Inspired By Fiction

Unwavering Heart

2026-10-13T14:51:29.884-07:00

Angela Hunt is one of my favorite authors. I cannot imagine the time she puts into research for her novels, but I appreciate the effort and the imagination and empathy that she must have. In Unwavering Heart, she uses her talents and skills to paint a picture of life in the Old testament, featuring Rebecca. I have read a number of retellings of Jacob and Leah and Rachel. I've never read one about Rebecca and I enjoyed seeing her life play out through this novel. One aspect of her life that this book, really opened my eyes to is that I never really thought about what it must have been like to experience infertility married to the heir of Abraham's promise. I have thought about it with Sarah, but not with Rebecca. I appreciated the perspective that the narrative brought about Rebecca's manipulation of her sons blessings. There are so many different ways these stories could have actually played out. Do you think we will get to see the real story when we get to Heaven!?! As always, Angela Hunt brought to life another real woman of faith from the Bible in Rebecca and ignited my own imagination and empathy. I loved reimagining the familiar stories throughout this book, and I highly recommend it to all readers, especially lovers of Biblical fiction.

I recieved a free e-copy from JustReads and Netgalley. All thoughts above are my honest opinion.

A Whim and a Prayer

2026-09-25T05:44:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Blog Tour for A Whim and a Prayer by Julie Lessman, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: A Whim and a Prayer
Series: The Cousins O'Connor #4
Author: Julie Lessman
Publisher: Independent
Release Date: September 8, 2026
Genre: Historical Romance

She’s a former orphan desperate to protect her heart.
He’s a best friend who protects her from the start.
Till prayer protects them both from a true love torn apart.

Discarded like so much trash on the steps of an orphanage at age two, seventeen-year-old Winifred Dennehy thinks God has it out for her. Abandoned by abusive parents and born cross-eyed to boot, she spent the first four years of her life battling bullies and verbal abuse. Deliverance came in the form of one Beckett Campbell, the ten-year-old orphan who became her best friend and guardian angel for life, along with an orphanage volunteer by the name of Mrs. D. When Mrs. Charity Dennehy adopts Winnie into her family, has her crossed eyes fixed, and secretly arranges for Beckett to be fostered and then adopted by elderly neighbors down the street, Winnie figures her luck has changed. But instead of attributing it to God like Beckett does, she’s inclined to believe it’s her own grit, charm, and spontaneity that has paved the way.

From the moment twenty-four-year-old Beckett Campbell saw the tiny, cross-eyed orphan who reminded him of the sister he lost, he wanted to love and protect her forever. Best friends from the start despite over five years apart, Winnie’s naïve spontaneity for wild hairs and whims keeps Beck’s mature responsibility busy and happily so. Until the little girl he wanted to protect suddenly becomes the young woman he wants to love. When Winnie insists on protecting their friendship from the fear and risk of anything more, Beck has a decision to make. Friendship forever … or a life apart from the best friend he loves. Praying that Winnie will change her mind, Beck doesn’t hold out much hope for that day. But when an unexpected turn of events alters both of their lives, it puts “a whim and a prayer” on a collision course that just might make a way.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon

My Thoughts:

I have always loved Julie Lessman's books. I read a bunch of them years ago and haven't read her in a long time. I was so excited when I started reading this one that it includes the same family that I love from some of the other books I read. A Whim and A Prayer features Winnie Dennehy and her best friend Beck. Winnie turns 18 and wants more freedom to experience the world, act and date. Her friend and her cousin try to keep her in line, and Beck finally declares his real feelings for her. Winnie knows she can't be in love with him, so she pushes the limit and finds herself in a difficult situation- a situation that leads her to discover and embrace multiple important truths.
What I love most about Lessman's books is that there is always a strong element of faith, a salvation or a life truly changed by the Lord, but there are also adventurous spirits, mistakes made, and swoonworthy kisses. I flew through the book because I just couldn't put it down. This is a definite high recommendation for me.

I did recieve a free e-copy of this book, all thoughts above are my honest opinion.

About the Author

A lover of all things Irish, Julie Lessman writes close-knit Irish family sagas that evolve into 3-D love stories: the hero, the heroine, and the God that brings them together. Award-winning author of The Daughters of Boston, Winds of Change, Heart of San Francisco, Isle of Hope, Silver Lining Ranch, and The Cousins O’Connor series, Julie was American Christian Fiction Writers 2009 Debut Author of the Year and has garnered over 24 Romance Writers of America and other awards.

Voted #1 Romance Author in Family Fiction magazine’s 2012 and 2011 Reader’s Choice Awards, Julie also made Family Fiction magazine’s Best of 2015, 2014, and “Essential Christian Romance Authors” 2017-2021, 2023, as well as Booklist’s 2010 Top 10 Inspirational Fiction and Borders Best Fiction.

In addition, Julie has written a self-help workbook for writers entitled Romance-ology 101: Writing Romantic Tension for the Sweet and Inspirational Markets, and What’s the Story, Morning Glory: A Memoir Devotional with a “Novel” Approach to Practical Christianity. Contact Julie through her website at www.julielessman.com.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $50 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 21, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 28, 2026. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

The Christy Award Finalists & Gala by ECPA

2026-09-25T03:41:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Takeover Blitz for The Christy Award Finalists 2026 organized by ECPA and hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! We extend our sincere and enthusiastic congratulations to The Christy Award 2026 Finalists & Winners (announced on November 6th)!

You are Invited

The Christy Award Gala Friday, November 6, 2026 | 7:00 PM Sonesta Nashville Airport Hotel Nashville, Tennessee Featuring Michelle Shocklee, Amanda Cox, Nicole Deese, Amanda Dykes, Susie Finkbeiner, J.J. Fischer, Rhonda McKnight, Jamie Ogle, Amanda Wright, Jaime Jo Wright, and other distinguished 2025 winners—bringing a meaningful connection between past and present excellence.

This is our year to gather together in person to celebrate and honor the best Christian fiction of the year. The Christy Award Gala will be held the evening of Friday, November 6th and will feature a premiere cast of the industry’s authors to announce The Christy Award winners in nine categories, The Christy Book of the Year, and The Amplify Award for Christian Fiction.

This year’s gala features a keynote address from Michelle Shocklee, recipient of The Christy Book of the Year for her acclaimed novel All We Thought We Knew. Her story and perspective will set the tone for an evening rooted in faith, creativity, and impact. Continuing Christy tradition, recent honorees will present category awards, including Amanda Cox, Nicole Deese, Amanda Dykes, Susie Finkbeiner, J.J. Fischer, Rhonda McKnight, Jamie Ogle, Amanda Wright, Jaime Jo Wright, and other distinguished 2025 winners—bringing a meaningful connection between past and present excellence.

The Christy Award Finalists 2026

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE - tie

Echoes of a Silent Song by Amanda Wen (Kregel Publications) Hearts on the Fly by Toni Shiloh (Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group) Kate Landry Has a Plan by Rebekah Millet (Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group) The Voice We Find by Nicole Deese (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group)

FIRST NOVEL

In the Light of the Sun by Angela Shupe (WaterBrook, an imprint of PRH Christian)The Lawyer and the Laundress by Christine Hill Suntz Tyndale House Publishers) Where Stillness Speaks by Chelsey Welwood (Chelsey Welwood))

GENERAL FICTION

South of Somewhere by T.I. Lowe (Tyndale House Publishers) The Bitter End Birding Society by Amanda Cox (Revell/ Baker Publishing Group) When the Road Comes Around by Katie Powner (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group)

HISTORICAL - tie

From the Valley We Rise by Elizabeth Musser (Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group) Splendor of the Land by Connilyn Cossette (Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group) The Daughter of Rome by Angela Hunt (Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group) The French Kitchen by Kristy Cambron (Thomas Nelson Fiction)

HISTORICAL ROMANCE - tie

Mists Over the Channel Islands by Sarah Sundin (Revell/Baker Publishing Group) The Belle of Chatham by Laura Frantz (Revell/Baker Publishing Group) The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna M. White (Tyndale House Publishers) Through Water and Stone by Karen Barnett (Kregel Publications)

MYSTERY/SUSPENSE/THRILLER - tie

Final Approach by Lynette Eason (Revell/Baker Publishing Group) Girl Lost by Kate Angelo (Revell/Baker Publishing Group) Tempest at Annabel's Lighthouse by Jaime Jo Wright (Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group) The Accused by Cara Putman (Kregel Publications)

SHORT FORM - tie

A Very Merry Matchup by Becca Kinzer (Tyndale House Publishers) One Nine by Sara Davison (Sara Davison) Planning for Nickie by Tasha Hackett (Tasha Hackett) To Reveal a Reckless Love by Robin Lee Hatcher (RobinSong, Inc.)

SPECULATIVE - tie

Every Hour until Then by Gabrielle Meyer (Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group) Heir of Light by Niki Florica and Jill Williamson (Sunrise Publishing) Maxine Justice: Public Offender by Daniel Schwabauer (Enclave, a division of Oasis Family Media) Of Dawn and Embers by Gillian Bronte Adams (Enclave Escape, a division of Oasis Family Media)

YOUNG ADULT - tie

Illuminary by Chawna Schroeder (Enclave Escape, a division of Oasis Family Media) Sons of Day and Night by Mariposa Aristeo (Enclave Escape, a division of Oasis Family Media) The Outsider by Katy Morgan (The Good Book Company) The Star-Blessed by Angie Dickinson (Enclave Escape, a division of Oasis Family Media)

My thoughts:

I've read about ten of the books listed above, and I can't wait to read more. These featured authors are amazing storytellers. Some of my favorites include Amanda Cox, Amanda Dykes, Nicole Deese, TI Lowe, Karen Barnett, Roseanna White, Kristy Cambron, Angela Hunt. (I honestly could just copy the entire list here). I haven't read any of the three in the First Novel Category, but they look so good! I may be making a purchase very soon! I love the Christy Awards and how they bring awareness to this amazing genre of Christian fiction and the talented authors in this field. I always find new authors to follow and new books to add to my TBR. Which one are you adding to yours?

Register for The Christy Award 2026 Events

Join us in Music City for a vibrant, can’t-miss gathering of the Christian fiction community.

Beyond the Books Add-On: Meet the finalist authors at this special morning gathering of authors and readers.

The Art of Writing conference will bring together writers, storytellers, and publishing professionals for an afternoon of relevant topics and networking.

The Christy Award Winners Gala celebrates this year’s finalists and winners with authors, editors, publishers, and readers!

REGISTER

The Christy Award® is a program of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) and is the foremost award honoring and promoting excellence in Christian fiction since 1999. For more information about ECPA, visit ECPA.org. For more information about the Christy Awards and Art of Writing conferences, visit ChristyAwards.com or email TheChristyAward@ecpa.org

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive their choice of The Art of Writing registration OR print copies of The Christy Award finalist titles for one category!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight September 25, 2025 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on October 2, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Twist of Time

2026-07-02T06:37:57.051-07:00

About the Book

Book: Twist of Time (The Clockwork Chronicles Book 3)

Authors: Tricia Goyer & Nathan Goyer

Genre: Historical sci-fi with a steampunk twist

Release Date: June 9, 2026

They thought they were fighting a war. They didn’t know it was the end of time.

In 1945, war rages across Europe, but deep beneath Prague, another kind of battle is unfolding. It’s a fight not just for land or power but for the very soul of humanity.

Kateřina Dubová, a brave journalist turned spy, receives a mysterious gift from a high-ranking Nazi officer―a jewel tied to a terrifying prophecy. Clues draw her deep into ancient secrets hidden within Prague Castle and a clock that may hold the power to save the world . . . or bring about its destruction.

Kateřina joins forces with Josef Loew, a gifted inventor; Theodora, a daring mafia spy gone rogue; and Dante, a historian with a powerful artifact of his own. Together, they unravel a chilling plot rooted in mysteries that whisper from beyond the veil.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts

I admit, I went into this series blind. I didn't read the synopsis and was surprised when I started reading book 1. I have a number of Tricia Goyer's other books, but this series looked completely different. I was expecting sci-fi, but this is an interesting mix of historical fiction and fantasy/steampunk, with some mythology-like legends mixed in. I thoroughly enjoyed the 3 book ride! I found the unique combination of historical accuracy, spiritual speculation (and truths), and great imagination wove a tale of suspense and emotion that is exactly what I look for in a book: The hope and spiritual message is strong, too, which makes it even better. I have read a lot of WW2 fiction, and I can honestly say that I haven't come across anything like this. If you like steampunk or historical fiction, I think you will find this a unique and enjoyable blend of the two.
I did recieve free e-copies of the books, and all thoughts shared are my honest opinion.

