Book Spotlight: From an Unknown Sender

Welcome to the Blog Tour for From an Unknown Sender by Traci Hunter Abramson & Sian Ann Bessey, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: From an Unknown Sender
Series: Falcon Point Suspense #2
Author: Traci Hunter Abramson & Sian Ann Bessey
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Release Date: November 21, 2023
Genre: Clean Suspense

After spending a busy holiday season putting drug smugglers behind bars, CIA operative Cole Bridger is looking forward to spending a quiet Christmas in Vienna with his girlfriend and fellow operative, Isabelle Roberts. But when Isabelle is tasked with investigating a string of suspect financial transactions and redirects a suspicious package to a museum in Amsterdam, she inadvertently places Cole’s cousins in the crosshairs of a drug smuggling ring. 

Lars and Marit have no desire to be drawn into the deadly dealings of the criminal underworld, but when Lars’s sister, Tess’s, life is placed in danger, they willingly join Cole and Isabelle in their efforts to uncover the mastermind behind the drug smuggling ring. Unfortunately, the two couples’ involvement does not go unnoticed. And though each step brings them closer to the truth, they also reveal a startling picture of greed and corruption at the center of a dangerous organization that will stop at nothing to retrieve what it has lost.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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Excerpt

Cole tucked his chin against his chest as he walked past the surveillance camera in the hotel hallway. The ballcap on his head would hide his face in case anyone happened to be watching—or more precisely, if anyone watched the camera’s feed later.

Not that he was doing anything illegal. Well, not really. He wasn’t sure the Budapest police force would approve of him entering a hotel room that didn’t belong to him without consulting with them first, but the little piece of paper in Cole’s pocket gave him permission to do it.

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More Books in This Series

 

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About the Authors

 

Traci Hunter Abramson was born in Arizona, where she lived until moving to Venezuela for a study abroad program. After graduating from Brigham Young University, she worked for the Central Intelligence Agency, eventually resigning in order to raise her family. She credits the CIA with giving her a wealth of ideas as well as the skills needed to survive her children’s teenage years. She loves to travel and recently retired after twenty-six years coaching her local high school swim team. She has written forty-five best-selling novels and is an eight-time Whitney Award winner, including 2017 and 2019 Best Novel of the Year.

Connect with Traci by visiting traciabramson.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

Sian Ann Bessey was born in Cambridge, England, and grew up on the island of Anglesey off the coast of North Wales. She left her homeland to attend university in the US, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in communications, with a minor in English. She began her writing career as a student, publishing several articles in magazines while still in college. Since then, she has published historical romance and romantic suspense novels, along with a variety of children’s books. She is a USA Today best-selling author, a Foreword Reviews Book of the Year finalist, and a Whitney Award finalist.

Sian and her husband, Kent, are the parents of five children and the grandparents of three beautiful girls and two handsome boys. They currently live in southeast Idaho, and although Sian doesn’t have the opportunity to speak Welsh very often anymore, Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch still rolls off her tongue. Traveling, reading, cooking, and being with her grandchildren are some of Sian’s favorite activities. She also loves hearing from her readers. 

Connect with Sian by visiting sianannbessey.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each win a $20 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 20, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 27, 2023. Winner 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!

Epic Book Launch: The Marine’s Deadly Reunion by Loretta Eidson

About the Book:

Book Title: The Marine’s Deadly Reunion

Author Name: Loretta Eidson

Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense

Release Date: December 26, 2023

When Sergeant Daria Gordon saves US Marine Jake Fisher and his baby niece from an attacker, she instantly puts a target on her own back. Someone murdered Jake’s sister, and now they want Jake and Daria dead. To survive, Jake and Daria must discover this ruthless killer’s identity. But can they uncover the truth and keep the baby safe . . . before the killer finds them?

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Book Excerpt:

It was him. The first guy she’d ever had a crush on. He’d matured well and was more handsome than ever. She’d gone out with several of the local guys through the years, but they weren’t to her liking. Dating was the last thing on her agenda right now, although seeing Jake again might move it up the list. She couldn’t give in to her attraction. He had a baby, which meant he was already taken.

“I remember Mandy. Jake, I’m Daria, in case you didn’t recognize me.” Her heart thundered.

“I thought you looked familiar.” He rested his arm on the open car door. “Thought you wanted to be a nurse.”

“Well, I thought you were going to play football.”

