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Welcome to the Blog Tour for the Oakwoods Series by Kathy J. Perry, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Series

Pip O’Possum (Work Then Play)
Sally Skunkskin (Grumbles to Grateful)
Benjamin Bat (Humility)
Nuts (Caring is Sharing)
Jeremy Jay (Resilience)
Author: Kathy J. Perry
Publisher: Chickadee Words
Release Date: April 4, 2025
Genre: Early Reader Chapter Books (ages 5-8)

These warm stories invite readers into a woodland world that feels very classic and fun. Kids will like meeting the animals in the Oakwoods series. As they read about the animals’ adventures, friendships, and foibles, they’ll also discover timeless lessons that feel authentic to the characters and the Oakwoods world—and also applicable to our daily lives.

Teachers and parents of young readers transitioning from picture books will appreciate the easy-to-read font, a glossary, “What If?” discussion questions about the story & application to real life, and a “Did You Know?” section with surprising facts about the real animal. (i.e. blue jays aren’t really blue!)

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | KathyJPerry.com | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

My Thoughts

These are very cute books. Each one portrays an animal interacting with the other animals around it, and learning character lessons. One learns to be diligent, another to be thankful, and another to be humble. The pictures are delightful. Young children who like animals will love these stories. My youngest is one of those animal lovers. I read her one of these books, and she told me at the end that she loved the way the animals worked together, and their relationship. That one happened to be a bit of a romance, which she loves. I’m saving the other ones for reading to her later, when we’re traveling.

About the Author

Of the many jobs I’ve held in the past, including thirty-five years of designing and constructing stained glass windows part-time, teaching was one of the most enjoyable for me because investing in kids is so important. To this end, I continue to encourage good character with clean, moral stories kids and teens love to read. Good books make such an impact.

Writing is hard work, but there’s nothing like a good story to run off with your imagination. When things are flowing, it’s like a vacation. Sometimes the best ideas come in the middle of the night.

When not writing, you’ll find me painting with watercolor, doing school visits, writing a blog, interviewing other writers, designing websites, working as an administrative assistant part-time, and renovating houses.

Is this retirement? Apparently so! I’m loving every minute of it with my husband of 43 years.

Connect with Kathy J. Perry by visiting kathyjperry.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a 5-book signed softcover bundle of the Oakwoods Series, bookmarks, and a $50 Amazon digital gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight June 24, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 1, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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Welcome to the Blog Tour for Lion of Judah by Henry O. Arnold, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Lion of Judah
Series: The Song of Prophets and Kings #5
Author: Henry O. Arnold
Publisher: WhiteFire Publishing
Release Date: May 15, 2025
Genre: Biblical/Historical Fiction

The new king is crowned in triumph…
But his pride proves to be a fatal flaw…
And from out of his own house calamity falls upon him

Once a shepherd, a captain, and a fugitive, David is now king. He left behind the dangers of life on the run and embraced the comforts of living in the palace. No longer known as the “giant-slayer,” but as the “lion of Judah,” King David enjoys the popularity and prosperity brought on by his victories.

But peace in the nation of Israel has a double-edged sword. David’s pride subverts his judgment, and his desires overwhelm his heart leading him down a dark pathway. The king will go to any lengths to cover up his crimes, but disaster falls upon the House of David bringing this broken and contrite king to cry out to Yahweh for mercy.

Lion of Judah continues the tale of triumph and tragedy, deepest love and burning rivalries; the new epoch is given a voice…and it is The Song of Prophets and Kings.

My Thoughts

When I discovered that the book I was being asked to review was the fifth in a series, I gulped. I do not like reading a series out of order, or jumping in in the middle or end. The author assured me that Lion of Judah can stand alone, though there are story arcs that go throughout the series. I went searching for a way to read or listen to the first four books, however, and found the audiobooks on a library I use. So, for the last month, I’ve been listening to this series when I can! I’ve made it through the first two, and am almost to the end of the third, and have read about half of Lion of Judah.

I’m finding these books quite an interesting peak into what it might have been like to be Samuel, or Saul, or David, or Michal, or the prophets Gad and Nathan. I really like the picture painted here of what happens when pride is allowed to take over a person’s life. (The scene where Samuel realizes what his sons have become? Ouch.)

What I could do without in every one of these books that I have read is the scenes in which married couples are attracted to each other. They are more sensual than I like. There are 2-3 such scenes in each book. I have been careful not to listen to them while my children are around. So, as in many books, there are aspects I really like, and things I don’t appreciate so much.

Also, I’m not sure about the author’s timeline. Our family has just read through the life of Saul in our current trip through the Bible together, and we were paying attention to the timing of various events. What we found in the Bible seems quite different from the timing of events in these books. So, read them for the lessons that can be learned, not as history!

