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

The Escape Game by Gina Holder Review and Giveaway

May 5, 2026May 10, 2026 Babbling Becky L

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Escape Game by Gina Holder, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Escape Game
Series: The Game Masters
Author: Gina Holder
Publisher: Scrivenings Press
Release Date: May 5, 2026
Genre: Romantic Suspense

Twenty years ago, the world’s leading enigmatologist disappeared, leaving behind a cipher no one could solve… not without his journal.

Puzzle shop owner Demi Kayne has spent twenty years hoping her father would return home. When she discovers his hidden journal, she finally uncovers the clue she’s been waiting for—but it leads somewhere far more dangerous than she imagined.

Liam Shepherd, a missionary and escape-room enthusiast, is searching for answers of his own. His sister has vanished without a trace, and the trail of clues leads him straight to Demi—and the secrets hidden in her father’s journal.

Their search brings them to the eerie Ives Mansion, where its brilliant and reclusive owner has designed a deadly challenge. Once inside, Demi and Liam realize they’re no longer guests.

They’re players.

Trapped inside a twisted real-life mystery game, they must solve a series of lethal riddles before time runs out. Each puzzle brings them closer to the truth about Demi’s missing father and Liam’s sister —but also deeper into a carefully crafted game where the stakes are far higher than they’re ready to face.

With the clock ticking and lives hanging in the balance, Demi and Liam must confront their fears, their pasts, and the faith that may be their only hope of escape.

In this gripping Christian suspense novel, every clue matters—and every mistake could be fatal.

Can Demi and Liam solve the final puzzle before the game ends…or will the escape room become their tomb?

Perfect for fans of Lynette Eason, Dani Pettrey, and Irene Hannon who enjoy puzzle-driven Christian suspense filled with danger, secrets, and faith under fire.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

More in This Series

******************************************

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, Whither Shall I Go, in 2017, marking the beginning of her writing career. Her works often weave themes of faith, redemption, and forgiveness, aiming to inspire readers with uplifting messages rooted in Biblical principles.

Gina is also an active member of the Christian readers and writers community and is involved in the writing community through her blog, where she shares insights, interviews, and book reviews.

Her first traditionally published novel released in June 2025 with Scrivenings Press LLC, after winning their “”GetPubbed”” contest’s grand prize.

Gina lives in Wyoming with her husband and daughter.

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

******************************************

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 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.

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 JustRead Tours. 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.”

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Superior!! If you’ve never read this author’s romantic suspense, push her books to the top of your list!! Pronto!!

******************************************

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $50 gift card and a copy of The Escape Game (eBook or paperback, Winner’s Choice)!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 5, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 12, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.
Enter Giveaway

******************************************

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

ARC, BLOG, Favorite, Just Read Tours, Kindle, Love Inspired Suspense, Purchase

Amish Country Killer by Mary Alford Review

May 3, 2025 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Title: Amish Country Killer

Author: Mary Alford

Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense

Released: April 1, 2025

Genre: Amish Romantic Suspense

An unsolved mystery…

Seeking the truth could be fatal.

Reopening the investigation of her mother’s disappearance puts chief of police Diana Fisher in someone’s lethal sights. As she delves deeper into the mystery, a murderer resurfaces, targeting the Amish community. Detective Micah Nissley, whose fiancée went missing a decade ago, joins forces with Diana to stop the threats and bring the killer to justice. But can they uncover the connection between Diana and the culprit before she becomes the next victim?

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

About the Author

Mary Alford is the USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of more than fifty novels. Her books have been finalists in the Selah Award, the Daphne du Maurier Award, and the HOLT Medallion Contest. As a writer, Mary is an avid reader. She loves to cook and can’t face the day with-out coffee. She and her husband live in the heart of Texas in the middle of 70 acres with two very spoiled cats and one adorable rescue dog. Mary is very active online and would love to connect with readers on Facebook and Twitter or any social platforms listed at http://www.maryalford.net.

My Impressions

“Don’t go back there, Diana. There’s nothing in Rachel’s Crossing but ghosts.”

Yet, Diana Fisher feels compelled to return to her childhood stomping grounds. While she followed in her father’s steps and joined the police force in Louisville, KY, it’s her childhood home that has left her with questions and scars. Obtaining the job of police chief in her once- hometown, again following in her father’s esteemed footsteps, can she discover why her mother left her, when she, Diana, was a teen?

Mary Alford brings us her best-yet Amish romantic suspense with this title, Amish Country Killer. Diana doesn’t even have time to begin her new job before terrible things happen. Kidnappings and murders with ties to a long-ago unsolved case involving young Amish women re-ignite. Amish neighbor Micah Nissley was a suspect in the long ago murders. Now an Englischer, back in town on the old homestead and a verified DCI Fed agent, he is determined to join Diana in her search for truth. Unfortunately, “He’d learned true evil existed everywhere… even among the innocent.” The stakes are high for Micah!!

But… can he be trusted. Or can…well, it seems like half the people that a new police chief *ought* to be able to trust.

There is so much action your mind will spin, if your eyes don’t from hurrying to get to the conclusion. ( By the way, at 30% the way through, I picked out a suspect and wrote the name down. I was *sooo* very tempted to peek at the end.) As the tension escalates, more murders and crimes occur, and it becomes obvious that the murderer is toying with Diana. I was blown away by the final scenes where the mastermind is revealed. I don’t know if Alford can top this twist!!

