Echoes of Darkness ~ Review with Giveaway

Welcome to the Blog Tour for 

Echoes of Darkness by Darlene L. Turner, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Echoes of Darkness 
By Darlene L. Turner

Constable Oaklynn Brock is hiding from her past in a small community in northern Ontario when she gets word of her father's death. Now it seems her past has caught up to her when a serial killer decides the community will be his target. Are these the work of a copycat who randomly selected Kenorapeake Falls? Or was Oaklynn's hidden past the draw? 

With the cases mounting, the Canadian Watchers Squad is tasked with helping the local police department. Caleb Greene has a special understanding of cults, and the deaths in Kenorapeake Falls have cult written all over them. But to get to the truth, he'll have to confront his own demons.

Echoes of Darkness offers a behind-the-scenes look into cults while delving into the mind of a serial killer. I know it's super uplifting, but as Oaklynn and Caleb work through their doubts and fears, hope is offered that no one is too broken to get a new start in the eyes of God. A powerful and moving promise.

Of note: murder, suicide, stalking, kidnapping, animal sacrifice, and abuse either take place or are mentioned. Nothing overly graphic is portrayed, but it could be a trigger for sensitive individuals.  

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book

Title: Echoes of Darkness 
Author: Darlene L. Turner 
Publisher: Love Inspired Trade 
Release Date: June 24, 2025 
Genre: Christian Suspense/Romantic Thriller

A serial killer stalks a small town, and a police officer must face her family’s dark past to catch him. 

The sleepy community of Kenorapeake Falls in northern Ontario seems like somewhere Constable Oaklynn Brock can finally outrun her violent past. That is, until she’s assigned to investigate a series of suspicious deaths. She can’t reveal that she knows how serial killers think because she grew up with one. Yet the eerie similarities between these murders and those committed by her father, known as the Suicide Slayer, hint at a copycat in their midst. But why here and why now? 

Caleb Greene of the Canadian Watchers Squad, a special task force, has his own reasons to be wary of working alongside Oaklynn. But with rumors of a local cult known as the Light Paragons gaining power, the stakes are too high to refuse. 

As they explore connections between the killings and cult, Oaklynn and Caleb are forced to confront old secrets…and a terrifying new threat. Someone is watching Oaklynn’s every move. They know exactly who she is and what she might be capable of. And soon her biggest fear isn’t just having her past exposed, but that a killer will turn whatever days she has left into a living nightmare… 

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

Also Available

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About the Author

Darlene L. Turner is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author known for her high-octane stories and riveting twists. Sparked by Nancy Drew, she’s turned her love of solving mysteries into her writing, believing readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message. Dubbed “the plaid queen” for her love of everything plaid, Darlene resides with her husband Jeff in Ontario, Canada. 

You can connect with Darlene at www.darlenelturner.com where there’s suspense beyond borders.

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Tour Giveaway

(4) winners will each receive a $25 Amazon eGift Card!

Full tour schedule linked below. 

The giveaway begins at midnight on June 23, 2025, 

and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 30, 2025. 

Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of the close of the giveaway 

and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of the prize. 

Open internationally. 

Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

Feathered Thief ~ Release Day

Feathered Thief

All That Glitters

By J.M. Stengl

This book was a delightful retelling that featured to young people who developed a bond and were to marry. But then something happened and all seems lost as the kingdom falls beneath a curse.

Princess Helena isn't like the other princesses. No she longs for adventure and outdoor activities. And somehow the prince she despised has feelings for HER! Even more extraordinary he likes her for who she is and not for forcing herself into a version of herself dictated to by expectations.

I really enjoyed this retelling of The Golden Bird. The characters were fun to get to know and I really liked Helena and Kazik. Helena reminded of Meriada from Brave, the Disney animated movie.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. 

About the Book:

A bungled curse divides childhood sweethearts, a bird steals priceless apples, and one brave maiden hunts down her past. Can Lenka remember her prince in time?

Young Princess Helena of Żyrardów despises her tormentor, Prince Kazik of Ostrów, until the day she realizes the boy actually likes her and friendship blossoms. In time, their royal parents arrange a betrothal, but first the princess vanishes, then the prince, and the entire region falls under a strange curse.

Five years later, a girl known as Lenka the Archer tends a lonely golden-apple tree and wonders who she really is. Serving in the King of Trinec’s magical garden is a worthy position, but how did she and the tree come to be there? When golden apples go missing and the king’s two sons fail to identify the thief, the task falls on Lenka, who surprises a golden bird in the act. Instead of shooting it, she receives from the bird one golden feather and cryptic guidance.

The princes go in search of the elusive bird but vanish. So, at the king’s order, Lenka must bring back the golden bird, the apples it stole, and the two missing princes. While disguised as a man and guided by a talking fox, Lenka takes on multiple challenges and finds friends in unexpected places, but nothing goes as planned.

Will the stolen princess find her true self and her beloved prince? Can they rescue their land from its hopeless tangle of magic and mayhem?

Feathered Thief is a no-spice magical quest of love and loss, betrayal, lovable golden treasures, a snooty animal guide, and a romantic happily-ever-after.

In All That Glitters, fairytales clash with forbidden love, quests glitter with danger, and swoon-worthy rewards incite every risk. Magic is deadly, love can be costly, and not all that glitters is gold. Featuring twelve captivating tales of forbidden romance, high-stakes adventure, and no-spice swoon, this series turns every fairytale on its crown, revealing that treasure isn’t always golden or glittery…sometimes it’s something far better.

The Dutch Muse ~ Review and Giveaway

Welcome to the Blog Tour for
The Dutch Muse by Heidi Eljarbo,
hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

The Dutch Muse 
A Fabiola Bennett Mystery #4 
By Heidi Eljarbo 

Fabiola Bennett can't take a restful few days without being drawn into an art-related mystery. But when you are a well-known art historian and a priceless Ferdinand Bol piece is stolen, along with the owner being attacked, what can you do?  You investigate.

With the help of her friends, Pippa and Cary, and a new acquaintance. Fabiola soon finds herself diving into a centuries-old mystery while trying to recover the stolen masterpiece.

This was an engaging read that was split into two timelines. One followed the people involved in the painting of this masterpiece in 1641: Ferdinand Bol, Rembrandt van Rijn, and their model. And Fabiola's is set in 1973. 

I loved how one learns about art, and it is presented as a mystery that unfolds throughout the book. The cover with the windmill is gorgeous, and it perfectly suits the book. The book wraps up the story, so there is no cliffhanger, but it ends in a way that leaves me anticipating book five whenever it comes out. The author has thoroughly hooked me with this series.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest thoughts. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Title: The Dutch Muse 
Series: A Fabiola Bennett Mystery #4 
Author: Heidi Eljarbo 
Publisher: Independently Published 
Release Date: June 17, 2025 
Genre: Clean Historical Dual-Timeline Mystery with a touch of romance

A ruthless thief leaves a private Dutch gallery with a coveted seventeenth-century painting. The owner lies unconscious on the floor. Art historian Fabiola Bennett is on vacation in Holland and takes on the case.  

Amsterdam, 1973. It’s late summer, and Fabiola and Pippa join their friend, Cary, for a few days of sightseeing, museums, and riding bikes around the beautiful city. 

For the first time in her life, Fabiola feels a pang of jealousy, and rude comments from a gallerist make her doubt her own abilities. 

Then, unexpectedly, Cary’s Dutch client, Lennard van de Hoek, is brutally struck down and a baroque portrait by Ferdinand Bol is stolen. Fabiola pushes aside her problems and jumps into danger without hesitation. The list of suspects is long, and with a cold-blooded criminal at large, they must constantly be on the alert.  

