Felons and Finders

 

About the Book

Book: FELONS & FINDERS (Granite & Gloss Rescuers: Book 2)

Author: LR STRONG

Genre: Christian Suspense

Release Date: January 18, 2026

Powerful forces hide the most dangerous felons.

Jake Granite is more determined than ever to take down every criminal he possibly can—especially those targeting the most vulnerable. But even working with his private investigation team and law enforcement task forces, it’s been impossible. They always arrive at the scene of the crime too late. It’s infuriating. Who is at the top and who are the informers?

Tarina Gloss has commissions for sculptures and paintings but no time to work on them. After unexpectedly being pulled into Jake’s work, she is eager to save every victim she can. But she’s not equipped or experienced in this type of work. What can she possibly do to help?

Jake and Tarina discover a new partner wants to join them. He’s the Finder, and no felon can hide from him. The only problem is that the Finder only gives them confusing clues—or sets them up to stumble on the criminals in action. He does things in unpredictable ways each time, so they never know what to expect.

Soon they are in over their heads. Tragedies happen, leaving them confused. Can they handle working with the Finder? Most of all, can they trust him?

 Review:

Correlating stories from the Bible where men and women saw God intervene, Jake and Tarina put their faith in action in helping to disrupt and stop some of the illegal activities of Bigfoot. This is a faith based romantic suspense that doesn't shy away from some darker sides of society such as tr@fficking. I did like the scenes where you saw God's intervention for Jake when there seemed no possible way of escape.

This is the second book in the Granite and Gloss Rescuers series. There were a couple of references to past events that I believe were probably in the first book, but it didn't affect the overall plot.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Click here to get your copy!

 About the Author

LR Strong is a writer, editor, singer, songwriter, photographer, and people watcher. Her life is colored by synesthesia, and she views others through the lens of spiritual gifts. She’s equally creative and cerebral—her first career was computer programming. Her deepest loves are Jesus, family, friends, and her three delightful rescue cats. And eating dark chocolate while reading a riveting book.

 

 

More from LR

I experience life in colorful and unusual ways because I have synesthesia. Do you know what that is? Most people don’t. You can experience living with synesthesia through my main heroine, Tarina. She’s also a strong believer who has spiritual gifts. I pair her up with a hardcore ex-LAPD cop, now criminal detective, who relies solely on his street smarts and physical abilities. These two opposites are thrown together in deadly situations and have to combine their unique strengths to not only survive, but take down criminals and save victims. In the process they help save each other.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, August 8

Stories By Gina, August 9 (Author Interview)

Book Looks by Lisa, August 9

Blossoms and Blessings, August 10 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 11

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, August 12 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, August 13

Books, Books, & More Books, August 14 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, August 15

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, August 16 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 17

Books Less Travelled, August 18 (Author Interview)

History, Hope & Happily Ever After, August 19 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 19

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, August 20 (Author Interview)

Lily’s Corner, August 21

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, L.R. is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and an ebook of Granite & Gloss (book 1) and Felons & Finders (book 2)!!

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

https://gleam.io/hxQVd/felons-finders-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Husband Tree

About the Book

Book: The Husband Tree

Author: Mary Connealy

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: July 21, 2026

From bestselling author Mary Connealy comes a spirited Western romance filled with danger, determination, and unexpected love—a tale of a fierce widow rancher, a hardworking cowboy, and the family that brings them together. Perfect for fans of historical romance and strong heroines.

Belle Tanner has buried three husbands under the “Husband Tree” and managed her Montana ranch alone while raising four daughters. When she needs help with a dangerous cattle drive, she hires Silas Harden—a man who actually knows his way around cattle and horses. Unlike her previous husbands, Silas isn’t afraid of hard work, but Belle’s not about to let another man take charge of her ranch or her heart.

Silas never planned on falling for a widow with four daughters, especially one as independent as Belle. But as they face treacherous mountain passes, wolf attacks, and winter storms together, he discovers that what he thought was just another job might be his chance at a real family—if he can convince Belle to trust in love one more time.

With winter closing in and dangers mounting, Belle and Silas must learn to work together and trust in God’s plan. But can Belle let go of her iron control and let love lead? And can Silas prove he’s different from the husbands who came before?

