Friday, November 13, 2026

Eye of the Beholder by Linda Shenton Matchett

About the Book

Book: Eye of the Beholder

Author: Linda Shenton Matchett

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: June 30, 2026

Shunned for his appearance, a disfigured veteran encounters acceptance and love where he least expects it.

Left with physical and emotional scars after the Great War, Hank Drake has been shunned by polite society as the Ugly Duckling. Fine by him. He’d much rather be alone. Until he meets the kind proprietress of a tea stand at New York’s World’s Fair who isn’t repulsed by his appearance. Can he hope for acceptance…or even love?

Grace Sutton has no interest in marrying and is tired of her parent’s snide comments that she’s still single on the eve of her 40th birthday. After she loses her job thanks to budget cuts, she decides it’s time to follow her dream of feeding others. Armed with Mrs. Canfield’s cookbook, she opens a refreshment stand at the World’s Fair unaware how one man will turn her life upside down and upset the apple…er, tea cart.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Linda Shenton Matchett writes happily-ever-after historical Christian fiction about second chances and women who overcome life’s challenges to be better versions of themselves.

A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry (of Star-Spangled Banner fame) and has lived in historical places all her life. She is a volunteer docent and archivist at the Wright Museum of WWII. She now lives in central New Hampshire where she explores the history of this great state, immerses herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors, and drinks copious amounts of tea.

More from Linda

Dear Reader:

Eye of the Beholder is a retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale The Ugly Duckling, set during the 1939 New York World’s Fair. The story is part of the Apron Strings series that is tied together by Mrs. Canfield’s Cookery Book. Below is one of my mother’s recipes that is included in the cookbook. Enjoy!

Snickerdoodles

Makes about five dozen cookies

1 Cup shortening (part butter)

1 ½ Cup sugar

2 eggs, well beaten

2 ⅔ Cup AP flour, sifted

2 teaspoons cream of tartar

1 teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon salt

For rolling dough:

2 tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons cinnamon

Cream together shortening, sugar, and eggs. Sift together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt, then slowly combine with the creamed mixture. Roll dough into balls the size of small walnuts. Roll dough into sugar and cinnamon mixture. Place on an ungreased baking sheet two inches apart. Bake at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes. (Cookies will puff up, then flatten out).

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, November 12

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 13

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 14

Books Less Travelled, November 15 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, November 16

Leslie’s Library Escape, November 17

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 18

Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 19 (Author Interview)

Devoted To Hope, November 20

Mary Hake, November 20

Books You Can Feel Good About, November 21

The Bookish Pilgrim, November 22

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, November 23 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, November 24

Holly’s Book Corner, November 24

For the Love of Literature, November 25 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Linda is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Visa gift card and a signed copy of the book!!

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

https://gleam.io/LBYgX/eye-of-the-beholder-celebration-tour-giveaway

Thursday, November 12, 2026

Suspicious Delivery by Terry Overton

About the Book

Book: Suspicious Delivery: Finley Burke Mysteries Book 2

Author: Terry Overton

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Release Date: May 9, 2026

When an unclaimed express delivery vanishes from Cozy’s Coffee Shop in Sunset Cove, Finley Burke expects a simple explanation. What she gets instead is a mystery stitched together with rare books, resurfacing secrets, and people who aren’t who they claim to be. As Finley follows the trail, she realizes the missing package is connected to a past that refuses to stay buried—and to a crime that may have been planned long before the delivery ever arrived.

Old relationships resurface with new motives, and long-awaited reunions reveal fractures that run deeper than blood. With each clue, Finley edges closer to the truth, closer to danger, and closer to someone determined to keep secrets hidden.

In Sunset Cove, what’s been buried longest often carries the highest price.

Click here to get your copy!

"Suspicious Delivery" by Terry Overton is two cases in one book. The first one is Birdie receives a email from someone claiming to be the man that left her at the altar 25 years ago. The other is a suspicious package arrives, the search is on to solve both of these cases. This book is connection to the first book in the series "Dockside Secrets", so I suggest reading the books in order. I like these books because there are no gory details. I am looking forward to reading the other books in the series.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and Celebrate Lit and these are my own opinions.

About the Author

Terry Overton is a retired university professor of educational and school psychology. She has an Ed.D. in Special Education and a Ph.D. in Psychology.

