilously like love…

Purchase Link:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=storm+at+nottingham+castle+by+ann+elizabeth+fryer&crid=3O0MIT38WMEU8&sprefix=storm+at+%2Caps%2C168&ref=nb_sb_ss_p13n-expert-pd-ops-ranker_3_9

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My Impressions

“Death ought not come on a fine day.”

Have you heard the name of Ann Elizabeth Fryer? If you are a fan of inspirational Gothic Romantic mysteries, you will definitely want to add Ms. Fryer’s name to your list of authors on your must-read TBR! Her writing style reminds me of Michelle Griep’s, but with even more twisty mystery!

The first line quoted above from Storm at Nottingham Castle sets the dark, Gothic stage. I immediately was drawn into the story of three young adult half-sisters who, upon the death of their beloved step-father, Josiah Fleming, are forced to vacate the one secure home they have known.

While we meet all three sisters, Faith, Moriah, and Charlotte, this is definitely Charlotte’s story. (First book in a series, Yay!) These main characters are so well drawn and so relatable. We get enough glimpses of the secondary characters to begin to work the puzzle pieces slowly in the jigsaw that this mystery is. But Fryer puts so many twists and turns into it, it’s hard to know if you as the reader are piecing the parts together right. But that’s ok. Because honestly, as Charlotte and Charles (steward of the Palace), work together to uncover the secrets of Uncle Calvin and the caverns and denizens below, they are just as confused! Who has the pure vs. self-serving motives? Uncle Calvin? The Duchess? The Baron? Edmund? The neighbors in the Palace? This novel was as twisty as the caverns beneath the palace, and the outcome nearly as uncertain as descent into those caverns.

Relics, Secrets, Control, Sisterhood, Family, Mastermind, Gaol, Pawns, Social Status; are all key words that sum up many of the themes of this amazing book! I can’t wait for book two, Tempest at Rufford Abbey!

I received a copy of the book from JustRead Tours. I also bought my own ebook and a d ordered a pb copy for the keeper shelf!! No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“He didn’t intend to just guard her person; he’d do everything to guard her heart.” ( Charles)

“They were all puppets in a performance. This much was true, but with real ramifications.” ( Charlotte)

“Sentiment was a currency of the heart.” ( Charlotte)

“Best know that the people of the underneath aren’t better or worse as those on the topside.” – Heathcliff

“…real friendship, even acquaintances, only lasted when their motives were pure in the first place.” ( Charlotte)

*And, because I am an avid reader-

“A home without a library, well, was it a home at all?” ( Charlotte)

My Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Superior! This novel strikes a bulls-eye target on my reading sweet spot and challenges my puzzle-solving abilities! Standing ovation!!

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The Belle of Chatham by Laura Frantz Review

January 9, 2026January 9, 2026 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Title: The Belle of Chatham

Author: Laura Frantz

Publisher: Revell

Releases: Jan. 20, 2026

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

A tale of courtship & marriage, duty versus desire, faith & forgiveness.

In 1777, caught in the crossroads of the American Revolution, sisters Maebel and Coralie Bohannon’s quaint New Jersey village becomes a battleground as they house American officers in their home. Rebellion ripples through their family as members take opposing sides–Patriots and Loyalists–causing a deep chasm that fractures their once-unbreakable bond. As Mae’s friendship grows with the American general Rhys Harlow, Coralie continues her liaison with her childhood sweetheart, a British officer stationed in New York. Torn between her growing love for the general and suspicion that her sister is a British spy, Mae leaves the only home she’s ever known for the New York frontier. When betrayal strikes in the heart of the wilderness, she’s forced to take a perilous journey that tests her very survival and those she loves, all in the name of liberty.

Proclaimed wordsmith extraordinaire by Library Journal, Laura Frantz delivers a stirring tale of divided loyalties, sisterhood, and love.

About the Author

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

My Impressions

“‘If the love of your country is indeed the governing principle of your soul, you will give up every inclination which is incompatible with it; nor will you cherish in your hearts any rivals of the favorite passion.’”

Hold on to your beaver skin hat, Bleu, you’ve just acquired some serious competition! I thought Laura Frantz could never produce a swoon-worthy hero I would love more than Bleu, but oh, my stars and garters!! Rhys Harlow, the Frantz hero of The Belle of Chatham, certainly is amazing!

Where does one start a review with such a memorable book? Frantz’s writing style holds me mesmerized as she paints mental pictures of the lush or barren landscapes, and produces smells with her word wizardry. These are not pages one can speed-read through!

