Midnight On The Scottish Shore By Sarah Sundin

Midnight on the Scottish Shore

by Sarah Sundin

Publisher: Revell

ISBN: 9780800741860

I'm a huge HUGE fan of Sarah Sundin! I will devour every book of hers I can get my hands on. I couldn't wait to read Midnight on the Scottish Shore! Let me tell you, I was completely invested. Thanks to the author and Revell for sending me the book for review!

Summary:

In a time of war, danger lurks beneath the water--and in the depths of the human heart

As the German war machine devours the Netherlands, the only way Cilla van der Zee can survive the occupation is to do the unthinkable--train to become a spy for the Nazis. Once dispatched to Britain, she plans to abandon her mission and instead aid the Allies. But her scheme is thwarted when naval officer Lt. Lachlan Mackenzie finds her along the Scottish shore and turns her in to be executed.

Yet perhaps she is more useful alive than dead. British intelligence employs her to radio misleading messages to Germany from the lighthouse at Dunnet Head in Scotland--messages filled with naval intelligence Lachlan must provide. If the war is to be won, Lachlan and Cilla must work together. But how can he trust a woman who arrived on his shores as a tool of the enemy--a woman certain to betray both him and the Allied cause?

My Review:

Midnight on the Scottish Shore is about Cilla van der Zee, cousin to Aleida from Embers in the London Sky. Cilla escapes the Netherlands, hoping to aid the Allies, but she's captured and believed to be a spy for Germany. The Allies decide to use her in their secret Double Cross unit of M15! Cilla is willing, but the man who captures her is also the one who has to aid her as part of the scheme.

I loved Cilla! LOVED her! She takes lemons and makes lemonade. While the lighthouse becomes her prison, she also learns to find freedom in it. It doesn't come quickly or easily. And let's just say Lachlan Mackenzie doesn't make it very enjoyable. I mean, while Cilla is lovely, she's also a spy for Germany (repeated over and over in Lachlan's mind)!

Lachlan, for his part, wants to do his duty to his country, but his past is always looming over him thanks to his younger, wayward brother, Neil. Lachlan toes the line and is very black & white. He's also honorable, loyal, and trustworthy. What woman would fall for the fuddy-duddy?

I knew this was going to be a book I didn't want to put down! There's so much to talk about in regards to it. Cilla used humor in hard circumstances, and she was sharp as a tack! Extending forgiveness to someone who has hurt you makes you vulnerable. Earning trust can seem impossible, but it is worthwhile. All of the ways military and gov't people have to come up with plausible ways to misdirect the enemy and the way it's done with Yardley, Cilla, and Lachlan is masterful. 

I'll admit that I can't get enough of Sarah Sundin's stories! They're so well written and keep me riveted on every page! I'm already ready for her next book... no pressure, Sarah!

About the Author:

Sarah Sundin is the bestselling author of When Twilight Breaks, Until Leaves Fall in Paris, The Sound of Light, Embers in the London Sky, and the popular WWII series Sunrise at Normandy, among others. She is a Christy Award winner and a Carol Award winner, and her novels have received starred reviews from Booklist, Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly. Sarah lives in Southern California. Visit SarahSundin.com for more information.

Misgivings By Anne Gibson + GIVE AWAY

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Misgivings by Anne Gibson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Misgivings
Author: Anne Gibson
Publisher: Independently Published
Release Date: September 2, 2024
Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

Desperate to avoid the turmoil that now engulfs her, Dee would do anything for a chance to turn back time. Wracked with regret and paralyzed by fear, she is forced to hide halfway across the world, all in a bid to safeguard the one person she holds most dear. If only she could undo the past and prevent this disastrous situation from ever unfolding. 

After waiting five long years, Luke thought he was finally making progress in his relationship with Dee. But just as she begins to open up and trust him, she suddenly vanishes, leaving him bewildered and determined to uncover the truth behind her sudden disappearance.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

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Guest Post

Deciding what topics you were going to cover in your first book & how much detail to put

in or leave out. They're pretty heavy topics.

There are some heavy topics in my book. I remember sitting in a university class and hearing a statistic that 1 in 4 women had suffered from some form of abuse. I looked at all the women in my class, counted 1-2-3-4, and imagined every fourth woman being a victim of abuse. No one “looked” abused, but how would I know? Every time I was in the grocery store, there was a chance that an abuse victim was in my midst. Even in my church, there was the likelihood that someone sitting near me was a victim of abuse. Yet, no one was talking about it. This was years ago, and now the statistic is closer to 1 in 3 women. I wanted to write a character that women could silently identify with: a character who suffered and struggled, a character who found hope despite the odds being against her, and a character who found a way to trust Christ after someone broke their trust. Even more importantly, I wanted to write a story about a God who cares, a God who is in control, and a God who saves.

