June McCrary Jacobs's Blog: ~ Author June McCrary Jacobs ~

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 ~ WEDNESDAY NON-FICTION
CHRISTMAS FEATURE ~ -- 'A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS DIAMOND JUBILEE'  -- AUTHOR JUNE MCCRARY JACOBS

 

Are you a fan of Charles M. Schulz'sPeanuts comic strips?

I am, and my new non-fiction bookabout the Charlie Brown Christmas television program is now available in theKindle Store on Amazon!

A Charlie Brown Christmas DiamondJubilee presents the intriguing facts about the origination of thisgroundbreaking television special. The book celebrates the 60th anniversary ofthe program's premiere on CBS on December 9, 1965.

Read a sample of the book andpurchase the book at:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FN4B31YS/

All of my books are always free withKindle Unlimited.

Learn more about this book by reading my Amazon book description below:

Join the author as she presents the intriguingfacts about the origination of the groundbreaking television special, A CharlieBrown Christmas. The show premiered on CBS on December 9, 1965, and was aninstant success!

Learn about Peanuts creator, Charles M. Schulz, and how his wishes and goals forthe program made it unique and appealing to families around the world. Readabout Mr. Schulz's personal feelings regarding Christmas and his family'sholiday traditions.

The author's research includes interviewingthe former director and former curator of the Charles M. Schulz Museum andResearch Center in Santa Rosa, California, as well as reading multiplefirst-person accounts of those who worked with him for decades. These interviewsand writings give readers an insider's view into the life and creative geniusof Mr. Schulz.

This book is completely clean inlanguage and content and includes a Works Consulted page.

Here are a couple of photos from my personal collection of Peanuts Christmas memorabilia:

Thank you!

 

🎄💝💍💐🎄💝💍💐🎄   ~ WEDNESDAY CHRISTMAS ROMANCE COLLECTION FEATURE ~ --  'A MATCH MADE AT CHRISTMAS'  --  AUTHORS:  Amy R. Anguish, Sarah Anne Crouch, Lori DeJong, and Heather Greer   

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Welcome to the Blog Tour for A Match Made at Christmas 

by Amy R. Anguish, Sarah Anne Crouch, Lori DeJong, and Heather Greer, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

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About the Book

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Title:   A Match Made at Christmas 
Author:   Amy R. Anguish, Sarah Anne Crouch, Lori DeJong, and Heather Greer 
Publisher:   Scrivenings Press 
Release Date:   October 1, 2024 
Genre:   Contemporary Christian Romance Novella Collection

💝  A-parent-ly Christmas (by Amy R Anguish) 

Noel and Joy Davidson didn’t mean to separate, but a job promotion and educational opportunities were too much for their marriage to withstand. Now, it’s Christmas and their son Andy wants them together. Between his mischief, an unexpected snowstorm, and the holiday spirit, they’re remembering why they first wanted to be together. But which one will give up their dream for the other?

💝  A Match of her Own (by Sarah Anne Crouch) 

Victoria Wood is torn between elation and devastation now that her sister is married and gone. When she realizes her sister’s best friend is alone and best-friend-less on Christmas, she knows just what to do. Set her up with a boyfriend! But pesky Jared Knight keeps getting in the way. Jared can’t date Victoria—she’s too immature—but he can’t convince his heart to move on. How will he keep Victoria from ruining everyone’s love lives? When will she realize her perfect match is closer than she thinks? 

💝  Jingle Bell Matchmakers (by Lori DeJong) 

When country music star Aubrey Mayfield is lured home after years away, she’s bewildered when she and ex-fiance-now-widowed-dad Cody Lansdale keep finding themselves in the same place at the same time. As they become reacquainted, however, old feelings stir. Aubrey’s at a crossroads in her career and is contemplating a change. But when a chance at headlining her own tour takes her back to Nashville, Cody realizes her dreams may once again come between them. Unless God, with a little help from the Jingle Bell Committee, has a better plan. 

💝  The Santa Setup (by Heather Greer) 

Turning friendship into love takes magic. Good thing Nicholas Eckert and Julie Clarke work at Christmas Wonderland. The attraction brims with holiday magic, not to mention four teenage elves determined that Mr. and Mrs. Claus stop playing a couple and become one. The teens will need more than mistletoe to pair up these two. Julie is seeing someone, and Nick won’t risk their friendship for possible love. Only the eleven employees’ outrageous antics stand a chance of setting up Santa in time for Christmas. 

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EXCERPTS:

💝  Excerpt1 - from "A-parent-ly Christmas" by Amy R. Anguish ~

"Tomorrow?"

Noelsaid nothing, just waited for her to come to an acceptance. What else couldthey do?

"Fine,"she repeated. "I’m packing, and then I’m on my way."

"Seeyou in a few hours." He hund up and then turned to their son. "Yougot some major explaining to do. We’re going to go find a place to eat, andyou’re going to fill me in."

Andy’seyes were big as he nodded in the backseat. But something besides a healthydose of fear and shame danced in those baby blues. Mischief? Elation? Whateverit was, Noel needed to figure it out before Joy arrived.

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💝  Excerpt2 – from "A Match of Her Own" by Sarah Anne Crouch ~

"Ibet I could find a nice guy for Miranda."

"What?"Jared’s brow wrinkled. "She’s only in town for Christmas, right?"

"Thatjust makes the stakes more interesting."

"Whatstakes?"

Victoriagripped Jared’s shoulder with her free hand. "I’m going to set Miranda upwith someone. She’ll have a boyfriend by Christmas."

"Wha–?"

"Ithink matchmaking is so much more fun than actually being in a relationship,don’t you?"

Sheraised her glass in a toast, but Jared didn’t reciprocate. Victoria sighed athim and sipped anyway. Men could be so clueless.

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💝   Excerpt 3 – from "Jingle Bell Matchmakers"by Lori DeJong ~

Hearingthe news that Cody had married Lana Baker and adopted her toddler daughter twoyears after their breakup had driven another nail into Aubrey’s heart. Andadded fuel to her ambition.

Buthere they stood, father and daughter, her heart reminding her how much she’dmissed. Oh, she’d accomplished a lot in the last decade–records, awardnominations, magazine covers, talk show appearances. Always going home to anempty condo. Not even a dog or a cat to greet her, since she was on the road somuch.

Anddating? Kind of hard to do from the road. She’d allowed herself to get involvedonly once in a tour romance, but nobody had ever captured her heart ascompletely as the man standing before her.

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💝  Excerpt 4 – "The Santa Setup" by HeatherGreer  ~

She’dheard it before. They both had. And every time, she acted like acknowledging itwould make it true. Obviously, not an idea she wanted to entertain atall.

"I’dbetter get out there and greet the kids." Nick strode from the room. "Seeyou in a few."

Theunease between them would pass as soon as she carried out the platter ofcookies. A little time between her and the suggestion. Time worked for him too.By then, his racing heart would calm. The elves had danced too close to thetruth. With Jules’s distaste for even the idea of a relationship, the lastthing he needed was someone guessing his secret.

