Maggie and the Maverick

 

About the Book

Book: Maggie and the Maverick

Author: Erica Vetsch

Genre: Christian Historical  Romance

Release Date: October 13, 2025

A jaded lady marshal and a stage driver with a past—bound by duty, tested by lies, and drawn to a love that could change everything.

A wary lady marshal and a reformed stage driver—entangled by secrets, shadowed by danger, and tempted by a love neither dared to trust.

U.S. Marshal Maggie Davis has learned the hard way not to trust men with charming smiles and winning ways. Her reticence makes her the perfect undercover investigator for a string of daring stage robberies. When the case leads her to stay with a local family, she finds herself drawn to Cal McConnell, the handsome stage driver who could either be her greatest ally or her prime suspect.

Cal has worked hard to put his wild past behind him and build an honest life as a stage driver. When a mysterious new lady comes to town selling ladies’ garments, he’s instantly captivated by her beauty and fierce independence. But as stage robberies escalate and murder enters the picture, Cal must decide if he can trust this woman who seems determined to keep him at arm’s length—even as his heart tells him she could be the one.

When the line between truth and deception blurs, will they cling to caution—or risk everything for something real?

 Review: 

Maggie Davis and Cal McConnell meet in a most awkward and funny way when Cal attempts to retrieve Maggie’s suitcase. They definitely got off on the wrong foot, and Cal has to overcome that bad first impression and  prejudices Maggie has concerning him. 

I enjoyed the story of a female law officer and the mystery of who was behind the stagecoach robberies. Maggie is fearless and just the right person to bring the bandits to justice. 

Things to love: 

he falls first

danger

townspeople

jail incident

justice

This is the sixth book in the Brides of the West series. There are return characters that I was happy to see again, but you can read it as a standalone. Book lovers of all ages will enjoy this clean western romance. 

I received a copy of the book through CelebrateLit Tours. All opinions are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.

Click here to get your copy!

 About the Author

Best-selling, award-winning author of The Debutante’s Code, first in the Thorndike & Swann Regency Mystery Series, Erica Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum.

 

 

 

 

More from Erica

Did you ever watch the movie Stagecoach? The movie that launched John Wayne’s career? My father introduced me to the movie when I was young, and that sparked my interest in westward expansion, cowboys, and stagecoaches.

When I was a teen, I read a book called Six Horse Hitch, by author Janice Holt Giles. In the book, she goes into all the details of stagecoach driving, stations across the west, the coaches, the passengers, the US mail delivery, and more. I was enthralled.

Stagecoach drivers (sometimes called Jehus) were a breed apart. Brave, resilient, and bold. Heroic.

Which meant, when I became an author, I wanted to create a hero who was a stagecoach driver. Enter Cal McConnell in Maggie and the Maverick. He’s the third of three sons, with a dry humor, and a bit of a jaded outlook on life.

Truthfully, I patterned him after Heath Barkley, a character on the 1960’s TV show, The Big Valley, played by Lee Majors. Even down to the light brown/dark blond hair and blue eyes.

One thing that is important when writing romance is to ensure that the heroine is worthy of the hero and vice versa. So I imagined what kind of a woman would be a great life partner for Cal. She would have to be spunky, smart, and compassionate.

Maggie Davis, an undercover agent, fit the bill. Her guise was that of a ladies’ unmentionables saleswoman, and that job leads to a memorable encounter upon meeting Cal for the first time.

I’m so thankful that Maggie and the Maverick is getting a new release out into the world through Wild Heart Books. I hope that you enjoy this rollicking western with a stage driving hero and undercover agent heroine.

Blog Stops

Devoted Steps, November 11

Pens Pages & Pulses, November 11

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 12

Lyssa Loves Books, November 12

Fiction Book Lover, November 13 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Texas Book-aholic, November 13

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 14

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 15

For Him and My Family, November 15

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 16

Devoted To Hope, November 16

Melissa’s Bookshelf, November 17

Artistic Nobody, November 17 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

She Lives To Read, November 18

lakesidelivingsite, November 18

Simple Harvest Reads, November 19 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 19

Book Looks by Lisa, November 20

Life on Chickadee Lane, November 21

The Mommies Reviews, November 21

Cover Lover Book Review, November 22

Blossoms and Blessings, November 23

Holly’s Book Corner, November 23

Vicky Sluiter, November 24

Pause for Tales, November 24

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Erica 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.

https://promosimple.com/ps/3d59d/maggie-and-the-maverick-celebration-tour-giveaway

Hearts in Circulation

Little Creek's bookmobile is more of a death trap on wheels than a vehicle of literary delights, and circulation librarian Haley Holt is afraid it's going to careen down a mountainside with her in it. Yet she sees it as a way to serve her community and be worthy of the liver transplant that saved her life as a child. However, her fears come true when the bookmobile breaks down and a rockslide traps her in the small hollow of Turkey Grove.

