Capturing You

 

About the Book

Book: Capturing You

Author: Robin Patchen

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Release Date: June 24, 2025

In a town shrouded by secrets, a photographer and the reclusive heir of the Ballentine fortune join forces to unravel a deadly conspiracy.

Brooklynn Wright must win a photography contest to save her gallery, and the perfect sunrise shot at a remote inlet north of town is her best hope. But when she witnesses a smuggling operation at a hidden dock and is chased by armed men, her dreams of artistic glory become a nightmare flight for survival. Rescued by a mysterious stranger, Brooklynn is forced to take refuge with him in an abandoned mansion the townspeople claim is cursed—afraid to trust her grumpy protector but with no other choice.

Billionaire Forbes Ballentine returned to Shadow Cove for answers, not distractions. Haunted by the unsolved murder of his family twenty years ago, he’s spent his life in the shadows, hunting for the truth. He believes the network Brooklynn stumbled upon is tied to his family’s deaths, but protecting the cheerful photographer means jeopardizing the investigation he’s been chasing for decades. Especially when her presence stirs feelings he’s not prepared to face.

As Brooklynn and Forbes grow closer, so do the network’s ruthless enforcers. With everyone in town hiding something, they must navigate lies, betrayal, and deadly truths. When the network closes in, they’ll have to trust each other completely—or lose everything.

Dive into this gripping romantic suspense full of mystery, secrets, and danger, where two broken souls must uncover the truth while battling the enemies outside—and the wounds within.

My Review:

Brooklyn Wright has seen something she wasn’t supposed to when she was trying to capture the perfect ocean landscape to enter it into a prestigious photo contest. Now her life is in peril and it is only that she wasn’t found by the villains because Ford Baker seemingly appears out of nowhere to hide her. Nothing seems as it is and Brooklyn will have to decide whether she can trust Ford or not. 

With a decades old murder to solve, Ford and Brooklyn must work together to discover what happened to Ford’s family. Brooklyn’s curiosity gets her into several situations where Ford has to help, but her nosiness also helps Ford with his investigation. There are plot twists, red herrings, and a house with more secret passages than you can imagine, you’ll enjoy this sixth book in the Wright Heroes of Maine series. You can read this as a standalone since the story is not dependent upon the previous stories. 

Here are things to enjoy:

the Wright family

opposites attract

hidden identity 

mystery

secrets

danger

justice

faith thread

I received this complimentary copy of the book from the publisher and Celebrate Lit. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

 

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. Visit robinpatchen.com/subscribe to receive a free book and stay informed about Robin’s latest projects.

More from Robin

A Mansion on the Maine Coast: The Perfect Setting for Capturing You

There’s something about old mansions that gets my imagination racing. Maybe it’s the grandeur, or the hint that secrets hide behind their towering windows. Or maybe it’s knowing that, once upon a time, entire lives were lived there.

When I first envisioned Capturing You, I knew the story needed a setting as breathtaking—and as mysterious—as the characters themselves. So I plucked inspiration from my visits to the coast of New Hampshire. I can’t help but admire the stunning mansions overlooking the Atlantic between Hampton Beach—a touristy strip filled with arcades and restaurants—and Rye, a quiet coastal community. I love to imagine the lives lived inside those walls and the histories written into their very foundations.

Naturally, when it came time to write Brooklynn and Forbes’s story, I borrowed from those daydreams.

In Capturing You, the eighteenth-century cliffside mansion functions as more than just a setting. It’s a character in its own right. Crumbling a bit with age, it stands guard over a small, secluded cove on the coast of Maine. The old home is a place of secret hiding places, bittersweet memories, and…because, you know, it’s a Robin Patchen novel…more than its share of danger. The Ballentine Mansion is the perfect backdrop for a story about a photographer who accidentally stumbles onto something she shouldn’t have seen—and a brooding recluse determined to keep her safe.

In the story, I hope you hear the waves pounding against the rocky shore, smell the salt in the air, and feel the ancient wood floors creaking beneath your feet. I hope you’ll find wonder in the whimsical spaces created by the original architect. And I hope you’ll experience nostalgia in a home that hasn’t had a family fill its halls with laughter in a generation.

Step right into that world with me—a world of danger and romance, courage and redemption, all wrapped up in a mansion that’s seen more than its share of joy and heartache. And maybe a little healing too.

