Yikes! I never do a spotlight instead of a review, but there’s a first time for everything! I found I wanted to investigate the book more than I would have if I didn’t take a closer look. Plus, I want to support the author and book and JustRead Tours. So… here goes!! And … Alpacas?!!

Welcome to the Blog Tour for A Lot Like Lavender by B.R. Goodwin, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Book Description

Title: A Lot Like Lavender
Series: Happy in Honey Hill #3
Author: B.R. Goodwin
Publisher: Independent
Release Date: August 3, 2026
Genre: Closed door romantic comedy

Operating Purple Pastures & Alpaca on my own was not ever in my plans, but neither was becoming a widow and a single mom at twenty-two. Though I love this land and the life I’ve built for myself and my daughter—including the alpacas we adore, the strays we’ve taken in along the way, and the rolling hills of lavender surrounding our farm—all the years of hard work and one-woman juggling since James’ death may not be enough to keep it all together.

In fact, I’m failing. Miserably. At farming, running a small business, managing the wild women of the Honey Hill PTA, and maintaining any semblance of a personal life.

To top off my utter insufficiencies, I’m now being forced to accept help from the last person I ever expected to show his face again, Jordan Love. But—though it pains me to admit—having him around repairing fences, caring for my fur babies, and bonding with Molly is the first time I haven’t felt so alone in all this since I lost my husband.

And most unexpectedly, Jordan’s return to my life feels a lot like mending my heart.

________

For ten years, I’ve done a great job working through the grief of losing my best friend and the shame of selfishly walking away from the people we both cared about when I should have stayed. Even still, I knew coming back home to Honey Hill would dredge up regrets for past decisions. But when I see Emory Nelson for the first time since James’ death, I don’t expect the feelings I’ve kept well-suppressed for so long to come bubbling to the surface. Feelings I’ll need to get well under control if I intend to stick around.

I ran away when she needed me most. With a second chance to show up for Emory and her daughter, there’s no way I can walk away again. I’m determined to be someone she can depend on, even if it means forever pretending I don’t want more.

Challenging. Beautiful. Forebearing. Resilient. Worthwhile…

Love looks a lot like lavender.

PURCHASE HERE: Goodreads | RomanceLandia | Amazon

Previous Books in This Series

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Meet the Author

B.R. Goodwin is a Georgia native, married to her college sweetheart, and the mother of three wild animal children she adores.

When she isn’t writing Christian Fiction, she’s reading, hiking, bee-keeping, soccer mom-ing, or planning her family’s next big adventure while drinking copious amounts of tea & coffee. Above all else, the heartbeat of everything she does in life, friendship, and writing is with an eye to sharing the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ with everyone she meets. Connect with her at Facebook or Instagram.

Why Am I Interested in This Book?

The beautiful pastel colors on the cover
Alpacas!
Contemporary Romantic Comedy ( I adore these)
JustReads is touring it, so you know it’s gonna be clean, baby!(😊)

Comment below and tell me why you want to read A Lot Like Lavender!

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Wanna Win? (Aka Tour Giveaway)

(3) winners will each receive a signed paperback copy of Grits and Glamor (A Romance on the Menu Christian Romcom) as well as an exclusive swag pack including stickers and character print!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight August 17, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on August 24, 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/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Those Pesky Rules:

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Here’s a full list of other stops you’ll want to explore!! JustRead Tours

ARC, BLOG, Kindle, NetGalley, New-to-Me Author, Partners in Crime Tours, Purchase, Revell

When the Silence Breaks by Elizabeth Goddard Review and Giveaway

August 12, 2026August 12, 2026 Babbling Becky L

Welcome to the Blog Tour Hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for When the Silence Breaks by Elizabeth Goddard!

About the Book

WHEN THE SILENCE BREAKS

by Elizabeth Goddard

August 3 – 28, 2026 Virtual Book Tour

A deathbed confession. A decades-old secret. A mountain that holds the answers–and danger closing in.

When intelligence analyst Sarah Ellison learns of her grandfather’s deathbed confession connected to her brother’s murder, she’s determined to protect her remaining family. After further investigation, she discovers the disclosed information points to a decades-old government secret buried deep in the Cascade Mountains. With this knowledge, she looks for a guide who knows the terrain like the back of their hand.

After his father’s death in a tragic mountain accident, former Navy SEAL Ryder Goodwin no longer guides for the family business. At first, Ryder refuses to help Sarah, but he sees the trouble chasing her and can’t stand by while someone brings danger to his small-town mountain community.

Ryder and Sarah gear up to climb the mountain in a race against time and a looming storm. When the danger escalates, their search for answers shifts to a survival mission. Their only chance to make it through involves trusting each other and confronting the truth no one wants them to find.

This gripping romantic-suspense thriller set in the Pacific Northwest from USA Today bestselling author Elizabeth Goddard is a series opener that will sweep you away in a rush of adrenaline.

Book Details:

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Author Bio

Elizabeth Goddard is the USA Todaybestselling and Christy Award-winning author of more than sixty-five novels. She is a Carol Award winner, a two-time Reader’s Choice Award winner, and a Daphne du Maurier Award and HOLT Medallion finalist. When she’s not writing, she loves spending time with her family, traveling to find inspiration for her next book, and serving with her husband in ministry.

