A marvelously crafted story... A Beautiful Disguise by Roseanna M. White (Review) #abeautifuldisguise #romancebooks #histfic #newbooks #booktwitter #BHPFiction @RoseannaMWhite @bethany_house @austenprose

Welcome to my tour stop with Austenprose for this new

historical romantic mystery! Read my review below...

A Beautiful Disguise

(The Impostors #1)

By Roseanna M. White

Historical Romance, Detective Mystery, Inspirational Fiction

Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook & eBook, 368 Pages

August 22, 2023 by Bethany House Publishers

Summary

In Edwardian London, not all that glitters is gold as a lady and an intelligence officer's secret mission take them from the city's dazzling ballrooms to its covert intelligence offices.

Sir Merritt Livingstone has spent a decade serving the monarch in the field, but when pneumonia lands him behind a desk in the War Office Intelligence Division just as they're creating a new secret intelligence branch, he's intent on showing his worth. He suspects an aristocrat of leaking information to Germany as tensions mount between the two countries, but he needs someone to help him prove it, so he turns to The Imposters, Ltd. No one knows who they are, but their results are beyond compare.

Left with an estate on the brink of bankruptcy after their father's death, Lady Marigold Fairfax and her brother open a private investigation firm for the elite to spy on the elite. Dubbed The Imposters, Ltd., their anonymous group soon becomes the go-to for the crème of society who want answers delivered surreptitiously. But the many secrets Marigold learns about her peers pale in comparison to her shock when she and her brother are hired to investigate her best friend's father as a potential traitor.

Lady Marigold is determined to discover the truth for her friend's sake, and she's more determined still to keep her heart from getting involved with this enigmatic new client . . . who can't possibly be as noble as he seems.

Praise for the Book

"White's well-woven plot is engaging from start to finish with delightful threads of mystery, romance, and inspiration." —Carrie Turansky, award-winning author

“A Beautiful Disguise has all of the hallmarks of this beloved author’s resplendent fiction: pitch-perfect historical research, a thrilling setting and perfectly paced plot and a love story that sparks as wonderfully as Lady Marigold’s effervescent intelligence and charm. A sheer and unputdownable delight by a true master.” —Rachel McMillan, author of The Mozart Code

“5 STARS - Espionage, intrigue, and secrets abound in this beautifully crafted historical fiction set in pre-WWI Edwardian England (1909). Roseanna M White’s gift of weaving intricate, engaging plots and creating charming, lovable characters shines so clearly in this book that kicks off her new series Imposters.”— Mindy Houng, Interviews & Reviews.com

(Affiliate links included.)

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My Review

A BEAUTIFUL DISGUISE is a story about a man trying to appease his suspicions and the girl who he hires to help him find the truth. What ensues is an inspirational story set in Edwardian England full of espionage, mystery, acrobatics and romance. Highly recommended!

I think this might have one of the most interesting openings to a story I've read. It set up the Imposters as a group and the start of this series really well. It also gives an intriguing first impression of the heroine, Lady Marigold. I wanted to know so much more about her from that opening scene. She's a unique and complex character and I loved the depth she has. Sir Merritt leads the focal point of the mystery in this story when he's introduced. I like how he's a solid gentleman, smart and very capable. The mix of these two was quite enjoyable mixed with all the espionage and danger. The acrobatic and circus elements were very unique. I don't think I've ever found a group like this in any other book. I loved the setting and everything worked for me, something that can be pretty difficult to find. The romance was sweet and I loved how it slowly built. And, of course, there was a climatic ending with some suspense and danger.

In the end, was it what I wished for? This story was a superb mix of all the things I love. Full of intrigue, romance, great characters and light inspiration. A marvelously crafted story!

Content: Clean

Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Austenprose PR, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.

About the Author

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award-winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. She pens her novels beneath her Betsy Ross flag, with her Jane Austen action figure watching over her. When not writing fiction, she's homeschooling her two children, editing and designing, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of numerous novels, ranging from biblical fiction to American-set romances to Edwardian British series. Roseanna lives with her family in West Virginia.

Website | Instagram | Facebook | X (formerly known as Twitter) | BookBub | Goodreads

Are you a fan of this author? Does this sound like a book you'd enjoy?

I Can't Wait for... The Fragile Threads of Power by V.E. Schwab (Can't-Wait Wednesday) #CWW #WOW #booktwitter #newbooks #fantasy

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted here to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. Find out more here.

My apologies! This was all ready to go and I somehow forgot to hit published and didn't catch it until just now.

I've become a fan of V.E./Victoria Schwab although I have a lot more of her books to read. Her newest, which has special editions at Target and Barnes & Noble that include different things, is my pick this week...

The Fragile Threads of Power

(Threads of Power #1)

By V.E. Schwab

Fantasy, Historical Fantasy

Hardcover, Audiobook & eBook, 656 Pages

September 26, 2023 by Tor Books

Summary

V. E. Schwab, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, opens another door to a new fantasy series set in the dazzling world of Shades of Magic.

Prepare for tangled schemes and perilous adventures with friends old and new in The Fragile Threads of Power.

