Eye of the Beholder ~ A Review & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Eye of the Beholder

Author: Linda Shenton Matchett

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: June 30, 2026

Shunned for his appearance, a disfigured veteran encounters acceptance and love where he least expects it.

Left with physical and emotional scars after the Great War, Hank Drake has been shunned by polite society as the Ugly Duckling. Fine by him. He’d much rather be alone. Until he meets the kind proprietress of a tea stand at New York’s World’s Fair who isn’t repulsed by his appearance. Can he hope for acceptance…or even love?

Grace Sutton has no interest in marrying and is tired of her parent’s snide comments that she’s still single on the eve of her 40th birthday. After she loses her job thanks to budget cuts, she decides it’s time to follow her dream of feeding others. Armed with Mrs. Canfield’s cookbook, she opens a refreshment stand at the World’s Fair unaware how one man will turn her life upside down and upset the apple…er, tea cart.

Click here to get your copy!

Eye of the Beholder by Linda Shenton Matchett is a Christian historical romance.

What happens when a man who convinced himself he’s unlovable meets a woman who’s perfectly content staying single? Well, throw in a tea stand at the New York World’s Fair, a little unexpected kindness, and two hearts that aren’t looking for romance, and you have the makings of a love story I can’t help but smile about!

I’ve always had a soft spot for stories about people who have been hurt by life but discover that happiness might still be waiting for them. And when the romance involves two older characters who’ve had their share of disappointments? That makes it even sweeter!

Hank Drake hasn’t had an easy time since returning from the Great War. His injuries left him with scars that people can’t seem to look past, and their cruel remarks and unkind stares have taken a toll. He’s decided he’d rather be alone than deal with more rejection. I can’t say I blame him, but it breaks my heart to think about someone feeling so unwanted simply because of how they look.

And then there’s Grace Sutton. I have to say, I like a woman who decides she’s had enough of everyone else’s expectations and starts making her own plans! Grace is approaching forty, still single, and more than a little tired of her parents reminding her of that fact. When she loses her job, she decides it’s finally time to do something she’s always wanted to do. With Mrs. Canfield’s cookbook in hand, she opens a refreshment stand at the New York World’s Fair. She’s ready for a new adventure, but I doubt falling in love was anywhere on her list of plans!

One of the things I especially like about Hank and Grace’s story is that Grace doesn’t see Hank the way everyone else does. She looks beyond his scars and treats him like a person rather than someone to avoid or pity. After everything he’s been through, that simple kindness means more than she probably realizes. I love the idea that something as ordinary as a friendly conversation over a cup of tea could open the door to something neither of them expected.

I also appreciate seeing a romance between characters who have a little more life experience. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a good young-love story, but there’s something special about watching people who have faced disappointments and learned to guard their hearts discover that they haven’t missed their chance at happiness. Grace doesn’t need a husband to give her life meaning, and Hank has convinced himself he’s better off alone. Of course, sometimes God has other plans!

The New York World’s Fair makes such an interesting setting, too. I can picture Grace bustling around her little tea stand, surrounded by all the excitement of the fair, completely unaware that her life is about to take an unexpected turn. And I have to smile at the thought of Hank, who would probably prefer to go unnoticed, finding himself drawn to a woman who genuinely enjoys his company.

What speaks to me most about this story is its message about acceptance. We live in a world where people are often far too quick to judge someone by their appearance, and Hank knows that pain all too well. His story reminds me that God doesn’t measure our worth by what others see on the outside. He looks at our hearts. I also appreciate the reminder that our past hurts don’t have to determine our future, even when moving forward means taking a chance on someone else.

And Grace? I love that she’s willing to pursue a dream instead of letting her age or other people’s opinions hold her back. That’s a reminder I think many of us can appreciate. Life doesn’t always unfold according to our plans, but that doesn’t mean God has finished writing our stories.

If you enjoy sweet historical romances with mature characters, a little humor, and a meaningful message about looking beyond appearances, Hank and Grace’s story is worth checking out. It’s the kind of romance that reminds me that love doesn’t have an age limit, kindness can make a bigger difference than we realize, and sometimes the best surprises come when we’re busy making other plans.

And who knows? Maybe all it takes to change someone’s life is a little kindness and a good cup of tea

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

About the Author

Linda Shenton Matchett writes happily-ever-after historical Christian fiction about second chances and women who overcome life’s challenges to be better versions of themselves.

A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry (of Star-Spangled Banner fame) and has lived in historical places all her life. She is a volunteer docent and archivist at the Wright Museum of WWII. She now lives in central New Hampshire where she explores the history of this great state, immerses herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors, and drinks copious amounts of tea.

More from Linda

Dear Reader:

Eye of the Beholder is a retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale The Ugly Duckling, set during the 1939 New York World’s Fair. The story is part of the Apron Strings series that is tied together by Mrs. Canfield’s Cookery Book. Below is one of my mother’s recipes that is included in the cookbook. Enjoy!

Snickerdoodles

Makes about five dozen cookies

1 Cup shortening (part butter)

1 ½ Cup sugar

2 eggs, well beaten

2 ⅔ Cup AP flour, sifted

2 teaspoons cream of tartar

1 teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon salt

For rolling dough:

2 tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons cinnamon

Cream together shortening, sugar, and eggs. Sift together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt, then slowly combine with the creamed mixture. Roll dough into balls the size of small walnuts. Roll dough into sugar and cinnamon mixture. Place on an ungreased baking sheet two inches apart. Bake at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes. (Cookies will puff up, then flatten out).

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, November 12

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 13

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 14

Books Less Travelled, November 15 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, November 16

Leslie’s Library Escape, November 17

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 18

Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 19 (Author Interview)

Devoted To Hope, November 20

Mary Hake, November 20

Books You Can Feel Good About, November 21

The Bookish Pilgrim, November 22

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, November 23 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, November 24

Holly’s Book Corner, November 24

For the Love of Literature, November 25 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Linda is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Visa gift card and a signed 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/LBYgX/eye-of-the-beholder-celebration-tour-giveaway

Loving the Lawman Collection ~ A Review & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Loving the Lawman Collection

Authors: Erica Vetsch, Kathleen Denly, Rachel Scott McDaniel, KyLee Woodley, Renae Brumbaugh Green, Avrie Swan

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: March 17, 2026

When danger closes in and secrets refuse to stay buried, love becomes the boldest risk of all.

Six gripping historical romances sweep from rugged Western frontiers to the shadowed streets of Prohibition-era Pittsburgh, pairing wary hearts with unexpected partners in journeys of justice, redemption, and slow-burn devotion.

Collection includes:
Maggie and the Maverick by Erica Vetsch
Call in the Canyons by Kathleen Denly
The Red Canary by Rachel Scott McDaniel
The Bounty Hunter’s Surrender by KyLee Woodley
Lone Star Ranger by Renae Brumbaugh Green
Embers of Truth by Avrie Swan

Six full-length romances. Countless dangers. One enduring truth: when everything is on the line, love is the greatest act of courage.

Individual book blurbs, if you need them:

Maggie and the Maverick by Erica Vetsch
Undercover U.S. Marshal Maggie Davis is determined to stop a string of stage robberies—no matter the cost. Posing as a traveling saleswoman, she finds herself drawn to Cal McConnell, a reformed stage driver with a troubled past who may be her best ally…or her prime suspect. As danger escalates and murder enters the picture, Maggie and Cal must decide whether to cling to suspicion or risk trusting each other with both the truth—and their hearts.

Call in the Canyons by Kathleen Denly
Sheriff Heath Monroe is desperate to redeem his reputation after a costly mistake, but taking down California’s most dangerous bandit gang could destroy what little he has left. Virginia Baker has sworn never to trust a lawman, especially after bandits murdered her father. Yet when the outlaws return, she joins Heath’s posse in pursuit of justice. As old wounds resurface and new feelings stir, they must decide if redemption—and love—are worth the risk.

