Life on Chickadee Lane

Spiritualism’s Role in Deception {a devotional}

2026-06-13T03:00:00.000-04:00

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 1 John 4: 1.

Many will be ensnared through the belief that spiritualism is a merely human imposture; when brought face to face with manifestations which they cannot but regard as supernatural, they will be deceived, and will be led to accept them as the great power of God.

As the teachings of spiritualism are accepted by the churches, the restraint imposed upon the carnal heart is removed, and the profession of religion will become a cloak to conceal the basest iniquity. A belief in spiritual manifestations opens the door to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, and thus the influence of evil angels will be felt in the churches.

The popular ministry cannot successfully resist spiritualism. They have nothing wherewith to shield their flocks from its baleful influence. Much of the sad result of spiritualism will rest upon ministers of this age; for they have trampled the truth under their feet, and in its stead have preferred fables.

Satan has long been preparing for his final effort to deceive the world. The foundation of his work was laid by the assurance given to Eve in Eden: “Ye shall not surely die.” “In the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3: 4, 5. Little by little he has prepared the way for his masterpiece of deception in the development of spiritualism. He has not yet reached the full accomplishment of his designs; but it will be reached in the last remnant of time. Says the prophet: “I saw three unclean spirits like frogs.... They are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” Revelation 16: 13, 14. Except those who are kept by the power of God, through faith in His word, the whole world will be swept into the ranks of this delusion. The people are fast being lulled to a fatal security, to be awakened only by the outpouring of the wrath of God. ~Maranatha, by Ellen G. White

Book Bee Blogger’s Choice JustRead Tour {book review and giveaway}

2026-06-12T06:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the Book Bee Blogger's Choice Blog Tour with JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the book

Title: Steps to Christ

Author: Ellen G. White

Publisher: Pacific Press Publishing Association

Release date: Originally published in 1892

Thousands have become acquainted with Jesus through this little book, Steps to Christ. And it has helped many more, including those who have walked with Him for years, to know Him better.

In just thirteen short chapters, you'll discover the steps to finding a forever friendship with Jesus. You'll read about His love for you, repentance, faith and acceptance, growing like Him, the privilege of prayer, what to do with doubt, and how to spend your days rejoicing in your best Friend, Jesus.

Table of contents:

God's Love for Man
The Sinner's Need of Christ
Repentance
Confession
Consecration
Faith and Acceptance
The Test of Discipleship
Growing Up Into Christ
The Work and the Life
A Knowledge of God
The Privilege of Prayer
What to Do With Doubt
Rejoicing in the Lord

Purchase Links: Adventist Book Center | EGW Writings | Goodreads

Excerpt 1

Nature and revelation alike testify of God's love. Our Father in heaven is the source of life, of wisdom, and of joy. Look at the wonderful and beautiful things of nature. Think of their marvelous adaptation to the needs and happiness, not only of man, but of all living creatures. The sunshine and the rain, that gladden and refresh the earth, the hills and seas and plains, all speak to us of the Creator's love. It is God who supplies the daily needs of all His creatures.

Excerpt 2

"God is love" is written upon every opening bud, upon every spire of springing grass. The lovely birds making the air vocal with their happy songs, the delicately tinted flowers in their perfection perfuming the air, the lofty trees of the forest with their rich foliage of living green—all testify to the tender, fatherly care of our God and to His desire to make His children happy.

My Thoughts

Steps to Christ is a powerful little book, one I read frequently. The first chapter is always my favorite, where she describes how God's love can be plainly seen in nature. Her practical steps to finding and maintaining a special relationship with Jesus as your best Friend are concise and plainly laid out.

If you are looking for a practical little guide on developing a deeper relationship with Jesus, I highly recommend this book. I think everyone who wants to learn or learn more how to become a true follower of Christ should read this book.

There are a variety of cover photos. You can find it in paperback, hardcover, ebook, and audiobook. Since it is public domain, you can even find free ebook versions.

About the Author

In brief, Ellen Gould Harmon White was a woman of remarkable spiritual gifts who lived most of her life during the nineteenth century (1827-1915), yet through her writings she is still making a revolutionary impact on millions of people around the world. During her lifetime she wrote more than 5,000 periodical articles and 40 books; but today, including compilations from her 50,000 pages of manuscript, more than 100 titles are available in English. She is the most translated woman writer in the entire history of literature, and the most translated American author of either gender. Her writings cover a broad range of subjects, including religion, education, social relationships, evangelism, prophecy, publishing, nutrition, and management. Her life-changing masterpiece on successful Christian living, Steps to Christ, has been published in more than 140 languages.

You may also be interested in "The Conflict of the Ages" series:

Patriarchs and Prophets

First volume in the Conflict of the Ages series covers the sweeping panorama of human history from the creation of Earth to the reign of Israel's King David. With unusual insights the author describes the role of our planet in the cosmic conflict between right and wrong, truth and error. She describes the tragic rebellion that took place in heaven many thousands of years ago and makes plain that this ongoing conflict between Satan and God affects each person who lives on Earth. Patriarchs and Prophets shows how this conflict worked itself out in the lives of men and women in Old Testament times. It answers such questions as: “Where did we come from?” “Where are we going?” and “If God is all-powerful, why doesn’t He prevent the spread of evil and its tragic results?”

Prophets and Kings

Second volume in the Conflict of the Ages series opens with the story of Solomon’s glorious reign over Israel and ends with the nation’s exile and captivity. It traces the history of a favored and chosen people, vacillating between allegiance to God and to the gods of the nations around them. In these pages can vividly be seen dramatic evidences of the raging struggle between God and Satan for the hearts of men and women. Here the reader will find fascinating characters—wise Solomon, fearless Elijah, wicked Ahaz, beloved Daniel, courageous Jeremiah, and many others. Their experiences provide rich lessons of faith and evidences of God’s love and providential care.

