Murder, Plainly Written (The Plain Order Ink Society) by Mindy Steele

 

Sadie Lynch thought inheriting her late Amish aunt’s candle shop was a blessing—a chance to leave her stalled writing career behind and find a fresh start. But running a Plain business when she's not Amish isn’t exactly filling her store with customers—especially when the local minister insists she sell out.
 
Sadie, who doesn’t want to leave, thankfully meets Wanda—an Amish woman with a secret obsession. As Wanda continues to visit the candle shop, an unexpected partnership blooms when Wanda agrees to help Sadie’s shop in exchange for writing advice.
 
But the grand reopening of the candle shop takes a deadly turn when the body of the Amish minister is discovered behind the counter. Now Sadie is the only suspect, prompting Wanda and the Plain Order Ink Society to try helping her solve the mystery.
 
But in this Plain community, secrets burn brighter than flames—and nothing is as simple as it seems.

Amazon 

 

About The Author

 Born and raised in Kentucky's timber country, Mindy Steele writes inspirational romance and captivating suspense from her natural surroundings. A best selling author that enjoys coffee indulgences, weekend road trips, and all things peanut butter. To learn more about Mindy, go to https://mindysteeleauthor.wordpress.com

 

My Review

 Sadie Lynch inherits her Great Aunts Candle Shop, a big surprised she didn't know this aunt. Not only did she not know her Aunt, but finds out big surprises about her Grandmother and her life.
She is new in town and the local Amish minister is insistent she sell, and weird threatening notes start appearing.
I loved how many lives this young women touches in such a short time of being in this town, and she makes some dear friends, that go out of their way to help her.
The author weaves in danger, Amish friends, and Amish danger, along with some sweet romance! Yes, I was page turning for answers!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Barbour, and was not required to give a positive review.

Meredith by Charlene Raddon

 Meredith Calloway and Roland Goodman were children when his father's broken pocket watch slipped into a Wyoming pond…right before his father's fists found him. Meredith never forgot the fear in his eyes that day, or the train she convinced him to jump.

Years later, Meredith is grown, gun-trained, and desperate to prove she belongs at her brother's detective agency, the one founded by her whip-cracking idol, Lula Mae. Meredith's torn between two men: steady, capable Ledge Prettydog, and Roland, the boy who once needed saving and has come back into her life courting her instead.

Then Roland admits the truth. He's trapped in his father's old gang, and leaving means dying. Meredith risks everything to get him out. But the gang has a ransom in mind that isn't money: that same broken watch, still lost in the pond where it fell years before. Only Meredith might know where to find it, and what she pulls from the water will decide whether Roland lives to propose marriage to her.

Fans of Lula Mae will recognize the same fire in her protégé; a woman who'd rather race toward danger, wedding veil and all, than wait safely on the sidelines.

Amazon 

 

About The Author

Hello and welcome to my author page. Let me tell you a little about myself, as that seems to be the main purpose of this profile. Believe it or not, I began my fiction career in the third grade when I told my class that a little sister I never had died of a black widow bite. I also wrote books through my teen years, always about a girl whose mother mistreated her by making her wash dishes, sweep the floor... you get the idea. Never finished any of those stories. But the idea of writing a real book and publishing it never occurred to me. It was a particularly vivid dream that drove me to drag out a portable typewriter and go to work on my first novel. In 1990 my second completed book, Tender Touch, brought me a first place win in a writing contest and the following year became a Golden Heart Finalist. That won me an agent and a contract from Kensington who published five of my western historical romance novels. My books have placed or won in other contests as well. Forever Mine received a Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Award nomination. I've always loved the Old West and I believe my novels reflect that emotion through their depth and vibrancy. I am always working on a new story. I hope you try my books and enjoy them. Follow me here on my author page and on my website at https://charleneraddon.com & get a free book.

 

My Review

 This is a read that sure has a lot of action, and at times ,the characters that I cared about, I wasn't sure they will make it to the end.
Meredith's brother runs a detective agency with his wife, and they seem to be doing well at their craft.
We are with this spunky girl as she tries to convince her brother to let her work with him, and we are there for part of her training, and when she does get into trouble.
Rolland is Meredith's childhood friend, and she has seen the trouble in his life that happens through his father.
The author gives us a lot in this quick read, sadly child abuse, bank robbers, women and girls being kidnapped, and family. Some sweet romance is also thrown in, and we are there for choices.
I will be looking for more from this author, she kept me on the edge of seat at times, and holding my breath at others.

