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The Robber and the Witness by Danielle Grandinetti Review and Giveaway

Babbling Becky L

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Robber and the Witness by Danielle Grandinetti, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

It’s time for Christmas in July! I never miss a book in Danielle Grandinetti’s Christmas Cabin series, and am excited to join Just Read Tours in presenting this book and author!

Let’s Talk About the Book

Title: The Robber and the Witness
Series: Christmas Cabin Historical Romance Novellas #3
Author: Danielle Grandinetti
Publisher: Hearth Spot Press
Release Date: July 21, 2026
Genre: Christmas Historical Romance/Mystery

Christmas … a time of reunions and unexpected surprises.

A simple favor, a best friend’s promise, and the end of the line.

Wisconsin, 1931—When Gideon Lundgren agrees to escort his best friend’s sister to Manitowish Waters, plans go awry when she witnesses a robbery. He thinks he’s merely escorting the girl he once knew, but she’s grown into a charming beauty.

Evangeline Whitaker’s older brother always warned that her kind heart would be the death of her. It might at that. First, when she’s an unwitting accomplice to a robber. Second, when her childhood crush becomes her bodyguard.

With a robber on their trail and a tangle of emotions between them, Evangeline and Gideon detour to his boss’s cabin to wait out the ensuing manhunt. However, Evangeline’s Christmas spirit might be the death of them both.

One cabin in the Northwoods … a decade of Christmas miracles.

A sweet 1931 Christmas mystery featuring a closed-door romance between a protective bodyguard and the woman who witnessed too much.

Where can you buy this book?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Buy from the Author | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

More to Explore in This Series

Just a note… you may notice that these covers are new and refreshed to be more unique to the series!

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Meet the Author

Danielle Grandinetti writes award-winning 1930s historical romantic mystery and suspense. She is the 2026 Holt Medallion winner and a second-generation Italian-American. Fueled by tea and nature, she crafts hope-filled historical romance novels exploring immigrant heritage, found family, and cozy Midwest traditions. Find her at daniellegrandinetti.com.

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My Impressions

“It’s what Evan is always telling me, that my kindness is going to be the ruin of me. He’s right.” 

Poor Evangeline Whitaker! Back in 1931 in a train station in Minnesota, there was no loud speaker such as we have in airports nowadays blaring over the air. “Do not watch the bags of strangers!” Danielle Grandinetti’s female main character in The Robber and the Witness is just too kind for her own good. Her brother Evan says so. The fact that she is stuck literally holding the bag when two policemen come to investigate says so. The only one who doesn’t say so is Deputy Gideon Lundgren, Evangeline’s brother’s best friend and appointed guardian for a Christmas visit to Gideon’s friends’. 

I loved the way Gideon smoothly assesses Evangeline’s situation and need and comes to her aid based on his knowledge of her past personality and his friendship with her brother. He is willing to give her the shadow of a doubt she needs in a sticky situation, and provides a great safety net for her. He provides confident leadership.

The train ride in the snowy Christmas atmosphere would have been magical if there weren’t the very real possibility of their being followed. Gideon is very good at assessing people, situations, taking charge, and giving commands to help protect not just Evangeline but the whole group of train passengers. 

Evangeline is very brave, stoic, and willing to follow GIdeon’s lead. But…Is she naive, or is she just willing to see the best in people? When her soft heart rises up yet again… will it be the death of her and Gideon and maybe more?!

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

If you like short, nostalgic, Christmas -themed romantic suspense, I recommend this book and series. Each book stands alone, but it is beneficial to recognize characters from previous books. 

Notable Quotables:

“The thief was a variable he could not account for.” ( Gideon)

“People don’t always believe me because they think I’m too kind, I think. Maybe. I don’t know. I suppose I don’t really understand why people don’t always believe me. But you do?”- Evangeline 

“…he led with quiet confidence and assurance that all would be well, even if he didn’t believe it.”– Gideon

“Don’t not be kind just because other people make bad choices.”- Gideon

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Great! Another great addition to this sweet series!

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What’s the Prize (Giveaway)?!

(2) winners will each receive a signed paperback of The Robber and the Witness, a notebook/pen set, and a wooden ornament!

Rules, Regulations, and Fine Print

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight July 22, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 29, 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

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

ARC, BLOG, Favorite, Favorite Truth Nuggets, Just Read Tours, Kindle, Launch Team, NetGalley, New-to-Me Author, PB, Purchase, Tyndale

The Light of Stars by Jenelle Hovde Review and Giveaway

Babbling Becky L

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for The Light of Stars by Jenelle Hovde, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Light of Stars
Author: Jenelle Hovde
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Release Date: July 14, 2026
Genre: Historical Romance

An arranged marriage. A powerful company tainted with corruption. Two souls caught between obligation and a longing to find their true calling in this Regency romance set in glittering London ballrooms and Calcutta street markets.

When Kitty Grenville’s grandfather announces her engagement to Sebastian Sinclair, she’s appalled. She barely remembers the boy she met once as a child—and now he’s a man tied to the East India Company, the very organization that tore Kitty and her brother from their mother and home in Hyderabad years ago. Unwilling to relinquish her dream of a love match or her passion for astronomy, Kitty is determined to refuse the marriage and find freedom in her own way.

Sebastian Sinclair carries the weight of duty and regret. To atone for past sins, he complies with his grandfather’s orders to return to England, fulfill a long-standing betrothal, and defend the maligned East India Company before Parliament. Though Kitty makes her disinterest clear, Sebastian is drawn to her intellect and spirit.

As Kitty navigates her first London season, her opinion of Sebastian begins to shift, especially when he shields her from scandal. When he’s abruptly called back to India, Kitty stuns everyone by marrying him and going with him, hoping to escape her grandfather’s control—and to find her mother.

But the challenges that await in India are greater than imagined. Together, Kitty and Sebastian must confront the legacy of family and empire—and discover if a marriage born of obligation can grow into a love strong enough to endure.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Tyndale | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Bookshop | BookBub

Also Available

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About the Author

Jenelle Hovde, an accomplished illustrator, author, pastor’s wife, and homeschooling mother, ventured off the beaten path when she transitioned from her career as a doctor of audiology to pursue her passion for writing. While her nine novels span different eras—from the ancient worlds to World War II—her favorite genre is sweet Regency romance that enchants readers with tales of love and intrigue set against the backdrop of nineteenth-century England. Drawing inspiration from timeless treasures found in antique stores, Jenelle pens historical romance novels that captivate readers with vivid storytelling and gentle messages of faith. Her stories have garnered impressive showings in multiple writing contests. Often found writing at the Florida beach, she navigates life with her family and manages two saucy cats who insist on interrupting her creative endeavors.

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

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My Impressions

“I’m not afraid of failure. I’m afraid of succeeding at things that don’t matter.” – William Carey

Book Coma!! Jenelle Hovde’s latest historical romance, The Light of Stars, has left me in a book coma.  I am so overwhelmed by this book I don’t know if I can move on. Typically, stories of India, The East India Tea Company, England, and Parliament do not sound exciting to me. But let Hovde get ahold of these threads, and she weaves them together with a marriage of convenience story and faith nuggets into a beautiful work of art! 

In London in December of 1814, unconventional, headstrong English heiress Kitty Grenville greatly resents her “Iron Colonel” grandfather, who treats her as a pawn in his grasp for money and power. Masterminding her kidnapping from a palace in India as a young girl, her grandfather now insists Kitty marry a man he chooses. This man, Sebastian Sinclair, is a grandson of the chairman of the board of The East India Tea Company. Kitty, who studies astronomy diligently, is threatened to have that freedom taken away, plus her inheritance, if she refuses to comply. Already caught with her brother between two worlds, Kitty has two desires: to be controlled by no man, and to find her mother. 

Sebastian, after years of wasteful living, has finally found God and returned to his place in his grandfather’s family. Leading the East India Tea Company will one day fall to him, but now he must prove his worth and loyalty by marrying the granddaughter of an old comrade of his grandfather. He must also defend the East India Tea Company before Parliament.

Kudos to Hovde, who helped me understand the politics of the time involving the East India Tea Company, the   response of India’s people to the company, and the mission of people like William Wilberforce and William Carey who believe the English heads of the company of great wrongdoing. Slowly, Wilberforce and Carey remind Sebastian of his duty to mankind as a Christian. 

