Thursday, November 5, 2026

Pride and Practicality

A newly appointed rector and a woman whose reputation is in ruins work together to save the orphaned children of St. Groves while fighting an attraction that could ruin his career and her restored future. An opposites-attract Regency rom-com, Pride and Practicality will delight fans of Eloisa James and Julia Quinn looking for a low-spice alternative.

Thomas Bridges, the new rector of St. Groves, has a simple plan: gain the support of local wealthy parishioners to finance a boarding school for the orphans of St. Groves. With his stellar reputation and good heart, everything seems to be working well, even if he has to avoid his mother's matchmaking with the eligible ladies of the town. But his plans are rerouted when the "lost" sister of Lord Ravenscross returns and she happens to be the same woman in which he shared a secret and unexpected kiss eight months before.

Arianna Reeves has returned home a secret heiress, trying to redeem her past. With money to spare, a desire to earn back the favor of those she loves, and a hope of being useful she not only puts herself in harm's way to help the children of St. Groves but creates an "anonymous benefactress" to support Thomas Bridges' plan. However, their mutual attraction threatens to not only defrock Thomas but also ruin all their best-laid plans for the children.

When a man from Arianna's past comes to St. Groves with a plan to expose Thomas and Arianna's secret, their characters and hearts are tested. Could the truth about one unexpected kiss ruin their futures? After all . . . it was just a kiss, right?

My Review:

Letting go of your pride and restoring your faith in people and God was a monumental task that Arianna had to face in this lovely Regency story. Ms. Basham weaves humor and serious topics together seamlessly to keep you engaged throughout the story. I loved Curator Thomas Bridges in Sense and Sensibility, so it was a treat to see him as the main character and see him find his HEA. His wisdom and example of loving people regardless of their past mistakes makes him one of favorite book heroes.

The Reeves siblings and Jasper are my favorite secondary characters. Fia has found a “pet” that is just as rambunctious as she is, and I loved that there are several battles over ribbons. Wil and Simon are great brothers, and Lottie and Arianna are sure to have some heart-to-heart discussions in the future.

Tropes and Tidbits:

meet cute

forbidden love

orphans

faith of characters

Hope Haven School

overcoming guilt

The faith element was well done and many things that were said resonated with me. I highly recommend this clean Regency romance but would read the first one in the series since Arianna’s family is a large part of this story.

I received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson, UpLit, JustRead, and NetGalley. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Monday, November 2, 2026

A Merry Little Christmas Pact

One small-town Christmas, One outrageous marriage pact, and One very inconvenient spark.

Gabby Fiore has one Christmas wish: a quiet, perfectly predictable holiday. Nowhere in those plans does she mistake a suspicious stranger for a threat to one of her students—and she absolutely does not intend to body-check a famous movie star. But in the course of one afternoon, her hopes for a calm December go up in festive smoke.

Kale Ward came to Bearwood for one reason: to lie low while reconnecting with his estranged family. The last thing the action hero needs is attention, especially from his cousin’s best friend—the fierce, beautiful teacher who accused him of being a kidnapper. But when a stalker starts sending Gabby unsettling gifts, his ex-military instincts kick in. A simple offer to play bodyguard quickly turns into a full-blown holiday pact: pose as her devoted husband until the threat disappears.

Between festive family gatherings, small-town Christmas magic, and one far-too-convincing kiss, playing pretend starts to feel very real. And the closer Gabby and Kale get, the harder it becomes to guard their hearts from the one thing they never planned for: falling for each other.

My Review:

Kole and Gabby’s meet cute had me laughing as she totally misinterprets what is happening and tries to tackle this mountain of a man. The humor doesn’t stop there with Kole’s Aunt Shari giving him strange things to do, and Gabby’s mom having to go to the ER. I loved the small town, Gabby teaching music, and the supportive friend group that any girl would love to have. If you are looking for a light hearted, clean romance this holiday season, A Merry Little Christmas Pact fits the bill. Tropes and Tidbits: ex- military/ bodyguard forced proximity fake marriage lumberjack disguise duplex mismatched socks debacle cat reels I was gifted a copy and not required to write a positive review.

