Giveaway and Spotlight: Survival Secrets by Lana Christian

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Survival Secrets by Lana Christian, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Survival Secrets 
Series: The Magi's Encounters #2 
Author: Lana Christian 
Publisher: Scrivenings Press 
Release Date: September 23, 2025 
Genre: biblical fiction

On the run from Herod and the Nabataeans, Akilah makes a desperate decision to venture into the unforgiving Wilderness of Paran. To reach Egypt’s safety, his caravan must survive the elements while maintaining their anonymity and protecting the secrets they harbor. Their knowledge of Yeshua is one of many secrets that jeopardize their lives. When calamity tears one Wise Man away from the others, the group’s resolve and newfound faith start to crumble. Farther from their goal of returning to Persia than ever before, they encounter Yeshua’s family again. Its ramifications raise the stakes for their cost of belief in the Hebrew God. 

Two thousand miles away, Akilah’s estranged cousin, Farzaneh, wrestles with the same as she tries to uncover secrets her husband took to the grave when he embraced the Hebrew faith. As life shifts radically for everyone, each person must risk trusting an unfathomable, sovereign God.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

More in This Series

---

About the Author

Lana Christian is an award-winning author in business and creative writing. Since 2021, she has won a dozen awards for her biblical fiction and nonfiction. Her debut biblical fiction novel, "New Star," has garnered six awards to date. She was a 2025 Selah Awards finalist in the Devotions Online category and also won an award from Baker Publishing Group for her short story about Lot. Lana is a science and history geek who loves hiking, secret staircases, and masala chai tea. Her greatest desire is that her stories will immerse readers in another place and time they may know little about but come away with an experience that exceeds their expectations.

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

---

Excerpt

Middle of Chapter 11: Digging for Answers

(CONTEXT: Akilah’s estranged cousin, Farzaneh, helped finance Akilah’s trip to Jerusalem to look for Yeshua. Farzaneh is recently widowed, and part of her task in atending to her husband’s final wishes is to find a Levite in Arbela (capital of Adiabene) to deliver something to him. Farzaneh has recently become a God-fearer, as did her husband late in life, so she’s wrestling with her new faith—which is countercultural to Persia’s official religion. In this scene, Farzaneh is talking to Elyakim, the Levite, about the writings of Isaiah.)

Elyakim’s face lit with a warmth that seemed to rise from the bottom of his heart. “Ah, Isaiah. Court official to four kings. Devoted to speaking Adonai’s words. Wept when our people didn’t heed him. Yes, he wrote many important things about Israel’s past, present, and future.”

He steepled his fingers and pressed them to his lips. “But perhaps his most profound passages are his predictions of the birth of a child who would also be born an eternal king. One who would be the Savior of the world.”

A stone dropped in Farzaneh’s stomach. Ignoring all customs and formality, she reached for Elyakim’s arm. Realizing the error of her impulsive action, she drew back. “My cousin Akilah who serves in Persia’s Magi society saw a star that he believed heralded the child’s birth. He risked his reputation and more to find the child. I … helped him finance his trip.”

Elyakim’s eyes widened. “Did he succeed?”

“I don’t know. No one has heard from him since he left.”

Elyakim’s ample hands gripped his knees. “My dear, I don’t mean to cause you distress, but he is in grave danger.”

“What do you mean?”

“More than seven hundred years ago, Isaiah prophesied Adonai would give a miraculous sign of His love when a virgin would give birth to a son and call him Immanuel—meaning ‘God with us.’ Isaiah further described the child as Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. An eternal ruler of a government without end. Imagine how audacious—and threatening—that would sound to anyone in power. Especially if it came true.”

“Do you think it has?”

“According to our prophets’ predictions, the time is right. Consider what any ruler would do if he thought he and his kingdom would be replaced by another—forever. He would justify any means necessary to snuff out that child’s life—and the lives of all who knew of the child.”

---

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $15 Amazon gift card + Plum Deluxe tea sampler*

(1) winner will receive a $15 Amazon gift card

*tea sampler will include a packet of each of the following Plum Deluxe teas: No Obligations Decaf (a hazelnut almond black tea and author's fave) Comfort Blend Cinnamon Orange black tea (caffeine) Magical Butterfly Herbal tea (butterfly pea flower + berries) (a close substitution may be made if one kind of tea is not available)

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 29, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 3, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

---

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

Giveaway and Spotlight The Sweetheart Deal by Lenora Worth

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Sweetheart Deal by Lenora Worth, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Sweetheart Deal 
Author: Lenora Worth 
Publisher: Independently Published 
Release Date: September 10, 2025 
Genre: Sweet Cozy Romance

"One day I’m going to marry you..." 

Jake Harper had said those words to Vanessa Conroy since kindergarten, but after watching her parents’ bitter divorce and living with her mother’s devastation, Vanessa made a promise to herself—she’s never getting married. She’ll stay single and pursue her dream of being a ready-to-wear fashion designer. 

