Category: Book Review

Instead of living the life you want to live, maybe you're living the one you think everyone expects you to live.

Book Review | The Larkspur House by Carla Laureano

Rose Cameron has escaped her wreck of a marriage and her thieving ex-husband with a beat-up car holding all her worldly possessions and arrived in Haven Ridge to take a job helping Erin Parker with a house in desperate need of a cleanout and repairs.

But Will, Erin’s twin, wants to sell the house, and gives Erin and Rose a month to come up with a way of making the house pay for itself.

This is a romance, so we know Rose and Will are going to get together once they get past their differences. But there’s also a house to clear out and hopefully something to find that will enable them to keep the house rather than selling their family heritage.

If you’ve read the previous books in the Haven Ridge series (The Broken Hearts Bakery and The Beacon Street Bookshop), you might remember Will as the somewhat uptight accountant. In The Larkspur House, we get to see more about Will and Erin, which means we get to know more about Will. He’s a true gentleman who will do almost anything to protect his sister – a professional cellist.

Rose is a good person whose life hasn’t gone as planned because of her ex-husband’s bad choices. But she also has some things to learn about herself and about life.

I enjoyed seeing the developing relationship between Rose and Will, but I also enjoyed Erin and Will’s sibling relationship, and the growing friendship between Rose and Erin.

This wasn’t a coming home story. This was a running away story, and in her experience, those had the potential to be so much more interesting.

The Haven Ridge novels aren’t Christian fiction, in that while some of the characters go to church, that reads more like a scene location than an underlying character trait. But they also aren’t general market romance, in that there isn’t any swearing or sex scenes (which, if you think about it, seems out of character for red-blooded adults who don’t have a religious or personal reason for not sleeping with their significant other).

But they are good contemporary romances which offer some solid insights into life and love …

In my experience, you can answer all someone’s fears and objections and they still won’t take a chance until you capture their imagination.

Overall, The Larkspur House is a solid contemporary romance with an element of mystery thrown in, and perhaps even a sprinkling of magic.

Recommended for fans of sweet contemporary romance from authors such as TI Lowe, Amy Matayo and Courtney Walsh.

About Carla Laureano

Carla LaureanoCarla Laureano is the RITA® Award-winning author of contemporary inspirational romance and Celtic fantasy (as C.E. Laureano). A graduate of Pepperdine University, she worked as a sales and marketing executive for nearly a decade before leaving corporate life behind to write fiction full-time. She currently lives in Denver with her husband and two sons, where she writes during the day and cooks things at night.

You can find Carla Laureano online at:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

About The Larkspur House

Rose Cameron holds the record for bad decisions. Not only did she drop out of grad school to get married, but her husband wasn’t who he pretended to be—and his shady business dealings threatened both her reputation and her freedom.
With no job, no friends, and her bank account nearing zero, an online job posting offers a place to escape from her shattered life: house assistant in a historic manor in the tiny town of Haven Ridge, Colorado.
But the Larkspur House isn’t the refuge she expected. For one thing, it’s not just a house, but a derelict, honest-to-goodness American castle. For another, the co-inheritor of the house—the brusque, uptight Will Parker—makes no secret of his desire to see her gone.
He’s more interested in selling the place before it crumbles into the Colorado landscape or bankrupts the trust that maintains it. Just when Rose is convinced she’s made yet another terrible decision, she stumbles upon hidden secrets within Larkspur House’s storied history—ones that could bridge the gap between her and Will, making Haven Ridge her forever home.
But try as she might, Rose can’t escape her past…and her own secrets just might destroy the new life she’s begun building.

Find The Larkspur House online at:

Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads

New Releases in Christian Fiction

New Releases in Christian Fiction | September 2024

More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website

Contemporary General

Kristen by Dawn M Klinge — In this heartwarming tale, discover the extraordinary potential that lies within embracing the present and opening one’s heart to the unanticipated blessings of life’s sweetest surprises.(Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Contemporary Romance

Escape to Whispering Creek by Barbara M Britton — Can a gregarious office manager and rehabilitating business owner find love while fighting accusations of white-collar crime (Contemporary Romance from White Rose Publishing [Pelican])


Before We Were Us by Denise Hunter — A temporary position at a rustic resort leads Lauren to the love of her life and a drastic career change. But on the eve of her engagement, an unfortunate fall leaves her unable to remember any of it. (Contemporary Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing)


The Farmer and Adele by Candice Sue Patterson — Second chances aren’t for the faint of heart. (Contemporary Romance Independently Published [ACFW QIP])

Historical

Patriot at the River by Jayna Baas — With the help of some unlikely allies, a young Patriot militiaman must save his settlement from the man who had a hand in his father’s death. (Historical, Independently Published)


New Star by Lana Christian — You may know about the Wise Men’s part in Jesus’ story—but do you know the Wise Men’s story? (OR) How far would you go to protect what you believe in? (Historical from Scrivenings Press)

Historical Romance


The Gamekeeper’s Reluctant Bride by Elva Cobb Martin — She fled from a gilded cage, only to find herself trapped in a marriage of obligation. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)


Love and Chocolate by Linda Shenton Matchett — She just needs a job. He wants a career. Is there room in their hearts for love? (Historical Romance from Shortwave Press)


Virginia by Shannon McNear — Return to the “what if” questions surrounding the Lost Colony and explore the possible fate of Virginia Dare–the first English child born in the New World. What happened to her after her grandfather John White returned to England and the colony he established disappeared into the mists of time? Legends abound, but she was indeed a real girl who, if she survived to adulthood, must have also become part of the legacy that is the people of the Outer Banks. (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)

A Token of Love by Carrie Turansky — In this heartfelt dual-time tale, bestselling author Carrie Turansky weaves a story of two women whose lives intertwine through their shared pursuit of love, truth, and justice (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])

Romance

A Journey for Amy by Diane Craver — As the feelings between Amy and Joe grow deeper, can they overcome their dissimilar faiths, or will their differences pull them apart? (Romance from Vinspire Publishing)

