“Her Pretend Holiday Beau” by Susanne Dietze

About the Book:

Will a fake arrangement prove they’re a perfect match?

Faced with planning the town’s Christmas nativity event, veterinarian Mick Larson turns to his childhood friend for some much-needed help. But florist Sadie Dalton requires something in return: a wedding date. It’s the perfect solution to avoid her now-engaged ex and some well-meaning matchmakers. That is, until a kiss under some mistletoe results in a giant misunderstanding. Now they must pretend to be a real couple through the holidays. But as their friendship slowly blossoms into something more, can they keep up the charade…when they start believing it themselves?

My Review:

I loved this sweet Holiday love inspired story! I have read other books by this author, so I was familiar with some of the characters and Foxtail Farm. Each book can be read as a stand-alone story.

The main characters Sadie and Mick were personable, and I loved reading about their friendship and their willingness to always serve and help each other and the community. Mick, the local vet gets asked to run a live nativity and immediately asks his friend Sadie to help with the planning. Sadie, a local florist is always willing to help a friend but can’t help feeling more than friendship towards Mick.

I loved reading this book! This easy to read, feel good story will definitely put you in the holiday spirit!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions and views expressed are my own.

Purchase your copy here: 

https://amzn.to/4oxCpoX

Posted in Book Reviews | Comments Off on “Her Pretend Holiday Beau” by Susanne Dietze

A Hidden Hope by Suzanne Woods Fisher

About the Book

Book: A Hidden Hope

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

Genre: Amish Fiction

Release Date: October 7, 2025

Supervising two newly minted medical residents might be the toughest challenge Ruth “Dok” Stoltzfus has ever faced. Wren Baker, sharp and ambitious, graduated at the top of medical school with a hidden agenda in tow. Charlie King, at the bottom of the class, is determined to succeed–though Dok isn’t convinced he’s got what it takes. Then there’s traveling nurse Evie Miller, whose quiet love for Charlie doesn’t go unnoticed, especially by Wren.

Boarding at Windmill Farm, the trio struggles to balance modern medicine with plain living. Between medical emergencies, cultural misunderstandings, and brewing romantic tensions, Dok finds herself juggling far more than she bargained for. Soon the stage is set in the small Amish community of Stoney Ridge for plenty of professional and personal complications.

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

I loved this Stoney Ridge story about discovering life purpose and embracing life. Wren, Evie and Charlie arrive as traveling nurses/doctors in training to work with local doctor Dok. All of them have different purposes and agendas with being in Stoney Ridge and Dok struggles with giving up some of her work responsibilities.

I liked that this book touched on the differences of Amish and English medical services and postpartum depression.

This book had returning characters from previous books like the hilarious loud mouth Hank. I loved all the characters and their real life struggles and stories in this clean Christian fiction.

This author is one of my favorite Amish authors! I loved it and can’t wait to read more from Stoney Ridge! These books can be read as stand alone stories.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions and views expressed are my own.

About the Author

Suzanne Woods Fisher is a Christy finalist, a Carol and Selah winner, a two-time ECPA Book of the Year finalist, and Publishers Weekly and ECPA bestselling author of more than forty books. Her genres include contemporary and historical romances and Amish fiction. Suzanne and her husband live in a small town in northern California. Most friends act a little nervous around her because they usually wind up in one of her novels. She has four grown children and enough grandchildren to keep her young.

 

More from Suzanne

The Kitchen Garden by Suzanne Woods Fisher

“Gardening is a way of showing that you believe in tomorrow.” Amish proverb

Whenever I visit my Amish friends, I always make a point of wandering out to their vegetable gardens to see what’s growing. Their gardens, usually not far from the kitchen, are bigger than most people’s backyards. Gardens, for the Amish, are a family affair. Husbands help their wives ready the soil and add the homebrewed fertilizer (ahem, manure), children help their moms plant, weed, and harvest.

Like so many parts of the Plain life, their value of the home garden—for the sake of nutrition, for sustenance, for well-being—is a wonderful example to those of us who weren’t farm-raised. They’ve been living a sustainable life filled with fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables for over four hundred years. The rest of us are just catching on.

One Amish mom told me a story about her daughter, the youngest of seven. “This girl was a born worrier. Whenever she started on her worry loop, I would send her out to weed in the garden. When she came back in, her worries were gone. There’s just something about weeding that helps a soul settle down.”

I could expand that thought a little further. There’s just something about gardening that helps a soul settle down.

So, it’s late on Saturday and I just wrapped up a very long week. I spoke at three book events and finished the first draft (the drafty-draft) of a novel. I can’t stop thinking about the novel. Is it a mess? As tired as I am, tonight I don’t think I’ve got one more word in me—not to speak, not to write. I’m spent! Done. My husband is out for the evening, so I had a few hours alone at home to relax.

