Monday, May 4, 2026

Celebrate Lit Presents: Perplexity (The Sceptre & the Stylus Book Two) Author: Chawna Schroeder

About the Book

Book: Perplexity (The Sceptre & the Stylus Book Two)

Author: Chawna Schroeder

Genre: YA Fantasy

Release Date: April 7, 2026

Assemble the clues, dismantle the danger.

Yosarai Patican never wanted to finish her schooling in the Indeli capital, but after several months, she is finally finding her footing . . . until her world is shattered by the unthinkable. Facing loss after loss, she struggles to adjust to a new position and new responsibilities, including the repayment of a massive debt. A debt more easily managed if she can qualify for the elite politico sphere on the upcoming placement exam. Some, however, would do anything to prevent Yosarai from earning one of the coveted positions.

Meanwhile, in the northern realm of Egdon, Crown Prince Xander faces an increasingly hostile Parliament. Not only are they questioning the necessity of the monarchy, but they are also demanding an accounting of some mysterious expenditures by the former king. Unless Xander can unearth a reasonable explanation, his coronation may be more than postponed. It may be cancelled―permanently.

As old rivalries escalate and hidden threats emerge, both Xander and Yosi must choose their paths wisely, before evil eliminates everyone in its way.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Chawna Schroeder loves exploring the wonder of God through the intersection of imagination and faith. When she isn’t reading or writing, she may be found practicing piano, reading biblical Greek or Hebrew, preparing for the Bible study she teaches, or working on one of her handwork projects while enjoying a movie.

More from Chawna

Cracking the Cover Code

“Don’t judge a book by its cover.” We’ve all heard it. We’ve all said it.

We’ve all done it.

We try not to, but the reality is that a book’s cover does influence us. Things pleasing to the eye attract us. Our interest is piqued by the mysterious. Color palettes and designs offer clues about the type of story within. Whether we’re buying online, browsing a bookstore, or selecting our next read from our shelves, the cover often sways our decision.

Thus, covers are designed to draw the interest of those who would most enjoy the story, and Perplexity is no different. So, is this novel for you? Perhaps taking a closer look at cover’s design will answer the question.

The first thing you might notice about Perplexity’s cover is it colors, especially if you’re familiar with Illuminary, which is book one in this series. Whereas Illuminary was bold and vibrant to reflect its India-inspired culture, Perplexity obviously has a much cooler and muted color palette. This reflects the wintry season of this story, both physically and emotionally. The snowflake motif emphasizes this.

This should tell you immediately that if you’re wishing for an upbeat comedy, this isn’t it. You probably need to find a much different cover (and book) than this one. But if you’re looking for a thoughtful read, dealing with slightly heavier topics, Perplexity might be worth a second look.

Now alongside the snowflakes, you might notice a bunch of gears. Those reveal inventions and technology are important to the setting of Perplexity. Gears are also a popular cover motif for books in the steampunk genre. Their subtle use in the design therefore implies a light steampunk element—a world with a Victorian vibe and steam-powered technology.

So are you not a fan of the Victorian era? Do you prefer to read about the real, contemporary world? Perplexity probably shouldn’t be your next read. But if you’re a fan of Jules Verne or fiction that mixes the fantastical with the historical, Perplexity might be your cup of tea.

The third major element of the cover are the odd objects tucked throughout the art work, like a hidden-object picture: An automobile, a pocket watch, a beaded bracelet, an envelope, a carousel horse, a crow, a key. Seven items, which seem completely random and unrelated. Yet they were carefully selected for the cover from a myriad of objects. What does it all mean? Ah, that is the hint of the puzzles the characters must unravel and the mysteries they must solve.

Not a puzzle fan? Hate trying to solve riddles? Then it’s time for you to search elsewhere for a book. But if you love escape rooms, National Treasure, and Amazing Race, your brain might just love unlocking all Perplexity has to offer.

So there. We’ve cracked the code of Perplexity’s cover, a code that tells us of a thoughtful story with a light Victorian/steampunk vibe and puzzles galore. Now it’s time for you decide: Does that sound like a story worth cracking into?

