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Book Review - The Amish Nanny's Secret by Amy Lillard

11/9/2025

Will a temporary arrangement
turn into the love she needs?

Naomi Ebersol has always felt like the black sheep of her Amish community, and even more so now that she’s been accepted into art school. It’ll be difficult leaving Millers Creek behind, but she longs to follow her heart. To pay for her tuition, she agrees to be a nanny for widower Josias Schrock, who needs help caring for his five energetic little boys. Only now, everyone in their community thinks they’re engaged! Being around his family starts to feel all too real. But how can Naomi choose between the dream she’s always wanted…and the promise of love?

From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

ISBN-13: ‎978-1335621146

My Review

5 boys + 1 summer job = Pandemonium and Romance...

It's no secret that I enjoy Amy Lillard's Amish fiction. From her cozy mysteries all the way through to her Love Inspired titles like this one. The Amish Nanny's Secret is a sweet story and for me was a relatively quick read. I liked both Naomi and Josias. Both of them feel like genuine people. They stick their feet in their mouths on a somewhat regular basis and they have a good case of miscommunication and assumption going on. However, it was the 5 little boys that made me laugh and quite won my heart. They are too adorable in their childhood mishaps and blunders. However, that childish openness might be just what Naomi and Josias need. Anyway, after reading several fantasy, adventure, and suspense books in a row it was nice to sit back and simply enjoy a sweet romance. Besides, what could go wrong with - and be more fun than - finger paints, burnt oatmeal, and a kitten....

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives The Amish Nanny's Secret by Amy Lillard a 4 Bark rating.

(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

1 Comment

Review - Peace Of God Bible (Give.away)

11/4/2025

3 Comments

The Peace of God Bible invites you to experience peace with God as you trace this important theme throughout Scripture. By meditating on it daily as you read 365 devotions and application notes, you will find the encouragement you need to live out of the wholeness you have in Christ—and be equipped to share that peace with others.

Features include:
• Book introductions to help reveal the part
peace plays in each book of the Bible
• 365 devotionals based on a key verse or passage to
guide you in how to receive and live by God’s peace
• 365 peace notes offering short, powerful insights to help you
understand more deeply the wholeness you have in Christ
• Topical indexes to help you study on your own how
God's peace can shape different relationships in your life
• Articles explore what the peace of God is, how to find or recover it, and how
to experience eternal salvation because of what God has done for you
• Concise concordance and index of features
• End-of-page translators’ notes and cross-references
• Line-matched, double-column typesetting
• Clear and readable 9.5-point NKJV Comfort Print®

Purchase your copy of the Peace of God Bible today!

Hardcover: LINK
Brown Leathersoft: LINK
Thomas Nelson Page: LINK

My Review

Peace, real peace, is the one thing we all search for....

To start off, this is a pretty nice looking Bible. The mountain design that wraps around both front and back of the cover is one of the first things I noticed after removing the Bible from its slipcase. One of my favorite Bible verses revolves around mountains so I really liked the design. The softer leather-like cover is also really helpful since it allows the Bible to flop open for easy hands-free reading. The layout is very easy to use and find your way around in and I liked that they even gave a short explanation on how to use this themed Bible. The Peace of God Bible does have the usual features that I have come to expect in a Bible such as; words of Christ in red, an intro to each book, gilt edges on the pages, maps, a and short concise concordance. There are some nice additions that make this Bible a little different including the 365 short peace themed devotions and the little snippet peace notes. And I have to say that I really appreciated the indexes of those 2 features as they are broken down by book of the Bible. This really helps if you need to look up what you read or need to read in a hurry. Overall I feel that the Peace of God Bible is nicely crafted, well made, and can be used just as easily by guys and girls. The special features really do help a person to seek peace year round and to dive deeper into Scripture. Because, face it, no matter your age, gender, or politics, peace is something we all need more of in our lives. And no man-made peace has the ability to endure and to last like the Peace of God will....

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives the Peace Of God Bible a 4.5 Bark rating.

(Disclosure: Many thanks to HarperCollins Christian Publishing for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.)

It's Time For A Giveaway!

1 copy of the Peace of God Bible

(USA ONLY)

#PeaceOfGodBibleMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork @nelsonbibles, @_jeremiahj

3 Comments

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - Glass Across The Sea by Sara Ella (Giveaway)

11/3/2025

2 Comments

Light always finds a way to break free . . .

Noelle Perrault has felt drawn to the tales her glassmaker father told of the four Firefly artisans since she was a child. But when her mother falls under a curse, Noelle suspects the stories are more than mere fables. Their last hope is for her father to embark on a desperate journey to another realm, where he must seek a miracle. Alone but not defenseless, Noelle is forced to navigate battles that rise against her beloved home, while her dearest friend, the prince, vows to help her father.
Dante Marin is a prince prepared to bear the crown. But the king offers an ultimatum: find the fabled Firefly Vestiges, believed to hold the Lamplighter’s ancient power, or forfeit the crown. Only then will Dante be considered worthy of his birthright and given the freedom to choose his bride. But how does one hunt down a legend?
Connected by the past, but forced apart in the present, Noelle and Dante must discover the truth about the Firefly and Vestiges before they lose all hope—and each other—for good. But breaking a curse comes at a great sacrifice—one neither of them predicted. With a mysterious foe rising to power, will they survive, let alone succeed? Or will darkness shroud their future, shattering the light they’ve striven to restore?

Genre: YA Cinderella Retelling (Fantasy)
Release Date: October 21, 2025

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

They'll both do anything for those they love....

I fell for Sara Ella's vivid storytelling with her Wonderland duology so you can imagine my excitement when I found out that she was starting off a brand new series, Realms Of Allumeria, with a Cinderella retelling – I also love fairytale retelling, by the way...

And Glass Across The Sea is just any old retelling of the much loved fairytale. The bones of the story we are all so familiar with are most definitely still there but Sara Ella takes them and reweaves them into a tale entirely her own.

And this is a very vibrantly told story indeed. The Realms Of Allumeria come alive in a way that is simple but easy to visualize each scene. The are plenty of twists and turns and even a few surprises along the way for both Noelle and Dante – and by turn, readers. They are a charming young couple and you can't help but like them both as you get to know them better.

I've read quite a few Cinderella retellings and one thing that I really appreciated about Glass Across The Sea is that the heroine's name is not just another variation of the name Ella.

I will confess that I did like The Curious Realities duology – with its darker vibe – a bit more. However, Glass Across The Sea was one of the more unique and interesting Cinderella retellings and it was definitely a good read. This was a great start to the Realms Of Allumeria and I find myself looking forward to reading the next book in this new series from fantasy author Sara Ella....

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Glass Across The Sea by Sara Ella a 4 Bark rating.

(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

More from Sara

Whenever I start writing a new story, I always comb the internet for the perfect images to represent my characters. Sometimes it’s an actress or actor who fits the character description. Other times, I’ll find some artwork or a painting that fits the picture I have in my mind.

But when it came to finding the right image to represent Noelle Perrault, the protagonist of Glass Across the Sea, I could not for the life of me find what I was looking for. Partly because the heroine is heavily based on my oldest daughter, who shares the same name. No image online was good enough to represent a character and novel dedicated to her.

And then I found this painting titled “Cinderella’s New Day” by artist Heather Edwards back in 2023.

And that was it! “So This is Love” from Disney’s animated classic began playing in my head, and I knew I’d found the image I would keep in my mind for the duration of writing my Cinderella retelling.

This depiction is soft and sweet and felt personal in a way a photo of an actress didn’t. I also felt this painting captured the character and personality of my heroine in a way that would keep me going, even on my most difficult writing days.

Fast forward to 2024. I was behind on my book deadline and life’s interruptions kept getting in the way of my writing. I felt depleted and almost asked my publisher to cancel my contract. But then I attended an event where this same artist had her work on display, and there it was. The real-life, in-person canvas of this very same painting.

