If I’m reading in bed on a Saturday morning, I like a nice cup of coffee (or two).
If I’m reading in the afternoon or evening, I tend to drink green tea or a herbal tea (or perhaps decaf Earl Grey). Sometimes I’ll have hot chocolate.
I shouldn’t snack while I’m reading because it tends to be empty calories (i.e. no nutritional benefit). If I do snack, it’s likely to be cheese and crackers, or chocolate.
Uncharted Mercy is the latest book in Keely Brooke Keith’s Uncharted series. The series is a unique mix of historical and futuristic romance as the series is set in the future, after Earth has experienced a nuclear war and chaos reigns … everywhere except the Land, which has been stuck in the 1860s because of the strange atmospheric disturbance surrounding the Land.
Uncharted Mercy is the story of Bette Owens, a widow with two young children who makes her living as a hatmaker. When her interfering in-laws decideher son should live with themwhile Bette marries a man she has never met, Bette vents her frustrations to herneighbour, Noah Vestal. Noah proposes a novel solution—marriage.
It’s pretty obvious that Noah has feelings for Bette, but he then worries that he may have coerced her into marriage. I really liked Noah and his attitude—it showed he was a man of honour. Unfortunately, Noah has a secret (that series readers have known for the last two books, but which Bette and the other villagers don’t know). That secret is about to put Noah’s home and livelihood at risk.
This is an excellent romance, a marriage of convenience that turns into a real relationship. I loved the way Bette and Noah’s relationship developed, and the healthy way they integrated Bette’s children into their relationship. (Or is that the healthy way Bette integrated Noah into her family?)
I really liked the ending. Without giving anything away, it showed how a good Christian marriage is a partnership of equals, even in a patriarchial setting.
All the stories are standalone titles, so you don’t need to read the whole series for this book to make sense. However, you’ll probably want to read at least The Land Uncharted (#1 inthe series) and Uncharted Grace (#12, Caroline’s story) to best appreciate Uncharted Mercy.
I’ve enjoyed all the Land Uncharted series. I particularly enjoyed Uncharted Mercy because of the marriage of convenience trope, because we got to see more of Connor in this story, and because of the strong Christian characters of both Bette and Noah.
Uncharted Mercy by Keely Brooke Keith is an excellent Christian marriage of convenience romance with a unique blend of historical and speculative tropes. Share on XRecommended for fans of historical romance with a speculative twist.
Thanks to the author for providing a free ebook for review.
Lonely bachelor Noah Vestal longs for a family of his own. His inherited farmhouse feels empty, and working the expansive orchard doesn’t keep his mind off his life in America before being shipwrecked on the Land. When he learns the lovely widow next door is being pressured to marry a man she’s never met and to leave her son behind, he offers to marry her. She could have a home and keep both of her children, and he could fill the orchard house with the family he longs for. But when Noah’s inheritance is contested by someone claiming to be the orchard’s rightful heir, he stands to lose everything—including his new family.
Bette Owens has made the best of things since losing her husband three years ago, but now her forceful in-laws want rid of her. When they persuade her parents to help separate her from her son, she has nowhere to turn but to the generous bachelor next door. She has always admired Noah and misses the protection and companionship of having a husband, so when Noah proposes a quick marriage, it seems like a wise remedy. Just when her children are settling into their new home—and love between Bette and Noah seems possible—she discovers Noah isn’t who he says he is.
While the Good Springs elder council becomes judge and jury over the orchard’s ownership, Noah’s dreams of supporting a family and being part of a community slip away. And as Bette’s friends side against her, she finds herself in an unimaginable fight for her family—and for love.
Can their marriage of convenience withstand the battle for inheritance, family, and love?
Keely 
Brooke Keith writes inspirational frontier-style fiction with a slight Sci-Fi twist, including The Land Uncharted (Shelf Unbound Notable Romance 2015) and Aboard Providence (2017 INSPY Awards Longlist). Keely also creates resources for writers such as The Writer’s Book Launch Guide and The Writer’s Character Journal.
