Saturday, June 6, 2026

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Not Precisely Mr. Knightly by Carolyn Miller

Book: Not Precisely Mr. Knightley (The Silver Teapot Series Book Two)

Author: Carolyn Miller

Genre: Romance/Contemporary/Christian Fiction

Release Date: May, 2026

Can the Matchmaker Find True Love?

Emma-Jane (EJ) Bennett and Jordan Knight are longtime best friends who codesigned the immensely successful dating app, Dream Match. Success starts to go to EJ’s head when she gets caught up in the famous and money-hungry social circles and starts dating the son of a TV mogul. But Jordan’s feelings have grown from friendship to more. He determines to protect her by exposing Eric Churchill for the two-timer he is, finally agreeing to attend a function with her at the Sydney Opera House. But his best intentions go awry when EJ is embarrassed and runs for the security of home, small-town roots, and The Silver Teapot Café, feeling like Jane Austen’s chastised Emma—only without her Mr. Knightley.

Don’t miss book 1 in The Silver Teapot series, Not Exactly Mr. Darcy

Click here to get your copy!

Christian Contemporary Romance is a genre that I read very often. Not Precisely Mr. Knightly by Carolyn Miller is Book 2 in the Silver Teapot series.

I immediately started reading this book and it started off a bit slow for me. I finally grasped the storyline by Chapter 2. Emma-Jane (EJ) Bennett and Jordan Knight are the main characters in the story. EJ and Jordan have been best friends for a long time and they want to spread the joy to others. They created a dating app and the app is doing well. I wasn't a fan of EJ in the beginning of the storyline as she seemed to be letting success take her to "new heights" and forget where she came from. Jordan was a favorite character as he was looking at the success of the dating app and realizing that LOVE might have been sitting right before him all these years. Jordan began to want to take the friendship with EJ into a Romantic relationship, although he had to wait until EJ was no longer dating the "celebrity son" whom she met when she was hanging with a new social circle. Jordan wants to protect her from the "Celebrity Son" who really isn't as good as he seems. The storyline enfolds and the ending of the book was very sweet and eye opening for both EJ and Jordan. The book is based on the Jane Austen, Emma book. I recommend this book anyone who enjoys Christian Romance with an English flare. GOOD BOOK!

Carolyn Miller is an inspirational Regency and contemporary romance author who lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. Together with her husband, she has pastored a church for ten years and worked as a public high school English and Learning and Support teacher.

A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s Regency era, Carolyn holds a BA in English Literature and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives.

More from Carolyn

Do you know someone who has found love online?

I do. I have numbers of friends and even a family member who have found love and married thanks to dating apps and the like. This newer form of meeting people is something I’ve referenced in several of my books (including Only You Can Love Me), as several of my characters have used an app called Dream Match, a romance matchmaking app for Christian singles around the world. But when I first mentioned Dream Match years ago I didn’t realise at the time that I’d end up writing a story about how the inventor of Dream Match would finally meet her match.

And it seemed perfect to me that Jane Austen’s Emma Woodhouse, known for her matchmaking skills, should be reflected in a modern day context as being the ultimate matchmaker, EJ Bennett, who is responsible for helping hundreds of people find love online. Even if she doesn’t think she needs or wants love for herself.

Playing with Jane Austen’s characters and putting them in a modern setting is a lot of fun. So not only does Emma Woodhouse become EJ Bennett, but George Knightley becomes EJ’s best friend and app co-designer Jordan Knight, the straight shooter she needs. And Frank Churchill, the man Emma starts to fall for, becomes Eric Churchill, son of a TV mogul squillionaire.

The first book in The Silver Teapot series, Not Exactly Mr. Darcy, also played around with some of Austen’s settings, placing the story in a small town in Australia called Wattle Vale. I had fun further developing the Australian connections by setting other key scenes in iconic places like the Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach, which naturally meant I had to visit for “research.”

So I hope readers enjoy this little taste of Australia, and all the fun references to Jane Austen’s Emma. Be sure to check out my website and follow me on social media for more Jane Austen inspiration and fun, and get ready to enjoy Not Precisely Mr. Knightley, a sweet and swoony best friends-to-more romance that shows the path to true love is never smooth – even for the professional matchmaker.

Happy reading!

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 28
Book Looks by Lisa, May 28
The Sacred Line, May 29
All-of-a-kind Mom, May 29
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 30
Pause for Tales, May 30
Life on Chickadee Lane, May 31
Stories By Gina, June 1 (Author Interview)
To Everything There Is A Season , June 1
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 2
Texas Book-aholic, June 3
For Him and My Family, June 4
Lyssa Loves Books, June 5
Wishful Endings, June 5
Fruitfully Planted, June 6
Happily Managing a Household of Boys , June 6
Cover Lover Book Review, June 7
Mrs. Ryan Moser’s Book and Movie Reviews, June 7
Melissa’s Bookshelf , June 8
Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 8
Blossoms and Blessings, June 9
Holly’s Book Corner, June 10

To celebrate her tour, Carolyn 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.

https://gleam.io/doE7D/not-precisely-mr-knightley-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Friday, June 5, 2026

JustRead Tours Blog Tour: Sunflowers in Paris by Ashley Rescot

Sunflowers in Paris JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Sunflowers in Paris by Ashley Rescot, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Title: Sunflowers in Paris
Series: The Strings of Sisterhood #2
Author: Ashley Rescot
Publisher: Rescot Creative
Release Date: April 7, 2026
Genre: Clean Contemporary Split-time Romance

After a career-altering injury, violist Adrienne Pearson digs deep into her French roots. As the second of five sisters, she seeks individuality. But when several of her family members and friends decide to join her on a French excursion, she must navigate old and new relationships while finding her place in a foreign land. Will she rediscover her voice in the home of her ancestors?

Jean-David Béranger, a brooding, reclusive French journalist, finds his life upturned when his eccentric godmother invites an entourage of American students to live with them while studying music at the local conservatoire. Can Adrienne, a beautiful American sunflower girl, dismantle the fortress surrounding his heart and convince him to turn toward the light?

Sunflowers in Paris takes the reader on a journey through the Loire Valley, Versailles, and Paris, the City of Light, weaving elements of historical and contemporary French life with a centuries-old cold case about a real, 18th-century composer.

Contemporary Romance is a great genre. Split Time is an interesting Genre. Sunflowers in Paris by Ashley Rescot combines both genres in one novel.

The storyline started a little slow, although by the second chapter I was very much into the book. The main characters in this book are Adrienne Pearson and Jean-David Béranger. Adrienne has always loved playing the Viola and would have made a career out of playing. She unfortunately has an injury that forces her to change her career plans. She decides to take a year to study Music History in France and a couple members of her family come along also. Jean-David, a French Journalist, meets Adrienne at the house they are staying at. The house is owned by his Godmother. He was a bit taken aback by the "American's staying at the Mansion". He quickly overcame his hesitation when he got to know Adrienne. I really LOVE that Jean-David and Adrienne begin to allow a romance to grow, especially after they discover a mystery among them. The pair work together to uncover some of the aspects of the mystery from long ago. The Historical aspects of this novel were very intriguing. Ashley Rescot is a new to me author, but I am interested in reading more books from this author. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Contemporary Romance! GREAT BOOK!

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

More in This Series

Ashley Rescot is a professional violinist, educator, writer, and Fulbright Scholar. An aficionado of music, pedagogy, family, faith, and language, she writes about her life as a musician. With degrees in both violin performance and French literature, she hopes her stories will inspire the next generation of musicians, encourage music professionals, and educate others about the exciting world of music.

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

(1) winner will receive French chocolates and a copy of A Change in Tune and Sunflowers in Paris!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight June 1, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 8, 2026. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN 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!

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Wednesday, June 3, 2026

JustRead Tours Blog Tour: The Brunswick by Callie Murray

The Brunswick JustRead Takeover + Review Blitz

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for The Brunswick by Callie Murray, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Title: The Brunswick

Author: Callie Murray

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: May 19, 2026

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

When Cora provides a safe haven for Jewish refugee children, she discovers that opening her doors means risking everything, including her heart.

In 1939 Georgia, far removed from the war brewing overseas, Cora Cain's world feels small--and shrinking. There, she runs The Brunswick, her family's once-grand hotel, which is now struggling as the town's general store. When Thomas Watkins arrives seeking work and solace after his mother's death, a connection sparks between them. Through Thomas, Cora glimpses a life beyond obligation and her war hero father's unpredictable moods.

But everything changes when Cora is asked to turn The Brunswick into a sanctuary for Jewish children fleeing persecution in Germany. As Cora and Thomas prepare for the children's arrival, they struggle to confront their pasts--and the prejudice of their neighbors--as their fragile hope is put to the test. Meanwhile, in Vienna, ten-year-old Charlotte is offered refuge in America. But even with the horrors she sees around her, she wonders how her parents could possibly send her away. As war's shadow begins to reach small-town Georgia, each person must face what love demands and decide what to hold on to and what to let go.

Christian Historical Romance is a genre that I enjoy reading. The Brunswick by Callie Murray is the latest book in this genre that I have read.

I will admit that it took me a couple of chapters to understand the storyline. The setting is 1939 in Norcross, Georgia. The main characters in the book are Cora Cain and Thomas Watkins. Cora is in charge of the town General Store, it used to be the Hotel, The Brunswick, that her family owned. World War II has begun in Germany and so many other happenings in the world. Thomas Watkins arrives in Georgia as he has moved here to be close to family. He approaches Cora looking for work. They both start working together and they feel a romantic connection between them. Thomas goes on a trip with a friend to Austria and is unfortunately captured by the Nazis. Cora and those back in Georgia are worried about his safety. In the meantime, Cora is asked if she could house some refugee children from Germany. I admire that she says yes and begins to set up the Brunswick Hotel to accept the Children and give them a safe place to be, away from the War areas of their Country. The story is heartwarming, yet heartbreaking. I LOVED the Historical part of the story and that although written in Fiction, the reality of the WWII times really touched my heart. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical Romance Fiction and War time stories. GOOD BOOK!

Callie Murray

Callie Murray is an entrepreneur who has been featured on The Today Show and in The New York Times. Her debut Southern fiction book delves into the lesser-known historical details preceding World War II. Callie and her husband live in Norcross, Georgia, with their seven children, four of whom came through the honor of foster care.

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

(1) winner will receive a $50 Barnes & Noble 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 June 3, 2026 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on June 10, 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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Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Stolen Secrets: A Thriller by S.F. Baumgarter

Book: Stolen Secrets: A Thriller (Mirror Estate Series Book 7)

Author: S.F. Baumgartner

Genre: Thriller with Christian elements

Release Date: June 2, 2026

An adopted daughter. A vanished teenager. A secret that must stay hidden.

FBI Special Agent Charlie O’Rourke believed adopting Jamie Beth would keep her safe. But when her best friend vanishes during a school band rehearsal, Charlie discovers the threat isn’t random.

As Jamie Beth desperately searches for answers about her best friend’s disappearance, she has no idea she’s next.

To save his daughter, Charlie must choose between protocol and survival.

Perfect for readers who love the layered conspiracies of Daniel Silva, the emotional stakes of NCIS, and the shadow-war tension of The Blacklist.

Click here to get your copy!

Christian Suspense is a genre that I have come to enjoy the genre fully. Stolen Secrets: A Thriller by S.F. Baumgarter is Book 7 in the Mirror Estate series. The series has been one that I have been enjoying from the first book.

I was very excited to see another edition of this series. I dove right into reading the book and didn't stop reading until I finished the book. The main characters in the book are FBI Special Agent Charlie O’Rourke and his adopted daughter, Jamie Beth. The storyline focuses on Jamie Beth's vanishing and Jamie and Charlie working hard to locate her. Jamie gets really worried when the "kidnappers" call and tell Jamie they want her to surrender to them or her friend's life could be at risk. Agent Charlie knows time is of the essence to get Jamie's friend back and he is on the case. The shocking things is all the secrets he discovers along the way that are concerning for his adopted daughter, Jamie Beth. The book has so many twists and turns, I was on the edge of my seat reading. The book is very fast paced and I think that is what makes the storyline so exciting. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Suspense Novels. AMAZING BOOK!

S.F. Baumgartner crafts fast-paced Christian suspense thrillers, weaving tales of complex characters, secretive operatives, and relentless agents. Her gripping storytelling has earned acclaim, with Living Secrets and Forgotten Secret—Books 1 & 2 of her Mirror Estate series—named Top Picks in the thriller & suspense categories, respectively, at Killer Nashville, and Tangled Secrets—Book 3 of Mirror Estate series—won couple of awards in the Christian Indie Awards and the Incipere Awards. When she’s not plotting her next twist, she’s binge-watching crime TV shows, like NCIS or playing with her cats. Fans of James Patterson’s style, especially those who appreciate short, punchy chapters, will find much to love in her work. And as always, her books are all clean.

More from S.F.

Stolen Secrets is the seventh book in the Mirror Estate series, and for me it represents something I didn’t fully realize when I started writing it: the beginning of the end of the Ghost arc.

When I began the series, I never mapped out a long, eight-book storyline for the Ghost. In fact, I didn’t even think about how long that arc might last until around Book 6, Shadowed Secret. That’s when it started becoming clear that the threads surrounding the Ghost, Dylan, and the larger conspiracy needed more room to unfold. Book 8 will wrap up the Ghost storyline, though the Mirror Estate series itself is far from over. There are still many stories left to tell.

One of the continuing mysteries involves Dylan and the buried treasures connected to Mirror Estate. Whether that storyline concludes in Book 8 or continues beyond it is something I’m still discovering as the story evolves.

Stolen Secrets also includes a bonus story titled “Shadow Extraction.” Writing that novelette was one of the hardest parts of the project. It features Olivia in the middle of a black-ops mission that unfolds at the end of her honeymoon in Italy. The emotional and operational stakes in that story made it especially challenging to write, but it also became one of my favorite parts of the book.

Another element I enjoyed writing in Stolen Secrets involves Jamie Beth and Owen. Watching those two characters work their way through danger and figure out how to escape was incredibly rewarding as a writer. Those scenes capture something I love about thrillers—the moment when characters must rely on their own courage and quick thinking to survive.

Looking back, Stolen Secrets feels like a turning point for the series. Secrets are beginning to surface, alliances are shifting, and the long game surrounding the Ghost is finally moving toward its conclusion.

But even as that arc approaches its end, the world of Mirror Estate still holds plenty of secrets waiting to be uncovered.

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, June 1
The Lofty Pages, June 1
Simple Harvest Reads, June 2 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 3
Artistic Nobody, June 4 (Author Interview)
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, June 5
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 6
For Him and My Family, June 7
Guild Master, June 8 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, June 9
Blogging With Carol, June 10
Fiction Book Lover, June 11 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, June 11
Because I said so -adventures in parenting, June 12
The Bookish Ledger, June 13 (Author Interview)
Vicky Sluiter, June 14 (Author Interview)

To celebrate her tour, S.F. is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and an eBook 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/9cIN6/stolen-secrets-a-thriller-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Monday, June 1, 2026

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Mesmerize by Darlene Corbett

Book: Mesmerize

Author: Darlene Corbett

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: February 18, 2026

Set against the backdrop of Las Vegas, Boston, and Dubai, a dazzling romance comes to life.

Can a storyteller win back the love of her life through tales sprinkled with faith and love.

Boston-based Delphina Tulasi, a therapeutic storyteller, has shunned men.

A year after a major betrayal, she accompanies her mother Lucia, a matchmaker, to Las Vegas to help her run an exclusive speed-dating event.

Alexander O’Hara, a CFO with secrets of his own, accepts Lucia’s invitation to attend. He meets Delphina and becomes mesmerized. They go out on a date in Las Vegas and return to Boston, where their love blossoms.

All goes well until Alex goes on a long business trip to Dubai. A visit from someone in her past confuses Delphina and lures her back to a previous relationship, prompting her to break up with Alex.

After a few dates with her ex, Delphina recognizes the mistake she’s made and becomes determined to win Alex back. She uses her creativity, spins stories based on truth, and sends them in videos across the internet.

Will it work?

Click here to get your copy!

Christian Contemporary Romance is a genre that I enjoy reading. Mesmerize by Darlene Corbett is the latest book that I have read.

I dove right into the book and the storyline grabbed my interest immediately. The main characters in this book are Delphina Tulasi, a therapist and storyteller and Alexander O’Hara, a CFO of his own. Delphina is not interested in a relationship, yet her mother is a matchmaker. Delphina attends an event with her mom and her mom has arranged for Alex to be there also. Delphina and Alex are matched together and they begin a relationship in Las Vegas and they take it back home to Boston. They seem secure in their new relationship, until Alex takes a trip to Dubai. The moment Delphina decides to allow a person from her past back into her life, she isn't secure with the relationship with Alex anymore. I really like that Delphina begins to understand that life isn't "greener on the other side" and ends the relationship with her Ex. She thought she has lost any chance with Alex, she puts up a strong fight to get him back. I thought the book was a story about Forgiveness, True Love, Determination and so much more. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Romance. GREAT BOOK!

Darlene Corbett has been serving others as a licensed psychotherapist for over thirty years.

With her wealth of experience in human behavior, she decided to write down her thoughts to inspire a larger audience. This set the stage for her book, Stop Depriving The World of You, published by Sound Wisdom in 2018.

She continued writing nonfiction until she heard God whisper again. And his call prompted her to take a risk and dip her toes into fiction. Visible, a women’s fiction about second chances, was published by WordCrafts Press in the spring of 2024, and in August, she won the 2024 Storytrade Book Awards for Christian Fiction in the Contemporary category.

And right now?

Her contemporary romance, Mesmerize, will be published in February of 2026 which has themes of a modern-day, Christian Scheherazade story.

Her writing continues with two romantic suspense novels. Enthralled, which takes place in Mykenos, has been completed but needs editing. A Midnight Call, located in a small fictional town in central Massachusetts, has almost reached the finishing line.

When not writing or seeing clients, Darlene immerses herself in a variety of novels and tries to support other authors of faith.

In addition, she loves animals with dogs being number one. Taking care of her beloved Shih Tzu, Stevie, puts a smile on her face.

Being a life-long learner, she’s attempting a second language and remains a nerd at heart. Staying fit, traveling, and connecting with her inner circle also take priority.

Darlene belongs to many organizations, including the ACFW, FHL-CW, and WFWA.

She lives in Central Massachusetts with Stevie, and remains excited about the next chapter of her life.

More from Darlene

For all my life, I’ve been in love with the oral and written word.

And I imagine the same for you.

How many people do not enjoy reading or hearing a good tale?

And doesn’t it make sense?

Each of us has a story, our own book of life. How it unfold lays between God and us.

Although every novel involves a story, I decided to highlight a therapeutic storyteller.

Why therapeutic?

Because I’m a therapist and have listened to stories throughout my life. Also, I remember the story of Scheherazade, and with faith and modernity, I wove it into my novel. The protagonist spins tales to… Well, you’ll have to read the book to find out.

I hope you become mesmerized by Mesmerize.