Fresh Amish Romance with a Touch of Suspense -- Unforgotten

Shelley Shepard Gray's Unforgotten is a fresh Amish romance with a touch of suspense built in. Although there is a very definite Amish element involved, the mixture of that culture with the lifestyle of the English gives this book a fresh setting.

Bethanne, a young Amish woman, and her English cousin, Candace -- along with several other family members and friends -- are well-developed characters that keep interest level high in the story. Just as Bethanne has begun to heal after tragic events from several years ago, Candace begins to face trauma of her own. The fears and triumphs they both face, along with the romantic stories that develop alongside the trauma and suspense, make for a very engaging read. 

I highly recommend Unforgotten to fans of great Amish/romantic suspense. Thanks to Revell Reads for providing a copy of the book. I was happy to share my own thoughts in this review.

About the Book

Even though Bethanne Hostetler has found some peace seven years after an attempted assault and the accidental death of Peter Miller, she is still haunted by the memory. When her Englisher cousin, Candace--who has just been crowned Miss Crittenden County--reveals that she has a stalker, all of Bethanne's old fears come rushing back.

Jay Byler had once been Peter's best friend, and the fact that he did not protect Bethanne that fateful night has haunted him ever since. To make matters worse, she continues to avoid him--even as he continues to love her. Jay can only hope and pray that one day Bethanne will see the person he is today and not the boy he used to be.

As Candace's stalker becomes bolder, Officer Ryan Mulany becomes her escort to various events. He knows he should only think of Candace as a job, but the more time they spend together, the harder it gets to maintain professional distance. And when everyone's worst fears are realized, all four must work together to prevent another tragedy before time runs out and another innocent person is hurt.

From New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray comes this emotionally taut story of learning to forgive, trust, and love despite the pain of the past.

About the Author

Shelley Shepard Gray is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 100 books, including Unforgiven and Unforgotten. Two-time winner of the HOLT Medallion and a Carol Award finalist, Gray lives in Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town's bike trail. Learn more at ShelleyShepardGray.com.

Intriguing Early American History -- Patriot at the River

 

General Book Info

Title: Patriot at the River (A Novel of the American Revolution)

Series: For Liberty and Conscience #2

Genre: Christian historical fiction

Length: 322 pages

Release date: September 25, 2024

Book Description

THE FIGHT HE GOT WASN’T THE FIGHT HE WANTED.

It’s 1780, and North Carolina is a battleground. Backcountry scout Benjamin Woodbridge is guarding a Patriot camp when he sees the king’s men pursuing a civilian. Never one to stand by while someone is in trouble, Benjamin steps in to help the stranger and finds an unexpected ally.

But the same British officer who targeted the stranger is also targeting Benjamin’s settlement. After Benjamin is wounded on a lonely mountain trail, he watches Sunrising fall to the man who crushed his father’s cause nine years earlier. Benjamin’s fight has come home to the very people he wanted to protect—his shy younger sister and the woman who has given them both a home.

Now, with the help of some unlikely comrades and the indomitable Aunt Kate, Benjamin must fight for what he loves before Sunrising goes up in flames. But only if he can fight himself first.

Perfect for fans of Christian historical fiction and tales of bravery and redemption, Patriot at the River combines engaging characters, daring action, and biblical truth. Read now and step into an adventure of faith and freedom.

About the Series

Patriot at the River is the second book of the For Liberty and Conscience trilogy, which combines early American history with Christ-centered fiction. Though Patriot at the River can be read as a standalone, readers will enjoy the return of several characters from the first book in the series, Preacher on the Run.

My Thoughts 

Patriot at the River is another fascinating story, where the author has mixed her own fictional story-telling in with actual history. I enjoyed more of a look into the time period around the Revolutionary War, a piece of history I really don't know a lot about. 

The characters were well developed and came alive to make the story a very engaging one. The plot was full of intrigue, keeping me guessing the outcomes. At one point, I wondered why I was having some trouble keeping up with which "side" certain characters were on -- until I realized the characters themselves weren't always so sure where they stood or where they should stand in the fight! Some battled for the possession of strategic locations, others struggled to maintain their homes and their very lives, while others were running from situations in their pasts, all creating an interesting conflict. Growing realizations of faith in some of the characters added a captivating element to the story.