Once, there were four worlds, nestled like pages in a book, each pulsing with fantastical power and connected by a single city: London. Until the magic grew too fast and forced the worlds to seal the doors between them in a desperate gamble to protect their own. The few magicians who could still open the doors grew more rare as time passed and now, only three Antari are known in recent memory―Kell Maresh of Red London, Delilah Bard of Grey London, and Holland Vosijk, of White London.

But barely a glimpse of them have been seen in the last seven years―and a new Antari named Kosika has appeared in White London, taking the throne in Holland's absence. The young queen is willing to feed her city with blood, including her own―but her growing religious fervor has the potential to drown it instead.

And back in Red London, King Rhy Maresh is threatened by a rising rebellion, one determined to correct the balance of power by razing the throne entirely.

These two royals from very different empires now face very similar struggles: how to keep their crowns―and their own heads.

Amidst this tapestry of old friends and new enemies, a girl with an unusual magical ability comes into possession of a device that could change the fate of all four worlds.

Her name is Tes, and she's the only one who can bring them together―or unravel it all.

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Will you be reading this one?

A fun inspirational RomCom... Hero Debut by Angela Ruth Strong (Review & #Giveaway) #romcom #booktwitter #newbooks #romancebooks #inspirationalromance @justreadtours

Welcome to my tour stop with JustRead Publicity Tours!

Read my review and enter the giveaway below...

Hero Debut
(Love Off Script #2)
Angela Ruth Strong
Christian Contemporary Romance
August 29, 2023 by Kregel

Summary

"Another sparkling feel-good romance, brimming with perfect doses of heart and heat!"-- Bethany Turner, award-winning author of The Do-Over 

Gemma Bennett is the leading lady of her own life, and her true love is writing screenplays. With her trusty pink notebook in hand, she signs up for the Citizen's Safety Academy to research her newest blockbuster hope, a rom-com with a police officer as the hero. And the fact that the handsome and heroic Lieutenant Karson Zellner is the one leading the training? Well, who can blame her for wanting to spend evenings with the man she swooned over months ago when he responded to a call at her apartment? 

Karson already has his fair share of problems before Gemma shows up, and he's not exactly a fan of the ditzy blonde who can't seem to stay out of trouble. The last thing he needs is a damsel in distress to rescue; there are plenty of people in real need of his help. The fact that she seems to think his job makes him a superhero is just one more strike against her. This isn't a movie, and he feels like the furthest thing from a leading man. 

Gemma can't seem to stop doing the worst, most embarrassing things at just the wrong time. And as time goes on, Gemma begins to realize that the scripts for a perfect screenplay and a real-life happily-ever-after are two very different things. Can she step out of her own way to find the hero her story needs?

(Affiliate links included.)

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My Review

HERO DEBUT is a fun inspirational romantic comedy about a girl with dreams and the cop she has a crush on. It's about baggage, vulnerability and being willing to change so that you can be open to love. It's about family, both found and blood. It's about self development. All of that wrapped up in delightful situations and great characters with plenty of humor and chemistry. Definitely a book to grab if you enjoy romcoms. 

This is the second time I've read this author's work. It's also the second in the series, but you don't need to read the first book at all to understand and enjoy this one. At first I wasn't sure about Gemma. She's pretty flighty and she lets her sister run over her and criticize her all the time. That ties into who she is though and her past baggage. Karson I liked right away. He's got a pretty crusty exterior, but also a sense of humor and he's an overall great guy. They both have issues they have to work through and so there's quite a bit of character development. I didn't like how Gemma handles some things, but it all works out. The ending drags a bit, but then when it finally arrives it's fun and a good fit for the story. I'm not a big fan on really long speeches, which is there, but otherwise it's a pretty perfect ending. Full of laughs and some swooning.

In the end, was it what I wished for? This was a really fun read! The inspirational elements weren't too strong and worked for this story. The characters were likable with good character development. There were all the feels with a sweet ending.

Content: Clean

Source: I received a complimentary copy through JustRead Publicity Tours, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Other Books in the Series

Linked to my review.

About the Author

Angela Ruth Strong is an expert on Write That Book, blogs on inspyromance.com and How to Write a Novel, and is the founder of IDAhope Writers. She is the author of the Resort to Love series and the CafFUNated mysteries. Angela lives in Meridian, Idaho

Connect with Angela by visiting angelaruthstrong.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour-Wide Giveaway

(1) winner will receive signed copies of Husband Auditions & Hero Debut and some book-themed items that play a role in the plots of each book!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight August 28, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 4, 2023. 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 HERE

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

Does this sound like a book you'd enjoy?

I Can't Wait for... Find Him Where You Left Him Dead by Kristen Simmons (Can't-Wait Wednesday) #CWW #WOW #findhimwhereyoulefthimdead #booktwitter #newbooks #yabooks #yalit #horror @torteen

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted here to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. Find out more here.

I read the debut from this author over ten years ago and have read most of her books since. Her newest takes a slightly new direction into horror. I don't read a whole lot of horror, but this one sounds like it'll be quite creative and I love the Japanese influence. It's my pick this week...