As for the events that happened in Colombia, many of the details came from stories my landlady shared with me (who had immigrated from Colombia). I took some of her details and then let my imagination run wild.

The process of becoming self-published.

I wrote Misgivings 15 years ago. I was pregnant with my first child and put on bed rest. I always wanted to be a writer and I had hoped bed rest was God’s way of saying, “The time is now.” After my baby was born, I submitted my manuscript and started the long, grueling game of waiting for rejections. I was very sick with my second pregnancy and took a break. After baby #2 was born I was able to look at my manuscript with fresh eyes (it sat for over a year). I edited it, started sending it to agents, and resumed the waiting game. Then baby #3 came and I pressed pause, and baby #4 came and writing was put aside.

Now my eldest is 15 and my kids are more independent. I pulled out my manuscript this summer thinking it would be fun to read. I ended up editing it again and decided it was time to do something with it. Since it sat for 15 years, I didn’t want to wait any longer. Rather than having it sit for years as I looked for an agent, I decided to try self-publishing, which is totally different than it was 15 years ago.

This journey has been full of surprises! I loved solving the puzzle of formatting. I enjoyed creating the cover and exercising the crafty side of my brain that also was neglected when the children were little. I built a website, which was not fun at all, but I am proud to say I endured and conquered! The advertising, social media, and anything with an algorithm is still overwhelming. I’d rather write, but it has been validating learning new skills. The most fun part has been discovering the world of Bookstagram. I wasn’t a social media person before, but I would have been if I knew there were so many fantastic people sharing such wonderful books!

About the Author

Award-winning author Anne Gibson is blessed to call the stunning Canadian Rockies home. When she isn't penning her stories, she relishes time in nature—hiking, paddling, and basking in the sun at the beach alongside her family and beloved furball. A true romantic at heart, Anne often finds herself curled up with an engaging book, dreaming up her own captivating love stories.

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

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Misgivings as well as a $25 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight February 3, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 10, 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/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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The Indigo Heiress By Laura Frantz

The Indigo Heiress

by Laura Frantz

Publisher: Revell

ISBN: 9780800740696

As one who ADORES Laura Frantz and her stories, I couldn't WAIT to get my hands on her newest release, The Indigo Heiress! If you haven't grabbed your own copy, let me tell you that you're missing out! Revell sent me my copy of the book!

Summary:

Virginia plantation life is all she has ever known. 
But could the life she was meant to live be waiting on a distant shore? 

In 1774, Juliet Catesby lives with her father and sister at Royal Vale, the James River plantation founded by her Virginia family over a century before. Indigo cultivation is her foremost concern, though its export tethers her family to the powerful Buchanan clan of Glasgow, Scotland. 

When the heir of the Buchanan firm arrives on their shores, Juliet discovers that her father has arranged for one of his daughters to marry the Scot as a means of canceling the family's crippling debt. Confident it will be her younger, lovelier sister, Juliet is appalled when Leith Buchanan selects her instead.

Despite her initial refusal, Juliet realizes that fleeing Virginia is her only choice after finding herself in the midst of a scandal. The ship just leaving the harbor for Glasgow is her only hope. But she will soon realize that being part of the complex and calculating Buchanan clan is not the sanctuary she imagined--and the man who saved her from ruin is the very one she must now save in return.

My Review:

I haven't met a Laura Frantz book that I haven't adored! Her stories always draw me in and are rich with relationships and strong characters. The Indigo Heiress captured me. It's different than her other books in some ways, while still the same in others. Her other stories always seem to have one really awful character who is easy to dislike. This one had a side character who isn't likable in the least, but doesn't have a presence throughout the whole story.

I always love the male main characters in her stories because they're so confident in who they are and are intensely protective of their loved ones. Leith is one such man, but throughout much of the story has a hard time showing affection. He's very business minded and oftentimes seems cold and distant. He just needs the right motivation to thaw his heart.

Juliet is a delight! She's forward thinking for such a time and has a head for business. She carries on her mother's work as an abolitionist. Her sister, Loveday, helps as well and also plays a large role in this story, which I loved. The two of them are a force to be reckoned with. Unfortunately, their "work" gets them into trouble, and their only means of saving themselves is joining Leith on his departing ship and marrying him!

Their start isn't an easy one and it continues to be difficult once they reach Scotland. What ensues there will keep everyone on their toes. Loveday needs to procure a husband. Leith's business is in jeopardy. Leith's scandal that began when he left is still waiting for him when he returns.