About the Authors

Tricia Goyer is a celebrated writer, speaker, and co-host of the Daily Bible Podcast. Author of 80 books, Tricia has won four Golden Scrolls, two Carols, and a Christian Book Award. In addition to Christy and Gold Medallion nominations, her book sales exceed 4 million copies. Tricia is a highly sought-after conference speaker, sharing on writing, parenting, and purposeful living. Tricia’s most recent work, The Clockwork Chronicles, is a historical steampunk fantasy trilogy co-authored with her son, Nathan Goyer.

Nathan Goyer is an upstart designer and science fiction author who has been writing since he was young. He has written the novel Bask: City of Shadows and solo-developed the mobile RPG game Heedless, which has surpassed 30,000 downloads. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Arkansas Little Rock, he is now pushing forward with new endeavors, starting with his latest series, The Clockwork Chronicles, co-authored with his mother, Tricia Goyer.

More from Tricia and Nathan

The Heart Behind the Gears: The Final Battle at Old Town Hall

By Tricia Goyer (with Nathan Goyer)

Writing has always been a way for me to explore the quiet corners of history. This was true for my newest novel Twist of Time. Through this book, I step into a world that is both familiar and utterly mysterious. The book is set in Prague in 1945. I first visited Prague as a wannabe writer in 2001. Then, in 2008, I went back with my family and our church group. I’ve been there numerous times, most recently in 2024 when I was working on this book. I was able to go underground underneath the clock to see where the resistance fighters hid.

Collaborating with my son, Nathan, on the conclusion of The Clockwork Chronicles has been a highlight of my career. We wanted to take the grit of May 1945 Prague and weave it together with the ancient, ticking secrets of the Orloj—the city’s famous astronomical clock.

In this final chapter, the stakes are anchored in the very real, devastating history of the Prague Uprising. On May 8, 1945, the Old Town Hall became a focal point of fierce resistance. As the German forces retreated, they directed heavy fire toward the building, leading to a catastrophic fire that destroyed the municipal archives and heavily damaged the clock. We imagined our characters, Katerina and Josef, caught in this chaos, where the smoke of history meets the supernatural shadows hinted at throughout this series.

While the town hall burned, the Czech resistance fought with everything they had. In our story, this physical battle is a mirror to a much larger, spiritual confrontation. We often think of history as a series of dates, but I believe it is actually a tapestry of souls choosing light over darkness.

Researching the legends of Prague Castle and the hidden depths beneath the city inspired us to ask: What would you do if you realized the war you were fighting was only a shadow of a much larger battle?

We hope this story of Josef, Theodora, Dante, and Katerina reminds you that even when time seems to be running out, hope is never late. I am so grateful to have you join us for this tour. Whether you have been with us since the first gear turned or you are just now discovering this world, we hope Twist of Time keeps you breathless until the very end.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, June 29

Lily’s Corner, June 30

Simple Harvest Reads, July 1 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 1

Inspired by Fiction, July 2

Artistic Nobody, July 3 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, July 4 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 5 (Spotlight)

Fiction Book Lover, July 6 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, July 7

The Bookish Ledger, July 8 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, July 8

Texas Book-aholic, July 9

Books, Books, & More Books, July 10 (Spotlight)

For Him and My Familly, July 11

Life on Chickadee Lane, July 12

Giveaway

To celebrate their tour, Tricia and Nathan are giving away the grand prize of a $50 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/dV2pP/twist-of-time-celebration-tour-giveaway

The escape game

2026-06-30T05:19:00.000-07:00

About the Book

Book: The Escape Game (The Game Masters Book 2)

Author: Gina Holder

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release Date: May 5, 2026

20 years ago, the world’s leading enigmatologist disappeared…

Demi Kayne, owner of a popular puzzle shop, has spent years searching for her father, who vanished without a trace. When she cracks the code he left behind, the trail leads her to a secluded mansion—and straight into danger.

Liam Shepherd, a missionary with a passion for puzzles, is desperate to find his missing sister. His investigation brings him to Silver Falls, where his path collides with Demi’s in ways neither of them expects.

Drawn into a deadly escape game designed by a brilliant and vengeful mind, Demi and Liam must unravel twisted riddles and confront buried secrets before time runs out. Losing could cost them everything. Their faith and each other may be their only means of escape.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts

This was a fun and exciting read. We are a family who loves escape rooms, so I jumped at the chance to review this. I'm glad I did. it is a quick read with interesting character and curious puzzles. The search for long lost truth of where GIRL's dad disappearred to linkined iwth current missing person, GUy's sister, leading them to the Ives mystery house. I felt the romance was a little rushed, but givent he high pressure sitaution, understandable. there is a clear presentation of the gospel with seeking and growing indivisuatls.

About the Author

Gina Holder is a Christian award-winning author of romantic suspense and cozy mysteries filled with faith, intrigue, danger, romance, and epic twists you’ll never see coming.

She’s had an infatuation with books for as long as she can remember. She loves sharing uplifting messages from God’s Word and introducing readers to new and new-to-them authors on her blog.

When she’s not writing, Gina enjoys playing the piano, cooking, reading, watching Hallmark mysteries, and solving “escape room” puzzles. She loves growing in her craft as an author. She published her debut novel in 2017. Gina lives in Wyoming with her husband and daughter.

More from Gina

The Book I Almost Gave Up On

When I turned in the first full draft of The Escape Game last September, I hated it.

Not in a playful, self-deprecating way. I really, truly hated it.

I had that awful, hollow feeling in my stomach. The one that whispers, This isn’t good enough. You aren’t good enough. Why did you ever think you could pull this off?

Honestly, I believed this book was beyond my abilities.

And it was.

But I forgot I have Someone on my side who can do all things.

Back in 2022, this story idea was supposed to be simple. A shorter novel inside a collection. I had a fun premise, a few intriguing characters, and a basic plot: a second chance romance with the two main characters locked in a deadly mansion.

Easy peasy, right?

Wrong.

I realized the story needed space to breathe, so I wrote something else for the collection, and put this story back on the shelf until the right time.

Fast forward to 2025. The Escape Game was proposed as book 2 of The Game Master series.

I started writing. Characters pushed back. They wouldn’t talk. Inside my head, there was silence.

Some books flow. This one fought.

I wrestled with tone and pacing. I rewrote entire sections only to delete them again. Scenes that sparkled in my head fell flat on the page. I second-guessed everything.

My heroine was supposed to be the faithful Christian girl who wins the bad boy to the Lord.

She wasn’t.

And my hero? He was all wrong.

So, I did something terrifying.

I replaced him.

Completely.

I created an entirely new character—Liam Shepherd.

On the surface, Liam was perfect—kind, protective, devoted to the Lord, close to his family. Every Christian girl’s dream.

But fiction doesn’t work that way. Perfection isn’t compelling.

I asked God to show me Liam’s wound.

When it came, I cried.

No, I bawled like a baby.

Liam wasn’t abused. He didn’t come from a broken home. He had love and stability. Then tragedy struck, and he faced a choice.

He chose wrong.

And it haunted him.

But the troubles were far from over.

This wasn’t just a tricky plot or a stubborn manuscript.

This story touched some deep places in my own heart—places I didn’t expect to have to revisit. Writing it meant digging into tender, uncomfortable emotions, facing truths about fear, grief, and courage that I hadn’t fully confronted. It hit a little too close to home.

Some days it felt less like writing fiction and more like surgery.

And surgery is exhausting.

By the time I reached the end, I wasn’t excited. I was just tired. I turned it in because it was due, not because it felt finished.

Then the editing began.

If drafting this book was wandering through a dark forest, editing was finally being handed a flashlight. Sentences tightened. Motivations clarified. Scenes I thought were essential were cut, and others grew stronger. What felt hopeless started to feel possible.

Slowly—painfully at times—the story started to come into focus.

My editor asked hard questions. I rewrote the entire book. (Not completely, but it felt like it.)

Each round of edits chipped away at the parts I disliked and revealed the story underneath—the one I’d been trying to tell all along.

Somewhere along the way, something unexpected happened.

I stopped hating it.

More than that, I started to like it.

Everything clicked. The story finally had the depth—and the heart—it had been missing.

And now, sitting on the other side of the process, I can honestly say something I never imagined saying last fall:

I’m proud of The Escape Game.

Not because it’s perfect—no book ever is—but because it represents persistence. Growth. The courage to dig into hard places and stay long enough to find the heart of the story.

And that heart is what I hope you feel when you read it.

What started as a small, simple idea grew into something deeper than I expected. Something that required more from me than I thought I had to give.

And in the end, it became something God and I built together.

This book reminded me of something important:

We’re all first drafts.

God is shaping us, molding us … and we fight back. We look at our lives and wish things were different. We replay our wrong choices. We feel regret, frustration, and fear.

Sometimes, we even hate what we see.

But hating your draft doesn’t mean you’ve failed.

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Philippians 1:6 (KJV)

It just means God isn’t finished yet.

And sometimes, the stories we struggle with the most end up being the ones we’re proudest to hold in our hands.

Blog Stops

SydneySchmied books, June 26

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, June 27

Lyssa Loves Books, June 28

Book Looks by Lisa, June 28

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, June 29

Inspired by Fiction, June 30

Texas Book-aholic, July 1

For Him and My Family, July 2

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 3

Holly’s Book Corner, July 4

Mary Hake, July 5

Pause for Tales, July 6

Cover Lover Book Review, July 7

The Lofty Pages, July 8

Lights in a Dark World, July 8

Lily’s Corner, July 9

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 10

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Gina is giving away the grand prize of a copy of The Puzzle Within and a $50 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/P1o9U/the-escape-game-celebration-tour-giveaway

Eyes of River

2026-06-24T05:23:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for The Eyes of River by Cindy K. Sproles, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Eyes of River

Author: Cindy K. Sproles

Publisher: Kregel Publications

Release Date: June 23, 2026

Genre: Historical Fiction

A heart-wrenching Appalachian novel from a best-selling, award-winning author

In the shadowed hollers of the early-twentieth-century Appalachian Mountains, Lizzy Haney is on the run. She's been falsely accused of murder and is desperate to reunite with her brother, River, whose unforgettable green eyes haunt her. The secret in her past is a stinging wound, but it motivates her toward her goal: freedom.

But nine-year-old River, sent through the US Post Office to their late mother's friend in Knoxville, never arrived. Lizzy's dream of finding him and starting a new life away from their alcoholic and abusive father is ripped away.

Her hope rekindles as she happens upon an unexpected friend to help her dodge the law and save the missing youngin'. As she finds herself trusting him, she discovers the accuracy of the old adage her momma repeated: And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

My thoughts

I feel like Appalachian History needs to be an offical sub-genre. I've read a couple lately. Lizzy, our FMC, goes through quite a journey in this book, both literally and figuratively. I enjoyed "watching" her learn to trust others and trust God. I appreciate the little known historical facts, like mailing a child and the early child trafficing. This book is a quick and easy read, but it is gritty, emotional and real too. I hurt for Lizzy and River and rooted them on as well. The character growth is what propelled the story and kept the pages turning, which I love because it provides hope and inspires readers to keep searching, learning, trusting!

I did recieve a free e-copy of this book. All thoughts shared are my honest opinions.

About the Author

Cindy K. Sproles is a speaker and best-selling,award-winning author of several novels, including Mercy's Rain, Liar's Winter, and Coal Black Lies. She is the executive editor for Christian Devotions Ministries and the director of the Asheville Christian Writers Conference. She also mentors and coaches new writers with Write Right Author Mentoring Services. She is an Appalachian-born-and-raised mountain girl who now lives in East Tennessee.

Connect with Cindy by visiting cindysproles.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of The Eyes of River and a $20 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight June 24, 2026 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on July 1, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

In A Word, Yes: Just Reads Rendezvous

2026-06-21T18:01:44.187-07:00

Lucy hides behind boundaries. Her mother hides behind busyness. But love and grace have a way of finding us wherever we hide.
Lucy Montgomery excels at drawing boundaries and avoiding risk. Her favorite word is no, and she's not afraid to use it. It's been five years since she picked up the leftovers from a crumbled marriage and started over with her brilliantly unique autistic son in Charity Falls, Oregon. As a single mom, she now works behind the scenes at a local newspaper. Enter Wyatt Hayes--an affable local police officer with the soul of a poet and the kindness she's always craved. A man who's more than eager to help her break free from her security blanket of an adventure-free life.
Lucy's celebrity mother, Carly Montgomery--a vivacious and beloved women's Bible study leader--can't deny a sense of weariness. But if she doesn't remain in perpetual motion, her regrets are bound to catch up with her. Despite the outward appearance of a perfect empty nester life, she's kept her daughter at arm's length and has already missed so much of her young grandson's life. Is it too late to turn that around?
For Lucy and Carly to restore their relationship, and for Lucy and Wyatt to embrace the risk of loving, it will take a big step of faith to reconcile the past together.
A small-town friends-to-more romance, and a multigenerational mother-daughter story. This read is perfect for book clubs and readers who love second chances, strong female characters, family, and faith.

