Review: Quicksand, by Gigi Pandian

Book cover in purple and tan, featuring the title, Quicksand, and the author's name, Gigi Pandian. The main image is a hand-drawn village with what looks like a church and multi-storey buildings in an older style. There's also an empty picture frame and an open book with text and illustrations.

Quicksand, by Gigi Pandian (Gargoyle Girl Productions, 2014)

Historian Jaya Jones becomes a pawn in a criminal mastermind’s complex plan to rob the Louvre in Paris—and there’s far more at stake than she’s been told. On the plus side, she’s reunited with her mysterious sort-of-boyfriend Lane Peters for this mad heist.

Quicksand takes Jaya from her San Francisco home to Paris and then to other locations in France as she and Lane try to outwit their enemy and somehow keep from breaking the law.

This is book 3 in the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt series, and it’s a lot of fun with quirky characters and lots of action. Definitely high-stakes physically, professionally, and emotionally for Jaya and Lane, but not the sort of scary to keep a reader up at night. (You might be up late reading just to see what comes next, but that’s a different matter!)

In addition to the Jaya Jones series, multi-award-winning author Gigi Pandian also writes The Accidental Alchemist Mysteries and The Secret Staircase Mysteries.

Visit the Gigi Pandian website for more about the author and her books. Get both a free short mystery and a recipe book by signing up for her author newsletter.

[Review copy from the public library.]


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New Releases in Christian Fiction (April 2026)

April 2026 New Releases

More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website.

Amish Romance:


A Secret Amish Arrangement by Amy Grochowski — After stumbling upon Reuben Bender’s hidden library in the woods, Nan Burkholder strikes a deal with the reclusive Amish farmer. She’ll keep his sanctuary secret if he’ll accompany her to an upcoming wedding to discourage an unwanted suitor. But when a natural disaster hits, their onetime arrangement turns into a partnership to save the community. Soon Nan discovers the courageous heart behind Reuben’s aloof demeanor, and feelings she never expected begin to bloom. But as Reuben withdraws to his isolated world, Nan will have to convince him to forgive his past for a chance at a life together after the storm. (Amish Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Contemporary Romance:


More Than Friends by Denise Hunter — Jenna expected to enjoy visiting her mom, Tyson, and his whole family. She’d expected to feel closer to her deceased father on the island where the foal they’d named years ago now roams the wild salt marshes of Assateague like its ancestors have for hundreds of years. What she didn’t expect was for her feelings for her best friend to change. But she’s always sworn she’d never date a firefighter. Plus, Tyson is fresh off a betrayal. And also, there’s that teensy commitment problem she seems to have. Would she even have the courage to finally give her heart away? And should they really risk their beautiful friendship in the hopes they could someday be something more? (Contemporary Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing)

The Art of Starting Over by Tara Baisden — Nicole Sullivan came to Serenity Crossing, Tennessee, to find herself again. After walking away from a two-year engagement—and a fiancé who loved the version of her that fit his plans—she’s determined to build a life on her own terms. Her new third-grade classroom is the fresh start she’s been praying for. But when her brightest student turns out to be a motherless little girl with sad eyes and matchmaking schemes, Nicole finds herself drawn to the one man who could make her repeat every old mistake: a grieving widower who might only see her as a solution to his daughter’s longing. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Hometown Second Chances by Megan Besing, Tabitha Bouldin, Andrea Christenson, and Rebecca Reed — Sky-diving, sled dogs, Russian photographs, and buried journals add up to 4 novels filled with sweet romance, excitement, and mystery enough to red-line your romantic adventure meter for days. (Contemporary Romance from Two Dogs Publishing)


The Top of the World by Elizabeth Camden — They were perfect together—until powerful forces pulled them apart. Now fate has given them a second chance at the top of the world. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)


Not What We Pictured by Becca Kinzer — McKenna Boston is feeling stuck. She’s spent years growing her photography skills only for her career to hit a wall. She’s ready to move on, and she will, just as soon as she helps her sister’s boyfriend stage the perfect proposal. But when her best laid plans go awry and a handsome stranger accidentally ends up with the heirloom ring, McKenna hops on a flight to retrieve it. Piece of cake, right? Nate Lambert was hoping to enjoy a relaxing summer before starting his new job as a literature professor, but he arrives in Tennessee to discover his mom’s bed and breakfast is struggling and there’s a long list of repairs to be tackled. The last thing he needs is a gorgeous, determined photographer searching for a ring he doesn’t have since the airline lost his luggage somewhere on his route from Nebraska. (Contemporary Romance from Tyndale House)


A Second Chance for a Dancer by Carolyn Miller — Poppy James is on the brink of attaining national fame, just like her friend and fellow dancer Bailey Donovan, when a blast from the past leads to a devastating injury. Jake Guillemette is used to being overshadowed by his NHL-playing younger brother. When a job opportunity leads him to start afresh somewhere new, he never thought he’d run into the person who made him second-guess everything, but who ultimately led him to become a better man. Horrified, Poppy is desperate to keep their past a secret, and it takes some time to learn to trust this different version of the man she’s long loved to loathe. Can Jake win her trust and prove he’s changed? And will Poppy learn to trust God with all her future? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Contemporary Women’s Fiction:


Birds on a Wire by Katie Powner — A troubled teen whose baby Providence is taken by CPS, a mother of three who takes baby Providence in, and a tenuous friendship that leaves the two very different women asking the same impossible question: Who is the best mother for Providence? (Contemporary Women’s Fiction from Kregel Publications)

