Tell Tale Book Reviews

Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release Date: July 13, 2025

​It’s been such a joy to set a series in the town where I graduated from college almost 40 years ago. I’m so thankful my husband suggested it, as it’s been a lot of fun digging into the history of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, and the surrounding area during the 19th century. Before this series, all my other books had settings in the Mid-west—Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas.

When I started writing the first book, Abigail’s Pursuit, quite a number of years ago, I never intended to create a series about prodigals, let alone experience the pain of it in my life… but God knew what the future held. While each of the books in this Time to Come Home Series revolves around the common theme of a prodigal, each of the tales is a stand-alone. My prayer is for those who have children who have wandered away, or perhaps were once prodigals themselves, or even others who enjoy Christian historical romance with strong spiritual themes—that each of these groups find encouragement through reading this series.
​
Hannah’s Quest was exciting to write as I incorporated information about one of the oldest continually run hardware stores in PA that is still operating to this day, even though it’s changed names various times through the years. I hope you’ll enjoy stepping back in time to a small town in south-central PA where faith and family are celebrated.

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Pause for Tales, April 18
Stories By Gina, April 19 (Author Interview)
Simple Harvest Reads, April 20 (Author Interview)
Fruitfully Planted, April 20
Artistic Nobody, April 21 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 22
Guild Master, April 23 (Author Interview)
Fiction Book Lover, April 24 (Author Interview)
Vicky Sluiter, April 25 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, April 26
For the Love of Literature, April 27 (Author Interview)
Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 28 (Author Interview)
Holly’s Book Corner, April 28
Blossoms and Blessings, April 29 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, April 30
The Bookish Ledger, May 1 (Author Interview)

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​To protect their loved ones, they must race to stop a treasonous brotherhood, whose dark secrets could enable Napoleon to win the war.
Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 1: Archer
An ex-spy and a spinster botanist must find a murderer—with ties to both their families—whose uncanny alchemy could turn the tides against the war with Napoleon.
Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 2: Berserker
The team searches for their missing comrade before a crazed murderer finds him first.
Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 3: Aggressor
When French spies land on British soil to steal the ingredient for a powerful alchemical potion, Lady Wynwood’s team falls under attack from the toxins they unleash.

Genre: Christian Regency Romantic Suspense
Release Date: April 23, 2024

​Can the Archer help the Berserker & the Aggressor?

I actually read the first of the Lady Wynwood's Spies books, Archer, a few years ago so I was excited to get my hands on this boxed set with Archer and the next 2 stories in this serial series. Since it has been awhile and many stories in between, I did choose to re-read book 1 before diving into Berserker and Aggressor. I'm glad that I did so as these stories do have some resolution at the end of each one but they are so interconnected that you need to read them in perfect order.

Lady Wynwood's Spies is different from pretty much all other Regency fiction that I've read. It has all of the parties and polite manners and witty dialogue that one associates with the genre but Camille Elliot (Camy Tang) has also packed a lot of danger, intrigue, and even a supernatural element within its pages.

From Lady Wynwood herself to the twins, to Sol and the rest of the eclectic team, Camille Elliot's characters are varied and interesting – and all of them have secrets they wish to keep hidden. I particularly found myself caught up in Phoebe's story as she tries to navigate the wounds that only family can inflict all while searching for botanical answers to a mysterious substance wreaking havoc on London.

If you want to embark on a Regency era tale of adventure and intrigue that spans the poorest London streets to the most glittering parties of the elite, this boxed set is a great way to start. Personally, I enjoyed the first 3 Lady Wynwood's Spies novels from Camille Elliot and, since they end on a cliffhanger, I can't wait to read more in the serial-style series....

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Lady Wynwood's Spies 1-3 by Camille Elliot a 4 Bark rating....

​What inspired me to write the Lady Wynwood’s Spies series:

While I love Regency Romances and Jane Austen’s books, I also really love action movies. When plotting the rest of the series, especially in light of Sol’s clandestine job for the Crown, I realized that I really wanted to do a mash-up of Mission: Impossible in the Regency era.

So I created Sol’s team of agents, some who used to work for the Foreign Office as spies and some who are civilians with unusual skill sets. And, of course, there will be lots of romance for each of the team members, as well as lots of action and suspense.

What exactly is an epic-length serial novel?

Originally I had written The Spinster’s Christmas, a Christian Regency Romantic Suspense, as a stand-alone novel, and I had planned more stand-alone novels with Lady Wynwood and Sol as minor characters in each of them. However, as I began planning the series past that first Christmas book, I realized the storyline was becoming longer and more complex.
I fought it for a while because it would have been a really long series—I even tried writing the next book as a stand-alone novel, but I wrote almost 90,000 words and I hadn’t even gotten to the 25% mark in the book!

So I decided to structure the series like a Japanese light novel series, in which each book has a complete story arc, but there is an underlying story arc that runs through each of the volumes and isn’t resolved until the end.

This is similar to the serial novels being published in the U.S., but those tend to be smaller installments of around 20,000 words, while each of the volumes in my series is around 100,000 words.

I have already plotted the entire series and it will be 12 volumes, plus 3 prequel novels (The Spinster’s Christmas, The Gentleman Thief, and Lissa and the Spy). At the moment, I’m writing volume 10.
​
I hope you enjoy my latest Regency series!

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All-of-a-kind Mom, April 22
Inspired by Fiction, April 23
Books You Can Feel Good About, April 23
Melissa’s Bookshelf, April 24
Lily’s Corner, April 25
Life on Chickadee Lane, April 26
Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 27
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 28
Texas Book-aholic, April 29
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 30
Sydney Schmied Books, April 30
For Him and My Family, May 1
Blogging With Carol, May 2
Blossoms and Blessings, May 2
Book looks by Lisa, May 3
Devoted To Hope, May 4
Holly’s Book Corner, May 5

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​He Calls Me Daughter is a deeply personal and emotionally powerful film that explores what it means to carry a father wound and what it takes to heal from it.

