Thursday, October 9, 2025

On a Midnight Clear: A 3-in-1 Christmas Novella Collection by Tracie Peterson, Misty M. Beller, and Karen Witemeyer

About the Book

Book: On a Midnight Clear: A 3-in-1 Christmas Novella Collection

Authors: Tracie Peterson, Misty M. Beller, Karen Witemeyer

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: February 5, 2025

Can they find a place to put their hearts and hope this Christmas?

Beloved authors Tracie Peterson, Misty M. Beller, and Karen Witemeyer come together with this festive novella collection inspired by the Nativity story and filled with faith, promise, and romance.

The Shepherd’s Heart by Tracie Peterson
On the frontier, widowed sheep rancher Vincent Duran seeks a mother for his two children. Angel Lewis agrees to marry him despite believing Vincent will never truly love her, but as they work together during a fierce winter storm, will their broken hearts finally find peace, joy, and love?

No Room at the Inn by Misty M. Beller
When Noah Bentwood and his charge are snowed in while traveling through the Rocky Mountains, he must stay in a barn since the stage inn has no vacant rooms. Then innkeeper Hope Palmer’s family heirloom disappears, and she and Noah work together to find it before Christmas. While the snowfall holds them captive, will unexpected feelings bloom?

A Star in the West by Karen Witemeyer
Friendly correspondence with Stella Barrington evolves into something more when Harvard mathematics professor Frank Stentz arrives in Waco, Texas. As the two experiment with extending their relationship beyond letters, an impossible dilemma arises between love and logic. Will her wise man be able to calculate a way for them to be together?

Rediscover the joy of Christmas with these faith-based historical romances from bestselling authors featuring sweet Western frontier stories with themes of marriage of convenience, forced proximity, and friends-to-more.

Click here to get your copy!

My Review:

What a lovely collection of stories from these three authors. All three stories are based on The Christmas Story of Christ, aka The Nativity. Angel and Vincent have a good story with lots of faith aspects, where they wind up seeing the deeper meanings in shepherding. No Room in the Inn is everything that the title suggests and more. Noah and Hope solve a mystery and learn so much more about how there was no room for Jesus's family when he was due to be born. This one is a very sweet Christmas romance. A Star in the West fits perfectly with this 1800s theme for this book. There's a professor, a brilliant mathematician, who has formed a friendship via mail with a lovely lady named Stella. For them to be together, they have to overcome issues of logic, love, and logistics. All three stories are good, and I couldn't give this book less than all five stars. The faith themes, the romance, and the light that shines in these stories make this a joyous read.

5 Stars

About the Authors

Tracie Peterson is the bestselling author of more than 100 novels, with more than 6 million copies sold. Learn more at TraciePeterson.com.

USA Today bestselling author Misty M. Beller writes romantic mountain stories woven through with the truth of God’s love. Learn more at MistyMBeller.com.

Bestselling and award–winning author Karen Witemeyer pens historical romance with a flair for humor and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Learn more at KarenWitemeyer.com.

More from Misty

When Friends Join Forces…Magic Happens!

For me, teaming up with my dear friends Tracie Peterson and Karen Witemeyer has created pure Christmas magic!

Ever since I was young, Christmas stories have held a special place in my heart. There’s something truly enchanting about the season—the warmth, joy, and love that seem to fill the air. And when you combine that with the charm of a good story? It’s absolutely irresistible! Can you relate?

I’ve also long been a HUGE fan of Tracie Peterson and Karen Witemeyer. Their books have been favorites of mine for years, and I’ve read so many of them multiple times. The chance to join them on this Christmas novella collection, On a Midnight Clear, has been a dream come true in every way.

If you love Christmas books as much as I do, you won’t want to miss On a Midnight Clear. This collection is our holiday gift to you, our readers—stories filled with the wonder of the season, unforgettable characters, and the timeless message of love and hope.

We hope these novellas bring the same joy and warmth to your heart as they brought to ours while writing them.

