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A Scattering of Light by Lori Benton Review and Giveaway

June 11, 2026June 10, 2026 Babbling Becky L

Welcome to the Book Bee Blogger’s Choice Blog Tour with JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: A Scattering of Light

Series: Crockett’s Landing, Bk #1

Author: Lori Benton

Publisher: Story Architect

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Released: April 13, 2026

A Scottish drover spirited into servitude. A young Quaker woman wounded by loss. Their meeting will leave no heart unchallenged, no life unchanged.

Colonial Virginia 1734

Mourning her wayward brother’s death, Verity Wilde has turned her back on Williamsburg society, striving to live by her notion of true religion: to keep oneself unspotted from the world. But when she boards a ship to claim an indentured Scottish clerk, she’s unprepared to find another Scotsman, starved and gravely ill, left on deck untended. With scarcely more knowledge of the man than his name and place of origin—William Crockett of Skye—pity compels Verity to purchase his indenture too, meaning to provide the compassionate death denied him by the ship’s crew. Only he doesn’t die.

Will Crockett’s survival upends Verity’s carefully circumscribed life, while he awakens to find his world shattered beyond recognition. As they seek to reconcile their broken pasts, bitterness and fear vie with hope to chart their futures. Can they find the courage to trust each other, and a God who scatters light in the darkness?

Grab your copy here!

https://www.amazon.com/Scattering-Light-Crocketts-Landing-Novel-ebook/dp/B0GRG2MC68

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About the Author

Lori’s debut novel, Burning Sky, earned the 2014 Christy Award for First Novel, Historical, and Book of the Year.

Lori Benton was born and raised east of the Appalachian Mountains, surrounded by early American and family history going back to the 1600s. Her novels transport readers to the 18th century, where she brings to life the Colonial and early Federal periods of American history, creating a melting pot of characters drawn from both sides of a turbulent and shifting frontier, brought together in the bonds of God’s transforming grace.

Other Books by Lori Benton

Burning Sky

The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn

Many Sparrows

The King’s Mercy

The Pathfinders Series

The Wood’s Edge

A Flight of Arrows

The Kindred Series

Mountain Laurel

Shiloh

The Journey of Runs-Far

Books For Young Readers

Bear Country: A Teddy Bear’s Tale

Larkspur: A Mouse’s Tale

Connect with Lori and sign up for her newsletter at loribenton.com

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My Impressions

“His blessings freely scattered like light—readily seen if one didn’t close her eyes for fear of the darkness.”

If you are a fan of Christian historical fiction by Laura Frantz, Michelle Griep, or Shannon McNear, you will love Lori Benton. I first read her books years ago, but this book, A Scattering of Light, has been percolating for many years. I, for one, am ecstatic to re-welcome Lori Benton back to the historical romance world.

Benton re-enters with a smash-hit! A young Scotsman ( Will Crockett) is rescued from certain death aboard a slaver ship and his indenture sold to a young VA Quaker woman (Verity Wilde) and her musical, odd father. When Will actually survives, Verity must rethink his place on their small plantation. Will has but one thought on his mind, that of his wife, Jenny, who was conscripted with him, but who is unaccounted for.

A Scattering of Light is such a rich book it’s hard to know where to begin to describe it! It is full of diverse 18th century characters and their different levels of faith (from deep, hope-filled faith to none at all). The writing itself is both lyrical and dialect- rich. While there is plenty of action, the novel is also very character-driven. Will, with his take on righting wrongs and taking revenge, has to learn that man’s plans are not final. What a different story this would have been if they were. Jenny, kept apart from her husband, but a staunch believer, bids both Will and Verity via letter to trust the Almighty. “If all we ever dreamt for ourselves came true, but God was no’ in it … ’twould prove the worse for us.” Jenny trusts God with an impossible situation. Will retains an anger at God for the longest time. Verity, a professing Quaker, while kind and merciful,holds herself as spiritually superior to any who don’t keep exactly to her rigid beliefs. Again, Jenny with her soft ways and firm belief wears down some of the hardness of Verity’s heart. And, Verity’s friend whom she is constantly writing in the book, reminds her that in her severe observance of being “Plain,” she may be denying herself some of the blessings God has for her. “Was her hesitance not the godly prudence she believed it to be, but merely indication of what Jane cautioned her against? Rejecting God’s good gifts.”

These characters! So many great, noble ones that I loved. Great secondary supporting characters include Verity’s father Christopher, her father’s niece, Lucy Many-Beads, and Judah Looking-Wolf. Each is such a great support to Verity. While Christopher himself shows great growth in this novel, I am hoping for a story that tells more of Judah’s future.