Amish


A Lancaster Amish Christmas by Anne Blackburne, Amy Clipston, Amy Lillard and Mindy Steele — Four Stories of Romance by Four Authors set in the Heart of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania’s Amish Country. (Amish Romance from Barbour Publishing)

Romantic Suspense

Lethal Standoff by DiAnn Mills — A female negotiator and a male investigative journalist work place their lives in danger to seek the release of undocumented immigrants hostages from kidnappers who harbor desperate secrets. (Romantic Suspense from Tyndale House)


K-9 Ranch Protection by Darlene L Turner — Police constable Izzy Tremblay knows her father’s death was no accident, so when she finally discovers a lead and is immediately attacked, her suspicions are confirmed. For protection, she takes refuge with her ex-partner, Austin Murray, on his K-9 ranch while she races to uncover the truth. But with danger still lurking, can they stay alive long enough to take down a killer? (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])


No Forgetting Providence by Lee Wimmer — Running from faith led DR on a path of untold success, but also put crosshairs on him, is it providence, or is it something else? (Romantic Suspense from Hightower Publications)

Western

Heidi’s Faith by Jill Dewhurst — God uses a painting and a young man helping his neighbors to strengthen a young woman’s faith and enable her to overcome debilitating fear following a traumatic event. (Western from Independently Published)

Young Adult

The Immortal Abyss by Katherine Briggs — Nations rise and fall in the aftermath of war over the Eternity Gate. The corrupted desert throne stands empty, and the Immortal Abyss awakens. Drought ravages the continent, and people long for the rebirth of a starpalm, who will rise from among mortals and end their judgment. (Young Adult from Enclave Publishing [Oasis Family Media])

Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month:

Murder Goes Caroling by Malissa Chapin — Ringing in the holidays just hit a sour note. With mayhem threatening to turn festive carols into dirges, can a gifted pianist unmask a nasty scrooge? (Cozy Mystery)

The Italian Musician’s Sanctuary by Danielle Grandinetti — Romance, history and intrigue at Our House on Sycamore Street. (General Historical)

The Marble Hill Crime Blotter by BD Lawrence — Life in a small town isn’t always as serene as one might think. The Marble Hill Crime Blotter is a series of thrilling stories that follow Police Chief Tom Petrosky and State Police Forensics Specialist Patricia Johnson. (Mystery/police procedural)

La Elegida para Harley by Heidi Gray McGill — Esperaban una novia por encargo y obtuvieron más de lo que esperaban. (They were expecting a custom bride and got more than they bargained for.) (General Historical)

Hidden Danger by Gail Pallotta — Left at the altar, Emily Hanover flees to Sky High Campground to put her life back together, but danger strikes in the night. Harassed by a man who seems to disappear into thin air, Emily and Nick, the security guard, discover a sinister plot, never dreaming danger could bring romance. (Romantic Suspense)

Captured in Frame by Laura Thomas — Desperate to begin a new chapter after a heartbreaking betrayal, Canadian photographer Georgia Brooks retreats to her quaint English cottage—only to discover she could be in possession of incriminating evidence framing a criminal ring in the ugly underbelly of the art world (Romantic Suspense)

 

His little sister had obviously never been anywhere near the vicinity of love. It didn’t started with mutual dislike. It began with attraction.

Book Review | Before We Were Us by Denise Hunter

Denise Hunter has written some great Christian romances, like the fabulous Sweetbriar Cottage. Sweetbriar Cottage is a sweet (!) yet powerful exploration of the nature of unconditional love, and a great second chance romance with some deep Christian themes.

Hunter has also written some novels that have just missed the mark for me. Riverbend Gap has heroine Katie dating one brother while falling for another, while Just a Kiss hinted at the physical and mental health issues facing returned servicemen and women but didn’t deliver.

I am usually a sucker for amnesia stories, but Before We Were Us didn’t hit the right notes for me.

Jonah is about to propose to Lauren when has an accident. She wakes up having lost four months of memories, and finding the annoying guy from the rustic resort she was working at hanging around for no known reason.

Then she finds out they were dating: during the missing four months, she and Jonah moved from enemies to friends to an adoring couple planning their wedding. 

Oops.

I expected the story to start with Lauren’s accident (which it did), then to move forward and show her recover and falling in love with Jonah all over again (which it didn’t).

Instead, it flitted back and forth between the present timeline, which started in September, and how she and Jonah fell in love the first time. Nice, but we knew they’d fallen in love a first time.

What I wanted to see was Lauren falling for Jonah a second time.

Both timelines were told from both points of view, and it wasn’t always clear which timeline we were in (not helped by the fact I routinely don’t read chapter headings, which I know is a me problem).

As a result, I found it hard to engage with the story and with the characters and found the story ultimately unsatisfying.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

About Denise Hunter

Denise HunterDenise Hunter is the internationally published bestselling author of more than 30 books, including “The Convenient Groom” and “A December Bride” which have been made into Hallmark movies. She has appeared on the The 700 club and won awards such as The Holt Medallion Award, The Carol Award, The Reader’s Choice Award, The Foreword Book of the Year Award, and is a RITA finalist.

Denise writes heartwarming, small-town love stories. Her readers enjoy the vicarious thrill of falling in love and the promise of a happily-ever-after sigh as they savor the final pages of her books.

In 1996, inspired by the death of her grandfather, Denise began her first book, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she’s been writing ever since. Her husband says he inspires all her romantic stories, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!

When Denise isn’t orchestrating love lives on the written page, she enjoys traveling with her family, drinking good coffee, and playing drums. Denise makes her home in Indiana where she and her husband raised three boys and are currently enjoying an empty nest.

Find Denise Hunter online at:

Website Facebook

About Before We Were Us

She can’t remember. He can’t forget.

Before We Were Us by Denise Hunter

When Lauren Wentworth wakes up in the hospital after falling from a ladder, she has more questions than answers. Way more. She knows where she is—the wilds of New Hampshire. But she’s apparently lost the last four months of her life. Is she really contemplating forfeiting her big-city dream job for a position at a rustic resort? And how did her number one nemesis become her adoring boyfriend?

