Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours Presents: Essentials of Death: An Aromatherapy Apothecary Mystery by Kim Davis

Essentials of Death: An Aromatherapy Apothecary Mystery
by Kim Davis

About Essentials of Death

Essentials of Death: An Aromatherapy Apothecary Mystery
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – California
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harbor Lane Books, LLC.
Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 23, 2025
Print length ‏ : ‎ 299 pages
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FMS643F7

After a scandalous arrest in San Francisco, Carissa Carmichael has moved back to her small Southern California hometown to start over as she opens her Aromatherapy Apothecary shop and reflexology services. A tourist destination, Oak Creek Valley, seems the perfect place to put the past behind her, but it seems no one will let her forget, especially her high school nemesis, Lacie. When Carissa finds her frenemy murdered after having a public altercation at the town’s playwright conference and festival, she becomes the primary suspect. It doesn’t help that the tarot cards she drew earlier in the day foretold the nature of the murder weapon. Despite her father’s position as Oak Creek Valley’s chief of police, the detective assigned to the case assumes she’s guilty.

When tarot death cards begin turning up to taunt her, Carissa not only has to prove her innocence to keep her freedom, she has to make sure death doesn’t come calling for her or those she loves. With the suspects acting as slippery as the essential oils she distills, it’s up to Carissa to apply pressure and sniff out the truth before it’s too late.

Includes essential oil and reflexology tips.

About Kim Davis

Kim Davis writes the Aromatherapy Apothecary cozy mystery series and the award-winning Cupcake Catering cozy mystery series.

She lives in Southern California with her husband and rambunctious mini Goldendoodle, Missy, who has become an inspiration for several plotlines. When she’s not spending time with her granddaughters or chasing Missy around, she can be found either writing on her next book, working on her blog, Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder as well as Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen, or baking up yummy treats to share.

Kim Davis is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

Author Links
Website:  http://kimdavisauthor.com/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Kim-Davis-Author-1532277473479031/
Bluesky:  https://bsky.app/profile/kimdavisauthor.bsky.social
Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20202599.Kim_Davis
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kim-davis-899e51b0-5661-401c-98b1-ec4c2973d58a
Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/kimdavishb/
Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen: https://www.mysteryloverskitchen.com/

Purchase Links: Amazon
Other online book retailers: https://books2read.com/u/38wjka

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

September 22 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST

September 22 – The Mystery of Writing – SPOTLIGHT

September 23 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

September 23 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 23 – Carstairs Considers – REVIEW

September 24 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

September 24 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – RECIPE

September 25 – MJB Reviewers – REVIEW

September 25 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

September 26 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

September 26 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

September 27 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – REVIEW

September 27 – Sarandipity’s – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

September 28 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

September 28 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 29 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

September 29 – My Books and Crafts – SPOTLIGHT

September 30 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

September 30 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

October 1 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT

October 1 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – SPOTLIGHT

Have you signed up to be a Tour Host?
Click Here to Find Details and Sign Up Today!
Want to Book a Tour?
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An Amish Christmas Star by Shelley Shepard Gray, Charlotte Hubbard, Rosalind Lauer

The crisp fragrance of pine trees and the warm spice of fresh cookies aren’t the only blessings that Christmas brings, and no one knows more about happy homecomings than three couples who are celebrating the greatest gift of all . . .

BUGGIES, TRAINS, AND AUTOMOBILES * Shelley Shepard Gray
Called home by family, John Miller and Ellie Coblentz are each looking for a way north from Pinecraft, Florida. With few options, they decide sharing the burden of travel must be the Lord’s plan for them. But can this bumpy, bad-weather journey home help them find their way into each other’s hearts, too?

STAR OF WONDER * Charlotte Hubbard
When Raymond Overholt comes to Promise Lodge, hoping to sell the barnboard signs he’s painted with stars and Christmas messages, spirited young Mennonite Lizzie Zehr is intrigued. But any courtship between them will face fierce opposition from the bishop of Raymond’s Old Order community—unless someone can convince him that at the heart of faith lies love . . .

STARLIGHT EVERLASTING * Rosalind Lauer
Newlyweds Rachel and Luke Coblentz can’t wait to celebrate their first Christmas together after years of courtship. But when Luke’s factory job threatens to keep them apart—from each other and their dream of a family—it will take faith to believe in the gift of a truly joyful ending.

