In Fairy Tales & Fraud By: Heather Tabers

Title: In Fairy Tales & Fraud
Series: Words & War #2
Author: Heather Tabers
Release Date: October 13, 2026
Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Book Review:

In Fairy Tales & Fraud is the second book in the Words & War series written by Heather Tabers. Heather doesn’t just write a story, though; she crafts an experience with included extras like coloring sheets, playlists, historical elements, and character artwork. This series needs to be read in order, so if you haven’t read the first, read that one before this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. This is a fun look into what was happening in America during WWI in Alabama near Camp Sheridan. I love all the historical elements that are wrapped in this story.

Nathaniel Steele, we met in the first book in the series, and now we get to dive into his story's future. In Books & Battlefields, Nathaniel moves from Colorado to Alabama to win Isabella’s heart. Isabella ends up marrying Byron, and that’s where we begin this story. Byron and Nathaniel are friends now, and Nathaniel is healing from a gun wound. When Nathaniel goes out to the barn to do chores, he happens upon Willia and her daughter Marigold, hiding in his barn. Nathaniel opens up his home to the mother and daughter. This story has a lot of different moving pieces and kept me on my toes. I don’t want to spoil anything. We have a murder to solve, past to confront, fraud, helping others out, a love triangle, and new friendships.

This love triangle was not what I expected. I really enjoyed it. The romance was perfect and sweet with kisses only. It does have a lead-up to a fade-to-black scene, which happens on the wedding night, so nothing inappropriate or out of my comfort zone.

Heather Tabers did a great job intertwining faith throughout the story.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from the author. A positive review was not required. All views expressed are my honest opinion.

Cover Reveal and Giveaway: Crestwood Ranger by: Jessica Ashley

Welcome to the Cover Reveal Blitz for Crestwood Ranger by Jessica Ashley, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Crestwood Ranger
Series: Ridge Defenders #1
Author: Jessica Ashley
Publisher: B.A.D. Publishing, LLC (self)
Release Date: February 22, 2027
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

A wounded Ranger. A mother on the run. One cabin, and nowhere left to hide.

Norah has run as far as she can. With an abusive ex-husband hunting her, and a blizzard swallowing the mountain, she carries her five-year-old son toward the only light for miles. But the man who opens the door just wants to be left alone. Former Army Ranger Theo Dancer lost his unit to betrayal and has spent every day since refusing to forgive himself for surviving. Determined to die alone in the mountains like he should have in that desert, he lives completely secluded from everyone. And then she shows up. Battered, broken, and carrying a little boy with bright eyes and a heart full of hope. The last thing Theo wants is a complication. But when it becomes clear that Norah isn’t just running from a storm, he jumps back into the fight. Keeping her alive means trusting her. But trusting anyone means opening a door he nailed shut the day he lost his brothers.

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Ready to see the cover?

PREORDER LINKS: Goodreads | Author's Website | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

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My Thoughts

Oh my! All those green tones, and those peirecing eyes!? This cover is perfection. This cover looks like it belongs in my TBR pile. I have been reading a lot of Christian Romantic Suspense recently so Crestwood Ranger sounds like my kind of book. I am excited for February and to dive into Norah and Theo's story. Are you adding this book to your TBR pile?

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About the Author

GRITTY READS FULL OF GRACE.

Jessica Ashley is a three-time award winning author of faith-filled stories where swoony romance meets edge-of-your-seat suspense. Her stories serve as a reminder that even in the darkest moments, God's love shines through with hope, healing, and redemption. When she's not writing, she's homeschooling her three kids, baking homemade bread, or sneaking in quiet moments with her husband in their New Hampshire home. You can find out more about her on her website.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $20 gift card to the author's website shop and a signed copy of SEAL of Courage!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 23, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 30, 2026. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. 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!