The Desire of Ages

Third volume in the Conflict of the Ages series is Ellen White’s classic on the life of Jesus—the One who stands at the center of all human history. No one else has had such a profound influence on Planet Earth as Jesus Christ. In this book the author does not set forth the events of Jesus’ life in strict chronological order, but she presents Him as the One who can satisfy the deepest yearnings of the human heart. She presents the divine beauty of the life of the Savior, the love of God as revealed in His Son. New and glorious light flashes from many familiar passages of Scripture. Follow Jesus in these pages from His birth in Bethlehem’s stable to His death on the cross, His glorious resurrection, and triumphant return to heaven.

The Acts of the Apostles

Fourth volume in the Conflict of the Ages series tells the amazing story of the early Christian believers. After Jesus was victorious over Satan and returned to heaven, the enemy turned his attention to Jesus' church on earth. Here are thrilling stories of fierce persecutions and unswerving loyalty to God. Peter, Paul, James, John, Luke, Barnabas, Stephen, Mark, and the other early apostles carried the wonderful news of the gospel to all of the then-known world. Unwilling to surrender their faith, many gave their lives. That story is still continuing. Christ's church today is carrying forward the same work and has the same promise of divine guidance and power.

The Great Controversy

Fifth volume of the Conflict of the Ages series carries the story of the controversy between God and Satan to its ultimate and glorious conclusion. Beginning with the destruction of Jerusalem and continuing through the persecutions of Christians in the Roman Empire, the apostasy of the Dark Ages, the shining light of the Reformation, and the worldwide religious awakening of the nineteenth century, this volume traces the conflict into the future, to the Second Coming of Jesus and the glories of the earth made new. As the end draws ever closer, the vital issue of loyalty to God will become decisive. In this concluding volume, the author powerfully points out the principles involved in the impending conflict and how each person can stand firmly for God and His truth.

Tour Giveaway

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

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 8, 2026 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on June 15, 2026. Winner 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 the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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

Wordless Wednesday, June 10, 2026

2026-06-10T04:00:00.000-04:00

Photos copyrighted by Wendy Andrus Ross

Metamorphosis CelebrateLit Tour {book review and giveaway}

2026-06-07T06:00:00.000-04:00

About the Book

Book: Metamorphosis

Author: Kayla E. Green

Genre: Poetry (religious/inspirational)

Release Date: May, 2020

Are you searching for something more in your life? Metamorphosis is a personal testimony of how God can transform lives. Covering topics of depression, anxiety, and searching for something more, the poetry serves as a vessel for God’s light. The words provide hope for the future and insight on how to be strong through Jesus Christ. Anyone yearning for something more will find renewal in this poetry.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Kayla E. Green is an award-winning author and poet who writes to remind others—and herself—that light always prevails over darkness. When she isn’t writing, reading, or spending time with her family, she loves singing loudly and off-key to KLove Radio and pretending she’s a unicorn. Fittingly, her YA debut fantasy novel is titled The Goodness of Unicorns.

My Thoughts

I always enjoy poetry. In fact, I began writing poetry, myself, around 10 years old. (In fact, I have shared a few of them here on my blog) For that reason, I was happy for the opportunity to read Metamorphosis.

It's a lovely little collection of inspirational poems, and is a quick read. I like that each poem is accompanied by a Bible text. This is a poetic view of the Christian journey.

Some raw emotions are shared, very much like many of the Psalms. And, like the Psalms, for each raw emotion, a positive, growth-point is shared.

I think this collection is well suited for teens or young adults, but even we older folks can appreciate the messages.

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

More from Kayla

Have you ever been in the car and heard just the right song at just the right moment? Or heard just the message you needed at a specific point in your life on Sunday morning like the pastor is speaking directly to you?

Throughout crafting the poems that now make-up the contents of Metamorphosis, I realized that my testimony navigating depression and anxiety is incomplete without my faith. It is the love of God that allows transformation. As such, each poem within the collection is paired with a Bible verse. No matter what we are facing in life, we can find strength in our Lord and through His Word.

Visit this slideshow and see what Bible verse awaits you today. Share how the verse resonates with you and/or suggest a worship song that it reminds you of on social media and be sure to tag me (@author.kayla.e.green on Instagram) so I can reply! https://www.canva.com/design/DAHAUXF0oAI/kU3r4XgiHh-uOUWZUHQrPA/view?utm_content=DAHAUXF0oAI&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hb6054e54cf

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, June 5 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, June 6 (Author Interview)

Life on Chickadee Lane, June 7

Fiction Book Lover, June 8 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, June 8

The Bookish Ledger, June 9 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 10

Vicky Sluiter, June 11 (Author Interview)

For the Love of Literature, June 12 (Author Interview)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 13 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, June 14

Blossoms and Blessings, June 15 (Author Interview)

Stories By Gina, June 16 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, June 16

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

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 18

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kayla is giving away the grand prize of a $50 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/XwQCl/metamorphosis-celebration-tour-giveaway

A Twofold Life {a devotional}

2026-06-06T03:00:00.014-04:00

Our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 1 John 1: 3.

Nothing is more needed in our work than the practical results of communion with God. We should show by our daily lives that we have peace and rest in the Saviour. His peace in the heart will shine forth in the countenance.... Communion with God will ennoble the character and the life. Men will take knowledge of us, as of the first disciples, that we have been with Jesus. This will impart to the worker a power that nothing else can give. Of this power he must not allow himself to be deprived. We must live a twofold life— a life of thought and action, of silent prayer and earnest work.

All who are under the training of God need the quiet hour for communion with their own hearts, with nature, and with God.... We must individually hear Him speaking to the heart. When every other voice is hushed, and in quietness we wait before Him, the silence of the soul makes more distinct the voice of God. He bids us, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46: 10. This is the effectual preparation for all labor for God. Amidst the hurrying throng, and the strain of life’s intense activities, he who is thus refreshed will be surrounded with an atmosphere of light and peace. He will receive a new endowment of both physical and mental strength. His life will breathe out a fragrance, and will reveal a divine power that will reach men’s hearts.

Many, even in their seasons of devotion, fail of receiving the blessing of real communion with God. They are in too great haste. With hurried steps they press through the circle of Christ’s loving presence, pausing perhaps a moment within the sacred precincts, but not waiting for counsel. They have no time to remain with the divine Teacher. With their burdens they return to their work.