Patriot at the River is a great read for fans of well-written Christian historical fiction. I look forward to reading the final installment in this trilogy.

Thanks to Jayna Baas for providing a copy of her book. I am happy to share my own thoughts in this review.

Author Bio

Jayna Baas (pronounced as in “baa, baa, black sheep”) is the author of Preacher on the Run and director of The Christian PEN: Proofreaders and Editors Network. She writes and edits from beautiful northern Michigan, where she strives to give readers faith-filled adventures bursting with relatable characters and biblical truth.

When she’s not writing her own books or editing other people’s books, Jayna seeks out new adventures on the screen, on the page, and in the kitchen. She also loves to spend time with her great family of real people and the family of pretend people who live in her head. (Yes, she does know her characters are not real. No, she does not want you to tell them she said so.)

Although her love of words extends to multiple genres, Jayna’s favorite story is this: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Learn more at booksbyjayna.com, join her newsletter, or connect with her on Goodreads.

Giveaway Info

Time: 12:00 AM September 30 – 12:00 AM October 14

Prize: One signed paperback copy each of Preacher on the Run and Patriot at the River, the first two books in the For Liberty and Conscience trilogy. All entrants will receive a promo code for Jayna Baas’s online store.

Notes: US mailing addresses only, 18 and up or with parental consent. No purchase necessary. All entrants agree to join Jayna Baas’s email list.

Giveaway link: https://kingsumo.com/g/1v9v4zm/patriot-at-the-river-release-tour-series-giveaway

Links

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DGDL62QM

Author website: https://www.booksbyjayna.com/patriot-at-the-river

Author website book page: https://www.booksbyjayna.com/patriot-at-the-river

Goodreads book page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/216130335-patriot-at-the-river

Bookbub book page: https://www.bookbub.com/books/patriot-at-the-river-a-novel-of-the-american-revolution-for-liberty-and-conscience-book-2-by-jayna-baas

Newsletter signup (free short story): https://booksbyjayna.com/newsletter

Blog Tour Schedule

Sept 30: Kelsey’s Notebook (https://kelseysnotebookblog.blogspot.com)

                       Hope-Inspired Stories (https://hopeinspiredstories.blogspot.com)

 Oct 1: Tangled Up in Writing (https://tangledupinwriting.com)

For Him and My Family (https://forhimandmyfamily.com)

 Oct 2: Kristina Hall (https://kristinahallauthor.wordpress.com)

 Oct 3: Alena Mentink (https://alenamentink.com/blog)

 Oct 4: Happily Managing a Household of Boys (https://familymgrkendra.blogspot.com)

 Oct 5: Southern Gal Loves to Read (http://southerngallovestoread.blogspot.com)

 Oct 7: Captive Dreams Window (https://captivedreamswindow.wordpress.com)

 Oct 8: Read Review Rejoice (https://abigailkayharris.wixsite.com/my-site/read-review-rejoice)

 Oct 9: Britt Reads Fiction (https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.com)

 Oct 10: Vanessa Hall—Author of Christian Fiction (https://vanessahallauthor.wordpress.com)

 Oct 11: Life of Heritage Corner (https://lifeofheritage.com)

Books by Virgina (https://booksbyvirginia.wordpress.com)

 Oct 12: Reading Excursions (https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com)

Kenmore Pines (https://kenmorepines.com)

 

Continuing Great Romantic Suspense -- Target Acquired

Target Acquired, the second book in Lynette Eason's Lake City Heroes series, lives up to the bar she set in the first book. As usual with this author, the suspense starts on the very first page and keeps building to the end. 

The characters come alive on the pages. The romance, the faith, the danger all fall together in just the right balance. An intriguing element is the dual timeline that ties together some of the characters in the story and, as expected, provides pieces of the suspense puzzle. To sum it all up, this book is a great suspenseful read by one of the best authors in the genre. And an extra piece of good news is that another book in the series is coming soon.

I highly recommend Target Acquired to fans of great inspirational romantic suspense. Thanks to Revell Reads for providing a copy of the book. I was happy to share my own thoughts in this review.

About the Book

She's finally exactly where she wants to be.

Unfortunately, she's also in the crosshairs of a killer.

