Labor Not in Vain

11.10.2026

Wishtress by Nadine Brandes // Review

My Review:

Given a powerful talent that has only ever been used against her Myrthe goes on a quest to find answers and find out how to break the curse placed on her.

Bastiaan has spent his years snapping through time, studying the ins and outs of talents and how to free them. He intends to capture the wishtress and turn her in, but he also has his own reasons for gaining her trust.

A spellbinding fantasy of choices and consequences, Nadine Brandes does an excellent job of creating a world of banes and talents, and exploring the implications and consequences of such powers in this absolutely captivating clean fantasy novel. Reminding me of some of my favorite childhood reads like Ella Enchanted, but completely fresh and original. Memorable characters with a complex magic world, with weights and consequences.

I think my favorite character was Runt, who is ever hopeful and loyal to his friends. Full of twists and turns with complex villains, and a thrilling plot. I loved how the plot made me think, and process the complex characters and the magic system. I didn't want to put it down and I didn't want it to end! So happy a sequel is coming soon!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

11.09.2026

The Amish Matchmakers by Beth Wiseman // Review

My Review:

When a retired English moves into Gus's old cottage, Amish sister Lizzie and Esther are back to their matchmaking ways, this time for each other!

A fun heartwarming read that follows Lizzie and Esther as they get to know and welcome their new neighbor, Ben, a retired dentist. They strike up a friendship with Ben and his granddaughter, Mindy, as they work on their matchmaking schemes and comes to terms with growing older and fears of the other sister being alone someday.

Humorous and upbeat, this was a fun quick read. I liked that this book features Esther and Lizzie more, and we get to see more of their sisterly bond with each other. The book is filled with humor and funny situations; their new neighbor Ben takes it all in stride. Mindy and Gabriel are cute together and I liked that they were mature and prayerful about their decisions.

Overall, a quick lighthearted read, full of humor and heart. Great for new readers and ones who have followed Lizzie and Esther in their matchmaking escapades in the past. Sweet Amish romance, with a happily ever after.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

11.06.2026

The Letter Tree by Rachel Fordham // Review

My Review:

The children of two rival shoemaking factory owners form an unlikely friendship through letters left in a tree at the nearby zoo.

Laura Bradshaw and Isaac Campbell don't know what caused the rift between their families so many years ago, moving in parallel worlds that don't often cross paths due to their father's feud. For years they write to each other, not knowing the other's identity, but finding in each other a true friend. When both their fathers angle for advantageous business connection, they form an unlikely alliance and fight for answers to what went wrong so many years ago.

A slow burning read, it takes a while to set up the story and introduce the characters. I liked Laura's housekeeper who is a motherly figure and friend to her, encouraging her to fight for her happiness. Isaac is a good man, and I liked how he stands up for Laura and tries to help her out in a sticky situation, doing what he can to fix it.

An enjoyable read, with likeblae characters and an intriguing plot, but slow at times especially in the beginning. A sweet romance with family intrigue!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

11.05.2026

Pride and Practicality by Pepper Basham // JustRead

Pride and Practicality JustRead Takeover + Review Tour

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Pride & Practicality by Pepper Basham, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Pride & Practicality

Author: Pepper Basham

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Release Date: November 3, 2026

Genre: Clean Regency Romantic Comedy

In a world ruled by reputation, compassion may be the most scandalous act of all.

Arianna Reeves knows how quickly admiration can turn into exile. One poorly placed trust, one disastrously charming rake, and she is no longer society's darling--but its favorite cautionary tale.

Now returned home--uninvited and unmistakably whispered about--Arianna is determined to make amends with her estranged family and do something useful with her thoroughly ruined life. Even if polite society would prefer she did it at a very great distance from anyone respectable.

Thomas Bridges, a principled clergyman with an inconvenient habit of thinking for himself, is already walking a narrow line. His congregation expects propriety, his mother expects matrimony, and both have very firm opinions about his future. Thomas, however, would prefer a life guided by conviction . . . even when it proves impractical.

When Arianna repeatedly--and quite disruptively--crosses his path, Thomas faces a dilemma no sermon prepared him for. She is not at all what she ought to be: not dull, not foolish, and--most dangerously--not someone he can overlook, but a kindred spirit who shares his passion for service and his troubling habit of defying society's expectations . . . all with good intentions, of course.

As their forbidden acquaintance deepens into something far more perilous than friendship, Arianna and Thomas must decide: preserve their reputations, or risk them entirely for the good of others—--and their own hearts.

Because in a society that measures worth by perfection, choosing grace, mercy, and love may cost them everything--and give them more than they ever hoped to find.