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Connect with Elizabeth Goddard

ELIZABETHGODDARD.COM

AMAZON AUTHOR PROFILE

BOOKBUB -@ELIZABETHGODDARD

INSTAGRAM – @ELIZABETHGODDARDAUTHOR

PINTEREST – @ELIZABETHGODDARDAUTHOR

X – @BETHGODDARD

FACEBOOK – @ELIZABETHGODDARDAUTHOR

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My Impressions

“Secrets can’t stay buried forever.”

What an à propos opener for this hard-hitting, fast-paced inspirational romantic suspense, When the Silence Breaks, by Elizabeth Goddard! Ex-CIA agent Sarah Ellison has lost both her husband and now her brother to nefarious events. Leaving her only two remaining family members, her sister-in-law, Tessa, and 3-yr-old Jeremy in a safe house, Sarah handpicks a wilderness survival guide to take her into the Cascade Mountains. Only one problem there- former Navy Seal and mountain trail guide Ryder Goodwin is no longer accepting assignments on the mountain. I thought the first meeting of Ryder and Sarah is quite memorable. Def not a meet-cute, though!

“Family is everything,” says the broken compass Sarah has of her grandfather’s. Sarah is determined to finish what her brother Aaron started, and find out what got him killed. What secret did their grandfather(who raised the two of them)divulge to Aaron as he was dying, that led to Aaron’s death? If “family is everything,” is a motto that Ryder also lives by, it may explain why he refuses to re-address the mountain where he saw his father die. I appreciated the way this motto actually carried throughout the book.

I was a little less happy by how much time Sarah and Ryder spend deciding whether to trust each other. Each has a reason, very viable reasons, for their secrets. Yet, once they decide to be partners, I was amazed at how much info each can keep close to the vest. In a need-to-know situation, where the two end up on a dangerous volcanic mountain known for avalanches, somehow the wrong people know more of the truth than Sarah and Ryder. Can they let down their guards enough to totally trust each other with their histories and their hearts?

I was totally impressed with the amount of research it must take to understand various mountain conditions, government agencies, WWII secrets, chemical safety precautions, whew! My mind just spun with all the information Goddard would have had to compile to compose a book with this many varied elements.

The action seemed to really pick up, once I hit the 40% mark or so. I enjoyed the unexpected twists. I may have gasped aloud at some of the revelations. Finally, both the reader and the characters are beginning to get a grasp on how dangerous this particular mission for justice is that Sarah has embarked on.

Since this is book one of the Mercy Ridge Series, I am eager to see where Goddard will take the next characters of the town and just who the mcs will be.

I received a copy of the book from Partners in Crime Tours via NetGalley. I also bought my own ebook. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“Sarah might just be in full-blown panic. The agency training hadn’t taught her how to navigate the very heart of her soul being in jeopardy.”

“Because now, her mission wasn’t about exposing the past. It was about preventing the future.”- ( Sarah)

“But it was too late for Ryder—Sarah Ellison had gotten under his skin the moment they’d survived a mudslide together.”

“this isn’t some kind of effort on your part to redeem the past, is it?”

“He didn’t like caves because they came with too many unknowns. But if they were going to find the truth, they had to walk straight into the dark.” – (Ryder)

“Once . . . she’d been good at her job with the federal government. She’d left that part of her life—left the secrets, the lies, and the burden of knowing too much—behind. But sometimes, the past didn’t let go so easily.” -( Sarah)

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Great! I will def be in line for the next book in the series, featuring Holt Goodwin and slated for release in February of 2027.

Tour Participants

Click through the other tour stops for can’t-miss reviews, insider interviews, exclusive guest posts, and more chances to win!

08/06 BOOK REVIEWS FROM AN AVID READER WHEN THE SILENCE BREAKS REVIEW

08/07 INKWELL INSPIRATIONS WHEN THE SILENCE BREAKS REVIEW

08/08 JODYS BOOKISH HAVEN WHEN THE SILENCE BREAKS SHOWCASE

08/08 THE AR CRITIQUE WHEN THE SILENCE BREAKS REVIEW

08/09 MELOPLANNER WHEN THE SILENCE BREAKS SHOWCASE

08/10 SARCASTICALLY YOURS, JEN WHEN THE SILENCE BREAKS SHOWCASE

08/12 BABBLING BECKY L’S BOOK IMPRESSIONS WHEN THE SILENCE BREAKS REVIEW

08/13 COUNTRY MAMAS WITH KIDS WHEN THE SILENCE BREAKS REVIEW

08/14 SOPHIAROSE1816 WHEN THE SILENCE BREAKS REVIEW

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08/15 FROM THE TBR PILE WHEN THE SILENCE BREAKS REVIEW

11.

08/17 FUONLYKNEW WHEN THE SILENCE BREAKS SHOWCASE

12.

Find Out More About WHEN THE SILENCE BREAKS on Amazon+1

08/18 DEAL SHARING AUNT WHEN THE SILENCE BREAKS REVIEW

13.

08/18 FUNDINMENTAL WHEN THE SILENCE BREAKS REVIEW

14.

