Author Interview: Sunflowers in Paris by Ashley Rescot

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Sunflowers in Paris by Ashley Rescot, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Sunflowers in Paris 
Series: The Strings of Sisterhood #2 
Author: Ashley Rescot 
Publisher: Rescot Creative 
Release Date: April 7, 2026 
Genre: Clean Contemporary Split-time Romance

After a career-altering injury, violist Adrienne Pearson digs deep into her French roots. As the second of five sisters, she seeks individuality. But when several of her family members and friends decide to join her on a French excursion, she must navigate old and new relationships while finding her place in a foreign land. Will she rediscover her voice in the home of her ancestors? 

Jean-David Béranger, a brooding, reclusive French journalist, finds his life upturned when his eccentric godmother invites an entourage of American students to live with them while studying music at the local conservatoire. Can Adrienne, a beautiful American sunflower girl, dismantle the fortress surrounding his heart and convince him to turn toward the light?  

Sunflowers in Paris takes the reader on a journey through the Loire Valley, Versailles, and Paris, the City of Light, weaving elements of historical and contemporary French life with a centuries-old cold case about a real, 18th-century composer. 

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

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Book Excerpt

Jean-David sighed as he drove in search of a parking place, which was nearly impossible in Paris, especially on a holiday. Several blocks down, he finally found one next to the Seine River. A glance at his watch showed he’d better hurry. Cici had chosen the late afternoon service so that everyone could still admire the stained glass windows before it grew dark.

The previous night, he’d re-read his article about his last visit to Notre Dame, the day of the fire. The images still blazed in his memory. How could they have rebuilt it in five years?

His steps slowed as the 800-year-old cathedral rose in front of him. Wow, it looked incredible. The west rose window glistened in the afternoon light between the majestic towers. The bells of Notre Dame chimed, calling parishioners to join in the Christmas Eve concert and mass. People poured inside, and yet he stood, rooted to the spot. Could he brave the memories?

“Amazing, isn’t it,” a vaguely familiar voice sounded behind him. He turned around to see an elderly woman. At first glance, she looked like Cici; their features resembled each other.

“Gigi,” he gasped.

She nodded. “It’s been a while. You’ve grown up.”

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More in This Series

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About the Author

Ashley Rescot is a professional violinist, educator, writer, and Fulbright Scholar. An aficionado of music, pedagogy, family, faith, and language, she writes about her life as a musician. With degrees in both violin performance and French literature, she hopes her stories will inspire the next generation of musicians, encourage music professionals, and educate others about the exciting world of music.

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

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Author Interview

Q: What inspired you to write Sunflowers in Paris?

I love French and music, so a story about French music is my favorite! The first time I visited France, I sang with my high school choir in Notre Dame. It was an incredible experience! Later, I studied abroad and loved our tour of the Loire Valley, especially the castle of Blois with its unusual architecture. Finally, I moved to Paris for a year where I taught English and played music with friends.

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

I released my previous novel in 2021. I always planned there would be more to The Strings of Sisterhood Series, with each sister taking the lead in her own story. However, this second novel took me several years of picking away at it. I was focused on reviving the music program at my children’s school after Covid. Fortunately, in 2025, the book finally started flowing again, and I wrote the second half in just a few months.

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

I am not usually a murder mystery girl, but I really enjoyed adding the mystery part about the real 18th-century French composer, Jean-Marie Leclair, whose cold case was never solved. His life was interesting to research, and his music was fun to record! This was my first time to write a split-time story.

Q: Do you have a favorite quote from Sunflowers in Paris?

I really enjoyed researching: “Out of the Ashes- The Comeback of Notre Dame” from the NBC News. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8p2hKnu-C0&t=30s It inspired my favorite quote from Sunflowers in Paris:

“Tonight, God had brought them to each other at this ancient church, tested by fire, aging, and destruction. And if he had helped Notre Dame rise from the ashes, God would also help them do so as well.”

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

My grandmother was a musician, composer, poet, and children’s book author, so she taught me how to write at an early age. Her daughter, my mother, is also a musician. She always encouraged my music and writing talents, as both a child and an adult, which I really appreciate. My focus is still music, but I write whenever the muse hits!

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

Since I am heavily auditory as a musician, I hear the dialogue in my head. Unfortunately, I am not good at visualizing. As a result, most of the places are taken from real life. I really did live in a tiny, bizarre Parisian apartment exactly as it was described in the book, with the bathroom in the kitchen. And my family really was kicked out of their hotel, and six of us had to stay in the tiny studio apartment together. Real life is stranger than fiction!

Q: What are you currently reading?

Right now, I am listening to Jen Turano’s novel In Pursuit of Civility with my Middle School daughter. She loves it because the heroine is a teacher, which my daughter wants to be when she grows up, and they share the same name and love of animals. I am also ready for summer, enjoying Fiona Baker’s women’s fiction series Rosewood Beach.

Q:What is your favorite genre to read?

I enjoy romance that also features a strong family thread, or women’s fiction. I like to hop back into the world of a family and listen to siblings taking turns telling their own stories. (For example, Becky Wade’s Bradford Sisters and Sons of Scandal series.)

Q: What is your favorite hobby?

Making music with my family and friends, traveling, and Scouting with my husband and kids!


Q: What is your favorite season and why?

As a Midwestern girl, I love the changes of seasons. Each of my Strings of Sisterhood books will feature a different season. The first, A Change in Tune, featured fall, and Sunflowers in Paris highlights Springtime in Paris. However, my personal favorite season is summer, because I love to travel and hang out with my family all the time!

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive French chocolates and a copy of A Change in Tune and Sunflowers in Paris!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight June 1, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 8, 2026. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

Author Interview: Home No Matter Where by Nancy Naigle

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Home No Matter Where by Nancy Naigle, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Home No Matter Where 
Series: A Shell Collector Novel #3 
Author: Nancy Naigle 
Publisher: WaterBrook Press (Penguin Random House) 
Release Date: May 5, 2026 
Genre: Contemporary Sweet Romance/Women's Fiction

Three generations of women confront their pasts and discover it's never too late for new beginnings in this heartwarming novel of second chances and unconditional love—from the bestselling author of The Shell Collector. 

