Category: Just Read Tours

Book Review - Lightshed by Crystal D. Grant

9/15/2024

Published: September 3, 2024 by Quill and Flame Publishers

ASIN: B0DB3BXTCD

My Review

Their choices will change everything....

I have been looking forward to Lightshed ever since I turned the last page of the first book in The Gateway Trilogy. Crystal D. Grant's characters and worldbuilding caught my attention and I was ready for more...

As hoped, Lightshed proved to be just as good as its predecessor. The worldbuilding was as vivid as ever and I felt like I could almost see it. The magic system is fleshed out even more in this second Gateway Trilogy book as Crystal D. Grant blends it pretty much seamlessly with a Christian perspective.

Lightshed has all of the things that you want to see in a good older-YA fantasy novel. From sword fights to betrayal to sacrifice to budding romance. The characters are also quite good as one can't help but love Seria Gayle and root for Mason to finally discover the truth before it's too late. Key themes of learning to trust God no matter what, doing the right thing even when it is beyond hard, and forgiveness as both good guys and bad guys make mistakes are central to the story.

I sincerely enjoyed reading the middle Gateway Trilogy novel and, just like the last time, I am champing at the bit to dive back into Crystal D. Grant's exciting fictional realm and find out what happens next to Seria, Mason, and the others...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Lightshed by Crystal D. Grant a 4 Bark rating.

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

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Just Read Blog Tour - Lethal Danger by Jerusha Agen

5/9/2024

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This K-9 team is trained to eliminate threats. This threat could eliminate them.

Being a loner is getting old. Jazz Lamont still can’t fit in at the Phoenix K-9 Agency, and she’s losing her best friend. At least providing security with her K-9 partner at the Tri-City Fair will mean revisiting the only place where she once belonged. But a series of accidents threatens her beloved fair and puts lives at risk.

Thriller author Hawthorne Emerson suspects foul play after the first “accident.” Moonlighting as fair security to investigate the death of his sister’s boyfriend, he’s eager to find the truth. He doesn’t expect the task to lead him to the cult he escaped.

Finding the culprit behind the sabotage is personal for Jazz and Hawthorne. But someone else has a personal stake, too. Someone who wants Jazz dead. When everything she thought was true is dismantled, can Jazz risk trusting others—including God—to survive?

Lethal Danger continues the thrilling story of the elite Phoenix K-9 Security and
Detection Agency that began with Hidden Danger (Guardians Unleashed, #1).
(Each book can stand alone or be read as series installments.)

My Review

You'll never see a fair in the same way again...

Oh my gosh! Who would have ever thought up mixing a fair (think rides and cotton candy) with a cult? Jerusha Agen, that's who. Add in the fact that this is a romantic suspense tale and there are dogs. Well, what more could you ask for on a lazy afternoon?

This fourth Guardians Unleashed novel was every bit as exciting as its predecessors. Lethal Danger has an intricately laid out mystery that keeps you guessing. I had my suspicions pretty early on but I sure went around and around as new clues and distractions arose.

I must admit that there were moments when I didn't exactly care for Jazz, and even once or twice Hawthorne, but then I came to the conclusion it made both of them more real. They are not the stereotypical 'perfect' couple in most romantic suspense novels. Their quirks, their mistakes, their false assumptions, added substance to their characters.

Lethal Danger was a hard to put down story as have all of the Guardians Unleashed books. Jerusha Agen knows how to keep things hopping and the mystery moving forward. This, in turn, keeps readers, myself very much included, flipping those pages at lightning speed. When I turned that last page I was immediately left me anxiously anticipating the next book in the series...

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

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

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Just Read Blog Tour - The Garden Girls by Jessica R. Patch (Give.away)

4/20/2024

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

On a remote Outer Banks island, a serial killer
collects his prized specimens. And to stop him,
an FBI agent must confront his own twisted past.

FBI agent Tiberius Granger has seen his share of darkness. But a new case sets him on edge. It’s not just the macabre way both victims—found posed in front of lighthouses—are tattooed with flowers that match their names. There’s also the unsettling connection to the woman Ty once loved and to the shadowy cult they both risked everything to escape.
Bexley Hemmingway’s sister has gone missing, and she’ll do anything to find her—including teaming up with Ty. That may prove a mistake, and not just because Ty doesn’t know he’s the father of her teenaged son. It seems the killer is taunting Ty, drawing everyone close to him into deeper danger.
As the slashing winds and rain of a deadly hurricane approach the coast of North Carolina, the search leads Ty and Bex to an island that hides a grisly secret. But in his quest for the truth, Ty has ignored the fact that this time, he’s not just the hunter. Every move has been orchestrated by a killer into a perfect storm of terror, and they will need all their skills to survive…

Publisher: Harlequin Love Inspired Trade
Release Date: April 23, 2024
Genre: Christian Psychological Thriller

More Books In This Series

My Review

Not sure I'll ever see flowers the same again...

