Monday, October 12, 2026

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Belle's Christmas Carol by Michelle Griep

Book: Belle’s Christmas Carol

Author: Michelle Griep

Genre: Inspirational Historical Romance

Release Date: September 1, 2026

While all of London waits for snow, an orphanage in need holds holiday cheer, sparks of love, and secrets waiting to be discovered.

When Ebeneezer Scrooge’s former fiancée, Belle Beaumont, unexpectedly inherits a struggling London orphanage, she dreams of giving the children of Haven House the most splendid Christmas they’ve ever known. But her vision of snowflakes and merriment quickly collides with reality: Fire damage has rendered part of the building unsafe, and the paperwork is years behind.

Barrister Rafe Munro is fighting to clear an innocent man and searching for a child, who may be his relative. His pursuit leads him to Haven House, where Rafe offers to help Belle sort through the chaotic records that might lead to the missing child. Amid the mayhem of running an orphanage full of mischievous children and eccentric staff, will Belle and Rafe find love and the answers they seek this holiday season?

With characters from Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, this festive historical romance Christmas novella of family and second chances from Michelle Griep is set in Victorian England and perfect for fans of Julie Klassen and Mimi Matthews.

Click here to get your copy!

Christian Historical Romance is a favorite Genre. Belle's Christmas Carol by Michelle Griep is the most recent novel I read in this genre. It is a retake on the Classic Dicken's Christmas story "A Christmas Carol".

WOW, this book captured my attention from the very first pages. The setting is London in the Regency Era. The main characters in this book are Belle Beaumont and Rafe Munro. Belle is in the midst of Life Changes, having broken off an engagement to Ebeneezer Scrooge. Belle is trying to get the Orphanage she just inherited up and running. She has a heart of the young children in the Orphanage and wants to take care of them. She has to overcome safety issues for Haven House and a couple other burdens. Rafe is led to the Orphanage as he helps a client to find a missing child. Rafe and Belle are going through all the years of Paperwork that has piled up at the Orphanage in their attempt to solve the mystery of the Missing Child. Belle is a very compassionate, kind and caring woman. Rafe is a determined and kind man. I really enjoyed watching Belle and Rafe get closer to one another and a romance blossom. Belle and Rafe really take a stressful situation and the forthcoming Christmas Season and make it a calm situation. The author does a WONDERFUL job at showing the readers a beautiful story of how life can be challenging yet gratifying when helping others. I really LOVE the Christmas Season and reading this book has me in a "Holiday Mood". I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Historical Romance with a Christmas theme. GREAT BOOK!

Michelle Griep is an award-winning author known for her captivating historical romances. With a keen eye for detail, she pens tales that transport readers to the past where they’ll experience romance, adventure, and unforgettable characters. When she’s not writing, you can find her in her garden scaring away armadillos.

More from Michelle

Why I Gave Scrooge’s Belle Her Own Christmas Carol

Guest post by Michelle Griep

I’ve always been suspicious of characters who appear just long enough to break your heart and then vanish without so much as a forwarding address. Belle from A Christmas Carol is one of those.

Scrooge, of course, gets the full treatment. Ghosts. Doom. Moral terror. A dramatic overnight transformation. Turkey delivery. The works. And yes, yes, it’s all very moving. But Belle? Come on. All she gets is one aching goodbye and then is shoved neatly into Scrooge’s past. So, excuse me, Mr. Dickens, but I have questions.

What became of the woman who loved Ebenezer before greed got to him? Did she regret walking away? Did Christmas ever sting? Did she build a fine, sensible life or did some little corner of her heart still ache for him or not? That wondering became Belle’s Christmas Carol.

In my story, Belle Beaumont unexpectedly inherits Haven House, a struggling London orphanage with fire damage, muddled ledgers, eccentric staff, and children who are more than rambunctious. Naturally, Belle decides she will set everything to rights and give the children the most splendid Christmas imaginable because—like me—apparently the woman has never heard of pacing herself.

Then along comes Rafe Munro, a handsome barrister searching for a missing child, and Belle’s tidy plans start to change. Oh, did I mention he’s single? That’s because I wanted Belle to be more than Scrooge’s lost love. I wanted her to have grit, flaws, hope, purpose, and a future all her own.

Because sometimes the story doesn’t end with goodbye. Sometimes that’s where the real story begins.