“In Home No Matter Where we travel to beautiful Whelk’s Island, where a close-knit community puts us right at home. Along the way we meet compelling characters caught in realistic storms and learn faith-filled lessons about weathering them.” —Denise Hunter, bestselling author of More Than Friends 

Nina is at her wit’s end with her teenage daughter, Kendra. Still dealing with her own wounds of divorce, Nina hopes a change of scenery will help. She and Kendra head to the serene coastal town of Whelk’s Island to spend a restorative summer with Nina’s mother, Rosemary—bringing three generations under one roof for the first time in years. Amid the island’s charm, old wounds begin to heal, and as new friendships bloom—especially with the steady and enigmatic Fisher—light begins to break through the cracks of Nina’s tightly controlled life. 

Kendra’s reckless behavior continues but Fisher’s intervention during a critical moment for Kendra sparks a sense of hope in Nina that she thought was lost. Still, change is never easy. 

As the women navigate the tides of forgiveness, growing up, and letting go, healing begins and new love brings surprises. While Whelk’s Island may not hold all the answers, it has a way of reminding people that moving forward doesn’t follow a set path—it requires the bravery to start anew. 

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

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Book Excerpt

Arriving on Whelk's Island

Finally, the highway signs listed Whelk’s Island among the beach destinations. The road narrowed as they approached the three-mile Wright Memorial Bridge, the only road into Whelk’s Island from the north. The waters of the sound shifted between blue and gray, catching the sunlight in a dance of fleeting glimmers.

The salt air drifted in through her open window, mingling with the faint scent of coconut from the hand lotion Kendra had spilled in the console weeks ago.

Her daughter slouched, earbuds in, eyes fixed on the endless scroll of her phone. Nina’s heart ached, the weight of these past three years pressing hard against her chest. The drawn-out divorce and the loss of Nina’s father had really taken a toll on both of them.

“You okay over there?” Nina asked softly, hoping for something more than a shrug.

Kendra didn’t look up. “Fine.”

That word had become Kendra’s shield. Nina reached over, squeezing her hand. “We’re almost there, sweetheart.”

Whelk’s Island felt like a promise. In Nina’s mind, this bridge was the path passing from one world into another, leaving the chaos behind.

She slowed the car as they crossed onto Whelk’s Island. The narrow road wound past a bait shop with a carved-wood pelican out front, an ice cream stand already gearing up for the summer rush, and expanses of scrubby dunes that felt more foreign than familiar. There was no nostalgia here—just a quiet hope that maybe this place, her mother’s new home, could offer the fresh start they both so desperately needed.

“Look at that big old oak,” Nina said, nodding toward a gnarled tree with branches stretched wide. “Your grandma was telling me that it’s one of the oldest trees on the island.”

Kendra barely glanced at the tree. “Its branches are all twisted up funny, like a dancer’s arms.” She lifted her own arms, striking a wobbly ballerina pose, tongue stuck out like some kind of wild little creature. “Looks kinda creepy, if you ask me.”

Nina bit back a sigh, searching past the attitude to find the sweet girl she knew was still in there somewhere. She gave her daughter an encouraging grin, holding tight to hope. “Looks like it’s trying to give the whole road a big ol’ hug to me.”

“If you say so,” she mumbled, her voice as flat as a pancake.

But Nina wasn’t ready to give up—not on the mood, not on this trip, not on her daughter. “I do. And I’m hoping that’s how we’re going to feel this summer. Like we’re right where we’re meant to be.”

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More in This Series

Download a free short story about Tug & Rosemary's Valentine date here!

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About the Author

ECPA and USA Today bestselling author Nancy Naigle crafts small-town love stories full of heart. She began her contemporary romance series, Adams Grove, while juggling a successful career in finance and life on a seventy-six-acre goat farm. Now happily retired, she devotes her time to writing, antiquing, cooking, and the occasional spa day with friends. Several of Nancy’s novels have been adapted to the television screen, airing on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. Her novel The Shell Collector was adapted into the first Fox Nation original movie. A native of Virginia Beach, Nancy now calls Franklin, Virginia, home.

Connect with Nancy by visiting nancynaigle.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates. While you're there, spin the wheel and see what your special shell message is!

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Author Interview

Q: What inspired you to write Home No Matter Where?

Nancy: When I wrote The Shell Collector, I honestly never imagined it becoming a series. That story was so centered on grief, healing, and finding hope again, and in many ways it felt complete on its own.

But sometimes characters have more to say.

Readers really connected with Tug, and I found myself wondering what his own second chance at love might look like. That story led me to Rosemary, and through her, a whole new layer of family, history, and heart opened up.

By the time I reached Home No Matter Where, it just felt right to tell Nina’s story and explore what happens when three generations of women, each carrying their own hurts, hopes, and life experiences, find themselves under one roof on Whelk’s Island.

What I love about this series is that while each book stands on its own, together they show how lives intersect, how healing can ripple through families and communities, and how sometimes one story naturally leads to another in ways you never planned.

That’s really what inspired Home No Matter Where, the realization that there were still stories waiting to be told, and this one, with all of its family dynamics, forgiveness, love, and second chances, felt like exactly the right next chapter.


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

Nancy: People are often surprised to learn that while a book may take a few months to write, the story is usually living in my heart and imagination much longer than that.

With Home No Matter Where, the roots of the story were growing with each book even though it wasn’t intentional. So, by the time I sat down to write Nina’s journey, I knew there was a beautiful family story waiting to be told. Then came the writing, revising, editing, and polishing that turn an idea into a finished book.

A book may begin with one story, but it takes many layers to bring it all the way to life.

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

Nancy: One fun surprise was falling down a research rabbit hole on driftwood sculpture.