Jonah Landry is crushed to learn Lauren has forgotten their entire summer together. Terrified of losing her for good, he determines to help her remember their deep connection as she finishes her obligation to the resort. But soon it becomes apparent Lauren doesn’t want to remember falling in love with him or rethinking the entire course of her career. She wants to pretend the summer never happened and move on with her life. Without him.

As Lauren falls back into the steady routines of resort work with Jonah, she’s relieved her memories haven’t returned and remains resolute about her big-city future. But as autumn leads into winter, she begins to see glimpses of the Jonah she’s forgotten. Will she be able to resist the steady love of this patient man? Or Is her heart destined for its own freefall?

Find Before We Were Us online at:

Amazon | BookBub | ChristianBook | Koorong

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Truth lurked in the shadows. If only I could find the light.

Book Review | Dead Ahead (Ruthless the Killer #1) by Susan J Bruce

Dead Ahead is the first book in The Ruthless the Killer Mystery series.

I thought the series name was a typo when I first saw it, but it’s not: Ruth Smythe’s unfortunate nickname is Ruthless the Killer. It’s inaccurate (as she—and we—will learn). But, as Ruth says, logic rarely stands a chance against the ghosts of the past.

Ruth has returned to Australia from the USA to the stone cottage she has recently inherited from her father. She’s looking for peace and quiet, but events get in the way: she’s barely moved in before someone is murdered in her barn. And things basically go downhill from there.

Dead Ahead is the first book in what promises to be an enjoyable cozy mystery series. Sure, it has the inevitable “problem” of all cozy mystery series: the unrealistic ratio of murderers (and victims) to regular people (is there anyone still alive in Midsomer?). But let’s be honest—that’s why we read cozy mysteries.

Dead Ahead has everything cozy mystery readers want.

A small town setting, complete with quirky townsfolk. A slow-burn not-there-yet promise of romance between Ruth and the local hunk. The ex-girlfriend. A whole cast of characters who could have motive for murder (or who could be future victims).

And it’s got the plucky and likeable amateur sleuth who may or may not solve the mystery (because to tell you would be a spoiler),but who certainly gets involved to the point she annoys the real investigators.

The story is set in Australia, and the setting definitely adds to the story. Dead Ahead does use Australian spelling and vocabulary, and the “Aussie lingo” defined at the beginning. The lingo isn’t forced into the story in a cliche stone-the-crows way, but in a way that reads as authentic to the characters and which doesn’t distract from the story.

Overall, Dead Ahead is an enjoyable read, recommended for cozy mystery fans.

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

About Susan J Bruce

Susan J Bruce

Susan J Bruce is a former veterinarian turned award-winning author, professional copywriter and animal artist. Susan’s veterinary background invades her writing and animals run, fly, or crawl into nearly all of her tales. When Susan’s writing group challenged her to write a story that didn’t mention any animals—she failed! Susan lives in sunny South Australia with her husband, Marc, and their furred and feathered family. This currently includes a fat tortoiseshell cat, a rescue cockatiel, and an irrepressible ShiChi (Shih Tzu x Chihuahua) who thinks her mission in life is to stop Susan writing.

Running Scared is Susan’s first novel and was awarded the 2018 Caleb Prize for an unpublished manuscript.

Find Susan J Bruce online at:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | X

About Dead Ahead

A deliciously twisty Aussie cozy mystery with a side of rom-com!

Ruth is desperate for a fresh start, but a body in her shed, an inconvenient romantic attraction, and a secret childhood reputation as a ‘harbinger of death’ get in the way.

As they do…

Murder and mayhem mingle with matters of the heart as Ruth soon discovers the town holds buried secrets and scandals—some of which may even involve her own late father.

But when a close friend goes missing, and the police fear the worst, all Ruth can think about is unravelling the mystery and finding her friend.

Can Ruth solve the crime in time to save her friend? Will she succeed or will bad luck be the death of her?

Dead Ahead has slow-burn romance, heaps of heart, murder and mayhem, small town vibes, friends who care, a grumpy cat and a mysterious meta plot. The final HEA of the romantic subplot will be at the end of the series—but there will be lots of fun in-between.

Find Dead Ahead online at:

Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads

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Book Review | The Enneagram of Emotional Intelligence by Scott Allender

I’ve read several books on the Enneagram, so the early part of this book didn’t really add anything to my previous knowledge. Anyone with even basic familiarity of the Enneagram could probably skip this section.

For those who are unfamiliar, here is the potted version: there are nine Enneagram “types”, numbered one to nine. Each type has a motivation and a wound. We each have a dominant type, and will gravitate toward another type when we are in healthy growth patterns, but will gravitate toward a different type when we are in an unhealthy stress pattern.

My biggest issue with the Enneagram as a principle isn’t that we can never expect to reach perfection on Earth (which lines up with Jesus’s teaching and—if we’re honest—with what we know about ourselves), but that the whole premise is circular: a healthy One will become a Seven, and an unhealthy Seven will become a One. That implies One is better than Seven, right? But no. A healthy Seven becomes a Five. A healthy Five becomes an Eight. A healthy Eight becomes a Two, a healthy Two becomes a Four, and a healthy Four becomes a One. And you’re back at the beginning.

All this reads like humanity striving toward evolution rather than seeking God-driven transformation (which makes sense, given the author apparently has a podcast called The Evolving Leader). As I read through my notes, I realised the author might have been trying to say that an emotionally healthy person won’t have a single Enneagram type: they will exhibit strengths from all the types. I guess that means they have evolved? Either way, this idea was not explored in this book, or even mentioned in any of the previous Enneagram titles I’ve read.

I didn’t think the book made sufficient case for why we should change.

It assumed the reader wanted to change, wanted to become a “better” person, but spent more time using the Enneagram to explain how someone can move from Type A to Type B rather than asking why someone might want to change. Perhaps the author felt that was unnecessary.

Perhaps they assumed someone reading a self-help book already wants to change?

