Review of Following the Clues Blog Tour by Dana Mentink

About the Book

Book: Following the Clues (Security Hounds Investigations Book Four)

Author: Dana Mentink

Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense

Release date: May 27, 2024

A search-and-rescue mission
reveals a lethal secret.

After K-9 handler Kara Wolfe witnesses her childhood friend Beau O’Connor survive a targeted hit-and-run, she’s shocked to learn his mother’s missing. And Beau, who can no longer recognize familiar faces after an earlier attack, can’t shake the feeling these terrifying incidents are somehow connected. With the tracking skills of her blind bloodhound, Kara will help Beau locate his mother—but someone will do anything to sabotage their search. With the culprit on their trail, can they uncover a sinister plot…before their rescue mission turns into a fight for survival?

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

This book had my attention from the beginning. The backdrop of a fish hatchery was familiar because I have one where I live. The characters are exciting, especially Beau with his unusual disability. Phil and Millie, with their tracking abilities, are a great addition to the story. And it was evident that Kara adored them.

The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat as one confrontation after another put everyone in danger. The story kept me guessing until the end. Also, adding a sweet building romance and the complications it can bring appeared very real. The ending wrapped up everything in a surprising way.

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

 

About the Author

Dana Mentink is a USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author as well as a two-time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, and a Holt Medallion winner. She is the author of over fifty titles in the suspense and lighthearted romance genres. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, Revell and Poisoned Pen Press.

 

 

 

More from Dana

The only thing more fun that writing about bloodhounds, is adding in some colorful new canine characters who aren’t quite your standard tracking champions. In this book, you’ll get to know Phil who was introduced at the end of book #3. He’s a livestock protector who steps in as a guide for Millie the bloodhound when her vision becomes impaired. Phil takes his job VERY seriously. He flat out refuses to wear a vest, or play with toys, and he doesn’t particularly like people, but he will lay his life down to protect Millie and Kara Wolfe. It was so much fun having this unlikely hero rise to the challenge as Kara and her ex-boyfriend must root out a saboteur on the local fish hatchery property. The secret they unearth will shock you, I hope! Please enjoy the adventure with Millie, Phil, and the rest of the Wolfe pack!

               Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, June 24

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, June 24

Bizwings Book Blog, June 25

Carla’s Book Crush, June 25

Bigreadersite, June 26

The Avid Reader, June 26

Vicky Sluiter, June 27

Texas Book-aholic, June 27

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 28

Devoted To Hope, June 28

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 29

Betti Mace, June 30

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 30

Labor Not in Vain, July 1

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 1

Stories By Gina, July 2 (Author Interview)

EmpowerMoms, July 2

Blogging With Carol, July 3

Because I said So – adventures in parenting, July 3

Simple Harvest Reads, July 4 (Guest Review from Donna)

For Him and My Family, July 4

Lily’s Corner, July 5

Blossoms and Blessings, July 5

Holly’s Book Corner, July 6

Pause for Tales, July 6

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, July 7

Lights in a Dark World, July 7 

                Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away the grand prize of a $75 Amazon gift card and a signed 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/00adcf54246

>

Temple Mount Soil Necklaces- Once in a Lifetime Opportunity- They Also Make a Wonderful Living Gift!

THE TEMPLE MOUNT SOIL NECKLACE

When the product arrived, I was thrilled to discover that I was holding the actual soil from the Temple Mount, which was truly amazing.  It's not symbolic or representative. It's the real earth from the most sacred site in biblical history.  The certificate of authenticity proves it. 

 I chose the silver capsule pendant. Each time I look at it, I think of Jesus as he walked on the soil. Additionally, we are reminded of God's love and care for us each day. It is such an honor to have such a piece of history. One I will treasure forever and pass down to my children.

https://templemountsoil.com/juliegrace

The necklace comes in a gold and silver capsule style, as well as a gold and silver circular pendant, suitable for both men and women.

To Order   https://templemountsoil.com/juliegrace

How did this soil become available?  -

 Construction activity on the Temple Mount in 1999 displaced tons of ancient soil. Each particle was carefully screened, studied, and documented by the Temple Mount Sifting Project.

Why is this truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?   - The Israeli government has ensured that no additional soil will ever be removed from the Temple Mount. 

How do believers connect with this in their daily lives? 

