Thursday, July 31, 2025

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Another Outer Banks Christmas

Book: Another Outer Banks Christmas

Author: Christina Sinisi

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

Release Date: November, 2023

As the daughter of missionaries, Kerrie Alexander has lived on Hatteras—an island in the Outer Banks—longer than any other place she’s been. When her parents inform her the family is slotted to go overseas again, she balks. Her life on the island—her job, her friends, even the handsome hero in her Sunday School class—makes her want to put down roots. Butto do so, she’ll need to find a place to live, face being on her own separated from any close family—something she’s never done before.

Firefighter and EMT Wade Hampton can face pretty much any emergency, except his matchmaking grandpa threatening him with disinheritance if Wade doesn’t get married in just three months. Not that Wade objects to the idea of marriage, but how does a guy who has no problem running into burning buildings find the courage to ask a girl like Kerrie out for a date? She’s a role model for everything good, and he comes from a rough and broken home. Not to mention, Christmas is right around the corner!

Click here to get your copy!

Contempory Christian Romance is always a favorite genre to read. Another Outer Banks Christmas by Christina Sinisi is the latest book in this genre that I have read.

I was excited to read a Christmas themed book during the month of July. A great way to "chill" on a Hot Summer Day. The 2 main characters in this book are Kerrie Alexander and Wade Hampton. Kerrie has grown up as a Missionary child and is now an Adult wanting to create a HOME and not move from place to place. She really loves the Outer Banks and just needs to find a place to live as her family prepares to go to the Mission Field again. Wade Hampton is a Firefighter and EMT on the Island. His grandfather is encouraging him to get married within 3 months or lose his inheritance. Kerrie and Wade meet each other at Sunday School and take a liking to one another, but both afraid to express their feelings for each other. A perfect situation arises for Kerrie and she moves into the Garage Apartment that Wade's Grandfather owns. Wade and Kerrie begin to get to really know each other. I really love how they both discover they have individual issues that need to be worked through to moved forward in life. The Author does a GREAT job of connecting the characters to one another. The book is one of Forgiveness, new relationships, growing up and Faith. I HIGHLY recommend this book for anyone who enjoys Christian Romance books. AMAZING BOOK!!

A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Christina Sinisi writes stories about families, both the broken and blessed. Her works include a semi-finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest and the American Title IV Contest where she appeared in the top ten in the Romantic Times magazine. By day, she is a psychology professor and lives in the LowCountry of South Carolina with her husband and two children and loves a good cooking challenge.

More from Christina

Christmas in July!

Another Outer Banks Christmas is the third book in a series—but the second book hasn’t been published yet! Good thing I wrote this one as a stand-alone.

So…here’s the story behind the story.

In June 2019, I saw an email requesting Christmas novellas by the end of the month. I buckled down and wrote Christmas Confusion in three weeks. Then, excited about the story, I wrote a full-length novel for the second installment in my Charleston series, Sweet Summer. However, my publisher at the time, Anaiah Press, said they had a full slate for 2020 and no space for a novel.

Rather than not publish anything for a year, I looked around me for inspiration and found it at my sister’s vacation home on Hatteras Island in the Outer Banks, North Carolina. We first visited after Christmas in December 2019. Hurricane Dorian had devastated nearby Ocracoke Island in September. Shocked by the damage and the businesses still boarded up, some of which never reopened, I wanted to tell the story of the brave people who live there—thus, Christmas on Ocracoke was born.

Now, I always seem to fall in love with my characters and want to get to know them better—and their families. Hope of Hatteras (to be published later this year, date TBA) is the story of the hero of Ocracoke’s sister. Another Outer Banks Christmas is the story of the hero of Hatteras’ best friend.

As the daughter of missionaries Kerrie Alexander has lived on Hatteras—an island in the Outer Banks—longer than any other place she’s been. When her parents inform her the family is slotted to go overseas again, she balks. Her life on the island—her job, her friends, even the handsome hero in her Sunday School class—makes her want to put down roots. But to do so, she’ll need to find another place to live, face being on her own separated from any close family—something she’s never done before.

