Mistletoe and Malice ~ Review

Welcome to the Blog Tour for 

Mistletoe and Malice by Lori DeJong, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Mistletoe and Malice 
Guarded Hearts Series #1 
By Lori DeJong 

Riley Hudson doesn't fit the mold that society expects from her. She isn't a spoiled little rich girl living for her next post going viral. Nope she's an attorney who fights for the wrongly imprisoned, runs various charities, and gives her spare time to serve others. When she targeted in a kidnapping attempt, she thinks it's just a random attack, until it proves to be something more. But why?

Colton Blankenship is looking forward to 12 hours of sleep and then a vacation with his former college buddies. But everything comes to a screeching halt when he gets a new assignment - guarding the daughter of rich client. Oh, joy! NOT!! The last thing wants right now is dealing with a security detail for a society princess. Well, he's about walk into a case that defies his expectations: Riley is more than he expected and she does it well, really well. Now he just has to keep her at arm's length, figure out what's going on with his heart, and keep Riley alive.

Mistletoe and Malice opens with a glimpse into the past. This sets up the rest of the story - giving Riley a case to pursue while dealing with her near abduction. But how does one carry on while dealing with such an attack? That's what Riley has to figure out after being stuck with a team of bodyguards. 

This is a jump into the action and don't stop kind of read. I stayed up way too late and got up way too early because I needed to know what was going to happen next. The is she going to survive this, why is this happening, and who is behind everything kept the intensity on the high end throughout the book. Highly recommended for those who want romance, suspense, and Christian faith to come together in a single well-written reading experience. 

I was provided a complimentary copy with no expectations. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book

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.  

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

Also Available

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About the Author

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.

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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)!

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

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

Echoes of a Silent Song ~ Review

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Echoes of a Silent Song by Amanda Wen, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Echoes of a Silent Song 

Melodies and Memories #1 

By Amanda Wen 

Blair Emerson is tired of the revolving door of high school choir directors. She longs for the days when Vic Nelson dedicated decades to the choir, inspiring them to excellence. And she can't understand how he endorsed Callum Knight for the roll. She can tell even before meeting him that Callum's heart isn't into it. 

But everything changes when Blair confronts Callum about his attitude and they discover an unfinished piece of music hidden away in the music library archives. Discovering the story behind this unsigned piece of work becomes their uniting goal. And the truth is more than a little surprising, and yet looking back...

I loved how the ending played out though it was tragic, too, but long hidden truths are finally revealed. The back and forth between past and present gave an added depth to the story as we learn Iris's story as Blair and Callum seek to find the rest of her unfinished piece of music. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book

Title: Echoes of a Silent Song 

Series: Melodies and Memories #1 

Author: Amanda Wen 

Publisher: Kregel Publications 

Release Date: October 21, 2025 

Genre: Split-time Romance 

A split-time romance from an award-winning author

When a choral composer and conductor falls victim to creative block, he resorts to his fallback plan of teaching high school choir. Callum Knight's goal at Peterson High is simple: rediscover his muse, extract himself from teaching, and get back to Boston as quickly as possible. 

As the long-suffering accompanist at the high school, Peterson-native Blair Emerson has watched the revolving door of choir directors and their negative impact on her choirs over the last few years. She is less than impressed when a disheveled Callum stumbles in on his first day. 

But then they discover an unsigned, unfinished, and handwritten choral composition by a clear musical genius. Blair recalls rumors of Iris, a Peterson student from the 1970s who composed music but was found dead during her senior year. Blair and Callum work to determine if the piece is hers, and the truth they uncover shakes both of them to the core. 

With rhythm and flair, Amanda Wen takes readers on an unexpected journey into the depths of a small town's history in this riveting first book in the Melodies and Memories duology. 

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Kregel Publications | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | BookBub | Bookshop

Also Available:

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About the Author

Amanda Wen is a Carol– and Selah Award–winning and Parable best-selling author of inspirational romance and split-time women’s fiction, including Roots of Wood and Stone, The Songs That Could Have Been, and The Rhythm of Fractured Grace. She is also a professional musician. She lives in Wichita, Kansas, with her husband and three children.