The Red Canary by Rachel Scott McDaniel
In 1928 Pittsburgh, nightclub singer Vera Pembroke becomes the only witness to a deadly crime and is forced into hiding under the protection of Sergeant Mick Dinelo, a man who despises the underworld she inhabits. Sparks fly as they clash in the Allegheny Forest, but when the killer closes in, Vera and Mick must unravel a web of secrets stretching through the Steel City—before the music fades and their chance at love disappears with it.

The Bounty Hunter’s Surrender by KyLee Woodley
Widowed and expecting, Aubrey Willot discovers her late husband left behind more than debts—he left dangerous enemies. To survive, she must rely on Nathan Reed, a bounty hunter determined to recover stolen documents for the reward money he desperately needs. Drawn together by necessity and shadowed by deception, Aubrey and Nathan face rising peril—and a choice between self-protection and a future neither dared to hope for.

Lone Star Ranger by Renae Brumbaugh Green
Elizabeth Covington has one week to prove her brother’s innocence, even if it means chasing down the Texas Ranger determined to arrest him. Rett Smith won’t let emotion sway justice—but Elizabeth’s courage and conviction challenge everything he thought he knew. As they race across Texas to find the real killer, danger forces them into an uneasy partnership that may cost them their guarded hearts.

Embers of Truth by Avrie Swan
After the devastating Peshtigo Fire destroys her home, Carina Clarke travels to Milwaukee in search of her missing sister—only to become entangled in a hunt for a cunning thief. Pinkerton detective Oliver Ramhurst intends to solve the case alone, but Carina’s fierce determination draws them into a reluctant alliance. As suspicion deepens and danger grows, they must learn that trust may be the only thing powerful enough to carry them through the flames.

Click here to get your copy!

Six authors come together to create an excellent collection of Christian Historical fiction. An undercover marshal falling for a possible suspect? A nightclub singer hiding out with a police officer who disapproves of her world? Those are the kinds of complications that catch my attention in a historical romance. Add second chances, family loyalties, and a few reluctant partnerships, and this collection gives me plenty to talk about.

These six full-length novels travel from the Western frontier to Prohibition-era Pittsburgh, bringing together people with good reason to guard their hearts. I’m always drawn to that tension between wanting to trust someone and wondering how much that trust might cost.

Maggie and the Maverick by Erica Vetsch has an especially appealing setup. Maggie Davis goes undercover to investigate stagecoach robberies, only to find herself drawn to Cal McConnell—a man who could help her solve the case or be part of it. I like a romance that gives its heroine something more complicated to worry about than whether the hero returns her feelings. Maggie needs answers, and her growing interest in Cal makes finding them a little more personal.

In Call in the Canyons by Kathleen Denly, Sheriff Heath Monroe wants to make up for a costly mistake. In contrast, Virginia Baker wants nothing to do with trusting another law enforcement officer. Their shared pursuit of dangerous outlaws puts them in each other’s path, but their pasts make working together difficult. What appeals to me here is the possibility of a second chance that requires more than good intentions. Heath has something to prove, and Virginia has every reason to be cautious.

The Red Canary by Rachel Scott McDaniel changes the scenery with a nightclub singer, a deadly crime, and a policeman who doesn’t think much of the world his witness calls home. Vera Pembroke and Sergeant Mick Dinelo bring plenty of friction to their forced proximity in the Allegheny Forest. That combination of clashing personalities and approaching danger makes their story particularly intriguing to me. Hiding from a killer sounds difficult enough without having to share close quarters with someone who challenges you at every turn.

My heart goes out to Aubrey Willot in The Bounty Hunter’s Surrender by KyLee Woodley. Widowed and expecting a baby, she discovers that her husband’s secrets have left her in danger. Nathan Reed might offer the help she needs, but he has urgent reasons of his own for pursuing the stolen documents at the center of the trouble. Their circumstances raise a question that makes this romance compelling: can a partnership that begins out of necessity become something both people choose?

In Lone Star Ranger by Renae Brumbaugh Green, Elizabeth Covington has just one week to clear her brother’s name. Unfortunately, Texas Ranger Rett Smith intends to arrest him. I have a soft spot for a heroine who refuses to give up on someone she loves, and Elizabeth’s determination promises to give Rett plenty to reckon with. Their search for the real killer puts justice and family loyalty on a collision course, with neither of them in a comfortable position.

Embers of Truth by Avrie Swan brings another deeply personal search into the collection. After surviving the Peshtigo Fire, Carina Clarke heads to Milwaukee to find her missing sister and becomes caught up in Pinkerton detective Oliver Ramhurst’s investigation. Oliver prefers to work alone, but Carina has too much at stake to step aside. Her family search gives this reluctant partnership an emotional pull that immediately interests me.

What I find most appealing about this collection is the variety within its shared themes. Each couple faces a different kind of trouble, but all must wrestle with trust, painful histories, and the possibility of starting again. Those struggles give the romances something meaningful to grow from.

If you enjoy historical romance with a mystery to unravel and two wary people slowly finding their way toward each other, this collection has plenty to offer. And with six full-length novels, you have time to settle into each story before following the next couple into trouble.

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

About Rachel Scott McDaniel

Rachel Scott McDaniel is an award-winning author who writes historical and contemporary romance with heart, mystery, and humor. When she’s not dreaming up swoony heroes or happily ever afters, you can find her chasing adventures in Ohio with her husband, two amazing kids, and an endless supply of chocolate. Rachel loves hiking trails almost as much as plot twists and is always on the hunt for the next great story … or snack. Connect with her at RachelScottMcDaniel.com or at your favorite social media platforms!

More from Rachel

The Red Canary and The Allegheny National Forest

As a historical romance author, research has always been part of my writing process. My nerdy heart enjoys poring over thick tomes filled with information about bygone eras. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone down cyber rabbit trails on my internet searches, discovering historical nuggets that I can drop into my stories. The more information I got, the more empowered I felt. (Though I won’t go into the time I had borrowed every book on botanical poison from my local library. You can imagine the looks I got!) However, for The Red Canary, my own life experiences became my greatest source of information.

Let me explain.

The majority of the story takes place in the Allegheny National Forest, where I grew up. My family had a cabin there, and I knew those woods like the back of my hand. Every Friday night throughout the summer, my parents loaded us kids (my sister, brother, and me) into the family car and would drive three hours to the cabin. We’d reach the place by nightfall, and even though I’d no doubt fallen asleep in the car, I’d race through the dew-laden grass to the front porch to claim the top bunk in the bedroom I shared with my sister.

I remember that the sky always looked different out there, my youthful self surely thinking the chunky stars only lit over this specific forest.  My forest. Memories of swimming in the spring-fed creek, catching brown-spotted newts, and climbing rocks taller than a house are ones that filled my heart and spilled onto the pages of the story.

The Red Canary is a historical romance with a dash of mystery, but it’s also a love letter to the Allegheny National Forest. It was easy to imagine my characters walking along fern-lined paths or picking teaberry leaves at sunset because those settings are pulled from my memories.

Of course, I also incorporated external research to enrich the story. The Allegheny National Forest was purchased by the government in 1923. The forest is 513,175 acres in Northwestern Pennsylvania and is the only national forest in the state. Before the government’s procurement, the forest was charred from ravaging wildfires or bare from industrial logging. In the 1920s and 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) planted millions of trees to jumpstart reforestation. Another fun fact is that an abandoned CCC camp was only a stone’s throw from my family cabin, and I would often ride my bike to see the amazingly preserved buildings.

My goal in writing this book is to transport you to an era marked by dramatic shifts in fashion, music, politics, and culture. Yet when my characters enter the forest, they encounter a Creator who paints beautiful sunsets, carves rivers in dry land, and makes all things new. I hope you love it!