Dual Timeline/Historical Mystery:


The Lost Story of Via Belle by Melanie Dobson — In 2006, searching for a story to adapt for film, an aspiring screenwriter becomes captivated by a 1940 bestselling classic novel and the mysterious disappearance of the woman who wrote it. (Dual Timeline – Historical Mystery from Tyndale House)

General Contemporary:


Stronger than the Storm by Deena Adams — In Stronger than the Storm, Kevin, a devoted pastor, and Beth, a parenting expert, are blindsided when their teenage daughter runs away and returns home pregnant. As they struggle to hold their family together, a long-buried secret from Beth’s past threatens to destroy all hope of reconciliation. (General Contemporary from Scrivenings Press)

General Historical:


Sani – The German Medic by Aubrey Reiss Taylor — There are two sides to every story. Can he navigate between them? Frederick’s childhood was spent in America, helping care for his ailing grandparents. Now, he has come of age and craves the adventures he missed out on. It begins with a return to his family’s homeland, into the heart of a continent gearing up for war. His new friends say he can’t possibly understand. Can a German army chaplain help bridge the gap? Or does the man’s own past disqualify him from becoming Frederick’s confidant? (General Historical, Independently Published)


Norwegian Nights by Linda Shenton Matchett — The second anniversary of Germany’s occupation of Norway has passed with no end in sight, so Gustav Westgard and his wife are still exiled on Shetland. He’s convinced Oda’s miscarriage would have been prevented back in Norway and decides he must return to his homeland to do whatever possible to rid the country of its invaders. Will he live to see liberation? Grieving the loss of her baby, Oda turns toward her heavenly Father as Gustav retreats inside himself. Rather than try to stop him after she discovers he plans to join the Norwegian resistance, she stows away onboard the ship taking him home. Can she convince him that they are better united in a cause than apart? (Historical Romance from Shortwave Press)

Psychological Suspense:



The Girl Upstairs by Jessica R Patch — She bought this house to save her marriage. Unearthing its secrets might just claim her life. (Psychological Suspense from Love Inspired Trade [Harlequin])

Romantic Suspense:


Witness Safeguard Mission by Carol J Post — When Nicole Woodard and her young sister witness their father’s murder by an unknown assailant, Nicole knows they’re next on the killer’s hit list. Now they must rely on Officer Braydon Feldman and his K-9 partner, Caesar, for protection. The killer will stop at nothing to silence the sisters and keep the crime hidden. But what could their father have been involved in that got him killed? (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Speculative/Fantasy:



Paradise Unfallen by Chuck Richardson — What if Adam and Eve had resisted the serpent? Welcome to Erimea—Earth’s twin world, untouched by original sin. Solis and Livi, the first parents of Erimea, begin their lives in perfect fellowship with God. But their obedience does not end the war. Satan and his legions simply turn their fury upon the new world. As the population of Erimea rises, tensions crack the harmony of paradise. A powerful life-giving resource becomes scarce. Rumors spread. God is silent. And a restless humanity flirts with fear, force, and false gods. To save their descendants from repeating Earth’s tragedy, Solis and Livi must confront deception, division, and the relentless pressure of darkness. Their journey—from innocence to holiness—will determine the future of an unfallen world. (Speculative/Fantasy, Independently Published)

 

Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month:

Hearts Restored by Tara Baisden — She was the one thing he could never blueprint. He was the one man she couldn’t wall out. (Contemporary Romance)

Last to Fall by Lynn H Blackburn — She’s caught in a deadly game. He’s the only one who can help her win. They’ll have to risk everything–including their hearts–to expose the truth before it’s too late. (Romantic Suspense)

Anna of Bethsaida by Susanne Blumer — Anna believed choosing Andrew meant gaining a home. Instead, she finds herself on the dusty roads of Galilee, under the watchful eyes of hostile Pharisees, walking ever closer to miracles that both heal and unsettle. Some journeys test what you believe. Some reshape who you become. Anna’s does both. (Biblical Fiction)

Find Me in the Story by Lisa Jordan — He built walls. She brought sunshine. Something had to give. But trust doesn’t come easy for two people who’ve been hurt. And one misunderstanding could destroy everything—including their chance at love. (Contemporary Romance)

Lifekeeper by Colleen K Snyder — A girl and her dragon face life and death decisions not only for themselves but also for their enemies. (Speculative Fiction/Fantasy)

Jackal by Michael Jack Webb — In a land where the dead speak and ancient gods walk in human skin, Kate Justice confronts a darkness older than civilization. (Supernatural Suspense)


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Podcasts and More Podcasts (Guest Post)

Podcasts and More Podcasts

Broadcast announcer-type microphone in front of multicoloured representation of soundwave bandwidth.
Image by Tumisu from Pixabay

by Steph Beth Nickel

Because I’m eclectically interested, I enjoy a wide variety of podcasts.

Among them…

Writing-Related

The Indie Author Magazine Podcast: Focused on topics of particular interest to self-published authors and those interest in self-publishing.

Writing at the Red House with Kathi Lipp: Kathi and her guests chat on a wide variety of topics of interest to writers.

The Quitcast with Becca Syme: Advice for writers from a Clifton Strengths expert. We’re not all the same—and that means there isn’t only one way to succeed as a writer.

Helping Writers Become Authors with K.M. Weiland: I now watch these episodes on YouTube, each with slides, making them like writers’ workshops.

The Dialogue Doctor with Jeff Elkins: Covering a wide variety of topics of interest to authors for various audiences.

