Whispers at Painswick Court By Julie Klassen-Historical Romance/Mystery Suspense Review

 

Book Synopsis

Anne Loveday, a surgeon's daughter, is determined to live a single, useful life. To escape her matchmaking stepmother, she accepts an invitation from an old friend to return to Painswick, the place she and her sister spent many happy summers until that last, fateful year.

Soon after arriving, Anne is asked to serve as sick-room nurse to Lady Celia, who forbade her nephew to marry Anne's sister years before. Pushing aside resentments, Anne moves into Painswick Court, a shadowy old house rumored to be haunted. Also in residence are Lady Celia's spinster daughter, her handsome adult nephews, and a secretive new lady's maid. Two local doctors visit regularly as well, one of whom admires Anne while concealing secrets of his own. As an escalating series of mishaps befalls her patient, Anne realizes someone is trying to kill the woman. But who? When Anne finds herself a suspect and her determination to avoid romance challenged, can she discover the real killer--and protect her heart--before it's too late?

Acclaimed Regency author Julie Klassen marries the best of historical romance and mystery in a novel full of English village charm, intrigue, and love.

Book Details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bethany House Publishers
• Genre : Historical Romance/Mystery Suspense
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 2, 2025
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0764244868

• ****I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, NetGalley, book tours, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.****

  
  

My Review

Whispers at Painswick Court blends many genres in one story. Anne Loveday starts work as a nurse for an old, odd, wealthy widow. Soon, strange events make her question what she got into. Anne stands out as a kind, caring soul, true to her role.

Some things you'll find in this novel:

-A grumpy old patient facing danger

-Spoiled adult daughter

-Slow burn romance

-The ghost of King Charles haunting the manor 

-A Murderer on the loose

-Basement dungeons

-Missing big kitchen knife

-Handsome doctors and old friends

-Twists and a shock ending

The story keeps you on edge with fake clues tossed everywhere. It all pulls together by the finish. There was the perfect amount of romance, intrigue, and family drama. You'll enjoy Whispers at Painswick Court if you're a fan of Agatha Christie and Jane Austen.

****Meet Author Julie Klassen****

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. She worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. Three of her novels have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. She has also won the Minnesota Book Award, the Midwest Book Award, and Christian Retailing’s BEST Award. Julie is a graduate of the University of Illinois. She and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Visit www.julieklassen.com and talesfromivyhill.com for more information.

~*~*~*~*Purchase Whispers at Painswick Court ~*~*~*~*

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Beyond The Clouds: Book 3 of Women of Midtown Series By Elizabeth Camden- Historical Fiction Review

 

Book Synopsis

As teenagers, Delia Byrne and Finn Delaney fell in love while flying kites and dreaming of a future together--until betrayal tore them apart. Now, as America enters World War I, Delia works for peace as a paralegal and pacifist. Her values forbid her from supporting the war effort, but she volunteers for a relief organization trying to save millions of lives in famine-stricken Belgium.

Returning to America as a decorated war hero, Finn is eager to get back to the front but is assigned to use his fame to raise funds instead. To his surprise, this mission will bring him face-to-face with Delia, the only woman he ever loved and once hoped to marry. As their shared mission draws them together, old sparks of romance begin to stir--until duty sends them behind enemy lines in occupied Belgium. Will the greatest danger be the conflict raging around them--or the possibility of falling in love again?

Book Details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bethany House Publishers
• Series : Women of Midtown
• Genre :  World War I Historical Fiction
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 20, 2026
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0764241737

• ****I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, NetGalley, book tours, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.****

My Review

The Women of Midtown series has been outstanding. I've read all three books, and each tells a strong story.  Beyond the Clouds is historical fiction from World War 1 in 1917.

Delia Byrne and Finn Delaney met as kids in an orphanage, and in their teens, they fell in love.  A mix-up, hidden truths, and grudges tore them apart. Years pass, and war brings them back together. Delia is working for the CBD, which supplied food supplies to occupied Belgium. Finn is now a celebrated war hero who flew planes over France, was shot down, and was rescued by good Belgian people. Soon, they are working together to raise support and funds for the CBD. It starts rough as Delia still fumed over Finn taking their saved cash for a future kite shop. She refused to forgive him.