In contrast, the next book I picked up was Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer. This immediately tackled the “why”  of change:

To be human is to change. To grow. To evolve. This is by God's design. The question is ... Who or what am I becoming?

Comer’s one short paragraph did more to explain the “why” we should seek to change than this entire book.

After introducing the concept of the Enneagram, the author then introduces emotional intelligence, a concept popularised (but not invented by) psychologist and writer Daniel Goleman. The premise of emotional intelligence (aka EI) is that EI is the best predictor of success, not “regular” intelligence.

There are five essential skills of emotional intelligence:

  1. Self-perception
  2. Self-expression
  3. Interpersonal relationships
  4. Decision-making
  5. Stress management

Scott Allender does a good job of explaining each of these essential skills from both a personal and professional context, making the valuable point that an emotionally intelligent organisation creates better working conditions that allow people do to their best work.

However, the book then got bogged down by Allender trying to explain how each of the nine Enneagram Types might react in growth and in stress with each of these five essential skills. Five times nine is forty-five, which meant there was lots of information but insufficient detail on any specific skill or type. This discourse also assumed the reader knew their Enneagram type and their EI strengths or growth areas.

Despite the fact this book is published by Baker Books (an imprint of evangelical publisher Baker Publishing Group), the underlying message seemed to imply we’re all aiming for self-awareness but can never achieve it, and that we’re all doing it under our own efforts, as if there is no Jesus, no saviour.

It all felt more Buddhist than Christian.

For example, Allender says:

Fours, for example, are prone to feelings of shame because of the false belief that they are flawed in some way (emphasis mine).

Yes, we are flawed. John 3:16 teaches us that we are all sinners. Allender also says:

I believe that somewhere in each of us is a sense that something’s not quite right.

Isn’t that the Jesus-shaped hole in each of us that the Holy Spirit wants to fill?

And:

The Enneagram has been my vehicle for releasing my false narratives and stepping into a truer story.

Really? I suggest he try reading the Bible.

Despite these issues, The Enneagram of Emotional Intelligence was a worthwhile read: it has convinced me there is nothing even vaguely Christian about the Enneagram, despite its growing popularity in parts of the church. It has also convinced me that I need to read Daniel Goleman’s original book on Emotional Intelligence if I want to understand the topic.

Thanks to Baker Books and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

About The Enneagram of Emotional Intelligence

Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is one of the biggest predictors of personal and professional success, and the key to effectively developing your EQ is tying it to your own personality type. In this book, certified EQ coach and Enneagram teacher Scott Allender helps you chart a personality-specific path toward lasting emotional intelligence and health.

Allender uses the popular Enneagram framework to illuminate how each of the nine personality types aligns with the five essential skills of emotional intelligence: self-perception, self-expression, interpersonal relationships, decision making, and stress management. You’ll discover how to:

  • break free from the hidden fears that dictate your choices
  • make more intentional decisions
  • better understand the emotional dynamics of colleagues, friends, and family
  • and more.

In this journey toward radical self-awareness, you’ll learn how to combat the self-limiting beliefs that keep you from living the life you were meant to live all along.

Find The Enneagram of Emotional Intelligence online at:

Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads

New Releases in Christian Fiction

New Releases in Christian Fiction | August 2024

More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website

Biblical

A Certain Man by Linda Dindzans — Mara is a young Samaritan beginning to discover her love for Samuel—and his for her. Soon she will be deemed mature enough to marry. Her hopes are dashed when her greedy father brokers a match with the cruel son of the wealthy High Priest of Shechem. When her loathsome betrothed is killed, her beloved Samuel must run for his life. Mara and Samuel struggle to survive and reunite during the treacherous and scandalous times of the Bible under the merciless rule of Rome. (Biblical/Historical from Scrivenings Press)

Contemporary

Between the Sound and Sea by Amanda Cox — Every family has its secrets. Josephina Harris wouldn’t mind if her family still had a few of their own after a lawsuit tarnishes their name. When an opportunity opens to become a temporary keeper of a decommissioned lighthouse on a North Carolina island, she jumps at the chance to escape her small town to oversee its restoration.

As the work begins, “Joey” discovers strange notes tucked deep in the crevices of the old stone walls–pages torn from a lighthouse keeper’s log signed by someone named Mae who recounts harrowing rescues at sea. Fascinated by a woman lighthouse keeper, Joey digs into the past only to discover there’s never been a record of a lighthouse keeper by that name. When things start to go amiss on the island, locals are convinced that it is the ghost of the lighthouse keeper and his daughter who were lost at sea during World War II. As Joey sifts through decades of rumors and legends and puts together the pieces of the past, what emerges is a love story–one that’s not over yet. (Contemporary from Revell)

Contemporary Romance

One Glance of Your Eyes by Myra Johnson — With a heart for lifting men out of homelessness, Carl Anderson is a dedicated counselor-in-residence in a transitional home. When recent setbacks threaten the program’s continuation, he proposes an innovative plan to increase success by pairing at-risk residents with shelter dogs. One glance from Carl’s stunning new supervisor, and he’s convinced his proposal doesn’t stand a chance.

Rae Caldwell admires Carl’s passion, but for her, every canine encounter is a heart-rending reminder of her late daughter’s final months and the loyal service dog who never left her side . . . and the tragic end of a marriage too shattered by grief to heal. As they collaborate on the pilot program, Carl catches glimpses of the vulnerable woman beneath Rae’s chilly façade. Reluctant smiles turn to stolen glances and unspoken hopes for something more—until their carefully guarded pasts intrude and everything goes awry. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published [ACFW QIP])

