Spotlight and More on Loving Sarah by Jo Huddleston

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Loving Sarah by Jo Huddleston, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Loving Sarah 
Author: Jo Huddleston 
Publisher:Forget Me Not Romances, a division of Winged Publications 
Release Date: May 12, 2026 
Genre: 1950s sweet small-town romance  

Sarah wears William’s engagement ring. Then, Robert arrives in town. 

In this love-triangle story, Sarah cheerfully manages the candy shop she inherited from her mama. Being engaged to be married to Gatlinburg, Tennessee’s most eligible bachelor, makes her life pretty much perfect. But then she meets Robert and has an unexplainable sense they’ve met before. 

Robert travels from Michigan to operate Gatlinburg’s main-street SkyLift attraction while his dad recovers from a fall. He’s miserable being relocated to this Tennessee mountains hick town. That is, until he meets Sarah and feels an instant attraction to her. He’s unaware that the town’s biggest secret involves him. 

Although she’s engaged to another, Sarah and Robert are mysteriously drawn to each other. This woman and her beloved mountains curb his desire to return to Michigan. Will Sarah give in to her feelings for Robert or be true to the man she’s promised to marry? 

Loving Sarah is steeped in the easygoing culture and traditions of the Smoky Mountains in the 1950s. The story is a sweet, small-town romance with a heart-wrenching battle to make the right choice. This book will keep you turning pages with its mix of loyalty, betrayal, uncertainty, and emotional stakes.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

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About the Author

Jo Huddleston writes sweet Southern romances set in the 1950s, where you can escape into wholesome, faith-based love stories of deep commitment, hope, and happily-ever-after endings. Readers describe Jo as a wonderful storyteller whose books are sure to inspire and entertain you. Reviewers say her books should be Hallmark movies.

She likes to laugh with people, but not at people. The beach is her favorite vacation spot. She’s a spectator fan of several sports, with tennis being her favorite. She doesn’t enjoy being in the dark and is fearful of snakes! 

Jo holds a BA degree with honors from Lincoln Memorial University (TN), where she is a member of their Literary Hall of Fame. She earned the MEd degree from Mississippi State University. 

Please visit Jo's website and get a free book when you sign up for her newsletter.

Excerpt:

Having grown up in these parts, Sarah knew many local people, but she wondered

about this handsome stranger. He appeared extremely familiar, but she couldn’t put

a name to him or remember where she might have met him. She didn’t want to be

caught staring at him, but she continued to cautiously study him. Maybe it would

come to her where she had seen him before.

Being engaged to William didn’t stop her from taking notice of a good-looking

man near her age. It was like her frequent window shopping—she looked but

didn’t choose to buy anything. After all, he didn’t wear a wedding ring.

His dark auburn hair held just enough curl to flip up in the back over the top of his

white shirt collar. Many women in Detroit probably yearned to run their fingers

through those curls, so unlike the shorter haircuts of the local men. The stranger

didn’t appear to be from around here, with his expensive-looking suit, his shiny

leather dress shoes, and the standoffish way he carried himself.

He unnerved her slightly by being near him. Alone in the waiting room, they were

seated a respectable distance apart. Nevertheless, something like electricity buzzed

 

between them in the small room. The sensation was like a magnet pulling them

together. Once, he took a sideways glance at her. Did he feel the vibrations as well?

His leather shoe tapped the floor continuously.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $50 Amazon gift card + eBook of Loving Sarah!

(2) winners will each receive the eBook of Loving Sarah!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 12, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 19, 2026. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. No delivery restrictions. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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My Thoughts and More on A Brewed Awakening by Pepper Basham

 

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for A Brewed Awakening by Pepper Basham, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: A Brewed Awakening 

Author: Pepper Basham 

Publisher: Thomas Nelson 

Release Date: May 5, 2026 

Genre: Small Town Contemporary Romance 

Daphne dreams of Mr. Darcy. Finn serves up pints and rock music. Can opposites attract when a tea shop princess meets her pub-owning rival? 

In the charming mountain town of Wisteria, North Carolina, Daphne Austen clings to tradition like cream to a scone. She's built her life--and her late grandmother's tearoom, Tea Thyme--around all things English: delicate china, Jane Austen novels, and the comforting predictability of routine. The only thing threatening her perfectly ordered world? The loud, aggravatingly handsome Brit opening a pub next door. 

