Books | Daysong Reflections

The Captain’s Quest by Lorri Dudley

by admin | Jun 12, 2021 | Books

MY REVIEW:

With its feisty and often impulsive heroine and a bigger-than-life hero, The Captain’s Quest takes the reader for an exciting adventure that is filled with danger, betrayal, mystery, and romance. What could be more thrilling than being stranded on a deserted island with a handsome sea captain?

An attempt to keep her friend out of trouble backfires and leaves Priscilla in more trouble than she bargained for. Her solution to save her reputation as well as that of her family results in another problem that can’t be reversed and she finds herself on a sea voyage she did not expect.

Captain Tobias Prescott discovers that he has two surprise passengers on his ship but it is too late to turn back. Obviously he is not pleased that two women are aboard but he decides to make the best of it because he has a lot to prove to his father.

I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of The Captain’s Quest. The author’s humorous touches as well as a strong spiritual theme and character growth were the perfect blend. Excellent plot development offered unexpected twists and surprises along the way and I loved how the situations were resolved.

I love reading books by this author and look forward to her next one.

I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Book: The Captain’s Quest

Author: Lorri Dudley

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: June 22, 2021

Click here to get your copy!

Innocent mistakes can have dire consequences.

Pricilla Middleton only attended the Lemoore house party to keep her friend out of trouble. Now, her only chance to keep from becoming a gossip column headline is to sneak aboard her brother’s ship and pretend she’d been visiting him instead of taking part in the debacle. Before she can speak to her brother, the ship sets sail, and the man in charge is not at all who she expects.

Captain Tobias Prescott, son of an infamous war hero, has been assigned on a critical mission to deploy warships in St. Kitts for battle in New Orleans. Unfortunately, his orders require him to assume command of a friend’s ship, and he must weigh anchor the instant the former captain is escorted down the gangplank. When they reach open waters, the last thing he expects is to find a woman hiding in the captain’s cabin, yet his mission is too urgent to return her to England.

The Middleton name has always brought Tobias trouble, and Pricilla is no exception. As the waters clear and the temperature warms, the danger escalates too. Yet Tobias discovers the intuitive and strong woman who struggles to hide her anxiety is nothing like her disloyal brother. He may lose the opportunity to help his country, but perhaps he can still save the woman who’s rescued his heart.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lorri Dudley has been a finalist in numerous writing contests and has a master’s degree in Psychology. She lives in Ashland, Massachusetts with her husband and three teenage sons, where writing romance allows her an escape from her testosterone filled household. Find her online at www.lorridudley.com.

MORE FROM LORRI:

Priscilla Middleton’s character begged for her story to be told. The Captain’s Quest is the fourth book in the Leeward Island series. While it can read as a stand-alone, the heroine, Priscilla, had a brief guest appearance at the beginning of book two, The Merchant’s Yield, as Lottie’s closest friend. With Lottie now living on the isle of St. Kitts, that left Priscilla to navigate the London season all on her own. I imagined what mischief a young woman would find whose parents allowed her too much freedom, especially with her friend, the voice of reason, across the Atlantic.

When my close friend moved to Michigan, the loss of her physical presence left me feeling disoriented, lost, and out of place, even in familiar surroundings. There was loneliness, a desperate need to replace what was missing, and fears about being forgotten. In Lottie’s absence, Priscilla clings to an unhealthy friendship, landing herself in a precarious situation, with no other option but to hide aboard her brother’s ship to save her reputation and that of her family.

The biggest issue with running from problems is that we can’t run from ourselves. Priscilla avoids one catastrophe only to walk right into another as Captain Tobias Prescott takes command of the ship. She blames the brooding captain for her predicament only to realize she’s battling the wrong enemy. The more Priscilla tries to hide from the problems she must face within herself, the further she drifts from everyone she knows and the chance to be fully loved.