Editing-Related

Your Next Draft with Alice Sudlow: Polishing your manuscript.

The Modern Editor with Tara Whitaker: Tips for the editor’s practical and personal life.

The Editing Podcast with Louise Harnby and Denise Cowle: Tips for editing both fiction and nonfiction, with an emphasis on the business side of editing.

Self-Care (It’s not about spas and getaways to the beach.)

The Next Right Thing with Emily P. Freeman: Insights on how to identify and do the next right thing “in faith, work, and life.”

The Lazy Genius with Kendra Adachi: Author of The Lazy Genius, The Lazy Genius Kitchen, and The Plan shares her unique perspective on how to “be a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don’t”—and only we can decide what truly matters to us.

Grit ’n’ Grace with Cheri Gregory: Wisdom for Christian women who are Highly Sensitive Persons (HSPs). Although this moniker doesn’t apply to me, I enjoy listening to this podcast. Developing empathy for those who don’t perceive the world as we do is such a good thing.

Do I agree with everything these podcasters (and others I listen to) stand for, with everything they say? No. But I do learn much from them.

Plus, I enjoy listening to podcasters and audiobook performers because they keep me, a work-from-home extravert, company.

What podcasts do you listen to and why?


Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography

As an editor, Steph Beth Nickel has the honour of coming alongside writers to help them polish their work. As the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’s memoirs, Steph has been blessed to work with this amazing woman. And as a future self-published author, with the Lord’s help, Steph has taken brave steps toward publication.

If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.

You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.

You can join her Editing Tips Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/418423519384351.

Review: A Fatal Groove, by Olivia Blacke

Book cover features a vinyl record printed with the title "A Fatal Groove, The Record Shop Mysteries." The cover image includes around table with spilled coffee cup and a record partly out of its sleeve, plus a blue flower in a vase. A cat sits on a chair at the table. The background is a rack of record albums.

A Fatal Groove, by Olivia Blacke (St. Martin’s, 2023)

Juni Jessup and her sisters have reopened the family record business, with a trendy coffee bar to draw people in. Before they can grow a steady income stream, the mayor is found dead—poisoned—holding a take-out cup of their coffee.

Rumours travel fast in a small town. With their livelihood—and reputations—on the line, the three sisters determine to find the killer.

A Fatal Groove is book 2 in the Record Shop mysteries (Book 1 is Vinyl Resting Place). The small-town extended family vibe is fun, the tone is light, and I appreciate the puns. It’s an easy read, not intense, and I like the characters.

If the mysteries will stop long enough, Juni needs to decide which side of the love triangle she’s on: with her childhood best friend, or with her ex? It’s only a 3-book series, so I guess book 3, Rhythm and Clues, will include the answer.

Olivia Blacke writes cozy mysteries with quirky characters. As well as the Record Shop Mysteries, her books include the Brooklyn Murder Mysteries and the paranormal Ruby and Cordelia Mysteries.

[Review copy from the public library.]

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New Releases in Christian Fiction (March 2026)

March 2026 New Releases

More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website

Amish Romance:


Feuding with the Amish Farmer by Anne Blackburne — Lida Mae Beiler and Tom Fisher, both feeling betrayed by their parents, find healing, acceptance and forgiveness, while forging a future together. (Amish Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Children’s Middle Grade /Chapter:


The Case of the Duct Tape Disaster by Becca Wierwille — A mess of duct tape. A missing dress. Can Scout and Barnaby bring the dress destroyer to justice? Along with her trusty canine sidekick, Barnaby, Scout is determined to crack the case—before the Camp Gala begins and the culprit gets away with it. (Children’s/Middle Grade, Independently Published)

Contemporary Romance:


Fairest Inn All by Amy R. Anguish — Kari White never planned to rescue a historic inn—or risk her carefully guarded heart. Summoned to coastal Georgia by seven uncles she barely knows, Kari arrives with one goal: fix the failing Apple Inn and leave before old wounds or deeper feelings can surface. But with an aggressive developer closing in, deadlines looming, and the inn’s future hanging in the balance, walking away may cost more than she’s prepared to lose. (Contemporary Romance from Scrivenings Press)


A Father’s Promise by Sandra Ardoin — Nothing has changed for him, but everything has changed between them. Years ago, Paige Matthews left Hidden Veil to escape her love for Sutton Vance and their opposing visions for the future. Now, struggling to relate to her adopted children, she returns to her hometown with the keys to the house she and Sutton always imagined would be theirs. But nothing in life has turned out as Paige expected. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)


The Rancher’s Stolen Past by Tabitha Bouldin — Coming home isn’t easy for cowboy Zane Kingsley—but he’s eager to earn back the trust of the woman he never stopped loving. Single mom Molly Jacobs is still grieving the husband she lost six years ago, and the last person she wants to see is the man she blames for his death. When they’re forced to work together at a summer riding program for kids, Molly can’t help but notice the growing bond between Zane and her young son. Can Zane convince her that he’s a changed man and that he’s worthy of her forgiveness…and her love? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])


The Police Chief’s Instant Family by Mindy Obenhaus — Tumbleweed police chief Daniel Montgomery never understood why Emily Kent walked away from him back when they were high school sweethearts. But when tragedy makes them co-guardians of their siblings’ twin daughters, Emily and Daniel find themselves together again after years apart, facing the unexpected challenges of parenthood. As buried feelings rise to the surface, the spark between them becomes impossible to ignore. With old hurts and past secrets between them, will they ever get a chance at their long-awaited happily-ever-after? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])


