Hi y’all! Big news this month. I have a new release coming out. It’s been a while since I released a historical romance and I’m beyond proud of this one. It is not only a romance, but a mystery. A special thank you to Lynne Lanning for recommending me for this series and gifting me this gorgeous cover. She was unable to be part of the series like she initially planned due to some family commitments. I’m so glad I was able to step in for her, although I don’t think I could come close to filling her shoes. Please keep Lynne in your prayers as she navigates a busy season.
If the ledgers are accurate, Gideon Hayden is a criminal. If they're forged, someone wants him condemned for it. Evelyn Mercer can handle both a ledger and a suspect. When the Brides of Liberty Bureau sends her west to investigate shipments of missing blasting powder, she knows the stakes. She never expects Gideon Hayden to be so enigmatic. He’s careful․ Precise․ Respected․ And far too knowledgeable about the very shipments that keep disappearing․ Disguised as a mail-order bride, Evie infiltrates Gideon's orderly life, convinced he holds the truth hidden in the dense volumes lining his study. But the numbers refuse to add up, much like the man himself. As suspicion festers in Cheyenne and danger draws closer, Evie must determine who to trust before a long-buried scheme ignites. Someone is stealing gunpowder․ And someone is preparing to use it․ But if she chooses wrong‚ she won't just lose her chance to escape․ She'll send an innocent man to his death․
Speaking of this new series of Mail-Order Brides Undercover, the first book in the series released just a few days ago by the ever-talented Kandice E. Geddes.
These undercover brides came for justice—they never expected love to get in the way.Founded in 1868 in the aftermath of the Civil War, the Brides of Liberty Bureau is a covert initiative within the U.S. War Department. It was born out of necessity when it became clear that traditional male agents couldn’t infiltrate certain places—particularly private homes, drawing rooms, and elite social circles in lawless Western territories.
They needed operatives who were overlooked, underestimated, and unlikely to be suspected...
And that’s precisely why Millie Rose decided to join the bureau…
They needed women.
She’s a woman on a mission—iron-willed and driven to do whatever it takes to bring corrupt men to justice—even if it means posing as an undercover bride. Hardened by a past shaped by a lawless father, she’s sworn never to be controlled again… and never to let another woman suffer as she and her sister did.
But the man she’s sent to deceive isn’t who she expected. Guarded, yet gentle, he stirs something in her she can’t ignore—and nothing about him feels like the criminal she was determined to expose.
As her mission unravels, so does her resolve. Because the closer she gets to the truth, the more dangerous her assignment becomes… and the greatest threat may not be losing her cover, but losing her heart to the one man whose deception may run deeper than her own.
Read Sweet on the Suspect Now!
Aren’t the covers for this series gorgeous? They are created by our talented cover designer, JoAnn Durgin, who will also design the covers for round two of this series in 2027. You can check out JoAnn’s other cover art work at https://www.facebook.com/groups/498063795303264 as well as her books, as she is also a skilled author. https://www.facebook.com/authorjoanndurgin.
We’ve been busy here at the Soard house preparing for my daughter’s upcoming wedding. I’m throwing her a bridal shower in a couple of weeks and decided to create the treats myself after pricing them out. I used to make wedding cakes many years ago, so am working on cake pops and mini treats that are beautiful like a wedding cake. Boy, are my skills rusty!
Here are some photos of a couple of my practice pieces from the last week. I still have quite a ways to go before the shower, but it is coming together, and I’m rediscovering a hobby I’ve always loved, making beautiful baked treats.
My next task is getting the cake pop texture right. I despise cake pop texture. It tastes gummy to me. So… I’m experimenting with actual cake that is a pop shape. Will update after the shower what we go with and what was and wasn’t a hit. Stay tuned.
I’ve always believed any creativity I have is a gift from God. Sadly, we can squash that spark with our life choices. As many of you know, I left a long-time position back at the end of May. It wasn’t an easy choice, and honestly, my pocketbook still grieves the decision some days. That said, within five minutes of making that choice, I had about 10 new ideas for books, things I wanted to create and more.
My creativity has slowing been returning, and I’m seeing it in the planning for this bridal shower. The centerpieces are quite distinctive and beautiful and tie into the things my daughter loves most. The cake pops are coming together and unique from anything else I’ve seen out there. The decor is whimsical and perfect.
Whether you’re a writer, a musician, an artist, a gardener or a reader, you have that spark of creativity, too. How will it show up for you? Our greatest inspiration should be in the master creator, our Lord, who created the heavens and the earth and rolled out the stars like a scroll. If He could breath life into the universe with His words, of course he added that spark of creativity to you, to me, to all of us. What will your next creative adventure be?
I have some events coming up in August. Mark your calendars and join me. I’m participating in three different promotions throughout the month of August (listed below). You can grab books from mystery authors in all three.
August 26th - Game Night 4 to 6 p.m. (watch for announcement with link or watch social media)
August 29th - Local event booth (Message me privately for details if you live in the southern Indiana area, and I will share the exact location. Would love to meet some of my readers!)
I am currently lining up a September digital book tour. If you own a newsletter, host a podcast or do social media takeovers, let me know. I’d love to come visit for a day!
Group Events! Click the Links Below!
https://books.bookfunnel.com/christianmysteriesonku/ojhljhjjsq
https://books.bookfunnel.com/seasandsleuths/vrbqy5t2wv
https://books.bookfunnel.com/cfkureads_fall/cy0gicjokt
As you can see, between book releases, bridal showers and events, my August is already full. Luckily, September should be a bit calmer, so I can focus on my writing. Until next time…
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