A K-9 Mountain Promise by Helena Smrcek

A K-9 Mountain Promise by Helena Smrcek
4 stars

This was one of my more favorite love inspired romance reads I have read! This one is centered around Abby, who is divorced with her 6 year old daughter, Charlotte. They go to their family cabin in Colorado to heal after all the things they have been through. Veterinarian Noah Ross broke Abby's teenage heart years ago....she doesn't want anything to do with him but he is in danger of getting evicted from his condo because of his two dogs. Abby allows him and his dogs to spend some time on their property, especially after Charlotte gets really attached to them....Something happens and Noah ends up helping Abby and Charlotte more often, with the past coming to the forefront.

I just really enjoyed the sweetness of this story. A single Mom and a little girl always pulls at my heart strings. Plus, I love dogs in books, especially the Love Inspired reads. Noah was a standout guy who would do anything to help and when they finally work through the things that happened years ago, it was great to finally see him and Abby move on.

Overall, quick, cute read that I recommend, especially for my love inspired fans. Thank you to the author for sending me a paperback of her book to review, I also purchased my own e-book copy. All thoughts are my own. 

*No audiobook as of the writing of this review to link.

Amazon: https://link.amazon/B0c0RpES9
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All The Stars by Mandi Blake

 

All The Stars by Mandi Blake
Unfailing Love Book 5

3 Stars

Leah's husband left her to raise their daughter alone and she's trying to get back on her feet. She goes to the hardware store and ends up having a "meet-cute" with the handsome owner, Brian. They keep meeting and he becomes interested in her. However, she has such significant stranger danger because of the trauma of her ex-husband leaving and his deceitfulness. She doesn't want to let anyone in but Brian has never met a stranger, so they are complete opposites in that regard. Leah works through her hesitations and a romance comes together.

I liked this one, just not a favorite. This series has been quick, Christian romance reads that I have enjoyed but just not the same as the newer books Mandi has written. Most of her new releases are 4 and 5 stars for me so as I read her backlist, I get to see where she started to where she is now, which is great. 

Leah was a character I just didn't end up loving. She had too much stranger danger in my opinion that didn't match up with the trauma she went through but I did love Brian and his relationship with her daughter, very sweet.

Overall, glad to read another in this series and looking forward to finishing it.

Romance was clean with kisses only.

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Beautiful Storm by Mandi Blake

 Beautiful Storm by Mandi Blake
3 Stars 
Book #4 in The Unfailing Love Series

This was a sweet Christian romance and another enjoyable installment in this series. I've been reading through Mandi's backlist with my friend Melissa, and it's been fun to see where her writing journey began. Having read more than 20 of Mandi's books, I appreciate the chance to go back and experience some of her earlier work. While this one wasn't a new favorite, I still found it to be a good read.

Tori's seemingly perfect life falls apart when her doctor husband leaves her for another woman. As she tries to rebuild her future, she receives an unexpected surprise in her divorce settlement.....a cabin in Georgia. When she travels there to sort out her new circumstances, she meets Marcus. Marcus is raising his younger sister and three brothers while dealing with the challenges of a mother who continues to make destructive choices. The connection between Marcus and Tori is immediate, and their relationship develops with a strong love-at-first-sight feel.

I enjoyed the story overall, but it didn't stand out to me as much as some of Mandi's more recent releases. That's a difficult comparison to make since this was part of her first series and she has grown so much as an author over the years. Her new books are almost always 5 star favorites for me. She's really perfected her timelines and being able to make it a very natural progression of what happens in the stories. This was still a charming Christian romance with likable characters and a heartwarming message. I'm not usually a fan of insta-love romances like this with the more cheesy bits, but this one ended up being a solid read rather than a standout favorite for me.

Looking forward to book 5!

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To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer

To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer 

5 Stars

I am having the BEST time going through Karen's backlist books y'all! THEY ARE SO GOOD. This is what Christian Fiction should be to me! 

I read this book with my friend Melissa and we both loved it so much! This book is a story of second chances, redemption, keeping promises made to the Lord even when it's hard....so many good things here.