These workers can never attain the highest success until they learn the secret of strength. They must give themselves time to think, to pray, to wait upon God for a renewal of physical, mental, and spiritual power. They need the uplifting influence of His Spirit. Receiving this, they will be quickened by fresh life. ~Maranatha, by Ellen G. White.

The Brunswick JustRead Tour {book review and giveaway}

2026-06-04T06:00:00.000-04:00

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.

APRIL 1939

NORCROSS, GEORGIA

Cora Cain leaned forward in the rocking chair, her elbows on her thighs, and looked south. There it was, like clockwork, the Air Line Belle. She watched a ripple form across the surface of her tea, a movement that always preceded the tremor in the windows and the piercing whistle in the air. How far north did the passenger train travel, anyway? To the hills of Kentucky, the skyscrapers of New York City? As it pulled into the station across the street, she considered boarding and finding out for herself.

The Air Line Belle had a knack for arriving each time restlessness overtook her, and somehow its disembarking passengers always convinced Cora to stay.

When she was a child, those passengers were often the flappers. Evading bedtime on the porch of her parents’ hotel, Cora would steal a front- row view to those stepping off the train just across the road. The women walked together arm in arm, giggling, their long strands of pearls swaying with their footsteps as the men followed behind, cigars in their hands and flasks in their pockets. Cora would run back inside The Brunswick and down the hall to her family’s apartment, before poking her head around the corner to spy kitten heels, beaded gold clutches, and bobbed hair tucked under chins. Glamorous Atlantans stayed at Cora’s hotel—a fact that, even as a child, made her swell with pride.

But on this warm April day, the Air Line Belle brought Billie.

As the train ambled out of the station, a small group of passengers was left to find their bearings on the platform. Billie turned toward The Brunswick, locked eyes with Cora, and curved her red lips into a grin. Despite her T- strap pumps and the large textbook clutched to her chest, Billie ran down the steps of the platform, across the gravel road, and onto the hotel porch, collapsing into the chair beside Cora.

“I swear to you, if I have to read one more -ology or -ectomy tome, I will tear my eyes out in front of God and everybody.” Billie dropped the textbook onto the floor, causing the teacup perched on the side table to splash. She pulled the pin from her bun, freeing long chestnut waves that covered her shoulders. And finally, she rested her arms on the chair with a sigh.

So much of this scene was familiar. Cora’s short afternoon break on the porch, Billie’s flair for the dramatic. But secretly, Cora’s heart ached at the obvious difference. Cora was stuck at The Brunswick while Billie took the train south each day to nursing school, her career on the horizon.

“I might board that train tomorrow,” Cora said, grinning sidelong at her friend. “See where it takes me.”

“So, we’re skipping the niceties normal friends bother with at this point, are we?” Billie replied. “No ‘How was your day, Billie? Would you like a cup of tea?’”

“You started it with the tearing- your- eyes- out bit.”

Billie turned sideways, draping her legs across the arm of the chair and tapping her toes on Cora’s thighs. “You can’t leave, my dearest friend. You must stay here forever, taking care of me— the nurse with no eyeballs.”

Cora laughed and took a sip of her tea, lifting her gaze to the imposing town clock across the street. The minute hand tapped the twelve and its hour hand settled heavily on three. Cora grumbled and pushed Billie’s feet to the side. “It’s delivery time.”

“You know I’d love you just the same even if you didn’t work yourself into oblivion.”

Cora scoffed and nodded toward the hotel. “Someone around here has to work. Why don’t you

join me today?”

Billie leaned her head backwards over the chair’s arm. “As much as I’d love to haul turnips around in these shoes, I’m heading home for a nap before I meet up with Anders tonight. You should do the same, Cora. Take it easy this afternoon, just for once.”

“A nap?” Cora stood and walked to the lobby door. “I think I was a toddler last time I had one of those. Why don’t you tell your father I’ll be paying my debts with a nap.” She pulled the front door’s brass handle and pursed her lips into a grin, calling over her shoulder, “Sleep sweetly, little one.”

“Turnip tirelessly!” Cora heard Billie yell back as the door closed behind her. “Thrillingly

Theatrically!” the now- muffled voice continued.

Cora stepped into the empty lobby of The Brunswick, absentmindedly running her hand along the dark wooden chair rail, a habit she developed as a child, when the trim work was just eye level. Then, her hands would trace the hallway through the lobby, past the tearoom, and into what she had always known as her home, the apartment nestled along the back wall of the hotel.

Now, Cora stopped at the ornate wooden desk situated in the middle of the lobby. She looked around at the rich brown- and- gold wallpaper covering the walls—a busy design of filigree and peacocks that always appeared to be in motion when light from the crystal chandeliers reflected off the copper ceiling.

Of course, this was hard to see now that the walls were lined with wooden crates and crude shelving, the peacocks caged behind them. The chandeliers now illuminated boxes of cornmeal, apples, and vinegar.

It had been four years since Cora had turned The Brunswick into a general store, and the juxtaposition was still just as jarring— the gilded Victorian decor against the earthy heaps of vegetables.

The Brunswick • Callie Murray

My Thoughts

It's always fun to be introduced to new authors, and their new works. The Brunswick is Callie Murray's debut novel, and what a powerful introduction. As you know, if you've been reading my blog for long, that one of my favorite time periods is World War II, so I like to read pretty much anything I can get my hands on set in that period. I especially like historical fiction inspired by true events.

In The Brunswick, Murray covers a couple different angles of the war that are not commonly covered: small town Southern USA, and the kindertransport. In this case, Jewish children are transported from German-occupied Austria, to small town America.

The main characters, Thomas and Cora, are compelling, and their relationship is sweet to watch grow. But Thomas is German, and Jewish, which makes his life rather precarious. Yet, he travels to Austria with a friend, to help transport Jewish children to the US to escape the war. Charlotte is one of those children, and her POV is also included in the gripping story.

If you enjoy historical Christian fiction with a touch of romance, and you enjoy WW II novels, this is a must read. I recommend adding it to your TBR list.

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

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!

This post contains affiliate link.