Giveaway and Review: The Heartfelt Formula by Leslie Kirby DeVooght

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Heartfelt Formula by Leslie Kirby DeVooght, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Heartfelt Formula 
Author: Leslie Kirby DeVooght 
Publisher: Lanier Price Publishing 
Release Date: October 22, 2026 
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Women's Fiction/Romantic Comedy

After another breakup, Atlanta attorney Hope Elliot decides to stop waiting for her happily-ever-after and write it herself. Inspired by her beloved Christmas romance movies, Hope crafts The Heartfelt Formula: a foolproof plan including snowball fights, cookie baking, and a perfectly timed first kiss. 

Trading the big city for coastal Georgia, Hope sets out to find her small-town soulmate. But the actors in her carefully plotted scenes keep shuffling—especially when Brennan Taylor, her ambitious co-counsel continues to fill in for Cole Walker, the carefree furniture maker, who Hope cast as her hero. 

Between courtroom drama, a mismatched leading man, and a mistletoe mishap, Hope must decide if she’ll trust her formula or accept a plot twist that might leave her all alone, or perhaps, with the happiest ending of all. 

 A faith-filled romantic comedy for anyone who believes love, like Christmas, can still surprise you.

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

Also Available

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About the Author

PW Best-Selling Author Leslie Kirby DeVooght writes women’s fiction inspired by romcoms, coastal Georgia, and fried okra! While Leslie and her family live in Jacksonville, Florida, they often visit her hometown of St. Simons Island, Georgia, where she loves to go for long walks on the beach. A graduate of Florida Southern College and Mercer Law School, Leslie is always revising her life from prosecutor to judge to PTA president to author of happily-ever-afters.

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

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Review

The Heartfelt Formula by Leslie Kirby DeVooght is such a fun, sweet coastal Christmas rom-com. I enjoyed this story so much; I could not put it down.

Hope has had it with relationships and decides to come up with a plan. Looking at all the Hallmark movies, she concocts a formula for landing the perfect boyfriend. Pulling from Hallmark movies, the perfect dates include snowball fights, baking cookies, making a snowman and, of course, to start it all, the perfect meet-cute. When Hope sets her sights on landing the case in the small coastal town, what could go wrong with her plan?

When Hope’s mom sets her up on a date with Brennan, who she went to college with, they decide the best route is to fake dating each other to dodge their mother’s antics. So, when they both end up on this case, they go off to the coast to gather more information for the case. Brennan is also trying to help Hope with her plans. But the more time they spend together, the more Brennan is falling for Hope. When Hope sets her formula to work on the small-town carpenter Cole Walker, Brennan steps in when some of the plans don’t work.

This story was so fun. I loved all the schemes and big ideas that Hope had. Watching everything unfold was perfect, even if it didn’t go to plan. Leslie Kirby DeVooght did a great job intertwining faith throughout the story.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from the author. A positive review was not required. All views expressed are my honest opinion.

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a Coastal Christmas ornament, plus signed copies of Taking a Second Shot, Stealing Magnolias, and The Heartfelt Formula!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 21, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 28, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

Giveaway and Excerpt: To Win a Wager by Grace Hitchcock

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for To Win a Wager by Grace Hitchcock, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: To Win a Wager 
Series: Best Laid Plans #3 
Author: Grace Hitchcock 
Publisher: Kregel Publications 
Release Date: October 20, 2026 
Genre: Regency Romance

A Regency-era enemies-to-lovers romance set in the magnificent Scottish Isles 

Tess Hale has always been taught to fend for herself, but she never needed to until the night bounty hunters come knocking. It's 1813 in Great Britain, and Tess's best laid plans crumble when her father sends her alone in the dead of night to an island cottage to escape them. She finds herself in a world of warring clans she didn't know existed. 

After a decade as a spy separated from his clan, Jamie Malcom has a duty to fulfill as next in line as chief—but his absence means he must earn his people's loyalty. He pursues a treasure stolen from his clan long ago, and it leads him straight to Tess. 

As Tess grapples with her past, Jamie vows to protect her future—but lies revealed shatter the trust they had been building. For purposes beyond themselves, they are thrust into a marriage neither of them wanted . . . at first.

