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Mysteries of Blackberry Valley #14
Forged in Fire
Forged in Fire is the fourteenth book in The Mysteries of Blackberry Valley fiction series.
When her mother's younger sister decides to visit Blackberry Valley, Hannah Prentiss is delighted! As she readies her apartment for Aunt Fiona's arrival, she comes upon a loose brick in her living room wall. Behind it, she finds a compass, along with a letter written in 1986 from “Sunshine” to “Apollo.” Who are these mysterious correspondents, and why did the items end up hidden in the old firehouse? Turns out Hannah needs her aunt's help to get this investigation headed in the right direction.
Meanwhile, Hannah can't help but feel unsettled about the future of her relationship with her best friend. Lacy is nearing the end of her pregnancy, and Hannah is in the middle of planning her own wedding. Will these life-changing events mean they'll no longer have time and space for each other, or will they need their friendship more than ever?
About the Mysteries of Blackberry Valley Series Welcome to the Hot Spot…where the food is fresh and the mysteries are delicious!
After years away, Hannah Prentiss finally returns home to the charming village of Blackberry Valley. She transforms a former firehouse into the Hot Spot―a warm and welcoming place for townsfolk and travelers alike to enjoy meals made with fresh ingredients from local Kentucky farms. But running a new restaurant, reconnecting with loved ones, and forging new friendships around every corner aren't the only things Hannah is doing these days. When mysteries start cropping up, she finds that solving them is just as satisfying as fulfilling her culinary dreams!
What you'll love about Blackberry Valley Mysteries:
The cozy charm and heartfelt connections of small-town lifeFaithful characters and the warmth of a close-knit community Clean, wholesome stories Intriguing mysteries that give you hours of reading pleasure With warmth, humor, and a menu full of intrigue, Blackberry Valley Mysteries are the perfect way to let go of the stress and worries of the day and curl up in your favorite chair for hours of page-turning delight.
When her mother's younger sister decides to visit Blackberry Valley, Hannah Prentiss is delighted! As she readies her apartment for Aunt Fiona's arrival, she comes upon a loose brick in her living room wall. Behind it, she finds a compass, along with a letter written in 1986 from “Sunshine” to “Apollo.” Who are these mysterious correspondents, and why did the items end up hidden in the old firehouse? Turns out Hannah needs her aunt's help to get this investigation headed in the right direction.
Meanwhile, Hannah can't help but feel unsettled about the future of her relationship with her best friend. Lacy is nearing the end of her pregnancy, and Hannah is in the middle of planning her own wedding. Will these life-changing events mean they'll no longer have time and space for each other, or will they need their friendship more than ever?
About the Mysteries of Blackberry Valley Series Welcome to the Hot Spot…where the food is fresh and the mysteries are delicious!
After years away, Hannah Prentiss finally returns home to the charming village of Blackberry Valley. She transforms a former firehouse into the Hot Spot―a warm and welcoming place for townsfolk and travelers alike to enjoy meals made with fresh ingredients from local Kentucky farms. But running a new restaurant, reconnecting with loved ones, and forging new friendships around every corner aren't the only things Hannah is doing these days. When mysteries start cropping up, she finds that solving them is just as satisfying as fulfilling her culinary dreams!
What you'll love about Blackberry Valley Mysteries:
The cozy charm and heartfelt connections of small-town lifeFaithful characters and the warmth of a close-knit community Clean, wholesome stories Intriguing mysteries that give you hours of reading pleasure With warmth, humor, and a menu full of intrigue, Blackberry Valley Mysteries are the perfect way to let go of the stress and worries of the day and curl up in your favorite chair for hours of page-turning delight.
- GenresMysteryChristian Fiction
Paperback
Published June 2, 2026
About the author
Stephanie Coleman
17 books9 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author with this name on GR
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 10, 2026
3.5 stars, personally ⭐️ Christian Fiction - Cozy Mystery
About this book:
“When her mother's younger sister decides to visit Blackberry Valley, Hannah Prentiss is delighted! As she readies her apartment for Aunt Fiona's arrival, she comes upon a loose brick in her living room wall. Behind it, she finds a compass, along with a letter written in 1986 from “Sunshine” to “Apollo.” Who are these mysterious correspondents, and why did the items end up hidden in the old firehouse? Turns out Hannah needs her aunt's help to get this investigation headed in the right direction.
Meanwhile, Hannah can't help but feel unsettled about the future of her relationship with her best friend. Lacy is nearing the end of her pregnancy, and Hannah is in the middle of planning her own wedding. Will these life-changing events mean they'll no longer have time and space for each other, or will they need their friendship more than ever?”
Series: Book #14 in the “Mysteries of Blackberry Valley” series. Reviews of Book #1, Book #2, Book #3, Book #4, Book #5, Book #6, Book #7, Book #8, Book #9, Book #10, Book #11, and Book #12, and Book #13!
Spiritual Content- Proverbs 3:5-6 at the beginning & quoted later in the book; Prayers & Blessings over food; Talks about God, leaning on Him, & trusting Him; 'H’s are capital when referring to God; Mentions of God, trusting Him, & God being gracious; Mentions of prayers, praying, & blessings over food; Mentions of church, church going, services, & a pastor; A couple mentions of gifts from God; A couple mentions of blessings; A mention of going into ministry; A mention of a missionary; A mention of a godly man;
*Note: Mentions of a character from Greek mythology (Apollo); A mention of being lucky.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: A bit of eye rolling & sarcasm; Some grief & visiting a grave of a loved one (Hannah for her late mother); All about & many mentions of fires, wildfires, possible arson or an accident with fireworks, evacuations, & a family losing their home and all their belongings; Mentions of deaths (including from cancer) & grief (including Hannah for her mother & a woman for her sister); Mentions of thieves, stealing, & stolen items and money; Mentions of crimes, criminals, & possible jail time; Mentions of lies & lying; Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of a divorce (implied to be messy/bitter); A couple mentions of wars; A couple mentions of injuries; A couple mentions of jealousy; A couple mentions of smoking; A mention of vandalism (teenagers egging an old woman’s house); A mention of eavesdropping;
*Note: Mentions of car brands; A few mentions of Boy Scouts; A few mentions of authors & fictional characters (Shakespeare, Sherlock Holmes); A couple mentions of Julia Child; A couple mentions of yoga; A mention of a movie (Casablanca); A mention of someone on the verge of a panic attack.
