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Book Review + Giveaway: A Scheming in Parliament by Erica Vetsch

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for A Scheming in Parliament by Erica Vetsch hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: A Scheming in Parliament
Series: Of Cloaks & Daggers #2
Author: Erica Vetsch
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Release Date: August 26, 2025
Genre: Regency Mystery Romance

Evil is masquerading in the halls of Parliament, and Sir Bertrand Thorndike is tasked with investigating from the inside. With his new position as a member of the House of Commons, he has access to the power brokers of English government. His tactic is to listen and learn, careful not to reveal his true motives, and he’s quickly inducted into the mysterious Theban Club.

Miss Philippa Cashel’s mission, the Princess Charlotte Eleos School for Women in Need, is thriving with donations, and the students are learning skills to help them earn their livings in honorable ways. But when a dear friend’s past is revealed by blackmail, Philippa must wrestle with the question, Is it ever right to do the wrong thing?

Bertie’s and Philippa’s missions collide when Bertie uncovers a dangerous plot involving vulnerable women. He and Philippa join forces against the corruption threatening to topple England’s government, all while navigating their outward reputations and inward feelings for each other.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Kregel Publications | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub

This post contains affiliate links. If you use one of my links, I will receive a percentage of the sale, at no extra cost to you! Essentially, you can buy a book, and support my blog at the same time!!!

My Review

A Scheming in Parliament is a wonderfully exciting regency romance with lots of delectable political intrigue.

I LOVED getting to reunite with Philippa and Bertie in this book! Philippa is even more dedicated than ever to helping women regain their feet after escaping a life of abuse. I love her ingenuity and dedication to her work. I also love watching how she is slowly overcoming her own pain from her past.

Bertie is another great character. He is intelligent, resourceful, protective, and eager to help those in need. I love how he always puts the needs of others above his own. It is so sweet how protective he is of Philippa throughout the book.

The political intrigue in the book was done so well!!! I loved watching as Philippa and Bertie worked to uncover the corruption of some high ranking members of parliament. I also loved how it showed the importance of standing up for what’s right no matter what.

This book is definitely one that cannot be read as a standalone. It took me a little while of reading the story to remember all of the important particulars of the first book. And just to note, I somehow managed to like this book even better than the first one!!!

If you love regency romances chock full of political intrigue, you will ADORE the second installment in Erica Vetsch’s Of Cloaks and Daggers series, A Scheming in Parliament.

Content Notes (spoilers — highlight text for details)

Age recommendation: 18+

Philippa is a former prostitute and helps rehabilitate women who have been prostitutes and experienced sexual assault. Women are drugged with opium to be more compliant. A cult-like club encourages its members to engage in sexual assault of women it imprisons. There are no on-page sex scenes in this book and past sexual assault is alluded to, never described.

A woman dies of syphilis. A woman has been beaten badly. People are taken captive. Several people are blackmailed.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book. My opinions are my own. A positive review was not required.

About the Author

Erica Vetsch is a New York Times best-selling author and ACFW Carol Award winner, and has been a Romantic Times top pick for her previous books. She loves Jesus, history, romance, and watching sports. This transplanted Kansan now makes her home in Rochester, Minnesota. Learn more about Erica at ericavetsch.com.

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

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of A Scheming in Parliament and a $20 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 September 3, 2025 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on September 10, 2025. 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

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

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Anthology announcement, ARC sign ups, and a preorder war

My best friend left me no choice. I had to make this post. She threw the gauntlet, and I’m not backing down from a challenge.

I mean, technically, I threw the gauntlet first publicly, but who’s keeping track?

Let me back up

I’m going to be published in an ANTHOLOGY!!!!!!!!

Beyond the Bookery, a small press publisher, is releasing a series of fairy tale anthologies this fall through next spring, and I have the wonderful opportunity to publish a story in the anthology, EVERLAST.

Isn’t it so pretty???

The other two authors in the anthology are D.E. Carlson and Elisabeth Joy, and I LOVE THEM!!!!!!! They are so sweet, and their stories… you are going to love them!!!!!!!!!!

preorder now

This post contains affiliate links. If you use one of my links, I will receive a percentage of the sale, at no extra cost to you! Essentially, you can buy a book, and support my blog at the same time!!!

ARC sign-ups

If you would like to ARC read EVERLAST, you can fill out the form below to request an ARC copy!

You’ll notice the ARC form is not only for EVERLAST, but also for a few other anthologies in the set (more on that later).

arc sign-upThe preorder war…

I wasn’t even going to share about this part, I swear, but Madi left me NO CHOICE!!!!!!!!!

My best friend and I were quietly engaging in a private, friendly competition to see who can get the most preorders, and then she just posted THIS on her blog, and I don’t back down from a challenge.

(We’re going to ignore the fact that I announced the competition publicly in this Facebook post, okay?)

Madisyn, you might phrase it a “friendly competition,” but it’s a WAR now. EVERLAST will TROUNCE Waking Courage, and you are going to ADMIT IT!!!!! PUBLICLY.

So… dear readers, I require your assistance.

Currently, Waking Courage is still eating EVERLAST‘s dust preorder-wise, but I’m not going to assume we’re safe until we’ve WON.

So, I am asking you to help me. If you can, preorder my anthology.

If you currently unable to preorder, you can still help me in this battle. Share about EVERLAST on your socials. Put it on your TBR on Goodreads. Share about the competition and that you’re rooting for COURTNEY RANGER.

Together, we can WIN THIS WAR!!!!!!!!!!

