Until I Knew You ~ A Review & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Until I Knew You

Author: Tanya Eavenson

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

Release Date: April 21, 2026

Photographer Jacob Michaels has spent his life running, from foster homes, from emotional attachment, from anything that asks more of him than a fleeting moment through his camera lens, except for Clay Logan, his one true friend and the only person who ever saw past the walls.

Olivia Logan lives in a world of color and quiet, expressing through art what words cannot, and Clay understood her without explanation, offering a steady presence in a world that often feels overwhelming.

But when a hiking trip ends in tragedy and Jacob returns alone, everything changes, and Clay’s final request becomes Jacob’s new reality: take care of Olivia, protect her, don’t walk away.

Now her legal trustee, Jacob steps into a life he never intended. Bound by grief and a promise neither asked for, he and Olivia are drawn into a fragile closeness they don’t know how to navigate.

And perhaps God isn’t finished mending what was never meant to be broken.

Click here to get your copy!

Until I Knew You by Tanay Eavenson is a Contemporary Christian Romance.

Some stories stay with me because of their romance or storyline, and others make me think about how God works in the broken places of our lives. This story felt like the latter for me.

Jacob Michaels has spent most of his life running—from foster homes, from emotional attachment, and from anything that might require him to let someone truly into his life. His camera allows him to observe the world without becoming part of it. The one exception is Clay Logan, his best friend and the person who sees beyond Jacob’s carefully built walls.

So when a hiking trip ends in tragedy, and Jacob returns alone, he is left grieving Clay and carrying the weight of his final request: take care of Olivia.

Olivia is grieving, too. She experiences the world through color and expresses what she can’t always put into words through her art. Clay understood her and gave her a sense of security. Now Jacob suddenly finds himself responsible for a woman he never expected to have in his life.

This is where I really connected with the story.

Jacob doesn’t want this new responsibility, but it’s not because he doesn’t care. Caring is exactly what scares him. He has spent years keeping people at a safe distance, and now he is being asked to stay, make a commitment, and open his heart.

I appreciated that Jacob’s transformation doesn’t happen overnight. He has to work through grief, fear, and the habits he’s developed over a lifetime. Watching those walls slowly come down felt much more believable—and much more meaningful—than an instant change would have been.

I also appreciated Olivia’s character. She isn’t simply someone Jacob needs to protect. She has her own strengths, her own way of seeing the world, and her own grief to navigate. I liked watching their relationship develop as they learned to trust one another.

The faith element is what gave the story an added depth for me. I found myself thinking about how God can use circumstances we never would have chosen to accomplish something we never could have anticipated. The pain doesn’t disappear, and neither Jacob nor Olivia gets an easy path forward, but there is hope in knowing that God can bring healing even through heartbreak.

Jacob thought he was keeping a promise to his best friend. Yet that promise becomes the beginning of something much bigger—a chance to learn about love, trust, vulnerability, and what it means to stop running.

I came away from this story reminded that God doesn’t waste our broken places. He can use unexpected people and unexpected circumstances to bring healing and purpose into our lives.

For me, this is a heartfelt story about grief, healing, trust, and unexpected love, with a beautiful reminder that God may be doing some of His deepest work in the moments we least understand.

Sometimes the path we never would have chosen is the one God uses to lead us exactly where we need to be.

So if you enjoy Christian Contemporary romances, check out Until I Knew You by Tanay Eavenson.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

About the Author

Tanya Eavenson is an award-winning Christian romance novelist who writes heartfelt stories of love, faith, and second chances.  To date, she has written thirteen fictions novels and seven craft books for new writers. Her historical romance The Rescue, from the All Roads Lead to Texas series, won the 2018 Cascade Award, and the series has gone on to be a finalist for several awards.

When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with family or curling up on the couch with a cup of coffee, chocolate, and a good book.

More from Tanya

“If you have met one person with autism, you have met one person with autism.”

Some stories come from imagination . . . and others feel gently placed on your heart for a reason. Until I Knew You is one of those stories.

At its heart, this is a story about grief, love, and healing, but also about the quiet ways God works in our lives, even when we do not fully understand what He is doing. Jacob and Olivia’s journey was never meant to be easy, but it was always meant to lead somewhere meaningful.

Olivia was a character I approached with a lot of care. I truly wanted to do this right. Along the way, I had the privilege of speaking with several people who have worked closely with autistic children and adults. They were so generous with their time, answering my questions and sharing their experiences, and I am incredibly grateful.

“If you have met one person with autism, you have met one person with autism.” Patricia’s words stayed with me and shaped how I wrote Olivia. Every individual is unique, and it was important to me that Olivia reflect her own voice, her own experiences, and her own way of seeing the world.

There is a moment in this story where Olivia observes a black widow, something many would fear or turn away from, but she sees beyond that fear and recognizes that even it was created with purpose. Not random or a mistake. That realization reflects something deeper woven throughout this story, that each of us, no matter how we are seen or misunderstood, was created with intention and for a purpose.

I wrote this story to the best of my knowledge and ability, with respect, care, and a genuine desire to honor both the beauty and the challenges within it. My hope and my prayer is that you not only enjoy this story, but that you also find something meaningful within its pages.

Here’s a short excerpt.

Olivia

It happened so fast. … Clay didn’t make it. … Clay is dead.

I could still feel the heat of Jacob’s breath against my face, his nearness burning my skin. I wanted to scream, How dare you! Leave me be! But his words rushed through me, painfully churning their way through my heart, touching the deepest parts of my innermost being, and I felt them there for a moment, but it was the fear of being without Clay that clenched my throat.

I struggled to make sense of it all, to breathe, and by some miraculous power I’d been able to hold myself upright, but the moment Ellie made Jacob leave the house, my knees buckled, and I hit the floor so hard pain radiated up my right side.

I gasped. The air forced into my lungs caused my body to crave more. The pressure in my chest grew. Please, Lord. I can’t. Breathe.

It happened so fast.

Clay didn’t make it.

Clay is dead.

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, September 2 (Author Interview)

Books Less Travelled, September 3

Artistic Nobody, September 4 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, September 5

Guild Master, September 6 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, September 7

Fiction Book Lover, September 8 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 9

Pause for Tales, September 9

The Bookish Ledger, September 10 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, September 11

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, September 12 (Author Interview)

Cover Lover Book Review, September 13

The Quiet Bookmark, September 14 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 14

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 15

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Tanya is giving away the grand prize of a $45 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/TcQZ8/until-i-knew-you-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Bible Companion Book 9 Hosea–Malachi The Minor Prophets ~ A Review & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: The Bible Companion Book 9 Hosea–Malachi The Minor Prophets

Author: Karen Westbrook Moderow

Genre: Non-fiction, Bible Study

Release Date: February 19, 2026

Are you overwhelmed by the evil and suffering around you?

In the time of the Minor Prophets, evil seduces and overpowers God’s people. The Bible Companion Book 9 Hosea–Malachi tracks what happens and why. A simple one-chapter-a-day format lets you engage with Scripture without the pressure of schedules, homework, or heavy reading loads. Short daily readings and thought-provoking questions connect your story to God’s Word. For personal, group, or homeschool Bible study.

As God’s disobedient people race toward destruction, the prophets do all they can to stop them. The sins and problems they address still plague us today. But their visions of a day when God deals with Satan and makes all things new gives us hope. Evil is a reality we cannot escape apart from God’s grace. If we have drifted, the prophets show us the way back. If we are holding to the Lord, they show us how to endure dark times with optimism and purpose.

Click here to get your copy!

The Bible Companion Book 9: Hosea–Malachi, The Minor Prophets by Karen Westbrook Moderow continues The Bible Companion series. It is a Bible Study work.

Sometimes it is hard not to feel overwhelmed by everything happening in the world. Evil, suffering, injustice, and uncertainty seem to be everywhere. Reading through the Minor Prophets reminded me that these struggles are not new. God’s people faced many of the same issues thousands of years ago.

The Bible Companion Book 9: Hosea–Malachi offers a simple way to study these often-overlooked books of the Bible. The one-chapter-a-day format makes it easy to spend time in Scripture without feeling like you have added another overwhelming task to your day. There are no complicated schedules or piles of homework. Instead, each short reading is followed by thought-provoking questions that encourage you to consider what God is saying and how His Word connects to your own life.