Amazon

About The Authors

Shelley Shepard Gray is a NYT and USA Today bestselling author. She's published over a hundred novels and has over a million books in print. She currently lives in northern Ohio and writes full time.

Shelley lives just an hour from Holmes County, where many of her Amish-themed novels are set. She currently writes contemporary romance and Amish fiction for a variety of publishers. When not spending time with her family or writing, she can usually be found walking her two dachshunds on one of the many trails in the Cleveland area.

She also bakes a lot, loves coconut cream pie, and will hardly ever pull weeds, mow the yard, or drive in the snow.

Shelley also spends a lot of time on line! Please visit her website, www.shelleyshepardgray.com to find out her latest news or to sign up for her newsletter. Shelley can also be found on FaceBook, Instagram @shelley.s.gray, or on Twitter @ShelleySGray.

Charlotte Hubbard sold her first historical romance in 1990, and she’s been a slave to her overactive imagination ever since. As she writes, her stories invariably take on a life of their own, different from the way she proposed them: unforeseen characters and plot twists come along, and they keep her guessing right along with her readers!

Charlotte has lived in the Midwest most of her life. When she’s not writing, she loves touring historic homes, trying new recipes, crocheting, and playing with her Border Collie, Ramona. She’s a Presbyterian deacon, sings in her church choir, and plays in the percussion ensemble. She’s married to a fine man who—bless him—has never once suggested she get a real job!

My Review

I loved this book and would have been happy to just keep reading, but they did come to conclusions!

Each author gives us a different story, they are not connected, but I was familiar with Charlotte Hubbard's characters, and some of the back stories, I did love how she used a famous Christmas story in her read, and how it all turned out!

Three entirely different stories to bring the true meaning of Christmas, and they all follow the Christmas Star.

A great book to get into the Holiday Spirit!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Kensington, and was not required to give a positive review.

The Amish Nanny's Secret: An Uplifting Inspirational Romance by Amy Lillard

Naomi Ebersol has always felt like the black sheep of her Amish community, and even more so now that she’s been accepted into art school. It’ll be difficult leaving Millers Creek behind, but she longs to follow her heart. To pay for her tuition, she agrees to be a nanny for widower Josias Schrock, who needs help caring for his five energetic little boys. Only now, everyone in their community thinks they’re engaged! Being around his family starts to feel all too real. But how can Naomi choose between the dream she’s always wanted…and the promise of love?

Amazon

About The Author

Amy loves nothing more than a good book. Except for her family...and maybe homemade tacos...and nail polish. But reading and writing are definitely high on the list.

Born and bred in Mississippi, Amy is a transplanted Southern Belle who now lives in Oklahoma with her deputy husband, their genius son, two spoiled cats, and one very lazy beagle. Oh, and don't forget the stray kitty that has taken up residence on her front porch. ^..^

When she's not creating quirky characters and happy endings, she's chauffeuring her prodigy to guitar lessons, orchestra concerts and baseball practice. She has a variety of hobbies, but her favorite is whatever gets her out of housework.

Amy also writes contemporary romances under the pen name Amie Louellen.

An award winning author, Amy is a member of RWA and ACFW. She loves to hear from readers. You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, Google+, Twitter, Goodreads, and Pinterest. For links to the various sites, check her website: www.amylillardbooks.com.

My Review

I loved getting lost in this quick read, I wanted to continue long after the last page was turned.
Now these characters are familiar to me, at least some of them, and we are back with the Ebersol's family. This is Naomi's story, she is wanting so bad to fulfill her dreams, but she is really caught between a rock and a hard place.
Then add in a handsome man, after loosing his wife, he made a vow to never marry again, not common for an Amish man. Add in that Josias Schrock has five little sons, only the oldest in school. He desperately needs help now that his mother is away.
Naomi needs money, and Josias needs help?
Will this Amish girl leave her family and pursue her dream? Or will sparks, other than dislike, fly between these two.
Get caught up on the lives of the Ebersol and Schrock families, and meet the darling little boys! Also you see some interesting meals that make you run in the other direction!
I received this book through the Author, and was not required to give a positive review.

