Review: Deadly Charade by Lynette Eason and Kelly Underwood

On October 27, 2026 By vickleaIn Book Review4 Comments

ISBN-139780800747640

Publisher: Baker Publishing Group

Publication Date: 10/27/2026

Series: FBI New Recruits

Pages: 320

Synopsis

Special Agent Kira Miller’s new career at the FBI has started—in translations. It’s not the opportunity she was hoping for to show off her skills, until she detects a lead in some paperwork. Now assigned an undercover role, she’s in her element as she gathers intel on an art smuggling ring. She’s daunted not by the mission but by her cover—posing as a married woman to the fake husband she met less than twenty-four hours earlier.

Special Agent Bryce Lambert’s assignment to go undercover as a newlywed couple with Kira has the two of them moving next door to the prime suspects, and a relationship is the last thing he wants, fake or real. With secret auctions and hidden treasures, there’s plenty to keep them busy—if only they can play the part their lives and careers depend upon while keeping their own hearts in check.

My Thoughts

Deadly Charade is a book that is hard to put down because the interactions between the characters and the intriguing plot captivated me from the beginning. Kira is a new FBI agent, eager to get out into the field, but she wasn’t prepared for her assignment with Agent Bryce. Together, the two of them are supposed to find an art smuggling ring and rescue some priceless treasures from pre-WWII Russia. In their undercover disguises as a married couple, Kira and Bryce complement the different talents they two have and they also feel that attraction that opposites feel when in forced proximity. The danger is real but the threats are from an unknown source, so Kira and Bryce have to always be aware of their surroundings, including all of the people around them. The characters are realistically portrayed with a few flaws, especially when they are thrown into high-tension situations. The pace is propulsive, so the book kept me reading long past my bedtime as “one more chapter” became many more. I really wanted to know what would happen next, where the treasure was (if there really was one), and how Kira and Bryce would be able to work out a relationship since they are both FBI agents. The tight plot crackles with tension and head-spinning twists that kept me guessing. This is an expertly plotted page turner with a dramatic climax and some brutally terrifying scenes. I loved the excitement of the danger but was thrilled by the budding romance. Five plus stars for a book that held me enthralled and cleverly kept me turning pages!
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.

Christian Fiction, Rated PG-13 for intense suspense

About the Authors

Lynette Eason has won a plethora of awards including the Carol Award, the Selah, the Golden Scroll and been nominated for others like the prestigious Christy Award. Her novel, Her Stolen Past was made into a movie for the Lifetime Movie Network. Lynette teaches and speaks at writing conferences all over the country. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Mystery Writers of America (MWA), International Thriller Writers (ITW), Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA) and Faith, Hope, and Love. She lives in upstate SC with her husband, Jack. They have two grown children and a terribly spoiled American Eskimo pup. Lynette can be found online at www.lynetteeason.com and www.facebook.com/lynette.eason and @lynetteeason on Twitter.

Kelly Underwood’s favorite things are reading, writing, and drinking coffee. She was born in New Hampshire, but don’t ask her about snow, because she’s been a Florida girl since she was twelve. Her debut novel with Sunrise Publishing gave Kelly the incredible opportunity to work with Lynette Eason as her mentor and lead author. Defending Honor, part of the Elite Guardians series, was published in October 2022 and earned third place in the Selah Awards and was a finalist in the Carol Awards. Since then, Kelly has continued to captivate readers with multiple romantic suspense novels.

Beyond writing, Kelly shares her love of reading through her blog, Best in Suspense. She also served as the 2024 and 2025 president for the Central Florida chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers. When she’s not plotting twists and turns for her next novel, you’ll find her out and about with her therapy dog—a feisty golden retriever named Maizie—bringing joy to everyone from children to senior citizens. She also loves traveling and has recently fallen in love with Ireland and Scotland—maybe you’ll see these settings as the backdrop to one of her future novels.