Although Priscilla’s story was drafted pre-pandemic, her struggles are similar to those that surfaced during the lockdowns. Anxiety, loneliness, isolation, fear, and feelings of being disregarded mounted as the pandemic spread. Vacations, Thanksgivings, and Christmases were canceled. Families couldn’t visit or see each other—the feeling of being forgotten sliced open raw wounds.

Cory Ashbury’s song Reckless Love was popular as I plotted The Captain’s Quest, and the lyrics from the book of Matthew of how God will leave the ninety-nine to chase after the one lost sheep developed Priscilla’s story. Through its comical mishaps, dramatic twists, and struggles to prevail, The Captain’s Quest is a reminder of the heights, depths, and lengths that our great God will go to show His passionate love for us.

To learn more, checkout my website at LorriDudley.com, or watch The Captain’s Quest book trailer by clicking here: The Captain’s Quest trailer.

BLOG STOPS:

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 1

Blossoms and Blessings, June 1

Texas Book-aholic, June 2

Just Writing, June 2

For Him and My Family, June 3

Connect in Fiction, June 3

Inklings and notions, June 4

Life of Literature, June 4

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, June 5

Batya’s Bits, June 5

deb’s Book Review, June 6

Kayem Reads, June 6

She Lives To Read, June 7

Betti Mace, June 7

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 7

The Adventures of a Travelers Wife, June 8

Mypreciousbitsandmusings, June 8

Rebecca Tews, June 8

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 9

Blessed & Bookish, June 9

Remembrancy, June 10

Genesis 5020, June 10

Connie’s History Classroom, June 11

KarenSueHadley, June 11

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 12

Daysong Reflections, June 12

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 12

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, June 13

Simple Harvest Reads, June 13 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 14

HookMeInABook, June 14

GIVEAWAY:

To celebrate her tour, Lorri is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon 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/10cce/the-captain-s-quest-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Silver Shadow by Liz Tolsma

by admin | Jun 6, 2021 | Books, Historical, Suspense, True Crime

MY REVIEW:

The Silver Shadow is another contribution to Barbour’s True Crime series by Liz Tolsma. Set in turn-of-the-century Denver Colorado in 1900, the story features a suspect who accosts women who are alone on the street after dark, usually by hitting them in the head and disappearing immediately. As very little true information is now available about the crimes, this installment is primarily a work of fiction based on what little is known.

Newspaper reporter Polly Blythe is determined to make a name for herself writing “real news” rather than stories about social events that are normally assigned to women reporters. When she learns of the evening attacks on women, not only does she decide she can make a name for herself writing about them but soon becomes frustrated with the police department’s lack of progress in the case and becomes determined to find the perpetrator herself.

Edwin Price, the detective working on the case has made little progress and soon finds himself listening as Polly tries to convince him that the cases are connected. When the case gets too close for comfort when a friend and family member are attacked, Edwin joins Polly in a quest to permanently stop the attacks.

With a plot that moves at a steady pace, interesting characters, increasing danger, growing mystery, and a touch of romance thrown in for good measure, The Silver Shadow had no problem holding my attention. It was fun trying to guess along with Edwin and Polly who was behind the attacks and I was happy with how the story ended.

I have thoroughly enjoyed all the True Crimes series books that I have read and hope that the series will continue

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Book: The Silver Shadow

Author: Liz Tolsma

Genre: Christian Historical/Suspense

Release date: May 2021

Click here to get your copy!

A Shadowy Figure Is Intent on Harming Denver’s Women

Book 11 in the True Colors series—Fiction Based on Strange-But True History

Denver of 1900 is still a dangerous place to be following the silver crash of 1893. And of out of the dark comes a shadow intent on harming women. Ambitious young Denver newspaper reporter Polly Blythe is searching for the big story that’s going to launch her career. On Friday evening, August 24, 1900, she gets her break when two women are cracked over the head within a two-minute walk of each other. But policeman Edwin Timmer thwarts Polly’s ideas of a serial criminal. . .until the shadowy figure strikes again. Will the reporter and the policeman team up to find the culprit before he strikes too close for comfort?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Liz Tolsma is the author of several WWII novels, romantic suspense novels, prairie romance novellas, and an Amish romance. She is a popular speaker and an editor and resides next to a Wisconsin farm field with her husband and their youngest daughter. Her son is a US Marine, and her oldest daughter is a college student. Liz enjoys reading, walking, working in her large perennial garden, kayaking, and camping. Please visit her website at www.liztolsma.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter (@LizTolsma), Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest. She is also the host of the Christian Historical Fiction Talk podcast.

