The Beekeeper Next Door

 

Facing his fear

Could give him the family he’s always wanted.

Returning to his hometown to clean up his late parents’ home, professor Heath Underwood has no intention of making his stay permanent. Especially when he discovers his neighbor is a beekeeper. But avoiding widow Ali Harding proves difficult when her eight-year-old son bonds with him and his dog. As Heath spends more time with them, his fear of bees—and heartbreak—could stand in the way of his happily-ever-after…

From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

My thoughts: This is a sweet, heartwarming story of a pair of neighbors who find love in the most unlikely of places. Ali and Heath get off to a rocky start when she is unaware of the place next door having been sold, and finds a strange man and a dog on her land. I can imagine being wary, if I were in her shoes! As Ali and her son get to know their new neighbor, they find out that things don't always go as you plan. I enjoyed the themes of second chances with this story! I also enjoyed the homestead feeling. I could relate to Heath and his dislike of being stung. The author worked that into the themes nicely.
I received this book from Just Read. This is my honest review.

Purchase a copy here! This post contains affiliate links.

I Dreamed a Dream for You

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for I Dream a Dream for You by Bob Hostetler (illustrated by Benedetta Capriotti) hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: I Dream a Dream for You
Author: Bob Hostetler
Illustrator: Benedetta Capriotti
Publisher: Kregel Children's Books
Release Date: June 18, 2024
Genre: Picture Book

A charming read-aloud bedtime book for toddlers 

With its sweet bedtime rhymes, I Dream a Dream for You resembles the classic title The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boynton. A family of red pandas make their home in the forest. When it's time for bed, Mom and Dad tuck in their three kiddos, and as they all drift to sleep, dreams come to life through the vibrant pictures and story. Parents or grandparents will enjoy reading this sweet bedtime rhyme, filled with dreams and aspirations for their little ones. With amazing, colorful illustrations, this read-to-me story richly shows the love of a faith-filled family with creative, interesting scenes that kids will love to see over and over--and those who read it to them will experience the blessing of God's love, which is meant to be shown and shared with families.

My thoughts: This picture book is so sweet! My children enjoy having me sit down with this book, since it has a beautiful message of the things we dream and hope for when it comes to our children or those children in our care. They love the sweet pictures of red pandas and the adorable little family that follows the lyrical writing. This one is an easy one to read and enjoy! I love how the words flow together. This book is a new favorite in our home! 

I received this book from Just Read. This is my honest review.

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

---

About the Author

Bob Hostetler is an award-winning author, literary agent, and international speaker. His first children's book, Don't Close Your Eyes, and its subsequent success, was a dream come true for him. His fifty other books include the award-winning Don't Check Your Brains at the Door (co-authored with Josh McDowell) and The Bard and the Bible: A Shakespeare Devotional. He has won two Gold Medallion Awards, four Ohio Associated Press awards, and a Selah "Book of the Year" honor. He and his wife make their home in Nevada.

Connect with Bob at bobhostetler.com to follow him on social media and sign up for email updates.

About the Illustrator

Benedetta Capriotti was born in Italy, in a seaside town of the central region Marche. Since she was a child, she has had a great passion for drawing and art. In high school she would draw on Greek and Latin books, so she chose to attend a professional School of Fashion and Technical Drawing. Afterward she joined the Illustration class at the International School of Comics in Rome. In addition to drawing, she likes reading, traveling, and animals, and would like to live in the English countryside.

Connect with Benedetta on Instagram.

---

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win a print copy of I Dream a Dream for You and book-related goodies!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight June 25, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 2, 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!

Coal Black Lies

 

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Coal Black Lies by Cindy K. Sproles, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Coal Black Lies
Author: Cindy K. Sproles
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Release Date: June 18, 2024
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Believing the bitter lies you tell yourself leaves little room for the sweetness of truth 

Coal miner Joshua Morgan managed to do the impossible--he broke away from the stranglehold of the iron-fisted Barton family and the Company Store, to whom all the miners in the Appalachian Mountains are indebted. But it cost him the life of his young daughter, who was run down by a posse led by Thomas Barton while coming to collect Joshua's payment to the store. 

Five years later, a sweet but slow-witted young girl lands on his doorstep, and Joshua's desire to protect her from the clutches of the Bartons increases his thirst for vengeance. Joshua sets out to discover where the girl came from in order to take down the Barton family once and for all. 

His journey leads him to the truth about the day his daughter died, a reality he finds hard to accept. But when confronted by Thomas Barton himself, Joshua is forced to rethink the dark lies brewing in his heart. If he broke away, could Thomas have also? Despite his misgivings, can Joshua join forces with a man he once despised to free the miners from the tyrannical Barton family and forge a future of peace for both the young girl and himself?

