Saving the Mountain Man's Legacy by Misty M. Beller

 

Saving the Mountain Man's Legacy by Misty M. Beller 
4 Stars
Book #8 in the Brothers of Sapphire Ranch Series 

Read if you like:
💍Marriage of Convenience
🏔️Rocky Mountain Wilderness Settings
👶❤️ Family Saga Stories
⚡High-Stakes Danger and Suspense
💪 Strong, Protective MMC
💕 Slow-Burn, Sweet Romances
 Faith Elements

I really liked this one! I love a good marriage of convenience story and this one is my favorite of Misty's so far in this series. I really need to go back and read more of this series, because I am so connected to this family!

Saving the Mountain Man's Legacy is the series finale in this series. We follow Jedidiah's daughter, Grace Hampton, who is one her way to town to see her father with the newborn baby someone left on her doorstep to raise as her own. She runs into Sampson Coulter, who is determined to undo his mistake he made that has jeopardized his family. Sampson takes Grace and the newborn baby girl to her father safely, yet her father isn't having it. He says Sampson has ruined her reputation in their travels, even though nothing happened between them. He forces them to marry. We see their bond grow - not just between each other but with the precious baby they are raising. The story continues on here and we root for Sampson in his journey from regret to redemption. 

Misty packs a lot in these stories - the family elements, faith content, rocky mountain settings, romance - you name it, she can keep you invested!

I loved Grace and Sampson together. It was nice to see this slow burn romance between them - even though they were forced to marry, they took their true romance slow. Sampson is an instant protector hero you want to root for - his battle isn't just about his family back home, but the new family in Grace and baby Ruby. 

Grace wasn't afraid to jump right in to help either, which was great to see her bravery right in with everyone else.

Overall, I think a lot of people who read Christian Historical Fiction would like these. These are quick, "bingeable" reads I recommend!

Thanks to Misty Beller for a ARC to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7340668159
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4juyxmN
Misty's Store: https://mistymbeller.com/saving-the-mountain-mans-legacy-2/

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

The Voice We Find by Nicole Deese

Vlog to come out Monday April 28th 7:00 a.m. central

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

The Voice We Find by Nicole Deese

5 STARS 

Wow. Let's just say I have found another favorite book of 2025 and of ALL time. Nicole Deese tells powerful stories. Plain and simple. She is a top favorite of all time and I will forever recommend her books! Let's get into the review:

The Voice We Find is technically book 3 in the Fog Harbor Book Series, but you can read it as a standalone book. They do not connect in the storylines.

Book 1: The Words We Lost
Book 2: The Roads We Follow
Book 3: The Voice We Find

The Voice We Find doesn't just give you a good story....it gives you something much deeper: hope, healing and the beautiful reminder of the Gospel of Jesus. Sophie, August and Gabby's journey spoke right to my heart. There were laughs, tears and so many moments of reflection. Nicole Deese's writing truly breathes LIFE into a story! 

We follow Sophie, August and Gabby. Sophie returns home to California with a failed Broadway career and her cat. She is working at the family winery with her egotistical brother and takes a job as an audiobook narrator with Fog Harbor Books. This is where she works with August. 

August has guardianship of his adopted teenage sister. Their parents passed away in an accident a couple of years ago and his sister Gabby was left with degenerative hearing loss. He feels like he needs to fix this problem, yet Gabby has embraces her new life, learning ASL and forming new friendships. 

Sophie and August develop a relationship along the way as they each process feelings, grief, trauma and allow the Lord to work in ways they least expect. 

I have a full dedicated reading vlog coming for this book on Monday, where you will see the reactions, tears and favorite quotes along the way.

Watching Sophie find her voice again and August rediscover his faith was so great. I loved their relationship and the added layer of Gabby's POV was so important and well needed. It added so much to the story. I learned so much about ASL and the deaf community. I also loved seeing our characters go to church and the community they had together.

This isn't just my favorite book of the year....it's a book I will carry with me for a LONG time. God is in the details and this book shows that. The prodigal son has come on home. Praise God for these moments.