Amsterdam, 1641 

Ferdinand Bol has completed his five-year training with Master Rembrandt van Rijn and is ready to set up his own studio. The future looks bright, and Ferdinand sets a goal to become a widely sought-after and, hopefully, prosperous master portraitist. 

Just when Ferdinand’s career starts to flourish—and patrons and customers discover his exceptional talent—one of his models confesses she’s in deep trouble, and he drops everything to help her.  

This is a fast-paced and captivating who-done-it set in the Netherlands—the fourth installment and a spin-off from the Soli Hansen Mysteries. Perfect for fans of Kathleen McGurl, Louise Penny, Deborah Swift, Anna Lee Huber, Lucinda Riley, Sherry Thomas, Ellery Adams, and Jennifer S. Alderson.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

More in This Series

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About the Author

HEIDI ELJARBO grew up in a home full of books, artwork, and happy creativity. She is the author of historical novels filled with courage, hope, mystery, adventure, and sweet romance during challenging times. She’s been named a master of dual timelines and often writes about strong-willed women of past centuries.

After living in Canada, six US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She lives with her husband on a charming island and enjoys walking in any kind of weather, hugging her grandchildren, and has a passion for art and history. 

Her family’s chosen retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summer and ski the vast white terrain during winter. 

Heidi’s favorites are her family, God's beautiful nature, and the word whimsical.

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

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive their choice of any one paperback from the Fabiola Bennett series plus a $20 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight June 17, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 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. No shipping restrictions. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

Lilac ~ Review

Lilac: A Plain Princess Retelling

A Garden of Fairy Tales

By Madisyn Carlin

No matter what she does, Princess Ivelisse Shenden is a disappointment to her parents. Somehow, she's managed to drive away every prince that has come seeking her hand. Now she is being sent away to a remote cabin in the woods. What's worse she is being guarded by a less than thrilled spy, not that she's supposed to know that he is a spy.

Cage Nior tried to prevent the King and Queen from chosing his aunt to guide and help Ivelisse find herself away from the pressures of court. There is just one thing wrong with this plan, well maybe more than one, Ivelisse is not suited for working and living as a peasant.

When it becomes apparent that danger is encircling them Cage and Ivelisse must learn to trust one another if they hope to survive the evil that has found them.

This was a delightful story that took elements from The Plain Princess and Little Red Riding Hood to create a unique and engaging story of love, sacrifice, and self-discovery. Truly lovely and not to be missed.

FYI: This book is in the same storyworld as A Noble Protector and several of the characters make an appearance in Lilac. But it is not necessary to read A Noble Protector first to enjoy this book. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

She's a spoiled princess. He's a spy unknowingly protecting a deadly secret.

Spy Cage Nior is used to lurking in the shadows. What he's not used to is being called out of a mission and sent to babysit a withdrawn princess who has no idea how to smile or survive outside the palace walls. He expects the three months to pass in tedious dullness, but what he instead finds is danger and secrets.

Princess Ivelisse Shenden is used to hiding in the shadows, ignored by most and gossiped about by all. She's also used to rejection, and it's after her tenth courtship rejection that she finds herself shipped off to a humble hovel in the middle of nowhere. She expects drudgery and toil, but what she finds is danger and something she's long forgotten about---her purpose in life.

The quaint cottage may be surrounded by idyllic woods and fragrant lilac bushes, but sinister intentions shift in the shadows. If Cage and Ivelisse are to survive, they must learn to not only trust themselves, but each other.

Lilac is a combined Christian fantasy fairy tale retelling of The Plain Princess and Little Red Riding Hood and features tropes such as forced proximity, slow burn, and royalty x commoner.

Spring has sprung with these seven swoony sweet retellings. Each novella finds its happily ever after amidst themes of rebirth, hope, and new life. Each book is fully independent and they can be read in any order.

