Any Girl But You by Dana Hawkins is a meet-cute sapphic romance set during the holiday season in a small town in Minnesota. The story follows Quinn Lee, a New York executive assistant who decides to sink her life savings into her family’s failing Christmas tree farm, and Zoey, a soft-hearted baker who is unprepared for the opinionated Quinn when they encounter one another in Zoey’s shop. As their respective businesses face challenges as the holidays approach, the two women fo

Book Lovers by T.B Markinson and Miranda MacLeod is a sapphic friends-to-lovers romance that started off a little slow but eventually picks up the pacing to a better level. The story is between Bennett, an American librarian who visits Bath for Jane Austen's 250th birthday celebration, and Alice, a British waitress by day, writer by night. The pair meet at the restaurant where Alice works and become close very quickly, spending lots of time together and even striking up a Tra

What’s the difference between editing and proofreading? I’m here to shine a little light on the subject! What is Editing? Merriam-Webster defines the word edit as “to correct, revise, and prepare for publication.” While proofreading technically falls under this definition, the publishing world treats editing and proofreading as distinctly different. Editors work with the text of the manuscript. They help shape the story structure, choose the best sentences and phrases, and co

You may be asking yourself, “What’s the difference between a beta reader and an editor?” Well, I’m here to explain the distinction. What is an Editor? Editors are trained in different aspects of writing. Developmental editors work on the story at the structural level. They help develop story element such as plot, characters, and worldbuilding. Line (or style) editors are primarily concerned with putting words together—in other words, language. They help develop voice, style

Pretend to Be My Cowboy by Sophia Quinn is a sweet/clean romance with Christian undertones. Emma O’Sullivan is a kindergarten teacher who decides to visit the ranch owned by her estranged late father, run by the rugged cowboy foreman Nash Donahue. After a surprising discovery about her father’s and finding out that Nash’s father will aggressively try to get her to sell the ranch to him, Emma joins forces with Nash in a pretend relationship so that he can keep his father at ba

Not a Sparrow Falls by Lynnette Bonner is a historic Christian romance novel. When Charlotte gets her heart broken, she responds to an advertisement for a schoolteacher position in the frontier town of Wyldhaven, but she begins to doubt her decision when she is immediately taken hostage by an outlaw and must be rescued by Sheriff Reagan Callahan. Bonner’s tale of adventure is definitely a page-turner! Chock full of adventure on the open plains of Washington state, the author

Yesterday’s Treasures by Jessie Gussman is a faith-based second-chance romance novel about Lindy, a woman who leaves her workaholic husband Adam after years of neglect. While she doesn’t exactly want a divorce, she moves herself and her teenage daughter from Pennsylvania to their summer house on the shore of Lake Michigan. Does Adam have what it takes to show Lindy how important she is to him? This story is deliberate and thoughtful, making it a nice read. The characters are

Today I tried to read Another Chance by Diane Lil Adams, but unfortunately, I had to put it down at Chapter 3. This story starts off slow, with lots of “getting to know you” dialogue. It was hard to suspend belief that a man who had dedicated his life to the rehabilitation of wayward teens would make so many exceptions to his strict regiment for a woman he had just met and wasn’t his type. It doesn’t sit well that he decides to throw caution into the wind. As for Anna: there

The Cake List by Dianne J. Wilson is a feel-good contemporary Christian romp than will leave you in stitches from laughter. The story features Meg, a woman no the edge of her Big-O birthday with a vow to complete a bucket-list style of obligations before eating her birthday cake, and Dominic, a dance instructor with a list of secrets. This book made me laugh out loud! Wilson has a brilliant writing style that is cheeky and fun, and although the story is set in London and has

Where Does The Term "Beta Reading" Come From? The word “beta” is a term used in software development. “Beta testers” review rough or imperfect versions of the software. They look for problems, flaws, and weaknesses before the official launch. They also look for issues future customers may encounter. Beta readers are the beta testers of the literary world. Beta readers look for problems, flaws, and weaknesses in manuscripts such as plot holes, structural issues, and incorrect

Healing the Mountain Man’s Heart by Misty M. Beller is an action-packed historical romance chock full of Christian themes. Dinah and her sister Naomi travel to meet Jericho Coulter, a man who seemingly placed an advertisement for a mail-order bride, but amid the confusion Dinah, a doctor, saves the life of one of Jericho’s brothers, and the reclusive Jericho must learn to trust the sisters as Dinah must stay and provide medical care for his young brother. What I love about th

Elise’s Journey offers a warm, nostalgic escape for readers looking for gentle romance in a historical setting. It’s an enjoyable start to a