Act of Valor by Dana Mentink // Review

Lucie's Review: 

Airline employee Violet Griffin witnesses' suspicious activity and finds herself in the crosshairs of a dangerous drug trafficking ring. She asks her former childhood friend Zach Jameson for help, and together they must work together to thwart the drug ring. 

A fun fast paced read. I liked that Zach and Violet were childhood friends, and already have an established ease with each other, but are working to navigate their changing relationship. There are plenty of twists and turns, with plenty of suspense and clever beagle. 

There was good interaction, faith, and I loved how warm and supportive Violet's family is. A highly enjoyable read, with a lot going on. Highly recommend!

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

Vanished in Montana by Jenna Night // Review

Lucie's Review: 

Julia Crane is a true crime podcaster, she travels to Montana to dig into a cold case close to her heart. But someone doesn't want her poking around looking for answers, but Deputy Max Lone steps up to help her investigate. 

A fast paced read, with likable characters of faith, and a plot that keeps you guessing. There are a lot of twists and turns, with good relationship building. I like how Max challenged Julia's ideas of love and the future. They work together as a team, and I liked how they got to know each other. 

Overall, an engaging cold case mystery full of suspense, faith, with a romance you can cheer for all the way through. 

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

Murders in the Marquee by Dana Mentink // Review

Lucie's Review: 

Reformed jewel thief Saul Niffler is doing his best to stay on the straight and narrow and get his life back on track. He takes a job working at the Grand Mallard Marquee as the duck commandant, but when he witnesses someone fall from an upper window, he wonders if he just witnessed a murder. He teams up with guest and amateur sleuth Kitty Rossi and aspiring magician Henry to find answers. Can they untangle the mysterious behind the hotel walls? 

A little slow to start, it picks up quickly as we get to know the characters and the setting. Saul is a likable protagonist, a new Christian working to prove himself and get his life back. Kitty is curious and adventurous, pulling Saul and Henry into her sleuthing. 

A fun-filled cozy mystery, full of faith friendship and a cast of intriguing characters. Engaging storytelling setting up what is sure to be a fantastic series! 

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

The Premonition at Withers Farm by Jaime Jo Wright // Review

My Review: 

A dual timeline novel set in a rural Michigan farmhouse that holds secrets that reach into the present day. 

A brutal murder happens in a small rural community, and it has everyone asking questions. Perliett Van Hilton is local healer caught between the world of her mother who claims to speak with the dead, and her late father, a preacher who frowned on such practices. Perliett finds herself caught up in the case, as she finds herself torn between the local doctor and a mysterious and charming newcomer. 

In the present-day Molly and her husband feel like they are adrift, floating farther and farther away from each other. They move out to the country hoping for a fresh start, but a murder that brings up the dark history of the farmhouse has them looking for answers. 

An intriguing split time mystery, with a compelling storyline and a powerful story of healing and faith. A haunting read, I liked the tension between Perliett and George, as they butt heads throughout the story. Perliett doesn't like how George looks down on her self-taught methods, but is continually baffled by his seemingly contradictory actions. I liked their interaction, and how Perliett questions what she sees and the world around her, searching for something true. Molly has been through a lot, and moving to the country isn't her idea. She has been struggling for a long time, and my heart went out to her as she fights for each day. 

Overall, this is a compelling read, full of mystery and intrigue that kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat. Excellent storytelling, with a strong message of faith. Great character development and dealing with complex issues. Another winner from Ms. Wright! 

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

Parable Port: The Captain's Clue by Brock Eastman and Shaun Stevenson // Review

My Review: 

Return to Parable Port in this second adventure that finds Anthony, Duck, Grace, J.R. And Brooklyn once again fighting to save the town from mysterious goings on that can only be fought with truth, and solid foundations.

Another thrilling adventure, as the kids learn about the Wise Builder and the Foolish Builder, while their town finds itself flooding . The kids must seek the answers and cling to the truth to bring the water under control, while the evil one is at work trying to deceive them. I liked how we get to see another side of J.R. on her own quest for truth.

 There is a lot going on, and I had a hard time putting it down.

A fantastic story for middle grade readers, that teaches about the parables of Jesus through fast-paced truth-filled adventures! Strong values, exciting adventures, great for confident readers or as a family read-aloud. Definitely recommend!

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

Danger in the Rockies by Terri Reed // Review

Lucie's Review: 

Maren Anderson is swept into a deadly chase, when she is mistaken for her long-thought-dead twin sister, Opal. DEA agent Colt Dawson comes to her aid, as they go looking for answers and try to stay ahead of the drug kingpin after them. 