In high school, Vanessa dated and broke up with every bad boy in the book, while Jake remained her consistent buddy. He was her wingman, her best friend, her go-to person for special occasions, but she held him at a distance. Why ruin a wonderful friendship? On the night of their final prom, Jake takes a risk and kisses her. Stunned by how right it feels, Vanessa rashly blurts out a deal: if they’re still single at thirty, maybe she’ll marry him. 

 Now, thirteen years later, they’re back in Sweetheart Bay to be part of her sister’s wedding. And they’re both still single at thirty. Vanessa begins to see Jake in a new, more romantic light, but Jake, a successful architect living in California, hasn’t said a word about their old pact. 

As family drama bubbles and old feelings resurface, Vanessa must face the one possibility she’s always run from: what if her true love has been standing beside her all along? Can she and Jake find their happily-ever-after back on Sweetheart Bay?  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

---

About the Author

A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Honor Roll, Lenora Worth writes romance and romantic suspense for Love Inspired, sweet romance for Tule Publishing, and single-title Amish stories for Kensington Books. Three of her books finaled in the ACFW Carol Awards, and she received the Romantic Times Pioneer Award for Inspirational Fiction. Lenora is a NY Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and ECPA bestselling writer and a 2019 RWA RITA® Finalist. With one-hundred-plus books and novellas published and 5.3 million books in print, she enjoys adventures with her retired husband and loves reading, baking, and shopping … especially shoe shopping.

Go to lenoraworth.com to sign up for Lenora’s newsletter and find her book list and upcoming releases.

---

Excerpt

Kindergarten…

"I'm gonna marry you one day, Vanessa Conroy," five-year-old Jake Harper declared as he chased her in the Kinder-Kids play yard across from Sweetheart Bay. He wouldn't realize until later that growing up on a big bay in Florida had a certain amount of cool mixed with charm. His dad had told him they'd survived the nineties, but Jake was now a big boy in the year 2000, so off to school he went. Jake took that to mean he needed to make marriage plans and soon. But then, his dad had lived for decades, according to his always in a mood older sister, Leah. Whatever a decade was.

Right now, Jake had a lot on his mind. He liked the idea of being with his girl all day. Wasn't so sure about sharing his Mario-decorated bedroom yet, but he'd work on that. Dad seemed to like Mom a lot and they were together all the time. He did have his own bunk bed, and he was willing to give Vanessa the top bunk.

"No, you are not going to marry me," Vanessa shouted over her shoulder, her strawberry blonde ponytail shaking with denial and indignation. "I'm never getting married. I'm going to leave Florida and go to New York City."

"That's a million miles away," Jake shouted over the sound of her pink flipflops slapping at the sand. "Why would anyone want to go there?"

---

Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a $20 Amazon gift card, print copies of Designing His Bride and The Widow’s Unexpected Suitor, and beachy goodies!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 23, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 30, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

---

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

---

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

Season of Deception by Sara Jane Jacobs

Season of Deception is the second book I have read written by Sara Jane Jacobs and I cannot wait to read the third book in this series. This book had me so swept in, that I thought I was only going to listen to 10 minutes, as I drifted off to sleep and it kept me up for four hours. I had to finish the book. I could not sleep until I found out what happened.

I was able to enjoy the audiobook version of this book narrated by Lisa Lynn Sandlin. It was so well narrated. Lisa brought the characters to life. She had me so immersed in the book that when I tried putting it on to listen to as I was going to sleep, the next thing I knew it was three in the morning.

The character development was great. I loved picking right where Amanda left off from the last book and watching her spread her wings more. While going through heart break and trying to figure things out. I did not want to like Eric. Especially after being so invested in Tyler, but man, I was also rooting for Eric. He is a gentleman.

The setting for this story was great. We have New York and Paris. The storyline was great. It had me totally invested in the whole story. Some of the elements that made it such a great story include modeling, millionaire, stolen letters, New York, Paris, heart break, faith, romance, stockers, biker gang and more.

The romance was sweet, and kisses only paired with second chance

Sara Jane Jacobs did an amazing job intertwining faith throughout the story.

*I received a complimentary copy and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.

Heir of Light by Niki Florica

Heir of Light is the first book I have read written by Niki Florica, and it is a great addition to the Blood of Kings: Legends series. Though you can read it as a standalone, I would recommend reading it from the beginning. This medieval fantasy with pirate undertones is an adventure to be had.

The setting is great. I have come to love the land of Er’Ret. Getting to explore it even more was such a treat. The storyline for this story was fast-paced and fun. Once again, we take to the seas and end up back in Jaelport. All of the elements for a perfect fantasy story: pirate ships, blood voicing, enemies, dark pasts, secrets now told, and second chances.

Rigil and Sethe’s second-chance friendship to romance is a slow build.

Niki Florica did a great job intertwining faith throughout this fantasy story in an allegorical way.

*I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.