Fisher has an artistic side in the book, and while it’s only a small part of the story, I ended up learning far more than ever made it onto the page. I gathered oodles of information no reader will ever see, but that’s part of the fun of writing. I’ve always loved arts and crafts, so I probably should have expected that one.

What surprised me even more, though, was something I discovered while writing, not researching.

I assumed the grandmother would naturally be the wise, comforting anchor for Kendra as she struggled through all the changes in her life. But Tug and Fisher, these strong, steady male characters, ended up carrying a lot of that emotional support in ways I didn’t fully expect.

It was such a delight to watch those softer, nurturing sides come out and see how these men showed up for an angsty teenager who was hurting and trying to find her footing.

Sometimes as a writer, my characters surprise me too.


Q: Do you have a favorite quote from Home No Matter Where?

Nancy: This one!



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

Nancy: Honestly, I didn’t.

I never grew up dreaming of becoming an author or thinking that would be my path. I just had one story on my heart and a simple thought: What if I could write one book for one person to help them through one hard day?

I sat down to tell that story, and by 2014 I had a few books already published when I lost my husband and my lift shifted, I realized I wasn’t just writing books, I’d found my calling. It was then that I took an early retirement and began writing full time.


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

Nancy: Sure. Something that surprises people is that I once juggled writing books while working full-time in corporate America and living on a seventy-six-acre goat farm, which sounds like a story all by itself.


Q: What are you currently reading?

Nancy: The advanced reader copy of Denise Hunter’s Falling Into Us. Y’all! It’s fabulous. She’s an auto-buy for me anyway, but I was so excited to be asked to blurb this one.


Q: What is your favorite genre to read?

Nancy: Women’s fiction.


Q: What is your favorite hobby?

Nancy: Antiquing! I like imagining the stories behind the things that grab my attention.


Q: What is your favorite season and why?

Nancy: I love them all, and I think that’s the beauty of living in a place where you get to enjoy all four.

Spring feels hopeful, summer brings beach days and sunshine, fall is all about cozy sweaters and football weather, and Christmas… well, that one probably has a little extra sparkle for me.

I guess if I had to choose, my favorite season is whichever one I’m in, because each one brings something special.

Thank you so much for inviting me to join your readers.

With gratitude,
Nancy

Thank you, Nancy, for taking time to join us on the blog!

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Tour Giveaway

(1) grand prize winner will receive a Shell Collector Summer Escape Box which includes a Nancy Naigle book tote bag, a shell set + message, coastal candle, beachy bookmark set, lighthouse charm, signed bookplate and a little surprise swag plus copies of Sand Dollar Cove and Dear Santa!

(3) other winners will each receive a Shell Gift Set of a handprinted shell with a message, beautifully printed message card, small drawstring bag, signed bookplate and a bookmark!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 26, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 2, 2026. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

Author Interview: Crossbones by C.C. Warrens

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Crossbones by C.C. Warrens, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Crossbones 
Series: A Holly Novel #6 
Author: C.C. Warrens 
Publisher: Independently Published 
Release Date: May 15th, 2026 
Genre: Romantic Suspense

"Sticks and stones will break your bones, if you make me hurt you.” 

Some truths are better left buried, but Jace Walker is determined to unearth the skeletons in her family’s closet. Leverage is all she needs to keep her brother alive, and she’s willing to risk everything to save him. 

Even her life. 
But is she willing to risk the lives of her friends? 

Holly and Jordan take on the case, but what should be a simple investigation takes a deadly turn when they stumble onto a murder. Family secrets are the least of their concerns as their path intertwines with a killer intent on remaining hidden. 

He doesn’t want to be found. 
He doesn’t want to be known. 
And anyone who threatens his anonymity dies.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Buy from the Author | Amazon | BookBub

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Book Excerpt

Maybe my history was making me overly cautious, but I would rather look paranoid than end up in the trunk of a car.

I backed up a few steps. One of the alleys would take me through to the back side of the agency, and I could come in through the storage room.

As I turned to go back the way I had come, the car rumbled forward.

I quickened my steps to the nearest alley and turned into it. The car engine roared louder as the vehicle sped up before grinding to a stop where I’d been standing a moment before.

My heart jolted, and I broke into a run.

I cut left down the intersecting alley and collided with the first door I saw—a back exit for one of the local businesses. I wrenched at the handle. Locked.

I pounded a hand against the door. “Help!”

A car door closed.

He was coming after me on foot. I stumbled back from the building and searched for a place to hide.

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More in This Series

 

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About the Author

Jesus and laughter have brought C.C. Warrens through some very difficult times in life, and she weaves both into every story she writes, creating a world of breath-stealing intensity, laugh-out-loud humor, and a sparkle of hope. Writing has been a slowly blossoming dream inside her for most of her life until one day it spilled out onto the pages that would become her first published book.

If she’s not writing, she’s attempting to bake something—however catastrophic that might be—or she’s enjoying the beauty of the outdoors with her husband. One of the many things she’s learned since she started this journey is that the best way to write a book is to go on a long stroll with her husband. That is when the characters—from their backgrounds to the moments that make them laugh or bubble over with anger—come to life.

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

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Author Interview

Q: What inspired you to write Crossbones?

I knew I was going to write a sixth Holly Novel, but I wasn’t sure what it would be about. Then I remembered that I never fully explained what happened to Jace’s brother, who is in a coma. I wanted to bring some closure to that storyline, and I also wanted to bring more depth and insight Jace and her family. The story is from Holly’s perspective, but the story isn’t about Holly. It’s about Jace and her family.

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

Generally, it takes about six to seven months to write the first draft of one of my novels, but this one took nine months. Part of that is because we had some loss and grief to deal with, but also because the plot of this one is fairly complex, and there was a lot of re-writing and weaving storylines together.


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

I wouldn’t say anything surprised me, but I did base the villain off an actual case. I can’t give you any details without spoiling it, but I had heard about this particular case on social media, and I did some research into it, and I knew he was the perfect disturbing villain for this story.


