Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Book Review: Lady Maybe by Julie Klassen

About the Book:


One final cry of terror, and suddenly her world shifted violently, until a blinding collision scattered her mind and shook her bones. Then, the pain. The freezing water. And as all sensation drifted away, a hand reached for hers before all faded into darkness. . . .

In the midst of a fierce storm, a carriage carrying Sir John Mayfield, Lady Marianna Mayfield, and her lady's companion careens off a narrow cliff road, changing their fates forever. When the wreckage is found, Sir John is gravely injured, and a woman is discovered unconscious wearing a valuable ring. As the woman regains consciousness in a strange house, she grapples with fragmented memories of the accident, unsettling dreams of a child in peril, and a deep mystery tied to the ring on her finger. Surrounded by unfamiliar faces and haunted by a sense of foreboding, the survivor realizes she cannot trust anyone and must uncover the truth of what happened that stormy night, even as danger mounts and enemies conspire against her.

In this revised and updated 10th anniversary edition of Julie Klassen's acclaimed novel, a woman's startling secrets lead her into unexpected danger and romance in Regency England.


My Thoughts:

Lady Maybe held a different flavor than Julie Klassen’s other Christian Fiction novels. First of all, the book was hard-to-put-down. For me, Klassen’s novels are generally calm and sweet historical romances that I find enjoyable and relaxing. However, Lady Maybe kept me on my toes with its mystery and made me want to stay up all night with its romance. Intrigue hovered for most of the book while other plot points (injury recovery, searching for a child, secrets, etc.) constantly moved the story forward. I read the novel in two long sittings because I wanted to know how things would turn out for Sir John, Lady Marianna, and Hannah.

Lady Maybe also carried a more sensual romance than normally found in Klassen’s novels. Including a fade-to-black bedroom scene was an edgy choice for a novel that held clearly Christian elements as it openly addressed repentance, forgiveness, and the need for Christ. I did enjoy the romantic tension between Hannah and Sir John, though I think the story could have stood quite well, perhaps even better, without the love triangle that grew throughout the novel.

Lady Maybe by Julie Klassen was highly enjoyable to read, so much so that it has a permanent home on my bookshelf. Four stars!



Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

Monday, April 28, 2025

Book Spotlight: The Accused by Cara Putman

About the Book:




When a popular college student is murdered, her international roommate, Anneliese, becomes a prime suspect. But law professor Margeaux Robbins doesn't believe that the quiet, lonely German girl in her class is the killer.

Chase Crandall is a burned-out defense attorney ready to extricate himself from the grind of criminal law. After he loses a client to tragedy, he's ready for an in-house corporate position.

When Chase is assigned to Anneliese's case, Margeaux is horrified. She doesn’t want him to provide legal counsel—not after what happened to his past client. And not with the evidence incriminating Anneliese.

Despite their mutual misgivings, the lawyer and professor pair up to find the killer and prove Anneliese's innocence. Will they be able to untangle the mystery—and navigate their growing interest in one another—before the wrong person is charged with murder?


Advanced Praise:

The Accused has everything a reader could want in a suspense novel: a methodical courtroom procedural and murder investigation, sharp dialogue, tight prose, and a dynamic cast of characters. A brilliant novel that fans of the genre won't want to miss!”— Tosca Lee, New York Times best-selling author of The Line Between

The Accused is Putman at her best! The layered, twisty plot had me holding my breath, and the courtroom scenes in this legal suspense were riveting. Highly recommended!”— Colleen Coble, best-selling author of I Think I Was Murdered

The Accused has everything I want in a legal thriller. A chilling crime, a challenging case, interpersonal conflicts, behind-the-scenes judicial wrangling, and a climactic courtroom finale. Cara Putman drew me in with her complex characters, and the intriguing plot kept me engaged through every unexpected twist! I couldn't read fast enough!”— Lynn H. Blackburn, best-selling, award-winning author of the Gossamer Falls series


Author Bio

Cara Putman is the award-winning, best-selling author of more than 35 books. She graduated college at 20 and completed her law degree at 27. FIRST for Women magazine called Shadowed by Grace “captivating” and a “novel with ‘the works.'” Cara is active at her church and a full-time Clinical Associate Professor on business and ethics to undergraduate and graduate students at Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management.

Putman also practices law and was a second-generation homeschooling mom for twelve years. Putman obtained her Master’s in Business Administration from Krannert and her J.D. from George Mason University Antonin Scalia School of Law. She serves on the executive board of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), an organization she has served in various roles since 2007. She lives with her husband and four children in Indiana. You can connect with her online at: caraputman.com.


