Revealing the Truth by Lorri Dudley – Review & Giveaway

My Review

Revealing The Truth by Lorri Dudley is book one in Agents of Espionage series. This is a great start to a series. It has suspense, mystery, action and romance. The writing is so clear it is easy to imagine the surroundings and feel the suspense. The story takes the reader back to England in the 1800’s where men pretty much rule the world. When Katherine’s father died, she took care of their farm with Lipizzaner horses by herself, until the day a distant relative arrives at the door and takes over the farm and tells her they are to marry.

I just adored the characters of the Hartington family. Even though they have suffered loss and setbacks their faith is so strong and are so welcoming to strangers. Their Christian faith is very evident. I appreciate how Katherine and Stephen both don’t really know who they can trust. I enjoy the small bits of humor woven into this story as well.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book, this is my honest review.

About the Book

Book: Revealing the Truth

Author: Lorri Dudley

Genre:Historical Romance

Release date: May 30, 2023

His suspect holds a secret, but can he uncover the truth before she steals his heart?

When Katherine Jenkins is rescued from the side of the road, half-frozen and left for dead, her only option is to stay silent about her identity or risk being shipped back to her ruthless guardian, who will kill to get his hands on her inheritance and the famous Jenkins Lipizzaner horses. But even under the pretense of amnesia, she cannot shake the memory of her sister and Katherine’s need to reach her before their guardian, or his marauding bandits, finish her off. Will she be safe in the earl’s manor, or will the assailant climbing through her window be the death of her?

British spy, Stephen Hartington’s assignment to uncover an underground horse-thieving ring brings him home to his family’s manor, and the last thing he expected was to be struck with a candlestick upon climbing through the guest chamber window. The manor’s feisty and intriguing new house guest throws Stephen’s best-laid plans into turmoil and raises questions about the timing of her appearance, the convenience of her memory loss, and her impeccable riding skills. Could he be housing the horse thief he’d been ordered to capture—or worse, falling in love with her?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Lorri Dudley has been a finalist in numerous writing contests and has a master’s degree in Psychology. She lives in Ashland, Massachusetts with her husband and three teenage sons, where writing romance allows her an escape from her testosterone filled household. Find her online at www.lorridudley.com.

More from Lorri

Horses, spies, and romance…

Horse stealing in Regency England was a lucrative venture. In some instances, a sale would bring in the equivalent of a quarter of a year’s income. If caught, however, horse thievery held a high price—capital punishment, typically by hanging. Criminals were a varied group, ranging from child pranksters stealing their neighbor’s workhorse for a joy ride to professional horse-thieving rings who transported their contraband a considerable distance, over 31 miles (or 50 kilometers) and sometimes internationally. They traveled to avoid buyers who’d recognize stolen property.

The British spy network of the Regency era didn’t yet hold the famous name MI6. Instead, it formed two departments the War Department, which handled international matters, and the Home Office, which dealt with domestic issues. Revealing the Truth’s hero, Lord Stephen Hartington, works as a contracted spy for the Home Office, assigned to catch horse thieves in his hometown near the rolling hills and flowing rivers of England’s Cotswolds.

The heroine, Katherine Jenkins, has reservations regarding love and trust. She inherited the well-known Jenkin’s Lipizzaner horses, and her fortune attracts her ruthless guardian. He has two options to get his hands on her money that won’t raise her solicitor’s suspicions—marry her or have her meet with a seemingly accidental demise. Due to her guardian’s actions and Katherine’s fiancée’s rejection after her parents passed, it’s no wonder she’s hesitant about love. Through watching Stephen’s interactions with his family, God heals her heart enough to take steps of faith, but allegations of her being a horse thief threaten to undo the progress she’s made.

The seeds of Revealing the Truth were first planted when I was in the seventh grade. I used to carry an idea notebook and jot down scenes whenever inspired. My mother found my old notebook a few years ago and mailed it to me. In it were faded pencil scrawls about a girl escaping into the cold night and collapsing. She’s taken in by kind passersby who nurse her back to health, only to be surprised when their handsome young son climbs in through her bedroom window and so enters Stephen into Katherine’s life.

Enjoy!

To learn more, check out my website at lorridudley.com or wildheartbooks.org or watch the Revealing the Truth book trailer by clicking here: Revealing the Truth book trailer.

