Book Recommendation - Throne of the Heavens

 

Connilyn Cossette is one of my absolute favorite voices in the Biblical fiction realm. Her current series, The King's Men has been ongoing for a few years now and the final installment, set to release October 6, 2026, brings to conclusion what happened to the 4th cousin, who mysteriously disappeared in book 1 and has been tracked since then by each of the others. For that reason, this book has been my most anticipated read of the year. And it did not disappoint! Here's a bit about the book:

Flashes of a forgotten life are all Mattaniel remembers from before his freedom was stripped away. When a shocking revelation forces him into the service of a foreign king, he finds himself entangled in a world of political intrigue and captivated by a woman far beyond his reach.

As the daughter of a king, Elissa knows her duty is to secure her father's ambitions with an advantageous marriage. Yet when her brilliant and enigmatic tutor uncovers a conspiracy that drags them both into a deadly game of treachery, her privileged world begins to crumble. As more fragments of Mattaniel's past are uncovered, enemies close in, loyalties fracture, and their forbidden bond will ignite a chain of events that could reshape the destiny of nations.

The early years of King Saul's reign come to life in bestselling and award-winning author Connilyn Cossette's compelling, biblical-inspired tale.

As part of the author's launch team, I was able to have a Q&A with the author. Here's how that went:

1. When you started this series, did you always know what trajectory book 4 was going to take? The breadcrumbs you left for your readers were torturous! I wondered if this story was what you always thought it would be, or if it changed along the way.

I had a general idea from the very beginning of where I wanted to go, but over time, the plot took a few little turns along the way, and I ended up changing some of the settings and some of the background based on discoveries I made as I wrote this series. So, I went back to the drawing board once it was time to write Throne of the Heavens and took what I wanted to keep from the original plan and wove that together with new, fresh ideas, and came up with a story that I think was quite a bit stronger than the one I originally started out with.

2. Did anything surprise you as you wrote this story?

Well, this was the first time that I wrote a series that connected in such a detailed fashion and had an overarching storyline that took us from book one to book four, so it was a unique challenge to make sure everything flowed together and that I didn’t lose any plot points along the way. I had to do a lot of rereading, not only of the first three books, but also of the novellas that I wrote to go along with this series. So, truly, there were a lot of surprises that popped up. But all good ones!

3. What was the most interesting piece of research you uncovered while researching this book?

The beginning of this book starts off in a new setting that I had never written before. Without giving too much away, there is a shipwreck within the first chapter that lands on an island in the Mediterranean, and I discovered that there is really not a whole lot that is known about this island other than there was a civilization there during this time that built really intriguing towers that are still there to this day. No one really knows exactly what these towers were for. There is a lot of conjecture; of course, they were probably used as watchtowers to protect from invaders, possibly for religious uses, storage, or meeting purposes, but that civilization left no written material, so everything that we know about these people is pure speculation, which in some ways makes research difficult, but in other ways, it gives me a wide-open space to imagine who those people could’ve been, why they disappeared from the record, and what ties they had to the ancient world of the Levant Coast. And I discovered along the way that there was at least one ancient Phoenician settlement on the island that just so happened to merge perfectly with my plot. It’s always fun when my research ties neatly together with my imagination.

4. What was the inspiration for this story?

Way back in 2020, when I was plotting this series with my plotting group, we were exploring different tropes, and the idea of amnesia popped up. I always say that some of our craziest ideas end up being the most interesting to write, and that sounded like a fun challenge— so the idea of having one of the cousins who ran off to fight for King Saul end up with the loss of memory is what inspired the story in the beginning. And then I also thought it would be fun to explore a forbidden romance theme, so the idea of a slave who doesn’t know who he is and the daughter of a king came into being. The unequal balance of power in this story was definitely a unique storyline for me to develop, and I am very satisfied with the way it turned out.

5. Which character in the story was easiest to write? Which one did you best relate to?

Mattaniel was definitely the easiest for me to write because I had explored his character from childhood, so I knew him fairly well. Although writing from the perspective of him as a man instead of a child/teen who disappeared a long time ago was the greatest challenge. I had to kind of discover him all over again. I think both of these characters are quite different from me in most ways, so I can’t think of a way that I personally relate to them, but certainly the idea of discovering ways God has worked in my own life in the background and guided my life’s path in specific directions that I am just now beginning to understand is a theme that resonates with me.

