The Ordinary Church by John MacArthur // Review

My Review: 

In this book the late John MacArthur shows through Scripture the definition of an ordinary and godly church body.

Concise and to the point, this book is a compelling and encouraging read that while mourns that many churches are not as close the Biblical model as would be hoped for, encourages readers to be the ones that stand firm and guide their churches with Biblical principles. I found it a very easy to read, and accessible read, straightforward yet not to formal, and cutting straight to the point. 

I liked that it had a balanced tone, that was encouraging, calling for wisdom in dealing with difficult problems and turning to Scriptures. He calls us to be faithful church members who take an active role in our church, serving, praying and committing. 

A great read, and wonderful reminder of the Biblical church model. Definitely recommend!

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

David's Diary: The Science Fair Sabotage by Bunmi Laditan, illustrated by Elisa Rocchi // Review

My Review: 

A fun-filled follow up to David's summer camp shenanigans, David and his friend Nate are back in school and competing in their school's science fair. 

But a threat to their school's entry in the science fair has them joining forces with an unlikely ally and learning about the fruits of the spirit. Humorous and fast paced, I like that David has good intentions to help others, even if things don't always go as planned. A fun upbeat read, with comic style illustrations that fit the story well. It is a great Christian alternative to similar middle grade reads that are snarky and do not encourage good character. 

Humorous and well written. David is suspicious of others and learns to give them a chance. I liked how he and Nate worked with Abby, and got to know her better over the course of their adventure. 

Overall, fun-filled read, with plenty of humor and lessons about making friends and the fruit of the spirit. Definitely a fun one!

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

Montana Rose by Mary Connealy // Celebrate Lit

About the Book

Book: Montana Rose

Author: Mary Connealy

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: June 23, 2026

From bestselling author Mary Connealy comes a poignant Western romance about second chances, redemption, and the healing power of faith—a moving tale of a heartbroken young widow, a compassionate rancher, and the love that helps them both find their way home.

When Cassie Griffin’s abusive husband dies, leaving her pregnant and destitute, she’s forced to marry a stranger to survive. Red Dawson, a hardworking rancher and part-time preacher, steps forward to save her from a worse fate. Though Red fears marrying a non-believer goes against his principles, he can’t stand by and watch Cassie be claimed by the ruthless Sawyer clan.

Living in Red’s rustic cave home is a far cry from Cassie’s former life of luxury. But as she learns to work alongside him, she discovers strength she never knew she possessed. Red’s gentle patience and unwavering faith begin to crack the protective shell she’s built around her heart. When a dangerous enemy threatens their newfound happiness, Cassie and Red must trust in God’s plan—and each other—to survive.

Can a marriage of convenience bloom into true love? And can a woman who’s known only submission find the courage to stand tall? A tender story of healing, hope and the transformative power of unconditional love. Perfect for fans of Janette Oke and Karen Witemeyer.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 Lucie's Review: Can a battered heart that long ago lost hope, learn to trust again? 

Cassie was put in a terrible situation by first her mother, and then her late husband. Pregnant and with few options, she accepts the marriage proposal of rancher and part-time preacher Red Dawson. A heartwarming romance, with good relationship building and faith. I liked how Red took the time to teach Cassie things about living in the country, showing her support and sharing his faith. 

It starts out a little slow, but there is good interaction. I admired Cassie's willingness to learn new things, as well as Red's support of her and how he made an effort to get to know her. The parts I found hard to read were the parts that got into the bad guy's head, because he was a seriously messed up creep.

Overall, it was a entertaining read with great characters, strong faith, and a romance that you can root for. I liked how Red and Cassie grew over the course of the story and learned to trust and depend on each other. Well worth the read!

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

Montana Rose was one of the first books I wrote. Very early on, though it took a while to get it published. And I ended up rewriting it to make it part of a three book series.

My basic goals with Montana Rose were two fold.

One, I seem almost addicted to writing feisty lady ranchers. I do it so much that I decided I needed to challenge myself. Write a quiet, shy heroine.

Cassie Dawson was born. And the thing with Cassie was, she was so used to being controlled by her much older husband, it was very hard for her new husband to convince her of her own worth.

Drawing Cassie out, finding the inner woman, making her believe she had worth, was such an interesting challenge for me as an author.

For a woman who writes in the same genre all the time, I really do try and mix things up. I PROMISE I DO!

