Review + Giveaway: Texas Forsaken

1 Comment

Today, Madi’s Musings is participating in the blog tour for Texas Forsaken. Read on to learn more about the author, book, giveaway, and my review. You can find the full tour schedule here.

About the Author

Originally from Tennessee, Sherry Shindelar loves to take her readers into the past. She is an avid student of the Civil War and the Old West, and she is a romantic at heart. When she is not busy writing, she is an English professor working to pass on her love of writing to her students. Sherry is an award-winning writer: 2023 Genesis finalist, Maggie finalist, and Crown finalist. She currently resides in Minnesota with her husband of thirty-eight years. She has three grown children and three grandchildren.

Connect with Sherry at sherryshindelar.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

About the Book

Title: Texas Forsaken
Series: Lone Star Redemption #1
Author: Sherry Shindelar
Publisher: Wild Heart Books
Release Date: May 21, 2024
Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Seven years ago, Maggie Logan (Eyes-Like-Sky) lost everything she knew when a raid on a wagon train tore her from her family. As the memories of her past faded to nothing more than vague shadows, Maggie adapted, marrying a Comanche warrior, having a baby, and rebuilding her life. But in one terrible battle, the U.S. Cavalry destroys that life and she is taken captive again, this time by those who call themselves her people. Forced into a world she wants nothing to do with, Eyes-Like-Sky’s only hope at protecting her child may be an engagement to the man who killed her husband.

Enrolled in West Point to escape his overbearing father, Captain Garret Ramsey finds himself assigned to the Texas frontier, witnessing the brutal Indian War in which both sides commit atrocities. Plagued by guilt for his own role, Garret seeks redemption by taking responsibility for the woman he widowed and her baby. Though he is determined to do whatever it takes to protect them, is he willing to risk everything for a woman whose heart is buried in a grave?

Giveaway

(1) winner will win a $25 Amazon gift card, a signed copy of Texas Forsaken, and a Texas Bluebonnet mug.

ENTER GIVEAWAY

Review

Rating: 4 Stars

Texas Forsaken is a Christian historical romance rich in faith and history.

Shindelar tackles two worlds–Comanche and the wilds of Texas, to create a unique and captivating tale. The character development is well-done and the settings make the reader feel like they are transported there in real life. I appreciated Garrett’s honorable character and Sky’s devotion and loyalty to her child. The tension, which keeps you reading until the end, is well-written.

FAITH ELEMENTS:
Characters pray and thank God, a circuit rider makes an appearance, and characters experience immense spiritual growth. This truly was a beautiful part of the story.

VIOLENCE:
Shindelar does not shy away from the horrors of war, yet does so tastefully. Torture is vaguely described; it is briefly mentioned that women were s3xually assaulted and murdered; raids are mentioned; characters are wounded; a character is injured in the War Between States.

Due to the realistic way this is portrayed–and again, Shindelar does so tastefully–more sensitive readers should keep the amount of violence in mind.

ROMANCE:
Characters kiss and a married couple cuddles in a prison cell.

OTHER CONTENT of NOTE:
It is implied in the past a courting couple gets handsy and that the man regrets it; a woman is unfairly called a whore.

Unfortunately, there is a fade-to-black scene, which I did not know the book contained when I signed up to read it. The female character requests the act in not so many words, and the scene cuts after the male character lowers her to the blanket.

There are five Dear Gods that are impossible to tell if is a Lord’s name in vain or a prayer.

CONCLUSION:
Texas Forsaken blends faith, history, and a unique plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very final page.

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in conjunction with JustReads in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Book Sale, Massive Giveaway Event, and More

Leave a comment

It feels like it’s been a century since I’ve posted something, wherein it’s actually been less than a week. Such is how a deadline scrambles your brain, I suppose.

Speaking of scrambling, I completely forgot to open signups for SR3’s release launch. I’d very much appreciate your help spreading the word about Shattered Resistance’s release on May 28th or any day after that within the week. You can find the form here and learn more about SR3 here.

Read on to learn about an absolutely colossal giveaway, a book sale, and a voting opportunity.