Highly recommend. Thank you to Bethany House for a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7505220730
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/598725
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3REEDoh

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Book Review: Everything's Coming Up Rosie by Courtney Walsh

ARC Review - Releasing June 10, 2025

Everything's Coming Up Rosie by Courtney Walsh
4 Stars

🎭When your Broadway dreams lead you to.....a retirement community? This is a story about losing it all and finding something even better. 💫 

⭐Read This If You Love:⭐

🎭🎶🎬Books about Theatre & Music Production
💕💌🌸Clean Romance
🏡🧓🪴Retirement Community
🤗🏠🍲 Found Family
☀️🍉🕶️A Good Summer Read

Rosie's journey is funny, real and inspiring. We follow a heartwarming and humorous story where she rediscovers her purpose after her dreams have shifted. Rosie has been wanting to be on Broadway and continues to strike out on her big dreams as a working actor. She goes home and is offered a job as the director of a regional theatre production of Cinderella - the catch? The job is in Wisconsin, not New York. She goes to take this job and realizes the job she accepted is actually in a retirement community and the "actors" are actually senior citizens. 

We see Rosie really experience growth here from as what starts as a detour becomes a journey of self-discovery, joy and surprises. She meets Booker, who is a cinnamon roll type guy that helps her work through her feelings. He also was very patient with her, which I appreciated. She struggles with so much that I find relatable and I think others will too. It just took me quite some time to get connected to her personally (a lot of internal dialogue that was hard to digest), so I would say around 40% I was more connected to the story. 

The side Senior characters really made this story too, so iconic! 

Overall, a good book that I think would be a fun, easy recommendation for a contemporary women's fiction with a little romance to read during the summer or on a beach trip! (Romance could have been a bit more developed, but still cute!)

Oh, and READ THE AUTHOR’S NOTE! Loved that.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson for a copy of the audiobook and e-book to honestly listen to and read for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Content: Clean romance, no language, a mention of "oh dear Lord in heaven" in a moment that would be considered shock, parent abandonment mentioned, mentions of death of a loved one, some inuendo jokes but nothing explicit. overall clean contemporary women's fiction.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7507022594
Amazon: https://amzn.to/42vo70c
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/619864

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Book Review: The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House by Joanna Davidson Politano

 

Book Review: The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House by Joanna Davidson Politano 
4.5 Stars 

Wow, I really just need to read all of Joanna's books at this point - this was SO good! 

Read if you enjoy:

🛠️✨Steampunk Elements

🛠️✨Christian Fiction

🛠️✨Gothic Settings

🛠️✨Invention and Mystery

🛠️✨Pirate Elements

🛠️✨Bookish Engineer FMC

🛠️✨Mysterious House

🛠️✨1901 Historical Fiction

🛠️✨Inheritance Plot

🛠️✨Light Romance Thread

🛠️✨Faith Elements

🛠️✨Hidden Family Secrets

🛠️✨Strong Female Protagonist 

This was a very good blend of classic mystery meets whimsical invention! 

We follow Sydney Forrester in 1901 who is a clockmaker that inherits Blakely House, an estate of an estranged uncle she has never met. He left behind lots of inventions and many of his family members and workers on the estate do not want Sydney there. They are all convinced she had something to do with his death, turning this into a mystery of who killed him....Sydney finds an ally in the estate's butler, who is an ex-adventurer from the island. A mysterious man shows up and puts a "cog in the wheel" so to say.....Sydney has to prove so much in these high stakes moments.

I really enjoyed this atmospheric setting! Blakely House becomes its own character - creaky halls, strange contraptions, automatons, inventions, and haunting beauty in its own way. It's very gothic in nature. 

Also loved Sydney, she was a very unique character. She's innovative, inventive, independent, sharp - a real refreshing thing to see. She had a faith thread I think we was really well done too. It was a natural point in the story, she was skeptical and finds the Lord through this journey. 

The mystery was so interesting to me, we really got to follow her throughout the house and island and try to figure out what happened. 

My favorite part is the ending - loved how it was wrapped up and everything was revealed. The only thing keeping it from full 5 stars was some of the steampunk elements were hard for me to understand, as I am not normally a steampunk girly, but I really enjoyed it overall.

