Thursday, April 17, 2025

The Accused

When a popular college student is murdered, her international roommate, Anneliese, becomes a prime suspect. But law professor Margeaux Robbins doesn't believe that the quiet, lonely German girl in her class is the killer.

Chase Crandall is a burned-out defense attorney ready to extricate himself from the grind of criminal law. After he loses a client to tragedy, he's ready for an in-house corporate position.

When Chase is assigned to Anneliese's case, Margeaux is horrified. She doesn’t want him to provide legal counsel—not after what happened to his past client. And not with the evidence incriminating Anneliese.

Despite their mutual misgivings, the lawyer and professor pair up to find the killer and prove Anneliese's innocence. Will they be able to untangle the mystery—and navigate their growing interest in one another—before the wrong person is charged with murder?

My Review:

When Anneliese, a German native college student is put on trial for the murder of her roommate, it is up to her professor, Margeaux Robbins, and her attorney, Chase Crandall, to prove that she is innocent. But, with few friends or connections with her other housemates, it was extremely difficult for Margeaux and Chase to get any answers and change the jury’s mindset. I loved being a part of the investigation. I also enjoyed the quick wrap up to the case. There is a plot twist as to who actually committed the crime. This is the second book in the Secrets to Keep series, but it can be read as a standalone. If you enjoy legal thrillers, then this will be one to read.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher, AustenProse, and NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own with no obligation to write a positive review.

There is a giveaway on Instagram for both books in the series and a $20.00 Amazon gift card too! See my post for a chance to enter! https://www.instagram.com/booklooks_lisa/

The Undercover Heiress of Brockton

The Undercover Heiress of Brockton JustRead Blog Cover Reveal

Welcome to the Cover Reveal for The Undercover Heiress of Brockton by Kelly J. Goshorn, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Undercover Heiress of Brockton
Series: Enduring Hope #2 (multi-author standalone series)
Author: Kelly J. Goshorn
Publisher: Barbour Fiction
Release Date: August 1, 2025
Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Incognito Reporter Seeks Truth and Justice

Collect a new series of six historical romances. When life seems weighed down by challenges, there are always pillars of enduring hope and love to be discovered.

Henrietta “Etta” Maxwell, heiress to the Maxwell fortune, is a hard-hitting investigative reporter for The Enterprise Daily. The catch? Etta must pen her columns under the nom de plume, Henry Mason—a fact that routinely puts a knot in her knickerbockers.

Leo Eriksson is a second-generation firefighter with a passion for rendering aid to those in need. When Leo discovers that Henry Mason is really Henrietta Maxwell, the fire department’s wealthy benefactress, he agrees to keep her identity secret.

After a sudden blast rocks the Grover Shoe Factory, Leo and Etta team up to determine if the explosion is related to a series of suspicious fires in the area. But sparks fly when Leo accuses Etta of negating the human side of the disaster in her determination to get a good story.

Will Etta go back to her socialite comforts without her story—dragging along a broken heart?

Ready to see the cover?

The Undercover Heiress of Brockton

About the Author

Kelly Goshorn weaves her affinity for history and her passion for God into inspiring stories of love, faith, and family set in America’s vibrant past. When she is not writing, Kelly enjoys, binge-watching BBC period dramas, exploring historical sights, and board-gaming with her family and friends.

Connect with Kelly by visiting kellygoshorn.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a print copy of The Undercover Heiress of Brockton and a $10 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 17, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 24, 2025. Winners 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 JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House

About the Book:

It is 1901 when clockmaker and brilliant tinker Sydney Forrester inherits Blakely House, the eclectic estate of an estranged uncle she's never met. The well-known but mysterious industrialist has left behind a stunning array of peculiar inventions--and a couple of nephews intent on removing this interloper from the estate. Convinced that Sydney has something to do with their uncle's death, the late master's nephews contest the will and work against their cousin at every turn.

Sydney finds a sometimes-ally in the estate's butler, an ex-adventurer who ran aground on the island years ago. But when a mysterious man washes ashore with a stunning surprise that upsets everything, Sydney must prove she has inherited the late master's brilliance as well as his property--or someone else will.