After years of training, tough-as-nails Kenzie King has earned her place as a tactical medic on a SWAT team. But not everyone on the all-male team accepts her. Rumor is, she got the position not because of what she could do but because of who she knew. Which means she has to work harder and longer than anyone else to prove herself.
  
Cole Garrison is a man with deep faith who is finally ready to settle down and build a family of his own--if he can find the right person, that is. Kenzie sure has set off his interest meter, but trouble seems to follow in her wake. Since she joined the team, someone has begun to ambush and pick off team members one by one.
  
It's all hands on deck to discover the culprit and end the killing. Can Kenzie and Cole put aside their differences and work together as a team? Or will their budding attraction be snuffed out by a sniper's bullet?

About the Author

Lynette Eason is the USA Today bestselling author of Double Take and Target Acquired, as well as the Extreme Measures, Danger Never Sleeps, Blue Justice, Women of Justice, Deadly Reunions, Hidden Identity, and Elite Guardians series. She is the winner of three ACFW Carol Awards, the Selah Award, and the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, among others. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and has a master's degree in education from Converse College. Eason lives in South Carolina with her husband. They have two adult children. Learn more at LynetteEason.com.

Intriguing Conclusion to Suspense Series -- Cold Vengeance

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Cold Vengeance by Nancy Mehl hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Cold Vengeance 

Series: Ryland & St. Clair #3 

Author: Nancy Mehl 

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers 

Release Date: July 16, 2024 

Genre: Romantic Suspense 

When a renowned crime podcaster vanishes without a trace, former FBI behavioral analysts turned private investigators River Ryland and Tony St. Clair are called upon to track her down. As they wade through the evidence she left behind, they unearth a startling connection--she may have discovered the existence of an unknown serial killer, and he will stop at nothing to carry out a deadly plan. 

As the pair delves deeper, they soon find themselves the target of a relentless enemy determined to silence them. With their lives--and hearts--on the line, can they confront the evil that threatens them before it consumes them both? 

USA Today bestselling author Nancy Mehl brings her Ryland & St. Clair series to an explosive close with a pulse-pounding story where the stakes are high and silence is deadly.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Bookshop

More Books from this Series:

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My Review

Cold Vengeance is Nancy Mehl’s intriguing conclusion to her Ryland & St. Clair series. It picks up right where the previous two books concluded and takes you on an exciting and suspenseful ride.

In the earlier installments in the series, the professional and personal relationship between River Ryland and Tony St. Clair has already been well established. As they are dealing with the life-threatening danger of a serial killer who has River clearly in his sights and also puts Tony's safety in jeopardy, a new client for their fledgling private investigation business presents River and Tony with a whole new set of unsolved cases and even more risk.

A big part of what makes this story so engaging is the way the author leads the reader down paths that build and grow and keep you guessing. There are plenty of twists and turns that make figuring out all the “who-dunnits” extremely challenging! There is definitely a romantic element built into the story, but it is a low-key, comfortable level that never overtakes the suspense. And woven throughout the story is a very clear theme of faith that is presented in a way that flows naturally without any appearance of being artificial or forced.

I highly recommend Cold Vengeance to fans of inspirational suspense fiction. I would definitely suggest reading Cold Pursuit and Cold Threat first for all the pieces of the story to fit together.

Thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of the book through JustRead Publicity tours. I am happy to share my own honest thoughts in this review. 

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About the Author

Nancy Mehl is the author of more than fifty books, a Parable and ECPA bestseller, and the winner of an ACFW Book of the Year Award, a Carol Award, and the Daphne du Maurier Award. She has also been a finalist for the Christy Award. Nancy writes from her home in Missouri, where she lives with her husband, Norman, and their puggle, Watson.

Connect with Nancy by visiting NancyMehl.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive the complete paperback set of the Ryland & St. Clair series and a $15 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight July 24, 2024 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on July 31, 2024. Winner 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 the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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

Fun and Creativity -- Happily Ever After on Huckleberry Hill

Happily Ever After on Huckleberry Hill is book #12 and the last -- so far -- in Jennifer Beckstrand's fun Huckleberry Hill series. And the story may include the most creative collection yet of Anna's antics as she works to make just the right love connections for her grandchildren and their young friends.

