Monday, March 9, 2026

Stars in Her Eyes

About the Book

Book: Stars in Her Eyes

Author: Erica Vetsch

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: February 10, 2026

A determined minister and a talented actress—bound by love, tested by prejudice, and challenged to choose between heart and conventions.

Pastor Silas Hamilton defied his father’s plans for his life in order to follow God’s call to a small Colorado church. But when he falls for Willow Starr, a gifted actress new to town, his congregation threatens to fracture. Though he’s certain she’s the one God intends for him, mounting pressure forces him to question everything.

Willow has never known a life beyond the theater, following in her parents’ footsteps alongside her domineering sister. When she meets Silas, she discovers a love worth more than any stage role. But with a career-making opportunity in New York beckoning and a church suspicious of actresses, Willow must decide if she’s brave enough to step into an entirely new life.

As rumors and lies threaten to tear them apart, Silas and Willow discover that sometimes the hardest choices lead to the greatest blessings.

Review:

Silas Hamilton, the single pastor of a small church in Martin City, has quite the time avoiding ambitious mothers trying to match him with their daughters, and Mrs. Dabble is the worst. So, when Silas meets actress, Willow Starr, and falls for her, Mrs. Dabble becomes enraged. What happens will test not only the love of Silas and Willow, but get quite a few people involved. Ms. Vetsch touches on the topic of prejudice and self-righteousness throughout the story. This gives the reader something to think about and examine preconceived ideas that can be found in our own lives. It was great to see Silas’s friends rally around him and Willow when they really needed it.

This is part of the Brides of the West series and can be read as a standalone. However, some the characters from previous books are a part of the story, and it’s fun to see them as part of Silas’s life.

I received a complimentary copy of the book through Celebrate Lit. I was not expected to write a positive review.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Best-selling, award-winning author of The Debutante’s Code, first in the Thorndike & Swann Regency Mystery Series, Erica Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum.

More from Erica

One of the questions I often get as an author is, “Where do your ideas come from?”

The answer is “All over!”

I often get ideas while watching movies or reading books, delving into history books, visiting historical sites, or daydreaming.

For the story Stars in Her Eyes, the idea came from a photograph. A portrait of a pretty girl. Her name was Maude Adams, and her photograph stayed in my mind for a long time.

Those gray eyes, the regal tilt to her chin, the ‘touch-me-not’ expression.

Willow Starr was born.

Stars in her Eyes is the third book in a trilogy set in a mining town in Colorado. Such boomtowns had acting troupes moving through to entertain the minors and bring a bit of ‘class’ to those who were making their fortunes.

So of course, I had to imagine the least likely person to fall in love with an actress. A pastor.

Silas has a rare ability to see the talents of others, not as a threat or oddity, but as a potential asset to the church. He believes that God gifts individuals for the purpose of edifying the church, and that God’s people are found everywhere, even on a lamplit stage.

Blog Stops

Stories By Gina, March 5 (Author Interview)

Melissa’s Bookshelf, March 5

She Lives to Read, March 6

Sydney Schmied Books, March 6

Devoted Steps, March 7

Holly’s Book Corner, March 7

Life on Chickadee Lane, March 8

book looks by lisa, March 9

Books You Can Feel Good About, March 9

lakesidelivingsite, March 10

Devoted To Hope, March 11

Book Holds and Jello Molds, March 11

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 12

Texas Book-aholic, March 13

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 13

Lyssa Loves Books, March 14

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 15

Connie’s History Classroom, March 15

Cover Lover Book Review, March 16

Pause for Tales, March 16

For Him and My Family, March 17

Blossoms and Blessings, March 17

Simple Harvest Reads, March 18 (Guest Review from Mindy)

Giveaway

To celebrat her tour, Erica 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/r3uyx/stars-in-her-eyes-celebration-tour-giveaway

Friday, March 6, 2026

Bridge of Betrayal

Sometimes it takes a small deception to uncover the truth.

England, 1954

Anna Lang lost everyone she loved during the Second World War—except her cherished music teacher, Esther Haymann. When Miss Haymann dies under suspicious circumstances and rumors of suicide swirl, Anna doesn’t want to believe them. Her doubts intensify when she catches a stranger rifling through Miss Haymann’s papers, claiming a link between her death and that of renowned scientist Alan Turing.