If there is one thing that Jessica R. Patch has mastered beyond good storytelling, it's the creep factor. And this third book in her Strange Crimes Unit: South Division series has it in spades! The Garden Girls is everything you could want in a serial killer story with a few surprises and shocking twists along the way.

This was one of those books that I spent the entire time guessing who the killer was and then questioning myself on those guesses. There were so many secrets, shocking revelations, and red herrings that all I could do was keep turning those pages as fast as I could to find out if anything I knew was correct. Toss in a killer hurricane and you have a story that is equally entertaining and chilling.

If I hadn't already been hooked on Jessica R. Patch's romantic suspense from way back and hooked on the Strange Crimes Unit: South Division series from the first book, The Garden Girls would have totally sold me. There was absolutely not a single thing to dislike and over 350 pages to enjoy.

After finishing Jessica R. Patch's riveting and intricately plotted The Garden Girls, I am now intensely anticipating the next Strange Crimes Unit: South Division book. In the meantime I just have to remind myself that gardens are pretty. They can be fun. They are safe. Or are they....

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives The Garden Girls by Jessica R. Patch a 4.5 Bark rating.

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

Jessica R. Patch

Jessica R. Patch is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author known for her dry wit, signatures twists, and complex characters. She loves reading true crime books, discussing cold cases over chips and salsa with her girlfriends, and hunting down serial killers in her romantic suspense novels and psychological thrillers. Jessica loves to encourage and inspire people to forward living devotionals through her monthly email newsletter. You can join the Patched In community at her website. She resides in the Memphis area with her husband and her spoiled tri-color Shetland Sheepdog since becoming empty nesters. Jessica is represented by Rachel Kent of Books & Such Literary Management.
Connect with Jessica by visiting jessicarpatch.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

(1) winner will win a signed paperback copy of Her Darkest Secret
and A Cry in the Dark and a $25 Amazon card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 15, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on
April 22, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk
forfeiture of prize. US only for print. Ebooks available if winner is Canadian. 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!

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Just Read Blog Tour - Every Bird That Falls by Sara Davison (Give.away)

4/9/2024

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Welcome to the Blog Tour for Every Bird That Falls by Sara Davison,
hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Lies have kept them apart for eight years.
Now the truth could destroy them completely.

Bomb squad leader Tag Monroe’s world is shattered when his sister and her foster sister are abducted by a human trafficker. Eight years later, the two of them have been miraculously freed. As thrilled as he is to be reunited with his sister, Tag has lingering questions.
How did Jae-won Lin, the third foster sister, elude capture that night? Why didn’t she call the police or Tag to let them know what happened? And where has she been for the last eight years? He loved Jae once, but he can’t let her back into his life until he has more information.
Unfortunately, time is running out. Someone powerful is coming after Jae, bent on revenge. If Tag can’t get to her before her mysterious pursuer, Jae could take the answers to all Tag’s questions to her grave.
Along with any hope the two of them might have to find their way to each other again.

The explosive Christian romantic suspense series two sparrows for a penny by multi-award-winning author Sara Davison continues with this on-the-edge-suspense love story that might finally answer the question: Where was Jae?

Publisher: Independently published through The Mosaic Collection
Release Date: April 3, 2024
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

PURCHASE LINKS:
Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

More Books In This Series

My Review

Can she trust anyone around her...

I have been eagerly anticipating Every Bird That Falls since reading the first Two Sparrows For A Penny novel and long before I even knew what this third book in Sara Davison's series would be called. I've been desperate to know what happened to Jae – where she has been and what exactly she is up to now.

Every Bird That Falls had a little bit different feel to it than Two Sparrows For A Penny books one and two. But, as with the previous books, Sara Davison once again uses fiction to draw awareness to one of the most pervasive evils that has plagued humanity for millennia – human trafficking. I really appreciate the way she handles the difficult topic with compassion but also doesn't shy away from the darkness of it.

That being said, Every Bird That Falls is also a good romantic suspense read with some small touches of thriller. Sara Davison does an excellent job striking a balance between entertaining fiction and real world dangers and problems and the third Two Sparrows For A Penny story is a good example of that.

I honestly can't tell you which book in the Two Sparrows For A Penny series has been my favorite, but, I can tell you that with stories like Every Bird That Falls I will be looking for more books from Sara Davison whether this series is continued or not. If you enjoy slightly grittier Christian fiction with import, this is a series I would recommend...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Every Bird That Falls by Sara Davison a 4 Bark rating.

