Life on Chickadee Lane

Shipwrecked Faith JustRead Tour {book review and giveaway}

2026-05-20T06:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Shipwrecked Faith by Danielle Grandinetti, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Shipwrecked Faith

Series: Dawning Sisters #1

Author: Danielle Grandinetti

Publisher: Ashberry Lane

Release Date: May 15, 2026

Genre: Historical Romance

Chicago, October 1929—Kellan O’Roark is running on borrowed time. After handing over his cousin’s incriminating bootlegging ledger to the police, he intends to vanish before the mobster exacts revenge. His destination: the SS Wisconsin, a steamer headed for Milwaukee, upon which he’s secured work despite his fear of the water.

But despite his pressing need for escape, Kellan faces obstacles while leaving Chicago—including one who may break open his heart. Sadie Dawning, desperate to return to her family’s Wisconsin farm and ailing father, escapes a kidnapping attempt at Chicago Union Station when Kellan steps in and offers to smuggle her aboard the Wisconsin. His decision turns nearly fatal when an autumn storm capsizes the ship.

Washed ashore, the pair arrive at Sadie’s family farm to find new storms brewing on land. While Kellan hides his past to continue evading his cousin, Sadie fights for her place among her sisters while the farm battles the beginnings of the Great Depression. Caught between duty, a dangerous past, and a budding love, Kellan and Sadie must rely on their newfound faith in each other and renewed faith in God to weather the growing storm.

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

Also Available:

Excerpt 1

If Sadie didn’t survive the night, would her parents and sisters ever learn what happened to her?

A shudder of fear shook her cold body. Kellan was the only person who knew she was on this boat. She wasn’t on a crew list or passenger list. No one had seen her board. For all Mrs. Whistshire knew, Sadie had caught a train to Milwaukee. Only, there would be no record of that either.

If Sadie died, her family never would have closure.

She planted her feet. Well, she’d just make sure that never happened. As if she had a say in the hour of her death. Lord, please?

A deafening crack rent the darkness. She jumped out of the Packard, peering through the inkiness for the cause. Was the ship tearing apart?

Water soaked her shoes and pant legs. She held onto the automobile as the ship listed to one side, nearly sending her tumbling. Were they tipping over?

Fear pounded her ribs.

She couldn’t stay in the hold one more minute. Who knew if Kellan was still alive or whether he’d be able to rescue her if she were trapped in this dark cavern?

She needed to go above deck. Even if the crew saw her, she needed to see what was going on.

Icy water fought her, pouring down from the hatches and rapidly rising around her ankles. No, her knees. Shivering, she forced herself to keep moving, to find her way through to the top deck. Light from the hallways—or whatever they were called aboard a boat—helped her navigate. It also illuminated the amount of water that had filled the ship. There was no way they couldn’t sink. Not with this much water. Right?

Please, please save us, she prayed.

Then the lights went out.

Excerpt 2

Holy Father. The prayer came unbidden, an echo of his ma’s prayers beside his bed as a child when fear would keep him from sleep.

His heart hammered as if it competed with the thunder. Oh yes, he was afraid now. He didn’t want to die. He wasn’t ready to meet God face-to-face. He had too much on his conscience. He’d done too little to stop the evil he witnessed.

Forgive me, Father.

Peace, My son.

Kellan raised his eyes to the cutting rain. Something in his chest unknotted, as if his chest could expand for the first time since the last shipwreck. The sense of home that was his ma’s arms, the sense of security that was his da’s hands on his shoulders... If he died tonight, he would see them. The two people who loved him most in this entire world.

They would tell him God loved him more than they could, his da declaring his favorite Irish blessing on him: May all God’s blessings descend upon you, May peace be within you.

Go raibh maith agat. Thank you.

From the recesses of memory, his ma’s voice seemed to fall from the swirling clouds, singing lyrics from a folk song he’d thought long forgotten.

I’m just a-going over Jordan.

I’m just a-going over home.

Then a wave, larger than all the others, washed over the deck, jerking his grip from the rigging.

My Thoughts

Danielle Grandinetti is becoming one of my favorite authors, maybe because all of her books that I have read so far are set in Wisconsin, a state near and dear to my heart (since my parents grew up there).

Shipwrecked Faith is the first in the "Dawning Sisters" trilogy, introducing us to the Dawning family, and shares Sadie's story, the oldest of the three sisters. We also meet Kellan, who is a real gem. I enjoyed watching the growing relationship between Sadie and Kellan, and Kellan's protectiveness, not just toward Sadie, but for her whole family.

This was truly a book I could not put down. I wanted to keep reading, to find out what happened to Sadie and Kellan. Yes, I lost sleep! 😉

If you enjoy page-turning historical fiction, with a bit of danger, a touch of romance, and a dose of faith, I certainly recommend Shipwrecked Faith. Put it near the top of your TBR list!

I received a complimentary copy. These opinions are my own.

About the Author

Danielle Grandinetti writes award-winning 1930s historical romance filled with mystery, suspense, and hope. She is a second-generation Italian-American rooted in Midwest traditions. Fueled by tea, books, and the creative beauty of nature, her stories explore love and belonging in hard times.

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

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a paperback copy of Shipwrecked Faith, paperback journal, and Danielle Grandinetti tote bag!

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 19, 2026 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on May 26, 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!

This post contains affiliate link.

Love Under Construction CelebrateLit Tour {book review and giveaway}

2026-05-17T06:00:00.000-04:00

About the Book

Book: Love Under Construction

Author: Linda Shenton Matchett

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: January 6, 2026

Can two stubborn people tear down the walls of independence to find love?

Nadine Krause took in boarders to help her family climb out of debt after her father’s death. Business has gone well, and she’s earned enough to expand the house. When her brother’s friend agrees to take the job – the only man in town willing to work for a woman – sparks fly. But not the good kind. Or are they?

Looking for something different, Leo Albrecht takes a project working for Nadine Krause, the spunky owner of Cocoaville’s favorite boarding house. An easy job. Then he manages to injure himself and needs her help to finish making it nearly impossible to ignore his growing attraction. Should he break his rule of not mixing work and his personal life?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Linda Shenton Matchett writes happily-ever-after historical Christian fiction about second chances and women who overcome life’s challenges to be better versions of themselves.

A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry (of Star-Spangled Banner fame) and has lived in historical places all her life. She is a volunteer docent and archivist at the Wright Museum of WWII. She now lives in central New Hampshire where she explores the history of this great state and immerses herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors.

My Thoughts

Love Under Construction is book 2 of "The Chocolate Chronicles" series, and is set in the fictional town of Cocoaville, Wisconsin. I found it to be an enjoyable, entertaining read.

The interactions between Nadine and Leo are fun, and rather amusing at times. Nadine is quite spunky, and a bit defensive at times, while Leo is rather even tempered. I found it fascinating to see just how much Nadine actually knew about construction, considering she's a woman, in an age when it was thought that women only belonged in the home, housekeeping.

I enjoyed watching Leo and Nadine's relationship grow, and their faith strengthened.

If you enjoy sweet, historical fiction with a touch of romance and a dose of faith, you'll want to add this one to your TBR list.

I received a complimentary copy through Celebrate Lit and these opinions are my own.

More from Linda

In 2002, my husband and I purchased a 4,000 square-foot “fixer upper” bed and breakfast in New Hampshire. The building had “good bones,” but a bit of deferred maintenance and poorly executed “Harry Homeowner” repairs and updates provided plenty of projects not including a complete overhaul of the kitchen and adding a bathroom. Here are just a few:

Wallpaper that had been applied directly to unpainted drywall (for the uninitiated: this means the wallpaper pulls off the paper facing leaving the gypsum core exposed).
Floral wire used to attach the toilet handle to the flapper in all eight bathrooms which left a pile of floral wire in the bottom of the tanks because that repair was repeated countless times.
A rotted 12X8X8 sill discovered while painting the outside of the house.
Windows that had to be locked to remain closed, and windows that had to be set on “chocks” to remain open.
Floors that sloped because the joists had rotted.
Walls that had rotted behind wallpaper.
Replacing the subfloor in one room that had a 12” round hole that had been carpeted over. Good thing it was near the wall, and a chair had been set over the area.
Discovering a live wire in the basement that had been cut off and stuffed into the wall.