NickEckert was in love with Julie Clarke. 

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PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Bookshop | BookBub

Also Available

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About the Authors

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💝  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. Connect with Amy by visiting abitofanguish.weebly.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

💝  Sarah Anne Crouch lives in Arkansas with her husband, three children, and thousands of books. She always wanted to be an author, but spent some time as a teacher, earned a degree in library science, and makes feeble attempts to corral her small children as a stay-at-home mom. Sarah loves reading books, recipes, piano music, and emails from readers. Connect with Sarah by visiting sarahannecrouch.wordpress.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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💝  Lori DeJong (pronounced DeeYung) is a contemporary Christian romance author who enjoys penning stories full of grace and the redemptive power of God’s love that inspire others to hope regardless of circumstance, find joy in the moment, and grow in their faith. Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Lori arrived in Texas in 2005 and dug those roots right in. She currently resides in beautiful Georgetown, north of Austin, with her husband of three decades. Connect with Lori by visiting loridejongwrites.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

💝  Heather Greer loves growing in her relationship with God and helping others do the same. While she’s served in ministries dealing with toddlers through adults, her focus is on encouraging and challenging teen and adult believers to go further in their faith. She is blessed to be able to use her God-given passion for writing to do this, both in her books and blog. Heather is a pastor’s kid from southern Illinois. While she never intended to marry a pastor, she became a pastor’s wife when her husband answered the call to preach five years into their marriage. Now that three of her four kids have flown the nest, Heather enjoys more time for reading and writing and writing about reading. And when she’s not doing any of those things, you’ll probably find her in the kitchen baking for her friends and family. Connect with Heather by visiting heathergreer.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $40 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of A Match Made at Christmas!

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Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 11, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 18, 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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  🎄💝🎁📖🎄💝🎁📖🎄💝🎁📖🎄  ~ FRIDAY ROMANTIC SUSPENSEFEATURE ~ --  'MISTLETOE & MALICE'  -- AUTHOR LORI DEJONG   🎄💝🎁📖🎄💝🎁📖🎄💝🎁📖🎄

 

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Welcome to the Blog Tour for Mistletoe and Malice by Lori DeJong, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

 🎄💝🎁📖🎄💝🎁📖🎄💝🎁📖🎄  About the Book 

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Title:   Mistletoe and Malice 
Series:   Guarded Hearts Series #1 
Author:   Lori DeJong 
Publisher:   Scrivenings Press 
Release Date:   October 21, 2025 
Genre:   Romantic Suspense

He’s sworn to protect her life … but guarding his heart may be his biggest challenge. 

After barely escaping an attempted abduction, Houston attorney Riley Hudson is forced to accept her wealthy father's demand for private security. The last thing she wants is a bodyguard—especially one as maddeningly arrogant, bossy … and handsome as Colton Blankenship. Yet as the threat against her escalates, she begins to rely not only on his skills, but his steadfast presence. 

Colton isn’t thrilled about giving up his hard-earned holiday vacation to protect a spoiled heiress. But he soon learns Riley is nothing like he expected. Fierce, independent, and unwavering in her faith, she’s everything he thought he’d left behind after tragedy shattered his own beliefs. As the unknown threat circles closer, the tension between them ignites into something deeper ... and far more perilous. 

When a second attempt on Riley’s life nearly succeeds, Colton faces a terrifying truth. Protecting her means risking more than just his life. Haunted by a past he can't outrun, and a faith he’s all but lost, he must decide if he can trust God again ... before he loses Riley—and his heart—for good.

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EXCERPT:

"Bodyguards? Daddy, you know how I feel aboutbodyguards. I can’t stand having somebody on me constantly. I know I’m a peopleperson, but bodyguards aren’t people. They’re … they’re … tactical gear. Andjust as cumbersome." She glanced over her shoulder. "No offense."

"None taken," Mack answered.

"Tactical gear," Trevor mumbled under hisbreath. "That was good."

Colton barely suppressed a chuckle. Daddy’s littleprincess wasn’t happy. And he’d been called a lot worse than tactical gear.

"It’s all so unnecessary. I’m perfectly capableof taking care of myself."

He gestured toward her with his chin."Let mesee if I understand what happened today. You were out shopping. Meeting friendsfor lunch. Walking in a parking garage. Were you able to get to your pepperspray? Did you have the opportunity to run? And even if you had, what kind ofshoes were you wearing? Low heel? High heel?"

"Well … no, my pepper spray was in my bag, andI was wearing boots."

"Flat boots? High-heeled boots?"

"Three-inch heels. Which actually came inhandy, if you’d check the report. It all happened pretty quickly, but I thinkhe’ll be limping for a while."

"And if I’d been with you, it wouldn’t havehappened at all." 

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REVIEW:

🌟  🌟  🌟  🌟  🌟  

An excellent combination ofwell-developed characters, a sophisticated plot, an unusual villain, and astrong faith thread work in harmony to make this first book in the author's 'GuardedHearts' Series exceptional . . .

I can't remember when I have admired andrespected a heroine as much as I do Riley Hudson from this book! She is a youngwoman I would treasure having as my friend. She's kind, compassionate,thoughtful, hard-working, and inspiring. Her circle of friends stick togetherthrough thick and thin, and they work in concert to get things done.

Colton Blankenship, her bodyguard andthe lead man on her personal security team, is keeping his own secrets from thepast and he holds his true feelings for Riley close to the vest. He is aconsummate professional in his job, but he can be prickly when anyone tries toget close to him on a personal level.

The villain who is trying to murderRiley is devious and a master of disguise. This person keeps Colton and histeam on their toes and Riley remains in a constant state of high alert.

Throughout the story we learn of manyways that Riley works to make the lives of others better whether it be in feedingthe hungry or acting as a pro bono lawyer. Her wealthy family is supportive ofher efforts, and they are there for her in every way possible.

I found this inspirational story to bemeaningful on several levels. It is a story with several important messages thatwill stay with me for a long time.

The book is completely clean in languageand content. As mentioned earlier, the faith thread is strong and the themes ofcompassion and kindness echo throughout the story.

I received a copy of this book from thepublisher through JustRead Publicity Tours. All of my thoughts and opinionsshared here are solely my own.

I will look forward to reading the otherstories which are forthcoming in this series.

 

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

Also Available

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About the Author[image error]

Lori DeJong is a contemporary Christian romance author who enjoys penning stories full of grace and the redemptive power of God’s love that inspire others to hope regardless of circumstance, find joy in the moment, and grow in their faith. She resides in Georgetown, Texas, with her husband and two fur-babies, with a daughter and son-in-love in DFW. Lori's debut novel, Love's True Calling, was the 2022 winner of the ACFW Genesis Award for Romance, a double finalist in the 2024 Selah Awards, and was named the 2023 Scrivenings Press Contemporary Book of the Year. Love’s True Home, Book 2 of the True Calling Series, was a 2025 Selah finalist. Love’s True Measure released in June. Lori's Christmas novella, Jingle Bell Matchmakers, a part of A Match Made at Christmas novella collection, was named a 2025 ACFW Carol Award finalist.