I can’t wait for you to explore all its secrets with Brooklynn and Forbes.

Capturing You is available now. Immerse yourself in a fascinating mansion—and a suspenseful romance that’ll keep you reading all night long.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 1

Pens Pages & Pulses, July 1

For Him and My Family, July 2

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 3

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 4

Texas Book-aholic, July 5

Stories By Gina, July 6 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, July 6

Book Looks by Lisa, July 7

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 8

Blogging with Carol, July 9

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, July 10

Life on Chickadee Lane, July 11

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, July 12

Holly’s Book Corner, July 13

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, July 13

Pause for Tales, July 14

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Robin is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of Protecting You!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54253

Angel from the East

 

About the Book

Book: Angel from the East

Author: Barbara A. Curtis

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: June 24, 2025

His path to redemption lies in the hands of the citified newcomer who believes the worst of him.

Caleb Morgan has had everything stolen from him—his strength, the job he loved, even his good name. He’s determined to even the score with the man responsible, until he meets the captivating new owner of the Double E Ranch. Though he’s drawn to her compassion, he fears she may never see beyond his supposed wrongdoings, unless he can prove his innocence and reclaim his honor.

Eliza Roberts is a teacher, not a rancher. But if she has any hope of selling the ranch she inherited from her grandfather and continuing on to her new life in California, she needs to restore it to some semblance of order. If only the man her grandfather advised her to trust wasn’t refusing to help her.

When an offer of courtship arises from the current foreman, Eliza sees the practicality in the offer. So why does her heart keep wandering back to Caleb? And why can’t she shake the feeling that something’s not right at the Double E Ranch? Will she have the courage to follow the clues behind the strange mishaps at the Double E—and possibly embrace a different life than she imagined?

 My Review: 

Eliza Roberts is a kind, courageous young lady who rises to the challenge of being the new owner of the ranch her grandparents left her. Hoping to spend a couple of days at the Double E Ranch, settle affairs for its sale, and then continuing westward, she encounters the unexpected. The ranch is in need of repair and there are whispers of wrongdoings of the ex-foreman.

If you enjoy a slow romance, then you'll enjoy the romance between Eliza and Caleb. They had some bumps in their relationship due to misunderstandings and jumping to conclusions, but I was happy to see their HEA. They had to work through things, discover the truth, and learn to forgive those who had wronged them.

Things to enjoy:
opposites attract
saddle maker
mystery
secondary characters
loving your enemy
faith of characters

This is the first book in the Blooms of the Bitterbrush series. Readers both young and mature will enjoy this faith based book that is set in the ranching area of Idaho.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and Celebrate Lit. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Click here to get your copy!

 About the Author

Barbara A. Curtis lives in Connecticut with her husband, and they have one grown son, a blessing to their hearts. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and NovelAcademy.

 

 

 

 More from Barbara

Though Elizabeth Rose Roberts, the matriarch of the Double E Ranch, has passed before the Blooms of the Bitterbrush series begins, each story reflects the legacy she left for the generations to come. May the journey of these four descendants be an encouragement to your heart as you follow the struggles, love, and joy of Elizabeth’s family through the years.

In Angel from the East, Nellie loves baking pies and had a special request from one of the little Billings girls.

“I love pie! I hope it’s pum-kin tomorrow!” Virginia shouted.

Hopefully, Nellie had prior experience making a pumpkin pie or possessed a later recipe with detailed instructions, as this early recipe from an 1876 cookbook might not have helped much:

Peel and cut your pumpkin into small pieces and put into a kettle with a very little water; cook from six to eight hours, stirring frequently to prevent burning. When done, rub through a colander. One quart of pumpkin, five pints of rich milk, four eggs, three cups of sugar, one scant teaspoon of ginger and 4 tsp of cinnamon.

I hope you enjoy the stories—and perhaps a piece of pumpkin pie to go with them!

Blessings!

