Sunday, November 15, 2026

Dressed for Success… Turned out for Murder (A Women of Wynton’s Mystery Series Book 3) by Donna Mumma

About the Book

Book: Dressed for Success… Turned out for Murder (A Women of Wynton’s Mystery Series Book 3)

Author: Donna Mumma

Genre: Detective Mystery

Release Date: November 2026

Mary Jo’s Dreams for Her Family Are Murdered

Mid-century glam meets murder mayhem in a series of cozy mysteries at Wynton’s Department Store.

It is Mother’s Day of 1957 in Levi City, Florida, and Mary Jo Johnson is supposed to be celebrating her return to fulltime homemaker after her time spent working at Wynton’s Department Store. But her entire world turns upside down when her husband, Kenny, is accused of murdering his boss at the local hardware store he was planning to purchase. Mary Jo—along with her friends (and fellow Wynton’s employees) Audrey, Vivien, and Gigi—must come together to find the truth about what really happened. . .before all hopes for the Johnsons’ future vanish forever.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Donna Mumma perfected storytelling in her first-grade classroom, spinning tales exciting enough to settle a roomful of antsy six-year-olds. She is an award-winning author who loves to blend history, mystery, and a dash of hope in stories that explore ordinary people who learn extraordinary life lessons. Donna is an active member of Word Weavers International, serving as president for the Tampa chapter as well as a mentor for chapters around the country. She was recognized as the Word Weavers traditional groups president and mentor of the year in 2022. She also serves as a line editor and contributor for Inskpirationsonline.com, a site featuring devotions written for writers by writers. An avid believer in education, Donna earned her M. Ed in elementary education and writes educational blogs and articles to assist teachers overseas for the International School Project. A native Floridian, she loves sharing life with her husband and her energetic collie, Duke.

More from Donna

What would you do if your family, your home, and your dreams were stolen away by an ugly and horrible act? How would you find the strength to keep going?

This is the dilemma Mary Jo Johnson faces in the next book of The Women of Wynton’s mystery series, Dressed for Success… Turned out for Murder. One day, life seemed to be promising that her dream of going back to being a full-time housewife and mother was within reach. But the very next morning, she’s escorted from Wynton’s Department Store in the back of Mr. Wynton’s Cadillac and taken to the police station. When she arrives, she’s told her husband Kenny has been arrested for the murder of his boss, the owner of the local hardware store.

And in that moment, Mary Jo’s life takes a path meant more for nightmares than dreams.

It’s enough to make a girl wilt under the pressure. She has the weight of supporting her family fully on her tired shoulders. Her domineering mother tries to take over her household and turn her children against their father. Kenny is unable to recall what happened and all evidence points only to him. Mary Jo is running short on hope and long on worries over saving her family or her dreams.

When life seems determined to snag every pair of pantyhose you own, sometimes the only way to get through is to pray for help and gather your friends around you.

Once again, the women of Wynton’s band together to dig for the truth. But Audrey, Vivien, and Gigi aren’t without their own troubles, complicating their efforts to help Mary Jo.

Vivien bears the brunt of complaints from Levy City’s leaders who are unhappy with her employee Immogene’s controversial community project. Audrey must dodge unwanted attention from Wynton’s newest buyer for men’s clothing while planning the store’s annual Fourth of July picnic. Gigi has been tasked with mentoring a young lady new to Wynton’s whose only interest in life seems to be chasing boys.

Helping Mary Jo discover what happened at the hardware store that fateful morning leads the ladies down unexpected paths. They never bet their search would land them in the middle of feuds, nefarious activities exposing the darker side of Levy City, or the knowledge that danger was living right next door.

Come along with Mary Jo, Gigi, Audrey, and Vivien to see if these ladies can pull a solution to the crime out of their fashionable hats in time to save their dear friend’s dream.

Because sometimes, a girl’s job is murder.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, November 14

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 15

Lights in a Dark World, November 15

Artistic Nobody, November 16 (Author Interview)

Pause for Tales, November 17

Texas Book-aholic, November 18

Guild Master, November 19 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, November 20

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 21

Fiction Book Lover, November 22 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 23

Vicky Sluiter, November 24

Holly’s Book Corner, November 24

The Bookish Ledger, November 25 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, November 26 (Guest Review from Donna)

The Quiet Bookmark, November 27 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Donna is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon eGift Card and a print 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/HQaVl/dressed-for-success-turned-out-for-murder-celebration-tour-giveaway

Saturday, November 14, 2026

A Threat at the Feast (A Rae Riley Mysteries Book) JPC Allen

About the Book

Book: A Threat at the Feast (A Rae Riley Mysteries Book)

Author: JPC Allen

Genre: YA cozy mystery

Release Date: November 15

How can you trust when you don’t understand?