Celebrate Lit Presents: A Baby’s Blessing for Boys/A Baby’s Blessing for Girls Author: Donna Wyland

 

About the Book

Book: A Baby’s Blessing for Boys/A Baby’s Blessing for Girls

Author: Donna Wyland

Genre: Nonfiction/Christian Prayer Book/Child’s Prayer Book

Release Date: November 30, 2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Perfect Gift for new parents, baptisms, and baby dedications. A Baby’s Blessing is a sweet book to guide parents, grandparents, and other caregivers to pray specific blessings over their child. This beautifully illustrated book leads people to pray a powerful prayer over the special children in their lives as they are lifted to God and Holy Spirit to bless and protect them each day.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Donna Wyland is an award-winning author, editor, and coach. Her picture book, Psalms in Rhyme for Little Hearts, won the 2024 Christian Indie Award, and ‘Twas the Night Before Jesus won the 2025 Illumination Book Award. Both Psalms in Rhyme for Little Hearts and ‘Twas the Night Before Jesus were Readers’ Choice Award Finalists. Her new nonfiction books, Last Best Year (2025 Golden Scroll Award) and A Guided Gratitude Journal are also available on Amazon. Donna resides with her husband in Southwest Florida.

 

 

 

More from Donna

Oh, the wonderful power of prayer! Recent years have taught us how much we need God to intervene to protect and save, guide and help us raise our children and grandchildren to be loving, courageous children of God. In this vein, God inspired me to write these precious books of prayer to pray over the special child/children in your life. With the opportunity to personalize the book by inscribing the baby’s name, birthdate, height, and weight, along with a photo; this book will become a keepsake for every parent who receives it. Give the gift of prayer to the new parents in your life and watch their child grow in grace and favor with God as they are prayed over each day.

Blog Stops

Labor Not in Vain, August 1

Simple Harvest Reads, August 2 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, August 3 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, August 4 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, August 4

Girls in White Dresses, August 5

Texas Book-aholic, August 6

Fiction Book Lover, August 7 (Author Interview)

The Bookish Ledger, August 8 (Author Interview)

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, August 9 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 10

Cover Lover Book Review, August 11

Books Less Travelled, August 12 (Author Interview)

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, August 13 (Author Interview)

History, Hope & Happily Ever After, August 14 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, August 14

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Donna giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card a copy of one of the books!!

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

https://gleam.io/GCcrP/a-babys-blessing-for-boysa-babys-blessing-for-girls-celebration-tour-giveaway

Celebrate Lit Lethal Design (KC & Orlando Prime Book 2) Author: S.F. Baumgartner

 

About the Book

Book: Lethal Design (KC & Orlando Prime Book 2)

Author: S.F. Baumgartner

Genre: Crime Thriller with Christian elements

Release Date: August 4, 2026

Some deaths are designed.

The death looks routine — no foul play, no reason to dig. But KC knows this building and what happened here a year ago. And the pattern spreading across the city is no coincidence.

Professionals with no addiction history are dying along eerily similar paths. Someone patient and invisible is engineering these outcomes. As the Orlando Prime task force chases separate leads across the city, the threads begin pointing to the same dark center.

The closer they get, the more dangerous the truth becomes. Some designs were never meant to be uncovered — and the cost of exposing this one may be more than any of them are prepared to pay.

Perfect for fans of Terri Blackstock and Lynette Eason who love fast-paced, clean crime thrillers with the intensity of Criminal Minds and the grit of NCIS.

Follow Kylie “KC” Cassidy and the Orlando Prime task force as they take on the cases no one else can crack, starting with Lethal Design.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

S.F. Baumgartner crafts fast-paced Christian suspense thrillers, weaving tales of complex characters, secretive operatives, and relentless agents. Her gripping storytelling has earned acclaim, with Living Secrets and Forgotten Secret—Books 1 & 2 of her Mirror Estate series—named Top Picks in the thriller & suspense categories, respectively, at Killer Nashville, and Tangled Secrets—Book 3 of Mirror Estate series—won couple of awards in the Christian Indie Awards and the Incipere Awards. When she’s not plotting her next twist, she’s binge-watching crime TV shows, like NCIS or playing with her cats. Fans of James Patterson’s style, especially those who appreciate short, punchy chapters, will find much to love in her work.

 

More from S.F.

Lethal Design, Book 2 in the KC & Orlando Prime series, shifts the spotlight in a powerful way. While Fatal Invitation centered on Detective Kylie Cassidy, this installment dives deep into the elite Prime Task Force, especially its leader, Commander Frank Travers.

A year ago, Travers lost his wife to a brutal, unsolved murder. The case went cold. The killer vanished. But in Lethal Design, that past refuses to stay buried.

As KC and the Prime team investigate a new wave of suspicious deaths, threads begin to surface, threads that may finally lead Travers to the truth he’s been chasing. And this time, it’s personal.

What makes this story especially layered is how it connects back to the larger conspiracy introduced in Stolen Secrets. Pieces are moving. Secrets are colliding. And everything must align as the story builds toward a confrontation that’s been a long time coming.

Expect high-stakes action, tight investigative work, and emotional tension as justice and revenge blur into something far more dangerous.

Because when Travers comes face-to-face with his wife’s killer… there’s no guarantee he walks away.

