Happy Tuesday, readers! Today’s Top Ten topic is “Satisfying Book Series.” I LOVED every single one of these series so much. They each have amazing characters, wonderful stories, and fantastic settings. I tried to include a variety of genres as well. The first book of each series is shown below and every series is already published in full. Get ready to binge read!
River of Time by Lisa T. Bergren – Medieval Time Travel
Maple Falls by Kathleen Fuller – Contemporary Romance
Larksong Legacy by Kelsey Gietl – Historical Fiction with a Speculative twist
Sorrow and Song by Jennifer Q Hunt – Historical Fiction
Desolation by Kortney Keisel – Dystopian Romance
Uncharted by Keeley Brooke Keith – Historical Fiction/Dystopian/Magical Realism mashup. I don’t really know how to categorize this, but I love the series.
Rise of the Charioteer by Susan Laspe – Historical Fantasy
Firetender by Erin Lewis – Catholic Contemporary Vocations Fiction. This is another one that’s hard to categorize. It takes place in the 90s-early 2000s and is excellent.
Sons of Vigilance by Hannah Hood Lucero – Romantic Military Suspense
The Madman’s Daughter by Megan Shepherd – Historical Fantasy/Sci-Fi Retelling
Have you read any of these books? Which fall-vibe books would you recommend?
Upcoming Events – Where to find my books in person
Releasing in October – Other authors’ new releases I’m most excited about
How much wood could a woodchuck chuck?
This past week, we had a new visitor to our yard, Mr. Groundhog! (Or Mr. Woodchuck, depending on your preference.) One of my favorite things about our house is backing up to trees, which means lots of animal activity year round. We’ve seen the usual suburban friends: rabbit, squirrel, songbird, racoon, and then the more exotic ones: hawk, owl, opossum, skink, and fox. This is the first time we’ve seen a groundhog though. He thoroughly gorged himself on acorns before waddling away.
Writing Updates
I’m pleased to say that I’m 25% done with drafting Astonished. It’s always fun to see where the story takes itself after completing the initial outline and research, and this one is definitely going to some unique places.
More in depth character overviews are forthcoming, but for a taste, here’s the current first line where we meet each of our two point-of-view characters, Avila and Matthias.
Avila Kohlfeld had spent most of her life in the shadow of Hawthorn Asylum.
Matthias Ward knew he was stupid. He’d been told so his whole life.
Those two lines sum up the main theme for each of these characters and the challenge they’ll be forced to face head on. The question is, will they have the strength to overcome everything that stands in their way?
This month, I’m thrilled to feature a giveaway from fellow Missouri author and Catholic Writers Guild Member, Angelina Salvaggio, for her novel Secret Dwellings. This stunning and heartfelt debut novel of the Protestant Reformation captured me right from the start, and I’m eagerly anticipating the release of book 2, Priest of the Masquerade, next year.
What It’s About
The fires of the Protestant Reformation were ablaze; it was a dangerous time to be a Catholic and hiding priests. Especially when a Protestant Lord tasked with hunting them seeks your hand in marriage. Despite the threat of torture and execution, siblings Isabel and Jonathon Dawson do all they can to protect their beloved priests. Their father had shown them his many ways of evading detection, yet nothing could have prepared them for the events that followed his death. Amidst intrigue, escapades, romance, danger, and blackmail, Isabel’s faith is tested in more ways than she ever thought possible.
My Review
While there are many fictional books about Elizabethan England and the Protestant Reformation, outside of Thomas More’s famous stand against Henry VIII, there are far fewer books about the Catholic persecution and martyrdom during this time. Those that do exist, I feel usually describe the experience as Protestant vs Catholic, an us vs them approach, rather than a time that was no doubt filled with mixed opinions. Similar to the many non-Jews who were against Jewish persecution during WWII, Angelina Salvaggio provides a story that shows how, despite religious differences, there were many Protestants who opposed Elizabeth I’s unjust policies and were willing to risk their lives to help their fellow Christians. She paints convincing pictures of all the characters from our lead Isabel’s internal conflicts of loyalty and love, to Jon’s courage to hide priests within their home, to Daniel’s unwavering faith even in the face of death, and even to a surprising sympathy toward Lord Drake’s two-faced villainy that had me hoping for his conversion. This was a novel that made me truly consider how martyrdom often happens under the guise of criminality, even in our world today. There were many scenes that had me asking, if this happened to me, how would I respond? How far would my courage take me? On a lighter note, the author has a knack for adding wit and sarcasm to her dialogue that provided a breath of humor in between all the heaviness.