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 10

Book Holds and Jello Molds, November 10

She Lives To Read, November 11

Book Looks by Lisa, November 12

Devoted To Hope, November 12

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 13

Texas Book-aholic, November 14

Jeanette’s Thoughts, November 14

Life on Chickadee Lane, November 15

Books You Can Feel Good About, November 16

For Him and My Family, November 17

Connie’s History Classroom, November 18

My Wildflower Musings, November 18

Melissa’s Bookshelf, November 19

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 20

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, November 21

Blossoms and Blessings, November 22

Holly’s Book Corner, November 23

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Rachel 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/Xwg9P/loving-the-lawman-collection-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Teacher’s Mending Heart ~ A Review & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: The Teacher’s Mending Heart

Author: Lauralyn Keller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: September 22, 2026

In the quiet hollows of a dying Appalachian town, a guarded nurse and a grieving teacher must decide if a second chance at love is worth the risk.

After losing her fiancé in the Great War, nurse Bethany Astor swore she’d never risk her heart again. But when the Red Cross sends her to the struggling mountain town of Laurel Ridge, Tennessee, she meets a schoolteacher whose pain mirrors her own. As she uses her skills to heal his injured leg, Bethany discovers that keeping her walls intact might be harder than she ever imagined.

Dylan Harper’s leg injury kept him from the battlefield, but his emotional wounds run deeper. Haunted by a tragic accident that claimed a young student’s life, he’s learned that loving someone means risking devastating loss. When Bethany arrives in town with her gentle spirit and healing touch, she awakens feelings he thought long buried—and terrifies him with their intensity.

As Laurel Ridge fights for survival, Bethany and Dylan must confront the ghosts of their past before they can embrace a future together. With both their hearts scarred by loss, will they find the courage to choose love over fear before time runs out?

Click here to get your copy!

The Teacher’s Mending Heart by Lauralyn Keller is a Chrstian Historical Romance.

I have a soft spot for historical romances about people who struggle to open their hearts after loss. Bethany and Dylan both have good reasons to keep their distance, and that makes me want to see them find a little happiness together.

After losing her fiancé in the Great War, Bethany Astor turns her attention to caring for others. Nursing gives her a purpose, but she has no intention of risking her heart again. Then the Red Cross sends her to Laurel Ridge, Tennessee, where she meets Dylan Harper, a schoolteacher carrying grief of his own.

Dylan’s injured leg needs Bethany’s care, but the loss of a young student weighs even more heavily on him. As they grow closer, both must face feelings they would rather avoid. Their situation raises a question I find especially touching: How do you let yourself love someone when you know how much losing them could hurt?

What draws me to Bethany is the difference between her willingness to help others and her reluctance to let anyone close enough to help her. I can understand that instinct. Caring for someone gives her something to do; opening her heart means facing things she can’t control. Dylan’s guilt adds another complication, making their chance at romance about more than an unexpected attraction.

The Appalachian setting also appeals to me. Laurel Ridge faces an uncertain future, and the town’s struggle raises concerns for Bethany and Dylan beyond their own relationship. I like that sense of a community whose future matters alongside the romance.

For readers who enjoy historical love stories with grief, healing, and the hope of a fresh start, Bethany and Dylan’s journey holds plenty of appeal. Their shared pain brings them together, but their willingness to take a chance on each other is what makes their story worth following.

So if you enjoy Christian Historical Romances, check out The Teacher’s Mending Heart by Lauralyn Keller.

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

About the Author

Lauralyn Keller loves to combine history and romance in stories that touch the heart. She lives in beautiful Colorado and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking, hiking, and reading.

More from Lauralyn

This story started as fanfiction.

I love the show When Calls the Heart. Janette Oke was one of my favorite authors as a teenager, so I was thrilled when Hallmark turned her books into a series. Back in season 6, I hardcore shipped Nathan with Elizabeth almost as soon as he joined the cast. The potential for a relationship between them sparked my creativity, and soon I was writing fanfiction for them. At first, it was all a continuation of the show itself—where I hoped it would go, how I could see the characters behaving, what situations they might find themselves in. Then 2020 hit, and the pandemic shut everything down. My fanfiction became more hypothetical, taking characters from the show and placing them in completely different times and places. I wrote three or four full-length novels that bore very little resemblance to the show—some historical, some contemporary—driven by my love of those characters and, more importantly, my love of storytelling.

Healing Hearts was one of those stories.

I wondered what would happen if I took Nathan, Elizabeth, and a few other characters and put them in a small French town immediately after World War II. Their jobs changed. Their motivations changed. Their circumstances changed. Before I knew it, the only things When Calls the Heart and Healing Hearts really had in common were the names of the characters.

Sure, some themes remained—love after loss, rising above difficult circumstances, and finding hope in the midst of hardship. But those are themes that belong to historical fiction as much as they belong to any particular story.

Several years later, I remembered that fanfic and how much fun it had been to write. I wondered if I could tinker with it and turn it into a real novel. I started changing names, places, and circumstances, expecting to end up with essentially a fanfiction rewrite. Instead, I ended up with a completely different story.

That story became The Teacher’s Mending Heart—the story of Bethany and Dylan, a nurse and a teacher in small-town Appalachia in the aftermath of the Great War.

And then things took a personal turn.

I’m a teacher, so my own job was the inspiration for Dylan’s. And the heartbreak he experiences is the same heartbreak I experienced: the loss of a student. Writing Dylan’s journey to healing became a form of healing for me.

I didn’t set out to write through my own feelings of pain and all the what-ifs that come with loss. But as Dylan’s story progressed, those feelings flowed out through him. Grief is hard. It’s something most of us have wrestled with in one form or another, and I think stories can sometimes help us process the things we don’t have words for ourselves. My prayer is that by reading Dylan and Bethany’s stories of healing after loss, some readers might find the same comfort I found in writing them

On a lighter note, Bethany’s character was inspired in part by my sister. Bethany is a nurse, but her specialty is massage therapy, which happens to be my sister’s specialty as well. A lot of Bethany’s phrases or actions as a masseuse came directly from my sister. That was fun to write, and I might have chuckled a time or two mimicking my sister’s mannerisms. I don’t know a whole lot about massage personally, but having a research aide close by and in person was very helpful!

This story ended up being the most personal I’ve written yet. It certainly wasn’t intended that way—after all, it started as fanfiction! But perhaps that’s part of the beauty of writing. Sometimes a story takes you somewhere you never expected to go. The Teacher’s Mending Heart is close to my heart because of that journey, and I hope Dylan and Bethany’s story blesses you in some way.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 3

Texas Book-aholic, November 4

Lyssa Loves Books, November 5

Holly’s Book Corner, November 5

Devoted To Hope, November 6

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

Life on Chickadee Lane, November 8

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 9

lakesidelivingsite, November 10

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 11

Pause for Tales, November 11

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 12

For Him and My Family, November 13

Connie’s History Classroom, November 14

Mary Hake, November 14

Blossoms and Blessings , November 15

Cover Lover Book Review, November 16

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lauralyn 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/HdqGY/the-teachers-mending-heart-celebration-tour-giveaway

One Day Gone ~ A Review & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: One Day Gone: A Mylas Grey Mystery

Author: Luana Ehrlich

Genre: Christian Mystery

Release Date: October 29, 2019

Mylas Grey is a private investigator but don’t call him a private detective.

That title belongs to his father—not to him.

Mylas is the Chief Investigator for Senator Davis Allen, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. His job is to run background investigations of the President’s judicial nominees.

But then Lizzie, the Senator’s daughter, goes missing from her apartment.

And just like that, Mylas finds himself back in his hometown of Columbia, Missouri.

