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The Single Mom’s Second Chance by Tara Randel Review and Giveaway

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Single Mom’s Second Chance by Tara Randel, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Single Mom’s Second Chance
Series: A Golden, Georgia Romance #2
Author: Tara Randel
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming
Release Date: January 27, 2026
Genre: Wholesome Romance

A fresh start…

Then an unexpected curveball

When Addie Lane returns to Golden, Georgia, to open her own fitness center, she’s surprised to find her late husband’s best friend, professional baseball player Nolan Travers, offering to invest. Recovering from an injury, Nolan finds solace in helping a friend—and coaching her son Jacob’s baseball team. As the summer continues, their close bond threatens to be undone by Nolan’s expected return to pro ball and Addie’s challenging relationships with her mother and sisters. Only time will tell if their separate paths will pull them apart—or if Addie and Nolan can hit their love out of the park together.

USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR

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

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Harlequin.com | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

More in This Series

About the Author

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

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

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

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

My Impressions

“Could there actually be more to life than baseball?”

I had never read any of Tara Randel’s A Golden, Georgia Romance series before. Now that I’ve finished book #2, The Single Mom’s Second Chance, I’d like to revisit this small town where everyone knows your name, and unfortunately, your business as well! I love how main character Addie one day realizes that she and her  8-yr-old son Jacob have not only a supportive family, but friends and neighbors who rally together to support each other, as evidenced by the town’s support of the summer rec boys’ baseball team.

But I need to back up. Addie and her young son have moved back to her hometown of Golden after her husband’s death. While that brings family support, Addie is just beginning to rebuild relationships with her sisters that were severely damaged following their dad’s betrayal. Between her father and her husband, Addie has learned that she will never be first in relationship and has determined to stay out of romantic relationships rather than open herself to hurt. 

The return to town of her long-time friend, Nolan, an injured professional baseball player, threatens her promise to herself and her sanity. Nolan becomes Addie’s business partner in her life’s dream of opening a fitness center, then becomes the coach of the town’s rec baseball team as Addie realizes her parental enthusiasm isn’t enough to make her a good volunteer coach. 

It took me some time to get myself truly invested in the story, but by the midway point, my interest was thoroughly piqued. I enjoyed seeing glimpses of each of the Connelly sisters as well as their mother, and getting insight into their life as well. 

Poor Nolan, whose career is everything to him, has to ask himself some questions. “Who am I without baseball?” he whispered.  He is afraid to find out what life might be like without the driving force of his life.  He does get lonely, because his intense career focus means he has few friends. He wonders if “putting baseball first meant he’d always feel this alone.” Dare he pursue a relationship with Addie, when he can’t promise a future?

Coach and Linda are tied for my fave supporting secondary characters. Linda because she has found a way to forgive the past, is an incredible grandma, business owner, plus she develops a story thread of her own. But her love and care are examples for her girls to follow. And Coach? He is constantly showing up for Nolan, encouraging him in all endeavors, not just those of the professional team. He pulls no punches with Nolan, and strongly encourages him to be all that he can be. 

I received a copy of the book from JustRead Tours. I also bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own. 

Notable Quotables:

“The game teaches us a lot, but mostly it shows us how to handle disappointment and how to be good people in the process. I want that for each and every one of you.” – Nolan

“She’d rather lie to herself than face a possible broken heart.”

“the best way to get through a life-changing event was not to fight it but to just go through it, one step at a time.”  -Addie

“But not coming to terms with the past will only cause more stress down the road.” – Nicole

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Great! I’m looking forward to more visits with Connelly family members in the small town of Golden!

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card, a reading journal, ‘It’s a good day to read’ tote bag and three autographed print books by the author!

(1) winner will receive a $10 Amazon gift card!

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

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

ARC, BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Kindle, Purchase

Before the Dawn by Erica Vetsch Review and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Before the Dawn

Author: Erica Vetsch

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: February 10, 2026

A determined wife and a blind mining engineer—separated by fear, connected by love, and tested by darkness that threatens to tear them apart.

David Mackenzie was the most capable mining engineer in Colorado until a cave-in left him blind and filled with guilt over the deaths of his workers. Now he fears he’ll never be worthy of love or respect again. When his fiancée returns from nursing her sick aunt, he must find the courage to break their engagement before she wastes her life caring for a broken man.

Karen refuses to give up on the man she loves, but David has built a wall between them that grows higher with each passing day. When he tries to call off their engagement, she forces him into marriage through an unconventional lawsuit. Now she must find a way to break through his bitter shell and prove that her love hasn’t changed—before his fears and pride drive them apart forever and she loses not only the man she loves but also her chance at the family she’s always longed for.

When David’s cousin reveals a deadly secret about the cave-in, Karen and David find themselves trapped underground, forced to work together to survive. In the darkness, they must confront the fears that threaten to destroy them both. But even if they survive, can they find their way back to the love they once shared?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Best-selling, award-winning author of The Debutante’s Code, first in the Thorndike & Swann Regency Mystery Series, Erica Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum.

More from Erica

My story, Before the Dawn, is set in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. As a girl born and raised in Central Kansas, the first time I visited mountains, I was in awe…and also a little worried. Having grown up in a land where you can watch your dog run away for three straight days, not being able to see very far when in between mountains was a bit claustrophobic.

My children, growing up in SE Minnesota, had a similar experience. We were able to take the kids to Colorado several years ago, which is where I first became interested the history of Colorado Mining.

We took the kids to Idaho Springs, where we toured a mine and ore processing facility from the 1880’s. The Argo Mine was fascinating. When I ask my kids about what they remember, it’s always the panning for gold. My daughter reminded me that I was the first in the family to find any gold in my pan, a few little bright flakes, upon which many an adventurer has wagered his life.

The kids also got to sift through a box of sand and dirt to find colorful stones. As my son was enamored with agates and polished rocks at the time, this was the highlight for him.

When I wrote Before the Dawn, I tried to make the setting a character. The story is so tied to the setting, that if I changed where the story took place, it wouldn’t be the same story at all.

I hope, as you read Before the Dawn, you are drawn into the mountains, that you can feel a bit of the same sense of awe that I felt the first time this prairie girl saw the Rockies.

My Impressions

“You are so swamped with fear, you aren’t just blind. You’re emotionally paralyzed.”– Rex

I love Christian fiction marriage of convenience stories. Before the Dawn is an older story of Erica Vetsch’s, set in Colorado in the 1880s. Karen Worth, the young, beautiful fiancée of David MacKenzie returns to her fiancé’s home to an unpleasant surprise. David, a mine engineer, is caught in a deadly explosion. It robs him of his sight and also of his life’s purpose and faith. When his personality and treatment of his family and Karen become unbearable, they take matters into their own hands.

I am proud of the MacKenzie family for their refusal to allow David to sulk his days away in self-pity and hatred. Many measures they put into place are very helpful, if hard for David. But, the final solution may be the death of David and Karen’s forced relationship! 

