Monday, June 1, 2026

My Thoughts A Wealth Beyond Riches Author: Vickie McDonough

About the Book

Book: A Wealth Beyond Riches

Author: Vickie McDonough

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: May 12, 2026

She’s searching for a place to belong. He’s haunted by the horrors of war. When danger threatens everything they hold dear, they must trust in God’s plan to find their way home.

Sasha Di Carlo has spent her life in her famous actress mother’s shadow, longing for family and roots. When she learns she has an uncle in Indian Territory, she seizes the chance for a new beginning. Upon arriving at her uncle’s ranch, she finds herself drawn to his quiet carpenter, Jim Conners, even as she struggles to embrace her Creek heritage.

Jim Conners came to Indian Territory hoping to escape the nightmares of his time in the Spanish-American War. Working for kind-hearted Dewey Hummingbird has helped heal his spirit, but Dewey’s beautiful niece stirs long-buried feelings. Just as his discovery of his own Native American ancestry offers the opportunity to build a bridge between them, corrupt oil companies target Dewey’s land. As Sasha and Jim work to protect their loved ones and help struggling oil field widows, they discover that true wealth lies not in riches, but in faith, family, and the courage to love.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Vickie McDonough is the CBA, EPCA and Amazon best-selling author of 54 books and novellas. Vickie grew up wanting to marry a rancher, but instead, she married a computer geek who is scared of horses. She now lives out her dreams penning romance stories about ranchers, cowboys, lawmen, and others living in the Old West. Vickie’s books have won numerous awards including the Booksellers Best, OWFI Best Fiction Novel Award, the Inspirational Readers’ Choice awards. When she’s not writing, Vickie enjoys reading, making cards, gardening, and traveling.

More from Vickie

If you read Sooner or Later, you met Jimmy when he was a young boy. He’s now grown and struggling with PTSD after fighting in the war. Oklahoma, at this time, was split in two, with the eastern section being Indian Territory and the western half, the Oklahoma Territory. Jimmy has left his family and taken a job building a house for an older Indian man. But he’s soon in for a big surprise.

My Thoughts

A Wealth Beyond Riches is written by Vickie McDonough. This is a Christian historical romance set in Oklahoma’s Indian Territory in the early 1900s. It is the sixth and final book in the Windswept Weddings series, though it can be enjoyed as a standalone novel. I’ve not read the whole series and had no issues following along.

Sasha Di Carlo has always been in the shadows. Her mother is a famous actress. She finds out she has an uncle that is in Indian Territory. She travels from New York to Oklahoma. I loved the authors description of the scenery. It’s one of the things I love about her. I can close my eyes and envision what is going around me.

Sasha meets Jim Conners, a carpenter and Spanish-American War veteran who is struggling with the emotional scars of his wartime experiences. The Spanish American War is not one that I’m as familiar with but it was refreshing to see it through the lens of Jim’s character. I also love that the author has created flawed, realistic characters.

These two characters have chemistry but have some past baggage they need to heal from. The author has done an amazing job with the reminder of faith and healing I love how she also blended Native American heritage with the story. I felt that I learned a lot from this story.

If you’re a fan of Christian historical romances, with a nice blend of romance and a bit of suspense/mystery this is the book for you. I loved Sasha wanting to find out where she came from.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

Blog Stops

lakesidelivingsite, May 20

Sydney Schmied Books, May 21

Simple Harvest Reads, May 22 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, May 23

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 23

Texas Book-aholic, May 24

Artistic Nobody, May 25 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, May 26

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 27

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, May 28

Guild Master, May 29 (Author Interview)

Books You Can Feel Good About, May 30

Pause for Tales, May 30

Cover Lover Book Review, May 31

Connie’s History Classroom, June 1

Fiction Book Lover, June 2 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Vickie is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/UnDWs/a-wealth-beyond-riches-celebration-tour-giveaway

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

My Thoughts Love Under Construction Author: Linda Shenton Matchett

About the Book

Book: Love Under Construction

Author: Linda Shenton Matchett

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: January 6, 2026

Can two stubborn people tear down the walls of independence to find love?