Forget-Me-Not ~ Review

Forget-Me-Not: A Snow Queen Retelling

A Garden of Fairy Tales Book

By J.F. Rogers

Forget-Me-Not closely follows the original fairy tale that it is retelling. But, and this is the critical part, it is a more fleshed-out version of the original story. This is an excellent retelling of The Snow Queen, and I love the role the forget-me-nots play in restoring Kata's memories. 

Now, if you are not familiar with the Snow Queen, Kata must brave unknown dangers when her friend Mikkel falls under the Snow Queen's curse. Mikkel's heart is frozen, and his sight is distorted by icy shards of a shattered mirror. Kata's love gives her purpose and the strength to undertake this harrowing journey. 

But nothing is without cost, and Kata's quest to save the boy she loves could very well cost her her life and her freedom. But finding Mikkel is only the first step in bringing him home. She must also break the curse that has turned him against all those he loves.

This is a clean read and a sweet romance suitable for tweens and older readers. There is sweet romance that won't offend even the most sensitive reader's sensibilities. Highly recommended.

About the Book:

Inseparable friends. A cursed mirror. A harrowing journey.

Kata and Mikkel have always been each other’s world. But as Kata’s feelings deepen, Mikkel vanishes—drawn into the grasp of the Snow Queen.

Once, Mikkel risked everything to save Kata. Now, with a shard of a wicked mirror in his heart, he may not even remember her.

To save him, Kata must journey across a frozen world ruled by winter and sorrow. But if the boy she loves is lost to ice and shadow... can love still bring him home?

Spring has sprung with these seven swoony sweet retellings. Each novella finds its happily ever after amidst themes of rebirth, hope, and new life. Each book is fully independent and they can be read in any order.

Forget-Me-Not is a retelling featuring tropes such as friends-to-lovers, magical corruption, and a perilous quest.

The Puzzle Within ~ Review

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for 

The Puzzle Within by Gina Holder, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

The Puzzle Within 
The Game Masters #1 
By Gina Holder 

Ari (Arizona) Powers has this last chance to prove she isn't crazy. But when the young woman she's assigned to protect is kidnapped, Ari finds that her life is on the line as the kidnapper lures her and the analyst assigned to the protection detail into a dangerous game.

Nick Trueheart isn't an agent and isn't sure why he's been assigned to protect the teenage daughter of an ambassador. But when Bridgette disappears from a locked escape room, he'll have to rely on his past to help him understand what's going on.

Ari and Nick find themselves facing a deadly foe who seems bent on vengeance. The deeper they dig, the more puzzling the case becomes. And time is not on their side. But when they discover links to their pasts, they realize that more than Bridgette's life is in danger.

The Puzzle Within delves into the power of memory, taking readers on an intense race against time. This book is filled with suspense and a determined villain. Several unexpected twists definitely kept me from figuring out who Enigma was and what the endgame was. There is a faith element that runs throughout as both Ari and Nick struggle to make sense of the case, each other, and their own painful pasts. A good and engaging read.

I was provided a complimentary copy with no expectations, but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book

Title: The Puzzle Within 
Series: The Game Masters #1 
    Author: Gina Holder 
    Publisher: Scrivenings Press LLC 
    Release Date: June 3, 2025 
    Genre: Romantic Suspense

FBI agent Arizona Powers is haunted by nightmares—fragments of a childhood kidnapping no one believes ever happened. Still recovering from a nervous breakdown, she accepts a protection assignment for Bridgette Van Sloan, the strong-willed teenage daughter of a U.S. ambassador who's been receiving threats signed: Enigma. 

Nick Trueheart, a former escape artist known as "Nick of Time" turned diplomatic risk analyst, is grieving the loss of his beloved wife—and obsessed with finding her killer. When assigned to Bridgette's security detail, his biggest concern isn't the threats—it's the unstable agent with a vendetta against kidnappers. 

