Blackburn, Eason, and Walters: Targeted

 By Kelly Bridgewater

In this novella collection, an FBI computer hacker, the vice president's son, and a CIA officer each find themselves in the clutches of merciless criminals. These thrilling stories offer excitement, intrigue, and romance--and hit the bullseye every time. 

 

My Thoughts:

Overall, I’m not a huge fan of novellas. In my opinion, they never have enough time to develop the characters and give them the chance to really change. OR the novellas that I do like feature characters I am already familiar with but place in them a moment of time that readers are dying to see what happens. Of course, I am familiar with all three authors in the Targeted novella collection, so I was interested in reading what they have wrote.

“On the Run” by Lynette Eason

This novella is a quick run down of a girl on the run from her father’s legacy. Since it is such a tiny amount of space for a story, the entire novella was one big chase scenario with plenty of action and final showdown. The heroine has been featured in another of Eason’s novel, but as a background character. Now readers can see more of her past and see the romance that occurs. Would I want this as a bigger story? Yes, but for the moments of the story, Eason does a wonderful job at crafting enough background, romance, and action to keep any suspense reader happy.

“Deadly Objective” by Lynn H. Blackburn

While Eason’s story had plenty of action, Blackburn’s really did not have much. Her story laid out the foundation for a budding relationship, but the suspense was not there. Many moments of talking and taking a camping trip and the hero and heroine discovering more about each other and the charge they were watching. Occasionally, Blackburn would remember to throw in some bullets flying to keep the suspense element moving. Not really a good novella. Wanted more action to keep me interested.

“Caught in the Crosshairs” by Natalie Walters

Walter’s story had a little more action than Blackburn, but still not as much as Eason’s. Readers who are familiar with Walters first published series will see familiar characters, which is a nice touch. Plenty of suspense and action to satisfy the cozy mystery fans of the romantic suspense genre. As for the romance, it was ramped up and threw each character for a loop as they navigated the danger that threaten their lives. Good for the romantic suspense genre.

I received a complimentary copy of Targeted by Lynette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn, and Natalie Walters from Revell Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating:  3.5 out of 5 stars

Purchase Targeted

Happy Halloween

 By Kelly Bridgewater

Halloween!

I hope your holiday is safe, scary, and lots of fun and full of memory making moments.

 

www.designbolts.com

If you do not celebrate Halloween, then have a good day!

Mollie Rushmeyer: The Bookshelf of Secrets

By Kelly Bridgewater

A collection of lost books holds the clues to her family's legacy…and her future.

Hope Sparrow has mastered the art of outrunning her tragic past, learning never to stay anywhere too long and never to allow anyone control over her life again. Coming to Wanishin Falls in search of her family's history already feels too risky. But somewhere in the towering stacks of this dusty old bookshop are the books that hold Hope's last ties to her late mother—and to a rumored family treasure that could help her start over.

Only, the bookshop is in shambles, and the elderly owner is in the beginning stages of dementia and can’t remember where the books lie. To find the last links to the loved ones she's lost, Hope must stay and accept help from the townsfolk to locate the treasured volumes. Each secret she uncovers brings her closer to understanding where she came from. But the longer she stays in the quaint town, the more people find their way into the cracks in her heart. And letting them in may be the greatest risk of all…

 

My Thoughts:

The Bookshelf of Secrets by Mollie Rushmeyer was a unique, yet original story with a predictable romance. I enjoy the past hurts of the heroine and how she tried to move from them as the story progressed. Transformation and redemptive qualities in a character are some of my favorite character types. As for the hero, he seemed pretty bland and typical of a romantic hero. Enjoys everything about the heroine as he tries to uncover what the secrets are that she is hiding and willing to accept her with all her faults. He really was not that special. As for the heroine, she had a dark past that she wanted these stories to help free her and bring her some safety from the moments in her past that have damaged her. The plot was different. I did love the idea of an overcrowded bookstore overflowing with books and stories. Similarly, the romance was typically for this genre. Quick to emotions and then a happily-ever-after moment at the end of the story. Overall, The Bookshelf of Secrets by Mollie Rushmeyer has a wonderful cover that I adore and a unique story with a hunt for a number of treasures. Definitely a win for the first book by this author. I believe she will be someone to keep an eye out for.