Connect with Amanda by visiting amandawen.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of Echoes of a Silent Song and a $20 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight October 29, 2025 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on November 5, 2025. Winner 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 the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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

So, To Honor Him ~ Review

So, To Honor Him

The Carols of Christmas

By Alice Monday

Elizabeth Parks finds her shaky faith tested when her husband dies from yellow fever. Before he is even buried Elizabeth finds that she must determine where her future lies. Does she stay in the South with its ties to slavery or does she move North where slavery is not allowed. But when war divides the nation, she finds herself on the wrong of the conflict.

But she is where God needs her to be when a young drummer boy is injured during the fighting. Samuel needs nursing and Elizabeth is willing to provide it and help him return to his home in the North. Helping Samuel is the first step in the healing she needs, but it also allows her to reconnect with the God she blames for her loss. Could God have an even better future for her than she expected? Elizabeth is about to discover the future she never expected and with it a second chance at love.

Discover the abiding love of God in this Historical Christmas Romance that will take you from sorrow to joy in this moving story.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

A Civil War nurse’s journey from heartbreak to hope.

Set during the American Civil War, Elizabeth Parks renounces her faith in God in the wake of her husband's sudden death by yellow fever. Feeling lonely and trapped, she throws herself into the nursing of wounded soldiers following the First Battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861, and hopes she will find some comfort in helping others. When a gravely injured, drummer boy soldier named Samuel Gordon arrives at Charlottesville General Hospital, Elizabeth finds purpose in nursing the child back to health so that he can make it home for Christmas.

With Samuel’s Christmas wish driving her forward, Elizabeth leaves her home in Virginia to accompany Samuel back to his father’s home in Maryland where he hopes to play his drum for his father, Thomas. Along the way, war and loss continues to threaten them at every turn, but Elizabeth also catches a glimmer of hope against such suffering as Samuel relays Bible stories, including the story of Jesus’s birth, to Elizabeth. When they finally reach Samuel’s father Thomas, Elizabeth’s heart begins to heal. As she helps care for Samuel and spends time with Thomas, Elizabeth questions whether she should remain in mourning or open her heart to new love and embrace the peace that only comes through trusting in His plan.

Inspired by the song, “The Little Drummer Boy,” So, To Honor Him released on October 27, 2025. It is part of The Carols of Christmas, a multi-author series, though it can be read as a standalone novella.

Dark Design ~ Review

Dark Design

The Erin Delaney Mysteries #2

By Nancy Mehl

When Erin Delaney learns that a serial killer has used a murder in her book as part of his bookish killings she is understandably upset. The only plus is that it requires her to stay with her friend Kaley Quinn-Hunter. The negative is that it requires her to leave the safety of her wooded cabin behind.

What follows is a race to profile the killer before he can strike again. But when a killer uses murders from various novelists it is hard to create a profile for a killer that doesn't have an established MO. The only unique clues are poems left with each victim.

Dark Design had some definite twists that kept the killer's identity in the dark. There were a couple of possible suspects in my mind, but they did not bear fruit and were innocents. I appreciated Erin's thoughts as this book progressed, and she began thinking about the influence her writing had in the murder tied to her book. This book is in a way a message on how our actions can affect others in ways not foreseen.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Check out my Instagram post and enter the giveaway at https://www.instagram.com/p/DQWvZhYDidI/

About the Book:

As she began to lose consciousness, she realized that she’d just made a very serious mistake. . . .

When Erin Delaney learns that a serial killer has mimicked the murder portrayed in her bestselling novel, her career as an author takes a detrimental turn. She joins her friend Kaely Quinn-Hunter, a former FBI profiler, to help identify a suspect, but the team is stumped, and Kaely fears for Erin’s safety as they work to dismantle a web of fear and chaos.

On top of tracking down a murderer, Erin must shoulder the weight of a haunted past and the claims that she stole the plot of her novel from one of her sources. But as the enemy looms closer than ever, Erin’s life hangs in the balance.

A Change of Heart ~ Review

A Change of Heart

Hearts of Avarin #1

By Madysin Carlin

Narrated by Sarah Kuklis

When Jo Linnd stumbles into something unexpected she finds herself in a most annoying situation - she is saddled with a bodyguard and the target of criminals. But why? No one can understand the reasoning behind Jo's missing recipe book and why she even came to the attention of these people. Jo refuses to be confined and is not happy having a bodyguard in her kitchen. 