Tour Giveaway




In celebration of the release of The Accused, author Cara Putman and her publisher Kregel Publications are generously offering a giveaway contest open to US residents.

Grand Prize Winner – one print copy of each book in The Secrets to Keep series including: The Vanished, and The Accused, and an Amazon Gift Card for $20.00 to one lucky winner.

Runners Up – one print copy of The Accused to two lucky winners.

Enter the tour giveaway on today's Instagram post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DI_UnBVvxHk/?img_index=1



Sunday, April 27, 2025

Book Review: To Bring You Back by Emily Conrad

About the Book:


Can their second-chance romance overcome the challenges of his fame and the tragedy in their past?

Though rock star Gannon Vaughn and his band, Awestruck, have conquered the music industry, he can't overcome his feelings for the woman he's loved since high school.

The impacts of mental illness and almost a decade of separation stand between them, but Adeline Green is still one of the few people who cared for him before he made it big. Acting on faith and the persistence that made him famous, he's determined to win her back.

Following the tragedy that severed her relationship with Gannon, Adeline has found a measure of peace by doing good where she can in her small town home of Lakeshore, Wisconsin.

When Gannon descends on her quiet life, their connection is as powerful as ever. If only getting close to him didn't mean facing her worst mistakes, both privately and in front of reporters eager to dig up the sordid details of their past.

Can they trust grace and forgiveness enough to overcome shame and embrace another chance at love?

My Thoughts:

To Bring You Back by Emily Conrad took me by surprise. This sizzling, second chance romance held my attention from the start. I loved every moment of the book, from the rocky reunion to the gritty middle to the beautiful ending. With an excellent exploration of what grace is and what it means for the Christian, the story held depth and beauty in addition to the romantic tension.

To Bring You Back by Emily Conrad introduces the Rhythms of Redemption Romance series and I can not wait to read more. The rest of the series is on my wish list. 4.5 stars!

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Author Interview: The Other Sister by Jessica R. Patch

The Other Sister JustRead Blog + Review Tour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Other Sister by Jessica R. Patch, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

The Other Sister

Title: The Other Sister
Author:
Jessica R. Patch
Publisher:
Love Inspired Trade
Release Date:
April 22, 2025
Genre:
Thriller, Domestic Thriller, Psychological Thriller

She thought she was the only one lying about her identity. Until she stepped into her sister’s life. 

Charlotte Kane has always dreamed of a different life, one where she isn’t living paycheck to paycheck. An existence worlds away from the chaos of her own. Then her estranged mother dies, and Charlotte makes a stunning discovery—she has an identical twin who was given up for adoption. 

Acelynn Benedict is polished, successful and seems to have everything Charlotte yearns for—a wealthy, doting family in Savannah, a handsome boyfriend, a great career. She’s just as surprised as Charlotte to learn she has a sister. But when tragedy hits and Charlotte is forced to assume Acelynn’s identity in a desperate moment, she uncovers something altogether darker… 

No one in her sister’s life is quite who they seem to be. And every discovery leads Charlotte deeper into a web of deadly secrets. Charlotte may have wanted Acelynn’s life, yet now that she’s living it, she wants out. But if she reveals the truth about herself, it will mean returning to her old life—and she’s already a dead woman there.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Harlequin | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop | BookBub


Excerpt


“What in the world is this?” she asks. “It’s like he’s obsessed—”

“With death, right?” All of these women, including myself, look as if we’re being laid to rest. “And he’s not asking them to pose. He’s sneaking into unsuspecting women’s homes and drawing them while they sleep.”

“What a freak show, Char. Things just become more bizarre by the second.”

“Tell me about it!” I fill her in on everything that transpired at the Newsoms’, from Bianca in the bedroom, to MacKenzie’s murderous outburst, to Ford’s displays of affection for me. “I can’t trust any of these people. There’s no loyalty, and it traces back to the mothers. They’re in some kind of competition for the better life.”

Tillie slowly glances up at me.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

My hackles rise. “You can’t possibly be comparing me to them. I would…” My words trail off, because I have taken things that don’t belong to me. Things I coveted and wanted but couldn’t afford. And dark things transpired with a particular person who used to visit a restaurant I worked in. She was glamourous and well-liked. Rich.

She had everything I wanted. She was the person I wanted to be…and when you dream every moment of being someone else and living another life, escaping your own for a million reasons, those thoughts become your reality. You enter it, slipping over the edge until you don’t even know what you’ve done or how far you’ve fallen until it’s too late. All you can do is try to clean up the mess but in turn make it messier until people are hurt.