Connect with Lori by visiting loridejongwrites.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $50 Amazon gift card, a signed copy of Mistletoe and Malice, and a signed copy of A Match Made at Christmas novella collection (released in Oct 2024)!

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Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 3, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 10, 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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Welcome to the Blog Tour for Kidnapped for Ransom by Jacqueline Adam, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

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About the Book

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Title:   Kidnapped for Ransom 
Author:   Jacqueline Adam 
Publisher:   Love Inspired Suspense 
Release Date:   October 28, 2025 
Genre:   Romantic Suspense

Abduction is only the beginning… 
Will murder be next?

Doctor Chelsea Eidman thought she’d finally escaped the perils of her late husband’s secret life as a diamond thief—until his former accomplice attacks her. The danger escalates when a vengeful mobster kidnaps Chelsea’s daughter and friend, demanding the stolen diamonds in exchange for their lives. To recover the gems, Chelsea joins forces with officer Matt Reynolds, whose sister has also been abducted. As they race against time, they find themselves in deadly pursuits across harsh terrain. With everything on the line, Chelsea and Matt must outsmart their enemies and unravel a web of lies…before their families pay the ultimate price.  

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EXCERPT:

Chelseastepped in front of him, “There’s a log over there. Can you sit on it while Itry and stop this bleeding?”

Her eyesmet his, and the world went still. There she stood, dirty and torn, her blondhair full of twigs and who knew what else, but in all honesty, she had neverlooked more beautiful. Here was a woman who had dedicated her life to healingothers. She’d been tossed into an unimaginable situation, but instead ofcrumbling, she was not only standing but doing everything she could to rise tothe challenge of saving her daughter and his sister, all the while taking careof his growing list of injuries. The fullness of who she had grown into washedover him like a tidal wave.

Chelsealooked at Matt sideways. “How hard did you hit your head?”

Hechuckled. “I was just thinking about something. It’s all good.” He took off thepack and sat on the log while Chelsea opened the kit beside him.

“This isactually well stocked,” she said.

In ateasing tone, he said, “Don’t sound so surprised. I am Mr. Responsible, afterall.”

Shescrunched her eyes closed. “I’m never going to live that down, am I.”

He couldfeel the smile spread across his face, the warmth of it cracking through allthe walls that had built up around his heart. “Chelsea,” he said lightly.

When shemet his eyes, he could feel the old hurt between them break. Her face shiftedinto an answering smile like she could also feel the undercurrent of change.

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MY REVIEW:

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 

The author has excelled in developingher setting and characters along with creating an intricate plot. Theriveting action scenes, surprising revelations, and strong faith thread contributeto making this one of my favorite romantic suspense stories of 2025 . . .

Dr. Chelsea Eidman has worked hard torecover from the shock and trauma of her husband's death a little more than ayear before, but her fear and panic are reignited when one of her husband's cold-heartedpartners in crime attacks her.

Chelsea's main concern, however, is thesafety of her four-year-old daughter, Lynelle. Protecting her little girl fromthe evil assailants pursuing them is uppermost in her mind, and she will dowhatever she must to prevent her daughter from being kidnapped by these men.

Her next-door neighbor, Matt Reynolds,is a police officer. He's the older brother of her best friend in high school,Gabby. He quickly becomes involved in the current drama Chelsea and Lynelle areexperiencing, and he is dedicated to keeping the woman and her young childsafe.

I enjoyed the many twists and turns ofthis unique, complex, tense mystery. I was amazed at the number of times thatMatt used his training, razor-sharp thinking, and sheer will to work throughdangerous situations.

The faith thread in this book is strongand well-defined. The book is completely clean in language and content

I received a copy of this book throughJustRead Publicity Tours. All of my opinions and thoughts shared here aresolely my own.

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

About the Author[image error]

Jacqueline Adam lives in British Columbia with her husband and two incredible children. She and her family love to find adventure, whether it be zip-lining, riding roller coasters, or camping throughout the Rocky Mountains and beyond. Jacqueline writes love-inspired suspense stories with strong, dynamic characters that overcome impossible odds. Connect with Jacqueline online at jacquelineadam.com

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a CUTEBEE Owl bookstore Book Nook Kit, a print copy of Kidnapped for Ransom, and a Mora Ceramics Large Tea Mug with Loose Leaf Infuser and Ceramic Lid!

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Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 4, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 11, 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/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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 🎄🔦🔎🍼🧸🎁💖🎄🔦🔎🍼🧸🎁💖🎄  ~ MONDAY ROMANTIC SUSPENSE FEATURE ~-- 'MISSING AT CHRISTMAS'  --AUTHOR DEENA ALEXANDER    🎄🔦🔎🍼🧸🎁💖🎄🔦🔎🍼🧸🎁💖🎄

 

Missing at Christmas (Love Inspired Suspense) by Deena Alexander

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About Missing at Christmas

 

Missing at Christmas (Love Inspired Suspense) 

Inspirational Romantic SuspenseChristian Mystery & Suspense 

Setting - Montana    Publisher ‏ : ‎ Love Inspired Suspense   Print length ‏ : ‎ 208 pages 

PaperbackISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1335957367      ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1335957368 

DigitalISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0369772435     ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DWN1VWZC 

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A dangerous family legacy.A race to save a baby in jeopardy.

When journalist Lexi McKenna receives a desperate call for help, she rushes to her sister’s home, only to find her sister dead and one of her twin nieces missing. With her past mafia ties resurfacing, Lexi must go on the run with agent Noah Thompson to protect herself from her father’s enemies. Although Lexi is the daughter of the mob boss who murdered Noah’s brother, Noah will do anything to take down her family—even work with her. As danger looms from all sides, they must find the abducted baby and dismantle a criminal empire before Lexi and her nieces end up as collateral damage.

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

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MY REVIEW:

🌟  🌟  🌟  🌟  🌟 

Action-packed suspense, an assortment ofunique characters, numerous villains, and an abundance of dangerous situationsmake this an exceptional read for fans of this genre . . .

The author has done an excellent job ofbuilding a tightly-woven plot from the ground up in this holiday-themedsuspense thriller. The main character, Lexi McKenna, is a journalist who hasbeen on the run from her father for years. She and her younger sister, Gia,went into hiding after the tragic death of their beloved mother fourteen yearsearlier. Gia is the mother to twin infant daughters, Alyssa and Avery, who israising them along with help from her older sister.

Noah Thompson is dealing with his owndemons—the death of two people to whom he was very close in the past few years.He works as a security specialist, PI, and bodyguard for Jameson Investigations;a firm which was introduced in a previous book by this author. Currently Noahis investigating the murder of his brother.

From the moment that Noah and Lexi meet,they are on a run for their lives while being pursued by numerous assailants.They face a lot of man-made danger along with natural danger caused by extremewinter weather.

