Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Author Interview: Bleeding Heart Librarian by Jackie Layton

Bleeding Heart Librarian JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Bleeding Heart Librarian by Jackie Layton, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Bleeding Heart Librarian

Title: Bleeding Heart Librarian
Series:
A Texas Flower Farmer Cozy Mystery #3
Author:
Jackie Layton
Publisher:
Level Best Books
Release Date:
May 6, 2025
Genre: Cozy Mystery

Emma Justice is friends with the local librarian and brings her extra flowers once a week. On a hot July morning, when people are gathered outside the closed library past opening time, Emma calls the police. The librarian’s body is found in the building and beside the body is a pink and white bleeding heart plant. 

Tess Carranza was a lovely person dedicated to children and patrons of the library in Lutz, Texas. Tess recently confided to Emma about her fear someone was using the library to gather information to commit crimes. Emma didn’t get the entire story from Tess before her death, but now she’s determined to stop the crime and catch Tess’s killer.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble


Excerpt


Tess turned to us. “Maebell? As in Maebell Franks?”

Brett’s eyes widened. “Yes, do y’all know each other?”

“It’s more like I know of her. Would you give me a minute to speak to your aunt?” Tess’s Mixie hairstyle remained as perfect as the moment she arrived. The Texas heat and humidity hadn’t damaged or frizzed her style in the least.

“She’ll be visiting for a few days. What about I introduce you two, and you can arrange to meet later?”

“That will work.” Tess moved to the other rocking chair, knelt, and started a conversation with the older woman.

Brett looked at me. “What’s that all about?”

I shrugged. “I have no idea, but something is going on with Tess.”

Cowboy wiggled, and I let him down but kept a grip on the leash.

Jake winked at me. “Can I take him for a little walk?”

“Thanks.” I passed the leash to him.

The two headed to the side yard, and I gathered cups and napkins while attempting to eavesdrop on the conversation between Tess and Maebell.

Attorney. Land rights. Offer.

Those were the three words I heard before Brett ended the conversation.

“Aunt Maebell, let’s get you out of this heat.” Brett held a hand out to his aunt.

“Oh, dear, Tess and I just started our conversation.”

Brett paused. “Tess, will you be at the library tomorrow? Can we schedule a time for you two to meet?”

Tess nodded. “I’ll take my break at a time convenient for you.”

More In This Series

 


About the Author

Jackie Layton is the author of cozy mysteries with Spunky Southern Sleuths. Her stories are set in Texas, Georgia, and South Carolina. She lives on the coast of South Carolina, where she enjoys walks on the beach and golf cart rides around the marsh. Reading, gardening, and traveling are some of her favorite hobbies. Jackie always keeps a notebook handy to write down ideas for future stories. Many of her ideas come from people watching and watching Dateline and American Greed.

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


Author Interview


Q: What inspired you to write Bleeding Heart Librarian

Jackie: I was inspired to write this seris after a trip to Waco, Texas. I discovered so many friendly people, and I enjoyed the farmers market. One of Emma Justice’s friends is the local librarian, and I’ve been wanting to write a story set in a library. So, this seemed like the perfect opportunity.


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

Jackie: It took me six months before turning it into my publisher.


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

Jackie: I learned about heirs' property, and I read stories where people were taken advantage of. It kinda broke my heart.


Q: Do you have a favorite quote from Bleeding Heart Librarian

Jackie:  “Somebody reported suspicious activity at Tess Carranza’s house. Did you two break in?” His voice croaked, and dark circles had formed under his eyes.

I removed the key and showed it to the police chief. “I had permission to be here, and I came and got the plants. Just because Tess is gone, it doesn’t mean her plants should die too.”


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

Jackie: I always wanted to write, but I never imagined I would get published. When my youngest son was in high school, I decided it was time to at least try to write a book.


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

Jackie: I’m not artistic, but I took piano lessons growing up, and I played the saxophone in high school. I was in the marching band, concert band, and pep band.


Q: What are you currently reading? 

Jackie: Panic in the Panhandle by J.C. Kenney.


Q: What is your favorite genre to read? 

Jackie: Cozy mysteries


Q: What is your favorite hobby? 

Jackie: Going for walks on the beach, and thankfully I live close enough to drive to the beach.


Q: What is your favorite season and why? 

Jackie: Spring is my favorite season because I love to see all the flowers and plants blooming.




Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a Texas-and-flower themed prize bundle which includes an ebook of Bleeding Heart Librarian, a $5 Starbucks card, lip balm and holder, a blue and white bag, a fabric coaster, a designer Wet-It swedish cleaning cloth, a journal, a car coaster and an alarm key chain!

Bleeding Heart Librarian JustRead blog tour giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 19, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 26, 2025. 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


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

JustRead Publicity Tours

Friday, May 16, 2025

Book Review: The Unhiding of Elijah Campbell by Kelly Flanagan

About the Book:



Recipient of the Illumination Book Award.

Recipient of the Nautilus Book Award.


Elijah Campbell is on the verge of losing his writing career, his faith, and his marriage when a recurring childhood nightmare drives him back to his hometown, Bradford's Ferry. There, his encounters with loved ones both past and present shed light on the reason his wife left him—and the meaning of his nightmare. However, beyond the light he begins to glimpse something even more terrifying—a decision he must make either to continue hiding the secrets of his past or unhide the only thing that can save his marriage: himself.

In psychologist Kelly Flanagan's non-fiction works (Loveable, True Companions), he drew from clinical insight to explore the spiritual depths of identity and relationships. Now, in this debut novel, he weaves a page-turning and plot-twisting tale that brings new life to those insights, along with fresh revelations about personal growth, spiritual transformation, and the dynamics of interpersonal relationships.

This visit to Bradford's Ferry will linger long after the final page has been turned, and a guide for group discussion invites further conversation about the story's themes of healing, grace, faith, forgiveness, and freedom.

Read an excerpt from The Unhiding of Elijah Campbell on the publisher's website.

My Thoughts:

The Unhiding of Elijah Campbell stands as psychologist Kelly Flanagan’s debut novel. Flanagan’s expertise was fully on display as Elijah, the protagonist, struggled with his mental health and the buried trauma haunting his dreams. I marked many quotes while reading because I felt the truth of them. Then again, when I prepared to write this review I reread all I had marked and found the statements still worth further pondering.

The theme of “The past is behind us, but it is also, always, within us” repeated throughout The Unhiding of Elijah Campbell. As Eljah processed his trauma, he came close to suicide twice which might be a trigger for some readers. I admit, the book unsettled me with its depictions of emotional pain and a child carrying a family secret. Hard situations, complex feelings, and disturbing memories surfaced along the plot. A few mild cuss words appeared in times of frustration. The Unhiding of Elijah Campbell by Kelly Flanagan was not a pleasure read, but it held a lot of truth for survivors of childhood trauma. The book mixed self-help with fiction, and it would make a good therapy resource. Four stars!




Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

Author Interview: Levi's Loyalty by Lynne Lanning


Levi's Loyalty JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Levi's Loyalty by Lynne Lanning, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Levi's Loyalty

Title: Levi's Loyalty
Series:
Mountain Men - Longing Hearts in the Wilderness
Author:
Lynne Lanning
Publisher:
Independently Published
Release Date:
April 22, 2025
Genre:
Historical Romance (Christian)

Levi found out how much void a woman could fill in his heart… 

But the heartache and betrayal wasn’t worth it. 

He was better off alone… wasn’t he? 

Levi enjoys his secluded life on the mountain until his friend convinces him he needs a woman in his life. A wife, when you’ve barely been around people, especially women? If only he could pick one out at the store like a shovel or bag of flour. But Levi falls head over heels—ignoring all the warning signs that something is wrong—until a delay in marrying her reveals her true intentions. 

Now, he’s decided heartache and betrayal aren’t worth it. He’s better off alone. But God has a surprise waiting in the wilderness, softening the devastation he had suffered…in the form of a feisty woman who has claimed his mountain home for her own. 

 PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon


Excerpt


Levi’s eyes began to open to the familiar voice. He focused on a massive man hovering over him. It was Zeb.

As he tried to move his arm, he realized it was tied down to the bed. Panic seized him before Zeb put his hands on his shoulders.

“Levi, you’ve been real bad off. We tied you down to keep you from thrashing about and hurting yourself more. As soon as we know you’re back to yourself, we’ll untie you. You understand what I’m saying?”

Levi nodded weakly. “Water,” he choked out barely above a whisper.

A woman handed Zeb a cup of water, then helped raise Levi’s head enough for him to drink.

He never remembered anything tasting so good. His parched mouth and throat were like a sponge, soaking up every drop.

