Wednesday, May 13, 2026

JustRead Tours Blog Tour: A Brewed Awakening by Pepper Basham

A Brewed Awakening JustRead Takeover + Review Blitz

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for A Brewed Awakening by Pepper Basham, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Title: A Brewed Awakening

Author: Pepper Basham

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Release Date: May 5, 2026

Genre: Small Town Contemporary Romance

Daphne dreams of Mr. Darcy. Finn serves up pints and rock music. Can opposites attract when a tea shop princess meets her pub-owning rival?

In the charming mountain town of Wisteria, North Carolina, Daphne Austen clings to tradition like cream to a scone. She's built her life--and her late grandmother's tearoom, Tea Thyme--around all things English: delicate china, Jane Austen novels, and the comforting predictability of routine. The only thing threatening her perfectly ordered world? The loud, aggravatingly handsome Brit opening a pub next door.

After his ex-wife broke his heart and his business partner nearly destroyed his career, Finn Dashwood packed up his six-year-old daughter and left England behind. He's looking for a fresh start, and the last thing he needs is a fussy, tea-obsessed neighbor criticizing his every pint and playlist. It doesn't matter that she's ridiculously kind (to everyone else) and that his daughter is utterly fascinated by her. Finn's heart is not open to being broken again.

But disagreements turn into prank wars and then a competition when a high-profile wedding needs a last-minute caterer. The townsfolk are thrilled--Wisteria hasn't seen this much excitement since the county fair lost a goat.

When the wedding demands both sweet and savory fare, Daphne and Finn are forced to put down their swords and pick up their serving trays. Between burnt pastries, brewing tempers, trending hashtags (#SipsAndSpats, anyone?), and one very adorable little girl, rivalry soon gives way to reluctant friendship--and maybe something that feels suspiciously like chemistry.

Can a tea shop princess and a pub owner with a past mix their lives as seamlessly as clotted cream and jam . . . or will their differences keep them steeped in rivalry forever?

Christian RomCom books have become a genre that I really enjoy. . A Brewed Awakening by Pepper Basham is the latest Rom-com book that I have read.

WOW, the storyline captured my attention immediately and I could not stop reading . The setting is small town of Wisteria, North Carolina. The 2 main characters in this story are Daphne Austen and Finn Dashwood. Daphne has always enjoyed "all things English" and was excited to run he late Grandmother's TeaRoom in her small town. Finn is a newcomer to Wisteria, moving to the small town with his6 year old daughter from England He decides to open an English Pub right next door to Daphne's TeaRoom. One would think the 2 Businesses would compliment one another, yet the pair is in a battle to be the Business to cater an extravagant wedding. The fun really begins when they are both selected to cater the BIG event. Daphne and Finn continue the competition against one another, yet they are also seeing they are truly "opposites attract." The bickering back and forth, the trying to "one up" each other while working on this event, really makes the storyline amazing. I really LOVE that they admit they have somethings to work through individually, yet they know they are beginning to enjoy each other. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian RomCom books! GREAT BOOK!

Also Available:

Pepper Basham

Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance “peppered” with grace and humor. Writing both historical and contemporary novels, she loves to incorporate her native Appalachian culture and/or her unabashed adoration of the UK into her stories. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of southwestern VA, where she is a wife, mom to five great kids, a speech-language pathologist, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus.

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

(2) winners will receive a signed copy of A Brewed Awakening, and winners choice of a Literary Beverage Mug or a Storming Castles mug!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight May 13, 2026 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on May 20, 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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Monday, May 11, 2026

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Fairest In All by Amy R Anguish

Book: Fairest Inn All (Real Life Fairy Tales Book Two)

Author: Amy R. Anguish

Genre: YA Fantasy

Release Date: March 24, 2026

When Kari White’s seven uncles beg her and her brother Jake to come to Georgia and revamp their inn, she isn’t happy about it. She doesn’t remember them nor does she want to leave West Virginia. But family comes first, and the Apple Inn has a lot of potential, despite the deadlines they’re up against … not to mention the land-hungry Queenie Ville, who has her eye on buying their property.

Royal Barrett loves Brunswick, Georgia, and wants to help preserve its heritage. That’s why he convinces the Chamber of Commerce to start a Fairest Inn All contest to encourage inns across the town to refresh without becoming too modern. But when he meets the gorgeous Kari White, he discovers some other aspirations—like winning her over to a happily ever after with him.

Driven together by goals and weather, Kari can’t help the attraction between them. But she’s rejected a happy ending for so long, it’s going to take more than a few walks under Spanish moss-covered oaks to win her heart.

Click here to get your copy!

Young Adult Fantasy is a genre that I have become interested in over the past few years. Fairest Inn All by Amy R Anguish is Book 2 in the Real Life Fairytales series. I did not read the first book yet, but I didn't have a problem following along in this book.