Friday, October 30, 2026

Not So Very Sensible

About the Book

Book: Not So Very Sensible (The Silver Teapot Series Book 3)

Author: Carolyn Miller

Genre: Christian Romance

Release Date: October, 2026

Two Sisters Navigate the Minefield of Modern Dating

Elinor and Katie Bennett are as opposite as sisters can be: Elinor loves structure, planning and design, while Katie’s head is in the clouds as she chases fanciful, romantic dreams. A college graduation trip to the Blue Mountains sees them staying at the Hydro Grand hotel for a murder mystery weekend. There, they end up meeting two men who just might hold the keys to their hearts—taking the sensible Elinor Bennett by surprise while crushing the romantic Katie’s hopes. . .and proving that the path of love doesn’t always follow one’s plans or dreams.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Carolyn Miller is an inspirational Regency and contemporary romance author who lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. Together with her husband, she has pastored a church for ten years and worked as a public high school English and Learning and Support teacher.

A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s Regency era, Carolyn holds a BA in English Literature and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives.

More from Carolyn

Do you have a favourite ‘classic’ book?

Many people claim Anne of Green Gables or Pride and Prejudice to be among their favourites. And while I love both of these books I chose a different one of Jane Austen’s works to be the focus of my new book Not So Very Sensible.

Jane Austen fans will recognise the link to Sense and Sensibility, a tale of two sisters and their challenges with finding real love. And while in Not So Very Sensible we have two sisters who are the focus of this story, they have two older sisters as well who have been the focus of the other books in The Silver Teapot series, Not Exactly Mr Darcy and Not Precisely Mr. Knightley.

In Not So Very Sensible it was fun to look at the dynamics between Ellie (the sensible sister) and Katie (the more ‘sensitive’ one inclined to passion and emotion). I have a younger sister, and our relationship is pretty good, but some sisterly relationships aren’t always easy. Ellie often feels like she has to look after her younger sibling who is far more prone to following her heart and wearing her emotions on her sleeve—while Ellie can’t think of anything worse. Ellie and Katie love each other, but their challenges to be honest with each other provide one of the fascinating strands of tension in this book.

One of the things my sister and I love to do is to visit historic homes, which is a lot easier for her because she lives in England. Here in my corner of Australia we have some heritage places, and it was really fun to set this book in an iconic heritage hotel in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales. This hotel (which had its name changed for the purpose of my story) has hosted famous people like Arthur Conan Doyle, so it was wonderful to include lots of the hotel’s details in my story’s setting.

My husband and I visited the hotel last year and enjoyed a special high tea to celebrate our wedding anniversary, and a picture of us there became the inspiration for the cover of Not So Very Sensible. I took lots of other pictures (which you can see on my website) so I hope readers enjoy the lengths I go to for the sake of research!

If you enjoy books with heart, hope and humour then I hope you’ll enjoy reading Not So Very Sensible – happy reading awaits!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 30

Book Looks by Lisa, October 30

She Lives to Read, October 31

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 1

Texas Book-aholic, November 2

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 3

Leslie’s Library Escape, November 3

For Him and My Family, November 4

Lyssa Loves Books, November 5

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 6

Pause for Tales, November 6

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 7

Sylvan Reads, November 8

Blossoms and Blessings, November 9

Holly’s Book Corner, November 10

Cover Lover Book Review, November 11

Melissa’s Bookshelf, November 11

Wishful Endings, November 12

Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 12

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Carolyn is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon e-Gift card and a 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://gleam.io/cLby4/not-so-very-sensible-celebration-tour-giveaway

Friday, October 23, 2026

Crestwood Ranger

Crestwood JustRead Blog Cover Reveal Tour

Welcome to the Cover Reveal Blitz for Crestwood Ranger by Jessica Ashley, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Christian Romantic Suspense is one of my favorite genres. Check out this book that will be published February 22, 2027.