My “favorite” was the pantry that turned out to be propped together. None of the walls or the ceiling were connect/nailed/screwed to anything, so when the shelves were removed, the closet fell in on itself.

We didn’t begin anything new after March because we couldn’t risk getting caught with an unfinished project when season began. Despite the challenges, I loved the historicity of that house, and even though it was much too large for just the two of us after we closed the business, I sometimes miss it. However, not while I’m cleaning!

When I was noodling through possible plotlines for the second book in The Chocolate Chronicles, it didn’t take long for me to realize I could use our experiences for Nadine who operated a boarding house. Add a hunky flannel-shirted (hello Hallmark) hero, and I had the makings of a story. I had fun creating construction problems for the pair as they fought their growing attraction.

Blog Stops

Leslie’s Library Escape, May 14

Stories By Gina, May 15 (Author Interview)

Fruitfully Planted, May 15

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 16

Life on Chickadee Lane, May 17

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

lakesidelivingsite, May 19

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, May 20 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, May 21

Books Less Travelled, May 22 (Author Interview)

Pause for Tales, May 22

For Him and My Family, May 23

Vicky Sluiter, May 24

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, May 25 (Author Interview)

Connie’s History Classroom, May 26

Holly’s Book Corner, May 27

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Linda is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Visa 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/qKh62/love-under-construction-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Breath of the Soul {a devotional}

2026-05-16T03:00:00.019-04:00

Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5: 17.

Prayer is the breath of the soul, the channel of all blessings. As ... the repentant soul offers its prayer, God sees its struggles, watches its conflicts, and marks its sincerity. He has His finger upon its pulse, and He takes note of every throb. Not a feeling thrills it, not an emotion agitates it, not a sorrow shades it, not a sin stains it, not a thought or purpose moves it, of which He is not cognizant. That soul was purchased at an infinite cost, and is loved with a devotion that is unalterable.

Prayer to the Great Physician for the healing of the soul brings the blessing of God. Prayer unites us one to another and to God. Prayer brings Jesus to our side, and gives new strength and fresh grace to the fainting, perplexed soul....

Christ our Saviour was tempted in all points like as we are, yet He was without sin. He took human nature, being made in fashion as a man, and his necessities were the necessities of a man. He had bodily wants to be supplied, bodily weariness to be relieved. It was by prayer to His Father that He was braced for duty and for trial. Day by day He followed His round of duty, seeking to save souls.... And He spent whole nights in prayer in behalf of the tempted ones....

The night seasons of prayer which the Saviour spent in the mountain or in the desert were essential to prepare Him for the trials He must meet in the days to follow. He felt the need of the refreshing and invigorating of soul and body, that He might meet the temptations of Satan; and those who are striving to live His life will feel this same need....

He says to us, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Christ alone can make us capable of responding when He says, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart.” This means that every day self must be denied. Christ can give us the noble resolve, the will to suffer, and to fight the battles of the Lord with persevering energy. The weakest, aided by divine grace, may have strength to be more than conqueror. ~Maranatha, by Ellen G. White.

A Love Restored CelebrateLit Tour {book review and giveaway}

2026-05-14T06:00:00.000-04:00

About the Book

Book: A Love Restored

Author: Kelly J. Goshorn

Genre: Historical Romance

Release Date: June 18, 2018

Loudoun County, Virginia, 1873

With pert opinions and a less than perfect figure, Ruth Ann Sutton doesn’t measure up to society’s vision of a perfect lady. When she accepts a position teaching in a Freedman’s School, it threatens the only marriage offer Ruth Ann is likely to receive. She’s forced to choose between life as a lonely spinster or reinventing herself to secure a proposal from a man she doesn’t love.

Determined to rise above his meager beginnings, Benjamin Coulter’s reputation as a fast learner and hard worker earn him the opportunity to apprentice with a surveyor for the railroad—a position that will garner the respect he craves. After a chance encounter with Ruth Ann, Benjamin is smitten with her pretty face, quick wit, and feisty personality.

When others ridicule his choice, Benjamin must decide if he will follow his heart or put ambition first.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Kelly Goshorn weaves her affinity for history and her passion for God into inspiring stories of love, faith, and family set in America’s vibrant past. She is the bestselling author of The Undercover Heiress of Brockton and A Love Restored. When she is not writing, Kelly enjoys binge-watching BBC period dramas, exploring historical sites with her husband, board-gaming with family and friends, and spoiling her Welsh corgi, Biscuit.

My Thoughts

I found A Love Restored to be a delightful story. Ruth Ann is a spunky character, and I admired her desire to teach in the Freedmen's school. Her knack of finding herself in awkward situations is a bit amusing and endearing. That fact that Benjamin seems drawn to her, in spite of her "flaws" is very sweet.

Anyone who knows me, knows I love Corgis. The fact that Ruth Ann has a Corgi (and that Goshorn does, too!) really drew me in!

If you enjoy sweet, historical fiction, with a touch of romance and a dose of faith, I certainly recommend A Love Restored for your TBR list.

I received a complimentary copy through Celebrate Lit and these opinions are my own.

More from Kelly

Writing my Real-Life Romance

When I first began tinkering with storytelling in 2011, I wrote about an Irish mail order bride. I’m not sure what it is about mail order bride stories that fascinates me, but I will read every one I can get my hands on. When my husband discovered that I was writing creatively he looked over my chapter and advised that it “wasn’t bad,” then suggested I write our story.

Honestly, God had whispered in my heart a long time ago that I would share our story, but I assumed I’d give my testimony in a ladies Bible study or something. I never imagined I’d share some of the most painful moments of my life with the world in written form. However, the more I thought about it, the more I agreed that our story had all the elements needed for a great romance—interesting characters, a strong spiritual arc, and enough conflict to drive a Mac truck through the hardest of hearts.

Like my full-figured heroine, Ruth Ann, I’ve struggled with weight issues my entire life. I’ve had cruel things said about my appearance. Oftentimes by people who were supposed to love me.

Boys don’t date chubby girls.

You have such a pretty face, you really should do something about your figure.

Men don’t marry overweight women.

But their insensitive words failed in comparison to the ugly way I spoke to myself.

You’re fat.

You’re ugly.

No one likes you.

No man…will ever…love you.

I’d become so defined by the negative comments and opinions of those surrounding me, I no longer saw anything to esteem. I’d allowed my self-worth to be determined by a yardstick that measured my value according to the size of my waist or the flatness of my stomach, always coming up short.

Then one night the unthinkable happened. Mike, the man I’d previously been dating told me the real reason he ended our relationship weeks earlier. “I made a vow that I wouldn’t marry a woman who was overweight.” My mind spiraled out of control recalling every unkind word that others or I had spoken about my appearance. Within an hour I was curled up on my bathroom floor, an entire bottle of ibuprofen emptied in shaky palm.

Thankfully, that is not where the story ended. Weeks earlier, knowing I was sad about the breakup with this man, my pastor’s wife asked if I had been thinking about suicide. Shocked, I told her no. Prompted by the Holy Spirit the two of us prayed against the spirit of suicide and that no harm would come to me by own hand. I firmly believe those prayers saved my life in that dark moment when the voice of the enemy was silenced, and I chose to live.

Although I learned that God loved me in a way no man ever could, he brought a soul mate into my life. A loving husband who, despite my fuller figure, often greets me in the morning with a loving salutation, “Good morning, Beautiful.”

Mike and I will celebrate 36 years of marriage in June.

Yes, the same Mike whose other words had sent me into a life-threatening tailspin.

God had to purge those negative thoughts from the minds of both Mike and me. We had to experience the fullness of God’s love for us before we could give and receive love unconditionally in marriage—to anyone. God could’ve decided to bring us new relationships, start over with a clean slate. Instead, He taught us about forgiveness, trust, and unconditional love.

He had not only chosen to heal, but to restore.

Our journey to unconditional love and acceptance is told through my characters in A Love Restored. At its core, A Love Restored is not only a story of love, romance, heartache and restoration, but also a story about the power of words over our lives. It is a story about the struggle each of us faces to take our thoughts captive to the truth of Scripture so we may experience the fullness of God’s unequivocal love for us. As my husband and I discovered, it is only then that we are truly able to give and receive love, unconditionally.