Arthur Cavendish, a former prisoner of war in Korea, can’t completely escape the nightmares of combat and captivity. Nor can he forget that Dr. Turing’s advice once saved his life, so Arthur is determined to get to the bottom of his associate’s alleged suicide, even if it involves trespassing and danger.

When a suspicious fire nearly kills Arthur and Anna, they form a reluctant alliance to clear their mentors’ names. From shadowy corners of seaside resorts to the guarded gates of a secret government agency at Hanslope Park, Anna and Arthur chase elusive clues—and wrestle with their growing attraction for each other. With divergent goals and hidden secrets, a future together seems unlikely. Yet as more and more pieces of the puzzle fall into place, a sinister pattern unfolds, and they find that their hearts are not the only things at risk. Uncovering the truth might cost them their lives.

Review:

I loved this action-packed finale to the Falcon Pointe series that has been one of my all-time favorites. Anna Lang and Arthur Cavendish team up to uncover what actually occurred in the deaths of their mentors. Right away they are swept up into a dangerous situation when a fire breaks out at the school where Anna had been a student. It’s a race against time and potential killers as they try to unravel clues to a bigger mystery that neither Anna nor Arthur realized.

Things I loved:

maps

dual POV

military vet/ POW

concert pianist

danger

spy gadgets

secret messages

political intrigue

clean romance

historical details

Anna has had a hole in her heart since she was separated from her family during WWII. As she and Arthur grow to know one another, she is lovingly challenged to move forward and enjoy the life she has been given. Arthur was just the man who could help her since he knew from experience what the war had done to him. I loved the combination of suspense, the race against time, and the tender romance that made me not want to put this book down.

While this amazing story can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading this in order of the series to enjoy the story to its fullest. You’ll want to learn about the other members of this remarkable family.

I received a complimentary copy of the book with no obligation to write a positive review.

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Last to Fall

She's caught in a deadly game. He's the only one who can help her win.

Bronwyn Pierce has poured everything into The Haven, her family's exclusive mountain resort in Gossamer Falls. But when financial discrepancies surface and the numbers suggest something far darker than simple mismanagement, she's forced to call on the one person with the skills to help her: Mo Quinn, a former Army intelligence officer, her first love, and the last person she ever wanted to trust again.

Mo has spent years avoiding the woman he once loved and the secrets that tore them apart. But when Bronwyn calls, he can't walk away--especially when it's clear someone wants her gone for good. As they dig deeper into the treacherous motives behind a blackmail scheme, their proximity reignites long-buried feelings neither of them are ready to face. And when the evidence points to an unexpected culprit, Mo faces an impossible choice: trust the proof in front of him or trust his heart.

With danger closing in and no one else to turn to, Bronwyn must break years of silence with Mo to uncover who's trying to destroy The Haven. They'll have to risk everything--including their hearts--to expose the truth before it's too late.

Review:

You’d think that being part of a family business the members would look out for and support each other, but Bronwyn Pierce’s family is based upon greed, jealousy, and undermining others to get ahead. As CEO of The Haven, Bronwyn must discover if her suspicions of illegal activities are correct. When she finds herself in danger of her life, she calls upon Mo Quinn, the man she promised herself she’d never talk to again (maybe even upon pain of death?) to help her look into the finances of the company.

I loved the boldness Bronwyn had as she faced her family at their board meeting. It was like she was walking into a lion’s den filled with hatred and suspicion. I was cheering for her as she served notice that she was going to put an end to the corruption that was taking place in The Haven. It took an inordinate amount of courage to do that!

This was more than just a romantic suspense book. It was also about restoring a broken relationship, letting go of past hurts, and choosing to forgive. Bronwyn’s found family was the b.e.s.t! They loved her through all her past mistakes. It took a bit of loving nudging from them and some humility on her part to reconcile with Mo. But, oh, the joy and freedom she discovered when she did so was so satisfying to read.

I recommend readers of romantic suspense to read this high-stakes story. This is part of the Gossamer Falls series, and while it can be read as a standalone, you’ll enjoy the book to its fullest if you have read the previous ones.