I could easily relate to either main character, David or Karen. David, with his frustrations, feels like life has stopped and left him at the station. Karen now has full responsibility for David’s care and emotional well-being. I am amazed at Karen’s resourcefulness in her husband’s behalf. I love that she employs Rex to teach her husband. I wanted to thrash David more than once for being such a heel and refusing to try to relearn how to live. 

With a few prominent, ringing Scriptures that David and Karen hear at a school presentation, Truth nuggets begin to work their way into the couple’s life- slowly. Of course, there is a great twist just when things begin to improve in the marriage. 

My fave secondary character is a tie between two different men. The first is Rex, who is a teacher at the school for the blind in town. He is an amazingly patient, understanding, and yet prodding teacher. The other is Buckley, the family butler. He never seems to pity David, but somehow is a very supportive friend. 

I loved the mystery and action that are a part of this marriage of convenience story. I look forward to reading the next book. 

I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. I also bought my own ecopy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own. 

Notable Quotables:

“Prayer was the only thing that kept despair at bay.”

“He wanted to pray, to ask for guidance, but he was afraid. Afraid God wouldn’t hear him. Even more afraid the answer would be no.”

“We never realize what we have until it is gone.” – David

“As for losing my independence, isn’t that what God wants most for us as His children? God doesn’t want us to be independent. He wants us to be totally dependent on Him. Without Him, even men with perfect vision are blind.” –  Rex

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Great! Especially recommended for readers who love learning about mines in the Old West, marriages of convenience, and dealing with pride and blindness.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 5

Sydney Schmied Books, February 5

Books Less Travelled, February 6

She Lives to Read, February 7

Devoted Steps, February 7

Book Looks by Lisa, February 8

Books You Can Feel Good About, February 9

Lyssa Loves Books, February 9

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 10

lakesidelivingsite, February 11

Melissa’s Bookshelf, February 11

Texas Book-aholic, February 12

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 13

For Him and My Family, February 13

Bizwings Blog, February 14

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 15

Blossoms and Blessings, February 15

Cover Lover Book Review, February 16

Holly’s Book Corner, February 17

Devoted To Hope, February 17

Pause for Tales, February 18

Simple Harvest Reads, February 18 (Guest Review from Mindy)

Giveaway

Before the Dawn Celebration Tour Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Erica is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

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

https://gleam.io/QhNDV/before-the-dawn-celebration-tour-giveaway

BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Kindle, Purchase, Wild Heart Books

The Doctor’s Convenient Marriage by Lauralyn Keller Review and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: The Doctor’s Convenient Marriage

Author: Lauralyn Keller

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Release Date: January 20, 2026

She wants the freedom to practice medicine, and he needs a wife. But their bold escape from Boston’s high society rests on a marriage vow neither intended to make real.

Victoria Mountbatten has fought hard to earn her medical degree, but her powerful father uses his influence to block any doctor from hiring her. Faced with an ultimatum—marry a society gentleman or face disinheritance, Tori sees only one path to freedom. She makes a bold proposition to Dr. Harrison Blake, a colleague she’s worked alongside for years: a plan that will take them far from Boston’s stifling society.

Harrison Blake has always dreamed of building a hospital in the untamed West where he can truly help people. But his inheritance comes with a catch—he must marry before his thirtieth birthday. So even though Tori’s proposal is shocking, a marriage of convenience may be the perfect solution for both of them.

In the quiet moments of Harmony Springs, feelings grow and lines blur. Can their partnership blossom into true love, or will the walls around their hearts destroy the fragile trust they’ve built?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Lauralyn Kellerloves to combine history and romance in stories that touch the heart. She lives in beautiful Colorado and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking, hiking, and reading.

More from Lauralyn

You might have noticed all three books in the Second Chances in Harmony Springs series feature a marriage of convenience. While that was partly for continuity, it also spoke to my own heart.

I love this trope. There’s something beautiful about the type of romance where two people agree to something practical and unemotional, only to slowly discover all the messy, tender, unexpected feelings they absolutely did notplan for. It’s a popular trope because beneath the external circumstances—inheritance rules, social expectations, survival needs—lies a universal truth: sometimes love grows in the unlikeliest places.

For me, the appeal isn’t just the forced proximity or the slow-burn tension, though I love both. It’s the way a practical arrangement forces two people to reveal their truest selves. A marriage of convenience strips away the excitement of courtship and goes straight to the heart of compatibility. The characters must ask: Can we build a life together? Can we rely on each other? Can we trust each other with our hopes, fears, and futures?

Those are deeply romantic questions, even when the relationship begins with a contract instead of a kiss.

In The Doctor’s Convenient Marriage, Tori and Harrison enter their agreement not out of despair, but from determination. Tori refuses to sacrifice her dream of practicing medicine, even as Boston society tries to conform her to their expectations. Harrison is more heart-driven, longing to build a hospital in the untamed West where he can serve those who need it most. Their marriage isn’t about survival. It’s about carving out the freedom to become who they were meant to be.

That mutual ambition changes the dynamic. Instead of one rescuing the other, they rescue each other, and in doing so, they learn to see beyond professional camaraderie into something far deeper and more vulnerable.

What I love most about their journey is the way real affection steals up on them quietly. They start as friends and coworkers, but then things begin to change. Little glances. Quiet confessions. Moments of care neither expected to give or receive.

A marriage forged for convenience becomes a partnership rooted in respect. And that becomes the foundation for love. That’s the irresistible beauty of this trope: the idea that love can flourish not in spite of practicality, but right alongside it.

I hope you love this story as much as I do. It’s a heartfelt conclusion to a series that’s been in the works for years. I’m deeply grateful to all who’ve come along on this journey, and I look forward to seeing where the road takes us from here.

My Impressions

“If we join our lives, it’s to get something we both want. Love—or the idea of love—just complicates things.”

Victoria Mountbatten has a rather jaded view of marriage, but she knows what she wants out of life. Lauralyn Keller’s The Doctor’s Convenient Marriage, bk 3 of Second Chances in Harmony Springs, takes us on a delightful trip. I loved knowing where the story was headed (the marriage of convenience is sure to turn to love), but I had no idea of the harrowing route Tori and Harrison would travel to get there. And what a fun time I had, following this couple’s very bumpy journey! 

Forced to marry to save their individual dreams, Tori and Harrison move to Harmony Springs to build a hospital and provide health care to the small late nineteenth century community. I could feel the freedom of the breeze, smell the clean air, see the wide stretches of rangeland that surround the town. And I could feel the deep disappointment Tori feels when many of the townsfolk do not consider her as capable a doctor as her husband. But this is where Harrison shines! He is so calming and reasonable as he talks Tori down from her quick temper. He complements Tori so well, but Tori is afraid to love. “How could she trust a husband to love her when her own father had failed to do so?” Harrison is so tender with Tori, yet Tori keeps pushing back against admitting that their relationship can be anything more than just a business arrangement. 

My least fave characters are Ella and Tori’s parents. Which then makes my fave secondary characters be Harrison’s parents. They are so opposite the Mountbattens , and the Blakes genuinely love their adult children. But I wanted to cry for all the emotional abuse Ella and Tori had grown up enduring. 

I enjoyed seeing the love of sisters played out between Ella and Tori. A sister is a treasure, for sure! 