Juliet's compassion and care for those around her is palpable. Both sisters stay rooted in their faith and try to show Christ to any who will listen. While Leith has no real concern about faith, Juliet is determined to show God's love to him. There are sweet and tender moments that will have your heart aflutter.

I felt like there were a couple of loose ends that could've been tied up a bit better. One was Leith's brother's faith and where he stood in that. The other was the awful Virginian and where he ended up. Those are minor things that didn't affect the plot or story overall. Just stuck out to me.

It was incredibly fun to hear names and places mentioned in this story that we know from previous books. It gave a wonderful sense of familiarity and nostalgia for characters I've previously loved! I felt like with the author's writing, each location came to life in their unique ways and made me want to travel back in time!

About the Author:

Laura Frantz is a two-time Christy Award winner and the ECPA bestselling author of 15 novels, including The Seamstress of Acadie, The Rose and the Thistle, The Frontiersman's Daughter, Courting Morrow Little, The Lacemaker, and A Heart Adrift. She is the proud mom of an American soldier and a career firefighter. Though she will always call Kentucky home, Laura lives with her husband in Washington State. Learn more at LauraFrantz.net.

Jayna Breigh By Jayna Breigh + GIVE AWAY

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for The Hunted Heir by Jayna Breigh hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! I've heard incredible reviews from early reviewers and I can't wait to dive into this story. I received the book for the Takeover Blitz!

About the Book

Title: The Hunted Heir 

Author: Jayna Breigh 

Publisher: Kregel Publications 

Release Date: January 28, 2025 

Genre: Romantic Legal Drama

After a tragic loss, private investigator Nona Taylor swore off romantic entanglements and distanced herself from the world. Once a year, on New Year's Eve, she attends church to beg God for forgiveness, haunted by the guilt of driving her twin sister to her death.

Attorney DeMarcus Johnson is determined to climb the ladder to partnership by winning high-profile cases at his Los Angeles law firm, harnessing his ADHD hyperfocus to excel. He's everything Nona knows to steer clear of--an overconfident ex-jock willing to do anything for success. 

Their worlds collide when Nona's pastor receives a mysterious letter claiming he's the sole heir to a substantial estate. Desperate for answers, Nona infiltrates a lavish charity ball, only to be found out by a suspicious stranger--so she latches onto DeMarcus and concocts a fib about being his fiancée. 

Now bound by a false engagement, the pair reluctantly join forces to discover the truth about the inheritance. But when an unseen enemy strikes, they realize the stakes are higher than they thought. Can Nona and DeMarcus overcome their differences to keep the pastor safe, secure DeMarcus's partnership, and preserve a future for themselves?

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

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Excerpt

Well, old lady, you win.

DeMarcus Johnson picked a parking space for his baby under a light fixture and as far from other cars as possible—no dingers, no dents, no damage—and readied himself to make good his promise to his beloved grandmother, G’Mama, to attend church once during the calendar year. He scanned the row of storefront businesses across the street. A couple of dudes in gang colors stood in the doorway of a store right beside the church. Fortunately, Demarcus’s C-Class convertible didn’t have the distinctive Mercedes hood ornament, because that crew gave off a vibe like it might want a souvenir. Didn’t matter. 

He’d let them know the deal before he went inside the church.

He loved G’Mama, but she played dirty. Said she wouldn’t cash another one of his monthly money orders until he made good on his repeated promises to go to church sometime this year.

“And it better be a Missionary Baptist Church too, ’cause how else I’m gonna know it’s a real gospel-preaching church?” she’d told him. “And I want proof. Send me, what you call ’em? A selfie. Send a selfie showing me you there.”

Busted. She’d mastered the texting feature on the senior citizen cell phone he’d sent her

for her seventy-fifth birthday, so there was no way out of it.

About the Author

Jayna Breigh is a retired attorney living in the southeastern United States. She brings to her writing over a decade of experience in trust and estate litigation in Los Angeles. Breigh enjoys speaking at Christian women's conferences, hosting Bible studies, and homeschooling her children. This is her debut novel.

Connect with Jayna by visiting jaynabreigh.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 The Hunted Heir 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 January 29, 2025 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on February 5, 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.

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Tatterhood By Dawn Ford + GIVE AWAY

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Tatterhood by Dawn Ford, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! I've really enjoyed all of the covers to this series! So great to have this series for middle grade kids to enjoy. Be sure to check out the author's Guest Post below.