What I especially appreciated is how relevant these ancient messages still are.

The prophets spoke to people who had turned away from God and were heading toward destruction. They warned them about the consequences of their choices while continually calling them back to the Lord. Their struggles with disobedience, misplaced priorities, injustice, and sin are issues we still see today.

But this study isn’t simply about judgment.

There is also a beautiful message of hope woven throughout the Minor Prophets. Even when God’s people were unfaithful, God remained faithful. The prophets pointed toward a time when God would ultimately deal with evil and make all things new. That reminder feels especially meaningful when the world around us seems so dark.

I also found encouragement in the reminder that there is always a way back to God. If we have wandered, He calls us to return. And if we are trying to remain faithful in difficult circumstances, the prophets remind us to keep going with hope and purpose.

That is one of the things I appreciate most about this Bible study. It doesn’t ignore the reality of evil, but it also doesn’t leave us without hope. Instead, it continually points us back to God and His grace.

The Bible Companion Book 9: Hosea–Malachi would be a great resource for personal study, a small group, or homeschool Bible study. Its straightforward format makes it approachable, while the questions encourage you to go beyond simply reading the words and really think about how Scripture applies to your life.

The Minor Prophets may not always be the first books we turn to when we need encouragement, but there is so much here for us. They remind us that God sees the darkness, calls us back when we wander, and gives us the strength to persevere when times are difficult.

Evil is real, but it doesn’t have the final word. God’s grace, faithfulness, and promise of restoration give us a reason to keep looking to Him—even when the world feels incredibly dark.

So if you are looking for a Bible Study, check out The Bible Companion Book 9: Hosea–Malachi, The Minor Prophets by Karen Westbrook Moderow along with the rest of The Bible Companion series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

About the Author

KAREN WESTBROOK MODEROW is a Bible teacher and author who brings a storyteller’s perspective to Scripture. She holds master’s degrees in theology and creative writing and loves introducing others to Jesus through the stories told in God’s Word.

More from Karen

Throwing Jonah Overboard

Jonah is a minor prophet with a big story. The tale of a runaway prophet who is swallowed by a big fish is the perfect analogy for many of life’s upsetting circumstances like the one my minister friend is experiencing.

He had to report his boss for ongoing unethical behavior. The church leaders listened and are now verifying facts, a process that could take weeks. In the meantime, the board asked my friend to stay in his role and submit to his boss with kindness and respect while they decide how to proceed. Because he loves the Lord, the church, and its leaders, he wants to comply. Yet he feels like he’s been thrown overboard. How can he maintain a good attitude while working daily under someone who has hurt him and the ministry so deeply?

I immediately thought of Jonah. God commanded him to go Nineveh and warn people of coming judgment. Jonah did not want to go. For good reason. The Ninevites had raped, pillaged, and burned their way through his home territory multiple times. So, instead of obeying, Jonah boards a ship heading the opposite direction. But the Lord sends a violent storm that threatens to sink the ship. When the crew cast lots to see who brought this calamity on them, the lot falls on Jonah. He tells them to throw him overboard and they will be saved. Not wanting to take a life, the sailors delay but ultimately toss him into the sea.

We may identify with Jonah if our choices have put others at risk. Or perhaps we’ve felt like the sailors, caught in the consequences of someone else’s action. In my friend’s case, his courageous decision to speak up intensified a storm already brewing. Now he bears the brunt of it.

Storms take us to the depths. The discomfort of tense relationships can feel as confining and foul as the belly of a whale. But Jonah’s story gives us a needed perspective. The crisis was never just about the prophet. As the pagan crew wrestled with fear and guilt, God was working in their hearts. After He calmed the sea, they offered sacrifices and made vows to Him. Jonah’s crisis led to their salvation and proved a major theme of Scripture—God is in control.

In the book of Jonah, God doesn’t reveal truth through the words of the prophet but through the man’s pitiful example. His life is a mirror. We see his rebellion, his anger, his submission (of sorts), his obedience (of sorts), and see ourselves. The contrast between us and Jesus couldn’t be sharper. The Father sent His Son into enemy territory too, but Jesus didn’t run. He loved us. Died for us. Saved us. And now He calls us—just as he called Jonah—to rescue others.

We are God’s messengers and He will reveal Himself through us one way or another. So we should not be surprised to find ourselves in situations where our survival depends on Him. Being thrown overboard does not mean abandonment. It’s the opposite. Whether we jump or are tossed in by others, we fall into the hands of the living God. Jonah 1:17 says, “Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah.” That fish—as scary as he must’ve been to Jonah—saved him from drowning. It’s often the same for us. The dark place looming before us can be our deliverance.

Jesus used the story of Jonah to describe His death and resurrection: “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matt. 12:40). Unlike Christ, Jonah was guilty. Bad choices got him to the point where sacrificing himself was the only way to save his shipmates. To his credit, he went willingly. And at that moment, Jonah became Christ-like—choosing death so others could live.

God’s plan always includes others. In the vortex, they too will make choices that affect their character and eternal destiny. But whether we or those in the boat with us act out of honor, necessity, or maliciousness, God remains Lord of the storm.

As it rages, God may call us to return to the very ones who hurt us and show them the mercy Christ showed us. We may sit in the belly of the whale for a season engulfed in grief or confusion. Yet even that dark space has its blessings. Jonah used his “time out” to confess his need, express gratitude, and commit to obeying the Lord. We can do the same.

One of the many lessons in Jonah is this: God never gives up on us. He will track us to the end of the earth—not only to restores us to Himself but to make us effective messengers. He wants everyone around us to know that Jesus saves, that He is sovereign, and that there is no cause for fear. “Whatever the Lord pleases, He does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps” (Ps. 135:6). Even if life throws us overboard, we are never abandoned. Never adrift. God is in control and our lives are in His hands.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 8

Lots of Helpers, September 9

Girls in White Dresses, September 9

Simple Harvest Reads, September 10 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 11

Texas Book-aholic, September 12

Artistic Nobody, September 13 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 14

She Lives To Read, September 15

Guild Master, September 16 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, September 16

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 17

Fiction Book Lover, September 18 (Author Interview)

Because I said so adventures in parenting, September 19

The Bookish Ledger, September 20 (Author Interview)

Cover Lover Book Review, September 21

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Karen 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/0YRWn/the-bible-companion-book-9-hoseamalachi-celebration-tour-giveaway

Shadowing You ~ A Review & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Shadowing You (The Wright Heroes Book 10)

Author: Robin Patchen

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Release Date: September 8, 2026

When the wife he believed dead calls from China, an ER doctor races to find her before her enemies silence her forever.

Ethan Wright never recovered from the death of his first love.

Six years ago, Mei Lin discovered evidence linking powerful officials to a human trafficking ring. She planned to smuggle the details out of China and join her new husband in America—but COVID sealed the borders before she could escape. Snatched by the men she’d been investigating, she was wrongfully imprisoned while authorities claimed she had died in quarantine. Now, Mei Lin’s sudden release doesn’t mean she’s free.

Ethan will stop at nothing to get his wife out of China, but he has no idea where she is. He must reach out to his estranged father, a former CIA agent who has powerful connections. With his dad’s help, Ethan begins a desperate search. He finally finds Mei Lin, but she refuses to run without the evidence that could expose the conspiracy—and ensure they’re never hunted again.

Reunited after years apart, Ethan and Mei Lin must rediscover the love they thought they’d lost—while staying one step ahead of enemies who will stop at nothing to keep their secrets hidden.

From a USA Today bestselling author… You’ll love this heart-pounding suspense and gripping romance as Ethan and Mei Lin discover that real love is strong enough to survive anything.

Click here to get your copy!

Shadowing You by Robin Patchen is the tenth book in The Wright Heroes series. This Christian Romantic Suspense novel will draw you in and keep you reading.

Imagine believing the love of your life died six years ago—only to receive a phone call telling you she’s alive.

That’s the emotional and suspenseful setup of this gripping story, and it immediately pulled me into Ethan and Mei Lin’s world.

Ethan Wright never truly recovered from the loss of Mei Lin, his first love and wife. Six years earlier, she had been in China trying to uncover evidence connecting powerful officials to a human trafficking ring. She intended to get the information out of the country and reunite with Ethan in America, but COVID changed everything. The borders closed, Mei Lin disappeared, and Ethan was told she had died.