Not sure how often I succeed but making my characters be three dimensional is always my goal. And I try and do different things in my books. A fist fight on a moving train. A fire in a blizzard. Diving off a galloping horse to stop a runaway bad guy. I try different careers and different locations. Always, I am trying something new. In Montana Rose, I picked a quiet, frightened mouse of a woman.

At least that was how it started out. By the end, Cassie finds herself.

So that was the fundamental goal.

And the second aim I had was Love Comes Softly, Janette Oke’s classic, beautiful Christian romance. I just loved that book. The pregnant widow, the husband who’s trying to help and needs help himself. Shove them together into a marriage and try to find love.

Of course, my book has more comedy and more gunfire than Love Comes Softly. I call it love comes softly, with mayhem. I pitched the title Love Comes Loudly. Or maybe Love Comes Hardly. We went with Montana Rose. Probably for the best.

Cassie remains a beloved sweetheart. Red, the best hero I’ve ever written…except he was probably too nice. The hero needs to have some challenges too. But Cassie just needed Red Dawson to be so kind and strong and wise. Yes, he has red hair and he has a temper that rarely erupts…though sometimes. But most Red is the best.

Those are the creative forces that forged Montana Rose.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 30

Texas Book-aholic, July 1

Devoted To Hope, July 2

Books You Can Feel Good About, July 3

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 3

For Him and My Family, July 4

Simple Harvest Reads, July 5 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, July 6

Sydney Schmied Books, July 7

Labor Not in Vain, July 8

Tell Tale Book Reviews, July 9

The Bookish Pilgrim, July 10

She Lives To Read, July 11

Cover Lover Book Review, July 11

Artistic Nobody, July 12 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, July 13

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/iDuaH/montana-rose-celebration-tour-giveaway

Deep Undercover by Lenora Worth // Review

Lucie's Review: 

NYPD K-9 officers Brianne Hayes and Gavin Sutherland go deep undercover as a wealthy married couple to stop a bomber they call The Tick before it's too late. 

Brianne and Gavin are thrown together in this fast-paced adventure, as they get to know each other, they bond over their shared convictions and love of working with their K-9 partners. I liked their interaction, and connection. There was a lot going on, as well as continuing to keep up with the background story arc that connects the series. 

Overall, a highly enjoyable read with great characters, mystery, tension, faith and great dogs. 

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

A Secret Worth Protecting by Susan L. Tuttle // Review

Lucie's Review: 

Sam Cooper has his hands full as a single father in witness protection. He knows he needs help with his 5-year-old twin girls, and surprised who responds to his ad. None other than Ansley Tait, the girl from high school that he could never forget. But could a second chance at love destroy the stability that he's built for his family?

A heartwarming romance, Sam is a good father working hard to give his girls a stable upbringing in a new town. He's changed a lot over the last few years, and I liked that he and Ansley were able to reconnect and be on the same page about their faith. Ansley is great with the girls, and is always doing fun activities with them and encouraging them to try new things. 

Overall, an enjoyable read with likable characters, adorable children, and great plot. Heartwarming and sweet, definitely recommend!

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

Beyond the Far Horizon by Carolyn Leiloglou, illustrated by Vivienne To // Review

My Review: 

The thrilling third installment in The Restorationists. 

Ravi has joined forces with Georgia, Vincent, and their family to fight the Distortionists, but a small part of him is still doubting that he can turn his back  on his former life and truly be accepted as he is by his new friends. Fighting Dorian and his Distortionists will take everything they have, as they work together to protect the painting and reunite families. 

A satisfying conclusion to a wonderful series, great for middle-grade readers, with themes of celebrating unique gifts, forgiveness, truth, and turning a new leaf. I loved getting to know all the new characters, like Selma and Horace. As well as the friendship between Ravi and Lily. 

Fast paced and fun, with educational tidbits about famous art. I liked getting to know Ms. Art better, as well as Uncle Leo ad seeing the whole team work together. Great for confident young readers, or as a family read aloud. Highly enjoyable and engaging. Definitely recommend!

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

Holly and Nick Hate Christmas by Betsy St. Amant // Review

My Review: 

Chaotic and heartwarming Christmas rom-com, with likable characters and plenty of heart. 

Holly is headed home for the holidays feeling lower than she has in a while, newly jobless, and turning 30 on the 25th, she and Christmas have never been friends. Holly is a likable heroine, but she's in a funk. I could definitely relate to all the little things adding up and taking a toll on her happiness. She has a full of siblings all home for Christmas, so there are a lot of personalities under one roof.