Where Faith and Books Meet, October 6
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 6
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions , October 7
The Avid Reader, October 7
She Lives To Read, October 7
Texas Book-aholic, October 8
Devoted To Hope, October 8
Betti Mace, October 9
Inkwell Inspirations , October 9
The Lofty Pages, October 9
For Him and My Family, October 10
Romances of the Cross, October 10
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 11
Jeanette’s Thoughts , October 11
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 12
The Vine and The Branch, October 12
Maureen’s Musings, October 13
Fruitfully Planted, October 13
A Good Book and Cup of Tea, October 13
Books You Can Feel Good About, October 14
Mornings at Character Cafe, October 14
Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 15
Simple Harvest Reads, October 15 (Guest Review from Donna)
Cover Lover Book Review, October 16
Mrs. Ryan Moser’s Book and Movie Reviews, October 16
Vicky Sluiter, October 16
Devoted Steps, October 17
Lily’s Corner, October 17
Holly’s Book Corner, October 18
Mary Hake, October 18
Blossoms and Blessings, October 19
Pause for Tales, October 19

To celebrate her tour, Michelle is giving away the grand prize of a $25 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.

https://gleam.io/KNJXt/belles-christmas-carol-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Saturday, October 10, 2026

JustRead Tours Blog Tour: Coordinates of Death by Darlene L. Turner

Coordinates of Death Just Read Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Coordinates of Death by Darlene L. Turner, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Title: Coordinates of Death
Series: Arctic Protectors #2
Author: Darlene L. Turner
Publisher: Love Inspired Trade
Release Date: October 6, 2026
Genre: Romantic Thriller

A police officer will do anything to catch the serial killer that got away—even if it means playing a deadly game in the icy wilderness.

Sweetwood Falls, Yukon, has seen too much terror for one small town. Corporal Aurora Hunt still blames herself for not catching the Shadow Box Killer before five women lost their lives. The killings stopped two years ago, and her colleagues believe the murderer is dead. But Aurora isn’t convinced.

A chilling discovery on a winter’s morning confirms her fears. The crime scene is all too familiar—a woman’s mutilated body, and beneath it, a box containing a gruesome souvenir. But this time, there’s a special message, daring Aurora to play a game that will lead her into the wilderness to try and save the next victim.

Canadian Watcher Squad survivalist Kordell Greene is part of the past that Aurora has tried to put behind her. He’s also the only person equipped to guide her through this deadly terrain. But somehow, the killer knows all their secrets. Solving cryptic clues as they battle the elements, Aurora and Kordell must confront dark truths they’ve withheld, even from each other. And always, the Shadow Box Killer is one step ahead, drawing them deeper into a twisted game where the slightest mistake may be their last.

Christian Suspense Romance has become a genre that I genuinely enjoy. Coordinates of Death by Darlene L. Turner is Book 2 in the Artic Protectors Series. I read the first book in this series and have been awaiting this book release.

WOW, I was captivated by this storyline from the very first pages. The setting is Sweetwood Falls, Yukon. The main characters are Corporal Aurora Hunt and Kordell Greene. Aurora is a Corporal on the Police Force and has always wanted to capture the Shadow Box Killer. The Shadow Box Killer has not been active in a couple of years, yet Aurora believes they will strike again. Aurora's suspicions come true when on a cold winter morning, another victim is discovered. The Shadow Box killer has left a message for Aurora and she must act fast before another Victim is killed. Kordell Greene is a survivalist and also knows Aurora from a past relationship. Aurora knows she has to ask Kordell for assistance on her mission to capture the Shadow Box Killer. I really LOVE that Aurora and Kordell were able to work together and keep each other safe. The more they worked together, they more they were able to reflect on the past and reveal things that helped them heal from the past. There are MANY twists and turns in this book and it really kept me intrigued and I didn't put the book down until I was done. The book is one of Suspense, Drama, forgiveness for the past, and Romance. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who loves Christian Suspense and Romance. AMAZING BOOK!

More in This Series

Darlene L. Turner

Darlene L. Turner is a New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestselling author known for her high-octane stories and riveting twists. Sparked by Nancy Drew, she’s turned her love of solving mysteries into her writing, believing readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message. Dubbed “the plaid queen” for her love of everything plaid, Darlene resides with her husband Jeff in Ontario, Canada. You can connect with Darlene at www.darlenelturner.com where there’s suspense beyond borders.

(2) winners will each receive a $25 Amazon gift card!

Coordinates of Death blog tour giveaway JustRead

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 6, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 13, 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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Thursday, October 8, 2026

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Murder, Plainly Written by Mindy Steele

Book: Murder, Plainly Written

Author: Mindy Steele

Genre: Christian Amish Mystery

Release Date: September, 2026

She just wanted to fit into Amish Country. . .now she’s standing out!

First novel in The Plain Order Ink Society series, in which Amish writers crack the case of local mysteries.

Sadie Lynch thought inheriting her late Amish aunt’s candle shop was a blessing—a chance to leave her stalled writing career behind and find a fresh start. But running a Plain business when she’s not Amish isn’t exactly filling her store with customers—especially when the local minister insists she sell out.

Sadie, who doesn’t want to leave, thankfully meets Wanda—an Amish woman with a secret obsession. As Wanda continues to visit the candle shop, an unexpected partnership blooms when Wanda agrees to help Sadie’s shop in exchange for writing advice.

But the grand reopening of the candle shop takes a deadly turn when the body of the Amish minister is discovered behind the counter. Now Sadie is the only suspect, prompting Wanda and the Plain Order Ink Society to try helping her solve the mystery.

But in this Plain community, secrets burn brighter than flames—and nothing is as simple as it seems.

Click here to get your copy!

Amish Fiction is a genre that I absolutely LOVE. I have been a fan of Mindy Steele for many years. Murder, Plainly Written is Book 1 in the Plain Order Ink Society Series. I am very excited about this series as it is a bit different from the Amish Fiction I normally read.

I dove right into reading this book and it was hard to put it down. I didn't put it down until I finished it. The setting is in Ohio Amish Country. The 2 main characters in this book are Sadie Lynch and Wanda. Sadie is a young aspiring Writer. Her career is stalled, so she is excited when she inherits an Amish Candle Shop from her Aunt. Sadie makes the move to the Amish Community to run the Candle Shop. She is trying to find her place in the Amish Community, as she is not Amish herself. The local Minister is trying to convince her to sell the Candle Shop, but Sadie is standing strong and looking forward to the Grand Opening. Wanda is a local Amish Woman is has become a friend to Sadie. Wanda agrees to work in the Candle Shop and give Writing Advice to Sadie. The story takes an unexpected twist when the Local Minister is found dead in Sadie's shop on Grand Opening Day. Sadie is immediately looked upon as the suspect. Wanda and Sadie know Sadie isn't the murderer and are determined to uncover the truth. Wanda and her group of Writing buddies take on the case of work to resolve the murder mystery. I really LOVED watching the Friendship between Sadie and Wanda blossom. Sadie took a leap of faith moving to an Amish Community, and it helped her in many areas of her life. The book is one of Faith, Friendships, and Mystery. I absolutely LOVED this Cozy Amish Mystery! I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Amish Fiction! FANTASTIC BOOK!

Mindy Steele was raised in Kentucky timber country and has been writing since she could hold a crayon against the wall. Steele writes Amish Romance peppered with just the right amount of humor, as well as engaging Suspense, using rural America and the residents as her muse. Steele strives to create realistic characters for her readers and believes in engaging all the senses to make you laugh, cry, hold your breath, and root for the happy ever after ending. A hopeless romantic, with a lyrical pen, Steele wants her readers to find themselves somewhere within her pages. A mother of four and grandmother to a half dozen blessings, Steele enjoys hiking and gardening, coffee indulgences and weekend road trips, and is personally doing all she can to make peanut butter its very own food group.

More from Mindy

Murder, Plainly Written

The Story Behind the Story

Stories often begin in the most unexpected ways, and this one started with a group of remarkable new friends.

Several years ago, I had the opportunity to meet a number of Amish authors from different communities. Among them were Old Order Amish writers, a New Order Amish woman, and a Danner Amish author from the Dan Amish church. What began as introductions soon blossomed into friendships that I treasure deeply.

Before long, I was invited to attend one of their monthly gatherings. Sitting among these talented storytellers, listening to their experiences, laughter, and unique perspectives on life, I found myself inspired not only by their writing but by their personalities. Since then, I have remained in contact with many of them, and our friendship continues to be a blessing.

When I was asked to write a cozy mystery series, my thoughts immediately turned to those wonderful authors. Their distinct voices, humor, wisdom, and observations about life seemed perfectly suited for solving mysteries. As we talked, they enthusiastically embraced the idea and even helped by creating character names for the series.

I could not resist imagining how each of them might approach a mystery. Who would follow the clues? Who would rely on intuition? Who would ask the questions no one else thought to ask? Those playful questions became the foundation for this series.

Murder, Plainly Written is the first book in that journey. While the story itself is entirely fictional, many of the characters were inspired by real people, and many of the settings were drawn from real places and experiences. It has been a joy to blend mystery, friendship, and a touch of Amish life into a story that celebrates the people who inspired it.

I hope as you read you get to know the characters and perhaps solve a mystery or two along the way.

Thank you for joining me on this adventure.

—Mindy Steele

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 30
The Avid Reader, September 30
Simple Harvest Reads, October 1 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 2
Texas Book-aholic, October 3
Artistic Nobody, October 4 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, October 5
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 6
Guild Master, October 7 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 8
Avid Reader Nurse, October 9
Mary Hake, October 9
Fiction Book Lover, October 10 (Author Interview)
Holly’s Book Corner, October 11
The Bookish Ledger, October 12 (Author Interview)
Lily’s Corner, October 13

To celebrate her tour, Mindy 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/q9rfA/murder-plainly-written-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Monday, October 5, 2026

FrontGate Media Blog Tour: The Good Farmer and the Worried Donkey by Hannah E. Harrison

The Good Farmer and the Worried Donkey is an honest and heartwarming picture book that reminds us that we are not alone and God is our strength. This story beautifully captures the essence of Matthew 11 (“his yoke is easy and his burden is light”) and the parable of the sower.

Charlie is a small donkey who works for the miller, but he’s not the strongest and he sometimes makes the miller mad. When a farmer comes and takes Charlie to a beautiful farm, Charlie worries that if he disappoints the farmer, the farmer will no longer want him. But Charlie is in for a surprise, because his farmer is a Good Farmer who is patient, wise, understanding, and strong. Through both touching and humorous moments, Charlie learns about his special place on the farm and why he can trust the Good Farmer with his worries.

The Bible is full of references to seeds, wheat, and farming, but what do those stories tell us about the attributes of God? Or how can we learn to rely on God? In a time when anxiety rates among children are on the rise, The Good Farmer and the Worried Donkey uses a relatable character and a riveting story to bring biblical truth to life for kids and illustrate how we can cast our cares on God.

READ A SAMPLE OF THE BOOK

Christian Children's Book are very important for growth in Children. The Good Farmer and the Worried Donkey by Hannah E. Harrison is the most recent book that I had the opportunity to read.

Charlie is a Donkey who has worked for a Miller for a time. He wasn't being treated fairly until he was taken to a Farm. Charlie lacked confidence that he could be helpful to the Farmer during Harvest time. Charlie was feeling the effects from the abuse of the previous owner. The Farmer guides Charlie and encourages him that Charlie is worthy of being a worker, but also part of everyday life on the Farm. The Farmer is a soft and gentle man, unlike Charlie's previous owner. Charlie begins to realize that he is being cared for and he begins to worry less and feel comfortable in his new place and owner.

I really LOVE how the author uses Matthew 11 to encourage young readers that God cares for us, even when our worries are great. The Illustrations in this book are AMAZINGLY Beautiful! Young Readers will be encouraged while reading and viewing this book. I HIGHLY Recommend this book to Children ages 4 through 10. GREAT BOOK!

Hannah is originally from New Hampshire, but now lives in Oklahoma with her big-hearted husband, two delightful daughters, a crabby cat, and dopey dog. She is the author and illustrator of eight books, including the Christlit Book Award winning picture book, THE GOOD SHEPHERD AND THE STUBBORN SHEEP. An Amazon and ECPA bestseller, the book was named Children’s Book of the Year by The Gospel Coalition and Christianity Today, and received an honorable mention from WORLD. Some of her other picture books include EXTRAORDINARY JANE, named a Kirkus Best Animal Book of the Year; BEAR IS AWAKE!, an Amazon Editors’ Pick; MY FRIEND MAGGIE, winner of the Bill Martin Jr. Award; and POOPSIE GETS LOST, which won the Redbud Read-aloud, Golden Sower, and Volunteer State Book Awards. Her books have also received numerous starred reviews and been included in book clubs such as Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the Junior Library Guild, Scholastic, and Amazon Book Box. Her illustrations are all hand-painted and have been selected repeatedly for The Society of Illustrators Original Art Exhibit. Hannah wanted to be a picture book maker ever since the 2nd grade when she went to a Young Authors Conference and realized that making books was an actual job you could have when you grew up. Getting to be an author is literally a dream come true!