Author: Iola Goulton

New Releases in Christian Fiction

New Releases in Christian Fiction | May 2025

What’s new in Christian fiction from members of American Christian Fiction Writers … what’s on your to-read pile this month?

Biblical Romance


Mantle by Dana McNeely — Faith. Redemption. The cost of leadership. Will the next generation rise to the challenge and uphold the legacy of Elijah, or will they falter under the weight of the mantle? (Biblical Romance from Mountain Brook Ink)

Children’s Middle-grade/Chapter book


Dixie Randolph and the Mystery of Willow Creek by MaryAnn Diorio — A twelve-year-old girl learns of a plot to kill her father and risks her life to save his.(Children’s Middle-grade/Chapter book from TopNotch Press)

Contemporary Romance


Meet Me on Lilac Lane by Andrea Christenson — He was her late husband’s best friend, but for him she’d always been the one. (Contemporary Romance from Sunrise Publishing)

 

 

Anxious For Love by Gina Conroy — She’s anxious about love. He’s built a career on it— what could possibly go wrong? Fans of witty banter, reluctant allies, and slow-burn tension with a splash of reality TV romance will swoon over this feel-good romcom with heart, humor, and a happily ever after. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

 


Mountain Homecoming by Susanne Dietze — After months away, architect Wyatt Teague returns home only to find himself named a guardian to his late friends’ orphaned twins…alongside his ex-fiancée, Natalie Dalton. But caring for them together proves to be a challenge: Wyatt’s job is in the city, and Natalie can’t leave her family’s apple orchard. As they vow to make this new partnership work, old feelings between them quickly resurface. But when Natalie finds out the true reason behind Wyatt’s abandonment, can she trust him with the babies…and her heart? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])


Hearts Aweigh by Shannon Sue Dunlap — Cheeky septuagenarian matchmakers, the “Shippers” are on a mission to secure a dreamy Mr. Right for Abby O’Brien, a sunny, optimistic childcare worker for Monarch Cruises. She loves her job looking after the children of vacationing parents, but harbors one unfulfilled desire: to be a wife and a mother.

With his shy five-year-old daughter in tow, divorced elitist lawyer Spencer Randolph Masterson has anything but romance in mind. His goal on the MS Buckingham is to persuade his mother, Daisy, to leave her ridiculous cruise ship lifestyle and return to New Orleans. But Daisy isn’t interested in life on land. Besides, she and her matchmaking posse have a marriage to arrange. (Contemporary Romance from Kregel Publications)

Sometimes You Stay by Liz Johnson For digital content creator Cretia Martin, home is wherever her carry-on suitcase lands. She’s never been interested in settling in one spot—after all, houses are just places that collect junk and tie you down. But when she literally bumps into local dog breeder Finn Chaffey on Prince Edward Island and all of the tools of her trade end up in the harbor, she can’t exactly leave until she gets things sorted out.

Finn is horrified by the part he played in the accident and offers to help, arranging for Cretia to stay with a friend at the beautiful Red Door Inn. The longer Cretia is forced to remain in one place, the more she discovers what she’s been missing with life on the road—and the more she wants to see Finn and his business succeed. But helping him means staying put, the one thing she always swore she wouldn’t do, and risking the only thing she’s never put on the line—her heart. (Contemporary Romance from Revell – a division of Baker Publishing Group)

A Valentine for a Vet by Carolyn Miller Veterinarian Jessie James loves her dog, loves her work, loves her family. She’s got a lot on her plate, which means there’s no time for a certain dishy teammate of her pro hockey-player brother, despite what others may think. Tom Chavez knows he’s in the friend zone, but isn’t one to give up too easily, especially when he’s concerned that this hardworking vet might be working herself into an early grave. When tragedy strikes the vet practice, he’s going to do all he can to show her he’s more than just a shoulder to cry on, and that he cares about more than her skills with his dog. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

No Place Like Home by Betsy St. Amant — Magnolia Bay’s development director, Cade Landry, would do anything for his town—and his family. So when the mayor—who also happens to be his father—decides to retire, he talks Cade into running for his seat. But Cade is already up to his dimpled cheeks in the town’s post-hurricane revitalization fundraiser—Magnolia Days, featuring a flashy Cajun Circus. If Cade can’t put the bay back on the map as a tourist town, he’ll let the whole community down…and worse yet, his father.