Kelly is a sucker for a good suspense novel, the kind you must read cover-to-cover until the mystery is solved and the bad guys are in handcuffs. If you’re looking for her, she’s probably on her back patio with Maizie, a Kindle in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other. Website: Kelly Underwood Author

Purchase Links

Baker Publishing Group

Review: After We Fall by Deborah Clack

On October 8, 2026 By vickleaIn Book Promo, Book Review2 Comments

About the Book

ISBN-139780800746957

Publisher: Baker Publishing Group

Publication Date:10/06/2026

Series: Shelter and Sky

Pages:368

Synopsis (from the author’s website)

Self-sufficient Penelope Reid has her life completely mapped outa necessity after surviving foster care. Now she’s on a mission to prove that she’s capable of managing a halfway house at Twelve Bluebells Ranch. The last thing she needs is hindrance from the charming Luke Granger, who asked her to dance three years ago, then disappeared before the music began.

Luke lives a nomadic lifestyle as a security specialist and has never found a reason to put down roots. So when the ranch neighboring Twelve Bluebells is vandalized, securing the area is just another gig for him before he hits the roaduntil he’s reunited with the bossy brunette and her generous heart.

As Luke and Penelope work alongside each other to care for the ranch’s halfway house residents, Penelope makes a mistake she might not recover from. Her careful walls begin to crack, and Luke’s restless heart finds reasons to stay. But when tragedy strikes, they must decide if it’s worth the risk to lower their guards for a love that could give them the home they’ve always longed for.

For content warnings, go to this book’s page on the author’s website. Note that there may be spoilers in these warnings. Deborah Clack After We Fall

My Thoughts

After We Fall is one of the best contemporary romance books that I have ever read, dealing with some difficult topics in a sensitive way that demonstrated the author’s attention to detail and her compassion for those who have suffered from abuse and trauma. Penelope is a feisty and courageous young woman who wants to become the program director for the Twelve Bluebells Ranch, a home for girls who have aged out of foster care but who still need a place to live and supervision. When her boss Harlan and his new wife Meredith leave for their honeymoon, Penelope thinks that she has the perfect opportunity to show what a great candidate she would be for the job. Unfortunately, she has to deal with Luke Granger, the security consultant that Harlan hired since there was some mischief right before the wedding. Luke and Penelope clash heads in the most adorable and humorous ways, making this book funny as well as a serious look at some hard topics. Luke is relaxed but always does what he promises. Penelope is ultra-organized to the point that when she gets injured and cannot fulfill her responsibilities she almost has a meltdown. The story is perfectly paced, with lots of drama happening with the residents of the Bluebells as well as between Luke and Penelope. The characters are relatable and it was easy for me to have empathy for Penelope after she got a TBI since I had a stroke and still suffer from similar symptoms. Luke is the “bad boy” who is really a good guy hero and was my favorite character. I was charmed by his constant use of toothpicks, much to the chagrin of Penelope and by his desire to pitch in and help out at the ranch by not only providing protection but also drum lessons. There are some tense scenes with one of the residents who makes poor choices against the advice of everyone and ends up paying severe consequences for those choices. This novel touched me in all of the right places, warming my heart as it also made me think about choices and how they not only affect me but others as well. With themes of learning to trust and finding love when you aren’t looking for it, this masterfully crafted and totally clean novel is a slam dunk winner for me and deserves much more than the five stars that I can give it.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from Baker Publishing Group. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

Deborah Clack is a native Texan, non-recovering chocolate addict, and contemporary romance author.

Her titles include Odyssey of the Mind World Champion, Orthodontist Patient of the Month, and Most Improved Player at the Rolando Blackmon Basketball Camp.

A high school AP history teacher for 10 years, Deborah earned a Masters Degree in Education and was awarded Teacher of the Year for Arts in Education. Now she creates stories of her own filled with struggle, laughter, and a hard-fought romance. She asks her heroines, as well as her readers, to dig deep, play hard, and laugh often.

She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, DFW Ready Writers, and the Faith, Hope, & Love Christian Writers. Her work won both the ACFW Genesis Contest and the ACFW First Impressions Contest in Romance. She received First Place in the Contemporary Romance and Flash Fiction categories in the Foundations Contest at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference.

As a short story writer, she has sold flash fiction romance to Woman’s World Magazine.

Deborah can lip-sync the heck out of Barbara Streisand’s “Jingle Bells” and is a fan of the original romantic suspense movie, Star Wars. She lives in The Lone Star State with her family where they cheer for the Dallas Cowboys.

