Review: Once Upon a Christmas Carol by Melody Carlson

On September 4, 2025 By vickleaIn Book Promo, Book Review2 Comments

About the Book

Product Details

ISBN-13:9780800744731 Publisher:Baker Publishing Group Publication date:09/02/2025 Pages:176

Carol Langstrom hates Christmas. Growing up in a dysfunctional home, with a birthday on December 25 and too many dashed childhood expectations, she would rather avoid the holiday season. And working in the design industry where she manages seasonal decor for wealthy, entitled clients certainly hasn’t helped!   

So, this year her goal is to flee to the Bahamas—by herself—bah humbug! But bad weather and God’s radically different plan redirect her flight to blustery Michigan, where she gets stuck on her aunt’s farm and discovers a different kind of Christmas—one wrapped in love, family, and holiday spirit.

My Thoughts

This novella offers a sweet Christmas story with family drama and a developing romance. Carol is planning a Christmas vacation from Washington state to the Bahamas but gets stranded in Michigan when a big winter storm grounds her plane there. Fortunately, she has an aunt she doesn’t know well living close enough to get to, so she ends up at her Aunt Maria’s house to wait out the storm. She makes a new friend named Victor, once a restauranteur but now just caring for his elderly parents. He is a good cook and an all-around kind man who chauffeurs Carol wherever she wants to go, so they get to know each other. I really enjoyed how the story was woven around Carol’s disdain for Christmas and the way she gradually comes to accept the holiday and then actually enjoy it. I liked most of the townspeople and thought that all of the characters were well-developed, even the secondary ones. There is one character who was perfect for her part, but she wasn’t particularly likable and that was purposeful. The pace was moderate, a perfect way for a developing romance to be showcased as I got to know each character’s strengths and backstories. There were multiple themes to the story, all based on faith and including self-discovery, forgiveness and kindness to strangers and estranged family members. This is a perfect story for the Christmas season as it embodies giving, sacrifice and love in one beautifully written story.
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

Melody Carlson has written more than 200 books (with sales around 6.5 million) for teens, women and children. That’s a lot of books, but mostly she considers herself a “storyteller.” Her novels range from serious issues like schizophrenia (Finding Alice) to lighter topics like house-flipping (A Mile in My Flip-Flops) but most of the inspiration behind her fiction comes right out of real life. Her young adult novels (Diary of a Teenage Girl, TrueColors etc.) appeal to teenage girls around the world. Her annual Christmas novellas become more popular each year. She’s won a number of awards (including Romantic Time’s Career Achievement Award, the Rita and the Gold Medallion) and some of her books have been optioned for film/TV. Carlson has two grown sons and makes her home in the Pacific Northwest.

To purchase your copy:

Review: DETECTING CONCEALED EVIDENCE by Dana Mentink

On August 26, 2025 By vickleaIn Book Promo, Book Review1 Comment

About the Book

A panicked call sends detective Chase Wolfe and his search-and-rescue bloodhound, Tank, racing right into the path of his neighbor—who’s just barely escaped an abduction. But Pilar Alonso has no idea who’s after her or why. Now she must rely on Chase to keep her safe while they work together to track down the unknown assailants targeting her. Only, their investigation reveals layers of a much more sinister agenda, and danger is rapidly closing in. Drawn into a web of deceit, can they untangle the mystery…before they’re permanently silenced?

Product Details

ISBN-13:9781335957221 Publisher:Harlequin Publication date:08/26/2025 Series:Security Hounds Investigations , #5 Pages:208

My Thoughts

This book was impossible to put down and an entertaining and easy read. Pilar Alonso is an accomplished, talented cellist with a lot of talent, but she has been forced to go home to take care of her father with dementia and try to earn a living with whatever jobs she can find. One of her jobs is as a delivery driver and I certainly never expected her to be shot at, kidnapped and then stalked for some mysterious reason. The surprises in this book keep coming as Chase Wolfe, her neighbor, comes to the rescue of reluctant and stand-offish Pilar. Most of the characters are bearing the burden of secrets that they want to keep deeply buried, but discovering those secrets might help keep Pilar alive. I loved the riveting suspense in the novel and the characters were all lovable and relatable, even the spunky and forgetful Mr. Alonso. My favorite character was Tank, the canine superhero who is laid back and seems somewhat disengaged until there is danger and then he enthusiastically protects Chase and Pilar. The storyline was creative and absorbing, and the characters made me want to meet them in person. Great story written in an original way and with plenty of surprises along the trail to the happily ever after.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book, but I was not required to write a positive review. I also purchased my own copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Rated PG for intense suspense, Love Inspired Suspense

About the Author

Dana Mentink lives in California where the weather is golden and the cheese is divine. Her family includes two daughters (affectionately nicknamed Yogi and Boo Boo.) Papa Bear is retired from the fire department and he met Dana doing a dinner theater production of The Velveteen Rabbit. Ironically, their parts were husband and wife.