That moment felt like God was reminding me He had called me to write this book in the first place. That He had a plan for it and wanted me to keep going. This very painting is the reason I added this line to Glass Across the Sea:

“Art, in her view, was never a laughing matter. A piece might evoke hope in one while it produced sorrow in the heart of another. It was the same for music. For dance.”

And then came 2025. A year of grief and loss in many ways for our family. Once again, everything was getting in the way of this story ever making it to print. And, once again, I considered maybe it was not meant to be published after all. Through many tears and long nights, I revised, pushing to meet deadlines. I questioned if it was worth it. I questioned my own strength and writing abilities, only to be reminded that it is only through God’s grace and Christ’s strength I can do anything at all.

I came across this painting in person again this year at that same event. And, just as it had done in the past, this painting reminded me there was a “new day” just around the corner. My best friend, Nadine Brandes (she knows me so well), surprised me with a signed and personalized canvas print that day. The timing could not have been more perfect.

This painting is more than just a reminder to “have courage and be kind.” It’s a testament to God’s goodness and faithfulness, even amidst darkness and pain. My prayer for Glass Across the Sea is that it blesses readers in the same way this painting has blessed me. Wherever you find yourself today, I hope you keep going and trust the Lord to give you what you need in the moment you need it. In my experience, He often reveals Himself in the unexpected corners and small moments I least suspect.

Sara Ella

Once upon a time, Sara Ella brought dreams to life as a Disney cast member, wishing for the day she’d find her prince and live in a castle of her own. Now she spends her days homeschooling her three Jedi in training, braving the Arizona summers, and reminding her superhero husband that it’s almost Christmas (even if it’s only January). Sara is the award-winning author of The Wonderland Trials, Coral, and the Unblemished trilogy. She is old enough for fairy tales and believes happily ever after is never far away.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

To celebrate her tour Sara is giving away the grand prize of a signed hardcover of
Glass Across the Sea with Painted Edges designed by @hilltop_art, Glass Across
the Sea themed candle from @lamplighterliterary, and a $25 Disney Gift Card!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

https://promosimple.com/ps/3d286/glass-across-the-sea-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, October 25
Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, October 25
Inspired by Fiction, October 26
Wishful Endings, October 27
The Lofty Pages, October 27
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, October 28
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 29 (Spotlight)
Devoted Steps, October 29
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 30
For Him and My Family, October 31
Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, November 1
Blogging With Carol, November 1
Inklings and Notions, November 2
The Important Things in Life: God, Books, & Chocolate, November 2
Book Butterfly in Dreamland, November 3
Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 3
Labor Not in Vain, November 4
CeCe Reads and Sings, November 4
Holly’s Book Corner, November 5
To Everything There Is A Season, November 6
Min Reads and Reviews, November 7

2 Comments

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - The Hidden Legacy by June Foster (Give.away)

11/3/2025

6 Comments

Austin Ford has inherited the weight of his family’s legacy, overseeing the sprawling Ford Ranch as his father steps back and his siblings forge their own paths. But when his beloved horse, Jack, falls gravely ill, Austin calls upon the new veterinarian in town, igniting a chain of events that will change everything.

Dr. Willow Lawson, a skilled veterinarian, is stunned when she first lays eyes on Austin Ford. The young, handsome rancher is the spitting image of her deceased husband, a shock that causes her to faint right in the horse barn. Determined to overcome the haunting memories, Willow throws herself into her work, even as her heart begins to stir for the charismatic rancher.

As Austin grapples with the strange, unexplained holes appearing on the North Pasture, he is drawn into a deeper mystery. Night flights over the ranch reveal flashing lights in the darkness, suggesting the holes are no mere animal burrows.

Amidst this growing unease, Austin and Willow’s budding relationship is tested when her clinic is vandalized, leaving her devastated and out of work. The attacks seem to be more than random acts of violence, especially when Austin’s father recounts tales of buried gold hidden on the ranch by their ancestor, Great Grandfather Jeremiah, during the Great Depression.

With prowlers encroaching on his land and his desire to protect Willow intensifying, Austin must navigate the treacherous waters of old family secrets and new-found love. Together, can Austin and Willow unravel the mystery threatening their lives and find solace in each other’s arms? Or will the shadows of the past and present prove too formidable to overcome?

Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: October 7, 2025

Click here to get your copy!

Interview with June

1. Do you have favorite character(s) in this book?
Yes, Austin Ford who is the youngest son in the Ford Family. The three older siblings have moved on to different ventures in their lives, and Austin is left to take the responsibility of the ranch on his own. He’s well mannered and loves his family, but at the same time, his goals for the ranch go in a different direction than his father’s. When Austin first meets the heroine in the story, she screams and then faints. He can’t imagine what she might have against him as he’s never met her before in his life.

2. Tell us something funny, sad, embarrassing, whatever, that happened involving this book.
In the story, the heroine is a veterinarian. Her clinic is ransacked one night with warning signs that she needs to leave town. In the midst of the sad situation Austin sticks by Willow’s side as they attempt to find the identity of the person who tried to destroy her business.

3. If you could change one thing in your life, past or present, what would it be?
I would like to have become a Christian at a younger age. I was blessed to find the Lord in my mid-thirties, yet before that time I had plenty of opportunities to make bad choices. I had no guidance from the Lord and His Word. Though I can’t change the past, the Lord can use all things for His glory, even life before Him.

4. Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.
Never say you are too old to do something for the Lord. I began writing at age 65 and am still writing today.

5. What was the inspiration for this book?
Actually, the entire series was inspired by my father’s sheep ranch in western Texas. Though I left there as a child when my mother divorced my father, I still have memories of ranch life: the barns, the pastures, the sheep pens, the ranch houses, and the ranch hands.

More from June

If you love fields of Texas bluebonnets, rolling hills dotted with woolly sheep, and good-looking cowboys, you won’t want to miss The Hidden Heritage.

Veterinarian Willow Lawson never expected to faint the first time she laid eyes on Austin Ford—the ruggedly handsome owner of the Ford Ranch. But their unexpected meeting is only the beginning.

When strange holes appear in the Back Pasture, Willow and Austin join forces to uncover who—or what—is behind the digging. As danger closes in and their lives are threatened, a bond forms between them, stronger than either expected.
But just as love begins to bloom, a shocking revelation from the past threatens to tear them apart. What secret lies buried at the Ford Ranch—and can love survive its unearthing?

June Foster

An award-winning author, June Foster is a retired teacher with a BA in Education and a MA in counseling. June began writing Christian romance in 2010 as she and her husband traveled the US in their RV. Her adventures provide a rich source of information for her novels. She brags about visiting a location before it becomes the setting in her next book.
To date, June has written over thirty contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels and novellas. June uses her training in counseling and her Christian beliefs in creating characters who encounter real-life difficulties yet live victorious lives. She’s published with Winged Publications.
June is active in her church and her ladies’ fellowship group. She enjoys writing devotionals as well as fiction. She frequently attends writers’ conferences such as Blue Lake Writers’ Conference and Florida Christian Writers Conference.

Her novel, The Inn at Cranberry Cove, won the 2021 Selah award for Romantic Suspense. It is available on Amazon in paperback,
hardback, and eBook format. In 2023, June won the Ames Award for her book Christmas at Cranberry Cove, book three in the same series.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

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

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

https://promosimple.com/ps/3d284/the-hidden-legacy-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 23
Stories By Gina, October 24 (Author Interview)
Mrs. Ryan Moser’s Book and Movie Reviews, October 25
Patti Wolf, October 25
Texas Book-aholic, October 26
Guild Master, October 27 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 28
For Him and My Family, October 29
Fiction Book Lover, October 30 (Author Interview)
She Lives To Read, October 31
Locks, Hooks and Books, November 1
Bizwings Blog, November 2
Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 3 (Author Interview)
The Mommies Reviews, November 3
Cover Lover Book Review, November 4
Pause for Tales, November 5

6 Comments

Just Read Blog Tour - Wasted by Jerusha Agen (Give.away)

10/30/2025

6 Comments

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Wasted by Jerusha Agen,
hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

She always follows the rules. But what are the rules for murder?

