Now Until Forever by Lisa Phillips + GIVE AWAY

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Now Until Forever by Lisa Phillips, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! This has been such a fun series! I'm definitely not caught up considering the fact that there are 16 books in the series. lol Thanks to JustRead for sending me the print copy. I'll also be hosting the tour on my Instagram early next month so keep an eye out there. Check out Lisa's guest post and enter the giveaway!

About the Book

Title: Now Until Forever 
Series: Brand of Justice #16 
Author: Lisa Phillips 
Publisher: Two Dogs Publishing, LLC 
Release Date: May 6, 2026 
Genre: Christian Thriller with Romance

**The Epic Stand-alone Finale** 

Born into a legacy, Eliana must find her own brand of justice. 

After moving to Chicago to work at the mysterious Shrine museum, Eliana is determined to uncover the family secrets she’s never been told. When she stumbles upon her first ever dead body, everyone around her believes she should try and solve the murder. But taking cases isn’t what she came here for. Despite her plans, things are about to turn far more sinister, and the path she’s on seems determined to drag her back into a nightmare. 

Chicago PD Officer Carlos Ryson was born into a legacy of his own. He’s here to look for his missing sister, Luci, and wants to enlist Eliana’s help. This is a family problem, and only family working together can solve it. But Eliana has never forgotten the way Carlos shredded her heart. If he wants them to team up, he’ll have to confront the damage he did and find a way to repair it. 

While the city around them descends into a chaos that resembles the end times, someone has seized the opportunity to get what they want from the Shrine. Only Eliana stands in their way, but if she’s going to figure this out she’ll need to trust that the people around her have her back.  

Before it’s too late.  

Now Until Forever is the stand-alone finale to the Brand of Justice series, and is set in the near-future. It features a happily ever after romance mixed with high-stakes suspense in this gripping crime fiction story.

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

More in This Series

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Guest Post

1. When you started writing this series, did you expect it to be a traditional number of

books - like 3 or 4 - or did you know it was going to have more than anyone could've

expected? How did you decide to continue with the series?

Well, hi! Thanks so much for inviting me to guest post! I’m so excited to be here talking about Now Until Forever and the whole Brand of Justice series.

When I started the series, I actually thought it was going to be 20 books! It ended with 16, and I’m fine with that—it’s better to end early than to drag something out. I still have a few ideas for spin of series’ for later, but for now I decided to wrap up this original series with the ending at 16.

Several of my series are longer – 9 or 10 books, so 16 was definitely a stretch. Personally I like a longer series, because you can really get to know the characters and see them develop. That is certainly the case with Kenna, the original series character.

I just knew Kenna had a significant story to tell, but when I started Cold Dead Night I had no idea she would discover a family and go on the path she did to her happily ever after. I thought they were going to be stand alone crime stories, where she investigated, saved someone, and caught the bad guy. Not that Kenna would go on such an emotional journey, and wind up going up against a dangerous group.

Following her life for 15 books allowed us all to see her journey to faith, her recommitment to the Lord after she falters, and how marriage isn’t the thing that fixes everything – life is still messy! Seeing her at the end of book 16 navigating a dangerous situation and having a baby, choosing to allow God to take her fears, was something I think every reader who has read that far deserves to see.

Now Until Forever is more of a final gift for readers who love this series.

It’s a stand alone and is set 25years in the future. The main characters are Eliana—Kenna and Jax’s baby, all grown up—and Carlos, who is the son of Javier Ryson. The idea came out of a moment in book 15 where Kenna and Javier joked about their children getting together when they’re all grown up. I knew it would be a great

story!

Now Until Forever is about discovering the path God has had in mind for you since the moment you were conceived. He’s a good God who leads us where He has prepared a path for us. 

It’s a reminder that no matter what the world you live in looks like, He is still in control!

Happy Reading!

Lisa

About the Author

Lisa Phillips is a USA Today and top ten Publishers Weekly bestselling author of Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense, independently published series romantic suspense, and thriller novels. She’s discovered a penchant for high-stakes stories of mayhem and disaster where you can find made-for-each-other love that always ends in happily ever after.

