Perplexity

About the Book

Book: Perplexity (The Sceptre & the Stylus Book Two)

Author: Chawna Schroeder

Genre: YA Fantasy

Release Date: April 7, 2026

Assemble the clues, dismantle the danger.

Yosarai Patican never wanted to finish her schooling in the Indeli capital, but after several months, she is finally finding her footing . . . until her world is shattered by the unthinkable. Facing loss after loss, she struggles to adjust to a new position and new responsibilities, including the repayment of a massive debt. A debt more easily managed if she can qualify for the elite politico sphere on the upcoming placement exam. Some, however, would do anything to prevent Yosarai from earning one of the coveted positions.

Meanwhile, in the northern realm of Egdon, Crown Prince Xander faces an increasingly hostile Parliament. Not only are they questioning the necessity of the monarchy, but they are also demanding an accounting of some mysterious expenditures by the former king. Unless Xander can unearth a reasonable explanation, his coronation may be more than postponed. It may be cancelled―permanently.

As old rivalries escalate and hidden threats emerge, both Xander and Yosi must choose their paths wisely, before evil eliminates everyone in its way.

 Review: 

In this book you are entering a world of political intrigue, mystery, and puzzles as Xander and Yosi must each battle things that are bigger than them that are at work. I enjoyed the faith component in the story and Xander and Yosi depending upon the Creator for help and wisdom.

I loved the cover for its beautiful patterns. It drew me ion and complimented the story. 

This is the second book in the trilogy, and I needed to read the first book to understand fully what was going on in the story. I would advise you to read Illuminary before reading this story.

I received this book through Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own. 

Click here to get your copy!

 About the Author

Chawna Schroeder loves exploring the wonder of God through the intersection of imagination and faith. When she isn’t reading or writing, she may be found practicing piano, reading biblical Greek or Hebrew, preparing for the Bible study she teaches, or working on one of her handwork projects while enjoying a movie.

 

 

 

More from Chawna

Cracking the Cover Code

“Don’t judge a book by its cover.” We’ve all heard it. We’ve all said it.

We’ve all done it.

We try not to, but the reality is that a book’s cover does influence us. Things pleasing to the eye attract us. Our interest is piqued by the mysterious. Color palettes and designs offer clues about the type of story within. Whether we’re buying online, browsing a bookstore, or selecting our next read from our shelves, the cover often sways our decision.

Thus, covers are designed to draw the interest of those who would most enjoy the story, and Perplexity is no different. So, is this novel for you? Perhaps taking a closer look at cover’s design will answer the question.

The first thing you might notice about Perplexity’s cover is it colors, especially if you’re familiar with Illuminary, which is book one in this series. Whereas Illuminary was bold and vibrant to reflect its India-inspired culture, Perplexity obviously has a much cooler and muted color palette. This reflects the wintry season of this story, both physically and emotionally. The snowflake motif emphasizes this.

This should tell you immediately that if you’re wishing for an upbeat comedy, this isn’t it. You probably need to find a much different cover (and book) than this one. But if you’re looking for a thoughtful read, dealing with slightly heavier topics, Perplexity might be worth a second look.

Now alongside the snowflakes, you might notice a bunch of gears. Those reveal inventions and technology are important to the setting of Perplexity. Gears are also a popular cover motif for books in the steampunk genre. Their subtle use in the design therefore implies a light steampunk element—a world with a Victorian vibe and steam-powered technology.

So are you not a fan of the Victorian era? Do you prefer to read about the real, contemporary world? Perplexity probably shouldn’t be your next read. But if you’re a fan of Jules Verne or fiction that mixes the fantastical with the historical, Perplexity might be your cup of tea.

The third major element of the cover are the odd objects tucked throughout the art work, like a hidden-object picture: An automobile, a pocket watch, a beaded bracelet, an envelope, a carousel horse, a crow, a key. Seven items, which seem completely random and unrelated. Yet they were carefully selected for the cover from a myriad of objects. What does it all mean? Ah, that is the hint of the puzzles the characters must unravel and the mysteries they must solve.

Not a puzzle fan? Hate trying to solve riddles? Then it’s time for you to search elsewhere for a book. But if you love escape rooms, National Treasure, and Amazing Race, your brain might just love unlocking all Perplexity has to offer.

So there. We’ve cracked the code of Perplexity’s cover, a code that tells us of a thoughtful story with a light Victorian/steampunk vibe and puzzles galore. Now it’s time for you decide: Does that sound like a story worth cracking into?

