A Lady Divided Blog Tour by Sandra Ardoin

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for A Lady Divided by Sandra Ardoin, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: A Lady Divided 
Series: House of Fire #1 
Author: Sandra Ardoin 
Publisher: Corner Room Books 
Release Date: August 28, 2025 
Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Just when she thinks she’s defeated the past, it returns with a vengeance. 

Fighting to keep her late husband’s dream alive and her land-grabbing neighbors at bay, Laurel Tillman longs for a peace she knew before the war. But when her skill with a rifle saves a stranger from a mountain lion attack—a man whose life she once wouldn’t have hesitated to take—wartime memories rush back. 

While raising her daughter and taking responsibility for the stray women who work on her sheep ranch, Laurel can’t wait to get the injured Yankee out of her house. Getting him out of her heart is an entirely different matter. 

Quinn Spencer, a former Union cavalry officer, owes Laurel a debt, but his career as a new lawyer in town comes with a warning to stay away from the unconventional women of La Casa del Fuego. Then, with the discovery of a dead man on Laurel’s ranch, Quinn must choose between his career and justice for a woman who can’t bear the sight of him. 

As they battle an unknown adversary who sets out to destroy Laurel, will she join forces with her former enemy? Or will she allow the past to overcome any chance of a truce between them . . . and, possibly, something more? 

Meet the women of La Casa del Fuego—House of Fire—as they are forced by circumstances to live their lives outside the bounds of accepted femininity.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Books2Read | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

My Review

The Lady Divided had my attention from the beginning. The setting of ranch La Casa del Fuego-The House of Fire, intrigued me by its name. Laurel, her mother, daughter, and the rest of the women at the ranch considered themselves family. When Quinn Spencer is injured and taken to the ranch to recuperate, things change rapidly. There are many incidents where Laurel and Quinn continue to cross paths, and secrets connect. The characters are well-developed with many layers, a secret past, and accusations that affect their future. The ending was fascinating as all the hidden secrets were revealed through a few unexpected twists that wrapped up everything nicely. A wonderful, but emotional read with a Christian theme running through it that made it uplifting and inspirational. I received a copy from the author; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.

Also Available

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About the Author

As the author of reader-described heartwarming historical and contemporary romance, Sandra Ardoin engages readers with page-turning stories of love and faith.

She is the married mother of a young adult and co-sitter for a granddog. As well as being a team member in her church's library, she reads Christian fiction, binges TV shows with her husband, and seldom says no to eating out. 

Visit her at sandraardoin.com. Connect with her on BookBub, Facebook, X, and Goodreads. Subscribe to the newsletter and keep up with what’s new, discover what’s upcoming, and learn of specials.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon eGift Card and two (2) ebooks of their choice from Sandra Ardoin’s Published Books!

(1) winner will receive three (3) ebooks of their choice from Sandra Ardoin’s Published Books!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight August 25, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 1, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

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The Engineered Engagement Blog Tour by Erica Vetsch

 

 

About the Book

Book: The Engineered Engagement

Author: Erica Vetsch

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: July 8, 2025

A hidden genius, an ambitious shipbuilder, and a daring deception—can she prove her worth without losing her heart?

Eli Kennebrae plans to revolutionize cargo transportation on the Great Lakes. But his grandfather’s meddling obligates him to an arranged engagement. Though Josie Zahn is kindhearted and strikes his interest, Eli needs an engineer for his ship, not a fiancée.

Josie has admired Eli for years, but to him, she’s just “one of the Zahn girls.” Worse, society expects her to marry, not pursue her passion for mathematics and engineering. If she could only get Eli’s attention, she could help him achieve his goals.

Then “Professor Josephson,” a brilliant mathematical mind, provides the analyses to make Eli’s ship design a reality. As Eli finds unexpected kinship in the professor’s work, he remains unaware of the truth—Josie is the genius behind the numbers. When deception and ambition collide, will Eli see Josie for who she truly is before it’s too late?

 

Click here to get your copy!

MY REVIEW

This is one of the best bride stories I've read this year. The author has a way of using descriptions that transport the reader to 1900s Minnesota, making it come to life.

The characters reveal both their flaws and their strengths. Josephine is confused by her unique gift in mathematics and working with blueprints, as well as what God's plan for her life is. There is intrigue, danger, betrayal, but also a heart-warming romance. I loved her grandmother's humor, but also her faith in God, which she shares with Josephine. Eli, I liked from the beginning his drive to succeed and his ability to forgive.

