English

5.10.2023

JustRead Buzz Blitz Celebrating 5 Years

JustRead 5th Birthday Buzz Blitz

Welcome to the Buzz Blitz, celebrating 
5 years of buzzing about books 

5 book bee perks

Blog tours, bookstagram tours, reviewer tours, etc. are different varieties of book campaigns. Readers who participate in JustRead campaigns are called hosts or book bees.

5 book bee perks JustRead Tours Various hosting options 
Readers buzz about books in a variety of ways through blog posts (spotlights, reviews, interviews, guest posts), social media posts (bookstagram, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter), and posted reviews (Goodreads, Bookbub, and retail sites). 
 
Reader community 
Although reading is usually a solitary pursuit, enjoy a richer experience with community! Get to know fellow readers through comments, posts, and book recommendations. 

Author interaction 
Want to personally thank authors for writing books that you love to read? Authors often visit campaign posts to say hello, express gratitude, and answer questions.  Here are a few of the many authors I've connected with                                                                     andrea_christenson_author

Exclusive giveaways 
Book bees are eligible for exclusive giveaways through the host newsletter and the monthly host giveaway in addition to tour-wide and occasional host exclusive campaign giveaways. 

Access to sweet titles 
Last but not least, the honey of the book bee life is sweet reads! JustRead promotes titles within Christian, wholesome, or clean reads genres with content notes tailored to conservative values when sensitive issues are present.

Enjoy this small clip of the books I've enjoyed over the years with JustRead


 

About JustRead 

JustRead Publicity Tours buzzing about books

JustRead Publicity Tours, LLC provides readers with a steady stream of promotional and reading selections from Christian, wholesome, and clean reads genres plus exclusive participant giveaway opportunities! By equipping readers with tools and support to create positive, impactful bookish content, JustRead advocates spreading the word (aka buzzing) about books that inspire and are written from a Christian perspective.

Connect with JustRead by following on social media @justreadtours, visiting justreadtours.com, or subscribing to host or blog post email newsletter updates.


Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 gift card 
(winner's choice of Amazon, Baker Book House, 
Christianbook, or Walmart)!

(5) additional winners will receive one print book 
from the JustRead stash and a JustRead bookmark!

JustRead Buzz Blitz Giveaway 5th Birthday

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule is linked below. Giveaway began at midnight May 8, 2023 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on May 15, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway


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

JustRead Publicity Tours  

5.09.2023

Beauty Reborn ~ Review

Beauty Reborn
By Elizabeth Lowham

Beauty's name draws attention to her outer appearance, ignoring her thoughts, her words. Until Stephan, her name was merely a word, something those around her used to discount her thoughts and words. And catching Stephan's attention at first was an honor until he wouldn't stop trying to claim her for himself.

When her family lost everything, Beauty welcomed it, hoping it would steal her beauty. And when her father stole a rose, she took the opportunity to pay the cost of his theft. For a beast such as he described would surely end her life, ending her pain, her anger, her shame.

Beauty Reborn is a Beauty and the Beast retelling that offers a twist to the typical retellings. Beast is cursed, and to break the curse, he must get a young woman to agree to marry him. But marriage isn't something Beauty wants; she just wants to pay her father's debt. Her reasons aren't noble but selfish; she knows this but needs to hide away from the outside world. And the isolation of an unknown lost castle with only Beast as a companion seemed perfect. But then she got to know him. A beast he might be in appearance but not in his heart.

Beauty's story is slowly told throughout the book in short snippets within other scenes. It's as if certain actions bring forth memories she's tried to bury. 

Beast's story is more interesting and original. How he came to be cursed, living in an enchanted castle, and isolated, hidden away from everything. There is a moment when Beauty suggests the two should exchange names, which isn't too far-fetched when one gets glimpses at their hearts. I find the interactions of Beauty with her family to be rather telling. I can't say that I'd have wanted to be friends with any of the sisters. I have to be honest Beauty's brother, Rob, is who I am most sympathetic with, and I hope he gets his heart's desire.

