About the Book

Book: VINNY

Author: MaryAnn Diorio

Genre: Contemporary Romantic Suspense

Release Date: April 15, 2026

VINNY by MaryAnn Diorio
Book 1 in The South Philly Italians Romantic Suspense Series

Vinny Morello is on track for a promising career in the fine arts. But when tragedy suddenly hurls him headlong into a life-altering crisis, he faces a frightening fork in the road. Which one will he take? The road that leads to life or the road that leads to death?

VINNY is an edge-of-your-seat, romantic suspense story where tragedy and triumph merge into transformation. Don’t miss it!

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

MaryAnn Diorio writes award-winning fiction from a quaint small town in New Jersey where neighbors still chat while walking their dogs, families and friends gather on wide, wrap-around porches, and the charming downtown finds kids licking lollipops and old married folks holding hands. A Jersey girl at heart, MaryAnn is a huge fan of Jersey diners, Jersey tomatoes, and the Jersey shore.

More from MaryAnn

All Things Italian

by MaryAnn Dorio

 

I grew up in a home where Italian was my mother tongue. My late mother, one of the first war brides of World War II, was an immigrant from the romantic city of Naples, Italy. When I was born, she knew no English. So, we communicated in Italian. Although my mother eventually learned English, she and I always spoke in Italian until she passed away.

When I went off to college, I majored in French and minored in Italian. After I graduated, I spent a year of study at the University of Florence in Italy, earning my Master’s degree in Italian Language and Literature. Afterward, I taught Italian at the university level here in the States.

From my earliest days, Italy was a big part of my culture and of my heart. And it still is. It is no wonder then that I gravitate to writing fiction with an Italian flair. This is the milieu I know and understand best. It is the milieu I love. And I want to share it with you through my stories.

But, my fiction is far more than Italian. It is universal. In other words, it deals with issues that pertain to all of us humans. Issues of pride, rebellion, lust, and greed. Issues of deception, betrayal, hatred, and fear.  Issues that result from our failure to love.

When you read my stories, you will travel to the deepest places of the human heart. Places you might not want to go to because they are places of pain, of confrontation, of facing our past and our sin. But they are also places of truth where you will find the freedom from the past and from sin that only truth brings. For my stories not only explore the deepest issues of the human heart; they show you how to overcome them through Jesus Christ.

Won’t you join me on this entertaining journey of exploration and transformation? If you do, I have a feeling that at the end of my stories, you will discover that you have become a far better person than you were at the beginning.

Interview with the Author

1. What does success as an author look like to you?
   Success to me is fulfilling God’s will for me as a writer. This includes writing only what He wants me to write when He wants me to write it. Success to me means reaching readers with the Gospel of salvation and the message of God’s love for them.

2. Which character did you connect to best in this book?
   I connected best to my protagonist Vinny because I experienced some of his struggles in my own life.

3. Which part of the book was the most difficult to write?
   I would say the part when Vinny had to identify his dead brother’s body at the morgue.

4, What inspired this book?
I am a first-generation daughter of an Italian immigrant and grew up immersed in the Italian-American culture. I was born and raised in an Italian community near Philadelphia. Currently, I live within 15 minutes of Little Italy in Philadelphia. Since I understand Italian-Americans inside and out, I wanted to portray their tenacity, their courage, their stubbornness, their selflessness, and their big hearts toward their families in a story of one character struggling with the powerful influence of tradition.

5. Which author influenced the you most?
   No particular author influenced me for this story. Several authors of romantic suspense, however, have influenced me in the writing of this genre, including DiAnn Mills and Susan May Warren.

6. What is your favorite Bible verse or life verse?
   John 8: 32: “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

   7. What is your vacation spot?
   The Jersey Shore, especially Avalon.

8. What are you reading right now?
   Girl Lost by Kate Angelo

9. Describe your view as you’re sitting in your writing chair.
   I usually write at my desk which converts into a standup desk when I’m tired of sitting. In front of me is a large monitor, but I usually write on my laptop which I place in front of the large monitor.

