Sheila's Books Read

Sheila's bookshelf: read

The Best Intentions
Scotland's Melody
The Secret Society of Salzburg
Secret of the Sonnets
20-40-60-Minute Dinners: Meals to Match the Time You Have
Through the Wilderness: My Journey of Redemption and Healing in the American Wild
Secret Santa Claus Club: A Tool to Help Parents Unwrap the Secret of Santa
Mr. Pudgins
Revenge Never Rests
The Best Mistake
Meriden Park
More Inspirational Stories for Young Women
The Great Tree: A Christmas Fable
To Capture His Heart
The Call of the Sea
Esperance
Livvy and the Enchanted Woodland
Come, Gentle Night
The Bad Boy Theory
Guide To Smart Wedding Planning: What You want to know and everything you haven't thought of yet.


Sheila's favorite books »

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

A Wheelie Awkward Romance: The Love Story of a Girl Who Is Definitely Not Touchy-Feely and a Quadriplegic Guy Who Most Assuredly Is- By Tess Campbell and Corby Campbell Corby Campbell-Review


 Book Synopsis

Witty, wise, and wonderfully real—a love story that challenges expectations and celebrates possibility.

Tess wasn’t searching for love—and she definitely wasn’t looking for a man with a power chair and a penchant for dad jokes. But when Corby’s clever and correctly punctuated dating profile caught her attention, one message turned into two, then twenty, and suddenly, her carefully predictable world was tilted on its axis.

This story is more than a tale of love. It’s a wildly witty, refreshingly honest look at what happens when an intensely logical woman and a quadriplegic man collide online and discover something neither of them expected: a perfect match. It’s a candid, unfiltered glimpse into the beautiful mess of relationships—where doubts meet hope, where disabilities meet abilities, and where humor, patience, and persistence turn awkward encounters into extraordinary memories.

Tess’s sharp sense of humor and unflinching honesty, paired with Corby’s trademark "wheelnote" footnotes make for a story as endearing as it is unpredictable. From evening wheelchair rides to scarf knitting galore, Tess and Corby’s story redefines what it means to find "the one" and reminds us all that love isn’t about perfection—it’s about showing up, being seen, and rolling with whatever comes next.

Book Details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Shadow Mountain
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 3, 2026
  • Genre: Non-Fiction
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1639934693
  • ****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 was genuinely surprised to learn that Tess and Corby’s story is non-fiction; it flows with the emotional depth and pace of a great novel. Their journey is a raw, funny, and at times heart-wrenching look at what happens when two people choose to be messy and vulnerable together.
They met online, and for Tess, this was her first foray into real romance. There is a fascinating contrast in their energy: Corby is naturally outgoing, while Tess is more hesitant, initially even reluctant to use the word "dating." While the book is told primarily from Tess’s perspective, I often found myself wishing I could peek inside Corby’s head to see the world through his eyes, too.
At its heart, this is a story about the courage it takes to be honest. Both characters carry their own weights, Corby lives with a physical disability as a quadriplegic, while Tess navigates sensory issues and the complexities of high-functioning autism. Much of the narrative follows Tess’s internal tug-of-war as she wonders if she’s "ready" for a relationship with Corby. At times, her internal monologue feels judgmental, but it’s an honest reflection of her struggle. Ironically, Corby often seems to find it easier to accept Tess’s challenges than she does his.
The book doesn’t sugarcoat their path; it captures the grueling ups and downs they faced long before marriage was ever on the table. It provides a vivid, clear-eyed picture of what it means to love someone with a disability, but more importantly, it’s a universal love story. It’s about the hard work of getting to know someone, dismantling your own prejudices, and eventually finding that beautiful place of total acceptance.