I received a complimentary copy of The Bookshelf of Secrets by Mollie Rushmeyer through Harlequin Romance, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Purchase The Bookshelf of Secrets

About the Author:

Mollie Rushmeyer writes "Contemporary Fiction with a Heart for History." What does this mean exactly? She loves to write inspirational fiction in contemporary settings with fascinating historical elements, people, objects, and stories woven throughout.

A modern girl herself, she wouldn’t want to go a day without modern plumbing and central air! But she’s always felt a special connection to the past. The legacies and lives left behind are like gifts waiting to be unwrapped, and she plans to share this blend of history and contemporary living with readers.

A born and bred Midwestern gal, Mollie Rushmeyer, makes her home in Minnesota with her husband and two spunky, beautiful daughters. She is not only a bibliophile (the dustier the better, in her opinion), she’s a true anglophile at heart. Tea and coffee fuel her travels, by Google maps at least, and her passion for the written word.

Her debut novel with Love Inspired Trade/Harlequin, a division of HarperCollins Publishers will release in October of 2022.

She’d love to connect through social media: https://www.facebook.com/mollie.rushmeyer and https://www.instagram.com/molliejoyrushmeyer/

And don’t forget to sign up for her newsletter (visit molliejrushmeyer.com) for vintage recipe reboots, history mixed with modern living, tea and book pairings, exclusive giveaways, and a FREEBIE pdf download “10 Vintage Hacks for Modern Homes.”

Stephenia H. McGee: The Secrets of Emberwild

By Kelly Bridgewater

A gifted trainer in a time women are not allowed to race, Nora Fenton prefers horses to men. They're easier to handle, they're more reliable, and they never tell her what to do. After her father's passing, Nora is determined to save her struggling horse farm, starting with entering her prize colt into the harness races at the 1905 Mississippi Fair. If she wins, she may have a chance at independence. But when a stranger arrives and starts asking disconcerting questions, she suspects he may have other motives than unseating her in the training job that is rightfully hers.

Silas Cavallero will do whatever it takes to solve the mystery of his father's death--even if it means training an unwieldy colt for Nora, who wants nothing more than to see him gone. But when mysterious accidents threaten their safety and circumstances shrouded in secrets begin unlocking clues to his past, Silas will have to decide if the truth is worth risking ruining everything for the feisty woman he's come to admire.

 

My Thoughts:

The Secrets of Emberwild by Stephenia H. McGee is about a horse farm in the early twentieth century. This is my first introduction to Stephenia H. McGee’s writing style. With a predictable heroine, Nora Fenton does not want to sit around and keep house, like her status dictates to her. She wants to spend time training and being around her horse, Arrow, much to her mother’s dismay. The plot was not that interesting. I figured out the whole plot and the ending before twenty percent in the novel. There is a little bit of mystery of someone being wronged in the past, but right away of seeing the hero, I knew how the plot was going to tie all together. The plot issue could be because I enjoy stories with tons of action, and this story definitely does not have this. If readers are fans of gentle moving stories with plenty of downtime, then this might be the right book for you.

I received a complimentary copy of The Secrets of Emberwild by Stephenia H. McGee from Barbour Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating:  3 out of 5 stars

Purchase The Secret of Emberwild 

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

 By Kelly Bridgewater

Today would have been my Daddy’s 74^th birthday.

It has been seven years on Halloween since he left our lives.

www.graphicsplay.com

Boy, do I miss him.

Not as much as I used to, but there are still moments that him not being in my life hits me pretty hard.

If you are suffering through the grief of losing someone, even if it was unexpected and without any notice like mine was, then I completing understand how hard this is and going to be.

You will get through this.

Just remember the good times.

Cry a little.

Spend time in grief.

But don’t forget they would not want you to wallow in pain forever.

Life will return to normal.

Just a new normal without that person present at the holidays or no birthdays to celebrate.

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

I still miss you!

Abigail Wilson: Within These Gilded Halls

 By Kelly Bridgewater

Hidden treasures and betrayal mingle with unexpected love in Abigail Wilson’s latest Regency romance.