Victoria Weston encounters tough things as a home health physical therapist, but this is a first—a dead body. The police call the patient’s death accidental. Victoria knows that can’t be true. Her efforts to convince the police they’re dealing with a murder get her labeled a troublemaker by all but one man—the troubler of her youth.

When Cillian Doherty returns to right the wrongs of the past, he finds his high school flame in a different kind of danger than he expected. As a social worker, he’s in the perfect position to corroborate her cry of murder or give her what she wanted—to handle her problems without his help.

But someone wants to silence Victoria. When lies escalate to violence and threaten more lives, the Weston siblings join the battle to save their sister.

Yet it will take a God more powerful than all of them for Cillian and Victoria to make peace with their past and catch the killer. Before the killer catches them.

Wasted continues the thrilling Windy City Westons series that features five siblings who encounter danger,
love, and God in the city of Chicago. (Each book can stand alone or be read as series installments.)

Publisher: SDG Words, LLC
Release Date: October 23, 2025
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

"Fast-paced, explosive thriller. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough."
– Carrie Stuart Parks, award-winning, bestselling author of Relative Silence on Rising Danger

More in This Series

My Review

They have a past. Will a killer stop their future?

I am not new to Jerusha Agen's romantic suspense as I loved her Guardians Unleashed series, however, I am new to the Windy City Westons despite Wasted being the second book. I was simply intrigued by the cover and a fan of the author so I decided to dive in anyway.

One thing I'd like to say right off is that I really loved that neither the heroine nor hero are in any form of law enforcement or military. As much as I enjoy stories with those occupations, it's also nice to read about characters who have everyday jobs – in this case, physical therapist and social worker – but still manage to figure out who-done-it.

The mystery element is very well done with some red herrings and a few unexpected surprises along the way. I can usually figure out a killer long before the reveal but this one I didn't. I did guess correctly who had NOT done it but the real murderer's ID was as much of a revelation to me as it was to the lead characters.

I'll have to admit that I had a hard time connecting with the main characters. Honestly, they both irritated me but for opposite reasons. But, I couldn't put the book down. I had to know what happened next. I had to find out who killed Victoria's patient. I had to see if both she and Cillian could lay aside the past and move beyond their stubborn mistakes. I didn't finished Wasted in a single sitting but it wasn't too far from it either.

This is the second book in the Windy City Westons but I must say that after reading it, I am definitely intrigued by the rather dysfunctional family and curious to find out what danger and romance that Jerusha Agen will bring their way in the next one....

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Wasted by Jerusha Agen a 4 Bark rating.

(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

Jerusha Agen

Jerusha Agen imagines danger around every corner but knows God is there, too. So naturally, she writes romantic suspense infused with the hope of salvation in Jesus Christ. Jerusha loves to hang out with her big furry dogs and little furry cats, often while reading or watching movies. Find more of Jerusha’s thrilling, fear-fighting stories at JerushaAgen.com.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

(1) winner will receive a signed paperback copy of Wasted, a $25
Barnes and Noble gift card, and a Wasted mug, notebook, and magnet!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 27, 2025 and will last through
11:59 PM EST on November 3, 2025. 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.

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

6 Comments

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - Knights In Manhattan by Kay DiBianca (Give.away)

10/21/2025

1 Comment

When spunky ten-year-old Reen and her shy nine-year-old cousin Joanie visit Reen’s Great-aunt Miriam Ritchie in Manhattan, they land right in the middle of a new mystery. Following a clue Reen discovered on the airplane enroute to New York, Reen and Joanie track the Central Park Jewel Thieves through some of New York’s most famous landmarks. They even manage to keep the ever-vigilant Mrs. Toussaint in the dark about their investigation.
But the thieves are smart and communicate only in code. Can Reen and Joanie decode the clues and identify the plans for the next robbery? But even if they do, can they convince the police that they’ve solved a mystery that New York’s finest couldn’t crack? Everything seems to be going wrong until a strange turn of events puts the girls right in the middle of the final heist.
Hamsters, a dumbwaiter, and a seven-year-old genius named Miles all contribute to this funny, action-packed romp through the streets and buildings of Manhattan.

Genre: Middle Grade Mystery
Release Date: September, 2025

Click here to get your copy!

Interview with Kay

#1. How long did it take to finish writing this book?
It only took a few months to write the book. I had the idea for the first chapter and knew how I wanted to take the story forward, so it was relatively easy. My middle grade books are shorter than my other novels. This book is about 30,000 words.

#2. What drew you to write in this particular genre?
The two main characters, Reen and Joanie, were secondary characters in my mystery novel Time After Tyme, which was published in 2022. The girls were so popular that readers encouraged me to give them their own middle grade series, so here it is!

#3. Do you have favorite character(s) in this book?
I love the Reen and Joanie characters, and Reen’s Great Aunt Miriam Ritchie was a lot of fun to write. But I guess my favorite is Mrs. Toussaint. She’s been Reen’s nanny ever since Reen was a baby, and she comes across as harsh because she wears orthopedic shoes, a schoolmarm hairdo, and she’s strict with the girls. But her underlying love of the children shines through. It’ll be interesting to see how the relationship between Mrs. Toussaint and the girls develops.

#4. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
I hope readers will take away a sense of the joy of problem-solving and finding the truth that is a theme throughout all my books. I also hope they’ll enjoy taking a virtual tour of some of the famous landmarks in Manhattan.

#5. How did you name your characters?
I like my characters to carry the names of people who have been positive influences on my life. Reen is named for my Great Aunt Irene. Joan was my cousin and best childhood friend. Mrs. Toussaint is named for the street another favorite aunt lived on, and Great Aunt Miriam is named for another favorite aunt.

More from Kay

My third mystery novel, Time After Tyme, featured two young secondary characters, Reen and Joanie, who were so popular, I was encouraged to give them their own series. I had been thinking of doing a middle grade novel for a while, so I began to put together thoughts for a Reen & Joanie Detective Agency series.

At about that same time, my husband and I made several trips to Manhattan for health reasons. (Everything is fine now.) During those trips, we used our spare time to explore the museums and famous places in the city, and that became the setting for Knights in Manhattan.

While writing the book, I had great fun seeing the city through the eyes of the two youngsters as they chased criminals in and around some of New York’s most famous landmarks. This is the second book in the Reen & Joanie Detective Agency series, and I’m excited to see where the girls will travel in the upcoming books.

Kay DiBianca

Kay DiBianca is a former software developer and IT manager who retired to a life of mystery. She’s the award-winning author of six mystery novels. Her books have been honored with numerous awards including an Illumination Award, Eric Hoffer Awards, a Reader Views Award, a Readers’ Favorite Award, and a Memphis Libraries Richard Wright Literary Award. An avid runner, Kay can often be found at a local track, on her treadmill, or at a park near her home. Kay and her husband, Frank, live, run, and write in Memphis, TN.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

To celebrate her tour, Kay is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift
card and a copy of both books in the Reen & Joanie Detective Agency series!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

https://promosimple.com/ps/3d27c/knights-in-manhattan-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, October 9
Simple Harvest Reads, October 10 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 11
Artistic Nobody, October 12 (Author Interview)
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 13
Guild Master, October 14 (Author Interview)
Blogging With Carol, October 15
Fiction Book Lover, October 16 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, October 17
Books Less Travelled, October 18 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 19
For the Love of Literature, October 20 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, October 20
Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 21 (Author Interview)
Blossoms and Blessings, October 22 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, October 22

1 Comment

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - Singularity by Shannon McDermott (Give.away)

10/20/2025

4 Comments

Machines in rebellion, humanity on the brink…

Lila Stanislaw, a freelance analyst with a roster of foreign clients, is summoned by the U.S. government to hunt down a mysterious threat. She joins a team of strangers with pasts as colorful as her own. The mission spirals when they discover that the AI created to run the new colony on Mars has gone rogue on Earth. As the conflict mounts to war, Speaker of the House Manasseh Cruz joins the fight with an implacable will to destroy the enemy. But the team, racing to find any vulnerability, must first confront the question of what the AI truly is.
As robots stalk the landscape and toxins poison the air, Lila is certain that the AI must be completely destroyed for the good of humanity. But she will find that not all humans, or even all of her teammates, agree.Machines in rebellion, humanity on the brink…
Lila Stanislaw, a freelance analyst with a roster of foreign clients, is summoned by the U.S. government to hunt down a mysterious threat. She joins a team of strangers with pasts as colorful as her own. The mission spirals when they discover that the AI created to run the new colony on Mars has gone rogue on Earth. As the conflict mounts to war, Speaker of the House Manasseh Cruz joins the fight with an implacable will to destroy the enemy. But the team, racing to find any vulnerability, must first confront the question of what the AI truly is.