Customers use the pendant in personal ways. You can keep it on your prayer altar, where you can touch it during intimate moments with God. You can start a new family tradition during celebrations.  You decide.  

How does my purchase preserve biblical heritage? - 

Your purchase directly funds continued archaeological research. The Temple Mount Sifting Project has recovered thousands of artifacts that verify and illuminate Scripture. 

 

 

The Journey of Faith: From Jerusalem to Your Hands

The Sacred Origins -This soil comes directly from the Temple Mount in Jerusalem—the very ground where Jesus taught, where Solomon's Temple stood, and where countless biblical events unfolded. It's not just soil; it's a piece of your faith's foundation.

The Connection to Your Faith - Imagine reading the Bible while holding a piece of the very land where those events happened. This soil creates a bridge between Scripture and your daily walk with God—making ancient stories come alive in a new way.

https://templemountsoil.com/juliegrace

Review of The Dutch Muse Blog Tour by Heidi Eljarbo

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Dutch Muse by Heidi Eljarbo, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Dutch Muse 
Series: A Fabiola Bennett Mystery #4 
Author: Heidi Eljarbo 
Publisher: Independently Published 
Release Date: June 17, 2025 
Genre: Clean Historical Dual-Timeline Mystery with a touch of romance

A ruthless thief leaves a private Dutch gallery with a coveted seventeenth-century painting. The owner lies unconscious on the floor. Art historian Fabiola Bennett is on vacation in Holland and takes on the case.  

Amsterdam, 1973. It’s late summer, and Fabiola and Pippa join their friend, Cary, for a few days of sightseeing, museums, and riding bikes around the beautiful city. 

For the first time in her life, Fabiola feels a pang of jealousy, and rude comments from a gallerist make her doubt her own abilities. 

Then, unexpectedly, Cary’s Dutch client, Lennard van de Hoek, is brutally struck down and a baroque portrait by Ferdinand Bol is stolen. Fabiola pushes aside her problems and jumps into danger without hesitation. The list of suspects is long, and with a cold-blooded criminal at large, they must constantly be on the alert.  

Amsterdam, 1641 

Ferdinand Bol has completed his five-year training with Master Rembrandt van Rijn and is ready to set up his own studio. The future looks bright, and Ferdinand sets a goal to become a widely sought-after and, hopefully, prosperous master portraitist. 

Just when Ferdinand’s career starts to flourish—and patrons and customers discover his exceptional talent—one of his models confesses she’s in deep trouble, and he drops everything to help her.  

This is a fast-paced and captivating who-done-it set in the Netherlands—the fourth installment and a spin-off from the Soli Hansen Mysteries. Perfect for fans of Kathleen McGurl, Louise Penny, Deborah Swift, Anna Lee Huber, Lucinda Riley, Sherry Thomas, Ellery Adams, and Jennifer S. Alderson.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

My Review

Another great Fabiola Bennett mystery set in the Netherlands. It is filled with a wealth of historical information on Dutch painters and the area, and is woven together with fiction, making it a terrific story.

I enjoyed the dual timeline, which is seamless. I always have a wonderful adventure while reading this series, which combines art history, theft, danger, and the main characters on the team. I loved the playfulness between them, Fabiola's courage, and Pippa's sense of adventure.

I thought about the story and characters long after I turned the last page. I hated to see it end, and can't wait until the next one. I received a complimentary copy from the author; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.

More in This Series

---

About the Author

HEIDI ELJARBO grew up in a home full of books, artwork, and happy creativity. She is the author of historical novels filled with courage, hope, mystery, adventure, and sweet romance during challenging times. She’s been named a master of dual timelines and often writes about strong-willed women of past centuries.

After living in Canada, six US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She lives with her husband on a charming island and enjoys walking in any kind of weather, hugging her grandchildren, and has a passion for art and history. 

Her family’s chosen retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summer and ski the vast white terrain during winter. 

Heidi’s favorites are her family, God's beautiful nature, and the word whimsical.

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

---

Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive their choice of any one paperback from the Fabiola Bennett series plus a $20 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight June 17, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 24, 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

---

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

Review of The Ties That Loose by Felicia Ferguson

 

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Ties That Loose by Felicia Ferguson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Ties That Loose 
Author: Felicia Ferguson 
Publisher: Salt & Light Publishing 
Release Date: May 23, 2025 
Genre: military romantic suspense / women's fiction

Can you really trust God when life plummets out of your control? 

