The Beastly Duke's Governess by Martha Barwood

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
The Cost of a Duke’s Silence
The Duke of Ashcombe has spent three years as a ghost in his own home, effectively abandoning his children and his ledger in a fit of tragic self-indulgence. Enter Eleanor Finch, a woman who realizes immediately that she isn't just there to mind the nursery; she must knock sense into a man who has functionally resigned from life. While Eleanor manages to wake Marcus from his stupor, the devastation to his estates is nearly absolute, and the narrative stumbles once the local gossip mill begins to churn.
The village women—who apparently have a death wish for the very estate that keeps them solvent—label Eleanor a mistress simply because she has the audacity to be competent with a set of accounts. The "ton" would have a field day with the ensuing mess. Creditors descend and the Duke wavers, making his eventual redemption feel several weeks overdue.
Mrs. Dawson is the worst kind of housekeeper, prioritizing "propriety" over the literal survival of the family, while the creditor Mr. Wellington lacks any real personality beyond manufacturing tension. A simple nondisclosure policy would have saved this household a world of grief. It is a sobering look at how quickly a Great House can fall when the master checks out and the staff stays busy with malicious talk. Marcus eventually finds his spine, but he certainly takes the scenic route to get there.

Racoon Key by Donna M. Cole

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A Gripping Coastal Mystery Across Centuries
This dual-timeline mystery set in Raccoon Key, South Carolina, successfully bridges 1873 and 2023. The story centers on the suspicious death of Bridgette Johansen, whose throat was found slit in 1873. Though the coroner ruled it a suicide, the mechanics of the wound suggest otherwise.
The modern narrative follows Lennon, a marine biologist who discovers a metal box and Bridgette’s diary. This discovery reignites the question of whether Bridgette took her own life or was murdered by one of several suspects, including her husband, the lighthouse keepers, an attendant that disappeared or the Klan who were terrorizing the Charleston area at the time.
The diary serves as the primary catalyst for the plot, offering a perspective that subverts expectations. It is an action-packed read that effectively connects a 150-year-old cold case to the current residents of the Key. The author provides enough clues to keep the reader engaged without making the resolution too obvious.

A Love More Precious Than Gold by Carol Colyer

Surviving the Frontier, One Ego at a Time

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Gabriel begins this journey as the kind of self-absorbed man who likely thinks the wilderness exists solely to provide him with a scenic backdrop. It takes a stagecoach robbery and being left for dead on the trail to finally puncture that ego. Fortunately for him, he’s found by Ava, a woman with significantly more grit than the outlaws currently on his heels.

The story hits its stride as Ava navigates the harsh realities of the frontier, mothering a stuttering boy from the orphan train while nursing Gabriel back to health. There is a refreshing lack of posturing here; the stakes are life and death, particularly as they dodge the men who betrayed Gabriel’s family and now want him silenced.

The action is lean and constant, but the real heart is the shift in Gabriel’s character. Under the pressure of the trail and Ava’s steady, quiet faith, he actually manages to grow up. It’s a sharp, well-paced survival tale that proves a solid partner is worth more than any gold strike.

The Spinster's Stolen Heart, Willenshires, Pippa's Story by Dorothy Sheldon

 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

High Stakes, Low Morals, and One Very Long Flight of Stairs

Pippa’s mother insists on a match with a Marquis whose cruelty is surpassed only by his lack of charm. Pippa refuses. Enter Nate, a wealthy gentleman who offers affection rather than ancestral bragging rights. The conflict peaks when an argument turns physical; Pippa’s mother pushes her daughter down the stairs, leaving her unconscious and the reader wondering if a daughter's dowry is worth a life.

While Pippa remains senseless, the Marquis drops the facade. He interrogates her cousin, William, about the finances. Upon learning the gold isn't guaranteed, he retreats to find easier prey. Nate, meanwhile, proves his mettle by haunting the sickroom three or four times a day, seeking any sign of recovery.

The staircase tumble provides the only genuine spark in a story populated by a mother who values the Peerage over a conscience. Pippa deserves better than her kin, and fortunately, she finds it in a man who needs no lofty prefix to prove his worth. I remain firmly on Pippa's team.

Blaze of Mercy: Back to Work by LAURA LOND

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A Refreshing Lesson in Mercy and Grace
This sequel is just as entertaining as the first installment. The GSF angels remain a highlight, and the new addition from the Judgment Department brings an interesting dynamic to the story. He clearly enjoys his work a bit too much, often leaning into judgment when he should be practicing mercy.
The human characters are well-developed, successfully navigating their paths while learning difficult life lessons. A standout moment involves a woman with two children who chooses to fully forgive a debt; the subsequent blessing of her mute child finding their voice is a powerful, unexpected surprise. The story serves as a sharp reminder that we often forget to apply core teachings to everyday life. It illustrates that kindness and mercy are never wasted and often return to us in ways we can’t imagine.

A Nurse to Heal the Rancher's Heart: A Historical Western Romance Novel (Brides of the Untamed Frontier) Aurora Hanson

 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Outlaw and the Healer

This Western packs a punch. The action hits early and rarely lets up, framing a classic mystery with high stakes.

Nellie is a sharp, capable nurse working under a mentor with one strict rule: keep your distance. That rule stands no chance against Monroe, a man found unconscious with a blank memory and a dangerous aura. As Monroe’s past resurfaces, the town realizes he isn't the hero Nellie deserves.

Watching Monroe grapple with his identity while falling for the woman who saved him creates genuine tension. It is a gritty action-adventure where you root for a happy ending, even as the lead’s history threatens to burn it all down. A great read for anyone who likes romance with a side of gunpowder.

Blaze of Mercy by Laura Lond

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Divine Intervention with a Sharp Edge

Angel Blaze and God’s Secret Force (GSF) deliver a fast-paced run through the "heavenlies" that stays grounded despite the wings. Blaze’s missions to Earth involve various disguises, though his celestial side occasionally slips through—a nice touch that keeps the stakes feeling real. The ongoing conflict with the "dark ones" provides a solid backbone for the action without drifting into melodrama.

Refreshingly, the story skips the easy out of a guaranteed happy ending. It focuses on character growth and spiritual fallout instead of neat bows. The subplot with the twin brother—whose assassination plot backfires into his own kidnapping—is a standout. It’s a sharp, witty reminder that divine intervention is rarely a straight line. Between the action beats, the book keeps its focus on mercy and consequence, balancing heavenly duty with actual human lessons.