A Little Latitude (Gift Shop Mysteries Book 4) by Johnnie Alexander

Book Details: 

Title:  A Little Latitude

Series: Gift Shop Mysteries, Book 4

Author: Johnnie Alexander

Publisher: Guideposts

Release Date: August 25, 2026

Pages:  273 

Genre: Christian Mystery

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Book Description:

A Little Latitude is the fourth book in the Gift Shop Mysteries series.

When an antique map appears on the doorstep at Heavenly Presents, Sarah Morgan wonders if it’s a hoax. Or could it really lead to a rumored treasure hidden near a lakeshore cottage? The remote building was once used to store ice cut from the lake to provide residents with refrigeration during the hot summer months. But local folklore claims that it was also used for smuggling in the nineteenth century. Sarah finds herself teaming up with Flint Carroway, her handsome forest
ranger friend, to learn who left the map for Sarah and, of course, if the treasure rumors are true. But will someone with nefarious motives beat them to where X marks the spot?

Meanwhile, Sarah is invited to speak at a prestigious event hosted by her alma mater. She feels undeserving of the honor and is hesitant to accept for fear of speaking in front of a crowd. Can Sarah give herself a little latitude and prove that she is exactly where she belongs?

About the Gift Shop Mysteries Series

Every gift tells a story…and some bring mysteries!

Get ready for a faith-filled mystery like no other! The excitement begins when Sarah Morgan returns to her picturesque hometown along the shore of Lake Huron to open a gift and curiosities shop, which she calls Heavenly Presents. As she reconnects with family and friends and grows in her faith, Sarah feels her shop becoming more than just a place to browse or buy. It’s turning into a cozy haven, where tucked among the handmade keepsakes and one-of-a-kind wonders are clues to long-buried secrets and surprising truths. Sarah soon discovers that solving small-town mysteries might just be the most meaningful gift she can offer.

My Thoughts: Wonderful Story

A Little Latitude is a cozy mystery with elements of romance, faith, and a connection to the past that blend together flawlessly into an enjoyable and intriguing story. Sarah and Flint are at the forefront, but all the characters contribute and add to the story, keeping me guessing throughout. Add to that the wonderful setting and the fascinating details of what it takes to be a history detective, and you have a wonderful story that I highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of this book. All comments and opinions are entirely my own and voluntary.

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About the Author:  Johnnie Alexander

Johnnie Alexander is a wannabe vagabond with a heart for making memories. Whether at home or on the road, she creates characters you want to meet and imagines stories you won't forget.

Her award-winning debut novel, Where Treasure Hides, is a CBA bestseller and has been translated into Dutch and Norwegian. She also writes contemporary romances, cozy mysteries, and historical novellas. The Mischief Thief is her first suspense novel.

Johnnie is on the executive boards of Serious Writer, Inc. and Mid-South Christian Writers Conference, co-hosts an online show called Writers Chat, and teaches at writers conferences and for Serious Writer Academy.

A fan of classic movies, stacks of books, and road trips, Johnnie shares a life of quiet adventure with Griff, her happy-go-lucky collie, and Rugby, her raccoon-treeing papillon.

  

Murder, Plainly Written by Mindy Steele

Book Details: 

Title: Murder, Plainly Written 

Series: Volume 1 (The Plain Order Ink Society)

Author: Mindy Steele

Publisher: Barbour Publishing

Release Date: September 1, 2026

Pages: 256  

Genre: Christian Mystery & Suspense

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Book Description:

She just wanted to fit into Amish Country. . .now she’s standing out!

First novel in The Plain Order Ink Society series, in which Amish writers crack the case of local mysteries.

Sadie Lynch thought inheriting her late Amish aunt’s candle shop was a blessing—a chance to leave her stalled writing career behind and find a fresh start. But running a Plain business when she's not Amish isn’t exactly filling her store with customers—especially when the local minister insists she sell out.