I received a complimentary copy from the author; a positive review is not necessary. All opinions are my own.

 

About the Author

Best-selling, award-winning author of The Debutante’s Code, first in the Thorndike & Swann Regency Mystery Series, Erica Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum.

 

 

 

 

More from Erica

One of the most frequently asked questions an author gets is “Where do your ideas come from?” The truth is…all over! But for me, the main place that story ideas start is in a museum. I see an artifact or object or hear a story as I wander a museum, and I begin to wonder about the people who used the object or survived the events that led to their story being in a museum.

The Engineered Engagement was inspired by a tour of the Great Lakes cargo ship the Meteor. The Meteor is a whaleback and is on display in Superior, WI, just across the harbor from Duluth, MN where the story is set.

I first toured the Meteor when I was eleven years old…awhile ago now. But many years later my husband and I took our kids to tour this amazing piece of engineering. The design, which is characterized by low rounded hulls, decks, and deckhouses looks decidedly odd and different from other ships. This design minimized the wind and water resistance encountered in more traditional hull shapes. The creator/design engineer of the whaleback was a Scotsman named Alexander McDougall who was a ship master and seaman on the Great Lakes.

The first whaleback hit the lakes in 1887, and over the next 11 years, 43 more joined her. One of the largest whalebacks was the steamer named the Frank Rockefeller. This ship was later renamed the SS Meteor. The Meteor hauled iron ore and sand for much of her career, and she is the only whaleback that remains.

As I toured the ship, learning nautical terms and all but feeling the rolling of the deck beneath my feet, I couldn’t help but admire Alexander McDougall for ignoring the critics, the snide remarks, and the jeers that always accompany a design pioneer and creating anyway. Looking for a better way to make something or do a task should be admired. He was tenacious, and I wanted to imbue my characters, Eli Kennebrae and Josie Zahn, with that same tenacity.

The Engineered Engagement involves ship building and hydrodynamics. Now, I know nothing about either of these disciplines, but I did glean some information, hopefully enough to make my characters, Eli and Josie, sound like they do. Ah, the joys of writing fiction! And while Eli and Josie are loaded with brains and tenacity, I also wanted them to have real emotions, to care about each other. One of the joys of writing fiction is getting to live through the eyes/hearts of your characters and feel what they feel. The Engineered Engagement was a joy to write.

If you are interested in Great Lakes shipping, I highly recommend the Duluth Canal Camera, https://www.duluthharborcam.com/p/canal-park-cams.html

And if you are interested in learning more about the SS Meteor, I recommend this site: https://superiorpublicmuseums.org/ss-meteor/

                  Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 20

Worthy2Read, August 20

Melissa’s Bookshelf, August 21

Texas Book-aholic, August 21

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 22

Devoted To Hope, August 22

Artistic Nobody, August 23 (Guest Review from Marilyn)

Simple Harvest Reads, August 23 (Guest Review from Mindy)

For Him and My Family, August 24

Books You Can Feel Good About, August 24

Inkwell Inspirations, August 25

Pens Pages & Pulses, August 25

Stories By Gina, August 26 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, August 26

She Lives To Read, August 27

Inklings and notions, August 27

Bizwings Book Blog, August 28

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 28

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, August 29

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 29

An Author’s Take, August 30

Books Less Travelled, August 30

Book Looks by Lisa, August 31

Blossoms and Blessings, August 31

Holly’s Book Corner, September 1

Pause for Tales, September 1

Devoted Steps, September 2

Life on Chickadee Lane, September 2

                   Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Erica is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54282

Review of New Release- Protecting the Amish Witness by Virginia Vaughn

He has a witness to defend…

and their future hangs in the balance.

Deputy Drake Shaw rescues single mom Isabelle Morris from an assailant's attack, only to be mistaken for her late husband. After exposing the corruption at her health-care company, Isabelle fears danger has followed her and her daughter all the way to their remote cabin. Now Drake must keep them safe long enough for Isabelle to testify against her former boss. But when her child is taken, the stakes are raised. Can they survive to unravel the truth about the present…and the past?

