Book Recommendation - All My Secrets

 

Lynn Austin has long been a favorite of mine in the world of Christian fiction. With genre-versatility, she writes beautiful prose in many different styles and excels at each one. Her upcoming release, All My Secrets, mimics the feel of a dual timeline, but not in the traditional sense. The story itself all takes place in the present, but to learn from the mistakes of the past generations, Adelaide must learn the secrets of her mother and grandmother's stories in order to make her own decisions about her life going forward. Here's a bit about the book:

Bestselling author Lynn Austin returns with a luminous work of historical fiction set amid the opulence of Gilded Age New York, where three generations of women in one family must reckon with the choices they have made and their hopes for the future.

New York, 1898. The only thing more shocking than Arthur Stanhope III’s unexpected death is the revelation that his will bestows his company―and most of the vast fortune that goes with it―to the nearest male heir, leaving his mother, wife, and daughter nearly impoverished. His widow, Sylvia, quickly realizes she must set aside her grief to ensure their daughter, Adelaide, is launched into society as soon as the appropriate mourning period passes. If Sylvia can find a wealthy husband for Addy before anyone realizes they’re practically destitute, there will be little disruption to the lifestyle they’re accustomed to.

Sylvia’s mother-in-law, Junietta, believes their life could use a little disruption. She has watched Sylvia play her role as a society wife, as Junietta once did, despite what it cost them both. Junietta vows to give her granddaughter the power to choose a path beyond what society expects.

But for Addy to have that chance, both mother and grandmother must first confront painful truths about their own choices. Only in bringing their secrets to light can they hope to reshape their family inheritance into a legacy more fulfilling than they ever dared dream.

Here is a note from the author's newsletter about the book:

As you can guess from the title, this novel is about family secrets. It tells the stories of three women—grandmother Junietta, mother Sylvia, and daughter Adelaide—and spans history from the American Revolution, to the Gold Rush, the Civil War, and to the Gilded Age. Life in each of those eras had its unique challenges (and secrets!).
I’m hoping this novel will inspire readers of all ages. Younger readers like Adelaide often feel the burden of others’ expectations, along with the pull of culture, telling them what they should do and be. I want to encourage them to discover how remarkably different they are, and to pursue God’s purpose for their life.
Readers who are Sylvia’s age may be facing unwanted changes, such as an empty nest. It’s my prayer that they will look at their gifts and life experiences in new ways and see that God is always ready to use them if they’re willing to embrace change.
I’m closest in age to Junietta, but I’ve discovered that God is still willing to use us if we say yes to Him. I believe it’s important to consider the legacy we’d like to leave for our grandchildren. How might our life stories inspire them? What might they learn from our mistakes? 

“All My Secrets” explores the theme of God’s forgiveness and shows the destructive consequences of hanging onto bitterness and nursing grudges. Those consequences not only affect us, but they have a ripple effect that disrupts the lives of the generations that follow us. Without realizing it, we often repeat the same patterns of those who came before us. That’s why it’s so important to share our stories with the people we love, so they can learn from our mistakes and benefit from our testimonies of faith.
It’s also why it’s important to read the Bible regularly. We see the generations of God’s people at their worst and their best, making mistakes, walking in faith, saved by God’s grace. We read how Israel strayed from God, were oppressed by their enemies, then repented, and turned to God, and were delivered by Him—only to repeat the process all over again within a few generations. Jeremiah wrote this scripture verse during one of the Israelites’ darkest hours, after their temple was destroyed and they were exiled for their sins.
“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
I pray that “All My Secrets” will convince readers that God’s forgiveness through Christ is available to anyone who realizes they have “missed the mark.” And in turn, they will be able to forgive others out of gratitude for God’s amazing grace.

This book releases February 6, 2024, wherever books are sold. Be sure to check it out! For more information, check 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/6154755954

Book recommendation - Rocky Road

 

Becky Wade is a leading voice in the world of Christian contemporary romance. Her Sons of Scandal series is her first indie-published series and I've been thrilled to be able to read early copies of both of the books in the series so far. Using the backstory of a family who is famous for the scandal that surrounded them and following the sons into adulthood, we learn their stories after the fallout and how they dealt with it. Rocky Road is Jude's story and I thoroughly enjoyed this fun rom-com! Here's what this book is about:

FBI Agent Jude Camden handles every aspect of his job with by-the-book professionalism. There's no reason why his latest assignment—which calls for him to pose as the boyfriend of perfumer Gemma Clare—should be any different.

Except Gemma is different. She's creative, bold, and feisty. And as soon as she meets Jude, she wants to loosen him up, wrinkle his perfect shirts, and test every ounce of his towering self-control.

