Monday, December 8, 2025

Deck the Hills




A grumpy pro snowboarder. A sunshiny mountain man. One peppermint-fueled charity event that delivers more than either bargained for…


Pro snowboarder Aspen Sterling doesn’t do jingle bells, gingerbread, or glittery holiday galas—but she needs to keep her sponsorship. Fresh off a brutal ACL injury, she heads to Mynt’s holiday resort determined to prove she’s back and at her best. What she didn’t expect was her neighbor Cole Rivers—a flannel-wearing, cocoa-making, holiday-obsessed mountain guide who makes joy look effortless. He’s exactly the kind of distraction that she can’t afford—yet can’t seem to avoid.

Cole loves his town, his job, and everything about the Christmas season. Which is why he’s determined to remind a certain snowboarder that this time of year still means something. Surrounded by twinkling lights and peppermint-scented chaos, Cole helps Aspen rediscover what joy really feels like—and perhaps what it means to fall for someone who sees through the tough-girl armor she’s worn for far too long.

Just as Aspen’s Christmas spirit begins to rekindle, a ghost from her past threatens to unravel it all. Now she must decide whether to keep her heart guarded or take a leap of faith with the one person who's slowly reminding her what Christmas magic truly feels like.

Because sometimes the bravest thing you can do is fall… right into love

Review: 

I loved this sweet romance of Cole helping Aspen to find herself and her worth once again. Cole was the best kind of man to find ways for Aspen to  experience the joy that had eluded her. I especially loved the ending; it was perfect! 


Things to love: 

dual POV

nicknames 

snowy evenings

hot cocoa


This is a part of the Peppermint Playbook series that is about professional sports players from a variety of different athletic pursuits. This is  standalone book and one you can curl up with and enjoy the cozy read. 


I received a copy of the book but was not obligated to write a positive review.

Monday, December 1, 2025

The Red Cottage

 

About the Book

Book: The Red Cottage

Author: Hannah Linder

Genre: Christian Fiction / Historical / Regency Romance

Release Date: November, 2025

She forgot she loved him.
He would die to make her remember.

Meg Foxcroft has never minded the tattling village gossip or her uncle’s ill-tempered rebukes. After all, she has Tom McGwen—and one day, they will build their own cottage, paint it red, and live a wonderful life.

But then the unthinkable happens. Meg is attacked, her uncle’s apothecary shop goes up in flames, and when she wakes up in the arms of an eloquent lord, she remembers nothing. Not even her own name.

In a frantic race against time, Tom plunges into dangerous water, bent on sheltering Meg from harm and discovering who wants her dead. Even if she despises him. Even if it’s now the handsome lord she casts her smile upon.

As danger swells and truth comes crashing around them, Meg must confront the past and decide who she trusts—and loves—before the enemy makes the final strike.

 Review: 

Meg and Tom have planned to marry, but all that changes in one evening. Meg is severely beaten and has a serious case of amnesia, not even remembering Tom. His patience and determination in helping her remember things about her life and their love was such a sweet part of the story.


I loved this story with its plot twists and mystery. I was very surprised who was trying to kill Meg. The ending was terrific, seeing that love is choosing to be there for someone even when it is seems virtually impossible to overcome difficult circumstances.


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


Click here to get your copy!

 About the Author

Hannah Linder resides in the beautiful mountains of central West Virginia. Represented by Books & Such, she writes Regency romantic suspense novels filled with passion, secrets, and danger. She is a four-time Selah Award winner, a 2023 Carol Award semi-finalist, a 2023 Angel Book Award third place winner, and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). Also, Hannah is an international and multi-award-winning graphic designer who specializes in professional book cover design. She designs for both traditional publishing houses and individual authors, including New York TimesUSA Today, and international bestsellers. She is also a self-portrait photographer of historical fashion. When Hannah is not writing, she enjoys playing her instruments—piano, guitar, ukulele, and banjolele—songwriting, painting still life, walking in the rain, square dancing, and sitting on the front porch of her 1800s farmhouse.

More from Hannah

We’re made for someone. I think I’ve always believed this—that it was never about proximity, or happenchance, or who you know, or where you are.

But that God, in His infinite wisdom, created a second half for each of us.

Someone who fits in the curve of your neck when you hug.

Who laughs at the things you laugh at.

Who speaks to you in a language your soul understands.