While clearing out her mother’s estate, Dani Robicheau Kirkland makes a shocking discovery: a box containing pieces of her parents’ life hidden away after her father was declared Killed in Action in the Vietnam War. Inside she finds her mother had once clung to faith and the desperate certainty her husband was alive before she spiraled into the devastated alcoholic Dani has known. 

Dani’s F-15 pilot husband, Chris, chafes under his father’s expectations to live up to his granddad’s legacy as WWII pilot. While the Bosnian War rages, Chris is tasked with a clandestine mission: flying an unsanctioned diplomat into Bosnia. But when his plane goes down due to a bird strike, Chris is trapped behind enemy lines with little hope of rescue. 

Dani is terrified she’ll nosedive like her mother did, but still clings to hope and a certainty that Chris remains alive despite the Air Force’s doubts. As she searches for a way to bring Chris home and he strives to stay alive, they each battle their family histories desperate to find God’s future for them both. 

Family ties ensnare them. Can God loose their grip forever?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

My Review

The Ties That Loose is a Military romantic suspense set during the Bosnian War. It is a very realistic and intense story about two generations of men missing in action and how their wives cope with the situation differently. The storyline reveals each MIA's backstory and how the wife copes with the possibility that they may be dead. The faith element is woven throughout the story, and I especially loved how Dani stepped out in faith when her husband was missing.

The story and resilient characters will touch your heart as you follow them on their journey. The ending wraps up everything very well, and the enduring love story is sweet and powerful.

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

---

About the Author

Felicia Ferguson achieved master’s degrees in Healthcare Administration and Speech-Language Pathology, but has written since childhood and dreamed of authoring books that teach and inspire others. An award-winning fiction and non-fiction freelance writer, she has published several devotions and sweet romance short stories. Her passion, however, is writing women’s fiction and romantic suspense with strong female characters who work through their traumas and tragedies using biblical principles and counseling techniques.

As a child, Felicia lived in Kansas, Texas, and Louisiana before her family settled on a horse and cattle farm in Kentucky. As an adult, she lived in Tennessee for two years and later spent ten years in the Florida panhandle soaking up the sand and sun. But then God moved her once again. This time out of the South and into the mountains of Colorado. When she’s not glued to her laptop, Felicia enjoys hiking, Bible studies with friends, and looking forward to the next story.

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

---

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a That's So 90s Trivia Game, in honor of the book being set in the 1990s!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight June 16, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 23, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

---

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

Review of The Ghost Writer by L.G. Nixon

I would like to introduce you to L. G. Nixon. This is the first book in the series and is intended to engage kids and young adults. 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Ghost hunters, Lucy Hornberger and Schuyler Williams, are chasing ghosts through the school. As they vanquish one ghost, another ghost appears, and Lucy gets blamed for the destruction. She soon learns someone has been cursed, but who? 

Darnathian and his Irredaemon forces are still after the Spectrescope. He is determined to learn the source of its ancient magic, unlock its secrets and find the Life Tree. If he can eliminate Lucy Hornberger, all the better. 

Using the power of the magical artifacts that were in the trunk she purchased from the vendor at the flea market, Lucy and Schuyler must end the hauntings, break the curse, protect the Spectrescope, and do it all without getting expelled from school.

CURRENT SPECIAL:  3 Books for $23.99 PLUS a 4^th book free!

https://bit.ly/LGNixonBooks

Learn more about the author by watching her Podcast Appearances.

https://lgnixon.com/interviews/

Wondering how to explain if it’s OK for Christians to read Ghost stories?  Read this note from the Author.

https://lgnixon.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/problemwithghosts.pdf

Enter the Giveaway

 https://www.blessedfreebies.com/the-ghost-writer.html

My Review

5 star

I thought The Ghost Writer was even better than the first book in the series—so much more activity with Darnathian and his forces. Lucy and Schuyler must help clear the ghosts from the school. But what a time they are having. IAM consults with Lucy to give her the courage she needs as she faces even more destructive ghosts.

