"Not Precisely Mr. Knightley" by Carolyn Miller

 

About the Book

Book: Not Precisely Mr. Knightley (The Silver Teapot Series Book Two)

Author: Carolyn Miller

Genre: Romance/Contemporary/Christian Fiction

Release Date: May, 2026

Can the Matchmaker Find True Love?

Emma-Jane (EJ) Bennett and Jordan Knight are longtime best friends who codesigned the immensely successful dating app, Dream Match. Success starts to go to EJ’s head when she gets caught up in the famous and money-hungry social circles and starts dating the son of a TV mogul. But Jordan’s feelings have grown from friendship to more. He determines to protect her by exposing Eric Churchill for the two-timer he is, finally agreeing to attend a function with her at the Sydney Opera House. But his best intentions go awry when EJ is embarrassed and runs for the security of home, small-town roots, and The Silver Teapot Café, feeling like Jane Austen’s chastised Emma—only without her Mr. Knightley.

Don’t miss book 1 in The Silver Teapot series, Not Exactly Mr. Darcy

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts 

"Not Precisely Mr. Knightley" is the second book in the Silver Teapot series. The Bennett family appears in this story as well, but it seems you'd be able to read this one on its own. The characters were believable, albeit somewhat unlikeable at times. There was a good biblical faith thread woven through the book. It was good to see EJ grow and realize what was really important. I will be interested in reading the next book to see what happens with more of the Bennett sisters. 

About the Author

Carolyn Miller is an inspirational Regency and contemporary romance author who lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. Together with her husband, she has pastored a church for ten years and worked as a public high school English and Learning and Support teacher.

A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s Regency era, Carolyn holds a BA in English Literature and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives.

 

 

More from Carolyn

Do you know someone who has found love online?

I do. I have numbers of friends and even a family member who have found love and married thanks to dating apps and the like. This newer form of meeting people is something I’ve referenced in several of my books (including Only You Can Love Me), as several of my characters have used an app called Dream Match, a romance matchmaking app for Christian singles around the world. But when I first mentioned Dream Match years ago I didn’t realise at the time that I’d end up writing a story about how the inventor of Dream Match would finally meet her match.

And it seemed perfect to me that Jane Austen’s Emma Woodhouse, known for her matchmaking skills, should be reflected in a modern day context as being the ultimate matchmaker, EJ Bennett, who is responsible for helping hundreds of people find love online. Even if she doesn’t think she needs or wants love for herself.

Playing with Jane Austen’s characters and putting them in a modern setting is a lot of fun. So not only does Emma Woodhouse become EJ Bennett, but George Knightley becomes EJ’s best friend and app co-designer Jordan Knight, the straight shooter she needs. And Frank Churchill, the man Emma starts to fall for, becomes Eric Churchill, son of a TV mogul squillionaire.

The first book in The Silver Teapot series, Not Exactly Mr. Darcy, also played around with some of Austen’s settings, placing the story in a small town in Australia called Wattle Vale. I had fun further developing the Australian connections by setting other key scenes in iconic places like the Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach, which naturally meant I had to visit for “research.”

So I hope readers enjoy this little taste of Australia, and all the fun references to Jane Austen’s Emma. Be sure to check out my website and follow me on social media for more Jane Austen inspiration and fun, and get ready to enjoy Not Precisely Mr. Knightley, a sweet and swoony best friends-to-more romance that shows the path to true love is never smooth – even for the professional matchmaker.

Happy reading!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 28

Book Looks by Lisa, May 28

The Sacred Line, May 29

All-of-a-kind Mom, May 29

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 30

Pause for Tales, May 30

Life on Chickadee Lane, May 31

Stories By Gina, June 1 (Author Interview)

To Everything There Is A Season , June 1

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 2

Texas Book-aholic, June 3

For Him and My Family, June 4

Lyssa Loves Books, June 5

Wishful Endings, June 5

Fruitfully Planted, June 6

Happily Managing a Household of Boys , June 6

Cover Lover Book Review, June 7

Mrs. Ryan Moser’s Book and Movie Reviews, June 7

Melissa’s Bookshelf , June 8

Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 8

Blossoms and Blessings, June 9

Holly’s Book Corner, June 10

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Carolyn is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon e-Gift card and a print copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/doE7D/not-precisely-mr-knightley-celebration-tour-giveaway

I got a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and given voluntarily. No compensation was received for my review.

"Psalms for the Sea, Volume IV: Operations" by David Reid Brown -- Author Interview

 

About the Book

Book: Psalms from the Sea, Volume IV: OPERATIONS

Author: David Reid Brown

Genre: Christian Devotional

Release Date: October, 2025

DID YOU KNOW? YOUR CHRISTIAN WALK HAS A LOT IN COMMON WITH THE LIFE OF A NAVY SAILOR!

Yes! It seems too hard to believe but it is true. Sailors experience hardship, trust, fatigue, worry, disappointment, joy–and so do you! A sailor’s life is filled with the common experiences you have every day of your Christian walk.

OPERATIONS is a compilation of over fifty devotional stories composed by DAVID REID BROWN while he served at sea. These stories present the life of sailors in a way that touches on topics that mirror your daily Christian walk. Each story concludes with a practical application section, relevant scripture, and prayer.

DAVID REID BROWN has first-hand knowledge in understanding the life of a Sailor because he lived it. As former Navy Chaplain, he also understands Biblical truth and how to identify spiritual principles and experiences that Christians and sailors share.

In this book, readers will be:

• Surprised to learn the daily lives of Christians and Sailors are quite similar.
• Inspired by sea stories that connect with Biblical truths.
• Amazed by the selfless sacrifice of Sailors, Marines, and their families.

Still curious? Read this book and find out how God will meet your curiosity with a stronger faith in Him and a deeper admiration for the service of military members and their families.

 

Click here to get your copy!

Author Interview 

Why did you choose to write about this topic?
First, I’d like to thank you for the opportunity to be featured on your blog.
I chose to write this book in dedication to all the sailors and families whom I have had the privilege
of serving as a U.S. Navy Chaplain. Operations is the fourth volume in the “Psalms From the Sea”
devotional series, and it tells the story of my first shipboard deployment, which started eight days
after 9/11 and concluded seven months later. The premise of the books is that there are striking
similarities between the experiences in the daily life of a Sailor and that of a Christian.

How do you balance writing time with other things?
I am a high school Government, Art, and Bible teacher who works the traditional forty-hour work
week. As you may be aware, a teacher’s work doesn’t end at 3:30 pm but extends into most
evenings with lesson planning and grading, with even the weekend open for more planning time.
Therefore, my writing takes place early mornings between 4 and 6 am and on weekends during the
school year. Summer is my “sweet spot”, when I have unrestricted time to write and engage in other
recreational activities. The bulk of my books is accelerated or completed during the summer. I have
two children who are young adults, and they do not require the attention that was required during
their school-aged and teenage years.

Was there anything you found particularly interesting while researching?
The whole Psalms From the Sea series is a non-fiction memoir that I experienced first-hand.
Everything about it was interesting! I distinctly remember how that peaceful morning of September
11, 2001, began, all to have it shattered by the terrorist attack. I remember having to report to my
ship at Norfolk Naval Base and being ordered to sail up to New York City to help with the relief
efforts. Deploying eight days later to Afghanistan—literally a half a world away from home.
Spending seven months overseas and returning home to a hero’s welcome. Yes, it was all very
interesting and quite an honor to serve our country at that critical time in our history.

Do you think reading helps you with writing? 
I think it does. The influx of ideas and various approaches to writing only enhances your skill. The
more you read, the better you become at writing. Besides, there are always writers and authors
who are more skilled of present a different writing voice than you.

What is different about writing non-fiction vs fiction? 
I admire fiction writers for their vivid imaginations that can devise characters, settings, plots, and
conclusions “out of thin air”. It is not my gift. Non-fiction stories have been my preference. However,
I am getting away from non-fiction to write poetry, which I love. I may return to more non-fiction
stories, though, in the future.
Thanks again!
Blessings, David Reid Brown

About the Author

David Reid Brown is a retired Navy Chaplain and currently serves as a high school Government, Bible, and Art teacher at Grace Christian School in Mechanicsville, VA. He has authored nine books: Spirit Soundings: A Chaplain’s Journal of Life at Sea (three volumes), Lost Summer, and Psalms from The Sea (four volumes), and a book of poetry, Sophia’s Songs. These inspirational stories were born out of his global seafaring experiences, spanning twenty-one years of peace, war, and three overseas deployments as well as his service as a Christian educator.