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

Sara Davison

Sara Davison has a passion for writing stories that keep readers on the edge of their seats—and maybe swooning a little. A finalist for more than a dozen national writing awards, including the Christy Award, Davison is a Cascade, Word, and two-time Carol Award winner for romantic suspense. She lives in Ontario with her husband, Michael. Like every good Canadian, she loves coffee, hockey, poutine, and apologizing for no particular reason.
Connect with Sara by visiting saradavison.org to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

(1) winner will win a $25 Amazon gift card plus a paperback copy of Every Bird That Falls!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 2, 2024 and will last through
11:59 PM EST on April 9, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given
48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject toJustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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

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Just Read Blog Tour - The Marine's Deadly Reunion by Loretta Eidson (Give.away)

12/18/2023

12 Comments

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Marine's Deadly Reunion by Loretta Eidson,
hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

To keep a child safe
They must outrun a killer…

When Sergeant Daria Gordon saves US Marine Jake Fisher and his baby niece from an attacker, she instantly puts a target on her own back. Someone murdered Jake’s sister and now they want Jake and Daria dead. To survive, Jake and Daria must discover this ruthless killer’s identity. But can they uncover the truth and keep the baby safe…before the killer finds them?

Publisher: Inspirational The Protectors Collection
(Love Inspired)
Release Date: December 26, 2023
Genre: Christian romantic suspense

My Review

There seems to be no one left they can trust...

Well, that was one exciting read with more twists and turns than even I, longtime fan of Love Inspired (particularly Suspense), could have anticipated. Author Loretta Eidson never gave her characters in The Marine's Deadly Reunion or its readers a even single moment to breathe.

As I said, this Love Inspired novel had so many twists and turns and red herrings that by the end I had absolutely no clue who had actually done it for sure. In the meantime, I did have some fun trying to puzzle it out with Daria and Jake – and there was a lot to puzzle out.

This is the third Loretta Eidson book that I've read and I think that The Marine's Deadly Reunion was the most edge-of-your-seat yet. I am now curious to find out how she will top it with, what I hope, will be the next story...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives The Marine's Deadly Reunion by Loretta Eidson a Bark rating.

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

Loretta Eidson

Award-winning author Loretta Eidson lives by the motto ‘never a dull moment,’ especially with her four children, thirteen grandchildren, and four great-grands. Her love of reading began during the required library time in middle school, where she devoured Phyllis Whitney’s mystery novels before she moved on to suspense author Frank Peretti. She left her eighteen-year administrative assistant position at her church to pursue the dream of writing inspirational romantic suspense. She has multiple short stories in anthologies, but her heart is writing romantic suspense. She believes in the power of prayer and loves putting her hero and heroine in realistic predicaments where they must trust God to pull them through.

Connect with Loretta by visiting lorettaeidson.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

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

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight December 18, 2023 and will last through
11:59 PM EST on December 25, 2023. 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!

12 Comments

Just Read Blog Tour - Deadly Yellowstone Secrets by Kari Trumbo (Giveaway)

11/2/2023

8 Comments

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Deadly Yellowstone Secrets by Kari Trumbo,
hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Yellowstone National Park hides a secret
and uncovering it could be fatal.

Someone’s hunting bears in Yellowstone National Park—and now Tamala Roth’s the next mark. With a killer at her heels, Tamala must trust Ranger Clint Jackson to safeguard her while searching for the poacher. But when a blizzard traps them in with a criminal who will stop at nothing to silence them, survival becomes a dangerous game.

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
Release Date: October 24, 2023
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

My Review

If a killer doesn't get them the weather will...

Anyone who lives near a national park or protected area knows that the wilderness can be a deadly place – but Deadly Yellowstone Secrets puts that danger on steroids – in all of the best Love Inspired Suspense ways, of course.

I'm actually not completely new to Kari Trumbo's books as I've read and listened to some of her historical fiction, so, when I saw her name on a romantic suspense novel I knew I had to read it. And Deadly Yellowstone Secrets did not disappoint in either the suspense category or in the romantic sparks.

Kari Trumbo certainly keeps her readers on the edge of their seats as well as guessing in this exciting Love Inspired Suspense novel. It's a quick read that is perfect for curling up with a cup of something hot and a warm blanket as you get a little shiver from the icy cold Yellowstone wind...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Deadly Yellowstone Secrets by Kari Trumbo a 4 Bark rating.

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

Kari Trumbo

Kari Trumbo is an international bestselling author of historical and contemporary romance and romantic suspense. She makes her home in Minnesota - where lakes and frigid temps are plentiful - with her family and husband of over twenty years. Reading, listening to contemporary Christian music, singing when no one's listening, and curling up near the wood stove when winter hits are her favorite things. She loves chatting on social media, so be sure to look her up.
Connect with Kari by visiting karitrumbo.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

(1) winner will win a signed print copy of
Deadly Yellowstone Secrets and a $25 visa gift card!
(1) winner will win a signed print copy of Deadly Yellowstone Secrets
and a signed print copy of Operation: Restoration!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 1, 2023 and will last through
11:59 PM EST on November 8, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and
given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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

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Just Read Blog Tour - Mountain Storm Survival by Cathy McDavid (Giveaway)

10/31/2023

6 Comments

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Mountain Storm Survival by Cathy McDavid,
hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

A brutal storm. Relentless pursuers.
And more than their lives are on the line…

Helping with youth wrangler camp is how Kate Spencer is atoning for her past. But now she and ranch manager Rand Walkins are trapped in the Superstition Mountains with two girls as illegal miners hunt them down. Rand has every reason not to trust Kate, much less forgive her. But working together is the only way they’ll escape from the danger that threatens them all…

New York Times Bestselling Author

Publisher: Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense
Release Date: October 24, 2023
Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense

My Review

Will an unforgiving landscape spark forgiveness...

