A Guardian Till Christmas By Danielle Thorne + GIVE AWAY

Welcome to the Blog Tour for A Guardian Till Christmas by Danielle Thorne, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! We are definitely in sweater weather here in Minnesota! The leaves are nearly all changed and falling off of trees and people are already starting to decorate for Christmas! I love the cover of this book, and the first line in the book description makes me think I'll relate well to Kylee!

About the Book

Title: A Guardian Till Christmas
Author: Danielle Thorne
Publisher: Love Inspired
Release Date: October 22, 2024
Genre: Inspirational Romance

She’s always in charge… 

Until two little hearts take over this holiday season… 

After the loss of her sister, Kylee Spokes plans to take custody of her orphaned niece and nephew and return to the big city by Christmas. Except corralling four-year-old twins is much harder than the businesswoman expects. And small-town paramedic Evan Hollister refuses to abandon his godchildren to someone who has no experience with kids—and can’t even boil water! Now these opposites must find a way to temporarily co-parent together. As grudging respect turns into something more, can they find a permanent solution…that lasts past the holidays?  

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

Also Available

 

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Book Excerpt

Kylee didn’t miss the disappearance of Evan’s smile when he looked away. “It’s just a Nativity,” she said as she put the bread on the counter. “I can find one for them to see in New York.”

He leaned against the kitchen wall with his hands in his pockets. “The Nativity is our tradition. Chip and I worked on the sets together and included the kids when they came along. When Henry was an infant, they used him as a real baby Jesus.”

“That’s so sweet,” Kylee said. Then she took a deep breath. “I think it’s best that we leave before Christmas. I know moving in the middle of a holiday will be distracting, but I think it’ll keep their mind off of the fact that their parents aren’t here.”

“Would it be such a bad thing, for them to remember?” Evan looked quizzical.

Trying not to look at his firm arms folded across his chest, she turned to dig around in the sink for a dish to rinse. “I don’t want them to be sad.”

Evan remained silent as if he disagreed, or maybe he’d surrendered to the idea.

Kylee dropped her hands to her sides. “Evan, you do not have to do penance by seeing these kids every day and worrying about every little thing.”

“They’ve been a part of my life since they were born. It’s hard to think about life without them,” he admitted.

“You can call them whenever you like. Maybe read to them every night via video chat,” Kylee suggested.

His face lit up. “That’s a great idea!” He surprised her by throwing his arms around her waist and lifting her into the air. Then as if realizing what he’d done, he froze, and she slid down until her feet touched the floor, and they stood face-to-face.

The feeling of his heart beating against hers turned her legs into jelly. She couldn’t think, she couldn’t make herself pull away. It was breathtaking, electric and peaceful all at the same time.

Evan moved first, and Kylee broke contact, unable to look him in the eye, swiveling her attention back to the pots and pans in the sink. She cleared her throat. “Yes, that’s fine, I mean, it would comfort them and help them get adjusted to the change.”

“Right,” he agreed, his soft tone daring her to look at him and address what just occurred.

“Uncle Evan! Are you here yet?” Annabelle called from down the hall.

Evan remained still. Kylee could feel his gaze on her and wondered what he was thinking. She kept her eyes on the dishes in the sink.

“Guess I’ll go read to the kids now,” he said. “Thanks for letting me take them to practice tomorrow.”

“Sure.”

“You can come along if you want.”

She finally turned and met his stare. “No, thanks. I still have a lot of packing to do. And video meetings for work.”

“Suit yourself.”

He walked away, and Kylee’s eyes burned with unshed tears. She hated that Evan would miss Christmas with the twins. She hated that she would miss him, too. She took a deep breath and exhaled. But she had to make memories with her sister’s children, who were now her responsibility.

About the Author

Danielle Thorne writes happily-ever-afters set in the South for Harlequin Love Inspired. A graduate of BYU-Idaho, she also writes stories about Regency ladies, pirates, and not-so-distressed damsels from her home south of Atlanta. Free time is filled with documentaries, too much yard work, and not enough travel. When not writing wholesome romances, Danielle hangs out with friends or chases cats. She enjoys the outdoors and serving in her church and community. Danielle's been married to the same fellow for thirty years, has four sons, two daughters-in-law, twin grandbabies, and she loves them more than life.

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

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive an autographed paperback of A Guardian Till Christmas and a $20 Chickfila gift card!

(1) winner will receive an ebook of A Guardian Till Christmas!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 30, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 6, 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 for print copy & gift card. Ebook giveaway is open to US and international winners. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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I'll Be Home Anthology Excerpt + GIVE AWAY

Welcome to the Blog Tour for I'll Be Home by Sara Davison, Darlene L. Turner, Helena Smrcek, and Melanie Stevenson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! Who else is getting into the holiday spirit already? I can't wait to read this story with three new-to-me authors and one I thoroughly enjoy! I received an ARC for the social tour I'll be part of on Instagram next week so be sure to check that out as well!