And KC may be the only one who can keep him from crossing a line he can’t come back from.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 31

The Lofty Pages, July 31

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 1

Vicky Sluiter, August 2 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, August 3

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, August 4

Texas Book-aholic, August 5

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 6

For the Love of Literature, August 7 (Author Interview)

Blogging with Carol, August 8

Because I said so, August 9

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 10

Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 11 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, August 12

Betti Mace, August 13

Leslie’s Library Escape, August 13

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, S.F. is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and an eBook 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/uhz7K/lethal-design-celebration-tour-giveaway

Harvest of Hope by Ronda Wells

 

Harvest of Hope is the story of a Hollywood producer who never planned to spend a summer in Kansas, a cowboy veterinarian who never planned to need her, and the harvest neither of them saw coming.

Two engagements shattered.

Two hearts guarded.

Two vows never to love again.

Being jilted at the altar taught Holly Woodward and Josh Landon the same lesson: don’t risk your heart again.

Holly needs Josh’s historic Kansas mansion for her next film to save her career—but the stubborn rancher-veterinarian refuses. After he rescues her from a deadly blizzard, their uneasy truce shatters when an injury leaves Josh dependent on the one woman he can’t stand.

Forced together, sparks fly as fiercely as their arguments. But as they lean on faith and uncover surprising ties between their pasts, their guarded hearts begin to shift.

Can they trust God—and each other—enough to love again?

Amazon 

 

About The Author

 Doctor by day, writer by night—award-winning author Dr. Ronda Wells penned the award-winning novella, The Christmas Cherub. She aims to bring sweetness and light into her readers' lives with her “Heartfelt Stories from the Heartland.” A Guideposts contributor, her online devotions publish at Crossmap and Arise Daily. Connect with her @rondawellsbooks on X, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Pinterest and Linked In, or on YouTube @novelmalpractice. Her next book, a contemporary inspirational western romance, Harvest of Hope, releases in August, 2026.

 

My Review

A beautifully woven Christian read, that kept me page turning!
The story starts with a bang, a snowstorm in May, and continues, with some very hard life issues, but the finding of two hurt individuals to join the same path is heartwarming, if not rocky.
A lot of deceit happens in this read, past loves turning out not to be whom you thought they were.
The setting here is a beautiful Kansas ranch home, with a history, whether true or not.
The story does have a lot of action, some do get hurt, but the love of this community is wonderful!
I loved the ending, and sweet epilogue!
I received a copy from the author. All opinions are my own.  

The Ladies Hall by Vanessa Miller

 

1880s, Ohio. When Mary and Anna enter the Bachelor of Arts program, also known as the "gentlemen's course" of study, at Oberlin College, they have little in common other than the color of their skin and their passion for education.

While Mary was raised in luxury, attending presidential inaugurations with her wealthy father, Anna is a schoolteacher, likely the daughter of her enslaved mother's former owner, and works a second job to pay for her room and board. But despite their differences, both women share strength, ambition, and a deep yearning for change. If they can bridge the gaps between them, they just might build a lasting legacy.

From its earliest days in the 1830s, Oberlin College admitted men and women, white and Black students. Though the doors are officially open, school policy cannot change the hearts of classmates who refuse to see a woman, and especially a Black woman, excel. Despite constantly being forced to prove themselves, the women triumphantly overcome every obstacle and push through their pain. And as the world evolves around them, Mary and Anna persevere to build a legacy of success and excellence.

Amazon 

 

About The Author

 

Vanessa Miller is a celebrated USA Today bestselling author, whose prolific body of work spans over 50 titles that explore deep themes of redemption, resilience, and faith—often spotlighting strong Black women during pivotal moments of history.

Miller’s book, The American Queen won the prestigious Christy Award, the Audie Award and was the 2024 American Fiction Award winner for Historical Fiction. The American Queen was a North Carolina Reads pick for 2025 and an Alamance Countywide read for 2026 and Our State Magazine book club pick for February 2026.

Her novel, The Filling Station, has received starred reviews from Library Journal and Booklist. It is a Positively Charlotte book club pick, an Oklahoma County Big Red Read and was an instant USA Today Bestseller. 

 

My Review

 This read was very well researched by the author. Three women, I had never heard of them previously, but got to know them quite well through the research done here. Be sure to read the author's notes.
Breaking ground in the early 1880's three women embark on their college careers, by entering Oberlin College, and being the first.
We see first hand the challenges these women face, and the outcome of their tenacity to achieve what others are determined they don't.
There is a lot of historical fiction here, and I enjoyed the fact that it is based on fact.
We get to have relationships with Mary, Anna and Ida, and loved the epilogue.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review.

Celebrate Lit Presents: Worlds Collide Author: Clint Hall

 

About the Book

Book: Worlds Collide

Author: Clint Hall

Genre: Adult Science Fiction

Release Date: July 14, 2026

Five worlds at war. Only one can survive.