6. Which character was most difficult to write? Why?

I would say that Elissa’s character was probably the most challenging, because I am not a princess, and certainly not one who grew up in a foreign idol-worshiping household. But it was certainly interesting to dig into the background of some of the ancient religions and imagine what life might have been like for her, living in a palace and sequestered from most of society. I think I ended up unconsciously weaving a bit of “Tangled” vibes into her story. And hey, there’s even a tower in there!

7. What are you hoping readers will glean from this story?

There are a few different themes in the story, but I think the strongest one is, like I said before, that God is always moving and always working invisibly in our lives. We have a tendency to only see the steps that we are on in the moment, but he sees the past, the present, and the future all at once and is writing a story for us that has lots of plot twists and details that only the author understands. Sometimes he makes those story threads obvious to us, as we look back at the road we’ve traveled. But there are probably many more we will not understand until we are standing with him in the kingdom to come.

8. Was there any particular part that ministered to you in the writing?

The writing of this series saw me through some of the most difficult seasons of my life, and writing this final book in the series was not only extremely satisfying, after all the difficulty that I went through from page one a voice of the ancient to the last page of throne of the heavens, but a beautiful reminder to me of how God carried me through every step of the way. The theme of his steadfast love became very prominent both in these books and in my own life. There is nothing like walking through the valley of the shadow of death that will teach you more about his faithfulness and I think that that comes through in this last book most of all.

9. Is there any other fun "behind the scenes" trivia you'd be willing to share with my readers?

There was a particularly interesting festival that happened among the Phoenicians that I happened across. They celebrated a festival for one of their gods that, every spring, “died” for three days and then came back to life. It was a pretty complicated ritual, that I won’t go into here but suffice it to say it is so interesting to me how the Enemy loves to copy God’s divine plan and then twist it for his own purposes. We see shadows of the Resurrection in many different religions all over the world, long before Jesus stepped foot on the Earth. But the story God wrote from the very beginning, about the death and resurrection of his Son, is far and away more beautiful, life-giving, and triumphant than anything the copycat Enemy could ever come up with.

10. What are you working on next and when can we expect it?

I haven’t revealed too many details yet about my new series but I will say that it is much more female focused. After writing four hero-centric books and four novellas, I was ready to slip back into the minds of some intriguing women who are vastly different but have to come together to protect those they love. It was inspired by a group of young women who heroically protected a town, by themselves during the tragic events of October 7. It takes place a few years after the end of the Kings Men series closes, but is not a direct spinoff. We are starting in a new place, with new people, and shifting into the period of time when David was coming onto the scene. I’ll be revealing more in weeks to come.

This book releases October 6,2026. Be sure to check it out wherever books are sold! For more information, check out the following links:

Connilyn Cossette's website: https://www.connilyncossette.com/

Connilyn Cossette's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ConnilynCossette

My full 5-star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8756967260

Book Recommendation - Return to The Shack

 

William Paul Young's debut novel, The Shack, was one of the most impactful books I've ever read. It highlighted for me how I'd tended to put God in a box and expected Him to only show up in ways that He had shown up in the past. The ancient Israelites had the same problem. That story opened my eyes to my tendency for that and flipped it on its proverbial head. So, when I saw there was a sequel, I was super excited and jumped on board requesting it from NetGalley. Here's a bit about the book:

How does life go on in the face of irreconcilable loss? How can the irredeemable find redemption? Unrivaled storyteller Wm. Paul Young leads us back to the great questions of human existence in this long-awaited sequel to one of the world’s most beloved and widely read books of the last twenty years - The Shack.

Ten years after the devastating events of The Shack , Mackenzie Allen Phillips is still living in the shadow of loss. Though life has moved forward, grief continues to haunt his family, his relationships, his faith, and his very sense of self. Nan, his wife, carries her own hidden sorrow. They are two people bound together by love yet often divided by pain.
 
On what would have been their daughter Missy’s sixteenth birthday, Mack and Nan confront the unthinkable when is asked to visit death row to speak with the serial killer who abducted and murdered her. In the stark silence of the prison, Mack encounters not only the brokenness of another human being but also the raw weight of his own anger, doubt, and disappointment with God. Where is God when unbearable suffering endures? How can a shattered heart ever heal?
 
