surrender – Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions

A Lady Divided by Sandra Ardoin Review and Giveaway

August 29, 2025 Babbling Becky L

Welcome to the Blog Tour for A Lady Divided by Sandra Ardoin, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: A Lady Divided
Series: House of Fire #1
Author: Sandra Ardoin
Publisher: Corner Room Books
Release Date: August 28, 2025
Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Just when she thinks she’s defeated the past, it returns with a vengeance.

Fighting to keep her late husband’s dream alive and her land-grabbing neighbors at bay, Laurel Tillman longs for a peace she knew before the war. But when her skill with a rifle saves a stranger from a mountain lion attack—a man whose life she once wouldn’t have hesitated to take—wartime memories rush back.

While raising her daughter and taking responsibility for the stray women who work on her sheep ranch, Laurel can’t wait to get the injured Yankee out of her house. Getting him out of her heart is an entirely different matter.

Quinn Spencer, a former Union cavalry officer, owes Laurel a debt, but his career as a new lawyer in town comes with a warning to stay away from the unconventional women of La Casa del Fuego. Then, with the discovery of a dead man on Laurel’s ranch, Quinn must choose between his career and justice for a woman who can’t bear the sight of him.

As they battle an unknown adversary who sets out to destroy Laurel, will she join forces with her former enemy? Or will she allow the past to overcome any chance of a truce between them . . . and, possibly, something more?

Meet the women of La Casa del Fuego—House of Fire—as they are forced by circumstances to live their lives outside the bounds of accepted femininity.

Also Available

About the Author

As the author of reader-described heartwarming historical and contemporary romance, Sandra Ardoin engages readers with page-turning stories of love and faith.

She is the married mother of a young adult and co-sitter for a granddog. As well as being a team member in her church’s library, she reads Christian fiction, binges TV shows with her husband, and seldom says no to eating out.

Visit her at sandraardoin.com. Connect with her on BookBub, Facebook, X, and Goodreads. Subscribe to the newsletter and keep up with what’s new, discover what’s upcoming, and learn of specials.

My Impressions

“The past was an evil devil to fight.”

Who doesn’t remember “The Island of Misfit Toys”? Sandra Ardoin’s A Lady Divided ( House of Fire, Bk#1) brings that concept to mind in human form. We are transported back in time to a few years (1877) after the Civil War in Texas. Our nation has started to rebuild, but some find it hard to forget the atrocities of the war and even harder to forgive those who hail from the other side of the Mason-Dixon Line. Instead of an island of misfit toys, we have a ranch of “misfit women.” Women who have been wounded by life, and rejecthe acceptable society norms of femininity at that time. At their helm is widow Mrs. Laurel Tillman, who lives on a ranch with her widowed mother and young daughter. The few ranch hands she has, like her, dress like men and do ranch jobs that make them the fodder for malicious gossip in a world concerned with conformity.

When Laurel saves the life of former Union Major Quinn Spencer who happens on her land, an enemies-to-possibly more relationship is established. But, oh, Laurel has guilt from the past that she is sure God could never forgive, and she carries the burden of the safety of all the ranch women like a heavy yoke.

“Oh, if only she could feel the rest that Jesus promised. The peace. But her sinful actions were too great.” As Laurel deals with the mountain of unrest in her heart, her bitterness threatens to eat her alive, and often those around her. Yet, those closest to her can see her actions come from her conflicted heart, reflecting the conflict of the divided States. Yet, she refuses to lay her burden down. Her mother tries to reach her, only to have Laurel turn a deaf ear. “I hate to see you suffer like this. He’s waiting, Laurel. All you have to do is walk toward Him. ‘Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’”

I loved this story for its unwrapping of the human emotions that are buried ( or not) just under the surface in a nation yet divided. I loved the understanding of the women that they could do hard work and it was respectable, even if it wasn’t acceptable in society. I yearned for the secrets that both Laurel and Quinn keep close to their vests. The constant mystery and danger from the the world outside Laurel’s ranch bubble make for an exciting read, as does the faith journey that so many of the characters are required to make. Will they progress towards what is right, or will they choose the comfortable answers to appease those around them? Convicting as I tried to put myself in their shoes!

Oh, yes! Did I mention humor and twists?! Be prepared! They are the cream cheese icing on a great carrot cake!

