Showing posts with label historical fiction. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Mist on the Waters

A dangerous smuggling ring, a trail of hidden codes, and a city built on secrets—but trusting her heart may be the greatest risk of all.

Detective Mason McCready has spent his career hunting criminals along the Mississippi River, but this case cuts closer to the bone. A powerful crime boss is tightening his grip on the river towns, corruption is creeping into the police ranks, and the man Mason’s been chasing has vanished into the mist, taking deadly secrets with him. As loyalties blur and danger closes in, Mason must decide how much he’s willing to risk to see justice served.

Lexi Taylor has made a name for herself breaking codes others can’t touch, but this investigation is personal. Her brother’s death is tangled in the very operation Mason is trying to dismantle, and every clue they uncover draws them deeper into a world of hidden ledgers, whispered alliances, and river routes soaked in betrayal. As threats mount, Lexi must rely not only on her sharp mind, but also on a detective she’s learning she can trust with more than the truth.

With a traitor lurking in the shadows and time slipping through their fingers, Mason and Lexi race from river towns to shadowed safe houses, following a trail that could bring down an empire—or cost them everything.

My Review:

I loved this riverfront romance that involved Lexi, a codebreaker, and Detective Mason McCready. Together, they tackle bringing down the criminal network that has far reaching contacts and operations. This has action, danger, and a love story too.

It is a standalone book in the River Romance series that readers from new adults to mature will enjoy. I highly recommend the book and the rest of the series.

I was given a copy of the book from the author. All opinions expressed are voluntarily given.

Friday, July 24, 2026

The Bachelor Spy

Spies Infiltrate Havensbooke Hall. . .and Another Mystery Adventure Begins

Stephen Blake's life goal is to protect people, especially those closest to him, but war in 1915 England doesn’t follow any rules. When Blake is informed that a noted German spy may have taken up residence at Havensbrooke Hall—his cousin Lord Astley’s estate, which is being used as a convalescent war hospital—he’s sent there to uncover the plot.

Lady Grace Astley has become a force to be reckoned with while Frederick is out on the war front. With Havensbrooke as a hospital, she’s shocked by the devastation the war is bringing home; but ever hopeful, she is determined to help these weary soldiers find some relief. However, not everything is as it seems inside Havensbrooke. Precious items soon start disappearing. . .and not just the kind that are worth a lot of money.

Through a case of mistaken identity, a comedy of errors, a kidnapping, and a race for time within the crumbling subterranean passageways beneath Havensbrooke, can Blake and Gracie work together to root out the criminals, thieves, and spies before time runs out?

Review:

WWII has created a very different life for Grace and Freddie as he is at war and Grace is living at their estate that is being used as a place for soldiers to recuperate from their injuries. Of course, there is a mystery afoot with rumors of a hidden treasure on the estate, and Grace becomes involved.

Frederick’s cousin, Stephen Blake, is working for the Home Office investigating a possible spy that is gathering intel while posing as a nurse at Grace’s home/hospital. I loved the cloak-and-dagger activities that involve primarily Stephen and his partner, Evie. There is not only tension in their mission, but also their personal relationship as they navigate a budding romance. This story has several subplots and an exciting conclusion that you are going to love.

This is the ending to a great series that I have thoroughly enjoyed. Ms. Basham created Grace and Freddie so that they seem to be a part of my life. I am sad to see this series be finished. While it can be read as a standalone, I recommend you read all of them in order to fully enjoy this story. Readers of all ages will love this book for its action, mystery, family relationships, and romance.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher, Great Reads Book Promo, and NetGalley. All opinions in this review are my own.

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Unmasking the Diamond

Unmasking the truth means risking everything—even love.

Miss Charlotte Winslow may be the diamond of the Season, but beneath her flawless exterior lies a secret—she writes for the Society pages. Years of hiding behind her carefully crafted mask have left her doubting her own worth and believing happiness to be a luxury meant for others. That is, until she crosses paths with Lord Luca Dexter—an infuriating, perceptive man who sees far too much and refuses to be ignored.

Luca may be the younger son of a duke, but unlike most men of his rank, he earns his living as the owner of The London Gazette. When he discovers Miss Winslow’s secret talent, he’s determined to recruit her to write for his newssheets. But Charlotte refuses to be reduced to mere gossip columns—if she writes for him, it will be for something that matters.