The storyline is a retelling of Snow White Fairytale. The main characters in this book are Kari White and Royal Barrett. Kari loves her life in West Virginia and has to contemplate a move to Georgia. Her family owns Apple Inn in Georgia and her Seven Uncles have asked Kari and her brother Jake to come and help renovate it and get it back in order. Her decision to go to Georgia to help family might have been a great decision for Kari, especially when she meets Royal Barrett. Royal has a hand in getting a local contest going to renovate the Inns in Brunswick, GA, which is where Kari's family Apple Inn is located. Kari and Royal discover they both have a love for the Inn renovation and they slowly begin a relationship. Royal discovers his Aunt also wants the land that the Apple Inn is on and he is going to fight for the land and make sure that Kari's family does not lose the land nor the Inn. I LOVE that Kari is true to herself and knows that she is falling for Royal yet she also has a past issue with opening her heart to others. I don't want to ruin the story, so if you want to know if the book has a "Happily Ever After" you will need to read the book. I HIGHLY recommend this lovely retelling of Snow White in a Modern Romance story. GREAT BOOK!

Amy R Anguish grew up a preacher’s kid, and in spite of having lived in seven different states that are all south of the Mason Dixon line, she is not a football fan. Currently, she resides in Tennessee with her husband, daughter, and son, and usually a bossy cat or two. Amy has an English degree from Freed-Hardeman University that she intends to use to glorify God, and she wants her stories to show that while Christians face real struggles, it can still work out for good.

More from Amy

Fairest Inn All was never supposed to exist. Honestly, I never expected to write a fairy-tale retelling, even though it’s one of my favorite tropes to read. But then God gave me the idea to write Rendersella a few years ago. I was inspired by a trip to West Virginia and the story would not leave me alone until I got it all typed up. And I had an absolute blast weaving in characters and plot points that reminded the reader enough of the classic fairy tale, but still told a new story.

Thing is, by the end of writing Rendersella, I discovered something. One, Ella’s best friend Kari was supposed to be Snow White. And two, that her stepsister Bellamy needed to have her own story told in Beauty School and the Beast (releasing March 2027). This put a crimp in my plans. After all, I’d barely reconciled myself to telling one fairy-tale retelling, to say nothing of three. But the characters wouldn’t hush.

So, with Kari’s story itching to be told, I had some decisions to make. I knew it was going to be in Brunswick, Georgia with her seven uncles and her ornery brother Jake. But how to weave in all the elements that make a story sing fairy tale without it sounding like every other version?

Well, one of the changes I made was to name the uncles after apples. After all, their last name is Apple, and so is the name of their old inn. That was fun, picking from the thousands of apple names to find ones that matched the personalities of the gentlemen. Then, I brought in an evil character named Queenie to be the nemesis of Kari, aka Snow. Queenie wants the inn and will stoop to all sorts of levels to try and get it. And, of course, I needed a princely character. Enter Royal Barrett, son of a man on the Chamber of Commerce. He is helping organize a contest called the Fairest Inn All, meant to encourage the owners of old inns to revamp and preserve the history of the area. Add in some fun scenes, a hurricane, and a bit of “poison,” and voila!

If you think that sounds too easy, you’re right. I agonized over several of the parts of this book. But it turned out so much fun, in my opinion. And you might even discover a few extra characters along the way.

Retelling stories that are already much-loved, I’ve discovered, is a delicate balance. It’s hard to make sure everything comes out familiar enough while still new. But when it works, it leaves the reader wanting even more. And maybe even the author too. Hence, another fairy-tale retelling from me with another on the way next year.

Do you love fairy-tale retellings? What are some of your favorites? How do you feel about stories you’ve loved forever being rewoven in a different way?

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 1
Stories By Gina, May 2 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, May 2
Inspired by Fiction, May 3
Simple Harvest Reads, May 4 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 5
Holly’s Book Corner, May 6
Artistic Nobody, May 7 (Author Interview)
By the Book, May 8
Texas Book-aholic, May 9
Guild Master, May 10 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, May 10
Happily Managing a Household of Boys , May 11
Fiction Book Lover, May 12 (Author Interview)
Fruitfully Planted, May 13
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, May 14 (Author Interview)

To celebrate her tour, Amy is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of Rendersella and Fairest Inn All!!

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

https://gleam.io/Y7seJ/fairest-inn-all-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Sunday, May 10, 2026

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Calico Canyon by Mary Connealy

Book: Calico Canyon (Petticoats and Cowboys Book 2)

Author: Mary Connealy

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: April 28, 2026

From beloved author Mary Connealy comes a delightful Western adventure brimming with danger, laughter, and unexpected romance—a tale of a runaway teacher, a bewildered widower, and five rambunctious boys who need a mother whether they want one or not. Perfect for fans of Tracie Peterson and Karen Witemeyer.