I had a three-way tie for fave secondary characters. Ernie, Becky, and the Marshall. And I love that we are well-set up for sequels!

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

Notable Quotables:

“…no one’s past is as it should be.” …“The only person in this world who never sinned was Jesus. His sacrifice gave imperfect human beings like you and me the way to become perfect in God’s sight.” – Quinn

“God still loves me. He never turned His back on me. Even though I turned mine on Him, He waited for me to return.”- Laurel

“How could she live in peace with others when she found it so hard to live peacefully with herself?”– Laurel

“Did she dare to think God loved her so much that He allowed the death of His own Son for someone like her? No. There must be an exception, a limit to His grace and mercy.”- Laurel

“‘I don’t hate you. Momma always said I shouldn’t hate.’ When had that stopped her? ‘But I see nothing wrong with comparing you to a long-tailed rodent.’”– Laurel- taste of novel’s humor!

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Magnificent! 5 big Texas stars!!

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon eGift Card and two (2) ebooks of their choice from Sandra Ardoin’s Published Books!

(1) winner will receive three (3) ebooks of their choice from Sandra Ardoin’s Published Books

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight August 25, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 1, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

ARC, Biblical Fiction, BLOG, Celebrate Lit Publishers, Favorite, Kindle, Purchase

She’erah’s Legacy by Naomi Craig

August 13, 2023 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Title: She’erah’s Legacy

Series: Yahweh’s Legacy, #3

Author: Naomi Craig

Genre: Biblical Fiction

Releases: Aug 15, 2023

As tragedy ravages the camp, can She’erah step up and complete the outpost?

She’erah is a woman trying to leave her mark in a man’s world. Her vision and ability surpasses her father’s, yet she remains second-in-command as they are tasked to build Pharaoh’s outposts in Canaan. She knows she is worthy of the task, but her clan is skeptical.

The last place She’erah expects support is from her charioteer, but Lateef is the lone voice of encouragement. His integrity and steadfastness is a plumb-line in She’erah’s life and she can no longer deny her growing feelings for him.

Acts of sabotage threaten the construction and the shaky foundation of She’erah’s pride. It’s up to She’erah to break generations of rivalry, distrust, and jealousy—if she can learn to rely on the strengths and abilities of those around her to help.

Will she learn to trust God and others before her life’s legacy comes crumbling down around her?

Get your book here:

About the Author

Stories of Belonging

Download your free novella at http://www.naomicraig.com

Naomi writes Historical Fiction set in Bible times.

She lives in a small town in the south-eastern mountains of Arizona

She is an avid reader, Pastor’s wife, and homeschool mom.

Naomi co-hosts the #BehindTheStory Author Interview Show over on youtube, and Biblical Fiction Aficionados Facebook Group.

My Impressions

“Wasn’t that just like Elohim? A juxtaposition of strength and gentleness, judgement and compassion, that compelled His people to Him.”

A woman builder in the time of the patriarchs? (I’d never noticed!) Women are mentioned rarely in Biblical genealogies, but when they are, you can be sure they were significant. While there is only one verse in the Bible that mentions She’erah, Naomi Craig does a masterful job of imagining what her life may have been like in her novel, She’erah’s Legacy.

I loved how Craig shows us that family issues that began with Esau and Jacob kept repeating through the generations. How sad that this is so often true even in today’s world, and what consequences it brings to Ephraim’s family as well. Now I am rewriting the story in my head, what-“ifing”: the story might have gone so differently if Manasseh and Ephraim had a better relationship.

She’erah has a highly intelligent mind and a very exacting plan for the towns she builds. Unfortunately, she fails to remember that just as she excels in this area, she equally needs her team who have strengths she doesn’t, and no one needs a micromanager.

Equality. Quite the buzz word all around in this book. Between male and female. Between siblings. Between workers. Between free and slaves. She’erah thinks she practices equality, and does so admirably in some instances. Like most of us, she has a few blind spots that only the Lord can smooth out. Sometimes He uses Lateef, sometimes her brother, but even sometimes those like Aleph who are in opposition against her.

So many scenes to love in this book! One of my faves is when She’erah discovers that she, in fact, decides to make Elohim her personal God. “Speak to me. Let the truth of Your promises penetrate my being. You have been the God of my family, but this day I choose You as my God. “

This novel has it all. Romance, family issues, work issues, equality, psychology, drama and intrigue, plus a ton of Biblical TRUTH for living !