08/19 NOVELS ALIVE WHEN THE SILENCE BREAKS REVIEW

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08/19 THE PAGE LADIES WHEN THE SILENCE BREAKS REVIEW

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08/20 DIANAS_BOOKS_CARS_COFFEE WHEN THE SILENCE BREAKS REVIEW

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08/20 SILVERS REVIEWS WHEN THE SILENCE BREAKS SHOWCASE

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08/21 PAT FAYO REVIEWS WHEN THE SILENCE BREAKS REVIEW

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08/25 GUATEMALA PAULA LOVES TO READ WHEN THE SILENCE BREAKS SHOWCASE

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08/27 A ROOM WITHOUT BOOKS IS EMPTY WHEN THE SILENCE BREAKS REVIEW

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08/28 TEATIME AND BOOKS WHEN THE SILENCE BREAKS SHOWCASE

Giveaway

This giveaway is hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for When the Silence Breaks by Elizabeth Goddard. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

WHEN THE SILENCE BREAKS by Elizabeth Goddard

Terms And Conditions:

There will be ONE (1) winner, US-ONLY, for this tour. The winner will receive a print edition of WHEN THE SILENCE BREAKS by Elizabeth Goddard AND a $25 Bookshop.org gift card. The winner will be emailed and have 48 hours to respond or the prize will be awarded to a different contestant. This giveaway is open to all eligible participants in the US.

One Winner Per Household. Please Do not enter if you have won a prize from this author in the past year so that someone else may have a chance to win. THANK YOU.

All entries are verified. Any entry that is incomplete, inaccurate, or awarded to a participant in a country of origin not allowed/specified in the drawing rules will be disqualified.
A working and monitored email address must be shared to win. That will be the method by which winners are notified.
By entering this giveaway you consent to join the monthly email list featuring updates on the current Partners in Crime & Providence Book Promotions giveaways. Otherwise, your email address will be used for this giveaway and will not be shared or sold. Occasionally, the author may send an email asking you to join their list.
Winners will be notified from the email address gina@partnersincrimetours.com OR gina@partnersincrimetours.net. Check your spam and promotions folders for these limited-time acceptance emails.
Gift cards will be issued from US accounts and are primarily valid only in the USA. There will be no transfer to a different country or currency. Most gift cards will only be usable in the US.
Tweets, Posts, and Follower Lists must be public to confirm eligibility. Locked accounts and private tweets/posts will be disqualified.
Neither Partners In Crime Tours (PICT), Providence Book Promotions (PBP), the publisher, nor the author is responsible for lost or damaged awards emailed, mailed, or shipped. We reserve the right to disqualify/delete any entries if the rules or intent of the giveaway are not followed.
One Winner Per Household. Please Do not enter if you have won a prize from this author in the past year so that someone else may have a chance to win. THANK YOU.

Giveaway Link Below!

https://www.promoamp.com/c/when-the-silence-breaks-by-elizabeth-goddard

ARC, BLOG, Favorite, Kindle, Launch Team, NetGalley, New-to-Me Author, Purchase

The Second Chance Trailer Park by Katie Powner

July 26, 2026 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Title: The Second Chance Trailer Park

Author: Katie Powner

Publisher: Alcove Press

Released: July 21, 2026

Genre: General (clean) Humorous Fiction

From award-winning author Katie Powner comes a funny, feel-good novel about a woman discovering her second chance at life.

This charming and heartfelt story is perfect for readers who loved Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame.

Fifty-two-year-old Meredith McGillicutty is not having a midlife crisis. She’s just ready for a change of pace, that’s all. The fact that she lied to get into a retirement community has nothing to do with being passed over for a promotion at work or her recent breakup with the only man she’s ever loved.

Nothing.

Meredith only wants some peace and quiet. To sit on a porch in elastic-waist pants and mingle with other mature individuals who value a life of serenity. But the residents of the Peaceful Pines retirement community have other plans for her. These quirky and endearing neighbors seem to know her better than she knows herself, and they decide Meredith’s life is only just beginning.

Blending humor and tenderness, The Second Chance Trailer Park will appeal to fans of Fredrik Backman and Lenora Worth.

Purchase link:

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About the Author

Katie Powner is an award-winning author who lives in Montana, where cows still outnumber people. She writes contemporary fiction about everyday people, filled with humor and heart, including the Christy Award-winning novels Where the Blue Sky Begins and The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass. Katie is a mom to the third power (biological, adoptive, and foster) who loves candy, Jesus, and red shoes…not necessarily in that order.

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My Impressions

“A person must be fifty-four and a half or married to someone who is to apply to live in Peaceful Pines Trailer Park for Seasoned Adults, the form began.”

“Meredith McGillicutty was neither.”

Ooh, wee!! Bingo!! When Katie Powner starts off her newest novel, The Second Chance Trailer Park, I’m already busting a gut! It could only get better from here! And it does. Tired of the rat race that she chooses to leave behind, deciding she will identify as an old soul, Meredith worms her way into a trailer for senior citizens. What I found hilarious was that the person who is living the biggest lie can ferret out all kinds of trailer park rule violations and turn her neighbors in for them. “Out, out, bleepity log!” I wanted to yell at Meredith as she picks at the motes in others’ eyes!

You would think life in a senior citizen’s trailer park is dull. Not so this one. At least, certainly not after Meredith moves in. Between her nosiness, her bossiness, and shenanigans that could only occur in a place where people have lost a few inhibitions, wow! I was laughing almost every other minute. Uproariously. Trying to be quiet, but I probably woke any nearby neighbors.

Oh, yes… Team Patrick or Team Rowdy? I couldn’t decide which to choose, and kept flipping sides throughout the novel.

As we progress through the book, we begin to see some of the residents, including Meredith, beginning to get a clearer look at themselves through the faithful mirror of friends and loved ones. I loved these character arc growths. Maybe there will be a second chance for Meredith…

If you like to laugh, you NEED to read this book.

