Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor

Author: Roseanna M. White

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: September 3, 2024

A delightfully beautiful story with so much more to get readers in the holiday spirit.

Plumford Manor has been the home and hopeful inheritance of Lady Mariah Lyons for years. When the estate passes to Cyril Lightbourne, her plans change. Cyril was a childhood friend and at one time she had hopes of him becoming more, but as that didn’t happen and he is now the heir, she puts her hopes in him as a good man to do right by her stepfather’s home. Cyril didn’t want to come back to Plumford Manor; he is with Lady Pearl even though his heart still belongs to another. As the holiday season approaches and feelings are in the balance of tearing him apart from those he cares about he tries to determine what path to take before it is too late.

This was a whimsical romance set in the past in a way that pulls readers right along with these characters and takes them along for the romantic ride. With a bit of a slow start, I was surprised to see it pick up pace by the end and finish nicely. The romance was just right pulling me in, even when the story itself felt a bit slow. Mariah and Cyril were good characters to follow along with and want to see succeed. The rest was just there to fill the pages. I would recommend this book to those that enjoy a fun and quick holiday romance.

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

A Token of Love

Author: Carrie Turansky

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: September 3, 2024

A dual timeline story that is full of mystery, adventure and a perfect amount of romance.

Lillian Freemont wants nothing more than to reunite with her niece, Alice, whom she hasn’t seen in 8 years. 1885 in London makes that more difficult. Lillian gets the help of investigative reporter Matthew McGivern and together they try to track down Alice and can’t hide the growing attraction to one another. In Present day London, Janelle Spencer runs a museum and during a search of the archives with Jonas Conrad she discovers articles from the past that if brought to life will change everything. Janelle wants to protect the reputation of the museum, but it might be harder than she imagined.

I love a good dual timeline story, and this one had the perfect mix of mystery, adventure and intrigue to keep me glued to the page. I enjoyed the present day timeline more than the one set in the past; just the dynamic of it all was more my pace. Janelle and the way she dealt with the mystery and how it would affect the museum had such tight tension, an amazing way to move a story along at a fast pace. This is probably the best Turansky novel I have read and am happy to recommend this one to readers that have enjoyed her work and want to keep reading clean, crisp historical romance.

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

Riot

Author: Ronie Kindig & JJ Samie Myles

Series: A Breed Apart Legacy #3

Publisher: Sunrise Publishing

Release Date: March 19, 2024

Riot is a downright thrill ride that is not to be missed.

Danger Maddox loved his work as a Navy SEAL K-9 handler until it all went wrong on an op. Now he is trying to work past the PTSD and find his place I the world. When his new neighbor shows up with a retired military dog she inherited but has no idea how to handle, he ends up put in the position to help. Paisley Reyna has a past full of baggage having survived human trafficking at the hands of the Guerrero Cartel and now works as a trauma counselor trying to help others. Her first meeting with Danger Maddox doesn’t go well and she is hesitant to let him be the one to help her with Riot. When the Cartel shows its face close to town, Riot is needed to help and Danger comes in as his handler and Paisley is afraid she could lose one or both of them, especially now that she has grown to care for both.

Ronie Kendig along with Samie Myles have crafted a fantastic military thriller that is full of heart, action, tension and a fury sidekick that steals the show. I have loved the first books in this series and this one is right there with them. Paisley and Riot stole the show for me, I loved the two of them and the way she had to overcome so much but didn’t waver in what she needed to do to help others so they didn’t have to go through the hard things she did. She didn’t let Danger get under her skin in the way he could have, instead stayed strong in what she knew was her purpose and didn’t let anything stop her. Danger was a hard character to like at first but with the past he had and what he had to deal with it was easy to see why, and he was written to perfection with what he had to deal with and overcome. I would recommend this book and all those in this series who enjoy military thrillers and fast action.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher.

Meddling with Mistletoe

Author: Liz Johnson

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: September 3, 2024

Get ready for the holiday season early with a fun and quick read.

