Author Interview: The Robber and the Witness by Danielle Grandinetti

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Robber and the Witness by Danielle Grandinetti, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Robber and the Witness 
Series: Christmas Cabin Historical Romance Novellas #3 
Author: Danielle Grandinetti 
Publisher: Hearth Spot Press 
Release Date: July 21, 2026 
Genre: Christmas Historical Romance/Mystery

Christmas … a time of reunions and unexpected surprises.  

A simple favor, a best friend's promise, and the end of the line. 

Wisconsin, 1931—When Gideon Lundgren agrees to escort his best friend's sister to Manitowish Waters, plans go awry when she witnesses a robbery. He thinks he's merely escorting the girl he once knew, but she's grown into a charming beauty. 

Evangeline Whitaker's older brother always warned that her kind heart would be the death of her. It might at that. First, when she's an unwitting accomplice to a robber. Second, when her childhood crush becomes her bodyguard. 

With a robber on their trail and a tangle of emotions between them, Evangeline and Gideon detour to his boss's cabin to wait out the ensuing manhunt. However, Evangeline's Christmas spirit might be the death of them both. 

One cabin in the Northwoods … a decade of Christmas miracles.  

A sweet 1931 Christmas mystery featuring a closed-door romance between a protective bodyguard and the woman who witnessed too much.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Buy from the Author | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

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Book Excerpt

Gideon’s mind swirled. Evangeline Whitaker sat beside him, and she was no longer the little girl he remembered, the little sister of his best friend, the girl in the braids and the torn dress because she had climbed the tree after them. No, she was most certainly not a little girl anymore. She was a full-grown beauty. Not show-girl beauty, nor wealthy beauty, but, land sakes, her smile … no, more than just her smile.

He had seen one too many hardened criminals, females included. But Evangeline was innocent—not naïve, though, no matter what Evan thought of her. Her goodness came across as naïveté, but always had. He’d never trade her child-like faith for his jaded perceptions of humanity.

Evan never quite saw his sister as the whip-smart little girl she had been, but Gideon had. In fact, he thought it easy to spot in the way she had been able to keep up with them. Even if he and Evan had wanted to leave her behind, she never begged them to play with her, never whined for them to wait up. She simply … kept up.

Now, here she sat beside him, looking vulnerable in a way that struck him in the heart. Evan had charged him with her protection, but this knapsack business made that simple promise a tangible oath.

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More in This Series

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About the Author

Danielle Grandinetti writes award-winning 1930s historical romantic mystery and suspense. She is the 2026 Holt Medallion winner and a second-generation Italian-American. Fueled by tea and nature, she crafts hope-filled historical romance novels exploring immigrant heritage, found family, and cozy Midwest traditions. Find her at daniellegrandinetti.com.

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Author Interview

Q: What inspired you to write The Robber and the Witness?

Danielle: I love taking characters and tossing them into a situation and seeing what happens. That’s how The Robber and the Witness started. I knew I wanted a heroine who witnessed a crime and a hero charged with escorting his best friend's sister. The rest emerged as I wrote the story.


Q: How long did it take to write this book?

Danielle: About three weeks. I tend to write my Christmas Cabin novellas over the Christmas break because I’m fully in the Christmas mood and they’re so much fun.


Q: What surprised you while researching/writing this novel?

Danielle: I loved chasing down the historic train maps, so the tracks I mention in the story are based on real-life ones from the 1930s. What I found most fascinating, however, was the train plows they used. Basically, these were like modern snow plows, but attached to steam train engines. They’d clear the tracks for the trains, but with the Soo Line (the line in The Daughter’s Goodbye) was often blocked due to blizzard conditions that left snow on large segments of track.

Q: Do you have a favorite quote from The Robber and the Witness?

Danielle: Evan fully believed that she was too trusting, that she was too kind. And yet, Evangeline couldn’t understand why that was such a bad thing. Yes, her brother constantly worried about her safety, but didn’t Jesus ask them to be kind? Wasn’t she supposed to help those in need?


Q: When did you first know you wanted to be an author?

Danielle: I’ve wanted to be an author for a long, long time. Perhaps better said, I’ve loved story since before I can remember and wrote my first short story at the age of eight.


Q: Would you share something about yourself that most readers wouldn’t know?

Danielle: One of my favorite Christmas songs is Carol of the Bells, and I’m particularly fond of the version performed by the Trans Siberian Orchestra, called “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24”


Q: Are you a fan of the "Christmas in July" concept?

Danielle: Oh yes! This is my third year in a row releasing a Christmas novella during Christmas in July. I love it!


Q: What is your favorite genre to read?

Danielle: I love romantic mysteries, whether contemporary or historical.


Q: What are you currently reading?

Danielle: I just finished a beta read of Amazed, the third book in Roseanna M. White’s romantasy series, Awakened.


Q: What is your favorite season and why?

Danielle: Autumn is my favorite season. I just wish it was about two weeks longer so it includes Christmastide!

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a signed paperback of The Robber and the Witness, a notebook/pen set, and a wooden ornament!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight July 22, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 29, 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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Book Review: The Light of Stars by Jenelle Hovde

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for The Light of Stars by Jenelle Hovde, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Light of Stars 

Author: Jenelle Hovde 

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers 

Release Date: July 14, 2026 

Genre: Historical Romance 

An arranged marriage. A powerful company tainted with corruption. Two souls caught between obligation and a longing to find their true calling in this Regency romance set in glittering London ballrooms and Calcutta street markets. 

When Kitty Grenville’s grandfather announces her engagement to Sebastian Sinclair, she’s appalled. She barely remembers the boy she met once as a child—and now he’s a man tied to the East India Company, the very organization that tore Kitty and her brother from their mother and home in Hyderabad years ago. Unwilling to relinquish her dream of a love match or her passion for astronomy, Kitty is determined to refuse the marriage and find freedom in her own way. 

Sebastian Sinclair carries the weight of duty and regret. To atone for past sins, he complies with his grandfather’s orders to return to England, fulfill a long-standing betrothal, and defend the maligned East India Company before Parliament. Though Kitty makes her disinterest clear, Sebastian is drawn to her intellect and spirit. 

As Kitty navigates her first London season, her opinion of Sebastian begins to shift, especially when he shields her from scandal. When he’s abruptly called back to India, Kitty stuns everyone by marrying him and going with him, hoping to escape her grandfather’s control—and to find her mother. 

But the challenges that await in India are greater than imagined. Together, Kitty and Sebastian must confront the legacy of family and empire—and discover if a marriage born of obligation can grow into a love strong enough to endure. 

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

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Book Excerpt

December 1814, Seven Oakes, England

I stood outside Grandfather’s study and inhaled a shaky breath.

The winter sun slanted low through the mullioned windows, casting a watery light across ledgers and maps. The man known as the Iron Colonel sat tall behind his desk, his shoulders still broad from years of service, his dark coat cut to military precision. Time had silvered his hair at the temples and carved stern lines at the corners of his eyes, yet there was no mistaking the strength in his bearing. His presence filled the room like a command.

I smoothed my skirts and at last stepped inside, determined to ask him to finally allow me a trip to London to see my brother. Perhaps even experience a season, although I was far more interested in visiting museums and bluestocking salons.

He did not rise when I entered, only lifted his head from the page, quill poised above the ledger.

“What is it, Katherine?” His voice carried the weight of impatience, a sound I knew too well.

“I have a request, Grandfather.” My words felt fragile. “Might I be allowed a season in London this spring? I am nearly eight and ten. I should love to attend the museums and lectures. Lady Ashford said I could call, perhaps even meet her friends—”

The quill scraped hard across the page. “How did you ever secure the attention of this Lady Ashford? As for attending a lecture, I won’t have you indulge in such wild fancies.”

I dared not confess the entire truth. Two years ago, I had read her treatise in The Times regarding social issues, and Edward had been so kind to hunt down her address. For well over a year, Lady Ashford and I had corresponded regularly about all matters pertaining to science, literature, and my love of astronomy.

I groaned inwardly though I pressed on with a bright smile. “Surely it would not disgrace us. My studies harm no one. The stars—”

He glared at me. “You will not speak of stars to me. A Grenville’s duty is not to chase the cosmos.”

I fell silent, and my eyes wandered to his desk. Two envelopes rested at his elbow, the wax seals stamped deep. For one heartbeat I glimpsed a crest, curved and regal, before his hand swept them away.

Letters from India.