10. If you could have one book or piece of art or music on a deserted island, what would it be and why.
    Without doubt, I’d take my Bible, simply because I cannot survive without the Word of God.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 9

Simple Harvest Reads, May 10 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, May 11

Artistic Nobody, May 12 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, May 13

Guild Master, May 14 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, May 15

History, Hope & Happily Ever After, May 16 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 16

Pause for Tales, May 17

Fiction Book Lover, May 18 (Author Interview)

Cover Lover Book Review, May 19

Books, Books, & More Books, May 20 (Author Interview)

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, May 21 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 21

Books Less Travelled, May 22 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour MaryAnn is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a print copy of the book!!

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

https://gleam.io/loxwx/vinny-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: The Bible Companion Book 8 Isaiah-Daniel

Author: Karen Westbrook Moderow

Genre: Non-Fiction, Bible Study

Release Date: December, 2025

Are you or someone you love on the wrong path?

The Bible Companion Book 8 Isaiah–Daniel helps us see both warning and hope in the messages of the prophets. A simple one-chapter-a-day format lets you engage with Scripture without the pressure of schedules, homework, or heavy reading loads. Short daily readings and thought-provoking questions connect your story to God’s Word. For personal, group, or homeschool Bible study.

The Major Prophets give us perspectives of judgment that challenge our lifestyles and understanding of God. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel help us see the Lord at work in dark times. Whether you are suffering the consequences of your own sin or caught in the fallout of the choices of others, The Bible Companion Book 8 points you toward a sovereign God whose power redeems tragedies and transforms them into new beginnings.

Excerpt from the Book

Isaiah 1

The Message from God

Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.

Isaiah 1:18

Heaven and earth witnessed the original covenant ceremony with Moses (Deut. 4:26), and now Isaiah calls on them to witness that God’s people have broken its terms (Isa. 1:2). The covenant is the standard by which Judah and Israel will be judged. Speaking with the authority of God, Isaiah lists Yahweh’s grievances against His people. Judah is ungrateful (vv. 2–3), corrupt (v. 4), comes to sacrifices with blood on her hands (v. 15), and prostitutes herself by going after other gods (v. 21). God has had enough.

Judah, however, is hurt and doesn’t know it. She is oblivious to her condition and unconcerned about how God feels. Though angry, God offers her a way out. “Come now, let us settle the matter,” He says. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (v. 18). She doesn’t listen and so hastens her demise. The devastation of Jerusalem Isaiah envisions in verses 21–31 won’t happen in his lifetime, but it is coming.

Sin numbs us to our wounds and makes prostitutes of us all.

Missed an Excerpt? Go Here:

About the Author

KAREN WESTBROOK MODEROW is a Bible teacher and author who brings a storyteller’s perspective to Scripture. She holds master’s degrees in theology and creative writing and loves introducing others to Jesus through the stories told in God’s Word.

About the Book

Book: Calico Canyon (Petticoats and Cowboys Book 2)

Author: Mary Connealy

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: April 28, 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Click here to get your copy!

Guest Review from Donna

What I think you should know:

Calico Canyon by Mary Connealy is the second book in the Petticoats and Cowboys series. This book is set in 1867 Mosqueros, Texas and features Grace Calhoun and  widower Daniel Reeves.  This book is the second and  can be read as a standalone.

 

What you might need to know;

Daniel is the father of five boys.

Grace is an orphan who was mistreated by her adoptive father.

 

What I think about this book:

This book captured my attention from the first page. Connealy created a cast of characters who fascinated me. Between the twins and the triplets I am not sure who added the most to the story.  Daniel and Grace definitely found themselves in a tough situation. I can’t imagine finding myself in either of their positions.  I can’t wait to read the next book in the series and plan to go back and read the previous book in the series.