Levi was THE BEST guy and his redemption story was so strong. He has a tough background where he paid for his crimes and committed his life to the Lord going forward. He is in town and starting fresh as the town's new blacksmith. He also has a lisp and has for as long as he could maintained not saying words with the "s" sound as he is embarrassed by this. As a Mom to a little guy with speech issues, this tugged at my heart strings so much. Karen is so talented to be able to maintain using words without the "s" sound in his dialogue too. Eden is the librarian in town and while she doesn't really seem like the nicest woman in the world at first, the Lord opens her heart throughout the story and I loved seeing her faith journey unfold here. Levi and Eden together were the best, and seeing how they each cared about every single person no matter their background and stood for the people they believed in, was so good. Despite Eden's original feelings and judgements, the Lord really did a work in her heart about people. 

The book has depth, natural chemistry with the characters, memorable moments and a faith message that stands out.

I honestly don't even know what else to say. This may be my favorite of Karen's, but of course, they all are!! 

p.s. The Sherriff in this book can kick rocks LOL

p.p.s. EPILOUGE took me out. I was sobbingggg! So good.

Content/Trigger Warnings: Alcohol, Saloons, Brothel, Gambling, Romance was kisses only and clean, no language

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Conspiracy by Colleen Coble

Conspiracy by Colleen Coble 
4 Stars
Book #3 in the Sanctuary Series

A good ending to this series! I love these audiobooks. We pick back up with Blake and Paradise in book #3 of this series and you're pulled right back into the wildlife sanctuary and traumas of the past with our characters. Paradise is a wildlife veterinarian and just when she thinks she can move on with her partner Blake in a romantic relationship, all of the past threats re-emerge that have been following them throughout the series. Everyone is searching for who killed Paradise's parents and Drew's father. As you usually see in romantic suspense, lots of secrets, fast paced action and not knowing who to trust. 

The narrator does such a great job with the emotions as you listen, I always love Karen Peakes' narrations with Colleen's books. Very bingeable series. I also liked the tie in with the Tupelo grove series with Hez and Savannah, I finished that series this year too!

Content/Trigger Warnings: Mention of past sexual assault, past parental death, past trauma processing as a child, intense situations with wild animals, death mentioned, not extremely detailed by any means for me, loss of loved ones mentioned

Thank you to Thomas Nelson for a complimentary gifted copy of the ebook and audiobook to read and listen to for review. All thoughts are my own.

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The Lumberjack from the Cabin Next Door by Emily Hampton

The Lumberjack from the Cabin Next Door by Emily Hampton
4 Stars 

This was really precious! A sweet Christian Rom-Com with nice faith moments and plenty of laughs!

Kate goes back to Maple Bay after her Aunt June's estate needs to be settled. What she finds instead is a bucket list to complete from her Aunt after her passing...to be able to get the cabin she left her. The bucket list takes her out of her comfort zone and into experiences she needed to heal and live life. The "lumberjack next door" Eli walks through the bucket list items with her....bringing friendship, romance and faith.

Overall, I enjoyed my time with this book. Reading with a friend certain adds to the enjoyment :) but the faith and forgiveness thread in the book stood out. 

I highlighted many quotes on grief and faith and really connected with the main couple here. 

Seeing Kate work through her issues with her Mom really had me wishing that could be something my own mother and I experience one day. It was an ideal situation for forgiveness and moving on, even if it doesn't always happen in real life.

While it didn't really hit a 5 star fav for me, I still recommend it for a good Christian rom-com read when you want to genuine emotional connections, unexpected moments over pancakes and sweet faith content in a romance.

Aunt June's bucket list is a great reminder that the best adventures are the ones we never plan.

Fav Quotes:

"June told me once that forgiveness never stars with can. It starts with can't. You tell God you can't do it, and He doesn't argue. He helps."

"You learned that rest isn't failure and love isn't a performance and God's quiet is not His absence."

"Grief teaches us that life is fragile. But love - real love - reminds us that life is not pointless. Eternal life doesn't just mean heaven someday. It means hope now. A reason to breathe today. A God who stays."