Blog Stops

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, April 21

For the Love of Literature, April 22 (Spotlight)

Book Looks by Lisa, April 22

Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 23 (Spotlight)

Simple Harvest Reads, April 24 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 25 (Spotlight)

Artistic Nobody, April 26 (Author Interview)

Blossoms and Blessings, April 27 (Spotlight)

Guild Master, April 28 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, April 29

Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 30

Fiction Book Lover, May 1 (Author Interview)

Wishful Endings, May 1

Stories By Gina, May 2 (Spotlight)

Vicky Sluiter, May 3 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, May 4

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Chawna is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and hardcover 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://gleam.io/zK7oW/perplexity-celebration-tour-giveaway

Friday, May 1, 2026

Celebrate Lit Presents: Hannah’s Quest Author: Jodie Wolfe

About the Book

Book: Hannah’s Quest

Author: Jodie Wolfe

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: July 13, 2025

Hannah Moore escapes the overbearing grip of her relatives and forges her own way in Shippensburg, PA, far away from their clutches. Despite Hannah’s sheer determination, she finds life on her own daunting as she loses job after job. Unsure where she fits in, Hannah wonders if she’ll ever be good enough. She feels as if God has forsaken her and questions if she will ever find a place to belong. The last thing she needs is an ignorant shop keeper constantly questioning her abilities and standing in her way. Hannah will take almost any position available so as not to return to the place of her upbringing.

Luke Weiser has one goal in mind—finding a way to save his grandmother and restore her health. Only trouble is, she has other ideas about what is best for her. Gran longs to see Luke’s return to faith in the Lord, but he blames God for his grandmother’s sickness and the tragic events of his childhood. After the death of his mother, followed by his father’s abandonment, Luke refuses to trust his heart to anyone, and certainly not a wife. When Hannah keeps popping up in the hardware shop where he works, Luke is forced to think twice about his convictions.

Can two bruised hearts follow their personal quests and discover healing in the process?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

JODIE WOLFE loves writing historical fiction after years as a homeschooling mom. She creates novels where hope and quirky meet. Jodie is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and Faith, Hope, & Love Christian Writers (FHLCW). She’s been a semi-finalist and finalist in various writing contests. Jodie enjoys spending time with her husband in Pennsylvania, reading, knitting, and walking.

More from Jodie

It’s been such a joy to set a series in the town where I graduated from college almost 40 years ago. I’m so thankful my husband suggested it, as it’s been a lot of fun digging into the history of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, and the surrounding area during the 19^th century. Before this series, all my other books had settings in the Mid-west—Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas.

When I started writing the first book, Abigail’s Pursuit, quite a number of years ago, I never intended to create a series about prodigals, let alone experience the pain of it in my life… but God knew what the future held. While each of the books in this Time to Come Home Series revolves around the common theme of a prodigal, each of the tales is a stand-alone. My prayer is for those who have children who have wandered away, or perhaps were once prodigals themselves, or even others who enjoy Christian historical romance with strong spiritual themes—that each of these groups find encouragement through reading this series.

Hannah’s Quest was exciting to write as I incorporated information about one of the oldest continually run hardware stores in PA that is still operating to this day, even though it’s changed names various times through the years. I hope you’ll enjoy stepping back in time to a small town in south-central PA where faith and family are celebrated.

Blog Stops

Pause for Tales, April 18

Stories By Gina, April 19 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, April 20 (Author Interview)

Fruitfully Planted, April 20

Artistic Nobody, April 21 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 22

Guild Master, April 23 (Author Interview)

Fiction Book Lover, April 24 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, April 25 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, April 26

For the Love of Literature, April 27 (Author Interview)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 28 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, April 28

Blossoms and Blessings, April 29 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, April 30

The Bookish Ledger, May 1 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jodie is giving away the grand prize of a Kindle!!