I believe I like this final book, Lion of Judah, best of the series. Though David fell into sin, and then sinned even more grievously to cover it up, he repented. The story is quite sad—as we know from reading the Bible. It ends with hope, however. 

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

Links in this post may be affiliate links, which will help to support Esther’s website.

More In This Series

About the Author

Mr. Henry O. Arnold‘s career as an actor/author spans over five decades with multiple stage and film credits. He has recorded over one hundred audiobooks and is the author of the Urban Chronicles suspense series and the multi-volume biblical/historical fiction series entitled The Song of Prophets and Kings (available in all formats wherever books are sold). When not writing, he can be found hiking on a trail somewhere in the world. He and his lovely wife Kay have two beautiful daughters, married to two handsome men, with three above-average grandchildren.

Connect with Henry by visiting henryoarnold.com to follow him on social media and subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Lion of Judah & $20 Amazon Gift Card plus a print copy of The Mercy Seat, also by Henry O. Arnold!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight June 2, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 9, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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Welcome to the Blog Tour for I’ll Be Home by Sara Davison, Darlene L. Turner, Helena Smrcek, and Melanie Stevenson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: I’ll Be Home
Authors: Sara Davison, Darlene L. Turner, Helena Smrcek, & Melanie Stevenson
Publisher: Independent (Fab Four Press)
Release Date: October 29, 2024
Genre: Contemporary Christmas anthology

With chaos and confusion all around them, can they find their way home this Christmas?

The people in these four stories are all searching for something—an escaped convict, a job promotion from a love interest, connection to a lost parent, answers across time.

Christmas should be a time of wonder and celebration, but the obstacles each faces seem insurmountable. Even, at times, life-threatening.

Perhaps they will find what they are seeking during this season of miracles and hope. Or maybe, with God’s help, they will discover that the longing of their hearts takes them to places—and people—they didn’t even know they’d been searching for.

I’ll Be Home is a collection of four stories of faith, hope, love, (and trains) that will warm your heart, encourage your soul, and draw you home this Christmas.

My Thoughts:

Who would love this collection? Anyone who loves a sweet, clean romance that includes people learning more about themselves and about God, and even learning to know God, will love these stories. My favorite was the last one, by Sara Davison. That one is actually the reason I chose to read this collection, because I was curious about her writing and thought this would be a good way to sample it. That story had a young woman who played Anne in a theater production of Anne of Green Gables, as she learned things about herself and her family that she needed to know but which were uncomfortable. My second favorite was the second story, a split-time story about a nurse in World War II and a real estate agent today, and how their stories intersected. That one was fun! Overall, though, the stories just weren’t my favorite kind of reading.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the authors, and these are my honest thoughts about it. Purchase links may be affiliate links.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

Also Available

About the Authors

Sara Davison is the author of The Night Guardians, The Rose Tattoo, two sparrows for a penny, and In the Shadows series, as well as the standalone, The Watcher. A finalist for more than a dozen national writing awards, including the Christy Award, Davison is a Holt Medallion, Cascade, and two-time Carol Award winner for romantic suspense. She lives in Ontario with her husband, Michael. Like every good Canadian, she loves coffee, hockey, poutine, and apologizing for no particular reason.

Connect with Sara by visiting saradavison.org to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Darlene L. Turner is an award-winning and a Publishers Weekly best-selling author and lives with her husband, Jeff in Ontario, Canada. Her love of suspense began when she read her first Nancy Drew book. She’s turned that passion into her writing and believes readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message.

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

Helena Smrcek is an award-winning author, screenwriter, public speaker and writing coach. She is known for her thrilling and heartwarming stories. Her career began as a high school freelancer, leading to three decades in publishing. She co-founded Write!Canada and The Word Guild and has graduated from multiple writing programs.

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

Melanie Stevenson is an award-winning author and lives in Ontario, Canada, surrounded by her husband and four children. She attended the University of Waterloo and obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts. Melanie’s first book, One More Tomorrow, was shortlisted in the Word Alive Press publishing contest out of over two hundred entries across North America and was published in 2019. In 2020, she won Best Romantic Fiction for One More Tomorrow and Best New Canadian Author at The Word Awards—Canada’s top Christian literary awards. Her mission is to create stories of excellence that impact hearts and lives. Paper, canvas, and dirt are her favorite blank pages.Connect with Melanie by visiting melaniestevenson.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon card plus a paperback copy of I’ll Be Home!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 29, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 5, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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Welcome to the Blog Tour for Return of the Son by D.M. Griffin, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Return of the Son
Series: The Encounter #4
Author: D.M. Griffin
Publisher: Independently published
Release Date: October 10, 2024
Genre: Biblical Fiction

Her life was perfect. At least her childhood was. Eve never wanted anything except her father’s presence. As a prominent advisor to the evil King Herod, Eve’s father was split between his duties to the king and his duties as the only living parent for his daughter. With no heir to claim his family’s land, Eve’s father did what any loving father would do. He arranged for her betrothal. But this wasn’t just any betrothal. Her potential husband was related to the king she despised. With a rough marital journey ahead of her, she tenuously clings to the promises of God.