Luca and Charlotte agree to have her write something of substance. When their investigation uncovers a dangerous conspiracy, Luca finds himself torn between his growing affection for Charlotte and his desperate need to protect her. But Charlotte is not a woman who wishes to be saved. And as tragedy looms, Luca must risk everything—including his heart—to rescue the one woman who taught him that love is worth unmasking for.

Review:

Charlotte Winslow and Luca are like oil and vinegar as they seem to delight in exchanging barbs with one another at various social functions. I love how this transforms into a deeper relationship over time.

There is something sinister at work as women seem to just disappear throughout the city. Luca and Charlotte team up together to investigate, which adds suspense and danger to the story. I loved these two finding leads and bringing the story to an exciting conclusion.

Once again, Ms. Beers has written a Regency romance that is so hard to put down once you start. I received a copy of the book from the author. All opinions are my own.

As the seventh novel in the Courting the Unconventional series by author Laura Beers, Unmasking the Debutante continues the 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.

Tuesday, July 7, 2026

A Lady’s Handbook to Gadgets and Guile

Margaret Kingsley's routine revolves around invention not investigation--until her ordered world springs a gasket.

London, England, 1895
Ambulatory wheelchair user Margaret Kingsley secretly crafts gadgets for the Daughters of Genius Society, a covert team of lady inspectors disguised as harmless bluestocking spinsters. While her fellow inspectors gallivant about London solving crimes, Margaret has been perfectly content assisting from the sidelines--until her expertise is needed to infiltrate the domain of London's most prolific inventor.

Charles Noble sacrificed his career as a musician to support his family after his father's stroke. Now he balances ledgers as a secretary by day and tends to his disabled father by night, but he can't pass up the chance to take a temporary job as event coordinator for a famous inventor commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of his mechanical empire. As strange occurrences cause Charles' event planning to collide with Margaret's case, the pair must unravel a plot of sabotage against the inventor's legacy while also investigating the sparks of attraction between them. 

Review:

I loved this book! The inventions, mystery, inspectors team, and a kisses-only romance had me all wrapped up in this exciting story. Margaret feels as though she is a burden to her family and friends due to her limited ability and chronic pain. Only when she confesses her thoughts to Charles, and he opens her eyes to the idea that others help her because they love her and want to do what they can to ease her pain does she see the truth. It was a touching scene when she shares her heart with her friends.

Things to love:

funny sayings

Margaret’s wheelchair adaptations

analogy of teaspoons of ability

Daughters of Genius Society

mystery

faith elements

piano duet

daring rescue

While this can be read as a standalone, there are characters that are in a large portion of the story that were in the first book, A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventures. It was so fun to see them again. I highly recommend this book to readers both young and mature, and I can’t wait to read more.

I received a copy of the book through Bethany House, NetGalley, and Great Reads Book Promotions. All opinions expressed are my own with no obligation to write a positive review.

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

Mail-Order Viscountess

About the Book

Book: Mail-Order Viscountess

Author: Misty M. Beller

Genre: Christian historical romance

Release Date: June 9, 2026

Five sons of an English duke, all raised in the Rocky Mountains…

When a Montana blizzard strands two strangers in a cave, honor demands a vow neither of them want.

Nobody knows the truth about newly knighted Lord Thomas Balfour. He doesn’t deserve the being honor showered on him, so after this last trip with his brother and sister-in-law to Butte for supplies, he’ll leave this territory behind completely. But once he reaches town, he’s blindsided to discover his brothers have ordered him a bride by post. A woman complicates everything. And even worse—the bride has brought her sister.

Kate McKinney masterminded this journey west to rescue her younger sister from their controlling mother’s plans. Yet one look at the intended groom’s scowl, and Kate’s doubts bloom. Maybe this mail-order marriage scheme will be far worse for her beloved sister than the wealthy brute their ambitious mother arranged.

Thomas has no choice but to help escort the sisters back to the Balfour ranch. On the trail, a blizzard changes everything, tearing Thomas and Kate away from the others—straight into danger…

From a USA Today bestselling author comes a royal family saga featuring a mail-order bride, snowed-in peril, and an aristocratic marriage of convenience…all set in the rugged Montana Territory.