Except she hadn’t.

Mei Lin was actually imprisoned by the very people she had been investigating. Now she has unexpectedly been released, but freedom doesn’t mean she’s safe. When Ethan discovers that his wife is still alive, he refuses to sit back and hope she makes it home. He will do whatever it takes to find her.

That search leads him to the last person he ever expected to ask for help—his estranged father, a former CIA agent with the connections and resources to help track Mei Lin down.

And once Ethan finally finds her, the danger is far from over.

I really enjoyed the way this story blends romance and suspense. There is plenty of action and danger to keep the story moving, but beneath it all is a deeply emotional story about two people who thought they had lost each other forever. After six years apart, Ethan and Mei Lin have to figure out how to reconnect while dealing with everything that has happened to them.

I also appreciated that Mei Lin isn’t simply waiting for Ethan to rescue her. She is strong, determined, and willing to risk everything to get the evidence she uncovered into the right hands. She knows that escaping isn’t enough. If they truly want to be free, they have to make sure the truth comes out.

The suspense kept me wondering what would happen next, and I found myself wanting to know who to trust and whether Ethan and Mei Lin would actually make it out safely. Their reunion adds an especially emotional layer to the story because they aren’t just running from enemies—they’re also trying to reclaim the life and love that was stolen from them.

What makes this story stand out for me is the idea that some love is worth fighting for, no matter how impossible the circumstances may seem. Ethan never stopped loving Mei Lin, and when he discovers she is alive, he doesn’t hesitate to go after her.

If you enjoy romantic suspense with high stakes, dangerous secrets, unexpected twists, and a love story at the heart of it all, this is definitely one to pick up. It’s a fast-paced and emotional story that kept me invested in Ethan and Mei Lin’s journey from beginning to end. Shadowing You by Robin Patchen and the rest of The Wright Heroes series will keep you reading. I definitely recommend reading these books.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

About the Author

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

More from Robin

Saying Goodbye to Shadow Cove

When I typed the last sentence of Shadowing You, the final Wright Heroes of Maine book, I was dehydrated from all the tears I’d shed. These Wrights feel like family to me. I can’t imagine leaving them behind.

From about book five, I knew about Ethan, the son his father kept secret. I didn’t know his plot yet, though. When I met Mei Lin and understood where she’d been for the last six years, I couldn’t wait to share their story.

But first, I want you to get to know Gavin.

The Wright family has two branches. Roger Wright and his wife, Peggy, raised six sons on an apple farm in central Maine. Roger was a physician who never put his work ahead of his children. He was steady and present, the kind of man his boys grew up wanting to be.

His brother Gavin is a different story. He was a CIA officer, gallivanting the world while his wife, Evelyn, raised their five daughters. For most of the girls’ lives, he was distant and guarded, always one assignment away from coming home. Even after he retired from the CIA, he started a business that kept him close to DC—and far from his family in Shadow Cove.

None of those girls knew anything about their father’s son.

Ethan was raised by a single mother in Virginia. Gavin supported them but visited on his own terms. Ethan grew up knowing he was his father’s secret, too shameful to share with Gavin’s real family.

All Ethan ever wanted was a family of his own, which might be the reason that, when his girlfriend finished nursing school and returned home to China, he followed her and proposed. They were married the same week. But after the honeymoon, Ethan had to return to the States, and Mei Lin had to stay in China until her visa came through.

It should have been a matter of weeks, maybe a couple of months at most. But the pandemic hit. And then Mei Lin disappeared. A few months later, Ethan and her parents got word that she’d contracted the disease and died.

But Mei Lin isn’t dead. Six years ago, she uncovered a human trafficking ring and started gathering evidence against the man in charge. She didn’t know he was on to her until she was arrested and thrown into prison. Nobody came to visit her, not her parents, not her brother, and not the husband who’d promised to love her forever. A few years into her imprisonment, she lost hope that she’d ever be freed. And then, after six torturous years, she was released—just like that.

She might be out of prison, but her enemy can’t let her escape from China. Mei Lin calls the husband who left her to rot, not asking—or expecting—anything from him except some money to help her get to safety.

She certainly doesn’t expect him to fly around the world to find her.

But Ethan hasn’t forgotten Mei Lin. Now that he knows she’s alive, he’ll do everything in his power to get her to safety, including rushing into a country he barely understands. And reaching out to the father he rarely speaks to.

But Gavin isn’t the only one who jumps in to help Ethan and Mei Lin escape China. I won’t spoil it for you, but I know you’ll enjoy seeing some old friends in this story.

Thanks for spending your valuable time in Shadow Cove. Enjoy one last story before you move on to your next destination.

As for me, I’ll be just up the coast in Briar Bay, Maine, where three castaway children…

Well, we’ll talk about that one next time.

Blog Stops

Book Looks by Lisa, September 9

lakesidelivingsite, September 9

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 10

Texas Book-aholic, September 11

For Him and My Family, September 12

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 13

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, September 14

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 15

Blossoms and Blessings, September 16

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 17

Mary Hake, September 17

Holly’s Book Corner, September 18

Cover Lover Book Review, September 19

Pause for Tales, September 20

Devoted To Hope, September 21

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, September 22

Giveaway

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

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

https://gleam.io/VphI6/shadowing-you-celebration-tour-giveaway

Routed to Heaven ~ A Review & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Routed to Heaven: How Near-Death Experiences, Afterlife Testimonies And Heavenly Insights Can Help You Live With Intention

Author: Julie Bonn Blank

Genre: NF (Memoir, Devo, Christian Living)

Release Date: February 21, 2026

Book PB Covers (12.878 x 9.25 in) – ROUTED PB 12.878 KDP

What happens when Heaven doesn’t just reveal itself—but sends you back with a mission?

In Routed to Heaven, Julie Bonn Blank shares the moments that changed everything: a sudden medical crisis, clinical death, and a breathtaking encounter with Jesus Himself. Standing in Heaven, overwhelmed by love and beauty beyond words, Julie received a message that would redirect the course of her life: “There is still so much work to be done.”

But this book is far more than one extraordinary near-death or afterlife experience.

Routed to Heaven weaves together over twenty additional powerful testimonies from people who briefly crossed into eternity—children healed after death, abuse survivors guided by the Holy Spirit, one person sent back to earth for a do-over, and believers who stood at Heaven’s gates and returned forever changed. These stories affirm what so many long for in uncertain times: Heaven is real. God is near. And our lives matter more than we realize.

What sets this book apart is its purpose.

Each testimony is paired with Julie’s honest, compassionate reflections that address the real-life obstacles keeping believers from living with eternal focus—fear, grief, trauma, unforgiveness, mental health struggles, waiting on God, spiritual warfare, and more. With wisdom shaped by personal suffering and years of ministry, Julie doesn’t just inspire—she equips.

At the heart of the book is what she calls the Heaven-Minded Mission Manifesto—a practical framework designed to help readers stop sleepwalking through life and begin living with bold Kingdom intention. Through prayer, worship, gratitude, belief, and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, readers are invited to move from survival to activated faith.

With thoughtful Pause & Ponder sections at the end of each chapter, Routed to Heaven becomes more than a book—it becomes a journey of awakening. For those who want to go deeper, the Companion Study Guide expands on these reflections with guided questions, scripture exploration, and practical exercises—making it ideal for personal growth, small groups, or church studies.

If you’ve ever wondered whether Heaven is real…

If you’ve questioned whether your life has greater purpose…

If you’re longing for hope, healing, or renewed fire for God…

This book—and its companion guide—are your invitation.

Heaven is watching. The time is short. And your mission matters.

Click here to get your copy!

Routed to Heaven: How Near-Death Experiences, Afterlife Testimonies And Heavenly Insights Can Help You Live With Intention by Julie Bonn Blank combines Memoir, Devotional, and Christian Living into a book worth reading.

In Routed to Heaven, Julie Bonn Blank shares the moments that changed everything: a sudden medical crisis, clinical death, and a breathtaking encounter with Jesus Himself. Standing in Heaven, overwhelmed by love and beauty beyond words, Julie received a message that would redirect the course of her life: “There is still so much work to be done.”

But this book is far more than one extraordinary near-death or afterlife experience.