Rosalyn Dupree is a famous aerialist with a secret—actually, quite a few of them. Much to Cade’s relief, she agrees to return to Magnolia Bay for the first time in years as a headliner for the Cajun Circus. But neither her charming former school rival Cade nor her parents know she’s broke, in debt, and nursing a back injury…among other things. Despite her best efforts at resisting, sparks fly between Cade and Rosalyn as they work together on the circus fundraiser. But when everyone’s secrets are revealed and worlds collide, will Rosalyn find forgiveness and restoration in a town being rebuilt? Or will there never be anywhere to truly call home? (Contemporary Romance from Sunrise Publishing)


Recipe for Love by Penny Zeller — Rumors started flying when all of the businesses on Main Street in Cloverdale Falls sold last month. Bakery owner Maisie Carpenter finds herself appointed to uncover the mysterious new owner’s identity, and in the process hopefully allay some of the residents’ fears. What happens when she solves the mystery and discovers the man in charge of purchasing the businesses is the very man she has recently fallen in love with? (Contemporary Romance from Maplebrook Publishing)

Contemporary/Women’s Fiction

Worthless Treasures by Mary L Hamilton — Professional organizer Diamond Lange helps clients declutter their homes and let go of what no longer serves them. But when her mother, Eva, suddenly passes away, Diamond is left with a house overflowing with junk and a promise she regrets making. Although Diamond considers everything in her mother’s house trash, Eva left behind a very specific list of five seemingly worthless objects. Eva requested these items be passed on to others who will cherish them as much as she did. In fulfilling a promise to her late mother, Diamond learns that worth isn’t always measured in dollars and cents; sometimes it’s measured in the heart. (Contemporary Women’s Fiction, Independently Published)

General Contemporary


The Way Home by Heidi Chiavaroli — Two lost souls, one lighthouse journey . . . and an unforgettable search for the way home. The Way Home is the second book in the Lights of Acadia series by two-time Carol award-winning author Heidi Chiavaroli. If you like romantic Women’s Fiction, you’ll love this thoughtful novel steeped in family secrets, second chances, and boundless compassion. (General Contemporary, Independently Published)


BirdSong: Stories of Promise and Hope by Sara Davison, Deb Elkink, Stacy Monson, Chautona Havig, Cathe Swanson, Milla Holt and Eleanor Bertin– From unexpected journeys into the future and the past to a life-changing weekend, a spontaneous road trip, family trauma, the birth of a bookstore, and a potentially disastrous wedding, the men and women in these stories must deal with everything life is throwing at them. Which is a lot. The turmoil and craziness challenge each of them to believe the promise of God’s timing—that every winter, no matter how dark and cold, will be followed by a season of birdsong. (General Contemporary, Independently Published)

General Contemporary/Split-Time

Gideon’s Book by Maureen Miller — This powerful time-split contemporary novel explores race, faith, love, and self-discovery, and touches on themes of adoption and abortion as well as the beauty of marital love. (General Contemporary (split-time) from Redemption Press)

General Historical

Salome by Jenifer Jennings — Salome, the youngest of Jesus’ siblings, learns to find her voice under Jesus’ guidance, but her bold defiance against the Pharisees leads her into the hands of Roman persecution. Explore the passion, conflict, and sacrifice of the early church in Salome, Book 7 of the Servant Siblings series. (General Historical, Independently Published)

Historical Mystery

Show Me Skulduggery by Ellen E Withers — Death comes knocking once again in Show Me Skulduggery, the captivating third book in the award-winning Show Me Mysteries series. These mysteries involve two eras, early 1900s, and contemporary times, featuring a famous Saddlebred horse stable in Mexico, Missouri. Intrigue, deception, underhanded behavior, and murder will keep you turning pages. (Historical Mystery from Scrivenings Press)

Historical Romance

A Slight Change of Plans by Denise M. Colby — She believes she doesn’t matter. His scars have made him an unlovable outcast. As Jenny settles into the welcoming, but small, town of Washton, she can’t help but come across Ren, especially since his daily constitutional takes him along the same path. It doesn’t take long for them to form a connection that breaks down the walls erected by years of hurt. But when strange occurrences unsettle the townspeople, it seems their chance at happiness might be at risk. Will Jenny and Ren discover that they’re enough—for God, and each other? (Historical Romance from Scrivenings Press)


Perfect by Kimberly Keagan — When the perfect life unravels, can love turn the page to a new beginning? In the glittering era of the Gilded Age, the heirs of Philadelphia’s Denwall Department Stores navigate family expectations, relentless ambition, and unexpected love. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)


Sporting For Love by Candice Sue Patterson — When a Boston socialite on the run gets entangled with a Maine outdoorsman, things get wild. When their weekend outing in the woods with the Appalachian Mountain Club goes terribly wrong, Ford and Juniper must decide if the lives they’ve been seeking are what they truly want or if they’re willing to risk a little adventure. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)