My Thoughts

First of all, the file type that I recieved didn't work on my kindle fire, which is how I usually read. I ended up reading this on my phone (which isn't my favorite), but it worked. I am so glad that I was able to access it because it was a fun and touching read, right up my alley. In a Word, Yes features characters who write, love the Lord, and a child with special needs. It is a small town romance, with heartwarming friendships and meaningful character growth and change. The story alternates between Lucy and her mom, Carly as they both navigate transitions in their lives, choosing and taking new risks. In stepping out of their normal habits and into the actions that God calls them, they each experience God's presence and love in new ways.

I did recieve a free e-copy. All thoughts shared above are my honest opinion.

Kit Tosello

Kit Tosello is an award-winning writer of small-town contemporary fiction with a big heart, inspirational essays, and devotionals. With her eye trained on the beauty hiding in plain sight all around us, she arranges words with tenderness, humor, and hope. Inspired by her former career as a kitchen designer on California’s central coast and her daily strolls past an abandoned B and B, Kit’s debut novel, The Color of Home, released in 2024 with Revell. Robin Jones Gunn says, "Kit has a winsome way of using words to paint heart-touching images. A lovely story!” When not writing, Kit can be found in the loose-leaf tea shop she and her husband operate in small-town Oregon, exploring the great Pacific Northwest, or enjoying the "great indoors"—bookstores and libraries. Most likely while sipping a matcha latte.

Kit Tosella is one of the many amazing authors featured at this year's Just Reads Rendezvous, an amazing day for readers and writers focusing on Christian Fiction. Learn more about the 2026 Rendezvous

It is available to pre-order now. Just click here.

Just Read Rendezvous 2026

2026-06-16T18:00:11.908-07:00

Welcome to the Blog Tour that brings Rendezvous 2026 to you, hosted, sponsored, and organized by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Bringing Rendezvous '26 to You!

Rendezvous: reader and writer gathering November 7, 2026
Holiday Inn Nashville Airport

Readers and Writers will gather at the fourth annual Read Write Rendezvous, organized and sponsored by JustRead Publicity Tours, LLC, on November 7, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT at the Holiday Inn Nashville Airport. Rendezvous celebrates Christian fiction and sweet reads, featuring corporate worship, speaker sessions, author panels, small-group discussions, games, giveaways, a pop-up bookshop, and book signings. This event aims to sweeten reading and storytelling experiences with fellowship and encouragement. Over forty featured authors are participating, including The Christy Award Hall of Fame and bestselling author Tamera Alexander who will deliver the keynote address. USA Today and top ten Publishers Weekly bestselling author Lisa Phillips will lead worship. We will announce several more authors in the coming weeks! We prayerfully honor the legacy of the Christian Fiction Readers Retreat through each Rendezvous event, and this year we are especially celebrating the very first CFRR which was held 10 years ago in Nashville. Rendezvous is open only to registered attendees. Want to extend your reader getaway? The Christy Award Gala and Art of Writing conference will be held at a nearby venue on November 6.

Learn more about the 2026 Rendezvous

If you're unable to attend Rendezvous this year, we don't want you to miss out on getting to know our authors and their books. Our bloggers are bringing Rendezvous to you by spotlighting several of the participating authors this week. Follow along to grow your TBR list to astronomical proportions!

Check out recent releases by these participating authors in the JustRead Amazon Storefront.

Featured Author

Kit Tosello

Kit Tosello is an award-winning writer of small-town contemporary fiction with a big heart, inspirational essays, and devotionals. With her eye trained on the beauty hiding in plain sight all around us, she arranges words with tenderness, humor, and hope. Inspired by her former career as a kitchen designer on California’s central coast and her daily strolls past an abandoned B and B, Kit’s debut novel, The Color of Home, released in 2024 with Revell. Robin Jones Gunn says, "Kit has a winsome way of using words to paint heart-touching images. A lovely story!” When not writing, Kit can be found in the loose-leaf tea shop she and her husband operate in small-town Oregon, exploring the great Pacific Northwest, or enjoying the "great indoors"—bookstores and libraries. Most likely while sipping a matcha latte.

I read The Color of Home last year and it touched my heart, so I am very excited to get into my eARC of In a Word, Yes. Here is the description:
Lucy hides behind boundaries. Her mother hides behind busyness. But love and grace have a way of finding us wherever we hide.
Lucy Montgomery excels at drawing boundaries and avoiding risk. Her favorite word is no, and she's not afraid to use it. It's been five years since she picked up the leftovers from a crumbled marriage and started over with her brilliantly unique autistic son in Charity Falls, Oregon. As a single mom, she now works behind the scenes at a local newspaper. Enter Wyatt Hayes--an affable local police officer with the soul of a poet and the kindness she's always craved. A man who's more than eager to help her break free from her security blanket of an adventure-free life.
Lucy's celebrity mother, Carly Montgomery--a vivacious and beloved women's Bible study leader--can't deny a sense of weariness. But if she doesn't remain in perpetual motion, her regrets are bound to catch up with her. Despite the outward appearance of a perfect empty nester life, she's kept her daughter at arm's length and has already missed so much of her young grandson's life. Is it too late to turn that around?
For Lucy and Carly to restore their relationship, and for Lucy and Wyatt to embrace the risk of loving, it will take a big step of faith to reconcile the past together.
A small-town friends-to-more romance, and a multigenerational mother-daughter story. This read is perfect for book clubs and readers who love second chances, strong female characters, family, and faith.

It is available to pre-order now. Just click here. Doesn't it sound wonderful. I know I'm going to love it.

Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $30 gift card (winner’s choice of Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Christianbook, or Baker Book House)!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight June 15, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 22, 2026. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Someone to Lean On

2026-06-09T03:42:00.000-07:00

About the Book

Book: Someone to Lean On (Faith Endures Book 3)

Author: Carrie Walker

Genre: Romantic Women’s Fiction

Release Date: May 5, 2026

They’re seeking a peace they can’t seem to find. . .

Aged out of the foster care system and struggling to raise her young daughter, Lucia Roberts loses her only source of income. When she’s offered a position caring for a four-year-old foster child, Timothy, it feels like the answer to a prayer-except for one catch. She must work in the home of Jordan Nowak, Timothy’s overly vigilant foster father who scrutinizes her every move.

Jordan has built his life around one promise: protect a foster child until they can find a happily ever after. But while Jordan fights to keep Timmy safe, his own world spirals out of control. The music store he co-owns with his brother is on the brink of bankruptcy after months of mismanagement. Torn between protecting Timmy, saving the store, and guarding his heart, Jordan grasps for any possibility to fix it all.

Mason Hughes is in his final year of medical school, on rotation under a difficult neurologist, and doubting his call to be a doctor. As the walls between Lucia and Jordan soften, Timmy starts displaying puzzling symptoms. Soon Mason must choose whether he trusts his medical instincts enough to fight an ethical battle.

As three adults seek control in their lives, a young child with no guarantees teaches them to trust.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts

I've read this whole series and loved every book. Each book can be read alone, but I am so glad that I read all three as the characters overlap. Each book made me cry and this one was no different. My heart was captured by Sweet little Timmy in foster care, along with Lucia who aged out of foster care and has a little one of her own. The characters are beautifuly depicted, three-dimensional and relatable. I love how God works in each of them through trials, triumphs and each other. I am sad it is over and recommend without hesitation. If you want a book/ series that makes you feel and gives you hope, this is one that you need to read.

I did receive a free e-copy of this book, and all thoughts shared above are my honest opinion

About the Author

Winner of the 2025 Faith Hope and Love Reader’s Choice Award, Carrie Walker lives in Michigan with her husband and seven children. From her ten years serving as a high school youth minister, adventures around the globe, and raising a family, many stories have been knit within her heart.

As an avid reader she pens what she loves to read, contemporary stories that bring hope to a hurting world. Weaving romance among story lines of characters in struggle, she aims to show God working in all situations. When she’s not playing board games with her husband, shuttling kids in the Walker bus or wishing for snow, Carrie can be found at the keyboard bringing those stories to life.

Carrie’s writing has been recognized in many contests. Her debut novel, Emma’s Hero, won the silver medal in the Selah Awards, won the IAN Book of the Year for Christian Fiction, was a double finalist in the International Book Awards.

More from Carrie

Where did you get the idea for “Someone to Lean On”

I’m asked this for every story, and this one I can definitely say the characters gave me no choice, I had to write it. When I envisioned this series, I always envisioned a three-book series where we would meet a “special” little boy in the first book and follow the lives he touched, and by the end of the series see the far-reaching effects of his life. When I finished writing “Right Before Their Eyes” we left Lucia as a pregnant foster teen. She’d found an amazing foster mom to support her, but what happened to her and her baby? In talking with social workers I learned so many foster teens age out and while there are some programs to help support them, they aren’t easy. So of course, Lucia’s story wasn’t over. And the story, as many of ours are, wasn’t all easy, but it also was filled with blessing. Many of her struggles, she gave to me (yeah… the characters talk to me lol, and many times just take over their stories), I didn’t have to dream them up. I’m sure many of us pray, read Scripture, and want to trust God. But then … life. Sometimes life sure makes those desires difficult to live out. And to watch this young woman grow through tough times, still have a heart, and eventually find the strength to step out in faith . . . I’m so glad she made me write this story 🙂 I pray you enjoy Lucia and Jordan’s story, and also step back and reflect on the far reaching effect of each human life.

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, June 6 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, June 7 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 7

Guild Master, June 8 (Author Interview)

Inspired by Fiction, June 9

Fiction Book Lover, June 10 (Author Interview)

The Bookish Ledger, June 11 (Author Interview)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 12 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 13

Life on Chickadee Lane, June 14

Blossoms and Blessings, June 15 (Author Interview)

Stories By Gina, June 16 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 16

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, June 17 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, June 18

For Him and My Family, June 19

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Carrie is giving away the grand prize of a $40 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/pZs43/someone-to-lean-on-celebration-tour-giveaway

Brunswick

2026-06-03T00:55:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for The Brunswick by Callie Murray, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Brunswick

Author: Callie Murray

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: May 19, 2026

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

When Cora provides a safe haven for Jewish refugee children, she discovers that opening her doors means risking everything, including her heart.

In 1939 Georgia, far removed from the war brewing overseas, Cora Cain's world feels small--and shrinking. There, she runs The Brunswick, her family's once-grand hotel, which is now struggling as the town's general store. When Thomas Watkins arrives seeking work and solace after his mother's death, a connection sparks between them. Through Thomas, Cora glimpses a life beyond obligation and her war hero father's unpredictable moods.

But everything changes when Cora is asked to turn The Brunswick into a sanctuary for Jewish children fleeing persecution in Germany. As Cora and Thomas prepare for the children's arrival, they struggle to confront their pasts--and the prejudice of their neighbors--as their fragile hope is put to the test. Meanwhile, in Vienna, ten-year-old Charlotte is offered refuge in America. But even with the horrors she sees around her, she wonders how her parents could possibly send her away. As war's shadow begins to reach small-town Georgia, each person must face what love demands and decide what to hold on to and what to let go.

My Thoughts

This is such a sweet and hope filled historical fiction. I enjoy WWII fiction. I tend to pick up a lot of foster children, and saving children from traumatic situations. Thinking about what families had to sacrifice during this time, literally, breaks my heart. This book highlights the happy endings. While all characters do experience loss and hardship, the plot focuses on hope and triumph. The character building and relationship building scenes are the kind that bring a smile to your face- either sweet and touching or funny and cute. I think the end wraps things up a little too quickly and cleanly, but you will be satisfied and pleased with the found family and answered prayers. I would absolutely recommend this book as a HEA historical fiction that may open your eyes to different experiences during that horrific time in history.

I did recieve a free copy of this title for my enjoyment. All thoughts above are my honest opinions.

About the Author

Callie Murray is an entrepreneur who has been featured on The Today Show and in The New York Times. Her debut Southern fiction book delves into the lesser-known historical details preceding World War II. Callie and her husband live in Norcross, Georgia, with their seven children, four of whom came through the honor of foster care.

Connect with Callie by visiting calliemurray.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight June 3, 2026 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on June 10, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

All that Glows

2026-05-29T04:21:00.000-07:00

About the Book

Book: All That Glows

Author: Lauren Smyth

Genre: YA Dystopian Science Fiction

Release Date: May 12, 2026

The apocalypse didn’t take everyone. It just took us.

Ever since the rain turned green, Kyrie’s world has been bathed in glowing dust. She packs it into old mascara tubes and sells it as makeup alongside dried cacti, threadbare blankets, and long-expired canned food. There’s not much else to do when everyone outside Kyrie’s small town in the Mojave Desert died from the plague-bearing rain ten years ago.