A heartwarming story of faith, family, and finding love in the rugged Montana Territory.

 Review

Belle hasn’t made the wisest choices when it comes to husbands. After being widowed three times, she has no desire to try it again. I admired her courageous spirit and determination to raise her daughters and see their ranch succeed. Silas was just the man who was needed to help Belle with her cattle drive and to also help heal and win her heart. 

There are three romances in the story, and while I enjoyed that aspect of the story, I felt that the timelines for two of them were rushed. I liked riding along on the cattle drive and thought the dangers they experienced made this part of the story interesting. 

Readers of Western romances will enjoy Belle and her feistiness and grit she needs to see her ranch flourish. Her daughters were amazing young ladies and rose to the occasion in being a part of the drive. 3.5 stars 

I received a copy of the book through Celebrate Lit. I was not expected to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Click here to get your copy!

 About the Author

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedies with cowboys and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She is a two time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist.

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys always with a strong suspense thread. She is a two-time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist. She is the bestselling author of 75 books and novellas. She has over a million and a half books in print.

Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero. Visit her website or find her at Petticoats & Pistols!

 

More from Mary

The Husband Tree remains the book I am asked about the most when I talk to readers.

Or, if I get asked, which is your favorite character…someone inevitably says Belle Tanner.

There’s something about that woman.

The title of the book is based on the tree where she’s buried three worthless husbands. After Anthony died falling off the roof…where he was hiding from work as usual, she’s tossing dirt on his face while vowing to God and her children to never marry again.

She’s taught her girls to work hard at her side, but her main lesson is to teach them to avoid men at all costs. A warning that doesn’t survive, but not for lack of effort on Belle’s part.

She’s the meanest good guy I’ve ever written, the most enduring ‘fiesty lady rancher’. Yet somehow, her REASONS for being mean are so well tuned, that she gets away with being a very hostile-to-men woman.

Not that I haven’t written plenty of feisty lady ranchers…in fact I love the type so much I have to fight putting one as the heroine in every book. But Belle is in a league of her own.

Silas Harden is also NOT interested in a woman. He’s been burned bad TWICE by women. One woman a betrayer, another a sneaking liar who stages a ‘compromising situation’ to force a marriage. He’s lost two ranches because of it. He wants a place of his own and he’s not risking letting a woman ruin things for him. It’s cost him too much.

But, much as she hates to admit she needs a man’s help, Belle’s going to lose her herd if she doesn’t get the cattle to market and there’s no one else to help but the wandering cowpoke, Silas.

Belle and her four daughters, including a diaper-wearing baby, need to punch one thousand head of cattle over the roughest trail in the whole world…not that Belle’s familiar with the whole world, but it’s a brutally hard stretch.

Off they go, both bristling, but soon enough they’re working so hard they’re too TIRED to hate each other.

And then here comes love. A man Belle can’t help but respect. A woman Silas can’t help but trust.

If they all survive this drive…both of them might just take a chance again, on love.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 28

Texas Book-aholic, July 29

For Him and My Family, July 30

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 31

Guild Master, August 1 (Author Interview)

Book Holds and Jello Molds, August 1

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 2

Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 3

She Lives To Read, August 4

Simple Harvest Reads, August 5 (Guest Review from Donna)

Fiction Book Lover, August 6 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, August 6

Book Looks by Lisa, August 7

Cover Lover Book Review, August 8

Labor Not in Vain, August 9

Holly’s Book Corner, August 10

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Mary 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://gleam.io/GRmzP/the-husband-tree-celebration-tour-giveaway

When the Silence Breaks

A deathbed confession. A decades-old secret. A mountain that holds the answers--and danger closing in.

When intelligence analyst Sarah Ellison learns of her grandfather's deathbed confession connected to her brother's murder, she's determined to protect her remaining family. After further investigation, she discovers the disclosed information points to a decades-old government secret buried deep in the Cascade Mountains. With this knowledge, she looks for a guide who knows the terrain like the back of their hand.

After his father's death in a tragic mountain accident, former Navy SEAL Ryder Goodwin no longer guides for the family business. At first, Ryder refuses to help Sarah, but he sees the trouble chasing her and can't stand by while someone brings danger to his small-town mountain community.

