Sunday, March 2, 2025

"His Grace's Governess" by Jackie Killelea

About the Book

Book: His Grace’s Governess

Author: Jackie Killelea

Genre: Christian Historic Romance

Release date: February 4, 2025

A governess with a secret. A duke with a broken heart. Can love heal their wounds?

Miss Eleanor Clairbridge, at five and twenty, has resigned herself to a life without love. With her family’s London townhouse threatened by dwindling finances, she accepts employment as a governess to help support her widowed mother and preserve her cherished childhood home. When Eleanor arrives at Ivy Grange Estate, the last thing she expects to find is a spark of attraction between her and her new employer. Determined not to risk her position, she resolves to keeps her distance. There is more than one reason a romance between them can never be.

Edmund Colhampton, the Duke of Albemarle, has no intention of finding love. Since losing his family in a tragic carriage accident five years ago, he has devoted himself to protecting his young niece, the only family he has left. But when his niece’s enchanting governess arrives at the estate, Edmund finds himself reconsidering his vow never to love again. Why then, as he seeks to know her more, does she seem determined to avoid him at all costs?

As Eleanor fulfills her role as governess, her past begins to catch up with her, threatening to unravel the secrets she holds dear. Both Eleanor and Edmund must confront their deepest fears and decide whether to succumb to the darkness within or brave the path to healing and love.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts

I enjoyed reading this book. It drew my attention and I wanted to keep reading. I liked Edmund and Eleanor and watching them interact. I think they felt realistic and relatable. There was a nice biblical faith thread which I was glad for. I look forward to reading more books by Jackie Killelea.

About the Author

Jackie Killelea is a born and raised small-town girl from Connecticut with a degree in English and Creative Writing. She started off her writing journey with poetry, soon shifting into novels and becoming hooked. On days when she’s not busy with her nose in a book, she can be found typing away with a cup of tea at her side.

More from Jackie

In His Grace’s Governess, much trouble befalls Edmund and Eleanor as they attempt to sort out their close proximity to and burgeoning feelings for one another, but there is one scene in particular that I enjoyed researching.

In one scene of the novel, Mr. Roskilly(the gardener at Ivy Grange Estate) worries at Eleanor plucking the plant Rabelera–otherwise known as Greater Stitchwort–from the ground. He fears that danger will befall Eleanor if she takes it from the garden and Eleanor, misunderstanding him, even believes at one point that Mr. Roskilly might be threatening her. But, why is Mr. Roskilly so worried? Is he really so concerned that Edmund’s hackles will be raised when he sees that Eleanor has plucked a few mere flowers from the garden–and with his niece, no less?

Indeed, that is not where his concern lies, for if you read the passage closely, you’ll see that Mr. Roskilly is Cornish. This is an important factor. When doing my research for the novel, I found that, in Cornwall, it is believed that Greater Stitchwort is the property of the pixies. It is believed that to pick it is to take it from them and to anger them, and if you anger them then there is all the chance that they may well retaliate for you having stolen what was theirs. Truly, they may even enchant you, according to legend. Having read this and being sufficiently intrigued, the scene was born! I do hope you get as much enjoyment out of it as I do.

Here is an excerpt from it so you know what I’m referring to:

“Hope yer walk’s went well. ’Tis a fine day fer one.” He grinned, revealing a mouth full of crooked teeth. His Cornish accent was thick, with a friendly tone to his voice.

Eleanor returned his smile and nodded. “It certainly is. What better way to spend a morning than to enjoy the sun in these beautiful gardens? They’re the finest I’ve ever seen.”

She could’ve sworn there was a hint of a blush on the man’s tawny face. “I than’ ye, miss. We do our righ’ bes’, and keepin’ i’ as i’ is makes ’is Grace ’appy. Ever since…” The man trailed off, a growing look of concern on his face.

What had he been about to say? Something about the duke or his family?

“Greater Stitchwort.” He spoke with a grave edge to his words, looking intently at the flower in Rose’s hand.

Eleanor’s gaze flitted from the man to the flower, her brows furrowing. “Is something wrong, sir?”

The man tilted his head, flicking his eyes to the side in a plea for a private conversation.

I will not say whether this decision to pick the plant affected Eleanor later on in the story or not, but I’ll leave you with this: Do consider all of the plants you touch before you decide to place your hand upon them and pull them from the ground.

Happy reading!

