Buried Wilderness Secrets

Author: Jaime Jo Wright

Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense

Release Date: July 29, 2025

A great quick read full of suspense by Jaime Jo Wright.

Aaliyah Terrence loves working as a park ranger even when things get crazy and she finds the burial ground of a serial killer. Once she finds the burial ground, she finds herself under attack by the killer. Wade Marlowe is the detective assigned to the burial ground and finds out that Aaliyah’s mother was this killer’s first victim, and she is his next target.

This was the first Love Inspired book I have read after hearing of them for a long while. These books are written to be quick reads, which it really was. But anytime I read a book by Jaime Jo Wright I know I am going to be in for a good story. This one didn’t rank at the top of the list of her books, but I did enjoy the shorter quicker style of her writing with this one. I enjoyed the wilderness aspect and Aaliyah had great chemistry with Wade which kept me glued to the story. If you are a fan of Jaime Jo Wright and quick romantic suspense reads this is one you will not want to miss.

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

Tempest at Annabel’s Lighthouse

Author: Jaime Jo Wright

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: April 1, 2025

Another fantastic suspense story by Wright that will leave readers with goosebumps and happy hearts.

In 1874, a young woman wakes up on top a gravesite in Lake Superior with no memory how she got there or even who she is. With no memory, she can’t tell anyone her name, so they call her Rebecca, the name on a locket around her neck. One of the only things she can remember is little snippets of Annabel, a mysterious woman who died in the lake years ago. She stays close to the lighthouse and caretakers who worry for her safety with no memory of what happened and who might be after her.

In present day Shea Radclyffe rents out the lighthouse for an escape from her troubled marriage and to have time to write. She is researching the tale of Annabel at the lighthouse The ghosts from the past are still haunting the lighthouse and anyone who stays there.

The Tempest at Annabel’s Lighthouse is another great timeslip romance with great suspense from Jaime Jo Wright. She is one of the very best when it comes to this type of writing. A lot of times the back and forth in timelines and characters can get confusing or slow the pace of a story but not when it comes to one written by Wright. Both Rebecca and Shea were great female protagonist that kept me into the story and what was going to happen. I love the way Wright is able to write such wonderful suspenseful stories that are gripping but also not too dark and twisty that will turn off some readers. There is a lot to enjoy about this book as with all the books by Jaime Jo Wright, this one was a little slower at times but was still a very enjoyable read that fans of the genre will not want to miss.

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

A Sea View Christmas

Author: Julie Klassen

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: September 2, 2025

A fun and quick read to get fans in the mood for the holiday season.

Sarah Summers wants nothing more than to make this year’s Christmas at Sea View the best it can be for her sister. Even with the best intentions things don’t always go as planned. Georgiana, her sister, is eager for the holiday and is hoping to experience young love and maybe a happily ever after for her and her sister.

One of the things that sets this novel apart from others is the quick pace in which it reads, especially for being a historical romance. Sarah was such a fun character, as was her sister, which is unusual, most stories have one that you enjoy and one sibling or character that is just annoying. The fact that I was invested in both characters and wanting to see them happy made for a delightful read. Honestly there isn’t anything negative I can say about this story, it was fun, fast and full of all the holiday feels. If you are a reader that enjoys romance and a sprinkle of holiday fun this will be a great read.

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

A Hidden Hope

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: October 7, 2025

Suzanne Woods Fisher crafts a story that is like taking readers back home, comfort and joy in a few hundred pages.

After a news story raises her popularity in the medical field, Ruth Stolzfus gains many patients and must supervise two new medical residents, Wren Baker and Charlie King. Wren is at the top of her class and Charlie at the lower end. Also with them is a traveling nurse, Evie Miller who is in love with Charlie. Set in a small Amish community the group try to balance plain living with the modern world of medicine, something that ends up far harder than any of them expected.

A Hidden Hope is a great story of redemption, hope in love and so much more. I enjoyed the dynamic of the group in this story; it was very different than many stories that focus on one or two main protagonist. The story was touching and painful at times when things seemed as if they would not work out for the group. But as all good stories, things work out in the end as they should and that is something Suzanne Woods Fisher is great, writing a story with a great ending. I would recommend this book to anyone that is a fan of Fisher’s writing and Amish romance.

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

Fire Mountain

Author: Dana Mentink

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: July 1, 2025

A great contemporary read with beautiful setting and issues the characters face that readers will resonate with.

Ana Leigh Watkins has been through her share of trauma lately and going to spend the summer in Bitter End Tennessee to help her great-aunt clear out her house to move to a retirement home is just what she needs. When she gets to Bitter End, she finds out her Aunt has planned a trip and is leaving Ana Leigh to handle the house details herself. While cleaning it out she meets a group of bird watchers in the mountains and finds herself enjoying the time with them and taking her mind off her past problems. Along with the solace of the group Ana Leigh also finds her share of family drama she didn’t know about and finds herself transformed by the journey she goes through in Bitter End.

Amanda Cox is a phenomenal contemporary author and I always find myself excited when she has a new release coming out. While I have loved all her books I would not say The Bitter End Birding Society was my favorite. The story itself was good and the characters were engaging, just not as much as some in the past. Ana Leigh is a great protagonist and I enjoyed the way her story played out. A few of the secondary characters were a bit much for me and tended to take me out of the story at times, which is not fun. Other than those minor frustrations, I will say it was a very enjoyable read that I can recommend to anyone who enjoys a good contemporary story.

