Thursday, November 6, 2025

FrontGate Media Blog Tour: Jesus, Our True Friend by Sally Lloyd-Jones and Illustrated by Jago Silver

Jesus, Our True Friend is a beautiful collection of seven stories from Jesus’ life that share the good news—that our Rescuer has come to mend God’s broken world, bring us back to God, and show us what Love is really like. From Sally Lloyd-Jones and Jago, the creators of the beloved and bestselling The Jesus Storybook Bible, these stories will fill your heart with joy as you come to understand just how deep God’s love is for you.

Jesus, Our True Friend tells the stories of Jesus’ life in beautiful, lyrical prose—and captures their deep theological truth in words even a child can understand. This seven-story collection includes miracles from Jesus’ life like the Wedding at Cana and the Miraculous Catch of Fish, parables Jesus told like the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son, and people Jesus met like Mary and Martha. These stories showcase Jesus’ great love and deep empathy for the lost, the outcast, the suffering, as well as for his friends and his followers. And for us, too.

Fully illustrated with inspiring art by Jago, Jesus, Our True Friend has a large trim size perfect for reading aloud, and deluxe features that make it a beautiful gift or keepsake to treasure and read time and again. Also featuring a special introduction and paraphrase of John 1 written by New York Times bestselling author Sally Lloyd-Jones, this book is essential for fans of The Jesus Storybook Bible and perfect for anyone wanting to know more about who Jesus is, how he lived, and what he taught. These stories tell of a Savior whose love for us will never end, a Rescuer who has done everything to bring us back home to God, and a true friend who will never ever fail us.

Jesus, Our True Friend:

• Contains seven New Testament stories about the life of Jesus

• Is an all-new collection of good news stories about who Jesus is and how deeply he loves us

• Is perfect for children ages 6 and up as well as their families, church ministries, educators, and anyone wanting to experience the beauty of Jesus and his message of love

• Makes an ideal gift for Christmas, Easter, baptisms, baby showers, and other gift-giving occasions

Take a Peek inside the Book

WOW, what a wonderful books of 7 New Testament stories. The book is written in a way that young kids will be interested to hear and learn about the stories and characters. The Illustrations are beautiful and will help the children really capture the story and bring meaning to the words being read. I shared the book with some of the little ones at Church and the kids were very interested in learning more afterwards. The author and the Illustrator make a wonderful team and everything fits together so well. I HIGHLY recommend this book for Families, Churches, Sunday Schools and more. GREAT BOOK!

The Book would make a GREAT Gift for Kids for the Holidays.

BUY THE BOOK HERE!

JESUS, Our True Friend!

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iRead Book Tours Blog Tour: AFGHANI by Brendon Patrick

Book Details:

Book Title: AFGHANI by Brendon Patrick
Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 422 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Bulldog Publishing Australia
Publication Date: August 2025.
Content Rating: PG-13 +M: War themes included, but nothing highly explicit

War is a Racket, and Culture is Blind: The True Cost of Conflict

Journey through a century of strife in this gripping dual-timeline novel with:

George Sher Gul: A Muslim cameleer fleeing early 20th Century Afghanistan, seeking hope in Australia's unforgiving outback. He navigates harsh landscapes and the prejudices of White Australia, with his dream of belonging hanging by a thread.

Patterson: An Australian soldier in post-9/11 Afghanistan, questioning the war's true motives amidst corruption and personal demons.

Their intertwined stories challenge our beliefs on war, peace, and humanity.

Experience heart-wrenching choices, cultural clashes across generations, and a quest for belonging spanning continents.

This thought-provoking historical fiction exposes deep-rooted xenophobia, drawing parallels between early 20th century Australia and today's complex geopolitical landscape.

Together, it offers a witty yet unflinching critique of global politics—questioning the cyclical nature of conflict.

From sun-baked Australian deserts to war-torn Afghan streets, immerse yourself in a powerful journey through time and culture.

Will George Sher Gul find his future in a land that views him as an outsider?

Can Patterson discover peace amidst chaos and national expectations?

Uncover these answers in a compelling tale of resilience, hope, and the enduring human spirit.

AMAZON ~ AMAZON.ASIA
B&N ~ BAM
Bookbub ~ Bookshop.org
add to goodreads

I'm Brendon Patrick, an Australian storyteller with a passion for bringing forgotten histories to life. As a veteran of the Australian Army and a proud descendant of Afghan Cameleers, I write stories that explore the rich tapestry of Australia's multicultural past that you might not find in your history books.

My upcoming novel Afghani is close to my heart, and it's a journey into the lives of Afghan Cameleers who helped shape Australia, inspired by my own family heritage.

When I'm not typing away at my keyboard, you'll find me walking the bustling Brisbane streets with my camera. It’s here where I develop most of my creative inspiration.

