Monday, June 30, 2025

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.

Sunday, June 22, 2025

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.

Sunday, June 8, 2025

Arranged with the Earl

About the Book

Book: Arranged with the Earl

Author: Jackie Killelea

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: May 13, 2025

A spinster with a tarnished reputation. An earl scarred from war. Can their convenient marriage withstand those aiming to steal everything they have?

Catherine Blynn resigned herself to a life without romantic love after a disastrous broken engagement. Although she’s always hoped to marry for affection, her father arranges for her to wed Loftus Cromwell, the broken Earl of Hardwicke. If she defies her parents, she risks her family’s ruin.

Loftus Cromwell had no intention to marry for love, only for the sake of his estate. But If he fails to win the love of his spirited and unconventional betrothed, he risks his conniving brother claiming everything he holds dear.

As treachery unfolds within the manor’s walls and a foe from Catherine’s past resurfaces, can Loftus and Catherine trust one another enough to unravel the truth before tragedy steals any chance of happiness?

My Review:

This marriage of convenience between Catherine Blynn and Loftus Cromwell was done well. Both of them having to overcome their fears and fight some personal battles from their past.. Catherine had lived through the awful treatment of her social ladder-climbing parents. The way they acted towards her made you hope she never had to see them again. Loftus also endured an unloving parent who made him go to war in order to toughen him up. I was glad that his gentle nature and love for plants wasn’t changed after all he had endured. Together, Cate and Loftus made a beautiful pair who, though brought together by an arrangement, were just who the other needed.

Diabolical plans are put into action against Catherine and Loftus after they marry. I found the story to be interesting, engaging, and it had me rooting for them. I read the first book in the Saving the Spinsters series too, and I enjoyed this even more than the first one. I am looking forward to the next book as well.

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

physical assault (no graphic details), psychological bullying

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Jackie Killelea is a born and raised small-town girl from Connecticut with a degree in English and Creative Writing. She started off her writing journey with poetry, soon shifting into novels and becoming hooked. On days when she’s not busy with her nose in a book, she can be found typing away with a cup of tea at her side.

More from Jackie

In Arranged with the Earl, Loftus’ study of plants and flora is his foremost pastime, aside from his duties managing his estate and those that come along with being an earl. In his conservatory, there are a variety of different species of plants that he cares for but, would he actually have had these plants in his conservatory and would they have been able to feasibly grow there if he did?

Well, according to my research and a bit of wishful thinking…yes.

The thing is, Loftus has a few native plants in his conservatory and those certainly would have been able to grow there, given that they’ve pretty much just been brought inside from other counties in England. Loftus knows his home country and the landscape as well as how to care for those plants, already. The trickier plants to think upon are the exotics.

For instance, when showing Catherine the conservatory for the first time, he mentions Black Hellebore(Helleborus niger). How would he have come to own this? This plant is native to the mountains and woodlands of southern and central Europe, so we must assume that Loftus would’ve had it imported, or grown from seed. Still, would a woodland plant grow well enough to produce flowers in a conservatory setting?

Well, fortunately for Loftus, Black Hellebore actually grows fairly well in containers and does well in partial shade, so where he placed it in the conservatory was a prime location and it isn’t a stretch of the imagination to think that it produces blooms there.

With each plant I chose to be in the conservatory, I had to research if Loftus would reasonably have access to it and if it would grow under conservatory conditions–as well as during the season in which the book takes place. Of course you, as readers, will still need to use your imagination at some points. I’m sure Loftus would agree that ideas, like plants, need lots of water and space to grow.

I do so hope you enjoy Catherine and Loftus’ story in Arranged with the Earl!

