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.  

Not Precisely Mr. Knightley

 

About the Book

Book: Not Precisely Mr. Knightley (The Silver Teapot Series Book Two)

Author: Carolyn Miller

Genre: Romance/Contemporary/Christian Fiction

Release Date: May, 2026

Can the Matchmaker Find True Love?

Emma-Jane (EJ) Bennett and Jordan Knight are longtime best friends who codesigned the immensely successful dating app, Dream Match. Success starts to go to EJ’s head when she gets caught up in the famous and money-hungry social circles and starts dating the son of a TV mogul. But Jordan’s feelings have grown from friendship to more. He determines to protect her by exposing Eric Churchill for the two-timer he is, finally agreeing to attend a function with her at the Sydney Opera House. But his best intentions go awry when EJ is embarrassed and runs for the security of home, small-town roots, and The Silver Teapot Café, feeling like Jane Austen’s chastised Emma—only without her Mr. Knightley.

Don’t miss book 1 in The Silver Teapot series, Not Exactly Mr. Darcy

 Review: 

Emma-Jane (EJ) tries to leave her small town and its foibles behind her as she settles into the glittering world of Sydney, Australia. This story was a cross between the story of Emma and the Prodigal Son from the Bible. Chasing after what the glitzy and glamorous world of the billionaire playboy, Eric Churchill, EJ loses sight of her roots, her family, and her best friend, Jordan. 

Jordan was the very best thing that Emma-Jane had going for her. He was there through her hard times and when she was caught up in the jet set. He was really the only one had the courage to tell her the truth. I loved that he was asking people to pray for her to see what was happening before she did something she would regret. Jordan was portrayed very well as a man who was much like Mr. Knightley. 

This is the second book in the Silver Teapot series. It can be read as a standalone. 

I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own and were voluntarily given. 

Click here to get your copy!

 About the Author

Carolyn Miller is an inspirational Regency and contemporary romance author who lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. Together with her husband, she has pastored a church for ten years and worked as a public high school English and Learning and Support teacher.

A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s Regency era, Carolyn holds a BA in English Literature and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives.

 

 

More from Carolyn

Do you know someone who has found love online?

I do. I have numbers of friends and even a family member who have found love and married thanks to dating apps and the like. This newer form of meeting people is something I’ve referenced in several of my books (including Only You Can Love Me), as several of my characters have used an app called Dream Match, a romance matchmaking app for Christian singles around the world. But when I first mentioned Dream Match years ago I didn’t realise at the time that I’d end up writing a story about how the inventor of Dream Match would finally meet her match.

And it seemed perfect to me that Jane Austen’s Emma Woodhouse, known for her matchmaking skills, should be reflected in a modern day context as being the ultimate matchmaker, EJ Bennett, who is responsible for helping hundreds of people find love online. Even if she doesn’t think she needs or wants love for herself.

Playing with Jane Austen’s characters and putting them in a modern setting is a lot of fun. So not only does Emma Woodhouse become EJ Bennett, but George Knightley becomes EJ’s best friend and app co-designer Jordan Knight, the straight shooter she needs. And Frank Churchill, the man Emma starts to fall for, becomes Eric Churchill, son of a TV mogul squillionaire.

The first book in The Silver Teapot series, Not Exactly Mr. Darcy, also played around with some of Austen’s settings, placing the story in a small town in Australia called Wattle Vale. I had fun further developing the Australian connections by setting other key scenes in iconic places like the Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach, which naturally meant I had to visit for “research.”

So I hope readers enjoy this little taste of Australia, and all the fun references to Jane Austen’s Emma. Be sure to check out my website and follow me on social media for more Jane Austen inspiration and fun, and get ready to enjoy Not Precisely Mr. Knightley, a sweet and swoony best friends-to-more romance that shows the path to true love is never smooth – even for the professional matchmaker.