In the finale to the Best Laid Plans series, Grace Hitchcock invites readers to the sweeping Highlands and beautiful Scottish Isles with a romance guaranteed to delight.

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

More in This Series

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About the Author

Grace Hitchcock is the award-winning author of the Best Laid Plans series and other historical novels and novellas. She holds a master's degree in creative writing and a bachelor of arts in English with a minor in history. She lives near New Orleans with her husband, sons, and daughter. Connect with her online at gracehitchcock.com.

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Excerpt

They needed to stay hidden. They also needed shelter, a fire, and time for her to rest and calm down. At last, the desired island came into view, the uninhabited one nearest Dornoch. Being a future chief had required him to memorize maps of the hundreds of islands surrounding Scotland.

His shoulders burned from rowing, thanks to the lack of wind. He could only imagine how she was feeling. She had not given up her oar until an hour ago, when the shaking had begun. She was quite strong for a lady . . . though in his upbringing and in his line of work, he had not spent much time with them apart from his sisters and a few childhood friends. His work for the Crown was dark—t oo dark for any woman, even one from the clans.

Jamie’s clan dwelled on a remote isle off the port of John o’ Groats. Balls, where ladies were present, were only for Christmastide, when the clan leaders gathered. The only reason to attend such balls would be to procure a lady’s hand whose family wished for a title and were willing to pay for the privilege. Jamie did not wish to procure a lady’s hand, at least, not until he became chief, at the very earliest.

No. He would not marry for many years if he had any choice in the matter. He had become accustomed to working alone, making hard choices alone, and he had done a great many things that had earned him dangerous enemies. Those enemies would not hesitate to use his bride against him or to harm her as punishment. Perhaps after the war was over, when all settled down, he could allow himself the comfort of sharing his life with a bride and securing an heir for the next generation. For now, he wanted only to guard his own back while he earned the clan’s respect after years of being away.

He glanced down at Tess, still unsure if the path he was headed down was the Lord’s will, or simply himself believing that circumstances were indicative of the Lord’s direction. It was difficult to tell. He wished he could have packed his Bible on his person so he could seek an answer once they landed.

His faith was all so new to him, but he had a longing to follow the Word of God now etched in his very soul. But it was nearly impossible to completely disregard his desire to be accepted by his clan again. Just because Jamie knew his worth in Christ did not mean the wish for approval from the clan was necessarily kept at bay. He did feel the twinge of guilt that while yes, he was aiding Tess, he was doing it for himself, for the alliance, for his seven half sisters. For the entire people who depended on Jamie to preserve peace. It required him to ignore the growing turmoil in his belly.

I can still fulfill my side of the bargain of keeping her safe even while helping the clan. Surely, once she understands what’s at stake, she will agree that this is the best course of action. I’m not just doing it for myself.

Promising children of warring clans in marriage to bring peace was an old practice. He himself had been raised with duty on his shoulders since he could walk. He knew his time to marry could well come sooner than he’d like, given his grandfather’s health was the reason for this trip. His best friend, Hugh, on the other hand, was not aware of his impending nuptials to Tess. Yet. He will accept it when he finds out. He was always tenderhearted even while training for the guard. He never wished harm on anyone. And he’s mentioned quite a few times of wanting a large family as a boy. A marriage could give him that.

A marriage would mean children. But now that Jamie was getting to know the lady, her marriage to one of his clansmen did not sit well with him. It’s not as if I could claim her, not with the danger I would bring to a marriage. Nay, Hugh is the safer option than Philanderer Evander. I simply must convince Hugh that this is the right thing to do for our clan.