This tale flows smoothly, balancing Truth, lots of action, relationships, and meaningful conversations. I’d love to visit the town again. 

 I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit through BookFunnel. I also bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own. 

Notable Quotables:

“Justice is important… But there is something more important than justice… Love.” – Harrison

“Whatever you do, make sure any decisions made with a person are made with that person.” – Samuel

“If she let herself love him, he’d have the power to break her. Was love worth that risk?” 

“Relationships are about honesty. There’s always some give and take. Nothing is going to be perfect. You have to decide what’s worth fighting for and what can be given up. “ – Travis

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Magnificent! A great book to revisit on a rainy (or snowy) day!

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 3

Texas Book-aholic, February 4

Pause for Tales, February 4

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 5

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 6

Simple Harvest Reads, February 7 (Guest Review from Marilyn)

Jodie Wolfe, February 7

Bizwings Blog, February 8

For Him and My Family, February 9

Devoted To Hope, February 10

lakesidelivingsite, February 11

Lyssa Loves Books, February 11

Books You Can Feel Good About, February 12

Devoted Steps, February 13

Cover Lover Book Review, February 14

Vicky Sluiter, February 15

Holly’s Book Corner, February 15

Connie’s History Classroom, February 16

Mary Hake, February 16

Giveaway

The Doctor's Convenient Marriage Celebration Tour Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lauralyn is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

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

https://gleam.io/pX7ww/the-doctors-convenient-marriage-celebration-tour-giveaway

BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Favorite, Kindle, Purchase

Fatal Past by Sarah Hamaker Review and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Fatal Past

Author: Sarah Hamaker

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release Date: October 14, 2025

Dr. Eve Davenport has forged a life for herself far from the pain of her past. But when she foils the kidnapping attempt of Ethan Smith, she comes face-to-face with the boy’s father, Jefferson Smith—the high school sweetheart who broke her heart and left her with secrets she’s buried for nearly a decade. Jefferson can’t believe the woman who saved Ethan, his late twin brother’s son, is Eve—the girl he once loved and lost. But as the danger mounts, Jefferson and Eve must confront their tangled history and uncover who is behind the attacks targeting Ethan and Eve.

Click here to get you copy!

About the Author

Multi-award-winning and best-selling author of inspirational romantic suspense, Sarah Hamaker loves writing books “where the hero and heroine fall in love while running for their lives.” She’s an AWSA certified writer and speaker coach, and podcaster of “The Romantic Side of Suspense.” She and her husband are therapeutic foster parents with UMFS. Sarah lives in Virginia with her husband, four children and two cats.

More from Sarah

Life has a funny way of mirroring fiction at times, and that happened to me with Fatal Past—but not when I was writing it! I wanted my hero’s (and heroine’s) son to be school-age but not too old, so I picked second grade, which put him at age 7. This is such a fun age, as they are independent and inquisitive, and you start to really see their personalities develop.

Little did I know when I wrote this last fall that I would be teaching twenty-three second graders as a long-term substitute this current school year! I began in mid-September and will continue through early March while their regular teacher is out on maternity leave. It’s been challenging but rewarding as they expand their knowledge and build on their kindergarten and first-grade foundations.

Your turn—how has something you read resonated with you lately? Has a storyline mirrored something happening in your own life?

Sarah

My Impressions

“Your days are numbered.”

Sarah Hamaker’s romantic suspense novel, Fatal Past, draws me in quickly.  Dr. Eve Davenport‘s peaceful, secluded days become a thing of the past when she foils a kidnapping attempt of a seven-year-old boy. Eve, of Twin Oaks, VA, is astounded to discover the boy’s father is her high school sweetheart from Boston. 

Jefferson Smith despises Eve for deserting her baby years ago to follow her ambitious career path. 

This is a great story of nonstop action, two very relatable people with a connected past (which makes their working together difficult) and an adorable, true-to-age little boy! Life isn’t always what we see is one lesson we learn, and we must learn to really get to know people beyond what they present on the surface! One thing I really love is something hubby and I discuss often. Do people move beyond their high school personas as they mature into adulthood, or do they cling to their stunted, not-yet- developed adult thinking? Assumptions of others’ motives, forgiveness, and a great twisty mystery make this a book I love! 

Fatal Past is the first book in the Twin Oaks Secrets Series, so this is a great time to jump in! I can’t wait for the next book, Fatal Recall, due this summer! 

I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit . I also bought my own ebook. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Fave Lines:

“…not hating each other was a long way from love.” – Eve

“‘How do I look at her?” “Like she’s your favorite ice cream flavor.” 💕- Ethan and Jefferson

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Superior! There is something unique about Sarah Hamaker’s romantic suspense that always makes me feel like it could actually happen!! Scary thought!!

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, January 31

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 1

Books Less Travelled, February 2

Stories By Gina, February 3 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 4

Texas Book-aholic, February 5

Simple Harvest Reads, February 6 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, February 7

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 7

Artistic Nobody, February 8 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 9

Cover Lover Book Review, February 10

Bizwings Blog, February 11

Fiction Book Lover, February 12 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, February 13

For Him and My Family, February 13

Giveaway

Fatal Past Celebration Tour Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card, an ebook copy of Fatal Past, a paperback copy of Truth, the limited collection of four short novels that includes Fatal Past, signed by all four authors, and Fatal Past-themed socks!!

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

https://gleam.io/k1w6L/fatal-past-celebration-tour-giveaway

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On Living Stone by Heather Kaufman Review and Giveaway

About the Book

Title: On Living Stone

Series: Women of the Way

Author: Heather Kaufman

Publisher: Bethany House Fiction

Released: January 20, 2026

Genre: Biblical Fiction

“A beautifully told and imagined story.”–Tosca Lee, New York Times bestselling author on Before the King 

“A biblical story with a heart for today’s world, pulling out an array of joy and hope, sorrow and loss.”–Mesu Andrews, award-winning author on Up from Dust 

Every stone sings as it finds its purpose. This is the lesson restless Salome learns from her father as she grows up by the Sea of Galilee. Known as the wild girl with the quick tongue, Salome is determined to silence the critics who claim she has no future. An unexpected romance and the gift of two sons, James and John, leave her hopeful and resolved to prove herself as a mother.

Salome’s dreams are challenged, however, when her sons answer the call to follow Jesus of Nazareth. As James and John are drawn deeper into Jesus’ ministry, opposition to his message intensifies, leaving Salome with a choice. Can her family continue down the path of discipleship when it might cost them everything? With threats abounding, Salome must confront her fears, even as she discovers her own worth in this most unexpected rabbi. 

A journey of faith unfolds in this New Testament-inspired story of Salome, mother of Jesus’ apostles James and John. This compelling biblical fiction book explores themes of family, sacrifice, courage, and redemption, making it a stirring read for fans of The Chosen, Francine Rivers, Tessa Afshar, and Angela Hunt.

About the Author

Heather Kaufman lives in the Midwest with her husband and three children. She holds a BA from McKendree University and an MA from the University of Missouri—St. Louis. When not reading or writing, she can be found drinking copious amounts of coffee and exploring new parks with her family.