Review:

Thomas Balfour sure had a surprise waiting for him when he went to town with his family. A mail-order bride. Kate and her sister Clara were also taken aback when they discovered that they had not been corresponding with him, but with his brothers instead! I loved that a blizzard, a snow cave, and an unexpected encounter with a townsman would bring Kate and Thomas together. Thomas was more than just the reckless youngest brother and the more I learned about him the more I admired him. He is a wonderful protector and listener. With Kate’s help, realizes he is truly loved and appreciated by those in his life.

Things to love:
danger
big family
faith thread
Western setting

I highly recommend reading this kisses only romance. It is the third book in the Lords of the Rockies series, but it can be read as a standalone. However, I enjoyed seeing the brothers from the other stories that are part of this book.

I received a copy of the book from the author and Celebrate Lit. All opinions in this review are my own.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Misty M. Beller is an ECPA and 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

His Brothers Did What?! Meet the Hero of Mail-Order Viscountess

Every family has that one person who needs a little…nudging in the right direction.

For the Balfour brothers, that person is Thomas.

Lord Thomas Balfour is many things—newly knighted, fiercely capable, and absolutely convinced he doesn’t deserve any of it. He carries a secret that weighs on him heavier than the Montana snow, and he’s made up his mind: after one last supply run to Butte with his brother and sister-in-law, he’s leaving the territory for good. No fuss, no goodbyes. Just gone.

His brothers, of course, had other plans.

Because while Thomas was busy planning his quiet disappearance, his brothers were busy placing an ad—for a mail-order bride. For him. Without telling him a single word about it.

So imagine Thomas’s face when he arrives in Butte and discovers a woman waiting there to become his wife.

Actually, not one woman. Two.

Because the bride—Kate McKinney—has brought her sister along.

To say Thomas is less than thrilled would be an understatement. The scowl he greets them with says everything. A woman complicates his carefully laid plans. Two women? That’s a catastrophe.

But here’s what Thomas doesn’t know yet: Kate didn’t come west to trap a reluctant lord into marriage. She came to rescue her sister. And one look at Thomas’s stormy expression has her wondering if she’s made a terrible mistake—whether the Balfour brothers’ well-meaning scheme has landed her beloved sister somewhere far worse than the life they left behind.

Two people who don’t want to be there. One scheme cooked up by meddling brothers who love Thomas too much to let him walk away. And a Montana blizzard that’s about to strand them all together with no way out.

I pray you love Mail-Order Viscountess! J

Blessings!

Misty

Blog Stops

Book Looks by Lisa, June 24

Sydney Schmied Books, June 24

Devoted Steps, June 25

Melissa’s Bookshelf, June 25

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 26

Lyssa Loves Books, June 26

lakesidelivingsite, June 27

Artistic Nobody, June 27 (Guest Review from Marilyn)

Texas Book-aholic, June 28

Jeanette’s Thoughts, June 28

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, June 29

For Him and My Family, June 29

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, June 30

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 30

Book Holds and Jello Molds, July 1

Sylvan Musings, July 1

Tell Tale Book Reviews, July 2

She Lives To Read, July 2

Life on Chickadee Lane, July 3

Books You Can Feel Good About, July 3

Connie’s History Classroom, July 4

Simple Harvest Reads, July 4 (Guest Review from Donna)

Cover Lover Book Review, July 5

Mary Hake, July 5

Holly’s Book Corner, July 6

Locks, Hooks and Books, July 6

Devoted To Hope, July 7

Pause for Tales, July 7

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Misty 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/NbqMu/mail-order-viscountess-celebration-tour-giveaway

Friday, June 19, 2026

The Spinster's Retreat

Miss Charlotte Walker has spent her entire life being overlooked. Bullied by her sisters, dismissed by society, and considered a hopeless spinster by her own mother, Charlotte has perfected the art of remaining invisible. But when she overhears a plot to poison the notoriously cold and intimidating Lord Stanley at a masquerade ball, she does the only thing she can think of to save him—throws herself into his lap. Unfortunately, the handsome lord mistakes her desperate warning for a shameless attempt to secure a wealthy husband. When a guest is murdered during a house party at Stanley's country estate, Charlotte finds herself drawn into an investigation involving missing girls, suspicious guests, and a dangerous secret society hiding in plain sight.

Determined to uncover the truth, Charlotte must work alongside the infuriatingly handsome lord who seems equally convinced she is either a brilliant detective—or a complete menace.