Purchase Links

Review: Fatal Pattern by Kate Angelo

On September 22, 2026 By vickleaIn Book Promo, Book Review2 Comments

About the Book

ISBN-139780800746643

Publisher: Baker Publishing Group

Publication Date: 09/15/2026

Series: The King Legacy

Pages: 368

Synopsis (from the Author’s Website)

A hyper-intelligent stalker attacks behavioral analyst and forensic psychologist Dr. Tori Crew at knifepoint, shattering the fierce independence she’s built since her parents’ unsolved murder. Forced into an off-the-books criminal investigation, Tori must push her expertise—and her fiercely guarded heart—to the breaking point as a killer’s pattern emerges. Homicide Detective Blade St. James has been Tori’s friend and protector since childhood. Haunted by his own past of parental abandonment, Blade is determined to build a stable life and find the peace that always seems just out of reach. But when Tori’s life is threatened, his protective instincts shift into overdrive. As they are plunged deep into a conspiracy with roots in her past, the boundary of their friendship blurs as danger closes in and their hearts reveal a truth they can no longer deny. Can they unmask the sophisticated serial killer before they become the final, fatal piece in the pattern?

My Thoughts

Dr. Tori Crew has a stalker determined to kill her and Detective Blade St. James is determined to protect her at any cost. The city also has a serial killer wreaking havoc and leaving weird clues with fractals and patterns that require the expertise of many on their team at the MMA Academy. The one person that they cannot depend on for help during this novel is Stryker, their mentor and teacher who is lying in a coma in the hospital. So, without Stryker, the team has to follow the clues that lead them on a chase that gets more dangerous as they get closer to the truth. This is a complex and multi-layered romantic suspense with definite elements of thriller interspersed within the compelling story. With family relationships, secrets from the past and a vicious serial killer involved, this book held me captive and kept me turning the pages. I wanted everything to be okay for all of my favorite and very lovable characters, but throughout most of the book, I did not see how that was even possible. There was constant danger and threats, non-stop action and red herrings mixed in with a multitude of possible suspects. I enjoyed following the clues and guessing but it was the big reveal at the end that showed me I was going in the wrong direction, just as I think the author cleverly planned it. This is the second book in the King Legacy series and will be more enjoyable if you read the first book before this one, but it can be read and understood as a standalone. Five stars for action, five stars for drama, five stars for the characters, and ten stars for the ending that you will have to read to believe! Loved this book and highly recommend it for those who enjoy books with a faith foundation that is unputdownable.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

Christian Fiction, Rated PG for intense suspense

About the Author

Kate Angelo is the Publishers Weekly bestselling author of Hunting the Witness, Selah Award winner of Deadly Holiday Hijack, and Amazon Top 100 bestseller of Driving Force. She serves on the executive board of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and works alongside her husband championing stronger marriages and families. Her journey from foster care to bestselling author fuels her fast-paced romantic suspense, where flawed characters discover hope and healing through life’s fiercest trials and relationships. When she’s not putting fictional people through the wringer, she’s out creating real-life happily-ever-afters at conferences and events nationwide. Connect with Kate at kateangelo.com.

Purchase Links

Review of Things We Cannot Keep by Amanda Cox

On August 21, 2026 By vickleaIn Book Promo, Book Review3 Comments

About the Book

ISBN-139780800746629

Publisher: Baker Publishing Group

Publication Date: 08/18/2026

Pages: 336 pages

Synopsis (from the author’s website)

Tess has built a new life in Alabama, repairing timepieces and avoiding her troubled past as she restores her customers’ family heirlooms–treasures she never had herself. When a mysterious package arrives addressed to Teresa Baker, the name she abandoned, Tess finds herself drawn into a puzzle that threatens her delicate peace.

Then Elliot Sullivan appears at her door after eighteen years, and Tess knows he’s after more than just forgiveness. She doesn’t trust his motives, but it becomes apparent that he could be the key to uncovering the origin of the mystery package and its cryptic contents.

Tess has found safety in her simple life, but reuniting this lost heirloom to its rightful recipient requires her to come out of hiding. Each clue leads to a different place around the world, and each story reveals hidden truths. The question is whether she’s brave enough to face what she might find–and whether the man beside her can be trusted with what matters most.