This is a book that, depending on the individual, will either be loved or treated with indifference. Beauty's memories of Stephan sometimes jump out without warning that a break is coming. But I think this is what the author was going for, as Beauty is haunted by what happened and what she perceives as her role in what unfolded. Overall, I feel this was a good read, especially when one considers the subject matter. That being said, I would recommend this to older teens and adults.

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:
Fantasy and reality collide in this retelling of “Beauty and the Beast” about a young woman’s heroic quest to save herself.

Beauty’s life is the stuff of fairy tales. The youngest in her family, Beauty isn’t trying to catch Stephan’s eye. He is the lord baron’s heir, well above her family’s modest station, but when he kisses her hand at a party, Beauty is swept away by his charm, his wit, and his passionate declarations of love.

Hearts can be untamable creatures, especially when touched by the fires of first love, and Beauty doesn’t see the truth of Stephan’s intentions until it is too late. Until he stops asking for Beauty’s love—and simply takes it from her one night despite her refusal.

Beauty locks away the secret of what happened to her, and when her father emerges from the enchanted forest with a stolen rose in his hand and the tale of a vicious beast on his breath, Beauty seizes the chance to run as far from Stephan as possible.

She has some experience with beasts, after all. Certainly, the one in the forest couldn’t be any worse than the one she’s already encountered.

Breaking the Beast’s curse might be the key to discovering her own path to healing—and finding the courage to allow herself to feel reborn.

5.08.2023

Snow Storm ~ Review

 

5.05.2023

The Shifting Current ~ Review with Excerpt

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for 
The Shifting Current by Dani Pettrey, 

The Shifting Current

The Shifting Current 
Coastal Guardians #4  
By Dani Pettrey

Logan Perry loves his job as a Special Agent with the Coast Guard's Investigative Services division. And he especially loves working with Emmy Thorton; she makes him a better investigator. And makes him want to be a better man. But the secrets from his past will forever stand in the way of any future they could have.

When Logan gets word that Colt, his grandfather, the man who raised him, has been murdered, he returns home. He needs to lay his grandfather to rest and find justice. But he won't be going alone; Emmy insists on helping him because together, nothing can stop them from getting to the truth. And she refuses to allow him to suffer such a loss alone.

The Shifting Current brings the Coastal Guardians series to a conclusion. It is interesting to finally get Logan's back story, to learn who and what shaped him into the man he is. But throughout, we get to see Emmy and Logan working together to discover not who but why someone decided to kill Colt. And as they get closer to answers, danger comes ever closer. Overall this was a good book, it is a novella, so it is just under 200 pages and a relatively quick read. The action keeps the story moving while maintaining the tension of wondering, "What's next?" The fact that we've gotten glimpses of Logan and Emmy's rather complicated relationship throughout the series makes this the "cherry on top," where their romance is concerned. And to best enjoy this book, you should probably read the first three books in the series first, but it is doable even if you pick this up first; it's just like skipping to the end of the book (only in this case, it would be the series).

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: The Shifting Current 
Series: Coastal Guardians novella 
Author: Dani Pettrey 
Publisher: Gracie & Johnny Inc. 
Release Date: May 2, 2023 
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

An elusive killer. A false identity. A deadly maze of lies.

When Coast Guard Investigative Service Special Agent LOGAN PERRY’s beloved grandfather is murdered, Logan races to his hometown of Cauldron Creek, New Mexico to investigate the murder. His teammate and friend, EMMY THORTON, insists on joining him. Not a good idea—not when he loves her, but carries a secret that he knows will tear them apart. 

Emmy knows Logan will pursue the investigation no matter the cost, and she won’t let the man she loves plunge into a dangerous situation alone. She needs to be at his side, even if he believes friendship is her only reason for joining him. 

What looks like a robbery gone wrong rapidly shifts, drawing Emmy and Logan into a dizzying maze where nothing is as it appears. Every lead slips through their fingers as threats against them grow deadlier at each turn. Having only each other to rely on, their love for one another deepens, but will they live long enough to admit their attraction to each other? 

They’re in the killer’s sights. One wrong move puts their future together and their lives on the line.

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

More Books in this Series

The Killing Tide    The Crushing Depths     The Deadly Shallows


Excerpt

Em was a natural. He knew she’d be. She took to everything so easily, her easygoing
nature just adapting. He loved her so. The lyrics for “I Lived” by OneRepublic tracked through
his mind, especially the part about hoping the person found love and that it hurt so bad. Hurt in
a good way. It was the strangest dichotomy, but he understood it. He ached for her.