After his ex-wife broke his heart and his business partner nearly destroyed his career, Finn Dashwood packed up his six-year-old daughter and left England behind. He's looking for a fresh start, and the last thing he needs is a fussy, tea-obsessed neighbor criticizing his every pint and playlist. It doesn't matter that she's ridiculously kind (to everyone else) and that his daughter is utterly fascinated by her. Finn's heart is not open to being broken again. 

But disagreements turn into prank wars and then a competition when a high-profile wedding needs a last-minute caterer. The townsfolk are thrilled--Wisteria hasn't seen this much excitement since the county fair lost a goat. 

When the wedding demands both sweet and savory fare, Daphne and Finn are forced to put down their swords and pick up their serving trays. Between burnt pastries, brewing tempers, trending hashtags (#SipsAndSpats, anyone?), and one very adorable little girl, rivalry soon gives way to reluctant friendship--and maybe something that feels suspiciously like chemistry. 

Can a tea shop princess and a pub owner with a past mix their lives as seamlessly as clotted cream and jam . . . or will their differences keep them steeped in rivalry forever? 

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Thomas Nelson | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | BookBub | Bookshop

Also Available:

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About the Author

Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance “peppered” with grace and humor. Writing both historical and contemporary novels, she loves to incorporate her native Appalachian culture and/or her unabashed adoration of the UK into her stories. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of southwestern VA, where she is a wife, mom to five great kids, a speech-language pathologist, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus.

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

My Thoughts:

This novel serves up Southern hospitality with British charm, kind of. She is Southern and he is British and neither can get along. Humorously their war with words and their respective businesses clash one too many times, quite possibly made worse with their underlying mutual attraction. But will either wave the white flag of surrender?

Daphne Austen has inherited her grandmother's tea shop. Still grieving over the losses in her life, this latest one has really set her back. She really wanted to keep everything the way her late grandmother had things, in a way to preserve her memory. But Daphne needs to realize that she is also valuable and it is ok to add new ideas and maybe shake up what has always been. She is her own person, and her grandmother would be proud of her.

That is exactly what her new business neighbor Finn Dashwood is doing. He has moved from England with his little girl to open an English pub in a little Southern town in North Carolina. He is ready for changes, and he is not going to let his cute, but frustrating neighbor derail his plans when she insists on keeping things the same.

This was a fun read of when opposites attract and how not to start a neighborhood war of businesses. Hanging on to the old traditions and branching out to the new are both important topics. So is letting down your guard and being loved and giving love. Their love match was a battle of wit and humor, tea and coffee, but they both lost anyway, to each other.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review, and all views and opinions are my own.

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will receive a signed copy of A Brewed Awakening, and winners choice of a Literary Beverage Mug or a Storming Castles mug!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight May 13, 2026 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on May 20, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

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My Thoughts and More on The Hometown Cop's Forever Family by Tara Randel

 

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Hometown Cop's Forever Family by Tara Randel, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Hometown Cop's Forever Family 
Series: A Golden, Georgia Romance #3 
Author: Tara Randel 
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming 
Release Date: April 28, 2026 
Genre: Wholesome Contemporary Romance

Solving crimes  

And falling in love! 

Charming, small-town Golden, Georgia, has everything Briana Connelly needs—her four-year-old daughter, her family, and her job as a police officer. When her former best friend, Jackson Walker, returns suddenly and is made her partner at work, she’s forced to face the events that drove them apart. With a mysterious theft to investigate, spending time with Jax is unavoidable…and easier than she’d like. Especially when his effortless warmth wins over her precious daughter. As a deeper connection grows between them, he starts to feel like a part of Briana’s little family. But if overcoming the past means admitting their true feelings—that might be the biggest risk of all.  

USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR

From Harlequin Heartwarming: Wholesome stories of love, compassion and belonging.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Harlequin.com | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

More in This Series

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About the Author

Tara Randel is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author. Family values, a bit of mystery and of course, love and romance are her favorite themes, because she believes love is the greatest gift of all. Tara lives on the West Coast of Florida, where gorgeous sunsets and beautiful weather inspire the creation of heartwarming stories. Tara has received the Heart of Excellence Readers’ Choice Award and the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award.

Connect with Tara by visiting tararandel.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.

My Thoughts:

In a small town, two friends that have grown close and everyone thought would get married, have a sudden falling out when one wants to leave home and the other wants to stay. Family is at the root of it all.