My prayer for you and your lovely readers is that you will not allow the enemy to steal the joy that is rightfully yours as a child of God. Speak the truth of the gospel over yourself every day and ask God to give you His eyes to see yourself as He does (1 Samuel 16:7b).

Your Turn: Have you ever been plagued by self-doubt? If so, in what area of your life? How did you overcome it?

More of my thoughts

I will admit: this week the devil is plaguing me with the thoughts: You're fat and ugly, unworthy of love, not good enough. I mean, three failed marriages are proof of that, right? So, this story speaks to me in an extra-special way. I hope it will impress you, as well, readers of my blog!

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 8

Devoted Steps, May 9

Artistic Nobody, May 10 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Familiy, May 11

Simple Harvest Reads, May 12 (Guest Review from Marilyn)

Guild Master, May 13 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, May 13

Life on Chickadee Lane, May 14

Fiction Book Lover, May 15 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, May 16

Happily Managing a Household of Boys , May 17

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, May 18 (Author Interview)

Pause for Tales, May 18

Books You Can Feel Good About, May 19

Cover Lover Book Review, May 20

Books Less Travelled, May 21 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kelly is giving away the grand prize of a canvas tote bag with XOXO printed on it, a print copy of A Love Restored, a few “novel teas” tea bags, one “I’d Rather Be Reading” notepad, a pen, a pair of booklover socks, and a “I can do all things through Christ” charm bracelet!!

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

https://gleam.io/wYPCS/a-love-restored-celebration-tour-giveaway

Loving Sarah JustRead Tour {book review and giveaway}

2026-05-13T06:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Loving Sarah by Jo Huddleston, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Loving Sarah
Author: Jo Huddleston
Publisher:Forget Me Not Romances, a division of Winged Publications
Release Date: May 12, 2026
Genre: 1950s sweet small-town romance

Sarah wears William’s engagement ring. Then, Robert arrives in town.

In this love-triangle story, Sarah cheerfully manages the candy shop she inherited from her mama. Being engaged to be married to Gatlinburg, Tennessee’s most eligible bachelor, makes her life pretty much perfect. But then she meets Robert and has an unexplainable sense they’ve met before.

Robert travels from Michigan to operate Gatlinburg’s main-street SkyLift attraction while his dad recovers from a fall. He’s miserable being relocated to this Tennessee mountains hick town. That is, until he meets Sarah and feels an instant attraction to her. He’s unaware that the town’s biggest secret involves him.

Although she’s engaged to another, Sarah and Robert are mysteriously drawn to each other. This woman and her beloved mountains curb his desire to return to Michigan. Will Sarah give in to her feelings for Robert or be true to the man she’s promised to marry?

Loving Sarah is steeped in the easygoing culture and traditions of the Smoky Mountains in the 1950s. The story is a sweet, small-town romance with a heart-wrenching battle to make the right choice. This book will keep you turning pages with its mix of loyalty, betrayal, uncertainty, and emotional stakes.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

EXCERPT #1

Their plates of the rib dinner special arrived. As soon as the waitress left their table, they both tackled their delicious ribs. No time now for conversation. They quickly made use of the roll of paper towels on a spindle, which stood on the tabletop beside the menu holder and the salt and pepper shakers.

Several times, William reached across the table to dab errant sauce from her cheek, and finally, his gaze remained on her.

“William! You’re staring at me.”

“Sorry,” he automatically said, then backtracked. “No, I’m not sorry. I could drink in your beauty all day and never grow tired of it. And your eyes—the chocolate brown of a Hershey candy bar with those little dancing flecks of golden highlights.

Your eyes could hypnotize me without much effort, and I’d follow you anywhere.”

“Oh, don’t be silly. I could never hypnotize you because you’re too intelligent to succumb to any such outside force. But thanks for the compliment.”

He continued to search her eyes. “I’ve never seen eyes like yours. They’re piercing, but gently so, and I feel you can see into my soul. Can you?”

She swatted at his hand. “If I can, it’s because I’ve known you for most of my life.”

“And I’ve enjoyed every day since we met.”

EXCERPT #2

When the Operator answered and asked if she could help, Sarah gave her the phone number and said, “I’d like to make this call person-to-person with Mr. Robert Clanton, and please reverse the charges to the number I’m calling.”

Sarah listened as the Operator rang the number in Michigan.

When a pleasant female voice answered, the Operator said, “This is a collect call. Will you accept it?”

“Who’s calling, please?” the female voice asked.

Sarah spoke up. “I’m Sarah Cunningham, calling for Mr. Clyde Clanton in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.”

“Do you accept the charges?” the Operator repeated.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“My party would like to speak to Mr. Robert Clanton, please.”

“Please hold.”

The next voice Sarah heard was not a bit pleasant. “Hello!” a male voice barked.

Sarah was not easily intimidated and sat straighter. “Is this Mr. Robert Clanton?”

“Yes! Who are you and why are you calling for my dad?”

Well! Extremely demanding, wasn’t he? “I’m Sarah Cunningham, a friend of your daddy’s. He asked me to call you because he’s in the hospital.”

“In the hospital?” his voice grew even louder. “Well, why didn’t you say so? Is he sick? What's wrong with my dad?”

Not only was he rude, but he sounded so impatient. “Your daddy took a spill yesterday at the SkyLift and broke a bone in his lower leg. He’ll undergo surgery tomorrow morning. He wants you to come to Gatlinburg and take over the operation of the SkyLift while he recuperates.”

Only silence on the telephone line answered her.

“Hello?” Sarah asked for a response.

“Yes, yes, I’m here. What kind of stupid thing was Dad doing to have such a bad fall? Surely, he has enough sense not to climb high to work on the cables of the lift.”

“No, he wasn’t doing anything like that. He was helping customers get into their chairs for the ride up the mountain when he became distracted and…he fell. I happened to be looking out the window of my candy store next door. It was all a freak accident with a bad ending.”

“You own a…a candy store? For real?”

How dare he question her having a business! “Yes, sir, I do. Do you have a problem with that?”

He hesitated, but finally answered, “No, of course not. No problem. But Dad sure picked a bad time to break his leg. I’m covered with work here, and I can’t be in two places at once.”

Now, Sarah was losing patience with him, and she raised her voice. “Mr. Clanton, your daddy didn’t choose this time to break his leg. In fact, he didn’t choose to break his leg at all. So, shall I tell him you’re coming down here or not?”

He sputtered and grumbled but said nothing she could decipher. Finally, he cleared his throat and spoke. “Yes, you can tell him I’ll get on the first plane coming your way.”

EXCERPT #3

Having grown up in these parts, Sarah knew many local people, but she wondered about this handsome stranger. He appeared extremely familiar, but she couldn’t put a name to him or remember where she might have met him. She didn’t want to be caught staring at him, but she continued to cautiously study him. Maybe it would come to her where she had seen him before.

Being engaged to William didn’t stop her from taking notice of a good-looking man near her age. It was like her frequent window shopping—she looked but didn’t choose to buy anything. After all, he didn’t wear a wedding ring.

His dark auburn hair held just enough curl to flip up in the back over the top of his white shirt collar. Many women in Detroit probably yearned to run their fingers through those curls, so unlike the shorter haircuts of the local men. The stranger didn’t appear to be from around here, with his expensive-looking suit, his shiny leather dress shoes, and the standoffish way he carried himself.

He unnerved her slightly by being near him. Alone in the waiting room, they were seated a respectable distance apart. Nevertheless, something like electricity buzzed between them in the small room. The sensation was like a magnet pulling them together. Once, he took a sideways glance at her. Did he feel the vibrations as well?

His leather shoe tapped the floor continuously.

My Thoughts

Loving Sarah is the first book I've read by Jo Huddleston, and I found it an enjoyable read.

It's set in Gatlinburg, one of my favorite places in the world. One element of the story involves the SkyLift, which is an actual attraction in Gatlinburg.

Even though Sarah is engaged to William, she feels drawn to Robert, and feels like they've known each other in the past. The prologue of the story gives us a clue why she and Robert feel a strange connection. How will they feel when they finally find out the reason for that sense of connection?