Routed to Heaven weaves together over twenty additional powerful testimonies from people who briefly crossed into eternity—children healed after death, abuse survivors guided by the Holy Spirit, one person sent back to earth for a do-over, and believers who stood at Heaven’s gates and returned forever changed. These stories affirm what so many long for in uncertain times: Heaven is real. God is near. And our lives matter more than we realize.

What sets this book apart is its purpose.

Each testimony is paired with Julie’s honest, compassionate reflections that address the real-life obstacles keeping believers from living with eternal focus—fear, grief, trauma, unforgiveness, mental health struggles, waiting on God, spiritual warfare, and more. With wisdom shaped by personal suffering and years of ministry, Julie doesn’t just inspire—she equips.

At the heart of the book is what she calls the Heaven-Minded Mission Manifesto—a practical framework designed to help readers stop sleepwalking through life and begin living with bold Kingdom intention. Through prayer, worship, gratitude, belief, and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, readers are invited to move from survival to activated faith.

With thoughtful Pause & Ponder sections at the end of each chapter, Routed to Heaven becomes more than a book—it becomes a journey of awakening. For those who want to go deeper, the Companion Study Guide expands on these reflections with guided questions, scripture exploration, and practical exercises—making it ideal for personal growth, small groups, or church studies.

If you’ve ever wondered whether Heaven is real…

If you’ve questioned whether your life has greater purpose…

If you’re longing for hope, healing, or renewed fire for God…

This book—and its companion guide—are your invitation.

Heaven is watching. The time is short. And your mission matters.

So if you are looking for a book that combines a memoir and devotional with Christian living, check out Routed to Heaven: How Near-Death Experiences, Afterlife Testimonies, and Heavenly Insights Can Help You Live With Intention by Julie Bonn Blank.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

About the Author

Julie Bonn Blank is the Bestselling Amazon author of Routed to Heaven: How Near-Death Experiences, Afterlife Testimonies And Heavenly Insights Can Help You Live With Intention

and a fiction suspense series which highlights healing from human trafficking. She is a sought-after speaker, certified domestic violence advocate, near-death experience survivor, and founder of the advanced, faith-based interactive trauma recovery program Broken Souls Restored—a résumé she never planned on assembling, but the plot kept thickening and life hit “publish” anyway.

More from Julie

When Julie returned from visiting heaven in August of 2024, she received a list of three things (to apparently start a list of many more lol) and one of those was to gather the stories and write “Routed to Heaven.” She was shocked to discover that while she was exuberant about her heavenly trip and couldn’t wait to share more, many others had experienced visits over the years and became hesitant to talk about their journeys due to misbelief or even put-downs from other people. But the Lord had placed within her heart that not only was it her job to round them up and get them into paper format, but to build a community. And that community had a special role on earth as well as upcoming in Heaven. She began many conversations with, “Hey I went to Heaven and I hear you might have had an experience too.” Even then, sometimes people hesitated. She found cases of “Well, your heart actually stopped and I don’t think mine did so mine was just a vision” or “I barely remember any of mine …” Over time, she was honored to help over twenty people write their stories for their inclusion in “Routed to Heaven.” People now seek her out specifically at times to tell their stories and she also finds people with stories in some interesting places, including funerals and grocery stores. You just never know! But there are many more stories out there and she continues to gather them for book 2, as well as for other purposes.

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, September 4 (Author Interview)

Girls in White Dresses, September 4

Artistic Nobody, September 5 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, September 6 (Author Interview)

Fiction Book Lover, September 7 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 7

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 8

The Bookish Ledger, September 9 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, September 10 (Author Interview)

For the Love of Literature, September 11 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 12

Tell Tale Book Reviews, September 13 (Author Interview)

Blossoms and Blessings, September 14 (Author Interview)

Stories By Gina, September 15 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, September 16

Cover Lover Book Review, September 17

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Julie is giving away five books by Julie Bonn Blank and a Starbucks 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/6H1bQ/routed-to-heaven-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Reluctant Healer of Halifax ~ A Review & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: The Reluctant Healer of Halifax

Author: Terrie Todd

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Release Date: August, 2026

Her Family, Her Home, Her Future—All Leveled in One Thunderous Explosion

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

Three days ago, Pearline Campbell’s family was whole, and Oliver Hamilton still loved her. But upon returning to Halifax disfigured and shellshocked, Oliver ended their relationship. Then came Thursday, December 6, 1917, when the Halifax harbor was leveled by a tremendous explosion. . .and Pearline fears nothing will ever be whole again. Her parents are dead, her brother is missing, and her sister refuses to speak. Pearline must fortify herself to open her home to needy orphans, including an unidentified baby. Where can she find the strength for each new day as misery grips the city?

Click here to get your copy!

The Reluctant Healer of Halifax by Terrie Todd is a Christian Historical Romance.

When Life Is Broken, God Is Still Faithful

Every once in a while, I read a book that makes me stop and think about my own faith, and this was one of those stories for me. It’s heartbreaking, emotional, and filled with loss, but underneath all of that is a beautiful reminder that God is still present—even when life feels completely shattered.

Pearline Campbell knows what it means to have her world turned upside down. Just days earlier, her family was whole, and Oliver Hamilton still loved her. But Oliver has returned from war carrying both visible and invisible wounds, and he decides he can no longer be part of Pearline’s life.

Then comes December 6, 1917.

The Halifax Explosion changes everything.

Pearline loses her parents, her brother goes missing, and her sister becomes so overwhelmed by grief that she refuses to speak. And just when Pearline has every reason to retreat into her own sorrow, she finds herself opening her home to children who have been left without families—including a baby whose identity no one knows.

I have to admit, Pearline’s situation pulled at my heart. How do you keep going when you’ve lost so much? How do you care for other people when you’re hurting yourself? And perhaps most importantly, where do you find the strength when you simply don’t have any left?

For me, that is where the faith message of this story really shines.

Pearline doesn’t magically have everything figured out. Her faith doesn’t make the devastation disappear or take away her grief. Instead, we see her learning to take things one day—and sometimes one moment—at a time. There is something incredibly relatable about that. I think most of us have experienced seasons when we couldn’t see how everything was going to work out. We simply had to trust God with the next step.

That’s what I saw in Pearline.

She may not know what tomorrow holds, but she keeps putting one foot in front of the other.

I also found Oliver’s story particularly touching. His wounds from the war are much deeper than the scars others can see, and his struggle is a reminder that we don’t always know what someone else is carrying. His journey toward healing adds another meaningful layer to the story and reinforces the idea that God cares about the broken places in our lives—even the ones we try to hide.

What I loved most was seeing how hope begins to appear in the middle of tragedy. Not in huge, dramatic ways, but through small acts of compassion, sacrificial love, and people choosing to care for one another when they are hurting too.

That felt very real to me.

Sometimes we look for God to fix everything at once. But so often, He meets us right where we are and gives us just enough strength for the day in front of us. He reminds us that we aren’t carrying our burdens alone.

This story left me thinking about how God can take circumstances that seem hopeless and bring purpose from them. He doesn’t erase the scars or pretend the pain didn’t happen. Instead, He can use even our broken places to create something beautiful.

And I think that’s what makes this story so memorable.

It isn’t just about a devastating event in history. It’s about people trying to rebuild their lives when everything familiar has been taken from them. It’s about love that survives hardship, healing that takes time, and faith that holds on even when answers don’t come easily.

Most of all, it’s a reminder I needed: God is still faithful when our lives don’t look anything like we expected.

If you enjoy Christian historical fiction with an emotional romance, compelling characters, a fascinating historical setting, and a faith message woven naturally throughout the story, I think you’ll find plenty to appreciate here.

Bring your tissues—and be prepared to be reminded that even in the darkest seasons, God is never absent

So if you enjoy Christian historical romances, check out The Reluctant Healer of Halifax by Terrie Todd.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

About the Author

Terrie Todd is a Canadian author of nine historical and split-time novels and one nonfiction book. Her work has earned numerous Word Awards from The Word Guild, the 2018 Janette Oke Award from Inscribe Christian Writers Fellowship, and the 2022 Braun Book Award. She is also a Carol Award Finalist. From 2010-2024, she wrote a weekly “Faith and Humor” column for her hometown newspaper, and since 2021, a monthly column for the Heroes, Heroines, and History blog. Terrie lives with her husband, Jon, in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, where they raised their three children. They are grandparents to five boys.