Lucy discovers even more secrets, and a family tragedy makes her life even harder. I love the Christian message that rings throughout the pages of the story, bringing faith as I read. I couldn't put this one down either. It's a fantastic fantasy world, but with significant worldly aspects. Highly recommended, even enjoyed by adults.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

LG Nixon fuses a page-turning fantasy with a haunting theme and turns it into a spirit filled adventure with quirky and likeable characters the whole family can enjoy. Her stories are lighthearted but carry an underlying message of the importance of a Biblical worldview.

As a child and young teen, LG continuously wrote stories in her spare time, but during the college classes she took in journalism and writing, LG soon discovered a latent talent for writing. After a long career in office management, she left the workplace behind, and turned to writing.

After growing up in a creaky old house with a grandmother who told stories of ghostly visitors, LG naturally gravitated toward the mysterious. Today, she enjoys writing stories filled with mystery, suspense, and other worldly wisdom. She researches and writes full-time from her home in Michigan where she prowls the night looking for ghosts and spirits, and has a haunting good time doing it.

She is always in search of the perfect cup of coffee, the softest afghan, a good book and a quiet corner. She also loves to ski, ride motorcycles, travel, and fly small planes.

Review of The Angel of Second Street Blog Tour by Barbara Tifft Blakey

 

 

About the Book

Book: The Angel of Second Street

Author: Barbara Tifft Blakey

Genre: Christian Fiction/Romance/Historical Fiction

Release date: May 1, 2025

How Can Compassion be Considered Wrong?

When life is weighed down by challenges, pillars of enduring hope and love are always waiting to be discovered.

Ida Dempsey has grown up in a privileged life of luxury thanks to her aunt and uncle. Although Second Street—where women of ill repute ply their wares—is off limits to respectable citizens, her heart of compassion compels her to frequent the area, hoping to make a difference in their lives. Ida has also befriended Qui Shau, a Chinese woman who keeps house for her family, but friendships between the whites and Chinese are taboo in Eureka. Ida tries to keep secret her forbidden compassion, but someone is watching and will use it against her.

When Blaine Prescott meets Ida at a church picnic, his parents warn him away from any relationship with the young lady who has been seen on Second Street in the company of a Chinese woman. But how could such a kindhearted, lovely young woman be anything but good? But when riots break out in Chinatown and Ida disappears, Blaine will do anything to find out where and why she has gone.

 

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

5 Stars

The Angel of Second Street wasn't what I expected; it was much more, with its secrets, historical events, and forbidden love. The vivid descriptions of Eureka and San Francisco, CA, in 1884, had quite a diverse group of characters. The author does a wonderful job describing the darker side of Chinese Immigration and Second Street's "working women" while showing the Christian aspects of faith, love, grace, and forgiveness.

I enjoyed Ida and Blaine's love for each other despite all the challenges they faced. Their holding on to their faith and their desire to help the less fortunate were encouraging and inspiring. The story had me drawn in not long after I started reading and held my interest until the end. There were lots of surprises and twists, but everything wrapped up nicely in the end.

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

 

About the Author

Barbara Tifft Blakey lives in the Pacific Northwest on five wooded acres with Terry, her husband of forty-plus years. She is best known for her award-winning, literature-inspired, language arts program, Total Language Plus, which she created over twenty years ago, and is used by thousands of homeschoolers. Barbara teaches Sunday school and enjoys speaking on various topics to Christian women’s groups. She and her husband have four grown children and five grandchildren. She enjoys camping at the ocean and is an avid soccer fan. During the day-light challenged winter months, she reads, crochets, bakes, and plots her next novel.

 

 

More from Barbara

As the birthplace of my mother, Eureka, California holds a special charm for me intensified by my grandmother’s stories of the area. Every visit I’ve made has encouraged me to dig deeper, to learn more, to experience this small, coastal town’s magnetism.

Its history includes the Wiyot’s massacre on Indian Island which can be viewed from the harbor and the expulsion of the Chinese population from Humboldt County. Carson’s Mansion is the most photographed Victorian dwelling in California, and possibly the United States, built to keep the lumber baron’s loggers employed during a downturn in the timber industry. Because of the numerous brothels, an entire section of Second Street located in the heart of the community was deemed out of bounds for children.

Both hero and heroine in Angel of Second Street are fictional, but my cast of characters includes real-life people such as Reverend Huntington, David Kendall, and Wei Lum and real historical businesses such as Wells Drug Store and Kitty Farris’s Joy Emporium.

