Book Review: An Honorable Deception by Roseanna M. White

About the Book:

In the trying art of balancing investigations and love, a detective must determine his priorities when faced with dangerous circumstances that could threaten everything he holds dear.

As the leader of the Imposters, an elite private investigative firm, Lord Yates Fairfax has made an art of concealing his identity. But when his newest client, the beautiful Lady Alethia Barremore, is shot while leaving their meeting, he throws caution to the wind and rushes to her aid. Though Lady Alethia thought she was only looking for her missing former nanny, she has clearly stumbled upon something much more dangerous.

Lady Lavinia Hemming suspects her longtime friends hold more secrets than they're willing to admit, and when she stumbles upon the truth that they're the esteemed Imposters, she recruits herself into the firm. While she is happy for the distraction of an investigation, Lavinia's own family secrets continue to haunt her. And the one thing bringing laughter back into her life--her friendship with Yates--lands her squarely on the disagreeable side of her best friend: his sister.

Tormented by a past she doesn't dare voice aloud, Lady Alethia does what she can to help her handsome host, her new friends, and the investigators. But as clues lead them deeper into the dark side of society, Alethia, Yates, and Lavinia learn anew that the gentry isn't always noble . . . even as they fight to hold fast to their own honor.

Read an excerpt from An Honorable Deception on the publisher's website.

---

My Thoughts:

An Honorable Deception by Roseanna M. White is not the typical historical romance set in England. With a brilliantly concocted cast of characters and the peculiarity of circus animals on an ancestral estate, the novel held a unique and fresh feel. The fierce determination of the characters made the story’s events move steadily forward and prevented the plot from slowing as it tackled heavy topics (prolonged illness, parental neglect, sexual assault, etc). I appreciated the character development and the spiritual growth of the main characters.

When I realized that An Honorable Deception included a love triangle, I questioned if I would enjoy the novel. In a rare move, I flipped to the back of the book to see which woman Yates ended up with. Happily, it was the one I preferred for him. I continued reading and found that the love triangle was relatively mild as it lacked nastiness and true heartbreak.

An Honorable Deception concludes The Imposters series by Roseanna M. White. I recommend reading the series in order as it includes characters from the previous novels. Recommended for fans of historical fiction who enjoy stories with suspense, depth, and romance.

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.

Book Spotlight: The Hunted Heir by Jayna Breigh

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for The Hunted Heir by Jayna Breigh hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Hunted Heir 

Author: Jayna Breigh 

Publisher: Kregel Publications 

Release Date: January 28, 2025 

Genre: Romantic Legal Drama

After a tragic loss, private investigator Nona Taylor swore off romantic entanglements and distanced herself from the world. Once a year, on New Year's Eve, she attends church to beg God for forgiveness, haunted by the guilt of driving her twin sister to her death.

Attorney DeMarcus Johnson is determined to climb the ladder to partnership by winning high-profile cases at his Los Angeles law firm, harnessing his ADHD hyperfocus to excel. He's everything Nona knows to steer clear of--an overconfident ex-jock willing to do anything for success. 

Their worlds collide when Nona's pastor receives a mysterious letter claiming he's the sole heir to a substantial estate. Desperate for answers, Nona infiltrates a lavish charity ball, only to be found out by a suspicious stranger--so she latches onto DeMarcus and concocts a fib about being his fiancée. 

Now bound by a false engagement, the pair reluctantly join forces to discover the truth about the inheritance. But when an unseen enemy strikes, they realize the stakes are higher than they thought. Can Nona and DeMarcus overcome their differences to keep the pastor safe, secure DeMarcus's partnership, and preserve a future for themselves?

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

---

Excerpt

Councilman Calloway stood beside Zeke’s elbow. “Why haven’t you closed the deal?” Calloway’s voice pushed out in a harsh rasp.

“Like I told you, he won’t meet with me.” Zeke eyed the dude and his chick again.

“It’s been two weeks now.”

“I know.” Every time he called the church, the old pastor put him off with one excuse or another. Wouldn’t even set up an appointment to meet with him. Zeke had burned up two round-trip tickets, trying to get the pastor to sign and return the retainer agreement. The clock was ticking. If the old man didn’t step forward and the property went back to the state, there was no way Calloway could get it at the cut-rate price they planned to chisel out of the pastor. It would go to the highest bidder at the auction.

“You told me not to worry, you could handle it.” Calloway cut Zeke a hard look. “I don’t know why I put up with you, Zeke.” He made a dismissive gesture with his hands. “You’ve always been soft and dense. Couldn’t take a few licks from your old man, couldn’t take a hit on the field, and you couldn’t find two thoughts to rub together if you tried.”

---

About the Author

Jayna Breigh is a retired attorney living in the southeastern United States. She brings to her writing over a decade of experience in trust and estate litigation in Los Angeles. Breigh enjoys speaking at Christian women's conferences, hosting Bible studies, and homeschooling her children. This is her debut novel.