Everyone—except the man in the rubber mask.

He’s on the dangerous side of the fence, huffing infected air like it’s nothing, babbling to Kyrie about college and umbrellas and yogurt and everything else that disappeared the day it rained. He doesn’t seem to know that the world ended, and he has no explanation for how he survived the apocalypse. But Kyrie doesn’t believe in ghosts.

She can’t trust him, but he’s right about one thing: Towns without secrets aren’t surrounded by chain-link fences. And chain-link fences won’t keep out the plague forever.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts

This is a fun journey of a read. Kyrie has lived in her little town of Peakin (surrounded by gates with no knowledge of what is outside them) for her entire life. Everything changed the day it rained green from the sky. Her mother dies shortly after, and her dad starts drinking. She does get a "sister" out of the situation, and some great friends. One day she sees someone outside the fence and her life is forever changed again. As she and her friends journey for truth and possibly freedom they fight impossible odds and find impossible things. I loved the found family aspect, but found the romance a little forced- I would have liked a little more development or motivation there. Characters are well-developed and quirky (my favorite kind), and the plot has an interesting premise and moves at a good pace. It is a quick and enjoyable read, I would recommend for a fun young adult read!

I recieved a eARC for my enjoyment. All thoughts shared above are my honest opinion.

About the Author

Lauren Smyth is an economics journalist at World News Group. Since signing her first publishing contract at age thirteen, she has written five young adult novels, coded two narrative video games, and started a blog enjoyed by readers and writers around the world. When she’s not in the broadcast studio, you’ll find her crafting episodes of her Grammar Minute writing podcast or training for her next trail run.

More from Lauren

You’d think the apocalypse already happened in Mojave, CA.

Toxic dust could invade your lungs and kill you. Owls burrowed in the ground for lack of trees. Bobcats mated and had their kittens on neighborhood roofs, and every so often, a jet screamed overhead with a thunderclap in its wake.

I arrived in the middle of the night, and when I woke up, I was in a world different from any I had ever known. As a military kid, I had eaten fresh Belgian waffles, stood drenched in Ohio rain, and fallen asleep to Las Vegas lights. But I had never seen a place so unearthly, or so tantalizingly mysterious, as Edwards Air Force Base. I stood at the window and goggled at the scenery for a while. And then I began to make it my own.

One of the first things Edwards AFB taught me was how to write. That was a byproduct of my decision, at a mature eight years old, to become a detective.

My friends and I climbed into a ditch and found a broken arrow, half the feathers ripped away, the point still intact. An assassination attempt, of course. Old golf balls buried in the dirt—secret messages to a dangerous enemy. The allure of jets overhead, of opaque military acronyms, of drab camouflage and deadly temperatures and rumors of drug lords and cowboys and sand sharks wandering the desert, gave wings to our imaginations.

The first story I wrote was a collection of “clues” we’d gathered, an attempt to frame them all into a narrative that explained how the base was going to be attacked and how we—well-prepared with our military IDs and iPods—would save everyone. I started writing in a notebook with a hot pink cover, and a hundred more notebooks kept up the thread. The story wasn’t yet a book. But it was my first attempt at weaving a story greater than anything I had experienced.

Fourteen years have passed. All That Glows is my fifth book. It’s based on everything that came before it—most importantly, on Mojave and Edwards AFB and all the time I spent trying to tease out the desert’s mystery. It captures what I felt when I was there: small, under the broad desert sky and the huge airplanes; large, compared to the tarantulas that scuttled past my boots in the dust; melancholy, when I thought of how far away the rest of the world was; determined and thrilled, as I dove into the adventure I was living and the ones I hadn’t lived yet.

In All That Glows, you’ll poke your finger on cacti needles and get your shoes tangled in grabby creosote. You’ll experience the blazing daytime heat, the tumbleweeds, the bland architecture, and the rest of Edwards AFB’s unusual scenery, all set in fictional towns. You’ll count the desert stars and shiver in the cold twilight wind. You’ll have a mystery of your own to solve, and if you can stick it out to the end, you’ll have befriended a dry-humored, scrappy cast of characters.

Here’s the first line from one of those old notebooks: “When can we go outside, Mom?”

And here’s the first paragraph of All That Glows: “On the night the world ended, raindrops stained our roof tiles green. I was the first to notice when I went outside to dump the dishwater.”

A lot has changed, but the sense of adventure Mojave taught me hasn’t. If anything, since then, the mystery from back then has only heightened. Maybe the golf balls weren’t a secret message, but maybe a new kind of missile was tested while I was there. Maybe the broken arrow was just a kid playing in his backyard, but maybe one of those jets flew faster than sound seven times over.

I won’t ever know. I only have my memories. But I can imagine the battles and the sacrifice and the bravery. And so, if you’ll join me for this expedition, I’ll show you what my mind’s eye saw when I looked out across the desert.

Blog Stops

The Lofty Pages, May 26

Simple Harvest Reads, May 27 (Author Interview)

Blossoms and Blessings, May 28 (Spotlight)

Stories By Gina, May 29 (Spotlight)

Inspired by fiction, May 29

Artistic Nobody, May 30 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 31 (Spotlight)

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, June 1 (Spotlight)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 1

Guild Master, June 2 (Author Interview)

Books, Books, & More Books, June 3 (Spotlight)

Texas Book-aholic, June 4

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, June 5 (Spotlight)

Books Less Travelled, June 6 (Spotlight)

Fiction Book Lover, June 7 (Author Interview)

The Bookish Ledger, June 8 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lauren is giving away the grand prize of a $50 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/bueoY/all-that-glows-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Deep End of Love

2026-05-27T12:58:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for The Deep End of Love by Christina Suzann Nelson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Deep End of Love

Author: Christina Suzann Nelson

Publisher: Kregel Publications

Release Date: May 19, 2026

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

A refreshed and updated novel on the power of motherly love

When Izzy's pregnancy comes to light during her junior year of high school, her future sinks like a stone and leaves waves of uncertainty in its wake. And suddenly three women are pulled into the undertow. A mother desperate to protect her child but battling hurt and fear from her past. A newcomer with empty arms and a deep longing. And a broken heart trying to survive amid grief.

An unborn baby growing closer to his unknown future brings together these four women with four completely different stories. Masterfully told in woven points of view, The Deep End of Love explores how one decision exposes shame, fear, and hope—and how grace surfaces in the least expected places.

Christy Award-winning author Christina Suzann Nelson draws readers in through this emotionally engaging and inspirational novel, now revised and updated.

My Thoughts:

This is the second book in the last couple of weeks with themes of teen pregnancy, mom secrets- past sins coming to haunt you. This one hits all the related themes: abortion, adoption, and keeping the baby, as well as all the related hard decisions and emotional results. I connected with many of the characters and felt for all the women in the book. I personally wanted a little bit more in all of the stories, but because they were all woven together some felt a little abbreviated. I feel that the strategy of using so many different views delivers a powerful message. It really makes the reader think about the many different sides, inputs, and impacts of teen pregnancy, adoption, infertility. It was well done and made me feel all the feels. Hope is my theme and hope often has a bittersweetness to it that makes it all the stronger, just like this book.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Also Available:

About the Author

Christina Suzann Nelson is an inspirational speaker and the award-winning author of several novels, including If We Make It Home, More Then We Remember, What Happens Next, and the Christy Award-winning The Way It Should Be.

Connect with Christina by visiting christinasuzannnelson.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of The Deep End of Love and $20 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight May 27, 2026 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on June 3, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

A Brewed Awakening

2026-05-14T06:16:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for A Brewed Awakening by Pepper Basham, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: A Brewed Awakening

Author: Pepper Basham

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Release Date: May 5, 2026

Genre: Small Town Contemporary Romance

Daphne dreams of Mr. Darcy. Finn serves up pints and rock music. Can opposites attract when a tea shop princess meets her pub-owning rival?

In the charming mountain town of Wisteria, North Carolina, Daphne Austen clings to tradition like cream to a scone. She's built her life--and her late grandmother's tearoom, Tea Thyme--around all things English: delicate china, Jane Austen novels, and the comforting predictability of routine. The only thing threatening her perfectly ordered world? The loud, aggravatingly handsome Brit opening a pub next door.

After his ex-wife broke his heart and his business partner nearly destroyed his career, Finn Dashwood packed up his six-year-old daughter and left England behind. He's looking for a fresh start, and the last thing he needs is a fussy, tea-obsessed neighbor criticizing his every pint and playlist. It doesn't matter that she's ridiculously kind (to everyone else) and that his daughter is utterly fascinated by her. Finn's heart is not open to being broken again.

But disagreements turn into prank wars and then a competition when a high-profile wedding needs a last-minute caterer. The townsfolk are thrilled--Wisteria hasn't seen this much excitement since the county fair lost a goat.

When the wedding demands both sweet and savory fare, Daphne and Finn are forced to put down their swords and pick up their serving trays. Between burnt pastries, brewing tempers, trending hashtags (#SipsAndSpats, anyone?), and one very adorable little girl, rivalry soon gives way to reluctant friendship--and maybe something that feels suspiciously like chemistry.

Can a tea shop princess and a pub owner with a past mix their lives as seamlessly as clotted cream and jam . . . or will their differences keep them steeped in rivalry forever?

Also Available:

My thoughts:

I listened to this one on audio. Since I don't ususally do actual audio books, this added a fun element to enjoying this book. With a male and a female character (for each main character), I really enjoyed it. Daphne Austen and Finn Dashwood have heat between them from the moment they meet. This rivals to lovers romance in filled with banter and sweet moments. The small town community is heartwarming and the tension and trials work to build a firm relationship. This was such a fun read. Perfect for the upcoming summer reading season- light and hope-filled!

I did recieve a free e-copy. All thoughts shared are my honest opinion.

About the Author

Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance “peppered” with grace and humor. Writing both historical and contemporary novels, she loves to incorporate her native Appalachian culture and/or her unabashed adoration of the UK into her stories. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of southwestern VA, where she is a wife, mom to five great kids, a speech-language pathologist, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus.

Connect with Pepper by visiting pepperdbasham.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will receive a signed copy of A Brewed Awakening, and winners choice of a Literary Beverage Mug or a Storming Castles mug!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight May 13, 2026 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on May 20, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Stronger than the Storm

2026-05-10T04:33:00.000-07:00

About the Book

Book: Stronger than the Storm

Author: Deena Adams

Genre: Christian Women’s Fiction

Release Date: April 28, 2026

A runaway teen. A wife’s devastating secret. A family’s reckoning.

Since surviving a rocky season in her marriage nineteen years earlier, Beth Holbrook has prayed and worked toward maintaining a solid marital commitment, raising godly children, and leading a thriving parenting ministry. On the cusp of realizing her publication dream and expanding her influence nationwide, her daughter, Leesa, runs away without a word.

Having recently turned eighteen and graduated from high school, Leesa is livid with her parents for not allowing her to attend a beach party, especially when the only guy who has ever shown interest in her will be there. When her best friend suggests they escape their parents’ strict rules and move to Myrtle Beach together, she makes a spontaneous decision to leave town. A mere six weeks later she returns home with shocking news that affects not only her future, but her family’s.

While grappling with a volatile blend of failure and anger, Beth’s identity as a pastor’s wife, mom, and respected parenting coach disintegrates. Amid mounting conflict in her marriage, continued criticism from her mother, and strained relationships with her children, Beth confesses a long-held secret, shattering her already splintered family.

As a hurricane bears down on the Holbrook’s house, the storm raging within the walls threatens to rip apart the fragile stitches holding their family together. When Beth’s solid foundation crumbles, will her family survive intact? Or is her contrition too little, too late?

Click here to get your copy!

My thought

An emotional journey through self discovery, growing in faith and in relationships through hard circumstances. This is one of those stories that you shake your head ar some of the decisions because they are such real and honest mistakes. Then you hold back tears as they struggle through the aftermath. Both Beth and her daughter Leesa have moments like those, but as they do, they discover deeper truths. With a strong faith message and a strong theme of hope, this is a perfect book to recommend here on Inspired by Fiction. I don't want to experience what either of these women did, but I do rejoice in the hope and truths they found that this book shares with its readers.

About the Author

As a Jesus girl for more than thirty years, Deena Adams understands how important hope is to daily life, which fuels her passion to inspire others through hope-filled fiction based on true to life stories.

She is a Certified Mental Health Coach, a multi-award-winning author, an active ACFW member, founder of the Marathon online writers group, and a six-year ACFW Virginia board member.

Deena lives with her husband near the coast in beautiful Virginia. When she’s not writing, reading, or serving in her church, you’ll find her hanging out with family and friends, playing board games, and doting on her seven grandchildren.

More from Deena

Crafting a novel from authentic life experiences is a challenging task, but it’s one I sensed God’s call to undertake. If the Lord can encourage those facing heartbreaking situations through my struggles as the mother of a prodigal twenty years ago, I’m all in.

