Thursday, March 13, 2025

My Thoughts and More on Written in Secret by Crystal Caudill

Written in Secret JustRead Takeover + Review Blitz

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Written in Secret by Crystal Caudill hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Written in Secret

Series: The Art of Love and Danger #1

Author: Crystal Caudill

Publisher: Kregel Publications

Release Date: March 11, 2025

Genre: Christian Mystery & Suspense Romance

What happens when fiction becomes reality? In the corruption-infested Queen City, danger lurks in every shadow, but Lydia Pelton refuses to stay silent. She writes under a pseudonym, E. A. Dupin, crafting crime novels to exact justice and right the wrongs she sees in society. When a serial killer decides to be the sword to her pen, Lydia is confronted with the consequences of her words. Four men are dead, and the city blames her.

With murders on the rise, Officer Abraham Hall's only lead is Lydia's fiction, and he is thrust into an investigation with the "Killer Queen of Romance." Despite his misgivings about the woman, he realizes that even with his reputation for catching elusive criminals, he needs her help. But his unexpected attraction to Lydia proves as difficult to manage as the woman herself.

As the mystery unfolds, Abraham and Lydia race to rewrite the ending, not only for Cincinnati's citizens, but for their own hearts too.

Also Available

About the Author

Crystal Caudill

Crystal Caudill is the Christy Award–winning author of “dangerously good romance,” including the Hidden Hearts of the Gilded Age series. She is a stay-at-home mom and caregiver, and when she isn’t writing, Caudill can be found playing board games with her family, drinking hot tea, or reading other great books at her home outside Cincinnati, Ohio.

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

My Thoughts:

This was a fun story to get lost into and a very interesting start to a series. Beginning right away, Lydia Pelton finds herself in trouble with a dear friend. What unleashes is a bit of comedy and slapstick humor. Due to that good deed, she was trying to help her friend with, she is taken into custody by the very handsome officer Abraham Hall. When I say humorous scene, I actually had to read it a couple of times to get the full effect. It was quite something.

However, due to that unfortunate incident and the risk to her father's reputation, who he is the elected coroner, Lydia finds out much more disturbing news. You see, she is an author and writes under a Non deplume. And this non-existent author's fictional character and the author themself, are being accused of actual murders around the city of Cincinatti.

This is impossible as Lydia is that author and she certainly committed no murders. So, what we have now is a murder mystery that needs to be solved, while Lydia tries to clear her author and book character's name without trying to draw attention to those she loves. Mainly her father and she wants the real murderer caught. Can she trust Abraham especially given his cynical views on dime novels which she is proficient in writing? Can they make it out of this murder mystery and investigation unscathed and alive?

I really enjoyed this story especially with all the nods the author had to readers and author's themselves, the importance of storytelling, and even the prejudices that readers have had to deal with throughout history.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review, and all views and opinions are my own.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of Written in Secrets and a $25 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight March 12, 2025 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on March 19, 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!

My Thoughts and More on The Curator's Secret by Denise Weimer

About the Book

Book: The Curator’s Secret

Author: Denise Weimer

Genre: Contemporary Romantic Suspense

Release date: March 1, 2025

It’s taken six years for Lacey Colbert to escape the heartbreak that caused her to disappear from Golden Isles Christian Camp and the life of her summer sweetheart, Trent Stevenson. Then a museum curator job at a Gilded Age resort lures her back to Georgia’s Jekyll Island. Lacey finds Trent no longer an employee in his dad’s lawn care business, but director of landscaping right in her historic district.

Winter Haven cottage’s century-old mystery of a vanished fiancé compels Lacey to settle her own past with Trent. Just one thing stands in the way … the fact that someone else likes uncovering secrets, too—Lacey’s. And her unknown foe won’t hesitate to use them against her.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts:

This story packed quite a punch. Between secrets, revenge, forgiveness, family drama, and even a stalker. There was a lot to this deceptively smaller story.

Six years after Lacey Colbert's heartbreak, she finally has her dream job. To be the curator on the historical resort of Jekyll Island. However, not only has her troubles followed her, but she also runs into her ex-boyfriend, Trent, who previously she ran from, taking a big secret with her. They have to work together now. Things are a bit stressful to say the least. Lacey has a stalker who has followed her and causing quite a bit of trouble for her, but also Trent not only is still interested in her, but he also has some questions about the past he would like her to answer.