What did I do?

I planted in my garden: lettuce and radishes and carrots. As I dug in the spongy soil, I could feel my soul settle. Worry and exhaustion slipped away as I scattered seeds into furrows. Little by little, that wonderful God-given sense of re-creation returned. Tomorrow, I would write again. Time spent in my little garden does that for me. It renews me and gives me a hope for the future.

Or, at the very least, a good salad.

Overnight Blueberry French Toast

On a sunny July morning, we were served this breakfast dish at an Amish friend’s home and my husband couldn’t stop talking about it. You might be shocked at the amount of eggs, but don’t skimp! It’s worth every bite.

12 slices bread cut in 1” cubes

8 oz. cream cheese cut in ¾” cubes

1 ½ cup fresh or frozen blueberries

12 eggs

1/3 cup maple syrup

2 cups milk

Place half the bread cubes in a 9×13 baking dish. Top with cream cheese blueberries and the remaining bread. Beat eggs, syrup and milk and pour evenly over bread.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until well done.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, October 7

The Avid Reader, October 7

Maureen’s Musings, October 8

Life on Chickadee Lane, October 8

Simple Harvest Reads, October 9 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 10

Devoted To Hope, October 10

lakesidelivingsite, October 11

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 12

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 12

Jeanette’s Thoughts, October 13

Mary Hake, October 13

She Lives To Read, October 14

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 15

Empowermoms, October 15

Texas Book-aholic, October 16

Blossom and Blessings, October 16

Vicky Sluiter, October 17

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, October 17

For Him and My Family, October 18

Holly’s Book Corner, October 18

Cover Lover Book Review, October 19

Blogging With Carol, October 20

Southern Gal Loves to Read, October 20

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Suzanne is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a copy of the book!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/3d270/a-hidden-hope-celebration-tour-giveaway

Posted in Book Reviews | Comments Off on A Hidden Hope by Suzanne Woods Fisher

“Escaping the Wilderness” by Carrie Stuart Parks

Escaping the Wilderness JustRead Blog + Review Tour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Escaping the Wilderness by Carrie Stuart Parks, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Escaping the Wilderness

Title: Escaping the Wilderness 
Author:
Carrie Stuart Parks 
Publisher:
Love Inspired Suspense 
Release Date:
September 30, 2025
Genre: Romantic Suspense

On the run through the mountains—
 

with only each other to trust.

Amanda Cotton’s privileged life takes a harrowing turn when her grandfather’s dying wish places a target firmly on her back and she’s attacked by unknown assailants. Rescue comes in the form of widowed outdoorsman Boone McGregor, but the threat is just beginning. Unable to trust local law enforcement, they flee across the rugged Montana mountains. As they evade deadly enemies and navigate harsh terrain, they must put aside their differences to survive. But when a family secret is exposed, danger is closer than they imagined and more than just their lives is at stake…

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Harlequin.com | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop | BookBub

Also Available

 

My Review

Amanda and Boone find themselves running from their unknown attackers in the wild Montana mountains. Boone happens to be at the right place at the right time to help Amanda from a deadly attack. Amanda is trying to piece together what her grandfather and mother were hiding and trying to tell her before their deaths. Amanda and Boone have no idea who to trust, including law enforcement as they run trying to stay alive.

This clean fiction story had alot of suspense and drama that kept my interest on every page. I liked the main characters and fast paced plot. Highly recommend!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions and views expressed are my own.

About the Author

Carrie Stuart Parks

Carrie Stuart Parks is an internationally known forensic artist and law enforcement instructor, working on major criminal cases nationwide. She trains law enforcement professionals such as the FBI, Secret Service, NCIS, Federal Marshals, RCMP, Texas Rangers, and local and regional officers. She was nominated for Law Enforcement Trainer of the Year offered by the Federal Law Enforcement Academy at Glynco, Georgia. Her career highlights also include winning Woman of the Year for the Spirit of the American Woman and the first Educator of the Year by the Lewis Clark Alumni.Her bestselling mystery/suspense novels have won numerous awards including two Christys and four Carols. She was mentored by her friend Frank Peretti for eight years before launching her fiction writing career. Before that, she wrote and illustrated best-selling art books for North Light Publishers. As a professional fine artist, her paintings hang in many corporate and private collections.

Connect with Carrie by visiting stuartparks.com/carrie-stuart-parks-home-page to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.


Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a small, original watercolor by author & professional fine artist Carrie Stuart Parks!

