#SaturdaySpotlight is on Karina Bartow & Undeveloped Memories!

Whew, it is good to be home with no expected travel in the next several weeks!

If you've followed me for long you know I love to travel. I even started a travel blog called Bathroom Blues to share my adventures with you. But sometimes it's just good to be home for a while. 😊

Today's guest is brand-new-to-our-blog so please give Karina Bartow a huge SWLA W-E-L-C-O-M-E!

Please share your book and the inspiration behind it, Karina.

Thanks, Pam. It is lovely to be your guest. When I was a young girl, my mom misplaced—frankly, lost!—a roll of film from a special occasion. The pictures on it, of course, captured that one day, frozen in time, including the people and activities that created the story of those memories. Some of those shots featured loved ones we lost soon thereafter and moments we couldn’t recreate.

A few years ago, I had to sort through photos for a presentation. The tub I sorted through had an assortment of negatives and original envelopes from the developing counter, so I kept hoping to come across that lost roll. Unfortunately, I never did, but my quest made me consider what would happen if another generation discovered it and developed the pictures. Most of those subjects from long ago would be completely foreign to them, perhaps piquing their curiosity about the past. Thus, Undeveloped Memories began to materialize in my brain.

I hope your readers enjoy this blurb...

We assume we know everything there is to know about those who raised us…until we discover that we don’t!

Lorelei Carmichael returns home to check up on her aging uncle, but another investigation awaits her. An undeveloped roll of film, abandoned by her photographer uncle, beckons her attention. Also a photographer, she develops the images and discovers an Alaskan journey he never disclosed, alongside a woman and child.

When an opportunity provides her the chance to peek into the past, she retraces his footsteps through the Alaskan countryside. Will she figure out the whole picture of this unfinished love story? And might the trail of breadcrumbs lead her to capture a love of her own?   

And Excerpt...

While she proceeded dipping the pictures into the developing solutions, her thoughts wandered around the reasons Uncle Reed didn’t discuss the adventure. In his years of covering stories, he’d witnessed various tragedies, including several wildfires, but nothing this profound in loss. She could only imagine how the prevailing sorrow affected the sensitive man. With it occurring just before her mom and dad died, his despair over everything he beheld would’ve been compounded by the grief their family endured. Perhaps he always associated the two events together. 

Having just three negatives to go, she peered at the next rendering through the enlarger and recognized the same little boy but without his mother. With a campfire in the background behind him, he wore a smile, and although it didn’t showcase her uncle’s artistic talent like the rest, it conveyed a powerful message about a child’s resilience. His mom joined him again in front of the fire, her face brightened with more joy, as well. Lorelei surmised Uncle Reed befriended them, but she didn’t ascribe much value to it until she secured the final shot under the enlarger. 

Projected onto the wall above her, the boy and his expectant mother beamed back at her, with her uncle beside them. Even at first glance, she perceived his adoration, his countenance brimming with the same pride and gentleness he had in many of their family photos. The longer she studied it, though, the more signs she gleaned of this being a man in love.

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Sounds Wonderful, Karina! Now please share your bio and links for you and how to get a copy of Undeveloped Memories with us.

Sure, Pam, here you go...

Karina Bartow grew up and still lives in Northern Ohio. Though born with Cerebral Palsy, she’s never allowed her disability to define her. Rather, she’s used her experiences to breathe life into characters who have physical limitations, but like her, are determined not to let them stand in the way of the life they want. 

Her debut novel, "Husband in Hiding," came out in 2015, followed by "Forgetting My Way Back to You," in 2018 and "Brother of Interest" in 2022. She may only be able to type with one hand, but she writes with her whole heart!

Find out more about Karina by visiting her Website  or Amazon Author Page, and connecting with her on Facebook, Instagram, X (@KarinaBartow), and Goodreads.

Get your copy of Undeveloped Memories a clean romantic mystery at Amazon, B&N, Walmart or directly from The Wild Rose Press.

Thank You, so much for visiting with us today, Karina. We wish you the best of luck and God's blessings with this, and all of your books!

Well, friends, I hope you enjoyed today's spotlight and that you'll check back weekly for another great author and book.

Until next time, escape in a good book.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Monique DeVere & Guarded by the Sheriff!

Good Morning from Santee, South Carolina!

We started our drive up on Tuesday and arrived Thursday afternoon to spend a long weekend with my Sweetheart's bonus children and grandchildren. Today we're watching his youngest granddaughter graduate high school. Although we don't visit these loved ones often, it is always a pleasure when we do.

Speaking of pleasures, it is my extreme pleasure to have Monique DeVere back on our blog, this time with her debut Love Inspired Romantic Suspense novel, Guarded by the Sheriff. Welcome back, Monique, please share with us the story behind this book and give us a sneak peek into it!

It's wonderful to be back, Pam, THANKS!

2024 and 2025 were huge years for me. I live my life by faith, so even during the hardest moments, I believed there was a reason for everything that was happening.

First, I was made redundant from my office manager job about two months before we discovered that my dad—who lived 165 miles away—was seriously ill. Because of the distance, he’d been able to hide just how sick he was during our regular phone calls. By the time we discovered the truth, he was already very unwell. It took another four months to finally convince him to come live with us. 

Looking back now, I truly believe my Heavenly Father had been preparing me for that season of my life.

Dad passed away in February 2025, and I took it very hard.