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

https://gleam.io/NokHu/hannahs-quest-celebration-tour-giveaway

Miriam's Little Gentleman: Volume 13 (The Heart of the Amish) by Anne Blackburne

Full of faith, hope, and romance, this series takes you into the Heart of Amish Country.

Miriam Zook has loved David Miller her whole life, and she confessed her feelings the night before he moved to Indiana and joined the Mennonite church. Miriam, having been baptized into the Amish faith, makes an income by painting beautiful vignettes of Amish life. She has never married, since no one ever compared to David, and, as she is an only child, this concerns the women in her family greatly. Now, seven years after leaving, David is back in Willow Creek to embrace his Amish roots and join the church. Miriam’s heart awakens, but can she dare to hope that he will also embrace her?

Amazon

About The Author

Anne Blackburne lives and works in Southeast Ohio as a newspaper editor and writer. She is the mother of five grown children, has one wonderful grandchild, and a spoiled poodle named Millie. For fun, when she isn’t working on Amish romance or sweet mysteries, Anne directs and acts in community theater productions and writes and directs original plays. She also enjoys reading, kayaking, swimming, searching for beach glass, and just sitting with a cup of coffee looking at large bodies of water. Her idea of the perfect vacation is cruising and seeing amazing new places with people she loves.

My Review

This is a fast read, and a great add on to The Heart of the Amish series!
The theme here is forgiveness, and at times it it hard, which it usually is.
There is some sweet romance here, a romance that has been on hold for over six years, and we hope from the beginning that these two, Miriam and David, will finally remove all the obstacles, or will they?
We become immersed in the Amish community here in Ohio, Walnut Creek, and see the trials and support that is offered to their members.
There are some conclusions here from the previous books in this series, but I am hoping for more and being able to spend more time with the characters I love being with!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Barbour, and was not required to give a positive review.

Thursday, April 30, 2026

Celebrate Lit Presents: The Last Disciple: Sharing the Gospel (The Last Disciple Book 5) Author: Kurt Brouwer

About the Book

Book: The Last Disciple: Sharing the Gospel (The Last Disciple Book 5)

Author: Kurt Brouwer

Genre: Biblical Fiction

Release Date: December 19, 2025

Discover the Untold Story of Sharing the Gospel Message

John, the last disciple of Christ, holds the completed Gospel of John in his hand. But when an earthquake strikes, he and his two scribes, Emmaus and Avram, must fight fire and destruction to preserve the precious scroll.

The epic saga of the Last Disciple continues in this captivating new Christian historical novel from Kurt Brouwer.

Stand With John the Last Disciple of Christ

John had followed Jesus for three years. He saw the Son of God sacrifice his life on the Cross; he entered the empty tomb after Jesus rose from the grave; and he watched his Lord and Savior ascend to heaven from the Mount of Olives.

Now his mission is to share his eyewitness account of Jesus with believers throughout the Roman Empire. In the face of grave difficulties, God provides help from two surprising sources. Tiberius Celsus, a Roman officer and unlikely ally, brings a copy of the Gospel of John all the way from Ephesus to the believers in Antioch. And the Apostle Timothy helps John fulfill his divine mission of sharing the story of Christ with believers in Ephesus.

Temptation And Betrayal Plague Believers

John also faces human fear and frailty among believers. Archelaus, a wine merchant, resists temptation and returns to the faith. Diotrephes, a former church leader, betrays both his faith and his fellow believers.

If you’re struggling with doubt, searching for meaning, or are hungry to deepen your faith, The Last Disciple: Sharing the Gospel is the Christian novel you’ve been waiting for—biblically accurate fiction that strengthens and informs your faith.

Have you ever wondered what it truly cost to preserve, protect, and share Scripture? Do you long to experience the unwavering devotion of the early Christians? The Last Disciple: Sharing the Gospel will help you transform and renew your spiritual journey.

Don’t miss this fascinating tale of believers uniting to share the gospel message of salvation and the hope and promise of eternal life.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Kurt just released The Last Disciple: Sharing the Gospel on Amazon in both ebook and paperback versions. Amazon tagged it as the #1 New Release in Christian Classics & Allegories. This is the fifth book in the epic saga of the Apostle John, the last disciple of Christ.

By way of background, Kurt retired a few years back as the chairman and co-founder of an investment management / financial advisory firm in California. He spent 36 years in that industry, the last 27 in the firm he founded. Over that time, he also wrote two investment books and articles in publications ranging from Forbes to the San Francisco Chronicle to Pension World. But now that’s ancient history. Kurt lives a quiet life with his wife so he should be hanging out at the beach, playing golf, and taking it easy, right?

Well, he does all that from time to time, but what gets him fired up these days is writing The Last Disciple Series of Christian historical novels as well as penning periodic blog posts on his web site.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, April 17

Simple Harvest Reads, April 18 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, April 19 (Author Interview)

Mrs. Ryan Moser’s Book and Movie Reviews, April 19

Guild Master, April 20 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 21

Fiction Book Lover, April 22 (Author Interview)

Books, Books, & More Books, April 23 (Author Interview)

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, April 24 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, April 25

Books Less Travelled, April 26 (Author Interview)

History, Hope & Happily Ever After, April 27 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, April 27

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, April 28 (Author Interview)

Lights in a Dark World, April 29

Stories By Gina, April 30 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Kurt is giving away the grand prize of 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://gleam.io/ecRzf/the-last-disciple-sharing-the-gospel-celebration-tour-giveaway

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Chasing the Clouds Away by Debbie Macomber

Maisy Gallagher has her own dreams, but when her father passes away, she selflessly sets them aside to help her family. Despite knowing it was the right thing to do, she can’t help but wish for the road not taken.

Chase Furst, the hardened heir to a financial empire, is on the other hand primarily focused on his own life and on his work as a bank executive. His childhood was marred by his mother’s struggle with addiction, and left him cynical and emotionally distant.

But then Chase meets Maisy, a beautiful woman full of optimism and kindness who can see past his defenses. To his surprise and annoyance, she offers to help him during a time of need, and declines his offer of payment. Instead, she asks him to pay it forward—and not with money or a quick fix, but through an act of true selflessness. At a loss, Chase doesn’t know where to begin.

Amazon

About The Author

Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.

My Review

I really enjoyed this story from beginning to end, although my first impression of Chase was not a good one.
This could be a Hallmark movies, filled with really sweet romance, family, a special treats.
A read really shows you what is important, does money buy happiness? Seeing other people, for who they are and not a inconveniences, I loved how the story is all meshed together. We all jump to conclusions, and then deal with the ramifications, and that happens here, but will this new relationship survive?
I loved the epilogue at the end, a gift!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Ballantine Books, and was not required to give a positive review.

The Girl Upstairs by Jessica R. Patch

She bought this house to save her marriage. Unearthing its secrets might just claim her life.

Gwen McDaniel’s life is broken. But she knows the perfect place to fix it. Cold Harbor, Maine, an idyllic small town with views of Acadia National Park, is where she used to vacation with her parents as a child. Here, she and Steven can start over, renovating their cliff-side fixer-upper while patching up their marriage. Soon, everything will be better.

Except from the moment they arrive, Gwen sees and hears things, and it’s more than just the drafts and shadows that are part of any old house. Steven downplays her fears, warning her not to fixate on problems as she has in the past. But Gwen spent years as a homicide detective, and her instincts don’t lie. Something happened here. Proof comes when she rips up the attic’s carpet to discover a chilling message carved into the wood underneath.

As Gwen delves into the history of the house and the Cold Harbor community, she begins to piece the fragments together. And gradually, a terrifying picture emerges: A missing girl. A house of horrors. And a dark, decades-old nightmare that is more haunting than Gwen ever imagined.

Amazon

About The Author

Jessica R. Patch is a New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of more than thirty novels. Known for her pulse-pounding plots, emotionally charged characters, and signature twists, Jessica's stories explore themes of justice, resilience, and the unshakable power of hope.