I think that’s why I love The Red Cottage so much. Circumstances would have never mattered with Tom and Meg. They loved each other. They were linked. And even if everything had been different, if they had been born hundreds of years before, they would have found their way back to each other.

If the age was ancient Egypt, and he had been a Pharaoh, and she a slave, they would have discovered each other.

If the year was 1920, and he a factory worker, and she the daughter of an oil tycoon, they would have defied the rules of society.

In any other place, in any other time, in any other way, Tom would have loved Meg. And Meg would have loved Tom. That is the beauty and the mind-blowing magic of real love.

So, when you fall into the pages of The Red Cottage, I hope you aren’t so foolish as to imagine this was an accident. That Tom said the right things, or that Meg felt vulnerable in just the right places, and that their bond—both the first and second time—was a mere hapless stroke of luck.

They would have loved each other anyway.

We’re all made for someone.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 21

Devoted Steps, November 21

Sydney Schmied Books, November 21

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 22

Sylvan Musings, November 22

Texas Book-aholic, November 23

Min Reads and Reviews, November 23

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 24

Books You Can Feel Good About, November 24

Lily’s Corner, November 25

She Lives to Read, November 25

Melissa’s Bookshelf, November 26

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 26

For Him and My Family, November 27

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 27

Stories By Gina, November 28 (Author Interview)

Mrs. Ryan Moser’s Book and Movie Reviews , November 28

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, November 29

Cover Lover Book Review, November 29

Life on Chickadee Lane, November 30

The Mommies Reviews, November 30

Betti Mace, December 1

Book Looks by Lisa, December 1

Bizwings Blog, December 2

Mary Hake, December 2

Holly’s Book Corner, December 3

Jeanette’s Thoughts, December 3

Pause for Tales, December 4

To Everything There Is A Season, December 4

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, December 4

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Hannah is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon e-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.

https://promosimple.com/ps/3dd06/the-red-cottage-celebration-tour-giveaway


Sunday, November 23, 2025

Not Exactly Mr. Darcy




Pride, Pemberley, and Second Chances

When history-loving Olivia Bennett’s teaching contract isn’t renewed, she is considered her family’s logical choice to care for her ailing grandmother in a tiny English village. While there, she soon finds additional work at nearby Hartbury Hall—one of England’s great houses once used as Pemberley in a filmed production of Pride and Prejudice. The head gardener there, however, proves to be anything but the gentlemanly hero of that famous book. Little does she know that behind Liam Browne’s brusque exterior is both a family tragedy and a legacy that demands truth and honor, creating a crisis that only Liv’s vivacious determination can resolve. Along the way, she may just learn that appearances count for naught. . . and that love can be found in unexpected ways.


Review: 

History teacher Olivia Bennett’s life seems to have taken a different turn when she doesn’t receive a permanent teaching assignment. Now currently unemployed, Olivia goes to England to help her grandmother recover from surgery. She has a penchant for Pride and Prejudice, so what could be better than living near Hartbury Hall, the estate where her favorite movie was made? Imagine Olivia’s surprise when she drives up to the manor and things are not as well taken care of as she thought they would be. The iconic fountain is not in use and only one very grumpy gardener, Liam Browne, is on the premises.

Liam has a lot of responsibilities in keeping the estate running. Overwhelmed and trying to isolate himself from gossip and more pain, Liam is barely able to keep the estate running at a minimum. Having Olivia come to Hartbury Hall and breathe some life into not only it, but also Liam’s life was so gratifying to see.

Ms.Miller did a terrific job of incorporating names of beloved Austen characters. I loved seeing the estate come back to life under Olivia’s enthusiastic direction. With vivid details of the restoration of the estate, I could just see myself there helping to clean and paint, and get the chance to work in the gift shop.

Themes and things to love:
Olivia’s grandmother
villagers
opposites attract
forced proximity
secrets
clean romance
faith thread
restoration

I highly recommend reading this book to readers of all ages. I am looking forward to reading more books in the series. I received a copy of the book through the publisher and NetGalley. All opinions are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.

Thursday, November 20, 2025

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

Wednesday, November 12, 2025

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.

Saturday, November 8, 2025

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

Deck the Hills

A grumpy pro snowboarder. A sunshiny mountain man. One peppermint-fueled charity event that delivers more than either bargained for… Pro sno...