My Thoughts

This beautifully written novel touched me in all of the right places. It made me think about what is important in my life, it made me ponder what I am leaving behind and it made me thankful for all I have in my life. This is a poignant story of Tess Holcomb who has secrets from her past that she prefers not to confront, so she stays in a small town in Alabama with new and supportive friends. She has a business established there in which she restores old treasures. It is her business that brings her past to the forefront when a pocket watch with a mysterious message attached is sent to her to repair. The watch brings her former childhood friend and first love Elliot back into her life, and together the two of them explore the mystery behind the watch. This book is a saga of the history of the watch and the people who owned it and passed it on to others. This story is so well-crafted with numerous characters who have their own connection to the timepiece, each one with a story to tell that Elliot and Tess discover together. The story is complex but woven together so masterfully that all of the pieces fit perfectly together to make one wonderful and thought-provoking tale. The characters are realistic and the plot is compelling with a quick pace and a story that engaged me from beginning to end. This is one of the best Christian fiction that I have ever read, combining history, mystery, and contemporary romance into one lovely story of life choices and what we truly need to leave behind. With lessons of second chances, redemption and a hopeful future, I enjoyed my time with Tess and Elliot and highly recommend this book for individuals but most especially for book groups as the entire book lends itself to discussion and self-reflection.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and I purchased my own copy to add to my collection of Amanda’s books. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

Amanda Cox is an award-winning author of inspirational women’s fiction who loves telling stories about belonging, forgiveness, and the quiet courage it takes to love well—usually through flawed characters trying to make sense of life’s messy, beautiful moments.

She is a three-time Christy Award–winning author whose novels include ECPA bestsellers Between the Sound and Sea, The Bitter End Birding Society, and He Should Have Told the Bees. The Edge of Belonging, her Christy Book of the Year debut novel, remains a longtime reader favorite.

Amanda’s novels are known for their layered characters, emotional depth, and hopeful honesty. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Bible and theology and a master’s degree in professional counseling. Her past experience walking alongside hurting families continues to shape the way she writes about grace, healing, and the complicated beauty of relationships.

Through her stories, Amanda hopes to offer readers a place to pause, exhale, and remember they are not alone.

Amanda lives in Tennessee with her husband and three children, where life is full, noisy, and rarely predictable. When she’s not writing, she can usually be found homeschooling, reheating her coffee, or losing track of time in a story that lingers long after the final page.

Website and Social Media Links

Website: https://amandacoxwrites.wordpress.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amandacoxwrites/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/amandacoxwrites

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandacoxwrites/

Blog: https://hopeperch.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20033571.Amanda_Cox

Purchase Links

Review of Twilight Tactics by Lynette Eason

On August 5, 2026 By vickleaIn Book Promo, Book Review3 Comments

About the Book

ISBN-139780800744939

Publisher: Baker Publishing Group

Publication Date: 08/04/2026

Series: Soldiers in Shadows

Pages: 352 pages

Synopsis (from the author’s website)

FBI agent Collin Sullivan arrives at Broken Chains Ranch with Ollie Callahan—a foster teen and sole witness to a mob hit. The ranch, started by Collin’s cousin to provide a trauma recovery facility for veterans, should be a place he can keep Ollie safe until the trial. But what was meant as a peaceful haven becomes a battleground when armed attackers surround the property.

Survival expert Elena Thompson teaches wilderness skills at the ranch and coaches Ollie in self-defense, but soon the series of attacks on the ranch escalates into a full siege. The question is, Who are the attackers after? Ollie, the young witness? Or Elena, with her mysterious past? Cut off from help by tech skills superior to their own, Collin and Elena fight to keep everyone alive as secrets and danger close in.