Ryder and Sarah gear up to climb the mountain in a race against time and a looming storm. When the danger escalates, their search for answers shifts to a survival mission. Their only chance to make it through involves trusting each other and confronting the truth no one wants them to find.

Review: 

Reading one of Elizabeth Goddard’s book always gets my heart racing with its action-packed, suspenseful scenes. This time the setting is the ruggedly beautiful Cascade Mountains of the Pacific Northwest. Sarah Ellison has been lead there through her investigation of her grandfather’s past. I love the twists the book has as Sarah and her guide, Ryder discover secrets that would have been better to stay hidden. I will say that I had no idea what the plane was carrying and was just as surprised as Sarah and Ryder. 

I highly recommend this suspense with a light romantic thread. It is the first book in the Mercy Ridge series, and I can’t wait to read more! The author has historical notes at the end of the book that I found fascinating. 

I received a gifted copy from Revell Fiction, JustRead Book Tours, and NetGalley. Many thanks! I was not expected to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Bachelor Spy

Spies Infiltrate Havensbooke Hall. . .and Another Mystery Adventure Begins

Stephen Blake's life goal is to protect people, especially those closest to him, but war in 1915 England doesn’t follow any rules. When Blake is informed that a noted German spy may have taken up residence at Havensbrooke Hall—his cousin Lord Astley’s estate, which is being used as a convalescent war hospital—he’s sent there to uncover the plot.

Lady Grace Astley has become a force to be reckoned with while Frederick is out on the war front. With Havensbrooke as a hospital, she’s shocked by the devastation the war is bringing home; but ever hopeful, she is determined to help these weary soldiers find some relief. However, not everything is as it seems inside Havensbrooke. Precious items soon start disappearing. . .and not just the kind that are worth a lot of money.

Through a case of mistaken identity, a comedy of errors, a kidnapping, and a race for time within the crumbling subterranean passageways beneath Havensbrooke, can Blake and Gracie work together to root out the criminals, thieves, and spies before time runs out?

Review:

WWII has created a very different life for Grace and Freddie as he is at war and Grace is living at their estate that is being used as a place for soldiers to recuperate from their injuries. Of course, there is a mystery afoot with rumors of a hidden treasure on the estate, and Grace becomes involved. 

Frederick’s cousin, Stephen Blake, is working for the Home Office investigating a possible spy that is gathering intel while posing as a nurse at Grace’s home/hospital. I loved the cloak-and-dagger activities that involve primarily Stephen and his partner, Evie. There is not only tension in their mission, but also their personal relationship as they navigate a budding romance. This story has several subplots and an exciting conclusion that you are going to love. 

This is the ending to a great series that I have thoroughly enjoyed. Ms. Basham created Grace and Freddie so that they seem to be a part of my life. I am sad to see this series be finished. While it can be read as a standalone, I recommend you read all of them in order to fully enjoy this story. Readers of all ages will love this book for its action, mystery, family relationships, and romance.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher, Great Reads Book Promo, and NetGalley. All opinions in this review are my own.

Bookmarked for Love

Can a jeopardized children's library program spark a partnership that saves their careers but costs them their hearts?

When children's librarian Martha Aldridge learns about budget cuts that will not only put her out of a job but also shut down the library's children's programs, she's determined to raise the funds needed to save both. The good news is, she knows just who to ask for a large donation on the library's behalf. The bad news? She swore she'd never step foot in his office again.

Julien King has been groomed to one day run his family's publishing empire, and now he must prove he's ready to take the helm by turning around the company's languishing children's imprint. That wouldn't be a problem, except he doesn't know the first thing about children's literature. So when Martha waltzes into his office, he sees an opportunity and makes her an offer she can't refuse. He'll give her the money she needs for the library in exchange for her help in acquiring a bestselling manuscript that will resurrect the dying imprint. The longer they're forced to work together, however, the more they come to realize their jobs may not be the only thing on the line.

Review: 

Martha Aldridge is the perfect children’s librarian. She has all kinds of energy and fabulous ideas for the children. So, when she hears about budget cuts and the danger of losing the job that is clearly her passion, she turns to the wealthy King family for funds. What she didn’t expect was to find Julien King poised for taking over the family publishing dynasty. 