About the Book

Title: I'll Be Home
Authors: Sara Davison, Darlene L. Turner, Helena Smrcek, & Melanie Stevenson
Publisher: Independent (Fab Four Press)
Release Date: October 29, 2024
Genre: Contemporary Christmas anthology

With chaos and confusion all around them, can they find their way home this Christmas? 

The people in these four stories are all searching for something—an escaped convict, a job promotion from a love interest, connection to a lost parent, answers across time. 

Christmas should be a time of wonder and celebration, but the obstacles each faces seem insurmountable. Even, at times, life-threatening. 

Perhaps they will find what they are seeking during this season of miracles and hope. Or maybe, with God’s help, they will discover that the longing of their hearts takes them to places—and people—they didn’t even know they’d been searching for.  

I’ll Be Home is a collection of four stories of faith, hope, love, (and trains) that will warm your heart, encourage your soul, and draw you home this Christmas.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

Also Available

     

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Book Excerpt

From “Just a Gilbert Blythe Kind of Girl” by Sara Davison

The first rehearsal was in two hours. How was she going to get there? Could she hitchhike?

Lucy shuddered at the thought of what her dad—and August—would have to say about

that. She did know exactly what Anne Shirley would have to say about this situation. This is the

most tragical thing that has ever happened to me. A tear of frustration slid down her cheek and

onto the steering wheel, leaving a splotch in the dust. Like her dreams. Crumbled to death in the

dust. Her forehead still pressed to the center of the wheel, Lucy sighed.

A soft rapping against her window yanked her from her thoughts, and she swiped at her

cheek as she straightened. August. Lucy reached for the manual handle and lowered the glass an

inch. “I’m fine.”

“Clearly.” His lips twitched. “Anything I can do?”

His amusement was not contagious. “Thank you for your offer of assistance, Mr. Dorey,

but it is not required.”

He let out a short laugh. “Getting into character already, I see.” Resting a hand on the roof of the car, he ducked a little to peer through the window. “Look. I was wrong to say this car was worth a penny.”

“Thank you,” she said archly, both hands still on the steering wheel.

“And by wrong, I mean generous.”

About the Authors

 

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 by visiting saradavison.org to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Darlene L. Turner is an award-winning and a Publishers Weekly best-selling author and lives with her husband, Jeff in Ontario, Canada. Her love of suspense began when she read her first Nancy Drew book. She’s turned that passion into her writing and believes readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message.

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

 

Helena Smrcek is an award-winning author, screenwriter, public speaker and writing coach. She is known for her thrilling and heartwarming stories. Her career began as a high school freelancer, leading to three decades in publishing. She co-founded Write!Canada and The Word Guild and has graduated from multiple writing programs.

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

Melanie Stevenson is an award-winning author and lives in Ontario, Canada, surrounded by her husband and four children. She attended the University of Waterloo and obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts. Melanie's first book, One More Tomorrow, was shortlisted in the Word Alive Press publishing contest out of over two hundred entries across North America and was published in 2019. In 2020, she won Best Romantic Fiction for One More Tomorrow and Best New Canadian Author at The Word Awards—Canada's top Christian literary awards. Her mission is to create stories of excellence that impact hearts and lives. Paper, canvas, and dirt are her favorite blank pages.

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

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon card plus a paperback copy of I'll Be Home!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 29, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 5, 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/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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Fiancé Finale By Angela Ruth Strong + GIVE AWAY

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Fiancé Finale by Angela Ruth Strong hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! This has absolutely been one of my favorite rom-coms! Angela is such a fantastic author and I can't wait to read book three. Having all three of them together, nestled on my bookshelf makes me so happy. I was sent the book for the tour.

About the Book

Title: Fiancé Finale 

Series: Love Off Script #3 

Author: Angela Ruth Strong 

Publisher: Kregel Publications 

Release Date: October 22, 2024 

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance 

Charlie Newberg is sure about one thing: Nicole Lemaire is the woman God wants him to marry. There's a slight problem, though—he's already left her once. The day before their wedding. To make a documentary. 

But he's got a plan. The marketing firm she works for is the ideal choice for promoting his new film. Collaborating will give him the perfect chance to propose again, so he conspires with her boss to make sure she runs the campaign for the same kind of documentary Charlie left her—basically at the altar—for. 

Despite Nicole's resistance, the two work well together. But Charlie's going to need more than teamwork to convince the jilted bride to give him a second chance. In fact, he might need to fall in love in a way he's never really understood.

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

More Books from this Series: 

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Book Excerpt

I get tired of first-world problems. There are much bigger issues on earth than another

supposed superstar putting the “player” in playing golf. I’m not here to judge him.