Bonding with the Cowboy’s Daughter by Lisa Jordan — After a broken engagement, Callie Morgan decides to move to Aspen Ridge, Colorado, to fix up her late grandmother’s gift shop. But the shop is in bad shape and Callie runs out of money faster than expected. Old childhood friend and single dad Wyatt Stone comes to the rescue, offering her a job at his family’s ranch, Stone River Ranch. While their friendship is rekindled, will Callie ever risk loving again…even as Wyatt’s little girl is already stealing her heart? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Her Loyal Companion by Heidi Main — Training service dogs is Autumn McCaw’s passion. She won’t let anything jeopardize her business’s chance of success, including her former love Wyatt Nelson. But with a looming deadline to prove herself capable, she has no choice but to hire the one man who hurt her years ago. Relying on the single dad is tough—especially since he has trust issues of his own. But can Autumn and Wyatt overcome their past to save her business…and open their hearts to love? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Hidden Secrets Between Them by Mindy Obenhaus — In Hope Crossing, Texas, nurse practitioner Kirsten Reynolds has found her dream job. The only problem is that the tiny town also has Deputy Brady James…the father of her four-year-old sons. And he doesn’t know the boys are his. But as he steps into this new role he never planned for, Brady gets a hopeful glimpse into a life with children. Will he let the fear of the unknown keep him from a future he never imagined…or will an adorable pair of twins—and their mother—change his mind? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Historical

Unfit to Serve by Sandra Bretting — When the United States military adopts a newfangled test from France called the “intelligence quotient test” during the first world war, no one expects the turmoil that follows. Thousands of immigrants fail it and are forced to return to homelands devastated by war, disease, and famine. For Josephine Pembrooke, the shy schoolmarm at Camp Travis in Texas, the problem quickly becomes apparent. How can soldiers pass a test they can’t even read? So, Jo labors in secret to create a better test. Knowing all along it can’t save the one soldier she’d hoped to help. (Historical from Elk Lake Publishing)

The Farmer and Mrs. Lombardi by Maryann Diorio — When a middle-aged mother of four delivers a child with Down syndrome, she faces the destruction of her marriage, her family, and her dream. (Historical, Independently Published)

Rise of the Outlander by Stephanie Guerrero — As hard as Magnus Stewart MacDonald works to be worthy, someone blocks his every move. Already the clan runt and disappointment to his family, his loss in the Highland Games pushes him to the brink of despair. In a twist of good fortune, Magnus rescues an Earl’s daughter giving him a path to compete for glory and the lady’s hand. Even an Earl can’t change the Stewart blood running through his veins. When his bloodline pits Magnus against the newly crowned King James Stewart, he’s forced to decide between safety or fighting for his birthright and his lady.

Will Magnus choose the refuge of the Glen or emerge to push back against a vengeful King after his Stewart blood? Surviving isn’t good enough anymore. It’s time to go beyond every obstacle and risk everything in a battle for the ages… (Historical from Winged Publications)

New Creations by Sarah Hanks — Floyd Douglas is a blundering barber who faces retirement wondering if the past sixty years of his life have been a waste. When he’s presented with the opportunity to go on a mission trip, it seems like the answer to his prayers and a way to finally make his life count for something.

Now with a series of obstacles standing in the way of his newfound dream, he must decide whether to push through or find contentment in being the faithful family man he’s always been. Emira has always looked up to her grandpa, especially since her parents’ marriage fractured and left her foundations shaken. Now, she scrambles to assure the man who taught her how to love what a deeply meaningful life he’s lived. (Historical from SonFlower Books)

Historical Romance

Redeeming the Rake by Lorri Dudley — A rogue spy is bent on destroying everything a vicar’s daughter values, stealing her heart in the process. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)

Convincing Lou by Jodie Wolfe — How hard can it be to round up one delinquent groom? Ellie Lou Williams will do just about anything to save her ranch, even going undercover as a man to round up a fella who is late to his own wedding. The reward will more than cover the money she owes the bank and solve all her problems. Caleb Martin agrees to one final job as a deputy U.S. Marshal before he starts his new life away from the trail and tracking criminals. What he isn’ t counting on is a mysterious bounty hunter who’ s determined to undermine his every step. Will one reach their goal first? Or will they learn to lean on God and work together? (Historical Romance from White Rose Publishing [Pelican])

Romantic Mystery

Home at Last by Penny Frost McGinnis — Lucy Grayson grew up on Abbott Island. At fifteen she worked at the General Store then bought the business at age twenty-four. Now nearing thirty, she finds herself at a crossroads. Tired of the grind at work and missing her free time, she considers selling the store, but what then?

Owen Miller moved to the island after his short-lived professional baseball career ended. Now he wants to embrace his uncle’s farm and create a landscaping business. Bitter after his ex-girlfriend ditched him for someone with more money, he buries himself in his work.

When mysterious holes are discovered on Abbott Island, Lucy wants answers. She also longs for a special someone in her life. Owen helps Lucy solve the mystery. As they dig into the island history and gather clues, will they find more than hidden treasure? Perhaps they’ll discover love? (Romance Mystery from Mt Zion Ridge Press)

Romantic Suspense

Witness Escape by Sami A. Abrams — When witness Tabitha Wilson’s new identity is uncovered and she’s almost kidnapped, she finds herself on the run from a murderous drug lord. But her DEA contact has gone missing, forcing Tabitha to rely on Detective Doug Olsen—a man with his own secrets. It’s a race against time for Doug and Tabitha to uncover buried evidence before the cartel makes them disappear forever. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Fireline by Kate Angelo — As the niece of a legendary smokejumper, Nova Burns is tough as nails. When their crew chief Tucker Newman breaks his leg, Nova longs for the opportunity to helm the team, ready to take risks and prove herself. But there’s one risk she refuses to take-falling in love.

Undercover Homeland agent Booth Wilder is seeking redemption. Scarred by a past explosion that took the life of his partner, Booth is hunting a rogue CIA faction known as the Brotherhood. Now, he’s determined to uncover their secrets and find a hidden nuclear weapon that could turn the world to ash. Only problem…summer sparks have ignited between Booth and Nova.

Then the wildfire threatens the home of the Jude County Firefighting team, and Nova doesn’t care what secrets Booth might be hiding-she needs everyone to save the town. But when the Brotherhood discovers Booth and his goals, the fight becomes personal. Now, Booth must choose between accomplishing his mission and saving the woman he’s come to love. (Romantic Suspense from Sunrise Publishing)

Sheltering You by Robin Patchen — In the sleepy town of Shadow Cove, Maine, a woman’s desperate flight becomes a high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse. Join the Wright Heroes of Maine for an edge-of-your-seat international romantic suspense that takes you on the run with a heroine in hiding, a secret baby, and unrequited love. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published [ACFW QIP])

Speculative

Forged in Fire by A L Evans — When Light and Dark collide something explosive is destined to happen. Born into a world of heartache, Elizabeth cannot fathom a life beyond the rejection that she has always known. Then, one day a chance encounter in the ER begins the unraveling of threads. A humble man ignites a fire long held dormant. Little do they know that this is only the beginning. The supernatural world has been watching her.

Everything Elizabeth has ever known suddenly shifts, and she finds herself immersed in a fated supernatural prophecy. The armies of hell have been sent to destroy her. How can she survive if she doesn’t know who she was created to be? It will all come down to sacrifice–life & death. In the end someone will lose. Mystery, Betrayal, Angels, Demons, and a dash of Humor with a hint of Romance. (Speculative Fiction from A L Evans)

Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month:

Rose by Another Name by Lee Carver — A Depression-era newspaper typesetter secretly creates the character she would like to be and dares to hope for the life she may have missed. (Contemporary)

Closer Than Brothers by Mary Connealy — Prequel to Trouble in Texas Series and Kincaid Brides Series. (Western)

Broken Trust by Jane Daly — Two women face unexpected challenges with the ones they trust the most, and must also learn to trust themselves and each other in order to find happiness and love amidst chaos. (Contemporary Women’s Fiction)

The Pastor’s Perfect Wife by Jane Daly — Former Mean Girl Mariah and Pastor Ethan Walsh shouldn’t have fallen in love. But they did. Together, they must weather the storms of their pasts and find strength in each other to overcome the challenges before them. (Contemporary Romance)

Rumors are Flying by Jeanette Hanscome — Plans to turn and historic Victorian home turning into a museum and upended when Janet and Debbie delve into WWII mysteries surrounding the Townsend family, revealing secrets that revive a Dennison landmark. (Cozy Mystery)

Molly by Shanna Hatfield — Their romance began while wearing gas masks and uniforms. Will their love survive returning to civilian life? Inspired by the Hello Girls, America’s first women soldiers who helped win World War I. (Historical Romance)

Matters of the Heart by Kelly S Irvin — He’s the community’s jokester auctioneer. She’s the serious caregiver for her siblings who also works at the local plant nursery. What future could they have together? (Amish Romance)

Stitched on My Heart: Delphina’s Story by Heidi Gray McGill — When a chance at love and a new life presents itself, will Delphina have the courage to seize it? (Historical Romance)

The Wise Guy and the Star by Shannon McNear — Can a chance encounter be the connection they have always needed? (Historical Romance)

Healer by Ava Murbarger — Old rivalries rise to the surface. Each of the planets has its own story to tell. Will the Phoenix remain silent? (Speculative Fiction)

Covering Grace by Davalynn Spencer — When her trick-riding ways put her in danger while filming a local flicker, he risks more than his time intervening. He risks his heart. (Western Romance)

Book Review | It’s All Relative by Rachel McGee

High school English teacher Helena Crosby needs a plus-one for her mother’s wedding, so invites workmate and best friend Landon Blake to go with her. She needs someone to introduce to The Perfects, as she has dubbed the family her mother is marrying into.

Amelia is a successful architect who singlehandedly kept her family together after the death of their mother three years ago, and who has planned the entire wedding and all associated activities.

Helena and Amelia are polar opposites–Helena is always late, and Amelia is always early. Amelia has lists for everything, while Helena can barely read a list (which did leave me wondering how she could possibly teach high school). Anyway, the two have little to no relationship because they have so little in common. Well, except for the small problem of Helena having a giant secret crush on Gage, Amelia’s fiance.

That could have been slightly eww-ish, but McGee made it work.

They arrive on Indigo Island, off the coast of Florida, where they immediately discover Amelia is none other than Mia, Landon’s college ex, the girl he never got over.

That sets the scene for some relationship puzzles.

Some romances give the game away by having only two point of view characters. It’s All Relative had four: Helena, Amelia, Landon, and Gage, which meant it was less clear who would end up with whom.

While there is a romance subplot, the main plot was more about family relationships and the relationship between Helena and Amelia. the story started with Helena so it felt like she was the one we were supposed to want to succeed, even when she did things that seemed a little silly (mostly because they didn’t fit Amelia’s timetable or lists).

The publisher is pitching It’s All Relative as A Midsummer Night’s Dream meets 27 Dresses, but I wouldn’t have picked that if they hadn’t said so.

It’s more a meeting of opposites and the ensuing complexities.

It’s a rom-com with a little more emphasis on the com than the rom, but it’s really a story of family relationships and the expectations we place on ourselves and others. It’s a fun read. The one fault is that there were no faith elements–it was a clean read, but not a Christian romance.

Recommended for readers looking for a feel-good clean read with comedic elements.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

About Rachel McGee

Rachel McGeeRachel Magee writes rom-coms and women’s fiction with relatable characters, witty dialogue, and plenty of happily-ever-afters. Her stories are usually set in fun, sunny locations where she doesn’t mind spending lots of time ‘researching’. When she’s not out scouting the setting of her next book, you can find her at home in The Woodlands, Texas with her amazing husband and their two adventurous kids.

Find Rachel McGee online at:

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About It’s All Relative

Helena’s a “fly by the seat of her pants” kind of girl. Amelia’s got her perfect life planned down to the minute. How will they ever get through their parents’ wedding–let alone a life as stepsisters–without ripping each other apart?

Twenty-seven-year-old Helena Crosby is over her mom Nora’s wedding–and it hasn’t even happened yet. For months, Helena’s been dreading the day she and Nora would become part of The Perfects, aka the Maddox family, led by oldest perfect daughter Amelia. Her complete opposite in every way, Amelia owns a house, runs her father’s architecture firm, and is engaged to her also perfect (and dreamy) fiancé Gage, all before the age of thirty. Helena has no idea how she’s going to fit into this family with their fancy traditions and strict timetables. Thankfully, her best friend Landon is joining the festivities as her emotional support plus one–and the perfect buffer between her and her new family.