Fairytale Summer

I’m joining forces with more than thirty other authors to bring you an epic event where there are more than ninety–yes, ninety–books up for the win as well as a grand assortment of door prizes (like SR1’s and IRON’s character cards). Be sure you join the Facebook group here so you can enjoy the festivities, which begin June 1st. Many books are open to international winners.

*Please keep in mind that, while this is marketed as a clean fairytale event, there are some books with Level 2 romance (I consider only Level 1 to be clean), and some books contain profanity. The organizer will be providing a list of all books and their romance/profanity levels. There are several that are perfectly clean and that I can wholeheartedly recommend, so be sure to join for a chance to win the numerous clean books. *

JOIN THE CLEAN FAIRYTALES FACEBOOK GROUP

Fairy Tales Galore

There’s a wonderful sale going on right now of over twenty clean fairy tale retellings. This will only last for a few more days, so if you want a chance to stock your ereader on discounted retellings, be sure to go here.

New Series Sneak Peek

I’m just going to ignore the fact that The Shattered Lands and The Redwyn Chronicles are coming to an end next year and instead offer you a chance to choose a sneak peek into the upcoming 2026 series. If you subscribe to my newsletter, you’ll know I sent May’s newsletter a few weeks ago. What you may have missed, because there was a ton going on in that newsletter, is that I am planning to give my newsletter subscribers a special, subscriber-only freebie that is tied to the 2026 series. This freebie will be available to all newsletter subscribers in August or September.

Here’s where you come in. You can vote for which fairy tale retelling you’d like the freebie to be. Scroll through that newsletter until you find the announcement and be sure to fill out that form. I will announce the winning fairy tale in June’s newsletter. There are two that are nearly neck-to-neck, so if there’s a fairy tale you love that you’d like to see be retold as the newsletter magnet, let me know via that form!

How has your May gone? Right now, mine is rainy and windy and did I mention rainy? Good for the grass, not so good for my poor little green bean seedlings that need more sun than they’re getting. What books in the sales event piqued your interest? Are there any authors you hadn’t heard of?

Cover Reveal: Dreams on the Horizon

Leave a comment

Today is the cover reveal for Penny Zeller’s Dreams on the Horizon, the second book in the Horizon series.

About

Can love overcome all obstacles?

Mae Shepherdson’s dream of a school for the deaf has finally come to fruition. All is going well until she receives devastating news: the railroad wants to build a spur through the property where the Horizon School for the Deaf is located. What will become of the children who attend the school and the employees who so tirelessly commit their time and resources? Mae questions why God would allow the closing of a school that has been the lifeline for so many young pupils. And what of her dream that no child should endure being ostracized as she once was?

Landon Bennick is accustomed to obeying his father’s orders. He’s observed and even assisted with the building of many railroad spurs, and the newest in Horizon should be no exception. However, things grow complicated when he begins to fall in love with Mae, a soft-spoken teacher at the Horizon School for the Deaf—the same school blocking the railroad’s progress. Will Landon heed his father’s strict demands or is there another way to build the spur and save the school?

When a nefarious character with vengeful intent threatens Mae, will Landon intervene before it’s too late and save the woman who has claimed his heart?

Return to late 1800s Horizon, Idaho, for this heartwarming and tender romance by the author of the Wyoming Sunrise Series, Hollow Creek Series, Montana Skies Series, and Love Letters from Ellis Creek Series.

Horizon Series:
Over the Horizon
Dreams on the Horizon
Beyond the Horizon (November 5, 2024 and available for preorder)
Love on the Horizon (September 2025 and soon available for preorder)

The Cover

PREORDER

Review: Heart of Integrity

Leave a comment

Not all fault lines are hidden in the earth…

Author: Edwina Kiernan

Series: Hearts of the West, Book Two

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Length: Novella

About

Not all fault lines are hidden in the earth…

Ifor Morgan and his father have traveled far from their home in Wales to settle in the small mining town of Lone Pine, California—driven by a need to escape the shame and sorrow of his brother’s fatal scandal.

Susan Kelly is starting over, too. Miles from her home in Ireland, she’s determined to build a life for herself in Lone Pine that doesn’t involve any of the deception she was caught up in back home.

As Ifor and Susan forge a cautious connection, people from Susan’s past show up in town, entangling her in a fresh web of illegal activity.