With a mature and brawny Jake standing in front of her, memories of all the fun they’d had as kids resurfaced. Was he still the easygoing guy she remembered? Didn’t matter. She had to focus on proving herself an efficient, well-trained cop. Especially after her supervisor’s warning to get control of her anger issues. That disruptive vacationer and his dad six months ago had gotten on her last nerve. Richard and Tony Schneider.

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Links to All Excerpts:

Excerpt One: https://lakesidelivingsite.wordpress.com/2023/11/17/the-marines-deadly-reunion-by-loretta-eidson/

Excerpt Two: https://coverloverbookreview.blogspot.com/2023/11/the-marines-deadly-reunion.html

Excerpt Three: https://musingsbymaureen.blogspot.com/2023/12/celebrate-lit-presents-marines-deadly.html

Excerpt Four: http://montanamade.weebly.com/tell-tale-book-reviews/celebrate-lit-epic-book-launch-the-marines-deadly-reunion-by-loretta-eidson

Excerpt Five: https://moments-of-beauty.blogspot.com/2023/11/epic-book-launch-marines-deadly-reunion.html

Excerpt Six: https://www.amoderndayfairytale.net/2023/12/the-marines-deadly-reunion-epic-book.html

Excerpt Seven: http://kid-lit.library-lady.blog/excerpt-the-marines-deadly-reunion-epic-book-launch/

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About the Author:

Award-winning author Loretta Eidson loves writing inspirational romantic suspense. Her first novel, Pursued in the Wilderness, published by Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, won the 2023 Romance Novel of the Year award in AWSA’s (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) Golden Scroll Awards and was a finalist in the 2023 Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference Director’s Choice Award in General Fiction.

She believes in the power of prayer and enjoys challenging her characters to trust God in all things. Loretta is an AWSA Certified Coach for aspiring writers, and she lives in North Mississippi, close to her family.

Book Spotlight: It's Your Love by Rachel D. Russell

Welcome to the Blog Tour for It's Your Love by Rachel D. Russell, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: It's Your Love
Series: Fox Bakery #2
Author: Rachel D. Russell
Publisher: Sunrise Publishing
Release Date: November 7, 2023
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

When Grayson Fox is asked to return home to Deep Haven and run the wrangler activities for the local camp, the last thing he expects is to run into the one woman he never wanted to see again. Worse…she’s his boss. But Grayson has big hopes for a life back in Oregon, and he must keep the promise to the camp in order to keep his dreams alive.

Just because Beth Strauss has stuck around Deep Haven doesn’t mean she doesn’t want a bigger life. And becoming the camp assistant director is the first step to that bigger life. Of course, standing in her way happens to be the one man who has always managed to derail her dreams, way too arrogant Grayson Fox. 

But if they want to keep the camp afloat and their dreams alive, these two must learn to work together. But will these enemies become sweethearts, and if they do, will they find something better than the dreams they’re striving for?  

The next delightful installment of the Fox Family series!

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

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More Books in This Series

 

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Excerpt from It's Your Love

He slowed Maverick when he saw Beth leading Rex from the hitching post. He hadn’t expected her to say yes when he’d invited her to check the trails, but then, maybe he hadn’t misread that look on her face in the bakery. When he’d been nearly certain she’d wanted him to kiss her.

She wore a blue T-shirt with her jeans and had her hair hanging loose under her hat.

Like she belonged there. Like it was still natural for her to be leading a horse.

He relaxed in the saddle, drawing in Maverick’s pace to a stop near the gate. He let the horse stretch his neck out, long and low. Mav blew out a contented breath. “Ready?”

Beth tilted her head. “It’s funny—I love it. I don’t know why, but it still gives me butterflies.”

She gave him butterflies. Or something. Whatever that unfamiliar rush of adrenaline was called that swirled in his chest.

He leaned down and swung the gate open before side-passing Mav and closing the gate. “And yet you can’t help yourself.”

She looked up at him and grinned. “It seems so.” She rubbed Rex’s neck. “This feels really good.” She led her horse to a mounting block that sat outside the arena panels and hopped on. All by herself. Like she’d never been away from it.

Okay, he was maybe a little proud at the confidence she’d been building.