Discovering why she disappeared isn’t easy . . .

Lizzie has a reputation for doing the unexpected, so it’s possible she left town to be alone for a while, or to conduct research for her college newspaper, or simply to visit with friends.

Staying focused on the investigation isn’t easy . . .

Mylas finds himself getting distracted from the investigation when he meets a beautiful photographer who makes him question his rejection of Christianity.

Identifying a suspect isn’t easy . . .

Did Lizzie’s boyfriend play a role? Is a judge connected to Lizzie’s disappearance? What about Lizzie’s roommate?

So many suspects. So little time.

One Day Gone, Book I in the Mylas Grey Mystery Series, is a clean, suspenseful, fast-paced mystery, involving complex relationships, a fledgling romance, and a man’s search for happiness in all the wrong places.

If you enjoy an engaging, multilayered mystery with a vulnerable, endearing hero, someone who will make you cry one minute and laugh the next, you’ll love this book!

Click here to get your copy!

One Day Gone by Luana Ehrlich is a Christian Mystery. Mylas Grey doesn’t mind investigating people, but call him a private detective, and he’ll set you straight. That title belongs to his father. That little distinction caught my attention right away and made me curious about their history.

In One Day Gone, the first book in the Mylas Grey Mystery Series, Mylas serves as Chief Investigator for Senator Davis Allen. He usually runs background checks on judicial nominees, but when the senator’s daughter disappears, he heads back to his hometown of Columbia, Missouri, to find her.

Of course, Lizzie’s disappearance doesn’t come with an easy explanation. She has a habit of doing the unexpected so she might have left on her own. But with questions surrounding her boyfriend, her roommate, and a judge, Mylas can’t afford to assume anything. I like how that uncertainty gives the mystery several possible directions without making the answer seem obvious from the start.

Mylas interests me just as much as the case. His complicated relationship with his father and his own search for happiness give readers more to consider than clues and suspects. I appreciate characters who have some things figured out while still struggling with the parts of life that hit closest to home.

Then a photographer enters the picture and challenges his rejection of Christianity. As a Christian reader, I find this part of the story especially appealing. Their connection adds a little romance, but it also gives Mylas a reason to question what he believes and what he wants from life. Those personal questions add depth to the urgency of finding Lizzie.

One Day Gone combines a puzzling disappearance with family tension, a budding romance, and questions of faith. If you enjoy clean mysteries with a central character who has his own troubles to work through, this introduction to Mylas Grey offers plenty to draw you in.

So if you are looking for a Christian mystery, check out One Day Gone by Luana Ehrlich

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

About the Author

Luana is a USA Today bestselling author, Carol Award finalist, and former missionary to Costa Rica and Venezuela. She developed her passion for mystery novels at an early age, but she didn’t write her own mystery/suspense/thrillers until her husband retired from the ministry.

Now, she writes from an undisclosed location to escape the torture of mundane housework, grocery shopping, and golf stories. However, she’s been known to come out of hiding to visit with her two grandsons or to enjoy a Starbucks caramel macchiato. She and her husband, James, are long‑time residents of Norman, Oklahoma.

More from Luana

Here’s a peek into how an author develops a protagonist for a new series. WARNING: This might be scary to some people.

When I decided to write a mystery series, I knew I wanted the protagonist, Mylas Grey, to be an investigator, but I wasn’t sure what kind. Private? Police? Corporate? All I knew was that I wanted him to be unique in some way. But what way?

At the same time, I was trying to decide where he would work—big city, small town, rural area. Washington, D.C., immediately came to mind, because I could just imagine all the mysteries Mylas might encounter there.

Once I started thinking about Washington, I naturally thought about Congress, congressional aides, journalists, lobbyists, and all the people who move in and out of that world. That led me to wonder if Mylas could work for a senator. After doing some research, I discovered that some senators—particularly those serving on the Judiciary Committee—have investigators on their staffs.

And just like that, the idea was born: Mylas Grey would be the chief investigator for Senator Davis Allen, where one of his responsibilities would be investigating the backgrounds of the President’s judicial nominees.

But that only answered one question.

Who was Mylas Grey? How did he become an investigator? Where was he born? Who were his parents? Was he married? Was he a Christian?

There isn’t enough room here to explain how I answered all those questions—and you should be thankful for that—but I promise the answers are revealed in One Day Gone.

Here’s one hint: Senator Allen sends Mylas back to his hometown to find his missing daughter. While he’s there, Mylas reconnects with his sometimes overbearing but loving family and meets Whitney Engel, a woman who not only helps him solve the case but also helps him discover the One who’s been missing from his life.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From An Avid Reader, November 4

Simple Harvest Reads, November 5 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, November 5

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 6

Texas Book-aholic, November 7

Artistic Nobody, November 8 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 9

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 10

Guild Master, November 11 (Author Interview)

Devoted To Hope, November 12

Betti Mace, November 13

Fiction Book Lover, November 14 (Author Interview)

The Bookish Ledger, November 15 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, November 15

Cover Lover Book Review, November 16

Lily’s Corner, November 17

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Luana is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a signed 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/Y9Q1I/one-day-gone-celebration-tour-giveaway

A Plain Confession ~ A Review & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: A Plain Confession

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

Genre: Amish Fiction

Release Date: October 20, 2026

Sam Mustang has come to Stoney Ridge with one purpose–to make amends before his time runs out. An outsider with a past he can’t undo, he finds unexpected companionship in Darcy Delaney, a traveling nurse whose restless spirit is steadied as Sam teaches her and young Gus Troyer the wonder of stargazing.

But the stars aren’t the only things shifting in Stoney Ridge. Dok Stoltzfus is thrust back into the hardest chapter of her life when the child she once fostered returns. His presence stirs complicated questions: Is she now too old to be a mother, and what lies behind the troubling changes she sees in the child?

As those secrets ripple outward, the lives of Sam, Dok, and Gus begin to pull at the same thread. Sam’s search for redemption, Dok’s struggle with calling and family, and Gus’s bond with a vulnerable child collide in ways that test faith, love, and the very meaning of forgiveness.

Click here to get your copy!

If you enjoy Amish Fiction, you should check out rA Plain Confession by Suzanne Woods Fisher.

Have you ever wished you could go back and change something from your past? I think most of us have moments we’d like to do over, which is one reason Sam Mustang’s story caught my attention. I love books that explore the messy parts of life, especially when characters struggle to make peace with their past while figuring out what comes next. And what better place for a story about second chances, unexpected friendships, and faith than Stoney Ridge?

Sam Mustang arrives in Stoney Ridge hoping to make things right before it’s too late. He carries regrets that won’t simply disappear, and I found myself drawn to his desire to make amends. Along the way, he develops an unexpected friendship with Darcy Delaney, a traveling nurse, and young Gus Troyer. I especially loved the stargazing moments they share. There’s something so peaceful about looking up at a sky full of stars, and those moments made me think about how easily we let everyday worries consume our thoughts and forget just how big our God really is.

Meanwhile, Dok Stoltzfus faces difficult decisions when a child she once fostered returns to her life. She questions whether she can take on motherhood at this stage of life, especially as she notices troubling changes in the child. I could relate to her uncertainty. Haven’t we all faced situations that made us wonder whether we had what it takes? I appreciated how her circumstances challenge her to trust God even when she can’t see a clear path forward.

One of my favorite things about returning to Stoney Ridge is catching up with familiar characters and seeing how their lives continue to unfold. I enjoy the sense of community and the way everyone’s stories connect. The characters aren’t perfect, and that’s part of what makes them so appealing to me. They wrestle with doubts, carry regrets, and struggle with difficult decisions, just like the rest of us.