Find Him Where You Left Him Dead

By Kristen Simmons

YA Horror, Dark Fantasy

Hardcover, Audiobook & eBook, 272 Pages

September 26, 2023 by Tor Teen

Summary

AT DAWN HE’LL BE GONE AND YOU’LL BE HERE FOREVER.

Kristen Simmons's masterful breakout horror novel that's "Jumanji but Japanese-inspired" (Kendare Blake) about estranged friends playing a deadly game in a nightmarish folkloric underworld.

“Twists, turns, and genuine palpable emotion.” ―David Levithan • “Haunting and unforgettable.” ―Melissa de la Cruz • “A nightmare I didn’t want to end.” ―Terry J. Benton-Walker • “Absorbing.” ―C. L. Herman • “Bone-chilling.” ―Lauren Shippen • “Heart-pounding.” ―Margaret Rogerson • “Twisted.” ―Lish McBride • “Won't let me sleep!” ―Chelsea Mueller • "Full of surprises." ―C. J. Redwine • “Intense.” ―Kendare Blake

Four years ago, five kids started a game. Not all of them survived.

Now, at the end of their senior year of high school, the survivors―Owen, Madeline, Emerson, and Dax―have reunited for one strange and terrible reason: they’ve been summoned by the ghost of Ian, the friend they left for dead.

Together they return to the place where their friendship ended with one goal: find Ian and bring him home. So they restart the deadly game they never finished―an innocent card-matching challenge called Meido. A game without instructions.

As soon as they begin, they're dragged out of their reality and into an eerie hellscape of Japanese underworlds, more horrifying than even the darkest folktales that Owen's grandmother told him. There, they meet Shinigami, an old wise woman who explains the rules:

They have one night to complete seven challenges or they'll all be stuck in this world forever.

Once inseparable, the survivors now can’t stand each other, but the challenges demand they work together, think quickly, and make sacrifices―blood, clothes, secrets, memories, and worse.

And once again, not everyone will make it out alive.

(Affiliate links included.)

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Will you be reading this one?

I Can't Wait for... The Brothers Hawthorne by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (Can't-Wait Wednesday) #CWW #WOW #booktwitter #newbooks #yalit #yabooks #newbooks #mustread @TheNovl

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted here to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. Find out more here.

I very much enjoyed The Inheritance Games with all its twists and turns. This series feels very Agatha Christie (think Knives Out). There's a family with four brothers and an outsider (a girl who inherits the family fortune) thrown into the middle who you get to know and follow. This fourth installment is sure to be plenty of fun! It's my pick this week...

The Brothers Hawthorne

(The Inheritance Games #4)

By Jennifer Lynn Barnes

YA Suspense, Mystery

Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook & ebook, 480 Pages

August 29, 2023 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Summary

Four brothers. Two missions. One explosive read. Jennifer Lynn Barnes returns to the world of her #1 bestselling, TikTok sensation Inheritance Games trilogy, and the stakes have never been higher.

Grayson Hawthorne was raised as the heir apparent to his billionaire grandfather, taught from the cradle to put family first. Now the great Tobias Hawthorne is dead and his family disinherited, but some lessons linger. When Grayson’s half-sisters find themselves in trouble, he swoops in to do what he does best: take care of the problem—efficiently, effectively, mercilessly. And without getting bogged down in emotional entanglements.

Jameson Hawthorne is a risk-taker, a sensation-seeker, a player of games. When his mysterious father appears and asks for a favor, Jameson can’t resist the challenge. Now he must infiltrate London’s most exclusive underground gambling club, which caters to the rich, the powerful, and the aristocratic, and win an impossible game of greatest stakes. Luckily, Jameson Hawthorne lives for impossible.

Drawn into twisted games on opposite sides of the globe, Grayson and Jameson—with the help of their brothers and the girl who inherited their grandfather’s fortune—must dig deep to decide who they want to be and what each of them will sacrifice to win.

While you wait for The Brothers Hawthorne to come out, try Jennifer Lynn Barnes’s thrilling mystery series, The Naturals.

(Affiliate links included.)

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Will you be reading this one?

A western with romance, danger and heart... The Laws of Attraction by Mary Connealy (Review & #Giveaway) #booktwitter #christfic #histfic #romancebooks #cleanromance #christianromance #BHPFiction @celebrate_lit @bethany_house

Welcome to my tour stop with Celebrate Lit!

Read my review and enter the giveaway below...

The Laws of Attraction

(Wyoming Sunrise #2)

By Mary Connealy

Christian Historical Romance, Western

Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook & eBook, 304 Pages

June 20, 2023 by Bethany House Publishers

Summary

Can they risk giving in to the attraction between them while their lives are on the line?

If widowed seamstress Nell Armstrong has to make one more pair of boring chaps for the cowboys in her tiny Wyoming town, she might just quit the business altogether! So meeting Brand Nolte, a widower struggling to raise three girls on his own, seems like her dream come true. Brand has no idea how to dress the girls properly, and Nell finally has a chance to create beautiful outfits while also teaching the girls to sew.

But Nell is much more than a seamstress, and the investigative skills and knowledge she picked up alongside her late lawman husband soon become critical when a wounded stagecoach-robbery survivor is brought to town. As danger closes in from all sides, Nell and Brand must discover who has a target trained on them before it’s too late.