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own

About the Author

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

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

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

 

More from Mary

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

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

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

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

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

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

But there were five boys in that cave with us!

Not gonna save you, Grace.

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

late to take her back.

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

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

Mayhem ensues.

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

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

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

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

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, May 5

For Him and My Family, May 6

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 7

Simple Harvest Reads, May 8 (Guest Review from Donna)

Jeanette’s Thoughts , May 9

Fruitfully Planted, May 10

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 10

Books You Can Feel Good About, May 11

Vicky Sluiter, May 12

Sydney Schmied, May 13

Book Looks by Lisa, May 14

Wishful Endings, May 15

Labor Not in Vain , May 16

Mary Hake, May 16

Cover Lover Book Review, May 17

Holly’s Book Corner, May 18

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Mary is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

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

https://gleam.io/5MQgR/calico-canyon-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: Stronger than the Storm

Author: Deena Adams

Genre: Christian Women’s Fiction

Release Date: April 28, 2026

A runaway teen. A wife’s devastating secret. A family’s reckoning.

Since surviving a rocky season in her marriage nineteen years earlier, Beth Holbrook has prayed and worked toward maintaining a solid marital commitment, raising godly children, and leading a thriving parenting ministry. On the cusp of realizing her publication dream and expanding her influence nationwide, her daughter, Leesa, runs away without a word.

Having recently turned eighteen and graduated from high school, Leesa is livid with her parents for not allowing her to attend a beach party, especially when the only guy who has ever shown interest in her will be there. When her best friend suggests they escape their parents’ strict rules and move to Myrtle Beach together, she makes a spontaneous decision to leave town. A mere six weeks later she returns home with shocking news that affects not only her future, but her family’s.

While grappling with a volatile blend of failure and anger, Beth’s identity as a pastor’s wife, mom, and respected parenting coach disintegrates. Amid mounting conflict in her marriage, continued criticism from her mother, and strained relationships with her children, Beth confesses a long-held secret, shattering her already splintered family.

As a hurricane bears down on the Holbrook’s house, the storm raging within the walls threatens to rip apart the fragile stitches holding their family together. When Beth’s solid foundation crumbles, will her family survive intact? Or is her contrition too little, too late?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

As a Jesus girl for more than thirty years, Deena Adams understands how important hope is to daily life, which fuels her passion to inspire others through hope-filled fiction based on true to life stories.

She is a Certified Mental Health Coach, a multi-award-winning author, an active ACFW member, founder of the Marathon online writers group, and a six-year ACFW Virginia board member.

Deena lives with her husband near the coast in beautiful Virginia. When she’s not writing, reading, or serving in her church, you’ll find her hanging out with family and friends, playing board games, and doting on her seven grandchildren.

 

More from Deena

Crafting a novel from authentic life experiences is a challenging task, but it’s one I sensed God’s call to undertake. If the Lord can encourage those facing heartbreaking situations through my struggles as the mother of a prodigal twenty years ago, I’m all in.

Growing up, I tried my hardest to please my parents and teachers, but I always felt I didn’t measure up. As a Type A person, I’m sure that mindset was my doing, not theirs.

Fast forward to my season as a young mom, and my insecurities ramped up even more. When I became a Christian in my late twenties, I already had three small children and longed to be the world’s best mother and do everything right. I saw my kids’ mistakes as an indictment of my parenting abilities, leading me to believe myself a failure and to try harder to succeed.

With that attitude, you can imagine how I reacted when our teenage daughter ran away from home and returned pregnant—especially since my husband is the pastor of our church. Let’s just say it wasn’t pretty.

The emotional upheaval I endured while watching our child make one poor decision after another revealed my many shortcomings. Among the important lessons God taught me was what a shallow person I’d been and how much I wanted others’ respect and for them to find me acceptable—no, exceptional. Sadly, I was at a place in life where other people’s opinions seemed to carry more weight than my children’s feelings, but I was blind to my faults.