Briana did not want to join her Jax, her best friend once upon a time, while he went off to the military. She cared for him and they did everything together, but she was unwilling to leave her mom and her sisters after the devastating heartbreak they had all endured. Jax wanted to get out of town as fast as he could, so their friendship obviously took a hit.

Years later Briana is a single mom and a cop still in her hometown and she loves her life. Then Jax returns to stay. Why? His family this time. Now he is also a cop, and Briana is assigned as his partner. Could anything be worse or better?

This was a story of second chances with family and love at the center of all of it. There is also a bit of mystery thrown in as both are cops and their main assignment is to protect some golden treasures. A crime ensues and both must work together to solve it. Within all of that these two become distant friends to lovers and show that you can have both family and love.

I was provided a copy of the novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review, and all views and opinions are my own.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a prize bundle which includes a $25 Amazon Gift Card, bookish tote bag, booklover's keychain, bookmark and 2 autographed books by the author!

(1) winner will receive a $15 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 4, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 11, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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My Thoughts and More on A Girl's Guide to Having it All by Leslie Kirby DeVooght

 

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for A Girl's Guide to Having it All by Leslie Kirby DeVooght, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: A Girl's Guide to Having it All 
Series: Magnolia Bluff #3 
Author: Leslie Kirby DeVooght 
Publisher: Lanier Price Publishing 
Release Date: April 30, 2026 
Genre: Contemporary Women's Fiction with Romance

She mastered her career. Finding a husband? Not so much. 

High-powered political lobbyist Carleigh Chastain turns thirty-five with an impressive résumé, a packed calendar, and no love life to speak of. When her longtime friend—and former marriage-pact partner—Lawson announces he’s marrying a woman he barely knows, Carleigh does what any sensible best friend would do: she drops everything in DC and jets to Magnolia Bluff, Georgia, determined to save him from a costly mistake. 

Instead, her plans unravel, forcing Carleigh to confront the choices she’s made—and the ones she’s avoided. 

Meanwhile, Spencer MacDowell, her steady, loyal best friend since law school, is done waiting in the friend zone. 

As faith, friendship, and romance collide, Carleigh wonders if she’s been too busy chasing success to notice where God—and her heart—have been pointing all along. Funny, heartfelt, and romantic, this story asks what “having it all” really means.

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

More in This Series

 

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About the Author

Publisher’s Weekly Bestselling author Leslie Kirby DeVooght writes women’s fiction with faith, love, laughter, and a lot of Southern charm. Her stories are inspired by romcoms, coastal Georgia, and fried okra! When Leslie isn’t writing, she’s cheering on her three children, and enjoying date nights with her husband, who loves that she researches kissing.

In addition to writing her own stories, Leslie co-owns Spark Flash Fiction, an online magazine that publishes short, short romance collections four times a year. 

 

Connect with Leslie by visiting lesliedevooght.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.

My Thoughts:

Carleigh Chastain is a smart, career-driven woman, who as the saying goes, can't see the forest for the trees. She has just reached her thirty-fifth birthday, her marriage pact best friend and birthday buddy, Lawson, is getting married to someone who is not her. He was always her Plan B. Also, her brother is getting married too. A co-worker and friend, Jordan, yep, you guessed also just got married. Carleigh is feeling a little bit lost and kind of desperate.

Spencer her best friend guy who lives in the same apartment and does everything with her, is trying to calm her down. However, she will not have any of that which leads to some big fights between the two of them, not to mention the crazy mixed-up emotions she is feeling whenever she is around him. Could Spencer possibly like her more than a friend? Sometimes I really felt like Carleigh was really sabotaging herself and she had no clue she was even doing it.

Carleigh still has a lot of growing up to do even though she is very successful. Her clock is ticking and she really does not want to be just a cat lady, even though she loves her kitty. This was a heartfelt, sometimes crying, other times laughing journey that Carleigh needed to take if she really was going to have it all. Hang on as Carleigh's rollercoaster life zips you up and down on the road to true love.

This was such a fun story from start to finish by a new to me author and I look forward to more of her stories.

I was provided a copy of this novel by the author. I was not required to post a positive review, and all views and opinions are my own.