You never know when you turn the page what new activity you will find Anna and Felty involved in as they go about their mission. There is sitting yoga, painting, astronomy (or is it astrology), and archery, to name a few. And what could be more fun than a "popsicle sticking" party? Will Anna's special potholders play a significant role in this instance of matchmaking? (If none of this makes much sense to you, you probably have not read other books in this entertaining series.)

I highly recommend Happily Ever After on Huckleberry Hill to any fan of delightful Amish stories. In fact, if you haven't read the previous books, I would suggest you give them all a try. I'm not sure what Huckleberry Hill stories we have yet to look forward to, but the author has hinted on social media that we may not have seen the last of Anna and Felty. I, for one, certainly hope that is true!

About the Book

Already boasting a bushelful of happily matched grandchildren, irrepressible octogenarian matchmakers Anna and Felty Helmuth never give up on sparking true love on Wisconsin's Huckleberry Hill.

Sensible and cautious, Naomi Coblenz lives to help everyone else be happy—particularly when it comes to her twin sister, Ruth. So Omi certainly can’t admit she’s always loved handsome Bo Helmuth, since he and Ruth have begun courting. To look out for her sometimes-thoughtless sister, Omi even poses as Ruth on a ride home alone with Bo. But it doesn’t take Bo long to see the truth—and really notice Omi for the first surprising, hopelessly-wonderful time . . . 
 
Bo thought he was in love with the vivacious Ruth. But he can’t stop thinking about Omi’s kindness and understanding, especially since she refuses to hurt her sister. And he can’t figure out a way to tell Ruth they aren’t really suited for each other. His only hope is that his
ever-resourceful Dawdi and Mammi can help faith guide the way—and at last claim a happy ending for all.

About the Author

Jennifer Beckstrand is the RITA-nominated and award-winning author of The Amish Quiltmakers Series, the Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill, The Honeybee Sisters series, The Petersheim Brothers series, as well as a number of other novels and novellas. Novels in her Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series have been RITA® Award and RT Book Reviews Reviewer's Choice Award finalists. Huckleberry Hill won the 2014 LIME Award for inspirational fiction and Huckleberry Hearts was named a Booklist Top 10 Inspirational Fiction Book of the Year. Jennifer has always been drawn to the strong faith and the enduring family ties of the Plain people.

 

Jennifer has four daughters, two sons, four sons-in-law, one daughter-in-law, and eleven adorable grandchildren. She lives in the foothills of the Wasatch Front with her husband and plays pickleball and cuddles her grandchildren when she’s not writing. 

Please visit her online at JenniferBeckstrand.com. 

Where It All Started -- First Christmas on Huckleberry Hill

If you have read any of the books in Jennifer Beckstrand's Huckleberry Hill series, then you are well acquainted with Anna and Felty Helmuth, the Amish grandparents who have dedicated much of their time and effort to matchmaking for their grandchildren. First Christmas on Huckleberry Hill is the tenth Jennifer has written in the series, and in it she takes readers back to a time long before the Helmuths became grandparents to share the early days of their relationship.

Just like all the other stories, this one is a delight to read. And it gives some fun history of things like Felty's unexplained enjoyment of Anna's unusual recipes and the infamous license plate game. Of course, the story wouldn't be complete without a little taste of grandparent matchmaking, so Felty's and Anna's fun love story is "bookended" with just a little hint of of what will be coming in the next book -- Second Chances on Huckleberry Hill.

I highly recommend First Christmas on Huckleberry Hill to any fan of delightful Amish stories. In fact, if you haven't read the previous books in the series, I would suggest you give them all a try. (The order of the books is not terribly important in reading, but FYI, this is #10 in publication order.)

About the Book

Before irrepressible eighty-somethings Anna and Felty Helmuth became Huckleberry Hill, Wisconsin’s most-beloved matchmakers, they were mismatched young lovers facing seemingly impossible obstacles…

She can’t cook, sew, sing, or clean. And no matter how hard young Anna Yoder tries, she’d much rather help people in trouble than be a well-behaved pretty face and properly perfect Amish maidel. So she instantly reaches out to her old schoolmate, Felty Helmuth, when their Amish town ostracizes him for his Korean War army service. He's still the only one who's ever understood Anna—and liked everything from her green Jello carrot salads to her love of books. And this holiday season, she can't help hoping that somehow she and Felty can find a way to be the perfect match…

Felty sensed he was called by Gotte to serve his country, though it went against his community’s peaceful ways. Troubled by his wartime experiences, he is resigned to being an outsider avoided by most eligible Amish girls. But lively, intelligent Anna has grown into a warm-hearted generous woman who accepts Felty for who he is. And in the face of family and community opposition, he and Anna will take a leap of faith to prove they are made for each other—and a lifetime of happiness.