As I walked through the deep valley with a prodigal, God, in His great mercy, opened my eyes and showed me the truth about myself.

My journey of healing and restoration with our daughter was the catalyst for my debut novel, Stronger than the Storm. I pray that the challenging themes I address will uplift those going through extreme difficulty and that the embedded truths inspire hope in Jesus.

In my book, the Holbrook’s crisis begins as ours did, with a teen runaway getting pregnant by a guy she barely knew. I incorporated some factual events from our lives and drew many of the characters’ raw emotions from personal history. Although I gave Beth Holbrook, the mother in the story, a few of my personality traits, including the passion to be a supermom and failing miserably, the bulk of this family’s journey is fictional.

My experience as an adult daughter inspired the revelation of a long-kept secret in the latter part of the book. To avoid spoilers, I’ll simply state that nothing prepares anyone for such devastating news.

Yet, amid turmoil and unexpected adversity, God is still on the throne and has a perfect plan for our good and His glory. When we surrender everything to Him, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus through life’s storms, we can gain true peace and cling to the truth that God is stronger than anything we face.

In Stronger than the Storm, the Holbrook family must come to this understanding as well. As you read the book, I trust that this family’s journey, and mine, will provide you with encouragement and hope.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28 (NLT)

Interview with the Author

1. What does success as an author look like to you?

For the stories I write to positively impact readers who are struggling with difficult life circumstances. For them to know they’re not alone in their pain and there’s always hope in Christ. I count God using my novel to bless someone in that way as a great success.

 

2. Which character did you connect to best in this book?

Beth Holbrook, the teenage runaway’s mom. Our personal experience with a prodigal child twenty years ago inspired Stronger than the Storm, and this character inherited a lot of my personality traits and raw emotions from that season in my life. Because of that, she was the easiest for me to write, and I understand her very well.

 

3. Which part of the book was the most difficult to write?

The scenes with the teenager, Leesa, and her so-called boyfriend, Isaac. Early in the story, he takes advantage of her drunkenness, and she loses her virginity. I don’t know how many times I edited and rewrote that scene to try to get across the internal conflict Leesa felt as a young woman who had never been on a date before yet landed in that compromising position because she got drunk.

Also, Isaac abuses her several times verbally, emotionally, and then physically. Those scenes were extremely hard to write. Abuse of any kind under any circumstance is never okay, and I don’t enjoy portraying that atrocity, but sadly it’s real life, even for some Christians, and I want my books to address issues people are facing and offer hope.

 

4. What is your favorite Bible verse or life verse?

Proverbs 3:5-6 have been my life verses for over thirty years. Whenever I’m confused about why God allows something painful in my life, or I don’t know which way to go or what decision to make, I think of this passage. This reminder helps me pray that I will trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not on my understanding and acknowledge Him so He will direct my path.

 

5. What is your vacation spot?

The beach, hands down. I’ll take any beach, but every August my husband and I go with another couple to Myrtle Beach, SC. While the guys play in a pastor’s golf tournament, my friend and I sit on the beach all day. We prayer walk, catch up on life, read, and simply relax.

In the evenings, the four of us go out to dinner, to a show, or play board games. It’s glorious. I live about thirty minutes from Virginia Beach, the main setting in Stronger than the Storm, but a few scenes take place in Myrtle Beach, SC, and Kitty Hawk, NC.

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, May 7 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, May 8 (Author Interview)

Fruitfully Planted, May 8

Guild Master, May 9 (Author Interview)

Inspired by Fiction, May 10

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 11

Fiction Book Lover, May 12 (Author Interview)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, May 13 (Author Interview)

Blossoms and Blessings, May 14 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, May 15

Stories By Gina, May 16 (Author Interview)

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, May 17 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys , May 17

Books, Books, & More Books, May 18 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, May 19

Blogging With Carol, May 20

Giveaway

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

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

https://gleam.io/dYgBP/stronger-than-the-storm-celebration-tour-giveaway

Excerpt from Texas Reclaimed

Cora sank against Ben’s chest like parched earth soaking up rain, her body trembling almost as much as Ben’s battered one. He could have been killed. A chill swept over her body. Her hands dug into the back of Ben’s rumpled undershirt and held on tight. Thank God, Ben was alive, standing, and breathing. Thank God, they hadn’t taken Charlie. That they were all still here safe.