The final chapters of the story are afine example of some of the best writing I've ever read in this genre. Theauthor consistently writes excellent plots, but this one was exceptional in thedepth of the secrets and surprises hidden until the very end.

The story is completely clean inlanguage and content. The faith thread is woven throughout the entire plot andcreates a strong bond between the two main characters.

I received a copy of this book from theauthor through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours. All of my thoughts andopinions shared here are solely my own.

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  About Deena Alexander

 

 Deena grew up in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island, where she met and married her high school sweetheart. She recently relocated to Florida with her husband, three kids, son-in-law, and four dogs. Now she enjoys long walks in nature all year long, despite the occasional alligator or snake she sometimes encounters. Deena’s love for writing developed when her youngest son was born and didn’t sleep through the night, and she now works full time as a writer and a freelance editor. 

Author Links:

Webpage: http://deenaalexander.com/index.html Blog: http://deenaalexander.com/blog.html Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeenaAlexanderAuthor Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/DeenaAlexanderA Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20382104.Deena_Alexander BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/deena-alexander Newsletter: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/492177/92188784823633445/share Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Deena-Alexander/author/B08C1VKZFZ

Purchase Links Amazon Barnes and Noble Kobo Google Play Bookshop.org  

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 Prize - $25.00 Amazon Gift Card

LINK TO ENTER TOUR GIVEAWAY:

Missing atChristmas (Love Inspired Suspense) by Deena Alexander  https://kingsumo.com/g/1dkk9d3/missing-at-christmas-love-inspired-suspense-by-deena-alexander

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS:October 28 – Christy's Cozy Corners – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST October 28 – The Avid Reader -REVIEW, INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY October 29 – Boys' Mom Reads! – REVIEW October 29 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT October 30 – Jody's Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT October 30 – Angel's Book Nook – SPOTLIGHT October 31 – Carla Loves to Read – REVIEW, AUTHOR GUEST POST, INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY November 1 - Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW November 2 - FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT November 3 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – REVIEW November 3 – Because I said so -- and other adventures in Parenting – REVIEWNovember 4 – Escape With Dollycas IntoA Good Book - REVIEW November 5 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT November 5 – Deal Sharing Aunt – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW, INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY November 6 – Sarandipity's – AUTHOR GUEST POST November 6 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT November 7 – Salty Inspirations – CHARACTER GUEST POST November 8 – Christa Reads and Writes – REVIEW November 9 – Infinite House of Books – SPOTLIGHT November 10 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – REVIEW 

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 ~ FRIDAY ROMANTIC SUSPENSEFICTION FEATURE ~ --  'WASTED'  --  AUTHOR JERUSHA AGEN 

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Welcome to the Blog Tour for Wasted by Jerusha Agen, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

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 About the Book

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Title:   Wasted 
Series:   Windy City Westons #2 
Author:   Jerusha Agen 
Publisher:   SDG Words, LLC 
Release Date:   October 23, 2025 
Genre:   Christian Romantic Suspense

She always follows the rules. But what are the rules for murder? 

Victoria Weston encounters tough things as a home health physical therapist, but this is a first—a dead body. The police call the patient’s death accidental. Victoria knows that can’t be true. Her efforts to convince the police they’re dealing with a murder get her labeled a troublemaker by all but one man—the troubler of her youth. 

When Cillian Doherty returns to right the wrongs of the past, he finds his high school flame in a different kind of danger than he expected. As a social worker, he’s in the perfect position to corroborate her cry of murder or give her what she wanted—to handle her problems without his help. 

But someone wants to silence Victoria. When lies escalate to violence and threaten more lives, the Weston siblings join the battle to save their sister. 

Yet it will take a God more powerful than all of them for Cillian and Victoria to make peace with their past and catch the killer. Before the killer catches them. 

Wasted continues the thrilling Windy City Westons series that features five siblings who encounter danger, love, and God in the city of Chicago. (Each book can stand alone or be read as series installments.)  

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EXCERPT:

She gripped the purse strap she’dplaced over her shoulder. “I certainly hope you didn’t come here to hurt me ormy family by dredging up past mistakes.”

Ah. There it was. So she didblame him for what happened. He’d always thought so, though she’d denied itwhen she had called to break up with him.

Well, he’d have to deal with thatobstacle, too, if he was going to succeed in rescuing her and winning her back.He sobered and met her accusatory glare. “No. I didn’t come for that.” With theexception of her father.

“Good.” She pressed her lipstogether in that pinched expression. “If you’ve truly returned in connectionwith me for some unknown reason, then I suggest you leave again and forgetabout me as you did before. We’ll all be better off.”

He stood, quickly, so shewouldn’t have enough warning to leave.

She barely got in one step backin the second it took for him to stand in front of her, forcing her to look upat him instead.

“I never forgot you, Vicks.Never.”

She stared up at him, frozen withher elegant brows pushed together and a battle of emotions playing out in hereyes. Fear, confusion, anger, and what he hoped was longing. For him.

She spun on her heels and left,the fear or anger apparently winning out. For now.

He wouldn’t leave this time, evenif she asked him to. He’d changed in that way, too. He had learned how to fightbullies and win.

Her father would not control herfor the rest of her life. No matter what it took, Cillian would set her free. 

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Praise for Jerusha 

 "Jerusha Agen once again delivers top-level suspense and thrilling action. Fast-paced suspense at its best.”

 – DiAnn Mills, bestselling author of Concrete Evidence on Covert Danger 

"Fast-paced, explosive thriller. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough." 

– Carrie Stuart Parks, award-winning, bestselling author of Relative Silence on Rising Danger 

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Jerusha Agen shop | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

More in This Series

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About the Author

Jerusha Agen imagines danger around every corner but knows God is there, too. So naturally, she writes romantic suspense infused with the hope of salvation in Jesus Christ. Jerusha loves to hang out with her big furry dogs and little furry cats, often while reading or watching movies. Find more of Jerusha’s thrilling, fear-fighting stories at JerushaAgen.com.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed paperback copy of Wasted, a $25 Barnes and Noble gift card, and a Wasted mug, notebook, and magnet!

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Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 27, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 3, 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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~ WEDNESDAY CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS BOOK FEATURE ~--  'THE SEED OF FAITH ~ A CHRISTMAS STORY'  -- AUTHOR DANIEL PETRONELLI      📘🌲🌨❄❅❆📘🌲🌨❄❅❆🌲📘 

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Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Seed of Faith by Daniel Petronelli, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

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About the Book

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Title:   The Seed of Faith 
Author:   Daniel Petronelli 
Publisher:   Walnut Publishing Company 
Release Date:   October 26, 2021 
Genre:  Christian - middle grade fiction

Pencraft : Christian - Children Book Awards Winner (2023) 
Kirkus Reviews - Our Verdict: GET IT! 
Mom’s Choice Awards (2022) 
Gold MedalMoonbeam Children's Book Awards: (2021) 
Gold Medal: Religion/Spirituality 

"Petronelli weaves a Christian-themed holiday tale that offers no hint of the ending, which is indeed a surprise, and will have young readers rooting for the boys as they try to save Christmas for Shiloh." 