An Unexpected Grace by Kimberley Woodhouse and Tracie Peterson — After a decade away, Parker Bennett returns home with a traveling troupe to perform a play based on Uncle Tom’s Cabin at the Kalispell Opera House. Parker has relished his life on the road, but being home awakens long-buried emotions when he encounters his first love, Johanna St. John. Widowed for three years, Johanna devotes all her time to a demanding toddler, an injured father, and a successful millinery business. After the loss of her husband, she desires to move on, but reconnecting with her past love leaves her unsure of what lies ahead. Both committed to God’s distinct calling on their lives, Johanna and Parker struggle to see how their futures can unite, and when strange things start happening around town, their second chance at a life together seems more unlikely than ever. (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker] Publishing)

A Troubling Suggestion by Betty Woods — Clarisse Matthews still grieves the tragic loss of her fiancé and doubts she’ll ever love anyone again. Particularly if she has to divulge the secret abolitionist ideas she keeps hidden deep inside that only her beloved knew. After the lady Luke Williams loved spurned him and married another man, he will never risk giving his heart to another woman. But when Luke’s cousin is deceived by a rogue, who only Luke and Clarisse know the whole truth about, they form a reluctant alliance to protect his cousin. Their feigned attraction grows into genuine love. But will the differences between them become a wall too tall to climb or can they find a way around? (Historical Romance from Scrivenings Press)

Military Suspense

No Time to Die by Taylor S Newport — Australian mercenary Tyler Reid, known as “The Ghost of OZ,” has a talent for evading detection, a skill that has caught the eye of multiple government agencies. When a shadowy group targets a CIA asset and her revolutionary drug ND1, the Deputy Director calls in Tyler. Eager for action, Tyler takes the job.

For covert foreign operative Alexandra Romanova, freedom is a distant dream. Her deadly skills are at her boss’s disposal, but she’ll use them only to escape. Her final chance hinges on retrieving ND1, but the elusive Ghost of Oz complicates things. Tyler Reid isn’t an easy mark, and the better she gets to know him, the more she questions the mission she’s tasked with. Soon she faces a dire choice: kill a man she is convinced is good, or pay with her own life. In this high-stakes fight, time is running out, and the margin for error is zero. (Military Suspense from Whitewater River Publishing)

Romantic Suspense

Rescued Heart: A Last Chance County Novel by Megan Besing — Actress Bianca “Bia” Pearl has finally landed the headlining role that could help leave her scandalous past behind—a role that may even earn back her parents’ respect. All she has to do is stick to the script, both on and off camera. Bianca is determined to prove to the press that she’s not who they say she is…an overrated gold digger.

Firefighter and former foster child Eddie Rice has always drawn the short straw in life. Now, he’s determined to help kids in need have a better future than he did. And when Eddie is selected to represent the fire station at Last Chance County’s masquerade ball, he realizes it’s the perfect opportunity to secure the mayor’s signature on a grant for a much-needed rec center. But when a case of mistaken identity and a bribe lead to Eddie and Bia being trapped together in a fire, the pair must team up to escape—and protect their futures in the process. (Romantic Suspense from Sunrise Publishing)

Midnight Offensive by Elle E Kay — ER nurse Sadie Kline can’t shake the feeling that something is off about the man who comes into her ER late one night. But she brushes it off—until a blind date with her brother’s best friend, Craig Malone, leads to something far more complicated than old feelings and second chances.

Craig, now a Homeland Security agent, is tracking a stolen biological weapon when Sadie’s unsettling experience places her on his radar. She may hold the key to identifying a dangerous suspect, and when her family is targeted, protecting her becomes more than just part of the job. As danger escalates and secrets unravel, Craig and Sadie must work together to stop a biological attack. But in a world of shifting loyalties and silent threats, trusting each other might be the most dangerous move of all. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)

Missing in Texas by Virginia Vaughan — The moment FBI agent Christy Williams arrives in Mercy, Texas, determined to solve her friend’s disappearance twelve years ago, she becomes a killer’s number one target. Ignoring the threats on her life, she partners with Deputy Mike Tyner, the cousin of one of the chief suspects…and the last person to see her friend alive. As they work to investigate this cold case together, it becomes clear someone will stop at nothing to keep the past hidden. With time running out, can Mike keep Christy alive long enough to find justice for her friend…before a murderer strikes again? (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Suspense