My Thoughts

Twilight Tactics is the kind of book that I didn’t want to put down, but because of the intensity of the suspense and the danger that surrounded so many of the characters, I found myself just taking short breaks to ponder what I had just read and to try to guess what I thought would happen next. The plot is complicated, with a ranch that is serves as a haven for those who need a respite from life. It is appropriately named the Broken Chains Ranch. Everything there seems very peaceful for the owners and the veterans who reside there until Sully and Piper come with teen-aged Ollie, a witness to a murder whom they have to keep safe until she can testify. Ollie is precocious, proactive and one of those teens that you don’t want to be in charge of because she isn’t an easy client. But I loved her character and all of her believable flaws! In fact, I loved all of the characters and felt as though the author portrayed them all in a way that I could picture them in my mind. The plot was extremely fast paced and had a lot of twists along the way as the author covered subplots with the mob, preppers, the ranch and all who lived there, local law enforcement and relevant high tech like drones and jammers that cut off communication. Just when I was thinking that one more that could not go wrong for Sully and his team, another red herring fooled me. This is a tightly written plot that crackles with tension from beginning to end, with good chemistry between the characters and a sweet portrayal of a developing romance even in the midst of all of the danger. Filled with suspense and abundant secrets and lies, this is one of the best romantic suspense books I have ever read, with the emphasis on suspense. This is an edgy page turner that offers a strong message of forgiveness, hope and redemption which are all cleverly wrapped into the plot.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I also purchased a personal copy because I collect this author’s books. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

Lynette Eason is the best-selling, award-winning author of over sixty books. Her books have appeared on the USA TODAY, Publisher’s Weekly, CBA, ECPA, and Parable bestseller lists. She has won numerous awards including the Carol, the Selah, the Golden Scroll and more. Her novel, Her Stolen Past was made into a movie for the Lifetime Movie Network. Lynette can be found online at www.lynetteeason.com and www.facebook.com/lynette.eason and @lynetteeason on Twitter.

Purchase Links

Review of When the Silence Breaks by Elizabeth Goddard

On August 4, 2026 By vickleaIn Book Promo, Book Review1 Comment

About the Book

ISBN-139780800747688

Publisher: Baker Publishing Group

Publication Date: 08/04/2026

Series: Mercy Ridge

Page Count: 352 pages

Synopsis (from the author’s website)

When intelligence analyst Sarah Ellison learns of a deathbed confession connected to her brother’s murder, she’s determined to protect her remaining family. Under further investigation, she discovers the disclosed information points to a decades-old government secret buried deep in the Cascade Mountains. With this knowledge, she heads to the Pacific Northwest looking for a guide who knows the mountains like the back of their hand.

Ryder Goodwin, a wilderness guide and former Navy SEAL, quit guiding for the family business after his father’s death in a tragic mountain accident. At first, Ryder refuses to help Sarah, but he sees the trouble chasing her, and he can’t stand by while someone brings danger to this small-town mountain community.

Ryder and Sarah gear up to climb the mountain in a race against time and a looming winter storm. With her brother’s killer closing in, their search for answers now shifts to a survival mission. Their only chance to make it out involves trusting each other and confronting the truth no one wants them to find.

My Thoughts

The new series by Elizabeth Goddard starts with intense intrigue and never lets up. Sarah is determined to find the secrets hidden on the mountain near Mercy Ridge and hires guide Ryder Goodwin to lead her to the top of Blackspire Mountain. A lofty peak that rumbles with a volcano that threatens to erupt and is covered with ice and snow, the trek to solve the mystery of her brother’s death could mean Sarah’s own life is in danger. The tension escalates even as the mountain is a constant reminder of danger and the power of nature. This is an atmospheric novel in which the mountain is personified and the characters are actors in a dangerous scenario that they cannot even imagine how risky this adventure will turn out to be. Facing a blizzard and with bad guys pursuing them, Sarah and Ryder have to survive some of the toughest weather conditions as well as some of the most evil foes possible. The escalating tension caused my heart to pound and my pulse to race as I attempted to direct Sarah and Ryder how to best avoid the peril that was headed their way. I was completed immersed in this riveting story and kept waiting for the next disaster to befall them before they could accomplish their mission. This novel had no intermission, no really safe spaces in which I could take a deep breath of relief and hope for the best since the next bad thing was continuously finding them in their vulnerable position that left no room for errors and plenty of ways to die. The characters were so realistic that I tried to give them advice, the sound advice to forget their quest and return home. I am glad that they didn’t take my advice because this book left me breathless with anticipation and cheering for Sarah and Ryder as they overcame one obstacle after another. The story would not have been the same without the ever-present threat of bad weather and a mountain that was more enemy than friend. The setting was perfection, the characters were dynamic, and the plot made the book unputdownable.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell via NetGalley as well as a hard copy. Since I regularly purchase all of this author’s books, I did preorder my own copy and look forward to seeing this beautiful cover on my shelf. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