Charlie came alongside and hugged them both.

Ben slipped one hand from Cora and wrapped his arm around the boy’s shoulders.

Jack scurried around their feet, panting.

Safe. Cora bit her lip and squeezed her eyes shut. She choked back a sob. She wouldn’t cry. Strong and steady beneath the hard wall of his chest, Ben’s heart pounded against her cheek. His warmth permeated the dirty linen of his shirt and the thin cotton of her chemise, drawing her like a magnet.

Moisture dropped onto the back of her head. A metallic smell. Blood.

Her breath caught. What was she thinking? Releasing her hold, she pulled back a few inches, her hands still lingering on his sides as if they belonged there. “You’re bleeding.” Every inch of her wobbled.

Want to know more about the book?

Can love blossom between a woman haunted by her family’s past and a man haunted by the trauma of war?

Cora Scott is determined to hold onto her family’s Texas ranch and provide a stable home for her young half brother, Charlie, despite the mounting challenges of post-Civil War frontier life. But when a scheming creditor threatens to seize their land, she must accept help from Ben McKenzie, a former Yankee soldier sent by her late brother. Though Ben’s generosity and strength draw her, the man’s private struggle she stumbles upon—too reminiscent of her father’s alcoholism—makes her question whether she can trust her heart to him.

Ben McKenzie arrives in Texas intent on fulfilling his promise to his dying friend to protect Cora and Charlie. While using his inheritance to save their ranch, he battles not only the loss of their cattle but also his dependency on laudanum—a medicine that turned into a curse after his imprisonment at Andersonville. As his feelings for Cora deepen, he must choose between his promise to his father to take over their Philadelphia newspaper and his growing dream of a life with Cora in Texas.

When a Comanche warrior begins courting Cora and Ben’s responsibilities in Philadelphia threaten to tear them apart, they must decide if their love is strong enough to overcome their fears and forge a future together on the Texas frontier.

Get your copy here!

About the Author

Originally from Tennessee, Sherry loves to take her readers into the past. A romantic at heart, she is an avid student of the Civil War and the Old West. When she isn’t busy writing, she is an English professor, working to pass on her love of writing to her students. Sherry is a multi-award-winning writer. She currently resides in Minnesota with her husband of forty-one years. She has three grown children and three grandchildren.

Scavenger Hunt Word One: Books

Giveaway!

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway for your chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card!

https://www.celebratelit.com/2026-may-scavenger-hunt/

About the Book

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

Author: Amy R. Anguish

Genre: YA Fantasy

Release Date: March 24, 2026

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

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

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

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

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

 

More from Amy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Interview with the Author

1. Which part of the book was the most difficult to write?

Honestly? Trying to write all seven of Kari’s uncles in a way that still allowed people to guess which uncle was based on the original dwarves. And be able to remember from scene to scene what they looked like and their character quirk. I had to print out a picture of what I wanted them to look like and labeled it so I could keep track.

2. What is your favorite Bible verse or life verse?

I don’t know if I have a very favorite verse, but one I’ve clung to the last few years has been Philippians 4:6-7. “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” A lot of things have happened in the last few years, and it’s nice to be reminded that I don’t have to be anxious about it.

3. What is your vacation spot?

My book is actually set in one of my favorite vacation spots. It’s the Georgia coast, more specifically Brunswick and St. Simons Island. The area feels a bit like walking into a fairy tale with old oak trees dripping with Spanish moss and marshes and the ocean. Absolutely lovely.