Nodding his head in thanks, he rested back again. “Zeb, untie me. I feel like a captured, wounded animal.” He still spoke barely above a whisper.

Zeb lowered his eyes. “Can’t. Not yet.”

Levi pulled against his restraints and his voice got a bit stronger. He glared at Zeb. “You can’t? What do you mean, you can’t? Untie me, Zeb.”

Zeb sat down beside the bed, looking sad and defeated. “Levi, you got yourself a real bad leg there. When you broke it, the bone came clear through your skin. We fixed the bone as best we could, and hope it will heal okay. But being a big man and all, you won’t be able to walk on it for a long time.”

Zeb sighed and looked at Levi. “But that’s not the worst of it. You had what Mitzi calls blood poisoning. She’s still putting her concoction on you for that.”

He shook his head and looked down again. “Some of the skin is beginning to not look so good and we’re just afeared that you may lose your leg.”

Levi stiffened against the restraints. “No!” he yelled. “Nobody’s going to take my leg!”

“Now see, that’s why we have you tied down. You’d be jumping around hurting yourself. But we sent for the doctor in town. Hopefully, he will be here tomorrow.

“I try to put myself in your shoes about this matter, and we done talked about it between the lot of us. If there’s a choice between your leg or your life, we’ve already decided, we aren’t going to let you die.”

Levi looked up at the ceiling, not even able to wipe away the tear that escaped his eye.

A woman walked up and instructed Zeb to help sit him up a bit. “I brought you some broth. You ought to be hungry by now.”

He looked at her, trying not to look so intimidating, but right now he was angry and in pain.

“You’re Mitzi? You’ve been taking care of me?”

“Yes. I’ve done most of the doctoring around here for nearly twenty years.”

“Thank you, ma’am, but the first chance I get to be out of this bed, I’ll be gone. I’ve got a woman in town waiting for me to marry her. I won’t let her down, even if I have to use crutches.”

“I know. I’ve heard. That’s why Zeb and a few other men are camped right outside. They help keep watch on you all day and night.

“Now, open your mouth and eat this broth.” She put a spoon to his mouth.

He wished he could resist, but he was hungry. The broth was good and he willingly ate every bite.

“How long have I been here?”

The woman moved away with the bowl and Zeb sat back down. He knew Levi would be upset when he found out he was already late getting back to town.

He cleared his throat. “Eight days since we found you.”

“No, Zeb, that just can’t be. I’m supposed to be getting married about now.”

He pulled against his restraints with all his strength. “Let me out of here!” He pulled and tugged with his teeth gritted. His eyes shot anger toward Zeb. “I’ve got to go. You can’t keep me like a prisoner.”

Zeb stood and shook his head. “One day you’ll see this is for your own good. Maybe you should spend some time talking to the Lord about all of this. None of us wished this on you, so we hope you don’t stay mad for long. But we will stay right by your side through it all.” He turned and left.

Levi rested back against the pillows. There was no sense in fighting. There was no way to win.

About the Author

Lynne Lanning

Lynne Lanning has such an effortless way of evoking emotion from her readers. Her characters are so realistic that the reader can feel their pain during trials and their joy during triumphs. Reviews state: "...it's as if Mrs. Lanning lived through this herself." "Couldn't put it down..." "A real page turner." Lynne enjoys turning history and her love of God into enjoyable, relatable stories with practical life lessons that can benefit people today. Each story tells of true bonds of love and loyalty, mixed with tough times and decisions, with a twist of humor and sometimes devastation...the same is true in life. With a blend of her own family members and heritage along with lots of fiction, it's hard to tell where reality stops and fantasy begins.

Connect with Lynne by subscribing to her email newsletter updates or following her on Amazon.


Author Interview


Q: What inspired you to write Levi’s Loyalty?

Lynne: I was invited to a group to write a story about a Mountain Man who had sent away for a Mail-Order Bride. During the research about Mountain Men, I fell in love with the rugged concept of how they lived…seclusion, survival, and how aware they were of their surroundings every moment. They were everything an adventurous me would have loved to be many, many years ago.

I didn’t even finish the Mail-Order Bride book before I started writing Levi’s story. I was captivated and couldn’t type fast enough. Once he made his way into my mind, he worked his way into my heart. I was almost ashamed for putting him through so much heartache, but I made sure he came out victorious in the end and so much better off because of the trials.