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Book Review + Giveaway: Mutiny of the Heart by Vickie McDonough

About the Book

Book: Mutiny of the Heart

Author: Vickie McDonough

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: August 19, 2025

A proud Loyalist and a jaded patriot are bound by a child and a shared loss—but as sparks fly, they must decide if love is worth trusting the enemy.

Heather has no reason to like Lucas Reed. He is an American, who’s fight for liberty from England led to Heather’s family’s financial ruin and the death of her father. But her cousin’s dying wish was that Heather take little Jamie to his father in Charleston, and she’s determined to honor that wish, even if it breaks her heart to do so.

Lucas Reed knows the boy at his door cannot possibly be his, but there’s no denying that Jamie has the trademark Reed blue eyes, black hair, and dimples. Still, Lucas is ready to close the door to the boy and his escort until Miss Hawthorne presents him with a letter. He instantly recognizes the writing he thought he’d never see again. The contents of the letter shatter his resolve, forcing him to open his door—and his carefully guarded heart—to the boy and his steadfast guardian.

As Heather and Lucas work together to create a new life for Jamie, can they resist their growing attraction? Or will mutinous hearts finally admit their love when an enemy’s desperate plot threatens their lives?

Click here to get your copy!

This post contains affiliate links. If you use one of my links, I will receive a percentage of the sale, at no extra cost to you! Essentially, you can buy a book, and support my blog at the same time!!!

My review

Vickie McDonough’s Mutiny of the Heart was a historical fiction novel with an interesting premise and lots of potential.

Heather has the rough job of getting a man to accept his illegitimate son, despite her own desire to keep the little boy herself. Heather is kind and protective and wants to do what is best for those she cares about.

Lucas has secrets, but still feels responsibility to the little boy Heather claims is his son. Lucas is attracted to Heather and is determined to protect those under his care.

This book was really interesting, the conflict between Lucas and the villain was quite intriguing and kept me eager to hear what would happen. I really wanted the villain to get a redemption arc since his character was one of the most fascinating to me.

My biggest complaint was about the little boy. He was supposed to be five years old, but at times he felt as old as an eleven year old. Children are incredibly difficult to write, but I think Jamie’s speech was a little too precocious for his age.

Overall, Mutiny of the Heart was an intriguing story with fascinating characters.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book. My opinions are my own. A positive review was not required.

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.

More from Vickie

Most of my writing career I’ve been an author of western historical fiction set in the late 1800’s, but a visit to Charleston and Savannah while on vacation, stirred up a desire to write in a different time period. I was born and raised in Oklahoma, a state that is only 117 years old. I was quickly enchanted by Charleston’s rich history and fell in love with the centuries-old homes and cobblestone streets.

I had also recently read a friend’s book series that featured pirates and felt challenged to create a pirate story of my own. After a lot of research and brainstorming with my critique group, Mutiny of the Heart was birthed.

1788, the time period of my story, was a time of turmoil for Charleston. The city was still recovering from the American Revolution. It had been captured by the British in 1780 and held for two and a half years. Finally, the British hevacuated Charleston in December 1782. The decade after the war saw industries beginning to bring the city and its inhabitants back to renewed vitality and population growth. It’s during this busy time that my English-born heroine comes to Charleson.

Heather Hawthorne is tasked with a near impossible job—deliver Jamie, the young boy she has come to love as her own, to the boy’s wealthy father in Charleston. Heather despises America as her English father lost his wealth and life in his fight against the American war for independence. But Deborah, Heather’s ailing cousin, pleaded with her to take Jamie to his wealthy father, Lucas Reed, owner of Reed Shipping. Though her heart is breaking, Heather honors Deborah’s death wish.

Lucas Reed knows the boy at his door cannot possibly be his, but there’s no denying that Jamie has the trademark Reed blue eyes, black hair and dimples. Still, Lucas is ready to close the door to the boy and his escort until Miss Hawthorne presents him with a letter. He instantly recognizes the writing he thought he’d never see again. The contents of said letter will change his life, bring both joy and heartache.

Enjoy the first episode in the Reed family saga, Mutiny of the Heart.

Blog Stops

Pause for Tales, September 3

Pens Pages & Pulses, September 4

Fiction Book Lover, September 5 (Guest Review from Marilyn)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 6

Texas Book-aholic, September 7

Stories By Gina, September 8 (Author Interview)

Sylvan Musings, September 8

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 9

Cover Lover Book Review, September 10

For Him and My Family, September 11

Guild Master, September 12 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 13

Life on Chickadee Lane, September 14

Holly’s Book Corner, September 15

Artistic Nobody, September 16 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, September 16 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

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.

giveaway!related posts

Book Review + Giveaway: Kissing the Texas Ranger by Cari Lynn Webb

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Kissing the Texas Ranger by Cari Lynn Webb, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the book

Title: Kissing the Texas Ranger
Series: A Three Springs Texas Romance #1
Author: Cari Lynn Webb
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming
Release Date: August 26, 2025
Genre: Sweet Contemporary Romance

To solve the case…

He’ll steal her heart

Special Ranger Bodie Hopson arrives in Three Springs, Texas, to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a bison herd belonging to the strong-willed farmer Sarah Rickelle. Posing as a new ranch hand, Bodie suspects she’s an insurance fraudster, but then quickly realizes she’s more of an ally than a criminal. As they join forces to track down the thief, their growing attraction makes it difficult to stay professional. But when the case takes a dangerous turn, Bodie faces a life-changing decision: follow his law enforcement career or fight for the woman who’s stolen his heart.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Harlequin | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

This post contains affiliate links. If you use one of my links, I will receive a percentage of the sale, at no extra cost to you! Essentially, you can buy a book, and support my blog at the same time!!!