Ten thousand years ago, five cosmic beings―a dragon, a phoenix, a serpent, a lion, and a wolf―set their worlds on an inevitable collision course. Each civilization was given one command: destroy the rival worlds, or crash into them and die.

As the planets draw near to each other, the moment of final reckoning is at hand. In a galaxy filled with starfighters and superweapons, magic and manipulation, planet-killing devices and mechanized legions, five heroes must defend their homeworlds against overwhelming odds.

But when prophecy and destiny collide, a far greater power begins to stir―one that challenges everything they’ve been told.

Oaths will be broken. Chains will be shattered. Champions will rise. The fate of the universe hangs in the balance as these heroes discover whether any world deserves to survive.

The War of the Creators has begun.

Perfect for fans of Red Rising, The Expanse, and mythic sci-fi epics, Worlds Collide blends high-stakes interplanetary war with a legendary, fate-driven mystery―where the final battle may not be what it seems.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Clint Hall is an author, speaker, and podcaster who has been writing stories since middle school, where he spent most of his time in English class creating comic books. (Fortunately, his teacher not only allowed it, she bought every issue.)

Known for stories of hope, wonder, and adventure, Clint is the author of Steal Fire from the Gods and Echo Nova. You can find him hosting panels at conventions, online at ClintHall.com, or at The Experience: Conversations with Creatives podcast, available on all major platforms.

 

 

More from Clint

The battle lines we cannot see

By Clint Hall

The enemy seeks to divide us. And while there are wars to be fought, the battle lines often aren’t in the places that we think.

This is not the reason I started writing Worlds Collide. But in the more than ten years that I’ve been working on this trilogy, it has become the reason this story is the thing I most want to say to the world.

I started writing Worlds Collide because of a few ideas that came together at once. I had been reading a book that discussed five types of heroes: the selfless hero, the hero with a code, the charming hero, the cunning hero, and the sympathetic hero. I challenged myself to write a story featuring each type of hero as a way of better learning the archetypes.

Around the same time, I came up with the concept of different worlds being set on a collision course by their respective creators—cosmic beings in the forms of dragon, phoenix, lion, serpent, and wolf—as a “contest of the gods.” This idea came out of nowhere. At the time, I was working on a completely different story (that still has not been published). That evening, I took my wife on a walk, told her the concept, and she said, “This has to be the next thing you write.”

But as I wrote the story, these characters from different worlds started coming together in interesting ways. Each believed that they were doing the things they had to do to survive, to protect their own kind. The distance between them and the rival planets served to create a sense of “otherness” about the people inhabiting those worlds. It was easier to hate them when they were so far removed. And like most (if not all) instances of hate, it was rooted in fear.

The danger of division is a central theme in scripture. In Matthew 12:25 and Mark 3:24-25, Jesus states, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.” The Greek word for the devil, diabolos, is derived from a verb that means “to throw apart” or “to scatter,” directly identifying his nature as a divider.

We see this division every day, much of it sparked by what we read online. Humans are designed to be in connection with each other, so the most deceptive way to subvert that innate design is to present the façade of increased connection that is actually voluntary isolation and polarization.

I’m not against the internet and social media, but it must be stated that the technologies that were supposed to bring more people together have achieved the opposite. They constantly present us with groups of people who—at a distance—appear to be dangerously opposed to everything we hold dear.

When we engage with so much of this content, we believe we’re learning more about people. But in truth, we’re only presented with algorithmically curated experiences that are incented to spark fear and outrage, emotions that lead to clicking and engaging. We are told that they are the enemy, that they are to blame, and that they will destroy our way of life. Then we’re told, “click here to read more.”

I wasn’t raised in church; I came to my faith during my teenage years. As a result, and due to a handful of other personal experiences, I’m comfortable in environments where I’m surrounded by people whose beliefs are very different than my own.

But here’s what has surprised me: I never feel like I need to hide my faith in these situations. When I engage such people in conversations from a place of love, respect, and genuine curiosity, they are almost always receptive. We find common ground. How could we not? Regardless of their beliefs, these people are created in the image of God, just like me. Through these interactions, I have created real friendships with people that might have never walked through the doors of my church (but that doesn’t mean I won’t try).

I’m not saying that I’m without my biases. I’m far from perfect. But when I manage to push past my perceived boundaries, I’m often amazed at what I discover on the other side.

As believers, we affirm that every person is made in the image of God. But we must ask ourselves—do our words, our posts, and our attitudes reflect that truth? Or have we, too, begun to see those who are unlike us primarily as enemies?

That tension is at the heart of Worlds Collide. As these characters begin to interact, they discover aspects of each other that they never would have expected. They start asking questions they were never meant to ask, and the answers challenge everything they have ever known.

We may not be on warring planets, but we are constantly being told where the battle lines are in our world, and that anybody on the other side of those lines is our enemy.

And when that happens, will we accept that as the truth? Or will we dare to step across those lines in love, courage, and faith to reach out our hands, as the Savior did for us?

