“The Girl with Fire in Her Veins” ~ fab new fantasy from Dawn Ford (+ GA!)

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Hi there, my friends!

Dawn Ford has another wonderful book for you in her Firebird Series. This one is Book Two, and it’s called The Girl with Fire in her Veins, and you don’t want to miss it. Keep reading for more plus your chance to win.

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Girl with Fire in Her Veins by Dawn Ford, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Girl with Fire in Her Veins Series: Firebird #2 Author: Dawn Ford Publisher: Expanse Books Release Date: April 25, 2023 Genre: YA Fantasy

Former servant girl Tambrynn struggles with her new firebird abilities, especially the internal fire she cannot control. So, she, along with her Watcher Lucas, and her grandfather Bennett journey to a hidden mountain keep to find the answers she seeks before she sets the kingdom aflame. But there’s a new dragon who’s targeting Tambrynn, a mergirl who wishes to manipulate her, and the froggen king, Siltworth, who hasn’t forgotten that Tambrynn destroyed his watery reign. When her father, the evil mage Thoron, attacks someone she loves, Tambrynn’s group is separated and she has to face another powerful foe alone. Is she strong enough to withstand the deluge? Or will she drown in the fire and the flood?

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

More Books in this Series

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About the Author

Dawn Ford writes fantastical YA stories with a fairy tale flair. The Girl With Stars in Her Eyes, formerly Kingdom Come, won the 2016 ACFW Genesis Award for the Speculative genre. Dawn also has a middle-grade twisted fairytale Woodencloak, which is the first of four books in her Band of Unlikely Heroes series. Dawn lives in Iowa with her husband.

Connect with Dawn by visiting dawnfordauthor.com to follow her on social media and sign up for newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(5) winners will receive a signed paperback copy of The Girl with Fire in Her Veins plus a set of either star or flame themed Color Street nail strips chosen at random!

(2) winners will receive a signed copy of The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes along with The Girl with Fire in Her Veins nail strips

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 29, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 5, 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.

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My thoughts about The Girl with Fire in Her Veins

Between the beginning and the end of a high fantasy novel series, there are the betwixt-and-between adventures. Like The Two Towers. Or The Silver Chair. The first wild adventure is over, but the final chapter of the story hasn’t been told. But the beloved heroes must fight; grow; become. To travel and to meet new individuals, whose characters aren’t always immediately visible. The heroes’ story definitely isn’t over yet. To reach the final stories of the series, there are first paths they must take, strength they must build, and weapons they must ply.

If you have read Dawn Ford’s The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes (click on the link for my review), you’ve met Tambrynn, the titular protagonist, along with her Watcher, Lucas. You’ve seen beasts and Tambrynn’s terrifying father, Thoron. And you’ve been introduced to the Kinsman, who watches over, redeems, and hears the prayers of his beloved ones.

In The Girl with Fire in Her Veins, Tambrynn’s quest continues. Now, her journey’s companions include her grandfather, Bennett; a fire dragon/woman, Audhild; Lucas, of course; and villains both terrifying and powerful. (Oh. And her father, Thoron, who’s still bent on his wicked plans.)

Tambrynn has discovered that she’s a firebird; yet she hasn’t yet been able to manage her firebirding abilities. And her (and the realm’s) enemies will fight her in order to wrest control over them from the Kinsman. Tambrynn doesn’t know what part she is to play in the fight between good and evil. Yet she, and her companions, must stand together, save each other, and hear the Kinsman’s voice, to keep from being captured, or captivated, by the wiles of their enemy.

Don’t miss Tambrynn’s story in the latest of Dawn Ford’s Firebird Series! You’ll cheer her on, and you’ll be engrossed as each of the companions brings their own gifts and wisdom to the fight. (Then, like me, you’ll be all too ready to read book #3, when it comes out–soon, I hope!)

Enjoy! And don’t forget to enter the giveaway! –Wren

Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Marvelous read in a new genre for me: steampunk! “The Clockwork City” (a review)

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I’ve just read the most extraordinary book! It’s a steampunk novel by Shelley Adina called The Clockwork City, with a fabulous setting (steampunk Venice) and a wonderful heroine, Georgia Brunel. Lady (the dowager baroness, actually) Georgia Brunel, of Britain.

Steampunk: (n) a subgenre of science fiction and fantasy featuring advanced machines and other technology based on steam power of the 19th century and taking place in a recognizable historical period or a fantasy world.

Dictionary.com

About The Clockwork City

The Clockwork City (Amazon purchase Link)
Series: Lady Georgia Brunel Mysteries #1
Release Date: May 24, 2023
Genre: Steampunk Mystery (Clean)

April 1895. A painting holiday in Venice. A villa on the canal. A body in the water?

Lady Georgia Brunel, widowed a year, has been looking forward to her holiday in the Duchy of Venice with her companion, Millicent Brunel. The clockwork city’s annual art exhibition is in full swing, and old friends and new acquaintances make for an exciting social whirl. The married Lord Somersby would pursue her if he dared. Several members of the nobility, including those with connections to Lord and Lady Dunsmuir, make entertaining companions. And Georgia will never admit that Dustin Seacombe, the disheveled and irritating Texican Ranger who steps on one’s gown and will not confide his business in Venice, is the most interesting of all.

