Book Recommendation - Spies, Lies & Alibis

 

I've been reading Natalie Walters' books since her debut and have thoroughly enjoyed all of her books. Her sense of humor aligns with my own and her "Sweet and Stabby" brand is on point. Her upcoming novel is the first in a new series and it hits the ground running and is so much fun. Filled with the banter that Walters is known for, along with an intricate "James Bond spy thriller" plot line and wonderful characters that I feel could be my friends in real life, this book had all of the right things going for it! Here's a bit about the novel:

They were each other's first love. Now they might be each other's last hope.

Cybil Langford has spent years hiding behind her polished, professional facade as the executive assistant to a powerful real estate mogul, where she's perfectly positioned to collect intel on her boss's criminal network. But when her mission leads her into the path of Lorenzo Ramirez--a ruthless crime boss with deadly plans--she'll need every ounce of cunning and charm to stay one step ahead.

Then he walks back into her life.

Ben Bradley is deep undercover for the FBI, living under an alias, as a financial advisor with a reputation for helping the wealthy and corrupt launder their money. His target? Lorenzo Ramirez, a dangerous crime boss with his hands in everything from smuggling to murder. But when a familiar face from his past suddenly reappears, things get . . . complicated.

The last time Cybil saw Ben, he was an annoying prankster--and her first crush. The last time Ben saw Cybil, she stole a piece of his heart. Neither expected to run into each other at a high-stakes fundraising gala where crime, corruption, and undercover agendas collide. Now, they're both keeping dangerous secrets--and working dangerously close to blowing each other's cover.

Forced to work together to stop a catastrophic deal that could arm America's enemies, Cybil and Ben must face ruthless criminals, hidden agendas, and the ghosts of their past. Trust is a luxury they can't afford--but love? That just might be their undoing.

The intel is classified. The trust is fragile. And their covers are one lie away from blowing wide open.

This book releases May 19, 2026. Do yourself a favor and check it out! You won't regret it. For more information, check out the following links:

Natalie Walters' website: https://nataliewalterswriter.com/

Natalie Walters' Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100041917969557

My full 5-star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8315235684

Book Recommendation -The Lost Story of Via Belle

 

Melanie Dobson is well known for her stirring dual timeline novels, with wonderful character development, a page-turning mystery, a faith-filled redemptive story line and just a hint of romance. This story was no different and was one of my favorites of hers! Here's a bit about the book:

Searching for a story to adapt for film, an aspiring screenwriter becomes captivated by a bestselling classic novel and the mysterious disappearance of the woman who wrote it.

1940. Via Belle’s sweet romance novels made readers believe in happily ever after. But Via’s reality was much more complicated. While her first husband was alive, her creativity thrived in a beautiful stone estate situated above a pristine lake and moonflower garden. After his tragic death and a whirlwind second marriage shrouded in secrets, Via vanished from public life, leaving behind a shadow of scandal . . . and her final story.

2006. Screenwriter Harper Rayne is desperate for a breakthrough, if only she can find the right story to tell. But when she digs into the life of her late mother’s favorite novelist, she never expects it to become personal. Drawn to the quaint Pennsylvania town where both her mother and Via once lived, Harper discovers more than a mystery to solve—she finds echoes of her own longing for love, healing, and home. As long-buried secrets come to light, Harper must decide if she’ll protect the past or rewrite this particular ending.

Described as a “powerhouse in dual-timeline Christian fiction” (Library Journal), Melanie Dobson delivers another rich, atmospheric novel about the legacy of sacrificial love and the redemptive power of truth.

• Standalone dual-timeline historical mystery filled with drama, faith, and intrigue
• Clean, suspenseful historical fiction, perfect for fans of Susan Meissner, Lisa Wingate, or Patti Callahan Henry
• Includes discussion questions for book groups

This book releases April 14, 2026. Check it out from your favorite place to buy books! For more information, check out the following links:

Melanie Dobson's website: https://melaniedobson.com/

Melantie Dobson's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MelanieDobsonFiction

My full 5-star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8299799339

Book Recommendation - The Bookshop of 99 Doors

 

Jaime Jo Wright holds the market on dual timeline mysteries with a gothic feel and spooky stories with real people facing real issues within. I enjoy how she weaves some deeper issues of the human condition in each of her mysteries and how the answers to those mysteries point the way to God. This most recent story of hers is no different. Though the focus is more on "ghosts" in this book than many others, it is much less intense and therefore doesn't have the same "creepy" feeling to it, so it's one I would recommend new fans start with if they are leery of a Jaime Jo Wright story. Here's a bit about the book:

In 1910, Minnie Tipton finds herself beset by the onslaught of superstitions that envelope the Pennsylvania mansion her father bought. Convinced the house is haunted by the vengeful spirit of a Civil War captain, and worried by her father's rapidly worsening illness, Minnie delves into the home's dark past in an effort to help bring him peace. Yet the lingering impact of the war and the gruesome tale of murder she uncovers only foster more fear and threaten to unravel Minnie's own sanity.

