Wednesday, April 23, 2025

The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House By Joanna Davidson Politano

the Curious Inheritance of Blakely House
by Joanna Davidson Politano
Publisher: Revell
ISBN: 9780800742980

As a long time fan of JDP, I couldn't wait to read this story! They really should be in a class of their own. This book certainly doesn't fit into one specific genre and I love that! The author & publisher sent me the book for review!

Summary:

A clever young woman, a contested will, and an estate that does not easily give up its secrets.

It is 1901 when clockmaker and tinker Sydney Forrester receives a most unusual inheritance. Blakely House, the island estate of an estranged uncle she's never met, seems almost alive, revealing and hiding its secrets at will. It is filled with remarkable inventions, including an intriguing unfinished automaton Sydney is itching to get her skilled hands on.

The estate is also home to a number of peculiar people--including two men intent on removing this interloper from the island. Convinced that Sydney has something to do with their uncle's death, the late master's nephews contest the will and work against their cousin at every turn. 

Sydney finds a sometimes-ally in the estate's butler, an ex-adventurer who ran aground on the island years ago. But when a mysterious man washes ashore with a stunning surprise that upsets everything, Sydney must prove she has inherited the late master's brilliance as well as his property--or someone else will.

My Review:

The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House was such a fascinating story. It's different than any of the other books this author has written and I'm sure I've never read anything like it before.

The beginning felt a bit disjointed. I didn't quite understand what was going on, but it turns out it was intentional, at least in my opinion. I feel like now that I've read the book once, reading it from the start wouldn't be as "confusing." I know this might sound negative, but it's not. I have lived with ADD all of my life, and could see & understand the beginning more as I got further into it. That being said, I could also see myself in Sydney with some of her different quirks. I actually thought she was on the Autism spectrum, but extremely high functioning. If you want to get a fictional idea of what it's like to live in someone's brain that's wired differently, this story will give it to you in spades!

I really liked awkward Sydney. She knows she's not like most people. She accepts her lot in life and tries to make the best of it with her Aunt Lottie. That is until a strange woman shows up at their little shop and sends Sydney on an adventure, which is completely outside of her carefully crafted world of the same things day in and day out.

She takes her cat, Micah, with her as she makes her way to Blakely House, where she encounters the oddest of men who all look at her with suspicion. She upends their already strange existence in her Uncle Emmet's home. Turns out, she's not the only one vying for the inheritance.

We also meet the butler, André. Having lived in Emmet's home, he's had a glimpse into the mind of someone who's different than most. André's past is a mystery, but Sydney is sure he's a pirate in hiding. He has his own struggles, but overcomes them as best he can. 

Sydney has a lot to contend with in this odd house with inventions Uncle Emmet has left incomplete, rooms that seem to come and go, and lights that turn off and on randomly. It's easy to see a brilliant mind lived in that house. We also learn of Emmet's great love who left his little island when she was a young girl.

There are twists and turns galore, mysterious ship wrecks, more adventure, romance, and faith. I loved how André helped turn Sydney's eyes to a Creator!

About the Author:

Joanna Davidson Politano is the award-winning author of Lady Jayne DisappearsA Rumored FortuneFinding Lady EnderlyThe Love NoteA Midnight DanceThe Lost Melody, and The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple. She loves tales that capture the colorful, exquisite details in ordinary lives and is eager to hear anyone's story. She lives with her husband and their children in a house in the woods near Lake Michigan. You can find her online at JDPStories.com.

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Tempest at Annabel's Lighthouse By JAIME JO WRIGHT

Tempest at Annabel's Lighthouse
by Jaime Jo Wright
Publisher: Bethany House Publisher
ISBN: 9780764243790

When a new book comes out by the author I will devour it and it was no different this time. Tempest at Annabel's Lighthouse was different from her previous books, but thoughtful and made me introspective! The publisher sent me the book for review.

Summary:

Where the lighthouse no longer illuminates, ghostly lore and legends emerge . . . 

1874
A battered woman awakens atop a forgotten gravesite by Lake Superior's southern shore. Identified only by the locket around her neck inscribed with the name Rebecca, she seeks refuge with an elderly lighthouse keeper. But as Rebecca struggles to remember who she is, she finds herself haunted by the lingering memories of Annabel, a mysterious woman who perished in the lake's unforgiving waves years earlier. With the spirit of Annabel seemingly reawakened, and an unknown adversary on the hunt to silence Rebecca once and for all, more is at stake than reclaiming her own memories. Rebecca must reclaim Annabel's as well. 