Sam’s struggle to come to terms with his past especially touched my heart. I think we sometimes find it easier to forgive others than to forgive ourselves. We hold on to mistakes and missed opportunities, wondering if we’ve waited too long to make things right. His journey reminded me that although we can’t undo yesterday, we can still choose how we move forward. I love how this story brings that truth to life without making forgiveness seem simple or easy.

I also enjoyed watching the different storylines come together. Sam, Dok, Darcy, and Gus each bring something unique to the story, and their experiences show how our relationships can shape our lives in ways we never expect. Sometimes God uses an unexpected friendship, a difficult responsibility, or even someone else’s struggles to help us see things from a different perspective.

If you enjoy Amish fiction with familiar faces, heartfelt moments, a little mystery, and faith that flows naturally through the story, I think you’ll appreciate this return to Stoney Ridge. I especially enjoyed how the story balances emotional struggles with quieter moments of friendship and connection. More than anything, it reminded me that life rarely follows our plans, but God continues to work through every twist and turn, even when we can’t see what He’s doing.

So if you want a new work of Amish Fiction, check out A Plain Confession by Suzanne Woods Fisher.

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

About the Author

Suzanne Woods Fisher is a bestselling author, Christy finalist, Carol and Selah winner, and two-time ECPA Book of the Year finalist, with over forty books to her name. She writes contemporary, historical and Amish novels. Suzanne lives in California with her husband, where life (family and friends) provides plenty of grit for the oyster.

More from Suzanne

Dear Reader,

Here’s a fun bit of timing to celebrate A Plain Confession‘s release: in November 2026, just a few weeks after the book comes out, the Leonid meteor shower peaks. It’s one of the most dazzling showers of the year, with fast, bright streaks that show up without warning. No telescope needed. Just a dark patch of sky, a warm jacket, and a willingness to slow down for a while.

If you want to make a night of it, pack some stargazing snacks. Cosmic popcorn, sprinkled with smoked paprika. Shooting star sandwiches, cut with a cookie cutter. Milky Way hot cocoa or Comet apple cider in a thermos. Or go all out with a celestial charcuterie board: moon and star-shaped cheddar bites, chocolate-covered almonds, dried cherries, crackers, the works.

A few tips if you’re new to stargazing:

• Find a darker spot. Even stepping away from porch lights helps.
• Give your eyes time. Ten minutes without bright screens makes a huge difference.
• Look toward the east for the best show.

Then just pause. Let yourself slow down.

That’s the heart of Sam’s story too. Slowing down. Paying attention. Letting small wonders do their quiet work.

I hope A Plain Confession gives you that same sense of wonder. Thanks for joining me on the tour! Happy stargazing!

Suzanne

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, November 6

Blossoms and Blessings, November 7

For Him and My Family, November 7

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 8

Devoted To Hope, November 9

She Lives To Read, November 10

Holly’s Book Corner, November 10

Simple Harvest Reads, November 11 (Guest Review from Marilyn)

Jeanette’s Thoughts, November 12

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 13

Maureen’s Musings, November 14

Mary Hake, November 14

EmpowerMoms, November 15

Cover Lover Book Review, November 16

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 16

The Avid Reader, November 17

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 18

Southern Gal Loves to Read, November 18

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, November 19

Giveaway

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

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

https://gleam.io/sHfUX/a-plain-confession-celebration-tour-giveaway

Karabos ~ A Review & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Karabos

Author: Lyndsey Lewellen

Genre: YA Fantasy

Release Date: October 13, 2026

Enter a dangerous game of magic beetles, buried secrets, and shifting time.

Winslet Nubek knows bugs better than she knows people. The sixteen-year-old, homeschooled entomologist is determined to earn her place among the ancient and dangerous ranks of magical insect hunters. With her father’s failing mines pushing them toward bankruptcy, winning the Tournament of Scarabs becomes her only shot at securing her dream and saving her family from ruin. But when she touches a forbidden time scarab before the competition begins, she’s left with a mark she can’t explain and trips into the past she can’t control. Forced to hide her mistake, Winslet enters the tournament with a growing fear of being discovered. As her secrets grow, so do her slips through time.

Rafe Stormholt charts maps like other people write diaries, but his own future isn’t his to navigate. He needs the tournament prize to keep his grandfather’s company out of treacherous hands. After the preliminaries go awry, Rafe ends up on a team of academic misfits, including the bug girl he’s already judged as a liability. But when he’s dragged into the past alongside her, Rafe uncovers truths that shatter the faith his family has held for generations.

Bound by a time-slipping curse, Winslet and Rafe must navigate the tournament’s perilous trials while unraveling a conspiracy buried centuries deep. As enemies close in and the past begins to bleed into the present, they’ll have to decide what they’re really fighting for and what they’re willing to lose to win.

Click here to get your copy

If you are looking for a Young Adult Fantasy novel, you should check out Karabos by Lyndsey Lewllen.

I don’t usually think of beetles as the starting point for a fantasy adventure, but magical scarabs, a dangerous tournament, and unexpected trips into the past? That gets my attention. What draws me in even more, though, is that Winslet and Rafe have much more riding on this competition than bragging rights.

Sixteen-year-old Winslet Nubek knows her way around insects. People are another matter. She dreams of becoming a magical insect hunter, and winning the Tournament of Scarabs could help her prove herself while saving her family from bankruptcy. She already has enough to worry about when she touches a forbidden time scarab—only to find herself slipping into the past.

That’s quite a secret to carry into a competition where danger already comes with the territory. I can understand why Winslet wants to hide what happened, even as each trip through time makes that decision harder to maintain. Her situation brings up a familiar struggle: the more you have to lose, the harder it can become to admit you need help.

Rafe Stormholt has his own reasons for needing that prize. His grandfather’s company is at risk, and landing on a team of academic misfits hardly feels like a promising start. He’s especially doubtful about Winslet, whom he’s already written off as a liability. Of course, being pulled into the past alongside her gives him a whole new set of problems—and a reason to reconsider his assumptions.

Their uneasy partnership is a big part of the appeal for me. They both want to protect their families, but that doesn’t mean they trust each other or agree on how to move forward. There’s plenty of room for tension when two people need each other’s help but aren’t quite ready to admit it.

Then the past begins to reveal secrets that threaten everything Rafe’s family has believed for generations. This is where the mystery becomes especially intriguing. Getting through the tournament is one thing. Figuring out whom to trust when the truth challenges your own family’s history is something else entirely. And with enemies closing in, Winslet and Rafe don’t have the luxury of sorting it all out at their own pace.

I’m also drawn to the team of academic misfits. It’s easy to underestimate someone whose strengths don’t look like everyone else’s, and Winslet’s knowledge of insects gives that idea an interesting twist. In a tournament built around magical scarabs, the “bug girl” might be exactly the person you need beside you.

If you enjoy young adult fantasy with unusual magic, family secrets, and characters forced to work together under pressure, this premise offers plenty. The tournament provides the danger and excitement, but Winslet and Rafe’s reasons for entering give the story its heart. They begin with a prize they desperately need. What they uncover could change what they’re willing to sacrifice to claim it.

So if you are searching for a Young Adult Fantasy novel, you should check out Karabos by Lyndsey Lewllen.

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

About the Author

Lyndsey Lewellen grew up on a healthy dose of comic books, punk music, and sci-fi. She infuses all three loves into novels written for young adults. Inside her “what if” worlds, her characters take risks, grow, and fight for what matters. When she’s not writing or whittling down her endless TBR, she designs novel covers and paints on shoes. She lives on a small Texas farm with her best friend/husband, five children, and what some might call a zoo of animals (especially after meeting the peacocks).

More from Lyndsey

“Oh boy!”

As far back as I can remember, TV shows and movies like Quantum Leap, Kate and Leopold, Back to the Future, and (my personal favorite) Groundhog Day have absolutely fascinated me. Why? Because all of them share my most beloved trope.

Time travel.