Sexual Content- A bit of touches, embraces, hand holding, & nearness (barely-above-not-detailed); A bit of noticing (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of boyfriends/girlfriends, dates, & dating; Mentions of blushes, winks, & flirting; Very light love, being in love, & the emotions;
*Note: A few mentions of contractions & pain in labor; A mention of two teenaged boys sowing “a few wild oats” (causing trouble, not implied to be sexual).
-Hannah Prentiss
P.O.V. of Hannah & another person
Four scenes from 1985-1986
259 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
Well, this ended up going in a different direction than I was expecting with the mystery, everyone involved and affected by it, and the ending result! I thought the main mystery would be tracking down those mentioned in the letter Hannah finds, but that’s resolved pretty quick—and more connecting mysteries appear! It was a solid cozy mystery book that kept my attention and kept me guessing to figure out how everything was connected.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
About this book:
“When her mother's younger sister decides to visit Blackberry Valley, Hannah Prentiss is delighted! As she readies her apartment for Aunt Fiona's arrival, she comes upon a loose brick in her living room wall. Behind it, she finds a compass, along with a letter written in 1986 from “Sunshine” to “Apollo.” Who are these mysterious correspondents, and why did the items end up hidden in the old firehouse? Turns out Hannah needs her aunt's help to get this investigation headed in the right direction.
Meanwhile, Hannah can't help but feel unsettled about the future of her relationship with her best friend. Lacy is nearing the end of her pregnancy, and Hannah is in the middle of planning her own wedding. Will these life-changing events mean they'll no longer have time and space for each other, or will they need their friendship more than ever?”
Series: Book #14 in the “Mysteries of Blackberry Valley” series. Reviews of Book #1, Book #2, Book #3, Book #4, Book #5, Book #6, Book #7, Book #8, Book #9, Book #10, Book #11, and Book #12, and Book #13!
Spiritual Content- Proverbs 3:5-6 at the beginning & quoted later in the book; Prayers & Blessings over food; Talks about God, leaning on Him, & trusting Him; 'H’s are capital when referring to God; Mentions of God, trusting Him, & God being gracious; Mentions of prayers, praying, & blessings over food; Mentions of church, church going, services, & a pastor; A couple mentions of gifts from God; A couple mentions of blessings; A mention of going into ministry; A mention of a missionary; A mention of a godly man;
*Note: Mentions of a character from Greek mythology (Apollo); A mention of being lucky.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: A bit of eye rolling & sarcasm; Some grief & visiting a grave of a loved one (Hannah for her late mother); All about & many mentions of fires, wildfires, possible arson or an accident with fireworks, evacuations, & a family losing their home and all their belongings; Mentions of deaths (including from cancer) & grief (including Hannah for her mother & a woman for her sister); Mentions of thieves, stealing, & stolen items and money; Mentions of crimes, criminals, & possible jail time; Mentions of lies & lying; Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of a divorce (implied to be messy/bitter); A couple mentions of wars; A couple mentions of injuries; A couple mentions of jealousy; A couple mentions of smoking; A mention of vandalism (teenagers egging an old woman’s house); A mention of eavesdropping;
*Note: Mentions of car brands; A few mentions of Boy Scouts; A few mentions of authors & fictional characters (Shakespeare, Sherlock Holmes); A couple mentions of Julia Child; A couple mentions of yoga; A mention of a movie (Casablanca); A mention of someone on the verge of a panic attack.
Sexual Content- A bit of touches, embraces, hand holding, & nearness (barely-above-not-detailed); A bit of noticing (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of boyfriends/girlfriends, dates, & dating; Mentions of blushes, winks, & flirting; Very light love, being in love, & the emotions;
*Note: A few mentions of contractions & pain in labor; A mention of two teenaged boys sowing “a few wild oats” (causing trouble, not implied to be sexual).
-Hannah Prentiss
P.O.V. of Hannah & another person
Four scenes from 1985-1986
259 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
Well, this ended up going in a different direction than I was expecting with the mystery, everyone involved and affected by it, and the ending result! I thought the main mystery would be tracking down those mentioned in the letter Hannah finds, but that’s resolved pretty quick—and more connecting mysteries appear! It was a solid cozy mystery book that kept my attention and kept me guessing to figure out how everything was connected.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
April 24, 2026
This was a cute one. The mystery was mild yet multi-faceted, and some new characters were introduced. The reminder to trust in God especially in times of uncertainty was timely, given the state of the world and everything going on right now. We should all be asking the question: am I right with God? As long as the answer is in the affirmative, no matter what else is going on, you'll be all right. :)
April 19, 2026
Another well-written and intriguing mystery to add to the Blackberry Valley series. I enjoyed it. Several memorable characters are added to favorites that will hopefully show up in future books. I wish I could go eat at the Hot Spot!
October 31, 2026
Forged in Fire was an intriguing, multi-layered mystery that introduced new characters. I highly recommend this cozy mystery series.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews