Review: Elisabeth: Mother of John the Baptist by H.B. Moore

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

About the Book

Her greatest sacrifice became her greatest legacy.

Zacharias has loved Elisabeth all his life. When negotiations are made for their marriage, the childhood friends trust that their future will be bright. But as their story unfolds in their village near Jerusalem, the life they build together is marked by both the joy of love and the sorrows of loss and longing, for as the years pass by, the steadfast couple is never blessed with the thing they desire above all: a child.

Now beyond childbearing years, it seems that the couple’s righteous desire will never be granted—until a divine promise is made, and they learn that their fate will transcend the bounds of age and mortal comprehension. Elisabeth and Zacharias are destined to play a pivotal role in the fulfillment of ancient scripture, and they soon come to understand that God’s plan is far grander than they ever dreamed.

My Review

I read quite a bit of Christmas themed books this time of year, especially rom-coms. This book, however, has become my new favorite Christmas novel! I loved the story of the early years of Zacharias and Elizabeth, bringing the historical figures to life with personality and details from the era. I can always rely on the author for immaculate research and love the way she weaves it into her stories. It is eye opening to realize how different cultures from the past can be from ours, yet there are universal things we have in common like relationships and feelings. 

 

The second part of the book is so special- the visit from an angel to Zacharias in the temple, his affliction of being struck dumb, and the miracle of John's conception. The emotion of Elisabeth and Zacharias through these events is close to the surface and I felt connected to them and their experiences in a way I never have before. Mary's visit to Elisabeth during both of their pregnancies was an incredible part, as she lived and worked quietly with them, and shared with her family her own angelic visitation and miracles. The scriptures and prophecies are intensely studied by Zacharias and his brother, and Mary gleans this important knowledge from them to prepare her for her role in raising the Savior of the world. Elisabeth and Zacharias rejoice that their son will prepare the way for Christ and also take their roles seriously. The days leading up to the birth of Christ are filled with so much anticipation and hope, it made the Christmas season feel so much more powerful and meaningful to me (and brought tears to my eyes in several places!)

 

I highly recommend this book as *the* must-read Christmas book of the year, and for any time following! What a truly enriching and inspiring experience to read this story. 

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

 

Biblical Novels by H.B. Moore

Blog Blitz & Review: The Heart of Bennet Hollow by Joanne Bishof DeWitt

Welcome to the Takeover Blitz for The Heart of Bennet Hollow by Joanne Bischof DeWitt hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Heart of Bennet Hollow 

Author: Joanne Bischof DeWitt 

Publisher: Tyndale 

Release Date: October 7, 2025 

Genre: Christian Historical Romance 

An Appalachian farmer’s daughter and a wealthy businessman find a surprising love but must reckon with what divides them in this retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice by the award-winning author of The Lady and the Lionheart. 

New River, Virginia. 1904. Lizbeth Bennet longs to preserve her family’s farm, securing a future for her and her sisters, a difficult task in their Appalachian coal mining town. Money is scarce, and Lizbeth is determined to find a way without giving up treasured pieces of her family’s legacy. But when the mine is put up for sale, it’s clear change is approaching. A contingent of coal barons descends on the town to investigate whether the mine is worth their investment, among them a young man rumored to be a very rich, eligible bachelor. 

William Drake arrives focused on business and keeping his distance from the townspeople, especially those living on land entangled with the mine, including a farmer by the name of Bennet. As William digs through legal issues, his struggle to weigh the potential financial gain against what is right for the community grows more complicated when he meets one of the Bennet daughters. 

Despite an awkward first meeting, Lizbeth and William continue to cross paths, and soon Lizbeth questions her first impression of the man she believed to be proud and indifferent. But just as their friendship begins to evolve, a revelation shakes Lizbeth’s tenuous trust, and she learns all may not be as it seems. To determine what is true, and step toward a love she’s barely dared dream of, Lizbeth must confront her own prejudices . . . and decide whether the future she’s always imagined is the one her heart truly wants most after all. 