Everyone a Stranger by Kevin O'Brien

Washington D.C., 1943: Virginia Abrams believed the war had taken all it could from her when her husband was killed at Guadalcanal. One year later, she’s in a dark, unexpected quandary—pregnant and on the run to avoid a ruthless political family that wants to erase all connections between her and the man who assaulted her.

Changing her name, Virginia moves to Seattle to start over. Against her better instincts, she’s pulled into the lives of her new neighbors in an apartment complex—especially Tim, a young boy whose mother dies suddenly in a fall. Virginia fears that her whereabouts have been discovered, and she was the intended target . . .

But there are secrets between the residents too—stormy affairs, mysterious visitors, whispers and rumors. Tim is convinced there are saboteurs among them, hiding in plain sight. Virginia wants to discount his teenage imagination and her own rising paranoia, yet there’s something menacing here . . .

Torn between wanting to help the boy and safeguarding her anonymity, Virginia tentatively begins piecing the puzzle together with the help of some of her neighbors. But now others are dying in an escalating series of “accidents.” No one is entirely who they seem to be. No one can be trusted. And though she doesn’t know it yet, her own life is hanging by the thinnest thread.

Amazon

About The Author

He grew up on Chicago’s North Shore, the youngest of six children, and studied Journalism at Marquette University in Milwaukee. He moved to Seattle in 1980. His railroad job took him all over the Pacific Northwest, and he wrote most of his first novel in Best Westerns and Red Lions. The result, ACTORS (1987) was translated into three languages. He took the advice of author, Terry Brooks, who told him: “Don’t quit your railroad job until you’ve made enough money on your writing to support yourself for two years.” Kevin’s second book, ONLY SON (1997) was optioned for film rights thanks to interest from Tom Hanks. ONLY SON was also chosen by Reader’s Digest for their Select Editions—alongside John Grisham’s THE PARTNER. That same year, Kevin bid farewell to the railroads and began writing full time. His first thriller, THE NEXT TO DIE (2001) became a USA Today Bestseller. Three more USA Today bestselling thrillers followed, and then came THE LAST VICTIM (2005), which hit the New York Times Bestseller list and won the Spotted Owl Award for Best Pacific Northwest Mystery. Kevin has continued to turn out New York Times best-selling thrillers, and his books have been translated into fourteen languages. Kevin served on the board of Seattle 7 Writers, and occasionally teaches writing classes at Hugo House.

My Review

A read that grabbed me from the first page and didn't let go. What a tale the author wove, and he sure didn't disappoint.
From one coast to the other, danger is lurking for for Virginia and those that know her. I loved the twists and turns here, and there are stories within the main story.
The characters are great here, and some whom I liked became questionable, whom to trust? Others that were questionable, became life savers.
This is intrigue at its best, and I'll be looking for more by this author!
I received this book through Net Galley and Kensington Publishing, and was not required to give a positive review.

Monday, September 29, 2025

Greate Escapes Virtual Book Tours Presents: Birds, Puppies, and Murder (Chocolate Martini Sisters Mystery) by Joyce Proell & Brenda Whiteside

Birds, Puppies, and Murder (Chocolate Martini Sisters Mystery)
by Joyce Proell & Brenda Whiteside

About Birds, Puppies, and Murder

Birds, Puppies, and Murder (Chocolate Martini Sisters Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
4th in Series
Setting – Arizona
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently Published
Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 23, 2025
Print length ‏ : ‎ 327 pages
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8294753788
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FK3P31T5

Lost puppies, endangered birds…
The sisters are birddogs on a murder most fowl.

The sisters are thriving like mountain sage in an Arizona autumn. Nicole’s yoga business is gaining a foothold in Wyatt. Emma’s first mystery novel is scheduled for release. But a proposed, expansive building project in the pristine area of the bird sanctuary has the community in an uproar. It’s Environmentalists versus Big Business, and the sisters are caught in the cross-fire.

When one of Nic’s yoga students is found dead near the planned resort, the amateur sleuths are back on the trail of a killer. Who has the most to gain from her death—the morally challenged developer, the money-grubbing boyfriend, her jealous brother, a nasty neighbor, or a co-worker with dark secrets? And where has Skittles, the dog, gone?

