Showing posts with label historical fiction. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

A Chance for Kallie Mae

She believes her dreams have been buried until one is rekindled—but the other threatens to cost her everything she loves.

Kallie Mae Bertram has harbored two dreams since childhood: to learn to read and to one day marry Quinn Spencer. But her first dream slipped away after her little sister died of a fever and her mother passed in childbirth. Kallie promised to care for the baby and her younger brother, which meant putting aside her own desires in order to keep her family together. But then a Moonlight School for adults offers Kallie hope of finally fulfilling that goal.

After Kallie's father forbids her from seeing Quinn, her second dream seems impossible. That is, until her frantic search for her missing sister leads to an unexpected encounter with Quinn in the woods—their first meeting in six years. The love they shared as children burns stronger than ever, awakening hopes Kallie thought were forever buried. But with their families locked in a bitter feud, following her heart could cost Kallie everything she's worked to protect.

Review:

I haven’t read any books by this author before, but I really enjoyed the depiction of the families who live in Southeastern Kentucky. Kallie Mae has been thrust into a situation that is not of her own making. Her hopes and dreams were dashed when she must step up to take care of her family. Ms. Gabhart captures your attention with the families that make this area their home. There is superstition, family feuds, and strong faith that builds the story and the characters.

Besides Kallie and her younger sister, Emmie, Aunt Sudie was my favorite character. Her comments at times made me laugh. She wields wisdom, prodding, matchmaking and backbone to be truly a woman that people respect.

I loved the Moonlight School that gave hard working adults the opportunity to learn how to read. Seeing Kallie and Quinn benefit from this program and the dedication of the teachers was very rewarding.

I recommend this book if you enjoy authors such as Jan Karon and Pepper Basham, or books like Christy.

I received a copy of this book from Revell Fiction, NetGalley, and Great Reads Book Promo. A positive review was not required.

Thursday, May 14, 2026

Calico Canyon

About the Book

Book: Calico Canyon (Petticoats and Cowboys Book 2)

Author: Mary Connealy

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: April 28, 2026

From beloved author Mary Connealy comes a delightful Western adventure brimming with danger, laughter, and unexpected romance—a tale of a runaway teacher, a bewildered widower, and five rambunctious boys who need a mother whether they want one or not. Perfect for fans of Tracie Peterson and Karen Witemeyer.

Grace Calhoun never imagined teaching school in Texas would lead to marriage—especially not to the infuriating Daniel Reeves.

When Grace flees her adoptive father’s cruelty by hiding in a stranger’s wagon, the town parson insists on an immediate wedding, leaving Grace trapped in marriage to a stubborn widower with five unruly sons—the very boys who made her teaching job impossible.

Daniel Reeves has no intention of risking his heart—or another wife—to childbirth.

Still grieving the loss of his first wife, Daniel wants nothing to do with the prim schoolmarm forced into his family. He’ll build her a house and provide for her needs, but he’ll keep his distance. His sons need a mother, but he refuses to fall in love again.

Snowed in together for a long Texas winter, walls begin to crumble.

As Grace discovers the courage she thought she’d lost, she transforms from a frightened woman on the run to a fierce protector of her new family. The boys who once tormented her become the children of her heart. And the husband who swore to keep his distance? He’s finding it harder each day to resist his spirited wife.

But when Grace’s dangerous past catches up to her, she must choose between running again or standing firm in the faith that brought her to Calico Canyon—even if it costs her everything.

A tender tale of found family, healing love, and the faithfulness of God in the midst of life’s unexpected turns.

Review:

This early westward expansion story has a surly father and a prissy schoolmarm who find themselves making the best of a forced marriage. I admired Grace’s fortitude to raise five rambunctious boys who weren’t hers and live in conditions that anyone would find trying conditions. She was also brave to stand up and take action against a man who had terrorized her throughout her life.

I enjoyed this story, but there were some unfinished stories for some of the characters. I am curious as to if they will appear in a future story.

*physical abuse, verbal abuse, assault

I received a copy of the book through Celebrate Lit. All opinions 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

I think of Calico Canyon as my husband’s life growing up.

He is sixth of seven sons. A family of all boys.

His mom, my mother-in-law, was the coolest lady I’ve ever known. That woman could handle everything and never be other than sweet and generous and so funny. She’s gone now but for all the years she was in my life, I’d say she was my best friend.

All those boys! She was the living embodiment of rolling with the punches and not sweating the small stuff.

Those brothers…they are the inspiration for this book but my mother-in-law read it and said, her boys were so much better behaved than those boys in Calico Canyon, and she’s right about that…no boys could be worse than the Reeves boys.

This book is the embodiment of the forced marriage. Two people caught in a completely innocent compromising situation. Nothing will do but immediate marriage after Grace spends the night with Daniel.

But there were five boys in that cave with us!

Not gonna save you, Grace.

Grace is a school marm and those boys have been a torment to her ever since they’d shown up at school. Now, due to Grace needing to hide from her abusive, adoptive father, who has tracked her down to this tiny town in Texas, she’d ended up under a tarp over Daniel’s wagon. He takes her home and she has no choice but to stay quiet under that tarp until it’s too

late to take her back.

The wedding scene from Calico Canyon was, for many years, what I considered the funniest thing I’d ever written. Very hard work to get that scene right. Grace is confused when she’s found with Daniel by the parson. Oh, good. Someone who will give me a ride back to town.

The parson is saying the vows. Grace is happy to take a ride. The parson’s wife is urging the parson to hurry. Daniel is trying to put a stop to it. The boys are all horrified to see their hated teacher.

Mayhem ensues.

It was a lot of fun to get right. Lots of moving parts in that scene.

And then a blizzard snows the gap that leads into their canyon shut and they have to spend the winter trying not to kill each other. And of course, falling in love.

I hope you enjoy Calico Canyon. The fumbling, clueless cowboy. The innocent, befuddled school marm. The unruly boys who don’t see why she can’t cook and why she won’t go home.

The danger, circling the outside of their canyon, waiting for the gap to open so he can avenge himself on the daughter that send him to prison.

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, May 5

For Him and My Family, May 6

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 7

Simple Harvest Reads, May 8 (Guest Review from Donna)

Jeanette’s Thoughts , May 9

Fruitfully Planted, May 10

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 10

Books You Can Feel Good About, May 11

Vicky Sluiter, May 12

Sydney Schmied, May 13

Book Looks by Lisa, May 14

Wishful Endings, May 15

Labor Not in Vain , May 16

Mary Hake, May 16

Cover Lover Book Review, May 17

Holly’s Book Corner, May 18

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/5MQgR/calico-canyon-celebration-tour-giveaway

Sunday, May 3, 2026

Lady Wynwood's Spies

About the Book

Book: Lady Wynwood’s Spies, Volumes 1-3 Box Set

Author: Camille Elliot

Genre: Christian Regency Romantic Suspense

Release Date: April 23, 2024

Pride and Prejudice meets Mission: Impossible in this Christian Regency Suspense with slow-burn romance and a touch of the supernatural.

Recovered from her harrowing marriage, Lady Wynwood’s peace shatters as a nefarious secret society linked to her past emerges. She seeks the aid of Mr. Sol Drydale, an old friend with ties to a shadowy arm of the government.

They gather a circle of trusted individuals with unique skills:

A botanist with deadly aim with a bow and arrows
An unconventionally trained female medic and chemist in a field dominated by men
A cat burglar who also happens to be a viscount’s son
A spy searching for answers to the mysterious death of his brother
An ex-soldier haunted by regret and self-loathing
A human lie detector desperately protecting lies of her own
The most covert phantom agent working for the Crown
All led by a nobleman keeping dangerous secrets (who feels like he’s wrangling cats)

To protect their loved ones, they must race to stop a treasonous brotherhood, whose dark secrets could enable Napoleon to win the war.

Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 1: Archer

An ex-spy and a spinster botanist must find a murderer—with ties to both their families—whose uncanny alchemy could turn the tides against the war with Napoleon.

Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 2: Berserker

The team searches for their missing comrade before a crazed murderer finds him first.

Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 3: Aggressor

When French spies land on British soil to steal the ingredient for a powerful alchemical potion, Lady Wynwood’s team falls under attack from the toxins they unleash.

Review:

I love this series! I read the books several years ago, so it was a delight to get to read them again. They are even better the second time around! There are spies, heroes, and a maniacal villain who makes me shiver and read as fast as I can to see what other things he is planning.