And then early one morning, the body of Lord Somersby washes up on the water stairs at the Brunel villa. An empty gondola floats nearby. Many assume it is an accident. The Duchy police assume a lover’s quarrel, with Georgia as their suspect. For there are powerful factions in the city who want this case solved and submerged as soon as possible. Georgia and Millie must act quickly to clear her name and discover the real murderer, before Georgia finds herself dancing with death instead.

My thoughts about The Clockwork City

So! This is a marvelous introduction to the steampunk world, if you haven’t visited there before! (I *think* that this is the first steampunk book I’ve read. I think!) Shelley Adina has created a remarkable setting, in the 1895 world of Venice, Italy. Canals, gondolas, the Doge–all clothed in the extravagant, lovely fashions of the end of the 1800s. Only this time: women are highly educated. They (alongside men) are scientists. Inventors. And creators (and pilots) of the steam-propelled airships, steam landaus, and more.

I suppose that steampunk could be classified as “fantasy,” since it rewrites our own history (see, for example, the “Texican” Ranger; the “clockwork” of the title; Nouveau Orleans and the Fifteen Colonies). These are fascinating! They provide a little “wink” to readers, as we realize and decipher the meanings and connections that Shelley placed in the book. So while there’s a quite perplexing murder mystery to solve, with many layers to unwind, this marvelous steampunk world is rolling along beside that mystery. Plus, Venice is always a fascinating locale.

I also adored The Clockwork City‘s protagonist and supporting characters. Georgia, Millie, and the Venetians and Europeans (and let’s not forget the Texican) are wonderfully created. There are backstories that we learn about some of them, but others are just hinted at. Plus, Shelley creates a Venice that these visitors find compelling and fascinating; but to them (and likely to the reader), it’s still a foreign land that they must navigate. And navigating a foreign culture when a murder has been committed? That’s particularly frightening, and at times, opaque.

I particularly enjoyed the children in this book. They’re also very interesting, yet Shelley never creates a false note in their portrayal.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Clockwork City, and the craft and skill that Shelley Adina displays as she invites us into 1895 and steampunk Venice. Whether you’re a steampunk fan or not, I recommend this book to you. Marvelous! It’s truly a magical read.

Enjoy! –Wren

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author. All opinions expressed here are my own honest ones.

Beautiful, redemptive novel: “A Path to Acceptance”

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I was privileged, some time ago, to read A Path to Forgiveness by Lisa James (what a deeply moving, incredible story). This is her second book in The Prodigal Woman Series, this time featuring Penelope, a young woman who’d been sold to a tavern owner (read: brothel). We meet Penelope about ten years after her introduction into this life.

Welcome to the Blog Tour for A Path To Acceptance by Lisa M. James, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: A Path to Acceptance Series: The Prodigal Woman Series Author: Lisa M. James Publisher: Independently Published Release Date: May 19, 2023 Genre: Christian Romance / Fantasy

Wanton. Tainted. Immoral. These were all words that could describe Penelope. After being forced into a world of harlotry to cover her parents’ debts, Penny learned how to survive without feeling. When a mysterious man approaches Penny with an offer to free her from her situation, Penny soon discovers that leaving her tavern could not rid her of the reputation she gained as a harlot. Would anyone be able to see beyond her tainted past?

Abandoned by his father as a child, Ryland refuses to depend on anyone but himself. Surviving as a mercenary for wealthy landowners, he accepts an assignment to free a harlot from a life of slavery. Frustrated when he is forced to take her under his care, Ryland discovers there is more to this harlot than her beauty. Can her unshakeable faith bring him back to a Redeemer he has long since rejected? Discover the story of a tainted woman in A Path to Acceptance.

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

More Books in this Series

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About the Author

Lisa M. James is a Romantic Fantasy and Christian Fantasy author. Her novels have made the Amazon Best Sellers list for numerous categories, including: Fairy Tale Fantasy, Sword and Sorcery Fantasy, Christian Fantasy, and Religious Romance. She is committed to creating fantastical worlds with clean romances and diverse female leads. When not writing, Lisa can most often be found watching Disney movies or enjoying homemade chai. Connect with Lisa by visiting lisamjames.com to follow her on social media and sign up for newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a paperback copy of A Path to Acceptance & a Vera Bradley Crossbody bag (plum pansies print)!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 22, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 29, 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.

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My thoughts

Penelope has lived in forced slavery as a sex worker for ten years. She was told how to survive it by the head harlot at her tavern. And later, interestingly enough, Penelope met the Redeemer; and she has lived in hope of his redemption even as her life stole so much from her. She lived the life of a prostitute on the outside, while inside she had the faith of a believer.

But not truly, any hope of rescue.

Until rescue comes indeed. After a handsome and mysterious man watches Penelope, and the comings and goings of the tavern for over a week, he leaves; only to return to take her away, at the request of Audora, a blind vintner who had been served by Penelope while having to stop at the tavern as her cart was repaired. Penelope finally agrees to leave with Ryland. But can she leave behind the inner damage that 10 years of forced sex work had done to her, as she gains freedom and the opportunity to work for Audora? Unfortunately, troubles follow her; but they’re those she’s never had to face in the context of freedom. Plus, war is coming for her new homeland; and it’s war with the Redeemers’ enemies, the sorcerers. Penelope has the Redeemer and she has the gift of faith. But will those be enough?