The following month, my critique partner sent me a link to the Harlequin Love Inspired Great Author Search 2025. While Dad had been living with us, every morning I’d sit in his room with my coffee and tell him the plans for the day. He always asked if I’d managed to get any writing done, and I had to admit I hadn’t. Caring for him had become my full-time focus between his needs and the constant stream of medical staff coming through the house.

So, when my critique partner mentioned the contest, I decided to enter it for Dad.

The problem was, I only had two weeks before the closing date. I’d spent years writing romantic comedy and category contemporary romance. I’d targeted several Harlequin lines over the years but never Love Inspired Suspense because everyone said it was one of the hardest lines to break into.

I came up with an idea titled Deadly Mother’s Day. I wrote the premise, first chapter, and synopsis, and submitted it just a few days before the deadline.

Honestly, I expected a rejection. After all, that had pretty much been my experience for the past thirty-odd years.

So, imagine my utter shock when Harlequin requested the full manuscript!

It honestly took me a while to process the fact that Harlequin…HARLEQUIN!...wanted to read my story. I wrote the full manuscript in two months and submitted it. One week later, my editor emailed asking when a good time for her to call me would be. It was a Friday, and she wanted to call on Monday if I was available.

If I was available? Of course I was available!

I ran around the house to find my husband and daughter to tell them that I thought I might finally be getting “The Call.” The call I’d dreamed about for years! I won’t lie; I hyperventilated.

And on that Monday, my editor offered me a contract.

Now I get to see my book in print with my name on the cover. Harlequin didn’t feel the original title suited the line, so they asked me to send more ideas. Thankfully, they liked Guarded by the Sheriff. I am so thrilled the book will be published in eBook, mass market paperback, large-print and…get this…audiobook! I’m so excited to hear these characters brought to life by a human narrator!

This has been an amazing journey, all thanks to Jesus, my Lord and Savior!

And that’s why this book will always be so special to me. No matter how many books I write for Harlequin in the future, this one will always hold a special place in my heart because I know Abba Father guided me every step of the way.

Now my dream of writing for Harlequin has finally come true—and with a line that is perfect for me. I get to share my faith through my stories while writing the kind of suspense I love. Looking back now, I can see God’s hand in every part of the journey.

Who knew life could come together so perfectly when you put your faith in Jesus?

A child in need of protection…

and a lawman keeping watch.

It’s a shock to Sheriff Ethan Callahan to see his ex-fiancée, Sienna Blake, again—especially with a child in tow…and a gunman on her heels. 

Witnessing a shooting has made Sienna a criminal’s next target. And when Ethan realizes that he’s the father of her son, he is determined to keep them both safe…no matter the cost. With trust hanging in the balance and their enemy closing in, Ethan and Sienna must stand together to survive. 

Except the hit man knows their every move…and trusting the wrong person could get them killed.

*Excerpt: “Sienna, don’t come any closer. It’s a bomb.”

She gasped, confusion knitting her expression. “A what?”

He knew she’d heard him, so he didn’t repeat himself. “Take Nathan and get as far away from the truck as you can.”

Without delay, she scooped Nathan into her arms and ran for the side of the house.

Ethan moved with them, positioning himself between them and the truck.

They had just reached the corner of the house when an explosion ripped through the truck behind them. They hit the ground hard, Ethan shielding Sienna and Nathan with his body.

Sienna screamed his name.

Nathan’s petrified sobs tore at his heart.

“Are you hurt?” Ethan asked.

Sierra shook her head, still wide-eyed. “We’re…” She ran a hand over Nathan, relief whooshing her breath from her lungs. “We’re okay.”

He got up, helping Sienna to her feet with Nathan clutched in her arms. “Take him inside. I’ll call this in.”

She nodded. Without hesitation, she turned and hurried with Nathan into the house.

Ethan reached for his phone, his gaze drifting back to the inferno blazing on the drive.

Something told him this was only the beginning…

Guarded by the Sheriff releases June 30th but is available for pre-order now at Amazon, Harlequin, B&N, Kobo, GooglePlay and Apple Books.

About Monique

Monique DeVere writes heart-pounding romantic suspense and funny, feel-good romances with heart, hope, and a dash of sass. Her stories are filled with faith, emotional depth, and unforgettable characters. Originally from Barbados, she lives in the UK with her real-life hero, their four children, five grandchildren, and an adorable Yorkshire Terrier. When she isn’t writing, Monique enjoys family time, shell collecting, boating, being near the sea, and learning something new.

Monique loves to hear from her readers. You can email her at monique@moniquedevere.com

Get a free suspense novella when you subscribe to her romantic suspense newsletter: https://shorturl.at/ZaUjC

Get a free story when you subscribe to her romance newsletter: https://shorturl.at/57c2Z

Monique’s Social Links: Harlequin, Website, X, Bsky, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Linkedin, TikTok, Goodreads, Amazon Store.

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Oh, My Goodness, Monique! So very sorry to hear about your dad but SO Happy this book was accepted. Maybe he had a hand in that. 😉

Either way, we wish you the best of luck and God's blessings with this - and many more - Love Inspired books!

Hope you enjoyed Monique's visit as much as I did. I've read Guarded by the Sheriff and as soon as I'm able, I will be leaving a review. Check out some of Monique's other books in her previous Spotlight appearances HERE. I hope you take her story as incentive to never give up on your dreams because with faith and perserverance they just might come true in God's time.

Until later, happy reading!

PamT

*Excerpt is copyrighted material used with permission from Harlequin.