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

Lynne: It only took about three weeks to write it, but I tweaked and edited it for over a year, wanting it to be the best I had written so far.


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

Lynne: I love research! I found myself getting lost in the past as vivid pictures made their way into my imagination while reading the true facts of what these men endured. Some of the most intriguing facts were about how secluded they chose to be. Most of my research was about men who never settled down in one place long enough to build more than a lean-to for shelter. But there were others, especially if they chose to have a wife and family, who would build a cabin, but still in a secluded area.

Some of these men, (and their families), never…yes, I said never, stepped foot in a town. The local trading post served multi purposes, including a place for the mountain folk to gather briefly during the spring and summer while they traded the pelts for necessities.

Although loyal to their own, and helpful when needed, they stayed to themselves unless called on for help. Levi’s Loyalty has a few scenes about the local trading post and some of its functions.


Q: Do you have a favorite quote from Levi’s Loyalty?

Lynne: Oh my! That is a tough one. I can’t even choose a favorite scene! This story is so touching, and explores every emotion. I almost have it memorized and still find myself sniffling and wiping tears during Chapters 5 and 13, and find myself grinning and chuckling during Chapters 6 – 8. So many other times I’m ready to bite nails from anger, or fingernails from nervous intensity…and I know how the story ends! LOL! The voice actor who did the audio (Spencer Dillehay), did an amazing job of making this story come to life.


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

Lynne: As a child I loved to write and tried my hand at poetry and short stories, just for fun. In the late 1980’s, I knew writing was a passion of mine and wrote several pieces, especially for magazines and such. I also wrote poetry and stories, but at that time, to be published, you had to have an agent, who in turn would try to find a publisher to accept your work. With raising 5 kids at the time, there was no extra money for such a venture.

My husband was diagnosed with Parkinsons in 2014, and I closed my Quilt Shop in 2015 to allow us to travel and spend our time together…that was when I knew I had to write. I had collected interviews over the years (on cassette tapes), and my grandmother’s life story was burning in me, so I had plenty of material to write about. That’s when I found out about self publishing on Amazon, and my life hasn’t been the same since.


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

Lynne: In my Amazon bio, it says readers agree that my books are so realistic, it sounds as if I had lived it myself…and a lot of it, I have. I am a firm believer that God allows us to go through things for a reason. One of those reasons, at least for me, is so I can be helpful to someone else going through the same thing. I do that through my writing. Even though I write historical, the principles and emotions are the same as they are today, and the life lessons can still be applied. When I write about devastation, heartache, and even abuse, I have been there and can vividly describe my feelings during those times. When I write about victory and joy, thankfully, I have been there also and share those emotions, giving God the glory for His kindness, mercy and grace. I am so wonderfully blessed.


Q: What are you currently reading?

Lynne: Edits! LOL! After days of writing, I take a break and read just for pleasure. I attack my TBR list for a solid week after I finish a work in progress. Right now, I am reading “A Son to Protect” by Joi Copeland.


Q: What is your favorite genre to read?

Lynne: Historical Romance and Historical non-fiction.


Q: What is your favorite hobby?

Lynne: Oh, my goodness…whatever craft I am passionate about at the time! I have done a bit of all kinds, including (but not limited to Bob Ross style painting, macrame, crochet, quilting, and the list goes on!) Right now, I am pouring and painting plaster and making some wonderful scented soaps that smell so good I want to take a bite out of them! What a way to wash your mouth out with soap! LOL!


Q: What is your favorite season and why?

Lynne: Fall with Spring being a close second. Spring is great with colorful blooms, warmer weather, and life seeming to renew itself. But Fall, especially since I live in the South with mild winters and scorching summers with high humidity, is a blessed relief from the heat. I enjoy the gorgeous, vibrant colors of leaves, the smell of campfires and grills outside, while aromas of cinnamon, pumpkin spice, cloves and sage fill the house. The insects are gone and so is most of the pollen.

Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a gift basket with homemade scented soaps (like you'll find in the story), a print copy of Levi's Loyalty, a print copy of one of Lynne Lanning's 2025 Selah Awards finalist titles (winner's choice between To Trust a Heart or Mail-Order Stonemason), and bookmarks!