Reclusive mechanic Levi Redding lives in tiny Turkey Grove to get away from people. He can handle getting the bookmobile running again, but the endless chatter and unsettling touch from the vibrant librarian leaves him overstimulated. When forced proximity leads to a misunderstanding, a note of apology begins an epistolary friendship, proving that sometimes the happiest of endings aren't contained within the bindings of a book.

Review: 

Hayley Holt is a librarian who has been gifted a “van” to be used as a bookmobile. She and Cletus (the name she gave the van) are happily headed to a nearby town to spread book happiness when it breaks down, and she is stranded with the road to the town becoming blocked. Levi Redding is the only mechanic in town, and he is forced to come to her aid. He is like a horse with a burr under his saddle with his gruffness, grunts, and one word answers. He was so abrasive when first meeting Hayley that if I had been her I’d have ended up dissolving into a puddle of tears. But, she is made of stronger stuff than me and determines to make the best of her situation. I really loved how Hayley was able to see beyond his behavior and admire Levi’s uniqueness. He was able to see for the first time that the sensory issues he had were actually a blessing and not the thing the defined him.

Things to love:
funny ill wishes
grumpy/sunshine
dual POV
forced proximity
humor
letters
literary clues
he falls first
sisters!
overcoming fear
faith thread

I highly recommend this book. Ms. Monzon knows how to write such funny scenes, and the inner monologues that Hayley has even had me reading a couple of pages aloud to my husband. It is the second book in the Checking Out Love series, but it can be read as a standalone.

I received a copy of the book from Bethany House Fiction and NetGalley. All opinions are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.

Defending You

 

About the Book

Book: Defending You

Author: Robin Patchen

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Release Date: October 14, 2025

She stumbled onto a deadly secret. The man she once wronged is the only one who can keep her alive.

Cecilia “Cici” Wright has built a life she loves as a jewelry appraiser. But when her latest find—a priceless ruby necklace—links to decades-old murders in her hometown of Shadow Cove, Cici becomes the target of ruthless killers. Forced to flee for her life, she must rely on the man she humiliated in the most shameful moment of her life.

Asher Rhodes puts his Navy SEAL training to good use as a bodyguard for high-paying clients. Keeping his emotions locked away is the secret to his strength. But Cici Wright isn’t just a client—she’s the girl who scorned him, the last woman in the world he ever wanted to see again. Having her close churns up all the reasons he once loved her. Protecting her means facing not just the killers chasing them but the wounds she left behind.

Cici and Asher find themselves in a deadly game of cat and mouse, where trust is their only weapon and attraction their greatest vulnerability. With time running out, they must overcome their painful history and work together to defeat their enemies—before it’s too late.

Don’t miss Defending You, book 7 in Robin Patchen’s Wright Heroes of Maine series. Packed with heart-pounding suspense, sizzling romance, and unforgettable characters, you won’t be able to put this one down.

 Review:

If you like action and a heart pumping pace, you’ll want to read the story of Cici Wright trying to stay ahead of ruthless killers. But, they always seem to know where she is and she will only survive with the help of Asher Rhodes. I loved the mystery and danger that they find themselves in throughout the story. There is a mastermind behind the robbery of a valuable necklace, and you are caught up in who it is that is calling the shots.

Things to love:
danger
action
high school friends
second chances
romance
faith thread

This is the seventh book in the Wright Heroes of Maine series. While you do not need to read the previous books; I think you’d enjoy seeing the characters that appear. After all, it is the Wright family and not only siblings, but extended members too.

I highly recommend this to readers who enjoy romantic suspense. I am looking forward to what happens next!

I received a copy of the book. All opinions are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

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

More from Robin

Meet Cici Wright: The Relatable Heroine of Defending You

There’s nothing I love more than crafting a heroine who feels like a friend—someone to root for, cry with, and cheer on as she faces impossible odds. In Defending You, the seventh book in my Wright Heroes of Maine series, that heroine is Cici Wright. She’s a jewelry appraiser with a sharp eye for gems, a heart full of courage, and a quiet struggle that I think many of us can relate to: the need to prove she matters.

A Woman on a Mission

Cici Wright is the middle daughter of five girls, and if you’ve read the earlier books in the series, you know her older sisters, Alyssa and Brooklynn, have come through some difficult times—and proved themselves not just capable but heroic.

When we meet Cici in Defending You, she’s doing what she loves: traveling from city to city and gazing into some of the world’s most precious gems. But beneath her confident exterior lies a woman who feels the weight of her sisters’ accomplishments and wonders if she’ll ever measure up.