Blog Stops

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, April 21

For the Love of Literature, April 22 (Spotlight)

Book Looks by Lisa, April 22

The Bookish Ledger, April 23 (Spotlight)

Simple Harvest Reads, April 24 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 25 (Spotlight)

Artistic Nobody, April 26 (Author Interview)

Blossoms and Blessings, April 27 (Spotlight)

Guild Master, April 28 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, April 29

Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 30

Fiction Book Lover, May 1 (Author Interview)

Wishful Endings, May 1

Stories By Gina, May 2 (Spotlight)

Vicky Sluiter, May 3 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, May 4

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Chawna is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and hardcover 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/zK7oW/perplexity-celebration-tour-giveaway

Windvale

Sir Henry Ainsley is drowning. Years of debt have piled up, and the only thing keeping him afloat is the need to see his sister secure in marriage. When an unexpected lifeline appears to absolve his debts in return for information on a missing merchant ship, he jumps at the chance—though he thought he’d left such dangerous work behind him. The catch is it comes with attending a house party on the Channel Islands, hosted by Mrs. Alice Seymour. But what’s one more gamble, if it could see his sister safely married before his crumbling facade is revealed?

Alice Seymour has no interest in love. Widowed and painfully reserved, she hosts her yearly matchmaking parties more out of duty than delight; it is far easier to help others find their happily ever after. Yet when the inscrutable Sir Henry arrives, his charm and quiet kindness begin to stir feelings she had long believed were too fanciful to be real. But as secrets from his past surface—and pieces of her own begin to fall into place—she is not certain she wishes to open her heart.

But the truth behind the missing ship might be more dangerous than Henry believed, and the possibility of failure threatens to destroy his future and the fragile trust growing between him and his hostess. As the island’s shadowy dealings come to light, Henry’s options grow limited, and Alice must choose between the comfort of the life she knows... or risk everything for the one man who truly sees her.

Review: 

Spies, matchmaking, smuggling, and a love that develops over time between Alice and Sir Henry makes this a terrific story to be invested in their romance.Henry has the best kinds of friends. They never give up on him or trying to help him. Everyone needs people like that in their lives! I love that there are several suspects throughout the story as to who is the arch villain, and there are some surprises that kept me engaged until the very end. 

Things to love: 

beach scene

danger

mystery

Channel Islands

house party

redemption

I highly recommend reading this book that is the fifth book in the Regency Love Stories series. It can be read as a standalone, but I am sure you will want to read the other books too. 

I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions are my own.

Frost and Flame

He’s handsome and broody—the kind of quiet that makes you wonder what’s going on under the surface.

I’m the new rookie at the station—and the only woman firefighter in the history of Waterford Fire. Translation: every move I make is being measured, and quietly evaluated. No pressure. Not to mention the pranks these guys pull.

The only thing on my mind besides proving myself at work is a daughter who thinks baseball is a personality trait. Oh! And, my mom just decided she’s moving in with us.

Romance is not on the schedule. Neither are complications.

Am I distracted by Greyson’s quiet competence or the way he shows up when it matters? Nope.

I’m definitely not intrigued by the hints of softness beneath that military-grade self-control. And I am absolutely not interested in a man who keeps his past locked up tighter than a firehouse locker.

I have enough mysteries in my life. I don’t need one with broad shoulders, a turnout coat, and perceptive eyes that seem to look straight into my soul.

We both have baggage. Mine comes with a lunchbox and a bedtime routine.

But I’ve got a plan: keep my head down, do my job, protect my heart.

Check, check and … well, two out of three’s not bad.

Review:

I have been waiting for Greyson’s story to be told. Is it because he is somber, says little, and there is a bit of a mystery to him? That would be a resounding yes, so it was great to see him get his HEA. The way that Hallie is part of his life was quite a surprise and was a great twist to their story

Things to love:

grumpy /sunshine workplace romance Germany hot cocoa small town secret identity extended families baseball mom/coach knock knock jokes stale vs. fresh bread bit by bit Waterford residents I love that Greyson is a loving, caring, and humble man who is there for those he cares about. This is one story that you can really get behind the characters and root for them. I love the people that are a part of Waterford, TN. and this band of firefighters who are there for one another as they serve their community. “Love is risk.” I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions are my own.

Cerulean Rose

 

About the Book

Book: Cerulean Rose

Author: Demi Griffin

Genre: Romantasy/Fairy Tale Retelling

Release Date: January 20, 2026

Hidden in a tiny cottage away from the ordinary existence of Cerulean’s citizens, Aural lived a simple life with her father in Sabean Woods. When he is struck by a serious illness, that ordinary life suddenly became extraordinary.

In search of a physician, Aural breaks her promise never to leave the woods. When her path crosses with a Mystic, the manipulative Duchess, and the Prince of Cerulean, Aural realizes something beyond her simple quest to help her dying father has mapped out her journey.