About the Author
Hi, readers! I’m Angelina Salvaggio, a Catholic wife, mom, chronic illness fighter, and have been writing for most of my life. I am a self-proclaimed nerd who loves history, movies, reading, and going to Comic Cons. I also love Adoration, Mass, chasing sunsets, traveling, and chocolate. Preferably paired with peanut butter.
Originally from New England, I moved to the Midwest at eighteen and soon after, met and married the love of my life, Daniel. We have two amazing sons, and a cute little fluffy dog. When home, I am routinely getting my butt kicked in Monopoly, dodging Nerf bullets or stray Lego bricks, cooking up a favorite recipe, and writing. My favorite moments are spent with my family and friends; I am extremely blessed in that way.
I have always loved period romances and reading about various saints. St. Edmund Campion lit a fire in my soul and thanks to him, Jane Austin, and Charlotte Brontë, a thirty year long dream has come to life in Secret Dwellings. Make sure to visit my website and sign up for my newsletter to receive the latest updates on my writing.
Giveaway
Angelina is offering a chance to win one (1) signed paperback copy of Secret Dwellings at the link below. Giveaway runs through October 17, 2025. Thanks, Angelina!
Craft Fair season is upon us! Here’s where to find me over the next few months. I’ll be attending all of these events with historical fantasy author, Susan Laspe. Stop by to purchase our books, get books you already own signed, or just to say hi.
St. Joseph Catholic School Craft Fair – October 11, 2025 – Cottleville, MO
Elks Lodge Craft Fair – October 19, 2025 – O’Fallon, MO
Read, Write, Rendezvous Readers Retreat – November 7-8, 2025 – St. Louis, MO (I will be attending this multi-author event as a reader attendee, not an author attendee. Advance tickets required.)
O’Fallon Tree Lighting and Holiday Market – November 19, 2025 – O’Fallon, MO
Francis Howell High School Band Craft Fair – December 6, 2025 – Weldon Springs, MO
Releasing in October
Need another read? Here are the new releases I’m excited about:
Every Life Treasured by Jennifer Q. Hunt, Hannah Hood Lucero, and Aubrey Reiss Taylor – three pro-life novellas by three wonderful authors
Whispers of Her Worth by Tanya E. Williams – Inside gilded hotel walls, two sisters grapple with questions of love and ambition to determine what a woman is truly worth. I was a beta reader for this one. Read my review here.
About Last Christmas by Rachel Scott McDaniel – She’s trying to avoid a holiday disaster. He’s trying to earn his way off her naughty list. Both need a Christmas Miracle.
Battle Charged by Hannah Hood Lucero – A body builder and an army medic find themselves in a blossoming romance, but dark forces close in, threatening to rip them apart. Will the truths kept silent too long be revealed before it’s too late?
Love by Design by Maddie Evans – a marriage of convenience brings together a crafty designer and her childhood friend. This is the third book in the series. Read my review of book 1 here.
Want to know what I’m currently reading? Follow me on GoodReads.
Did you know reviews help both readers and authors? Even one sentence is enough, and every word greatly appreciated. Consider leaving a rating on Amazon, Goodreads, BookBub, and/or your favorite retailer!
Happy Tuesday, readers! Today’s Top Ten topic is “Book Covers that Give off Fall Vibes.” I discovered that my bookshelf holds very few fall-like covers, so I had to pull some that are pretty, but I can’t say if their stories are good or if they contain something clean readers might not care for. Books I’ve read are listed below. Otherwise, read at your own risk!
Books I’ve Read:
Sparks Fly Upward by Kelsey Gietl
Uncharted Journey by Keely Brooke Keith
The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson
Two to Tango by Kathleen Fuller
Many Sparrows by Lori Benton
Authors I’ve Read, but not these Books:
The Premonition at Wither’s Farm by Jaime Jo Wright
Falling on Main Street by Tara Grace Ericson
Haven’t Read the Author Yet:
Sadie’s Star by Colleen Marie
Maple Melodies by B.R. Goodwin
The Cozy Corner Bookstore by Nova Walsh
Have you read any of these books? Which fall-vibe books would you recommend?
Happy Tuesday, readers! Today’s Top Ten topic is “Literary/Bookish Candles.” According to the rules, we were supposed to make up our own candle fragrances for our books, but what fun is that when you can have real ones? Rebel Villa is my go-to candle shop, and while I can’t promote everything in their store, their candles are well made, smell wonderful, and I receive no compensation for recommending them. Here are my matches for their fragrances with my books.
Black Cactus (succulent blossoms, oak and a hint of tobacco) – Broken Lines; the MMC’s family owns a tobacconist.
Outlaw (black pepper, cardamom and musk) – Unsettled Shores; for most of this book, the characters are on the run.
Cashmere (vanilla, sandalwood and violet) – Across Oceans; if any of my characters are sophisticated enough for a cashmere/vanilla/violet combo, it’s Maggie and Tena.
