Jen Turano: In Pursuit of Civility

 By Kelly Bridgewater

 LESSON TWO: Become headmistress and expect to find yourself partnering with an attractive inventor to search for treasure.

Annaliese Merriweather has been appointed the temporary headmistress of the Merriweather Academy for Young Ladies while her sister is on her honeymoon, but she doesn't feel cut out for the role. Especially after she loses two of her most troublesome students during an outing to a county fair and has to recruit the help of Seth McCormick, an eccentric inventor, to retrieve them.

Soon after, one of those mischievous students disappears again, intent on pursuing a pirate map. Together, Annaliese and Seth set out to find her, accompanied by a menagerie of Annaliese's rescued animal companions. As they stumble from one chaotic situation to the next, sparks fly between Annaliese and Seth. Somehow, they'll need to outwit dangerous individuals also intent on seeking the treasure and bring everyone back in one piece--all while deciphering what their hearts desire.

With witty characters and humorous banter, Jen Turano takes readers on a lively tale of hijinks, humor, treasure hunting, and forced proximity in her latest historical rom-com set in Chicago at a finishing school during the Gilded Age.

 

 

My Thoughts:

In Pursuit of Civility by Jen Turano features many different, yet charming animal characters who make the story a little different, yet in a good way. Annaliese, the heroine, is a decorum instructor at Merriweather Academy for Young Ladies, which her older sister help created out of the castle that their sister left them. Readers need to read the first book in the series to see how this happens. I love Turano’s stories, but in this installment, she does have many moments where readers are going to see two characters have a dialogue, and it will go on for pages with no real action happening. This was a little annoying at times. I wanted something to happen instead of just reading their lines. It made me wonder what the other characters were doing while these two characters were just talking. As for the romance, I like the little gestures that Seth gives to Annaliese to show his affection. There was one gift that stood out, and it is mentioned repeatedly in the story. The plot, besides what I mentioned earlier, does move along nicely. There are mishaps with skunks, pirates, monkeys, and birds that make the reader laugh. Overall, In Pursuit of Civility by Jen Turano was not one of my favorite of her stories, but I will definitely open a paperback copy.

I received a complimentary copy of In Pursuit of Civility by Jen Turano from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

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Melanie Dobson: The Lost Story of Via Belle

By Kelly Bridgewater

 Searching for a story to adapt for film, an aspiring screenwriter becomes captivated by a bestselling classic novel and the mysterious disappearance of the woman who wrote it.

1940. Via Belle’s sweet romance novels made readers believe in happily ever after. But Via’s reality was much more complicated. While her first husband was alive, her creativity thrived in a beautiful stone estate situated above a pristine lake and moonflower garden. After his tragic death and a whirlwind second marriage shrouded in secrets, Via vanished from public life, leaving behind a shadow of scandal . . . and her final story.

2006. Screenwriter Harper Rayne is desperate for a breakthrough, if only she can find the right story to tell. But when she digs into the life of her late mother’s favorite novelist, she never expects it to become personal. Drawn to the quaint Pennsylvania town where both her mother and Via once lived, Harper discovers more than a mystery to solve—she finds echoes of her own longing for love, healing, and home. As long-buried secrets come to light, Harper must decide if she’ll protect the past or rewrite this particular ending.

Described as a “powerhouse in dual-timeline Christian fiction” (Library Journal), Melanie Dobson delivers another rich, atmospheric novel about the legacy of sacrificial love and the redemptive power of truth.

Standalone dual-timeline historical mystery filled with drama, faith, and intrigueClean, suspenseful historical fiction, perfect for fans of Susan Meissner, Lisa Wingate, or Patti Callahan HenryIncludes discussion questions for book groups

 

My Thoughts:

The Lost Story of Via Belle by Melanie Dobson is writers’ story. From the moment that Via Belle comes across the pages of the novel, something magical with her writing comes across the pages. Dobson does a wonderful job at crafting a story filled with mystery, historical charm, and modern-day hunting. The plot is fast moving and plenty of concern for the different characters make the story move along quite nicely. Even though the story does feature three different heroines, I really had no problem moving from one character’s point of view to the next. They were different, but similar. Dobson crafted characters with a past and a present that tie together nicely. Characters that readers will want to keep moving through the story to follow and see the ending of the novel. On the other hand, the setting is described well and gives a good background for the treachery and rest that the story alludes to. Dobson does not weave a spiritual element through the story, so the readers who just enjoy a good, safe story should pick up the story. While I enjoy a good, strong faith element in the story, even though it is not overly overt in the plot, it doesn’t hurt the story. Overall, The Lost Story of Via Belle by Melanie Dobson was a delightful story to read with the dual timeline and the hunt for what really happened to Via Belle.