My thoughts: I haven't read the previous books in this series, but it worked out, since this story was a masterpiece on its own! Joshua and Raney have been through many heartbreaking situations, with Joshua's health destroyed over working in the mines and then losing their precious daughter in a senseless accident. When a young girl with Down's Syndrome comes into their lives, they begin to find healing and forgiveness in the most unexpected places. 

This story didn't shy away from tough subjects! I appreciated the twists and turns of the story, as Joshua and Raney start to heal and work through their loss and desire for revenge. This book is a rich story, full of details and a message of grace. I look forward to reading more by Cindy K. Sproles! 
I received this book from Just Read. This is my honest review.

PURCHASEE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop

Also Available

 

---

About the Author

Cindy K. Sproles is the author of devotions published in newspapers across the country and a teacher at Christian writers conferences. She spent her formative years showing off her beloved Appalachian Mountains to others, and she and her family still live in the mountains of East Tennessee.

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

---

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win a print copy of Coal Black Lies plus book-related swag!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight June 17, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 24, 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 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!

 This is the second book in a dual-timeline art mystery series by Heidi Eljarbo—an intriguing spin-off from her much-loved Soli Hansen Mysteries.

Assisi, 1973.
On art historian Fabiola Bennett’s first day in Assisi, a local gentleman takes her aside to ask for advice about a painting that has wondrously appeared in the basilica’s bell tower.
So much for enjoying relaxing days filled with dining on pasta and gelato.
Soon, Fabiola and her besties, Pippa and Cary, are thrown into a shrouded mystery and caught up in a whirlwind of intrigue, theft, lies, and attempted murder, all of which overshadows the postcard-like charm of the small, historic town.

Rome, 1511.
Life is going well for Teodoro Nicoletti. Since he was a young man in Florence, he has worked and learned alongside the most-favored artist Raphael.
When Pope Julius II commissions Raphael to paint several frescos in the reception rooms of the Vatican Palace, Teodoro follows his master to Rome and discovers firsthand the admiration and rivalry between Raphael and two other reigning artists: Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci.
But the prickliest thorn in Teodoro’s side is his beloved Elisabetta’s father. The old man is determined to keep his youngest daughter from becoming Teodoro’s wife.

My thoughts: I enjoyed the first book in this series and looked forward to reading more about Fabiola and the art mysteries that she encounters! I love that the stories have a dual timeline, since it brings the paintings she is working with to life. I also enjoy the glimpse into life in the 70's, since my parents are a similar age to Fabiola. 

Heidi Eljarbo does a wonderful job of bringing the time periods and characters to life, adding in some delightful secondary characters, which I always appreciate. I loved walking the streets of Assisi with her and her friends, as well as Rome in the 1500's. The mystery has a lot of twists and turns, keeping me guessing were the story would wind up. This is a wonderful series to pick up and enjoy! 

I received this book from Just Read. This is my honest review. 

When the Ocean Roars

 

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for When the Ocean Roars by Charlsie Estess, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: When the Ocean Roars
Author: Charlsie Estess
Publisher: Iron Stream Media
Release Date: June 11, 2024
Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

He needs to surrender. She needs to fight. Are they ready for their next battle?​ 

Weeks before the Ultimate Fighting World Championship, Keane “The Golden Lion” Temple lands in Japan for the battle of his professional life. The adored prizefighter is primed to take the win. And nothing has ever distracted him from victory in the ring. 

 But when his path collides with an intriguing woman, he gives in to impulse and asks her to spend his day off from training with him. Surely, he can keep his heart safe for one day. 

Ami Ono cannot pass on the invitation but also hides her full identity. As their extraordinary day bleeds into night, both realize one day won’t be enough. Then the excursion ends in disaster when Keane discovers who Ami is. They part ways, but compelling circumstances and an undeniable attraction draw them back together, driving their attraction―and her high-society family drama―to something more intense than Keane has ever faced. As the forbidden romance threatens to take down his principles in the knockout of his life, he struggles to honor his beliefs. Will The Golden Lion surrender his heart? Will Ami defy the domineering men in her life and accept it? Do they stand a chance against nature?

My thoughts: I enjoyed traveling to Japan in this story and getting a small taste of the culture, as well as a glimpse into the world of a professional prizefighter. I enjoyed getting the know the characters, with their strengths and weaknesses. Ami was an especially interesting character, with being caught between two worlds, the world of her family and the name she is making for herself. I also enjoyed that there is a side character that seems to get their happily ever after. I liked the message of this story. I only wish it were a little bit longer! 

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

---

About the Author

Charlsie Estess holds a master of business administration degree and worked in finance and strategic planning before becoming a writer. She is a member of ACFW and Faith, Hope, and Love Christian Writers and was an ACFW 2023 Genesis Finalist. She currently resides in Mississippi with her husband and two sons.

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

---

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win an Ocean Adventure Giveaway, including a woven beach bag, a print copy of When the Ocean Roars, & a ROAR T-Shirt!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight June 10, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 17, 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.