Elizabeth Goddard is the PW, ECPA, and USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of over sixty novels, including the Missing in Alaska and Rocky Mountain Courage series. Her books have sold more than 1.5 million copies. She is a Christy Award, Carol Award and two-time Reader’s Choice Award winner and a Daphne du Maurier Award and HOLT Medallion finalist. When she’s not writing, she loves spending time with her family, traveling to find inspiration for her next book, and serving with her husband in ministry. For more information about her books, visit her website at https://elizabethgoddard.com/

Purchase Links

bit.ly/4apH2N9 (Baker Publishing House)

amzn.to/4vuwZyu (Amazon)

bit.ly/4vvamtS (Christian Book)

bit.ly/4ofJnQJ (Barnes and Noble)

bit.ly/4dU8i8W (Books-a-Million)

bit.ly/4dRUjQY (Target)

apple.co/49LCQY3 (Apple Books)

bit.ly/4oyESkx (Kobo)

bit.ly/4ukr7qE (Walmart)

adbl.co/43TUMMu (Audible)

Review: Bookmarked for Love by Sarah Monzon

On July 22, 2026 By vickleaIn Book Review3 Comments

About the Book

ISBN-139780764243769

Publisher:Baker Publishing Group

Publication Date: 07/21/2026

Series: Checking Out Love

Pages: 320 pages

Synopsis (from the author’s website)

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. But 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 best-selling 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.

My Thoughts

I cannot remember ever enjoying a book as much as I enjoyed this one. With a charming plot of friends to lovers and close proximity, this book also led me down the path of nostalgia as many favorite books from my childhood were mentioned by Martha as she endeavors to educate Julien King on child literature since he is the head of that division for his family’s publishing company. I laughed aloud when Julien came up with a scheme to provide library funding for Martha in exchange for her expertise in his company. Although some of the plot was predictable, it was so much fun reading how the two main characters got from being mere acquaintances from different social walks of life to the place where they could trust and count on each other. Martha and Julien were both easy to cheer for in this carefully plotted and compelling story that was refreshing to read and a delight to recommend to others. The whole story paints a vivid picture of the two as they make plans together to find a bestselling children’s author who will save the children’s section of King Publishing. This is a heartwarming romance with charm, plenty of emotional depth and lots of trivia about children’s books. The banter between the two main characters was laugh-out-loud funny at times and made me fall in love with the book as I got immersed in their story, the conflict and the resolution that was absolutely perfect. The pace is moderate but is perfectly executed for a flirtatious romance with two headstrong characters working towards a happily ever after. The real selling point for the book was that it can definitely be read and enjoyed as a standalone. I did enjoy it so much though that now I plan to add the other two books in the series to my must read stack of books and cannot wait to read other books by this author. Fun, engaging, and satisfying in all ways!
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

Winner of the Holt Medallion and Selah Award, Sarah Monzon is a stay-at-home mom who makes up imaginary friends to have adult conversations with (otherwise known as writing novels). As a navy chaplain’s wife, she resides wherever the military happens to station her family and enjoys exploring the beauty of the world around her.

Sarah loves connecting with readers on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Author’s website: https://www.sarahmonzonwrites.com/

Purchase Links

Review: The Unexpected Caller by Shelley Shepard Gray

On July 15, 2026 By vickleaIn Book Promo, Book Review4 Comments

About the Book

ISBN-139780800747268

Publisher: Baker Publishing Group

Publication Date: 07/07/2026

Series: The Amish Widows Club

Pages:288 pages

Synopsis (from the author’s website)

She finds sisterhood in the Amish Widows Club–but will she risk loving again?

Leanna Mast never imagined she’d be a widow at forty-one, but it seems God had other plans. After mourning her husband for a year, she realizes it’s time to start living again. But her community expects her to remarry, and after living on her own, she’s not eager to start cooking and cleaning in another man’s home.

When she’s invited to join the Amish Widows Club, she discovers a place of belonging she didn’t even know she needed. In this group of women who support each other through sharing books, stories, and companionship, Leanna immediately feels welcome. She’s sure her life as a widow will bring her the fulfillment she craves . . . until handsome, kind Evan Keim comes calling. As their relationship deepens, her heart becomes involved. But how could she possibly leave the widows club for a dream that might be too good to be true?