****Meet Authors Tess and Corby Campbell****


Tess and Corby wrote this book, but writing isn't usually their thing. They are two ordinary people living their lives—Corby having spent the last twenty years in a wheelchair and Tess having dealt with less outwardly obvious struggles. Corby is a software developer and amateur public speaker on topics such as resilience and gratitude; he even does occasional sit-down comedy gigs! Tess juggles creative projects and side jobs and mostly tries to keep their lives from descending into chaos. They have spent years statistically proving that they are evenly matched at strategic board games. They also play video games, construct Lego sets, and host elaborate murder mystery parties. This list probably makes them sound like nerdy teenagers, but they are, in fact, adults—proven by the fact that someone let them have a Costco membership. They own a house in Utah that is haunted by a sprinkler-system poltergeist.



~*~*~*~*Purchase: A Wheelie Awkward Romance ~*~*~*~*

HERE:

Hardcover-https://a.co/d/08HpOEjT

Kindle-https://a.co/d/06SLpNmW

Friday, April 24, 2026

Windvale {Regency Love Stories Book 5} By Karen Historical Romance Review


 Book Synopsis

Sir Henry Ainsley is drowning. Years of debt have piled up, and the only thing keeping him afloat is the need to see his sister secure in marriage. When an unexpected lifeline appears to absolve his debts in return for information on a missing merchant ship, he jumps at the chance—though he thought he’d left such dangerous work behind him. The catch is it comes with attending a house party on the Channel Islands, hosted by Mrs. Alice Seymour. But what’s one more gamble, if it could see his sister safely married before his crumbling facade is revealed?

Alice Seymour has no interest in love. Widowed and painfully reserved, she hosts her yearly matchmaking parties more out of duty than delight; it is far easier to help others find their happily ever after. Yet when the inscrutable Sir Henry arrives, his charm and quiet kindness begin to stir feelings she had long believed were too fanciful to be real. But as secrets from his past surface—and pieces of her own begin to fall into place—she is not certain she wishes to open her heart.

But the truth behind the missing ship might be more dangerous than Henry believed, and the possibility of failure threatens to destroy his future and the fragile trust growing between him and his hostess. As the island’s shadowy dealings come to light, Henry’s options grow limited, and Alice must choose between the comfort of the life she knows... or risk everything for the one man who truly sees her.

Book Details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cedar Fort Publishing and Media
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 1, 2026
  • Genre: Clean Wholesome, Regency Romance
  • Series: Regency Love Stories Book 5
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 146215106X
  • ****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 am a huge fan of Karen Thornell’s books, so I was excited to dive into her newest release, Windvale. It’s the fifth book in her Regency Love Stories series, but don’t let that stop you from picking it up—I never felt lost, and it works perfectly as a standalone story.
The book follows Sir Henry Ainsley, a former spy struggling with debt. He travels to a rugged castle on the Channel Islands for a secret mission: find a missing ship and a pirate in exchange for a fresh start. To keep his mission a secret, he attends a matchmaking house party hosted by Alice Seymour, a reserved widow who is trying her best to run her own estate.
The romance between Henry and Alice is a wonderful "slow-burn." Their connection grows through quiet moments and respect rather than just instant attraction. I also loved the bond between Henry and his sister, Julia; his main goal is to protect her future, which makes him a really easy character to root for.
The setting gives off a bit of a "gothic vibe" with sea breezes and hidden dangers, and the story even includes a "Gentleman Pirate" and a series of puzzles that kept me guessing. It also touches on some deeper personal struggles, which made the characters feel very real.
Overall, Windvale is a must-read if you love a clean Regency romance with a good mystery. Whether you’ve read the whole series or are just jumping in like I did, Henry and Alice’s story is a beautiful reminder that love can be found in the most unexpected places.

****Meet Author Karen Thornell****


Karen Thornell grew up reading when she should have been sleeping, but it wasn't until 2019 that she started writing. Tired of ending books and saying 'goodbye' to beloved characters, she wondered what it would be like to have her own characters that lived in her head always. It was probably a mark of sleep deprivation that she wanted people living in her head, but the idea was planted regardless.

Karen lives in Utah with her husband and kids. When not writing contemporary or regency romance, she spends her free time doing endless loads of laundry, playing board games, and, yes, talking to those characters in her head.