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

Lone Star Defenders

Book 1: Dangerous Christmas Investigation
Book 2: Missing in Texas
Book 3: Protecting the Texas Witness

About the author

Virginia Vaughan is a Publishers Weekly Bestselling author of inspirational romantic suspense. Blessed to come from a large, southern family, her fondest memories include listening to stories recounted by family and friends around the large dinner table. She was a lover of books even from a young age, devouring gothic romance novels and stories of romance, danger, and love. She soon started writing them herself. A former investigator for the State of Mississippi, Virginia utilizes her criminal justice background with her love of writing to transform words into powerful stories of romance and danger.

My Review

Protecting the Texas Witness is a page-turner that I read in one sitting. I couldn't put it down and was engaged from start to finish. One dangerous situation after another drove the storyline on—tension, danger, betrayal, and lots of suspense with twists and turns. The main character, Isabelle, is a loving mother, courageous, brave, and stubborn. I was rooting for her all the way. She trusted in God and Drake, a local deputy, who had lost years of his memory since an accident. Isabelle's daughter Kelsey went through a lot, and I was amazed by her ability to handle it. The story is also inspirational and uplifting, with a fabulous ending that wraps everything up nicely. The romance woven into the story touched my heart, as did the Christian elements incorporated. I received an ARC from the author; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.

Special Pricing for The Pacific Cove Legacy Series

 

Time of Haunted Beginning is FREE from Aug 23 thru Aug 27th on Amazon.

Time of Second Chances Book 2- FREE from Aug 23 thru Aug 27th on Amazon

Time of Enduring Love Book 3 is $1.99

Now is the time to get this set of all three books in the series for $1.99

Description:

From Book 1

Experience the captivating start of the Sanders Legacy as Jason and Naomi embark on a life-altering journey. Leaving behind the hustle and bustle of city living, they find solace in the tranquil embrace of the Pacific Cove Ranch. However, as Naomi grapples with the haunting loss of her beloved sister, her new surroundings only amplify her feelings of isolation and melancholy.

In the depths of her sorrow, Naomi begins to question her own perceptions. Are the visions she witnesses a product of her grief-stricken mind, or is there a spectral presence entwined with the very fabric of the ranch house? Determined to uncover the truth, she resolves to convince not only her loving husband but also the enigmatic owner of the ranch.

Buried within the walls of this century-old dwelling lies a profound mystery, waiting to be unraveled. Naomi's relentless pursuit of answers becomes her lifeline, a desperate attempt to restore her shattered sanity. Can she piece together the fragments of this haunting enigma, or will she succumb to the weight of her own haunted visions?

https://www.amazon.com/Time-Haunted-Beginnings-Pacific-Legacy-ebook/dp/B01KECQ86S/

From Book 2

The tale unfolds as Jason and Naomi's son, Peter, triumphantly completes his college education and returns to the breathtaking landscapes of Pacific Cove Ranch. Fueled by a profound desire to uphold the family's legacy, he immerses himself in the ranch's operations, eager to shape his own future amidst its tranquil beauty.

The vast expanse of the ranch, a young woman named Amanda, bearing the weight of a shattered heart, unexpectedly crosses paths with Peter. . Drawn together by the magnetic pull of destiny, they embark on a remarkable journey where healing, hope, and the transformative power of love intertwine.

But their path is not without hurdles. A series of heart-wrenching events befall the family, testing their unwavering faith and indomitable spirit. As they confront these trials head-on, their resilience is pushed to its limits. Will their unyielding belief in each other, the support of cherished friends, and the boundless strength of love be enough to overcome these challenges? Or will the weight of their struggles prove too heavy to bear?

An emotionally gripping saga that explores the profound depths of human resilience and the extraordinary capacity of the human spirit to persevere through life's most trying moments. Set against the backdrop of the awe-inspiring Pacific Cove Ranch, this compelling story weaves together themes of love, faith, friendship, and the unbreakable bonds that can carry us through even the darkest of times.

Join us on an unforgettable journey as Jason and Naomi's son, Amanda, and a cast of resilient characters navigate the turbulent waters of fate, and discover that in the face of adversity, the enduring power of love can illuminate the path to a brighter future.

https://www.amazon.com/Time-Second-Chances-Pacific-Legacy-ebook/dp/B01LRN71N2

From Book 3

After the heartfelt union of Peter and Amanda, the Saunders family embarks on a journey filled with both delightful moments and unexpected challenges.