While the Chocolate Martini Sisters sort through the litany of villains, they’re leaving no mystery unsolved. The stakes are escalating, throwing the sisters on divergent paths that all come together at a dangerous intersection. As they unsnarl the tangled mysteries, will they expose the murderer before the killer finds a way to silence them?

About the Authors

After hearing countless stories as a mental health professional, Joyce Proell retired to create her own tales. An award-winning author, she writes historical romance and cozy mystery where all endings are guaranteed happy. She shares her home on the prairie with a husband and a little dog with a big personality. When she isn’t reading or writing, she likes to swim and finds baking almost as relaxing as a day at the spa.

Website: https://joyceproell.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoyceProellAuthor

X: https://x.com/jproell1

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Joyce-Proell/author/B009K432O8

Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6545483.Joyce_Proell

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/joyce-proell

Brenda Whiteside is the award-winning author of romantic suspense, cozy mystery, and romance. She’s a born and bred Arizona native who sets fictional stories in imaginary, but recognizable, Arizona locations. She and her husband live in Central Arizona. They share their home with a rescue dog named Amigo. While FDW fishes, Brenda writes.

Visit Brenda at https://www.brendawhiteside.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brenda.whiteside.58/ or https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571687885846

X: https://x.com/brendawhitesid2

She blogs and has guests: https://brendawhiteside.blogspot.com/

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003V15WF8

Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3972045.Brenda_Whiteside

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/brenda-whiteside

Purchase Link – Amazon

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

September 22 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

September 22 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT

September 23 – Cozy Up With Kathy – CHARACTER GUEST POST

September 23 – Salty Inspirations – SPOTLIGHT

September 24 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

September 25 – Sneaky the Library Cat’s Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

September 25 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 26 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

September 27 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 27 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

September 28 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

September 29 – Sarandipity’s – AUTHOR GUEST POST

September 29 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

September 30 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – AUTHOR GUEST POST

October 1 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST

October 2 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST

October 3 – Infinite House of Books – SPOTLIGHT

October 4 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST

October 4 – Bigreadersite – REVIEW

October 5 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – REVIEW

Have you signed up to be a Tour Host?
Click Here to Find Details and Sign Up Today!
Want to Book a Tour?
Click Here

Celebrate Lit Presents: How to Kill a Giant Author: Carol Schlorff

About the Book

Book: How to Kill a Giant

Author: Carol Schlorff

Genre: Middle Grade

Release Date: June 10, 2023

He lost his courage. Will meeting a real superhero help him find it?

An awful summer … Thirteen-year-old Hugo is miserable. His move to a small Pennsylvania town has brought him nothing but trouble. Ignored by his new classmates and a favorite target for the school bullies, Hugo lets fear rule his life. It’s going to be a long summer.

An unexpected twist … Hugo meets siblings Julia and Stefan, who are just as unhappy as he is. After finding a mysterious old Bible, all three are magically transported to ancient Israel, where they meet the young shepherd David, who suspects they’re spies. The trio finds themselves caught up in a strange world where danger lurks on every side.

A terrifying adventure … As Hugo and his friends navigate the perils of this weird and frightening land, Hugo must face his greatest fear—that he’s a coward. His only hope of survival is to learn the secret of David’s bravery, but will he do so in time to face his biggest test? Find out in this thrilling tale of courage, friendship, and faith.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Carol’s passion is to write exciting stories that encourage, inspire, and boost the reader’s faith, possibly because she has always felt like an outsider. She was born in North Africa to American parents and grew up in France. At age 15, her family’s abrupt move to Philadelphia resulted in a rough transition to American life.

After graduating from Penn State, Carol joined the Army in search of adventure. She was stationed in exotic—for her—locations like California, Arizona, and Texas.

Since then, Carol has lived in Cracow, Poland, where she teaches English and organizes language camps. She also writes a blog on faith-related topics.

Carol enjoys caring for her cat, Tabasco, watching a good murder mystery, and getting nervous while watching NFL games.

More from Carol

The idea for my book about time travel back to the Bible came to me during a church sermon on meditating on God’s Word. As soon as the outline for the story popped into my mind, I could no longer focus on what the pastor was saying, as I was too busy organizing my thoughts into the semblance of a logical plan. That day marked the beginning of a five-year journey to write and publish my first novel, How to Kill a Giant.