The FBI has an iron-clad rule against romances between those working together on operations. Jude's never met a rule he didn't respect. But adhering to this one is going to be tough because, as time goes by, he finds Gemma more and more irresistible.

Buckle up! It's going to be a rocky road.

Escape to Maine for this swoon-worthy "fake romance"! Banter, humor, perfume, and a mystery from the past intertwine in this sweet Sons of Scandal love story.

Because I got an early copy, I was able to connect with the author for a Q&A session. Here's how that went:

 1. What was the inspiration for this story?

The fake relationship trope! I've written 13 romances but never before
that particular trope. It's a fun creative challenge to try new-to-me
tropes.

2. Which character did you best relate to on a personality level?

Definitely Jude. He and I are both enneagram 1s so I related
wholeheartedly to his longing to do things the "right" way, to his sense
of duty, his reliability, his striving for (and failing to hit)
perfection in his work. His strengths and weaknesses and my strengths
and weaknesses are very similar! For those reasons, it was easier for me
to get to know Jude deep down than some of my past heroes and heroines.

Which character was the most difficult to write?

Gracie and Simone because they have more subtle personalities which were
more difficult to pin down and communicate on the page. Demanding,
distinctive, quirky characters (like Fiona and Colette) tend to spring
to life and elbow their way into scenes. In real life, subtle
personalities are often easier to connect with than larger-than-life
ones. But when writing fiction, I find the opposite is true. The bossier
the character, the easier they are to write.

3. I loved that family was so prominent in the story. Where did you get the inspiration for all of those different characters?

I gather character inspiration from many places. People I know, people I
observe, things I see on TV, my research, etc. When I'm looking for
character inspiration, I find it around every corner. I have an "idea
file" and I try to jot down inspirations there, no matter how small the
idea. Later, when it's time to "cast" a novel, I go shopping in that
file.

4.  Did anything surprise you in the story as you were writing? Or did anything happen during the writing to change the trajectory of the story?

Rocky Road's mystery thread involves the lost portions of Gemma's
great-grandparents' love story. I didn't know myself the twists and
turns that would take when I started writing the novel. In fact, in the
first draft, the mystery remained so unclear to me that I simply stopped
writing that thread and focused on the resolution of the FBI case and
the romance. It wasn't until the next draft that I began to see how that
mystery would unfold--which both surprised me and changed the trajectory
of the story in a way I ended up loving.

5. I loved the unique careers of the characters, but I expect that required a good bit of research. What was the most interesting thing you learned in your research for this story?

Jude's an attorney and an FBI agent so I read two non-fiction books
written by FBI agents who spent their career working undercover cases.
Plus, one of my readers is married to an FBI agent and she nominated him
to help out with any questions I might have. I certainly ended up having
a few, so he was a great resource!

Gemma's a perfumer so I read one non-fiction book written by a perfumer.

I adore this type of research. It's one of my favorite stages of the
writing process.

Most interesting thing I learned...  For every alias an undercover agent
assumes, the FBI will have created a complete history and that history
(digital footprint and more) will be just as believable as the history
of any actual person.

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

Most of all--hope! I'd love for Rocky Road to take readers through the
swoony (and also the challenging) emotions of falling in love, for it to
keep readers guessing, for it to bring smiles and laughs, and for it to
provide inspiration, entertainment, and rest.

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

I view my "writer dog" Duke as an important member of my team! I write
most often from the desk positioned by the front windows of my Dallas
home. Mt Cavalier King Charles spaniel snoozes in the dog bed under the
desk whenever I'm at my computer. Writing can be isolating work and so
it means the world to me to have his company. I know he's cheering me
onward with my book while he's snoring!

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

The third and final book in the Sons of Scandal series. I expect it to
release in early 2025.

I am excited for the next installment! Rocky Road releases on February 14, 2024. Be sure to check it out! 

About the author:

During her childhood in California, Becky frequently produced homemade plays starring her sisters, friends, and cousins. These plays almost always featured a heroine, a prince, and a love story with a happy ending. She’s been a fan of all things romantic ever since.

Becky and her husband lived overseas in the Caribbean and Australia before settling in Dallas, Texas.  It was during her years abroad that Becky’s passion for reading turned into a passion for writing. She published three historical romances for the general market, put her career on hold for many years to care for her kids, then eventually returned to writing. She loves penning sweet contemporary romances laced with sizzling chemistry, mystery, faith, banter, and humor. Her twelve novels and five novellas have been recognized with a Carol Award, INSPY awards, and a spot in the Christy Award Hall of Fame.