But I’m not that woman anymore.

Am I?

What constitutes change? Actions. Behavior.

Maybe I am still the old me. I can’t think about that right now. I have too many other things piling up on my plate. It’s just that now my plates are china and not paper.


Also Available

Her Darkest Secret    The Garden Girls


About the Author

Jessica R. Patch

Publishers Weekly Bestselling Author, Jessica R. Patch has penned over 27 novels and is known for her dry wit and signature twists whether she’s penned a romantic suspense or a dark, twisty thriller. When she’s not getting into fictional mischief with her characters, you can find her cozy on the couch in her mid-south home reading books by some of her favorite authors, down the street at the Mexican restaurant, or collecting recipes to amazing dishes she’ll probably never cook.

Connect with Jessica by visiting jessicarpatch.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to her email newsletter "Patched In" updates and receive a FREE short thriller.


Author Interview


Q: What inspired you to write The Other Sister

Jessica: I watched a CW show called The Ringer back in 2012 and knew I wanted to write my own version of a ringer/twin story.


Q: How long did it take to write this book? 

Jessica: I wrote the first draft in about 3 months and revised it in 3 weeks. Before sending it to my editor and then going through another round.


Q: What surprised you while researching/writing this novel? 

Jessica: Detective Patrick surprised me most, especially at the end in the conversation he had with Charlotte. It made me cry because I think it beautifully portrays how Jesus isn’t ashamed to call us his, even if we still feel our shame.


Q: Do you have a favorite quote from The Other Sister

Jessica: Want is an open grave that constantly needs filling.


Q: When did you first know you wanted to be an author? 

Jessica: 2008 after reading Rush of Wings and The Still of the Night by Kristen Heitzmann—highly recommend!


Q: Would you share something about yourself that most readers wouldn’t know? I don’t like driving long distances, so I always have a friend or my husband in the driver’s seat!


Q: What are you currently reading? 

Jessica: I’m listening to a general market thriller by J.T. Ellison called A Very Bad Thing. I just started it so I can’t say if I can recommend it or not yet.


Q: What is your favorite genre to read? 

Jessica:Mystery/suspense/thriller/horror (not possessions or hauntings)


Q: What is your favorite hobby? 

Jessica: Ha! I’ve been trying to decide on a hobby. I think I may take up making sourdough. TikTok makes it look pretty easy and delicious. LOL


Q: What is your favorite season and why? 

Jessica: Hands down fall. I love cool weather, fall colors, bonfires, quilts, hot tea and cider and of course as a teenager T.Ping houses with toilet paper! Ahahaha.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed paperback of The Garden Girls & a $20 Amazon gift card!

The Other Sister giveaway JustRead Tours

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 22, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 29, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.


Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours

Friday, April 18, 2025

Book Spotlight: Waylaid by Jerusha Agen

Waylaid JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Waylaid by Jerusha Agen, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Waylaid

Title: Waylaid
Series:
Windy City Westons #1
Author:
Jerusha Agen
Publisher:
SDG Words, LLC
Release Date:
March 27, 2025
Genre:
Christian Romantic Suspense

Someone wants to kill her. She wants the killer to finish the job. 

Spring Weston will do anything to rise in the ranks of pro cycling and prove she isn’t the one failure of the five Weston siblings. Anything except cheat. When she learns of doping on her cycling team, she’s determined to uncover the truth. But she can’t if she’s dead. 

Sergeant Torin Cotter may not be the hero the public thinks he is, but he recognizes fear when he sees it. When he takes over the investigation of the collision that landed Spring in the hospital, he’s compelled to protect her from whatever danger she’s in, even though he knows he might fail. Again. 

Spring’s faith in God isn’t enough to help her face the living nightmare she awakened to after the accident. But neither she nor the handsome sergeant see the greater threat that’s coming until it’s too late. 

If they’re going to survive, Spring and Torin will not only have to confront their worst fears—they’ll have to find a reason to live.  

Waylaid is the first installment in the thrilling Windy City Westons series that features five siblings who encounter danger and love in the city of Chicago.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Jerusha Agen | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub


More In This Series


Excerpt


“In my job, you learn to read people. To see who’s in trouble and who’s causing it.” Torin’s intense gaze collided with hers. “You’re in trouble, Miss Weston.”

Spring’s heart hiccupped.

He leaned forward slightly. “I want to help you.”

“Why?” The dumb question came out before she thought. He was a cop. It was his job. And that’s exactly what he’d say.

“Because you shouldn’t have to live in fear.”

