Shipwrecked Faith ~ Review with Giveaway

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for 
Shipwrecked Faith by Danielle Grandinetti, 
hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Shipwrecked Faith 

Dawning Sisters #1 

By Danielle Grandinetti 

Sadie Dawning left home to escape, though she justified as a means to help save the family farm. But when she receives word that her father is unwell, she drops everything to return to her Wisconsin home, leaving Chicago behind. But things don't go quite right, starting with having to escape Chicago by being rescued by a perfect stranger and then being smuggled out of the city!

Kellan O'Roark is desperate to escape Chicago and his older cousin's nefarious deeds. He has one chance to make good his escape and help bring Tiernan to justice, but when he sees Sadie in danger, he does what no one else will; he steps in to help.

This book is the first in a new series by the author, and I totally loved it and can't wait for book two to be released. I loved how the author brought the characters to life and made them relatable, people I was rooting for to succeed. I loved how Sadie's faith meant so much to her being, though incidents from the past had shaken her. And Kellan, my heart ached for him and the childhood he had after losing his parents. His feelings of worthlessness and the guilt he felt over what he had done for and now to his cousin so defined him.

My favorite part of this book was how it brought actual historical events to life in a way that history books and class never did. And living in Wisconsin, this added an extra touch in my opinion. Highly recommend to teens and up.

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

About the Book

Title: Shipwrecked Faith 

Series: Dawning Sisters #1 

Author: Danielle Grandinetti 

Publisher: Ashberry Lane 

Release Date: May 15, 2026 

Genre: Historical Romance 

Chicago, October 1929—Kellan O’Roark is running on borrowed time. After handing over his cousin’s incriminating bootlegging ledger to the police, he intends to vanish before the mobster exacts revenge. His destination: the SS Wisconsin, a steamer headed for Milwaukee, upon which he’s secured work despite his fear of the water. 

But despite his pressing need for escape, Kellan faces obstacles while leaving Chicago—including one who may break open his heart. Sadie Dawning, desperate to return to her family’s Wisconsin farm and ailing father, escapes a kidnapping attempt at Chicago Union Station when Kellan steps in and offers to smuggle her aboard the Wisconsin. His decision turns nearly fatal when an autumn storm capsizes the ship. 

Washed ashore, the pair arrive at Sadie’s family farm to find new storms brewing on land. While Kellan hides his past to continue evading his cousin, Sadie fights for her place among her sisters while the farm battles the beginnings of the Great Depression. Caught between duty, a dangerous past, and a budding love, Kellan and Sadie must rely on their newfound faith in each other and renewed faith in God to weather the growing storm. 

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

Also Available:

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About the Author

Danielle Grandinetti writes award-winning 1930s historical romance filled with mystery, suspense, and hope. She is a second-generation Italian-American rooted in Midwest traditions. Fueled by tea, books, and the creative beauty of nature, her stories explore love and belonging in hard times.

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

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a paperback copy of Shipwrecked Faith,
a paperback journal, and a Danielle Grandinetti tote bag!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight May 19, 2026 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on May 26, 2026. 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

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Anchoring You ~ Review

Anchoring You

The Wright Heroes of Maine #9

By Robin Patchen

When pirates try to take the yacht she is transporting, Kenzie Wright isn't about to be taken without a fight, not when the lives of her crew depend on her. There is just one little problem: she is woefully unprepared for an attack, with weapons at a minimum, and no safe space to hide. YIKES! But she's a Wright, and Wrights don't give up!

Jasper Aylett has a reputation, and it's not good. Nope, he's bad news. He abandoned his family and is living the life that would have made his late mother shudder if she could see him. But Jasper, aka Jax, made his mistakes and now has to live with the consequences. Consequences that forced him to give up one thing he loves most in the world. But he's fighting back the only way he knows how; unfortunately, saving Kenzie is about to upset his carefully crafted cover. 

This is a contemporary romance with faith elements, but it is not in-your-face, preachy. No, for Kenzie, it is just part of who she is. For Jasper, it was part of his past, but now, with his life spiraling out of his control, it is something knocking on his soul. These aren't perfect characters; they have flaws and failings, just like everyone else, which is what makes this book a more compelling read.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by the author. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

On the glittering waters of the Caribbean, 

a yacht captain’s fight for survival forces her to 

rely on a man she swore she’d never trust.

A fiercely independent yacht captain, Kenzie Wright has spent her life disregarding her family’s expectations. She thrives on freedom, charting her own course, and never staying in one place—or with one person—for long. But when a routine voyage thrusts her into the crosshairs of a deadly drug cartel, her carefully crafted agenda is blown apart. Her last hope to save herself and her crew is the partying playboy, Jaz.

DEA informant Jasper Aylett has spent years hunting the cartel leader known only as the Ghost. The mission has cost him everything—his family, his reputation, and his chance at redemption. When a beautiful yacht captain gets caught in the Ghost’s web, Jaz risks his life to rescue her. It’s his last chance to secure the information he needs to take his enemy down—and get his life back.