Blog Stops

Melissa’s Bookshelf, May 30

Holly’s Book Corner, May 30

lakesidelivingsite, May 31

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 1

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 2

Kristina Hall, June 2

Texas Book-aholic, June 3

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, June 4 (Author Interview)

Christina’s Corner, June 4

Lily’s Book Reviews, June 5

Cover Lover Book Review, June 6

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, June 6

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions , June 7

Betti Mace, June 8

She Lives To Read, June 8

Connie’s History Classroom, June 9

Book Butterfly in Dreamland, June 9

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 10

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 11

Blogging With Carol, June 11

Pause for Tales, June 12

For Him and My Family, June 12

Giveaway

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

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/263d5/revealing-the-truth-celebration-tour-giveaway

Counter Attack by Patricia Bradley

My Review

Counter Attack by Patricia Bradley is the first book in the Pearl River series. Alexis is part of the law enforcement in Chattanooga and murders are taking place. When her grandfather has a health issue, she is called back to Russell County, Tennessee to fill his spot as sheriff. At the same time the murders move to Russell County. She is forced to work together with Nathan, a former boyfriend that is now chief of police.

This is a well written, fast-paced, easy to read story that is filled with suspense, mystery and a touch of romance. This story grabbed my attention at the very beginning and held it to the very end. It was easy to see the love Alexis had for her grandparents. It was also easy to see how Nathan and Alexis rebuilt their friendship. I was kept guessing to the very end to see who was killing and the connection to Alexia.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book, this is my honest review.

About the Book

A brand new heart-stopping series from a USA Today bestselling author

No sooner has Alexis Stone been sworn in as the interim sheriff for Russell County, Tennessee, when a serial killer dubbed the Queen’s Gambit Killer strikes again–this time in her hometown. Pearl Springs is just supposed to be a temporary stop along the way to Alex’s real dream: becoming the first female police chief of Chattanooga. But the killer’s calling card–a white pawn and a note with a chess move printed on it–cannot be ignored.

Pearl Springs chief of police Nathan Landry can’t believe that his high school sweetheart Alexis (he refuses to call her Alex) is back in town, and he can’t help wanting to protect the woman he never stopped loving. But as the danger mounts and the killer closes in, can Nathan come through on the promises he makes to himself to bring a killer to justice before it’s too late.

About the Author

Patricia Bradley is the author of Standoff, Obsession, Crosshairs, and Deception, as well as the Memphis Cold Case novels and Logan Point series. Bradley is the winner of an Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award, a Selah Award, and a Daphne du Maurier Award; she was a Carol Award finalist; and three of her books were included in anthologies that debuted on the USA Today bestseller list. Cofounder of Aiming for Healthy Families, Inc., Bradley is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Sisters in Crime. She makes her home in Mississippi. Learn more at http://www.ptbradley.com.

Where to Purchase

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/counter-attack-patricia-bradley/1142260734

Heart of Gold by Lacy Williams

My Review

Heart of Gold, by Lacy Williams is the 17th and final book in the Wind River Hearts series. While this is part of a series, it is also a nice stand alone story. I have not read the rest of the series and had no trouble following this story. This is a well written, easy to read story. It is descriptive and easy to imagine. This is a nice story of forgiveness and second chances.

I enjoyed reading this story. Ida is such a strong character and is part of a big loving family. Tom and his brothers are the famous outlaw gang, the Seymour gang. They are hardened criminals that are being search for to bring to justice. HIs brothers are the real criminals while he is their look our guy. This has been the only life he has known. When he is captured the marshal takes him home to be with his family for Christmas. This is an enjoyable story that shows the forgiveness of God when Tom seeks forgiveness. We also see the healing that takes place with Ida. Even while kept hostage by the gang, she tends to Tom’s wounds and when he is captured, she takes his meals to him at the jail.

I was gifted the ebook from the author, this is my honest review.

About the Book

They survived a harrowing near-death experience. Can a poignant family Christmas bring them together?

Ida needs a quiet Christmas at home to rest and find her footing again. But her boisterous family is anything but quiet and things only get worse when her U.S. Marshal brother brings home a prisoner for the holiday—the same outlaw that saved her life.

Tom Seymour discombobulates her. He’s arrogant and unrepentant. But when she’s forced to nurse his injuries, she realizes that his persona is all a facade. The man underneath is wounded and kind and in need of redemption.

But Tom must make a choice between his old life and the chance to make a new one with Ida. Can she trust the man he is becoming or will he betray her?