Her professional experience includes teaching public school, teaching at the university level, and being a college dean.

She has two children, seven grandchildren, and one great granddaughter.

Her previous writing and publication experiences include textbook and journal articles in the fields of special education and school psychology. She now seeks to answer God’s call to share the good news and grow the church by writing Christian books and devotionals.

Over the years, Terry’s books have won the Mom’s Choice Award, Christian Indie Award, Firebird Book Awards, American Writing Winner Awards, Bookfest Winner Awards, Pencraft Award, Reader Views Silver Reviewers Award, and International Book Award Finalist. Her writing examines real world events with a Christian worldview. She enjoys writing for young children, middle grade readers, YA fiction, and adult level novels.

More from Terry

The setting for this cozy mystery setting is a place called Sunset Cove. About two years ago, I relocated to the actual place! A small cove on Eagle Mountain Lake in Northwest section of Fort Worth Texas.

For more than twenty-years, I lived on the coast of Texas. Moving inland I knew I had to live near water, and Sunset Cove is the perfect place! My house (which is Finley’s lakeside cottage) is next to the cove, woods, and a creek that runs down into the cove.

After a few weeks in this new setting, the characters of Finley Burke, Birdie, Amelia, and Lynn just came into my writer’s mind and the series began!

I happen to live within the city limits of Fort Worth but this tiny patch near the cove is another small world with a handful of neighbors I have come to know. Not only is this setting “off the beaten path,” but we have foxes, alligators, herons, large barred-owls, racoons, armadillos, coyotes, and a host of birds and insects. Some of these animals make appearances in the plot of the Finley Burke Mysteries,

The main character, Finley Burke, is a retired university psychology professor who specialized in forensic psychology. Following her move to Sunset Cove, she earns the reputation for being an amateur sleuth who can assist police and detectives in solving local crimes. Each of her sidekicks have unique and often quirky personalities and they all contribute to solving the mysteries of Sunset Cove.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, November 7

Book Looks by Lisa, November 8

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 9

Lights in a Dark World, November 9

Leslie’s Library Escape, November 10

The Avid Reader, November 11

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 12

Texas Book-aholic, November 13

For Him and My Family, November 14

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 15

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 16

Vicky Sluiter, November 17

Simple Harvest Reads, November 18 (Guest Review from Donna)

Mary Hake, November 18

Holly’s Book Corner, November 19

Lily’s Corner, November 20

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Terry is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

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

https://gleam.io/AvOJc/suspicious-delivery-celebration-tour-giveaway

Monday, November 9, 2026

Loving the Lawman Collection by Erica Vetsch, Kathleen Denly, Rachel Scott McDaniel, KyLee Woodley, Renae Brumbaugh Green, Avrie Swan

About the Book

Book: Loving the Lawman Collection

Authors: Erica Vetsch, Kathleen Denly, Rachel Scott McDaniel, KyLee Woodley, Renae Brumbaugh Green, Avrie Swan

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: March 17, 2026

When danger closes in and secrets refuse to stay buried, love becomes the boldest risk of all.

Six gripping historical romances sweep from rugged Western frontiers to the shadowed streets of Prohibition-era Pittsburgh, pairing wary hearts with unexpected partners in journeys of justice, redemption, and slow-burn devotion.

Collection includes:
Maggie and the Maverick by Erica Vetsch
Call in the Canyons by Kathleen Denly
The Red Canary by Rachel Scott McDaniel
The Bounty Hunter’s Surrender by KyLee Woodley
Lone Star Ranger by Renae Brumbaugh Green
Embers of Truth by Avrie Swan

Six full-length romances. Countless dangers. One enduring truth: when everything is on the line, love is the greatest act of courage.

Individual book blurbs, if you need them:

Maggie and the Maverick by Erica Vetsch
Undercover U.S. Marshal Maggie Davis is determined to stop a string of stage robberies—no matter the cost. Posing as a traveling saleswoman, she finds herself drawn to Cal McConnell, a reformed stage driver with a troubled past who may be her best ally…or her prime suspect. As danger escalates and murder enters the picture, Maggie and Cal must decide whether to cling to suspicion or risk trusting each other with both the truth—and their hearts.