 

 

More from David

Did you know? The art on the front cover of my book, OPERATIONS, was designed and created by one of my Ninth Grade Art Students. Yes, it’s true. I recognized that this young artist had the technical skill and artistic flair to create the unique cover art required for this book when he was just in the sixth grade!

FOR OVER TWENTY-ONE YEARS, I have had the distinct privilege of serving thousands of sailors, Marines, and their families across the nation, upon every major ocean, as well as overseas. I am most proud to have shared a common bond of service, sacrifice, and devotion. OPERATIONS is my patriotic tribute to them.

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, May 29 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, May 30 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, May 31 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 31

Fiction Book Lover, June 1 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, June 2

The Bookish Ledger, June 3 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, June 4 (Author Interview)

For the Love of Literature, June 5 (Author Interview)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 6 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 7

Blossoms and Blessings, June 8 (Author Interview)

Stories By Gina, June 9 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, June 9

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, June 10 (Author Interview)

Books, Books, & More Books, June 11 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, David is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/UBDhA/psalms-from-the-sea-volume-iv-operations-celebration-tour-giveaway

"Blaze of Honor" by D. M. Griffin -- Author Interview

 

About the Book

Book: BLAZE OF HONOR

Author: D.M. Griffin

Genre: Biblical Fiction

Release Date: May 12, 2026

A BLAZE OF HONOR WOULD EITHER CONSUME HIM OR ILLUMINATE THE PATH TO LOVE!

Joram couldn’t pinpoint the burning conviction in his heart, the reason honoring his father felt like the only path to a life that pleased God. He remembered the unheard prayers of a five-year-old whose mother betrayed the sanctity of family and knew well the bitterness in his father’s heart. Whatever the reason, Joram, a man of few words, lived an obedient life. He adopted his father’s wishes and desires as if they were born from his own heart, and with that came his father’s simmering bitterness and ingrained distrust of women.

Driven by a desire for Joram to achieve more than a shepherd’s humble existence, his father pressured him to excel academically, tirelessly seeking the approval of powerful figures. Joram’s life took a dramatic turn when he captured the attention of Parthia’s notorious bandit leaders.

Caught in a dizzying storm of politics and family vendettas, Joram reluctantly accepts a fake marriage, meant to bring a young woman to Jerusalem so she could marry another man. Knowing how his father felt about women, a view he adopted as his own, Joram wasn’t prepared for the transformation that would take place once he began playing the role of a husband for all the wrong reasons.

The treacherous journey, marked by near-death experiences, culminated with them arriving in Jerusalem amidst the vibrant Feast of Weeks. With his knowledge of God ringing hollow as a mere religious duty, Joram divorced his wife and surrendered her to another man, determined to honor his word. But when he stumbles upon the truth and feels the burning intensity of the Holy Spirit descend in a blaze of honor that illuminates far more than he could have ever imagined, Joram has to decide if he is willing to walk the path of love.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 Author Interview

1. Do you consider yourself a plotter or a pantser (or a hybrid)?

 In every other aspect of my life, I am highly organized and detailed. When it comes to
writing, I would love to plot out entire novels before I begin writing. However, experience
has taught me that it ends up being a waste of time and causes me a lot of frustration. I like
sticking to a script, so to speak. But when I let the story flow and the inspiration loose, the
writing experience is so much richer. So, I would describe myself as a hybrid author. I have a
general idea of the entire story, but I only plot two or three chapters at a time so there is an
organic component to my plotting.

2. What is your favorite part about writing?
 My favorite part about writing is the way it impacts me, sometimes stretching my faith. I
become deeply invested in my characters and their journeys so much that they become
friends. The lessons they are learning are ones that I have either already learned or am still
working through. Writing can be very therapeutic. The process also keeps me connected to
God in inspirational ways as the stories reveal deeper truths in scripture I might have missed
on my own. I love when God surprises me with a plot twist I didn’t see coming or when I am
writing a scene that moves me to tears.

3. What is your writing space like?
 I don’t have a writing space, but hope one day I will. For now, I have a chair in the corner
and write with my computer on my lap. When the house is too loud, I go into the bedroom
and write on the bed, which isn’t always the most comfortable place to work. My dream
writing space would be a room with bookshelves and inspirational wall art. It would have a
nice desk with an ergonomic chair and a television so I could play YouTube ambient music
and scenes. Also, gotta have a fragrant candle and a place for tea.