As the hired ranch hand integrates himself into the family's daily life, a sense of unease lingers in the air. Who is this enigmatic individual, and what mysteries lie beneath his seemingly ordinary facade? Determined to uncover the truth, the Saunders family plunges into a race against time, grappling with their own doubts and fears.

Amidst these unfolding events, a new rancher arrives in the vicinity, triggering a series of complications for Naomi and Jason. Their once-unshakable bond and unwavering faith now face a stern test. Can they withstand the trials that loom ahead and emerge unscathed? Only with the guiding hand of God will their love and resilience be truly tested.

Prepare to be immersed in a gripping tale where joy intertwines with sorrow, secrets unravel, and the strength of family and faith are put to the ultimate challenge.

https://www.amazon.com/Time-Enduring-Love-Pacific-Legacy-ebook/dp/B0BRJGXGBW

Read less

Blog Tour of Vanished by Dr. David Jeremiah

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Vanished by Dr. David Jeremiah with Sam O'Neal, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Vanished
Series: The Vanished Series #1
Author: Dr. David Jeremiah with Sam O'Neal 
Publisher: Thomas Nelson 
Release Date: June 30, 2025 
Genre: Christian Fiction

New York Times bestselling author Dr. David Jeremiah's theological insights are already valued by millions of readers. Now he brings that same depth to novels that explore the end of the world...

As leader of a special military unit charged with stopping potential pandemics before they spread, John "Haggs" Haggerty has a front-row seat to the sharp increase in natural disasters that precede the Rapture--including plagues, earthquakes, famines, wars, and rumors of war. And each crisis is becoming more intense. 

Meanwhile, his own world feels like it's falling apart. He's still caught in the grief of messing up his relationship with his ex-wife, and he's trying to keep it together so that he can show up for his adult daughter before she wants him out of her life entirely. As both personal and professional situations push him to the brink, Haggs finds himself stretched further than ever in his desire to be the kind of good person he knows he should be. 

 Just when it seems as if things might turn around, Haggs is forced to decide between his need to find solutions and his need for personal redemption.  

Vanished is Left Behind for a new generation--apocalyptic action and emotion that's infused with Dr. Jeremiah's perspective and compassion.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | DavidJeremiah.org | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop | BookBub

My Review

Vanished-an intense storyline set during a time of potential pandemics. The story was well-written, featuring mystery, suspense, and retribution. There is a lot of conflict between characters in various parts of the story, which kept me turning the pages. The characters appeared realistic, and the author effectively portrayed their strengths as well as their weaknesses.

With Dr. David Jeremiah coauthoring with Sam O'Neal, they have crafted a story of fiction that also incorporates many biblical truths, making for a compelling narrative. The ending, of course, set everything up for another in the series.

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About the Author

Dr. David Jeremiah is the founder of Turning Point, an international ministry committed to providing Christians with sound Bible teaching through radio and television, the Internet, live events, and resource materials and books. He is the author of more than fifty books, including The Book of Signs, The Great Disappearance, Where Do We Go from Here? and The Coming Golden Age.

Dr. Jeremiah serves as the senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, California. He and his wife, Donna, have four children and twelve grandchildren.

Connect with Dr. Jeremiah by visiting davidjeremiah.org to follow him on social media and sign up for email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(3) winners will each receive a signed copy of Vanished, an NIV Jeremiah Study Bible, and a Dr. David Jeremiah Daily Devotional "Living in His Light!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight August 18, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on August 25, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. No shipping 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!

Dangerous Detour Blog Tour by Gail Palotta

 

About the Book

Book: Dangerous Detour (Discipleship Series, Book 2)

Author: Gail Pallotta

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Release Date: March 11, 2025

Four people face a winter storm in the wilderness. Two have lost their way. One has lost his purpose and one has lost his soul.

Headed home for Christmas vacation, Ruthie, a quiet professor, crosses paths with Moose, a football coach, on an icy, blocked road in Western North Carolina. Amid a winter storm, they unknowingly take shelter in a killer’s hideout.

Escaping under fire, they flee into a frozen, snow-covered forest. Trying to find their way out and shake the murderer, they dodge bullets each day until the temperature drops and the world turns quiet. Then, they set up camps to survive in the wilderness. Even though they grow attracted to each other, neither admits it until each of them suffers a frightening injury. Finally, they head to a house Ruthie sees in the distance.

Will they meet a new friend, or a foe?

