Julia Monroe Begins Again by Rebekah Millet

Do you have a go to local place you like to eat or drink coffee? ☕

We love to visit and drink coffee or tea at the Bluebird Bakery. I had fun taking this picture with my DD. She might have had to crouch behind a trash can to get this picture while I held a light. But, we admit to nothing.

Julia Monroe Begins Again by Rebekah Millet published 10/24/2023 with Bethany House Fiction.

📕 Review: Julia Monroe Begins Again is Rebekah Millet’s debut novel, and first in her Beignets for Two series. It is a fabulous sweet Rom-Com with all the feels! Julia has just turned forty, she cleans houses, is a widowed single mom, and now both of her boys are off at college. Samuel Reed is a Green Beret is who has a wonderful heart, but broke Julia’s heart 20 years ago. Now he is in back in town and sitting near her at church! Say what?

I loved this story! Julia Monroe Begins Again has the perfect blend of sweet romance, an interesting setting in New Orleans, pop culture, humor and thoughtful characters I felt very connected to. I adored the secondary characters and Julia’s friend Kate is the perfect example of a good friend who meddles well. Samuel is a great hero who mows lawns voluntarily! #teamsamual

Following Julia’s journey as she walks through forgiveness, finding love again, and expanding her view of herself is one I enjoyed immensely. The faith narrative was woven through the story in a beautiful, realistic, and joyful way.

Rebekah Millet’s debut novel Julia Monroe Begins Again is an absolute delight. The humor, wonderful characters, and sweet romance made this a great read! I highly recommend Julia Monroe Begins Again and look forward to the author’s next book!

Here is her testimony and publishing journey.

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

I grew up on beignets and café au lait, and love infusing my colorful New Orleans culture into my stories. My husband is an answer to prayer who puts up with me rearranging furniture and being a serial plant killer. My two sons keep me laughing and share in my love for strawberry Pop-Tarts. Extra time is spent target shooting, reading, and fangirling over my favorite authors on social media. As a reader I enjoy inspirational romances, mysteries, classics, and biographies on people from King Henry VIII to Andre Agassi.

Pity Party by Witney Dineen

 

The Pity Party by Whitney Dineen is a closed-door romantic comedy and is second in Pity Series. Melissa owns a Bridal Boutique with her mother. She thinks it is not the best job for someone who is single and wants very badly to be married. Jamie Riordan has just moved to Elk Lake with his 12-year-old daughter. He is trying to start over and his past tells him feel like he can never date anyone that his daughter knows. What if they end up liking each other?

I enjoyed meeting up again with my new friends in Elk Lake, Wisconsin. Melissa is a kind compassionate character who is trying to make peace with her past and her family. I enjoyed her interactions with Jamie’s daughter, Sammie, and her interactions with her mother. Jamie is an amazing single dad, and the story has an interesting spin on his situation. The supporting characters added humor, depth and charm to the story. I am feeling very connected to my new friends in Elk Lake, Wisconsin and love the town.

This is a delightful redemptive story. The author weaves humor through the hard things in life and offers a great ending. I recommend Pity Party by Whitney Dineen.

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

USA Today Bestselling author Whitney Dineen is a rock star in her own head. While delusional about her singing abilities, there’s been a plethora of validation that she’s a fairly decent author (AMAZING!!!). After winning many writing awards and selling nearly a kabillion books (math may not be her forte, either), she’s decided to let the voices in her head say whatever they want (sorry, Mom). She also won a fourth-place ribbon in a fifth-grade swim meet in backstroke. So, there’s that.

Whitney loves to hang with her kids (a.k.a. dazzle them with her amazing 80's dance moves, serenading them to Bohemian Rhapsody, and binge watch Ted Lasso ), bake stuff, eat stuff, and write books for people who "get" her. She thinks French fries are the perfect food and Mrs. Roper is her spirit animal.​

***Super fans, please check out my reading group Eat, Laugh, Love on Facebook for early announcements and other good stuff: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1145541502567944

***If you're the average run of the mill fan, go here—where you will still have plenty of fun: https://www.facebook.com/whitneydineenauthor

Jane and the Final Mystery by Stephanie Barron

Do you like Jane Austen? Or have you read Stephanie Barron's other books? 

I love Jane Austen and am fascinated by her life. This is my first time reading a book by Stephanie Barron, but it will not be my last.

Jane and the Final Mystery by Stephanie Barron will publish with Soho Press on 10/24. I am thrilled to be on the book tour with Austen Prose.  

The final volume of the critically acclaimed mystery series featuring Jane Austen as amateur sleuth.

📕My Review: Jane and the Final Mystery by Stephanie Barron is book number 15 in the series, but can be a standalone novel. The story begins in March of 1817 when Jane Austen’s health is declining. Her nephew, Edward, and Jane travel to Winchester College to help the solve the mystery of Arthur Prendergast's death. Jane’s dear friend, Elizabeth, is very upset that her son has been accused of the murder.

I was captivated with Jane the Final Mystery from the first page. The author’s attention to details made this book fascinating, the mystery kept me wondering, and the story of Winchester College was intriguing. This fantastic mystery is filled with wonderful aspects of the time period. I found it very carefully researched and the story allowed me to walk with Jane Austen through her final months. I delighted in the footnotes that referenced Jane’s letters, historical notes of the area, and historical biographies.

I enjoyed unraveling the mystery with Jane, and the story had a very satisfying ending. As a huge Jane Austen fan, I felt like I was getting inside information on her books, life, and family. I highly recommend Jane and the Final Mystery by Stephanie Baron. I can guarantee you will thoroughly enjoy your time visiting with Jane and solving the mystery.

 
I was given a copy by the publisher and not require to write a positive review. This post contains affiliate links.  

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | PUBLISHER | BOOKSHOP | GOODREADS

Stephanie Barron is a graduate of Princeton and Stanford, where she received her Masters in History as an Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Fellow in the Humanities. Her novel, THAT CHURCHILL WOMAN (Ballantine, January 22, 2019) traces the turbulent career of Jennie Jerome, Winston Churchill's captivating American mother. Barron is perhaps best known for the critically acclaimed Jane Austen Mystery Series, in which the intrepid and witty author of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE details her secret detective career in Regency England. A former intelligence analyst for the CIA, Stephanie—who also writes under the name Francine Mathews—drew on her experience in the field of espionage for such novels as JACK 1939, which The New Yorker described as "the most deliciously high-concept thriller imaginable." She lives and works in Denver, CO.

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GOODREADS

Garden of the Midnights by Hannah Linder

 

Garden of the Midnights by Hannah Linder is a delightful regency romance with some mystery.  Isabella Gresham has lived a very delightful life with a doting family.  William Kensley has had priveledge, but not a loving family.  Now he is trying to find out who wants him dead and is running towards something new. 

This story gripped me from the beginning and I stayed up way to late trying to see how it would end.   Isabella and William are interesting and characters who I enjoyed watching change and grow in the story.  The regency era details were amazing and I loved the varied settings. There were many twists and turns in the story which made this story so interesting and unique compared to others in the genre.

 The themes of identify, redemption, forgiveness, and family were lovely and made this a thoughtful and beautiful story. The faith elements were so well done and not preachy or like an afterthought. 

This is wonderful redemptive story that drew me in and held my attention to the very end.  This is a page turner that will touch your heart deeply.  I highly recommend Garden of the Midnights! 

I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a review. Thank you Austen Prose for including me on the tour.  

Hannah Linder resides in the beautiful mountains of central West Virginia. Represented by Books & Such, she writes Regency romantic suspense novels filled with passion, secrets, and danger. She is a four-time Selah Award winner, a 2023 Carol Award semi-finalist, and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW).

Also, Hannah is an international and multi-award-winning graphic designer who specializes in professional book cover design. She designs for both traditional publishing houses and individual authors, including New York Times, USA Today, and international bestsellers. She is also a self-portrait photographer of historical fashion.

When Hannah is not writing, she enjoys playing her instruments―piano, guitar, ukulele, and banjolele―songwriting, painting still life, walking in the rain, and sitting on the front porch of her 1800s farmhouse. Her next novel, The Girl from the Hidden Forest, is releasing on May 1, 2024.

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Save What's Left by Elizabeth Castellano and read by Theresa Plummer

Save What’s Left by Elizabeth Castellano and read by Theresa Plummer @plummertherese is a funny view on living in a beach community from the character Kathleen Deanne’s point of view. For anyone who has ever fought for what they believed was right, you will identify and enjoy the author's perspective.


The story is funny and it had me laughing at community groups, government paperwork, and all the things that people do in a small town. The friendships and family relationships were nicely done. I enjoyed the humor, thoughtful insights, and redemptive ending. I recommend Save What’s Left by Elizabeth Castellano and read by Theresa Plummer.


Thank you for @prhaudio for the listening copy. A review was not required.

 

Elizabeth Castellano grew up in a beach town.

She lives in New York.

Save What’s Left is her debut novel.


www.elizabethcastellano.com

Love, Holly by Emily Stone

I enjoyed Love, Holly immensely. Holly writes a Dear Stranger letter at Christmas. She decides to seek out the stranger who wrote the Dear Stranger letter to her this Christmas. When she does she begins a journey of friendship, love, and healing. The question "Was it fate or chance?" is woven throughout the story making it an interesting read.

I am becoming a huge fan of Emily Stone’s work. This story had me laughing, crying, and reflecting. The characters had depth and I was very invested in them. Though the story covers deeper issues it is not too heavy. To me it had the perfect mix of romance, depth, and great storytelling.

Love, Holly by Emily Stone is story of love, friendship, family, forgiveness and making peace. I find myself turning the story over in my mind and being so glad that I read it. I highly recommend Love, Holly.

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

Hello, I'm Emily! I have written three books now, which feels surreal! My latest novel is Love, Holly in the US and The Christmas Letter in the UK. My books always revolve around the Christmas period, but span the course of a whole year and more. They also deal with love - and grief, in one way or another. I think I put a part of me in every book - as I'm sure every author does - and my newest book is no exception. The main character - Holly - often does the wrong thing for the right reasons, and that is a situation I've found myself in! And with three sisters myself, writing about the sister love - and difficulties - in this book felt personal at times!

My other two novels are One Last Gift - a story of finding yourself when you feel that's impossible, and of the love between siblings - and Always, in December. As my debut novel, it will always be one close to my heart. Whilst very different from me, the protagonist, Josie is suffering with a grief that I know all too well - losing a parent/parents at a young age, and having to carry that grief into adulthood, long after it's supposedly 'gone away'. I lost my mum when I was seven, and I still think about her even now, in my thirties - and that's something that Josie and I share. Max, too, is suffering his own kind of grief, and that's something that he has to learn to deal with. But whilst the novel is about grief, and learning to live with that, it's also about falling in love, and about learning to be brave, even when your life doesn't feel quite right yet - even if it feels like it will never quite be right!

I wrote my first two novels in a glorious house in Chepstow, living with my sister and my two nieces. My third book I wrote on the English coastline in Cornwall - so I consider myself very lucky!

If you read any of my novels then thank you, and I really hope you enjoy! If you want to get in touch then I'd love to hear from you - I'm on Twitter and Instagram under @EmStoneWrites!

Faking Christmas by Kerry Winfrey

Faking Christmas by Kerry Winfrey is a fun loving story set in my home state of Ohio. Laurel works for Buckeye Magazine and may have implied to her boss that she owns a farm, has kids, and is married all of which are false. Everything is well and no one is wiser until her boss wants to visit her farm near Christmas. Laurel’s twin, Holly, helps her pull off a Christmas Eve Eve party including bringing in Laurel’s least favorite person, Max, as her fake husband. But, then it snows and things get more complicated.

There is nothing more unpredictable than Ohio weather, goats, and when you do not tell the whole truth to your boss. All of these woven into a story with pop culture, funny banter, and laugh out loud moments at Christmas were a win for me. I loved that Laurel and Holly were close twins who worked together to save the day. It was nice to see a family that cared for each other, solved problems, and had good holiday memories. Max was a great hero. I enjoyed learning about his growth journey and how he created a better life for himself.

The themes of family, redemption and friendship resonated with me. A fabulous fun holiday read! I recommend Faking Christmas.

I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a review. Thank you!

Kerry Winfrey is the author of the romantic comedies WAITING FOR TOM HANKS and NOT LIKE THE MOVIES, both published by Berkley. Her next book, VERY SINCERELY YOURS, will be out in 2021. She’s also the author of the YA novels LOVE AND OTHER ALIEN EXPERIENCES and THINGS JOLIE NEEDS TO DO BEFORE SHE BITES IT, both from Feiwel and Friends. When she’s not writing, she’s most likely baking a pie or watching far, far too many romantic comedies. She lives with her family in the middle of Ohio.

Unleashed Holiday by Victoria Schade

 Unleashed Holiday by Victoria Schade is fun holiday book that also happens to include very cute dogs.  Chelsea Higgens is a dog trainer with a thriving business.  She loves the location of her business and her neighbors.  But, when Andrew, a former acquittance, moves into her building to start a gym business with his unruly dog her troubles begin.   

This enemies to lovers book is funny, thoughtful, and had delightful animals.   The characters were well developed and the author did a nice job sharing their backstory.  It was enjoyable to learn about dog training and hanging out with the Chelsea’s and Andrew’s dogs. The fall and Christmas setting was festive and charming. 

I appreciated the themes of family, friendship, and not judging others since you have not walked in their shoes.  I loved rooting for Andrew and Chelsea and appreciated their happily ever after.  I recommend Unleashed Holiday by Victoria Schade.  

CW: Skippable Steam  

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

Victoria Schade has been a dog trainer and writer for over seventeen years. During that time her dog duties have included working behind the scenes on Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl as the lead animal wrangler, appearing on two seasons of the Animal Planet show Faithful Friends, writing dog training content and appearing in educational videos for NBC/Universal, Pet360, PawCulture and petMD, and writing two dog training books, Bonding With Your Dog and Secrets of a Dog Trainer.

Victoria shares her 1850’s always-in- need-of- renovations home with Millie the Smooth Brussels Griffon (who wants you to know that she is not a skinny pug), Olive the mixed breed dog, the occasional foster pup, and her incredibly tolerant husband, Tom.