London, England, May 1817


From the opening line to the very last—all the way to the end of the epilogue, Julie Klassen bound me to the pages. Her winsome and dark characters drew me into the situations, concerns, and mysteries that each one held secret from each other and from the readers for a time.

THE SECRET OF PEMBROOKE PARK is steeped with mystery as Abagail Foster and her father arrive to inspect their possible temporary home, due to their recent financial woes. My brain immediately tried to figure out why the former family left teacups on the table and their possessions unpacked and in their closets. I’ll bet that you would love to know too!

The characters’ concerns played perfectly into the plot. Abagail and Louisa Foster are sisters whose integrity and goals are revealed to be completely different from one another. Their longings, as well as the curate, Mr. William Chapman, and distant relation, Miles Pembrooke, kept me turning pages to find out what would happen next! Even the least important characters took on life and seemed full-bodied!

A book review just doesn’t do such a book justice. I highly recommend this story to historical fiction lovers. If you’ve not read THE SECRET OF PEMBOOKE PARK, I suggest that you do! 

This was not my first time to read this historical mystery, but it held me with the same strength and interest. This is a story about relationships and riches and the treasures people pursue. THE SECRET OF PEMBROOKE PARK should become a classic! In my estimation and on my bookshelf, it already is.

QUESTIONS FOR JULIE:
 
Have you traveled to England, and is or was western Berkshire an actual location? (What inspired you to write about this town and storyline?) I’m delighted that you did! 

Thank you! Yes, while Pembrooke Park is a fictional estate, Berkshire is a real county in England, west of London. I feel blessed to have traveled to England several times now and have even hosted two group tours there. Lord willing, I will be able to return one of these days.
 
The mystery throughout the story is superb! What inspired you to write this story? 

The idea was inspire by something from my childhood. In the countryside where I grew up, there was a wooded area about a half-mile behind our home. Among the trees was an abandoned house with three walls still standing. I was fascinated to look upon its crumbling walls, the sagging piano, and the tattered blue dress on its hanger. I tried to imagine what had happened to the people who once lived there and why they left so suddenly without their belongings. I found it very satisfying to weave this real-life mystery into The Secret of Pembrooke Park.
 
Who is your favorite character in this mystery? Why?

I enjoyed several characters, but if I had to pick a favorite, it would be the young clergyman, William Chapman. He is handsome and humble, godly and kind, but also a man’s man—athletic, good-humored, and hardworking.
 
Where do you feel most inspired to write? For example, home, coffee shop, or a hidden cabin in the woods? 😊
 
A lot of my ideas are inspired by traveling and research, but for purely focused writing, I am happiest in my little turret office overlooking the lake.
 
Is there anything you would like to add and tell your readers?

If you enjoyed the mystery elements of this novel, I think (hope!) you will also enjoy my next release, Shadows of Swanford Abbey (December 2021).   
 
What is your favorite way to hear from your readership? 
I enjoy interacting with readers through social media (Facebook and Instagram), and receiving emails at julie@julieklassen.com always makes my day. Thank you!
 
You can find Julie Klassen at: https://julieklassen.com/ 
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJulieKlassen
https://www.instagram.com/julie.k.klassen/

Release date, September 7, 2021

DiAnn Mills set my heart to pitter-pattering with this suspenseful tale. Emphasis on suspense. DiAnn skillfully lured me into the difficulties and challenges of Shelby Pearce and FBI Special Agent Denton McClure, who have an adversary equipped with intelligence, connections, and extreme ruthlessness.

Shelby Pearce is in prison at the start of the novel. She’d confessed to murdering her brother-in-law and is believed to have embezzled five hundred thousand dollars of his money. At her release from prison, she is looking for a fresh start, but complications keep arising. Maybe someone is after the money? Are you wondering if she took it too? I’m not telling.

Shelby is super likable, smart, and has excellent instincts. You can believe me when I tell you that she will need every bit of skill that she owns to combat the opposition and more.
Denton McClure is a rookie assigned to the Pearce case. I think he is everything a hero is meant to be! I loved the interaction between characters and how they grow to know one another. These are the perfect characters for the right kind of plot! I refuse to tell spoilers. I will tell you that I had a difficult time putting this story down! Interesting, enlightening, and perfectly entertaining! I highly recommend this novel and this author friend of mine, DiAnn Mills! If you expect an adventure—you will get one with DiAnn’s suspense!