MORE FROM LIZ:

One of the most popular questions I’ve gotten from many readers of the True Colors Crime series is how do I come up with the ideas for the books? For the first two, Becky Germany, acquisitions editor at Barbour Publishing, had the ideas. That made my life easy. I just had to fictionalize it, and I had a book. But when I was putting together the proposals for The Gold Digger and The Silver Shadow, it was up to me to find the true crimes I wanted to use.

I went online and scoured historical crime blogs and books for ideas. I wanted crimes that I could work easily with, that made for compelling stories. As I was doing this, my husband and two daughters and I were driving home from Georgia. We were somewhere in Indiana. Don’t ask me why I remember this when I can’t remember what I had for dinner last night, but I do.

And then on Google Books, I discovered a book about crimes the world had forgotten. The first one in there sounded so good. Not too grisly, something that no one would be able to guess the culprit very easily. It was perfect. Imagine my excitement when Becky told me they would be publishing The Silver Shadow.

Then I sat down to research it more. And I could hardly find anything! What? Where was all the information on this? There had to be more. That chapter in the one book couldn’t be all there was. He had to get his information from somewhere.

Eventually I did come across some articles from various Colorado newspapers with a few details. Not many at all. None from any of the Denver papers, even though that’s where the crimes were committed.

In the end, that’s all the information I discovered. In a way, it was freeing. I could write whatever I wanted, and no one would be the wiser. Even if they did some research and some digging, there wasn’t much to find. I was able to take the facts that I did have, combine that with what I found out about Denver in 1900, and put it together in a story. I tried to use historical details wherever I could, but of my four True Colors Crimes books, this is the most fictional of them all.

BLOG STOPS:

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, May 25

lakesidelivingsite, May 25

Reviewingbooksplusmore, May 25

For the Love of Literature, May 26

Bigreadersite, May 26

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, May 26

Texas Book-aholic, May 27

Genesis 5020, May 27

Christian Bookaholic, May 27

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 28

Vicky Sluiter, May 28

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 28

The Write Escape, May 29

Betti Mace, May 29

Inklings and notions, May 29

Southern Gal Loves to Read, May 30

For Him and My Family, May 30

Rebecca Tews, May 30

Older & Smarter?, May 31

deb’s Book Review, May 31

Blogging With Carol, May 31

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, June 1

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 1

Remembrancy, June 1

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 2

Pick a Good Book, June 2

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, June 2

Connie’s History Classroom, June 3

Godly Book Reviews, June 3

Mary Hake, June 3

Through the Fire Blogs, June 4

Melissa Wardwells Back Porch Reads, June 4

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 4

KarenSueHadley, June 5

Amanda Tero, Blog, June 5

Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 5

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 6

Grace-Filled Writer, June 6

Pause for Tales, June 6

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, June 7

Blossoms and Blessings, June 7

Daysong Reflections, June 7

GIVEAWAY:

To celebrate her tour, Liz is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card and copy of The Silver Shadow!!

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/10c96/the-silver-shadow-celebration-tour-giveaway

Never Miss by Melissa Koslin

by admin | May 31, 2021 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Suspense

MY REVIEW:

Melissa Koslin is another new to me author. As a fan of romantic suspense, I was eager to read Never Miss. I was not disappointed.

Although both the hero and heroine were almost too good to be true, this novel is fiction after all so I ignored their perfection and enjoyed every minute of their story. Between Lyndon’s photographic memory and Kadance’s skills as a sniper and navigational talent, not to mention that both were excellent problem solvers, the pair of them were a nearly superhero level team.