4. What are you reading right now?

My library finally ordered Christmas in the Castle Library by Ann Swindell, and I’m loving it. It feels a bit like a fairy tale too.

5. Describe your view as you’re sitting in your writing chair.

My view is a very messy living room. Ha! I have a busy life and two young children, so things don’t always get picked up often. We have legos and game controllers and books and papers, but it’s cozy too. Lived in. My husband has an early baseball game on the television. And my ceiling fan is going above because it was in the seventies today here in middle TN.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 1

Stories By Gina, May 2 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, May 2

Inspired by Fiction, May 3

Simple Harvest Reads, May 4 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 5

Holly’s Book Corner, May 6

Artistic Nobody, May 7 (Author Interview)

By the Book, May 8

Texas Book-aholic, May 9

Guild Master, May 10 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 10

Happily Managing a Household of Boys , May 11

Fiction Book Lover, May 12 (Author Interview)

Fruitfully Planted, May 13

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, May 14 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

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

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

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

About the Book

Book: Mr. Cutler’s Wonderful Creations: A Children’s Book About Finding Your God-given Identity.

Author: Aaron P. Gordon

Genre: Christian Children’s Book

Release Date: November, 2025

After being presented as a special birthday present to Alina, Fork, Knife, and Spoon embark on a journey to find purpose. Disappointed with what they thought happiness was, everything changes when they have a conversation with the man who created them.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

 

 

About the Author

A native of Washington, D.C., Aaron P. Gordon currently resides in Harrisonburg, Virginia with his wife of 28 years, Valerie. Before entering the corporate world, Aaron served as a Captain in the U.S. Army.  Aaron has a diverse and extensive leadership background with experience in the multiple industries. He is also a certified executive coach for John Maxwell and holds a B.S. in Operations Management from the United States Military Academy. With four children and six grandchildren, the passion of his life is to help people maximize their relationship with God through humor, Biblical principles, and everyday examples.

Interview with the Author

1. What does success as an author look like to you?

Success would simply be to influence our generation of children towards finding their God-given identity while avoiding the need to compare themselves to someone else.

2. Which character did you connect to best in this book?

Definitely Fork. As a young man, the influences around me were overwhelmingly negative. As a result, I constantly sought approval from others around me while feeling that I was not enough on my own. But once I found my Creator in God, I too began to understand my gifts and what my purpose here on Earth is.

3. Which part of the book was the most difficult to write?

Actually, it all flowed rather easily. It was based on a story that I created for my kids years ago.

4. What inspired this book?

Poor and shifting self-identity can be crippling. I simply wanted to leave something behind for my granddaughters that would let them know that they are wonderfully made. Designed on purpose, with a purpose.

5. Which author influenced the you most?

I’ve always been fascinated by Bible stories from a kid. Even then the stories became alive to me with the ability to apply the lessons to even the most basic aspects of life.

6. What is your favorite Bible verse or life verse?

Psalm 27:4 – One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.

7. What is your vacation spot?

I recently took a trip to Alaska and got to not only ride on a helicopter across the glaciers but also land and walk on one. That’s pretty hard to beat!

8. What are you reading right now?

Until Unity by Francis Chan

9. Describe your view as you’re sitting in your writing chair.

Just sitting in my office chair listening to worship music as I ask God to breathe on my creativity.

10. If you could have one book or piece of art or music on a deserted island, what would it be and why?

I love singing gospel music so any of Fred Hammond’s albums from the 1990s and I’m in my happy place!

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, May 2 (Author Interview)

The Bookish Ledger, May 3 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 3

Guild Master, May 4 (Author Interview)

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, May 5

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 6

Fiction Book Lover, May 7 (Author Interview)

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, May 8 (Author Interview)

Books Less Travelled, May 9 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, May 10

For Him and My Family, May 11

History, Hope & Happily Ever After, May 12 (Author Interview)

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, May 13 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, May 14

For the Love of Literature, May 15 (Author Interview)

Book Zone Reviews, May 15

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Aaron 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.

https://gleam.io/v8A9r/mr-cutlers-wonderful-creations-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: Best Seller

Author: Christina Rost

Genre: Romantic Suspense/Mystery

Release Date: August 6, 2024

When crime fiction novelist Kelly Landon agrees to write a memoir for an eccentric, elderly gentleman, her quiet life turns upside-down.