My Review:

Sydney Forrester lives with her Aunt Lottie in a small shop that repairs clocks. Having to pretend that there is a man who owns it, Sydney and her aunt must fix them in secret and barely are scraping by. When a mysterious woman presents Sydney with an opportunity to claim an inheritance to Blakely House, she is intrigued and desperate enough to investigate. I fell in love with the unusual house and all of its unique inventions.

The author has a way of weaving elements of her stories into faith. With Sydney, she sees herself as a broken clock that is in need of repair, but several important people in her life help her to see that she is a rare and precious gem instead. I was touched by this and also the character of Emmett Sinclair, the man who was behind the marvelous inventions.

Things to love about this story:
Gothic atmosphere
mystery
mechanical gadgets
pirates and wreckers
service to man
sacrificial love
redemption

I highly recommend this book. Once again, Ms. Politano has written a beautiful story with an intricate plot and rich, complex characters. I was intrigued from the beginning of the story all the way to its conclusion. This was one story that I really didn’t want to see end, and I’d love to see it made into a movie.

I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Some Like It Scot

An American travel writer who has never found a place to belong and a reclusive Scot with a surprising secret find a shocking connection when she enters a Highlands manor house that has been turned into a three-week long Edwardian experience.

Katie Campbell has traveled her entire life. As the daughter of an army chaplain, changing homes--or even countries--was commonplace, so when her wild childhood storytelling turned into a lucrative career as a travel writer, she thought she'd found her perfect match. But as she's nearly thirty with no real place to settle down, she's starting to wonder where "home" actually is. Her own family hadn't felt like home since her sister's death left them all limping through life.

When a lengthy project in Scotland promises to not only give her travel fodder for months but also a shot at a coveted editing position, she accepts and is sent to spend three weeks in the newly created Craighill House, a Scottish home redesigned to offer guests an Edwardian experience. But her entrance to Craighill introduces her to a quirky group of characters and a surly Scot who is helping refurbish the magnificent woodwork of the estate house.

As Katie attempts to live "Edwardian," she learns that all that glitters does not a comfortable lifestyle make . . . and surly Scots may turn out to be dashing and creative uncles raising their orphaned nephews. When a few escapades from the Downton era lead Katie on hunts for mermaids and dragons or to a fireside chat with a family who has grown stronger through tragedy, Katie begins to wonder if "home" looks a whole lot like rolling green hills, magnificent braighs, and a few extra "ayes" thrown in for good measure. But can her world-traveling lifestyle fit in with a Scot whose heart is double-knotted to home?

My Review:

You’re sure to enjoy this opposites attract story as writer/ social influencer Katie Campbell is on assignment in beautiful Scotland. Katie likes traveling around the world, but could her adventures be avoiding some painful things in her life? Graeme loves his homeland and is invested in restoring his family’s ancestral abode. Could he also be avoiding his past by holding onto things that are familiar?

I loved Graeme and his gruff exterior that protected his loving and sensitive heart. Katie was in need of rescuing several times and earned the name Miss Adventure quite easily. You are sure to laugh at the scrapes she finds herself in throughout the book. Graeme had a full time job just making sure she was safe!

Things to love:
meet cute
humor and puns
kilts
funny monikers
Graeme’s family
Book club grannies
Highland games

Favorite quotes:
“Love lingers long.”

“No matter where you run or how fast or far, you’ll never outrun your own heart.”

I highly recommend reading this book. I received a copy of the book from the publisher and NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own with no obligation to write a positive review.

Monday, March 31, 2025

Novel Threat

In a world of covert codes, two CIA operatives must infiltrate a New York publishing house, where every word on the page could be a weapon.

Brandon Hale, a seasoned CIA case officer, contemplates walking away from the covert world of espionage behind to embark on a quieter path in publishing. But his plan takes an abrupt turn when a critical source within the Labyrinth terrorist organization is assassinated, leaving behind a cryptic message about a New York publishing house. Rather than submitting his resignation, Brandon finds himself going undercover at Monroe Publishing to stop the next terrorist strike against the US.