Growing up, I tried my hardest to please my parents and teachers, but I always felt I didn’t measure up. As a Type A person, I’m sure that mindset was my doing, not theirs.

Fast forward to my season as a young mom, and my insecurities ramped up even more. When I became a Christian in my late twenties, I already had three small children and longed to be the world’s best mother and do everything right. I saw my kids’ mistakes as an indictment of my parenting abilities, leading me to believe myself a failure and to try harder to succeed.

With that attitude, you can imagine how I reacted when our teenage daughter ran away from home and returned pregnant—especially since my husband is the pastor of our church. Let’s just say it wasn’t pretty.

The emotional upheaval I endured while watching our child make one poor decision after another revealed my many shortcomings. Among the important lessons God taught me was what a shallow person I’d been and how much I wanted others’ respect and for them to find me acceptable—no, exceptional. Sadly, I was at a place in life where other people’s opinions seemed to carry more weight than my children’s feelings, but I was blind to my faults.

As I walked through the deep valley with a prodigal, God, in His great mercy, opened my eyes and showed me the truth about myself.

My journey of healing and restoration with our daughter was the catalyst for my debut novel, Stronger than the Storm. I pray that the challenging themes I address will uplift those going through extreme difficulty and that the embedded truths inspire hope in Jesus.

In my book, the Holbrook’s crisis begins as ours did, with a teen runaway getting pregnant by a guy she barely knew. I incorporated some factual events from our lives and drew many of the characters’ raw emotions from personal history. Although I gave Beth Holbrook, the mother in the story, a few of my personality traits, including the passion to be a supermom and failing miserably, the bulk of this family’s journey is fictional.

My experience as an adult daughter inspired the revelation of a long-kept secret in the latter part of the book. To avoid spoilers, I’ll simply state that nothing prepares anyone for such devastating news.

Yet, amid turmoil and unexpected adversity, God is still on the throne and has a perfect plan for our good and His glory. When we surrender everything to Him, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus through life’s storms, we can gain true peace and cling to the truth that God is stronger than anything we face.

In Stronger than the Storm, the Holbrook family must come to this understanding as well. As you read the book, I trust that this family’s journey, and mine, will provide you with encouragement and hope.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28 (NLT)

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, May 7 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, May 8 (Author Interview)

Fruitfully Planted, May 8

Guild Master, May 9 (Author Interview)

Inspired by Fiction, May 10

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 11

Fiction Book Lover, May 12 (Author Interview)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, May 13 (Author Interview)

Blossoms and Blessings, May 14 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, May 15

Stories By Gina, May 16 (Author Interview)

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, May 17 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys , May 17

Books, Books, & More Books, May 18 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, May 19

Blogging With Carol, May 20

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Deena is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a paperback 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/dYgBP/stronger-than-the-storm-celebration-tour-giveaway

A Girl's Guide to having it all

2026-05-08T03:19:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for A Girl's Guide to Having it All by Leslie Kirby DeVooght, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: A Girl's Guide to Having it All
Series: Magnolia Bluff #3
Author: Leslie Kirby DeVooght
Publisher: Lanier Price Publishing
Release Date: April 30, 2026
Genre: Contemporary Women's Fiction with Romance

She mastered her career. Finding a husband? Not so much.

High-powered political lobbyist Carleigh Chastain turns thirty-five with an impressive résumé, a packed calendar, and no love life to speak of. When her longtime friend—and former marriage-pact partner—Lawson announces he’s marrying a woman he barely knows, Carleigh does what any sensible best friend would do: she drops everything in DC and jets to Magnolia Bluff, Georgia, determined to save him from a costly mistake.

Instead, her plans unravel, forcing Carleigh to confront the choices she’s made—and the ones she’s avoided.

Meanwhile, Spencer MacDowell, her steady, loyal best friend since law school, is done waiting in the friend zone.

As faith, friendship, and romance collide, Carleigh wonders if she’s been too busy chasing success to notice where God—and her heart—have been pointing all along. Funny, heartfelt, and romantic, this story asks what “having it all” really means.

My thoughts

This is a cute and quick read of the romcom variety reminiscent of the old movie "My Best Friend's Wedding." Carleigh and her best friend Lawson had a marraige pact, but when their 35th birthday arrives- he calls to tell her he is already engaged. Carleigh leaver her other best friend Spencer, to try to stop a a marraige that cannot be right for Lawson. In the meantime Carleigh explores her feelings for both best friends. I read this book in a day. It is filled with both cute interactions and smack your head moments when you know Carleigh is headed for trouble. It was a fun read, cozy romance and perfect for the upcoming summer reading season!

I did recieve a free e-copy of this book, but all thoughts shared above are my honest opinions.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

About the Author

Publisher’s Weekly Bestselling author Leslie Kirby DeVooght writes women’s fiction with faith, love, laughter, and a lot of Southern charm. Her stories are inspired by romcoms, coastal Georgia, and fried okra! When Leslie isn’t writing, she’s cheering on her three children, and enjoying date nights with her husband, who loves that she researches kissing.

In addition to writing her own stories, Leslie co-owns Spark Flash Fiction, an online magazine that publishes short, short romance collections four times a year.

Connect with Leslie by visiting lesliedevooght.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.

Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a bookish tote bag with all three books from the Magnolia Bluff series (A Girl's Guide to Having it All, How to Sparkle, and Stealing Magnolias)!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 6, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 13, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Fairest Inn All

2026-05-03T05:34:00.000-07:00

About the Book

Book: Fairest Inn All (Real Life Fairy Tales Book Two)

Author: Amy R. Anguish

Genre: YA Fantasy

Release Date: March 24, 2026

When Kari White’s seven uncles beg her and her brother Jake to come to Georgia and revamp their inn, she isn’t happy about it. She doesn’t remember them nor does she want to leave West Virginia. But family comes first, and the Apple Inn has a lot of potential, despite the deadlines they’re up against … not to mention the land-hungry Queenie Ville, who has her eye on buying their property.

Royal Barrett loves Brunswick, Georgia, and wants to help preserve its heritage. That’s why he convinces the Chamber of Commerce to start a Fairest Inn All contest to encourage inns across the town to refresh without becoming too modern. But when he meets the gorgeous Kari White, he discovers some other aspirations—like winning her over to a happily ever after with him.

Driven together by goals and weather, Kari can’t help the attraction between them. But she’s rejected a happy ending for so long, it’s going to take more than a few walks under Spanish moss-covered oaks to win her heart.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts

I read both Rendersella and Fairest Inn All because I don't like jumping into a series in the middle if I can help it. This is one that you can absolutely read as a stand along, but I don't regret reading both because they were so fun. I have always enjoyed fairy tale retellings, and these were super cute.

Rendersella focuses on Ella Renders, who lost both her parents and lives with her step mother and step-sister. Ella dreams of being a real artist; meanwhile, Chaz Prince is hoping for a larger role at his family's art gallery. The two literally run into each other to start the story, but miscommunication and sabotage interfere with what could be an emerging friendship. I love the twists and turns of this modern rendition, as well as the adorable connections to the original fairytale.

Fairest Inn All features Kari White and her seven uncles. (Kari is best friends with Ella from Rendersella). Kari doesn't remember her uncles or their inn, but she is told that she spent the first almost 7 years of her life there. Her brother Jonathan remains her constant, but when he seems smitten with a local girl, she is unsure if that will remain true. The two work together to rebuild The Apple Inn to its former glory. Kari meets Royal Barret in her first days at the Inn, when he is informing hospitality directors about a local contest, The Fairest Inn All, started to encourage growth without losing connection to the town's history. Of course, every fairytale has a wicked queen -so enter Queenie Ville, who does her best to ensure the Whites do not succeed with their quest. Again, the little connections to the original fairytale brought a smile to my face and the ups and downs of Kari's personal journey and her possible budding relationship are sweet and satisfying.

Both fun and cute reads I would recommend - perfect for a summer beach day or and easy read on a flight for vacation!

I did recieve free e-copies to read. All thoughts above are my honest opinion.

About the Author

Amy R Anguish grew up a preacher’s kid, and in spite of having lived in seven different states that are all south of the Mason Dixon line, she is not a football fan. Currently, she resides in Tennessee with her husband, daughter, and son, and usually a bossy cat or two. Amy has an English degree from Freed-Hardeman University that she intends to use to glorify God, and she wants her stories to show that while Christians face real struggles, it can still work out for good.

More from Amy

Fairest Inn All was never supposed to exist. Honestly, I never expected to write a fairy-tale retelling, even though it’s one of my favorite tropes to read. But then God gave me the idea to write Rendersella a few years ago. I was inspired by a trip to West Virginia and the story would not leave me alone until I got it all typed up. And I had an absolute blast weaving in characters and plot points that reminded the reader enough of the classic fairy tale, but still told a new story.

Thing is, by the end of writing Rendersella, I discovered something. One, Ella’s best friend Kari was supposed to be Snow White. And two, that her stepsister Bellamy needed to have her own story told in Beauty School and the Beast (releasing March 2027). This put a crimp in my plans. After all, I’d barely reconciled myself to telling one fairy-tale retelling, to say nothing of three. But the characters wouldn’t hush.

So, with Kari’s story itching to be told, I had some decisions to make. I knew it was going to be in Brunswick, Georgia with her seven uncles and her ornery brother Jake. But how to weave in all the elements that make a story sing fairy tale without it sounding like every other version?

Well, one of the changes I made was to name the uncles after apples. After all, their last name is Apple, and so is the name of their old inn. That was fun, picking from the thousands of apple names to find ones that matched the personalities of the gentlemen. Then, I brought in an evil character named Queenie to be the nemesis of Kari, aka Snow. Queenie wants the inn and will stoop to all sorts of levels to try and get it. And, of course, I needed a princely character. Enter Royal Barrett, son of a man on the Chamber of Commerce. He is helping organize a contest called the Fairest Inn All, meant to encourage the owners of old inns to revamp and preserve the history of the area. Add in some fun scenes, a hurricane, and a bit of “poison,” and voila!

If you think that sounds too easy, you’re right. I agonized over several of the parts of this book. But it turned out so much fun, in my opinion. And you might even discover a few extra characters along the way.

Retelling stories that are already much-loved, I’ve discovered, is a delicate balance. It’s hard to make sure everything comes out familiar enough while still new. But when it works, it leaves the reader wanting even more. And maybe even the author too. Hence, another fairy-tale retelling from me with another on the way next year.

Do you love fairy-tale retellings? What are some of your favorites? How do you feel about stories you’ve loved forever being rewoven in a different way?

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 1

Stories By Gina, May 2 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, May 2

Inspired by Fiction, May 3

Simple Harvest Reads, May 4 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 5

Holly’s Book Corner, May 6

Artistic Nobody, May 7 (Author Interview)

By the Book, May 8

Texas Book-aholic, May 9

Guild Master, May 10 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 10

Happily Managing a Household of Boys , May 11

Fiction Book Lover, May 12 (Author Interview)

Fruitfully Planted, May 13

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, May 14 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Amy is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of Rendersella and Fairest Inn All!!

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

https://gleam.io/Y7seJ/fairest-inn-all-celebration-tour-giveaway

The girl upstairs

2026-04-28T12:20:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Girl Upstairs by Jessica R. Patch, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Girl Upstairs
Author: Jessica R. Patch
Publisher: Harlequin Love Inspired Trade
Release Date: April 28, 2026
Genre: Psychological Thriller

"Jessica R. Patch weaves a dark, twisty tapestry that’s both unsettling and unexpectedly hopeful. Masterful." –New York Times bestselling author Allison Brennan

She bought this house to save her marriage. Unearthing its secrets might just claim her life.

Gwen McDaniel’s life is broken. But she knows the perfect place to fix it. Cold Harbor, Maine, an idyllic small town with views of Acadia National Park, is where she used to vacation with her parents as a child. Here, she and Steven can start over, renovating their cliff-side fixer-upper while patching up their marriage. Soon, everything will be better.

Except from the moment they arrive, Gwen sees and hears things, and it’s more than just the drafts and shadows that are part of any old house. Steven downplays her fears, warning her not to fixate on problems as she has in the past. But Gwen spent years as a homicide detective, and her instincts don’t lie. Something happened here. Proof comes when she rips up the attic’s carpet to discover a chilling message carved into the wood underneath.