An ancient legend about a brotherly rivalry that resulted in tragedy stirs up the Fates guarding Cerulean. If the Cerulean Rose doesn’t bloom again, the kingdom is destined to perish.

A wild path filled with romance, mystery, and intrigue shapes Aural’s heart in ways she could not have imagined as she gets sucked into the legend. Would it be enough to restore the foundation of true love that established the kingdom of Cerulean hundreds of years ago? Could a simple girl satisfy the Fates, capture a prince’s heart, overcome a king’s prejudice, and save Cerulean’s Rose?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 Review: 

Aural has lived the majority of her life with her father in a secluded woods. When circumstances cause her to leave their cottage, things are set into motion that will change the course of history. Prince Langlee “Lee” wants to be a different kind of ruler than his father. He wants to find his true love and rule for the good of his kingdom. Together, Aural and Lee have the potential of forging a relationship that legends have foretold. 

I enjoyed the different aspects of well known fairy tales that are incorporated into the story. There are villains, secrets, and, of course,  true love. Aural became a selfless and courageous young woman who can see well beyond herself and is willing to make sacrifices for Lee and his kingdom. I liked Lee’s faithful friend and companion, Enris. He is just the kind of man that Lee needed in his life.

The first book in The Fates Trilogy. I am certain that the other two books will be interesting! If you are a fan of clean romantasy, fairy tales, or folklore, look into adding this to your TBR. 

I received this book from Celebrate Lit. I was not obligated to write a positive review.

About the Author

Demi (also D.M. Griffin) Griffin is the author of several novels and has won multiple literary awards. Her novels in The Encounter Series won various Independent Author awards in the category of Religious Fiction.

She writes Christian Fantasy, Biblical, and Historical Fiction. She currently resides in Northern California with her husband of over thirty years. She truly believes that a book that sits on a shelf unread is like a planted seed that never blossoms. Nothing delights her more than sharing a story.

 

More from D.M.

The inspiration behind The Fates Trilogy came after I spent a few years crafting an epic fantasy series called The Illumination Chronicles. I wanted to write something light-hearted and less involved. What began as a simple idea for a single story quickly escalated into a trilogy—all because of the final scene in the first book. Though it isn’t a cliffhanger, my author’s mind grabbed onto the possibilities, and the second book invaded my dreams at night. Then the third. The combination of romance and fantasy was too much fun to stop at writing one book.

The royalty element is what I enjoy most about the stories in this series. Exploring the complicated relationships between fathers and sons, and the unspoken bond of brotherhood, added depth to the otherwise light-hearted stories. In this trilogy, the Christian influence is less pronounced than in my other novels, but the overarching themes of unity and sacrifice reach their peak in the final book.

The characters in The Fates Trilogy struggle with issues that echo Christian values. Some of the issues include the sting of prejudice, the challenge of forgiveness, and the ache of feeling forsaken. Each book dives deeper into those ideas until they culminate in the epic climax in the last story.

However, my main goal in the first book was to ensure that the narrative centered on the theme of love. Fairy tales swirled in my mind during my childhood, weaving vibrant worlds in my imagination. Cinderella was one of my favorite fairy tales, so it comes as no surprise that those vibes worked their way into this story. Yet, putting my own spin on it, I added depth, intrigue, and instead of glass slippers… a blue rose.

While the vibes of that classic story have found their way into Cerulean Rose, it pulses with its own heartbeat. The faint imprint of a quest for true love feels familiar … but there is so… much…. more.

Blog Stops

Book Looks by Lisa, April 10

Simple Harvest Reads, April 11 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, April 11

Lily’s Corner, April 12

Artistic Nobody, April 13 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 14

Guild Master, April 15 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, April 16

Fiction Book Lover, April 17 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, April 18

For the Love of Literature, April 19 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, April 19

Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 20 (Author Interview)

Leslie’s Library Escape, April 21

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 22

Blossoms and Blessings, April 23 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Demi is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon 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/s3FDM/cerulean-rose-celebration-tour-giveaway

Claire Holloway is Winging It

Romance takes to the skies, but will turbulence make it tumble?

When Claire Holloway's dream of becoming a ballerina plummets into the realm of unachievable, she's left with her boyfriend as her only support . . . until she decides to become a flight attendant for the free travel. She moves of state and into a crash pad with a gaggle of other flight attendants, and her fear of losing Wyatt skyrockets.

First Officer Nathan Stuart has been a bit cynical since he and his fiancée broke up, but when he meets a somewhat frazzled Claire on her first day in the Seattle airport, they quickly hit it off. When they end up on the same crew, he takes Claire under his wing and they form a friendly bond.