About the Book

Title: Tatterhood
Series: Band of Unlikely Heroes #3
Author: Dawn Ford
Publisher: ScrivKids
Release Date: January 28, 2025
Genre: Middle-Grade Fantasy

Troll Princess Horra Fyd and young druid Rowan team up to reverse the evil Erlking’s spells and save the creatures across the Wilden Lands. However, Fairy Princess Glory Toppenbottom is still a thorn in Horra’s side. After Horra and Glory have a heated fight, Glory sneaks out of the castle. She is bent on finding the Erlking to reverse the hex he cast on her. This creates a political disaster when the Glory’s sister announces she’s coming to retrieve Glory. 

Angered by Horra’s treatment of a royal guest, King Fyd proclaims Horra to be Queen Bearer. She becomes the ad hoc ruler, freeing her father from the scandal. Shocked, Horra assents. Her first move is to find the missing fairy princess before it becomes an interkingdom war. They form a search party and leave. 

The Erlking stalks their every move. When the only choice points them toward the Riven, a cursed hidden land, they don’t hesitate. They find Glory is already there, but are immediately separated. The Riven is nothing like anyone imagined. Will they survive the Erlking’s magical traps, or will they, like everyone else, perish within its borders?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon

More Books in This Series

 

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Guest Post

What do you hope kids will take away from this story and series overall? 

Tatterhood is a harrowing tale of what happens when you lie and scheme to get your way. Princess

Glory Toppenbottom suffered a hex at the hands of the Erlking, an evil elf who mesmerized and used her in his scheme to invade the troll’s castle in his first step in taking over their world, the Wilden Lands. Because of that, she lost the one thing that mattered to her: her beauty. She’s stuck in the horrible troll’s castle where the despicable troll princess Horra Fyd and her sidekick Rowan stand in her way of getting it back. Glory refuses to wait and devises a plan of escape. She has the one thing the Erlking wants bad enough to trade her to reverse the hex. She’s determined to meet with the Erlking again for the trade. Lies and schemes come at a cost, however, and Glory soon learns that cost is too high.

The last thing Horra wants to do in the middle of her kingdom’s crisis is form a search party for a petulant fairy princess. When told the Glory’s sister is on her way to retrieve her, Horra has no choice. Their alliance with the fairies is at stake. She must save the girl from herself no matter what, even after Glory leaves her and Rowan stuck in the last place they want to be: the Riven. Situated between Horra’s troll kingdom and the hidden elf kingdom, the Riven is a deadly land that no one who enters returns from. Deeply hurt and angered by Glory’s treachery, Horra and Rowan become a united front, strengthening their heroic bond in ways they never expected. The adventure continues as our heroes continue to break down the pieces of how the Erlking’s dark magic works. And Glory holds the key to the Erlking’s motives and methods. The question is, will she cooperate or not?

Tatterhood, the third book in the Band of Unlikely Heroes series, is full of bravery in the face of betrayal and redemption after tragedy occurs.

About the Author

Winner of the 2016 ACFW Genesis Award and Finalist in the 2023 Carol awards and 2024 Realm Makers Realm awards, Dawn Ford has been recognized for her published and non-published works.

As a child, Dawn often had her head in the clouds creating scenes and stories for anything and everything she came across. She believed there was magic everywhere, a sentiment she has never outgrown. Nature inspires her, and her love for the underdog and the unlikely hero colors much of what she writes.

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

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Tour Giveaway

(3) winners will each receive a $15 Amazon gift card, a signed paperback copy of Tatterhood, and one eBook copy of Woodencloak and Mossycoat!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight January 27, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 3, 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 JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Before The King By Heather Kaufman

Before the King

by Heather Kaufman

Publisher: Bethany House

Series: Women of the Way

ISBN: 9781540903570

I was SO thrilled to have been given the chance to be on Heather Kaufman's launch team for Before the King! This is the second book in her Women of the Way series and the cover immediately drew me in! Thanks to the author and publisher for the copy of my book.

Summary:

Joanna's wealthy family aspires to Herod's inner circle, but when her father's esteemed position in the Sepphoris Sanhedrin is threatened, her family harbors a dark secret. Entangled in the complexities of aristocratic life and an impending arranged marriage, Joanna is caught between her own desires and maintaining appearances. When tragedy strikes, Joanna grapples with a new future that challenges her sense of duty and hope for love.

Years later, Joanna is forever changed when a rabbi comes preaching a new kingdom and healing the sick. As she contributes to his ministry, Joanna treads a perilous path between a court that mocks Jesus of Nazareth, disciples who view her with suspicion, and a husband who guards his own secrets. With pressure increasing on all sides, Joanna must decide where her allegiances lie and protect her relationship to the Christ, whose message is as compelling as it is dangerous.