Nick is Holly's brother Ryan's co-worker, and he is a little surprised when Ryan offers to set him up with his sister Holly for Christmas, especially since Nick has a secret that nobody knows that has potential to shake up the holiday. 

A fun and relatable rom-com, with a cozy country setting, and a loving but chaotic family. I liked the interaction between Nick and Holly, and how he wants to get to know her better. It's and crazy at times, but brought a smile to my face. Highly enjoyable, with a heartwarming faith-filled core. Highly recommend!

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

Blind Trust by Laura Scott // Review

Lucie's Review: 

Guide dog trainer Eva Kendall finds herself caught in the middle of a deadly ring of drug traffickers who believe that she knows something she doesn't. K-9 officer Finn Gallagher wants to help her find out what is going on, and keep her young nephew safe, but can she trust him with her deepest secret?

An engaging fast-paced read, with a lot going and a plot that kept me guessing. I like that Finn is a man of faith and is open about what he believes. Eva has a lot on her plate, training dogs, caring for her nephew and trying to figure out why the bad guys won't leave her alone. 

A riveting read, with strong likable characters, good growth and development, as well as interaction. Highly enjoyable. Definitely recommend!

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

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.

The Sower's Seed by Brock Eastman and Shaun Stevenson // Review

My Review: 

Welcome to Parable Port, the place where Biblical parables come to life.

 Anthony is new in town, and just getting acquainted with his new home, when strange things start happening, and it is up to him and new friends, J.R. Brooklyn, Duck, and Grace to fight back with truth and save the town. 

 Engaging and original, with strong Biblical themes and gospel core, perfect as a read-aloud or for middle-grade readers. I liked the clean humor, that stays out of the bathroom. It has a full cast of fun and quirky characters that appeal to both boys and girls. The kids are all at different points in their faith, and I liked how they grow and learn from each other, as well as their grandmotherly Sunday school teacher that they fondly call Abuelita. 

 Overall, this new series is a winner for parents and kids alike, with a fast-paced plot that draw inspiration from the parables of Jesus. The children learn to face fears, fight evil, cling to the good, and search for truth. Excellent series for young readers, great for sparking the love for reading or fanning the flame. Highly recommend this new series!

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

The Courting of Miss Cady by Grace Hitchcock // Celebrate Lit

 

About the Book

Book: The Courting of Miss Cady (Aprons & Veils Book Five)

Author: Grace Hitchcock

Genre: Historical Romance

Release Date: October 24, 2025

He’s the man of her dreams—she just doesn’t know it yet.

New York socialite Jane Cady is the envy of the season, and the supposed love of Graham Bank’s life, until news arrives that her father’s last merchant ship has sunk, costing them everything. To avoid scandal, the family disappears to manage a hotel in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Determined to support her family, Jane sets aside her dream of marriage and joins her father in working for the Harvey House, as a waitress. But when her former fiancé strolls into the Castañeda Hotel, the weight of her sacrifice becomes all too real.

Rancher Wade Sterling is well acquainted with hard work and that Miss Jane is one of the hardest working Harvey Girls he’s ever met, besides his sister-in-law. When Jane faints on duty, Wade catches her and upon her awakening in his arms, her passionate kiss nearly knocks him off his feet. She begs him to play along and before he knows it, she tells some dandy that they are happily courting. Jane later begs Wade’s forgiveness, explaining it was an emergency as the man was her former fiancé and their relationship ended poorly. But, when the dandy stays in town, Wade finds himself in a fake courtship and in love with the woman of his dreams. He only needs to convince Jane that he is the man of hers.

The Courting of Miss Cady is a fake dating/forced proximity romance with all the sigh-worthy swoon, but no spice!

 

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 Review: A heartwarming, historical rom-com, with a fake courting trope, an admirable heroine, dashing cowboy, and plenty of heart. 

When her father's investments go belly up, Jane Cady's family packs up and her father takes up managing a Harvey House. I admired Jane for making the best of a bad situation, taking a job and brushing off the unkind words of others, clinging to her faith, and being willing to try new things. 

A well-paced read, with great character development and interaction, as well as humor. Wade is surprised to have found the woman of his dreams fall out of the sky and into his arms, he's a gentleman through and through, to the point of some confusion. I liked his strong work ethic and how he keeps working to show Jane he cares. 