Kenzie is forced into hiding with Jaz, and now two cartels want her dead. With their lives on the line, Kenzie and Jaz must work together to unravel the Ghost’s network before it’s too late. But the closer they get to the truth—and to each other—the more their past wounds and buried fears threaten to tear them apart, leaving them vulnerable to an enemy who won’t stop until they’re both destroyed.

From a USA Today bestselling author… Don’t miss this heart-pounding suspense and swoon-worthy romance as Kenzie and Jasper discover their fight for survival—and for love—can only be won together.

Buy it online  

Loving Sarah ~ Review with Giveaway

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Loving Sarah by Jo Huddleston, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Loving Sarah 
By Jo Huddleston 

Sarah Cunningham loves the life she lives in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. She runs the candy shop she inherited from her mama, and she's engaged to her high school sweetheart.  

But everything gets thrown into chaos when Robert Clanton comes to town following his daddy's accident. Sarah and Robert have an instant connection, almost as if they have known one another forever. 

This naturally causes Sarah all sorts of doubts. How could she have this familiarity with someone she's never met before? And what about William? Sarah is so confused about what the future holds for her.

This is an interesting read. As the reader, one has insider information that allows one to know what is going on. But one feels the frustrations and conflict that the main characters are going through as they have to work through everything. I know a few times I was like, "No, no, no!" and "Choose so-and-so!" 

The ending had a satisfying resolution with the story complete as is but there was a little wiggle room if the author decided to do a sequel. I think teens and adults who read Janette Oke or grew-up with Maddie Books would enjoy this book.

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

About the Book

Title: Loving Sarah 
Author: Jo Huddleston 
Publisher: Forget Me Not Romances, a division of Winged Publications 
Release Date: May 12, 2026 
Genre: 1950s sweet small-town romance  

Sarah wears William’s engagement ring. Then, Robert arrives in town. 

In this love-triangle story, Sarah cheerfully manages the candy shop she inherited from her mama. Being engaged to be married to Gatlinburg, Tennessee’s most eligible bachelor, makes her life pretty much perfect. But then she meets Robert and has an unexplainable sense they’ve met before. 

Robert travels from Michigan to operate Gatlinburg’s main-street SkyLift attraction while his dad recovers from a fall. He’s miserable being relocated to this Tennessee mountains hick town. That is, until he meets Sarah and feels an instant attraction to her. He’s unaware that the town’s biggest secret involves him. 

Although she’s engaged to another, Sarah and Robert are mysteriously drawn to each other. This woman and her beloved mountains curb his desire to return to Michigan. Will Sarah give in to her feelings for Robert or be true to the man she’s promised to marry? 

Loving Sarah is steeped in the easygoing culture and traditions of the Smoky Mountains in the 1950s. The story is a sweet, small-town romance with a heart-wrenching battle to make the right choice. This book will keep you turning pages with its mix of loyalty, betrayal, uncertainty, and emotional stakes.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

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About the Author

Jo Huddleston writes sweet Southern romances set in the 1950s, where you can escape into wholesome, faith-based love stories of deep commitment, hope, and happily-ever-after endings. Readers describe Jo as a wonderful storyteller whose books are sure to inspire and entertain you. Reviewers say her books should be Hallmark movies.

  She likes to laugh with people, but not at people. The beach is her favorite vacation spot. She’s a spectator fan of several sports, with tennis being her favorite. She doesn’t enjoy being in the dark and is fearful of snakes! 

Jo holds a BA degree with honors from Lincoln Memorial University (TN), where she is a member of their Literary Hall of Fame. She earned the MEd degree from Mississippi State University. 

Please visit Jo's website and get a free book when you sign up for her newsletter.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $50 Amazon gift card + eBook of Loving Sarah!

(2) winners will each receive the eBook of Loving Sarah!

Full tour schedule linked below. 

The giveaway begins at midnight May 12, 2026, 

and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 19, 2026. 

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

given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. 

No delivery 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!

An Amish Widow's Hope ~ Review

An Amish Widow's Hope

By Pamela Desmond Wright

Evan Miller left his Amish roots behind sixteen years ago, following a personal tragedy. But he left more than a way of life behind when he chose a law enforcement career; he left his family, the woman he loved, and his peace. Everything he has given up becomes clear when he answers a call at Isla Stohl's home. Regrets have never tasted so bitter. 

When Evan left without a word, Isla's world and life were thrown into chaos. She married and had a family, but it wasn't the life she and Evan had planned. Now Isla is widowed and struggling to make ends meet when she is robbed. She never expected Evan to walk back into her life, leading the investigation as sheriff.

As Evan does what he can to solve this rash of burglaries in the Amish community, he is put at a fork in the road, so to speak. What does he want from the rest of his life?  And then there is Isla. Could they have a chance at the future they had once dreamed of before he made a decision that should have been theirs to make, not his?  

An Amish Widow's Hope is a story of second chances, new beginnings, and finding one's way back home. There is a touch of mystery involved, but the focus is on rebuilding what has been lost and family. All said, this was a lovely read, and one I would highly recommend to those looking for clean reads and love stories that feature the power of redemption and forgiveness.

I was gifted a copy of this book by the author with no expectations. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Regrets from the past

could lead to a chance for redemption…

After a terrifying break-in, widowed dressmaker Isla Stohl finds herself leaning on town sheriff Evan Miller. Sixteen years ago, Evan chose a law enforcement career over her and their Texas Amish community, and now he’s determined to make amends. Evan vows to keep Isla and her two children safe, but old feelings begin to arise once more. As he’s drawn back to his heritage and faith, he must decide if he can leave behind the life he built for himself in the Englisch world for the woman he’s never been able to let go of.

From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness, and hope.

Available to purchase at:

 ChristianBooks.com,  Target.com, Walmart.com, Amazon.com

You can find more of  Pamela's Amish books online at Harlequin.com.

About the Author:

Pamela Desmond Wright
New York Times & Publishers Weekly bestselling author Pamela Desmond Wright grew up in a small, dusty Texas town. Like the Amish, Pamela is a fan of the simple life. Her childhood includes memories of the olden days: old-fashioned oil lamps, cooking over an authentic wood-burning stove, and making popcorn over a crackling fire at her grandparents' cabin. The cabin was later donated to The Muleshoe Heritage Center in Muleshoe, Texas, where it can be viewed by the public. 

For more info, visit Pamela online at: www.pameladesmondwright.com

Escape to Passignano ~ Review

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Escape to Passignano by Normandie Fischer, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Escape to Passignano

Carolina Coast Stories

By Normandie Fischer

This was an interesting read. I will admit I had a little trouble getting into it at first. But I'm glad I pushed past my reader's block because once I was past I really got into this book. There is a bit of a mystery, a touch of romance, guilt, grief, and a glimpse into the spiritual aspects of the human heart. 

Sophia has been exploring Italy, the home of her late husband. She is seeking the peace he talked of and experienced. While there, she meets a young girl, Noemi, who captures her attention and maybe a bit of her heart. Turns out Noemi is in her aunt's care while her father grieves a great personal tragedy.

Things begin to happen that unsettle Sophia. One thing leads to another, and soon Sophia and Neomi's father, Dr. Luca Moretti, are searching for the young girl. This is when the mystery and the story's spiritual aspects come into play. 

This is a book that engages the reader on multiple levels and is well worth the journey, and one I'm glad I took.

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

About the Book

Title: Escape to Passignano
Series: Carolina Coast Stories
Author: Normandie Fischer
Publisher: Sleepy Creek Press
Release Date: March 31, 2026
Genre: Christian Women's Fiction

Can dreams be trusted when life feels like a nightmare?

Sophia chose to honor her deceased husband’s wishes by visiting his hometown of Passignano sul Trasimeno in the Umbrian region of Italy. She’s trying to find the peace he promised, really she is, while she studies his language and sips caffè with a view of mountains and lake. Only, things begin to happen involving a red-haired child who speaks of things she cannot know—and the child’s father whose very presence challenges that peace. 

Dr. Luca Moretti still wrestles with guilt three years after the death of his wife and older children. Overwhelmed by grief, Luca gave the care of his toddler daughter, Noemi, to his sister. It was supposed to be temporary; it wasn’t. Now, Luca wants Noemi back. 

When his sister flees, taking Noemi into hiding, Sophia joins forces with a desperate Luca to piece together dreams and voices and supernatural nudges to retrace Noemi’s steps. It’s going to take trust, though, something in short supply for both Luca and Sophia. They’ll have to learn to trust in one another, and, more importantly, to trust in God—that a God who would allow such pain really does mean to work it all out for good. For Noemi. For the two of them. And for a troubled woman from North Carolina who enters their orbit with her own demons, demons God uses—and dispels—as He wills.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

More in This Series

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About the Author

Normandie Fischer had the best of several worlds: a Southern heritage, access to schooling in the DC area (which meant lots of cultural adventures), and several years of sculpture studies in Italy. It might have been better for her if she'd used all these opportunities more wisely, but it's possible that the imperfect and the unwise also add fodder for the artist and the writer.

She writes Christian and Southern fiction as well as romantic suspense from her waterfront base in coastal North Carolina, where she lives with her husband, their two dogs, and a once-feral cat. If only her children and grandchildren lived within hailing distance, life would be just about perfect.

Connect with Normandie by visiting normandiefischer.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive three books of their choice by Normandie Fischer!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 20, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 27, 2026. 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

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Fires of Injustice ~ Review

Fires of Injustice

America's Forgotten War

By Kendy Pearson

When this book opens, we are introduced to Avery and Cait Mitchell, missionaries to China who are being forced out of the country by the government. And it is in this touching and tragic scene that a pivotal moment takes place, one that forms a thread that subtlety weaves its way through the story and Yakira "Kira" Mitchell's life.