Present Day
Author and researcher Shea Radclyffe escapes to the lighthouse outside a historic Michigan mining town to seek clarity about her failing marriage. Instantly drawn to the lighthouse's landlord, Shea contends with the legend of Annabel's vengeful ghost and a superstitious community that has buried the truth about a current murder. As the secrets harbored around Annabel's lighthouse unravel, Shea must navigate a fight between torn loyalty, self-discovery, and the haunting forces of love.

. . . demanding vengeance for secrets that should have drowned a century before.

My Review:

Once again, JJW takes us on a journey and we have no idea where she's leading us to! The thing you know with her stories is that there's always "something." She's going to creep us out, but along the ways, she's going to teach us a valuable lesson. I thought she did that in such a great way with this story! I felt like Tempest at Annabel's Lighthouse was told differently than all of her other ones. It had a different feel to me, and I enjoyed it just like I have all of her others!

First we meet Rebecca, who is running for her life in the late 1800s. She's found by Edgar and taken back to Annabel's lighthouse. Unfortunately, she doesn't remember anyone or anything. What she does know is fear and mistrust. We also get to know Abel and Niina at the lighthouse. They all share a secret, but getting it out of them wasn't easy, nor was it quick. All we know is men are after Rebecca, and her time at the lighthouse brings us to the story of why! Be ready for your heart to be broken for her and all she has gone through and goes through!

Then we meet Shea. Shea is fed up with her humdrum life with husband Pete. Boring, not-so-exciting Pete. She's heading to the lighthouse to learn more about Annabel and the mystery surrounding her. Her time there makes her wistful of what life could look like and she walks a precarious line. Then, her research of Annabel puts her life in danger because, apparently, Annabel isn't a fan of people looking into the past and snooping around her lighthouse.

This was a story that stopped me in my tracks. It made me introspective of not only my views on how I view my life, but my marriage as well. JJW wasn't playing around when she wrote that storyline. She gives a one, two punch to readers who are married so all I can say is, "Brace yourself."

The faith in these stories always hit home for me. I appreciate how she weaves it into the story and causes us to think more deeply with our own walk in faith.

About the Author:

Jaime Jo Wright is a three-time Christy Award finalist and the author of thirteen novels, including Christy Award-winner and ECPA bestseller The Vanishing at Castle Moreau,Christy Award and Daphne du Maurier Award-winner The House on Foster Hill, and Carol Award-winner The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond. Jaime has also written two Publishers Weekly bestselling novellas. She lives in Wisconsin with her family and fabulous felines. Learn more at JaimeWrightBooks.com.

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Rescuing the Remnant By Tanya Sparks Belvin + GIVE AWAY

Rescuing the Remnant JustRead Blog + Review Tour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Rescuing the Remnant by Tanya Sparks Belvin, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! I received a digital copy of the book for the tour! Be sure to check out my review below. This is my personal opinion of the story.

About the Book

Rescuing the Remnant

Title: Rescuing the Remnant
Series:
The Resurrection Project #2
Author:
Tanya Sparks Belvin
Publisher:
Tonya Belvin Publishing
Release Date: November 1, 2024
Genre:
Christian futuristic

This sequel to The Resurrection Project continues the story of medical student Ellen McCarthy, who uncovers a sinister truth when she takes an internship at the Grindland Institute in Chapel Hill, NC. Ellen and her coworkers, having rescued a little girl from Grindland's mysterious Resurrection Project, pray for a plan to rescue the remaining children from this medical experimentation lab. Their success is a matter of life and death, and God is guiding them every step of the way. Set in 2034, this Christian futuristic novel offers a thought-provoking exploration on ethics and the sanctity of life. 

All proceeds from the sale of The Resurrection Project and Rescuing the Remnant go to Tim Tebow's unKnown Foundation, focusing on finding missing and exploited children.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon

More in This Series


My Review:

I'll preface this to say that I didn't read book one (only because I haven't had time, but I did read a few of the first chapters). Because I knew what book one was about overall, I knew what I was getting into (minus how we got there) with the sequel.