About the Author

Lacy Williams wishes her writing career was more like what you see in Hallmark movies: dreamy brainstorming from a French chateau or a few minutes at the computer in a million-dollar New York City penthouse. In reality, she’s up before the sun, putting words on the page before her kids wake up for the day. Those early-morning and late-night writing sessions add up, and Lacy has published sixty books in a decade, first with a big five publisher and then as an indie author. When she needs to refill the well, you can find Lacy birdwatching, gardening, biking with the kiddos, or walking the dog. Find tons of bonus scenes and reader extras by becoming a VIP reader at http://www.lacywilliams.net/vip .

Where to Purchase

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/heart-of-gold-paul-williams/1003927615?ean=9781960248039

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Wind-River-Hearts-Heart-of-Gold-Series-17-Paperback-9781960248039/2063450209

In The Shadow of the River by Ann H. Gabhart

My Review

In the Shadow of the River is a stand alone story written by Ann H. Gabhart. The dual timeline story takes place on a showboat in 1881 and the 1890’s. Jacci’s mother was fatally injured when Jacci was just five years old. They fled the steamboat her mother worked on to go to her grandfather on the showboat parked next to them. Her mother and grandfather have not been close but when tragedy strikes he is the one her mother seeks help from. And he steps up to do as she asked.

This was an enjoyable story in the sense the reader sees how the family connects and supports each other when they are called to do so. It also has several parts that show God’s hand in their lives. Jacci’s grandfather’s boat just happened to be next to them when danger appeared. The wife of the showboat owner was so generous and helpful supporting Jacci and her grandfather. The story also shows what could happen when secrets are kept. I especially enjoyed the suspense and mystery and was surprised by the romance. I have read many of the author’s books, this one felt a little different and was slower paced than others.

I voluntarily received a copy of this book, this is my honest opinion

About the Book

In 1881, Jacci Reed is only five years old when a man attempts to kidnap her from the steamboat her mother, Irena, works on. Badly wounded during the confrontation, Irena takes Jacci aboard the Kingston Floating Palace, a showboat tied up beside them. There, Jacci’s actor grandfather tends to her mother, and Jacci gets a first taste of the life she will come to lead.

Fifteen years later, Jacci is an actress aboard that same showboat and largely contented with her adopted family of actors, singers, and dancers. Especially Gabe, who has always supported her, and the gruff grandfather she has come to know and love. Jacci’s mother has been gone for years, but the memory of the altercation that ultimately took her life—and the cryptic things Jacci has overheard about her past—is always there, lurking in the back of her mind.

When someone on the showboat tries to kill Jacci, it’s clear her questions demand answers. But secrets have a way of staying in the shadows . . . and the answers she craves will not come easily.

About the Author

Ann H. Gabhart started writing at the age of 10. Her first writings were published in church perodicals. She has had over 30 novels published. She wants the readers of her books to feel good after reading her books and wish the story hadn’t ended. She wants to inspire people to “step into the sunshine of the Lord’s love” and realize the Lord is always there for us. She wants her readers to feel the joy of Christian living.

You can learn more about her and the books she has written at https://www.annhgabhart.com/

Where to Purchase

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/in-the-shadow-of-the-river-ann-h-gabhart/1142260737

https://www.target.com/p/in-the-shadow-of-the-river-by-ann-h-gabhart/-/A-88388203

https://www.walmart.com/ip/In-the-Shadow-of-the-River-Paperback-9780800741723/1659173834

The Keys to Gramercy Park by Candice Sue Patterson – Review & Giveaway

My Review

The Keys to Gramercy Park, by Candance Sue Patterson, is book twelve in the Door to the Past series. This is a series written by different authors that gives a look into events of the past. This is a dual time-line story that focuses on twin brothers in 1862 and a modern day mystery of where money hidden in a wall came from. Andrea found old money in her wall, with Beau’s help she investigates how the money got there and by who. She is trying to write an outstanding article for the Smithsonian Magazine to earn a promotion. Beau is running for political office and fears her research may hurt his campaign.

This is a fun story to read, it has mystery, suspense and romance all in one. The dual time-line is like having two separate stories. I appreciate the struggle Andrea endured to write a job-winning story while not hurting anyone in the process. The story shows how two people raised in the same household could become so different. It also shows how what one person does may affect their family many years in the future and the secrets kept about family members may affect lives in the future, when the truth comes out. This story has well defined characters. It is so well written it is easy to really dislike one of the twins. I appreciate the research the author did to point out things that really happened, the way women were institutionalize unjustly, and the dangers of the soothing syrup for children. It was interesting to read of the beginning of the Secret Service and the background information regarding counterfeit money after the civil war.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this story, this is my honest review.

About the Book

Book: The Keys to Gramercy Park

Author: Candice Sue Patterson

Genre: Christian / Historical / Romance

Release date: April, 2023

Secrets Sealed Within a Wall Come to Light in Lower Manhattan

Walk through Doors to the Past via a new series of historical stories of romance and adventure.

Investigative historical journalist Andrea Andrews is tired of waiting tables to make ends meet. If she could find and write the next breakout story, she could secure a promotion with Smithsonian Magazine as their writer-at-large. But not much happens in lower Manhattan out of the ordinary until she discovers post-Civil War counterfeit bills hidden in the wall of her historic district apartment.

Politics have always been Beau Davidson-Quincy’s passion, despite his family’s real estate empire. His clean image and single status make him a target in the media as he prepares to build his campaign for New York governor. He has nothing to hide until a cute waitress unravels a mystery that could destroy his family’s reputation.

Two centuries earlier, wounded Civil War veteran Franklin Davidson lost everything—his house, his wife, his standing in society. In his darkest moment, he’s awarded a position with the newly formed Secret Service to combat the spread of counterfeit U.S. currency. His life and new home in Gramercy Park are the envy of his peers, but nothing is as it seems. Secrets are meant to be kept, and Franklin will take his to his grave.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Candice Sue Patterson studied at the Institute of Children’s Literature and is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives in Indiana with her husband and three sons in a restored farmhouse overtaken by books. When she’s not tending to her chickens, splitting wood, or decorating cakes, she’s working on a new story. Candice writes Modern Vintage Romance—where the past and present collide with faith. Her debut novel How to Charm a Beekeeper’s Heart was a 2012 ACFW First Impressions finalist and made INSPYs Longlist for 2016.

More from Candice

A locked secret garden in Manhattan with historical significance and the only ones privileged to step inside are the wealthy residents who purchase a key—count me in! The plot for The Keys to Gramercy Park was born at our dining room table when my husband looked up from the book he was reading and asked if I knew about Gramercy Park. I hadn’t, so we started Googling and discovered it was a real garden in Manhattan built in 1841 for the cream of society. The fact that it’s been off-limits to the public for one hundred and eight-two years instantly brought all kinds of story ideas to my mind.

Not long after, I discovered that Barbour Publishing Inc. was looking for dual-time stories to fill their Doors to the Past series. I love reading dual-time novels but I’d never written one. I love a good challenge, so I began plotting and before I knew it, I had another first—creating a villain.

I’ve only ever seen the New York City skyline from the New Jersey ferry that travels to and from the Statue of Liberty, so after the story was contracted, I spent several weeks researching Manhattan and Gramercy Park. New York is full of rich history and it was so fun to stumble across the historical details of The Player’s, Edwin Booth, and the stories behind each home along Gramercy Square.

One of my favorite things about writing this story was the juxtaposition of the timelines. We don’t have the present without the past, and what happens in the past affects the future, but the future can also determine how we view, feel, and learn about the past. That’s essentially what The Keys to Gramercy Park is about—the butterfly effect of past events reaching ahead two centuries with dire consequences. I love how in one scene the characters are sending telegraphs and in the next scene, they’re sending text messages.

What’s your favorite thing about dual-time novels? Make sure to check out the other books in the Doors to the Past series!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 26

lakesidelivingsite, May 26

Melissa’s Bookshelf, May 27

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, May 27

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 28

Blogging With Carol, May 28

Book Looks by Lisa, May 29

Connie’s History Classroom, May 29

Texas Book-aholic, May 30

For Him and My Family, May 30

Cover Lover Book Review, May 31

Where Faith and Books Meet, May 31

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 1

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 2

Blossoms and Blessings, June 2

Remembrancy, June 3

Holly’s Book Corner, June 3

Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 4

Pause for Tales, June 4

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, June 5 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, June 5

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 6

Inklings and Notions, June 6

Simple Harvest Reads, June 7 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Labor Not in Vain, June 7

She Lives To Read, June 8

Books I’ve Read, June 8

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Candice is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon e-gift card and a copy of the book!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/2626e/the-keys-to-gramercy-park-celebration-tour-giveaway

Indigo Isle by T I Lowe

My Review

Indigo Isle by T. I. Lowe is a contemporary story that takes place off the coast of Charleston. This is a well written story that has a lot of depth to it. Sonny is a Hollywood location scout who oversees locations and housing for movie shoots. She accidently wanders onto a private island, Indigo Isle, that is known for the person who lives there. Hudson move to the island owned by his family after a fire changed his life forever. He is known locally as a monster who keeps to himself and doesn’t like intruders.