So, curl up with your favorite blanket, grab a cup of cocoa, and let the magic of On a Midnight Clear transport you to a world of Christmas cheer.

Merry Christmas reading!

Misty

Blog Stops

Library’s Lady Kid Lit, September 30

Madi’s Musings, September 30

The Avid Reader, October 1

lakesidelivingsite, October 1

Simple Harvest Reads, October 1 (Guest Review from Marilyn)

Melissa’s Bookshelf, October 2

Pens Pages & Pulses, October 2

Inkwell Inspirations, October 2

Devoted To Hope, October 3

Leslie’s Library Escape, October 3

By the Book, October 3

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 4

Devoted Steps, October 4

Texas Book-aholic, October 5

Maureen’s Musings, October 5

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 6

Books You Can Feel Good About, October 6

She Lives To Read, October 7

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, October 7

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 8

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, October 8

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 8

For Him and My Family, October 9

Blogging With Carol, October 9

Vicky Sluiter, October 10

Pause for Tales, October 10

Jeanette’s Thoughts, October 10

Stories By Gina, October 11 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, October 11

Bizwings Blog, October 12

Life on Chickadee Lane, October 12

Cover Lover Book Review, October 12

Holly’s Book Corner, October 13

Blossoms and Blessings, October 13

The Bookish Pilgrim, October 13

Giveaway

To celebrate their tour, Tracie, Karen, and Misty are giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/3d261/on-a-midnight-clear-celebration-tour-giveaway

Monday, October 6, 2025

First Comes Marriage. . .Then Comes Murder by Donna Mumma (The Women of Wynton Book 2)

About the Book

Book: First Comes Marriage. . .Then Comes Murder

Author: Donna Mumma

Genre: Mystery/Christian Fiction

Release Date: September, 2025

Vivien’s Bridal Creations Found at Murder Scenes

Mid-century glam meets murder mayhem in a series of cozy mysteries at Wynton’s Department Store.

It is 1956 in Levi City, Florida. Vivien Sheffield, renowned bridal gown designer and consultant for Wynton’s Department Store, is facing the greatest challenge of her career. Someone has been killing brides who wore one of her custom gowns in their wedding! Vivien’s fellow employees and close friends—Audrey, Mary Jo, and Gigi—and her assistant Mirette spring into action to save Miss Vivien and the young brides of Levy City before the murderer succeeds at destroying Vivien’s business at Wynton’s. . .and her reputation.

Click here to get your copy!

My Review:

The second in a series, it can be read out of order and stand alone. In these pages, I found a trip back in history, to a lovely department store in a small community in the 1950s, and a woman who desperately needs help. Miss Vivian's goal is to make the bride's day as perfect and happy as possible, by being a bridle shop inside the department store. (Yes, things were that way before bridal shops.) But something very sinister is happening. Her brides aren't getting their happily ever afters; they are being murdered, and in their wedding gowns. Who could or would do such a horrific thing? Why would they do that, and how can this be stopped, for Vivian's life is destroyed along with the lives of more women? Beyond that, this book is like stepping into a time capsule for certain areas. Back to a time when certain people weren't treated as equals, and I appreciated Gigi's thoughts as the author wove a way to pull the history of certain areas into the awareness of people today, and see that through a lens of faith and love. This story has realistic situations, pain, lives, fellowship, faith, and community in the midst of calamity and heartache; there is hope, healing, and love.

5 Stars

About the Author

Donna Mumma perfected storytelling in her first grade classroom, spinning tales exciting enough to settle a roomful of antsy six-year-olds. She is an award winning author who loves to blend history, mystery, and a dash of hope in stories that explore ordinary people who learn extraordinary life lessons. Donna is an active member of Word Weavers International, serving as president for the Tampa chapter as well as a mentor for chapters around the country. She was recognized as the Word Weavers traditional groups president and mentor of the year in 2022. She also serves as a line editor and contributor for Inskpirationsonline.com, a site featuring devotions written for writers by writers. An avid believer in education, Donna earned her M. Ed in elementary education and writes educational blogs and articles to assist teachers overseas for the International School Project. A native Floridian, she loves sharing life with her husband and her energetic collie, Duke.