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

---

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of The Hunted Heir and a $25 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight January 29, 2025 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on February 5, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

---

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

Book Spotlight: Tatterhood by Dawn Ford

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Tatterhood by Dawn Ford, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Tatterhood
Series: Band of Unlikely Heroes #3
Author: Dawn Ford
Publisher: ScrivKids
Release Date: January 28, 2025
Genre: Middle-Grade Fantasy

Troll Princess Horra Fyd and young druid Rowan team up to reverse the evil Erlking’s spells and save the creatures across the Wilden Lands. However, Fairy Princess Glory Toppenbottom is still a thorn in Horra’s side. After Horra and Glory have a heated fight, Glory sneaks out of the castle. She is bent on finding the Erlking to reverse the hex he cast on her. This creates a political disaster when the Glory’s sister announces she’s coming to retrieve Glory. 

Angered by Horra’s treatment of a royal guest, King Fyd proclaims Horra to be Queen Bearer. She becomes the ad hoc ruler, freeing her father from the scandal. Shocked, Horra assents. Her first move is to find the missing fairy princess before it becomes an interkingdom war. They form a search party and leave. 

The Erlking stalks their every move. When the only choice points them toward the Riven, a cursed hidden land, they don’t hesitate. They find Glory is already there, but are immediately separated. The Riven is nothing like anyone imagined. Will they survive the Erlking’s magical traps, or will they, like everyone else, perish within its borders?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon

---

More Books in This Series

 

---

Excerpt

(Excerpt 3, fairy Princess Glory Toppenbottom)

If it hadn’t been for the trolls, Glory would still be in her Shining Kingdom, celebrated as the brightest creature to exist in a lifetime. More beautiful even than her twin sister, Misty. Her life would be full of art, laughter, and most of all, music.

Music. She laughed, but there was no humor in it. She thought back to where it all began—the Erlking disguised as a dark fairy prince who loved melodies as much as she did. He’d caught her eye with his pale skin and spiked black hair. He was everything she wasn’t supposed to want but did. Her rebellion against her controlling mother and perfect sister had been sweet.

Except it had all been a ruse. He’d lured her with his dark enchantment like a fisher hooking an innocent glimmerfish. He tricked her into mesmerizing her mother first, her sister next, and then used them all to invade the troll kingdom to gain access to the troll princess.

Betrayal and contempt warred for dominance in her heart. How could she have been so gullible? She shook her head. The Erlking knew a fairy’s weakness lay in their beauty and love of artful things. He’d used that knowledge to his advantage.

---

About the Author

Winner of the 2016 ACFW Genesis Award and Finalist in the 2023 Carol awards and 2024 Realm Makers Realm awards, Dawn Ford has been recognized for her published and non-published works.

As a child, Dawn often had her head in the clouds creating scenes and stories for anything and everything she came across. She believed there was magic everywhere, a sentiment she has never outgrown. Nature inspires her, and her love for the underdog and the unlikely hero colors much of what she writes.

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

---

Tour Giveaway

(3) winners will each receive a $15 Amazon gift card, a signed paperback copy of Tatterhood, and one eBook copy of Woodencloak and Mossycoat!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight January 27, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 3, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

---

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

Author Interview: Finding Juniper by Cindy Thomson

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Finding Juniper by Cindy Thomson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Finding Juniper
Author: Cindy Thomson
Publisher: Emerald Path Press
Release Date: January 2, 2025
Genre: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction

For Patrick Doyle, the claim that time heals all wounds is a cruel lie. 

In 1920, returning from WWI, Paddy finds Ireland creeping toward civil war. Invisible borders separate people, including Paddy and his pregnant girlfriend. With few prospects, Paddy sails to America. However, America is far from the land of opportunity he’d hoped for. And worse, his girl refuses to follow him because of her political involvement. 

Thirty years later, Patrick has moved on with his life, building a new family. A letter arrives, suggesting the child he’d assumed died may be alive. Patrick’s American daughter Mardell pushes him to find out what happened to her sister, named Juniper. Patrick anxiously sails to Ireland. 

Juniper endured a childhood in institutions, and when she’s released, she moves on without the parents who left her. Operating an apothecary out of an inherited cottage where villagers are slow to trust outsiders, Juniper finally finds a home when her grandmother arrives. Just as she feels comfortable and content, her father shows up at her door, bringing shocking news about her mother. 

Finding Juniper invites readers on a journey of confronting the past, healing from old traumas, and redefining what family truly means.  

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

---

Excerpt

Juniper
February 1950, Glasgleann Cottage, County Down, Northern Ireland

Pulling on her wellies, Juniper prepared to tend her plants. The smell of damp earth was as good a medicine as anything she could concoct. Michael trailed after, crisscrossing as though someone might snag him if he took a more linear path. A robin nosed the edges of her turnip field while other birds called to him from a perch in the oaks separating her property from a neighboring farm where cattle and sheep grazed lazily in the green grass. Just as when she was a girl, the earth soothed and reminded her that sorrows lasted only a moment. The sun always reappeared.

Shoving a spade into the dark soil, Juniper worked to cultivate an area for transplanting parsley. She had no trouble finding locations for the herbs that preferred cooler conditions. It was the sun-loving rosemary, thyme, and marjoram that needed transplanting the most. The tree cover had increased quite a bit since Aunt Bet first planted them.

Dragging her spade, Juniper trudged up a slight incline that was blanketed with wild daises. She loved the untouched beauty of the spot, but the herbs needed it more. She’d try to disturb only a corner. Driving her tool into the ground, she found resistance. Ah, rocks. She’d been spoiled by previously only working cultivated beds. Wiping her brow, she set to work.