You can connect with Karen on Instagram, Facebook, or on her site at www.karenthornell.com



~*~*~*~*Purchase Windvale ~*~*~*~*

HERE:

Paperback-https://a.co/d/02fBfQty

Kindle-https://a.co/d/05scwvws

Monday, April 20, 2026

A Staged Death: A Lady Libraian Mystery By Samantha Larsen-Historical Mystery Audiobook Review


 Book Synopsis

A cozy historical mystery set in the 18th century—perfect for Bridgerton fans!

1787, Bath. Mrs. Tiffany Lathrop has catalogued the entire library at Astwell Palace and is feeling rather dull when Mr. Thomas Montague invites her and her husband, Samir, to visit Bath. Thomas begs Tiffany to help reconcile his mother, Catharine, the Marchioness of Harwood, on his engagement to the famous actress Miss Rosalyn Arden—a beautiful young woman with bright red curls and eyes of mismatched color.

Eager to see his beloved, Thomas stops at the Theatre Royal with Tiffany, and they discover a dead body wearing a red wig in Rosalyn’s dressing room. The body is that of Miss Julia Shakespeare, Rosalyn’s understudy and the person who has been blackmailing members of the acting company. Not only are the actors behaving suspiciously, but so are Rosalyn’s newly reconciled relatives, who cast her off nine years before when she jilted Sir Frederick Bingham, who then married her younger sister.

If all the world is a stage, then someone acting innocent must be the murderer. Can Tiffany solve the mystery before the final curtain?

Book Details

Listening Length8 hours and 17 minutes
AuthorSamantha Larsen
NarratorMarni Penning
Audible.com Release DateMarch 31, 2026
PublisherDreamscape First
Program TypeAudiobook
VersionUnabridged
LanguageEnglish
ASINB0GCGRPKHW

My Review

The Lady Librarian Mystery series has been such a fun and unique find for me. I just finished the fourth book, A Staged Death, and it was another great installment. I listened to the audiobook version, and the narrator, Mani Penning, does a fabulous job, and it’s a perfect series to listen to.
This one is a historical cozy mystery set in the 1700s. The story follows Tiffany and her husband, Samir, as they head to Bath with their friend Thomas Montague. Poor Thomas has the worst luck with fiancĂ©s, and I was really rooting for his happily ever after this time! He’s engaged to a beautiful actress named Rosalyn, but since his mother (the Marchioness) doesn’t approve, he’s hoping Tiffany can help smooth things over.
Of course, Tiffany has a knack for finding dead bodies. This time, it’s Rosalyn’s understudy who ends up murdered. The plot gets pretty thick with two dead bodies and two innocent people accused of the crimes. I honestly wasn't sure if Tiffany would be able to exonerate them in time! It’s a well-plotted mystery that kept me guessing with plenty of secrets and blackmail. I tried playing armchair detective, but I couldn’t solve it myself. Luckily, Tiffany is on the case, and she knows what she's doing.
What I love most are the characters. The author has created such strong, intelligent women and men, and their relationships feel very modern for the time period. I also really enjoyed Lady Catherine and her young son, Beau; they added some much-needed humor to the story. The book also touches on heavier themes like racism and interracial marriage, which adds a lot of depth.
The setting is honestly gorgeous, too. The author's descriptions of Bath, from the social events to the makeup and hairstyles, make it so easy to visualize the world. I could perfectly imagine Rosalyn with her red curls and mismatched eyes. 
If you like a fast-paced mystery full of family secrets and great historical detail, I definitely recommend this one. It’ll keep you on your toes!
I received an audiobook copy from Dreamscape Media via NetGalley.


