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About the Book

Book: The Undercover Heiress of Brockton   

Author: Kelly J. Goshorn

Series: Enduring Hope, Book #2

Publisher: Barbour Fiction

Release Date: August 1, 2025

Genre: Christian Fiction / Christian Historical Romance

A Socialite in Disguise Seeks Truth and Justice
 

Henrietta “Etta” Maxwell is a hard-hitting investigative reporter for The Enterprise Daily. The catch? Etta must pen her columns under the nom de plume, Henry Mason—a fact that routinely puts a knot in her knickerbockers.

Leo Eriksson is a second-generation firefighter with a passion for rendering aid to those in need. When Leo discovers that Henry Mason is really Henrietta Maxwell, the fire department’s wealthy benefactress, he agrees to keep her identity secret. After a sudden blast rocks the Grover Shoe Factory, Leo and Etta team up to determine if the explosion is related to a series of suspicious fires in the area.

When an unnamed source reveals Etta’s secret identity to a rival reporter, she falsely accuses Leo of being the informant. As the truth comes to light, Etta must persuade Leo to give her a second chance or lose the only man she’s ever loved.

Devoted To Hope's Review of The Undercover Heiress of Brockton

She used a false name to tell the truth. He ran toward danger when others ran from it. And through it all, God moved quietly, purposefully, and with power.

 

The Undercover Heiress of Brockton stirred something in me. The romance was sweet. The historical setting was rich. The mystery kept me flipping the pages. It was the faith that kept me. The kind that doesn’t always roar but speaks with authority. The kind that hides behind ink-stained fingers and smoke-streaked uniforms and reminds us that God sees it all … every detail … every heart.

 

Etta’s disguise may have fooled the public, but her heart was never hidden from the One who called her.

 

“Warmth spread through Etta’s chest. God knew what was needed and had made provisions even before Dr. Reid made his request. Why had she worried?” That whispers to my own heart.

 

The story unfolds against real tragedy and woven loss, yet I found peace in the way Etta saw God’s hand even in the rubble. “Some might look at the morning’s tragic events and question God. Etta saw His love and mercy… She’d never doubt that again.”

 

And then there’s Leo. Brave. Loyal. Unshakable in the ways that matter most. His quiet strength and the way his family laughed and teased and stood beside each other made the whole world of this book feel alive. That brotherly banter? I loved every bit of it.

 

This story reminded me that courage sometimes looks like speaking out … and sometimes it looks like laying your pride down and forgiving when it hurts.

 

“Use the gifts God’s given you to glorify Him.” Etta did. Leo did.

 

Their journey didn’t just stay on the page—it stirred a holy nudge in me. To trust that God has already made provision before I even know the need. To look for His mercy in the rubble. And to use whatever He’s placed in me to glorify Him and serve others, even in unseen places.


I received a digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley, and I'm also participating in this tour with Celebrate Lit to support the author and publisher. I am not required to write a positive review nor paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on the writing and the story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.

About the Author

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Kelly J. Goshorn weaves her affinity for history and her passion for God into uplifting stories of love, faith, and family set in nineteenth century America. Her debut novel, A Love Restored, won the Director’s Choice Award for Adult/YA fiction at the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference in 2019, and earned recognition as both a Selah Award finalist in the Historical Romance category and as a Maggie Award Finalist for Inspirational Fiction. When she is not writing, Kelly enjoys spending time with her young adult children, binge-watching BBC period dramas, board gaming with her husband, and spoiling her Welsh corgi, Levi.

More from Kelly

A Little Swedish Flavor
 

Beginning in 1844, Swedish immigrants began arriving in Brockton, Massachusetts. By 1920, Swedes accounted for approximately 30% of the city’s population. Their long-lasting impact on Brockton’s character remains evident today with annual cultural celebrations and religious festivals.
 