Jackie Killelea

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 18

Holly’s Book Corner, February 19

Texas Book-aholic, February 19

Life on Chickadee Lane, February 20

Pens Pages & Pulses, February 20

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 21

Stories By Gina, February 22 (Author Interview)

Devoted To Hope, February 22

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 23

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 24

Connie’s History Classroom, February 25

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, February 25

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, February 26

Simple Harvest Reads, February 27 (Guest Review from Donna)

For Him and My Family, February 28

Pause for Tales, February 28

Book Looks by Lisa, March 1

Blossoms and Blessings, March 2

Cover Lover Book Review, March 3

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, March 3

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jackie is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54157

"The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine" by Lindsay A. Franklin -- Author Interview

About the Book

Book: The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine

Author: Lindsay A. Franklin

Genre: YA Fantasy

Release date: February 4, 2025

A shattered heart, a fate foretold.

The world undone by tales of old.

Emlyn DuLaine just wants to know what happened to her sister, Camille, seven years ago on the fateful day she vanished—literally. Emlyn witnessed Camille unravel and disappear, but no one believes her. Since they think she’s crazy, the least the cops could do is solve Camille’s case. Is a little closure too much to ask?

But Emlyn’s life is upended when she is pulled through a portal into the fantasyland of her childhood imaginings—a magical library holding the storyworlds of every story ever published. And trouble is brewing in the land of Rivenlea. Rogue characters threaten their plot lines, and broken classics are beginning to crumble, but Emlyn only wants to find Camille.

As she searches for her sister, Emlyn begins to learn the reality of Rivenlea and her own origins. A nefarious plot is afoot, and the line between fact and fiction is becoming hopelessly blurred. The truth threatens the storyworlds, Rivenlea, and Earth—the fabric of creation, itself.

Click here to get your copy!

Author Interview

1. Do you consider yourself a plotter or a pantser (or a hybrid)?
I prefer the term “puzzler.” Stories come to me out of order, but I usually use an extensive
outline before I begin any drafting, which makes people believe I’m a plotter, and that’s sort of
true. But the process of putting that outline together feels like putting a puzzle together, so
there’s some plotting, some pantsing, some plantsing, and sometimes a bit of wailing, but it
usually results in a completed novel at some point!

2. What is your favorite part about writing?
If I have a really clean, tight outline in hand, then I love drafting. Coming up with dialogue on the
fly, inserting jokes I hope will make readers giggle, trying to come up with a perfect chapter
opener and a final chapter line that will make readers gasp and turn the page—all those fun
things that aren’t captured on my outline delight me.

3. What is your least favorite part about writing?
Having to crank out words on deadline is tough. It’s part of being a professional writer, so I’m not
complaining. I feel blessed to have contracts and deadlines. But it’s hard to sit down and do it
when I’m not feeling terribly inspired and I would rather wait for the muse.

4. How long does it usually take you to write a book?
This varies pretty widely. I have written almost an entire novel in a month (The Story Raider—I
just about lost my mind by the end of that!). But I decided to take about two years to
conceptualize, outline, and draft The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine to recover from a little
creative burnout and rediscover my joy in storytelling again. Usually my sweet spot is 4-5
months.

5. Where do you get your ideas for your books?
Everywhere! Idea seeds pop out from strange places (a daydream, a phrase an editor said
once, a reel about bees, a random musing about whether or not my husband and I would have
been friends if we grew up next door to each other). But once I have an idea seed, lots of
different things influence the story sprouting from that seed. I may have something to say about
the state of the world, or I might be working through some personal heartache I want to explore
on the page. I have written my friends into my books, and I write my husband into every story I
tell. Everything is inspiration.

About the Author

Lindsay A. Franklin is the Carol Award–winning author of The Story Peddler, ECPA best-selling author of Adored, and Managing Editor of Enclave Publishing. She would wear pajama pants all the

time if it were socially acceptable. Lindsay lives happily among therain and evergreens of the Pacific Northwest with her scruffy- looking nerf-herder husband, their three (nearly) grown geeklings, and three demanding thunder pillows (a.k.a. cats).

More from Lindsay

“It’s always been broken.”

Those were the words God put on my heart when I cried out to him in 2020 as I tried to plot The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine. My cry and the fact that I was plotting a novel were not exactly connected at first–though outlining does usually result in some weeping and gnashing of teeth for me. But I released my last novel in 2020 and happened to be working on my new series, The Rivenlea Sphere, when the world was suddenly thrown into chaos.

