Anna of Arimathea

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Anna of Arimathea by Susanne Blumer, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Anna of Arimathea 
Series: The Arimathea Chronicles #1 
Author: Susanne Blumer 
Publisher: Sutton Avenue Press 
Release Date: December 7, 2025 
Genre: Biblical Fiction

Some wounds are carried in silence. Some healings require more than medicine. 

Eighteen-year-old Anna bears the marks of a childhood tragedy that left her motherless, scarred, and lame. Hidden within the household of her father, Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy councilman of the Sanhedrin, her days are measured in herb gardens and healing tinctures, in the steady work of hands trained to help others, and in the quiet safety of a world made small. 

Then Andrew of Bethsaida arrives at her father's gate with urgent business for Joseph and talk of a teacher who calls ordinary people to extraordinary purpose. A fisherman turned disciple, Andrew follows the rabbi Jesus with a conviction that unsettles every long-held expectation—including Anna's own. 

When Andrew's kindness cracks open the door to a larger world, Anna faces an impossible choice: remain in the safety of her father's estate or risk everything for the possibility of healing, love, and a life she never dared imagine. 

Set against the dusty roads and fishing villages of first-century Judea, where miracles unfold and mercy walks among the broken, Anna of Arimathea opens The Arimathea Chronicles—a richly imagined tale of faith, first love, and redemption in the footsteps of the Messiah.  

Anna of Arimathea is perfect for readers who love: 

Biblical and historical fiction with rich period detail 
Redemptive love stories that explore the cost of faith 
Immersive historical worlds 
Characters who choose courage over comfort  

My thoughts; I love Biblical fiction that gives me a chance to reevaluate the classic passages I grew up with and see them in a new light, I thought that Anna of Arimathea did a wonderful job of bringing to life someone who is only mentioned briefly in the New Testament, Joseph of Arimathea, and giving him a daughter who has a story rich in heartbreak and hope. This is the first book I have read by Susanne Blumer, but it won’t be the last, since I was drawn to the rich historical details and character development. This story is a wonderful one to pick up and enjoy! 

I received this book from JustRead. This is my honest review. 

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Author's Website | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

More in This Series

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About the Author

Susanne Blumer lives her life surrounded by stories—some she writes, and some she sells. As the CEO and Founder of Sassafras on Sutton LLC, she is the owner of three magical indie bookstores nestled in the North Carolina mountains of Black Mountain and Waynesville and Beaufort, South Carolina. One even has a full coffee bar. Oh, happy day!

She is the author of The Arimathea Chronicles, a series set in first-century Judea and centered on the life of Anna, the daughter of Joseph of Arimathea. The first book, Anna of Arimathea, published in December 2025 and the second, Anna of Bethsaida, will be available in March 2026. She's also written several children's books, including the award-winning Bell Tower Bible Adventure series she co-wrote with her husband. Her new children's picture book series, The Story of You, will release its first book late Spring 2026 called Before Your Story Had A Name. 

When she’s not writing or doing other entrepreneurial tasks, you can usually find her hanging out on the floor of one of her stores, drinking coffee and learning the stories of her customers or spoiling her eight chickens. Susanne splits her time between Waynesville, NC in her beloved mountains and Beaufort, SC on the enchanting Lowcountry coast.

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

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a signed print copy of Anna of Arimathea plus a $50 Bookshop.org Gift Card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight January 21, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on January 28, 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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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Bernadette

 She’s supposed to be a small-town girl…

…He’s billed as America’s biggest heartthrob.

What could possibly go wrong? How about everything?

Tiny Bernie Sawrey is perfectly happy fixing carburetors until her stepmother ambushes her with a blind date. The catch? It’s with movie star Garrett Lomas, Bernie’s secret celebrity crush and the reason she’s haunted the drive-in alone her entire adult life.

There’s just one teensy problem: Bernie’s about as Hollywood-ready as a rusty muffler.

But when her dad’s garage faces financial ruin, suddenly playing Kokomo’s answer to the girl-next-door doesn’t seem so impossible, if it will help. How hard can it be to fake being normal for a few weeks?

Meanwhile, Gabe Lomas thought being his identical twin’s stunt double only involved driving race cars—not impersonating him at charity events in small-town Indiana. But when the movie studio execs set up the deal and Garrett’s fiancée says no way, Gabe trades his helmet for a fake smile and a very real problem.