"Pritchett's full color, painterly illustrations are soft and muted with a pleasant glow that adds to the book's overall charm."  

"A warm and inspirational holiday tale"  

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It’s Christmas Eve in the small foothill Village of Shiloh. 
A father retells the miraculous story that no one will ever forget. 
A group of young boys lost in a powerful storm 
fight to survive on that glorious night. 
The incredible chance encounter with a kind stranger may be their only hope.

This award-winning book chronicles the spiritual journey of these children. 
The lessons learned, the gift received and the lives that were changed. 

This timeless Christian tale centers on the true meaning of Christmas; helping those less fortunate, love thy neighbor and assures children …and adults, that if we lose our way, face hardship or struggles, that God is always there by our side. 

This uplifting epic adventure will inspire readers to believe in Christmas miracles all year long,and in the power of just one tiny seed – The Seed of Faith. 

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

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EXCERPT:

The three Shiloh boys met at the base of the mountain, as planned. Itwas lightly snowing. The sun dipped below the horizon, and the skies darkened.They were ready to leave on their journey, not knowing what fate awaited them.

Elijah led the way, gracefully weaving and navigating the steep,snow-covered trails. Joey and Yankee did their best to keep up. They were allvery excited.

After climbing for almost an hour, they stopped to rest and noticed howsuddenly the weather was changing. The winds had shifted and were blowing muchharder from the north. Temperatures were dropping, and the snow wasaccumulating fast, making the trails barely visible.

Elijah warned, “Boys, we are at a crossroads. We need to make animportant decision—one that will affect each of our lives. This storm may notlet up. In fact, it could get much worse. Do we turn back while we still have achance, or do we keep pushing forward?”

Yankee rubbed the snow out of his eyes. “I’d like to keep on going.”

Elijah nodded. “Yes, me too. I’m in.”

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MY REVIEW:

A meaningful story for all ages featuringa group of children who share an unforgettable holiday experience . . .

This Christmas story is perfect forreading together as a family, church group, youth group, or as a bedtime story tobe read throughout the year. The narrative is engaging and will appeal to boysand girls from age six to twelve. Middle-grade students may enjoy reading thebook to their younger siblings.

Many themes are covered in the book. Thethemes of obeying your parents, contributing to your community, kindness, sharing,and respect may open discussions between members of different generations asyoungsters look for guidance in their lives.

The illustrations by Emily Pritchett werea highlight in my enjoyment of this book. The expressive faces of thecharacters along with the picturesque scenery she shared were exceptional in myopinion. I believe her artwork will enhance the messages in this book foreveryone who reads or hears the story.

The faith message is strong,well-written, and age appropriate. The book is completely clean in language andcontent. There are some surprises revealed at the end of the story whichreaders of all ages will enjoy!

I received a copy of this book from theauthor through JustRead Publicity Tours. All of my opinions and thoughts sharedhere are solely my own.

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About the Author[image error]

 

Dan Petronelli was born and raised in Brockton, Massachusetts. He currently divides his time with his wife between West Bridgewater, Massachusetts, and Stuart, Florida.

He is a strong member of his local community and has served as a Christian worship leader. 

Dan Petronelli participated in Smith Magazine’s Six-Word Memoir contest, and his memoir was selected and later published by HarperCollins. 

When not with his family and friends, he can be found on the first tee … asking for another mulligan. 

Dan found a message in a bottle when he was a young boy tinkering on a rocky shoreline. It was a profound spiritual message that he has kept and still treasures today. 

This inspired story was written as a cherished Christmas gift for his family, and it is his hope that the SEED OF FAITH will also bring joy and continue to grow in the hearts of readers around the world. 

Learn more at TheSeedofFaith.net

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $50 Visa Gift Card plus a signed hardcover copy of The Seed of Faith!

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Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 28, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 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/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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 🎄🐶🐾🎁📖🎄🐶🐾🎁📖🎄 ~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE ~--  'MERRY MERRY MERRY MURDER' --AUTHOR PATY JAGER   🎄🐶🐾🎁📖🎄🐶🐾🎁📖🎄

 

 

Merry Merry Merry Murder (Cuddle Farm Mysteries) 

 by Paty Jager

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About 'Merry Merry Merry Murder'

 

Merry Merry Merry Murder (Cuddle Farm Mysteries)  

Cozy Mystery--  1st in SeriesSetting - Oregon 

Publisher: Windtree Press   

Publication Date: October 10, 2025  

Print length: ‎ 194 pages -- ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1940064093

  

In the close-knit town of Auburn, Oregon, Andi Clark's therapy animals bring comfort to the community, especially during the holiday season. As the annual Christmas Craft Bazaar draws near, Andi agrees to set up a Petting Zoo with her beloved animals, bringing smiles to the faces of children and adults alike.

But when a young girl seeks solace from Athena, Andi's therapy dog, after witnessing an unsettling scene behind the sleigh, it marks the beginning of a much darker holiday. As the town gathers for the Tree Lighting Ceremony, a scream shatters the festive atmosphere. Cocoa, Andi's loyal Border Collie, pulls her toward a chilling sight: a woman standing over the lifeless body of the girl's mother, strangled with Christmas lights.

Determined to help the grieving girl and her town recover from the shock, Andi, her therapy animals, and her niece, a county deputy, take it upon themselves to investigate. As they uncover secrets and untangle clues, they stay one step ahead of the new sheriff and worry that the killer lurking in their midst could be someone they know.

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Author Guest Post

Thank you for participating in my blog tour.

This new mystery series, CuddleFarm Mysteries, came about when I was at a flea market selling my books. Ihad my chiweenie (chihuahua/dachshund cross dog) with me, and she was greetingthe people who passed by my book trailer. One woman sat down on the step withNia, petting and talking to her for about fifteen minutes. Then she stood upand said I should use Nia as a therapy dog. I thanked her for thinking my sweetpup would make a therapy dog. When she left, I told my friend, an author whosells her books with me, that I didn’t have the time to take Nia around as atherapy dog, but that was a great idea for a book series.

And that’s what happened.

I couldn’t let the idea go. The different animals came to me. First thedogs: Lulu, a dapple black and white Chiweenie; Cocoa, a brown and white BorderCollie; Athena, a Great Pyrenees/Golden Retriever cross. Then the farm animals:Sparky, a mini donkey, and Cupcake, a pygmy goat. I decided there should be acouple of small animals, so I came up with Flopsie, a dwarf Holland Lop rabbit,and Chicklet, a silky hen.

Those are the animals that make up my main character, Andi Clark’s,Cuddle Farm. She takes the animals around to schools, hospitals, and retirementhomes. The animals give unconditional love to the people. As they move aboutthe community, they come across all types of characters and stumble over a bodyor two.

The animals help Andi get people to talk to her and move her about toask the questions that need to be asked to find the killers.