To finish out the story—why hasn’t Hatteras been published? My publisher closed its doors last November and I’m working on my way to being self-published. My book was supposed to be published a week before they closed. Life always has surprises in store, doesn’t it?

Thank the Lord we have a God who doesn’t change.

Another Outer Banks Christmas is a sweet romance that addresses the challenges our missionaries and their families face, plus, on the other side, the fact that we don’t have to be perfect to be loved—by God or other people.

Blessings, Christina

Texas Book-aholic, July 23

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 24

Simple Harvest Reads, July 25 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 26

For Him and My Family, July 27

Hannahbandanarama, July 28

For the Love of Literature, July 29 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, July 29

The Sacred Line, July 30

Happily Managing a Household of Boys , July 31

Bizwings Book Blog, August 1

Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 2 (Author Interview)

Britt Reads Fiction, August 2

Blogging With Carol, August 3

Holly’s Book Corner, August 4

Pause for Tales, August 5

To celebrate her tour, Christina is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54256

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Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: The Battered Bride by Erica Vetsch

Book: The Bartered Bride

Author: Erica Vetsch

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: July 8, 2025

A rebellious suffragette and a steadfast sailor—tied by duty, divided by secrets, and tempted by a love that changes everything.

A born sailor, Jonathan Kennebrae thrives in his role running his grandfather’s shipping enterprise. That is until his grandfather delivers a crippling ultimatum—Jonathan will marry Melissa Brooke or lose his inheritance and everything he’s worked for. Though Jonathan finds himself drawn to Melissa, he can’t help feeling his intended may not be who she appears to be.

Melissa Brooke is tired of being voiceless. She’s been the perfect daughter all her life, doing what she’s told for the good of the family. Except she has a secret. Melissa lives a double life, teaching literacy to struggling immigrant women and fighting for the suffragette movement. If she goes through with the wedding, she’ll be forced to abandon her life’s work. Yet refusing the union could cost her any chance at an inheritance to fund her cause. To make matters worse, she can’t deny the tender feelings blooming between her and her fiancé.

Click here to get your copy!

Christian Historical Romance is a favorite genre of mine. The Bartered Bride by Erica Vetsch is Book 1 in The Kennabrae Brides series. I have come to look forward to new releases by Erica Vetsch and being a new series I was excited to read this book.

I jumped right into the book and I kept reading until I finished it. The storyline is 1095 in Minnesota. The 2 main characters are Jonathan Kennebrae and Melissa Brooke. Jonathan and Melissa were born into Wealthy Families. Jonathan has spent his life helping run the Family Shipping Business that his Grandfather started. Jonathan loves his job and loves his family. Melissa also enjoys her work that she does. Her family and others are unaware that she helps women immigrants learn to read and a part of a movement, both things her family would not approve of. Jonathan's Grandfather arranges a marriage for Melissa to marry Jonathan or he loses his inheritance and Melissa could have to forfeit her inheritance from her family. Jonathan and Melissa are unsure of the arrangement and feel forced to marry to protect their futures. I really enjoy how the pair took their time to get to know each other, even with twists and secrets revealed. Jonathan and Melissa trusted God to help them through the obstacles that could have prevented a true love to grow from a forced love. The book is about Second Chances, Trust, Faith and LOVE. I really enjoy novels with Arranged Marriages and I would HIGHLY recommend this book. FANTASTIC BOOK!

Best-selling, award-winning author of The Debutante’s Code, first in the Thorndike & Swann Regency Mystery Series, Erica Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum. You can connect with her at her website where you can learn about her books and sign up for her newsletter, and you can find her online where she spends way too much time!

More from Erica

Do you ever wish you could turn back time? That’s what I recently got to do, as I read through my very first published novel, The Bartered Bride, that is now being re-released by Wild Heart Books.

What a blast from the past. I was amazed at all the feelings that rushed back in as I revisited Duluth, MN in the last century. Melissa and Jonathan hadn’t changed a bit in sixteen years.