And when a devastating earthquake throws the town into a state of upheaval, secrets soon shake those least expecting to uncover them…

Brimming with faith and intrigue, this Christian Western Romance from award-winning author Edwina Kiernan will encourage and delight you long after you turn the last page.

Review

Rating: 5 Stars

Heart of Integrity incorporates an edge-of-your-seat plot, darling characters, and a marvelous faith element.

I adored Ifor and Susan and dear old Opal, who reminded me so much of my great-grandma before the dementia kicked in. In fact, if Opal was real, I think the two of them would be great friends. Ifer was a sweetheart and Susan–you can’t help but root for her. The antagonists were appropriately odious, and one even earned himself the title of Mr. McNasty.

There is a strong redemption theme, with the Gospel message preached clearly and beautifully. You can just feel the author’s heart and passion in these sections. Characters also pray and attend church.

If you like Christian historical fiction with strong faith, great characters, and a plot containing romance and suspense, then I guarantee you will enjoy Heart of Integrity.

Book Review: Dragons of Chiril

Leave a comment

She must free her father and save the world. But she can’t do it alone.

Series: Valley of the Dragons (Book One)

Author: Donita K. Paul

Genre: Christian Fantasy

About

Tipper has been caring for her family’s estate for years now, ever since her father disappeared, making a living by selling off his famous artwork. Then she learns that three statues she sold were carved from an ancient foundation stone, and the fabric of her reality is crumbling.

She must free her father and save the world.
But she can’t do it alone.

Her ragtag band of adventurers includes Beccaroon, a giant parrot; Bealomondore, an aristocratic young artist; a handsome dragonkeeper prince; the Wizard Fenworth; and the tumanhofer librarian, Librettowit. Together they travel through valleys and kingdoms and consort with purveyors of good and agents of evil to find and reunite the missing statues. Will they learn to rely on Wulder’s grace and guidance along the way?

Review

Rating: 5 Stars

The Dragons of Chiril is a sweet, fun story filled with Paul’s trademark humor, faith, and action.

THE CHARACTERS:

Tipper has the propensity to be a bit irritating at times; her ability to whine can grate on the nerves. However, she is also a great character as far as three dimensional and her overall arc. I particularly liked how she gradually warmed to the truth; it wasn’t easy for her to accept Wulder’s existence, and her reactions to the imparted knowledge were well in her character.

Beccaroon was an intriguing character. Rarely are we granted the chance to read from a bird’s perspective, much less a grand parrot’s, and one who has a serious sense of protection, (too much) dignity, and a good dose of pride. I wish we would have seen his choice between believing in Wulder or still considering Him a myth. In that way his character arc wasn’t wrapped up, but he was an endearing character.

Verin and Peg Schope were the sweetest couple. Peg needs a hug and Verin needs a comfy place to rest. It was fun to see how Tipper had adopted some of their attributes.

Bealomodore definitely has potential. This arrogant, self-important artist who just wants his love of art to be accepted quickly endeared himself to me. It probably helps that I know how his story continues in the next book.

Jairus, though I knew where his arc would lead, was too arrogant at first. But that did serve well for how he matured (really matured) through the story. His first profession is one I wouldn’t mind being: a dragon keeper. Imagine the ability to speak with all those adorable dragons.

Wizard Fenworth and Librettowit are, undoubtedly, my favorite characters. Fen’s seemingly nonsensical conversations and conclusions and Wit’s frustration and adamant “you’re going to kill us with these incorrect spells and backward whirls” are hilarious. Fen also needs a hug and Wit needs some tylenol for the headaches Fen’s antics give him.

The antagonists: Paul definitely has the gift of creating nasty characters. I’ll leave it at that. (Although I might steal Queen Venmarie’s candlestick and whop a few nasties over the head. Just saying.)

THE SETTING:

As usual, the settings are superb. A perfect amount of description so the reader can envision themself with the characters.

OVERALL:

The Dragons of Chiril is a delightful tale of adventure, faith, trust, and discovering that God has a purpose for everyone.

Cover Reveal: Shattered Resistance

4 Comments

Today is SR3’s cover reveal! If you’ve read Shattered Reflection and Shattered Resistance, you’ll recognize the names Naturo and Vladic, two of the Night Guard. SR3 is their story. And not only am I officially revealing the ebook and paperback cover, but the hardcover as well.