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 29

Books, Books, & More Books, July 30 (Spotlight)

Texas Book-aholic, July 31

Artistic Nobody, August 1 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 1

Simple Harvest Reads, August 2 (Guest Review from Susan)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 3 (Spotlight)

The Lofty Pages, August 4

Guild Master, August 5 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, August 6

Fiction Book Lover, August 7 (Author Interview)

The Bookish Ledger, August 8 (Author Interview)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 8

Vicky Sluiter, August 9 (Spotlight)

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, August 10

For the Love of Literature, August 11 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Clint is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and signed 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/vmT2g/worlds-collide-celebration-tour-giveaway

Celebrate Lit Presents: The Husband Tree Author: Mary Connealy

 

About the Book

Book: The Husband Tree

Author: Mary Connealy

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: July 21, 2026

From bestselling author Mary Connealy comes a spirited Western romance filled with danger, determination, and unexpected love—a tale of a fierce widow rancher, a hardworking cowboy, and the family that brings them together. Perfect for fans of historical romance and strong heroines.

Belle Tanner has buried three husbands under the “Husband Tree” and managed her Montana ranch alone while raising four daughters. When she needs help with a dangerous cattle drive, she hires Silas Harden—a man who actually knows his way around cattle and horses. Unlike her previous husbands, Silas isn’t afraid of hard work, but Belle’s not about to let another man take charge of her ranch or her heart.

Silas never planned on falling for a widow with four daughters, especially one as independent as Belle. But as they face treacherous mountain passes, wolf attacks, and winter storms together, he discovers that what he thought was just another job might be his chance at a real family—if he can convince Belle to trust in love one more time.

With winter closing in and dangers mounting, Belle and Silas must learn to work together and trust in God’s plan. But can Belle let go of her iron control and let love lead? And can Silas prove he’s different from the husbands who came before?

A heartwarming story of faith, family, and finding love in the rugged Montana Territory.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedies with cowboys and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She is a two time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist.

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys always with a strong suspense thread. She is a two-time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist. She is the bestselling author of 75 books and novellas. She has over a million and a half books in print.

Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero. Visit her website or find her at Petticoats & Pistols!

 

More from Mary

The Husband Tree remains the book I am asked about the most when I talk to readers.

Or, if I get asked, which is your favorite character…someone inevitably says Belle Tanner.

There’s something about that woman.

The title of the book is based on the tree where she’s buried three worthless husbands. After Anthony died falling off the roof…where he was hiding from work as usual, she’s tossing dirt on his face while vowing to God and her children to never marry again.

She’s taught her girls to work hard at her side, but her main lesson is to teach them to avoid men at all costs. A warning that doesn’t survive, but not for lack of effort on Belle’s part.

She’s the meanest good guy I’ve ever written, the most enduring ‘fiesty lady rancher’. Yet somehow, her REASONS for being mean are so well tuned, that she gets away with being a very hostile-to-men woman.

Not that I haven’t written plenty of feisty lady ranchers…in fact I love the type so much I have to fight putting one as the heroine in every book. But Belle is in a league of her own.

Silas Harden is also NOT interested in a woman. He’s been burned bad TWICE by women. One woman a betrayer, another a sneaking liar who stages a ‘compromising situation’ to force a marriage. He’s lost two ranches because of it. He wants a place of his own and he’s not risking letting a woman ruin things for him. It’s cost him too much.

But, much as she hates to admit she needs a man’s help, Belle’s going to lose her herd if she doesn’t get the cattle to market and there’s no one else to help but the wandering cowpoke, Silas.

Belle and her four daughters, including a diaper-wearing baby, need to punch one thousand head of cattle over the roughest trail in the whole world…not that Belle’s familiar with the whole world, but it’s a brutally hard stretch.

Off they go, both bristling, but soon enough they’re working so hard they’re too TIRED to hate each other.

And then here comes love. A man Belle can’t help but respect. A woman Silas can’t help but trust.

If they all survive this drive…both of them might just take a chance again, on love.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 28

Texas Book-aholic, July 29

For Him and My Family, July 30

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 31

Guild Master, August 1 (Author Interview)

Book Holds and Jello Molds, August 1

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 2

Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 3

She Lives To Read, August 4

Simple Harvest Reads, August 5 (Guest Review from Donna)

Fiction Book Lover, August 6 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, August 6

Book Looks by Lisa, August 7

Cover Lover Book Review, August 8

Labor Not in Vain, August 9

Holly’s Book Corner, August 10

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Mary 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/GRmzP/the-husband-tree-celebration-tour-giveaway

Celebrate Lit Presents: Blue Jean Bayou Author: Janis Jakes

 

About the Book

Book: Blue Jean Bayou

Author: Janis Jakes

Genre: Contemporary Inspirational Romance

Release Date: June 12, 2026

After Jenna’s father dies, she travels to his cabin in the Texas Piney Woods to oversee the remodeling and ready the property for sale. She’s surprised when the contractor is a childhood crush – now a handsome man with a heart of gold.

