~ Blooming with Books ~
Of Hope and Honor is coming March 10, 2026.
I'm offering two clues regarding the two fairy tales I'm retelling.
1) A sister succeeds after her brothers are turned to stone.
2) There are three brothers; only one succeeds, but he nearly falls to his brothers' treachery.
Now a fun fact about these two fairy tales that I'm retelling and combining.
They have the same name.
Yes, these two fairy tales are being retold as one story.
I can't wait for you to read
Water's Gift
and the stories written by my fellow authors.
Any guesses.
Comment below
But Julian is harboring a secret that could change everything between them. As their friendship deepens into something more meaningful, Eliza begins to suspect there's more to the quiet steward than meets the eye. When the truth finally emerges at a public assembly, she feels betrayed by the man she thought she knew.
Fleeing to the sanctuary of Lavender Cottage and the Secret Society of Young Widows, Eliza must decide whether love is worth the risk of trusting again. Can she forgive the deception that brought them together, or will Julian's secret destroy any chance of a future?
As Christmas approaches and the local foundling home needs their help, Eliza and Julian are thrown together in service to others. Working side by side, they rediscover the connection that drew them together—but can they build a future when trust has been shattered?
In this charming tale of second chances and chosen family, one woman must learn that sometimes the greatest risk is opening your heart to love again.
Today, I'm thrilled to share a recent interview I had with author Heather Flynn.
Oh, that's a really good question! My favorite comfort read author... my mind immediately went to Melanie Dickerson. I especially love her historical set fairytale retellings. Those books are always ones that tend to get me out of a reading slump and take my mind on a wonderful adventure! A few other authors that are go-to ones for me would have to be Robin Jones Gunn and Melody Carlson, because those were the first two Christian authors that I came across after I became a Christian in high school. I'm going to stop myself before I keep naming more names.
I love Melanie Dickerson's books, but I know the feeling, there are so many great authors, I could go on-and-on too.
My most current story, a novella titled Beauty in the Shadows (featured in Evermore from Beyond the Bookery), is a fantasy, specifically leaning towards what I would consider a "kingdom fantasy". Oddly enough, this is a genre that a lot of my (unpublished) stories that I have written over the years ended up being set in. Currently, I have short stories published in a contemporary small town setting, with several historical projects in the works behind the scenes, but fantasy seems to be a comfort spot for me that I can really lose myself in.I think that what I like most about this genre is that in a fantasy setting, it's very much "what you say goes" as the author. It is literally your world to create and make it how you want it to be. I enjoyed creating the kingdom of Enulmoor in this story, as well as mentioning the neighboring lands. I even at one point started playing around with creating a map for this area, which is probably something I just try to get back to, because it was a lot of fun. So to summarize, I suppose that what I like most about this genre that I'm currently writing in is that I enjoy bringing a whole new world into existence, and that I get to share this with readers.
I love that creating a new world and sharing it is what you enjoy about fantasy.
If I go for my gut response, I would have to say C.S. Lewis. I was given a copy of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe at a young age by a friend of my mom's and I immediately fell in love with it. I believe he has inspired my dream to write and what has led to fantasy being a comfort spot for me in writing.
I love C.S. Lewis's writing. His writing definitely opens a new world to readers.
4) How do you develop your setting (a photo, a trip, a random comment)?
For me, this really seems to vary from story to story. Sometimes I'm inspired by a photo, and others it could be anything. I've had all sorts of "story sparks" while at work, because my day job allows me to see the stories of a lot of interesting people.
I'd love the chance to share a cup of tea or coffee with some of the friends I've made along the way in my author journey. There are so many lovely people that I wouldn't have met if it hadn't been for writing and taking a chance on my words. I'm so pleased that I did, because I've made some truly remarkable friendships along the way. So long story, a bit shorter, I would love to settle in for a cup of tea or coffee with my writer friends.
A go-to for me for a lot of years has been Melanie Dickerson, I love her historically set fairytale retellings. However, I have so many favorites that I don't know that I could possibly choose just one, but I'm currently enjoying listening to some of Rebekah Morris' stories on Audible (as I get the chance). A lot of these are short and very entertaining reads that make for a nice little wind-down treat.
The Bible! Truly it is a book filled with all manner of stories, all that can help guide us in all that we say and do.
8) Who is your favorite character in your book/story?
The answer that I want to give regarding my favorite character in this book/story is ALL of them. *glances at Tiburon* Well, almost all of them. However, if I have to choose one favorite it would probably have to be Lewis. Throughout the writing process I continued to find myself just adoring this character, and what he said and did (even though I was writing him lol). I felt very much like a proud momma hen sitting upon my nest watching my offspring encounter the world!
My mind is whirling through the story thinking about the best way to answer this question. I feel like a very pivotal scene takes place with Lewis and Jacaranda in the garden. It's a big moment, which I won't spoil, but it really impacts the future direction of the story in a lot of ways for both characters! Ooh, and the library scene directly after! Afterall, it's a Beauty and the Beast retelling, I had to have a library scene of some sort.
