Rescued Duty

About the Book:

After growing up in foster care, investigative reporter Naya Michél has learned there’s usually more to a situation than meets the eye. When she’s assigned a story about the current water contamination crisis in town, Naya is ready to show her boss she has what it takes to secure a promotion—especially since the events surrounding the story have personal ties to her childhood. When her investigation makes her the target of someone who wants the truth kept quiet, how far will Naya’s determination take her before the cost becomes too much?

Rescue Squad firefighter and former foster kid Zack Stephens is ready to step up his game at work when his boss hands him a cold case for hazmat training. As Zack delves into the case, he uncovers a shocking revelation—his parents’ deaths weren’t accidental. Determined to find their murderer, Zack throws himself into the investigation. But he doesn’t expect his search to collide with Naya, the girl he promised to protect when they lived in foster care together.

As threats mount and Naya is caught in the crosshairs, can Zack reconcile the mistakes of his past and find a killer before someone deals a lethal blow? And can the two of them learn to trust—and love—each other again despite the pain of their past?

My Review: 

A terrible event brings Naya and Zach together to figure out what is happening. The more involved they become, the more they are being targeted. The interesting thing is that they had known each other as children and never had closure from past events. I liked seeing their relationship heal and move forward. Things to look forward to in the story:

 

second chances

strong female character

mystery

rivals

action

danger

found family

faith element

fire rescue team

Favorite quote: 

“The truth is beautiful because it sheds light on the darkness and exposes it.” 

This is the fifth book in the Last Chance Fire and Rescue, but can be read as a standalone. I enjoyed reading it and you will too if you like to read books by similar authors such as Susan May Warren or Elizabeth Goddard. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Written in Secret

About the Book

 

Title: Written in Secret 

Series: The Art of Love and Danger #1 

Author: Crystal Caudill 

Publisher: Kregel Publications 

Release Date: March 11, 2025 

Genre: Christian Mystery & Suspense Romance 

What happens when fiction becomes reality? In the corruption-infested Queen City, danger lurks in every shadow, but Lydia Pelton refuses to stay silent. She writes under a pseudonym, E. A. Dupin, crafting crime novels to exact justice and right the wrongs she sees in society. When a serial killer decides to be the sword to her pen, Lydia is confronted with the consequences of her words. Four men are dead, and the city blames her. 

With murders on the rise, Officer Abraham Hall's only lead is Lydia's fiction, and he is thrust into an investigation with the "Killer Queen of Romance." Despite his misgivings about the woman, he realizes that even with his reputation for catching elusive criminals, he needs her help. But his unexpected attraction to Lydia proves as difficult to manage as the woman herself. 

As the mystery unfolds, Abraham and Lydia race to rewrite the ending, not only for Cincinnati's citizens, but for their own hearts too.

My Review: 

When a plan to rescue a circus animal goes awry, Lydia Pelton finds herself caught up in the mayhem and the wrong side of the law. Officer Abraham Hall is immediately attracted to this bold and daring young lady who he must take in for questioning. I loved the friendship and camaraderie of Lydia and her two friends who are known as The Guardians who stand with each other through thick and thin, including a trip to the police station.

Lydia learns a valuable lesson and experiences firsthand the saying that “the pen is mightier than the sword” as a vigilante brings to life her novels of punishing criminals. She must face hard questions about her motives behind her writing. Do her books really bring about the justice that she set out to achieve? With several suspects and plot twists, I was surprised to discover who was the perpetrator of the murders that were inspired by her books. 

This is the first book in the new Love of Art and Danger series. I love the setting of the Gilded Age in Cincinnati with streets named that are actually real locations. I look forward to reading more of these books that have strong faith elements.  

I received a complimentary copy of this book from JustRead Tours. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.

 

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Kregel Publications | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Bookshop

Also Available

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About the Author

Crystal Caudill is the Christy Award–winning author of “dangerously good romance,” including the Hidden Hearts of the Gilded Age series. She is a stay-at-home mom and caregiver, and when she isn’t writing, Caudill can be found playing board games with her family, drinking hot tea, or reading other great books at her home outside Cincinnati, Ohio.

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

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of Written in Secrets and a $25 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight March 12, 2025 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on March 19, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

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

Driving Maisie Crazy

 My Review: 

Have you ever taken a bus tour trip? It takes a special person to be the guide/host, and Finn O’Meara does a terrific job in telling jokes and making people feel welcome. When Maisie King captures his attention, it’s hard for Finn not to want to be her personal guide for the sites. Balancing his obligations and trying to find a way to get to know Maisie better provides its own set of challenges.