Through raw storytelling and spiritual insight, the film reveals how unmet needs from an earthly father can shape identity, relationships, and self-worth. But it also offers a path forward. One rooted in the love of a Heavenly Father who restores, redeems, and redefines what it means to be a daughter.
​
This is not just a story about pain. It is a story about healing, forgiveness, and identity.

Watch On Angel

Join the Angel Guild to support more stories that
​bring hope, healing, and truth to the screen.

My Review

​I knew I wanted to watch this film when I first heard about it. Did I have a gaping father wound? No. But I have known, and still know, people who do. I wanted to understand, at least a little bit better. And, boy, were my eyes opened. To be honest, I'm still wrestling with this even though it has been 24 hours since I watched He Calls Me Daughter. Maybe there was more in my own past, both negative and positive, than I wanted to think about

He Calls Me Daughter is one of, if not THE, most moving non-fiction/documentary films that I have ever watched. Seeing and listening to the real stories of women, bound together across age groups and ethnicity and location, by one single and very painful thing. A father wound. But it doesn't stop there, they are also bound together by the Father, sometimes oh so slowly, healing that wound. These are real women, some are famous and some are simply the girl next door, but they are real stories with real pain. They are also full of very real hope.

This wasn't always an easy film to watch. No, it isn't graphic or anything like that. But the topic is a very difficult one. Women especially, view God the Father through the perspective of their biological father as their example. And that's a scary thought. Whether you yourself have a gaping father wound or someone close to you does, He Calls Me Daughter can open the door to that introspection, that discussion, and to a journey of healing.

Every Christian woman, from teenager to great grandma, should take the time needed to watch this film. But, it isn't only women who need to see He Calls Me Daughter. Fathers, or (adult) men hoping to become fathers, also need to understand just how powerful of an impact, for good or ill, that they will have on their daughters. And, from personal experience I can tell you that it isn't just girls who can have that bleeding father wound that affects the rest of their lives....

(Disclosure: Many thanks to Angel for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.)

$10 Amazon giftcard

(USA ONLY)

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#HeCallsMeDaughterAngelMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

#1. What was the inspiration for this book?
I live in Oklahoma, and I wanted to write a story that shared some of our unique history. This book’s hero ends up riding in the first Oklahoma land rush. I knew the heroine’s story would be a runaway bride tale. When you read her story, you’ll be cheering for her.
​

​I know that whatever this world throws at me, I will make it through because God is walking with me. The same can be true for you.

​Never in her life had Rebekah Bailey done anything so daring, but then she’d never been this desperate before. She peered over her shoulder at the dilapidated house as she tiptoed toward the barn. Good. Still dark.

The full moon illuminated the rickety A-frame shack that had been her home for as long as she could remember. The breath she’d been holding came out on a ragged sigh. At least she’d managed to get out of the house without Curtis hearing her. But she was far from safe.

Her heartbeat resounded in her ears, and she was certain her closest neighbors, who lived miles away, could hear it. Hugging her ma’s ancient carpetbag against her chest, she quickened her pace.

A sharp creak in the direction of the house jerked Rebekah from her reverie. With a quick tug on the reins, she turned Prince west and kicked his sides. West toward the open plains and Indian Territory. Then northwest toward Denver–and freedom. She prayed it was the last place Curtis would think to look for her.

The chanting of tree frogs gave music to her ride, and an owl hooted somewhere in a nearby tree. She used to love the sounds of the night, but now they only reminded her that she was alone. Hoping to ward off the night chill, she tugged her frayed cloak around her. The world seemed normal, asleep, as it should in the middle of the night. But she felt anything except normal. Her world had fallen apart this evening with Curtis’s declaration. Nothing would ever be same for her. She shivered at the memory. “I’ve made a deal with Giles Wilbur,” Curtis had said, grinning with pride. “Swapped you for a half side of beef and some moonshine. In the morning, you’ll be moving in with him and be his woman.” Thoughts of the filthy, drunken sloth of a man more than twice her age made her blood run cold. How could Curtis expect her to live with Mr. Wilbur without the sanctity of marriage? How could he simply swap her like she were livestock—something to be bartered? Bile churned in her stomach and burned a path to her throat. Tears blurred her vision and streamed down her cheeks.

She’d never felt so alone. Completely alone–as though not a single person in the world cared for her. But the gentle touch of the wind to her cheeks reminded her of the One who never failed. Rebekah turned to her heavenly Father as Prince trotted down the dark road. “Protect me, Lord–and show me the way. And Father . . . oh, Father, give me courage for the ride ahead and strengthen Prince’s old bones–”

The faint sound of approaching hoof beats intruded on Rebekah’s prayer.

Oh, no! Curtis!

She was certain her heart would jump clear out of her chest. The reins nearly slipped from her trembling hands. Fear of what was behind her overpowered the fear of what was ahead.

Taking a deep, determined breath, and with a firm grip on the reins, Rebekah dug her heels into Prince’s side.

“He–yah!!!” she cried softly.
​
Prince vaulted into a gallop and raced down the road.