When Bridgette disappears from an escape room, Nick and Arizona become entangled in a high-stakes puzzle hunt and a race against time. They must confront their own failures and unravel the secrets hidden within themselves to rescue Bridgette … and survive a madman's twisted game. Because one thing becomes clear: Enigma’s real target is much bigger — and far more personal.

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

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About the Author

Gina Holder is a hybrid author and stay-at-home mom. 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 in 2017. 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.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card,
a signed paperback copy of The Puzzle Within,
and a pair of wooden jigsaw puzzle earrings!

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

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

The Rules of Matrimony ~ Review

The Rules of Matrimony

Matchmaking Mamas #4

By Anneka R. Walker

Narrated by Mary Jane Wells and James Joseph

This is the fourth book in the Matchmaking Mamas series, which features a group of young people determined to escape the bonds of marriage and the matches their mothers are trying to arrange for them. Ian is the final Rebel to fall to the machinations of their schemes. But Ian's time has run out, and his father has gotten involved. If he wants to have a say in who he marries, he needs to act fast.

Miss Amie Tyler and her mother have been living on the charity of family and have endured the remarks of others who look down on their status. But when Amie's mother makes an outrageous claim about Lord Reynolds, Amie's name is linked to that of Ian's. Ian, being Ian, is determined to extricate his name from this engagement. 

But upon meeting Amie, Ian devises a plan to thwart his father's schemes and offer Amie protection and the freedom to live her life as she sees fit. However, there are rules involved, rules that would prevent the two of them from falling in love. Time for the Matchmaking Mamas to get to work!

This was another lovely read from Anneka R. Walker. We finally learn why Ian has been so against getting married. There are long-held secrets. And at the center of everything is family and friendship. I love how the Rebels take action and are convinced that their friend needs to discover love for himself. But with Ian's rules firmly in place, or are they, can Amie and Ian ever hope for something better? This was a clean read and can be enjoyed as a standalone book.

I also experienced this book as an audiobook, and the narration by Mary Jane Wells and James Joseph was excellent. I loved how "Amie" could enthuse over some of the situations that she found herself in. The book really came to life in the telling, and at nine and a quarter hours, it is an excellent length. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Available at:

https://shadowmountain.com/product/the-rules-of-matrimony/

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/217004404-the-rules-of-matrimony 

Series: Matchmaking Mamas #4
Release Date: May 6, 2025
Genre: Regency Romance

London, England, 1823

Ian has vowed never to marry, steadfast in his resolve to shield himself from the heartache his father’s infidelity brought upon his mother. Instead, he dedicates his heart and soul to reforming criminal law with his Rebel group. A chance encounter in a country graveyard with the infuriatingly bold Miss Amie Tyler only solidifies his resolve to remain single. That is, until his life descends into chaos when rumors of his engagement—an engagement he had no part in or prior knowledge of—force him and the vexing Miss Tyler into a calculated marriage, a mutual scheme to protect Miss Tyler from her lecherous cousin and to save Ian from a political marriage he dreads.

Amie never imagined her unsophisticated life would lead to an entanglement with Lord Ian Reynolds. Living on her relatives’ charity, she is resigned to remaining a wallflower. But when her mother concocts a wild lie of her engagement to Lord Reynolds, she chooses to trust a gentleman she hardly knows with her future. Amie is thrust into a whirlwind marriage and is overwhelmed to find herself falling for Ian despite their agreement to maintain independence.

As they navigate their charade, Ian’s political ambitions clash with his growing affection for Amie, and Amie’s courageous attempt to help Ian’s family heal threatens to unravel their bond. However, a forbidden kiss and unexpected acts of kindness kindle the spark between them that neither can ignore. In a desperate race against societal expectations, the two must decide whether a future together is worth breaking their earlier vows of independence.

Be sure to check out the Rules of Matrimony JustReads Tour Giveaway on Instagram!

Click the following link to learn more:

 https://www.instagram.com/p/DKYlxLzsVEc/