The problem? Bernie Sawrey, all five-foot-nothing of her, with enough quirk and innocence to charm the grumpiest producer. That’s the problem.

Gabe is falling for her hard, only she thinks he’s his famous brother.

And she just might be falling for him too.

Now he’s caught between protecting his brother’s career and protecting his own heart. Because telling Bernie the truth might send her racing away—but not telling her guarantees he’ll lose her when she finds out.

My thought: It’s been a while since I last read one of Jennifer Lynn Cary’s books. I had forgotten how enjoyable the small town of Kokomo was! 

Bernadette, or Bernie, is a delightful character with her having grown up by her dad’s side, learning mechanics. When her step mom hatches a plan to get Bernadette to escort a movie star to local events, Bernie is torn. Garret Lomas is an amazing race car driver on screen, making her heart swoon, but she also doesn’t think of herself as a girly girl who should be seen on his arm.

Garret/Gabe has secrets of his own, ones that involve being his brother’s stunt double. Secrets that could jeopardize their career.

This is a delightful story, set in the 1970’s, with plenty of nostalgia and heart. I look forward to reading more in this series!

I received this book from JustRead. This is my honest review. 

Purchase a copy here!

The Relic Keeper

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Relic Keeper by Heidi Eljarbo, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Relic Keeper 
Author: Heidi Eljarbo 
Publisher: independently published 
Release Date: November 18, 2025 
Genre: Christian Inspirational Historical Fiction

Once a thief, always a thief? 

Italy, 1620. Angelo is an orphan, lonely and forgotten. Having been passed on from one family to the next, he ends up as a common thief, subject to and under the thumb of a ruthless robber called Tozzo. The boy knows no other life and has lost hope that any chance of providence will ever replace his lonely, misfortunate existence. 

One day, a priest invites Angelo to help with chores around the church and rectory and, in exchange, offers him room and board. Padre Benedetto’s kindness and respect are unfamiliar and confusing, but Angelo’s safety is still a grave concern. Two older robbers have heard rumors about Tozzo’s hidden treasures and will stop at nothing to attain them. 

With literary depictions and imagery, Angelo’s story is a gripping and emotional journey of faint hope and truth in seventeenth-century Italy. Using invisible threads, Heidi Eljarbo weaves together her fictional stories with historical figures and real events.  

My thoughts: I have enjoyed Heidi Eljarbo’s other stories, and found this one to be well written and every bit as enjoyable as her other stories, though different. I have found her stories to make history come alive, and enjoyed having the chance to visit seventeenth century Italy. Angelo is a character in a tough spot, trying to scrape by with stealing relics from churches. I love the themes of this story-one of redemption and life changing against all odds. This is a wonder story to pick up and enjoy! 

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

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

Also Available

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About the Author

HEIDI ELJARBO grew up in a home full of books, artwork, and happy creativity. She is the author of historical novels filled with courage, hope, mystery, adventure, and sweet romance during challenging times. She’s been named a master of dual timelines and often writes about strong-willed women of past centuries.

After living in Canada, six US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She lives with her husband on a charming island and enjoys walking in any kind of weather, hugging her grandchildren, and has a passion for art and history. 

Her family’s chosen retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summer and ski the vast white terrain during winter. 

Heidi’s favorites are her family, God's beautiful nature, and the word whimsical.

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

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a paperback copy of The Relic Keeper and a $20 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight December 9, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on December 16, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. No shipping restrictions. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

To Outwit them All

 

“Into the Lions’ den I go…” Betty Floyd’s uncle risked his life when he signed the Declaration of Independence, yet she is the epitome of British loyalty and social grace in 1779. Attempting to ignore the war, she attends New York’s balls and soirees with the Crown’s officers, but the city is a dangerous place for someone with Patriot ties. When a soldier she has befriended is murdered at a British prison, Betty is driven to choose sides and join General Washington’s covert spy group, the Culper Ring. Her social calendar provides the perfect backdrop to dance with the enemy, and she catches the eye of the charming Major John André, Britain’s Director of Intelligence. Garnering timely information for the Patriots becomes a never-ending balancing act, amid heightened collision between duty to her country and deepening feelings for André. When the slightest misstep could expose her and the entire Ring, a traitorous plot conducted by Benedict Arnold unfolds, and Betty is led to the very brink of death. Will she outwit the enemy, or will her flirtations with danger cost her everything?