In the present day, Triss Bellamy eagerly steps into the role of bookshop manager in the mansion-turned-museum boasting ninety-nine doors. But Triss's dream job turns into a nightmare when havoc breaks loose with the arrival of her brother's team of self-proclaimed paranormal investigators. Their determination to find a rumored one-hundredth door--a dangerous portal to the madness long said to plague the mansion--results in calamity, leaving Triss no choice but to unravel the truth or watch her brother slip forever beyond her reach.

A shadowy tale of historical hauntings and present-day mysteries masterfully penned by acclaimed thriller author Jaime Jo Wright, who is "in a class by herself" (Library Journal).

This book releases April 7, 2026. Be sure to check it out wherever books are sold! For more information, check out the following links:

Jaime Jo Wright's website: https://www.jaimewrightbooks.com/

Jaime Jo Wright's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/JaimeJoWright

My full 5 star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8271819559

Book Recommendation - The Lumber Baron's Wife

 

Lynn Austin has long been one of my favorite authors. She writes wonderful characters amidst a heartfelt and lovely story in all of her books. She writes in several genres, but my favorites of hers have been her dual timeline novels as hers were the first of that genre I ever read. This one is such a book and currently holds the title of favorite book this year! Here's a bit about the book:

When the young wife of a powerful lumber baron vanishes into the wilds of frontier Michigan, her friend is left to unravel the truth in this captivating dual-timeline novel from bestselling author Lynn Austin.

1873. After a devastating loss, Hannah Wagner never imagined she’d leave her comfortable home for the harsh, unfamiliar wilderness near Lake Michigan. But when Henry Abernathy, a friend of her husband, John, offers them a fresh start in a booming lumber town, where John’s skills as a doctor are sorely needed, Hannah reluctantly agrees. There, she meets Kate Abernathy, Henry’s spirited, much younger wife. Kate’s sharp tongue and outsider status have made her unwelcome among the town’s elite, and when she begins confiding in Hannah, it’s clear her marriage is not what it seems . . . and that a secret from her past could destroy everything.

Present day. Ashley Gilbert never planned to settle in Michigan, but when her husband lands his dream job as a conservationist, she agrees to follow. While restoring their historic home—built in the 19th-century for a doctor and his wife—Ashley becomes captivated by its past and its connection to the nearby Abernathy mansion, now being transformed into a museum. While volunteering with the restoration, she stumbles upon the unsolved mystery of Kate Abernathy’s disappearance. What begins as curiosity soon becomes a quest for the truth—one that will connect her to two women whose stories and struggles echo and inspire her own.

Standalone historical fiction about marriage, grief, and the power of female friendships from the author of All My Secrets and Long Way HomeA richly layered Christian women’s fiction novel with elements of mystery, perfect for fans of Martha Hall Kelly, Kristy Cambron, and Susan Meissner. Includes discussion questions for book clubs

This book releases April 14, 2026. Be sure to check it out! For more information, check out the following links:

Lynn Austin's website: https://lynnaustin.org/

Lynn Austin's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LynnAustinBooks

My full 5-star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7912488316

Book Recommendation - The Royal Artisan

 

Tessa Afshar is one of the foremost voices in Biblical fiction these days and it's no wonder. As a native Persian by birth and having earned a masters of divinity, she has a unique background qualified to share the Bible as no one else. But she also has the gift of creating characters that are relatable in spite of the cultural differences and giving them a voice that is filled with Biblical truth, character growth, a touch of humor, and some romance in the setting of a familiar Bible story that brings that story to life in a greater way. Her current series surrounds the story of Esther and I love how she creates fictional Jews living in Susa and how the events in the book of Esther impacted and shaped them. Here's a bit about her latest story in this series:

Sazana of Persia creates exquisite pottery that graces Susa's finest tables, but her master, Lord Haman, does not know her Sazana is one of the Jews he despises. When Haman discovers her true identity, he forces her into indentured servitude. In an unexpected reversal, at Haman's downfall, Queen Esther becomes the new master of the pottery workshop, restoring Sazana to her rightful place. But her troubles are not over. The loss of their inheritance has enraged Haman's ten sons, so the queen assigns one of her men to the workshop, posing undercover to root out any spies.

Sazana is shocked to discover that the queen's agent is none other than the man who left her heart in ruins years ago. On assignment from the queen, Jadon safeguards the workshop, yet the situation escalates with the need to discover an ancient artifact. Can Jadon and Sazana set aside past heartache and unearth the secrets that will allow them to thwart the impending tragedy threatening their people?
 