My Thoughts

The story of sweet Leanna Mast discovering independence and finding her way in a world without her controlling husband was at times heart-wrenching as well as refreshing. After an invitation that is almost clandestine and definitely enticing, Leanna decides to attend a meeting of the Amish Widows Club. There she makes good friends and opens her heart and life to new possibilities that she had never considered before. Shortly after attending her first meeting, though, widower Evan Keim comes to call on her. Treating her with respect and deference, Evan is kind of courting her in the background, seeing needs and meeting them without fanfare or expectation of anything in return. Meanwhile, Leanna is getting more enmeshed in the AWC and enjoying the camaraderie that she has never had before. With gentle spirits and understanding hearts, the other widows accept Leanna just as she is and listen to her, something that is new to her since her husband thought control was the way to treat her instead of with kindness and love. Leanna’s dilemma is obvious, whether to encourage Evan or to continue with the women who have become her confidants and trusted friends. I loved the characters and the way the plot unrolled so methodically, capturing my heart and imagination as I wondered what I would do in the same circumstances. The characters were all believable and relatable and the plot was well-crafted, a delightful tale of finding oneself as well as a satisfying love story. I am so glad that this is the first book in a series because it was totally enjoyable so I am already looking forward to the next book.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray writes Amish and Inspirational romances for Simon & Schuster, and Kensington, Harlequin, and contemporary women’s fiction for Blackstone Publishing. With over a million books in print, and translated into more than a dozen languages, her novels have been Holt Medallion winners and Inspirational Readers Choice and Carol finalists.

Shelley has been featured in the Philadelphia Enquirer, Washington Post, Time Magazine, and USA Today. She has also been interviewed on NPR as well as numerous regional radio stations. Publishers Weekly calls her Walnut Creek series “A slow-burning, enjoyable romance… Embedded in this quaint story is a poignant message about the importance of community, compassion, and doing what’s right rather than what’s easy.”

Shelley has hosted several well-attended ‘Girlfriend Getaways’ for Amish reading fans. Her most recent Girlfriend Getaway, hosted with bestselling novelists Amy Clipston and Suzanne Woods Fisher in Sugarcreek, Ohio, was filmed by BuzzFeed and highlighted on NetFlix’s Follow This episode on the popularity of Amish fiction.

Before writing romances, Shelley lived in Texas and Colorado, where she taught school and earned her bachelor’s degree in English literature and later obtained her master’s degree in educational administration. She now lives in southern Colorado near her grown children, walks her dachshunds, bakes too much, and writes full time. Website: https://shelleyshepardgray.com/

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Review: A Chance for Kallie Mae by Ann H. Gabhart

On May 19, 2026 By vickleaIn Book Promo, Book Review4 Comments

About the Book (from the author’s website)

Series: Stand Alone Novels
Genre: Historical Novels
Publisher: Revell
Publication Year: May 2026
ASIN: 0800746279
ISBN: 9780800746278

Since childhood, Kallie Mae Bertram has clung to two simple wishes—to unlock the world of reading and to build a life with Quinn Spencer. Will family duty make her risk everything for love?

My Thoughts

The realistic Appalachian setting in this novel and the fact that Kallie Mae really wanted to be literate touched my heart from the beginning. She had given up her chance at an education when her baby sister Emmie was born and her mom died after her birth. Kallie Mae was a child herself, raising another child as per her mom’s dying wish. Her father is a hard man who is bitter against life and who does not make it easy for his children to get an education. Kallie Mae is determined that little Emmie will learn her letters and numbers so sends her to the local country school. The theme of bullying and lack of acceptance was prevalent for both of Kallie Mae’s siblings. There was also a theme of a love story that never got to take root because the boy she loved with all her heart was from a neighborhood family against whom her father had a grudge. So in spite of the fact that Kallie Mae is a grown young woman and Quinn is more than ready to court her and marry her, her dad, Lije Bertram, presents one obstacle after another, blackmailing Kallie Mae into giving up her love for Quinn. The theme of the importance of family and an education are also important parts of the story. The tale of the Moonlight Schools where Kallie Mae and Quinn could go to learn was well researched and a riveting part of the story. I enjoyed the well-crafted and complex plot, with a lot of characters playing important roles in Kallie Mae’s choices. All of the characters were well-developed, and I felt as though I got to know Kallie Mae and sympathized with her yearning to have a family of her own as well as an education. I especially liked how the author presented the feud between the families and used it as a springboard to teach a lesson about forgiveness. This book and the characters are memorable and would lend itself to a great book club discussion.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I also preordered my own copy since the author is a favorite of mine and always presents stories that are thought-provoking and compassionate. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