A few hours later she wearily returned to the cottage to make tea. When she entered, memories flooded in again. Juniper hadn’t thought about those early years as intently as she had been lately. Perhaps rewinding the tape of her life story might help her manage today’s challenges.


Excerpt From Finding Juniper
Cindy Thomson
This material may be protected by copyright.

---

About the Author

Known for the inspirational Celtic theme employed in most of her books, Cindy Thomson is the author of both fiction and nonfiction. A genealogy enthusiast, she writes from her home in Ohio where she lives with her husband Tom near their three grown sons and their families.

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

---

Author Interview

Q: What inspired you to write Finding Juniper?

Cindy: I answer this question in my author’s note, but I don’t mind explaining it here. Hearing about how soldiers returning to Ireland after WWI were treated made me want to explore how someone might have coped. It was a tough time for them, but it was also a tough time to be an Irish immigrant in America with no connections. Prohibition offered easy money so I could imagine how someone like Paddy Doyle might have been drawn to work as a rumrunner. I was also interested in how a young girl raised in an institution might have coped once she was released. Those two story ideas sparked the writing of Finding Juniper.


Q: How did you choose the main character’s name?

Cindy: Choosing this title was very different from the process for my other books. The title popped into my head first. It was obvious to me that it would be the character’s name. It’s a bit unusual for an Irish name, though, so I explain how she got the name in the book. There are two main characters, though. Paddy (Patrick) is a very common name in Ireland and since his other daughter had an unusual name (Mardell) I didn’t want to stray from the ordinary for him.


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

Cindy: Oh, forever and a day! If I was writing full time it would have taken me about 9 months. I had to put this aside several times due to other obligations. Counting rewrites and editing I wrote the novel over a four year period.


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

Cindy: Research is one of my favorite parts of the writing process. I love finding the lessons characters from the past learned and passing those on in fiction. As I mentioned, learning about Irish soldiers returning to an Ireland that was not the same as the one they left sent me researching for what I could find about this. As one fellow author who was born in Ireland told me, it was not talked about.

The fact that Ireland was slower to recover from the Great Depression than the U.S. was another detail I wanted to include. Not everyone was poor but it was tough to make a living. Asylums in Ireland often held people who did not need to be there. Not everyone was mistreated but many were, their only offenses being too pretty, pregnant outside of marriage, or having no family to care for them. How someone heals from this was another thread I wanted to explore.


Q: Do you have a favorite quote from Finding Juniper?

Cindy: This was a harder question than you might think!

“Whatever we’ve done in our past is wiped away when we ask God to forgive us.” She squeezed his hand. “Gone, I tell ye. Start new. Every day.”


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

Cindy: I wanted to be a teacher, and I was. I always loved making up stories though, something I started at about age 5. I didn’t consider being an author until I was in my late 30s.

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

Cindy: Most readers know I live in Ohio and grew up here. What they might not know was I was not born here. I was born in Ft. Riley, Kansas, on an army post. My dad soon after deployed to Korea and I lived nearly two years in a household of women (three older sisters). When he came back, I apparently gave him the evil eye when he got behind the wheel of my mom’s car. We soon made up and he retired from the military when I was five years old. So I was an army brat but it was so long ago a lot of people don’t know that. Here’s another thing: I did not like frilly clothing when I was a kid. It was scratchy. I wanted a cowboy outfit for dress up and was very unhappy when I received a cowgirl outfit instead. I grew out of that and came to like “girly” stuff.


Q: What are you currently reading?

Cindy: Charlie Hustle by Keith O’Brien and The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees. I know, not historical, but I’ll be starting an advanced copy of Susan’s Meissner’s newest novel, A Map to Paradise soon. My reading tastes, as this illustrates, are all over the place.


Q: What is your favorite genre to read?

Cindy: Historical!

Q: What is your favorite hobby?

Cindy: Hiking, reading, and crafting with my Cricut machine. My kids gave me the machine a couple of Christmases ago and I’ve been having fun, mostly making things for the grandkids.

Q: What is your favorite season and why?

Cindy: Fall. I love the cooler air, no bugs, and the amazing fall color we get here in Ohio. I think I love this season the most because it’s so fleeting. You have to hurry and appreciate it. It doesn’t last nearly long enough and that makes it more special in my mind.

---

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a silver leaf necklace and an e-copy of Finding Juniper!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight January 28, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 4, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Worldwide if Amazon Global Shipping is available. If international winner lives where Amazon Global Shipping is not available, only ebook will be given. Ebook delivered via Bookfunnel. 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!

Book Review: When Stars Light the Sky by Elizabeth Camden

About the Book:

In a world on the brink of war, two hearts must navigate shadows of uncertainty.

Inga Klein's carefree life in New York takes a dramatic turn when she sails for Berlin, Germany, to serve as the secretary for America's ambassador. Amid the glamour of life at the embassy, she continually finds herself at odds with the straitlaced and imposing Benedict Kincaid, the diplomatic chief of staff who harbors deep misgivings toward the German-born Inga.

As Europe hurtles toward World War I, Benedict's determination to keep America out of the conflict adds to the already tense atmosphere. Despite their relentless sparring, Inga and Benedict succeed in keeping the embassy afloat through one crisis after another. But when they run out of diplomatic options, a marriage of convenience may be Inga's only hope of escape from the impending war.