Call in the Canyons by Kathleen Denly
Sheriff Heath Monroe is desperate to redeem his reputation after a costly mistake, but taking down California’s most dangerous bandit gang could destroy what little he has left. Virginia Baker has sworn never to trust a lawman, especially after bandits murdered her father. Yet when the outlaws return, she joins Heath’s posse in pursuit of justice. As old wounds resurface and new feelings stir, they must decide if redemption—and love—are worth the risk.

The Red Canary by Rachel Scott McDaniel
In 1928 Pittsburgh, nightclub singer Vera Pembroke becomes the only witness to a deadly crime and is forced into hiding under the protection of Sergeant Mick Dinelo, a man who despises the underworld she inhabits. Sparks fly as they clash in the Allegheny Forest, but when the killer closes in, Vera and Mick must unravel a web of secrets stretching through the Steel City—before the music fades and their chance at love disappears with it.

The Bounty Hunter’s Surrender by KyLee Woodley
Widowed and expecting, Aubrey Willot discovers her late husband left behind more than debts—he left dangerous enemies. To survive, she must rely on Nathan Reed, a bounty hunter determined to recover stolen documents for the reward money he desperately needs. Drawn together by necessity and shadowed by deception, Aubrey and Nathan face rising peril—and a choice between self-protection and a future neither dared to hope for.

Lone Star Ranger by Renae Brumbaugh Green
Elizabeth Covington has one week to prove her brother’s innocence, even if it means chasing down the Texas Ranger determined to arrest him. Rett Smith won’t let emotion sway justice—but Elizabeth’s courage and conviction challenge everything he thought he knew. As they race across Texas to find the real killer, danger forces them into an uneasy partnership that may cost them their guarded hearts.

Embers of Truth by Avrie Swan
After the devastating Peshtigo Fire destroys her home, Carina Clarke travels to Milwaukee in search of her missing sister—only to become entangled in a hunt for a cunning thief. Pinkerton detective Oliver Ramhurst intends to solve the case alone, but Carina’s fierce determination draws them into a reluctant alliance. As suspicion deepens and danger grows, they must learn that trust may be the only thing powerful enough to carry them through the flames.

Click here to get your copy!

This is a collection of six full length novels. The stories are by different authors and all of them are fantastic books.

"Maggie and the Maverick" by Erica Vetsch is part of the (Brides of the West) series, third of the McConnell Brothers.
A reader could enjoy each book as a standalone, but I really encourage you to read each book in the order in which they were written. This is a love story with a little bit of mystery. The mystery is who is robbing the stagecoaches. This is a quick read that has spiritual truths within the storyline. I love the way the two main characters meet. I of course wouldn't want to meet someone the same way but, in a book, or a movie it is a lol moment! I really like all of the members of this family!

"Call in the Canyon" by Kathleen Denly is the sixth and final book in this series. Each book follows the others but can be read as standalones. This is a story of faith and trust and romance. The trust part doesn't come easily. This is a novel that has twists and turns, so it is filled with adventure and suspense. Both Ginny and Heath have had tragedies in their lives that make them unwilling to let others in to help them. This a story about realizing that God's love and forgiveness isn't conditional on us making the right choices. Characters from other books in this series are also part of this novel. There are lots of notables quotes to notice and remember in real life. If you like Christian historical romance and the Old West, then you need to read this book. As a rule, I don't like westerns, not that is a western as such but there is a posse and a ranch that the owner is trying to protect and criminals, so even if it isn't a Western it makes me think on one. But even with me saying that I enjoyed this book and giving it 5 stars.

"The Bounty Hunter’s Surrender" (Outlaw Hearts Book 2) by KyLee Woodley drew me from the first sentence. I just knew that love was in store when Nathan first saw Aubrey pregnant and sleeping. Is Nathan a good guy or is he a bad guy, (that is the question that Aubrey has to figure out as the story progress.) I really liked that nuggets of truth are included as part of the storyline such as the line “Our worth is found in God, not the good or bad things we do.” There are others as well. Babies are also a part of the story line, since I love babies this part of the story was my favorite of the book. This book is book 2 of the series but can read as a standalone, I am anxiously waiting for book 3 of this series. If you like books that are clean Romances and that are of the Christian genre and Historical then you need to do yourself a favor and read these books by KyLee Woodle.