As a kid I read lots of treasure stories and articles, so, of course, many of them were about the Lost Dutchman Mine, Weaver's Needle, and the Superstitions. So, to pick up a Love Inspired book featuring just that particular area – with lots of suspense and romantic sparks – was a lot of fun.

I was intrigued by Mountain Storm Survival right from the start. One of the things that I found to be unexpected and different with this story was that as present as the mystery angle was, Cathy McDavid kept her focus more on the characters themselves – their motivations and their journeys to find both forgiveness and physical safety. Honestly, I liked it even better that way.

That being said, Mountain Storm Survival was still an entertaining read and Cathy McDavid kept me on the edge of my seat wondering if the characters could take any more from man and elements alike – not to mention whether there was even one single person that they could trust.

This book was a good quick read and I doubt it will be the last Love Inspired novel that I get my hands on from this author...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Mountain Storm Survival by Cathy McDavid a 4 Bark rating.

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

CATHY MCDAVID

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author CATHY MCDAVID wrote her first book at sixteen. The self-illustrated children’s story featured a young girl whose lack of responsibility nearly resulted in the demise of her pet fish. It’s quite possible the book was an autobiography, but Cathy’s not telling. She wrote her second book, and first romance, at nineteen with the help of a portable Smith Corona typewriter. One never knows how the unrequited crush on a college professor will affect their eventual career. These days, with over 57 titles and 1.6 million books in print, she still incorporates a little of her own life in each story.

A lover of all things western and former avid horsewoman, her stories include riding, ranching, and rodeo because,
well, who doesn’t enjoy a good cowboy romance? Mother of grown twins and married to her own real-life sweetheart,
Cathy is living her dream penning heart-stopping suspense thrillers and heart-touching family dramas for Harlequin.
Connect with Cathy by visiting cathymcdavid.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

(2) winners will win a print copy of both Blizzard Refuge and
Her Surprise Cowboy Groom, a $5 Starbucks gift card and a cowboy coffee mug!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 31, 2023 and will last through
11:59 PM EST on November 7, 2023. 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!

6 Comments

Just Read Blog Tour - Children of The Shadows by Erica Vetsch (Giveaway)

10/25/2023

9 Comments

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Children of the Shadows by Erica Vetsch,
hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Detective Daniel Swann and debutante Juliette Thorndike once again team up to solve a dangerous mystery--while trying to keep their growing romance secret.

Someone is preying upon the street children of Regency London. They seem to think no one will notice when urchins go missing--and even if they are noticed, who will care?

Daniel needs to do something about the missing children. But with recent revelations about his past and an unexpected, somewhat unwelcome inheritance to deal with, this is a terrible time to dive back into the seedy underbelly of the crime world. Nevertheless, he's still a Bow Street runner, and his partner Lady Juliette is sensitive to the plight of these wayward youngsters. They're on the case, searching shadowed alleys and coal-drenched streets to find the missing.

But the tangle of expectation and the dynamics of power cannot be easily ignored, even if there are children in danger. When Daniel's past threatens to overwhelm his future, he will need a miracle and the help of his friends to both apprehend the villain and unravel his tangled family web. And it may be that his new responsibilities demand that he leave the children of the shadows to their terrible fate--or lose everything.

Erica Vetsch's popular Regency mystery series concludes with a bang, sure to satisfy readers who have hung on every page since book one.

Publisher: Kregel Publications
Release Date: October 23, 2023
Genre: Christian Regency Mystery

More in This Series

My Review

Will this mystery be the end of their romance?

Well, it's hard to believe that Thorndike & Swann Regency Mysteries series is over...I've come to like the characters so I hate having to say goodbye to them. Anyway...

Children Of The Shadows was one twisty-turny mystery! Erica Vetsch had me guessing and second guessing myself all the way through. Which I find utterly fascinating as this third Thorndike & Swann Regency Mystery was also very much a Regency romance with all of the angst and glittering balls that one has come to expect from the genre. Erica Vetsch did a great job blending the mystery and Regency romance genres in a way that allows the spirit of each to shine through.

Another thing that I really enjoyed about Children Of The Shadows – and the rest of the series – is that a few familiar faces from Erica Vetsch's previous Regency mystery series make appearance in some expected and unexpected places...

If you haven't read Erica Vetsch's Thorndike & Swann Regency Mysteries series yet, you are missing out. They are all enjoyable reads, from book one to the exciting conclusion to the series in Children Of The Shadows, they are sure to entertain and intrigue for hours...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Children Of The Shadows by Erica Vetsch a 4 Bark rating.