I guess I should have known to expect more plots involving viruses and biological warfare due to our all too real pandemic but this is the second novel this month. At this point I’d prefer my recreational reading to focus on another subject but nevertheless I did enjoy Never Miss. The pacing was excellent as was character development. I particularly liked Lyndon’s handsome nerd persona.

The requisite action, danger, suspense, and romance were present and the story contained a good balance of dialogue and action. The author also managed to keep me on my toes with several surprises and plot twists. I will definitely be on the lookout for more books by Melissa Koslin. Suspense lovers might want to check her out.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Former CIA sniper Kadance Tolle possesses a special set of skills and a rare pedigree. She comes from a family of assassins, and by saving Lyndon Vaile’s life she risks being found by them. Despite the danger, Kadance feels compelled to help Lyndon discover who is after him–and his research that seems to prove that the Ebola virus was manmade and is about to be weaponized.

With shadowy figures pursuing them and a Mastermind watching their every move, Kadance and Lyndon must scramble to stop an impending bioattack at the State of the Union address. But their warnings fall on deaf ears, and it becomes increasingly clear that there’s no one they can trust–except perhaps each other.

Strap in for a breakneck story that will have you up all night, hurtling toward the last page as the clock ticks and time runs out.

Read an excerpt HERE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Melissa Koslin is a fourth-degree black belt in and certified instructor of Songahm Taekwondo. In her day job as a commercial property manager, she secretly notes personal quirks and funny situations, ready to tweak them into colorful additions for her books. She and Corey, her husband of twenty years, live in Jacksonville, Florida, where they do their best not to melt in the sun. Find more information on her books at MelissaKoslin.com.

The Paris Betrayal by James R. Hannibal

by admin | May 31, 2021 | Books

MY REVIEW:

James R. Hannibal is new to me author and I was not at all sure what to expect from his latest novel Paris Betrayal. I wasn’t very far into the narrative before I had very mixed feelings about it. I first wanted to stop reading because in some ways it reminded me too much of our current pandemic with its plot element of an engineered bioweapon. On the other hand, the dangerous adventures of Ben Calix made me want to keep reading in order to find out how things turned out for him.

Poor Ben, once a favored spy in his organization, soon found himself out in the cold with nowhere to turn and pursued by unknown agents. His page turner of an adventure moved at breakneck speed as he alone attempted to stop a madman from unleashing a devastating disease on the world. Plenty of action, danger, suspense, and a hint of unexpected romance fill the pages as the hero barely manages to stay one step ahead of his adversaries.

Readers expecting a strong Christian message might be disappointed because it is quite subtle. It is a clean read and contains no gruesome depictions of violence that many books of this genre might include. Fans of spy thrillers should enjoy this one.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

After a rough mission in Rome involving the discovery of a devastating bioweapon, Company spy Ben Calix returns to Paris to find his perfectly ordered world has collapsed. A sniper attack. An ambush. A call for help that brings French SWAT forces down on his head. Ben is out. This is a severance–reserved for incompetents and traitors.

Searching for answers and anticipating a coming attack, Ben and a woman swept up in his misfortunes must travel across Europe to find the sniper who tried to kill him, the medic who saved his life, the schoolmaster who trained him, and an upstart hacker from his former team. More than that, Ben must come to grips with his own insignificance as the Company’s plan to stop Leviathan from unleashing the bioweapon at any cost moves forward without him–and he struggles against the infection that is swiftly claiming territory within his own body.

Award-winning author James R. Hannibal rachets up the tension on every page of this suspenseful new thriller.

Read an excerpt HERE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

James R. Hannibal is no stranger to secrets and adventure. This former stealth pilot from Houston, Texas, has been shot at, locked up with surface-to-air missiles, and chased down a winding German road by an armed terrorist. He is a two-time Silver Falchion Award winner for his children’s mysteries, a former Thriller Award nominee, and a 2020 Selah and Carol Award finalist for The Gryphon Heist–the opener for the CIA series that now includes Chasing the White Lion. James is a rare multisense synesthete, meaning all of his senses intersect. He sees and feels sounds and smells, and hears flashes of light. If he tells you the chocolate cake you offered smells blue and sticky, take it as a compliment.