“It is the true duty of every man to promote the happiness of his fellow creatures to the utmost of his power,” Wilberforce says. While Carey tells Sebastian, “The gospel is the true means by which the world changes, Sebastian—not these political positions you seek. To belong to Jesus is to embrace the nations with Him.” But can Sebastian be convinced that his precious tea company and his one way to prove his loyalty to his domineering grandfather might be less important than the call of God on his divided heart?

So many times this amazing book plucked at my heartstrings. Two adults desperately looking for approval from grandparents that are hard and overly demanding. Two young adults (not necessarily the same) who, due to their heritage, cannot find acceptance in either society. Again, two adults whose siblings are living lives the former are ashamed of and grieve over. Ah, the romance, the intrigue, the action, the suspense, and the twists! And the astronomy lessons! How fun to have the stars be a focus of the book, yet the happiness Kit would have, should she be allowed to continue her beloved studies, is as unlikely as a new celestial discovery by a woman. 

A book for historical fiction lovers, Regency romance lovers, readers of Julie Klassen and Sarah Ladd, plus those who enjoy reading of women in STEM and marriage of convenience stories. I adored it and highly recommended this novel!

I received a copy of the book from the author and publisher through JustRead Tours via NetGalley. I also bought a couple of paperbacks- one for my trophy shelf and one to share with a friend!

Notable Quotables:

“Yet even in this, I see the hand of Providence. I can trust Him—not only in the doors He opens, but in those He closes as well.” “Could I trust God to chart my path?”– Freddy, (Kitty)

 “We do not have to be bound to our family’s curses or their poor choices. We can choose differently, aye?”- Sebastian 

“Even those who think themselves uninvolved are often complicit if they do nothing.” -Carey

“We cannot allow our mistakes, nor the evil of others, to define our path or our identity.” – Freddy

“These men had not come to be entertained. They had come to change the world. Or set fire to it, if my grandfather was to be believed.” – Sebastian 

“…mercy is a necessity for peace. Perhaps this is why we so desperately need God’s help. To calm the storm.” – Kit

“They’re the same stars. But from here, they feel like a promise…Neither you nor I are lost, not when we see God’s handiwork.” – Sebastian 

“Forgiveness changes us,” he had told me once. “A repentant man is no longer defined by his sins.” – Carey

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Superior! The Light of Stars checks all the boxes for me. It is on my shortlist of fave books of 2026!!

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 gift card to their choice bookstore!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight July 21, 2026 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on July 28, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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

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

Freed by the Frontier by Review and Giveaway

Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: Freed by the Frontier

Authors: Sherry Shindelar, Denise Farnsworth, Susan F. Craft

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: June 30, 2026

Three remarkable women find themselves caught between two worlds on the American frontier. A captive of the Comanche must choose between escaping to white society or her growing feelings for a rising war chief in 1850s Texas. A Georgia judge’s daughter flees an unwanted betrothal during the War of 1812, only to be captured by Creek warriors but protected by a mysterious brave. And in 1754, an English lady traveling the Great Wagon Road to become a music teacher discovers her carefully planned future may not survive her attraction to a protective frontiersman.

From quaint civilized towns to treacherous mountain passes and wilderness villages, three couples navigate cultural divisions, overcome past wounds, and face deadly dangers to discover that love knows no boundaries. But as war clouds gather and ancient tribal alliances shift, will their newfound relationships survive the coming storm? Or will the clash of worlds tear them apart?

Three unforgettable romances prove that God’s greatest blessings often come disguised as our greatest challenges, and that true love can bridge any divide.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Authors

Originally from Tennessee, Sherry loves to take her readers into the past. A romantic at heart, she is an avid student of the Civil War and the Old West. When she is not busy writing, she is an English professor working to pass on her love of writing to her students. Sherry is an award-winning writer: 2025 Maggie winner, 2023 Genesis finalist, Maggie finalist, and Crown finalist. She currently resides in Minnesota with her husband of forty-one years. She has three grown children and three grandchildren. Connect with Sherry at sherryshindelar.com.

North Georgia native Denise Farnsworth, formerly Denise Weimer, has authored over twenty traditionally published novels and novellas—historical and contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and time slip. As a freelance editor and Acquisitions & Editorial Liaison for Wild Heart Books, she’s helped other authors reach their publishing dreams. A wife and mother of two adult daughters, Denise always pauses for coffee, chocolate, and old houses.

Nationally acclaimed writer of inspirational historical romance, Susan F. Craft retired after a 45-year career in communications. A widow who was married 48 years to her high school sweetheart, she has two adult children, one granddaughter, and a granddog. A history nerd, she enjoys painting, singing, and sitting on her porch watching chipmunks dine from her bird feeder. She recently learned how to play the ukulele. Soli Deo Gloria

More from the Authors

Imagine a time when the U.S. not far from the coast was unsettled wilderness. Where brave settlers faced the challenges of isolation and nature as they established a toehold of civilization. Where multiple nations clashed in battle as they vied for control of land and waterways.

This setting seeded with inherent danger and wild beauty calls to those of us who write frontier historical romances from the 1700s and 1800s. Three of us from Wild Heart Books—Sherry Shindelar, Denise Farnsworth, and Susan Craft—came together to pen a trio of novellas, Freed by the Frontier. Each of our stories connects to one of our previous series, but each novella can be read independently. We invite you to journey with us back to rugged mountains, wagon roads, and frontier settlements.

Wichita Path Sacrifice by Sherry Shindelar

The frontier has always captured my imagination. It is a place of hope and hardship, new beginnings and trials, dreams and risk, and in my stories, a place where love is forged. My novella is the prequel to Texas Forsaken, Book One in my Lone Star Redemption series. Wichita Path Sacrifice tells the love story of captive Maggie Logan (Eyes-Like-Sky) and Dancing Eagle, a renowned Comanche warrior. The story is set in Comancheria in the 1850’s when the Comanches ruled the southern Plains and settlers entered the Texas frontier at their own risk. Years ago, the real-life story of Cynthia Ann Parker broke my heart. Cynthia was captured by Comanches at age nine, and lived with them for twenty-four years, married, and had children. When she was eventually recaptured by cavalry and Texas Rangers, she wanted nothing to do with the settlers’ world. Her heart belonged to the Comanche and her husband and children who were lost to her. Cynthia’s story had a sad ending that haunted me. I wanted to write a captive story with a happier ending, and that desire led to Texas Forsaken. The prequel, Wichita Path Sacrifice, inspired by the real-life stories of Cynthia Ann Parker and her cousin Rachel Plummer, is an enemy-to-lovers story of love blossoming in the midst of trials, when it seems all hope is gone. It’s a story of choices between paths. Love requires sacrifice. Eyes-Like-Sky and Dancing Eagle must decide how much they’re willing to let go of and risk if they are to claim the dreams of their heart.

Ofuskee Trail Surrender by Denise Farnsworth

Keturah Caldwell disappeared from A Counterfeit Betrothal, the first book of my Scouts of the Georgia Frontier series. Pledged to wed the hero of that novel, the daughter of a Georgia judge  was abducted by thieves and sold to a war party of Creek braves. One of them, known as Wildcat, quietly protects her on the journey to his village in present-day Alabama. Keturah soon learns she has more in common with the adopted son of the micco than she would ever have guessed. When his cruel stepbrother turns his sights on Keturah and her younger sister, Keturah is forced to trust Wildcat in a marriage of convenience, though she vows to convince him to help them escape. They grow from enemies to lovers amid the War of 1812, as she learns that sometimes, greater blessings can come from abiding than from escaping.

Keturah also meets another captive, Susannah Moore, heroine of A Contrary Betrothal(formerly released as Bent Tree Bride), coming August 18 of this year.

Wagon Road Serenade by Susan F. Craft

An enemies-to-lovers historical romance, this novella is set in1754 on the Great Wagon Road spanning from Philadelphia, PA, to Augusta, GA. I wrote this novella as a complement to my three-novel Great Wagon Road series.

Elizabeth Stanton, her reputation marred from an injustice in London, seeks a second chance as a music teacher for a women’s academy in the Blue Ridge Mountains. She joins a wagon train, but scarred from her past, she vows never to rely on a man again. James Morgan, a widowed trapper, hears a vile rumor about Elizabeth and regrets agreeing to drive one of the academy’s wagons. To Elizabeth, James is another charming scoundrel. To James, Elizabeth is a tainted woman to be avoided. Both resist a growing attraction. James admires her willingness to help others. Her soft soprano voice fills the nights with a melancholy sweetness. Had he received false information and misjudged? Elizabeth tries to remain indifferent, but when he saves her and an orphan girl after Indians kidnap them, her heart softens.

