Bluffed by the Offense by Savannah Scott

Bluffed by the Offense by Savannah Scott is my new favorite enemies-to lovers romance story.  It was a touchdown plus an extra point for me!  

 Cass Carter has a big heart for everyone in her small town and can share football facts, stats, and tips better than almost anyone.  Her only problem with football is Tennessee Thunder’s quarterback, Marcus Delaney.  In her mind Marcus is bossy, arrogant, and someone she tries desperately to avoid.  But what if they both are wrong on their first impressions of each other? 

I loved this book!  Cass and Marcus are my new favorite couple with their amazing chemistry, banter, and magnificent romantic tension.  Their clashes were legendary and when they started fake dating and covertly falling in love- I began turning the pages even faster.  The themes of second chances, forgiveness, and looking beyond first impressions resonated with me.  The dual POV, small town setting, and humor helped me to be very invested in this wonderful story.  

I adored Bluffed by the Offense by Savannah Scott!  The relatable characters, sizzling clean romance, and delightful humor had me reading after the sun went down on the beach.  I very highly recommend and this will be a top read for me in 2026!  Don’t miss this story! 

I was gifted a copy and not required to write a positive review.  

 #bluffedbytheoffense #savannahscott #tenesseethunderfootball #bookreview

I’ve been married to my surfer husband for over 25 years. He has a heart of gold. In our relationship, I’m like the kite, and he’s the steady hand holding the string.

I’ve spent many years as the “den mom” in my own private Boy Scout troop … mom to two boys, one no longer living at home, and a whole slew of boys in our neighborhood too.

We also have a labradoodle puppy named Bella … she likes to eat shoes, tug the dishtowel off the stove, and chase squeaky balls. Sometimes she chills out and then we call her Bella-Snugarella because she flops against you like a living teddy bear. That’s my favorite.

Encouraging other moms is my jam. I’ve written several non-fiction books for women (under Patty H Scott), and I have a website dedicated to pouring out into mama hearts at slowdownmama.com.

When I’m not writing, I’m either reading, dancing zumba, or going on a walk or out to coffee with friends. I love road trips, especially when there’s adventure in the mix. 

Matchmaking Christmas: A Sweet Holiday Romance Novella by Toni Shiloh

 Matchmaking Christmas: A Sweet Holiday Romance Novella byToni Shiloh is a delightful Christmas story that gives a new twist to The Parent Trap story.  Regina Parker has just moved back to Holly, California with her daughter to run a candle shop.  She is trying to avoid Theo Evers her high school boyfriend who owns a Christmas tree farm. When Theo’s daughter and Regina’s daughter become friends, they see an opportunity to bring their single parents together for the Christmas season. 

I adored this charming second chance Christmas romance.  The novel was sprinkled with enchanting small town Christmas festivities that brought joy to my heart.  In this dual POV story Theo and Regina were a delight to get to know and had great chemistry, banter, and faith.  Their daughters’ scheming to get them together was amusing and added a charming perspective to the story.    

Matchmaking Christmas by Toni Shiloh is a festive Christmas read with sweet romance, likeable characters, and Parent Trap themes. I very highly recommend this magical read. 

I was gifted a copy and not required to write a positive review. 

Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and an award-winning Christian contemporary romance author. Her novel In Search of a Prince won the first ever Christy Amplify award. It has been praised by Oprah Daily, POPSUGAR, Library Journal, and Booklist, and is a Parable Group bestseller. Her books have been finalists for the Holt Medallion and won a Selah Award. As a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Faith, Hope & Love Christian Writers (FHLCW), Toni loves connecting with readers and authors alike via social media. Learn more at http://tonishiloh.com.

One Wild Chance by Grace Worthington

One Wild Chance by Grace Worthington is book number one in her new Chance Brothers Ranch series. Summers Daniels has worked at the Lucky Chance Ranch since high school. She started Wildflower Farms, but is not entirely hers as it is on the Chance Ranch. Jaxon Chance has had a career ending injury in hockey, and hockey has always been his whole life. When he comes home to his family’s horse farm he needs to stay and work the ranch to keep it is in his family. He has always cared for Summer, but have they both grown up enough to really see each other?

I absolutely adored Jaxon and Summer’s love story. I was so engaged in the story and loved watching Summer and Jaxon mature, fall in love and realize what was right in front of them. They had great banter, chemistry and a strong friendship which was brought to life on the pages in this Rival to Lovers story. I loved the small-town setting, the ranch, and meeting all four Chance brothers who are professional athletes. I was absorbed in the story and can not wait get to know the other Chance brothers better.

There was a sweetness about the book which was like being wrapped in a warm hug. I loved One Wild Chance and very highly recommend. This will be a 2026 highlight for me and I am anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.

I was gifted a copy and not required to write a positive review.

Grace Worthington eats, breathes, and geeks out over sweet romcoms. So it’s no surprise that she believes that laughter and love are a cure-all for pretty much everything in life. After a short stint working in musical theatre (where she was often cast in comedic roles), she instills her books with witty banter, lovable characters, and a story that moves your heart and soul. Her inspiration includes quaint towns by the beach, romantic comedy movies from the ’80s & ’90s, and the crazy shenanigans of her family. 

The Mistletoe Baby by Heidi Main

The Mistletoe Baby by Heidi Main is a inspirational opposites attract Christmas cowboy romance, and what is there not to love about that? Natalie Patterson has been through so much with her family. She is pregnant, divorced and not even sure where she is going to live in the future. She is thrilled when Reggie Evermore asks her to help plan a fundraiser for his family’s ranch. Reggie is a former bull rider and foster kid, and this ranch and how it will help others means so much to him and his found family. Can Natalie and Reggie be more than friends? 

I adored Natalie and Reggie with their sweet romance, kind hearts, and willingness to make the best out of what happened to them in life. I was so engaged with their story and loved how they grew and matured as characters. All of the characters in the story seemed so real to me that I felt like I had made many new friends by the end of the story. The town of Serenity was wonderful and I loved the community. I was so invested in this book and loved the Christmas setting. 

The Mistletoe Baby by Heidi Mann is delightful inspirational romance. I enjoyed myself hanging out at the ranch, visiting the town of Serenity, and attending the delightful gala. I very highly recommend The Mistletoe Baby and this will be a 2026 highlight for me. 

I was gifted a copy and not required to write a positive review.

Heidi Main is a New York Times Bestselling Author. Her sweet inspirational romance novels celebrate small-town life, faith, and the beauty of second chances. Though she lives in the suburbs, Heidi dreams of acreage and horseback riding—longings that find their way into her novels through wide-open ranches and loyal horses.

She loves popcorn and milk chocolate (not necessarily in that order), and savors novels and movies with happily-ever-afters. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys taking walks, gardening, playing card games, curling up with a good book and watching home renovation shows. Before starting her writing career, Heidi worked with computers and taught Jazzercise. A perfect Saturday is spent relaxing on the deck with her husband and watching the birds that visit their backyard.

An Irish Hope,Fairall Romance Legacy Book 2, by Carolyn Miller

 

An Irish Hope,Fairall Romance Legacy Book 2, by Carolyn Miller is a charming story set in Ireland.  Aisling Fairall lives with her family at their hotel in an Irish castle. She just finished school and is wondering about her next steps in life  Andrew Scott is visiting the castle that was the location of  where his wedding was going to take place.  His heart is wounded after being dumped and meeting Aisling does not seem like good timing. But is it God’s timing?  

Aisling and Andrew are endearing characters who had my heart from the first page. It was a pleasure to watch them grow, mature, and figure out life.  The romance, banter, and chemistry had my heart, and the Fairrall legacy of falling fast lives on. I devoured this sweet story.  

The author masterfully weaves in faith into the book with themes of forgiveness, trust, and letting God write your story.  I can not wait for the next book in the series and to return to Ireland I highly recommend this delightful story, and An Irish Hope,Fairall Romance Legacy Book 2 will be a  2026 favorite for me. 

I was gifted a copy and not required to write a positive review.

Carolyn Miller is an inspirational romance author who lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia with her husband and four children.

A longtime lover of romance, especially that of LM Montgomery, and Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s Regency era, Carolyn loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives. Carolyn's readers describe her books as heartfelt and realistic with relatable characters, woven with faith, hope and humour. She enjoys music, films, gardens, art, travel, ice hockey and food. Her bestselling, award-winning Regency and contemporary novels are available wherever good books are sold.

Miss Beresford and the Beast by Mimi Matthews

 

Miss Beresford and the Beast is the first book in the Daughters of Somerset series by Mimi Matthews, and it is an absolutely dreamy book. Charlotte Beresford sees the best in people and craves adventure. She has been strictly watched most of her life and is now visiting a school mate in a remote part of Yorkshire on a school break. Magnus Sterling has been through many battles on and off the battlefield. He is aggravated he inherited a title with a missing fortune and as the Earl of Eversleigh he is hiding at his estate. He is so annoyed when Charlotte intrudes on him.

My heart is filled with the love and joy that only a Mimi Matthews story can bring to me. This swoon worthy tale was filled with beautiful romance, engaging characters, a delightful retelling and a story that drew me in from the beginning. Charlotte and Magnus were engaging characters that I adored and I was so invested in their love story. The banter, chemistry, and their conversations were so authentic and charming.

The author immersed me in the Victorian time period. I could picture Eversleigh Manor in my head as I read the story. The themes of friendship, second chances, and seeing the best in people resonated deeply with me. I also loved the animals.

 
I very highly recommend Miss Beresford and the Beast by Mimi Matthews. The story has wonderful engaging characters you will be invested in, great romance that sizzles while being closed door, and is immersive in the time period. This will be a 2026 favorite for me. I highly encourage you to get a copy!

I was gifted a copy and not required to write a positive review.

#missveresfordandthebeast #mimimatthews #victorianromance

Mimi Matthews is a USA Today bestselling, award-winning author of Victorian romances. Her critically acclaimed works include Rules for Ruin, an NPR, NYPL, Kirkus, Library Journal, BookPage, and Marie Claire Best Book of 2025; The Siren of Sussex, a 2023 RUSA Reading List shortlist pick for Best Romance; Fair as a Star, a Library Journal Best Romance of 2020; Gentleman Jim, a Kirkus Best Book of 2020; and The Work of Art, winner of the 2020 HOLT Medallion and a 2021 Daphne du Maurier Award nominee.

Mimi’s novels have received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Booklist, Kirkus, BookPage, and Shelf Awareness, and have been named Editors’ Choice selections by the Historical Novel Society. She has been mentioned in The New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, NPR, Oprah Daily, Parade, Elle, and Marie Claire. Her books have been translated into ten languages.

When not writing historical romance, Mimi authors nonfiction books and articles on all aspects of nineteenth century history—from animals, art, and etiquette to fashion, beauty, feminism, and law. Her work has been featured on the Victorian Web, the Journal of Victorian Culture, the Costume Society UK, and in syndication at BUST Magazine.

Chosen: How Opening My Home Healed My Heart by Sandra Ellen Smith

Chosen: How Opening My Home Healed My Heart by Sandra Ellen Smith is incredible book. I felt like I was sitting down to coffee with a friend as she shared her story. The books is told from the author’s viewpoint as she shares her childhood and her experience raising her birth children, exchange students, and three young Black men she took in who needed help at her kids’ school. 

 
The author’s past was heartbreaking, but it is her resilience that makes this an incredible story. Her heart of compassion, her problem solving, and ability to care for others was very moving. She elegantly shares the problems the young men she took in by giving you the right amount of backstory to help you understand their lives. I found the story riveting and read it in two days. 

Chosen: How Opening My Home Healed My Heart by Sandra Ellen Smith is a wonderful book you do not want to miss. I was absolutely engrossed in the story of the author’s life, and inspired in how she helped others change the course of their lives. I very highly recommend and this will be a 2026 favorite for me. 

I was gifted a copy and not required to write a positive review. 

Born in California, I grew up across the West. My harrowing, nomadic childhood included living in a shack without electricity or running water. After putting myself through college at the University of California Los Angeles and law school at University of Southern California, I became the director of litigation for Apple Computer, Inc., in 1998. Later, I moved to the Washington, D.C., suburbs with my two biological children, where we opened our home and hearts to eight more. In the D.C. area, I represented domestic abuse survivors and their children, including as a Guardian Ad Litem in the D.C. Superior Court. Over the years, I’ve been actively involved on the boards of multiple academic, public, and nonprofit institutions. Today, I’m in private practice, living in rural Colorado with my two dogs, Twelve and Thor, and serving as president of the regional fire board. My large, amazing family visits often.