Nadine Krause took in boarders to help her family climb out of debt after her father’s death. Business has gone well, and she’s earned enough to expand the house. When her brother’s friend agrees to take the job – the only man in town willing to work for a woman – sparks fly. But not the good kind. Or are they?

Looking for something different, Leo Albrecht takes a project working for Nadine Krause, the spunky owner of Cocoaville’s favorite boarding house. An easy job. Then he manages to injure himself and needs her help to finish making it nearly impossible to ignore his growing attraction. Should he break his rule of not mixing work and his personal life?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Linda Shenton Matchettwrites happily-ever-after historical Christian fiction about second chances and women who overcome life’s challenges to be better versions of themselves.

A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry (of Star-Spangled Banner fame) and has lived in historical places all her life. She is a volunteer docent and archivist at the Wright Museum of WWII. She now lives in central New Hampshire where she explores the history of this great state and immerses herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors.

More from Linda

In 2002, my husband and I purchased a 4,000 square-foot “fixer upper” bed and breakfast in New Hampshire. The building had “good bones,” but a bit of deferred maintenance and poorly executed “Harry Homeowner” repairs and updates provided plenty of projects not including a complete overhaul of the kitchen and adding a bathroom. Here are just a few:

Wallpaper that had been applied directly to unpainted drywall (for the uninitiated: this means the wallpaper pulls off the paper facing leaving the gypsum core exposed).
Floral wire used to attach the toilet handle to the flapper in all eight bathrooms which left a pile of floral wire in the bottom of the tanks because that repair was repeated countless times.
A rotted 12X8X8 sill discovered while painting the outside of the house.
Windows that had to be locked to remain closed, and windows that had to be set on “chocks” to remain open.
Floors that sloped because the joists had rotted.
Walls that had rotted behind wallpaper.
Replacing the subfloor in one room that had a 12” round hole that had been carpeted over. Good thing it was near the wall, and a chair had been set over the area.
Discovering a live wire in the basement that had been cut off and stuffed into the wall.

My “favorite” was the pantry that turned out to be propped together. None of the walls or the ceiling were connect/nailed/screwed to anything, so when the shelves were removed, the closet fell in on itself.

We didn’t begin anything new after March because we couldn’t risk getting caught with an unfinished project when season began. Despite the challenges, I loved the historicity of that house, and even though it was much too large for just the two of us after we closed the business, I sometimes miss it. However, not while I’m cleaning!

When I was noodling through possible plotlines for the second book in The Chocolate Chronicles, it didn’t take long for me to realize I could use our experiences for Nadine who operated a boarding house. Add a hunky flannel-shirted (hello Hallmark) hero, and I had the makings of a story. I had fun creating construction problems for the pair as they fought their growing attraction.

My Thoughts

Love Under Construction is written by one of my favorite historical fiction authors Linda Shenton Matchett. This is book two in the Chocolate Chronicles series. This one is set in 1914. The author always does such a wonderful job in bringing history to life.

Nadine Krause runs a successful boarding house. She’s been working on paying off family debt after her father passed. Business is doing so well she has to expand. There’s a problem. No man wants to work for a woman. Except Leo Albrecht. He’s a family friend and agrees to do the job.

Nadine knows some construction. Her father taught her how to read blueprints. She’s also knowledgeable in building techniques. When Leo gets hurt she’s able to step in and help.

Things I loved. This is a time period where women still don’t have a lot of rights. You see this when other builders don’t want to help with the project. She’s strong willed and likeable. Leo is another great character. While they have a history, he wants to help her.

I also loved the slow burn romance. Those are my favorite.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this book all thoughts are my own.

Blog Stops

Leslie’s Library Escape, May 14

Stories By Gina, May 15 (Author Interview)

Fruitfully Planted, May 15

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 16

Life on Chickadee Lane, May 17

Books, Books, & More Books, May 18 (Author Interview)

lakesidelivingsite, May 19

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, May 20 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, May 21

Books Less Travelled, May 22 (Author Interview)

Pause for Tales, May 22

For Him and My Family, May 23

Vicky Sluiter, May 24

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, May 25 (Author Interview)

Connie’s History Classroom, May 26

Holly’s Book Corner, May 27

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Linda is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Visa gift card and a signed copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/qKh62/love-under-construction-celebration-tour-giveaway

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

My Thoughts - Shipwrecked Faith Series: Dawning Sisters #1 Author: Danielle Grandinetti

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Shipwrecked Faith by Danielle Grandinetti, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Shipwrecked Faith
Series: Dawning Sisters #1
Author: Danielle Grandinetti
Publisher: Ashberry Lane
Release Date: May 15, 2026
Genre: Historical Romance

Chicago, October 1929—Kellan O’Roark is running on borrowed time. After handing over his cousin’s incriminating bootlegging ledger to the police, he intends to vanish before the mobster exacts revenge. His destination: the SS Wisconsin, a steamer headed for Milwaukee, upon which he’s secured work despite his fear of the water.

But despite his pressing need for escape, Kellan faces obstacles while leaving Chicago—including one who may break open his heart. Sadie Dawning, desperate to return to her family’s Wisconsin farm and ailing father, escapes a kidnapping attempt at Chicago Union Station when Kellan steps in and offers to smuggle her aboard the Wisconsin. His decision turns nearly fatal when an autumn storm capsizes the ship.

Washed ashore, the pair arrive at Sadie’s family farm to find new storms brewing on land. While Kellan hides his past to continue evading his cousin, Sadie fights for her place among her sisters while the farm battles the beginnings of the Great Depression. Caught between duty, a dangerous past, and a budding love, Kellan and Sadie must rely on their newfound faith in each other and renewed faith in God to weather the growing storm.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | WhiteFire Publishing | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Also Available:

About the Author

Danielle Grandinetti writes award-winning 1930s historical romance filled with mystery, suspense, and hope. She is a second-generation Italian-American rooted in Midwest traditions. Fueled by tea, books, and the creative beauty of nature, her stories explore love and belonging in hard times.

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

MY THOUGHTS

Shipwrecked Faith is book one in the Dawning Sisters series that is written by Danielle Grandinetti. I am an absolute fan of this author and have read just about everything that she has written. She always write such unique characters in such amazing settings.

In this story, we are in 1929 - Chicago. Kellan O’Roark has turned over evidence against his cousin - and he knows that he needs to disappear. He finds new employment a steamer, SS Wisconsin. However, he has such a fear of water. However, he meets Sadie Dawning while she is on her way home to care for her ailing father - and is almost kidnapped at Chicago Union Station. He gets her on board the SS Wisconsin. Things do not go as planned.

Wowza - what a fast paced suspenseful story. I found myself caught up in the story within the first few pages. What is not to love about a story that is set right after the stock market crash, mobsters, bootleggers and so much more. It was amazing to find out this story is based off an actual shipwreck that happened off Lake Michigan. The author has crafted a great start to a new series, which I cannot wait to read.

Thank you to the author, publisher and JustRead Publicity Tours for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a paperback copy of Shipwrecked Faith, paperback journal, and Danielle Grandinetti tote bag!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight May 19, 2026 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on May 26, 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!

My Thoughts- Book: The Schoolmarm and the Miner Author: Denise Farnsworth writing as Denise Weimer

About the Book

Book: The Schoolmarm and the Miner

Author: Denise Farnsworth writing as Denise Weimer

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: May 5, 2026

A teacher seeking independence. A widower guarding his heart. In Georgia’s gold country, the richest prize may be the love they’re afraid to claim.

Adelaide Duncan’s dream of teaching is within reach until her father’s drinking and gambling force her to start over. Taking a position in the rough-and-tumble gold rush town of Dahlonega[DF1] , she’s determined to prove herself. But unruly students, strict rules against [DF2] teachers courting, and her growing feelings for a certain widowed father threaten the independence she’s fought so hard to claim.

