Friday, February 27, 2026

The Restitching of Camille DuLaine by Lindsay A. Franklin (The Rivenlea Sphere Book 2)

About the Book

Book: The Restitching of Camille DuLaine (The Rivenlea Book 2)

Author: Lindsay A. Franklin

Genre: YA Fantasy

Release Date: February 10, 2023

A splintered world, a heart gone cold.

Hope reborn in threads of gold.

After accidentally bridging the storyworlds together, Emlyn DuLaine faces an impossible task: sever the connections without destroying the stories themselves. If she fails, the characters will be trapped in twisted versions of their tales, forced to relive their worst moments forever.

But undoing the bridges is only the beginning. To truly fix what’sbunraveling, Emlyn must uncover the secret flaw buried deep in Rivenlea’sbfoundation, something that’s been wrong since the very start.

And the danger has never been closer to home. The clock is ticking for the injured wyvern who needs Rivenlite air to survive and the story boy Emlyn swore she’d never fall for. Emlyn and her team must rescue Frank and Laramie from chaotic, shifting story spheres before they’re gone for good.

But Frank and Laramie aren’t the only ones lost to the spheres. Camille DuLaine is a prisoner, held as bait by someone who knows exactly how to lure her sister in. After seven years of sleep, Camille wakes to find herself trapped in a storybook and sure of only one thing: Emlyn must stay far, faraway.

Racing to solve one mind-bending puzzle after the next, Emlyn uncovers a plan seventeen years in the making. She stands at the center of a fractured universe—and she might be too late to save it.

Click here to get your copy!

My Review:

Here's the second book in this series that I'm glad I haven't missed. This second book is the conclusion, so those looking for faster reads, this two-book set is highly recommended. This story has four POV's. All are needed and welcome, and add to the depth of this story. I love the found family theme. The villain has a very relatable tale as well. It has many references to other films or stories that pulled me in as well. There's magic and lessons to be learned here, characters that stick with you and make you love them. Faith is worked in as an undertone, but it's present. I appreciate this set of stories and hope to get the hardcopies when I can.

5 Gilmmering Stars

About the Author

Lindsay A. Franklin is the Carol Award–winning author of The Story Peddler, the ECPA best-selling author of Adored, and Managing Editor of Enclave Publishing. She would wear pajama pants all the time if it were socially acceptable. Lindsay lives happily among the rain and evergreens of the Pacific Northwest with her scruffy-looking nerf-herder husband, their three (nearly) grown geeklings, and three demanding thunder pillows (a.k.a. cats).

More from Lindsay

The Fiction-Fixer’s Handbook:

A Guest Post by Emlyn DuLaine, the Newest Member of Novem XVII

I haven’t been a Novemite long, and if you want advice from an absolute expert, you’ll have to ask Captain Doyle or maybe Laramie, if you can manage to push your way past the cloud of ego that surrounds him at all times.

But I’ve been diving into upside-down classics, wrangling rogue characters, bridging broken plots, and saving story spheres long enough to give some helpful pointers on how to keep your wits about you when you, too, traverse the fantastical, fictional universes we all know and love.

Read on for my hard-won wisdom.

Never accept apples from anyone. Ever. Even if they promise it’s organic and locally sourced. Just don’t.
If a book starts whispering, close it immediately. This is not the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Cursed tomes are not to be trifled with.
Stay away from unattended spinning wheels and mirrors that look a little too shiny. Exercise caution around wardrobe-shaped furniture. Odds are high you’re about to be enchanted, imprisoned, or transported. Stay vigilant.
Beware of overly charming men in masks, hoods, and/or capes. It’s 50/50 on whether he’s a tragic hero or a villain with a vendetta. Proceed with caution.
Always check the fine print on magical contracts. If the terms include “firstborn child” or an unspecified “favor” to be later named, run.
Characters who break into song at random intervals are either harmless or extremely dangerous. If they’re just narrating their morning routine, you’re fine. If the music gets ominous, assume the worst.
If you find yourself in the company of a talking animal sidekick, always ask for its backstory. Talking cats may be friend or foe, sometimes both if it starts telling riddles. Grumpy toads are probably cursed nobles. Overdramatic ravens are almost always bad news.
When in doubt, follow the protagonist—but not too closely. The main character has plot armor. You do not.

If you’re hoping for a fairy-tale ending, these tips might get you there. Stay safe, friends. And happy sphere-diving!