Do yourself a huge favor and read this book! I bought an ebook and also a paperback for the keeper shelf. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“Will kent the look—the burden of not knowing, a grief not fully embraced, therefore never allowed to heal.” – Will

“I’d long held the Almighty to account for all I’ve lost, as though he was beholden to do my will, no’ the other way ’round.” – Will

“…my Religion is become a List of Works to perform, and those through more willing Hands, a far cry from what thee possesses, a Faith that shines in the Face of Losses as grievous as my own.” – Verity

“God always makes a way forward—and nearer to Him. Oft ’tis the hard things that work the greatest good in that way.” -Jenny

“Everywhere I turn I see the Almighty’s blessings, and as he never changes, why should the future worry me? Whatever we need, he’ll see it provided.” -Jenny

My Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Superior! Well-worth the years of waiting!! But, hopefully, the sequels will write themselves much faster! On my Short-List of 2026 Faves!

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Tour Giveaway

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

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 8, 2026 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on June 15, 2026. Winner 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 the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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

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

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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.

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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!!

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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

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

BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour, Kindle, New Author

A Dog Named Speed by Larry Fitzgerald Review and Giveaway

December 12, 2024 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: A Dog Named Speed

Author: Larry Fitzgerald

Genre: Fiction

Release date: December 4, 2023

Join Speed, the most adventurous pup ever, in “A Dog Named Speed” by Larry Fitzgerald! Speed had a rocky start in life, living in a cave beneath the Blue Mountains of Oregon, battling freezing winters, sneaky coyotes, and even a junkyard keeper with a trigger-happy finger. But Speed’s luck takes a turn when he’s rescued from a watery disaster and adopted by Babe, a young newspaper boy.

As Speed and Babe grow up together, they embark on thrilling adventures in the wilds of Oregon, discovering secret fishing spots and having daring encounters. Speed becomes Babe’s trusty sidekick, and together, they form an unbreakable team.

But it’s not just about Speed and Babe; this story is packed with excitement and surprises! Speed meets Kate, a lively Australian shepherd, and their connection adds even more adventure to the mix. Plus, there’s a deeper message about faith and friendship that will make you think.

If you’re ready for action, friendship, and a heartwarming tale, “A Dog Named Speed” is the book for you. Get ready to cheer for Speed and Babe as they navigate life’s ups and downs and discover the true meaning of loyalty and love. This is a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat and warm your heart at the same time!

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Larry Fitzgerald, a retired businessman turned youth soccer coach, infuses his writing, managing, and coaching with an unwavering commitment to Christ’s Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). Concerned for today’s youth growing up without spiritual guidance, Larry took to writing. Larry’s impactful short fiction is showcased in anthologies like “Stories from the Attic” (2022) and “Fortunes” (2023) by AA Inc. Publishing. His stories transcend pages, offering beacons of spiritual enlightenment for a generation navigating a world where God’s presence is often obscured.

More from Larry

Writing the story about Speed and the newspaper boy should have been a slam dunk. All I had to do was remember the years between my ninth and eighteenth birthdays—not all of it, of course, just the time my dog Speed and I spent together, which was, basically, all of it. Getting the story into my computer was easy. The hard part was getting it out of my computer and into the format(s) required for publishing and marketing. That was and continues to be a challenging learning experience. Someday, I may write a book about that.

The great thing about my book, A Dog Named Speed, is that it’s a true story except for the parts where Speed is not with me, alone, or with other animals. Those were imagined but very plausible. The story is told from the dog’s point of view, from heaven, as he awaits his master to join him.

Speed was a stray dog who started following me as I delivered newspapers in a small town in Eastern Oregon. He would not come near me despite my enthusiastic efforts to win his favor. He was afraid of all humans, which I assume came from having been mistreated as a young dog. Our coming together happened only when Speed was desperate and had no choice but to reach out to me.

After that, Speed and I were rarely apart. We shared many exciting times centered on fishing adventures, camping trips, and ball games. Speed and I slept together every night. He followed me to school each day and waited faithfully for me to get home so he could join in whatever was in store for the evening.

The most important thing I observed about Speed was how he treated his master. I knew Speed loved me unconditionally. As the story affirms, there was nothing he wouldn’t do to come to my aid. As this became clear, I began to think about how I treat my Master, Jesus Christ. Was I faithful? Was my every thought about Him? Were my first thoughts when I woke up every morning about Jesus? I am certain Speed’s were of me.

My book was written for young people, but it has found a broader audience as well. Any reader who has ever owned a dog can relate to this story. I am blessed to have owned A Dog Named Speed.

My Impressions

“I want to learn to love my Master like you love me, Speed. With you, it’s so natural.”

Dog lovers and lovers of small-town mid-twentieth century historical fiction will especially enjoy A Dog Named Speed. It’s a semi-autobiographical fictionalized account of the author, Larry Fitzgerald, and the dog he had growing up.

With Speed’s example, we learn about loyalty, trust, and turning from hate to love. “The hate I used to carry was gone…Love for my master had overcome all the hate I once had.” As Speed, the narrator shares many poignant, endearing anecdotes, then often relates them to how we as humans should view our Master, Jesus, or how we need to trust Him and let His love change us. At these points, the story slows a bit to get the points across. I especially enjoyed Hootie, who occasionally appeared with very short messages of faith or encouragement.