(Affiliate links included.)

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My Review

THE LAWS OF ATTRACTION is about the danger a gang of outlaws brings to a small town and its people, in this story specifically a widow seamstress and a widower with three girls. It's about unexpected love and found family. It's about women's' rights, the struggle to have their voices heard, and take roles in the community against tradition and some men set in their ways and thinking. It's about faith and romance amidst hardship and danger. An overall sweet story full of heart.

I enjoyed getting to know the characters in this town a bit from the first book. I liked Nell with her mix of dainty and gumption then and I love her even more in this story. She steps up so many times and shows her grit and determination as well as her heart when she brings three girls without a mother into her life. Of course their father gets brought in too before he even knows what's happening, which adds a bit of humor and sets things up for possible romance. Brand is as steady as they come with a vulnerability that makes him swoon-worthy as he tries to raise his girls as best he can. He has his own solid determination and the desire to help others. The gang who was introduced in the first book are still causing trouble in this one and Nell and Brand find themselves in the middle of it as the story progresses. It's a good mix of romance, women's fiction, a bit of inspirational elements and an underlying feeling of danger that grows to the climatic end.

In the end, was it what I wished for? I enjoyed reading this. It's sweet with some parts more emotional and climatic than others. It's the loveable characters though, as they try to figure things out and find their own happily ever after with three adorable girls (I actually wouldn't mind a future series focused on them), that make this a great read!

Content: Clean
Source: I received a complimentary copy through Celebrate Lit, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Other Books in the Series

(Linked to my review and an Amazon affiliate link.)

About the Author

Mary Connealy (www.maryconnealy.com) writes “romantic comedies with cowboys” and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She has sold more than 1.5 million books. She is the author of the popular series Brothers in Arms, Brides of Hope Mountain, High Sierra Sweethearts, The Kincaid Brides, Trouble in Texas, Lassoed in Texas, Sophie’s Daughters, and many other books. Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero.

More from the Author

The Laws of Attraction, the idea of it, was what kicked off the whole Wyoming Sunrise series.

A woman justice of the peace.

Wyoming, oddly enough, was the first state in the union to give women the right to vote. And it wasn’t just voting, it was suffrage. That meant so much more than just voting. There were property rights involved, the right to serve on juries, and the right to run for office or be appointed to political offices.

Wyoming was the first state to have a woman justice of the peace. I read about Esther Hobart Morris and thought, hey, my heroine could be the second justice of the peace.

My heroine is a seamstress. Of the three heroines in the Wyoming Sunrise series, Nell, the heroine of book #2, is the one who is not in a traditionally masculine role. In book #1 Mariah is a blacksmith. In book #3 Becky is a lady rancher.

Nell just wants to sew pretty dresses and make beautiful bonnets. She likes to tat her own lace. She likes flowery fabric and lots of ruffles.

And then she moved to Wyoming. Nine thousand total residence and five men for every one woman. And the few women who are there all sew their own dresses.

To add to that, Nell, a widow, didn’t have a happy first marriage. She has no interest in marrying again. Staying single in a state like Wyoming isn’t easy, but she’s managed it. Her first husband was a lawman, and when a band of stagecoach robbers are plaguing the area, Nell finds she’s got skills to investigate these crimes that far exceed the local sheriff.

The sheriff is impressed, and when the town’s justice of the peace resigns, the sheriff appoints Nell.

I just had so much fun with this book. Nell is frustrated because she isn’t getting to make dresses. She does discover a talent for working with leather and making chaps. She hates it, but the orders just keep pouring in and she’s making a tidy living. Not having a lot of fun but definitely prospering.

And then a local homesteader with three half-grown daughters, all of whom desperately need a new dress, runs across Nell, and she wheels and deals him into letting her make them in exchange for his daughters working for her, making chaps.

Nell’s talent for investigating crimes soon puts her in danger. And Brandon Nolte, her best customer, finds himself, Nell, and his girls all surrounded by danger.

The Laws of Attraction—fun, fast-paced, and love is the most fundamental law of all.

Tour Schedule

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 29

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 29

Texas Book-aholic, July 30

For Him and My Family, July 30

Connie’s History Classroom, July 31

Book Looks by Lisa, July 31

lakesidelivingsite, August 1

Lighthouse Academy Blog, August 1 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 2

Mary Hake, August 2

Betti Mace, August 3

Cover Lover Book Review, August 3

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 4

The Book Nook, August 4

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, August 5

She Lives To Read, August 6

Labor Not in Vain, August 6

Daysong Reflections, August 7

Holly’s Book Corner, August 7

Splashes of Joy, August 8

JESUS in the EVERYDAY, August 8

Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 9

Pause for Tales, August 10

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, August 10

Jeanette’s Thoughts, August 11

Wishful Endings, August 11

Tour-Wide Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Mary is giving away a $15 Amazon gift card and a paperback copy of the book!!

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

  

ENTER HERE

Are you a fan of this author or western romances?