After studying art under Miss Drake, a renowned painter, Phoebe Radcliff is certain she can finally move beyond the childish mistake that’s kept her away from home. She is thrilled when Miss Drake employs her to complete a complicated ballroom renovation, believing it will lead to a new, happier future.

Everything changes, however, the moment Miss Drake is murdered. With her last breath she imparts the location of a clue to Phoebe. Can the biggest secret of Avonthorpe Hall be true—the rumored treasure real? Phoebe is tasked to finish her work in the ballroom by Miss Drake’s infuriatingly regimented yet all-too-handsome nephew, Lt. Graham Burke. Determined to fulfill the promise she made to her beloved teacher to find the treasure, Phoebe also works to uncover the truth about Miss Drake’s death—surely the two must be linked. If only she can do so before Lt. Burke leases the house.

But dark shadows line the gilded halls of Avonthorpe and soon enough, Phoebe realizes she’s not the only person who knows about the clues. What’s worse, she’ll need Lt. Burke’s help to stay ahead of whoever is hard on her heels. If only she weren’t so attracted to him. And why is she? She’s always had far greater plans for her life than settling into marital bliss.

Caught up in a deadly race for answers, Phoebe must find a way to breach the shroud of lies that surrounds every last resident in the house and, more importantly, face a past she’s been running away from for far too long.

 

My Thoughts:

Within These Gilded Halls by Abigail Wilson is a unique treasure hunt set on the cliffs of an estate in England. Right from the beginning, readers are introduced to Phoebe and her love of doing things in the correct way especially with restoring Miss Drake’s ballroom to its previous glory. The hunt for treasure was different, and I love the idea of one clue leading to another rhyme clue that made no sense at first glance. It reminded me a lot of the movie National Treasure with Nicholas Cage. The plot was handled nicely with plenty of twists and turns as Phoebe hunts for the treasure with the help of Graham Burke. As for the romance, it is lightly handled. Not thrown into the readers face but does come down to the predictable happily-ever-after moment near the end of the novel. As for Phoebe, she is a woman who is running from what she assumes in an error in her past, but she realizes the love of a father overpowers any wrong that she thinks she has done. Overall, Within These Gilded Halls by Abigail Wilson was a wonderful treasure hunt through the Regency era filled with bad guys and historical treasure. I definitely want a copy of this novel to add to my Abigail Wilson shelf.

I received a complimentary copy of Within These Gilded Halls by Abigail Wilson from Thomas Nelson Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating:   4 out of 5 stars

Purchase Within These Gilded Halls

Joanna Davidson Politano: The Lost Melody

 By Kelly Bridgewater

When concert pianist Vivienne Mourdant's father dies, he leaves to her the care of an adult ward

she knew nothing about. The woman is supposedly a patient at Hurstwell Asylum. The woman's

portrait is shockingly familiar to Vivienne, so when the asylum claims she was never a patient

there, Vivienne is compelled to discover what happened to the figure she remembers from

childhood dreams.

The longer she lingers in the deep shadows and forgotten towers at Hurstwell, the fuzzier the line

between sanity and madness becomes. She hears music no one else does, receives strange

missives with rose petals between the pages, and untangles far more than is safe for her to know.

But can she uncover the truth about the mysterious woman she seeks? And is there anyone at

Hurstwell she can trust with her suspicions?

Fan-favorite Joanna Davidson Politano casts a delightful spell with this lyrical look into the

nature of women's independence and artistic expression during the Victorian era--and now.

My Thoughts:

The Lost Melody by Joanna Davidson Politano features another story in an Asylum. Currently,

this has become quite a trend for novels. The plot features a woman that was on a mission to

discover her latest gifted ward, but instead, her life turns upside down when she becomes a

patient herself at Hurstwell Asylum. Using the joy of music, Politano shows how music can

soothe the savage beast and bring “crazy” people out of their madness for a little bit of a dose of

reality. The story was magically crafted, filled with many turns and twists as the heroine tries to

discover what is really going on and adventuring through the entire property of the Asylum. Not

really much about any romance. Shows the horrors of what these asylums and how women are

treated. I enjoyed the story and enjoyed spending time in the pages of this novel. If readers are

interested in this idea, they could pick up Hope Beyond the Waves by Heidi Chiavaroli and The

Bright Unknown by Elizabeth Byler Younts.