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Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 7
Texas Book-aholic, April 8
Artistic Nobody, April 9 (Author Interview)
Pause for Tales, April 9
For Him and My Family, April 10
Happily Managing a Houehold of Boys, April 11
Guild Master, April 12 (Author Interview)
Books You Can Feel Good About, April 13
lakesidelivingsite, April 14
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, April 15
Fiction Book Lover, April 16 (Author Interview)
Simple Harvest Reads, April 17 (Guest Review from Donna)
Cover Lover Book Review, April 18
Holly’s Book Corner, April 19
Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 20 (Author Interview)
Jodie Wolfe, April 20

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​​#1. What was the inspiration for this book?
​Cinderella, one of my favorite childhood fairy tales, inspired Cerulean Rose. I always enjoyed that romantic tale, but felt the poor prince was a little flat. His character was so underdeveloped that I wanted to give him another layer. What if he didn’t start out charming? What if he was arrogant and bossy? Could he recognize true love if he saw it in one he deemed below him? With those questions swirling in my mind, The Fates Trilogy was born.   
​

#2. How long did it take to finish writing this book?
​Cerulean Rose took a little over a month to write. I originally envisioned it as a standalone novel, but after weaving in a subtle faith element and reaching an unforeseen conclusion, I realized it was destined to become a trilogy. Part of the fantasy world setting for this novel includes two kingdoms that have a fractured view of God, reducing His divine power into attributes instead of seeing Him as a whole being. I wondered what it would be like if people related to God only through certain traits like love or justice or hope, never connecting them. Then what if God’s messengers went to war because people lost sight of Him as a being and only thought of His attributes as a way of life? Those ideas span the three novels, bringing a conclusion that links the fairy tales and scripture.   

#3. What drew you to write in this particular genre?
After delving into a multitude of books in this particular literary style, I couldn't resist feeling a surge of creative energy. Fairy tales have always held a special place in my heart. After spending years writing an epic fantasy series—without a doubt, the most difficult project I've tackled so far—I was looking forward to something less complicated. This trilogy, while different from my epic fantasy, still boasts a wealth of complex plot developments and a creative backstory that completely absorbed me in its narratives. I had a blast writing it.   
​

#4. Do you have favorite character(s) in this book?
​While I don’t like picking favorites… I have to say that Enris, a side-character with a lot of charm, truly stole my heart. He was quite unexpected. So much so that he gets his own story in Scarlet Oak. But, I can’t say too much about him without giving spoilers, so you will just have to trust me that he is complicated and charming. His story arc over the three books was my favorite. Shh—don’t tell the others.   

#5. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
​One of the things I hope readers will take away when reading this book is the power of true love. A love that is blessed by the divine. The anchor verse for Cerulean Rose comes from Song of Solomon 2:1-3. But the takeaway I hope readers get from immersing themselves in this story comes from 1 Corinthians 13:8-10. 

​The inspiration behind The Fates Trilogy came after I spent a few years crafting an epic fantasy series called The Illumination Chronicles. I wanted to write something light-hearted and less involved. What began as a simple idea for a single story quickly escalated into a trilogy—all because of the final scene in the first book. Though it isn’t a cliffhanger, my author’s mind grabbed onto the possibilities, and the second book invaded my dreams at night. Then the third. The combination of romance and fantasy was too much fun to stop at writing one book.

The royalty element is what I enjoy most about the stories in this series. Exploring the complicated relationships between fathers and sons, and the unspoken bond of brotherhood, added depth to the otherwise light-hearted stories. In this trilogy, the Christian influence is less pronounced than in my other novels, but the overarching themes of unity and sacrifice reach their peak in the final book.

The characters in The Fates Trilogy struggle with issues that echo Christian values. Some of the issues include the sting of prejudice, the challenge of forgiveness, and the ache of feeling forsaken. Each book dives deeper into those ideas until they culminate in the epic climax in the last story.

However, my main goal in the first book was to ensure that the narrative centered on the theme of love. Fairy tales swirled in my mind during my childhood, weaving vibrant worlds in my imagination. Cinderella was one of my favorite fairy tales, so it comes as no surprise that those vibes worked their way into this story. Yet, putting my own spin on it, I added depth, intrigue, and instead of glass slippers… a blue rose.
​
While the vibes of that classic story have found their way into Cerulean Rose, it pulses with its own heartbeat. The faint imprint of a quest for true love feels familiar … but there is so… much…. more.

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Book Looks by Lisa, April 10
Simple Harvest Reads, April 11 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, April 11
Lily’s Corner, April 12
Artistic Nobody, April 13 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 14
Guild Master, April 15 (Author Interview)
The Lofty Pages, April 16
Fiction Book Lover, April 17 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, April 18
For the Love of Literature, April 19 (Author Interview)
Holly’s Book Corner, April 19
Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 20 (Author Interview)
Leslie’s Library Escape, April 21
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 22
Blossoms and Blessings, April 23 (Author Interview)

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Welcome to Enchanting Confections, where 12 no-spice, cozy fantasy romance stories come in every flavor imaginable. Some are as sweet as sugar, and some have a bit more "stabbiness” in the center.

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#1. What was the inspiration behind this book?
The inspiration behind this book began in my childhood. Even as a young child I had a personal relationship with God. As the events of my life unfolded, I didn't initially attribute them to God but looking back I realize He has had his hand on my life from the very beginning. I began talking about God stories decades ago. I marveled at the different circumstances, situations, and stories that God produced in my life. Not all of them were happy stories but they all had purposeful results or endings. I was keenly aware of the sovereignty of God and His many amazing attributes. The 30 true stories in my/His book are all nonfiction. They range from my birth and resuscitation during a Los Angeles earthquake in 1952 to surprising travels abroad. They are all stories about Him, and I am passionate about proclaiming what He has done. As I told my/His God stories over the years and decades, family and friends encouraged me to write about them. Over those years, my faithful prayer partners prodded me to write this book. It was in, or around, the year 2018 when God Himself, directed me to write them through His familiar God Tap/directive in my life.
​