I was given the TRACE OF DOUBT novel for my honest review, and I have happily provided my reaction and thoughts.

1861 London, England

This debut novel that has the yawning emotional pull and suspenseful secrets one finds in the classics, even of Charles Dickens. And may I say that I believe that even Dickens would have to approve of Joanna Davidson Politano’s storytelling!
​
Aurelie Harcourt’s father passes, which spins his daughter into a world of secrets, mystery, and danger. He left Aurelie an emotionally distant family and his famous pen name, Nathaniel Droll, which has kept his identity hidden from avid readers and fans.  He raised his daughter in the strangest of situations and left her—not his fault—to fend for herself in a suspicious family of means. I love the main character; she is intelligent, strong, and resourceful. Believe me—she has to be so to be in this situation. She captured my admiration immediately, and Aurelie’s story drew my attention with exacting meticulousness.

May I quote Aurelie to you, “Fiction was not always a lie, but a truth told in parallel to real life.” How I’ve always believed that myself! Well stated, Aurelie. The generations of her family and the other characters of interest were excellently represented and kept my full attention and appreciation for their crafty, mind-boggling fabulous uniqueness.

The beauty of the writing and the uniqueness of this tale kept me turning pages and loving every millisecond of well-spent time of pursuing these pages. This hauntingly wonderful story is a reread and favorite. I’ll keep it close on my well visited shelves. If you like to think through the story, enjoy the cadence of the language, and hold on through twists and turns—well, this is a story for you that I’m excited to point out to you. Thank you, Joanna for writing with excellence and clever challenges your character had to scale.  

You may find Joanna Davidson Politano at:

http://jdpstories.com/
https://www.pinterest.com/sunshine39n/

What a perfectly difficult decision this was for the judges when I asked them to pick a name for the winner of this contest. Well, I asked them to pick their top five favorites so that I could be sure to find a winner! All the names submitted for the male Boxer (who snuck onto the pages of SISTERS & SECRETS, Book 2 of my HEARTS FOREVER FAITHFUL series) are worthy of a puppy. To make it even more difficult for those submitting names and those judging --, I refused to give information about this particular Boxer, such as who he belonged to or how much space he will take on the pages of this story. My offerings for inspiration were the photos of our sweet Boxer! From those glimpses of his personality and looks, people responded. I'm very grateful that they did!

A bravo and huge thank you to all who submitted a name for the Boxer character for  SISTERS & SECRETS, Book 2, HEARTS FOREVER FAITHFUL!  

Okay, drumroll . . . 

The winning name is Winston--submitted by Stacey Ulferts. Congratulations Stacey! I will contact you via FaceBook to make arrangements for sending your $25.00 Visa card. Your name will be mentioned on the ACKNOWLEDGMENTS page of SISTERS & SECRETS, which is in the process of being written! As soon as the novel is published, I will send you a signed copy! Winston, what a wonderful name and very fitting! Thank you for submitting!

2nd runner-up is the name Murphy--submitted by Rita deFoe. This was also a well-liked name and one worthy of a lovely puppy--if anyone is looking to name one! Thank you for submitting this terrific name, Rita!

3rd runner-up is the name Prince--submitted by Jennifer Frank! This is definitely a charming name--get it-- Prince Charming!  :) Also, well-liked, and I appreciate your submitting this name, Jennifer! 

I will include the 2nd and 3rd name choices and the names of those who submitted them in the ACKNOWLEDGMENTS page of SISTERS & SECRETS! I hope that you all had as much fun during this contest as I did. I know some of the judges express their glee! 

Okay, back to work on this novel. The first thing I'll do is add Winston to the pages! 