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

Notable Quotables:

“But she didn’t really know who she was these days, apparently. Only who she was trying to be, which was someone like Lois.” ( Meredith)

“We’re going to grow blind and deaf and stubborn as mules together, I promise.” – Meredith [saving this one!!]

“She wanted to want people in her life, but she didn’t want to need them.” ( Meredith)

“Their minds never grew up enough to get a driver’s license. But they’re happy people, as long as their cats are okay.”- ( an amusing couple)

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Superior! One of my top two comedy reads so far this year!! I would recommend it to anyone!

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Have you read this book? What did you think? What books are high on your comedy list for this year?

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

July 21, 2026July 20, 2026 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.

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, New-to-Me Author, Purchase

For This Very Purpose by EJ Ashmore Review and Giveaway

July 7, 2026 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 Truth Nuggets, Just Read Tours, Kindle, New-to-Me Author, Purchase

Read, Write Rendezvous 2026 Blog Tour with Review and Giveaway!

June 19, 2026June 19, 2026 Babbling Becky L

Welcome to the Blog Tour that brings Rendezvous 2026 to you, hosted, sponsored, and organized by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Bringing Rendezvous ’26 to You!

Rendezvous: reader and writer gathering
November 7, 2026
Holiday Inn Nashville Airport

I am so excited to go again this year to Rendezvous and meet so many authors and other reader friends! Everyone is very friendly and happy to include others. Whether you are a newbie, a longtime attender, an introvert, or an extrovert, you will find friends and join in laughter, fun, and great times of faith with like-minded readers and authors. Come!! Join us!!

Readers and Writers will gather at the fourth annual Read Write Rendezvous, organized and sponsored by JustRead Publicity Tours, LLC, on November 7, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT at the Holiday Inn Nashville Airport. Rendezvous celebrates Christian fiction and sweet reads, featuring corporate worship, speaker sessions, author panels, small-group discussions, games, giveaways, a pop-up bookshop, and book signings. This event aims to sweeten reading and storytelling experiences with fellowship and encouragement. Over forty featured authors are participating, including The Christy Award Hall of Fame and bestselling author Tamera Alexander who will deliver the keynote address. USA Today and top ten Publishers Weekly bestselling author Lisa Phillips will lead worship. We will announce several more authors in the coming weeks! We prayerfully honor the legacy of the Christian Fiction Readers Retreat through each Rendezvous event, and this year we are especially celebrating the very first CFRR which was held 10 years ago in Nashville. Rendezvous is open only to registered attendees. Want to extend your reader getaway? The Christy Award Gala and Art of Writing conference will be held at a nearby venue on November 6.

Learn more about the 2026 Rendezvous

If you’re unable to attend Rendezvous this year, we don’t want you to miss out on getting to know our authors and their books. Our bloggers are bringing Rendezvous to you by spotlighting several of the participating authors this week. Follow along to grow your TBR list to astronomical proportions!

Check out recent releases by these participating authors in the JustRead Amazon Storefront.

About My Featured Author

Liz Johnson is the author of more than 20 novels, a New York Times bestselling novella, and a handful of short stories. She’s a Christy Award finalist, a three-time ACFW Carol Award finalist, and winner of an FHL Readers’ Choice Award in 2025. She makes her home in Phoenix, where she loves exploring local theater, cheering for the 49ers, and doting on her nieces and nephews. She reads and writes stories filled with heart, humor, and happily ever afters.

Liz’s Featured Book

About the Book

Title: Sidelined by Love

Released: February 17, 2026

Genre: Sweet Rom-com, Sports Romance

Zoe Peebles: America’s Sweetheart or Drama Queen?

The tabloids have always been kind to me—until an on-set scandal leaves me single, unemployable, and looking for a place to hide. My only option is staying with my grandma in Colorado Springs, but my dad—owner of the local professional football team—makes it clear that he doesn’t want my personal brand of drama in his locker room. No problem. I’m not interested in dating anyone in the public eye. Ever again.

But I do need quarterback Grant Reddington’s help preparing for an audition that will be my last if I can’t land the role. As I spend time with my father’s QB1, I discover there’s a lot more to him than a rocket arm and a ridiculously handsome face.

Grant Reddington: Fumbling His Most Important Role

When my sister is deployed for six months, she asks me to take care of her 13-year-old daughter Kenna. They’re my only family, and I can hardly say no. But having a teenager obsessed with acting at my place isn’t exactly conducive to focusing on the game and taking my team to the playoffs, especially since she and I have nothing to talk about.

But the moment Kenna discovers that I know a real-life movie star, she begins to smile again, and maybe we have a way to connect. Now I have a certified drama queen hanging around my house. I can’t believe half the tabloid stories about Zoe, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe to have her around. Especially when she’s becoming my favorite distraction.

Purchase here:

https://www.amazon.com/Sidelined-Love-Fourteeners-Football-Romantic-ebook/dp/B0DXF41VFL

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My Impressions

“What do you know to be true right now?”

“Well, let’s start with the good ones. You’re forgiven. Completely and wholly by the only One who matters. You are loved by a good God and a cranky grandma. And you are worthy to be loved.” -Nan

I am to the point as a reader that one of the best parts of a book is a “Notable Quotable,” ( as I call them) a takeaway Truth that I can either live by or share with someone else in need. So this review of Liz Johnson’s sports comedy- slash-sweet rom-com may be backwards from my usual. The above truth nugget is such a life-changing mind shift if our rumor-beleaguered actress Zoe can wrap her brain around it. But it is so relevant to life today.