More from Terrie

It wasn’t until I was interviewing a friend for a newspaper column that the Halifax Explosion of 1917 began to interest me. My friend, Gene, had gone blind from macular degeneration, and I wanted to write a series of columns about what it was like for him to lose his sight and now live with blindness. One of the books Gene mentioned as having inspired him was the true story of Eric Davidson. At the time of the explosion, Eric was a toddler, playing with his toy car on a windowsill in his Halifax home. The glass exploded, permanently blinding Eric. The north end of Halifax was destroyed, and roughly two thousand residents died. Nine thousand more were wounded, including hundreds blinded or partially blinded by flying glass. The mass blinding helped birth the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB). Eric’s daughter, Marilyn Davidson Elliott, wrote the book The Blind Mechanic about her father.

I found Eric’s story fascinating. When given the opportunity to try for a spot in Barbour’s series of books about historical disasters, I decided to write one about the Halifax explosion. The more I researched, the more I wondered why we didn’t learn about this in school, and the harder it was to imagine the devastation that the city and its people survived. This was during a world war and only five years after being highly involved in the recovery of the Titanic’s victims and survivors, a disaster that helped prepare them for this one. Story after story, many revealing the incredible determination of the stalwart people of Nova Scotia and the Bostonians who came to their aid, moved me to tears. It was difficult to choose which experiences to borrow for my characters. I was thrilled to visit Halifax in 2025, a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

Naturally, the book includes some blind and partially blind characters. I so appreciate the input from my two blind beta readers, Alexandra Banwell and Leanne Merren. One of my favorite things to do with each book I launch is to choose a charity to which I give a portion of the proceeds from my local book launch. For this book, I’ve chosen the CNIB’s Guide Dog program.

Although my book never became a part of that series, Barbour decided it would be a good fit for their “Enduring Hope” series. The rest is, literally, history. I’m thrilled to be part of this series and have enjoyed the first five immensely. I hope you read them all!

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, August 26

Devoted Steps, August 26

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 27

Texas Book-aholic, August 28

Pause for Tales, August 29

For Him and My Family, August 29

Life on Chickadee Lane, August 30

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 31

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 1

Books You Can Feel Good About, September 2

Connie’s History Classroom, September 3

Cover Lover Book Review, September 4

Sydney Schmied Books, September 5

Mary Hake, September 5

Blossoms and Blessings , September 6

The Bookish Pilgrim, September 7

Devoted to Hope, September 7

Holly’s Book Corner, September 8

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Terrie 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/9yOdf/the-reluctant-healer-of-halifax-celebration-tour-giveaway

A Contrary Betrothal ~ A Review & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: A Contrary Betrothal

Author: Denise Farnsworth writing as Denise Weimer

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: August 18, 2026

A Cherokee lieutenant, a colonel’s daughter, and a desperate fight to protect both land and love.

Sam Hicks may be the educated son of a Cherokee chief, but his command of multiple languages and diplomatic skills can’t erase the prejudice he faces as a mixed-blood warrior. When he’s tasked with guarding Colonel Moore’s spirited daughter, Susanna, at a wilderness fort, he never expects to lose his heart to a woman he can never have.

Susanna Moore dreams of making her own way on the frontier like her Cherokee stepmother. The last thing she wants is an arranged marriage to the fort’s stuffy doctor—especially after she meets the noble and intelligent Sam Hicks. When she’s captured by a turncoat warrior during a Creek uprising, Sam risks everything to save her.

Their shared values and growing love give them hope—but with the Creek War raging and cultural pressures mounting, can a Cherokee lieutenant and a colonel’s daughter overcome the loyalties and prejudices set against them?

Click here to get your copy!

A Contrary Betrothal by Denise Farnsworth, writing as Denise Weimer, is a Christian Historical Romance. Some love stories are complicated. Others seem downright impossible.

That’s what makes this historical romance so captivating. From the moment Sam Hicks and Susanna Moore meet, it’s clear that there are far more obstacles standing between them than simply admitting they care for one another. With cultural expectations, prejudice, family pressures, and a war threatening the frontier, their love is going to be tested in ways neither of them could have imagined.

Sam Hicks immediately caught my attention. He’s intelligent, educated, and skilled at diplomacy, speaking multiple languages and carrying himself with the kind of quiet strength that makes him an easy hero to admire. Yet despite everything he has accomplished, he still faces prejudice because of his mixed heritage. He knows that being a Cherokee lieutenant comes with limitations—and falling in love with a colonel’s daughter is definitely crossing a line society has drawn for him.

Then there’s Susanna.

I loved that Susanna isn’t content to do what everyone expects of her. She dreams of creating a life for herself on the frontier, following the example of her Cherokee stepmother. An arranged marriage to the fort doctor is the last thing she wants, especially once she meets Sam and discovers a man who challenges her expectations in all the best ways.

The connection between Sam and Susanna develops against a backdrop of danger and uncertainty, making their romance all the more compelling. They share values, respect one another, and slowly discover that their feelings are becoming much deeper than either intended. But knowing they love each other doesn’t magically make the obstacles disappear.

In fact, those obstacles become even more dangerous when Susanna is captured during the Creek uprising.

Sam is willing to risk everything to bring her home, and this part of the story adds an exciting layer of adventure to an already engaging romance. With the Creek War raging around them, Sam and Susanna aren’t just fighting for their future together—they’re fighting to survive.

What I especially enjoyed about this story is that the romance isn’t isolated from the historical setting. The cultural tensions and prejudice Sam faces feel like an important part of his character and his journey. At the same time, Susanna’s determination to make her own choices gives her a strength that makes her easy to cheer for.

There’s something satisfying about watching two people who aren’t supposed to be together discover that their shared values and growing love may be stronger than the expectations placed upon them.

If you enjoy Christian historical romance with frontier adventure, strong and independent heroines, honorable heroes, cultural conflict, and a romance that has plenty of obstacles to overcome, this one deserves a place on your reading list.

Sam and Susanna’s story is a reminder that sometimes love requires courage—not just to pursue it, but to stand up for what you believe is right when everyone around you says you shouldn’t.

And honestly, those are the kinds of love stories I find hardest to put down.

So if you enjoy Christian historical romances, check out A Contrary Betrothal by Denise Farnsworth writing as Denise Weimer. I definitely recommend it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

About the Author

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.

More from Denise

The seed idea for A Contrary Betrothal came from another author a number of years ago. She proposed a collection of stories in which the heroes were all Native Americans who served their country in different wars. I still love the idea even though it never came to pass! In fact, I loved it so much, I went ahead and wrote my story. And that story became Bent Tree Bride, first published with Smitten Romance. Now, it’s joining my Scouts of the Georgia Frontier series as book six.

Many people are unaware that the Cherokees fought alongside American troops under Andrew Jackson during the Creek War or Red Stick War, a portion of the War of 1812 that occurred in present-day Alabama. The Creek people were allied to the British, as the Cherokees themselves had been during the American Revolution. The motivation for this was, of course, to keep their land. Their warriors were so valuable to Jackson that they broke the ineffective cannonade on the town of Tohopeka, swimming across the river from behind and making the victory possible that ended the war at Horseshoe Bend.

Sam Hicks, the hero of A Contrary Betrothal, is a mixed-blood Cherokee lieutenant with the head of a scholar and the heart of a warrior. His struggle to intermingle the old ways and the new ways proves reflective of the metamorphosis of his people. Even though he’s been educated as the wealthy son of a chief, he knows his white colonel’s daughter, Susanna Moore, is out of his reach. But when he’s assigned to guard her and her little brother at a wilderness fort, he can no longer deny his attraction to the feisty young woman who’s determined to convince her father she can survive on the frontier as well as her Cherokee stepmother.

A Contrary Betrothal will resonate with readers who enjoy stories by authors like Laura Frantz, Shannon McNear, Michelle Griep, and Lori Benton. The forbidden love and fish out of water tropes create plenty of angst, and the battlefield scenes echo Last of the Mohicans. When people have asked me which of my books would translate well onto the big screen, in fact, this is one I think of. I invite you, dear reader, to be swept away by the action and romance of my final book of the Scouts of the Georgia Frontier.