My breath quickened at the thought of hearing from family. Once, at five and ten, I had managed to sneak out a missive to the nearest inn where post was delivered. But only once. Somehow word of the letter reached his ears before it left the inn; no doubt a servant eager to curry favor carried tales of my insubordination. After that, Grandfather made certain not a single servant would deliver a letter to India on my behalf. My breath quickened at the thought of hearing from family. Once, at five and ten, I had managed to sneak out a missive to the nearest inn where post was delivered. But only once. Somehow word of the letter reached his ears before it left the inn; no doubt a servant eager to curry favor carried tales of my insubordination. After that, Grandfather made certain not a single servant would deliver a letter to India on my behalf. I wrote my mother each month regardless, storing every missive in a box hidden beneath my bed. A diary of sorts, intended only for her.

I tipped forward to see his papers better. “May I read your letters? Is that one from the palace at Hyderabad? I have seen that seal before.”

His chair scraped back. “Your entire family most certainly died of diphtheria, Katherine. Why must I keep explaining how I saved you and Edward from the same fate?” His gaze hardened, the words struck like daggers. “Trouble me no further. I have work to do.”

The desk drawer shut with a decisive thud, swallowing the letters whole.

But the seal . . .

The wax bore an oval impression with strokes sweeping upward and around in patterns I half remembered, flowing like vines across stone. Though I could not read the words, the shape of them stirred a buried memory from my past, as if I had once heard those syllables whispered in prayer.

I lowered in an awkward curtsy, my throat tight with questions unasked, and then withdrew from the study. Yet the vision of those foreign seals haunted me as I crossed the corridor.

If my mother and family were truly gone, why did he guard those letters as though they held the breath of the dead?

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My Thoughts

The Light of Stars by Jenelle Hovde is my favorite book of 2026 (so far). It held my attention from start to finish, and was highly enjoyable to read. Kitty, the main female character, was fiery but not overdone. She had a backbone that served her well as she navigated a tumultuous season of life. I could relate to her distress and the difficulties of being born into a corrupt, greedy family, never knowing the truth until an adult. The author explored this element well through Kitty’s circumstances, desires, and thoughts.

The Light of Stars included the arranged marriage trope, and I loved the tension and swoon that came with Sebastian’s arrival in Kitty’s life. Most of all, I appreciated the melding of two hearts and minds, though the path was bumpy at times for both Kitty and Sebastian. Their relationship blossomed beautifully into a deep, faithful love that held together even as other ties unraveled.

The Light of Stars carried both strong themes (ethics, justice, integrity, and trusting God) and lesser themes (mercy, gender equality, forgiveness, and more) that added to the story. With all these elements combined, I found The Light of Stars to be a complex, beautiful story.

I recommend The Light of Stars to Jenelle Hovde to Christian readers who enjoy historical romances. The novel will appeal broadly with its themes, history, romance, and secrets. I think it would make an excellent book club choice. Five stars!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book from the author or publisher. My review reflects my honest opinion.

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Also Available

   

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About the Author

Jenelle Hovde, an accomplished illustrator, author, pastor's wife, and homeschooling mother, ventured off the beaten path when she transitioned from her career as a doctor of audiology to pursue her passion for writing. While her nine novels span different eras—from the ancient worlds to World War II—her favorite genre is sweet Regency romance that enchants readers with tales of love and intrigue set against the backdrop of nineteenth-century England. Drawing inspiration from timeless treasures found in antique stores, Jenelle pens historical romance novels that captivate readers with vivid storytelling and gentle messages of faith. Her stories have garnered impressive showings in multiple writing contests. Often found writing at the Florida beach, she navigates life with her family and manages two saucy cats who insist on interrupting her creative endeavors.

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

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 gift card to their choice bookstore!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight July 21, 2026 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on July 28, 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.

Enter Giveaway

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Book Spotlight: Until April by Janet W. Ferguson

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Until April by Janet W. Ferguson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Until April 
Series: Coastal Hearts 
Author: Janet W. Ferguson 
Publisher: Southern Sun Press LLC 
Release Date: June 25, 2026 
Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

Michael Galloway has always believed freedom means living life on his own terms. His career is dedicated to saving the environment and teaching others the importance of taking care of the earth, rivers, and oceans. He’s building a life with no room for complications. Especially in his love life. 

Then tragedy turns April Yancy’s world upside down. 

After her husband’s death, April discovers he’d been hiding devastating secrets, leaving her buried in debt and struggling to protect her children’s future. The last person she expects to come to her rescue is Michael—the man who shattered her heart years ago. 

Michael has few regrets, but hurting April back in grad school still haunts him. When her situation grows desperate, he devises a risky plan to help her rebuild her life…even if it means jeopardizing his carefully guarded independence. 