Enter Giveaway

---

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

Just Read Rendezvous 2024

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for JustRead Rendezvous 2024, hosted, sponsored, and organized by JustRead Publicity Tours!

You are Invited

JustRead Rendezvous
November 15, 2024
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel & Conference Center Chicago-Downers Grove

Join fellow readers and authors at the JustRead Rendezvous to celebrate Christian fiction and sweet reads. This event, modeled after the Christian Fiction Readers Retreat, aims to sweeten reading and storytelling experiences with fellowship and encouragement. Activities will include corporate worship, speaker sessions, author panels, small group discussions, games, giveaways, a pop-up book shop, and author signings. 

Baker Publishing Group fiction imprints (Bethany House and Revell), Enclave Publishing, and Kregel Publications have joined JustRead Publicity Tours as event sponsors.

Learn more about the 2024 JustRead Rendezvous

---

Participating Authors

first row: Amanda Barratt, Amanda Cox, Amanda Dykes, Angela Ruth Strong, Becky Wade, Elizabeth Goddard, Elizabeth Musser, Emily Conrad, Gabrielle Meyer. second row: Janilise Lloyd, Kate Breslin, Katie Powner, Kimberley Woodhouse, Kristi Ann Hunter, Laura Frantz, Linda MacKillop, Lisa Phillips, Lynn Austin. third row: Mesu Andrews, Nancy Mehl, Nicole Deese, Robin W. Pearson, Ronie Kendig, Sara Brunsvold, Sara Davison, Sara Ella, Sara Watterson

Keynote speakers include Amanda Dykes, Becky Wade, and Ronie Kendig. Kimberley Woodhouse and Lisa Phillips will lead worship. More authors will be added to the event as reader registration increases!  

Check out recent releases by participating authors in the JustRead Amazon Storefront.

---

Register

The registration fee (including a book tote, lunch, afternoon snack, and more) is $124 for readers. We’re nearing the reader registration mark to add more best-selling, debut, and indie authors to the 2024 event. Tell your friends and register today to pave the way by August 1! 

Subscribe to email updates and learn more about each author on the JustRead Rendezvous website. Connect with other attendees and hopefuls in the Rendezvous Roomies & Logistics ’24 private Facebook group to arrange shared experiences or cost-sharing opportunities. 

Register Now

P.S. Join us on Thursday at the same location for the Art of Writing conference and The Christy Award Winners Gala. The Christy Award honors and promotes excellence in Christian fiction and is a program of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. Visit christyawards.com for more information and registration.

---

Giveaway

(1) winner will receive one paid registration to JustRead Rendezvous 2024 courtesy of '23 Rendezvous author Tamara Leigh
(1) winner will receive a canvas tote bag, an A6 journal notebook with a ballpoint pen, a 12 oz enamel mug, a scented candle, and a reading blanket
(5) winners will receive a $10 egift card (Baker Book House, Christianbook, or Amazon)

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight June 4, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 11, 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 physical prizes. 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!

Chain of Mercy

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Chain of Mercy by Brenda S. Anderson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Chain of Mercy
Series: Coming Home
Author: Brenda Anderson
Publisher: Independently published through The Mosaic Collection (2nd ed.)
Release Date: April 22, 2014 (1st ed.)
Genre: Contemporary Romance (Christian)

A devastating argument
One reckless decision
An unforgivable sin 

Successful Manhattan businessman Richard Brooks is living the dream, drunk with success and all its trappings, until one reckless decision turns his dream life into a living nightmare. 

Richard flees to Minneapolis where he repairs ancient boilers instead of solving corporate problems, and he's determined to live the solitary life he now deserves. 

Executive Sheila Peterson has other plans for the handsome custodian. Richard appears to be the perfect match for the no-strings-attached romance she's after, but she soon discovers that he's hiding more than the designer clothes in his closet. 

Richard can't deny the allure of a relationship with Sheila. The closer they get, though, the greater the risk that she will discover not only who he used to be but also the unforgivable sin he committed that reckless night. 

My thoughts: It’s easy to get caught up in wanting to be successful and make a name for yourself, but what happens when the pursuit of wealth leads to disastrous consequences? Richard tries to start over with more humble roots, but Sheila may draw his secrets out.   

I enjoyed this story, with its rich characters and beautiful message of forgiveness. We all have things in our life we have needed forgiveness for, so I could relate, somewhat, to Richard. 

This is a wonderful story that I highly recommend! I look forward to reading more by the author!

I received this book from just read. This is my honest review.

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

---

About the Author

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, and sharing hot cocoa with friends and family. She lives near Minneapolis with her newly retired husband and their mischievous twin kitties.

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

---

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win a book box which includes a paperback copy of Chain of Mercy and locally crafted, book-related items like a Booktrovert glass tumbler, bath balls, a bookish tote, bookmarks, and much more!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 28, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 4, 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 book box. Winner outside the US will receive a $30 Amazon gift card and ebook. 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!