Thursday, April 9, 2026

My Thoughts and More on Sooner or Later by Vickie McDonough

About the Book

Book: Sooner or Later

Author: Vickie McDonough

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: March 31, 2026

Rebekah’s dreams have become a nightmare.

For years, Rebekah’s mother told her that sooner or later a handsome man would come along and sweep her off her feet. That was before her mother and brother had died and her stepfather arranged for her to marry their repulsive neighbor in exchange liquor and a half-side of beef. She won’t marry the vile older man and flees in the dark of night.

Mason Danfield has no interest in a wife. He’s focused on caring for his motherless niece and nephew. But when Mason finds a young woman stranded on the side of the trail, he can’t leave her behind to possible die on the prairie.

A chance encounter with Jake, the children’s father, ends up with Mason riding in the 1889 Oklahoma land run. He hopes to get land for Jake and the children. Maybe then he can talk Jake into marrying Rebekah, so she can have a home and stay with the children she has come to love. But for some reason, the idea of her and Jale together doesn’t sit well with Mason.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts:

This was quite an adventure story with many trials that this makeshift family had to go through. All of them are also reeling from broken hearts, from losing beloved family members. I was quite surprised with how much was packed in this story.

Rebekah is desperate to escape the plans her stepfather has for her after the death of her mother and brother. Not wanting to be sold off in marriage to a horrible man, Rebekah takes matter in her own hands and runs away. Right into the path of Mason Danfield.

Mason is trying to get his niece and nephew to their father after the death of their mother, his sister. An accident that also took his wife and unborn child. Many broken hearts in this story that had me feeling for all of them. When Mason finds Rebekah, dressed as a man, half dead, their lives begin to take an upturn. That is if they can survive the weather and the trail.

This was a great adventure that didn't have one boring moment and had me turning those pages.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review, and all views and opinions are my own.

About the Author

Vickie McDonough is the CBA, EPCA and Amazon best-selling author of 54 books and novellas. Vickie grew up wanting to marry a rancher, but instead, she married a computer geek who is scared of horses. She now lives out her dreams penning romance stories about ranchers, cowboys, lawmen, and others living in the Old West. Vickie’s books have won numerous awards including the Booksellers Best, OWFI Best Fiction Novel Award, the Inspirational Readers’ Choice awards. When she’s not writing, Vickie enjoys reading, making cards, gardening, and traveling.

Excerpt from the Book

April 2nd, 1889

Indian Territory

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.

Blog Stops

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

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Vickie is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

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

https://gleam.io/mieGk/sooner-or-later-celebration-tour-giveaway

Tuesday, April 7, 2026

My Thoughts and More on Bernadette by Jennifer Lynn Cary

About the Book

Book: Bernadette: A Sweet, Quirky, Romantic Twist

Author: Jennifer Lynn Cary

Genre: Sweet Romantic Comedy

Release Date: August 4, 2025

She’s supposed to be a small-town girl…

…He’s billed as America’s biggest heartthrob.

What could possibly go wrong? How about everything?

Tiny Bernie Sawrey is perfectly happy fixing carburetors until her stepmother ambushes her with a blind date. The catch? It’s with movie star Garrett Lomas, Bernie’s secret celebrity crush and the reason she’s haunted the drive-in alone her entire adult life.

There’s just one teensy problem: Bernie’s about as Hollywood-ready as a rusty muffler.

But when her dad’s garage faces financial ruin, suddenly playing Kokomo’s answer to the girl-next-door doesn’t seem so impossible, if it will help. How hard can it be to fake being normal for a few weeks?

Meanwhile, Gabe Lomas thought being his identical twin’s stunt double only involved driving race cars—not impersonating him at charity events in small-town Indiana. But when the movie studio execs set up the deal and Garrett’s fiancée says no way, Gabe trades his helmet for a fake smile and a very real problem.

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.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts:

Bernadette is another cute and as the title suggests, quirky story taking place in the town of Kokomo, Indiana during the 1970's. This one was one full of secret identities, race car driving, and true love.

Bernadette, or Bernie for short is a five foot woman mechanic with a desire to race cars. Especially to race a car against her movie star crush, Garrett Lomas. Well, her dreams are about to become reality when his next movie is filming in her hometown and he needs a local girl to take around town for promotional events. Bernie is clearly against this till she finds out it will help her family out financially.

Garrett is absolutely in love with his fiancé, and taking another girl around town is not making her happy. So, he enlists his twin brother, Gabe, to play him in real life. What could possibly go wrong? Well, Gabe and Bernie falling in love and both trying to untangle the webs of subterfuge they both created. This was a fun romp back to Kokomo and untying knots just so they can tie the real marriage knot and be together for good.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review, and all views and opinions are my own.