If you enjoy a sweet, Southern, small town story, with a touch of mystery, I recommend Loving Sarah for your TBR list.

I received a complimentary copy. These opinions are my own.

About the Author

Jo Huddleston writes sweet Southern romances set in the 1950s, where you can escape into wholesome, faith-based love stories of deep commitment, hope, and happily-ever-after endings. Readers describe Jo as a wonderful storyteller whose books are sure to inspire and entertain you. Reviewers say her books should be Hallmark movies.

She likes to laugh with people, but not at people. The beach is her favorite vacation spot. She’s a spectator fan of several sports, with tennis being her favorite. She doesn’t enjoy being in the dark and is fearful of snakes!

Jo holds a BA degree with honors from Lincoln Memorial University (TN), where she is a member of their Literary Hall of Fame. She earned the MEd degree from Mississippi State University.

Please visit Jo's website and get a free book when you sign up for her newsletter.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $50 Amazon gift card + eBook of Loving Sarah!

(2) winners will each receive the eBook of Loving Sarah!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 12, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 19, 2026. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. No delivery restrictions. 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!

A Heart on Consignment CelebrateLit Tour {book review and giveaway}

2026-05-10T06:00:00.057-04:00

About the Book

Book: A Heart on Consignment

Author: Mindy Steele

Genre: Amish/Christian Fiction

Release Date: April, 2025

Full of faith, hope, and romance, this series takes you into the Heart of Amish country.

Despite knowing her parents are getting desperate for their only child to marry and give them grandchildren, Salina Stoltzfus is weary of seeking the perfect match. Every time she thinks she has found “the one,” he marries another.

The best way to forget you are the last woman any man in Havenlee, Indiana, wants to hitch his buggy too is to find something passionate to focus on. When the area is overrun with donations after a tragic storm, Salina suggests opening a consignment shop. The deacon supports the idea and offers his visiting nephew to help set things up.

After the embarrassment of having his fiancée call off their wedding, Seth Weaver takes his mother’s advice to leave Kentucky to stay with his uncle for a while. Unfortunately, Seth knows nothing about building furniture in his uncle’s factory, which is the only reason he agrees to help ready the consignment shop next door—not because of the little chatterbox working inside.

When Salina’s parents are caught meddling in her love life, she comes up with a crazy idea that might gain her some time and space. Could it be the road to happiness is paved with good intentions and epic fails—until we cross paths when the one made especially for us?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Mindy Steele was raised in Kentucky timber country and has been writing since she could hold a crayon against the wall. Steele writes Amish Romance peppered with just the right amount of humor, as well as engaging Suspense, using rural America and the residents as her muse. Steele strives to create realistic characters for her readers and believes in engaging all the senses to make you laugh, cry, hold your breath, and root for the happy ever after ending. A hopeless romantic, with a lyrical pen, Steele wants her readers to find themselves somewhere within her pages. A mother of four and grandmother to a half dozen blessings, Steele enjoys hiking and gardening, coffee indulgences and weekend road trips, and is personally doing all she can to make peanut butter its very own food group.

My Thoughts

A Heart on Consignment is book 12 of "The Heart of the Amish" series. Each story can be read as a stand alone.

This sweet Amish story follows Salina and Seth through challenges and heartaches. Both find serving others to be healing and satisfying. Since they are thrown together, their respect and friendship grows. It's a story I enjoyed.

If you like sweet, Amish fiction with a touch of romance, I recommend this for your TBR list.

I received a complimentary copy through Celebrate Lit and these opinions are my own.

More from Mindy

The Story Behind the Story

Writing fiction has always felt like opening my window and inviting readers to look out at the world with me. Over the years, I’ve stumbled into countless moments that later became stories—and A Heart on Consignment is one of those grace-filled accidents.

This book began with a series of God winks. A scheduled photoshoot led me to a tucked-away Amish consignment shop in Kentucky. After making my purchase, an experience that sparked a story of its own, I left carrying more than a dress. I carried the generosity of the owners and the quiet power of their story. I’ve always believed everyone has a story, and I’ve learned to be a good listener.

A year later, during one of my many visits to Baltic, Ohio, I found myself unexpectedly stepping into a massive Amish volleyball tournament. It was a charity event raising funds for a local child with a heart condition and a man awaiting a transplant. That evening, a simple conversation with a passerby, who would later become a dear friend and fellow writer, opened doors to learning even more about Amish and Mennonite ministries, fundraisers, and community outreach.

Since then, I’ve attended countless charitable events, witnessing firsthand the generosity woven into Amish life. From organizations like Samaritan’s Purse, Special Hearts Workshop, Disaster Aid Ohio, and CAM, to tournaments of every kind—volleyball, pickleball, softball, even ping pong—each experience planted another seed that eventually grew into this novel.

What began as a frantic search for a dress became a tapestry of God-ordained moments. Each step guided me toward telling the story of a young woman whose courage, compassion, and steadfast heart shine brightest in the face of disaster.

I invite you to join me on this journey from Kentucky to Havenlee, Indiana, as Seth and Salina search for forgiveness, hope, and love. May their story touch your heart as much as the journey touched mine.

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, April 30

Stories By Gina, May 1 (Author Interview)

Fruitfully Planted, May 1

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 2

Holly’s Book Corner, May 3

Artistic Nobody, May 4 (Guest Review from Marilyn)

Guild Master, May 5 (Author Interview)

The Avid Reader, May 6

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 7

Fiction Book Lover, May 8 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 8

For Him and My Family, May 9

Life on Chickadee Lane, May 10

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 11

The Bookish Ledger, May 12 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, May 13 (Guest Review from Donna)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Mindy is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon e-Gift card and a print copy of the book!!

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

https://gleam.io/5crnf/a-heart-on-consignment-celebration-tour-giveaway

Why Probation Lingers {a devotional}

2026-05-09T03:00:00.013-04:00

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3: 9.

I was shown our danger, as a people, of becoming assimilated to the world rather than to the image of Christ. We are now upon the very borders of the eternal world, but it is the purpose of the adversary of souls to lead us to put far off the close of time. Satan will in every conceivable manner assail those who profess to be the commandment-keeping people of God and to be waiting for the second appearing of our Saviour in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. He will lead as many as possible to put off the evil day and become in spirit like the world, imitating its customs. I felt alarmed as I saw that the spirit of the world was controlling the hearts and minds of many who make a high profession of the truth....

In consideration of the shortness of time we as a people should watch and pray, and in no case allow ourselves to be diverted from the solemn work of preparation for the great event before us. Because the time is apparently extended, many have become careless and indifferent in regard to their words and actions. They do not realize their danger and do not see and understand the mercy of our God in lengthening their probation, that they may have time to form characters for the future, immortal life. Every moment is of the highest value. Time is granted them, not to be employed in studying their own ease and becoming dwellers on the earth, but to be used in the work of overcoming every defect in their own characters and in helping others, by example and personal effort, to see the beauty of holiness. God has a people upon the earth who in faith and holy hope are tracing down the roll of fast-fulfilling prophecy and are seeking to purify their souls by obeying the truth, that they may not be found without the wedding garment when Christ shall appear....

The signs foretold in prophecy are fast fulfilling around us. This should arouse every true follower of Christ to zealous action. ~Maranatha, by Ellen G. White.

The Hometown Cop's Forever Family JustRead Tour {book review and giveaway}

2026-05-06T06:00:00.049-04:00

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Hometown Cop's Forever Family by Tara Randel, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Hometown Cop's Forever Family
Series: A Golden, Georgia Romance #3
Author: Tara Randel
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming
Release Date: April 28, 2026
Genre: Wholesome Contemporary Romance

Solving crimes

And falling in love!

Charming, small-town Golden, Georgia, has everything Briana Connelly needs—her four-year-old daughter, her family, and her job as a police officer. When her former best friend, Jackson Walker, returns suddenly and is made her partner at work, she’s forced to face the events that drove them apart. With a mysterious theft to investigate, spending time with Jax is unavoidable…and easier than she’d like. Especially when his effortless warmth wins over her precious daughter. As a deeper connection grows between them, he starts to feel like a part of Briana’s little family. But if overcoming the past means admitting their true feelings—that might be the biggest risk of all.

USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR

From Harlequin Heartwarming: Wholesome stories of love, compassion and belonging.

More in This Series

Excerpt #1

“Right on time,” her boss, Police Chief Brady Davis, said as he exited his office with a file folder in hand. “Follow me to the conference room.”

His request could only mean one thing. The identity of the newest addition to the PD was about to be revealed.

After Briana’s partner had left to work with fire and rescue as a paramedic, it had been a hush-hush process to find a replacement, which was over the top for Brady.

“I still don’t understand why you haven’t told me who it is,” Briana griped.

“I didn’t want to get ahead of myself. It took a lot of back-and-forth negotiations to get him to uproot his life and move here.”

So, it was a guy.

Brady pointed in the direction of the conference room. “Besides, you were off for a few days when I confirmed the hire.”

True. She’d taken a long weekend to spend quality time with her daughter. Most days she juggled a hectic schedule and from time to time took a long weekend to focus on Cami.

Since her daughter was only four, Briana didn’t want to miss any milestones, a worry that came with working long hours and being a single mom. Brady did his best to accommodate her schedule, instilling his philosophy that a happy home life made for more productive officers.

Briana dropped her bag by her desk and hurried to catch up with Brady who was striding across the room. “He’s finally here?”

“Yes,” Brady said over his shoulder. “That’s why I want you to join me.”

More curious than ever, a trait that made her good at her job but often got her into trouble, Briana caught up and followed Brady into the room. She stopped short when a tall, dark-haired man rose from the chair. His piercing blue eyes, so very familiar to Briana, shone with an intensity she’d never admit she missed.

“Briana.”

Her mouth dropped open, but she quickly regrouped to save face.

“Jackson?” she asked, trying to moderate her tone so the higher pitch didn’t reach into the frequency only dogs heard.

“This isn’t going to be awkward, is it?” Brady asked in a serious tone, a tone he rarely used unless he meant business. His gaze moved between the two.

She’d answer if she could find her voice.

Excerpt #2

She asked in a small voice, “Are you saying we can get back to where we were?”

Her face, so dear and precious to him, was not only that of his best friend, but now, a woman he was attracted to. His feelings had morphed into more than just a friendship rekindled. Just when they’d gotten some solid footing concerning the past, would he blow up the future if he admitted how he felt?

Instead of going there, he said, “I think that after the case is solved, we sit down and evaluate what’s going on between us.”

She tilted her head, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. “What is going on?”

He ran a hand through his hair. “You do realize that I almost kissed you last night.”

Her eyes grew wide. “I’m aware.”

“And?”

“I think it’s safe to assume that’s not an aspect of our relationship that either of us had considered before now.” She hesitated for a fraction of a moment. “Is it going to be a problem?”

Jax weighed the word carefully. “Kissing?”

“Is there going to be a kiss?”

His heart hammered in his chest. “How about we test that theory?”

Her lips parted. He leaned close, his eyes locked on hers. When he saw the smallest of nods, he slowly brushed his lips over hers. He stopped after a moment, gauged her reaction, and when he saw her small smile, kissed her again. This time he lingered, so caught up in the sensation he could have continued for hours.

“I’m…um…” Brie sputtered when they parted.

“Yeah. Me, too.”

Brie pulled back and slid from the boulder. “I should probably get back to the station.”

He moved out of the way. “Right. And I need to go over some notes before I head to the resort.”

Both were caught up in their thoughts as they walked through the woods to the main hiking path. The stroll was both too fast and strangely exhilarating. A place Jax had never found himself with a woman.

Kissing Brie had changed everything.

Excerpt #3

“Okay. Let’s scoop the guts out,” Jax said, hands on his hips as he scrutinized the bright orange pumpkin on the kitchen table.

“Guts,” Cami said with a giggle. She was dressed in a sparkly yellow princess dress. When Jax had asked her if it was going to be her Halloween costume, she informed him that her trick-or-treating dress was a secret. The one she had on was for play.

Boy, did he have a lot to learn about little girls.

Brie glowered at him. “I prefer to call it pulp.”

“That’s not what we called it when we were kids,” he reminded her. He’d forgotten how much fun it was to tease her.

“Yeah, well, maybe I’m going in a different direction with my daughter.”

With that declaration she handed him a knife. Cami climbed atop a chair to see better. He sliced into the meaty skin to remove the lid. Then Brie used a large spoon to remove the insides.

Cami placed her palms on the table and leaned in to watch. “I can’t wait to tell Jacob that we took out the guts.”

Brie scowled at Jax. “Thanks.”

After each scoop, Brie dropped the stringy pulp into a large bowl. “Cami, why don’t you pick out the seeds and place them in the empty bowl.”

The little girl wrinkled her nose. “It smells funny.”

My Thoughts

The Hometown Cop's Forever Family is book 3 of the "A Golden, Georgia Romance" series. I enjoyed it as much as I did the first two! It can be read as a stand alone, even though it is part of a series.

Any story about a single parent and their child, and love growing again, is one of my favorite kind of stories. This friends to more and co-workers to more story definitely "hits the spot," as far as I'm concerned!

Briana and Jax were best friends all through elementary school and high school, until they parted ways after high school. Jax has come back to Golden, after his military career. Now he and Briana are partnered in the local law enforcement team.

I enjoyed watching their relationship heal and bloom, and Briana's daughter, Cami, is a delight.

If you enjoy sweet, contemporary romance, with a touch of mystery and a dose of faith, then you will want to add this one to your (ever growing) TBR list!

I received a complimentary copy. These opinions are my own.

About the Author

Tara Randel is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author. Family values, a bit of mystery and of course, love and romance are her favorite themes, because she believes love is the greatest gift of all. Tara lives on the West Coast of Florida, where gorgeous sunsets and beautiful weather inspire the creation of heartwarming stories. Tara has received the Heart of Excellence Readers’ Choice Award and the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award.

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

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a prize bundle which includes a $25 Amazon Gift Card, bookish tote bag, booklover's keychain, bookmark and 2 autographed books by the author!

(1) winner will receive a $15 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 4, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 11, 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!

This post contains affiliate link.

Meet Me in the Yorkshire Dales CelebrateLit Tour {book review and giveaway}

2026-05-03T08:00:00.094-04:00

About the Book

Book: Meet Me in the Yorkshire Dales

Author: Valerie Massey Goree

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release Date: February, 2025

To inherit her grandfather’s estate, Roxanne Clarke has to prove the identity of her birth mother. Considering all the ancestry help online, that shouldn’t be a problem. However, the only clues Roxanne has are an old photograph and hints provided by a member of her grandfather’s household that her mother was born in Yorkshire.

Accompanied by her best friend, Avery, and Avery’s twin brother, Lucas, Roxanne travels to England. Their attempts to identify Roxanne’s mother send them from one village to another. To add to their frustration, a fellow Texan is following them, threatening them, trying to locate the woman first.

Lucas has been in love with Roxanne since high school, but botched their relationship two years ago. While helping her find her mother, can he salvage their once-blossoming romance, build a new beginning, and keep her safe when the Texan’s actions intensify?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Award winner Valerie Massey Goree resides in San Antonio, Texas.

She was born in South Africa and grew up in Rhodesia—now Zimbabwe. Valerie met her husband, Glenn, at a Christian university in the USA. After they married, they served as missionaries in Rhodesia. When the family returned to Texas, Valerie began her teaching career. She served 25 years in the public school arena, focusing on children with special needs.

Her writing journey only began when their children were in high school. Attending workshops and ACFW conferences helped propel her toward publication. She has eleven romantic suspense novels published.

Valerie and her family traveled extensively throughout North America, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. Now retired and widowed, she spends her time writing, reading, traveling, and spoiling her grandchildren.

Valerie loves to hear from her readers.

My Thoughts

Valerie Massey Goree is another new-to-me author. Even though Meet Me in the Yorkshire Dales is the second book of a series, it works well as a standalone. I enjoyed taking a trip to the Yorkshire Dales via this story.

This story is full of mystery, and a quest for Roxanne to find her biological mother. I think it's sweet how Roxanne's friends travel with her to Yorkshire in her search for her mother.