Q: Crossbones is the sixth novel in the series. Is it necessary to read the books in order?

Crossbones is a complete story on its own; it doesn’t rely on any of the previous book plots to make sense. That said, there is a lot of backstory and character development in those previous books, and reading them in order will create a richer experience.


Q: Do you have a favorite quote from Crossbones?

“I looked down at our intertwined fingers. I wasn’t comfortable with anything more than this, but as my therapist regularly reminded me, even baby steps were forward movement.” 

I love this quote because when we’re healing from emotional wounds, we often feel like we’re not healing fast enough or the way that we had hoped. But healing isn’t always giant leaps forward; healing can be the little things that we’re tempted to overlook and dismiss. Healing is a long journey, and there are a lot of steps in that journey. Every step forward, no matter how small, how hesitant, moves us closer to healing.


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

I loved writing from around the age of twelve, but the idea of becoming an author was unimaginable to me. I wrote my stories for my friends and for me. I never considered sharing them with the world until my husband suggested it around 2015. Then I began to dream of being an author and not just a writer.


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

Most people watch my videos on Facebook or Instagram and think I must be full of energy and extremely extroverted, but if you ever meet me in person, you will quickly realize I’m the opposite. I’m always afraid readers will meet me and think I don’t like them, when it’s really just that I’m extremely introverted. I’m more comfortable quietly observing than engaging in a lot of socializing. And if there’s more than four people, my social battery drains extra fast, and I need to go hide for a while!


Q: What are you currently reading?

I just finished Huntress by Carrie Cotton, and now I’m listening to Secondary Target by Angela Carlisle.


Q: What is your favorite genre to read?

Suspense and thriller (not psychological thrillers) are my favorite. I love the tension and action—preferably with some natural humor mixed in. I also enjoy the occasional fantasy or dystopian book.


Q: What is your favorite hobby?

That depends on my mood. I love digital design, which I use to make bookmarks and stickers and such for my readers. I also love to paint, though I’m not terrific at that. And I love wood crafts—giving new life to something old by sanding it down and re-staining it or building something entirely from scratch.


Q: What is your favorite season and why?

Fall is my favorite, because in Ohio, the trees turn the most stunning colors. I am a color addict. You will not find a beige, cream, or white wall in my house, and my décor is bright and cheerful. I also love fall because the temperature starts to cool, and I can be outside more often. Spring is my second favorite because the dullness of winter is replaced by bright and fragrant flowers.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a grand prize of a signed Crossbones paperback with bookmark, sticker, character art card, and a $10 Amazon gift card!

Up to (5) winners will each receive an ebook of Crossbones, delivered via Bookfunnel!

Up to (4) winners will each receive an audiobook download of Crossbones!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 25, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 1, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only for grand prize. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

Author Interview: Loving Sarah by Jo Huddleston

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Loving Sarah by Jo Huddleston, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Loving Sarah 
Author: Jo Huddleston 
Publisher: Forget Me Not Romances, a division of Winged Publications 
Release Date: May 12, 2026 
Genre: 1950s sweet small-town romance  

Sarah wears William’s engagement ring. Then, Robert arrives in town. 

In this love-triangle story, Sarah cheerfully manages the candy shop she inherited from her mama. Being engaged to be married to Gatlinburg, Tennessee’s most eligible bachelor, makes her life pretty much perfect. But then she meets Robert and has an unexplainable sense they’ve met before. 

Robert travels from Michigan to operate Gatlinburg’s main-street SkyLift attraction while his dad recovers from a fall. He’s miserable being relocated to this Tennessee mountains hick town. That is, until he meets Sarah and feels an instant attraction to her. He’s unaware that the town’s biggest secret involves him. 

Although she’s engaged to another, Sarah and Robert are mysteriously drawn to each other. This woman and her beloved mountains curb his desire to return to Michigan. Will Sarah give in to her feelings for Robert or be true to the man she’s promised to marry? 

Loving Sarah is steeped in the easygoing culture and traditions of the Smoky Mountains in the 1950s. The story is a sweet, small-town romance with a heart-wrenching battle to make the right choice. This book will keep you turning pages with its mix of loyalty, betrayal, uncertainty, and emotional stakes.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

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Book Excerpt

Having grown up in these parts, Sarah knew many local people, but she wondered about this handsome stranger. He appeared extremely familiar, but she couldn’t put a name to him or remember where she might have met him. She didn’t want to be caught staring at him, but she continued to cautiously study him. Maybe it would come to her where she had seen him before.

Being engaged to William didn’t stop her from taking notice of a good-looking man near her age. It was like her frequent window shopping—she looked but didn’t choose to buy anything. After all, he didn’t wear a wedding ring.

His dark auburn hair held just enough curl to flip up in the back over the top of his white shirt collar. Many women in Detroit probably yearned to run their fingers through those curls, so unlike the shorter haircuts of the local men. The stranger didn’t appear to be from around here, with his expensive-looking suit, his shiny leather dress shoes, and the standoffish way he carried himself.

He unnerved her slightly by being near him. Alone in the waiting room, they were seated a respectable distance apart. Nevertheless, something like electricity buzzed between them in the small room. The sensation was like a magnet pulling them together. Once, he took a sideways glance at her. Did he feel the vibrations as well? His leather shoe tapped the floor continuously.

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About the Author

Jo Huddleston writes sweet Southern romances set in the 1950s, where you can escape into wholesome, faith-based love stories of deep commitment, hope, and happily-ever-after endings. Readers describe Jo as a wonderful storyteller whose books are sure to inspire and entertain you. Reviewers say her books should be Hallmark movies.

She likes to laugh with people, but not at people. The beach is her favorite vacation spot. She’s a spectator fan of several sports, with tennis being her favorite. She doesn’t enjoy being in the dark and is fearful of snakes! 

Jo holds a BA degree with honors from Lincoln Memorial University (TN), where she is a member of their Literary Hall of Fame. She earned the MEd degree from Mississippi State University. 