Not sharing her father’s enthusiasm or respect for the Herodian dynasty, Eve acted like the spoiled child she was upon first meeting her betrothed. With faulty expectations and prejudiced opinions, she did what she would to ruin the marriage before it began. It wasn’t until it was almost too late that Eve’s eyes were open and she saw the opportunity to experience love for the divine intervention that it was.

Fraught with political intrigue and personal challenges, would Eve be able to fully surrender to the life God wanted her to live by loving a man she thought she could never love? When that man’s shadows chase the family into the future, would Eve’s son pay the ultimate price? Or would God intervene there too? Could He? Only a single, unforeseen encounter could answer Eve’s impossible question. Does love truly conquer death?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

My Thoughts

I have read a couple of books by D. M. Griffin. I really enjoyed The Winds of Ruach, and though I didn’t like The Crooked Daughter quite so well, it was good enough that when I was invited to review Return of the Son I signed up for it without hesitation. I like some Biblical fiction—but I don’t like those books that are mainly focused on romance, or that try to recreate the story of a person in the Bible that we know a lot about and then add in a lot that doesn’t seem accurate. Based on my past experience, I felt like Return of the Son would be a book that I would enjoy.

I really enjoyed Return of the Son. This story was inspired by the few verses in one of the gospels about the widow in Nain; we know nothing else about her beyond those few verses. D. M. Griffin has created an epic story here that weaves together many stories that are in the gospels. 

In a large part of this book, I found Eve very annoying. She jumped to conclusions and couldn’t seem to get beyond her preconceived ideas about the man her father had betrothed her to, especially after overhearing gossip that seemed to paint an unfavorable picture of him. I kept wondering what it would take to snap her out of that mindset. I wondered if she would ever be able to see him the way he really was.

I felt like Return of the Son was Biblically accurate in almost everything. The one thing I questioned was that Eve created a statue of two people. The author talked about this briefly in a note at the end of the book, but I’m not sure I agree with her conclusions. 

I loved the way this author told the story of Jesus’ ministry from the point of view of people who lived far from Jerusalem and did not seek Him out. I also liked being able to get Herod’s family straighter in my mind. That family is important throughout the book, and I should now be able to remember how each of the men fits in to the Bible’s story. Overall, I found this book very good, and I’ll be watching for more books by this author.

More Books in This Series

About the Author

D.M. Griffin lives in California but grew up in beautiful New England. As a married woman with three adult children, she enjoys spending her time crafting novels that enhance the truth of Scripture. Her characters are biblically based and entirely captivating. She launched Devoted Steps Ministry in 2016. Besides keeping up with the daily prayers and devotionals on the devotedsteps.com website, she works at a local church. She is an avid reader as well as a writer. Long walks around the lake offer her space for inspiration. Besides biblical fiction, she also writes speculative Christian fiction novels.

Connect with D.M. Griffin by visiting devotedsteps.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card, signed paperback of Return of the Son, and a prayer shawl!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 15, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 22, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for A Weary World Rejoices by Stacy Monson, Eleanor Bertin, Johnnie Alexander, Angela D. Meyer, and Sara Davison, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: A Weary World Rejoices
Series: A Mosaic Christmas Anthology VI
Authors: Stacy Monson, Eleanor Bertin, Johnnie Alexander, Angela D. Meyer, Sara Davison
Publisher: The Mosaic Collection, LLC
Release Date: October 16, 2024
Genre: Christian Christmas anthology

With nothing going as planned, will Christmas be a complete disaster this year?

The people in these stories are tired, weighed down by the struggles and cares of life. In the midst of their challenging situations, each receives an unexpected letter.

The Christmas Kiss – Stacy Monson
Unremarkable Sue – Eleanor Bertin
Love, Christmas – Johnnie Alexander
Gifting Christmas – Angela D. Meyer
The Back Door Christmas Tour Company – Sara Davison

Songs like “O Holy Night”are filling the airwaves and promising hope for a weary world, but what will it take for the men and women in these stories to experience true joy this Christmas?

A Weary World Rejoices is a collection of five stories about discovering joy in the midst of life’s challenges—at Christmas and every day of the year.

My Thoughts:

Over the past few years, I have read several of the Mosaic Christmas Anthologies. I always enjoy most of the stories in them. When I have the chance to request a review copy of one of them, I nearly always do. A Weary World Rejoices, this year’s edition, was no exception.