Grace Calhoun never imagined teaching school in Texas would lead to marriage—especially not to the infuriating Daniel Reeves.

When Grace flees her adoptive father’s cruelty by hiding in a stranger’s wagon, the town parson insists on an immediate wedding, leaving Grace trapped in marriage to a stubborn widower with five unruly sons—the very boys who made her teaching job impossible.

Daniel Reeves has no intention of risking his heart—or another wife—to childbirth.

Still grieving the loss of his first wife, Daniel wants nothing to do with the prim schoolmarm forced into his family. He’ll build her a house and provide for her needs, but he’ll keep his distance. His sons need a mother, but he refuses to fall in love again.

Snowed in together for a long Texas winter, walls begin to crumble.

As Grace discovers the courage she thought she’d lost, she transforms from a frightened woman on the run to a fierce protector of her new family. The boys who once tormented her become the children of her heart. And the husband who swore to keep his distance? He’s finding it harder each day to resist his spirited wife.

But when Grace’s dangerous past catches up to her, she must choose between running again or standing firm in the faith that brought her to Calico Canyon—even if it costs her everything.

A tender tale of found family, healing love, and the faithfulness of God in the midst of life’s unexpected turns.

Click here to get your copy!

Christian Historical Romance is a favorite Genre of mine. Calico Canyon by Mary Connealy is Book 2 in the Petticoats and Cowboys series.

WOW, the storyline starts with humor and laughter, then mystery and Romance are a part of the book. The setting is in Mosqueros, Texas in the late 1800's. The main characters in the story are Grace Calhoun, Daniel Reeves and his 5 sons. Grace is a Teacher in a one room Schoolhouse and widower Daniel Reeve has 5 sons in her class. Grace had just arrived in Texas after fleeing from her Adoptive father who was abusive to her. Grace feels safe in Texas and loves her Teaching job, yet the Boys can be unruly often. Daniel is not looking for a relationship as he is still grieving the loss of his wife. Grace is forced into marrying Daniel for safety reasons when she is "hunted" by her Adoptive Father. Marriage of Convenience shows no love at first, until Grace, Daniel and the Boys are stranded together due to a Snow Storm. The "storm" brings calm to the Chaotic family life as Grace gets the courage to protect the Boys and Daniel from the danger of the storm and from danger that lurks from being hunted by her Father. Marriage of Convenience novels are a favorite of mine and this story was intriguing and romantic. Strength, Trust, Faith and Family are all apart of this book. I HIGHLY recommend this book for anyone who enjoys the themes in the storyline. GREAT BOOK!

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedies with cowboys and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She is a two time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist.

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys always with a strong suspense thread. She is a two-time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist. She is the bestselling author of 75 books and novellas. She has over a million and a half books in print.

Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero. Visit her website or find her at Petticoats & Pistols!

More from Mary

I think of Calico Canyon as my husband’s life growing up.

He is sixth of seven sons. A family of all boys.

His mom, my mother-in-law, was the coolest lady I’ve ever known. That woman could handle everything and never be other than sweet and generous and so funny. She’s gone now but for all the years she was in my life, I’d say she was my best friend.

All those boys! She was the living embodiment of rolling with the punches and not sweating the small stuff.

Those brothers…they are the inspiration for this book but my mother-in-law read it and said, her boys were so much better behaved than those boys in Calico Canyon, and she’s right about that…no boys could be worse than the Reeves boys.

This book is the embodiment of the forced marriage. Two people caught in a completely innocent compromising situation. Nothing will do but immediate marriage after Grace spends the night with Daniel.

But there were five boys in that cave with us!

Not gonna save you, Grace.

Grace is a school marm and those boys have been a torment to her ever since they’d shown up at school. Now, due to Grace needing to hide from her abusive, adoptive father, who has tracked her down to this tiny town in Texas, she’d ended up under a tarp over Daniel’s wagon. He takes her home and she has no choice but to stay quiet under that tarp until it’s too

late to take her back.

The wedding scene from Calico Canyon was, for many years, what I considered the funniest thing I’d ever written. Very hard work to get that scene right. Grace is confused when she’s found with Daniel by the parson. Oh, good. Someone who will give me a ride back to town.

The parson is saying the vows. Grace is happy to take a ride. The parson’s wife is urging the parson to hurry. Daniel is trying to put a stop to it. The boys are all horrified to see their hated teacher.

Mayhem ensues.

It was a lot of fun to get right. Lots of moving parts in that scene.

And then a blizzard snows the gap that leads into their canyon shut and they have to spend the winter trying not to kill each other. And of course, falling in love.

I hope you enjoy Calico Canyon. The fumbling, clueless cowboy. The innocent, befuddled school marm. The unruly boys who don’t see why she can’t cook and why she won’t go home.

The danger, circling the outside of their canyon, waiting for the gap to open so he can avenge himself on the daughter that send him to prison.

Texas Book-aholic, May 5
For Him and My Family, May 6
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 7
Simple Harvest Reads, May 8 (Guest Review from Donna)
Jeanette’s Thoughts , May 9
Fruitfully Planted, May 10
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 10
Books You Can Feel Good About, May 11
Vicky Sluiter, May 12
Sydney Schmied, May 13
Book Looks by Lisa, May 14
Wishful Endings, May 15
Labor Not in Vain , May 16
Mary Hake, May 16
Cover Lover Book Review, May 17
Holly’s Book Corner, May 18

To celebrate her tour, Mary 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/5MQgR/calico-canyon-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Meet Me in the Yorkshire Dales by Valerie Massey Goree

Book: Meet Me in the Yorkshire Dales

Author: Valerie Massey Goree

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release Date: February, 2025

To inherit her grandfather’s estate, Roxanne Clarke has to prove the identity of her birth mother. Considering all the ancestry help online, that shouldn’t be a problem. However, the only clues Roxanne has are an old photograph and hints provided by a member of her grandfather’s household that her mother was born in Yorkshire.

Accompanied by her best friend, Avery, and Avery’s twin brother, Lucas, Roxanne travels to England. Their attempts to identify Roxanne’s mother send them from one village to another. To add to their frustration, a fellow Texan is following them, threatening them, trying to locate the woman first.

Lucas has been in love with Roxanne since high school, but botched their relationship two years ago. While helping her find her mother, can he salvage their once-blossoming romance, build a new beginning, and keep her safe when the Texan’s actions intensify?

Click here to get your copy!

Romance and Suspense together in one novel means it is a must read for me. Meet Me in the Yorkshire Dales by Valerie Massey Goree is Book 2 in the From England with Love and Treachery series. The books in the series are great as Standalone novels. I have not read the first book in this series yet.

The storyline for this novel takes us from Texas to Yorkshire, England. Roxanne Clarke is on a quest to find her biological mother in order to inherit her Grandfather's estate. She has only a couple of clues about her mother, a picture and that her mother was born in Yorkshire. Roxannes' best friend Avery and her twin brother Lucas go to England with Roxanne to help her find her mother. The story has a lot of suspenseful moments, including a fellow Texan following them in England, which I was intrigued by and had me at the edge of my seat. I really love the Romance side of the story also, which is that Lucas realizes that he is still in love with Roxanne. They had a relationship end 2 years ago and Lucas wants to rekindle the relationship. The storyline is filled with Suspense and a Second Chance Romance. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the themes throughout the book. GREAT BOOK!

American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Award winner Valerie Massey Goree resides in San Antonio, Texas.

She was born in South Africa and grew up in Rhodesia—now Zimbabwe. Valerie met her husband, Glenn, at a Christian university in the USA. After they married, they served as missionaries in Rhodesia. When the family returned to Texas, Valerie began her teaching career. She served 25 years in the public school arena, focusing on children with special needs.

Her writing journey only began when their children were in high school. Attending workshops and ACFW conferences helped propel her toward publication. She has eleven romantic suspense novels published.

Valerie and her family traveled extensively throughout North America, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. Now retired and widowed, she spends her time writing, reading, traveling, and spoiling her grandchildren.

Valerie loves to hear from her readers.

More from Valerie

Meet Me in the Yorkshire Dales is the second book in my series From England with Love and…Treachery. The three standalone stories feature American characters who are visiting or working in England. When they meet, romance blossoms, but is hindered by misfortune, menacing strangers, betrayal, and dead-end clues. Book One, Meet Me Where the Windrush Flows, is set in the Cotswolds. Book Three, which I’m writing now, takes place in the City of Bath during the Jane Austen Festival.

As an author, my goal is to set stories in places I’ve lived or visited. What a hardship it was for me to travel to England to research the Cotswolds area for Book One, and the next year to visit the Yorkshire Dales and Bath!

During my two-week sojourn in the Yorkshire Dales, I stayed in a cottage in each of the villages featured in the story. When I walked down the ‘Snake Path’ in Grassington, I knew I had to include it in the story.

Roxanne, my heroine, has never been to England and is enthralled by the villages’ narrow roads, cobblestone streets, and the ancient cottages, some built in the seventeenth century.

When I made the reservation for the cottage in Grassington, I didn’t know that the TV show All Creatures Great and Small is filmed there. They usually film in April, but alas, I was there in September. I did recognize many places used in the show, such as the village center, featured in the photo.

Needless to say, I loved visiting these places. Roxanne did, too.