My review

I love the books from this series too much for my own good. They’re just such adorable, light, quick reads and the most recent addition to the series — Kissing the Texas Ranger — was no exception!

Sarah was a great protagonist! I love how she cares for her grandmother and is always willing to help others, even when it is not convenient. I enjoyed watching as she grew in confidence and started prioritizing her dreams.

Bodie was a sweetie. It was fun watching his attraction to Sarah grow into something deeper. I loved the parts where he was helping out with his niece!!!!!!!! It was so cute how considerate Bodie was to Sarah’s needs.

This book also offered an exciting plotline and fun mystery to enjoy while getting all the romance you would need all at the same time!!!!!

If you are looking for a light, fall read, you will LOVE Cari Lynn Webb’s Kissing the Texas Ranger!!!

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book. My opinions are my own. A positive review was not required.

About the author

Cari Lynn Webb lives in Florida with her husband. She’s been blessed to see the power of true love in her grandparent’s 70 year marriage and her parent’s marriage of over 50 years. She knows love isn’t always sweet and perfect, it can be challenging, complicated and risky. But she believes happily-ever-afters are worth fighting for. She loves to connect with readers.Connect with Cari Lynn Webb by visiting carilynnwebb.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.

Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card and print copies of 2 Backlist Books of winner’s choice between the following titles: The Rancher’s Secret Crush, A Proposal for Her Cowboy and A Cowgirl’s Christmas Reunion (or may substitute with ebook(s) of any other Cari Lynn Webb title).

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight August 26, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 2, 2025. 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 JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies .

Enter Giveaway

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

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Book Review + Giveaway: The Undercover Heiress of Brockton by Kelly Goshorn

About the Book

Book: The Undercover Heiress of Brockton

Author: Kelly J. Goshorn

Genre: Christian Fiction / Romance / Historical Fiction

Release Date: August 1, 2025

A Socialite in Disguise Seeks Truth and Justice

Henrietta “Etta” Maxwell is a hard-hitting investigative reporter for The Enterprise Daily. The catch? Etta must pen her columns under the nom de plume, Henry Mason—a fact that routinely puts a knot in her knickerbockers.

Leo Eriksson is a second-generation firefighter with a passion for rendering aid to those in need. When Leo discovers that Henry Mason is really Henrietta Maxwell, the fire department’s wealthy benefactress, he agrees to keep her identity secret. After a sudden blast rocks the Grover Shoe Factory, Leo and Etta team up to determine if the explosion is related to a series of suspicious fires in the area.

When an unnamed source reveals Etta’s secret identity to a rival reporter, she falsely accuses Leo of being the informant. As the truth comes to light, Etta must persuade Leo to give her a second chance or lose the only man she’s ever loved.

purchase

This post contains affiliate links. If you use one of my links, I will receive a percentage of the sale, at no extra cost to you! Essentially, you can buy a book, and support my blog at the same time!!!

My review

Welp… I wasn’t expecting to cry during this one. But I did. More than I’m willing to admit…

Henrietta wants to use the blessings God has given her to bless those in her community. She uses her talents for writing to fight injustice and her wealth to see to the financial needs of those around her. She also blesses people with her sweet nature. I love how Etta uses her ingenuity to fight her battles. I also enjoy seeing how she allows her softer side to come out when needed. It was beautiful how she learns to refine her talents to use them to best serve those around her.

Leo is dedicated to doing what he must to serve others. He literally puts his life on the line for his community in his role as a fire fighter. I enjoy seeing his protective nature and how he and his brothers sustain each other. I also enjoyed seeing how he was willing to voice his opinions to Etta and still be considerate of her.

This story was a heartfelt reminder of how God’s goodness can shine through even on the darkest of days.

And I know, I know it isn’t part of the story itself, but that authors note was just INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!! I loved getting to read it!!!!!!!

Overall, I LOVED this book. I could definitely see myself reading it again! If you reading a sweet romance and learning about an interesting historical tragedy, you will LOVE this book.

I received an advance copy of this book. My opinions are my own. A positive review was not required.

About the Author

Kelly J. Goshorn weaves her affinity for history and her passion for God into uplifting stories of love, faith, and family set in nineteenth century America. Her debut novel, A Love Restored, won the Director’s Choice Award for Adult/YA fiction at the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference in 2019, and earned recognition as both a Selah Award finalist in the Historical Romance category and as a Maggie Award Finalist for Inspirational Fiction. When she is not writing, Kelly enjoys spending time with her young adult children, binge-watching BBC period dramas, board gaming with her husband, and spoiling her Welsh corgi, Levi.

More from Kelly

A Little Swedish Flavor

Beginning in 1844, Swedish immigrants began arriving in Brockton, Massachusetts. By 1920, Swedes accounted for approximately 30% of the city’s population. Their long-lasting impact on Brockton’s character remains evident today with annual cultural celebrations and religious festivals.

The Undercover Heiress of Brockton is set in the Swedish neighborhood of Campello. My hero Leo Eriksson’s favorite meal is Kalops, a savory beef stew that is traditionally served with boiled potatoes and pickled beets. For Leo, a bachelor who takes most of his meals at The Drake Tavern, the dish recalls happy childhood memories of his mother’s cooking.