Crazy for You by Michelle Sass Aleckson

by admin | May 29, 2021 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Crazy for You by Michelle Sass Aleckson presented by Susan May Warren, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

MY REVIEW:

I have absolutely loved having the chance to revisit Deep Haven through the new Deep Haven collection presented by Susan May Warren and each volume written by a new-to-me young author. So far each of them has stayed true to the standard set by Warren in her own previous Deep Haven series and it has been such fun meeting new characters as well as touching base with old favorites.

Crazy For You features Pete Dahlquist, fire chief and member of the town council, who just happens to be related to most of the Deep Haven residents – most notably the Dalquists and the Zimmermans. Unfortunately the two families are fierce competitors and each family wants what is best for the town but only if it is best for their own interests. Pete is stuck in the middle attempting to keep the peace but it has become evident that that’s a near impossibility.

Ronnie Morales has recently moved to Deep Haven to take the head paramedic position, hoping that the move will help her younger brother Tiago who could not seem to stay out of trouble in the city. Dedicated to her profession and her brother, Ronnie does not always come across well to others and may have difficulty lasting her probation period for that reason.

Neither Ronnie nor Pete are thrilled to have to work together but they both quickly realize that their first impressions of the other were not correct and they soon become friends. Their friendship begins to break down some of Ronnie’s walls of self-protection and Pete learns that it is okay to make decisions on what he believes is best rather than trying to please both sides of his family.

The story itself moved along at a steady pace with numerous conflicts and dangerous events along the way. A few of Pete’s relatives were a real piece of work and one in particular was a true menace. I particularly loved how the town came together at the end to support Pete, Ronnie, and Tiago. Crazy For You is a great book and hope everyone will get a chance to read it.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Just Read Tours. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Title: Crazy for You

Series: Deep Haven Collection #3

Author: Michelle Sass Aleckson presented by Susan May Warren

Publisher: Sunrise Publishing

Release Date: May 25, 2021

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

The problem with being related to everyone in town is that there is no one left to date…until now…but will this outsider survive his family?

Former soldier Veronica “Ronnie” Morales isn’t going to let her kid brother, Tiago, get pulled into the gangs of Minneapolis, so, seeking safety and a fresh start, she heads to sleepy Deep Haven on the north shore of Minnesota. She’s hoping to put down roots as the paramedic for the new Crisis Response Team, but it’s not easy to be the town outsider.

Fire Chief Peter Dahlquist is a peacemaker—he has to be. After he’s related to both of the Deep Haven dynasties – the Zimmermans and the Dahlquists, Deep Haven’s version of the Hatfields and the McCoys. Worse, Peter is the holdout vote for a landmark project, which also makes him the loneliest guy in town when both sides demand that he pick sides. The only one who seems to understand his plight is the newcomer in town…his pretty, street-tough paramedic.

When Tiago finds himself caught up in small town shenanigans and the town blames Ronnie for tragedy, Peter is forced to pick sides. But will his choice cost him the home—and the woman—he loves?

ALSO AVAILABLE:

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Susan May Warren is the USA Today best-selling novelist of 80 books. With more than 1.5 million books in print, she is beloved by reviewers and readers around the world. Visit Susan at www.susanmaywarren.com.

CONNECT WITH SUSAN: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

After growing upon both the east and west coasts, Michelle Sass Aleckson now lives the country life in central Minnesota with her own hero and their four kids. She loves rocking out to 80’s music on a Saturday night, playing Balderdash with the fam, and getting lost in good stories. Especially stories that shine grace. And if you’re wondering, yes, Sass is her maiden name. Visit her at www.michellealeckson.com.

CONNECT WITH MICHELLE: Website | Facebook| Instagram | Twitter

Merging the creative energies of best-selling authors Susan May Warren and Lindsay Harrel, Sunrise Publishing is the matchmaker for established authors who want to build on their current success for future growth and aspiring authors looking to break out, build an audience, and hone their writing skills.