---

My Thoughts:

When Stars Light the Sky by Elizabeth Camden transported me back to Germany at the start of World War I. This well-written novel held lots of historical details and provided a unique perspective of that time. The serious subject matter anchored the plot, but the story was not overly dark due to the characters being mostly safe as workers at the US Embassy. I appreciated how the novel brought this difficult period to life without drowning me in sadness.

Although I enjoyed the setting, plot events, and historical details, the romance elevated When Stars Light the Sky to a five star read for me. Camden deftly weaved together at least three romantic tropes (grumpy/sunshine personalities, enemies-to-lovers, and marriage of convenience). These elements provided rich soil for character growth and for the romantic tension between Inga and Benedict. Their initial difficulties made the development and fruition of their relationship especially satisfying. Plus, I adored the ending.

When Stars Light the Sky lands as book two in the Women of Midtown series by Elizabeth Camden, but the novel works well as a standalone. Characters from book one feature briefly, but the setting and atmosphere of the two stories are very different. There is a light faith element that will appeal to Christian readers. Five stars for this all-around lovely novel!

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 Bio:

Elizabeth Camden is best known for her historical novels set in Gilded Age America, featuring clever heroines and richly layered story lines. Before she was a writer, she was an academic librarian at some of the largest and smallest libraries in America, but her favorite is the continually growing library in her own home. Her novels have won Christy, Carol, and RITA Awards and have appeared on the ECPA Bestsellers list. She lives in Citrus County, Florida, with her husband, who graciously tolerates her intimidating stockpile of books. Learn more at ElizabethCamden.com.

---

Book Review: The Indigo Heiress by Laura Frantz

About the Book:

In 1774, Juliet Catesby lives with her father and sister at Royal Vale, the James River plantation founded by her Virginia family over a century before. Indigo cultivation is her foremost concern, though its export tethers her family to the powerful Buchanan clan of Glasgow, Scotland. When the heir of the Buchanan firm arrives on their shores, Juliet discovers that her father has secretly arranged for one of his daughters to marry the Scot as a means of canceling the family's debt. Confident it will be her younger, lovelier sister, Juliet is appalled when Leith Buchanan selects her instead.

Despite her initial refusal of him, an ensuing altercation forces Juliet to flee Virginia. Agreeing to marry, she sails with Leith to Scotland, hopeful of a better match for her sister, who accompanies her. But once in Glasgow and faced with the contentious, powerful Buchanan clan, she realizes that the man who saved her from financial ruin and scandal is the very one she must now save in return.

Read an excerpt from The Indigo Heiress on the publisher's website.

---

My Thoughts:

I devoured The Indigo Heiress by Laura Frantz. This story hooked my attention from the start, and I didn’t want to put the book down. Frantz crafted beautifully authentic characters in Juliet and Leith. Then, she tied them together in a romance that I adored. Their romantic tension shifted a bit once the couple arrived in Scotland and settled into a daily routine, but I rooted for them until the end.

Other story elements I liked in The Indigo Heiress included the sibling relationship between Juliet and Loveday, Leith’s turn to God (which felt genuine, not too fast or convenient), and a plot twist I didn’t see coming (which I can’t expound on without giving spoilers). I expected the indigo plants to feature more in the story, but I enjoyed what I did learn about the plants.

The Indigo Heiress by Laura Frantz was my first five star read of 2025. I recommend this beautiful novel to Christian readers who enjoy stories rich in romance and history. The story has lingered in my mind, and I could happily reread it now.

 

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.

---

About the Author:

Laura Frantz is a two-time Christy Award winner and the ECPA bestselling author of 15 novels, including The Seamstress of Acadie, The Rose and the Thistle, The Frontiersman's Daughter, Courting Morrow Little, The Lacemaker, and A Heart Adrift. She is the proud mom of an American soldier and a career firefighter. Though she will always call Kentucky home, Laura lives with her husband in Washington State. Learn more at LauraFrantz.net.

---

Author Interview: The Resurrection Project by Tanya Sparks Belvin

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Resurrection Project by Tanya Sparks Belvin, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Resurrection Project
Series: The Resurrection Project Series #1
Author: Tanya Sparks Belvin
Publisher: Tonya Belvin Publishing
Release Date: September 11, 2023
Genre: Christian Futuristic, Medical Mystery

In 2034, medical student Ellen McCarthy took an internship at the mysterious Grindland Institute to fulfill a graduation requirement. But what at first seems like a boring job supervising children soon has her tangled in questions about the Institute’s Resurrection Project. Meanwhile, ER nurse Mamie Simpson is grieving the loss of her daughter, Lainey, and hoping against hope that a new scientific breakthrough will provide a miracle for her and her husband. When Ellen and Mamie's paths eventually cross, both will have to take steps of faith and courage they didn’t think possible to help save the life of a special little girl.

 

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon (ebook/audio) | Amazon (print) | Barnes & Noble

---

More Books in This Series

---

Excerpt

I stood in the doorway of the cafeteria staring at L2 as she finished her cup of blueberries and steel-cut oats with eight ounces of skim milk. The Grindland Institute, located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, provided its subjects with superfood choices given in precise portions to meet

the exact nutritional requirements for ultimate sustenance and growth. L2’s shoulder-length chestnut hair glistened like the stainless steel throughout the cafeteria’s antiseptic side. This area was reserved for the residents of Grindland’s Resurrection Project.