Rooted in biblical truths and detailed historical research, Tessa Afshar paints a moving and captivating tale of life, love, and intrigue in Queen Esther's royal court.

This book releases November 4, 2025 wherever books are sold. Be sure to check it out! For more information, check out the following links:

Tessa Afshar's website: https://tessaafshar.com/

Tessa Afshar's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTessaAfshar

My full 5 star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8031648564

Book Recommendation - The Bell Tolls at Traeger Hall

 Jaime Jo Wright is in a class of her own, writing in a genre that doesn't exist (as far as I know) outside of her. Her stories can be classified as gothic, horror, romance, mystery, dual timeline, inspirational/Christian, suspense and women's fiction. They always address a deeper issue - trafficking, abuse, etc., and though they are often more "spooky" than you would traditionally find in Christian fiction, the author herself describes her endings as being "Scooby-Doo-ish" in that there is always a practical answer. Her upcoming release, The Bell Tolls at Traeger Hall, is much the same. Though the vibes in this story are a bit less creepy than some of her others, there is still a seemingly "haunted" element, with secrets and mysteries hiding within. And once again, the building that is a main centerpiece to the story - Traeger Hall - seems a character in and of itself. I found it fascinating in the author's note that some of the eccentricities in the story were based on a real historical cold case. Here's a bit about the story:

In 1890, the ominous tolling of the bell announces that death has come to Traeger Hall, leaving orphaned Waverly Pembrooke to piece together the puzzle behind her uncle's and aunt's murders. Bound by the terms of her uncle's eccentric will, Waverly finds herself alone in a manor shrouded by death and questioning her uncle's paranoid motivations. A madness hovers over Traeger Hall, and Waverly--as well as the people of nearby Newton Creek--are ill-prepared for the woe that has descended on the property.

 
In present day Newton Creek, the whispers of a curse still cling to the century-old time capsule of Traeger Hall. When Jennie Phillips takes possession of the estate after the death of her parents, she is intent on solving the century-old mystery of the Traeger murders. Yet a modern cold case suggests that untimely deaths and mysterious occurrences still form the cornerstone of the manor. And as thorny truths surface, Jennie realizes the dark legacy threatens not only the town and the Traeger descendants . . . but also, chillingly, Jennie herself.

Lauded by Library Journal as being "in a class by herself," Jaime Jo Wright presents an atmospheric thriller of legends, twisted tales, and a legacy that crosses centuries.

This book releases October 21, 2025 wherever books are sold. Be sure to check it out! For more information, check the following links:

Jaime Jo Wright's website: https://www.jaimewrightbooks.com/

Jaime Jo Wright's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/JaimeJoWright

My full 4 star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7916859527

Book recommendation - Echoes From a Missing Generation

 

Christina Suzann Nelson is known for her women's fiction. This dual timeline mixes women's fiction with suspense and mystery, 2 of my favorite genres! With the past timeline set in a time that I haven't ready many stories set in, that added another layer of intrigue for me! Here's a bit about the book:

A decades-old disappearance. A woman determined to uncover the truth. A family’s past buried deep in the shadows of the Vietnam War.

In Echoes from a Missing Generation, a gripping split-time novel, the mysteries of the past ripple into the present—where truth, love, and legacy collide.

In 1970, Bristol Danes vanishes on the day he’s called up for the Vietnam War draft. His young wife, Clara, is left behind in the small Oregon town of Oscar’s Creek with unanswered questions and a lifetime of silence. Rumors swirl, secrets grow, and a recent local murder casts a long, chilling shadow.

Now, fifty years later, Kenzie Danes—a determined court reporter and Bristol’s granddaughter—seeks to uncover what really happened to the grandfather she never knew. With the help of Frank, a seasoned investigator with ties to the town, Kenzie begins unraveling a web of long-held secrets. But the truth is buried deep, and someone may still be willing to do anything to keep it hidden.

Set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War era and modern-day small-town Oregon, Echoes from a Missing Generation is a powerful novel of hidden histories, generational impact, and the courage it takes to find the truth.

Perfect for readers who

Split-time historical fiction

Cold case mysteries

Multi-generational family drama

Vietnam War fiction

Christian fiction with heart and hope

Fans of Lisa Wingate, Kristy Cambron, and William Kent Krueger will be captivated by this unforgettable story of love, loss, and redemption.

This one released August 8, 2025. For more information, check out the links below:

Christina Suzann Nelson's website: https://www.christinasuzannnelson.com/

Christina Suzann Nelson's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/christinasuzann

My full 4-star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7933408459