Playing for Keeps by Andrea Michelle Wood

Playing for Keeps is the perfect fall cozy read. With all the ideal makings for hallmark vibes, small town, substitute teacher meets football coach, and so much more. If you like a good Hallmark movie, this is the book for you. This is the first book I have read written by Andrea Michelle Wood. It is the fourth book in the Home to Heritage series,

The setting is great. Set in Heritage, MI, it is just a small town that builds on itself and characters throughout the story. The storyline was great. Titus is trying to figure out his future after the U-turn his life made when his football career came crashing down due to an injury. With the hope of recovery, he has returned home to coach the local high school football team. When another injury has taken his dreams off the table, he is trying to figure out what to do. Piper comes to town to be a substitute teacher. She is here to help, but everyone seems to see her as the bad guy. When Piper and Titus keep coming head-to-head and being put together, they soon find themselves becoming more than enemies and more than friends.

The character development was great. Titus has many layers to him. Pulling back some of his past and seeing him help his football kids really gave him some more dimension. Piper also has some issues to deal with. Seeing her work through those and truly helping the kids she is teaching was so touching. I loved getting to see her heart.

The enemies-to-lovers romance is perfection, a sweet and kisses-only romance. This meet-cute is perfect.

Andrea Michelle Wood did a good job of intertwining faith throughout the entire novel, learning to trust in Him and let go of control.

*I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.

Giveaway and Review: Midnight Rider By D.K. Till

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Midnight Rider by D.K. Till, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Midnight Rider 
Series: Time Passengers #2 
Author: D. K. Till 
Publisher: Spring Mountain Publishing 
Release Date: July 31, 2025 
Genre: Christian/SciFi/Time Travel

Journalist Thea and her fiancé, Giles, couldn’t be more excited about joining Coltrane McMurray’s inaugural journey to the year 2123. Or is it apprehension? After all, what if something goes wrong? 

Their fears are validated when they arrive to find an alien world of scorching heat, flying cars, and eerie, human-like robots. 

And a brutal murder by person or persons unknown. 

As murder suspects, they are not allowed to leave. Until the police claim they solved the crime. 

Finally free to go home, Thea’s nagging doubts about the case continue to haunt her. But to learn what really happened that awful day, she and Giles must give up their happy lives in 2023 to return to the future. 

But unforeseen setbacks and heartbreak devastate them in 2123. And who is the mother-daughter duo that bear such an uncanny resemblance to Thea? Forced to master technology far more advanced than anything she’s ever seen, Thea vows to solve her friend’s murder. But will she ever see her home again?  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

More in This Series

---

About the Author

D.K. Till writes Split-Time Fiction With A Twist, a blend of the dual timeline fiction she enjoys mixed with a big helping of the sci-fi she loved as a child. The indie author from the land of microbrews and coffee snobs fell in love with reading in kindergarten when her older sister taught her to read. She used to impress her parents’ friends by reading aloud the entire short story The One Hundred Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins. In first grade, she knew she wanted to write stories, too. Throughout her childhood and teens, she either had her nose in a book or was attempting to write one.

But life got in the way, marriage and children set her dreams aside for higher purposes. Today, with children grown and enjoying retirement, she’s reopened that dream package and is now living the life she had only imagined. 

 The author is a huge fan of the Back to the Future trilogy, inspiring her to write time travel, too. Thus the Time Passengers series was born, perfect for fans of Back to the Future and The Terminator. A classic rock lover, she names her titles after hit rock songs of the 60s and 70s - Starry Starry Night, Midnight Rider, and Nights in White Satin. 

Connect with D.K. Till by visiting dktill.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

---

Review

Midnight Rider is the first book I have read written by D.K. Till. Midnight Rider is a little bit out of my typical reading genre. I have read some Christian sci-fi in the last year. This is a futuristic, time-traveling Christian sci-fi with a side of mystery. I was sucked right into the time machine and along for the ride. All I could do was buckle up and help solve the murder.

The setting was a fun one. Flipping back and forth between 2023 and 2123, seeing the ideas of what the world could look like at that point in the future was enjoyable. The storyline was enjoyable, although at times I had to take a step back to recalibrate. Journalist Thea and her fiancé Giles take the voyage to 2123, a hundred years in the future, to report on for the paper. While in 2123, their captain is murdered. Thea is trying to figure out who the murderer is and journeys back and forth to figure it out.

D.K. Till did a great job interweaving faith throughout the book.

*I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.

---

Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a print copy of Starry, Starry Night plus a $10 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 16, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 23, 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

---

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

Rendezvous 2025

Welcome to the Takeover Blitz for Rendezvous 2025, hosted, sponsored, and organized by JustRead Publicity Tours!

You are Invited

Rendezvous: reader and writer gathering 

November 7-8, 2025 

Holiday Inn St Louis SW – Route 66

Join fellow readers and 46 writers at the third annual Rendezvous to celebrate Christian fiction and sweet reads. This event, modeled after the Christian Fiction Readers Retreat, aims to sweeten reading and storytelling experiences with fellowship and encouragement. Activities will include corporate worship, The Christy Award webcast watch party, speaker sessions, author panels, small group discussions, games, giveaways, a pop-up book shop, and author signings. 