Happy reading!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 28

Book Looks by Lisa, May 28

The Sacred Line, May 29

All-of-a-kind Mom, May 29

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 30

Pause for Tales, May 30

Life on Chickadee Lane, May 31

Stories By Gina, June 1 (Author Interview)

To Everything There Is A Season , June 1

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 2

Texas Book-aholic, June 3

For Him and My Family, June 4

Lyssa Loves Books, June 5

Wishful Endings, June 5

Fruitfully Planted, June 6

Happily Managing a Household of Boys , June 6

Cover Lover Book Review, June 7

Mrs. Ryan Moser’s Book and Movie Reviews, June 7

Melissa’s Bookshelf , June 8

Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 8

Blossoms and Blessings, June 9

Holly’s Book Corner, June 10

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Carolyn is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon e-Gift card and a print copy of the book!!

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

https://gleam.io/doE7D/not-precisely-mr-knightley-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Sheriff's Secret Past

To give his family the perfect future…

He must face his past

There are only two things on Sheriff Chase Everett’s mind: his upcoming reelection, and adopting his sweet niece after his sister’s death. The last thing he needs to worry about is the new editor of the local newspaper digging into his past. Newcomer Emily Taylor is eager for a juicy scoop for the Aspen Creek Journal, and the handsome sheriff is the perfect subject. But Chase has a dark secret that he’s desperate to hide. He needs to keep his distance from the feisty journalist, which should be easy, until a dog and a little girl bring them together…

Review

Welcome to Aspen Creek where neighbors look out for each other and no one is a stranger. I loved getting to know Emily Taylor as she works on reviving the local struggling newspaper. She has great ideas for helping it to succeed, including featuring Chase, the current sheriff and a man who is definitely eligible!

This is a story of a developing relationship between Emily and Chase and one that the people of Aspen Creek want to encourage. I enjoyed this first book in the series and look forward to reading more.

Things to enjoy:
small town
local newspaper
re-election race
single dad
secret crush
friends to more

I received a copy of the book from the author and JustRead Publicity Tours. All opinions are my own.

Frost and Flame

He’s handsome and broody—the kind of quiet that makes you wonder what’s going on under the surface.

I’m the new rookie at the station—and the only woman firefighter in the history of Waterford Fire. Translation: every move I make is being measured, and quietly evaluated. No pressure. Not to mention the pranks these guys pull.

The only thing on my mind besides proving myself at work is a daughter who thinks baseball is a personality trait. Oh! And, my mom just decided she’s moving in with us.

Romance is not on the schedule. Neither are complications.

Am I distracted by Greyson’s quiet competence or the way he shows up when it matters? Nope.

I’m definitely not intrigued by the hints of softness beneath that military-grade self-control. And I am absolutely not interested in a man who keeps his past locked up tighter than a firehouse locker.

I have enough mysteries in my life. I don’t need one with broad shoulders, a turnout coat, and perceptive eyes that seem to look straight into my soul.

We both have baggage. Mine comes with a lunchbox and a bedtime routine.

But I’ve got a plan: keep my head down, do my job, protect my heart.

Check, check and … well, two out of three’s not bad.

Review:

I have been waiting for Greyson’s story to be told. Is it because he is somber, says little, and there is a bit of a mystery to him? That would be a resounding yes, so it was great to see him get his HEA. The way that Hallie is part of his life was quite a surprise and was a great twist to their story

Things to love:

grumpy /sunshine workplace romance Germany hot cocoa small town secret identity extended families baseball mom/coach knock knock jokes stale vs. fresh bread bit by bit Waterford residents I love that Greyson is a loving, caring, and humble man who is there for those he cares about. This is one story that you can really get behind the characters and root for them. I love the people that are a part of Waterford, TN. and this band of firefighters who are there for one another as they serve their community. “Love is risk.” I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions are my own.

Claire Holloway is Winging It

Romance takes to the skies, but will turbulence make it tumble?

When Claire Holloway's dream of becoming a ballerina plummets into the realm of unachievable, she's left with her boyfriend as her only support . . . until she decides to become a flight attendant for the free travel. She moves of state and into a crash pad with a gaggle of other flight attendants, and her fear of losing Wyatt skyrockets.

First Officer Nathan Stuart has been a bit cynical since he and his fiancée broke up, but when he meets a somewhat frazzled Claire on her first day in the Seattle airport, they quickly hit it off. When they end up on the same crew, he takes Claire under his wing and they form a friendly bond.