About the Author

Jennifer Beckstrand is the RITA-nominated and award-winning author of The Amish Quiltmakers Series, the Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill, The Honeybee Sisters series, The Petersheim Brothers series, as well as a number of other novels and novellas. Novels in her Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series have been RITA® Award and RT Book Reviews Reviewer's Choice Award finalists. Huckleberry Hill won the 2014 LIME Award for inspirational fiction and Huckleberry Hearts was named a Booklist Top 10 Inspirational Fiction Book of the Year. Jennifer has always been drawn to the strong faith and the enduring family ties of the Plain people.

 

Jennifer has four daughters, two sons, four sons-in-law, one daughter-in-law, and eleven adorable grandchildren. She lives in the foothills of the Wasatch Front with her husband and plays pickleball and cuddles her grandchildren when she’s not writing. 

Please visit her online at JenniferBeckstrand.com.

Another Chance at Love -- Second Chances on Huckleberry Hill

Jennifer Beckstrand keeps the same theme going through all the books in her Huckleberry Hill series -- matchmaking by the most caring and fun mammi and dawdi in Wisconsin! But she manages to keep the stories fresh by going a little different direction, with just a little different twist, in each of the stories. Second Chances on Huckleberry Hill finds an additional character playing a big role in the matchmaking dilemma, in the person of a 13-year-old boy who is not happy with the fear of losing his dad to an unwanted stepmother.

This may be my favorite in the series so far. Jennifer Beckstrand has given us an engaging story filled with fun and with struggle. In addition to Anna and Felty and their beloved granddaughter Martha Sue, the story is complete with competing potential husbands and a couple of spirited and sneaky kids who make the matchmaking adventures extra fun and extra challenging. At some points you can't quite be sure which match-up Annie is really working toward -- or whether she herself is sure which is the main plan and which is a back-up plan. But after lots of twists and turns, of course, everything works out just as it should.

I highly recommend Second Chances on Huckleberry Hill to any fan of delightful Amish stories. In fact, if you haven't read the previous books in the series, I would suggest you give them all a try. (The order of the books is not terribly important in reading, but FYI, this is #11 in publication order.)

About the Book

As Huckleberry Hill, Wisconsin's most irrepressible matchmakers, eighty-somethings Anna and Felty Helmuth never quit a challenge -- especially when one heartbroken couple is about to part . . .

Martha Sue Helmuth wishes she could just relax and enjoy her extended visit with her beloved grandparents. Instead, she is nursing a broken heart over gentle widower Yost Beiler.  Yost’s thirteen-year-old son, Jonah, refuses to accept Martha Sue, and she refuses to risk coming between them. For now, she is just trying to avoid her Mammi’s choice of yet another eligible suitor. But when Yost moves himself and Jonah to Huckleberry Hill to change Martha Sue’s mind, she can't help dreaming that somehow, some way, she and Yost will have a miraculous second chance to be together . . .

 
After his wife’s untimely death, Yost did everything he could to help Jonah through his grief.  He hopes that Martha Sue's outgoing family—and her generous ways—will show his son how loving and trustworthy she truly is. But Anna and Felty's matchmaking antics are inspiring Jonah to drive Martha Sue off for good. And when he goes too far, can Yost and Martha Sue find the understanding to forgive him—and the strength to prove they can overcome differences to make one joyous forever family?

About the Author

Jennifer Beckstrand is the RITA-nominated and award-winning author of The Amish Quiltmakers Series, the Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill, The Honeybee Sisters series, The Petersheim Brothers series, as well as a number of other novels and novellas. Novels in her Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series have been RITA® Award and RT Book Reviews Reviewer's Choice Award finalists. Huckleberry Hill won the 2014 LIME Award for inspirational fiction and Huckleberry Hearts was named a Booklist Top 10 Inspirational Fiction Book of the Year. Jennifer has always been drawn to the strong faith and the enduring family ties of the Plain people.