Lisa is a British ex-pat who grew up an hour outside of London and attended Calvary Chapel Bible College, where she met her husband. He’s from California, but nobody’s perfect. It wasn’t until her Bible College graduation that she figured out she was a writer (someone told her). Lisa is a worship leader, tea aficionado, and dog lover of two crazy Airedales.

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

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Tour Giveaway

(3) winners will each receive a paperback copy of Now Until Forever and various book merch goodies!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 18, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 25, 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 print. If winner is outside the US, he/she will receive an ebook instead of paperback, along with some book swag. 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!

Into a Golden Era by Gabrielle Meyer

Into a Golden Era

by Gabrielle Meyer

Publisher: Bethany House

Series: Timeless

ISBN: 9780764243035

Every year I eagerly (and impatiently) wait for the next book in Gabrielle Meyer's Timeless series! I absolutely wanted to devour Into a Golden Era once I sat down with it, but life was so crazy when I did that I didn't have a choice but to read it over a 3-day period. When I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it! Thank you to the author and publisher for sending me a copy of the book.

Summary:

Two eras. One future. An impossible choice that will determine the course of history.

As a time-crosser, Ally lives in two worlds. In 1849, in an attempt to secure her family's future during the California Gold Rush, she finds herself penniless and stranded in San Francisco. Forced to take shelter in a dangerous boardinghouse owned by an infamous gang member, Ally is desperate to escape. But when she discovers that history has changed around her, and it now claims she will do something unthinkable, she must use her time-crossing knowledge to find answers. 

In 1929, Ally is an up-and-coming starlet during the Golden Age of Hollywood, but her family's film studio is on the brink of ruin, and their remaining resources are invested into a production of Little Women. If the endeavor fails, Ally's family will lose everything. To ensure their success, she agrees to stage a fake romance with a notorious Hollywood heartthrob in hopes of using his fame for their movie, but she risks her heart in the process. When history doesn't play by the rules, Ally must decide if she will throw all caution aside and risk everything for the people she loves. But which path will be worth sacrificing to save the other? 

My Review:

What do you do when you love a book so much that you're speechless, but you also need to write a review. On top of having to write a review, you have not give any spoilers. I'm honestly at a loss, but I'll give it a shot.

You may think, book 7 in a time crossing series? Is it possible for any of it to be fresh, new, compelling, etc? If I gave Into a Golden Era a 10 out of 5 stars, would that convince you that the author has done it once again?! There's such an incredible anticipation for "the next book" that when it finally arrives I'm apprehensive to read it. I know it's going to be exciting, I'm going to have opinions on who I think is the best love match, and I'm not going to want it to end, which it always does much too quickly.

Ally lives a completely different life in 1849 than she does in 1929. In 1849 she's at the mercy of others along with her sister and father. In 1849 she lives a life of glamour in Hollywood. I honestly loved her in both timelines. I think either would've worked well for her, but she had no choice other than living in only one at the age of 25.

I had so much hope for the men in this story! I was holding out hope for both of them. Ally was such a strong influence to those around her. 

There were some great twists and turns in the story. One had my jaw dropped! How the author keeps all of the moving parts organized is mind boggling to me. The story is rich in faith, which is such a huge draw for me. Ally's family in 1929 is (mostly) a wonderful support. Her sister got on my nerves throughout the entire story, and appropriately so. She was selfish and self-centered. The way she treated Ally made me want to reach into the pages and give her a shake.

Needless to say, I had pretty strong reactions as I read the story. There were times when my heart was so sad, other times I felt so much compassion for what Ally was going through in both times, and wanted to shake my fist at one of the main characters!

This is a story I absolutely did NOT want to end! I want someone to pull a Men in Black on me so I can read it again like it was the first time! Now, I'm eagerly anticipating book 8!

About the Author:

Gabrielle Meyer is a Christy Award-winner and ECPA bestselling author of the Timeless series. She has worked for state and local historical societies and loves writing fiction inspired by real people, places, and events. She currently resides along the banks of the Mississippi River in central Minnesota with her husband and four children. By day, she's a busy homeschool mom, and by night she pens fiction and nonfiction filled with hope. Sign up for her newsletter at GabrielleMeyer.com.