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

Notable Quotables:

“I would ask nothing from you but that you live in wisdom and integrity. That your work ethic is as strong as your wills.”

“The mind doesn’t have any bearing over who the heart will choose.”…“The heart is the plumb line that squares you up to the one your soul chooses, not the mind.”

“He was a plumb line holding her straight and true.”

“Anything the Lord asks of you will have opposition. But if He is in it, all the pain and enduring that happens before you see it come to fruition is put there to reach His end.”

“Look up…Elohim is not dethroned because you took your eyes off Him.”

“The family of Joseph does not succumb to trials.” “When we are hindered, we look up and trust that Elohim is still working His plan. Even if it means we don’t see the results for years upon years.”

“You are still learning something. Sometimes Elohim uses our messed-up areas to show us we need to rely on His greater plans.”

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Magnificent! Loss, Love, Betrayal, and Surrender all wrapped in TRUTH!!

Now I must hurry back and pick up the two books that come before this, Rahab’s Courage and Ezekiel’s Song! Bound to be equally good!!

ARC, BLOG, Favorite, Kindle, Love Inspired Suspense, Purchase

Mountain Abduction Rescue by Darlene Turner Review

July 9, 2023 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Title: Mountain Abduction Rescue

Series: Crisis Rescue Team

Author: Darlene L Turner

Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense

Releases: August 22, 2023

A wildfire threat…

becomes a missing person search.

A serial arsonist is out for revenge in the Canadian Rocky Mountains—and kidnaps park warden Hazel Hoyt’s son and his camping troop. Now Hazel must team up with the man who broke her heart, firefighter Mitchell Booth, to find the missing boys as wildfires blaze around them. But someone has no intention of letting the pair get off the mountain alive…

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

Crisis Rescue Team

Book 1: Fatal Forensic Investigation
Book 2: Explosive Christmas Showdown
Book 3: Mountain Abduction Rescue
Book 4: Buried Grave Secrets

My Impressions

“ ‘God’s got this.’ Did He? It didn’t feel that way.”

Another great rescue story by Darlene L Turner! Why read Mountain Abduction Rescue?

First, The cover. This cover with a purple background, a pit, and a mountain lion at the mouth… Yikes!! Your heart will be beating in double time before you even start this romantic suspense book!

Secondly, Author Darlene Turner is known as “Turn a Page Turner” because of her constant, electrifying action. Terrified and helpless describes the feelings I had much of the time reading Mountain Abduction Rescue! A firebug is setting fires all over Micmore National Park, killing trees, wildlife, and people. But his sights are set on one particular, hapless family.

Thirdly, Familiar characters. With Micmore National Park (Alberta, CA) Warden Hazel Hoyt and

Wildfire Unit leader Mitchell “Boomer” Booth, we have characters we have previously met, whose carefully reconstructed lives are now unraveling. While Hazel chafes under the extreme gruffness of her father-boss, Mitchell deals with the loss of family relationships and a hostile boss.

Fourthly, Familiar situation. While there may not be serial firebugs and arsonists in the northern Rocky Mountains, few Canadians or Americans are untouched by the wildfires. I find that this story actually brings hope that the courageous firefighters battling the real-life blazes will be successful!

My heart was in my mouth as I waited to see if Hazel and Mitchell would be able to rescue her 8 yr-old-boy, Jackson, and his friends. Also, so much past to overcome both in family relationships and in romantic ties. Will there be a romance for Hazel and Mitchell? Will they survive to consider it? I saw part of the ending coming, but part took me by complete surprise.

While Frank, Hazel’s father, takes pride in training her and Jackson about survival, it isn’t his stern words that help her when she is desperate. It is the soft admonition of her mother: “Whenever your strength is gone, look to your Father. The One who holds you in the palm of His hands. He’ll provide endurance. Trust Him. Trust in yourself.”

I also loved that though Mitchell seems unable to turn to God, God uses him and his late mother’s faith nuggets to build up Hazel. “When you don’t know what to say, be silent. Just be present. Listen and pray for guidance.” Indeed, God’s Word does not return void!

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

Notable Quotables:

“In order to move forward in life, you need to look back at your troubles and deal with them. It’s then you will find peace.”