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About the Author

Rachel D. Russell is a member of Oregon Christian Writers, My Book Therapy’s Novel Academy, and is a regular contributor to the Learn How to Write a Novel blog. When Rachel’s not cheering on one of her two teens at sporting events, she’s often interrogating her husband on his own military and law enforcement experience to craft believable heroes in uniform. The rest of her time is spent cantering her horse down the Oregon trails and redirecting her three keyboard-hogging cats.

Connect with Rachel by visiting racheldrussell.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win a print copy of It's Your Love and $10 gift card to the Sunrise Shop!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 13, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 20, 2023. 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!

Movie Review: Surprised by Oxford

 About the Movie:

Caro Drake, a brilliant but emotionally guarded American student, arrives at the University of Oxford with the goal of attaining her PhD. Through a turbulent friendship with a charming young man, she begins to open herself up to mystery, vulnerability, and love.

Surprised by Oxford is available to purchase or rent during the month of November!

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Watch the Trailer:

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My Thoughts:

Watching Surprised by Oxford reminded me of my English major days. Academic discussion about Romantic period authors such as Donne, Milton, and Shelley delighted my literature-loving heart, but clever narrative ensured viewer understanding for those unfamiliar with these authors.

I also enjoyed the visual footage of Oxford University. This old landmark, full of academia, history, and stories untold, created an enchanting setting for Carolyn Weber’s faith journey. Her personal development unfolded as the movie explored Caro’s struggle to acknowledge that intellect, while wonderful and necessary, does not explain everything. Likable characters surrounded Caro and bits of humor made me smile. The love story was a miss for me, but obviously it worked well for the real-life Webers. 

Caro’s post-grad experience held some grit. There’s profanity (no F-bomb), other crude language, and sexual innuendo. While it seemed edgy for a faith-based movie, it’s pretty tame compared to college experiences of today. I didn’t like the language and innuendo, but it didn’t make me turn the movie off. More conservative viewers may want to avoid the movie, while others may not be bothered by this content.

Surprised by Oxford is adapted from Carolyn Weber’s memoir of the same title, which is now on my wish list. I didn’t realize until the end credits that the real Carolyn Weber makes a cameo as a professor discussing C. S. Lewis.

Disclaimer of Material Connection: Many thanks to Evolve Studios for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

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Learn more about SURPRISED BY OXFORD:

• Behind the Scenes of Surprised by Oxford: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eD5_8RvtsFU


• Buy or rent SURPRISED BY OXFORD during the month of November! 

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Giveaway:

One reader of this post will receive free Vimeo download code to watch the film. US only. Giveaway ends 11/16/2023 at 11:59 A. M. EST.

Enter by leaving a comment on this post that includes your full name and email address.

Movie Review: Journey to Bethlehem

 About the Movie:

A young woman carrying an unimaginable responsibility. A young man torn between love and honor. A jealous king who will stop at nothing to keep his crown. 

This live-action Christmas musical adventure for the entire family weaves classic Christmas melodies with humor, faith, and new pop songs in a retelling of the greatest story ever told—the story of Mary and Joseph and the birth of Jesus. A unique new entry into the collection of holiday classic movies, this epic Christmas musical is unlike any before it. 

See JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM in theaters beginning November 10.

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Watch the Trailer:

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My Thoughts:

I enjoyed Journey to Bethlehem, a faith-based film focused on the events that preceded the birth of Jesus. As expected from the movie trailer, Journey to Bethlehem is a creative musical with characters that break into song and dance to communicate their thoughts and feelings. Whether the tracks were emotionally intense or lighter fanfare, the performers executed the songs and choreography with impressive precision and vocal quality.

The entire cast of Journey to Bethlehem performed well, but Antonio Banderas as the cruel King Herod was spot on. Fiona Palomo brought Mary’s humanity to the forefront of this story while Joel Smallbone (of the CCM band For King and Country) played the dark and unexpectedly fascinating character of Antipater (Herod’s son and heir to the throne).

Some favorite characters of mine in Journey to Bethlehem included Joseph, Aunt Elizabeth, and the three wise men. Joseph loved Mary well despite their unusual situation. Aunt Elizabeth didn’t spend much time on screen, but she spoke words of wisdom and humor. The three wise men offered comic relief with their interpersonal dynamics.

By accident or intention, Journey to Bethlehem held some 21st-century influence. On Mary’s journey to visit Elizabeth, she wore an orange dress that was lovely and modest, but not true to the time. Also, “aromatherapy”, “essential oils”, and “so stinkin’ good” are words/phrases of modernity with those items and experiences being expressed differently in past times.