Their friendship reignites, bringing the possibility of more…but at a price. Jenna, a business owner, loves the bustling streets of Manhattan. Creed, a military veteran with a hero’s past, finds refuge in small-town living.

When Jenna learns her father led a secret life, her world turns upside down, and she suspects Creed knows more than he’s telling.

As the truth about her father emerges, Jenna faces the secrets hidden in her own heart and must choose: a life of high heels and high rises or a meandering bayou with the man she now loves.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Janis Jakes is an author of multiple contemporary and historical inspirational romances with an emphasis on courageous men, strong women, Texas sunsets, and happily ever after.

 

 

 

 

 

More from Janis

Texas is known for its vastness and cities like Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas. While those cities are great, there’s something about a small Texas town that stirs the heart and evokes a sense of community.

 

When I wrote Blue Jean Bayou, I wanted Shelton’s Cove to be one of those small towns that every reader would want to visit—where they’d find hundred-year-old farmhouses, wooden bridges that clack under the weight of vehicles, country diners where chicken-fried steak is standard fare, and salt-of-the-earth folks who look after their neighbors.

 

I also wanted characters who embody the Texas nature I know so well: brave men with strong faith and a staunch work ethic, and women who face life’s unexpected twists and turns with strength.

 

My ultimate hope is that readers get a true sense of the town and enjoy meeting the characters who call Shelton’s Cove home. This is Book 1 of the three-book Small Town Texas Series.

 

A little backstory nugget: The café in Blue Jean Bayou is named Myrtle’s Café after my late grandmother. She could cook like no one’s business—her meringue is legendary!—so it only seemed right to give the café her namesake.

Blog Stops

Devoted Steps, July 27

Simple Harvest Reads, July 28 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, July 29 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 29

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 30

Guild Master, July 31 (Author Interview)

She Lives To Read, August 1

Fiction Book Lover, August 2 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, August 3

The Bookish Ledger, August 4 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, August 5

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, August 6 (Author Interview)

History, Hope & Happily Ever After, August 7 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, August 7

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 8

Stories By Gina, August 9 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Janis is giving away the grand prize of a $75 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/N6cAK/blue-jean-bayou-celebration-tour-giveaway

A Heart Set Free by Amy Clipston

 

When Renee Mast inherits her grandmother’s farm in Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania, she is torn about what to do. Years ago, her father cut all ties with his mother and their Amish roots. But with both her daed and mammi gone, Renee is determined to uncover the truth about why. She feels Gott urging her to return, but she never expected to face so many unanswered questions—or the growing danger that threatens to drive her away. It seems someone in town wants to keep the past buried.

Jerome Graber has spent years carrying the guilt of a buggy accident that ended in tragedy. He buries his pain in work by running Martha Mast’s farm to atone for his mistakes. The daily routine of caring for crops and animals makes him feel safe—until Renee arrives, putting everything at risk. If she sells the farm, he loses not only his livelihood but also the surprising connection that’s growing between them.

When the threats against Renee escalate, she and Jerome must rely on their faith—and their hearts—to find the courage to embrace the future Gott has intended for them all along. 

Amazon 

 

About The Author

 Amy Clipston has been writing for as long as she can remember. Her fiction writing "career" began in elementary school when she and a close friend wrote and shared silly stories. She has a degree in communications from Virginia Wesleyan College and is a member of the Authors Guild, American Christian Fiction Writers, and Romance Writers of America. She is the author of the bestselling Kauffman Amish Bakery series with Zondervan, which is part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. An advocate for organ and blood donation, Amy donated a kidney in 2011 at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Through her donation, her husband received a second kidney transplant. Amy and her husband matched another couple and swapped kidneys with them. Amy's memoir, A Gift of Love, will be available in early 2014. She hopes her story inspires others to become organ and blood donors. Amy lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, mother, and four spoiled rotten cats. You can find her on the web at www.AmyClipston.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AmyClipstonBooks.

 

My Review

 This is a quick enjoyable read.
A 25 year old Amish women inherits her Grandmother's farm in Bird-In-Hand Pennsylvania. A women she barely remembers, leaving with her parents and moving to Ohio.
This young women would like answers, why did they leave, and why no contact?
Answers come, but the journey is soon filled with danger? Why?
Renee Mast and Jerome Graber meet, he has been taking care of her Grandmother's property, but he is a hurting individual. Can these to help one another?
I loved the epilogue, and wished we could stay longer here. Another great cozy read by Amy Cliptson!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Guideposts, and was not required to give a positive review.

Through the Valley (The Amish of Shepherd's Hill) by Patricia Johns

 

Miri Schrock never expected to inherit anything after months of caring for Old Tom Yoder, so upon his passing, she's stunned to learn he's left her everything. But Tom's family is equally shocked, and Miri is not sure she can rightfully accept an inheritance that clearly belongs to Tom's grandsons.