I would say my favorite stories in A Weary World Rejoices are Unremarkable Sue and The Back Door Christmas Tour Company. I loved Unremarkable Sue because Sue is just an ordinary girl, doing ordinary things, and helping out people she loves. I could also relate to parts of the story—like learning to drive a stick-shift! I loved The Back Door Christmas Tour Company because of both the unique setting and the transformations experienced by so many of the characters. It really showed how love and a listening ear have the ability to change people in a positive way.

I enjoyed The Christmas Kiss as well. It is a sequel to the story Stacy Monson submitted for Sounds Like a Plan, an anthology that came out a few months ago. It was fun to see what Piper was up to here. Love, Christmas is a very short story—but I loved it! The power of kindness…. Gifting Christmas is good also, and I enjoyed it, but it didn’t speak to me as much as the first two I mentioned. This anthology is a perfect book for when you want something easy to read and also easy to put down, as it is composed of several stories of various lengths.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, and these are my honest thoughts about it.

WARNING: The Christmas Kiss: Oh my gosh, a kiss, a Christian man was ready to date an unbeliever. The Back Door Christmas Tour Company: a kiss.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

Also Available

About the Authors

Stacy Monson is the award-winning author of stories that reveal an extraordinary God at work in ordinary life. Residing in the beautiful, peaceful countryside outside of the Twin Cities with an old dog and 17 chickens. She has two kids, two wonderful in-law kids, and adores being G’ma to 7 amazing grandchildren.

Connect with Stacy at stacymonson.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

From her home in central Alberta, Canada, Eleanor Bertin writes fiction that ponders the depths of God’s love and mercy to humanity. She is the author of The Ties That Bind series, Lifelines, Unbound, and Tethered, the Burning Bright series, Flame of Mercy and Flicker of Trust, as well as the memoir, Pall of Silence, about her late son, Paul. She lives with her husband of 40 years and their youngest son, in what will someday be a beautiful century home.Connect with Eleanor at eleanorbertinauthor.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

Johnnie Alexander is a wannabe vagabond with a heart for making memories. As a bestselling, award-winning novelist, she has written more than thirty works of fiction in a variety of genres. She is both traditionally and indie-published, serves as board secretary for the Mosaic Collection, LLC (an indie-author group) and faculty chair for the Mid-South Christian Writers Conference; co-hosts Writers Chat, a weekly online show; and contributes to the Heroes, Heroines, and History blog.  A fan of classic movies, stacks of books, and road trips, Johnnie shares a life of quiet adventure with Rugby, her raccoon-treeing papillon. Her grands call her “The Shadow” and dutifully follow this unbreakable rule ~ only she is allowed to open a new bag of Classic Lay’s potato chips.

Connect with Johnnie at johnnie-alexander.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

Angela D. Meyer writes fiction that showcases God’s ability to redeem and restore the brokenness in our lives. Angela currently lives in Nebraska, where she and her husband homeschooled and graduated both of their children. Angela is a part of the Mosaic Collection and writes stories that showcase God’s redemption and restoration in our brokenness. Angela enjoys sunrises and sunsets, the ocean when she gets a chance to visit, and hopes to ride in a hot air balloon someday.

Connect with Angela at angeladmeyer.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

Sara Davison is the author of The Night Guardians, The Rose Tattoo, two sparrows for a penny, and In the Shadows series, as well as the standalone, The Watcher. A finalist for more than a dozen national writing awards, including the Christy Award, Davison is a Holt Medallion, Cascade, and two-time Carol Award winner for romantic suspense. She lives in Ontario with her husband, Michael. Like every good Canadian, she loves coffee, hockey, poutine, and apologizing for no particular reason.

Connect with Sara at saradavison.org to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win a paperback copy of A Weary World Rejoices as well as a metal wall hanging that says A Thrill of Hope, the Weary World Rejoices!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 14, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 21, 2024. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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Welcome to the Blog Tour for the Emeline series by Kathy J. Perry, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book:

Title: A Journey
Series: Emeline #1
Author: Kathy J Perry
Publisher: Chickadee Words, LLC
Release Date: November 1, 2023
Genre: Christian Young Adult 19th Century American Historical Fiction

A promise made to her dying father; a struggle that tests her faith; a journey that pushes her resilience and resourcefulness to their limits

Emeline, a thirteen-year-old Missouri orphan, must set off on a quest across frontier America to fulfil her father’s last to find her grandfather in Boston.

Crossing this dangerous and unforgiving land alone, she must face challenges without losing her faith, rising to every test ahead if she’s to survive and find a home at the end of her adventure.

Will Emeline’s journey bring her the family she longs for?

Readers of Laura Ingalls Wilder and Louisa May Alcott will delight in this fast-paced adventure.