All that being said, guess who, besides Zoe, an actress being smeared by the tabloids, and hunky NFL quarterback Grant “Red”, is my fave secondary character? Nan, of course. I just love these supporting characters who quietly come in and stand in the gap for hurting MCs when everyone else (i.e. Zoe’s Fourteeners owner father, her agent Cyndi, and producers) treat Zoe like poison for a mistake that she couldn’t foresee. Nan is so wise, and she takes Zoe in when no one else will. If need be, Nan will become a formidable human dervish that could mow down Zoe’s naysayers.

As I write this, Father’s Day is coming. Zoe would have absolutely no reason to celebrate her rich, famous, and double-standard father. His treatment of her makes me want to cry.

Thank goodness for muscly, 5-o’clock shadow, great smelling, (did I say hunky) star quarterback Grant Reddington, who is on Zoe’s father’s team. Totally off-limits. Totally uninterested in helping Zoe when asked. But the catalysts for the start of their relationship might be furry beasts and a sullen 13-yr-old niece of Grant’s, forced to live with him temporarily.

Such a fun story to read and watch the characters grow and see the different relationships mature or dissolve. Personally, I could have used a little less emphasis on the physical, but Johnson does keep it sweet. A couple of words I prefer not to see in CF, but as some might say, soft. Still, the cute story stays within its category boundaries and I believe most will get a good kick out of it! Great for those who love sports rom-coms, sweet rom-coms, great Truth lessons, and novels written in first-person present POV with alternating narrators.

I bought my own copy of the book. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“You’re not who they say you are,” he whispers into my ear. “You are who God says you are.” Grant

“The truth ceased to matter a long time ago. No one cares what really happened. They only care what they can sell. Reality is whatever the headlines declare it to be.” -Cyndi

“‘The truth always matters.’ She clamps her wrinkled and spotted hand over mine on the table. ‘It will set you free. Jesus said it, so it must be true.’” -Nan

“The Good Book says that love casts out fear. It also says that a cord of three strands is stronger than two. When you’re with the right person, you’re a stronger, better version. Of both of you.” Hank

“None of us should be judged on our worst mistakes.” -Grant

My Rating

Great! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Loved the Marriage of Sweet Rom-com and Golden Truth Nuggets!!

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Giveaway

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

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight June 15, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 22, 2026. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

BLOG, Just Read Tours, Kindle, New-to-Me Author, Purchase

Sunflowers in Paris by Ashley Rescot Review and Giveaway

June 2, 2026 Babbling Becky L

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Sunflowers in Paris by Ashley Rescot, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Sunflowers in Paris
Series: The Strings of Sisterhood #2
Author: Ashley Rescot
Publisher: Rescot Creative
Release Date: April 7, 2026
Genre: Clean Contemporary Split-time Romance

After a career-altering injury, violist Adrienne Pearson digs deep into her French roots. As the second of five sisters, she seeks individuality. But when several of her family members and friends decide to join her on a French excursion, she must navigate old and new relationships while finding her place in a foreign land. Will she rediscover her voice in the home of her ancestors?

Jean-David Béranger, a brooding, reclusive French journalist, finds his life upturned when his eccentric godmother invites an entourage of American students to live with them while studying music at the local conservatoire. Can Adrienne, a beautiful American sunflower girl, dismantle the fortress surrounding his heart and convince him to turn toward the light?

Sunflowers in Paris takes the reader on a journey through the Loire Valley, Versailles, and Paris, the City of Light, weaving elements of historical and contemporary French life with a centuries-old cold case about a real, 18th-century composer.

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

More in This Series

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About the Author

Ashley Rescot is a professional violinist, educator, writer, and Fulbright Scholar. An aficionado of music, pedagogy, family, faith, and language, she writes about her life as a musician. With degrees in both violin performance and French literature, she hopes her stories will inspire the next generation of musicians, encourage music professionals, and educate others about the exciting world of music.

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

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My Impressions

“Adrienne had always played viola as though it expressed her very soul, her voice. Until the injury took it away from her. The ache and pain had never gone away. Now she, like the doll ballerinas, felt trapped in a world where she could go through the motions, but she’d lost her voice. Would she ever find it again?”

Sunflowers in Paris is a contemporary dual-timeline by Ashley Rescot. A new-to-me author, I picked up the book because I love seeing how authors fit together characters from two different centuries. I also loved the idea of much of the narrative taking place in France. I loved the virtual tour of different locales and the history that went with each. I also enjoyed the extra French phrases, but in some cases, wondered if non-French students would miss out. There is a glossary at the back of the book, but I never go to the back of the book before my reading takes me there, afraid to spoil the ending. Who doesn’t remember seeing pictures of Notre Dame de Paris burning in 2019? I was glad to see this included and the resolution.

The story itself held me captivated as former viola player, Adrienne Leclaire and some of her sisters find themselves traveling to France to study abroad. They are hosted by their grandmother’s( GiGi) sister, CiCi. I enjoyed seeing the love and camaraderie of the sisters. This contrasts to the fraternal relationships we see in the 300 year-old journal that Jean-David, CiCi’s godson, finds in her ancient home. So many relationships in this story are fraught with peril or, in some cases, rejected as characters strive to stay in their comfort zone. Can Jean-David find and accept the family offered him?