My Impressions

“You can trust Adonai to make you into who you need to be.”

What a wondrous story of Biblical truth, writer imagination, and astounding character growth Heather Kaufman crafts in On Living Stone! This novel reached into the deepest part of me and forced me to examine my life. Were there are similarities to Salome and her unmet needs? From a wild loner of a disparaged girl to a devoted follower of Jesus. How does Salome get from point A to point ( not just B, but I think Z)?! I was constantly challenged as I read: have I ever had even a smattering of the harmful attitudes that Salome had adopted? Have I, like Salome, slowly allowed the love of the Master to transform me?

What an emotional book, as we follow outcast, young, motherless Salome who is mockingly called, “Wild girl with the glowing eyes.” How Salome wishes she could be like either of Naysa’s daughters. Naysa is a neighbor woman, her deceased mother’s best friend who tries to look out for Salome and her injured father. Salome deeply resents Naysa’s comparisons and attempts at care. Salome’s father alone seems to understand his child, and shares God’s esteem for her and His knowledge with her in pleasant ways. 

One of the themes this book sets up is how our Heavenly Father loves us. We see two very different fathers, Salome’s and Zeb’s. Their consistent treatment of each of their children has profound effects on their children’s lives, far into adulthood. It is hard to see God as a loving Father if you have not had that experience. 

Salome begins to grow and mature beyond her wildness as she joins Naysa’s house, something she’d never wanted. Yet, she begins to slowly see how, as life trickles by, God has placed her exactly where he wants her for the best growth. It is hard-earned. I myself finally learned to love Naysa, which surprised me. She could have a biting tongue and give a “backwards compliment”, as we used to say. Yet, in Naysa’s house, Salome forms important relationships for the future, not the least of which is her realization that Zeb might be more than a brother. Relationships begins to turn. “I may not understand what you’re going through , but I don’t have to understand to love you.” – Naysa

Yet, even as Salome progresses through life and its ever/changing seasons, Salome finds that the love of family and friends ( and Keturah! What a friend) is not enough. 

Adonai has been calling. Salome has been listening. As her sons, James and John are born, each with their struggles and joys, they mature until as young teens, they hear of a Messiah. They begin to follow. Salome, with her fierce maternal love, begins to investigate this Jesus, whom James and John soon believe is indeed the Messiah. While the people questioned , “‘Who is this man?’ …the demons knew. The Holy One of God.”

Salome begins to understand that following Jesus requires worship. And that worship may cost her everything. Is Jesus worth it?! 

My  heart was wrenched out of my body, wrung out, and hung out to dry before I finished the book. But I pray, that, I, too, would exude the new perfume that Salome wore-the aroma of surrender to Christ, no matter the cost. 

I received a copy of the book from the author and Bethany House Fiction via NetGalley. I also ordered my own beautiful copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own. 

Notable Quotables:

“Every day is a choice to let go and cling.” -Deborah

“It is not the quality of the stone that matters but the skill of the mason’s hands.” – Salome to Peter after denial

“He’s worth the cost.” – Salome 

“I trust him. I trust Him with my boys- with all of them.”- Salome

“To be with Jesus is to be changed.” – Deborah

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Superior all the way!!

Forced to pick a fave book for January reads, On Living Stone won in my book. And there were many great ones!!

I have an extra paperback copy of On Living Stone I would like to gift to a reader. Must be a resident of contiguous United States. Leave a comment on my blog between now, Jan. 28th and midnight, February 2nd. Be sure and leave your email so you can be contacted for your address if you are the winner!

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Blaze of Courage by Avrie Swan Review and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Blaze of Courage

Author: Avrie Swan

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: January 13, 2026

A mysterious locket brings a fire survivor and a wounded veteran together, but their growing feelings might be more dangerous than the men pursuing them.

Charlotte Clarke survived the flames that destroyed her town and took her family, but at what cost? Left injured and alone, she seizes the chance for a fresh start when a dying friend asks her to take a locket to a relative in Kentucky. But she has no means to reach her destination until she meets a handsome horse trainer headed south and convinces him to let her travel with him.

Haunted by his years in the cavalry and desperate to save his family’s failing stables, Stefan Roberts is focused on transporting his father’s racehorses to Kentucky for the spring races. He isn’t looking for complications—especially not in the form of a determined young woman with secrets of her own. Yet as they travel together, Charlotte’s courage and determination begin to crack the walls he’s built around his heart.

When a shadowy pursuer closes in, Stefan and Charlotte must face the pasts they’ve been running from, and the faith they thought they’d left behind, before their fragile hopes for the future go up in smoke.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Avrie Swan is a Christian author and avid reader with a love for all things historical. Having grown up exploring antique stores and museums, she eventually decided to combine her interest in history with her love for writing and began working on her first full-length novel at the age of fourteen. She especially enjoys writing stories that focus on themes of family, faith, and growth through difficult times.

When Avrie is not writing, she is watching old movies, collecting antique books, and hunting for agates. A native Wisconsinite, she enjoys spending the cold winters indoors with her cat on her lap and a good book in her hand.

More from Avrie

Hello, folks!

When I wrote Blaze of Courage, I wanted to create a story centered on three things I love: adventure, faith, and horses. I adored horses as a kid, and although my family didn’t have the time, space, or money for a big animal, my mom managed to enroll me in a horseback riding camp when I was around nine or ten. I was over the moon! Since then, I’ve had more chances to interact with and learn about these loyal, graceful (and sometimes ungraceful) creatures. Blaze of Courage wouldn’t be complete without them!

In addition to everything related to horses, Charlotte and Stefan’s journey in Blaze of Courage centers on the theme of returning to Christ. Unlike Carina, who held onto her faith despite her struggles, the fire and its aftermath severely challenged Charlotte’s beliefs. Have you ever felt like hiding from everyone after being hurt? It’s often easier to hide our feelings and blame others rather than face what truly bothers us, and in Charlotte’s case, this includes trying to hide from and blame God. Of course, hiding from God is a strategy doomed to fail. What happens once Charlotte realizes this is something for you, dear reader, to discover.

The characters in Blaze of Courage are some of my favorites, and I thought it would be fun to create a little game based on them! Feel free to check out the link below and take the quiz to see which of the four group members you resemble most. If you play, share your results on social media or leave a comment on my Instagram! I’d love to see what you get. As always, God bless!

https://take.quiz-maker.com/QNUD28ZQX

Sincerely,

Avrie Swan

My Impressions

“But scars are nothing to be ashamed of. In your case, they will be a mark of bravery. A sign that you survived what many others did not.”

Avrie Swan draws another (short) horrifying picture of the Peshtigo fire of 1871 in Blaze of Courage, her second novel in The Peshtigo Fire Chronicles. While her rescue is nothing short of miraculous, Charlotte (Lottie) Clark wants nothing to do with a God who could have prevented the whole event… or at least saved her family. 