 

Jennifer has four daughters, two sons, four sons-in-law, one daughter-in-law, and eleven adorable grandchildren. She lives in the foothills of the Wasatch Front with her husband and plays pickleball and cuddles her grandchildren when she’s not writing. 

Please visit her online at JenniferBeckstrand.com.

Camping for Love? -- Home on Huckleberry Hill

The one thing you can be sure of in a Huckleberry Hill story by Jennifer Beckstrand is this -- you can't be sure what kind of scheme Anna and Felty Helmuth will come up with in their quest of matchmaking for their grandchildren! And Home on Huckleberry Hill just might involve their most unusual schemes of all!

In this story, the Helmuths' granddaughter, Mary Anne, is already married, so the matchmaking task involves keeping that marriage intact. In no other Huckleberry Hill story (or likely any other story) have so many friends, relatives, animals, camping supplies, and vehicles been involved in trying to salvage a relationship. Just when you think things might be working out, along comes another wrinkle in the story. And under most of those wrinkles you will find the creativity of a couple of loving, eighty-something grandparents.

As usual, Jennifer Beckstrand has crafted an entertaining Amish story filled with fun characters. Their stories are a delight to read as you watch them stumble and soar through all kinds of challenges. I don't think you can read a Huckleberry Hill story without a few chuckles along the way.

I highly recommend Home on Huckleberry Hill to any fan of enjoyable, out-of-the-box Amish stories.

About the Book

The irrepressible eighty-something matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill, Wisconsin, Anna and Felty Helmuth, are at it again. And this time they’re willing to rough it to get the job done . . .

Mary Anne Neuenschwander knows she should be content with what Gotte has given her. She has a comfortable house, a fruitful farm, and a good, steady husband. But after nearly six years of marriage, she still longs for a baby. Yet her husband, Jethro, seems to care more about fishing than about his wife. Unable to bear Jethro’s indifference, Mary Anne moves into a tent in the woods where he won’t have to be bothered with her. But when her mammi and dawdi find out what she’s done, they’ll stop at nothing—including a little camping trip of their own—to help save their granddaughter’s marriage . . .
 
Jethro’s greatest blessing is his beloved wife, Mary Anne. Nothing else in his life has turned out anywhere near the way he expected. Rather than burden Mary Anne with his disappointment, he shields her by spending less and less time at home and more time on the river. But when he finds that she’s moved out, he’s shocked. What will people think? What is Mary Anne thinking? And what clever plans are her grandparents hatching?

About the Author

Jennifer Beckstrand is the RITA-nominated and award-winning author of The Amish Quiltmakers Series, the Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill, The Honeybee Sisters series, The Petersheim Brothers series, as well as a number of other novels and novellas. Novels in her Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series have been RITA® Award and RT Book Reviews Reviewer's Choice Award finalists. Huckleberry Hill won the 2014 LIME Award for inspirational fiction and Huckleberry Hearts was named a Booklist Top 10 Inspirational Fiction Book of the Year. Jennifer has always been drawn to the strong faith and the enduring family ties of the Plain people.

 

Jennifer has four daughters, two sons, four sons-in-law, one daughter-in-law, and eleven adorable grandchildren. She lives in the foothills of the Wasatch Front with her husband and plays pickleball and cuddles her grandchildren when she’s not writing. 

Please visit her online at JenniferBeckstrand.com.

Healing and Love in Hope Harbor -- Sandcastle Inn

About the Book

Book: Sandcastle Inn

Author: Irene Hannon

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: April 2, 2024

Vienna Price never intended to return for more than a passing visit to Oregon and all the bad memories she’d left behind. But when your career tanks, home is where you go to nurse your wounds and chart a new course. Only temporarily, of course—because as much as she loves her quirky mom, anything more than a short stay would drive them both crazy.

A trip to Oregon isn’t in Matt Quinn’s plans, either, until a perfectly timed appeal for help arrives from his sister. What better place to decompress after a shattering loss than a quiet, seaside town named Hope Harbor? But R&R isn’t on the agenda when he arrives to find his sister’s new enterprise on life support.

Vienna, however, may have just the skills needed to resuscitate the foundering B&B—if Matt can convince her to hang around long enough to mend an inn . . . and his heart.