The Hidden Key of Brooke Sumner by Susan L. Tuttle — Brooke Sumner has been carefully avoiding Storm Whitlock ever since he betrayed her trust. When he also joins Caspar’s mysterious treasure-hunting group, she steps away to focus on her antique shop and keep herself busy rather than work alongside him. Then Caspar invites her back for one final assignment, and Brooke is torn. Returning to Halstead Manor to help the team she’s been a part of find the second half of a key sounds intriguing. It also means this time, she’d be working with Storm. (Contemporary Romance from Kregel Publications)

Cozy Mystery:


One Rotten Apple by Penny Frost McGinnis — Lyndie Lavender expected apple pie and pumpkins, not murder. With her sister and her aunt’s handsome tenant, she sleuths through Seldom Seen to catch a festival killer. (Cozy Mystery, Independently Published)

General Contemporary:


A Most Peculiar Providence by Angela Hunt — Joshua Donnelly has lived a careful, orderly life in the old house on Church Street, as his mama taught him. Then, on the coldest night of the year, a newborn baby appears in his care with no explanation and no instructions. Only a prayer answered in the most unexpected way. Heather Thomas arrives in Peculiar carrying her own heartbreak, running from mistakes she cannot undo. When her path crosses Josh’s, the two form a fragile, improbable unit built on kindness, faith, and more hope than sense. (General Contemporary from Hunt Haven Press)

Historical Literary:

Chasing the Wind by William Isley — Three young men, James an Epicurean, Freddy an atheist seeking knowledge, and Bart desiring wealth, make a pact in 1972 to meet 25 years later to see how their philosophy of life worked out only to discover that their dreams were not only unfulfilling, but deadly, without God. (Historical Literary, Independently Published)

Historical Romance:


The Blacksmith’s Songbird by Kimberly Burkhardt — Beneath the glow of the gaslight lamps and smoky haze of the Big Blue Saloon, nineteen-year-old Laura Shining feels like a songbird trapped in a cage. She longs for freedom, a life away from the leering eyes of the drunken cowhands and controlling saloon owners. When one of the saloon owner’s simmering jealousy turns violent, Laura must rely on courage, friendship, and the love of a man who has forged his way into her heart, to escape the saloon life. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)


Eyewitness Sketch by Danielle Grandinetti — CHICAGO, Ill., 1931—CHICAGO, Ill., 1931—Gabriella Salatino, an illustrative journalist for the Di Stasio Giornaliste Agency, never planned to return to her island home at the tip of Wisconsin’s Door Peninsula. Nor did she plan to witness a murder. But when her life is threatened, she has no choice but to hide out under the protective care of the man she left behind. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)


Shetland Sunset by Linda Shenton Matchett — Bonded by a cause but an ocean apart, will their love survive a world war? After months in Norway helping his cousins with their fishing business, American Askel Westgard seems trapped when the Germans invade until he has a chance to get back at the Occupiers as part of the Shetlandsgjengen, or Shetland gang, a group of fisherman who transport weapons and equipment from Shetland to Norway under cover of darkness. Unfortunately, the beautiful Norwegian woman he’s just met refuses to join him in safety. Will he ever see her again? (Historical Romance from Shortwave Press)


Listen For the Chickadees by Terri Wangard — John Walsh is a skilled aircraft carrier fighter pilot, but on December 7, 1941, he’s shot down over Pearl Harbor by American sailors. Taken to an aid station, he comes face to face with … Gloria Bloch? His friend Daniel’s cousin? She’s all grown up now and a navy nurse. And she’s gorgeous. Gloria’s thrilled to see John. She’s loved him her whole life. As a nurse aboard the USS Serenity, she follows the combat task force across the Pacific. John comes to the Serenity often because he’s frequently wounded. He’s always pleased to see her, but is she more than just a kid from home? (Historical Romance from Scrivenings Press)


Zenith of Tea by R F Whong — Tomb robber Wang Mijen survived the 1920s with her blade, but her heart remains guarded. When she saves Joseph Cheung, their journey leads from dangerous bandits to a Vancouver teahouse. Can faith and a fight for justice turn a hardened survivor into a woman of hope? (Historical Romance from Vidasym Publishing)

Romantic Suspense:


Unexpected Target by Penny Zeller — What if a random break-in isn’t as random as initially believed? That’s what Oaklee Newbold thinks when a series of forced entries shakes her quiet neighborhood. With seemingly nothing stolen and no obvious motive, the police are stumped. No one is prepared when the perpetrators strike again. Only, this time they aren’t targeting houses—they’re targeting Oaklee. (Romantic Suspense from Maplebrook Publishing)

Suspense:


Special Target by Jerusha Agen — For tough-as-nails Chicago social worker Ashley Sorenson, it’s nothing new to risk her life for hurting children. But Ashley faces a special challenge when Matthew Borden, a sixteen-year-old with Down syndrome, is orphaned. Finding a suitable foster home for the boy becomes the least of her problems when someone starts threatening her and Matthew. (Thriller/Suspense, Independently Published)

Suspense – Police Procedural:



Logan’s Way by Urcelia Teixeira — Logan’s Way is the long-awaited turning point of the Angus Reid Mysteries. What begins as a procedural investigation becomes a dangerous descent into family secrets, small-town corruption, and a system built to quietly erase inconvenient lives. The deeper Angus searches, the higher the cost. Because some truths don’t set you free. This isn’t just another investigation. This is the one that will shake his foundation. (Thriller/Suspense Police Procedural, Independently Published)

