Jen Turano : A Lesson in Propriety

 By Kelly Bridgewater

LESSON ONE: Stand in the way of the Windy City's criminal world and expect a most improper proposal from an eligible gentleman in return.

With her father dead, her fortune stolen, and her fiancé casting her aside, Miss Drusilla Merriweather's privileged life has been upended. She is left with only one option: to provide for her family by opening a finishing school in the allegedly haunted castle she's inherited from her eccentric aunt. However, her plan is immediately threatened by unscrupulous developers keen on claiming the coveted estate for themselves by any means necessary.

Mr. Rhenick Wittenbecker, a dashing architect with a tendency to charm his way out of trouble, is convinced he can protect Drusilla but is challenged by her fierce independence. Yet when strange occurrences--walking suits of armor and unexpected ghostly visitors--arise within the castle's grounds, Drusilla must decide whether to risk her family's safety and her school on the gallant architect who seems to have found his way into her heart.

Laugh-out-loud witty banter, swoon-worthy romance, and delightful mischief in the Gilded Age string together this entrancing series starter. Fans of clean romance, Christian fiction, and strong female characters will enjoy this read.

My Thoughts:

A Lesson in Propriety by Jen Turano was a wonderful jump into her new series. The first couple of chapters in a tea room really do not show any propriety in any way. I love the heroine, Druscilla. Right away, Turano shows her strength and allows the circumstance that is affecting her current life to make her a strong heroine. Readers will enjoy that another one of Turano's heroine does not really care what society or a man thinks. As a result of this, funny things happen to the heroine. Funny items like a herd of goats, a duck, and a bunch of ravens. I really love the setting in a castle alongside the Lake Michigan. When Turano has the heroine and her family and friend come to the castle, it really wrapped me in the mysterious element, and I couldn't wait to learn more about the setting and what is going on there. Of course, there is some romance to the plot with a neighboring man. While the heroine is a strong-willed woman, she comes to learn that not all men are horrible and allows her heart to open to the possibility of marriage. Overall, A Lesson in Propriety by Jen Turano is a rip-roaring fun of a novel in an abandoned castle. I honestly can't wait to continue this series and see how some of the unanswered questions are handled.

I received a complimentary copy of A Lesson in Propriety by Jen Turano through Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Purchase A Lesson in Propriety

Dani Pettrey: Two Seconds Too Late

By Kelly Bridgewater

About the Book

Book: Two Seconds Too Late (Jeopardy Falls Series: Book Two)

Author: Dani Pettrey

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release date: April 29, 2025

 A missing woman. Two hit men. When every second counts, who will survive?

In the stark but beautiful wilds of northern New Mexico, a couples' retreat at a luxury resort turns into a chilling nightmare when a woman vanishes. Skip tracer Riley MacLeod and private investigator Greyson Chadwick pose as a couple to hunt for clues that might reveal the missing woman's location. Those leads uncover a harrowing truth: They're not the only ones looking for her. What begins as a normal tracking case turns into a deadly chase when they, too, become the hunted.

As Riley and Greyson work together, their partnership ignites a tumultuous attraction, but Greyson's secrets prevent him from acting on his feelings for her, and Riley can't bring herself to fully trust him. Delving deeper into the case, they find themselves fighting not only for justice and the chance at a loving relationship . . . but also for their very survival.

My Review:

Two Seconds Too Late by Dani Pettrey takes readers on a ride through two mysteries. While in a suspense novel, one mystery is enough to keep the reading turning the pages. In Two Seconds Too Late, Pettrey actually weaves together two mysteries into one. Eventually, they do combine and crash into one another, creating a resolution that was coming since the beginning of the book. The plot was nicely mysterious. At times, in the one plot line, I did see the emotions and feelings of the two characters bleeding into the mystery element. But as readers will come to understand, it was necessary to craft that plot line. The overall mystery that takes the second two people on the run I wanted more of. This is where the real mystery lied. It could have been explained a little more instead of leaving until the end. Then readers will become interested and wonder why that mystery storyline was not actually explained and explored a lot more. On the other hand, the characters had faults, and those faults kept coming back up as a way for the characters to deal with them. Overall, Two Seconds Too Late by Dani Pettrey did capture my attention, and I enjoyed it, but I believe there was an overarching mystery that could have been dived into a little more throughout the plot.