Barbara

Blog Stops

lakesidelivingsite, June 28

Devoted To Hope, June 29

Vicky Sluiter, June 30

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 1

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 2

Pause for Tales, July 2

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, July 3

Book Looks by Lisa, July 3

Simple Harvest Reads, July 4 (Guest Review from Marilyn)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 5

For Him and My Family, July 6

Cover Lover Book Review, July 7

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, July 8

Texas Book-aholic, July 9

Stories By Gina, July 10 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, July 10

Holly’s Book Corner, July 11

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Barbara 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.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54250

Shadowed Witness

Book Description:

Murder--that's what photographer Allye Jessup knows she witnessed as she departed her studio one evening. Waking with bruises on her neck and a foggy memory, she believes she survived an attack, but everyone seems to think she simply sustained a head injury from falling down the stairs of her studio. Plagued by an undiagnosed health condition, she is torn between the haunting reality of what she may have seen and the possibility that her mind is playing tricks on her.

Without proof the other victim ever existed, Detective Eric Thornton can hardly declare the area a murder scene. Still, he adds Allye's report to his already full caseload. But when new evidence surfaces to support her claims, Eric must stay one step ahead of a ruthless killer and uncover the truth before the suspect closes in on Allye again.

Angela Carlisle once again presents cutting-edge romantic suspense laced with danger, deception, and justice.

My Review: 

Suffering from a mysterious illness that sometimes makes Allye fuzzy headed, she is not quite sure if she really witnessed a murder or if she was hallucinating. But, the bruises she sustained are real. How can she get anyone to believe her and check further into her claims? 

Detective Eric Thornton at first doesn’t believe Allye but the more frightening things happen to her, the more Eric believes she is being targeted. I liked that Eric and Allie had a past and the relationship between them was a natural progression to go from friends to more. Eric has a big heart and hates to see anyone endure what he went through as a child. I was happy to see him take Lucky and Dion into his home, and I love that he was willing to take a chance on making their lives better. 

Suspenseful with a plot twist at the end, readers of romantic suspense are sure to enjoy this second book in the Secrets of Kincaid series. I highly recommend reading this. Even though it is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. 

I received this complimentary copy of the book. Opinions expressed in this  review are my own. 

An Improbable Scheme

About the Book:

Some secrets are worth stealing. Some hearts are harder to escape.

Lady Elsbeth Caldwell has long suspected that her stepfather is hiding something far more sinister behind his polished façade. Determined to uncover the truth, she embarks on an investigation that leads her to take desperate measures, including robbing a passing coach under the cover of night. Unfortunately, the coach belongs to Niles Drayton, Earl of Westcott—a man with a sharp tongue, a sharper wit, and a maddening ability to remain amused in even the most scandalous circumstances.

Niles has no patience for matchmaking schemes, particularly those orchestrated by his well-meaning aunt. But when he’s introduced to the opinionated and undeniably intriguing Lady Elsbeth, he is determined to keep her as far away from his sister—and himself—as possible.

As threats begin to close in around Elsbeth, Niles is pulled deeper into her world. What begins as a reluctant association soon becomes an uneasy alliance, and then something far more a fragile, undeniable connection. When long-buried secrets come to light and the true extent of the deception surrounding Elsbeth is revealed, the two must trust each other if they hope to survive.

Because this time, it isn’t just Elsbeth’s heart at risk—it’s her life.

As the first novel in the series by author Laura Beers, An Improbable Scheme starts the Courting the Unconventional series. This is a light-hearted, clean and wholesome romance set in the Regency era. All books in this series have their own Happily-Ever-After and are best enjoyed in proper order.

My Review: 

Elsbeth Caldwell is positive that her stepfather is hiding something nefarious and she is determined to find out what it is. The way in which she goes about trying to discover his secrets is very unconventional and leads to a unique meeting of the eligible Lord Niles Westcott.

This enemies to more story has great things for you to enjoy:
Regency period
dual POV
humor
mystery
danger
family
exciting rescue

This is the beginning of the Courting the Unconventional series, and I am excited to read the books that will follow. I’m always happy to recommend Ms. Beers’s books to readers, knowing that the stories are interesting and the romance storyline can be enjoyed by readers young and mature alike.

Funny quote: “Quite frankly, she loathed everything about him. His clothing. His face. She loathed it all.”

I received this complimentary copy of the book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The Elusive Phoebe

 

About the Book: 

A young widow learns that nothing is as it once seemed: her late husband loved her, mysterious enemies want her dead, and the childhood sweetheart she thought abandoned her has crossed an ocean to save her.

Lady Phoebe Smalling has spent two years in enforced isolation, believing her late husband cared nothing for her happiness.

But at the death of her husband, when she escapes to the sanctuary of Lavender Cottage in Somerset, she discovers that everything she thought she knew about her marriage was a lie.