Wordless Wednesday, June 3, 2026

2026-06-03T08:00:00.000-04:00

Photos copyrighted by Wendy Andrus Ross

The Courting of Miss Cady CelebrateLit Tour {book review and giveaway}

2026-06-03T06:00:00.000-04:00

About the Book

Book: The Courting of Miss Cady (Aprons & Veils Book Five)

Author: Grace Hitchcock

Genre: Historical Romance

Release Date: October 24, 2025

He’s the man of her dreams—she just doesn’t know it yet.

New York socialite Jane Cady is the envy of the season, and the supposed love of Graham Bank’s life, until news arrives that her father’s last merchant ship has sunk, costing them everything. To avoid scandal, the family disappears to manage a hotel in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Determined to support her family, Jane sets aside her dream of marriage and joins her father in working for the Harvey House, as a waitress. But when her former fiancé strolls into the Castañeda Hotel, the weight of her sacrifice becomes all too real.

Rancher Wade Sterling is well acquainted with hard work and that Miss Jane is one of the hardest working Harvey Girls he’s ever met, besides his sister-in-law. When Jane faints on duty, Wade catches her and upon her awakening in his arms, her passionate kiss nearly knocks him off his feet. She begs him to play along and before he knows it, she tells some dandy that they are happily courting. Jane later begs Wade’s forgiveness, explaining it was an emergency as the man was her former fiancé and their relationship ended poorly. But, when the dandy stays in town, Wade finds himself in a fake courtship and in love with the woman of his dreams. He only needs to convince Jane that he is the man of hers.

The Courting of Miss Cady is a fake dating/forced proximity romance with all the sigh-worthy swoon, but no spice!

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Grace Hitchcock is the award-winning author of multiple historical novels and novellas, including the American Royalty, Best Laid Plans, and Aprons & Veils series. She holds a Master’s in Creative Writing and a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in History. Grace lives in South Louisiana with her husband, Dakota, sons, and daughter in a farmhouse that is always filled with the sounds of sweet little footsteps running at full speed. When not writing, chasing her toddlers, or tending to her chickens and golden and labrador retrievers, she’s baking something delightful and can usually be found with a book clutched in her fist.

My Thoughts

The Courting of Miss Cady is the fifth book of the "Aprons and Veils" series, and the first book I have read by Grace Hitchcock. I certainly look forward to reading more of her works.

Even though The Courting of Miss Cady is part of a series, it is a stand alone, and makes me eager to read the rest of the series.

I really feel for Jane Cady, who is dumped on her high society wedding day, because of some poor financial decisions her father made. Then he forces his family to move way out West.

On their first day in the new town, Jane is rescued from harm by a handsome cowboy. And he keeps showing up for her throughout the rest of the story. Such a fun, entertaining read.

If you enjoy sweet, Christian romance set in the Old West, be sure to add this one to your TBR list.

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

More from Grace

Q&A with GRACE HITCHCOCK

Tell us about your new book, The Courting of Miss Cady, in the Aprons & Veils series.

Grace: Thank you so much for having me here today! Book five of my Aprons & Veils series, The Courting of Miss Cady, is a fake-dating insta love romance featuring a jilted knickerbocker turned Harvey Girl! The last thing my heroine, Jane Cady, expects is to fake court a rugged rancher to save face. But as sparks fly and secrets resurface, her love might not be pretend after all!

This book is dear to my heart. I first wrote The Courting of Miss Cady in 2016 after I signed with my agent, Tamela Hancock Murray, when I was trying to break into the traditional publishing world and wrote it with only one POV. It wasn’t the novel that got me my first contract, and I eventually shelved it as I turned my attention to the series that did sell, but it has always been in the back of my mind as I wrote this Harvey Girls series and I knew that this book would be perfect for Jane Cady. I did a massive re-write on this story, given my style has changed over the past 9 years since I wrote it (deleting about 65% of the original work) and added the hero’s POV as well. When I got to know the hero, Wade, I knew his was a true love at first sight for Jane. I’ve always wanted to write an Insta Love and it fit perfectly with the characters.

Q: You mention tropes, what is your favorite trope to read? Which of your books have that trope?

Grace: To name a few, I love stories about marriage of convenience, fake dating, mail-order brides, runaway brides, alpha heroes, and enemies to lovers. In my books, I do have some of those tropes, but I adjust them to fit my story.

My Harvey Girl books by tropes:

Runaway Bride: The Finding of Miss Fairfield

Mail-Order Bride: The Pursuit of Miss Parish

Friends to Lovers/ Fake Dating: The Enchanting of Miss Elliot

Enemies-to-lovers/ Forced Proximity: The Vanishing of Miss Victoria

Insta Love/ Fake Dating: The Courting of Miss Cady

Q: Talk about your writing process, about how long does it take you, do you do all the research before you start writing?

Grace: I usually write the first draft for 8-10 weeks and edit (drafts 2-6) for 12 weeks! The first draft is my favorite!! All the creativity is flowing, and it is so, so fun to see that word count go up! I try not to write on the weekends, but occasionally when the deadline is getting too close, I will have to pull some long hours on the final weekends to get it completed.

With that said, I am writing away on a new super-secret series and have the first drafts of the first three books completed, which nevvver happens in my writing process. I like to finish each book before moving onto the next, but this new series is going to take more weaving of storylines so I needed to make sure I got to know the main characters across the series before editing book 1. A very different approach for me this time around, but it is working!

For the research part, I always start with research, highlight some wonderful “newly discovered” facts that sing to me, and use that as a pivotal part of my plot. Then, while I edit, I research as well to make sure that I don’t miss any historical details.

Q: In case the readers have not read your series yet, tell us who were the Harvey Girls.

Grace: Whenever I tell people I am writing about a Western Harvey Girl Romance, they usually assume the Harvey Girls are associated with an old-time saloon, but nothing could be further from the truth. In the 1890s, there were not many respectable jobs for women, so when Englishman Fred Harvey created his chain of fine dining restaurants along the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe railroads, single women without an education, or in need of earning their own way, were given a chance to earn an honest wage without the speculation that they offered anything else but food as a service. With Mr. Harvey’s strict rules about the waitress’s code of conduct, the women were given their independence while still maintaining their good name and place in society under the protective, fatherly arm of Fred Harvey. These extraordinary, brave women became known as the Harvey Girls, the ladies who tamed the Wild West with fine china, good pie, and exceptional service with complete propriety.