As the bodies mount and danger closes in, Charlotte discovers that solving a murder may be easier than guarding her heart.

Review:

I loved this story of Charlotte and Lord Stanley! Known as the Ice Baron, Lord Stanley has not only has the reputation, but an excellent persona to be able to hide behind as he investigates a network of criminals. Charlotte becomes an unexpected help in the investigation and capture of some of its members. There are a couple of twists that keep you turning the pages and eagerly awaiting what will happen next. Speaking of which, there is somewhat of a cliffhanger that I can’t wait to find out what Anne (Charlotte's friend) discovers!

Things to love:

meet cute

red herrings

mystery

codes and secret messages

Charlotte’s friend and maid

clean romance

I received a copy of the book from the author and Book Sirens. All opinions in this review are my own.

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

Courting Miss Cady

About the Book

Book: The Courting of Miss Cady (Aprons & Veils Book Five)

Author: Grace Hitchcock

Genre: Historical Romance

Release Date: October 24, 2025

He’s the man of her dreams—she just doesn’t know it yet.

New York socialite Jane Cady is the envy of the season, and the supposed love of Graham Bank’s life, until news arrives that her father’s last merchant ship has sunk, costing them everything. To avoid scandal, the family disappears to manage a hotel in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Determined to support her family, Jane sets aside her dream of marriage and joins her father in working for the Harvey House, as a waitress. But when her former fiancé strolls into the Castañeda Hotel, the weight of her sacrifice becomes all too real.

Rancher Wade Sterling is well acquainted with hard work and that Miss Jane is one of the hardest working Harvey Girls he’s ever met, besides his sister-in-law. When Jane faints on duty, Wade catches her and upon her awakening in his arms, her passionate kiss nearly knocks him off his feet. She begs him to play along and before he knows it, she tells some dandy that they are happily courting. Jane later begs Wade’s forgiveness, explaining it was an emergency as the man was her former fiancé and their relationship ended poorly. But, when the dandy stays in town, Wade finds himself in a fake courtship and in love with the woman of his dreams. He only needs to convince Jane that he is the man of hers.

The Courting of Miss Cady is a fake dating/forced proximity romance with all the sigh-worthy swoon, but no spice!

Review:

Jane Cady and her family’s fall from the New England Society leads them to an unexpected place—Las Vegas, Nevada. Jane’s failure in her mind was complete after her disastrous cancelled wedding. What turned out to be a shameful situation actually turned out to be a blessing and a chance at a new life.

Wade Sterling was a true knight in a Stetson saving Jane from a herd of cattle running through town. But, rescuing her doesn’t stop there as he steps into helping her avoid embarrassment and a potential suitor that her father has arranged. I love that he is always there for Jane and proves this repeatedly. I think Jane was blessed to have a man like Wade care about her.

Things to enjoy:
dual POV
Harvey Girls
meet cute
horse rancher
fake courtship
brothers
humor

I liked seeing Jane grow in trusting God. It’s nice to see a character grow throughout the story. I recommend this fifth book in Aprons and Veils, and each book is a standalone, although characters from the series are part of the story. Readers from young adult through mature readers will enjoy reading this clean historical romance.

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

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Grace Hitchcock is the award-winning author of multiple historical novels and novellas, including the American Royalty, Best Laid Plans, and Aprons & Veils series. She holds a Master’s in Creative Writing and a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in History. Grace lives in South Louisiana with her husband, Dakota, sons, and daughter in a farmhouse that is always filled with the sounds of sweet little footsteps running at full speed. When not writing, chasing her toddlers, or tending to her chickens and golden and labrador retrievers, she’s baking something delightful and can usually be found with a book clutched in her fist.

More from Grace

Q&A with GRACE HITCHCOCK

Tell us about your new book, The Courting of Miss Cady, in the Aprons & Veils series.

Grace: Thank you so much for having me here today! Book five of my Aprons & Veils series, The Courting of Miss Cady, is a fake-dating insta love romance featuring a jilted knickerbocker turned Harvey Girl! The last thing my heroine, Jane Cady, expects is to fake court a rugged rancher to save face. But as sparks fly and secrets resurface, her love might not be pretend after all!