I can completely understand why some people might be a bit hesitant to read a story about genetics and how that can go sideways, but let me just stop you and say, you HAVE to read this story. It's SO infused with the Christian faith and beliefs that you'll understand how important it is.

Ok, that being said, it's not hard to imagine how our world could potentially get to a place where scientists are doing what's being done in this story. This is humanity we're talking about after all. We're not always known for making the best or right decisions. Well, creating human beings so that they can be used to heal or extend the life of a loved one by "harvesting" what is needed is abominable and that's what the main characters in this story are battling.

We get quite a few perspectives throughout the story, which turns out to be a good thing. It was an easy way to keep track of all of the characters who were in different places, but were relevant to the story. Ellen and Luke are working to free all of the children from Grindland after a successful escape of L2. Mamie & Liza (L2) set out on a journey to protect her and keep her safe as Dr. Lyons & her estranged husband, Brent, hunt them down! We also get both the doctor's and Brent's perspectives throughout the story. Let me say that those are both chilling!

This story is SO very faith filled. The characters know that for them to succeed in rescuing the children and putting a stop to what's happening at Grindland, God is going to have to move in mighty ways. The characters pray frequently, Mamie teaches Liza about Jesus, Luke and Ellen start attending church. Meanwhile, Brent is maniacal in his efforts to find Mamie. At one point in the search he has the "opportunity" to read a book by Lee Strobel. IYKYK! We also get to see how twisted Dr. Lyons mind is.

I will say that the book was hard to put down. It was definitely a nail biter, and it makes me want to go back and finish book one to see how Ellen ended up coming to faith and began to see what was truly going on at the company!

About the Author

Tanya Sparks Belvin

Tanya Sparks Belvin is a retired middle school teacher, with thirty-two years of experience. Her passion is serving the Lord, reading, writing, and entertaining her seven grandchildren. Tanya, her husband, Ron, and her mother, Tommie Moton, enjoy lakeside living in Denver, North Carolina. Tanya and Ron have three adult children.

Connect with Tanya by visiting tanyasparksbelvin.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email newsletter updates.


Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card and a print copy each of The Resurrection Project and Rescuing the Remnant!

Rescuing the Remnant blog tour giveaway JustRead Tours

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 15, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 22, 2025. 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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Monday, April 14, 2025

Waylaid By Jerusha Agen + GIVE AWAY

Waylaid JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Waylaid by Jerusha Agen, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! As soon as I have a chance, I'll be reading Waylaid! I was sent the ebook for this tour, but haven't had time to read it yet. I'm looking forward to it. Be sure to read the excerpt below & enter the giveaway.

About the Book

Waylaid

Title: Waylaid
Series:
Windy City Westons #1
Author:
Jerusha Agen
Publisher:
SDG Words, LLC
Release Date:
March 27, 2025
Genre:
Christian Romantic Suspense

Someone wants to kill her. She wants the killer to finish the job. 

Spring Weston will do anything to rise in the ranks of pro cycling and prove she isn’t the one failure of the five Weston siblings. Anything except cheat. When she learns of doping on her cycling team, she’s determined to uncover the truth. But she can’t if she’s dead. 

Sergeant Torin Cotter may not be the hero the public thinks he is, but he recognizes fear when he sees it. When he takes over the investigation of the collision that landed Spring in the hospital, he’s compelled to protect her from whatever danger she’s in, even though he knows he might fail. Again. 

Spring’s faith in God isn’t enough to help her face the living nightmare she awakened to after the accident. But neither she nor the handsome sergeant see the greater threat that’s coming until it’s too late. 

If they’re going to survive, Spring and Torin will not only have to confront their worst fears—they’ll have to find a reason to live.  

Waylaid is the first installment in the thrilling Windy City Westons series that features five siblings who encounter danger and love in the city of Chicago.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Jerusha Agen | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

More In This Series


Book Excerpt

“Are you okay?”

Torin brought his gaze back toward Spring, stopping on a bullet hole that punctured the wall only six inches from her head.

He scowled. No, he was not okay with that. “What were you trying to do?”

She pulled her hand back, blinking at him.

“You really are trying to get yourself killed, aren’t you?”

She turned away, jaw tensing.

He shouldn’t have been so sharp. But the thought of seeing her get shot and being helpless to stop it still made his hands shake. “Spring.”

She wouldn’t look at him.

Fine. Then he’d just say it. “If you’re so okay with dying, then why are you so afraid of living?”