Her next breath vanished. He knew she was scared. Did that mean he didn’t suspect her of something? Did he know why she was scared?

The phone vibrated against her sweaty palm, jumpstarting her pulse. She fought the urge to look at it while her heart pounded.

“Don’t you want to check that?”

She jerked to see his gaze on her phone.

He knew.

About the Author

Jerusha Agen

Jerusha Agen imagines danger around every corner but knows God is there, too. So naturally, she writes suspense infused with the hope of salvation in Jesus Christ. With a B.A. in English and a background in screenwriting, Jerusha is a speaker, writing instructor, and Fear Warrior who sounds the call to battle against fear in our everyday lives. Jerusha loves to hang out with her big furry dogs and little furry cats. You’ll often find her sharing irresistibly adorable photos of them in her newsletter and on social media.

Connect with Jerusha by visiting jerushaagen.com to follow her on social media, subscribe to email newsletter updates, find more of her thrilling, fear-fighting novels and get a free suspense story.


Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed paperback of Waylaid, a $25 Barnes and Noble gift card, and a Waylaid mug, notebook, and magnet!

Waylaid blog tour giveaway JustRead Tours

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 14, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 21, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.


Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours

Thursday, April 17, 2025

Book Spotlight: Sunrise Reef by Irene Hannon

Sunrise Reef JustRead Takeover + Review Blitz

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Sunrise Reef by Irene Hannon hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book


Sunrise Reef 

Title: Sunrise Reef 
Series: Hope Harbor #11 
Author: Irene Hannon 
Publisher: Revell 
Release Date: April 1, 2025 
Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

Sometimes you have to look beneath the surface to find the treasure within

After years of searching, Bren Ryan has found her place in Hope Harbor. Working as a barista suits her to a T, as does the laid-back vibe of her adopted town. Nothing is lacking in her life--except romance. But that's okay. Men are a complication she doesn't need. 

Buttoned-up CPA Noah Ward isn't looking for love, either, when he arrives in town on a mission to convince his father to move closer to him. And he certainly doesn't intend to fall for the quirky, free-spirited woman who's taken up residence in his father's guest cottage. 

But when Noah finds himself sucked into Bren's quest to help a struggling teen, might the two of them discover there's more to each other than meets the eye? 

 PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Baker Publishing Group | Amazon | Barnes & NobleChristianbook | Bookshop

More Books from this Series:

Hope Harbor Sea Rose Lane Sandpiper Cove Pelican Point Starfish Pier Blackberry Beach Sea Glass Cottage Windswept Way Sandcastle Inn


Excerpt from Sunrise Reef


pp 24-25.

Before he could finish that thought, something wet hit him in the face.

In the next instant, the fires of hell rained down on him, burning his eyes, nose, mouth, and throat.

He dropped his overnight bag as his eyes slammed shut. His seared lungs balked, and he started to hack. Hard. Snot dripped from his nose.

Chest heaving, he fell to his knees as waves of pain crashed over him.

If someone was trying to kill him, they were doing a first-­rate job of it.

Splaying the fingers of one hand on the floor, he groped in his pocket for his handkerchief. He had to wipe away whatever was singeing his eyeballs. ASAP.

The instant his fumbling fingers closed over the square of cloth, he yanked it out and tried to swab off whatever toxic substance was wreaking havoc.

Didn’t work.

In fact, his eyes might hurt worse—­if that was even possible.

“Help . . . me.” The hoarse, croaked plea came out in a voice that didn’t sound anywhere close to his usual baritone.

No response.

Whoever had done this to him must have a heart of stone.

Or else they’d hightailed it out of here after rendering him defenseless.

What kind of scumbag would attack an innocent man and—

Wait.

Was it possible Dad had started renting the cottage again and hadn’t told him? Had he walked in on paying guests who’d assumed he was an intruder and doused him with pepper spray?

Oh, geez.

This day was going from bad to worse.


© 2025 by Irene Hannon
Published by Revell
a division of Baker Publishing Group
Grand Rapids, Michigan
RevellBooks​.com

About the Author

Irene Hannon, Photo Credit DeWeesePhotography

Irene Hannon is the bestselling and award-winning author of more than 65 contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels. In addition to her many other honors, she is a three-time winner of the prestigious RITA Award from Romance Writers of America. She is also a member of RWA's elite Hall of Fame and has received a Career Achievement Award from RT Book Reviews for her entire body of work. IreneHannon.com

Connect with Irene by visiting IreneHannon.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.


Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print set of the entire Hope Harbor series!

Sunrise Reef JustRead Giveaway

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight April 16, 2025 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on April 23, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.


Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours