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Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Giveaway and Excerpt: The Escape Game by Gina Holder
Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Escape Game by Gina Holder, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Title: The Escape Game
Series: The Game Masters
Author: Gina Holder
Publisher: Scrivenings Press
Release Date: May 5, 2026
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Twenty years ago, the world’s leading enigmatologist disappeared, leaving behind a cipher no one could solve… not without his journal.
Puzzle shop owner Demi Kayne has spent twenty years hoping her father would return home. When she discovers his hidden journal, she finally uncovers the clue she’s been waiting for—but it leads somewhere far more dangerous than she imagined.
Liam Shepherd, a missionary and escape-room enthusiast, is searching for answers of his own. His sister has vanished without a trace, and the trail of clues leads him straight to Demi—and the secrets hidden in her father’s journal.
Their search brings them to the eerie Ives Mansion, where its brilliant and reclusive owner has designed a deadly challenge. Once inside, Demi and Liam realize they’re no longer guests.
They’re players.
Trapped inside a twisted real-life mystery game, they must solve a series of lethal riddles before time runs out. Each puzzle brings them closer to the truth about Demi’s missing father and Liam’s sister —but also deeper into a carefully crafted game where the stakes are far higher than they're ready to face.
With the clock ticking and lives hanging in the balance, Demi and Liam must confront their fears, their pasts, and the faith that may be their only hope of escape.
In this gripping Christian suspense novel, every clue matters—and every mistake could be fatal.
Can Demi and Liam solve the final puzzle before the game ends…or will the escape room become their tomb?
Perfect for fans of Lynette Eason, Dani Pettrey, and Irene Hannon who enjoy puzzle-driven Christian suspense filled with danger, secrets, and faith under fire.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub
More in This Series
About the Author
Gina Holder is a Christian award-winning author of romantic suspense and cozy mysteries filled with faith, intrigue, danger, romance, and epic twists you'll never see coming.
She’s had an infatuation with books for as long as she can remember. She loves sharing uplifting messages from God’s Word and introducing readers to new and new-to-them authors on her blog. When she’s not writing, Gina enjoys playing the piano, cooking, reading, watching Hallmark mysteries, and solving “escape room” puzzles. She loves growing in her craft as an author.She published her debut novel, Whither Shall I Go, in 2017, marking the beginning of her writing career. Her works often weave themes of faith, redemption, and forgiveness, aiming to inspire readers with uplifting messages rooted in Biblical principles.
Gina is also an active member of the Christian readers and writers community and is involved in the writing community through her blog, where she shares insights, interviews, and book reviews.
Her first traditionally published novel released in June 2025 with Scrivenings Press LLC, after winning their ""GetPubbed"" contest's grand prize.
Gina lives in Wyoming with her husband and daughter.
Connect with Gina by visiting storiesbygina.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.
Excerpt
“I found something.” In a heartbeat, Liam crouched beside her. “What? Where?”
She pointed at the numbers, whipped through the possibilities, then matched each letter to its corresponding number.
“G—N—I—T—N—I—A—P—E—H—T—D—N—I—H— E—B. Behind the painting.”
Liam blinked, eyes wide. “That was fast. How did you do that?”
“It was a simple A1Z26 cipher.”
“Sure, but how did you recognize it so quickly?”
Demi stood and faced the elderly gentleman’s portrait above them, popping her shoulder. “Dad and I spent a lot of time working through puzzles and riddles. I’m familiar with most types of ciphers, and my IQ is …” She let her words drift off. He didn’t need to know that. “Let’s put it this way. My IQ would make Einstein jealous.”
Liam covered his mouth and coughed. The space around his collar flushed. “Impressive.” “Sorry. I don’t mean to sound arrogant. You asked.”
“That should make escaping the Mystery House a breeze.” He gripped the edge of the frame. “Sorry, sir, for the intrusion.”
The portrait swung outward on invisible hinges.
Something clicked, and a burst of air whooshed past her cheek. A sharp sting pricked her skin. Her hand flew to her face.
Thunk!
Three darts embedded in the wall across the room.
She lowered her wet palm. Blood. Her leg strength threatened to give way. Dread washed over her like ice floes on the Great Lakes. Her lungs seized, and her voice squeaked.
“This isn’t a game.”
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will receive a $50 gift card and a copy of The Escape Game (eBook or paperback, Winner's Choice)!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 5, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 12, 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.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
Friday, May 1, 2026
Giveaway and Review: A Child to Bind Them by: Donna Gartshore
Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for A Child to Bind Them by Donna Gartshore, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Title: A Child to Bind Them
Author: Donna Gartshore
Publisher: Love Inspired
Release Date: April 28, 2026
Genre: Inspirational Romance
Can one little girl…
Heal wounds from the past?
Landing a contractor job at New Hope Ranch finally allows Mitch Cooper to give his daughter, Gemma—who has a developmental delay—a stable home…if he can find reliable childcare. But when therapy horse trainer Aubrey Simpson eagerly offers to look after the three-year-old, Mitch finds himself hesitant to agree. Realizing Gemma is the baby she gave up for adoption, Aubrey will do anything to help the little girl—even spend time with her cautious father. But as unexpected feelings grow, will Aubrey reveal the truth…and risk her newfound family?
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Harlequin.com | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop | BookBub
Also Available
About the Author
Publishers Weekly best selling author Donna Gartshore lives in Saskatchewan, Canada. Donna is so grateful to be able to tell stories of faith, hope and second chances for Love Inspired. She also writes devotionals and the occasional poem or short story. Donna loves time with her family, personal and group Bible study, long chats with friends over dinner or coffee and engaging in discussions about books and writing with her local and online writing communities.
Review
A Child to Bind Them is the first book I have read written by Donna Gartshore, and I look forward to reading more. This story was such a great heart-warming read, full of second chances.
Mitch and his ex-wife adopted Gemma, but when things get hard, she leaves Mitch as a single dad. Doing everything he can to protect Gemma, he finds a job at a Ranch, where his family members have a bad reputation. The ranch owners are willing to take a chance on Mitch. Even making accommodation for his little girl.
Aubrey works at the ranch as well. When she lays eyes on Gemma, she instantly knows who she is, the baby girl she gave up for adoption three years ago. Struggling to keep her heart safe but also taking the opportunity that God has placed before her, Aubrey finds herself volunteering to take care of Gemma while Mitch is working at the ranch.
Aubrey and Mitch work together to give Gemma a safe place and help her work through some of her developmental delays. The more time they spend, the more their attraction grows, but this secret about who Gemma’s mother is holding Aubrey back. Mitch’s bad family ties are holding him back from relationships. Watching them both work through these struggles was heartwarming. I was rooting for them both.
This story had faith elements sprinkled throughout.
This second-chance romance is perfect and sweet with kisses only.
*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 only my honest opinion.
Tour Giveaway
(3) winners will each receive a print copy of A Child to Bind Them and The Rancher's Prayer!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 28, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 5, 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/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Giveaway and Review: His Ranch Redemption by: Laurie Winter
Welcome to the Blog Tour for His Ranch Redemption by Laurie Winter, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Title: His Ranch Redemption
Series: Fern Hollow #1
Author: Laurie Winter
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming
Release Date: April 28, 2026
Genre: Sweet Contemporary Romance
He was her first love…
Can he be her forever?
Widowed Sarah Carmella has a wonderful daughter and fulfilling work running her grandparents’ horse rescue. So there’s absolutely no reason for regrets and what-ifs when her ex-husband, Pete O’Keefe, arrives in town for a mutual friend’s wedding. She and Pete eloped young, then went their separate ways when tragedy struck. But memories of their whirlwind romance and Pete’s charm have Sarah fearing for her heart. Because Pete would never settle down in tiny Fern Hollow. Fresh out of the army, he already has another job chasing danger lined up. Yet, could falling for each other all over again become the adventure they both need?
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Harlequin.com | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub
Also Available
About the Author
Multiple award-winning author Laurie Winter creates authentic characters who overcome the odds to find true love. She keeps her life balanced with jogging and binge-watching true-crime shows. Laurie enjoys time with her family and two dogs, all of who inspire her every day.
Connect with Laurie at lauriewinter.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.Review
His Ranch Redemption is the first book I have read by Laurie Winter. It was a fun read.
Pete could never stay in one place. He is always hunting down adventure. When Pete and Sarah eloped as teens right before Pete went off to basic training, everything seemed to fall apart then Sarah’s parents heavily encouraged her to get an annulment. Sarah was alone and lost their baby. Years have passed, and Sarah remarried. Her husband has passed away. Sarah is raising her daughter on her own while trying to keep her grandparents’ horse rescue afloat. When Pete shows up for a mutual friend’s wedding, Sarah and Pete find themselves working through their past, healing old wounds. Pete helps bring social media attention to the horse rescue and helps them meet funding goals. But at the end of Pete’s time, he must decide to go on to the next adventure or give his heart a second chance.
This second-chance romance was perfect and sweet with kisses only.
*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 only my honest opinion.
Tour Giveaway
(2) winners will each receive a $20 Amazon gift card and a His Ranch Redemption custom premium candle!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 29, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 6, 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.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
Friday, April 24, 2026
The Homestead Sourdough Cookbook by Georgia Varozza
The Homestead Sourdough Cookbook is a great cookbook. There are so many great recipes, I am excited to try out all the different ones. Yesterday I made the soft sandwich bread, and it was a hit with my family. It turned out perfectly.