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I absolutely fell in love with Penelope, and was captivated by her story, and by Ryland’s, the metalworker/weapons maker who sidelines as a mercenary. (Just the right person to rescue Penelope!) Lisa James is exceptionally good at creating characters she helps us to understand both inside and out (and we really come to comprehend the damage that Penny’s former life has left on her mind, soul, and even spirit). There’s not only our co-protagonists, Penelope and Ryland. There’s also Audora, the vintner; Tedley, her head steward; Benesh, Audora’s nephew; Luke and Noah, young brothers; and the warriors, priests, and other residents of her new village. She has to adjust to this new life (which still feels uncertain), and to be healed of the desperate pain of her past. It’s going to take a lot of events and interactions to take her down the new path that’s set before her. There’s even love waiting; but can she convince herself that, even with the Redeemer, she’s worthy of it?

This is absolutely a book you don’t want to miss. God’s redeeming and healing love–rescue of a woman from the sex trade (which Lisa James does describe obliquely, not flagrantly)–and the opportunity to see His hand at work in not only her life but in the events of her new land. It’s heartbreaking, marvelous, and so encouraging.

Be blessed–Wren

Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Lisa Phillips’ brand new #2 in the Last Chance Fire and Rescue Series: “Expired Hope”

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I know that y’all know how much I love Lisa Phillips’ suspense thrillers–and I of course also loved the first book in her Last Chance Fire and Rescue Series (Expired Return). Now book 2 in that series is available, cowritten by Lisa and Megan Besing, and I have the privilege of sharing a book excerpt from Expired Hope. I know they’ll whet your appetite (if you’re a suspense lover), plus you can enter to win a giveaway! Keep reading for more!

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Expired Hope by Megan Besing & Lisa Phillips, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Expired Hope Series: Last Chance Fire and Rescue #2 Authors: Megan Besing & Lisa Phillips Publisher: Sunrise Publishing Release Date: April 25, 2023 Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

She battled every fire she ever faced.

He’s risking everything for the chance to belong. Veteran and therapist Natalie Atkinson watched her Army career explode in her face. All she ever wanted was to help people carry their burdens. Seeking a new future in Last Chance County doesn’t start so well when she’s the one being rescued from a client’s burning house. To make matters worse, now she’s stuck evaluating the truck and rescue squads for the fire department. When the chief overhears why she left her last job, she’s determined to prove to him and her boss that she’s still the right therapist to assess his crew. No matter if success takes everything she’s got. Fire Chief Macon James is the right man for the job. He doesn’t need a therapist interfering with the running of his crew or putting his position in jeopardy when a counselor is what tore his family apart. He’s got to get his firefighters to be a team, and he can do it without Natalie’s help. After an explosion destroys her car, it quickly becomes clear she might need him as much as everyone thinks he needs her. If these two stubborn hearts will surrender, they could have everything they want. Or it could all go down in flames.

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

More Books in this Series

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About the Authors

Lisa Phillips is a USA Today and top ten Publishers Weekly bestselling author of over 50 books that span Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line, independently published series romantic suspense, and thriller novels. She’s discovered a penchant for high-stakes stories of mayhem and disaster where you can find made-for-each-other love that always ends in happily ever after.

Lisa is a British ex-pat who grew up an hour outside of London and attended Calvary Chapel Bible College, where she met her husband. He’s from California, but nobody’s perfect. It wasn’t until her Bible College graduation that she figured out she was a writer (someone told her). As a worship leader for Calvary Chapel churches in her local area, Lisa has discovered a love for mentoring new ministry members and youth worship musicians.

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

Despite adoring happily-ever-afters, Megan Besing didn’t unlock a love for reading until her mid-twenties, which quickly expanded into writing. Her stories have won many awards, but her most cherished achievements are being a wife and mother. She lives in a pocket-size Indiana town, centered around extended family. She’s always planning a road trip with a view, yet her favorite place may just be on her front porch drinking tea.

Connect with Megan by visiting meganbesing.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates. Discover the world of Last Chance County at www.lastchancecounty.com.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a paperback of Expired Hope and a $10 Gift Card to the Sunrise Shop!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight April 26, 2023 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on May 3, 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 the policies found here.

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Here is a book excerpt for you to enjoy!

He paused before opening the main office door and glanced at the counselor through the glass window. She was seated in a chair, looking down at her phone. Her blonde hair was in a loose bun on the back of her head, and a thick pile of bangs covered most of her forehead. She had on a navy silk shirt and black pants. 

Her foot bounced up and down as she scrolled on her phone. If she was nervous, that could be encouraging. Possibly cut down on the questions she might ask. Get her to sign off on their evaluation quickly.

Macon opened the door, and the woman glanced up. 

It was like he was in a smoke funnel. His knees locked beneath him as he blinked at the same blue eyes that had hung around in his dreams. They belonged to the woman he’d rescued out of the fire.

As if they’d never met, she stood and extended her hand. “Good afternoon, I’m Natalie Atkinson from the Ridgeman Center. I’ll be the counselor assessing you and your firefighters.”