I first wrote a version of this story more than a decade ago, but who can argue with God’s timing? Events that happened over 150 years ago feel current in today’s political climate where fear tactics dominate debates and spur regrettable actions. I didn’t set out to make a political statement, only to tell an engaging, thought-provoking love story, but in the midst of relating historical events, a deeper truth emerged as relevant today as it was in the mid 1800s.

I pray you’ll journey with Ida and Blaine through the turmoil of their times and be enriched to face the trials of today with renewed hope.

                    Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 29

Pens Pages & Pulses, May 29

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 30

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 31

Texas Book-aholic, June 1

Stories By Gina, June 2 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, June 2

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 3

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 4

Simple Harvest Reads, June 5 (Guest Review from Donna)

For Him and My Family, June 6

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, June 6

Holly’s Book Corner, June 7

Pause for Tales, June 8

Cover Lover Book Review, June 9

Book Butterfly in Dreamland, June 9

Devoted To Hope, June 10

Bizwings Book Blog, June 11

                  Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Barabara is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon e-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/00adcf54231

>

Review of New Release- Cocoa's Cranky Halloween by Thomas Nelson

 

This silly interactive story features a grumpy dog who is not thrilled about Halloween: costumes, surprises, and chocolate. Yuck! Follow the directions to help Cocoa find the perfect doggy treat and avoid tricks in this funny board book.

Cocoa’s Cranky Halloween is perfect for

• active toddlers and preschoolers who will love participating in the story;
• embracing the fun of silly costumes this fall season;
• fans of Press Here, Grumpy Monkey, and There’s a Witch in Your Book;
• reading aloud and laughing along at story time and bedtime; and
• a fun Halloween treat to enjoy year after year.

With a shiny cover, zany minimalist art by Beth Hughes, and a treat bag full of humor and doggy antics, this delightful Halloween book for 2-to-6-year-olds will capture your littlest readers’ imaginations as they celebrate the silly-not-spooky side of Halloween.

https://www.amazon.com/Cocoas-Cranky-Halloween-Cocoa/dp/1400251222

My Review

Cocoa's Cranky Halloween is a well-made board book with sturdy, washable pages. Ages 2-6.
The illustrations are large and colorful, capturing a young child's attention, and the accompanying text is written in short, easy-to-understand sentences.

Some book pages have directions to choose something or perform a simple task, making those pages interactive and fun. It's a book that a child will want to hear more than once.

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

Review of New Release- Of Silver and Secrets by Michelle Griep

 

In 1889 England, Eva Inman finds herself overwhelmed with responsibility. Haunted by guilt over her parents' deaths, Eva struggles to care for her blind sister and manage her family's crumbling estate. With the threat of overdue taxes looming, Eva's situation grows dire until an ancient silver ring is unearthed on her property. Despite local superstitions warning against disturbing the supposedly cursed acres, Eva's need for funds forces her to consider the potential of more buried relics. She turns to Bram Webb, a Cambridge professor of Roman antiquities, for help—only to be reminded of a past she would rather forget.

Bram Webb is under immense pressure to find proof of a legendary Christian Roman settlement in an attempt to conceal his uncle's deteriorating memory from the Trinity College disciplinary board and save both of their jobs. When Eva steps into Bram's office, old sparks fly, rekindling memories that are both fond and painful. The excavation is fraught with challenges from the start, and as Eva and Bram work together with time running out, they must confront their pasts, face the growing attraction between them, and decide whether their love is strong enough to overcome the buried truths that threaten to tear them apart.

Award-winning author Michelle Griep transports you to Victorian-era England with a gripping romance.

To Order on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764242571

My Review

Of Silver and Secrets transported me to 1889 England. Eva, the owner of Inman Manor, along with her blind sister, Penny, gets re-acquainted with Eva's childhood friend, Bram, and his quirky and forgetful uncle. Bram is in charge of the archeological dig site on Inman Manor. The story has a lot of intrigue, suspense, villains, twists, and turns. I love stories that include archaeological sites, so this was a plus.

The author combines historical details and fiction woven at its finest. The story is filled with moments of sadness, fear, faith, and extreme joy, as I turned the pages, not knowing what to expect next. A twist in the story brought me to tears, while the ending was inspirational, filled with faith, and a beautiful romance.

I read the book in one sitting and hated for it to end. It left a lasting impression on me. Highly recommended.

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