I received a complimentary copy of Two Seconds Too Late by Dani Pettrey through Bethany House Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

I received a complimentary copy of Two Second Too Late by Dani Pettrey from Bethany House Publishers through Celebrate Lit. Tours, but the opinions stated are all my own. 

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Purchase: Two Seconds Too Late

About the Author

Publishers Weekly and #1 Amazon bestselling author, Dani Pettrey has sold nearly one million copies of her novels to readers eagerly awaiting the next release. Dani combines the page-turning adrenaline of a thriller with the chemistry and happy-ever-after of a romance.

Her novels stand out for their “wicked pace, snappy dialogue, and likable characters” (Publishers Weekly), “gripping storyline[s],” (RT Book Reviews), and “sizzling undercurrent of romance” (USA Today).

Dani loves to mentor aspiring and newly-published authors. Seeing them grow and spread their wings is so rewarding. She recently was awarded ACFW’s Mentor of the Year. She researches murder and mayhem from her home in Florida, where she lives with her husband.

More from Dani

Hi friends! Thanks so much for taking time out of your day to stop by and say hi. I deeply appreciated. I have loved writing Riley and Greyson’s story. They are my favorite couple since Landon and Piper in my Alaskan Courage series. She’s fiery and independent and he is smitten by her, but also fears for her safety and after you read Two Seconds Too Late, you’ll understand why. Taking them out of their regular environment and placing them as a couple at high-end spa and resort brings on the opportunity to test out their feelings for one another under the guise of playing along. It’s a close proximity, opposites attract, and fake relationship story that tugged at my heart and I hope it’ll dug at yours too.

Every time I release a new book, I get a bunch of questions, which I love. I love sharing more about the story and digging into my hope for it, so I’m sharing several of the questions I get asked most and I wanted to share the answers to them with you. Please feel free to ask any other questions in the comment section below and I’ll respond within a day. Thanks again for stopping by! I hope you enjoy reading Riley and Greyson’s adventure as much as I enjoyed writing it.

• What do you hope readers will take away from this book?

That despite a strong, complexed and nuanced antagonist, that light can come from the darkest places and bring peace or, at the very least, closure to not only the families of the victims but to the hero and/or heroine as well. It might not be perfect, and it certainly doesn’t fix anything, but I still believe in the hero/heroine triumphing over the villain.

2) What authors or books have influenced your career as a writer, and why?

So many. I would say my top three influencers were Sue Grafton and are Lisa Gardner and Dee Henderson. The three write very different style of stories. Sue perfect the mystery with some edgy suspense scenes. Lisa creates the best or worst, I suppose. They are a force to be reckoned with and I love her twists and surprises. And, Dee’s book are paced so well and laid out so methodically. I’ve learned something different, and continue to do so, from these three, excellent authors.

3) Which took shape first: plot, character, or setting?

To me it’s a combination of knowing the hero and heroine’s jobs. I like to think about what kind of person would do that job and how it will affect them and the story itself. I also know the setting as it’s a character its own right and adds to and affects the story overall. I also know the crime, but I don’t know who did it. I like to leave my options open to see the direction the story goes, and where the investigation leads.

4) What was the biggest challenge this book presented? What about the biggest opportunity?

The balance between what was occurring on the surface in contrast to what was simmering beneath the surface and rising up in subtext. Creating that balance and keeping things on track was interesting, but It provided the perfect opportunity to delve into the deepest part of the characters. Overall, it was tricky to strike the right balance and have the subtly rise to the surface in a natural and authentic way.