His lungs ached at the memory of her collapsing and him cradling her. Natalie. The name suited her, but this was not how he’d imagined them meeting.

He wrapped his hand around hers and, for a moment, they stared at each other, until she slipped her hand away. She’d been beautiful yesterday, but with her hair up and the spark in her eye, he wished they were introducing themselves during dinner at Backdraft Bar and Grill instead of a professional meeting.

Macon cleared his throat. “I’m Chief Macon James.”

She studied him, yet said nothing about yesterday. Not that he expected a thank-you when he rescued someone, but it was strange she didn’t even bring it up. Maybe she was self-conscious about how she’d fainted.

She glanced left and right before picking up the notebook from the chair beside her. She hugged it to her chest. “Do we have a more private place for your session?” Her voice had a raspier tone than earlier.

“I’ll lead you to the conference room. We’ll address all the crew there. Rescue will go first with their individual sessions.” When he turned for the door, her hand landed on his arm. Her touch was like the strike of a match.

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Because, did I mention, Lisa Phillips’ books also have some fabulous clean romance between characters in addition to her adrenaline-spike-causing scenes of danger, crisis, and peril? So you will get that for sure in this book, plus a wild ride of survival. SO readable!

Enjoy! –Wren

Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Jen Turano’s marvelous new Gilded Age read: “A Match in the Making”

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I absolutely LOVE Jen Turano’s funny, clever, extremely readable Gilded Age novels! They’re marvelous mixes of humor, romance, *some* adventure, and wonderful storylines. And A Match in the Making‘s heroine Miss Gwendolyn Brinley is clever, courageous–and not what she appears to be, exactly. I received a copy of this fab read from JustRead Tours–and I loved every minute of this book!

After serving as companion to her operatic star cousin’s Catriona on a world tour (designed for healing Catriona’s heart), Gwendolyn is rather exhausted. (Her cousin can be, shall we say, extra.) And not that she needs the money, as her trust fund would confirm; but a quiet office job for the summer seems just the thing. Until it isn’t.

For Gwendolyn is thrown into the world of matchmaking, when her employer Mrs. Parker breaks a bone. Suddenly her office job has disappeared and she’s expected to accompany her boss to Newport’s elegant and exclusive balls and parties, as Mrs. Parker is still expected to find matches for the young ladies whose mothers have hired her. Beautiful Gwendolyn is at first besieged, then ignored, by the wealthy debutantes (she is an “employee,” after all). But her spirit and character shine as she averts a potential embarrassment for an attendee–and she comes to the attention of the most eligible bachelor (actually widower) of the season: Walter Townsend.

And he’s quite annoyed with her, as she’s figuratively put a romantic target on his back. He’s also got three children who have become terrors in the years since their mother died, left to the care of governesses (albeit short-lived ones) and the children’s grandmothers. Although he’s hired Mrs. Parker himself for assistance in seeking a new bride, Gwendolyn’s forthright manner has drawn far too much attention (and poorly-designed machinations for it) to him.

But Gwendolyn has unseen skills that she puts to work in ways that create order in Walter’s life, and in his family, even as she is working through the list of eligible young ladies for him. What will it take for the two of them to realize that they are, indeed, each other’s perfect match? Watch and see…

When I pick up one of Jen Turano’s books, I know that I’m in for a wonderful ride. A Match in the Making is a marvelous one, as well as I book I absolutely could not put down. 5 stars!

Enjoy! –Wren

Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Fab new thriller: “With Me In The Storm”

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Readers!

I am so excited about the amazing authors of suspense and thrillers that I’m seeing more of these days; who write from a perspective of faith, hope, and love from the God who is so ready to hear us and help us when we cry out to Him. (And even when we don’t know to–but He still works!) I’m thrilled to tell you about Karen E. Ingle’s new book, With Me In The Storm. Keep reading for more on the book, a giveaway, and even some excerpts from this suspenseful, heart-pounding read!

Welcome to the Blog Tour for With Me in the Storm by Karen E. Ingle, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: With Me in the Storm Author: Karen E. Ingle Publisher: Trilogy Christian Publishing Release Date: September 19, 2022 Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

If she escapes her past, can she survive the storm to come?

Maddie’s California dream-turned-nightmare is a perfect storm of abuse, trafficking, and unwanted pregnancy. She sees only one way out, until a network of strangers offers a solution that could save her life and her baby’s. But escaping back to Minnesota hinges on Chris, the fiancé she rejected for the drug dealer who now owns her. After all she’s done, is it too much to hope Chris will perform this generous act of love? And what if love isn’t enough to protect Maddie when a deadlier storm closes in? PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | BookDepository | IndieBound

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About the Author

Karen Ingle admires women’s resilience and courage that emerge when faced with a pregnancy that rocks their world. As a freelance writer, she has interviewed such women, met them, and served them. She’s also rubbed elbows with the gutsy people who care deeply enough to support women in their journeys out of dark despair into bright hope. Now Karen is weaving those true stories into the compelling novel, With Me in the Storm, and others still to come in her Rumors of Light series.

