Review: Texas Reclaimed by Sherry Shindelar

 Texas Reclaimed (Lone Star Redemption) by Sherry Shindelar

 

Texas Reclaimed (Buy Now)   

Sherry Shindelar

January 30, 2026

400 pages

Wild Heart Books

 

Can love blossom between a woman haunted by her family's past and a man with a war-scarred heart?

Cora Scott is determined to hold onto her family's Texas ranch and provide a stable home for her young half-brother, Charlie, despite the mounting challenges of post-Civil War frontier life. But when a scheming creditor threatens to seize their land, she must accept help from Ben McKenzie, a former Yankee soldier sent by her late brother. Though Ben's generosity and strength draw her, the man's private struggle she stumbles upon—too reminiscent of her father's alcoholism—makes her question whether she can trust her heart to him.

Ben McKenzie arrives in Texas intent on fulfilling his promise to his dying friend to protect Cora and Charlie. While using his inheritance to save their ranch, he battles not only the loss of their cattle but also his dependency on laudanum—a medicine that turned into a curse after his imprisonment at Andersonville. As his feelings for Cora deepen, he must choose between his promise to his father to take over their Philadelphia newspaper and his growing dream of a life with Cora in Texas.

When a Comanche warrior begins courting Cora and Ben's responsibilities in Philadelphia threaten to tear them apart, they must decide if their love is strong enough to overcome their fears and forge a future together on the Texas frontier.

 

 

Reviewer’s Comment:

 

Texas Reclaimed by Sherry Shindelar starts out after the Civil War in 1866, Philadelphia, PA. Ben McKenzie still fighting the effects from the pain of the war and is hooked on laudanum but trying to set himself free from this “tincture of alcohol and opium.” Yet the night his engagement was to be announced to Olivia, who had waited years for him to come home from the war and now when her parents and his parents, owners of the Philadelphia Sentinel, are ready to announce the engagement, a promise that Ben made to Lieutenant Jeb Scott while they were still in Andersonville Prison Camp, came back to haunt Ben. His gut wouldn’t leave him alone until he kept his promise to his dying friend and made sure Scott’s mother and sister were taken care of. Olivia is anything but understanding of Ben’s plight of wanting to honor his friend’s dying request. But Ben had promised, and when he arrived in Texas, he ran into Jeb’s sister Cora Scott, trying to pay a debt and save her land that her drunken father had gambled away. Ben admires Cora’s grit, spunk and gumption but follows her home from Weatherford at a distance to let her cool off before he introduces himself. Women who have fended for themselves are not always anxious to let strangers help...From here, get ready for an emotional, yet delightful story.

 

This well-written story captures life in the post-Civil War era, and Shindelar’s extraordinarily engaging prose delve into a courageous story of endurance, learning to cope and adjust to a post-war society with a new set of problems, which brings the reader closer to the people and what life was like in this beautiful and compelling story. Great suspense and good characterization. Highly recommended.

 

About the Author:                                                                                                  

                                                            

Sherry Shindelar is originally from Tennessee. She loves to take her readers into the past and share her faith. An avid student of the Civil War and the Old West, she has always been a romantic at heart. When she is not busy writing, she is an English professor working to pass on her love of writing to her students. Sherry is an award-winning writer: 2023 Genesis finalist, Maggie finalist, and Crown finalist. She currently resides in Minnesota with her husband of thirty-eight years (Their romance started on a city bus on Valentine's Day). She has three grown children and three grandchildren.

Pre-order Now: Mesmerize by Darlene Corbett

 

Mesmerize  (Pre-order Now)

Darlene Corbett

February 18, 2026

344 pages

Wordcrafts Press

 

Set against the backdrop of Las Vegas, Boston, and Dubai, can a storyteller win back the love of her life through tales sprinkled with faith and love.

Boston-based Delphina Tulasi, a therapeutic storyteller, has shunned men. A year after a major betrayal, she accompanies her mother Lucia, a matchmaker, to Las Vegas to help her run an exclusive speed-dating event.

Alexander O’Hara, a CFO with secrets of his own, accepts Lucia’s invitation to attend. He meets Delphina. They go out on a date in Las Vegas and return to Boston where their love blossoms. All goes well until Alex goes on a long business trip to Dubai. A visit from someone in her past confuses Delphina, lures her back to a previous relationship, prompting her to break up with Alex.
After a few dates with her ex, Delphina recognizes the mistake she’s made and becomes determined to win back Alex. She uses her creativity, spins stories based on truth, and sends them in videos across the internet.
But will it work?

 

About the Author:

                                                                                                               

Darlene Corbett views herself as a lifelong learner, a pursuer of excellence, a work-in-progress, and a truth seeker. Serving others as a licensed psychotherapist has been her primary professional position for over thirty years.

Now, she includes Author/Writer and Speaker.

Her wealth of experience in human behavior prompted Darlene to write her ideas on paper, which set the stage for her book, “Stop Depriving The World of You,” published by Sound Wisdom in 2018. Darlene wrote her first novel, Visible, a women’s fiction about second chances, published by WordCrafts Press in the spring of 2024, and plans on writing two more books in this series.