Who hasn’t felt the pressure to prove themselves—whether to family, friends, or even their own inner critic? Cici’s journey begins when she discovers a long-lost necklace tied to a decades-old crime. Her decision to protect it sets off a chain of events that thrusts her into danger, forcing her to confront not just external threats but her own insecurities.

Strength in Vulnerability

What I love most about Cici is how her strength shines through her vulnerability. She’s a woman who loves beauty, who finds joy in the sparkle of a well-cut diamond, and who’s suddenly caught in a deadly game with rules she’s never learned. Despite her lack of training, Cici manages to keep herself alive long enough to get help.

Cici’s resourcefulness proves that heroism doesn’t always come from training or experience; sometimes, it’s born from sheer determination and a refusal to give up.

Enter Asher Rhodes, the bodyguard tasked with keeping her safe. Their history—his high school crush was crushed by the most humiliating moment of his life—adds layers to their dynamic. I loved writing their reunion, which is filled with tension, a little humor, and a slow-burn romance that I hope will leave you swooning.

Cici’s not afraid to call Asher out when he’s being overbearing—which she thinks is pretty much all the time. But she learns to trust him…for the most part.

A Journey We All Understand

For Cici, the story is about more than surviving danger; it’s about discovering her own worth. She starts desperate to distinguish herself, to be seen as more than the other Wright sister. By the end, she’s learned that her value doesn’t come from outshining others but from embracing who she is—flaws, fears, and all. It’s a journey I think many of us can relate to, whether we’re chasing a career goal, navigating family expectations, or simply trying to find our place in the world.

As I wrote Cici’s story, I thought about the readers who’ve told me they see themselves in my heroines. Cici’s not perfect—she’s stubborn, a little impulsive, and sometimes lets her pride get in the way. But she’s also fiercely loyal, quick-thinking, and willing to risk everything for what’s right. She’s the kind of heroine who reminds us that courage doesn’t mean being fearless but acting despite the fear.

Join Cici’s Adventure

Defending You is a story of heart-pounding suspense, a romance that sparks amidst danger, and a heroine who discovers her own strength when it matters most. If you’ve ever felt the need to prove yourself or wondered if you’re enough, Cici Wright’s journey will resonate with you. And if you love a good mix of action, mystery, and a love story that grows through trust and second chances, I think you’ll fall for Cici and Asher as much as I did.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 30

Pens Pages & Pulses, October 30

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 31

Texas Book-aholic, November 1

The Mommies Reviews, November 1

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 2

For Him and My Family, November 3

Mary Hake, November 3

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 4

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 5

Stories By Gina, November 5

lakesidelivingsite, November 6

Blogging With Carol, November 7

Holly’s Book Corner, November 8

Book Looks by Lisa, November 9

Cover Lover Book Review, November 9

Blossoms and Blessings, November 10

Pause for Tales, November 11

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, November 12

Bizwings Blog, November 12

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Robin is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a copy of Capturing You!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/3d28b/defending-you-celebration-tour-giveaway

Danger at Darkmoor Park

 

Hidden treasure. Murder. Mystery. Romance. All while snowbound at Christmas.

While trapped by a blizzard at a remote country manor house over Christmas, a school headmistress teams up with a charismatic doctor to solve a murder and hunt for hidden treasure.

But can she trust the man who has stolen her heart?
Selena Taylor is thrilled to cohost a Christmas house party at Darkmoor Park, the beautiful Yorkshire estate she will one day inherit. But a massive snowstorm hits the area, and no one can leave. When one of the guests dies after giving Selena a cryptic clue to a cache of hidden money, she suspects that he was murdered.

Dr. Adrian Scott arrives out of the blizzard and he and Selena, fueled by a burning mutual attraction, become partners in investigating both mysteries—a thrilling hunt for hidden treasure and the search for a ruthless killer—while trapped with holiday guests who all seem to be hiding a secret.

When another guest dies and she starts receiving threatening notes, Selena realizes that she is in terrible danger, pursued by a relentless villain and involved with a man whose touch makes her heart race but who may be hiding a deadly secret of his own.

Review:

Headmistress Selene Taylor feels that her chance at love has passed her by, but she is happy to oversee the school she and her sister founded. Wanting to be with her family for the hoildays, she made the difficult decision to stay at Darkmoor Park to act as hostess for Mrs. Hillman who has invited a group of acquaintances to spend ten days with her. No mystery would be complete without something to investigate, and I was glad to be part of Selene and Adrian Scott’s discovery of clues to the murders, and a large amount of money that one of the victims had hidden somewhere on the grounds. You are sure to get caught up in this story with secret passages, catacombs, money to be found, a handsome doctor, and a murderer to catch.