I received a complimentary copy of The Lost Melody by JoAnna Davidson Politano from Revell

Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Purchase The Lost Melody

Revelation 3: 14-22

 By Kelly Bridgewater

To the Church in Laodicea

¹⁴ “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. ¹⁵ I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! ¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. ¹⁷ You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. ¹⁸ I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

¹⁹ Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. ²⁰ Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

²¹ To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. ²² Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Source: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%203&version=NIV

What a timely verse that is definitely for our time in this moment in history!

What are your thoughts on this verse? Please share!

Julie Lessman: A Hope and A Prayer

 By Kelly Bridgewater

She’s in love with her best friend.

He’s in love with her cousin.

But when the war reveals a gift so rare, will they be saved by a hope and a prayer?

As Head Nurse at 2d Hospital in Nancy, France, Lieutenant Hope Dennehy is known for her healing touch, especially when it comes to mending the wounds and spirit of her best friend, Lieutenant Bren O’Neill. When Hope’s cousin breaks Bren’s heart, Hope is always there, helping to heal him with a friendship so anointed and deep, it threatens to break her heart too.

Flying high as a daredevil aeromedical evac pilot in the European Theatre, “Lieutenant Love” O’Neill crashes and burns when the woman he loves falls for another. Depending on the support and prayers of Nurse Hope Dennehy to save him, Bren re-evaluates his free-wheeling lifestyle when he witnesses the heinous atrocities of the Buchenwald concentration camp. Suddenly nothing in life is as important as taking care of those he loves … or is it? Battling demons from his past, Bren learns that only one thing can truly save him from himself.

 

My Thoughts:

A Hope and A Prayer by Julie Lessman is not your typical World War II novel. Right from the beginning, Lessman places Hope, the heroine, in a hospital ward, praying over her best friend Bren. While majority of World War II novels focus on one historical event, technically, Lessman does not. She does have the characters interact with each other on V-E Day and when the Japanese surrendered, but nothing deeper than that. If, as a reader, you are wanting a World War II novel which showcases the horror of this time, then this might not be the novel for you. However, with that being said, Lessman does have her characters interact and mingle during the World War II era in Europe and Boston. Additionally, readers familiar with her widely popular O’Connor series will see familiar family members to Hope Dennehy and see how they are doing. This element I loved. The O’Connor’s were my introduction to Lessman’s writings, and I love how she keeps bringing them back. This is a novel for fans of romance. There is plenty of sparks, kissing, and more than handholding. Now Lessman does put more passion in her novels than majority of Christian Romance novels, but she does not cross the line in showing what happens behind close doors. She shows the emotions between a husband and a wife and shows the torture of an engaged couple as they fight those God-given urges. One of my favorite elements of Lessman’s writing is her ability to craft a character who wants nothing to do with God, but through gentle coaxing and prodding, the character realizes how important God is to have a fulfilling life. She allows her readers to share their faith. Not shove the love of God down the reader’s throat. Overall, A Hope and A Prayer by Julie Lessman is a wonderful story with plenty of spark, passion, and drama to keep readers flipping through the pages. I recommend this novel.

I received a complimentary copy of A Hope and a Prayer by Julie Lessman, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating:  4 out of 5 stars

Purchase A Hope and A Prayer

About Julie Lessman: 

A lover of all things Irish, Julie Lessman writes close-knit Irish family sagas that evolve into 3-D love stories: the hero, the heroine, and the God that brings them together.

Author of The Daughters of Boston, Winds of Change, Heart of San Francisco, Isle of Hope, Silver Lining Ranch, and The Cousins O’Connor series, Julie was American Christian Fiction Writers 2009 Debut Author of the Year and has garnered over 21 Romance Writers of America and other awards. Voted #1 Romance Author in Family Fiction magazine’s 2012 and 2011 Reader’s Choice Awards, Julie’s novels also made Family Fiction magazine’s Best of 2015, Best of 2014, and “Essential Christian Romance Authors” 2017-2020, as well as Booklist’s 2010 Top 10 Inspirational Fiction and Borders Best Fiction.

Julie has also written a self-help workbook for writers entitled Romance-ology 101: Writing Romantic Tension for the Sweet and Inspirational Markets. Contact Julie through her website at www.julielessman.com.