If a story contains time loops, paradoxes, slips, or butterfly effects, count me in! Maybe that’s because I’m intrigued with the structure of time. Sun up, sun down, rinse and repeat. Day by day, we live in a beautifully ordered timeline the Lord has placed us in. My favorite scripture in the Book of Acts exemplifies this truth. While speaking to the Athenians about God’s character, Paul says, “From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.” (Acts 17:26-27)

It’s a glorious and comforting reality that we are exactly where and when we need to be in order to have our best chance at reaching for Him.

However, through fiction, we can imagine what it would be like to step outside the bounds of time. By doing so, I believe, we can better understand our reality. Moving in and out of that well-oiled timeline would jar anyone. For me, it’s that jarring that sparks my curiosity. What would I do if I was moved into the wrong time? Assuming my actions could be catastrophic in the future, how well could I think on the spot and not accidentally cause myself to not be born at all? Perhaps it’s thinking well on the spot that interests me the most. Because isn’t that a fear many of us have? Watching others succeed in these dire situations can give us confidence that we can do the same.

Not only that, but to think of how God is outside of time causes me to look at Him in wonder. He can be fully trusted to tell us about the future because He already knows the end from the beginning. When I read time travel in a novel or craft it in my own stories, I appreciate the wondrous works God has done, is doing, and will do down the line. I am humbled by His skill. All I can do is give Him praise.

So, when I finished my debut series, The Chaos Grid duology, I knew I wanted to tackle a time travel novel of some sort. Sci-fi idea after sci-fi idea popped into my head, but none of them resonated with me enough to start drafting.

Until one day, while eating lunch at a drive-through restaurant, I was listening to an apologetics podcast and an idea struck.

The episode was about archaeology and whether we can trust the events in the Bible. Who was the pharaoh of the Exodus? Were the Hebrews really enslaved? Why didn’t the Egyptians directly record the ten plagues? What intriguing questions! That’s when my idea for a time travel story converged with an Egyptian fantasy. I would love to read a story where people in the future who were lied to by their ancestors traveled back to that time to find out what really went on. There they could discover ancient coverups and propaganda that shaped their skewed view of the past. So, I wrote it.

But being the fantasy and adventure lover I am, I had to throw in a magical scarab competition with The Mummy and Indiana Jones vibes. And, of course, what better era to set the future timeline of my novel than a fictional 1920s when Egyptomania ran rampant?

Thus, Karabos was born, a story of a magic scarab hunting girl who tries to save her family but accidentally drags her reluctant teammate into unstable trips to the past during a dangerous archaeology competition.

I am beyond excited for readers to go on this wild journey with Winslet and Rafe. My hope is that through their story you’ll come away looking at time, and our Creator who stands outside of it, with a renewed sense of wonder.

Blog Stops

The Lofty Pages, October 28

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 29 (Spotlight)

Wishful Endings, October 29

Texas Book-aholic, October 30

Simple Harvest Reads, October 31 (Author Interview)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 1

Artistic Nobody, November 2 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, November 3

Guild Master, November 4 (Author Interview)

Sydney Schmied Books, November 4

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 5

Fiction Book Lover, November 6 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 7

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, November 8

The Bookish Ledger, November 9 (Author Interview)

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, November 10

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lyndsey 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/emZ3W/karabos-celebration-tour-giveaway

I

Not So Very Sensible ~ A Review & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Not So Very Sensible (The Silver Teapot Series Book 3)

Author: Carolyn Miller

Genre: Christian Romance

Release Date: October, 2026

Two Sisters Navigate the Minefield of Modern Dating

Elinor and Katie Bennett are as opposite as sisters can be: Elinor loves structure, planning and design, while Katie’s head is in the clouds as she chases fanciful, romantic dreams. A college graduation trip to the Blue Mountains sees them staying at the Hydro Grand hotel for a murder mystery weekend. There, they end up meeting two men who just might hold the keys to their hearts—taking the sensible Elinor Bennett by surprise while crushing the romantic Katie’s hopes. . .and proving that the path of love doesn’t always follow one’s plans or dreams.

Click here to get your copy!

If you enjoy Christian Romances, you need to check out Not So Very Sensible by Carolyn Miller.

Elinor Bennett likes a plan. Her sister Katie would much rather follow a romantic daydream. Put them together at a grand hotel for a murder mystery weekend, introduce two men, and suddenly neither sister’s heart gets quite what she expected!

That’s what draws me to this story. I have a soft spot for romances that catch the practical person by surprise, especially when the dreamer discovers that love doesn’t necessarily follow the script she’s imagined. There’s something so relatable about both sisters. Even those of us who appreciate a sensible plan can find ourselves hoping for a little storybook romance.

Elinor and Katie travel to the Hydro Grand hotel in the Blue Mountains to celebrate their college graduation. A getaway with a murder mystery weekend sounds like an adventure in itself, but their encounters with two men soon make matters of the heart much more complicated. Elinor has to contend with feelings she didn’t plan for, while Katie faces the sting of disappointed hopes.

I’m especially drawn to Elinor’s predicament. When you like order and know how you want things to go, unexpected feelings can throw you completely off balance. I can easily imagine wanting to talk myself out of them! But Katie’s situation tugs at me, too. It hurts when you’ve built something up in your imagination, and reality takes a different turn.

The contrast between the sisters gives this story much of its appeal. They share a trip, yet bring such different expectations to it. I like that the premise gives each of them something to reconsider. Being sensible doesn’t protect Elinor from surprises, and believing in romance doesn’t guarantee Katie the experience she wants.

With its mountain setting, hotel getaway, and romantic complications, this story will appeal to readers who enjoy sister relationships and love that arrives unexpectedly. Sometimes you set out looking for an adventure and discover that the biggest mystery is your own heart

So if you enjoy Christian Romances, check out Not So Very Sensible by Carolyn Miller along with the rest of the Silver Teapot series.

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

About the Author

Carolyn Miller is an inspirational Regency and contemporary romance author who lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. Together with her husband, she has pastored a church for ten years and worked as a public high school English and Learning and Support teacher.

A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s Regency era, Carolyn holds a BA in English Literature and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives.

More from Carolyn

Do you have a favourite ‘classic’ book?

Many people claim Anne of Green Gables or Pride and Prejudice to be among their favourites. And while I love both of these books I chose a different one of Jane Austen’s works to be the focus of my new book Not So Very Sensible.

Jane Austen fans will recognise the link to Sense and Sensibility, a tale of two sisters and their challenges with finding real love. And while in Not So Very Sensible we have two sisters who are the focus of this story, they have two older sisters as well who have been the focus of the other books in The Silver Teapot series, Not Exactly Mr Darcy and Not Precisely Mr. Knightley.

In Not So Very Sensible it was fun to look at the dynamics between Ellie (the sensible sister) and Katie (the more ‘sensitive’ one inclined to passion and emotion). I have a younger sister, and our relationship is pretty good, but some sisterly relationships aren’t always easy. Ellie often feels like she has to look after her younger sibling who is far more prone to following her heart and wearing her emotions on her sleeve—while Ellie can’t think of anything worse. Ellie and Katie love each other, but their challenges to be honest with each other provide one of the fascinating strands of tension in this book.

One of the things my sister and I love to do is to visit historic homes, which is a lot easier for her because she lives in England. Here in my corner of Australia we have some heritage places, and it was really fun to set this book in an iconic heritage hotel in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales. This hotel (which had its name changed for the purpose of my story) has hosted famous people like Arthur Conan Doyle, so it was wonderful to include lots of the hotel’s details in my story’s setting.

My husband and I visited the hotel last year and enjoyed a special high tea to celebrate our wedding anniversary, and a picture of us there became the inspiration for the cover of Not So Very Sensible. I took lots of other pictures (which you can see on my website) so I hope readers enjoy the lengths I go to for the sake of research!

