Calling on the Matchmaker

Author: Jody Hedlund

Publisher: Bethany House Publishing

Release Date: December 12, 2023

A historical romance that will pull readers back in time and fill their hearts.

Finola Shanahan no longer feels she can have a family of her own and spends her time helping those in need. Her parents, however, keep arranging relationships for her and she must find a way out of each one. She is able to work her way out of each until she meets Riley Rafferty and realizes things are different with this one. As their attraction grows, a cholera outbreak hits St. Louis and their lives are all put at risk.

Finola is one spunky character; even though her parents keep trying to set her up, she has decided it isn’t for her. Once she meets Riley, that all changes and we see her life get turned upside down as she can’t deny the attraction. All this made for an interesting read at times but did take away from the story when it was over the top with their heated glances and such. There is a lot of sexual tension throughout which may turn some readers off. While it was interesting with the characters and what they went through I have to say I liked this one but didn’t love it.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Marshalling Her Heart

Author: Mary Connealy

Series: Wyoming Sunrise #3

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: October 17, 2023

The conclusion to the Wyoming Sunrise series returns readers to the frontier that is a sure bet for readers that enjoy inspirational romance.

Becky Pruitt knows life on the prairie is hard and running a ranch as a woman is even harder. She has worked hard to know what’s happening and keep it running smoothly. When Nate Paxton, her ranch foreman, comes to her one day and tells her that the ranch would be the perfect spot to allow U.S. Marshals to stop a notorious gang, Becky is hesitant to be involved in such an undertaking. Knowing it is the best thing for the town, she reluctantly agrees to let Nate and the Marshals do what they must. The one thing Becky didn’t count on was her heart falling for Nate and it might end up being a problem for them all.

Mary Connealy is a staple in the libraries of those that enjoy Wester and Historical Romance and even though this isn’t my favorite genre to read I have found her books to be enjoyable. This is probably my favorite of the three in this series with the danger and suspense that brought Nate and Becky together. Becky is a strong and independent female protagonist, and I enjoyed watching her go through the motions of trying to run the ranch and stay independent and finally giving into her heart. Overall, this was an enjoyable read that fans of historical romance will enjoy.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

A Winter by the Sea

Author: Julie Klassen

Series: On Devonshire Shores #2

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Release Date: December 5, 2023

Another fun read for fans of series such as Downton Abby.

Emily Summers and her sisters end up hosting some of the royal family’s male staff when the Duke and Duchess of Kent and their daughter come to rent a neighbor’s cottage. Emily wants nothing more than to become an author and she is given the opportunity to get published if she writes a guidebook first. One of the Duke’s secretaries helps Emily, and she is quickly attracted to him. She finds herself in a dilemma when someone from her past shows up and her heart is pulled in two directions.

After reading several historical fictions in a row, this one fell midway into the pack. It was a good read but not outstanding. Julie Klassen did a great job setting up the scenery to pull me in but the romance aspect fell a little flat. I would have liked to see a little more tension to draw the characters together and apart before they found their way fully to each other. Overall, it was an easy quick read that fans of historical romance will enjoy.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

A Beautiful Disguise

Author: Roseanna M. White

Series: The Imposters #1

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Release Date: August 22, 2023

A fun read that fans of shows such as Downton Abby will thoroughly enjoy.

Life behind a desk is not at all what Sir Merritt Livingstone wants after all his time in the field. But when he is hit with pneumonia and forced out of the field, he must show that he still has worth. When he finds suspicion of an aristocrat sending information to Germany, he must find a way to stop it and asks The Imposters, Ltd to help. This is a group that is more legend than anything else but they always get results. Lady Marigold Fairfax and her brother run The Imposters, Ltd; they work to uncover secrets in their society, but nothing prepares them to look into her best friend’s father as a traitor.

This book had a lot of potential but fell flat for me. That being said, it just isn’t my cup of tea, but those that enjoy this genre will not be disappointed. Historical romanced are a hit or miss for me, for some reason this plot line of this one dragged a little and I just couldn’t seem to get going. I did find The Imposters an intriguing group and thought more time should have been focused on this part of the story. If you are a fan of Downton Abby and such this will be one you will very much enjoy.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

To Love a Falcon

Author: Nancy C. Williams

Publisher: Celebrate Lit

Release Date: November 7th, 2023

A fabulously written historical fiction novel that kept my attention and had me entranced with these characters and what they were going through!

Katya Morozov is an aircraft mechanic in Russia waiting for her fiancé, Mikhail to return so they can start their life together. When she gets an assignment sending her to the remote area around Siberia, she fears she will never see her love again. Katya and her father have been secretly helping protect persecuted Christians and she doesn’t know the threats that await her because of it. When she meets Yuri Sokolov, a test pilot, she is immediately attracted to him, but she will not betray her word to Mikhail, who she doesn’t know has already been killed because of his faith. Katya meets a mysterious woman in the woods who gives her strength in her faith when she needs it most to endure the hardships she is about to face.

Normally a historical fiction novel set in Russia is one I would pass on, not something that usually holds my interest. I picked this one up and could not put it down. Nancy Williams has done a fabulous job of crafting a story that not only held my interest on a topic I normally don’t pick up, but she also had me caring deeply about these characters and what they were going through. I couldn’t wait to see if Katya would survive with others going against her and if the spark between her and Yuri would develop into something more. This is a book with heart, faith, and a great message. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a story that will pull at their heartstrings and leave them sitting satisfied from a well-written story.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater

Author: Jaime Jo Wright

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: October 10, 2023

This might just be Jaime Jo Wright’s best book yet. I tend to say this about the last several of her books, but she does get better with each novel!