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, August 25

lakesidelivingsite, August 26

Books, Books, & More Books, August 27 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, August 27

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, August 28

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 29

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 30

Cover Lover Book Review, August 31

Jeanette’s Thoughts , September 1

Books You Can Feel Good About, September 2

Connie’s History Classroom, September 3

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

Blossoms and Blessings, September 5

Life on Chickadee Lane, September 6

Holly’s Book Corner, September 7

Pause for Tales, September 7

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Denise 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/7zfBE/a-contrary-betrothal-celebration-tour-giveaway

Sarah’s Search ~ A Review & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Sarah’s Search

Author: Jodie Wolfe

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: June 30, 2026

All her life, Sarah McBride has gone along with whatever her guardian dictates. Now on the verge of graduating from the Shippensburg State Normal School, she questions her ability to teach in a classroom when her heart isn’t in the profession. What she wouldn’t give to pursue her heart’s desire of becoming a writer instead of following what’s expected. But how can Sarah defy her guardian’s plans?

Everything has been a hardship for Ezekiel Stouffer ever since his wife died giving birth to their second child. The last thing he needs is the responsibility of monitoring the new schoolteacher while still maintaining his farm. But when their paths entangle, he can’t help but notice the way his children respond to her tender concern. After his loss, Zeke doubts he’ll ever search for love again, but maybe friendship is an option.

Can two searching hearts find the same path?

Click here to get your copy!

Sarah’s Search by Jodie Wolfe is a Christian Historical Romance.

Have you ever had your life all planned out for you, only to realize that the path everyone expects you to take isn’t the one you really want?

That’s where we find Sarah McBride.

Sarah has spent her entire life doing what her guardian tells her to do. She has followed the rules, made the expected choices, and now she’s preparing to graduate from Shippensburg State Normal School. The obvious next step is teaching, but Sarah has a secret longing that she can’t quite push aside. She wants to write.

And honestly, I could understand Sarah’s struggle. There’s something difficult about knowing what others expect from you while wondering whether that’s really where your heart belongs. Sarah has to decide whether she’ll continue living according to someone else’s plans or find the courage to pursue the dream God has placed within her.

Then Sarah meets Ezekiel Stouffer.

Zeke isn’t exactly looking for a new beginning. Since losing his wife during the birth of their second child, he has been doing his best to keep his farm running while raising his children. He certainly doesn’t need another responsibility added to his already busy life, but that’s exactly what happens when he’s asked to keep an eye on the new schoolteacher.

At first, Sarah and Zeke seem to have little in common. But I loved watching their relationship slowly unfold.

Zeke notices how naturally his children are drawn to Sarah. She is kind, patient, and genuinely cares about them. And while Zeke has convinced himself that he will never love again, friendship seems like a possibility he might be willing to consider.

Sometimes friendship is where the best love stories begin.

One of the things I enjoyed most about this story is that Sarah and Zeke don’t immediately fall head over heels for each other. Their relationship develops through small moments and everyday interactions. There is a sweetness to watching two people who have been hurt in very different ways gradually learn to trust each other.

Sarah’s story especially made me think about how easy it is to become trapped by expectations. How often do we make decisions based on what we think we should do rather than taking the time to ask God what He wants for us? Sarah wants to write, but pursuing that dream means stepping outside the life her guardian has envisioned for her.

Zeke has his own journey of letting go. Grief has become such a significant part of his life that he can’t imagine opening his heart again. I appreciated that his healing isn’t portrayed as something that happens overnight. Moving forward doesn’t mean forgetting the person we’ve lost. Sometimes it simply means being willing to believe that there can still be joy in our future.

And then there are Zeke’s children, who add another special dimension to the story. Watching Sarah interact with them gives us a glimpse of the kind of woman she is and helps Zeke see her in a completely different light.

For me, this story is about much more than whether Sarah and Zeke will find their happily-ever-after. It’s about finding the courage to follow your heart, learning to trust God with the unknown, and discovering that new beginnings can come after seasons of disappointment and loss.

I found myself rooting for Sarah as she wrestled with what she wanted her future to look like. I also found myself hoping Zeke would eventually allow himself to believe that loving again wasn’t a betrayal of the love he had lost.

There’s something comforting about a story that reminds us we don’t always have to know exactly where our journey is taking us. Sometimes we simply have to take the next step and trust God to show us the way.

Sarah is searching for the courage to pursue her dream.

Zeke is searching for a way to move forward.

And somewhere along the way, their paths begin to intersect in a way neither of them expected.

I enjoyed this sweet historical Christian romance and its reminder that God can take the plans we think we need and replace them with something we never imagined—but perhaps something our hearts needed all along.

If you enjoy gentle romance, historical settings, family relationships, faith-filled themes, and characters who are finding their way through life’s challenges, I think you’ll enjoy getting to know Sarah and Zeke.

My Rating: ★★★★☆

Sometimes the road we never intended to travel turns out to be the very road that leads us to where God wants us to be.

So if you are looking for a Christian Historical Romance, check out Jodie Wolfe’s Sarah’s Search. I definitely recommend it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

About the Author

JODIE WOLFE loves writing historical fiction after years as a homeschooling mom. She enjoys spending time with her husband in Pennsylvania, reading, knitting, and walking. Jodie creates novels where hope and quirky meet.

More from Jodie

Almost ten years ago, a big Victorian house was for sale. I had the pleasure of touring it and taking photos of the exterior and interior. I knew I would eventually set a story there. Fast forward to spring of this year, and it was finally time to write about the setting in Shippensburg, PA. The house has changed very little through the years, so it’s easy to imagine life in 1878 along Normal Avenue. The house is located at the bottom of the hill where the Cumberland Valley State Normal School started in 1873*. It soon changed its name to Shippensburg State Normal School and eventually Shippensburg University.

Since I have my heroine living in the old house at the start of Sarah’s Search, she also attends the normal school and graduates before she becomes a teacher in Newburg, PA at the Mount Jackson one-room schoolhouse.

It is no longer in Newburg, but is on the grounds at Shippensburg University and set up as it would have looked when used many years ago.

I love when I can envision history coming to life by visiting places like the house, normal school, one-room schoolhouse, as well as the local churches and towns that were around in the time period that I used in my recent book. I had the distinct pleasure of finding three local historians. Two with expertise in the two different towns I wrote about in Sarah’s Search, along with one who was a former archivist at Shippensburg University. What a treasure they’ve been to me.

As you read Sarah’s Search, I hope you’ll enjoy stepping back in time as much as I did while writing it.

*The cornerstone was laid May 31, 1871.

Blog Stops

Pause for Tales, August 20

Simple Harvest Reads, August 21 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, August 22 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, August 23 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 23

Texas Book-aholic, August 24

Fiction Book Lover, August 25 (Author Interview)

The Bookish Ledger, August 26 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, August 27 (Author Interview)

For the Love of Literature, August 28 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, August 28

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 29

Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 30 (Author Interview)

Blossoms and Blessings, August 31 (Author Interview)

Stories By Gina, September 1 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, September 2

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jodie 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/FXNuc/sarahs-search-celebration-tour-giveaway

A Guided Gratitude Journal ~ A Review & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: A Guided Gratitude Journal

Author: Donna Wyland

Genre: Nonfiction/Christian Guided Journal

Release Date: September, 2025

What would you change in your life if you could? Scientific and faith-based research prove that gratitude is the key! 5 minutes a day/7 days a week/7 weeks. CHANGE YOUR MINDSET. CHANGE YOUR LIFE. Let today be the day your new life begins!

Click here to get your copy!

Finding Joy in the Everyday: A Review of A Guided Gratitude Journal by Donna Wyland

Gratitude sounds simple, but living with a genuinely thankful heart can be surprisingly difficult. When life is busy, disappointing, or uncertain, it is easy to focus on what is going wrong rather than recognize the blessings God has placed right in front of us. A Guided Gratitude Journal by Donna Wyland offers an inviting way to slow down, reflect, and intentionally cultivate a heart of gratitude.

As a Christian guided journal, this is much more than a collection of blank pages with a few inspirational sayings sprinkled throughout. Wyland approaches gratitude as a gift from God and encourages readers to explore how thankfulness can draw us closer to Him, change our perspective, and help us discover greater peace.