Inheritance by J.A. Webb — Father Curtis has forsaken his vows. He has left the Order and joined the Seekers, a hidden rebellion dedicated to uncovering the truth long buried by the global church. But walking away from the Order does not mean escaping its reach. When word spreads that a copy of the True Text — the original thirty-nine books of the Creator — has surfaced on the far side of the world, Curtis, Professor Reuel, and Phillip embark on a desperate mission. If they can retrieve the artifact, it could change everything. If they fail, the truth will be lost forever. The war for truth has begun. And the Order will not suffer heretics to live. (Suspense, Independently Published)

Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder

Just a Piece of Stone by Mary Ann Hake — A Jewish boy receives a special stone passed on through the generations, clear back to Bible times, and learns its history via family stories. (Children’s Middle-grade/Chapter Books)

Frazzled Moms vs Wild by Stephanie Paige King — Two moms, one campsite, zero survival skills. Nothing’s more frazzling than a family camping trip, except bringing along the neighbors and their trio of toddlers. (General Contemporary)

Forever Changed by Diana Leagh Matthews — What would you do if you had to raise someone else’s family and step into their lives? Can Caleb and Danielle let go of their painful pasts, forgive, and move forward into an uncertain future? (Contemporary/Women’s Fiction)

Mouse in Your Pocket by Janetta Fudge Messmer — How can Jessica handle inheriting a junkyard, her common sense going out the window, and Jimmy Barnes? She doesn’t, without the Lord. (Contemporary Romance)

Frayed Promises by Lynn U. Watson — If you enjoy stories of faith in the face of society’s pressures and trusting God in times of struggle, you’ll love this closed-door romance that will keep you guessing until the end. (Historical Romance)

Road Trip Redemption by Becca Wierwille — Jada talks her two older sisters into a trip to Pennsylvania to reunite Kimmy with her furry friend. But as new questions about their canine companion unravel Jada’s plans, she wonders how she’ll face Kimmy after all these years. The road ahead may be more complicated than Jada imagined. (Children’s Middle-grade/Chapter Books)

How do you find new-to-you authors?

Bookish Question #382 | How do you find new-to-you authors?

Back in the days before Kindle, by I found new authors by browsing in a physical bookstore – and the bookstore owner often recommended titles. Of course, that was back in the days where it was easier to find a Christian bookstore, and where the owner/operator knew the stock and the customers. I lived in a smallish city that had three Christian bookstores – now there is one.

This was why it was so difficult to be a successful author if you weren’t published by a traditional publisher who could get books into shops and libraries.

I now live in a bigger city that doesn’t have a single Christian bookstore, so even if I wasn’t a Kindle reader, I would have to become a mail-order shopper.

Now, in the era of Kindle and self-publishing, I mostly find new authors through promotions or recommendations from other authors.

My two most reliable sources are:

What about you? How do you find new-to-you authors?

Have you found any on my website? If so, let me know in the comments.
This isn't one of your romances where everything gets tied up in a neat bow by page three-twenty-two. This is life. This is love. The pages keep going.

Book Review | First Love, Second Draft by Becca Kinzer

Rom-com author Gracie Parker is stuck. Her latest manuscript is a mess, an accident has left her virtually immobile, and her sister has arranged household help in the form of Nate, Gracie’s ex-husband.

Pro baseball player Nate is stuck. His marriage has been over for years and his career looks like it’s coming to an end. His only chance at a future is the unexpected opportunity to reconnect with his ex-wife

Yes, as the title suggests, First Love, Second Draft is a second-chance romance that ticked all my boxes.

I loved the writing, which I found genuinely funny without feeling forced and without any cringy moments. Sometimes rom-coms can read as though the author is trying to hard to make something funny, and that can fall flat. First Love Second Draft felt effortlessly funny (which is probably a testament to the hours that went into writing and revising to give it that effortless feel).

I loved the dual romance plot.

I often find myself resenting a secondary romance, as it can take away from the main characters and their story. In First Love Second Draft, the secondary romance echoed and reinforced Grace and Noah’s story. That was a real strength.

I loved the fact Noah knew he’d messed up and admitted as such. Even though he didn’t know how to fix it, he was willing to try.

Recommended for fans of contemporary romance and rom-com with a subtle Christian message.

Thanks to Tyndale House and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

About First Love, Second Draft

She’s a romance writer burned out on love. He’s her famous baseball star ex-husband. The last man she wants to be forced to work with is the one who broke her heart.

Rom-com writer Gracie Parker hasn’t written a bestseller since she and her husband, a major league baseball star, divorced five years ago. On thin ice with her publisher—and with a looming deadline—Gracie couldn’t have picked a worse time for a painful injury that has her flat on her back. At this point, she’d accept help from anybody . . . except her first love and ex-husband, Noah Parker.