While Harvey Houses were built to serve the needs of the passengers on the rail to encourage tourism in the west, the railroad workers and local townsmen also dined at the restaurant, but usually at the lunch counter. At a time when men filled towns and women were scarce, inevitably, a railroad worker or townsman would express interest in marrying a Harvey Girl. In order to marry, she would need to fulfill her work contract or risk paying a fine of a month of salary. The fine was set in place to ensure that Fred Harvey would have enough workers and that he wouldn’t simply train a girl to have her shipped to a town of bachelors and leave him without a waitress.

As you can probably tell, such a set up sends an author’s head to spinning with all the romance that could come from a woman venturing out on her own in a land filled with cowboys, bandits, ranchers, and bounty hunters. The possibilities for romance are endless! There is so much more I could write about these fascinating ladies and their contributions to society, but I hope you enjoyed this taste of history on the Harvey Girls!

Q: Can you give us a sneak peek at the next book in the series, The Making of Miss Matthews, which is book 6 in the Aprons & Veils series?

Grace: The story follows a Harvey Girl that readers met in Book One! Dolly Matthews was originally a stinker, but I gave her a good character arc through the series and readers have been asking for her story. This will certainly explain the extraordinary why behind Dolly’s choices in earlier novels in the series and I am soooo excited to share her story that has a shocking twist that readers won’t see coming!

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, June 3

Life on Chickadee Lane, June 3

Connie’s History Classroom , June 4

Devoted To Hope, June 5

Texas Book-aholic, June 6

Labor Not in Vain, June 7

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 8

For Him and My Family, June 9

Book Looks by Lisa, June 10

She Lives to Read, June 10

Melissa’s Bookshelf, June 11

Holly’s Book Corner, June 12

Vicky Sluiter, June 13

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 13

EmpowerMoms, June 14

Books You Can Feel Good About, June 15

Mary Hake, June 15

Sydney Schmied Books, June 16

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Grace is giving away the grand prize of a $75 (+ Free Shipping) shopping spree on Grace’s Indie Bookstore!!

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

https://gleam.io/T9RHS/the-courting-of-miss-cady-celebration-tour-giveaway

Not Precisely Mr. Knightley CelebrateLit Tour {book review and giveaway}

2026-05-31T06:00:00.000-04:00

About the Book

Book: Not Precisely Mr. Knightley (The Silver Teapot Series Book Two)

Author: Carolyn Miller

Genre: Romance/Contemporary/Christian Fiction

Release Date: May, 2026

Can the Matchmaker Find True Love?

Emma-Jane (EJ) Bennett and Jordan Knight are longtime best friends who codesigned the immensely successful dating app, Dream Match. Success starts to go to EJ’s head when she gets caught up in the famous and money-hungry social circles and starts dating the son of a TV mogul. But Jordan’s feelings have grown from friendship to more. He determines to protect her by exposing Eric Churchill for the two-timer he is, finally agreeing to attend a function with her at the Sydney Opera House. But his best intentions go awry when EJ is embarrassed and runs for the security of home, small-town roots, and The Silver Teapot Café, feeling like Jane Austen’s chastised Emma—only without her Mr. Knightley.

Don’t miss book 1 in The Silver Teapot series, Not Exactly Mr. Darcy

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Carolyn Miller is an inspirational Regency and contemporary romance author who lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. Together with her husband, she has pastored a church for ten years and worked as a public high school English and Learning and Support teacher.

A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s Regency era, Carolyn holds a BA in English Literature and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives.

My Thoughts

Not Precisely Mr. Knightley is the second book of "The Silver Teapot" series. What a fun read! Especially if you're a fan of Jane Austen-ish stories. It is loosely based on Emma, by Jane Austen, a self-proclaimed matchmaker.

EJ and her lifelong friend, Jordan, designed a Christian dating app. Throughout the story EJ seems focused on finding financial investors, and seems caught up in trying to fit in with some of social elite. Jordan is much more cautious, and tries his best to slow EJ down in her headlong rush in her attempts to fit in with the higher class.

My main attraction to the story is it's setting, which is Sydney, Australia, and nearby areas.

If you enjoy clean, contemporary rom-coms, with an Austen twist, you'll want to add this to your TBR list.

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

More from Carolyn

Do you know someone who has found love online?

I do. I have numbers of friends and even a family member who have found love and married thanks to dating apps and the like. This newer form of meeting people is something I’ve referenced in several of my books (including Only You Can Love Me), as several of my characters have used an app called Dream Match, a romance matchmaking app for Christian singles around the world. But when I first mentioned Dream Match years ago I didn’t realise at the time that I’d end up writing a story about how the inventor of Dream Match would finally meet her match.

And it seemed perfect to me that Jane Austen’s Emma Woodhouse, known for her matchmaking skills, should be reflected in a modern day context as being the ultimate matchmaker, EJ Bennett, who is responsible for helping hundreds of people find love online. Even if she doesn’t think she needs or wants love for herself.

Playing with Jane Austen’s characters and putting them in a modern setting is a lot of fun. So not only does Emma Woodhouse become EJ Bennett, but George Knightley becomes EJ’s best friend and app co-designer Jordan Knight, the straight shooter she needs. And Frank Churchill, the man Emma starts to fall for, becomes Eric Churchill, son of a TV mogul squillionaire.

The first book in The Silver Teapot series, Not Exactly Mr. Darcy, also played around with some of Austen’s settings, placing the story in a small town in Australia called Wattle Vale. I had fun further developing the Australian connections by setting other key scenes in iconic places like the Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach, which naturally meant I had to visit for “research.”

So I hope readers enjoy this little taste of Australia, and all the fun references to Jane Austen’s Emma. Be sure to check out my website and follow me on social media for more Jane Austen inspiration and fun, and get ready to enjoy Not Precisely Mr. Knightley, a sweet and swoony best friends-to-more romance that shows the path to true love is never smooth – even for the professional matchmaker.