#2. How long did it take to finish writing this book?
I began writing my/His book in the spring of 2019. God directed me to go away for several days to focus and concentrate on my writing. I was able to complete the book in that one chunk of time while I was away in the Sierra Nevada mountains in Twain Harte, California. Writing the book was twofold. It was easy to write because they were familiar stories that were true that I did not have to imaginatively create. But the stories were personal and I found myself resistant to sharing them in public as I am predominantly a very private person and sharing my stories was out of my comfort zone. The process from writing to actual book release was from spring of 2019 until October of 2025 … six years.
​

#5. What do you hope your readers will remember after finishing this book?
It is my goal that the readers of my/His book will recognize and grow deeper in their own personal relationships with God. It is my prayer that people will see God in their own lives in a new, fresh and reliant way. I hope that individuals will perceive their own personal God stories and proclaim them. God Storys is intended for people of all ages and all genders.
​

​I have been asked, “What is the purpose of this book? I believe that the answer to that question lies in the fact that you are holding this book in your hands and reading these God storys. That is not a coincidence; it is another God incidence. I do not believe in coincidence. I believe that our lives and our world are beautifully orchestrated by a very personal, very relational Creator.
​
This book is not about me; it is not about spiritual one-upmanship. This book is all about Him … about having a relationship with Him. I am an ordinary person; I am an ordinary Christian. I am merely His scribe writing out of obedience. Even the cover and subtitle of this book reflect God storys. I photographed the sunset from my front door before this book was ever written. The song that I refer to “The Truth”, reflects our royal relationship with Him as our King. The lock on the cover is to be unlocked as you explore your own relationship with Him, the God Who breathed life into our nostrils.

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Simple Harvest Reads, April 8 (Author Interview)
Artistic Nobody, April 9 (Author Interview)
Guild Master, April 10 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, April 11
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 12
Fiction Book Lover, April 13 (Author Interview)
Vicky Sluiter, April 14 (Author Interview)
For the Love of Literature, April 15 (Author Interview)
Lots of Helpers, April 15
Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 16 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 17
Blossoms and Blessings, April 18 (Author Interview)
Stories By Gina, April 19 (Author Interview)
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, April 20 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, April 20
Books, Books, & More Books, April 21 (Author Interview)

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Genre: YA Fantasy Retelling
Release Date: March 10, 2026

​There are those who only seek to use them....

I absolutely loved Angie Dickinson's book Truth Cursed, so I was beyond excited when I heard about The Star-Blessed a few months ago. Since then I have been on tenterhooks of eager anticipation. When I finally got my hands on it I dived right in. And it was every bit as good as I hoped it would be.

The Star-Blessed captured my attention right from the start. First and foremost, it is a fantasy story with all of the elements that I love about the genre. But, it is also a fairytale retelling, or rather a double fairytale retelling. What I enjoyed so much about this book was the clever way that Angie Dickinson wove those two things together into a tale that is both captivating and richly detailed. From fancy balls and swordplay to magical clothing and spun gold, you get that fairytale essence within a story that is entirely fresh and new.

The worldbuilding is exquisite in The Star-Blessed. The realm has history, it has geography, it has culture, it has religion. And, since this book is a standalone title, those elements are key and must not be skimped on. Angie Dickinson's did not skimp. Her characters are interesting and you can't help but become immersed in their lives as well as the world around them.

Anyway, as I'm sure you can tell, I loved The Star-Blessed just as much as I did Truth Seeker. With two books of this caliber already out, I can't wait to read more from Angie Dickinson myself. Definitely recommend!

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives The Star-Blessed by Angie Dickinson a 4.5 Bark rating.

​If you’re like me, I suspect you can still remember the soft sounds and smells of the local or school library that you visited in childhood. You can probably remember the thrill of finding a book that you longed to spend time paging through in peace. For me, the greatest thrills came whenever I found a beautifully illustrated fairy tale. Fairy tale collections were always my favorite, and finding illustrated versions by talented artists made my heart sing.

​I have read this one to my children countless times, and it has always set my mind whirring with the different ways that it could be told again.

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Texas Book-aholic, March 31
Devoted Steps, April 1
The Lofty Pages, April 1
Inspired by Fiction, April 2
Because Fiction, April 3 (Author Interview)
Lily’s Corner, April 4
Blogging With Carol, April 5
Artistic Nobody, April 6 (Author Interview)
Holly’s Book Corner, April 7
Guild Master, April 8 (Author Interview)
Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 9
Simple Harvest Reads, April 10 (Guest Review from Mindy)
Fiction Book Lover, April 11 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 12 (Spotlight)
To Everything There Is A Season, April 12
Vicky Sluiter, April 13 (Author Interview)

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​You may have come across the term “space opera” and wondered what it meant. Sopranos in space suits?

The term comes to us by way of “horse opera,” those good old-fashioned western movies with horses and bad guys and adventures and sweet-rated romance. With space opera, it’s “head ’em off at the next galaxy” and the sheriff carries a blaster (a blazer in my books) instead of a revolver, but it often has the same flavor. Remember the sci-fi TV series “Firefly”? It acknowledged its western-movie roots with horse chases and train rides. Often, people who dislike most science fiction for its far-futuristic technology find that they enjoy space opera, because its beating heart is the characters who are having the adventure.

I’ve written two kinds of science fiction. My Christy-award winning novel Shivering World is what we call “hard” science fiction. The plot revolves around solving a scientifically plausible problem.

I like to explain the distinction between hard SF, soft SF, and space opera like this: All science fiction has a veneer of scientific credibility. With hard SF, that veneer has to be so thick that a scientist in that field wouldn’t scoff. I once read a compelling hard SF story in which the characters were saved by knowing the melting point of aluminum and whether it would float them across a pool of extraterrestrial lava (plainly, they were too far off Earth to Google it).