About the Author

Jerusha Agen

Jerusha Agen imagines danger around every corner but knows God is there, too. So naturally, she writes suspense infused with the hope of salvation in Jesus Christ. With a B.A. in English and a background in screenwriting, Jerusha is a speaker, writing instructor, and Fear Warrior who sounds the call to battle against fear in our everyday lives. Jerusha loves to hang out with her big furry dogs and little furry cats. You’ll often find her sharing irresistibly adorable photos of them in her newsletter and on social media.

Connect with Jerusha by visiting jerushaagen.com to follow her on social media, subscribe to email newsletter updates, find more of her thrilling, fear-fighting novels and get a free suspense story.


Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed paperback of Waylaid, a $25 Barnes and Noble gift card, and a Waylaid mug, notebook, and magnet!

Waylaid blog tour giveaway JustRead Tours

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 14, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 21, 2025. 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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Thursday, April 10, 2025

Lullaby by the River by Temperance Johnson + GIVE AWAY

Lullaby by the River JustRead BlogTour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Lullaby by the River by Temperance Johnson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! Doesn't this cover look so sweet? Be sure to check out the excerpt & giveaway below!

About the Book

Lullaby by the River

Title: Lullaby by the River ‎
Series:
Amish River
Author:
Temperance Johnson
Publisher:
Independently Published
Release Date:
February 4, 2025
Genre:
Amish Fiction

An unique Amish love story.  

A wounded woman with no way out…unless she marries her ex. 

After unexpected abuse, quiet and happy Priscilla Yoder thinks her life can’t get worse. But then she finds out she’s pregnant, and her family and church insist she marry the man who hurt her. When a man she used to love, a man who wants to leave the Amish, offers to marry her, she doesn’t see a better option. 

Danny Taylor, charming bad boy of his Amish community, is ready to leave the plain life. But when a woman he used to love finds herself in danger of marriage to an evil man, he can't resist offering marriage to keep her safe. Only problem is, he didn’t expect to fall for his bride so fast. She's softening his tough heart and showing him that there’s a good side to the Amish. As they grow closer, he realizes this gorgeous woman in pain has giant walls, and it will take both patience and faith if he wants to scale them. 

Caring for Danny was never what Priscilla wanted. And she never expected his faith to bring her closer to God. 

But when Danny’s past wounds resurface, and as Priscilla learns to hope again, can they trust God to make their relationship more than just a marriage of convenience?  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon

Also Available

Liberty Rose


Book Excerpt

After a long day of celebrating the 4th of July, she and Danny were now alone. Priscilla stood on top of the hill, overlooking the Ohio River. Such a beautiful view with fields, trees, and moonlight shining off the river.

Looking over the mountain top, she was in awe. She turned to Danny, who was watching her closely. “It’s so beautiful. I’m in awe.”

He tugged her gently to lie down on the blanket they had brought up. “Let's watch the stars come up.”

She was tense at first, but then she calmed into his hold. He wasn’t making a move. He was just showing her a good time. She smiled.

When the fireworks started, Priscilla jumped. She had been so relaxed in his arms, the bishop himself could have yelled at them, and she wouldn’t have moved. “The fireworks are beautiful,” she told Danny.

In the middle of the fireworks, he adjusted his position. Taking her cheek in his hand, he kissed her forehead, her cheeks, her nose. “Let’s make our own fireworks.” His voice was husky. Priscilla closed her eyes, enjoying his every touch. The fireworks were loud, but she hardly heard them.

His lips finally found hers, and she touched his chest, wanting to pull him closer. He was so gentle and passionate at the same time. She kissed him back when he deepened the kiss.

After a while, she pulled back, smiling.

Danny’s face flashed red from the shadow of the fireworks. “That was nice.” He kissed her again. “I haven’t waited this long to do it wrong.” He grinned at her. He ran a hand through her hair and she could see he wanted to kiss her again, but he just pulled her close and whispered, “I love you.”

She cuddled closer to him. She was glad he had waited. It was worth it.

About the Author

Temperance Johnson

Temperance Johnson has always loved to read and write. As one of eleven children, she read from her older sister's books. With that, her love for both reading and writing has only continued to grow. Passionate about the subjects of adoption, family, and faith, she started the Liberty Chronicles and now her Amish fiction. In her free time, she plays with her ponies and many nieces and nephews. Her horses even made it into her stories. She enjoys spoiling her ten nephews and twenty-three nieces.