Wyatt's once-supportive attitude sours into resentment and makes Claire wonder if her newfound joy is the right flight plan. Pulled between two men and balancing her new career, she must learn to listen for God's direction and follow it closelymdashjust like her crew obeys air traffic control. 

Review:

4.5 What did you want to be when you grew up? Being flight attendant was one of my top five choices. So, it was fun to join Claire as a new crew member of the airline industry and experience some of the passengers, drink cart mishaps, and the different personalities of her housemates at her base in Seattle. 

This story had so much more to it than just romance and comedy. There is a message that you are enough; you do not need another person to make you happy, and love is seeking the best for the other person. I loved the faith thread throughout and also Claire’s heart for the less fortunate. 

I recommend this friends to more story with its rich characters and the transformation that takes place in both Claire’s and Nathan’s lives. The behind the scenes of a flight attendant’s life was interesting and I am glad Ms. Strong shared it with us, after all, she has first-hand experience. 

I received a gifted copy of the book from Kregel and JustRead Publicity Tours. I was not obligated to write a positive review. 

The Bookshop of 99 Doors

In 1910, Minnie Tipton finds herself beset by the onslaught of superstitions that envelope the Pennsylvania mansion her father bought. Convinced the house is haunted by the vengeful spirit of a Civil War captain, and worried by her father's rapidly worsening illness, Minnie delves into the home's dark past in an effort to help bring him peace. Yet the lingering impact of the war and the gruesome tale of murder she uncovers only foster more fear and threaten to unravel Minnie's own sanity.

In the present day, Triss Bellamy eagerly steps into the role of bookshop manager in the mansion-turned-museum boasting ninety-nine doors. But Triss's dream job turns into a nightmare when havoc breaks loose with the arrival of her brother's team of self-proclaimed paranormal investigators. Their determination to find a rumored one-hundredth door--a dangerous portal to the madness long said to plague the mansion--results in calamity, leaving Triss no choice but to unravel the truth or watch her brother slip forever beyond her reach.

 Review: 

No one can really compare to Jaime Jo Wright when it comes to Gothic dual time novels. Once again she has created two stories that intertwine and leave me wondering, “How does she do it?”. I enjoyed the mystery and was quite pleased with myself in determining who the villains were in each story. There is a faith thread in which the characters must determine where God is in their story, which I thought was very good.

addictions, infidelity

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a gifted copy of the book. All opinions are my own.

A Bridesmaid’s Guide to Murder

She’s paid to be your best friend on your big day... but she never expected murder to be part of the deal.

Emelia Walsh has one of the most unusual jobs on the planet—she’s a Professional Bridesmaid. Armed with an emergency kit that would impress MacGyver, Emmy steps into strangers’ weddings and becomes whatever the bride needs: a confidante, an emotional buffer, or a human fire extinguisher.

When Emmy arrives at the picturesque Evergreen Summit Resort for Monica Turner’s winter wedding weekend, she’s prepared for the usual challenges: wardrobe malfunctions, family tensions, and maintaining her cover as the bride’s “old college friend.” What she’s not prepared for is the web of secrets, rivalries, and suspicious circumstances swirling beneath the perfect snow-globe setting.

When a shocking murder disrupts the wedding plans, Emmy’s role shifts from emotional buffer to amateur sleuth—all while dodging questions from handsome but infuriating Detective John Sutton, who seems both suspicious of her—and strangely interested.
In this charming first installment of the Bridesmaid’s Guide to Murder series, Emmy discovers that when you make a career out of stepping into other people’s stories, sometimes those stories include murder.

Review: 

Whoever heard of hiring a bridesmaid for your wedding? That is exactly what Emelia Walsh is, and she is very good at it too. She’s like a wedding planner and member of the wedding party all at the same time without any of the drama. But, a murder occurs and high stress is part of the venue when the groom becomes the person of interest. It’s up to Emmy to help solve the murder and give the couple their HEA. I loved this cozy mystery! Not only did it have a list of suspects that possibly could have been the killer, but there is also the beginning of a romance between Emmy and Detective John Sutton. While she can be quite persistent in investigating without always having police permission, she also becomes a pivotal part of solving the case. We also learn the reason why Emmy chose to become a professional bridesmaid, which John helps her let go of some of the past. This is the first book in the Emelia Walsh Cozy Mysteries Series and I can’t wait to read more! The murderer was a little difficult to determine, which keeps you turning the pages until the very end. The author was so thoughtful and has included a link to Cozy Mystery Bingo cards that looks like a lot of fun. I received a complimentary copy of the book through Booked With the Emilys. I was not obligated to write a positive review.