My Review:

What an incredibly powerful story! Where do I even begin to describe Before the King?

The beginning of the story had me in a jangle of nerves! Family dynamics can really be a struggle sometimes, but add a chronic illness and that adds a whole new layer of issues! I guess working your way up to Herod's court doesn't allow for anything but perfection. If you want to feel tension, you could've sliced it with a knife with Joanna's family.

All of the challenges that Joanna has to go through as she's growing up will break your heart, yet she tries to persevere. She's not made to live in the grandeur her father esteems himself to. She desperately just wants to be herself, and it plays out in the story. I loved the side character of Eden who is beside Joanna throughout the story!

As she gets older she prepares to marry, when tragedy strikes. Joanna doesn't have the heart to rise above the ashes, but circumstances force her to. I loved how the author shows God orchestrating Joanna meeting Chuza, a man who is already in Herod's court. He's also someone dealing with pain that he doesn't know what to do with other than keep people at a distance. The build up of romantic tension had me on pins and needles!

Yes, this is a work of fiction, but the author brings the New Testament time to life with the disciples, Jesus, Herod, and so many others. While nothing can improve on Scripture, this story gives us a glimpse into what their humanity might have looked like. I was especially moved by the scenes with Jesus! I was emotional when Joanna came face to face with Him. Trying to imagine what it must've been like to be in His presence, and I think the author captured it so beautifully.

I appreciated how well Scripture was used in the story and how she depicted several scenes, but adding a fictional piece to them. It was easy to visualize Jesus speaking to listeners or rebuking Pharisees or healing people. Seriously just so well done!

I can't wait for the next book in the series!

About the Author:

Heather Kaufman is the author of multiple books and devotions, praised by Kirkus Reviewsfor writing "a charming and well-crafted tale." She delights in highlighting the goodness of God through storytelling. When not reading, writing, or accumulating mounds of books, Heather can be found exploring new parks with her husband and three children near their home in St. Louis, Missouri. Learn more at HMKStories.com.

The Resurrection Project By Tanya Sparks Belvin + GIVE AWAY

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Resurrection Project by Tanya Sparks Belvin, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! Thanks to JustRead & the author for a copy of the book. Be sure to check out the Excerpt below.

About the Book

Title: The Resurrection Project
Series: The Resurrection Project Series #1
Author: Tanya Sparks Belvin
Publisher: Tonya Belvin Publishing
Release Date: September 11, 2023
Genre: Christian Futuristic, Medical Mystery

In 2034, medical student Ellen McCarthy took an internship at the mysterious Grindland Institute to fulfill a graduation requirement. But what at first seems like a boring job supervising children soon has her tangled in questions about the Institute’s Resurrection Project. Meanwhile, ER nurse Mamie Simpson is grieving the loss of her daughter, Lainey, and hoping against hope that a new scientific breakthrough will provide a miracle for her and her husband. When Ellen and Mamie's paths eventually cross, both will have to take steps of faith and courage they didn’t think possible to help save the life of a special little girl.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon (ebook/audio) | Amazon (print) | Barnes & Noble

More Books in This Series

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Excerpt

Strangely, Anna did not show up for work for the third day in a row. She had never missed a day since I had been working with her, even when she was bone-tired from pulling an all-nighter due to her studies. Her dedication inspired me. Anna had said she spent the first part of her life feeling lonely, but working with the children at Grindland made her feel that she was finally part of a family. At one point, I asked how she was able to get her position since her emotional connections conflicted with the rules of employment. Initially, she looked skeptical about trusting me but eventually confessed that she found her experiences as a supervisor cathartic.  Before starting her position, Anna had thought it would be like her previous jobs. She would show up, do what she needed to do, and go home, a continuance of her mundane life. On the contrary, she soon discovered that her time with the children brought a healing she had never imagined. After years of holding on to bitterness and unforgiveness, Anna finally felt acceptance and love

from the children with whom she worked. 

For the past two mornings, I tried to reach Anna by text and left several voice messages, but I got no response. I was becoming extremely concerned.

About the Author

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. The Resurrection Project is her debut novel.

Connect with Tanya by visiting tanyasparksbelvin.com.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of The Resurrection Project and its sequel, Rescuing the Remnant, as well as a $25 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight January 20, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on January 27, 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 JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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If My Husband Would Change I'd Be Happy & Other Myths Wives Believe By Rhonda Stop + GIVE AWAY

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for the If My Husband Would Change I'd Be Happy & Other Myths Wives Believe audiobook by Rhonda Stoppe, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! I think many of us want to find ways to make our marriages healthier in one way or another. No marriage is perfect. Be sure to check out the Q & A below!

About the Book

Title: If My Husband Would Change I'd Be Happy & Other Myths Wives Believe
Author: Rhonda Stoppe
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
Release Date: August 1, 2015
Audiobook Publisher: ChristianAudio
Audiobook Release Date: January 7, 2025
Genre: NonFiction, Self-Help, Christian Marriage, Christian Women

What's really keeping you from enjoying a better marriage? 

"If my husband would change, I'd be happy" and "I'm falling out of love with him" are among several common myths that lead women to search for marital happiness in all the wrong places. In this book, author Rhonda Stoppe shares, with candor and humor, how to enrich your relationship with your husband (even if he doesn't change). Along the way you'll read many helpful stories and real-life examples from other couples and discover: 

 - how to deal with unfulfilled longings
- the secret to keeping your husband's attention
- 10 keys to a happy marriage. 

Let this book help you realize God's highest good for your marriage! 

Contains discussion questions and personal reflections at the end of each chapter.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Christianaudio | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | Audiobook Excerpt

*The audiobook is available for FREE with the 3 month Audible Trial at .99cents per month.*

Also Available

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Excerpt

Were there any topics that were hard to cover?

Oh wow, yes. I think the hardest topics to cover are the ones that resonated with my own story. In my family of origin, I come from a long line of broken marriages. It was hard to talk about the secrecy behind closed doors ––when Christian couples attempt to act like they’re fine when in reality the foundation of their marriage was crumbling down around them. I know the insecurity that comes to a child when they’re worried their parents might divorce. The chapters that talked about this type of hypocrisy brought up memories of my own childhood. The Bible says that we comfort others with the comfort that we ourselves have been comforted. I think my experience as a child has equipped me to come along side of couples who are tempted to hide their struggles. If it helps someone else have the courage to reach out for help, the experience has been worth the pain.

Did you pull any examples from your own life as a wife?

In the very first chapter of If My Husband Would Change I’d Be Happy I tell the story of how I knew I was not the wife I had hoped I would be. I knew the danger of dwelling upon how my husband wasn’t measuring up to my expectations, and yet, the habit had become so familiar I didn’t know how to break the cycle. My help came when I reached out to older women whose marriages I wanted to emulate. I needed real life examples of happy marriages that lasted a lifetime. Titus 2 calls the older women to teach the younger how to love their husbands, and that is exactly what I learned from these older friends. They weren’t perfect. The were real and they genuinely shared with me from their own successes and failures. I always say “Old Ladies Know Stuff” ––which happens to be the name of my podcast. I am confident that the friendships I made with these older women were transformational in the way I learned to love my husband for who he is and not who I wanted him to be. That’s why I wrote this book, so that I can share  insights with my readers to help them become the wife they had hoped they would be on the day they said “I Do”.

What was your favorite topic to discuss?

Honestly, my favorite topic to discuss is “Staying In Love”. I think that marriages should be marked by a deep adoration for their spouse––especially Christian marriages. And yet, amidst the cares of life, it’s easy to fall into a sort of status quo in our relationships. We forget to enjoy one another. I love helping wives learn the secret to becoming the wife their husband can’t wait to come home to. I am so encouraged every time I hear from a wife who has read this book. One woman recently approached me at a speaking engagement. She asked me to sign her book, and said, “This book saved my marriage. I had no idea what I was doing to undermine our relationship until I read this book!" 

What do you hope wives will take away from your book?

I have been crazy in love with my husband for 43 years. That kind of love does not just happen. Rather, it is a product of daily choosing to think lovingly toward your spouse. It’s deciding not to keep record of their wrongs. And most importantly, I want a wife to understand that the path toward loving her husband deeply does not lie in how well he measures up to her expectations. Rather, the secret to loving her husband well lies in how deeply she loves Christ. Jesus said the priority of life is to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. The second commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself. In marriage, one cannot love their spouse with God’s unconditional agape love unless they have first grown their love for Christ. Jesus said “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” He is more interested in helping you love your spouse than you ever could imagine. Because a loving marriage reflects His love to a watching world that is desperate to believe that what you say you believe about Jesus is really true––beginning with your own children.  When you make it your life’s goal to fall deeper in love with Christ through Bible study, prayer, and fellowship with others who love Him, you will have found the secret to loving your husband well––because His love will spill out of your heart and onto your spouse.

What is one thing you wish men knew was a myth about wives?