Dana writes in two genres, cozy mystery and romantic suspense. She’s a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author as well as a two time ACFW Carol Award winner, and a Holt Medallion recipient. Her suspense novel, Betrayal in the Badlands, earned a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award. She is honored to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, Revell, and Poisoned Pen Press. Website: danamentink.com

To Purchase a Copy

Harlequin and links to other retailers

Audible

Vickie Approved, Vickie Recommended

Review: THE BITTER END BIRDING SOCIETY by Amanda Cox

On August 19, 2025 By vickleaIn Book Promo, Book Review3 Comments

About the Book

Hometown hero Ana Leigh Watkins ventures to Bitter End, Tennessee, to help her great-aunt prepare for retirement. A town called Bitter End seems an ironic place for Ana to refresh her weary spirit, but she’s desperate for respite from the attention and unwarranted admiration of her community. While on a hike in Roan Mountain, a ragtag group of amateur bird-watchers takes her under their wing—a little against her will. However, she quickly warms to these genuine souls seeking solace in the great outdoors.

But when Ana’s adventures in Bitter End lead her to a severed branch of her family tree—one that involves the forbidden love between a moonshiner’s daughter and a preacher’s son—what began as a getaway to help her great-aunt becomes a transformative journey that binds together two women who, though they live on the same street, have been estranged for sixty years.

Book Details

ISBN-13:9780800746612 Publisher:Baker Publishing Group Publication date:08/19/2025 Pages:336

My Thoughts

This story was completely engrossing, with a plot that presented an extremely powerful story of estranged family members and individuals with pasts that needed to be overcome before they could move forward to a more promising future. Ana is a kindergarten teacher who had a terrible encounter with evil that has kept her from thinking that she can ever again be an effective teacher. Ana takes the opportunity to escape her current reality to go to a small town where her Aunt Cora lives. Cora has asked Ana to come help her pack up and get ready to move into a new home, and Ana is happy to be able to help someone as well as to hopefully escape her memories of the past. Once in Bitter End, Ana meets up with a rag-tag bunch of people who form the local birding society under the leadership of her Aunt Marilyn. The relationships between the people in this group form the foundation of the story as they explore not only the woods and record the birds that they see, but they also explore their own feelings of inadequacy and support each other in being willing to step out into an unknown future. I think that this book was a delight to read and I got invested in the lives of each character, my favorite one being Sam, the shepherd who is like a lost sheep himself. I loved the multi-generational element of the story, with its dual timeline and backstory about characters who aren’t present physically but who affect the current stories of the characters in imaginative ways. The rich, descriptive details of the setting and the birds that the group discover gave the story a high sense of believability as well as forming a wonderful setting for the intricate plot threads that were so well woven together. Infused with spiritual truth and enriched with authentic details, the entire book was a pleasure to read and I was sad to see it end although the conclusion was more than satisfactory. It was a heart-warming and thought-provoking story that everyone who is questioning a past choice or decision needs to read.
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I also purchased my own copy since I collect the books by this author. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

Christian Contemporary Fiction, Rated PG

Purchase Links

bit.ly/4kVJJtq (Baker Book House)

bit.ly/45Z9gNu (Christian Book)

bit.ly/3FKtEHF (Barnes and Noble)

amzn.to/40PTocT (AMZ)

bit.ly/3JjFZDM (Target)

https://adbl.co/47iQRMd (Audible)

**With appreciation to Revell Fiction and Baker Publishing Group for providing me with an ARC of this wonderful book!**

Review of Final Approach by Lynette Eason

On August 8, 2025 By vickleaIn Book Promo, Book Review8 Comments

About the Book

ISBN-13:9780800741228 Publisher:Baker Publishing Group Publication date:08/05/2025 Series:Lake City Heroes , #4 Pages:320

Air Marshal Kristine Duncan is not on duty when a hijacker attempts to seize control of the plane she and her friends are on as they head out on a much-needed vacation. Jumping into action and aided by FBI Special Agent Andrew Ross, Kristine thwarts the attack and the plane lands safely. But as the investigation into the incident gets underway, Kristine and Andrew are confused at every step. Nothing about the investigation goes as it should, and each layer they peel back just reveals another layer of perplexity.