When she’s not at her computer, you’ll find her power-walking her neighborhood, driving carpool, eating chocolate, doing yoga, or admiring her Cavalier spaniel.

For more information, check out the following links:

Becky Wade's website: https://beckywade.com/home/

Becky Wade's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/authorbeckywade

My full 5-star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6193973693

Book Recommendation - To Spark a Match

 

In the Christian Fiction world, Jen Turano is the Queen of Comedy, bringing hilarious antics to the late 1800's American high society. I enjoy how she brings the society members down to earth like the rest of us and makes them not only fallible, but hysterical. This book is no different. Second in the Matchmakers series, it picks up with some of the side characters from the first book and fleshes out their story moving forward. Here's a bit about the book:

After five unsuccessful Seasons on the marriage mart, Miss Adelaide Duveen has resigned herself to the notion that she's destined to remain a spinster forever--a rather dismal prospect, but one that will allow her to concentrate on her darling cats and books. However, when she inadvertently stumbles upon Mr. Gideon Abbott engaged in a clandestine activity during a dinner party, Adelaide finds herself thrust into a world of intrigue that resembles the plots in the spy novels she devours.

Former intelligence agent Gideon Abbott feels responsible for Adelaide after society threatens to banish her because of the distraction she caused to save his case. Hoping to return the favor, he turns to a good friend--and one of high society's leaders--to take Adelaide in hand and turn her fashionable.

When danger surrounds them and Adelaide finds herself a target of the criminals in Gideon's case, the spark of love between them threatens to be quenched for good--along with their lives.

As a member of the launch team, I had access to a Q&A session. Here's how that went:

1.    1. During your unboxing video,  you told a story that had happened to you that made it into the opening scenes of this book, which had me in hysterics. I love when real life makes it onto the page. Can you recap that story for my readers?

 

It does seem as if a lot of somewhat unusual things happen to me, which has been great fodder to add into my stories. In “To Spark a Match,” I was finally able to include a completely ridiculous situation I experienced back in the days when I worked in a department store – for those of you who don’t know, I majored in fashion and worked for years in that industry before I had my son – but, anyways, here’s what happened.

 

Picture this – there I was, spending some time out on the floor because I loved interacting with customers but I was usually confined to my buying office. It quickly became clear that it was going to be a weird kind of day because as I went about the business of assisting male customers, all of them began acting somewhat oddly. They wouldn’t look me in the eye, mumbled answers to my questions, and then all but fled from me after they made their purchases. I thought that was somewhat unusual, but didn’t think much more about it until I ran across one of our most valuable customers – Donna. I moseyed right on up to her and told her that I had a tip to share because we’d just gotten a new line of DKNY in that morning, and I knew she’d want to take an early peek at the selections. Donna, bless her heart, didn’t miss a beat. She nodded, then stepped closer to me and told me that she had a bit of a tip for me and that, well, it appeared that I’d  gotten the hem of my skirt tucked into the top of my pantyhose and, if that wasn’t bad enough, I was wearing Minnie Mouse undies. Yep, it was no wonder the men were fleeing from me.

 

I’ve been dying to adapt that unfortunate circumstance into one of my stories and Adelaide was the perfect character to torture with a wardrobe mishap. Hahahaha. Thankfully, Adelaide was up for everything I threw at her and barely batted an eye when her hem got stuck in her bustle, giving everyone a gander at her undergarments that just happened to be embroidered with some rather strange looking cats.

 

2.    2. Adelaide has to be one of my favorite heroines. Besides being bookish and having a fondness for animals, she is also content with her spinster status. As a romance writer, what prompted you to write a story of a romance between a contented spinster and a confirmed bachelor?

 

It’s always fun to throw a wrench into a character’s steadfast plans, and what better wrench to throw than to take two people who are determined to never marry and place them into situations where sparks fly between them, which, of course, has them reconsidering the whole “I’m never getting married” business. 

 

3.     3. What was your favorite part of writing this book (or series)?

 

I really enjoyed digging up research on unusual weapons and then figuring out exactly how Adelaide was going to learn how to operate them.

 

4.   4.  What inspired this particular story line? 

 

I’ve always been a girl who’s perfectly fine being different, even a bit weird if the truth be told. Since I interact with a lot of young readers, many who don’t fit in with the norms of our times, I just wanted to write a heroine who is definitely an odd duck, but who is completely fine being exactly who she is. 

 

 

5.    5. Was there anything fun or interesting you learned while researching this book?