Blog Stops

The Lofty Pages, February 25

Simple Harvest Reads, February 26 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 27 (Spotlight)

Blogging With Carol, February 27

Artistic Nobody, February 28 (Author Interview)

Inspired by Fiction, March 1

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 2 (Spotlight)

Where Faith and Books Meet, March 3

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, March 4

Guild Master, March 5 (Author Interview)

Blossoms and Blessings, March 6 (Spotlight)

Holly’s Book Corner, March 6

For the Love of Literature, March 7 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, March 8

Stories By Gina, March 9 (Spotlight)

Fiction Book Lover, March 10 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lyndsay is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a hardcover copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/iyeVn/the-restitching-of-camille-dulaine-celebration-tour-giveaway

Monday, February 23, 2026

Induction by Chautona Havig (Prequel to The Agency Files)

About the Book

Book: Induction (Prequel to The Agency Files)

Author: Chautona Havig

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Release Date: November 10, 2023

Someone wants her dead. Not happening on his watch.

When Roman Simon goes missing, the small town of Fairbury burns with rumors hotter than the sidewalk in July. They’re certain he’s either left his wife, or she killed him (not that they’d blame her). As the weeks pass and the police fail to find answers, things heat up more when Anna Simon disappears, too. If that’s not strange enough, the chief of police orders his officers to leave Anna out of their investigation.

As a new recruit into a secret protection service known only as The Agency to the few who know it exists, Keith Auger doesn’t know what he’s doing, but he’s determined to do his new job well. But when he finds himself guarding a woman before he’s fully trained, he already begins to doubt the wisdom of this career path.

Pressure mounts as Keith tries to stay one step ahead of the men out to kill Anna and another step ahead of Anna who is determined to find answers no one will give her.

Keith can’t help but wonder: will his first assignment with The Agency be his last?
Induction is an introductory novel to The Agency Files.

Click here to get your copy!

My Review:

This is a very helpful prequel to this series. I liked it. I think this author is good with mysteries, and that's a genre that I enjoy. Keith is out of the Marines, and now he's guarding someone. It was nice to meet the characters this way, and have somemore back story for them.

I think this is a solid four-star prequel.

About the Author

USA Today Bestselling author Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours, and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her at chautona.com and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.

Author Writing Woes: or How This Book Came to Be.

Way back in the dark ages of my writing career (you know, around 2009…ish), I had an idea for a couple. She was a plain woman in many ways—a good student. He was the star quarterback for a college football team. And one day, while goofing around with his teammates, he bumped into her and caused her to drop everything, ruining a library book.

She wasn’t happy.

Did several chapters follow with him trying to make it up to her? Yep. Did she cave?

Eventually. And a couple of years later, the day before their wedding, his mother begged him not to marry someone so dull and uninteresting.

But all this came out about a quarter of the way into the book. The first chapter opened with her eating lunch with her husband, who ordered her least favorite dish because it’s good for her. Employees scowled, and the rumors of how awful he was to her flourished.

If only they knew. No one loved anyone more than Ramon Simon loved his Anna. Abusive? Never. Not even a hint, but no one in Fairbury would ever believe that.

But that was my problem. That’s all I knew. I called it “A Man and a Mouse” while waiting to find out what their story really was.

Twelve years later, I finally knew.

See, I had this character from one of my favorite series. The Agency Files is a suspense/romantic suspense series focusing on protecting people from “the bad guys” until law enforcement can round up those bad guys and it’s safe to go home. They’ll do anything they have to in order to keep you safe—even kidnap you. The best of the best? Keith Auger. And well… he wasn’t born an agent, was he?

I decided to write his “induction” into The Agency, and what better way to do it than to introduce him to Anna Simon? Her husband is missing, and someone’s after her. So, after a crazy ride at his job interview, and a few weeks of training, Anna is his first assignment. Keep her alive until those trying to kill her are caught. But that’s when things get complicated.

The series has grown a lot since Justified Means released. From that one book to last month’s exciting conclusion to this “branch” of the series with Take Cover, we’ve seen human trafficking, a drug running biker gang out to kill an ex-member who met Jesus, a crisis of faith combined with bioterrorism, a guy running for his life—he just doesn’t know why, an office manager gone rogue, an unemployed woman hiding out from “goons” in a Michigan castle, a traitor in the agency, and a bad guy who just might be the only one who can help them thwart a hostile takeover.

It’s been a bit of a wild ride for The Agency, but with the series “complete” (there will be spin-offs), it seemed like a perfect time to introduce folks to the series prequel, Induction. All of the series books are available in print, on Kindle Unlimited, and as audiobooks (they’re even FREE on Christa DelSorbo’s YouTube channel!).