 
A Regency Adventuresome Romance
1804, Dorset, England
​
Assistance has arrived at the small village of Grace-by-the-Sea for Captain Quillan St. Claire that he didn’t expect. And despite a terrible looming threat that the British War Office has discovered against this former naval captain, the protector will take some getting used to. The captain, now known as the Lord of the Smugglers, is handsome, strong-willed, and mysterious. Beautiful, talented French singer, Marie-Louise Fortier, has a past that uniquely qualifies her for this assignment, whether he appreciates her spying abilities or not! Almost immediately, he gets to witness her skill and intelligence. . Knowing that Napoleon wants to stop his secrets from being smuggled by St. Claire adds that always in the background tension.

This fun and exciting story kept me captivated. Both the hero and heroine fascinated me and kept me rooting for them. Of course, this being book 6 in this series, there are many appearances of former heroines and heroes and villagers, which I just love in small-town or, in this case, village stories. Characters are always the most essential element of any tale for me. Regina tucks mystery and surprise into her Grace-by-the-Sea stories—where does she come up with all of her ideas?
  
The exquisite cover represents the two main characters perfectly in style and attitude. So if you are looking for a fine summer (or anytime) read, with characters that motivate interest and are easily admired, then this is the book for you!
 
Questions for Regina:
What is your favorite quality about your soprano heroine?

Her fearlessness. Orphaned as a teen when her father joined an ill-advised venture to try to take France back from Napoleon, she had to find a way to support herself. But she wasn’t content to watch others fight the war that had stolen her father from her. She used her skills to gather and transmit information for the War Office.

That Napoleon was quite the emperor. Have you read accounts about his sending his spies to any notorious spies from England?

Many, many authors, me included, have written about spies and spy masters during the Regency. It appears that the English held a dim view of spies in actuality. Remember, this was still a time when battles were fought “honorably,” namely by two armies marching toward each other, firing, and the last man standing won! So, I haven’t heard of many real-life spies from England, but Napoleon bragged that he had more than 500 smugglers in his pay, who were bringing him England’s secrets. Quillian St. Claire wasn’t the only one who wanted that information to flow the other way! Other real-life smugglers like Isaac Gulliver learned information from the French and took it back to help England.

Do you write your book and then add the book cover or the other way around?

It depends! 😊 If I know I will be writing a series through my imprint, Edwards and Williams, and I am fairly sure of the content of each book, I often commission all the covers up front, then write the books afterward. Other times, I have the cover created when I am fairly far along in the story. And when I am working with a publisher like Love Inspired or Revell, they often want the covers done long before the book is ever turned in, so I sometimes get to write scenes that fit the cover, LOL.

What would you like to tell your readers about the message of your story, The Siren’s Captain?

Everyone can make a difference. Ree might not be able to sail across the Channel like Quill, but she can help keep him safe. Other characters in the book are constrained by position in society or finances from changing the trajectory of the war, but they can work together to safeguard the village. We can all find a role worth living in this world.

Do you have any maps or links you wish to share with your readers?

I love tall ships! You can find more than 1,000 examples on my Pinterest board at https://www.pinterest.com/reginascottpins/sailing-ships-ahoy/. I also have a board dedicated to things that inspired The Siren’s Captain.

Where can readers find you? What social media is your favorite?

Readers can find me the following places. I will admit a fondness for Pinterest, although I can also be regularly found at a Facebook Group for lovers of sweet (low-heat) Regency romances, Lady Catherine’s Salon at https://www.facebook.com/groups/LadyCatherinesSalon.
Website: www.reginascott.com         
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/authorreginascott       
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/reginascottpins
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/reginascott
Newsletter signup form: https://subscribe.reginascott.com
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/regina-scott


Thank you for another excellent interview, Regina! It is always a pleasure to hear from you and read your novels! :)
​

DREAMS of SAVANNAH 
 
Cordelia Owens is in love, which makes this plantation daughter’s life wonder-filled and splendid until the Civil War interrupts. Her heart belongs to the charming Phineas Dunn, who sails away to defend their shores from the Yankees. But as all wonderful novels go, the difficulties and tragedies of life roll in.

Unexpected additional characters influence the main characters in a way that they never could have dreamed. Okay, I know—those are imaginary people. So let me switch up and change that to we could never have imagined their influence and how they could become so dear to our hearts! Is that better? LOL!