All of this drama takes place with the backdrop of Jekyll Island and its own history of another young woman and her fiancé that were tragically torn apart. As Lacey delves into their story, she finds hope for her own. Not only are emotions running rampant and secrets being unleashed, but a hurricane is barreling down on them. Like I said, a lot was going on that had me turning those pages as fast as I could.

I received a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review, and all views and opinions are my own.

About the Author

Denise Weimer writes historical and contemporary romance from her home in North Georgia and also serves as a freelance editor and the Acquisitions & Editorial Liaison for Wild Heart Books. A mother of two wonderful young adult daughters, she always pauses for coffee, chocolate, and old houses.

More from Denise

When Secrets Lead to Suspense…

The Curator’s Secret is a bit of a departure from the historicals I’ve been releasing over the past year—not only in that it’s contemporary romantic suspense, and released independently rather than through a publishing house, but in its theme and setting.

Have you ever found yourself unable to keep a promise you made with the best intentions? This could happen due to unforeseen circumstances, mistakes, or information you didn’t have when you offered the pledge. The inability to follow through may break our heart, haunt us, and sever relationships. Secrets can do the same thing, stealing our ability to live authentically, blocking our blessings, and creating a stockpile of lies.

Broken promises and secrets choked the life from Lacey and Trent’s youthful romance six years before the hero and heroine of The Curator’s Secret are reunited when Lacey takes a job as a curator for a historical complex on Georgia’s Jekyll Island, where Trent, unbeknownst to her, is the landscape director. Rather than the restart Lacey expects with her new career, God brings her face to face with her past—not just her first love, but also her grad school stalker who has somehow followed her to the remote island. As the threat escalates, the tale Lacey uncovers in Winter Haven Cottage of a vanished fiancé seems to parallel her own tragic romance…and possibly offer answers and healing. If her past doesn’t destroy her chance of happiness first.

The Curator’s Secret was originally written as a time slip or dual time period novel. It was my mom’s favorite story and my agent’s favorite story I’ve ever written! But somehow, we couldn’t find a publishing home for it. So at last, I’m releasing it myself to my readers who enjoy stories of faith and unique Georgia history. Even though I made the decision to pull the historical backstory out so as not to slow the modern suspense story, the history of Jekyll Island is paramount to the plot. And BONUS, I also have the historical tale of William and Clara that I can share separately to anyone who emails me from my website with their Amazon receipt number for their purchase of The Curator’s Secret.

I’ll close with a fun fact. My mom and I love to take research trips when I’m gathering info for my novels. We enjoyed a beautiful stay at Jekyll for this one…until a hurricane came roaring up the coast! We had to hightail it out of there as workers boarded up the historic district. The eerie sense of impending doom sparked my idea of having a hurricane crescendo with the action in The Curator’s Secret. Imagine being trapped on an island with a storm and a stalker both bearing down on you! That’s exactly what happens to Lacey at the end of the novel. I hope you enjoy this exciting tale of redemption and romance.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 1

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 2

Texas Book-aholic, March 3

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 4

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 5

Stories By Gina, March 6 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, March 7 (Guest Review from Donna)

For Him and My Family, March 8

Blossoms and Blessings, March 9

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, March 10 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, March 10

Holly’s Book Corner, March 11

Pause for Tales, March 12

Cover Lover Book Review, March 13

Fiction Book Lover, March 14 (Author Interview)

Roads to Everywhere, March 14

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Denise is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a print 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/00adcf54175

Monday, March 10, 2025

My Thoughts on Storm Warning by Elizabeth Goddard

About:

Haunted by a half-forgotten past, former army photographer Remi Grant is working at an isolated storm-watching lodge on the rocky Washington coast when she receives a mysterious puzzle piece. The piece may be the catalyst to unlock a disturbing incident she struggles to remember--the event that sent her into hiding. But with heavy storms rolling in, she must focus on the present, not get caught up in the past.

When a mysterious man at the lodge saves her life--more than once--Remi becomes suspicious and confronts him. After a catastrophic event in his own life, former military pilot Hawk Beckett is trying to get some perspective at the suggestion of his former commanding officer. Faced with the fiercest storm to hit the coast in a decade, Remi and Hawk are forced into survival mode.

But they're not alone at the lodge. Someone doesn't want Remi to remember what happened--and they will stop at nothing to see her dead.

My Thoughts:

Hidden Bay is a place for people to go to get away from trouble that is following them. A place off the grid where the conveniences we use that tracks us can no longer. Or so that is what Remi is hoping as she tries to remember the missing parts of her memory that have been blocked off to her. She really wants to remember as someone else is sending her literal puzzle pieces trying to jog her memory for her. And is this the same person who keeps trying to harm her? All Remi knows is she thought she was safe at Hidden Bay, and given enough time and peace, she might have remembered. Now she is running for her life with a hero turned bodyguard she just met and doesn't even know she can completely trust.

