Carla's Book Crush

Creating a Writing Life: Encouragement and Advice for Authors by Jill Kemerer
Publisher: Ripple Effect Press, LLC
Publication Date: July 31, 2025
Pages: 292
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Why: Because I’m not a writer, but I play one on this blog.

Encouragement and advice for authors and writers

Bestseller lists, fame, and financial rewards don’t comprise your writing life—they’re products of it. This book will help you figure out the day-to-day decisions to make to achieve your writing dreams. Where and when do you write best? What equipment do you need? How will you handle envy? Rejection? Long droughts between contracts?

Creating a Writing Life gives you the tools to manage every aspect of your career, including income expectations and how to handle success. Author Jill Kemerer has experienced all this and more in her writing career, and this book will launch you into yours. What are you waiting for? Let’s get started creating your writing life!

The Garden Girls by Jessica R. Patch
Series: FBI: Strange Crimes Unit: Book 3
Publisher: Love Inspired Trade
Publication Date: April 23, 2024
Pages: 368
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Why: Because, um, Jessica R. Patch. Fun fact: Jessica knew me by my Instagram handle Carla’s Book Crush.

On a remote Outer Banks island, a serial killer collects his prized specimens. And to stop him, an FBI agent must confront his own twisted past.

FBI agent Tiberius Granger has seen his share of darkness. But a new case sets him on edge. It’s not just the macabre way both victims—found posed in front of lighthouses—are tattooed with flowers that match their names. There’s also the unsettling connection to the woman Ty once loved and to the shadowy cult they both risked everything to escape.

Bexley Hemmingway’s sister has gone missing, and she’ll do anything to find her—including teaming up with Ty. That may prove a mistake, and not just because Ty doesn’t know he’s the father of her teenaged son. It seems the killer is taunting Ty, drawing everyone close to him into deeper danger.

As the slashing winds and rain of a deadly hurricane approach the coast of North Carolina, the search leads Ty and Bex to an island that hides a grisly secret. But in his quest for the truth, Ty has ignored the fact that this time, he’s not just the hunter. Every move has been orchestrated by a killer into a perfect storm of terror, and they will need all their skills to survive…

Love Overboard by Shannon Sue Dunlap 
Series: Love Overboard: Book 1
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Publication Date: May 21, 2024
Pages: 304
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Why:I sat next to Shannon most of the day Saturday, and she is such a lovely person. The only photo I have with an author is the one of us above. Fun Fact: I’m horrible at taking pictures, so I asked her to text the one she took to me. Now I have a phone number. I will try not to randomly call her accidentally on purpose.

A snort-laughing, cruise ship romance takes readers into topsy-turvy waters

When a group of four quirky friends retire on a neverending round of cruises, their attire consists of more than floral shirts and gaudy skirts. Armed with walkie-talkies and battle plans, these relationship experts–who’ve dubbed themselves the “Shippers”–target hostess Lacey Anderson and director Jonathan King in their romantic schemes. But the young couple refuses to cooperate. They’ve been on the “love boat” together before, and it went down in flames.

Boss matchmaker Emily Windsor has orchestrated multiple romantic successes, and these two upstarts certainly won’t get the best of her. The chemistry between Lacey and Jonathan is obvious, but the couple rebuffs every outlandish plot and “coincidental” meeting, forcing the matchmakers to chart a new course to true love–all while inadvertently thwarting drug smugglers threatening to ruin their floating home on the ocean.

This laugh-out-loud rom-com features loveable characters, over-the-top situations reminiscent of 1950s sitcoms, and a dash of mystery. The toe-curling romance will push the reader overboard and all in with Shannon Dunlap’s new series.

In My Rendezvous Tote (i.e, the goodie bag)

When we came into the conference on Saturday morning, we were given a tag to identify our tote. My tote was meant for me because it was filled with Amish romance! I did trade the ones I already owned for some non-Amish books.

Betrayed by Liz Bradford
Series: Hazel Hill Police & Fire: Book 2
Publisher: Stand on the Rock Publishing
Publication Date:March 31, 2025
Pages: 316
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Will unforgiveness be his undoing?

Police Officer Logan Jackson faces down death on a regular basis—it’s all part of the job. But staring down the barrel of a gun seems less risky than facing the past and the unforgiveness he harbors. Despite being high school sweethearts, Logan’s heart has soured toward AJ. But since they are both first responders, she shows up everywhere he turns.

As a firefighter AJ Jackson has faced plenty of fiery situations, but coming face to face with Logan sometimes is harder than battling a four-alarm fire. When a stalker begins threatening AJ, Logan must reconcile with her if he is to keep her safe. They’ve endured their share of trials, but will this one cement the gravestone of their relationship or will it bring them back together?

This second installment of the Hazel Hill Police and Fire series will keep you reading, searching for answers.

The Chaos Grid by  Lyndsey Lewellen
Series: The Chaos Grid – Book 1
Publisher: Enclave Escape
Publication Date: April 9, 2024
Pages: 320
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2025 Christy Award Winner – Young Adult

Cross the grid. Survive the storms. Let your destiny burn.

