Garden of the Midnights by Hannah Linder

 

Book description:

The accidents are not a matter of chance. They are deliberate. As English gentleman William Kensley becomes aware of the danger at Rosenleigh Manor, he pleads for the truth of his past from the only man he can trust—until that man is murdered. 

As the secrets unfold into scandal, William’s world is tipped into destitution, leaving him penniless and alone. His only comfort is in the constant friendship and love of Isabella Gresham. If he does not have their nonsense at the seashore, their laughter, their reckless adventures, has he anything at all?

He should have known that would be ripped from him too. When a hidden foe arises from their acquaintances and imperils Isabella’s life, William may be the only one willing to risk his life to rescue her. But even if he frees Isabella from her captors, will he still have to forsake her heart? 

Some sacrifice everything for love. Others sacrifice love for everything else. In this haunting tale of rigid social prejudices and heart-aching regrets, the greatest decision of their life will be determined in the garden of the midnights. 

My review:
This is the second book I read by this author. I liked the first one well enough, but this one was far better and a more enjoyable read. 

  A lot of Christian fiction books center more on females. This one centered more on the male lead in the story, William. The author came up with a quite likable character in William. He basically loses everything, and keeps his faith and integrity no matter what happens to him in the book.

 Isabella was also a likable character - most of the time - but she came through in the end.

I admit the author had me stumped for a while on the relationship between William and Isabella. I can't say why and how without spoilers, but there was a welcome surprise at one point.

And this book was not without its share of mystery and suspense, and of course bad guys. The guy who was the bad guy made such a great villain, and I so enjoyed disliking him all throughout the book.

This was a great read and one I enjoyed a lot. Great plot and characters, and a great ending and epilogue. It is only the third book this author has published, and it is obvious she is finding her place in the Christian fiction market. 

Special thanks to the publisher for an advance copy of this book. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

About the author:

Hannah Linder resides in the beautiful mountains of central West Virginia. Represented by Books & Such, she writes Regency romantic suspense novels filled with passion, secrets, and danger. She is a four-time Selah Award winner, a 2023 Carol Award semi-finalist, and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). Also, Hannah is an international and multi-award-winning graphic designer who specializes in professional book cover design. She designs for both traditional publishing houses and individual authors, including New York Times, USA Today, and international bestsellers. She is also a self-portrait photographer of historical fashion. When Hannah is not writing, she enjoys playing her instruments—piano, guitar, ukulele, and banjolele—songwriting, painting still life, walking in the rain, and sitting on the front porch of her 1800s farmhouse. To follow her journey, visit hannahlinderbooks.com.

Check out her other books:

And coming May 2024:

New Leash On Life, Gone To The Dogs Mysteries #6 by Kathleen Y'Barbo

 Book description:

How Is a Missing Military Working Dog Related to Two Local Fires?

Air Force veteran Dr. Lane Bishop and Nora Hernandez’s romance has cooled. He is busy working as a researcher at the vet school, and she’s busy with her restaurant and opening an antique shop. What Lane hasn’t told her is his PTSD, which manifests mostly with nightmares, makes him believe he’s damaged goods. But that is about to change when he meets a stray pup that acts a lot like a military working dog. When a tornado hits Brenham, there is damage in the downtown area and a fire is ignited in Nora’s new store. A Belgian Malinois dog is seen at the fire and later Lane sees him at a wedding venue where an explosion occurs. Not long after, a second explosion rocks Brenham and sends Nora and Lane on a hunt for the person responsible. Will the pair find the guilty party before more damage is done to the city’s landmarks? And will Lane find the words to tell Nora how much he loves her before it’s too late?

My review:
  Though this is the sixth book in a series, this is the first one I have read. I don't like dogs, but this one appealed to me because of him helping with PTSD. And it was cool how much Pal helped Lane with his PTSD.

 I did thoroughly enjoy the book. I loved the characters, even the dog. Lane and Nora were great main characters, and you had to admire her for sticking with him in spite of all his flaws. And you had to feel bad for him for the secret he was carrying.

The author did a great job of keeping me guessing who the bad guy was. I was both right and wrong. 

This may be what they refer to as a cozy mystery. There were no chases, people shooting, threats, etc that are usually found in mystery and suspense. But that didn't make the book any less enjoyable. After I finished reading it, I immediately started looking at the rest of the series on Amazon.

I believe this is the first book I have read by this author, and I plan on reading more. Especially in this series.