Lavender Noir (french lavender, amber and sage) – For a Noble Purpose; set along the Oregon Trail, the FMC has just the right mix of femininity and danger.
Nightfall (cocoa butter, jasmine and cedarwood) – Dusk Shall Weep; set in the Washington wilderness surrounded by cedar trees.
Gold Coast (coconut, hibiscus, mahogany wood) – Sparks Fly Upward, set in San Francisco, California.
Pacific Shore (ocean mist, sea grass and agave nectar) – Stars in the Storm; the main characters sail their ship along the Pacific coast.
Red Sea (mango, goji berry, driftwood) – Twisted River; set along the Mississippi River with driftwood a plenty.
Can’t decide which to start with? While I love all my books, Twisted River has two of my favorite couples and a great redemption story. I honestly haven’t tried all of the candles, but Black Cactus and Red Sea are my two personal favorite candle scents.
Readers Travel the Larksong Trail – Photos of Real-Life Locations
Upcoming Events – Where to find my books in person
Releasing in September– Other authors’ new releases I’m most excited about
Readers Travel the Larksong Trail
This summer, two of my author friends and readers of the Larksong Legacy series traveled to places found in Larksong. They were kind enough to share some photos and I totally geeked out over seeing my vision for Larksong in real life.
Canadian author Tanya E. Williams and her husband, photographer David Williams were visiting Oregon and snapped these photos for me of the official end point of the Oregon Trail. The Lark family would have passed through here on their way up to Washington. Thanks, Tanya and David!
Author Erin Lewis‘s family took an extended road trip from her home state of Georgia up to Washington, which is almost the same distance that the Lark family would have traveled from South Carolina to Washington. Thankfully, they had a car and not a wagon, so it took them far less time. She was kind enough to share some photos of the beautiful foliage and seashore. Someday hopefully I’ll actually be able to visit in person. Thanks, Erin!
In the books, the characters talk about going down the ridge from town to the shore. This is the ridge they’re referring to.
Once down the ridge, this is the view the characters would have seen. Cloudy skies, rocky sea…a lot different than the South Carolina shore they were used to.
One of many views the characters might have seen of fields, forest, and mountains combined.
The trees in Washington are huge and were even larger during the 1850s. 19th century timber farming reduced many of the largest trees, but this gives an idea of what the characters would have experienced.
This Olympic Rainforest photo is actually reflective of Book 4, Stars in the Storm, but is a perfect example of what the characters would have seen. I love how wild it is compared to the orderly trees of the previous photo.
Finally, my dad shared this photo with me from the tour bus of my parents’ recent trip to Montana. While the location is different than in Larksong Legacy, they’re not walking or in a wagon, and the road is paved, he said it still gave him an idea of what the characters might have seen on their journey west. I think he’s exactly right! Thanks, Dad!
Upcoming Events
Craft Fair season is upon us! Here’s where to find me over the next few months. I’ll be attending all of these events with historical fantasy author, Susan Laspe. Stop by to purchase our books, get books you already own signed, or just to say hi.
St. Joseph Catholic School Craft Fair – October 11, 2025 – Cottleville, MO
Elks Lodge Craft Fair – October 19, 2025 – O’Fallon, MO
Read, Write, Rendezvous Readers Retreat – November 7-8, 2025 – St. Louis, MO (I will be attending this multi-author event as a reader attendee, not an author attendee. Advance tickets required.)
Francis Howell High School Band Craft Fair – December 6, 2025 – Weldon Springs, MO
Releasing in September
Need another read? Here are the new releases I’m excited about:
A Song in the Dark by Kimberley Woodhouse – Against the simmering backdrop of the impending WWII, blind virtuoso pianist Chaisley Frappier embarks on a concert tour through a rapidly changing Europe despite the dangers.
Some Melodious Sonnet by Jennifer Q. Hunt – I was a beta reader and cover designer for this 1830s historical romance of Cherokee missionaries in 1830s Georgia. Read my review.
Cultivate Faith by Allison Ramirez – Rosary devotional on the sorrowful mysteries as invitations to humility
The Return by Allison Ramirez – the third and final book in her dystopian series inspired by the Divided Kingdom of Israel. Read my review of Book 1.
The Higher We Go by Corinna Turner – a wheel-chair-bound teen is invited on a Pier Giorgio Frassati pilgrimage, but what could he possibly learn from an athletic, mountain-climbing saint?
Want to know what I’m currently reading? Follow me on GoodReads.
Did you know reviews help both readers and authors? Even one sentence is enough, and every word greatly appreciated. Consider leaving a rating on Amazon, Goodreads, BookBub, and/or your favorite retailer!