Are you ready for MORE giveaways GALORE???

GIVEAWAY INFO 

(Taken from Julie Lessman Journal Blots- Blog https://julielessman.com/journal-jots1/)

Well, I sure am, so join me OCTOBER 1-14, 2022 for my 2-week blog tour on A HOPE AND A PRAYER, where I will not only be giving away a free e-copy to one commenter on each of 14 stops (14 e-books giveaway!).

GRAND-PRIZE GIVEAWAY! Then I’ll toss all those names in a hat for an Amazon gift card, a signed paperback copy of A Hope and a Prayer or a signed paperback copy of any of my indie books or a book by a top CBA author, and a character named after you or a loved one in my next book!

Here’s the list of bloggers on the tour, so visit each one on or after their date to leave a comment, and you’re automatically in the draw, so good luck! Contest ends 10/15, and winners will be announced right here on my Journal Jot blog shortly thereafter.

BLOG TOUR DATES:

1. October 1 – https://readingismysuperpower.org/2022/10/01/book-spotlight-and-a-giveaway-a-hope-and-a-prayer-by-julie-lessman/
2. October 2 – https://myfavoritepastime.blogspot.com/2022/10/a-hope-and-prayer-by-julie-lessman.html
3. October 3 – (New-release spotlight) https://www.graceajohnson.com/post/new-release-a-hope-and-a-prayer-by-julie-lessman
4. October 4 – https://novelscorner.wordpress.com/2022/10/01/a-hope-and-a-prayer/
5. October 5 – https://www.literaryscape.com/literaryscape-book-club
6. October 6 – http://misspippireads.blogspot.com/
7. October 7 – https://readingismysuperpower.org/2022/10/07/book-review-and-a-giveaway-a-hope-and-a-prayer-by-julie-lessman/
8. October 8 – (Live-stream on CrowdCast) https://rumble.com/v1n60m2-live-q-and-a-with-author-julie-lessman-replay.html
9. October 9 – https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.com/
10. October 10 – https://sarainawhitney.wordpress.com/blog/
11. October 10 — http://frommipov.blogspot.com/2022/10/a-hope-and-prayer-cousins-oconnor-2-by.html
12. October 11– https://splashesofjoy.wordpress.com/2022/10/11/blog-tour-and-giveaway-a-hope-and-a-prayer-by-julie-lessman/
13. October 12 – https://kellybridgewater.blogspot.com/
14. October 13 – flakymn@hotmail.com, https://flakymn.blogspot.com/
15. October 14 – https://blissbooksandjewels.com/

To enter Julie’s contest, please send your comment to her directly via her website HERE.

Jaime Jo Wright: The Premonition at Withers Farm

By Kelly Bridgewater

The voices of the past cannot stay silent forever.

In 1910 Michigan, Perliett Van Hilton is a self-proclaimed rural healer, leaving the local doctor convinced she practices quackery. It doesn't help that her mother is a spiritualist who regularly offers her services to connect the living with their dearly departed. But when Perliett is targeted by a superstitious killer, she must rely on both the local doctor and an intriguing newcomer for assistance.

In the present day, Molly Wasziak's life has not gone the way she dreamed. Facing depression after several miscarriages, Molly is adapting to her husband's purchase of a peculiar old farm. A search for a family tree pulls Molly deep into a century-old murder case and a web of deception, all made more mysterious by the disturbing shadows and sounds inside the farmhouse.

Perliett fights for her life, and Molly seeks renewed purpose for hers as she uncovers the records of the dead. Will their voices be heard, or will time forever silence their truths?

 

My Thoughts:

The Premonition at Withers Farm by Jaime Jo Wright is a spooky mystery with a Cornfield Murders. Right from the beginning of the story, Wright takes readers for a journey through a mystery element and then does not let go. Murders occurred in the past, but the present time mystery develops at the same farmhouse, but Molly, the present day heroine, is trying to solve the mystery that happened over a hundred years ago as well as her personal demons. Both stories are a little mysterious with deep characters. In this novel, I liked Molly’s characterization better than Perliett who seemed a little shallow, but I believe, Wright wanted her to be a deeper character, but she was not. The mystery was nicely handled. I loved the clues left in the present day that intertwined with the story from 1910. Made the story appear richer. I wanted to see the connections. Why were they left behind for Molly to see? What do they tell the readers about what happened in the 1910 mysteries? The Premonition of Withers Farms by Jaime Jo Wright is a wonderful novel. I love Wright’s stories. Mysteries and Thrillers are my favorite genre with Historical Romance a close second. I hope there will be plenty more of Wright’s stories. I love them.