Adrienne is so very empty after her accident that leaves her unable to play her beloved viola. While several of sisters are musical or dancers, Adrienne has had to change her study focus to music history instead of performing. She feels left out. Will the two hearts that feel alone find strength and comfort in each other and ultimately God?

I loved the mystery of Pierre’s family from the past. To make it more tantalizing, Rescot feeds us short snippets from Pierre’s lifetime journal, bit by bit.

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

My fave secondary character has hot yo be CiCi. At 80, she is doing things many 20-year-olds would not! The strength of character, warmth, generosity, and care for those around her, wow. She would be a woman to meet.

Notable Quotables:

“See, even amidst the darkness, light shines through…I do know who holds the future. God never leaves us truly alone.”- Adrienne

“So, why did you come?” “For Cici.” She shrugged. “That’s what we do for family. Why are you here?” He smiled. “The same reason.” He extended his arm to her. “For Cici.” – to be discovered

“All he’d ever wanted was to have his family back. But had God really sent Cici, and even the Americans, to be his family?“ (Jean-David)

“Reading about people is my passion, so reading people is my superpower.” – Louisa

“Tonight, God had brought them to each other at this ancient church, tested by fire, aging, and destruction. And if he had helped Notre Dame rise from the ashes, God would also help them do so as well.” – to be discovered

“I don’t like change. I prefer things to stay how they were, like the Medieval castles.” “You mean the fortresses?” She frowned. “Guarded and walled off.” – Jean-David, Adrienne

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Magnificent! I will be picking up the first book in the series, as well as future books about these sisters.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive French chocolates and a copy of A Change in Tune and Sunflowers in Paris!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight June 1, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 8, 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/CAN 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, JustRead Tour, Kindle, New-to-Me Author, Purchase

Crossbones by C.C. Warrens Review and Giveaway

May 28, 2026May 27, 2026 Babbling Becky L

Welcome to the JustRead Tour for Crossbones, by C. C. Warrens.

About the Book

Title: Crossbones
Series: A Holly Novel #6
Author: C.C. Warrens
Publisher: Independently Published
Release Date: May 15th, 2026
Genre: Romantic Suspense

“Sticks and stones will break your bones, if you make me hurt you.”

Some truths are better left buried, but Jace Walker is determined to unearth the skeletons in her family’s closet. Leverage is all she needs to keep her brother alive, and she’s willing to risk everything to save him.

Even her life.
But is she willing to risk the lives of her friends?

Holly and Jordan take on the case, but what should be a simple investigation takes a deadly turn when they stumble onto a murder. Family secrets are the least of their concerns as their path intertwines with a killer intent on remaining hidden.

He doesn’t want to be found.
He doesn’t want to be known.
And anyone who threatens his anonymity dies.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Buy from the Author | Amazon | BookBub

More in This Series

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About the Author

Jesus and laughter have brought C.C. Warrens through some very difficult times in life, and she weaves both into every story she writes, creating a world of breath-stealing intensity, laugh-out-loud humor, and a sparkle of hope. Writing has been a slowly blossoming dream inside her for most of her life until one day it spilled out onto the pages that would become her first published book.

If she’s not writing, she’s attempting to bake something—however catastrophic that might be—or she’s enjoying the beauty of the outdoors with her husband. One of the many things she’s learned since she started this journey is that the best way to write a book is to go on a long stroll with her husband. That is when the characters—from their backgrounds to the moments that make them laugh or bubble over with anger—come to life.

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

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My Impressions

“I survived, and I wouldn’t give the rest of my life over to bitterness. Whatever days I had left were mine, and I would focus on the joy rather than the pain.”

Whew! I have safely survived reading Crossbones, A Holly Novel #6, by C. C. Warrens! I thoroughly enjoyed myself as I journeyed with Jordan, Holly, Sam, and Jace through the dangerous and complex cold case of Jace’s brother, Scott. This is the first C. C. Warrens book I have read. I must say, while I would not suggest most pick up the series this far through, Warrens gives enough backstory that this novel made perfect sense. Will I have spoiled previous novels? Perhaps, but more so, I now need all the deets that I just have an inkling of, in so many cases. So, now I need to go back and read all the Holly series books!

Jace, a young woman from one of New York’s most affluent families, is suing her mother in court for the power of attorney rights over her comatose brother, Scott. Jace idolizes her big brother, and even though he’s been kept alive by machines for four years, she is certain her mother has an ulterior motives in wanting to pull the plug. So, Jace hires her best friend’s boyfriend’s detective agency to discover her mother’s secret. Time is essential, and Holly, part of the JGH agency, refuses to stand by, as requested, and let her boyfriend, Jordan, investigate by himself. Noble of her, but after reading just a few paragraphs, the reader will be pretty uncertain Holly has the physical prowess to defend herself.

While headstrong Holly is begged by both her boyfriend and her police officer “dad” to be careful and do nothing on her own, somehow… she sure gets herself into lots of situations that require either a quick escape or a rescue! Holly has a strong faith that she tries to share with her bestie, Jace, as they work the case. “Church is not gonna fix this.” “It’s not about fixing things. It’s about drawing closer to God and letting Him fill you up when the world has drained you dry.” Unfortunately, Jace has been indoctrinated against Christianity from her mother.