 

The most interesting thing I uncovered while writing this book was finding a grappling hook that shoots out of a pistol. I mean, who knew there was such a thing back in the 1800s?

 

 

6.    6. What do you hope readers will glean from this story?

 

That it’s okay to be different, and instead of trying to conform to how everyone else thinks you should be, you should simply embrace your idiosyncrasies and keep your head held high. 

 

7.    7. I really enjoyed the mystery element to this book. When you set out to write this one, did you have the villain figured out? Or did anything about that element change as you wrote?

 

Well, when I first started out, I thought I knew exactly who the villain was, or…villains. However, as I finished the first draft, I decided the plot was too convoluted, so went back and took out one of the villains, who may or may not show up in the third book of the series.

 

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

 

I’m almost completely done with “Meeting Her Match,” the third and final book in the series. It comes out in July of 2024, and all I have left to do are copy/line edits and then final design pages, which are no big deal. I’ve also begun to write the first book in a new series – The Merriweather Academy for Young Ladies. It doesn’t have a title just yet, and in all honesty, the characters have yet to settle down and do what I want them to do. First books in a new series usually give me difficulties, but this is taking stubbornness to an entirely different level.

 

Thank you so much for having me join you today, Erin. Always a delight. 

Here's a bit about the author:

Jen Turano–Named One of the Funniest Voices in Inspirational Romance by Booklist, Jen Turano is a USA Today Best-Selling Author, known for penning quirky historical romances set in the Gilded Age. Her books have earned Publisher Weekly and Booklist starred reviews, top picks from Romantic Times, and praise from Library Journal. She’s been a finalist twice for the RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards and had two of her books listed in the top 100 romances of the past decade from Booklist. When she’s not writing, she spends her time outside of Denver, CO. Readers may find her at www.jenturano.com or www.facebook.com/jenturanoauthor or on Twitter @JenTurano.

This book releases November 14, 2023, wherever books are sold. 

For additional information, check out the following links:

Jen Turano's website: https://jenturano.com/

Jen Turano's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/jenturanoauthor

My full 5-star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5904052034

Book Recommendation - A Million Little Choices

 

What does one do when a favorite author branches out into a new genre? Why, you read it anyway of course! Tamera Alexander is well known for her historical romance novels and she writes them beautifully. So, now when she's releasing a contemporary/dual timeline women's fiction instead, I was a bit nervous. But I didn't need to be! She brought her beautiful writing style and strong character development skills to a whole new genre. I devoured this one even more quickly than her historical novels. Here's a bit about the book:

Sometimes secrets just won’t stay hidden . . .
From USA Today bestselling author and Christy Award Hall of Fame inductee Tamera Alexander comes the story of two women from different centuries living in the same house who share strikingly similar journeys.

Claire Powell’s life is turned upside down when her beloved husband admits to a “near affair.” But when Stephen accepts a partnership with an Atlanta law firm without consulting her and buys a historic Southern home sight-unseen—it pushes their already-fractured marriage to the breaking point. Claire’s world spirals, and she soon finds herself in a marriage she no longer wants, in a house she never asked for.

In 1863, Charlotte Thursmann, pregnant and trapped in a marriage to an abusive husband, struggles to protect her unborn child and the enslaved members of her household. Desperate, she’s determined to right the evils her husband and others like him commit. But how can one woman put an end to such injustice? Especially if her husband makes good on his threat to kill her?

Both Claire and Charlotte discover truths about themselves they never realized, along with secrets long hidden that hold the power to bring God’s restoration—if only they choose to let it.

This Southern historical fiction novel includes:
Dual-timeline plot
Thought-provoking treatment of the themes of difficult relationships, infidelity, forgiveness, and trust
Discussion questions—you’re all set for book club!

This book releases November 7, 2023 wherever books are sold. Be sure to check it out! For more 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 5 star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5247142535

Book Recommendation - Children of the Shadows

 

Erica Vetsch is a relatively new-to-me author focusing on Regency time in England, writing historical romances. Having heard several rave about her Serendipity and Secrets books, I decided to check out her books and was glad that I did. Though her books are correctly classified as romance, there is also an element of mystery within, which keeps me turning pages more quickly to see what will happen next. Her characters are well developed and likable and her plots are filled with both adventure and romance. Her latest release, Children of the Shadows is the last book in the Thorndike & Swann mysteries. Though the story would stand on its own, I would definitely recommend reading this series in order so as to not read spoilers in the more recent books of the past novels. This series encompasses characters in the Serendipity and Secrets series as well, so fill your TBR stack with the backlist! Here's a bit about this book:

Detective Daniel Swann and debutante Juliette Thorndike once again team up to solve a dangerous mystery--while trying to keep their growing romance secret.