My motivation for writing is to demonstrate that the Bible is relevant to our lives, provides the answers we seek about life, and is far from boring. Of course, I also want my readers to have fun and stay on the edge of their seats. Growing up in a Christian home where my parents were missionaries, I still had many questions and doubts about the Bible and Christianity, especially starting in middle school. That’s why I target this age group. If my books can help my young (and older) readers grow in their faith and trust in God, then I will consider them a success.

If you asked me to summarize my book in one sentence, I would say it explores the heart of David and the courage that enabled him to fight Goliath, wrapped up in the packaging of a thrilling action and adventure story. Happy reading!

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, September 17 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 18

Artistic Nobody, September 19 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, September 20

Guild Master, September 21 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 22

Fiction Book Lover, September 23 (Author Interview)

The Mommies Reviews , September 23

Blossoms and Blessings, September 24 (Author Interview)

Cover Lover Book Review, September 25

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 26

Stories By Gina, September 27 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, September 28

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, September 29 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, September 29

A Reader’s Brain , September 30 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Carol is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://sweepwidget.com/c/92781-arnfst2q

Celebrate Lit Presents: Christmas Mail Order Brides, Anthology Authors: Vickie McDonough, Carrie Turansky, Susan Page Davis

About the Book

Book: Christmas Mail Order Brides, Anthology

Authors: Vickie McDonough, Carrie Turansky, Susan Page Davis

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: September 9, 2025

Marriage arrives by mail-order—just in time for Christmas.

Ride the transcontinental railroad as three mail-order brides head west in search of new futures. Annika arrives in Wyoming to discover her intended groom is missing. Jolie’s journey to Nevada is derailed by disaster, and Amelia travels to California to wrap up her final attempts at matchmaking. Will the holiday season be the ticket to spark love in unexpected ways?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Authors

Carrie Turansky has loved reading since she first visited the library as a young child and checked out a tall stack of picture books. Her love for writing began when she penned her first novel at age twelve. She is now the award-winning author of more than twenty inspirational novels and novellas. Carrie has won the ACFW Carol Award, the International Digital Award, and the Holt Medallion. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, Scott. They have five grown children and twelve grandchildren who bring them much joy. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her walking around the lake near her home, working in her flower gardens, cooking healthy meals for family and friends, or leading women’s ministry at her church.

Susan Page Davis is the author of more than 100 published novels and novellas in the romance, mystery, historical, and romantic suspense genres. She’s a winner of the Carol Award, Will Rogers Medallion, and the Faith, Hope, and Love Readers’ Choice Award, and a finalist in the Selah Awards and Willa Literary Awards. A Maine native, she now lives in western Kentucky with her husband, Jim.

Vickie McDonough is the CBA, EPCA and Amazon best-selling author of 54 books and novellas. Vickie grew up wanting to marry a rancher, but instead, she married a computer geek who is scared of horses. She now lives out her dreams penning romance stories about ranchers, cowboys, lawmen, and others living in the Old West. Vickie’s books have won numerous awards including the Booksellers Best, OWFI Best Fiction Novel Award, the Inspirational Readers’ Choice awards. When she’s not writing, Vickie enjoys reading, making cards, gardening, and traveling.

Bringing a Swedish Christmas to the American West

By Carrie Turansky

In my novella, A Trusting Heart, part of the Christmas Mail-Order Brides Collection, Annika Bergstrom, who is originally from Sweden, leaves her home in Chicago and travels to the rugged Wyoming Territory in 1880 to marry a man she’s never met. Though she carries only a small trunk, she brings with her something far more meaningful—cherished Christmas traditions from her homeland.

Swedish Christmas celebrations begin early with the first Sunday of Advent. Annika remembers her mother lighting a candle each week leading up to Christmas, filling their home with warmth and anticipation. In her new Wyoming home, she lights a candle, longing for connection and clinging to faith and hope as she begins this new chapter of life.

December 13 brings one of the most beloved Swedish traditions—St. Lucia Day. In Sweden, the youngest daughter dresses in a white gown with a red sash and wears a crown of candles, waking her family with coffee and saffron buns. Annika lovingly bakes these sweet rolls with her intended’s daughter, hoping it will draw them all closer.