About the Author

Historical Christian Romance author and three-time Selah Award nominee, Jennifer Lynn Cary, likes to say you can take the girl out of Indiana, but you can’t take the Hoosier out of the girl. Now transplanted to the Arizona desert, this direct descendant of Davy Crockett and her husband of forty-plus years enjoy time with family where she shares tales of her small-town heritage and family legacies with their grandchildren. She is the author of The Crockett Chronicles series, The Relentless series, and The Weather Girls trilogy, as well as the stand-alone novel, Cheryl’s Going Home, her novella Tales of the Hob Nob Annex Café, and her split-time novels The Traveling Prayer Shawl and The Forgotten Gratitude Journal. Her current spin-off series, The Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue, contains standalones with a common thread.

More from Jennifer

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.

Blog Stops

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)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jennifer is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and an eBook copy of the book!!

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

https://gleam.io/iwo6B/bernadette-celebration-tour-giveaway

Monday, April 6, 2026

My Thoughts on Claire Holloway is Winging It by Angela Ruth Strong

About:

After Claire Holloway's dream of becoming a ballerina plummets, she's left with her boyfriend as her only support . . . until she decides to become a flight attendant for the free travel. Based out of state, she moves into a crash pad with a gaggle of other flight attendants, and her fear of losing Wyatt seems to become a reality.

First Officer Nathan Stuart—a bit cynical since he and his fiancée broke up—meets a somewhat frazzled Claire on her very first day in the Seattle airport. When they end up on the same crew, he takes her under his wing, and they quickly bond.

When Claire's once-supportive boyfriend's attitude sours into resentment, she's left wondering whether her newfound joy is the right way to go. Pulled between two men and her new career, Claire must learn to listen for God's direction the same way her flight crew follows air traffic control.

In this hilarious rom-com, readers will lift off into the turbulent skies of romantic adventures as Claire navigates God's plan for her life.

My Thoughts:

This was a really fun, sweet, and romantic story of finding new dreams, love, and ultimately God's purpose for your life. I have not read about an airline attendant or a pilot before, so I really appreciated the details of their lives on and off the plane. I have often wondered what life would be like for a flight attendant, curious about all the adventures they would have and the places they would see. This story gave me a peek at what that would be like and I learned some new things.

Claire is starting a new career as a flight attendant, as do to a medical condition she can no longer be a ballet dancer. I really liked her attitude. She was not a woe is me kind of gal, no she saw this as a new adventure. One that even though it scared her a bit, she did not back down. She has a boyfriend, Wyatt, a new job, and she feels pretty good about life.

First Officer Nathan Stuart is a pilot who has had his heart broken before, so he is a bit wary of women. However, Claire catches his attention, and then he finds out she has a boyfriend. Nathan tries very hard to just be friends with her, especially since she is such a joy to be around. But try as hard as he can, he can't help falling for her.

Not quite a love triangle, but one heart is for sure going to get broken. Sometimes the people we are with are just not the ones we are meant to spend our lives with. Claire was not yet married, Nathan is trying to just be friends, and Wyatt is jealous. It was a fun story.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

Monday, March 30, 2026

My Thoughts on Guarding the Child Witness by Sharee Stover

About:

Nothing will stop this K-9

from shielding an innocent little boy.

When Iowa state trooper Jaysa Camerota and her K-9, Remy, discover a scared boy trapped in a car wreck, they narrowly survive the gunfire that follows. With an unknown assailant closing in fast and the nonverbal child struggling to communicate, Jaysa is forced to accept help from her ex-fiancé, social worker Ender Hammett. Soon it becomes clear that young Trevor is harboring perilous secrets—and that someone will do anything to have him silenced. When Ender’s past becomes the key to exposing a killer, can they unravel this lethal plot…or is survival out of reach?

My Thoughts:

Iowa state trooper, Jaysa, is on patrol with her K-9 Remy when her evening begins to go from bad to worse. First, she is almost run off the road and then she finds a car that was. Inside is a very scared little boy with his mom who has been critically injured. Calling in the accident, someone has decided to finish them and her off.

Ender is a social worker who has been called to this situation which is all well and good until he sees that Jaysa, his ex-fiancé is the officer in charge. His protective feelings go into overdrive, not only for this little boy, Trevor, but also for Jaysa as well. But before too long all three have targets on their backs.

This was a rather exciting thriller, especially with the presence of a child involved. A lot of unusual and suspicious things began happening all at once that really gave Jaysa and Ender a time. Not only that but Ender is still dealing with the murder of his parents when he was a child. Is it possible that both his and Trevor's traumas are connected?

With a lot of action and danger Jaysa and Ender have to sort out the puzzling clues to get to the bottom of all that is going on. During this process of working together, will they discover their hearts are still for one another, or is the madman going to snuff out their lives a bit too early? Buckle up as this story moves fast.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review, and all views and opinions are my own.