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a bookish tote bag with all three books from the Magnolia Bluff series (A Girl's Guide to Having it All, How to Sparkle, and Stealing Magnolias)!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 6, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 13, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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My Thoughts and More on The Bounty Hunter and the Bride by Vickie McDonough

 

About the Book

Book: The Bounty Hunter and the Bride

Author: Vickie McDonough

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: April 14, 2026

 

She’s wary of trusting her heart again. He’s haunted by his wife’s tragic death. As danger threatens to tear them apart, they must choose between fear and the chance for lasting love.

Pregnant and alone, Katie Hoffman struggles to save the family farm after her husband’s death. She nearly marries a charming stranger with dark intentions, but she’s saved by bounty hunter Dusty McIntyre. Though grateful, she blames him for the loss of her home and her brush with disaster. But as she witnesses his gentle way with her son and his determination to protect her, Katie finds her defenses crumbling.

Dusty McIntyre has spent two years tracking the outlaw who killed his wife, letting vengeance consume him. When his pursuit leads him to Katie, he never expects to feel such a powerful connection to the stubborn widow and her sweet baby boy. Yet his guilt over the past and anger toward God stand between them and any chance at happiness.

As an escaped criminal threatens their newfound peace and forces them to confront their fears, Katie and Dusty must decide if love is worth risking their wounded hearts—and if faith can light the way to a future together.

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts:

What happens when your groom is arrested and your house burns down all on your wedding day? Well, that is exactly what happens to pregnant and widowed Katie Hoffman when a bounty hunter storms onto her property and captures her groom. A groom who is not who he says he is, in fact he is a murderer and thief.

Dusty McIntyre has finally caught the man who killed his wife. However, now another innocent has lost all she has, and she is pregnant. Not knowing what to do now, Dusty plans on sticking around to help Katie rebuild. Only problem is she blames him for everything. She is grateful he saved her from making the biggest mistake of her life, but she still blames Dusty for what she has lost.

But as time goes by and they work together feelings begin to develop. Can Dusty and Katie put away their painful pasts and get married, or is too much standing in their way? Also, danger has not completely left them as someone wants his own vengeance.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review, and all views and opinions are my own. 

About the Author

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

 

 

Excerpt from the Book

Chapter 1

Spring 1903, Sanders Creek, Oklahoma

”You ought’a be right proud of yourself.”

City Marshal Dusty McIntyre’s chest swelled at Deputy Tom Barker’s comment, then he heaved a sigh of relief, knowing the crafty swindler he’d been after for months was finally behind bars. He eyed the solemn prisoner in the cell. “I have to admit, there were days I wondered if we’d ever catch this weasel. Feels good to have him locked up.”

Ed Sloane’s eyes narrowed as he peered through the bars. “Just ’cause you got me locked up today, marshal, doesn’t mean you will tomorrow.” One cheek kicked upward in a cocky sneer.

Dusty wanted to smack that belligerent look off Sloane’s face, but he wouldn’t. As a law officer, he was bound by a different code than the man in his jail, and as a Christian, he was called by God to walk a straight path and control his temper. He looked at Sloane and recognized him for what he was—a lost man. A man on the road to hell if he didn’t change his ways real fast.

Sloane stuck his hands between two bars. “Think you could take these cuffs off now that you got me safe in your jail?”

Dusty didn’t miss the sarcasm that laced his prisoner’s voice. The man still didn’t seem to realize he’d been caught. Much as he’d like to leave Sloane handcuffed, he crossed the room, his boots echoing on the wood floor. He pulled a warm metal key from his shirt pocket, but stopped and glanced at Tom. “If he tries anything, shoot him.”

Tom pressed his lips together and nodded as he pulled his pistol from his holster and pointed it Sloan’s direction. “Be happy to.”

Dusty approached the cell with caution. Ed Sloane was slipperier than a greased hog at the county fair. A chill crept up Dusty’s spine when an evil glint flashed in the man’s pale blue eyes. What could bring a man to be so depraved that he would prey on the elderly and widows, stealing them blind, and leaving them penniless and heartbroken?

With a few rattles and clicks, the handcuffs were off, and Dusty moved back. Sloane chuckled a guttural laugh that sounded like a snarling, wounded animal. Shaking his head, Dusty crossed the room to his desk and tossed down the key. Tom picked it up, stuck it in the desk drawer, and then holstered his weapon.

