A Weary World Rejoices By Stacy Monson, Eleanor Bertin, Johnnie Alexander, Angela D. Meyer, and Sara Davison + GIVE AWAY

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for A Weary World Rejoices by Stacy Monson, Eleanor Bertin, Johnnie Alexander, Angela D. Meyer, and Sara Davison, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! Doesn't this cover just give you the holiday feels? It certainly does for me! Bring on the Christmas reading. Be sure to read the book excerpt below and visit the other bloggers on the tour. I had such a hard time deciding which excerpt to use because they all sounded so good!

About the Book

Title: A Weary World Rejoices
Series: A Mosaic Christmas Anthology VI
Authors: Stacy Monson, Eleanor Bertin, Johnnie Alexander, Angela D. Meyer, Sara Davison
Publisher: The Mosaic Collection, LLC
Release Date: October 16, 2024
Genre: Christian Christmas anthology

With nothing going as planned, will Christmas be a complete disaster this year?

The people in these stories are tired, weighed down by the struggles and cares of life. In the midst of their challenging situations, each receives an unexpected letter.  

The Christmas Kiss – Stacy Monson
Unremarkable Sue – Eleanor Bertin
Love, Christmas – Johnnie Alexander
Gifting Christmas – Angela D. Meyer
The Back Door Christmas Tour Company – Sara Davison 

Songs like "O Holy Night"are filling the airwaves and promising hope for a weary world, but what will it take for the men and women in these stories to experience true joy this Christmas?  

A Weary World Rejoices is a collection of five stories about discovering joy in the midst of life's challenges—at Christmas and every day of the year.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

Also Available

   

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Book Excerpt

Barry filled a basket with bread. “So, Mrs. Marino, shall we feed the troops?”

Karen laughed. “Next time, could you give me a little more warning before you invite

guests over for dinner?”

Barry wrapped his wife in a hug. “I’m sorry Christmas won’t be what you were hoping.”

She leaned against his chest and listened to his heartbeat for a moment. “At least we’re

together.”

“That’s what matters. By the way, I ran into your dad at the store earlier. He had a letter

for you, but with the storm incoming, he asked me to deliver it. You distracted me from giving it

to you earlier.”

“I did, did I?”

“Yep. It’s all your fault.” Barry sobered. “In all seriousness, though. He wanted you to

have it for Christmas.” He pulled out an envelope from his back pocket. “It’s from your mom.”

She gasped as she accepted it and looked at the elegant handwriting on the front of the

envelope.

He kissed the top of her head. “She must have written it before you returned from New

York but died before she could give it to you. Your dad found it in her things.”

She held it against her chest. Sniffling, she slid her finger under the flap.

“Hey, where’s the food?”

Barry and Karen twisted around. Thomas glared at them from the doorway into the

kitchen. Karen stuffed the letter in her jeans pocket.

Barry chuckled. “You can go to the store, since you’re in a rush.”

Thomas sputtered. “Do you know who I am?”

“Someone we welcomed in from the cold when he was stranded in the snow.”

About the Authors

 

Stacy Monson is the award-winning author of stories that reveal an extraordinary God at work in ordinary life. Residing in the beautiful, peaceful countryside outside of the Twin Cities with an old dog and 17 chickens. She has two kids, two wonderful in-law kids, and adores being G'ma to 7 amazing grandchildren.

Connect with Stacy at stacymonson.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

From her home in central Alberta, Canada, Eleanor Bertin writes fiction that ponders the depths of God’s love and mercy to humanity. She is the author of The Ties That Bind series, Lifelines, Unbound, and Tethered, the Burning Bright series, Flame of Mercy and Flicker of Trust, as well as the memoir, Pall of Silence, about her late son, Paul. She lives with her husband of 40 years and their youngest son, in what will someday be a beautiful century home.

Connect with Eleanor at eleanorbertinauthor.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

 

Johnnie Alexander is a wannabe vagabond with a heart for making memories. As a bestselling, award-winning novelist, she has written more than thirty works of fiction in a variety of genres. She is both traditionally and indie-published, serves as board secretary for the Mosaic Collection, LLC (an indie-author group) and faculty chair for the Mid-South Christian Writers Conference; co-hosts Writers Chat, a weekly online show; and contributes to the Heroes, Heroines, and History blog.  A fan of classic movies, stacks of books, and road trips, Johnnie shares a life of quiet adventure with Rugby, her raccoon-treeing papillon. Her grands call her “The Shadow” and dutifully follow this unbreakable rule ~ only she is allowed to open a new bag of Classic Lay’s potato chips.