If you enjoy sweet, contemporary faith-based fiction, you might want to add this to your TBR list.

I received a complimentary copy through Celebrate Lit and these opinions are my own.

More from Valerie

Meet Me in the Yorkshire Dales is the second book in my series "From England with Love and…Treachery." The three standalone stories feature American characters who are visiting or working in England. When they meet, romance blossoms, but is hindered by misfortune, menacing strangers, betrayal, and dead-end clues. Book One, Meet Me Where the Windrush Flows, is set in the Cotswolds. Book Three, which I’m writing now, takes place in the City of Bath during the Jane Austen Festival.

As an author, my goal is to set stories in places I’ve lived or visited. What a hardship it was for me to travel to England to research the Cotswolds area for Book One, and the next year to visit the Yorkshire Dales and Bath!

During my two-week sojourn in the Yorkshire Dales, I stayed in a cottage in each of the villages featured in the story. When I walked down the ‘Snake Path’ in Grassington, I knew I had to include it in the story.

Roxanne, my heroine, has never been to England and is enthralled by the villages’ narrow roads, cobblestone streets, and the ancient cottages, some built in the seventeenth century.

When I made the reservation for the cottage in Grassington, I didn’t know that the TV show All Creatures Great and Small is filmed there. They usually film in April, but alas, I was there in September. I did recognize many places used in the show, such as the village center, featured in the photo.

Needless to say, I loved visiting these places. Roxanne did, too.

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, April 28

Stories By Gina, April 29 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 30

Simple Harvest Reads, May 1 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, May 2 (Author Interview)

Life on Chickadee Lane, May 3

Guild Master, May 4 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, May 5

Fiction Book Lover, May 6 (Author Interview)

Blossoms and Blessings, May 7 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 7

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, May 8 (Author Interview)

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, May 9

Books, Books, & More Books, May 10 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 10

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, May 11 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Valerie is giving away the grand prize of 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/kqX7Q/meet-me-in-the-yorkshire-dales-celebration-tour-giveaway

Just Another Home CelelbrateLit Tour {book review and giveaway}

2026-05-03T07:00:00.033-04:00

About the Book

Book: Just Another Home

Author: Kimberly Banet

Genre: Contemporary Christian Fiction, Women’s Christian Fiction

Release Date: May 7, 2024

Sixteen-year-old Sam Keller has lived in foster homes and group homes most of his life and has long ago given up on the dream of a stable, forever family. Adults have always let him down, and so has God, and he has no use for either.

John and Abbie Grayson are a respected, successful couple in their fifties with two grown children. They live in their dream home in Franklin, TN, an idyllic suburb of Nashville, where John is a successful college basketball coach, and Abbie works part-time at their local church. But Abbie feels something is missing from her life and convinces John they should become foster parents.

Their worlds collide when Sam is placed in the Grayson home for a few days. Days turn into months, and Sam thrives with the Graysons and allows himself to dream of a forever family, while John and Abbie realize the teen has found his way into their hearts.

As the Graysons begin to investigate the possibility of adopting Sam, an evil agenda emerges, and a secret past is revealed. Nothing short of a miracle can save Sam from a harrowing ordeal and keep the Grayson family together.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Kimberly Banet received her bachelor’s degree from Indiana University. She started writing in 2020. Her debut novel, Just Another Home, was a 2023 ACFW Genesis Finalist.

Kimberly was married to the love of her life, Jeff, from 1988 until his passing in December, 2024. Together they raised two children, Nicole and Brandon.

Kimberly lives in beautiful Starlight, Indiana, with her two fur babies, Daisy and Winnie.

My Thoughts

Kimberly Banet is a new-to-me author, and Just Another Home is a wonderful introduction.

It's a poignant, heart-tugging story, set in lovely Tennessee (a state dear to my heart). I feel for Sam, who has gone from foster home to foster home, with a couple group homes thrown in there.

Fostering is something I have wanted to do for a number of years, but God hasn't worked it out for me, yet. Working with troubled teens, or any teens at all, has always tugged at my heart.

If you enjoy contemporary small town Christian fiction, consider adding Just Another Home to your TBR list.

I received a complimentary copy through Celebrate Lit and these opinions are my own.

More from Kimberly

My debut novel, Just Another Home, was released in 2024. It’s about a teen in the foster care system, Sam, who is placed with a couple in their fifties, John and Abbie. Something most people don’t know about Just Another Home is that the setting of the story, Franklin, Tennessee, was not just some random town I chose for the backdrop of Sam’s story. Franklin is a place I’ve visited many times and is near and dear to my heart.

In 2015, our daughter and son-in-law moved to Franklin, a little over three hours from our home in Indiana where my husband and I have lived all our lives. We visited frequently. We loved the small-town, rural feel of Franklin, with its rolling fields and farms and the scenic beauty of the nearby Natchez Trace Parkway. It also satisfied everything we wanted in a small city with its unique shops, boutiques and locally-owned restaurants on Main Street and nearby Cool Springs.

My favorite things about Franklin, though, were the great family weekends we spent there. The memories of one weekend in particular always makes me smile. We attended the Dickens of a Christmas Festival on the square in downtown Franklin. It was just one of the many festivals they have there, but the one I love the most.

It was a blustery, cold day for Middle Tennessee. The high was only 30 degrees and snow flurries were flying. With coffee in hand, we braved the downtown streets and met all our favorite Dickens characters—Ebenezer Scrooge, Jacob Marley, and Tiny Tim, among others. There were vendor booths, and a giant, beautifully lit Christmas tree in the square. It was a beautiful, Christmas-like day with our whole family together in the same place at the same time. When we got too cold to walk anymore, we ducked into a pizzeria to have lunch and warm up. Then we finished the day at our favorite local bookstore there, Landmark. This mother’s heart was full.

Does all of this sound familiar? If you’ve read Just Another Home, it does, because this exact story is played out as Sam attends the Dickens Festival with his foster family. It’s the first time he is genuinely happy since he can remember. He can enjoy the day with them without having to fight for survival or worry about what tomorrow brings. For once he is free and his heart is not troubled.

Kind of like this momma’s heart, having her whole family in the same place at the same time.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, April 25

Stories By Gina, April 26 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, April 27 (Author Interview)

Fruitfully Planted, April 27

Artistic Nobody, April 28 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 29

The Bookish Ledger, April 30 (Author Interview)

Fiction Book Lover, May 1 (Author Interview)

Books Less Travelled, May 2 (Author Interview)

Life on Chickadee Lane, May 3

History, Hope & Happily Ever After, May 4 (Author Interview)

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, May 5 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, May 5

Vicky Sluiter, May 6 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, May 7

For the Love of Literature, May 8 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kimberly 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/HlylC/just-another-home-celebration-tour-giveaway

Proof Against Every Temptation {a devotional}

2026-05-02T03:00:00.015-04:00

Yield yourselves unto God, ... and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you. Romans 6: 13, 14.

There is but one power that can break the hold of evil from the hearts of men, and that is the power of God in Jesus Christ.... His grace alone can enable us to resist and subdue the tendencies of our fallen nature.

The infinite value of the sacrifice required for our redemption reveals the fact that sin is a tremendous evil. Through sin the whole human organism is deranged, the mind is perverted, the imagination corrupted. Sin has degraded the faculties of the soul. Temptations from without find an answering chord within the heart, and the feet turn imperceptibly toward evil. As the sacrifice in our behalf was complete, so our restoration from the defilement of sin is to be complete. There is no act of wickedness that the law will excuse; there is no unrighteousness that will escape its condemnation. The life of Christ was a perfect fulfillment of every precept of the law. He said; “I have kept my Father’s commandments.” John 15: 10. His life is our standard of obedience and service.

Today Satan presents the same temptations that he presented to Christ, offering us the kingdoms of the world in return for our allegiance. But upon him who looks to Jesus as the author and finisher of his faith, Satan’s temptations have no power. He cannot cause to sin the one who will accept by faith the virtues of Him who was tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin.

The expulsion of sin is the act of the soul itself. True, we have no power to free ourselves from Satan’s control; but when we desire to be set free from sin, and in our great need cry out for a power out of and above ourselves, the powers of the soul are imbued with the divine energy of the Holy Spirit, and they obey the dictates of the will in fulfilling the will of God.

