A Courtship of Conspiracies {Crown & Cipher Book One} By Marilee Merrell-Regency Romance Review

 

Book Synopsis

A hunt for the truth. A dangerous secret. A love that risks everything.

James Campbell, Earl of Brenton, is an agent of the Crown hunting a killer. Driven by grief and a relentless need for justice, he has followed trails from the country’s darkest corners to the most powerful circles of high society. But after a string of reckless choices, James must prove his steadiness by securing the marriage society expects. It should be a simple matter of duty, until the captivating woman in question proves to have a talent for finding trouble and unsettling his carefully laid plans.

Lady Katherine Sutherland has spent her life balancing society’s rigid expectations with a guarded secret of her own. When a startling discovery draws her into a web of treason, Kate finds herself on a collision course with the very man she is expected to marry, the one man capable of uncovering the truth she has spent years hiding.

As a deadly conspiracy closes in and an unseen enemy tracks their every move, James and Kate must decide what they are willing to risk for the truth, for the Crown, and for each other. In a game of shifting loyalties and precarious alliances, falling in love may be the riskiest move of all.

A Courtship of Conspiracies begins a new Regency spy romance series, full of intrigue, danger, and all the swoon without the spice.

Book Details

• Publisher: ‎ Lanternfall Publishing
• Genre: Regency Romance/Suspense
• Series: Crown and Cipher Book One
• Publication date: ‎ June 14, 2026
• Language: ‎ English
• Print length: ‎ 331 pages
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8996295814

• ****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 haven't stopped thinking about this book since I finished it. This book is responsible for keeping me up way into the wee hours of the morning! A Courtship of Conspiracies by Marilee Merrell is officially one of my favorite reads of the year. I have been following Marilee's bookstagram journey for years, and knowing how many books she has read and reviewed, I knew she would understand exactly what makes a story work. But wow, she completely blew me away with her debut!

What makes this novel so spectacular is that it gives you the absolute best of both worlds. On one hand, you get a swoon-worthy, butterflies-in-your-stomach Regency romance. On the other hand, there is this incredibly gripping, fast-paced spy mystery happening at the same time. Usually, one plotline overshadows the other, but Marilee balanced the romance and the suspense perfectly. I was leaning in for the kisses while simultaneously trying to guess the treasonous plot twists!

And can we talk about the characters?! I completely fell in love with them. The chemistry, the banter, and the depth of their connection felt so incredibly real. I actually ended up highlighting about eight different quotes because the writing is just so stunningly beautiful. I couldn’t fit them all here, but this line alone completely broke me:

"You have become the light I keep finding, even in the shadows."

The romance is clean (kisses only), but the emotional intensity and tension are off the charts. You can feel the protective devotion in every single scene. Another absolute favorite moment of mine describes it perfectly:

"His lips found hers before she could finish, stealing his name from her mouth as he kissed her with aching gentleness, his touch saying I choose you in a hundred different ways."

If you love childhood friends-to-lovers, secret identities, forced proximity, and intelligent characters who can hold their own in a dangerous world, you need to read this immediately. It is the perfect first book to the Crown & Cipher series, and I am already desperate for book two!

---

****Meet Author Marilee Merrell****

Marilee Merrell writes Regency spy romance where the danger is real and the romance is swoony but sweet. A lifelong voracious reader, her fascination with the Regency era began at age thirteen when she borrowed a Georgette Heyer novel from her mother’s bookshelf. Years later, her passion for books led to six years of sharing her favorite reads online. Inspired by her degree in political science and a deep love of history, she finally decided to write the stories running through her head.

When she isn’t brainstorming treasonous spy plots, Marilee can be found running, organizing her life into spreadsheets, or cheering for Team Colin Firth. She has lived in four countries outside the U.S.—Ireland, England, Italy, and Malta—and currently resides in the Midwest with her husband, their five children, and a mischievous English retriever named Bailey.

~*~*~*~*Purchase: A Courtship of Conspiracies ~*~*~*~*

HERE

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

Kindle-https://a.co/d/0dE0iyOv

The Eyes of River By Cindy K. Sproles-Review Blitz

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz 

for The Eyes of River by Cindy K. Sproles, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Eyes of River 

Author: Cindy K. Sproles 

Publisher: Kregel Publications 

Release Date: June 23, 2026 

Genre: Historical Fiction

A heart-wrenching Appalachian novel from a best-selling, award-winning author

In the shadowed hollers of the early-twentieth-century Appalachian Mountains, Lizzy Haney is on the run. She's been falsely accused of murder and is desperate to reunite with her brother, River, whose unforgettable green eyes haunt her. The secret in her past is a stinging wound, but it motivates her toward her goal: freedom. 

But nine-year-old River, sent through the US Post Office to their late mother's friend in Knoxville, never arrived. Lizzy's dream of finding him and starting a new life away from their alcoholic and abusive father is ripped away. 