I love that this cookbook has a section on getting started because sourdough can be tricky. I was very excited about the variety of recipes, from breads, biscuits, bagels, rolls, muffins, cookies, pancakes, pizza, pretzels, and even fried fish and more. With over 100 recipes, this cookbook will keep me busy while I continue to try to master sourdough baking. The recipes are fairly easy to follow. The only downside is that you are one who enjoys pictures of the final product; this would not be the cookbook for you. There are simple, drawn pictures, but no photographs.
*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 only my honest opinion.
Giveaway and Review: Pieces of April by: Jennifer Lynn Cary
About the Book
Book: Pieces of April: A Sweet, Quirky, Romantic Puzzle
Author: Jennifer Lynn Cary
Genre: Sweet, Clean Romantic Comedy
Release Date: January 20, 2026
She’s trying to move beyond her past…
…He wants to know who he was.
Will combining their pieces risk erasing their future together?
April Mathers wants to move forward. She can’t undo her impulsive high school blunder, so she keeps her head down, works hard, and prays for that long-awaited promotion. She’s cautious—even about the friends she chooses.
Then her next-door neighbor sublets her apartment to the one person capable of blowing up April’s world by repeating words that once shattered her.
Except he doesn’t remember saying them.
In fact, he doesn’t remember her.
Viet Nam vet Paul Romer has returned home hoping a support group can help him make peace with his permanent amnesia. All he has from before are flashes of a girl.
Then he finds her.
She lives next door.
And she definitely knows something—something not good.
Their chemistry is real, the tension tangled, and the secret between them is as stable as six-inch platform shoes. When the truth comes out, will it destroy their fragile beginning, or give them a future worth remembering?
Return to 1974 Kokomo, Indiana, where faith, love, and a legendary cardinal in a sycamore tree might fit the pieces into place.
You’ll swoon for this sweet, quirky, romantic tale of second chances, because sometimes sharing all those pieces of your heart is the only way to put it back together.
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Historical Christian Romance author and three-time Selah Award nominee, Jennifer Lynn Cary, likes to say you can take the girl out of Indiana, but you can’t take the Hoosier out of the girl. Now transplanted to the Arizona desert, this direct descendant of Davy Crockett and her husband of forty-plus years enjoy time with family where she shares tales of her small-town heritage and family legacies with their grandchildren. She is the author of The Crockett Chronicles series, The Relentless series, and The Weather Girls trilogy, as well as the stand-alone novel, Cheryl’s Going Home, her novella Tales of the Hob Nob Annex Café, and her split-time novels The Traveling Prayer Shawl and The Forgotten Gratitude Journal. Her current spin-off series, The Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue, contains standalones with a common thread.
More from Jennifer
Ever have one of those songs that you’ve loved for a long time and then you discover someone else covered the song? As a general rule, I tend to like the first version better. It’s familiar and often brings up good memories.
However, (you knew there was a however coming, right?) I discovered a different version of “Pieces of April” solely by accident. And it was done by the guy who wrote the song, Dave Loggins. Three Dog Night’s version is great. Chuck Negron did some of his best work on that track. But Dave Loggins’s version touched me in a new way.
So, I did some investigating. For one thing, I wanted to know what the song was about. Was there really an April? Or was it just a play on words?
Turns out, there was an April. And that Dave Loggins enjoyed interacting with fans online. So he’d written that he and April (the girlfriend) had a relationship for three Aprils (meaning the month) before they broke up. He missed her and wrote the song for her and it was one of his favorites that he’d written.
However, (you should’ve known this one was coming 😉) Dave passe away in 2024 so I didn’t get to ask him any more questions.
As I was putting this series together, I listed all the rock and roll songs I could think of from 1960 to the early 1970s that had girls’ names in the titles. Then I grouped them for similarity in beat and title words. When I came to “Pieces of April”, I immediately knew it would have to be an amnesia story. I started it out as a young married couple who ends up going through this but it wasn’t working. I struggled a lot trying to rework what I’d been musing on for months and the funny thing is, once I got past chapter five, things started happening. I’m not a plotter but I’m not a pure pansters/discovery writer either. But this book was a lot of discovery for me and how the threads all got tied up, that’s a God thing. .
Review
Pieces of April by Jennifer Lynn Cary was a fun story, and I enjoyed returning to Kokomo. This is the 9th book in the Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue series, though it can be read as a standalone.