Two Dogs Publishing, Baker Publishing Group fiction imprints (Bethany House and Revell), Haven Fiction, Enclave Publishing, LiteraryScape, Kregel Publications, and Apothecary Audio have joined The Christy Award Program (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association) and JustRead Publicity Tours as event sponsors.

Learn more about the 2025 Rendezvous

---

Participating Authors

First Row: Abbey Downey, Amanda Cox, Angela Bell, Ann Elizabeth Fryer, Ashley Worrell, Bethany Turner, Cara Putman, Carol Moncado, Christy Barritt, Connilyn Cossette, Crystal Caudill, Crystal D. Grant. 

Second Row: Dana R. Lynn, Dani Pettrey, Danielle Grandinetti, Darlene L. Turner, E. A. Hendryx, Gabrielle Meyer, Heather Kaufman, Jaime Jo Wright, Janilise Lloyd, Jayna Breigh, Jenny Erlingsson, Jessica R. Patch. 

Third Row: Jill Kemerer, Joanna Davidson Politano, Karen Witemeyer, Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes, Kimberly Duffy, Lisa E. Betz, Lisa Phillips, Lisa T. Bergren, Liz Bradford, Lynn H. Blackburn, Megan Besing, Nancy Mehl. 

Fourth Row: Robin W. Pearson, Sara Brunsvold, Sara Davison, Shannon Sue Dunlap, Sharee Stover, Sherry Shindelar, T. Elizabeth Renich, Tabitha Caplinger, Tara Grace Ericson, Toni Shiloh.

Keynote speakers are Jaime Jo Wright and Toni Shiloh. Lisa Phillips will lead worship. Kimberley Woodhouse, Lynette Eason, Pepper Basham, and Shelley Shepard Gray are unable to join us. Check out recent releases by participating authors in the JustRead Amazon Storefront.

---

Register

The registration fee (including a book tote, catered meals, and more) is $200 for readers. This year's gathering is nearing full capacity. Register today! 

Subscribe to email updates and learn more about each author on the Rendezvous website. Connect with other attendees and hopefuls in the Rendezvous Community private Facebook group. 

Register Now

P.S. Don't miss The Christy Award Finalist Reveal Webcast on Friday, September 19. Free registration is required. Visit christyawards.com for more information and registration. The Christy Award honors and promotes excellence in Christian fiction and is a program of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association.

---

Giveaway

(1) winner will receive $50 total winner's choice gift cards (Rendezvous event shirt presale shop, Amazon, Baker Book House, or Christianbook)!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 17, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 24, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only for physical prizes. 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!

Giveaway and Spotlight: Singing Through Fire by: Lara Silverman, J.D

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Singing Through Fire by Lara Silverman, J.D., hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Singing Through Fire 
Author: Lara Silverman, J.D. 
Publisher: Isaiah 4320 Press 
Release Date: August 26, 2025 
Genre: Christian Romance/Memoir

What if you fall madly in love on the brink of eternity?   

Singing Through Fire invites readers into the Job-like true story of a young woman who loses everything—and dares to ask why a good God allows it. 

When Stanford Law graduate Lara Palanjian collapses on her dream job, she never imagines it will lead to four years bedridden—or to the love of her life. 

Enter Matthew Silverman: a witty, wise, and impossibly joyful youth pastor and professor facing terminal cancer. What begins with a few random encounters soon ignites an extraordinary, God-written love story that neither of them saw coming. 

As their unlikely romance unfolds between medical crises, late-night laughter, and unexpected musical performances, Matthew’s unshakable faith challenges everything Lara thinks she knows about God’s goodness—and what it means to walk with Christlike faith, resilience, and joy in the face of overwhelming grief and suffering. 

But with time against them, one question looms louder than the rest: What if this gift is only for a moment? 

Shockingly funny and spiritually rich, Singing Through Fire is a modern-day Job meets Lucille Ball. It explores what it means to suffer, love, and even laugh and make music while your life is burning down around you. It eloquently gives voice to the aching questions many sufferers quietly carry—then takes readers inside the breathtaking story of two people who found miraculous love and defiant joy amid heartbreaking loss. 

It reveals how God can use even our deepest pain to write the most beautiful love stories—even on the cusp of eternity.  

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

---

About the Author

Lara Silverman is a Christian author, lawyer, jazz singer, comedic actress, and violinist. She holds a J.D. from Stanford Law School and a B.A. in both Economics and Political Science from UC Berkeley, where she was one of six finalists for the University Medal, Berkeley’s highest academic distinction. Before falling seriously ill in 2018, Lara worked for two federal judges and practiced high stakes litigation for three years at Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP, where she specialized in intellectual property, antitrust, and contract cases of all kinds.

In 2023, Lara co-founded The Silverman Show—a multifaceted comedy, music, and theology show—and released her debut jazz/pop album as her own music producer in February 2024, even while bedridden. In September 2024, she debuted as Mrs. Serious in her solo Armenian comedy show online. Lara’s writing has been featured in various respected Christian blogs, where her reflections on faith, suffering, and grace have encouraged others. Even as she remains mostly bedridden today, she anchors her unwavering hope in God. 

Connect with Lara by visiting her website, Facebook, Instagram, and her YouTube channel.