I love how the author wove the story around two major aspects of books. I thought it was both clever and interesting. Martha was a great character and did a great job seeing herself as confident and competent and helping Julien with seeing his worth and seeing the company carry on the printing house’s legacy.  

Things to discover for yourself: 

swamp monster

Signal Rock

Sabrina vibes 

popular book titles mentioned

secret crush

age gap

This is the third book in the Checking Out Love series. I have recommended these books to many fellow readers, and think you’d really enjoy this story too. It is a kisses-only book and will be enjoyed by teens through adults. 

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

Unmasking the Diamond

Unmasking the truth means risking everything—even love.

Miss Charlotte Winslow may be the diamond of the Season, but beneath her flawless exterior lies a secret—she writes for the Society pages. Years of hiding behind her carefully crafted mask have left her doubting her own worth and believing happiness to be a luxury meant for others. That is, until she crosses paths with Lord Luca Dexter—an infuriating, perceptive man who sees far too much and refuses to be ignored.

Luca may be the younger son of a duke, but unlike most men of his rank, he earns his living as the owner of The London Gazette. When he discovers Miss Winslow’s secret talent, he’s determined to recruit her to write for his newssheets. But Charlotte refuses to be reduced to mere gossip columns—if she writes for him, it will be for something that matters.

Luca and Charlotte agree to have her write something of substance. When their investigation uncovers a dangerous conspiracy, Luca finds himself torn between his growing affection for Charlotte and his desperate need to protect her. But Charlotte is not a woman who wishes to be saved. And as tragedy looms, Luca must risk everything—including his heart—to rescue the one woman who taught him that love is worth unmasking for.

Review: 

Charlotte Winslow and Luca are like oil and vinegar as they seem to delight in exchanging barbs with one another at various social functions. I love how this transforms into a deeper relationship over time.

There is something sinister at work as women seem to just disappear throughout the city. Luca and Charlotte team up together to investigate, which adds suspense and danger to the story. I loved these two finding leads and bringing the story to an exciting conclusion.

Once again, Ms. Beers has written a Regency romance that is so hard to put down once you start. I received a copy of the book from the author. All opinions are my own.

As the seventh novel in the Courting the Unconventional series by author Laura Beers, Unmasking the Debutante continues the 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.

A Lady’s Handbook to Gadgets and Guile

Margaret Kingsley's routine revolves around invention not investigation--until her ordered world springs a gasket.

London, England, 1895
Ambulatory wheelchair user Margaret Kingsley secretly crafts gadgets for the Daughters of Genius Society, a covert team of lady inspectors disguised as harmless bluestocking spinsters. While her fellow inspectors gallivant about London solving crimes, Margaret has been perfectly content assisting from the sidelines--until her expertise is needed to infiltrate the domain of London's most prolific inventor.

Charles Noble sacrificed his career as a musician to support his family after his father's stroke. Now he balances ledgers as a secretary by day and tends to his disabled father by night, but he can't pass up the chance to take a temporary job as event coordinator for a famous inventor commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of his mechanical empire. As strange occurrences cause Charles' event planning to collide with Margaret's case, the pair must unravel a plot of sabotage against the inventor's legacy while also investigating the sparks of attraction between them. 

Review:

I loved this book! The inventions, mystery, inspectors team, and a kisses-only romance had me all wrapped up in this exciting story. Margaret feels as though she is a burden to her family and friends due to her limited ability and chronic pain. Only when she confesses her thoughts to Charles, and he opens her eyes to the idea that others help her because they love her and want to do what they can to ease her pain does she see the truth. It was a touching scene when she shares her heart with her friends. 

Things to love: 

funny sayings

Margaret’s wheelchair adaptations

analogy of teaspoons of ability

Daughters of Genius Society

mystery

faith elements

piano duet

daring rescue

While this can be read as a standalone, there are characters that are in a large portion of the story that were in the first book, A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventures. It was so fun to see them again. I highly recommend this book to readers both young and mature, and I can’t wait to read more.

I received a copy of the book through Bethany House, NetGalley, and Great Reads Book Promotions. All opinions expressed are my own with no obligation to write a positive review.