Kalops contains typical stew ingredients like carrots, celery, onions, and garlic, but what makes this dish unique is the addition of allspice. Allspice adds a warm spicey flavor to the recipe that makes it perfect for a chilly winter day.

I had the opportunity to taste test this recipe, and while I would never brag about my own cooking skills, I have to say that it turned out quite well. I’d love to hear from you if you decide to give this traditional Swedish dish a try.

Kalops (Swedish Beef Stew)

Recipe courtesy of Skandibaking.

SERVINGS: 6

Prep Time: 20 minutes mins

Cook Time: 2 hours

INGREDIENTS

2.4 lbs chuck roast (or other beef cut suited for stews)

1 medium onion

2 cloves garlic

3 large carrots

1 stalk celery

2 tbsp vegetable oil

1 tbsp butter

3 tbsp flour

1/4 tsp ground allspice (or more to taste!)

2-3 bay leaves

3 cups beef stock (can also use water and bouillon)

Salt to taste

Pepper to taste

SERVED WITH: 7 large potatoes

INSTRUCTIONS

Prep the beef by cutting into 1 inch cubes. Season well with salt.Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add vegetable oil when preheated and add beef in one layer, searing on all sides. If you need to sear the meat in batches, you can remove one batch before adding the next to ensure that it browns well.Dice your onion and celery while the beef is cooking (or prep ahead of time). Finely mince the garlic cloves.Once the meat is browned on all sides, add in the onion, celery, and garlic. Cook until just softened.Chop your carrots into bite sized pieces. You can either add the carrots now if you like them super soft or add them with about 45 minutes left of cooking if you prefer them to have more of a bite.Add one tablespoon of butter and let it melt. Once melted, add in three tablespoons of flour and stir until everything is coated. Add in ground allspice.Pour in beef stock, stirring while adding to dissolve the flour coating. Once all of it has mixed in, add in 2-3 bay leaves. Now is a good time to taste for initial seasoning – add in salt and pepper to taste.Bring to a boil, lower the heat to a simmer and cover. Let the stew simmer for about an hour and 15 minutes; add more water or stock if needed! Now is also the time to add the carrots if you want them to be less soft.Simmer for an additional 45 minutes or until the beef is very tender – in the meantime, prepare the potatoes for serving.Prep potatoes by peeling and cutting in half. Place in a pot with cold water and add salt. Heat over medium-high heat with the lid on until it boils. Remove the lid and boil for about 15 minutes or until a knife poked into the center of a potato releases easily (you can also just taste for doneness!). Drain and set aside until ready to serve.Remove bay leaves. Check for final seasoning (add more salt if needed). Add stew to bowls and serve with boiled potatoes. Garnish with fresh parsley if you would like. Enjoy!Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, August 27

Pens Pages & Pulses, August 27

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 28

Mornings at Character Cafe, August 28

Texas Book-aholic, August 29

Devoted To Hope, August 29

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 30

Books You Can Feel Good About, August 30

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 31

Blogging With Carol, August 31

Hannahbandanarama, September 1

For Him and My Family, September 1

Stories By Gina, September 2 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, September 2 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

She Lives To Read, September 3

Mary Hake, September 3

Book Looks by Lisa, September 4

Books Less Travelled, September 4

Blossoms and Blessings, September 5

Bizwings Book Blog, September 6

Holly’s Book Corner, September 6

Lily’s Corner, September 7

Jodie Wolfe, September 7

Pause for Tales, September 8

Life on Chickadee Lane, September 9

Cover Lover Book Review, September 9

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kelly is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon e-Gift card and a print copy of the book!!

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

giveaway!related posts

Book Review + Giveaway: The Engineered Engagement by Erica Vetsch

About the Book

Book: The Engineered Engagement

Author: Erica Vetsch

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: July 8, 2025

A hidden genius, an ambitious shipbuilder, and a daring deception—can she prove her worth without losing her heart?

Eli Kennebrae plans to revolutionize cargo transportation on the Great Lakes. But his grandfather’s meddling obligates him to an arranged engagement. Though Josie Zahn is kindhearted and strikes his interest, Eli needs an engineer for his ship, not a fiancée.

Josie has admired Eli for years, but to him, she’s just “one of the Zahn girls.” Worse, society expects her to marry, not pursue her passion for mathematics and engineering. If she could only get Eli’s attention, she could help him achieve his goals.

Then “Professor Josephson,” a brilliant mathematical mind, provides the analyses to make Eli’s ship design a reality. As Eli finds unexpected kinship in the professor’s work, he remains unaware of the truth—Josie is the genius behind the numbers. When deception and ambition collide, will Eli see Josie for who she truly is before it’s too late?

purchase

This post contains affiliate links. If you use one of my links, I will receive a percentage of the sale, at no extra cost to you! Essentially, you can buy a book, and support my blog at the same time!!!

My review

Sweet romance, great sister moments, an intriguing plot — what’s not to like about Erica Vetsch’s The Engineered Engagement?

Josie was a great character. Her feeling that she was invisible because she had three sisters were quite relatable (I have several sisters myself). It was so amazing how she tried to support her sisters and had such a kind heart for everyone she interacted with. She also had such grace in dealing with others.

Eli was also a fun character. I enjoyed seeing the little sparks of interest he held for Josie throughout the book. His character development was believable and made me root for him.

The conflict in the story was intriguing and I thought it was brilliant how Erica tied things together at the end of the book!

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet romance story! If you enjoy historical fiction novels about love and sisters, you will love this book!

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book. My opinions are my own. A positive review was not required.