About the Book

Title: Crestwood Ranger

Series: Ridge Defenders #1

Author: Jessica Ashley

Publisher: B.A.D. Publishing, LLC (self)

Release Date: February 22, 2027

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

A wounded Ranger. A mother on the run. One cabin, and nowhere left to hide. Norah has run as far as she can. With an abusive ex-husband hunting her, and a blizzard swallowing the mountain, she carries her five-year-old son toward the only light for miles. But the man who opens the door just wants to be left alone. Former Army Ranger Theo Dancer lost his unit to betrayal and has spent every day since refusing to forgive himself for surviving. Determined to die alone in the mountains like he should have in that desert, he lives completely secluded from everyone. And then she shows up. Battered, broken, and carrying a little boy with bright eyes and a heart full of hope. The last thing Theo wants is a complication. But when it becomes clear that Norah isn’t just running from a storm, he jumps back into the fight. Keeping her alive means trusting her. But trusting anyone means opening a door he nailed shut the day he lost his brothers.

Ready to see the cover?

About the Author

GRITTY READS FULL OF GRACE.

Jessica Ashley is a three-time award winning author of faith-filled stories where swoony romance meets edge-of-your-seat suspense. Her stories serve as a reminder that even in the darkest moments, God's love shines through with hope, healing, and redemption. When she's not writing, she's homeschooling her three kids, baking homemade bread, or sneaking in quiet moments with her husband in their New Hampshire home. You can find out more about her on her website.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $20 gift card to the author's website shop and a signed copy of SEAL of Courage!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 23, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 30, 2026. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

The Heart's Most Wanted

US Marshal Morgan Sawyer rides into the treacherous Rocky Mountains on a mission to find fellow Marshal Tex, who vanished while they were escorting a dangerous prisoner. But ranchwoman Roz Beck insists on riding beside him, despite Morgan’s protests. Joined by newlyweds Owen and Delaney, and Roz’s young son, they push deep into the wilderness.

Widowed Roz was wounded in love when her now-deceased husband abandoned her, leaving her alone to raise a child. While her heart longs for love, for her son’s sake, she’ll settle for a man she trusts like Morgan, her childhood friend. When a shadowy figure begins prowling the search party’s camp at night, the group realizes that something more than the wilderness poses a threat to their quest of bringing Tex to safety. Will the looming danger strengthen Morgan and Roz’s growing feelings and faith in each other, or will it be their breaking point?

Review

US Marshal Tex Mitchel and Stella Duncan find themselves in a dangerous situation as Tex is badly injured in the mountainous terrain. There were times that I found myself wincing in pain with what Tex had to endure. I was really hoping that help would arrive in a timely manner for them as they have to battle the elements and injuries. US Marshal Morgan Sawyer, Roz Sutcliff are trying to locate Tex and Stella. They have the added responsibility of other people blog along with them, including Roz’s young son. I enjoyed the wilderness aspect, but I particularly found myself caught up in the part where there is a stalker known as the Ghost who is a bit crazed and is tracking Morgan and Roz. There are some tense moments that bring suspense to the story. This is the second book in the Rocky Mountain Marshals, and there will be a third book that is a continuation of the story. I recommend you read the first book in order to have a clear picture of what has happened previously. I received a copy of the book from Just Read Tours with no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

The Stand-In

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Stand-In by Kit Hawthorne, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

I loved this story of secrets and redemption. I am sure you will love it too.

About the Book

Title: The Stand-In
Author: Kit Hawthorne
Publisher: Highsmith Books
Release Date: October 13, 2026

Genre: Contemporary Romance

He reinvented himself. Now the truth could cost him everything.

For years, Halverson Ramsay Ford cultivated a reputation for brilliance and reckless arrogance. But after a devastating accident leaves him with a permanent limp, the notorious biotech genius disappears from public view…and emerges as a very different man.

Intelligent, sensitive, and scarred by a past betrayal, librarian Tamryn Page has no interest in falling for a charming billionaire—especially one with Hal’s history. Yet the man she comes to know is thoughtful, vulnerable, and kind, with a love of history and literature to match her own.

But the relationship is built on a lie. And when the truth comes to light, it threatens to destroy not only the future of Hal’s company, but the trust of the only woman who has ever truly seen him.

My Review:

Halverson Ramsay Ford (HRF) is a brilliant, arrogant scientist who is a self-made billionaire, but cares little for people. When he has a terrible accident, his cousin is recruited to help him. Will what they have devised work or will it backfire and fail?