Connect with Johnnie at johnnie-alexander.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

Angela D. Meyer writes fiction that showcases God’s ability to redeem and restore the brokenness in our lives. Angela currently lives in Nebraska, where she and her husband homeschooled and graduated both of their children. Angela is a part of the Mosaic Collection and writes stories that showcase God’s redemption and restoration in our brokenness. Angela enjoys sunrises and sunsets, the ocean when she gets a chance to visit, and hopes to ride in a hot air balloon someday. Connect with Angela at angeladmeyer.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

Sara Davison is the author of The Night Guardians, The Rose Tattoo, two sparrows for a penny, and In the Shadows series, as well as the standalone, The Watcher. A finalist for more than a dozen national writing awards, including the Christy Award, Davison is a Holt Medallion, Cascade, and two-time Carol Award winner for romantic suspense. She lives in Ontario with her husband, Michael. Like every good Canadian, she loves coffee, hockey, poutine, and apologizing for no particular reason.

Connect with Sara at saradavison.org to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win a paperback copy of A Weary World Rejoices as well as a metal wall hanging that says A Thrill of Hope, the Weary World Rejoices!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 14, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 21, 2024. Winner 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!

Specters In The Glass House By Jaime Jo Wright

Specters in the Glass House

by Jaime Jo Wright

Publisher: Bethany House

ISBN: 9780764241468

I haven't met a Jaime Jo Wright book that I haven't loved! When I found out this one had monarch butterflies, I was intrigued and yet a little frightened! How was she going to use one of the butterflies I raise as part of one of her stories? I was sent the book for review from the publisher!

Summary:

An ominous butterfly house. A sinister legacy. An untraceable killer. 

In 1921, Marian Arnold, the heiress to a brewing baron's empire, seeks solace in the glass butterfly house on her family's Wisconsin estate as Prohibition and the deaths of her parents cast a long shadow over her shrinking world. When Marian's sanctuary is invaded by nightmarish visions, she grapples with the line between hallucinations of things to come and malevolent forces at play in the present. With dead butterflies as the killer's ominous signature, murders unfold at a steady pace. Marian, fearful she might be next, enlists the help of her childhood friend Felix, a war veteran with his own haunted past.

In the present day, researcher Remy Shaw becomes entangled in an elderly biographer's quest to uncover the truth behind Marian Arnold's mysterious life and the unsolved murders linked to an infamous serial killer. Joined by Marian's great-great-grandson, can Remy expose the evil that lurks beneath broken wings? Or will the dark legacy surrounding the manor and its glass house destroy yet another generation?

My Review:

Once again, the author had me on the edge of my seat wondering what kind of twist was going to come along with this story. Boy, did she deliver!

You can't help but love sweet Marian. She's so innocent and kind. I wanted nothing more than to step into the story and protect her from all of the meanies! Unfortunately, death can't seem to shake showing up at Müllerian Manor. Sadly, Marian learns this the hard way. Things don't get any better when her dear cousin, Ivo, shows up.

In the present day, we meet Remy. She's quirky and a bit freaked out about what she's learning (and hearing) at Müllerian Manor. Being a research assistant to the man writing a story about Marian and her family may be more than she bargained for. Once again, death seems to be hovering just around the corner!

I think the way I look at monarchs may be forever changed with this story, and not for the better! lol The way the author made them part of the story will give you the shivers. I will admit, I had NO clue what was going on throughout the whole story. Of course, I made some guesses along the way, but none of them were what was really going on. I thought she did an incredible job of having it make sense when it was all revealed. When the dots start to connect, it's almost like you can hear all of the pieces of the puzzle falling into place.

And yes, there's definitely a thread of faith in the story, which I always appreciate in suspenseful (and creepy) stories! There's that piece of hope the characters can cling to, which reminds us where our hope is as well!

About the Author:

Jaime Jo Wright is the author of twelve novels, including Christy Award and Daphne du Maurier Award winner The House on Foster Hill and Carol Award winner The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond. She's also a four-time Christy Award finalist, as well as the ECPA bestselling author of The Vanishing at Castle Moreau, The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater, and two Publishers Weeklybestselling novellas. Jaime lives in Wisconsin with her family and fabulous felines. Learn more at JaimeWrightBooks.com.