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


Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a $20 Baker Book House gift card and a print copy of Lullaby by the River!

Lullaby by the River JustRead Tours blog tour giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 8, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 15, 2025. 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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Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Some Like it Scot by Pepper Basham + GIVE AWAY

Some Like it Scot JustRead Takeover + Review Tour

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Some Like it Scot by Pepper Basham hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! I'm so excited for this book! It's entirely possible that I bought a highland cow banner just because of this book! I was sent the book for the social tour! You'll find the book excerpt & giveaway below!

About the Book

Some Like it Scot 
\Title: Some Like it Scot 
Author: Pepper Basham 
Publisher: Thomas Nelson 
Release Date: April 8, 2025 
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance 

She lives her life on the fly. His heart is double-knotted to home. Can two different souls create a life together? 

Popular travel writer and podcaster Katie Campbell roams the world collecting other people's stories. She's built a career as "Miss Adventure," known for saying yes to anything new--country, food, or experience--and predictably finding those adventures taking a downward turn into misadventures. 

Offered the chance to explore her ancestral roots through a three-week Edwardian experience, Katie finds herself immersed in the beauty and eccentricity of Scotland. In her period attire, with traditional foods and activities, the opportunities for misadventures are endless, especially with the presence of a maniacal macaw, a jealous co-worker, and an all-too-surly Scotsman. 

Reclusive and protective Graeme MacKerrow doesn't venture far from his island home. A stoic Scotsman, Graeme's comfort zone has always been family, and after his sister's death, he's even more determined to save the MacKerrow ancestral home and keep those he loves close. The sudden intrusion of a six-foot-one American lass, famous for her traveling misfortunes, was far from his plan. 

As this world of folklore, community, and woodworkers-in-kilts tempts Katie to discover her own story, could this one grand series of misadventures lead her directly to where she belongs? And would a settled-in-Scot ever risk loosening his grip on what's familiar to allow a wanderlust writer a home in his heart? How could their very different worlds share the same page of life's story when "home" is in two very different places? But maybe home--and the future--isn't quite what either one imagined it would be. Maybe home is less about a place . . . and more about a person. 

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Faith Gateway | Amazon | Barnes & NobleChristianbook | Bookshop

Also Available:

Authentically, Izzy Positively, Penelope Loyally Luke


Book Excerpt

Graeme

And then my attention settled on Katie Campbell. Her gown appeared less elegant than the others, and so tight it easily highlighted her curvy silhouette. But her profile held the real mesmerizing quality. Shaded beneath that muckle hat of hers, all smiles had faded. She wore an intriguing look, distant.

Lost? Lonely?

I shouldn’t care, truth be told.

And she shouldn’t draw my attention like she did. No more than the rest of the group with their fancy dress and saucer-sized hats. But she did. In a bathersome way. My attention kept pulling back to the ginger in the ill-fitting frock and an expression filled with unvoiced emotions.

Suddenly, her entire body stiffened, and she turned, eyes wide.

And I heard it.

The sound of Kirsty’s bicycle bell.

Och! How on earth did the little imp plan these things? Did she keep watch for victims from her Grannie’s front porch?

The girl made sport of scaring strangers and with the last week of Summer Term in place, she’d likely have even more freedom. Usually, her antics weren’t a problem because she rarely disturbed the natives anymore, but when tourists came it was like she had a radar out to find them. Wild one, she was. But with naught but her aged grannie for family, she was left to her own devices…and amusement most of the time.

“What’s all the noise?”

Mum’s question fell on deaf ears as Katie grabbed a man’s arm near her, clearly trying to get his attention about mad Kirsty. In one quick movement, the man shocked to attention moving away from Kirsty’s trajectory, but in the process knocked Katie back. Katie stumbled, attempted to keep her balance with arms flailing about like propellers, and then—my breath seized in my chest—she tumbled over into the loch.

Did catastrophe follow the woman!

“Good heavens, Graeme!” Mum called.

I rushed to the door and flung it open, Mum on my heels. Dodging two ladies in fancy dress, I ran the distance to the loch, passing the daft man she’d saved as he stared into the water without one step to help.

“I…I didn’t know. I…didn’t mean…”

The loch wasn’t especially deep at the water’s edge, perhaps 12 feet, but deep enough.