4. How long does it usually take you to write a book?
 It usually takes me ten days to two weeks to write a rough draft, then another ten days to edit
that draft. So, my first draft is done in about a month. Then I set the book aside for half a year
and revisit it for edits. Sometimes, I write books years in advance of when I plan to publish
them. Right now, I have eighteen books written that I have not yet published—including the
other three books in the Spirit Ignited Series. I also have two fantasy romance series and two
historical romance series on the way.

5. Do bits of yourself/friends show up in your characters?
 Bits of myself are in every novel, for sure. Aspects of friends and family also sneak in there.
I relied a lot on my experience as a mother to write sibling relationships since I do not have a
sibling. Several of my characters are tributes to friends and mentors I have had over the
years. While I don’t set out to put people I know in stories, every interaction I have with
someone tickles my author’s mind and plants seeds that sprout later in the pages of a book.

About the Author

D.M. (Demi) Griffin is the author of several novels and has won multiple literary awards. Her novels in The Encounter Series won various Independent Author awards in the category of Religious Fiction.

She writes Christian Fantasy, Biblical, and Historical Fiction. She currently resides in Northern California with her husband of over thirty years. She truly believes that a book that sits on a shelf unread is like a planted seed that never blossoms. Nothing delights her more than sharing a story.

 

 

More from D.M.

My inspiration for writing Blaze of Honor came from a simple lyric in a song. “Be careful, little eyes, what you see.” I had the idea of writing the Spirit Ignited Series rattling around in my head for five years. During my regular Bible reading plan, inspiration sucked me into the scene in Acts 2 when Peter preaches to a crowd on the day of Pentecost. I found myself wondering about the people described as coming from all over the empire. I wondered what had brought them there, and what they had heard. How could I not be fascinated when the church grew exponentially that day? So, the idea for Spirit Ignited grew. I wanted to write four novels about four men who had been in the crowd that day.

As excited as I was to begin writing those stories, other books crept into the queue before I fully developed the characters for Spirit Ignited. I was excited when the first ideas came back to me after five long years of waiting for these men to speak up and inspire me. What was even more challenging was that the stories were begging to be written in first-person from a single perspective. That was a daunting task since I had only written dual-perspective stories up until that point. And, truth be told, first-person isn’t my favorite.

But I obliged and found myself completely captivated by these men. Surprisingly enough, I did not write Blaze of Honor first. Though it is the first to be released in the series, it was the third book I wrote in the Spirit Ignited series.

After hearing the song lyric, I started to wonder about how parents, most specifically troubled marriages, affected children. Joram, a shy character, finally found his voice in my head, and together, we explored a life of unintended scars and how they shape a boy as he becomes a man.

The story’s themes of redemption, forgiveness, and grace underscore the main takeaway: honoring God through loving others. I yearn for readers to grasp this central truth, to feel the depth in the main character’s plight. The narrative delves into the heart of devotion, exploring how easily the concept of honoring God can become contorted in the labyrinth of the mind. After completing the first draft, the realization that this story, with its raw vulnerability, could only be told in the intimate voice of the first person hit me.

I truly hope readers will get as much out of it as I did when I wrote it. Stories that transform as well as entertain are my favorite kind of stories.

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, May 19 (Author Interview)

Lots of Helpers, May 20

Artistic Nobody, May 21 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, May 22 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, May 23

Fiction Book Lover, May 24 (Author Interview)

The Bookish Ledger, May 25 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 25

Vicky Sluiter, May 26 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 27

For the Love of Literature, May 28 (Author Interview)

Leslie’s Library Escape, May 29

Tell Tale Book Reviews, May 30 (Author Interview)

Blossoms and Blessings, May 31 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 31

Stories By Gina, June 1 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, D.M. is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/1iGOX/blaze-of-honor-celebration-tour-giveaway

"Hadley the Hippo is What She Eats" by Kayla E. Green -- Author Interview

 

About the Book

Book: Hadley the Hippo is What She Eats

Author: Kayla E. Green

Genre: Children’s Illustrated Book

Release Date: February 10, 2026

Hadley the Hippo is hungry, and she won’t rest until she finds something to eat. But as she walks through her jungle home, she finds that the snacks in the jungle have an odd effect on her-they change her color! Still, Hadley munch, munch, munches her way through the greens, blue, purples, oranges, reds, and yellows of the jungle, hoping to finally satisfy the rumbling in her tummy. Along the way, she finds that it really does matter what you consume.