As Christmas Eve—Julafton—arrives, Annika prepares a modest version of a Swedish smörgåsbord: roasted ham, root vegetables, and creamy rice pudding. She hides an almond in the pudding, smiling as everyone at the table eagerly searches their bowls. According to Swedish tradition, the one who finds the almond will marry in the coming year. Laughter and joy fill the room, and Annika feels a growing sense of belonging with her new family.

Swedish traditions add depth and richness to A Trusting Heart, reminding us that wherever we go, the light of Christmas can shine brightly—especially when carried by a trusting heart.

We hope you’ll enjoy reading Christmas Mail-Order Brides which includes three novellas: The Prodigal Groom by Vickie McDonough, A Trusting Heart by Carrie Turansky, and Mrs. Mayberry Meets Her Match by Susan Page Davis. Each heartwarming story that will transport you back to a joyful, old-fashioned Christmas.

My Review

This is such a great collection of Christmas Novella’s, all taking place at Christmas! The stories are all about mail-order brides.
The author’s give us the reasons these women are willing to go out to the unknown, and also why the grooms are looking for wives.
Things are not easy for these women, and we are there for the adventure, sometimes being shot at, not being wanted when they arrive, and being hurt by harsh words.
We are offered some really sweet romance, a cute twist when we meet Mrs. Mayberry, the owner of the mail-order bride service, and again the twist that puts her in the spotlight.
These are very quick reads, and I found the whole book could be read in a few hours, but a fun time to get lost in!
I received this book through Celebrate Lit, and was not required to give a positive review.

Blog Stops

Devoted To Hope, September 24

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 24

She Lives To Read, September 25

Pens Pages & Pulses, September 25

Leslie’s Library Escape, September 26

Vicky Sluiter, September 26

Simple Harvest Reads, September 27 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Bizwings Blog, September 28

Texas Book-aholic, September 28

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 29

Maureen’s Musings, September 29

Cover Lover Book Review, September 30

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 1

For Him and My Family, October 2

Books You Can Feel Good About, October 2

Blossoms and Blessings, October 3

Holly’s Book Corner, October 3

Jeanette’s Thoughts , October 4

Life on Chickadee Lane, October 5

Pause for Tales, October 6

Jodie Wolfe, October 6

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, October 7

Mary Hake, October 7

Giveaway

To celebrate their tour, Carrie, Vickie, and Susan are giving away a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://sweepwidget.com/c/92608-x04cbuqz

Friday, September 26, 2025

Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours Presents: A Flash of Shadow (Dogleg Island Mystery) by Donna Ball

A Flash of Shadow (Dogleg Island Mystery)
by Donna Ball

About A Flash of Shadow

A Flash of Shadow (Dogleg Island Mystery)
Cozy Animal Mystery/Police Procedural
7th in Series
Setting – Dogleg Island, Florida
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Blue Merle Publishing
Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 25, 2025
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FNKTGBJ3

The Hunter Comes to Dogleg Island

A notorious serial killer, come home to die. A young woman found hanging from a tree. A missing billionaire. In the quiet coastal community of Dogleg Island, nothing is as it should be. And for Police Chief Aggie Malone and her extraordinarily perceptive canine assistant Flash, time is running out.

When Acting Sheriff Ryan Grady apprehends a suspect attempting to rob his father’s bait shop, he has no idea that the man he has taken into custody will eventually confess to over one hundred murders… nor is he particularly interested in the notoriety a high-profile criminal like Patrick Henry Jessup brings to his home town. Absorbed in the anticipation of his impending fatherhood and forced to take on a job he did not seek, Grady wants nothing more than to be rid of Jessup and all he represents.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Investigator Jim Clark is anxious to take over the case, hoping to gain clarity into the shadows of his own past. But as the interviews with Jessup unfold both Grady and Clark find themselves reluctantly drawn into the world of the hunter, and are shaken to find they have more in common with him than they ever would have believed.

On Dogleg Island, Police Chief Aggie Malone Grady, struggling to navigate the challenges of fast-approaching motherhood while training a new police officer, discovers a chilling connection between two apparently unrelated crimes. As Aggie, Flash and new recruit Saunders weave together the strands of a mystery that will lead them to a killer, they also find themselves navigating the shadows of the human soul… a terrain that proves more treacherous than they ever could have imagined.