The story idea first came to me as I sat in church awaiting the start of the service. There I was, a not-yet-published-author, minding my own business when the plot sort of burst into my head. An arranged marriage set in Duluth, and using the “Gales of November” and the wreck of the Mataafa…

I jotted down a few notes, because face it, the best idea for a novel could pop into my head, and if I don’t write down the gist, I will forget it in two minutes.

I wrote The Bartered Bride in about six weeks, and I sent it through my critique group of the time. Then my agent submitted it to the publisher in the spring of 2008.

And we waited.

And waited.

We heard nothing for months. My agent sent word that the publisher was still considering it, and I was to be patient. It wasn’t a no, but it also wasn’t a resounding yes!

I had already started the sequel to The Bartered Bride, a story called Marriage Masquerade, so I finished that one, and then with summer upon me, I wrote a new story, Clara and the Cowboy, about an heiress to a ranch and one of the cowboys who rode for her father. Maybe the publisher would like that series better. I heard nothing all summer on either of the two series I had proposed and submitted.

Then in September of that year, I went to the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference. The conference was being held in Minnesota, just a hop up the road from where I live. I ferried agents and editors from the airport to the hotel, I met people, I sat in workshops, all the time wondering if I would ever be a published author. Would my writing ever be ‘good enough’? Was I wasting my time?

Imagine my surprise when the publisher to whom I had submitted The Bartered Bride took the stage at a general session and announced that they were offering a contract to me for that book! Not only that, but when I had an appointment with the editor later, she offered not only a three-book contract on the The North Star Brides, but an additional three-book contract for the Brides of Money Creek of which Clara and the Cowboy was book one!

I had sold six books! The rest of the conference, you could have bought me for a dollar.

Melissa and Jonathan will always have a special place in my heart. They were the couple that started it all. I’m so glad they are getting a new start, and hopefully they will touch readers’ hearts as much as they have mine.

Life on Chickadee Lane, July 28
Melissa’s Bookshelf, July 28
Pens Pages & Pulses, July 29
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 29
lakesidelivingsite, July 30
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 30
Betti Mace, July 31
Fiction Book Lover, July 31 (Guest Review from Marilyn)
Texas Book-aholic, August 1
Devoted To Hope, August 1
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, August 2
Devoted Steps, August 2
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 3
Simple Harvest Reads, August 3 (Guest Review from Mindy)
Stories By Gina, August 4 (Author Interview)
Inklings and Notions, August 4
For HIm and My Family, August 5
Artistic Nobody, August 5 (Guest Review from Donna)
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, August 6
Locks, Hooks and Books, August 6
Book Looks by Lisa, August 7
Holly’s Book Corner, August 7
Bizwings Book Blog, August 8
Vicky Sluiter, August 8
Blossoms and Blessings, August 9
Pause for Tales, August 9
Cover Lover Book Review, August 10
To Everything There Is A Season, August 10

To celebrate her tour, Erica 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.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54260

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Tuesday, July 29, 2025

JustRead Tours Blog Tour: A Family on His Doorstep by Alena Auguste

A Family on His Doorstep JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for A Family on His Doorstep by Alena Auguste, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Title: A Family On His Doorstep
Author: Alena Auguste
Publisher: Harlequin Love Inspired
Release Date: July 29, 2025
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Sometimes a tough situation

Requires a leap of faith…

Unwed, unemployed and pregnant, Rebecca Young is in desperate need of a job. But finding work seems impossible. So when her late ex-boyfriend’s cousin Walker Greystone offers her room and board, and help getting a part-time job at the library he’s renovating in Eden, Texas, she eagerly accepts. But as they work together on a project that could change both of their lives, their feelings for one another deepen. Can Rebecca and Walker overcome their scars from the past and embrace the possibility of a happily-ever-after together?

Christian Contempory Romance by the LOVE Inspired brand is a wonderful genre. A Family on His Doorstep by Alena Auguste is the latest book in the genre that I have read. The LOVE Inspired books are one of my favorite series, so I was excited to read this book by a new to me author.