I'd love for you to join me on this literary adventure! Drop by A Life of Prose to discover more about my work and the stories that connect us all.

connect with the authors: website ~ x/twitter ~ bookbub ~ goodreads

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Wednesday, November 5, 2025

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Chasing the Blue Boat: A Novel of Longing by Connie Kallback

Book: Chasing the Blue Boat: A Novel of Longing

Author: Connie Kallback

Genre: Historical Coming of Age

Release Date: November 26, 2024

Nine-year-old Dana Foster will follow her older brother, Luke, wherever he goes. From climbing on ledges, jumping in a fish pond, and causing general mischief, Luke is fearless. But when tragedy strikes the Foster family, everything that Dana has ever known is suddenly turned upside down. When the storms of life come, will the Foster family stand firm in their faith? Or will they shatter under the pressure? Suddenly, a blue boat that Dana and Luke received from their uncle leads Dana on a journey of faith, hope, and love that she will not soon forget.

In this coming-of-age story, discover the truths of God’s grace in suffering, the blessing of forgiveness, and how to hold on to your faith when all hope seems lost.

Click here to get your copy!

Connie Kallback grew up on the plains of Cheyenne, Wyoming, attended the University of Wyoming, and graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle. She transitioned from English teacher to publishing in New Jersey with CCMI/McGraw-Hill, Prentice Hall, and CPP, Inc, in positions from writer to acquisitions and managing editor. Her early writing, penned while teaching, appeared in magazines, newspapers and literary journals. No longer wearing the hats of Mary Poppins or Sherlock Holmes, necessities of raising six children in two separate families, she writes in South Carolina where she lives with her husband.

More from Connie

The idea for Chasing the Blue Boat began with the memory of a dangerous escapade from my early childhood years. The thought of it scares me to this day.

I grew up in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and lived one block from the Wyoming State Capitol Building. One day I followed my older brother there, up nearly 20 steps from the ground to the grand side entrance with giant doors flanked by a waist-high wall and soaring support columns. We scaled the wall close to the building and placed our feet on an architectural ledge that circled the entire structure. Hoping to follow it all the way around, we began to sidle sideways, hugging the stone.

I remember being scared, but my unrealistic stage of thinking made me hope the grass would break my fall!

We made it around the first corner – I don’t know how – and continued along the front until a woman in an office inside spotted me. Knowing we shouldn’t be there, we reversed our steps and ran home.

That’s how the fictional coming-of-age story begins. Dana, the young girl, joins her brother in many adventures before a tragedy changes her whole family and sends each of them on separate journeys of suffering, accompanied by hope and forgiveness.

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 1
Texas Book-aholic, November 2
Simple Harvest Reads, November 3 (Author Interview)
Inspired by Fiction, November 4
lakesidelivingsiste, November 4
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 5
Artistic Nobody, November 6 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, November 6
Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, November 7
Devoted To Hope, November 8
Guild Master, November 9 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 10
Fiction Book Lover, November 11 (Author Interview)
Blossoms and Blessings, November 12 (Author Interview)
Cover Lover Book Review, November 13
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, November 14 (Author Interview)

To celebrate her tour, Connie is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a copy of the book!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/3dc6b/chasing-the-blue-boat-a-novel-of-longing-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Tuesday, November 4, 2025

iRead Book Tours Blog Tour: Thunderbird Rising: A Maxx King Thriller by John H. Thomas

Book Details:

Book Title:  Thunderbird Rising: A Maxx King Thriller by John H. Thomas
Category:  Adult Fiction (18+), 366 pages
Genre: Thriller (Alt History, Espionage, Conspiracy) with some Sci-fi
Publisher: John H. Thomas
Release date:  May 2024
Content Rating: PG-13 +M: The plus is for some violence, and the theme of September 11, 2001

Maxx King is a former Army Ranger turned cybercrime investigator trying to get his life back on track when he has an unexpected confrontation with a ruthless Chinese spy. Struggling to understand the escalating violence, he discovers a clandestine US-China conflict centered around a device of unknown origins with the power to trigger massive natural disasters.

Caught between competing US government agencies, Chinese assassins, secret informants, and a rising number of deaths, Maxx must get to the truth before the next catastrophe strikes. Things get personal when it turns out his girlfriend, Gabby, has been working on the covert project and may be the source of damaging leaks that threaten national security.

The clock is ticking, and a break in the code reveals that something big will happen on September 11th, 2001.

Thunderbird Rising is an action-packed alternate-history thriller full of uncertain loyalties, deceit, and international espionage set in Seattle and New York City.

This conspiracy thriller is a great fit for fans of Jack Slater, Matthew Reilly and Steve Berry.