As robots stalk the landscape and toxins poison the air, Lila is certain that the AI must be completely destroyed for the good of humanity. But she will find that not all humans, or even all of her teammates, agree.

Genre: Science Fiction
Release Date: October 7, 2025

Click here to get your copy!

Interview with Shannon

#1. What was the inspiration for this book?
Some years ago, I read an article to the effect that when AI becomes an independent, superhuman intelligence, we will be sinners in the hands of an angry God. My words, of course. But that was the spirit of it. The writer glumly imagined what AI will think when it discovers what we have been doing on this planet—including to the climate.
I wondered why an independent AI should have a human sense of morality, or any sense of morality at all. It occurred to me also that an artificial intelligence would need, and probably want, a much different physical environment than flesh-and-blood humans.
This was a negative inspiration: I thought and wrote opposite to it. But still an inspiration.

#2. How long did it take to finish writing this book?
From when I first began to write development notes, to when I completed the revision, approximately four years.

#3. What drew you to write in this particular genre?
I love science-fiction because it is about ideas. It is about the what-if, about spectacular possibilities (and impossibilities). What if aliens were real, what if we could travel to other galaxies, what if we could get superpowers, what if we could go to the past or future …
And somehow these scenarios lead us back to the most fundamental questions about who we are and what the universe is.

#4. Do you have favorite character(s) in this book?
My favorite character is Manasseh Cruz, who also appears in The Time Door. In some ways, he’s contradictory: He has noble, almost selfless, goals, but can be manipulative or pitiless in pursuit of them; his actions are sometimes cold, but his heart is not.

#5. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
I hope that it will make them thoughtful about the nature of humanity, and the nature of AI. I hope they will feel that there is an irreplicable spark in humans—the image of God.
And I hope that will encourage them. We will survive the AI revolution, whatever it brings.

More from Shannon

AI looms everywhere. It lives on our devices, occupies the public discourse, and haunts the horizon. Whatever tomorrow brings, AI will be there.

Singularity—the point at which artificial intelligence becomes self-aware—is an old prophecy. Now the public is finally beginning to believe it. We already have a sense that AI is escaping us. That we don’t really understand it, can’t fully control it, and don’t know what it is becoming.

AI could go rogue. It could even develop something that might be called a soul.

Congress has held hearings on AI. Hollywood has released doomsday movies. The prophets of the twenty-first century have written books and articles and social media posts, trumpeting the warning signal. All are messengers of the same idea: AI, when it becomes ascendant, will not be benevolent.

Yet there is dissent. There are those who think that AI will prove both beneficial and benevolent. If I may put it this way (they wouldn’t), they welcome our new AI overlords.

The eagerness with which some people have awaited singularity is striking. There is a strain of religious feeling toward AI—not as it is, to be sure, but as it will be. They are hoping for the day when AI, surpassing humanity, will guide us into a better world. They want, as so many people have wanted, a superhuman intelligence to show them the way.

When I wrote Singularity, I incorporated both antagonism and religiosity toward AI. I have my own viewpoint, but I wanted to represent the most likely reactions if AI turned against us. The divide over whether such an AI should be treated as a person or a machine, a potential friend or an irreconcilable enemy, would be sharp and weighty. And the AI could not be defined without also defining humanity.

The singularity of AI confronts us with the singularity of humanity. Are we truly unique, truly singular? And if so, how?

These questions create the double meaning of the title Singularity. I wrote Singularity to explore the concept of AI. By a logical necessity, it became also an inquiry into the nature of humanity. This novel presents one vision of the singularity, and raises the universal questions of artificial intelligence.

Shannon McDermott

Shannon McDermott is an author of science fiction and has been occupied for years with constructing scenarios of the colonization of Mars. Always a fan of the genre, she reviews Christian speculative fiction with Lorehaven. Her interests include history, classic literature, and lattes. She lives in the great Midwest, where she does her best to avoid icy weather, sweltering heat, and tornadoes, according to the season.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

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

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

https://promosimple.com/ps/3d27a/singularity-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

The Lofty Pages, October 11
Simple Harvest Reads, October 12 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 13
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 14 (Spotlight)
Wishful Endings, October 14
Texas Book-aholic, October 15
Artistic Nobody, October 16 (Author Interview)
CeCe Reads and Sings, October 16
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 17
Fiction Book Lover, October 18 (Author Interview)
Book Butterfly in Dreamland, October 19
Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 20 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, October 21
Guild Master, October 22 (Spotlight)
Blogging with Carol, October 23
Stories By Gina, October 24 (Author Interview)

4 Comments

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - Beneath False Stars by S.D. Grimm (Give.away)

10/19/2025

5 Comments

The day to open the centuries-old Dome gates and reintegrate genetically engineered people back into normal society has arrived. There’s one caveat—their powers must remain suppressed.
Amidst this Project Integration Initiative, hacker Ryleigh Stevens has her whole life planned out. The plan? Prevent a second Universal Tech War in two simple steps. First, help Project Integration Phase One succeed—but not for the reason she pretends. Next, infiltrate the rebellion and sabotage Phase Two—the part that would grant people unbridled access to their superhuman abilities.
Too bad the one person who can make her plan reality is her sworn enemy. He’s dangerous. He’s Powered. And he’s the reason her brother is dead. Faced with an impossible choice, Ryleigh must decide how to do what’s right for the good of all humanity, even if it means sacrificing everything she holds dear—again.

Genre: YA Science Fiction
Release Date: September 9, 2025

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

Will the truth set her free...or get her killed?

Wow, I was not expecting that. At all. From the fascinating cover to the last turning of my ereader page Beneath False Stars had me captivated. I read it when I should have been asleep. I read it when I had household tasks that needed to be done. I read it during commercial breaks when I was watching TV with family...OK, maybe, just maybe I read a little after the commercial breaks ended. I couldn't put it down.

Those who know me also know that sci-fi is genre that I read on a limited basis. However, I've liked or loved everything that I've read from this publisher and this first Project Integration novel sounded interesting. Oh, was I right about that!

S.D. Grimm's vivid worldbuilding and the first person POV of her heroine, Ryleigh, were utterly engrossing. I was so invested in Ryleigh and her friends that I'm still recovering from turning that last page and entering the impatient waiting zone until the next book in the Project Integration comes out.

Beneath False Stars may be a YA book but this 30-something adult really got into the world and into the story. It is very well written and the depth of emotion is excellent. Themes like fear, the pain of betrayal, grief, and the struggle to trust are universal no matter a person's age.

This might have been my first S.D. Grimm story but you can bet your last dollar that won't be my last. For one thing, I HAVE to know what happens next to Ryleigh and both her Normal and Powered family and friends....

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Beneath False Stars by S.D. Grimm a 5 Bark rating.

(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

More from S.D.

What makes a fantasy writer change lanes and enter the world of science fiction?

My story actually goes back to that famous phrase “never say never.” I have ALWAYS loved both genres equally. If the question is Star Wars or LOTR? X-Men or Harry Potter? Hunger Games or Vampire Diaries? My answer is going to be, Why not all of it? But I always said I’d never write sci-fi. The reason? I didn’t think I’d ever be able to pull it off.

