Author Interview: Seeds of Hope by Teresa Wells

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Seeds of Hope by Teresa Wells, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Seeds of Hope 
Series: The Truitts of Texas #2 
Author: Teresa Wells 
Publisher: Scrivenings Press 
Release Date: 07/14/2026 
Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Two wounded hearts. One fragile hope. A love that dares to take root. 

Blooming Grove, Texas, 1896 

Deputy Rabb Truitt has sworn to protect Blooming Grove. But when a clerical error sets a criminal free, Rabb blames himself. He should’ve admitted he can’t read, and now he must resign. If he failed the town once, he could fail it again. 

A recent survivor of a devastating fire, Sallie Parker refuses to let Rabb give up the job he loves. She helps him make sense of letters on the page, and as his knowledge grows, so do their feelings for each other. 

When a series of mysterious events surround Sallie’s school, Rabb fears a connection to cattle rustlers he’s pursuing. Each day without arrest, the demands for mob justice increase. Rabb races to protect the town and the woman he loves. But is he too late? 

Perfect for fans of Karen Witemeyer, Mary Connealy, and Jody Hedlund, Seeds of Hope is a faith-based historical romance filled with small-town danger, friends-to-lovers tenderness, found family, courage, and the promise that God can grow hope in even the hardest places.

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

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Book Excerpt

Rabb shifted his stance. “I gotta tell you something first.”

Sheriff Akin lifted his chin and waited.

Rabb swallowed. “The trial, it didn’t go very well.”

“I heard. Read the paper too.”

Paper? He just spoke with Turner Jones. “I didn’t mean to ruin everything. I-I’m real sorry.”

The sheriff studied him a moment, his wiry brows knit. “Son, if you think I care about some story the paper prints, you’re wrong. I know your character. You’re a good man. Nobody thinks you threw that trial on purpose.”

Rabb stepped back, his jaw slack. “Who said I threw the trial?”

The older man nodded. “Haven’t seen it yet? Special edition, they’re calling it. I call it hogwash.”

Rabb drew a hand down his face, stunned by the accusation. That must be what Turner meant when he apologized. It had to be bad for the sheriff to call it hogwash. He shook off his dismay and tried to think clearly. “Actually, Sheriff, I feel pretty bad about that trial. I think I oughta step down. Let another man, someone more qualified, take on this job.”

Akin’s face hardened. “I don’t want to hear that kinda talk, Rabb. I chose you. Why? Because you’re a crack shot, got common sense, and you can read people. But mostly, you care about this town. Ain’t no replacing that.”

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More in This Series

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About the Author

Award-winning author Teresa Wells writes stories threaded with hope and redemption. She loves meeting people, touring old homes, and studying the Bible. She lives with her husband of 45 years outside of Dallas, Texas. Her debut novel, What Brings Us Joy (Scrivenings Press, 2025), is a double winner for the 2026 Holt Medallion Award. Seeds of Hope, Book 2 in The Truitts of Texas series, releases in July of 2026. You can find her online at teresawells.com

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Author Interview

Q: What inspired you to write Seeds of Hope?

Teresa: The premise for Seeds of Hope came from my background in education combined with a Texas-sized fascination with all things western.

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

Teresa: I began plotting Seeds of Hope about a year and a half before it was due to my publisher.

 

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

Teresa: Several things! That’s the fun part of historical research. You never know what you’ll find out! Two things stand out most of all: first, I had no idea school gardens were a big deal at any time in our nation’s educational history. At the end of the 1800’s until WWI, there was an educational movement called the School Gardens Movement, which was an effort to round out the education of children, particularly those in urban settings. But for those kids whose schools were in more rural places, the push was to teach the students principles of horticulture so they would be able to sustain themselves one day.

The second fascinating (and shocking) tidbit had to do with cattle and horse rustling. It seems that in my esteemed state of Texas in the late nineteenth century, a person who stole a horse was lucky to make it to trial (think mob justice). But murder? Not near as serious a crime.

Q: Do you have a favorite quote from Seeds of Hope?

Teresa: Here’s one of my favorites: For the first time in the last grim months, hope bloomed. Maybe God had a purpose for her.


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

Teresa: I was in elementary school when I first longed to be a writer. I entertained myself writing stories in my bedroom and illustrating them with pictures from the J C Penneys catalog. I grew up in a home where words and lovely phrases were revered, which pointed me toward writing.

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

Teresa: I have ADD, and my elementary years were miserable. When I became a teacher, I promised myself I’d be the kind of teacher I needed.

Q: What are you currently reading?

Teresa: Even After This by Deborah Clack.

Q: What is your favorite genre to read?

Teresa: Historical Romance and Contemporary Romance

Q: What is your favorite hobby?

Teresa: I love to do counted cross-stitch.

Q: What is your favorite season and why?