And right now?

She’s finishing a contemporary romance, the first in another series.

Besides being an avid reader, Darlene loves animals, especially dogs, which you'll see in her novel. Also, she treasures learning another language, yoga, fitness, traveling, and connecting with her inner circle. She belongs to many organizations, including the ACFW, FHL-CW, and AWSA.

She makes her home in Central Massachusetts with her beloved Shih Tzu and remains excited about the next chapter of her life. To receive her short story, a magical romance, sign up for her newsletter.

 

Book Review: Final Jeopardy

 

Final Jeopardy: A Jake Sledge Mystery (Jake Sledge Mysteries Book 2) 
by B. D Lawrence

Final Jeopardy (Pre-order now)

B.D. Lawrence

Kindle

February 15, 2026

A fedora-wearing PI. A twisted family legacy. A client who might be more dangerous than the killer.

 

Jake "The Hammer" Sledge traded his NFL career for a private investigator's license, but he never expected his past to come back with a vengeance. When Jeopardy Dupree walks into his River City office, Jake knows he's in for trouble. She's the woman whose dangerous alter ego once tried to kill him, and now she wants him to prove her schizophrenic brother Barker didn't murder Sandy Akins, the nurse's aide he planned to marry.

The case seems open and shut. Barker walked away from River Bluffs Treatment Center days before the murder. His bloody fingerprints are at the scene. But Jake's detective instincts tell him something is off, and his investigation uncovers secrets that put a target on his back.

Someone wants Jake dead. A mystery woman in a dark SUV tries to run him down. She attacks his girlfriend Allison with a brutal warning: stay away from Jake Sledge. When Jake's contacts start dying and evidence begins disappearing, he realizes he's stumbled onto something far more sinister than a crime of passion. At the center of it all: the Dupree family and a twisted legacy that turns loyalty into a weapon.

Partnered with Bobo Johnson, a Hall of Fame defensive tackle with unshakeable faith and a devastating right hook, Jake races to untangle the truth before the killer strikes again. But as he digs deeper into the Dupree family's dark secrets, he's forced to confront his own demons. Haunted by violent flashbacks and questioning everything he once believed, Jake discovers that solving this case might require more than his trademark fedora and his beloved 1975 Delta 88.

The closer Jake gets to the truth, the more dangerous the game becomes. Bodies are piling up. Evidence points in every direction. And the line between victim and villain blurs when Jake realizes the most dangerous player might be the one he least suspects.

Reviewers comment:

Final Jeopardy (book 2 in the Jake Sledge Mysteries series) by B. D. Lawrence draws the reader into the story's mayhem and mystery and keeps them guessing until the very end. Authorities accuse Barker Dupree of killing his girlfriend Sandy Akins, which prompts his sister Jeopardy Dupree to hire the Sledge Detective Agency to find enough evidence that will set Barker free. Bobo Johnson is Sledge’s partner in their River City detective agency and ready to tackle anything Sledge throws at him.

However, the Duprees are no ordinary family, and Barker and Jeopardy like to hide secrets that keep Sledge and Bobo guessing. Sledge hesitates to take the case because of his last dealing with Jeopardy, when she tried to kill him. Which means around every corner Sledge has to keep his eyes open.  And trying to find evidence to free Jeopardy’s schizophrenic brother, Barker, turns out to be the least of Sledge’s worries.

 A story loaded with obstacles and roadblocks that creates great plot twists you won’t see coming, but the best part of this book is how entertaining it is. The banter between Bobo and Sledge and their characters is so entertaining and lively that it pulls the reader into the suspense and drama and never let's go. Never a dull moment. A great plot, wonderful characterization, ruthless killers, intriguing women, and suspense that will keep you guessing until the very end. A must read. 

About the Author:

                                                                                                                                

B.D. Lawrence has always loved reading fiction. Ironically, though, his worst subject in high school was English. One night, sitting in a master's level computer programming class, daydreaming about vigilantes, he decided to give writing a try. Out of that came his first novel, which went nowhere. That was many years ago.

During his writing journey he’s dabbled in several genres, including mystery, suspense, science fiction, fantasy, and literary fiction. He currently is focusing on crime stories of justice, vengeance, and redemption. He hopes his Lefty Bruder private detective series will not only entertain lovers of P.I. fiction but will also help fight the scourge of human trafficking, as B.D. Lawrence is going to donate half of all his profits from that series to organizations helping to fight human trafficking.                                         

Learn more about B.D. Lawrence and his work at https://bdlawrence.com/

 

                                                                                                           

Broken Cookie Hearts

 

Broken Cookie Hearts: A Holiday Romance Book 2 by Kathleen J. Robison 

Broken Cookie Hearts (Preorder Now)

Kathleen J. Robison

Kindle

238 Pages

February 14, 2026

Her worth isn't up for judging because faith is the secret ingredient.