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

Erica Vetsch

Erica Vetsch is a New York Times best-selling author and ACFW Carol Award winner, and has been a Romantic Times top pick for her previous books. She loves Jesus, history, romance, and watching sports. This transplanted Kansan now makes her home in Rochester, Minnesota.
Connect with Erica by visiting ericavetsch.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

(1) winner will win a complete paperback set of
the Thorndike and Swann series, and a $10 amazon gift card

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 23, 2023 and will last through
11:59 PM EST on October 30, 2023. 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!

9 Comments

Just Read Review Blitz - Christmas In The Crosshairs by Lynette Eason, Kate Angelo, Kelly Underwood, Sami A. Abrams

10/12/2023

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It’s Christmastime and love is in the air. But when these three Elite Guardians walk into the crosshairs of trouble, they find themselves fighting not just for justice, but for the lives of the men they love in this riveting thriller collection!

Deadly Holiday Hijack by Kate Angelo

“Come out to Savannah, she says. It’ll be fun, she says. Boss can be in the nativity pageant, she says,” Yeah. Great idea.

Bodyguard Christina Sherman and her fiancé, former spec ops air commando Grey Parker just want to sneak away to beautiful Savannah, attend a Nativity Pageant, maybe set a wedding date. But when a group of terrorists take over the church and the whole thing is live streamed, they find themselves in a hometown version of a Die Hard Christmas movie. But will they make it to the happy ending?

Silent Night Siege by Kelly Underwood

Billionaire Preston Whittaker and bodyguard Laila Rabbinowitz just can’t get a break. Not only are their schedules so crazy they’ve put their relationship on simmer, but on their way to the mountains for much-needed togetherness…yep, their plane crashes. Suddenly they’re stranded on a remote mountainside in freezing temperatures, minimal food, wildlife, and no hope of rescue.

And then, the real danger starts. Someone deliberately caused the wreck, and that person is hunting them through the wilderness.

Now, it’ll take more than togetherness to survive…

Christmas Snowstorm Standoff by Sami A. Abrams

It’s finally time for bodyguard Lizzie Tremaine to tie the knot with the man she’s loved for years—fellow bodyguard Charlie Lee.

But maybe fate is still against them, because on the eve of their big day, a snowstorm hits. And, while it’s kept the guests away, it’s brought trouble in the form of a woman from Charlie’s past. More, she’s on the run from a killer…

A man who will stop at nothing to make sure Charlie and Lizzie never make it to the altar.

Now Lizzie and Charlie must battle the storm, stop the killer, and defeat the doubts that suddenly have them wondering if they are truly meant to be.

Three epic love stories. Three edge-of-your-seat thrillers. Three Christmases caught in the Crosshairs inspired by best-selling author Lynette Eason’s Elite Guardian series.

My Review

Will these 3 couples survive to see Christmas...

I have been really enjoying the Elite Guardians series originated by Lynette Eason so when I found out there would be a Christmas novella collection written by the same three authors who penned each of the previous three books, well, I was pretty excited. Christmas In The Crosshairs turned out to be everything I have come to anticipate in the series.

Kate Angelo, Kelly Underwood, and Sami A. Abrams deliver plenty of drama, danger, and romance for their respective characters and for their readers. Each couple faces a different life changing step; one must set a date for their wedding, one must choose whether to make the altar the next step in their relationship, and the third must decide whether their impending ceremony is where they are supposed to be. Of course, all of them just need to survive long enough to be able to make those decisions.

Christmas In The Crosshairs is a great addition to the Elite Guardians series and I loved how I could sit down and read a complete story in just one fairly quick sitting. It was also fun how each one was independent but at the same time loosely built on each other. Kate Angelo's Deadly Hijack saw the characters anticipating the upcoming wedding that Kelly Underwood's Silent Night Siege were on the way to attend while Sami A. Abrams' Christmas Snowstorm Standoff were waiting for their friends to arrive for the big day.

So, if you are in the Christmas mood for a little faith-filled romantic suspense and you are a fan of the Elite Guardians, may I suggest Christmas In The Crosshairs as your next exciting read...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Christmas In The Crosshairs by Lynette Eason, Kate Angelo, Kelly Underwood, and Sami A. Abrams a 4 Bark rating.

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

0 Comments

Just Read Blog Tour - Bentonsport: A New Chapter by Lisa Schnedler (Giveaway)

10/5/2023

4 Comments

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Bentonsport - A New Chapter by Lisa Schnedler,
hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

What if you followed your heart—not across distance but across time?

Sarah Peterson never knew how far she would go for love until Thomas Barton walked into her life, they fell in love, and he asked her to join him in his world--a hundred and fifty years back in time. More afraid of losing him than of leaving everything behind, she put her future in God’s hands and awakened in the past. Now, she’s facing a world she’d only dreamed of, and reality is nothing like her dreams.

Thomas Barton never imagined he’d meet a woman like his beloved Sara. Leaving her behind was the hardest thing he ever did. When he discovers she’s followed him across time, he’s ready to spend his life making her decision worthwhile. His friends come up with a plan to convince Bentonsport she’s part of their era, but it’s going to take another miracle to pull this off.