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

Capture the Moment

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

Series: National Parks Summers #1

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: May 6, 2025

A perfect romance with even more perfect settings that took my breath away.

Kate Cunningham has an amazing life working as a zoo photographer and experiencing the wonderful animals around the world. When she is approached by National Geographic to try and get a rare picture of a legendary bear found in Grand Teton National Park, she knows she can’t pass up the opportunity. There is a reason no one has ever gotten a picture of this rare bear and Kate is hoping to be the first even with the odds stacked against her. She meets Grant Cooper, a park ranger who has worked in the Tetons and knows the area which might help her succeed. The only problem is they are not the only one on the hunt for this bear and the closer they get the more danger they find themselves in.

Suzanne Woods Fisher did a fantastic job with Capture the Moment. I fully felt immersed in this story and setting and did not want to leave when the last page finished. I love national parks and the Grand Tetons are on my list of wanting to visit the first chance I get so this story only made that wish stronger. Kate was a perfect protagonist and had a driving force that pulled me into the story and the adventure she was going on in such a way I had a hard time getting anything else accomplished until I finished. This is the kind of book that will take readers far away into the parks and emotions of the characters that will hit just right. I recommend this book to readers that enjoy storybook settings, romance that has all the right feels and the start of what I hope will be a great series with many more to come.

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

Across the Crying Sands

Author: Jane Kirkpatrick

Series: Women of Cannon Beach #1

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: May 20, 2025

A heartwarming tale set in just the right time and tone.

Mary Gerritse, like most young girls her age, wants one thing: to find a husband and start a family. Even though sixteen is young to be married, it is not uncommon and when Mary finds a husband, she isn’t sure why she still feels unsatisfied with her life. Being antsy for something new she jumps at the chance for a change along the Oregon coast.

Jane Kirkpatrick has done a great job in crafting the start of a new series with new characters that will be easily likable and one readers will want to cheer on. I enjoyed this story and the characters throughout, Mary in particular was easy for me to like, she was spunky and full of life. Remembering the time frame this is set in will help readers relate to the characters and the hardships and even the accomplishments they might achieve. This was a quick read that I enjoyed more than I expected for a historical fiction, which can sometimes be slow reads. I would recommend this book to readers that enjoy historical fiction and have been fans of Jane Kirkpatrick.

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

An Unexpected Grace

Authors: Tracie Peterson & Kimberley Woodhouse

Series: The Jewels of Kalispell #3

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: May 20, 2025

A combo of two powerhouse authors makes for a great story.

Parker Bennett has spent a long time away from home as a performer and is almost afraid of what he will find when he gets back. It doesn’t take long being home before he is face to face with the first woman he ever fell in love with. Feelings come crashing back hard and he can’t help but have hope that it might not be too late for a second chance at first love. Johanna St. John has been widowed for three years and trying to survive with a young toddler and helping her injured father. When she sees Parker, she doesn’t want to get her hopes up at a second chance at love.

Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse have teamed up once again to craft a fantastic historical romance full of witty characters, a storyline that is hard to put down and so much more. Peterson and Woodhouse are two of the most well known in Christian fiction for a reason, they write well and pull readers in with each page. Parker and Johanna represented those looking for a second chance at love, a group of readers that will be strongly connected to the story. That is the best thing about this story, the way readers will connect to the story and characters. This is a story that readers who enjoy historical romance will not want to miss.

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

The Pursuit of Elena Bradford

Author: Ann H. Gabhard

Release Date: May 6, 2025

Publisher: Revell

An Ann H. Gabhart novel with all the right feels for a good story.

Elena Bradford has never wanted to marry but when her father passes away and she finds herself in a heap of debt, Elena goes with her mother to Kentucky to hopefully find a husband and a way out of the trouble her father left her in. While her mother works to find her a husband with money, Elena finds herself attracted to two different men that her mother would not approve of. Elena’s life because intertwined with the men and more is at stake than any of them could realize.

The Pursuit of Elena Bradford was a book that was good but fell flat at times for me. The story didn’t hold my interest as well as I was hoping and in a year that I find myself struggling to enjoy reading it wasn’t the best fit. As with a lot of historical fiction, if you are not in the mood for that type of novel, it will not be as enjoyable as it could. Ann H. Gabhart is a great author, but this one didn’t hit the mark. While it didn’t hit the mark for me, I am sure it is the type of book that many readers will enjoy.

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

The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House

Author: Joanna Davidson Politano

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: April 15, 2025

A whimsical romance with mystery sprinkled throughout.

In the early 1900’s, Sydney Forrester is surprised when she is bequeathed Blakely House, the island estate of her estranged uncle. The house has secrets of its own and Sydney quickly finds herself in the middle of a house filled with inventions she is excited to toy with and explore. The house is located on an island that is home to several other people that are not taking kindly to Sydney’s intrusion into their lives. With each new secret uncovered, Sydney finds herself in more danger but also more intrigued in the mystery in front of her.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this story but was pleasantly surprised by the mystery that I found in the story and how invested I became in the characters. Sydney was a great female protagonist that kept me wanting to find her with a happy outcome. I also enjoyed the mystery of the island and how it all came about by the end of the story. There was relatively good pacing with this story, a little slow at a few moments but still pretty quick overall. While I did enjoy this one more than expected I would say that this is a book for those that enjoy historical romance, if historical isn’t your genre you might not enjoy this one very much.

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