CLICK HERE FOR FREE BLOG LAYOUTS, LINK BUTTONS AND MORE! »

Monday, August 10, 2026

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Lethal Design by S.F. Baumgartner





Book: Lethal Design (KC & Orlando Prime Book 2)

Author: S.F. Baumgartner

Genre: Crime Thriller with Christian elements

Release Date: August 4, 2026

Some deaths are designed.

The death looks routine — no foul play, no reason to dig. But KC knows this building and what happened here a year ago. And the pattern spreading across the city is no coincidence.

Professionals with no addiction history are dying along eerily similar paths. Someone patient and invisible is engineering these outcomes. As the Orlando Prime task force chases separate leads across the city, the threads begin pointing to the same dark center.

The closer they get, the more dangerous the truth becomes. Some designs were never meant to be uncovered — and the cost of exposing this one may be more than any of them are prepared to pay.

Perfect for fans of Terri Blackstock and Lynette Eason who love fast-paced, clean crime thrillers with the intensity of Criminal Minds and the grit of NCIS.

Follow Kylie “KC” Cassidy and the Orlando Prime task force as they take on the cases no one else can crack, starting with Lethal Design.

 

Click here to get your copy!




Crime Thriller books are always a good read and S.F. Baumgartner is a favorite author in this genre . Lethal Design by S.F. Baumgartner is Book 2 in the KC & Orlando Prime Series. I read book 1 in this series and was excited to read this book also. 

WOW, I was reeled into this storyline immediately. The main characters are Detective Kylie “KC” Cassidy and Commander Frank Travers. Frank is still mourning the death of his wife Linda from one year ago. KC and the Orlando Prime Task Force have been investigating some suspicious deaths and connections are being discovered. Frank and KC begin working together on these cases and uncover quite an array of clues that help decipher the connection in the deaths that have been happening and what happened to Frank's wife Linda. I truly enjoyed this book from beginning to end. The many twists and turns keep me intrigued and wanting to read ahead. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Crime Thriller books. WONDERFUL 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.

 

More from S.F.

Lethal Design, Book 2 in the KC & Orlando Prime series, shifts the spotlight in a powerful way. While Fatal Invitation centered on Detective Kylie Cassidy, this installment dives deep into the elite Prime Task Force, especially its leader, Commander Frank Travers.

A year ago, Travers lost his wife to a brutal, unsolved murder. The case went cold. The killer vanished. But in Lethal Design, that past refuses to stay buried.

As KC and the Prime team investigate a new wave of suspicious deaths, threads begin to surface, threads that may finally lead Travers to the truth he’s been chasing. And this time, it’s personal.

What makes this story especially layered is how it connects back to the larger conspiracy introduced in Stolen Secrets. Pieces are moving. Secrets are colliding. And everything must align as the story builds toward a confrontation that’s been a long time coming.

Expect high-stakes action, tight investigative work, and emotional tension as justice and revenge blur into something far more dangerous.

Because when Travers comes face-to-face with his wife’s killer… there’s no guarantee he walks away.

And KC may be the only one who can keep him from crossing a line he can’t come back from.




Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 31

The Lofty Pages, July 31

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 1

Vicky Sluiter, August 2 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, August 3

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, August 4

Texas Book-aholic, August 5

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 6

For the Love of Literature, August 7 (Author Interview)

Blogging with Carol, August 8

Because I said so, August 9

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 10

Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 11 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, August 12

Betti Mace, August 13

Leslie’s Library Escape, August 13



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/uhz7K/lethal-design-celebration-tour-giveaway







Share/Bookmark Pin It Print Friendly and PDF

Monday, August 3, 2026

JustRead Tours Blog Tour: Seeds of Hope by Teresa Wells

Seeds of Hope JustRead Blog + Review Tour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Seeds of Hope by Teresa Wells, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!




Seeds of Hope

Title: Seeds of Hope 
Series: The Truitts of Texas #2 
Author:
Teresa Wells 
Publisher: Scrivenings Press 
Release Date:
07/14/2026 
Genre:
Christian Historical Romance

Two wounded hearts. One fragile hope. A love that dares to take root. 

Blooming Grove, Texas, 1896 

Deputy Rabb Truitt has sworn to protect Blooming Grove. But when a clerical error sets a criminal free, Rabb blames himself. He should’ve admitted he can’t read, and now he must resign. If he failed the town once, he could fail it again. 

A recent survivor of a devastating fire, Sallie Parker refuses to let Rabb give up the job he loves. She helps him make sense of letters on the page, and as his knowledge grows, so do their feelings for each other. 

When a series of mysterious events surround Sallie’s school, Rabb fears a connection to cattle rustlers he’s pursuing. Each day without arrest, the demands for mob justice increase. Rabb races to protect the town and the woman he loves. But is he too late? 

Perfect for fans of Karen Witemeyer, Mary Connealy, and Jody Hedlund, Seeds of Hope is a faith-based historical romance filled with small-town danger, friends-to-lovers tenderness, found family, courage, and the promise that God can grow hope in even the hardest places.



Christian Historical Romance a genre that I am always excited to read. Seeds of Hope by Teresa Wells is Book 2 in The Truitts of Texas series. I have been anxiously awaiting for this release. Book 1 was a great beginning to this series, so I have been wanting to read Book 2. 

The storyline starts strong and it was so intriguing I could not put the book down. The setting is 1896 in Blooming Grove, Texas. The main characters of this story are Deputy Rabb Truitt and Sallie Parker.  Deputy Rabb is very devastated when he learns that a Criminal was inadvertently let go. He finally has to admit that he doesn't know how to read, something he hid from others for many years. Sallie Parker has been through a lot in her life, including a fire that she survived. Sallie encourages Deputy Rabb not to resign from his job, instead she wants to help him achieve his dream of knowing how to read. Sallie is a Teacher at a local school and Deputy Rabb and she are perplexed when  mysterious things begin happening at the School. Deputy Rabb is able to help Sallie figure out the new mystery at the School. I really LOVED this book from beginning to end. I truly enjoyed seeing how Sallie and Rabb began to show their true feelings for one another as they both helped each other. The fact that they trusted God's plan for the happenings in their relationship, was really heartwarming.  The book is one of LOVE, FAITH and Family. I HIGHLY recommend this book to those who enjoy Christian Historical Romance.WONDERFUL BOOK!





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

More in This Series




Teresa Wells

Award-winning author Teresa Wells writes stories threaded with hope and redemption. She loves meeting people, touring old homes, and studying the Bible. She lives with her husband of 45 years outside of Dallas, Texas. Her debut novel, What Brings Us Joy (Scrivenings Press, 2025), is a double winner for the 2026 Holt Medallion Award. Seeds of Hope, Book 2 in The Truitts of Texas series, releases in July of 2026. You can find her online at teresawells.com




(2) winners will each receive a signed copy of Seeds of Hope, items related to the book, and a $25 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight August 3, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on August 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 JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway


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

JustRead Publicity Tours







Share/Bookmark Pin It Print Friendly and PDF

Sunday, August 2, 2026

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: The Husband Tree by Mary Connealy





Book: The Husband Tree

Author: Mary Connealy

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: July 21, 2026

From bestselling author Mary Connealy comes a spirited Western romance filled with danger, determination, and unexpected love—a tale of a fierce widow rancher, a hardworking cowboy, and the family that brings them together. Perfect for fans of historical romance and strong heroines.

Belle Tanner has buried three husbands under the “Husband Tree” and managed her Montana ranch alone while raising four daughters. When she needs help with a dangerous cattle drive, she hires Silas Harden—a man who actually knows his way around cattle and horses. Unlike her previous husbands, Silas isn’t afraid of hard work, but Belle’s not about to let another man take charge of her ranch or her heart.

Silas never planned on falling for a widow with four daughters, especially one as independent as Belle. But as they face treacherous mountain passes, wolf attacks, and winter storms together, he discovers that what he thought was just another job might be his chance at a real family—if he can convince Belle to trust in love one more time.

With winter closing in and dangers mounting, Belle and Silas must learn to work together and trust in God’s plan. But can Belle let go of her iron control and let love lead? And can Silas prove he’s different from the husbands who came before?

A heartwarming story of faith, family, and finding love in the rugged Montana Territory.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 


Christian Historical Romance is a favorite Genre of mine. The Husband Tree by Mary Connealy is Book 5 in the Petticoats and Cowboys series.

WOW, this series is so heartwarming and captures my attention from the beginning. The main characters in this book are Belle Turner and Silas Harden. Belle is a Widow and a owns a Ranch in Montana. Belle has now promised her 4 daughters that she will never marry again, after just burying her 3rd Husband under a tree on their Ranch. Belle is determined to continue to run the Ranch alone, although realizes that a Dangerous Cattle Drive is coming up. Silas Harden is hired by Belle and she immediately realizes that he really knows how to care for Cattle and he is very Hardworking. Silas also feels the need to take care of Belle and her daughters and protect them. I really LOVE how Belle's heart is softening as she realizes that Silas is a gentleman and not like her husbands that have passed on. Silas is also smitten by the chance to have a relationship with Belle, even though he has never had an interest in getting married. Belle and Silas grow their friendship/relationship, with the blessing of Belle's daughter. The book is one of Taking Chances, finding that God's plan is always greater then our own plans, Faith and Family. I HIGHLY recommend this book for anyone who enjoys Christian Historical Romance. AWESOME 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

The Husband Tree remains the book I am asked about the most when I talk to readers.

Or, if I get asked, which is your favorite character…someone inevitably says Belle Tanner.

There’s something about that woman.

The title of the book is based on the tree where she’s buried three worthless husbands. After Anthony died falling off the roof…where he was hiding from work as usual, she’s tossing dirt on his face while vowing to God and her children to never marry again.

She’s taught her girls to work hard at her side, but her main lesson is to teach them to avoid men at all costs. A warning that doesn’t survive, but not for lack of effort on Belle’s part.

She’s the meanest good guy I’ve ever written, the most enduring ‘fiesty lady rancher’. Yet somehow, her REASONS for being mean are so well tuned, that she gets away with being a very hostile-to-men woman.

Not that I haven’t written plenty of feisty lady ranchers…in fact I love the type so much I have to fight putting one as the heroine in every book. But Belle is in a league of her own.

Silas Harden is also NOT interested in a woman. He’s been burned bad TWICE by women. One woman a betrayer, another a sneaking liar who stages a ‘compromising situation’ to force a marriage. He’s lost two ranches because of it. He wants a place of his own and he’s not risking letting a woman ruin things for him. It’s cost him too much.

But, much as she hates to admit she needs a man’s help, Belle’s going to lose her herd if she doesn’t get the cattle to market and there’s no one else to help but the wandering cowpoke, Silas.

Belle and her four daughters, including a diaper-wearing baby, need to punch one thousand head of cattle over the roughest trail in the whole world…not that Belle’s familiar with the whole world, but it’s a brutally hard stretch.

Off they go, both bristling, but soon enough they’re working so hard they’re too TIRED to hate each other.

And then here comes love. A man Belle can’t help but respect. A woman Silas can’t help but trust.

If they all survive this drive…both of them might just take a chance again, on love.



Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 28

Texas Book-aholic, July 29

For Him and My Family, July 30

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 31

Guild Master, August 1 (Author Interview)

Book Holds and Jello Molds, August 1

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 2

Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 3

She Lives To Read, August 4

Simple Harvest Reads, August 5 (Guest Review from Donna)

Fiction Book Lover, August 6 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, August 6

Book Looks by Lisa, August 7

Cover Lover Book Review, August 8

Labor Not in Vain, August 9

Holly’s Book Corner, August 10



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/GRmzP/the-husband-tree-celebration-tour-giveaway







Share/Bookmark Pin It Print Friendly and PDF

Saturday, August 1, 2026

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Worlds Collide by Clint Hall

 





Book: Worlds Collide

Author: Clint Hall

Genre: Adult Science Fiction

Release Date: July 14, 2026

Five worlds at war. Only one can survive.

Ten thousand years ago, five cosmic beings―a dragon, a phoenix, a serpent, a lion, and a wolf―set their worlds on an inevitable collision course. Each civilization was given one command: destroy the rival worlds, or crash into them and die.

As the planets draw near to each other, the moment of final reckoning is at hand. In a galaxy filled with starfighters and superweapons, magic and manipulation, planet-killing devices and mechanized legions, five heroes must defend their homeworlds against overwhelming odds.

But when prophecy and destiny collide, a far greater power begins to stir―one that challenges everything they’ve been told.

Oaths will be broken. Chains will be shattered. Champions will rise. The fate of the universe hangs in the balance as these heroes discover whether any world deserves to survive.

The War of the Creators has begun.

Perfect for fans of Red Rising, The Expanse, and mythic sci-fi epics, Worlds Collide blends high-stakes interplanetary war with a legendary, fate-driven mystery―where the final battle may not be what it seems.