My Review: A chance encounter with a stranger during her time of need changed the course of Arianna Reeves' life, now with the crisis past she returns to her family an heiress, determined to help save the family estate and rebuild bridges despite her broken reputation.

An engaging regency romance, with sparkling chemistry and forbidden romance. Thomas Bridges is making his way as a newly appointed vicar, he is genuinely devoted to living his faith, and wants to repair the damage done by the previous vicar. A bachelor, without a wife, his social ladder minded mother is determined to help him make a advantageoud match, but his heart is drawn to the woman of the highest character and shared passion for serving others, but who suffers a damaged reputation. Thomas is a noble hero, standing up for those who are less fortunate and I liked how he took time to get to know Arianna and see her for who she is not the measurements of society.

The story is engaging, with strong likable protagonists that you can't help but cheer for throughout. I liked that Thomas was a vicar that actually approached being vicar as a calling and way to live his faith, rather than just as a job. I loved the friendship between Emmy and Arianna, and Emmy's wise words as well as manuevering to help Arianna and Thomas spend more time together.

Overall, a wonderful read with an honorable and dashing vicar hero, strong heroine, witty banter, great tension, in this novel that takes nods from Pride and Prejudice, but is a completely fresh and original story. Highly recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Also Available

About the Author

Pepper Basham

Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance “peppered” with grace and humor. Writing both historical and contemporary novels, she loves to incorporate her native Appalachian culture and/or her unabashed adoration of the UK into her stories. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of southwestern VA, where she is a wife, mom to five great kids, a speech-language pathologist, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus.

Connect with Pepper by visiting PepperdBasham.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a Cranford Collection copy of Pride and Prejudice, a matching journal, four Pride and Prejudice inspired bookmarks, and a copy of Pride & Practicality!

(1) additional winner will receive a signed copy of Pride & Practicality!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight November 4, 2026 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on November 11, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

11.04.2026

Love's a Mystery in Cape Disappointment, WA by Leslie Gould and Elizabeth Ludwig // Review

Lucie's Review:

Two cozy mysteries set on the shores of Cape Disappointment, WA.

In 1899 reporter Julie Warren fights to clear her uncle's name in the aftermath of a terrible shipwreck. She is fighting an uphill battle to clear his name, sure of his innocence, the clues she discovers point to something more sinister than she could have imagined.

Julie is plucky and determined, forging ahead to fight to clear her uncle's name. An engaging read, with likable characters and intriguing plot!

In the present day, generations later Marnie stumbles on a mystery, as someone seems to be after Luc Graham, a man who previously held her heart. Who is after him, and do Luc and Marnie have a second shot at love?

Engaging story with a second chance romance, and plenty of intrigue. Strong characters and faith. Good interaction and relationship building, as well as a mystery that kept me guessing.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

11.03.2026

An Accusing at the Old Bailey by Erica Vestch // Review

Lucie's Review:

Bertie and Phillipa are at it again, navigating a fake engagement while working to clear the name and save Bertie's scientist friend Rhynwick Davies who has been accused of murder.

An action packed mystery, full of twists and turns with great interaction and relationship building. I liked Bertie and Phillipa together, and was cheering for them to figure out how they felt for each other. Rhynwick is a man passionate about scientific knowledge and advancements, with a strong faith in God. I liked getting to know him more, as he had been briefly in previous books.

Engaging and well written, with likable characters and a riveting plot. Excellent addition to a wonderful series with strong faith, and a gripping mystery. I liked the growth in their relationship, as well as the strong themes of faith. Satisfying read!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

11.02.2026

Love's a Mystery in Sleepy Hollow, NY by Gabrielle Meyer and Ruth Logan Herne // Review

Lucie's Review:

Two cozy mysteries 200 years apart set in Sleepy Hollow, NY.

A fresh new take on The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. It starts with a man claiming that his brother Ichabod Crane was murdered, and is up to Hannie to clear her father's name. She teams up with the local schoolmaster to discover the truth, in this fresh take on a classic story.

A quick engaging story, with a fun plot. Quick read, with likable characters and perhaps more modern sensibilities. I liked the twists in the story, as well as the cute romance between the main characters.

In the present day Tess, comes to help out her grandmother at her restaurant after her grandmother is windled by a fake charity. Riley O'Toole a childhood friend of Tess's offeres to help out, and together they work to get to the bottom of who took grandmother's money.

Great chemistry and an engaging cozy small town mystery. Great interaction and fun plot. I liked the sweet romance and cozy mystery that kept me guessing.

Lovely duo of stories set in small town New York. Highly enjoyable and well written.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

10.30.2026