A fast paced adventure that kept me guessing, with great relationship building, wonderful interaction, and fantastic dogs! I liked that Maren and Colt bonded over their shared Christian faith, and love of  specially trained dogs. There is a lot going on, with a background over-arching mystery that has to do with human trafficking that will be addressed later in future books in the series. 

There is a lot going on, and I liked the character arcs as well, with Colt learning to trust again, and Maren coming to terms about her missing sister and fighting for answers. I liked the strong faith, great relationship building, and plenty of action. 

The narrator did an excellent of bringing the story to life, with all the suspense and tender emotions, making for a riveting experience!

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

The Sacred Thread Series // Review // Now Streaming on Angel

Most people know the Lord’s Prayer. 

Very few understand the world, language, and meaning behind it. The Sacred Thread takes viewers deep into the historical and cultural context of Scripture, helping audiences experience the Lord’s Prayer the way Jesus’ original audience would have heard it. 

This is not just another Bible study. It’s a cinematic journey through the land, history, language, and deeper meaning of one of the most important prayers ever spoken. 

Angel continues to create thoughtful, high-quality series that make Scripture feel alive, relevant, and deeply personal. 

About The Sacred Thread:

The Sacred Thread is a cinematic documentary series exploring the Lord’s Prayer through the

historical, cultural, geographical, and literary world in which Jesus first spoke it. Hosted by Brad

Gray and featuring insights from scholars including N.T. Wright, the series takes viewers across

biblical landscapes to uncover the deeper meaning and context behind one of the most

well-known prayers in Scripture. (angel.com)

Through cinematic storytelling and accessible scholarship, the series invites audiences to see

Scripture with fresh eyes and rediscover the richness, depth, and relevance of the Biblical text.

(angel.com)

Now streaming on Angel : https://www.angel.com/shows/sacred-thread

Join the Angel Guild and support stories that bring meaning, hope, and purpose back to entertainment.

My Review: 

Dive deep into Scripture with host Brad Gray, who takes us through the Lord's Prayer phrase by phrase with cultural, historical, and contextual context. 

In depth, with cinematic visuals, the series is divided into 7 episodes that run roughly half an hour, which makes it great for sparking conversations and giving time for you to think and absorb. Great for small groups, Bible studies, or watching with your family at home. The delivery is engaging, with deep insights, while we are taken down the streets that Jesus walked. 

I really enjoyed how they took their time thoughtfully and compellingly to explore the context, consulting New Testament experts, and explaining the landscape that Jesus had entered and what he was telling his disciples. I rewatched a few episodes because they were just so good, and there was so much in there to absorb. 

Overall, an excellently done series that made me appreciate the Lord's Prayer even more, now that I know more of the background and significance. Compelling, easy to follow, strong delivery and depth. Highly recommend!

 #TheSacredThreadMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork 

 Many thanks to Angel for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

 Giveaway: $10 Amazon giftcard (Note: This is limited to US winners only).

Sacred Thread - $10 Amazon Giftcard

Part of Your World by Karen Witemeyer // Review

Review: 

In a providential encounter Muriel Quinn saves Zane Erickson from the sea. Zane is instantly captivated by her beautiful voice and even lovlier heart, but will their class differences and a dark blackmail scheme keep them apart?

A fresh take on a beloved tale, that brings The Little Mermaid to Texas in this enchanting Christian romance. I loved the way that the author took inspiration from the classic tale, and made it completely her own. I loved the realtionship building and interaction. Muriel is very clever, and I admired how she stood up for herself. Zane is a ambitious and kind young man, who is guided my his faith in God, I liked that he isn't afraid of hardwork. 

A riveting story that I wanted to savor and make last, and yet all too soon I had turned down the last page. A memorable read, that captured my heart, filled with faith, humor, and romance, with characters that you can't help but cheer for all the way through. Cannot recommend enough!

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

Gingham Mountain by Mary Connealy // Celebrate Lit

About the Book:

Book: Gingham Mountain

Author: Mary Connealy

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: May 26, 2026

From beloved author Mary Connealy comes a heartwarming Western romance about faith, family, and finding love in unexpected places—a touching tale of a devoted bachelor rancher, a determined schoolteacher, and the orphaned children who bring them together. Perfect for fans of Tracie Peterson and Karen Witemeyer.

Grant Cooper has dedicated his life to taking in orphaned children others have overlooked, building a loving family on his rugged Texas ranch. When a new schoolteacher arrives in Sour Springs with strong opinions about his unconventional household, he finds himself drawn to her fierce spirit—even as she challenges everything about his carefully ordered world.

Hannah Cartwright’s own painful past as an orphan makes her wary of the bachelor rancher raising children alone. But as she gets to know Grant’s extraordinary family, she discovers there’s more to him than meets the eye. When dangerous enemies threaten both their futures, Hannah and Grant must learn to trust in God’s plan—and each other.