He and his cousins knew the duty of securing peace for the clans for the next fifty years and more was their responsibility. Mayhap all would be well and Tess would fall in love with Hugh and they would hopefully be blessed with children to continue the peace. It had never been a burden to know the future . . . until now. If Hugh refused though? Jamie could not imagine the gentle yet fiery lady beside him wed to his first cousin. Evander was Jamie’s opposite in every way.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of To Win a Wager, plus print copies of To Catch a Coronet and To Kiss a Knight, and a bookmark!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 20, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 27, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

A Christmas Like This By: Jessica Kate

🎄🎄🎄🎄
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: A Christmas Like This
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: Jessica Kate
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: Falling For Flannel in Maple Lake #4
𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫: Sunrise Publishing
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Christian Contemporary Romance
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: October 20, 2026

🎄🎄🎄🎄

Review:

A Christmas Like This is the fourth book in the multi-author series Falling for Flannel, written by Jessica Kate. This story is the perfect read for all those Hallmark, small-town cozy Christmas readers. I could not put this book down.

Holly Evans is from Australia, living in the USA, trying to make her dreams of becoming a screenwriter a reality. When she gets the call that this pitch might be the one, if she can turn it into a Hallmark-style Christmas movie, Holly has to give it her all or change careers. Holly books her ticket and heads up to Maple Lake, Minnesota, to try and gather any Christmas spirit she can find. Joe Winters is the tourism consultant and is tasked with showing Holly around and selling Maple Lake as the perfect place to film the movie. Though it is clear that Holly has as much Christmas spirit as the Grinch, and Joe has as much as Buddy the elf. With Joe’s job on the line, this will be a serious task to overcome.

Holly is having a hard time writing the story while Joe is just trying to get her to be involved in all the Christmas things. From ice skating to Christmas cookies, there isn’t enough time on this tight deadline.

There are a lot of different family dynamics going on in this story. Lots of hush-hush family secrets that we get to uncover throughout. Watching the Winters family open up and work through things with each other was perfect. Though poor Joe, struggling through his ADHD, seems to have a hard time all around, I really felt for him.

This grumpy vs sunshine romance was the perfect level of cute, with kisses only. I loved all the different Aussie-ness sprinkled throughout, and the faith elements were the perfect addition to this Christmas rom-com.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from the author. A positive review was not required. All views expressed are my honest opinion.

The Sweetest Thing About You By: Alyssa Schwarz

T𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: The Sweetest Thing About You
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: Alyssa Schwarz
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: Falling For Flannel in Maple Lake #3
𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫: Sunrise Publishing
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Christian Contemporary Romance
Release 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: October 13, 2026

Review:

The Sweetest Thing About You is the third book in the multi-author Falling for Flannel series, written by Alyssa Schwarz. If you are looking for a cute, cozy fall small-town romance, this is the series for you.

Charlotte returns to Maple Lake to get away from city life and think things through after not getting the promotion. As a pastry chef, she is helping out at her aunt and uncle’s bakery. Trying to help them improve business, but everything seems to be going wrong. Wes returns home, and his father hands over the family carpentry business to the three sons. But Wes is having a hard time on the business side of things. When he is asked to help update the bakery, he offers to delay payment, to the detriment of his own family business.

Watching Charlotte and Wed work through their childhood hurts and develop as characters was great.

With the perfect meet-cute, this slow-burn romance was perfect and sweet.

Alyssa Schwarz did a great job intertwining faith throughout.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from the author. A positive review was not required. All views expressed are my honest opinion.

Giveaway and Review: Belle's Christmas Carol

 

About the Book

Book: Belle’s Christmas Carol

Author: Michelle Griep

Genre: Inspirational Historical Romance

Release Date: September 1, 2026

While all of London waits for snow, an orphanage in need holds holiday cheer, sparks of love, and secrets waiting to be discovered.

When Ebeneezer Scrooge’s former fiancée, Belle Beaumont, unexpectedly inherits a struggling London orphanage, she dreams of giving the children of Haven House the most splendid Christmas they’ve ever known. But her vision of snowflakes and merriment quickly collides with reality: Fire damage has rendered part of the building unsafe, and the paperwork is years behind.

Barrister Rafe Munro is fighting to clear an innocent man and searching for a child, who may be his relative. His pursuit leads him to Haven House, where Rafe offers to help Belle sort through the chaotic records that might lead to the missing child. Amid the mayhem of running an orphanage full of mischievous children and eccentric staff, will Belle and Rafe find love and the answers they seek this holiday season?