Soft SF has a thinner scientific veneer, with more emphasis on well-drawn characters. In space opera, the veneer can be thin indeed. Some people mock the Star Wars movies for showing that explosions in space go “boom” although sound waves are carried by air molecules.

Do Star Wars fans care? No! They’re in it for the adventure, the fight scenes, the fabulous visual effects, John Williams’s music, and the sense of hope that even in dark times, maybe goodness will win out.

Can’t we all use some of that?

In my Firebird space opera series, I keep the science plausible if I can. My telepaths’ ancestors dabbled in genetic manipulation to create those abilities. They exceed lightspeed using a technology that turns every shipboard molecule sideways to normal space (say quasi-orthogonal three times fast). My “magical weapon,” the crystace, contains a crystal whose X and Y axes elongate dramatically when activated by sound at a particular resonant frequency. I explained the crystace just once, at the start of the series, because what really matters in these tales is whether Lady Firebird will survive to have another adventure.

Yet there’s music in my space operas. Firebird plays a small harp, which becomes a plot point in Firebreak. All of my chapter titles have musical subheadings such as allegro con fuoco, like instructions for a performer.

There is also chaste, moral romance and deep love between a pair-bonded husband and wife. My sister accused me of trying to “create the perfect man” in my series hero, Brennen. I won’t call him perfect—no one is—but I think he’d be a catch on any planet. Then there’s Prince Tel, left a widower . . .
​
If you’ve never enjoyed science fiction, you might try a space opera, maybe even mine. If you already enjoy science fiction, this series could fall within your comfort zone, too.

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Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 25
Because Fiction, March 26 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 27 (Spotlight)
Artistic Nobody, March 28 (Author Interview)
Blogging With Carol, March 29
Blossoms and Blessings, March 30 (Spotlight)
Guild Master, March 31 (Author Interview)
The Lofty Pages, March 31
Stories By Gina, April 1 (Spotlight)
Fiction Book Lover, April 2 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, April 2
Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 3
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, April 4 (Spotlight)
Vicky Sluiter, April 5 (Author Interview)
Simple Harvest Reads, April 6 (Guest Review from Mindy)
Books, Books, & More Books, April 7 (Spotlight)

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Welcome to the Blog Tour for Special Target by Jerusha Agen,
hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

​She’s trying to save the boy’s life. What if he’s supposed to save hers?

​ For tough-as-nails Chicago social worker Ashley Sorenson, it’s nothing new to risk her life for hurting children. Seeing innocent kids suffer every day may have made her a little cynical, but she’ll stop at nothing to rescue children from miserable circumstances.

But Ashley faces a special challenge when Matthew Borden, a sixteen-year-old with Down syndrome, is orphaned. Finding a suitable foster home for the boy becomes the least of her problems when someone starts threatening her and Matthew.
The sudden appearance of a mysterious FBI agent confirms Ashley’s growing suspicions that Matthew is no ordinary teen. The boy she thought no one wanted is wanted by many…dead or alive.

Dodging danger at every turn, Ashley races to find the secrets that could save Matthew’s life. When the truth unearths her own dark past and threatens more than their lives, the God Matthew trusts may be her only hope for rescue.
​
A gripping and gritty standalone Christian suspense thriller from the bestselling author of the Guardians Unleashed Series.

Publisher: ‎ SDG Words, LLC
Release Date: March 26, 2026
Genre: Christian Suspense Thriller

​PURCHASE LINKS:
​Goodreads | Buy from the Author| Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

Also Available

My Review

​Can there be a purpose for good....?

Well, that was definitely not what I expected. I've gotten hooked on Jerusha Agen's romantic suspense with her Guardians Unleashed series, so I always jump at the chance to read one of her books.

Special Target is a standalone novel which was a little different – all of her previous books that I've read have been a part of a series – so, seeing Jerusha Agen's take on a story without a follow-up was quite interesting.

Special Target certainly kept me on the edge of my seat with all of the mystery and suspense that I've come to expect from Jerusha Agen. Danger is everywhere for the characters and they have no clue who they can really trust.

The story, however, had a much different emotional feel to it. It's less of a romantic suspense novel and more the story of a woman who has been hurt by the people closest to her and now has a lot of anger, distrust, and even prejudice borne from the pain of her past. There were times that I positively disliked Ashley and her viewpoint. There were times I wanted to ask her how she could be so hurtful to other characters, and yet, the way she was written was raw and real. She's hurting. She questions how a good God could allow and have a purpose in the suffering of this world. She wants the same answers we all do when we are facing pain and darkness.

This book is grittier, the ending was completely unexpected, but it is also a story that sticks with you and makes you consider your own thoughts, viewpoints, and the way we see others around us. Special Target is a different kind of story from Jerusha Agen, but if you like your Christian fiction to be less fluffy and more thought-provoking, check it out....

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Special Target by Jerusha Agen a 4 Bark rating.

(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

(1) winner will receive a signed paperback copy of Special Target,
a $25 Barnes and Noble gift card and a Special Target mug, notebook, and magnet!

​Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight March 30, 2026 and will last through
11:59 PM EST on April 6, 2026. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and
​given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

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Genre: Middle-grade action and adventure
Release Date: February 17, 2026

​#5. Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.
Caring for my senior cat has made me reflect on the value of life and on how God cares for all his creation, even the old and infirm. For example, the easiest path for me would be to put my cat to sleep, but I would be acting out of selfishness. My motivation wouldn’t be to put him out of his misery (we’re not at that point yet) but to spare myself the time and effort required to care for him. Is that God’s way?