Will his gentle treatment erase her misgivings? Can she trust him? Will their hearts reject discord and blend into a serenade of love?

My Impressions

Freed by the Frontier, by familiar authors feels like I’m coming to a visit with three friends, as I recognize author names whose historical fiction I love to read in this compilation. Sherry Shindelar, Denise Weimer, and Susan F. Craft have collaborated to show us that culture can be appreciated without dividing, and seeing the heart is more important than any outer appearance or speech. As I finish the set, I am comfortably sated, full of historical stories of the frontier and times of two people of widely different backgrounds finding common ground and love as they grow in faith. 

I loved Sherry Shindelar’s Wichita Path Sacrifice as I recognized a character from another book she has authored, Texas Forsaken. In this prequel to the latter, Shindelar gives us the background of Eyes-Like-Sky and how she becomes a part of the Comanche tribe. I love how brave Eyes-Like-Sky is, in standing up for herself when no one else would. Oddly, it is that moment that becomes a turning point for Eyes-Like-Sky. I must admit, when this book ended, I was sad, having read its sequel. I wanted the story world that had finally found peace, to stay that way. 

Notable Quotables:

“Sometimes courage takes a charging bull to give it fire.” – Dancing Eagle

“Is that why he’d survived? Did the Creator of the wind, moon, and sky notice him?” – Dancing Eagle

“You are my spring, Eyes-Like-Sky, and it has been winter too long.”- Dancing Eagle

Denise Farnsworth pens another story titled, ”Ofuskee Trail Surrender.” As we meet spoiled, rich Keturah Caldwell, her family has been abducted by Creek Indians. While two young warriors of the tribe desire Keturah or her sister, the safety of the girls relies of a marriage of convenience. How long will Keturah look only for escape back to her former way of life? Can she accept her unwanted marriage and learn to trust her new husband and God Himself? Will Keturah understand she doesn’t have the resources in herself to make her iwn way in life?

“Where had her beauty, her education, and her spirit gotten her? Defenseless and alone in enemy territory.”

I especially love how Wildcat recignizes a kindred spirit in Keturah and gives her the name he himself bears. Plus, he realizes, as he considers his past and her situation, they are not so different. “Tears he could never show burned behind his eyes. They had more in common than she would ever guess.” Of course, he eon me over with his gifts!

Notable Quotables:

“‘You set your course in life by how you rise to hardship.”- Mrs. Foote

“Had God sent the Caldwell women to remind him of who he had been? Of an identity he had given up? To find out who he might have become?”

Lastly, but just as historically and romantically enticing is Susan F. Craft’s novella, Wagon Road Serenade. Craft explains the history briefly of the great wagon train road, which is helpful.  A young woman, Elizabeth Stanton, has suffered shame in England, and now travels on the wagon train to South Carolina to teach in a girls’ school. The wagon driver is a single trapper, James Morgan, who is returning to the town, Graniteville, where the school is located. Elizabeth proves herself kind, puts others first, and is very courageous (as well as musical and beautiful. How can James reconcile this personality with the rumors he hears of her in Pennsylvania? Many tense adventures await these two as they slowly discover the other’s real person and their lives become enmeshed with others surrounding them. Loved it! 

Notable Quotables:

“Divorce. Adultery. Betrayal. He knew the bitterness of betrayal…Honesty and loyalty meant everything to him.” – (James)

“Have courage, little one. God is with us no matter what happens. Keep hope and pray without ceasing.” – Elizabeth

“How many times have I fallen to my knees and asked You for forgiveness, and how many times have You answered me with grace?”-James

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

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Magnificent! Each story was everything I’d hoped for from that author, tying in with other books of theirs that I have previously read.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 11

Artistic Nobody, July 12 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 13

Texas Book-aholic, July 14

Jeanette’s Thoughts, July 15

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, July 16

Tell Tale Book Reviews, July 16

Lyssa Loves Books, July 17

lakesidelivingsite, July 17

Guild Master, July 18 (Author Interview)

Books You Can Feel Good About, July 19

Cover Lover Book Review, July 20

Simple Harvest Reads, July 21 (Guest Review from Donna)

Holly’s Book Corner, July 22

Fiction Book Lover, July 23 (Author Interview)

Pause for Tales, July 24

Giveaway

To celebrate their tour, the Wild Heart Authors aare 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/7zZDM/freed-by-the-frontier-celebration-tour-giveaway
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Mabel and the Privy of Doomby Susan Kimmel Wright Review and Giveaway

Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: Mabel and the Privy of Doom

Author: Susan Kimmel Wright

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Release Date: March 5, 2026

Mabel plans to bring the joys of volunteering to the masses…if she doesn’t fall victim to an ancient curse first.

Mabel has previously encountered dead bodies while volunteering—but she never imagined she’d run afoul of a legendary curse. Until now…

A university archeology team has come to excavate an old privy on the grounds of the Thompson estate, home of Medicine Spring’s first white settler. They hope to retrieve items of historic interest, but rumors of lost treasure and dark curses swirl around the project.

Mabel has joined the dig as a volunteer, despite her reluctance to touch anything collected from the ancient outhouse pit. It doesn’t take long however, before she realizes a few dirt-encrusted artifacts are the least of her worries.

She doesn’t believe in curses, but accidents and misfortune plague team members—including Mabel herself. She begins to wonder if there might be some truth in the old stories. When a body turns up on the site, it appears the curse has transformed from local legend to deadly reality. Will Mabel be its next victim?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Susan Kimmel Wright began her life of mystery in childhood, with reading. That led her to writing kids’ mysteries and eventually to Medicine Spring with Mabel. A longtime member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime, Susan’s also a prolific writer of personal experience stories, many for Chicken Soup for the Soul. She shares an 1875 farmhouse in southwestern PA with her husband, several dogs and cats, and an allegedly excessive stockpile of coffee and tea mugs.

More from Susan

I suspect it takes a somewhat warped sense of humor to write a book called Mabel and the Privy of Doom. In fact, I’m afraid this entire series may someday be Exhibit A when my kids decide I need a guardian—but meanwhile I’m having fun!

Mabel and the Privy of Doom was a joy to write, combining my love of mysteries, screwball humor, American history, lost treasure, and ancient curses. It all started when I first learned about historic outhouses or privies.

I discovered the Homewood privy (c. 1801) in Baltimore on a walkabout near Johns Hopkins University. Part of the Declaration of Independence signer John Carroll of Carrollton estate, this handsome brick building has been well maintained over the centuries and has its own historic plaque! (No, not “John Carroll Sat Here!”) Yet another high-profile privy excavation has been performed in patriot Paul Revere’s back yard in Massachusetts in recent years.

Archeologists often learn a great deal from excavating old outhouses, just from examining objects thrown away or accidentally dropped in the privy pit. Even privy pits on humble farmsteads or in modest back yards reveal a lot about family circumstances and daily life. Artifacts such as old bottles, coins, and broken pottery commonly surface.

Growing up, I was fortunate(?) enough have an outhouse on our rural, western Pennsylvania family property. My father, a carpenter and cabinetmaker, built our house himself after returning from World War II. Because the work took a long time, he also built an outhouse for use during the construction period, before plumbing was connected.

My father (perhaps I got my wacky sense of humor from him) added a “Sanitary Inspected Restroom” sign on the door. It now graces the wall of our powder room.

            The outhouse survived for most of my childhood. Because our water supply came from a spring that occasionally went dry during a summer drought, we were occasionally forced to resort to the old privy. Luckily, these occasions were rare and typically brief, but I’ll admit I prayed fervently for rain.

My Impressions

Susan Kimmel Wright has penned such a clever, funny, clean cozy with her Mysteries of Medicine Spring series. I have now thoroughly enjoyed all five, the last being Mabel and the Privy of Doom. 

You really do want to read these books in order to meet Mabel and her friends and enemies in Medicine Spring. I find Mabel hilarious as she re-invents herself as a writer describing volunteering activities for seniors. Turns out hapless, frumpy Mabel isn’t very good at any job she attempts, and volunteering at a privy dig just stinks! Seriously, while there is no smell, there is plenty of animosity from the townspeople who don’t want the “sacred ground” disturbed, or those who want it preserved for posterity. 

Kimmel relates her tale with a light-hearted, sarcastic look at a fifty-year-old sleuth who just can’t stay away from a mystery or trouble. And her friends are just as bad. Either like Lisa, dreaming up mystery possibilities that must be explored, or like the township supervisor, Nita, whose job is on the line if the dig goes south.