"Forgiveness isn't weakness; it's muscle. It's choosing - every time the old pain knocks - to stop the echo and start the healing. It's hard, it costs you, and it's always worth it because it gives you back your future."

"Tell the truth to God out loud. He can carry it. He has been carrying you."

"God's love isn't disproved by what he takes away - it's proven by how He stays. She showed me that life's purpose isn't in building something impressive here, but in loving so deeply that eternity feels like going home."

"You don't have to figure God out before you let Him love you."

"But listen to me: sometimes the healing we need looks nothing like we planned. Even when it feels broken, God is still working. Especially then."

Content/Trigger Warnings: grief from loss of loved one, strained mother/daughter relationship, healing, no language, clean romance

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Mail-Order Viscountess by Misty M. Beller

Mail-Order Viscountess by Misty M. Beller 

Book #3 in the Lord of the Rockies Series
4 Stars

I have enjoyed this series from Misty, it's one of those that I know is always going to have a sweet romance thread, good faith themes and good family dynamics.

In this one, we follow Lord Thomas Balfour and Kate McKinney. He is the younger brother who is pretty reckless. His brothers find him a wife without his knowledge and they take him to meet her but as things would have it...things change and Kate is the one involved in this marriage scheme. Kate and Thomas end up in a blizzard situation, stranded over night. They are seen and her reputation will be ruined if they do not marry. Little do they know the danger that is to come their way.

I really liked the snowed in aspect, their conversations, the high stakes bits, faith moments, etc. I think if you want something quick to read with the below tropes, check this out. I recommend reading the series in order just so you are familiar with all the family and characters.

Tropes:

- Mail-Order Bridge
- Marriage of Convenience

- Snowed In/Forced Proximity

- Fish out of Water

- High Stakes Moments

- Rocky Mountain Wilderness

- Family Saga

- Frontier Time Period

*Content/Trigger Warnings: I don't remember anything major that stands out, mild violence from high stakes danger, clean romance, no language.

Thank you to Misty for a copy of this e-book to honestly read for review. All thoughts are my own.

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A Brewed Awakening by Pepper Basham

 A Brewed Awakening by Pepper Basham 

5 Stars

Clean, funny and full of charm! No surprise for Pepper's books :) A British pub owner + small-town cafe girl = a grumpy-sunshine romance with emotional depth! I loved this one!

What I loved:

✨So many funny southern references - set in North Carolina

✨The BANTER

✨Coffee, Tea and Sweets

✨Disability Rep

✨Single Dad Trope

✨No Third Act Breakup

✨Rivals to Lovers 

✨ALL THE FOOD

✨Found Family

✨Community Helping Each Other

✨Sweet & Funny Granny D

✨ALL THE LAUGHS

As always, a fun time with Pepper's rom-com books. Lots of laughs, yet emotional depth all included in one. I love the single Dad trope and Finn and his daughter Lucy were the sweetest. Finn was just a great guy too, once he opened up. I loved their rivals dynamic. Also really enjoyed Daphne's personality and love for Jane Austen, tea, books, etc. 

Lucy's speech disability represented was done beautifully, especially from my own son's speech issues, I appreciate this being included.  

What can I say? I just felt like this was exactly the book I needed during a hard season! 

The small town, community coming together in the unexpected hardship in the end was also beautiful. Pepper's inspiration from real life events that happened in her town came across and you could feel the emotion from those scenes. She reminded people that even in the hardest seasons, there is hope in God, in community, in family, in life.

About the Book:
Daphne is the owner of an English tearoom in the North Carolina mountains, whose carefully ordered life is disrupted when Finn, a messy and unconventional English restaurant owner, moves in next door. They are forced to work together to cater a British-themed wedding, leading to plenty of sparks, humor, and growing attraction. As Daphne helps Finn and his young daughter settle into the community, both begin to heal from past losses and disappointments.

Thank you to the publisher for a gifted e-book and audiobook to review. I purchased a copy of the physical book. All thoughts are my own.