I received a complimentary copy of The Premonition at Withers Farm by Jaime Jo Wright from Bethany House Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating:  4.5 out of 5 stars

Purchase The Premonition at Withers Farm

21st Wedding Anniversary

 By Kelly Bridgewater

Wow!

I have been married for 21 years this October.

www.desicomments.com

Where has the time gone?

We have lived in six houses together.

We have had three boys.

We had had six dogs.

We have had over three dozen chicken.

We have owned way too many cars. (I’m not even going to try counting those!)

We have had many arguments. Usually over his stuff and how it is piled everywhere.

BUT. . .

We believe the same things.

Have mutual goals.

Want to travel.

Pay off all our debt.

Live a long healthy life.

Here’s to another 21+ plus years together. 

Kelly Underwood: Defending Honor

 By Kelly Bridgewater

She trusts no one…

Bodyguard Laila Rabbinowitz is all business. Tough and stoic, she was the perfect Mossad agent…until a terrible betrayal led to her worst nightmare. Being a bodyguard with the Elite Guardians allows her to keep her heart safe—she’ll never get involved with a client, never let anyone close enough to betray her again. And she’s certainly not going to trust anyone who doesn’t earn it.

He needs protection…

Billionaire Preston Whittaker walked away from his famous family after a terrible event, but he’s put that behind him—or so he thinks. When his father and brother are killed in a suspicious boating accident, he must take the helm of the family business and carry on the family legacy. But someone doesn’t want him at the helm. They want him dead.

She’ll have to pretend to be his wife to save his life…

Enter the Elite Guardians. Preston is going to need someone by his side 24/7, and the only solution is…a fake marriage. Laila needs to pull off acting as the trophy wife to the country’s most eligible bachelor. With the eyes of the paparazzi on them, she’ll have to convince everyone that she and Preston are in love.

But what will it cost her heart?

Preston’s reputation as a party playboy precedes him, and Laila doesn’t belong in his world filled with parties and money. But is there more to Preston Whittaker that the world doesn’t see? Maybe, in time, he’s someone Laila could learn to trust. Only problem is, the danger is closer than they both know…and time is running out.

My Review:

Defending Honor by Kelly Underwood is a bodyguard protecting a rich boy who ran away from his inheritance. From the opening chapter, Underwood throws Laila into the fire with bullets flying. The secrets of the mansion and the hidden passageways were a nice touch to the description of the mansion. The tension plot builds up as the story progresses. Bullets kept flying and a car ends up underwater. A huge fear of mine. Underwood was mentored by Lynette Eason, so of course, the suspense kept building as the story progressed. With Susan May Warren and Lynette Eason, how could this series go wrong? Both wonderful writers who know how to capture their audience’s attention. The revealing of the bad person was not a surprise. I figured out who the person was before Underwood revealed it. Not a lot of red herrings. Couple of bullseyes if the readers paid attention. Overall, Defending Honor by Kelly Underwood fits nicely into the romantic suspense genre and the Elite Guardian’s series.

I received a complimentary copy of Defending Honor by Kelly Underwood through Sunrise Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Purchase Defending Honor

About the Author:

Kelly Underwood’s favorite things are reading, writing, and drinking coffee. She was born in New Hampshire, but don’t ask her about snow, because she’s been a Florida girl since she was twelve. She writes book reviews for her blog bestinsuspense.com and is an active member of the Central Florida chapter of the American Christian Fiction Writers. She’s a sucker for a good suspense novel, the kind you have to read cover-to-cover until the mystery is solved and the bad guys are in handcuffs. If you’re looking for her, she’s probably on her back patio with a Kindle in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other.