Yakira's life is devoted to freeing Chinese girls being ill-used in California's Chinatowns. But many factors are working against her-the men who have bought these girls and the anti-Chinese sentiments sweeping through California. It is amazing the prejudicial sentiments so prevalent against people who were wanted for the labor they performed yet degraded because of their differences. 

Seven years ago, Grant Campbell walked away, no he ran away from his home, his family, his friends, his loss, and his guilt. But now he's back, trying to carry on his late father's work by defending Chinese immigrants who are being downtrodden and being presented as lesser people. He wants, yet dreads, reconnecting with his family and Yakira, yet he knows that it is long overdue.

In a place being torn apart by deep-seated fears and biases Yakira and Grant are brought together to fight for those who are denied a voice. But California is a powder keg waiting for someone to strike a match. The match has been struck and Grant and Yakira are in a race against time to keep it from being dropped in their fight to save the people they have come to care about deeply, physically and spiritually.

This is a book for fans of American Historical Fiction who enjoy reading about those who stand firm against injustice, no matter the personal cost. I highly recommend this book and personally look forward to more books from this author.

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

About the Book

Title: Fires of Injustice
Series: America's Forgotten War
Author: Kendy Pearson
Publisher: Pear Blossom Books
Release Date: April 15, 2026
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

"A story of resilience, redemption, and love, FIRES OF INJUSTICE blazes with the courage of those who dared to stand against the darkness."

She is fighting for the innocent.
He is fighting for a second chance.

Yakira Mitchell has devoted her life to rescuing the forgotten from the clutches of exploitation, and now her dream of opening a mission home for Chinese girls is within reach. But as anti-Chinese sentiments sweep through the West, Yakira finds herself at the center of a storm of hostility and prejudice. She is building a home for the broken, but her own foundation threatens to crumble with new revelations about her past.

Attorney Grant Campbell, the boy who once held Yakira’s heart, returns to San Francisco to atone for his past mistakes and face the secret that drove him away. He is determined to defend Chinese immigrants and to reconcile with his family and Yakira. But old feelings flare—and so do old wounds.

When flames of injustice consume communities, violence rages, and lives hang in the balance. As Yakira fights to protect her girls, she must face the truth of who she really is—and who God has called her to be.

In the ashes of hatred, Yakira and Grant both discover a love stronger than fear and a purpose forged in fire.

For fans of historical fiction and stories of resilience, FIRES OF INJUSTICE is inspired by real, untaught horrors of the Chinese Exclusion era—when towns forcibly erased entire communities by fire, expulsions, and boycotts.

Set just twenty years after the American Civil War, this gripping tale of resilience, romance, and courage reveals another dark chapter of division—and the light that defied it.

Edge of Truth ~ Review

Edge of Truth

By Janice Cantore

Narrated by Jeannie Sheneman

Fifteen years ago, Lainie Jensen made an arrest that she thought was a career changing moment. It was but not in the way she imagined. And when an opportunity to again bring this criminal to justice occurs, the FBI in the form of Special Agent Ben Issacs swoops in cutting Lainie out.

Soon Lainie has bigger worries when her sister Evie goes missing in Hawaii. And the story her brother-in-law is selling, well Lainie isn't buying it. 

When Ben Isaacs shows up in Hawaii, well, let's just say Ben's case and missing partner are about to converge with Lainie's suspicions and her past case-gone-bad. And someone seems determined to keep them from discovering the truth. But what is the truth and how does it link to Lainie's missing sister. Lainie can't help but wonder just what and who will be left when the dust settles, because it is obvious someone is targeting her family.

With her life at a low, Lainie reconnects with the Savior she pushed out of her life years ago. Loss has given her a different perspective on events from the past. And now she has no one else to turn to who can give her the answers she seeks, and she is tired of regrets. 

The narration of this book was good, though like most audiobooks I did speed up the playback to 1.3. The overall feel pulled me into the story, and the twists were well presented, though I guessed the big one right away. Overall, I felt engaged by the story throughout.

About the Book:

One case almost destroyed her career.
Now the past seems to have caught up with her.
And as a high-stakes game of truth and lies unfolds,
someone's out for retribution at any cost.

As a detective in the Long Beach Police Department's violent crimes division, Lainie Jensen is no stranger to hard-to-crack cases and unusual disappearances, but then her sister Evie vanishes on a trip to Hawaii. After traveling there to look for her, Lainie quickly realizes her brother-in-law Stan is telling law enforcement a story that doesn't appear to add up.

FBI special agent Ben Isaacs has spent six months collecting evidence to take down a money laundering operation. While his fellow agent Efren Gomez goes undercover to infiltrate the ring, Ben investigates those connected to it, including Stan Moffitt, who Ben believes could help lead to the criminal kingpin. Then Stan's wife goes missing just days after Ben contacted her seeking information, and he knows there's more to this case, especially when he loses contact with Efren and law enforcement comes up short in their search for him.

When Ben's and Lainie's investigations converge, Lainie's not eager to work alongside Ben given their complicated history, but she's willing to do so if it means figuring out what Stan knows and locating Evie. Soon, Lainie can't deny Ben's dedication to finding the truth or her growing admiration for him. And the more the two examine the evidence, the more they suspect Evie's disappearance is tied to a highly publicized criminal case from Lainie's past . . . and someone is playing a perilous game aimed at personal revenge.

• Great for fans of thrillers by Lynette Eason, Colleen Coble, and Allison Brennan
• Police procedural featuring a detective and an FBI agent written by a former police officer
• Clean, stand-alone romantic suspense novel filled with high stakes, edge-of-your-seat adventure, elements of mystery, and themes of fighting for justice
• Includes discussion questions for book clubs

Keeper of My Heart ~ Review

Keeper of My Heart

Discerning God’s Best #6

By Heidi Gray McGill

Cecelia Shankel doesn't have time for men who think she needs a man at her side to prove her worth in the saddle. No, she knows that she can get a job done and doesn't want to waste time on men who can't see who she is and what she's capable of. 

Jimmy Reeves comes from a wealthy background, but instead of leveraging his place in society he's pursued knowledge. He might have trouble interacting with people, but he knows the intellectual side of the study of pharmaceutical practices. But Jimmy wants more and his old school mate Thomas Shankel provides just the opportunity he seeks. Jimmy goes beyond the classroom and lab seeking the natural side of healing and heads west.

Jimmy takes this opportunity given him to grow as both a person and a healer. What he hadn't counted was meeting Thomas's sister Cecelia, a young woman confident in her own abilities and unlike any woman he has ever before met, one who guards her independence and doesn't have time to waste on a man who can't keep up with her.

Jimmy and Cecelia seem like such opposites. Two people one wouldn't expect to ever work together, but when lives are on the line, they do so. What's more they see that each has something to offer, and that maybe God has a better plan for them than what they had made for themselves.

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

About the Book:

Cecelia Grace Trexler Shankel has never met her match. Raised on the rugged frontier, she rides harder, shoots straighter, and knows the land better than most men. At seventeen, she’s expected to marry, but no suitor has ever been her equal—and she refuses to settle for less. Independent to a fault and fiercely intelligent, Cecelia has no patience for anyone who can’t keep up with her.

Then James “Jimmy” Reeves arrives.

A brilliant but socially awkward pharmacist, Jimmy Reeves has spent his life mastering medicine, not people. After earning his medical degree in Philadelphia, he pursues further studies at the new school of pharmacy in South Carolina, refining his knowledge of formulas and precision-based healing. But instead of returning to a life of privilege, he heads west, determined to learn the practical side of medicine—where science meets survival.

His plan is simple: study natural remedies, assist his friend Thomas Shankel’s clinic, and return with newfound expertise. What he never expects is Cecelia Shankel—a woman as wild and untamed as the land itself, challenging everything he thought he knew about strength, skill, and survival.

Their first meeting is a clash of worlds—her bold confidence against his quiet precision. She thinks he’s too stiff and bookish; he finds her exasperatingly unpredictable. But when a sudden smallpox outbreak threatens the town, they are forced to work together, testing their skills, patience, and faith.

As sparks fly and respect grows, Cecelia finds herself drawn to a man who challenges her not with strength, but with knowledge. And Jimmy discovers that some things, like love and faith, can’t be measured in scientific terms.

But Cecelia isn’t ready to let any man keep her heart.
And Jimmy isn’t sure he’s brave enough to try.

In a world where independence is survival, can two opposites surrender to God’s best plan for their lives?

For Misty M. Beller, Lacy Williams, and Linda Ford fans, this standalone novel in the Discerning God’s Best series will capture your heart and leave you breathless. You’ll love this book if you enjoy gripping historical drama and compelling characters. Binge-read the entire series on Kindle Unlimited.

• Full-length Christian historical fiction
• A standalone novel in the Discerning God’s Best series
• Includes discussion questions for book clubs
• Timeline: 1875–1876
• For fans of Misty M. Beller, Lacy Williams, and Linda Ford

Book One: Desire of My Heart

Book Two: With All My Heart

Companion Christmas Novella: Stitched On My Heart

Book Three: Matters of the Heart

Book Four: Healing of the Heart

Book Five: Written on My Heart

Companion Christmas Novella: A Place to Belong

Book Six: Keeper of My Heart

Prequel: Deep in My Heart – available for free with newsletter signup. Search Heidi Gray McGill to locate her website

Falling for the Huntsman ~ Review

Falling for the Huntsman

To Win a Dark Heart #12

By Leialoha Humpherys

Have you ever hidden yourself away? Malia has done just that. She's lived with the guilt of what she's done, but not of what she was accused of doing. No, she never sank that low. She's called "witch" and viewed with suspicion by the villagers, who should call her neighbor and healer.  

Alaric never wants to be poor or suffer again, and the means to his goal is whaling and building a fleet of ships around it. Alaric is not just good at his job; he's the best, and he has built an empire that is known across the seas. But when his ship is attacked, Alaric nearly pays for the treachery with his life. His rescue is the talk of legends, but only if he recovers to speak of it. And it is here that our two wounded "villains" come together. Malia is a healer and Alaric is nearly mortally wounded. 