Happy reading! And I apologize in advance for Flynne’s slang. That girl!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 20

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 21

Simple Harvest Reads, February 22 (Author Interview)

Roads to Everywhere, February 22

Blogging With Carol, February 23

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 24

Denise L. Barela, February 25 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, February 26

For Him and My Family, February 27

Guild Master, February 28 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, March 1 (Guest Review from Donna)

Holly’s Book Corner, March 2

Fiction Book Lover, March 3 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, March 3

Lots of Helpers, March 4

Just Your Average reviews, March 5

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Chautona is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a paperback copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/iQUgI/induction-celebration-tour-giveaway

Saturday, February 7, 2026

Fatal Past by Sarah Hamaker

About the Book

Book: Fatal Past

Author: Sarah Hamaker

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release Date: October 14, 2025

Dr. Eve Davenport has forged a life for herself far from the pain of her past. But when she foils the kidnapping attempt of Ethan Smith, she comes face-to-face with the boy’s father, Jefferson Smith—the high school sweetheart who broke her heart and left her with secrets she’s buried for nearly a decade. Jefferson can’t believe the woman who saved Ethan, his late twin brother’s son, is Eve—the girl he once loved and lost. But as the danger mounts, Jefferson and Eve must confront their tangled history and uncover who is behind the attacks targeting Ethan and Eve.

Click here to get your copy!

My Review:

This story has so many layers, action, and suspense that I didn't stop reading for hours. The ending was excellent, the faith elements were well-balanced, and I totally fell for the characters and the fast-moving twists and turns. Eve and Jefferson are everything you would want in a growing and healing couple. They have been through so much that you have to read to fathom. I liked the Virginia setting. Even with Eve being a doctor, it only added more to this story. I was riveted. I can't wait to read my book by this author and in this series. It's well worth reading.

5 Massive Stars

About the Author

Multi-award-winning and best-selling author of inspirational romantic suspense, Sarah Hamaker loves writing books “where the hero and heroine fall in love while running for their lives.” She’s an AWSA certified writer and speaker coach, and podcaster of “The Romantic Side of Suspense.” She and her husband are therapeutic foster parents with UMFS. Sarah lives in Virginia with her husband, four children and two cats.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, January 31

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 1

Books Less Travelled, February 2

Stories By Gina, February 3 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 4

Texas Book-aholic, February 5

Simple Harvest Reads, February 6 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, February 7

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 7

Artistic Nobody, February 8 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 9

Cover Lover Book Review, February 10

Bizwings Blog, February 11

Fiction Book Lover, February 12 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, February 13

For Him and My Family, February 13

Giveaway

Fatal Past Celebration Tour Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card, an ebook copy of Fatal Past, a paperback copy of Truth, the limited collection of four short novels that includes Fatal Past, signed by all four authors, and 75Fatal Past-themed socks!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/k1w6L/fatal-past-celebration-tour-giveaway

Saturday, January 31, 2026

Fighting for You by Robin Patchen (The Wright Heroes of Maine Book 8)

About the Book

Book: Fighting for You

Author: Robin Patchen

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Release Date: January 6, 2026

She’s running from her past. He’s protecting his future. Together, they must fight for what matters most.

Delaney Wright has always believed the best of everyone—even when she shouldn’t. After her ex-boyfriend’s shocking betrayal, Delaney flees Shadow Cove, determined to rebuild her shattered confidence. She lands a nanny position in Virginia, caring for precious four-year-old Charlotte. Her new employer is everything she should avoid—wealthy, worldly, and far too handsome for Delaney’s peace of mind. But this job is not the haven it seems.

Noah Aylett is desperate to hang onto his family’s legacy, despite a stalker who’s getting bolder every day. When his brother abandons his daughter, Noah takes in Charlotte, hiring a live-in nanny to give his niece stability. Though Delaney is young and attractive—the worst combination for a man trying to avoid scandal—her gentle touch breaks through Charlotte’s grief. But Noah needs more than just a nanny to secure his niece’s future. He must complete a business merger amidst compounding danger. Someone is determined to sabotage the deal…no matter what it takes.

When threats close in on all sides, Noah and Delaney must join forces to protect the little girl they both love. Trusting each other might be the only way to save Charlotte—and themselves.

A heart-pounding suspense and a swoon-worthy romance as Noah and Delaney discover that some battles can only be won with the right person at your side.

Click here to get your copy!

My Review:

This book will stand alone, but it's way better as part of the series. I loved the suspense of this story. Patchen is an excellent author, and this book is quite an installment in this series. I appreciated that this book wasn't set mostly in Maine. was a strong hero and a devoted dad, while Delaney was the perfect nanny. Yes, that's a trope we have read more than once, but this author and this story just set it off perfectly. As always, I love the faith elements and the HEA ending. The ending was just perfect.