As Gwen delves into the history of the house and the Cold Harbor community, she begins to piece the fragments together. And gradually, a terrifying picture emerges: A missing girl. A house of horrors. And a dark, decades-old nightmare that is more haunting than Gwen ever imagined…

My Thoughts

This was quite a ride, and it kept me guessing. While I did suspect a lot of the ending, I didn't figure out all of it. I really enjoyed it. It's been a while since I read a mystery, and I find it fun to mix one in every once in a while. I actually read The Other Sister a while back too and enjoyed it. Gwen, our FMC, has been through quite a lot throughout her life. She and her husband, Steven, are hoping this move is exactly what they need to start over and heal. Circumstances keep getting in the way. Gwen seems to be spiraling, and Steven is separating himself even more. Gwen makes a friend, Kady (who is my favorite character, along with the mysterious dr across the water!) and they work together to try to figure out reasonable explanations for all that is happening. Since fiction that inspires hope is my favorite type, this one fits. When everything seems to be hopeless, God shines a light and gives opportunities for true healing and reconsiliation. As I said, this is a fun ride, a quick read- great for traveling or vacation read!! Enjoy!

I did recieve a free copy, and all thoughts shared are my own honest opinions.

Also Available

About the Author

Jessica R. Patch is a New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of more than thirty novels. Known for her pulse-pounding plots, emotionally charged characters, and signature twists, Jessica’s stories explore themes of justice, resilience, and the unshakable power of hope.

Whether weaving inspirational stories of danger edged with romance or crafting chilling thrillers that probe the shadows of the human heart, Jessica delivers fiction that thrills while shining light in the darkest places. She makes her home in Northwest Mississippi, where she enjoys life with her family, a good cup of tea, and dreaming up her next edge-of-your-seat story usually over tacos and queso.

You’re invited to join the Patched In community at her website: jessicarpatch.com and receive a FREE short thriller, Nobody Has to Know.

Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a signed copy of The Other Sister and a $10 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 27, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 4, 2026. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only for the print copy. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Lady Wynwood's Spies

2026-04-23T03:39:00.000-07:00

About the Book

Book: Lady Wynwood’s Spies, Volumes 1-3 Box Set

Author: Camille Elliot

Genre: Christian Regency Romantic Suspense

Release Date: April 23, 2024

Pride and Prejudice meets Mission: Impossible in this Christian Regency Suspense with slow-burn romance and a touch of the supernatural.

Recovered from her harrowing marriage, Lady Wynwood’s peace shatters as a nefarious secret society linked to her past emerges. She seeks the aid of Mr. Sol Drydale, an old friend with ties to a shadowy arm of the government.

They gather a circle of trusted individuals with unique skills:

A botanist with deadly aim with a bow and arrows
An unconventionally trained female medic and chemist in a field dominated by men
A cat burglar who also happens to be a viscount’s son
A spy searching for answers to the mysterious death of his brother
An ex-soldier haunted by regret and self-loathing
A human lie detector desperately protecting lies of her own
The most covert phantom agent working for the Crown
All led by a nobleman keeping dangerous secrets (who feels like he’s wrangling cats)

To protect their loved ones, they must race to stop a treasonous brotherhood, whose dark secrets could enable Napoleon to win the war.

Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 1: Archer

An ex-spy and a spinster botanist must find a murderer—with ties to both their families—whose uncanny alchemy could turn the tides against the war with Napoleon.

Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 2: Berserker

The team searches for their missing comrade before a crazed murderer finds him first.

Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 3: Aggressor

When French spies land on British soil to steal the ingredient for a powerful alchemical potion, Lady Wynwood’s team falls under attack from the toxins they unleash.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts

These were fun books. Do not plan on just reading one though, as I personally do not feel like they stand alone well. The books run into each other, and don't necessarily come to a satisfying ending alone. There is a large cast, but they are each well developed, including many of the side characters. It actually feels a little Bridgerton-esque with all the coupling that is started within these first three books; however, unlike Bridgerton where each season ends with a happy ending for one couple, these couples have not soilidified.
This notice is on the author's website :
"Please Note: Like the novels published in Jane Austen’s time, this is a story in multiple parts. Each volume has a completed story arc, but the overall story continues in the next book of the series and some volumes end on cliffhangers. The series is projected to be 12 volumes. The books should be read in order and the series is not yet complete."
And I am glad that is there, because the series will be a financial commitment and a time commitment. This review is the first three books, which include: Archer, Berserker, and Aggressor. I enjoyed the story and the characters. I didn't realize there were so many more books to read to complete the story and I have too many ARC and book club commitments to continue the story right now. Plus there are a few books that are not published yet- so be prepared to wait and anticipate the further releases.
Back to the characters: Phoebe and Laura are my favorite female characters and I really like Sol and Thorne. I appreciate their seeking hearts and the way other character's faith and quiet witness touch them and pull them closer to the truth. I adore the twins (as everyone in the book does) and am really rooting for them to find closure and healing. I hope that is included in one of the future books!
Anyway, as I said, buckle up for a long journey that I am pretty sure will be worth it in then end! Especially if you enjoy stories of growing faith, slowburn romance, and found family.
I did recieve a free e-copy of this collection. All thoughts above are my honest opinion.

About the Author

Camy writes Christian Contemporary Romantic Suspense as USA Today bestselling author Camy Tang and Christian Regency Romantic Suspense as USA Today bestselling author Camille Elliot. She grew up in Hawaii but now lives in California, where she knits antique knitting patterns and is learning Japanese.

More from Camille

What inspired me to write the Lady Wynwood’s Spies series:

While I love Regency Romances and Jane Austen’s books, I also really love action movies. When plotting the rest of the series, especially in light of Sol’s clandestine job for the Crown, I realized that I really wanted to do a mash-up of Mission: Impossible in the Regency era.

So I created Sol’s team of agents, some who used to work for the Foreign Office as spies and some who are civilians with unusual skill sets. And, of course, there will be lots of romance for each of the team members, as well as lots of action and suspense.

What exactly is an epic-length serial novel?

Originally I had written The Spinster’s Christmas, a Christian Regency Romantic Suspense, as a stand-alone novel, and I had planned more stand-alone novels with Lady Wynwood and Sol as minor characters in each of them. However, as I began planning the series past that first Christmas book, I realized the storyline was becoming longer and more complex.

I fought it for a while because it would have been a really long series—I even tried writing the next book as a stand-alone novel, but I wrote almost 90,000 words and I hadn’t even gotten to the 25% mark in the book!

So I decided to structure the series like a Japanese light novel series, in which each book has a complete story arc, but there is an underlying story arc that runs through each of the volumes and isn’t resolved until the end.

This is similar to the serial novels being published in the U.S., but those tend to be smaller installments of around 20,000 words, while each of the volumes in my series is around 100,000 words.

I have already plotted the entire series and it will be 12 volumes, plus 3 prequel novels (The Spinster’s Christmas, The Gentleman Thief, and Lissa and the Spy). At the moment, I’m writing volume 10.

I hope you enjoy my latest Regency series!

Blog Stops

All-of-a-kind Mom, April 22

Inspired by Fiction, April 23

Books You Can Feel Good About, April 23

Melissa’s Bookshelf, April 24

Lily’s Corner, April 25

Life on Chickadee Lane, April 26

Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 27

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 28

Texas Book-aholic, April 29

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 30

Sydney Schmied Books, April 30

For Him and My Family, May 1

Blogging With Carol, May 2

Blossoms and Blessings, May 2

Book looks by Lisa, May 3

Devoted To Hope, May 4

Holly’s Book Corner, May 5

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Camille is giving away the grand prize of a Special Edition Paperback of Lady Wynwood’s Spies, Volume 1: Archer and a Regency-style ribbon bookmark!!

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

ttps://gleam.io/oUeZj/lady-wynwoods-spies-volumes-1-3-box-set-celebration-tour-giveaway

Of Flaw and Scorn

2026-04-22T07:54:00.000-07:00

Title: Of Flaw and Scorn

Author: Vera Bell

Publisher: Timebound Publishing LLC

Series: Gracefire #1

Release Date: April 28, 2026

Genre: Historical Inspirational Romance/Christian Fiction

Tagline

She is his fatal flaw. He is her great scorn. But God's ways are not our ways
A Viking raider. A Christian captive. A love that should not exist

Irish coast, 795 A.D. Caught between two clashing worlds, a Christian slave and a Viking raider must crush their forbidden love before it imperils her faith and destroys his claim to the jarl’s seat—but God’s plan is greater than either can imagine.

While gathering wild strawberries near her fishing village, thirteen-year-old Brigit stumbles into the path of a young Viking warrior, Reidar. A night terror come alive, the heathen boy is part of a Norse horde descended on Ireland beneath the cover of night. Eager for conquest and glory on his first raid, Reidar takes Brigit captive. But when her terror stirs an overwhelming compassion, he defies his father and saves her from his own people as they raze her village. This unexpected act of mercy sears Brigit’s memory into his soul and becomes his Great Flaw.

Seven years later, the Vikings storm the Irish keep where Brigit is trapped in a loveless marriage. Amid the raid, their young warlord sets his sights on Brigit. Her faith, once her anchor, has withered under years of loss and hardship, and her Great Scorn
for Norsemen and all who wronged her has become her only armor. Yet her defenses crumble as she wrestles with a dangerous attraction to her enemy. Bound to her captor’s will and surrounded by savagery, Brigit fights to preserve her dignity and fading faith as she clings to the memory of the boy who once spared her. But the man Reidar has become a hardened warrior, sworn to vengeance and shackled by blood feud.

Both are doomed to ruin unless they open their hearts to the one power greater than the Flaw and Scorn that bind them.

MY THOUGHTS:

This is the second viking book I've read this year (and possibly second of all time), and I liked this one too. I may have stumbled on a new sub-genre to follow. This book took an interesting approach with the title relating to the main characters. She is his great flaw, and he is her great scorn. (and I actually love this).

Brigit had a hard life, losing her parents in a Viking Raid when she was young, being used and forced into an unloving marraige, then almost dying multiple times. Through it all, she never lost her faith, and by holding onto her faith she was able to share the Lord with her captor and (her great Scorn). Reidar never forgot Brigit from his first official raid, and he never stopped looking. When he found her again, some of his clan feared she was a witch who would ruin Reidar, and he did change because of her.

Suspenseful and romantic, I read this one quickly. I had a little trouble with the deep feelings that Brigit felt for Reidar through the years, him being her enemy and captor, but overall I enjoyed the journey. There is a strong message of faith, with Brigit struggling to hold on to beliefs from childhood, and Reidar coming to belief seeing all the evidence of God in Brigit's life and actions.

Thank you to Vera Bell and Just Read Book tours for providing me with a free copy of this book. All Thoughts shared above are my honest opinion.

Pieces of April

2026-04-16T05:00:00.000-07:00

About the Book

Book: Pieces of April: A Sweet, Quirky, Romantic Puzzle

Author: Jennifer Lynn Cary

Genre: Sweet, Clean Romantic Comedy

Release Date: January 20, 2026

She’s trying to move beyond her past…

…He wants to know who he was.

Will combining their pieces risk erasing their future together?

April Mathers wants to move forward. She can’t undo her impulsive high school blunder, so she keeps her head down, works hard, and prays for that long-awaited promotion. She’s cautious—even about the friends she chooses.

Then her next-door neighbor sublets her apartment to the one person capable of blowing up April’s world by repeating words that once shattered her.

Except he doesn’t remember saying them.

In fact, he doesn’t remember her.

Viet Nam vet Paul Romer has returned home hoping a support group can help him make peace with his permanent amnesia. All he has from before are flashes of a girl.

Then he finds her.
She lives next door.
And she definitely knows something—something not good.

Their chemistry is real, the tension tangled, and the secret between them is as stable as six-inch platform shoes. When the truth comes out, will it destroy their fragile beginning, or give them a future worth remembering?

Return to 1974 Kokomo, Indiana, where faith, love, and a legendary cardinal in a sycamore tree might fit the pieces into place.

You’ll swoon for this sweet, quirky, romantic tale of second chances, because sometimes sharing all those pieces of your heart is the only way to put it back together.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts

I haven't decided if fiction set in the 70s and 80s is actually historical fiction or not. I was born in the late 1970s, so this doesn't feel historical to me because, while so much is different now, I can still relate to life without cell phones and internet. I know what layaway is (do they still do layaway?) Anyway, this is a somewhat light-hearted and absoluetely fun read. It does deal with a heavy topic of amnesia with themes of forgiveness and second chances. The characters attend church and seek God's will during their daily lives and struggles, and there is a beautiful element of found family and friendship. As an added bonus, the title is a cute play on words that makes me smile. You will want to know what the history is and you will be rooting for a happily ever after.

I did recieve a free e ARC for my reading pleasure. All thoughts shared above are my honest opinions.

About the Author

Historical Christian Romance author and three-time Selah Award nominee, Jennifer Lynn Cary, likes to say you can take the girl out of Indiana, but you can’t take the Hoosier out of the girl. Now transplanted to the Arizona desert, this direct descendant of Davy Crockett and her husband of forty-plus years enjoy time with family where she shares tales of her small-town heritage and family legacies with their grandchildren. She is the author of The Crockett Chronicles series, The Relentless series, and The Weather Girls trilogy, as well as the stand-alone novel, Cheryl’s Going Home, her novella Tales of the Hob Nob Annex Café, and her split-time novels The Traveling Prayer Shawl and The Forgotten Gratitude Journal. Her current spin-off series, The Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue, contains standalones with a common thread.