Falling for the Huntsman is such a good read. It is one of those books that once you open it, you don't want to put it down. And when forced to do so, you just want to return to this faraway island world and dive back in. This was a wholly unique blending of Snow White and Hansel and Gretel set in an exotic, tropical location. I love it when a book makes me want to find more titles set in its story world, and Falling for the Huntsman does just that.   

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

About the Book:

A Villainous Twist on Snow White and Hansel & Gretel

Two villains. 

One shipwreck. 

A queen’s betrayal that could ruin them all.

Alaric, the infamous huntsman who once saved Princess Sereth, has built a brutal whaling empire without her crown or favor. Feared, powerful, and as untouchable as the sea, he’s the kind of man no one crosses. But when a mysterious ambush leaves him shipwrecked, he wakes in the care of a quiet woman who seems to loathe him on sight.
Malia has spent years in exile, her name twisted into legend after two lost children fled her forest home and never returned. She lives with pain and guilt, hidden far from the queen’s reach… until the sea tosses a wounded whaler onto her shores.

He’s sharp edges and control. She’s soft silence and secrets. But the more time they spend together, the more their guarded hearts begin to unravel. And when the truth surfaces—about the ambush, the queen, and their own pasts—they’ll have to decide if love is enough to survive what comes next. Falling for the Huntsman is a lush, romantic retelling that weaves together Snow White and Hansel & Gretel. After betrayal, exile, and near-death, a ruthless whaler and a reclusive witch are forced together on a faraway island, where old wounds burn and forbidden feelings spark.

Perfect for fans of slow-burn romance, cozy danger, and villain redemption arcs, "Falling for the Huntsman" is the twelfth book in the To Win a Dark Heart series, which retells fairytales as old as time—but this time it’s the villain’s turn to get a happy ending.

All for Love ~ Review

All For Love

By Jen Geigle Johnson

I admit it, I love historical fiction. And when it is based on the life of a real person, all the better. Sarah Siddons's life is a story worth reading about. I loved how family was so important to her. She was born a Kemble and began performing with her family at the age of four. She learned to face her fears, and no matter how the audience reacted to a performance, to do her best.

But acting took its toll; she would become one with her character, blending with it to become someone new for each new play. I loved how she is shown playing Lady MacBeth and the reactions of both the audience and her internal ones to the character. Her talents unfortunately draw unwanted attention and force her into a short time away from the stage.

Sarah's life was a series of ups and downs but through it all - triumphs and tragedies, gains and losses she stayed true to her calling. She was an actress, but to her family was everything. 

All for Love is moving story of one woman's determination in the face of numerous trials and what she did and overcame for those she loved.

I was provided a complimentary copy of the book. All thoughts expressed are my own. 

About the Book:

Sarah Siddons gave her heart to her family and her life to the stage. 

History remembers her brilliance; 

this is the story of what it cost her.

When her London theater burns to the ground, her friends think Sarah Siddons has lost everything. But the great theater's destruction is only the latest loss in a life spent fighting for the one thing that mattered most: her family. At fifteen, Sarah captivated audiences across England with her family's traveling theater company. That life—performing alongside those she loved—the stage and home intertwined, was all she ever wanted. But when her rising fame attracted dangerous attention, her parents sent her away to become "respectable," tearing apart the only dream she'd ever had. Marrying William Siddons was supposed to bring it all back: the stage, family, belonging. Instead, it brought grinding poverty and impossible choices. With babies to feed and a husband who couldn't provide, Sarah became the sole breadwinner, performing through pregnancy, through grief, through exhaustion. Her every act was not a quest for glory, but for survival. Based on the true story of Sarah Siddons, the most celebrated actress of the Georgian era, All for Love is a powerful portrait of a woman who sacrificed everything—her dreams, her happiness, her very self—to keep her family alive.

From an author who has written Regency Romance for almost ten years, comes a new Historical Fiction biographical novel with page-turning power. Enjoy the latest detail-filled, heroic tale of a woman who lit the stages of Georgian Era Great Britain.

Falling for the Wolf ~ Review - Release Day

Falling for the Wolf

To Win a Dark Heart

By Megan Charlie

Tasia may have told Prince Frank something about her family that she shouldn't have. Well, that was the last time she'd be able to spill the beans and betray their trust, because she was sent to a different kingdom to relatives she had never met. Talk about culture shock. What's worse, no one wants anything to do with her. Which is problematic when she needs to get a job and contribute to the household. 

What's a girl to do when there are no available jobs for her? Take the only one available—delivering medicine to an old woman known as Grandmother. One delivery a week, surely Tasia can handle that, can't she? Evidently not, because she gets lost in the woods. She needs help and happens to stumble upon Mitch.