But if Jo is unhappy, Detective Kaden McMartyn is even more unhappy with what he feels is a demotion. How can his father and grandfather see him as worthy of carrying on the family legacy when he can't work on a case?

This was an intriguing book, and the audio version was well presented. I loved how Jo's annoyance was presented. And when Kaden entered the kitchen, I could just see her holding her rolling pin all put out at the disruption to her routine, an invasion of her space. When Kaden was with his family, I could feel his wariness of what his next exposed deficiency would be. Sarah Kuklis's narration was excellent, and I am looking forward to the next book in the Heart of Avarin series. This was perfect for my daily commute and made for a week of enjoyable listening at 7 hours and 27 minutes. This is a clean Christian Fantasy Romance that offers action, suspense, and Cinderella feels woven throughout.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

She's a grumpy baker. He's a stubborn detective.

All Josephine “Jo” Linnd wants is to prove herself worthy of one day taking over her family’s bakery. Her aspirations are crushed when a seemingly random robbery lands her a bodyguard. It wouldn’t be so bad if said bodyguard didn’t aggravate her to no end. Nor would it be so bad if that irritating personality wasn’t offset by a charming smile and kind eyes.

All Detective Kaden McMartyn wants is to prove himself worthy of his family’s legacy. When he’s assigned as the opinionated and feisty Jo’s bodyguard, he sees his new job as a demotion. Still, despite her propensity toward being more like vinegar than sugar, he’s drawn to her giving personality and gentle heart.

But not everything is cookies and cupcakes. Danger grows, more attempts on Jo’s life occur, and secrets lurk just beyond reach. Can two people who mix as well as oil and water put aside their differences in time, or will evil gain the upper hand…and destroy the growing attraction between Jo and Kaden?

A Change of Heart is a Christian fantasy novel with Cinderella vibes, all the autumnal goodness, and the tropes enemies-to-more and forced proximity.

The Heart of Bennett Hollow ~ Spotlight with Giveaway

Welcome to the Takeover Blitz for 

The Heart of Bennet Hollow by Joanne Bischof DeWitt 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Heart of Bennet Hollow 

Author: Joanne Bischof DeWitt 

Publisher: Tyndale 

Release Date: October 7, 2025 

Genre: Christian Historical Romance 

An Appalachian farmer’s daughter and a wealthy businessman find a surprising love but must reckon with what divides them in this retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice by the award-winning author of The Lady and the Lionheart . 

New River, Virginia. 1904. Lizbeth Bennet longs to preserve her family’s farm, securing a future for her and her sisters, a difficult task in their Appalachian coal mining town. Money is scarce, and Lizbeth is determined to find a way without giving up treasured pieces of her family’s legacy. But when the mine is put up for sale, it’s clear change is approaching. A contingent of coal barons descends on the town to investigate whether the mine is worth their investment, among them a young man rumored to be a very rich, eligible bachelor. 

William Drake arrives focused on business and keeping his distance from the townspeople, especially those living on land entangled with the mine, including a farmer by the name of Bennet. As William digs through legal issues, his struggle to weigh the potential financial gain against what is right for the community grows more complicated when he meets one of the Bennet daughters. 

Despite an awkward first meeting, Lizbeth and William continue to cross paths, and soon Lizbeth questions her first impression of the man she believed to be proud and indifferent. But just as their friendship begins to evolve, a revelation shakes Lizbeth’s tenuous trust, and she learns all may not be as it seems. To determine what is true, and step toward a love she’s barely dared dream of, Lizbeth must confront her own prejudices . . . and decide whether the future she’s always imagined is the one her heart truly wants most after all. 

An inspirational historical romance retelling of Pride and Prejudice for fans of Julie Klassen, Sally Britton, and Sarah E. Ladd. A clever, clean love story. Southern historical fiction in the vein of Michelle Shocklee and Pepper Basham. Includes discussion questions for book clubs.