In Return to the Shack, William Paul Young invites readers on a profound journey into the depths of grief, the complexity of trauma, and the surprising humanity of those we most fear. With honesty and compassion, he explores the devastating impact of mental illness, abuse, and violence, the strain of loss on relationships, and the staggering cost—and unexpected freedom—of forgiveness.
 
This long-awaited sequel dares to ask the hardest What does it mean to forgive the unforgivable? How do we live with God’s silence when our wounds cry out for answers? And can even the darkest prison and the most desolate wreckage of broken dreams become places where grace and redemption take root?
 
Both tender and unflinching, Return to the Shack is a story of pain, faith, and the relentless possibility of hope.

I will add, there is a bit of foul language, which is frequently a deterrent for readers of Christian fiction (including myself), but the story was still a beautiful one of redemption and forgiveness. As long as you can stomach a few vulgarities sprinkled in, this is one I will still easily recommend. For more information, check out the following links:

William Paul Young's website: https://wmpaulyoung.com/

William Paul Young's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/wmpaulyoung

My full 4-star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8907479199

Book Recommendation - In These Hills

 

Tamera Alexander writes enjoyable historical southern fiction. Many of her stories, including her upcoming novel In These Hills, take place in her home State of Tennessee. With family that hails from Lynchburg, Ms. Alexander spent a great deal of time in her childhood visiting the area and she thrilled in being able to write a story that surrounds this remarkable small town. Here's a bit about the story:

Is the name Jack Daniel familiar?
What about Miss Mary Bobo. . . and what she owned?
How about the town of Lynchburg tucked into the hills and hollers of middle Tennessee?
This fall, journey with Tamera into a new standalone novel inspired by the true history of two beloved Tennessee treasures

A young suffragist on the run finds more than refuge in the hills and hollers of Tennessee in this gripping historical romance from USA Today bestselling author Tamera Alexander.

1905. Josephine Dunham is running for her life. After a women’s suffrage rally in Atlanta turns deadly, she buys a one-way ticket on the first train out and lands in rural Tennessee. There, Dodge Coburn—a rough-edged stranger with undeniable appeal—begrudgingly offers her a ride to Lynchburg, a speck of a town where Josephine hopes to disappear.

Battered and desperate, Josephine has little to say when Dodge delivers her to Miss Mary Bobo’s Boarding House. Hoping to work in exchange for room and board, she soon discovers the only job matching her skills is at Jack Daniel’s Distillery, an irony not lost on a suffragist committed to prohibition.

Dodge is skeptical of Josephine’s claim that she’s on the run from an abusive husband. But between running Jack Daniel’s cattle farm and raising his young niece, he has little time or inclination to press her . . . at first. But when Josephine’s convictions and compassion draw him in, Dodge begins to reconsider the life he’s chasing, while Josephine must face a world far more complicated than the principles she’s held to.

As Jack Daniel’s Distillery gains national recognition, Josephine’s secrets resurface. In a place where whiskey making takes time but justice is too often hurried, Dodge and Josephine must decide what—and who—they’re willing to risk everything for, and whether faith will hold when the cost is high and time is running out.

Standalone Southern historical fiction, set against the history of women’s rights, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, and Miss Mary’s Bobo’s Boarding House in Lynchburg, Tennessee
A clean enemies-to-lovers, opposites-attract romance perfect for fans of Francine Rivers, Julie Klassen, and Lynn Austin

I found that several of the details about Jack Daniel provided in the book were true, including the legend about how he broke his toe. He was a fascinating "real life" character in the story who melded well with the fictional characters of the story. I enjoy when history comes to life in the pages of a novel and this one brought to life some beautiful and not-so-beautiful scenes from our nation's past. This story releases September 8, 2026. Be sure to check it out!

For additional information, check out the following links:

Tamera Alexander's website: https://tameraalexander.com/

Tamera Alexander's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/tamera.alexander

My full 4-star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8854286651

Book Recommendation - The Christmas Courier

 

Roseanna M. White is one of the forerunners in current day Christian fiction. Spanning many genres, she has stories that appeal to most any reader. In this Christmas Novella, White delves into a unique element of WWII history and brings a fascinating true story to life! Though this is novella length, the story still feels full and complete, and is a great read at any time, but particularly marks the Christmas season. I've enjoyed reading it for Christmas in July! Here's a bit about the book.