Born in St. Joseph, Missouri, Keely grew up in a family that frequently relocated. By graduation, she lived in 8 states and attended 14 schools. When she isn’t writing, Keely enjoys playing bass guitar, preparing homeschool lessons, and collecting antique textbooks. Keely, her husband, and their daughter live on a hilltop south of Nashville, Tennessee.
It’s First Line Friday! That means it’s time to pick up the nearest book and quote the first line. I’m quoting from Uncharted Mercy, the 14th book in Keely Brooke Keith’s excellent Uncharted series.
Here’s the first line from the Chapter One:
Lonely bachelor Noah Vestal longs for a family of his own. His inherited farmhouse feels empty, and working the expansive orchard doesn’t keep his mind off his life in America before being shipwrecked on the Land. When he learns the lovely widow next door is being pressured to marry a man she’s never met and to leave her son behind, he offers to marry her. She could have a home and keep both of her children, and he could fill the orchard house with the family he longs for. But when Noah’s inheritance is contested by someone claiming to be the orchard’s rightful heir, he stands to lose everything—including his new family.
Bette Owens has made the best of things since losing her husband three years ago, but now her forceful in-laws want rid of her. When they persuade her parents to help separate her from her son, she has nowhere to turn but to the generous bachelor next door. She has always admired Noah and misses the protection and companionship of having a husband, so when Noah proposes a quick marriage, it seems like a wise remedy. Just when her children are settling into their new home—and love between Bette and Noah seems possible—she discovers Noah isn’t who he says he is.
While the Good Springs elder council becomes judge and jury over the orchard’s ownership, Noah’s dreams of supporting a family and being part of a community slip away. And as Bette’s friends side against her, she finds herself in an unimaginable fight for her family—and for love.
Can their marriage of convenience withstand the battle for inheritance, family, and love?
And you can click here to check out my previous FirstLineFriday posts.
In summer, my favourite reading spot is the back garden of our family home in the Bay of Plenty.
When it’s not warm enough to read outside, my favourite spot is curled up on my couch in the evening, or reading in bed on Saturday morning (one of the privileges of being an empty-nester: no children at home who need feeding or ferrying to activities).
I don’t often re-read books as soon as I’ve finished them the first time, but Marrying the Rancher’s Daughter is an exception. Something about the story grabbed me and didn’t let go.
I think what I liked most was that the romance flowed naturally out of the plot rather than being the central focus of the story. Don’t get me wrong: I love a good romance.
Cassie Reynolds is a marketing specialist working the rodeo circuit, and one of the top riders happens to be Jason Keen, who works for her father at Redemption Ranch. Jason comes to Cassie’s rescue after she is accosted by her abusive ex-boyfriend, Travis, who doesn’t understand that no means no. That provides the impetus for the plot, and for Cassie’s unusual proposition to Jason: a marriage of convenience.
The story combines age-gap, marriage of convenience and grumpy-sunshine tropes. I’ve always had a fascination with marriage of convenience stories, but it can be hard to find good contemporary romances with this trope, possibly because it can be hard to find an original yet believable reason for the marriage. I think Marrying the Rancher’s Daughter did this well.
Jason started working at Redemption Ranch when Cassie was twelve. That age gap had the potential to have a real ick factor, but was handled very well, as they had little do do with each other before the story starts.
While I’ve read some good books with the grumpy-sunshine trope (e.g. Indigo Isle by TI Lowe), I’ve also come across some I couldn’t even finish because there didn’t seem to be a reason why the character was grumpy. That’s not the case here.
It’s more that he was an angry young man who has recently become a Christian, and who is a bit of a loner who doesn’t feel the need to be liked by others. As a result, he keeps to himself. He’s not Mr. Popular, but he’s a hardworking and competent cowboy, and an excellent rodeo rider. Jason isn’t as articulate as Cassie, but that doesn’t mean his feelings are any less deep or complex.
Cassie is the outgoing Little Miss Sunshine, except when her ex shows up. She’s also fiercely independent and doesn’t want to accept help from anyone, least of all her father and brothers. I admired her independence and spirit and her unwillingness to take the easy path.
While the Christian elements underpin the story, but were very subtle. Overall, I loved Marrying the Rancher’s Daughter. Recommended for contemporary romance fans.
