When You Rescued Me

About the Book

 From best-selling historical romance author Sian Ann Bessey comes romance and suspense in the heart of eighteenth-century London—a story of redemption and forbidden love.

London, 1776

It’s been twelve years since Hannah Dennington looked into the gray eyes of Samuel Ross, their depths as bleak as sadness itself. That childhood memory—the day she accused him of hiding a stolen pocket watch and sent him to appear before Sir John Fielding, the renowned blind London magistrate—still haunts her.

Young Samuel was certain he was bound for the gallows. Instead, the Blind Beak saw a soul worth saving and sent the orphaned pickpocket to serve in the Royal Navy—until a wartime injury returns a grown and changed Samuel to London, and Sir John grants him a trial post as a Bow Street officer. Determined to prove himself, Samuel uses his knowledge of London’s criminal element to apprehend felons.

When highwaymen hold up Hannah’s coach, it is Samuel who comes to her rescue. Almost instantly, he recognizes her as the girl who once betrayed him. But she’s now a woman whose beauty is matched only by her intellect and stubborn independence.

After a series of suspicious fires culminate with a blaze at the London wharf that threatens Hannah’s father’s warehouse, Sir John suspects an arsonist with a vendetta. Drawn into the investigation, Samuel and Hannah must navigate the danger and their unspoken past.

To catch the culprit, they’ll have to trust each other. To claim a future together, they’ll have to risk their hearts. (Goodreads)

Pre-Order HERE. October 6th Release Date!

My Thoughts

The first part of this story had me totally hooked. I loved the characters and was so curious what in the world was going to happen. I loved the initial backstory at the very start of the book. About half way through reading I really struggled with Hannah's character. She is so stiff and seems to change somehow in the second half. The plot drags on just a bit in the second half and I wasn't so invested. I really wanted to be into this story and completely love it but unfortunately it is not my favorite. It very well could have just been the mood I was in at the time but things seemed to veer off at the end and land a little flat. BUT I know many will love this, it just wasn't for me. 

Three Stars. 

"I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley. All opinions are my own."

Falling Into Us

About the Book

She only meant to drop off a letter. She found a family instead.

Gabby Donaldson's late mother left her with one final deliver a letter to her estranged mother. Once Gabby fulfills her mom's deathbed promise, she'll leave behind the grandmother she never knew and return to her carefully constructed life in the city. With a fulfilling career as a jewelry designer, she's convinced she doesn't need roots to feel whole.

But locating Rosemary proves more complicated than expected. And when journalist--and single dad--Mason Morrison offers help in exchange for telling her story, Gabby agrees. The arrangement seems simple he gets the human-interest piece that could be his big break, and she gets to fulfill her mother's final wish.

What neither anticipates is how quickly professional boundaries blur. As Gabby is drawn into Mason's world--and the life he's built with his precocious twelve-year-old daughter--Gibson begins to feel less like a stopover and more like home.

Yet the past has a way of complicating the present. If Gabby uncovers the truth about her family, will it free her to move forward--or make leaving impossible? And when the story is finally written, will she return to the life she planned . . . or risk falling into one she never saw coming?(Goodreads)

Pre-Order HERE.

My Thoughts

I went into this book with pretty high hopes. This story reads very much like a Hallmark movie and it is fairly predictable and at times cheesy. Which I know these types of books are often like that but for some reason this one fell a little flat for me. I didn't ever feel fully invested in the characters and the romance is sweet but at times felt a little artificial. Overall, I didn't love this book and I think it came down to not loving the characters and not feeling invested in finding the grandmother. I know many will love this story but it is just okay for me personally. 

Three Stars. 

"I received a complimentary from NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

Most Anticipated Books Releasing in the Second Half of 2026

Top Ten Tuesday: Most Anticipated Books Releasing in the Second Half of 2026

I have so many highly anticipated books that release later this year! The spring and summer releases this year haven't really appealed to me, but the ones later on I am EXCITED. I look forward to seeing what everyone else is wanting to read. 

Orange is the Color of Goodbye by Christina Suzann Nelson

The Resurrection of Evania James by Jamie Jo Wright

Every Given Day by Cathy Gohlke

Miss Beresford and the Beast by Mimi Matthews

To Educate an Earl by Gabrielle Meyer

In These Hills by Tamera Alexander

The Heiress and the Woodsman by Christine Hill Suntz

Things We Cannot Keep by Amanda Cox

A Marriage by the Sea by Jody Hedlund

Silent Strike by Traci Hunter Abramson

The Eyes of River Review

About the Book

 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 freedom.

But nine-year-old River, sent through the United States Post Office to his 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 finds an unexpected confidant to help her dodge the law and save the missing youngin'. As she finds herself trusting him, she discovers the truth of the old adage her momma And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (Goodreads)

Purchase Here

My Thoughts

I really enjoy books by this author and this one is no exception. She writes with such authenticity and deals with some hard topics. This story isn't necessarily easy to read due to the entire plot point. Lizzy is accused of murder and her brother is sent away to protect him from an abusive father. While not terribly graphic, the author doesn't shy away from tough scenes. So it is difficult read at times but weaved in is a lot of growth and grace. There are some twists and turns that I didn't love and some of the secondary characters act a bit harsh from what I would prefer toward Lizzy but overall I enjoyed this Appalachian novel!