My thoughts: I have read books before about the Culper Ring during the Revolutionary War and some of the guesses of who 355 (the Lady) might have been. I enjoyed reading this rich historical novel about Betty Floyd did a wonderful job of diving into the time period as well as what might have encouraged a young woman of that time to spy on the British and help the Patriot cause. I loved the historical notes, as well as the pictures of different likenesses from the historical figures. This story does a wonderful job of bringing history to life and what the Lady might have been like. This is my first book by Peggy Wirgau, but I look forward to reading more by her! 

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

Purchase a copy here! This post contains affiliate links.

Glass Across the Sea

 Light always finds a way to break free . . .

Noelle Perrault has felt drawn to the tales her glassmaker father told of the four Firefly artisans since she was a child. But when her mother falls under a curse, Noelle suspects the stories are more than mere fables. Their last hope is for her father to embark on a desperate journey to another realm, where he must seek a miracle. Alone but not defenseless, Noelle is forced to navigate battles that rise against her beloved home, while her dearest friend, the prince, vows to help her father.

Dante Marin is a prince prepared to bear the crown. But the king offers an ultimatum: find the fabled Firefly Vestiges, believed to hold the Lamplighter’s ancient power, or forfeit the crown. Only then will Dante be considered worthy of his birthright and given the freedom to choose his bride. But how does one hunt down a legend?

Connected by the past, but forced apart in the present, Noelle and Dante must discover the truth about the Firefly and Vestiges before they lose all hope—and each other—for good. But breaking a curse comes at a great sacrifice—one neither of them predicted. With a mysterious foe rising to power, will they survive, let alone succeed? Or will darkness shroud their future, shattering the light they’ve striven to restore?

 My thoughts: This story was perfect! I loved the new world that we are introduced to, as well as Noelle and Dante. This is a beautiful story of courage and a search for truth. I really enjoyed the characters and that they are a wonderful example for all ages. I love to recommend Enclave's books for young people (though they are great for all ages!) looking for a clean read to enjoy. Glass Across the Sea will be my new favorite to recommend! 

I received this book from Celebrate Lit. This is my honest review. 

Click here to get your cooy!

 

About the Author

Once upon a time, Sara Ella brought dreams to life as a Disney cast member, wishing for the day she’d find her prince and live in a castle of her own. Now she spends her days homeschooling her three Jedi in training, braving the Arizona summers, and reminding her superhero husband that it’s almost Christmas (even if it’s only January). Sara is the award-winning author of The Wonderland Trials, Coral, and the Unblemished trilogy. She is old enough for fairy tales and believes happily ever after is never far away.

 

 

 

More from Sara

Whenever I start writing a new story, I always comb the internet for the perfect images to represent my characters. Sometimes it’s an actress or actor who fits the character description. Other times, I’ll find some artwork or a painting that fits the picture I have in my mind.

But when it came to finding the right image to represent Noelle Perrault, the protagonist of Glass Across the Sea, I could not for the life of me find what I was looking for. Partly because the heroine is heavily based on my oldest daughter, who shares the same name. No image online was good enough to represent a character and novel dedicated to her.

And then I found this painting titled “Cinderella’s New Day” by artist Heather Edwards back in 2023.

And that was it! “So This is Love” from Disney’s animated classic began playing in my head, and I knew I’d found the image I would keep in my mind for the duration of writing my Cinderella retelling.

This depiction is soft and sweet and felt personal in a way a photo of an actress didn’t. I also felt this painting captured the character and personality of my heroine in a way that would keep me going, even on my most difficult writing days.

Fast forward to 2024. I was behind on my book deadline and life’s interruptions kept getting in the way of my writing. I felt depleted and almost asked my publisher to cancel my contract. But then I attended an event where this same artist had her work on display, and there it was. The real-life, in-person canvas of this very same painting.

That moment felt like God was reminding me He had called me to write this book in the first place. That He had a plan for it and wanted me to keep going. This very painting is the reason I added this line to Glass Across the Sea:

“Art, in her view, was never a laughing matter. A piece might evoke hope in one while it produced sorrow in the heart of another. It was the same for music. For dance.”

And then came 2025. A year of grief and loss in many ways for our family. Once again, everything was getting in the way of this story ever making it to print. And, once again, I considered maybe it was not meant to be published after all. Through many tears and long nights, I revised, pushing to meet deadlines. I questioned if it was worth it. I questioned my own strength and writing abilities, only to be reminded that it is only through God’s grace and Christ’s strength I can do anything at all.