Check out the cover for Cyanide and Sensibility by Katie Oliver! (Cover Reveal) #booktwitter #newbooks #cyanideandsensibility #janeaustenteasocietymystery #katieoliver #cozymystery #romcom #austenesque @katieoliver01 @BerkleyPub @penguinrandom @austenprose

Welcome to the Cover Reveal for

Cyanide and Sensibility

by Katie Oliver

Coming December 12, 2023...

(A Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery #3)

Cozy Culinary Mysteries, Armature Sleuths, Austenesque Fiction
Paperbook, Audiobook & eBook, 320 Pages

Summary

Murder is on the menu and Phaedra Brighton is called on to serve up justice in the latest Jane Austen Tea Society Mystery.

While Phaedra Brighton might not have a Mr. Darcy (yet), she's quite content with her loving family and loyal cat. Phaedra's sister Hannah is the Jane to her Elizabeth, and Phaedra is ecstatic that Hannah has decided to move home for her next adventure—opening a business. All of Laurel Springs is out in full force to celebrate the grand unveiling of Hannah's new patisserie, Tout de Sweet, including local celebrity Rachel Brandon. Hannah is a master of her craft, with confections so divine, one bite will make you think you've died and gone to heaven.

Of course, you never want that to happen literally.

When one of Hannah's famous dark chocolate cupcakes sends Rachel's assistant to the hospital with poisoning, Hannah begs for Phaedra's help to save her reputation and budding business. But Phaedra has more questions than answers: Who was the cupcake actually meant for? And how far is the culprit willing to go to take their target off the menu—permanently?

Praise for the Jane Austen Tea Society Mysteries

"A crackling good mystery: like a modern-day Agatha Christie bestowed with a hefty dollop of Jane Austen. It’s deliciously written, emotionally resonant, and delightfully engaging. Katie Oliver’s cinematic eye is spot on!"— Laura Childs, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mystery series

“a wonderfully fun and charming modern-day mystery…and packed with clever character references that Austen fans will find delightful.”— Marilyn Brant, bestselling author of Pride, Prejudice, and the Perfect Match

“With the right balance of humor, charm, and intrigue, this contemporary whodunnit had me swiping, swiping, swiping through my kindle until the satisfying end.”— Christina Boyd, editor of Elizabeth, Obstinate Headstrong Girl

Goodreads | BookBub | Amazon | Bookshop | B&N | Berkley

(Affiliate links included.)

Other Books in the Series

(Lined to Amazon affiliate links.)

About the Author

Katie Oliver is known internationally as a writer of Jane Austen rom-coms with a hint of mystery. In the US and the UK, she is the bestselling author of the Dating Mr. Darcy and Marrying Mr. Darcy series.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

What do you think of the cover? Have you read either of the other books in this series? Are you an Austen fan?

I Can't Wait for... The Queen and the Knave by Sarah M. Eden (Can't-Wait Wednesday) #CWW #WOW #booktwitter #newbooks #mustread #dreadpennysociety #cleanreads #romancebooks #histfic #properromance @ProperRomance @ShadowMountn

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted here to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. Find out more here.

I've thoroughly enjoyed this series with it's creative inclusion of penny stories within the main story (find my reviews for The Lady and the Highwayman, The Gentleman and the Thief, The Merchant and the Rogue). I've read book four and need to post my review. I honestly can't wait to see how everything get resolved in this last book! It's my pick this week...

The Queen and the Knave

(Proper Romance/The Dread Penny Society #5)

By Sarah M. Eden

Historical Romance, Clean & Wholesome Romance, Suspense

Paperback, Audiobook & ebook, 368 Pages

September 6, 2023 by Shadow Mountain

Summary

Romance and mystery come full circle in the fifth and final book of Sarah M. Eden’s best-selling Victorian Proper Romance series.

London, 1866

Móirín Donnelly has spent the last five years working in the shadows for the Dread Penny Society, but spending so much of her life in secret is taking a toll on her soul―and her heart.

When members of the Dread Penny Society begin disappearing, Móirín turns to Detective Constable Fitzgerald Parkington for help. The two have developed a friendly rapport, and Móirín feels like she can trust him, though perhaps not with all of her secrets.

Fitzgerald Parkington has a sixth sense when it comes to hunting down criminals, which is why he’s recently been transferred to the Detective Department at Scotland Yard. But when red tape keeps him from tracking down the criminal mastermind known as “The Tempest,” he must rely on the one woman who has unexpectedly captured his heart―the bold and fiery Irish lass, Móirín Donnelly.

As the Tempest’s deadly reach threatens to overwhelm all of London, Móirín and Fitz are caught in an elaborate game of cat and mouse that leads down back alleys, through dark London buildings, and right to the gates of Kensington Palace. Móirín has one chance to save Fitz and the Dread Penny Society from the Tempest, and she might have to sacrifice her one chance at love to do so.

(Affiliate links included.)

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Will you be reading this one?

Check out a Q&A with the author... Lethal Range by Ryan Steck (Interview) #lethalrange #newbooks #booktwitter #thriller #militarysuspense #militarythriller @Crazy4Fiction @TyndaleHouse

I'm sharing another interview with an author from the publisher

today in celebration of this book's release. Check that out below...