Teresa: Fall, because of the temperature relief after very hot summers!

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a signed copy of Seeds of Hope, items related to the book, and a $25 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight August 3, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on August 10, 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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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Book Spotlight: Milton Makes a Move

About the Book:

From Jonathan Graziano, the creator of the viral “Bones or No Bones” TikTok videos and the instant #1 New York Times bestselling Noodle and the No Bones Day, comes a charming and heartfelt picture book following Milton the pug, Jonathan’s newly adopted dog, as he makes a brave move to his forever home!

Milton is a curious little pug who loves adventure—especially when it involves snacks, stinky smells, and playing with his dog friends. He’s heard that some dogs go off to live with forever families… but that kind of adventure feels a little too big for Milton.

So when Milton finds out he’s moving to a new home of his own, he packs his tiny suitcase (stuffed toy included) and does his best to be brave. He's surprised to find that his new human friend, Jonathan, seems nervous too! But as Milton settles into his new home, he and Jonathan will learn that being brave means giving new things, and new friends, a chance.

Purchase Links: Simon & Schuster ⏐ Amazon ⏐ Barnes & Noble

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Mini-Review:

Milton Makes a Move, written by Jonathan Graziano and illustrated by Dan Tavis, is an adorable children's book. Fun and humorous illustrations combine with Milton's adventure of meeting his new family. The story culminates with a theme about courage, bravery, and friendship. A lovely children's book.

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

Images used with permission.

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About the Author:

Jonathan Graziano is a Rochester native who currently resides in New York City. His eternal muse, Noodle, continues to inspire him each and every day. It is Jonathan’s hope that through this story he can continue Noodle’s legacy of spreading joy and kindness and encourage others to adopt and/or rescue a senior pet next time they're looking to add a new member to their family. You can find Jonathan on TikTok at @JonGraz.

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About the Illustrator:

Dan Tavis is illustrator living in New Hampshire. He has been doodling ever since his first math class in elementary school! He is the New York Times bestselling illustrator of Noodle and the No Bones Day, Common Critters, and Fluffy McWhiskers Cuteness Explosion, among other projects. Learn more at DanTavis.com.

Author Interview: A Cowboy to Call Her Own by Cari Lynn Webb

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for A Cowboy to Call Her Own by Cari Lynn Webb, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: A Cowboy to Call Her Own 
Series: The Bluegrass Blackwells #1 
Author: Cari Lynn Webb 
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming 
Release Date: July 28, 2026 
Genre: Contemporary Romance

This big-city cowboy 
Just swept her off her boots! 

Saving his family’s Kentucky racing stables is priority number one for cowboy Asher Blackwell. Love is not on his agenda. But when pretty chef Kelley Munroe pulls him into a clumsy two-step, he’s charmed. And making a deal with her to cater for the stables adds a little sunlight to his days. As a shared love of horses draws them together, and they’re roped into planning the town’s Fourth of July celebrations, the sparks between them blossom into fireworks. Asher wasn’t looking for a fresh start, and his life is in New York. But Kelley’s healing support is cracking open his guarded heart. Could she be the cowgirl he’d always hoped for?  

USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR

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

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Book Excerpt

“It’s not exactly easy, cooking in this place,” Asher said.

But Kelley felt at ease with him. The more time she spent with her cowboy, the longer she wanted to stay and share secrets. “Once I figured out the quirks around here, there was nothing to it.”

Asher eyed her like he didn’t believe her. “You aren’t like most people I know.”

You aren’t like I expected either. And she was not certain if she was happy about that. “Is it good or bad that I’m not like most people?”

“It was a compliment.” Asher finished his drink and added, “I imagine most chefs would have walked in here and then walked out. Probably even most home cooks.”

“I like a challenge,” Kelley said.

“That’s not it.” Asher shook his head. “You see the best in things, not the worst.”

“Not always,” Kelley confessed. “Especially not after my divorce.”

“What changed?” he asked.

I met a cowboy.

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Also Available

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About the Author

Cari Lynn Webb lives in Florida with her husband. She's been blessed to see the power of true love in her grandparent's 70 year marriage and her parent's marriage of over 50 years. She knows love isn't always sweet and perfect, it can be challenging, complicated and risky. But she believes happily-ever-afters are worth fighting for. She loves to connect with readers.

Connect with Cari by visiting carilynnwebb.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 A Cowboy to Call Her Own?

Cari: A Cowboy to Call Her Own is part of the Blackwell series that I write with four other Harlequin Heartwarming authors: Melinda Curtis, Carol Ross, Anna Stewart and Amy Vastine. We were fortunate this time around and we got to brainstorm with our editor, Kathryn Lye about the Kentucky Blackwells during a writer’s conference. It was really fun to have our editor giving us feedback in real time as we worked through possible story ideas. We then took each book idea and expanded it later and here we are.