Moses Yoder thought he knew his grandfather, but his decision to leave the Lancaster County family farm to Miri has Moses questioning everything. Now he's caught between his family's demands that Miri surrender what's rightfully theirs and his own growing romantic attraction toward her. As Moses and Miri are drawn together, they must navigate family tensions, yet discovering the truth behind the inheritance may change everything they thought they knew about love, family, and God's plan for their future.

Amazon 

 

About The Author

 Patricia Johns is a New York Times and #1 Publishers Weekly bestselling Amish fiction author, writing from Alberta, Canada. She relishes electricity and modern conveniences in her real life, but she loves to imagine what life would be like living without everything we so easily rely upon. If you were to peek in at her, you'd find her tapping away on her computer writing her newest book, or arranging her dollhouse furniture which has become a big passion of hers. You can keep up with her on social media, or sign up for her newsletter for a chance to win signed books and knitted surprises made with love by the author herself. 

 

My Review

 

I have been looking forward to this book, and it sure did not disappoint.
I loved being back with Tabitha, the Amish vet, and Jonas, but this relationship can go nowhere, because of her divorce. As this book starts Jonas has gone looking for a bride, no!
There is a big theme of forgiveness here, both for Tabitha and the Yoder's, but can they?
This is also Mimi's and Moses story, with Mimi wanting to be out doing men's work, and not being a typical Amish woman, and yes, Mimi and Tabitha are related!
This story has so many twists and turns, and just when you think questions are answered, no, and we are in for big surprises.
I loved the epilogue, only thing wrong was I hate for this series to end!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.  

The Heiress and the Woodsman by Christine Hill Suntz

 

Canada, 1837. Charlotte is determined to hold onto her family's crumbling estate—the last vestige of their former place in Toronto society before her mother's death and her father's financial ruin. But when her missing brother Simon is suspected of aiding a political rebellion, Charlotte heads north to find him before his impulsive decisions ruin what's left of their family's standing and break her ailing father's heart.

Joshua has worked tirelessly to carve a home from the wilderness for the younger brother he was forced to leave behind, only to learn his first harvest is nearly worthless and his brother has been sold into an indenture Joshua can't afford to redeem. When a stranger offers him work tracking down a settler in the bush, he's desperate enough to agree.

Nothing has prepared Charlotte for the challenges of surviving the wilderness. When Joshua comes to her aid, she offers to pay him for guidance through the bush. Though he knows a spoiled city girl will slow him down, he can't refuse the money. As Charlotte and Joshua face the dangers of travel through rough terrain, admiration and friendship grow, even as class divides and hidden truths complicate their bond. But when they are caught in the crossfire of rebellion, they must decide if the futures they've fought for are truly their hearts' desire—or if something unexpected awaits.

Amazon 

 

About The Author

 

Christine Hill Suntz knew she wanted to write novels the day she finished Anne of Green Gables, and she's been lost in her imagination ever since. Her love of language led her to study French and German and pursue a graduate degree in Comparative Literature before finding a home teaching high school French. Her work has won numerous prizes, including the 2022 ACFW Genesis competition.

Christine lives in Ontario on a hobby farm with her family, a flock of chickens, one attack rooster, and a herd of entitled goats. When she's not writing or teaching, she enjoys trying out historical recipes on her (mostly) willing family. 

 

My Review

 

I enjoyed this read, taking place in Ontario, Canada in the 1830's, a time of unrest and the wanting of what the US had, independence.
A young woman who's desire is to save her families estate, and it's an uphill battle, with debts they have fallen from grace with the establishment. Now she needs to find her brother to help save her home!
What a journey Charlotte is about to embark on, and the people we meet on the way! With Joshua's help will she find her brother in time? Also will Joshua be able to rescue his own brother?
This is a Christian read, and the author does a beautiful job of weaving this story, and made me want to continue on in their lives.
I would like to know what happened and where is Simon?
I will be looking for more by this author!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Tyndale House, and was not required to give a positive review.

Autumn at the Cat Cafe by Kathleen Fuller

 

Via Dalton has sworn off men to focus on the two things she loves most: her quirky cat café, Pawsitive Vibes, and the charming town of Pecan Corner, Ohio. But her peaceful world is shaken when Earl Brewster, the owner of the beloved Second Chapter Books next door, passes away. Via is determined to buy the shop and preserve Earl's legacy, but her plans hit a snag in the form of a tall, handsome, and completely unexpected heir.

Leo Brewster's life is thriving in LA, and the last thing he needs is an inheritance in the middle-of-nowhere, Ohio. But the alternative--letting his estranged mother inherit--has him packing his bags to receive the inheritance, quickly sell it off to the highest bidder, and hightail it back to LA. What he didn't count on was the list of stipulations in the will that has him staying in the small town for a month. Oh, and the determined, sunny café owner next door who refuses to let him destroy the town's heart without a fight.