Happy reading!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 28

Book Looks by Lisa, May 28

The Sacred Line, May 29

All-of-a-kind Mom, May 29

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 30

Pause for Tales, May 30

Life on Chickadee Lane, May 31

Stories By Gina, June 1 (Author Interview)

To Everything There Is A Season , June 1

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 2

Texas Book-aholic, June 3

For Him and My Family, June 4

Lyssa Loves Books, June 5

Wishful Endings, June 5

Fruitfully Planted, June 6

Happily Managing a Household of Boys , June 6

Cover Lover Book Review, June 7

Mrs. Ryan Moser’s Book and Movie Reviews, June 7

Melissa’s Bookshelf , June 8

Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 8

Blossoms and Blessings, June 9

Holly’s Book Corner, June 10

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Carolyn 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/doE7D/not-precisely-mr-knightley-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Character Heaven Approves {a devotional}

2026-05-30T03:00:00.016-04:00

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4: 12.

Jesus, the Majesty of heaven, has left an example for the youth. He toiled in the workshop at Nazareth for His daily bread. He was subject to His parents, and sought not to control His own time or to follow His own will. By a life of easy indulgence a youth can never attain to real excellence as a man or as a Christian. God does not promise us ease, honor, or wealth in His service; but He assures us that all needed blessings will be ours, “with persecutions,” and in the world to come “life everlasting.” Nothing less than entire consecration to His service will Christ accept. This is the lesson which every one of us must learn....

We have marked illustrations of the sustaining power of firm, religious principle.... The gaping lions’ den could not keep Daniel from his daily prayers, nor could the fiery furnace induce Shadrach and his companions to fall down before the idol which Nebuchadnezzar set up. Young men who have firm principles will eschew pleasure, defy pain, and brave even the lions’ den and the heated fiery furnace rather than be found untrue to God. Mark the character of Joseph. Virtue was severely tested, but its triumph was complete. At every point the noble youth endured the test. The same lofty, unbending principle appeared at every trial. The Lord was with him, and His word was law.

Those who study the Bible, counsel with God, and rely upon Christ will be enabled to act wisely at all times and under all circumstances. Good principles will be illustrated in actual life. Only let the truth for this time be cordially received and become the basis of character, and it will produce steadfastness of purpose, which the allurements of pleasure, the fickleness of custom, the contempt of the world-loving, and the heart’s own clamors for self-indulgence are powerless to influence. Conscience must be first enlightened, the will must be brought into subjection. The love of truth and righteousness must reign in the soul, and a character will appear which heaven can approve. ~Maranatha, by Ellen G. White.

Home No Matter Where JustRead Tour {book review and giveaway}

2026-05-28T06:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Home No Matter Where by Nancy Naigle, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Home No Matter Where
Series: A Shell Collector Novel #3
Author: Nancy Naigle
Publisher: WaterBrook Press (Penguin Random House)
Release Date: May 5, 2026
Genre: Contemporary Sweet Romance/Women's Fiction

Three generations of women confront their pasts and discover it's never too late for new beginnings in this heartwarming novel of second chances and unconditional love—from the bestselling author of The Shell Collector.

“In Home No Matter Where we travel to beautiful Whelk’s Island, where a close-knit community puts us right at home. Along the way we meet compelling characters caught in realistic storms and learn faith-filled lessons about weathering them.” —Denise Hunter, bestselling author of More Than Friends

Nina is at her wit’s end with her teenage daughter, Kendra. Still dealing with her own wounds of divorce, Nina hopes a change of scenery will help. She and Kendra head to the serene coastal town of Whelk’s Island to spend a restorative summer with Nina’s mother, Rosemary—bringing three generations under one roof for the first time in years. Amid the island’s charm, old wounds begin to heal, and as new friendships bloom—especially with the steady and enigmatic Fisher—light begins to break through the cracks of Nina’s tightly controlled life.

Kendra’s reckless behavior continues but Fisher’s intervention during a critical moment for Kendra sparks a sense of hope in Nina that she thought was lost. Still, change is never easy.

As the women navigate the tides of forgiveness, growing up, and letting go, healing begins and new love brings surprises. While Whelk’s Island may not hold all the answers, it has a way of reminding people that moving forward doesn’t follow a set path—it requires the bravery to start anew.

More in This Series

Download a free short story about Tug & Rosemary's Valentine date here!

Excerpt One

Finally, the highway signs listed Whelk’s Island among the beach destinations. The road narrowed as they approached the three-mile Wright Memorial Bridge, the only road into Whelk’s Island from the north. The waters of the sound shifted between blue and gray, catching the sunlight in a dance of fleeting glimmers.

The salt air drifted in through her open window, mingling with the faint scent of coconut from the hand lotion Kendra had spilled in the console weeks ago.

Her daughter slouched, earbuds in, eyes fixed on the endless scroll of her phone. Nina’s heart ached, the weight of these past three years pressing hard against her chest. The drawn-out divorce and the loss of Nina’s father had really taken a toll on both of them.

“You okay over there?” Nina asked softly, hoping for something more than a shrug.

Kendra didn’t look up. “Fine.”

That word had become Kendra’s shield. Nina reached over, squeezing her hand. “We’re almost there, sweetheart.”

Whelk’s Island felt like a promise. In Nina’s mind, this bridge was the path passing from one world into another, leaving the chaos behind.

She slowed the car as they crossed onto Whelk’s Island. The narrow road wound past a bait shop with a carved-wood pelican out front, an ice cream stand already gearing up for the summer rush, and expanses of scrubby dunes that felt more foreign than familiar. There was no nostalgia here—just a quiet hope that maybe this place, her mother’s new home, could offer the fresh start they both so desperately needed.

“Look at that big old oak,” Nina said, nodding toward a gnarled tree with branches stretched wide. “Your grandma was telling me that it’s one of the oldest trees on the island.”

Kendra barely glanced at the tree. “Its branches are all twisted up funny, like a dancer’s arms.” She lifted her own arms, striking a wobbly ballerina pose, tongue stuck out like some

kind of wild little creature. “Looks kinda creepy, if you ask me.”