Please visit Jo's website and get a free book when you sign up for her newsletter.

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Author Interview

Q: What inspired you to write Loving Sarah?

Jo: Honestly, most of my story ideas just suddenly pop into my head. I don’t call them coincidences but God-incidences. I’ve never spent time searching for additional inspiration for a book. I write what God puts on my mind and heart.

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

Jo: After a book idea comes to mind, I don’t usually start writing right away. Oh, I may make a few brief notes about the general plot, main characters, a possible beginning, and how the story will end. Then, for some weeks, all that information simmers in my mind before I actually put words on a page. From the time I actually typed the first words of Loving Sarah, it took me almost seven months to finish writing the book.

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

Jo: When I started writing Loving Sarah, the story centered around a family issue. However, as I wrote the characters into the story, they began to interact and move the story more toward a romance. The original family issue is still there, but the story took on more energy and became more exciting to read because of the relationships formed among the characters.

Q: Do you have a favorite quote from Loving Sarah?

Jo: I have more than one favorite quote from Loving Sarah, but I’ll share this one from a conversation between Sarah and Robert.

“I still get the feeling we’ve known each other before.”

“Me too. But for whatever reason, I’m thankful God has given us time together. Maybe it’s best not to overthink His plans.”


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

Jo: In school, when we had to write themes (is that word even used now?). In writing those compositions, I learned I had a pretty good imagination, and I enjoyed using it to make up stories. Of course, after reading Gone with the Wind, I wondered if I could write such a story…I’m still trying.

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

Jo: I played varsity basketball in high school, but I never could skip rope or do a cartwheel.

Q: What are you currently reading?

Jo: I’m currently reading Closer Than She Knows by Kelly Irvin, a romantic suspense novel. I’ve never been disappointed with reading any of her novels and feel like I could pick out her characters on a crowded sidewalk.

Q: What is your favorite genre to read?

Jo: I’ve spent time reading several genres, from Amish to Regency to cozy mysteries. But psychological thrillers, or any mystery or suspense novels, are my favorite. I’ve never tried to write in any of those genres, but I enjoy reading them.

Q: What is your favorite hobby?

Jo: Reading, of course.

Q: What is your favorite season and why?

Jo: My favorite season is spring. As the days grow warmer, we can break out the sandals and enjoy more abundant sunshine. Spring brings us closer to beach trips, which I thoroughly enjoy.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $50 Amazon gift card + eBook of Loving Sarah!

(2) winners will each receive the eBook of Loving Sarah!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 12, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 19, 2026. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. No delivery restrictions. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

Author Interview: The Escape Game by Gina Holder

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Escape Game by Gina Holder, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Escape Game 
Series: The Game Masters 
Author: Gina Holder 
Publisher: Scrivenings Press 
Release Date: May 5, 2026 
Genre: Romantic Suspense

Twenty years ago, the world’s leading enigmatologist disappeared, leaving behind a cipher no one could solve… not without his journal. 

Puzzle shop owner Demi Kayne has spent twenty years hoping her father would return home. When she discovers his hidden journal, she finally uncovers the clue she’s been waiting for—but it leads somewhere far more dangerous than she imagined. 

Liam Shepherd, a missionary and escape-room enthusiast, is searching for answers of his own. His sister has vanished without a trace, and the trail of clues leads him straight to Demi—and the secrets hidden in her father’s journal. 

Their search brings them to the eerie Ives Mansion, where its brilliant and reclusive owner has designed a deadly challenge. Once inside, Demi and Liam realize they’re no longer guests. 

They’re players. 

Trapped inside a twisted real-life mystery game, they must solve a series of lethal riddles before time runs out. Each puzzle brings them closer to the truth about Demi’s missing father and Liam’s sister —but also deeper into a carefully crafted game where the stakes are far higher than they're ready to face. 

With the clock ticking and lives hanging in the balance, Demi and Liam must confront their fears, their pasts, and the faith that may be their only hope of escape. 

In this gripping Christian suspense novel, every clue matters—and every mistake could be fatal.  

Can Demi and Liam solve the final puzzle before the game ends…or will the escape room become their tomb? 

Perfect for fans of Lynette Eason, Dani Pettrey, and Irene Hannon who enjoy puzzle-driven Christian suspense filled with danger, secrets, and faith under fire.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

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Book Excerpt

A low, dog-like growl echoed, and Liam’s hands stilled. “Uh, Demi?”

She’d had no reason to expect a wild animal—until now. “I hear it.”

Her pulse raced. Was it real? Or an actualization of the Salphae story? Should they proceed? Where else could they go?

A moment later, the growling stopped, and the silence stretched thick and prolonged. She and Liam shared a wordless exchange.

He scratched his whiskers. “Is it gone? Or was it fake?”

Demi shifted from one foot to the other. “Should we push on or find another way out?”

“Another way?” He raised an eyebrow.

Demi cringed. She was trying as hard as he was to determine how much of this ludicrous game was genuine danger and how much of it was psychological warfare. It wasn’t

like she’d visited here before. If they continued, they might be torn to shreds. Or they could stay here in relative safety while Lizette laughed, mocking them for letting recorded sound

effects frighten them.

Demi folded her arms and planted her feet. “I vote we find another exit.”

Face the beast only when they’d verified they had no other options.

“That’ll waste valuable time. It’s probably a dog. I say we go for it.”

“And if a bloodthirsty creature waits in the next room? What then?”

“Wouldn’t be the first time.”

Liam’s comment knocked her off kilter. “What did you say?”

That mischievous, swoon-worthy smile returned. “It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve come face to face with a wild animal.”

“Oh, sure.” He’d probably fought off a possum digging through his trash can.

“I’m serious.”

“Fine. I’ll bite. What happened?”

“I was traveling the Drakensberg Mountains by jeep. My group stopped to camp overnight. I woke up around midnight with a need to relieve myself.” Liam blushed. “Sorry, I forgot this story wasn’t suitable for mixed company.”

“It’s okay. I want to know what happened.”

“I left camp and walked out about sixty meters to dig a latrine. When I finished my business, I looked up, and two golden eyes caught my flashlight’s beam. We sized each other up, then a leopard stalked away. The next morning, we found nine-centimeter pawprints circling the camp.”

After holding her breath through Liam’s story, Demi exhaled. “Uff da. The worst thing I’ve ever faced was three loose dogs at the bus stop. They jumped on me, and I kept shouting, ‘They’re going to bite me.’ Maddie’s mom said, ‘If they were going to bite you, they would have done it by now.”

“And now you’re afraid of dogs.”

He was astute. “They were friendly, but …” Dogs terrified her. Especially ones she didn’t know.

Liam squeezed her shoulder. “Wait here. I’m going to open the door.”

“What?” She shook her head. “No way. I’m coming with you.”

She clutched his arm and closed her eyes. Her pulse pounded in her throat.

The handle squeaked, and the metal hinges creaked.

What danger awaited them on the other side?

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More in This Series

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About the Author

Gina Holder is a Christian award-winning author of romantic suspense and cozy mysteries filled with faith, intrigue, danger, romance, and epic twists you'll never see coming.

She’s had an infatuation with books for as long as she can remember. She loves sharing uplifting messages from God’s Word and introducing readers to new and new-to-them authors on her blog. When she’s not writing, Gina enjoys playing the piano, cooking, reading, watching Hallmark mysteries, and solving “escape room” puzzles. She loves growing in her craft as an author. 

 

She published her debut novel, Whither Shall I Go, in 2017, marking the beginning of her writing career. Her works often weave themes of faith, redemption, and forgiveness, aiming to inspire readers with uplifting messages rooted in Biblical principles. 

 

Gina is also an active member of the Christian readers and writers community and is involved in the writing community through her blog, where she shares insights, interviews, and book reviews. 

 

Her first traditionally published novel released in June 2025 with Scrivenings Press LLC, after winning their ""GetPubbed"" contest's grand prize. 

 

Gina lives in Wyoming with her husband and daughter.

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

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Author Interview

Q: What inspired you to write The Escape Game?

Gina: After I first heard of the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California, I started thinking about a mansion transformed into a crazy escape room with deadly traps.

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

Gina: Technically, it took about four years. I came up with the concept quite a while back. But literally, it took me about nine months to a year.

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

Gina: I had a lot of fun imagining the ancient myths that some of the puzzles are built around. Some I made up, and others are taken from real myths. LOL! Isn’t that an oxymoron?

Q: Do you have a favorite quote from The Escape Game?

Gina: My favorite quote is:

“If this god of yours were real, he would name himself?”

“He did. I AM THAT I AM. That’s the God I serve.”

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

Gina: When I was about twelve years old.

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

Gina: Let’s be totally silly—I can touch my tongue to my nose.

Q: What are you currently reading?

Gina: I am between books right now, trying to focus on my next book. But I just finished reading Targeted in the Swamp by Kerry Johnson.

Q: What is your favorite genre to read?

Gina: I have two favorites—historical romance and romantic suspense. I love them both equally. I think.

Q: What is your favorite hobby?

Gina: My favorite hobby is reading. And collecting books.

 

Q: What is your favorite season and why?

Gina: My favorite season is Fall/ Autumn. I love the crisp feeling in the air after the hot summer and the beautiful colors of the leaves.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $50 gift card and a copy of The Escape Game (eBook or paperback, Winner's Choice)!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 5, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 12, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

Author Interview: Escape to Passignano by Normandie Fischer

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Escape to Passignano by Normandie Fischer, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Escape to Passignano 
Series: Carolina Coast Stories 
Author: Normandie Fischer 
Publisher: Sleepy Creek Press 
Release Date: March 31, 2026 
Genre: Christian Women's Fiction

Can dreams be trusted when life feels like a nightmare?

Sophia chose to honor her deceased husband’s wishes by visiting his hometown of Passignano sul Trasimeno in the Umbrian region of Italy. She’s trying to find the peace he promised, really she is, while she studies his language and sips caffè with a view of mountains and lake. Only, things begin to happen involving a red-haired child who speaks of things she cannot know—and the child’s father whose very presence challenges that peace. 

Dr. Luca Moretti still wrestles with guilt three years after the death of his wife and older children. Overwhelmed by grief, Luca gave the care of his toddler daughter, Noemi, to his sister. It was supposed to be temporary; it wasn’t. Now, Luca wants Noemi back. 

When his sister flees, taking Noemi into hiding, Sophia joins forces with a desperate Luca to piece together dreams and voices and supernatural nudges to retrace Noemi’s steps. It’s going to take trust, though, something in short supply for both Luca and Sophia. They’ll have to learn to trust in one another, and, more importantly, to trust in God—that a God who would allow such pain really does mean to work it all out for good. For Noemi. For the two of them. And for a troubled woman from North Carolina who enters their orbit with her own demons, demons God uses—and dispels—as He wills.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

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Book Excerpt

Everyone said the first step was the hardest, and by “everyone” Sophia meant all those pushers of advice who’d phoned or shown up at her door or sent her books. Do this, do that, think this, think that, you’ll be fine, you’ll overcome… You’ll be healed.

Yay, her.

Her own firsts had multiplied until she found herself thousands of steps and an ocean away from the then that had ruled her life for so long.

Here in Italy, sunshine baked the streets, the intense heat and humidity a surprising holdover from summer. Of course, even New York could replicate July’s weather in September, which was why Sophia had come prepared with sandals and a broad-brimmed hat. Her dress wicked sweat that trickled down her front and her skirt swished as she wandered the narrow streets of Firenze.

It should have felt perfect, this stroll among her husband’s countrymen, but her thoughts wouldn’t hush. When fatigue swept over her, soft conversations, along with the scent of just-ground coffee beans, drew her to a sidewalk table at a bar/caffè. She took a seat and ordered a cappuccino.

The young waiter slid a cup and saucer across the table, and she spoke a “Grazie,” trying for Pietro’s—Peter’s—lilt. Her husband had to be “Peter” even here.

Sipping, she watched the passersby, not really seeing them as individuals on this very touristy street. Her attention wandered to the heavily carved doors of a stone church and, above them, to a large round window. It wasn’t a fancy church, no stained glass here at the front, nothing to entice visitors, except perhaps for the black-clad woman who stepped from a narrow alley next to the building, a child on her hip.

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More in This Series

 

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About the Author

Normandie Fischer had the best of several worlds: a Southern heritage, access to schooling in the DC area (which meant lots of cultural adventures), and several years of sculpture studies in Italy. It might have been better for her if she'd used all these opportunities more wisely, but it's possible that the imperfect and the unwise also add fodder for the artist and the writer.

She writes Christian and Southern fiction as well as romantic suspense from her waterfront base in coastal North Carolina, where she lives with her husband, their two dogs, and a once-feral cat. If only her children and grandchildren lived within hailing distance, life would be just about perfect.

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

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Author Interview

Q: What inspired you to write Escape to Passignano?

Normandie: Some of my readers wanted resolution for a character from Shoal Waters—Deborah—and I already had an image of Sophia in my mind: a Southern gal who lived in NY and lost her husband. Italy had to be a destination, the place where these two could interact and work out their issues. And when my husband agreed to go on a research trip with me, we found Passignano sul Trasimeno, et voilà!


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

Normandie: Years. I had many things in my personal life that slowed the process, but I rarely write quickly anyway.


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

Normandie: I had no idea how Deborah’s story would end—saved or not? Healed or not? I asked the Lord to show me; eventually, He did.


Q: Do you have a favorite quote from Escape to Passignano?

Normandie: (I just picked randomly—I don’t have a favorite, actually.)

Luca’s chapters all begin with thoughts he has that are turned into ditties. This one epitomizes his angst at one point: All is well, nothing is well. Or there’s this one: Hope soars, hope flails, hope weeps, hope rails.


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

Normandie: The Long Story:

I always loved words and wrote poetry and stories from an early age, but I also loved sculpture and was pushed in that direction because it came so easily to me during my studies at the Corcoran School of Art in Washington, DC and at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Perugia, Italia. By my mid-thirties, I realized I wanted to write full time instead of sculpt, but my editing experience at that point had been for a publisher of non-fiction and narrative non-fiction. Now, I had to learn to enlarge, to dig more deeply, to craft fiction. I finished my first novel in 1994, won an award and possible contracts with some of the big guys in Christian fiction. But I balked at the requirements for them to accept it. How hard would it have been for me to get folk to the point of salvation in that story? I wanted to reach the unchurched and thought it better that I not force the salvation issue in that first book where the Jewish characters get involved in Middle East politics. Anyway, I kept writing, kept submitting, went through one agent, found another, sailed with my husband and wrote from our big boat. My second agent sold my third book (Becalmed) in 2013 to one publisher and my second book (Sailing out of Darkness) to another publisher. And here we are, nine books in. I now publish independently, and with rights reverting to me on both traditionally published books, I’m in the process of having all made into audiobooks. Such fun!


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

Normandie: I am very tall (shrinking slowly from my 5’10.5” height); I was always very shy--until the Lord told me that my shyness was sin because I was thinking only of myself and not of those He might want to reach. It has gotten much easier over the years to show His love to others with that in mind.


Q: What are you currently reading?

Normandie: I’m about to reread (re-listen) to The Last Exchange by Charles Martin. I love his books.


Q: What is your favorite genre to read?

Normandie: Historical fiction/women’s fiction/Christian fiction


Q: What is your favorite hobby?

Normandie: It used to be sailing. Now it’s seeing what new thing the Lord has for me each day. (Is that a hobby or a vocation? Hard to tell the difference, because I don’t think I actually have hobbies—although my son would say my writing is a hobby because I don’t make gobs of money from it.)


Q: What is your favorite season and why?

Normandie: Spring, because of the promise of new life, of summer warmth—without the excessive heat--of visits from family, of guests at the cottage.

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive three books of their choice by Normandie Fischer!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 20, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 27, 2026. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

Author Interview: Where the Wild Hearts Are by Sondra Kraak

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Where the Wild Hearts Are by Sondra Kraak, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Where the Wild Hearts Are 
Series: Hearts of Sparrow Ridge #1 
Author: Sondra Kraak 
Publisher: Trail House Publishers 
Release Date: April 7, 2026 
Genre: Sweet Small-Town Romantic Comedy

Miles 

Second chances come in all shapes and sizes. Let’s be clear, I did not see this one coming in any shape or size. I was over Juliette as soon as she started dating my brother years ago. 

But here we are. I’ve lost my brother, Juliette’s lost her husband, and our short-lived summer camp romance from when we were teenagers is rising from the grave to haunt me—or rather, invite me into an unexpected, irresistible redemption opportunity. 

 No problem. I’m a handyman. I fix things for a living. And I want to fix everything that’s been shattered in Juliette’s life. 

Unfortunately for me, I overwhelmed her years ago with my big personality. Who’s to say I won’t be too much again? But I hope and pray I’m not because there’s no holding my feelings back this time, and with the way she’s distracting me, using power tools is out of the question.  

Juliette 

I don’t need my brother-in-law, Miles, swooping in to save me and my girls. I may not be thriving as a single mom, but I am surviving. The last thing my life needs is more upheaval, which is what I’ll get if I misread this chemistry between me and Miles. 

Besides, my heart’s got a bigger issue: the summer camp that saved my life is for sale, and my old dream of running a camp is resurrecting with a vengeance. Only, it’s even less practical now than when I was a teenager. 

I can’t let my heart run away with my good sense—regarding Miles or camp. 

But I really want that camp, no matter how impossible the dream. And why am I acting like a schoolgirl crushing hard on her first boy? It’s just Miles.  