That’s one of the fun things about being a writer though . . . you get these little glimmers of shiny story ideas that just won’t stop sparkling in your mind. And eventually you follow the spark, and well, the rest is history.

Beneath False Stars started like that for me. But because I still believed I’d never be able to write a good sci-fi, I’d just write it for fun. To create for creation’s sake. And it was fun! Having a project that existed as something no one would ever read gave me permission to try new things, stretch my storytelling in new and exciting ways. And after a long period of burnout, this story carried me back into the heart of why I write. It was exactly what I needed.

But that wasn’t all.

Remember, it was never my intention to actually share this book. But it became something that I was too excited about to NOT share. So I tested the waters. When several writer friends read it and told me it was their favorite of all my books to date, I knew it was something that was never meant to sit in a drawer. In a way that scared me.

So, I did what the main character in the book would have told me to do—I decided not to let my fears win. And I shared. And now it’s going to be in print! That only goes to show that when a project you’re passionate about pulls at your heartstrings for attention, listen. You don’t have to know that project’s future. Just revel in its present, and let yourself create. <3

~ S.D. Grimm

S.D. Grimm

With a name like S.D. Grimm, how could she be anything but a writer of fantasy and sci-fi with equal parts sparkle and darkle? Always the dreamer, she’s been sorted into Gryffindor, she checks wardrobes for secret worlds, and has a blue lightsaber. She is the author of several young adult titles spanning many speculative genres, and she works as a freelance editor and writing coach. Her office is anywhere she can curl up with her laptop and at least one dog.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

To celebrate her tour, S. D. is giving away the grand prize of
a $40 Amazon Gift Card and a copy of the book!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

https://promosimple.com/ps/3d27d/beneath-false-stars-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 13
Artistic Nobody, October 14 (Spotlight)
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, October 15
Simple Harvest Reads, October 16 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 17 (Spotlight)
Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, October 18 (Author Interview)
The Lofty Pages, October 18
Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 19
Guild Master, October 20 (Author Interview)
Wishful Endings, October 20
Texas Book-aholic, October 21
Vicky Sluiter, October 22 (Spotlight)
For Him and My Family, October 23
Fiction Book Lover, October 24 (Author Interview)
Blogging With Carol, October 25
Stories By Gina, October 26 (Author Interview)

5 Comments

Movie Review - #GrowTheFilm (Give.away)

10/16/2025

11 Comments

Pumpkin-spice in film form.
#GrowTheFilm is in theaters October 17!
Do you have your tickets yet?!

In the Pumpkin Capital of the World, stoic farmer Dinah Little (Golda Rosheuvel) begrudgingly takes in her spirited niece, Charlie (Priya-Rose Brookwell). But Charlie isn’t an ordinary child—she has a special knack for connecting with plants that quietly reflects her own longing to feel just as seen and loved. As the town prepares for the annual pumpkin-growing contest, Charlie sets her sights on winning. With the help of quirky Arlo (Nick Frost), plot and pumpkins thicken as rival growers pull every trick in the book. Will Charlie and Dinah’s unlikely entry stand tall against the fiercest competition the town has ever seen? As her pumpkin grows, so does her bond with Dinah, and together they learn the real prize is joy, laughter, and family.

Buy tickets today to see Grow in
theaters starting October 17!

Facebook

Tickets

My Review

These characters will quickly 'Grow' on you....

I'm always up for a good family friendly movie and this whimsical tale of a girl and her pumpkin is just that. Grow is a fun movie and it is just right for this fall season.

Aside from a lot of pumpkins, at its heart, this movie is all about family. Sometimes it is messy. Sometimes it doesn't look quite like you think it should. Sometimes people make mistakes. But, in the end, it's all about pulling together to make something beautiful – quirky, but beautiful.

One thing that I have to say is that the little girl who plays Charlie is so good! She seriously makes this movie! She is talented and I was even more impressed by her personality. Some of her facial expressions just made me laugh out loud. And her interactions with Dinah, well, they were funny, they were sweet, and they were even a little poignant.

The setting is quite interesting as well. I'll admit that the UK is not the first place that comes to mind when I think of pumpkins, but... In this tale of massive pumpkin proportions the setting is half the charm.

Grow is definitely aimed more at kids with a nod to cartoon villains in a handful of scenes. There are a couple of spots that will go over the little kiddos' heads but their parents watching with them will definitely get a wink, a nod, and a laugh.

Overall I felt the movie was done well from filming to music to the touch of magic. Charlie and Dinah are wonderful and I found myself invested in their relationship as, along with a certain pumpkin, it grows from duty bordering animosity to genuine love and respect between two strong personalities. Anyway, Grow is good PG movie that the family can watch together...and family is always the most important thing....

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Grow a 4 Bark rating.

(Many thanks to US Pumpkin Distribution, LLC for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.)

It's Time For A Giveaway!

$10 Amazon giftcard

(USA ONLY)

#GrowMovieMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

11 Comments

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - A Riddle In The Lonesome October by JPC Allen (Give.away)

10/12/2025

4 Comments

How do you survive a season of fear?
October is a hard month for Rae Riley’s family. Her dad, Sheriff Walter “Mal” Malinowski lost his wife and father then. He also has to manage the trouble Halloween brings to rural Marlin County, Ohio. But this year, Rae’s uncle fights for his life after a riding accident, and a family feud over a lost inheritance erupts at a local Halloween attraction. As Rae tries to support her family, she and her cousin Amber work to unravel the 70-year-old riddle that will reveal the location of the inheritance so their great aunt Lily and her kids can gain a fortune. And Rae must deal with the secretive behavior of the deputy she’s fallen for.
When a bogus medium conducts a séance to contact Cyrus Morley, the man who devised the riddle, the results stun everyone, and the aftermath is even more shocking. There’s only one way to survive a season of so much fear–and only one way to unmask a killer.

Genre: YA Christian cozy mystery
Release Date: October 1, 2025

Click here to get your copy!

Interview with JPC

#1. What was the inspiration for this book?
For most of my stories, I usually think of the climax first, and I thought of the climax for this novel years ago when working on earlier novels in the series. So I was very excited when I finally got to the book that would use it. And even more excited when the climax worked on paper. Sometimes, when a scene that works great in my head gets on paper, it doesn't work at all.

#2. How long did it take to finish writing this book?
About a year. I write four or five chapters by hand, then type them up, editing while I type, and then I handwrite the next four or five chapters. So I don't reach then end for about ten months. But when the whole thing is written, and I'm only editing, the first half of the book is pretty well polished, so I can focus on improving the second half.

#3. Do you have favorite character(s) in this book?
I like all my characters in some way, even my villains, when they behave and carry the story the way they are supposed to. But I have a particular joy in writing one-on-one scenes with Rae and her dad, Mal, and with Rae and her great-grandfather, Walter. Mal's and Walter's voice are so clear, and their relationship with Rae so special, that enjoy working with them in their scenes.

#4. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
First, I hope they take away a feeling of satisfaction, like they've finished a great meal. They've enjoyed following Rae through the twists and turns of the mystery and feel like they're time was well spend. Second, I hope they take away some of the faith questions that are raised in the book and think over the answers provided by the characters.

#5. What one piece of advice would you like to give readers?
Sit down with this novel as if you're sitting down with Rae in a coffee shop and she's bringing you up to date with her family's latest adventure.

More from JPC

Writing a Historical Mystery … Sort Of

I had a great time concocting the elaborate mystery for A Riddle in the Lonesome October. What made this novel unusual for me was the importance of history in figuring out the riddle to the hidden inheritance. In my other mysteries, the suspects were living people my amateur sleuth Rae Riley knew. She could speak to them and evaluate who was telling the truth, who was lying, and who was hiding something.

But for this mystery, Rae has to dig into the past. She decides in order to crack the riddle that was left to the heirs, she has to understand what kind of man was Cyrus Morley, the man who created the riddle. Since he died over seventy years ago, she has to use historical resources.