I loved how Hal helped Tamryn out of her depression and find joy once again. I also liked that Hal took a situation where he could have really taken advantage of the circumstances and found a way to make life better for others.

I really enjoyed the story and recommend reading it if you like clean romance with a bit of suspense and a message of hope.

I received a copy of the book from Just Read Tours. I was not expected to give a positive review. All views expressed are my honest opinion.

About the Author

A lifelong resident of the American South, Kit Hawthorne lives on a Texas farm that’s been in her husband’s family for two centuries.

She used to play in a Celtic folk band, and the only sport she understands is Highland games.

Connect with Kit by visiting kithawthorne.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a copy of The Stand-In and a $30 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below.

The giveaway begins at midnight October 19, 2026

and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 26, 2026.

Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and

given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize.

US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

Sunday, October 18, 2026

Dockside Secrets

About the Book

Book: Dockside Secrets

Author: Terry Overton

Genre: Christian Cozy Mystery

Release Date: October 17, 2025

When Finley Burke moves to the peaceful lakeside village of Sunset Cove, she’s looking for a fresh start-not a mystery. But when a violent storm washes a strange tackle box onto her dock, she discovers more than fishing lures inside. Hidden within are antique jewels and secrets that link to a long-buried family feud and a suspicious death. As Finley digs deeper, she finds herself tangled in a web of

lies that threaten the calm of the cove- and her own safety.

With the help of her quirky but loyal neighbors, a sharp-eyed detective, Finley must uncover the truth before the past catches up to her.

Full of Southern charm, close-knit friendships, and suspense that keeps you turning the pages. Dockside Secrets is a heartwarming cozy mystery that proves it’s never too late to start over or to solve a mystery.

Review:

Finley Burke thinks she has found a small quiet town to retire to, but he areas stumbles upon a mysterious tackle box that gets tangled up with her house’s dock. She quickly finds a group of friends who help her investigate and solve the mystery.

I loved the retirees and the way their knowledge and skills were employed for the mystery. I look forward to reading more mysteries with Finley and her new found friends.

I received a copy of the book through Celebrate Lit with no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Terry Overton is a retired university professor of educational and school psychology. She has an Ed.D. in Special Education and a Ph.D. in Psychology.

Her professional experience includes teaching public school, teaching at the university level, and being a college dean.

She has two children, seven grandchildren, and one great granddaughter.

Her previous writing and publication experiences include textbook and journal articles in the fields of special education and school psychology. She now seeks to answer God’s call to share the good news and grow the church by writing Christian books and devotionals.

Over the years, Terry’s books have won the Mom’s Choice Award, Christian Indie Award, Firebird Book Awards, American Writing Winner Awards, Bookfest Winner Awards, Pencraft Award, Reader Views Silver Reviewers Award, and International Book Award Finalist. Her writing examines real world events with a Christian worldview. She enjoys writing for young children, middle grade readers, YA fiction, and adult level novels.

More from Terry

I must admit I have probably watched and read just about every Hallmark cozy mystery I have come across! I have become addicted to mysteries lately! I don’t limit it to just the cozy mysteries. Lately, I have been watching plenty of true crime. The attraction for me is the puzzle. I mean, really, who can resist a “whodunit?” I prefer more of the gumshoe approach, but I also watch several crime scene investigations.

It started out with a curiosity about why people do such actions. What motivates people to commit these crimes and then try to cover them up? In many cases, criminals just aren’t that bright. But there are some cases that remain puzzling.

I decided to give it a go. Dockside Secrets is my first cozy. It was fun to write this mystery in the little community outside of a big city. We moved to this new little cove on a lake, Sunset Cove, and this is where the characters live. The large city in the book, Sagebrush Bend, is in reality, Fort Worth, Texas. Plenty of changing landscapes here, and these appear in the story.

Grab this cozy and meet the quirky cast of characters: a retired forensic psychologist, a very proper southern lady, a nutty and loud best friend, and a middle-of-the-road peacekeeper join a fumbling local sheriff and a handsome detective to discover what really happened at Sunset Cove.