WOW, this storyline had me hooked from the beginning. Rebecca Young is about to become a Single Mom and has no job. Rebecca is Pregnant and her Ex-boyfriend has passed away. She makes her way to Eden, Texas, to the home of her Ex-Boyfriend, to deliver a box to his family. She is surprised when, Walker Greystone, the cousin of her Ex offers her Room and Board and helps her secure a librarian job, she accepts the offer with gladness. I LOVE how Rebecca is eager to work at the Library and make a life for herself. The surprise in this story was that Walker was working on a project at the Library and notices Rebecca often. They begin to form a friendship and relationship. Walker has a "reputation" in town because of the troubles of his Father and Grandfather. I love the way Rebecca encourages him that he is not a failure and he begins to see God in his life. The changes in Walker's life because he allows God to be in control are outstanding. I also see that Vince's family, her Ex-boyfriend and father of her unborn child, is very accepting of Rebecca. Walker and Rebecca are growing closer and acknowledging they have strong feelings toward one another. Walker has overcome so much in this short time and feels God is telling him that Rebecca is "the one". This book is one of Faith, Second Chances, Trust, and Family. I really enjoyed this book and HIGHLY recommend it to anyone who enjoys Christian Contemporary Romance. WONDERFUL BOOK!

Alena Auguste lives in Texas and can’t imagine living anywhere else. Married to her very own knight for thirty plus years, she and her husband have four amazing grown children and two of the handsomest grandsons ever! When she’s not creating trouble for her characters or working at the family business, you can find her cozying up with a steaming cup of tea and a good book. She would love to hear from you at alenaauguste.com.

(1) winners will receive a $50 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight July 28, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on August 4, 2025. Winners 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!

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Monday, July 28, 2025

iRead Book Tours Blog Tour: SERVES YOU RIGHT by Orion Gregory

Book Details:

Book Title:  Serves You Right by Orion Gregory
Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 300 pages
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Publisher:  Publish Authority
Release date: July 8, 2025
Content Rating:  PG-13 + M: No explicit sex scenes, a couple of f-words, one suicide.

Rookie detective Sydney Livingstone thought she’d left the chaos of her tennis career behind when she joined the small Walsh County Police Department. But a shadowy figure known as "The Enforcer" has other plans. On the dark web, a vigilante is waging their own brand of justice, pushing Sydney to confront a force that threatens to unravel everything she holds dear.

As she investigates a disturbing series of events, including a stalker targeting a seasoned officer, Sydney must navigate the twisted maze of corruption, deception, and a growing conspiracy within her own department. With the media spotlight on Walsh County and danger closing in, will Sydney uncover the truth—or become its next victim?

Mystery and Thriller genre is a favorite genre of mine. Serves You Right by Orion Gregory is the latest book in this genre that I have read. It is Book 2 in the Sydney Livingstone Detective Series.

WOW, this book captivated my interest immediately. The setting is in Walsh County, Ohio. Sydney Livingstone has given up a Tennis Career to become a Detective. The Murder spree that Syndey is investigating is very intriguing. Sydney begins to see a corrupt Police Department and so much more, even as a Rookie Detective. I really LOVE that Sydney stays strong against the Vigilante and the one known as "The Enforcer". The actions around town begin to catch the attention of the media and they begin to report things and Sydney is worried if this could do damage to her investigation or even to her. The book has many twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat. I truly enjoyed this storyline from beginning to end. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Mystery and Thriller genre. GREAT BOOK!