One question is often at the forefront of Jace’s mind, and also Holly’s. What happened that caused Mrs. Walker to turn her back on her son? Why is Mrs. Walker such a difficult, controlling person? The answers are very shocking!

Warrens does show a bit more detail of the crimes than some authors. However, no more than one might see on an intense crime show mystery. What I absolutely love about her writing is the way she inserts such humor into very tense situations. I actually laughed out loud many times just after I had bitten my nails down! I’ll never see Chia seeds the same!

And just when I thought it was safe to peek out from under the covers… Bang! Huge plot twist! Well-played!!

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

Notable Quotables:

“I know that, too often, people dismiss the truth because it’s easier to cling to what they already believe, even if that belief is wrong and harmful.” – Holly

“I’ve seen a lot of people sink so deeply into their anger that it consumes them, and eventually, it’s all they have left. I don’t want that for you.” – Holly

“Before was a concept I knew too well. The life, dreams, and identity that existed before tragedy tore them away and forced a person to start over.” (Holly)

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Superior! Chilling romantic suspense with messages of Hope and Faith. Recommended!

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a grand prize of a signed Crossbones paperback with bookmark, sticker, character art card, and a $10 Amazon gift card!

Up to (5) winners will each receive an ebook of Crossbones, delivered via Bookfunnel!

Up to (4) winners will each receive an audiobook download of Crossbones!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 25, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 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 for grand prize. 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, Just Read Tours, Kindle, Kregel, New-to-Me Author, Purchase

Miss Beth Bettencourt Review and Giveaway

May 12, 2026 Babbling Becky L

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Miss Beth Bettencourt by Eva Marie Everson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Miss Beth Bettencourt
Author: Eva Marie Everson
Publisher: Kregel
Release Date: May 12, 2026
Genre: Southern Fiction/Christian Fiction

Will an unlikely romance tear down Beth’s walls of indifference?

It’s 1962 in Bynum, Georgia, and Beth Bettencourt’s world is turned upside down when she wakes to a man snoring in the guest bedroom.

She’s home alone; her parents are traveling abroad, grieving her twin sister’s unexpected death. Instead of accompanying them, Beth stayed in Bynum to tend to her kindergarten and closely guard her own heart.

A beautiful and beloved member of the community, Beth is an unusual specimen for her time as she nears thirty and remains unmarried. She holds deep-seated unforgiveness toward her twin, Elise, who ran off with Beth’s beau. To make matters worse, Elise took their grandmother’s ring, which had been promised to Beth.

But now a stranger enters her home and her world. David Patrick Martin seems ready to break down her walls of indifference and find the core of Miss Beth Bettencourt. But can he be trusted with Beth’s past, her present, and more importantly, her future?

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About the Author

Eva Marie Everson is a bestselling, multi-award-winning author of nearly 50 works of fiction and nonfiction. Collectively, her novels have sold over 300,000 copies. She is the CEO of Word Weavers International, the director of Florida Christian Writers Conference, and a popular speaker at writers conferences across the nation. Eva Marie is a double magna cum laude graduate of Andersonville Theological Seminary (Associate of Biblical Studies and Bachelor of Biblical Exposition) and of Tzemach Institute (a two-year program in Biblical Studies). In 2022, she was awarded the Yvonne Lehman Legacy Award and presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association). She and her husband live in Central Florida where they enjoy their children and grandchildren. They are owned by a Norwegian Forest cat named Vanessa.Connect with Eva Marie by visiting evamarieeversonauthor.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.

My Impressions

“Lord, what have I done? I prayed, hoping God could hear me over my heart’s pounding. What in the Sam Hill had I done?”

Why is this line appropriate for the teaser quote of Eva Marie Everson’s Miss Beth Bettencourt (a Bynum, Georgia Novel)? While this desperate utterance is voiced by only one character, I can truly imagine at least three other characters crying this plea out to God!

I enjoyed returning to the 1960s South for this character-driven story. Having spent part of my childhood in the 60s, I enjoyed the references to familiar items and customs of the past. Beth Bettencourt is the single daughter of a well-to-do couple who is traveling in Europe. They leave her home with the maid, Molly, who is more like family than hired help. The story starts when Beth finds a strange man, obviously fresh out of the army, snoring in her family’s guest bedroom.

Steady, dependable, quiet Beth surprises even herself when she defends the midnight vagabond and offers him a part-time job and a place to stay on her property.

Told in first person present pov, the chapters alternate between narrators Beth and Marty with a few inserts from Molly. Beth has one man who would give his eye teeth to be her sweetheart. Another who we eventually discover hurt her in ways we’re not sure she’ll ever decide to forgive and recover from. “‘Learning to let go … that’s the best thing you can ever do.’ He scooted up again. ‘But there will be times when the old hurts will rise again.’…”So what do you do when those old hurts return?”… “‘Give them to God.’ He looked over his shoulder at me to offer another smile. ‘The only thing you can do. Ask him to take them, and he will.’” And those wise words come from yet the third, a mystery man who Beth slowly gets to know.

Besides loving the two main characters of Beth and Marty, I also love Molly, who loves Beth like her own and has very wise advice. Plus a few people we never meet, Uncle Gene, who is so kind, a great listener, and from whom Marry learns how to draw out people’s inmost thoughts. Also, I felt a special need to meet Marty’s mother, because of the great love and respect he carries for her.