If you enjoy books with heart, hope and humour then I hope you’ll enjoy reading Not So Very Sensible – happy reading awaits!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 30

Book Looks by Lisa, October 30

She Lives to Read, October 31

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 1

Texas Book-aholic, November 2

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 3

Leslie’s Library Escape, November 3

For Him and My Family, November 4

Lyssa Loves Books, November 5

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 6

Pause for Tales, November 6

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 7

Sylvan Reads, November 8

Blossoms and Blessings, November 9

Holly’s Book Corner, November 10

Cover Lover Book Review, November 11

Melissa’s Bookshelf, November 11

Wishful Endings, November 12

Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 12

Giveaway

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

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

https://gleam.io/cLby4/not-so-very-sensible-celebration-tour-giveaway

Mail-Order Lady ~ A Review & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Mail-Order Lady

Author: Misty M. Beller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: October 13, 2026

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

She agreed to a safe, sensible marriage. He agreed because she already holds his heart.

Clara McKinney came west as a mail-order bride—only to watch her sister marry the intended groom instead. Now recovered from an illness that nearly killed her, she’s stranded at the Balfour ranch. Worse, her mother is demanding her return to face an arranged marriage that feels like a nightmare. When the quiet, bookish brother offers a marriage of convenience, Clara accepts with relief. No messy emotions or risk of rejection. Just safety.

Robert Balfour has one goal—win Clara’s heart. She now shares his name, but he must convince her that his devotion runs deeper than courtesy.

Then a stranger appears at the ranch with a shocking claim—he’s the rightful Balfour heir. Suddenly, Robert’s focus on earning his wife’s love faces a test he never saw coming. With enemies lurking and family loyalties tested, this marriage of convenience is about to become the most dangerous arrangement of all.

From a USA Today bestselling author comes a royal family saga featuring a marriage of convenience, unrequited love, and a family mystery that spans continents…all set in the rugged Montana Territory.

Click here to get your copy!

If you enjoy Christian Historical Romances, you should check out Mail-Order Lady by Misty M. Beller. This fourth installment in the Lord of the Rockies series provides the perfect continuation of this series.

I have a soft spot for quiet, bookish heroes, so Robert Balfour immediately caught my attention. He’s already in love with Clara when he offers her a marriage of convenience. She thinks she’s agreeing to a practical arrangement, while he hopes it will give him a chance to win her heart. That’s the kind of romantic predicament I find hard to resist.

Clara has been through so much. She came west expecting to marry, only to watch her sister wed her intended groom. Then an illness nearly took her life. With her mother now demanding that she return home for an arranged marriage she dreads, I can understand why she welcomes Robert’s offer. She needs somewhere to belong and a little reassurance that her future won’t bring more heartache.

What draws me to their relationship is how differently they see this marriage. Clara feels safe because she believes neither of them is risking rejection. Robert, meanwhile, has put his heart on the line. There’s something tender about his hope that the woman who shares his name will someday return his love. It also makes me want Clara to recognize that his kindness comes from more than a sense of duty.

Just as they begin navigating married life, a stranger arrives claiming to be the rightful Balfour heir. Suddenly, their personal concerns become tangled in a mystery that threatens the whole family. The combination of English aristocratic ties and life on a Montana ranch gives the story an interesting backdrop, especially when questions about inheritance and loyalty follow the family across an ocean.

For me, the biggest appeal is still Robert and Clara. I’m drawn to the possibility of a woman finding love where she only dared to hope for security, especially with a man who has quietly loved her all along. If you enjoy marriages of convenience, devoted heroes, and family mysteries woven into historical romance, this story has plenty to catch your interest.

I found this the perfect continuation of this series and look forward to reading the next installment. As with all Misty M. Beller’s books and series, I found the characters and storylines captivating.

So if you enjoy Christian Historical Romances, check out Mail-Order Lady by Misty M. Beller. I definitely recommend it.

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

About the Author

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

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

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

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

More from Misty

A marriage of convenience only works if he’s not already in love…

Hello Reader Friends!

I’m so excited to be back with you in the Lords of the Rockies world for another swoony installment!

If you’ve been following along, you already know Clara McKinney. She came west as a mail-order bride, only to watch her sister marry the intended groom instead. (It really was the right match for both her sister and Thomas, but that didn’t make the ache hurt any less for Clara.)

Then illness nearly took Clara’s life, leaving her stranded at the Balfour ranch with nowhere to go—and a mother back home demanding she return to face an arranged marriage that felt more like a sentence than a future.

Can you imagine being in her shoes? Arriving in Montana for one life…and finding yourself in an entirely different story?

When the quiet, bookish Robert Balfour offers her a marriage of convenience, Clara accepts with relief. She knows Robert and he’s honorable. Plus a marriage on paper only means there’s no risk of rejection. No messy feelings. Just safety.

But here’s what makes my heart flutter about this story: Robert already loves her. He has for some time. He isn’t just offering convenience—he’s offering everything he has and hoping, quietly and patiently, that she’ll one day see it.

And just when their fragile new life together begins to take root, a stranger arrives at the ranch with a shocking claim that threatens to unravel everything.

I pray you love Mail-Order Lady!

Blessings!

Misty

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, October 31

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 31

Devoted Steps, November 1

Texas Book-aholic, November 1

Simple Harvest Reads, November 2 (Guest Review from Marilyn)

For Him and My Family, November 2

Wishful Endings, November 3

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, November 3

lakesidelivingsite, November 3

Betti Mace, November 4

She Lives to Read, November 4

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 5

Lyssa Loves Books, November 5

Sydney Schmied Books, November 6

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 6

Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 7

Book Holds and Jello Molds, November 7

Sylvan Musings, November 8

Jeanette’s Thoughts, November 8

Melissa’s Bookshelf, November 9

Books You Can Feel Good About, November 9

Cover Lover Book Review, November 10

Artistic Nobody, November 10 (Guest Review from Donna)

Holly’s Book Corner, November 11

Devoted To Hope, November 11

Mary Hake, November 11

Blossoms and Blessings, November 12

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 12

Lily’s Corner, November 13

Pause for Tales, November 13

Giveaway

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

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

https://gleam.io/akiMd/mail-order-lady-celebration-tour-giveaway

Loyalty’s Pursuit ~ A Review & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Loyalty’s Pursuit

Author: Shannon McNear

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: October 13, 2026

She needs a husband to survive. Right now, a wife is the last thing he wants.

August 1780. After the Battle of Camden leaves British camp follower Bess Eaton widowed, expecting a child, and stranded in enemy territory, she faces two impossible choices: a return to an England that offers her nothing…or marriage to a stranger before the army marches on without her.

Backcountry loyalist Rob MacFarlane has already buried a wife and son and has no intention of marrying again at this moment. But he can’t ignore the vulnerable widow in his path. What begins as an act of duty quickly becomes something far more complicated when he offers Bess protection—and a name.

As war rages and the British cause begins to crumble, their fragile alliance is tested at every turn. Loyalties fracture. Faith is questioned. And the lines between enemy and neighbor blur. To survive, Rob must decide what allegiance truly costs—and Bess must choose whether she can trust not only the man she married…but the God she’s never fully known.

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If you enjoy Christian Historical Romances, you should check out Shannon McNear’s Loyalty’s Pursuit.

I always enjoy a marriage-of-convenience story that gives both characters good reasons to guard their hearts. Bess Eaton needs a husband to protect her and her unborn child. Rob MacFarlane wants to avoid the heartache of loving and losing someone again. Their circumstances draw me in right away, especially with the Revolutionary War threatening any hope of a settled life.