The six-year-old’s white top, knee-length khaki shorts, and specially-designed blue and white athletic shoes, fit her small frame perfectly. As I observed her, I couldn’t stop thinking that she was much too young to be so independent. Already accustomed to her daily schedule filled with physical and academic requirements, L2 was still too short to sit on the bench and have her feet touch the ground.

A natural-born music aficionado, L2 always seemed to have a private music channel continually playing in her mind. As I watched, L2’s tiny fingers started drumming a beat on the table, and she began singing her favorite song, “Little Liza Jane.”

---

About the Author

Tanya Sparks Belvin is a retired middle school teacher, with thirty-two years of experience. Her passion is serving the Lord, reading, writing, and entertaining her seven grandchildren. Tanya, her husband, Ron, and her mother, Tommie Moton, enjoy lakeside living in Denver, North Carolina. Tanya and Ron have three adult children. The Resurrection Project is her debut novel.

Connect with Tanya by visiting tanyasparksbelvin.com.

---

Author Interview

Q: What inspired you to write The Resurrection Project? 

Tanya: I retired after thirty-two years of teaching in 2015 to watch a granddaughter. Because she was an infant I had a lot of time on my hands. My love for reading had developed over the years as did my desire to try my hand at writing. I had a dream one night about a young girl, who appeared to be in a sterile medical facility. She with her back towards me, kicking her legs back and forth, and swinging her shoulder-length brown hair from side to side as she sang a song. When I awoke, it couldn't get that dream out of my mind, and so began chapter one of The Resurrection Project.


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

Tanya: It took four months for me to write the first draft of my novel, but as any writer will tell you, many changes are made between that initial writing and the published novel. I finished writing my initial draft in April 2016, but it was not published until September 2023.


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

Tanya: This book was truly God inspired. I didn't have a storyboard or make a preplan as I wrote each chapter. I just started writing. When I began to go off course, I was guided to move in another direction. When I would get to a point where I didn't know where to go, I waited and eventually was led to an answer. So, I guess you could say that this was a faith-walk journey for me. It was such a precious adventure, that I have written the sequel, Rescuing the Remnant. It was also written in four months. It has the same number of chapters and the journey was very similar to what I experienced with The Resurrection Project.


Q: Do you have a favorite quote from The Resurrection Project? 

Tanya: This question makes me smile!! Here is another God story. In chapter seven, page 41, Ellen is studying in her room at Grindland and she comes across a poem entitled "The Partnership".

In a darkened room, I stand beside my patient.

Family has gathered to say their last goodbyes.

There are many places I could be now,

But I feel compelled to stay until it is finished.

The vital signs indicate that it's only a matter of minutes.

My patient has rallied before to remind those closest of how much they are loved,

And to offer me thanks for all the attempts made to stop the killer within.

All possibilities appeared to be exhausted, yet we continued to research for other answers.

When you take the time to truly know your patient, you create a partnership.

The patient's hope becomes your hope. You become the backbone of the support system,

Steering the journey of recovery, or, at least, extending time.

The unification of souls creates a bond that cannot be broken.

As the time comes when the final breaths are about to be taken,

There may be a moment when the doctor's and the patient's eyes meet.

Without saying a word, the patient indicates the battle is over.

Cocoons are opened, and two butterflies take flight.

Dr. James Sloan

November 13, 2017

The reason this is one of my favorite quotes is that, as I was writing, I found a poem that I thought would go well to support Ellen's research. I wrote to the poet to see if I could include it in my book, but received no response. I couldn't find anything that would fit there. Then, in the middle of the night, I was awakened to go back to my writing. This poem came to me within a half an hour, and I felt it was a perfect way for Ellen to understand the importance of developing a relationship with her patients. (By the way, the "poet" is a reference to my dad, Jim Sparks. His mother's maiden name was Sloan, and my Dad's heavenly homecoming was November 13.)


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

Tanya: At the end of every school year, I spent hours monitoring EOG testing. Throughout several years, along with other teachers, I began to develop practice tests. Eventually, I wrote my own reading selections and developed questions. That little taste of creative writing made me consider authoring a larger text. When I retired, I had plenty of time to begin my novel.


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

Tanya: When I was a student, I disliked reading. I was in academically gifted classes where we spent a lot of time reading high vocabulary classics. I spent so much time trying to decipher the wording, I totally missed out on the joy of reading. When I moved to a charter school without a library to teach, I had the most fun setting up my personal classroom library. I encouraged my students to find books that they felt their peers would enjoy reading, and I continually read and promoted middle school literature that I hoped would excite and inspire them. Now, a day doesn't go by when I don't have a book in my hand.


Q: What are you currently reading? 

Tanya: I just recently finished reading The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers.


Q: What is your favorite genre to read? 

Tanya: I enjoy Christian fiction, medical mysteries, historical fiction. To be honest, I enjoy any genre as long as it is well-written.


Q: What is your favorite hobby? 

Tanya: I thoroughly enjoy baking and cooking. I'm such a foodie. My favorite thing to do is watch cooking shows on Saturday morning and make a list of what I want to copy for the week to come.


Q: What is your favorite season and why? 