Lethal Range

(Matthew Redd Thrillers #2)

By Ryan Steck

Military Suspense, Thrillers

Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook & eBook, 384 Pages

August 8, 2023 by Tyndale House Publishers

Summary

From the Real Book Spy, Ryan Steck, comes another riveting Matthew Redd thriller.

On an island off the coast of Spain, Matthew Redd and his FBI fly team surveil a luxury villa in hopes of catching a high-value fugitive. But when Redd leads an unauthorized raid on the villa, he discovers they’ve been set up, and he is sent home to face the consequences of defying orders.

Meanwhile, Redd’s wife, Emily, is on a remote stretch of Montana road driving their sick baby to the doctor when she finds her SUV surrounded by a biker gang intent on harassing her. As the bikers pound her fenders and her infant son screams, Emily fights to keep the SUV on the road . . . and then suddenly the bikers back off, leaving her safe but shaken.

Redd returns home, suspended from his team and certain that he is to blame for Emily’s harassment after his run-in with the local biker gang the year before. Fearing that there is more to come, he prepares to defend his family. But Redd soon learns the gang is stronger in numbers than he could’ve imagined, and there is more behind their vendetta than he could’ve guessed. As his son’s condition worsens and his beloved ranch faces financial ruin, he finds himself fighting a war on multiple fronts—one he can’t win on his own.

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Author Interview

How was your approach to writing Lethal Range different from your approach to writing Fields of Fire?

There’s a saying in publishing: “You have your whole life to write your first book, but you only have a year to write your second book.” When I wrote Fields of Fire, I was able to take my time, revise, go back, and tweak things for as long as I needed to. With Lethal Range, I was under deadline for the first time, and that compressed writing timeline was a new experience. Thankfully, I had a couple of years after writing Fields of Fire before I had to start on the second book, so I knew where I wanted to go; it was really just a matter of getting the story out. And in the end, I actually like Lethal Range even better!

Matthew Redd has transitioned from a self-proclaimed loner to a family man, and that causes several conflicts in this book. How has this shift affected Redd?

At the end of Fields of Fire, Redd finds out he’s going to be a father. He swears he will be unlike his biological father, who chose to work for the FBI and “save the world” instead of being a dad. Redd swears he’ll never be like that, but my goal was always to make him stare down the same moral conundrum and see how he’ll handle it. In Lethal Range, he’s tested in new ways because of his commitment to being a father, and it certainly weighs on him.

The first book ended with a shocking revelation about Redd’s father. What do you hope people with estranged family members might glean from Redd’s relationship with his father?

I’m a big believer that blood makes you relatives, but family is a choice. Three of my six children are adopted, and I love them beyond words. So incorporating adoption and themes like that was really important to me. The flip side is Gavin Kline, the man who gave Redd up when he was a child. Where does their relationship stand now? It’s not great, but I do believe people can be redeemed, and it’s important not to write someone off. Redd’s learning how to give Kline a second chance, but it’s not always easy for him.

Matthew and Emily have not been married for long in this story. How is their relationship challenged in this book?

What can we learn from their relationship? I personally find it interesting that so many authors kill off their hero’s love interest. I always wanted to go the other way because, frankly, that’s what I know. I’ve been married fourteen years and know how much I lean on my wife. I wanted that for Redd too, but for him, there’s always the issue of wanting to protect Emily instead of turning to her for help in a dangerous situation. In Lethal Range, she doesn’t always appreciate that and wants to help Redd deal with some of the issues he’s facing. So they’re learning how to work together as a team, facing everything together, but they’re really up against it together in this one.

Your love for Montana seeps out of your Matthew Redd series. Can you explain why Montana is so special to you?

I think for most of us, there’s something so attractive about living off the grid. Or at least the thought of it! Many of us wouldn’t do well without our phones and a high-speed Internet connection, but deep down, we wish we could live that way. So that’s certainly one element, but even more important to choosing Montana for the setting of this series was the sheer vastness of the wilderness. Out there, backup is hours away, sometimes days. You really are on your own, and for someone like Redd, that heightens the tension and suspense, I think, knowing that he can’t just call for help at a moment’s notice. Whatever he’s facing, he’s pretty much facing it alone. It raises the stakes a bit.

What about this story excited you while writing it?

There were a number of scenes that I was excited to write. Without spoiling anything, I really wanted to show Redd as a father for the first time. My real-life best friend, Mikey Derhammer, becomes a central character in this book, and I was really pumped up to capture him on the page and show his friendship with Redd. And then, toward the end of the book, there’s an action sequence that I’d had in my head for years, and it was a blast to finally be able to write it.

The details in this novel make it come alive, even for people who do not have military or ranching experience. What kind of research did you do for this book? Can you explain your process?

My father served in the military, and I have a lot of friends who did too. Many of them are authors themselves, in fact. So I’ve been fortunate to have so many people in my life I can turn to get those details right.

The first Matthew Redd thriller, Fields of Fire, addressed several heavy themes such as redemption, courage, and justice. How do these themes progress in Lethal Range? 