Sadie, who doesn’t want to leave, thankfully meets Wanda—an Amish woman with a secret obsession. As Wanda continues to visit the candle shop, an unexpected partnership blooms when Wanda agrees to help Sadie’s shop in exchange for writing advice.

But the grand reopening of the candle shop takes a deadly turn when the body of the Amish minister is discovered behind the counter. Now Sadie is the only suspect, prompting Wanda and the Plain Order Ink Society to try helping her solve the mystery.

But in this Plain community, secrets burn brighter than flames—and nothing is as simple as it seems.

My Thoughts: Fun and Engaging

Murder, Plainly Written is a wonderful cozy mystery. As Sadie finds herself owning a shop she knew nothing about from a relative she never knew existed, she moves forward filled with the hope that this new beginning offers. The last thing she expected was to be considered a top suspect in a murder case, and as the case unfolds, more and more clues surface, leaving more questions than answers. Through it all, friendships and relationships develop, impacting the case. While finding the guilty party, the motives, and how it all took place kept me guessing, I was also turning pages to find answers to Sadie's own mystery. 

This wonderful mystery had elements of friendship, community, faith, family, and a touch of romance. Through the writings of Sadie and the Plain Order Ink Society, it also provided key information about what the writing process entails. I found it very insightful and felt it greatly enhanced the storyline. 

This fun and engaging story is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a great cozy mystery, and if it's not your thing, I recommend trying it anyway. You won't be disappointed. 

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book. All comments and opinions are entirely my own and voluntary.

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About the Author: Mindy Steele

Raised in Kentucky timber country, Steele is a best-selling and award-winning author who writes in favor of her rural surroundings. Winner of the 2022 and 2024 FHL Reader’s Choice award, Steele has been a welcomed addition to the Amish genre. Her knowledge and admiration for the Amish credits her ability to understand boundaries, and customs, giving her readers an inside view of the Plain life. Her accidental debut into romantic suspense proves she is a writer of words and a storyteller at heart. Her books are peppered with humor, and sprinkled with grace, charming all the senses to make you laugh, cry, hold your breath, and root for the happy ever after ending.

Autumn at the Cat Café by Kathleen Fuller

Book Details: 

Title: Autumn at the Cat Café 

Author: Kathleen Fuller

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Release Date: August 4, 2026

Pages: 304  

Genre: Holiday Fiction/Christian Romance

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Book Description:

Via Dalton has sworn off men to focus on the two things she loves most: her quirky cat café, Pawsitive Vibes, and the charming town of Pecan Corner, Ohio. But her peaceful world is shaken when Earl Brewster, the owner of the beloved Second Chapter Books next door, passes away. Via is determined to buy the shop and preserve Earl's legacy, but her plans hit a snag in the form of a tall, handsome, and completely unexpected heir.

Leo Brewster's life is thriving in LA, and the last thing he needs is an inheritance in the middle-of-nowhere, Ohio. But the alternative--letting his estranged mother inherit--has him packing his bags to receive the inheritance, quickly sell it off to the highest bidder, and hightail it back to LA. What he didn't count on was the list of stipulations in the will that has him staying in the small town for a month. Oh, and the determined, sunny café owner next door who refuses to let him destroy the town's heart without a fight.

Desperate to convince Leo the bookstore is vital to her community, Via challenges Leo to complete her Autumn Bucket List. As they navigate corn mazes, pumpkin patches, and fall festivals, Leo begins to see the magic in Pecan Corner--and in Via. Despite her vow to stay single and his plan to leave, the attraction between them simmers like hot cider.

Can a season of small-town charm convince a city boy to stay, or will Via lose both the bookstore and her heart?

My Thoughts: Sweet Romance

This sweet and cozy romance is lighthearted and entertaining. 

Via and Leo are on opposite sides of the friendly spectrum. While Via is lively and friendly, Leo is grumpy and distant. But one similarity is that they've both had their share of situations that have left each somewhat scarred. Seeing eye to eye takes some time, but some meddling family members and spunky cats are ready to help them along. The result is a delightful, entertaining, and cute romance that will leave you smiling.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and voluntary.