After the Battle of Camden leaves Bess widowed and stranded, she faces choices no expectant mother should have to make. Returning to England offers little hope, while marrying a stranger means trusting him with everything she holds dear. I can understand why she accepts Rob’s offer, but I can also imagine the fear that comes with it. A wedding might provide her with protection, but it can’t build trust overnight.

Rob’s situation tugs at my heart, too. He has already buried his wife and son, and he has no desire to risk that kind of loss again. Yet he can’t turn his back on Bess. I appreciate that conflict between his wish to protect himself and his decision to help her. He offers his name out of duty, then faces the much harder question of whether he can open his heart.

The loyalist perspective adds another layer to their story. As the British cause begins to crumble, Rob must weigh his allegiance against the needs of the family he has taken on. War complicates every decision, and the shifting boundaries between enemy and neighbor leave little room for simple answers.

The faith thread especially appeals to me. Bess must learn whether she can trust Rob while also wrestling with questions about a God she has never fully known. Those struggles give her more to work through than an unexpected marriage. She needs hope for her future, but grief and uncertainty make trust a difficult step.

What draws me most to Bess and Rob’s story is the possibility of finding companionship when neither person expects it. Readers who enjoy Christian historical romance, marriages of convenience, and characters who wrestle with faith and loyalty will find plenty to interest them in this premise.

So if you are looking for a Christian Historical Romance, check out Loyalty’s Pursuit by Shannon McNear.

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

About the Author

Transplanted to the far north after more than two decades in the Deep South, Shannon McNear loves losing herself in local history. She’s the author of twenty-one novels and novellas, not all of them in print, but her favorite roles are retired military wife, pastor’s wife, mom-of-many, mother-in-law, and grammie. When not cooking, researching, or leaking story from her fingertips, she enjoys being outdoors, hanging out with her grandbabies and basking in the beauty of the northern prairies.

More from Shannon

I’m so honored to be part of yet another Celebrate Lit tour! This story especially is near and dear to my heart, because it was my very first long historical after writing fantasy for decades, the book I still had in process when I submitted the proposal for my first novella, Defending Truth, and the one which gave me the courage to try that story (and genre) to begin with.

The first draft of this story took five years to complete, in between other projects and real life. It was a hard sell to start with, I knew, being set within the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution but from the British and Loyalist viewpoint. Still, it eventually netted me both of my agents (Defending Truth’s RITA® nomination didn’t hurt there, either) while garnering interest from various editors—but didn’t actually sell until last summer. That means this story languished for more than 10 years—and then the Lord Himself practically dropped this contract in my lap.

The first story of how the concept came to me can be found here:

https://colonialquills.blogspot.com/2014/07/dispelling-colonial-myths-reenactor.html

It was on my heart from the beginning to portray the romance, such as it is, in a rather unconventional way—something closer to what I imagine real life must have been for such a situation. And I deliberately steered away from the usual flowery declarations of love between my main couple, while hoping to present them in such a way that the reader has no doubt by the end of the story that they do absolutely care for each other. My dear editor with Wild Heart Books helped me shape and refine the characters and story from what might have been a more straightforward historical fiction read into more of what a historical romance reader might expect. I hope those expectations are now met, but also that my readers also come away with a fresh appreciation for how our country came to be.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, October 27

Holly’s Book Corner, October 28

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 28

Inkwell Inspirations, October 29

Betti Mace, October 30

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 30

Texas Book-aholic, October 31

For Him and My Family, November 1

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 2

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 3

Pause for Tales, November 4

Devoted To Hope, November 4

Jeanette’s Thoughts , November 5

Maureen’s Musings, November 6

Books You Can Feel Good About, November 7

Lyssa Loves Books, November 8

Simple Harvest Reads, November 8 (Guest Review from Donna)

Cover Lover Book Review, November 9

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Shannon 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/AJy7n/loyaltys-pursuit-celebration-tour-giveaway

Moment in Time ~ A Review & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Moment in Time

Author: Cynthia L. Simmons

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction, Faith Redemption murder mystery, Murder intrigue

Release Date: August, 2026

Helen Moore was devastated when she learned her husband was missing and presumed dead in the Civil War. Fortunately, Uncle Henry invited her and her son, Aaron, to apprentice with his photography studio in Marietta, Ga, after the war. However, while planting herbs on his property, she unearthed a body no one could identify. Who put the man there? Was her uncle involved in his death? As she unravels the mystery, she finds unexpected companionship and learns every moment in life matters.

Click here to get your copy!

Moment in Time by Cynthia L. Simmons combines aspects of Christian Historical Fiction, Faith Redemption murder mystery, and Murder intrigue elements.

A fresh start at her uncle’s photography studio sounds like just what Helen Moore needs—finding a body while planting herbs? That certainly wasn’t part of the plan.

With her husband missing and presumed dead in the Civil War, Helen tries to build a future for herself and her son, Aaron. Uncle Henry’s invitation to join him in Marietta, Georgia, offers something she desperately needs: a place to begin again. There’s something about that uncertainty that draws me to Helen. She’s facing a life she never expected, with a child depending on her and no easy answers about what comes next.

Then a discovery on her uncle’s property turns that welcome refuge into a place of suspicion. Who is the man buried there, and how did he end up in Uncle Henry’s garden? The question that makes this mystery especially intriguing is whether the person helping Helen rebuild her life could be hiding something terrible. It gives her search for answers a deeply personal cost.

I’m particularly drawn to the photography studio setting. It offers an interesting backdrop for a story about loss and the value of the moments we’re given. And with unexpected companionship entering Helen’s life, there’s the promise of more than secrets and suspicion—there’s room for hope, too.

The combination of a puzzling discovery and a mother trying to find her way makes this an appealing premise. If you enjoy historical mysteries with family questions, emotional stakes, and the possibility of a new beginning, Helen’s story may be one to add to your reading list.

So if you want a Christian Historical Fiction, Faith Redemption murder mystery, and/or Murder intrigue story, check out Moment in Time by Cynthia L. Simmons.

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

About the Author

Cynthia L Simmons and her husband have five grown children . She loves hot tea, orchids, and adores historical research. Her ragdoll cats often sit by her when she writes. Cynthia has written historical fiction, mysteries, Bible studies, homeschool curriculum, devotions, and hosts Heart of the Matter Radio/podcast, posts History Chats, and shares history stories to encourage women.

More from Cynthia

Secrets in the Darkroom: Welcome to the Moment in Time Blog Tour!

What if the key to solving a dangerous post-war mystery was hidden in a photographic negative?

Welcome, readers and bloggers! I am beyond thrilled to kick off the Celebrate Lit blog tour for my newest historical mystery, Moment in Time!

If you love rich historical detail, high-stakes suspense, hidden ciphers, and stories of unexpected hope rebuilding from the ashes, then step back with me to 1867 Marietta, Georgia.

About the Story

The Civil War may be over, but for the town of Marietta, the fight to rebuild has just begun.

When Helen, a former midwife, takes a job assisting her uncle in his photography studio, she expects darkroom chemicals and quiet portraits. Instead, she stumbles into a web of secret codes, hidden motives, and a threat creeping through the Reconstruction-era town.

Teamed up with Edward—a former Union surgeon carrying his own deep wounds—the two must decipher the clues before time runs out. In a world of wet-plate glass negatives and volatile chemicals, every single second matters… because someone in Marietta will do whatever it takes to keep the past buried.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 22

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, October 23

For Him and My Family, October 23

Simple Harvest Reads, October 24 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, October 25 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, October 26

Guild Master, October 27 (Author Interview)

Fiction Book Lover, October 28 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 29

The Bookish Ledger, October 30 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, October 31 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 1

Mary Hake, November 1

Books, Books, & More Books, November 2 (Author Interview)

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, November 3 (Author Interview)

Lily’s Corner, November 4

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Cynthia 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/VTxgD/moment-in-time-celebration-tour-giveaway