More from Donna

Til death do us part comes sooner than expected in Levy City, Florida. In Vivien Sheffield’s bridal salon at Wynton’s Department Store, the goal-of-the-day is to make her brides happy. But since all brides were not created equal, some days she leaves for home with a smile, while others send her straight to the mirror searching for new gray hairs. It’s the life of a wedding gown designer and bridal consultant. Miss Vivien, along with her dearest friend and assistant, Mirette, are ready for all the surprises that come with helping girls down the aisle to their happily-ever-afters. That is until someone decides to start killing her brides.

It wouldn’t be Wynton’s department store without some sort of drama going around. Miss Vivien’s friends Audrey, Mary Jo, and Gigi are no exception and must work around their own troubles when they jump in to help save Levy City’s brides. Audrey has been promoted and works to find a suitable replacement for her old job as Mr. Wynton’s secretary while her new position takes her back to the heart of the fashion industry, a world she turned her back on. Mary Jo battles to keep her family together amidst trying to honor the needs of her parents and fulfilling her duties as a clerk at Wynton’s. Gigi has been given a golden opportunity to work her way up in the store, but her deep insecurities may ruin her dreams of success. Miss Vivien faces public scorn and distrust. She wonders if the time has come for her to follow society’s rules for women her age and just be a grandmother.

Not ones to bow to trouble, the women of Wynton’s lean on the bonds of their friendship while working together to try and make sense of the strange clues the murderer leaves behind.

Female friendships is a strong foundation for this story. We girls all know when you’ve found your special circle, no matter how large or small, you can count on them to come behind you when life throws you a bouquet of rotten flowers. I’m blessed to have a group of friends I met in college almost forty years ago who have supplied me with wonderful building blocks to use for the ladies of Wynton’s friendship.

Because we’re scattered across the country, we don’t see each other often. So, a few years ago, the organizer of our bunch decided we needed to have a yearly reunion. For a week, we get together to eat, laugh, share life-stories, and love on one another in the special way only dear friends can. We have a motto, “You can’t make old friends.” There is something wonderful about being around the women who knew you when you were young and fresh yet still love you when life has started to trace a roadmap of wrinkles across your cheeks and brow. We’ve been there for each other during the blessed times, and there when life steam-rolled one of us and flattened us on the ground.

There are seven of us, from different backgrounds, countries, races, careers, and opinions. We met when we all lived in an old, non-air-conditioned dorm at the University of Florida, where we laughed, sweat, and helped each other grow up a little. Three of us married guys who also lived in that dorm.

Like my ladies at Wynton’s, we know each other’s warts, and we love past them to the greatness we see in each other. There is something special about long-standing female friendships, where that same mama-bear ferocity we had for our children spills over to those select sisters God brought into our lives. And like Miss Vivien, Audrey, Mary Jo, and Gigi, we will rush in without fear to help us get through the worst of times.

These are the women who help me grow up, shape up, and live up to who God meant for me to be. They are a gift. They are my tribe.

They are my friends. And for that, I’m eternally grateful.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, September 27

Vicky Sluiter, September 27

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 28

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 29

Texas Book-aholic, September 30

Lily’s Corner, October 1

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 2

Lights in a Dark World, October 2

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 3

For Him and My Family, October 4

Sylvan Musings, October 5

Blogging With Carol, October 6

Simple Harvest Reads, October 7 (Guest Review from Donna)

Holly’s Book Corner, October 8

Pause for Tales, October 9

Stories By Gina, October 10 (Author Interview)

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, October 10

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Donna is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon e-Gift card and a print 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://sweepwidget.com/c/92610-liztun9g

Saturday, October 4, 2025

Detecting Conceald Evidence by Dana Mentink (Security Hounds Investigations Book 5)

About the Book

Book: Detecting Concealed Evidence (Security Hounds Investigations Book 5)

Author: Dana Mentink

Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense

Release Date: August 6, 2025

A panicked call sends detective Chase Wolfe and his search-and-rescue bloodhound, Tank, racing right into the path of his neighbor—who’s just barely escaped an abduction. But Pilar Alonso has no idea who’s after her or why. Now she must rely on Chase to keep her safe while they work together to track down the unknown assailants targeting her. Only, their investigation reveals layers of a much more sinister agenda, and danger is rapidly closing in. Drawn into a web of deceit, can they untangle the mystery…before they’re permanently silenced?