I have read concerns that Journey to Bethlehem does not adhere to the Biblical account of events and portrays Mary as overly rebellious. In my opinion, the plot stayed true to the major events given in Scripture but filled in the unknowns with music and a creative narrative. The film presented the characters as real people with understandable challenges and emotions. Mary struggled to accept her betrothal to Joseph and expressed her feelings of inadequacy to be mother to the Son of God. However, there is never any doubt that she will be obedient to her earthly father and Heavenly Father.  Mary’s fears, desires, and emotions added depth to the story and made her feel human.

I also enjoyed the romance and the film creators’ take on how Mary and Joseph might have fallen in love and created a marriage partnership while living out their extraordinary life callings. A piece of creative license at the end allows Mary to explain that this baby, Jesus, came to save the lost – of which we all are a part. I appreciated the inclusion of humanity’s need for a Savior, though some may find a certain character’s presence unlikely. I do wish that Mary’s Magnificat had been included as it’s a beautiful passage of Scripture that could have fit seamlessly into the movie.

I watched Journey to Bethlehem with my daughters (ages 11 and 8). Both girls were okay with the content even during the darker scenes. They asked questions during the movie: “Did that really happen?” “I haven’t heard that before.” Etc.… We had a good conversation regarding the film, and it helped them understand that the Bible stories they learn hold truth, but only represent chosen parts of a person’s life.

To conclude my review of Journey to Bethlehem, I will say that watching this movie brought me edification and joy. I appreciated it all: the story, the songs and choreography, the romance, the character development of Mary and Joseph, and the humor. I plan to purchase a copy when it arrives on Blu-ray/DVD.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Many thanks to AFFIRM Films, Inc. for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

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Learn more about JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM:

• Movie Website: https://www.journeytobethlehemmovie.com/


• "Can We Make This Work" scene from the movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrzOwfKkT34


• Meet Mary and Joseph: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMaPEiIARKU


• Meet Antipater: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1F0lfn1EwM


• Meet Fig (The Donkey!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwrBDgnQ4sI


• Meet King Herod: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnrPnfeuYS4


• Meet The Wise Men: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KxvaJFzf1Q


• No Scripture Harmed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDXgMRgPEGw (Listen to the part about Antipater!)


• Discussion guides and printable pages: https://www.journeytobethlehemmovie.com/resources


• Buy tickets today to see JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM in theaters starting November 10th! Purchase at: https://tickets.journeytobethlehemmovie.com/

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Flash Ticket Giveaway:

One reader of this post will receive two free tickets to see JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM. US only. Giveaway ends 11/13/2023 at 11:59 A. M. EST.

Enter by leaving a comment on this post that includes your full name and email address.

Author Interview: Settlers & Toffs by Caryl McAdoo

About the Book

Book: Settlers & Toffs

Author: Caryl McAdoo

Genre: Historical Romance

Release Date: August 23, 2023

New and old collide in SETTLERS & TOFFS as Ambrose Lee and Blaire build a hotel and a new life together with a remnant from the wagon train he captained in ’49. Settling in Auburn, California, they deal with the gold rush boom town’s growing pangs while the next Earl of Farnsworth, William Cromwell, voyages home to England with his intended Clara and her family. Though separated by a country and an ocean, troubles and trials plague them all. Revisit old friends from Book One WAGONS WEST and meet new ones in this second novel of the New Beginnings Family Saga! This story has been previously published on Kindle Vella with the same title as episodes for Season Two. Season Three, ANSWERING THE CALL episodes are now available at Kindle Vella now.

Click here to get your copy!

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About the Author

Award-winning author Caryl McAdoo prays her story brings God glory, and her best-selling tales—coming up on seventy titles now published—delight readers all around the world. The prolific writer also enjoys singing the new songs the Lord gives her; you may listen to those at her YouTube channel.

She loves working in the yard at The Peaceable, her home tucked away on twenty acres, mowing and planting flowers. She lives there with Ron, her high school sweetheart and husband of fifty-five years, five dogs, two dairy goats she milks daily, a flock of chickens, and a plethora of barn cats.

The couple shares four children and twenty-seven grandsugars, six are greats. Caryl and Ron love their quiet, country life in the woods south of Clarksville, seat of Red River County in far Northeast Texas and wait expectantly for God to open the next door so they may do His will.