Content Details: Natural disaster and loss from the disaster, Mentions of divorce and loss of parent/grandparent, grief explained, romance was clean, kisses only, no language 

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Act Of Valor by Dana Mentink

   

    

Act of Valor by Dana Mentink 

4 Stars 

I really enjoyed this love inspired romantic suspense! Any book with a beagle is going to be a win in my book! Action packed, good characters I connected with, a sweet romance, tender faith moments, friends to more, a great dog, what more can I say? 

I usually like the love inspired books with dogs, they always seem to be the best. The rest of the series is on my radar for sure. 

The dog moments were fun, especially the hilarious scene when Eddie was tearing apart her couch! We have always had beagles in our family so I am biased. :)

I also love when the love inspired reads have friends to more trope because I always connect to the characters so much easier. :) Loved Zach and Violet's connection.

Thank you to Harlequin for a gifted copy of the audiobook to listen to for review. All thoughts are my own.

About the Book:

Airline employee Violet Griffin encounters suspicious passengers and is pushed into the crosshairs of a drug smuggling operation. NYPD officer Zach Jameson and his drug detection beagle, Eddie, work to keep Violet safe and catch the bad guys. Zach refuses to lose his friend...and the woman he is falling for...especially after the loss of his brother.

Content/Trigger Warnings: Death of loved one, grief, action scenes with guns and mild violence, mention of sibling death

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Mountain Fugitive by Lynette Eason

 

Mountain Fugitive by Lynette Eason

3 Stars

This is a solid Christian romantic suspense read with plenty of action and danger throughout the story. The premise immediately grabbed my attention, and I liked how quickly the plot got moving. Dr. Katherine Gilroy is out horseback riding and stumbles into a deadly shoot-out and she helps US marshal Dominic O'Ryan. She is determined to find her brother who they think murdered his partner. Is all that it seems?

The suspense side of the story was definitely the strongest aspect for me. There were several twists, plenty of tense moments, and enough mystery to keep me interested in finding out what was really going on with Katherine's brother and the shooting that set everything in motion. If you like fast-paced Love Inspired Suspense books, you will likely enjoy the nonstop action as you usually see.

While I liked both Katherine and Dominic as characters, I never fully connected with them on a deeper level. Their relationship developed well enough for the story, but I found myself more invested in the suspense plot than in the romance. 

That said, this was still an enjoyable read. The pacing was strong, the mystery kept me engaged and there were enough to hold my interest. I also appreciated the clean romance and the faith elements, which felt natural to the story.

Overall, this is a good read that I think many Christian Love Inspired romantic suspense fans will enjoy, even if it wasn't a standout favorite for me personally.

Thank you to the Harlequin Audio for a copy of the audiobook to listen to for review. The narrator was good. All thoughts are my own.

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Anchoring You by Robin Patchen

 

    

Anchoring You by Robin Patchen 
5 Stars

Book #9 in The Wright Heroes of Maine Series but can be read as a Standalone

OK. I AM IMPRESSED. New to me author and now I need to read this entire series y'all!! I was SO INVESTED.

A girl over a yacht in the Caribbean. Modern day pirates raiding the boat. Drugs on board she didn't know about. The DEA informant that saves her life. Both going on the run, in hiding, pretending to be in a relationship for safety. Beautiful faith moments. LET'S GO! 

That's all we need to know, right! 

I grabbed a copy of this book from NetGalley to read when I had some extra time. I decided to pick it up the week after release and read it in ONE DAY. I was IMMEDITALEY hooked with the action packed scenes and connection to our couple, Jasper (Jaz) and Kenzie. 

I loved Robin's writing, it was exactly what I look for in a good Christian romantic suspense. If I am honest, I have struggled finding a new favorite romantic suspense book lately and THIS WAS IT! 

I LOVED the faith discussions, as Jaz had ran away from the Lord due to his past and feeling unworthy. He knew the truth deep down, but felt like God wouldn't love him because of his mistakes. Yet Kenzie shows him the true love of the Lord and how God is big enough for all of our mess, no matter what it is. Amen.

While this was technically book #9 in this series, I don't feel like I was spoiled or missed anything for other books. Regardless, I plan to go back and read the series because I loved it so much.