Whether weaving inspirational stories of danger edged with romance or crafting chilling thrillers that probe the shadows of the human heart, Jessica delivers fiction that thrills while shining light in the darkest places.

She makes her home in Northwest Mississippi, where she enjoys life with her family, a good cup of tea, and dreaming up her next edge-of-your-seat story usually over tacos and queso.

Jessica is represented by Rachel Kent of Books & Such Literary Management.

My Review

This book begins as Gwen and Steven arrive at the new home, and hopefully new life, in Cold Harbor, Maine. Steven is to begin a new career as the town Doctor, and Gwen to take charge of remodeling their new to them home.
The house seems to have a history, records are missing. Your mind is going everywhere.
Missing children, cheating husbands, mystery noises, fires, I can go on and on.
In the end I never guessed how this the twists and turns here would end. Wow!
Talk about psychological thriller! Surprises abound! This one will keep you up late.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Love Inspired Trade, and was not required to give a positive review.

Monday, April 27, 2026

Celebrate Lit Presents: Fires Of Injustice Author: Kendy Pearson

About the Book

Book: Fires Of Injustice

Author: Kendy Pearson

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Release Date: April 15, 2026

She is fighting for the innocent.

He is fighting for a second chance.

Yakira Mitchell has spent her life rescuing the forgotten from the clutches of exploitation and dreams of one day opening her own mission home for Chinese girls. But that dream is hard fought when she becomes a lightning rod for trouble as anti-Chinese mobs protest, and towns expel immigrants in “peaceful” purges across the West. Her heart is to build a home for the broken, but as revelations about her past erupt, the truth threatens to crumble her own foundation.

Attorney Grant Campbell, the boy who once held Yakira’s heart, returns to San Francisco after a long absence to make amends and seek forgiveness. He is determined to defend Chinese immigrants and to reconcile with his family and Yakira. But as old feelings flare—so do old wounds.

As flames of injustice consume communities, violence rages, and lives hang in the balance. Yakira 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.

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

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Kendy Pearson is a musician and veteran high school teacher who loves to discover a pocket of American history missing from the schoolbooks and turn that pocket inside out. Her novels lead fictitious characters through historical events and settings, engaging with period personalities. And she always includes a romantic thread to warm the heart. Every story is a journey through tragedy, secrets, regrets, and God’s undeniable grace.

She is the author of the award-winning series, West Virginia: Born of Rebellion’s Storm. When she finally gets away from her computer, she relishes ice cream, snowy days, fireplaces, and maple trees. Kendy is the mother of four grown children and lives with her sweet hubby and two amusing miniature dachshunds

More from Kendy

I just love discovering fascinating new pockets of history. For years I taught high school history, and I realize there is a lot of valuable information that didn’t make it into the curriculum. One of those little history pockets spurred the idea for Fires of Injustice.

I grew up in the Midwest learning about Jesse James, the Plains Indian Wars, frontier violence, the Civil War, the Great Depression, and all things Missouri and Mississippi River. Boy, did I get an education when I moved to the West Coast! The first time someone mentioned “Chinese Underground,” I had to find out more.

Six years ago in Pendleton, Oregon, I first learned about America’s Forgotten War and the expulsions that occurred along the West Coast. I knew thousands of Chinese laborers built the western half of the Transcontinental Railroad. But I didn’t know 300,000 Chinese immigrants came to America between 1852 and 1888. Drawn first by gold, then by opportunities in mining, agriculture, manufacturing, and the service trades.

And the girls came. “Go‑away girls” were daughters of impoverished families in southern China. Families sent or sold these girls into domestic servitude or, tragically, into trafficking networks that reached as far as America.

What began as the exploitation of vulnerable Chinese girls and laborers soon hardened into a wider climate of fear and resentment. That same prejudice—left unchecked—grew into the mob violence and expulsions that later tore entire communities apart.

This was a dark chapter in American history. But there were those who cared about these girls and wanted to protect them at all costs. A story of resilience, redemption, and love, FIRES OF INJUSTICE blazes with the courage of those who dared to stand against that darkness.