My Thoughts:

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, and these are my honest thoughts about it. I rarely read Young Adult books. Almost all that I have seen have to do with romance, include too much sensual matter, or are fantasy, time travel, or some weird futuristic story. I tend to greatly prefer realism, and I don’t think Young Adults need romance. When I read the description of Emeline—A Journey, I was attracted to it because it sounded different. I was not disappointed by the content!

I really liked the content of this book. It describes life in a simpler time, and shows a girl who has been left alone in the world making the best of what she had, learning to make her own decisions. On the other hand, the writing style could definitely be improved; it felt a bit amateurish. Also, it did not feel realistic that she hardly showed any grief when her father died. She was sad, but quickly got up and going again, never crying much at all. I did appreciate that this book doesn’t portray a girl who can do everything; she knows she needs help from adults, and readily accepts help and advice. I also really liked that there is no romance, other than a few hints that Emeline liked the apprentice at the Witherspoons. I can highly recommend this book for those in the 12-16-year-old group, although when I read it to my children recently, though they enjoyed listening to it they weren’t as engrossed in it as they are in some.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Kathy J Perry | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

About the Book:

Title: Finding Strength: During the Panic of 1893
Series: Emeline #2
Author: Kathy J Perry
Publisher: Chickadee Words, LLC
Release Date: March 1, 2024
Genre: Christian Young Adult Historical Fiction

When the world around you is falling apart, you must find strength within yourself.

Three years after her father’s death, Emeline has settled into life in Indianapolis.

Then an urgent visit to her childhood farm in Missouri changes everything. Her manager dies, the economy is in recession, and the caretakers are moving back to Wisconsin. Emeline is suddenly responsible for the farm… and she’s out of her depth.

With the help of her closest allies, Emeline sets out to turn the farm around until disaster strikes and she must start again. Emeline faces her biggest challenge finding the courage to have confidence in herself.

Can Emeline’s faith and resourcefulness bring her the joy and security she’s worked so hard to find?

This coming-of-age tale is a must-read for lovers of historical fiction.

My Thoughts:

I was not as impressed by Finding Strength as I was with A Journey. Emeline seemed very naive; she was 17 in this book, but still seemed to think and act much like she did when she was 13 in the first book. Also, it seemed like there were intense scenes added in just to try to add some excitement, such as a train robbery. There were two other robberies later that didn’t feel realistic—rather like, “Oh, our cows got stolen, let’s go buy a new herd”—without even searching for them or trying to find where they were taken off the property. Another anachronism I noticed was that Emeline and a young man went alone on several two-day business trips together—but as soon as he started courting her he informed her that they would always need to be chaperoned now. Also, the description of making maple syrup was not accurate. On the other hand, I liked how clean this book was. There was nothing off-color in it, nothing that would make me hesitate to hand it to children or young adults. I also liked the way the author made The Panic of 1893 come alive. I had not thought much before about the impact that ordinary people would have felt.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Kathy J Perry | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

About the Author:

Of the many jobs she’s held in the past, including thirty-five years of designing and constructing stained glass windows part-time, teaching was one of the most enjoyable for Kathy J. Perry because investing in kids is so important. To this end, she continues to encourage good character with clean, moral stories kids and teens love to read. Good books make such an impact. Writing is hard work, but there’s nothing like a good story to run off with your imagination. When things are flowing, it’s like a vacation. Sometimes the best ideas come in the middle of the night. When not writing, you’ll find her painting with watercolor, doing school visits, writing a blog, interviewing other writers, designing websites, working as an administrative assistant part-time, and renovating houses. Is this retirement? Apparently so! She loves every minute of it with her husband of 43 years.Connect with Kathy by visiting kathyjperry.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

I received a complimentary copy of these books from the author, and these are my honest thoughts about them.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive signed print copies of A Journey and Finding Strength, companion journal, bookmarks, and a $25 Amazon gift card plus a code for free audiobooks for both titles!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 1, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 8, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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Welcome to the Blog Tour for What’s the Story, Morning Glory? by Julie Lessman, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: What’s the Story, Morning Glory?
Author: Julie Lessman
Publisher: Julie Lessman LLC
Release Date: October 1, 2024
Genre: Memoir Devotional (half fiction/half nonfiction)

“DEAR LORD, JULIE … OUR WHOLE LIFE IS IN THIS BOOK!”

My heart went out to my sweet husband as he walked into our kitchen one day with a noticeable gulp, ashen-faced after reading my latest novel.“Yes, I know, babe,” I said with a repentant smile and a conciliatory hug, “but nobody really knows that.”
Ahem. Until now …

Trust me, “What’s the Story, Morning Glory? A Memoir Devotional with a ‘Novel’ Approach to Practical Christianity ” is not a book I wanted to write. As a novelist, I have never been partial to nonfiction, either reading it or writing it, but I had little choice when God convinced me otherwise through a number of point-blank arm-twistings I couldn’t deny and not-so-gentle proddings from family and friends.

Despite all the encouragement, I wasn’t really sure where to begin. “It will be fiction and nonfiction combined,” the Holy Spirit whispered within, and just like that, the idea for this book took flight. First, I would tell my “real” and very personal story behind the life-lesson stories in my novels, then I would follow it up with the excerpt from my books where I teach that same life lesson to my characters, finally culminating in corresponding Scriptures, a bulleted “Takeaway” list, and a related prayer.

Thus, What’s the Story, Morning Glory: A Memoir Devotional with a “Novel” Approach to Practical Christianity was born. A memoir devotional that when combined with scenes from my novels, becomes a “novotional” where I relate the life lessons God personally taught me through His Word. I am simply a child of God who applied these lessons and Biblical precepts to every situation in my life and consequently, saw nonstop answers to prayer and blessings galore. It is my profound hope and prayer that through my own very simple and personal stories and examples, I can do the same for others. Therefore, the format for each chapter of this book will be as

1. The Real Story (How I learned and applied the spiritual lesson in my own life)
2. The Novel Story (The scene where I teach the spiritual lesson to my characters)
3. The Scripture Story (Scriptures applicable to the spiritual lesson)
4. The Takeaway Story (Bulletized points for spiritual lesson in easy-to-read/apply format)
5. The Prayer Story (Specific prayer related to the spiritual lesson)

I pray this bottom-line, albeit somewhat quirky, 1-2-3 devotional blesses you as much as God’s spiritual life lessons have blessed me!

Hugs,
Julie Lessman

MY THOUGHTS

What a novel idea—a devotional that combines real life stories, scenes from novels, and Scripture. I was immediately intrigued. On the other hand, devotionals can be difficult to read in time for a review. I decided to give What’s the Story, Morning Glory? a try anyway. 

I really appreciated Julie Lessman’s honesty as she shared real stories from her life. She shares not only victories but also mistakes she has made, and how God taught her about Himself and what He wants to do in everyone. The novel story section of each topic proved to be helpful, too, in seeing another perspective of these lessons lived out. One problem I ran into with the novel story sections, though, is that now I want to read Julie’s books! I had never even heard of her before signing up for What’s the Story, Morning Glory?, but now I’m interested in finding and reading them. 

A lot of things really stood out to me as I read this book. One of the first things that stood out was the prayer Julie prayed to become saved. It was not the normal type of prayer—but it reminded me of my mother’s salvation testimony! I also very much appreciated her straightforwardness about sexual purity. In one chapter, she mentioned her son telling someone he didn’t really love his girlfriend and that was why he slept with her. This type of scene is repeated a number of times—a message that really needs to be talked about in today’s culture. 

Another rather unpopular topic that is discussed is child training. I was thankful to come across an author that actually believes what the Bible has to say about it, and that spanking, if done properly, is right and good for the child. The chapter about training children and disciplining them seemed very balanced to me. 

The chapter that spoke to me the most was the one about marriage. This was the longest chapter in the book, with ten different Real Stories and Novel Stories, on various aspects of marriage. A couple of them were rather convicting to me, and I hope I remember what I learned here. Also, all through this book, Julie Lessman has given encouragement to pray—but the warning is repeatedly given that “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” I greatly appreciated this encouragement and warning.

If you are looking for a unique devotional in which real life lessons are shared, you might enjoy What’s the Story, Morning Glory? Nearly every aspect of the Christian life is touched on in some way here. I’ve never read a book like this before, but I enjoyed the opportunity to check it out.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, and these are my honest thoughts about it.

WARNING: Chapter 2: What the heck. Chapter 3: So darn long. Chapter 8: Sure in the heck. Chapter 9: Oh. My. Gosh, pretty darn close. Chapter 11: That’s darn sure. Chapter 16: Heck. Chapter 17: Dang, you’re ugly. Chapter 18: Gee, thanks. Throughout: occasional references to marital intimacy or extra-marital promiscuity, though not graphic.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon

About the Author

Julie Lessman is an award-winning author whose tagline of “Passion With a Purpose” underscores her intense passion for both God and romance. A lover of all things Irish, she enjoys writing close-knit Irish family sagas that evolve into 3-D love stories: the hero, the heroine, and the God that brings them together.