 

Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month:

Hadley the Hippo is What She Eats by Kayla E Green — Hadley the Hippo is hungry, and she won’t rest until she finds something to eat. But as she walks through her jungle home, she finds that the snacks in the jungle have an odd effect on her-they change her color! (Children’s Picture Book)

Trading My Way To You by Elle Ann Brown — When a hopeful nurse barters her way toward a new home, the only thing more complicated than the trades is falling for the man she’s not allowed to love. (Contemporary Romance)

Frazzled Moms Play Matchmaker by Stephanie Paige King — Two moms play matchmaker to pair up their cantankerous colleagues only to find out the hard way that love can’t be managed or organized, no matter how hard you try. (General Contemporary)

Sunshine Alley by Gail Kittleson — Sunshine Alley is a sweeping, multi-generational saga set against the historical backdrop of rural Texas, the American home front, and the fractured battlefields of the War in the Pacific. (Historical Romance)

Shadows Over Hotel Grim by Robin Caroll — In the heart of Texarkana at the Texas/Arkansas state line in 1946, the Hotel Grim stands as a beacon of grandeur, but beneath its elegant facade lurks a shadow of fear. The Phantom Murderer, a cunning and elusive serial killer, haunts the areas teenagers like to use as a “lovers’ lane,” preying on unsuspecting victims. (Historical Suspense)

Shield of Fire by A L Evans — When Elizabeth’s supernatural special-ops team joins forces with local law enforcement to dismantle a human trafficking ring, they expect monsters of the mortal kind, but what they uncover is far darker. (Speculative Fiction/Romantic Fantasy)


Review: The Bitter End Birding Society, by Amanda Cox

Book cover in pale pink and yellow with birds perching on a delicate tree branch. Text: The Bitter End Birding Society: a novel, by Amanda Cox

The Bitter End Birding Society, by Amanda Cox (Revell, 2025)

“A forbidden romance, a fractured family, and one woman’s journey to piece it all together.” [from the back cover]

Desperate for a quiet space to recover from a traumatic experience, kindergarten teacher Ana heads to the Tennessee mountains to spend the summer with her great-aunt. Her hopes of getting to know Aunt Cora vanish when she discovers the invitation was actually a request for house-sitting while Cora travels with a friend.

Woven between the chapters of Ana’s experiences with the residents in the old mountain town of Bitter End are chapters of her grandmother’s story. That’s where the forbidden romance and fractured family come in.

This is an immersive, faith-filled novel with relatable (and sometimes quirky) characters who struggle to make sense of the hurts they carry. They stayed with me when I wasn’t reading.

The birding society doesn’t come in until almost halfway through the book, but birders will appreciate the group’s hikes and sightings. This is a group started by a local resident named Marilyn, who Ana’s aunt Cora had warned her to avoid. Naturally, Ana finds herself joining the group of misfits Marilyn has collected—and finds these times in nature to be part of the healing process she’s longed for.

I’ll say that one aspect of the grandmother’s plot bothered me (no spoilers!), but that doesn’t keep me from recommending the book to anyone who wants a reflective, heartfelt, and ultimately feel-good story. Especially to anyone who doesn’t feel like they’re “enough” or like they deserve a second chance.

Favourite line:

But now the spaces between who she was and who she’d like to be looked like opportunities for growth and grace instead of evidence of failure. [p. 301]

The Bitter End Birding Society is Christy-Award-winning author Amanda Cox’s fifth book. Her website tagline describes her fiction as “stories of hope, healing, and home.” For more about the author and her work, or to get a free short story prequel to her first novel, visit amandacoxwrites.com.

[Review copy from the public library.]

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Ever-Changing Seasons (Guest Post)

Yellow crocuses blooming in the snow.
Image by M W from Pixabay

Ever-Changing Seasons

by Steph Beth Nickel

After what, for many, felt like a never-ending winter, spring is just around the corner. In our neck of the woods, the snow is almost gone. We’ve even experienced a rare winter thunderstorm.

In much of the world, we’ve gotten used to the ever-changing seasons. The first blooms poking through the last thin layer of snow. The increasing warmth of the sun—and the lake. The occasional red and orange leaf. The bitter wind and the dancing snowflakes. And around we go again.

The annual seasons are not the only ones we experience, however. (Of course, not all will necessarily apply.) The seasons of life include… Childhood. Youth. Young adulthood. Employment. Courtship and marriage. Parenthood. Middle age. Empty nest. Retirement. “The Golden Years.”

And throughout the seasons… Relationships of all descriptions. Times of health and illness. Changes of address, more for some than others. Travel, across town and/or across the globe. Education, both formal and that which comes with orbiting the sun year after year.

Of course, you could name several others and further expand on those listed about.

With each season come new joys and new challenges.

My hubby retired approximately 11 months ago, nine days after his 70th birthday. Since then, we have slowly but surely been prepping the house to put on the market. Considering the fact that it’s well over a century old, it will take some time to get everything done.

Dave has always wanted to spend his retirement in a new location, experiencing new adventures. And considering three of our adult children (a son and his wife and our daughter) live two provinces over, that was my vote—despite the long, cold winters. <sigh>

And so, that’s what we’re working towards—we think. Only God knows for sure what His plans are for us.

If we remain here, we can relax and enjoy all the renos. Not to mention, the friends we’ve made over the last four decades.

If the new season of our lives includes a move west, we will experience yet more joys and challenges. Making new friends. Finding a new church. Discovering where God would have us serve. Not to mention selling the first home we ever purchased and buying a new one.