---

Excerpts

Prologue

February 10, 2023

What do you do if you fall in love right before you die?
I don’t know.
I do know that when misery strikes, its timing is often impeccable.
Indeed, today, it strikes with the precision of a scalpel.
“But you can’t die now. Everything is about to change next month.”
The words claw their way out of me.
Raw. Desperate. Comically futile.
Yet they taste like ash—bitter, burning.
I lie flat on my back in bed, blinking back tears, staring at the blank ceiling of my dimly lit bedroom. My mind is a freight train, barreling through thoughts I can’t control.
He sits across from me in the corner like a shadow, his back stiff against his chair. He silently meditates, his left hand resting on his chest, his eyes fixed to the floor as though the weight of his own thoughts might anchor him there.
The silence feels like an accusation. Heavy. Suffocating.
We’re just one month away from the biggest day of our lives, but hope is now a cruel illusion—like a key that fits but refuses to turn.
Minutes pass.
Finally, he speaks.
“I know.”
Two words.
Flat. Resigned. Final.
Silence again. The kind that stretches wide. The kind reserved for elevators after someone sneezes, but no one says “bless you.”
I finally shift my gaze from the ceiling and look directly at him. And then I see it—a single tear slipping down his left cheek. His empty gaze meets mine, communicating a vast, endless void he’s lost in.
“I don’t know why I’m not a match for this last clinical trial,” he says. “I was so close. But it’s too late now.”
He pauses.
Then—“I can’t fight with a dead end.”
His words land between us like a deflated balloon—useless, lifeless, yet refusing to disappear.
A respectable person might let this moment breathe.
I, regrettably, am not that person.
Before I know it, a dam breaks within me. “Well, either you’re going to die or I’m going to die. Fantastic.”
The sarcasm rolls off my tongue like cheap wine, bitter and unsatisfying. Lara, reel it in, I tell myself. Take a deep breath.
I inhale sharply, then try again, softer. “What are we going to do now?” He shifts uncomfortably in his chair, tugging at the tubes tangled with the chemo pump around his chest, adjusting them out of habit.
“I don’t know.”
I try again, as if pleading for an answer I’ll never get. “My whole life I thought God wants to bless us, not torture us. What am I missing? That’s not too much to ask of a loving God, right? God created logic and reason. He should play by His own rules, shouldn’t He?”
Silence.
Thirty seconds later, he exhales hard. “A lot of times, we just can’t understand what God is doing on this side of eternity. His ways and thoughts are higher than our ways, right?”
I don’t answer.
I don’t want to.
“But,” he adds, “when we do get to see cool glimpses of His redemption on this side, those stories help us trust Him in situations where we don’t get an explanation here.” His voice is now steady, firm. As if he’s trying to convince me. Himself. Both of us.
It’s no use. The cold weight of doubt presses into me. Don’t cry.
My voice wavers, and a tear escapes down my cheek. “So, you honestly still believe God has a purpose for all this? This makes about as much sense as a 2 a.m. infomercial.”
He doesn’t answer. Instead, he does something absurd.
Something indecent under the circumstances.
Something downright irritating.
He smiles.
“Listen,” he says, his tone now carrying something dangerously close to a faint optimism. “We just might make it. You never know.”
He straightens in his chair, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. There’s a flicker of something new in his eyes—resolve, faith. Maybe just sheer audacity.
“I mean, God can do more than we ask or imagine. I know He can.”
Is that—was that a smirk on his face?
Honesty compels me. “There’s just one thing I can’t understand.”
He raises an eyebrow, waiting.
“If God is good, why can’t He just…be good?”
He exhales long and slow, pats his legs, and stands abruptly. He grabs his scraggly, navy hat off the bed and angles it on his head—with the air of a man who just sold sand in the desert and left with a profit.
“Just wait and see, Lara.”
He walks to the door and grabs the handle.
Then—he stops.
“Look,” he says, turning back with some hesitation. “I may not know what’s going to happen tomorrow…or even next month.”
He looks down at the ground a second, almost lost in thought, then lifts his gaze and looks me straight in the eyes.
“But I do know one thing—God always writes the best stories.”

---

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $30 Amazon gift card!

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

---

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

Sowing Hope by Heather Wood

Sowing Hope is the third book I have read written by Heather Wood. This book completely blew me away. This historical story was a story I did not know I needed to hear.

The setting was great. The storyline was amazing. This historical story was a story I did not know I needed to hear. The historical story of Elijah Lovejoy was so great, I felt like I was there. He isn’t even the main character, but his story was brought to life. The release of this story could not be any timelier with the events of this past week. Elijah Lovejoy was killed for his work as an Abolitionist newspaper editor. It is evident from the book that a great amount of work and research went into it. This book touched on a lot of aspects: the underground railroad, abolition, racism, slavery, printing press, mob mentality, falling in love, and faith.