The baseball season has just ended in massive disappointment for Noah. He’s facing the stark reality that he gave up everything for a career that’s let him down and that it might be too late to get back the one person he should’ve held on to. So when Gracie’s nephew calls, saying Gracie’s looking for a tenant for her next-door rental, it feels like it’s meant to be.

All Gracie cares about is turning in her manuscript on time, which is directly at odds with Noah’s attempts to win her back, even if she is slightly charmed by his kindness. But can people ever really change? Then Noah throws a curveball that could give Gracie the extension she needs, but it will mean working directly with Noah, something she’s not sure she can face. With no other choice, and everything on the line, Gracie must decide if it is too late for a second draft of their own love story.

Find First Love, Second Draft online at:

Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads

About Becca Kinzer

Becca KinzerBecca Kinzer lives in Springfield, Illinois where she works as a critical care nurse. When she’s not taking care of sick patients or reminding her husband and two kids that frozen chicken nuggets is a gourmet meal, she enjoys making up lighthearted stories with serious laughs. She is a 2018 ACFW First Impressions Contest winner, a 2019 Genesis Contest winner, 2021 Cascade Award winner, and all-around champion coffee drinker.

Find Becca Kinzer online at:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Don’t forget to click here to check out my Amazon shop for my top picks in Christian fiction!

First Line Friday

First Line Friday #388 | The Summer of You and Me by Denise Hunter

It’s First Line Friday! That means it’s time to pick up the nearest book and quote the first line. Today I’m quoting from The Summer of You and Me, the new release from well-known contemporary Christian romance author Denise Hunter. It was recommended to me by author friend Narelle Akins, so I’m sure I’m going to enjoy it.

Here’s the first line from the Chapter One:

IfIf Maggie Reynolds could just make it past August seventh, she would finally be able to breathe again.

What’s the book nearest you, and what’s the first line?

 

About The Summer of You and Me

Maggie Reynolds is finally ready for love again—until the past shows up in the form of someone who may or may not be the late husband she thought she’d lost.

Five years after her husband’s death, Maggie is finally ready to let go of him and the dreams she had for their future. A summer at Seabrook, where she and Ethan first became childhood sweethearts, seems the perfect time and place to find closure. Plus, she gets to spend time with his family, the Reynoldses, whom she loves like her own.

Unbeknownst to Maggie, her brother-in-law, Josh Reynolds, has been in love with her since they first met all those years ago. But his brother ultimately won Maggie’s heart, and Josh’s unrequited love has ruined all his relationships. If Maggie is ready to move on, then Josh is ready to lay it all on the line and come clean about his true feelings for her.

But his plans soon get put on hold when, shortly after Maggie returns to Seabrook, she runs into a man who could pass for Ethan’s twin. But he disappears into the amusement park crowd before she can confront him.

The event rattles Maggie, stirs up impossible questions, and sends Josh and her on a quest to discover the man’s true identity. But their search ends up raising more questions than answers—and soon Maggie isn’t sure she wants those answers after all.

Find The Summer of You and Me online at:

Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads

Click here to check out what my fabulous fellow FirstLineFriday bloggers are sharing today.

And you can click here to check out my previous FirstLineFriday posts.

Share your first line in the comments, and happy reading!

Don’t forget to click here to check out my Amazon shop for my top picks in Christian fiction!

As a reader, do tropes matter to you?

Bookish Question #381 | Do tropes matter to you?

As a reader, do tropes matter to you?

I guess we need to start by defining tropes.

First, tropes are different from genre. Genre is the broad subject of a book e.g. a romance vs. a mystery vs. a thriller.

(Click here to read more about genre.)

Tropes are features within a genre.

They may describe one or more of the characters (e.g. grumpy, sunshine, billionaire, cowboy). They may describe the overall plot or conflict (friends to lovers, enemies to lovers). They may indicate the key conflict (secret baby, amnesia). They may describe the setting (small town, forced proximity).

Why do author use tropes?

Because just like readers read by genre (e.g. romance vs. mystery), many also read by trope, particularly tropes like billionaire romance or sports romance or cowboy romance.

Most readers have tropes they like and tropes they don’t like, so advertising tropes serves a dual purpose: it attracts the readers who enjoy that trope, and indicates to the readers who don’t that they might be better looking elsewhere.

Some authors signal their tropes in the book titles or subtitle.

I’m sure you’ve seen titles like The Billionaire’s Secret Baby (which turns out to be a really popular book title). I don’t mind that, although it does feel a little obvious.