I received a complimentary copy of The Lost Story of Via Belle by Melanie Dobson from Tyndale Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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Lynn Austin: The Lumber Baron's Wife

 By Kelly Bridgewater

When the young wife of a powerful lumber baron vanishes into the wilds of frontier Michigan, her friend is left to unravel the truth in this captivating dual-timeline novel from bestselling author Lynn Austin.

1873. After a devastating loss, Hannah Wagner never imagined she’d leave her comfortable home for the harsh, unfamiliar wilderness near Lake Michigan. But when Henry Abernathy, a friend of her husband, John, offers them a fresh start in a booming lumber town, where John’s skills as a doctor are sorely needed, Hannah reluctantly agrees. There, she meets Kate Abernathy, Henry’s spirited, much younger wife. Kate’s sharp tongue and outsider status have made her unwelcome among the town’s elite, and when she begins confiding in Hannah, it’s clear her marriage is not what it seems . . . and that a secret from her past could destroy everything.

Present day. Ashley Gilbert never planned to settle in Michigan, but when her husband lands his dream job as a conservationist, she agrees to follow. While restoring their historic home—built in the 19th-century for a doctor and his wife—Ashley becomes captivated by its past and its connection to the nearby Abernathy mansion, now being transformed into a museum. While volunteering with the restoration, she stumbles upon the unsolved mystery of Kate Abernathy’s disappearance. What begins as curiosity soon becomes a quest for the truth—one that will connect her to two women whose stories and struggles echo and inspire her own.

 

My Thoughts:

The Lumber Baron’s Wife by Lynn Austin took my breath away. Austin does a wonderful job at crafting a town with two Victorian homes crafted with such craftsmanship that it made me wish I owned one. This story brings images of the older homes in my town that have went into disrepair because they are now college apartments or apartments, so nice old Victorians are now holding 4 – 6 families and the elegance of yesterday days are gone. I wish the modern homes had more character like those homes instead of the boxes everything is made of now. No pride just slap’em as fast as they can. As for Austin’s story, I love the dual timeline with the mystery of what happened to the Lumber Baron’s wife. Similarly, Austin does a wonderful job at crafting characters with a backstory that readers will love to come along them and help them change and grow from. I love the faith element because it is important to show how God will love everyone no matter what they might have done in the past. Overall, The Lumber Baron’s Wife by Lynn Austin was a story that I wasn’t too sure that I would like because of the cover and the synopsis, but I have enjoyed her writing before, so I picked up the story, and I’m glad that I did. It is a wonderful story that I really devoured.

I received a complimentary copy of The Lumber Baron’s Wife by Lynn Austin from Tyndale Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

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Connie Mann: The Liar's Treasure

 By Kelly Bridgewater

From the acclaimed author of Beyond Risk and The Crown Conspiracy, hailed as a “wild ride” by Library Journal, comes an action-packed adventure about a mysterious diary and a thrilling, high-stakes treasure hunt.

Camille Abernathy ignored rumors of The Liar’s Treasure and her family’s connection to it . . . until someone put a target on her daughter’s back. Growing up in New Orleans, such tall tales were as common as beignets and gumbo. But when Camille’s teenage daughter, Cass, posts pictures of a centuries-old diary her uncle gave her, she unwittingly attracts dozens of treasure hunting fanatics who are convinced Cass and the diary can lead them to a valuable cache.

To keep her daughter safe, Camille enlists the help of Speranza, a secret society always ready to help women in need. Together, they set out on a globe-trotting journey to find The Liar’s Treasure while also investigating a suspicious death related to Camille’s childhood friend. The deeper they dig, the more they suspect it’s all connected.

Chasing clues from New Orleans to Italy to the Bahamas, Camille and her friends receive unexpected assistance—and unwanted competition—from a handsome treasure hunter from Camille’s past. Then Cass is kidnapped, and finding the treasure truly becomes a matter of life and death.

My Thoughts:

The Liar's Treasure by Connie Mann will take readers for a ride as the Speranza Team hunt for each individual piece to this treasure. I love the non-stop action across Europe, to the Caribbean, and back to America before returning to Florence, Italy. Mann does a good job at keeping the villain's identity a secret, which is a huge plus for me. I love to be taken for surprised when the villain is actually revealed. Mann does include a little bit of romance, but nothing too over the top. A spark of interest that was from the past and moved forward into the current situation that might be explored deeper later. I like the idea of the treasure hunt. I love how the characters were featured in the Crown Conspiracy, and then we get to see another lady tell her story. Mann really does not throw the character's personal faith into the story. There are prayers once in a while when they are in a sticky situation, but nothing over the top. I love the characters and how Mann makes them completely relatable. Overall, The Liar's Treasure is a fascinating team of remarkable women on the hunt to seek justice with treasure. I recommend this book and the first one if readers have not read it yet. 