Highly recommend!! Thank you to Revell for providing a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7171469609

Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/598759

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4iS27CN

 

Book Review: Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys

 

Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys 

4 Stars (3.5 to 4)

Set in 1950, in the French Quarter of New Orleans, 17 year old Josie Moraine wants to get out of the Big Easy more than anything. She is the daughter of a prostitute, works in a bookshop and has always helped clean/pick up the brothel ran by Willie Woodley. She has a dream to get out of this life and go to college because books and learning new things are important to her. We follow this story of Josie's dreams, heartbreaks, and involvement in a murder mystery.

I really enjoyed this book. My third Ruta book and while it wasn't as impactful as I Must Betray You and Between Shades of Grey, it was still a great story that I think is worth the read. Be aware of the content in this one -- some language, domestic abuse, prostitution details (not explicit but discussed), a brothel as a main location, innuendo (not graphic), a mother who mistreats her daughter, and mild violence. The content did not bother me for the most part personally as it was a realistic viewpoint of Josie's life trying to get out and live a better life -- but I want my followers to be aware of content to make their own decision. There is one part in this that bothered me but it's a spoiler for a character so I don't feel like I can say that in the review. 

I loved Josie's character, she felt like a girl you just ROOTED for in this book and wanted to see her get out of this town and make it to college. It felt like a coming of age story for her throughout the book, even though I wish the ending was a bit more finished. 

It was devastating what Josie went through with her mother and how horrible she treated her. We see a murder mystery with her mother/mother's boyfriend at the forefront as suspects and Josie gets wrapped up in that too, which is heartbreaking. I do think I would have liked a bit more details about why her mother was the way she was, what happened in her life to make her this way.  

The side characters in this book were great too. Charlie, Jesse, Patrick - they were great. Even Willie gave me mixed emotions because you could tell she cared about the people around her, despite the nature of her business, but you also felt she did many things for her own selfish gain so it was a lot of different emotions with her. I think Ruta wanted us to care for Willie in some way because Willie cared for Josie -- even if she didn't want her to flourish away from her in college.

The atmosphere really felt like 1950s New Orleans too, loved how Ruta can draw you in her stories like this. Audiobook is wonderful too. Keeps your interest. 

Overall, fans of general historical fiction who can handle some of the content would enjoy this. Ruta really brings so much to her stories and I am glad I read this one.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4738743217
Amazon: https://amzn.to/42zq5v8

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Book Review: Fearless by Lauren Roberts

Fearless by Lauren Roberts

Book 3 in the Powerless Trilogy

3 Stars

OK, let’s dive into the review! I have sat with this all day and I think I’m going to land on 3 stars for this one. Books 1 and 2 were solid 4 star reads for me, and while my experience reading book 3 felt like a 4-star moment....mainly because I was in that UNWELL STATUS and absolutely NEEDED to know what was happening....it didn’t quite hold up in the end.

You know those "drop everything and read" moments? That was ME! Her writing is great and addictive - but looking at the book itself, it felt a little all over the place.

The last 30% especially got kind of random and, at times, just plain ridiculous. I questioned some events going on that made me like...WAITTTT WHAT? HA! That said, I still had a blast with this series. It is definitely one that will stay close to my heart because I adored Kai and Paedyn so much. Love their romance and banter - it's what has made the trilogy for me honestly.

Kai really shines in some of his chapters here and as always, I loved their interactions and the romance between them.

As for where the plot went with the family dynamics.....NO spoilers.....it definitely took an unexpected turn. One character’s complete shift just didn’t sit right with me. It felt really out of character, random and kind of threw me off. HONESTLY, it also kind of felt like consistency was thrown out the window and she just started freestyling with the plot, lol. Like soooo much happened and I would like waitttt that doesn't feel right to the story. Or we had some plot holes of HEY what about this?! Without resolution.

I also didn't love some of the language throughout, a bit more than previous books. (2 F words I remember, even if one was very situational) and the Bas**** word was used wayyyy too much. Got on my nerves if I am honest.

