Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Loyalty's Pursuit by Shannon McNear

Book: Loyalty’s Pursuit

Author: Shannon McNear

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: October 13, 2026

She needs a husband to survive. Right now, a wife is the last thing he wants.

August 1780. After the Battle of Camden leaves British camp follower Bess Eaton widowed, expecting a child, and stranded in enemy territory, she faces two impossible choices: a return to an England that offers her nothing…or marriage to a stranger before the army marches on without her.

Backcountry loyalist Rob MacFarlane has already buried a wife and son and has no intention of marrying again at this moment. But he can’t ignore the vulnerable widow in his path. What begins as an act of duty quickly becomes something far more complicated when he offers Bess protection—and a name.

As war rages and the British cause begins to crumble, their fragile alliance is tested at every turn. Loyalties fracture. Faith is questioned. And the lines between enemy and neighbor blur. To survive, Rob must decide what allegiance truly costs—and Bess must choose whether she can trust not only the man she married…but the God she’s never fully known.

Click here to get your copy!

Christian Historical Romance is a genre that I enjoy reading. Loyalty's Pursuit by Shannon McNear is Book 1 in the For Love and Loyalty Series.

WOW, I can honestly say this book has a GREAT mix of Historical and Christian aspects, which really intrigued me to keep reading. The setting is 1780 in South Carolina, during Revolutionary War time. The main characters in this book are Bess Eaton and Rob MacFarlane. Bess is recently widowed and also pregnant. Bess is from England and is in America. She has decisions to make as to what would be best for her and her unborn baby, she contemplates returning to England. Bess meets Rob MacFarlane and Rob learns of her predicament. Rob lost his wife and son and has no intentions of ever getting married again. Rob and Bess get to know one another and Rob offers to marry Bess, as a marriage of convenience. Rob is a Loyalist and had to look within his heart before he asked Bess, he really wanted to protect Bess. I really LOVE how the author portrayed the characters in the book and how they also leaned on God to help them through the challenges they were facing. I also truly enjoyed the Historical info and how the descriptions of the War and times, made me feel as ifI was there. I was so intrigued by the storyline that I could not stop reading until I was finished. The book is one of Marriage of Convenience. Faith, Trust and Romance. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Historical Romance. GREAT BOOK!

Transplanted to the far north after more than two decades in the Deep South, Shannon McNear loves losing herself in local history. She’s the author of twenty-one novels and novellas, not all of them in print, but her favorite roles are retired military wife, pastor’s wife, mom-of-many, mother-in-law, and grammie. When not cooking, researching, or leaking story from her fingertips, she enjoys being outdoors, hanging out with her grandbabies and basking in the beauty of the northern prairies.

More from Shannon

I’m so honored to be part of yet another Celebrate Lit tour! This story especially is near and dear to my heart, because it was my very first long historical after writing fantasy for decades, the book I still had in process when I submitted the proposal for my first novella, Defending Truth, and the one which gave me the courage to try that story (and genre) to begin with.

The first draft of this story took five years to complete, in between other projects and real life. It was a hard sell to start with, I knew, being set within the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution but from the British and Loyalist viewpoint. Still, it eventually netted me both of my agents (Defending Truth’s RITA® nomination didn’t hurt there, either) while garnering interest from various editors—but didn’t actually sell until last summer. That means this story languished for more than 10 years—and then the Lord Himself practically dropped this contract in my lap.

The first story of how the concept came to me can be found here:

https://colonialquills.blogspot.com/2014/07/dispelling-colonial-myths-reenactor.html

It was on my heart from the beginning to portray the romance, such as it is, in a rather unconventional way—something closer to what I imagine real life must have been for such a situation. And I deliberately steered away from the usual flowery declarations of love between my main couple, while hoping to present them in such a way that the reader has no doubt by the end of the story that they do absolutely care for each other. My dear editor with Wild Heart Books helped me shape and refine the characters and story from what might have been a more straightforward historical fiction read into more of what a historical romance reader might expect. I hope those expectations are now met, but also that my readers also come away with a fresh appreciation for how our country came to be.

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, October 27
Holly’s Book Corner, October 28
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 28
Inkwell Inspirations, October 29
Betti Mace, October 30
Locks, Hooks and Books, October 30
Texas Book-aholic, October 31
For Him and My Family, November 1
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 2
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 3
Pause for Tales, November 4
Devoted To Hope, November 4
Jeanette’s Thoughts , November 5
Maureen’s Musings, November 6
Books You Can Feel Good About, November 7
Lyssa Loves Books, November 8
Simple Harvest Reads, November 8 (Guest Review from Donna)
Cover Lover Book Review, November 9

To celebrate her tour, Shannon 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.

https://gleam.io/AJy7n/loyaltys-pursuit-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Monday, November 2, 2026

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Embers of Endurance by Carolyn Dale Newell

Book: Embers of Endurance: Rising Above Chronic Pain and Illness

Author: Carolyn Dale Newell

Genre: Christian Devotional

Release Date: February 17, 2026

When chronic pain invaded Carolyn Dale Newell’s life, it didn’t just attack her body—it attacked her faith.