Making our way in a community where we will be, at first, virtually unknown isn’t something we’ve experienced in over 40 years. Talk about making first impressions. I wonder if I remember how to do that.

For now… The decluttering is liberating. The packing of at least temporarily unneeded items gives me a tremendous sense of accomplishment. (The pile of boxes in the loft is growing day by day.) And witnessing the renovations take shape is incredible.

Living in the Now with a view toward tomorrow can be a challenge no matter what season we’re in, but it’s something God calls us to throughout the spring, summer, fall, and winter of life.

Let’s embrace the beauty of our season and trust Him with all that are yet to come.


Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography

As an editor, Steph Beth Nickel has the honour of coming alongside writers to help them polish their work. As the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’s memoirs, Steph has been blessed to work with this amazing woman. And as a future self-published author, with the Lord’s help, Steph has taken brave steps toward publication.

If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.

You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.

You can join her Editing Tips Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/418423519384351.

New Releases in Christian Fiction (February 2026)

February 2026 New Releases

More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website

Children’s Middle Grade /Chapter:


The Cowbird’s Truth by Erin Greneaux — What happens when the most dangerous enemy turns out to be yourself? Maya and Everly continue their quest to find the missing Virtue Gems, and this time, their greatest challenge may be each other. When the evil Deceptra offers them surprising help, including a powerful stone, the sisters must decide whether they can trust her. (Children’s/Middle Grade, Independently Published)


Apple Butter Adventure by Jennifer E. Tirrell and Lisa M. Pritchard — Join four preteen cousins as they take their first steps toward becoming the kind of young men and women who can be trusted–brave, responsible, and ready to help–right here in the first book of a brand-new mystery series. (Children’s/Middle Grade, Turtledove Publishing)


The Case of the Midnight Mystery by Becca Wierwille — In this Christian mystery for kids, a girl and her canine sidekick must figure out why strange things keep happening at wilderness camp—in the middle of the night. (Children’s/Middle Grade, Independently Published)

Contemporary Romance:


Mesmerize by Darlene M. Corbett — She gave him up but hope to win him back through stories. Set against the backdrop of Las Vegas, Boston, and Dubai, a dazzling romance comes to life. Can a storyteller win back the love of her life through tales sprinkled with faith and love. (Contemporary Romance from WordCrafts Press)


A Texas Easter Blessing by Mindy Obenhaus — After his marriage fails, single father Ryder Sinclair returns to his hometown with his young son to care for his ailing mother. He’s surprised to run into his teenage crush, Kendall Hunt, whose career as a professional chef has been shaken by scandal. As the two work together to save an Easter event usually hosted by Ryder’s mother, Kendall finds herself longing for this sense of family with Ryder and little Shepard. But when she has a chance to go back to the life she once knew, will she choose the dream she’s spent years chasing…or the new dream that has taken hold of her heart? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])


Hearts on the Fly by Toni Shiloh — Jabari Hall has spent his entire life chasing victory on the 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. What begins as a simple friendship quickly turns into something more. (Contemporary Romance from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])

Historical Biblical:


A Deeper Well by Jill Eileen Smith — In ancient Israel, soon after Nessa is of marriageable age, her father gives her to a wealthy widowed friend, capitalizing on her beauty to bring in the highest bride-price he can find. Nessa is devastated, as she had begged to marry Lavi, who returned her love and saw more in her beyond her appearance. But Nessa’s betrothal leads to Lavi’s departure, compounding her grief, and she can never forget her forbidden first love. (Historical/Biblical from Revell [Baker Publishing Group])

Historical Romance:


Mail-Order Baroness by Misty M. Beller — Five sons of an English duke, all raised in the Rocky Mountains…James Balfour, the charming middle son of an English duke, is determined to prove he’s capable of taking leadership of his family’s Montana ranch as the next deadly winter approaches. With the household stretched to its limits, James crafts a clever plan to hire Rose Prescott—his childhood best friend—and to right an old wrong. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)


Ambush of the Heart by Mary Connealy — As Owen Riley and his fellow Marshals escort Delaney Bridger, her brother, and an escaped prisoner to Fort Russell, a gang of outlaws ambushes them, bringing death and devastation to their party. With their lives on the line and the outlaws in pursuit, Owen directs the rest of his battered group to seek hiding at a remote ranch. After the attack leaves her brother Boone seriously injured, Delaney helps Owen, nursing Boone and a wounded Marshal back to health while danger looms ever closer. Despite the threat at their heels, romance sparks between Owen and Delaney as they fight for survival on their perilous trek to the fort. Can they overcome the obstacles and find a future together? (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])


Undercover Wish by Danielle Grandinetti — CHICAGO, Ill., 1892—Stunt reporter Ali Di Stasio will risk anything to expose the truth and protect her fellow orphans, including rummaging through trash bins and putting herself in the crosshairs of the dangerous elite. After living on the streets, she knows every corner of her city, which means she can stay one step ahead of the cops, the powerful men who’d love to silence her before she can reveal their secrets, and the occasional wealthy bachelor wandering through her alleyways, lost and in danger of being mugged. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)


To Find Where She Belongs by Robin Lee Hatcher — Guilt followed her across an ocean. Grace called her home. Desperate to leave Hooke Manor, Keely Boyle does what she feels she must in order to flee England for America, hoping to make a new life with the help of a man who befriended her years before. But when she arrives at Eden’s Gate, a large cattle ranch in the shadows of the Tetons, it is William Overstreet who offers her a fresh start. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)