The character development was great. Seeing Patrick grow spiritually and in maturity was perfect. When he first meets Anna, he has the wrong impression of her. He learns that not everything is as it seems. Patrick also learns about serving God from watching Anna. Anna suffers from migraines. Watching the way she does everything she can with the time she has is so touching. Her outlook on the way she can serve others is moving. Throughout the book, Anna goes through some more hardships, losing her ‘girls.’ Watching her grow and lean into God.

The romance was a slow-burning romance, which was sweet with kisses only.

Heather Wood did a fantastic job of intertwining faith throughout the book.

*I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.

Old Town Symphony by Milla Holt

Old Town Symphony is the second book I have read by Milla Holt, and I was completely blown away. I think this might be my favorite one in this series.

The character development was great. Kezia had lots of layers to her. She is trying to make things on her own, choosing her own path rather than the path her parents planned for her. She is not quite making it on her own, but her voice sure is known. When she decides to join the show, we really see how alone she is in this world. Seeing her process this was heartbreaking. I was rooting for Kezia the whole way. Zach has his own things he is processing. Some things that he isn’t even aware of.

The setting was great. I loved the setting being set in the United Kingdom. It’s not often we get to see the music industry from the UK side. I also loved the music reality TV setting. It was such a fun concept, and to see the ‘behind the scenes’ aspects of that, as well as the music industry. The storyline was great. The start of a music reality TV show had some fun dynamics. We have a family deep in the music industry, broken family relationships, loneliness, competition, longing for more, music industry, songwriting, forbidden romance, and more.

This slow-burning, enemies-to-lovers romance was great, and kisses only.

Milla Holt did a good job of intertwining faith throughout the novel.

*I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.

An Irish Kiss By: Carolyn Miller

An Irish Kiss is the first book I have read written by Carolyn Miller, and it was such a delight. This book was the perfect book for those who love Hallmark movies, castles, Irish views, funny meet-cutes, swoony moments, and faith.

The character development throughout this book is good. I loved watching Rory learn that she shouldn’t just jump to conclusions. While also learning to turn to and trust God. Aidan is on a journey to uncover the past. Trying to figure out the truth, but also finding himself falling for Rory. So, while hoping for a different outcome, Aidan also wants to maintain a relationship. It was also great seeing their faith as well.

The setting is perfection. Being in Ireland was such a great place to be, but adding in a castle made it truly perfect. The storyline was entertaining. Rory is working multiple jobs, one of them being at her family’s castle-made hotel. Where she mistakes Aidan for a trespasser, then finds out he is a guest. Rory keeps jumping to conclusions and getting herself in trouble. Aidan is an Australian who is on an investigative trip to see if the land the hotel/castle is on belongs to his family.

Enemies-to-lovers, opposites-attract romance is perfection, sweet and kisses-only romance.

Carolyn Miller did a great job of intertwining faith throughout the book. The scripture the pastor is reading, Philippians 4:6-7, truly met me where I was at this week and made me stop and read the passage. I love when Christian fiction does that and meets you at a deeper level. God’s word is live and will meet us where we are.

*I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.

Charting the Course by Leslea Wahl

Charting the Course is the fourth book I have read by Leslea Wahl. This is a YA book and is the second book in the series. It can be read as a stand-alone, though there are some overlapping characters. This is a YA mystery with coming-of-age themes.

The character development was good. Liz is dealing with the emotions and challenges of being a teenager and working through being a child of divorced parents. Liz’s dad, Wade, on this trip, is confronted with his true self. Seeing how his actions have affected people, especially his daughter. Watching the relationships being rebuilt was touching.

The setting was so fun. Set on a cruise ship for a high school reunion was such a fun idea. Reading it made me want to be there. The storyline was fun and perfect for YA. Liz is forced to come on this 30-year reunion cruise with her father because he has no one else to bring. As the trip goes on, Liz is swept up in a singing competition. While competing, she also runs into some people who know her friend Josie from the previous book. They ask her for help to find out who is stealing on the ship. Things get uncovered interestingly. But that is not the only mystery Liz is trying to figure out; she is being sent on a faith journey as well. With mystery, stealing, high school feuds, old flames, and new crushes, there are lots of elements that make this story a fun read

The romance aspect is light and sweet, kisses-only. This is a YA with the main focus not being romance, so it was the perfect amount for this genre.

Leslea Wahl did a great job of intertwining faith throughout the book. Though written from a catholic aspect, it can be enjoyed by all.

*I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.

Giveaway and Review: The Recluse's Vindication by Danielle Grandinetti

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Recluse's Vindication by Danielle Grandinetti, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Recluse's Vindication 
Series: Our House on Heather Wynd 
Author: Danielle Grandinetti 
Publisher: Hearth Spot Press 
Release Date: September 12, 2025 
Genre: Historical Romantic Suspense

The Loch Ness Monster isn't the only recluse seeking a Scottish haven. 

Bieldfell. Scotland, 1933—Falsely accused of murder sixteen years ago, American cowboy Benjamin Ford has chosen to hide out in the Scottish Highlands. Reclusive and not afraid to die, he rescues children out of an increasingly dangerous Germany. When his childhood best friend appears at his door, he's not the boy she remembers. 