Levi's Loyalty JustRead Tours blog giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 12, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 19, 2025. 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


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

JustRead Publicity Tours

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Book Spotlight: Meet Me at The Grand by Lindsay Harrel

Meet Me at The Grand

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Meet Me at The Grand by Lindsay Harrel hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book


Meet Me at The Grand 

Title: Meet Me at The Grand 
Author: Lindsay Harrel 
Publisher: Sunrise Publishing 
Release Date: April 22, 2025 
Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance 

She’s fighting to save her island’s legacy. He’s here to secure his family’s future. When their worlds collide, will they build something lasting—or tear each other apart? 

Dani Sullivan is determined to revive Jonathon Island’s fading charm and reunite her fractured family. Her plan? Reopen the Grand Sullivan Hotel, a once-impressive landmark that’s been in disrepair for a decade. But without the funds to restore the hotel, Dani’s forced to accept help from Liam Stone—a big-city hotel developer whose sleek, modern vision is everything she’s trying to avoid. 

Liam has never been one for small towns or rundown hotels, but this project isn’t just any job. His father’s health is declining, and if Liam can prove himself by turning the hotel around, he’ll finally earn the chance to take over the business so his dad can retire. But Jonathon Island is far from the high-end luxury projects he’s used to, and Dani’s fierce dedication to preserving its history clashes with everything Liam stands for. 

As they battle over the future of the Grand, Liam starts to see Jonathon Island as more than just another project—it feels like the home he’s never had. But with his responsibilities pulling him back to Los Angeles, can he really stay? And can Dani trust him with her dream—and her heart? 

A lot rides on the success of this project, but when emotions run high, will Dani and Liam find a way to work together—or will their differences tear them apart? 

On Jonathon Island, love and loyalty are the ultimate balancing act.

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


Free Novella:

Meet Me on Jonathon Island


Excerpt from Meet Me at the Grand


For the love of all that was holy—where had she placed those boots?

Dani Sullivan switched her cell to speakerphone mode and placed it on the edge of her bed before dropping to her knees to inspect underneath the full-sized mattress. The hardwood floors bit into her knees. “So, Florida’s good then?”

“More than good.” Her dad’s baritone filtered through her phone, the sound only slightly muffled by the fact her head was now underneath her bed, her eyes scanning around the wrapping paper and boxes of old junk she’d shoved there when she’d moved into the apartment above the now defunct Island Pizzeria five years ago. “Seventy degrees and sunny. Unlike somewhere else I know.”

She popped her head up. “Aw, come on. Our winter has been positively toasty this year, and the spring’s starting off the same. It’s only March seventh, and next week it’s supposed to reach forty-five. Can you believe that? I mean, the ferry’s already running regularly and everything.”

“Not that anyone is ever on it. Unless they’re leaving.”

Dani held back a sigh. This again? “Dad, you know I love talking to you, but why do we have to have this conversation every time you call?”

“We don’t. I—”

“Hang on a sec, okay? I’ve gotta find my shoes so I’m not late to Myrtle’s retirement party.” Ducking back under her bed, she did another quick scan in case she’d missed the boots the first time. Wait, was that them? Lying flat on her shoulder, she stretched her arm toward the lump in the shadows.

It meowed indignantly. A flash of orange bolted past her, squeezing through the crack in Dani’s bedroom door and out into the tiny living room, most likely to wreak havoc on her cat palace with her claws.

“Sorry, Roma,” Dani called after her.

“Who are you talking to?”

Standing, Dani dusted off her hands before grabbing the phone. “The cat.”

About the Author

Lindsay Harrel

Lindsay Harrel is a lifelong book nerd who lives in Arizona with her husband and kids. She’s held a variety of professional jobs over the years, and now juggles school volunteering with being an author and editor. When she’s not writing or keeping up with her children, Lindsay enjoys making a fool of herself at Zumba, curling up with anything by Jane Austen, and savoring sour candy one piece at a time.

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


Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a paperback copy of Meet Me at the Grand and a $10 Sunrise Shop gift voucher!

Meet Me at The Grand

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight May 14, 2025 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on May 21, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Paperback US only. Ebook available for international. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway


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

JustRead Publicity Tours

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Movie Review: Show Me Your Glory

About the Movie:



How do you explain … the unexplainable?
When does the impossible … become possible?
Why are some prayers for healing answered and others … never are? 

Through true stories of the supernatural crashing into human suffering, a compelling new documentary arrives in theaters this spring—unlocking the possibility that the impossible still happens in our world. Meet experts who have studied miracles and suffering, discover true stories of the seemingly unbelievable, and be reminded that prayers can be answered in ways that we could never expect or imagine. If you or someone you love has ever pondered life’s deepest question— “If there is a loving God, why is there so much suffering and evil in the world?”—experience hope, encouragement, and awe with SHOW ME YOUR GLORY.