Roseanna is amazing at characterization, and she uses time and place with the precision of a scalpel. I love the freshness and nearness of her stories, and I’m glad to say I’ve influenced others to read her work and they love her also! Her characters become my new friends (despite the fact that I do have a life!), and her plots carry me away into concern and joy and concern and oh, no!!!!!!! Yes, she is that good and even better!

I love the talent that Cordelia (Dilia) enjoys as she strengthens and entertains those around her. And Phineas (Phin), Dilia’s love interest, is so fascinating and determined. But there is another who vies for Dilia’s attention and hand. I loved seeing everything play out and with the Civil War as a backdrop—well, Roseanna had me in Savannah from the very first page.

Do you wish to gasp, applauded, smile, and cheer characters on? Then I highly recommend DREAMS OF SAVANNAH for your next read!

Questions for Roseanna:

Your character, Luther, really gripped my heart. How did you develop his personality?
 
Hilariously, I first developed Luther for another story, where he was the sidekick of a pirate captain—hilarious, because said captain was Phillip Camden, who also got snatched from that old plot and made the hero in On Wings of Devotion. Luther came to me as a character who was huge and intimidating but with this moral core and deep love. When I needed someone to save Phin in Dreams of Savannah—literally and also to point him there spiritually—I knew Luther would fit the bill! So I gave him a history that would make him an anomaly in Phin’s eyes but also the perfect person to be in that position. I gave him a calling from the Lord, but also a mission in the story…and from there, he just grew into the Luther you see on the page.
 
Is the Civil War a favorite time period for you? If so, why? If not, what is your favorite time period to write about?
 
Honestly, I just love history! I do find the Civil War fascinating and have written two books in that setting, but I don’t favor it above the other time periods I’ve written about, to be perfectly honest. I’ve spent most of my writing career with English settings, and I have no complaints about that…but it was certainly fun to hop back to this side of the pond!
 
I loved the stories that Delia wrote. Were these stories that you had dabbled with before?
 
Nope, those were all original to Delia! So glad you got a kick out them!
 
Do you research as you write? Or do you do all gathering of facts beforehand?
 
I usually take a couple weeks to gather my sources and learn enough to begin…then I just begin and continue to research as I go. In the case of this story, I had to research some of the things like the Sumter’s timeline and the battle for Fort Pulaski well ahead of writing so I could work out my time frame, but there were certainly plenty of things I looked up as I write as well.
 
What would you like to tell your readers about why you wrote this story and possibly what it means to you?
 
I actually wrote this story nine years before Bethany House decided to publish it—so about ten years ago now! When I first wrote it, I wanted to portray a “typical” Southern gentleman and take him on a journey to better awareness, and I wanted a heroine that was kind of an Elizabeth Bennet meets Scarlet O’Hara mashup. But as I worked on it again before publication and did a LOT of rewriting, my hopes and desire for the story really began to change…the better, I hope, to reflect our world today. My prayer, as I handled edits and rewrites while there were riots going on just miles from my publisher’s headquarters, was that God would somehow use the story of Delia and Phin, Salina and River, Luther and Eva, to show one of His Truths: that we are all God’s children, beloved by Him, and that if we focus first on loving each other as He loves us, the things we perceive as differences fall away.
 
Who or what was your favorite encouragement while you wrote this story?
 
I don’t honestly remember from the original writing ten years ago, ha ha, but during rewrites, my biggest encouragement—as I totally flipped out at the thought of this book coming out now, when there was so much unrest in the world about these subjects—was, as always, my family and my critique partner/best friend, Stephanie. Both she and my husband reminded me that God knew when it would be releasing and that it had sat in my computer for nine years because this was its time. It was still terrifying, but it made me aware of how ultimately, this story was God’s to do with as He pleased.

 Wow, thank you for a GREAT interview, Roseanna! Your DREAMS OF SAVANNAH  
 was delightful to read  and inspiring. I do believe that this was the right time to release your story! Thank you, for your perseverance as an author and your obvious love for the Lord that shines off of your pages! 
​
 You may find Roseanna M. White at https://www.roseannamwhite.com/ 

 
I believe this just may be the first time that I’m doing a series review. Terri Blackstock is not a Best-Selling author for nothing. Her ability to take an unusual situation and get you right into the character’s heart and head is a work of art!