Her hope rekindles as she happens upon an unexpected friend to help her dodge the law and save the missing youngin'. As she finds herself trusting him, she discovers the accuracy of the old adage her momma repeated: And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

My Review

I just finished The Eyes of River, and it is a story that really sticks with you. It is set in the old Appalachian mountains and follows a young woman named Lizzy who is trying to clear her name of a crime she didn't commit. At the same time, she is desperately searching for her younger brother, River, whom she tried to save from their abusive home but who went missing along the way.

The book definitely deals with some heavy and serious topics, like abuse and betrayal, but I promise it doesn’t leave you feeling depressed. Instead of focusing just on the sad parts, the story is really about Lizzy’s incredible strength and the people who step up to help her. That is where her old classmate, Alton, comes in. He basically saves her by helping her escape and dodge the law, even when she is too guarded to make things easy for him. Watching their bond grow as they look for River is easily the best part of the book.

Cindy K. Sproles has a remarkable talent for capturing the raw, hard-edged beauty of early 20th-century Appalachia, and her novel, The Eyes of River, is a powerful testament to that skill. It is a fast-paced, suspenseful read, but it has a ton of heart. If you love historical fiction with strong characters and a message that leaves you feeling hopeful rather than down, I highly recommend picking this one up. 

---

****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.****

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Kregel Publications | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Bookshop

---

About the Author

Cindy K. Sproles is a speaker and best-selling,award-winning author of several novels, including Mercy's Rain, Liar's Winter, and Coal Black Lies. She is the executive editor for Christian Devotions Ministries and the director of the Asheville Christian Writers Conference. She also mentors and coaches new writers with Write Right Author Mentoring Services. She is an Appalachian-born-and-raised mountain girl who now lives in East Tennessee.

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

---

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of The Eyes of River and a $20 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight June 24, 2026 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on July 1, 2026. 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

---

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

The Stranger I Love By Anneka R. Walker-{Runaway Brides Book 1}-Victorian Romance Review

 Book Synopsis

When both attempt to flee their past, can love’s pursuit catch them?

Estelle Lowry has traded her privileged life for anonymity, running away to become Miss Estelle Lewis—governess and companion. But her carefully laid plans unravel when she discovers a man beaten and left for dead. Defying every rule of propriety, she rescues him, bringing him to safety. A connection sparks between the two strangers, yet his injuries keep his face obscured. Before he fully recovers, she is forced to leave in search of employment—without a name, a past, or any way to find him again.

Six months later, Estelle arrives at Rosemont Manor, determined to guard her heart—and her secrets. But her resolve falters when she finds herself drawn to the last man she should want: the brooding and unpredictable Lord Camden.

Atlas Camden has no time for distractions. Due to his complicated past, he is determined to shoulder his responsibilities and keep his family safe. The arrival of his sister’s new companion sets him at odds with himself. Miss Lewis is as headstrong as she is captivating—and far too often at the center of trouble, drawing both his attention and concern. His mother would be scandalized if she knew he was even entertaining romantic notions about a woman in service, let alone one who is half-Irish. Besides, a man with his history has no right to offer his heart—and even less to hope for one in return.

When secrets are revealed, and trust crumbles, running from their past is no longer an option. Estelle and Atlas must choose between the new paths they’ve forged or the broken history to which they are still bound.

The Stranger I Love is full of longing, redemption, and courageous love. It is the first book in The Runaway Brides series and is a clean Victorian romance without explicit content.

Book Details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 20, 2026
• Genre: Victorian Historical Romance
• Series: Runaway Brides Book 1 
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 351 pages
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8196689123

• ****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 just finished The Stranger I Love, book one in the Runaway Brides series by Anneka R. Walker, and I am still completely charmed by it. Anneka is an incredibly talented author, and she delivers a beautifully layered Victorian romance that completely captured my heart from the very first chapter.

There are so many reasons this story stays with you. The book hits the ground running when Estelle acts as a Good Samaritan to save Atlas, who is a total stranger at the time. Even without knowing each other, a connection is formed between them. This sets off a hilarious tree-climbing cat rescue, a chaotic job interview, and a brilliant double meet-up that's so cute.

The romantic tension between Estelle and Atlas is unmatched. Their playful teasing, little deals, and absolute flirting kept me entirely wanting more and not wanting to stop reading. I loved the lighter, charming moments like the rowboat debacle, which made me laugh out loud; Atlas kindly introducing Estelle to horses, and their late-night snacks debating about which tastes better, jam or cheese on bread.

Beyond the romance, I loved the deep female friendship between Augusta, Atlas's younger sister, and Estelle. It adds so much heart to the story because both young women had waited so long for a best friend in their lives, and they suited each other perfectly.

There was added tension in the story due to Estelle and Atala's supposed class differences, their forced proximity, and Estelle's secret identity. I just wanted the truth to come out quickly, but at the same time, I was worried about the outcome. The slow-burning romance between Estelle and Atlas delivers so many breathless, agonizing "almost kisses" that kept me reading late into the night. Sometimes those moments are the best.

My final thoughts: Anneka handles Atlas's great trauma and his journey toward both physical and emotional healing and eventual redemption with incredible grace. Your heart will ache while watching Atlas and Estelle navigate their complex worlds and truly find comfort in each other. It is the perfect blend of real heart, fun back-and-forth, and amazing chemistry. You will absolutely love it.

****Meet Author Anneka R. Walker****

Anneka R. Walker is a best-selling author of historical and contemporary romance. With humor and an abundance of heart, she crafts uplifting stories you won't soon forget. She is the winner of the Swoony Award, the LDSPMA Praiseworthy Award, and various chapter contests. Her books have received praise from Publishers Weekly, Historical Novel Society, Midwest Book Review, and Readers Favorite. She graduated from Brigham Young University-Idaho with a Bachelor's degree in English and history and hopes to never stop learning. She is a blessed wife, proud mother of five, follower of Jesus, connoisseur of chocolate, and believer in happy endings.

~*~*~*~*Purchase:  The Stranger I Love~*~*~*~*

HERE

Paperback-https://a.co/d/09EIkNYG

Kindle-https://a.co/d/08yNwjKX

Every Beat After by Sara B. Larson-(Proper Romance Contemporary) Review

 Book Synopsis

She’s guarding a borrowed heart. He’s locked his heart away. But the connection igniting between them might become the one thing they can’t live without.

Years after a life-saving heart transplant, Liv Karlsson lives in the fragile space between gratitude and fear—thankful for every heartbeat and afraid of when they might stop. Running her family’s cozy Swedish bakery gives her purpose, but mounting financial pressures and the shadows of her past leave her wondering: Is she truly living . . . or simply existing?

Then Hunter moves in next door. Guarded, cynical, and annoyingly attractive, he’s everything Liv avoids—and he’s also unfortunately her roommate’s cousin. But when he unexpectedly steps in to help Liv save the bakery with a new marketing plan, their reluctant partnership sparks something neither one is prepared for. He pushes her. Challenges her. Sees her. Suddenly, the girl who’s spent years protecting her heart finds it racing for someone who might just understand her better than anyone ever has.

But just as Liv begins to imagine a future worth fighting for, a devastating revelation threatens to unravel everything. Now Liv must face the ultimate test: Will she find the courage to love, or will fear take it all away?

Book Details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Shadow Mountain
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 2, 2026
• Genre: Contemporary Romance
• Series: Proper Romance Contemporary
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1639934774

• ****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 have always loved reading Sara B. Larson's YA fantasy novels, so I was happily surprised to see she had written a contemporary romance. I knew I absolutely had to read it!

Think back to the last time you went on a very fast, extremely high roller coaster. You experience a wild mix of emotions as you go up and down:

• Anticipation: The slow climb to the top builds great tension.
• Fear: Sudden drops, sharp turns, and closing your eyes—even though you know it won’t actually help.
• Joy: The sensation of weightlessness and speed, releasing pure endorphins.
• Regret: Why am I here, and who is responsible for this? (I'm looking at my kids right now!) 😂😂
• Triumph: That post-ride feeling of ultimate satisfaction.

That ride perfectly describes exactly how I felt while reading this fantastic new novel, Every Beat After. My emotions were flying high as I read about the main characters: Liv Karlsson, a heart transplant recipient, and Hunter, a survivor of a horrendous car accident. Hunter moves in next door to Liv and her roommate, who also happens to be his cousin.

What follows is a dance between two very guarded individuals who have been dealt incredibly harsh hands by life. This dynamic between two emotionally dysfunctional people keeps them both on their toes. There are so many plot points I want to tell you, but I refuse to spoil the story! Just know that one minute you are cheering, and the next you are brought to tears. I loved watching Liv and Hunter's incredible journey of healing as they grew closer and navigated their ever-growing feelings for each other.

In the last quarter of the book, a discovery is made that will throw you for a loop. (Remember the roller coaster analogy?) No spoilers here, so you will just have to read it to find out for yourself!

I loved this novel, even with all of its emotional ups and downs. I grew to love so many of the side characters, too, including Liv's wise Swedish grandmother and her incredibly supportive friends. Just like the end of a great roller coaster ride, you will leave this book smiling and extremely satisfied. Author Sara B. Larson truly knows what she is doing, and it shines through in this 5-star book.

****Meet Author Sara B. Larson****

Sara B. Larson is the best-selling and critically acclaimed author of multiple books, including the YA fantasy DEFY trilogy, the DARK BREAKS THE DAWN duology, and the SISTERS OF SHADOW AND LIGHT duology (TorTeen/Macmillan). Her newest YA fantasy A PROMISED VENGEANCE released October 28, 2025. Her adult debut EVERY BEAT AFTER is coming June 2, 2026. She can’t remember a time when she didn’t write books—although she now uses a computer instead of a Little Mermaid notebook. Sara lives in Utah with her husband, their four children, and their dogs, Loki the Maltese and Bindi the English Cream Retriever, where she also runs a commercial preschool. When she’s not mothering, preschooling, or writing, you can often find her at the gym repenting for her sugar addiction. You can find her online at @SaraBLarson on IG and Threads.

~*~*~*~*Purchase Every Beat After ~*~*~*~*

HERE:

Paperback-https://a.co/d/02ShSa6w

Kindle-https://a.co/d/0fwD2Gvi