Andi is a 43-year-old widow. She recently lost her husband and ispicking up the pieces back in the town where she grew up, working as thebookkeeper for her family’s wool business. When she attends the Christmas treelighting at the park and a body is discovered, she is pulled into theinvestigation because of what she overheard a child say to Athena earlier inthe day.

No one knows what Andi and her husband did while traveling around theworld. The only people who know are the diplomats in the countries who hiredthem. Using her skills from helping her husband find hidden money and killers,she begins investigating the murder victim and digging up secrets some of thecommunity would like to leave buried.

There happens to be a new sheriff in town and he’s a widower with ateenage son. Sparks fly when he discovers she is investigating the crime. Hedoesn’t want her getting in the way or becoming another homicide. After shefinds information that he hasn’t been able to get from people, the sheriffdecides she might be an asset. While they have agreed to be friendly, Andi’sniece, a deputy who works for the sheriff, is trying to strike a romancebetween them.

Having lived in small communities my whole life, I know the layers thatare there to conceal pasts and keep the locals feeling smug. That’s why Andi isa good amateur sleuth. She grew up in the community and left for twenty years.Now she’s back, knows everyone, and also knows there are secrets and rivalriesthat go back for decades. Including her family. She relies on her mom’sremembrances of the local families and those that had moved in since Andigraduated from high school.

This new series is set in a small town in NE Oregon. I grew up in thatcorner of the state and know the area well. I’ve made a fictional town, butpeople who live in the one that it represents will figure out what town it is.I incorporate the surrounding mountains and lakes in my story. I like usingfictional towns.It’s easier to put my own businesses in them and populate themwith my fictional characters. It makes getting my characters around town easierby having my own map than trying to stay to a real town layout. 

Andi drives a van that is outfitted to hold her three dogs in themiddle seat, then Sparky and Cupcake in a pen with metal panels, and there isroom for Chicklet and Flopsie’s pensallt he way to the back. I thought out howmy character would transport her animals and I explained her barn and pens forthe outdoor animals in this first book. Her house and farm were built with hertherapy animals in mind.

This story not only solves a murder, but also brings up the volatilerelationship between Andi and her sister, which is exacerbated by her sister’sfriend. This wariness on Andi’s part and the animosity between her and hersister was built on something that happened years ago. Andi doesn’t remember theevent, but it will come back to her in the second book, where a lot isrevealed. 

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About Paty Jager

 

Paty Jager is an award-winning author of murder mysteries, western romance, and action-adventure. All her work has Western or Native American elements in them along with hints of humor and engaging characters. Riding horses and battling rattlesnakes in eastern Oregon, she not only writes the western lifestyle, she lives it.

Author Links:Website:https://www.patyjager.net Blog:https://writingintothesunset.net/ Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Paty-Jager/e/B002I7M0VK Pinterest:https://www.pinterest.com/patyjag/ Goodreads:http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1005334.Paty_Jager Newsletter- Mystery:https://bit.ly/2IhmWcm Bookbub -https://www.bookbub.com/authors/paty-jager Instagram -Paty Jager (@patymjager) • Instagram photos and videos TikTok -https://www.tiktok.com/@authorpatyjager  Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N    🎄🐶🐾🎁📖🎄🐶🐾🎁📖🎄 

Prize- A Copy of 'Merry Merry Merry Murder' (Cuddle Farm Mysteries) by Paty Jager, Cuddle Farm Sticker, & Swag.

LINK TO ENTER BLOG TOUR GIVEAWAY

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS: October 10 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – AUTHOR GUEST POST October 10 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – CHARACTER INTERVIEW October 11 – Jemima Pett, Author – REVIEW October 11 – Jody's Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHTOctober 12 – Cozy Up With Kathy - REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST October 12 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT October 13 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST October 13 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT October 14 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHTOctober 14 – @bibliophile_foodie – REVIEW  October 15 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHTOctober 15 – Christy's Cozy Corners – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST October 16 – Angel's Book Nook – AUTHOR INTERVIEWOctober 17 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEWOctober 17 – Mochas, Mysteries and Meows – CHARACTER GUEST POST October 18 – Storybook Lady – CHARACTER INTERVIEWOctober 18 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT October 19 – Boys' Mom Reads! – REVIEW October 19 – Sarandipity's – AUTHOR INTERVIEWOctober 20 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHTOctober 21 - Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEWOctober 21 - Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR GUEST POSTOctober 22 – Sneaky the Library Cat's Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW October 23 – Bigreadersite – REVIEW  October 23 – Escape With Dollycas IntoA Good Book – REVIEW  

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~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE -- COZY MYSTERY ~--  'HOME FRIES & ALIBIS'  --AUTHOR LENA GREGORY

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Home Fries and Alibis (An All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery)  

by Lena Gregory

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About Home Fries and Alibis Home Fries and Alibis (An All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery)  Cozy Mystery8th in SeriesSetting - New York Publisher ‏ : ‎ Beyond the Page Publishing Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 23, 2025 Print length ‏ : ‎ 178 pagesISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1966322275ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1966322276 Digital ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1966322269ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FN8G8H1G  

 

When a belligerent woman moves in across the street, café owner Gia Morelli has to call off the welcome wagon and call in the homicide squad . . .

When a nasty new neighbor moves into their peaceful community, Gia and everyone else in the neighborhood is ready to blow a fuse. The spiteful woman has quickly made a nuisance of herself, complaining to and about everyone there. Then she makes the grave mistake of falsely claiming Gia’s dog tore up her yard, and Gia goes ballistic, telling the woman to back off . . . or else. It was an impulsive move for Gia, but someone else decides an even more extreme approach is called for, and silences the woman—permanently.

Unnerved by the thought of a murderer living in her neighborhood, Gia begins digging into the victim’s life to figure out who would have wanted her dead. She soon discovers that the woman was not only malicious but was blackmailing people in the community. Even more surprising is that nearly everyone in the neighborhood has something to hide. Dead-set on rooting out the culprit, Gia has to determine who stood to lose the most if their secret was revealed, unaware that she’s perilously close to losing her own life . . .

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Character Guest Post

Rural Living

By

Gia Morelli

 

Hi,and thank you for having me! I’m Gia Morelli, owner of the All-Day BreakfastCafé located in beautiful, sunny Boggy Creek, Florida. Moving to Florida hadbeen a spur of the moment decision for me. After a bitter divorce and myhusband’s criminal trial, I just wanted to get out of New York City. So, Ifigured, with much prodding from my best friend, Savannah, what better place tolive than in the small town where she’d grown up and currently lived?

Ihonestly don’t know what I would have done without Savannah’s help. While I wassuffering through the end of my marriage and the trial, Savannah found and setup my café. The stunning pale-yellow, white trimmed, two-story building stoodproudly on one corner. It fit in perfectly with the other shopsalong Main Street in the small, artsy, tourist town of Boggy Creek. Nestled abit south of Central Florida’s Ocala National Forest, the town was known forits festivals, art and craft shows, and seasonal fairs. My breakfast café,situated in the historic, downtown building, was the perfect addition.