"Lone Star Ranger" by Renae Brumbaugh Green is the first book in the "The Texas Ranger Series" and was a quick fun read. It is less than 200 pages. It draw me in from the first! I mean I had to know what happened. I had to see if the real murderer was ever captured in time to save Evan.
Elizabeth is quite unlike your normal female hero.
This book would be a delight to readers who like Westerns. I can even imagine liking this story as a made for a television movie.

"Embers of Truth" by Avrie Swan was such a great read! I am Definitely looking forward to the other books in this series. I really did not figure out who the criminal was until the very end when the book told us. I read two quotes from the book and I'm going to repeat them now the first one is "prayers are simply like letters or telegrams to the Lord. There's no such thing as a good or bad one. They're important to Him all the same." and the second one is "It seems to me as through she needs to understand her worth. In the end, we are all the same, regardless of money or status. What defines us isn't the clothing we wear or the manner in which we speak. It is the way we treat others that truly show who we are inside. This book is mostly based on history. It is a story that has faith, forgiveness and trust and learning to forgive oneself. It is a story that is a clean love story, but the couple starts out as enemies.

I somehow missed the "The Red Canary" by Rachel Scott McDaniel but am reading it now. I am on page 100, and it is keeping me turning the pages. I feel safe in saying it will be just as good as the other books in this collection and I will be wanting other books to read that was written by this author.

I will continue to read books by all these authors in the future.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and Celebrate Lit and these opinions are my own.

About Rachel Scott McDaniel

Rachel Scott McDaniel is an award-winning author who writes historical and contemporary romance with heart, mystery, and humor. When she’s not dreaming up swoony heroes or happily ever afters, you can find her chasing adventures in Ohio with her husband, two amazing kids, and an endless supply of chocolate. Rachel loves hiking trails almost as much as plot twists and is always on the hunt for the next great story … or snack. Connect with her at RachelScottMcDaniel.com or at your favorite social media platforms!

More from Rachel

The Red Canary and The Allegheny National Forest

As a historical romance author, research has always been part of my writing process. My nerdy heart enjoys poring over thick tomes filled with information about bygone eras. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone down cyber rabbit trails on my internet searches, discovering historical nuggets that I can drop into my stories. The more information I got, the more empowered I felt. (Though I won’t go into the time I had borrowed every book on botanical poison from my local library. You can imagine the looks I got!) However, for The Red Canary, my own life experiences became my greatest source of information.

Let me explain.

The majority of the story takes place in the Allegheny National Forest, where I grew up. My family had a cabin there, and I knew those woods like the back of my hand. Every Friday night throughout the summer, my parents loaded us kids (my sister, brother, and me) into the family car and would drive three hours to the cabin. We’d reach the place by nightfall, and even though I’d no doubt fallen asleep in the car, I’d race through the dew-laden grass to the front porch to claim the top bunk in the bedroom I shared with my sister.

I remember that the sky always looked different out there, my youthful self surely thinking the chunky stars only lit over this specific forest. My forest. Memories of swimming in the spring-fed creek, catching brown-spotted newts, and climbing rocks taller than a house are ones that filled my heart and spilled onto the pages of the story.

The Red Canary is a historical romance with a dash of mystery, but it’s also a love letter to the Allegheny National Forest. It was easy to imagine my characters walking along fern-lined paths or picking teaberry leaves at sunset because those settings are pulled from my memories.

Of course, I also incorporated external research to enrich the story. The Allegheny National Forest was purchased by the government in 1923. The forest is 513,175 acres in Northwestern Pennsylvania and is the only national forest in the state. Before the government’s procurement, the forest was charred from ravaging wildfires or bare from industrial logging. In the 1920s and 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) planted millions of trees to jumpstart reforestation. Another fun fact is that an abandoned CCC camp was only a stone’s throw from my family cabin, and I would often ride my bike to see the amazingly preserved buildings.

My goal in writing this book is to transport you to an era marked by dramatic shifts in fashion, music, politics, and culture. Yet when my characters enter the forest, they encounter a Creator who paints beautiful sunsets, carves rivers in dry land, and makes all things new. I hope you love it!