Amelia Maddox has spent months planning the perfect wedding week for her dad Steve and his bride-to-be Nora. She’d planned for every consistency . . . except for her new free spirited stepsister’s deadly shellfish allergy, her brother’s insistence on blowing up his life, and an unexpected guest on Helena’s arm. A guest she hasn’t seen in years. A guest who held her heart years before her fiancé Gage ever did . . . her ex Landon Blake. But no matter–Amelia’s kept the Maddox family together since her mother died a few years ago. She’s not going to be thrown by Landon’s deep blue eyes and sun-bronzed forearms and the way he makes her feel all warm and cozy, like she’s come home to herself. Nope. She has duties to attend to: being the best daughter, sister, fiancée, boss, and wedding coordinator. And she’s going to bring her Eldest Daughter Energy to it all and push down those inconvenient feelings, no matter what.

Through a whirlwind week of wedding activities and a few near disasters, both Amelia and Helena realize that sometimes the blueprints for the perfect family and relationship look better on paper than in real life–and that family isn’t only made of the people you’re born with. Family is also made of the people we choose over and over again.

Find It’s All Relative online at:

Amazon | Goodreads

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A discipline is any activity I can do by direct effort that will eventually enable me to do what I cannot currently do by direct effort.

Book Review | Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer

John Mark Comer posits that Christianity should be more than praying a salvation prayer. It should also be a way of living. In Practicing the Way, Comer offers practical, Biblical suggestions as to how Christians can become true disciples—apprentices—of Jesus.

The book is structured in four parts.

In the first, Comer takes readers through the rabbinical tradition of disciples, pointing out that “disciple” is a noun, not a verb i.e. we are (or aren’t) disciples of Jesus. He also suggests that “apprentice” might be a better translation, because an apprentice is responsible for learning.

Comer argues that the accountability is on us listening to Jesus and learning, rather than putting the accountability on the teacher to teach (which turns “discipling” into adverb, an action that is performed on us).

He then moves onto three goals for disciples: to be with Jesus, to become like Jesus, and to do as He did.

But how? Here Comer builds on some of his suggestions and insights from his previous book, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, and suggests some oh-so-logical ideas that are oh-so-easy to resist: ideas like having a digital Sabbath once a week, and to have daily no-phone times.

Comer also emphasises that we can’t let our practices become our faith.

The point of spiritual practices is to bring us closer to God, not to turn our faith into a set of rules for the sake of rules (something I see as I grow older: one person has a personal rule they find helps them grow closer to God, such as not reading novels or not using their phones on Sunday, and others turn this into a Rule they say everyone must live by in order to be a “proper Christian”. This is a “Jesus plus” gospel, where outward appearance and action takes precedence over the heart attitudes … instead of outward actions reflecting our heart attitudes).

Discipline is a means to an end—to be with Jesus, become like him, and do what he did. But Comer is refreshingly realistic: he recognises that we all need limits.

 

You must name your limits—and from there determine what you honestly can do, and then, let that be enough.

Comer’s Christianity is the opposite of hustle culture and the more-more-more of modern life (and, often, of modern church). Instead, it’s less:

For most of us, it’s ... important to focus on what we’re not going to do, to build margin into the architecture of our lives.

In other words, we have to learn how to say “no” to people if we’re going to have the capacity to say “yes” to God.

I got a lot out of reading Practicing the Way. It’s easy to read, yet jam-packed with Christian wisdom and solid ideas on how to turn the ideas into actions. I will no doubt need to re-read it in a few months … perhaps right after I re-read The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry.

Recommended.

Thanks to Waterbrook and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

About John Mark Comer

John Mark Comer is the New York Times bestselling author of Practicing the Way, Live No Lies, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, and four previous books. He’s also the Founder and Teacher of Practicing the Way, a simple, beautiful way to integrate spiritual formation into your church or small group. Prior to starting Practicing the Way, he spent almost twenty years pastoring Bridgetown Church in Portland, OR, and working out discipleship to Jesus in the post-Christian West.

Find John Mark Comer online at:

About Practicing the Way

We all have experienced unwanted parts of our spiritual journey: distance from God, gaps in our character, the fear that our lives will be trivial and empty… Jesus is calling us into more. Calling us to be shaped in his likeness. To experience his abundance of life.

But how, practically, can we do that? By becoming his apprentice. By practicing the Way.

Outlining the timeless process of being with Jesus, becoming like him, and living as he did, bestselling author and pastoral voice John Mark Comer delineates God’s vision for the journey of our soul.

In this powerful and practical work, he defines his core philosophy of spiritual formation to help us form a “rule of life.”

Along the way, readers benefit from his rich cultural insight, deep biblical teaching, and honest and hopeful view of the potential of each human soul.

You feel like there’s more to life than this? You’re right. Now come discover just how much life awaits you.

Find Practicing the Way online at:

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Inhale: Irrational things are happening. Exhale: But that does not mean I’m irrational

Book Review | Between You and Us by Kendra Broekhuis

Loren meets her husband for a fancy dinner to celebrate their tenth wedding anniversary, but something weird happens when she walks into the restaurant. Instead of meeting her husband, she meets his doppelganger—an alternative David who wears fancy suits and drives a fancy car. When he drivers her home, she finds they live in a fancy house, he works for his parents … and their daughter is still alive.

This isn’t a completely original concept in Christian fiction.

I remember reading a  Christian novel sometime in the 1990s where the main character was living two different lives concurrently. Not long after, the movie Sliding Doors was released, which had a similar concept.

Between You and Us is similar but different. Loren is only living one life at a time—the story she remembers David #1, and the story she’s been inserted into with David #2.

Science fiction fans might recognise this as the multiverse, popularised by franchises such as Marvel and Star Trek.