Accepting Michael’s shocking offer could cost April more than her pride. His resistance to her faith clashes with the convictions she holds dear, and trusting him again feels impossible. Yet as doors keep opening and her prayers keep nudging her toward him, April begins to wonder if God is offering her a second chance at more than survival. 

 An emotional second-chance love story of forgiveness, redemption, and unexpected faith.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

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Excerpt

“No.” He rose as her posture wilted, strode the few steps to her, and wrapped her in his arms. “Shh. It’s not your fault that you trusted Robert.”

Her muscles flinched. “It is, though. I knew how impulsive he could be. How reckless. For Jack’s sake, I should have stayed on top of the finances.”

He reached up with one hand to touch her cheek, the skin soft beneath his fingers. “You did not deserve any of this, April. Robert knew better.” Then guilt harpooned his heart. Hadn’t he done the same thing to her? Abandoned her out of selfishness? Because he’d wanted to live life his own way. “Neither Robert nor I proved worthy of a woman as special as you.”

Her gaze lifted and locked on his. The force of it jarred him. A whirlpool of emotion swirled between them, swallowing him in like a tangible force of nature. It drew him closer, so near to her, the warmth of her breath mingled with his.

He should move away. Back off and say goodnight.

Instead, his fingers slid to her chin and tilted it upward. This is a mistake. The words banged in his skull.

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More in This Series

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About the Author

Janet W. Ferguson is a Christy Award finalist, Maggie Award Winner, and the FHL Readers Choice Award winning author of realistic inspirational fiction. An avid reader, she loved books so much she found a job as a librarian so she could be around them all day. Then she turned that love of story into writing faith-filled novels with characters who feel like best friends. You’ll laugh and cry as the quirky heroes and heroines chase their happily ever after.

Janet and her husband live in Mississippi where they say y’all a lot, and she forces him to visit the beach as often as possible. They have two grown children and a cat that allows them to share the space. 

 

Connect with Janet by visiting janetfergusonauthor.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a paperback copy of Until April, a hummingbird feeder, a fabric bookbag (made by Janet's daughter), and lip balm!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight July 20, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 27, 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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Author Interview: Ribbons of Guilt by Laura Thomas

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Ribbons of Guilt by Laura Thomas, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Ribbons of Guilt 
Series: Bite of Betrayal #3 
Author: Laura Thomas 
Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink 
Release Date: July 5, 2026 
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

A marriage in crisis. A betrayer in the wings. A life at stake. 

Harriet Duval has it all—a handsome French husband, a delightful young daughter, a successful career as a professional ballerina behind her, and a beautiful future in a charming village in the English countryside. Even her beloved sisters can’t see the painful truth she hides beneath her perfect mask… 

Successful businessman Leo Duval is at a breaking point physically, emotionally, and spiritually as he is forced to harbor secrets in Paris while his marriage in England dissolves before his very eyes. 

The magnetic pull of Harriet’s old dancing life and the shocking murder of a Swan Lake ballerina causes her to question everything: faith, future, family. When the killer begins targeting the Duval family, Leo and Harriet’s vulnerable marriage is tested by an unimaginable traumatic event. Will the guilt they carry divide them when they need each other most?  

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

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Book Excerpt

“Leo, do you trust me?”

His forehead wrinkled. “I do.”

“Remember when we first met and you said I was born for the stage?”

“Yes.”

“When you used to say I was a performer who could play any part and dance whatever was required of me?”

“Absolutely.”

Her pulse quickened as she devised a plan. Betray the betrayer.

Leo tucked her windswept hair behind her ears and nodded. “I used to tell you that all the time. I’m glad you still remember. You were amazing. Always.”

“Thanks.” Harriet stretched her spine as long as possible and lengthened her neck. “It’s time.”

“Time for what?”

“I need to put the mask in place for the performance of my life.”

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More in This Series

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About the Author

A multi-award-winning Christian author, Laura Thomas writes heartwarming encouragement for your soul—especially in her numerous romantic suspense novels, Christmas novellas, teen fiction and children’s books, as well as her non-fiction writing.

Laura is a certified writing coach, a book-loving chocoholic mom and nanny, and is married to her high school sweetheart. Originally from the UK, they now live the empty nest life in Kelowna, British Columbia, with their French bulldog! 

Connect with Laura by visiting laurathomasauthor.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Author Interview

Q: What inspired you to write Ribbons of Guilt?