God sees things so differently from how humans do. Humans are motivated by pride and comfort. We divide people into different tiers of worthiness. God, however, sees everyone as so precious that he was willing to die for them. A person’s worth doesn’t change with age or weakness. He loves and values everyone equally and expects us to love, respect, and care for people, no matter their condition, even when it’s inconvenient. How incredible God is! And how precious people are!

And yes, God even expects me to care for my elderly cat.

​The idea for a middle-grade novel came to me while I was listening to a series of sermons on meditating on God’s Word. How could I show that the Bible is exciting, far from boring, relevant to our lives, and has the answers we seek about our purpose in life? And do so in a way that is fun and intriguing, keeping the readers on the edge of their seats? Write a time-travel adventure into the Bible, of course! Granted, the premise may not be new, but I aimed to write it in a way that is fresh and stimulating, giving valuable insights into the Bible.

The result of this crazy idea is the How to Be a Hero series, of which How to Make a Miracle is the second installment, although each book can be read as a standalone novel.

I targeted middle-grade readers because it’s an awkward age when young people begin to question what their parents have taught them and seek answers for themselves (speaking from experience, here). If my books can encourage them in their faith, I will consider my writing a success.
​
I chose the book themes based on issues young people struggle with. How to Make a Miracle addresses the problem of anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness, which I don’t need to tell you are far too prevalent in our society. The solution is forgiveness—and we all need to learn how to forgive each other, regardless of age.

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Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 17
Simple Harvest Reads, March 18 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, March 19
Artistic Nobody, March 20 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, March 21
Guild Master, March 22 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 23
Fiction Book Lover, March 24 (Author Interview)
Books Less Travelled, March 25 (Author Interview)
Mrs. Ryan Moser’s Book and Movie Reviews, March 25
Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, March 26 (Author Interview)
Vicky Sluiter, March 27
History, Hope & Happily Ever After, March 28 (Author Interview)
For the Love of Literature, March 29 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, March 29
Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 30 (Author Interview)

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A heartwarming tale of second chances, faith, and finding love in the untamed West. ​

Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release Date: March 10, 2026

​Sparks and bullets fly when they join forces....

I'm a fan of Mary Connealy from way back and I've enjoyed every one of her series that I've read. Petticoat Ranch is the start of a new series, Petticoats And Cowboys, and I was excited to head back to Texas with her.

Petticoat Ranch had everything that I've come to expect from Mary Connealy including humor and and some good edge-of-your-seat moments. There were also some surprises along the way – particularly the unexpected answers to a woman's prayers – that were interesting and kept me turning those pages.

Sophie and her girls were such a delight to read about, though I must admit that all of their giggling and crying made my imaginative 'ears' almost as tired as they did poor Clay's fictional ones. But, they also had an amusing vicious streak that made me laugh out loud more than once. Clay, however, made me mad. His high-handed ways and bullheadedness drove me crazy. Just as I was hopping mad, about halfway or so through the first Petticoats And Cowboys book, I had a sudden realization. My high emotions over a fictional character was really a testament to just how well Mary Connealy had written him to be. And I was impressed by just how quickly and easily she had gained every bit of my attention.

Petticoat Ranch was a good read. While, I may have been annoyed by a certain character, I still couldn't really put it down since I just HAD to know what would happen next. I do think this was a strong start to the Petticoats And Cowboys series and I am looking forward to reading book two....

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Petticoat Ranch by Mary Connealy a 4 Bark rating.

​Petticoat Ranch is my husband’s story.

My husband is a cowboy…or rather he’s a Nebraska cattleman. Our ‘horse’ though we used to have horses, is now a pick-up truck and a four-wheeled rig that can crawl all over rugged land.

My Cowboy grew up in a family of seven sons.

His mom was about the coolest, nicest lady ever born…a living embodiment of ‘Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.’ She could tell stories of chaos and mayhem for HOURS and just laugh. I loved her.

Then I married My Cowboy and we had FOUR DAUGHTERS.

My husband spent his whole life confused.

And example of a usual conversation:

My Cowboy: Why won’t they stop crying!?

Why won’t they stop giggling?

Why won’t they stop TALKING?

Me: Um, cuz they’re girls?

He was constantly befuddled. He loved them (still does) so madly but they did NOT make sense to him.

That’s Petticoat Ranch.

A mountain man comes to find his brother’s wife…his brother died and he’s come to ‘rescue’ them. Except they’re unbelievable tough and competent and, well, maybe they could use a little rescuing, life is tough in Texas for a widow and her four children and, in a weak moment, she agrees to marry this man who looks EXACTLY like her husband. A man she never knew existed.

And there they are. Her and her four tough Texas daughters.

Him who’s pretty much never seen a woman in his life, and certainly not a CHILD.

Now they’re married about twenty-four hours after she found out he existed…and they have to figure out how to get along.

I try really hard to thread that needle where a man is befuddled by a woman…but he’s not stupid. A woman is exasperated by a man…but she’s got a good heart.

I shove them together…and leave them to try and get along. If someone is trying to kill them, or steal their ranch, or whatever horrible outlaw is in the book, that adds to the fun.

I shove them together and then leave them to figure out how to get along.

I love Petticoat Ranch. I’ve done this kind of book many times, the mountain man who’s never been around women. The feisty lady rancher who’s used to being in charge. And never did I find that sweet spot quite as well as I did in Petticoat Ranch.

One of my very favorite books.

Ah, tough, self-sufficient Sophie. She really can use the help and he really does look exactly like her dead husband.

Ah, confused but definitely attracted Clay. He’s trying to take care of her and take charge…and she’s not cooperating.
She was definitely in charge when his brother was alive…he was kinda cranky and inept. Why won’t Clay just let her run things?

All those tough little Texas cowgirl daughters who can’t quite figure out if this is they’re pa, given back to them by God…or if this is some new guy that they are desperate to make love them, when their real pa was so desperate to have sons.