Sincerely,

Jackie

Blog Stops

For Him and My Family, May 28

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 28

She Lives To Read, May 29

Holly’s Book Corner, May 29

Betti Mace, May 30

Devoted Steps, May 30

Texas Book-aholic, May 31

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 1

Romances of the Cross, June 1

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 2

Pens Pages & Pulses, June 3

The Important Things in Life: God, books, & chocolate, June 3

Devoted To Hope, June 4

Stories By Gina, June 5 (Author Interview)

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, June 5

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 6

Cover Lover Book Review, June 7

Book Butterfly in Dreamland, June 7

Book Looks by Lisa, June 8

Pause for Tales, June 8

Blossoms and Blessings, June 9

Blogging With Carol, June 9

Simple Harvest Reads, June 10 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jackie 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/00adcf54230

Monday, June 2, 2025

The Storyteller

He’s holding to his convictions.
She’s clinging to her secrets.
Can love bridge the divide between their hearts?

Merry Wesley is living the life of her dreams. Nothing could make her happier than being a successfully published author—except perhaps stepping out from behind the shadow of her pen name and taking ownership of her books. Deciding instead to follow the wishes of her publisher, she has resigned herself to keeping the literary part of her life a secret from all but those who are closest to her.

Newly installed as the vicar of Roderick Glen, Micah Chapman is anxious to make his mark on the community. Determined to be a beacon of faith for others, he sets high standards for himself and those around him. This includes discouraging others from reading fictional novels, as he believes such books only encourage readers to pursue a life of immorality.

Micah is intrigued by Merry from their first meeting, but it quickly becomes apparent that their beliefs regarding fictional novels are anything but compatible. And when rumors abound that the mysterious author Wesley Aberdeen resides in Roderick Glen, Micah is determined to find the man, little dreaming that his search will lead him straight to Merry’s door.

Merry is torn between her growing feelings for the vicar and the desire to reveal the truth about herself. Can true love break through the barrier which separates her heart from his? Or has the time for compromise passed?

Return to Roderick Glen for another heartfelt, sweet romance and a visit with your favorite characters.

My Review:

This is the sixth book in the series of The Ladies of Roderick Glen. Upon returning to Roderick Glen there have been several changes as the main characters, CeCe, Merry, and Victoria grow into adulthood. I enjoyed seeing CeCe and Merry realize their dreams. Victoria is still trying to find her way, navigating her family’s wishes along with her own.

While I did enjoy reading and seeing Merry and Vicar Micah’s relationship grow, I actually enjoyed the spinster, Winnifred Peabody and the curmudgeonly Archibald Mac Gregor, both teachers at the Clark Institute. I loved how some very conniving young ladies helped them along in their relationship.

Things to enjoy:

enemies to HEA

love triangle

facing adversity

couples of various ages

faith element

New characters are introduced and developments have occurred throughout the story, and I am very interested in seeing what happens. This is a continuation of previous stories the series , so I’d advise you read the other books before reading this particular story to be able to enjoy fully what is happening with the characters.

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

Sunday, June 1, 2025

Saving the Mountain Man's Legacy

About the Book

Book: Saving the Mountain Man’s Legacy

Author: Misty M. Beller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: April 18, 2025

In the wild mountains of the Montana Territory, the Coulter ranch is a place of family, second chances…and a hidden fortune.

Sampson Coulter is determined to undo his disastrous mistake that is jeopardizing his family’s future. Now he’s deeply embedded in the corrupt mining empire of the ruthless Mick McPharland, and has earned the trust of Jedidiah, the brutal right-hand man. The threat reaches much farther than his own family, and he knows he must dismantle the operation from within…or die trying.

Grieving the loss of her mother, Jewel Hampton is shocked to discover a newborn baby on her doorstep. When she seeks help from her father, Jedidiah, she never imagines he’ll force her to marry Sampson Coulter, the kind man who only gave her a ride to town. Though her father has always been willing to pass her off, at least she has Sampson’s promise to protect her and the baby. It doesn’t hurt that he’s the most handsome man she’s ever seen.

Marrying Jedidiah’s daughter adds an impossible complication to Sampson’s mission. It seems he can’t have it all—redemption for himself, justice for the victims of the corruption, protection for the innocent…and a life with the woman and babe he’s coming to love.From a USA Today bestselling author comes the gripping series finale filled with high-stakes danger, a marriage of convenience, an instant family, and love that heals wounded hearts.