With characters from Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, this festive historical romance Christmas novella of family and second chances from Michelle Griep is set in Victorian England and perfect for fans of Julie Klassen and Mimi Matthews.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Michelle Griep is an award-winning author known for her captivating historical romances. With a keen eye for detail, she pens tales that transport readers to the past where they’ll experience romance, adventure, and unforgettable characters. When she’s not writing, you can find her in her garden scaring away armadillos.

 

 

 

 

More from Michelle

Why I Gave Scrooge’s Belle Her Own Christmas Carol

Guest post by Michelle Griep

I’ve always been suspicious of characters who appear just long enough to break your heart and then vanish without so much as a forwarding address. Belle from A Christmas Carol is one of those.

Scrooge, of course, gets the full treatment. Ghosts. Doom. Moral terror. A dramatic overnight transformation. Turkey delivery. The works. And yes, yes, it’s all very moving. But Belle? Come on. All she gets is one aching goodbye and then is shoved neatly into Scrooge’s past. So, excuse me, Mr. Dickens, but I have questions.

What became of the woman who loved Ebenezer before greed got to him? Did she regret walking away? Did Christmas ever sting? Did she build a fine, sensible life or did some little corner of her heart still ache for him or not? That wondering became Belle’s Christmas Carol.

In my story, Belle Beaumont unexpectedly inherits Haven House, a struggling London orphanage with fire damage, muddled ledgers, eccentric staff, and children who are more than rambunctious. Naturally, Belle decides she will set everything to rights and give the children the most splendid Christmas imaginable because—like me—apparently the woman has never heard of pacing herself.

Then along comes Rafe Munro, a handsome barrister searching for a missing child, and Belle’s tidy plans start to change. Oh, did I mention he’s single? That’s because I wanted Belle to be more than Scrooge’s lost love. I wanted her to have grit, flaws, hope, purpose, and a future all her own.

Because sometimes the story doesn’t end with goodbye. Sometimes that’s where the real story begins.

Review

Belle’s Christmas Carol by Michelle Griep is the perfect Christmas novella. I have never read a Christmas Carol, so after reading this, I am going to have to pull it out and read it this year. I loved the epigraph clips from Dickens’s A Christmas Carol.  

Belle is Ebenezer Scrooge’s ex-fiancée. She has recently inherited an orphanage and is trying to keep it running. Rafe Muno stumbles upon the orphanage in his search to clear a man’s name. While trying to find documents at the orphanage and spending more time with Belle, one of the orphans catches Rafe’s eye, and things begin to be uncovered.  

I love the way Micheel Griep has created this beautiful novella. With faith and Christmas elements interwoven throughout. This story might be short, but it was the perfect read.     

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from the author. A positive review was not required. All views expressed are my honest opinion.

Blog Stops

Where Faith and Books Meet, October 6

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 6

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions , October 7

The Avid Reader, October 7

She Lives To Read, October 7

Texas Book-aholic, October 8

Devoted To Hope, October 8

Betti Mace, October 9

Inkwell Inspirations , October 9

The Lofty Pages, October 9

For Him and My Family, October 10

Romances of the Cross, October 10

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 11

Jeanette’s Thoughts , October 11

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 12

The Vine and The Branch, October 12

Maureen’s Musings, October 13

Fruitfully Planted, October 13

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, October 13

Books You Can Feel Good About, October 14

Mornings at Character Cafe, October 14

Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 15

Simple Harvest Reads, October 15 (Guest Review from Donna)

Cover Lover Book Review, October 16

Mrs. Ryan Moser’s Book and Movie Reviews, October 16

Vicky Sluiter, October 16

Devoted Steps, October 17

Lily’s Corner, October 17

Holly’s Book Corner, October 18

Mary Hake, October 18

Blossoms and Blessings, October 19

Pause for Tales, October 19

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Michelle is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/KNJXt/belles-christmas-carol-celebration-tour-giveaway