Things to love:
danger
treasure hunt
hidden identity
Gothic atmosphere
red herrings
estate folly
romance

I love this third book in the Audacious Sisterhood of Smoke and Fire. It can be read as a standalone because the author does a great job of telling you a bit about each of the sisters so you feel informed. But, I loved each book and highly recommend you read this one as well as the other two mysteries.

I received an advanced copy of the book from the publisher, NetGalley, and Austen Prose. All opinions are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.

To Love a Baron

Description:

He returned from war hailed as a hero, but a stranger to himself—and to the wife he never knew he had.

Dominic Stevens, Baron Warwicke, comes home bearing the physical and emotional scars of battle. Haunted by fragmented memories and burdened by duty, he’s stunned to learn he has a wife—a woman he does not remember marrying.

Dorothea rejoices when Dominic comes to remove her from her brother’s abusive household. But the man who stands before her now is colder, harder… a shadow of the husband she once knew. Still, she is determined to reach the heart he has forgotten, believing the man she married is still there, merely buried beneath the pain.

Intent on seeking an annulment to free them both, Dominic fights his growing feelings for the gentle, resilient woman who refuses to give up on him. But when danger threatens Dorothea’s life, Dominic must confront not only his past but also the possibility that the love he thought forever lost in his life may be the very thing that saves them both.


As the third novel in the Courting the Unconventional series by author Laura Beers, To Love a Baron continues the series. This is a light-hearted, clean and wholesome romance set in the Regency era.

 Review: 

Dominic Stevens has returned from war a broken man who feels guilty about surviving, what comes to realize to his surprise is that he also has a wife. Dorothea Haverleigh nursed Dominic while on the battlefield and came to love the gentle, caring man he was. I could imagine the shock that both of them had when Dominic returns home. I loved this story of Dorothea never giving up on Dominic, even against all odds. This was such a wonderful story of overcoming past hurts, looking forward, and choosing to hold onto hope. 

Things to love: 

war hero

second chances

grumpy/sunshine

villain

courage

A favorite quote:

“Treasure what you have. Life can change in the blink of an eye.”

I highly recommend this story. It is the third book in the Courting the Unconventional series, but it can be read as a standalone. There are several characters that are a part of the story whose stories were told in the  two previous books, but you will have no trouble following the story. I definitely recommend reading the other books as well. 

 * abusive brother

I received a copy of the book. All opinions are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.

Against a Crescent Storm

Description: 

The Serbs defied the world’s most powerful ruler, and now Danilo and Maja must fight to save their people and their newly forged love before the sultan exacts his revenge.

The Balkans, 1389

Three years ago, Danilo’s people won their freedom from the hated Ottoman Empire, but with enemies on every side, the Serbs’ hard-earned peace remains fragile. Knowing the sultan will soon come for revenge, Danilo sets out to gain key allies for the coming war—and to escape the haunting grief of personal loss.

War has orphaned Maja and her brother, but they’ve moved forward from the turbulent aftermath of battle by crafting religious mosaics. Yet after being cheated and robbed, they are desperate for help. Rescue comes from Danilo, the man who once saved them from slavery to the Turks. What begins as an offer for safe escort is soon complicated by threats from a Hungarian noble who suspects them of conspiracy and from Iskandar, an Ottoman spy consumed by a vendetta against Danilo and a dangerous obsession with Maja.

As their journey grows more perilous, Danilo and Maja are drawn together by shared grief and affection. Yet upon returning home, Danilo finds that his župan, unaware of Danilo’s growing emotional entanglement with Maja, plans to use Danilo’s hand in marriage as a tool to forge a crucial alliance. Danilo is soon torn between love for Maja and loyalty to his family and people.

As tensions escalate, sabotage and vicious rumors weaken Christian unity, and hope of victory in the Balkans grows dim. Allies and enemies converge on the fields of Kosovo, where an epic battle will shape the destiny of nations for centuries to come.

Review:

Danilo seems to be there to help Maja when she needs it the most. When he finds Maja and her brother Luca, in need of assistance, Danlo takes them to the village that he calls home. I found the mosaic profession intriguing and a unique way for Maja and her brother to earn a living. I enjoyed seeing the romance develop between Danilo and Marja, and I was really rooting for them and was caught up in the scene where Maja (once again :) ) needed rescuing from their enemy. 

I appreciated the map, the glossary of terms and the list of characters that were provided at the beginning of the book for easy reference in case I needed them. Ms. Sowards also wrote a note about historical events that were based upon the story in the back of the book. Wether you are a historical fiction fan or not, you will enjoy the rich details of the story and how the characters come alive. 

Things to enjoy: 

rich details

epic battles

selfless love

danger

strong heroines

mosaic designs

plot twists

This is the third book in the Balkan Legends series. I highly recommend you read the other books before this one in order to be able to fully enjoy this story.

I received an advanced copy of the book. All opinions are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.