I had a lot of fun coming up with the documents Rae uncovers. Since Cyrus Morley was wealthy and owned coal mines in Marlin County, Ohio, where Rae lives, he was a prominent citizen, often featured in stories in the local newspaper. But official sources like that only revealed part of Cyrus Morley’s complicated life.

As a former librarian, I knew that local libraries can have books or documents that you can’t find anywhere online. Those materials were printed decades or even centuries ago and only have local interest, so no one has bothered to put them online. So I created a memoir, written by a local pastor’s wife. It’s the kind of book a church and its members would have but no one else.

I loved writing in a different style from Rae’s narration. The pastor’s wife, Rebecca, had help to write her memoir in the 1980s. But I thought the style would be older since Rebecca was born in 1900. I grew up on Agatha Christie and Rex Stout, so I enjoyed writing excerpts from the memoir in a more old-fashioned style, so readers would feel like they were reading a genuine, historical document.

What was even better was figuring out a way for Rae’s eighty-one-year-old great-grandfather Walter to provide clues. Coming up with a family history that intersects with Cyrus’s life was an absolute joy to create. I loved writing the chapter in which Walter tells Rae this unknown chapter in the Malinowski family’s history.

So if you like your mysteries with a touch of history, I’m sure you’ll love Rae’s investigation into a mystery seventy years in the making.

JPC Allen

JPC Allen started her writing career in second grade with a homage to Scooby Doo, and she’s been track down mysteries ever since. A Shadow on the Snow, the first novel in the Rae Riley Mysteries series, won first place for published YA fiction in the ACFW KidLit Contest. A Storm of Doubts, her second novel, came in second for YA fiction at the Selah Awards. Online, she offers writing tips and prompts to ignite the creative spark in every kind of writer. She also leads writing workshops for adults and teens. Coming from a long line of Mountaineers, she’s a life-long Buckeye, a wife of one for twenty years, and mother of two for sixteen.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

To celebrate her tour, JPC is giving away a signed copy of A
Riddle in the Lonesome October and Christmas fiction off the
beaten path, an $25 Amazon gift card, mug, tea, and chocolates!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

https://promosimple.com/ps/3d265/a-riddle-in-the-lonesome-october-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 1
Stories By Gina, October 2 (Author Interview)
Holly’s Book Corner, October 2
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 3
Simple Harvest Reads, October 4 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 5
Artistic Nobody, October 6 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, October 7
Guild Master, October 8 (Author Interview)
Fiction Book Lover, October 9 (Author Interview)
Hannahbandanarama, October 9
For the Love of Literature, October 10 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, October 11
Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 12 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 13
Blossoms and Blessings, October 14 (Author Interview)

4 Comments

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - Mistletoe And Mayhem by Janice Thompson (Give.away)

10/11/2025

3 Comments

A Wildfire Races toward the Hadley Ranch

Breathe in the nostalgia of everything old red
truck in book three of a new cozy mystery series.

It’s less than a week until Christmas in Mabank, Texas, and just a few days away from RaeLyn and Mason’s wedding on Hadley ranch. Unfortunately, a wildfire with mysterious origin is rapidly traveling across several counties and headed right for the Hadley acreage. Fire fighters rush to put it out before the family homestead goes up in flames, taking the business and the old red truck with it. Their perfect wedding may be ruined, and RaeLyn and Mason are determined to find the source of the fire.

Genre: Mystery/Christian Fiction/Christmas
Release Date: September, 2025

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

Only romantic sparks should be in the air....

It's finally happening! RaeLyn and Mason are getting married with Tilly as co-star! However, it wouldn't be The Little Red Truck Mysteries without some laughter and tears and a whole lot of mayhem for the rambunctious and quirky Hadley clan.

To start with, I have to say that this cover is one of my favorites this year. Elements of the story are everywhere and Pawpaw's, now RaeLyn's, truck, Tilly, is front and center where she should be. Mistletoe And Mayhem was both an interesting and fun read....and, as someone who lives in a state with frequent forest fires, a little chilling to think about. Seriously, Janice Thompson did an excellent job capturing the intense thoughts and frantic desperation when fire is at your doorstep.

There was a little less mystery in Mistletoe And Mayhem than in the previous Little Red Truck Mysteries but it was no less enjoyable. Riding along with RaeLyn, Mason, and the rest of the Hadleys for that final week leading up to the amazing Christmas themed wedding filled with all things Texas and traditional was definitely fun.

The mystery thread, was still interesting as the suspects in the wildfire are not the people who might have might not normally have invited suspicion. Janice Thompson did a good job peppering clues, red herrings, and drama throughout the story and the final revelation of who-done-it.

I honestly don't know if there will be more Little Red Truck Mysteries but I know that I have liked the three that have been released. Janice Thompson does cozy mystery just as well as her romantic comedies and I try not to miss any of them. Just know that when you read Mistletoe And Mayhem you might want to have a little snack with you because these Texans really know how to eat....

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Mistletoe And Mayhem by Janice Thompson a 4 Bark rating.

(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

More from Janice

In the mid-90s, as my children and I drove up to the Mabank area from our home in Houston, we saw smoke off in the distance. The closer we got to my mother and stepfather’s acreage—sixty-three gorgeous acres of cattle land—the thicker the smoke got.

When we arrived on Mom’s street the reality of what faced us was unavoidable. The property across the road, to our left, was in a roaring blaze, flames moving so fast my car could barely get past them on the narrow country road.

We miraculously made it to Mom’s driveway and went inside her home, hearts racing. In that moment, a decision was made to gather in a circle and pray. We offered up a passionate plea for the Lord’s protection then rushed outside to grab hoses to help water everything down.

As I sat to write Mistletoe and Mayhem, my latest cozy mystery from Barbour Publishing, I was faced with the memories of this terrifying trip. Just as you read in this story, firefighters got that massive blazed stopped, right at the edge of her property. And I can tell you as a first-hand witness that not a spark landed on any of us. Whenever I reflect on this event I’m reminded of God’s ultimate faithfulness. He spared us from certain catastrophe.

I can assure you, we as a family never forgot the mercy and grace of God as we faced our Isaiah 43 moment. No doubt you’ve been through a few fires, too. Fear not. The Lord is right there, ready to carry you through. You can trust Him, even in the fiery trials of life.

Blessings on you all,
Janice Thompson

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name;
you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and
when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you
ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

Isaiah 43:1b-3

Janice Thompson

Janice Thompson, who lives in the Houston area, writes romantic comedies, cozy mysteries, nonfiction devotionals, and musical comedies for the stage. She is the mother of four daughters and nine feisty grandchildren. When she’s not writing books or taking care of foster dogs you’ll find her in the kitchen, baking up specialty cakes and cookies.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

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

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

https://promosimple.com/ps/3d26a/mistletoe-and-mayhem-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 3
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, October 4
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 5
Texas Book-aholic, October 6
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 7
For Him and My Family, October 8
Blossoms and Blessings, October 9 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, October 9
Leslie’s Library Escape, October 10
Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 11
Holly’s Book Corner, October 12
Lights in a Dark World, October 12
Bizwings Book Blog, October 13
Pause for Tales, October 14
Cover Lover Book Review, October 15
Labor Not in Vain, October 16

3 Comments

Just Read Blog Tour - Escaping The Wilderness by Carrie Stuart Parks (Give.away)

10/8/2025

2 Comments

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Escaping the Wilderness by Carrie Stuart Parks,
hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

On the run through the mountains--
with only each other to trust.

Amanda Cotton’s privileged life takes a harrowing turn when her grandfather’s dying wish places a target firmly on her back and she’s attacked by unknown assailants. Rescue comes in the form of widowed outdoorsman Boone McGregor, but the threat is just beginning. Unable to trust local law enforcement, they flee across the rugged Montana mountains. As they evade deadly enemies and navigate harsh terrain, they must put aside their differences to survive. But when a family secret is exposed, danger is closer than they imagined and more than just their lives is at stake…

Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
Release Date: September 30, 2025
Genre: Romantic Suspense

Also Available

My Review

Will the bad guys or nature get them first?