One of the things I appreciated most about this journal is that it isn’t meant to be read from beginning to end like a traditional book. Instead, it invites you to participate. The prompts encourage you to stop, think, write, pray, and examine your own heart. Each page becomes an opportunity to look beyond the circumstances of the moment and recognize God’s goodness.

Whether gratitude comes naturally to you or you struggle to see the blessings in your life, there is something meaningful here. The guided prompts make it easier to get started, while the accompanying commentary provides encouragement and perspective. Scripture and thoughtful quotes add another layer of reflection, continually pointing the reader back toward God’s presence and faithfulness.

I especially like the balance Wyland creates between instruction and personal reflection. She doesn’t simply tell readers why gratitude matters; she gives them opportunities to put it into practice. The activities encourage you to move beyond simply thinking, “I should be more thankful,” and actually begin to notice the people, moments, blessings, and answered prayers that you might otherwise overlook.

From a Christian perspective, gratitude is about far more than keeping a positive attitude. It is an act of worship. When we intentionally recognize God’s blessings—even in seasons that aren’t easy—we remind ourselves that our hope isn’t ultimately found in perfect circumstances. It is found in a faithful God.

That makes this journal particularly meaningful for anyone who wants to deepen their spiritual life while developing a daily habit of thankfulness. The simple practice of pausing to write down what you’re grateful for can become a time of prayer and communion with God.

A Guided Gratitude Journal is a gentle reminder that sometimes we don’t need to change our circumstances to experience a change in perspective. We need to slow down long enough to notice what God is already doing.

If you’re looking for a devotional-style journal that combines Scripture, thoughtful commentary, quotes, reflection, and practical activities, this would be a wonderful addition to your quiet time. Keep it beside your Bible, use it during your morning routine, or turn to its pages whenever you need a reminder to look for God’s goodness.

Ultimately, A Guided Gratitude Journal encourages us to make gratitude more than an occasional response to something wonderful. It invites us to make thankfulness part of the way we live—and in doing so, to discover the peace, joy, and deeper awareness of God that can grow from a grateful heart.

So if you are looking for a guided Journal, check out A Guided Gratitude Journal by Donna Wyland. I definitely recommend it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

About the Author

Donna Wyland is an award-winning author of fiction, nonfiction, and picture books. Her most recent gift book, Last Best Year – A Short Guide to a Grateful Life – is a Golden Scroll Award Winner, and her picture books, ‘Twas the Night Before Jesus and Psalms in Rhyme for Little Hearts were both Readers’ Choice Award Finalists.‘Twas the Night Before Jesus also won the Illumination Award Silver Medal and Psalms in Rhyme for Little Hearts was the Christian Indie Award winner for picture books.

Though she began a career in financial planning, God interrupted those plans and called her to write more than twenty years ago. Donna responded, “Yes, Lord,” and today has numerous books, essays, and blogs attributed to her name.

In the future, Donna hopes to continue writing guided journals to encourage and inspire people’s faith and confidence in God and themselves. As a Certified Christian Life Coach, Donna learned the value of asking powerful questions. Through her guided journals she hopes to lead readers to greater clarity, peace, and purpose as they read, consider, and reply to the questions asked.

Donna is grateful for her husband, four grown daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren. She and her husband currently live in Southwest Florida, but her passion for travel frequently takes her to other states and countries around the world. Only God knows where she will live in five years. Thankfully she has a husband who says he will follow her wherever she goes.

More from Donna

What would you change in your life if you could? Scientific and faith-based research prove that gratitude is the key! 5 minutes a day/7 days a week for 7 weeks could change your life. Let today be the day your new life begins!

This journal was inspired by God and written as a result of many personal losses in my life. As I tried to move toward healing, I felt like I was still walking under a dark cloud each day, faking happiness and joy as I went about my responsibilities as a wife, mother, and grandmother. I was still hurting and desperately wanted to know why. That’s when I did a deep dive on the topic of gratitude and discovered its tremendous power to heal.

I pray that this journal becomes a legacy of readers’ journeys to joy, emotional and physical health, peace, and a thankful way of life. God knows you and sees you. He is excited to hear your praise and watch you grow into a gratitude-filled man or woman of God who lights the world on fire simply by being your wonderful, beautiful, joyful self.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, August 22

Texas Book-aholic, August 23

Simple Harvest Reads, August 24 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 25

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 26

Its Mama Safe, August 27

Guild Master, August 28 (Author Interview)

The Vine and The Branch, August 28

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, August 29

Fiction Book Lover, August 30 (Author Interview)

Book Looks by Lisa, August 31

Cover Lover Book Review, September 1

Devoted to Hope, September 2

Mary Hake, September 2

Artistic Nobody, September 3

Life on Chickadee Lane, September 4

Giveaway

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

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

https://gleam.io/tkOYA/a-guided-gratitude-journal-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Darling’s Daughter ~ A Review & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: The Darling’s Daughter

Author: Sydney Schmied

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: August 4, 2026

A woman chasing the truth. A man running from his past. And a secret that threatens the fragile trust between them.

Searching for answers about her mother’s suspicious death, artist Angelica Woods takes a job painting backdrops at the Majestic Theater—the very place her famous actress mother warned her to avoid. When she discovers cryptic notes and bloody evidence of an old murder, Angie realizes her mother’s warning may have been meant to protect her from a deadly secret.

Architect Trace Ackerman has worked hard to build a quiet, respectable life far removed from his former mistakes. Renovating the Majestic is meant to be a fresh start—until Angie awakens feelings he never planned to risk again. Drawn to her courage and vulnerability, Trace offers his protection as rumors swirl and danger edges closer. But the past he’s worked so hard to outrun threatens to surface, and Trace fears the truth could cost him Angie’s trust—and the future he longs to build.

With a killer determined to silence them both, Angie and Trace must decide if uncovering the truth about her mother’s death is worth risking their own lives—and hearts. Set against the backdrop of a historic theater in 1912 Ohio, this romantic suspense weaves together murder, betrayal, and the redeeming power of faith and forgiveness.

Click here to get your copy!

The Darling’s Daughter by Sydney Schmied is a Christian Historical Romance.

Some secrets are worth uncovering. Others might get you killed.

For artist Angelica “Angie” Woods, the search for answers about her mother’s suspicious death leads her straight to the one place she was warned never to go—the historic Majestic Theater. Taking a job painting theatrical backdrops seems harmless enough, until Angie discovers cryptic notes and bloody evidence pointing to a long-ago murder. Suddenly, her mother’s warning takes on an entirely new meaning.

And Angie isn’t the only one with something to hide.

Trace Ackerman has worked hard to leave his troubled past behind and build a quiet, respectable life. Renovating the Majestic is supposed to be a fresh start, but meeting Angie changes everything. He’s drawn to her courage and vulnerability and soon finds himself wanting to protect her. The problem? Trace knows that the secrets he’s been running from could cost him the one thing he’s beginning to care about most—Angie’s trust.

I loved the way this story combines historical mystery, romance, danger, and faith. The 1912 Ohio theater setting creates the perfect atmosphere for a suspenseful tale filled with hidden clues, unanswered questions, and the uneasy feeling that someone is watching from the shadows.

Angie is a determined heroine who refuses to stop searching for the truth, even when the answers become increasingly dangerous. Trace brings his own emotional depth to the story as he wrestles with regret, fear, and the possibility of starting over. Watching their relationship develop while they navigate secrets and danger adds an engaging romantic thread to the suspense.

But at the heart of the story is something even more meaningful: the power of forgiveness and the courage to trust God when the past refuses to stay buried.

With a mysterious death to solve, a killer determined to silence them, and two wounded hearts learning to trust, this story delivers plenty of twists, romance, and suspense. If you enjoy Christian historical romantic suspense with an atmospheric setting, intriguing secrets, and a strong message of faith and redemption, this is a story you won’t want to miss.

So if you enjoy Christian Historical Romances, check out The Darling’s Daughter by Sydney Schmied.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

About the Author

Sydney Schmied writes sweet and intriguing historical romantic suspense stories with a whole lot of faith. She is a 2023 ACFW First Impressions Contest finalist and a 2024 Genesis Contest Semi-finalist, as well as a two-time Scrivenings Press Get Pubbed Finalist. When she is not writing, she enjoys reading, painting, and sipping on a classic London Fog.