When mankind’s attempts to control nature backfire, Texas descends into a wasteland. Storms rage and ravenous beasts roam the Outer Grid. The only safe havens rest inside the tech-obsessed domed cities. But when her parents are murdered inside the Plex City dome, seventeen-year-old Juniper Conway wants revenge.

Ties to her extended family threaten to pull her back as she runs from city to city. The Plex is endangering its citizens by legalizing a deadly nano drug, and Juniper’s family needs her help to deliver the counteragent. Saving the city who orphaned her goes against everything she stands for. The only way out is to brave the wasteland.

Juniper joins a shipping crew fearless enough to transport food across the Outer Grid. But when a string of bad luck turns lethal, she fears something, or someone, is dragging her back to the Plex. As her world sinks into chaos, Juniper must decide if revenge is worth the lives of the crew she has come to love.

Counterfeit Faith by Crystal Caudill
Series: Hidden Hearts of the Gilded Age: Book 3
Publisher:  Kregel Publications
Release Date: May 16, 2023
Pages: 336
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She’s losing her faith in mankind. He’s lost his faith in God. Can working together restore them both?

As matron of Final Chance House of Refuge, Gwendolyn Ellison has dedicated her life to serving the children deemed delinquents by society. She’ll protect them with everything she has. So when she suspects someone is using Final Chance for criminal deeds, she’s determined to investigate and put a stop to it. But villains don’t like to be crossed–and they’re willing to kill to get their way.

Gwendolyn knows she can’t quit fighting. More than her own life is on the line if counterfeiters go free. She must find someone she can trust to help her expose the criminals and protect the children under her care.

Charming and chivalrous Secret Service operative Josiah Isaacs has never been able to turn his back on a woman in trouble–and capturing counterfeiters is his job, after all. The danger he’s truly worried about is his growing attraction to Gwendolyn when his heart wants to remain faithful to his deceased wife.

As both peril and interest grow, he begins to consider whether a second love may be possible–if they can live through this case. At the same time, he’s put off by her faith in a God he no longer trusts. How can a future together even be possible when their beliefs are at odds?

Defending the Witness by Sharee Stover
Publisher:  Love Inspired Suspense
Publication Date: July 25, 2023
Pages: 224
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To catch a killer…

She must trust her protectors.

After witnessing a murder at the hands of a notorious gang leader, Ayla DuPree is a marked woman sent straight to witness protection. But when her handler is killed and her safety compromised, she has no choice but to run—forcing US Marshal Chance Tavalla and his K-9 to chase her. Can Chance keep Ayla alive long enough to find safety and justice?

Hidden Amish Target by Dana R. Lynn
Series: Amish Country Justice: Book 16
Publisher:  Love Inspired Suspense
Publication Date: July 25, 2023
Pages: 199
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She’s an accidental witness.

Now she’s running for her life…

Witnessing a murder puts a target on Molly Schultz’s back, and now she’s on the run from a gunman dead set on silencing her. She turns to family friend Zeke Bender for help, but when Molly’s identity and location are exposed, they’re left with a criminal among her Amish community. Can Zeke safeguard Molly long enough to catch the culprit—or will they fall prey to their merciless hunter?

Once Upon an Irish Summer by Lisa T Bergren
Series: Once Upon a Summer: Book 4
Publisher: BCG Press
Publication Date: July 1, 2020
Pages: 277
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You Can’t Embrace Your Future Until You Deal With Your Past… Fiona Burke has long been obsessed with Ireland’s famed, sixteenth-century pirate queen, Grace O’Malley. Now that she’s on the final stretch of earning her PhD in history, all she needs to do is finish her dissertation—with Grace O’Malley as her subject—then return home to Boston to defend it. Once that’s done she can compete for a highly coveted history professor position. Fiona arrives in western Ireland aiming to interview the locals and find additional folklore to flesh out her work. But when she encounters Grace’s distant relative—the handsome, commanding Rory O’Malley—she gets seriously distracted. Rory shares her passion for history and Ireland, and cares for his grandfather and great-uncle in a winsome way. Unfortunately he also carries wounds beyond his injured leg…wounds that threaten to dismantle every little bit of a relationship that he and Fiona begin to build. As a famed TV host becomes intrigued with Fiona—as well as convinced she should do guest appearances on his show—Rory starts to figure out that he might be as interested in his own personal romantic future as he is in Ireland’s epic past. But can he take the steps toward the healing he needs before it’s too late? It all remains to be seen…Once Upon an Irish Summer.

K-9 Ranch Protection by Darlene L. Turner
Series: Crisis Rescue Team: Book 6
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
Publication Date: September 24, 2024
Pages: 208
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A killer on the loose.

A K-9 keeping watch.

Police constable Izzy Tremblay knows her father’s death was no accident, so when she finally discovers a lead and is immediately attacked, her suspicions are confirmed. The ambush leaves her in the hospital with three hours of crucial memory missing, which she knows holds the key to finding her father’s murderer. For protection, she takes refuge with her ex-partner, Austin Murray, on his K-9 ranch while she races to uncover the truth. But with danger still lurking, can they stay alive long enough to take down a killer?

What is the last book event you attended?

Thank you to The Artsy Reader Girl for hosting Top Ten Tuesday!