My Review:

Grace Hampton feels the need to locate her father (Jedediah) so she can receive a bit of money to strike out on her own. She has been entrusted with a precious baby named Ruby, and she is determined to love and care for her. Little does Grace realize the grave danger she is walking into when she goes to find her father. He is not who she thinks he is and Sampson Coulter is quickly entangled in Grace’s life when Grace locates Jedediah. I love that Sampson has such a big heart and moved to help and protect Grace and Ruby.

Many things are wrapped up in this book, so I felt that the romance between Grace and Sampson was not as developed as I would like to have seen it. I did love the showdown at the end between Mick and Jedediah. In this part of the book we see the true nature of these two men.

Things to love:
baby
forced marriage
caring family
danger
Coulter ranch
Two Stones

This has been a fantastic series and one that I am sad to see end. Author Misty Beller created a wonderful family with terrific people being added throughout the series. Each person seems like a friend and I am sorry to see it conclude. I highly recommend reading this book and the entire series.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Celebrate Lit and the author. All opinions are my own with no obligation to write a positive review.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Misty M. Beller is a USA Today bestselling author with over 1 million books sold. She writes romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.

Raised on a farm and surrounded by family, Misty developed her love for horses, history, and adventure. These days, her husband and children provide fresh adventure every day, keeping her both grounded and crazy.

Misty’s passion is to create inspiring Christian fiction infused with the grandeur of the mountains, writing historical romance that displays God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.

Sharing her stories with readers is a dream come true for Misty. She writes from her country home in South Carolina and escapes to the mountains any chance she gets.

More from Misty

Hello Friends!

I’m BEYOND excited to share the finale of the Brothers of Sapphire Ranch series with you! This is Sampson’s story, the black sheep of the family. I thought it might be fun to give you a taste of one of my favorite scenes in the book:

***

Sampson eyed the woman he’d been told to marry. “I’d feel better if you and Ruby weren’t at the mercy of your father. I’d rather give you my name and make sure you have a nice place to live—a safe place. I’ll make sure you want for nothing.” She studied him with furrowed brow. He let his eyes plead with her as he said this last part. “Please consider it. For Ruby’s sake, if nothing else.”

Her expression didn’t change, she simply…stared at him. What thoughts churned in that mind of hers? Did she believe him?

Or did she think he was on her father’s side, trying to manipulate her into giving him control?

Show her the truth, Lord.

At last, her mouth parted as she prepared to speak. Her voice came out hesitant. “Would you expect to…live with us? Like a real husband?”

He shook his head, fighting off the burn in his cheeks at what she really asked. “You can live wherever you like. My family has a ranch a day’s ride from here. You’re welcome to move in there. Or if you want to be on your own, near a town, we’ll find a place you like.” He forced himself to meet her gaze again. They had to be honest with each, and he couldn’t let embarrassment get in the way of anything she needed to ask. “I won’t expect anything from you. Nothing like in a usual marriage.”

Her shoulders sagged a little, as if in relief. But a small furrow remained between her brows. “Why are you doing this? Why would you willingly burden yourself with us?”

He let himself consider her question. Why did he want her to say yes so much? He didn’t owe her anything. She was the daughter of his enemy—kin to the man who stole a year’s worth of sapphires from his family.

But this woman was different. Nothing like Jedidiah. And for some reason, he craved to keep her safe. To protect her from the evil who’d sired her. She didn’t deserve to be at that man’s mercy. Nor did the sweet child.

Sampson could help her so easily. Not only did he have money from his share of the sapphires, which he’d saved for years, he also had his pay from McPharland.

He swallowed as he tried to put all this into words. “I can help you.” His voice graveled with how much he wanted to do that. And then he let himself say the real truth. “And maybe in helping you, I can make up for my own mistakes.”

***

I pray you love Sampson and Grace’s story in Saving the Mountain Man’s Legacy!

Blessings!

Misty