About

Some secrets are best left hidden…

Librarian Elmery Nemorio has no idea why a group of deranged lunatics want her dead, but she does know she will lose her sanity if she has to spend one more minute with her sarcastic bodyguard, Vladic Cindari. Unfortunately, as danger grows and more attempts on her life are made, she begins to suspect Vladic is the least of her worries. Forced from her home and into a life of peril and secrecy, Elmery doesn’t know what the next days will bring. Joined by the annoying Vladic, she finds herself immersed in a renewed battle not only for her home, but for all the lands. When she uncovers information best left unknown, will it help win the war or bring harm to those she loves?

Shattered Resistance is a New Adult Christian fantasy Little Mermaid retelling, and is the third book in The Shattered Lands series.

*Full blurb coming soon*

INSPIRATION BOARD

ADD TO GOODREADS

SPECIAL PREORDER PRICE

The ARC form is still open until 5/9, so if you’ve read the first two books and would like to learn what happens to Marcus and meet back up with Barrett, Arioch, and Loren–not to mention meet an adorable little fox, a mischievous princess, and enjoy the enemies-to-more between Vladic and Elmery, you can sign up here.

Yes, that’s right. The Shattered Lands are receiving hardcovers, and SR1 and SR2 are available for purchase. The hardcover colors run from blue, to red, to purple, and I can’t wait until all six or seven are revealed by the end of next year.

What do you think of the cover? What about the hardcover? What are your favorite Little Mermaid elements, whether from the original tale or Disney’s animated version?

Five Books to Read in May

4 Comments

Welcome to May’s installment of the Books to Read In series. This month’s theme is mothers, so, in no particular order, here are some books with best fictional mothers.

The Tethered World

by Heather L.L. FitzGerald

“Normal” means different things to different people. For sixteen-year-old Sadie Larcen, family dynamics look a little different than most. Parents with oddball occupations? Normal. Five homeschooled siblings—one with autism? Normal.

Police knocking on the door and parents gone missing? Definitely not normal!

When Sadie uncovers the reasons behind her parents’ disappearance and the truth about her heritage, she despairs of ever feeling normal again. Especially when she learns that her mother’s interest in Bigfoot, Dwarves, and other lore extends beyond her popular blog. Sadie’s family has been entrusted with keeping the secrets of the Tethered World—home to creatures that once roamed the Garden of Eden.

Sadie and her siblings must venture into this land to rescue their parents. Stepping out of reality and into a world she never knew existed is a journey Sadie fears and resents. But she chooses to risk all to save her family.

She’s just not sure she will survive in the process.

READ MY REVIEW

Levi’s Vow

by Penny Zeller

A man running from his past.

A woman facing an uncertain future.

Wrongfully imprisoned for a crime and disowned by his family, Levi Callahan endeavors to put the past behind him. When he travels to the Idaho Territory and secures a job on a small farm, he has no idea he’ll once again be defending the vulnerable.

Norah Hammett knows what it means to suffer loss. After her husband leaves her and their children for a “better” life and her hired hand steals from her, she is left to run the farm alone. When ruthless men attempt to steal Norah’s Idaho farm, can Levi, a man running from his past, help her save it? Or will he prove to be disloyal like the rest of the men in her life?

Will God use desperate circumstances to bring two hurting hearts together?

READ MY REVIEW

DragonQuest

by Donita K. Paul

A New Quest Begins in the sequel to DragonSpell

A dragonkeeper of Paladin, Kale is summoned from the Hall to The Bogs by the Wizard Fenworth to serve as his apprentice and tend his newly hatched meech dragon, Regidor. But Kale isn’t going alone. The Hall is sending a student to monitor her performance and report back to the scholars. Worst of all, it’s Bardon- an older boy Kale finds irritating, but who at least can hold his own in a sword fight.

New Friendships Are Forged

Meanwhile, the Wizard Risto has seized another meech dragon, bringing him dangerously close to gaining the power he seeks. So with only a motley band of companions, Kale sets out on a desperate quest to rescue the second meech, to free those dragons already enslaved, and to thwart Risto’s devious plans. It’s up to Kale to lead the search and to embrace the role that’s rightfully hers. But will her efforts be enough to save the land of Amara from the dark future that awaits at Risto’s hands?