I loved the way that Swan gives such human frailty and emotions to her characters. I just couldn’t help but love them. While we see flawed characters, we see endearing traits in Charlotte, Stephan, and the twins, Bastian and Tom. Charlotte has promised a dying friend to return a gold locket and an apology to the friend’s parents in Kentucky. Stephan’s past causes him to treat people brusquely, yet he proves his inner softness as he graciously accepts first Charlotte, then the twins as travel companions. The twins are a study in opposites, alone and seeming mischief-makers at best. But it quickly becomes apparent they are hard workers, looking for acceptance, and an escape from their own past.  It is amazing to see how God brings each of them into the others’ paths.

The journey from Illinois to Kentucky is fraught with danger, intrigue, secrets, and uncertainty. Highwaymen make the trip extremely dangerous. Somehow, our little group of four begin to work together, almost like a family. But families have problems, too. The twins have a huge falling-out, and Charlotte is a great counselor. “…you also must remember that your brother is allowed to have differing opinions from your own. You’d be wise to ask his thoughts before making assumptions.” Hm, seems to me that all of us would be wise to heed these words.

I loved the uncertainty about which characters are trustworthy. And then the way the little family group works as one to solve a problem so big, it seems insolvable. But, will Stephan and Charlotte decide to trust their hearts to each other, or will this odd group break up either by danger or by choice? 

This book is certain to delight historical romance readers, horse lovers, and those with a heart for the trauma-damaged. 

I received a copy of the book from the author through Celebrate Lit. I also bought my own ebook. No positive review is required, and all opinions are my own. 

Notable Quotables:

“If Stefan didn’t find a way to overcome the darkness inside him, it would very likely consume him.”

“He knew all too well what it was like to want to run from the past. And he knew that, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t escape it forever. Nobody could. It had a funny way of coming back to haunt a person.”

“…my opinion isn’t the only one that matters.” -Tom  [ Oh, I am re-learning this at this stage in life!]

“Who knew such a beautiful thing could cause such ugliness?”

“He is building you up, preparing you for something that you can’t yet see. God has a plan for you, son. You can rest easy knowing that.” -Remus

“Though we are surrounded by the ugliness of the world, you must not forget to look for the beauty.” -Remus

“…blaming yourself for something you can’t change will never do any good. What matters is who you are now, and who you are now is a person anyone would be honored to know.

My Rating

Magnificent! I enjoyed it all- the horses, the intrigue, the romance, and the Truth nuggets!

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, January 24

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 25

Books Less Travelled, January 25

Simple Harvest Reads, January 26 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, January 27

Inkwell Inspirations , January 27

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 28

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 29

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 30

Holly’s Book Corner, January 30

Devoted Steps, January 31

Life on Chickadee Lane, February 1

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, February 1

Betti Mace, February 2

Cover Lover Book Review, February 3

Pause for Tales, February 3

For Him and My Family, February 4

Stories By Gina, February 5 (Author Interview)

Devoted To Hope, February 5

Connie’s History Classroom, February 6

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Avrie is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

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

https://gleam.io/G0Oie/blaze-of-courage-celebration-tour-giveaway

BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Favorite, Kindle, Purchase

Fighting for You by Robin Patchen Review and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Fighting for You

Author: Robin Patchen

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Release Date: January 6, 2026

She’s running from her past. He’s protecting his future. Together, they must fight for what matters most.

Delaney Wright has always believed the best of everyone—even when she shouldn’t. After her ex-boyfriend’s shocking betrayal, Delaney flees Shadow Cove, determined to rebuild her shattered confidence. She lands a nanny position in Virginia, caring for precious four-year-old Charlotte. Her new employer is everything she should avoid—wealthy, worldly, and far too handsome for Delaney’s peace of mind. But this job is not the haven it seems.

Noah Aylett is desperate to hang onto his family’s legacy, despite a stalker who’s getting bolder every day. When his brother abandons his daughter, Noah takes in Charlotte, hiring a live-in nanny to give his niece stability. Though Delaney is young and attractive—the worst combination for a man trying to avoid scandal—her gentle touch breaks through Charlotte’s grief. But Noah needs more than just a nanny to secure his niece’s future. He must complete a business merger amidst compounding danger. Someone is determined to sabotage the deal…no matter what it takes.

When threats close in on all sides, Noah and Delaney must join forces to protect the little girl they both love. Trusting each other might be the only way to save Charlotte—and themselves.

A heart-pounding suspense and a swoon-worthy romance as Noah and Delaney discover that some battles can only be won with the right person at your side.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Robin Patchenis a USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of Christian romantic suspense. She grew up in a small town in New Hampshire, the setting of her Coventry Saga books, and then headed to Boston to earn a journalism degree. Working in marketing, she discovered how much she loathed the nine-to-five ball and chain. After relocating to the Southwest, she started writing her first novel while homeschooling her three children. The novel was dreadful, but her passion for storytelling didn’t wane. Thankfully, as her children grew, so did her writing ability. Now that her kids are adults, she has more time to play with the lives of fictional heroes and heroines, wreaking havoc and working magic to give her characters happy endings. When she’s not writing, she’s editing or reading, proving that most of her life revolves around the twenty-six letters of the alphabet.

More from Robin

The Nanny Who Became a Hero: Why I Love Writing Ordinary Women in Extraordinary Circumstances

When I first introduce Delaney Wright to readers, she doesn’t look like much of a hero. She’s standing on the porch of a beautiful Victorian home in coastal Virginia, wearing a borrowed blouse that’s too big and reeking of cigarette smoke from the shelter where she’s been staying. She’s broke, far from home, and desperate to be hired for this nanny position because she has exactly forty-seven dollars in her wallet.

This is my heroine.

And I absolutely love her.

The “Ordinary” Woman

Delaney is the fourth of five sisters, and she doesn’t believe she measures up to any of them. Alyssa is brilliant. Brooklynn’s a gifted photographer. Cici owns a business, and Kenzie’s sailing the world. Meanwhile, Delaney’s one attempt to build a career was a spectacular failure.

Her ex-boyfriend turned out to be a criminal. Her own father expects her to fail. She’s terrible with adults, but at least she’s good with kids. That’s her one and only talent.

When the man seeking a nanny sees her, he takes one look and says, “It’s not going to work.” Too young. Too disheveled. Delaney is just not enough.

She doesn’t fight for the job because deep down, she believes it too.

What Makes Her Extraordinary

But Delaney’s superpower is fierce, protective love.

At sixteen, she was babysitting two boys during a tropical storm when the seven-year-old chased the family dog out into dangerous conditions. She had to secure the toddler before she could chase them. The 911 operator told her to stay put, but Delaney ran into the storm, found the terrified child and the dog, and brought them safely home.

When Delaney was praised for her bravery, she brushed it off. “I’d lost a kid and his dog,” she said. “Nothing brave about that.”

The Progressive Acts of Bravery

Delaney’s heroism isn’t a single dramatic moment but a series of choices, each one building on the last, each one requiring her to push past her own fears and insecurities.

When she encounters a little girl nearly wander into traffic because of an inattentive nanny, Delaney confronts the woman, even though conflict makes her uncomfortable. She puts that child’s safety above her own desire to avoid confrontation. (Her bravery ended up getting her a job.)