Tara Grace Ericson lives in Missouri with her husband and 3 sons. She studied engineering and worked as an engineer for many years before embracing her creative side to become a full-time author.
Her first book, Falling on Main Street, was written mostly from airport waiting areas and bleak hotel rooms as she traveled in her position as a sales engineer. She loves cooking, crocheting, and reading books by the dozen. Her writing partner is usually a good cup of coffee or tea.
Tara unashamedly watches Hallmark movies all winter long, even though they are predictable and cheesy. She loves a good “happily ever after” with an engaging love story. That’s why Tara focuses on writing clean contemporary romance, with an emphasis on Christian faith and living. She wants to encourage her readers with stories of men and women who live out their faith in tough situations.
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Professional bullrider Jason Keen is chasing a national title–and running from his mistakes. When his last sponsor threatens to pull their support unless he becomes the poster boy of a charming, family friendly cowboy, there is no way he can pull it off. Unless he can find another way to soften his rough-edged image while he works at Redemption Ranch between events…
Despite her family’s status as Colorado ranching royalty, Cassie Reynolds’ heart has been tied to the rodeo since her first event at the tender age of five. If her possessive ex-boyfriend would get the hint and leave her alone, she’d never leave her rodeo marketing job. Unfortunately, with each passing day, he’s growing more desperate to claim her.
When a week at home on Redemption Ranch is interrupted by the appearance of Cassie’s ex, Jason can’t stand by and let him terrorize the owner’s daughter. Could her unorthodox proposal be the solution to get them both through the holidays and the rodeo national finals?
It’s First Line Friday! That means it’s time to pick up the nearest book and quote the first line. Today I’m quoting from The Island Girls by Australian author Rachel Sweasey, a sweet dual timeline historical novel set in Poole, Dorset.
Here’s the first line from the Chapter One:
1941: For the townspeople of Poole on the Dorset coast, the war feels like it’s right on their doorstep. And with more and more men leaving to fight, one fisherman’s daughter is determined to do whatever she can to help. Peggy volunteers to use her skills on the water to work with the flying boats alongside the RAF based in the harbour. But when she is asked to undertake a special mission, she will have to make a terrible choice – between her duty to her country and her only chance of happiness.
1998: Rebekah has travelled halfway around the world to take up a role on Brownsea Island. This tiny island off the coast of England is a treasure trove of natural wonder, but it still carries the scars of fighting. And when Rebekah discovers a lost letter from the war, hidden all this time, she becomes determined to deliver it, fifty years later.
But the idyllic Dorset harbour hides many more secrets, and Rebekah’s search for the truth will change her life in ways she never imagined possible…
And you can click here to check out my previous FirstLineFriday posts.
I spent a couple of days in the Christmas-New Year break uploading my 2024 and 2023 reviews to Amazon and Goodreads. This has reminded me of several books I’m looking forward to reading, including:
The 2025 releases in the Trinity Lakes Romance series, including:
Finally, I’m looking forward to reading my own third novel, Always On My Mind. Of course, I have to write it first …
What about you? What books are you looking forward to reading this year?
One criticism of Christian romance is that everyone is beautiful (or handsome) and they all have perfect lives. A Home for Christmas is not that novel. While high school teacher Lynn Monet has a home and a job and all the things we expect of a 30-year-old adult, Garrett Kuhlmann is living in a garage and working two jobs to save enough money for the deposit on an apartment for him and his teenage son.
The Schwab Modern Wealth Survey (released May 2019) claimed that 59% of Americans are only one paycheck away from homelessness (and the subsequent Covid-19 job losses won’t have improved this figure). Garrett’s situation is therefore closer to reality than many of us would like to believe.
I found the first chapter a little awkward, but soon found myself engaged in the story. Lynn is possibly the perfect Christian some readers find difficult to relate to, but she’s also an illustration of a Christian who puts loving her neighbours into action.
Garrett is a hardworking guy who has made a few mistakes and now fallen on hard times. But he’s proud and determined to make a better life for him and his fifteen-year-old son, Josh, and that is an admirable trait.