Content/Trigger Warning: Murder, Modern-Day Pirates, Drugs, Cartel, Action Packed Suspense, Attempted Sexual Assault

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Silent Menace by Angela Carlisle

 

Silent Menace by Angela Carlisle

Book 3 in The Secrets of Kincaid Series

3.5 to 4 Stars

Angela's series has certainly kept my interest through the end! Hailey was a strong and relatable character as she tries to rebuilt her life and protect her daughter after the fallout from her late husband's crimes. Peter was a protective hero, former bodyguard, who tries to keep her safe.

Hailey is a CPA and her daughter is hearing-impaired, so we saw ASL rep in this story and I loved that represented. She finds anomalies in the accounts for a major client. 

Threats to Hailey increase and Peter and Hailey work together to stay safe and expose a complex cover-up before she becomes the next victim.

High suspense, lots of threats and mystery of who was targeting Hailey. Lighter romance and faith bits.

While this can technically be read as a standalone, I definitely recommend reading the earlier books first to fully appreciate the character connections and backstories. 

If you enjoy Christian romantic suspense with protective heroes, small-town settings, faith themes, and edge-of-your-seat action, this series is one I would recommend. Books 1 & 2 are my favorites of the series as I connected to those characters a bit more and liked the storylines more, but glad to have finished the series. I think I wanted more romance and connection with Hailey and Peter personally, but enjoyed it.

I did pre-order a copy but had a e-book copy from NetGalley. Thank you to the publisher for the NetGalley copy. All thoughts are my own.

Trigger/Content Warnings: No spice or language. Past death of spouse, PTSD, some violence and injuries.

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Miss Beth Bettencourt by Eva Marie Everson

Miss Beth Bettencourt by Eva Marie Everson

4.5 Stars 

This was my first book by the author and I was impressed! What a tender, character-driven Southern historical romance that slowly unfolded in the best way. Set in the 1960s in Georgia, the book leans heavily into grief, forgiveness, faith and learning to let others in. 

The depth Eva brought to the table for Beth was so good. Beth was so interesting to me, this book was like a character study on her to me. She was almost 30 years old, unmarried and carrying years of betrayal and hurt from her twin sister's betrayal when she ran off with her fiancé many years ago and then the grief from her passing away added a layer of complexity to the book of everything she had to process through.

The book opens up with David "Marty" Martin accidentally found asleep in her house, but it was all a misunderstanding. He mistakenly picked the house as his old army buddy's house so the charges are dropped. Under the circumstances....Beth offers him a job and a place to stay. 

Marty brought a lot to the book as his relationship with Beth developed naturally through conversations and patience with each other and I loved that. He is a Christian and southern gentleman. You can see how his faith really brings a lot to the story in his prayers. He tries to help Beth process through old feelings, grief and hardship and her old fiancé comes back to town trying to talk to her and give her back the ring that should have been hers...

Forgiveness is a major theme in this as Beth wrestles with this bitterness she has carried for years. 

I overall really enjoyed Beth and Marty - both of their stories were so well weaved together, and seeing the reveals in the end - WOW, unexpected!

Molly was also a really great addition as a sassy southern character I loved.

I liked the faith aspect added in with Marty, but would have liked to see a bit more with Beth's journey in her faith specifically. 

Looking forward to more by Eva! Thank you to the author and publisher for a complimentary copy of the book to honestly read for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Content/Trigger Warnings: Death of sibling past recounted, grief from that loss, fiancé running off with sibling storyline, sadness surrounding that situation, a few colloquial southern uses of the Lord's name, a couple of references to old superstitions/wives tales involving a moonstone, romance was kisses only. The book lightly acknowledges racism and discrimination but not a main point.

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Living Hope by Mandi Blake

 

Living Hope by Mandi Blake 
Book #3 in the Unfailing Love Series
3.5 to 4 Stars
Rounding up to 4 Stars on Goodreads

This was an emotional read that explores grief, healing and the power of hope in the Lord during life's hardest seasons. Mandi pulled you in from the beginning on this with Natalie being held by gunpoint at work and Jake saving the day...

Natalie is exhausted, lonely and determined to care for her sick mother. You feel the weight she is carrying from the beginning and it makes her struggles real. Watching her navigate the overwhelming grief after her mother's death added an emotional depth to the book.