I don’t want to give too much of the story away, but Delaney proves, over and over, that she’ll do anything to protect the child in her care. She’ll put herself in danger. She’ll even step in front of a bullet.

Why This Character Archetype Matters to Me

I’m drawn to writing everyday heroines because I know so many of them, women who don’t believe they’re special. Women who work ordinary jobs—as nannies, teachers, nurses, caregivers—jobs that society often undervalues but that change lives. Women who doubt themselves, who’ve been hurt, who wonder if they’re enough.

Most of us have felt like Delaney at some point in our lives. We compare ourselves to others and come up short. We’ve made mistakes that haunt us. We’ve been betrayed by people we trusted, and it’s shaken our confidence in our own judgment. We wonder if we matter.

I think many of us women need the reminder, so just in case you do, I want you to know this: You matter. You’re gifted, you’re beautiful, and you matter.

Delaney’s journey isn’t about becoming a different person. She doesn’t suddenly gain superpowers or discover she’s secretly royalty or transform into someone unrecognizable. Her journey is about recognizing that she was always enough. That love—the kind of selfless, sacrificial love she’s capable of—is the most powerful force in the world.

Coming Full Circle

By the end of Fighting for You, Delaney has learned to trust her own judgment again. She’s proven to herself—and to everyone who ever doubted her—that she’s capable of far more than she believed. But she’s still the gentle, nurturing caregiver who reads bedtime stories and makes apple-peanut-butter sandwiches and knows exactly what a frightened child needs. Her heroism didn’t require her to become hard or cynical or tough. She saved the day by being exactly who she is—a woman who loves fiercely and protects those who can’t protect themselves.

At the end of the day, Delaney isn’t a superhero. She’s a nanny who became a hero because love compelled her to act.

And isn’t that the best kind of hero?

Who are the “ordinary heroes” in your life? The people who show up, who protect, who love without counting the cost? 

Do you undervalue your own gifts and strengths? Maybe it’s time to remember you are who God created you to be, and that makes you beautiful.

My Impressions

“It wasn’t her experience. It was… her. She simply wasn’t good enough.”

It’s always a pleasure to read one of Robin Patchen’s Wright Heroes of Maine novels. Book #8, Fighting for You, has progressed to Delaney Wright. The third of four sisters of a famed former CIA agent, Delaney is out to prove that she can survive on her own merits. Sans her father’s money or the name recognition the Wright name would open doors for in Maine. 

So, recalling the wealth of the Wright family, it is particularly interesting to see Delaney so determined to make it on her own, that she has to take refuge in a shelter. Delaney had always felt overlooked in her family of origin. She grew up feeling responsible for her younger sister, and somehow believes that her needs are always secondary to others’. Plus, she can see the obvious skills that each of her sisters possess that allow them to land great careers. And Delaney? She has one talent. Watching after children. She can nanny. Not exactly an enviable career choice to impress the great Gavin Wright, her father. 

When Delaney happens to save little 4-yr-old Charlotte from disaster at a park, Charlotte’s grateful custodial uncle Noah hires Delaney on the spot. It is endearing to see just how well Delaney deals with little Charlotte and helps her to progress out of her trauma-based shell. Just as Delaney and Noah begin to realize that they share an attraction, Noah puts on the brakes to protect his upcoming merger. It saddened me to see Noah’ s priorities. He believes he needs to protect his legacy- his business and his house – to the detriment of the most important relationships around him. Delaney sets him straight and I can hear her indignant voice now! “‘That little girl upstairs?’ Delaney pointed toward the ceiling. ‘She’s an Aylett. She’s your family’s legacy.’ Delaney straightened, emboldened by the truth she felt in her bones. ‘Not this house. Not your business. Those are just your pride or some misguided sense of loyalty to dead people.’” Even a surprising character understands this truth about Noah. 

The characters are very relatable. Delaney’s character doesn’t have a highly skilled job. Yet, I love how Robin Patchen shows how valuable nannies, childcare workers, and Moms are! I also loved that she shows us through Delaney that we can’t always compare ourselves with others. We’ll rarely see ourselves in a good light. ( Nor do you want to compare yourself like Noah did- based on status or  “class”. You’ll rarely see the real person that way.) I also liked that Delaney realized maybe not everything in her childhood was as she perceived it. In addition, her father is learning even now, to be a better father. 

I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher through Celebrate Lit. I also bought my own ebook. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own. 

Those who like plenty of action, a loveable child, & romantic suspense with both faith and humor, will want to give this series and novel a read. 

Notable Quotables:

“Sometimes, all we can do is our best and then trust the Lord with the rest.”

“Children need to be protected. You’ve got to trust grown-ups to figure out their own lives.”

“He’d never been a dog person. Or a kid person, for that matter. He loved Charlotte, obviously, but kids should come with an instruction manual. And a self-cleaning mode.” – This one cracked me up! 

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Magnificent! I always enjoy the Wright family adventures!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 22

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, January 23

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, January 23

Betti Mace, January 24

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 25

Mary Hake, January 25

Texas Book-aholic, January 26

lakesidelivingsite, January 27

Bizwings Blog, January 28

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 29

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 30

For Him and My Family, January 31

Blogging With Carol, February 1

The Bookish Pilgrim, February 1

Holly’s Book Corner, February 2

Cover Lover Book Review, February 3

Blossoms and Blessings, February 3

Pause for Tales, February 4

Giveaway

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

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

https://gleam.io/4YjqX/fighting-for-you-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Anna of Arimathea by Susanne Blumer Spotlight and Excerpt

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

About the Book

Title: Anna of Arimathea
Series: The Arimathea Chronicles #1
Author: Susanne Blumer
Publisher: Sutton Avenue Press
Release Date: December 7, 2025
Genre: Biblical Fiction

Some wounds are carried in silence. Some healings require more than medicine.

Eighteen-year-old Anna bears the marks of a childhood tragedy that left her motherless, scarred, and lame. Hidden within the household of her father, Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy councilman of the Sanhedrin, her days are measured in herb gardens and healing tinctures, in the steady work of hands trained to help others, and in the quiet safety of a world made small.

Then Andrew of Bethsaida arrives at her father’s gate with urgent business for Joseph and talk of a teacher who calls ordinary people to extraordinary purpose. A fisherman turned disciple, Andrew follows the rabbi Jesus with a conviction that unsettles every long-held expectation—including Anna’s own.

When Andrew’s kindness cracks open the door to a larger world, Anna faces an impossible choice: remain in the safety of her father’s estate or risk everything for the possibility of healing, love, and a life she never dared imagine.

Set against the dusty roads and fishing villages of first-century Judea, where miracles unfold and mercy walks among the broken, Anna of Arimathea opens The Arimathea Chronicles—a richly imagined tale of faith, first love, and redemption in the footsteps of the Messiah.