Wyatt's once-supportive attitude sours into resentment and makes Claire wonder if her newfound joy is the right flight plan. Pulled between two men and balancing her new career, she must learn to listen for God's direction and follow it closelymdashjust like her crew obeys air traffic control. 

Review:

4.5 What did you want to be when you grew up? Being flight attendant was one of my top five choices. So, it was fun to join Claire as a new crew member of the airline industry and experience some of the passengers, drink cart mishaps, and the different personalities of her housemates at her base in Seattle. 

This story had so much more to it than just romance and comedy. There is a message that you are enough; you do not need another person to make you happy, and love is seeking the best for the other person. I loved the faith thread throughout and also Claire’s heart for the less fortunate. 

I recommend this friends to more story with its rich characters and the transformation that takes place in both Claire’s and Nathan’s lives. The behind the scenes of a flight attendant’s life was interesting and I am glad Ms. Strong shared it with us, after all, she has first-hand experience. 

I received a gifted copy of the book from Kregel and JustRead Publicity Tours. I was not obligated to write a positive review. 

Even After This

 When you're ready to live again, love often has a way of finding you.

Four years after tragedy, Meredith Harper is tired of hiding in her corner of Texas and living life like a game of dodgeball. She packs up her grief, awkward social graces, and sizable life insurance in search of a vacation and investment property in Colorado Springs. A botched dinner reservation throws her into the path of a bona fide movie star, and Meredith pushes through her comical celebrity neurosis to discover he is charming but a terrible dancer.

A viral video of a daring rescue makes Harlan Holcombe's celebrity star stronger, with millions of his fans deeming him a real-life Hercules. But a minute of heroism doesn't absolve his past mistakes.

As Harlan and Meredith spend more time together, he helps her believe there might be more for her not just in life but in love. And she might be part of the solution to restore the legacy he fears is tarnished. But what happens when the path to redeem his mistakes collides with the path to redeem her loss?

Review: 

“Is it possible that there’s still something left for me in this life?” 

Meredith Harper has endured a tragic accident that no mother or wife should ever have to experience. After four years of grieving, she decides to take a giant step of faith get out from under the dark cloud that has been a part of her life and go to Colorado to see about purchasing property. Ms. Clack did a remarkable job of showing the process of going through grief and finding a new beginning. 

Harlan Holcombe should be a man to avoid since he is a movie star and Meredith becomes an awkward, babbling mess. But Harlan can see past all of that and recognize a woman who could really use a friend. He doesn’t tiptoe around Meredith’s grief, but instead helps her through it. He is there to defend her, to comfort her, and push her to do things she wouldn’t do otherwise. 


Things to love:

humor

Famous People Probation

dancing

he falls first

Skee-Ball tournament

childhood friends

mom stickers

Thanksgiving

Abba ringtones

skiing

overcoming fear

I highly recommend reading this book. You are sure to love the humor that is threaded throughout the story along with seeing love in action. This is the first book in the Shelter and Sky series, and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the books. 

Thank you to Haven Fiction and UpLit Reads for a gifted copy. I was under no obligation to write a positive review. 

Smoke and Ash

 If you saw Cody Buckner on a horse, you’d understand my obsession with him.

I’ve spent most of my life pretending I don’t have a thing for the rancher next door.
He’s my brother’s best friend.
My best friend’s brother.
And now—because fate clearly hates me—he’s the firefighter I have to work alongside as Waterford’s newest fire inspector.

Cody Buckner is steady where I’m stubborn, calm where I’m chaos, and way too good at showing up when I’m trying to keep my distance. Especially now, with my family ranch hanging by a thread.

Around here, everyone's got a front-row seat to everyone else’s business, and gossip travels faster than a brush fire. One look, one slip, and the whole town would know exactly how I feel about Cody.

But every time those brown eyes find mine, my whole list of reasons why we can’t be together just ... goes up in smoke.

Review: 

Carli and Cody have known each other all of their lives. When their feelings towards each other begin to change, their life relationship gets complicated, and so do their lives. Smoke and Ash has all the things I love about Hallmark Movies: small town, involved extended families, good friends, and of course, romance. Ms. Scott has written a story that you are sure to love with things such as:

childhood friends

rancher neighbors

nicknames

barn kiss

forbidden romance

horse rides

secret meetings

barn dance

day-long dates

ranch wedding

This is the third book in the Firemen of Waterford TN series, but it can be read as a standalone. There are other characters from previous books, but they do not interfere with the plot. This is a kisses-only romcom. 