I voluntarily read a complimentary copy of the book provided through the author, Revell and NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Monday, March 2, 2026

Light to My Path

About the Book

Book: Light To My Path

Author: Erica Vetsch

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: February 10, 2026

A determined orphan caretaker and a wealthy mine owner—brought together by circumstance, tested by tragedy, and transformed by love.

Sam Mackenzie learned the hard way not to trust a beautiful face. After breaking his engagement to a fortune-hunting socialite, he’s focused solely on his family’s mining business. But when his aunt asks him to help escort three orphans and their caretaker across the country, he finds himself drawn to the selfless young woman tasked with the children’s care.

Eldora Carter has spent her life depending on no one but herself. As a former orphan now caring for three unwanted children, she knows better than to dream of a different future. When a journey by rail turns perilous, she must rely on Sam’s help to keep the children safe. Yet accepting his assistance means risking her heart to a man who could never want someone like her. As danger forces them to work together, Eldora discovers that sometimes the greatest risk is refusing to love at all.

Review:

When Ellie is tasked with taking three orphaned children across the country, little did she know she’d need so much help. Sam Mackenzie has been asked to see that Ellie and the children are situated before he retires to his own private train car, but he gets involved right away when things get out of hand with the children. While Sam didn’t plan on getting involved as much as he did, he was just what Ellie and the children needed. I throughly enjoyed watching Sam help Ellie to see that she was special and precious.

Things I loved:

rambunctious boys

sweet little girl

kisses only romance

found family

faith thread

I highly recommend this novella to readers of all ages who enjoy historical romance with humor sprinkled throughout and a happy ending. It is part of the Brides of the West series but can be read as a standalone. I have loved the other books I have read and look forward to reading more.

I received a gifted copy through Celebrate Lit but was not required to write a positive review.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

More from Erica

Trains. I love trains. I got this love from my father, who is fascinated by all types of trains. When writing Light to My Path, I asked my dad lots of questions, and I relied heavily upon the things I learned at the train museums he took me to see.

One of our favorite train museums is in Duluth, MN. The Lake Superior Railroad Museum, in what was the former depot of the Gilded Age boomtown, is home to one of the most beautiful trains I have ever seen.

It’s name is the William B. Crooks, and it is a steam locomotive.

The William Crooks, the first train engine of any kind in Minnesota belonging to the St. Paul & Pacific Railroad by railroad tycoon James J. Hill of St. Paul. The William Crooks pulled its first train cars full of passengers on June 28, 1862. The William Crooks retired from passenger service in 1897.

Isn’t it beautiful? When the train retired from passenger service, it became the personal train of James J. Hill, The Empire Builder and owner of The Great Northern Railroad.

James J. Hill dreamed of pushing a railroad from Minnesota to the West Coast, through the Rocky and Cascade Mountains. It was along the Great Northern Railroad in March of 1910 that one of the worst train disasters in US history occurred. An avalanche took out two trains, killing 96 people.

This historic event inspired part of the story in Light to My Path. A train, trapped by snow, unable to go forward or back, and with an avalanche imminent. It’s the kind of book that calls for a warm blanket and a hot cup of tea!

You can read more about both the William Crooks and the Cascade Avalanche Disaster at these websites:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Crooks_(locomotive)

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/march-1/trains-buried-by-avalanche

Blog Stops

Books Less Travelled, February 19

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 20

Sydney Schmied Books, February 20

Texas Book-aholic, February 21

For Him and My Family, February 22

Devoted To Hope, February 23

Lyssa Loves Books, February 23

She.lives.to.read, February 24

lakesidelivingsite, February 24

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 25

Melissa’s Bookshelf, February 26

Blossoms and Blessings, February 26

Simple Harvest Reads, February 27 (Guest Review from Mindy)

Books You Can Feel Good About, February 28

Devoted Steps, March 1

Bizwings Blog, March 1

Book Looks by Lisa, March 2

Little Homeschool on the Prairie , March 2

Cover Lover Book Review, March 3

Holly’s Book Corner, March 3

Lock, Hooks and Books, March 4

Pause for Tales, March 4

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Erica 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/IemaN/light-to-my-path-celebration-tour-giveaway