The story shares deep emotions for the characters and the readers. Delia starts to forgive, and Finn learns to forgive himself. Both grow stronger and braver than they ever thought, and angst hits hard at times.

I loved this second-chance romance. Elizabeth Camden researched the era's people and events in depth. I highly recommend you read all three books in this series. Each one was so unique and worth every minute of reading. Beyond the Clouds was a fabulous novel to end this series.

****Meet Author Elizabeth Camden****

Elizabeth Camden is best known for her historical novels set in gilded age America featuring clever heroines and richly layered storylines. Before she was a writer, she was an academic librarian at some of the largest and smallest libraries in America, but her favorite is the continually growing library in her own home. Her novels have won the RITA and Christy Award, and she lives in Florida with her husband who graciously tolerates her intimidating stockpile of books.

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                                   Book 1
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  Book 2
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  Book 3

~*~*~*~*Purchase Beyond The Clouds ~*~*~*~*

HERE

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Sonnets and Serpents : A Sweet Young Adult Romantasy (Casters and Crowns Book 2) by Elizabeth Lowham- YA Clean Romantasy Review

 Book Synopsis

A cynical shapeshifter. A hopeful princess. A love they never saw coming.

Silas Bennett grew up in a kingdom where magic-users are persecuted, especially those with the rare ability to transform into animals. After discovering he could shapeshift into a serpent, Silas was nearly killed—only to escape to a neighboring kingdom where he could study and use his magic freely. Now, he is determined to become a professor at the university he calls home, even though he is only nineteen. But first he must distinguish himself in his research field by proving that legendary magic stealers exist.

Princess Eliza, a hopeless romantic inspired by sonnets and their promises of true love, refuses to believe her beloved Henry perished at sea. She will do whatever it takes to find him and bring him home—even if it means traveling to another country and asking for help from a shapeshifting outcast.

With Eliza’s relentless optimism pitted against Silas’s unyielding cynicism, the two enemies can’t seem to have a civil conversation. But when they are unexpectedly bound by a pair of magical bracelets, which can only be unlocked by a kiss of true love, they quickly discover that they’ll have to work together as they navigate different languages, their past prejudices and fears, and a blossoming relationship. When their search for the truth about magic stealers threatens both Silas’s magic and Eliza’s safety, the two must learn to be vulnerable and trust each other’s hearts.

Book Details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Shadow Mountain Publishing
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 7, 2025
• Series:   (Casters and Crowns Book 2) 
• Genre: Romance Fantasy
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1639934359

• ****I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, NetGalley, book tours, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.****

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My Review

Sonnets and Serpents is book two in the Casters and Crowns series. It's a fantasy tale packed with magic and an enemies-to-lovers romance. Crown Princess Eliza stars alongside Silas Bennett, a scholar and snake shapeshifter. They clash in every way because of their differences. Eliza hunts for Henry, the man she calls her true love, and she travels alone to a strange land. Along the way, she bumps into Silas and an adventure begins that they never would have imagined.

I wondered at first if Eliza and Silas could team up because their differences seemed too big. With the author's magic, the bumpy path was woven for them to possibly fall in love.  They faced biases about each other head-on. Eliza seemed like a pampered royal and Silas a monstrous shapeshifter.

I grew to love these two as problems mounted up for them while looking for Henry and trying to find the mystery behind the deaths of professors. I loved the magic bond linking Eliza and Silas, and this set up many humorous and lively interactions between them.

Pick up this clean Romantasy of adventure, magic, loss, hope, and pushing past your old limits. Sonnets and Serpents will deliver a story you'll stay up to read. 