”Don’t you reckon you ought’a head home to supper and tell that fine wife of yours all about your exceptional day?” Tom grinned, and his thick moustache twitched. “If she’s fixin’ that rhubarb pie of hers, you might save me a slice—if you’ve a mind to. Mmm mmm, it’s mighty fine.”

”I may do just that.” Dusty smiled at his deputy. Tom had been his best friend since school days, and it seemed natural to hire him as his assistant when Dusty’s father retired as City Marshal and Dusty took over. Most of the time he worked days and Tom evenings, but lately they’d both been pulling twenty-four hour shifts as their search for Sloane narrowed. They’d gone from house to house, ranch to ranch, searching for Sloane and his gang. His trail resembled that of a cyclone’s, leaving in its wake a debris path of desperation and destruction. Now that he’d captured Sloane, it shouldn’t be too hard to get the rest of his gang.

Dusty’s belly grumbled, and he yawned. All he wanted was to eat one of Emily’s fine meals, give her some lovin’, then hit the hay and sleep a full day and night.

Except for Sloane and the havoc he and his gang had caused lately, this past year had been the best Dusty could remember. First, he’d given his heart to God, then five months ago, he’d fallen in love and married the new banker’s daughter.

He longed to run fingers through Emily’s thick auburn hair. Soft as a horse’s muzzle, but as sweet smelling as the rose bushes in front of their porch. He imagined her pine green eyes twinkling with merriment as she played one of her little pranks on him. An only child, Dusty couldn’t wait until they had a houseful of children. Emily would be a wonderful mother, and he could only hope he’d be a decent father. God would help him in that area.

Ah, yes, life was good.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 23

Texas Book-aholic, April 24

For Him and My Family, April 25

Lyssa Loves Books, April 26

Stories By Gina, April 27 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 27

lakesidelivingsite, April 28

Simple Harvest Reads, April 29 (Guest Review from Donna)

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, April 30

Artistic Nobody, May 1 (Author Interview)

A Simple Texas Girl, May 1

Holly’s Book Corner, May 2

Pause for Tales, May 3

Jodie Wolfe, May 4

Cover Lover Book Review, May 5

Guild Master, May 6 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Vicki 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/iBJYy/the-bounty-hunter-and-the-bride-celebration-tour-giveaway

My Thoughts and More on Best Seller by Christina Rost

 

About the Book

Book: Best Seller

Author: Christina Rost

Genre: Romantic Suspense/Mystery

Release Date: August 6, 2024

When crime fiction novelist Kelly Landon agrees to write a memoir for an eccentric, elderly gentleman, her quiet life turns upside-down.

Unbeknownst to her, the memoir is peppered with clues leading to a rare collection of stolen jewels from World War II. After the memoir makes the best-seller list, Kelly finds herself in the crosshairs of a decades-old vendetta.

Now, instead of enjoying her rise to literary fame, she’s thrust into the dangerous world of treasure hunting.

While Kelly struggles to win the game of cat-and-mouse, a secret family legacy is unearthed, forcing her to choose between trusting her charming literary agent or her vigilant bodyguard to keep her safe.

As the three of them become entangled in a web of deceit, it’s a race to see who’s the villain, who’s the hero, and who holds all the pieces to solve the mystery of the best seller.

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts:

Secrets abound in this mystery thriller, especially when author Kelly Landon writes a best seller. Not even her usual work, this is a memoir that an older gentleman handpicked her for to tell the love story of his parents and their life's mission of saving children during WW2. Encouraged by her agent, she accepts this work only to find out later how dangerous it was to write it. But why?

We along with Kelly are thrown into this mysterious plot that has now become her life. Hidden treasure, romance, and faith all collide as Kelly is trying to stay one step ahead of a shadowy evil that seems to lurk ever closer to her. Raised by a father who trusted no one, now Kelly is beginning to understand why. But she can't do all of this one her own.

Kelly is torn between her agent and a bodyguard who is very protective of her. Who can she trust when it seems that everyone is trying to get the one thing she promised never to reveal. This was a very intriguing mystery that began decades ago and now Kelly is at the center of it. Looking forward to more from this author.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review, and all views and opinions are my own. 

About the Author

Christina Rost is an award-winning author, mother to three amazing children, and is married to her high school sweetheart. While she currently resides in Oklahoma City, she’s lived all over the US, a few years in the UK, and loves to travel. When she isn’t spending time with her family or writing you’ll find her chatting over coffee and perusing antique stores for tattered books.