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

Notable Quotables:

“Don’t you want to put everything in God’s hands and let Him direct your steps?”

“Hatred destroys. Learn to love.”

“I wanted to make him like me, something he could not ever be. God makes us all unique to serve his purposes, even animals.”

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Good. I think that even more readers will be interested in Speed’s stories as the spiritual nuggets are sewn in more seamlessly into the story.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, December 13

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, December 14

A Reader’s Brain, December 15 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, December 15

She Lives To Read, December 16

Life on Chickadee Lane, December 17

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 18

Back Porch Reads, December 19 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, December 19

Texas Book-aholic, December 20

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 21

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 22

Little Homeschool on the Prairie , December 23

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, December 24 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, December 25 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 26

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Larry is giving away the grand prize of a $75 Amazon gift card!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54117

BLOG, Celebrate Lit Tour

Terror in the Skies, #1 Turbulent Skies by Alana Terry

April 24, 2020April 24, 2020 Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: Terror in the Skies

Author: Alana Terry

Genre: Christian Thriller Suspense

Release Date: November 12, 2019

A hijacked airplane. A fatal disaster. A desperate soul in need of salvation …

Willow’s spirited, carefree, and far too young to die. Trapped on a hijacked airplane with no promise of survival, Willow’s forced to confront her darkest fear as well as her soul’s deepest need.

Terror in the Skies is the first novella in the Turbulent Skies Christian Thriller series, an unforgettable collection of interconnected novellas about strangers traveling together aboard a doomed flight. Find out why Christian fiction readers can’t stop raving about this heart-stopping, fast-paced series you can devour in a single sitting.

If you like harrowing stories of faith and redemption, spine-tingling adrenaline surges, and heart-pounding Christian suspense, you’ll love these edge-of-your-seat novellas by USA Today bestselling author, Alana Terry.

Dive into the breathtaking Turbulent Skies series today. Just be careful … you may not be able to read just one!

Click here for your copy.

My Review

Terror in the Skies by Alana Terry was a different kind of read for me. I wasn’t ready for the first-person narration, almost stream-of-consciousness thought. Willow Winters, who starts to tell us the story of her and her roommate’s plane hijacking, goes down several rabbit trails on the way.

Willow pontificates on everything from human trafficking to illicit drug use to environmental protection then climbs on a soapbox about Flint, Michigan’s water issue. I wish this book had been presented as a social ills book, instead of suspense. Even the suspense part (not a major part of the novel that I was hoping for) becomes secondary to the social gospel and the True Gospel. We all need to think seriously about eternity, but for me, this story has too many side journeys and barely delivers as a suspense novel.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author through Celebrate Lit. This in no way affects my opinions, for which I am solely responsible.

My Rating

2 Stars – Not So Good – I Would Not Recommend This Book

(Please note that many other Celebrate Lit reviewers and others have liked or loved this book. Please choose for yourself, not just based on my recommendation.)

About the Author

Alana is a pastor’s wife, homeschooling mom, self-diagnosed chicken lady, and Christian suspense author. Her novels have won awards from Women of Faith, Book Club Network, Grace Awards, Readers’ Favorite, and more. Alana’s passion for social justice, human rights, and religious freedom shines through her writing, and her books are known for raising tough questions without preaching. She and her family live in rural Alaska where the northern lights in the winter and midnight sun in the summer make hauling water, surviving the annual mosquito apocalypse, and cleaning goat stalls in negative forty degrees worth every second.

More from Alana

I’m excited to share my new Turbulent Skies Christian Thriller novella series with all of you! The inspiration behind this series came when I was taking a flight a few years ago … and indulging in one of my favorite past times – people watching! As I looked at the various passengers around me, I started to wonder about their lives … and it was from that line of thinking this novella series was born!

I first wrote a book about a terrifying experience on board an airplane years earlier, (Turbulence, Book #5 in the Kennedy Stern series) and because many members of my amazing Readers’ Club had been asking me to write a book featuring Willow, one of their favorite characters from the Kennedy Stern series, it seemed fitting that Willow gets to be the star in the first of these novellas.

Terror in the Skies is Willow’s story. She’s a chic Alaskan college student, a free spirit who finds herself sharing a dorm room with a conservative Christian missionary kid. Willow first makes her appearance in the Kennedy Stern Christian suspense series, meaning that over a hundred thousand readers have met her!

I can’t tell you too much about this life-of-the-party aspiring actress (mostly because I don’t want to spoil anything for you if you happen to still be making your way through the Kennedy Stern books). But I can tell you she is the first main character in this six-book novella series that helps answer the question: “Who are you really sitting next to hundreds of feet up in the air?”

Maybe, like me, after reading this series, you’ll never look at your fellow passengers the same way!