Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Skeltons We Find By: Chelsea Michelle


𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Skeltons We Find
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: Chelsea Michelle
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Cozy Christian Mystery
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: Watson Twins Mystery # 2
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: June 19, 2026

𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:

Skeltons We Find is the second book in the Watson Twins Mysteries. If you love a great cozy mystery, then you don’t want to miss this story. You will find yourself laughing, rooting for the characters, and trying to figure out who might have done it, and it will keep you on the edge of your seat.

After Nate has been through the wringer in the last book, losing his stepdad and being accused of murdering him. The friendship between Nate and the twins has grown. Nate is turning one of his stepfather’s houses into a single mother’s home. But as they start construction, Chelsea finds a skeleton. The investigation is underway. Through the investigation, lots of things are unearthed. Michelle keeps getting into trouble.

Michelle and Chelsea are at odds, and the thing coming between them is their relationship. Michelle’s boyfriend is not a Christian, and Chelsea is concerned for her.  

Chelsea Michelle did a fantastic job intertwining faith elements 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 only my honest opinion. 

Don't Cross the Blue Line By: Susan May Warren and Sarah May Warren

Happy Release Day!

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Don't Cross the Blue Line
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: Susan May Warren and Sarah May Warren
𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫: Sunrise Publishing
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: The Blue Ox Boys #2
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Contemporary Romance

Book Review:

If you love clean hockey romance with a side of suspense, you have found your next story. Don’t Cross the Blue Line is book two in the Blue Ox Boys series by Susan May Warren and Sarah May Warren. This book can be read as a standalone. This book has a lot of internal dialogue for the Main characters, and it's almost like the characters are talking to the reader, which brought a different dynamic to this story; it was unique.

The FMC, Everly, is an author. She writes under two different pen names-one for her thrillers and one for her hockey romance. Throughout the story, we get to read clips of her story, which adds a fun dynamic. Everly has a lot of issues she is dealing with. The divorce of her parents as a teen and the struggle between jockeying for attention between her father and Bensen. So, when Everly and Bensen have a meet-cute in an elevator during a storm and end up stuck in there, secrets get released. Bensen does not know that he is talking to Everly, but rather the author’s assistant, but Everly figures out who it is at the end.

The MMC Bensen is trying to find himself and overcome doping allegations. He has had a hard time with things- the death of his father at a young age, trying to live up to the hockey legacy expectations, and more. Bensen has some secrets, and one of them is his love for hockey romance, and Everly, or Sutton Blake as she goes by, is his favorite author. But that is not where this story ends. We find out the root of the doping allegations. And when another snowstorm hits Minnesota, and Everly and Bensen get locked in a mall together, they find themselves running from some bad characters.

Each layer of this story brought me something different that I was not expecting. I enjoyed this story a lot.

This enemies-to-lovers romance was perfect and sweet with kisses only. Susan and Sarah did a great job intertwining faith elements 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.

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

A Whole New Plan by: Denise M. Colby


𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: A Whole New Plan
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: Denise M. Colby
𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫: Scrivenings Press
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: May 27, 2026
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Historical Fiction

A Whole New Plan is the fourth book in the Best-laid Plans series by Denise M. Colby. It could be enjoyed as a standalone without missing too much, though there are some overlapping characters from previous stories.

This historical fiction was a fun read. I loved having the elements of the small western town of Washton, but also adventuring to the city of Cincinnati. Lydia is an independent woman. She has come to Washton for the wedding of her friend and to be the new schoolteacher, and also on assignment from the Pinkerton detective agency to try to catch the crime boss. Though there are some mysteries in Washton to uncover. When things start to go missing. Will and Lydia uncover the culprit with some help from everyone’s favorite rooster, Bert.

Lydia must return to Cincinnati to bring back important information she has gathered. Will steps in to escort her back, and things begin to move forward in their friendship. Though there are a few walls to break down before their relationship can truly move forward. This book had me laughing and rooting for the characters. It was a pleasure returning to Washton and learning more about the Pinkerton detective. This opposites-attract romance was perfect.

Denise M. Colby 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. 

