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. ****

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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

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 Length	8 hours and 17 minutes
Author	Samantha Larsen
Narrator	Marni Penning
Audible.com Release Date	March 31, 2026
Publisher	Dreamscape First
Program Type	Audiobook
Version	Unabridged
Language	English
ASIN	B0GCGRPKHW

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 fiancés, 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

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

Wired For Magic By Janet Roberts-Fantasy/Suspense Thriller Review and Giveaway

 

WIRED FOR MAGIC

by Janet Roberts

March 30 - April 24, 2026 Virtual Book Tour

Book Synopsis:

Rowan Campbell has a stalker. Only her magic can stop him.

Her stalker's obsession goes beyond Rowan's natural beauty: he wants to control the magic she struggles to admit she possesses. More than anything, Rowan longs for normalcy. But the stalker's unlimited resources and unrelenting pursuit force her to accept that leaning into her magic is the only path to a chance to free herself. Angry and desperate, Rowan builds a plan to break free of her pursuer that requires her to come out of hiding, return home to America, and learn to use her inherited abilities. To do so, she'll enlist the help of her white hat hacker brother, Griff, and her aunt, the only living connection to her magic. Before she's ready to face her stalker, Rowan must evade capture, learn about her magical legacy, and accept that she can only prevail if she believes in herself and embraces her power.

Wired For Magic is the fast-paced story of a woman's journey to come to terms with her personal power in a battle for her life, freedom, and the chance to open a path to love.

Book Details:

Genre: Fantasy, Suspense and Thrillers, Women's Fiction
Published by: Porch Swing Publishing, LLC
Publication Date: March 31, 2026
Number of Pages: 336 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780997389692 (ISBN10: 0997389699)
Book Links: Amazon | KindleUnlimited | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub

****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

"Someday you'll realize this is who you were born to be."

The title of this book was the first thing that drew me in, but once I started reading, there was no turning back. Reading 

Wired for Magic

 is like assembling a high-stakes jigsaw puzzle; as the pieces click into place, you become more and more obsessed with the story.

Rowan is running for her life, stalked by a shadow from her past. Guided by her departed mother’s warnings, she seeks out her Aunt Maya to finally master the magic she was born to wield. As she learns the weight of her incredible legacy, the stakes only get higher.

Jarod, the stalker, is relentless in his quest to take Rowan captive. The suspense of their cat-and-mouse game kept me on edge the entire time. I felt every bit of Rowan’s anxiety, constantly questioning who she could trust besides her brother Griffin and her Welsh aunt. To say I was fully invested in Rowan’s quest would be an understatement.

The multiple perspectives made the story easy to follow and gave me a deep look into everyone’s motivations. I absolutely loved the Celtic atmosphere and the non-stop tension as Rowan fought for her power, her freedom, and a chance at love. The ending was incredibly satisfying, yet I’m already desperate to return to this world.

Recommended for fans of high-stakes urban fantasy thrillers and readers who love a strong female lead discovering her power while outsmarting a relentless villain.

Read An Excerpt From WIRED FOR MAGIC:

 

 

Meet Author Janet Roberts :

Janet Roberts is a former global leader in cybersecurity education. Her books are set wholly or partially in Western PA, where her roots run deep. Her readers know to expect a female character who awakens to the discovery of her own inner strength while facing adversity. Wired For Magic (2026), her first fantasy thriller, combines a strong woman, magical realism, suspense, and elements of cybersecurity. She’s also the author of the award winning novel, What Lies We Keep (2024). A member of Women’s Fiction Writers Association and Sisters in Crime, she lives in Pittsburgh and loves travel, wandering through bookstores, reading on her porch swing, and sharing a bottle of wine with friends.

Catch Up With Janet Roberts:

www.booksbyjanetroberts.com
Let’s start with coffee, Substack
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads
BookBub - @JanetRoberts
Instagram - @janetroberts77
Threads - @janetroberts77
Pinterest - @janetroberts12
Bluesky - @janetwrites.bsky.social
Facebook - @Janet_Roberts

 

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