In 1915, Barlowe Theater was under construction and takes the life of Greta Mercy’s oldest brother. Greta has been left in charge of her siblings after the death of her parents. Now her youngest brother has gone missing after he and friends break into Barlowe theater and Greta must work with the local police to find the secrets of the theater.

Decades later Kit Boyd is now dealing with her own problems with Barlowe Theater when her best friend disappears while they are filming an episode of a ghost-hunters show. Evan Fisher is the skeptic that tries to disprove the ghost-hunter and he joins in with Kit to help solve the secrets of Barlowe Theater and they quickly become close as they try to solve the mysteries that have plagued her hometown.

Man, just when I think Jaime Jo Wright can’t get any better, she comes out with another hit that is hard to put down and gives me chills long into the night. The back-and-forth mystery and the way it all came together at the end gave me goosebumps. Wright has become a favorite of mine with her time-slip novels and the spooky stories that are free of gore or any foul language. It is so rare to find a book that is clean and not filled with anything questionable, especially when dealing with ghosts and things of that nature. I would recommend this book to anyone that is looking for a spooky mystery that is clean and without any material that is unsavory. One of the few books I wish I could give more than 5 stars.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

This is Where it Ends

Author: Cindy K. Sproles

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: June 27, 2023

If you are looking for a nice, clean story with a satisfying ending this is the perfect book.

At just fourteen years of age, Minerva Jane Jenkins married a man and was quickly moved away to the mountains. Their meager possessions consist of a box he tells her is full of gold. When he dies, she is sworn to secrecy, which she keeps for decades. Living her life alone in the mountains helps her to grow strong and deal with whatever comes her way. One day a reporter shows up looking for a story about hidden gold and secrets that may turn out to be more dangerous than expected.

This is Where it Ends starts slow and builds with a mystery and deep character development that brought a smile to my face. Minerva is a different kind of main character, she had to grow up so early in her life and things were hard for her living in the mountains. Even through the hardships she showed a strong character no matter what life throws at her. Reading this novel was quick and easy that readers with a passion for this genre will enjoy, but if it’s not a genre you enjoy it won’t be for you.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

In the Shadow of the River

Author: Ann H. Gabhart

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: May 9, 2023

A story about love, family and playing the right part even when we don’t want to perform.

At five years old Jacci Reed was almost kidnapped and when her mom saves her, she ends up wounded and takes Jacci to a showboat to heal. This is where Jacci gets her first taste of life with a showboat family. Fast-forward fifteen years and Jacci is an actress aboard the Kingston Floating Palace and loves her life with her family of actors, singers, and dancers. It’s been years since Jacci’s mother died and now she looks to the showboat owners’ son to help her find answers to her past and be able to move on with her future.

Ann Gabhart writes historical romance with a great message and will pull readers in with characters and a fun storyline. Her stories are always filled with a romance that is swoon worthy that makes for a very fast read. I thought the beginning of the story read faster than the middle, this part of the story wasn’t as full of tension and dragged a good bit. The end tied things up nicely, making the story come to a satisfying conclusion. These stories are nice for a quick weekend read that make it where you don’t have to think about much for the story, just escape into the past with a historical fiction read. I recommend this book to readers that enjoy historical fiction and have read other Gabhart novels.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

The Laws of Attraction

Author: Mary Connealy

Series: Wyoming Sunrise #2

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: June 20, 2023

A great story with vivid details that readers will find enticing and enriching!

Nell Armstrong and Brand Nolte are thrown together through a series of unfortunate events. Brand is a widower and has three girls that he is struggling to raise on his own and Nell is a seamstress that is tired of making chaps for cowboys in her tiny Wyoming town. Nell’s first husband was a lawman and the skills he had rubbed off on her as she and Brand must investigate a robbery of a stagecoach when the survivor ends up at their little town. The mystery deepens as they try to figure out who the bad guy is before anyone else gets hurt.

This second book in the Wyoming Sunrise series is more captivating than the first with a rich array of scenery and characters. I loved the way Nell is portrayed as a strong female character even in this historical romance where female characters are not typically portrayed. The way Nell and Brand are brought together is normal for a novel of this genre, but it didn’t bore readers the way some historical fiction books can. With the way this story held my attention, I can’t wait to see what the next in the series brings.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

A great story with vivid details that readers will find enticing and enriching!

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Rocky Mountain Rendezvous

Author: Misty M. Beller

Series: Sisters of the Rockies #1

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: June 6, 2023

A sweet romance set in the beautiful backdrop of the Rocky Mountains makes for a compelling read.

Juniper Collins and her sister are trying to fulfill the last wish of their father as he passed away and they travel to return a set of beads to a Plegan Blackfoot woman. The girls encounter trouble along the way and must work together to achieve their goal. Riley Turner came West to find a quiet life and is doing that until he encounters the sisters and is compelled to help make sure they stay safe. A task that turns out to be harder than he expected as they encounter danger with every step they take.

Rocky Mountain Rendezvous is the first in a new series that looks to be another easy quick read. The setting is beautiful and makes the story what it is. I see the characters being set up for a series with each sister getting their own book and love interest. For me, this was a typical Historical Romance with characters that play out the scenes just as I would expect from them in this genre. Anyone that is a fan of historical romance will enjoy this read.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.