My fave characters have got to be the 90-ish old ladies, Miss Katherine Ann and Miss Birdie. Friends of Mabel’s deceased grandmother, they take Mabel on as an honorary granddaughter. But, oh, the gossip and hilarity they bring wherever they go! 

Wright actually threads at least three, maybe more, mysteries into her novel as we try to figure out identities, treasures, and whodunit. A dangerous book to read if you are reading late at night and cannot wake sleeping people with sudden bursts of laughter! Mabel always leaves me smiling! Highly recommended cozy!

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

Notable Quotables:

“Sometimes you’ve gotta act like a turtle and stick out your neck to get anywhere.”

Mabel’s grandmother Mabel

‘A lie can travel halfway around the world before the truth can get its boots on,’” John

“How can you ‘desecrate’ an outhouse?”- Lisa

“You can’t get blood out of a turnip now, can you?” “Or gold out of a privy,” – Karl, Mabel

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Magnificent! Just plain fun and smiles!

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L, July 10

Texas Book-aholic, July 11

Simple Harvest Reads, July 12 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 13

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 14

The Avid Reader, July 15

Artistic Nobody, July 16 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 17

Guild Master, July 18 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, July 18

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, July 19

Holly’s Book Corner, July 20

Fiction Book Lover, July 21 (Author Interview)

The Bookish Ledger, July 22 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, July 22

Lily’s Corner, July 23

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Susan is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a signed copy of the book of the winner’s choice from my series, Mysteries of Medicine Spring!!

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

https://gleam.io/vkE9E/mabel-and-the-privy-of-doom-celebration-tour-giveaway

BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Favorite, Kindle, New-to-Me Author, Purchase

For This Very Purpose by EJ Ashmore Review and Giveaway

Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE

Author: EJ Ashmore

Genre: Biblical Fiction/young adult

Release Date: October 15, 2025

Sixteen-year-old Eliza has accepted life as a Hebrew slave in Egypt, never to be seen, heard, or loved. After all, she has it good, working alongside her sister for the wealthy Ameneten family. Though unworthy of love, she is free to love others, and she loves her master’s oldest son, Seti (unbeknownst to him).

Only when Moses returns to the land of Egypt to free his people is she emboldened to pray to the ancient God her mother used to speak of, and she prays for the love of Seti, but only if he first rejects his gods and falls for the Hebrew God.

As the God of gods hardens Pharaoh’s heart, He softens Seti’s and pursues him with a love Seti has never known, while also shining His face on Eliza who learns she is indeed worthy of love.

This is the Exodus as told from both Eliza and Seti as a love story between God and His people, God and Seti, and Seti and Eliza.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

EJ Ashmore, a mother, wife, and a nurse, only wrote for fun as a teenager. Once babies and college got in the way, she stopped, but she also no longer wanted to write unless it was for God. When her son was 15 and trying to grapple with why God would harden Pharaoh’s heart, then punish him, she took to writing again. Best to show him rather than explain it. But then Joel Richardson’s SINAI TO ZION came out, and she fell in love with how the whole exodus and wilderness scenario was God’s love story- from pursuit, winning the love of the people, to betrothal, complete with a wedding supper which has yet to happen. It’s a literal play-by-play of the ancient Jewish wedding customs, but so is Christianity. Not only that, but human marriage was designed to reflect God’s desired relationship with His people.

This became EJ’s passion: to demonstrate this in a story for young people, as is to reach the average teenager who feels unworthy of God’s (or anybody’s) love.

FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE comes from Exodus 9:16 and is EJ’s debut novel.

More from EJ

When Lisa Phillip’s son was 15 and trying to grapple with why God would harden Pharaoh’s heart, then punish him for it, she took to writing. Best to show him rather than explain it. But then Joel Richardson’s SINAI TO ZION came out, and she fell in love with how the whole exodus and wilderness scenario was God’s love story—from pursuit, winning the love of the people, to betrothal, complete with a wedding supper which has yet to happen. It’s a literal play-by-play of the ancient Jewish wedding customs, but so is Christianity. Not only that, but human marriage was designed to reflect God’s desired relationship with His people.

This became Lisa’s passion: to demonstrate this in a story for young people, as is to reach the average teenager who feels unworthy of God’s (or anybody’s) love.

FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE comes from Exodus 9:16 and is Lisa’s debut novel. Since there is already a well-known author by the name of Lisa Phillips, a pen name was chosen.

My Impressions

“Who was she to talk to this ancient God? She had nothing with which to sacrifice or gain His favor. Nothing but herself.”

For This Very Purpose, (a story of the Exodus) by EJ Ashmore, is so engrossing and suspenseful, I had to give it five stars! I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started Ashmore’s debut novel. I was sure happy to find a list of characters at the front ( that always makes me happy). I take a picture of those lists and put them in my notes to refer back to as I read, if necessary. The book is what it purports to be: a love story between God and His people, God and Seti, and Seti (an Egyptian priest-in-training) and Eliza (one of his family’s slaves.) 

Eliza is a young 16-yr-old slave who develops a crush on the master’s slightly older son. A forbidden relationship if ever there was one. Seti is arrogant, selfish, and cruel, finding ways to humiliate the young slave in front of his friends. But when Eliza becomes fed up with the Egyptian family’s cruelty, her actions that bring calamity may create room for something new. I was amused to realize that both Seti and Eliza tend to jump into things and think about consequences later, but these tendencies make for a very tense novel! 

Seti has an enormous growth arc throughout the story. He starts out cruel, except to his closest friends and family, and arrogant (names places after himself- “My Mesa,”  “the S-Curve”). Seti doesn’t believe slaves can have thoughts worthy of sharing, and even when with Sabu, his best friend, he doesn’t realize a relationship is a two-way street, with both parties being equal. 

But I loved seeing his growth from worshipping the gods of Egypt, which is truly his heritage as a priest, to considering the claims of the God of the Hebrews. As each plague strikes Egypt, Seti puzzles and agonizes over why the particular god of Egypt doesn’t respond to save the Egyptian people. In one desperate appeal to a god, Seti, in his brash, entitled way, breaks a law that threatens to unravel his whole life. Which gods or God will look upon him with favor? The ones he’s dedicated his life to, or the Hebrew God who Eliza claims keeps promises to His people, who uses difficulties to turn them back to him? 

“The Hebrew God cares for his people. He fights for them and loves them. Our gods don’t love.” 

Wow! The plagues themselves are so well described. I would have hated to be in total darkness. And with the darkness threatening the sanity of creatures? Oy! I could smell the stench of the dead fish of the Nile, the dead frogs (after the 3 days of frogs everywhere!), the deafening roar of the locusts. The horrors felt very real, and go on and on. 

I felt the book does a good job of explaining the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart.  I would not recommend this book for “young adults” on the lower end of the age range due to subject matter including the detail and discussion of the priestessess’ duties and circumcision. Still, in the mature reader’s hands, a very impactful book. 

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

Notable Quotables:

“His God proclaimed He raised up Pharaoh for this purpose, and that He will display His power over him. That’s why Pharaoh won’t listen. The Hebrew God isn’t finished displaying His power yet. Pharaoh is a son of the gods, right? The spirits of Isis and Osiris are in him. This is a war between gods, and the Hebrew God wants us to witness it.”– Seti

“…nothing would return to normal. The damage had been done, and the end result would be either a heart of stone or of flesh.” – [the chills of this statement, applicable to so many in the story!]

“You want to guard your heart from ungodly things as well as ungodly patterns of behavior, speech, and thoughts. They become who you are otherwise. It’s kind of like hardening your heart toward those ungodly things. But hardening your heart can manifest as stubbornness, an unwillingness to let God change you for the better and protect your soul.” – Aharon

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Magnificent! I felt like I was there, as both an Egyptian and a Hebrew, to see the plagues take place! I had to feel like I would have certainly been convinced to follow the God of the Hebrews-if I had been an Egyptian!!

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, July 8

Simple Harvest Reads, July 9 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, July 10

Artistic Nobody, July 11 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 11

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 12

Guild Master, July 13 (Author Interview)

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, July 14

Fiction Book Lover, July 15 (Author Interview)

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, July 16

The Bookish Ledger, July 17 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, July 17

The Bookish Pilgrim, July 18

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, July 19 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, July 20

Books Less Travelled, July 21 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, EJ is giving away the grand prize of a $75 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

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

https://gleam.io/tMHcl/for-this-very-purpose-celebration-tour-giveaway

BLOG, Favorite, JustRead Tour, Kindle, Purchase, Scrivenings Press

A Whole New Plan by Denise M. Colby Review

Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Title: A Whole New Plan

Series: Best-Laid Plans

Author: Denise M. Colby

Publisher: Scrivenings Press

Released: May 26, 2026

Genre: Historical Frontier Romance (Christian)

ometimes God’s best plan is the one we never expected.