A Girl's Guide to Having it All by Leslie Kirby DeVooght + GIVE AWAY

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for A Girl's Guide to Having it All by Leslie Kirby DeVooght, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! I hope you enjoy Leslie's guest post and be sure to enter the giveaway!

About the Book

Title: A Girl's Guide to Having it All 
Series: Magnolia Bluff #3 
Author: Leslie Kirby DeVooght 
Publisher: Lanier Price Publishing 
Release Date: April 30, 2026 
Genre: Contemporary Women's Fiction with Romance

She mastered her career. Finding a husband? Not so much. 

High-powered political lobbyist Carleigh Chastain turns thirty-five with an impressive résumé, a packed calendar, and no love life to speak of. When her longtime friend—and former marriage-pact partner—Lawson announces he’s marrying a woman he barely knows, Carleigh does what any sensible best friend would do: she drops everything in DC and jets to Magnolia Bluff, Georgia, determined to save him from a costly mistake. 

Instead, her plans unravel, forcing Carleigh to confront the choices she’s made—and the ones she’s avoided. 

Meanwhile, Spencer MacDowell, her steady, loyal best friend since law school, is done waiting in the friend zone. 

As faith, friendship, and romance collide, Carleigh wonders if she’s been too busy chasing success to notice where God—and her heart—have been pointing all along. Funny, heartfelt, and romantic, this story asks what “having it all” really means.

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

More in This Series

 

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Guest Post

Of your three books in this series, do you have a favorite FMC? Maybe one you related to more or enjoyed how their story unfolded?

When I consider the FMCs in the first three Magnolia Bluff books, I relate to Carleigh the most. I wouldn’t say she’s my favorite, but as I wrote her story, I realized how much I relate to her. If not for some divine moments in my life, I could’ve ended up very much like her.

Carleigh is a high-powered political lobbyist in Washington DC. In college, I majored in political science, and like Carleigh, I went to law school. I even interned for my congressman the summer before my senior year of college, and like Carleigh, I LOVED it. I really wanted to go to law school in DC and was accepted to American University. But God had other plans, I received a very large scholarship to my back up school and made the very wise financial decision to attend Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. Also similar to Carleigh, I wanted to be President of the United States as a child.

But what makes me the most like Carleigh was her desire to move away from her hometown and make something of herself. Whether it was reality or not, Carleigh felt overlooked and disregarded as a teenager. She worked hard and achieved a lot, but no one noticed. As an adult, she intended to change all that.

Similarly, I didn’t have a great teenage experience. If you saw my resume, you’d probably disagree because you’d see varsity cheerleader and student body secretary. But like Carleigh, I was often excluded and ignored. I had no intentions of moving back to my hometown. I planned to move to the big city and be a high powered attorney. But again God had other plans, and while working at home the summer after my first year of law school, I met my husband. When I graduated, we married and lived in my hometown for over a decade.

These moments that sent me in the opposite direction of Carleigh also drew me closer to God and deepened my faith. I read The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry around the time I was planning Carleigh’s book, and I really began to see where her story and my life diverted. But I also realized I’ve been working really hard for a long time to prove to people who don’t care that I am somebody. This revelation really surprised me, but I’m so glad I could learn with Carleigh that slowing down and serving God for his glory is so much better than striving for the world’s approval. Most of all, I know Jesus loves me, and I was fearfully and wonderfully made for a purpose by the good Father who calls me daughter.

Now, I’ve listed a lot of ways Carleigh and I are similar. But here are a few big ways we are different. I am a bubbly, optimistic person, and since I was a cheerleader, I definitely think they are athletes. Also, I’m an introvert, and Carleigh is an extrovert. I wish my hair was naturally red, and I don’t think Carleigh really loves her hair color. And here’s the thing you want to know most, my brothers do not look like Hot Brad, even if one of them thinks he does.