SHOW ME YOUR GLORY opens in theaters today (May 13, 2025). Buy tickets now to see the movie during this limited time event! 


Movie Trailer:


My Thoughts:

Where is God and why does he allow those who follow him to experience suffering? How can he claim to be a loving God when he has the power to prevent extreme suffering but allows it anyway? These are hard questions that humanity has wrestled with throughout the centuries.

In Show Me Your Glory, the questions, doubts, and suppositions were addressed with compassion. The various speakers acknowledged the problem of evil in our world, how it is normal to question why God allows us to suffer, and that not getting a miracle from an omnipotent God can feel like a personal wound. In the end, the movie celebrated stories of miracles while offering hope that human suffering is not without purpose even when there is no miracle.

Show Me Your Glory showcased stories of miracles by having the families or individuals relate their experiences. In between the stories, speakers discussed the suffering and implications, but the stories were what stayed with me most after watching the film. Some of the miracle stories were more potent than others, and they were all reenacted or depicted in some way. The film showed some content that might be triggering (a hanging, a near suicide, etc.) and for that reason I’d say it’s only appropriate for ages 16 and up. However, I absolutely loved hearing the stories of miracles – Jesus appearing to a Muslim, a healed child, a voice regained, and more.

I found Show Me Your Glory encouraging and it made me want to read some of the books by the various speakers. Four stars!

Many thanks to Abba Heart Ministries for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

Giveaway:

One winner recieve a $10 Amazon gift card. Enter to win by commenting on this post with your full name and email address (required by marketing company). US only. Giveaway ends 5/18/25 at 11:59 P.M.

Author Interview: The Shop Down the Lane by Leslie Gould

The Shop Down the Lane JustRead Blog + Review Tour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Shop Down the Lane by Leslie Gould, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

The Shop Down the Lane

Title: The Shop Down the Lane
Series:
Letters from Lancaster County
Author:
Leslie Gould
Publisher:
Bethany House
Release Date:
May 6, 2025
Genre: Amish Romance

Leslie Gould delights in this sweet and humorous Amish romance reminiscent of The Shop Around the Corner and You've Got Mail. 

Lois Yoder has always found solace in the quiet life of Paradise, Pennsylvania, where she manages a gift shop that reflects her Amish community's simple values. Her tranquil world is upended when Moses Lantz, a former Amishman turned Mennonite and the man who broke her heart, buys the shop with ambitious plans to transform it into a tourist hub--a move that Lois fiercely opposes. 

Seeking a distraction, Lois joins a bird watchers' circle letter under an alias. But unknown to her, Moses does the same at the urging of a friend. While their correspondence blossoms into a tender romance, the enmity between Lois and Moses in real life only intensifies. Can they overcome their animosity and embrace the love they've found through their letters, or will their stubborn hearts keep them apart forever? 

This heartwarming Amish romance includes themes of bird watching, correspondence by letters, enemies to lovers, and family secrets for readers of Beverly Lewis, Wanda E. Brunstetter, and Shelley Shepard Gray.

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


Excerpt


pp 14-15

She turned her attention to tidying the shelves. She guessed John Miller wanted to marry soon. And Lois needed to marry. The bishop was intent on her not living alone.

The door buzzed again. This time Scotty entered the shop with a serious expression on his face. He cleared his throat as he approached Lois. “I need to talk to you about something.”

Alarmed, she stumbled backward. Had the books been off the day before? Had she ordered too many birdhouses? Not enough greeting cards?

He ran his hand through his gray hair. “I’ve had a couple of offers on the store.”

Lois gasped. “What?”

“Barb wants me to retire. This time for good.”

Lois felt ill. “What are you talking about?”

“We hope to be in Florida by October.”

Lois put her hand to her chest. “You’re kidding, right?”

He shook his head.

She placed her free hand on the shelf to steady herself. “What about the farm?”

“We’ll be selling it too.” His expression turned sympathetic for a moment and then, with a bit of a quiver in his voice, he said, “I’ve been talking with a prospective buyer. I’ve told this person I’ll only sell the shop if he promises to keep you on and let you continue to live in the apartment.”