California, 1870. Pastor William Baker has built his life on faith, routine, and safe choices—until Lydia Spencer walks in and turns everything upside down.

Independent, outspoken, and guarded, Lydia is unlike any woman he’s ever known. She has no interest in church… and no intention of revealing the truth she’s hiding.

Because Lydia isn’t just a schoolteacher.

She’s a Pinkerton detective, sent west to track a dangerous crime boss—and she’ll do whatever it takes to protect those she loves, even if it means keeping her distance from the one man who sees straight through her defenses.

But when unexplained thefts shake their quiet small-town rural community, and a desperate boy appears with ties to a deeper mystery, Will and Lydia are forced into an uneasy partnership.

As danger closes in, so do their hearts.

What begins as a reluctant alliance soon becomes a forced proximity neither of them expected—and neither can ignore.

Yet the very things that draw them together may be the ones that tear them apart.

Lydia’s life is built on secrets.
Will’s is built on truth.

And when her past catches up with her, they’ll have to decide what matters most—holding on to their own plans… or trusting the One who sees the bigger picture.

Because sometimes surrender is the only way to find the life you were meant to live.

Set against the backdrop of the American West, A Whole New Plan is a heartfelt story of faith, courage, and a strong woman learning to trust again—woven with threads of mystery and hope.>

If you enjoy western Christian romances with elements of intrigue and heart, you’ll love A Whole New Plan—perfect for fans of Misty M. Beller and Mary Connealy.

Step into a story of courage, trust, and unexpected love—grab your copy today.

Purchase Links:  Amazon | B&N | BookBub

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About the Author

Denise M. Colby writes historical romance sweetened with faith, hope, and love. She finds history fascinating and contemplates often how it was to live in the 1800’s.

Her debut novel, When Plans Go Awry, is a 2025 Carol Award finalist and placed 3rd in the Historical Romance category of the OCRW BBB contest.

She treasures the written word and the messages that can be conveyed when certain words are strung together. An avid journal writer, she usually can be found with a pen and notepad whenever she’s reading God’s word.

Every year Denise chooses a word to focus on. For 2025, her word is FLOURISH! Sign up for her newsletter at her website denisemcolby dot com or you can follow Denise on facebook or instagram.

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My Impressions

“If he knew she lied for a living, he would call her a hypocrite. And he would be correct.”

I have to admit, ever since I vicariously visited Denise M. Colby’s small town of Washton, CA, in the latter half of the 1800s, I’ve been wanting to go back. So, I jumped at the chance to read Colby’s third book of the Best-Laid Plans series, A Whole New Plan. We have many of the characters from before, plus a few new ones. And, the one I was especially hoping to see making an appearance, the town mascot, Bert! What a hoot Bert is! 

Lydia is a Pinkerton who comes to Washton to protect her friend, Jenny, from danger from a previous encounter with a mob. Most people in town are not privy to Lydia’s real identity, including young pastor Will, who is beginning to feel the need for a wife. ( And if he doesn’t pick his own, the townspeople will be happy to assist!) He becomes interested in convalescing Lydia, though it soon becomes apparent she is hiding something. 

I liked Will as a male main character. He is such a good listener, and always seems to know how to counsel people and guide them. He actually does a great job of helping Lydia think through various situations, and he knows how to insert Truth without becoming preachy. He is not afraid to risk himself for others. I loved the way he meets the need of young Ollie, who is the most lovable, sad waif. While he wishes to meet Lydia’s needs as more than a friend, he realizes there are huge obstacles in the way. She neither shares her mysterious past nor is she interested in his God or his faith. 

Lydia, herself, starts to develop an interest in Will, but she realizes how much he detests lies. Her life is based on lying. Also, her philosophy of life is much different from his. “When plans don’t go the way I want them to, I reassess. Will prays. It will be interesting to see which method works better.” (- from Lydia’s journal, which we are given peeks into at the beginning of each chapter.) Lydia had a very rough childhood and can’t believe that anyone who truly sees her could love her.  Can Will convince her that both he snd the Heavenly Father see her, and love her as she is? Can he keep her safe as she dives back into her past, so he can get the chance to tell her? 

This is a great book for historical fiction fans who like Misty M. Beller or Mary Connealy. Also, slow-burn, inspirational romance, small-town settings, and unique characters. 

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 one thing they had was God. And it was time to trust Him completely.” 

“God sees you as His precious creation. You don’t have to prove anything to Him because you are good enough in His eyes. “- Will

“You do know God is orchestrating all of this, right? He brought us together initially and continues to intertwine our lives. Helping us find our purpose. Where we belong.” – Olivia

“Having faith in someone is almost as important as having faith in God. We all need someone to believe in us.” – Will

“If we talk with God first, then listen, the enemy’s lies don’t reach us as much. And when they do, we can see them for the lies they are more clearly.”– Will

“Where some people fall away from God during tragedy, I turned to Him. And He carried me through. I found strength and solace, grace and patience. And I wanted to share that with others.” – Will

“The enemy likes to taunt us with our fears. Tell us we are not enough. Make us doubt our decisions.” – Will

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Magnificent! This book earned its stars for its unique characters, including Ollie & Bert. Also for the great amount of Truth Nuggets to be mined, plus unexpected suspense.

ARC, Barbour, BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Favorite, Kindle, NetGalley, Purchase

The Girl from Tomorrow’s Town Review and Giveaway

Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: The Girl from Tomorrow’s Town (Enduring Hope Book 5)

Author: Naomi Musch

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Release Date: June, 2026

Past and Present Collide on the Railway

When life seems weighed down by challenges, there are always pillars of enduring hope and love to be discovered.

Lily Mae Dodge flees Wyoming by night to find her mother, who sent her west on an orphan train ten years ago. After she’s arrested in Chicago, help comes from a man with a rare vision impairment whom she only just met on a train. Francis Basnett is a roustabout for the famous Hagenbeck-Wallace circus, where he helps Lily gain employment. Their friendship grows into more, and it seems Lily is closer than ever to finding her mother. . .until the night a rogue troop train slams into the stalled circus train, killing dozens and splintering hope.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Naomi Musch is an award-winning author who writes from a deer farm in the pristine north woods of Wisconsin, where she and husband Jeff live as epically as God allows near the families of their five adult children. When not in the physical act of writing or spending time loving on her passel of grandchildren, she can be found plotting stories as she roams around the farm, snacks out of the garden, and relaxes in her vintage camper. Naomi is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, the Wisconsin Writers’ Association, and the Lake Superior Writers. She loves engaging with others and can be found all around social media or at her site.

More from Naomi

Did you ever dream of running away with the circus? I must admit, it was never something I imagined doing, but like most kids of my generation, my wonderment did soar the first time I stepped foot beneath a “big top”. Some of those sensory memories stayed with me through the decades since, and of course, made their way into my novel. Nowadays, the trains or wagons no longer roll into town. There are very few circuses still around.

I grew up in the region not far from Barnum and Bailey’s Circus World in Wisconsin, but when traveling circuses were at their peak (much earlier than my day, I will add), there were nearly 100 of them traversing the country, nearly a third of them by rail. One of the largest was the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus based in southern Indiana. (Originally northern Indiana, but they transitioned to a warmer location where they wintered their animals.) They traveled in two trains—one that hauled the animals, laborers, and roustabouts, and the other that hauled the performers with their families and other work staff.

The circus was a city within itself, and more importantly, it became like family to most of the performers. Into this world is where my cast of characters gathers in The Girl from Tomorrow’s Town. Lily Mae Dodge is in search of just such a place to call home and people she can think of as family while she searches for her mother, lost to her when she was sent west on an orphan train as a child.

I never imagined myself writing a circus story, but when I learned about the real-life history of the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus, and tragically, the terrible circus train crash that stands as the most devastating in history, I needed to get to know some of the performers and people who worked there. I also wanted to add my own characters in a way that would bring this historic circus family to life. To tell the story of the crash, it was important to me that I do it in a way that would honor the lives and memories of those who were involved.

“Tomorrow’s Town” is a circus phrase referring to the place of the next show. The traveling circus season was a busy one, and sometimes performers who were already looking ahead to the next show simply referred to the next location as “tomorrow’s town.” While The Girl from Tomorrow’s Town is set in 1918 during WWI when the tragedy took place, it is primarily a story of hope, dreams, love, healing, and found family.