Special thanks to the publisher for an advance e-copy of this book. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

About the author:

Publishers Weekly bestselling author Kathleen Y’Barbo is a multiple Carol Award and RITA nominee of more than one hundred novels with almost two million copies in print in the US and abroad.

A tenth-generation Texan and certified paralegal, she has been nominated for a Career Achievement Award as well a Reader’s Choice Award and is the winner of the Inspirational Romance of the Year by Romantic Times magazine.

To connect with her through social media, check out the links on her website at www.kathleenybarbo.com.

Check out the rest of the series:

Notable author Lisa Phillips

   I have done several of these new and/or notable author posts, and I thought that I had done one on Lisa Phillips already. I was actually surprised that I had not. I did start one back in June, but it got lost in my many drafts. I was actually looking to see if I had a photo merging this first series I talk about, and discovered I had never posted this.

 I first ran across this author in 2015 when I bought the first book in her WITSEC Town series. It is a five book series about a fictional town where people living in Witness Protection go to reside. At that point, I think she had just two other books out that I bought - Denver FBI. I loved the WITSEC series, and just re-read them a couple of months ago.

And the author just recently came out with new covers. Often when that happens, I like the old ones better. In this case, I like the new ones better and keep telling myself I do not need to buy them. 😀

                                                         The new ones

The old ones

See what I mean? 😎

If anyone wants to buy me all 5 in the new covers......😀

  After reading that series and the FBI Denver books I didn't keep up with her since I wasn't following her on social media, and most of her books are self-published - nothing wrong with that, I just tended to follow authors for a while that published with Christian publishers I was familiar with.  I started catching up on her books in the last few years, and have been enjoying everything she writes. She is another author who weaves some of her series together. A lot of her books take place in a fictional area called Last Chance County. I may miss one, but here are the series that go together, and possibly not in the right order:

WITSEC Town (5 books)

Last Chance County (10 books)

Last Chance Downrange (4 books)

Chevalier Protection Services (5 books)

Last Chance Fire and Rescue

   Phllips is an author who puts books out at an amazing speed. She recently had three series going, with one of those ending last month:

1) Brand of Justice. 5 books out so far, #6 releasing next month, and possibly more after that. This series is about an ex-FBI agent who runs her own investigative service. There is only a hint of romance, with an FBI agent who helps her out on her cases. #5 ended with an evil cliffhanger, so I am really looking forward to reading #6. 😎

2) Benson First Responders. A series about first responders. Obviously. :) There are 5 books out, and at least one more coming out, which is due out in January.

3) Last Chance Fire and Rescue. This series is different. There are 4 books in all.  Other than the first book, each is written by a different author with Phillips being involved and having her name on the cover:

#1:Expired Return by Phllips

#2: Expired Hope by Phllips and Megan Besing

#3: Expired Promise by Phllips and Emilie Haney

#4: Expired Vows by Phllips and Laura Conaway

  In addition to all of her other books, Lisa also writes for Love Inspired Suspense, and also did a supernatural series under the name JL Terra that was different, but really good.

  Phillips is another author that has quickly become a favorite, and is on my must buy list when a new book comes out by her.  

 Next up from her, as I mentioned above:

Dust and Ashes, Brand of Justice #6: Coming November 7.

And Nightfall, Benson First Responders #6: Coming January 17.

About the author

Lisa Phillips is a USA Today and top ten Publishers Weekly bestselling author of over 60 books that span Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line, independently published series romantic suspense, and thriller novels. She’s discovered a penchant for high-stakes stories of mayhem and disaster where you can find made-for-each-other love that always ends in happily ever after.

Lisa is a British ex-pat who grew up an hour outside of London and attended Calvary Chapel Bible College, where she met her husband. He’s from California, but nobody’s perfect. It wasn’t until her Bible College graduation that she figured out she was a writer (someone told her). Lisa is a worship leader, tea aficionado, and dog lover of two crazy Airedales.

Find out more at www.authorlisaphillips.com

On Moonberry Lake by Holly Varni

 

Book description:

Cora Matthews's life is a mess. A broken engagement and the unexpected death of her mother have left her wondering if things will ever return to normal. Whatever "normal" is.

It certainly isn't what she finds at Moonberry Lake. After she receives her family's dilapidated lakefront lodge as an inheritance--with a surprising condition attached--Cora finds her life overrun by a parade of eccentric neighbors who all have something to say and something to teach her.