Other authors stuff their subtitles with tropes: The CEO’s Companion: A Slow Burn Christian Contemporary workplace romance (BWWM). (With BWWM meaning Black woman and white man, just in case the cover image didn’t make that clear.) Predictably, the white man is the CEO boss.

I’d love to read a billionaire romance where the billionaire was the heroine. Even better if she was something other than white.

I’m not a fan of trope stuffing in the subtitle. That’s what the book description is for. I also don’t like trope-stuffing in advertisements, where the advertisement for a book that seems to have a dozen or more tropes.

I think tropes are like jewellery: less is more.

They absolutely matter, but stick to one or two and make them good.

What about you? Do tropes matter to you?

Wealth and influence are poor substitutes for true worthiness.

Book Review | The One Who Changed Everything by Tara Grace Ericson

Fourteen years ago, a single indiscretion during Spring Break with a guy she’d just met but was The One changed Samantha Brown’s life forever. Now she’s the assistant librarian in Minden, doing her best to give her thirteen-year-old daughter the upbringing she never head. Yes, that one night changed everything.

Fourteen years ago, after a wonderful week with the girl he never forgot, Evan Mercer’s brother died in a nightclub fire. He searched for Sam, even engaged the family private detective, but never found her. Yet here she is in Minden, his new home. And she has a teenage daughter …

Yes, The One Who Changed Everything is a secret baby story.

I know they’re not everyone’s cup of tea, and I can understand why—especially in Christian fiction. First, they rely on a (usually unmarried) couple doing something they shouldn’t. Second, the woman knows she is pregnant and has the baby, but doesn’t tell the father.

A good author can help readers get past the first issue. After all, we are all sinners and God doesn’t put sin in levels the way humans often do. In that respect, sexual sin is no different from any other sin. We are forgiven before we even ask. We simply have to confess and receive God’s forgiveness.

Getting past the second issue can be harder, because there has to be a good reason why the woman didn’t tell the father, especially in this day and age where social media makes it possible to find almost anyone.

The author achieves both these objectives. Both Sam and Evan clearly regret what happened, and Sam has good reasons for not telling Evan–simple fear that Evan’s well-off family would take her baby. Evan, to his credit, tried to look for Sam, but never found her.

The story has a predictably awkward beginning.

What’s not awkward about seeing the one-night-stand you searched for but never spoke to again? But I was impressed by the responsible way both Sam and Evan took on the responsibility of shared parenthood. I was especially impressed by Sophie, who adapted quickly yet believably to a huge life change.

Of course, the big question is the romance. Does that work? Oh, yes it does. It’s completely believable and I loved it. I loved the fact they were both still interested in the other. I loved the fact that Evan’s first reaction to figuring out he was a father was to embrace fatherhood.

I loved that Sam, despite her reservations, allowed him into their family.

I loved the spiritual thread to the story. Both characters had to let go of something in their past that would cloud their present relationship, and that was done well.

The One Who Changed Everything is the fifth and final book in the Second Chance Fire Station contemporary Christian romance series. I’ve read and enjoyed them all, but I think this is my favourite.

Recommended for fans of small-town contemporary Christian romance.

Thanks to the author for providing a free ebook for review.

About Tara Grace Ericson

Tara Grace Ericson​Tara Grace Ericson lives in Missouri with her husband and 3 sons. She studied engineering and worked as an engineer for many years before embracing her creative side to become a full-time author.

Her first book, Falling on Main Street, was written mostly from airport waiting areas and bleak hotel rooms as she traveled in her position as a sales engineer. She loves cooking, crocheting, and reading books by the dozen. Her writing partner is usually a good cup of coffee or tea.

Tara unashamedly watches Hallmark movies all winter long, even though they are predictable and cheesy. She loves a good “happily ever after” with an engaging love story. That’s why Tara focuses on writing clean contemporary romance, with an emphasis on Christian faith and living. She wants to encourage her readers with stories of men and women who live out their faith in tough situations.

Find Tara Grace Ericson online at:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | YouTube

About The One Who Changed Everything

I never expected to see him again.

When I met Evan, he was everything I never thought I could have—steady, kind, the kind of man who made me believe in something more. But one reckless night changed everything. By the time I found out I was pregnant, he was gone, and I had every reason to believe he’d never come back.

For fourteen years, I built a life for my daughter, protecting her, providing for her, never letting myself wonder what if.
Evan was a stranger from my past, a man whose wealthy family could take everything from me if they ever found out. But then he showed up in my small town—stronger, haunted, and completely unaware of the little girl who carried his eyes. And the moment he looks at her, I know the truth will come out.