Enter Hawk Beckett who remembers his past but would like to escape it. When he first saves Remi, he notices that the evidence seems to add up to foul play and not an accident. There is something about her that intrigues him so much that he doesn't mind keeping an eye on her. Unfortunately, as they find out, they are more connected than ever. Every one of them, including the other employees and all of the visitors and even the town.

This story started off right away as an explosive beginning right into the whole series. There is a lot going on, plenty of danger and many moving parts. I liked seeing how it all flowed together. I am really looking forward to this whole series. I think this is author Goddard's best book yet.

I received a copy of this book from Revell Publishing through Interviews & Reviews. I was not required to post a positive review, and all views and opinions are my own.

Friday, March 7, 2025

My Thoughts and More on Guarding the Mountain Man's Secret by Misty M. Beller

About the Book

Book: Guarding the Mountain Man’s Secret

Author: Misty M. Beller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: January 28, 2025

In the wild mountains of the Montana Territory, the Coulter ranch is a place of family, second chances…and a hidden fortune.

Miles is the youngest of six brothers, and he’s spent most of his life helping guard the family’s secret: a sapphire mine hidden deep within the Montana mountains. With threats from a past enemy looming, a survey team’s arrival stirs suspicion—until he meets Clara Pendleton, whose presence captivates him.

Clara Pendleton joins her uncle on a survey team tasked with mapping the coming railroad’s path, only to find herself entangled with the enigmatic Coulter family. When her uncle’s accident leads them to find refuge in the Coulter home, Clara is irresistibly drawn to Miles Coulter and his quiet strength. This feels like the haven she craves…until a series of mysterious attacks endanger everyone on the ranch.

As Christmas approaches, a sleigh ride through a snowy wonderland fans the growing spark between Clara and Miles into a flame, but a broken runner leads Clara to discover the family’s secret. Now she’s faced with an impossible choice: betray the man she’s coming to love or risk the lives of his entire family—and her own uncle.

From a USA Today bestselling author comes a mountain saga filled with high-stakes adventure, forced proximity, a Christmas surprise, and love that heals wounded hearts.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts:

I have really been enjoying the growing family and community of the Coulter brothers. What started out as the oldest brother trying to keep all of his family safe and their secret of the sapphires, they mine under wraps, has turned at times frustrating and downright dangerous. As we get each brother's story, this one is Miles, he is the youngest of the six brothers.

While out on the property he runs into surveyors for the railroad. The brothers are already on high alert with an evil man and his henchman on the prowl, so not trusting this team of surveyors and their story is understandable. Except for Miles who is smitten with the lone female, Clara on the team.

Clara is running from an unwanted suitor back home and has come with her uncle to see more of the country. But what turns out as an adventure not only lands her and her uncle in danger but also lands her right in the open arms of Miles Coulter.

Can these two survive long enough to act on their feelings, or is the danger and Miles' family too big of stumbling blocks? I enjoyed this continuing adventure and am looking forward to the next book which wraps up the Coulter's family saga. Each story pulls us deeper into this family circle and the loyalty and love and yes, sometimes overprotectiveness is a sight to behold. Great storytelling.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review, and all views and opinions are my own.

About the Author

Misty M. Beller is a USA Today bestselling author with over 1 million books old. She writes romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.

Raised on a farm and surrounded by family, Misty developed her love for horses, history, and adventure. These days, her husband and children provide fresh adventure every day, keeping her both grounded and crazy.

Misty’s passion is to create inspiring Christian fiction infused with the grandeur of the mountains, writing historical romance that displays God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.

Sharing her stories with readers is a dream come true for Misty. She writes from her country home in South Carolina and escapes to the mountains any chance she gets.

More from Misty

Surveying the Wild West: How Surveyors Mapped the Frontier in the 1870s

One of the things I love about writing historical romance is the detail I get to research for each book. So much of my research doesn’t make it into the story, but I still love to learn it!

In Guarding the Mountain Man’s Secret, our heroine and her uncle are working with a group of surveyors to map out potential routes for the coming railroad.

Surveying back then was no walk in the park. These brave folks had to trek through some seriously rough terrain, lugging around heavy equipment like compasses, levels, and surveyor’s chains. The chains were a whopping 66 feet long, with 100 links! Surveyors would stretch them out to measure distances, and let me tell you, it was no easy feat.