Tanya: Summer has always been a favorite time of the year for me. As a teacher, it was the time I could relax and focus on my family. We are blessed to live on Lake Norman, and we invite family and friends to our house to swim and participate in water sports. I also enjoy making snowcones and homemade ice cream!

---

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of The Resurrection Project and its sequel, Rescuing the Remnant, as well as a $25 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight January 20, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on January 27, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

---

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

Book Review: Nourishing Narratives by Jennifer L. Holberg

About the Book:

Humans are story-shaped creatures.

We make sense of our world, pattern our lives, and reflect on what is ultimately significant through language and the words that compose our stories. But how does this relate to the narrative of the Bible and the story that God is writing through history?

In Nourishing Narratives, writer and professor Jennifer Holberg engages with words from the likes of Dante, Gerard Manley Hopkins, Flannery O'Connor, Marilynne Robinson, and more while also offering some of her own stories to reflect on the importance of story to our lives and our faith.

Here, readers are encouraged not only to understand how stories nourish our faith, but to discover how our stories are part of God's great story.

Read an excerpt from Nourishing Narratives: The Power of Story to Shape Our Faith on the publisher's website.

---

My Thoughts:

In Nourishing Narratives: The Power of Story to Shape Our Faith, Professor Jennifer L. Holberg invites the reader to contemplate the narratives (stories, rationales, thought patterns, faith traditions, etc) that one believes or follows. How do these narratives shape our lives? What truths (or lies) do we believe and how do they affect our actions? Does the literature, music, art, and other entertainment we consume point us to truth, illumination, and positive action? What narratives do we automatically accept or unconsciously absorb?

Surprisingly, the focus of Nourishing Narratives isn’t self-help for the reader or acclamation of literary works (though there is some of both). The weight of the book rests on sharing the hope found in Jesus through our interactions with others. Some prominent topics include generosity, friendship, community, contentment, etc. Inside those topics are smaller, but still important, ideas. I like how page 152 sums up the book’s aim: “Paying attention to the way we read – the strategies, the presuppositions, for example – and the why we read can help us determine if we are indeed pursuing ‘nourishing narratives’ and moving toward more Christlike ways of viewing the world.”

Nourishing Narratives, like most of life, is complex. Holberg writes with a thorough, academic tone that made me feel smarter just for having read it. Her excellent word choice and sentence structure carries beauty and information while remaining accessible for all teen or adult readers. Holberg shares many stories from her teaching career which fit in naturally with her topics. I did not feel like the book was targeted to teachers until the final chapter, though she framed her ideas within the context that we are all teachers and learners, no matter our age or station in life. I will also note that the author appears to follow a Calvinist faith tradition. I had no theological disagreement with her topics, and I don’t think most evangelicals would.

Of course, Nourishing Narratives incorporates lots of literature, especially poetry, that complements the topics and ideas. I now have even more authors that I would like to read including Dante, Gerard Manley Hopkins, Katerine Paterson, plus more.

My main takeaway from Nourishing Narratives: The Power of Story to Shape Our Faith by Jennifer L. Holberg was the importance of examining what we accept, absorb, create, and retell. I recommend this book to Christian readers who enjoy literary references, gentle challenges of beliefs (narratives), and encouragement to share Jesus with those around us. 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: Squire of Truth by Jill Williamson

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Squire of Truth by Jill Williamson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Squire of Truth
Series: Blood of Kings: Legends #1
Author: Jill Williamson
Publisher: Sunrise Publishing
Release Date: January 7, 2025
Genre: Medieval Fantasy

Cole Tanniyn, squire to the soon-to-be king, has journeyed far from his days as a stray stable boy in a distant mountain village. Haunted by the echoes of past failures on the battlefield, he seeks solace in music, hoping to find belonging among fellow musicians. His quest leads him to Mistel Wepp, a spirited songstress determined to forge her own path on stage. 

For too long, Mistel has been bound by a past of confinement and control. Now on her own, she toils tirelessly to make her mark, but the struggle to earn a living in a world that fails to appreciate her talents proves exhausting. When she connects Cole with the future king and discovers he's a skilled lutist, she sees an opportunity to change her future. 

When a heinous crime leaves Mistel’s roommate dead, she turns to Cole for help. Despite his inexperience as an investigator, Cole vows to uncover the truth. Together, they delve into the dark alleys of Armonguard, uncovering a sinister web of secrets and sorcery that threatens the kingdom. As their journey unfolds, their shared love of music catches the attention of the king, who commissions them to compose a song for his upcoming wedding, offering a glimpse of normalcy amid adversity. Can Cole and Mistel prevail against enemies wielding dark magic? Or will they become the next casualties in a deadly game of power?

Blood of Kings: Legends
Book 1: Squire of Truth
Book 2: Lord of Winter
Book 3: Lady of Shadows
Book:4: Heir of Light

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

---

More Books in This Series

---

Excerpt

Music spoke to the soul. It didn’t quarrel or judge. It lifted and soothed and roused and comforted. It spoke where words failed, and liberated captives from the prisons of their own minds.

Cole needed it. Had missed it desperately in his positions as stableboy then squire to the Crown Prince. Now that he owned his own lute, he could make music again. Maybe even find others to play with. A place he might finally belong.

He threaded his way through the crowd in the wharf green just outside the walls of Castle Armonguard. The island marketplace ran through the grassy area between the western and eastern castle piers and followed along the scalloped whitestone half wall that overlooked the northern shore of Lake Arman.