I love that Wild Heart Books is re-releasing Petticoat Ranch.
​
Thank you Wild Heart for giving it another chance at life.

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Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 24
Texas Book-aholic, March 25
Holly’s Book Corner, March 25
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 26
Jodie Wolfe, March 27
For Him and My Family, March 27
Devoted To Hope, March 28
Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 29
Book Holds and Jello Molds, March 29
Jeanette’s Thoughts , March 30
She Lives To Read, March 31
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 31
Books You Can Feel Good About, April 1
Vicky Sluiter, April 2
Sydney Schmied Books, April 2
Cover Lover Book Review, April 3
Locks, Hooks and Books, April 4
Labor Not in Vain , April 5
Stories By Gina, April 6 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, April 6

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2. What do you hope readers will take away?
My deepest hope is that readers close this book feeling encouraged — reminded that no life is beyond the reach of grace and that even the most fragile beginnings can grow into something strong.
We all encounter seasons that ask more of us than we feel prepared to give. If this story reassures someone that healing is possible, that their story is still unfolding, and that hope is never misplaced, then it has fulfilled its purpose.
Stories have a quiet way of steadying us, and I pray this one does exactly that.

3. Do you have favorite characters?
It is always difficult to choose, but Lily, Rick, Ellie, and Darcy each hold an extra special place in my heart.
Lily represents quiet resilience — the kind of strength that unfolds gently yet endures. Rick embodies steadfast love and the courage it takes to rebuild. Ellie brings warmth and light, while Darcy offers loyalty and the reassuring presence of someone who stands firm when it matters most.

4. Tell us a little about yourself and your family.
I am an adopted Asian American and the eldest daughter in my family, experiences that have shaped both my perspective and my storytelling in meaningful ways. Family has always been a place of deep connection for me, and those themes naturally find their way into my work.
My brother serves as an EMT, a role that requires both courage and compassion — qualities I deeply admire and that quietly influenced elements of my fictional world.
More than anything, I am grateful for the people who have grounded my life with love and steadiness. Their presence continually reminds me of the strength found in belonging.

5. Share with us a thought or Bible verse on your heart.
I often return to Jeremiah 29:11:

​It is a promise that has steadied me through uncertain seasons, reminding me that God is always at work beyond what we can see.
Lately, I have been especially comforted by the reminder that our lives are not defined by the timelines we once imagined, but by the faithfulness of the One who guides us forward. There is deep peace in trusting that no chapter is wasted — and that hope is never without purpose.

​Half Agony, Half Hope was not a story I set out to write lightly.

It was an answer to a call God placed on my heart as a survivor of sexual assault—a call to tell the truth without exploiting it, and to create hope without diminishing the pain. From the beginning, I knew this would be a heavy debut novel. I also knew I wanted it to be clean, faith-centered, and redemptive.

The decision to tell this story through the eyes of a man was intentional. So few novels explore male survivors with compassion and dignity, yet one in six men are sexually assaulted. Their stories are often hidden, misunderstood, or minimized. Rick Wentworth’s journey exists to say plainly: healing is possible, faith is not erased by trauma, and masculinity is not diminished by suffering.

Because of the weight of Rick’s past, much of the abuse in Half Agony, Half Hope is veiled. I wanted readers to feel the truth of what he endured without being retraumatized themselves. Still, after the book released, readers told me they longed for more gentleness—more space to breathe inside the story.

That is how the Dear Lily Edition was born.

Lily was Rick’s hope and grace during the darkest years of his captivity. In the cellar, she was the reminder that love could still exist, that innocence could survive, and that God was not absent—even there. Their bond became the quiet heartbeat of the story: a wounded man learning how to hope again through the steady, healing love of a child.
​
At its core, Half Agony, Half Hope: Dear Lily Edition is a story of survival and faith—but it is also a story of a father and daughter choosing trust and hope despite hardship, and building a family where brokenness does not get the final word.

​Through her blog, The Joyous Living, she connects with thousands of readers who share her love of culture,
​storytelling, and meaningful living. She lives in Southern California with her dog, Captain Hastings.

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Simple Harvest Reads, March 21 (Author Interview)
Artistic Nobody, March 22 (Author Interview)
Guild Master, March 23 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 24
Fiction Book Lover, March 25 (Author Interview)
Vicky Sluiter, March 26 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 26
For the Love of Literature, March 27 (Author Interview)
Locks, Hooks and Books, March 28
Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 29 (Author Interview)
Blossoms and Blessings, March 30 (Author Interview)
Fruitfully Planted, March 30
Stories By Gina, March 31 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, April 1
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, April 2 (Author Interview)
Books, Books, & More Books, April 3 (Author Interview)

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​The problem? Bernie Sawrey, all five-foot-nothing of her, with enough quirk and innocence to charm the grumpiest producer. That’s the problem.
Gabe is falling for her hard, only she thinks he’s his famous brother.
And she just might be falling for him too.
Now he’s caught between protecting his brother’s career and protecting his own heart. Because telling Bernie the truth might send her racing away—but not telling her guarantees he’ll lose her when she finds out.
Return to 1973 Kokomo, Indiana, where the cardinal in the sycamore knows that love—like a good engine—runs best when all the parts are genuine. A sweet, hilarious tale of mistaken identity, small-town charm, and finding love when you’re not even being yourself.
You will enjoy this sweet, quirky tale of secret twists, because sometimes the best love stories start with a little white lie and maybe a bit of motor oil.

Genre: Sweet Romantic Comedy
Release Date: August 4, 2025

#2. How long did it to finish writing this book?
I’m thinking about four months. I met up with my friend Jen Crosswhite who gave me the idea about Gabe on the car roof. Then in March we went back east on a special bucket list trip and I wrote in the evenings there. Finished soon after I got home. So, yeah, about four months.