Being creative in the midst of a global pandemic and significant social unrest is not easy. In fact, I found it impossible. I stared at my unfinished outline, asking myself and God, “Why is everything so messed up? Why is this world so broken?” I know the theological answer to that question, but sometimes, the soul aches. Sometimes, it feels like the whole world is falling apart in a way it never has before.

When God reminded me that this world has, since the fall of man, always been broken, he also reminded me that he’s always been in the business of rescuing us, giving us hope, and pointing us toward a better future–one that is complete and holy. One that is fully redeemed.

Over the next two years, an underlying brokenness that begs for solution wove itself into my storyworld. The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine is intentionally whimsical and fun, filled with references to beloved classics and packed with wry humor. There’s a magical library, a sassy dragon, a fish-out-of-water protagonist determined to dodge every YA trope being thrown her way. But underneath it all is the idea that this world isn’t what it was originally designed to be–and there is hope on the horizon.

Blog Stops

Madi’s Musings, February 25

Inspired by Fiction, February 26

Artistic Nobody, February 27 (Author Interview)

Book Butterfly in Dreamland, February 27

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 28

Blogging With Carol, March 1

Blossoms and Blessings, March 2 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, March 3

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 4

Texas Book-aholic, March 5

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, March 6 (Author Interview)

cecereadsandsings, March 6

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 7

For Him and My Family, March 8

Fiction Book Lover, March 9 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, March 10

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lindsay is giving away the grand prize of a $75 Amazon Gift Card and a hardcover copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54162

Saturday, February 22, 2025

"His Perfect Bride" by Jody Hedlund

About the Book

Sage Rhodes is eager to escape Manchester, England, and leave behind the pain of a broken engagement. When she’s offered the job as a lady’s maid to Augusta Lennox, who is traveling to Vancouver Island to visit her brother, Sage happily accepts the position.

Not so long ago, brilliant engineer Jackson Lennox faced a terrible tragedy during the building of a suspension bridge in the Fraser River Valley and becomes a recluse in his fine home in Victoria. When his sister and her beautiful lady’s maid arrive on his doorstep, he’s reluctant to welcome the visitors.

Organized and efficient, Sage starts to bring order not only to Jackson’s home but also to his life. Even though at first they clash, the attraction between the beauty and the beast is undeniable. Still, they do their best to ignore it. But when Augusta goes missing and they’re thrust into a dangerous adventure together, circumstances require them to pretend they’re married.

Will the charade—and their forced proximity—change their hearts…or ruin them both forever?

Broken past engagement
Beauty and the beast
Different social classes
Reclusive hero
Opposites attract
Fake relationship/marriage
Forced proximity

My Thoughts

I enjoyed this book. I found it well written and easy to read. I liked the Beauty and the Beast theme of the story and how Jackson and Sage complemented each other. It was fun to see some characters from previous books. I look forward to reading more books in this series.

About the Author

Jody Hedlund is the best-selling author of over fifty books and is the winner of numerous awards. She writes sweet, clean historical romances with plenty of sizzle (but without the spice).

"His Perfect Bride" is available in paperback:

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sunrise Publishing (February 18, 2025)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 276 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1963372409
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1963372403
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.4 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.62 x 8.5 inches

and in Kindle edition:

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DF5BRLRF
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sunrise Publishing (February 18, 2025)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 18, 2025
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 2.6 MB

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

"Protecting You" by Robin Patchen

About the Book

Book: Protecting You

Author: Robin Patchen

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Release date: February 4, 2025

In a high-stakes game of deception, two rivals must work together to bring down a ruthless terrorist.

After Alyssa’s dream of working in US intelligence is thwarted, she leaves her mundane profession to pursue a career as a cyber investigator. Though she aces every case she gets, securing enough customers to pay her rent proves challenging. When a lucrative commission comes along, she thinks she’s hit the jackpot. But this client isn’t the British entrepreneur he claims to be. And then her old nemesis interrupts their meeting with a startling move.

NSA agent Callan Templeton is floundering in his new role as a single father to a surprise daughter, but he still has a job to do. He follows a tip about a terrorist, only to be shocked when he finds his old college adversary dining with the notorious killer. Maybe there was a better way to step in than by posing as Alyssa’s fiancé, but it was the best excuse he could come up with to insert himself into their meeting.

Callan once stole the job Alyssa coveted, and now the last thing she wants is his help. But when he explains who her client really is, she realizes she’s in way over her head. Dariush Ghazi knew exactly what he was doing when he targeted her. She’s trapped. She must go along with a dangerous scheme, pretending to help him while working with Gideon…or end up dead.

In their quest to dismantle Dariush’s network of evil, Callan and Alyssa risk sacrificing each other—and everything they hold dear.

Prepare to dive into this gripping tale of enemies turned allies, a fake engagement, and a deadly conspiracy.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts

I enjoyed this latest book in the Wright Heroes of Maine series. The books build on each other, so you need to read them in order. Once I got started with the book, I didn't want to stop reading. There was action and twists. There is a good biblical faith thread. It was fun to see characters from the previous books in the series (and some from Coventry Saga series). I look forward to reading more books in this series and others by Robin Patchen.

About the Author

Robin Patchen is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of Christian romantic suspense. She grew up in a small town in New Hampshire, the setting of her Coventry Saga books, and then headed to Boston to earn a journalism degree. Working in marketing, she discovered how much she loathed the nine-to-five ball and chain. After relocating to the Southwest, she started writing her first novel while homeschooling her three children. The novel was dreadful, but her passion for storytelling didn’t wane. Thankfully, as her children grew, so did her writing ability. Now that her kids are adults, she has more time to play with the lives of fictional heroes and heroines, wreaking havoc and working magic to give her characters happy endings. When she’s not writing, she’s editing or reading, proving that most of her life revolves around the twenty-six letters of the alphabet.

More from Robin

Picture this:

You’re a cyber investigator, sitting across from a client in a Boston restaurant. It’s the first time you’ve ever met the man in person, but you’ve worked for him before. In person, he isn’t like you’d imagined he would be.

His arrogance doesn’t impress you, and he’s giving off a slightly creepy vibe, but he’s polite enough when he hires you to locate somebody for him.

It should be a simple job, right up your alley. He hands over a check, and you glance at the number. All those zeroes. This one job will keep your new business out of the red for months.

You slide the check into your purse and shake your client’s hand, still reveling in the knowledge that your business isn’t going under, not this month.

And then you hear a call from across the room. “Darling!”

You know the endearment can’t be directed at you. You’re nobody’s darling.

Still, you glance toward the too-loud patron and realize it’s Callan, your fiercest rival.

You haven’t seen him in years, and even back when you were in college together, you’d barely been more than acquaintances.

When he was offered the CIA job you coveted, your thoughts turned altogether uncharitable toward the man who’d bested you one too many times.

Callan must be mistaking you for someone else.

But he locks eyes with you. Wearing a wide smile, he reaches your table, leans close, and presses his lips to yours.

The kiss lights a fire that warms you to your toes. You ignore the reaction, though it takes considerable effort.

What in the world is he doing?

His whisper is so low that you barely hear him. “Trust me. Go with it.”

Trust him?

How are you supposed to trust him when you have no idea what he’s doing? Or why?

Before you can come up with a suitable response—and really, what are you supposed to say?—he stands and thrusts out his hand to your client, introducing himself as…

Your fiancé.

And then things really get interesting.

This is the scene that presented itself to me before I knew anything about Protecting You. After I wrote the first chapter, and with the help of wonderful brainstorming partners, I fleshed out the idea, turning it into a full-length novel.

This story features a single father who’s trying to figure out how to fill that role, a beautiful cyber-investigator, and a familiar enemy working to exploit the heroine and her entire family.

I’m so excited about this one. I can’t wait to hear what you think.

(And don’t worry. It’s not written in second person. Wouldn’t that be annoying for 300 pages?)

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 5

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 5

Book Looks by Lisa, February 6

For Him and My Family, February 7

Pens Pages & Pulses, February 7

An Author’s Take, February 8

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 9

Texas Book-aholic, February 10

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 11

Holly’s Book Corner, February 11

Betti Mace, February 12

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 13

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 14

Pause for Tales, February 14

Blogging With Carol, February 15

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, February 16

Stories By Gina, February 17 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, February 17

Blossoms and Blessings, February 18

Leslie’s Library Escape, February 18

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Robin is giving away the grand prize of a $100 Amazon gift card AND a box of goodies including a print copy of Running to You, a Welcome to Nutfield coffee mug, and a few surprise goodies!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54148

I got a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and given voluntarily. No compensation was received for my review.

Sunday, February 16, 2025

"The Necessity of Kindness" by Marbeth Skwarcynski -- Author Interview

About the Book

Book: The Necessity of Kindness (The Rose Collection Book 7. It can be read as a stand alone.)

Author: Marbeth Skwarczynski

Genre: Contemporary Christian Fiction

Release date: October 21, 2024

“Be ye kind” is a simple command, so why is it so hard for people to follow?

When the Lord opened the door for Denise’s husband, Topher, to Pastor the beleaguered Rhodes Baptist Church, she agreed to return to their hometown. Opening a bakery, supporting Topher in his ministry, and volunteering at Sylvie’s school aren’t nearly as challenging as trying to dismantle the harmful teachings that have taken over the church. Ideas masquerading as ‘biblical truth’ and ‘traditional Christianity’ resulted in spiritual bullying and a dwindling congregation. Denise is determined to help Topher guide the church toward the love and kindness of Christ.

Sixteen-year-old Sylvie is angry at being ripped away from the only home she’s known—and from her church, friends, and boyfriend, Owen. She pretends that moving to Rhodes is an adventure and admits she’s looking forward to attending a “real” school and making new friends. She’ll help her parents with their church and work at her mom’s bakery, but this isn’t the life Sylvie wants. Everything is different now, and it isn’t fair.

Sometimes, it feels like the bullies are winning.

Click here to get your copy!

Author Interview

1. Do you consider yourself a plotter or a pantser (or a hybrid)?
I’m a proud pantser who absolutely loves it when a character takes over and I’m “stuck”
taking dictation.

2. What is your favorite part about writing?
When a character begins to evolve and tell their own story. I learn so much from them.

3. What is your least favorite part about writing?
When I realize halfway through a rough draft that the story isn’t coming together, the
characters aren’t growing, and the plot has stalled. Sometimes, it’s a matter of cutting a
voice out. Other times, it’s about splitting the POV. My most challenging book to write
was Reinvention. I spent years rewriting the book's first half, only to have it hit a wall at
that point. Finally, I pushed through and finished the rough draft. It was awful. I hated it.
Eventually, it came to me that I was missing a voice. I kept Ally’s half of the story and
added Michael’s. It all came together, broke my heart, gave me hope, and became my
favorite novel of The Rose Collection.

4. Do you have a way to keep track of your story ideas?
I have a file on my computer where I store story ideas. I also keep some in my notes app
on my phone. The best way, however, is to tell my sister.

5. What is your writing space like?
My writing space is a California king adjustable bed with cotton sheets and a fluffy white
comforter. It’s lovely.

6. When did you become a writer?
I didn’t write my first novel until I was in my 30s, but I never published it. It stayed on
my computer until 2024 when I sent a proposal to a publisher, and they accepted it. I’m in
the process of preparing it now.
I started publishing The Rose Collection as an indie author in 2020, with my first book
Plague of Lies.

7. How long does it usually take you to write a book?
The initial rough draft takes about three months. After that, it requires about a year of
rewrites, edits, formatting, and raising the money for publication.

8. Where do you get your ideas for your books?
I was, unfortunately, in a very toxic denomination and church for several decades. I write
about healing from spiritual abuse and have plenty of source material to pull from.

9. What is your work schedule/routine when you write?
As soon as I wake up, I pull my fully charged computer onto my lap and begin writing or
editing. I don’t stop until my battery is about to die. After that, my writing day can
include watching podcasts or documentaries about my subject matter.

10. Do bits of yourself/friends show up in your characters?
I share a brain with my main characters, so there are little bits of me throughout the
books. I understand Lauren’s discouragement at not being wanted, Caroline’s frustration
with how she’s treated despite her hard work, Julia’s fear and her longing to escape,
Ally’s compassion for others who have been abused, Kelly’s determination to protect
those she loves, Ginger’s desire to start over, and Denise’s resolve that kindness must
prevail.

About the Author

Though born on the east coast, I spent most of my life in the American Southwest, eventually settling in California where my husband and I raised two sons. Later we welcomed two fantastic daughters-in-law and four grandchildren into our family. After teaching history and literature for eighteen years, I resigned to write full-time. That new career move was paired with a physical move to beautiful Nevada, where I continue to write happily.

My preferred genre is Christian contemporary fiction. I keep my characters grounded in the real world and the real problems that Bible believers face today. While they grow, learn, and find possible solutions to their issues, my characters must also deal with the detritus of the past. Living well today doesn’t mean that yesterday is erased. I write what I know, either first-hand or through close observation, injecting the joy, happiness, and humor that comes with spiritual freedom and love.

More from Marbeth

No one warns you that some bullies grow up to be—bullies.

But some people go from victim to victorious. They stand up for others, leading them away from preferences used to bully others into submission and toward the freedom of God’s love.