The majority of the vendors and shoppers came from the Crescent by ferry, though Cole and anyone from the castle reached the wharf green by taking one of two long staircases down the scalloped walls from the eastern or western castle gates.

Cole glanced out at the glassy water, so still compared to the raucous waterfall back home in Mitspah.

But no. Mitspah hadn’t been Cole’s home ever since the king-to-be had plucked him from that prison and given him a new life.

---

About the Author

Jill Williamson writes fantasy and science fiction for teens and adults. She grew up in Alaska, staying up and reading by the summer daylight that wouldn't go away. This led to a love of books and writing, and her debut novel, By Darkness Hid, won several awards and was named a Best Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror novel of 2009 by VOYA magazine. She loves giving writing workshops and blogs for teen writers at www.GoTeenWriters.com, which has been named as one of Writer’s Digest’s “101 Best Websites for Writers.” She now lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two children.

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

---

Author Interview

Q: What inspired you to write Squire of Truth?

Jill: As part of the Blood of Kings: Legends series, I was contracted to write a novella to introduce the series. Susan May Warren wanted the story to be one that would set up the storyworld and include characters that could make cameo appearances in the other books in the series that my authors would be writing. As I thought about that, it seemed to me that it would be fun to write about some traveling minstrels who would be going from place to place.

When we were brainstorming the series together, Susan wanted me to choose one of my side characters from the original series to use as a main character. She picked out Cole from the list and asked if he might work. When I originally wrote Cole, I thought he was about fourteen years old. I describe him that way, but I never actually said his age. As I thought about Susan’s suggestion to write about him, I thought it might be funny if Cole was really nineteen years old but was just short. That way, my prince character, who took Cole under his wing, would find out later that Cole was really older than him. This amused me and stuck, and that’s what inspired me to write about Cole. After that, I knew I wanted to find a way to make Cole into a traveling minstrel, so I wrote a story that would enable Cole to prove himself worthy of being sent on away missions. So that’s where the idea of a murder mystery came from.


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

Jill: I wrote the first draft of Squire of Truth in about three months. Keep in mind, it was only supposed to be a novella. The story ended up more complex than I’d originally planned and came in about 70 pages longer than I originally intended. So it ended up being a short novel.


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

Jill: Well, since I was planning to write a fantasy murder mystery story, I needed to find a unique way for someone to have been killed during the medieval era of history. I also needed an assassination attempt in the story. And I really wanted something mysterious. I started researching historical assassination attempts, and they were either stabbings by a knife or sword, getting shot by a bow, getting hit with a rock or some other hard object, or getting poisoned. I felt like I was playing a game of medieval Clue.

And then I landed on the story of John of Nottingham, a 14th-century magician, who was said to have plotted to kill Edward II of England in 1324 through witchcraft. John attempted something called effigy magic, which as I read about it, felt very like the idea of killing someone via a Voo Doo doll. This surprised me because I thought effigies were the life-sized stone carvings of a person’s likeness that lay atop their coffin in a tomb. And while that is true, I learned in my research that the practice of using smaller physical likenesses of a person or animal for ritual magic dated back to ancient Greek, Egyptian, and Mesopotamian cultures. This felt like the perfect type of villainous magic for a medieval fantasy novel and allowed for a far more interesting Agatha Christie type investigation for my character Cole to try and solve.


Q: Do you have a favorite quote from Squire of Truth?

Jill: This is one of my favorites:

The sooner Cole solved Edera Duwal’s murder, the sooner he could go back to his task of befriending some musicians to play with, and at the top of his list was a ginger-haired songstress who could write songs off the top of her head, just like him.

With a voice enchanting, beyond his ken,
That captivates both beasts and men.


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

Jill: I wanted to speak to teens. I discovered that sometimes, people hire speakers based on articles written by the speaker. So I looked into writing articles. When a new Harry Potter book came out, a barrage of debates within the church community flared up as to whether or not the books were safe for Christians to read. The debate inspired me to write a teen novel that all Christians would love. Oh man! I was completely naive. I have since learned that no one likes every book. But that’s how I got started. I was inspired to create an exciting adventurous series for teens that was written from a Christian worldview.

When a writer’s conference came to town, I signed up right away. I couldn’t believe how much I had to learn. When I got home, I did everything that the conference speakers had recommended. Being teachable has really helped me, I think.


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

Jill: I once started my own wedding gown business called Lugano. My first dream in life was to be a fashion designer. Once I became fed up working in the industry, and before I started writing, I designed a line of nine better wedding gowns and went to the Chicago Bridal Market as a vendor. It was a tremendous amount of work, especially considering I hate to sew.


Q: What are you currently reading?

Jill: I am currently reading Rocky Road by Becky Wade. It’s a Christian romance novel. Super cute.


Q: What is your favorite genre to read?

Jill: I love so many genres, but when I want to read something just for fun and to relax, I almost always choose a Regency romance novel. Julie Klassen is one of my favorites.

 

Q: What is your favorite hobby?

Jill: Writing has been my favorite hobby for the past twenty years, but recently, my husband and I have been learning to make films. We made a 20-minute short film last year, and now we are working on developing our first feature film. We hope to start fundraising for it this summer.


Q: What is your favorite season and why?