Risky Business by Kimberly Keagan — An American heiress. A British barrister with a need for speed. The London social season that changes everything. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)


The Caregiver at Wounded Knee by Debby Lee — Rose Rushing Water, an Oglala Sioux trained back East in nursing, is torn between two brothers–one who seeks to appease the government and one who fights to cling to the old ways at all costs. Tribal policeman Nathaniel Gray Cloud struggles to keep peace on the reservation and support his sister, who is also desperate to hold on to family traditions. Can Rose and Nathaniel find a peace that comes only from God, or will they lose their families and their lives as tensions reach a boiling point at Wounded Knee Creek, South Dakota? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)


Texas Reclaimed by Sherry Shindelar — Cora Scott is determined to hold onto her family’s Texas ranch and provide a stable home for her young half-brother, Charlie, despite the mounting challenges of post-Civil War frontier life. But when a scheming creditor threatens to seize their land, she must accept help from Ben McKenzie, a former Yankee soldier sent by her late brother. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)


Mists Over the Channel Islands by Sarah Sundin — In World War II, Dr. Ivy Picot risks her life to treat men who have escaped from the German forced labor camps in her native Jersey. But when Dutch engineer Gerrit van der Zee sneaks maps of fortifications off the island, it could cost them both everything they love. (Historical Romance from Revell [Baker Publishing Group])


Mining for Love by Candice Sue Patterson — Petite, fierce, and respected by the men who work for her, Daisy Connelly rules her rare watermelon tourmaline mine in Newry, Maine, with an iron will. When profits begin to vanish and the local sheriff refuses to intervene, Daisy realizes someone is stealing from her—and that remaining an unmarried woman may make her an easy target. So she does the unthinkable. Daisy proposes a marriage of convenience to private investigator Samson Gray, hoping a sudden husband will draw the culprit into the open. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

Romantic Suspense:


Deadly Rodeo Threat by Sami A. Abrams — A trail of missing women…leads him right into a killer’s trap. When his twin sister disappears, Navy SEAL Logan Russell’s search for her leads him deep into the woods, where he finds her best friend in the clutches of a masked assailant. Sheriff Isabelle Sinclair is determined to solve Lisa’s mysterious disappearance the night of her last rodeo—and someone will do anything to keep her from digging too deep (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired Suspense [Harlequin])


Deadly Currents by Elizabeth Goddard — Investigative journalist Cressida arrives in Hidden Bay after a worldwide journey to finish her late father’s manuscript on shipwrecks. As she tries to discover the story behind the “ghost ship” Specter’s Bounty, her only lead is a name her father left behind–Evelyn Monroe. As Cressida uncovers more about the ship, she quickly realizes that her research has placed her in the crosshairs of dangerous forces. (Romantic Suspense from Revell [Baker Publishing Group])


Asher by Melanie D. Snitker — Nova Sheridan’s world is shattered when a corporate conference becomes a hunting ground. With two of her colleagues murdered and a mysterious package left in her care, she finds herself in the crosshairs of a ruthless killer. Unsure of who to trust, Nova turns to her old college friend, Asher Durham, a seasoned security specialist. As they navigate a web of deception and danger, Nova and Asher must rely on their wits and each other to survive. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)


A Royal Request by Paige Edwards — A forged signature. A splintering romance. And a stalker who won’t quit until death do they part. Anabelle thought the flowers were from her boyfriend… She was wrong. (Romantic Suspense from Balquidder Books)

Speculative Fiction/Fantasy:



The Restitching of Camille DuLaine by Lindsay A. Franklin — When Emlyn DuLaine accidentally bridges multiple storyworlds, she must untangle their collapsing realities—and rescue her long-lost sister Camille from a storybook trap—before a plan seventeen years in the making shatters the universe for good. (Speculative/Fantasy from Enclave Publishing [Oasis Family Media])

 

Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month:

On Living Stone by Heather Kaufman — An unexpected romance and the gift of two sons, James and John, leave Salome hopeful and resolved to prove herself as a mother. Salome’s dreams are challenged, however, when her sons answer the call to follow Jesus of Nazareth. (Biblical/Historical)

Threads of Grace by Tara Baisden — When a January storm sends her new landlord to her door because of a roof leak, quilt shop owner Melanie Harper has no idea that this quiet, guarded doctor will unravel every careful protection she has spent years stitching around her heart. (Contemporary Romance)

Katie’s Cowboy by Ruth Kyser — Following in his father’s footsteps, C.J. Morgan is an FBI agent. Growing up, that was all he ever wanted to be. But when his grandfather passes away and C.J. returns to Bluecreek Ranch, he’s filled with doubts about his future. Then C.J. meets Katie Jo MacAllister… (Contemporary Romance)

Rebuilding His Trust by Jenna Mindel — Meredith and Jace, who’ve guarded their hearts because of past hurts, find the greatest gift of love. (Contemporary Romance)

The Lies We Trade by Kristine Delano — A high-powered Wall Street career, a beautiful family in a quiet suburban neighborhood―she seems to have everything. Which means she has everything to lose. (Contemporary Suspense)

Through Smoke and Secrets by Rebecca Hemlock — A century-old secret. A relentless enemy. One Locket that was never meant to be found. (Crime Suspense)

Severed Ties by Taylor S. Newport — He’s left the past where it belongs. But then it comes knocking at his door. (Military Suspense)

Where Men Stand by Charlene Amsden — On his first day out of prison, Martin “Kage” Kincaid has to decide if he is going to live up to the Biblical principles he learned, or choose to walk away and let injustice prevail. (Romantic Suspense)

Love on the Frontier Trail by Shannon McNear, Andrea Byrd, Pegg Thomas, Susan F. Craft, Denise Farnsworth, Megan Soja — Journey across the rugged wilds of early America in a sweeping collection of historical romances where danger presses close, faith lights the way, and courage opens the door to unexpected love. (Historical Romance)

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Review: Swan Song, by Edmund Crispin

Book cover featuring tall, older-style buildings and a wide street with bicyclists and a couple old cars. Text: Edmund Crispin, Swan Song.