AMAZON
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Orion Gregory spent the early part of his career as a writer in the newspaper, magazine, and advertising industries, where he was the recipient of several prestigious awards. The latter part of his working career consisted of more than 25 years in marketing/sales industry. He never forgot his love of writing during that time, and always vowed to return to his roots. Presently, Orion spends the majority of his time writing mystery/thriller novels when he’s not coaching or teaching tennis. He finds great pleasure in mentoring young people and improving the conditions of animals in need. His life revolves around his wife and two daughters, as well as the wonderful friends he has made along his journey. He subscribes to the theory that the only bad pun is the one left unsaid.

connect with the author: website ~ x ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads

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Sunday, July 27, 2025

Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: The Reverend's Second Chance by Lauralyn Keller

Book: The Reverend’s Second Chance

Author: Lauralyn Keller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: July 15, 2025

A buried secret in Harmony Springs could cost a pastor and a teacher their careers—and their second chance at love.

Lydia Jefferson buried her dreams long before the death of her husband. Now she’s locked her heart to men for good. In Harmony Springs, she’s finally found freedom from the shameful failure and loss of her past—until her childhood sweetheart arrives to be the new pastor.

Samuel Allen never thought he’d love again, not after his fiancée walked out of his life. But when his first church assignment sends him to Harmony Springs, he finds himself face to face with the woman who disappeared from his life seven years before. Could this be a second chance at love? Unfortunately, she wants nothing to do with him.

When an orphaned child brings Lydia and Samuel together again, can they face the pain of their past and learn to trust each other enough to build a home?

Click here to get your copy!

Christian Historical Fiction is a favorite genre to read.The Reverend’s Second Chance by Lauralyn Keller is Book 2 in the Second Chances in Harmony Spring. I read Book 1 in this series and have been anxiously awaiting this book.

I was captivated by the synopsis and dived right into the book. We are back in Harmony Springs, Montana for this book. The 2 main characters of this book are Lydia Jefferson and Samuel Allen. Lydia is a widow and the Teacher in Harmony Springs. She lost her husband and daughter and isn't sure what her future holds. Samuel Allen comes to Harmony Springs to be the Pastor for the local Church. Lydia and Samuel are shocked to run into each other in the small town. They once were engaged but circumstances had them end their engagement. Lydia tries to avoid Samuel, although it seems God has other plans for them. Lydia and Samuel have the chance to help an orphaned child and that is the reason for their marriage of convience. I LOVE how through their new circumstances and marriage they are able to grow individually and as a couple. They really put Christ at the center of their lives and deal with the past in order to move forward. The book is one of Second Chances, Faith, and Family. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Historical Romance. WONDERFUL BOOK!

Lauralyn Keller loves to combine history and romance in stories that touch the heart. She lives in beautiful Colorado and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking, hiking, and reading.

More from Lauralyn

Baking is one of my favorite activities. I find it relaxing, and it’s so fun trying new recipes. You might have noticed that there are generally some kind of dish or treat in my stories that characters really like. For Lydia Jefferson in The Reverend’s Second Chance, that treat is a cookie called cinnamon jumbles. It plays a part in her love story with Samuel Allen, the new pastor for Harmony Springs.

I asked ChatGPT how to make the best cinnamon jumbles. Here’s what it came up with.

Cinnamon jumbles are such a cozy, nostalgic treat! They’re chewy cookies with the perfect balance of cinnamon sugar, and they’re pretty easy to make. Here’s a recipe that will give you soft, chewy cinnamon jumbles with a nice little crunch on the outside.

Best Cinnamon Jumbles Recipe

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
1 tbsp ground cinnamon (for rolling)

Directions:

Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon. Set aside.
Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). You can use a hand mixer or stand mixer for this step.
Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined.
Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix just until combined. Don’t overmix—this will keep your cookies tender.
Roll the Dough: In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon for rolling. Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Then roll each ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until evenly coated.
Bake: Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Flatten each ball slightly with the back of a spoon or your fingers. Bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers are set.
Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips:

Softness: For softer cookies, don’t overbake them. The cookies will continue to cook a little as they cool on the baking sheet.
Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh. They should stay soft for about 3-4 days.

I (Lauralyn) hope you enjoy this cookie recipe. Maybe you can even make them and enjoy a few with a nice cup of coffee or tea while reading The Reverend’s Second Chance. Lydia would approve. :)

God bless,

Lauralyn