This story is so good. It give a look into the happenings behind the making of a movie. It gives a look into the friendships that form as well as the not so nice things that happen. It also shows the depths of hurt a person can feel when their tragedy hits. I really enjoyed how Sonny was so persistent in becoming a friend to Hudson and how that friendship unfolded. I enjoyed learning of the making of indigo dye. This story kept me reading to see how their friendship would turn out and how the experiences forced on Sonny by a movie producer would turn out. This story does have parts that would not be suitable for the younger reader.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book, this is my honest review.

About the book

“Storms show up and there ain’t a thing we can do to stop them.” Sonny Bates left South Carolina fifteen years ago and never looked back.

Now she’s a successful Hollywood location scout who travels the world, finding perfect places for movie shoots. Home is wherever she lands, and between her busy schedule and dealing with her boss’s demands, she has little time to think about the past… until her latest gig lands her a stone’s throw from everything she left behind. Searching off the coast of Charleston for a secluded site to film a key scene, Sonny wanders onto a private barrier island and encounters its reclusive owner, known by locals as the Monster of Indigo Isle. What she finds is a man much more complex than the myth.

Once a successful New York attorney, Hudson Renfrow’s grief has exiled him to his island for several years. He spends his days alone, tending his fields of indigo, then making indigo dye—and he has no interest in serving the intrusive needs of a film company or yielding to Sonny’s determined curiosity. But when a hurricane makes landfall on the Carolina coast, stranding them together, an unlikely friendship forms between the two damaged souls. Soon the gruff exterior Hudson has long hidden behind crumbles—exposing the tender part of him that’s desperate for forgiveness and a second chance.

A story of hanging on and letting go, of redemption and reconciliation, and of a love that heals the deepest wounds, from the author of the breakout Southern fiction bestseller Under the Magnolias. This book offers these extra helpful and fun features:

• Discussion questions—we’ve got you covered for book club!
• Recipes
• A playlist inspired by Sonny and Hudson’s love story

About the Author

Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of our Savior, but Christmas 2011 is one I am ashamed to admit I did not celebrate. I began battling the most treacherous storm of my life during this season.

Sitting by my mom’s side in an unfamiliar cancer center, I heard words so foreign to me I had to have the doctor repeat them, and then spell them for me—“small-cell carcinoma lung cancer.” From the doctor’s grim expression and cautious words, my mom and I knew she had been handed a death sentence.

I armed myself with research and set out to stand by my mom through rounds of radiation, chemotherapy, blood transfusions, and a barrage of tests and paperwork.

I prayed without ceasing, “Please, God. Please heal Momma.”

While I begged God for a miracle, a story began to take root in my heart that became my creative outlet when the reality of losing my mom was too great a burden to bear.

During endless treatments, I shared some of the story with my mom. She made me promise to share it with the world. And I agreed that one day I would, but not right then. At that point, our focus had to be her and her healing.

In spring 2013, God answered my prayer, but not in the way I had envisioned. Rather than healing my mom’s body, he healed her soul, freeing her from the abusive past and sinful life that had held her captive for far too long. That healing was the most precious gift I had received since the birth of my children, for my mom had suffered greatly long before the cancer invaded.

In May 2013, Lulu’s Café was completed. I put the manuscript away for safekeeping and set out to help my mom get her affairs in order before the cancer robbed her of the ability to make decisions. Yes, the cruel disease had rebelled against treatments and had spread.

In summer 2013, I felt devastating pain and anguish I never knew could exist. I had to say good-bye to my mom, and selfishly, I was not ready. Watching her suffer and fade rendered me broken and defeated.

As I held her fragile body during the early evening of September 19, 2013, my mom took her last breath on earth, and I felt my own breath leave me in acute grief.

I fell into that grief for several months, not knowing how to resurface. Life kept going without me. My prayers were now for my own healing, for my heart was broken. The past three years had been all about fighting my mom’s cancer, and now that the battle was over, I felt lost. I begged God to help me move on.