Lois opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

“I wanted to tell you, so you wouldn’t be surprised.” He stepped behind the counter and opened the cash register. He held up a key. “I need to show Moses the shed.”

She sputtered, “Moses?”

“Yes. Moses Lantz.” Scotty gave her a questioning look. “Do you know him?”

Lois put her hand over her mouth. She had—she didn’t anymore. But she did know he was the last person in the world she wanted to buy Paradise Found.


© 2025 by Leslie Gould
Published by Bethany House Publishers
Minneapolis, Minnesota
BethanyHouse.com
Bethany House Publishers is a division of
Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Printed in the United States of America
All rights reserved.


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About the Author

Leslie Gould

Leslie Gould is a Christy Award-winning and #1 bestselling author of more than 48 novels, including four Lancaster County Amish series. She holds a bachelor's degree in history and an MFA in creative writing. She enjoys church history, research trips, and hiking in the Pacific Northwest. She and her husband live in Portland, Oregon, and have four adult children and two grandchildren.

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


Author Interview


Q: What inspired you to write The Shop Down the Lane?

Leslie: This story is the first in my Letters from Lancaster County series, so I needed to create characters and a plot that had to do with letters. I chose a circle letter (where people exchange letters in a circular, group setting) device, complemented by an anonymous pen pal trope. However, a set of stories spanning a couple of centuries also influenced my story, starting with the novel Pride and Prejudice (1813), then the Hungarian play Parfumerie (1937), the movie The Shop Around the Corner (1940), and finally You’ve Got Mail (1998). The first three stories influenced You’ve Got Mail, and the three latter ones also have anonymous pen pal tropes. It was a lot of fun to explore the connections between all four of these stories and plop elements from them into a story set in Amish country with an Amish heroine and a Mennonite hero and a circle letter.

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

Leslie: It took about five months to write the first draft and then a couple of months to rewrite it after receiving my editorial letter from my publisher. I especially love the rewriting process!

Q: What surprised you while writing this novel?

Leslie: This is definitely a sweet romance and that’s the main focus, but a side plot is the friendship between my heroine, Lois, and her best friend, Amy. The importance of their friendship became much more central to the story than I’d first planned and really took on a life of its own, which was a pleasant surprise. It was a reminder of how important it is that we have support and other healthy relationships in our lives, not just romance. ☺

Q: Do you have a favorite quote from The Shop Down the Lane?

Leslie: “As he kicked the scooter around the curve just before the bridge, they both leaned into the turn, flying together.”

The heroine, Lois, doesn’t have a horse and buggy and rides her scooter nearly everywhere she goes. There’s also a birding theme in the story. This quote combines Lois’s mode of transportation and the bird motif through the flying image.

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

Leslie: I dreamed of being an author since the sixth grade, but it wasn’t until my twenties when I started writing short stories that I truly wanted to be one because I finally believed I could be!

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

Leslie: I was hired to curate a museum in Ashland, Oregon when I was 23. Later, I set my first novel in Ashland, and I’ve have used what I learned in that job in multiple dual-time and historical novels that I’ve written through the years. It gave me a strong sense of history as applied to a community and a timeline of how world events impacted Americans living in small communities through the decades of our existence as the USA.

Q: What are you currently reading?

Leslie: I’m reading Joanne Lehman’s Leah’s Faith, and I’ve just started listening to Jane Kirkpatrick’s Beneath the Bending Skies.

Q: What is your favorite genre to read?

Leslie: I can’t choose just one! I read everything from literary fiction to sweet romances. I love reading Amish novels by my writer friends, but I also love World War II dual-time stories and historical fiction too.

Q: What is your favorite hobby?

Leslie: Because I consider reading essential to life and not a hobby, I have to say gardening. We live in the city, but I have a garden plot, a row of raspberry bushes, lots of flower beds, and a large collection of containers that I fill with flowers. I love being outside whenever I can be, but I especially take time in the morning in the late spring, summer, and early fall to water and weed and enjoy “watching” my plants grow.

Q: What is your favorite season and why?

Leslie: I really love summer—the warmth, the produce, the flowers, and the extra time spent with friends and family. We love hiking and kayaking and gardening (as mentioned) and generally spending as much time outdoors as possible. We live in Portland, Oregon so after a winter and spring of lots of rain, I really appreciate sunny days!

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card and a print copy of The Shop Down the Lane!

The Shop Down the Lane JustRead Tours blog giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 13, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 20, 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.

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