“Now we’re going to have to go through a narrow stretch along the trail. Just go slow.”

“Where exactly are we headed?”

“There’s an outcropping on the far ledge. We’ll tie up the horses and head out on the
boulder. Sitting there, away from any man-made lights, you can see a gazillion stars.”

“A gazillion, huh?” She laughed. “Oh.” Her voice went up an octave. “I see what you
mean about the trail narrowing.

“You’ll be good. Just let Wrangler do his thing. The horses have walked this trail so many
times over the years, it’s second nature to them.”
Em stared down at what was visible of the steep drop-off in the moonlight. It had to be
well over a hundred-foot drop.

“Easy now,” Logan said. “Nice and slow. You’ve got this. Just trust your mount—he
knows what he’s doing.”

A noise like the crack of a whip sounded a millisecond before the rock by Em’s head
shattered.

Wrangler reared back, and Logan’s heart lodged in his throat. Em.

About the Author

Dani Pettrey

Publishers Weekly, #1 Parable, #1 Amazon, ECPA, and CBA bestselling author, Dani Pettrey has sold nearly 800,000 copies of her novels to readers eagerly awaiting the next release. Dani combines the page-turning adrenaline of a thriller with the chemistry and happy-ever-after of a romance. Her novels stand out for their wicked pace, snappy dialogue, and likable characters (Publishers Weekly), gripping storyline[s], (RT Book Reviews), and sizzling undercurrent of romance (USA Today). She researches murder and mayhem from her home in Maryland.

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


Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a "The Best is Yet to Come" mug, 
gourmet roasted coffee from NYC, 
and the full Coastal Guardian series 
including The Shifting Current in paperback!

(1) winner will receive a "The Best is Yet to Come" notebook, 
gel pens, and a paperback copy of The Killing Tide!

(1) winner will receive a "The Best is Yet to Come" vintage sign 
and a paperback copy of The Crushing Depths!

The Shifting Current JustRead Giveaway

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. 
The full tour schedule is linked below. 
The giveaway began at midnight May 5, 2023, and lasts 
through 11:59 PM EST on May 12, 2023. 
The winner will be notified within 2 weeks of the close of the giveaway 
and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of their prize. 
US only. 
Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway


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

JustRead Publicity Tours

The Shifting Current JustRead Takeover + Review Blitz

5.02.2023

The Duke and the Lady Gardener ~ Review with Excerpt

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for 
The Duke and the Lady Gardener by Alissa Baxter, 


The Duke and the Lady GardenerThe Duke and the Lady Gardener
The Grantham Girls #1
By Alissa Baxter

Alexandra Grantham does what she can to provide for the poor. But now her questionable activities are about to get her into trouble when she targets her new neighbor, Mr. Robert Chanderly. Suddenly she has someone not intimidated by her activities as a lady highwayman. Worse, he knows who she is, and her fate rests in his hands.

But when her London Season begins, rather than ruining her, Robert pays her attention, effectively elevating her in the eyes of society. But her outspoken ways have made her enemies, enemies who are in the ton. Can Robert protect her as her enemies draw close?

The Duke and the Lady Gardener is the first book in The Grantham Girls series, and it is a fun read. Alexandra feels burdened to help those in need in her neighborhood. But she doesn't have the means to support them on her own, and the other landowners don't seem to care. But when she challenges Robert, she never expected him to care, much less listen to her. Taking over his newly inherited estate, Robert decides to keep his true identity a secret in an effort to thwart the attentions of title-hungry mothers. He didn't expect to find a red-haired miss who was outspoken and cared little for her marriage prospects. This is a clash of wills and personalities, as Alexandra and Robert learn that not everything is as it seems at first glance, and sometimes love blooms in the most unexpected places.

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


Excerpt


The thieves rode swiftly across the countryside, saying not a word to one
another as they sped away. Finally, they came to a secluded copse where
they drew up their horses and silently dismounted beside an open carriage,
which had been carefully concealed amongst the bushes. The leader picked
up a bundle from the conveyance and slipped away behind some trees while
the larger highwayman harnessed the horses.