Click here to get your copy! 

My Thoughts

Sandcastle Inn, where Irene Hannon takes us on our tenth visit to her fictional little town of Hope Harbor, Oregon, may be the best yet in the series. Or it could just be that it's the last one I've read and they are all equally fantastic stories. Either way, it's a great one!

As has happened in this entire series, the characters immediately drew me into their stories. Vienna and Matt both find themselves visiting family in Hope Harbor as they are dealing with their own deep losses. When their paths unexpectedly cross, and no matter their attempts to fight it, the magic of the charming town soon starts to do its work on the personal challenges they carry with them. Vienna and Matt eventually reevaluate their priorities and learn to start moving on from past suffering, leading to hearts healing and love blooming. And of course, none of it would have ever happened without the help of Charley the taco guy and his favorite pair of seagulls, Floyd and Gladys.

I highly recommend Sandcastle Inn and the entire Hope Harbor series to fan of great inspirational romantic fiction. This book, like each in the series, can be read as a standalone, but I would suggest reading them all to get the full benefit of the series.

Thanks to Celebrate Lit for providing a copy of the book. I am happy to share my own thoughts in this review.

About the Author

Irene Hannon is the bestselling and award-winning author of more than 60 contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels. In addition to her many other honors, she is a three-time winner of the prestigious RITA Award from Romance Writers of America. She is also a member of RWA’s elite Hall of Fame and has received a Career Achievement Award from RT Book Reviews for her entire body of work.

More from Irene

In my world, the approach of April signals not only tulips, dogwoods, and daffodils, but a return to my little seaside town of Hope Harbor on the Oregon coast. And this year marks a milestone. Sandcastle Inn is the tenth book set in this charming locale.

When I conceived of this series back in 2013, neither I nor my editor had any idea how long it would run—or that Publishers Weekly would deem my small fictional town “a place of emotional restoration that readers will yearn to visit.”

But visit they have. Hundreds of thousands of copies of the books have been sold worldwide, the novels have been translated into multiple languages, and taco-making artist/town sage Charley Lopez has become an iconic figure.

It’s been an amazing journey—with more books to come.

If you’ve never visited Hope Harbor and are reluctant to dive in at this stage, no worries. Each book stands alone, with a whole new cast of main characters. Each story also begins and ends in each book, with no hanging plot threads from book to book. The town is the unifying element in the series—along with a few secondary characters like Charley, the bantering town clerics from neighboring churches, and the seagull couple Floyd and Gladys, who always seem to be around when romance is in the air.

If you’re new to the series, Sandcastle Inn is a fine jumping-off point. This story features a hero struggling to recoup from a tragic loss and a heroine still reeling from an unplanned career detour. When they join forces to save a floundering inn, challenges ensue…and sparks fly. Because if it’s Hope Harbor, there has to be romance!

The book resonates with multiple other themes too—dealing with grief, moving on, changing direction, mending past relationships, taking a leap of faith. And of course there’s a happy ending.

It’s the kind of book that will put a smile on your lips and hope in your heart.

So I invite you to find a comfy spot, pour a mug or cup of your favorite beverage, and travel with me to Hope Harbor, where hearts heal…and love blooms.

Insider’s Tip: If you ever decide to book a stay at Sandcastle Inn, ask for the seaside room upstairs at the end of the hall that leads to the right. The view is stunning!

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 4

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 4

Texas Book-aholic, April 5

Blogging With Carol, April 5

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 6

For Him and My Family, April 6

Jeanette’s Thoughts, April 7

Splashes of Joy, April 7

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, April 8

She Lives To Read, April 8

lakesidelivingsite, April 9

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 10

Southern Gal Loves to Read, April 10

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, April 11 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, April 11

Cover Lover Book Review, April 12

The Lofty Pages, April 13

Melissa’s Bookshelf, April 13

Blossoms and Blessings, April 14

Labor Not in Vain, April 14

Wishful Endings, April 15

By The Book, April 15

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, April 16

Pause for Tales, April 16

Batya’s Bits, April 17

JESUS in the EVERYDAY, April 17

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Irene is giving away the grand prize package of a full set of the Hope Harbor series (10 books) and a $50 Bookshop.org gift card!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/2ac75/sandcastle-inn-celebration-tour-giveaway