More from Jennifer

Ever have one of those songs that you’ve loved for a long time and then you discover someone else covered the song? As a general rule, I tend to like the first version better. It’s familiar and often brings up good memories.

However, (you knew there was a however coming, right?) I discovered a different version of “Pieces of April” solely by accident. And it was done by the guy who wrote the song, Dave Loggins. Three Dog Night’s version is great. Chuck Negron did some of his best work on that track. But Dave Loggins’s version touched me in a new way.

So, I did some investigating. For one thing, I wanted to know what the song was about. Was there really an April? Or was it just a play on words?

Turns out, there was an April. And that Dave Loggins enjoyed interacting with fans online. So he’d written that he and April (the girlfriend) had a relationship for three Aprils (meaning the month) before they broke up. He missed her and wrote the song for her and it was one of his favorites that he’d written.

However, (you should’ve known this one was coming 😉) Dave passe away in 2024 so I didn’t get to ask him any more questions.

As I was putting this series together, I listed all the rock and roll songs I could think of from 1960 to the early 1970s that had girls’ names in the titles. Then I grouped them for similarity in beat and title words. When I came to “Pieces of April”, I immediately knew it would have to be an amnesia story. I started it out as a young married couple who ends up going through this but it wasn’t working. I struggled a lot trying to rework what I’d been musing on for months and the funny thing is, once I got past chapter five, things started happening. I’m not a plotter but I’m not a pure pansters/discovery writer either. But this book was a lot of discovery for me and how the threads all got tied up, that’s a God thing.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, April 14

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 15

Inspired by Fiction, April 16

Leslie’s Library Escape, April 17

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, April 18 (Author Interview)

Pause for Tales, April 18

Texas Book-aholic, April 19

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 20

She Lives To Read, April 21

Books, Books, and More Books, April 22 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, April 23

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, April 24 (Author Interview)

Mrs. Ryan Moser’s Book and Movie Reviews, April 24

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, April 25

Life on Chickadee Lane, April 26

Books Less Travelled, April 27 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jennifer is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and an eBook copy of the book!!

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

Giveaway

hidden key of brook sumner

2026-04-16T04:44:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for The Hidden Key of Brooke Sumner by Susan L. Tuttle, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Hidden Key of Brooke Sumner

Series: Treasures of Halstead Manor #3

Author: Susan L. Tuttle

Publisher: Kregel Publications

Release Date: March 24, 2026

Genre: Mystery & Suspense / Romance

Will the key unlock more than a vault filled with treasure?

Brooke Sumner has been carefully avoiding Storm Whitlock ever since he betrayed her trust. When he joins Caspar's mysterious treasure-hunting group, she steps away to focus on her antique shop and keep herself busy. Then Caspar invites her back for one final assignment, and Brooke is torn. Returning to Halstead Manor to help the team find the second half of a key is intriguing. It also means she'd be working with Storm. But she doesn't trust his motives, so she reluctantly rejoins to keep him in check. As they dive into their expedition, Brooke finds her heart softening toward those she'd once held at arm's length. And is it possible she misunderstood Storm's betrayal of their friendship?

"In this friends-to-more romance, we get to see the beauty of being known, being loved, and finding the people who want to walk alongside us." —Toni Shiloh, Christy Award-winning author

My Thoughts

This book series has everything I love the most in books: treasure hunt stories, found family, puzzles, trauma past, slow burn, tear jerking moments. I enjoyed this book so much. Brooke Sumner grew up in foster care, and from an early age it was along side her best friend Storm. Currently, she and Storm aren't really on speaking terms any more, and she had decided to separate from her current group of friends as well. But circumstances bring them all together again for another grand and risky adventure to locate amazing, historical, rare artwork. After finding a lost diamond and a rare manuscript together, the group work together while Brooke faces an inner battle for a sense of identity, belonging and peace. In the end, she and the whole team find even more than they hoped.
I love these characters. The shared trauma and strong friendship that link Brooks and Storm lend to amazing tension and a strong foundation for friends to enemies to more. The clue following, puzzle solving plot is unique and well-paced, and I enjoyed the tie to history and well known art. The fact that the story revolved around a real missing piece of art makes it even more interesting.

More Books from this Series:

About the Author

Susan L. Tuttle is a pastor’s wife, mom, and the director of women’s ministry at her church near Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her previous writing includes The Rare Jewel of Everleigh Wheaton, The Novel Adventures of Natalie Daughtry, the Along Came Love series, and the Carol Award–finalist Love You, Truly.

Connect with Susan by visiting SusanLTuttle.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a copy of The Hidden Key of Brooke Sumner and $20 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight April 15, 2026 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on April 22, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Star Blessed

2026-04-02T03:39:00.000-07:00

About the Book

Bookk: The Star-Blessed

Author: Angie Dickinson

Genre: YA Fantasy Retelling

Release Date: March 10, 2026

Three legendary origins of power. Two royal bloodlines. One deadly curse.

The kingdom of Stelauris is slowly dying. A season of poison infects the air, earth, and water with increasing deadliness each year, and a deep love of gold and power infects the failing mind of the king. His only daughter and first in line to the throne, Princess Seren, lives in tightly controlled isolation. When she is suddenly thrust into royal society, she struggles to hide the strain of untamed magic awakening in her blood.

Seren’s newly appointed personal guard, Sir Corin, resents the exile of his people. As heir to a long-banished line of succession and the last of the land’s legendary protectors, he holds no loyalty for the current royal family and their history of unhinged cruelty.

As death steals over the kingdom and the schemes at court grow deadlier, the princess and the guard are forced to face their fears, their troubled pasts, and the cost of personal freedom.

The Star-Blessed is a reimagining and reinventing of two fairy tales: “Rumpelstiltskin” and “Cat-Skin” by the Brothers Grimm.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts:

This is such an entertaining book. Princess Seren has an unusualy connection to her guard Sir Coren, but are the two of them after the same goal. It is a question you may ask yourself a few times in your reading. I did not know the fairy tale, Catskin, so I looked it up and found the retelling, with its own unique twists, perfect. The connection to Rumplestilskin was also strong and clear. This is one of those books, that as you get closer to the end, you end up reading longer than you should becuase you just want to keep going and find out how it ends. I appreciated the well developed side characters and the rising tension throughout the plot. I loved the connection to fairytales and the connection between the main characters. I read Truth Cursed last year and really enjoyed it too. If you haven't tried either of Angie Dickinson's book, I highly recommend checking them out.

I did recieve an electronic advanced reader copy for my enjoyment. All thoughts shared above are my honest opinion.

About the Author

Angie Dickinson is a lifelong lover of magical stories that point to truth, hope, and redemption. She is the author of Truth Cursed, a YA fantasy with Enclave Publishing. Angie especially loves to read and write historically inspired fantasy, mystery, and fairy tales. She enjoys Earl Grey tea, reading too late at night, and spending time with her husband and children at their home in the woods of Michigan.

More from Angie

If you’re like me, I suspect you can still remember the soft sounds and smells of the local or school library that you visited in childhood. You can probably remember the thrill of finding a book that you longed to spend time paging through in peace. For me, the greatest thrills came whenever I found a beautifully illustrated fairy tale. Fairy tale collections were always my favorite, and finding illustrated versions by talented artists made my heart sing.

Reading and re-reading fairy tales as a child eventually led to writing my own retelling as an adult. I began with an unusual tale that was very familiar to me via its illustrated retelling: “Cat-Skin” by the Brothers Grimm has been gorgeously retold (and mercifully sanitized) by Charlotte Huck, and illustrated by Anita Lobel. This picture book for children is titled Princess Furball, and is one of my old favorites that never left me. I chose this story and its original source for my retelling, lightening the darker original elements in my own way, but including the story beats, themes, and motifs that were so dear to me. I put my own twist on the tale, which surprisingly (even to me) included a subplot that was a retelling of its own: “Rumpelstiltskin.” I have loved many versions of this familiar story over the years, but my favorite is an illustrated retelling by Paul O. Zelinsky. I have read this one to my children countless times, and it has always set my mind whirring with the different ways that it could be told again.

For my retelling, I lovingly mined these two stories, “Cat-Skin” and “Rumpelstiltskin,” and worked them together into a foundation for a new fairy tale. The frame holds pieces of the old tales, but it’s wrapped up in something brand new. This is a story of a young woman and a young man whose paths cross and wend down a road marked by destiny, shadowed by grief, and lit by courage. Their story is a new fairy tale, reflected in gold and fortified by the faithful gleam of the stars.

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, March 31

Devoted Steps, April 1

The Lofty Pages, April 1

Inspired by Fiction, April 2

Because Fiction, April 3 (Author Interview)

Lily’s Corner, April 4

Blogging With Carol, April 5

Artistic Nobody, April 6 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, April 7

Guild Master, April 8 (Author Interview)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 9

Simple Harvest Reads, April 10 (Guest Review from Mindy)

Fiction Book Lover, April 11 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 12 (Spotlight)

To Everything There Is A Season, April 12

Vicky Sluiter, April 13 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Angie is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a hardcover copy of the book!!

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

Giveaway

Anna of Bethsaida

2026-03-17T05:59:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Anna of Bethsaida by Susanne Blumer, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Anna of Bethsaida
Series: The Arimathea Chronicles #2
Author: Susanne Blumer
Publisher: Sutton Avenue Press
Release Date: March 16, 2026
Genre: Biblical Fiction

Anna believed choosing Andrew meant gaining a home. Instead, she finds herself on the dusty roads of Galilee, under the watchful eyes of hostile Pharisees, walking ever closer to miracles that both heal and unsettle.

As a healer traveling with Jesus's ministry alongside Andrew, Anna takes her place among the women who follow, forming bonds that offer strength as the journey grows harder. While crowds press close to hear the Teacher's words, a different kind of attention gathers. In Jerusalem, her father Joseph of Arimathea, walks an impossible line within the Sanhedrin, and with each miracle Jesus performs, the net draws tighter around them all.

The cost of discipleship, Anna discovers, is not counted in miles walked or comforts surrendered. It is measured in the space between what she hoped following Jesus would be and what it actually demands.

Some journeys test what you believe.
Some reshape who you become.
Anna's does both.

This is Book 2 of The Arimathea Chronicles. Begin Anna's journey from the beginning with Book 1, Anna of Arimathea, where a scarred, isolated young woman discovers healing, first love, and purpose in the footsteps of Jesus.

Anna of Bethsaida is perfect for readers who love:

Deeply researched biblical fiction with authentic period detail
The untold stories of women in the early church - Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and the community that sustained Jesus's ministry
Love stories tested by faith and dangerous callings
Political intrigue woven through spiritual transformation
Character-driven narratives where personal loss intersects with world-changing events

My Thoughts

WOW. I love this series. It makes me think more deeply about my scripture reading, worship songs and lessons in church. It really puts you into the feet of those who walked with Jesus. This one spanning amazing miracles like multiplying the fish and the loaves and bringing Lazarus back from the dead. It ends with Jesus and his closest followers entering Jerusalem knowing that the leaders are planning to arrest him. What must they have been feeling, thinking, expecting? I had big emotions just reading about it, but living it must have been unimaginable. I cannot wait for the third book, Anna of Calvary.

I participated in the tour for Anna of Arimathea too. The link for my review of that one is here.

About the Author

Susanne Blumer lives her life surrounded by stories—some she writes, and some she sells. As the CEO and Founder of Sassafras on Sutton LLC, she is the owner of three magical indie bookstores nestled in the North Carolina mountains of Black Mountain and Waynesville and Beaufort, South Carolina. One even has a full coffee bar. Oh, happy day!

She is the author of The Arimathea Chronicles, a series set in first-century Judea and centered on the life of Anna, the daughter of Joseph of Arimathea. The first two books, Anna of Arimathea and Anna of Bethsaida, are available now. The third book, Anna of Calvary, will be available later this year. She's also written several children's books, including the award-winning Bell Tower Bible Adventure series she co-wrote with her husband. Her new children's picture book series, The Story of You, will release its first book late Spring 2026 called Before Your Story Had A Name.

When she’s not writing or doing other entrepreneurial tasks, you can usually find her hanging out on the floor of one of her stores, drinking coffee and learning the stories of her customers or spoiling her eight chickens. Susanne splits her time between Waynesville, NC in her beloved mountains and Beaufort, SC on the enchanting Lowcountry coast.