As the two work together to navigate a web of deception, blame, and personal reckoning, they find there’s more to this story than meets the eye—and more to love and admire about each other. They’ll have to put their skills to the test—and their hearts on the line—to unravel the truth and ensure that justice prevails.

My Thoughts

I always enjoy a new book by Lynette Eason and this one certainly did not disappoint! Air Marshall Kristine is supposed to be on vacation with her friends from Lake City when the plane is abruptly hijacked. She uses her professional skills to try to defuse the situation, is somewhat successful, but ends up not going on vacation as her FBI friends on board have to investigate the hijacking. Nothing is as it seems in this thrilling why-do-it from this master of the genre. We know who did it, but the motive is elusive and the clues just pile up. Kristine and her friend FBI Agent Andrew seem to be chasing shadows as a clue appears and then points in another direction. The story is compelling as they try to solve the mystery and as Andrew and Kristine both find themselves endangered, but they don’t know from whom. Following the clues was highly entertaining, especially with all of the red herrings that led me on a merry chase down several dead ends. With danger getting closer and the friends unable to find a motive, Kristine uses her powerful deductive reasoning abilities as well as events from her past to take us on a roller coaster ride to the truth, a truth that was surprising but not totally unexpected. I really enjoyed the fast-paced plot with non-stop action and the appearances of all of the Lake City heroes from previous books in the series. This book can definitely be read and enjoyed as a standalone, but I would highly recommend reading the entire series so that the backstory for each character can help you understand the intricate connections between each of them.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

Christian Fiction with Intense Suspense, Rated PG

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 awares 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: TRUSTING THE AMISH FARMER by Laurel Blount

On July 29, 2025 By vickleaIn Book Promo, Book Review3 Comments

About the Book

ISBN-13:9781335621023 Publisher:Harlequin Publication date:07/29/2025 Series:Hickory Springs Amish , #2 Pages:208

After tragedy leaves her widowed, Anna Speicher is determined she and her young son will be done with farming forever. And the Amish community’s matchmaker knows the perfect bachelor to buy her farm. But strong and gentle Jeremiah Weaver is certain that he and Anna can help each other out—if they can work together. When he offers instead to make repairs in exchange for renting the farm for a year, Anna never imagined that he would bring fresh joy into her life. But is she ready to open her heart to another farmer?

My Thoughts

Amish widow Anna Speicher vows to never have anything to do with farming again after her husband Henry was killed while working on the farm. Instead, she decides to rent out her farm to Jeremiah Weaver, an enterprising man who is one of the most kind-hearted souls anyone could ever hope to meet. Anna wants to make a new life for herself and her young son, but farming and a second marriage are not part of her dream. Rather, she wants to open s store and sell Amish goods. Jeremiah is an extremely hard worker who is observant and tries to help Anna fulfill her dream. The spark of romance between the two is not surprising, but is is certainly entertaining as it meanders all over the place before the two realize what is happening to them. With a cute pup names Sunny and a darling little boy who is charming and obedient, this book captured my heart and my imagination. The plot is just the right pace for a budding romance, and I was captivated by the characters and the drama of their lives that led them towards each other. This is a delightful and warmhearted romance with appealing characters and a skillfully woven plot that pulled me right in from the beginning.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via Book Funnel. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

Laurel Blount writes captivating romances full of grit and grace–with characters who’ll walk right off the page and into your heart. She lives on a farm in Georgia with her husband, their four fabulous kids, and an assortment of ridiculously spoiled animals.

A chronic multi-tasker, Laurel writes Amish romance for Berkley/Penguin Random House and contemporary Christian romance for Love Inspired. She’s the recipient of the ACFW Carol Award, the New England Reader’s Choice Award and GRW’s Maggie Award for Excellence. She’s represented by the ever-awesome Jessica Alvarez of BookEnds Literary Agency.