Kimber Seidel, a CIA finance officer with secret aspirations of becoming a novelist, enjoys a serendipitous encounter with a handsome book lover like herself on her way home from London. Though she cannot reveal her true employment to her new friend, Brandon Hale, she can’t deny the instant spark that ignites between them. When Kimber’s manuscript is unexpectedly shopped to Monroe Publishing as a pawn in the CIA’s counterterrorism plot, Kimber must navigate the intersection of her literary dreams and her covert life as well as her deepening connection with Brandon.

Though each decoded message is leading Brandon and Kimber closer to the truth, it is also leading them into the line of fire, where the stakes are higher than anyone ever imagined.

My Review:

With a clever title and its description, I was excited to read this story. As an avid reader, entering into the world of publishing with CIA operatives was fascinating and a lot of fun. I could see myself right there on book signing tours and going to parties with famous people. Kimber Seidel has secretly always wanted to be a published author, and she gets the opportunity to do just that in order to investigate what involvement the executives have with the terrorist organization, Labyrinth. Working alongside of her is Brandon Hale who is posing as an administrative assistant for one very demanding boss. Together, they make a great team of bringing down the people who mean to kill a great number of people.

You’re sure to love this book for its action, suspense, the clues that are uncovered, and the romantic element between Brandon and Kimber. This is the first book in the Pen and Dagger series and one I am eagerly waiting to read the next book.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own, and a positive review was not required.

Friday, March 28, 2025

The Spinster's Resolve

It is a truth universally acknowledged that spinsters make the best sleuths.

Who else has perfected the fine art of sitting quietly in the corner, sipping tea, and overhearing everything?Step into the world of Miss Grace Skye, where a fiery letter, a missing cook, and a dangerous conspiracy threaten to upend the quiet existence of an unassuming spinster—whether she’s ready for it or not.

After being thoroughly snubbed in the marriage mart for her pert opinions and mixed heritage (too English for India, too Indian for England—utterly exhausting), Grace has made peace with spinsterhood. Who needs a husband when you have books, tea, and the satisfaction of minding your own business?

Except—plot twist—her ancestral home is suddenly snatched away by a frail but wily old Duke (who probably has one foot in the grave and the other on a dance floor). Worse still, his delightfully evil steward storms in, hiking up rents, threatening tenants, and spreading fear.
But when young women start vanishing, it’s clear something far darker is at play.
Grace is done.Like any self-respecting spinster with a bone to pick, she pens a furious, blistering, no-holds-barred letter to the elusive Duke, demanding justice.

What could possibly go wrong? ( Everything.)

Instead of resolving matters, her letter ignites a chain of treachery, peril, and wildly unforeseen consequences. Days later, her beloved cook, Melissa, disappears without a trace—and Grace can’t shake the sickening suspicion that her strongly worded correspondence invited danger straight to their door.

Determined to set things right (and possibly prevent more kidnappings through sheer stubbornness), she embarks on a reckless quest for the truth. The only logical solution? Disguise herself as a no-nonsense old maid and do a little sleuthing.
Except… there’s one tiny problem. Before she can even begin, she crosses paths with the man of business, Gabriel Stone—maddeningly handsome, dangerously charming, and entirely too mysterious for his own good.

Friend or foe? She hasn’t the faintest clue.

👀 Unfortunately, the spinster who notices everything… has just been noticed by Gabriel Stone himself. Between dodging unwanted suitors, managing an estate she no longer owns, and keeping her younger sister from running off with the first charming rogue with a well-tied cravat, Grace barely has time for murder. But when danger comes knocking, time is running out.
Will she unravel the mystery before she’s the next to disappear?

Or will she lose her home—and her heart—to the one man she cannot trust?