READ MY REVIEW

Claiming Mariah

by Pam Hillman

After her father’s death, Mariah Malone sends a letter that will forever alter the lives of her family. When Slade Donovan, strong willed and eager for vengeance, shows up on her front porch, Mariah is not ready to hear his her father’s farm, the only home she’s ever known, was bought with stolen gold. With Slade ready to collect his father’s rightful claim and force Mariah and her family out on the streets, Mariah must turn to God for guidance. Though Mr. Frederick Cooper, a local landowner, promises to answer her financial woes if she agrees to be his bride, Mariah finds herself drawn instead to the angry young man demanding her home.

With the ranch now under Slade’s careful eye, he unearths more than he ever imagined as a devious plot of thievery, betrayal, and murder threatens the well-being of the ranch, endangering those who hold it dear. As the days dwindle until the rest of the Donovan clan arrives at the Lazy M ranch, Mariah and Slade must rise above the resentment of their fathers and see their true feelings before greed changes their futures forever.

READ MY REVIEW

A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California

by Keli Gwyn

An ever-resourceful widow, Elenora Watkins arrives in El Dorado ready to go into partnership with Miles Rutledge. When he refuses, Elenora becomes the competition across the street. Is this town big enough for the two of them? Miles can’t help but stick his well-polished boot in his mouth whenever he comes face-to-face with Elenora. Can he find a way to win her heart while destroying her business? Miles’s mother, Maude, is bent on Elenora becoming her new daughter-in-law while Elenora’s daughter, Tildy, thinks Miles would make a perfect papa. How far will these meddlers go to unite this enterprising pair? 

READ MY REVIEW

BOOKS TO READ IN:

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

APRIL

Have you read any of these books? What are some of your favorite books featuring good mothers?

Cover Reveals: Heart of Strength + HotW 5-8

Leave a comment

Today I’m excited to not only share a cover reveal for a book new genre I’m stepping into, but also the covers for other books in the multi-author series, Hearts of the West. I’ll show you Heart of Strength first and then the rest of the covers being revealed.

Heart of Strength

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Series: Book Six in the multi-author Hearts of the West

Current Tagline: Danger and romance abound when childhood nemeses Aimee and Wyatt are forced to work together to solve a mystery.

Release Date: 9/17/24

Preorder at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNDZ5WH7

Inspiration Board: https://www.pinterest.com/madisyncarlin/heart-of-strength/

I don’t have a blurb yet, but I will before opening the ARC form. It’s been so much fun planning a historical romance, as this is a genre I’ve wanted to write for a while, but haven’t given a ton of thought to. Aimee and Wyatt’s story comes from an idea I had two years ago. It involves a stagecoach robbery, evil scoundrels, a protective hero, a witty heroine, and banter.

It has also inspired a series of historical fairy tale retellings, and I’m slowly working on the first book in the spinoff series. It’s a Snow White and Rose Red retelling, and I hope to release it next year. You’ll find a snippet of it in the back of Heart of Strength upon release.

HoS’s cover has been in my mind since I had the idea for the story, and it was so much fun finally having an excuse to bring it to fruition. If you read This Tender Heart in Seize the Love, HoS takes place in the same area…with a few fictional liberties, because northeastern Wyoming was not settled until around 1890.

The Series

Check out the covers for books 5-8!

SERIES INFORMATION:

Hearts of the West is a collection of 15 standalone Christian historical romance novellas that can be read in any order. From the mountains of Wyoming to the California desert, and from the plains of Missouri to Montana’s rustic settings, readers will be swept into heartwarming tales filled with faith and romance.

Features authors Penny Zeller, Danielle Grandinetti, Tracey J. Lyons, Rachel Good, Edwina Kiernan, and more.

Don’t miss the special pre-release prices—preorder now!