****Meet Author Elizabeth Lowham****

Elizabeth (Liz) Lowham began writing at fifteen years old and never stopped. A lifelong obsession with fairy tales led her to begin her publishing journey with fairy-tale retellings—Beauty Reborn and Astra Remade—before she found her home in no-spice romantasy with Casters and Crowns, which has received a starred review and a national book award, among other accolades. Her own version of happily ever after is happening with her family in Colorado and involves copious amounts of snuggles, chocolate truffles, and cozy books.

Learn more on her personal website

~*~*~*~*Purchase Sonnets and Serpents ~*~*~*~*

HERE:

Hardcover-https://a.co/d/c1PBYu6

Kindle-https://a.co/d/3CIiRzW

The Fault Between Us By Stephanie Landsem-Christian Historical Fiction Review

 Book Synopsis

In this gripping new work of historical fiction from the award-winning author of Code Name Edelweiss, three sisters fight for their lives and for each other amid the danger of a cataclysmic earthquake that rips Yellowstone National Park asunder.

1959. Claire, Bridget, and Frannie Reilly were once as close as sisters can be. Though their mother left when they were young, their loving father raised them with everything they could want. But when Claire marries a handsome cowboy and settles out west, a thousand miles away, the sisters’ strong bond begins to unravel.

Claire struggles to adjust to a life utterly unlike her upbringing, and surprising revelations about her husband’s past make her wonder if she’s made a terrible mistake. With a new baby and a shoestring budget, the last thing she needs is her family’s interference.

Sensing something isn’t right, Bridget takes a temporary nursing assignment in Yellowstone, promising her father she’ll bring Claire home―with or without her husband. When Frannie, the rebellious youngest sister, is sent along in hopes it will corral her behavior, the Reilly sisters reunite on the eve of a seismic event that rips Yellowstone apart, tests their survival, and exposes the ever-widening rift in their relationship.

Based on real events of the 1959 Hebgen Lake earthquake and inspired by true stories, The Fault Between Us is a suspenseful exploration of the bonds of sisterhood, the depths of family drama, and how hidden wounds can only heal when they’re brought into the light.

• Christian historical fiction based on fascinating historical events
• Perfect for fans of Cathy Gohlke or Susan Meissner
• Includes discussion questions for book clubs

Book Details

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DYYM2Q8F
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tyndale Fiction
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 4, 2025
• Genre: Christian Historical Fiction
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8400502057
• ***I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, NetGalley, book tours, and or authors.  A review was not required, and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.****

• 
  

My Review 

I couldn't wait to dive into The Fault Between Us. I've been to Hebgen Lake in Yellowstone National Park, where the 1959 earthquake hit. It's an overwhelming sight. I picked the book up that morning, and by 4 a.m., I'd turned the last page. I couldn't quit reading because it was so compelling. The writing is heartfelt and authentic, and flows so beautifully.

The story is of three sisters whose mother abandoned them, and they were raised by a serious and overprotective father. Each girl carries scars from that, in her own way.  I grew to love them all. I was whisked away and totally absorbed into Claire, Bridget, and Frannie's lives. 

The most heart-stopping moments were during and in the aftermath of the earthquake. The devastation was felt as the tragedies happened. The whole experience was mind-blowing, seeing how many lives were spared when it could have been so much more devastating and so sad for the 28 lives that were lost.

I liked how each sister found themselves in dire straits, but each of their stories was told to show personal growth. I promise that you will be so immersed in this story that you'll not be able to put it down. I left many details out so you can enjoy the story on your own. The Fault Between Us will be one of my favorite reads of 2026. I will absolutely be reading more books from Author Stephanie Landsem.

****Meet Author Stephanie Landsem ****

Stephanie Landsem writes historical fiction for women, about women. Her newest novel, Code Name Edelweiss, is based on a true story: how a lone Jewish lawyer and his band of amateur spies discovered and foiled Hitler's plan to take over Hollywood.

Sign up for Stephanie's newsletter for history, book reviews, faith, cat pics, and a chance to win a book every month. Copy URL into browser: http://eepurl.com/vtYXb or go to StephanieLandsem.com

~*~*~*~*Purchase The Fault Between Us ~*~*~*~*

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