So many different plot points come together to make this a totally great story! Do I emphasize the romance ( slow-burn, tightly controlled because of the military situations), the family division (so painful), or the Revolutionary War history presented, the strategies and battles well-researched and a teaching point, if you will. And the smallpox inoculation mandate. So much to learn! Plus, the way that Mae and others learn to incorporate their faith in the day-to-day. “…lately I’ve prayed to be the person the Almighty wants me to be. Let challenging circumstances change me for the better.” Mae and others are indeed challenged in this novel, almost beyond endurance. But another quote reminds them that these hard circumstances won’t last forever. “Remember all this is fleeting. We seem to be walking through fire now, but it has an end.” We would all do well to remember this!

Indeed. One of the things I liked most about this book was it didn’t end with the marriage and “Happily Ever After” of the main characters. Instead, our fave two characters find that there are bumps in the road of marital bliss. And their bumps appear as big as the mountains of Rhys’s Virginia. This book is a great reminder that “happily ever after” is a myth. There are foxes, or wolves, and we must choose forgiveness.

Whew! Ready to re-read all over again!!

I received a copy of the book from the author and publisher through NetGalley. I also have pre-ordered pb copies for my trophy shelf. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“Sometimes it’s the simplest things that mean the most.” – Rhys

“All of us have wounds. Some scarring you simply don’t see.” – Rhys

“I’d rather hear the truth than lies or empty assurances.” – Mae

“Surely the Lord was teaching her in the waiting and making something more of her than she was.”

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Superior!! I am only allowed to give 5 stars. Alas, this book earns so many more!!

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Spoon to be Dead by Dana Mentink Review and Giveaway

October 14, 2023 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: Spoon to Be Dead

Author: Dana Mentink

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Release Date: October 31, 2023

A murder for the holidays is about to shake things up!

Trinidad Jones is starting the festive season with sugary confections and a heaping scoop of worry as her shake shop enters its first Oregon winter. With snow abound and tourists trickling through, she’ll do anything to keep her milkshake dreams afloat, even if it means catering a holiday steamboat party for some new arrivals in town.

But when her good-for-nothing ex crashes through her shop’s door claiming he’s being charged with murder, things go sideways. With clues piling up like whipped cream on a sundae and motives abound, Trinidad and her fellow ex-wives must solve this murder before she’s finally thrown for a scoop.

The third book in the Shake Shop Mysteries following Trinidad Jones who makes sweet confections and solves sticky situations in her small town!

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Dana Mentink is a USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author as well as a two-time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, and the recipient of a Holt Medallion for excellence in mystery/suspense. She was honored to receive the Author of the Year award from West Coast Christian Writers. A California native, she’s written over fifty titles for the general and Christian markets in the suspense, lighthearted romance, and mystery genres. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense and Poisoned Pen Press. You can connect with Dana via her website at danamentink.com if you’d like to learn more.

More from Dana

It seems like just yesterday that I was dreaming up decadent freakshake recipes for book one in the Ice Cream Shop mysteries and here we are in book three! It’s Christmas time in Upper Sprocket and there’s a wedding in the works, but most surprising of all is the appearance of Gabe Bigley, the cheating ex of Trinidad and her two besties. You can imagine there is going to be a hefty helping of murder, mayhem and merriment in this next installment in the series. Hope you love book three as much as I do!

My Impressions

Dana Mentink serves up a feel-good, taste-good seasonal cozy in Spoon to be Dead, the conclusion to her Shake Shop Mysteries. I especially enjoyed this one. Maybe it was the characters. Maybe it was the laughter. Maybe it was the chocolate, both hot and cold.

Mentink brings plenty of real -life problems to this otherwise cozy world. I liked how the characters, that seemed a little far-fetched to me in the first book, really shone with personality, growth, and a few flaws. It was very interesting to get a closer look at Chief Bigley. The sisterhood is threatened by a secret. And Upper Sprocket gets at least two visitors it could do without.

If you love animals or children, this novel should catch your attention. I loved the interactions between Noodles and Scooter. Who wouldn’t love sweet little Felice with her pink fascinators?! And the teenage twins are a hoot in this one, too!

I’m pretty sure that the peppermint ice cream, gingerbread ice cream, and chocolate surprises that Trinidad whips up caused me to gain twenty pounds. Mentink describes the delectable desserts so well, I felt like I was right there, tasting them! Fortunately, several of the recipes are simplified and included in the back for us to try!

Twists and turns lead to an unexpected ending, which seems plausible. Yay! Time for an ice cream celebration, at least in the book!

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.