One of the surveyor’s secret weapons was triangulation. By measuring angles between distant points and doing some fancy math, they could figure out exactly where landmarks were and create a grid of reference points across the land. This technique was a game-changer, allowing for more accurate maps that covered bigger areas.

In my story, the surveying was done for the railroad. But history tells us that later in 1879, the U.S. Geological Survey stepped onto the scene with a larger mission: to create detailed maps of the entire country, including the wild, wild West. Surveyors working for this agency had their work cut out for them. They battled through dense forests, climbed steep mountains, and crossed dangerous rivers, all to gather the data needed for these maps.

So the next time you look at a map of the American West, give a nod to those early surveyors. These hardworking folks played a huge role in shaping the frontier, giving settlers the information they needed to build new lives and communities. Without their dedication and skill, the West might have remained a mystery forever!

I pray you enjoy Miles and Clara’s story in Guarding the Mountain Man’s Secret!

Blessings!

Misty

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 22

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 23

Books You Can Feel Good About, February 23

Melissa’s Bookshelf, February 24

Madi’s Musings, February 25

Simple Harvest Reads, February 25 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, February 26

For Him and My Family, February 26

Life on Chickadee Lane, February 27

Betti Mace, February 27

Texas Book-aholic, February 28

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 1

Jeanette’s Thoughts , March 1

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 2

Cover Lover Book Review, March 3

Mary Hake, March 3

Devoted To Hope, March 4

An Author’s Take, March 5

Holly’s Book Corner, March 5

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 6

Blossoms and Blessings, March 6

lakesidelivingsite, March 7

Pause for Tales, March 7

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Misty 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/00adcf54159

Thursday, March 6, 2025

My Thoughts and More on Miss Blaire in Blackwell's Island

About the Book

Book: Miss Blaire in Blackwell’s Island (Heiresses of Adventure Book One)

Author: Grace Hitchcock

Genre: Historical Romance True Crime

Release date: July 31, 2024

Will Edyth prove her sanity before it is too late?

On Blackwell’s Island, New York, a hospital was built to keep its patients from ever leaving.

With her late parents’ fortune under her uncle’s care until her twenty-fifth birthday in the year 1887, Edyth Blaire does not feel pressured to marry or to bow to society’s demands. She freely indulges in eccentric hobbies like fencing and riding her velocipede in her cycling costume about the city for all to see. Finding a loophole in the will, though, her uncle whisks Edyth off to the women’s lunatic asylum just weeks before her birthday. And Edyth fears she will never be found.

At the asylum she meets another inmate, who upon discovering Edyth’s plight, confesses that she is Nellie Bly, an undercover journalist for The World. Will either woman find a way to leave the terrifying island and reclaim her true self?

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts:

This was a completely chilling and engrossing read of one woman's plight and descent into a mad house. Edyth Blaire is a young wealthy woman who has lost her parents. She is put into the care of her uncle, whom she believed loved her. Edyth was a bit of a tomboy and did not really fit into the norms of her generation. Her father encouraged her, but the rest of society looked down upon her.

So, what does Edyth do? Well, she continues to live her life as she wanted, and she shuns most of society. Sound like something we might all do, until it comes back to haunt her in a big way. Unfortunately, her uncle really just loves her fortune and finds a way to have Edyth sent to the asylum on Blackwell's Island.

The author really lets us into the historical details of what living at that asylum was like, the abuses, the tortures, and the gray chamber. It was a chilling read as the law was on her uncle's side and poor Edyth could not really help herself on the inside. It was also a really interesting compare and contrast of who to believe and who was really insane and who was not.

The author does give us a wonderful hero by the name of Bane who will stop at nothing to save his beloved. Edyth and Bane have been friends for a long time and their love naturally grew out of that friendship. Even though their romance is not the main story, their love grows in a lovely way and we as the reader, and Edyth need that before the horrors begin.

This book was previously published under the name the Gray Chamber that I read before. I had not realized that with the new name and even better cover, but it is still a chilling read full of historical details of a young woman’s fight to save herself.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review, and all views and opinions are my own.

About the Author

Grace Hitchcock is the award-winning author of multiple historical novels and novellas, including the American Royalty, Best Laid Plans, and Aprons & Veils series. She holds a Master’s in Creative Writing and a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in History. Grace lives on the Northshore of New Orleans, with her husband, Dakota, sons, and daughter in a cottage that is always filled with the sounds of sweet little footsteps running at full speed. When not writing, or chasing babies, she’s baking something delightful and can usually be found with a book clutched in her fist.