 

Click here to get your copy!




Adult Science Fiction is a genre that I have just begun to be interested in. Worlds Collide by Clint Hall is Book 1 in the Worlds Collide Trilogy. 

I will say that it took me a couple of chapters to really understand the storyline. I was intrigued at the Author's writing style once I understood the story. I especially enjoyed the fact that the "characters" were not the typical characters in a story, yet they were Five Worlds who were battling one another and knowing only one would survive the Battle. The Worlds knew they were going to Collide, yet one of the Cosmic beings would win and survive. The story is very action packed, from beginning to end, and also had many twists and turns.The author includes a faith aspect, yet not boldly or strongly. I am astonished at how much I truly enjoyed this book. I am already looking forward to Book 2 in this series, as Book 1 ended with a cliffhanger ending! I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Adult Science Fiction. GREAT BOOK!
 




 



Clint Hall is an author, speaker, and podcaster who has been writing stories since middle school, where he spent most of his time in English class creating comic books. (Fortunately, his teacher not only allowed it, she bought every issue.)

Known for stories of hope, wonder, and adventure, Clint is the author of Steal Fire from the Gods and Echo Nova. You can find him hosting panels at conventions, online at ClintHall.com, or at The Experience: Conversations with Creatives podcast, available on all major platforms.


More from Clint

The battle lines we cannot see

By Clint Hall

The enemy seeks to divide us. And while there are wars to be fought, the battle lines often aren’t in the places that we think.

This is not the reason I started writing Worlds Collide. But in the more than ten years that I’ve been working on this trilogy, it has become the reason this story is the thing I most want to say to the world.

I started writing Worlds Collide because of a few ideas that came together at once. I had been reading a book that discussed five types of heroes: the selfless hero, the hero with a code, the charming hero, the cunning hero, and the sympathetic hero. I challenged myself to write a story featuring each type of hero as a way of better learning the archetypes.

Around the same time, I came up with the concept of different worlds being set on a collision course by their respective creators—cosmic beings in the forms of dragon, phoenix, lion, serpent, and wolf—as a “contest of the gods.” This idea came out of nowhere. At the time, I was working on a completely different story (that still has not been published). That evening, I took my wife on a walk, told her the concept, and she said, “This has to be the next thing you write.”

But as I wrote the story, these characters from different worlds started coming together in interesting ways. Each believed that they were doing the things they had to do to survive, to protect their own kind. The distance between them and the rival planets served to create a sense of “otherness” about the people inhabiting those worlds. It was easier to hate them when they were so far removed. And like most (if not all) instances of hate, it was rooted in fear.

The danger of division is a central theme in scripture. In Matthew 12:25 and Mark 3:24-25, Jesus states, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.” The Greek word for the devil, diabolos, is derived from a verb that means “to throw apart” or “to scatter,” directly identifying his nature as a divider.

We see this division every day, much of it sparked by what we read online. Humans are designed to be in connection with each other, so the most deceptive way to subvert that innate design is to present the façade of increased connection that is actually voluntary isolation and polarization.

I’m not against the internet and social media, but it must be stated that the technologies that were supposed to bring more people together have achieved the opposite. They constantly present us with groups of people who—at a distance—appear to be dangerously opposed to everything we hold dear.

When we engage with so much of this content, we believe we’re learning more about people. But in truth, we’re only presented with algorithmically curated experiences that are incented to spark fear and outrage, emotions that lead to clicking and engaging. We are told that they are the enemy, that they are to blame, and that they will destroy our way of life. Then we’re told, “click here to read more.”

I wasn’t raised in church; I came to my faith during my teenage years. As a result, and due to a handful of other personal experiences, I’m comfortable in environments where I’m surrounded by people whose beliefs are very different than my own.

But here’s what has surprised me: I never feel like I need to hide my faith in these situations. When I engage such people in conversations from a place of love, respect, and genuine curiosity, they are almost always receptive. We find common ground. How could we not? Regardless of their beliefs, these people are created in the image of God, just like me. Through these interactions, I have created real friendships with people that might have never walked through the doors of my church (but that doesn’t mean I won’t try).

I’m not saying that I’m without my biases. I’m far from perfect. But when I manage to push past my perceived boundaries, I’m often amazed at what I discover on the other side.

As believers, we affirm that every person is made in the image of God. But we must ask ourselves—do our words, our posts, and our attitudes reflect that truth? Or have we, too, begun to see those who are unlike us primarily as enemies?