Archer- Lady Laura Wynwood is an intelligent widow who is compassionate and takes in those who are in need. She has in her employ twin 11 year olds who are expert knife throwers with other street-wise talents. Her niece, Phoebe, comes to stay with her and is quite good at observing others as well as being an expert archer and is an avid botanist. I loved seeing these four team up with Sol Drydale and his two compatriots, Micahel Coulton-Jones and Septimus Ackett as they gather evidence of a secret society and unmasking Apothecary Jack and his potent formula to make people have superhuman strength.

Berserker- Wow! This second book in the series had me on the edge of my seat. Apothecary Jack is truly a mad and ruthless villain. He doesn't care who he hurts and delights in watching people suffer. Ms. Elliott has created a creepy, despicable and dangerous threat. Lady Wynwood, Sol Drydale and their team have their work cut out for them as they try to stop him and his super strength men.

There is enough action, suspense, questions, and chaos in this book that I couldn't put it down. The end of the book is a cliff hanger, so plan on buying the next book too! I can't wait to see how this clever and resourceful ring of spies is going to meet the threat of the Root and its use for defeating anyone who stands in Apothecary Jack's way.

Aggressor- The adventure continues in this third book of Lady Wynwood's Spies. Apothecary Jack has competition with the French as they fight over who will have control over the Root. Two of the Crown's agents are affected by this strange and powerful potion, and another of the agents is badly injured by men who are part of Apothecary Jack's crew.

I love how the young ladies and the 11 year old twins are called on to help. Each has their own skill set and each help to thwart the villainous plans that have been set into motion. I particularly loved how the bows and arrows played a key part in the confrontations of the men who affected by the Root. This was a clever and unique way of handling a dangerous situation.

While some things are made clearer, other questions are brought up that makes me excited to read the next book. This is part of a series and is not a standalone book. if you love adventure, spies, and a bit of romance, you will like this series.

TW: violence, death, brothels

Thank you for the gifted copy of the boxed set, Ms. Elliot, and Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Camy writes Christian Contemporary Romantic Suspense as USA Today bestselling author Camy Tang and Christian Regency Romantic Suspense as USA Today bestselling author Camille Elliot. She grew up in Hawaii but now lives in California, where she knits antique knitting patterns and is learning Japanese.

More from Camille

What inspired me to write the Lady Wynwood’s Spies series:

While I love Regency Romances and Jane Austen’s books, I also really love action movies. When plotting the rest of the series, especially in light of Sol’s clandestine job for the Crown, I realized that I really wanted to do a mash-up of Mission: Impossible in the Regency era.

So I created Sol’s team of agents, some who used to work for the Foreign Office as spies and some who are civilians with unusual skill sets. And, of course, there will be lots of romance for each of the team members, as well as lots of action and suspense.

What exactly is an epic-length serial novel?

Originally I had written The Spinster’s Christmas, a Christian Regency Romantic Suspense, as a stand-alone novel, and I had planned more stand-alone novels with Lady Wynwood and Sol as minor characters in each of them. However, as I began planning the series past that first Christmas book, I realized the storyline was becoming longer and more complex.

I fought it for a while because it would have been a really long series—I even tried writing the next book as a stand-alone novel, but I wrote almost 90,000 words and I hadn’t even gotten to the 25% mark in the book!

So I decided to structure the series like a Japanese light novel series, in which each book has a complete story arc, but there is an underlying story arc that runs through each of the volumes and isn’t resolved until the end.

This is similar to the serial novels being published in the U.S., but those tend to be smaller installments of around 20,000 words, while each of the volumes in my series is around 100,000 words.

I have already plotted the entire series and it will be 12 volumes, plus 3 prequel novels (The Spinster’s Christmas, The Gentleman Thief, and Lissa and the Spy). At the moment, I’m writing volume 10.

I hope you enjoy my latest Regency series!

Blog Stops

All-of-a-kind Mom, April 22

Inspired by Fiction, April 23

Books You Can Feel Good About, April 23

Melissa’s Bookshelf, April 24

Lily’s Corner, April 25

Life on Chickadee Lane, April 26

Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 27

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 28

Texas Book-aholic, April 29

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 30

Sydney Schmied Books, April 30

For Him and My Family, May 1

Blogging With Carol, May 2

Blossoms and Blessings, May 2

Book looks by Lisa, May 3

Devoted To Hope, May 4

Holly’s Book Corner, May 5

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Camille is giving away the grand prize of a Special Edition Paperback of Lady Wynwood’s Spies, Volume 1: Archer and a Regency-style ribbon bookmark!!