I enjoyed this one. I really liked how Jake showed up for Natalie and walked with her through the grief she was dealing with. 

This one is one I think will be most memorable out of the series so far because of the depth Mandi added and I really see her progression in her writing journey throughout this series.

Good faith, going to church, seeing the Lord give peace, sweet romance, a good Christian romance!

Content/Trigger Warnings: Death of a parent shown from cancer, grief explored

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A Tailor Made Bride by Karen Witemeyer

A Tailor Made Bride by Karen Witemeyer
5 Stars

I loved this one! I am really enjoying going through Karen's backlist books. Jericho "J.T." Tucker wants nothing to do with the new dressmaker in town because of his past experiences....issues with his mother and his viewpoint on fashion and beauty have left him with false expectation and impressions about Hannah Richards when she comes to town.

Hannah isn't too sure about his arrogant assumptions and grumpy self....but his little acts of kindness start to open her heart and his as he realizes how wrong he was about her, fashion, dressmaking and beauty. 

I loved the faith content the most in this book. J.T. really had a warped way of thinking when it came to beauty and fashion. His sister and Hannah pointing him back to scripture for him to really seek what the Lord said about the Proverbs woman was so good. I know several reviews mention not loving J.T.'s grumpiness, rudeness and inability to really express his feelings, but honestly, he reminded me a bit of my own husband and his grumpiness when we first met and his struggles to really express his own feelings today. It was a real look at men and Hannah really "seeing his heart" even when he couldn't say how he was feeling exactly was beautiful. 

Great romance, characters and another win for me with Karen!

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Never Say Goodbye by Mandi Blake

Never Say Goodbye by Mandi Blake

Book 2 in the Unfailing Love Series
3 Stars

This was a second chance romance between Lindsey and Dakota. Let me start by saying I have LOVEEDDDD all of the Mandi Blake books I have read - over 20 books now. While this one wasn't 100% my fav, it was still a cute romance read with a redemption thread.

Dakota had a past with alcohol that rears its ugly head and he worked through that in this book. Lindsey and Dakota reconnect on their issues and resolve old wounds. The ending was really good with the added suspense piece, as always I was like whatttt I need to know haha.

Second chance is always a trope that is tricky for me personally as it is. With this one I was looking for a bit more detail between the two as they reconnected, felt like some parts were missing in a way. Either way, I am looking forward to continuing the series and seeing what's next. 

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The Novel Adventures of Natalie Daughtry by Susan L. Tuttle

 The Novel Adventures of Natalie Daughtry by Susan L. Tuttle

Book 2 in the Treasures of Halstead Manor Series

4 Stars

Another good book in this series! We met Natalie in book 1 of the series - such a great friend group that forms between her, Brooke and Eveleigh. In this one, we follow our group of people again, as they continue the journey with Casper in trying to find something needed....but we are mostly with Natalie and her husband Mason. They are having marriage issues and when his job plans don't work out as he thought, he goes on the adventure with Natalie and the crew to find this missing manuscript by Lewis Carroll for Casper...we are back for another mystery adventure of treasure hunting and Mason and Natalie work out their issues along the way.

Overall a good continuation in the series. Really liked the depth added with the married couple trying to work through their issues and communicating. 

If you like treasure hunting, good characters, great friendship groups, a bit of mystery and romance, read this series! I recommend starting with book 1. 

Content/Trigger Warnings: This review from Sam had a really good detail of the content so instead of re-inventing the wheel, I am sharing her notes for you all. I will link her review also.

Character deals with fears of marriage ending. Mentions of desiring romantic intimacy within marriage; somewhat detailed kiss leading to implied intimacy (closed door/fade-to-black/no explicit details). Character discusses adoption/fears of abandonment. Minor action scene; brief mentions of past murder (no graphic details). Scenes of elderly character with failing health due to cancer. Here is Sam's review, thank you for this!