An inspirational historical romance retelling of Pride and Prejudice for fans of Julie Klassen, Sally Britton, and Sarah E. Ladd. A clever, clean love story. Southern historical fiction in the vein of Michelle Shocklee and Pepper Basham. Includes discussion questions for book clubs.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Tyndale Fiction | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Bookshop | BookBub

 

My Review

There are few things I love to read so much as a Pride and Prejudice adaptation! I can be critical of the ones that are more of a retelling that doesn't offer much variation, but this book brought the classic story to the turn of the century deep in Appalachia, with new challenges alongside the universal struggles of our beloved characters. The slight shifts and twists that made this story its own while weaving in parts of the original in fresh ways made it entertaining to read. I was delighted with the portrayal of each member of the Bennet family, and loved how the author stayed true to the original personalities while adding depth and insight into each of them. They are more humble circumstances compared to the original Bennets, but in relation to their neighbors and the coal barons, the relative prosperity matches well enough to Pride and Prejudice. Lizbeth and Jayne are the resourceful, mature sisters that share a close bond, and aware enough to be slightly embarrassed by their family while loving them fiercely as well. 

William and his lawyer Callum are in the remote part of Virginia to determine if the local coal mine and surrounding property is a wise investment. It was fun that his luxurious train car represents his wealth, and the awe of the Bennet sisters when they are invited to tea there. William is confident in his own sphere, but Lizbeth brings out the awkward in him, and his self-mortification causes some miscommunication... thankfully resolved as they become friends. It was fascinating to learn historical details of the era and behind-the-scenes of the coal mine negotiations. I developed an appreciation for both the workers and the owners of the venture that supplied the fuel for energy. William is forward thinking in how to improve the mine productivity and conditions of the workers, including the poor mules who were raised by the Bennets and worked to death down in the mine without seeing sunlight again. The complications of land ownership, rumors and gossip, family interference, and misunderstandings bring conflict to William's relationship with Lizbeth and the Bennets, making the resolution all the sweeter and more satisfying in the end.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Also Available

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About the Author

Christy and Carol Award–winning author Joanne Bischof DeWitt writes romantic fiction that tugs at the reader's heartstrings. Her historical romance The Lady and the Lionheart received an extraordinary 5 Star TOP PICK! from Romantic Times Book Reviews and was the very first independently published novel to win a Christy Award. It has also recently taken to the stage. As a longtime Jane Austen fan, Joanne is often making popcorn with her mom so they can rewatch their favorite adaptions, and as a new wife, she celebrates God's own redemptive love stories. Joanne thanks the Lord daily for bringing along her very own hero who's a perfect balance between Colonel Brandon and Mr. Darcy. Together, they're a blended family and the grateful parents of six teens and young adults, making them huge advocates for conversations, laughter, and large dinner tables.

Connect with Joanne by visiting JoanneBischofDewitt.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of The Heart of Bennet Hollow and a $25 gift card to Amazon, Baker Book House, Christianbook, or Walmart!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight October 22, 2025 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on October 29, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Review: First Love, Second Draft by Becca Kinzer

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

 

About the Book

She’s a romance writer burned out on love. He’s her famous baseball star ex-husband. The last man she wants to be forced to work with is the one who broke her heart.

Rom-com writer Gracie Parker hasn’t written a bestseller since she and her husband, a major league baseball star, divorced five years ago. On thin ice with her publisher—and with a looming deadline—Gracie couldn’t have picked a worse time for a painful injury that has her flat on her back. At this point, she’d accept help from anybody . . . except her first love and ex-husband, Noah Parker.

The baseball season has just ended in massive disappointment for Noah. He’s facing the stark reality that he gave up everything for a career that’s let him down and that it might be too late to get back the one person he should’ve held on to. So when Gracie’s nephew calls, saying Gracie’s looking for a tenant for her next-door rental, it feels like it’s meant to be.

All Gracie cares about is turning in her manuscript on time, which is directly at odds with Noah’s attempts to win her back, even if she is slightly charmed by his kindness. But can people ever really change? Then Noah throws a curveball that could give Gracie the extension she needs, but it will mean working directly with Noah, something she’s not sure she can face. With no other choice, and everything on the line, Gracie must decide if it is too late for a second draft of their own love story.