Love was enough to carry them through a hundred and fifty years. Will it be enough to get them through the next weeks and months?

Publisher: Scrivenings Press
Release Date: September 19, 2023
Genre: Christian Romance / Speculative (Time Travel)

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

More in This Series

My Review

Can she make a new life in his era?

After my first adventure in Bentonsport – the modern one that is – I was beyond curious to find out how Sarah would adjust to the historical Bentonsport and Thomas's world...

I will admit that the journey Lisa Schnedler took her characters on was one that I didn't exactly expect – but it was one that I appreciated. More often than not in a time travel book the characters would fall in love in short period of time and the wedding would be imminent. And, while they did fall in love fairly quickly in Bentonsport: A Christmas Story, they actually get the time to come to know each other and the readers get the same chance in Bentonsport: A New Chapter.

I actually like the gentler approach that Lisa Schnedler has taken with both of these books. There is no danger or big adventure to overcome. Getting to sit back and simply enjoy the story for what it is was a nice change of pace and Bentonsport: A New Chapter reminded me in some little ways of (romance) fiction from the era in which this story was set.

Anyway, Bentonsport: A New Chapter is a sweet historical romance and I enjoyed my time spent in Bentonsport. I have no idea where Lisa Schnedler could go next but I wouldn't mind a return visit or two to Bentonsport sometime in the future...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Bentonsport: A New Chapter by Lisa Schnedler a 4 Bark rating.

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

Lisa Schnedler

Lisa Schnedler writes cozy fiction, set in small towns you’ll want to visit, with characters who soon will become your friends!
She has been married to her best friend for 39 years. Together, they have three grown children, who are married to her “additional three kids,” and she has six grandchildren.
She has served as a hospital president for 30 years and is a Certified Christian Life Coach. Lisa likes to cook, travel, and meet new friends.
Connect with Lisa by visiting lisaschnedler.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

(3) winners will win a $15 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 3, 2023 and will last through
11:59 PM EST on October 10, 2023. 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!

4 Comments

E-Book Review - Expired Vows by Lisa Phillips and Laura Conaway

9/28/2023

1 Comment

Fire. Family. Faith.
Last Chance Fire and Rescue

She sees the promise of freedom. He vowed to always be the hero.

EMT Trace Bently came back to Last Chance County to escape his past. After the loss of his wife, he gave up a promising career as a police officer for the chance to save lives every day as part of the Fire Department. When a hostage situation demands the help of a local counselor, Trace realizes the past he left behind has found him. He’s being given a second chance to save the life of someone he cares about.

If he can face the grief he buried.

Family Counselor Kelsey Scott has to secure this grant or admit failure. She can’t afford to lose any more pieces of the life she wants because of her own choices. When Kelsey becomes the target of a series of dangerous attacks, Trace steps in determined to protect his wife’s best friend. This hero breaks down all her resistance, but Kelsey can’t risk her own heart.

Even if it’s what will set them both free.

Publisher: Sunrise Publishing
Release Date: September 12, 2023
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

My Review

Will the past forever keep them apart?

Wow, the Last Chance Fire And Rescue series has done it again! New-to-me author Laura Conaway and familiar favorite Lisa Phillips kept me entertained, intrigued, and certainly guessing from start to finish in Expired Vows. I had my suspicions as to who the attacker might be, but then something would come up and I would second guess myself, and at the end I was still in for a few unexpected surprises.

As with the other Last Chance Fire And Rescue books that I have read I was once again impressed by the cooperation between the original creator of the characters, Lisa Phillips, and in Expired Vows, new author Laura Conaway. The creative combination was seamless and successful as far as I'm concerned as a reader. The continuity between the different co-authors in this series is also pretty good and I've been impressed so far.

At any rate, Expired Vows was a great romantic suspense read. It had plenty of of the mystery, danger, and romantic tension that I've come to expect from Lisa Phillips and in the Last Chance Fire And Rescue series. Laura Conaway's addition to the series was enjoyable to read and I had fun trying to puzzle out the who and the why behind it all. Plus you just couldn't help but root for the Kelsey and Trace to step out of the shadows of grief and fear and finally see the person standing there right in front of them. Needless to say I am hoping there will be more books in the series to come in the future...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Expired Vows by Lisa Phillips and Laura Conaway a 4 Bark rating.

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

1 Comment

Just Read Blog Tour - Shadowcast by Crystal D. Grant (Giveaway)

9/21/2023

0 Comments

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Shadowcast by Crystal D. Grant,
hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

He has known nothing but darkness for years.
Now it’s time to let it consume him.