You can’t but love Finn with his Irish sayings and his deep caring nature for his family. He has a generous heart and puts aside his wants in order to meet the needs of others. He is quite the selfless person and when something happens on the tour, I couldn’t help but root for Finn and thinking that he should come out on top of things.

Maisie was cute with her dresses and her white tennis shoes. I especially loved when she found a solution to riding a bike while being clothed as she was. Finn’s response was great and had me laughing as he described her.

There are so many things to love about this book. Here are just a few of them:

Bob the bus
witty banter
karaoke singing
local band
food journal
goose bump rating
Irish landscape and sayings
Fifteens and heaven
friend group
family

This is the second book in the Men of the Isles series. It was fun to see Winnie and Matthew from Winning Winnie’s Hand, the first book in the series, be a part of the story. I highly recommend this romantic comedy. While this is a standalone, you’re sure to want to read the first book too. I am looking forward to book three and hope it comes out sooner than later!

I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions are my own. A positive review was not required.

The Mysteries of Pendowar Hall

About the Book: 

She vowed to solve a murder.
Now she’s in danger of losing her heart … and her very life.

Diana Taylor, a bright and spirited governess who has sworn off love, is sent to Pendowar Hall in Cornwall to honor a pledge. She vows to teach her godmother’s niece and to find out who was behind the suspicious death of the former baronet. But her new charge is also a mystery, as is the man who inherited the ancient coastal estate—the charismatic but brooding Royal Navy Captain William Fallbrook, who is home on leave to recover from an injury.

As Diana investigates, her feelings for the enigmatic Captain Fallbrook blossom, and her guard goes up. Pendowar Hall is brimming with secrets as well as a frightening legend about a Mermaid’s Curse. What is behind the mysterious footsteps in the night? Is there more to the story of the tragic deaths of the former baronet’s wife and son? What secrets is Captain Fallbrook hiding? Can she trust the man who has stolen her heart?

He looks to be entranced by Diana, even though her determination to dig up the past seems to get on his last nerve. Soon, Diana’s bold quest to unmask his uncle’s killer leads her into terrifying danger, for someone is determined to end her life before she can discover the truth.

My Review

Diana Taylor is the perfect person to investigate on behalf of her godmother, Mrs. Phillps, the circumstances of her brother’s death. Courageous in the face of danger and eager to get the answers needed to get justice, Diana is just the young lady to investigate what happened at Pendowar Hall. She also was such a caring young lady who brought hope and help to her student, Emma.

I love the Gothic atmosphere of this story with dark stormy nights, the brooding and pensive Captain William Fallbrook, and mysterious footsteps late at night. It has several twists and clues to keep you intrigued throughout the story. If you enjoy a romance story that has the elements of suspense and foreboding castles, this is the book for you.

Things to love:
governess
Jane Eyre feeling
mermaid legends
a curse
rugged setting
Sisterhood of Smoke and Fire
dyslexic character
forgiveness

Favorite Quotes:

“Guilt and regret are like cancer, Captain. They can eat one away from the inside out if we let them.”

“Nothing is impossible, Miss Taylor. The word itself says, “I’m possible.”

“Forgive them, “ he said again. “Not for their sakes, but for your own. For your peace of mind. It’s the only way forward.”

I highly recommend this first book in the Audacious Sisterhood of Smoke and Fire series. I can’t wait to read more of the stories of these ladies. I received a copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley and AustenProse. All opinions are my own with no obligation to write a positive review.

His Grace's Governess

 

About the Book

Book: His Grace’s Governess

Author: Jackie Killelea

Genre: Christian Historic Romance

Release date: February 4, 2025

A governess with a secret. A duke with a broken heart. Can love heal their wounds?

Miss Eleanor Clairbridge, at five and twenty, has resigned herself to a life without love. With her family’s London townhouse threatened by dwindling finances, she accepts employment as a governess to help support her widowed mother and preserve her cherished childhood home. When Eleanor arrives at Ivy Grange Estate, the last thing she expects to find is a spark of attraction between her and her new employer. Determined not to risk her position, she resolves to keeps her distance. There is more than one reason a romance between them can never be.

Edmund Colhampton, the Duke of Albemarle, has no intention of finding love. Since losing his family in a tragic carriage accident five years ago, he has devoted himself to protecting his young niece, the only family he has left. But when his niece’s enchanting governess arrives at the estate, Edmund finds himself reconsidering his vow never to love again. Why then, as he seeks to know her more, does she seem determined to avoid him at all costs?

As Eleanor fulfills her role as governess, her past begins to catch up with her, threatening to unravel the secrets she holds dear. Both Eleanor and Edmund must confront their deepest fears and decide whether to succumb to the darkness within or brave the path to healing and love.

 My Review: 

Forced to seek employment as a governess or face destitution, Eleanor Clairbridge receives an offer from the Duke of Albemarle to teach his niece, Rosie. Immediately drawn to Eleanor, Rosie flourishes and so does Edmund. Both he and Eleanor have lost their parents and it takes someone like Ellie who has experienced grief to bring Edmund out of his deep suffering and help him see a brighter future. Edmund also helps Ellie to see that she is a beautiful person, both in character and appearance. The staff added a welcoming feeling and depth to the story. I enjoyed this Regency romance. This is one story that will appeal to readers of all ages. It is the first book in the Saving the Spinsters series. It will be interesting to see what the next spinster's story will be like. I received a copy of the book through Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own with no obligation to write a positive review.

Click here to get your copy!

 About the Author

Jackie Killelea is a born and raised small-town girl from Connecticut with a degree in English and Creative Writing. She started off her writing journey with poetry, soon shifting into novels and becoming hooked. On days when she’s not busy with her nose in a book, she can be found typing away with a cup of tea at her side.

 

 

 

More from Jackie

In His Grace’s Governess, much trouble befalls Edmund and Eleanor as they attempt to sort out their close proximity to and burgeoning feelings for one another, but there is one scene in particular that I enjoyed researching.

In one scene of the novel, Mr. Roskilly(the gardener at Ivy Grange Estate) worries at Eleanor plucking the plant Rabelera–otherwise known as Greater Stitchwort–from the ground. He fears that danger will befall Eleanor if she takes it from the garden and Eleanor, misunderstanding him, even believes at one point that Mr. Roskilly might be threatening her. But, why is Mr. Roskilly so worried? Is he really so concerned that Edmund’s hackles will be raised when he sees that Eleanor has plucked a few mere flowers from the garden–and with his niece, no less?

Indeed, that is not where his concern lies, for if you read the passage closely, you’ll see that Mr. Roskilly is Cornish. This is an important factor. When doing my research for the novel, I found that, in Cornwall, it is believed that Greater Stitchwort is the property of the pixies. It is believed that to pick it is to take it from them and to anger them, and if you anger them then there is all the chance that they may well retaliate for you having stolen what was theirs. Truly, they may even enchant you, according to legend. Having read this and being sufficiently intrigued, the scene was born! I do hope you get as much enjoyment out of it as I do.

Here is an excerpt from it so you know what I’m referring to:

“Hope yer walk’s went well. ’Tis a fine day fer one.” He grinned, revealing a mouth full of crooked teeth. His Cornish accent was thick, with a friendly tone to his voice.

Eleanor returned his smile and nodded. “It certainly is. What better way to spend a morning than to enjoy the sun in these beautiful gardens? They’re the finest I’ve ever seen.”

She could’ve sworn there was a hint of a blush on the man’s tawny face. “I than’ ye, miss. We do our righ’ bes’, and keepin’ i’ as i’ is makes ’is Grace ’appy. Ever since…” The man trailed off, a growing look of concern on his face.

What had he been about to say? Something about the duke or his family?

“Greater Stitchwort.” He spoke with a grave edge to his words, looking intently at the flower in Rose’s hand.

Eleanor’s gaze flitted from the man to the flower, her brows furrowing. “Is something wrong, sir?”

The man tilted his head, flicking his eyes to the side in a plea for a private conversation.

I will not say whether this decision to pick the plant affected Eleanor later on in the story or not, but I’ll leave you with this: Do consider all of the plants you touch before you decide to place your hand upon them and pull them from the ground.

Happy reading!

Jackie Killelea

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 18

Holly’s Book Corner, February 19

Texas Book-aholic, February 19

Life on Chickadee Lane, February 20

Pens Pages & Pulses, February 20

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 21

Stories By Gina, February 22 (Author Interview)

Devoted To Hope, February 22

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 23

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 24

Connie’s History Classroom, February 25

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, February 25

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, February 26

Simple Harvest Reads, February 27 (Guest Review from Donna)

For Him and My Family, February 28

Pause for Tales, February 28

Book Looks by Lisa, March 1

Blossoms and Blessings, March 2

Cover Lover Book Review, March 3

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, March 3

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jackie 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.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54157

Hidden Secrets

 

About the Book

Book: Hidden Secrets: A Thriller (Mirror Estate Series Book Four)

Author: S.F. Baumgartner

Genre: Christian Mystery, Thriller

Release date: September 24, 2024

Abducted. Trapped. Hunted. Grace Benson must find a way out… or die trying.

After her harrowing escape from a kill order, Grace thought she’d return to a normal life, only to be abducted from her home.

Meanwhile, FBI investigations into the murders of a congressman and his staff uncover a shocking link to Grace’s abduction, threatening international stability.

Desperate to survive, Grace allies with an unlikely partner—a child who knows the bunker’s secrets—but as they navigate the treacherous tunnel system, a misplaced step echoes through the corridors, alerting a deranged captor who now closes in, gun in hand.

If you like Alex Cross, Gabriel Allon, you will like this unpredictable, fast-paced suspense thriller.

 My Review: 

This is the fourth book in the Mirror Estate Series and you should read the other books before reading this one. I really appreciated the recapping of the previous stories in order to have an idea of what has transpired prior to this book. However, this was the first one that I have read and felt that it took me quite a while to figure out what was happening since there are many subplots occurring. I liked the intricacies of the story and felt it was a well-paced story. If you enjoy crime lord family stories, check out this series. There are some surprising twists and lots of action throughout.  

drug addition mentioned, adultery, murder

I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own with no obligation to write a positive review. 

Click here to get your copy!

 About the Author

S.F. Baumgartner writes fast-paced Christian suspense thrillers. Book 1 of her Mirror Estate series, Living Secrets, was selected as one of the Top Picks in the thriller category at Killer Nashville, 2024. Her love for writing comes second only to her love of reading. When she’s not busy writing about complex characters, secretive operatives, and relentless agents, she spends her time binge-watching crime TV shows, such as NCIS, or playing with her cats. If you enjoy James Patterson’s style—specifically short chapters—you’ll love her Mirror Estate series.

 

 More from S.F.

I’m so excited to share Hidden Secrets, the fourth book in my Mirror Estate Psychological Thriller series. For those who’ve been following Grace Benson’s story, this is the next chapter in her journey—a deeply personal one with plenty of the twists, danger, and suspense you’ve come to expect from my writing.

If you’ve read Tangled Secrets, you know that Grace finally uncovered the truth about her birth mother. That revelation opened doors to even more questions, and in Hidden Secrets, she takes the next step: discovering the identity of her birth father. Of course, in Grace’s world, nothing is ever simple. This isn’t just a straightforward search for a man from her past—it’s a journey wrapped in danger, deception, and murder.

Writing this book was such an adventure for me. Grace is a character I’ve grown to love, and putting her through these intense, high-stakes situations is always a mix of excitement and challenge. This time, she’s dealing with abduction, espionage, and a web of lies that keeps tightening around her. Every step she takes toward the truth comes with a cost, and watching her face these challenges while staying true to herself was as rewarding to write as I hope it is for you to read.

But I’ll admit, Hidden Secrets didn’t come together without a few struggles. I rewrote several scenes to make sure the story flowed the way it needed to. The pacing, the tension, and the timing of the twists had to be just right. I love keeping readers on the edge of their seats, but it takes some effort to make sure every piece falls into place.

One of the things I think makes this book stand out is how personal it is for Grace. Yes, there’s plenty of action, danger, and intrigue, but at its core, this story is about family and identity. Grace’s search for her father forces her to confront parts of herself she didn’t even know were missing. I wanted readers to feel that emotional depth while still delivering the suspense and surprises that make a Mirror Estate thriller what it is.

The reviews so far have been incredible. Hearing that readers are loving Grace’s latest journey means the world to me. Some have mentioned how much they appreciated the balance between the emotional moments and the fast-paced action, which makes me feel like all those rewrites were worth it!

If you’re already a fan of the series, I think you’re going to love where this installment takes Grace. And if you’re new to Mirror Estate, don’t worry—Hidden Secrets stands on its own. You’ll get plenty of context to enjoy the story, but starting at the beginning will definitely give you a richer experience.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 20

Inspired by Fiction, February 21

The Lofty Pages, February 22

Vicky Sluiter, February 23 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 24

Book Looks by Lisa, February 25

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 26

Stories By Gina, February 27 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, February 27

For the Love of Literature, February 28 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, March 1

For Him and My Family, March 2

Artistic Nobody, March 3 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, March 3

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 4

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 5

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, S.F. is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and an eBook copy of the book!!

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/00adcf54158