VEIL OF SILENCE by Christy Barritt, Reviewed by Rebecca

FOG LAKE: HOMECOMING SERIES

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"Whoever had done it wasn't afraid of being caught. Whoever had done it most likely blended in."

Nora Loveless' family was in the throes of adjusting to the fact that their missing brother was back home, except that the Christian they remembered couldn't remember . . . . where he had been or what he had been doing for the previous ten years. And then there was the matter of her sister Wren's young son Mason having been abducted, and thankfully found but understandably still anxious about the entire experience. Now the retired F.B.I. agent who originally investigated Christian's disappearance has gone missing, and his son F.B.I. Agent Austin Donnelly has arrived in Fog Lake to find answers.

Just as Nora begins to assist Austin in his search for information, another young boy from Fog Lake mysteriously disappears.

Peeling back the layers of the Loveless' family past in the southern gospel music industry reveals some curious clues which raise legitimate questions but provide no answers. Days go by, and Nora's self confidence, or lack thereof, keeps getting in her way; as the oldest of three sisters she has always played the role of protector after her family fell apart, but now? She is questioning everything, even whether or not she can lean on Austin to help carry the load.

"Nora is going to be a problem. That's why I have to keep an eye on her."

Stay tuned for book three in this series! 
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

 

BackCover Blurb:
As the oldest sister, Nora Loveless spent the last ten years trying to hold her family together after her little brother disappeared. With Christian finally home, her family should feel whole again.

Instead, her instincts are screaming that something is wrong.

Nora suspects seventeen-year-old Christian is keeping secrets. But after a devastating betrayal in her own life, Nora isn’t sure she can rely on her own judgment—or know whom to trust.

FBI Agent Austin Donnelly has questions of his own. His father led the investigation into Christian’s disappearance a decade ago, but now the retired agent has vanished, along with the case files he kept all these years. When Austin’s search brings him to Fog Lake—and to Nora—he suspects her family’s past holds the answers he needs.

When another child in Fog Lake vanishes under eerily similar circumstances, Nora and Austin realize the connection they’ve been searching for reaches farther than either of them imagined.

Veil of Silence, Book 2 of the Fog Lake: Homecoming trilogy—three sisters, one missing brother, and a decade of secrets.

River Heights Publishing, October, 2026

Available in digital ebook or paperback at Amazon

 

WINTER'S DAWN (The Nordic Wars #3) by Morgan L.Busse, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
" . . . Brigid knew one thing: The Word would always be there, His voice a whisper in the wind. They would never be alone."

Facing her biggest challenge yet on and off the battlefield as a Bear Clan warrior, Brighid knew that a peaceful alliance between clans was the only way that her people were going to survive. It was that simple and that complicated. Dark forces were at work behind the scenes and Brighid knew that it would take more than her gifted fighting ability to overcome their enemies. Kaeden, an Eldaran Truthsayer, agreed to be a neutral force of healing, sealing his oath with a blood bond between them. In the back of their minds, and perhaps just beyond their true measure of understanding was a potentially deeper union, but realistically speaking, the battle before them held no guarantee of survival.

Filled with dramatic imagery and characters whose intrinsic traits swung from honorable to despicable, there was always a sure foundation found in the whispered assurances from The Word. Light contrasted with darkness, truth stalked deception, and life sacrificed itself to overcome death. It's a love story, it's a war story, it's a hope story . . . it's a redemption story . . . and I absolutely loved it. 

BackCover Blurb:
Fearless. Defender. Shield Maiden.

Brighid returns to the Nordic forces. But she is not alone. Her newfound companion accompanies her, along with Kaeden, the Eldaran Truthsayer. Together, they approach the battlefield, powered by a unique bond forged since their first encounter.

Yet a dark and menacing presence grows within Brighid’s mind. Her connection to death has returned, and this time, there is no oath to numb the terror. Will she be able to fight and protect her people while sensing the reaper of life?

Kaeden’s recent conflict with one of the Shadonae has left scars across both his body and soul. Still, he is determined to finish what he has started and free both the Nordic people and the world of this great evil. To do so, he may have to sacrifice everything to reach the one who has bound the Nordic people to this deadly war.

Kaeden will need Brighid’s help. But when he reveals the truth behind the dreams they have shared, Brighid must make a choice that could change not only her future but the fate of her people: accept the bond between them or let it fade—and lose him along with it. 

Enclave Publishing, October, 2026

Available in digital ebook, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy WINTER'S DAWN at Amazon or Christianbook

A K-9 CHRISTMAS BLESSING By Tina Radcliffe, Reviewed by Winnie

 

WINNIE'S REVIEW:

“When we lose someone, we put a whole lot of effort into controlling everything in our lives. That’s because if we control everything, we think nothing bad can happen again.”

I can always count on a Tina Radcliffe story for a charming, heartwarming read. A K-9 Christmas Blessing fits that description perfectly. I loved this story of therapy dog trainer Jo Webster whose ambition is to start a rescue center for animals. When she rescues an injured beagle, she finds the new vet in town is her former fiancé, Nate Morris. Jo agrees to help at the vet clinic to help pay for a prosthetic leg for the dog. I enjoyed seeing Jo and Nate reconnect and start to heal old hurts.

“Just keep me out of any conversations you have with Jo. I can mess up my life on my own.”

The main characters are realistically flawed and engaging, and I even got a kick out of meeting some of their somewhat dysfunctional family members. The small-town setting of Aspen Creek, Colorado during the Christmas season is a perfect background for the story. Themes of forgiveness, hope, and trust permeate the tale and add depth and inspiration. I thoroughly enjoyed this delightful, entertaining book and look forward to more from this talented author.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own

SEE KIM'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:
Can a sweet Christmas K-9

Make this sudden reunion bright?

After rescuing an injured beagle, therapy dog trainer Jo Webster reluctantly turns to the new veterinarian in town, who’s also her former fiancé. But when Nate Morris suggests a prosthetic leg for the wounded dog, there’s no way Jo can afford it. Reluctantly, she agrees to a part-time job at his clinic during the Christmas season to pay for the treatment. Soon, Jo learns Nate is not the same man she broke off her engagement to years ago. If they can learn to forgive each other for past hurts, they might build something new and beautiful together for the holidays—and forever.

From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

Love Inspired Publishing, October, 2026

Available in digital ebook, and paperback at Amazon, and Christianbook

 

 

 

A VERY MERRY MAYBE by Rachel Scott McDaniel, Reviewed by Kim #NewRelease

   A Sweet Small-Town Holiday Romantic Comedy

KIM'S REVIEW:
Rachel Scott McDaniel is definitely an author who sits firmly on my auto-buy list. I love her writing style, storylines, characters, and settings! A Very Merry Maybe is a bit of a departure from Rachel McDaniel’s usual setting of the 1920s. This is a small town, second-chance, contemporary rom-com that takes place at Christmas.

I really enjoyed this humorous, romantic story! Fletcher, in a word, is amazing! He’s so kind, helpful, and has such a good heart. I loved his character from the moment he stepped onto the page. While Tilly frustrated me a little at times, I really enjoyed seeing her change and grow throughout the story, especially when it came to Fletcher. Their banter was great, and their rekindling romance was so sweet. The Easter egg in this story was so fun and makes me want to do a reread of a certain story! The Christmas feels were spot on and made me want to decorate right now. Tilly’s protective brother also added so much to this story. I loved his character and hope he gets his own story!

If you’re looking for a small-town Christmas read with humor and a sweet romance, this is the story for you!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. This is a clean read. 4.5 stars!

BackCover Blurb:
One messy breakup, an entirely too-nosy town, and a Christmas do-over they never saw coming.

Fifteen months ago, Tilly Davies left Silver Creek with a broken heart and a shattered dream after discovering the man she loved had destroyed her chance to open a dance studio. She swore she was done with Fletcher Thomas—and with the meddling town where gossip spreads with impressive speed and questionable accuracy.

Then a family emergency brings her home.

Now her ex is still the town attorney, somehow the mayor, and as annoyingly handsome as ever. Worse? Through a series of choices Tilly would rather not discuss, he’s also her boss.

When one holiday disaster after another threatens to derail the season, Fletcher needs Tilly’s help to keep the Christmas festivities on track.

Fletcher’s solution? An offer Tilly would be crazy to accept—and even crazier to refuse.

Because saying yes could finally put her dream of owning a dance studio within reach. Unfortunately, it also means spending more time with Fletcher.

Between holiday mishaps, forced proximity, nosy locals, and enough unresolved sparks to light the town Christmas tree, Tilly’s carefully constructed defenses are starting to crumble. She came home determined to keep Fletcher firmly in her past. But Christmas in Silver Creek has a whimsical way of turning never again into maybe.

A Very Merry Maybe is a closed-door holiday romantic comedy wrapped in witty banter, Christmas chaos, small-town charm, and the irresistible hope that some love stories deserve a second chance.

 

Buy A VERY MERRY MAYBE in digital ebook or paperback at Amazon