Michelle Griep: The Bride of Blackfriars Lane

By Kelly Bridgewater

 About the Book

Book: The Bride of Blackfriars Lane

Author: Michelle Griep

Genre: Christian/Romance/Historical

Release date: September, 2022

The Continuing Adventure of Jackson and Kit!
 
Detective Jackson Forge can hardly wait to marry the street-sly swindler who’s turned his life upside down. Kit Turner is equally excited to wed the handsome detective, and what better way to show her love than providing him with a gift any man of the law would love? She determines to bring to justice the men who years ago maimed his brother—despite Jackson’s warning to leave the past in the past. As she digs into the mystery of what happened, she unwittingly tumbles into her own history and endangers her future happiness with Jackson.

 

My Thoughts:

The Bride of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep was a delightful historical mystery with two unyielding characters who must put their love and their future joyment  on the line. The plot was a little more mystery than her previous novels, which I really loved. I loved the opening chapter where Kit and Jackson are headed toward their wedding, and of course, the wedding does not go off as planned. A predictable reality if readers are familiar with the first book, The Thief of Blackfriars Lane, and would expect nothing less from these two. I really enjoyed the concept of returning characters as they go past the engagement moment that the first book left readers in. This moment happens a lot, but it was nice to see the plot move past this moment. A brave and interesting romance as the two discover what they really want versus what they think they want. I would not feel disappointed if Griep writes another story with these two characters. Definitely another hit out of the park from a historical mysteries writer that I have come to devour.

I received a complimentary copy of The Bride of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep from Barbour Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Purchase The Bride of Blackfriars Lane 

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.

And guess what? She loves to hear from readers! Feel free to drop her a note at michellegriep@gmail.com.

 More from Michelle

A Visit to Borough Market

Whenever I skip across the pond, I make it a point to stop at the Borough Market for some great meals. This area was—and is—a popular place to shop and an absolute must-see for food lovers. From grocers, fishmongers, cheese sellers, and butchers to all kinds of ethnic eats, it’s hard not to want to sample everything. My personal favorite are the buddha bowls.

Believe it or not, Borough market has been in operation for the past thousand years. Yes, you read that correctly. It actually began as a bridge, constructed in 990. But let’s fast forward to the Victorian era, shall we?

 

In the nineteenth century, a railway viaduct was constructed through the middle of the market, which brought in more people—but also brought in more noise, soot, disruption, and crime. In such a hotbed of activity, it’s easy to imagine cutpurses and pickpockets of all sorts.

And that’s the perfect scene for a certain con-artist turned investigator to meet with an informant. In The Bride of Blackfriars Lane, Kit Turner is up to her old shenanigans, much to Jackson’s chagrin. You can visit Borough Market along with her in this wild ride through Victorian London. It’s just one of the many stops in a city that never gets old.

 

 

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, September 27

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 27

Life of Literature, September 27

All-of-a-kind Mom, September 27

Texas Book-aholic, September 28

Book Looks by Lisa, September 28

Bigreadersite, September 28

Betti Mace, September 29

Genesis 5020, September 29

Remembrancy, September 29

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 30

Christina’s Corner, September 30

A Baker’s Perspective, September 30

She Lives to Read, October 1

Inklings and notions, October 1

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 1

For Him and My Family, October 2

Blogging With Carol, October 2

Daysong Reflections, October 2

Hallie Reads, October 2

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, October 3 (Author Interview)

Where Faith and Books Meet, October 3

deb’s Book Review, October 3

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 4

Jeanette’s Thoughts, October 4

Holly’s Book Corner, October 4

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, October 5

Bizwings Blog, October 5

Back Porch Reads, October 5

Connie’s History Classroom, October 6

Books I’ve Read, October 6

Blossoms and Blessings, October 6

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 7

Splashes of Joy, October 7

Simple Harvest Reads, October 7 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

The Write Escape, October 8

Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 8

Vicky Sluiter, October 8

Through the Fire Blogs, October 8

Pause for Tales, October 9

Cover Lover Book Review, October 9

Labor Not in Vain, October 9

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, October 10

Melissa’s Bookshelf, October 10

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, October 10

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, October 10

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Michelle is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon e-gift card and a copy of The Bride of Blackfriars Lane!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/21aab/the-bride-of-blackfriars-lane-celebration-tour-giveaway