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

The Bird of Bedford Manor

About the Book

Book: The Bird of Bedford Manor

Author: Michelle Griep

Genre: Historical Christian Fiction / Regency

Release Date: February, 2026

Bedfordshire, England, 1820: Ruined by the sins of her father, Juliet Finch is cast into a life of self-reliance. Survival is a harsh taskmaster, but she is a quick learner and excels at tracking and snaring wild game to feed herself. Juliet embraces her new identity until the day Henry Russell catches her poaching on his land—a crime punishable by death. Henry, however, has other offenses on his mind: namely, the troublesome stalker who’s making a misery of his sister’s life. To try to put a stop to her torment, Henry charges Juliet with tracking the elusive villain so he can be brought to justice. Using her skills, Juliet hunts down the rogue. . .but may just become the prey herself.

Reader favorite Michelle Griep has penned yet another masterpiece with this page-turning adventure that has it all:

swoon-worthy romance
clever turn-of-phrase
colorfully memorable characters
charming British setting

Review:

Ms. Griep has written a romantic Regency story with a twist that was unique and interesting. As a poacher, Juliet Finch lives in a state of catching just enough game to survive, and not wanting to rely on this for her and her aunt’s existence. When she finally got caught by Lord Henry Russell, whose land she was hunting upon, she faces the real possibility of either death or deportation. Surprisingly, Henry offers her a different option of using her stealthiness and observations skills to find the person who sends his sister, Charity, threatening messages. Taking this golden opportunity she determines to do everything she can to apprehend the culprit. With red herrings and clues along the way, I was invested to see if I could solve the case too. I loved the twists of justice, the faith the characters, and the relationship that grows between Juliet and Henry..

If you are a fan of historical romance this is a book to add to your TBR list. After the story the author has included interesting information pertaining to history to further the knowledge of certain things that were included in the novel.

I received a copy of this book from the author, Celebrate Lit, and NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She is the Christy Award-winning author of historical romances: A Tale of Two Hearts, The Captured Bride, The Innkeeper’s Daughter, 12 Days at Bleakly Manor, The Captive Heart, Brentwood’s Ward, A Heart Deceived, and Gallimore, but also leaped the historical fence into the realm of contemporary with the zany romantic mystery Out of the Frying Pan. If you’d like to keep up with her escapades, find her at www.michellegriep.com or stalk her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

More from Michelle

The Waltz: The Dance That Shocked Regency England

Post by Michelle Griep

I’ll be the first to admit it…I can’t dance a lick. Not a jig, not a reel, and certainly not anything that requires turning in rhythm without stepping on someone’s toes. If you ever spot me on a dancefloor, it’s because someone shoved me there or I lost a bet. Which is probably why the waltz both fascinates and terrifies me. A dance that actually expects you to glide gracefully while holding someone close? Absolutely not. And yet in Regency England, it became the talk of the town.

When the waltz swirled onto the dancefloors of England in the 1790s, it caused more shock than delight. Imported from Austria and southern Germany, it was a turning, closely-held dance—far too close for the comfort of polite society. Many called it indecent, warning that no respectable couple should stand chest-to-chest before a room full of onlookers. Some critics even claimed the dance “ignited dangerous feelings” and threatened to erode proper English restraint.

Shocking, right?

But fashions shift, and all it took was the Prince Regent giving the dance his approval in 1814. Overnight, the waltz transformed from scandal to sensation. By the 1820s, it was everywhere.

Here are a few fun bits of waltz trivia from the era:
• Some etiquette books warned that too much turning could cause “disorientation” or “undue excitement.”
• Early chaperones sometimes counted the number of turns, convinced it reflected a couple’s level of impropriety.
• A lady’s hemline was said to act like a “barometer” of a gentleman’s behavior—if it swayed too wildly, he was holding her too tightly.

In The Bird of Bedford Manor, set in 1820, this same world of rigid rules and whispered scandals forms the backdrop for Juliet Finch—resourceful, determined, and driven into the woods by her father’s downfall. When Henry Russell catches her poaching on his land, everything changes. What begins as a crime punishable by death becomes something far more dangerous as he charges her with tracking the stalker tormenting his sister.

Juliet can track anything. But this time, she may become the hunted.