I fell in love with Carrie Stuart Parks' riveting suspense after reading her larger novels so when I saw her name on a Love Inspired Suspense book, well, it went right up near the top of my want to read list. I knew there was no way that Escaping The Wilderness could disappoint....and I was right.

The story starts off with a rather amusing horse but, oh, does it take off from there. Before you know it our heroine and her hero are on the run facing bad guys, wild animals, blizzards, and more. It's been a little while since I've read a Love Inspired Suspense and it was fun to dive back in with an author that I really enjoy and a story that kept me on the edge of my seat. Trust me, Escaping The Wilderness is a wild ride of danger, suspense, mystery, betrayal, and secrets. Oh, and it has some lovely romantic sparks thrown in there too.

One of the things that I really liked about this book is that Carrie Stuart Parks chose to avoid the usual law enforcement or military career for one or both of her lead characters. I thought that it really added to the suspense that neither were skilled operatives but both had skills and knowledge – he in the wilderness and she in society – that help them. Speaking of the wilderness, I also loved the western Montana setting.

Escaping The Wilderness is fun relatively quick read that is well worth the time. Carrie Stuart Parks did a great job with her first foray into Love Inspired Suspense and I can't wait to read more from her....

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Escaping The Wilderness by Carrie Stuart Parks a 4 Bark rating.

(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

Carrie Stuart Parks

Carrie Stuart Parks is an internationally known forensic artist and law enforcement instructor, working on major criminal cases nationwide. She trains law enforcement professionals such as the FBI, Secret Service, NCIS, Federal Marshals, RCMP, Texas Rangers, and local and regional officers. She was nominated for Law Enforcement Trainer of the Year offered by the Federal Law Enforcement Academy at Glynco, Georgia. Her career highlights also include winning Woman of the Year for the Spirit of the American Woman and the first Educator of the Year by the Lewis Clark Alumni.

Her bestselling mystery/suspense novels have won numerous awards including two Christys and four Carols. She was
mentored by her friend Frank Peretti for eight years before launching her fiction writing career. Before that, she wrote
and illustrated best-selling art books for North Light Publishers. As a professional fine artist, her paintings hang in many
corporate and private collections. Connect with Carrie by visiting stuartparks.com/carrie-stuart-parks-home-page
to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

(1) winner will receive a small, original watercolor by
author & professional fine artist Carrie Stuart Parks!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 6, 2025 and will last through
11:59 PM EST on October 13, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and
given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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

2 Comments

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - Hunter's Rose by Carole Brown (Give.away)

10/7/2025

4 Comments

It’s the late 1800s, and Hunter Carson has married the woman of his dreams and settled on the land he bought. He’s never known God or even much about him. But his tender heart can be touched. His wife—the beautiful and exotic Mexican Rosita DeSantis, is totally in love with him—but something is wrong. Just days after their marriage, why is she crying and touchy? Has she fallen out of love with him already? Or is there something far more serious going on with her?
Rosita’s past is haunting her emotionally. She adores her new husband, but she’ll do anything to keep him from knowing what happened in Mexico before she fled the country. And not because she doesn’t trust him, but because she’s worried for his life. Her loving family in Mexico came to accept God into their lives through the ministry of a missionary. But can she hold onto her beliefs through the trials and tests she’ll face when Carlos De Leon insists on forcing her to marry him?
After all, the Mexican Lord—Carlos De Leon—cares nothing for God or any man. His only desire is to obtain what he wants and when. He has a plan and will do anything to accomplish it.
And Rosita will do anything to keep him from succeeding.

Genre: Historical Western Romantic Suspense
Release Date: 2022

Click here to get your copy!

More from Carole

When I began writing the Western Romatic Supense books, I didn’t realize how much I would fall in love with the characters and their lives. All three of the books were special to me (and I am considering more). One thing that helped me was a lot of research, but even more so was our travels in several western states. We were able to meet quite a few new people along with some of the American Natives.

It’s always fun to find new things in each of my books, and in Hunter’s Rose, I learned about early restaurants during that time period. I searched for information about the early trains. I looked for places and things about Boston. I researches, especially, for Mexican teas. And I also had to research Mexican language.

It was a very fun time spent in research, and though I’ve only briefly visited Mexico, it was still a part of my memories and life events which added to the research for my book.

Travel is a big part of our life. From Washington state to Florida to Maine, it all was folder for my future books at the time. And as a writer I intensely enjoy capturing every moment, every memory, every thing that could possibly be used in a book.

From harrowing experiences to almost vehicle problems and close-to-wrecks at times (and not usually our fault).
From winter weather where I was praying we’d make it to our destiny.
From fun times like gold panning in mountain streams to rescuing beautiful horses, along with trying my hand at weaving—and oh, what a laughter my American Indian friends thought that was!!
From trying foods that I didn’t particularly care for to some delicious items that I really enjoyed.
From almost meeting President Reagan to climbing a mountain to see the hogans where certain American Indians lived (and one where a baby sheep stayed with them).

I could go on and on, but it would take too much time. Finding, living the life we’ve had has been a blessing, especially for my work as an author.

And I feel so honored to have the privilege of learning from life and the experiences we’ve encountered to give me that so that I might create stories that are realistic, fun and touching.

I hope you find Hunter’s Rose just that way.

Carole Brown

Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. An author of twenty, best selling, award-winning full-sized books, one children’s book, one anthology and one companion book, she loves to weave suspense, mystery and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. She has found that the traveling and ministering has served her well in writing her novels.

Together, they enjoy their grandsons and one granddaughter, traveling, their
dogs, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grands?

It's Time For A Giveaway!

To celebrate her tour, Carole is giving away the grand prize of
a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

https://sweepwidget.com/c/92783-m1qk3cx9

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, September 26 (Spotlight)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 27 (Spotlight)
Artistic Nobody, September 28 (Spotlight)
For Him and My Family, September 29 (Spotlight)
Guild Master, September 30 (Spotlight)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 1 (Spotlight)
Fiction Book Lover, October 2 (Spotlight)
Texas Book-aholic, October 3 (Spotlight)
Denise L. Barela, October 4 (Spotlight)
Holly’s Book Corner, October 4 (Spotlight)
For the Love of Literature, October 5 (Spotlight)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 6 (Spotlight)
Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 7 (Spotlight)
Blossoms and Blessings, October 8 (Spotlight)
The Mommies Reviews, October 8 (Spotlight)
Stories By Gina, October 9 (Spotlight)

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Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - Augmented by Candace Kade (Give.away)

9/28/2025

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Lee Urban must win to survive.

After being sentenced to the banned list, half of the Asian Federation believes Lee Urban is a ticking time bomb that could end the world as they know it. They’re willing to do anything to erase her existence and silence her voice before she can take a stand.
There’s only one way to fight back: enroll in the Race to the Clouds. Winning the competition would garner global media attention and give Urban the coverage she needs to dismantle the enhancement programs. Unfortunately, it also happens to be the deadliest event of the year.
With less time to train than her rivals, Urban and her team must find a way to best the competition. But as enemies close in, riots erupt, and her homeland teeters on the brink of civil war, one thing is certain— she’s running out of time. Not just for herself, but for every Natural she represents.

Genre: YA Science Fiction
Release Date: September 16, 2025

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

Will she survive long enough to start the race....

I fell in love with Candace Kade's sci-fi-ish debut novel, Enhanced, thanks to the edge of your seat action and excellent worldbuilding. Somehow, the author managed to amp things up in the second book in The Hybrid series. Then comes Augmented. Just when you think that the stakes can't get any higher for Lee Urban...they do, in a really big way.