My Review

I'm proud of myself for trying a new-to-me author since it's so easy for me to stick with what I know. I found in this book so many of the things I enjoy in reading romance. Humor is one of the strongest features- and a variety of humors at that. Quirky, slapstick, sarcastic, subtle... it's all there and balanced well. Chemistry abounds with not just our main characters Gracie and Noah, but also Gracie's nephew Matt with his high school bestie Rachel who set him up with someone else then left town for five years. Even Gracie's abrasive sister Mona has a secret relationship that's softening her edges. Yearning is felt by Noah and Matt as they pine for their lost loves, and struggle to know how to move forward with their relationships. Gracie's injury and writing deadline have her sequestered to her house, which helps Noah's cause as he moves in next door to always be on hand to assist her, even when she claims she doesn't need it. The messy hard parts of their marriage come to the surface layer by layer, and we come to understand why Gracie and Noah came to an end. They have both been grieving in their own way, and their fighting masks how much they really care about each other. Mostly Gracie fighting against her reemerging feelings and attraction, and Noah teasing his way back into her good graces. Overall, it's a rich story exploring life, love, death, regrets, hope, and forgiveness. 

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Review: Rookie Season by Katie Bailey, Leah Brunner

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

 

About the Book

He’s starting his rookie season in the NHL…

Noah Downsby has always had one goal: play professional hockey. Now that he’s finally made it, he’s determined to prove himself. And if he’s going to have the best rookie season in NHL history, he needs zero distractions.

But Noah didn’t plan for Allegra—Ally—Callahan moving in with him.

With her sassy smile, smart mouth, and bad habit of ‘borrowing’ his jerseys—nevermind her stupid cat who won’t stop sleeping in his bed—one thing’s for

Ally is officially a distraction.

…She’s moving across the country to start over.

The rumors say she’s a bad girl, but they’re all lies. Lies that have ruined her reputation.

So when Ally’s offered a fresh start in San Francisco, she packs up her life and brings her baggage out west—emotional and otherwise.

Living in a swanky loft with three NHL players is a world away from college dorms, but at least two of her new roommates treat her like one of the guys.

And then there’s Noah. The grump whose broody glances turn her blood hot. Who makes her feel both safe and sexy…when he’s not icing her out.

As things between Noah and Ally heat up, their walls come down. And suddenly, there’s a whole lot more than his rookie season on the line…

This is a new adult hockey romance with moderate language and frequent innuendo and references to sex. Though the romance is fade to black, there are some heavier themes of a character emotionally healing from a sexual assault (past, off page) that are discussed at length throughout the book. If you are sensitive to these subjects, please use this content warning to make an informed decision before reading this book.

My Review

I am so gone for hockey romances! This book takes young characters from each of the authors' previous books and gives them their own story, connecting two separate series. It can definitely be read as a standalone, but it's fun for readers who know the background. I love the grumpy-sunshine, forced proximity/roommate tropes which Ally and Noah breathed new life into. Their chemistry is strong and their banter is entertaining, and when he warms up to her (and her cat) they become even more adorable. I appreciated that Noah wasn't a player like his two roommates (who were hilarious), and that he and Ally both recognized they found something special in each other. The issues they deal with bring a level of depth to the story, but I didn't necessarily agree with how the sexual assault was handled- it had rom-com movie vibes rather than demonstrating a more healthy and less entertaining method of resolution, which I think does a disservice to readers who may very well deal with the same issue as Ally. I have a hard time when characters or people in real life don't report assault, leaving the perpetrator with no consequences to the action, and enabled to continue the predatory behavior. I'm very aware that there are psychological influences involved in these tough situations, but women need to be empowered rather than modeling the path of least resistance. Even with a first hand witness and physical evidence, Ally doesn't fight back and the resolution in the end celebrates a show of violence as a temporary victory rather than any real penalty since the misdeeds are left in the dark. 

 

I'm glad the authors included a content warning in the description and beginning of the book, as the profanity was much more frequent than their previous books. It made the characters seem immature, overcompensating, or trying too hard to be edgy. I don't mind a smattering, but it was overkill. The F-word was used in a humorous way by the hockey players subbing the word puck, which was cheesy and also way overused. I'm happy to report that the only fade-to-black intimacy was between a married couple.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Review: Love Unbound by Michele Paige Holmes

My rating: 3 stars / I liked it

  

About the Book

Graham Murray Raymond, the Seventh Duke of Warwick, has little care for his title and even less for society. Suspected of murder and known as the Black Duke, for his misdeeds and those of his father, he is intent on spending his lifetime alone, without a wife or children, to ensure he does not continue the family tradition of violence.

Unlike most young ladies her age, twenty-year-old Sophia Claybourne would rather go to university than to the altar, but furthering her education is forbidden, and she is expected to marry well. Sophie does her best to avoid the latter while seeking knowledge wherever she can, walking a constant line with her father, who is determined to use her marriage to his advantage.