Also Available:

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Tyndale Fiction | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Bookshop | BookBub

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About the Author

Christy and Carol Award–winning author Joanne Bischof DeWitt writes romantic fiction that tugs at the reader's heartstrings. Her historical romance The Lady and the Lionheart received an extraordinary 5 Star TOP PICK! from Romantic Times Book Reviews and was the very first independently published novel to win a Christy Award. It has also recently taken to the stage. As a longtime Jane Austen fan, Joanne is often making popcorn with her mom so they can rewatch their favorite adaptions, and as a new wife, she celebrates God's own redemptive love stories. Joanne thanks the Lord daily for bringing along her very own hero who's a perfect balance between Colonel Brandon and Mr. Darcy. Together, they're a blended family and the grateful parents of six teens and young adults, making them huge advocates for conversations, laughter, and large dinner tables.

Connect with Joanne by visiting JoanneBischofDewitt.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of The Heart of Bennet Hollow and a $25 gift card to Amazon, Baker Book House, Christianbook, or Walmart!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight October 22, 2025, and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on October 29, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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

Snowbound Threat ~ Review

Snowbound Threat

Do You Hear What I Hear

By Lisa Phillips, Mary Alford, and Jessica Ashley

This collection will keep you up reading late into the night. Each of the three stories has links to the past that cloud the who-dun-it aspects. But investigating the past brings the danger into the present with lives on the line.

In Home a DEA mission gone wrong when traitors frame him, finds Caleb Rourke hiding out at his grandfather's home. What Caleb didn't expect was getting his grandpa and Tessa Langley, the girl next door caught up in his mess. Lives are on the line and long held secrets come to light in this page turner. And there are plenty of secrets. Now I need a story about Caleb's twin brother Noah!

In Silent Snowfall Secrets Charlie Wells comes home following the unexpected death of her grandfather. But what she finds are the ghosts of her past that had her fleeing Pine Haven all those years ago. But some secrets aren't meant to remain buried forever. But someone is determined to do just that. I was definitely kept in the dark as to who was the killer. Let's just say the suspense was kept at a high throughout. 

In Critical Velocity Beckett Wallace has spent the last ten years convinced that her late husband was murdered. With information, new but vague she sets out to discover the truth behind her husband's death. But to do so, she must reach out to Detective Shawn Sampson, whom she battled against in the past. Will Shawn work with the woman he hasn't heard from in years? And was the information she was given legit? And why now after ten years?  Another page turner high in suspense with hints of potential romance.

This is great way to experience the works of three author in one book. Perfect if you need something with plenty of suspense and a pinch or two of romance. Nothing overly graphic in regard to the suspense department to give you nightmares. And the romance is on the sweet side with a touch of angst.

I was provided a complimentary copy with no expectations. All thoughts expressed are mine own.

About the Book:

Home - Lisa Phillips
Left for dead by a treacherous DEA team, Caleb Rourke returns to his quiet hometown in Montana, seeking to escape his troubled past. When his neighbor, Tessa Langley, discovers encrypted documents hidden in her father's secret safe, Caleb’s return takes a perilous turn. He soon realizes that both his enemies and an enigmatic ally know exactly where to find him. Tessa's family becomes a target for those intent on keeping the truth buried. Determined to protect her, Caleb confronts the secrets his own parents concealed for years. Together, they must rely on their faith, each other, and a God who sees what remains hidden. This Christmas isn’t just about the holiday—it’s about the future they could build together.

Silent Snowfall Secrets - Mary Alford
In the snowbound town of Pine Haven, Colorado, Charlie Wells returns home to settle her uncle’s estate—and stumbles into a chilling mystery. Fifteen years earlier, her best friend Abby vanished during a midnight meeting. Now, someone is determined to keep the past buried at any cost. As a deadly blizzard isolates the town, Charlie and deputy Ryan McCabe race to uncover the truth behind Abby’s disappearance and a string of deadly secrets tied to Charlie’s tragic past. But the closer they get, the more dangerous their search becomes—and the killer watching from the shadows will stop at nothing.

Critical Velocity - Jessica Ashley
Ten years after her husband’s plane crash, Beckett Wallace receives proof it wasn’t an accident. To find the truth, she must team up with Detective Shawn Sampson—the guarded man she hoped never to see again. He hasn’t forgotten the sharp-tongued lawyer who nearly wrecked his last case. Working together is a terrible idea… but their only shot. As danger closes in and sparks fly, the truth might cost them everything. And for Shawn, protecting Beckett may mean risking more than his badge—it may cost him his heart.