Wild hearts scheme big to buy a summer camp in this swoony, second chance romance with found family, quirky characters, and sizzling chemistry. And it’s all wrapped up in a low spice, inspirational package. Where the Wild Hearts Are is the first in a new rom-com series featuring adventurous friends and the love and laughter they bring to their small, mountain town.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon

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Excerpt

(Miles POV)

“How can I make this better?” I gesture at the cabins, barely visible through the trees.

“The sale of the camp?” she asks.

It’s a big ask. I might be crazy. It’s not like I can gift it to her for Christmas. But I would if I could. I’d give her anything in my power. Including my heart—if she’d have it.

“What can be done?” Resignation slips into her gaze. “Nothing stays the same. Just because the camp is going to become something different doesn’t change how it affected my life. Those summers will always be foundational to who I am.”

“It still hurts,” I say. “I mean, it’s okay if it hurts.” That’s what my mom used to say when I was sad.

Juliette swallows hard and sucks in a deep breath of air. “Yes, it hurts. I’m a big feeler.”

We’re kind of like the pot and the kettle. “Yes, you are.”

“But I’m not someone who gets pinned in place by my feelings. I’m not going to curl into a ball and cry my way through the rest of life.” She speaks words I’ve heard her say before. “I’m too young for that. I want to fall in love again. Eventually. And I want …”

She knows what she wants. I see it in her eyes. She’s just afraid to name it.

“You’re a survivor.” I hate the words as soon as I say them. “Survivor” ties one to the past, which is too limiting for Juliette. “You’re not just a survivor. You’re a thriver—in spite of the losses you’ve endured.”

I don’t know exactly what it is that swells within me, but it’s the emotional version of the superhuman strength that enables a man to lift a car off someone. The car is the sale of the camp. My heart wants to lift that sorrow off Juliette and throw it to the bottom of the lake.

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About the Author

Sondra Kraak (pronounced croc, like the shoe) is a part-time writer, full-time Jesus follower. A native of Washington State, she now lives in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains where she serves as the Worship Coordinator at her church. She and her Michigan-born husband, Nate, have two children--a daughter in college and a son in high school. Sondra fails miserably at social media and Jane Austen trivia, but she’s a champion sports fan (yah, hockey!), and has recently had success making sourdough bread (miracles do happen). Don’t ask her to drink eggnog (or kiss her husband after he does), but she’ll happily consume most teas and coffee, so long as it’s decaf (otherwise her heart races and she gets chatty). Her current to-do list includes training for a backpacking trip and folding laundry that’s been left in the dryer for two days. But first, just one more chapter.

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

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Author Interview

Q: What inspired you to write Where the Wild Hearts Are?

Sondra: I wasn’t a big summer camp kid (I get too homesick), but I live in an area with many camps, and a summer camp seemed like the perfect setting for adventures and lifelong friendships. I’m a big outdoorsy person—hiking and camping—and the stories I love most aren’t the ones with the lawyers and doctors as main characters, but the adventure guides, the mountain men, and outdoor enthusiasts. And I wanted a way to connect my contemporary series to my previous historical series, and keeping the same small town was perfect.


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

Sondra: Maybe eight months? I’m bad about keeping track of things like that. Since I’ve had the idea for so about six years, I’ve been thinking about the characters for a long time.


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

Sondra: I was surprised by how easy it was to write three little girls. They just fit so naturally into the story. I was also surprised at how hard it was to write a female main character with a positive personality who is also struggling with past grief and trauma. People are so complicated, and finding that right balance between sorrow and hope was difficult sometimes.


Q: Do you have a favorite quote from Where the Wild Hearts Are?

Sondra: This is a more serious moment in the story, when Juliette has a revelation about her heart, but it’s something I’ve personally had to wrestle with and learn and was powerful for me to write:

“I’ve developed this belief that I’m not allowed to enjoy life. That if I want something a lot, then it must not be right for me to have it.” I struggle to put words to my emotions. “Like this camp. It holds my heart, and because it’s a long-held dream and something I greatly desire, I assume God doesn’t want me to have it—or that it would be irresponsible to pursue it.”

“Why is that?”

My throat tightens, and I have to wait for the wave of emotion to pass. After a few seconds of silence, I take a deep breath. “Because life experience has taught me that you don’t get what you want.”

“That’s the trickiest lie, isn’t it?” Mrs. Anderson sets her teacup down with a definitive clatter. “The truth is, we don’t get everything we want, but we do get some of the things we want. And even if we don’t get something—say, this camp of yours—that doesn’t mean it’s wrong to desire it or pursue it.”

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

Sondra: I can’t remember not wanting to write stories. I wrote a fictionalized story of one of my vacations when I was in elementary school, in which I gave myself a younger sibling (I’m the youngest) and then for a group math project in high school, wrote a story that took the entire period to read aloud in class. I’m sure other students were bored to death.

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

Sondra: I spent a month in Thailand while I was in college, visiting missionaries. I loved it and would definitely go back. Best mangos ever.

Q: What are you currently reading?

Sondra: I’m currently reading Jennifer’s Rodewald’s Lake Shore Renewal, Annah Conwell’s newest series, and Ronie Kendig’s latest release, Apollo. I like to read multiple books at once, fiction and nonfiction. Oh, and I’m reading my dad’s fictionalized story about how he met and wooed my mom.


Q: What is your favorite genre to read?

Sondra: Romcom by far, but I love Connilyn Cossette’s biblical fiction, and sometimes regency romance.


Q: What is your favorite hobby?

Sondra: Other than reading (which I think is part of being an author) and playing the piano (which is part of my day job), it’s watching sports with my family: football, basketball, and hockey. Except no one likes hockey but me, so I watch that alone. Go Canes!


Q: What is your favorite season and why?

Sondra: It’s always been fall, the season I met and fell in love with my husband (23 years ago). The air is crisp and fresh, it’s football season, and the trees are brilliant colors.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of Where the Wild Hearts Are (winner's choice between ebook or print)!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 13, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 20, 2026. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only for print. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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