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 10

Book Holds and Jello Molds, November 10

She Lives To Read, November 11

Book Looks by Lisa, November 12

Devoted To Hope, November 12

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 13

Texas Book-aholic, November 14

Jeanette’s Thoughts, November 14

Life on Chickadee Lane, November 15

Books You Can Feel Good About, November 16

For Him and My Family, November 17

Connie’s History Classroom, November 18

My Wildflower Musings, November 18

Melissa’s Bookshelf, November 19

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 20

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, November 21

Blossoms and Blessings, November 22

Holly’s Book Corner, November 23

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Rachel is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

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

https://gleam.io/Xwg9P/loving-the-lawman-collection-celebration-tour-giveaway

Friday, November 6, 2026

One Day Gone by Luana Ehrlich

About the Book

Book: One Day Gone: A Mylas Grey Mystery

Author: Luana Ehrlich

Genre: Christian Mystery

Release Date: October 29, 2019

Mylas Grey is a private investigator but don’t call him a private detective.

That title belongs to his father—not to him.

Mylas is the Chief Investigator for Senator Davis Allen, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. His job is to run background investigations of the President’s judicial nominees.

But then Lizzie, the Senator’s daughter, goes missing from her apartment.

And just like that, Mylas finds himself back in his hometown of Columbia, Missouri.

Discovering why she disappeared isn’t easy . . .

Lizzie has a reputation for doing the unexpected, so it’s possible she left town to be alone for a while, or to conduct research for her college newspaper, or simply to visit with friends.

Staying focused on the investigation isn’t easy . . .

Mylas finds himself getting distracted from the investigation when he meets a beautiful photographer who makes him question his rejection of Christianity.

Identifying a suspect isn’t easy . . .

Did Lizzie’s boyfriend play a role? Is a judge connected to Lizzie’s disappearance? What about Lizzie’s roommate?

So many suspects. So little time.

One Day Gone, Book I in the Mylas Grey Mystery Series, is a clean, suspenseful, fast-paced mystery, involving complex relationships, a fledgling romance, and a man’s search for happiness in all the wrong places.

If you enjoy an engaging, multilayered mystery with a vulnerable, endearing hero, someone who will make you cry one minute and laugh the next, you’ll love this book!

Click here to get your copy!

This book really kept me turning the pages. It is a clean read and I am looking forward to reading book 2. The characters were very believeable.If you like PI stories than I think you will enjoy this series. This is the first book in the series. And the book is definitely a clean read and shares Christian beliefs without being overly preachy which I know some readers like.

I received a complimentary copy from the Author Celebrate Lit and these opinions are my own.

About the Author

Luana is a USA Today bestselling author, Carol Award finalist, and former missionary to Costa Rica and Venezuela. She developed her passion for mystery novels at an early age, but she didn’t write her own mystery/suspense/thrillers until her husband retired from the ministry.

Now, she writes from an undisclosed location to escape the torture of mundane housework, grocery shopping, and golf stories. However, she’s been known to come out of hiding to visit with her two grandsons or to enjoy a Starbucks caramel macchiato. She and her husband, James, are long‑time residents of Norman, Oklahoma.

More from Luana

Here’s a peek into how an author develops a protagonist for a new series. WARNING: This might be scary to some people.

When I decided to write a mystery series, I knew I wanted the protagonist, Mylas Grey, to be an investigator, but I wasn’t sure what kind. Private? Police? Corporate? All I knew was that I wanted him to be unique in some way. But what way?

At the same time, I was trying to decide where he would work—big city, small town, rural area. Washington, D.C., immediately came to mind, because I could just imagine all the mysteries Mylas might encounter there.

Once I started thinking about Washington, I naturally thought about Congress, congressional aides, journalists, lobbyists, and all the people who move in and out of that world. That led me to wonder if Mylas could work for a senator. After doing some research, I discovered that some senators—particularly those serving on the Judiciary Committee—have investigators on their staffs.

And just like that, the idea was born: Mylas Grey would be the chief investigator for Senator Davis Allen, where one of his responsibilities would be investigating the backgrounds of the President’s judicial nominees.

But that only answered one question.

Who was Mylas Grey? How did he become an investigator? Where was he born? Who were his parents? Was he married? Was he a Christian?

There isn’t enough room here to explain how I answered all those questions—and you should be thankful for that—but I promise the answers are revealed in One Day Gone.

Here’s one hint: Senator Allen sends Mylas back to his hometown to find his missing daughter. While he’s there, Mylas reconnects with his sometimes overbearing but loving family and meets Whitney Engel, a woman who not only helps him solve the case but also helps him discover the One who’s been missing from his life.