The Sign of the Calico Quartz By Jan Drexler + Guest Post + GIVE AWAY

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Sign of the Calico Quartz audiobook by Jan Drexler, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! I know we're not supposed to judge a book but it's cover, but seriously, a corgi and a black cat with a white heart patch and we're not supposed to judge the book as being adorable? I beg to differ! I was able to ask Jen to share a bit about her writing and her audiobook narrator. Check her answers out below! I received the audiobook for review and you can find my thoughts below!

About the Book

Title: The Sign of the Calico Quartz
Series: The Sweetbrier Inn Mysteries
Author: Jan Drexler
Narrator: Gillian Wiggin
Publisher: Swift Wings Press
Audiobook Release Date: July 24, 2024
Genre: Cozy Mystery

Solving a murder is easy, right? All you need to do is follow the clues, and they will lead you to the culprit. 

 At least that’s what Emma Blackwood thought before she and her cat, Tim, came to the Black Hills to work in Aunt Rose’s Sweetbrier Inn. Before she found a dead body in her living room. Before the hunky Deputy Sheriff accused her of murdering the poor guy. And before the real killer put her name on their list of victims. 

For this fan of Agatha Christie and a plethora of television crime dramas, it’s an intriguing situation that demands her skills. Investigating might not be as simple as it looks in fictional mysteries, but Emma’s organized mind and OCD tendencies start making sense of the clues…until she finds a second body with no apparent connection to the first. 

Sifting through evidence is easier with the help of her new friend, Becky, who provides baked goods for the inn, and Aunt Rose is always willing to take time from writing her mysterious memoirs to give support and advice. Wil, the inn’s chef, moves things along with a barbed comment or two, and Tim the cat and Rose’s corgi, Thatcher, make themselves available for fuzz therapy and to point the way to another clue. 

The list of suspects grows as Emma learns more about the inn’s guests and their reasons for visiting the Black Hills. From the honeymoon couple to Mysterious Montgomery, to the famous reality show ghost hunter, to the gold seekers, no one is the person they appear to be. Even Rose’s good friend Clara is hiding secrets in her pink chenille bathrobe. 

But as Emma pursues the investigation, things start to get personal. Can she identify the murderer before disaster strikes?  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon (Audiobook)| Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

More Books In This Series

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Guest Post

When God Closes a Door by Jan Drexler

We all remember 2020 and the beginning of the mess that was Covid. Those months/years changed our lives forever, didn’t they? One of the big changes for authors was an upheaval in the publishing industry. In the spring of 2020, no one knew what the future was going to look like. Agents, editors, and publishing houses were no different. Many careers came to a standstill.

After thirteen published books, I found myself with no contracts pending, no agent, and no publishers asking for my historical fiction. I took advantage of that situation to experiment in cozy mysteries - a genre I have always enjoyed reading. I was excited to begin!

I spent most of 2020 researching and developing my new series. I determined several key elements early on: I wanted to set the stories in my beloved Black Hills (the view out my window!) I also wanted to try a contemporary setting. The third requirement was that I wanted to write this series for the general market but continue including Christian and clean elements.

As the stories developed, I found that moving from an historical to contemporary setting was more challenging than I had thought. How much of contemporary life should an author include? After all, one of the key parts of historical stories is the details! I took my clue from Agatha Christie’s writings. She wrote stories that were contemporary to her time but omitted things like political events or social upheavals unless they pertained to the story. I’ve also left out most references to fads, popular television shows, and personalities. The result is stories that are set firmly in the first quarter of the twenty-first century, but not limited to any particular year.

The biggest challenge was finding a publisher for my new genre. When I finished writing The Sign of the Calico Quartz, our society was still in upheaval. I decided my best course of action was independent publishing and believe me, compared to this new skill, making the shift from historical to contemporary stories was easy-peasy!

Bringing these stories to audio has been another adventure. Through Audible, I found a fabulous narrator with ties to the Black Hills, Gillian Wiggin. She has just finished her work on the second story in the series, The Case of the Artist’s Mistake, and we hope to have it uploaded soon. Making the Sweetbrier Inn Mysteries available to audiobook listeners has been the fulfillment of a dream!

What’s next? I’m busy working on the third installment of the Sweetbrier Inn Mysteries, Murder is Coordinated, and love spending time with my favorite characters each day. I haven’t left historical stories behind completely, though. I’m also in the middle of writing an historical romance that takes place in the Black Hills in the late 1800’s.