If you read any romantic suspense, Amish Country Killer needs to be on your TBR!

While 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:

“No matter what you face now, and in the future, no matter how bleak things may get, there is a light that outshines all the darkness in this world, and it can be found in Jesus.”

“I’m not a killer,” he said softly and stepped closer. Would he be able to convince her of what he hadn’t been able to convince her father or Tessa’s family?

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Superior Suspense! Be sure not to cheat by peeking at the end!

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

Tangles and Tinsel by Jennifer Sienes Review and Giveaway

November 7, 2023November 7, 2023 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: Tangles and Tinsel

Author: Jennifer Sienes

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance, Christmas Fiction, Women’s Fiction, and Southern Fiction

Release Date: November 21, 2023

Why didn’t her life get the memo regarding Christmas being about peace on Earth and goodwill to men?

For the first Christmas in years, Kimberley Saint John may actually get that peace on Earth she’s been dreaming of. Daddy has been sober for going on two years (a record), and if he stays that way, she might have a chance for a life of her own. Maybe even a family. And between you, her, and the fence post, she’d love it if that family included her childhood friend Jax Jenson and his kids.

Except he’s still mourning the loss of his wife.

Jax doesn’t understand why no one has snatched up sweet, beautiful, and funny Kim. Then again, the way she carries hurt and betrayal around like battle gear might have something to do with it. And he is not knight-in-shining-armor material. His wife could’ve told her that.

Kim’s dreams are shattered when Mama shows up, after a twenty-year absence, sending Kim into a tailspin of worry for her daddy. Desperate, she turns to the one man who gets her—Jax.

What will it take for Kim and Jax to untangle emotions that keep them from trusting in God’s sovereignty and find purpose through the pain?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Jennifer Sienesholds a bachelor’s in psychology and a master’s in education but discovered life-experience is the best teacher. She loves Jesus, romance and writing–and puts it altogether in inspirational contemporary fiction. Her daughter’s TBI and brother’s suicide inspired two of her three novels. Although fiction writing is her real love, she’s had several non-fiction pieces published in anthologies–two in Chicken Soup for the Soul. She has two grown children and one very spoiled Maltese. California born and raised, she recently took a step of faith with her real-life hero and relocated to Tennessee.

Enjoy An Excerpt from the Book!

Why was it people made such a fuss over the holidays? Seemed to me, even if you had a perfect family, which I surely didn’t, it was still a crazy time when everyone one-upped each other. It was kind of like playing holiday poker. I’ll take your worries over how to seat twenty of your closest relatives and raise you one need to order a pre-cooked meal because I can’t even find time to shop. Of course, the shame of not having a homemade Thanksgiving supper raised the ante quite a bit, so I generally won.

Because Daddy and me would have a couple of kids with us this year, I vowed things would be different. I was even willing to shop, cook, and bake, which was the trifecta of disaster as far as I was concerned. I had nothing against shopping—it was part of my everyday life. Hunting down great deals on vintage furniture was in my job description. But food? Only as a source of survival. Spent too many years cooking for Daddy after Mama left us, and baking was downright messy and time consuming. I’d never be held up as a great example of a Southern lady. But I’d push through it for Nora and Chandler. And if I was going to be completely honest, maybe a little for their daddy, too.

Never could see myself with my own children. For one thing, though it might stretch the imagination of most to believe it, I was a traditionalist. Even if I hadn’t stepped foot into a church since I was fifteen, there was an order to life and love that shouldn’t be forsaken. Since I hadn’t been on a date for more months than I could count on both hands, it wasn’t likely I’d be getting married anytime soon. Might be my lack of culinary skills played into that some.

For another thing, I’d heard a couple of the older ladies in my apartment complex refer to me as a spinster. It would appear, unless God miraculously plopped Mr. Perfect-for-me on my doorstep this very day, I’d be too old to have kids even if I ever did get married. At thirty-five, I was already stretching the limits of my biological clock. Add to that a year or two of dating, then a proper engagement, and I might as well accept my lot in life—once I figured out what that was exactly.

My Impressions

“The real dream is the people we have in our lives, you know? And of course, the love of the Lord is the glue that holds it all together.”

Kimberley (Kim) has watched her life dream pass her by, as she has been her father’s support since his wife and her mother left when Kim was 15. Going to school, working, taking care of the house, and trying to keep track of her rarely sober father has exhausted Kim. She feels she has missed her life’s purpose, and anyone who tries to get close is shut out, until Jax, the last few years.

Jax is a close family friend, a widower, with two children who adore Kimberley.

Just when it seems Jax and Kimberley might take s chance on each other, major upheaval hits Kimberley’s life.

Many of Kimberley’s friends offer godly advice. Kim has just been starting to think about returning to her Heavenly Father. But now?

I loved this book for its southern flare mixed with simplicity. The faith challenges Kimberley and Jax face are very real. So much emotional trauma, balanced out by wonderful, healing humor. You won’t get very far before you are roaring out loud. One example: Jax says of his office full of women, all looking out for him, “had me more mamas than a blended family twice removed.”

I highly recommend Tangles and Tinsel by Jennifer Sienes if you want a contemporary Christmas romance chock-full of suppressed emotions that need healing and laughter that will help you remember the story for a long time to come.

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

Notable Quotables:

“regret’s not gonna get you very far.”

“It was a powerful thing, being touched. For healing. For comfort. For loving.”

“Mistakes could be redeemed if we were willing to learn from them and let go.”