Finally in January 2014, God said it was time to share Lulu’s Café. I was scared and didn’t feel worthy to share it, but I had made my mom a promise. And I intended on keeping it. Through honoring the memory of my mom and through the strength of my heavenly Father, my broken heart slowly began to heal. I know it will not completely heal while I’m still on this earth, but one day . . . 

Since sharing Lulu’s Café, an abundance of stories have knocked on my heart’s door and asked to be shared also. They are not perfect stories, for I am not a perfect woman. But as long as God keeps giving me these stories, I promise to share them.

Thank you for reading and helping me keep my promise to my mom.

I am running with patience the race set before me, looking to Jesus, my author, and finisher of my faith.

Where to Purchase

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/indigo-isle-t-i-lowe/1142530449?ean=9781496465597

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Indigo-Isle-Hardcover-9781496465597/1119464511

https://www.tyndale.com/p/indigo-isle/9781496465597

https://www.christianbook.com/indigo-isle-hardcover/9781496465597/pd/465597?event=AFF&p=1023387

Lone Star Sweetheart Epic Book Launch

About the Book

Book: Love’s True Calling

Authors: Lori DeJong

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

Release date: June 27, 2023

After years of jumping through other people’s hoops to be all they thought she should be, and enduring a tragedy no mother should, self-described “newbie” Christian, Harper Townsend, has finally found her true calling … and her true love. Until it appears that to follow one may mean leaving the other behind.

Adolescent Psychologist, Wyatt McCowan, is beyond delighted to have the-girl-that-got-away back in his life, and his heart. But even as they fall more in love, he realizes that being obedient to God’s calling on each of their lives may pull them apart. She rejected him once in favor of another, which left him hurt and angry. But this time, he can’t fault her for following hard after the God she loves with all her heart, even if it means leaving him once again. Will Ryan return to his faith and stay with her in Sweetheart or leave when the election ends?

Book Excerpt

Excerpt 1

Harper had never felt so … old. She fidgeted in her seat at the end of the second row as her classmates gathered in groups around the room on this first day of the fall semester, the proverbial square peg. The last time she sat in a college classroom, most of these kids were in middle school. Of course, starting her sophomore year of college nine years after her freshman hadn’t been the original plan, but then, well … life. There was no way to see what lay around that next curve. And hers had seen plenty of curves in her scant twenty-eight years. A quick glance at her watch told her class should have begun five minutes ago. Odd for a professor to be late the first day, especially one with as stellar a reputation as Dr. Marjorie Vance. A man strode into the room and closed the door behind him. “Okay, everybody, please take your seats, and we’ll get things rolling.” Harper froze. She hardly recognized the man, but that voice she knew. The voice she’d witnessed transition from boy to adolescent crackle on the way to its present smooth, deep timbre. The voice she last heard the night she broke his heart. The night he took hers with him when he walked away.

Missed Any Excerpts, Come back June 9th to see them.

About the Author

Lori enjoys writing stories full of grace and the redemptive power of God’s love that inspire hope, joy, laughter, and perhaps even touch a soul or two to get to know Him better. She resides in Georgetown, Texas, with her husband and two fur-babies and is the mother of one grown daughter. Love’s True Calling is the 2022 winner of the ACFW Genesis Award for Romance.

The Title Wave by Chautona Havig – Review & Giveaway

My Review

The Title Wave by Chautona Havig is book three in the Suamalie Islands series. This is a series that is being written by different authors.  This is a fun, well written story to read. I enjoyed going back to the island and seeing what was happening. I tried imagining Henri to see what type of man would get all the attention he got from women. So much so that he would use someone who was so special to him when he was younger. I also tried to imagine what kind of woman Ezra was to agree to his foolish plan. The characters were caring people with a past that held hurts.

It was fun to get the background information on Ezra, her parents and how she got her name. She keeps herself so busy with the bookstore and helping her father and his girlfriend. I enjoyed reading of how she lived on the bookstore boat. It’s interesting to see how one could live with so little of today’s modern conveniences to get by. This is an enjoyable romance island read to get lost in.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book, this is my honest review.

the Book

Book: The Title Wave

Author: Chautona Havig

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release date: April 25, 2023

All he wants to do is help people, but local women want to help themselves… to him!

When Henri Tupuola returned to Suamalie to open his holistic mental health clinic, he had no idea what he was getting into. After ten years in Australia getting his degree and practical experience under his mentor, the locals had all but forgotten the quiet “boy”  who had always made them feel like he could see right through them.