I received a complimentary copy of The Liar's Treasure by Connie Mann from Tyndale Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own. 

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Purchase The Liar's Treasure

Lindsay A. Franklin: The Restitching of Camile DuLaine

 By Kelly Bridgewater

About the Book

Book: The Restitching of Camille DuLaine (The Rivenlea Book 2)

Author: Lindsay A. Franklin

Genre: YA Fantasy

Release Date: February 10, 2023

A splintered world, a heart gone cold.

Hope reborn in threads of gold.

After accidentally bridging the storyworlds together, Emlyn DuLaine faces an impossible task: sever the connections without destroying the stories themselves. If she fails, the characters will be trapped in twisted versions of their tales, forced to relive their worst moments forever.

But undoing the bridges is only the beginning. To truly fix what’sbunraveling, Emlyn must uncover the secret flaw buried deep in Rivenlea’sbfoundation, something that’s been wrong since the very start.

And the danger has never been closer to home. The clock is ticking for the injured wyvern who needs Rivenlite air to survive and the story boy Emlyn swore she’d never fall for. Emlyn and her team must rescue Frank and Laramie from chaotic, shifting story spheres before they’re gone for good.

But Frank and Laramie aren’t the only ones lost to the spheres. Camille DuLaine is a prisoner, held as bait by someone who knows exactly how to lure her sister in. After seven years of sleep, Camille wakes to find herself trapped in a storybook and sure of only one thing: Emlyn must stay far, faraway.

Racing to solve one mind-bending puzzle after the next, Emlyn uncovers a plan seventeen years in the making. She stands at the center of a fractured universe—and she might be too late to save it.

 My Thoughts:

The Restitching of Camile DuLaine by Lindsay A. Franklin is a delightful, unique story about the written word. I love the references to familiar stories. I love the concept of jumping in and out of these spheres to try to save the character. This second story explains more of the background that explains the fracturing of the written worlds. I love seeing the returning characters from the first book. Plenty of action and quest for the truth and how to make it right. I love the story world that Franklin makes and how to keep the story moving along at very nice pace. I read the book in two days while the snowing was piling up outside. Overall, The Restitching of Camile DuLaine is a good combination of the written word and fantasy that I enjoyed. I will be owning a physical copy of this novel someday. I highly recommend this story. 

I received a complimentary copy of The Restitching of Camile DuLaine by Lindsay A. Franklin from Enclave Publishing through Celebrate Lit. Tours, but the opinions stated are all my own. 

My Rating:  5 out of 5 stars 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Lindsay A. Franklin is the Carol Award–winning author of The Story Peddler, the ECPA best-selling author of Adored, and Managing Editor of Enclave Publishing. She would wear pajama pants all the time if it were socially acceptable. Lindsay lives happily among the rain and evergreens of the Pacific Northwest with her scruffy-looking nerf-herder husband, their three (nearly) grown geeklings, and three demanding thunder pillows (a.k.a. cats).

 

 

 

More from Lindsay

The Fiction-Fixer’s Handbook:

A Guest Post by Emlyn DuLaine, the Newest Member of Novem XVII

I haven’t been a Novemite long, and if you want advice from an absolute expert, you’ll have to ask Captain Doyle or maybe Laramie, if you can manage to push your way past the cloud of ego that surrounds him at all times.

But I’ve been diving into upside-down classics, wrangling rogue characters, bridging broken plots, and saving story spheres long enough to give some helpful pointers on how to keep your wits about you when you, too, traverse the fantastical, fictional universes we all know and love.

Read on for my hard-won wisdom.

1. Never accept apples from anyone. Ever. Even if they promise it’s organic and locally sourced. Just don’t.
2. If a book starts whispering, close it immediately. This is not the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Cursed tomes are not to be trifled with.
3. Stay away from unattended spinning wheels and mirrors that look a little too shiny. Exercise caution around wardrobe-shaped furniture. Odds are high you’re about to be enchanted, imprisoned, or transported. Stay vigilant.
4. Beware of overly charming men in masks, hoods, and/or capes. It’s 50/50 on whether he’s a tragic hero or a villain with a vendetta. Proceed with caution.
5. Always check the fine print on magical contracts. If the terms include “firstborn child” or an unspecified “favor” to be later named, run.
6. Characters who break into song at random intervals are either harmless or extremely dangerous. If they’re just narrating their morning routine, you’re fine. If the music gets ominous, assume the worst.
7. If you find yourself in the company of a talking animal sidekick, always ask for its backstory. Talking cats may be friend or foe, sometimes both if it starts telling riddles. Grumpy toads are probably cursed nobles. Overdramatic ravens are almost always bad news.
8. When in doubt, follow the protagonist—but not too closely. The main character has plot armor. You do not.

