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Last Chance for January Giveaway & New Review

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If you love to read historical romance and are always on the hunt for new books in your favorite time periods, then we have lots in common. Last week, I experienced the joy of discovering a new-to-me author. Megan Soja has an amazing series, Harbour of Spies. I thoroughly enjoyed Book One, Spark of the Revolution, and Books Two and Three are in my TBR pile.

Review: New author to me, but I was willing to give this book a try since I love the American Revolution time period. Did not disappoint! Patience Abbott, recently from England, is caught between Tories and Patriots, a handsome Son of Liberty, and sparks of revolution in the tinderbox that is Boston. Well-plotted, excellent characterization, and stellar writing. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

Synopsis: “Contrary to her name, Patience Abbott has long felt unsettled and anxious to leave behind her painful memories in England for a fresh start in America. But her new life isn’t quite what she expected, and as tension grows in her new home of Boston, so does the distance between Patience and her estranged father. So when Josiah Wagner walks into her life, it finally feels like she’s not alone. If only his patriotic leanings didn’t put him at odds with her father’s loyalties.”

Stay tuned! Next week, I’ll be posting my review for Texas Reclaimed, the last book in Sherry Shindelar’s fantastic Lonestar Redemption series.

Hugs and prayers for my readers.

Mary Pat Johns

Mary Pat’s Blog

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Welcome to my blog, Book Things Thursday! Depending on deadlines, I post reviews about what I’m reading AND my latest giveaway. Stay tuned. You don’t want to miss it.

Years ago, I met author Erica Vetsch at a writers conference. While I remember very little about our meeting, her name stuck with me. I’m SO glad it did! She writes marvelous historical romance. A Thieving At Carlton House is the first book I’ve read of hers.

An ex-courtesan, a secret spy ring, and stolen jewels … what’s not to love? Include depth in both plot and character and a strong spiritual theme of forgiveness, and it’s a winner all around. Better yet, it’s the first book of her new series, Of Cloaks and Daggers. I was also excited to find many her previous books are all loosely connected this series. Yay! If I find an author I like, I don’t mind going back and reading everything that leads up to the current book.

If you enjoy regency romance, I highly recommend Erica Vetsch.

Let’s start the New Year off in a BIG way! Three signed paperbacks to one lucky winner. I love the way Heather Greer writes from the heart, and her Faith, Hope, and Love series makes for sweet reading time. If you enjoy sweet, clean contemporary romance, sign up today.

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Until next time,

Mary Pat

January Giveaway

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Enter here!

Love inspirational fiction? You can’t miss with these three. See summaries below.

Faith’s Journey-Katie McGowan navigates heartbreak and an ailing parent while rediscovering her faith in Carbondale, Illinois, choosing between first love and new possibilities.

Grasping Hope-When dreams turn to nightmares what’s left to hold onto? Katie McGowan knows her fears are irrational. They’re also beyond her control. Her mind says her fiancé is faithful, but the betrayal of her past love ignites a fear stronger than her trust.

Relentless Love-Living with limits protects a heart from hurt. After unexpectedly losing her husband, it’s a lesson Katie Blake has learned well. From moving in with her elderly father to staying at home with her son, Sammy, Katie’s life has been arranged to avoid further pain. But after three years, life feels stagnant. It’s time to carefully venture into the world once again.  

Book Things Thursday

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January 1, 2026

And 2025 is a wrap! Also wrapped up my reading for the year. Who else loves to read? I know, I know. Some folks love it like I do … others, not so much. I get it. My husband is truly the love of my life, but he doesn’t share my obsession. And we’re both okay with that. Well, mostly. When my latest book published, he looked at me like, do I really have to read another one? (Insert tiny whine.) But it’s okay. Other than the sitting down and actually reading a book portion, he stayed uber supportive throughout my emotional ups and downs with the writing process. But I digress …

This week, I wanted to highlight a genre I don’t normally read, but these books are soooooo good, I wanted to recommend them to anyone listening.

A bit of backstory here. I purchased books 1-3 of And They Found Dragons for Christmas 2024, for my ten-year -old granddaughter. She loved them so much, she asked for Books 4-6, entitled The Dragons Among Us. After I purchased and send them, I got curious and borrowed Books 1-3 from her. I’M LOVING THEM! Really wish I’d known about them sooner. Trying to think of a way to entice my non-reading grandsons–not that they are illiterate–just not too interested in reading for pleasure. To be perfectly honest, their current stance is NO WAY.

Here’s a synopsis of the first three books:

“It is said a child will lead them. But lead them where?

Jack is just 12, born on an Ark orbiting Earth among 169 survivors of a global apocalypse who eagerly await the planet’s restoration so they can return to the surface. With supplies dangerously low, the time for waiting is over. Humanity must return now or die among the stars.

Unfortunately there is a problem. A big one. Dragons have inexplicably risen from Earth’s ashes. Worse, they emit a global toxin deadly to all over the age of puberty. After much debate, the Ark’s leaders realize that humanity’s only hope is to send teams of specially trained children to hunt and eliminate the dragon queen.

But Jack is frail and deemed unworthy for the dangerous mission.

So begins a tale leads readers, young and old alike, on a journey with Jack, the child who will lead them all in the most unlikely of ways. A journey to an Earth they could not have imagined. An Earth where humanity’s fear takes physical form as dragons that can only be defeated through a love that casts out all fear.”

And here’s part of the review I left on GoodReads:

“Christian fantasy at its best. Unusual premise. Stellar plotting which, even as an adult, I found unpredictable and appealing. Relatable characters. And, of course, dragons. Upbeat and positive tone. Infused with hope. Highly recommend to young adult readers.”

That concludes this week. Stay tuned. During the month of January, my plan is to recognize my favorite reads from 2025. Already it’s looking like a lot of romance, suspense, and mysteries made the list, along with the books that supplimented my Bible studies.

Hugs and happy reading!

Mary Pat