Mitch is cursed. There is no other word for it, and now he's saddled with Tasia because she stumbled upon his secret. Now he's stuck helping her get from town to Granny's house. He's counting down the days until he can leave the town behind and start over somewhere else again. And he refuses to be anything but brusque and surly with Tasia. No way is he ever helping someone willingly again. 

Nope, not happening ever. 

So, yeah, that changed. And now the two of them must work together to stop an evil plot that could totally ruin their lives for however long they live. Right sounds totally dire. But they have a plan. Or will have a plan. They need to think of a plan. 

This is a cute story that brings together the villains from Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella in a delightful, fun reimagining from the POV of the other side of these well-known fairy tales. Mitch and Tasia are such opposites that they truly need one another to thwart the danger that has surrounded them and maybe their own Happily-Ever-After.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts expressed are my own.   

About the Book:

A woman who betrayed her family

A rogue hiding a hairy secret

And a blackmail arrangement with unexpected consequences

After her stepsister marries the crown prince, Tasia is shipped out of the country to live with relatives she’s never heard of before. Blamed and scorned for her role in that debacle, Tasia struggles to make a new life for herself amongst a community that doesn’t care for outsiders. But even that is less nerve-wracking than her weekly trips through the woods to deliver a basket of “goodies” to the sinister old woman known only as Grandmother.

Mitch helped a naive girl travel through the woods once before. After having his heart viciously yanked out and stomped on, he’s not doing that ever again. When Tasia comes along, all innocent smiles and no sense of self-preservation, he vows to stay far away. But she stumbles upon his furry little secret and he reluctantly agrees to play protector in exchange for her silence.

What seems like a simple arrangement soon becomes complicated as enemies from the past begin cropping up in unexpected places. When Mitch and Tasia stumble onto a villainous plot with far-reaching consequences they must choose between looking out for themselves or risking everything for faceless strangers. With lives–and possibly their hearts–on the line, how will two recovering villains decide what to do? And will their choices be compatible? Or just another betrayal?

Falling for the Wolf is a retelling that combines elements of Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella. Set after the events of each of these stories, this no spice romantasy is the 8th book in the To Win a Dark Heart series which retells fairy tales as old as time, but this time it’s the villain’s turn to get a happy ending.

Love and Baseball AND The Cinderella Plot ~ 2 Book Reviews and Giveaway

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for 

Love & Baseball by Jaime Jo Wright (with Chloe Joanne) 

AND 

The Cinderella Plot by Pepper Basham, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Love and Baseball 
By Jaime Jo Wright with Chloe JoAnne 

First off this was a cute read. Brielle is being pressured by her friends in school and her loving aunts (yes plural aunts as in four) to find a boyfriend. Talk about a whole ton of unnecessary pressure. Yikes! I believe me I can totally sympathize having been on the receiving end myself from "loving" relatives.

But Bri is all about her books and baseball and doesn't want to take time away from either for finding and having a boyfriend, so she turns to AI create a fake boyfriend.  But when her fake made-up AI boyfriend has a total like-alike show up at her school with the same name she created for her boyfriend things get complicated.

Brooks Mason's first day at the new school he's starting mid-year is just odd. People seem to know him and are excited that he's there and they keep mentioning North Carolina and Bri. Whatever?  

Soon the keep from having the truth come out they are in a fake relationship. How hard can it be to pretend for just a short time and then have a breakup. But to do this they'll need to spend some time together, follow all her dad's rules, and deal with all the hype this awkward coincidence has caused. 

This is a cute, sweet read that features real life drama that stresses teens out while offering a fun twist to it. This book is free of most of the darker aspects and depressing issues that drive most YA fiction. This a refreshing read that has true life feel to it that most teens could relate to. Highly recommend to tweens and teens.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book

Title: Love and Baseball 
Author: Jaime Jo Wright with Chloe JoAnne 
Publisher: MadLit Publishing 
Release Date: February 10, 2026 
Genre: Young Adult Romantic Comedy

She needed a boyfriend. AI came to her rescue. But then her fake boyfriend showed up at school. 

Brielle has never wanted a boyfriend. She's happy with her book boyfriends--purely fictional, right? Easy to maintain. She's also not a huge fan of sports, except baseball. Not playing it. No. Again, books and cozy afternoons are her thing. But Brielle can get into baseball with the best of them when it comes to watching, repeating stats, and wearing her favorite jerseys. But apparently, that's not enough in life. At least according to her four nosy aunts, who all think she needs a boyfriend, people at school who are convinced Brielle is a closet serial killer because she's happier with her books, and yeah. Valentine’s Day is on the calendar. 

There is a purpose for AI, and Brielle decides the genius thing to do is make a fake boyfriend. Complete with deepfake photos, Brielle creates the perfect boyfriend, and no one needs to know he's entirely fictional. They just need to believe she met him over summer vacation, and he lives somewhere in North Carolina. Only he doesn't. When baseball catcher, Brooks Mason shows up at high school, a lookalike to Brielle's AI boyfriend, her entire world becomes a dog-eared, bent pages book nightmare. 