More from Grace

I am thrilled to share with you my FIRST novel in the HEIRESSES OF ADVENTURE series, MISS BLAIRE IN BLACKWELL’S ISLAND, which is set in New York City in 1887. I loved writing about Edyth Blaire, our cat-rescuing, spunky heroine who spends her days painting, fencing with her dreamy instructor, and avoiding society at all costs, which as you can imagine, comes back to haunt her before the end. I’ve never written about a character who despised reading, so that was a new one for me. Edyth just doesn’t like to sit still long enough to finish a book, but you’ll find out why later.

While writing this book, I am pretty certain the librarians at my local branch were wondering what in the world my hobbies are, judging from the stacks of fencing books for beginners, histories of New York crime in the 19^th century, and Nellie Bly’s Ten Days in a Mad-House, and more.

The inspiration for this book came from Nellie Bly’s scandalous exposé for Joseph Pulitzer’s newspaper, The World. In reading Nellie’s articles, I was shocked at the grounds by which the asylum would commit women and that’s when I discovered a tiny mention about an heiress with family members who had her tucked away so they could have her fortune. . . and Edyth Blaire was born.

I hope you will enjoy reading about our eccentric leading lady and her fencing master hero, Raoul “Bane” Banebridge in this friends-to-lovers romance. If you are interested in seeing pictures of the asylum and to see what I pictured the characters looking like, check out my Pinterest board here.

Are you part of a book club? I have discussion questions here!

Blog Stops

Pens Pages & Pulses, February 21

Allyson Jamison, February 21

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 22

Devoted To Hope, February 22

Texas Book-aholic, February 23

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 23

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 24

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 25

Maureen’s Musings, February 25

Melissa’s Bookshelf, February 26

Books You Can Feel Good About, February 26

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 27

Vicky Sluiter, February 27

Betti Mace, February 28

Cover Lover Book Review, February 28

Blogging With Carol, March 1

Connie’s History Classroom, March 1

lakesidelivingsite, March 2

For Him and My Family, March 3

Mary Hake, March 3

Labor Not in Vain, March 4

Holly’s Book Corner, March 4

Leslie’s Library Escape, March 5

Inspired by Fiction, March 5

Pause for Tales, March 6

Lights in a Dark World, March 6

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Grace is giving away the grand prize of a $20 gift card with FREE SHIPPING to Grace’s Autographed Bookshop!!

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/00adcf54161

Monday, March 3, 2025

My Thoughts on Whispers of Fortune by Mary Connealy

About:

In a land of gold and grit, can two hearts uncover the true treasure?

In 1875 California, Brody MacKenzie arrives at the Two Harts Ranch on a mission to find his runaway brothers, worried they may have fallen into harm. Instead, he discovers them thriving at the ranch's school and orphanage under the care of Ellie Hart, a woman with a heart as resilient as the land she calls home. His options limited, Brody reluctantly takes on the role of ranch doctor, and he forms an unexpected bond with Ellie, who's kept a steady eye on Brody's two rapscallion brothers. When the boys show him a mysterious journal that has been guiding their travels and may hold the key to a lost treasure, Brody and Ellie are captivated by the possibility of a thrilling adventure.

With winter approaching and his brothers threatening to bolt again, Brody and Ellie race against time to decipher cryptic clues and unearth the hidden fortune. But along the way, old adversaries resurface, threatening their newfound affection and the safety of those at the ranch.

My Thoughts:

This story started out with Ellie dropping her favorite bowl at the banging of a fist on her door and the angry shouts of a man. That man was Brody MacKenzie, a man trying to locate his two runaway brothers. I have to say that was quite a beginning sentence, and sets up a story full of treasure hunting, familial bonds, danger, and of course, romance.

Ellie and her family run a ranch and orphanage to give orphaned kids an education and teach them a skill so that they have a chance in life. This is where newly minted doctor, Brody finds his brothers thriving after running away from their abusive late father. Intent on taking them back home to Boston to fulfill a promise and pay back a debt, Brody never imagines he would be up against Ellie and her family. They actually care what happens to his wayward brothers despite their mischievous ways and treasure hunting. And if Brody was willing, they also have a need for a doctor.

I liked both Ellie and Brody and knew they would make a great match. Brody is a loving older brother, cares for the patients, and is a man of his word. Ellie has a servant's heart and loves unconditionally. Brody and Ellie agree to help one another in the doctoring and the treasure hunting and in doing so the inevitable happens and they fall in love. However, neither one of them are aware of a danger lurking in the shadows, watching and waiting to strike.