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 most frequently asked questions an author gets is “Where do your ideas come from?” The truth is…all over! But for me, the main place that story ideas start is in a museum. I see an artifact or object or hear a story as I wander a museum, and I begin to wonder about the people who used the object or survived the events that led to their story being in a museum.

The Engineered Engagement was inspired by a tour of the Great Lakes cargo ship the Meteor. The Meteor is a whaleback and is on display in Superior, WI, just across the harbor from Duluth, MN where the story is set.

I first toured the Meteor when I was eleven years old…awhile ago now. But many years later my husband and I took our kids to tour this amazing piece of engineering. The design, which is characterized by low rounded hulls, decks, and deckhouses looks decidedly odd and different from other ships. This design minimized the wind and water resistance encountered in more traditional hull shapes. The creator/design engineer of the whaleback was a Scotsman named Alexander McDougall who was a ship master and seaman on the Great Lakes.

The first whaleback hit the lakes in 1887, and over the next 11 years, 43 more joined her. One of the largest whalebacks was the steamer named the Frank Rockefeller. This ship was later renamed the SS Meteor. The Meteor hauled iron ore and sand for much of her career, and she is the only whaleback that remains.

As I toured the ship, learning nautical terms and all but feeling the rolling of the deck beneath my feet, I couldn’t help but admire Alexander McDougall for ignoring the critics, the snide remarks, and the jeers that always accompany a design pioneer and creating anyway. Looking for a better way to make something or do a task should be admired. He was tenacious, and I wanted to imbue my characters, Eli Kennebrae and Josie Zahn, with that same tenacity.

The Engineered Engagement involves ship building and hydrodynamics. Now, I know nothing about either of these disciplines, but I did glean some information, hopefully enough to make my characters, Eli and Josie, sound like they do. Ah, the joys of writing fiction! And while Eli and Josie are loaded with brains and tenacity, I also wanted them to have real emotions, to care about each other. One of the joys of writing fiction is getting to live through the eyes/hearts of your characters and feel what they feel. The Engineered Engagement was a joy to write.

If you are interested in Great Lakes shipping, I highly recommend the Duluth Canal Camera, https://www.duluthharborcam.com/p/canal-park-cams.html

And if you are interested in learning more about the SS Meteor, I recommend this site: https://superiorpublicmuseums.org/ss-meteor/

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 20

Worthy2Read, August 20

Melissa’s Bookshelf, August 21

Texas Book-aholic, August 21

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 22

Devoted To Hope, August 22

Artistic Nobody, August 23 (Guest Review from Marilyn)

Simple Harvest Reads, August 23 (Guest Review from Mindy)

For Him and My Family, August 24

Books You Can Feel Good About, August 24

Inkwell Inspirations, August 25

Pens Pages & Pulses, August 25

Stories By Gina, August 26 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, August 26

She Lives To Read, August 27

Inklings and notions, August 27

Bizwings Book Blog, August 28

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 28

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, August 29

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 29

An Author’s Take, August 30

Books Less Travelled, August 30

Book Looks by Lisa, August 31

Blossoms and Blessings, August 31

Holly’s Book Corner, September 1

Pause for Tales, September 1

Devoted Steps, September 2

Life on Chickadee Lane, September 2

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Erica 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.

Giveaway!related posts

Book Review + Giveaway: A Spinster for the Viscount by Jackie Killelea

About the Book

Book: A Spinster for the Viscount

Author: Jackie Killelea

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: August 5, 2025

A guarded wallflower. A charming viscount with a past. Can their fragile bond withstand a treasure hunt filled with secrets and a cunning rival’s schemes?

After five failed seasons and one humiliating heartbreak, Jane Talbot has accepted her fate as a spinster. She agrees to attend Lord Sperrin’s country house party to escape society’s scrutiny, but the promise of discovering the legendary jewel of Parcathia adds unexpected intrigue and draws her into the path of the far too charming Henry Lendin, Viscount Harroway.

Henry wears a smiling mask for society while grieving his father and bearing the burden of his duty. As the hunt for the jewel unfolds and he finds himself repeatedly in the company of the overlooked Miss Talbot, her quiet wit and warmth begin to break through his defenses. Could he finally have found a woman who sees beyond his title?

As they unravel clues amidst whispered secrets and lies, a rival emerges with both the jewel and Jane in his sights. With danger looming and love on the line, will Jane and Henry find the courage to claim the greatest treasure of all?

Click here to get your copy!My review

This book was a fascinating regency era novel with all of the intrigue you could possibly want and some great romance to go with it!

Jane is such a relatable character, and I love how we get to see how she struggles with understanding her self-worth. I find it interesting seeing how she confronts obstacles and always makes her own decisions.

Henry was a sweetie. I loved how he truly tries to get to know Jane and always wants what is best for her. It is also cool how Jackie contrasts him with the rival love interests!!!

The parrot was my other favorite character (the strawberry scene was the BEST)!!!

Overall, this was a sweet, intriguing story. If you enjoy regency romances, you should give this book a try.

About the Author

Jackie Killelea is a born and raised small-town girl from Connecticut with a degree in English and Creative Writing. She started off her writing journey with poetry, soon shifting into novels and becoming hooked. On days when she’s not busy with her nose in a book, she can be found typing away with a cup of tea at her side.

More from Jackie

Hi all! I want to thank you so much for your interest in my book. Since reading it, perhaps you’ve wondered about a few things. Maybe one of those things is if I have a penchant for strawberries. After all, they come up in the novel often enough and are Henry’s favorite fruit. I must confess, dear reader, that they are mine, as well…

My mouth was watering when I was writing the strawberry-picking scene and I simply love the idea of a good strawberry tart. Therefore, I decided to take the basics for one and bend them to my preferences. And Henry’s. I do hope you’ll like them as much as I do! Note: The recipe is OLD FASHIONED. I MEAN IT. BE PREPARED FOR POSSIBLE ODD TASTE.

*Recipe for Henry’s Strawberry Tarts*
Ingredients
*Crust:*
– 1/2 Pound Butter(Cold)
– 1/2 Cup Ice Water/Cold Water
– 1/2 Tbsp. Salt
– 3 Cups Flour
Before beginning, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. This is important, I tell you! At least, if you like to save time, like me.

In a medium/large bowl, add flour and salt. Stir. Cut cold butter into small cubes, then add to flour mixture, cutting the cubes in with a pastry cutter until fine crumbs form.

Once this has occurred, add water one tablespoon at a time, mixing after each tablespoon. After all water is incorporated, if the mixture is too sticky to roll, add more flour until it can be. If the mixture is too dry and won’t form into a ball, add one teaspoon of white vinegar and knead the dough(only a little). If still too dry, continue to add water by the tablespoon until the dough forms into a ball.

Once the dough is formed into a ball in the bowl and doesn’t stick to your hands when touched, set it out on a floured surface and roll it with a rolling pin to about a quarter of an inch in thickness. From here, it can be cut into circles and each circle can be placed into a mini tart pan. You can crimp the edges, if you’re feeling especially fancy. If you don’t have a tart pan on hand, you can use a cupcake pan and line the bottom half of each reservoir with pastry dough. The edges won’t be as pretty, but it will work in a pinch. Conversely, a full-sized tart pan will do just fine.

It is at this point, once your dough is in its pans, that you can place it in the preheated oven to let it cook for about 10-15 minutes in order to set. Make sure it doesn’t overcook, though. This setting process will prevent the bottom of the pastry from getting soggy from the filling, later on. Just like with babies, soggy bottoms on pies and tarts are a big downer.

While that’s cooking, it’s time to make the filling.

*The Filling:*

– 1 1/2 Cups of strawberries, rinsed and dried.
– 1/3 Cup White Granulated Sugar
– 4 Eggs + 1 Yolk
– Unseasoned Breadcrumbs (Optional)

Take your strawberries and remove their tops. Attempt to keep as much of the red fruit as you can. We want as much of the good stuff as we can get. In a medium/large bowl, crush them(a potato masher can come in handy for this part, or even pop them in the blender. We want them super crushed) and set aside. The mixture will be liquidy(yes, I’m aware liquidy is not a word).

In a separate bowl, whisk your eggs and the extra yolk. Once they’re well-beaten and a light yellow color, add the egg mixture a little at a time to the strawberry liquid, stirring after each addition. It is at this point that you may also add breadcrumbs and stir them in. They’ll make the consistency of the tarts a bit thicker. If you do choose to add them, I recommend adding 1/4 to 1/2 cup. Make sure they’re unseasoned! No one wants Italian-spice-flavored strawberry tarts. I don’t imagine so, anyway.

TAKE OUT YOUR CRUST BEFORE IT BURNS. THOSE TART CRUSTS ARE GETTING TAN IN THERE. Ok, now that you’ve read that reminder, let’s continue.

You may spoon, ladle, pour, etc., your tart filling into your tarts, now. Make sure only to fill them 3/4 of the way to the top, for you don’t want to spill that goodness over the edge. Once your crust/crusts is/are filled, you can shove them into the oven. They’ll have to cook for twenty minutes. If you have a full-sized tart, it will likely have to cook for more. Examine it for doneness like you would a pumpkin pie; When you wiggle the pan, the middle should only jiggle a very little bit, not like there’s a bunch of liquid beneath. More like a jello wiggle. Not a water
balloon. Add more time or take time away, depending on how the filling moves when you wiggle it.

Jello Wiggle = Yes
Water Balloon Wiggle = No

Once the tarts are done, take them out and let them cool for a while. The filling needs to set a bit more. Put the pan in the fridge, even, once it’s cool enough, if that’s what you’d like to do. When the tarts are sufficiently cooled(they can still be a little warm), you can remove them from their pans and decorate them with sweetened whipped cream and cut strawberries/fruits. Or leave them plain. Your choice.
They’ll look very cute, regardless of what you cooked them in. A fair warning before you try them, however: This recipe is a very old one that I’ve only changed a little. Therefore, don’t be surprised if the results are not what you’re expecting. This dessert is certainly not like those artificial, too-sweet, abominations we have today. Neither is it like the refined, well-spiced, classic treats we’ve come to love.
Bake at your own risk…And tag me on social media if you decide to make them. I’d love to see what you think! 

Love to all and happy baking,

Jackie Killelea

Blog Stops

Madi’s Musings, August 19

Pens Pages & Pulses, August 19

She Lives to Read, August 20

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 21

Texas Book-aholic, August 22

Blossoms and Blessings, August 22

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 23

Book Looks by Lisa, August 24

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, August 25

For Him and My Family, August 26

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 27

Pause for Tales, August 27

Stories By Gina, August 28 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, August 28

Devoted To Hope, August 29

Devoted Steps, August 30

Jodie Wolfe, August 30

Simple Harvest Reads, August 31 (Guest Review from Donna)

Holly’s Book Corner, September 1

Romances of the Cross, September 1

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jackie 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.

giveaway!related posts

Book Review + Giveaway: The Marriage Masquerade by Erica Vetsch

About the Book

Book: The Marriage Masquerade

Author: Erica Vetsch

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: July 8, 2025

A disgraced captain and a runaway heiress—hiding from the past and bound by fate—will their marriage masquerade lead to true love?

Noah Kennebrae, disgraced ship captain, has escaped to a remote lighthouse to avoid his grandfather’s schemes and the ghosts that haunt him. Taking a job under an assumed name, he’s determined to start over—until he meets Annie Fairfax. The feisty housekeeper’s warmth and spirit captivate him, and he falls for her despite his best efforts. But he’s keeping secrets that could destroy her trust…and his chance at redemption.

Desperate to escape the calculating grasp of her father, Anastasia “Annie” Michaels flees home to become the unlikely housekeeper on an isolated island. Working incognito at the lighthouse, she finds solace in her newfound independence and unexpected friendship with Nick. However, as their relationship deepens, Annie’s fear of abandonment resurfaces when she learns the truth Nick has been hiding.

Caught in a marriage masquerade of their own making, Noah and Annie must navigate secrets, lies, and painful pasts in hopes of a future together.

purchase

This post contains affiliate links. If you use one of my links, I will receive a percentage of the sale, at no extra cost to you! Essentially, you can buy a book, and support my blog at the same time!!!

My review

This is the third novel from Erica Vetsch that I’ve read, and I love her writing more with each story I read from her!!!

Annie was such a sweet protagonist. I loved watching her grow to become independent and how she relied on the Lord for strength. It was beautiful watching her grow out of her fears and develop as a character.

Noah was my favorite character. Erica did a fabulous job of mixing his lighthearted humor with his deeper pain he tries to hide. It was so cool watching how he grew from where we first met him in book one to where he is at the end of book two.

The villains in this book were perfectly detestable!!!! They perfectly enhanced the tension in the story and helped the plot move along. They definitely deserved worse than they got, though…

My only complaint is there was one tiny thing during Annie and Noah’s first interaction that rubbed me the wrong way. I understood why the it happened, but I still didn’t love it.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next installments in the series!!!!!!!!

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book. My opinions are my own. A positive review was not required.

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

I love a hidden identity story! And in the case of The Marriage Masquerade, both the hero AND the heroine are hiding their true identities.

The Marriage Masquerade features Noah, who is running from the guilt of a mistake he feels he made that lost both a Great Lakes ship and several lives. Anastasia Michaels is running away from an arranged marriage.

They both flee to a remote lighthouse on the North Shore of Lake Superior, he as an assistant lighthouse keeper and she as a housekeeper and cook.

The lighthouse in The Marriage Masquerade is based directly upon the Split Rock Lighthouse, one of my favorite places to visit along the North Shore. Situated on a cliff high above the lake, Split Rock is one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world.

When I first visited this exquisite place, I fell in love. And when I fall in love with an historical site, I need to know as much of the history of the place as I can. Several of the incidents that occur at the fictional lighthouse in the story come directly from the history of Split Rock.

Filtering liquid mercury, polishing the Fresnel lens, hiding dishes in the oven when the inspector comes, and other happenings in The Marriage Masquerade actually happened in the real lives of the lightkeepers at Split Rock.

Noah and Anastasia’s story is a forced proximity romance, with a dash of hidden identity, redemption, and learning to stand on your own two feet. I hope you’ll enjoy their journey from fearful, guilt-ridden characters to healed through love, confident, and ready to embark on a lifelong journey together.

If you would like to learn more about Split Rock and see glorious photos of this picturesque site, check out this site.

Blog Stops

Pens Pages & Pulses, August 12

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 12

She Lives To Read, August 13

Fiction Book Lover, August 13 (Guest Review from Marilyn)

Devoted Steps, August 14

Melissa’s Bookshelf, August 14

Life on Chickadee Lane, August 15

Texas Book-aholic, August 15

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 16

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 17

Devoted To Hope, August 17

For Him and My Family, August 18

Simple Harvest Reads, August 18 (Guest Review from Mindy)

Books You Can Feel Good About, August 19

Inklingsandnotions, August 19

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 20

Inkwell Inspirations, August 20

Artistic Nobody, August 21 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Blossoms and Blessings, August 21

Little Homeschool on the prairie, August 22

Vicky Sluiter, August 22

An Author’s Take, August 23

Books Less Travelled, August 23

Holly’s Book Corner, August 24

Pause for Tales, August 24

Jeanette’s Thoughts , August 25

Jodie Wolfe, August 25

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Erica 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.

Giveaway!related posts

Book Review: Peaflower by Jessica Tanner

This book is the most adorable thing you will probably EVER read!!!!!! I mean, the FMC’s pet rat gets POV chapters, need I say more????!!!!!

I loved the characters in this book!!! They were so well-developed and easy to root for. I loved how Marion especially would keep fighting what she cared about no matter the obstacles thrown her way.

While Peaflower is primarily marketed as a Princess and the Pea retelling, fairy tale lovers will be DELIGHTED with all the references to other fairy tales Jessica threw in! Like there are just SO MANY!!!!!!! I love it!!!!!!!!!!

If you are looking for a book so adorable it will have you squeaking for more, READ THIS BOOK!!!!! You won’t regret it!!!!!!

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book. My opinions are my own. A positive review was not required.

purchase

This post contains affiliate links. If you use one of my links, I will receive a percentage of the sale, at no extra cost to you! Essentially, you can buy a book, and support my blog at the same time!!!

related posts

Book Review + Giveaway: The Crier Stone by Lyndsey Lewellen

About the Book

Book: The Crier Stone ( A Sequel to The Chaos Grid)

Author: Lyndsey Lewellen

Genre: YA Sci-fi

Release Date: July 8, 2025

Brave the Plex. Unleash the stone. Embrace your destiny.

Freshly freed from an earth-dwelling monster, Juniper Conway is stuck with a promise she never intended to make. But if rescuing Plex City from a deadly nano drug is what she vowed, it’s what she’ll do.

Miles of wasteland stretch between Juniper and the domed city. In the Texas Outer Grid, following a tribe of whalers seems to be her best bet at surviving the chaotic storms. But when the nomadic tribes prove just as dangerous as the Grid itself, Juniper realizes her streak of bad luck is far from over.

Only her shipping crew friends can help her through the waste and into the Plex. When the crier stone guiding her mission only shows her fragmented steps, Juniper will need more than the stone around her neck and a halfhearted promise to make it out alive.

Click here to get your copy!

This post contains affiliate links. If you use one of my links, I will receive a percentage of the sale, at no extra cost to you! Essentially, you can buy a book, and support my blog at the same time!!!

My review

It has been waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too long since I’ve read a true YA book, and I’ve missed it!!!!!!!!!!! In Lyndsey Lewellen’s The Crier Stone, she crafts a wonderful story with compelling characters and great themes.

Juniper is quite the protagonist. I love watching as she learns to accept God’s will and how she learns she can’t do things halfway. Her ingenuity combined with her compassion make her such a great character that I loved rooting for.

Dax is my favorite character. He is SUCH A sweetheart. I. NEED. MORE. SCENES. WITH. DAX. Seriously, the biggest thing that could’ve made this book better was more scenes with Dax. I love how he looks out for those he cares about and has such a strong sense of justice.

The worldbuilding in this book was great and reminded me of a mix between Brandon Mull’s Five Kingdoms series and Star Wars. I’d love getting to explore this world in real life!!!

I don’t want to spoil anything, but some of the Biblical references in this book were done just beautifully!!!!

Overall, if you enjoy YA sci fi dystopian novels, this book would be right up your alley!!!

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book. My opinions are my own. A positive review was not required.

About the Author

Lyndsey Lewellen grew up on a healthy dose of comic books, punk music, and sci-fi. She infuses all three loves into novels written for young adults. Inside her “what if” worlds, her characters take risks, grow, and fight for what matters. When she’s not writing or whittling down her endless TBR, she designs novel covers and paints on shoes. She lives on a small Texas farm with her best friend/husband, five children, and what some might call a zoo of animals (especially after meeting the peacocks).

More from Lyndsey

Justice. Mercy. Grace.

Teen girls in my youth group hear these words often. Maybe that’s because the simplest words are sometimes the hardest to define—and even harder to live out. So, we talk about them a lot. In fact, we go over their meanings so often that when our church’s youth pastor asked the main group to define grace one Wednesday night, girl after girl turned to look at me sitting in the back. They knew the answer. I was proud.

But knowing that justice is getting what you deserve, mercy is not getting what you deserve, and grace is getting what you don’t deserve is only half the battle. The real challenge? Learning when—and how—to apply them.

In The Crier Stone, the conclusion to The Chaos Grid duology, Juniper Conway comes face to face with God’s mercy in direct conflict with her sense of justice. We love it when He relents in His wrath toward us. But what happens when He stays His hand against our enemies?

The people of Juniper’s futuristic Texas experience justice daily for the sins of the past. In their attempt to fix the climate, their ancestors instead turned the world into a wasteland. Now, the last remnants of civilization hide away in domed cities, clinging to their technology like a drug—willing to sacrifice anything for the next upgrade. The government forbids advanced tech outside the domes, trapping its people inside their artificial paradise.

But a life of confinement and convenience is hardly the justice Juniper wants for those who orphaned her. And when visions confirm God’s call for her to save the worst of the domed cities from destruction, she rages at His mercy. Of all the people He could choose to show kindness to her enemies, why would He choose her?

If she had His power, she would do things differently.

At its heart, Juniper’s struggle is one of trust. Is God just in showing mercy to those who don’t deserve it? Would she see His choices differently if she knew everything He did? We may not always understand why God allows suffering on this side of eternity. In Juniper’s world, deadly nano-drugs run rampant, corrupt mega-corporations kill without consequence, and inhumane tech enhancement labs push the boundaries of morality for the next upgrade. Yet, God’s mercy does not mean He has abandoned justice.

Paul says in Acts 17:30-31:

“In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.  For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”

It was at the cross that justice, mercy, and grace met—a breathtaking harmony orchestrated by a sovereign God.

Juniper’s journey is filled with trials, betrayals, and impossible choices as she is forced to confront the full weight of justice, mercy, and grace. Will she step into her destiny and save the domed city, or let it all burn?

Find out in the thrilling conclusion to this wild Texas dystopian duology.

—Lyndsey

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 26

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, July 27 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, July 28

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, July 29

Simple Harvest Reads, July 30 (Spotlight)

Blogging With Carol, July 31

Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 1

Guild Master, August 2 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, August 3

Pens Pages & Pulses, August 4

A Reader’s Brain , August 5 (Author Interview)

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, August 6 (Author Interview)

CeCe Reads and Sings, August 6

Fiction Book Lover, August 7 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 8 (Spotlight)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 8

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lyndsey is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a hardcover copy of the book!!

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

giveawayrelated posts