Ann H. Gabhart caught the writing bug at the age of ten and has been writing ever since. An award winning author, she’s published many books for both adults and young adults. Her books cover several genres from historical to small town family stories to cozy mysteries (mysteries published with author name A.H. Gabhart). Her ideas are sparked by events in Kentucky history and by experiences in her own family. Her first Shaker novel, The Outsider, was a finalist for the ECPA Christian Fiction Book of the Year. Love Comes Home won the Selah Book of the Year award, and These Healing Hills was the Faith, Hope & Love Readers’ Choice Women’s Fiction Book of the Year.

Ann lives on a Kentucky farm not far from where she was born. She and her husband have three children and nine grandchildren. Ann enjoys hiking on her farm with her grandkids and her dogs, Frankie and Marley. See more about her books at www.annhgabhart.com or join the conversation on her Facebook page, www.facebook.com/anngabhart (from Amazon’s author page)

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Review of The Little Drummer Girl by Shelia Walsh

On November 4, 2025 By vickleaIn Book Promo, Book Review1 Comment

About the Book

ISBN-13:9781493451029

Publisher:Baker Publishing Group

Publication date:11/04/2025

Pages:32

Age Range:3 – 5 Years

Isabella loves to dance and sing, so when she sees auditions posted for the Christmas pageant at church, she dreams of landing the perfect part–the Christmas angel with a sparkling halo, flowing white robe, and her very own wings.

But things don’t go quite as planned. She does get a part. The little drummer . . . girl? Drummers don’t wear sparkling halos, flowing white robes, or wings! Will this be the most disappointing Christmas ever?

Filled with witty rhymes and whimsical illustrations, The Little Drummer Girl helps children ages 3 to 5 understand how an awful day can turn into the greatest day of all. This unique telling of the Christmas story from the perspective of a little girl delivers an entertaining message of hope, humor, and the power of God’s love, as shown through his gift of Jesus–not just at Christmas but every day. (Book information from Barnes and Noble)

My Thoughts

This is a sweet Christmas story with a theme of hope and adapting your dreams to what God has planned instead of what you had planned. When Isabella tries out for the Christmas play, she only practices for one part. She wants to be an angel, so she puts her heart and soul into memorizing what she has to do for that part. But when the roles are announced, Isabella is not an angel but a drummer girl. This was not the role she planned for, the one she wanted with all of her heart. The story teaches us all a lesson about how to see the good in things when our plans have to change. It also teaches us about the true meaning of Christmas and even has family support and love in the tale. Good story for children ages 3-5, but I think the older children will enjoy reading it to their siblings and can also learn from the story’s timeless lessons. This wonderful story will make a great gift for the precious child in your life. I read the ARC to my grandchildren and they really got into the story and enjoyed discussing it afterwards and what they could learn from it. Valuable lessons in a well-crafted and beautifully illustrated story!
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

Originally from Scotland, Sheila Walsh is an author, Bible teacher, and television host. She has spoken around the world to over six million people and now hosts numerous shows on TBN, America’s most-watched faith and family channel, including the flagship show, Praise, and the talk show, Better Together, reaching a potential daily audience of 2 billion people through TV and the TBN app.

A three-time Grammy-nominated recording artist, Sheila has recorded over twenty-five albums.

Sheila loves making the Bible practical and sharing how God met her at her lowest point and helped her to rise up again.

Her message: God is faithful, and He is holding you!

Sheila’s books have sold almost six million copies and include multiple bestsellers: It’s Okay Not To Be Okay, Praying Women, and Holding On When You Want To Let Go.

She and her husband, Barry, live in Texas with their crazy little dog, Maggie. Their son, Christian, is a clinical psychologist. For more information, go to her website https://sheilawalsh.com/