I was very intrigued by the book from the very beginning. I will be honest I wasn't sure what to expect when diving into this book, but I can honestly say that I could not stop reading once I started. This really says a lot about this book because I usually don't get into Thriller, Sci-Fi books.

The main character in this book is Maxx King, a former Army Ranger, now Cybersecurity Investigator. I really enjoyed the storyline as it has so much going on with Chinese Assassins', US Government and so much more with "secret agents". The fact that the deadline for a cyber code was September 11th, 2001. The date has significance in American History. The twists and turns in this action packed book really keeps the reader intrigued. Maxx is an AMAZING character and his girlfriend Gabby was an interesting character for the story. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Thriller, Action Packed books! GREAT BOOK!

Amazon ~ Audible
B&N ~ BAM ~ Bookshop.org
add to Goodreads

John lives in the Seattle area with his wife and the world's sweetest cat: Karmann. Raised in a nomadic military family, he is annoyingly curious, a consumer of whiskey, and a political junky at heart, but his greatest interests are his family and their collective shenanigans.

Connect with the author: Website ~ X ~ facebook ~ instagram ~

goodreads

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Monday, November 3, 2025

JustRead Tours Blog Tour: Mistletoe and Malice by Lori DeJong

Mistletoe and Malice JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Mistletoe and Malice by Lori DeJong, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Title: Mistletoe and Malice
Series: Guarded Hearts Series #1
Author: Lori DeJong
Publisher: Scrivenings Press
Release Date: October 21, 2025
Genre: Romantic Suspense

He’s sworn to protect her life … but guarding his heart may be his biggest challenge.

After barely escaping an attempted abduction, Houston attorney Riley Hudson is forced to accept her wealthy father's demand for private security. The last thing she wants is a bodyguard—especially one as maddeningly arrogant, bossy … and handsome as Colton Blankenship. Yet as the threat against her escalates, she begins to rely not only on his skills, but his steadfast presence.

Colton isn’t thrilled about giving up his hard-earned holiday vacation to protect a spoiled heiress. But he soon learns Riley is nothing like he expected. Fierce, independent, and unwavering in her faith, she’s everything he thought he’d left behind after tragedy shattered his own beliefs. As the unknown threat circles closer, the tension between them ignites into something deeper ... and far more perilous.

When a second attempt on Riley’s life nearly succeeds, Colton faces a terrifying truth. Protecting her means risking more than just his life. Haunted by a past he can't outrun, and a faith he’s all but lost, he must decide if he can trust God again ... before he loses Riley—and his heart—for good.

Romantic Suspense is a fun genre to read. Mistletoe and Malice by Lori DeJong is the latest in this genre that I have read. It is Book 1 in the Guarded Hearts series.

I was very intrigued by the storyline from the first chapter. The setting is Houston, TX. The 2 main characters in this book are Riley Hudson and Colton Blankenship. Colton is hired to be Riley's Bodyguard after an attempted abduction on Riley. The story gets really interesting because Colton and Riley are opposites yet similar. Riley has grown up in a wealthy family and can be seen as "spolied", yet that is far from the truth. Riley has a strong faith in God and is a strong and independent woman. Colton struggles with is Faith due to a tragedy in his past. I really enjoyed seeing them gain interest in another, especially when danger still lurked and someone attempts to kill Riley. Colton has to make choices to protect himself and/or Riley and his choices just may help him be able to trust God again. The book has so many twists and turns, especially figuring out who is out for Riley. The Romance between Riley and Colton is soo sweet. The book is one of Romance, Suspense, Faith and "not judging one by their lifestyle". I HIGHLY recommend this to anyone who enjoys Romance and Suspense. GREAT BOOK!

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

Also Available

Lori DeJong is a contemporary Christian romance author who enjoys penning stories full of grace and the redemptive power of God’s love that inspire others to hope regardless of circumstance, find joy in the moment, and grow in their faith. She resides in Georgetown, Texas, with her husband and two fur-babies, with a daughter and son-in-love in DFW. Lori's debut novel, Love's True Calling, was the 2022 winner of the ACFW Genesis Award for Romance, a double finalist in the 2024 Selah Awards, and was named the 2023 Scrivenings Press Contemporary Book of the Year. Love’s True Home, Book 2 of the True Calling Series, was a 2025 Selah finalist. Love’s True Measure released in June. Lori's Christmas novella, Jingle Bell Matchmakers, a part of A Match Made at Christmas novella collection, was named a 2025 ACFW Carol Award finalist.

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

(1) winner will receive a $50 Amazon gift card, a signed copy of Mistletoe and Malice, and a signed copy of A Match Made at Christmas novella collection (released in Oct 2024)!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 3, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 10, 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

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