Whenever she’s not writing, you can find Laurel on her front porch—with a cup of tea at her elbow, a cat in her lap and a good book in her hand!

Purchase Links

Review: Perilous Tides by Elizabeth Goddard

On July 16, 2025 By vickleaIn Book Promo, Book Review3 Comments

About the Book

ISBN-13:9780800746155 Publisher:Baker Publishing Group Publication date:07/15/2025 Series:Hidden Bay , #2 Pages:352

Three years after her mother’s suspicious death, forensic artist Jo Cattrel is in hiding, working at a storm-watching lodge along the Washington coast. When her father sends her a disturbing and cryptic message, Jo leaves the safety of the lodge to find him. But during the ferry crossing, Jo witnesses a murder—and becomes a target.

More surprising to Jo than being in danger is the identity of the person who steps in to protect her—none other than her ex, former Green Beret Cole Mercer. Now a private investigator, Cole has been looking into her mother’s death. If he can just uncover the truth, maybe Jo can end her self-imposed captivity and the two of them can pick up the pieces and build a future together.

As Cole and Jo search for answers, the past rushes in like a dangerous tide before the truth can be revealed.

My Thoughts

Forensic artist Jo Catrell has been in hiding since her mother’s sudden death. Now her biological father whom she calls “Pops” has warned her that she needs to disappear again, leaving Hidden Bay behind and finding a new place to hide. In her quest to find her dad and talk to him about her situation and why she is in danger, she immerses herself into even more danger when she witnesses a murder. Targeted and running from an unknown assailant, Jo is surprised that the man who teams up with her is her former boyfriend, former Green Beret Cole Mercer. When Cole disappeared from her life before, she never expected to see him again, but there he is, just in the nick of time and rescuing her from certain death. The danger is real, the secrets are buried deep, and together Jo and Cole set out to discover who wants her dead and why. The plot is complex, a web of lies and deceit that carried me along on the waves of total entertainment as I got wrapped up in riding that wave to the truth. I enjoyed the interactions between Cole and Jo as they discover a second chance at love, if she can just survive. The plot held me completely captivated as one layer after another about the past that killed Jo’s mom is exposed, with some surprising and tantalizing twists. This book kept me engaged in the story, cheering for the characters and really wanting to know who the villains were and what in the world they could want with a forensic artist who was totally ignorant of her past roots and the troubles that her parents unknowingly led to her safe place in Hidden Bay. The scene is perfect for the encroaching threats, with a wild and stormy sea along with a threatening storm all around Jo. The tone was one of intense danger and the need to know before her ignorance gets her killed. I especially enjoyed the characters from Storm Warning appearing in this book to offer assistance to Jo and Cole. It was good to read more about Remi and Hawk and the progression of their relationship. This book is compelling suspense, taut and unpredictable, but also enticing as the clues were laid out methodically by the hand of a master storyteller. With crisp writing, escalating tension and high drama, this book hooked me with the believable characters and the creeping dread that seemed to follow Jo everywhere. Perilous Tides can be read and enjoyed as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading the series in order and really enjoying the rich, descriptive details of Hidden Bay.
Disclaimer: 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

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/3HUt5M2 (Baker Book House)

bit.ly/40NSayD (Christian Book)

bit.ly/4nHA0Z8 (Amazon)

bit.ly/44mPdr7 (Barnes and Noble)

bit.ly/4eHPZm8 (Target)

bit.ly/4li9Fzl (Books-a-Million)

bit.ly/4kGkTNe (Audible)

Review: The Neighbor and the Gifts by Danielle Grandinetti

On July 15, 2025 By vickleaIn Book Promo, Book Review2 Comments

About the Book

ISBN-13:9781956098464 Publisher:Hearth Spot Press Publication date: 07/15/2025 Pages:166

Wisconsin, 1930-When Manitowish Waters librarian Olivia “Ollie” Larson finds a package on the library steps, she expects the children’s books she ordered, not a taxidermied partridge. By the fourth gift from her unknown and unwelcome True Love, disappearing to her grandfather’s isolated cabin in the Northwoods is the only way she can escape him.

Deputy Titus Wilburn is happy to escort the lovely librarian to her grandfather’s house on his way to the neighboring Yarwood cabin. After all, he’s been smitten with her since they attended school together, and she needs his protection. However, the plan fails when Ollie’s uninvited suitor discovers her new location.