In fact, I’m only here until I get a contract with a ministry in the Philippines to film

its need of training for midwives and to highlight how many mothers and children are

dying for lack of health care. My goal is to make the world a better place by educating

those who can help about those who need help. I click my mouse, ignoring Google

News, and simply try to search.

My itch to produce another documentary overseas is spreading like chicken pox.

I’ve stayed in Portland, Oregon, since I got back from filming my last foreign

documentary because of Nicole. But a guy can only pursue a girl for so long before he

starts considering other options. Even if he thinks God told him to marry said girl.

If it’s God’s will, then the responsibility for our relationship is on the Boss Man,

right? Right.

About the Author

Angela Ruth Strong is the founder of IdaHope Christian Writers. Her books have earned TOP PICK in Romantic Times, been a finalist for the Christy, won the Cascade Award, and become Amazon best sellers. Her book Finding Love in Big Sky, Montana released as a movie in 2022. Strong lives in Meridian, Idaho, with her husband.

Connect with Angela by visiting angelaruthstrong.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 Fiancé Finale and a $25 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 23, 2024 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on October 30, 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.

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Return Of The Sun By D.M. Griffin + GIVE AWAY

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Return of the Son by D.M. Griffin, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! This will be my first book by this author and I'm looking forward to it. I love historical fiction set in Biblical times. I was sent the ebook as part of this tour!

About the Book

Title: Return of the Son

Series: The Encounter #4

Author: D.M. Griffin

Publisher: Independently published

Release Date: October 10, 2024 Genre: Biblical Fiction

Her life was perfect. At least her childhood was. Eve never wanted anything except her father's presence. As a prominent advisor to the evil King Herod, Eve's father was split between his duties to the king and his duties as the only living parent for his daughter. With no heir to claim his family's land, Eve's father did what any loving father would do. He arranged for her betrothal. But this wasn't just any betrothal. Her potential husband was related to the king she despised. With a rough marital journey ahead of her, she tenuously clings to the promises of God. Not sharing her father's enthusiasm or respect for the Herodian dynasty, Eve acted like the spoiled child she was upon first meeting her betrothed. With faulty expectations and prejudiced opinions, she did what she would to ruin the marriage before it began. It wasn't until it was almost too late that Eve's eyes were open and she saw the opportunity to experience love for the divine intervention that it was. Fraught with political intrigue and personal challenges, would Eve be able to fully surrender to the life God wanted her to live by loving a man she thought she could never love? When that man's shadows chase the family into the future, would Eve's son pay the ultimate price? Or would God intervene there too? Could He? Only a single, unforeseen encounter could answer Eve's impossible question. Does love truly conquer death? PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

More Books in This Series

   

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Book Excerpt

So the king’s son brought servants with him? That should have come as no surprise. Even Antipas traveled with an entourage. All of Herod’s young sons did. Not that the king would have been the least bit upset if his sons met untimely deaths. Rumors circulated Herod had family members murdered if they became an inconvenience.

Eve clenched her fists, angry at herself for letting her assumptions get away from her again. The judgments were like dark clouds in her soul.

“The thoughts we think determine the steps we take in life, my daughter.” Her father’s words rose to the

surface of her mind with the power of rebuke. “Be careful to let the Lord Almighty direct your assumptions or else the enemy’s subtle deception will easily lead you astray. Wisdom is the robe of the Spirit that cloaks us in prayer. Deception is the net of the enemy that lingers hidden like a trap beneath our own private expectations.”

Struggling to regain her composure, Eve clenched her fists and took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. The sound of Antipas’s voice echoed through the room as he kept talking.

“They are servants, Enoch. They will not dine with us.” The arrogance in Antipas’s tone grated. He should show her father more respect. He served Herod for years, after all.

“Of course.” Her father’s sharpened tone drew her admiration.

Enoch was a man who respected individuals based on their image-bearing status in the Lord. Disapproval wasn’t something her father easily engaged in. Once lost, however, it was hard to retrieve his respect. Antipas bordered on losing her father’s respect and earning his disapproval.

About the Author

D.M. Griffin lives in California but grew up in beautiful New England. As a married woman with three adult children, she enjoys spending her time crafting novels that enhance the truth of Scripture. Her characters are biblically based and entirely captivating. She launched Devoted Steps Ministry in 2016. Besides keeping up with the daily prayers and devotionals on the devotedsteps.com website, she works at a local church. She is an avid reader as well as a writer. Long walks around the lake offer her space for inspiration. Besides biblical fiction, she also writes speculative Christian fiction novels.

Connect with D.M. Griffin by visiting devotedsteps.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card, signed paperback of Return of the Son, and a prayer shawl!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 15, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 22, 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.

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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.

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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.

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