This book is dear to my heart. I first wrote The Courting of Miss Cady in 2016 after I signed with my agent, Tamela Hancock Murray, when I was trying to break into the traditional publishing world and wrote it with only one POV. It wasn’t the novel that got me my first contract, and I eventually shelved it as I turned my attention to the series that did sell, but it has always been in the back of my mind as I wrote this Harvey Girls series and I knew that this book would be perfect for Jane Cady. I did a massive re-write on this story, given my style has changed over the past 9 years since I wrote it (deleting about 65% of the original work) and added the hero’s POV as well. When I got to know the hero, Wade, I knew his was a true love at first sight for Jane. I’ve always wanted to write an Insta Love and it fit perfectly with the characters.

Q: You mention tropes, what is your favorite trope to read? Which of your books have that trope?

Grace: To name a few, I love stories about marriage of convenience, fake dating, mail-order brides, runaway brides, alpha heroes, and enemies to lovers. In my books, I do have some of those tropes, but I adjust them to fit my story.

My Harvey Girl books by tropes:

Runaway Bride: The Finding of Miss Fairfield

Mail-Order Bride: The Pursuit of Miss Parish

Friends to Lovers/ Fake Dating: The Enchanting of Miss Elliot

Enemies-to-lovers/ Forced Proximity: The Vanishing of Miss Victoria

Insta Love/ Fake Dating: The Courting of Miss Cady

Q: Talk about your writing process, about how long does it take you, do you do all the research before you start writing?

Grace: I usually write the first draft for 8-10 weeks and edit (drafts 2-6) for 12 weeks! The first draft is my favorite!! All the creativity is flowing, and it is so, so fun to see that word count go up! I try not to write on the weekends, but occasionally when the deadline is getting too close, I will have to pull some long hours on the final weekends to get it completed.

With that said, I am writing away on a new super-secret series and have the first drafts of the first three books completed, which nevvver happens in my writing process. I like to finish each book before moving onto the next, but this new series is going to take more weaving of storylines so I needed to make sure I got to know the main characters across the series before editing book 1. A very different approach for me this time around, but it is working!

For the research part, I always start with research, highlight some wonderful “newly discovered” facts that sing to me, and use that as a pivotal part of my plot. Then, while I edit, I research as well to make sure that I don’t miss any historical details.

Q: In case the readers have not read your series yet, tell us who were the Harvey Girls.

Grace: Whenever I tell people I am writing about a Western Harvey Girl Romance, they usually assume the Harvey Girls are associated with an old-time saloon, but nothing could be further from the truth. In the 1890s, there were not many respectable jobs for women, so when Englishman Fred Harvey created his chain of fine dining restaurants along the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe railroads, single women without an education, or in need of earning their own way, were given a chance to earn an honest wage without the speculation that they offered anything else but food as a service. With Mr. Harvey’s strict rules about the waitress’s code of conduct, the women were given their independence while still maintaining their good name and place in society under the protective, fatherly arm of Fred Harvey. These extraordinary, brave women became known as the Harvey Girls, the ladies who tamed the Wild West with fine china, good pie, and exceptional service with complete propriety.

While Harvey Houses were built to serve the needs of the passengers on the rail to encourage tourism in the west, the railroad workers and local townsmen also dined at the restaurant, but usually at the lunch counter. At a time when men filled towns and women were scarce, inevitably, a railroad worker or townsman would express interest in marrying a Harvey Girl. In order to marry, she would need to fulfill her work contract or risk paying a fine of a month of salary. The fine was set in place to ensure that Fred Harvey would have enough workers and that he wouldn’t simply train a girl to have her shipped to a town of bachelors and leave him without a waitress.

As you can probably tell, such a set up sends an author’s head to spinning with all the romance that could come from a woman venturing out on her own in a land filled with cowboys, bandits, ranchers, and bounty hunters. The possibilities for romance are endless! There is so much more I could write about these fascinating ladies and their contributions to society, but I hope you enjoyed this taste of history on the Harvey Girls!

Q: Can you give us a sneak peek at the next book in the series, The Making of Miss Matthews, which is book 6 in the Aprons & Veils series?

Grace: The story follows a Harvey Girl that readers met in Book One! Dolly Matthews was originally a stinker, but I gave her a good character arc through the series and readers have been asking for her story. This will certainly explain the extraordinary why behind Dolly’s choices in earlier novels in the series and I am soooo excited to share her story that has a shocking twist that readers won’t see coming!