Can a man who’s sworn never to marry risk his heart for love? And can a woman who’s known only betrayal find the faith to build a true home at last? A touching story of healing, hope and the family bonds that transcend blood.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 Lucie's Review: 

A western romance, with enemies to lovers romance, in a heartwarming read where the protagonists find that they aren't as different as they thought. 

Grant Cooper grew up an orphan and has a big heart for the overlooked. Hannah is a spirited young schoolteacher with a heart for orphaned children. A whirlwind of misunderstandings find Hannah and Grant at odds with each other, which leads to humor. But I liked how they both were willing to stand up and live their convictions. 

There is a lot going on, with a gang of heart captivating children, a new romance that has sparks flying and a bad guy who wants to take Grant's land away. Fun story, likable characters and solid faith!

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

About the Author

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedies with cowboys and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She is a two time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist.

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys always with a strong suspense thread. She is a two-time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist. She is the bestselling author of 75 books and novellas. She has over a million and a half books in print.

Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero. Visit her website or find her at Petticoats & Pistols!

 

More from Mary

Gingham Mountain is the third book in this series. The first books I got published…though there were other things sprinkled in after Petticoat Ranch, the first in the series.

I think of Petticoat Ranch as my husband’s story. A mountain man who’d never been around women, finds himself married to a widow with four daughters.

Then Calico Canyon is my husband’s story growing up. He is one of seven sons. I tried to imagine how that would be.

Now comes Gingham Mountain and that’s my story. I grew up in a tiny farm house with eight brothers and sisters. We had two bedrooms until my sixth sibling was born. And two is a bit of an exaggeration because my folks slept on a couch in the living room that folded out into a bed. And the only ‘real’ bedroom was an upstairs, the kind that has sloped roofs and, well, it was just tiny.

Then my folks bought another tiny home and moved it to our home and stuck it on the end. Now our ‘two’ bedroom house had (drumroll!!!) three bedrooms. Mom and dad retired the living room couch. Huge family, tiny home, the thing was, everyone back then had a huge family. Hey, it was the baby boom, these things happened. No such thing as a kid having their own room. I remember being excited that I had my own DRAWER!

So, Gingham Mountain, all those kids in a house that really only had three bedrooms was completely believable to me. And it was hot inside and no room for nothin’ so we went outside to play all the time. And that’s how Grant’s kids had to function.

Grant with his little house and loneliness and the knowledge of how hard it was to be an orphan.

Hannah with her lioness heart for protecting children. And her utter poverty. Getting the job as school marm when she’d never been to school herself. With zero ‘womanly’ skills. The woman can’t cook or sew or do anything expected of a woman. But, because she had an abusive adoptive father who pressed her and a scad of sisters, into work at a carpet mill, she can thread a weaving look like lightning. Now she’d trying to save children from such a fate.

She and Grant are in perfect accord…if they just had a rational conversation. Instead, Hannah sees a man trying to make off with orphans, just like her abusive father. She sets out to save the children from Grant and chaos ensues.

Then set it in Texas and there’s trouble with oil, still a very underused natural resource and Grant doesn’t know he’s sitting on a gusher of wealth. But there are villains who know what he’s got and they want it.

Gingham Mountain, when I wrote it, was one of my favorite books ever. Helping those two find each other, well, I can’t even tell people about it without smiling. Grant and Hannah’s first kiss is one for the ages and, of course they are both horrified. And then they kiss again. What could be more fun?

Blog Stops

She Lives To Read, June 2

Book Looks by Lisa, June 3

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 4

Texas Book-aholic, June 5

For Him and My Family, June 6

Devoted To Hope, June 7

Holly’s Book Corner, June 8

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 8

Books You Can Feel Good About, June 9

Vicky Sluiter, June 10

Simple Harvest Reads, June 11 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, June 11

Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 12

Cover Lover Book Review, June 13

Sydney Schmied Books, June 14

Labor Not in Vain, June 15

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Mary is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

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

 https://gleam.io/cy4lg/gingham-mountain-celebration-tour-giveaway

Rosie's Cowboy Christmas: Saving the Holidays Together by Paige Murray, illustrated by Kristen Humphrey // Review

My Review: 

A heartwarming story of friendship and family at Christmastime in Texas.

Oakley and Rosie are excited for all the fun things they will do at Christmas, until anowstorm comes and takes the power with it. Rosie helps Oakley make the most out of a change of plans.

Heartwarming and cute, I loved the ranch setting and the charming and cozy illustrations. Simple and heartwarming. I loved how Rosie worked to cheer Oakley up and make her Christmas one to remember.

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