5 Stars

About the Author

Robin Patchen is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of Christian romantic suspense. She grew up in a small town in New Hampshire, the setting of her Coventry Saga books, and then headed to Boston to earn a journalism degree. Working in marketing, she discovered how much she loathed the nine-to-five ball and chain. After relocating to the Southwest, she started writing her first novel while homeschooling her three children. The novel was dreadful, but her passion for storytelling didn’t wane. Thankfully, as her children grew, so did her writing ability. Now that her kids are adults, she has more time to play with the lives of fictional heroes and heroines, wreaking havoc and working magic to give her characters happy endings. When she’s not writing, she’s editing or reading, proving that most of her life revolves around the twenty-six letters of the alphabet.

More from Robin

The Nanny Who Became a Hero: Why I Love Writing Ordinary Women in Extraordinary Circumstances

When I first introduce Delaney Wright to readers, she doesn’t look like much of a hero. She’s standing on the porch of a beautiful Victorian home in coastal Virginia, wearing a borrowed blouse that’s too big and reeking of cigarette smoke from the shelter where she’s been staying. She’s broke, far from home, and desperate to be hired for this nanny position because she has exactly forty-seven dollars in her wallet.

This is my heroine.

And I absolutely love her.

The “Ordinary” Woman

Delaney is the fourth of five sisters, and she doesn’t believe she measures up to any of them. Alyssa is brilliant. Brooklynn’s a gifted photographer. Cici owns a business, and Kenzie’s sailing the world. Meanwhile, Delaney’s one attempt to build a career was a spectacular failure.

Her ex-boyfriend turned out to be a criminal. Her own father expects her to fail. She’s terrible with adults, but at least she’s good with kids. That’s her one and only talent.

When the man seeking a nanny sees her, he takes one look and says, “It’s not going to work.” Too young. Too disheveled. Delaney is just not enough.

She doesn’t fight for the job because deep down, she believes it too.

What Makes Her Extraordinary

But Delaney’s superpower is fierce, protective love.

At sixteen, she was babysitting two boys during a tropical storm when the seven-year-old chased the family dog out into dangerous conditions. She had to secure the toddler before she could chase them. The 911 operator told her to stay put, but Delaney ran into the storm, found the terrified child and the dog, and brought them safely home.

When Delaney was praised for her bravery, she brushed it off. “I’d lost a kid and his dog,” she said. “Nothing brave about that.”

The Progressive Acts of Bravery

Delaney’s heroism isn’t a single dramatic moment but a series of choices, each one building on the last, each one requiring her to push past her own fears and insecurities.

When she encounters a little girl nearly wander into traffic because of an inattentive nanny, Delaney confronts the woman, even though conflict makes her uncomfortable. She puts that child’s safety above her own desire to avoid confrontation. (Her bravery ended up getting her a job.)

I don’t want to give too much of the story away, but Delaney proves, over and over, that she’ll do anything to protect the child in her care. She’ll put herself in danger. She’ll even step in front of a bullet.

Why This Character Archetype Matters to Me

I’m drawn to writing everyday heroines because I know so many of them, women who don’t believe they’re special. Women who work ordinary jobs—as nannies, teachers, nurses, caregivers—jobs that society often undervalues but that change lives. Women who doubt themselves, who’ve been hurt, who wonder if they’re enough.

Most of us have felt like Delaney at some point in our lives. We compare ourselves to others and come up short. We’ve made mistakes that haunt us. We’ve been betrayed by people we trusted, and it’s shaken our confidence in our own judgment. We wonder if we matter.

I think many of us women need the reminder, so just in case you do, I want you to know this: You matter. You’re gifted, you’re beautiful, and you matter.

Delaney’s journey isn’t about becoming a different person. She doesn’t suddenly gain superpowers or discover she’s secretly royalty or transform into someone unrecognizable. Her journey is about recognizing that she was always enough. That love—the kind of selfless, sacrificial love she’s capable of—is the most powerful force in the world.

Coming Full Circle

By the end of Fighting for You, Delaney has learned to trust her own judgment again. She’s proven to herself—and to everyone who ever doubted her—that she’s capable of far more than she believed. But she’s still the gentle, nurturing caregiver who reads bedtime stories and makes apple-peanut-butter sandwiches and knows exactly what a frightened child needs. Her heroism didn’t require her to become hard or cynical or tough. She saved the day by being exactly who she is—a woman who loves fiercely and protects those who can’t protect themselves.

At the end of the day, Delaney isn’t a superhero. She’s a nanny who became a hero because love compelled her to act.

And isn’t that the best kind of hero?

Who are the “ordinary heroes” in your life? The people who show up, who protect, who love without counting the cost?

Do you undervalue your own gifts and strengths? Maybe it’s time to remember you are who God created you to be, and that makes you beautiful.