Thursday, March 26, 2026

Spotlight and Excerpt for Through Smoke and Secrets by Rebecca Hemlock

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Through Smoke and Secrets by Rebecca Hemlock, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Through Smoke and Secrets
Series: Dangerous Heirlooms #1
Author: Rebecca Hemlock
Publisher: Independently published
Release Date: January 21, 2026
Genre: Mystery Suspense

A century-old secret. A relentless enemy. One Locket that was never meant to be found.

When antiques dealer Annie Whitaker buys an unremarkable locket at a routine estate sale, she expects nothing more than a quiet ride home through the Smoky Mountains. Instead, a shadowy vehicle sends her car skidding off a cliffside road—and she realizes the attack was no accident. Hidden inside the locket is a key, a cryptic letter, and the first thread of a mystery tied to the disappearance of Eleanor Blackwood, a woman who vanished over a hundred years ago.

Someone has killed to keep that secret buried.

And now they’ve set their sights on Annie.

Her shop is ransacked. Her inventory destroyed. Her building intentionally set ablaze. With no phone, no transportation, and nowhere safe to go, Annie is forced to seek refuge in the only place left: the remote mountain ranch of Detective Jack Calloway, a man who once shared her obsession with cold cases—and who may be the only person she can trust.

As Jack digs into the evidence Annie uncovered, the danger spirals. Break-ins, threats, shadows stalking the ranch at night—each clue reveals a darker truth. The locket isn’t just a forgotten keepsake; it’s the final piece in a long-buried murder. And someone with power, reach, and generations of secrets will do whatever it takes to silence the truth forever.

With Annie marked as the next victim, Jack races to unravel a century of lies before time runs out. Every revelation tightens the noose around them both—and with Annie constantly in his line of fire, Jack’s focus fractures between the case and the woman he’s never been able to forget. The closer they come to exposing the killer, the more Jack realizes he may lose her long before the truth sees daylight. And every step forward draws them toward a final, deadly confrontation neither of them may survive.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Buy from the Author| Amazon | BookBub

Excerpt:

Annie turned the brittle pages of the Blackwood family Bible slowly, her pulse pounding.

Births. Marriages. Deaths. Generations of names recorded in careful handwriting. Then she

found the entry that made her breath catch. Eleanor Blackwood. Born October 12, 1900. Mother

to Mary and Joy. Disappeared March 15, 1927. “Disappeared,” Annie murmured. Jack leaned

over her shoulder. “Not died,” he said quietly.

Annie traced the next entry with her finger. Richard Mitchell. Born 1910. She looked up

sharply. “He turned eighteen five days after Eleanor vanished.” Jack nodded grimly. “And if

Eleanor had a son…” “Richard would lose the inheritance.” Silence settled between them. Then

Annie slowly reached into her pocket and pulled out the locket. “What if this proves what really

happened to her?” she whispered.

Also Available

About the Author

Rebecca Hemlock is an award-winning Christian Fiction author whose love for mysteries began in childhood when she first fell in love with all things Nancy Drew. That early spark grew into a lifelong passion for crime-solving stories, complex puzzles, and characters who must fight for truth even when the world around them is dark and uncertain.

Her novels are known for realism, emotional depth, and suspense that stays tightly wound until the final pages. Rebecca creates characters who face danger, trauma, and moral crossroads — moments that either test their faith or ignite a brand-new relationship with God. At the heart of every story lies her guiding verse and creative compass, Romans 12:21: “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Before writing fiction full-time, Rebecca spent four years as a freelance journalist, where she honed her ability to spot the thread of a story, ask the right questions, and build tension from real-world details. That experience sharpened her voice and laid the foundation for the 15 books she has now published, ranging from romantic suspense and mystery to historical-tinged thrillers. She also writes children’s fiction under the pen name R.C. Burch.

Rebecca is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Sisters in Crime, and she’s passionate about uplifting stories that blend danger, courage, heart, and hope. With a Bachelor’s degree in English and Creative Writing — plus an Appalachian Studies certificate — she brings layered settings, emotional authenticity, and cultural richness to her work. She continues to pursue further writing education, always seeking to grow as a storyteller.

When she’s not writing, Rebecca enjoys traveling, reading mysteries, exploring historical places, and spending time with her family. Her work is written for readers who love suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat — and faith that keeps you anchored through the storm.

Connect with Rebecca by visiting rebeccahemlock.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a book-themed prize bundle, including a tote, a mug, a kindle dust protector, a bookmark, and a $25 Amazon Gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight March 23, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 30, 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.

Enter Giveaway

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

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

My Thouhgs on An Arrival of Hope by Alena Mentink

About:

She’s resigned herself to a quiet life. He buried his heart with his wife. Neither expects redemption to come calling.