Swan Song, by Edmund Crispin (Collins Crime Club, 2018; originally published 1947)

An offensive but popular opera singer. A cast who loathes him. And a new director he’s trying to ruin.

Almost everyone would be happy to see Edwin Shorthouse dead—but as the book’s back cover description asks, “Who amongst them has the fiendish ingenuity to kill him in his own locked dressing room?”

The time: post-war England. The town: Oxford. The tone: omniscient and gently old-fashioned, with some complex sentences and rare vocabulary. I read it as a paperback, and an ebook with digital dictionary would have been a plus.

This is one of those books to read slowly and appreciate the atmosphere—and the locked room puzzle. Readers familiar with Wagner’s Die Meistersinger will understand the references, but I didn’t bother to look them up and still followed the story. In places that was tricky, as there’s a full cast of characters and the names would get mixed up in my mind.

Swan Song is actually number 4 in the Gervase Fen series, Mr. Fen being an Oxford professor and amateur sleuth. Goodreads lists eleven books, and there may be more. Edmund Crispin is the pseudonym of composer Robert Bruce Montgomery. For more about his books and music, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmund_Crispin.

[Review copy from the public library.]

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Books I’m Reading (Guest Post)

Image shows one hardcover book (red binding) balanced open on top of two other hardcover books (blue and orange bindings).
Image by Hermann Traub from Pixabay

Books I’m Reading

by Steph Beth Nickel

I’m one of those odd ducks who like to have several books on the go at any one time. Below are some of those I’m actively reading and whether I would recommend you grab a copy.

Nonfiction

Matthew: Pray Like This by Barb Roose

This is a unique six-week study of the Lord’s Prayer and how to use it as a springboard for the reader’s personal prayer times. It is a combo study and workbook, and I would recommend it for those interested in deepening their prayer life. Rather than completing the book in the recommended six weeks, readers may want to take a couple of days on each chapter, making it a twelve-week study.

The Plan: Managing Your Time Like a Lazy Genius by Kendra Adachi

January seems like the perfect time to (re)read this book by the host of the podcast The Lazy Genius, who encourages us to “be a genius about things that matter and lazy about things that don’t.” The Plan is a unique time management book written by a woman for women, taking into account our individuality and encouraging us to make plans based on our personal priorities. This isn’t a cookie cutter approach, and I highly recommend it to women of all ages.

Gazing at God by Sharon Hodde Miller

Immediately after completing this 40-day study, I began again. This book is a follow-up to the author’s earlier work Free of Me. I highly recommend both of these books, which I will be reading once every year or two. I recommend them to those who, while not neglecting or demeaning themselves, want to move from being self-focused to being God-focused.

Fiction

Tailored Realities by Brandon Sanderson

This is a collection of the author’s short pieces. So far, they have all qualified as science fiction rather than fantasy. As is often the case with a collection of writings, it’s likely readers will enjoy some more than others. That’s what I’ve found with this book. Still, there are far more stories that I would recommend than those I wouldn’t. If you enjoy Sanderson’s writing, especially his sci-fi, I encourage you to grab a copy.

The Wild Card by Emma St. Clair

While, of course, I have my favourites, I pick up every book by this author. One of the things I like best about her series is visiting “old friends.” While each book in a series features a different couple, those readers have met before are secondary characters or, at least, make an appearance. The Wild Card is a clean rom-com that takes place in the imaginary town of Sheet Cake, Texas. I suggest reading the other books in the series before picking up this one. I recommend Emma St. Clair’s writing to those who enjoy a lighthearted read, yet one that doesn’t shy away from real-life issues.

Lightshed by Crystal D. Grant

This book is the second in The Gateway Trilogy. The Amazon description of the first book, Shadowcast, reads as follows: “After witnessing the brutal death of his brother at the hands of the Steward Knights, Mason Grey turns to vengeance . . . Seria Gayle longs to be seen as more than the town washerwoman. When she finds an injured [man] in the woods, she welcomes the chance to use her healing skills and hopes it will earn her some respect. But as she nurses the sullen stranger back to health, she discovers he is nothing like the knights she has long admired . . .” This trilogy is a study of good and evil and asks the question, “Is redemption available to one who is blinded by unforgiveness and bent on vengeance, one who can control the minds of his adversaries and is allied with evil?” I look forward to completing Lightshed and then reading the last book of the trilogy, Darkend.

Happy reading, all!


Photo credit: Jaime Mellor Photography

As an editor, Steph Beth Nickel has the honour of coming alongside writers to help them polish their work. As the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’s memoirs, Steph has been blessed to work with this amazing woman. And as a future self-published author, with the Lord’s help, Steph has taken brave steps toward publication.

If you would like more information about her services, you can contact her at stephbethnickelediting@gmail.com.

You’re invited to visit her website: http://stephbethnickeleditor.com/.

You can join her Editing Tips Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/418423519384351.