“No Stone Unturned” by Jenelle Hovde … and a GIVEAWAY!

Welcome to Friday Reads!

 

 

There’s a giveaway for a print copy of No Stone Unturned by Jenelle Hovde, courtesy of the publisher. (US ONLY!) Enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the bottom of the post. (Contest ends July 25, 2025.) If you’re the chosen winner, I’ll contact you for your information to pass along to the publisher.

 

About the book…

 

She wants to uncover the past. He wishes to build a future. In this Regency romance set in rolling hills of West Sussex, two opposing wills discover their fate may lie in the common ground.

Miss Bridget Littleton’s passion for history and antiquities defies most social conventions, even in her small village nestled in the beautiful English countryside. When a local farmer discovers an elaborate mosaic buried in his field, Bridget dreams of making a name and future for herself by excavating the Roman ruins. Unfortunately, her quest puts her at odds with the ambitious new lord who recently inherited the title and Hawthorn Abbey from his estranged uncle.

Recovering from wounds of both body and spirit, Captain Rafe Hawthorn is intent on restoring his long-neglected ancestral home. His plans to rebuild the abbey’s once thriving orchards require a road that will pass straight through Bridget’s potential trove of artifacts. He will not―cannot―fail again, even if he is moved by Bridget and her passion.

Yet this impasse might not be their greatest obstacle. A natural disaster and a series of suspicious accidents threaten both their plans, along with the livelihood of the nearby villagers dependent on their success. With their dreams in the balance, Bridget and Rafe must work together to fend off an unexpected enemy that may prove more dangerous than either could have imagined.

 

Amazon Purchase Link

 

Q&A with Jenelle…

 

Q:  What inspired No Stone Unturned?

A:  While researching Regency-era settings, I stumbled across the  archaeological ruins of Bignor, England, and was immediately  enchanted. A sleepy pastoral village, an immense historical discovery, and one of England’s first Regency-era tourist attractions—how could I resist? As I dug deeper, I uncovered a local manor tied to a famous Gothic author who mysteriously vanished. From there, the story took shape in my mind. I couldn’t stop dreaming of a plucky vicar’s daughter clashing with a brooding new viscount, all while secrets lay buried beneath their feet.

Q:  What messages or themes do you focus on in this book?

A:  As a pastor’s wife, I’ve met many people who have been hurt by the church, and that reality deeply influenced No Stone Unturned. Though Bridget is a vicar’s daughter, she struggles with her faith and her place within the church community. While this novel has a lighter tone, both Bridget and Rafe must confront their past wounds in order to find healing and freedom. At its heart, this story explores themes of forgiveness, identity, and the courage to rebuild when the past threatens to define you.

Q:  What inspired the personalities of your main characters, Bridget Littleton and Captain Rafe Hawthorn? What do you love about these characters?

A:  I’m a softie at heart, so I wanted to write a heroine who was a little different from me—someone with plenty of sass and stubborn determination. Bridget’s sharp wit and fiery spirit set her apart, but her deep desire for more academic opportunities mirrors my own journey to finishing a doctorate. Yet, in the end, No Stone Unturned is a reminder that our achievements, no matter how grand, pale in comparison to the relationships that shape us. Rafe was a challenge to pin down at first, but that’s exactly what I love about him—he’s layered. A battle-hardened military captain, he carries the weight of past regrets and an unexpected inheritance that forces him into a world he never wanted. He’s gruff yet fiercely protective, a man who would rather face a battle than navigate high society. But beneath the tough exterior is a man longing for connection, one who learns that true strength isn’t just about survival—it’s about trust, vulnerability, and letting go of the past.

Q:  What do you love about the Regency period?

A:  I love the idea of women navigating the intricate societal rules of the Regency era while still learning to remain true to themselves. There’s something endlessly fascinating about the tension between duty and desire, propriety and independence. The era’s wit, elegance, and quiet rebellions make for such rich storytelling—where a simple glance across a ballroom or a well-placed retort can carry as much weight as a grand declaration. It’s a time of both restriction and possibility, where characters must fight for their dreams within the boundaries of their world, and I enjoy exploring those challenges in my writing.

Q:  What do you enjoy about enemies-to-lovers romance stories?