He went about his task efficiently, muttering to himself as he put the
animals in their traces. Finally, the man raised his voice: “Our escape this
time was too narrow, Miss Grantham. When I saw the barrel of that gun in
your face—. Your brother would have my blood if he knew I aid you in such
foolishness.”

“It isn’t foolishness, Ben, and we managed to escape, so don’t fuss. Is my
appearance tidy enough?”

Ben scowled at the young lady who emerged from behind the bushes.
“Aye, miss, you look tidy enough. But that wouldn’t be the case if a
bloodstain happened to mark those pretty clothes of yours.”

“You concern yourself far too much over me. I admit our plans went
slightly awry today, but Lady Luck has smiled on us—as she always does.”
She laughed up at him as he assisted her into the carriage.

Ben continued to frown. “Well, in my experience, miss, it don’t pay to
tempt fate. We’d be mad to continue this for much longer.”

About the Book

Title: The Duke and the Lady Gardener
Series: The Grantham Girls #1
Author: Alissa Baxter
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing
Release Date
: May 2, 2023
Genre
: Regency/Historical Romance (sweet, wholesome)

Love blossoms for a Lady Gardener when she robs a Duke. . . and then steals his heart.

Alexandra Grantham becomes Lady Robin Hood, stealing from the rich to provide for the local farm workers in the district. However, when her new neighbor, Mr. Robert Chanderly, unmasks her, Alexandra cannot hide her horror as he has it within his power to ruin her reputation. But, instead of blighting her social chances when they arrive in London, Robert decides to bring Alexandra into high fashion, and she effectively takes the ton by storm.  
 
Enemies abound in the Capital, however, causing trouble for Alexandra at every turn. So when an adversary threatens to reveal Alexandra’s dangerous secret, Robert must do everything within his power to defend the honor of the woman he loves—or lose the only lady he’s ever wished to make his wife.

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

Also Available

   


About the Author

Alissa Baxter

Alissa Baxter wrote her first Regency romance during her long university holidays. After traveling the world, she settled down to write her second Regency novel, which was inspired by her time living on a country estate in England. Alissa then published two chick lit novels, The Truth About Clicking Send and Receive(previously published as Send and Receive) and The Truth About Cats and Bees (previously published as The Blog Affair).

Many years later, Alissa returned to her favorite era. She writes Regency romances that feature women in trend-setting roles who fall in love with men who embrace their trailblazing ways… at least eventually. Alissa currently lives in Johannesburg with her husband and two sons.

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


Tour Giveaway

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

The Duke and the Lady Gardener JustRead Tours giveaway
The full tour schedule is linked below. 
The giveaway begins at midnight on May 2, 2023, and will last 
through 11:59 PM EST on May 9, 2023. 
The winner will be notified within 2 weeks of the close of the giveaway 
and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of the prize. 
US Amazon accounts only. 
Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

The giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway


 

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

JustRead Publicity Tours

The Duke and the Lady Gardener JustRead Blog + Review Tour

5.01.2023

A Heart Worth Stealing ~ Review

A Heart Worth Stealing
By Joanna Barker

She only wants what was taken from her to be returned but to get results, she will have to employ a thief-taker. Genevieve Wilde has walked a very narrow line all her life, always on the fringes of polite society. And using a thief-taker is something that could well damage her fragile reputation beyond repair.

Someone has stolen the watch her father gave her moments before he died. The local constabulary is too busy to be bothered by something she most likely just misplaced. Her father's watch though not of great monetary worth, means something to Ginny. And she'll do whatever she can to recover it, even hiring Jack Travers, a former Bow Street Runner.

But more than a missing watch is at play at Wimborne. and Ginny needs more than a thief-taker when it becomes obvious that someone is making the attacks on her property personal. But is it directed at her, or is it someone from her late father's past? 

When Jack decides the best way to protect Ginny and get answers is to be on-site, he takes on the role of her "cousin" to protect her reputation from the local gossips.

A Heart Worth Stealing is a delightful Regency read. Tension sets the stage at Ginny and Jack's first meeting. It is an interesting journey as they get to know one another. Can Ginny trust this charming thief-taker, especially after their less-than-stellar first meeting?