I wanted to keep my distance. I told myself he only cared because of Sophia, that he’d never really wanted me. But every look, every touch, every moment together makes it harder to deny the truth.

Because Evan Mercer wasn’t just the man I lost. He was The One Who Changed Everything.

Find The One Who Changed Everything online at:

Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads

Don’t forget to click here to check out my Amazon shop for my top picks in Christian fiction!

First Line Friday

First Line Friday #387 | Like Stars That Shine by Jenny Glazebrook

It’s First Line Friday! That means it’s time to pick up the nearest book and quote the first line. Today I’m quoting from Like Stars That Shine by Jenny Glazebrook, the latest book in the Trinity Lakes series. Here’s the first line from the Chapter One:

Tanner’s heart pounded. Something big was happening—he sensed it deep in his spirit.

What’s the book nearest you, and what’s the first line?

 

About Like Stars That Shine

She is returning home.
He has never had a home.

Tanner’s heart pounded. Something big was happening—he sensed it deep in his spirit.

Esther Ladan has lost all confidence in her ability to read people. A very public break-up with her boyfriend has dealt a devastating blow to her heart and her pride.
Now two of the town’s most big-hearted, big-mouthed elderly ladies are determined to find her perfect match.

After years in witness protection, Tanner Elliott is finally free to live his life without looking over his shoulder. Still, he’s learned to be more observant than most and he’s an expert in reading body language.
When Esther asks him to scrutinize the dates her friends arrange for her, the results are not what either of them expect.

Can Esther and Tanner overcome their difficult pasts, learn to trust Jesus with their hearts, and shine for Him in a broken world?

A FINDING FREEDOM, SMALL TOWN REDEMPTION ROMANCE

Find Like Stars That Shine online at:

Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads

Click here to check out what my fabulous fellow FirstLineFriday bloggers are sharing today.

And you can click here to check out my previous FirstLineFriday posts.

Share your first line in the comments, and happy reading!

Don’t forget to click here to check out my Amazon shop for my top picks in Christian fiction!

If you reply to an author's newsletter, do you expect a response?

Bookish Question #380 | If you reply to an author’s newsletter, do you expect a response?

If you reply to an author’s newsletter, do you expect a response?

Interesting question!

If I had ever written to an author back in the days before email, I wouldn’t have expected an answer. Not that I ever wrote to an author, mind you. That would have meant …

  • Finding the address
  • Writing the letter
  • Going to the post office so the letter could be weighed so I could make sure it had the correct postage for an international letter
  • Assuming the letter got correctly delivered
  • Assuming that the author read the letter
  • Assuming that the author then chose to reply
  • Assuming that the international postal service managed to get that reply back to me in New Zealand
That’s a lot of assumptions, and is probably why I wouldn’t have expected a reply.

Email and social media have made it easier and cheaper to connect. In theory, makes it easier to send and receive mail, but we are still beholden to the email service providers to deliver our email. Some email gets stuck in spam folders, and some never gets delivered at all.

Besides, email can be overwhelming.

I get work emails, life admin emails (like bank statements and bills), retail emails, author newsletter emails, and various other emails. I look at my email inbox and the emails I need to reply to, and fully understand why someone might choose not to respond.

Also, emails can turn into a never-ending train.

Author: Cool email
Reader: I enjoyed your cool email.
Author: Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Reader: Thank you for saying thank you.
Author: Thank you for …

It could go on forever.

Someone has to stop the train, and I’m not going to object if that someone is the author.

So while it’s always nice to get a response, I don’t need one and I’m not going to hold it against an author if I don’t receive a response.

What about you? Do you expect a response if you reply to an author’s email newsletter?

Instead of searching for a person worth marrying, become a person worth marrying.

Book Review | Northargyle Abbie by Janelle Leonard

Northargyle Abbie is billed as a contemporary retelling of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey (yes, the clue is in the title). It’s been years–perhaps decades–since I read Northanger Abbey, and I can’t remember anything about it beyond the fact that it wasn’t my favourite Austen story. I therefore can’t comment on how accurate the retelling is.

I can say I enjoyed Abbie’s story.

Abbie is a pastor’s daughter, part-time church secretary, and part-time researcher at the local museum in her home town of Westonia, Pennsylvania. On her twenty-fourth birthday, she discovers her grandmother has left her a mystery to solve, and a cottage in Australia. She also discovers a connection to the island kingdom of Northargyle, which is situated between Australia and New Zealand.

As a Kiwi reader who has visited Australia many times, I was intrigued by this choice of imaginary location.

The whole story is told in first person from Abbie’s point of view, although she does interrupt herself to quote from the occasional letter, or her own Notebook of Silly Placards.