Author of The Daughters of Boston, Winds of Change, Heart of San Francisco, Isle of Hope, Silver Lining Ranch, and The Cousins O’Connor series, Julie was American Christian Fiction Writers 2009 Debut Author of the Year and has garnered over 21 Romance Writers of America and other awards. Voted #1 Romance Author in Family Fiction magazine’s 2012 and 2011 Readers Choice Awards, Julie’s novels also made Family Fiction magazine’s Best of 2014, Best of 2015, and “Essential Christian Romance Authors” 2017-20, as well as Booklist’s 2010 Top 10 Inspirational Fiction and Borders Best Fiction. Her independent novel A Light in the Window was an International Digital Awards winner, a 2013 Readers’ Crown Award winner, and a 2013 Book Buyers Best Award winner.

Julie has also written a self-help workbook for writers entitled Romance-ology 101: Writing Romantic Tension for the Sweet and Inspirational Markets.

Connect with Julie by visiting julielessman.com to follow her on social media, read both romantic and spiritual excerpts from her books, or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card, a character named after you in Julie’s next book & a signed paperback copy of that book, plus a signed paperback copy of What’s the Story, Morning Glory!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 24, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 1, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only for print copies. Gift card open to all locales. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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Welcome to the Blog Tour for Tales from the Matthewsburg Manse by Kate Tompkins, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Tales from the Matthewsburg Manse
Author: Kate Tompkins
Publisher:‎ The Matthewsburg Manse
Release Date: October 26, 2023
Genre: Short stories/Poetry, Christian fiction, general fiction, rural fiction, wholesome fiction

When city girl Viv’s husband Mark accepts his first pastoral charge in rural Matthewsburg, she wonders what to expect, and what will be expected of her. This collection of connected fiction stories, some humorous, some suspenseful, some even romantic, explores Viv’s new life as she tries to find her place in the community while dealing with local gossip, old rivalries, suspected murder, sabotaged car shows, and more. Who says life in a small town is boring?

“This book entertains us with our own humanity, we laugh at human foibles, nod our heads in the mutual pains of life’s adventures. Interspersed are poems expressing poignant moments. These provide a place to rest, ponder and even smile before we are once again taken on the life journey of being a spouse in a small town parish. I found myself laughing out loud on occasion. This book is a wonderful read and leaves us with the feeling that life is good.” – Nita Kotiuga, retired pastor, Director of Spiritual Formation at Bakke Graduate University.

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

MY THOUGHTS:

These stories are fun! Most of them are told from Viv’s point of view, but a few are from other people’s perspectives. I found that switch slightly confusing at times, but soon figured it out each time. Most stories were totally believable; one fun chapter, though, had to do with a ghost and a time-traveling cat (although, “cats sleep 15 hours a day, when would they have time to develop the technology?”). I did notice a bit of language; “hell” was used a couple of times and “bloody” once. Other than that, the book is very clean, and like I said, fun, especially the stories about the cruise nights, and the trip to a music camp by two amateur musicians. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, and these are my honest thoughts about it.

About the Author

Kate Tompkins lives in Montreal’s West Island, where she shares a small house and a big backyard with her husband and the latest in a series of very spoiled cats. She writes short stories, poetry (yes, the non-literary, rhyming kind), and the occasional essay. When not hanging out with her church’s writing group or getting lost down an internet rabbit hole, she can be found trying out recipes from old cookbooks for her cooking blog, Kate’s Virtual Kitchen, or outside keeping the flowerbeds in order.

Connect with Kate by visiting katetompkinsbooks.ca to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $20 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 11, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 18, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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Welcome to the Blog Tour for Guess Who Is in God’s Family by Karen Ferguson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Guess Who is in God’s Family
Series: Questions for Kids
Author: Karen Ferguson
Publisher: Ambassador International
Release Date: June 4, 2024
Genre: Children’s Picture Book

When Lucy comes across some old family pictures, she has a lot of questions for Papa Joe. Who are these people? Why doesn’t she look like them? As Papa Joe tells Lucy about her family, he shares with her the uniqueness that God created in each of us from the very beginning, all the way back to our first ancestors, Adam and Eve. What follows is a wild adventure through the Bible, where Lucy and her papa discover God’s love and faithfulness for all people throughout all of history. In this second book in the Questions for Kids series, discover how much God loves diversity and how God created your family in the most beautiful and perfect way.

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

My Thoughts:

I love this picture book! The pictures are sweet, beautiful and colorful, and I love the way the author tells the story of Creation and the Fall. She describes the perfection of the original creation, and then the way sin entered the world and ruined it. That is the bad news—and she ends the story with a teaser about the good news, which is then detailed on the next page. There are also several questions at the end to ask little children, to make sure they understand what the story is about. This is the perfect way to introduce young children to the account of mankind’s earliest days and why we need Jesus.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, and these are my honest thoughts about it. Links may be affiliate links.

More Books In This Series

About the Author

Karen Ferguson is a freelance writer and the author of the Questions for Kids picture book series. A lover of words, family, animals, and Jesus, Karen is a passionate advocate for truth that transforms lives. Her faith in God and background in K-8 education inspires her mission to write stories that grab and hold young readers’ attentions, teaching them all about God’s unchangeable truths and His unchanging love for them.