The Undercover Heiress of Brockton is set in the Swedish neighborhood of Campello. My hero Leo Eriksson’s favorite meal is Kalops, a savory beef stew that is traditionally served with boiled potatoes and pickled beets. For Leo, a bachelor who takes most of his meals at The Drake Tavern, the dish recalls happy childhood memories of his mother’s cooking.
 

Kalops contains typical stew ingredients like carrots, celery, onions, and garlic, but what makes this dish unique is the addition of allspice. Allspice adds a warm spicey flavor to the recipe that makes it perfect for a chilly winter day.

I had the opportunity to taste test this recipe, and while I would never brag about my own cooking skills, I have to say that it turned out quite well. I’d love to hear from you if you decide to give this traditional Swedish dish a try.

 

Kalops (Swedish Beef Stew)     Recipe courtesy of Skandibaking.

 

SERVINGS: 6

Prep Time: 20 minutes mins

Cook Time: 2 hours


INGREDIENTS

2.4 lbs chuck roast (or other beef cut suited for stews)

1 medium onion

2 cloves garlic

3 large carrots

1 stalk celery

2 tbsp vegetable oil

1 tbsp butter

3 tbsp flour

1/4 tsp ground allspice (or more to taste!)

2-3 bay leaves

3 cups beef stock (can also use water and bouillon)

Salt to taste

Pepper to taste

SERVED WITH: 7 large potatoes
 

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Prep the beef by cutting into 1 inch cubes. Season well with salt.

  2. Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add vegetable oil when preheated and add beef in one layer, searing on all sides. If you need to sear the meat in batches, you can remove one batch before adding the next to ensure that it browns well.

  3. Dice your onion and celery while the beef is cooking (or prep ahead of time). Finely mince the garlic cloves.

  4. Once the meat is browned on all sides, add in the onion, celery, and garlic. Cook until just softened.

  5. Chop your carrots into bite sized pieces. You can either add the carrots now if you like them super soft or add them with about 45 minutes left of cooking if you prefer them to have more of a bite.

  6. Add one tablespoon of butter and let it melt. Once melted, add in three tablespoons of flour and stir until everything is coated. Add in ground allspice.

  7. Pour in beef stock, stirring while adding to dissolve the flour coating. Once all of it has mixed in, add in 2-3 bay leaves. Now is a good time to taste for initial seasoning – add in salt and pepper to taste.

  8. Bring to a boil, lower the heat to a simmer and cover. Let the stew simmer for about an hour and 15 minutes; add more water or stock if needed! Now is also the time to add the carrots if you want them to be less soft.

  9. Simmer for an additional 45 minutes or until the beef is very tender – in the meantime, prepare the potatoes for serving.

  10. Prep potatoes by peeling and cutting in half. Place in a pot with cold water and add salt. Heat over medium-high heat with the lid on until it boils. Remove the lid and boil for about 15 minutes or until a knife poked into the center of a potato releases easily (you can also just taste for doneness!). Drain and set aside until ready to serve.

  11. Remove bay leaves. Check for final seasoning (add more salt if needed). Add stew to bowls and serve with boiled potatoes. Garnish with fresh parsley if you would like. Enjoy!

Blog Stops

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Mornings at Character Cafe, August 28

Texas Book-aholic, August 29

Devoted To Hope, August 29 (this blog)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 30

Books You Can Feel Good About, August 30

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 31

Blogging With Carol, August 31

Hannahbandanarama, September 1

For Him and My Family, September 1

Stories By Gina, September 2 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, September 2 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

She Lives To Read, September 3

Mary Hake, September 3

Book Looks by Lisa, September 4

Books Less Travelled, September 4

Blossoms and Blessings, September 5

Bizwings Book Blog, September 6

Holly’s Book Corner, September 6

Lily’s Corner, September 7

Jodie Wolfe, September 7

Pause for Tales, September 8

Life on Chickadee Lane, September 9

Cover Lover Book Review, September 9

Blog Stops

To celebrate her tour, Kelly 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.

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