Wade Coulter walked away from the law after he lost his wife and unborn son. Raising his daughter alone is safer than letting anyone else in. But Lotty’s beautiful new teacher makes him question everything. Just as he begins to trust again, a dangerous man from Wade’s past threatens both the women he loves.

A gold strike on Wade’s property promises security…but also revives old dangers. Scarred by her father’s choices, Addie fears any man who might put [DF3] selfish desires before love. As deadly threats close in and the past refuses to stay buried, Wade must prove he’s changed or risk losing his chance at happiness forever.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

North Georgia native Denise Farnsworth, formerly Denise Weimer, has authored over twenty traditionally published novels and novellas—historical and contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and time slip. As a freelance editor and Acquisitions & Editorial Liaison for Wild Heart Books, she’s helped other authors reach their publishing dreams. A wife and mother of two adult daughters, Denise always pauses for coffee, chocolate, and old houses.

More from Denise

At the end of book one of my Twenty-Niners of the Georgia Gold Rush series, The Songbird and the Surveyor, the bad guy walked free! Saloon and mine owner Charles Martin’s manipulative plotting and family money spared him from facing justice. Well, we can’t have that…

Wade Coulter, the sheriff whose sister died in a confrontation with Charles, turned in his badge after the man avoided standing trial for kidnapping the wife of Jesse Holden (the hero of book one) and his theft of a local mine owner’s gold. Jesse and Genny left North Georgia for a fresh start, but Wade gets stuck with the burden of failure and—following the deaths of his wife and unborn son—heartache. He’s retreated to his mountain farm with his plucky overall-wearing daughter, Charlotte, determined to keep her safe from the criminals who frequent gold rush boomtowns like the county seat of Dahlonega.

But then a new teacher arrives…one who is also fleeing heartache in hopes of a fresh start. Forced by the mistakes of her drunken father to seek employment in the gold fields rather than at the prestigious girls’ academy from which she just graduated, Adelaide Duncan has no other choice than to make her way in Dahlonega. If that means doing battle with thieves on the square, a pompous school board president, and bullies as big as she is, fine.

The one battle she doesn’t count on is keeping her heart safe from a moody widower who needs convincing by Addie and his aunt, the owner of the boardinghouse where Addie lodges, that his mannerless daughter desperately needs to attend school. It soon enough becomes clear that, despite her guardedness, Lottie longs for a mother’s love. Just when the discovery of gold on Wade’s land allows him to picture a family in his future, an old nemesis shows up with a new scheme…one that once again endangers the women Wade loves.

The Schoolmarm and the Minerpacks humor, romance, action, and all your favorite tropes into a real-life town setting so charming, it’s a Hallmark movie-filming destination. After you read the story, you’ll want to plan a road trip to tour the gold museum in the historic courthouse and the drippy tunnels of the Consolidated Gold Mine, one of many that operated in Lumpkin County from the 1830s through the early 1900s. As you wander the North Georgia mountains, you’ll see why I’ve long felt there’s still plenty of treasure there. And fodder for great stories!

My Thoughts

The Schoolmarm and the Miner is written by Denise Farnsworth writing as Denise Weimer. I dare say that this might be in the top 5 of favorite books that I’ve read this year. The author has crafted such an amazing story of two characters who clearly were destined to be together.

Adelaide Duncan’s dream of teaching is within reach until her father’s drinking and gambling force her to start over. She takes a job in Dahlonega which is a mining town and it’s a world of difference to what she is used too. She has no idea what she is up against. Students are misbehaving and she has to abide by strict rules. Teachers are to remain single.

Wade Coulter is a widower with an adorable little girl, Lotty. Lotty has been used to running free on their land and helping her dad. Her great aunt and uncle offer to keep her in town so she can get an education.

This is during the gold era of Dahlonega. I live in Georgia now and hope to visit Dahlonega and see its rich history. I really loved all the historical detail that the author put in. This book has the perfect blend of romance, suspense and even some danger.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.