Mail Order Baroness by Misty Beller

 Mail Order Baroness by Misty Beller is the second book in the Lords of Rockies series, but can be read as a stand-alone novel. James Balfour is the son of an English Duke living and working on a Montana Ranch. He has fond memories of his childhood friend, Rose.    Rose Prescott has had a rough time since leaving the ranch and has been forced by her step-father into singing in saloons.   She flees when she sees an ad for a housekeeper placed in the paper by James.  But, can James keep Rose safe from her complicated past?

I adored this book.  It had all the things I love: English aristocracy, a Montana ranch, frontier time period, charming characters, sweet romance, and subtle faith themes.  James and Rose were engaging characters who rekindled their childhood romance.  I was very drawn to Rose and wanted her to find loves with James and have a new beginning. James was a great hero whose tender heart, great work ethic, and charm was so endearing.

I thoroughly enjoyed Mail Order Baroness by Misty Beller. I loved the redemptive theme of this character driven story.  This will be a favorite for me this year.  I cannot wait for book number three in the Lord of the Rockies series!  I highly recommend.

Available on Kindle Unlimited

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

Everything You Want Is on the Other Side of Hard: A Memoir by Ken Rideout

 

Everything You Want Is on the Other Side of Hard: A Memoir by Ken Rideout is one of the best memoirs I have read this year. I sat down to page through the book and ended up reading all of the book after dinner one night. I was absolutely engrossed in the story.

Ken shares about the challenges of his early life, his addiction, his time as a Wall Street Trader, healing, and his amazing story of running and being the fastest 50+ runner in the world. For me at the heart of the story is a man who was willing to change and transform to not let his past define his future. I was very inspired by Everything You Want Is on the Other Side of Hard by Ken Rideout and highly recommend. This will be a book I will not forget and a favorite of 2026!

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

Ken Rideout is the fastest marathoner in the world over fifty and a former prison guard, Wall Street trader, and opioid addict. His life story has been chronicled in such publications as the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and Outside. Since getting sober more than a decade ago, he has won some of the world's toughest races, including, at age fifty-two, the Gobi March—a 155-mile, self-supported race across the sweltering Gobi Desert in Mongolia—and a few months later, the Masters (50+) Marathon World Championships.

In addition to his many running victories, he has completed more than ten Ironman triathlons. In 2018, Ken founded capital solutions firm Camrock Advisors. More recently, he founded talent agency Rideout Sports and Entertainment.

He lives in Nashville with his wife, Shelby, and their four children.

Whispers at Painswick Court by Julie Klassen

Whispers at Painswick Court by Julie Klassen published by Bethany House is wonderful historical regency romance with mystery. Anne Loveday is the daughter of a surgeon and believes being single is her best option. To leave her stepmother and have a new adventure she accepts an invitation to Painswick to see an old friend, and agrees to become the nurse for, Lady Celia, who hurt her sister in the past. In residence at Painswick court is lady Celia’s daughter, two adult nephews, a new lady’s maid and two doctors who often stop by. This leaves you with many suspects who may be trying to kill Lady Cecilia. 

This was a dreamy Regency novel with mystery, romance, and a lovely English Village setting. The author does an incredible job immersing you in time period as she gently explains the nuances of Regency England while you walk through the story. I was fascinated learning about medical practices of the time, village life, and. tried to solve the mystery along with Anne. I loved the themes of redemption, forgiveness and second chances which made for a satisfying read.

I was enchanted with the story and hoping for a happily ever after for Anne Loveday. I was not disappointed. The depth and beauty of the book makes this one you will not want to miss. I very highly recommend Whispers at Painswick Court by Julie Klassen. It will be a 2026 favorite for me.

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

 

Without a Clue: A Rom-Com, Cozy Mystery Book about Books Paperback by Melissa Ferguson

Without a Clue: A Rom-Com, Cozy Mystery Book about Books by Melissa Ferguson is a delightful book. Penelope Mae DuPont is the personal assistant to a mystery writer. She organizes a luxury cruise for seven writers. Everything goes well until Hugh Griffin ends up dead, the cruise ship security is incompetent, and she is beginning to suspect everyone in her party. Nash, the dreamy Western author, offers to help her as they try to untangle the mystery and solve the crime.

 
Without a Clue filled me with joy and may be my favorite Melissa Ferguson book to date. I laughed out loud and finished this one quickly. I loved Penelope and watching her grow and change during our story. Penelope and Nash had great chemistry, banter, and it was fun to watch their relationship. The mystery added some intrigue to the story. I also loved how the author kindly roasted the different genres of authors and readers. The book cover will clue you in.

Without a Clue: A Rom-Com, Cozy Mystery Book about Books by Melissa Ferguson is fantastic. It has mystery, romance, humor and will make you smile as a reader. I highly recommend Without A Clue!

Without a Clue publishes February 17.   Pre-order today.  

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

Melissa Ferguson is a bestselling author of romantic comedies and cozy mystery rom-coms, including Meet Me in the Margins, How to Plot a Payback, On the Way to Christmas, and The Perfect Rom-Com. Her debut picture book, Our Friendly Farmhouse, introduced young readers to her signature warmth and charm beyond the rom-com page. Two of her novels are currently being adapted for film with Melissa serving as Executive Producer.

Come join over one million followers as she shares glimpses of farmhouse life with her husband and five children and bookish joy at @ourfriendlyfarmhouse.

Instagram: @ourfriendlyfarmhouse

TikTok: @ourfriendlyfarmhouse

The Sea Child by Linda Wilgus

 The Sea Child by Linda Wilgus is a beautiful historical fiction novel.  Isabel’s circumstances have been reduced and she moves to Cornwall to occupy a small cottage.  The people of the town remember her as the girl from sea who was found soaking wet one day and adopted by an admiral and his wife.  The village has created stories around Isabel and her appearance from the sea.  She meets Jack.    Isabel is learning to make a life, deal with smugglers, revenue officers, and the calling of the sea.

I was truly enchanted by the story of Isabel and Jack who have wonderful chemistry and banter.  Their complicated lives make their love story so interesting, fun and endearing.  I was drawn into the small village of Cornwall and fascinated by the local legends, people and history. I truly adored this book!  

The Sea Child by Linda Wilgus is an enthralling book filled with romance, adventure, and Cornish folklore.  This marvelous story drew me in and I did not want to leave my new friends.  I very highly recommend The SeaChild by Linda Wilgus and this will be a 2026 highlight for me. 

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

Linda Wilgus grew up in the Netherlands in a house full of books and has lived in Italy, Belgium and the United States before settling in the UK. As a child she wanted to be an explorer, a traveller or a writer and she considers herself very lucky that, writing historical fiction, she gets to be all three. A graduate of the University of Amsterdam, she worked as a bookseller and knitting pattern designer and her short stories have been published in various literary magazines, including Zone 3, J Journal, Reed Magazine, Kestrel, Yemassee and The Fourth River.

Linda lives near Cambridge with her husband, three children and dog. She visits Cornwall and Brittany as often as she can and when she’s not writing, she enjoys taking long hikes, as well as learning about local history and folklore. The Sea Child is her debut novel.

Linda is represented by Madeleine Milburn Literary, TV & Film Agency.

She’s a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association.

A Moment to Love by Tracie Peterson

A Moment to Love by Tracie Peterson is book number three in The Hope of Cheyenne Series. The book can be read as a stand-alone novel or to complete the series. Dr. Carrie Vogel is beside herself when her fiancé steals her research work. After breaking up with him she decides to go back home to Cheyenne in the Wyoming territory to start again. Her good friend, Spencer Duval, a Pinkerton Detective, needs to travel to Cheyenne for business. They decide to have a temporary marriage as a way to detract attention from Spencer. But it is hard when you start to fall in love with your best friend.

I was swept up in this delightful multiple POV story set in 1890. Carrie and Spencer had so much depth as characters, were committed to helping people, and grew so much in the story making them very endearing charters I was invested in. The author wove themes of redemption, forgiveness, family, and making peace with yourself into the book. I appreciated the beauty of the story, getting to know the people of Cheyenne, and learning about female doctors and medicine in the 1890s.

I enjoyed reading A Moment to Love by Tracie Peterson. The characters were so engaging, the story had beautiful spiritual themes, and the setting was so interesting. I very highly recommend A Moment To Love by Tracie Peterson.

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

 

Tracie Peterson gave her life to Jesus at the age of six. Tracie knew at an early age that God was calling her to ministry, and writing for Him has allowed her to offer the Gospel message and encourage people to hope in the Lord. Her motto in writing, as well as all other aspects of life is Soli Deo Gloria—For God Alone the Glory.

Often called the “Queen of Historical Christian Fiction,” Tracie Peterson is an ECPA, CBA and USA Today best-selling author of more than 110 books, most of those historical. Her work in historical fiction earned her the Best Western Romance Author of 2013 award from True West magazine and the USA Best Books 2011 Award for best Religious Fiction for Embers of Love. She was given the Life Time Achievement Award from American Christian Fiction Writers in 2011 and the Career Achievement Award in 2007 from Romantic Times, as well as multiple best book awards.Tracie received her first book contract in November 1992 and saw A Place To Belong published in February 1993 with Barbour Publishing’s Heartsong Presents. She wrote exclusively with Heartsong for the next two years, receiving their readership’s vote for Favorite Author of the Year for three years in a row. Eventually, Tracie also managed Barbour Publishing’s Heartsong Presents book line—overseeing the production of 52 books a year.
In December 1995 she signed a contract with Bethany House Publishers. Tracie now writes exclusively for Bethany House Publishers/Baker Publishing Group. She has co-written with a variety of authors including Judith Pella, Judith Miller, James Scott Bell, Kimberley Woodhouse, and Tracie’s daughter Jennifer.

Tracie, a Kansas native, now makes her home with her husband, Jim, in the mountains of Montana.

Remember That Day by Mary Balogh

I was so thrilled to read Remember That Day by Mary Balogh published by Berkley. It is a delightful Regency Romance and part of the Ravenwood series The story actually combines charters from to series. The author does a great job giving you the back story you need to easily understand the story.

I was looking for a Regency Romance to start off my year and this was the perfect book! I loved the engaging characters, Regency setting, and the sweet romance. The story had all things Regency with a house party, a Summer Festival, a London Ball, and all the complicated Regency society, friendships and rules explained so well.

Winifred Cunningham was endearing, kind, full of charm and a realism that she made her way into my heart. Nicholas is the perfect hero and I appreciated his introspective character. This dual POV made this love story a fun one to watch unfold. There were many interesting side characters giving the story depth.

I highly recommend this closed-door Regency romance. It was the perfect book to start off my new year with. I very highly recommend.

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

Blurb: Winifred Cunningham, the adopted daughter of a portrait painter, hopes that her new close friend, Owen Ware, will soon ask for her hand in marriage. But when Owen introduces Winifred to his elder brother Nicholas, the late Earl of Stratton’s second son, the slow burn between them begins.

Mary Balogh grew up in Wales and now lives with her husband, Robert, in Saskatchewan, Canada. She has written more than one hundred historical novels and novellas, more than forty of which have been New York Times bestsellers. They include the Bedwyn saga, the Simply quartet, the Huxtable quintet, the seven-part Survivors’ Club series, and the Westcott series.