 

 

 

 

More from Christina

There is a certain in-between place where creatives tend to linger — a space where reality meets imagination and stories quietly begin. It’s where we observe the world as it is, then wonder how it might unfold just a little differently. That space is where my writing lives, and it’s where Best Seller was born.

Before novels, though, there was coffee. My very first “real” job as a teen was working as a barista, and I loved it. I wasn’t just making drinks — I was mixing flavors and letting my imagination wander between orders. There’s something comforting about coffee, something that invites reflection and creativity. Looking back, it makes perfect sense that it found its way into my stories.

In Best Seller, my main character Kelly Landon is a crime fiction writer with a carefully guarded heart. She’s shy, introverted, and far more comfortable with quiet moments than crowded rooms. Her love of seasonal coffee blends mirrors her inner world — thoughtful, layered, and hopeful beneath the surface. But Kelly’s heart is fragile, and without being anchored in God’s love and truth, it can be easily swayed by the promise of earthly acceptance.

Enter Declan — her outgoing literary agent with unassuming Irish charm and a way with words. Can you blame Kelly for daydreaming? For wondering if love might be possible after all?

To celebrate Best Seller, I created the Writer Girl Latte, inspired by my barista days and Kelly’s story. Cozy, creative, sweet, and just a little indulgent — because sometimes the best stories begin with a warm cup and a willing heart.

So, pour yourself something warm, settle in, and step into the mystery of Best Seller — it’s only the beginning.

And remember, Love is a Mystery!

­-Christina

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, April 29

Stories By Gina, April 30 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, May 1 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 1

Pause for Tales, May 2

Artistic Nobody, May 3 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 4

Guild Master, May 5 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, May 6

Fiction Book Lover, May 7 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, May 8

Tell Tale Book Reviews, May 9 (Author Interview)

Lily’s Corner, May 10

Blossoms and Blessings, May 11 (Author Interview)

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, May 12 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, May 12

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Christina is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a signed 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/V74x6/best-seller-celebration-tour-giveaway

My Thoughts and More on His Ranch Redemption by Laurie Winter

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for His Ranch Redemption by Laurie Winter, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: His Ranch Redemption 
Series: Fern Hollow #1 
Author: Laurie Winter 
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming 
Release Date: April 28, 2026 
Genre: Sweet Contemporary Romance

He was her first love… 
Can he be her forever? 

Widowed Sarah Carmella has a wonderful daughter and fulfilling work running her grandparents’ horse rescue. So there’s absolutely no reason for regrets and what-ifs when her ex-husband, Pete O’Keefe, arrives in town for a mutual friend’s wedding. She and Pete eloped young, then went their separate ways when tragedy struck. But memories of their whirlwind romance and Pete’s charm have Sarah fearing for her heart. Because Pete would never settle down in tiny Fern Hollow. Fresh out of the army, he already has another job chasing danger lined up. Yet, could falling for each other all over again become the adventure they both need?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Harlequin.com | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

Also Available

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About the Author

Multiple award-winning author Laurie Winter creates authentic characters who overcome the odds to find true love. She keeps her life balanced with jogging and binge-watching true-crime shows. Laurie enjoys time with her family and two dogs, all of who inspire her every day.

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

My Thoughts:
 

This is a story of second chances after what seems like a lifetime ago. Sarah and Pete were best friends while growing up and fell in love, ran away and got married too young, all for their whirlwind romance to end in an annulment and heartbreak. Pete didn't want to live in a small town and Sarah didn't want to leave.

Several years later, Sarah is now a widow with a young daughter, helping a friend with wedding preparations. A wedding that will bring her ex, Pete back home and into her life. There is a lot of feelings and unsaid things that is between them. The love is still there, but pain is there also.

A lot has changed since they have seen each other. Not their love nor the fact that they both have the same dreams, he wants out of small town and she wants to stay. Given this new opportunity and that both have matured, can they make a second chance work?

This was a heartfelt romance of two people in love with one another, given another opportunity to make their love and lives work with one another. I appreciated their growth and maturity as they viewed the circumstances, not as teens anymore, but adults. I liked that their romance was based on mutual respect.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review, and all views and opinions are my own.

 

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a $20 Amazon gift card and a His Ranch Redemption custom premium candle!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 29, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 6, 2026. 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.

Enter Giveaway

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