In World War II France, the future Madeleine Perrin and Daniel Raymond hope for is in grave peril when the Nazis imprison Daniel, a courier for the Resistance network. But a centuries-old law soon paves the way for a Christmas Eve wedding that becomes both a celebration and a daring rescue.

1943. Lyon, France. After bidding her students farewell for the holidays, Madeleine Perrin is looking forward to a quiet, simple Christmas at home with her mother. With the war raging on and rations tight, she knows it will be up to her to make the day festive and find special ways to remember the papa she lost and honor his love for Christmas. But first, Madeleine must smuggle secret messages hidden in her students’ essays to the Resistance network. She never expects the person waiting to receive them is her childhood best friend, the man who broke her heart.

Daniel Raymond has thrown himself into his work as courier for the Resistance, carefully concealing his Jewish ancestry that, if discovered by the Nazis, could put his life at risk. Haunted by regret about the day Madeleine professed her love and he turned her away, Daniel longs to make things right. When he sees her again, he dares to hope for reconciliation―and realizes the love he once denied has only grown deeper.

As Christmas nears and Daniel recovers from a wound sustained in a courier run, forgiveness and romance soon blossom between Daniel and Madeleine and the two begin planning a future together. But when a mission goes wrong and Daniel is captured by the Gestapo, Madeleine must turn to her Resistance allies―and a centuries-old law―to attempt a dangerous rescue before it’s too late.

A standalone World War II historical Christmas novella inspired by true events A low-spice second-chance holiday romance with a friends-to-lovers trope Compelling Christian fiction about brave spies and daring escapes for fans of Sarah Sundin, Kristen Harmel, Lynn Austin, and Sara Ackerman

About the author:

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.

This book releases October 13, 2026 wherever books are sold. Be sure to check this one out! For more information, check the following links:

Roseanna M. White's website: https://www.roseannamwhite.com/

Roseanna M. White's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RoseannaMWhite

My full 5 star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8801260847

Book Recommendation - The Spy Keeper of Marseilles

 Roseanna M White pens lovely historical novels that tie together the worlds of her prior novels, and still stand alone to tell a stunning story of love, loss, faith, and hope. Her upcoming release is a WWII love story, set in the heart of the French Resistance and finding spies in the most unexpected of places. Here's a bit about the book.

Few would suspect a young widow and mother of two small children of being a spy. Fewer still would believe she leads the largest intelligence operation in France.

Marseille, France, 1941. Zelie Bellerose never fit the mold of an army officer’s wife. She was too passionate in her convictions, too indifferent to societal expectations. After her husband is killed in the war, Zelie focuses on securing a brighter future for her children, hoping to help free her country from the Nazi regime by joining the Resistance. She is soon one of the most trusted operatives in Alliance, and when their leader is imprisoned, she takes command, hiding her identity from all but a few. With enemies closing in, Zelie must earn the trust of her network and prove herself to those who doubt a woman’s place at the helm of France’s largest spy ring.

Marcel Laurent was a renowned concert pianist before joining the French army and being sent to a POW camp. Freed in a prisoner exchange by a wealthy businessman with ties to the Resistance, Marcel agrees to spy for Alliance by conducting a youth orchestra, gathering intelligence from patrons who are loose-lipped Nazi sympathizers. Marcel’s weekly radio broadcasts introducing the orchestra’s performances give him the perfect cover to send coded messages over the airwaves.

As Zelie and Marcel grow closer through their shared love of music, she begins to rely on him. But betrayal from within Alliance puts everything they’ve fought for at risk. When a double agent infiltrates their ranks and the two are captured, their bond faces its greatest test . . . and any misstep could jeopardize not only Alliance but the very outcome of the war.

As part of the launch team, I had access to ask some questions for you, my readers. Here's how that went:

1. What was your inspiration for this story?

I brought two different inspirations together for this one. The first was the real life of Marie-Madeleine Fourcade, the historical head of Alliance, France’s largest intelligence network in WW2. All the adventures in my fictionalized version were taken directly from Marie-Madeleine’s life. But I was also inspired by contemporary classical musicians who do surprise concerts for people in public—how fun, I thought, would it be to have a concert pianist who went to out of the way bistros to do this, especially in an era where his usual concert hall audiences would have been filled with Nazi officers? What if he resisted returning to the stage and was content to bring the joy of music to his own people instead? And what if he became Alliance’s liaison to the arts sector? These are the things that mashed together to form The Spy Keeper of Marseille.