I saw this series for the first time on a post where someone—sorry, I can’t remember who or where—was extremely pleased with Terri’s IF I RUN book 1. I’ve read other series by Terri and have been so impressed and happy with her gift of story. I’ve done so many reviews over the years and I’m not sure if I gave this best-selling author a shout-out or not, but in my heart, I always wanted to!

Book 1, IF I RUN, caused me to lose sleep. I was so concerned for the main character, Casey Cox, that I just had to know what would happen with her! The main characters are believable and exciting, and inspiring. The range of emotion and struggles they encounter glued me to the pages—till the very end! I love these qualities about book one: surprise, intensity, fast-moving, and unique story that kept me involved and engaged in the characters and if or how they would overcome their situations.

Book 2, IF I’M FOUND, kept the pace and concern alive and well in keeping my attention! This book was different from the first, and every bit as engaging, and the connection with the characters grew as I spent more time with them (my imaginary friends—lol). Danger lurked and pursued with abandon making me flip those pages!!! I’m still reading Book 3
IF I LIVE, and I just want this series to go on and on like the old series did. Twenty books, would that be enough? Well, truthfully—I’m not too sure about that. Casey Cox and Dylan Roberts have hung their hats and disguises on my heart.

Will they achieve what seems unachievable by the end of book three . . . or will Terri dangle the carrot and make this a larger series? My hope thrives, and I wonder. . .
Terri Blackstock’s IF I RUN series with Book 1 IF I RUN; Book 2, IF I’M FOUND; and Book 3, IF I LIVE are highly, highly, highly recommended!

​Let me know what you think in the green Comments below. Do you agree? If you do, adventure will spice up your life for sure!
 
 

​A FATAL ARRANGEMENT by Gayle Roper
 
Orcas Island in Turtle Cove, Washington—present day
 
Professor of botany, Kaylee Bleu, and her grandmother, Bea, are knee deep in flowers and fun in this murder mystery that held my admiration and interest. I love a novel with quirky characters and twists and turns! It’s quite apparent that when one door shut for Kaylee, another one opened that may be the prefect fit.

There is just enough going on that kept me turning pages—with gusto!

Just knowing that Orcas Island is a real and located in the Pacific Northwest impressed me. Gayle Roper included some of the local sights and sounds there, such as watching whales and boating. This is really a lovely place to host a murder mystery, as far as I’m concerned.

I highly recommend this book and I’d love to hear back from you about what you liked with his murder mystery too! Thank you, Gayle for a fun and interesting read!

Rachel Hauck is a born storyteller! There is just that something special about the next-door-neighbor feel to her characters and the wispy supernatural flair streaming through the plot that makes my heart tingle!

Rachel pens tension—good and bad, perfectly for this story To Love A Prince! Somehow, she snuck in a mysterious character, and shoosh—I figure I know who he is—though I’ve not been exactly told. Oh, her endearing heroes and heroines! I love sinking deep down into Rachel’s tales, for they always cause me to dream a little, smile, and cheer! They are ever memorable!

Daffy Caron and Thomas are planning to get married. And as they wait to pick a date and make big plans, Daffy gets a job preparing exquisite royal dresses for a very special event. Her dream job. Right next to the royal Blue family. Life and the unexpected do collide in our lives, and so it is in the lives of these fictional characters. I turned the pages and read every chance I could—stealing time to watch the characters unfold their imperfect selves on the pages before me. I will reread To Love a Prince again and again!

I do wonder if the King Titus royal chair is real. That would be so cool if it was, but fine if it isn’t. The Famous Royal Grounds and The Hideaway just seem to be fantastic places to go and visit. Prince Gus—former Pudgy Prince and the reporter Leslie Ann add spark and spice to this story!

Rachel Hauck is an award-winning author and shares her outstanding knowledge with others at conferences. Her novel Once Upon A Prince was filmed for an Original Hallmark movie!