 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8434458541 

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Amazon: https://amzn.to/3OleI79

Baker Book House: https://amzn.to/3OleI79
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Of Flaw and Scorn by Vera Bell

ARC Review - Releases April 28th
Of Flaw and Scorn by Vera Bell 
Book 1 in the Gracefire Series
4 Stars

What a gritty Christian Fiction read! I ended up really enjoying this one. 

Read if you love:

- Gritty Christian Fiction (see below for what that means)

- Vikings Romance

- Enemies to Lovers

- Slow Burn

- Redemption in Christ Story
- Forbidden Love

Set in 795 A.D. off the Irish Coast, we follow a Christian slave, Brigit, and a Viking, Raidar (Ray-dar). We see Brigit and Raidar met when they were young teens and he takes Brigit captive. We see Raidar extend mercy upon her and it becomes his great flaw. We see the brutal death of her family as the Vikings killed Christians (historically accurate) and 7 years later we see Brigit who is married to someone (taken captive) that she doesn't want to be married to. The Vikings essentially come in, take her captive themselves and kill her husband. The journey that Raidar and Brigit take next will keep you itching to know more, for sure!

So I love Ireland and Viking style books - there is something about the history behind the reality of what happened and the strength of those times and people that intrigues me. It also gives a fantastical element without being true fantasy. While I do not know a lot of the pronunciations or Norse mythology tied to the Vikings history and culture, this book did have a pronunciation guide and a glossary of Irish and Norse terms in the front of the book, which was helpful. 

I really commend Vera for what she did here. She used to write books with spicy scenes and has since unpublished them in her move toward what the Lord has called her to do in her writing. I think this book will be great for readers who like the tougher themes, topics and even those who are transitioning away from spicy books to Christian fiction and want something that is not cheesy, but something that is realistic and raw, with that angsty romantic tension they may have seen in other books but without the explicit scenes.

Be aware though - this was a realistic view of history regarding the execution of Christians by the Vikings. If you have ever seen even a snippet of the Vikings TV show, you will know what I am referring to. Vera didn't get too gory by any means with the descriptions but some of them were more on the brutal side, which I appreciate her not shying away from the reality of the Vikings and that history. Check the content/trigger warnings for more details below.

The faith content was very strong. Brigit is a strong believer in Christ and even through all of the traumatic things she went through...she kept the faith. Yes, there were doubts along the way, as with any person in those situations, but her overall strength in Christ was beautiful to see. She was a positive influence on Raidar. The high stakes situations caused Raidar to move towards a faith in Christ, and we see his full redemption arc on display.

Overall, what I can say is I appreciate this book. It's different, especially for Christian Fiction, but it's real. I will list the content details so you can make your own informed decisions, but I think Vera handled it well in general, especially for her first Christian Fiction read since unpublishing her old works. You can see she is in somewhat of a transition period with the romance bits occasionally being lusty at times but I also feel like that is what is realistic for the time of the Vikings people and their culture, so that's not necessarily a criticism more than anything its an observation.

I am definitely interested in reading book 2, I need to know Astrid's redemption story!

Thank you to Vera for sending me a complimentary e-book ARC to read for review. All thoughts are my own.

Content/Trigger Warnings + What is Gritty CF:

Content/Trigger Warnings: sexual assault/violence referenced, slavery, mentions of concubines, no language outside of the use of wh*re or h*ll from the Viking people in conversations, killings of Christians and others, battles, mentions of death/blood, mentions of sleeping around, romance is more on the yearning/lusty side at times - more than I usually prefer, but its also situationally accurate for the Viking people, closed door marriage consummation scene- not explicit but fades to black as the door is closed essentially as you know what will happen next after marriage, but I appreciated how this handled biblical view of marriage by the redemption piece.

Q: What is Gritty Christian Fiction? 
A: Gritty Christian fiction is a branch of Christian storytelling that leans into the hard, messy, and often painful realities of life while still anchoring the narrative in a biblical worldview and redemptive hope. The “gritty” label doesn’t mean graphic or boundary‑pushing for shock value; instead, it means the story is willing to portray darkness honestly so that grace can shine more clearly. Think Francine Rivers style.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4tOZwhB
Vera's Website and About her writing journey: https://www.verabellauthor.com/about

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