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

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed paperback copy of With Me in the Storm, $10 Amazon gift card, notecard, sticker, handmade bookmark, and a packet of “Maddie’s favorite hot cocoa mix”!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight February 20, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 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 only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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Excerpts from With Me In The Storm

If you’re a person with a heart for humans captured in the web of trafficking, this book, and its protagonist, Maddie, is going to win your heart. Here are a couple of snippets of what you’ll find in With Me In The Storm.

Excerpt 1

Maddie shivered and tried to hug her knees tighter against her bulging tummy. Horror stories crept from the back corners of her mind—Zach’s stories about “taking care” of his previous girls’ pregnancies.

Zach bent and gripped her chin. He hissed in her face, “So, your mistake, your fix. I’m going to make you take care of it. Don’t move.”

She squeezed her eyes shut as he stomped to the back of the house. The closet door opened, there was a pause, then the door closed. She shuddered. For months she had bottled up this fear, ever since she first suspected she might be pregnant. Uncertainty let her keep hoping she was wrong. Finally, she’d secretly asked Tanisha to get her a pregnancy test. Now she wished she hadn’t.

Excerpt 2

Maddie forced out a hoarse whisper: “I…I can’t keep this baby.”

The voice on the phone paused. “You sound a little scared. Do you feel safe right now?”

She blinked. Not the words she expected. “Um…no.” Glancing at the front door, she hurried on. “No. If he gets back and I’m still pregnant, I don’t know what he’ll do to me.”

“I see.” The voice fell silent for a moment, then went on, “Let’s think through the best way I could help you.”

Like there’s more than one? Maddie scoffed silently.

“May I help you connect with someone who can help you get away to a safe place?”

Speechless, Maddie stared at the faucet, where one drop hung dangling from the very edge. Get away? That had never entered her mind. That was too wild, too impossible. Where would she go? Who would help her?

Don’t miss Karen E. Ingle’s incredible With Me In The Storm. You’ll love its characters (at least the ones who aren’t villains), be inspired by the story, and even be moved to pray.

Bless you, dear readers! –Wren

Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

“Relational Reset” ~ Dr. Laurel Shaler’s newest book

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Dr. Laurel Shaler’s new Relational Reset: Unlearning the Habits that Hold You Back, is a unique look at something in our lives that could be serving as roadblocks to our having a better life. It’s easy to think that our problems are someone else’s fault. But what if there’s something inside us–something that can be healed–that is keeping us from moving forward?

Welcome to the Blog + Review Blitz for Relational Reset by Laurel Shaler, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Relational Reset Author: Laurel Shaler Publisher: Moody Release Date: February 2019 Genre: Christian Living (non-fiction)

From the author of “Reclaiming Sanity: Hope and Healing for Trauma, Stress, and Overwhelming Life Events” comes this Selah Award Finalist on a topic everyone can relate to: Relationships. So, are your relationships all that you want them to be?

Despite our best intentions, we all have blind spots–bad relational habits that are keeping us from enjoying our relationships fully. And since relationships stand at the center of all we are and all we do, if we can learn to do relationships better, every aspect of our lives improves. Whether you struggle to overcome past wounds, insecurity, blame, or envy, it’s time to reflect on your relational habits and reset them so that your relationships can be all you want them to be.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository | IndieBound | Christianbook | BookBub

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About the Author

Dr. Laurel Shaler is a licensed mental health professional and a Professor at Liberty University . She has contributed to many well-known publications including Lifeway’s Journey, Guideposts, and Proverbs 31 Ministries. Laurel is the author of “Reclaiming Sanity: Hope and Healing for Trauma, Stress, and Overwhelming Life Events” (David C. Cook, 2016) and “Relational Reset: Unlearning the Habits that Hold You Back” (Moody, 2018). She regularly speaks on a wide variety of topics, and has been interviewed by Building Relationships, Focus on the Family, and more. Most importantly, Laurel is a follower of Jesus Christ and seeks to share His love with others. She and her family live in the Deep South.

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

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of the book and $25 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight February 1, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 8, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Ebook available international. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

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If you’d like to catch a glimpse of what Dr. Shuler’s talking about–keep reading!

Excerpt One:

When we develop empathy for others, act from realistic expectations, and take responsibility for our own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, we gain freedom from the negativity that weighs us down and holds us back. When we toss off the weight of unhealthy patterns, we experience renewed strength and confidence . . . and a restored ability to move forward in our relationship with God and our relationships with others. As a counselor and a professor of counselor education and family studies, I wrote Relational Reset: Unlearning the Habits That Hold You Back to help you do just that. My prayer for you is that this book will equip you to reclaim what God intended all along: healthy, whole, nurturing, loving, satisfying relationships. This can happen regardless of your past and within the many types of relationships in your life. Just think of the freedom you will feel and how much better you’ll sleep when you aren’t staying awake worrying about relationships. Even when others won’t participate in improving a messy relationship, you can learn to be your best you and feel better for having done so.

Excerpt Two:

All of us can benefit from having this expectation: people will disappoint us. Friends will disappoint us. Family will disappoint us. Fellow church members, neighbors, employers, colleagues . . . they will all disappoint us. We’ll disappoint others too. If we’re not careful, we’ll expect perfection from others. If so, when disappointment comes, it can crush us and our relationships. The Lord knows we don’t want anyone expecting us to be perfect, so we shouldn’t expect that from others either.