Jill: Christmas is my absolute favorite time of year. I love everything about it. I love that it is when we celebrate God sending his son to earth to save us. I love the decorations, the hymns, the Christmas movies and animated specials.

Now that I teach fifth grade full time, though, I’m becoming very partial to summer break, since that’s when I get two months off! Haha!

---

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Squire of Truth & a $10 Gift Card to the Sunrise Shop!

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

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

---

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

Book Spotlight: The New Loneliness by Cindi McMenamin

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for The New Loneliness by Cindi McMenamin hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The New Loneliness 

Author: Cindi McMenamin 

Publisher: Harvest House Publishers 

Release Date: January 7, 2025 

Genre: Christian Personal Growth 

You Can Overcome Your Feelings of Aloneness. 

In our age of increased social isolation and growing reliance on technology, genuine connection can feel more difficult than ever. But what if community and closeness are nearer than you thought? 

The New Loneliness is about experiencing the authentic relationships God created you for by identifying and overcoming today’s biggest relational obstacles. Cindi McMenamin explores how our current cultural environment and dependence on electronic devices have hindered our ability to connect, and she offers uplifting guidance, biblical insights, and encouraging action steps to help you

• release feelings of inadequacy and shame by realigning with how the Lord sees you and understanding His purpose for you
• take confident steps toward nourishing healthy, in-person relationships by learning to slow down and operate from a secure attachment to God
• thrive within new friendships and community with practical guidance for making life more meaningful and preferring faces over screens

God did not create us to live in isolation. Journey with the Lord from aloneness to abundance, and flourish as you deepen your relationships with God and others.

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

---

Excerpt

WHAT IS YOUR LONELINESS FACTOR?

Loneliness can rear its ugly head through any number of circumstances, or through unresolved wounds that lie festering in our hearts. It can blow in during a season of being overwhelmed and feeling we have no one to support us, or during a season of fruitlessness when we feel we’re too old, or too worn out, or too inept to do what we used to. It can pull us down when we feel we’re at the top of the world with everything we want in life, but we have no one to share it with. It can taunt us in the late hours of the evening when we feel, even if just for a while, that no one cares about us, or understands what we’re dealing with. And it can slam us when we least expect it through a sudden betrayal, a sense of abandonment, or a deep wound that we fear might never heal.

Loneliness also has a way of creeping up on us unnoticed, as it did in my own life, through a series of subconscious and tech-enabled habits that lead us to one day look around and think, Where have all my friends gone? Why am I suddenly more of a loner than I ever set out to be? How did this happen?

Whether your loneliness is caused by your work or living circumstances, a misunderstanding or falling out with someone, unresolved conflict with family or friends, or feeling inadequate, unprepared, unsupported, or overwhelmed, we were never designed to live this way. In addition to a myriad of reasons we can feel increasingly lonely today, the ever-changing, continually isolating culture we live in isn’t helping. It’s making our loneliness worse.

Excerpted from: The New Loneliness. Copyright © 2024 Cindi McMenamin. Published by Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Oregon 97408. www.harvesthousepublishers.com

---

About the Author

Cindi McMenamin is an award-winning writer and national speaker who has ministered to women for nearly 40 years. She is the author of 17 books, including When Women Walk Alone (more than 160,000 copies sold) and When a Woman Overcomes Life’s Hurts. As a Bible teacher, her passion is to help women strengthen their walk with God and their relationships.

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

---

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a copy of The New Loneliness, Beholding and Becoming by Ruth Chou Simons, Well Lived by Sally Clarkson, and a $50 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight January 8, 2025 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on January 15, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

---

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

December 2024 Reading Recap & January 2025 TBR

 My December 2024 Reads: 

1. The Roads We Follow by Nicole Deese - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - One of my favorite books by this author!


2. One Prayer Away: Healing Words to Speak Over Your Day by Lauren Fortenberry - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - This book of thoughts and prayers has been my companion for most of this year. Read my review.


3. Christmas Bells by Jennifer Chiaverini - ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ - A dual timeline novel that was part fictional biography and part literary tribute to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.


4. A Confirmed Rake by Martha Keyes - ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ - Fun, delightful, classic Martha Keyes. A sweet (not Christian) romance.


5. The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper Basham - ⭐⭐⭐ - Okay to read once, but wouldn't read it again. Grace was a unique, but sometimes annoying, female lead.


6. Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor by Roseanna M. White - ⭐⭐⭐ - My local book club's December selection that we used as the theme for our annual Christmas party. - Read my review.


7. Mr. Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva - ⭐⭐⭐ - A well-written Christmas story, but I couldn't get past my dislike of Dickens' attitude and emotional unfaithfulness.


8. The Warmth of Snow by Heidi Eljarbo - ⭐⭐ 

---

Expected January 2025 Reads:

1. The Queen's Cook by Tessa Afshar - My local book club's January selection. Read my review from earlier this year.
 
2. Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes. - Currently reading. This is a LONG book!


3. Clear Mind, Peaceful Heart by Lysa TerKeurst & the Proverbs 31 Ministries Team - Currently reading, but to meet my deadline, I've published this review based on what I've read so far.


4. A Noble Scheme by Roseanna M. White - Currently reading!


5. Nourishing Narratives: The Power of Story to Shape Our Faith by Jennifer L. Holberg - Currently reading.

What will you read this month?