As Cora works to put her life back together, she must decide if she is willing to let go of the past, open her heart to love, and embrace the craziest version of family and home she could ever have imagined.

My review:
  I had mixed feelings about this book. It sounded good, and has an awesome cover....but it is the first novel by this author. Even after I started it, I was wondering if I would like it.

But wow. What an awesome debut novel. It is full of colorful, odd, eccentric people who are somehow very likable in spite of - or maybe because of - their oddities:

1) The older lady who takes care of the cemetery by her house. She knows the stories of all who are buried there, and talks to them as she takes care of their plots and headstones.

2) The agoraphobic gentleman who won't leave his house, is also a germophobic....but lives for Cora coming to clean his house and do his grocery shopping.

3) Then there is Widgey, who you will have to read the book to understand her.

4) And of course, Ben. (Read the book!)

  There are others I won't mention, as there needs to be reason for you to read this book. :)

  One would not know by the cover, title, or book description how funny this book is. Oh, it has a lot of serious and somber moments, but there is so much humor scattered throughout the book. There were times I laid my head back and laughed out loud. The words and actions of the characters in this book....pure gold. 

And then there is the "Sightings and Satire" section of the town newspaper. I dare anyone to read those without laughing.

  Cora, the main character, has a lot going on, and all of these people she meets come to mean a lot to her. There is a lot of wisdom dispensed that even the reader can digest and think on. And throughout the story is the obvious hand and workings of God.

 This book was so much more than I expected. And it is kind of a dangerous undertaking for the author. This, her debut novel, is definitely a home run, and is a book that surely will be nominated for awards. So her follow-up novel is going to have high expectations.

I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.

About the author:
Holly Varni is a native Minnesotan of strong Norwegian descent, who was raised in the Lutheran Church that Garrison Keillor made a career depicting. Between the lutefisk, grumpy grandparents, and crazy neighbors who mowed their lawn wearing pajamas, the seed to becoming a storyteller was planted. Though she, her husband, and their three sons live along the Central Coast of California, her beloved Midwest roots continue to haunt everything she writes. She hosts the Moments from Moonberry Lake podcast where she shares more stories of her beloved characters. Learn more at www.hollyvarni.com.

On Moonberry Lake is available from Revell Publishing, part of the Baker Publishing Group.

Thanks to Revell for the review copy.

Guest post by Stephenia H McGee, author of The River Queen, with a giveaway

 Guest Post, Stephenia H. McGee

The River Queen

By the Vine Press, October, 2023

Lights! Music! Entertainment visiting your town! 

Enter the era of the grand showboat. A traveling theatre that brought delight to cities and towns along the river’s edge. While I was researching this fascinating world for my novel The River Queen, I noticed something quite interesting that directed the setting for the story. 

There were two distinct showboat eras. 

The first and primary era happened before the Civil War. This is the main time frame most people would probably expect a showboat story. So naturally, I had to go with something a little different.

In the early nineteen hundreds, a secondary showboat trend arrived. Unfortunately, this era didn’t last long, and by the mid-to-late 1920s, the glamourous showboat era simply drifted away. 

Oh, but the sliver of time in between—and right in the middle of prohibition with smugglers and river gangsters, no less—felt perfect for my quirky songbird Anola Flynn and The River Queen.

I dove in and tried to figure out a way that all these amazing elements could fit together. River pirates, bootleggers, prohibition, and smuggling all clashing with the glitz and glamour of a roaring 1920’s showboat. 

I gathered about 15 different books on river mysteries, river lore, and showboats to help me plot the story. That’s when I discovered a gym. I somehow ended up with an autographed biography of a woman who had grown up on exactly the type of showboat I wanted for the story.

Many scenes in the book were thus inspired by the real-life escapades of Betty Bryant, who gave a detailed account of her childhood on a showboat in the early 1920s in her book Here Comes the Showboat! She shows what life was like on the Bryant’s Showboat, giving descriptions of the boat, the acting troupe, the family’s schedule, and information on the crew from her life on the river. 

Now, throw in a close-knit family of Irish actors, and well, you have the makings of what turned out to be my favorite cast of characters I’ve ever written. 

So come and join us on The River Queen! As Anola would say in her welcome song to greet you as you come aboard:

“Welcome, welcome,

All my friends,

Welcome, welcome,

This is where the story begins,

Bring your sorrows,

Bring your joy,

Every man, woman, girl, and boy,

Welcome, welcome,

To The River Queen,

Where every moment is but a dream.”