For example, do you have unrealistic expectations of your spouse? (I’m frustrated that my husband is not as romantic as I had hoped he would be. Should I consider a separation?) Do you have un- realistic expectations of your coworkers? (If I can handle this big of a caseload without any problem, why can’t she?) Do you have unrealistic expectations of your pastor? (He knows I’m homebound. Why can’t he come to visit me every week?) Are any of these questions hitting home? Then it’s possible your expectations of others are too high.

Enjoy! –Wren

Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

“Strike to the Heart” trio by Danielle Grandinetti–all now available! (plus GA, ends 12/6/22)

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Are you familiar with author Danielle Grandinetti’s wonderful series set in early-Depression Wisconsin? (With a taste of Chicago.) It’s a fascinating era. And what a story Grandinetti weaves over the course of the books–involving a female veterinarian, strikes involving dairy farmers, snipers, dog whisperers, granddaughters–and even the Mafia! What a series–with characters that will capture your heart. Oh–and some clean romantic elements as well! Here’s more about the books, plus a giveaway & snippets from the books so you can see for yourself Grandinetti’s talent with a pen.

Welcome to the Blog Blitz for the Strike to the Heart series by Danielle Grandinetti, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOKS

Title: To Stand in the Breach Series: Strike to the Heart Author: Danielle Grandinetti Publisher: Hearth Spot Press Release Date: September 13, 2022 Genre: Historical Romantic Suspense, Christian

She came to America to escape a workhouse prison, but will the cost of freedom be too high a price to pay?

1933, Wisconsin – Large animal veterinarian Katy Wells takes her patients’ welfare personally, so it’s no surprise when she stands up to angry farmers planning a milk strike or takes in an injured draft horse to save its life.But after a visitor from the past discovers her location and reveals a threat, she must choose between her work and her freedom, and whether to trust a man to keep her safe. To Stand in the Breach is the prequel novella to A Strike to the Heart, releasing April 2022.

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

Title: A Strike to the Heart Series: Strike to the Heart Author: Danielle Grandinetti Publisher: Hearth Spot Press Release Date: September 13, 2022 Genre: Historical Romantic Suspense, Christian She’s fiercely independent. He’s determined to protect her. Wisconsin, 1933―When a routine mission becomes an ambush that kills his team, Craft Agency sniper Miles Wright determines to find the persons responsible and protect the woman he rescued. But the fierce independence that led Lily Moore to leave her family’s dairy business for the solitary life of a dog trainer and the isolation of her farm don’t make that easy. Neither does his unwanted attraction to her. Meanwhile, escalating incidents confirm that she’s far from safe. Lily fears letting the surprisingly gentle retired marine into her life almost as much as she fears whoever is threatening her. As Wisconsin farmers edge toward another milk strike, one that will surely turn violent, it becomes clear that the plot against Lily may be part of a much larger conspiracy. When the search for her abductor leads close to home, she must decide whether to trust her family or the man who saved her life.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound | Christianbook | BookBub

Title: As Silent as the Night Series: Strike to the Heart Author: Danielle Grandinetti Publisher: Hearth Spot Press Release Date: September 13, 2022 Genre: Historical Romantic Suspense, Christian

He can procure anything, except his heart’s deepest wish. She might hold the key, if she’s not discovered first.

Chicago, 1933―Lucia Critelli will do anything for her ailing grandfather, including stand in a breadline to have enough food to make him a St. Nicholas Day meal. When she catches the eye of a goon who threatens her grandfather, she discovers the end of Prohibition doesn’t mean the end of the mafia’s criminal activity. Retired Marine Scout Giosue “Gio” Vella can find anything, especially if it helps a fellow Italian immigrant, so he has no doubt he can locate his neighbor’s granddaughter, who has gone missing from a local church. Keeping her safe is another matter. Especially when he chooses to hide out with his Marine buddy in Eagle, Wisconsin, the site of a barely-held truce among striking dairy farmers. Will Christmas bring the miracle they all need or will Gio discover there are some things even he can’t find, particularly when he stumbles upon the most elusive gift of all: love.

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

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Danielle Grandinetti is author of the Strike to the Heart series and a book blogger at DaniellesWritingSpot.com. Her short stories have appeared in several publications and her writing has won the University of Northwestern Distinguished Faith in Writing Award. Originally from the Chicagoland area, she now lives along Lake Michigan’s Wisconsin shoreline with her husband and their two young sons. Danielle especially loves quiet mornings served with the perfect cup of tea.

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

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a paperback copy of the Strike to the Heart series and a tote bag featuring a dairy cow.

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 29, 2022 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on December 6, 2022. 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.

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

Here are a few excerpts from the Strike to the Heart series

From To Stand in the Breach

He found her.
Desperately clutching the paper, Dr. Katy Wells slipped into the sheltered area between two of the buildings at the center of the small town of Eagle, Wisconsin. She placed a gloved hand on the worn plank wall of Town Hall and squeezed her eyes shut to block out the words on the letter. Fear’s insidious claws sank into her chest. Fourteen years of running, of staying one step
ahead of her uncle and other men who wished her harm … and she’d finally found security here, in this town, hidden as it was in the middle of the United States.