My Review:

I really enjoyed this Regency cozy mystery. This checked all the boxes for me. Not only did it have villains and plot twists, but it also had clean romance and humor. I loved all of the characters, beginning with Grace and her sister, to Gabriel Stone, to the endearing staff at the Skye ancestral home. The red herrings were placed at just the right points in the story and kept me interested in seeing if I was right about who was the nefarious villain. I especially liked the exciting conclusion of the case and recommend reading this book. I hope there will be more books to follow by the author.

Mild swear words, kidnapping

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

Thursday, March 20, 2025

Watch Your Back

About the Book

Book: Watch Your Back (Crossroads Suspense Book Three. It can be read as a standalone).

Author: Kristen Hogrefe Parnell

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Release date: March 5, 2025

You can’t watch your own back.

Private Investigator Avery Reynolds leads the charge to expose Tampa’s supposedly “extinct” mob. The crime boss responsible for her foster brother’s death is within her grasp—until she hits a wall in the form of Ethan Bridger, a Coast Guard veteran who unknowingly derails her sting operation. When the elusive “Big Eddie” comes out of hiding, he targets their mutual friends about to tie the knot.

Avery sets aside her angst toward Ethan to focus on ending the crime boss’s reign of terror. But working together exposes her trust issues and his PTSD stemming from a comrade’s tragedy. When Avery goes solo into a prisoner exchange operation, she discovers her vulnerability too late—and must lean on Ethan and the God she thought had abandoned her. But will that help reach her in time?

My Review:

Avery Reynolds is out to bring down the crime boss, Big Eddie. But every time she gets close, something happens to prevent her from doing so. One of those things being Ethan Bridger. He mistakenly rescued her during one of her sting operations. This was an awkward situation and one that I bet both hoped to never see one another again. But, little did they realize how important that meeting would be in their relationships, both professionally and personally.

I always enjoy a story where the villain is brought to justice and the crime organization is affected. With Avery and Ethan and their colleagues, Big Eddie didn’t stand a chance of succeeding. There was plenty of action and a nail-biting scene that I really enjoyed. This is a Christian book, and the faith of the characters is throughout the story. This is the third book in the Crossroads Suspense series, but it can be read as a standalone. I hadn’t read the other books and didn’t think it affected the plot in any way.

* kidnapping, human trafficking (no details), murder

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

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Kristen Hogrefe Parnell writes suspenseful fiction from a faith perspective. Her books have won the Selah Award and the Grace Award, among others. She lives in the Tampa, Florida area with her husband and son.

More from Kristen

Finding God in Our Fears and Failures

Whenever I write a heroine’s character, I generally see a small piece of myself in her. Although I relate to some characters more than others, I can usually spot some shared quality that helps me empathize with her early on in my writing.

Writing private investigator Avery Reynolds in Watch Your Back was different. I liked her, despite all her sharp edges, but I didn’t see myself in her at first. As time went on, I found our shared similarity: a fear of failure.

While our situations are wildly different, this fear is not. She fears failing to take down Tampa’s elusive mob boss and letting down the few people close to her that she cares about. The stakes are so high at the end of the story that failure is worse than death to her.

While I was writing her story, I was raising a one-year-old, working online, trying to keep up with my home, and barely holding my head above water. Fears of missing my deadline—or worse, fears of letting down my family—ate away at my confidence. I couldn’t do it all. I wasn’t cut out for it.

That revelation was in fact the most freeing discovery I could make. I couldn’t do it all on my own, because I was never meant to. God provided a supportive husband, grace for each day, and the inspiration I needed to finish this story. Most importantly, He provided His never-failing presence. “For not, for I am with you,” the prophet Isaiah writes (Isaiah 41:10a NKJV). Ultimately, the reason we should not fear is Immanuel, “God with us.” (See Matthew 1:23.) He will never leave or forsake His children (Hebrews 13:5).

I don’t want to give away any spoilers in Avery’s story, but I will say she has her own moment of self-revelation as well. But will she recognize God’s hand reaching out to her in time?

When was the last time you found yourself in a situation you couldn’t handle on your own? How did God show up in your story?