If you’re hoping for a fairy-tale ending, these tips might get you there. Stay safe, friends. And happy sphere-diving!

Blog Stops

The Lofty Pages, February 25

Simple Harvest Reads, February 26 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 27 (Spotlight)

Blogging With Carol, February 27

Artistic Nobody, February 28 (Author Interview)

Inspired by Fiction, March 1

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 2 (Spotlight)

Where Faith and Books Meet, March 3

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, March 4

Guild Master, March 5 (Author Interview)

Blossoms and Blessings, March 6 (Spotlight)

Holly’s Book Corner, March 6

For the Love of Literature, March 7 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, March 8

Stories By Gina, March 9 (Spotlight)

Fiction Book Lover, March 10 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lyndsay is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a hardcover copy of the book!!

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

https://gleam.io/iyeVn/the-restitching-of-camille-dulaine-celebration-tour-giveaway

Michelle Griep: The Bird of Bedford Manor

By Kelly Bridgewater

About the Book

Book: The Bird of Bedford Manor

Author: Michelle Griep

Genre: Historical Christian Fiction / Regency

Release Date: February, 2026

Bedfordshire, England, 1820: Ruined by the sins of her father, Juliet Finch is cast into a life of self-reliance. Survival is a harsh taskmaster, but she is a quick learner and excels at tracking and snaring wild game to feed herself. Juliet embraces her new identity until the day Henry Russell catches her poaching on his land--a crime punishable by death. Henry, however, has other offenses on his mind: namely, the troublesome stalker who's making a misery of his sister's life. To try to put a stop to her torment, Henry charges Juliet with tracking the elusive villain so he can be brought to justice. Using her skills, Juliet hunts down the rogue. . .but may just become the prey herself.

 

My Thoughts:

The Bird of Bedford Manor by Michelle Griep is a mystery that keeps readers guessing. I love how Griep takes the heroine and makes her strong, independent, yet resilent in being able to survive. The plot takes a different approach when the hero captures her poaching on his land. Majority of the plot focuses on a mystery that draws the heroine and the hero into the throws of romance. The romance is sweet, yet enduring. I adore how Griep makes her heroes realize the worth of a woman, especially in the ages that she puts her characters into. Most woman were not seen as intelligent characters, but Griep allows bright and intelligent woman characters to shine on the pages of the story. I love the setting with the Regency era. Griep does a wonderful job at describing the setting and placing the characters into this world. So well that as a reader we will feel like we are walking the halls of this estate and watching the events unfold. Overall, The Bird of Bedford Manor by Michelle Griep will delight readers who enjoy mysteries in their Regency stories.

I received a complimentary copy of The Bird of Bedford Manor by Michelle Griep by Barbour Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Purchase The Bird of Bedford Manor

About the Author

Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She is the Christy Award-winning author of historical romances: A Tale of Two Hearts, The Captured Bride, The Innkeeper’s Daughter, 12 Days at Bleakly Manor, The Captive Heart, Brentwood’s Ward, A Heart Deceived, and Gallimore, but also leaped the historical fence into the realm of contemporary with the zany romantic mystery Out of the Frying Pan. If you’d like to keep up with her escapades, find her at www.michellegriep.com or stalk her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

 

 

More from Michelle

The Waltz: The Dance That Shocked Regency England

Post by Michelle Griep

I’ll be the first to admit it…I can’t dance a lick. Not a jig, not a reel, and certainly not anything that requires turning in rhythm without stepping on someone’s toes. If you ever spot me on a dancefloor, it’s because someone shoved me there or I lost a bet. Which is probably why the waltz both fascinates and terrifies me. A dance that actually expects you to glide gracefully while holding someone close? Absolutely not. And yet in Regency England, it became the talk of the town.

When the waltz swirled onto the dancefloors of England in the 1790s, it caused more shock than delight. Imported from Austria and southern Germany, it was a turning, closely-held dance—far too close for the comfort of polite society. Many called it indecent, warning that no respectable couple should stand chest-to-chest before a room full of onlookers. Some critics even claimed the dance “ignited dangerous feelings” and threatened to erode proper English restraint.