Other content for consideration:
1 fade to black scene, heavy kisses - honestly the sexual content did not bother me at all, it was whatever. But adding note for readers who are interested. Still closed door on the romance side. The violence was a bit more intense as well, example: burns, blood, stabs etc., It didn't bother me personally BUT I can recognize it will be too much for some. Language - S, D, H, A, BAS, BIT, and 2 F words. Maybe more words I forgot, but that gives you the general consensus.

I liked seeing the ending with the epilogue but there was a second epilogue that confused me so much. It talked about the afterlife and whatnot that I didn't really understand what she was trying to do with that character after the events that occurred.

While I know I talked about mostly what I didn't love in this, I still have enjoyed this series and the experience while reading it with friends and sharing it with you guys too. If you want to read a YA angsty, dramatic fantasy romance series with closed door romance, and are ok with language and some violence, then this is one I would recommend looking into.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7171463596
Amazon Series Link: https://amzn.to/3ROGaYO

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Book Review: Murder in the Appalachians by Susan Furlong

 

Murder in the Appalachians by Susan Furlong - 4 Stars 

This is probably my favorite love inspired romantic suspense book I have read so far! Really enjoyed the setting and fast paced suspense. Just the right pallet cleanse I needed. This was a random NetGalley ARC request and I am glad I requested it! 

We follow Emma Hayes who is seeking answers after her brothers mysterious death - she goes back to get her brother's police notebook but someone was there looking for it themselves....she takes off and ends up off a riverbank. She wakes up to local ER doctor Logan Greer who is trying to help keep her safe and alive. He is helping her figure out what is going on, who is after her and who killed her brother....but everywhere they turn.....a killer could be right on them hiding in the mountains. 

The faith content in this stands out, there's a great moment where Emma cries out to the Lord - really emotional for her and you as the reader. Really liked the backstory too of how Logan was technically connected to her brother and that situation, very interesting. This is one of those feel good, quick romance reads that you just need sometimes. :)

Thank you to the publisher for a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7482389539
Amazon: https://amzn.to/42F1PsJ

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Book Review: Winter's Maiden by Morgan L. Busse

 

Winter's Maiden by Morgan L. Busse 
3.5 Stars 
Book 1 in The Nordic Wars Series

Winter's Maiden is book 1 in The Nordic Wars series and my first Morgan L. Busse book! I read this with some friends, which added to the experience. It's such an atmospheric read - feels like TRUE winter! If you like Viking style stories, Nordic wars, icy survival, warrior heroines and Christian fantasy books - check this series out.

This has 2 POVs - Brighid and Kaeden. It's not a romance really - its a story of growth for our characters. Brighid is a clanless one - who was raised by the woman who helped deliver her. Her father left the day of her birth, leaving her unwanted, and her mother died in childbirth. 

She earns her place among the legendary Nordic warriors. She’s gritty.... determined, and strong on the battlefield. Her journey from outcast to elite fighter is awesome. 

On the other side of the war, Kaeden is a healer. I loved his spiritual depth his character brought to the story. 

When Brighid and Kaeden's paths cross, things shift, to say the LEAST. Their interactions are laced with intensity. You really FEEL the weight of the choices they make.

The worldbuilding is rich and wintry, perfect for fans of Norse-inspired fantasy. I also liked the allegory to God as the "Word" in this story. Really added to the book. 

The book ends where you NEED book 2, and I will definitley pick it up. The only downsides I have to this book is I struggle with fantasy personally (sooo grain of salt here, please), but I had a very hard time with the names, clans etc., and keeping up with the plot and what was going on. That is a personal thing for me.

Regardless, looking forward to book 2 later this year!

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6816930015
Amazon: https://amzn.to/42Hgzaq

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Book Review: Secondary Target by Angela Carlisle

 Secondary Target by Angela Carlisle 
Book 1 in The Secrets of Kincaid Series
4 Stars

Angela Carlisle's debut novel Secondary Target is an intense, fast-paced, Christian romantic suspense that had me hooked from PAGE 1 Y'ALL! Let me tell yalllll, if you like high-stakes drama, second-chance romance and edge of your seat suspense - check this one out!