****Meet Author Samantha Larsen****



Samantha Larsen has degrees from Brigham Young University, the University of Reading (Berkshire, England), and the University of North Texas. She met her husband in a turkey sandwich line. They live in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she spends most of her time reading, eating popcorn, drinking tea, and chasing her kids. She publishes historical romances under Samantha Hastings. Learn more at www.SamanthaHastings.com


~*~*~*~*Purchase A Staged Death ~*~*~*~*

HERE:

Audiobook: https://a.co/d/0fDN3Id9

Sunday, April 19, 2026

Hearts on the Fly by Toni Shiloh- Contemporary Christian Romance Review


 Book Synopsis

Jabari Hall has spent his entire life chasing victory on ice--but one devastating hit leaves him benched, not just from hockey, but from the future he thought he had. Now, as he struggles with deteriorating eyesight, his well-meaning teammates set him up on a date, hoping it will cheer him up--only the date they choose is none other than Val Elliott, his ex's sister.

Val never expected to be sitting across from Jabari, especially after the way he broke her sister's heart. But when Jabari opens up about his diagnosis, Val's guarded heart softens, and she offers him a listening ear out of compassion. What begins as a simple friendship quickly turns into something more.

As Jabari navigates life off the ice and searches for a new purpose, he's drawn to Val in ways he didn't expect. With her loyalty to her family on the line and Jabari searching for faith and a new purpose, can they make it to the goal together, or will their hearts wind up in the penalty box?

Delve into award-winning author Toni Shiloh's sports romance for fans of Emma St. Clair, Pepper Basham, and Melissa Ferguson.


Book Details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bethany House Publishers
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 3, 2026
  • Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0764245201
  • ****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

Hearts on the Fly
 was my first Toni Shiloh book, but it definitely won’t be the last! It’s a super sweet and clean Christian romance that really hits you in the feels. It has that fun, witty rom-com energy but also dives into some pretty heavy stuff. I loved the "friends-to-more" vibe, especially since dating your ex’s sister is a little forbidden—it kept things really interesting!

The book is about Jabari Hall, a pro hockey player who deals with a massive life change after an injury leaves him legally blind. While he’s trying to figure out his "new normal," a friend accidentally sets him up on a blind date with Val Elliott. The big drama? Val is his ex-girlfriend’s sister, and her family basically hates his guts. Even though it starts off super awkward and they have to keep things a secret, they end up becoming really close friends before falling for each other.
I found the characters so relatable. I felt so bad for Val because she’s a total people pleaser who is always putting everyone else first just to avoid drama with her family. Watching her struggle to set boundaries with them felt so real. Jabari was great, too. It was really moving to see him work through the loss of his career and his sight while trying to find a new purpose in life.
Since this is a Christian romance, there are some big themes of faith. I liked that Jabari’s journey toward God didn't feel forced or preachy; it just felt like a natural part of his life and his friendships. Just a heads-up, though: the story really revolves around religion, so if you aren’t into that, it might be a bit much for you.

The banter was cute, and the romance was super sweet (just kisses!), but I did have some mixed feelings about the ending. Without giving anything away, the way his injury was handled felt a bit like a "miracle" fix. I honestly wish it had stayed a bit more realistic. Also, Val’s family was really hard to read about sometimes because they took advantage of her so much.
Even with those few things, I loved how this book handled disability representation and the whole secret romance vibe. It’s a really uplifting story about second chances and finding hope when things go wrong. Plus, can we talk about the cover? It’s absolutely adorable! If you like sweet, faith-filled stories, give this one a read.


****Meet Author Toni Shiloh****



Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and an award-winning Christian contemporary romance author. She writes to bring God glory and to learn more about His goodness. Her novel, In Search of a Prince, won the first ever, Christy Amplify award. Her novels, Grace Restored, was a 2019 Holt Medallion finalist, Risking Love a 2020 Selah Award finalist, The Truth About Fame a 2021 Holt Medallion finalist, and The Price of Dreams a 2021 Maggie Award finalist.

A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and of the Virginia Chapter, Toni seeks to help readers find authors. She loves connecting with readers and authors alike via social media. You can learn more about her writing at http://tonishiloh.com.





~*~*~*~*Purchase Hearts on the Fly ~*~*~*~*

HERE:

Paperback-https://a.co/d/0fRxhE8b

Kindle-https://a.co/d/0aOiljO8