Katie didn’t emerge, but I could see her silhouette below the water, her arms frantically moving but not making progress to the surface. Jerking off my jacket and tugging off my shoes, I drew in a deep breath and plunged into the loch near her.

The cool water soaked through my t-shirt and jeans as I turned in Katie’s direction and waited for the bubbles from my dive to dissipate. A pale arm flapped toward me through the bubbles and then her gaze met mine. So wide, so vulnerable, pleading for my response.

And my heart squeezed an answer.

She pointed below to her skirt and I swam lower, noting the trouble. 

The bottom of her dress had interwoven with an old, disposed oyster cage. I dove lower and found the tangle, ripping the knotted lace to free her. With the last tug of snagged cloth, I rose, wrapping my arm about her waist on the way to the surface.

Her arms wrapped around my neck, her body flush against mine, as we broke above the water line. I may have freed the tangle of her cloth, but the knot in my chest only tightened as she coughed against my shoulder, her cold cheek pressing into my neck.

Greer had looked at me with such fear, once.

Only once.

Near the end.

And I’d been helpless to save her.

But Katie trembled against me, a mingle of breaths and coughs assuring me of her fitness, and…well, I fought rising emotions until they stung at my eyes. I was a bloomin’ fool, I was.

With a sweep of my arm, I brought us close to the rock well lining the water’s edge and steadied us against it. She coughed once more before shivering into my side. My hold instinctively tightened around her and with one long sigh, her head dropped against my shoulder, fully trusting me and my strength.

The pressure in my chest tightened to the hurting spot. Don’t trust me to keep you safe, I wanted to say, but the words refused to form. Instead, I went completely doolally and held her a little closer.

Because…truth be told. She was safe now.

About the Author

Pepper Basham

Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance “peppered” with grace and humor. Writing both historical and contemporary novels, she loves to incorporate her native Appalachian culture and/or her unabashed adoration of the UK into her stories. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC, where she is the wife of a fantastic pastor, the mom of five great kids, a speech-language pathologist, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus.

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


Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Some Like it Scot and hairy coo themed gift box!

(1) additional winner will receive a print copy of Some Like it Scot!

Some Like it Scot JustRead Giveaway

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight April 9, 2025 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on April 16, 2025. 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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Monday, April 7, 2025

Collision Course by Jorgia Yates + GIVE AWAY

Collision Course JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Collision Course by Jorgia Yates, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! I'm seriously loving this cover. This looks like it's going to be a great series. Check out the excerpt below!

About the Book

Collision Course

Title: Collision Course
Series:
Hightower Security #1
Author:
Jorgia Yates
Publisher:
Jorgia Yates Inc.
Release Date:
March 26, 2025
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Serve his country or rescue his wife? 

Federal Air Marshal Reese Donovan has sacrificed everything he loves to keep another 9/11 from occurring again. 

After living apart from his wife, Verity, for a year, the last thing he expects is harrowing news that will force him to examine where his loyalty lies. 

While he’s been busy keeping the skies safe, Verity narrowly escaped a deadly explosion. 

To add insult to injury, the trauma has left her suffering from selective amnesia.  

Verity believes she and Reese are still happily married. 

With his wife depending on him to fill in critical memories before the bomber strikes again, Reese must lie to Verity while placing his faith in the private security team he holds responsible for cementing the cracks in his marriage. 

Unsure of who he can trust, and with time running out, Reese will face his greatest fear.  

Prevent a terrorist attack or save the woman he still loves.  

PURCHASE LINKS: GoodreadsJorgiaYates.com | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub

More in This Series


Book Excerpt

Reese

She could remember we’re separated any minute now. I have no way of knowing how she will react to me being around. Silas might think it’s in her best interests to keep lying to her, but the more time I spend with her, the less sure I am. I don’t want to hurt her, but her affection confuses the issue.

I avoid her probing gaze by concentrating on unhooking the harness and looking up in the sky at the plane as it drops like a paperweight. “Your boss is a lunatic.”

She shrugs. “He’s unconventional. But then, the whole team is to one degree or another.”

I shake my head as I roll the parachute up. “He has a hold over you. I knew it before now, and seeing it up close is worse.”

Verity huffs out a breath and says, almost verbatim, words which I recall her using on several occasions. Words, I’m pretty sure, that came straight from Silas Hightower’s mouth.