Anna of Arimathea is perfect for readers who love:

Biblical and historical fiction with rich period detail
Redemptive love stories that explore the cost of faith
Immersive historical worlds
Characters who choose courage over comfort

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Author’s Website | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

ALSO AVAILABLE:


About the Author

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

She is the author of The Arimathea Chronicles, a series set in first-century Judea and centered on the life of Anna, the daughter of Joseph of Arimathea. The first book, Anna of Arimathea, published in December 2025 and the second, Anna of Bethsaida, will be available in March 2026. She’s also written several children’s books, including the award-winning Bell Tower Bible Adventure series she co-wrote with her husband. Her new children’s picture book series, The Story of You, will release its first book late Spring 2026 called Before Your Story Had A Name.

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

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


Excerpt:

THE MARKETPLACE (Prologue)

Jerusalem, 17 AD. Five-year-old Anna and her mother Sarah are caught in a marketplace riot that will change everything.

A woman screamed. Another voice joined, then another, until the marketplace churned with noise. Pottery crashed as a stall overturned, shards skittering across the ground like broken teeth. Chickens fluttered from their cages, wings beating the air, feathers drifting in the sunlight.

The crowd swelled and heaved. Strangers shoved past each other, fear rising like a shout above the sudden quarrel.

Sarah spun from the spice stall. Her eyes found Anna in the pen, crouched in the straw with the wounded lamb.

“Anna!” Her cry carried above the noise as she pushed into the crowd.

A centurion shoved through the chaos. His face was dark with fury, and his whip coiled in his fist like a deadly serpent. Behind him, soldiers poured out on horseback, their hooves ringing on the stone.

“Back, dogs!” he bellowed. “You think Rome will let you riot in her streets?”

He snapped the whip overhead, the crack splitting the air.


This is a book I haven’t yet read, but I really want to! I love Biblical fiction and this looks to be another well-told story of Jesus’s time. I believe this is a novel worth your attention!


Tour Giveaway

(2)  winners will each receive a signed print copy of Anna of Arimathea plus a $50 Bookshop.org Gift Card!

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

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

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Fatal Invitation by S. F. Baumgartner Review and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Fatal Invitation

Author: S.F. Baumgartner

Genre: Crime Thriller

Vanished women. A rising body count. A detective who won’t quit.

Detective Kylie “KC” Cassidy thought Major Crimes would be her big break. Instead, she’s chasing the brutal murders of young women—and the trail keeps circling back to Assistant State Attorney Gavin Watkins and his elusive ally, Kozlov.

Each lead vanishes before her eyes, every step forward dragging her deeper into danger. And when Kozlov’s men come after her, KC must rely on her instincts, and on the few people she can trust, to survive long enough to expose the truth.

But when KC gets too close to the truth, she becomes the target. Will KC survive the trap and bring down the predators or become their next victim?

If you like the relentless pursuit of justice in Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch series, the sharp investigative instincts of Lisa Gardner’s D.D. Warren, then you’ll be captivated by Fatal Invitation, a gripping, fast-paced crime thriller.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

S.F. Baumgartnercrafts fast-paced Christian suspense thrillers, weaving tales of complex characters, secretive operatives, and relentless agents. Her gripping storytelling has earned acclaim, with Living Secrets and Forgotten Secret—Books 1 & 2 of her Mirror Estate series—named Top Picks in the thriller & suspense categories, respectively, at Killer Nashville, and Tangled Secrets—Book 3 of Mirror Estateseries—won couple of awards in the Christian Indie Awards and the Incipere Awards. When she’s not plotting her next twist, she’s binge-watching crime TV shows, like NCIS or playing with her cats. Fans of James Patterson’s style, especially those who appreciate short, punchy chapters, will find much to love in her work.

More from S.F.

A New Adventure Begins: Introducing the Detective Kylie Cassidy Series

I’m thrilled to announce that Fatal Invitation, the first full-length novel in the Detective Kylie Cassidy series, is here!

If you’re new to Detective Kylie “KC” Cassidy, I recommend starting with Christmas Murders to get acquainted with this compelling character. And here’s a treat: there’s a free story called Orlando Prime – Origins available under the Freebie tab on my website at sfbaumgartner.com. This story introduces you to the elite crime-fighting unit and the team members who work alongside KC. Both KC and Orlando Prime take center stage in Fatal Invitation.

Writing this book has been an absolute blast! Unlike my Mirror Estate series, the Detective Kylie Cassidy series features self-contained stories in each book—think of it like your favorite TV crime drama where each episode (or book) solves a complete case. While there may occasionally be an overarching storyline, you can jump in at any point and enjoy the mystery. And as always, my books are clean reads.

Since this is a spin-off of the Mirror Estate series, longtime readers will enjoy spotting familiar faces. A few beloved characters get mentioned, and some may even guest-star in future books!

I truly hope you’ll fall in love with this new series as much as I’ve loved creating it.

Happy Reading!

My Impressions

“KC felt the familiar chill that came with recognizing a pattern. A beautiful influencer. A too-good-to-be-true opportunity. A young woman who trusted the wrong person.”

Whew! I escaped alive out of that crime thriller! S.F. Baumgartner writes in such a compelling way, I thought I was present in  the scenes of Fatal Invitation. This series is a spin-off of the Mirror Estates series. Each book in the series can be a standalone. Kylie “KC” Cassidy is a small town detective who has just moved up to the Orlando Police Department. Still, the very first murder victim she investigates is one from her small town where she used to live with her Aunt Mae. 

When a second victim with a similar MO is found shortly after, KC and her partner fight to keep jurisdiction from turning over to Orlando Prime, the city’s elite crime fighting organization. One aspect of the book is following KC and her new partner, Spaulding, to see if they can learn to work together and trust each other. After so long working by herself, can KC adjust to not only having a partner, but sharing her case with a whole nother unit? 

Another is getting an overview of the Orlando Prime team, headed by Commander Frank Travers and his gang that is almost like family. I enjoyed meeting all of these individuals, and getting a feel for their place in crime solving. Jack has to be the comic relief of the team, in a sense. He is so very intelligent, but can he ever bird-walk. I could feel the whole team groaning whenever it was time for him to report in! 

KC and the Orlando Prime team first believe they are tracking a serial killer. But what they eventually uncover is something more planned, more pervasive, and more deeply rooted than they could have imagined. Do they have the skills and resources to expose something so sinister before it takes them, especially KC, out? 

Be ready for lots of characters, fast action, nail-biting tension, and a few twists. I will be looking forward to reading the rest of this clean, crime fiction series! 

I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. I also bought my own ebook. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own. 

Notable Quotables:

“And men under pressure do two things.” Eli’s voice lowered. “They break, or they double down.”

“He’d thrown away his medical license, his marriage, his self-respect. But maybe, just maybe, he could throw away his fear too.”

“But some of the most dangerous predators operated in plain sight, hiding behind credentials and public trust.”

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Magnificent. S.F. Baumgartner knows how to get the reader’s heart pumping into overdrive!

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, January 20

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 20

Bizwings Blog, January 21

Leslie’s Library Escape, January 22

Fiction Book Lover, January 23 (Author Interview)

Books Less Travelled, January 23

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 24

Texas Book-aholic, January 25

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 26

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 27

For Him and My Family, January 28

Blogging With Carol, January 29

Betti Mace, January 30

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, January 31

Simple Harvest Reads, February 1 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, February 2 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

Fatal Invitation Celebration Tour Giveaway

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

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

https://gleam.io/EvrUy/fatal-invitation-celebration-tour-giveaway

ARC, BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Favorite, Kindle, Launch Team, Purchase, Wild Heart Books

Scars of the Revolution by Megan Soja Review and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Scars of the Revolution

Author: Megan Soja

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: January 6, 2026

Some scars are born from duty, others from rebellion—theirs were carved by both.