More from Sydney

Theaters tell so many stories, and in The Darling’s Daughter, The Majestic Theater itself has been shaped by the people who have passed through its doors. While it was known as The Masonic Opera House from 1853 to 1915, The Majestic has stood through nearly 173 years of history. I can’t help but wonder about all the individuals who walked its halls, performers, musicians, and attendees alike, and what stories they might tell about how their lives once intertwined with the Majestic.

In my research, I came across so many real accounts of people who visited theaters like this one, and I was able to glimpse bits and pieces of that connection. For Angie, the heroine in The Darling’s Daughter, The Majestic becomes a place of reckoning and reconciliation. Her mother was her only family, and even that relationship was strained. Angie carries a deep loneliness as she peels back the complicated layers of her late mother’s life, wrestling with questions of worth, belonging, and whether she is truly loved.

For Trace, The Majestic offers both a meaningful project and a chance to rebuild. Unfortunately, his identity has been constructed atop the fragile foundation of guilt, and that foundation begins to crack as his past resurfaces.

Just as The Majestic has stood strong through seasons of change and still stands today, Angie and Trace are refined through their struggles as everything around them begins to shift. Neither of them are defined by the broken parts of their story, but by their hope in Christ, even when that hope feels uncertain and their faith is shaky. If this resonates with you, I hope you’ll join Angie and Trace in The Darling’s Daughter and find encouragement in their journey.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, August 19

Devoted Steps, August 19

Books Less Travelled, August 20

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 21

Texas Book-aholic, August 22

Connie’s History Classroom, August 23

For Him and My Family, August 23

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 24

Lyssa Loves Books, August 25

Holly’s Book Corner, August 26

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 27

Pause for Tales, August 28

Devoted to Hope, August 29

Book Looks by Lisa, August 30

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, August 30

Cover Lover Book Review, August 31

Lily’s Corner, September 1

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Sydney 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/TyDfI/the-darlings-daughter-celebration-tour-giveaway

Wildflower Bride ~ A Review & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Wildflower Bride

Author: Mary Connealy

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: August 11, 2026

From bestselling author Mary Connealy comes a thrilling Western romance about finding belonging in unexpected places—a tale of a fierce woman warrior caught between two worlds, a gentle-hearted rancher, and the faith that brings them together. Perfect for fans of historical romance and unconventional heroines.

Abby has lived with the Flathead tribe since they rescued her as a child, forgetting her white heritage. But when her village is massacred, and she’s saved by kind-hearted rancher Wade Sawyer, she’s forced to confront her past and future. Though drawn to Wade’s gentle strength, she refuses to be bound to the white world that once abandoned her.

Wade Sawyer has spent his life trying to please his tyrannical father while battling his own demons. When he finds Abby—fierce, independent, and unlike any woman he’s known—he sees a chance at real love. But winning the heart of a woman who trusts no man and bridging the gap between two worlds seems impossible.

As they face deadly rustlers, family conflicts, and their own fears, Wade and Abby must learn to trust in God’s plan for their lives. But can Abby let down her defenses and embrace a future with Wade? And can Wade prove that true strength lies in gentleness and faith?

A moving story of finding home, healing from the past, and discovering that love knows no boundaries in the untamed Montana Territory.

Click here to get your copy!

Wildflower Bride by Mary Connealy is a Christian Historical Romance.

Finding Home Where You Least Expect It

Mary Connealy delivers another captivating Western romance with a heroine who is anything but ordinary. Set against the rugged Montana Territory, this story blends adventure, romance, family conflict, and faith into a moving tale about finding where—and with whom—you truly belong.

Abby has spent most of her life with the Flathead tribe, the people who rescued and raised her after she was separated from her white family. After tragedy destroys her village, she is rescued by rancher Wade Sawyer. Fierce, independent, and wary of the white world, Abby has no intention of letting anyone control her future.

Wade is immediately drawn to Abby, but earning her trust won’t be easy. As danger from rustlers, family tensions, and painful memories threaten to pull them apart, both must confront the wounds of their past and learn to trust God’s plan.

I especially enjoyed the contrast between Abby’s fierce strength and Wade’s gentle nature. Their relationship feels like a journey rather than an instant romance, making their growing trust and connection all the more meaningful. Connealy also does a wonderful job weaving faith naturally into the story without overshadowing the adventure.

With plenty of action, heart, and an unconventional heroine who refuses to fit neatly into anyone’s expectations, this is a memorable historical romance about healing, belonging, and discovering that home can sometimes be found in the most unexpected place.

A heartfelt and adventurous read for fans of Christian historical romance, Western settings, and strong heroines.

So if you enjoy Christian Historical Romances, check out Wildflower Bride by Mary Connealy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

About the Author

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedies with cowboys and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She is a two time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist.

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys always with a strong suspense thread. She is a two-time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist. She is the bestselling author of over 80 books and novellas. She has over a 1.8 million books in print.

Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero. Visit her website or find her at Petticoats & Pistols!

More from Mary

I try to write books I love, and I re-read my own books. I’m a big re-reader and if I find myself uninterested in a book I wrote, I take that as a bad sign.

I happen to LOVE Wildflower Bride as much as any book I’ve ever written.

I wrote for ten years before I got my first book published. On that fateful day when I earned my first contract, I had twenty finished books on my computer. And I didn’t just write them and move on. I’d go back (re-reading even then) and polish them. I took stand alone books and shortened them, lengthened them. Turned them into series, saved all versions in case an editor wanted a series or did NOT want a series.

Each book well, not ALL twenty of them, but a whole bunch, had about nine versions, all saved separately. Love Inspired length, trade fiction length, series, stand alone. I kept them all. But when I felt like I’d really improved one of them, I went back to the other versions and made those same improvements. I did a LOT of writing within those twenty books.

Wildflower Bride was the first book I wrote from scratch after I signed a contract for it. Maybe for this reason, I especially love it. I took everything I knew, everything I learned and put it into this book. I remember staring at that blank page…I had about six books published by this time…and holding my hand flat on the computer screen and praying, God help me to remember everything I’ve learned.

The hero is Wildflower Bride is the villain in Montana Rose. He is wretched. But to me, he was a broken man. My editor, when I told her Wade was the hero, said, “I can’t imagine it, but go for it.”

He is saved at the end of Montana Rose. A young Christian trying to do right in the face of enormous pressure from his powerful, abusive father, in The Husband Tree, and a sad, lonely, but strong man, still growing in his faith at the same time he’s very solid in it, in Wildflower Bride.

I just loved him.

I love the wild beginning of Wildflower Bride, the heroine is an adult woman taken in by an Indian tribe at the age of ten when they find her, alone in a cabin, with her family all dead from a fever. She loves the people who saved her.

Then people start trying to save her from the tribe and she is insulted and wants no part of this new world when her small band of native family is killed in a massacre. Again, she survives.

Abby, she only vaguely remembers her birth name, fits nowhere. And she’s so at home in the wilderness she’s planning to live on her own, somewhere.

Wade falls desperately in love with the strength he finds in her.

These two need each other so badly, but Abby is a hard one to convince she should spend her life with Wade.

Then Abby finds that one of her family, an older brother who didn’t come west with her family, is alive and living nearby.

The way they discover each other, well, I just love it. Wade is starting to look pretty good compared to the grouchy, quick to swing a fist, brother. Still, she begins to remember her big brother, and she remembers loving him. Abby is a confused woman.

Can Abby find her place anywhere in the world? Can Wade find enough backbone to stand up to his father…so far he’d just cut him out of his life. But Pa needs him even if he’s too awful to admit it. Wade’s pa needs God, too.

And those evil men who destroyed her village, haven’t gone away and they want more from Wade and Abby than anyone can imagine. They have to be stopped and Abby and Wade have to find a way to work together to stop them.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 18

Texas Book-aholic, August 19

Labor Not in Vain, August 20

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, August 21 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, August 21

Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 22

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 23

Book Holds and Jello Molds, August 24

Guild Master, August 25 (Author Interview)

Books You Can Feel Good About, August 26

Simple Harvest Reads, August 27 (Guest Review from Donna)

Holly’s Book Corner, August 28

Cover Lover Book Review, August 29

Fiction Book Lover, August 30 (Author Interview)

The Vine and The Branch, August 31

Mary Hake, August 31

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Mary 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/reBqi/wildflower-bride-celebration-tour-giveaway