Desperate to convince Leo the bookstore is vital to her community, Via challenges Leo to complete her Autumn Bucket List. As they navigate corn mazes, pumpkin patches, and fall festivals, Leo begins to see the magic in Pecan Corner--and in Via. Despite her vow to stay single and his plan to leave, the attraction between them simmers like hot cider.

Can a season of small-town charm convince a city boy to stay, or will Via lose both the bookstore and her heart?

Amazon 

 

About The Author

 

Best-selling author of Amish fiction. Also a wife, mother, crafter, coffee addict, football fan, and chocolate aficionado.

 

My Review

This is a story that had quite a few chuckles, but also deals with a lot of human emotions. There are cats and some you may want to take home, but there is healing in their purring!
We are offered some drama, and some sad happens, but also some joy and possible new relationships.
Leo and Via find each other in a rather unusual way, Uncle Earl, and he did it unkowingly!
I will say that Leo's growing up broke my heart, but despite his parents he seemed to be a great young man.
Past hurts seem to affect these young people, but lost journals change everything.
I did love the epilogue!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review.  

The Christmas Book Flood: A Holiday Friends-to-Lovers Romance Set in WWII Iceland by Roseanna M. White

 

Iceland. December 1944. Tatiana Eliasdottir is looking forward to welcoming her niece Elea for Christmas. She's determined to give the little girl a joyful holiday and take her mind off troubles at home. Soon, however, the publishing house where Tatiana works is flooded with orders thanks to the first issue of a seasonal book catalog. With the war causing so many shortages, Icelanders are eager to give their loved ones something that isn't rationed, and books are the perfect solution to their dilemma.

Anders Johannsson is an editor who shares Tatiana's love for stories. While he wishes to know her better, he's never dared pursue more than friendship. They are first and foremost colleagues. But when Tatiana's attempts to cheer Elea fail, Tatiana recruits him to help, a plea he can't refuse. He is, after all, not only an editor but a beloved children's book author and devoted uncle to his adoring nieces and nephews.

As the two creatively bring Icelandic Christmas traditions to life for Elea and frantically work to meet the demands of the publisher's holiday rush, Tatiana finds herself increasingly drawn to kind, thoughtful Anders. But if a love is to grow between them, she will need to reveal her closely held secret: she is the mysterious author of a popular new novel . . . and Anders is her editor.

Amazon 

 

About The Author

 Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.

 

My Review

This is a really sweet Christmas read. The year is 1944 and WWII, the setting is Iceland an area occupied by the US.
The read is heartwarming, with a young girl Elea, 7 years, having to spend time with her Aunt, and us.
This is a sweet love story, with a little girl being a catalyst to their seeing what was right in front of them.
I loved reading about the customs here, such a fun putting your shoes on the window sill, and receiving gifts from the Yule Lads. There is also the tradition of giving books, thus the Book Flood!
This is beautifully written quick read!
I received this book through Net Galley and Tyndale House Publishers, and was not required to give a positive review.
 

 

 

 

Embroidering the Truth (Gift Shop Mysteries, #3) by Elizabeth Penney

 Sarah Morgan’s latest mystery arrives at Heavenly Treasures along with her old friend Renee Torres, who brings a stunning quilt that belonged to her recently deceased great-aunt. Together, they realize that this Baltimore album quilt includes pieces from a famous nineteenth-century artist named Emily Deveau—meaning the value of the piece just skyrocketed! What was such a precious item doing in Renee’s family home?

News of the quilt spreads quickly throughout Port Huron. Soon Sarah finds herself not only researching its history, but also helping Renee protect it from those who are desperate to get their hands on it. Sarah discovers a tale of deception and betrayal that takes her all the way back to the 1893 World’s Fair. It’s a race against time—and a mysterious adversary—to find the answers Sarah and her friend seek.

Amazon 

 

About The Author

 

Elizabeth Penney is the author of the Apron Shop Series and the Cambridge Bookshop Series, both from St. Martin's Press. She is also the author of women's fiction and mysteries for Annie's Fiction and Guideposts.

Now living in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, she pens novels and tries to grow things. Elements that often appear in her novels include vintage everything, past/present mysteries, historic houses, and the arts. Oh, and usually a very cool cat.

Visit her website at www.elizabethpenneyauthor.com to learn more.

 

My Review

 

I really enjoyed this read, and how they go about getting the answers.
Have some old quilts in my home, and some new ones I've made, so this one really piqued my interest.
This is the third book in this series, and the first that I have read, it can be read alone!
The story revolves around an old quilt with beautiful appliques, and then the mystery begins.
The story along with some danger, does revolve around this quilt, but highlights some of the past centuries taking women for granted, and some men who claim their work as their own.
A very enlightening read, filled with love and being there for one another, but their is also some danger!
I'll be looking for more by this author!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Guideposts, and was not required to give a positive review.