As the man’s actions become more desperate and his gifts more dangerous, an unexpectedly bedridden Titus decides to free Ollie from this menace, which puts the enemy’s sights directly on him. Ollie refuses to let her injured hero sacrifice himself, but with the days ticking closer to Christmas, she may have no choice but to accept whatever fate her suitor has in store for her if she wants to save Titus’ life.

My Thoughts

This book is a quick read that combines romance, danger, faith, and a mystery all in one super package of delight. Ollie is a quiet and reclusive librarian, preferring the companionship of books rather than the discomfort of being around a lot of people. When she finds a package outside the library, her reaction to the contents is to scream, bringing Deputy Titus Wilburn running to her side. This begins the gifts from the “Twelve Days of Christmas,” unwanted gifts from an unknown sender who claims to love Ollie and is determined to claim her for his wife. Titus, who has had a crush on Ollie since elementary school, is equally determined to keep her safe no matter the cost. The story focuses on the developing relationship of trust and mutual respect between these two while they deal with the danger that is stalking Ollie. I really enjoyed the romance, the characters that stepped into my heart and the history that Ollie provides about the Twelve Days poem. This story is one that is perfect for Christmas in July or anytime anyone wants to read a tale with an uplifting message of courage, sacrifice and family devotion. I loved every minute I spent with this story, especially getting to know how a shy young woman can blossom in the right hands and for the right reasons.
Disclaimer: 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.

About the Author

Danielle Grandinetti is an award-winning inspirational romance author fueled by tea, books, and the creative beauty of nature. Her stories combine romance, mystery, and suspense against the backdrop of the 1930s to tell the tale of finding home and hope in hard times. With a master’s in communication and culture and a passion for intercultural communication, storytelling has been her heartbeat for as long as she can remember. Married to her hero, Danielle is a second-generation Italian-American, a dairy farmer’s granddaughter, and a boy mom from Chicagoland who now lives along Lake Michigan’s Wisconsin shoreline. For more information: https://daniellegrandinetti.com/

Purchase Links

Barnes and Noble

Author’s website

Amazon

Review of VANISHED by Dr. David Jeremiah with Sam O’Neal

On July 5, 2025 By vickleaIn Book Promo, Book Review5 Comments

About the Book

As leader of a special military unit charged with stopping potential pandemics before they spread, John “Haggs” Haggerty has a front-row seat to the sharp increase in natural disasters that precede the Rapture—including plagues, earthquakes, famines, wars, and rumors of war. And each crisis is becoming more intense.

Meanwhile, his own world feels like it’s falling apart. He’s still caught in the grief of messing up his relationship with his ex-wife, and he’s trying to keep it together so that he can show up for his adult daughter before she wants him out of her life entirely. As both personal and professional situations push him to the brink, Haggs finds himself stretched further than ever in his desire to be the kind of good person he knows he should be.

Just when it seems as if things might turn around, Haggs is forced to decide between his need to find solutions and his need for personal redemption.

More details

ISBN-13:9781400350735 Publisher:Nelson, Thomas, Inc. Publication date:07/01/2025 Series:The Vanished Series , #1 Pages:336

My Thoughts

This is a story about the end times from the Bible and how different fictional characters in the book are affected by the events. General John Haggerty is a dedicated physician and on the task force to try to stop a global pandemic. Unfortunately, the illness cannot be contained and in his pursuit of trying to save people, he almost loses his beloved daughter Sonya. The novel is over three-fourths of the way done before the Rapture occurs, so it is not the focus of the story. The real focus is what comes before and how people react to wars, famine, earthquakes and rampant diseases. The U.S. government has a task force for everything but what they don’t have is a relationship with God that could help them have the wisdom to get through these times. The characters were realistically portrayed and flawed, and the plot moved quickly to a semi-conclusion. The story isn’t really over because at the end of the story, the Tribulation is just beginning for those who were not rescued during the Rapture. I liked the story, especially the way the scriptures were accurately represented in a way that encouraged people to get right with God before it is too late to do so. This is the first fiction book that I have read from this author and I found it to be well-written and thoroughly enjoyable.
Disclaimer: 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 about the End Times, Rated PG-13

About the Authors

Founder and host of Turning Point for God and senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church, David Paul Jeremiah, was born February 13, 1941, in Toledo, Ohio. He is one of four children born to James and Ruby Jeremiah. During his childhood, his family moved to Dayton, Ohio, where his father, James T. Jeremiah, served as Pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church. In 1953, the Jeremiah family moved to Cedarville, Ohio, when his father became the President of Cedarville College—which is now Cedarville University.

Growing up in a pastor’s home, David was immersed in ministry from an early age. During his senior year at Cedarville College, he felt God’s calling to enter full-time ministry. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1963, and that same year he married his college sweetheart, Donna Thompson. After graduation, they moved to Dallas, Texas, where David attended Dallas Theological Seminary. He received his Master’s degree in Theology in 1967. Completing additional graduate work at Grace Seminary, he was granted the Doctor of Divinity degree from Cedarville College in 1981.

In 1969, David and Donna began a church plant in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with seven families in attendance. He served as pastor at Blackhawk Baptist Church for twelve years. During that time the church grew to 1,300 members, Blackhawk Christian School was founded, and The Bible Hour television program was launched.

In 1981, the Jeremiah family, which now included four children, followed God’s call and moved to California when Dr. Jeremiah became the senior pastor of Scott Memorial Baptist Church, which is now Shadow Mountain Community Church. Today Shadow Mountain Community Church is one of the largest churches in San Diego county with eight satellite locations including Hispanic and Arabic congregations. The main campus of the church, located in El Cajon, California, is also the home to Southern California Seminary and Christian Unified Schools, a multiple site kindergarten through twelfth-grade Christian school district. Website: Dr. David Jeremiah

With 20 years of experience in the publishing world, Sam O’Neal is passionate about serving authors who write great stories. He launched Write Great Stories, Inc., after working for legacy brands including Christianity Today, LifeWay Christian Resources, and HarperCollins Christian Publishing. Sam works with A-list authors including Dr. David Jeremiah, Max Lucado, Bishop T. D. Jakes, Louie Giglio, Dr. Dharius Daniels, Kathie Lee Gifford, Charles Martin, and more.

Passionate about God’s Word, Sam has served as the primary editor or content producer for three Bibles: Quest Study Bible, Life Connections Study Bible, and the Bible Study Bible. He also develops curriculum material for authors including David Platt, Tony Evans, Matt Chandler, Michael Todd, John MacArthur, and others.

Sam has a literature degree from Wheaton College and a master’s in Christian studies. He has dedicated his career to making complex ideas approachable for everyday readers.

Purchase Links

Review: Framed in Amish Country by Mary Alford

On July 3, 2025 By vickleaIn Book Promo, Book Review2 Comments

About the Book

To prove her innocence she’ll have to expose a lethal conspiracy. A frantic call from her best friend sends district attorney Paige Grayson running right into a trap–and now she’s being framed for her friend’s murder. With the police after her and evidence against her stacking up, she seeks refuge in Amish country–and the help of her first love, Elijah King, to clear her name. To expose the drug dealer setting Paige up, they must work together while evading a ruthless criminal and the police. With threats closing in and time running out, one wrong move could be their last.

More Details

ISBN-13:9781335980694 Publisher:Harlequin Publication date:07/01/2025 Pages: 208

My Thoughts

This book has a fast pace right out of the starting gate, like a thoroughbred at the Kentucky Derby who races to win. This second-chance-at-love story includes nail-biting suspense as Paige and Elijah run for their lives from drug dealers who have already killed their good friend. Not knowing who is the head of the drug operation makes the scenario even more frightening because neither of them can figure out how they are continually being tracked. Weaving suspense with a developing romance, this book includes some heart-in-your-throat moments as Elijah and Paige run through woods, into caves, and up a mountain while they constantly encounter danger. I really liked how the Amish community chose to help them as much as they could rather than taking a stance of not wanting to get involved. This is a powerful story of God’s grace in action and second chances as you face what seems to be insurmountable obstacles. I enjoyed how the main characters consistently showed how much they cared for each other and how courageous they were in their determination to expose the drug dealers. The plot is deeply immersive, the characters are rich and realistically flawed as well as original and believable. Some of my favorite characters were the dogs, especially Gunner, Paige’s protector who was willing to lay down his life for his mistress and showed his loyalty and obedience repeatedly. This edgy love inspired story was filled with suspense and the signature style of the author that keeps the story moving as fast as the characters who are running from danger.
Disclaimer: 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.