Your wife wants to know that you see her. That you hear her. That you’re listening, not only to the words she’s saying, but to the feelings she is wrestling with behind those words. Most wives wish their husbands would be more attentive, tell them when they look pretty, and schedule quality time with her. Your wife is likely less interested in the amount of money you spend on a date night than she is in the fact that you made time to be with her. The Bible calls husbands to live with their lives in an understanding way. That means you have to go to school on your wife. You have to learn what makes her tick. Understand when her hormonal imbalances make her a little crazy––and take some of the pressure off of her during those times. She wants you to romance her by helping her get the kids fed and to bed early, so she’s not too worn out to take you to bed. Be her friend. She is lonely. She wants you to put down your phone and listen as she shares her heart with you. She wants you to talk to her. Share the ideas rolling around in your head. Laugh with her. And buy her chocolate. Lots and lots of chocolate!

About the Author

Rhonda Stoppe captivates audiences with her honest, relatable, and biblically grounded teaching. As a bestselling author of seven books and the host of the awarded podcast "Old Ladies Know Stuff," she has a powerful voice in the realms of family and faith. Rhonda is a sought-after speaker, appearing on national and international TV and radio, and is known for her engaging presentations at women's events, homeschool conferences and MC for events like the Legacy Grandparenting Summit. Her episode on Moms Raising Sons at Focus on the Family was recognized in their "Best of Episodes." With nearly 40 years of ministry alongside her pastor husband, Rhonda understands the complexities of balancing marriage, parenting, ministry, and homeschooling. The Stoppes are proud parents of four adult children and grandparents to fifteen.

Connect with Rhonda by visiting NoRegretsWoman.com to follow her on social media, receive a free gift, and subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(3) winners will each receive a downloadable resources bundle which includes A Christian Woman's Guide to Great Sex in Marriage by Rhonda Stoppe (audiobook), The Marriage Money Myth - Does More Money Really Mean Less Stress? by Steve & Rhonda Stoppe (ebook), and Your Marriage Can Survive Toddlers & Teens with Rhonda Stoppe (video)!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight January 14, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on January 21, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

Squire of Truth By Jill Williamson + Q & A + GIVE AWAY

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Squire of Truth by Jill Williamson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! I'm so excited for this series! Medieval fantasy? Yes, please! Thanks to JustRead & the publisher for my arc of the book.

About the Book

Title: Squire of Truth
Series: Blood of Kings: Legends #1
Author: Jill Williamson
Publisher: Sunrise Publishing
Release Date: January 7, 2025
Genre: Medieval Fantasy

Cole Tanniyn, squire to the soon-to-be king, has journeyed far from his days as a stray stable boy in a distant mountain village. Haunted by the echoes of past failures on the battlefield, he seeks solace in music, hoping to find belonging among fellow musicians. His quest leads him to Mistel Wepp, a spirited songstress determined to forge her own path on stage. 

For too long, Mistel has been bound by a past of confinement and control. Now on her own, she toils tirelessly to make her mark, but the struggle to earn a living in a world that fails to appreciate her talents proves exhausting. When she connects Cole with the future king and discovers he's a skilled lutist, she sees an opportunity to change her future. 

When a heinous crime leaves Mistel’s roommate dead, she turns to Cole for help. Despite his inexperience as an investigator, Cole vows to uncover the truth. Together, they delve into the dark alleys of Armonguard, uncovering a sinister web of secrets and sorcery that threatens the kingdom. As their journey unfolds, their shared love of music catches the attention of the king, who commissions them to compose a song for his upcoming wedding, offering a glimpse of normalcy amid adversity. Can Cole and Mistel prevail against enemies wielding dark magic? Or will they become the next casualties in a deadly game of power?

Blood of Kings: Legends
Book 1: Squire of Truth
Book 2: Lord of Winter
Book 3: Lady of Shadows
Book:4: Heir of Light

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Sunrise Publishing | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub

More Books in This Series

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Q & A

1. What is the hardest part of creating an entirely new world/kingdom: the characters, the land, the names, etc?

The hardest part of creating a new storyworld is how to make it different from all the existing fantasy storyworlds that are already out there. Too often fantasy storyworlds all feel like clones in some way of Lewis’s Narnia or Tolkien’s Middle Earth. Many of us fantasy novelists loved those stories and were inspired and influenced by them, yet we still want to create something fresh and interesting. So it can be tricky to create a world that feels unique to readers.

2. How do you unite faith and magic in ya CF fantasy?

There are lots of different ways to unite faith and magic in Christian fiction. Magic can be gifts or talents bestowed by God to be used for His purposes and aligned with His will. Magic can function as a metaphor for spiritual gifts, such as healing, discernment, or prophecy, emphasizing reliance on God rather than self. Magic can be used as a metaphor to show their faith and trust in God. The more they grapple with doubt, fear, pride, etc, the weaker their magic. The more they rely on God, the stronger their magic.