 

2. You mentioned awhile ago that Zelie was based on an actual person (a female "spy keeper"). Can you expound on the real life woman? How was she like Zelie and how was she different?

Yes, of course! Marie-Madeleine Fourcade was the wife of a military officer…but their marriage was rocky. In history, they divorced during the war. Because I wanted to create a whole different romance for her, I had my version widowed at the start of the war instead. Marie-Madeleine was one of those people that commanded a room when she entered it, because of her vibrancy. She was “a copybook beautiful spy” according to historians, who could charm information out of people…and also play the “helpless woman” card when called in for questioning. She was a mother to two small children, who she loved immensely—and who remained the reason for all she did, even when it meant sending them out of France for safety’s sake, when she had a target on her head. All of this I preserved in Zelie, my fictionalized version. But I think the thing I loved most about Marie-Madeleine and which I really dove into in Zelie, was her humility. She ran this enormous organization, but she always questions whether she was “the man for the job.” At every juncture, she wondered if someone else might not do it better. But at every juncture, her people sought to protect her, keep her safe, and keep her working—because they knew that she was the one for the job.

 

3. Did anything surprise you as you were writing this story? Or did anything change the trajectory of the story as you were writing?

Because of how closely my story paralleled real history, most of the story itself didn’t surprise me. But during edits I had to consolidate a lot of secondary characters (history gave me far too many!), and I was definitely surprised at how much better it worked once I did that!

 

4. Marcel seems a bit too "perfect", particularly in how he loves. I read him as a sort of Christ figure in the book. Did you intend for that to be the case?

I did indeed want Marcel to love Zelie with the love of Christ—just as men are instructed to do in the Epistles. After her rocky marriage, Zelie needed someone who would love her selflessly, love her for who she was, love her when she pushed him away. And that love is a big part of what shows her that she can put her hand back in Christ’s after years of drifting away.

 

I don’t think of Marcel as perfect—he struggles with anger and forgiveness after a betrayal that hits close to home. But yes, he loves well. This is very much inspired by how my husband loves me—he isn’t perfect. But his love knows no bounds.

 

5. Which character was the easiest to write, or who did you relate to the most?

I really loved writing Marcel. I’m a pianist (definitely not his caliber! LOL), so writing him through that lens of music was especially fun—how he sees everything, feels everything, with musical notation in mind. And I especially love the “love letters” of song he plays for Zelie.

 

6. Which character was the most difficult to write? Why?

There’s a character based on a real person who betrays Alliance. In reality, Marie-Madeleine and her crew suspected him from the beginning but couldn’t get their allies to believe them. This just didn’t work for my story, and it was tricky to try to both bring in the real history and also make him believable—because it was definitely a case of truth being harder to believe than fiction.

 

7. Was there anything interesting you learned during the research for this story?

So much! It was fascinating to learn about the youth orchestra that I have Marcel leading—and how it really did have ties to the Resistance. Most fascinating, though, was reading about how Marie-Madeleine got out of the scrapes she got herself into, especially one that involves a risky escape out of France into Spain. I won’t spoil it, but it was definitely a “Whoa, no way!” moment. And totally factual.

 

8. What are you hoping readers will glean from this story?

I hope that readers come away understanding that no matter what challenges we face, God will equip us to do the work He wants us to do. That we can and should live boldly, love boldly, and embrace the gifts He gives us.

 

9. Do you have any “behind the scenes” trivia you'd like to share with my readers?

I mentioned my inspiration for Marcel—it’s a fellow by the name of Julien Cohen, and this video in particular delighted me so much that I used it as the base for an early scene with Marcel, where he’s setting up his best friend. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?ref=saved&v=1106324723940704

 

10. What is coming next and when can we expect it?

 

Oh my goodness, there’s so much! LOL. In the world of WW2 fiction, I have a Christmas novella coming in October, called The Christmas Courier; my next full length is coming next July and is tentatively entitled The Memory of Freedom (though the title hasn’t been finalized yet, so that could change). I am SO excited to bring this one into the world! It’s also based on a true story, and it’s really special.

 

From Guideposts, I have several mysteries in the works; one more in Blackberry Valley Mysteries called Someone Old, Someone Knew, and then I’m the launching author for a new series, Beach Rose Cottage Mysteries, which will launch with Secrets by the Sea.