Until today.

From A Strike to the Heart

Miles Wright pressed his eye to the A5 telescopic sight attached to his Springfield long-range rifle. Instead of being hunkered down in the trenches of Europe or in the humidity of Central America, as he would be if he’d stayed in the army, he flattened himself against the rough branch of a monstrous pine one hundred yards from the ruins of a stone house lost amid the
forests of northern Wisconsin.

He breathed deeply, the smell of decaying leaves filling his nose even as the action calmed his
heart. Dusk had come, but he could still spot the shadows of his four fellow retired soldiers darting from tree to tree toward the stone structure where Lily Moore’s kidnappers likely stashed her. His team was tasked with a simple rescue and had yet to meet any resistance. Miles’ job was to keep it that way.

From As Silent as the Night (just in time for Christmas!)

The highlight of the evening, however, were the last few songs, which the entire congregation was invited to sing. Lucia’s heart swelled full-to-bursting as she sang, but at the initial stanzas of “Silent Night,” she fell silent. Beside her, almost in a whisper, Gio sang for the first time that night.

Notte silenziosa, notte Santa …

Tears pricked Lucia’s eyes. Not just at the incredible voice she didn’t realize Gio had, but at how holy the moment felt. Around her, people she didn’t know raised their voices together. Young and old. Rich and poor. Farmers and city dwellers. American and Irish and Italian. It mattered not. All of them had one wish for this Christmas season …

… Dormi nella pace divina … to sleep in heavenly peace.

Would her peace return? Would her world right itself? Would she be able to spend Christmas with Nonno? Lucia glanced at the man beside her. Would there be a future for them?

I love Danielle Grandinetti’s characters, and the unique way she tells the stories of Americans in 1933. It’s a series well worth your reading time.

Enjoy! –Wren

New epic fantasy book: “Quest of Fire: Desperation”

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Welcome to the Blog Tour for Quest of Fire: Desperation by Brett Armstrong, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Quest of Fire: Desperation Series: Quest of Fire #4 Author: Brett Armstrong Publisher: Expanse Books Release Date: September 13, 2022 Genre: Christian, Epic Fantasy

Guarding his nation’s last hope, a teen must escape enemy lands.

While Anargen, Caeserus, and Bertinand are held captive in Stormridge, the war to restore Ecthelowall’s Commonwealth has been waged for months. Their friend Terrillian is on its frontline and hopes are high.

For Barons Fenwrest and Sornfold the fight is too close to their children, whose union represents the only viable challenge to the Monarchists claim to Ecthelowall’s ancient throne. Enter Thomas Fenwrest, an orphan and page to Sir Hurstwell, who is captain of Baron Fenwrest’s guard. The pair must escort the teens to Castle Yerst expecting boredom to be their only danger. Everything quickly spirals out of control when the Monarchists somehow deliver a devastating blow to the Restoration army and Thomas and Sir Hurstwell face the increasingly difficult task of keeping their charges alive. Ancient sorcery and bitter grudges combine to ensnare them. As desperation sets in for the Restoration and Thomas, to where will they turn for hope?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository | IndieBound

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brett Armstrong, author of the prize-winning novel, Destitutio Quod Remissio, started writing stories at age nine, penning a tale of revenge and ambition set in the last days of the Aztec Empire. Twenty years later, he still tells stories enriched by his Christian faith and a master’s degree in creative writing. His goal with every work is to be like a brush in the Master artist’s hand and his hope is the finished composition always reflects the design God had in mind. He writes to engage, immerse, and entertain with deep, thoughtful stories. Continually busy at work with one or more new novels to come, he also enjoys drawing, gardening, and playing with his beautiful wife and son. Brett’s book The Gathering Dark is a 2020 Selah Awards Finalist in the Speculative Fiction category.

Connect with Brett by visiting brettarmstrong.net to follow him on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(2) winners will receive a $25 Amazon gift card, a copy of Quest of Fire: Desperation, a digital map of the western Lowlands, a digital copy of a limited-release short story about a character in Desperation, and Quest of Fire‘s theme music.

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 8, 2022 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 15, 2022. 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.

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

And a bit from the book:

If you’re a fan of books like Tolkien’s LOTR books, I think that Quest of Fire: Desperation might be right up your alley! Here’s a bit from the book to whet your appetite:

“Mia?” he tried again and reached out and gently put his hand on her shoulder.

“No, I’m fine.” She evaded his touch. “I can’t believe he was right. We were still celebrating the victory that turned back the Monarch and guaranteed Cromwell’s safety for good. But somehow, we’ve lost everything. Our safety. The Viceroy. Father. They’re just gone.”

“We don’t know that for sure. Both the Viceroy and your father could have been in the back of the lines; maybe they escaped during a strategic withdrawal.”

She shot him a glance, eyes reddened with suppressed tears. “Father doesn’t retreat, and he would never let his men fight dangers he would not face himself.”

Thomas looked at the ground. He did know that, and could respect the Baron for it. “Whatever our differences, your father is an honorable man.”

“Was,” she corrected. “Was honorable. No one else escaped this. This is the worst slaughter in Ecthelowall’s history. I can see the bodies of pages and nursemaids. What kind of monster kills them?” A tear slid down her cheek, and she wiped it away, but she was breaking; a faint moan escaped her lips.