Friday, June 19, 2026

Giveaway and Spotlight: Rendezvous ’26 Blog Tour

Read Write Rendezvous '26 JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour that brings Rendezvous 2026 to you, hosted, sponsored, and organized by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Bringing Rendezvous '26 to You!

Rendezvous: reader and writer gathering November 7, 2026 
Holiday Inn Nashville Airport

Readers and Writers will gather at the fourth annual Read Write Rendezvous, organized and sponsored by JustRead Publicity Tours, LLC, on November 7, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT at the Holiday Inn Nashville Airport. Rendezvous celebrates Christian fiction and sweet reads, featuring corporate worship, speaker sessions, author panels, small-group discussions, games, giveaways, a pop-up bookshop, and book signings. This event aims to sweeten reading and storytelling experiences with fellowship and encouragement. Over forty featured authors are participating, including The Christy Award Hall of Fame and bestselling author Tamera Alexander who will deliver the keynote address. USA Today and top ten Publishers Weekly bestselling author Lisa Phillips will lead worship. We will announce several more authors in the coming weeks! We prayerfully honor the legacy of the Christian Fiction Readers Retreat through each Rendezvous event, and this year we are especially celebrating the very first CFRR which was held 10 years ago in Nashville. Rendezvous is open only to registered attendees. Want to extend your reader getaway? The Christy Award Gala and Art of Writing conference will be held at a nearby venue on November 6.

Learn more about the 2026 Rendezvous

If you're unable to attend Rendezvous this year, we don't want you to miss out on getting to know our authors and their books. Our bloggers are bringing Rendezvous to you by spotlighting several of the participating authors this week. Follow along to grow your TBR list to astronomical proportions!  

Check out recent releases by these participating authors in the JustRead Amazon Storefront.


Author Spotlight: Sarah Hanks

Sarah Hanks is a multi-award-winning author of split-time Christian fiction. Her background in teaching and children’s ministry prepared her for exercising her creativity as a writer, now her full-time job. She and her husband have ten children, a couple of whom seem to have inherited their mother’s love for playing with words and crafting stories. Though Sarah dreams of a cabin by the beach, the family lives jammed together in beautiful chaos near St. Louis, Missouri. She buys earplugs in bulk.

Excerpt

“Smile, Everly. It’s not a funeral.” Ivy’s cheery tone masks the lapse of judgment in choosing her words. No, this isn’t a funeral. We’ve already checked that one off our list for the month.

The handles of the blue paper bag weigh heavy in my hand as I fidget beside Ivy. Can I drop off the gift and leave? Snuggling on my sofa with Zach and watching a good documentary would prove far more pleasant than torturing myself like this. But my sister and I came together. And she drove.

Like a spring breeze, her hand flutters to the doorbell. A chipper sound follows.

The door swings open, and our cousin Jessica’s glowing face greets us. “Everly, Ivy, hello.” She steps back and gestures for us to enter. “You could have just come in.”

She speaks of a familiarity that does not exist. I haven’t seen Jessica in half a decade, if not more. I’ve never not rung the bell.

We’re three steps inside when I thrust the bag toward her like it’s a dirty diaper she needs to trash. The sooner I can rid myself of it, the better, but Jessica makes no move to alleviate my burden.

Ivy shifts beside me. “Where do we put the gifts?” She waggles a narrow box in front of her. The pristine wrapping and perfectly placed bow fit my sister in every way.

“Oh.” Jessica waves the presents off as if there was no need to bring gifts to her baby shower. “There’s a table over there.” She nods to the corner where a blue-boxed pyramid stands.

“Thanks. You look beautiful, by the way.” Ivy leans in and kisses Jessica on the cheek.

Manners. Of course. It’s hard to think with the whooshing in my ears. I shouldn’t have come. I’m in no state to make polite conversation, much less participate in this celebration. Will there be games? Oh, Lord. Please, no games.

I suck in a breath and force out the expected words. “Yes, beautiful. How are you feeling?”

She chuckles. “Oh, you know, pregnant.”

Ivy laughs. The words you know swirl in my gut like dirty water down a drain. I can’t make myself laugh, but I manage not to wince. Where are the refreshments? I need something to wash down all the words I’ll never say.