We still don’t know what our future holds, but as one of my favorite quotes says, we know Who holds the future. As long as the Lord tarries, the best we can do is serve Him wherever He opens the next door.

My Review:

This was a super fun audiobook to listen to! I wasn't sure if I'd be able to fit it in, but I did!

I enjoyed getting to know Emma and the rest of the cast! The story definitely gave me Clue vibes along with Agatha Christie! People are dying left and right, but who in the world is doing it? Each time I thought I might know for sure, another clue shows it might not be that person. I even thought maybe it was Emma at one point and the author was just messing with us. hahahaha

Emma's aunt Rose suspects Emma, new friends suspect her, and even the Sheriff thinks it could be her. Somehow, she has to prove she's being set up! I found myself liking a character one minute and giving them the stink eye the next. Might've been because Emma was feeling the same way! hahahaha

The narrator did a great job! There were accents and lots of characters to voice. I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series!

About the Author

Jan Drexler lives in the Black Hills of South Dakota with her husband where she enjoys hiking and spending time with her family. She spins stories of History, Mystery, and Sweet Romance. Her works include several historical romance novels, including the award-winning Mattie’s Pledge, and The Sweetbrier Inn Mysteries cozy mystery series.

Connect with Jan by visiting jandrexler.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates. Those who sign up for her newsletter will receive a free e-book copy of The Sign of the Calico Quartz!

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $15 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 8, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 15, 2024. 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. 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!

Brave: The Story of Ahinoam By Mesu Andrews + GIVE AWAY

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Brave: The Story of Ahinoam by Mesu Andrews hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! I recently finished reading this story! You can find my review HERE! This was such an interesting read.

About the Book

Title: Brave: The Story of Ahinoam 

Series: King David's Brides #1 

Author: Mesu Andrews 

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers 

Release Date: October 1, 2024 

Genre: Biblical Fiction

In the tumultuous world of ancient Israel, Ahinoam--a dagger-wielding Kenite woman--flees her family farm with her unconventional father to join the ragtag band of misfits led by the shepherd-turned-warrior David ben Jesse. As King Saul's treasonous accusations echo through the land, Ahinoam's conviction that David's anointing makes him Yahweh's chosen king propels her on a perilous journey to Moab and back into Judah's unforgiving wilderness, only to encounter more hardship and betrayal.

Amid the challenges, Ahinoam forges an unexpected bond with David's sister and gains respect among David's army through her knowledge of Kenite metalworking. Though some offer friendship, Ahinoam, scarred by past relationships, isolates to avoid more pain and refuses to acknowledge her growing feelings for the renegade king. As Ahinoam's heart grapples for footing, King Saul's army closes in, and Ahinoam must confront the true meaning of love, loyalty, and courage. Is she brave enough to trust new friends and love Israel's next king?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Baker Publishing Group | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Bookshop

Also Available:

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Story Excerpt:

“Get to the house, Ahinoam!”

My fingers fumbled to dislodge the climbing rope that held me captive to the tree. Finally releasing

it from my belt, I caught up with Abba and matched his gait stride for stride. Jezreel’s watchmen

finally sounded the t’ruah, warning of attack with nine short blasts. We reached our courtyard gate,

heard faraway screams. Like a long-­forgotten nightmare come to life.

“Hide! Now!” Abba pushed me through our curtained doorway. Tools thudded onto a goatskin on

the packed dirt floor while I hurried to the far corner of our single room and skidded to my knees.

Metal clanged behind me as Abba added our irreplaceable forge hammers, small anvil, and best

whetstones to the goatskin bundle. My fingers shook as I removed the two sideboards beneath his

elevated mattress and heard Abba’s hurried footsteps behind me.

“Get in, girl!” He nudged me into the small, dark space and then shoved our smithing supplies

toward my feet. His eyes met mine. “Not a word,” he said. “No matter what you see or hear. Now

hold the boards in place so I can close you in.”

“Abba, I—”

“The boards!”

I replaced the sideboards over the opening, and Abba pounded them into place with his fist. With

one hand I covered a sob, and with the other I clutched the dagger in my belt. Should the Amalekites

discover me, they’d receive an unwelcome greeting.

About the Author

Mesu Andrews is a Christy Award-winning, bestselling author of biblical novels and devotional studies, whose deep understanding of and love for God's Word brings the Bible alive for readers. Her heritage as a "spiritual mutt" has given her a strong yearning to both understand and communicate biblical truths in powerful stories that touch the heart, challenge the mind, and transform lives. Mesu lives in Indiana with her husband, Roy, where she stays connected with her readers through newsy emails, blog posts, and social media.