Through crippling sciatica, major spinal fusion surgery, and countless complications that left her in agony, Carolyn found herself in the darkest valley she’d ever known.

But in that darkness, she discovered something powerful: God’s grace truly is sufficient, even when it doesn’t feel like it.

In this raw, honest 30-day devotional, Carolyn walks alongside you through the unique spiritual battle of chronic illness. She shares the biblical truths that sustained her through the fire and will sustain you too.

Like embers rising from ashes, you can find beauty again.

Begin your journey from surviving to thriving in chronic pain now.

Click here to get your copy!

Christian Devotionals are a part of my Everyday Christian Walk. I especially LOVE Devotionals that have a Focused Topic. Embers of Endurance by Carolyn Dale Newell is the most recent Devotional that I have read.

Chronic Illness is something that many experience and can be debilitating and painful. The Chronic Pain can cause depression and sadness, which can spiral to other areas of life. The author, Carolyn Newell, experienced Chronic Illness that left her lacking in faith in God. Carolyn's struggles led her to realize that even through the pain God is with her. She began to study Scripture that helped change her thoughts from depression and self destruction to Hope and Faith that God will help her through the illness. I really LOVE the format of this 30 Day Devotional. The Day of Devotional has a Scripture to Focus on, Encouragement, a personal experience or story from the author, and a prayer to focus on. I personally found this Devotional encouraging to me as the past year has been challenging for me health wise. I HIGHLY recommend this Devotional to anyone looking for encouragement through Chronic Illness. ENCOURAGING BOOK!

Carolyn Dale Newell is a bestselling and award-winning Christian author, certified speaker, andcontributor to iBelieve.com. Despite living with chronic pain, she empowers women to break free from emotional strongholds and embrace lives transformed by faith. She resides in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia with her husband and their two loyal Black Labrador Retrievers.

More from Carolyn

The Reason I Wrote Embers of Endurance

While discouragement had its tentacles wrapped tightly around me, it seemed easier for doubt to chisel away at my faith. Before I realized it, I was depressed, living without joy and peace. Life seemed hopeless because surgery changed my life forever.

Once God brought me out of the darkness, I began finding Scriptures I’d never given much attention. Job and the psalmist felt like I did. Elijah gave up and couldn’t resist the threat in his life. I was in good company, and so are you, my friend. I realized I walked a horrific journey of pain due to scoliosis to share my experience with you.

These devotions aren’t filled with one victory after another, but rather a slow steady pace to living like the conqueror God has made each of us to be.

I felt like my life was a pile of ashes, but then embers began to rise above that pile. Something new began to spark in my life. God gives us beauty for ashes, and I want to help you find beautiful again.

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 21
Texas Book-aholic, October 21
Simple Harvest Reads, October 22 (Author Interview)
Artistic Nobody, October 23 (Author Interview)
Guild Master, October 24 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 25
Fiction Book Lover, October 26 (Author Interview)
The Bookish Ledger, October 27 (Author Interview)
Vicky Sluiter, October 28 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 29
Mary Hake, October 29
For the Love of Literature, October 30 (Author Interview)
Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 31 (Author Interview)
Blossoms and Blessings, November 1 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 2
Stories By Gina, November 3 (Author Interview)

To celebrate her tour, Carolyn 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://gleam.io/srRQl/embers-of-endurance-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Friday, October 30, 2026

JustRead Tours Blog Tour: The Pastor's Christmas Prayer by Mindy Obenhaus

The Pastor's Christmas Prayer JustRead Takeover + Review Blitz

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for The Pastor's Christmas Prayer by Mindy Obenhaus, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Title: The Pastor's Christmas Prayer

Author: Mindy Obenhaus

Publisher: Love Inspired

Release Date: October 27, 2026

Genre: Contemporary Romance

A Christmas homecoming

Will bring shocking revelations to light…

Returning to Legacy Ranch with his two young daughters, widowed youth pastor Jonathon Bauer is delighted to find his first love, Meredith Hunt, is one of the owners. When Jonathon and Meredith are thrown together to oversee the annual Christmas Under the Stars event at the ranch, past affections stir between them. But Meredith has been keeping a secret since they were teens—one that she must reveal if she and Jonathon are ever to have a future together. Will the truth tear them apart…or give them everything they’ve always dreamed of?

Contemporary Christian Romance is a favorite Genre, especially in the LOVE Inspired Series.The Pastor's Christmas Prayer by Mindy Obenhaus is Book 4 in the Legacy Ranch Series. I have read the first 3 books in this series and have been anticipating this book.

WOW, just when I thought the series couldn't get any better, this storyline kept me reading through to the end. The main characters in this story are Jonathon Bauer and Meredith Hunt. Jonathan has returned to to his Hometown after becoming a widower. He has taken a job as the Youth Pastor at the local Church. He brings along his 2 young daughters. Meredith has just had a change in career and is now HOME at Legacy Ranch, the family Ranch that she now Co-owns with her Aunt and Sisters. Meredith is hard at work preparing for the annual Christmas event at the Ranch. Pastor Jonathan and Meredith had a relationship in the past and now that they are back HOME they are starting to have feelings for one another again. Jonathan offers to help Meredith with the Christmas Event and Pastor Jonathan begins bringing his girls to the Ranch. Meredith and the girls create a special bond together. Meredith is hiding a secret from their Teenage years and she wants to reveal it to Pastor Jonathan, yet she believes it could have a major effect on their future. I really LOVE the Spiritual Growth in Meredith, as she had struggled with her faith for many years. Pastor Jonathan and Meredith showed how strong they both were as they had a lot to overcome. The story is one of Second Chance Romance, Forgiveness, trusting God and others, and God's plan is greater then our own. I HIGHLY recommend this book! WONDERFUL BOOK!

More Books in this Series

Mindy Obenhaus

Best-selling author Mindy Obenhaus is passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. She lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, two sassy pups, countless cattle, deer and the occasional coyote, mountain lion or snake. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, cooking and watching heartwarming romance movies.

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

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of The Pastor's Christmas Prayer and a $25 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight October 30, 2026 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on November 6, 2026. 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.

Enter Giveaway

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

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Thursday, October 29, 2026

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Moment in Time by Cynthia L. Simmons

Book: Moment in Time

Author: Cynthia L. Simmons

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction, Faith Redemption murder mystery, Murder intrigue

Release Date: August, 2026

Helen Moore was devastated when she learned her husband was missing and presumed dead in the Civil War. Fortunately, Uncle Henry invited her and her son, Aaron, to apprentice with his photography studio in Marietta, Ga, after the war. However, while planting herbs on his property, she unearthed a body no one could identify. Who put the man there? Was her uncle involved in his death? As she unravels the mystery, she finds unexpected companionship and learns every moment in life matters.

Click here to get your copy!

Christian Historical Fiction is a favorite Genre of mine. Moment in Time by Cynthia L. Simmons is the latest book in this genre that I have read.

WOW, this storyline starts off with intrigue and sadness and I could not put it down. The main characters in this book are Helen Moore, her son Aaron, and her uncle Henry. Helen receives the devastating news that her husband was MIA and presumed dead as a soldier in the Civil War. Helen makes a move to live with her Uncle Henry and Aaron would learn Photography at Uncle Henry's Photography Studio. Helen is settling in and decides to plant an herb garden. During the planting of the garden, Helen uncovers a man's body. The storyline then turns into a mystery of figuring out who this man is and how and by whom was he murdered. Helen sets to task to solve this mystery and is intrigued by what she uncovers. Helen is also taught some very valuable lessons as she finds so much more than just a murder mystery. Helen finds a new companion and a new direction in life, along with her son Aaron. The book has many twists and turns and is a fast read because I didn't want to stop reading. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Historical Fiction with some Mystery. GREAT BOOK!

Cynthia L Simmons and her husband have five grown children . She loves hot tea, orchids, and adores historical research. Her ragdoll cats often sit by her when she writes. Cynthia has written historical fiction, mysteries, Bible studies, homeschool curriculum, devotions, and hosts Heart of the Matter Radio/podcast, posts History Chats, and shares history stories to encourage women.

More from Cynthia

Secrets in the Darkroom: Welcome to the Moment in Time Blog Tour!

What if the key to solving a dangerous post-war mystery was hidden in a photographic negative?

Welcome, readers and bloggers! I am beyond thrilled to kick off the Celebrate Lit blog tour for my newest historical mystery, Moment in Time!

If you love rich historical detail, high-stakes suspense, hidden ciphers, and stories of unexpected hope rebuilding from the ashes, then step back with me to 1867 Marietta, Georgia.

About the Story

The Civil War may be over, but for the town of Marietta, the fight to rebuild has just begun.

When Helen, a former midwife, takes a job assisting her uncle in his photography studio, she expects darkroom chemicals and quiet portraits. Instead, she stumbles into a web of secret codes, hidden motives, and a threat creeping through the Reconstruction-era town.

Teamed up with Edward—a former Union surgeon carrying his own deep wounds—the two must decipher the clues before time runs out. In a world of wet-plate glass negatives and volatile chemicals, every single second matters… because someone in Marietta will do whatever it takes to keep the past buried.