Jessica walks with us to the gift table. The bag I brought snags on my ring as I set it down. It clings to me, and the whole table rustles as I attempt to shake it free. Heads swivel in my direction. Great. I’m making a scene.

Ivy gently twists the bag’s ribbon handle, rendering my hand weightless. Her eyes say, Really, Everly? She doesn’t understand. She can’t. I hope she never will.


If you enjoyed reading this excerpt from Whatever It Takes by Sarah Hanks you can purchase a copy of the book on Amazon.


Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $30 gift card (winner’s choice of Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Christianbook, or Baker Book House)!

Rendezvous '26 blog tour giveaway JustRead Tours

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight June 15, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 22, 2026. Winners 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


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

JustRead Publicity Tours

Thursday, June 18, 2026

The Lost Story of Via Belle By: Melanie Dobson


𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: The Lost Story of Via Belle
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: Melanie Dobson
𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫: Tyndale House
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: April 14, 2026
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Historical Fiction

Do you love dual timeline stories with mystery, suspense, and faith? Then this is the story for you. The Lost Story of Via Belle is the first book I have read written by Melanie Dobson, and I am so excited to read more of her stories.

This is a dual timeline story set in 1940 and 2006. In 1940, Olivia, who is a writer and goes by the pen name Via Belle, is trying to get back into the rhythm of writing after the death of her husband. After a speaking engagement at the college, she runs into Simon. Simon pursues Olivia, and they seem to have a lot in common-or so it would seem. As the story unravels, there are many layers to this story. I won’t give anything away, but it is perfection.

In 2006, Harper was a screenwriter trying to break into the industry. After the death of her mother, she is having a hard go of it. She returns to her mother’s hometown to spend some time at her “aunt’s” house. While there, she remembers that her mother’s favorite author, Via Belle, is from the town. As she researches Via Belle, she uncovers some of her hidden past and what really happened to the disappearance of Via Belle.

This story had such a great storyline, and I loved that both characters were writers. The intertwining storyline hooked me, and I was ready to uncover the mystery of Via Belle.

*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. 

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

The Stained Glass Window By: Crystal Walton


𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: The Stained Glass Window
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: Crystal Walton
𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫: Impact Editions, LLC
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: Love in Willow Creek #5
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: May 18, 2026
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Contemporary Christian Romance

The Stained Glass Window is the fifth book in the Love in Willow Creek series by Crystal Walton. Though I read this as a standalone, I did feel like I was missing a lot going on in the story, as there are a lot of overlapping characters. So, I would recommend starting with book 1 in the series. I am going to go back and read the other books for a fuller story.

This Christian suspense was a fun read, and I enjoyed the story. Shelly is trying to become a flight nurse, but with an open investigation against the doctor she works with, her dream job is on hold. So she begins to help with a home nurse for Clayton Briggs, who is trying to find purpose after an IED ended his military career and is recovering from a climbing fall. This story had a lot of action and suspense, keeping me on my toes. The character development was great.

The romance had lots of flirty banter with kisses only.

The faith element was intertwined 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.

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Guardian by Jennifer Chastain


𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Guardian
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: Jennifer Chastain
𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫: Sunrise Publishing
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Romantic Suspense Fiction
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: Heroes of Renegade
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: June 16, 2026

𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:

Guardian is book four in the Heroes of Renegade series, and each book has been amazing. This is a multiauthor series, but each story flows together perfectly. This is the first book I have read written by Jennifer Chastain. Each story can be read as a standalone without missing too much. There are some crossover characters that we get to touch base with, and 22 has been fun to catch up with those characters. This book had me on the edge of my seat and staying up way too late to finish it.

Ethan Butler is a US Marshall. He just got back from being on leave, while also being on a secret mission to try to figure out some things. Aubrey works in the Marshall office, and as a former person in witness protection, she knows some things, and her past always seems to be lurking behind her.

When a downed US Marshals prisoner transport plane shows up in the forest near Renegade, strange things start to happen. And that is when Aubrey seems to be the target. Ethan is there to help her out. Aubrey has a lot to unpack from her past trauma.

This co-worker's romance was kisses only.

Jennifer Chastain did a great job intertwining faith elements 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 only my honest opinion.