When Graham receives a letter from Lady Claybourne, requesting his assistance saving Sophie from marriage to a viscount who is his nemesis and has his own reputation of ill deeds, Graham agrees to help, as it will advance his interests as well. But Sophie has made her own plans, does not care to be rescued, and has a will as strong as his. Graham may have met his match in her and found the one person who can save him from his past.

My Review

This author is one of my favorites, and I was excited to start a new series by her. The premise sounds like one I would enjoy- brooding hero, bluestocking heroine, marriage of convenience... but Sophia and Graham defied the trope norms and made things more complicated than they needed to be. They are both stubborn and prideful, having their own reasons for uniting- or not. Sophia does not want to be used as a pawn in her father's business plans, and Graham does not want her father to be able to unite businesses with his own enemy, and marriage to him would prevent that. So he's not being entirely altruistic by offering to marry her to save her, and Sophia does not want to be used as a pawn by Graham either. Their romance develops slowly due to inner and outer obstacles, and I struggled to enjoy the connection between them. The ending is a bit abrupt, and I  imagine the overarching story involving Sophia's family will be continued in the next book in the series. 

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Book two in the Love Unbound series . . .

 

 

 

Review: The Crime Brûlée Bake Off by Rebecca Connolly

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

About the Book

An unexpected romance. A haunting mystery. Pastries to die for. The Great British Baking Show meets a cozy mystery with a contemporary romance and a Regency-era twist.

Amateur baker Claire Walker is thrilled to be a contestant on Britain’s Battle of the Bakers. She can almost smell the fresh pastries wafting through the air. If she can win the grand prize, she can ditch her teaching job and launch her baking career.

The Viscount of Colburn, Jonathan Ainsley, is the custodian of Blackfirth Park and an eligible bachelor. He reluctantly agrees to allow the cooking competition show to film on his estate, but when a contestant is found dead soon after filming begins, Jonathan is forced to get involved. To make matters worse, the baker’s death stirs up rumors of the legendary death of the tenth Viscountess of Colburn two hundred and fifty years earlier.

Even as suspicion falls on some of the bakers, a decidedly different kind of heat begins to simmer between Claire and Jonathan. If they are to have any hope of a future romance, they must first solve the mystery before the show gets canceled or someone else falls prey to what some believe is the Blackfirth Park ghost.

My Review

I'm a fan of The Great British Baking Show so it was so fun to read this!!! It was easy to imagine the beautiful setting on an English estate and the pressure and drama involved with filming an elimination style show. The murder and subsequent investigation ramps up the tension even more, and I was glad that Claire had Jonathan as a friend and emotional support. Their romance develops naturally, but it definitely takes a backseat to the plot of this cozy mystery that weaves together a historical mystery with the present day crime. I love that Johnny was so protective of Claire and how they worked together as a team. The author doesn't skimp on describing Claire's baking in the contest, and the book includes recipes to try!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Review: An Amish Marriage of Convenience by Rachel J. Good

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

About the Book

When widower Stephen Lapp moves his five children from New York State to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, his only plan is to buy his family’s farm stand, Lapp’s Pastured Pork. That way, his brother can move closer to his fiancée and open his own stand. But on Stephen’s first trip to the market, his brave act of kindness nearly ends in catastrophe—until strong-willed Nettie Hartzler saves him—and makes an impression he can’t forget . . .

A widow with private heartaches of her own, Nettie has no interest in getting involved with any man, though she doesn’t discourage their respective children’s new friendships—despite Stephen’s contentious oldest daughter. But when Nettie runs into serious money worries and Stephen proposes a marriage of convenience, she’s distressed and conflicted. She’s come to know Stephen’s gentle heart and generous soul, and she can’t believe he’ll want her if she reveals the sins of her past. God has His own plans for the faithful, however, and this time they may include a second chance at love . . .

My Review

I wasn't a fan of Nettie from the previous book where she tried to interfere with her brother-in-law Gideon's courting, so it was good to see things from her perspective in this book. She's driven by fear- of the security of her future and providing for her children. I admired that she worked so hard and was such a loving mother, even though she has rough edges for everyone else. Stephen is a bit thick-headed and it takes some effort, as well as aid from local Christian philanthropist Mrs. Vandenberg, for these two wounded souls to come to understand each other. Be sure to read the other books in the series to appreciate the cast of characters and the good they do in the community!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

The Surprised by Love series