SinceI was stuck in New York at the time, Savannah also found my new house. While Iwas thrilled with the café’s location, the Rolling Pines development where mynew home was located came as a bit of a surprise. As it turned out, Savannah’sdefinition of rural differed greatly from my own. I suppose that’s to beexpected, considering she grew up in a small town on the outskirts of a forest,and I lived my whole life in New York City. I’m not sure what I’d envisioned,maybe something like the small towns on Eastern Long Island? But a house on anacre of land in a development backed by somewhere around three-hundred-thousandacres of prehistoric-looking forest was not it.

Although,I have to admit, the three-bedroom, Spanish-style ranch with cream-coloredstucco siding and a scalloped terracotta tile roof was irresistible. And Icouldn’t believe it was all mine. The dog Savannah insisted I needed, agorgeous Bernese Mountain dog I named Thor, helped ease some of thesolitude.Still, there were a few things that took some getting used to.

A.K.A…Critters. Lots of them. In all shapes and sizes. Before moving to Florida, theextent of my knowledge and interaction with wildlife included pigeons in thepark, cats in the alley behind the deli where I worked, and an occasional ratin the subway. The first time I saw black bear cubs frolicking in my backyard,I nearly fell over. They were adorable, until their mama showed up. And thenthere were the snakes—some of which were venomous (not poisonous, so I’ve beentold. Repeatedly). And the alligators I sometimes come across while walking. Icurrently have a racoon, Rocky, making a home in the tree above my garbagepail. And I’ve even run across a couple of armadillos. Of course, I had toGoogle what they were, since I’d never seen anything like that before.

But forme, the scariest of all the creatures sharing my rural community—spiders! Thebane of my existence. They have always terrified me. Even living in New York,the spiders gave me the heebie-jeebies, and they couldn’teven carry off a smalldog like these things could. Good thing Thor weighs in at over a hundredpounds. Still, walking into a room, turning on the light,and finding a huntsmanspider the size of my hand staring at me from a strategic position near theceiling brings terror like no other.

All thatsaid, rural living is still the perfect life for me.

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Excerpt -- Chapter One

“What’s the pointin closing the café and taking a day off if we don’t do something fun?” Withher elbows propped on Gia Morelli’s kitchen table and her chin resting in onehand, Savannah Mills Dumont ran the tip of one long, glitter-tipped, sky-bluenail around the rim of her Blondes Have More Fun coffee mug and pouted.

Thor, Gia’sBernese mountain dog, dropped his massive head onto Savannah’s lap, rolled hissoulful brown eyes toward Gia, and sulked.

“Oh, knock itoff. Both of you.” Gia stood from where she sat between the two of them andcrossed the terra-cotta tile to the counter. If she was going to deal with bothher best friend and her traitorous dog moping at the crack of dawn, she wasgoing to need more coffee. She filled her mug then held the pot up towardSavannah, who shook her head moodily. Ugh. She turned and leaned back againstthe countertop, inhaled deeply the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee, andtook a sip.

It wasn’t likeshe had any specific plans for the day, other than to relax and enjoytwenty-four stress-free hours without punching a time clock, rushing aroundlike there weren’t enough hours to fit in everything she had to get done (whichthere weren’t), and fielding complaints from cranky customers. She sighed. Inall fairness, most of her customers weren’t cranky, just the select few who,despite their chronic complaints, still kept returning to the All-Day BreakfastCafé. Perhaps negativity was just a hobby for them. Her gaze flicked back toSavannah and Thor.

Savannahfluttered long, thick lashes that framed big blue eyes Gia had no hope ofsaying no to. “Okay, fine. What is it the two of you want to do?”

Thor lifted hishead and barked once.

Savannah perkedright up, straightened in her chair, and offered a sly grin. “Whatever you’dlike.”

“I’d like togo to the nursery for some flowers and plant a garden out front,” Gia remindedher.

“Oh, please,sugar.” Savannah waved her off with a flick of her hand. “You’ve been sayingthat for months, and you and I both know it’s not going to happen.”

“It might.”Especially if Savannah kept insisting it wouldn’t. Nothing like a littlepessimism for motivation. Besides, she’d heard gardening was a great stressreliever. And, having lived most of her life in New York City, she’d never hadthe opportunity to give it a try.

“Uh-huh.” Liftingone perfectly sculpted brow, Savannah shifted her long blonde hair behind hershoulder, hooked an elbow over her chair back, and pinned Gia with a knowinglook. “And what happens the first time you kneel down and find a snake in theweeds? Or a bear lumbers across the yard? Or Rocky Raccoon, apparently yournewest pet, stops by for a visit?”

“Okay, that’s notfair.” It wasn’t her fault she hadn’t had the heart to get rid of the littlevarmint after the first time she’d paid a pretty penny to have someone catchhim and release him elsewhere. Then, the following day, she’d found himleisurely hanging out on his favorite moss-covered oak branch above her garbagepails, staring at her with an amused look that said, Ha ha, sucker, I’m notthat easy to get rid of. But the reminder had her second-guessing the ideaof a garden . . . again. The chances of her planting and caring for agarden without running into some critter or another were slim to none.

Not that she didn’tadore her home in Rolling Pines, she did. The development on the outskirts ofthe Ocala National Forest in Central Florida was what Savannah had called ruralwhen she’d first found the beautiful little Spanish-style ranch Gia now calledhome. But it was more like the center of some prehistoric forest—at least, itwas to Gia, who’d spent most of her life surrounded by concrete and steel. Ofthe thousand or so one-acre lots the community boasted, only about half of themhad been cleared and built on. That left a lot of swampy forest, home to anabundance of wildlife—bears, coyotes, armadillos, alligators, venomous snakes,huntsman spiders—and that was the end of that. A shiver tore through her. Therewas nothing Gia feared more than spiders.

Savannah grinned.

“Okay, okay,point made.” It was Gia’s turn to sulk.

“So. . .” Having won the argument, as usual, Savannah sipped her coffee.“What do you feel like doing? Now that I take it gardening is out?”

Gia pinned herwith her harshest glare. “Didn’t anyone ever tell you no one likes a smartaleck?”

“Come to think ofit . . .” She laughed, the sound musical in the small kitchen. “Youmay have mentioned it once or twice.”

Gia couldn’t helpbut smile. Since there was nothing she wouldn’t do for Savannah, who’d beenGia’s rock through the most difficult time in her life, it looked like she’dhave to suck it up and choose something her friend would enjoy. Which wouldprobably involve an hour’s drive to one mall or another followed by theafternoon in a shoe store. Then, of course, they couldn’t leave Thor out, sothe day would wind up with a hike along one of the many trails Gia had come toenjoy walking—when she didn’t come across a body, that is. Or a bear. Or analligator. Was it too late to change her mind on this? One glance at Savannahand Thor assured her it was.

“All right,we’ll—” She was awarded a brief reprieve when the doorbell rang. Although shehad no idea who’d be stopping by so early in the morning. She glanced down ather oversized sweats and tattered T-shirt. Oh, well. Nothing she could do abouther attire, and answering the door would save her having to make anylife-altering decisions. At least, for a few minutes. “I’ll just get that.”