Shocking, right?

But fashions shift, and all it took was the Prince Regent giving the dance his approval in 1814. Overnight, the waltz transformed from scandal to sensation. By the 1820s, it was everywhere.

Here are a few fun bits of waltz trivia from the era:
• Some etiquette books warned that too much turning could cause “disorientation” or “undue excitement.”
• Early chaperones sometimes counted the number of turns, convinced it reflected a couple’s level of impropriety.
• A lady’s hemline was said to act like a “barometer” of a gentleman’s behavior—if it swayed too wildly, he was holding her too tightly.

In The Bird of Bedford Manor, set in 1820, this same world of rigid rules and whispered scandals forms the backdrop for Juliet Finch—resourceful, determined, and driven into the woods by her father’s downfall. When Henry Russell catches her poaching on his land, everything changes. What begins as a crime punishable by death becomes something far more dangerous as he charges her with tracking the stalker tormenting his sister.

Juliet can track anything. But this time, she may become the hunted.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 24

Devoted Steps, February 24

Bizwings Blog, February 25

Book Looks by Lisa, February 25

Where Faith and Books Meet, February 25

Sylvan Musings, February 26

Sydney Schmied Books, February 26

Lily’s Corner, February 27

Melissa’s Bookshelf, February 27

Inspired by Fiction, February 28

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 28

Texas Book-aholic, March 1

Simple Harvest Reads, March 1 (Guest Review from Mindy)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 2

Books You Can Feel Good About, March 2

For Him and My Family, March 3

The Bookish Pilgrim, March 3

Betti Mace, March 4

Cover Lover Book Review, March 4

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 5

Blogging With Carol, March 5

Jeanette’s Thoughts, March 6

Blossoms and Blessings, March 6

Stories By Gina, March 7 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, March 7

Holly’s Book Corner, March 8

Pause for Tales, March 8

Vicky Sluiter, March 8

Devoted To Hope, March 9

To Everything There Is A Season, March 9

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Michelle is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon Gift Card and a print copy of the book!!

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

https://gleam.io/zqeQC/the-bird-of-bedford-manor-celebration-tour-giveaway

Janice Cantore: Edge of Truth

 By Kelly Bridgewater

One case almost destroyed her career. Now the past seems to have caught up with her. And as a high-stakes game of truth and lies unfolds, someone’s out for retribution at any cost.

As a detective in the Long Beach Police Department’s violent crimes division, Lainie Jensen is no stranger to hard-to-crack cases and unusual disappearances, but then her sister Evie vanishes on a trip to Hawaii. After traveling there to look for her, Lainie quickly realizes her brother-in-law Stan is telling law enforcement a story that doesn’t appear to add up.

FBI special agent Ben Isaacs has spent six months collecting evidence to take down a money laundering operation. While his fellow agent Efren Gomez goes undercover to infiltrate the ring, Ben investigates those connected to it, including Stan Moffitt, who Ben believes could help lead to the criminal kingpin. Then Stan’s wife goes missing just days after Ben contacted her seeking information, and he knows there’s more to this case, especially when he loses contact with Efren and law enforcement comes up short in their search for him.

When Ben’s and Lainie’s investigations converge, Lainie’s not eager to work alongside Ben given their complicated history, but she’s willing to do so if it means figuring out what Stan knows and locating Evie. Soon, Lainie can’t deny Ben’s dedication to finding the truth or her growing admiration for him. And the more the two examine the evidence, the more they suspect Evie’s disappearance is tied to a highly publicized criminal case from Lainie’s past . . . and someone is playing a perilous game aimed at personal revenge.

My Thoughts:

Edge of Truth by Janice Cantore is a quick policedural mystery novel with a slight hint of romance. Readers will enjoy meeting the heroine and want her to succeed as she hunts for the missing body of her sister. As for the plot, readers will enjoy the inside look into the world of the police work. Cantore does a wonderful job at showing the emotional tole that all the work and incidents take on the police offers. I really liked that aspect of the plot. She crafted rounded characters that I could empathize with. In majority of stories there is always a romance thread. Technically, there is one, but it is very vague and does not take away from the main plot of the story, which I really liked. Cantore does give her characters the faith to find and come back, which I really like. I'm sure being a Christian cop is not easy especially with all the horrors that Satan makes people do. Overall, Edge of Truth by Janice Cantore delivers what I was expecting from the story, and I enjoyed spending time with the story. I can't wait to see what she crafts next.

I received a complimentary copy of Edge of Truth by Janice Cantore, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Purchase Edge of Truth