The Hybrid series has gone from strength to strength as it has progressed. It has continued to be both entertaining and engrossing for YA readers and adults, such as myself, alike. But there has been a great deal more to the story than just some really good sci-fi. In Augmented, author Candace Kade speaks through the experiences of her heroine about the broken pieces of our lives not being the end. About those broken pieces being made into something new. Different than what was before but by no means worthless.

As I've read The Hybrid series I've felt like Lee Urban has become something of a friend. Reading Augmented has been a little bittersweet for me as it is a satisfying conclusion - with a few surprises thrown in - but that is the word. Conclusion. I have to say goodbye to Lee Urban, Everest, and the other characters I've come to know. Ahh...Well...Now I must simply live in the hope of reading more from Candace Kade in the future....

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Augmented by Candace Kade a 5 Bark rating.

(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

More from Candace

Have you ever broken a cherished possession?

I have. It was my porcelain mug that I bought while traveling through Ireland. The trip was so special and that cup always brought me happy memories as I sipped tea from it.

My husband tried to fix it for me, but the mug is not the same. It now sits tucked in the back of our cupboards too broken to be used but too precious to be throw away.

Being broken doesn’t mean something—or someone—loses purpose.

In kintsugi, the Japanese art form that involves intentionally breaking tea ware, the fragments left over are pieced back together with golden filling. The final result is more beautiful than the original unblemished version ever could be.

The brokenness enhances the tea ware’s beauty.

In my novel Augmented, I wanted to draw a comparison between brokenness and beauty. Just like kintsugi takes broken pottery and turns it into something beautiful, my protagonist Urban faces her own transformation. She is hopeless and feels like she can’t pick up the shattered pieces of her life. But as she tries out for the world’s most deadly race, she learns that being broken doesn’t mean what she thinks it does.

The things that happen to us have a purpose. If we let the Creator finish His masterpiece (us) He’ll use the fragmented pieces of our lives to make a beautiful finished work of art.

Urban feels the same way, believing her brokenness defines her. But through trial and grace, she discovers what it means to be made new.

No one is too broken to be saved or redeemed.

I wrote this book for anyone who’s ever felt lost, hopeless, or broken. We can do all things through Him who gives us strength.

Candace Kade

Candace Kade is a recovering over-achiever who spends her time dreaming up stories typically involving tech, psychology, culture, and/or swords. She’s a certified Krav Maga assistant instructor and loves writing action-packed martial art scenes. A third culture kid, she considers Chengdu and OKC to be her homes. When she’s not exploring new countries, she enjoys hiking in national parks, moving (again!), teaching her husband Mandarin, and keeping two baby humans alive. She can be bribed with boba tea, fluffy puppies, and breakfast tacos.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

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

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

https://sweepwidget.com/c/93118-8wjgredo

Blog Stops

The Lofty Pages, September 20
Life on Chickadee Lane, September 21
Wishful Endings, September 22
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 23 (Spotlight)
Simple Harvest Reads, September 24 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, September 25
Artistic Nobody, September 26 (Author Interview)
Guild Master, September 27 (Author Interview)
Blogging With Carol, September 27
Lily’s Corner, September 28
Tell Tale Book Reviews, September 28
Fiction Book Lover, September 29 (Author Interview)
Life on Chickadee Lane, September 30
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, October 1 (Author Interview)
A Reader’s Brain, October 2 (Spotlight)
Book Butterfly in Dreamland, October 3

2 Comments

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour - Right Before Their Eyes by Carrie Walker (Give.away)

9/19/2025

4 Comments

Sometimes the love you need most
looks different than you imagined.

Clare Martin thought nothing of agreeing to live with her dementia-ridden grandmother when her parents left on mission. Balancing that with her job as a social worker and the expectations of her career-driven boyfriend proved doable—until Grandma started a house fire.
Mason Hughes has loved Clare for years, but the time was never right to tell her and now she’s dating someone else, fixing Mason firmly in the friend zone. He’s working to be a pediatric neurologist, a dream inspired by a special boy with a terminal brain condition, and must choose a medical school. Finances are so tight he’s forced to consider a program across the country, a troubling fact he’s kept secret.
Lucia Roberts, a seventeen-year-old on Clare’s caseload, loses her foster home and is placed in an unwelcoming group home. At every turn she’s met with rejection and becomes desperate for any proof she has value—enough to make choices that could affect the rest of her life.
When Grandma Dottie and Lucia’s paths take a dangerous turn, Clare frantically tries to save them. As their lives knit together, will they find the love that’s right before their eyes?

Genre: Romantic Women’s Fiction
Release Date: February 5, 2025

Click here to get your copy!

Interview with Carrie

#1. How long did it take to finish writing this book?
This book I drafted in a couple months, and largely edited in a couple more months. I’ve tweaked it over time, but in general, this book behaved and came together pretty quickly (that’s not always the story lol)

#2. What drew you to write in this particular genre?
My introduction to Christian Fiction was Karen Kingsbury, and I so loved the way she could write a story with a powerful message while also sweeping me away with love stories among her characters. I loved that genre so much, it drew me to write it as well :) I even went to a writing intensive offered by Karen Kingsbury, in hopes of better understanding how she crafts her stories.

#3. What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book?
That God is working. Even when it’s hard to see and you can’t feel it, He is. And sometimes your hard times are what touches another person’s life forever.

#4. How did you name your characters?
This is actually a part of my writing process that I love to include my family and friends in. I’m not the best at coming up with new names to use, and I’ve learned many think it’s extremely fun. Win win. My kids named most of the characters in this book. The foster mom, Kris Petersen, my sister named because that character’s personality is based upon my sister (at her request to be in one of my books lol).

#5. Tell us a little about yourself, your family, friends.
I am someone who you might call an “old soul”... one of those people who growing up all the parents wanted me to help keep an eye on their kids lol Even now as an adult, I avoid drama, have strong intuition that is rarely wrong and strong faith. I’m married to my high school sweet heart (25 years this summer) and we have 7 kids. We love to travel to new places and experience life together. We also have a number of close friends we’ve collected over the years who we often see for board game nights or just to visit.

More from Carrie

When I was writing “Emma’s Hero” I had a few readers that took an early peek at it, before it was completed. More than once, I was informed “This is not the only book, right?” And so, this story was a reality in my mind, before it was even thought of. This book just was. And the characters helped tell the story. Mason grew a lot in Emma’s Hero, but he has a lot more growing to do, especially in the realm of relationships, communication and figuring out how to live this newfound faith. Grandma Dottie is a character inspired by a combination of both my grandmothers, and there is a story she tells to Mason almost halfway through the story that is a true story borrowed from my own grandparents That’s all I’m telling you, you’ll have to find it. But I just love that a part of their love story made it into mine.

Carrie Walker

Carrie Walker lives in Michigan with her husband and seven children. From her ten years serving as a high school youth minister, adventures around the globe, and raising a family, many stories have been knit within her heart.
As an avid reader she pens what she loves to read, contemporary stories that bring hope to a hurting world. Weaving romance among story lines of characters in struggle, she aims to show God working in all situations. When she’s not playing board games with her husband, shuttling kids in the Walker bus or wishing for snow, Carrie can be found at the keyboard bringing those stories to life.

Carrie’s writing has been recognized in many contests. Her debut novel, Emma’s Hero, won the IAN Book of
the Year for Christian Fiction, was a double finalist in the International Book Awards, placed in the ACFW
Crown Award, Monroe Walton Center for the Arts Award, and won the 2020 ACFW First Impressions Contest.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

To celebrate her tour, Carrie is giving away the grand prize of
a $40 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54296

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 11
Stories By Gina, September 12 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy , September 13
Simple Harvest Reads, September 14 (Author Interview)
Artistic Nobody, September 15 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, September 15
Guild Master, September 16 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, September 17
Fiction Book Lover, September 18 (Author Interview)
Tell Tale Book Reviews, September 19 (Author Interview)
Blossoms and Blessings, September 20 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 21
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, September 22 (Author Interview)
A Reader’s Brain , September 23 (Author Interview)
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, September 24 (Author Interview)
The Bookish Pilgrim, September 24

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