A Flash of Shadow is a gripping tale of survival, loyalty, and redemption. Donna Ball masterfully weaves a story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats, turning pages late into the night.

About Donna Ball

Donna Ball published her first book in 1982. Since that time she has written over eighty works of commercial fiction under pseudonyms that include Rebecca Flanders, Donna Carlisle, Leigh Bristol, Taylor Brady, and Donna Boyd. She is known for her work in women’s fiction and suspense, as well as supernatural fantasy and adventure. Her novels have been translated into well over a dozen languages and have been published in virtually every country in the world. She has appeared on Entertainment Tonight and Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, and has been featured in such publications as the Detroit Free Press, the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Ladies Home Journal, Good Housekeeping, and even T.V. Guide. She is the holder of the Storytelling World award, 2001, the Georgia Author of the Year Award, 2000, Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Awards for consecutive years 1991-1996, the Georgia Romance Writers’ Maggie Award, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from Romantic Times, among others.

Author Links –

Website:

www.DonnaBall.net

Blog:

www.donnaBallBlog.com

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A FLASH OF SHADOW BOOK BLAST

September 26 –

Christy’s Cozy Corners

Maureen’s Musings

Books1987

FUONLYKNEW

Sapphyria’s Book Reviews

Sarandipity’s

Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book

September 27 –

Books1987

Guatemala Paula Loves to Read

StoreyBook Reviews

MJB Reviewers

Salty Inspirations

Jody’s Bookish Haven

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From Malice to Ashes: Forest of No Mercy (Malice and Mercy Series) by Gary W. Toyn

Spanning Nazi-occupied Lithuania, Soviet labor camps, and the refugee corridors of wartime Europe, From Malice to Ashes traces the interwoven fates of three families caught between two totalitarian regimes.

At its center is Olek Kosmen, a young Jewish man who becomes an unwitting chronicler of the Ponary massacre—one of the Holocaust’s least-known mass executions. As he hides a wounded child and risks discovery, his fiancée flees to Sweden, while her parents are deported to Siberia. Their stories converge in a harrowing yet redemptive narrative of exile, resistance, and resilience.

Inspired by true events, Gary W. Toyn’s novel offers an unflinching portrait of survival under dueling genocides. With lyrical detail and moral gravity, From Malice to Ashes: Forest of No Mercy illuminates a little-known chapter of WWII history, asking what remains when the world burns—and who lives to bear witness.

Amazon

About The Author

Gary W. Toyn has traveled the globe for the U.S. Defense Department. He has interviewed world political leaders, dissidents, and heads of state. He has authored multiple titles relating to inspiration, faith, and humanity, teaming up with notables like Bob Dole, Harry Reid, Orrin Hatch, Stephen R. Covey, Clayton Christensen, and NFL quarterback Steve Young, His first book "The Quiet Hero" was a finalist for the Benjamin Franklin National Book Award. His latest is a historical fiction saga titled "For Malice and Mercy: A World War II Novel."

My Review

I loved the author's notes and references, we are told that this is a fictional read, but based on real people, sometimes a couple of people to make one, and the references that were used and offered!
This is a terrible time in world history, with this taking place in the Baltic area, and Russia.
Documented murders, a massive loss of life.
This is a fictional story, but the author did a great job of calling attention to the actual crimes being committed, disregard for human life. From Lithuania to Siberia, from the United States to Sweden.
The author brings the main characters alive, and I loved he followed through with the survivors through their lives.
A sad but enjoyable read!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher American Legacy Media, and was not required to give a positive review.

Thursday, September 25, 2025

Celebrate Lit Presents: Drandar the Dragon Knight Author: Terrie Hellard-Brown

About the Book

Book: Drandar the Dragon Knight

Author: Terrie Hellard-Brown

Illustrator: Rachelle Brown

Genre: Chapter book for Middle Grade Readers

Release Date: February 12, 2025

Drandar is the dragon that has been prophesied. He will help the king build a strong, safe kingdom as one of his faithful knights. But Drandar doesn’t seem to fit what a knight should be or even what a real dragon should look like. He’s what Seraphina calls a “late bloomer.” Drandar is droopy, discouraged, and doubting. Will he ever become the knight he’s supposed to be?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Empowering families to disciple the next generation every day and everywhere is Terrie Hellard-Brown’s mission. Sparking Everyday Discipleship, the podcast hosted by Terrie Hellard-Brown focuses on discipleship in the 21st Century, great books, and sparking important conversations with our children. Terrie is a writer, speaker, missionary, and mom with a BA in sociology and psychology, an MA in education, and is currently working on her DMin.