Giveaway: https://kingsumo.com/g/bynmp1/the-river-queen-release-giveaway/z2lj7yj?

Book Description: 

River pirates, a stolen steamboat, and a deadly chase down the Mississippi—but falling in love might be the real adventure.

When river pirates attack and steal his steamboat, Emmett Carter barely escapes. Rescued and transported to a magnificent world of glitz and showbiz aboard a flashy showboat, Emmett is immediately captivated by something more than recovering his lost inheritance—The River Queen’s beautiful, but quirky, songbird.

Anola Flynn, the star singer on The River Queen, is struggling to keep the business running as attendance dwindles during the 1923 season. With her dreams of saving the family legacy—and the only life she’s ever known—slipping away, she forges an alliance with Emmett to keep her family afloat.

Now, to outsmart the gangsters chasing them, Anola and Emmett must wade through a dark current of deception and betrayal to save not only their dreams, but everyone they care about, from sinking deeper into the Mississippi River.

Author Bio:

Stephenia H. McGee is a multi-published author of stories of faith, hope, and healing set in the Deep South. She lives in Mississippi, where she is a mom of two rambunctious boys, writer, dreamer, and husband spoiler. Her novel The Cedar Key was a 2021 Faith, Hope, and Love Readers’ Choice award winner. A member of the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), she loves all things books and history. Stephenia also loves connecting with readers and can often be found having fun with her Faithful Readers Team on Facebook. For more on books and upcoming events and to connect with Stephenia, visit her at www.StepheniaMcGee.com.

Buy Links:

Direct from Author: Ebook, Audiobook, Paperback (US & International)

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/River-Queen-Christian-Historical-Romances-ebook/dp/B0C8L8DXPN

Barnes and Noble : https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-river-queen-stephenia-h-mcgee/1143824046

Series review, and author spotlight: The Minnesota Marshalls by Susan May Warren

This started out as a series review/spotlight, but I realized I have never featured this author on my new/notable author spotlights, so it is a combination series review, book review and spotlight.

 Susan May Warren is an excellent author, and I just finished reading one of her best novels she has written so far: Creed, the 5th and final book in her Minnesota Marshalls Series. He is the youngest Marshall, and is the only adopted one. No, not Marshal as the law enforcement who chase bad guys, but Marshall, as in a family name. 

This is a series about 5 siblings and their adventures that take them all over the place, including other countries. And they are from Minnesota, hence the Minnesota Marshalls.

A few years ago, the author did another Marshalls series: the Montana Marshalls. They are all from....wait for it.....Montana. 😀

The Marshalls in the Montana series are cousins to the Marshalls in this series, and make appearances in this series. As do characters from other series by this author.

Since I just read Creed yesterday, here is my review I left a few places:

Awesome is not an exaggeration for this book. I believe 100% that this author's best writing has been her two Marshalls series.

And this was an epic ending to the Minnesota Marhalls Series. Just wow.

Creed finally gets his chance to shine, and finally finds his true place in the family he was adopted into. I won't give any spoilers, but the whole think with his mom and him at the end of the book.....I admit my eyes watered.

Pretty much the whole gang showed up in this book, and were amazing. My favorite Susan May Warren character even showed up - York - and had some great advice for Creed.

There was a lot of talk about forgiveness and trusting God - even forgiving one's self, that Creed and Fraser both needed.

A lot happened. A lot. I did struggle a bit to keep up with everything when they were relating what had happened before this story, and how it related to what was happening now, but I managed. The author wove a lot of stories together in this final climax of a huge plot.

And there were funny moments...such as the tackle of a certain bad guy by a certain football player.

Truly, this series was some of Warren's best writing, best plots, best characters, best relationships between the characters.

Warren is an author who weaves series together and has characters appear in multiple series. For instance, Creed was just published this month, but he as a character first appeared in Storm Front (2018), the 5th book in her Montana Rescue Series. (She must like Montana). In that book, Creed was in high school and was trapped with other students in a school when a hurricane demolished their town.

Creed was hailed as a hero for keeping the other students safe and alive, and for helping rescue them.

Then there is the Global Search and Rescue Series, and characters from that series appear in both Marshalls Series.

One of my favorite series of hers is The Sky King Ranch. I reviewed all 3 books, and really enjoyed it. The series is about triplet brothers who haven't seen each other in a decade, basically due to one of them kissing the girlfriend of his brother, then ending up in the hospital because of being beaten up by that brother. Dodge, Ranger, and Colt make up an awesome trilogy.

I would be remiss if I ended without talking about my all time favorite character in her books: York Newgate. He was a CIA agent who had done a lot of bad stuff to keep America and her citizens safe.

He first made an appearance in the Montana Marshalls Series - I think Wyatt, book #4. Possibly earlier in the series. Anyway, I won't give too many spoilers away, but he becomes the love interest of the only female Montana Marshalls female sibling: Ruby Jane - or RJ.

This is the cool part. And yeah, it is fiction, but still cool: York thought he had done so much bad that he was beyond redemption. So the author had something happen and he got amnesia for a while and had no idea who he was. And during that time, he found God. In the author's words: He had to lose his memories and forget what kind of man he had been, in order to believe he could be redeemed. 

The author didn't stop his story in the last Montana Marshalls book - Ruby Jane. She went on to do a trilogy that all came out in the same month - August 2022 - about York and RJ, and they are considered books 6-8 in the Montana Marshalls Series.

She is an author I highly recommend, and has a lot of books, and a wide variety of books. Some are just straight romance, while many are suspense and adventure that take the reader all over the world.

Coming up next from her is One Last Shot, book #1 in the Alaska Air Series, coming March 2024:

When music star Oaken Fox joins Alaska Air One Rescue for a reality show, he must work with Boo Kingston, a female EMT who isn't impressed with his fame. She needs a trained rescuer--especially if they're going to find a group of lost hikers. But when a blizzard hits and the search goes south, can he become a real hero, or are they headed for tragedy?

About the author:

Susan May Warren is the USA Today bestselling, Christy and RITA award-winning novelist of over sixty-five novels. An eight-time Christy award finalist, a three-time RITA Finalist, she’s also a multi-winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice award, and the ACFW Carol Award.

A seasoned women’s events speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: The Story Equation.

She is also the founder of www.MyBookTherapy.com, and Novel.Academy, a school for aspiring novelists. You can find her online at www.susanmaywarren.com.

Better Watch Out by Natalie Walters

Book description: 

An accidental meet-cute, a case of mistaken identity, and a bucket-list of Christmas activities befitting a Hallmark movie make this holiday romantic adventure the perfect Christmas read.

Leave the candy canes, take the pepper spray!

Nothing screams Christmas like a week spent ice skating, visiting Santa, and sharing a kiss or two under the mistletoe. Frannie Frost has crafted the perfect bucket list of romantic activities to surprise her boyfriend in the most magical place at Christmas time—New York City. When he unexpectedly becomes her ex, her plans are derailed leaving her with a choice. Wallow in self-pity at Christmas time or take matters into her own hands.

Former NHL defenseman turned personal protection agent, Andrew Bishop, loves his job—when things go as planned—but Frannie Frost is definitely not part of the plan. Still, when her brother, the man who saved Andrew’s life last year, asks him to deliver his sister safely to the airport, he can’t say no.

The only problem? Frannie isn’t leaving. She’s determined to make the most of her trip by checking off a bucket list of cliché Christmas actives that would make even Santa’s elves jealous. Andrew’s content to let her go until he learns that Frannie’s been mistaken for his client and thrust into the midst of danger.

Better Watch Out is a sweet romantic holiday adventure that gives you all of laughs of a rom-com while adding a touch of suspense. Tropes you’re sure to love include the new girl in the city vibe, stranded at Christmas, under the mistletoe, forced proximity, and a touch of enemies to lovers. Enjoy this romantic adventure that’s sure to make your holidays merry and bright.

My review:
This is the first full length Christmas novel I have read this year, and it was an amazing read. It was a bit different from the author's other books, but then it is a Christmas novel.

I honestly have never had the desire to go to New York City, but almost want to after reading this book. Using a suspense novel, the author gives the reader a tour of what to see and do at Christmas in New York City, via Frannie's bucket list.

Truly, the book has it all: In addition to ideas of what to do in NYC at Christmas, there is suspense, drama, humor...a lot of humor. And family. Frannie's relationship with her brother Ryan is cause for hilarity. (He has his story in Deadly Deceit, Harbored Secrets #2). And then there is the back and forth between Andrew and Fannie. I chuckled every time she referred to him as Star Lord to her sister-in-law and in her inner monologues. Andrew and Fannie were awesome main characters I hope we see more of.