I hope you enjoy Lily and Francis’s story, and that you’ll settle into dazzling discovery with the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus!

My Impressions

“He might not see well, but everything about Lily was perfectly clear. She was searching for home, possibly for the mother who had never returned to claim her.”

The Girl from Tomorrow’s Train by Naomi Musch is a five-star read for me! Published by Barbour as part of its loosely connected series Enduring Hope, this is book #5. Sent West on an orphan train at nine years old, Lily Mae Dodge escapes a life of enforced slavery with her adopted family. Traveling East on a train, she meets Francis Basnett, a young man whose curious eye condition prohibits him from joining the War efforts in 1918. 

This novel is so many things. It is a historical romance. It is a story of an American tradition- the orphan train- that helped many, but harmed just as many, while adults turned a blind eye to children’s suffering. It is the tale of a young woman searching for the acceptance and love that she was denied as a child, her soul searching for answers.  

We also see a young man whose eye disease makes him the object of unaware society’s scorn. A young man who thinks his inability to see reflects on his ability to be the man God made him to be. Musch presents the historical Hagenbeck-Wallace circus train wreck of 1918, the largest and most disastrous circus train wreck in history. More than that, we are treated to a slice of life under the Big Top, backstage with the workers who  become family for each other. Faith shines through in the dark of the tragedy, and hope is born again.

Francis quickly falls for Lily, but feels himself unworthy. He realizes how much Lily is winging her every decision, and invites her to join him in working for the circus. He often encourages her in her faith, with sayings like this: “He’s a big God. There’s no telling what He’ll accomplish through your prayers. The charge to pray might seem simple yet be bigger than you know.” How I loved that reminder for my own life. And, he is so kind, so patient, and thoughtful of Lily. I was always rooting for the two of them, but Francis about “slew” me when he spoke a certain phrase to Lily, in a voice she couldn’t hear, but in the pattern in which she often speaks aloud to herself!

Lily grabbed my heart from the get-go, in her suspenseful escape, her cautiousness, and her need for someone to love her. Yet, she opens her heart to the people around her: first, Jenny; then Alice and Leslie. She looks for ways to help in the search for survivors among the train wreck and to offer aid. And finding Suzie, Lily recognizes and fills a big need. I also loved the way Lily helps Francis as she acts as his eyes, whether alighting from the train, or reading the news to him. Then…how do you describe colors to someone who had never seen them? “Pink is the first breeze on a summer morning, tingling up your arms with the dawn.” No wonder Francis falls hard!!

One paragraph made me especially think. 

“People happily came to see the shows and delight in the thrills, but many believed that the folk who lived and worked with the circus were mostly freaks and shysters. At best, they viewed them as a peculiar lot and not meant to associate in pubic life.”  THIS MAKES ME SO SAD!! But it is such a true statement of how we as society pass easy judgment, often ignoring the fact we’re guilty on the other hand of promoting an activity or (particpating in one) we claim is wrong. 

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

Notable Quotables: 

“It’s not ridiculous to want to go home.” A puff of air escaped her lips. “Is there such a place?” – Francis, Lily

“I can’t give up on the future. I must cling to hope if it takes my last breath.”- Lily

“God didn’t promise to remove our suffering while we’re here, but He promises to be the lap we can climb into while we go through it. He will hold us and love us through. He’ll give us peace.” – Francis 

“A still, small voice whispered into her ear that this was how it should be, that something good could come of her own hard past.” -( Lily)

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Superior! I love these stories of historical fact woven into fiction, where I learn so much while being entertained and built up in my faith at the same time. The romance doesn’t hurt!😁😮

Blog Stops

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 1

Simple Harvest Reads, July 2 (Author Interview)

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, July 3

Artistic Nobody, July 4 (Author Interview)

Life on Chickadee Lane, July 5

Connie’s history classroom, July 5

Guild Master, July 6 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 7

Fiction Book Lover, July 8 (Author Interview)

Pause for Tales, July 9

The Bookish Ledger, July 10 (Author Interview)

Cover Lover Book Review, July 11

Holly’s Book Corner, July 11

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, July 12 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, July 13

Books, Books, & More Books, July 14 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

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

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

https://gleam.io/M32Wq/the-girl-from-tomorrows-town-celebration-tour-giveaway

BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Favorite, Kindle, Purchase

The Escape Game by Gina Holder Review and Giveaway

Babbling Becky L

(My note for my regular blog visitors. Yes, you have seen this post before. I mistakenly signed up for the book in two different review teams. Fortunately, it’s such a great book, it deserves a second go-round!! Sooooo… here we go!!)

About the Book

Book: The Escape Game (The Game Masters Book 2)

Author: Gina Holder

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release Date: May 5, 2026

20 years ago, the world’s leading enigmatologist disappeared…

Demi Kayne, owner of a popular puzzle shop, has spent years searching for her father, who vanished without a trace. When she cracks the code he left behind, the trail leads her to a secluded mansion—and straight into danger.

Liam Shepherd, a missionary with a passion for puzzles, is desperate to find his missing sister. His investigation brings him to Silver Falls, where his path collides with Demi’s in ways neither of them expects.

Drawn into a deadly escape game designed by a brilliant and vengeful mind, Demi and Liam must unravel twisted riddles and confront buried secrets before time runs out. Losing could cost them everything. Their faith and each other may be their only means of escape.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Gina Holder is a Christian award-winning author of romantic suspense and cozy mysteries filled with faith, intrigue, danger, romance, and epic twists you’ll never see coming.

She’s had an infatuation with books for as long as she can remember. She loves sharing uplifting messages from God’s Word and introducing readers to new and new-to-them authors on her blog.

When she’s not writing, Gina enjoys playing the piano, cooking, reading, watching Hallmark mysteries, and solving “escape room” puzzles. She loves growing in her craft as an author. She published her debut novel in 2017. Gina lives in Wyoming with her husband and daughter.

More from Gina

The Book I Almost Gave Up On

When I turned in the first full draft of The Escape Game last September, I hated it.

Not in a playful, self-deprecating way. I really, truly hated it.

I had that awful, hollow feeling in my stomach. The one that whispers, This isn’t good enough. You aren’t good enough. Why did you ever think you could pull this off?

Honestly, I believed this book was beyond my abilities.

And it was.

But I forgot I have Someone on my side who can do all things.

Back in 2022, this story idea was supposed to be simple. A shorter novel inside a collection. I had a fun premise, a few intriguing characters, and a basic plot: a second chance romance with the two main characters locked in a deadly mansion.

Easy peasy, right?

Wrong.

I realized the story needed space to breathe, so I wrote something else for the collection, and put this story back on the shelf until the right time.

Fast forward to 2025. The Escape Game was proposed as book 2 of The Game Master series.

I started writing. Characters pushed back. They wouldn’t talk. Inside my head, there was silence.

Some books flow. This one fought.

I wrestled with tone and pacing. I rewrote entire sections only to delete them again. Scenes that sparkled in my head fell flat on the page. I second-guessed everything.

My heroine was supposed to be the faithful Christian girl who wins the bad boy to the Lord.

She wasn’t.

And my hero? He was all wrong.

So, I did something terrifying.

I replaced him.

Completely.

I created an entirely new character—Liam Shepherd.

On the surface, Liam was perfect—kind, protective, devoted to the Lord, close to his family. Every Christian girl’s dream.

But fiction doesn’t work that way. Perfection isn’t compelling.

I asked God to show me Liam’s wound.

When it came, I cried.

No, I bawled like a baby.

Liam wasn’t abused. He didn’t come from a broken home. He had love and stability. Then tragedy struck, and he faced a choice.

He chose wrong.

And it haunted him.

But the troubles were far from over.

This wasn’t just a tricky plot or a stubborn manuscript.

This story touched some deep places in my own heart—places I didn’t expect to have to revisit. Writing it meant digging into tender, uncomfortable emotions, facing truths about fear, grief, and courage that I hadn’t fully confronted. It hit a little too close to home.

Some days it felt less like writing fiction and more like surgery.

And surgery is exhausting.

By the time I reached the end, I wasn’t excited. I was just tired. I turned it in because it was due, not because it felt finished.

Then the editing began.

If drafting this book was wandering through a dark forest, editing was finally being handed a flashlight. Sentences tightened. Motivations clarified. Scenes I thought were essential were cut, and others grew stronger. What felt hopeless started to feel possible.

Slowly—painfully at times—the story started to come into focus.