About the Author

Publisher’s Weekly Bestselling author Leslie Kirby DeVooght writes women’s fiction with faith, love, laughter, and a lot of Southern charm. Her stories are inspired by romcoms, coastal Georgia, and fried okra! When Leslie isn’t writing, she’s cheering on her three children, and enjoying date nights with her husband, who loves that she researches kissing.

In addition to writing her own stories, Leslie co-owns Spark Flash Fiction, an online magazine that publishes short, short romance collections four times a year. 

 

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

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a bookish tote bag with all three books from the Magnolia Bluff series (A Girl's Guide to Having it All, How to Sparkle, and Stealing Magnolias)!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 6, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 13, 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!

These Empty Places By Sarah Loudin Thomas

These Empty Places

by Sarah Loudin Thomas

Publisher: Bethany House

ISBN: 9780764245930

I always enjoy this author's stories! She easily transports readers back to 1930s North Carolina and brings it to life with her knowledge of the time and place. I always feel like I'm right in the story with her character because she does such a great job of bringing them to life. Thanks to the publisher for sending me the book for review.

Summary:

When their worlds are upended, two women brought together by their loss discover what truly matters most. 

Claire Roth sacrificed love for a life of comfort on Lake Toxaway--until the dam broke, and the lake washed down the side of the mountain. Fourteen years later, she longs to see the lake restored to its former glory even as the country faces hard economic times on the eve of the Great Depression. 

Socialite Lena Hawkins married her first love, who swept her off her feet after skyrocketing from rags to riches by speculating in the stock market. Now penniless and rejected by her family, Lena and her husband have arrived at Lake Toxaway for a fresh start. There, Lena forms an unexpected connection with Claire, who hires her to assist with the personal library Claire is building to provide jobs and education for their struggling North Carolina community. When Claire is given a second chance at love and Lena a tempting chance at a life of independence, both women must release the past to fill tomorrow with promise.

Sarah Loudin Thomas paints a rich Southern historical story of friendship, second-chance romance, and new beginnings set in small-town North Carolina on the eve of the Great Depression. This read is perfect for book clubs and fans of Patti Callahan and Lisa Wingate.

My Review:

If you ever want to read an author who transports you fully to a specific place and time, this author does it in spades. She brings to life the characters and setting in a beautiful way in These Empty Places. 

I was riveted to Claire's story. Maybe it was because she was an "older" FMC or maybe it was her no-nonsense ways. Being a widow, and now 47 in the story, she has no expectations of romance. Her young adult daughter, Millie, also plays into the story, but while you could see her growth throughout the story, she occasionally rubbed me wrong.

The other FMC is Lena, who ends up at Lake Toxaway after her husband loses all of their money in the stock market crash, and moves with Preston to live with his brother & wife. Preston is a piece of work to say the least. Lena is altruistic! She is such an encourager to all around her, even her husband who is always looking for the next "get rich quick" scheme. Unfortunately, that lands them in a heap of trouble.

Claire sees Lena's potential and that they come from a similar background. Lena is refined, but because of her love and belief in Preston, is willing to live without. Claire, in the midst of some crazy life changes, is incredibly good to Lena. Giving her wisdom, guidance, and a helping hand during some really hard times.

I don't want to leave out mention of John Bellamy, who plays a significant role in the story. He easily wins me over and I love his determination and pursuit of the woman he has in his sights. Also, Mrs. Knight, Claire's housekeeper/friend is rather firm and closed off, but I had moments where I warmed up to her.

The story didn't have an overly strong faith thread. It's really more towards the end when one of the characters has growth and leans on faith where we see it most. Otherwise, it's more about "luck" and really relying on yourself, than anything pointing towards the Lord. l would say this was more of a clean read.

About the Author:

Sarah Loudin Thomas is the ECPA bestselling author of numerous acclaimed novels and winner of the 2021 Selah Book of the Year and of the 2015 INSPY Award. She has worked in public relations for Biltmore Estate and was the founding director of Jan Karon's Mitford Museum. She now divides her time between writing and leading a ministry serving foster and adoptive families. Learn more at SarahLoudinThomas.com.

