Book Reviews

About the Book

Title: So True A Love
Author: Joanna Barker
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Genre: Regency Romance (Clean)
Release Date: September 3, 2024

Danger and passion collide in a Regency backdrop when a plucky young woman becomes embroiled in a Bow Street investigation alongside a handsome officer.

London, 1803

As the daughter of a renowned actress, Verity Travers is a privileged lady of high society —and the last woman one would suspect of working as a private investigator. But after one case nearly costs her everything, she makes the hard decision to hang up her hat and live the uninspiring life of a gentlewoman. However, when she and her dearest friend become victims of a harrowing armed robbery, Verity finds herself swept back into the clandestine world of mystery and crime as she seeks to bring the thief to justice. There’s just one complication: the persistent and dashingly handsome Bow Street Runner Nathaniel Denning, who always seems to cross her path.

Verity is confident she could accomplish her work quickly if only Nathaniel would stay out of her way. While she appreciates his keen mind and quick wit on a case, his interference is muddling her progress—and her heart. Focusing on the task at hand becomes more and more difficult as she constantly bumps into Nathaniel, who is determined to keep her out of danger.

When the two rival investigators learn they are both pursuing the same cunning criminal, they must figure out how to navigate the delicate dance of cooperation amid a backdrop of increasing peril and an irresistible passion that sets their hearts ablaze.

Purchase your copy here.

About the Author

Joanna Barker firmly believes that romance makes everything better, which is why she has fallen in love with writing Regency romances. When she’s not typing away on her next book, you’ll find her listening to podcasts, eating her secret stash of chocolate, or adding things to her Amazon cart. Joanna is a three-time Whitney finalist, and her books have received praise from Publisher’s Weekly, the Historical Novel Society, Readers’ Favorite, and more. She thinks being an author is the second-best job in the world—right after being a mom. She is just a little crazy about her husband and three wild-but-loveable kids.

Connect with her: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Review

So True A Love
By Joanna Barker
Rating: 4/5

Wow. I do love a story that draws you in from the beginning and keeps you guessing as the mystery unfolds. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this regency romance with suspense and mystery. The characters are unique yet relatable and will keep you reading until you figure out what is going on. The romance was sweet and the chemistry was sizzling with no explicit scenes. I loved their banter back and forth. I’ve only read one other story from Joanna Barker and I enjoyed this one just as much.

Highly recommend this clean regency romance full of intrigue and suspense with a strong female main character and her equally strong and complementary male counterpart.

P.S. This story is a standalone but incorporates characters from her other book, A Heart Worth Stealing, which was also an exciting read and I highly recommend reading that story too.

My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

Also Available

Read my review of Otherwise Engaged here.

About the Book

Title: One Last Promise
Series: Alaska Air One Rescue #3
Author: Susan May Warren
Genre: Contemporary Christian Romantic Suspense
Publisher: SDG Publishing
Release Date: August 6, 2024

Moose (Arlo) Mulligan’s biggest grief propelled him into the world of Search and Rescue. After years as a former Navy Rescue Chopper pilot, he returned home to start Air One Rescue—and made a name for himself. He loves his job, his life, and his routines…which include breakfast at the Skyport, at the table of Tillie Young. She’s sweet, and pretty, but Moose has no room in his life for anything more.

And then, Tillie shows up, beaten and desperate…and needs his help.

Tillie Young never thought her ex would track her to Alaska—but somehow he’s found her, and when he kidnaps her daughter, she’ll do anything to get her back. Even enlist help from her favorite grumpy rescuer at table three, Moose Mulligan.

But Moose is no match for a former MMA boxer, and possible child trafficker, right?

Maybe, maybe not, but he’s not going to let another child go missing on his watch. Worse—when Moose finds himself accused as the kidnapper, there’s no way back. Now, he must find the girl, keep Tillie safe and outwit a man fueled by revenge. It will take all of Moose’s Alaskan savvy to protect them, and keep them alive…but who is going to protect him from the love he never saw coming?

Set in the treacherous Alaskan backwoods, it’s a heart-pounding tale of survival, love, and the family Moose never anticipated.

Grab your copy here!