“I’m no expert on God, but I remember my mom saying once that sometimes we may not understand His silence, but He will answer. In His timing.” “But what if I don’t like the answer?” “Then He will give you the strength to endure the storm.”

“I’ve learned throughout the storms in life that God doesn’t give us more than we can handle. He’s right there with us in the thunder. We just need to look to the horizon.”

My Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Magnificent! I was very, very nervous by the time I finished this book! I didn’t have to imagine the Canadian wildfire smoke, either! ( We could see and smell the real thing!)

ARC, BLOG, Kindle, Love Inspired Suspense, Purchase

Alaskan Avalanche Escape by Darlene L Turner

February 14, 2023 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Title: Alaskan Avalanche Escape

Author: Darlene L Turner

Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense

Print Length: 239 pages

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release: February 21, 2023

Chewie is too tired from all the excitement of reading Alaskan Avalanche Escape to attempt any escape OR rescue!! Yikes!!

Sabotage in the mountains…

Can this K-9 sniff out the truth?

After surviving a sudden avalanche, mountain survival expert Jayla Hoyt and her search-and-rescue K-9 discover that it was no accident—someone deliberately triggered the mountain explosion. To uncover the culprit, she’ll have to partner with Alaska park ranger Bryson Clarke, a man she doesn’t trust. But when the investigators become targets, can they capture the criminal mastermind…before they’re buried alive?

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

K-9 Search and Rescue

Book 1: Desert Rescue by Lisa Phillips
Book 2: Trailing a Killer by Carol J. Post
Book 3: Mountain Survival by Christy Barritt
Book 4: Search and Defend by Heather Woodhaven
Book 5: Following the Trail by Lynette Eason
Book 6: Dangerous Mountain Rescue by Christy Barritt
Book 7: Wilderness Hunt by Lisa Phillips
Book 8: Alaskan Mountain Search by Sarah Varland
Book 9: Alaskan Avalanche Escape by Darlene L. Turner

My Impressions

Darlene L Turner starts Alaskan Avalanche Escape with a heart-stopping mountain tragedy and the action never lets up from that moment on. If you’re a fan of search and rescue dogs, the Alaskan wilderness, and romantic suspense, you’ll want to grab up this book!

When mountain survival expert Jayla Hoyt’s team loses an important member,

the ranger sent to help her is one she considers useless.

Slowly we see why Bryson Clarke has a failure in his past, and how hard he works to earn both Jayla’s trust and that of his earthly father. Yet, he needs to turn over his one paralyzing fear to his Heavenly Father and trust Him to get out of some very bad situations.

“He was tired of trying to redeem himself to everyone around him, including his father.”

We also see the failure in Jayla’s past, as well as a couple of very traumatizing events that are sure to haunt her for life if left undealt with. Will Jayla find the strength to face her past, while trying to keep herself and her team alive?

While I started out liking Jayla much more than Bryson because of her distrust of him, I ended up liking Bryson much better by the end of the novel. Both Jayla and Bryson work through their issues and discover they need help beyond themselves. Bryson is able to make great headway on repairing several human relationships. Yet, at the end of the novel, it seems to me Jayla values her dog’s life equally as much as a human life. Maybe that’s because of the close connection between a SAR officer and her dog.

Turner includes a lot of great themes in her novel. Guilt, fear, surrender, trust, facing our fears, and forgiveness are all displayed. A recommended read with a warm blanket and a dog!

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

Notable Quotables:

“What did I do to deserve this? It’s all my fault.”

“She worked hard at redeeming herself for those mistakes, but had failed miserably. Redemption is not your job.”

“A shiver flowed through his body—not from the cold but a wave of peace. God’s reassurance that He was there with him. No matter what happened.”

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Great!! I always get a Darlene L Turner book! I know I won’t be disappointed!!

About the Author

Darlene L. Turner is an award-winning author and lives with her husband, Jeff in Ontario, Canada. Her love of suspense began when she read her first Nancy Drew book. She’s turned that passion into her writing and believes readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message. You can connect with Darlene at http://www.darlenelturner.com where there’s suspense beyond borders.

BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Kindle, New-to-Me Author

The Master’s Inn by Deb Gorman Review and Giveaway

February 1, 2023February 1, 2023 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: The Master’s Inn

Author: Deb Gorman

Genre:Christian Fiction

Release date: October 15, 2022

A novel of human brokenness and God’s still-unfolding drama of redemption.

When two dysfunctional and wounded families wind up unexpectedly at the remote Master’s Inn during a December snowstorm, it’s up to owners Tom and Barb Masters to help—except they’re dealing with their own bitter issues. As the winter snowfall confines them, the three families find themselves coping with their crippled relationships and hard emotions . . . and sometimes tearing one another down in the process.

But when a secret is inadvertently revealed and a rebellious teenage girl takes off into the storm, chaos descends. Will they be tossed into more heartbreak, or will the crisis draw them together against a common enemy?

With a forest in Washington State as the backdrop, join the Masters’ at their B&B as they strive to show Christ’s love to all who cross their threshold . . . even when it threatens their own sanity and safety.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Deb Gorman, owner of Debo Publishing, was born and reared in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. She still lives in her hometown with her husband, Alan, and their very smart German Shepherd, Hoka.

Deb is a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, cleverly disguised as a wife, mom, grandmom, and author.

Her purpose is to connect with God’s most beautiful and clever creation, the human family, using the literary talent and imagination God gave her.

Her prayer is that as she journeys together with you, we will discover encouragement and redemption in our most important relationships.

Connect with Deb at https://debggorman.comwhere you will find her blog posts and information about her books, both published and forthcoming.

More from Deb

One Sunday morning in 2012, I listened to our pastor give one of his excellent sermons.

I don’t remember what he said to spark this idea, but I grabbed my church bulletin and began scribbling furiously. By the time the service ended I had a rough outline, character sketches, and the opening scene written. And the title—The Master’s Inn. Some details, of course, changed over the years, but the title stayed the same.

The Master’s Inn was first birthed as a ninety minute play, which my church produced over one weekend in December of 2013. I wrote the play and directed it. I had an excellent cast of characters, plenty of folks lending a hand from technical details to the dinner we hosted for our guests. It was truly a team effort.

The Master’s Inn play was the first serious effort I’d ever made at writing. After it’s success, I began thinking about writing a book. Now, ten years later, I’ve written three creative non-fiction, devotional-style books and contributed to a Chicken Soup for the Soul volume.

During the process of publishing those first three books, the characters from The Master’s Inn pestered me day and night to put them in a novel. Who was I to argue?

And so, those characters got what they wanted. They are no longer confined to ninety minutes and one weekend of publicity. They’re now out there for the whole world to see.

The Master’s Inn is a novel of human brokenness and God’s still-unfolding drama of redemption . . .

When two dysfunctional and wounded families wind up unexpectedly at the remote Master’s Inn during a December snowstorm, it’s up to owners Tom and Barb Masters to help—except they’re dealing with their bitter issues. As the winter snowfall confines them, the three families find themselves coping with their crippled relationships and hard emotions . . . and sometimes tearing one another down in the process.

With a forest in Washington State as the backdrop, join the Masters at their B&B as they strive to show Christ’s love to all who cross their threshold—even when it threatens their own sanity and safety.

My Impressions

“Some things just don’t go away . . . they hid in the darkest corners of the mind, waiting for an opportunity.”

If there could be one quote that might sum up the root of the problems the three couples/ families suffer in The Master’s Inn by Deb Gorman, this would be it. That, coupled with Barb’s observation about the Masters’s marriage, but still true about all three families:

“We’ve torn our house down with our own hands and left it in ruins.”

An unexpected blizzard traps three desperately needy families together. Will the storm outside the inn destroy them, or the eruptions within?

This was a difficult read for me. A belligerent, difficult teen; an emotionally unbalanced, failing family; PTSD from war; two other couples whose pasts threaten their ability to live in harmony and peace. This novel is very true-to-life. Will the characters decide to grow from their experiences and to trust God, or will they remain stuck in their bitterness and downward spirals, shaking their fists at God?

What really impressed me was how flawed and imperfect these characters were, yet God used them to chip away at the imperfections of each other and smooth out the way for each to follow Him in a closer way.

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

Notable Quotables:

“We think our children are our own, and then something like this happens and we realize they aren’t—they belong to God.”

“Grandpa said that’s how life is sometimes—the best path is often the hardest.”

“Hope, indeed, was the only thing that could slay fear.”