 

Click here to get your copy!

Author Interview 

Do you consider yourself a plotter or a pantser (or a hybrid)?
I would say I am a hybrid of a plotter and pantser. The more I write, the more I rely on
outlining before drafting. However, I have found my characters often like to make things difficult
by changing the outline without consulting with me first!
Do you have a way to keep track of your story ideas?
This is a great question! I love the Google Keep app on my phone. I keep various notes
to keep track of current projects I’m drafting with personal timeline goals, editing deadlines, and
new story ideas.
What is your writing space like?
I do not have a designated writing space. As a full-time parent, a lot of my writing is done
on my phone as I’m able to get words down here and there. I also have a rolling table and a
lapboard to be able to work on my laptop after bedtime in my house. I would love to have a
designated office/library complete with a bookshelf and rolling ladder one day!
Where do you get your ideas for your books?
God has called me to create and share stories as a means of both worship and testimony,
and, sometimes, inspiration strikes me seemingly out of nowhere. However, Hadley the Hippo’s
story was first planted as a seed within my heart through the lessons on consumption found in 1
John 2:16. After my first appearance on the 5-Minute Parenting Podcast, the seed was watered as
I talked more about the concept of “we are what we eat.” Then, when my little girl was born, I
lovingly called her my “hungry hippo.” I wanted to write books that she could enjoy sooner
rather than later and the first draft of Hadley the Hippo is What She Eats was soon after written!

Do bits of yourself/friends show up in your characters?
I think it’s easy to unintentionally leave “crumbs” of oneself and one’s experiences with others
while crafting the “recipe” for characters so it’s easy as an author for me to relate. Speaking of, I
partnered with StoryCrumbs to create an exclusive cookie mix inspired by Hadley the Hippo. It
was Cheesecake Funfetti. The bright colors fit with Hadley 's changing colors and the sweet
cheesecake fit her curiosity. Like Hadley, I would describe myself as curious. And bubbly and
bright!

 

About the Author

Kayla E. Green is an award-winning author and poet who writes to remind others—and herself—that light always prevails over darkness. When she isn’t writing, reading, or spending time with her family, she loves singing loudly and off-key to KLove Radio and pretending she’s a unicorn. Fittingly, her YA debut fantasy novel is titled The Goodness of Unicorns.

 

 

 

 

More from Kayla

I wrote Hadley the Hippo is What She Eats to provide a fun story to engage small learners. Through the hippo’s journey through the jungle where her color changes based on what she eats, pre-K and primary students can learn about both fruits and colors. But, what’s more, the back of the book contains a note to parents/teachers with activities to discuss the importance of consumption—what we listen to on the radio, watch on TV and online, and read impacts our minds and hearts. Approaching this lesson in an age-appropriate way is important for providing a foundational framework for discernment later in life.

As a former elementary school librarian and classroom teacher turned full-time mother, I know firsthand how play and learning go hand in hand. This principle applies to foundational skills for understanding biblical teachings, character development, math, literacy, and, well, a lot of things! Playing games with your learners can help reinforce that learning is fun–not only is there a game involved, but your learner will get to spend time with YOU!

As a part of the book tour, I’m so excited to share 3 learning games with you! These games are designed with minimal materials but maximum fun. PLUS, they can be modified for various age groups. Find these 3 learning games to play with littles at home here in this online slideshow:

https://www.canva.com/design/DAGL0GUW9TM/zHX6mL4Sp2gt06-apfjdMA/view?utm_content=DAGL0GUW9TM&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h3c4b129030

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 19

Simple Harvest Reads, May 20 (Author Interview)

The Bookish Ledger, May 21 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 21

Guild Master, May 22 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, May 23

Fiction Book Lover, May 24 (Author Interview)

History, Hope & Happily Ever After, May 25 (Author Interview)

For the Love of Literature, May 26 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, May 27

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, May 28 (Author Interview)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, May 29 (Author Interview)

Mrs. Ryan Moser’s Book and Movie Reviews, May 29

Blossoms and Blessings, May 30 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, May 31

Artistic Nobody, June 1

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kayla is giving away the grand prize of a copy of the book, the companion coloring book, a special cookie mix from Story Crumbs inspired by Hadley, and a $20 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/efZJQ/hadley-the-hippo-is-what-she-eats-celebration-tour-giveaway