After witnessing the brutal death of his brother at the hands of the Steward Knights, Mason Grey turns to vengeance. Using his Gifts to read and control the minds of others, he climbs the ranks of the Dark Army, determined to earn the coveted Shadowstone-a powerful tool against the light-wielding Stewards. But when he is wounded in battle, he finds himself recovering in the home of a chatty peasant girl...without the use of his Gifts. Even worse, the girl mistakes him for one of the Stewards he despises.
Seria Gayle longs to be seen as more than the town washerwoman. When she finds an injured Steward in the woods, she welcomes the chance to use her healing skills and hopes it will earn her some respect. But as she nurses the sullen stranger back to health, she discovers he is nothing like the knights she has long admired.
When Mason's true identity is revealed, Seria is devastated and humiliated. But she is offered a chance at redemption by the very prince that Mason hates. Now Mason struggles between two choices: accept the Shadowstone to avenge his brother or pursue this newfound light in the form of a peasant girl. With time running out and war looming, will Mason and Seria defy their own convictions for a chance at love or stand against one another like they've sworn to do?

Publisher: Quill and Flame Publishing
Release Date: September 20, 2023
Genre: Fantasy Romance (Clean)

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

My Review

Light and darkness clash in the Gateway...

I am always up for a good fantasy novel from a new-to-me author and Shadowcast was certainly both. Coming in at over 500 pages this first The Gateway Trilogy novel from Crystal D. Grant is quite the story. Featuring battles, betrayal, spies, a touch of romance, redemption, and sacrifice this book has a little bit of everything.

Crystal D. Grant had me intrigued by her well done – and certainly vivid – fantasy realm from start to finish. Darkmen, Stewards, and Gifts of the Moon, plus the mysterious Shadowstones. Add in a healer with more laundry to take care of than she has patients, a man bent on a revenge after a tragic loss, a man trying to find his place once again despite the mistakes of the past, and the evil one determined to own or destroy them all. Well, as you can see you get a pretty entertaining tale.

Shadowcast is the first book in The Gateway Trilogy and as it ended on something of a cliffhanger I am on tenterhooks as to what will happen next. I am by no means waiting patiently so I hope it won't be too long before I get to visit with Seria, Mason, Eric, and the others both good and evil. It's going to be an epic tale for sure...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Shadowcast by Crystal D. Grant a 4.5 Bark rating.

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

Crystal D. Grant

Crystal D. Grant is a daydreamer who adores freshly-baked cookies and anything with fur or feathers. During the day, she strives to instill a love of books and learning within her young students. As a hearing-impaired, home-school graduate, she found her voice in writing and has had multiple short stories and poems published. When she’s not reading or writing stories that sweep her away to another time and place, she watches classic movies and TV shows that do the same. Or she works on jigsaw puzzles. Crystal currently resides in smalltown Missouri, where she is always looking for space for another scented candle.
Connect with Crystal by visiting crystalgrantauthor.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

(1) winner will win a signed copy of Shadowcast,
book swag, and exclusive color art from the book!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 18, 2023 and will last through
11:59 PM EST on September 25, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and
given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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

0 Comments

Just Read Reviewer Tour - Sacred Fire by Karen Grunst

8/20/2023

1 Comment

A dream of belonging. A land seething with malice.
Can this budding peacemaker stand strong in the face of darkness?

Sarah longs to make a new life for herself in the coveted holy city. When a mysterious widow offers her a job there, she’s certain it’s an answer to her prayers. But Sarah finds the city smoldering with ancient hatreds…some directed at her.

Jacob is proud of his priestly heritage. Though he steadfastly holds to his learned traditions, the young man yearns to escape an arranged marriage and take control of his destiny. And he believes his moment has come when he rescues a servant girl who wields a sacred language long forgotten.

After thwarting a murderous riot, Sarah is plagued by alarming visions of a demon terrorizing the city. And Jacob vows to protect his new friend, even as their leaders pay no heed to their dire warnings.

Can this determined teen and her defender banish a ruthless foe and prevent an unholy catastrophe?

Sacred Fire is the whirlwind first book in The Sacred Fire Saga YA fantasy series. If you like courageous characters, powerful destinies, and slow-burn romance, then you’ll love Karen Grunst’s sweeping epic.

My Review

Will she find what she seeks in the holy city?

I'm always up for a good Christian or clean YA fantasy read. Be they fairytale retellings or epic fantasy, I enjoy every page even though I left that age group behind a number of years ago. I also like discovering new to me and debut authors so...when Sacred Fire caught my eye and it ticked all of those boxes I simply had to read it.

This may be Karen Grunst's first published novel, at least that I could find, but she really has a good series going here. Her fiction world features one of those realms where magic and faith reside together and it was definitely intriguing. That fact creates a lot of danger and mystery for our heroine and her learned hero which, in turn, provided some good reading hours for me.

This first Sacred Fire Saga novel was a slow build with thread after thread adding to the overall picture. I felt that the Karen Grunst did a good job telling a complete story within Sacred Fire but also laid down the foundation for further Sacred Fire Saga books. I, of course, will be definitely looking forward to more in the story.