Laura: Ribbons of Guilt is Book 3 in the Bite of Betrayal series of Christian romantic suspense, where each sister has featured in a book. This time it was Harriet’s story and because I had already introduced her in the previous books as being married to Leo, I knew I would need to create some kind of marriage crisis as well as danger and faith between husband and wife—and I was totally up for the challenge! My husband and I are passionate about marriage ministry in real life, and so creating a romantic suspense story where a fractured marriage was given hope and healing was all the inspiration I needed.

Q: How long did it take to write this book?

Laura: It took about six months to write, give or take. It helped that I already had a lot of research done from previous books in the series, but a trip to England while I was in the mist of writing this one was hugely beneficial.

Q: What surprised you while researching/writing this novel?

Laura: I was surprised and delighted by The Royal Opera House in London, England. It’s always fun to return to my homeland, and when I can work in a research trip and see my UK family at the same time? Bonus. As Ribbons of Guilt has some significant scenes set inside The Royal Opera House, I enlisted my sister to join me on a fantastic backstage tour and was able to ask the poor, unassuming guide a gazillion questions relating to security and such. However, I was truly surprised by the sumptuous décor of the theater and the breathtaking costume room with its “costume bibles”, and the cherry-on-top delight was watching an impromptu Romeo and Juliet ballet rehearsal in the bowels of the building.

Q: Do you have a favorite quote from Ribbons of Guilt?

Laura: “Leo cupped her cheek. “I’m not one to spout wisdom after everything I’ve done, but what I do know in my heart is that God gives grace.”

She nodded. “Grace over guilt…””

Q: When did you first know you wanted to be an author?

Laura: I dreamed of being a picture book author when I was a little girl living on the South Coast of England—I was an absolute bookworm and obsessed with Beatrix Potter. However, I told not a soul and somehow managed to keep it a secret for 25 years until my husband and I were on a coffee date talking about having dreams for the future. I casually mentioned my secret dream of writing a book one day(!), he recovered from his initial shock (how did he not know this as we had been together since I was 14 years old?), and then encouraged me to act upon it the very next day. The rest, as they say, is history… and now we are celebrating my thirteenth book.

Q: Would you share something about yourself that most readers wouldn’t know?

Laura: I took ballet classes for ten years as a child and had a phase where I created 3-ring binders of research and pictures as I desperately wanted to be a professional ballerina. (Clearly, this was not meant to be, but now I get to write about one instead!)

Q: What are you currently reading?

Laura: The Correspondent by Virginia Evans, an early copy of When the Silence Breaks by Elizabeth Goddard, and I’m listening to The Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh.

Q: What is your favorite genre to read?

Laura: I honestly enjoy reading most genres other than horror and fantasy and I do try to mix it up, but I’m especially drawn to WWII fiction, Christian romantic suspense, literary fiction, children’s books, and an occasional classic.

Q: What is your favorite hobby?

Laura: Can I say reading? That’s my every day, all-season favorite thing to do—but in the summer I love boating and kayaking on the lake with my husband.

Q: What is your favorite season and why?

Laura: At the start of each season I declare it to be my favorite, but if I had to choose one it would be summer. Give me all the sunshine and cloudless blue skies, long warm evenings for extra reading, and quiet mornings out on the perfectly still lake.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $50 Amazon gift card and an ebook copy of Captured in Frame!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight July 13, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 20, 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/CAN 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!

Book Spotlight: Moms of the Bible by Rhonda Stoppe

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Moms of the Bible by Rhonda Stoppe, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Moms of the Bible: Life-Changing Lessons from the Fearless, Flawed, and Faithful 
Author: Rhonda Stoppe 
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers 
Release Date: March 10, 2026 
Genre: Christian Non-Fiction/Parenting

Biblical Encouragement for Everyday Motherhood 

Have you ever whispered to yourself, I’ll be a better mom tomorrow…but tomorrow never comes? Maybe you’re comparing yourself to other moms and feel you aren’t measuring up. But don’t lose hope. Just as moms in Scripture learned from life’s ups and downs, with God’s help, you can become the mom you long to be.  

Moms of the Bible explores timeless life lessons from Bible moms of all types, revealing how their stories of failure, faith, and hope can help you fulfill your own calling with confidence. From the redeemed Rehab to the horrible Herodias, each story unveils eye-opening insights and powerful applications that can help you as you seek to raise up children who impact their generation with fearless faith. 