And of course there is romance, which goes very slow. Makes sense since the story starts with Frannie's boyfriend breaking up with her. Still, this former hater of all things romance was thinking "come on dude, just kiss her!"

Also of note is the group of guys making up the Defensemen, which I assume is going to be Walter's newest series. Hopefully. Those guys were also entertaining.

I don't think I could have enjoyed this book any more than I did. OK, other than the slower than molasses romance.....but as I stated, I get it. I fortunately started reading this on a day off work, because there was no way I was putting this book down. I even delayed supper til I finished it. :)

The book had a great ending, and no - slight spoiler - it didn't end with the guy professing his love and proposing after knowing each other for a few days....but it had an ending worthy of the story that it told. 

I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author. All opinions are completely my own & voluntarily provided.

About the author:
Natalie Walters is the author of the SNAP Agency and Harbored Secrets series.

A military wife, she currently resides in Texas with her soldier husband and is the proud mom of three. She loves traveling, spending time with her family, and connecting with readers on Instagram and Facebook. Learn more at NatalieWaltersWriter.com.

Better Watch Out will be released October 17.

Shadows At Dusk, Missing In Alaska Series #2 by Elizabeth Goddard

Book description:

 A missing person. A murder victim. And two hurting people seeking justice, connected in ways they could never imagine.

Montana Detective Trevor West is desperate to learn what happened to his sister, who went missing in Alaska over a year ago, leaving nothing but a few photographs as clues to her whereabouts. At the advice of Police Chief Autumn Long, Trevor enlists the help of an experienced bush pilot. If Carrie James can't help him find the places in the photographs, no one can.

But Carrie has her own agenda. Grieving the death of her closest friend and the only person she could trust, Carrie will help Trevor find his sister on one condition--that he help her track down her friend's killer.

My review:
I thought the first book in this series was good, but this second one is even better. Though Grier, the male lead in the first book is one of the best characters in a book I have read for a while.

 Shadows At Dusk had likable characters also. Trevor and Carrie both had their painful stories and their reasons for chasing down the truth.

 I found the plot to be somewhat of an intricate one, but yet it was easy to keep up with. The author did a great job on describing the areas and locations Trevor and Carrie went to as they flew all over Alaska looking for his sister and for a killer. Though I have no desire to go to Alaska, it was easy to picture the landscape and people through the author's vivid descriptions.

This might sound dumb: but the last book was set during the winter and had a lot of ice and snow, whereas this one was set in warmer weather, so I definitely enjoyed the landscape descriptions better. 

 And the suspense was non stop. With bad guys after both Carrie and Trevor, this was a page turner and nail biter.

Books like these are romantic suspense, so there was romance....but it flowed well, and I admit hoping they would move it along a little faster. :)

 The book had a great climatic ending, with a few surprises and some tense moments. Especially for Trevor. 

But all is well that ends well, and this book definitely ended well. Goddard outdid herself on this one, and it may be her best yet. 

I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.

About the author:

Elizabeth Goddard is the USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of more than 60 novels, including Cold Light of Day and Shadows at Dusk, as well as the Rocky Mountain Courage and Uncommon Justice series. Her books have sold nearly 1.5 million copies. She is a Carol Award and Reader's Choice Award winner and a Daphne du Maurier Award and HOLT Medallion finalist. When she's not writing, she loves spending time with her family, traveling to find inspiration for her next book, and serving with her husband in ministry. Learn more at ElizabethGoddard.com.

Shadows at Dusk will be available October 17 from Revell Publishing, part of the Baker Publishing Group.

Check out the first book in The Missing In Alaska Series, Cold Light of Day

And book three, coming June 2024: Hidden In the Night

My True Love Gave to Me by Karen Witemeyer

Book description: 

The Twelve Days of Christmas get a romantic Texas twist!

Anna King has pledged her heart to Simeon Shepherd, but her father refuses to grant her hand to the young farmer. Simeon determines to be patient and earn David King's respect over time with hard work and evidence of his ability to provide. However, when a wealthy new suitor arrives in Bethlehem, Texas to woo Anna with her father's support, patience is no longer an option. Simeon has twelve days before Christmas to best his rival and prove once and for all that he is Anna's true love.

A fun, quirky read that is short enough to squeeze into even the busiest holiday schedule.

My review:
  First off, this is not really a book, but a short story coming in at around 43 pages. But man, what a story. And if a guy can use the word here: a very cute story.