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About the Author:  Kathleen Fuller

With over two million copies sold, Kathleen Fuller is the USA TODAY bestselling author of several bestselling novels, including the Hearts of Middlefield novels, the Middlefield Family novels, the Amish of Birch Creek series, and the Amish Letters series as well as a middle-grade Amish series, the Mysteries of Middlefield. Visit her online at KathleenFuller.com; Instagram: @kf_booksandhooks; Facebook: @WriterKathleenFuller; X: @TheKatJam.

 

Your Fellow Americans: Dispatches from Across the Country We Call Home by Peter Santenello

Book Details: 

Title: Your Fellow Americans 

Author: Peter Santenello

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Release Date: August 4, 2026

Pages: 336  

Genre: Solo Travel

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Book Description:

Have you ever swapped stories on a porch with Amish snowbirds in Florida? Searched for reindeer with the Siberian Yupik in Alaska? Been a guest on a houseboat deep in the Louisiana bayou?

Peter Santenello hadn’t either until, after years spent traveling through eighty-five countries and living abroad, he realized the most unfamiliar territory was often his own American backyard. And so, with a camera in hand and an open mind, he began visiting communities across the country, places that most of the media overlooks or misrepresents, from tiny towns in Appalachia to the streets of East LA.

What began as curiosity became—one story at a time—an intimate, revealing portrait of America today.

From road trips and chance encounters to dinners shared in locals’ homes, Your Fellow Americans captures what makes this country so dynamic, so resilient, and, most of all, so very human. Because what Peter discovered on his travels wasn’t a nation torn in two. He found something more complex and more powerful: People who want to be seen, who are willing to listen, and who still believe we’re more alike than we are different.

With humor, exuberance, and reverence for the human spirit, Your Fellow Americans is a celebration of the United States that exists far beyond the headlines—and an invitation to sit down, open up, and rediscover the soul of this place that we call home.

My Thoughts: Informative

Your Fellow Americans is an extremely informative book. It's not just about the locations Peter Santenello has visited; more importantly, it's about the people and the communities. It gives such wonderful insight into things that one would never even have imagined. 

I have watched Peter's YouTube videos for quite some time, so when I saw the book, I knew I had to read it. And the book goes way beyond what I'd seen on the videos, adding more depth with situations and conversations that didn't take place in the videos that come to light. It is a fantastic read, which I highly recommend. 

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book. All comments and opinions are entirely my own and voluntary.

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About the Author: Peter Santenello

Peter Santenello makes videos showing you a world that the media fails to capture. His stories and videos have no polarization or political angle—just pure authentic interactions with the locals.

Walking with Jesus: Devotion: Devotions for Autumn & Thanksgiving by Guidposts

Book Details: 

Title:  Walking with Jesus: Devotions for Autumn &                  Thanksgiving 

Author: Guideposts

Publisher: Guideposts

Release Date:  August 4, 2026

Pages:  144 

Genre: Christian Devotionals Book

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Book Description:

A timeless fall devotional to return to year after year.

Celebrate the beauty of autumn and prepare your heart for Thanksgiving with Walking with Jesus: Devotions for Autumn & Thanksgiving. This inspiring daily devotional, created by the editors of Mornings with Jesus, offers 61 daily readings for October 1 through November 30, guiding you through the season with gratitude, reflection, and faith. Featuring the same content as the widely loved 2025 edition, this re-release has been lightly edited to serve as a timeless devotional.

My Thoughts: Excellent

The Walking With Jesus Devotional for Autumn is spectacular. The daily reads are wonderful, and many of them discussed situations I have experienced, and the daily verses connected well with them. However, my favorite part was the faith steps that each included. They are so practical, easy to implement, and very impactful for spiritual growth. And while the devotional is set for autumn, it is excellent for any time of the year, and I highly recommend it. 

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book. All comments and opinions are entirely my own and voluntary.