Libby Caldwell has been in love with Isaac Harrison for years, ever since her late father befriended him. While her head knows there is no hope of sharing her life with a British soldier, her heart is much more difficult to convince, especially now that he is quartering in her home. With Boston under siege and battle looming, each day together forces her to recognize how deep her feelings truly are…and how forbidden.

Bound by duty to both his family and country, Isaac is determined to serve honorably in the King’s army, despite never wishing to be a soldier. But quartering with the widow and daughter of his old friend places another obligation on his shoulders—that of their well-being. The more time he spends with Miss Caldwell, the more that duty begins to feel like something personal, something he cannot allow.

As the siege of Boston tightens, Libby finds herself drawn into a dangerous game of espionage that could save the Patriot cause—and destroy any chance of a future with the man she’s growing to love.

Will betrayal and war keep their two worlds forever apart? Or will they look to the One whose love knows no bounds to bring them healing and a future?

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About the Author

Megan Sojais a multi-award-winning author who writes stories with strong faith, rich history, and sweet romance. She lives in western NY with her husband and two daughters and loves having adventures, both big and small, with her family. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, hiking, canoeing and kayaking, and playing French Horn.

More from Megan

One of the things I love about reading and writing Christian fiction, is being able to see God’s truth woven into the story. Even though the characters and their experiences are fictional, the truth of who God is and how He loves us is very real.

In Scars of the Revolution, my heroine, Libby Caldwell, wrestles with understanding God’s goodness in the face of loss and hardship. Libby is grieving the death of her beloved father, while also facing the siege of her hometown and the worsening fight between the Patriot colonists and the British Army stationed in Boston. Her growing love for one of the British officers further complicates matters, and makes it hard for her to discern what God is doing in her life.

Her questions and struggles reflect much of my own faith journey. When my husband and I lost our first baby just after birth, I spent months trying to reconcile what I thought I knew of God with the tragic loss we had experienced. I wasn’t angry at God, but I was utterly confused as to how to understand His goodness in the midst of something that felt anything but good.

It wasn’t easy, but when I look back now, I see how God led me through my grief into a deeper understand of His character and a stronger reliance upon Him. I can truthfully say, as Libby’s mother does in Scars of the Revolution, that it was “in the hardest times, when God has seemed utterly incomprehensible, that my faith has grown the most.”

If you have ever walked through a painful experience that made you struggle to understand God’s purpose or even doubt His love, I hope that Libby’s journey will inspire your own faith. Or maybe your experience is more like that of my hero, Isaac Harrison, whose life has revolved around duty for so long, that it is hard for him to comprehend a God who freely gives His love and forgiveness, even when we don’t deserve or cannot earn it. I won’t give any spoilers as to how Isaac’s understanding grows and changes, but I hope you’ll be encouraged when you read it.

Libby and Isaac’s story is one of love against all odds, set against the backdrop of the Battle of Bunker Hill and a complex web of espionage. But it is also a story of faith in the God who is able to turn our scars into something beautiful. I pray you will find that truth in the pages of Scars of the Revolution.

My Impressions

“We all bear scars of some sort, whether visible or hidden far beneath the surface. But instead of seeing the loss and sorrow in them, what if there is good that comes as a result? What if your scars have brought you exactly where God wants you to be?”

Have you ever finished a book, and wished you had the time to go back and reread it immediately? This was my reaction to reading an ARC of Megan Soja’s latest Revolutionary War era novel, Scars of the Revolution, Book three of her series, Harbor of Spies. It is so delicious to my reading palate. I must admit I have read book two, but missed book one. But with that background and enough small references in this novel, I had no trouble following the action. 

My heart yearned for Libby Caldwell. Always close to her now-deceased doctor father, she becomes infatuated with the British soldier, Lt. Isaac Harrison, who had developed a close friendship with her father. When Harrison returns a few years after her father’s death, he finds himself billeting at the Caldwells to protect the doctor’s widow and his now-grown daughter. 

The novel provides plenty of tension as we see the conflict between the colonists and the British heat up from disagreement to actual conflict. Libby and Harrison, aided by proximity, fight their growing attraction for each other as their loyalties are firmly opposed. Sometimes, they are able to see past their differences. Picking up his uniform coat, Libby tells Isaac, “Because this alone is not who you are.”  “How he wanted her words to be true, that he would be defined not by his position in the army but by who he was as a man.” Obvious evidences of love (obvious to everyone but theirselves) are overshadowed by duty, alliances, and secrets. My heart felt like it was being torn in two so many times. And putting myself in each of their shoes- could I have made different decisions?

But God enters the story often and so well. Libby’s father was a firm believer who knew how to share his faith. His words, posthumously, greatly affect both Libby and Isaac. Can I have a fave unalive character?! And Libby’s mom is another fave character. She quietly supports her daughter, but isn’t afraid to gently challenge or confront her, when the need arises. “…pray first. Do not act on emotions alone, for they are not to be trusted. Seek God’s guidance and listen to Him, above all else.” Faith is a very present element of this book. The setting may be centuries old, but the Truths are so applicable today! 

Soja writes knowledgeably of the siege of Boston and proves she did her homework well. The reader is sure to learn more history than what they knew before starting the book! ( I love books that do that well!) And Soja throws in twists, and enough glimpses of other characters that I am begging for book four ASAP! This family/friend saga is not over!

I received a copy of the book from the author and Celebrate Lit. I also preordered my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own. 

Notable Quotables:

“Tis a sacrifice of some sort with either decision. Be it duty or rebellion, in both there is something to gain, and something to lose.” – Isaac

“…church is not the only place to meet with God. God is just as present with you in your everyday life as He is within those walls.” – Mrs. Abbott

“I have found ’tis in the hardest times, when God has seemed utterly incomprehensible, that my faith has grown the most. For in those struggles, He has shown me that it is not my grasp of Him that matters, but rather His hold on me.” – Libby’s mother 

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Superior! This had to be the best of the three books in this series! And there is more yet to come!! Yay!!

Blog Stops

Devoted Steps, January 17

Bizwings Blog, January 17

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, January 18

Life on Chickadee Lane, January 18

Books Less Travelled, January 19

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 20

Texas Book-aholic, January 21

Betti Mace, January 22

Holly’s Book Corner, January 22

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 23

Connie’s History Classroom , January 24

Books You Can Feel Good About, January 25

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 26

Leslie’s Library Escape, January 27

The Bookish Pilgrim, January 27

Simple Harvest Reads, January 28 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Cover Lover Book Review, January 29

Pause for Tales, January 30

Blossoms and Blessings, January 30

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Megan is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

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

https://gleam.io/nSWnS/scars-of-the-revolution-celebration-tour-giveaway