(I’m not even sure how the concept of the multiverse fits with Christianity. Do all universes converge at the crucifixion so Jesus dies once for everyone? Or are there infinite versions of Jesus dying in infinite worlds? I think it’s easier to believe in one world, one Jesus, and one crucifixion.)

Between You and Us is classified as magical realism, in that it is set in contemporary Milwaukee but with magical elements added—the switched bodies.

The story is published as Christian fiction, but doesn’t have any noticeable Christian element—there is nothing to suggest the main characters have any kind of faith, and the only time they go to church is for a funeral. But there is also no bad language, or on-the-page sex, or violence.

The plot was woven well, with a nice twist at the very end. The writing was solid and placed the focus of the novel squarely on Loren as the narrator.

Loren had a difficult upbringing. Her mother was a piece of work, and her father found his refuge in alcohol. Life changed when she met David, and we see the story of their meeting, courtship, and marriage. She is a relatable character, with a tendency to show the worst of herself.

David is a more likeable character, as far as we can see him, which is only ever through Loren’s eyes. That has positives and negatives, as Loren doesn’t always think rationally when it comes to David, and David never sees the truth of her relationship with his mother.

I don’t actually know what I think about Between You and Us.

Loren annoyed me at times, but I have to admire her strength in staying true to herself and not allowing herself to be dragged down to Delancy’s level. I found David’s inability to stand up to his parents frustrating but relatable. Even so, I admired his love for his wife and his daughter, and for the fact he hadn’t allowed himself to become a mini-me of his mother.

If you’re looking for a quick, formulaic read, then Between  You and Us isn’t going to suit. But if you’re looking for an original debut novel that will keep you on your toes, check it out.

Thanks to WaterBrook and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

About Kendra Broekhuis

Kendra BroekhuisKendra Broekhuis is an author who lives in the city of Milwaukee. For her day job, she stays home with four of her children and drives them from one place to another in her minivan. She’s written, spoken, and created non-fiction content for over a decade, and now is excited to be publishing two novels with WaterBrook, the first of which debuted in March 2024. You can find most of her sarcastic ramblings and serious encouragement—including the grief of losing a baby at 33 weeks pregnant—in her newsletter and on social media.

Find Kendra Broekhuis online at:

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About Between You and Us

Two possible lives to live. One impossible choice to make.

Between You and UsWhen Leona Warlon heads across the city to meet her husband, David, for a rare dinner out, she hopes they can share a moment of relief after their year of loss. But Leona quickly realizes this is no ordinary date night. She hasn’t just stepped into an upscale ristorante; she’s stepped into a different version of her life. One in which her marriage is no longer tender, in which her days are pressured by her powerful in-laws, and in which her precious baby girl lived.

Now Leona must weigh the bitter and sweet of both trajectories, facing an unimaginable choice: Stay in a world where tragedy hasn’t struck but where the meaningful life she built with David is gone? Or return to a reality that’s filled with struggle and sorrow but also deep and enduring love?

Find Between You and Us online at:

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Book Review | Broker of Lies (Travis Brock #1) by Steven James

Travis Brock is a redactor for the US Department of Defence, which means he works in the depths of the Pentagon, reading endless documents in response to official information requests, and deciding what information can safely be released to the public without endangering the security of the USA and her citizens … and what can’t.

Brock has an unusual gift (which could also be seen as a curse).

He has an eidetic memory—better known as a photographic memory—which means he never forgets anything he sees or reads. That comes in handy in his job as a redactor, because he can link odd facts from different documents he’s read. It’s less good when it comes to forgetting his dead wife, or the pain of the injuries he sustained trying to save her.

Brock gets a new request for information that is dated 18 months earlier—the date of the first that killed his wife. What looks at first to be a fairly routine request has some unusual aspects …

And we’re neck-deep in action.

Brock is a fascinating character both because of his gift and his job. He’s an odd character—as one would expect—and his scenes are written in first person point of view, which enables us to really get inside his mind. The other characters are written in more traditional third person, and add to the suspense as the reader is made aware of information Brock and his colleagues don’t yet know.

Broker of Lies is a fast-paced thriller that reminds me of the TV show “24” in terms of the cleverly woven plot where every detail is potentially critical, the seemingly unrelated characters, and where the suspense starts on page one and doesn’t let up until the end.

But Broker of Lies is more than just a fast-paced well-plotted thriller.

It asks some serious questions about the nature of justice in our broken world, and how far is too far to go in search of justice. It also challenges readers to think about the concept of justice, and our role in creating a just world (spoiler: we have a God-given role).

You couldn’t objectively read the Bible and not come away with the idea that God hates injustice and the oppression of the weak by the strong.

Broker of Lies is only the second Steven James novel I’ve read, with the first being Synapse, his first and only venture into science fiction. Both novels are definitely Christian fiction, but with a twist: instead of merely showing us Christian characters, James challenges readers to examine some of the tough questions of faith ourselves.

Overall, Broker of Lies is an excellent thriller that introduces a fascinating character and asks big questions, questions without easy answers.

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

About Steven James

Steven JamesSteven James is the critically acclaimed, national bestselling author of sixteen novels.

His work has been optioned by ABC Studios and praised by Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, the New York Journal of Books, and many others. His pulse-pounding, award-winning thrillers are known for their intricate storylines and insightful explorations of good and evil.

When he’s not working on his next book, he’s either teaching master classes on writing throughout the country, trail running, or sneaking off to catch a matinee.

Find Steven James online at:

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About Broker of Lies

The man who knows all our secrets has a secret of his own.

Broker of Lies by Steven JamesWhen Travis Brock, a high-level Pentagon redactor with an eidetic memory, finds a clue to solving the tragic arson that took his wife from him, he risks everything to find the truth—and chances losing himself in the process.

With a terror attack looming on the horizon and a pair of assassins on his tail, Brock drops off the grid and joins forces with a disavowed Homeland Security operative. Together they race to stop the attack before Brock is neutralized by the people he trusts the most.

Find Broker of Lies online at:

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