Eleanor Finch's life ended sixteen years ago. In one horrible day, she lost her dreams, her reputation, and her heart. However, she never gives up the hope of finding her friend, so when she learns of Ben's whereabouts, she leaves all that is familiar to convince him to return home. 

But Eleanor isn't the only person searching for Ben. Hunters follow her trail. The thin veil of gossip and rumor may be their only chance of a future ... unless the Loch Ness Monster is real after all.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Buy from the Author | Amazon

Also Available

---

About the Author

Danielle Grandinetti is an award-winning inspirational romance author fueled by tea, books, and the creative beauty of nature. Her stories combine romance, mystery, and suspense against the backdrop of the 1930s to tell the tale of finding home and hope in hard times. With a master’s in communication and culture and a passion for intercultural communication, storytelling has been her heartbeat for as long as she can remember. Married to her hero, Danielle is a second-generation Italian-American, a dairy farmer’s granddaughter, and a boy mom from Chicagoland who now lives along Lake Michigan’s Wisconsin shoreline.

Connect with Danielle Grandinetti by visiting daniellegrandinetti.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.

---

Review

The Recluse’s Vindication is a short novella written by Danielle Grandinetti, part of a multi-author series: Our House on Heather Wynd. It can be read as a standalone, but it does have crossover characters from some of Danielle Grandinetti’s other books. This pre-World War II novella explores themes of guilt, forgiveness, rumors, myths, and second chances.

The character development was good. Ben is struggling to overcome the guilt of killing people to save others. Struggling with this and the burden he feels God has placed on him, Ben has become a recluse to try to hide from his past and help those in need, as hatred for the Jews and the disabled grows. Eleanor has also become an outcast since Ben left their town 16 years ago. However, Eleanor is struggling with other issues. Watching them lean into each other and heal and open their hearts to one another was touching.

The setting was perfect. I loved the little Scottish town, thick with myths and rumors. During a time in history when countries were in great turmoil, on the verge of war. The storyline was great. With mystery and myths of the Loch Ness Monster, rescuing children from Germany, second-chance romance, and forgiveness, this story will pull at your heart.

This second-chance romance was sweet with kisses only.

Danielle Grandinetti did a great job of intertwining faith throughout the book.

*I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.

---

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive paperback copies of: The Recluse's Vindication, The Italian Musician's Sanctuary, & The Heart of Beauty, all by Danielle Grandinetti!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 10, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 17, 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

---

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

Giveaway and Review: Canyon of Deceit by DiAnn Mills

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Canyon of Deceit by DiAnn Mills hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

 

Title: Canyon of Deceit 

Author: DiAnn Mills 

Publisher: Tyndale Fiction 

Release Date: September 9, 2025 

Genre: Romantic Mystery & Suspense 

A rescue team searches for a missing young girl and suspects all is not as it seems in this high-stakes romantic suspense novel from the author of Lethal Standoff and Facing the Enemy. 

When wilderness survival expert Therese Palmer receives a frantic phone call from former colleague Professor Rurik Ivanov, she is shocked by the news that his young daughter, Alina, is missing—and that Rurik wants Therese’s help finding her. She’s sure Rurik hasn’t given her the whole story . . . especially since he refuses to report the kidnapping to the police. Yet with a child’s life hanging in the balance, Therese can’t turn down this mission. She knows the clock is ticking and she can’t do this alone. 

Therese reaches out to Texas Ranger Blane Gardner, whom she met seven months ago during one of her training courses in wilderness survival skills. Blane’s specialized training and background with the Crisis Negotiation Unit make him uniquely prepared for this search-and-rescue mission. He agrees to help Therese and to accept Rurik’s terms to keep Alina’s disappearance quiet, and as the two begin working together, Therese is determined the spark growing between them won’t distract from their mission to save Alina. 

Traversing deep into the desert of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Alina’s last known location, Therese and Blane struggle to separate truth from lies within the mix of intel they’re receiving. As they close in on answers that suggest the involvement of Russian organized crime and a high-profile international assassination attempt, they must fight to rescue Alina before she becomes an innocent casualty of a much bigger plot—no matter the risk to their own lives. 

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

---

About the Author

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels with threads of romance. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone's story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards, the Selah Award, and the Golden Scroll; and been finalists for the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award and the Carol Award. DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and an active member of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers, the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, and International Thriller Writers. DiAnn continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. 

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She's an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas. 

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on social media or her website, diannmills.com

---

Review

Canyon of Deceit is the first book I have read written by DiAnn Mills, and I look forward to reading more. This romance suspense kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end. Suspense mixed with wilderness survival skills made for a fun dynamic in this story. If you love Christian suspense, you do not want to miss this one.

The character development was good. Therese has a lot of guilt and trauma from her sister’s death. The burden of guilt that was put on her was a lot to bear. Blane has his own layers to pull back.

The setting was perfect for this suspenseful survival story. The storyline was off the charts. I love a good suspense story, and this did not disappoint. Every time I thought everything was going great, a plot twist happened. We have kidnapping, murder, wilderness survival skills in the Guadalupe Mountains, rock climbing, helicopters, FBI, near-death, and so much more.