“Exceptional circumstances call for unconventional tactics.”

I stop what I’m doing as exasperation chases away thoughts of our previous life together. “Verity, you work for a clandestine private military company, and two days ago, you nearly got blown to bits by a person or persons unknown.”

Her cheeks flush. “You haven’t even given him a chance.”

“He’s connected. Too connected. I don’t like someone prying into my personal life.”

A little of her happiness seems to fade, but I’m not stopping now. Not when I can convince her of what I failed to convince her of before. “He likes living on the edge of the law. Who knows what he’s gotten you into.”

She doesn’t say anything, but I can feel irritation rolling off her in waves as she pours all her attention into unbuckling the harness.

“You made your point, Reese.”

The heck I did. I was just getting started.

About the Author

Jorgia Yates

Jorgia Yates writes swoony Christian Romantic Suspense with protective heroes and courageous heroines who constantly find themselves in sticky situations they need to shoot or smooch their way out of.

After meeting as two awkward teenagers in the nineties, Jorgia married the man her soul loved, and they have been blessed with two cherished children on the spectrum. 

Due to pesky physical disabilities, Jorgia is limited in what she can do outside the home, so she lives vicariously through her characters' exciting adventures.

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


Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a selection of confectionary from New Zealand, a paperback copy of Collision Course and a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

Collision Course giveaway JustRead Tours blog tour

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 7, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 14, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Open internationally. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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Thursday, April 3, 2025

An Unexpected Companion by Mindy Obenhaus + GIVE AWAY

An Unexpected Companion JustRead Takeover + Review Blitz

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for An Unexpected Companion by Mindy Obenhaus hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! You can't go wrong with a K-9 story so I'm thrilled to be part of this tour. Check out the story excerpt below!

About the Book

An Unexpected Companion Title: An Unexpected Companion 
Series: K-9 Companions #31, Legacy Ranch #1 
Author: Mindy Obenhaus 
Publisher: Love Inspired 
Release Date: April 1, 2025 
Genre: Contemporary Romance 

With his dog by his side… Is a second chance within reach? 

After losing his family and his leg in a car crash, widower Dirk Matthews dedicates his solitary life to woodworking and his mobility service dog, Molly. That is, until a troubled kid steals from his truck. Desperate to reach her grieving oldest son, widow Tessa Wagner agrees to have the boy help Dirk work on her family’s ranch. Only she doesn’t expect her own connection with the carpenter. Soon they’re feeling more than the shared loss of loved ones. But will past heartbreak stand in the way of their future? 

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Harlequin | Amazon | Barnes & NobleChristianbook | Bookshop

Also Available:

The Cowgirl's Redemption A Christmas Bargain Loving the Rancher's Children Her Christmas Healing Hidden Secrets Between Them Rediscovering Christmas


Book Excerpt

With a nod he was on his way.

And Tessa couldn’t help noticing Gina watching him retreat. After a moment, she turned her attention to Tessa, her expression suddenly serious. “Tessa, there’s something I feel like I need to say.”

With a fork full of mac and cheese in her right hand, Tessa reached for Molly with her left, her heart dropping. Had today brought back memories of coming to this same event with Nick? Was Gina upset? What if watching Dirk interact with her grandsons had reopened the wounds of her son’s death?

“You are a beautiful young woman,” Gina began. “And you deserve to find love again.”

Tessa nearly choked. “I’m sorry, what?”

“You heard me.” Her mother-in-law gave an emphatic nod.

“Gina, if this is about Dirk, he and I are just friends.”

The other woman looked across the patio to where Dirk stood holding a bowl of cobbler as he chatted with Bryce. “Hmph. What a shame.” She turned back to Tessa. “He’s quite the looker.”

Tessa stifled a chuckle. “Gina, what has gotten into you?”

“I don’t know.” The woman guffawed. “But isn’t it wonderful?”

About the Author

Best-selling author Mindy Obenhaus is passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. She lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, two sassy pups, countless cattle, deer and the occasional coyote, mountain lion or snake. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, cooking and watching heartwarming romance movies.

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


Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of An Unexpected Companion and a $25 Amazon gift card!

Rediscovering Christmas

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight April 2, 2025 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on April 9, 2025. 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


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

JustRead Publicity Tours

 
Creative Commons License
Woven by Words by Mimi B is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.