Magic can also establish moral boundaries between good and evil, light and darkness. Some stories have good magic and dark magic. And this is the type of magic I used in the storyworld from the Blood of Kings Legends series. There is a magic given to the line of kings from God. And then there is a magic that mankind learned to do on their own that is dangerous. That’s not to say that a character cannot use God’s magic selfishly or unethically. I like to show my heroes make mistakes with magic too, because that just feels realistic. People are flawed, even when we’re doing our best to rely on God, we sometimes make mistakes. 

3. What's it like partnering with someone (more than one someone) for a story? How are you able to combine ideas to make a cohesive story?

Writing with a team has been a ton of fun but also challenging at times. Everything is better when you work with a team. It might not feel like as smooth of a process because as writers, we’re used to working alone and doing things our way. But when more than one person is involved in something, you get a lot more ideas. That’s what makes writers rooms so important and successful in writing television shows. It’s a group effort, and that usually makes for better storytelling.

All that to say, we got to meet in person for several days to plan the first four novels in the series, and that was so helpful. It was a challenge to figure out how to structure these stories in a way that they logically flowed from one to another and that when characters appeared in each other’s stories, each author portrayed them in the same way. And when we needed to, we would hop onto Zoom and have another meeting. Also, I’m writing a parallel series that happens alongside the Blood of Kings legends stories, so I used those earlier manuscripts to help with timelines. And we plan to meet on Zoom again to talk about future books and how we will end the series. It’s important to figure that out in advance so that we can plan things along the way.

About the Author

Jill Williamson writes fantasy and science fiction for teens and adults. She grew up in Alaska, staying up and reading by the summer daylight that wouldn't go away. This led to a love of books and writing, and her debut novel, By Darkness Hid, won several awards and was named a Best Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror novel of 2009 by VOYA magazine. She loves giving writing workshops and blogs for teen writers at www.GoTeenWriters.com, which has been named as one of Writer’s Digest’s “101 Best Websites for Writers.” She now lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two children.

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

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Squire of Truth & a $10 Gift Card to the Sunrise Shop!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight January 13, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on January 20, 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 JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

Cloaked In Beauty By Karen Witemeyer

Cloaked in Beauty

by Karen Witemeyer

Publisher: Bethany House

Series: Texas Ever After

ISBN: 9780764240430

You must know by now that I'm a long-time fan of Karen Witemeyer! Her stories are always filled with faith and characters you will come to love, just like I do. I was delighted to receive the third book in her Texas Ever After from the author & publisher for review!

Summary:

Trust no one in the shadows of the piney woods . . .

Letty Hood has spent the last fifteen years of her life hidden away with her grandmother in the backwoods of east Texas to escape the deadly schemes of an uncle who wants her dead. Now, with her twenty-first birthday on the horizon, she is forced to accept the escort of a stranger and return to Houston in secret so she can claim a birthright that will make her one of the wealthiest women in Texas. If she lives long enough to inherit.

Pinkerton agent Philip Carmichael has one duty: get the Radcliffe heiress home alive. Expecting a spoiled girl, Philip is surprised to encounter a woman of rare strength with a kind soul and keen wit. As they journey together, Letty's resilience wins his admiration, breaking through his hardened cynicism. Yet the threat to her survival grows more menacing with every mile, and Philip fears that keeping Letty out of harm's way may be just as impossible as keeping her out of his heart.

My Review:

Cloaked in Beauty was such a fun story! We meet Scarlett Radcliffe aka Letty Hood who has lived with her grandmother, hidden away from the man who wants her gone. Letty may very well have my favorite fictional animal! 

Then we meet Philip Carmichael, a Pinkerton tasked with finding her. He's an honorable man who wants to get Letty home in one piece and not fall for her in the process. You can't help but love Letty's grandmother and root for them to get back to Houston safely! All she needs to do is make it to get 21st birthday. Too bad that proves treacherous.

Most of the story revolves around Philip and Letty working their way back to Houston. Because they have to avoid towns and people, their trek isn't an easy one. They have no choice but to get to know each other. 

The story is infused with faith and hope! I love that Letty over and over puts her trust in the Lord. Philip turns to the Lord for strength throughout the story! You can feel the love growing, but they are intentional about not stoking that flame and making sure they put propriety front and center! What a breath of fresh air.

About the Author:

Voted #1 Reader's Favorite Christian Historical Author of 2023 by Family Fiction magazine, bestselling and Carol and Christy Award-winning author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. She and her husband make their home in Abilene, Texas. Learn more about Karen and her books at KarenWitemeyer.com.