Those same themes come into play here, certainly. I think for Redd, he got his redemption and revenge in Fields of Fire, but this time around, he wants justice. Kline, meanwhile, still seeks that redemption, and while I don’t want to give anything away just yet, that’s a theme that’ll take more than two books to play out.

What questions do you hear most often from fans?

Probably the question I get asked the most from readers is “Who would you want to play Matty Redd if they ever made the books into movies?” Honestly, from day one, I always pictured a slightly younger Jason Momoa as Redd. I see him when I’m writing, and I hear him when I read back Redd’s dialogue, so to me, he would be a perfect choice.

Who is your current favorite author? How has their writing impacted you?

I can’t pick just one. There are just too many that I really love and enjoy. Vince Flynn will always be my favorite author, but C. J. Box is like a 1B for me, and he’s definitely my favorite living author for sure. I devour his books when they come out! I’m also a huge fan of Brad Thor, Mark Greaney, Brad Taylor, Kyle Mills, Daniel Silva, Michael Connelly, and Connor Sullivan. Most of them don’t know it, but they’ve all had an impact on me as a writer in different ways. Most profoundly, though, would be Flynn and Box. I always like to say that Vince Flynn made me fall in love with the thriller genre, and C. J. Box made me want to be an author.

You have read many books as the Real Book Spy. How does your work as a reviewer, editor, and influencer impact your writing?

It actually makes it harder! I’m always so worried I’ll accidentally write something that’s too similar to someone else, and people will think I got the idea from another book or something. So I spend a lot of time trying to come up with stuff that I haven’t read about or seen done. At the same time, I do think I have a pretty good understanding of what makes readers love characters, and my goal is to hopefully make Redd feel real enough that people connect with him that way.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Write. Every. Single. Day. Writing is like working out a muscle: the more you use it, the stronger it gets. Also, people normally say, “Write what you know,” and I think the better line would be “Write what you want to read.” If you’re having fun writing it, I think readers will enjoy reading it.

This book follows Redd after his recent conversion to Christianity. How does his faith impact his character?

You know, it’s such a tough topic to write about, I think. For me, I never set out to write Christian fiction, and that’s not what my books are. But my faith is incredibly important to me, and I wanted to explore that with Redd a little bit. My goal was to present an authentic spiritual journey. We’re not all cookie cutters, and I think it takes longer for some people to find and discover their faith. And for Redd, the challenge is, how does someone hear things like “Thou shall not murder” and then also take on as many enemies and threats as he has to? There’s some internal conflict there, and I’ve had fun playing around with that a bit.

What do you hope someone without faith takes away from this book?

That you can be a big, manly, tough guy and still hold your faith near and dear to your heart.

Between your work on The Real Book Spy and your Matthew Redd books, you are able to engage with both Christian and secular audiences. What advice do you have in demonstrating our faith in a divisive culture?

I’m perfectly comfortable talking about my faith and what it means for me, but I don’t try to push that onto anyone else. Instead, I’d rather my actions speak for themselves. I’m honestly not out to convert anyone else, and in my experience, whether it’s faith or politics, people don’t like things being pushed on them. They want to be entertained, and when it comes to fiction, that’s our goal, right? To entertain readers. And yet my faith is so important to me, just like fatherhood and adoption, etc., that it’s natural to write about it.

About the Author

Ryan Steck is an editor, an author, and the founder and editor in chief of The Real Book Spy. Ryan has been named an “Online Influencer” by Amazon and is a regular columnist at CrimeReads. TheRealBookSpy.com has been endorsed by #1 New York Times bestselling authors Mark Greaney, C. J. Box, Kyle Mills, Daniel Silva, Brad Thor, and many others. Ryan's newest book, Lethal Range, will release on August 8, 2023 from Tyndale Fiction. A resident of Michigan, along with his wife and their six kids, Steck cheers on his beloved Detroit Tigers and Lions during the rare moments when he’s not reading or talking about books on social media. He can be reached via email at ryan@therealbookspy.com.

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Did you read the first book in this series? Do you enjoy military suspense?

Check out a Q&A with the author... The Girl from the Papers by Jennifer L. Wright (Interview) #thegirlfromthepapers #newbooks #booktwitter #histfic #christfic #christianfiction #historicalfiction @Crazy4Fiction @TyndaleHouse

Welcome! I'm sharing an interview with the author from the publisher today. Check that out below...

The Girl from the Papers

By Jennifer L. Wright

Christian Historical Fiction, Suspense

Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook & eBook, 384 Pages

August 8, 2023 by Tyndale House Publishers

Summary

Inspired by one of America’s most notorious couples, Bonnie and Clyde, Jennifer L. Wright delivers a riveting tale set during the public enemy era of the Great Depression.

Beatrice Carraway has dreams. Although she’s aged out of the childhood pageant circuit, she’s intent on carrying her talents all the way to the big screen—if only she can escape the poverty of West Dallas first. But as the Great Depression drags the working class further and further under, Beatrice struggles just to keep herself, her mother, and her younger sister afloat. After a string of failed auditions, she feels defeated.

And then in walks Jack Turner. Though Beatrice is determined to pull herself up by her bootstraps, Jack has decided on a different path out of the gutters. It isn’t long before Beatrice is swept into an exciting and glamorous life of crime beside the man she loves. Keeping one step ahead of the law, she sees her dreams of fame come true when her name and picture are plastered in newspapers across the country. Yet as their infamy grows, the distance between them widens. While Jack begins seeking bigger payouts and publicity, Beatrice starts to long for a safe, quiet life and something deeper to fill the emptiness in her soul. But when the danger of Jack’s schemes ratchets up, Beatrice fears her dreams—and her future—will end up going down in a hail of bullets.

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Author Interview

This is your third historical fiction book! How does this story differ from your other novels?

Both If It Rains and Come Down Somewhere were born out of historical events, the Dust Bowl and the Trinity Test respectively. On the other hand, The Girl from the Papers was inspired by historical figures. Although the time period in which Beatrice and Jack live is a huge part of their story, it is much less of a central focus than my other two novels. Instead, the narrative revolves around the hopes and dreams of the two main characters—and the choices those ambitions lead them to make.

What about this book excited you while writing it?

Like many people, I find the story of Bonnie and Clyde fascinating, but it’s also heartbreaking. As I was reading their history, I saw so many opportunities for their lives to have gone in a different direction, had they only seized the opportunity. It was extremely satisfying as a writer to be able to create a world in which at least a few of those alternate decisions were made. I can’t change the past, but this novel gave me a chance to pretend I could.

This story really touches on the theme of identity. Why was that theme so central to Beatrice’s character?

I think the question of “Who am I?” is universal to all humanity; it crosses all countries, religions, colors, and creeds. Along with that, the question of where we find our identity looms even larger. Does it come from our parents, our birthplace, our economic status, our physical appearance, our job? Every single one of these things has the ability to define us on a basic level, but never at our most authentic. I think Beatrice’s wrestling with this truth will resonate with many readers who have discovered the same thing in their own journeys.

What drew you to the history of Bonnie and Clyde? What research went into this book?

Naturally, I’d heard about Bonnie and Clyde many years ago, but I first dove deeper into their story during my time period research for If It Rains. What was most fascinating to me was that both Bonnie and Clyde, but Clyde in particular, were raised in Christian homes. Both prayed nightly, even during their time on the run. When I decided I wanted to write a story mirroring theirs, I knew this was going to be a central focus. The roots were there, so what made the plant wither? I read everything I could get my hands on that would tell me more about Bonnie and Clyde as people, rather than just their crimes. Go Down Together by Jeff Guinn and My Life with Bonnie and Clyde by Blanche Caldwell Barrow (Clyde’s sister-in-law) both heavily influenced the manuscript.

How does your own faith inform this story?

Like many, I’ve gone through my own struggles with identity, especially when something I thought “defined” me was suddenly no longer a part of my life. And although I’ve never robbed a bank, I certainly have regrets and things I wish I could change about my past. With all of these issues—and many more—it always comes back to Jesus. As my Maker, He is the only one who can ever truly define me. As my Savior, He is the only one who can take away the shame of the past. I don’t believe you can have a story about authentic change without it whispering the name of Jesus on every page.

What do you hope readers take away from Beatrice and Jack’s story?

At the heart of this story is tragedy, not only of its outcome, but of its roots: the lie that any relationship, possession, or status can ever achieve more than the death of a humble carpenter on a cross thousands of years ago. I hope readers take away the knowledge of just how much Jesus loves each and every one of them. It is a love no one can earn, but also one nobody can outsin. If you find yourself walking along a path in which the only view of Jesus is over your shoulder, it’s not too late to turn around. You will find everything you ever needed in His presence.

What is your favorite part about the writing (or publishing) process?

My favorite part of writing is when a tiny little nugget of an idea finally blossoms into a fullblown story. The excitement and anticipation of fleshing out new characters and new settings is an amazing experience. Of course, I love it even more when the story is finished and I finally get to share it with readers. So I guess both the beginning and the end are the best parts; it’s the middle that gets a bit dicey. ;)

What are some little-known facts about you?

I am absolutely obsessed with my three guinea pigs, though if you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, you probably know this already. They are my companions while I write and my first critique group for any new manuscript. The best part is, as long as I continue to feed them lettuce, they never give me any negative feedback.

Do you have any new projects in the works?

I am currently editing a manuscript scheduled for release in early 2025. I can’t say too much other than that it’s a story of revenge set in the Civilian Conservation Corps camps in the mid1930s. I also recently began research for another story idea, so we’ll see what develops along the way. I always say I’m going to rest after each new book, but my brain invariably has other plans.

About the Author

Jennifer L. Wright has been writing since middle school, eventually earning a master’s degree in journalism at Indiana University. However, it took only a few short months of covering the local news for her to realize that writing fiction is much better for the soul and definitely way more fun. A born and bred Hoosier, she was plucked from the Heartland after being swept off her feet by an Air Force pilot and has spent the past decade traveling the world and, every few years, attempting to make old curtains fit in the windows of a new home. She currently resides in New Mexico with her husband, two children, one grumpy old dachshund, and her newest obsession—a guinea pig named Peanut Butter Cup.

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What connected with you in the interview?