Robert didn't abandon her—he died protecting her. And the inheritance he left behind is far more dangerous than she ever imagined.

Now enemies are closing in, desperate to claim the secrets they believe she possesses. With the help of the remarkable Widows of Somerset—a secret society of independent women with skills far beyond embroidery and tea—Phoebe must navigate a deadly game of deception while uncovering the truth about her husband's mysterious past.

But her greatest challenge may be learning to trust again, especially when her childhood love Archie Lytton arrives offering protection, devotion, and everything she's afraid to want.

Some treasures are worth dying for. But Phoebe is about to discover that the greatest treasure of all might be worth living for.

A tale of second chances, female friendship, and the courage to choose love over fear.

My Review: 

Have you ever believed something to be true only to discover that you were entirely wrong? Phoebe Smalling seizes an opportunity to escape from the home her husband Robert had taken her to years earlier. But, what she didn’t realize was that his motive was not one of desertion, but something altogether different.

I loved the letters that Robert had written her and the care that he was able to express in them. Phoebe had really misjudged him and it was too bad that she didn’t find this out earlier. Phoebe had to learn to trust again after events that she had no control over caused a rift between her and her best best, Archie. When they are reunited, he was so patient with Phoebe and loved her unconditionally, which is such a rare thing to see.

The widows of Somerset were some of my favorite characters. I laughed and cheered at the things they did to help Phoebe. I can’t wait to see what they will be involved in with the remainder of the series. I recommend this book for readers young and mature.

Things to love:
loyalty
reconciliation
treasure hunt
Smalling properties
danger
staff
lavender cottage

I received this complimentary copy of the book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Love is for the Birds

Bird enthusiast Lark Fernside will stop at nothing to prove she has a place in the male-dominated, bird-observing community. When the chance comes to prove her worth by joining an excursion across England, she jumps at the chance—especially when she discovers that famed naturalist Henry Branok will be joining the trip, as well. Lark has heard tales of his impressive travels and hopes to receive advice on how to become a better observer. However, when she meets him, she is quickly unimpressed with his arrogant words and behavior and learns the hard truth that one should never meet one’s heroes—even if they are devastatingly handsome.

Henry Branok hadn’t meant to sound arrogant. He’d only wanted to impress the gorgeous Miss Fernside with tales of the birds he’d seen around the world. Anxious to make up for his behavior, he swiftly issues a challenge to allow her to showcase her own whomever ends the excursion with the most birds recorded takes the title of “Best Bird Observer in England.” To his joy and admiration, Miss Fernside swiftly accepts his challenge, and the two embark on a months-long adventure, both desperate to take the title.

Along the way, they are adamant that neither of them has time for romance in their lives, as observing birds is their one true love. But when they begin to observe each other in their own natural habitats and the cages fall down from around their hearts, they have to decide for themselves if love really is just for the birds.

My Review: 

I am a bird enthusiast, so it was a delightful treat to read a book that had characters that love them as much as me. Ms. Hathaway has done an excellent job in describing the various kinds of birds that I could “see” them. While I knew quite number of the birds that were mentioned, I did have to look up a few, which I throughly enjoyed learning more about them. I also loved the comparison used of starlings’ behavior and the members of men’s clubs. 

Fern is such a unique young woman. She doesn’t really fit into society since she loves being outdoors, observing birds, keeping a bird journal, and reading books about birds instead of staying indoors and embroidering. Her bird reminds me of the present day birders who have life lists of the species they wish to see. Fern’s enthusiasm and focus on her love of birds made her quite endearing. 

Fern and Henry are quite the perfect pair. She is outspoken and prefers birds to people. Henry loves birds and would travel the world to write descriptions of them for others to enjoy. Fern admired Henry long before she met him. I’m sure she would have gone to a book signing of his if he had ever had one. Henry sees Fern for who she is and admires her for it. 

Things to love:

humor

bird excursions

avian rescue

the nightjar

Aunt Harriet

the ladies of the excursion

ride to London

Sandhill crane dance

author's notes

Awesome quotes: 

“This woman was everything. And he was nothing without her.”

“You are my favorite bird, after all.”

I highly recommend this book to readers of all ages. It is part of the series of the Bachelors of Blackstone’s, but it can certainly be read as a standalone. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.