About the Author

With nearly 2 million books sold, critically acclaimed novelist Susan May Warren is the Christy, RITA, and Carol award-winning author of over ninety novels. Known for her compelling plots and unforgettable characters, Susan has penned contemporary and historical romances, romantic suspense, thrillers, rom-coms, and Christmas novellas. With books translated into eight languages, she’s a USA Today, ECPA and CBA bestseller, and has received numerous starred Publisher Weekly reviews. Library Journal says, “Warren’s characters are well-developed and she knows how to create a first rate contemporary romance.”

Susan is a nationally acclaimed writing coach, and winner of the 2009 American Christian Fiction Writers Mentor of the Year. She is the founder of Novel.Academy, author of the popular writing method, The Story Equation, and a founding partner of Sunrise Media Group.

My Review

One Last Promise
by Susan May Warren
Book 3 in the Alaska Air One Rescue series
Rating: 4.5/5

Wow! This series keeps getting better and better! The earlier books helped set up this story but it was unnecessary because the author gives great background so you can definitely read as a standalone. However, I still recommend reading the first two books in this series because they are excellent adventure rides. There’s something about books set in Alaska that have an added element of suspense and I am here for it. 😉 The author has a beautiful way of weaving in her faith to this intense story. I absolutely enjoyed this nonstop thriller with some beautiful characters who share their struggles and triumphs. I also appreciate a story with action, romance and mystery without any cursing or explicit scenes.

Highly recommend this wonderful story of love, redemption and rescue.

My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

Also Available

Read my review of One Last Shot here.
Read my review of One Last Chance here.

About the Book

Title: Party Favors
Author: Sariah Wilson
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Comedy
Publisher: Montlake
Release Date: July 30, 2024

For a party planner in awe of the royals, daydreams fit for a queen might come true in a captivating romantic comedy by Sariah Wilson, the USA Today bestselling author of The Hollywood Jinx.

For as long as she can remember, Everly Aprile has been obsessed with the Monterran royals, especially Queen Kat: elegant, self-possessed, and living a fairy-tale romance. As for Everly, her career as an event planner has stalled—and so has her love life. Then a wealthy new client wants a sweet-sixteen party that’s fit for an American princess. Practicing her “What Would Kat Do” mantra, Everly offers to bring it to life by immersing herself in everything Monterra.

Call it intervento divino when she meets dizzyingly handsome and charismatic Max Colby, who’s relocated stateside from the Monterran kingdom of her dreams. If Everly promises to be his New York City guide, he’ll teach her the customs and culture of Monterra so her party gets a boost of authenticity. Deal. As their friendship grows, Everly starts falling—but for what? Another unattainable obsession? Max is such a dreamboat that surely he sees her as just a friend.

Her royal to-do list is in order. She’s revamping her life and learning to believe in herself. Maybe, just maybe, there’s a chance for fate to bring Everly her happily ever after after all.

Purchase your copy here!

About the Author

Sariah Wilson is the USA Today bestselling author of The Chemistry of Love, The Paid Bridesmaid, The Seat Filler, Roommaid, Just a Boyfriend, the Royals of Monterra series, and the #Lovestruck novels. She happens to be madly, passionately in love with her soul mate and is a fervent believer in happily ever afters—which is why she writes romance. She currently lives with her family and various pets in Utah, and harbors a lifelong devotion to ice cream. For more information, visit her website at www.sariahwilson.com.

My Review

Party Favors
by Sariah Wilson
Rating: 4.5/5

Wow. The author does it again and again. She makes you swoon and sigh and laugh out loud and sometimes cry. (I’m rhyming?) I am always so quick to purchase her books and have NEVER been disappointed. I had an opportunity to read her book before the official release date and I was so excited. This book was such a fun, summer read. The main characters are charismatic, lovable and full of their own struggles and fears. I always appreciate the author’s ability to weave beautiful stories about love, life and everything in between. She brings her unique flavor to every story and I cannot wait to read more.

Highly recommend this laugh out loud, clean, romantic comedy that will force you to keep reading until the end!

My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

Also Available

Read my review of Cinder-Nanny here.