Unbeknownst to her, the memoir is peppered with clues leading to a rare collection of stolen jewels from World War II. After the memoir makes the best-seller list, Kelly finds herself in the crosshairs of a decades-old vendetta.

Now, instead of enjoying her rise to literary fame, she’s thrust into the dangerous world of treasure hunting.

While Kelly struggles to win the game of cat-and-mouse, a secret family legacy is unearthed, forcing her to choose between trusting her charming literary agent or her vigilant bodyguard to keep her safe.

As the three of them become entangled in a web of deceit, it’s a race to see who’s the villain, who’s the hero, and who holds all the pieces to solve the mystery of the best seller.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Christina Rost is an award-winning author, mother to three amazing children, and is married to her high school sweetheart. While she currently resides in Oklahoma City, she’s lived all over the US, a few years in the UK, and loves to travel. When she isn’t spending time with her family or writing you’ll find her chatting over coffee and perusing antique stores for tattered books.

 

 

 

 

More from Christina

There is a certain in-between place where creatives tend to linger — a space where reality meets imagination and stories quietly begin. It’s where we observe the world as it is, then wonder how it might unfold just a little differently. That space is where my writing lives, and it’s where Best Seller was born.

Before novels, though, there was coffee. My very first “real” job as a teen was working as a barista, and I loved it. I wasn’t just making drinks — I was mixing flavors and letting my imagination wander between orders. There’s something comforting about coffee, something that invites reflection and creativity. Looking back, it makes perfect sense that it found its way into my stories.

In Best Seller, my main character Kelly Landon is a crime fiction writer with a carefully guarded heart. She’s shy, introverted, and far more comfortable with quiet moments than crowded rooms. Her love of seasonal coffee blends mirrors her inner world — thoughtful, layered, and hopeful beneath the surface. But Kelly’s heart is fragile, and without being anchored in God’s love and truth, it can be easily swayed by the promise of earthly acceptance.

Enter Declan — her outgoing literary agent with unassuming Irish charm and a way with words. Can you blame Kelly for daydreaming? For wondering if love might be possible after all?

To celebrate Best Seller, I created the Writer Girl Latte, inspired by my barista days and Kelly’s story. Cozy, creative, sweet, and just a little indulgent — because sometimes the best stories begin with a warm cup and a willing heart.

So, pour yourself something warm, settle in, and step into the mystery of Best Seller — it’s only the beginning.

And remember, Love is a Mystery!

­-Christina

Interview with the Author

1. Which part of the book was the most difficult to write?

There are several angles of duplicity in this story, so keeping track of that thread throughout the novel was difficult. I ended up making a chart for myself. I was really happy how all the storylines came together in the final draft and I hope the reader enjoy it as much as I do!

2. What inspired this book?

WW2 history is fascinating and really tugs on the heartstrings. After I read several stories about book burnings, hidden art, and missing artifacts, I thought … what if? (I won’t give away what’s missing in Best Seller!)  History should never be forgotten, and I hope my fictional books spur readers to search out history and preserve the stories of the past.

3. Which author influenced the you most?

Ted Dekker is one of my favorite authors of suspense. The worlds he creates, and depth of his characters influenced me to step into each new world I write and really try to understand the mind of my characters.

4. What is your favorite Bible verse or life verse?

I learned this verse at a very early age, and it always comes to the forefront of my mind when I step out in faith.