This is my first time reading Joanna Barker's work, and it was a pleasant first meeting. The writing was well-done. The story was written entirely from Genevieve's viewpoint, which was a highly unusual format for me. I usually read books that are a back-and-forth between the main characters' viewpoints, so this was an enjoyable change. Fans of Regency and Historical fiction will enjoy this book. A Heart Worth Stealing is worth your time.

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


About the Book:

Little Sowerby, England, 1802

Miss Genevieve Wilde—a magistrate’s daughter and independent heiress—is determined to meet 
life’s challenges all on her own, just as her late father had taught her. So when her father’s 
pocket watch is stolen, she will do anything to get it back, especially when the local authorities 
prove incompetent.

Upon reading an advertisement in the paper, she takes a chance and contacts a thief-taker to find 
the watch. It’s a choice Ginny regrets when former Bow Street officer Jack Travers arrives on 
her doorstep. He is frustratingly flirtatious, irritatingly handsome, and entirely unpredictable, and 
Ginny wonders if she’ll be able to resist such a man.

But after Ginny discovers that the missing watch is just a small part of a larger, more frightening 
plot against her, she needs Jack’s help more than ever. To protect her home and her reputation, 
the two enter into a risky charade—pretending Jack is her cousin so he can begin his 
investigation, starting with the household staff. As they work together to unravel the mystery, 
Ginny finds herself falling fast for her charismatic thief-taker, leaving her heart in just as much 
danger as her life.

What Dreams May Come ~ Review

 What Dreams May Come
 By Dana LeCheminant

Lucy Hayes has been persuaded to leave her place of employment in secret in an attempt to evade the unwanted attentions of a man she does not wish to marry. But a storm soon finds her agreeing to a most unusual plan-she pretends to be married to an utter stranger. Great idea until the stranger offering her protection falls ill, and his family is informed of her status. 

To protect herself, Lucy is reluctantly drawn further into the lie that she has a connection to William Calloway. As his betrothed, she is offered a place within the family. And as much as she hates lying about who she is, Lucy relishes the feeling of family, safety, and love they freely offer her. How can she even begin to explain the truth of her situation without William's aid?  

And then there is Simon, William's older brother, whom Lucy connects with. As she gets to know Simon more, Lucy discovers a hurting soul, a soul that she alone seems to understand. But the lies she has told stand between them. 

What Dreams May Come is a lovely read from the talented mind of Dana LeCheminant. A woman with no connections in need of refuge hides behind a lie. A lie she never wanted, but it is all that stands between her and an unwanted marriage (or worse). But the very lie meant to protect her could be the very thing that will destroy her future. I must admit this would be a most trying situation to find oneself in. I can't honestly say what I would have done in a similar situation. 

I really loved these characters - Lucy, who was trying to protect herself the only way she knew how. Simon, who was losing himself to the legacy he was trying to preserve. These are characters I would love to revisit in additional books. I have become invested in their lives and want to know what happens next, and would love the chance to get to know the supporting characters better. This lovely Regency read will delight readers of Historical Romance who want a clean read.

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:

In a bid to escape the incessant attentions of a man she does not love, governess Lucy Hayes embarks on a journey to begin a new post. But when she’s stranded in a storm, her plans go shockingly awry. Desperate times call for desperate measures: against her better judgment, she agrees to a foolhardy scheme presented by a handsome stranger, known to her as only William. But when her mysterious benefactor falls ill, she finds herself unwittingly drawn into his family home in a case of mistaken identity: they believe she is William’s betrothed. Though she realizes she should admit the truth, the family’s warmth and welcome make it all too easy to play along, just for a while. Until she meets Baron Lord Simon Calloway, William’s older brother.

Simon is suspicious of his lovely future sister-in-law, a woman who seems completely unsuited to his self-important brother. As they wait for William to awake, Simon and Lucy are drawn ever closer together. But danger draws closer too, in the form of her unwanted suitor. Lucy knows that when Simon discovers the truth, he will despise her. Now she must find a way to keep herself safe . . . and avoid falling hopelessly in love with a man she can never have.