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More from Caryl

I started writing “episodes” for Kindle Vella the first month they opened the new format with WAGONS WEST, season one in the New Beginnings Family Saga Season One. For those who don’t read at Kindle Vella, after the ”season” has been up thirty days, the author can create a book!

The episodes become chapters and WAGONS WEST debuted last November 2022! The SETTLERS & TOFFS story is “Season Two” and I’m tickled pink with it! Book One in the series was an epic wagon train story that ended when they got to the gold fields around Auburn California.

In Book Two, the characters spread out across the globe, and we follow them all. Some of those who arrived in covered wagons began to build the pioneer town of Auburn, making a new home for themselves. Some panning for gold and others building hotels and businesses the miners need.

Some travel to merry old England where one of the wagon train sojourners has been called home after his older brother’s death to be the future Earl of Farnsworth. Having fallen in love, he couldn’t bear to leave Clara behind, so arranges for her family to accompany him. So many of the main characters sail away cross the seas.

The third storyline in SETTLERS & TOFFS becomes another wagon train when the scout in book one decides with his wife to go and bring another group of settlers to the new land—a very lucrative business venture for the captains who knew the way.

There are plenty of characters who come in and out as the story progresses. I’ve come to love the primary ones. There are struggles at every turn. Trials and tribulations fill many of their days, but there are those joyous ones as well!

Through it all, the Lord—still on the throne and in control in 1850—helps His children overcome and blesses them beyond measure . . . just as He does today. He is the Rewarder of those who diligently seek him and obey His commandments—then and now.

My author’s motto is “Praying my story gives God glory!” I also pray that its readers will be drawn into a closer walk with the Almighty as they walk alongside these awesome, stalwart folks who settled the West! They had it rough, but God . . . PRAISE HIM!

They sure do! And so do I!
BLESSINGS!

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Author Interview with Caryl

Q: How long did it take you to write this novel?

Caryl: Because this story was originally written as episodes for Kindle Vella, it was written in little pieces here and there, sort of “around” my other books that had deadlines! So we didn’t start this one and write it right through.

But it has north of 350 pages, and at 250 words per page (average), that means a total of more than 87,000 words, that would mean—because we write an average of 1000 words per day that we took 887 days to write it! 😊 They just weren’t consecutive!


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

Caryl: I have a herd of 8 Nubian goats and have been milking six of them twice a day! Ron and I love the creamy, raw, fresh milk! It’s delicious!


Q: In what setting do you enjoy writing the most?

Caryl: I don’t “write around”! tee hee hee All of my stories are written on Ron’s computer which is on a desk in our bedroom, usually with the television on Fox News in the background 😊


Q: What are you reading now?

Caryl: I’m reading a book my mother wrote that has Scriptures for all situations and occasions! I’m transposing it as I read so that it can soon be published! Some of the tabs in it are Alcoholism, abortion, anxiety, baptism, depression, forgiveness for starters. She was one of the ladies answering the phones when people called into the Christian TV Station needing prayer. She created this book and I believe many people would love to have her organization and Scriptures for this or that at their fingertips!


Q: Who is an author you would recommend to anyone and everyone?

Caryl: Bodie Thoene. I love her series—all of them! Every book made me laugh and cry! I love books like that! I read them twenty or even thirty years ago and still think of those characters sometimes. Excellent author!


Q: Where can readers find out more about you and your novel?

Caryl: Online, if you google Caryl McAdoo, it’s ridiculous how many pages come up! All of my titles are on Amazon, so that’s the first place I send folks. Also on GoodReads, BookBub, AllAuthor, and so many more! And of course, there’s always my website CarylMcAdoo.com! 😊

Thanks again for having me! God bless you, Jolene, and your readers!

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Blog Stops

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 3

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 4

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 5

Texas Book-aholic, November 6

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 7

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, November 8 (Author Interview)

Books You Can Feel Good About, November 9

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, November 10

Beauty in the Binding, November 11 (Author Interview)

The Lit Lady, November 11

For Him and My Family, November 12

For the Love of Literature, November 13 (Author Inteview)

Exploring the Written Word, November 13

Holly’s Book Corner, November 14

Cover Lover Book Review, November 15

Pause for Tales, November 16

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Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Caryl is giving away the prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and signed copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

Link for giveaway: https://promosimple.com/ps/28b2c/settlers-toffs-celebration-tour-giveaway