You can find the series here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CLKXDMNL

COVER INFORMATION:

Cover design by Mountain Peak Edits & Design

BOOKS:

  • Rachel J. Good
  • Heart of Joy
  • Releases: 8/13/24

  • Madisyn Carlin
  • Heart of Strength
  • Releases: 9/17/24

  • Kendall Hoxsey
  • Heart of Redemption
  • Releases: 10/8/24

  • Izzy James
  • Heart of Liberty
  • Releases: 11/12/24

Which cover is your favorite? Of course I am partial to mine, but Izzy’s is one of my favorites in the entire series, and it was so much fun to design.

Review + Giveaway – Earning the Mountain Man’s Trust

7 Comments

Today, Madi’s Musings is participating in the tour for Earning the Mountain Man’s Trust by Misty M. Beller, which is hosted by Celebrate Lit.

Read on to find, in this order, more about:

  • the author
  • from the author
  • the book
  • the giveaway
  • the review
  • the tour

About the Author

Misty M. Beller is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.

Raised on a farm and surrounded by family, Misty developed her love for horses, history, and adventure. These days, her husband and children provide fresh adventure every day, keeping her both grounded and crazy.

Misty’s passion is to create inspiring Christian fiction infused with the grandeur of the mountains, writing historical romance that displays God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.

Sharing her stories with readers is a dream come true for Misty. She writes from her country home in South Carolina and escapes to the mountains any chance she gets.

From the Author

Storytelling vs. Historical Authenticity?

I’ve been a fan of historical fiction for as long as I can remember, all the way back to the Mandie books by Lois Gladys Leppard and the Sadie Rose books by Hilda Stahl. Does anyone remember those series?

When I started thinking about my first novel, there was no doubt it would be a Christian Historical Romance set in the west. By my second book in, I had narrowed my focus to frontier life in the Rockies. My happy place!

It can be challenging to write about a time I haven’t experienced and cultures that don’t exist in the same form anymore. I love reading first-hand accounts to help me bring a particular time period to life. I often visit historic forts and talk with those who have studied the time period and setting in greater depth.

Three years ago, My family and I set out on a 28-day epic road trip to tour many of the state and national parks across the country. We spent about half of our time in Wyoming and Montana, exploring Yellowstone and Glacier, and tour historic and ghost towns. We spent more than one night tent camping in primitive camping!

These experiences definitely make it easy for me to slip into that world as I write. The characters come alive in my mind, and I see the story like a movie in my head. Writing Earning the Mountain Man’s Trust was especially fun to write, as we return to the Coulter Ranch. I fell in love with not just Naomi and Eric, but also sweet little Mary Ellen, their one-year-old daughter who Eric meets for the first time in this book.

I pray the story comes to life for readers as much as it has for me!

Blessings!

Misty

About the Book

Book: Earning the Mountain Man’s Trust

Author: Misty M. Beller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: April 9, 2024

In the wild mountains of the Montana Territory, the Coulter ranch is a place of family, second chances…and a hidden fortune.

Naomi Wyatt has finally given up on the man who once promised to love her for the rest of his life—then disappeared with no way to contact him. She’s now a single mother with a beautiful baby girl to provide for, a daughter whose red hair reminds her daily of the man she gave her heart to. She has to move on though, so when Jonah Coulter asks for her hand in marriage, she knows she would be hard-pressed to find a better husband for herself and father for her sweet daughter. He’s a Coulter, after all, and he’s proven to be a good friend during her darkest hours.

But when her first love rides onto the ranch property saying he’d been searching for her for months, her heart is shredded once again. Before she has time to catch her breath though, a new threat appears on the horizon. This time she has far more at stake than her heart, and only a Divine hand can turn this disaster for their good.

From a USA Today bestselling author comes a mountain family saga filled with a second chance romance, love triangles, hidden treasure, and love that heals wounded hearts.

Click here to get your copy.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Misty is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card.

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

ENTER GIVEAWAY

Review

Earning the Mountain Man’s Trust is the third installment in the Brothers of Sapphire Ranch series.

Romance, faith, and second chances collide in this Christian historical romance, and the reader journeys with two characters struggling to reconcile the past. As always, I appreciated the infusion of faith, which primarily came in the form of prayers. Mary Ellen is a darling, and it was nice connecting with Dinah and Jericho again.

While the romance is clean and wholesome, it is implied a couple engaged in premarital relations, from which a child was conceived. They both recognize their error and are determined to do right by the other. Beller handled this quite tastefully. It is also insinuated a nasty villain took physical advantage of a woman. Again, this is handled tastefully.