I loved the suspense and romance in this one personally. Corina has worked to rebuild her life after the traumatic loss of her mother and brother 12 years ago. Strange events start to come up.....her father disappears....and she turns to her ex, Bryce Jessup, an army veteran recently back from the service. The story goes on from here as many secrets unfold from the past and someone eventually comes after Corina and Bryce has to help keep her safe.

If you like Lynette Eason, Dani Pettrey, Lynn H Blackburn etc., check out Angela! Her book was great! I didn't love one item that happened in the end, so that's what made it more 4 star for me then 5, but still a solid read! Audiobook is really well done too. 

Secondary Target - Angela Carlisle:
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6436503265
Amazon: https://amzn.to/42o9FXA
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/553549

Book Review: Reckless by Lauren Roberts

 

Reckless by Lauren Roberts

(Book 2 in the Powerless Series)
4 Stars

This book TOOK. ME. OUT. What can I even say when it's book 2 in this series without spoilers?! All I will say it, I absolutely loved where Lauren took this story. If you thought the stakes were high before.....PREPRARE YOURSELVES! Everything is more intense, dangerous and emotionally charged. Reckless picks up right where Powerless left off, throwing you back into a world of power, betrayal and lots of angst. Pacing is really good in this one with our main characters experiencing one thing after the next. 

The plot thickens.....relationships are complex.......and Lauren Roberts just does a great job evolving her characters - Paedyn in particular. She is strong-willed and resourceful....but we do see ab it more of her vulnerabilities here, making you really empathize with her. 

AND YES. IF YOU ARE HERE FOR THE ROMANCE --- WHICH WE ALL AREEEE -- the CHEMISTRY and TENSION is TOP TIER. 

Fans of the slow burn romanceee will LOVE this.

There is a constant thread of survival in this book and I am here for the finale!!

This series is perfect for fans of enemies to lovers romance, high stakes dystopian style fantasy, sharp heroines, found family and complex alliances. 

FULL Spoiler FREE Vlog to come Monday morning 4/14!

*UPDATE: Forgot to add content warnings: There is language, but no F words or the Lord's name in vain that I noticed. Sexual content is kiss/make outs only, no explicit sexual content. Violence with battles/blood/death mentioned.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6682140381
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ReiMDW

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Book Review: Specters in the Glass House by Jaime Jo Wright

🦋Specters in the Glass House by Jaime Jo Wright🦋
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

5 BIG STARS

I am working my way through Jaime's books in my goal to read her to zero this year and Specters in the Glass House is now my 7th Jaime read -- and a NEW FAVORITE. She once again skillfully weaves two timelines that is bound to keep you engaged and on the edge of your seat! 

🦋Atmospheric Setting
🦋Butterflies
🦋Focus on Mental Health
🦋Gothic Style
🦋Greenhouse
🦋Beautiful Faith Thread
🦋Dual Timeline 1920s and Present Day
🦋Romantic Subplot 
🦋Quick Read

Set in 1921, the historical timeline follows Marian Arnold, an heiress struggling with the weight of her family's brewing empire as Prohibition threatens its future. She is isolated in her Wisconsin estate’s glass butterfly house and she becomes plagued by visions and a series of murders marked by dead butterflies.....a chilling signature of a serial killer. She turns to her childhood friend, Felix. He is a war veteran battling his own ghosts...but he helps Marian in unraveling the darkness that haunts her home.

Then we cut to present day with Remy Shaw, who is investigating Marian's life and the long-unsolved murders tied to her family's estate. She meets Marian's great-great grandson and they discover the truth beneath the glass house. 

I loved this book so much. It's filled with atmospheric suspense, emotional layers and some great faith based reflections all of us can related to. This was  a very immersive reading experience. Both timelines keep you engaged the entire time and she tied this storyline together so well. I always love how Jaime can tell a multi-generational family story as well, with the family looking back at the past and trying to learn their stories, and how it's shaped them today.

Additionally, I appreciate Jaime's discussion on mental health here. I don't want to the specifics as I feel like it is a spoiler for the book, but Jaime sensitively addresses psychological struggles, adding such emotional depth to the story. It was very well done. (scroll to the bottom if need to know trigger)

Overall, another great Jaime Jo read and I highly recommend it!

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6737927863
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/579798
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3FXq38H

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

*trigger for schizophrenia