Brooks is getting sick of all the girls at school wanting to date him. He wants to play ball and hang out. So, yeah. It makes sense to help Brielle out. Fake date? Why not? But once together, dating for show becomes an act that both Brielle and Brooks aren't quite prepared for, and dealing with unexpected attraction, complicated situations, and interfering aunts and bffs?  

It's a grand slam of problems just waiting to happen, plus a game-changing shot at a championship home run at love.  

** CLEAN YA Rom-Com Fiction you can read without skipping a page **

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

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About the Authors

Jaime Jo Wright is a multi-award-winning author of gothic historical mystery novels that weave suspense through dual timelines. Her debut novel, The House on Foster Hill (2017), won both the prestigious Christy Award and the Daphne du Maurier Award, establishing her as a compelling voice in inspirational fiction. An ECPA and Publisher's Weekly bestselling author, Wright specializes in chilling mysteries stained with history's secrets, drawing readers into haunting tales set primarily in turn-of-the-century Wisconsin. Her work has earned praise from Publishers Weekly for skillfully wrapping intricate mysteries around dual timelines with enough surprises to captivate lovers of gothic fiction. When she isn’t writing mysteries, she co-authors YA RomCom with her teenage daughter, Chloe JoAnne, with a passion to provide sweet and witty romance for teenagers with no apologies needed. Residing in Wisconsin's rural woodlands with her husband and their two children, Wright is a self-proclaimed coffee enthusiast and lover of all of her rescued felines.

Connect with Jaime Jo by visiting jaimewrightbooks.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.

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The Cinderella Plot

By Pepper Basham

What if you felt invisible to everyone around you? This is just how Paisley Harper feels. After all, even her dad doesn't want her, and she lives with her aunt and uncle. Books are her thing, but she wants something more - like an invite to Homecoming. But when no one really sees you, you're forgotten.

But Paisley is determined to switch things up, starting with her appearance. It worked in The Princess Diaries, so why can't it work for her too? And she may have come across the perfect way to transform herself into someone who will be noticed The Cinderella Plot.

But her BFF has a different perspective that if you have to change outwardly to catch someone's attention, then they still aren't seeing you. But what does Chris Benson know? He's just a guy after all. But there is something different about the way he's looking at her and even the things he's saying lately.

As Paisley changes she is faced with some questions about the person she is becoming. 

This is actually a really good book for making one stop and think. What is more important? Being someone noticed by all the popular people? Or being someone who has a few close friends? Self-centered or giving?

I love how Paisley's ah-ha moments give her pause. She doesn't always pick the right thing, but when she remembers who she is and the basics she was given she realizes what is truly important and what is worth pursuing. 

This was a cute read that touches on a timely topic with all the pressure tween and teens face in this time of social media and peer pressure. School has always been a place that demands conforming even without today's external factors and that makes this book timeless in the lesson it shares. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book

Title: The Cinderella Plot 
Author: Pepper Basham 
Publisher: independently published 
Release Date: March 19, 2026 
Genre: Young Adult Romantic Comedy

Paisley Harper is invisible. 

Not in a superpower way. More like the people-look-right-through-you-in-the-hallway kind of way. 

She’s the girl with the oversized cardigan, random book knowledge, and the uncanny ability to tutor the school’s star quarterback without actually being seen as anything more than helpful. Meanwhile, her aunt and uncle’s beloved small-town bookstore is under threat from a shiny corporate chain, her best friend keeps giving her looks that feel suspiciously loaded, and Homecoming is looming like a glittery reminder that senior year is running out…and she’s never been kissed. 

Enter The Cinderella Plot—a wildly popular self-help book promising total transformation in five easy steps. New hair. New confidence. New life. Maybe even… a date. 

With nothing to lose (except her dignity), Paisley decides to follow the plan. Because if fairy tales have taught her anything, it’s that invisible girls don’t get happy endings unless they change something first. 

But as Paisley starts stepping into the spotlight, she has to ask herself an important question: 

What if being seen comes at the cost of being herself? 

Full of heart, humor, bookish charm, and small-town magic, The Cinderella Plot is a romcom about friendship, first love, faith, and discovering that sometimes the greatest transformation isn’t becoming someone new—it’s realizing you were worthy all along.  

** CLEAN YA Rom-Com Fiction you can read without skipping a page **

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon

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About the Author

Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance “peppered” with grace and humor. Writing both historical and contemporary novels, she loves to incorporate her native Appalachian culture and/or her unabashed adoration of the UK into her stories. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of southwestern VA, where she is the wife, mom to five great kids, a speech-language pathologist, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus.

Connect with Pepper by visiting pepperdbasham.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a prize pack of Brielle's Faves (an signed copy of Love & Baseball, a copy of Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen, a Milwaukee Brewers lanyard, and a Brewers Christian Yelich baseball card) and Paisley's Faves (a signed copy of The Cinderella Plot, a Cinderella carriage jewelry holder, and a beautiful copy of Emma by Jane Austen)!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight March 2, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 9, 2026. 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!