Lynn, Garrett and Josh were all excellent characters. They felt realistic, and as frustrated as I got with Garrett over his pride and reluctance to admit when he needed help, I could also understand and respect why he was like that.
I found the story an enjoyable read, and I especially enjoyed the relationship between Garrett and Josh.
Overall, A Home for Christmas was a solid Christian romance between a couple that don’t have perfect backgrounds. Recommended.
Thanks to the author for providing a free ebook for review.
She just moved to Silver Pine to start a new future. He’s never been more unsure of what the future holds.Garrett Kuhlmann doesn’t want or need anyone’s pity. As a single father, he’s worked hard by himself to ensure his son is fed, clothed and safe. But after house-hopping for the last year, he is desperate to give his teenage son more stability. If only housing weren’t so expensive. When a young woman gifts him a bag of food to thank him for changing her tire after her car breaks down in the parking lot where he works, he can’t put the act of kindness, or her pretty smile, out of his mind.
Even in the small town of Silver Pine, Lynn Monet didn’t expect to see the man who changed her tire again, until she discovers he’s the father to one of her high school students. The more they interact, the more her heart breaks for Garrett and his son, and the more the duo worm their way into her life. But Lynn isn’t looking for love, and the secret she has will only destroy any potential relationship, just like it had once before.
Lynn’s compassion is like a beacon of light cutting through the darkness of Garrett’s struggles, offering him a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, he doesn’t have to do everything alone. A new chapter of love and stability finally feels within reach. But secrets from both of their pasts threaten to shatter the fragile hope, leaving Garrett to choose between playing it safe or forgiveness and love.
Sara Beth Williams is a published author of Contemporary Christian romance, an ACFW and CIPA member and freelance writer. She has a background in freelance publicity, blog managing, newspaper journalism and nine years in the field of education. Two of her three novels have been nominated for a Selah Award. A Worthy Heart (2020) and Anchor My Heart (2022). She lives in Northern California with her husband and two daughters. When she’s not held hostage by the keyboard, she enjoys playing guitar, reading, gardening and spending time with her family.
It’s First Line Friday! That means it’s time to pick up the nearest book and quote the first line. I recently bought Marrying the Rancher’s Daughter by Tara Grace Ericson, the first book in the Christmas in Redemption Ridge multi-author series.
Here’s the first line from the Chapter One:
Professional bullrider Jason Keen is chasing a national title–and running from his mistakes. When his last sponsor threatens to pull their support unless he becomes the poster boy of a charming, family friendly cowboy, there is no way he can pull it off. Unless he can find another way to soften his rough-edged image while he works at Redemption Ranch between events…
Despite her family’s status as Colorado ranching royalty, Cassie Reynolds’ heart has been tied to the rodeo since her first event at the tender age of five. If her possessive ex-boyfriend would get the hint and leave her alone, she’d never leave her rodeo marketing job. Unfortunately, with each passing day, he’s growing more desperate to claim her.
When a week at home on Redemption Ranch is interrupted by the appearance of Cassie’s ex, Jason can’t stand by and let him terrorize the owner’s daughter. Could her unorthodox proposal be the solution to get them both through the holidays and the rodeo national finals?
And you can click here to check out my previous FirstLineFriday posts.
This is the same as my 2024 challenge, which I exceeded: I ended up reading 166 books (although I only counted reading my own new release, Always In My Heart once. I probably read the whole manuscript at least three times, and read parts of it many more).
In previous years, I have also set myself more specific challenges, such as reading books from my to-read pile, books from new-to-me authors, books from BIPOC or international authors, books from indie authors, or nonfiction books.
I found I’d set myself too many goals, some of which were difficult to track. It sometimes meant I was forcing myself to read books I didn’t really want to read so I could improve my tallies (e.g. a nonfiction book from my to-read pile written by a new-to-me international author).
While I haven’t counted, I think I read more nonfiction books and more books from new-to-me authors last year than in many previous years, which suggests I’m better off not counting.
It’s been a couple of years since I’ve done that. I am using Mary DeMuth’s 90-Day Bible Reading Challenge (but giving myself grace: I don’t have to finish in 90 days. Finishing is good enough).