Overall, an entertaining read, with great interaction, humor, faith, and romance. Highly recommend!

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

About the Author

Grace Hitchcock is the award-winning author of multiple historical novels and novellas, including the American Royalty, Best Laid Plans, and Aprons & Veils series. She holds a Master’s in Creative Writing and a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in History. Grace lives in South Louisiana with her husband, Dakota, sons, and daughter in a farmhouse that is always filled with the sounds of sweet little footsteps running at full speed. When not writing, chasing her toddlers, or tending to her chickens and golden and labrador retrievers, she’s baking something delightful and can usually be found with a book clutched in her fist.

 

 

More from Grace

Q&A with GRACE HITCHCOCK

Tell us about your new book, The Courting of Miss Cady, in the Aprons & Veils series.

Grace: Thank you so much for having me here today! Book five of my Aprons & Veils series, The Courting of Miss Cady, is a fake-dating insta love romance featuring a jilted knickerbocker turned Harvey Girl! The last thing my heroine, Jane Cady, expects is to fake court a rugged rancher to save face. But as sparks fly and secrets resurface, her love might not be pretend after all!

This book is dear to my heart. I first wrote The Courting of Miss Cady in 2016 after I signed with my agent, Tamela Hancock Murray, when I was trying to break into the traditional publishing world and wrote it with only one POV. It wasn’t the novel that got me my first contract, and I eventually shelved it as I turned my attention to the series that did sell, but it has always been in the back of my mind as I wrote this Harvey Girls series and I knew that this book would be perfect for Jane Cady. I did a massive re-write on this story, given my style has changed over the past 9 years since I wrote it (deleting about 65% of the original work) and added the hero’s POV as well. When I got to know the hero, Wade, I knew his was a true love at first sight for Jane. I’ve always wanted to write an Insta Love and it fit perfectly with the characters.

Q: You mention tropes, what is your favorite trope to read? Which of your books have that trope?

Grace: To name a few, I love stories about marriage of convenience, fake dating, mail-order brides, runaway brides, alpha heroes, and enemies to lovers. In my books, I do have some of those tropes, but I adjust them to fit my story.

My Harvey Girl books by tropes:

Runaway Bride: The Finding of Miss Fairfield

Mail-Order Bride: The Pursuit of Miss Parish

Friends to Lovers/ Fake Dating: The Enchanting of Miss Elliot

Enemies-to-lovers/ Forced Proximity: The Vanishing of Miss Victoria

Insta Love/ Fake Dating: The Courting of Miss Cady

Q: Talk about your writing process, about how long does it take you, do you do all the research before you start writing?

Grace: I usually write the first draft for 8-10 weeks and edit (drafts 2-6) for 12 weeks! The first draft is my favorite!! All the creativity is flowing, and it is so, so fun to see that word count go up! I try not to write on the weekends, but occasionally when the deadline is getting too close, I will have to pull some long hours on the final weekends to get it completed.

With that said, I am writing away on a new super-secret series and have the first drafts of the first three books completed, which nevvver happens in my writing process. I like to finish each book before moving onto the next, but this new series is going to take more weaving of storylines so I needed to make sure I got to know the main characters across the series before editing book 1. A very different approach for me this time around, but it is working!

For the research part, I always start with research, highlight some wonderful “newly discovered” facts that sing to me, and use that as a pivotal part of my plot. Then, while I edit, I research as well to make sure that I don’t miss any historical details.

Q: In case the readers have not read your series yet, tell us who were the Harvey Girls.

Grace: Whenever I tell people I am writing about a Western Harvey Girl Romance, they usually assume the Harvey Girls are associated with an old-time saloon, but nothing could be further from the truth. In the 1890s, there were not many respectable jobs for women, so when Englishman Fred Harvey created his chain of fine dining restaurants along the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe railroads, single women without an education, or in need of earning their own way, were given a chance to earn an honest wage without the speculation that they offered anything else but food as a service. With Mr. Harvey’s strict rules about the waitress’s code of conduct, the women were given their independence while still maintaining their good name and place in society under the protective, fatherly arm of Fred Harvey. These extraordinary, brave women became known as the Harvey Girls, the ladies who tamed the Wild West with fine china, good pie, and exceptional service with complete propriety.