Also Available

About the Author

USA Today Bestselling Author Mary Alford

Mary Alford grew up in a small Texas town famous for, well not much of anything really. Being the baby of the family and quite a bit younger than her two brothers and her sister, Mary had plenty of time to entertain herself. Making up stories seemed to come naturally to her.

As a teen, Mary discovered Phyllis Whitney and Victoria Holt and knew instinctively that was what she wanted to do with her over-active imagination.

She wrote her first novel as a teen, (it’s tucked away somewhere never to see the light of day), but never really pursued her writing career seriously until a few years later, when she wrote her first inspirational romantic suspense and was hooked.

Today, Mary lives in Texas with her husband and loves to create characters who face dangerous situations with faith on their side.

Mary is very active online and would love to connect with readers on Facebook, X, or any of the social media platforms listed at maryalford.net.

Purchase Links

Review of FIRE MOUNTAIN by Dana Mentink

On July 2, 2025 By vickleaIn Book Promo, Book Review2 Comments

About the Book

In the shadow of a threatening volcano, long-haul trucker Kit Garrido wakes up in her crashed big rig, unable to recall what happened or why she’s suddenly in possession of someone’s baby. Fiercely independent, she has to admit that perhaps this time she could use a little help.

As the threat of eruption grows, former cop Cullen Landry refuses to leave his cabin in the evacuation area, which is why he’s the only one left who can help Kit escape the crumpled cab of her truck. He doesn’t want to get tangled up in the mystery of the beautiful woman with an abandoned infant, but when he sees the bullet hole in the windshield and the bloody handprint on the interior, he realizes that he’s in this thing, like it or not.

When two armed men with ill intent approach, the race is on to stay alive, discover the truth, and find the baby’s missing mother–all while a deadly mountain rains fire from above.

More Details

ISBN-13:9781493450664 Publisher:Baker Publishing Group Publication date:07/01/2025 Series:Elements of Danger , #1 Pages:320

My Thoughts

The pace of this book is so fast that I could not flip through my Kindle pages quickly enough! The characters are regular people who are faced with insurmountable challenges and who rise to the task, the biggest one to take care of an infant while fleeing a volcano and avoiding bad guys who want to kill all of them. Kit Garrido is a semi-truck driver who is dedicated to her business and not looking for anything except success. Cullen is fixing a roof of his cabin when he sees Kit wreck her truck, so he rushes to her aid. Thus begins the story of the two intrepid warriors against nature and evil! When Cullen discovers a baby in the living compartment of Kit’s truck, Kit is flabbergasted about how she got there, since the accident that wrecked her beloved truck also stole her memory. Discovering that the accident was a purposeful action of sabotage since a bullet hit the truck, Cullen makes it his goal to keep Kit and the baby safe from whomever is trying to harm her. I loved the way the two of them bonded with the baby whom they called “Tot” and I was totally invested in the realistic character of Archie, a veteran who is a friend of Cullen’s and who is wise and snarky, too. The race to save themselves from the volcano and from the villains is realistically portrayed, with all kinds of extra dangers along the way and problems like no shelter and limited food, along with horrible air quality due to the erupting volcano. The twists keep coming and just when I thought Cullen and company were safe, another threat arose and had my heart pumping and my pulse racing. The plot was complex with multiple layers that were expertly woven together into a satisfying conclusion. The romance is one that simmers since the hero and heroine are a little busy running for their lives and watching over Tot. This is a powerful, breathtaking story of honor and sacrifice as well as a propulsive thriller that took off like a jet plane from the first chapter and flew high for the entire book. With escalating tension and a gripping story, combined with nail-biting suspense and unique, relatable characters, this book is a real winner for me in the Best Books of 2025 category. The author did a remarkable job of including faith and the tough topic of human trafficking all while staying on course to captivate me with the active volcano and the bad guys who were nothing short of pure evil. If I could give this book more than five stars, I would because it didn’t just entertain, but it also educated and made me think about life choices and consequences.
Disclaimer: 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 with Intense Suspense, Rated PG-13

About the Author

Dana writes in two genres, cozy mystery and romantic suspense. She’s a USA TODAY, Publishers Weekly, and Amazon bestselling author as well as a two time ACFW Carol Award winner, and a Holt Medallion recipient. Her suspense novel, Betrayal in the Badlands, earned a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award. She is honored to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, Revell, and Poisoned Pen Press