April has quite the go of things. From running out of gas to spraining her hand and then breaking the same hand soon after. When her new neighbor is none other than Paul, a boy whose life she destroyed, trying to find forgiveness is a hard thing. When April chooses to forgive someone who hurt her, she gets to see the other side.
Paul has gone through his own struggles. After an army injury, he returns home, missing his memory. Then Paul decides to return to his childhood hometown. Something has happened here, but he doesn’t remember. When he meets April, he recognizes her, but doesn’t know what the connection is. As they get to know each other, Paul doesn’t want to know what happens. Trying to work through forgiveness, but can we really forgive if we don’t know what happened? These two find themselves falling for each other, despite their past.
Jennifer Lynn Cary did a great job intertwining faith in this 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 only my honest opinion.
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, April 14
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 15
Inspired by Fiction, April 16
Leslie’s Library Escape, April 17
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, April 18 (Author Interview)
Pause for Tales, April 18
Texas Book-aholic, April 19
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 20
She Lives To Read, April 21
Books, Books, and More Books, April 22 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, April 23
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, April 24 (Author Interview)
Mrs. Ryan Moser’s Book and Movie Reviews, April 24
Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, April 25
Life on Chickadee Lane, April 26
Books Less Travelled, April 27 (Author Interview)
To celebrate her tour, Jennifer is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and an eBook 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/8J97u/pieces-of-april-celebration-tour-giveawayBlog Stops
Giveaway
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Giveaway and Review: Escape to Passignano by: Normandie Fischer
Welcome to the Blog Tour for Escape to Passignano by Normandie Fischer, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Title: Escape to Passignano
Series: Carolina Coast Stories
Author: Normandie Fischer
Publisher: Sleepy Creek Press
Release Date: March 31, 2026
Genre: Christian Women's Fiction
Can dreams be trusted when life feels like a nightmare?
Sophia chose to honor her deceased husband’s wishes by visiting his hometown of Passignano sul Trasimeno in the Umbrian region of Italy. She’s trying to find the peace he promised, really she is, while she studies his language and sips caffè with a view of mountains and lake. Only, things begin to happen involving a red-haired child who speaks of things she cannot know—and the child’s father whose very presence challenges that peace.
Dr. Luca Moretti still wrestles with guilt three years after the death of his wife and older children. Overwhelmed by grief, Luca gave the care of his toddler daughter, Noemi, to his sister. It was supposed to be temporary; it wasn’t. Now, Luca wants Noemi back.
When his sister flees, taking Noemi into hiding, Sophia joins forces with a desperate Luca to piece together dreams and voices and supernatural nudges to retrace Noemi’s steps. It’s going to take trust, though, something in short supply for both Luca and Sophia. They’ll have to learn to trust in one another, and, more importantly, to trust in God—that a God who would allow such pain really does mean to work it all out for good. For Noemi. For the two of them. And for a troubled woman from North Carolina who enters their orbit with her own demons, demons God uses—and dispels—as He wills.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub
More in This Series
About the Author
Normandie Fischer had the best of several worlds: a Southern heritage, access to schooling in the DC area (which meant lots of cultural adventures), and several years of sculpture studies in Italy. It might have been better for her if she'd used all these opportunities more wisely, but it's possible that the imperfect and the unwise also add fodder for the artist and the writer.
She writes Christian and Southern fiction as well as romantic suspense from her waterfront base in coastal North Carolina, where she lives with her husband, their two dogs, and a once-feral cat. If only her children and grandchildren lived within hailing distance, life would be just about perfect.Connect with Normandie by visiting normandiefischer.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.
Review
Escape to Passignano is the first book I have read written by Normandie Fischer. This is book 7 in the Carolina Coast series, though I did read it as a standalone and had no issues following along.
There are many layers to this story, which kept me guessing throughout. Sophia has recently lost her husband and has moved to Italy to be close to his family and spend some time where her husband grew up. Finding some healing while also drawing close to God.
Luca is a doctor and is dealing with the death of his wife and his children. While trying to process it all, he gives custody of his remaining daughter to his sister. Now years have passed, and he is trying to get custody back, but his sister has taken his daughter and hidden. Luca is searching, and Sophia is helping him figure out where the sister might be hiding. While working together, they also begin to have feelings for one another.
Deborah is convinced her husband is having an affair, so she has left to enjoy Italy on her own. Along the way, she has found herself also cheating on her husband. What a mess Deborah finds herself in when she has a contract and an STD, as well as having a horrible accident, and finds herself in the hospital needing long-term care due to the injury. There are many layers to Deborah. Working through the forgiveness and rebuilding of her family.
Normandie Fischer did a great job of 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 only my honest opinion.
Tour Giveaway
(2) winners will each receive three books of their choice by Normandie Fischer!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 20, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 27, 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.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
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