10) What one question would you like to be asked, and how would you answer it?
Would you mind if I shared two questions?
No, that would be fine.
Do your stories ever surprise you in the direction they take?
Absolutely! I feel like each of my stories at some point in time takes on a life of its own, and I feel as if I'm just along for the ride. In Embracing Joy, for instance, I had a pretty good idea for how the story would go. However, as I continued writing the story there was almost a still whisper inside me that said we needed to do something different than what I originally had planned.
What do you hope readers feel after finishing your work?
I hope that readers go away feeling as if I have given them something, whether that be a smile, a new perspective on something, or even a few tears shed. Whatever it might be, I want my stories to have an impact on people's hearts and in their lives.
Thank you, Heather, for taking time to give us a chance to get to know you!
You can find Heather's books on Amazon Heather Flynn on Amazon
Connect with Heather via her website https://heatherflynnauthor.weebly.com/
On Instagram https://www.instagram.com/heather_flynn_author/
On Facebeook https://www.facebook.com Heather Flynn author
⇒ Giveaway – (1) winner will receive a $30 Amazon gift card!
⇒ VISIT each hosted post of this tour for more entries. Schedule at @justreadtours. (US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics. Instagram is not affiliated with nor responsible for this giveaway. Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM EST on December 10, 2025.)
Wish all a lovely Thanksgiving Day!
I'm thankful for a day spent with family.
That I made it home safely after yesterday's snow and ice.
And books.
• A tin ballerina
• A brass soldier
• A porcelain princess
What defines you: what you're made of or who you are?
Will you look beyond what is easily seen?
Preorder now and discover the truth!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FXT3Y6G2
Coming August 2026...
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When Sarah Gibson arrives in Arizona, she has nothing to her name but the clothes on her back and a set of lesson plans to start her life as Prescott's first teacher. From the start, complications arise, and they all seem to bring her in contact with the same taciturn carpenter: Elijah Phelps. When Sarah's school plans begin to fall apart, she'll need to work with Elijah to prepare a Christmas concert powerful enough to bring the town together and maybe the two of them as well.
And the Mountains in Reply is a stand-alone novella in the Carols of Christmas series of Christian romances inspired by classic Christmas hymns.
Title: His Boss's Little Sister
Series: Apron Strings Tea Tales
Author: Danielle Grandinetti
Publisher: Hearth Spot Press
Release Date: November 18, 2025
Genre: Historical Romantic Suspense
Broken hearts, underground smuggling, and a meddling family ... one Wisconsin Teehaus offers a love of more than sweet treats.
November 1931---Needing a new start, Samantha Martins escapes the happily-ever-afters of her hometown to take a waitressing position at a German Tea House. But all is not as it appears beneath the pretty trappings. When she discovers illegal oleomargarine on the premises, which could shut down the cafe, and thus cost her job, she goes searching for the source.
Samantha's old beau, Kyle Docherty, returns to Crow's Nest a changed man, both inside and out. An apology burning in his heart, he finds she's left home. However, with trouble on her trail, Samantha's brother hires Kyle to be her bodyguard. But will she even speak to him? And if not, will she at least allow him to protect her, even without the arm he lost in a logging accident?
When the breadcrumbs lead them into a trap, putting Kyle's life in danger, Samantha faces an impossible choice: listen to Kyle and run for help, or stay a captive and outwit a criminal. If only the ticking bomb were on their side.
A touch of fairy tale, a spoonful of history, and a teacup of hope.
His Boss's Little Sister is a stand-alone novella in the Apron Strings Tea Tale multi-author series, and a 1930s historical romance retelling of Hansel and Gretel.
Fans of the Harbored in Crow’s Nest series will enjoy revisiting familiar characters and discovering the HEA of the hero's little sister from Confessions to a Stranger.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | DanielleGrandinetti.com | Amazon | BookBub
Connect with Danielle by visiting daniellegrandinetti.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.
Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
When decorated FBI undercover agent Scott Sinclair suffers a gunshot wound in his right arm, the injury threatens his future career in the field. He is determined to regain his former job by training himself to use his left hand, and failure is not an option--especially when he's unofficially pulled into an investigation.
Tori Mitchell is a passionate crime reporter and podcaster who has dedicated her life to seeking justice. Her relentless pursuit of the truth has freed a wrongfully convicted man from prison, making Tori an enemy of the true killer. When her nephew is accused of a different murder, nothing can stop her from getting involved and clearing his name.
Soon after Tori and Scott reconnect on the case, shots are fired, leaving them to wonder which of them has been targeted. As the investigation intensifies, so do the threats and the sparks between them, but Tori's doubtful if she can extend grace and trust to Scott. They'll have to combine their skills and rely on their growing relationship to outsmart the killer.
Perfect for fans of Lynette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn, Elizabeth Goddard, and readers who love faith-based fiction and edge-of-your-seat thrillers, this riveting, clean romantic suspense delivers heart-pounding danger and forced-proximity romance.