The Girl Upstairs By Jessica Patch + GIVE AWAY

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Girl Upstairs by Jessica R. Patch, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! Oh boy... are you all ready for this book? I'm in the Instagram tour for this as well because I can't give enough shout outs to Jessica's writing so I needed to cover my bases. Check out her guest post below and enter the giveaway!

About the Book

Title: The Girl Upstairs 
Author: Jessica R. Patch 
Publisher: Harlequin Love Inspired Trade 
Release Date: April 28, 2026 
Genre: Psychological Thriller

"Jessica R. Patch weaves a dark, twisty tapestry that’s both unsettling and unexpectedly hopeful. Masterful." –New York Times bestselling author Allison Brennan

She bought this house to save her marriage. Unearthing its secrets might just claim her life. 

Gwen McDaniel’s life is broken. But she knows the perfect place to fix it. Cold Harbor, Maine, an idyllic small town with views of Acadia National Park, is where she used to vacation with her parents as a child. Here, she and Steven can start over, renovating their cliff-side fixer-upper while patching up their marriage. Soon, everything will be better. 

Except from the moment they arrive, Gwen sees and hears things, and it’s more than just the drafts and shadows that are part of any old house. Steven downplays her fears, warning her not to fixate on problems as she has in the past. But Gwen spent years as a homicide detective, and her instincts don’t lie. Something happened here. Proof comes when she rips up the attic’s carpet to discover a chilling message carved into the wood underneath. 

As Gwen delves into the history of the house and the Cold Harbor community, she begins to piece the fragments together. And gradually, a terrifying picture emerges: A missing girl. A house of horrors. And a dark, decades-old nightmare that is more haunting than Gwen ever imagined…  

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

Also Available

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Guest Post

From Dark Scenes to Daily Life: How I Balance It

So, I’ve just written a scene where someone is buried alive, a killer is circling, and the tension could power a small city. And now… I’m expected to go make dinner or meet a friend for coffee? Yes, that’s the exact kind of writer’s whiplash I live with—and somehow, I survive it.

Here’s my not-so-secret formula. Treat it like a costume change for your soul. Close the document, step away, and remind yourself that the basement, the revenge, and the lingering dread? They live on the page, not in your kitchen that really does need a deep clean. I’ll swap the horror soundtrack in my head for something worshipful or even whimsical—maybe 80s hairbands or Love Shack set on repeat—to reset my mood and to remind me that a tin roof rusted is way scarier than a shiny one. Physical movement helps too. Chopping vegetables with sharp knives, walking the dog down deserted roads, or simply stepping outside to breathe (except in spring because…pollen).

And yes, I do it with a wink. Because the truth is, I spend hours orchestrating human misery for a living. Laughing at the absurdity of shifting from terror to normal life keeps me grounded. Imagining my characters sipping lattes instead of scheming murder? Hilarious.

But here’s the serious part. Even though I dive into darkness on the page, I trust that God equips me for it. When He calls you to something, He gives all the grace, protection, and shielding you need so that the weight of what you explore doesn’t touch you in a destructive way. I can write the horrors, explore the shadows, and still return to light, laughter, and life—because the ultimate safety isn’t in avoiding the dark, it’s in the One who walks with me through it.

About the Author

Jessica R. Patch is a New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of more than thirty novels. Known for her pulse-pounding plots, emotionally charged characters, and signature twists, Jessica’s stories explore themes of justice, resilience, and the unshakable power of hope.

Whether weaving inspirational stories of danger edged with romance or crafting chilling thrillers that probe the shadows of the human heart, Jessica delivers fiction that thrills while shining light in the darkest places. She makes her home in Northwest Mississippi, where she enjoys life with her family, a good cup of tea, and dreaming up her next edge-of-your-seat story usually over tacos and queso. 

You’re invited to join the Patched In community at her website: jessicarpatch.com and receive a FREE short thriller, Nobody Has to Know.

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a signed copy of The Other Sister and a $10 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 27, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 4, 2026. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only for the print copy. 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!