Running his hand through his hair, Thomas scanned the area. They had to hurry, but he knew he couldn’t force her on. Heartbreak has a way of numbing the body to the survival instincts outward injuries excite. He wrapped his arms around her and felt her grip him fiercely. She sobbed into his chest. Thomas rubbed her back gently, murmuring soothing sounds.

After a few moments, Mia pushed away and regarded him warily. Her voice choked as she asked, “What are you doing?”

He raised his brows. That was a delicate question. She might fall apart if he revealed his belief that her father was gone. But as he looked into her pain-stricken eyes, he recalled how he’d longed for honesty in his time of hurt. “Um, I guess I’m consoling you.”

She shook her head. “We can’t even stand being in the same room together. Why would you want to console me?”

Suspicion was heavy in her voice and her tone much louder now. Whatever she thought he was up to, it was clearly blinding her to the precarious position they were in. He held up his hands placatingly. “Easy. I meant you no ill. I just understand, is all.”

“Understand? Understand what?”

He sighed. “What it’s like to lose a father. To lose everything.”

Don’t miss your chance to enter to win Quest of Fire: Desperation, an Amazon GC, and other book-lovers’ goodies! Scroll back up to find the giveaway form. And best wishes!

Enjoy! –Wren

Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

“Deadly Conclusion” ~ a review of Kathy Harris’s latest (and chance to win!)

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Are you a suspense fan? Love dogs (especially German shepherds) and trained working dogs? How about lost loves that are suddenly back in town? If your answer is yes, welcome to Keely Lambert’s life. I was offered the chance to read Deadly Conclusion–and it’s a story that will keep you flying from page to page! Keep reading for more plus a giveaway–ending November 8, 2022–to win this book and more.

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Deadly Conclusion by Kathy Harris, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Deadly Conclusion Series: Deadly Secrets #3 Author: Kathy Harris Publisher: Iron Stream Fiction Release Date: November 2, 2022 Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

A Fast-Paced Suspense Book You Can’t Put Down

In the thrilling conclusion of the “Deadly Secrets” series, search and rescue dog trainer Keely Lambert breaks in Titan, a new shepherd, during a rescue mission to find little Conner Wells. Aided by childhood friend, Beau Gardner of the TBI, who is also Conner’s uncle, Keely finds the boy deep inside Metropolitan Nashville’s Beaman Park. But Conner is not all that Keely finds. On the way back to the welcome center, she notices something sticking out of the dirt—the military dog tags of her father who disappeared more than two decades before. The discovery sets Keely on a hunt to unearth her father’s killer, only to be thwarted by multiple setbacks—the murder of Beau’s father, the kidnapping of her mother, and her kennel being set on fire in the middle of the night. After Keely is kidnapped, Beau leads a manhunt to find her before the outcome reaches a “deadly conclusion.”

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository | IndieBound | Christianbook

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathy Harris is an author by way of a “divine detour” into the Nashville entertainment business where she works as a marketing director. For several years she freelanced entertainer biographies and wrote news stories and columns for various music publications.

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

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a $35 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of Deadly Conclusion.

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 1, 2022 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 8, 2022. 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.

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

My thoughts about Deadly Conclusion

Secrets. They often cover pain; or tragic events; or just something that their owner wants to put out of their mind.

Deadly Conclusion opens with working dog trainer Keely Lambert answering a call with her newly-trained German shepherd, Titan. A little boy is missing from a large, wooded park. When she and Titan are out searching for 6-year-old Conner, she’s reunited with the man she loved–whom she hasn’t seen in ten years.

Beau Gardner is an agent for the Tennessee Board of Investigation; and yes. He walked out on the young woman he loved ten years ago, without a trace or a call. And now here he is with her again, face-to-face. He has some forgiveness to ask for, and time to make up for. But frightening events are happening. And they don’t add up to an obvious suspect, or connections with the people involved: an elderly woman, suffering from disease; a little boy; Keely, and her coworker Adam. What is the connection between these people, the past, and a concealed secret?

Remember the old saying, ‘Never trust someone your dog doesn’t like?’

Keely Lambert, Deadly Conclusion

I have to tell you, there isn’t a Kathy Harris book that I’ve read that I didn’t love. The characters in Deadly Conclusion won my heart from the get-go. Keely: efficient, smart, disciplined, faithful to her family, the Lord, and the dogs she is training. Beau: a good man with family brokenness behind him, that impacted his choices; but who loves God and his people; and, a fantastic law enforcement agent. And the two of them together with quite a history.

The past really doesn’t ever go away, does it? Beau and Keely are discovering that in spades. The past of broken, unhealed relationships. Unforgiveness and pain. Flashbacks of a traumatic event. The loss of a beloved parent…and maybe more. Kathy Harris has crafted an incredible thriller (with a teeny tiny bit of clean romance tucked in) that will capture your heart and keep you holding (and later on, gripping) the book in your hands until you’ve turned the very last page.

It will give you chills, just as it did me. And you’ll be rooting for Beau and Keely–and for the very bad bad guy to get what he deserves. Don’t miss Deadly Conclusion!

Enjoy! –Wren

Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.