God will have a people zealous of good works, standing firm amid the pollutions of this degenerate age. There will be a people who hold so fast to the divine strength that they will be proof against every temptation. ~Maranatha, by Ellen G. White.

Zeller, Penny

2026-04-30T09:30:00.060-04:00

Penny Zeller is known for her heartfelt stories of faith-filled happily ever-afters and her passion to impact lives for Christ through fiction. Her books feature tender romance, steady doses of humor, and memorable characters that stay with you long after the last page.

I've reviewed a couple of her books from her "Horizon" series: Dreams on the Horizon and Beyond the Horizon. Her "Wyoming Sunrise" and "Montana Skies" series both look really good, too. Her "Montana Hearts" series, which has yet to hit the market, is already on my TBR list. As you may know, any novel set in Montana is going onto my TBR list, since I lived in Montana for at least two decades.

I have an upcoming review for Love Under Construction, next month, so be sure to come back for that.

Have you read any of Zeller's novels? Which one was your favorite?

Thank you for joining me on this journey through the alphabet. I hope I have introduced you to some new authors, and that you've enjoyed learning about some of my favorites. Please visit my blog frequently, as I continue to share book reviews and recommendations.

This post contains affiliate link.

His Ranch Redemption JustRead Tour {book review and giveaway}

2026-04-30T06:00:00.031-04:00

Welcome to the Blog Tour for His Ranch Redemption by Laurie Winter, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: His Ranch Redemption
Series: Fern Hollow #1
Author: Laurie Winter
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming
Release Date: April 28, 2026
Genre: Sweet Contemporary Romance

He was her first love…
Can he be her forever?

Widowed Sarah Carmella has a wonderful daughter and fulfilling work running her grandparents’ horse rescue. So there’s absolutely no reason for regrets and what-ifs when her ex-husband, Pete O’Keefe, arrives in town for a mutual friend’s wedding. She and Pete eloped young, then went their separate ways when tragedy struck. But memories of their whirlwind romance and Pete’s charm have Sarah fearing for her heart. Because Pete would never settle down in tiny Fern Hollow. Fresh out of the army, he already has another job chasing danger lined up. Yet, could falling for each other all over again become the adventure they both need?

Also Available

Excerpt 1

He cupped his right hand behind her head and pressed his lips to hers in the sweetest kiss. For a second, she flashed back to the teenager she’d been who’d fallen in love with Pete the first time they’d kissed. They’d snuck away on horseback into the orchards for a picnic lunch. Their first kiss had been awkward and shy but Sarah had felt certain her future would be filled with Pete.

As she leaned in closer to him now, her mind moved to the present. Her feet stayed firmly planted in reality. She was with a man changed from the boy she’d known. He was different and yet still the same. His whiskers did prickle her upper lip like she’d expected. If she wasn’t careful, the moment would sweep her away. She pulled back and stared into his eyes. Their kiss didn’t change anything, yet she struggled not to question what came next.

Excerpt 2

Sarah shook her head in an adamant showing that the option was not on the table. “Pete isn’t staying. He has a new job in Phoenix and he’ll never be content living here. And most importantly, I am not opening to a romantic relationship. Especially one long distance with no hope of that ever changing. I was blessed with a good marriage with Mike. I already had my prince charming. Now that he’s gone, I’m content staying single and devoting myself to the ranch and Chloe. I don’t need anything more.” No more heartbreak, that’s for sure. Nothing could have prepared her for Mike’s death. If she offered herself to Pete only for him leave her, she may never recover.

My Thoughts

His Ranch Redemption is the first book of the "Fern Hollow" series, and the first book I have read by Laurie Winter. It is a sweet second-chance romance, set on a horse ranch and apple orchard.

Pete and Sarah eloped when they were teenagers, and shortly after got an annulment, and went their separate ways. The wedding of a mutual friend has brought them back together, years later. Pete is seeking forgiveness for how things ended before. Sarah is just hoping to get through the week until after the wedding and Pete walks out of her life again. Observing him with her daughter, though, tugs at her heart.

If you enjoy sweet Christian romance, you will want to add this to your TBR list.

I received a complimentary copy. These opinions are my own.

About the Author

Multiple award-winning author Laurie Winter creates authentic characters who overcome the odds to find true love. She keeps her life balanced with jogging and binge-watching true-crime shows. Laurie enjoys time with her family and two dogs, all of who inspire her every day.

Connect with Laurie at lauriewinter.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a $20 Amazon gift card and a His Ranch Redemption custom premium candle!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 29, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 6, 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!

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Yolan, Jane

2026-04-29T09:30:00.050-04:00

Jane Yolen is a novelist, poet, fantasist, journalist, songwriter, storyteller, folklorist, and children’s book author who has written more than three hundred books. Her accolades include the Caldecott Medal, two Nebula Awards, the World Fantasy Award, three Mythopoeic Awards, the Kerlan Award, two Christopher Awards, and six honorary doctorate degrees from colleges and universities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Born and raised in New York City, the mother of three and the grandmother of six, Yolen lives in Massachusetts and St. Andrews, Scotland.

We enjoyed some of her books during our homeschooling years, such as Owl Moon and All Those Secrets of the World. I recently picked up Switching on the Moon for my grandsons, and would like to also pick up Bird Watch.

Have you read any of Yolen's books? If so, please share in the comments below.

Another author I'd like to mention, even though I haven't read her book, is Malala Yousafzai, author of I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban. Have you read it? Should I add it to my TBR list?

This post contains affiliate links.

Authors Whose Last Names Begin With "X"

2026-04-28T09:30:00.060-04:00

To be honest, I am a bit stymied for authors whose last names begin with "X," much less Christian authors. There's a list on Goodreads of books by authors whose last names begin with "X". I haven't read any of the books, so I can't personally recommend any of them.

If you are interested in Ancient history, you might like books by Xenophon, such as The Art of Horsemanship, or The Persian Expedition.

Or there's Xue Xinran, a Chinese author, who writes Biographies & Memoirs, Literature & Fiction, History. Her books, The Good Women of China: Hidden Voices and Message from an Unknown Chinese Mother: Stories of Loss and Love look intriguing.

There's also Meihong Xu, another Chinese author. Daughter of China: The True Story of Forbidden Love in Modern China looks like it might be an interesting read.

Can you recommend any other authors whose last names begin with "X"? Please share in the comments below.

Weimer, Denise

2026-04-27T09:30:00.079-04:00

Denise Weimer holds a journalism degree with a minor in history from Asbury University. She writes historical and contemporary romance and romantic suspense set in her home state of Georgia. She's authored eleven traditionally published novels and a number of novellas. She now writes under the name of Denise Farnsworth. I really enjoy her novels, and her writing style.

My introduction to her works was her "Scouts of the Georgia Frontier" series. I enjoyed these historical novels, all set in Georgia.

Vetsch, Erica

2026-04-26T10:30:00.033-04:00

Erica Vetsch is another of those Christian authors who ranks at the top of my list. I've enjoyed each one of her works that I've read. She is a best-selling, award-winning author who loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. She’s a transplanted Kansan now living in Minnesota, and she married her total opposite and soul mate! When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum and cheering on her Kansas Jayhawks and New Zealand All Blacks.

My introduction to her novels was her "Serendipity and Secrets" series, a regency era trilogy. I also enjoyed the "Kennebrae Brides" series, also known as the "North Star Brides" series, which is set on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Another series I enjoyed was her "Brides of Money Creek" series, also known as "Idaho Brides" trilogy.

The most recent book I've reviewed is Stars in Her Eyes, which is book three of her "Dawn of Colorado" trilogy.

Have you read any of Vetsch's books? Which one sounds most appealing to you? Please share in the comments below.

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Pieces of April CelebrateLit Tour {book review and giveaway}

2026-04-26T06:30:00.093-04:00

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!

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.

My Thoughts

Pieces of April is book 9 in "The Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue" series, and the third in the series I've reviewed. My main attraction to the series is that it's set in Indiana (my birth state), and set in the 1970s, the era of my childhood. I also love that each novel has a cardinal on the cover. 😁

Poor April seems accident prone, even when the accidents aren't of her own doing. And Paul can't remember anything of his past, because of the amnesia he suffers from a brain injury sustained in Viet Nam.

Whatever happened between April and Paul back shortly after high school graduation, for which Paul said he'd never forgive her and for which she longed for his forgiveness, keeps you reading to find out what that incident was.

While Paul tries to remember his past, he decides to focus on who he is now and build his life from here. April's desire is to do the same, focusing on "now" but always a little afraid he will remember the past incident and how that might affect their current relationship.

If you enjoy Christian romantic fiction, this is a fun addition your TBR list.

I received a complimentary copy through Celebrate Lit and these opinions are my own.

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 passed 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.

https://gleam.io/8J97u/pieces-of-april-celebration-tour-giveaway

Lady Wynwood’s Spies, Volumes 1-3 Box Set CelebrateLit Tour {book review and giveaway}

2026-04-26T06:00:00.108-04:00

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!

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.

My Thoughts

Camy Tang is a new-to-me author, and this three volume collection is quite the introduction! These novels are fun, suspenseful, romantic, with a touch of faith.

I like how they are Jane Austen-ish, with a touch of humor on occasions, and tones of James Bond. The main story line threads its way through the entire series, which makes it important to read each volume in order.

Each character seems to have depth, even if there are numerous characters to keep track of. I think my favorite character is Phoebe. I really felt for her, how her father seemed so domineering. Her aunt, Laura Wynwood, is a kind, encouraging force in Phoebe's life, which gives her strength.

From her 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.

(I actually listened to the audio version, and enjoyed the British accent of the virtual narrator)

If you enjoy Regency romance, and Mission: Impossible like adventure, and are prepared for a lengthy series, this would be an excellent addition for your TBR list.

I received a complimentary copy of the ebook through Celebrate Lit and these opinions are my own.

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.

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

Be Alert for Satan's Devices {a devotional}

2026-04-25T03:00:00.014-04:00

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist stedfast in the faith. 1 Peter 5: 8, 9.

Let every soul be on the alert. The adversary is on your track. Be vigilant, watching diligently lest some carefully concealed and masterly snare shall take you unawares. Let the careless and indifferent beware lest the day of the Lord come upon them as a thief in the night. Many will wander from the path of humility, and, casting aside the yoke of Christ, will walk in strange paths. Blinded and bewildered, they will leave the narrow path that leads to the city of God....

He who overcomes must watch; for, with worldly entanglements, error, and superstition, Satan strives to win Christ’s followers from Him. It is not enough that we avoid glaring dangers and perilous, inconsistent moves. We are to keep close to the side of Christ, walking in the path of self-denial and sacrifice. We are in an enemy’s country. He who was cast out of heaven has come down with great power. With every conceivable artifice and device he is seeking to take souls captive. Unless we are constantly on guard we shall fall an easy prey to his unnumbered deceptions.

Everything is now clothed with a solemnity that all who believe the truth for this time should realize. They should act in reference to the day of God. The judgments of God are about to fall upon the world, and we need to be preparing for that great day.

Our time is precious. We have but few, very few days of probation in which to make ready for the future, immortal life. We have no time to spend in haphazard movements. We should fear to skim the surface of the word of God.

If your whole interest is in the truth and the preparatory work for this time you will be sanctified through the truth and receive a fitness for immortality.... The thorough work of preparation must go on with all who profess the truth, until we stand before the throne of God without fault, without a spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing. God will cleanse you if you will submit to the purifying process. ~Maranatha, by Ellen G. White.

Ullrey, Erma M.

2026-04-24T09:30:00.058-04:00

And you thought I wouldn't be able to find a Christian author whose last name begins with "U"! (Yeah, me, too! LOL)

Erma M. Ullrey writes clean, heartwarming rom-coms with a dash of faith in the style of “You've Got Mail” and “Hallmark.” When she's not writing about characters finding love in unexpected places, she's enjoying life in Idaho with her husband of 44 years, four children, and yes, a flock of chickens.

My introduction to her work was Journaled With Love: A You've Got Mail-Style Rom-Com About Lost Words and Found Love, which I found to be very reminiscent of "You've Got Mail." I posted my review on Goodreads. It is the first book of her "...With Love" series, and I look forward to reading the other two of the series.

I also reviewed Sadie's Gift: The Christmas Cabin on my blog. It's a fun Christmas time novel.

This post contains affiliate link.

Tolsma, Liz

2026-04-23T09:30:00.060-04:00

Christian author, Liz Tolsma, ranks up there next to Sarah Sundin on my list of most favorite authors. Tolsma's goal has always been to write riveting stories filled with God’s hope even in the midst of the darkest periods in history. She loves to explore what happens when ordinary people not so different from any of us are thrust into situations that test the very limits of their faith.

My introduction to Tolsma was her "Women of Courage" series. I have also read her "Echoes of the Past" series. I've also read A Picture of Hope, which is book 2 in the "Heroines of WWII" series.

The most recent novel I have read was When the Sky Burned: October 8, 1871, which is book 6 in the "A Day to Remember" series.

She is one of those authors whose books automatically end up on my TBR list, no matter what the title is! She's certainly another author I highly recommend, especially if you enjoy Christian historical fiction.

This post contains affiliate link.

Sundin, Sarah

2026-04-22T09:30:00.084-04:00

One of my top most favorite authors is Sarah Sundin. She's a World War II novelist, whose research is impeccable and apparent. She is one of those authors whose books just automatically go on my TBR list, no questions asked, no matter the title. I have read many of her titles, and if I haven't read it yet, I will want to read it as soon as I can!

My introduction to Sundin was her "Waves of Freedom" series, I think. Or it may have been the "Sunrise at Normandy" series. Either way, I have read both series in their entirety.

I believe the most recent book I have read of hers is Until Leaves Fall in Paris, book 2 of the "Friends in Resistance" series. Obviously I need to get the other two in the series read! Her newest series, "Allegiance Under Pressure", is calling me, too.

If you are a WWII buff, like I am, and like Sundin is, you will want to read her daily posts on the Today in WWII History page on her website!

In case it isn't obvious, I do highly recommend Sarah Sundin's works...all of them!

This post contains affiliate links

Rivers, Francine

2026-04-21T09:30:00.033-04:00

New York Times bestselling author Francine Rivers had a successful writing career in the general market for several years before becoming a born-again Christian; she then wrote Redeeming Love as her statement of faith. She is a member of Romance Writers of America's coveted Hall of Fame as well as a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). Rivers and her husband live in Northern California and enjoy time spent with their grown children and grandchildren. She uses her writing to draw closer to the Lord, and she desires that through her work she might worship and praise Jesus for all He has done and is doing in her life.

My introduction to Rivers was her Mark of the Lion series, which is set in first-century Rome. I found them totally captivating.

A young BookTuber, Oceana Reads Co., is hosting a book club this year on her YouTube channel, reading several of Francine Rivers' books. It's fun for me to read or re-read some of Rivers' books.

Have you read any of her books? Which ones? They are so impactful, I think.

Quinn, Kate

2026-04-20T09:30:00.032-04:00

"Kate Quinn is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction. A native of southern California, she attended Boston University where she earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Classical Voice. She has written four novels in the Empress of Rome Saga, and two books in the Italian Renaissance, before turning to the 20th century with “The Alice Network”, “The Huntress,” "The Rose Code," "The Diamond Eye," and "The Briar Club." She is also a co-author in several collaborative novels including "The Phoenix Crown" with Janie Chang and "Ribbons of Scarlet" with Stephanie Dray, Laura Kamoie, Eliza Knight, Sophie Perinot, and Heather Webb. "The Astral Library," releasing in 2026, is her first foray into magical realism. Kate and her husband now live in Maryland with their two rescue dogs." (Goodreads)

Although I don't think Quinn is necessarily considered an author of Christian fiction, I have enjoyed what I have read of her works, and there are others which are on my TBR list, if I can ever squeeze them in. LOL

My introduction to her works was The Diamond Eye, which I listened to in audiobook format a couple years ago. I found it to be captivating and entrancing, very well written. I certainly recommend it for your TBR list.