My editor asked hard questions. I rewrote the entire book. (Not completely, but it felt like it.)

Each round of edits chipped away at the parts I disliked and revealed the story underneath—the one I’d been trying to tell all along.

Somewhere along the way, something unexpected happened.

I stopped hating it.

More than that, I started to like it.

Everything clicked. The story finally had the depth—and the heart—it had been missing.

And now, sitting on the other side of the process, I can honestly say something I never imagined saying last fall:

I’m proud of The Escape Game.

Not because it’s perfect—no book ever is—but because it represents persistence. Growth. The courage to dig into hard places and stay long enough to find the heart of the story.

And that heart is what I hope you feel when you read it.

What started as a small, simple idea grew into something deeper than I expected. Something that required more from me than I thought I had to give.

And in the end, it became something God and I built together.

This book reminded me of something important:

We’re all first drafts.

God is shaping us, molding us … and we fight back. We look at our lives and wish things were different. We replay our wrong choices. We feel regret, frustration, and fear.

Sometimes, we even hate what we see.

But hating your draft doesn’t mean you’ve failed.

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Philippians 1:6 (KJV)

It just means God isn’t finished yet.

And sometimes, the stories we struggle with the most end up being the ones we’re proudest to hold in our hands.

My Impressions

“Something in his gut warned this would be unlike anything he’d ever faced before. Were they up to the challenge?”

Whew! I am never going to be able to do another escape room! The Escape Game, bk 2 of The Game Masters series, by Gina Holder, kept me spellbound and enthralled.  This gripping, romantic suspense novel of chilling proportions stands well on its own. I had not read the first book, but now, of course, it’s on my TBR pile!

I was reminded of a Shakespearean tragedy set in current times as I read through this nail-biting suspense. Poor grown-up Demi, puzzle solver extraordinaire with an IQ off the charts, desperately seeking the love and affirmation that she missed all her life. Her father disappears when she is younger, and she feels abandoned by any who may get close to her. Her intelligence level and social awkwardness allow her few friends. Then her best friend, Maddie, gives her unsettling news. As she meets Liam, a daring missionary and escape room solver expert, she develops a tenuous bond as they search for his sister. Yet, she realizes as their dangerous search of an unknown real-life escape experience escalates, Liam, too, has future plans that don’t include her, should they be so fortunate to escape alive. 

“Trust—the word hit like a gut punch. It hurt to trust—people always let her down. Abandoned her when she needed them.”

Liam is a great, noble, selfless, brave, daring, and handsome young man who is frantically searching for his missing sister.  Joining forces with Demi, the two form an attraction which Liam realizes will not last, given Demi’s lack of true belief in God. He shares his faith with Demi whenever he can, but Demi has learned to protect her heart and believes her intellect and self-sufficiency will eventually save her. 

My Rating

There are some great twists involved in the story, that threaten to rewrite the narrative. A great look into different kinds of relationships and how they affect the human behavior. And how God is willing to step in and re-direct our stories, forgiving the unthinkable, IF we will let him!

Don’t miss this book!! I know I won’t miss another of Gina Holder’s in this series!

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

Notable Quotables:

“This was not the lost-and-found box. These were trophies. And someone was still collecting.”

“You can’t win by playing smarter. You need a Savior, not a strategy.”

“Pride is the monster; humility is the key.”

“My IQ would make Einstein jealous.”

“The eagle does not fight the snake on the ground. It changes the battlefield.”

“Because forgiveness doesn’t mean pretending it didn’t hurt.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Superior!! If you’ve never read this author’s romantic suspense, you’ll be in good shape if you start with this series!

Blog Stops

SydneySchmied books, June 26

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, June 27

Lyssa Loves Books, June 28

Book Looks by Lisa, June 28

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, June 29

Inspired by Fiction, June 30

Texas Book-aholic, July 1

For Him and My Family, July 2

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 3

Holly’s Book Corner, July 4

Mary Hake, July 5

Pause for Tales, July 6

Cover Lover Book Review, July 7

The Lofty Pages, July 8

Lights in a Dark World, July 8

Lily’s Corner, July 9

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 10

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Gina is giving away the grand prize of a copy of The Puzzle Within and 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/P1o9U/the-escape-game-celebration-tour-giveaway

BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Favorite, Misty M Beller Books, Purchase

Mail-Order Viscountess by Misty M. Beller Review and Giveaway

Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: Mail-Order Viscountess

Author: Misty M. Beller

Genre: Christian historical romance

Release Date: June 9, 2026

Five sons of an English duke, all raised in the Rocky Mountains…

When a Montana blizzard strands two strangers in a cave, honor demands a vow neither of them want.

Nobody knows the truth about newly knighted Lord Thomas Balfour. He doesn’t deserve the honor being showered on him, so after this last trip with his brother and sister-in-law to Butte for supplies, he’ll leave this territory behind completely. But once he reaches town, he’s blindsided to discover his brothers have ordered him a bride by post. A woman complicates everything. And even worse—the bride has brought her sister.

Kate McKinney masterminded this journey west to rescue her younger sister from their controlling mother’s plans. Yet one look at the intended groom’s scowl, and Kate’s doubts bloom. Maybe this mail-order marriage scheme will be far worse for her beloved sister than the wealthy brute their ambitious mother arranged.

Thomas has no choice but to help escort the sisters back to the Balfour ranch. On the trail, a blizzard changes everything, tearing Thomas and Kate away from the others—straight into danger…

From a USA Today bestselling author comes a royal family saga featuring a mail-order bride, snowed-in peril, and an aristocratic marriage of convenience…all set in the rugged Montana Territory.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Misty M. Beller is an ECPA and USA Today bestselling author with over 1 million books sold. She writes romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.

Raised on a farm and surrounded by family, Misty developed her love for horses, history, and adventure. These days, her husband and children provide fresh adventure every day, keeping her both grounded and crazy.

Misty’s passion is to create inspiring Christian fiction infused with the grandeur of the mountains, writing historical romance that displays God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.

Sharing her stories with readers is a dream come true for Misty. She writes from her country home in South Carolina and escapes to the mountains any chance she gets.

More from Misty

His Brothers Did What?!  Meet the Hero of Mail-Order Viscountess

Every family has that one person who needs a little…nudging in the right direction.

For the Balfour brothers, that person is Thomas.

Lord Thomas Balfour is many things—newly knighted, fiercely capable, and absolutely convinced he doesn’t deserve any of it. He carries a secret that weighs on him heavier than the Montana snow, and he’s made up his mind: after one last supply run to Butte with his brother and sister-in-law, he’s leaving the territory for good. No fuss, no goodbyes. Just gone.

His brothers, of course, had other plans.

Because while Thomas was busy planning his quiet disappearance, his brothers were busy placing an ad—for a mail-order bride. For him. Without telling him a single word about it.

So imagine Thomas’s face when he arrives in Butte and discovers a woman waiting there to become his wife.

Actually, not one woman. Two.

Because the bride—Kate McKinney—has brought her sister along.

To say Thomas is less than thrilled would be an understatement. The scowl he greets them with says everything. A woman complicates his carefully laid plans. Two women? That’s a catastrophe.

But here’s what Thomas doesn’t know yet: Kate didn’t come west to trap a reluctant lord into marriage. She came to rescue her sister. And one look at Thomas’s stormy expression has her wondering if she’s made a terrible mistake—whether the Balfour brothers’ well-meaning scheme has landed her beloved sister somewhere far worse than the life they left behind.

Two people who don’t want to be there. One scheme cooked up by meddling brothers who love Thomas too much to let him walk away. And a Montana blizzard that’s about to strand them all together with no way out.

I pray you love Mail-Order Viscountess! J

Blessings!

Misty

My Impressions

“We’ve arranged something. Something we think will be good for you.”– James

Yikes! It’s the winter of 1860 in Montana Territory when Misty M. Beller’s character, Thomas, hears his brother utter those fateful words. Sure enough, in Mail-Order Viscountess, the three older brothers are still assuming they know what is best for their now-grown brother and trying to direct his paths. Thomas, who has always felt his opinions are ignored and has been trying to prove himself to his siblings, finds himself with James and Rose, greeting two young women at the train station. He has just been informed by his brother, James, that one of the young women is his mail-order bride. A bride he never sent for, but is now responsible for, half-a-continent away from their civilized home. The bride-to-be, Clara, is very quiet, but her sister, Kate, is very outspoken and protective of her sister, sizing Thomas up every chance she gets. Is Thomas Balfour really a safe, trustworthy man to hand her sister over to? “His brothers had ordered him one mail-order bride and gotten two women instead—one who’d come expecting marriage, and one who looked at him like he was something she’d scrape off her boot.”