That tension is at the heart of Worlds Collide. As these characters begin to interact, they discover aspects of each other that they never would have expected. They start asking questions they were never meant to ask, and the answers challenge everything they have ever known.

We may not be on warring planets, but we are constantly being told where the battle lines are in our world, and that anybody on the other side of those lines is our enemy.

And when that happens, will we accept that as the truth? Or will we dare to step across those lines in love, courage, and faith to reach out our hands, as the Savior did for us?



Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 29

Books, Books, & More Books, July 30 (Spotlight)

Texas Book-aholic, July 31

Artistic Nobody, August 1 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 1

Simple Harvest Reads, August 2 (Guest Review from Susan)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 3 (Spotlight)

The Lofty Pages, August 4

Guild Master, August 5 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, August 6

Fiction Book Lover, August 7 (Author Interview)

The Bookish Ledger, August 8 (Author Interview)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 8

Vicky Sluiter, August 9 (Spotlight)

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, August 10

For the Love of Literature, August 11 (Author Interview)



To celebrate his tour, Clint is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and signed hardcover 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/vmT2g/worlds-collide-celebration-tour-giveaway







Share/Bookmark Pin It Print Friendly and PDF

Friday, July 31, 2026

FrontGate Media Blog Tour: From Sea to Shining Sea 50 Daily Devotions from Traveling to Every State in America by John Christopher Frame, H. Eugene Frame, and Marsha Frame










From Sea to Shining Sea: 50 Daily Devotions from Traveling to Every State in America is a Christian devotional designed for short, meaningful reflection, blending faith, Scripture, and real-life travel experiences from across the United States.

Each of the 50 devotions begins with a travel moment from one of the U.S. states and connects that experience with a brief Scripture passage and a simple spiritual insight. The readings are intentionally short and accessible, making it easy to start or include in a daily devotional routine.

The reflections draw on the lifetime travels of Gene and Marsha Frame, who visited all 50 states during nearly 60 years of marriage. Their experiences—from small towns and quiet roads to memorable landmarks—become starting points for reflections about faith and living for God.

Each devotion includes a short story from the journey and a Scripture passage that invites readers to pause, reflect, and pray.

With experiences drawn from every state, this devotional provides memorable insights, each rooted in a specific location. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or an armchair explorer, these reflections will inspire you in your walk with God.








Devotionals are a part of my Everyday life. I really enjoy Devotionals that have a theme. From Sea to Shining Sea 50 Daily Devotions from Traveling to Every State in America by John Christopher Frame, H. Eugene Frame, and Marsha Frame is the most current Devotional that I have read. 

I don't travel often, pretty much only have been in the Midwest. I have a LOVE for our Country and I enjoy reading about happenings in other States. The Devotional is very timely as it is the 250 Anniversary of America. The Authors have traveled to all 50 States over the time of the 60 year marriage and give a Wonderful Story about each of the 50 States in this book. 

I really LOVE the Look and Layout of this Devotional. The book is in the Alphabetical Order of the States. Each Chapter has a Brief Story of the experience in that State, a question to ponder and a Prayer. I am from Chicago, Illinois, so of course I skipped ahead to IL and read that one first. The story focused on a visit to Chicago and the Pacific Garden Mission. I enjoyed the story of their visit as I had a similar experience at Pacific Garden Mission. The story was excellent, although the Question to Ponder and Scripture were on point and very relatable. I continued reading the Devotional, this time from the beginning and found each Chapter and Question to Ponder very deep and a wonderful encouragement. I really LOVED seeing the 50 States from the View of Travelers and diving deep into Scripture through the Devotional. I HIGHLY recommend this Devotional to anyone who enjoys Traveling or has a LOVE for the 50 States of America! GREAT BOOK!







John Christopher Frame is an author and holds a PhD from the University of Oxford. Publishers Weekly stated his first book, Homeless at Harvard: Finding Faith and Friendship on the Streets of Harvard Square, was “touching, and well worth the read…” John loves traveling on the cheap, visiting outdoor markets, and working in quirky cafés in his neighborhood. He also enjoys spending time with his wife, whom he met while buying a carpet at a souvenir shop in Istanbul, Turkey. Connect with him at https://www.johnchristopherframe.com. 
























Share/Bookmark Pin It Print Friendly and PDF
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...