I never saw the twist coming, though I should know by now, every book seems to have at least one! This is the first book I remember reading by Eva Marie Everson, and I am very impressed! I’ll be following her and her books from now on! If you like historical fiction with very relatable characters, a bit flawed and emotionally floundering, you may love this book!

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

Notable Quotables:

“You just finally figured out what it is you really want out of life.” “And what’s that?” “To be loved. To love back. Isn’t that all any of us really want?”– Marty

“after believing the lie long enough, it had become fact.”

“The road is crooked at times, but the Good Book says that God will straighten those paths out for us. If we let him.” – Uncle Gene

“I couldn’t go on like this, carrying this hate. This anger and bitterness. This … fear.” – Beth

“Why do all the bad things happen at night?” – Beth

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This story refuses to be hurried. I was all in, swept along in the meandering tide that is slow, Southern life. I was nearly broken before it reached its surprising destination. Don’t miss this gem!

Tour

Giveaway

(5) winners will each receive a copy of Miss Beth Bettencourt (winner’s choice between ebook or print), Southern recipes, a Miss Beth Bettencourt bookmark, and a $10 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 11, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 18, 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.

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One Rotten Apple by Penny Frost McGinnis Review

May 7, 2026May 7, 2026 Babbling Becky L

Welcome to the Bookstagram + Review Tour for One Rotten Apple by Penny Frost McGinnis, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! (I am only participating as a reviewer.)

About the Book

Title: One Rotten Apple

Author: Penny Frost McGinnis

Series: Lyndie Lavender Cozy Mystery #1

Release Date: March 1, 2026

Genre: Cozy Mystery

After twenty years of photographing war zones, Lyndie Lavender longs for peace. She finds it—at least at first—when she moves to her Aunt Cordy’s homestead near the quiet town of Seldom Seen, South Carolina. The gentle rhythm of her new life is upended when Lyndie stumbles across a dead body on the opening day of her aunt’s beloved Apple Fest.

Determined to uncover who killed one of the locals—and marred her aunt’s festival—Lyndie dusts off her camera and natural curiosity. With her sister Laurel at her side and Aunt Cordy’s charming new tenant, Zach Hudson, lending a hand, Lyndie finds herself snooping, spying, and untangling secrets the town folks didn’t even know.

Finding a killer isn’t on Lyndie Lavender’s calendar. But neither is walking away.

https://www.amazon.com/One-Rotten-Apple-Lavender-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0GMTGM4PJ

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About the Author

Penny Frost McGinnis has loved books for as long as she can remember, from sharing a childhood library with her cousins to working in libraries until retirement. An avid reader and lifelong learner, she lives in southwest Ohio with her husband and their golden retriever, Rosie May. Penny embraces her faith, family, and enjoys fiber arts, and baseball. She writes with the goal of encouraging and uplifting her readers.

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My Impressions

“I believe we all have choices to make when we grow up. I choose to be a better person.”- Walt

There you have it. One of my fave quotes from the story, about taking personal responsibility. I enjoyed this cozy novel, One Rotten Apple, by Penny Frost McGinnis. I loved that it was set in small-town upstate South Carolina. Aunt Cordy is hosting her yearly Apple Fest, making for a good crowd and producing many possible suspects when the mayor’s murder is discovered. I loved the warmth of the family relationships between Aunt Cordy, Lyndie, Laurel, and then extending to Laurel’s hubby, Danny, as well as Zach, the young renter, and Walt, Aunt Cordy’s boyfriend. ( By the way, there is a short list of characters at the front. And a map! Yay! I like to be front-loaded this way!)

I will say it is rather sticky for Lyndie to investigate as a civilian, because her brother-in-law, Danny, is the local police. He is constantly reminding Lyndie to let the police do their job. Just how Laurel is able to get involved, given her divided loyalties, made me uneasy just to think about it!

When the murder is pinned on Aunt Cordy, Lyndie and Zach go to work with a little help from others investigating everyone, from another mayoral candidate to the mayor’s former secretary.

Walt is one of my fave characters. He’s quiet, he’s wise, and he loves Aunt Cordy. He balances her. And he loves those Aunt Cordy loves. Which means he is concerned about Lyndie’s anxiety attacks from her time as a war correspondent in far-flung areas of the earth. Determined to do something about it, he introduces 2 of my true fave characters to Lyndie: Valais Black-nose sheep!

Move over Highland Coos!! These remarkable animals are fluffy, soft, and comforting to anxiety-prone Lyndie. Cuter than cute with their little black faces, friendly, if accounts are to be believed ( by this point, I was off task and researching Valais Black-nose sheep)!!

With threads of faith, I found this first book of a new cozy series clean, warm, and comforting, perfect to read in between some very “serious” fiction. There’s also a lot of great, mouth-watering food described. (And one-not-so mouth-watering sandwich. Ugh!!)

I will be watching for more of Aunt Cordy, Lyndie, and of course, the Valais Black-nose sheep!

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

Notable Quotables:

“Don’t worry. Every worry steals some joy.”- Lyndie, quoting Aunt Cordy

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted…”- Psalm 34:18

“In my distress and grief, I clung to the twenty-third Psalm. My shepherd’s goodness and love followed me. Even as I tried to catch a killer.” – (Lyndie)

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My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Magnificent! Clean, faith-filled cozy. I certainly have a new animal I would add to my dream hobby farm, if I had one!!