#3. What drew you to write in this particular genre?
I’m a sucker for a good HEA. And well-done romcoms deliver. I also found I missed the Kokomo of my youth. It’s not perfect and anyone doing a deep dive can find things I wish had never happened. But it was a great place to grow up. So I write about it, bring the colors and flavors I remember back to life, and share them with my family.

#4. Do you have favorite character(s) in this book?
Yes. Okay, I pretty much love them all. But there are two you might not consider.
The first is Debbie LePre. She is named for a sweet friend of mine who passed away after an incredibly valiant fight against cancer a month before I started the book. I thought her name sounded like one that would fit the character, so with her family’s permission, I named Gary’s fiancé after my friend.
The second is Roberta, Bernie’s stepmother. I had a stepmother and wanted to give her a tribute for all the ways she worked to make us all a family. I didn’t put her in the dedication because the last book I have planned for this series is Along Comes Mary and I’ll be dedicating it to her—Mary Elaine Fortner Goodell England. 😊

#5. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
Always an aha moment that points straight to God. Even if they don’t agree with me, at least I want them to think and ask God about it. If it opens eyes to Him, draws someone closer to Him, then I’ve done what He’s called me to do.

#6. How did you name your characters?
Well, the female main character is easy. Her name is in the title of the book—yep, I come up with the title first. I choose a song from the 1960s-early 1970s that has a girl’s name in the title. I ask questions about: What is the song about? What images does it put in my brain? Or even what play on words could I make? (Check out Cracklin’ Rosie for an example of the latter 😉)
Then I need the male main character’s name. So, I remember names from kids I went to school with, look up popular names for babies born the same year as my character, and listen to oldies music (With Shilo, I changed a name after Three Dog Night’s “Eli’s Coming” came on the radio as I was starting that book. So he became Eli and will be in Walk Away, Rene later this year.)

#7. Tell us something funny, sad, embarrassing, whatever, that happened involving this book.
I shared about my friend, Debbie. I think she’d get a kick out of a character being named for her. She enjoyed my books and had a great sense of humor.

#8. Tell us a little about yourself, your family, friends.
Hmm, let’s see. I’ve been married to the same sweet grumpypants for over forty-five years. We have three daughters who are all married to wonderful husbands that I love enough to adopt, and they’ve produced three amazing grandchildren ranging from a senior in high school to kindergarten. I think the youngest is going to be an author. She was taking her mother’s paper towels and folding them to make “books.” Next, she wrote and illustrated them. Then she took them to school and put them in the class library where her classmates can check them out. My daughter didn’t know about the school part until parent/teacher conferences. Lately she’s gotten very interested in my books so for Christmas I made her a book of blank pages. I included call-out clouds so she could write what her characters say in the illustrations, and a bunch of stickers and things. She got started filling pages on Christmas Day.

#11 Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.
My life verse is Isaiah 41:13. It has seen me through so much and only becomes dearer as I get older. I pray daily for Jesus to hold my hand because of that verse. ​

​As I put this series together in my head, certain books were right there, laid out, easy to have a handle on them. But with Bernadette, I knew two things: she was a tiny spitfire, and the first line of the book had to be someone calling out her name. Why? Because that’s the way the Four Tops started the song that was my inspiration. Sort of. Actually, that is the only thing I used from the song.

I also wanted to introduce my readers to other places I remembered in Kokomo during the 1970s. I’d only been to the Kokomo Speedway once, and all I could remember was that it was loud. It was my one and only date with a longtime friend who had been an on-again, off-again boyfriend of my best friend. After we moved to Arizona, I had a chance to go back home for a few weeks before my senior year. Cheryl and Jim were no longer an item, but I’d been friends with both. Jim asked if I wanted to go to the races and I agreed. Can’t remember if we took his motorcycle or not, but I did ride with him once or twice on that trip. The funny thing is, we knew we were better as friends, and especially with the long distance between us, that was all either of us wanted. We remained friends for many years before we lost contact—I got to meet his wife and daughters, and he met my husband.

About the time I was starting this book, as the plot ideas were coming together, one of my sweet sisters from our Bible study group succumbed to cancer. Debbie was a sweet light, and I wanted to honor her. I asked her family if I could use her name in the story and they agreed.

Finally, I think every girl remembers the first boy to ask her to go steady. The thing is, I’m not sure who it was. From kindergarten through fourth grade, I went to school with the Richardson twins. Both were sweet and funny. Mike was the more outgoing, Mark was quieter.

I remember one time going to their house and making Christmas ornaments from straws after we learned how in school.
One day I got a phone call. I’d learned to tell them apart in person, but on the phone, not so much. I got asked to go steady. My dad had already informed me that ten-years-old was too young, so I blamed it on Dad and declined.

A few minutes later, I got a second phone call. Again I was asked to go steady and had to say no. The thing is, I never knew who asked first!

After that year we moved across town though I kept in touch with my friends. It was only about two-three years later that I learned Mike had died from an accident. It wasn’t my first intro to death, but it was concerning someone my own age.
​
It’s been almost sixty years since I last saw Mike Richardson, but I still remember him with fondness. Another reason I had twins in this story. If only I knew which twin had asked me to go steady first.

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Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 26
Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 27 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 28
Texas Book-aholic, March 29
Blossoms and Blessings, March 30 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 30
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 31
Blogging With Carol, April 1
Stories By Gina, April 2 (Author Interview)
Simple Harvest Reads, April 3 (Guest Review from Donna)
She Lives to Read, April 4
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, April 5 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, April 5
Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, April 6
Pause for Tales, April 7
Books, Books, & More Books, April 8 (Author Interview)

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