Escaping the Wilderness JustRead blog tour giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 6, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 13, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway


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

JustRead Publicity Tours
Posted in Book Reviews | Comments Off on “Escaping the Wilderness” by Carrie Stuart Parks

Detecting Concealed Evidence by Dana Mentink

About the Book

Book: Detecting Concealed Evidence (Security Hounds Investigations Book 5)

Author: Dana Mentink

Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense

Release Date: August 6, 2025

A panicked call sends detective Chase Wolfe and his search-and-rescue bloodhound, Tank, racing right into the path of his neighbor—who’s just barely escaped an abduction. But Pilar Alonso has no idea who’s after her or why. Now she must rely on Chase to keep her safe while they work together to track down the unknown assailants targeting her. Only, their investigation reveals layers of a much more sinister agenda, and danger is rapidly closing in. Drawn into a web of deceit, can they untangle the mystery…before they’re permanently silenced?

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

 

Click here to get your copy!

MY REVIEW: 

This book immediately starts off with adventure in chapter 1 and continues throughout, as Chase and his Bloodhound dog Tank help Pilar and her dad Ricardo piece together clues about Pilar’s car accident.

Things are not as they seem in this story and there are lots of twists along the way. I liked how Chase and Pilar complimented each other and become better people from working together.

Previous characters and dogs from the other Security Hounds Investigations miniseries are mentioned throughout this book which I really enjoyed. Clean suspense and drama, with a great storyline and characters. I really enjoyed this book!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions and views expressed are my own.

About the Author

Dana Mentink is a USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author as well as a two-time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, and a Holt Medallion winner. She is the author of over fifty titles in the suspense and lighthearted romance genres. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, Revell and Poisoned Pen Press.

 

 

 

More from Dana

Those bloodhounds are galloping on through this Security Hounds series, aren’t they? Here in book #5, we have Chase and the unbelievably chill Tank. They couldn’t be more opposite. Tank is the kind of dog who only leaves his sunny napping spot when there’s an urgent need to do so. Chase is an energetic, unrestrained, human who gets caught up in the life of the reserved Pilar, a cello player who is simply trying to earn a few extra dollars when her delivery van is forced off the road and she’s kidnapped. That’s only the beginning of the adventure. I hope you will enjoy Tank, who falls deeply in love with Pilar’s cello music, and Pilar and Chase, who definitely got off on the wrong foot when they first met. And what is the object the killer is desperate to get his hands on? Hope you enjoy the ride!

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, September 23

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 23

The Avid Reader, September 24

Devoted To Hope, September 24

She Lives To Read, September 25

Blossoms and Blessings, September 25

Betti Mace, September 26

Texas Book-aholic, September 27

Labor Not in Vain , September 27

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 28

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 29

Holly’s Book Corner, September 29

Bizwings Blog, September 30

Life on Chickadee Lane, October 1

Pause for Tales, October 1

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 2

For Him and My Family, October 3

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, October 3

Blogging With Carol, October 4

Simple Harvest Reads, October 5 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Lights in a Dark World, October 5

EmpowerMoms, October 6

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

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

https://sweepwidget.com/c/92607-ugsyewij

Posted in Book Reviews | 3 Comments

Protecting the Texas Witness (Lone Star Defenders Book 3) by Virginia Vaughan

He has a witness to defend… and their future hangs in the balance.

Deputy Drake Shaw rescues single mom Isabelle Morris from an assailant’s attack, only to be mistaken for her late husband. After exposing the corruption at her health-care company, Isabelle fears danger has followed her and her daughter all the way to their remote cabin. Now Drake must keep them safe long enough for Isabelle to testify against her former boss. But when her child is taken, the stakes are raised. Can they survive to unravel the truth about the present…and the past?

MY REVIEW:

Isabelle and her daughter Kelsey travel from Tennessee to Texas to get out of the spotlight of her recent whistle blowing incident on her boss after multiple attempts are made to hurt Kelsey and Isabelle.
While in a small Texas town, they end up meeting local deputy Drake Shaw. Isabelle can’t believe how similar Drake looks and acts like her deceased husband Ray. Is it a case of mistaken identity?
This story has lots of action and twists that kept me engaged chapter after chapter. I loved all the characters and storyline! I also loved the second chance for love element for Drake and Isabelle.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions and views expressed are my own.

PURCHASE YOUR COPY HERE: 

https://amzn.to/3K02nTf

About the Author
Award winning author Virginia Vaughan was born and raised in Mississippi and has never strayed far from those borders. Blessed to come from a large, Southern family, her fondest memories include listening to stories recounted by family and friends around the large dinner table. She was a lover of books even from a young age, devouring gothic romance novels and stories of romance, danger, and love. She soon started writing them herself. Connect with Virginia at virginiavaughanonline.com

Posted in Book Reviews | Comments Off on Protecting the Texas Witness (Lone Star Defenders Book 3) by Virginia Vaughan