Rosalind Durmond still harbors a heart made for storybook romance—she just knows such tales aren’t written for her. She thought she’d traded those dreams for duty when she agreed to care for her aging aunt. But when that aunt sets off for the Nebraska plains to right an old wrong, Rosalind finds herself knee-deep in family strife—and face-to-face with a widowed farmer whose quiet strength stirs hopes she thought long out of reach.

Zane Hoffman’s learned the hard way that happy endings exist only in fairy tales. Since his wife’s death, he’s sworn off risking his heart again. Yet when a red-haired woman with a knack for finding trouble crosses his path, his conscience won’t let him walk away.

As secrets from the past turn dangerous, Rosalind and Zane must fight for survival—and for the fragile love awakening between them.

Set against the wide-open beauty of the Nebraska prairie, An Arrival of Hope is a tender, faith-filled romance about second chances, family ties, and the grace that makes all things new. The story can be read as a standalone or as a continuation of the series and is perfect for fans of Lauraine Snelling and Karen Witemeyer.

My Thoughts:

As the title suggests, this story is one that is full of hope. That when we are up against life's curveballs, there is hope. Even if that hope feels like it is dying inside. This is a story of two individuals who have almost given up. They have been knocked down by life, for a time, and this is their story of getting back up.

This is a story of romance and some danger. We are reintroduced to previous characters, and it was quite an adventure. However, I think what really stood out to me was the author's portrayal of hope. Zane had lost his wife almost two years ago and now it is just himself and his two little kids. His loss was palpable. He had in a sense given up hope of another love. I understood his fears, and the author pulled us into his grief.

Rosalind is becoming a spinster. her hopes of marrying and having children are dwindling. When she decides to follow her aunt, unbeknownst to her she is stepping into the adventure of her life. And she is also giving Zane the balm to heal. He will always love his first wife, but for his and his children's sakes, he needs to continue to live.

I felt the author told this story of second chances with a deep sensitivity of love lost and gained. Really pulling out the feels in this one.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

Monday, March 16, 2026

My Thoughts and More on Stars in Her Eyes by Erica Vetsch

About the Book

Book: Stars in Her Eyes

Author: Erica Vetsch

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: February 10, 2026

A determined minister and a talented actress—bound by love, tested by prejudice, and challenged to choose between heart and conventions.

Pastor Silas Hamilton defied his father’s plans for his life in order to follow God’s call to a small Colorado church. But when he falls for Willow Starr, a gifted actress new to town, his congregation threatens to fracture. Though he’s certain she’s the one God intends for him, mounting pressure forces him to question everything.

Willow has never known a life beyond the theater, following in her parents’ footsteps alongside her domineering sister. When she meets Silas, she discovers a love worth more than any stage role. But with a career-making opportunity in New York beckoning and a church suspicious of actresses, Willow must decide if she’s brave enough to step into an entirely new life.

As rumors and lies threaten to tear them apart, Silas and Willow discover that sometimes the hardest choices lead to the greatest blessings.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts:

Silas Hamilton is a pastor in need of a wife so a certain busybody will stop coming after him for her daughter. Silas knows a wife is a wonderful gift, yet he would like to be in love with her as well. Then one day he meets a fairy by the river, actress Willow Starr. He falls almost instantly; she also sees her life looking very differently with Silas than what her sister has planned. Theirs is a match made in heaven, except for those who are vehemently opposed.

So, Silas and Willow fall in love and they plan to get married, but it seems the whole of the church congregation is against them. They are causing so many problems that Willow does not want to come between the church and their pastor Silas. However, Silas sees no other way. He will find another church to pastor, but he will not lose Willow.

This was a romance full of turmoil from where you would least expect it. There were a lot of great lessons on church behavior and using certain church laws wrong, especially when the church is supposed to be an example to the world.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review, and all views and opinions are my own.

About the Author

Best-selling, award-winning author of The Debutante’s Code, first in the Thorndike & Swann Regency Mystery Series, Erica Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum.

More from Erica

One of the questions I often get as an author is, “Where do your ideas come from?”

The answer is “All over!”

I often get ideas while watching movies or reading books, delving into history books, visiting historical sites, or daydreaming.

For the story Stars in Her Eyes, the idea came from a photograph. A portrait of a pretty girl. Her name was Maude Adams, and her photograph stayed in my mind for a long time.

Those gray eyes, the regal tilt to her chin, the ‘touch-me-not’ expression.

Willow Starr was born.

Stars in her Eyes is the third book in a trilogy set in a mining town in Colorado. Such boomtowns had acting troupes moving through to entertain the minors and bring a bit of ‘class’ to those who were making their fortunes.

So of course, I had to imagine the least likely person to fall in love with an actress. A pastor.

Silas has a rare ability to see the talents of others, not as a threat or oddity, but as a potential asset to the church. He believes that God gifts individuals for the purpose of edifying the church, and that God’s people are found everywhere, even on a lamplit stage.