Saturday, December 20, 2025

Dual Devotions

Description:

In the heart of Northumberland, the adults of the prominent Roylance and Jenkins families cherish the hope that their children will someday marry. But when the Jenkins family is exposed and Alexander’s parents are cast into debtors’ prison, the Roylances unceremoniously cut him out of their lives, forbidding their children from any association with him and abandoning the boy to a lonely life of destitution. Despite his dire circumstances, Alex is determined: he will make it on his own.

It’s been nine years since Charlotte Roylance has seen Alex Jenkins, but she hasn’t forgotten him. When he returns to town a self-made man seeking to renew his relationship with her family and unite with them in a shared business venture, she sees it as an opportunity to put to rest old grudges. Her older brother does not share her sentiments and forbids her from seeing their old friend again. But fate—and Charlotte’s heart—has other plans. As the two serendipitously meet time and again, the secret rekindling of their friendship soon evolves into deep connections—and feelings that are decidedly romantic. But Charlotte’s brother will do anything to keep them apart.

Review:

Charlotte Roylance is caught in an unenviable position. Does she honor her brother’s wishes in not associating with Alexander Jenkins or following her heart and forgiving Alex and pursue their friendship? Alex exhibited turning the other cheek and rising above hatred and bitterness. This book had a depth to it that I was not expecting, but I totally loved and it deserves all the stars I can give it. I highly recommend reading this!

Things to enjoy:

childhood friends

digging for treasure

water rescue

trellises

worms

faith thread

forgiveness

Monday, December 8, 2025

Deck the Hills

A grumpy pro snowboarder. A sunshiny mountain man. One peppermint-fueled charity event that delivers more than either bargained for…

Pro snowboarder Aspen Sterling doesn’t do jingle bells, gingerbread, or glittery holiday galas—but she needs to keep her sponsorship. Fresh off a brutal ACL injury, she heads to Mynt’s holiday resort determined to prove she’s back and at her best. What she didn’t expect was her neighbor Cole Rivers—a flannel-wearing, cocoa-making, holiday-obsessed mountain guide who makes joy look effortless. He’s exactly the kind of distraction that she can’t afford—yet can’t seem to avoid.

Cole loves his town, his job, and everything about the Christmas season. Which is why he’s determined to remind a certain snowboarder that this time of year still means something. Surrounded by twinkling lights and peppermint-scented chaos, Cole helps Aspen rediscover what joy really feels like—and perhaps what it means to fall for someone who sees through the tough-girl armor she’s worn for far too long.

Just as Aspen’s Christmas spirit begins to rekindle, a ghost from her past threatens to unravel it all. Now she must decide whether to keep her heart guarded or take a leap of faith with the one person who's slowly reminding her what Christmas magic truly feels like.

Because sometimes the bravest thing you can do is fall… right into love

Review:

I loved this sweet romance of Cole helping Aspen to find herself and her worth once again. Cole was the best kind of man to find ways for Aspen to experience the joy that had eluded her. I especially loved the ending; it was perfect!

Things to love:

dual POV

nicknames

snowy evenings

hot cocoa

This is a part of the Peppermint Playbook series that is about professional sports players from a variety of different athletic pursuits. This is standalone book and one you can curl up with and enjoy the cozy read.

I received a copy of the book but was not obligated to write a positive review.

Monday, December 1, 2025

The Red Cottage

About the Book

Book: The Red Cottage

Author: Hannah Linder

Genre: Christian Fiction / Historical / Regency Romance

Release Date: November, 2025

She forgot she loved him.
He would die to make her remember.

Meg Foxcroft has never minded the tattling village gossip or her uncle’s ill-tempered rebukes. After all, she has Tom McGwen—and one day, they will build their own cottage, paint it red, and live a wonderful life.

But then the unthinkable happens. Meg is attacked, her uncle’s apothecary shop goes up in flames, and when she wakes up in the arms of an eloquent lord, she remembers nothing. Not even her own name.

In a frantic race against time, Tom plunges into dangerous water, bent on sheltering Meg from harm and discovering who wants her dead. Even if she despises him. Even if it’s now the handsome lord she casts her smile upon.

As danger swells and truth comes crashing around them, Meg must confront the past and decide who she trusts—and loves—before the enemy makes the final strike.

Review:

Meg and Tom have planned to marry, but all that changes in one evening. Meg is severely beaten and has a serious case of amnesia, not even remembering Tom. His patience and determination in helping her remember things about her life and their love was such a sweet part of the story.

I loved this story with its plot twists and mystery. I was very surprised who was trying to kill Meg. The ending was terrific, seeing that love is choosing to be there for someone even when it is seems virtually impossible to overcome difficult circumstances.

I received a copy of the book through CelebrateLit and NetGalley. All opinions are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Hannah Linder resides in the beautiful mountains of central West Virginia. Represented by Books & Such, she writes Regency romantic suspense novels filled with passion, secrets, and danger. She is a four-time Selah Award winner, a 2023 Carol Award semi-finalist, a 2023 Angel Book Award third place winner, and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). Also, Hannah is an international and multi-award-winning graphic designer who specializes in professional book cover design. She designs for both traditional publishing houses and individual authors, including New York Times, USA Today, and international bestsellers. She is also a self-portrait photographer of historical fashion. When Hannah is not writing, she enjoys playing her instruments—piano, guitar, ukulele, and banjolele—songwriting, painting still life, walking in the rain, square dancing, and sitting on the front porch of her 1800s farmhouse.

More from Hannah

We’re made for someone. I think I’ve always believed this—that it was never about proximity, or happenchance, or who you know, or where you are.

But that God, in His infinite wisdom, created a second half for each of us.

Someone who fits in the curve of your neck when you hug.

Who laughs at the things you laugh at.

Who speaks to you in a language your soul understands.

I think that’s why I love The Red Cottage so much. Circumstances would have never mattered with Tom and Meg. They loved each other. They were linked. And even if everything had been different, if they had been born hundreds of years before, they would have found their way back to each other.

If the age was ancient Egypt, and he had been a Pharaoh, and she a slave, they would have discovered each other.

If the year was 1920, and he a factory worker, and she the daughter of an oil tycoon, they would have defied the rules of society.

In any other place, in any other time, in any other way, Tom would have loved Meg. And Meg would have loved Tom. That is the beauty and the mind-blowing magic of real love.

So, when you fall into the pages of The Red Cottage, I hope you aren’t so foolish as to imagine this was an accident. That Tom said the right things, or that Meg felt vulnerable in just the right places, and that their bond—both the first and second time—was a mere hapless stroke of luck.

They would have loved each other anyway.

We’re all made for someone.