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

https://gleam.io/oUeZj/lady-wynwoods-spies-volumes-1-3-box-set-celebration-tour-giveaway

Monday, April 20, 2026

Windvale

Sir Henry Ainsley is drowning. Years of debt have piled up, and the only thing keeping him afloat is the need to see his sister secure in marriage. When an unexpected lifeline appears to absolve his debts in return for information on a missing merchant ship, he jumps at the chance—though he thought he’d left such dangerous work behind him. The catch is it comes with attending a house party on the Channel Islands, hosted by Mrs. Alice Seymour. But what’s one more gamble, if it could see his sister safely married before his crumbling facade is revealed?

Alice Seymour has no interest in love. Widowed and painfully reserved, she hosts her yearly matchmaking parties more out of duty than delight; it is far easier to help others find their happily ever after. Yet when the inscrutable Sir Henry arrives, his charm and quiet kindness begin to stir feelings she had long believed were too fanciful to be real. But as secrets from his past surface—and pieces of her own begin to fall into place—she is not certain she wishes to open her heart.

But the truth behind the missing ship might be more dangerous than Henry believed, and the possibility of failure threatens to destroy his future and the fragile trust growing between him and his hostess. As the island’s shadowy dealings come to light, Henry’s options grow limited, and Alice must choose between the comfort of the life she knows... or risk everything for the one man who truly sees her.

Review:

Spies, matchmaking, smuggling, and a love that develops over time between Alice and Sir Henry makes this a terrific story to be invested in their romance.Henry has the best kinds of friends. They never give up on him or trying to help him. Everyone needs people like that in their lives! I love that there are several suspects throughout the story as to who is the arch villain, and there are some surprises that kept me engaged until the very end.

Things to love:

beach scene

danger

mystery

Channel Islands

house party

redemption

I highly recommend reading this book that is the fifth book in the Regency Love Stories series. It can be read as a standalone, but I am sure you will want to read the other books too.

I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions are my own.

Monday, March 23, 2026

A Song Without Words

In Bath, appearances are everything and nothing is as it seems.

Bath, 1889

When a daring burglary strikes the Sherard residence in Bath, Byron Constantine returns under the name his family knows—Ambrose Sherard. Mira Blayse travels at his side, their partnership deeper than ever and a future together finally within reach. But stepping into the Sherards’ social sphere means facing expectations sharper than any blade. Winning over Byron’s judgemental sister and formidable mother may be more difficult than solving the crime itself.

Even when the thefts turn deadly.

A man’s fatal fall after a snowstorm hints at something far more sinister, and Mira soon realizes that Bath is a city built on secrets. In glittering ballrooms and musical recitals the warmest smiles might just belong to someone playing a part.

Drawn into shadowed streets and clandestine meetings beneath the ancient Roman Baths, Mira and Byron uncover a mystery rooted deeper than the Sherard break-in—one tied to hidden loyalties, rising ambitions, and the looming threat of war in Europe. Worst of all, there are signs that Circe’s reach is far from broken.

As danger mounts and political tensions rise, Mira and Byron must learn which voices to trust—because in Bath, even the sweetest music can carry a deadly refrain.

Review:

There are a string of burglaries that have Mira and Byron on the case, and this time, this one is personal. Byron’s family has had family jewels stolen, and the evidence points to an insider, but who would that be? I loved the mystery, danger, and the clues that keep you engaged until the final page.

Mira Blayse is like no other lady since she is independent, analytical, and makes a great partner for Ambrose Sherard aka the detective, Byron Constantine. There were some tense moments and even confrontations with certain members of Byron’s family, but I loved how things weren’t all they seemed to be and Mrs. Sherard is now one of my new favorites in the series. The villains are still making plans and Circe is continuing to go forward with their acts of chaos, but Byron and Mira, along with the help of others will ever be striving to bring them down. I hope there will be another book in the Constantine Capers series that I have thoroughly enjoyed. If you like political intrigue, mysteries, and a bit of romance, I highly recommend reading this book and all of the others. In order to understand all of the details of relationships and things that are mentioned from past books, it would be beneficial for you to begin with the first book and read in order. I received a gifted copy from the author through Book Sirens. I was under no obligation to write a positive review.

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.