Valentine’s Day—or Single Awareness Day, as Nora has always called it—is right around the corner. But romance isn’t in her recipe this year. Nora has her sights set on one thing: winning the town’s Valentine Cookie Competition. After years of battling negative self-image, she’s finally found her footing, tackling life with confidence, sass, and a whole lot of buttercream.

When a talented and beautiful French baker arrives in town, old doubts begin to rise like overworked dough. The competition threatens more than Nora’s chance at the title; it shakes the hard-won peace she’s found. As the pressure heats up, Nora discovers that her worth isn’t measured by judges’ scores, charming suitors, or the attention of the newest handsome face in town. Instead, it’s her faith that steadies her hands and softens her heart, giving her the courage to face her rival with grace, resilience, and just a pinch of sass.

About the Author:

                                                                                                                   

Kathleen J. Robison writes entertaining, inspirational fiction. Romantic Suspense and Holiday Romance are her main line-up. Her likable characters tackle difficult trials with and sometimes without God's strength. It's the central theme of Kathleen's stories, and she hopes to inspire her readers to live life to the fullest by seeking God in all things. If her characters can weather through and rise above a myriad of difficult situations, so can her readers. If you like suspenseful stories with a thread of romance, check out Kathleen's Bay Town Series.

Born in Okinawa and raised in California, Florida, Mississippi, and Singapore, Kathleen's travels are the inspirational settings for her stories. She and her pastor husband have eight adult children. Seven are married, blessing them with nineteen grandchildren and counting. The diversity of their 36 family members inspires more lively characters than can be imagined!

Her Mistaken Identity Cowboy

 

Her Mistaken Identity Cowboy: Love at Vargas Ranch Book 1

Her Mistaken Identity Cowboy  (Buy Now)

Karen Barney

Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook

232 pages

Desert Life Media

He’s running from his twin’s crimes. She’s haunted by the man who betrayed her. Can she open her heart to his identical twin?

Shannon thought she’d buried the past—until she arrived at Vargas Ranch and saw the face of the man who shattered her trust. The man she swore she’d never forgive.

Parker has spent his life paying for his brother's sins. False accusations and shattered opportunities follow him everywhere—because no one sees the man behind the face. When Shannon mistakes him for his twin and has him arrested, his fragile fresh start shatters.

Now forced to work together in the ranch’s equine therapy program, Shannon and Parker must navigate a tense enemies-to-friends journey. As they confront the pain of the past and the pull of unexpected attraction, trust becomes the hardest battle of all.

She must learn to trust the man her heart keeps mistaking for the one who broke it. Parker must prove he's not his brother before he loses his second chance at love.

When the past collides with the present, can love build the bridge to healing and forgiveness?

A heartfelt Christian romance about redemption, mistaken identity, and love that dares to heal. Her Mistaken Identity Cowboy will steal your heart.

  

Reviewer’s comments: Her Mistaken Identity Cowboy by Karen Baney

Most twins are usually the best of friends, except for Parker and Lucas Quaid. Lucas, unfortunately, likes to prey upon women and widows until he gains their trust and can swindle them out of everything they have. Afterward, Lucas skedaddles out of town, and Parker gets mistaken for his brother, hauled before the court and made to pay Lucas’ debt.

Finally, Parker gets hired on the Vargas Ranch. The perfect place to stay out of sight and hide from his brother’s crimes. Parker likes his boss, Dylan Vargas, and loves working on the ranch because no one knows him there and knows his past false reputation, namely, his brother's fraud and theft. At the Vargas ranch, he can do his job and stay away from people.

That is until the day Shannon Burke comes to the ranch to work. Shannon had worked for her Aunt Shirley and built her aunt's foundation into a thriving operation. When Dylan Vargas looks for someone to run his equine therapy program for disabled children and veterans, Aunt Shirley suggests Shannon. But on her first day at the Vargas ranch, Shannon runs into Parker Quaid, and mistakes him for Lucas, who has swindled her out of money. She immediately calls the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.

Baney’s flawless writing is witty and entertaining while her plotting keeps you guessing and intrigued. The reader rides along with Parker as he navigates his hurt, disgrace, and the emotional rollercoaster of his life. While buried in story, I wondered how one brother, a twin, could do that to his brother. And how could Shannon forget the past, move forward, and trust a man who looks just like Lucas? That question pulls the reader deeper into the story. An intriguing read that I highly recommend.   

About the Author: Karen Barney

                                                                                

Faith, hope, and love come alive in the rugged beauty of Arizona.

As a member of Faith Hope & Love Christian Writers and author of over 30 Christian contemporary cowboy romances and historical romances, I write faith-laced stories where characters feel like lifelong friends. My novels follow flawed individuals who need second chances, redemption, or the courage to overcome personal trials—all set against the backdrop of real Arizona history and the landscapes I treasure.

My husband, Jim, and I live in Gilbert, Arizona, with our two dogs, Bella and Daisy. We love exploring our beautiful state together, discovering new adventures that often find their way into my stories. We're also involved at Rock Point Church in Queen Creek.

Thank you for joining me on these journeys through the Arizona I love.