Four Stars. 

"I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."  

Don't Upstage the Body Review

 

About the Book

Hippolyta Halfpenny and her family of professional mourners have perfected the theatrical art of grief. When the reclusive Lord Basil Monfort engages her family's services for his own funeral, she vows it will be her last performance as she's tired of the disguise. Then she discovers the undertaker's body in the library and finds herself cast as an amateur sleuth in an undercover investigation. 

 

Rain washes away the roads, trapping the funeral party at Lord Monfort's estate--with an unidentified killer in their midst. Bound by her father's wishes to maintain their charade, Hippolyta must navigate a web of secrets spanning decades. But sorting truth from deception proves even more difficult when Lord Montfort's charming yet perceptive heir suspects Hippolyta is not all she appears to be. 

 

Concealing her family's true identities while unraveling secrets might be the role of Hippolyta's life, but with a murderer among them, she must unmask the truth before the final curtain falls. 

 

With her Agatha Christie inspired voice, Naomi Stephens pens a 1950s manor house murder mystery where no one is who they seem. (Goodreads)

Purchase Here 

My Thoughts

I started this book with some anticipation but unsure if it would nail the landing with the plot. I am happy to say that I LOVED this book. It takes a couple of chapters to get into it but then it takes off and I was totally invested. The characters made this story shine. Hippolyta is quirky and hilarious and it is a joy to try and sort out the murder mystery with her. Crispin made me smile basically the entire time. The secondary characters are so well written and made the pages just fly by! There is some fun unexpected romance but overall this is just a great mystery read. This might be one of my favorite books I have read this year AND made for a great escape read. I highly recommend!

Five Stars. 

"I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

Bookish Wishes

Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish Wishes 

Oh how the bookish wishes never end. It is a joy to discover new stories. Here are some I have had an eye on for awhile. Have you heard of any of these? I am excited to see what other people are hoping to read! 

The Princess List by Hannah Currie

Falling in Somerset by Jenny B. Jones

Mistletoe and Malice by Lori Dejong

Marrying Miss Milton

What the Silent Say by Emerson Ford

Sky of Seven Colors by Rachell Nelson

Regency & Regicide by J. J. Fischer

The Life She Forgot by Joanna Davidson Politano

Windvale by Karen Thornell

Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson

Books I Can’t Believe I’ve Not Read Twice

 I changed the idea for today's Top Ten Tuesday because usually if I haven't read a book, even a popular one, it is for good reason. I couldn't think of any books I felt like I had missed out on by not reading it yet. 

I like to re-read my favorite or just plain good books. Here are some I can't believe I haven't read twice. 

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery

Yours is the Night by Amanda Dykes

Take A Chance On Me by Susan May Warren-her best series in my opinion. 

The Story Keeper by Lisa Wingate

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

Obsessed by Ted Dekker

The Broken Girls by Simone St. James

The Love Note by Joanna Davidson Politano

The Red Door Inn by Liz Johnson

Not Precisely Mr. Knightley Review

About the Book

Book: Not Precisely Mr. Knightley (The Silver Teapot Series Book Two)

Author: Carolyn Miller

Genre: Romance/Contemporary/Christian Fiction

Release Date: May, 2026

Can the Matchmaker Find True Love?

Emma-Jane (EJ) Bennett and Jordan Knight are longtime best friends who codesigned the immensely successful dating app, Dream Match. Success starts to go to EJ’s head when she gets caught up in the famous and money-hungry social circles and starts dating the son of a TV mogul. But Jordan’s feelings have grown from friendship to more. He determines to protect her by exposing Eric Churchill for the two-timer he is, finally agreeing to attend a function with her at the Sydney Opera House. But his best intentions go awry when EJ is embarrassed and runs for the security of home, small-town roots, and The Silver Teapot Café, feeling like Jane Austen’s chastised Emma—only without her Mr. Knightley.

Don’t miss book 1 in The Silver Teapot series, Not Exactly Mr. Darcy

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Carolyn Miller is an inspirational Regency and contemporary romance author who lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. Together with her husband, she has pastored a church for ten years and worked as a public high school English and Learning and Support teacher.

A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s Regency era, Carolyn holds a BA in English Literature and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives.

 

 

More from Carolyn

Do you know someone who has found love online?

I do. I have numbers of friends and even a family member who have found love and married thanks to dating apps and the like. This newer form of meeting people is something I’ve referenced in several of my books (including Only You Can Love Me), as several of my characters have used an app called Dream Match, a romance matchmaking app for Christian singles around the world. But when I first mentioned Dream Match years ago I didn’t realise at the time that I’d end up writing a story about how the inventor of Dream Match would finally meet her match.

And it seemed perfect to me that Jane Austen’s Emma Woodhouse, known for her matchmaking skills, should be reflected in a modern day context as being the ultimate matchmaker, EJ Bennett, who is responsible for helping hundreds of people find love online. Even if she doesn’t think she needs or wants love for herself.

Playing with Jane Austen’s characters and putting them in a modern setting is a lot of fun. So not only does Emma Woodhouse become EJ Bennett, but George Knightley becomes EJ’s best friend and app co-designer Jordan Knight, the straight shooter she needs. And Frank Churchill, the man Emma starts to fall for, becomes Eric Churchill, son of a TV mogul squillionaire.

The first book in The Silver Teapot series, Not Exactly Mr. Darcy, also played around with some of Austen’s settings, placing the story in a small town in Australia called Wattle Vale. I had fun further developing the Australian connections by setting other key scenes in iconic places like the Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach, which naturally meant I had to visit for “research.”

So I hope readers enjoy this little taste of Australia, and all the fun references to Jane Austen’s Emma. Be sure to check out my website and follow me on social media for more Jane Austen inspiration and fun, and get ready to enjoy Not Precisely Mr. Knightley, a sweet and swoony best friends-to-more romance that shows the path to true love is never smooth – even for the professional matchmaker.

Happy reading!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 28

Book Looks by Lisa, May 28

The Sacred Line, May 29

All-of-a-kind Mom, May 29

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 30

Pause for Tales, May 30

Life on Chickadee Lane, May 31

Stories By Gina, June 1 (Author Interview)

To Everything There Is A Season , June 1

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 2

Texas Book-aholic, June 3

For Him and My Family, June 4

Lyssa Loves Books, June 5

Wishful Endings, June 5

Fruitfully Planted, June 6

Happily Managing a Household of Boys , June 6

Cover Lover Book Review, June 7

Mrs. Ryan Moser’s Book and Movie Reviews, June 7

Melissa’s Bookshelf , June 8

Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 8

Blossoms and Blessings, June 9

Holly’s Book Corner, June 10

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Carolyn is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon e-Gift card and a print copy of the book!!

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

GIVEAWAY

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed the first book in this series. I was excited to dive into this story! I love the premise of the plot and Jordan is an okay character but I just never got to a point of caring about Emma-Jane (EJ). I thought I might warm up to her and that I would enjoy the story unfolding more as the pages turned but this one just fell a little flat for me. I understand her character is supposed to grow and change but I just didn't care for her regardless. I think the overall truth in this book is a good example of how we don't want to act and how the world can suck us in so quickly. There is a message about God being in control and letting Him lead in our lives instead of trying to be in control. I appreciate what the author was going for and there were some chapters that I enjoyed but this just wasn't the book for me. 

Two Stars. 

"I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review." 

The Explorer Bible Dictionary for Kids + Giveaway!

Splash into Scripture this summer! Dive into God’s Word & soak up truth with these Bible resources for curious & creative kids: • Explorer Bible for Kids • Explorer Bible Dictionary for Kids • Scripture Memory Cards

Bring the Bible to life for kids with the award-winning CSB Explorer Bible for Kids & companion products! Explore the (yet) unknown with the NEW dictionary & lock in key truths with these fun, NEW Scripture memory cards! 

GIVEAWAY

 1 GRAND PRIZE giveaway of the Explorer Bible for Kids + Toddler Theology Series Bundle (retail value of approx. $149.99) 

*Giveaway winners must be a US resident. 

Enter the giveaway by filling out THIS FORM by 6/11/2026. 

What all is included!?  2 copies of the Explorer Bible for Kids, 2 Explorer Bible for Kids Dictionaries, Explorer Bible Stickers, an Explorer Bible T-shirt, and the Toddler Theology Series set (6 books in set).

My Thoughts

I LOVE this Explorer Bible Dictionary for Kids! It is truly unique and I could spend hours pouring over it. It might be for kids but it is pretty great for adults too! There are so many charts that are wildly helpful, such as the Judges of Israel. It organizes so many details of the Bible so that you can easily look things up while studying. There is a wonderful picture of the city of Jerusalem that shows you where certain things are located. I am a visual person so being able to see these charts and images are SO helpful in my understanding and also for kiddos! I hope to use this book when teaching Sunday School as well to help them understand certain details. If you have children or teach children in any way, I highly recommend this resource! 

Many thanks to Lifeway Christian Resources for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own. 

#ExplorerBibleDictionaryMIN #explorerbibleforkids #christianstandardbible #EBFK #learningathome #homegrownkids #splashintoscripture #scriptureforsummer

My Favorite Books by My Favorite Authors

Top Ten Tuesday: My Favorite Books by My Favorite Authors

 Well this is an impossible list to narrow down. There are so many wonderful authors and books! I have some other favorite books but they aren't necessarily by my favorite authors. So this list is just from my favorite authors and my favorite book they have written. 

The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond by Jaime Jo Wright. She is an auto buy author and I love every single one of her books. 

A Bound Heart by Laura Frantz-LOVE her books. 

With Every Breath by Elizabeth Camden

A Midnight Dance by Joanna Davidson Politano-So hard to narrow down. Her books are special each in their own way. 

Chateau of Secrets by Melanie Dobson

The Lady and the Lionheart by Joanne Bischof holds a special place in my heart. 

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

The Duke's Bargain by Megan Walker

The Matrimonial Advertisement by Mimi Matthews

Drake Hall by Christina Baehr