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

Cari: Between drafting, writing, editing and revisions I’m going to say months. LOL! It’s not an entirely quick process between my first draft and final copy. Each book seems to be different and the different phases seem to have their own unique time schedule.


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

Cari: How much fun I had going first in the series. I tend to like to write the last book in the series which is often a holiday book. I love Christmas-set books. However, this time around I went first and got to set up the Kentucky Blackwells and I really enjoyed it.


Q: Do you have a favorite quote from A Cowboy to Call Her Own?

Cari: This is a bit longer – but it says so much about my heroine, Kelley Munroe.

At the exit, he glanced at her and added, “Save a space on your dance card for me, Ms. Kelley Munroe.”

There would have been a time she would have saved her entire dance card for a cowboy like him. Except Asher Blackwell was a city cowboy now.

And Kelley left those behind when she signed her divorce papers, headed back home and hung up her heart for good.


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

Cari: I was first a romance reader and absolutely love the genre, especially historical romance. My first book – the one authors refer to as the one under the bed – was a Medieval romance. I wrote it because it was what I wanted to read at the time and that book began my journey into becoming an author.


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

Cari: I tried out for Wheel of Fortune – one of my favorite shows. And I really want to be a contestant some day. LOL! Although I’m slightly terrified if I ever got on the show I would freeze up on camera.


Q: What are you currently reading?

Cari: I’m currently reading a book by Melinda Curtis – we critique for each other quite often. Melinda is part of my writing tribe and I could not have been on this journey so long without her.


Q: What is your favorite genre to read?

Cari: Romance. Romance. Romance. All the time. Any time. LOL! I read everything from historical to paranormal to cozy to mafia with every heat level there is. What I like is a really great love story.


Q: What is your favorite hobby?

Cari: I love to bake. I’m getting better at flooding cookies and decorating. I read food blogs and try new recipes all the time. Some are winners, some are not.


Q: What is your favorite season and why?

Cari: I like the holiday season from Thanksgiving through to New Years – I like the joy in the holiday season and having all my family around me. My dad loved Christmas so much and I’ve followed in his footsteps. There is something extra magical during that time of the year for me. Lots of really fabulous memories that I cherish.

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a $25 Amazon gift card and 2 print books by Cari Lynn Webb from the Blackwells Backlist!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight July 28, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on August 4, 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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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Book Review: Chapter One Again by Keelia Clarkson

About the Book:

Escape to Avila Falls in this Cozy Second-Chance Romance.

Jane is a successful ghostwriter living her dream in New York City, collaborating with movie stars and musicians while quietly longing to publish her own novel.

But just as her career comes to a crossroads, she's called back to her hometown of Avila Falls, a charming mountain town with a colorful cast of characters, where a chance encounter with her high school crush stirs unexpected questions about her NYC life. These doubts deepen as Jane tries to find her place back in Avila Falls; begins a new project with Liv, a pop star grappling with her own identity; and reconnects with a friend and mentor who runs the local bookstore, And Then There Were Books.

Jane begins to see her hometown differently and sparks begin to fly. She questions whether the version of herself she's created is truly who she wants to be. Could the answers she's searching for lie in the very place she once ran from?

Chapter One Again is the debut novel from actress Keelia Clarkson. This cozy, clean second chance romance is the perfect read for anyone searching for love, purpose, and a place to call home.

Chapter One Again is perfect for readers who love:

• Cozy fiction and clean romance
• Charming small-town settings
• Faith-friendly themes

Chapter One Again is the first book in the Avila Falls series. Watch for the sequel, Page Two with You.

Read an excerpt from Chapter One Again on the publisher's website.

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My Thoughts:

At under 200 pages, Chapter One Again by Keelia Clarkson is a short novella of substantial narrative. I read Jane’s story in one long sitting on a Sunday afternoon. It’s rare for me to enjoy a novella this much, but Clarkson’s sharp writing kept the plot moving and other elements on point. Fluff was not included. Jane, the main female character, questioned her place in life, wandered in her questions and circumstances, and grew into her future. Her love of books and writing, her gentle romance with a crush from her past, and her reconnection with her family were delightful. The ending of Chapter One Again was both satisfying but open. There is a sequel in the works and some readers may wish to wait to start the series until all installments are published.

I recommend Chapter One Again by Keelia Clarkson to Christian fiction readers who enjoy contemporary romances with bookish vibes. 4 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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More About Chapter One Again:

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About the Author:

Keelia Clarkson is a film and television actress who has appeared in numerous indie and studio films and network shows. She is the editor-in-chief and founder of the popular online magazine, Wallflower Journal, a place for the woman with a deep inner world. Chapter One Again is her debut novel.

Originally from Los Angeles, Keelia now lives between New York City and Colorado Springs.

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

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