This is a great start to a new series. I was a little confused at first as there seemed to be some stories that I missed concerning some of the characters, like this wasn't the first in the series. I had to check and sure enough this seems to be following another series that I haven't had the pleasure of reading yet. Once this story gets going it stands well on its own.

I was provided a copy of this novel by Bethany House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews. I was not required to post a positive review, and all views and opinions are my own.

My Thoughts and More on Sabotage at Cedar Creek by Janice Thompson

About the Book

Book: Sabotage at Cedar Creek (The Little Red Truck Mysteries Book Two)

Author: Janice Thompson

Genre: Mystery/Christian Fiction

Release date: February, 2025

Who Would Sabotage the New B&B?

Breathe in the nostalgia of everything old red truck in book two of a new cozy mystery series.

It’s summertime in Mabank, Texas, and the Hadley family’s new antique business is open and running well with Tilly, the red antique truck, as its mascot. Raelynn Hadley enjoys driving Grandpa’s truck around as she seeks out antiques for her family’s store.

Raelynn is excited that her best friend, Tasha, will soon open a new vacation rental to accommodate the area’s growing tourism, but an unexpected act of sabotage threatens to spoil all that Tasha has worked for.

Raelynn immediately gets to work sleuthing out who could be behind the crime. Could it be the bitter neighbor, intent on spoiling Tasha’s plans? Perhaps it’s a nearby resort owner, worried about the potential loss of revenue. Maybe it’s the former owner’s daughter who was left out of the will and believes the home should be hers. Or maybe it’s the squatter who had taken up residence in the home before renovations. Raelynn is determined to solve the mystery for her friend in time for opening day.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts:

It was fun going back for a visit to Cedar Creek and catching up with RaeLyn driving around in her old red truck Tilly. Visiting again with the Hadley family whose antique store is going well and the growing relationship between RaeLyn and Mason her boyfriend. This time the cozy mystery focuses around the vandalization of RaeLyn's best friend, Tasha's inn that she has been renovating to open up. Who could have done such a thing? Well even in this small town there is a list of suspects and RaeLyn is bound and determined to get to the culprit.

If you like cozy mystery, deep friendships, a little bit of southern family, and great characters, this is a fun series. I was happy to see some new romances bloom and RaeLyn's take a dramatic turn. All in all, a fun read for any day of the week.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review, and all views and opinions are my own.

About the Author

Janice Thompson hails from south Texas. She is a Christian author and mother of four grown daughters. Janice has written over forty books.

More from Janice

Travel with me to East Texas to celebrate the 4^th of July. Let’s meet at Cedar Creek Lake, a vast expanse of water tucked in and around some of the sweetest little Texas towns you’ve ever seen: Gun Barrel City, Mabank, Payne Springs, Eustace, and Seven Points, just to name a few.

Along the edge of the lake you’ll find 320 miles of idyllic shoreline, dotted with homes, campsites, and cabins for rent. And right there, on the prettiest patch of land imaginable, you’ll discover a newly renovated vacation home, recently purchased by a local gal named Tasha. Her quaint fixer-upper is just about ready for its first guests and she’s giddy with excitement.

Also thrilled is Tasha’s BFF, RaeLyn Hadley! RaeLyn has grown up near the lake and loves this place. She can hardly wait to see her bestie’s dream come true.

Of course, not everyone in the Cedar Creek area is happy to see Tasha’s new vacation rental open for business. Behind the scenes, evil lurks. Nefarious plans are already in motion, though RaeLyn and Tasha can’t yet see them.

Days before the house is listed, the beautiful home is vandalized! Clearly, someone wants to stop Tasha in her tracks. But, who would sabotage the inn. . .and why? RaeLyn won’t quit until she’s got answers, but she needs your help.

What role will you play in this tale? Visit the inn. Get to know the gals. Help them figure out the whodunit. Spend time in town with the locals, celebrating the 4^th of July. I promise, you’ll have a blast. There are quilt shows, cupcake walks, and more Texas BBQ than you can eat in one visit.

Your belly will never be empty as you set out to help RaeLyn and Tasha solve this crime. Just don’t let all of those handsome Texas fellas distract you from the task at hand. They have a tendency to do that.

Hang on for the ride, folks, because an East Texas tale is one that’s always filled with twists and turns! So, what are you waiting for? Jump into that little red truck and let’s hit the road, headed to Cedar Creek Lake!