With Thor on herheels, his long black tail tipped with white wagging furiously at the thoughtof company, she headed for the front of the house. She peered through theliving room window and sighed. She’d have been better off taking her chanceswith a hike through a viper pit. Of course, not in the new shoes, which wouldcertainly have ridiculously high heels if Savannah was helping her pick themout.

The bell rang asecond time.

Then again, ahike through a swamp in stilettos had to beat dealing with Gladys Hoffmeier atsix in the morning, or any other time, really. With one last sigh, Gia openedthe door to her neighbor from across the street and one house over.

Thor backedquietly away and shifted to stand behind Gia.

Gladys, armsfolded across her chest, tapped her foot with about as much patience as RockyRaccoon on clean-out-the-fridge day. Despite the early hour, the woman wasalready decked out in a matronly dress, sensible shoes, and full makeup. Hertight red curls clung tenaciously to her head as if they didn’t dare droop outof place, despite the humidity. Before Gia could even say good morning orinvite her inside, Gladys shifted her hands to her ample hips and glared. “Thatdog of yours was digging up my yard again.”

First of all,it’s not your yard. Gia clamped her teeth tightly together to cagethe words inside. Since Gladys had come to live with her sister (half sister,Gia reminded herself) six months ago, she’d done nothing but complain and causetrouble in the previously serene community.

Savannah came upbeside Gia and lay a hand on Thor’s head.

If Gia didn’tintervene quickly, the ensuing battle would end up getting out of hand andresult in Captain Hunter Quinn, Gia’s fiancé, who also happened to beSavannah’s cousin, and Detective Leo Dumont, Savannah’s husband, being called.Again. It seemed Gladys Hoffmeier had the Boggy Creek Police Department numberon speed dial, since they’d banned her from dialing 911 for anything other thana life-threatening emergency the last time they’d been summoned. “Good morning,Mrs. Hoff—”

“Ms.Hoffmeier. As I’ve told you several times now. I divorced my no-good,two-timing ex-husband six months ago, and I refuse to answer to Mrs. everagain.” She lifted her chin defiantly.

When Savannahopened her mouth, no doubt to suggest, as she had on several other occasions,that Gladys revert to using her maiden name, Gia reached out and discreetlypinched her arm.

“Ouch.” Savannahscrunched up her face, aimed an exaggerated scowl at her, and rubbed the sorespot.

So much fordiscretion.

“Right. Sorry.Ms. Hoffmeier. As I’ve told you before, Thor never leaves the house alone. He’seither in my fenced yard with me watching him, or he’s on a leash.” At least,he’d been leashed ever since the first time Ms. Hoffmeier had comepounding on Gia’s door and accused Thor of knocking over her garbagepails. Before that, he’d enjoy romping in the yard while Gia carried ingroceries or did outdoor chores. Not that she’d ever let him out of her sight,even then, but at least he enjoyed some freedom.

“And, as I’vetold you, missy . . .” She lifted a finger, shook it a couple ofinches from Gia’s nose. “There are no other dogs his size on the block. And theholes on my lawn are too big to have been dug by the Carsons’ chihuahua.”

“Ms.Hoffmeier—”

“I have every bitof damage he’s done documented right here.” She tapped the side of her headwith one dagger-like, blood-red nail. “As well as a physical copy stashed away.Now, either you get that dog under control, or I will.”

Gia seethed, herpatience precariously close to tipping over an edge there was no coming backfrom.

Thor growled lowin his throat.

Savannahpractically vibrated beside her.

Gia sucked in adeep breath, blew it out slowly, and reminded herself there was a right way anda wrong way to deal with people like Gladys Hoffmeier. She inhaled again. One,two, three—

Before she couldget any further, Gladys harrumphed. “My half brother-in-law’s shotgun hangsright over the mantel, and the very next time—”

“Now, you listento me, Gladys.” Gia’s fuse blew. She poked Gladys in the chest, knocking herback a step. “The next time you come to my home and make threats against my dogwill be the last time. Do you understand me? I’ve been patient up until now,but you pushed it too far this time. If you ever threaten Thor again, you’ll besorry you ever moved here.”

Her dyed orangebrows shot up. “Is that a threat?”

“No, ma’am,that’s a promise.” With that, Gia took a step back into the foyer.

Gladys pressed ahand against her chest. “Well, I never—”

“Well, maybe youshould, honey. It might do wonders for your temperament.” Savannah grinnedwickedly and slammed the door in her face. “Grr. I’d sure like to cream thatwoman’s corn.” 

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About Lena Gregory

 

Lena Gregory is the author of the Bay Island Psychic Mysteries, which take place on a small island between the north and south forks of Long Island, New York, the All-Day Breakfast Café Mysteries, which are set on the outskirts of Florida’s Ocala National Forest, the Mini-Meadows Mysteries, set in a community of tiny homes in Central Florida, and the Coffee & Cream Café Mysteries, which take place in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island, New York.

Lena grew up in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island, but she recently traded in cold, damp, gray winters for the warmth and sunshine of central Florida, where she now lives with her husband, three kids, son-in-law, and four dogs. Her hobbies include spending time with family, reading, and walking. Her love for writing developed when her youngest son was born and didn’t sleep through the night. She works full time as a writer and a freelance editor and is a member of Sisters in Crime.

Author Links Newsletter:  http://lenagregory.us12.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9765d0711ed4fab4fa31b16ac&id=49d42335d1. Website:  http://www.lenagregory.com/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/lena.gregory.986 Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Lena.Gregory.Author/?fref=ts Twitter/X:  https://twitter.com/LenaGregory03 Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14956514.Lena_Gregory?from_search=true Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/lenagregoryauth/

Purchase Links:Amazon Barnes & Noble Kobo 

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------------ GIVEAWAYS ------------ There are 2 giveaways for this tour. Please enter both giveaways individually so that you will have a chance to win each one!   1.)  Tour Giveaway:  Follow the below link for a chance to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card from the Author:  Enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card from the Author! 2.)  Individual Blog Stop Giveaway:  Follow the below link for a chance to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card from the Author:  Enter to Win a $10 Amazon Gift Card from the Author!

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS: September 23 – Angel's Book Nook – SPOTLIGHT  September 23 – Sarandipity's – CHARACTER INTERVIEW  September 24 – Jody's Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT    September 24 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST  September 25 – Christy's Cozy Corners - REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST, INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAYSeptember 26 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW  September 26 – Boys' Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT  September 27 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT  September 28 – @bibliophile_foodie – REVIEW  September 29 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW  September 29 – Salty Inspirations – AUTHOR GUEST POST September 30 – My Books and Crafts – SPOTLIGHT  October 1 – Escape With Dollycas IntoA Good Book – REVIEW October 2 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT  October 2 – Infinite House of Books – SPOTLIGHT  October 3 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic - CHARACTER GUEST POST, INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAYOctober 4 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT October 5 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW October 6 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – REVIEW   

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