While Harvey Houses were built to serve the needs of the passengers on the rail to encourage tourism in the west, the railroad workers and local townsmen also dined at the restaurant, but usually at the lunch counter. At a time when men filled towns and women were scarce, inevitably, a railroad worker or townsman would express interest in marrying a Harvey Girl. In order to marry, she would need to fulfill her work contract or risk paying a fine of a month of salary. The fine was set in place to ensure that Fred Harvey would have enough workers and that he wouldn’t simply train a girl to have her shipped to a town of bachelors and leave him without a waitress.

As you can probably tell, such a set up sends an author’s head to spinning with all the romance that could come from a woman venturing out on her own in a land filled with cowboys, bandits, ranchers, and bounty hunters. The possibilities for romance are endless! There is so much more I could write about these fascinating ladies and their contributions to society, but I hope you enjoyed this taste of history on the Harvey Girls!

Q: Can you give us a sneak peek at the next book in the series, The Making of Miss Matthews, which is book 6 in the Aprons & Veils series?

Grace: The story follows a Harvey Girl that readers met in Book One! Dolly Matthews was originally a stinker, but I gave her a good character arc through the series and readers have been asking for her story. This will certainly explain the extraordinary why behind Dolly’s choices in earlier novels in the series and I am soooo excited to share her story that has a shocking twist that readers won’t see coming!

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, June 3

Life on Chickadee Lane, June 3

Connie’s History Classroom , June 4

Devoted To Hope, June 5

Texas Book-aholic, June 6

Labor Not in Vain, June 7

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 8

For Him and My Family, June 9

Book Looks by Lisa, June 10

She Lives to Read, June 10

Melissa’s Bookshelf, June 11

Holly’s Book Corner, June 12

Vicky Sluiter, June 13

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 13

EmpowerMoms, June 14

Books You Can Feel Good About, June 15

Mary Hake, June 15

Sydney Schmied Books, June 16

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Grace is giving away  the grand prize of a $75 (+ Free Shipping) shopping spree on Grace’s Indie Bookstore!!

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

https://gleam.io/T9RHS/the-courting-of-miss-cady-celebration-tour-giveaway

South of Somewhere by T.I. Lowe // Review

My Review: 

Juniper Wilder is ready for a fresh start, going back to her late grandmother's home she works hard to make a stable life for herself to prove to her brother that she is in control of her life again. 

A heartwarming and reflective read, with a full cast of characters that embrace Juni from her geriatric probation officer and his wonderfully flawed, and colorful friends, to her mysterious next door neighbhor. Engaging, with a humanity to the storytelling, with flawed, but lovable characters, with a core of faith. 

I liked the themes of second chances, forgiveness and family. Juniper is a likable heroine, doing her best to fight her demons and make a better tomorrow for herself and her daughter. I liked that she is also able to find humor in her situation along the way.

Overall, an emotional, honest, and heartwarming read. Full of faith, and honest struggles, I liked that the characters felt tangible and human in their imperfections. A memorable read, with a heroine ou can't help but cheer for all the way through. 

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

Scent of Peril by Darlene L. Turner // Review

Lucie's Review: 

Taylor and her K-9 Shadow are in a race against time to save a little boy who has been abducted. She joins forces with the boy's father, to bring him home safe, but the closer they get, they realize the kidnapping may be tied to Wyatt's past. 

A fast paced read, filled with action and suspense. There's alot going on, and I admired Taylor's faith, quick thinking and courage. Levi is super cute and loves Shadow. Wyatt is a devoted father, and I liked how he never gives up. 

Overall, a well written adventure with a lot going on. I listened to the audio version, and narrator did a great job bringing the intensity and distinguishing between the different characters. Highly recommend. 

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

Peril on the Ranch by Lynette Eason // Review

Lucie's Review: 

 Isabelle is a foster mom, and when a baby is left on her ranch she is determined to keep the litte life that she has been entrusted with safe. Brian "Mac" is an ex cop who has known a lot of loss in his life, when he comes to work on Isabelle's ranch, and he can't standby when a woman and children are at risk. 

A fast paced read with a lot going on, engaging and hard to put down I liked Mac and Isabelle together, and they were a duo that was easy to cheer for the whole way through. Action-packed read, full of suspense with a couple who have an undeniable pull towards each other. 

I admired Isabelle's strong faith, and her devotion to the children in her care. Great interaction and relationship building, I listened to the audio and it was excellently narrated, bringing great tension and pulling me in. Highly recommend!

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