Homemade Butterscotch Recipe:

Butterscotch is Riley’s favorite candy & the bane of Greyson’s existence (you’ll see why in the book J).Ingredients:

2 ½ cup sugar

1 cup unsalted butter

1/3 tsp. salt

¾ cup water

½ cup molasses

¼ cup honey

1 tsp. Vanilla extract

And a little sea salt for an added touch.

Directions:

Put ingredients in pan. Cook mixture to 250 degrees.

Pour into a lined pan with parchment paper and leave it alone.

Sprinkle some sea salt if you’d like.

Let it sit overnight.

Cut it up into squares (a pizza cutter works great) and store in fridge.

Blog Stops

Book Looks by Lisa, April 23

CeCe Reads and Sings, April 23

The Sacred Line, April 24

Southern Gal Loves to Read, April 24

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, April 24

Where Faith and Books Meet, April 25

Wishful Endings, April 25

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 26

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 26

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 27

Inklings and Notions, April 27

Texas Book-aholic, April 28

For Him and My Family, April 28

Maureen’s Musings, April 29

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 29

Betti Mace, April 30

Bizwings Book Blog, April 30

Leslie’s Library Escape, May 1

Just Your Average reviews, May 1

Blogging With Carol, May 2

Inkwell Inspirations, May 2

Stories By Gina, May 3 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 3

Cover Lover Book Review, May 4

Labor Not in Vain, May 4

Holly’s Book Corner, May 5

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, May 5

Lights in a Dark World, May 5

Pause for Tales, May 6

Roads to Everywhere, May 6

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Dani is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card, a copy of the book in winner’s choice of eBook or paperback, and a $20 Starbucks gift card!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54203

Roseanna M. White: Christmas at Sugarplum Manor

By Kelly Bridgewater

The Nutcracker and Edwardian-Era England combine to weave a magical tale of love and friendship at Christmastime.

As the beloved stepdaughter of the Earl of Castleton, Lady Mariah Lyons cherishes her home at Plumford Manor, but her idyllic world will be threatened when the estate passes to Cyril Lightbourne, a childhood friend she hasn't seen or heard from in years. Once, Mariah dreamed their friendship would kindle into something more, but that was before she heard Cyril was courting the cruelhearted Lady Pearl. Now Mariah is willing to welcome him as a friend and pray he will be the heir her stepfather needs, but she'll keep her heart locked safely away from anyone with such poor taste.

Cyril Lightbourne has long avoided returning to Plumford Manor, yet he reluctantly arrives in time for Christmas. When his friendship with Lady Mariah reignites, he finds himself caught between his affection for her and her family's misunderstanding of his attachment to Lady Pearl. Then, more trouble arrives in the form of a Danish lord on a mission to win Mariah's hand by Christmas. Will the magic of the holiday season help lead to the discovery of true love, or will duty to country leave all longing for what could have been?

 

My Thoughts:

Christmas at Sugarplum Manor by Roseanna M. White has a beautiful cover that makes the reader think of all the good feelings toward the holiday season. The plot does have a good manor landlord who takes care of the people in his village. Giving them gifts for Christmas and allowing them to have a good meal. A treasure hunt for the children. Of course, there is snow on the ground for the Christmas season. However, there are two gentlemen fighting for Lady Mariah’s affections, so the story does read a little boring at times. One of them is an old friend, and the other one has darker intentions. While romance is one of the major threads in the story, readers will lean toward one gentleman over the other. This story does have a Lifetime Christmas move feel to it. As for me, the writing was pretty dry because White spent a lot of time in thoughts of the character instead of moving the action along. I don’t mind getting the characters’ thoughts, but I don’t need pages and pages of thoughts while the characters stands around. Overall, Christmas at Sugarplum Manor by Roseanna M. White is not the Christmas story for me. It was kind of dry and boring at times. Yes, it does have its good parts, but I needed more.

I received a complimentary copy of Christmas at Sugarplum Manor by Roseanna M. White from  Bethany House Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating:  2.5 out of 5 stars

Purchase Christmas at Sugarplum Manor

Karen Witemeyer: Cloaked in Beauty

By Kelly Bridgewater

Trust no one in the shadows of the piney woods . . .

Letty Hood has spent the last fifteen years of her life hidden away with her grandmother in the backwoods of east Texas to escape the deadly schemes of an uncle who wants her dead. Now, with her twenty-first birthday on the horizon, she is forced to accept the escort of a stranger and return to Houston in secret so she can claim a birthright that will make her one of the wealthiest women in Texas. If she lives long enough to inherit.

Pinkerton agent Philip Carmichael has one duty: get the Radcliffe heiress home alive. Expecting a spoiled girl, Philip is surprised to encounter a woman of rare strength with a kind soul and keen wit. As they journey together, Letty's resilience wins his admiration, breaking through his hardened cynicism. Yet the threat to her survival grows more menacing with every mile, and Philip fears that keeping Letty out of harm's way may be just as impossible as keeping her out of his hear

 

My Thoughts:

Cloaked in Beauty by Karen Witemeyer reminds readers a little bit of “Little Red Riding Hood.” There are obvious similarities, but there are differences too. Witemeyer does a wonderful job at crafting characters that readers will want to stay with as they journey back to Hood’s “home” in Houston, Texas. The plot has plenty of action with moments of secretive journeys and hiding from the main road. The plot moves forward at a nice pace. As for the ending, I wish the climactic moment was a little spread out a little. Felt a little rushed by the time the characters took us to that ending. In other words, there is some romance that occurs between Letty, the heroine, and Philip, the hero. When characters spend that much time together, obviously sparks are going to fly. Overall, Cloaked in Beauty by Karen Witemeyer is a joy to read with movement and romance to spark any Fairy tale reader’s interest.

I received a complimentary copy of Cloaked in Beauty by Karen Witemeyer from Bethany House Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating:  4 out of 5 stars

Purchase Cloaked in Beauty

Julie Klassen: The Seaside Homecoming

 

By Kelly Bridgewater

Disgraced eldest sister Claire Summers has been living in exile as companion to a stern great-aunt in Scotland. About to become homeless and longing to be reconciled with her estranged family, Claire answers an advertisement from someone looking for a "respectable female partner" in a Sidmouth boarding house. Is it a sign or another reckless mistake? When she meets the handsome, secretive proprietor, she wonders what he's hiding and if he's any more trustworthy than the nobleman who betrayed her years ago. Even as she is drawn to him, she fears he will reject her when he discovers her genteel façade hides a less-than-respectable past.

Meanwhile, the Summers family learn their great-aunt has died and Claire has disappeared without a word. The sisters rally together to find their lost sibling, but will their unexpected reunion heal old wounds and rekindle their bonds . . . or widen the divide?

Return to the picturesque Devonshire coast as the Summers sisters navigate romance, second chances, and the enduring strength of sisterhood in the face of adversity.

 

My Thoughts:

The Seaside Homecoming by Julie Klassen tells Claire's story. Readers are introduced to the real reason that she was not mentioned in a good light. Also, readers will become familiar with new characters that will spark a new interest in the storyline. The family does come back into the story, wanting to rekindle their relationship with Claire. The setting is familiar and homely. The plot reminds me a little bit of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. A continuing story of a family where the family means everything to them. There is a touch of romance and a little bit of mystery to the hero's past, but it moved nicely. Not much action, but a good novel for those who enjoy Regency novels. Right for the genre and sweetly written. I enjoyed this story. There is a hint of an upcoming Christmas novella with this setting and characters due out in September 2025, and I know that I will want to read that story to catch up with this family. Overall, The Seaside Homecoming by Julie Klassen is a delightful read with interesting, yet adorable characters.

I received a complimentary copy of The Seaside Homecoming by Julie Klassen from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Purchase The Seaside Homecoming  

Gabrielle Meyer: Across the Ages

By Kelly Bridgewater

Caroline holds a deep secret. Living in 1727 and 1927 simultaneously, each night she goes to sleep in one life and wakes up in the other. In search of answers to her unique existence, Caroline stumbles upon a letter from her mother hinting at her own experiences as a time-crosser, sending Caroline on a daring quest to uncover the truth. In 1727, Caroline disguises herself as a cabin boy and joins a ship sailing for the Bahamas, her mother's last known location, where she crosses paths with a ruthless but handsome pirate and is caught in a web of secrets, deception, and unexpected alliances.

In 1927 St. Paul, Minnesota, Caroline grapples with her other life as the daughter of a renowned preacher. Her two older brothers have fallen prey to the corruption rampant during Prohibition, and Caroline struggles to keep their involvement hidden to save her father's career. As her search for answers about her time-crossing leads her to the dangerous yet exciting world of speakeasies, Caroline enlists the help of a childhood friend who is now a police officer. But with her family's future at risk and their loyalties tested, Caroline faces a life-altering decision that could reshape her destiny.

 

My Thoughts:

Across the Ages by Gabrielle Meyer is a unique, yet thrilling story set in 1727 and 1927. This time the storyline features pirates and the 1920's with a Billy Sunday vibe. If readers have read her other stories, then there will be a few returning characters from the previous books. They will interact in ways that will make readers smirk as they know the truth behind their time crossing. I love how Meyer takes two totally different historical time periods and make them interact through one character. This time, Caroline, gets to make the decision about which path to follow. She is the daughter of a time crosser that is mentioned in one of the previous stories, but her story is not flushed out. It is a glimpse on the page. Readers who are familiar with Meyer's stories know how hard it is for each heroine to decide which timeline to stay in and what timeline to leave. The struggle on the surface is harder than we could ever imagine. These characters need a supportive cast in order to help them make the correct decision. Caroline is no different. Across the Ages by Gabrielle Meyer is another wonderful addition to this series. I can't wait to read the next two books that are still coming.

I received a complimentary copy of Across the Ages by Gabrielle Meyer from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Purchase Across the Ages

Kimberley Woodhouse: A Hope Unburied

By Kelly Bridgewater

About the Book

Book: A Hope Unburied (Treasures of the Earth Book Three)

Author: Kimberley Woodhouse

Genre: Historical Romance

Release date: September 24, 2024

In the bustling world of paleontology in 1916, Eliza Mills defies societal expectations to pursue her passion. Having published her early groundbreaking papers anonymously, she has finally earned her place at the Carnegie Museum and seizes the opportunity to work at Dinosaur National Monument with a renowned paleontologist. But things in Jensen, Utah, aren't what they appear. When Eliza gets the chance to dig up bones at a ranch with a dark history, it sparks a chain of events that will rock the very fabric of her carefully constructed world.

Devin Schmitt, Eliza's closest friend since childhood, harbors unspoken feelings for her but knows he will never be able to win her heart. Just as he vows to give her up for good, Eliza begs him to visit her in Utah for another grand adventure. He reluctantly agrees, and within a few days of his arrival, he and Eliza find themselves entangled in a web of danger where the stakes are much higher than they ever anticipated. In a race against time, Devin and Eliza must hold on to God as their hope as they navigate a treacherous terrain of betrayal to unbury the truth and save Eliza from those who wish to see her fail.

Bestselling author Kimberley Woodhouse sweeps you away on a breathtaking journey through the perilous landscapes of the Bone Wars era, where love and ambition collide.

 

My Thoughts:

A Hope Unburied by Kimberley Woodhouse capture my historical imagination and let it fly. I really loved the love story. I love  a story where the couple are best friends, then they realized they have feelings for each other. I especially love it when the guy realizes first. Woodhouse did  a wonderful job at showing how Devin fell and fell hard a long time ago. I loved the mystery element of the plot. I love how excited Eliza is about her job. I love how Eliza finally comes to some realization about her life, and she decides to face those issue head on. I love the idea of the Dinosaur hunt. I love the setting. Woodhouse is a wonderful writer that had me flipping through the pages fast as I couldn't see what happened. This is how Historical romance should be written. Plenty of history. Vibrant characters. Little bit of romance to tie the characters together. This has been a different, yet intriguing series that I really want to own. I'm really interested to see what she writes next. Overall, A Hope Unburied by Kimberley Woodhouse was a wonderful way to end the series. She charmed with the first book, and I devoured all three of them.

I received a complimentary copy of A Hope Unburied by Kimberley Woodhouse from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Purchase A Hope Unburied

About the Author

Kimberley Woodhouse is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than forty fiction and nonfiction books. Kim and her incredible husband of thirty-plus years live in Colorado, where they play golf together, spend time with their kids and grandkids, and research all the history around them.

 

 

 

 

More from Kimberley

A couple of years ago, I asked readers on my Facebook page what they were interested in reading in Christian fiction. When one reader and friend suggested I write about the Bone Wars, I was intrigued and instantly excited. I had no idea how much of a blessing writing the Treasures of the Earth series would be.

I traveled all over western Colorado, eastern Utah and southern Wyoming, looking at the incredible displays of bones of magnificent creatures of our past. Stopping at every tiny museum along the way, and even driving miles and miles into the middle of nowhere to find just the right setting for The Secrets Beneath. But it was going to Dinosaur National Monument in Jensen, Utah that truly helped these three books come to life.

The monument was established in October 1915 by President Woodrow Wilson. The 80 acres encompassed the Carnegie Quarry, where paleontologist Earl Douglass was digging, trying to find intact dinosaur skeletons to send back to Carnegie’s museum in Pittsburgh. Eventually, President Franklin D. Roosevelt expanded the park to encompass more than 200,000 acres.

But this monument wouldn’t exist without the determination of one man: Earl Douglass. I had the pleasure of meeting and spending time with Diane Douglass Iverson, his granddaughter, during one of my research trips. She was generous with her time and memories as she shared her grandfather’s journals and memories with me. The longer we talked, the more the idea for what would be the third book of this series took shape. Though Earl is not a primary character in Eliza’s story, his presence and impact on the science of paleontology is felt through the pages.

In fact, each chapter of all three books has a quote from the book his son created out of his journal entries, titled Speak to the Earth and It Will Teach You. I am grateful to Diane for the opportunity to share his struggles, hopes, and dreams with my readers.

With this last book, I hope you enjoy Eliza’s joyful spirit, as well as her struggles to find her place in this world. She’s a spirited young woman with a passion for fossils and how God has created this incredible planet. You’ll get to visit Dinosaur National Monument with her, seeing the founding of this great national treasure through her eyes. I hope you love visiting there in your imagination and that you get the opportunity to visit on your own someday. But even more than that, I pray that, like Eliza, you find joy and confidence where God has placed you in His story.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, October 21

Bigreadersite, October 21

lakesidelivingsite, October 22

Where Faith and Books Meet, October 23

Lighthouse Academy, October 23

Daylong Reflections, October 24

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 25

For Him and My Family, October 25

Texas Book-aholic, October 26

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 27

Jeanette’s Thoughts, October 27

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 28

Connie’s History Classroom, October 29

Mary Hake, October 29

Holly’s Book Corner, October 30

Cover Lover Book Review, October 31

Pause for Tales, October 31

Book Looks by Lisa, November 1

Lily’s Corner, November 2

Live.Love.Read., November 2

Labor Not in Vain, November 3

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kimberley is giving away the grand prize of a $20 Amazon gift card and a paperback set of the Treasures of the Earth series: The Secrets Beneath, Set in Stone, and A Hope Unburied!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5473/