2 Timothy 1:7

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

5. What are you reading right now?

Romancing the Elements: A Collection of Four Contemporary Romance Novellas

6. Describe your view as you’re sitting in your writing chair.

I love writing outside on my back porch (when it’s not too hot) where my view is a tiny woodland world of birds, deer and other critters who walk me through each season with their antics and happy sounds. Every spring mother deer walk their spotted little ones through the small trail to munch on bird seed dotting the ground. Hummingbirds, blue jays, and woodpeckers build nests when nature’s cycle begins again. My favorite?  A family of squirrels tumble through the grass, wrestling like ornery toddlers, then dart toward the house to beg for a peanut. It’s my little writing escape in the middle of the city, giving me a space to breathe and be creative.

7. If you could have one book or piece of art or music on a deserted island, what would it be and why?

I’d definitely want my journaling Bible.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, April 29

Stories By Gina, April 30 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, May 1 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 1

Pause for Tales, May 2

Artistic Nobody, May 3 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 4

Guild Master, May 5 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, May 6

Fiction Book Lover, May 7 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, May 8

Tell Tale Book Reviews, May 9 (Author Interview)

Lily’s Corner, May 10

Blossoms and Blessings, May 11 (Author Interview)

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, May 12 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, May 12

Giveaway

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

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

https://gleam.io/V74x6/best-seller-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: Meet Me in the Yorkshire Dales

Author: Valerie Massey Goree

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release Date: February, 2025

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

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

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

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

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

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

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

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

Valerie loves to hear from her readers.

More from Valerie

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

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

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

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

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

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

Interview with the Author

1. Which character did you connect to best in this book?

Answer: I connected with Lucas, the hero. He experienced childhood trauma that he could have used as an excuse for his indecisiveness, but he didn’t. In his early adult life, he discovered that indecisiveness is a mental disorder, but his wasn’t severe enough to be considered pathological. He attended therapy sessions and faced his indecisive nature. He had two reasons to make changes: to improve his quality of life and to prove to Roxanne that he was worthy of her love.

2. Which part of the book was the most difficult to write?

Answer: The most difficult scenes to write were in the cottage when Roxanne meets her grandmother and asks her about the mother she never met. I had to keep her emotions on an even keel, so she could process the devastating information her grandmother shared.

3. What inspired this book?

Meet Me in the Yorkshire Dales in book two in my series From England with Love and…Treachery. The stories feature American characters who meet in England and, after enduring adversity, danger, and setbacks, fall in love. I never intended for book one to be part of a series, but I had so much fun visiting England and researching settings for the book that I decided to write two more stories set in England. I had to return to England and visit the Yorkshire Dales to research the setting for book two. While there, I visited the city of Bath to conduct research for book three, which I am writing now.

4. What is your favorite Bible verse or life verse?

Answer: Psalm 121:1 “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.” KJV When I was 17, members of the church I attended held a ‘going away’ party for me before I left Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) to attend a Christian University in the USA. One of the elders led the devotional and focused on this scripture. Now, 50 years later, I can still hear his voice reciting the words. During my early years at Harding University, I experienced severe homesickness, and this verse helped me refocus on the ‘hills’. I prefer to read the Psalm from the KJV.

5. Describe your view as you’re sitting in your writing chair.

Answer: My huge desk is set in the alcove designed for a dining room table. (I don’t have a dining table—long story!) Floor-to-ceiling windows let in so much light. The yard is graced by mature Live Oak trees and shrubs. Squirrels dash up the trunk and tease my cat, who is enthralled by their antics.

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, April 28

Stories By Gina, April 29 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 30

Simple Harvest Reads, May 1 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, May 2 (Author Interview)

Life on Chickadee Lane, May 3

Guild Master, May 4 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, May 5

Fiction Book Lover, May 6 (Author Interview)

Blossoms and Blessings, May 7 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 7

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, May 8 (Author Interview)

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, May 9

Books, Books, & More Books, May 10 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 10

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, May 11 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Valerie is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

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

https://gleam.io/kqX7Q/meet-me-in-the-yorkshire-dales-celebration-tour-giveaway