Happy Independence Day and Book recommendations

 

The United States of America was an experiment

A government created by, of, and for the people.

It was a throwing off of what was known, 

a rebellion seeking to right what they felt were wrongs:

Unfair taxations

No representation

A ruler and government too distant and out of touch with their needs.

But they did not start with rebellion.

No, they began with talking, seeking to find common ground,

to come to an understanding.

Breaking the bonds to what was 

was not decided upon lightly.

No, it was a last resort

and it was not embraced by all

who lived here.

It tore families apart

and came at great cost.

Today we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of 

The Declaration of Independence,

a document, that if their cause failed

would have been proof against them in treason

against the King of England.

In the spirit of the day

I offer the following book recommendations

Gilbert Morris's House of Winslow series 

(written 1987 - 2007)

which is 40 books that cover a large portion

of the United States history.

And Elswyth Thane's Williamsburg series 

(written 1943 - 1957)

which is a much shorter 6 book series.

Both series follow a family during these years

of change and upheaval

Cover Reveal ~ Where Love Blooms

 I am thrilled to reveal the cover for my upcoming Regency Romance.

That's right I'm releasing a Regency Romance as part of Beyond the Bookery's 

multi-author Blossoms of Love series.

The cover is gorgeous and I hope you love it as much as I do!

And (drum roll) here

is

the

cover

for 

Where Love Blooms

Where Love Blooms is scheduled to release May 24, 2027,

and it is available to preorder from Amazon.

Check out the entire series on Amazon

Cover Reveal ~ The Lost Flower

 I'm thrilled to share with you the cover for my upcoming book The Lost Flower.

This book is scheduled to be released March 2, 2027, and it is available to preorder 

on Amazon for $0.99 (or your national equivalent) 

until July 5, 2026, in celebration of its cover reveal.

But before I share the cover with you,

a little about the book

It is a Forget-me-not/Lost Princess retelling mashup

It is part of a Multi-Author Series (MAS) entitled

The Garden of Lost Things

And here is a little teaser to intrigue you.

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Every fairy tale has a villain; 

mine wears my sister's face.' '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Are you sufficiently intrigued?

Readdy for the cover?

Are ready for a glimpse at the rest of the series?

All books from The Garden of Lost Things can be preordered from Amazon.

 

Until I Knew You ~ Review

Until I Knew You

By Tanya Eavenson

Jacob Michaels never liked his best friend's wife. He couldn't see why Clay Logan wanted to marry Olivia. But when the unimaginable happens and Jacob is named Olivia's trustee, he begins to see her in a new light.

Until I Knew You takes the reader on a journey of understanding and looking beyond labels. Olivia is autistic, an artist, a widow, and grieving. Jacob is a photographer, an orphan, a former child, and he too is caught up in his grief.

Shared loss forces Jacob and Olivia to spend time together, but this allows Jacob to finally see the woman that his best friend fell in love with. But Olivia is also a reminder of his guilt concerning Clay's death.

I appreciated how the author portrayed Olivia-her strengths, her weaknesses, her quirks-she was presented as multilayered woman who knew her own mind yet was limited by what others viewed as limitations. I admired Clay for having the foresight to pick someone who would honor his wishes regarding Olivia, someone who would fight for her, allow her to grow, to see past the limitations and labels others placed upon her. This is a book about second chances.

I highly recommend this book that is emotionally moving while celebrating the beauty of God's creation and His love.

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

 
About the Book
Title: Until I Knew You
Author: Tanya Eavenson
Publisher: All Roads Publishing
Release Date: 4/21/26
Genre: Christian contemporary romance, women’s fiction

Photographer Jacob Michaels has spent his life running, from foster homes, from emotional attachment, from anything that asks more of him than a fleeting moment through his camera lens, except for Clay Logan, his one true friend and the only person who ever saw past the walls.

Olivia Logan lives in a world of color and quiet, expressing through art what words cannot, and Clay understood her without explanation, offering a steady presence in a world that often feels overwhelming.

But when a hiking trip ends in tragedy and Jacob returns alone, everything changes, and Clay’s final request becomes Jacob’s new reality: take care of Olivia, protect her, don’t walk away.

Now her legal trustee, Jacob steps into a life he never intended. Bound by grief and a promise neither asked for, he and Olivia are drawn into a fragile closeness they don’t know how to navigate.

And perhaps God isn’t finished mending what was never meant to be broken.

Available at:

ttps://www.amazon.com/Until-Knew-You-Tanya-Eavenson-ebook/dp/B0DKG9NTBQ

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/250723324-until-i-knew-you

Available in Kindle Unlimited

Queen of Reckoning ~ Review

Queen of Reckoning

Blood of Kings: Legends #5

Jill Williamson presents Kelly Fernlake

I love that the Blood of Kings series has this engaging spinoff series to delve into. And the fifth book, Queen of Reckoning, does not disappoint. In this book, we return to Jaelport as Mandzee Hamartano tries to maintain her role as queen, but her treaty with King Gidon is viewed unfavorably by her people. 

Worse, her tenure seems doomed to be short. When Lovell Dunn shows up early in her role as a royal envoy, things become even more volatile as her connections with Armonguard are brought once again into focus.

With her worthiness and abilities called into question, Mandzee feels she must compete in an annual tournament to earn her people's trust as ruler. But the tournament could be the very thing that brings down her rule and shortens her life. With threats surrounding her, Mandzee might have to rely on Lovell Dunn to help her discover who is targeting her and why.

Lovell has the unique ability to thoroughly annoy Mandzee, but all he's trying to do is make sure she is following the terms of the treaty she signed, keep her safe, charm her, and leave Jaelport as soon as possible. Though why he has to charm her, he's not sure. It certainly has nothing to do with saving her life previously or thinking about her a lot.  Nope, it is just part of his personality. Umhum, right. Nothing else.

Queen of Reckoning is so good. I love how Mandzee is working through the best way to rule. Does she follow the examples of the queens who came before, including her mother? Delving into the magic that steals a piece of her soul little by little with each spell? Or does she instead turn to her new knowledge of Armon and learn from Lovell? 

This is, at its heart, a book about heart and trust. Will this be a new beginning to something better in Jaelport? Or will they fall deeper into the darkness that is already consuming them?

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

About the Book:

A queen who rules by magic and the one man she can’t disarm.

Mandzee Hamartano didn’t ask to be queen. She didn’t ask for the peace treaty that’s turned half her city against her, the mage tournament that’s about to put her life on the line, or the envoy from Armonguard who’s moved into her palace and refuses to leave.

She certainly didn’t ask to fall for him.

Lovell Dunn is King Gidon’s royal envoy, tasked with one job: shadow the queen, keep the treaty, and report back. He’s not there to be charmed by a mage with copper eyes and a laugh that could melt stone. He’s especially not there to let her heal the condition that’s been stealing his sight for years.

But Mandzee is in more danger than either of them realizes. A deadly mage tournament is being used as a killing ground. A dark force is gathering inside her walls. And her brother—believed dead—has just walked out of the shadows with a powerful spirit at his command and a blade aimed at her throne.

To save her city, Mandzee will have to trust an Armanite who distrusts magic. And Lovell will have to risk the one future he’s been fighting for—to protect the one woman he can’t get out of his head.

A Pint of Peaches and Poison ~ Review

A Pint of Peaches and Poison
Enchanted Confections

By Anabell Raven

Nykita was promised in marriage 100 years ago! No, she is not that old. But what's worse she is promised to a Mer-Fae Prince and fae are not to be trusted, ever. And especially if the said prince smiles too much and is way too nice for the whole pre-arranged marriage thing He must disguising his true purpose.

Warrick wants to have a marriage like his parents and hopes with time he will - he just needs earn her trust and get past the I'm-going-to-kill-you-first stage of their marriage. And deal with a rebellion that could destroy everything-the island, the alliance with his people, his marriage-everything.

This book was a fun twist on The Little Mermaid with peaches fire-breathing lizards, and expectations. Don't come in expecting an update to Anderson's original tale or an adaptation of what Disney presented, no, this is a tale as unique as the cover that graces its pages. And don't be surprised if you develop a hankering for peaches while you are reading.

                                            

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

About the Book:

1 Pinch of Poison.

1 Dash of Daring.

1 Fragile Alliance (and the lies that might set it on fire).

Their marriage was arranged a century ago, but she’ll do everything she can to stop it now.

Nykita spent years fighting her scheduled arranged marriage, and now that the day has finally arrived, she will take whatever measures she must to avoid binding herself to the ocean fae’s prince.

Warrick is determined to build a successful marriage with the human princess, but he did not expect to find her little kingdom on the verge of collapsing on itself.

Warrick and Nykita need to see past each others’ crisp edges and expose their own tender vulnerabilities if they hope to stop a rebellion and save the alliance between their people. It’s a good thing they have a fire chicken to help.

How will Warrick respond to life on land, reluctant rebels, and a princess who doesn’t eat sugar? What will Nykita do when she discovers she has worse enemies than the man she married? Find out in this delightful tale of magic, tension, and no-spice romantasy!

A Pint of Peaches and Poison, a wildly reimagined, reverse-gender Little Mermaid retelling, is a standalone novella, full of magic, betrayals, redemption, and delicious fruits. It is part of the Enchanting Confections series, a collection of cozy stories with no-spice romance guaranteed to delight your sweet tooth.

Order this Little Mermaid retelling at https://books2read.com/pintpp

Read, Write, Rendezvous ~ Spies, Lies, & Alibis Book Review with Giveaway

Welcome to the Blog Tour that brings 

Rendezvous 2026 to you, hosted, sponsored, and organized by 

JustRead Publicity Tours!

Spies, Lies, and Alibis

By Natalie Walters

Narrated by Andrew Eiden
   and Dominique Salvacion

Cybil Langford and Ben Bradley haven't seen each other in years, but now they keep running into each other in the middle of their assignments. Assignments that involve ruthless crime bosses, Russian oligarchs, brutal killers, and secrets that keep them both wondering what the other is doing. Both suspect the other of having changed for the worst or being deceived by the people they are working for.

Cybil has worked to be more than her upbringing, to get above the debts attached to her name. She isn't a spy, not in the traditional sense, but her current situation finds her in deeper than she's ever been before. Ben's presence is an unexpected complication she doesn't expect or need. But she can't deny that she is still attracted to him.

Ben is in it deep, determined to bring down the man the FBI has been after. But when Cybil is drawn into the investigation, he feels he has to protect her from a life she doesn't know she's fallen into. But Cybil is different than he remembered but still able to distract him.

There are moments that are humorous - Cybil seems to be accident prone. But not everything is snappy repartee and laughable moments, there are moments that are serious and intensely serious. It is the perfect balance for an enjoyable read and I enjoyed it also as an audiobook - which adds an additional touch to the story, added depth. 

BTW Ben's grandmother is a hoot and thankfully, absolutely nothing like my own was. 

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

Thank you to Libro.fm for the audiobook review (ALC) copy of Spies, Lies, & Alibi's 

 

About the Book:

They were each other's first love. Now they might be each other's last hope. Perfect for fans of Ally Carter, Spies, Lies, and Alibis is an unputdownable binge-fest, full of laughs, heart, and mischief.

Cybil Langford has spent years hiding behind her polished, professional facade as the executive assistant to a powerful real estate mogul, where she's perfectly positioned to collect intel on her boss's criminal network. But when her mission leads her into the path of Lorenzo Ramirez--a ruthless crime boss with deadly plans--she'll need every ounce of cunning and charm to stay one step ahead.

Then he walks back into her life.

Ben Bradley is deep undercover for the FBI, living under an alias, as a financial advisor with a reputation for helping the wealthy and corrupt launder their money. His target? Lorenzo Ramirez, a dangerous crime boss with his hands in everything from smuggling to murder. But when a familiar face from his past suddenly reappears, things get . . . complicated.

The last time Cybil saw Ben, he was an annoying prankster--and her first crush. The last time Ben saw Cybil, she stole a piece of his heart. Neither expected to run into each other at a high-stakes fundraising gala where crime, corruption, and undercover agendas collide.

Forced to work dangerously close, neither knows the other's true agenda. Cybil sees the boy who once broke her heart, now a man whose motives are deeply suspect. Ben sees the woman he never got over but can't determine if she's an innocent caught in the crossfire or a willing accomplice. As they navigate a world of spies, lies, and fragile alibis, they must dismantle the walls around their hearts.

The intel is classified. The trust is fragile. And their covers are one lie away from blowing wide open.

Available for purchase at Amazon, Barnes Noble, and Christian Books

About the Author:

Natalie Walters is a bestselling and award-winning author who loves thrilling adventure, quick-witted characters, fun banter, and romantic tension with all the sizzling chemistry. Fighting the bad guys with her words, her stories blend humor, suspense, heart, and hope—served with a side of danger. She writes Sweet and Stabby suspense for readers who crave plot twists, emotional stakes, and just enough mischief to make you wonder if that shovel in the trunk is for gardening… or something else.

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.

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Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $30 gift card 

(winner’s choice of Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Christianbook, or Baker Book House)!

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

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