Culinary School is going to be the newest adventure Whitney Garrett goes after, if she is able to raise the money for her tuition. One problem after another arises and when her oven goes out, she must ask for help from Marie Sloan, the owner of the local Inn if she can use the one in their kitchen. Whitney gets the go ahead with two issues, she must cook breakfast for those at the Inn and watch the Sloan children. With the holiday season coming up quickly, the Inn is busy with guests; one of those guest is Daniel, who quickly catches her eye and she feels they might be just right for each other.

It’s always fun with the holiday novels come out in September to get me in the spirit for the upcoming seasons. Whitney sure had a lot on her plate with wanting to get into culinary school but having so much to deal with before she could even consider it, but she kept her head up and was able to come out in the end with a smile on her face and mine as I read. There were definitely challenges that she faced and that kept me wanting to turn the pages wanting to find out what was going to happen next for her and hope it would be a happy ending. This book was short, sweet and to the point which was great, quick to read and enjoy. There wasn’t a bunch of fluff and stuff that wasn’t necessary. This will be the perfect holiday read for readers getting ready for the holiday season.

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

The Christmas Tree Farm

Author: Melody Carlson

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: September 3, 2024

Curl up with a blanket and some hot chocolate to enjoy this perfect holiday read.

Madison McDowell has spent the last few years teaching overseas and when she returns home tired from it all, she has plans to work at her family’s Christmas tree farm in Oregon. While she was gone, the farm fell into disrepair and her hopes of a future with the trees and her family is in question. Her sister wants to sell the farm, and the buyer turns out to be Madison’s old flame. With tensions high between her and her sister and the farm about to be sold, she has the cards stacked against her, but the challenge proves to be just what she needs after arriving back home.

Melody Carlson can always be counted on to craft a fun and endearing holiday romance that will get readers in the holiday spirit. Madison is a fun and quirky protagonist that put a smile on my face. I enjoyed the interactions between her and Gavin as she worked to try and save the farm. I always enjoy this time of year when I get these fun holiday books, they are quick and fun to get me in the holiday spirit. I can pretty much sit down and read this in a day. Readers that are looking to get in the holiday spirit will not want to miss this one.

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

Shield of the Mighty

Author: Connilyn Cossette

Series: The King’s Men #2

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: August 20, 2024

Biblical fiction written in a way that will make readers want to keep reading.

Zevi was captured by the Philistines many years ago and has since grown up to become a warrior for their army and King Saul. Now he is sent out to gather new soldiers and find artists for the king’s court, but his new mission sends him back to the town he was taken from as a young boy. Yochana is a young woman of business and when Zevi stops by her shop and what he is tasked with she finds herself immersed in his schemes and forced to tackle old wounds that resurface with his arrival.

Biblical fiction is not my go-to genre, it usually isn’t done as well as historical fiction, but Connilyn Cossette is one that I enjoy. Shield of the Mighty was very well written with a lot of heart, action and tension that kept me turning the pages. The tension was so well done that I forgot I was reading a historical novel at times. Going back in time to the Old Testament era and being on this adventure with these characters was actually very fun for me, I enjoyed Zevi and what he was tasked to do and how it played out. Cossette was able to write these characters and the storyline in such a way that readers will feel like they are transported to this time and place and going through the trials with them. I’m thankful for clean Christian fiction that is entertaining and enjoyable to read. I would recommend this book to fans of biblical historical fiction.

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

Saved by the Matchmaker

Author: Jody Hedlund

Series: A Shanahan Match #2

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: August 6, 2024

A delightful historical romance that was charming from beginning to end.

Enya Shanahan has become an embarrassment to her family after an annulment is finalized and scandal follows her every step. Her father wants nothing more than to find a suitable husband for his daughter and now turns to a matchmaker to help him in his quest. Sullivan O’Brien is given an ultimatum by his father, either to get married or be cut off from the family fortune. He has been trying to help aid slaves trying to find their path to freedom and now is forced into a marriage he isn’t sure he wants. Enya and Sullivan are both on a path that leads them straight to each other while also leading them to their darkest fears.

Saved by the Matchmaker was a good historical romance that was a quick read that wasn’t too hard to follow and kept up with the previous from the series. There wasn’t much that stood out in this one as spectacular, it wasn’t bad, it just was delightfully average. Fans of historical romance will enjoy this as a great easy read. Enya wasn’t my favorite as far as female protagonist go but Sullivan was a fun character that had a lot of heart. He is the one I was rooting for as I read through the pages. I would recommend this book to fans of historical fiction.