The romance was a kisses-only romance that was perfection.

DiAnn Mills did a great job of intertwining faith throughout the book. Therese has gone through some faith-rocking events, but she still holds on to her faith in God. Blane has a rocky faith and battles with the truth Therese speaks. I loved the truth given in this book.

*I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.

---

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Canyon of Deceit and $25 gift card to winner's choice bookstore!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight September 9, 2025 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on September 16, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

---

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

Giveaway and Review: Love Between the Pages by Natasha D. Frazier

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Love Between the Pages by Natasha D. Frazier, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Love Between the Pages 
Author: Natasha D. Frazier 
Publisher: Encouraging Works 
Release Date: September 8, 2025 
Genre: Christian fiction romance

Book lovers? Yes 

 Best friends? Till the end! 

Focused on their careers? Who isn't? 

In love with each other? Well, let’s not rush things... 

Lisa Atkinson has finally achieved her dream—running her family’s beloved bookstore, Between the Lines. With a supportive circle of family and friends, including her best friend Jayden, life seems perfect. But before she settles into her new role, a crushing tax debt threatens to snatch her dream away. Desperate to save her bookstore, Lisa cooks up an ambitious grand re-opening event to raise the funds she needs. Little does she know, the key to her success is hiding in plain sight—her best friend Jayden, who moonlights as the elusive bestselling author, Justin Love. 

Jayden Reynolds is on the brink of a major career milestone, becoming a partner at his accounting firm. Exciting news, right? Except, he’s grappling with uncertainty about his future as he secretly basks in the success of his romantic debut novel that has readers swooning. As he navigates the wild world of love and ambition, he’s also realizing that he wants more than just friendship with Lisa—the woman who has held his heart far longer than he can remember. 

As Lisa and Jayden’s bond deepens amidst the whirlwind of deadlines and pressure, their playful banter takes a turn toward something more. Will they navigate their way through the chaos and finally embrace the sparks flying between them? It’s a delightful journey from best friends to lovers, filled with humor, heart, and a dash of shenanigans!  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Buy from the Author | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Related Book

---

About the Author

Natasha D. Frazier fell in love with love around the age of twelve because of artists like Babyface, Boys II Men, Whitney Houston, and New Edition. Around sixteen when her mother purchased a romance novel and left it lying around the house untouched, Natasha read it and a spark for the written word had been ignited.

Natasha believes that writing is one of her purposes and contributions to the world. She feels accomplished when she can get a few words written and like blah when life gets in the way. Her hope is that at the end of every novel, readers will feel like they’ve been wrapped in a cozy blanket with a mug of their favorite coffee/tea/warm drink. 

When she isn’t reading or writing, she is likely watching movies with her family. Natasha resides in Richmond, TX with her husband, Eddie Frazier, Jr. and their three children, Eden, Ethan, and Emilyn. Her greatest joy and commitment is to her family who she hopes to inspire above all else. One of her many mottos in life is: Faith removes limitations. Natasha and her family attend Parkway Fellowship in Richmond, TX, where she volunteers as a small group leader for elementary students. Natasha is also a member of the Houston Area Alumni Chapter of Jackson State University and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. 

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

---

Review

Love Between the Pages is the first book I have read written by Natasha D. Frazier, and it did not disappoint. I look forward to reading some more in the future. This is the second book in the At Last series, though you do not need to read the first book to read this book. It appears that the first book is the story of Lisa’s friend Ginger & Brock’s love story, who get married in Love Between the Pages. So, I personally plan to go back and read Batch of Love. Just to revisit the story and see how everything unfolded for them.

The character development was fun. Lisa is in her 40s and has just been given ownership of her mother’s bookstore. Finding out that the taxes have not been paid in a few years comes as quite a shock. Lisa is trying to figure it out while also learning the ropes of being the owner. Jayden has been in his career for 17 years and finally asked about being a partner. Now that he has the opportunity, he is trying to figure out what he wants in life. Watching them both figure out life and their love is such a fun development.

The bookstore setting is such a fun one. I have been enjoying seeing all the behind-the-scenes of writing a book and things that go into it. It loved the setting. The storyline was very cute and perfect. We have book clubs, friendships, store ownership, big life choices, weddings, secret authors, people working together to save the store, and falling in love. All the makings of the perfect sweet, swoony contemporary romance.

This best friends-to-more romance is the perfect no-spice, kisses-only romance. It is perfect and sweet, with the perfect level of swoon.

Natasha D. Frazier did include some faith aspects, such as going to church and mentioning their faith. I would have liked a little bit more. Though I did not love that Lisa and Jayden shared a bed, even if they were just snuggling. I would have preferred to see her share a hotel room with her mom or even Aunt Wanda.

I must say Aunt/Momma Wanda was one of my favorite characters. She had such a fun personality.

*I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.

---

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a Love Between the Pages book box which contains an autographed copy of the book and curated book themed swag!

(1) winner will receive a $10 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 8, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 15, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

---

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