CONNECT WITH SUNRISE: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | admin@sunrisepublishing.com

GIVEAWAY:

(1) winner will receive a $15 Amazon gift card + 3 Crazy for You ebooks (one ebook for the winner and two to give to friends)!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight May 25, 2021 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on June 1, 2021. 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 HERE

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

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

A Groom for Bailey by Heather Blanton

by admin | May 29, 2021 | Books

MY REVIEW:

As one of several young women widowed by an unexpected blizzard, Bailey Bryson finds herself pressured to find a new husband or leave Last Chance, Nebraska. Hesitant to agree to a mail order marriage, Bailey has finally resigned herself to her fate. To complicate matters, Bailey has become well know as a writer in multiple historical publications under the assumed identity of Dr. Perseus Stone

Reporter Collin Winchester has arrived in Last Chance to track down and expose Dr. Stone as a fraud. The assignment may just be his own last chance at keeping his new job. Little does he realize that he will encounter the young woman who has remained on his mind since their brief meeting a decade before and that she will become the center of his search.

Although A Groom for Bailey is not the usual western romance I have become accustomed to reading from Heather Blanton, it is a delightful second chance romance that can easily be read in one sitting. It illustrates how many complications can result from what seems to be one little seemingly innocent lie. I enjoyed every minute of it and especially appreciated the ingenious solution to Bailey’s problems.

If you have never read a novel by Heather Blanton, do not wait another day to meet her unique and realistic characters.

I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by the author. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

It was just a harmless, little lie…

Widow Bailey Bryson writes scholarly articles under the masculine-sounding name of Dr. Perseus Stone. When handsome reporter Collin Winchester comes to Last Chance, Nebraska seeking an interview with the good doctor, a whirlwind of lies and confusion tears through the town. No one knows what to believe, especially since the truth is mingling so well with the fiction.

And Bailey is caught in the middle. She knows the truth will set her free, but then she learns Collin has come to Last Chance to smear Dr. Stone’s reputation. A man who does not exist, yet one the town is now bent on protecting.

How can she and Collin get at the truth—especially when their hearts are hiding secrets, too?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Heather Blanton is the independent bestselling author of several Christian Westerns, including the “Romance in the Rockies” series which was recently OPTIONED for a LIMITED TV SERIES.

She is a former journalist and avid researcher who endeavors to seamlessly weave actual history in among fictional storylines. She loves exploring the American West, especially ghost towns and museums. She has walked parts of the Oregon Trail, ridden horses through the Rockies, climbed to the top of Independence Rock, and even held an outlaw’s note in her hand.

“Heather Blanton is blessed with a natural storytelling ability, an ‘old soul’ wisdom, and wide expansive heart. Her characters are vividly drawn, and in the western settings where life can be hard, over quickly, and seemingly without meaning, she reveals Larger Hands holding everyone and everything together.”
MARK RICHARD, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, AMC’S HELL ON WHEELS, and PEN/ERNEST HEMINGWAY AWARD WINNER

Her novels are all Christian Western Romance because this is the genre that lets her write about feisty pioneer women who struggle to find love and keep their faith. Like all good, old-fashioned Westerns, there is always justice, a moral message, American values, lots of high adventure, unexpected plot twists, and often a touch of suspense. Of course, romance is always a strong element in her stories because it is such a beautiful gift from God and a perfect reflection of how he loves us: sacrificially and lavishly. Her work is inspired by authors like the great Louis L’Amour, Francine Rivers, and Linda Lael Miller, to name just a few.

She grew up in the mountains of Western North Carolina on a steady diet of Bonanza, Gunsmoke, and John Wayne Westerns. Her most fond childhood memory is of sitting next to her daddy, munching on popcorn, and watching Lucas McCain unload that Winchester! Her daddy also taught her to shoot and, trust us, she can sew on buttons with her rifle.

She is a proud member of Western Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers.