The Songs That Could Have Been by Amanda Wen

Today I am thrilled to feature The Songs That Could Have Been by Amanda Wen, on tour with Read with Audra Blog Tours!

About the Book

Two couples in love. Two sets of impossible circumstances. One powerful God of grace.

After a devastating tailspin in her late teens, Lauren Anderson’s life is finally back on track. Then a chance meeting with Carter Douglas, her first love and the man who broke her heart, threatens to throw her well-balanced world out of control.

Now a TV meteorologist, Carter is determined to make amends with Lauren. After all, she still owns his heart. But his old demons are forcing him toward the same decision he faced in the past. Is he courageous enough to make a different choice this time around?

When Lauren’s elderly grandmother, Rosie, begins having nightmares about a man named Ephraim–a name her family has never heard before—a fascinating and forbidden past love comes to light. As Lauren and Carter work to uncover the untold stories of Rosie’s past in 1950s Wichita, they embark on a journey of forgiveness and second chances that will change their lives—and Rosie’s—forever. Along the way they’ll learn that God wastes nothing, his timing is perfect, and nothing is beyond his grace and redemption.

The Songs That Could Have Been is full of the same deftly handled, resonant writing that readers and critics alike enjoyed in Amanda Wen’s first book in the series, Roots of Wood and Stone. Fans of Lisa Wingate and Rachel Hauck will add Amanda Wen to their must-read shelves.

Click here to read an excerpt.

About the Author

Amanda Wen is an award-winning writer of inspirational romance and split-time women’s fiction. She has placed first in multiple writing contests, including the 2017 Indiana Golden Opportunity, the 2017 Phoenix Rattler, and the 2016 ACFW First Impressions contests. She was also a 2018 ACFW Genesis Contest finalist. Her debut novel was a 2021 Christy Award First Novel finalist.
 
Wen is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and regularly contributes author interviews for their Fiction Finder feature. She also frequently interviews authors for her blog and is a contributor to the God Is Love blog. She is the author of Roots of Wood and Stone and The Songs That Could Have Been.
 
In addition to her writing, Wen is an accomplished professional cellist and pianist who frequently performs with orchestras, chamber groups, and her church’s worship team. She serves as a choral accompanist as well. A lifelong denizen of the flatlands, Wen lives in Kansas with her patient, loving, and hilarious husband, their three adorable Wenlets, and a snuggly Siamese cat.
 
To find Amanda Wen’s blog and short stories, visit www.amandawen.com. Readers can also follower her on Facebook (@AuthorAmandaWen)Twitter (@AuthorAmandaWen), and Instagram (@authoramandawen).

Purchase Links

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Books-A-Million

Christian Book

My Thoughts

This book was well worth the wait!!  I am so impressed with the author’s ability to take several sensitive subjects and write about them with such respect and accuracy that you feel the emotions of the characters as they grapple with them.  I really liked the characters in the novel, both past and present.  They are engaging and I found myself invested in their stories.  The characters each have their trials but there is also a message of hope in the story.  There are a lot of relatable truths in the book, but my favorite was the theme of trusting God to help us through our problems.  I do recommend reading Of Roots and Stone first but both books really are great reads.  Highly recommended!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.  Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

And now… a giveaway!

Click on the photo above or follow this link to enter the giveaway! http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/8b3c91bb34/

Thanks for stopping by!

Midnight’s Budding Morrow by Carolyn Miller

Today I am thrilled to feature Midnight’s Budding Morrow by Carolyn Miller, on tour with Read with Audra Blog Tours!

About the Book

Can real love grow between a wallflower and an unrepentant rogue?

Sarah Drayton is eager to spend time with her best friend at her crumbling Northumberland castle estate. Matrimony is the last thing on her mind and the last thing she expects to be faced with on a holiday. Yet she finds herself being inveigled into a marriage of convenience with her friend’s rakish brother.

When James Langley returns to his family’s estate, he can’t be bothered to pay attention to his responsibilities as the heir. War is raging and he wants only distraction, not serious tethers. But his roguish ways have backed him into a corner, and he has little choice but to obey his father’s stunning decree: marry before returning to war, or else. Suddenly he finds himself wedded to a clever and capable woman he does not love.

Sarah craves love and a place to belong, neither of which James offered before returning to the battlefront. Now everyone around her thinks she married above her station, and they have no intention of rewarding her for such impertinence. It isn’t until her husband returns from war seemingly changed that she begins to hope they may find real happiness. But can she trust that this rake has truly reformed?

When tragedy strikes, this pair must learn to trust God and his plans. Will they be destroyed . . . or will they discover that even in the darkest depths of night, the morning still holds hope?

Click here to read an excerpt.

About the Author

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 Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s Regency era, Carolyn holds a BA in English literature and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives. She enjoys music, films, gardens, art, travel, and food.

Miller’s novels have won a number of RWA and ACFW contests. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Australasian Christian Writers. 
 
Learn more about Carolyn at www.carolynmillerauthor.com, or find her on Facebook (Carolyn Miller Author)Instagram (@CarolynMillerAuthor), and Twitter (@CarolynMAuthor)

Purchase Links

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

My Thoughts

I have enjoyed this series because it gives us a (fictional but historically well researched) glimpse at the working class of Regency fiction, rather than focusing on the affluent, which is the case for many of the books I read in this era. I loved Sarah’s character: her bluntness is very honest but she has a kind nature as well. I can’t say that I loved James as much, although I did appreciate the growths that occurred in their relationship. The theme of forgiveness is very prominent without being preachy and I liked the interwoven faith elements. I also liked the setting of the story and thought that the scenes were well described, so it was easy to envision the beautiful North Sea. And the history in this area is fascinating too and well written. I liked the book overall and I am looking forward to reading more by this author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through the Audra Jenning’s tour. This review is entirely my own.

And now… a Giveaway!

Click on the photo above or follow this link to enter the giveaway! http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/8b3c91bb33/

Thanks for stopping by!

Counterfeit Love by Crystal Caudill

Welcome to the blog tour for Counterfeit Love by Crystal Caudill, on tour with Audra Jennings, PR!

About the Book

Can this undercover agent save the woman he loves—or is her heart as counterfeit as the money he’s been sent to track down?

After all that Grandfather has sacrificed to raise her, Theresa Plane owes it to him to save the family name–and that means clearing their debt with creditors before she marries Edward Greystone. But when one of the creditors’ threats leads her to stumble across a midnight meeting, she discovers that the money he owes isn’t all Grandfather was hiding. And the secrets he kept have now trapped Theresa in a life-threatening fight for her home–and the truth.

After months of undercover work, Secret Service operative Broderick Cosgrove is finally about to uncover the identity of the leader of a notorious counterfeiting ring. That moment of triumph turns to horror, however, when he finds undeniable proof that his former fiancé is connected. Can he really believe the woman he loved is a willing participant? Protecting Theresa and proving her innocence may destroy his career–but that’s better than failing her twice in one lifetime.

They must form a partnership, tentative though it is. But there’s no question they’re both still keeping secrets–and that lack of trust, along with the dangerous criminals out for their blood, threatens their hearts, their faith, and their very survival.

Combining rich history, danger, suspense, and romance, Crystal Caudill’s debut novel launches this new historical series with a bang. Fans of Elizabeth Camden, Michelle Griep, and Joanna Davidson Politano will be thrilled to find another author to follow!

To read an excerpt of Counterfeit Love, click here.

About the Author

Crystal Caudill is the author of “dangerously good historical romance,” with her work garnering awards from Romance Writers of America and ACFW. She is a stay-at-home mom and caregiver, and when she isn’t writing, Caudill can be found playing board games with her family, drinking hot tea, or reading other great books at her home outside Cincinnati, Ohio.

Find out more at crystalcaudill.com or find her on Facebook (@crystalcaudillauthor) and Instagram (@crystalcaudillauthor).

Purchase Links

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Books-A-Million

Christian Book

My Thoughts

This novel was truly fascinating!  I learned so much about counterfeiting and secret service agents in the nineteenth century.  There was lots of mystery in the story that made the plot interesting as I tried to figure out the ending.  The characters are likeable and easy to connect with early in the story.  I really enjoyed reading about their ever-changing relationship.  I love the second chances romance trope!  Theresa is strong and determined and I really enjoyed her character.  The integration of faith in this novel is also well done and clear without being preachy.  This book is a fantastic debut novel and I cannot wait to read the next one!  Highly recommended!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.  Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Giveaway!

To win a copy of Counterfeit Love by Crystal Caudill, click on the image above to enter the Rafflecopter drawing! Giveaway ends April 12, 2022.

Thanks for stopping by!

The Debutante’s Code by Erica Vetsch

Welcome to the blog tour for The Debutante’s Code by Erica Vetsch, on tour with Audra Jennings, PR! This novel will release December 7, 2021!

About the Book

Jane Austen meets Sherlock Holmes in this new Regency mystery series!

Newly returned from finishing school, Lady Juliette Thorndike is ready to debut in London society. Due to her years away, she hasn’t spent much time with her parents, and sees them only as the flighty, dilettante couple the other nobles love.But when they disappear, she discovers she never really knew them at all. They’ve been living double lives as government spies–and they’re only the latest in a long history of espionage that is the family’s legacy.

Now Lady Juliette is determined to continue their work. Mentored by her uncle, she plunges into the dangerous world of spies. From the glittering ballrooms of London to the fox hunts, regattas, and soirees of country high society, she must chase down hidden clues, solve the mysterious code her parents left behind, and stay out of danger. All the while, she has to keep her endeavors a secret from her best friend and her suitors–not to mention the nosy, irritatingly handsome Bow Street runner, who suspects her of a daring theft.

Can Lady Juliette outwit her enemies and complete her parents’ last mission?

Best-selling author Erica Vetsch is back with a rollicking, exciting new series destined to be a hit with Regency readers who enjoy a touch of mystery in their love stories. Fans of Julie Klassen, Sarah Ladd, and Anne Perry will love the wit, action, and romance.

Click here to read an excerpt!

About the Author

Erica Vetsch is a New York Times best-selling and ACFW Carol Award–winning author. She is a transplanted Kansan now living in Minnesota with her husband, who she claims is both her total opposite and soul mate. Erica loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum and cheering on her Kansas Jayhawks and New Zealand All Blacks.
 
Erica Vetsch is the author of many novellas and novels, including the popular Serendipity & Secrets Regency series and the new Thorndike & Swann Regency Mystery series.

Learn more about Erica Vetsch and her books at www.ericavetsch.com. She can also be found on Facebook (@EricaVetschAuthor)Instagram (@EricaVetsch) and Pinterest (Erica Vetsch).

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Books-A-Million

Christian Book

My Thoughts

The description of Jane Austen meets Sherlock Holmes is perfect for this novel as there is a mix of mystery and romance throughout the story.  I loved the code that Juliette’s father would use to write to her and thought this was such a creative spin on the story.  There is additional espionage and intrigue that kept my interest easily.  One of my favorite eras for reading is the Regency Period, so there was also much to love about the details and descriptions of this historical time period.  The romance is clean and subtle, and I look forward to reading more about Juliette and Daniel in the next novel.  I loved that we had a visit from a character from one of Erica Vetsch’s previous novels.  This book is a great start to a new series and I cannot wait for more!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.  Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Favorite Quotes

Giveaway!

Click on the graphic above or this link to enter the giveaway: https://promosimple.com/ps/15be6/the-debutante-s-code

Thank you for stopping by!

Dusk’s Darkest Shores by Carolyn Miller

Welcome to the blog tour for Dusk’s Darkest Shores by Carolyn Miller!

About the Book

How can a meek wallflower help a returning war hero whose dreams are plunged into darkness?
 
Mary Bloomfield has no illusions. Her chances for matrimony have long since passed her by. Still, her circumstances are pleasant enough, especially now that she has found purpose in assisting her father with his medical practice in England’s beautiful Lake District. Even without love, it’s a peaceful life.
 
That is until Adam Edgerton returns to the sleepy district. This decorated war hero did not arrive home to acclaim and rest, but to a new battle against the repercussions of an insidious disease. Mary’s caring nature cannot stand to see someone suffer–but how can she help this man see any brightness in his future when he’s plunged into melancholic darkness, his dreams laid waste by his condition?
 
Adam wants no charity, but he’s also no coward. If this gentle woman can work hard, how can he do less? Together they struggle to find a way forward for him. Frustration and antipathy slowly develop into friendship and esteem. Then a summer storm atop a mountain peak leads to scandal–and both Mary and Adam must search the depths of their closed hearts for answers if they hope to find any future path with happiness at its end.
 
Best-selling author Carolyn Miller is back with a fresh series that will not only thrill readers eager for more of her work, but bring in new fans looking for beautiful writing, fascinating research, deftly woven love stories, and real faith lived out in the Regency period.
 
Click here to read an excerpt.

About the Series

While most stories set in Regency England focus on the rich, the young, and the beautiful, award-winning author Carolyn Miller decided she wanted to give readers something different for a change. Her new Regency Wallflowers series follows the commoners, away from the hustle and bustle of 1810s London, out in the Lake District of England. She tells the stories of women who are slightly older and have few prospects for marriage, women who might be considered “wallflowers.”

About the Author

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 Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s Regency era, Carolyn holds a BA in English literature and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives. She enjoys music, films, gardens, art, travel, and food.

Miller’s novels have won a number of RWA and ACFW contests. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Australasian Christian Writers. 

Learn more about Carolyn at www.carolynmillerauthor.com, or find her on Facebook (Carolyn Miller Author)Instagram (@CarolynMillerAuthor), and Twitter (@CarolynMAuthor)

Purchase Links

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Books-A-Million

Christian Book Distributors

My Thoughts

Oh my!  This story oozes depth, emotion, and great characters.  I loved Mary and Adam.  It required no effort to fall in love with them as the author draws you into their lives through struggles that make them realistic.  The descriptions were well written and the scenery of Regency England was easy to visualize.  The story is so exquisitely written!  And most of all, I loved how Carolyn Miller takes spiritual themes and integrates them so seamlessly into this novel.  Relying on faith is a theme that is even applicable to my own life.  I think this was my first novel by this author but it will definitely not be my last!  What a great start to a new series.  I think I shall read some of her older works while I eagerly anticipate the next novel!  Highly recommended!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author as part of the Read with Audra Tour.  Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Favorite Quotes

And now… a giveaway!

Click on the image above to enter the giveaway!

Thanks for stopping by!

The Gentleman Spy by Erica Vetsch

Welcome to the blog tour for The Gentleman Spy by Erica Vetsch!

About The Book

He only wanted a duchess for a day–but she’s determined to make it a marriage for life.
 
When his father and older brother suddenly pass away, the new Duke of Haverly is saddled with a title he never expected to bear. To thwart the plans of his scheming family, the duke impulsively marries a wallflower. After all, she’s meek and mild; it should be easy to sequester her in the country and get on with his life–as a secret agent for the Crown.
 
But his bride has other ideas. She’s determined to take her place not only as his duchess but as his wife. As a duchess, she can use her position to help the lowest of society–the women forced into prostitution because they have no skills or hope. Her endeavors are not met favorably in society, nor by her husband who wishes she’d remain in the background as he ordered.
 
Can the duke succeed in relegating her to the sidelines of his life? When his secrets are threatened with exposure, will his new wife be an asset or a liability?

About the Author

Erica Vetsch is a New York Times best-selling and ACFW Carol Award–winning author. She is a transplanted Kansan now living in Minnesota with her husband, who she claims is both her total opposite and soul mate.  
 
Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum and cheering on her Kansas Jayhawks and New Zealand All Blacks.
 
A self-described history geek, she has been planning her first research trip to England.
 
Learn more about Erica Vetsch and her books at www.ericavetsch.com. She can also be found on Facebook (@EricaVetschAuthor)Instagram (@EricaVetsch) and Pinterest (Erica Vetsch).

My Thoughts

After greatly enjoying the first book in this series, I was very excited to read the second installment. I loved the characters in this book! Charlotte has a kind heart and gumption that allows her to stand up for those less fortunate as she adapts to a strange situation.  Marcus, too, is down-to-earth despite his lofty status and is easy to like.  I enjoyed their interactions as their relationship grew throughout the story.  There are also some loveable secondary characters!  I also really liked the mystery aspect to this book and the surprising twists and turns in the plot.  I love regency romance novels and this story delivered with descriptions of balls, gowns, and society. I do recommend reading this series in order, but the first one is also a great novel.  I am eagerly awaiting the next novel!  I highly recommend this series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Audra Jennings PR. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

And now… a giveaway! (link below)

https://promosimple.com/ps/10029/the-gentleman-spy

More from Erica Vetsch!

Be sure to check out the first book in the series, The Lost Lieutenant, as well as the third book, The Indebted Earl, coming March 2021!

Thanks for stopping by!