The vision-like dream caught me off guard and “hell fire” is used. More sensitive readers should note that characters engage in a fist fight, it is mentioned a character died in an accident (no unnecessary details are given), and a character is shot. Typical western fare, and nothing is gory.

Fans of Misty Beller are sure to enjoy this continuation of the series.

*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Tour Schedule

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions , April 23

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, April 23

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 24

Pause for Tales, April 24

Madi’s Musings, April 25 (You are here)

Alena Mentink, April 25

Devoted To Hope, April 26

Texas Book-aholic, April 26

Lighthouse Academy Blog, April 27 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 27

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 28

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 28

Where Crisis & Christ Collide, April 29

Wishful Endings, April 29

Life on Chickadee Lane, April 30

lakesidelivingsite, April 30

Cover Lover Book Review, April 30

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, May 1 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 1

Books You Can Feel Good About, May 2

For Him and My Family, May 2

Book Looks by Lisa, May 3

Melissa’s Bookshelf, May 3

Betti Mace, May 4

Jeanette’s Thoughts, May 4

The Lofty Pages, May 5

Holly’s Book Corner, May 5

An Author’s Take, May 6

Blossoms and Blessings, May 6

Review: Son of Truth

Leave a comment

Can a killer find forgiveness?

Series: Followers of the Word (Book Two)

Author: Morgan L. Busse

Genre: Christian Fantasy

Length: Novel

Publisher: Marcherlord Press/Enclave Publishing

About

Can a killer find forgiveness?

The war in the north is over, but the war for all the Lands has just begun. As the Shadonae solidify their hold on the city of Thyra, Rowen Mar, the last Eldaran and savior of the White City, awakens to find herself hunted by those she has saved.

Meanwhile, the assassin Caleb Tala finds himself in the presence of the Word. The time of reckoning has come, and he must pay the price for all the lives he has taken. But in his moment of judgment, Caleb is given a second chance to change his life.

These two hold the power to save the Lands from the Shadonae. One must escape slavery, and one must choose to forsake everything before the world is consumed in darkness.

Book two of the Follower of the Word epic fantasy series.

Review

Rating: 4 Stars

Son of Truth is the captivating continuation in the Follower of the Word series.

Plot
Picking up right where Book One left off, the reader is swept into a tale of redemption and danger. The plot isn’t the quickest-paced, nor is it slow. It’s perfect for the overall series and helps the reader really learn more about the characters.

Characters
Nierne is my least favorite character, although she is certainly one the reader feels sympathy for. Lore is great, as always, but I still have a really hard time accepting the age difference between him and Rowan, so I just imagine him to be younger since he’s old enough to almost be her father. Caleb and Rowan are good characters. Caleb has the most growing to do, in my opinion, and he’s coming along nicely. I really appreciate how Busse illustrates that, though we are new creations in Christ, we’re not automatically free from our vices and struggles. It’s a growing process, and one Busse illustrates beautifully.

Faith
Here comes the most important part of any book.

The faith aspect was, as it is with all of Busse’s books, amazing. So raw, so on point, so poignant. Even fantasy books can be solid reminders of what our Lord endured for us and His love for us through His sacrifice on the cross.

It was also really refreshing to read about God’s plan for marriage–a union between one man and one woman–in fantasy.

Content Warning
Characters are injured, kidnapped, sold, and generally put through the wringer. There are heavy allusions to prostitution and rape, although both are handled tactfully and never go into detail. “Sands” and similar expressions are used in lieu of profanity, although there is a time where a character goes, “What the–.” Characters kiss. It is hinted that a character used to participate in activities that should be partaken in by married couples and married couples only.

There are two reasons why I docked a star, because other than what I’m about to mention, it’s a five star book.

One, I felt the whole “being forced to be with a man” (basically sexual slavery) was a little heavy in that it’s not what readers 16 and under should read. It’s tastefully and tactfully done, of course, but I still was taken aback a bit.

Two, there are a few times when I can’t tell if a character is misusing the Word’s name in vain or praying.

Conclusion
If you’re seventeen or older and enjoy Christian fantasy brimming with Biblical truth, then this is the book for you.