Someone is preying upon the street children of Regency London. They seem to think no one will notice when urchins go missing--and even if they are noticed, who will care?

Daniel needs to do something about the missing children. But with recent revelations about his past and an unexpected, somewhat unwelcome inheritance to deal with, this is a terrible time to dive back into the seedy underbelly of the crime world. Nevertheless, he's still a Bow Street runner, and his partner Lady Juliette is sensitive to the plight of these wayward youngsters. They're on the case, searching shadowed alleys and coal-drenched streets to find the missing.

But the tangle of expectation and the dynamics of power cannot be easily ignored, even if there are children in danger. When Daniel's past threatens to overwhelm his future, he will need a miracle and the help of his friends to both apprehend the villain and unravel his tangled family web. And it may be that his new responsibilities demand that he leave the children of the shadows to their terrible fate--or lose everything.

Erica Vetsch's popular Regency mystery series concludes with a bang, sure to satisfy readers who have hung on every page since book one.

This book released October 10, 2023 and can be purchased by your favorite book retailer. Please check out the following links for some additional information:

Erica Vetsch's website: https://www.ericavetsch.com/

Erica Vetsch's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/erica.vetsch

My Full 5-star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5939546183

Book Recommendation - What a Wave Must Be

 

Angela Hunt has long been one of my go-to authors. She crosses genres fluidly, writing historicals, contemporaries, Biblical historical and women's fiction. Her latest release falls into this latter category. She is typically an auto-read author for me, so when I saw she had a book coming out, I just signed up without noting what it was about. I wish I had dug a bit deeper before digging in. While this was well written and showing hope and life after death, this book dealt with the hard and heavy subject of suicide. For friends who enjoy reading the heavier books, this is one I can easily recommend. But if you prefer lighter reads or are overwhelmed with deaths around you, maybe hold off on this one for now. Here's a bit about the book:

From master storyteller Angela Hunt, a powerful story of a family’s journey toward healing and hope after an unimaginable loss.

Seventeen-year-old Maddie is left reeling after the unexpected passing of her beloved father. No one has any idea why he betrayed them all so spectacularly, but that’s exactly what his death feels like: a betrayal. With their world shattered, Maddie’s grieving mother sends her to spend a few months with her grandparents, thinking a change of scenery will do her good.

Susan and Frank, Maddie’s grandparents, are heartbroken over the loss of their son, but they welcome Maddie as an addition to their long-empty nest. Maddie settles in and makes friends at her new school, but she still wrestles with why her father took his own life. Then an unexpected twist throws all their lives into fresh turmoil, testing the very fabric of their faith. How Susan helps her granddaughter find hope, even as they both struggle with grief, makes this touching tale of love and recovery a must-read.

Contains discussion questions, making it ideal for book groups.

I enjoyed the dual perspectives that spanned generations and ways of coping with death. This beautiful tragic story comes out on November 7, 2023, wherever books are sold. For additional information, check out the following links:

Angela Hunt's website: https://www.angelahuntbooks.com/

Angela Hunt's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/angela.e.hunt

My full 4-star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5897617195

Book Recommendation - The Peasant King

 

When I want to read Biblical Fiction (fiction set in times of the Bible - sometimes including characters that are named IN Scripture), Tessa Afshar is second to none. Her upcoming release, about the rise of King Cyrus during the Israelites' Babylonian captivity is just one example of her stellar writing that brings the time and culture of the places we find in the Bible to life! Here's a little bit about the book:

Jemmah has always thought of herself as perfectly ordinary . . . until she faces extraordinary circumstances.

When her mother, the Persian king's famous senior scribe, is kidnapped, Jemmah and her sister must sneak undetected into enemy territory to rescue her. But infiltrating their adversary's lands proves easier than escaping them. Fleeing through dangerous mountain passes, their survival depends on the skills of a stranger they free from prison: a mysterious prince named Asher.

Asher is not who the world believes he is. Despite his royal blood, he has had to climb his way out of poverty to forge success from nothing. A manufacturer of some of the best weaponry in the East, Asher has only one goal: to destroy his father. But following his escape from prison, Asher is irresistibly drawn to Jemmah, unaware that she guards her own secret.

Jemmah must convince Asher to give up everything he has worked for, all for the sake of a higher purpose he's not sure he believes in. The fate of the Persian empire—and possibly the Judean people—hang in the balance and in the persuasive power of one ordinary woman.

This book releases November 7, 2023 wherever books are sold. For additional 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/5882303401