A:  I adore the sparking chemistry that comes with this trope! There’s something electric about two characters clashing, only to realize that their strongest opponent might just be the one who understands them best. The banter, the tension, the slow unraveling of pride and misconceptions—it all makes for such a satisfying emotional journey. I love watching characters push each other to grow, breaking down walls until animosity transforms into something deeper, truer, and utterly irresistible.

Q:  How does faith play a role in this story?

A:  Bridget’s journey in No Stone Unturned is deeply tied to the wisdom of Ecclesiastes—that all is vanity apart from God. She wrestles with ambition and the ache of unmet dreams, only to realize that true fulfillment comes from trusting God’s timing. As she learns to place her dreams in His hands, she also begins to heal, love again, and extend grace—even to those in the church who have hurt her. For Rafe, faith is about facing his past and finding healing from old wounds. He’s carried the weight of past abuse, burying his pain behind duty and survival. But as the story unfolds, he learns that true strength isn’t just enduring hardship—it’s allowing God to restore what was broken. Through Bridget, he sees that love is not something to be feared, but something that can mend even the deepest scars. Together, their journeys remind us that God’s plans are greater than our own, and true healing comes when we surrender to His love.

Q:  What was most challenging about writing this novel?

A:  As a pastor’s wife, I’ve walked alongside many women who have endured abuse, so writing their struggles with depth and authenticity felt familiar. But addressing the wounds of a male character—particularly Rafe, who has suffered in ways that have shaped his view of himself and the world—was an entirely different challenge. Men process pain differently, often carrying their burdens in silence, and I wanted to honor that reality while showing that healing is possible. Writing Rafe’s journey stretched me as an author, but it also deepened my understanding of how both men and women can find restoration in God’s grace.

Q:  The book delves into the characters’ struggles with faith and their journey toward trust and healing. What inspired you to explore this spiritual theme, and why do you think it’s important to include faith struggles in your storytelling?

A:  During my time on a South Dakota reservation, I listened to so many women share their stories of pain—including generational pain—that I felt compelled to give that faith struggle a voice. Though No Stone Unturned is a lighthearted read, I wanted to weave in deeper themes of wrestling with faith and learning to trust again. I’ve personally faced seasons of doubt—even during painful moments in ministry—and I know what it’s like to question and still be drawn back to God’s unwavering love. It’s in those hard places that faith becomes real, when we learn to fully rely on Him and receive healing, even when relationships feel broken. That’s why I believe it’s important to explore these themes in storytelling—because faith isn’t just about having the answers, but about learning to trust God in the midst of uncertainty.

Q:  What will fans of Regency romance love about the relationship between Bridget and Rafe?

A:  Fans of Regency romance will love the fiery banter, simmering tension, and undeniable chemistry between Bridget and Rafe. Their relationship is built on witty clashes, reluctant admiration, and a gradual unraveling of defenses, making their journey from adversaries to something more deeply satisfying. But unlike the ballroom-centered romances of the era, No Stone Unturned is full of humorous mishaps, unexpected adventures, and unconventional twists. From archaeological chaos to countryside escapades, their romance unfolds with plenty of humor, heart, and an undeniable spark. Readers will also get a fascinating glimpse into the Regency-era world of antiquities—before archaeology was truly a science. With England’s growing fascination for ancient treasures, Bridget and Rafe find themselves caught in the tensions between genuine discovery and reckless treasure hunting.

Q:  What do you hope your audience learns from No Stone Unturned?

A:  At its heart, this story is a reminder that we can trust God with our lives and our dreams. Even when things don’t go as planned, He is always at work, often giving us more than we could ever ask for or imagine. Bridget and Rafe’s journeys reflect the beauty of surrender—of letting go of control and discovering that what God has in store is far greater than anything we could have orchestrated on our own.

 

 Thanks for being here, Jenelle. I’m sure my readers enjoyed learning more about your latest release!

 

About Jenelle…

Jenelle Hovde is an illustrator, a pastor’s wife, and a homeschooling mother with eight novels in print. She adores faith-inspired stories and Regency romances that make readers swoon. A transplant to Florida, Jenelle currently pens romantic tales while at the beach. Visit her online and subscribe to her newsletter at jenellehovdeauthor.com.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Rules for the giveaway can be found here.