Nina bit back a sigh, searching past the attitude to find the sweet girl she knew was still

in there somewhere. She gave her daughter an encouraging grin, holding tight to hope. “Looks

like it’s trying to give the whole road a big ol’ hug to me.”

“If you say so,” she mumbled, her voice as flat as a pancake.

But Nina wasn’t ready to give up—not on the mood, not on this trip, not on her daughter.

“I do. And I’m hoping that’s how we’re going to feel this summer. Like we’re right where we’re meant to be.”

Excerpt Two

Later that night, the house was quiet. Too quiet. Uneasiness ran up Nina’s spine. She went to Kendra’s bedroom door, turned the knob, and peeked in. The room was empty.

Her stomach dropped. She raced from room to room, but there was no sign of Kendra.

The back door was unlocked, but she wasn’t on the deck either. Panic surged through Nina. No, no, no!

As she grabbed her keys, her first thought was to text Fisher for help, but that wasn’t right. This wasn’t his mess to handle, and she hated to ruin Mom’s time with Tug if it wasn’t anemergency. Or is it? Nina ran outside, calling Kendra’s name. The salty wind whipped around her like a heavy coat, and the darkness pressed in close.

What are you thinking, Kendra?

As Nina raced for her car, she noticed the bicycle still leaning against the carport wall.

Please be nearby.

When she looked over to the beach, she saw Kendra standing knee-deep in the surf, her arms wrapped around herself, gazing out at the waves.

Relief battled anger inside Nina. She leaned over to catch her breath and regain her composure. Once her heart slowed down, she walked over to her daughter. “What are you doing?” Her voice came out sharp with fear. “Do you have any idea how dangerous this is?”

“Who cares?” Kendra turned to Nina, her face set in a defiant glare.

“I do.” She held Kendra’s hollow gaze. “Your grandmother does.”

“I needed air.”

“That’s not how this works,” Nina shot back. “You don’t just sneak out after dark.” She fought back tears, afraid to let Kendra see her weaken. “What is going on in that head of yours?”

Kendra’s lip trembled, but she lifted her chin. “If you keep being mean to Dad, he’ll never come back for us.”

It was like a dagger to her heart to be reminded that her divorce was the tipping point of her daughter’s distress. Nina stepped closer, placing a calming hand on Kendra’s arm. “He’s remarried, Kendra. Your dad has moved on. We have to as well.”

“You’re so busy making eyes at Fisher that you don’t even notice me.”

Nina’s breath caught. “That is not true. You are always first in my heart. He’s a friend of our family. I thought you liked him.”

Kendra’s eyes flashed. “It’s me or him, Mom. Pick.”

Excerpt Three

Later, when the stars had started to peek through the sky, Nina stepped onto the deck for some air.

Fisher followed her outside. “You looked worried.”

Nina smirked. “That obvious?”

“I’ve got good instincts.”

She exhaled, watching the moonlight dance over the waves. “I used to know how to do this,” she said, motioning toward the water. “But somewhere between leaving Hawaii to go to college, divorce papers, and PTA meetings, I forgot how to just . . . be.”

He offered a playful grin. “No one forgets how to relax. Here, follow my lead. First, look at the stars.” He paused. “Good. Now close your eyes and let the sound of the ocean nudge all the worries aside.”

She did as he said, and it was actually sort of working.

Fisher placed his hand on her shoulder and gave it a soft squeeze. “That’s better. See. Nothing to it.”

She opened her eyes. “I wouldn’t say ‘nothing.’ My brain is still firing off random ideas and to-dos.”

“Hmm. Thinking still, huh?” He eyed her cautiously. “Walk with me?”

She hesitated but then placed her hand in his. “Okay.”

He squeezed her hand gently as they took the back stairs to the beach.

Fisher walked alongside her, barefoot in the sand, the ocean breeze tugging at the edges of his loose button-down. He moved like the water itself, fluid and unhurried, as if he never fought against the current but always knew how to ride it.

They walked without a word for a bit, until Fisher finally spoke. “You don’t have to have all the answers, Nina,” he said. “Just roll…like the tide.”

My thoughts

Home No Matter Where is book 3 in the "Shell Collector" series, and the first book by Nancy Naigle I have read. Although it works as a stand alone, I think it would be good to read the first two in the series for more background information of some of the other characters in this story.

I like this story of three generations of women as they wade through some of life's struggles: Nina's recovering from a nasty divorce; her teenage daughter's struggle from that divorce, as well as just being a teenager; and Nina's mother who does her best to help them both, while preparing for a wedding of her own.

I wish there was less of their trying to "figure it all out" on their own, and more of asking God to help them figure everything out. I did enjoy all the beachy vibes, which is what attracted me to the story from the beginning.

If you enjoy contemporary women's fiction, with a touch of romance, a very light dose of faith, and definite beachy vibes, this would be a great addition to your summer TBR list.

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

About the Author

ECPA and USA Today bestselling author Nancy Naigle crafts small-town love stories full of heart. She began her contemporary romance series, Adams Grove, while juggling a successful career in finance and life on a seventy-six-acre goat farm. Now happily retired, she devotes her time to writing, antiquing, cooking, and the occasional spa day with friends. Several of Nancy’s novels have been adapted to the television screen, airing on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. Her novel The Shell Collector was adapted into the first Fox Nation original movie. A native of Virginia Beach, Nancy now calls Franklin, Virginia, home.

Connect with Nancy by visiting nancynaigle.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates. While you're there, spin the wheel and see what your special shell message is!

Tour Giveaway

(1) grand prize winner will receive a Shell Collector Summer Escape Box which includes a Nancy Naigle book tote bag, a shell set + message, coastal candle, beachy bookmark set, lighthouse charm, signed bookplate and a little surprise swag plus copies of Sand Dollar Cove and Dear Santa!

(3) other winners will each receive a Shell Gift Set of a handprinted shell with a message, beautifully printed message card, small drawstring bag, signed bookplate and a bookmark!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 26, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 2, 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!

This post contains affiliate link.

Chase the Light CelebrateLit Tour {book review and giveaway}

2026-05-27T06:00:00.032-04:00

About the Book

Book: Chase the Light (National Parks Summers Book 2. It can be read as a stand alone.)

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

Genre: Contemporary

Release Date: May 5, 2026

When Acadia National Park ranger Scout Johnson discovers a weathered note near a remote lighthouse, she never imagines it will expose a century-old mystery. The cryptic message points to a forgotten shipwreck, a vanished treasure, and a lighthouse keeper’s suspicious death. Seeking answers, Scout enlists Naki Dana, a thoughtful man whose Penobscot heritage provides crucial insights. As they venture deeper into Acadia’s rugged wilderness, their unlikely partnership begins stirring feelings Scout didn’t expect to find. But they aren’t the only ones searching.

Chase Fletcher, a charming local journalist, sees this treasure hunt as his last opportunity to save his failing paper–and finds himself increasingly drawn to the ranger leading the search. With pressure mounting and loyalties tested, Scout must navigate a winding path between history and justice, truth and betrayal . . . and determine who–and what–deserves her trust.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Suzanne Woods Fisher is a bestselling author, Christy finalist, Carol and Selah winner, and two-time ECPA Book of the Year finalist, with over forty books to her name. She writes contemporary, historical and Amish novels. Suzanne lives in California with her husband, where life (and friends) inspire her stories.

My Thoughts

National Parks, lighthouses and lighthouse keepers, treasure hunts, and a touch of romance. Chase the Light has all of this, and more.

Suzanne Woods Fisher has long been among my favorite authors, so it was a pleasure to read Chase the Light, which is the second book in her "National Parks Summers" series. I haven't read the first of the series, but each seems to be a stand alone story.

The characters are well developed and complex, as are the relationships. I especially enjoyed Naki Dana, of the Penobscot tribe: quiet, insightful, steady. His and Scout's relationship was sweet to watch grow.

If you enjoy contemporary fiction with a touch of romance and a dose of faith, I recommend this for your TBR list.

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

More from Suzanne

If a trip to Acadia National Park isn’t already on your bucket list, it should be—and when you go, don’t miss warm popovers on the lawn at the iconic Jordan Pond House.

The Unofficial-but-Close-Enough Jordan Pond Popover Recipe*

Back in 1895, Nellie and Thomas McIntire bought a Maine farmhouse overlooking the clear waters of Jordan Pond. On their wide green lawn, they served tea and towering popovers to well-to-do summer travelers. In 1928, J. D. Rockefeller purchased the land and later donated it to Acadia National Park. The lawn remains. The view remains. And the popovers? Still iconic.

While the original recipe is famously guarded, this version comes deliciously close.

Makes 6–8 large popovers.

What You’ll Need

4 large eggs
2 cups whole milk
2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
½ teaspoon kosher salt
Pinch of baking soda
2 tablespoons melted butter

Let’s Make Them

Start with a hot oven (and a hot pan).
Preheat your oven to 425°–450°F. Place your popover pan (or a muffin tin) in the oven while it heats.
Whisk the batter.
Beat the eggs for about 2–3 minutes until slightly frothy. Slowly pour in the milk, then add the flour, salt, and baking soda. Mix just until combined. The batter should be smooth but not overworked.
Fill the cups.
Carefully remove the hot pan from the oven and grease it generously with butter or spray. Pour the batter into each cup, filling them about halfway to three-quarters full.
Bake.
Bake at 425°–450°F for 15 minutes. Then, without opening the oven door, reduce the temperature to 350°F and bake another 15–20 minutes. The high heat creates the lift; the lower heat helps them set inside.
Resist the urge to peek.
Do not open the oven door while they bake. The steam inside is what makes them puff and keeps them tall.

Serve immediately with plenty of butter and strawberry jam.

A Few Tips for Sky-High Popovers

Room temperature matters. Cold eggs or milk will slow the rise. Let them sit out a bit before mixing.
Heat is your friend. A properly preheated pan jump-starts the puff.
No peeking. Steam is everything here. Let the oven do its work.

*Recipe adapted from Weston Table.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 16

Lyssa Loves Books, May 16

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 17

Texas Book-aholic, May 18

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, May 19

The Avid Reader, May 19

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 20

Lakesidelivingsite, May 20

For Him and My Family, May 21

Holly’s Book Corner, May 21

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 22

EmpowerMoms, May 23

Pause for Tales, May 23

Blogging With Carol, May 24

Lily’s Corner, May 25

Devoted To Hope, May 25

She Lives to Read, May 26

Life on Chickadee Lane, May 27

Cover Lover Book Review, May 27

Simple Harvest Reads, May 28 (Guest Review from Donna)

Lights in a Dark World, May 28

Wishful Endings, May 29

Mary Hake, May 29

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Suzanne 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/f01pi/chase-the-light-celebration-tour-giveaway

Climbing Peter's Ladder {a devotional}

2026-05-23T03:00:00.014-04:00

Beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 2 Peter 1: 5-7.

Point the youth to Peter’s ladder of eight rounds, and place their feet, not on the highest round, but on the lowest, and with earnest solicitation urge them to climb to the very top.

Christ ... is the ladder. The base is planted firmly on the earth in His humanity; the topmost round reaches to the throne of God in His divinity. The humanity of Christ embraces fallen humanity, while His divinity lays hold upon the throne of God. We are saved by climbing round after round of the ladder, looking to Christ, clinging to Christ, mounting step by step to the height of Christ, so that He is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption. Faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity are the rounds of this ladder. All these graces are to be manifested in the Christian character; and “if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

You are not to think that you must wait until you have perfected one grace before cultivating another. No; they are to grow up together...; every day that you live, you can be perfecting the blessed attributes fully revealed in the character of Christ....

Do not become overwhelmed with the great amount of work you must do in your lifetime, for you are not required to do it all at once. Let every power of your being go to each day’s work, improve each precious opportunity, appreciate the helps that God gives you, and make advancement up the ladder of progress step by step. Remember that you are to live but one day at a time, that God has given you one day, and heavenly records will show how you have valued its privileges and opportunities. May you so improve every day given you of God, that at last you may hear the Master say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” ~Maranatha, by Ellen G. White..

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!

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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!

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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.

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