 

And in my fantasy world, I just put out the digital of Consecrated, a short novel, and will be releasing the paperback compilation of all three novellas in the series so far this summer as Fathomed: The Awakened Mer Novellas. This December, book three, Amazed will release.

Oh my goodness! I can't believe the scene referenced in number 7 was factual. How cool! And so much to be looking forward to!

About the author:

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.

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

Roseanna M. White's website: https://www.roseannamwhite.com/

Roseanna M. White's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RoseannaMWhite

My full 5 star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8629868182

Book Recommendation - Survival in the Mountains

 

Carrie Stuart Parks has long been one of my go-to authors in the suspense genre. Her prior books had very little romance and excellent suspense, which is just how I like them. Even though I shy away from the "love inspired" line due to the higher romance content, I jumped at the opportunity to read this one because of the author. And I loved the suspense element of this story, though the romance did move to quickly for my liking. The overall story is excellent, though, and if you enjoy an amnesia trope in your romantic suspense, this is one you will definitely enjoy!

Here's a bit about the book:

Someone is hunting them.
But she can’t remember why…

Rescuing a woman from a burning car crash near his mountain cabin immerses undercover Fish and Game officer Joshua McGregor in a dangerous plot. But all Bethany can remember is being deliberately run off the road. Soon killers are hunting both of them through the unforgiving Idaho wilderness, and the discovery that Bethany’s identity has been erased has them grasping for answers. Now they must avoid treacherous traps and unexpected enemies…while trying to trust each other. But when the truth about Bethany's past proves even more dangerous than they imagined, can she and Joshua protect innocent lives—and save their own?

From Love Inspired  Courage. Danger. Faith.

This book releases May 26, 2026 wherever books are sold. Be sure to check it out! For additional information, check out the following links:

Carrie Stuart Parks' website: https://stuartparks.com/carrie-stuart-parks-home-page/

Carrie Stuart Parks' Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/carriestuartparks123

My full 4-star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8598342982

Book Recommendation - A Brewed Awakening

 

Though I tend to shy away from straight-up romance novels, Pepper Basham is one I will always make an exception for, due to her fabulous humor and wonderful characters. This book had me laughing out loud (though there were parts that also brought tears), cheering the characters on, and wanting to try new foods (which is saying something for a picky eater like me!). Filled to the brim with flirty banter, this book was a lot of fun, in spite of dealing with some serious subject matter. Here's a bit about the book:

Daphne dreams of Mr. Darcy. Finn serves up pints and rock music. Can opposites attract when a tea shop princess meets her pub-owning rival?

In the charming mountain town of Wisteria, North Carolina, Daphne Austen clings to tradition like cream to a scone. She's built her life--and her late grandmother's tearoom, Tea Thyme--around all things delicate china, Jane Austen novels, and the comforting predictability of routine. The only thing threatening her perfectly ordered world? The loud, aggravatingly handsome Brit opening a pub next door.

After his ex-wife broke his heart and his business partner nearly destroyed his career, Finn Dashwood packed up his six-year-old daughter and left England behind. He's looking for a fresh start, and the last thing he needs is a fussy, tea-obsessed neighbor criticizing his every pint and playlist. It doesn't matter that she's ridiculously kind (to everyone else) and that his daughter is utterly fascinated by her. Finn's heart is not open to being broken again.

But disagreements turn into prank wars and then a competition when a high-profile wedding needs a last-minute caterer. The townsfolk are thrilled--Wisteria hasn't seen this much excitement since the county fair lost a goat.

When the wedding demands both sweet and savory fare, Daphne and Finn are forced to put down their swords and pick up their serving trays. Between burnt pastries, brewing tempers, trending hashtags (#SipsAndSpats, anyone?), and one very adorable little girl, rivalry soon gives way to reluctant friendship--and maybe something that feels suspiciously like chemistry.

Can a tea shop princess and a pub owner with a past mix their lives as seamlessly as clotted cream and jam . . . or will their differences keep them steeped in rivalry forever?

This book releases May 5, 2026 wherever you buy books. Be sure to check it out! For more information, check out the following links:

Pepper Basham's website: https://pepperdbasham.com/

Pepper Basham's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pepperdbasham

My full 5-star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8343079564 

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