In November, amateur sleuth Rae Riley can be thankful for many things but not the media attention brought by a couple of recent cases she and her dad, Sheriff Walter “Mal” Malinowski solved in rural Marlin County, Ohio. When the publicity also brings the estranged grandfather and mother of her sort-of boyfriend, Deputy Chris Kincaid, he wants nothing to do with his family. Chris says his actress mother and movie director grandfather have only come to bask in the publicity from the high-profile cases.

But Rae notices that his grandfather carries a gun and seems afraid when a producer and his son, superhero movie star Talon Moore arrive in the county.

When Chris’s grandfather is found murdered outside the library where Rae works, and someone attacks Rae’s friend Devon and searches the library, Chris becomes the main suspect for Chief of Police Simcox. Rae and Mal race to bring Chris home for Thanksgiving before he’s prosecuted for first-degree murder.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

JPC Allen started her writing career in second grade with an homage to Scooby Doo, and she’s been tracking down mysteries ever since. She’s a Selah-finalist at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference in both short story and YA categories for her YA series, Rae Riley Mysteries. Her first Rae Riley novel, A Shadow on the Snow, won first place in the ACFW KidLit contest for YA fiction. A Storm of Doubts, her second novel, came in second in both the KidLit and Selah contests.

She writes novels for teens who are looking for a different kind of Christian fiction, stories that combine the mysteries of faith with real-world mysteries and dangers, stories that ask tough questions that a tougher God can always handle.

JPC Allen loves to teach about writing and has led writing workshops online and at in-person events. In her workshops, she encourages writers to discover the adventure of writing on their own terms. Coming from a long line of Mountaineers, she’s a life-long Buckeye and sets all her mysteries in fictional Marlin County Ohio.

More from JPC

The Hardest Book I’ve Ever Written

I knew it was coming, and I dreaded it. Since I write my novels in order, I knew I was slowly closing in on the scenes that twisted my stomach when I thought about them.

Why was I dreading them? Because I was confronting some of my deepest fears.

I’ve always hated being accused of something I didn’t do. In elementary school, if the teacher decided I’d misbehaved, and I hadn’t, there wasn’t a thing I could do. A seven-year-old can’t argue with an adult. Knowing I couldn’t defend myself was a helplessness that has stayed with me my whole life.

I didn’t want to write about the trapped feeling Chris would experience when he was unjustly accused of his grandfather’s murder. I didn’t want to write how helpless Rae felt as she watched someone she loved face prosecution for something he didn’t do.

But I also knew if A Threat at the Feast was going to be a novel worth reading, I had to include those scenes. So as I wrote about Chris’s arrest and arraignment, I let all my feelings pour into Rae. Because my emotions were genuine, ideas and reactions would pop up in my mind as if I was living the ordeal with Rae. Such as when my research uncovered the fact that few jails in Ohio have visitor rooms with plexiglass booths anymore. All visits are either conducted through a video kiosk at the jail or through a video call from the visitor’s home. I had a deep aversion to that fact, and I gave that aversion to Rae.

Despite the emotional grinder I went through to write those scenes, I also knew that such turmoil would make the resolution that much sweeter and deeper, imitating our journey through life. And when a story accurately imitates life, a writer can’t ask for more than that.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, November 11

Simple Harvest Reads, November 12 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, November 13 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 14

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, November 14

Guild Master, November 15 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, November 16

Fiction Book Lover, November 17 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, November 18

The Bookish Ledger, November 19 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 20

Mary Hake, November 20

Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 21 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 22

Blossoms and Blessings, November 23 (Author Interview)

Lily’s Corner, November 24

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, JCP is giving away the grand prize of an Autumn mug, Seasonal loose leaf tea, Loose leaf tea steeper, Handmade bookmarks, Magnets, one signed copy each of A Riddle in the Lonesome October and A Threat at the Feast, and 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/tKADs/a-threat-at-the-feast-celebration-tour-giveaway

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!

"Eye of the Beholder" by Linda Shenton Matchett is a great story about following our dreams (Grace's story and how the war (Hank's story) affects people. I loved this story. It shows that God has perfect plans for us even if it seems like it takes forever.

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

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!