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

When I'm With You

 

She had her life mapped out perfectly—until love rewrote every plan.

Elizabeth Dorsey doesn't do detours. Fresh from MIT with honors and her sights set on Wharton's MBA program, she's got her next twenty years planned down to the minute. A quick summer stint at the family furniture business in sleepy Hearts Bend, Tennessee? Just a pit stop before conquering the Fortune 100.

But some destinations are worth changing course for.

Enter Ryder Donovan—the wildlife officer who once filled her teenage summers with friendship and innocent longing. Now he's all grown up, devastatingly handsome, and stirring feelings that threaten to derail everything Elizabeth thought she wanted. When a mysterious fire brings them together and false accusations tear them apart, Elizabeth must choose between the future she's always planned and the love she never saw coming.

In Hearts Bend, Tennessee, some fires burn hotter than others...

As Elizabeth uncovers fraud that could destroy Ryder's career, their chemistry ignites into something neither can ignore. But with her acceptance to Wharton finally in hand and Ryder facing a job offer in Colorado, can two people heading in opposite directions find their way to the same future?

Sometimes the biggest risk isn't following your dreams—it's having the courage to change them.

Review: 

Elizabeth is a driven young lady who wants to prove that she is capable of doing whatever she sets her mind to doing. After being sick for two years, she sees Hearts Bend where her extended family lives as a slight detour to her plans to attend grad school. But, what if the plan that she has isn’t what God had planned for her? Trusting that He has something even better takes a whole lot of faith when you can’t see your next step.

Things to enjoy:

childhood friends

small town

4th of July activities

mystery

family

pizza not-a-date

fire watch tower

MMC hero

All of us can relate to Beth when change occurs. Moving forward into the unknown can be scary, but when WMA Officer Ryder Donovan steps back into Beth’s life, she has a sounding board and friend to help her with her next steps. I love the friends to more trope, and this was well written with just the pacing. 

I recommend reading this book for its clean romance, a wonderful family, and its faith message. This is the first book in the Home to Hearts Bend series. 

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

Track of Courage

 

Description: 

A hijacked plane. A pursuing killer. And a K9's instinct to help them make it out alive.

Pop singer Keely Williams's search for her biological mother in Alaska has been painfully unsuccessful. Now she just wants to escape this wild frontier and never look back. But when her plane is hijacked, she's suddenly plunged into a race against not only an Alaskan blizzard but also a killer who's on her tail.

After a career-ending injury, ex-cop Dawson Mulligan has only one friend--Caspian, the stray dog he adopted. Dawson just wants to figure out how to get his life on track, but during a flight home to Copper Mountain, he spots a downed plane and stops to help. Except, when his not-a-rescue dog runs off into the woods and discovers the trail of a missing survivor, it's up to the former cop to stage a rescue.

But Dawson has no idea he's being pulled into a deadly pursuit, or that Caspian is more than he seems. There might be redemption and second chances waiting for both Dawson and Keely if they have the courage to face their wounded pasts and fight for their future.

Join master storyteller Susan May Warren for a propulsive ride through the Alaskan wilderness, where love might be the riskiest--and most rewarding--adventure of all.

Review: 

I hate the cold and certainly blizzard-like conditions, but Susan May Warren’s books that are set in Alaska keep me coming back for more. Her books are well written, packed with action, danger, and romantic relationships that the outdoor elements provide suspenseful scenes and a glimpse into the tenacity of the people who live there. The story of Dawson and Keely was one that has several layers with not only the plot of criminals on the loose, but also deeper stories of adoption and trusting God. 

Be sure to read the author’s notes. It was so interesting to see that Ms. Warren had drawn from her personal experiences to write this amazing story.

I loved this story and highly recommend reading it if you like Christian romantic suspense. While this is the first book in the Call of the Wild series, there are characters from past books who are a part of this story. It makes it all that richer because it is like reuniting with old friends and seeing what they are doing. 

I received a copy of the book from Revell and NetGalley, but I was not obligated to write a positive review.

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.