Sacred Fire is aimed at a YA audience but Karen Grunst has penned a story that can be enjoyed by adults as well, or you could even read it aloud to your (grand)kids. That last one is something that I enjoyed my dad doing long into my own teenage years. So, why not dive into the Sacred Fire Saga for yourself and escape for a few hours into a world of mysterious writings and prophecies where one girl may be the catalyst that changes everything...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Sacred Fire by Karen Grunst a 4 Bark rating.

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

1 Comment

Just Read Review Tour - Unseen Danger by Jerusha Agen

8/12/2023

1 Comment

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Unseen Danger by Jerusha Agen,
hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

This woman and her K-9 protect others. Now who will protect them?

After a brutal attack, it took Nevaeh Williams six years to rebuild her life. Now a security specialist at the Phoenix K-9 Security and Detection Agency, she faces danger nearly every day. But when an old friend is targeted, her fragile stability begins to crumble.
Celebrity bodyguard Branson Aaberg could lose more than his career if he fails to end the mysterious threat against his client. Soon he’s more concerned with rescuing the tough but vulnerable woman who joins his security team.
Nevaeh is there to protect her friend, but what if she needs protection? What if the feeling she’s being watched isn’t the result of her traumatized imagination? If the danger is real, Nevaeh's only hope for survival may be the God powerful enough to defeat her worst enemy—the one she doesn't see before it's too late.

Unseen Danger continues the thrilling story of the elite Phoenix K-9 Security and
Detection Agency that began with Hidden Danger (Guardians Unleashed, #1).
(Each book can stand alone or be read as series installments.)

Publisher: SDG Words, LLC
Release Date: July 27, 2023
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

My Review

Just who's past is catching up with them?

If there is one thing I can always count on with the Danger Unleashed series it's edge of your seat suspense, and Unseen Danger is no exception. Jerusha Agen had me guessing from early on as I gleefully tried to unravel all of the threads alongside Neveah and Branson – and of course, one cannot forget the very important Alvarez 'Al'...

I've been a real fan of romantic suspense since first discovering the genre over two decades ago. I enjoy the mix of romance and danger and trying to figure out the culprit(s) before it's too late just as much now as I did back then. It's authors like Jerusha Agen and series like Danger Unleashed that keep me eagerly coming back for more – the fact that this series features working K-9s also doesn't hurt either.

Unseen Danger was particularly interesting as it not only shows a person actively dealing with PTSD but Jerusha Agen also lets her Danger Unleashed heroine ask the difficult question of where is God when the unimaginable happens. I also appreciated Branson's struggles with giving an answer for

Unseen Danger has all of the best in Christian romantic suspense and you remain glued to the page from start to finish. There is no real putting this story down because you just HAVE to know what happens next. I can tell you that I am already anticipating the next adventure for the Phoenix K-9 Security team as I know it is sure to be good one...

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

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

1 Comment

Just Read Blog Tour - Ranch Showdown by Tina Wheeler (Giveaway)

8/2/2023

8 Comments

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Ranch Showdown by Tina Wheeler,
hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Seeking refuge at a ranch…
Has fiery consequences...

After being threatened by her sister’s ex, Sierra Lowery has forty-eight hours to surrender documents linking him to a bombing before he kills her and kidnaps her nephew. With the evidence missing and anyone who helps becoming a target, hiding out with Detective Cole Walker, her college sweetheart, might be her only chance for survival. But as explosives detonate in the wake of their search, their ranch safe haven could become a dangerous trap.

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
Release Date: July 25, 2023
Genre: Christian, Romantic Suspense

Also Available

My Review

He may be her one chance at survival...

Wow, if you love a story where the stakes are high and the danger never lets up...well...I just might have the story for you. Ranch Showdown is another wild Love Inspired Suspense ride from author Tina Wheeler. It kept me turning those pages anxiously wanting to know what was going to happen next.

Loosely tied in with Tina Wheeler's previous Love Inspired Suspense book, Ranch Under Fire, it was a lot of fun it was a lot of fun to see some familiar faces in Ranch Showdown as well as getting to 'meet' some new ones. It is also nice that the two books can be read standalone or in order for even more reading enjoyment.

Ranch Showdown was a good read, one that I finished in pretty short order on a hot summer day when I needed to escape the heat into a good story. Tina Wheeler provided that escape with an exciting book that kept me entertained and intrigued from start to finish. It's as I always say, you can't go wrong with a good Love Inspired Suspense novel...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Ranch Showdown by Tina Wheeler a 4 Bark rating.

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

Tina Wheeler

Tina Wheeler is a Publishers Weekly Bestselling Author and retired teacher. Although she grew up on the edge of the desert in Arizona, her favorite place to plot a new story is on a balcony overlooking the ocean. She enjoys spending time with her large extended family, brainstorming with writing friends, discovering new restaurants, and traveling with her husband.
Connect with Tina by visiting authortinawheeler.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

It's Time For A Giveaway!

(2) winners will win a signed, print copy of
Ranch Showdown and a $15 dollar Amazon egift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight July 31, 2023 and will last through
11:59 PM EST on August 7, 2023. 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 toJustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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