Her books include:

Up, Down, and All Around: A Handbook for Discipling Our Children Based on Deuteronomy 6
Building Character Through Picture Books: 25 Family Devotions Based on Favorite Picture Books
A World of Pancakes (a picture book on flexibility and culture and including recipes from around the world)
Izzy’s Notebook (a picture book about forgiveness, Harper and Izzy, Best Friends Forever Series: Living the One Anothers)
Drandar the Dragon Knight (chapter book about being who God created us to be).

Terrie creates jewelry, bookmarks, and mini books (décor) with biblical and literature themes.

Her writing has appeared in Starlight Magazine, Upper Room, and Inspire Christian Writers Anthologies and blog.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 12

Simple Harvest Reads, September 13 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, September 13

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 14

For Him and My Family, September 15

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, September 16

Fiction Book Lover, September 17 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, September 18

Stories By Gina, September 19 (Author Interview)

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, September 20 (Author Interview)

A Reader’s Brain , September 21 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, September 22

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, September 23 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, September 24 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, September 24

For the Love of Literature, September 25 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Terrie is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card, signed copy of the book and Bible study that accompanies the book, three stickers, a dragon velvet bookmark, and an armor of God necklace!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54297

Wednesday, September 24, 2025

Celebrate Lit Presents: Right Before Their Eyes Author: Carrie Walker

About the Book

Book: Right Before Their Eyes

Author: Carrie Walker

Genre: Romantic Women’s Fiction

Release Date: February 5, 2025

Sometimes the love you need most looks different than you imagined.

Clare Martin thought nothing of agreeing to live with her dementia-ridden grandmother when her parents left on mission. Balancing that with her job as a social worker and the expectations of her career-driven boyfriend proved doable—until Grandma started a house fire.

Mason Hughes has loved Clare for years, but the time was never right to tell her and now she’s dating someone else, fixing Mason firmly in the friend zone. He’s working to be a pediatric neurologist, a dream inspired by a special boy with a terminal brain condition, and must choose a medical school. Finances are so tight he’s forced to consider a program across the country, a troubling fact he’s kept secret.

Lucia Roberts, a seventeen-year-old on Clare’s caseload, loses her foster home and is placed in an unwelcoming group home. At every turn she’s met with rejection and becomes desperate for any proof she has value—enough to make choices that could affect the rest of her life.

When Grandma Dottie and Lucia’s paths take a dangerous turn, Clare frantically tries to save them. As their lives knit together, will they find the love that’s right before their eyes?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Carrie Walker lives in Michigan with her husband and seven children. From her ten years serving as a high school youth minister, adventures around the globe, and raising a family, many stories have been knit within her heart.

As an avid reader she pens what she loves to read, contemporary stories that bring hope to a hurting world. Weaving romance among story lines of characters in struggle, she aims to show God working in all situations. When she’s not playing board games with her husband, shuttling kids in the Walker bus or wishing for snow, Carrie can be found at the keyboard bringing those stories to life.

Carrie’s writing has been recognized in many contests. Her debut novel, Emma’s Hero, won the IAN Book of the Year for Christian Fiction, was a double finalist in the International Book Awards, placed in the ACFW Crown Award, Monroe Walton Center for the Arts Award, and won the 2020 ACFW First Impressions Contest.

More from Carrie

When I was writing “Emma’s Hero” I had a few readers that took an early peek at it, before it was completed. More than once, I was informed “This is not the only book, right?” And so, this story was a reality in my mind, before it was even thought of. This book just was. And the characters helped tell the story. Mason grew a lot in Emma’s Hero, but he has a lot more growing to do, especially in the realm of relationships, communication and figuring out how to live this newfound faith. Grandma Dottie is a character inspired by a combination of both my grandmothers, and there is a story she tells to Mason almost halfway through the story that is a true story borrowed from my own grandparents That’s all I’m telling you, you’ll have to find it. But I just love that a part of their love story made it into mine.