Not anymore! The ladies of Lafoina are eager to meet the island’s therapist and spend hours staring deeply into his eyes on their weekly dates… ahem, sessions.

Desperate for relief, he hightails it down to The Title Wave and begs Ezra to order him a couple dozen copies of his own book. Yes, author copies would be cheaper, but he needs these things fast. Maybe if he hands out his book like an old-time quack handed out pills, the ladies will get the hint and leave him alone.

But when he tells his troubles to Ezra (who’s the therapist now?), and she jokes at how much her father would love to have people flocking to his “sessions” so to speak, Henri gets an idea that could save his sanity… if only Ezra will agree.

Take a trip to the Suamalie Islands where palm trees sway, the sand and sea pulse with life, and the people will steal your heart.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

USA Today Bestselling author Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her at chautona.com and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.

More from Chautona

It happens with every book—probably for every author. What “it” is… that’s always different. Sometimes it’s the moment you realize that your character has morphed into someone you didn’t intend for him to. Other times it might be that you discovered a huge plot hole in your mystery and there’s no way any of it would have happened (not that I’ve ever had to deal with that or anything). It could be that your characters don’t have chemistry (and that doesn’t have to be romance—friends should have it!). Let’s face it. Lots of things can derail a book.

And if you don’t lay some new track fast (think Gromit in A Grand Day Out laying tracks as fast as he can as the toy train hurtles him after the penguin), your story could end up as the biggest trainwreck this side of… wherever they have bad train wrecks.

Or in my case, sink the book boat.

So there was blithely typing my first chapter when I realized something was wrong with my premise for The Title Wave. See, I had a plan. This would be a fake-dating romance. A local therapist needs a fake girlfriend to get the women to quit hitting on him when he was supposed to be helping them with their problems. Reasonable right?

Yeah. There’s all kinds of problems with this… starting with the fact that I don’t actually enjoy FAST romances… and I wanted them together—like totally committed—by the end of the book. OOPS! Not only that, but come on. Fake boyfriend/girlfriend? Ezra is an MK. This girl isn’t going to want to live a deception like that. She’s got a sensitive conscience, thanks to close ties with the Holy Spirit Who indwells her. She’s not going to do that.

But I needed her to.

I have this group of ladies who read everything as I write it. Most have been with me for over ten years! So, when I realized my book was in serious trouble (as in drowning before it really got out to sea!), I went to them and told them what I wanted/needed to happen and why it wasn’t going to work.

Guess what? They came through for me (as they always do—love you, Escapeables!). After just a bit of tossing out ideas and lobbing them back and forth, things fell into place.

Yes, Henri will approach Ezra with the idea.

Yes, Ezra will have a fake boyfriend.

And yes, being the romance it is… they WILL be committed by the end and without irritating myself with a bunch of insta-love.

Somehow. Since I’m writing this before it all plays out, we’ll both have to see just how that all works out. Join me for a cruise through love-tossed waters?

Blog Stops

lakesidelivingsite, May 24

Lots of Helpers, May 24

The Sacred Line, May 25

By the Book, May 26

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 27

Aryn The Libraryan, May 28

Texas Book-aholic, May 29

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, May 30

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 31

For Him and My Family, June 1

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 1

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, June 2

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 3

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, June 4 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, June 4

Simple Harvest Reads, June 5 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

She Lives to Read, June 6

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Chautona is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/26266/the-title-wave-celebration-tour-giveaway

Operation Return by Kari Trumbo

My Review

Operation Return, by Kari Trumbo, is the second book in the Wayside Ranch series. This story takes over where the previous one ended, so it is best to read these books in order. The author does a fantastic job of writing this book and giving background information, so this book is also a good stand alone story. This story is filled with action and suspense with touches of romance. I enjoyed how this story focused on multiple thing happening at the same time and how they all tied together in the end.

I especially enjoy how the men working at the ranch are encouraged to correct a mistake they made in their past. For Cole, it was reaching out to the girl, Erica, he left behind when he enlisted in the military. Erica is struggling to raise their son by herself. Her son is her priority and that has resulted in another job loss.

I also enjoy how the story brings back characters from the earlier books and the work they are doing. I look forward to reading he rest of the series.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, this is my honest review.

About the Book

Cole Bradley isn’t who he says he is.

As an intelligence officer, Cole faked his death then went undercover to find the spy in their group. When the dust settled, Cole discovered the government had mistakenly notified his next of kin of his death, though he was very much alive.