  I loved in the story how Simeon's family all rallied together to help him come up with a plan to convince the father of his true love to allow her to marry Simeon, instead of the wealthy Harold. In fact, his family came up with the plan.

 And the plan...I have got to hand it to the author for her ingenuity of coming up with a twist on the gifts in the Twelve Days of Christmas song that a young man of not many means could afford. I won't give them all away, but will name one: On the first day of Christmas, Simeon delivered to Anna a cactus with a bullet tied to it. It was a cartridge in a prickly pear cactus. And she came up with some pretty cool and funny ideas for the rest of the song. :)

She also worked in a lot of references to the Christmas story. Anna's last name is King, and she lives with her parents - the three Kings. Simeon's last name is Shepherd, etc.

 I loved the characters, the humor, and the support Simeon got from not just his family, but the whole town. This was a short fun, entertaining, and amusing story that is a must read for this Christmas season.

I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.

About the author:

For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Voted #1 Readers' Favorite Christian Historical Author in 2023 by Family Fiction Magazine, Karen is a multiple award-winning author and a firm believer in the power of happy endings. She is an avid cross-stitcher, tea drinker, and gospel hymn singer who makes her home in Abilene, TX with her heroic husband who vanquishes laundry dragons and dirty dish villains whenever she's on deadline.

Check out her website. 

My True Love is available only in e-book, and can be purchased on Amazon.

River Queen, River Romances #1 by Stephenia H McGee

Book description: 

River pirates, a stolen steamboat, and a deadly chase down the Mississippi—but falling in love might be the real adventure.

When river pirates attack and steal his steamboat, Emmett Carter barely escapes. Rescued and transported to a magnificent world of glitz and showbiz aboard a flashy showboat, Emmett is immediately captivated by something more than recovering his lost inheritance—The River Queen’s beautiful, but quirky, songbird.

Anola Flynn, the star singer on The River Queen, is struggling to keep the business running as attendance dwindles during the 1923 season. With her dreams of saving the family legacy—and the only life she’s ever known—slipping away, she forges an alliance with Emmett to keep her family afloat.

Now, to outsmart the gangsters chasing them, Anola and Emmett must wade through a dark current of deception and betrayal to save not only their dreams, but everyone they care about, from sinking deeper into the Mississippi River.

My review:
  I saw a couple people remark "what a fun read!", in regards to this book. And after reading it myself, I 100% agree. What an awesome and fun read. I have read some of the author's other books, and enjoyed them....but this one was different from her usual, and the best so far. In my not so humble opinion.

First the cast of characters: Emmett enters the picture first, having been tossed in the Mississippi River by boat pirates. Victim of his brother's ill conceived and illegal activities, he doesn't always make the best choices throughout the book as he tries to protect the Flynn family.

Anola makes a great heroine, the star of the shows her family puts on throughout the year on their showboat, The River Queen. She makes a great partner, in more than one way, for Emmett.

The Flynn family: In addition to Anola, there are her parents, and her grandparents. They are a close family, and cause for a lot of humor and family drama.

This book is set in the early 20's, and most of the story happens on the boat and on the Mississippi River. There are bad guys, so there is a lot of suspense and drama, especially as Emmett tries to get out of his brother's schemes without causing injury or death to the woman he loves and her family.

  It truly is a fun read. The author obviously did a lot of research on the area, time period, and showboats during that time period. And the result is an entertaining, exciting, suspenseful and romantic read with a definite and obvious faith element. Emmett admits to himself at one point that he has been slacking off in the faith department, but realizes he has been praying a lot over the situations he he faces, and that he needs to step it up in the faith department if he is going to marry Anola and be the head of the household.

I enjoyed the book. A lot. I read 60 some percent of the book and had to go to bed, but very reluctantly. I finished it the next day as soon as I was able to pick it up. The author definitely hit it out of the ball park on this one. It is a book she can be very proud of. Quality Christian fiction at its best.

I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.

About the author:

Stephenia H. McGee is a multi-published author of stories of faith, hope, and healing set in the Deep South. She lives in Mississippi, where she is a mom of two rambunctious boys, writer, dreamer, and husband spoiler. Her novel The Cedar Key was a 2021 Faith, Hope, and Love Readers’ Choice award winner. A member of the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), she loves all things books and history. Stephenia also loves connecting with readers and can often be found having fun with her Faithful Readers Team on Facebook. For more on books and upcoming events and to connect with Stephenia, visit her at www.StepheniaMcGee.com.