Author Rhonda Stoppe engages you with the warmth and wisdom of a trusted friend who’s been there herself. For mothers of all ages and stages―including step, adoptive, foster, and grandmothers raising their grandkids―this uplifting look at the moms of Scripture will empower you to influence the culture in profound ways through your sacred ministry of motherhood. 

 PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Harvest House | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop | BookBub

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Book Excerpt

Having a Bad Mom Doesn’t Mean You’ll Be a Bad Mom

In Salome’s wildest imagination, I wonder if she ever expected to hear her mother's macabre response, “The head of John the Baptist”. The Bible doesn’t tell us how Salome felt about her mother’s request. It does, however, show how she came with haste to the king and asked, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter” (Mark 6:25).

History records Herodias as a bad mom with no redeeming qualities; she trained her daughter, Salome, to follow her vile ways. However, having a bad mom does not condemn you to follow in her footsteps. Praise the Lord, He offers new life in Christ! Be encouraged to know if you have turned to Jesus as your Lord and Savior, His Holy Spirit has made you a new creation, capable of loving your children with His self-less love…History recounts many heroes of the faith who didn’t have great mothers.

Hold hold tight to this truth, our journeys are woven together by the fabric of faith, grace, and the choices we make each day. I hope this story will remind you, though you may have inherited patterns from an unkind mother, you are not shackled by them.

In Christ you have been equipped by the Holy Spirit to break free from sin's grasp and to chart a new course for yourself and your family. Be courageous to have those tough conversations with your children. Strive for accountability in your relationships, and create an atmosphere in your home where grace and compassionate love abounds.

Remember, parenting well is not about being perfect; rather it’s about being a genuine follower of Christ who seeks the Lord's guidance while encouraging your children to pursue purity and purpose.

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Also Available

  

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About the Author

Rhonda Stoppe is a biblically sound speaker and host of the award-winning podcast Old Ladies Know Stuff. A trusted voice in the Christian living community, she is the best-selling author of 7 popular books and a frequent guest on Dr. James Dobson’s Family Talk and Focus on the Family. Rhonda has been joyfully married to her pastor-husband, Steve, for 45 years. They have 4 children and 15 grandchildren. Connect with Rhonda at NoRegretsWoman.com.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight July 14, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 21, 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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Book Review: Daughter of the Rebellion by Jamie Ogle

About the Book:

In this stirring historical romance by award-winning author Jamie Ogle, a young woman imprisoned in a Roman gladiator school becomes a legendary warrior. But when not even her fame is enough, she must fight to save herself and those she loves.

Rome, AD 403. As a loyal daughter of the Visigoth tribe, Adelgard followed her father to war, hoping to win back her family's approval. But after a clash with the Roman army, Adel is captured and sold to a gladiator school. Now she is the most famous gladiatrix in Rome, determined to keep the fickle love of the crowd and never again rely on anyone but herself for her own security. But beneath the fame lies a darkness and pain that holds her captive.

Felix despises Rome's fascination with violence. But after returning from medical training to discover his father missing and his family desperate, he had little choice but to accept a position at the gladiator school managed by his uncle. He finds a kindred spirit in Adel and does what he can to preserve the humanity of the rebel fighters, but when he receives orders that further compromise his beliefs, he arrives at a crossroads.

Then Telemachus, a Christian leader, approaches Felix with an urgent message: if the Visigoth captives are not released, their army will invade Rome. Despite the risk, the emperor is bent on proving his power through a stunning, deadly day of gladiatorial games. As Telemachus seeks to save the Visigoth fighters, Felix and Adel join forces in a desperate rebellion that may define not only their own lives but also the course of history.

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My Thoughts:

Daughter of the Rebellion by Jamie Ogle felt both compelling and entertaining. Adel’s life in the gladiator school was not sugar-coated, but also not as gory as it could have been. Her position as a respected gladiatrix gave her fame and a level of security, but as the plot unfolded, so did Adel’s heart. Themes about addiction and self-deception emerged, but the author redeemed the pain with a faith that led to true freedom. I liked the writing, the characters, and the romance, but it was the story’s spiritual themes that lingered with me.

I recommend Daughter of the Rebellion by Jamie Ogle to readers who are drawn to gritty historical fiction with powerful spiritual themes. If you liked Francine Rivers’ The Mark of the Lion series, you’ll probably enjoy Daughter of the Rebellion. Five stars!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book from the author or publisher. My review reflects my honest opinion.