I enjoyed the voice, and especially loved the quips and banter.

I found the novel started a little slowly, and the pace picked up after the Abbie arrived in Australia. Here she meets Jess, her self-proclaimed new best friend, Jess’s brother Devon, and the handsome if mysterious Colter and his sister, Eliana. She also discovers more about her grandmother’s secret life that leaves her wondering who her grandmother really was …

The Australian scenes captured the country well, from avos to mozzies, from lamingtons to pavlova (and the age-old debate as to whether the dessert is Australian or Kiwi in origin). I wondered if the author was Australian, but the author’s note clarified the unerring accuracy: Australian young adult author Hannah Currie helped with those details. For example:

Welcome to the island of Northargyle. A hidden gem in the Tasman Sea, just north of New Zealand. The island enjoys much of the same wildlife (not as many sheep) and weather as New Zealand (experience the four seasons all in one day).

Yes, that’s accurate.

According to research, everything in Australia wants to kill you, except maybe koalas who sleep twenty-two hours a day.

Also accurate.

I was a little disappointed that Abbie didn’t get to visit New Zealand, but maybe we’ll see that in a future story in the Royally Austen series …

Fans of royalty romance and Jane Austen will enjoy Northargyle Abbie, as will anyone looking for a witty romance with a hint of mystery.

Thanks to WhiteFire Publishing for providing a free ebook for review.

About Janelle Leonard

Janelle LeonardJanelle Leonard is a Jane Austen fangirl with an overactive imagination who creates web-twisty plotlines from her home in Pennsylvania. When she’s not writing, reading, editing, drinking coffee, or working at an elementary school library, she’s finding creative ways to procrastinate. She is passionate about living authentically while serving and encouraging others to see their worth, using writing as a key to unlock worlds of possibility.

Find Janelle Leonard online at:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest

About Northargle Abbie

When Abigail Morgan, a naive pastor’s daughter with an overactive imagination, inherits a cottage in Australia, she never imagines the story it will unlock. Armed with a museum studies degree and a penchant for daydreams, Abigail heads to Hyacinth Cottage to unravel the truth of her grandmother’s past-an unknown world of adventure, deception, and love.

While sifting through letters, photographs, and hidden relics, Abigail meets Colter Wellesley, a charming local who helps her navigate the labyrinth of clues with a blend of wit and charm she struggles to resist. But Colter comes with secrets of his own. As their investigation and romance deepen, Abigail wonders if Colter is more tangled up in her grandmother’s mystery-and that of the princess who vanished more than sixty years ago-than she ever imagined.

In this modern reimagining of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey, the line between imagination and reality blurs, and every clue discovered could be the key to unlocking a royal legacy.

Find Northargyle Abbey online at:

Amazon | Goodreads

Don’t forget to click here to check out my Amazon shop for my top picks in Christian fiction!

First Line Friday

First Line Friday #386 | The One Who Changed Everything by Tara Grace Ericson

It’s First Line Friday! That means it’s time to pick up the nearest book and quote the first line. Today I’m quoting from The One Who Changed Everything, the final book in Tara Grace Ericson’s Second Chance Fire Station series. I’ve enjoyed this whole series!

Here’s the first line from the Chapter One:

The piercing wail of the fire alarm sliced through the hush of the Minden Public Library, and I jumped out of my chair.

What’s the book nearest you, and what’s the first line?

 

About The One Who Changed Everything

I never expected to see him again.

When I met Evan, he was everything I never thought I could have—steady, kind, the kind of man who made me believe in something more. But one reckless night changed everything. By the time I found out I was pregnant, he was gone, and I had every reason to believe he’d never come back.

For fourteen years, I built a life for my daughter, protecting her, providing for her, never letting myself wonder what if.
Evan was a stranger from my past, a man whose wealthy family could take everything from me if they ever found out. But then he showed up in my small town—stronger, haunted, and completely unaware of the little girl who carried his eyes. And the moment he looks at her, I know the truth will come out.

I wanted to keep my distance. I told myself he only cared because of Sophia, that he’d never really wanted me. But every look, every touch, every moment together makes it harder to deny the truth.

Because Evan Mercer wasn’t just the man I lost. He was The One Who Changed Everything.

Find The One Who Changed Everything online at:

Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads

Click here to check out what my fabulous fellow FirstLineFriday bloggers are sharing today.

And you can click here to check out my previous FirstLineFriday posts.

Share your first line in the comments, and happy reading!

Don’t forget to click here to check out my Amazon shop for my top picks in Christian fiction!