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

Click here to get your copy!

My Review:

This fifth book in the series is amazing, and can be read with the series or alone, but you will most assuredly be glad you read it. This book has woven beloved working dogs, romance, mystery, and murder, with suspense and faith all into one captivating package. This could be the strongest book in the series so far, though I wouldn't want to miss any of them. Tank is one amazing bloodhound, and he's easy to care for as a character. Pilar is swept up into a series of wild events when she transports a "boxed plant" that her boss assigned her to handle. Chase was strong and amazing, and how can you not admire a man with faith and a secerity hound? I found the story to be very engaging, well-paced, beautifully balanced, and I enjoyed it a lot.

5 Stars

About the Author

Dana Mentink is a USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author as well as a two-time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, and a Holt Medallion winner. She is the author of over fifty titles in the suspense and lighthearted romance genres. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, Revell and Poisoned Pen Press.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, September 23

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 23

The Avid Reader, September 24

Devoted To Hope, September 24

She Lives To Read, September 25

Blossoms and Blessings, September 25

Betti Mace, September 26

Texas Book-aholic, September 27

Labor Not in Vain , September 27

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 28

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 29

Holly’s Book Corner, September 29

Bizwings Blog, September 30

Life on Chickadee Lane, October 1

Pause for Tales, October 1

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 2

For Him and My Family, October 3

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, October 3

Blogging With Carol, October 4

Simple Harvest Reads, October 5 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Lights in a Dark World, October 5

EmpowerMoms, October 6

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away a $50 Amazon gift card and a 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://sweepwidget.com/c/92607-ugsyewij

Saturday, September 27, 2025

Augmented by Candace Kade (The Hybrid Series Book 3)

About the Book

Book: Augmented

Author: Candace Kade

Genre: YA Science Fiction

Release Date: September 16, 2025

Lee Urban must win to survive.

After being sentenced to the banned list, half of the Asian Federation believes Lee Urban is a ticking time bomb that could end the world as they know it. They’re willing to do anything to erase her existence and silence her voice before she can take a stand.

There’s only one way to fight back: enroll in the Race to the Clouds. Winning the competition would garner global media attention and give Urban the coverage she needs to dismantle the enhancement programs. Unfortunately, it also happens to be the deadliest event of the year.

With less time to train than her rivals, Urban and her team must find a way to best the competition. But as enemies close in, riots erupt, and her homeland teeters on the brink of civil war, one thing is certain— she’s running out of time. Not just for herself, but for every Natural she represents.

Click here to get your copy!

My Review:

This is the final book in this series. It didn't let up or fall short of the mark either. Every major thing that I had questions about from the prior books, this author gave me answers to those. In addition to that, Urban really shines in this final chapter. The transformed lives in this series stick with you. It's fantastic for discussions and pondering the what-ifs and the questions of how we might have reached this place in some form, already in today's world. The action and suspense, while having us so hooked on Urban Lee's journey, are amazing and well worth reading. I feel blessed to have read this series and I can easily recommend it.

5 Stars

About the Author

Candace Kade is a recovering over-achiever who spends her time dreaming up stories typically involving tech, psychology, culture, and/or swords. She’s a certified Krav Maga assistant instructor and loves writing action-packed martial art scenes. A third culture kid, she considers Chengdu and OKC to be her homes.

When she’s not exploring new countries, she enjoys hiking in national parks, moving (again!), teaching her husband Mandarin, and keeping two baby humans alive. She can be bribed with boba tea, fluffy puppies, and breakfast tacos.