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About the Author:  Guideposts

For more than 75 years, Guideposts, a nonprofit organization, has been inspiring people to believe anything is possible through faith, hope, and prayer. We provide award-winning magazines, best-selling books, a leading Christian meditation app, Abide, and ministry outreach services. To learn more, visit guideposts.org.

Embroidering the Truth by Elizabeth Penney

Book Details: 

Title:  Embroidering the Truth

Series: Gift Shop Mysteries Book 3

Author: Elizabeth Penney

Publisher: Guideposts

Release Date: July 28, 2026

Pages:  304 

Genre: Amateur Sleuths

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Book Description:

Sarah Morgan's latest mystery arrives at Heavenly Presents along with her old friend Renee Torres, who brings a stunning quilt that belonged to her recently deceased aunt. Together, they realize that this Baltimore album quilt includes pieces from a famous nineteenth-century artist, Emily Deveau―meaning the value of the piece just skyrocketed! What was such a precious item doing in Renee's aunt's possession?

News of the quilt spreads quickly throughout Port Huron. Soon Sarah finds herself not only researching its history, but also helping Renee protect it from those who are desperate to get their hands on it. Sarah discovers a tale of deception and betrayal that takes her all the way back to the 1893 World's Fair.

It's a race against time―and a mysterious adversary―to find the answers Sarah and her friend seek.

My Thoughts: Cozy Mystery

If you like cozy mysteries with a dual timeline and a touch of inspiration, this one is for you. 

This book is a wonderful read that kept me guessing up to the very end. The information on how facts and clues are acquired for historical pieces was so interesting and key to the story. The dual timeline also added much to solving the mystery and gave the story more depth. All of these elements make the book a great cozy mystery that all can enjoy. 

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book. All comments and opinions are entirely my own and voluntary.

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About the Author: Elizabeth Penney

Elizabeth Penney is the author of the Apron Shop Series and the Cambridge Bookshop Series, both from St. Martin's Press. She is also the author of women's fiction and mysteries for Annie's Fiction and Guideposts.

Now living in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, she pens novels and tries to grow things. Elements that often appear in her novels include vintage everything, past/present mysteries, historic houses, and the arts. Oh, and usually a very cool cat.

Visit her website at www.elizabethpenneyauthor.com to learn more.

Fancy Dogs by Tini Malina - Tammi Reichel

Book Details: 

Title: Fancy Dogs 

Author: Tini Malina

Translator: Tammi Reichel

Publisher: NorthSouth Books

Release Date: October 6, 2026

Pages: 48 

Genre: Children's Pet Books

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Book Description:

Our best friends are featured at their most stylish—and silliest—in this hilarious rhyming picture book that’s a perfect gift for dog lovers of any age.

Fancy dogs are elegant and distinguished, but of course, our lovable four-legged friends have many facets. They may have the chicest sweaters, but they still roll in the mud, drink from the toilet, and chew up our favorite shoes. However, that doesn’t make us love our furry friends any less. If anything, their behavior makes the perfect tale for a sweet little book sure to delight anyone whose best friend is fancy pants—and more.

My Thoughts: Adorable

Fancy Dogs is an adorable story. The illustrations are lovely and add a special touch to the story, and the antics of the fancy dog make it quite entertaining. Even my 8-year-old grandson enjoyed it as he envisioned his dog doing a few of the things that the dog did. It's a story I highly recommend for parents to share with their young children.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book. All comments and opinions are entirely my own and voluntary.

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About the Author: Tini Malina - Tammi Reichel

Tini Malina engaged in a wide range of professional experience before she finally found her way to picture book illustration. She loves creating small, unique worlds for equally small and unique creatures. Tini is also the creator of Selma–The Story of a Stellar Spider (Selma–la historia de una araña estelar). She lives, writes, and illustrates in Saarland, Germany.

Tammi Reichel earned two degrees in theology and then moved to Germany for a decade, where she became an editor for an international publisher. She has translated a wide range of books, from art and architecture to cookbooks to young adult novels, including My Family for the War, which received the 2013 Batchelder Award. After raising her family in Virginia, she now lives in western Montana.