I came across this painting in person again this year at that same event. And, just as it had done in the past, this painting reminded me there was a “new day” just around the corner. My best friend, Nadine Brandes (she knows me so well), surprised me with a signed and personalized canvas print that day. The timing could not have been more perfect.

This painting is more than just a reminder to “have courage and be kind.” It’s a testament to God’s goodness and faithfulness, even amidst darkness and pain. My prayer for Glass Across the Sea is that it blesses readers in the same way this painting has blessed me. Wherever you find yourself today, I hope you keep going and trust the Lord to give you what you need in the moment you need it. In my experience, He often reveals Himself in the unexpected corners and small moments I least suspect.

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, October 25

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, October 25

Inspired by Fiction, October 26

Wishful Endings, October 27

The Lofty Pages, October 27

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, October 28

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 29 (Spotlight)

Devoted Steps, October 29

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 30

For Him and My Family, October 31

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, November 1

Blogging With Carol, November 1

Inklings and Notions, November 2

The Important Things in Life: God, Books, & Chocolate, November 2

Book Butterfly in Dreamland, November 3

Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 3

Labor Not in Vain, November 4

CeCe Reads and Sings, November 4

Holly’s Book Corner, November 5

To Everything There Is A Season, November 6

Min Reads and Reviews, November 7

Giveaway

 To celebrate her tour Sara is giving away the grand prize of a signed hardcover of Glass Across the Sea with Painted Edges designed by @hilltop_art, Glass Across the Sea themed candle from @lamplighterliterary, and a $25 Disney Gift Card!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/3d286/glass-across-the-sea-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Heart of Bennet Hollow blog takeover blitz

 

Welcome to the Takeover Blitz for The Heart of Bennet Hollow by Joanne Bischof DeWitt hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Heart of Bennet Hollow 

Author: Joanne Bischof DeWitt 

Publisher: Tyndale 

Release Date: October 7, 2025 

Genre: Christian Historical Romance 

An Appalachian farmer’s daughter and a wealthy businessman find a surprising love but must reckon with what divides them in this retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice by the award-winning author of The Lady and the Lionheart . 

New River, Virginia. 1904. Lizbeth Bennet longs to preserve her family’s farm, securing a future for her and her sisters, a difficult task in their Appalachian coal mining town. Money is scarce, and Lizbeth is determined to find a way without giving up treasured pieces of her family’s legacy. But when the mine is put up for sale, it’s clear change is approaching. A contingent of coal barons descends on the town to investigate whether the mine is worth their investment, among them a young man rumored to be a very rich, eligible bachelor. 

William Drake arrives focused on business and keeping his distance from the townspeople, especially those living on land entangled with the mine, including a farmer by the name of Bennet. As William digs through legal issues, his struggle to weigh the potential financial gain against what is right for the community grows more complicated when he meets one of the Bennet daughters. 

Despite an awkward first meeting, Lizbeth and William continue to cross paths, and soon Lizbeth questions her first impression of the man she believed to be proud and indifferent. But just as their friendship begins to evolve, a revelation shakes Lizbeth’s tenuous trust, and she learns all may not be as it seems. To determine what is true, and step toward a love she’s barely dared dream of, Lizbeth must confront her own prejudices . . . and decide whether the future she’s always imagined is the one her heart truly wants most after all. 

An inspirational historical romance retelling of Pride and Prejudice for fans of Julie Klassen, Sally Britton, and Sarah E. Ladd. A clever, clean love story. Southern historical fiction in the vein of Michelle Shocklee and Pepper Basham. Includes discussion questions for book clubs.

Excerpt:

 Lizbeth Bennet clutched the handle of the wicker basket with hope. The same hope with

which she’d gathered each and every wildflower within. Slipping inside the farmhouse,

she traded the brightness of day for the dim light of Ma’s kitchen—the very heartbeat of

Bennet Hollow.

“Did you spot the new train car, by chance?” Jayne asked from the table, her voice as

soft and mountain grown as a wild birch grove. “They say it’s called the Pemberley.”

Lizbeth lowered the basket to the table and handed a sprig of lacy white yarrow to her

older sister. “I didn’t wander far enough. Have you seen it yourself? This Pemberley?”