Connect with Karen at karenferg.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win a $25 Amazon gift card, print copies of Guess How Much God Loves You and Guess Who Is In God’s Family, and a book tote!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight July 31, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on August 7, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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Welcome to the Blog Tour for Sounds Like a Plan by Lorna Seilstad, Eleanor Bertin, Sara Davison, Brenda S. Anderson, and Stacy Monson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Title: Sounds Like a Plan: Stories of Change and the God Who Doesn’t
Author: Lorna Seilstad, Eleanor Bertin, Sara Davison, Brenda S. Anderson, Stacy Monson
Publisher: The Mosaic Collection
Release Date: July 10, 2024
Genre: Christian Fiction Anthology

A Baby in the Mix by Lorna Seilstad
Not By Chance by Eleanor Bertin
Five Things You Know About Me by Sara Davison
Mercy’s Detour by Brenda S. Anderson
Piper’s Sweet Dream by Stacy Monson

What Reviewers are Saying About The Mosaic Collection Anthologies:

Each is a picture of God’s grace working in the hearts of hurting people through individual writing styles.

Each author has her own voice, yet somehow they all fit perfectly together.

The stories are just the right length to relax with at the end of a long day.

I love these Mosaic author anthologies. These are stories about real people with real problems and emotions.

Such beautifully written, inspirational short stories with themes of grace, forgiveness, love, and peace.

Uplifting stories of ordinary people dealing with their faith and life’s struggles.

Thank you to all the Mosaic Collection authors for giving us more lovely stories to remind us that we will never be alone as God is always with us.

Each of these faith-based fiction stories in Sounds Like a Plan is uniquely and beautifully written with believable characters sustained by the amazing grace of God. Memorable, touching, inspiring, and a true reading pleasure. May you be blessed by this collection.

My Thoughts:

The Mosaic Collection has published several anthologies, each with five or more novellas by a variety of authors. I haven’t read all of them, but have really enjoyed the ones I have read. For that reason, when they were asking for reviewers for their new summer 2024 anthology, I signed up. I ended up really liking all five of the novellas in Sounds Like a Plan, and I will definitely be interested in reading more of these collections!

If you enjoy collections of novellas with characters who feel real, with light or no romance, try out Sounds Like a Plan.  I am looking forward to reading the next anthology put out by the Mosaic Collection. 

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

About the Authors

Lorna Seilstad delves into life’s complexities with a generous dash of humor. She is a Carol Award finalist and the author of nine novels including the Lake Manawa Summers series and the Gregory Sisters series. Her stories are part of several novella collections. When she isn’t eating chocolate, she teaches women’s Bible classes, runs a toy store, volunteers with 4-H, and is a wedding planner. She has three adult children and lives in Iowa with her Pyredoodle named Honey Bea.

Connect with Lorna at lornaseilstad.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

From her home in central Alberta, Canada, Eleanor Bertin writes fiction that ponders the depths of God’s love and mercy to humanity.

She is the author of The Ties That Bind series, Lifelines, Unbound, and Tethered, the Burning Bright series, Flame of Mercy and Flicker of Trust, as well as the memoir, Pall of Silence, about her late son, Paul. She lives with her husband of 40 years and their youngest son, in what will someday be a beautiful century home.

Connect with Eleanor at eleanorbertinauthor.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

Sara Davison is the author of The Night Guardians, The Rose Tattoo, two sparrows for a penny, and In the Shadows series, as well as the standalone, The Watcher. A finalist for more than a dozen national writing awards, including the Christy Award, Davison is a Holt Medallion, Cascade, and two-time Carol Award winner for romantic suspense. She lives in Ontario with her husband, Michael. Like every good Canadian, she loves coffee, hockey, poutine, and apologizing for no particular reason.

Connect with Sara at saradavison.org to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

Brenda S. Anderson writes authentic and gritty life-affirming fiction that shows God at work in people’s messy lives. She enjoys live sports and theater, walking along the shores of Lake Superior, sharing hot cocoa with friends and family, and taking road trips with her newly retired husband. She lives near Minneapolis with her husband and their mischievous twin kitties.

Connect with Brenda at brendaandersonbooks.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

Stacy Monson is the award-winning author of stories that reveal an extraordinary God at work in ordinary life. Residing in the beautiful, peaceful countryside outside of the Twin Cities with an old dog and 17 chickens, she has two kids, two wonderful in-law kids, and adores being G’ma to 7 amazing grandchildren.

Connect with Stacy at stacymonson.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win a paperback copy of Sounds Like a Plan, a $25 Amazon gift card, and a piano music CD by Eleanor Bertin’s son!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight July 9, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 16, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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