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

Ruthie and Moose meet during a snowstorm. With both vehicles inoperable, they stick together to obtain help. With no phone signal and very little food, they start across the mountains in search of a house to find help.

The story is full of suspense, mystery, humor, and a sweet romance. I held my breath as each incident unfolded. There is an interwoven Christian theme throughout the story. The main characters learn to trust, overcome their fears, and help one another.

The ending wrapped everything up nicely, with a few surprises. I received an ARC from the author; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.

 

About the Author

Award-winning author Gail Pallotta’s a wife, mom, swimmer and bargain shopper who loves God, beach sunsets and getting together with friends and family. She’s a 2017 Reader’s Favorite Book Awards winner and a TopShelf 2020 Book Awards Finalist. She recently received a Top Author Certificate for her new book, Hidden Danger. She’s published seven books, poems, short stories and two-hundred articles. Some of her articles appear in anthologies while two are in museums.

 

 

More from Gail

People often refer to modern times as the post-Christian era. We’re blessed with wonderful ministers, missionaries and other Christian leaders. Unfortunately, many people never attend a church or any Christian gathering. Yet church goers see others on a daily basis—in a long line in the grocery, at a restaurant, a company or organizational meeting. How can we, Christians who have no formal ministerial training, help spread the Gospel?

Some clergy say unchurched neighbors who watch Christians get up and go to church every Sunday grow curious about Christianity. A man (I’ll call him Joe) recently wandered in a store looking at the merchandise and humming a hymn. A stranger asked Joe about the song. Joe ended up talking to the man about his faith and his church. Another person was asked how he and his wife had stayed married for so many years. He said, “We go to church together.” That’s a loaded statement with so many churches going in different directions. However, the conversation led to a discussion of a Jesus-centered church. The teaching and sermons there apply what Jesus taught about living a godly life rather than re-shaping his Gospel to suit our advantage in worldly situations. It’s often little opportunities we take advantage of that speak to a person. All of the above stayed on my mind for a long time. Usually, when something nags me, I write about it. Thus, a Discipleship Series began. Dangerous Detour is book two.

              Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, August 16

Bizwings Book Blog, August 16

Simple Harvest Reads, August 17 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, August 17

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 18

Texas Book-aholic, August 19

Artistic Nobody, August 20 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 21

Betti Mace, August 22

Maureen’s Musings, August 23

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 24

Lily’s Corner, August 25

Leslie’s Library Escape, August 26

Fiction Book Lover, August 27 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, August 28

Life on Chickadee Lane, August 29

                 Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Gail is giving away the grand prize of a $30 Amazon Gift Card and a print copy of the book!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54279

New Release- Buster & The Race Car Graveyard by Dale Earnhardt Jr.

 

Buster is dared to visit a spooky car graveyard! From NASCAR legend and New York Times bestselling author Dale Earnhardt Jr. comes Buster and the Race Car Graveyard, the fourth book in the popular Buster the Race Car series.

As the Punchy Motorsports team gathers around an oil-drum firepit, Coach Hog tells them about a hayride through a car graveyard that has old, broken-down engines and blown-out tires covered in cobwebs. When Coach Hog takes the team on a field trip to the graveyard, Buster sets out on a hair-raising ride. But what will he discover in the shadows?

This picture book is for ages 4 to 8; teaches kids to value all people despite their differences; and is a great read for Halloween, camping trips, or the fall season. Do you dare to join Buster on this spooky adventure?

https://faithgateway.com/products/buster-and-the-race-car-graveyard

https://www.amazon.com/Buster-Race-Car-Graveyard/dp/1400250366

My Review

This book is such a fun read. It evokes a range of emotions in children and adults. And who doesn't like books about racecars?

The book is well-written, with short paragraphs filled with adventure. The illustrations are well-drawn, colorful, and bring the story to life. The drawings depict a range of emotions, from fear to joy, and the companionship of friends helping one another and facing their fears. Children of all ages will love it!

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.

The Puzzle Within Blog Tour by Gina Holder

 

About the Book

Book: The Puzzle Within

Author: Gina Holder

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release Date: June 13, 2025

FBI agent Arizona Powers is haunted by nightmares—fragments of a childhood kidnapping no one believes ever happened. Still recovering from a nervous breakdown, she accepts a protection assignment for Bridgette Van Sloan, the strong-willed teenage daughter of a U.S. ambassador who’s been receiving threats signed: Enigma.

Nick Trueheart, a former escape artist known as “Nick of Time” turned diplomatic risk analyst, is grieving the loss of his beloved wife—and obsessed with finding her killer. When assigned to Bridgette’s security detail, his biggest concern isn’t the threats—it’s the unstable agent with a vendetta against kidnappers.

When Bridgette disappears from an escape room, Nick and Arizona become entangled in a high-stakes puzzlehunt and a race against time. They must confront their own failures and unravel the secrets hidden within themselves to rescue Bridgette … and survive a madman’s twisted game. Because one thing becomes clear: Enigma’s real target is much bigger — and far more personal.

 

Click here to get your copy!

MY REVIEW

An on-the-edge-of-your-seat suspense with lots of twist and turns. It will leave you breathless. Arizona and Nick are working together on a race against time to save an ambassador's daughter. They are participating in a deadly escape room challenge to solve the puzzles before the girl dies. Arizona and Nick are well-developed characters with many layers. Along with trying to solve the puzzles, they start to rely on God's forgiveness and instruction to get them through. They must confront their fears, their pasts, and their faith in God. I loved trying to discover who Enigma was. It kept me guessing till the end. I enjoyed the ending which wrapped everything up nicely with some surprises. Highly recommended. I received a complimentary copy from the author; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.

About the Author

Gina Holder is an indie author and stay-at-home mom. 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 in 2017. Gina lives in Wyoming with her husband and daughter.

 

 

 

More from Gina

The story of The Puzzle Within began four years ago with the seed of an idea based on my enjoyment of Escape Rooms. I imagined a villain that moved an escape room into the “real world” and an FBI agent with nightmares that no one could or would explain.

In 2023, I entered the first five chapters into Scrivening Press’s “NovelStarts” contest and won first place in the Mystery/Suspense category. In the last three months of 2023, I wrote the entire novel, then spent the next couple of months in editing mode. My beta readers gave me feedback, and I incorporated their thoughts. In June of 2024, I entered The Puzzle Within into Scrivening Press’s “GetPubbed” contest and won the grand prize, a publishing contract.

It’s been my dream since a young age to be a traditionally published author, but it’s God who gets all the glory. I write for Him and His glory, and it’s my prayer that The Puzzle Within will touch lives as well as entertain readers.

A large focus in The Puzzle Within are the riddles, puzzles, and ciphers Enigma leaves for Arizona and Nick in their pursuit of a kidnapped teenager and the truth behind Arizona’s nightmares.

This message below is coded in Caesar Cipher. To solve, take each letter and shift it by four letters, wrapping around from Z to A. So, A=D, B=E, C=F… and so on. (Traditionally, the Caesar Cipher shifts by thirteen letters, but I didn’t want to make it that difficult.)

Once you solve the code, leave a comment below with an emoji if you’ve figured it out—but no spoilers!

Somewhere in the story, a truth waits to be uncovered.
It’s simple. It’s powerful. It’s hidden.
Can you crack the code?

Ksh mw Ksh—erh xlex’w kssh irrsxl jsv qi.

                Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, August 1

For Him and My Family, August 2

Life on Chickadee Lane, August 3

Texas Book-aholic, August 4

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 5

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 6

Cover Lover Book Review, August 6

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 7

Leslie’s Library Escape, August 8

Life, Love, Writing,, August 9

Bizwings Book Blog, August 10

Holly’s Book Corner, August 11

Pause for Tales, August 12

Just Your Average reviews, August 13

For the Love of Literature, August 14 (Author Interview)

Mornings at Character Cafe, August 14

           Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Gina is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of books 1 and 2 of the series, Handmade Mayhem and Home Baked Bribery!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54265

The Bartered Bride Blog Tour by Erica Vetsch

About the Book

Book: The Bartered Bride

Author: Erica Vetsch

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: July 8, 2025

A rebellious suffragette and a steadfast sailor—tied by duty, divided by secrets, and tempted by a love that changes everything.

A born sailor, Jonathan Kennebrae thrives in his role running his grandfather’s shipping enterprise. That is until his grandfather delivers a crippling ultimatum—Jonathan will marry Melissa Brooke or lose his inheritance and everything he’s worked for. Though Jonathan finds himself drawn to Melissa, he can’t help feeling his intended may not be who she appears to be.

​Melissa Brooke is tired of being voiceless. She’s been the perfect daughter all her life, doing what she’s told for the good of the family. Except she has a secret. Melissa lives a double life, teaching literacy to struggling immigrant women and fighting for the suffragette movement. If she goes through with the wedding, she’ll be forced to abandon her life’s work. Yet refusing the union could cost her any chance at an inheritance to fund her cause. To make matters worse, she can’t deny the tender feelings blooming between her and her fiancé.

 

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MY REVIEW

The Bartered Bride is a story of mystery, second chances, and many twists. I was hooked from the first few pages. The historical aspects of the story were woven in well, as was the setting: 1905 Duluth.

Two wealthy families come together in a bartered marriage, but things don't quite work out as planned. There is rebellion on both sides. There were twists I didn't see coming and kept me guessing. The ending wrapped up everything nicely.

I received a complimentary copy from the author; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.

 

About the Author

Best-selling, award-winning author of The Debutante’s Code, first in the Thorndike & Swann Regency Mystery Series, Erica Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum. You can connect with her at her website where you can learn about her books and sign up for her newsletter, and you can find her online where she spends way too much time!

 

 

 

More from Erica

Do you ever wish you could turn back time? That’s what I recently got to do, as I read through my very first published novel, The Bartered Bride, that is now being re-released by Wild Heart Books.

What a blast from the past. I was amazed at all the feelings that rushed back in as I revisited Duluth, MN in the last century. Melissa and Jonathan hadn’t changed a bit in sixteen years.

The story idea first came to me as I sat in church awaiting the start of the service. There I was, a not-yet-published-author, minding my own business when the plot sort of burst into my head. An arranged marriage set in Duluth, and using the “Gales of November” and the wreck of the Mataafa…

I jotted down a few notes, because face it, the best idea for a novel could pop into my head, and if I don’t write down the gist, I will forget it in two minutes.

I wrote The Bartered Bride in about six weeks, and I sent it through my critique group of the time. Then my agent submitted it to the publisher in the spring of 2008.

And we waited.

And waited.

And waited.

We heard nothing for months. My agent sent word that the publisher was still considering it, and I was to be patient. It wasn’t a no, but it also wasn’t a resounding yes!

I had already started the sequel to The Bartered Bride, a story called Marriage Masquerade, so I finished that one, and then with summer upon me, I wrote a new story, Clara and the Cowboy, about an heiress to a ranch and one of the cowboys who rode for her father. Maybe the publisher would like that series better. I heard nothing all summer on either of the two series I had proposed and submitted.

Then in September of that year, I went to the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference. The conference was being held in Minnesota, just a hop up the road from where I live. I ferried agents and editors from the airport to the hotel, I met people, I sat in workshops, all the time wondering if I would ever be a published author. Would my writing ever be ‘good enough’? Was I wasting my time?

Imagine my surprise when the publisher to whom I had submitted The Bartered Bride took the stage at a general session and announced that they were offering a contract to me for that book! Not only that, but when I had an appointment with the editor later, she offered not only a three-book contract on the The North Star Brides, but an additional three-book contract for the Brides of Money Creek of which Clara and the Cowboy was book one!

I had sold six books! The rest of the conference, you could have bought me for a dollar.

Melissa and Jonathan will always have a special place in my heart. They were the couple that started it all. I’m so glad they are getting a new start, and hopefully they will touch readers’ hearts as much as they have mine.

                  Blog Stops

Life on Chickadee Lane, July 28

Melissa’s Bookshelf, July 28

Pens Pages & Pulses, July 29

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 29

lakesidelivingsite, July 30

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 30

Betti Mace, July 31

Fiction Book Lover, July 31 (Guest Review from Marilyn)

Texas Book-aholic, August 1

Devoted To Hope, August 1

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, August 2

Devoted Steps, August 2

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 3

Simple Harvest Reads, August 3 (Guest Review from Mindy)

Stories By Gina, August 4 (Author Interview)

Inklings and Notions, August 4

For HIm and My Family, August 5

Artistic Nobody, August 5 (Guest Review from Donna)

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, August 6

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 6

Book Looks by Lisa, August 7

Holly’s Book Corner, August 7

Bizwings Book Blog, August 8

Vicky Sluiter, August 8

Blossoms and Blessings, August 9

Pause for Tales, August 9

Cover Lover Book Review, August 10

To Everything There Is A Season, August 10

                     Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Erica is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54260