Kate and Clara McKinney gladly seize the opportunity of the request for a mail-order bride. They can leave behind Clara’s domineering mother who would marry Clara off to a much older man. Clara can marry a rancher and Kate can start her own business in the West. Kate even finds the foothold into society she needs to start the business.

Then… once Kate and Clara understand the false pretenses that brought them, they still need a place to rest before deciding their next steps. As Thomas and Kate are separated from the rest of the party and put in a compromising situation, it seems the only solution is for a marriage of convenience between these two instead. 

I loved Kate’s protectiveness and love for her sister, of whom she could have easily been resentful. She sees her sister’s need for structure and does the heavy lifting of planning for the future of the two. Kate studies Thomas and begins to develop an understanding of the young man who feels unseen, unheard, and unappreciated by his Balfour brothers. 

I love how Thomas slowly falls for Kate as she shows him respect and sees him as an individual worth listening to. I did begin to wonder, though, if Thomas spends too much time being bitter when others had his best at heart….oh, yeah, that’s how he got in this crazy mess. Best strike out on his own, be his own person. Go to California. Kate quietly questions whether he is running away, then explains that there is a difference between running or choosing. “Choosing a path means you know where you’re going. Running just means you’re desperate to be anywhere but where you are.” 

This novel held a romance that I loved, a great marriage-of-convenience story, found family, trust, and a good deal of heart-pounding suspense. I believe this is one of Beller’s best. I certainly enjoyed every element! 

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

Notable Quotables:

“But sometimes the very thing we think will trap us is actually the thing that sets us free.”– Rose

“ ‘I don’t know if I can give her what she needs.’ James stayed quiet a long moment. When he spoke, his tone had softened.  ‘None of us know that when we start. We just choose to try.’ ”  -Thomas, James

“Truth doesn’t count for much when scandal makes a better story.” Thomas

“You’re not running from cowardice.” Kate’s words came softer now, almost gentle. “You’re running from the weight of everyone’s expectations. From having to be the hero they think you are.”

“Every instinct screamed at her to run—to protect herself from the vulnerability of binding her life to another person who could hurt her, leave her, fail her the way her father had.” ( Kate)

“…reputation is the only currency that matters out here. Once lost, it cannot be recovered.” -Mr. Hartwell

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Superior! I really enjoyed the combination of elements in this story and feel like Mail-Order Viscountess is one of Beller’s best!

Blog Stops

Book Looks by Lisa, June 24

Sydney Schmied Books, June 24

Devoted Steps, June 25

Melissa’s Bookshelf, June 25

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 26

Lyssa Loves Books, June 26

lakesidelivingsite, June 27

Artistic Nobody, June 27 (Guest Review from Marilyn)

Texas Book-aholic, June 28

Jeanette’s Thoughts, June 28

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, June 29

For Him and My Family, June 29

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, June 30

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 30

Book Holds and Jello Molds, July 1

Sylvan Musings, July 1

Tell Tale Book Reviews, July 2

She Lives To Read, July 2

Life on Chickadee Lane, July 3

Books You Can Feel Good About, July 3

Connie’s History Classroom, July 4

Simple Harvest Reads, July 4 (Guest Review from Donna)

Cover Lover Book Review, July 5

Mary Hake, July 5

Holly’s Book Corner, July 6

Locks, Hooks and Books, July 6

Devoted To Hope, July 7

Pause for Tales, July 7

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Misty 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/NbqMu/mail-order-viscountess-celebration-tour-giveaway

ARC, BLOG, Favorite, Just Read Tours, Kregel, Launch Team, PB, Purchase

The Eyes of River by Cindy Sproles Review and Giveaway

Babbling Becky L
Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for The Eyes of River by Cindy K. Sproles, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Eyes of River
Author: Cindy K. Sproles
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Release Date: June 23, 2026
Genre: Historical Fiction

A heart-wrenching Appalachian novel from a best-selling, award-winning author

In the shadowed hollers of the early-twentieth-century Appalachian Mountains, Lizzy Haney is on the run. She’s been falsely accused of murder and is desperate to reunite with her brother, River, whose unforgettable green eyes haunt her. The secret in her past is a stinging wound, but it motivates her toward her goal: freedom.

But nine-year-old River, sent through the US Post Office to their late mother’s friend in Knoxville, never arrived. Lizzy’s dream of finding him and starting a new life away from their alcoholic and abusive father is ripped away.

Her hope rekindles as she happens upon an unexpected friend to help her dodge the law and save the missing youngin’. As she finds herself trusting him, she discovers the accuracy of the old adage her momma repeated: And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Kregel Publications | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Bookshop

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About the Author

Cindy K. Sproles is a speaker and best-selling,award-winning author of several novels, including Mercy’s Rain, Liar’s Winter, and Coal Black Lies. She is the executive editor for Christian Devotions Ministries and the director of the Asheville Christian Writers Conference. She also mentors and coaches new writers with Write Right Author Mentoring Services. She is an Appalachian-born-and-raised mountain girl who now lives in East Tennessee.

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

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My Impressions

“The truth shall make you free. The truth shall make you free. I kept repeatin’ the words, tryin’ to convince myself it was true. All the while, the memory of River’s eyes scorched my soul.”

Whoo, boy! I feel just a little numb after reading this Appalachian novel, The Eyes of River, by Cindy Sproles. Writing with her unparalleled mountain voice, Sproles transports the reader back in time to 1913 Tennessee, south of Chattanooga. 

There we meet rough, but spirited Lizzy Haney, 17. After watching her deadbeat drunk father kill her mother, Lizzy believes her father’s threats to kill her younger 9 year-old brother, whose deep-green eyes “could bore a hole through your soul.” Her father can’t stand the judgment of those innocent, discerning eyes.  Believing herself River’s only protection, Lizzy mails him off to her mother’s friend in Chattanooga. Things progress from bad to worse when her cruel father sets Lizzy up to take the wrap for murders he commits. Soon on the run, with her plans in ashes, will Lizzy accept help from others? Will she find the truth that can set her free?

I love Alton for his patience with Lizzy. He has loved her for a long time, but Lizzy has looked no further than first impressions and appearances. Alton offers to help guide Lizzy in the mountains, at a risk to his own life, but Lizzy can’t stop depending on her own wisdom and insisting they do things her way. Alton finally rebukes her, “Lizzy, you need to learn to hush. Be quiet. You need to understand you don’t know everything, and sometimes folks is just trying to help you.”  Somehow, Alton has become a mature, wise man when Lizzy wasn’t noticing. 

Lizzy finds this journey not only dangerous but frustrating and full of self-discovery (“ye shall know the truth”), but often that truth is painful. As the Sheriff tells Lizzy, ( and so does Alton!) “You do have a problem with doing what you’re told.” If the rescue of River will depend on Lizzy being quiet and doing what she’s told, there could be some huge snags! 

I loved the variety of people that populate the secondary character stage. They are well-drawn, some heart-ugly, some beautiful from within, but all compelling and great catalysts for action. Jerelene and Joe are wonderful encouragers and “growth prodders” for Lizzy. Lizzy’s daddy and Yeager are worthy undesirable criminals who need caught! 

If I could hear a single song playing as the soundtrack in the background as I read this book, surely it would be Foreigner’s “I wanna know what love is. I want you to show me.” Lizzy wants desperately to know what love is. From some characters, she gets very skewed ideas or imperfect love. From others, like Alton, the Wileys, or Tilda, she sees true love, but as I said above, a love that cares enough to tell the truth. Will she connect with the Source of perfect Love?

I received a copy of the book from the publisher. I also ordered a paperback for my keeper shelf. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own. 

Notable Quotables:

“…real love don’t care what or who you are. It just cares that you are.”

(what Lizzy learns from Jerelene)

“You can’t change what you are, no matter how you scrub the hide. Instead you learn to accept it and change from the inside.” – Jerelene

“At that moment I began to understand what it meant to trust. Trusting someone meant having no doubt they would do what they said they would do.” – ( Lizzy)

“A body doesn’t have to ask questions. He just has to listen. You learn a lot when you listen.” – Sheriff Mosley

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Superior! Capturing the raw Appalachian life from the early 1900s, Sproles has captured the essence of that era and voice. She shows how hardship forces a young girl to mature and find truth and love. Highly recommended!!

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of The Eyes of River and a $20 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight June 24, 2026 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on July 1, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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