Connect with Susanne by visiting susanneblumer.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 Bookshop gift card and a signed copy of Anna of Bethsaida!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight March 17, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 24, 2026. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Love and Baseball/ The Cinderella Plot

2026-03-04T04:12:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Love & Baseball by Jaime Jo Wright (with Chloe Joanne) AND The Cinderella Plot by Pepper Basham, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Books

Title: Love and Baseball
Author: Jaime Jo Wright with Chloe JoAnne
Publisher: MadLit Publishing
Release Date: February 10, 2026
Genre: Young Adult Romantic Comedy

She needed a boyfriend. AI came to her rescue. But then her fake boyfriend showed up at school.

Brielle has never wanted a boyfriend. She's happy with her book boyfriends--purely fictional, right? Easy to maintain. She's also not a huge fan of sports, except baseball. Not playing it. No. Again, books and cozy afternoons are her thing. But Brielle can get into baseball with the best of them when it comes to watching, repeating stats, and wearing her favorite jerseys. But apparently, that's not enough in life. At least according to her four nosy aunts, who all think she needs a boyfriend, people at school who are convinced Brielle is a closet serial killer because she's happier with her books, and yeah. Valentine’s Day is on the calendar.

There is a purpose for AI, and Brielle decides the genius thing to do is make a fake boyfriend. Complete with deepfake photos, Brielle creates the perfect boyfriend, and no one needs to know he's entirely fictional. They just need to believe she met him over summer vacation, and he lives somewhere in North Carolina. Only he doesn't. When baseball catcher, Brooks Mason shows up at high school, a lookalike to Brielle's AI boyfriend, her entire world becomes a dog-eared, bent pages book nightmare.

Brooks is getting sick of all the girls at school wanting to date him. He wants to play ball and hang out. So, yeah. It makes sense to help Brielle out. Fake date? Why not? But once together, dating for show becomes an act that both Brielle and Brooks aren't quite prepared for, and dealing with unexpected attraction, complicated situations, and interfering aunts and bffs?

It's a grand slam of problems just waiting to happen, plus a game-changing shot at a championship home run at love.

** CLEAN YA Rom-Com Fiction you can read without skipping a page **

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

Title: The Cinderella Plot
Author: Pepper Basham
Publisher: independently published
Release Date: March 19, 2026
Genre: Young Adult Romantic Comedy

Paisley Harper is invisible.

Not in a superpower way. More like the people-look-right-through-you-in-the-hallway kind of way.

She’s the girl with the oversized cardigan, random book knowledge, and the uncanny ability to tutor the school’s star quarterback without actually being seen as anything more than helpful. Meanwhile, her aunt and uncle’s beloved small-town bookstore is under threat from a shiny corporate chain, her best friend keeps giving her looks that feel suspiciously loaded, and Homecoming is looming like a glittery reminder that senior year is running out…and she’s never been kissed.

Enter The Cinderella Plot—a wildly popular self-help book promising total transformation in five easy steps. New hair. New confidence. New life. Maybe even… a date.

With nothing to lose (except her dignity), Paisley decides to follow the plan. Because if fairy tales have taught her anything, it’s that invisible girls don’t get happy endings unless they change something first.

But as Paisley starts stepping into the spotlight, she has to ask herself an important question:

What if being seen comes at the cost of being herself?

Full of heart, humor, bookish charm, and small-town magic, The Cinderella Plot is a romcom about friendship, first love, faith, and discovering that sometimes the greatest transformation isn’t becoming someone new—it’s realizing you were worthy all along.

** CLEAN YA Rom-Com Fiction you can read without skipping a page **

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon

My THOUGHTS:

I don't think I've read a young adult romance in a long time- probably since I was a young adult myself, and I won't say how old I am. These books were so fun! They just made me smile.

Love & Baseball was written by mother and daughter team, Jaime Jo Wright and Chloe JoAnne! I love that. My daughter and I share a love of books and reading, and my daughter is a writer--so this just makes me happy! It is a sweet high-school romance with fake dating trope. This used a cute, modern day twist adding an AI generated beginning to the relationship. It was a fun read.

The Cinderella plot, by Pepper Basham is also a high school romance, friends to lovers, makeover trope with a strong message about identity- one all readers need reminded of (especially young readers who are in the middle of trying to figure out who they are and the source of their worth.

I will be reading more by both authors (who also write adult fiction), and I definitely recommend you check them out! These are two you can buy for your younger readers as well.

About the Authors

Jaime Jo Wright is a multi-award-winning author of gothic historical mystery novels that weave suspense through dual timelines. Her debut novel, The House on Foster Hill (2017), won both the prestigious Christy Award and the Daphne du Maurier Award, establishing her as a compelling voice in inspirational fiction. An ECPA and Publisher's Weekly bestselling author, Wright specializes in chilling mysteries stained with history's secrets, drawing readers into haunting tales set primarily in turn-of-the-century Wisconsin. Her work has earned praise from Publishers Weekly for skillfully wrapping intricate mysteries around dual timelines with enough surprises to captivate lovers of gothic fiction. When she isn’t writing mysteries, she co-authors YA RomCom with her teenage daughter, Chloe JoAnne, with a passion to provide sweet and witty romance for teenagers with no apologies needed. Residing in Wisconsin's rural woodlands with her husband and their two children, Wright is a self-proclaimed coffee enthusiast and lover of all of her rescued felines.

Connect with Jaime Jo by visiting jaimewrightbooks.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.

Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance “peppered” with grace and humor. Writing both historical and contemporary novels, she loves to incorporate her native Appalachian culture and/or her unabashed adoration of the UK into her stories. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of southwestern VA, where she is the wife, mom to five great kids, a speech-language pathologist, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus.

Connect with Pepper by visiting pepperdbasham.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a prize pack of Brielle's Faves (an signed copy of Love & Baseball, a copy of Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen, a Milwaukee Brewers lanyard, and a Brewers Christian Yelich baseball card) and Paisley's Faves (a signed copy of The Cinderella Plot, a Cinderella carriage jewelry holder, and a beautiful copy of Emma by Jane Austen)!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight March 2, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 9, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

The Restitching of Camille Dulaine

2026-03-01T02:03:00.000-08:00

About the Book

Book: The Restitching of Camille DuLaine (The Rivenlea Book 2)

Author: Lindsay A. Franklin

Genre: YA Fantasy

Release Date: February 10, 2023

A splintered world, a heart gone cold. Hope reborn in threads of gold. After accidentally bridging the storyworlds together, Emlyn DuLaine faces an impossible task: sever the connections without destroying the stories themselves. If she fails, the characters will be trapped in twisted versions of their tales, forced to relive their worst moments forever. But undoing the bridges is only the beginning. To truly fix what’sbunraveling, Emlyn must uncover the secret flaw buried deep in Rivenlea’sbfoundation, something that’s been wrong since the very start. And the danger has never been closer to home. The clock is ticking for the injured wyvern who needs Rivenlite air to survive and the story boy Emlyn swore she’d never fall for. Emlyn and her team must rescue Frank and Laramie from chaotic, shifting story spheres before they’re gone for good. But Frank and Laramie aren’t the only ones lost to the spheres. Camille DuLaine is a prisoner, held as bait by someone who knows exactly how to lure her sister in. After seven years of sleep, Camille wakes to find herself trapped in a storybook and sure of only one thing: Emlyn must stay far, faraway. Racing to solve one mind-bending puzzle after the next, Emlyn uncovers a plan seventeen years in the making. She stands at the center of a fractured universe—and she might be too late to save it.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts

Last year I participated in the tour for The Unraveling of Emlyn Dulaine. I loved the book, so I was thrilled when the sequel became available and jumped at the chance to read this ARC! I was not disappointed. It was such a fun journey through literature and the lives of the characters that I met and fell in love iwth in The first book. Emlyn's love and devotion not only to her sister but to her friends and their world is unmatched, even if she is a little impulsive and does cause some additional problems in her actions. In this book, we get Emlyn's backstory and a satisfying conclusion to the world of story spheres. It begins right where we left off, with Emlyn and Laramie separated and in different spheres. As they journey through various story worlds, we learn of Emlyn's origins and Emlyn starts to put pieces together to device a plan to save everyone. I fell in the love the characters in the first book, so it was just a fun journey with them through other well-loved works of literature. I highly recommend this duology!
Here is a link to my post from the previous tour: https://inspiredbyfiction.blogspot.com/2025/02/unraveling-of-emlyn-dulaine.html

About the Author

Lindsay A. Franklin is the Carol Award–winning author of The Story Peddler, the ECPA best-selling author of Adored, and Managing Editor of Enclave Publishing. She would wear pajama pants all the time if it were socially acceptable. Lindsay lives happily among the rain and evergreens of the Pacific Northwest with her scruffy-looking nerf-herder husband, their three (nearly) grown geeklings, and three demanding thunder pillows (a.k.a. cats).

More from Lindsay

The Fiction-Fixer’s Handbook: A Guest Post by Emlyn DuLaine, the Newest Member of Novem XVII I haven’t been a Novemite long, and if you want advice from an absolute expert, you’ll have to ask Captain Doyle or maybe Laramie, if you can manage to push your way past the cloud of ego that surrounds him at all times. But I’ve been diving into upside-down classics, wrangling rogue characters, bridging broken plots, and saving story spheres long enough to give some helpful pointers on how to keep your wits about you when you, too, traverse the fantastical, fictional universes we all know and love. Read on for my hard-won wisdom.

Never accept apples from anyone. Ever. Even if they promise it’s organic and locally sourced. Just don’t.
If a book starts whispering, close it immediately. This is not the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Cursed tomes are not to be trifled with.
Stay away from unattended spinning wheels and mirrors that look a little too shiny. Exercise caution around wardrobe-shaped furniture. Odds are high you’re about to be enchanted, imprisoned, or transported. Stay vigilant.
Beware of overly charming men in masks, hoods, and/or capes. It’s 50/50 on whether he’s a tragic hero or a villain with a vendetta. Proceed with caution.
Always check the fine print on magical contracts. If the terms include “firstborn child” or an unspecified “favor” to be later named, run.
Characters who break into song at random intervals are either harmless or extremely dangerous. If they’re just narrating their morning routine, you’re fine. If the music gets ominous, assume the worst.
If you find yourself in the company of a talking animal sidekick, always ask for its backstory. Talking cats may be friend or foe, sometimes both if it starts telling riddles. Grumpy toads are probably cursed nobles. Overdramatic ravens are almost always bad news.
When in doubt, follow the protagonist—but not too closely. The main character has plot armor. You do not.

If you’re hoping for a fairy-tale ending, these tips might get you there. Stay safe, friends. And happy sphere-diving!

Blog Stops

The Lofty Pages, February 25
Simple Harvest Reads, February 26 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 27 (Spotlight)
Blogging With Carol, February 27
Artistic Nobody, February 28 (Author Interview)
Inspired by Fiction, March 1
Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 2 (Spotlight)
Where Faith and Books Meet, March 3
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, March 4
Guild Master, March 5 (Author Interview)
Blossoms and Blessings, March 6 (Spotlight)
Holly’s Book Corner, March 6
For the Love of Literature, March 7 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, March 8
Stories By Gina, March 9 (Spotlight)
Fiction Book Lover, March 10 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lyndsay is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a hardcover copy of the book!!

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

Giveaway Here

Inspired By Fiction

Unwavering Heart

A Whim and a Prayer

About the Book

My Thoughts:

More in This Series

About the Author

Tour Giveaway

The Christy Award Finalists & Gala by ECPA

You are Invited

The Christy Award Finalists 2026

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE - tie

FIRST NOVEL

GENERAL FICTION

HISTORICAL - tie

HISTORICAL ROMANCE - tie

MYSTERY/SUSPENSE/THRILLER - tie

SHORT FORM - tie

SPECULATIVE - tie

YOUNG ADULT - tie

My thoughts:

Register for The Christy Award 2026 Events

Tour Giveaway

Twist of Time

About the Book

My Thoughts

About the Authors

More from Tricia and Nathan

Blog Stops

Giveaway

The escape game

About the Book

My Thoughts

About the Author

More from Gina

Blog Stops

Giveaway

Eyes of River

About the Book

My thoughts

About the Author

Tour Giveaway

In A Word, Yes: Just Reads Rendezvous

My Thoughts

Kit Tosello

Just Read Rendezvous 2026

Bringing Rendezvous '26 to You!

Featured Author

Kit Tosello

Giveaway

Someone to Lean On

About the Book

My Thoughts

About the Author

More from Carrie

Blog Stops

Giveaway

Brunswick

About the Book

My Thoughts

About the Author

Tour Giveaway

All that Glows

About the Book

My Thoughts

About the Author

More from Lauren

Blog Stops

Giveaway

The Deep End of Love

About the Book

Also Available:

About the Author

Tour Giveaway

A Brewed Awakening

About the Book

Also Available:

My thoughts:

About the Author

Tour Giveaway