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.

Pride and Practicality by Pepper Basham // JustRead

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.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Faith Gateway | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Bookshop | BookBub

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

 

 

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About the Author

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.

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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

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

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.

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.

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.

The Pastor's Christmas Prayer by Mindy Obenhaus // JustRead Tour

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for The Pastor's Christmas Prayer by Mindy Obenhaus, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Pastor's Christmas Prayer 

Author: Mindy Obenhaus 

Publisher: Love Inspired 

Release Date: October 27, 2026 

Genre: Contemporary Romance

A Christmas homecoming

Will bring shocking revelations to light…

Returning to Legacy Ranch with his two young daughters, widowed youth pastor Jonathon Bauer is delighted to find his first love, Meredith Hunt, is one of the owners. When Jonathon and Meredith are thrown together to oversee the annual Christmas Under the Stars event at the ranch, past affections stir between them. But Meredith has been keeping a secret since they were teens—one that she must reveal if she and Jonathon are ever to have a future together. Will the truth tear them apart…or give them everything they’ve always dreamed of? 

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Harlequin | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Bookshop | BookBub

Lucie's Review: 

A heartwarming second chance romance at Legacy Ranch just in time for Christmas.

Widowed youth pastor Jonathon Bauer moves back to his hometown with two young daughters and finds himself working alongside his former flame Meredith Hunt to bring their annual Christmas Under the Stars event to life. An engaging story with strong faith and good relationship building and interaction. I liked returning to Legacy Ranch and catching up with the sisters and Aunt DeLyn.

Meredith is finding her feet again after a career reset and working on the ranch with her sisters and aunt. I liked how she bonded with Jonathon's daughters and worked hard to make the Christmas event come together. 

Overall, a heartwarming read, full of heart, with wonderful characters and strong themes of faith and family. Definitely recommend!

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

More Books in this Series

 

 

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About the Author

Best-selling author Mindy Obenhaus is passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. She lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, two sassy pups, countless cattle, deer and the occasional coyote, mountain lion or snake. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, cooking and watching heartwarming romance movies.

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

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of The Pastor's Christmas Prayer and a $25 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight October 30, 2026 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on November 6, 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

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

Advent Unhurried by Micha Boyett // Review

My Review: 

I'll be honest this one just wasn't for me. I was hoping for a rich devotional to spark my awe and sense of wonder, but instead I felt that it got bogged down in the longer chapters and meditating on what ifs and imaginings rather than the solid truths of the miracle of the coming of Jesus into the world.

Throughout the book she encourages readers to slow down and embrace an attitude of unhurriedness, with poetry, and her own personal reflections, as well as thoughts on the cultural impacts and implications for Mary in fictionalized essays. And while I can appreciate lingering on the calmness and quiet of the unobtrusive way Jesus entered the world, I like my advent books to get me excited and hyped up about Christmas in a culture that treats it like another day, and this book kinda downplayed the most important parts of Christmas. 

In the end this book just wasn't for me, for multiple reasons. Some of the days were longwinded readings, others were short poems, thoughts, Scriptures, or activties. And Jesus was was presented as someone who "claimed" to be the Son of Man, and while Christian language was used throughout the interpretations were open ended and less specific. Perhaps a more fitting book for a more secular minded reader, but this just isn't something I can recommend. 

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

The Mystery of the Missing Falls by Jen Weaver and Gayle Veitenheimer // Review

My Review: 

The first in a brand new middle-grade mystery series with strong faith themes and full of adventure. 

Luca and Ember are friends who are starting a detective agency together, they are hired by cousins Jake and Callie to find the missing the missings falls while learning important lessons about friendship, trusting God, and teamwork. 

Easy to read with quick concise chapters that switch the POV between the characters and help with the time jump transitions.  Great for middle-grade readers, with characters that are right around the same age. I liked the strong themes of faith, and handling sticky situations in friendships. Ember struggles with feeling left out, and that Callie is constantly trying to show her up and cut her out of the group. While Lucas is working on growing his confidence praying, and listening for God. I liked that they both were imperfect, but good witnesses to Jake and Callie. 

A promising new series for intermediate readers, I liked that it tackled multiple issues that kids could relate to. Quick read, with a fun adventure!

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

Cold Case Arson Investigation by Kerry Johnson // Justread Tour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Cold Case Arson Investigation by Kerry Johnson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Cold Case Arson Investigation 
Series: Forest Ranger Rescuers #4 
Author: Kerry Johnson 
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense 
Release Date: October 27, 2026 
Genre: Romantic Suspense

A decades-old crime.  

A secret ready to explode. 

Trapped in a burning barn, fire ranger Clay Reiger barely escapes with his ex-girlfriend, fire marshal Autumn Jennings, as the inferno rages out of control. Soon a chilling pattern emerges—fires eerily similar to those set by a serial arsonist who disappeared years ago. As the past resurfaces, the danger becomes impossible to ignore. With their lives under attack and a long-buried secret threatening to reignite old wounds, Clay and Autumn must confront their shared history. Can they unravel a deadly mystery and stop a vengeful criminal before more lives are lost?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Harlequin | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop | BookBub

Lucie's Review: 

Arson investigator Clay Reiger and fire marshal Autumn Jennings must push past their shared history to track the copycat arsonist who is on a vengeful mission. 

An engaging suspense with likeable characters. I liked that Clay has come a long way since the last time he worked with Autumn, coming to Christ and growing into a man of faith. Autumn is a strong Christian as well, and I liked that she was willing to see who Clay had become and give him a second chance. There is strong relationship building, plenty of action and a plot that kept me guessing throughout. 

Overall, an entertaining read with a lot going on and compelling characters. I liked the strong interaction and faith, with an intriguing mystery with plenty of twists and turns! Definitely recommend!

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

More in This Series

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About the Author

Kerry Johnson spent a magical childhood in New England roaming the woods, climbing mossy boulders, and reading everything she could get her hands on. She moved to Florida as a teen, reluctantly exchanging dirt for sand and snow for sunshine. Kerry lives on the sunny, stormy west coast of Florida with her patient engineering husband, two college-aged sons, and her teen niece. Their busy home also includes a lazy boxer, one very temperamental sun conure, a spotted leopard gecko, plus any stray cats who need food and TLC. (She still dreams of owning a horse one day.) She’s a longtime member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and FHLCW (Faith Hope Love Christian Writers). Her stories have won two ACFW Genesis Awards (2017 & 2020), RWA-Georgia’s Maggie Contest (Unpublished, 2019), and a First-Place Selah Award for Romantic Suspense (2025). She writes for Harlequin/Love Inspired Suspense, and you can find her list of books on her Amazon page Amazon.com: Kerry Johnson: books, biography, latest update

Connect with Kerry by visiting kerryjohnsonbooks.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a copy of all four books in the Forest Ranger Rescuers series (Hunted in the Forest, Abducted in the Woods, Targeted in the Swamp, and Cold Case Arson Investigation) plus a scripture bookmark & tea bags!

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 27, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 3, 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 JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

A Kingdom of Shadows by Emily Bain Murphy // Review

My Review: 

A ragtag band of misfits join together to fight back the darkness slowly encrouching on their homeland, learning about themselves and challenged to face thier own choices in their journey towards the lake of light. 

Well written and imaginative with fantastic world building and strong allegorical elements reminiscent of beloved classics. Fin and his little sister, Lydia, survive on the streets as petty theives, with their friend Adrion, but a sticky situation leads them to toss in their lot with the mysterious Ehrit who promises to lead them to a lake of light. 

Engaging middle-grade fiction, also could be a fun read aloud. Appropriate for ages 8+. Deals with themes of faith, friendship, betrayal and more. I liked that over the course of the journey, Fin and others are confronted with pieces of their pasts and find that their hearts have changed. The themes are well woven into the story and the allegorical themes grow stronger over the course of the story. 

Overall, a wonderful read for fans of Christian fantasy that is family friendly, full of adventure and allegory. This is the first in a series, so I think that the themes will likely be stronger in future books, but I will admit in the beginning the plot didn't have a strong sense of direction and that is likely because Fin and his friends don't really understand where their adventure is taking them or what the results will be either. But there are constant twists, reveals and more that keep the reader engaged, and the ending is satisfying but keeps you wanting more. Definitely worth checking out!

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