Having just come in from the sunny garden, she brushed her hands clean and sat.

“Clearly I’ve missed the gossip.”

“I saw it when I walked into town this mornin’.” Jayne examined the contents of the

basket. Her golden hair was bound up in rag curlers, and a single band of gray twine

wrapped her pale wrist, holding a tiny nugget of violet amethyst that Pa, a geologist, had

unearthed in a mine. “It’s the prettiest sight, Lizzy. Brighter than a new penny perched

there right on the track.”

Lizbeth rolled back the sleeves of her striped work dress and tried to imagine such a

view. A breeze blew cool against her bare neck from the open window, causing her

homespun collar to flutter. Her sisters had been on the lookout ever since some weeks

back, when the owner of the New River Coal Company had announced his coming

guests—a slew of coal barons and investors, all eager to bid on the property that was

now for sale.

And the best part of all among the Bennet sisters . . . the dance that would mark their

arrivals.

Also Available:

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Tyndale Fiction | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Bookshop | BookBub

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About the Author

Christy and Carol Award–winning author Joanne Bischof DeWitt writes romantic fiction that tugs at the reader's heartstrings. Her historical romance The Lady and the Lionheart received an extraordinary 5 Star TOP PICK! from Romantic Times Book Reviews and was the very first independently published novel to win a Christy Award. It has also recently taken to the stage. As a longtime Jane Austen fan, Joanne is often making popcorn with her mom so they can rewatch their favorite adaptions, and as a new wife, she celebrates God's own redemptive love stories. Joanne thanks the Lord daily for bringing along her very own hero who's a perfect balance between Colonel Brandon and Mr. Darcy. Together, they're a blended family and the grateful parents of six teens and young adults, making them huge advocates for conversations, laughter, and large dinner tables.

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

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of The Heart of Bennet Hollow and a $25 gift card to Amazon, Baker Book House, Christianbook, or Walmart!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight October 22, 2025 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on October 29, 2025. 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.

Enter Giveaway

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

Through Water and Stone

 

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Through Water and Stone by Karen Barnett, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

 

Title: Through Water and Stone 

Series: National Parks 

Author: Karen Barnett 

Publisher: Kregel Publications 

Release Date: September 23, 2025 

Genre: Christian Fiction, Dual Timeline 

In 1948, Zion National Park ranger Henry Eriksson and his wife, Alma, are less than one year removed from their infant son's sudden death in a flash flood, and the weight of the loss hasn't diminished with time. When Henry discovers an abandoned baby in a hatbox on his morning rounds, he's unsure how to react, but Alma is delighted, and she reignites with purpose at what seems to be a miracle from God. 

Nearly eighty years later, Talia Eriksson leaves her job at an athleisure company in Palo Alto, California, in disgrace and returns to Zion National Park to reconnect with her grandfather and review her life goals. But when an at-home DNA test exposes family secrets, Talia and her newfound friend, law enforcement ranger Blake Mitchell, work together to search for answers. 

Talia navigates the rocky path into her past with Blake by her side, what she discovers may alter everything she knew to be true about herself. With the uncertain future looming, Talia must learn that family is deeper than genetics and that trusting God can mean being still and clinging to the Rock. 

My thoughts: While I haven't read the previous books in this series (which I hope to remedy here soon!), I felt like this book was a good standalone story. The books seem to be connected by a common thread of National Parks and family mysteries told in a dual timeline story. 
Through Water and Stone is a wonderful story of a young woman who has to re-evaluate her career when she is fired for standing up for her convictions. When a DNA test reveals that her family tree is not what she thought, she starts asking herself some questions about who she is. I liked that the author explored that, since I can only imagine how surprising it would be to have family secrets come out in a DNA test! 
I loved the setting and descriptive views of Zion National Park. This book is a wonderful story that I enjoyed tremendously. I look forward to reading the other books in the series! 

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

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

More in this Series:

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About the Author

Karen Barnett is the award-winning author of nine novels, including When Stone Wings Fly, Where Trees Touch the Sky, and the Vintage National Park novels. A former national park ranger, she’s also a hobby photographer and enjoys teaching writing workshops with both Cascade Christian Writers and West Coast Christian Writers. She and her family live in Albany, Oregon.

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

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of Through Water and Stone and $20 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight October 1, 2025 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on October 8, 2025. 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 the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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