Through anger and resentment at having no identity other than the one they gave him, he comes home with a chip on his shoulder. He loves his country, but he has nothing.

Until Conner Kincade offers him a job at Wayside Ranch.

That job comes with one stipulation, he must face his one regret. That would be the woman he left behind. The woman who would now think he’s a ghost.

Erica Jameson can’t make ends meet. Her five-year-old son thinks the world of her and she’s let him down one too many times. When she gets the notice that her lease is expiring and they refuse to renew her and the camp where her son had a scholarship changed their minds, all on the same day, she’s pretty sure her life can’t get worse.

Until the man she thought was dead shows up on her doorstep.

He’s just as handsome as ever and offers her solutions to all her problems without even knowing they were there. But what about when the month ends and she has to face her life again?

Especially if she doesn’t tell him . . . that her son is his.

About the Author

Kari Trumbo is a two time bestselling author of Christian and sweet romance. For those who like romance, she writes under her name. For readers who like less romance, she writes women’s fiction under the name Teri Blake. 

She writes swoony heroes and places that become characters with historical detail and heart.

Kari is a stay-at-home mom to four vibrant children. When she isn’t writing, or editing, she pretends to keep up with them.

Kari loves reading, listening to contemporary Christian music, singing when no one’s listening, and curling up near the wood stove when winter hits. She makes her home in central Minnesota, land of frigid toes and mosquitoes the size of compact cars, with her husband of over twenty years. They have two daughters, two sons, three cats, a sometimes naughty bunny, and one hungry wood stove.

She’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment on a blog post or contact me; .

Where to Purchase

Double Indemnity by Robert Whitlow

My Review

Double Indemnity, by Robert Whitlow, is a stand alone Christian who done it story. This story grabbed my attention from the very beginning and held it to the very end. This is a story that kept me guessing who the killer was. The story is fast paced and full of mystery and suspense with a touch of romance. I enjoyed the descriptive writing with the views Connor saw on his hikes.

It was interesting to read of the legal aspects of the story and the fine line attorneys have to do their jobs. Liz was committed to putting her priorities to Elena, even when the client was overly demanding. Liz had to fine a way to keep Connor as a friend yet help him legally.

I especially enjoyed the characters of the members of Connor’s church. I enjoyed the importance of prayer in this story. It was nice to see the support he received from some, while others turned their backs on him and the church.

I enjoyed this book so much. I voluntarily received it from Thomas Nelson Publishing through NetGalley. This is my honest review.

About the Book

Someone stands to gain millions of dollars from a hunter’s accidental death . . . unless that death wasn’t an accident.

Matt and Elena Thompson present the picture of perfection. But their enviable life isn’t all it seems. Their marriage is on the rocks, and financial disaster looms. Then Matt is killed in a hunting accident, and the questions and accusations begin to mount.

Attorney Liz Acosta, newly arrived in the mountains of north Georgia after graduating from law school, plans to get some job experience on her resume before returning home to seek a position with a big-time firm. Intellectual pastor Connor Grantham isn’t sure that shepherding a rural congregation is what he ultimately wants to do with his life. Drawn to philosophy, theology, and nature, he’s beginning to feel more at home in north Georgia—especially after he meets the brilliant and energetic Liz.

While Liz and Connor spend more time with each other and discover just how compatible two people from wildly different backgrounds can be, they’re also being drawn into the shadowy world of Matt and Elena Thompson. As the couple’s marriage counselor, Connor finds himself in the middle of their explosive arguments. As Elena’s attorney, Liz is caught in the tailspin created by Matt’s death.

Together, Connor and Liz attempt to solve the mystery of what really happened to Matt. If his death is ruled an accident, then the double indemnity clause in his life insurance would go into effect, essentially doubling the payout. But as Liz sorts through the legal paperwork of who stands to gain an immense sum of money from Matt’s death, Connor is accused of the unthinkable with much more at stake than millions of dollars.

• Contemporary Christian legal drama
• Perfect for fans of John Grisham
• Includes discussion questions for book clubs

About the Author

Robert Whitlow is the bestselling author of legal novels set in the South and winner of the Christy Award for Contemporary Fiction. He received his JD with honors from the University of Georgia School of Law where he served on the staff of the Georgia Law Review.

Where to Purchase

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/double-indemnity-robert-whitlow/1142714164

https://www.christianbook.com/double-indemnity-softcover/9780785234739/pd/234739

Double Indemnity