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

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of Brave: The Story of Ahinoam and a $15 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight October 9, 2024 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on October 16, 2024. 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!

Brave: The Story Of Ahinoam By Mesu Andrews

Brave: The Story of Ahinoam

by Mesu Andrews

Publisher: Bethany House

Series: King David's Brides

ISBN: 9780764242618

I'm a huge fan of historical fiction set in Biblical times! I've enjoyed Mesu's stories in the past and when I saw the cover and heard about the series, I was intrigued. As part of Mesu's launch team, I was sent her book for review.

Summary:

In the tumultuous world of ancient Israel, Ahinoam--a dagger-wielding Kenite woman--flees her family farm with her unconventional father to join the ragtag band of misfits led by the shepherd-turned-warrior David ben Jesse. As King Saul's treasonous accusations echo through the land, Ahinoam's conviction that David's anointing makes him Yahweh's chosen king propels her on a perilous journey to Moab and back into Judah's unforgiving wilderness, only to encounter more hardship and betrayal.

Amid the challenges, Ahinoam forges an unexpected bond with David's sister and gains respect among David's army through her knowledge of Kenite metalworking. Though some offer friendship, Ahinoam, scarred by past relationships, isolates to avoid more pain and refuses to acknowledge her growing feelings for the renegade king. As Ahinoam's heart grapples for footing, King Saul's army closes in, and Ahinoam must confront the true meaning of love, loyalty, and courage. Is she brave enough to trust new friends and love Israel's next king?

My Review:

I had a feeling going into Brave: The Story Of Ahinoam that it might be more difficult to read than I anticipated. Until the end, I would say it wasn't difficult at all.

I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Ahinoam (Nomy) and David as fictional characters. I think it's important that while in the Bible they truly were living, breathing people, this story is fictional, but with Biblical events and people.

Nomy wasn't a woman to be trifled with. She could hold her own and she proved it time and time again throughout the story. She was strong, yet also struggled in finding her place, especially as a woman. The author portrays her as a type of fighter, but David's men had a hard time accepting any woman in their midst, but Nomy wasn't your typical woman. The women a part of David's tribe weren't very accepting of her, but Zerry, David's sister was such a balm.

David... I really enjoyed the author's portrayal of him. Just thinking of everything he constantly had to deal with. The familial relations especially had me frustrated. It certainly makes me want to go back and read Scripture to see if I see those same "feelings" from those around him. One of the elements I loved was "watching" David create his psalms. In this way, it really brought them to life for me. The way David had to live as a chosen kind of Israel while yet running for his life must've been overwhelming, and it showed on the pages of this story.

Their constant running from Saul or from those who were trying to kill them was exhausting to read. I couldn't imagine having to have lived through it for years. Hopeful that Saul would stop his pursuit, yet knowing that was never going to happen. The author really brought all of their travel, escapes, and hiding in caves to life for me.

I also really appreciated many of the secondary characters the author wrote about. The story was so much more than just about David and his wives. It brought to life those who were traveling with the future king. How they might've felt about his choices, and even their own choices. It was easy to like the men who stuck close and defended David. It was also easy to dislike those who treated David poorly. In some ways it gave me more compassion for him.

Because of the Biblical account, we know David had multiple wives, as did many men and kings in those times. I don't know believe that there is any Scripture that points to it being God's will for any reason. I think this part of the story will get the most discussion. Many people who read this part of the story will struggle with it because we're created to be married to one person. I absolutely understood Nomy's hurt & rejection even though David tried to reassure her of his love. But, it's in Scripture and we know that there was generational consequences with his multiple wives and their children.

I'm definitely interested in reading the next book in the series. I'm honestly more interested in seeing how the people continue to try to live in these trying conditions than to read more about David's wives, but it'll certainly be an interesting part of it.

About the Author:

Mesu Andrews is a Christy Award-winning, bestselling author of biblical novels and devotional studies, whose deep understanding of and love for God's Word brings the Bible alive for readers. Her heritage as a "spiritual mutt" has given her a strong yearning to both understand and communicate biblical truths in powerful stories that touch the heart, challenge the mind, and transform lives. Mesu lives in Indiana with her husband, Roy, where she stays connected with her readers through newsy emails, blog posts, and social media. Visit her at MesuAndrews.com.