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

One Last Promise

Author: Susan May Warren

Series: Alaska Air One Rescue #3

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: August 6, 2024

Another great romantic suspense from one of the masters in the Christian fiction genre.

Moose Mulligan was in the Navy and lived for the thrill of it all. After he got out, he returned home and started up Air One Rescue to help others and maybe find a life for himself. He has a habit of going to the local diner for breakfast but also to see Tillie Young. When Tillie shows up at his door, beaten and in need of help, Moose and his friends jump right in. Tillie needs help after her daughter has been kidnaped by her ex, a former MMA fighter who also trained Tillie. One problem after another arises as they hunt down a kidnapper and try to get out of the situation alive.

This is the third book in the Alaska Air One Rescue series and might just be my favorite of the series so far. Tillie started as a meek little character but turned into one that was able to do so much more than expected. Her fighting was fun to read with her MMA background and the way she fought for her family was very well done. Fighting sequences can be hard, either they turn out brilliantly or laughable. As the years have gone by Susan May Warren has really improved in her ability to write these scenes and I enjoy reading them. The relationship between Moose and Tillie was written at just the right speed, they obviously had feelings for each other, but it wasn’t rushed in a way that made me roll my eyes. I know that fans of romantic suspense, and especially if they have been following this series will not want to miss this one.

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

Target Acquired

Author: Lynette Eason

Series: Lake City Heroes #2

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: August 20, 2024

Target Acquired was a perfect bullseye by Lynette Eason that readers will love to devour!

Kenzie King has worked hard to earn her place on the SWAT team as their medic and is finding it hard to fit in with all her male coworkers. Not everyone is thrilled to have her on the team but Cole Garrison, the team leader, is determined to help her find her place. Cole and Kenzie are not only faced with getting the team to accept her but also deal with someone who is out to take the team down.

I’ve read a lot of Romantic Suspense books, and a lot by Lynette Eason, but this one is going to rank up towards the top of that list. Kenzie was a top-notch character that had depth, heart and kept me feeling all the emotions. The attraction between her and Cole was obvious from the beginning but the way it was played out was perfect for me. Some of the members of the SWAT team were a bit annoying but mainly in the way they were supposed to be written, which was a job well done by Eason. Each romantic suspense book I pick up is either a great read or the same old same old. This one was a great addition to my Lynette Eason shelf, and I believe that readers will not want to miss this one.

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

A Game Most Foul

Author: Alison Gervais

Publisher: Blink

Release Date: June 18, 2024

Aww, this one was such a fun read! I loved the entire story and think mystery lovers will as well!

Jules Montgomery is having a dream come true by attending the Ashford College writing seminar in London. After she arrives, she finds her aunt who she is staying with. Her dream turns out to be a little scary when she must learn to navigate a new city and is dealing with recent hearing loss that she would prefer to keep secret from her new classmates. Now that she is at the seminar, she can’t think of a single thing to write about. When the class is out and about on a field trip one of the students goes missing and Jules along with her new friends, Percy and Suruthi have a new mystery to solve. Along with searching for their missing classmate, they are trying to figure out their odd Professor Watson and a strange man who keeps coming to her aunt’s antique shop who goes by the name Sherlock Holmes. With more than one mystery afoot and time running out, the new friends will have to work fast to solve this case that spans more than a century.

I love picking up a clean, fun young adult book that I can confidently pass down to my kids without worrying about any of the content. Alison Gervais has done a fantastic job with A Game Most Foul, a fun mystery with lots of twists and turns and great inclusive characters. The way she included the hearing loss Jules deals with and her hearing aid will be a great thing for readers dealing with that or similar issues to see a character in a fun book learning to deal with that. The mystery with Sherlock and Watson was so fun and well played out. This book had a great mystery to it and it was all clean without language, sex or dark violence and gore that was so fun to read and refreshing. I would recommend this book to young readers that want a mystery and parents wanting a good clean book for them to enjoy.