Magic City Murder by Bruce Hammack + GIVE AWAY

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Magic City Murder by Bruce Hammack, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! I love tours like this with JustRead because I enjoy being introduced to new-to-me authors! There are SIXTEEN books in this series and since I love mysteries, I have a lot of reading ahead! Check out the story excerpt below, and then go enter the giveaway!

About the Book

Title: Magic City Murder 
Series: Smiley and McBlythe Mystery Series #16 
Author: Bruce Hammack 
Publisher: Jubilee Publishing 
Release Date: August 6, 2026 
Genre: Mystery / Private Detective

A missing husband. A murdered journalist. A city where everyone has something to hide. 

Blind former Houston homicide detective Steve Smiley and his partner Heather McBlythe take on what looks like a straightforward case: track down a missing husband so his estranged wife can finally file for divorce. 

The simple case turns deadly when the body of the woman the husband has been living with is found in a Miami canal. She wasn't just the missing man's companion — she was an investigative journalist silenced before her story could see the light of day. 

As Smiley and McBlythe dig deeper, they uncover a trail of political corruption and cartel money that someone powerful is determined to keep hidden. With a growing list of suspects, a city full of secrets, and a killer working in the shadows, Smiley must sort through the tangle of lies before whoever is cleaning up loose ends decides Smiley's next.  

Pick up your copy of Magic City Murder today and follow Smiley and McBlythe from Houston to Miami as they chase down a missing husband and a killer who's running out of places to hide. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie-style whodunits who love clever plots, professional detective work, and clean reads without the gore, violence, or explicit content.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | BruceHammack.com | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

More in This Series

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Excerpt

That’s as far as Heather got before Steve pushed away from the table. “Let’s go. I hope Manny won’t be with Kate when we arrive.”

“Should I call her?”

“That would give her a chance to tell us it’s not a convenient time.”

Heather recognized the tone in Steve’s voice. It reminded her of the woeful baying of a bloodhound who’d caught a fresh scent and was following it, no matter where it led.

Heather used her “cop-knock” on the door before Kate finally responded to let her and Steve in. Puffy eyes and a red nose marked the editor’s appearance.

Steve brushed by Kate and made for the recliner, speaking as he walked. “We need to talk to you, and I don’t really care if you had an unpleasant interview with Detective Ruiz.”

“How did you know he—”

Steve didn’t allow her to finish. “He didn’t clean his shoes after spending time at the crime scene. I smell the foul canal water with traces of Daniella’s body.”

Kate shivered and hugged herself as if she couldn’t let go.

Steve settled into the chair and asked, “How long did Manny stay?”

The answer came out in jerks and sputters. “I don’t know. An hour? Perhaps two? He all but accused me of …”

“A woman is dead, and interviewing suspects is what he’s paid to do. He asked tough questions because you’ve been withholding information. Go to the bathroom, wash your face, and come back ready to talk.” He paused, “By the way, we believe Peter is in Spain. When you come back, you can tell us what he’s doing there.”

About the Author

Bruce Hammack, a native Texan, began his professional writing career in the tenth grade when the local Rotary Club sponsored a writing contest for students in civics class. To the amazement of students and teachers alike, he won the prize of a twenty-five-dollar savings bond.

After retiring from a career in criminal justice, Bruce picked up the proverbial pen again. He now draws on his extensive background with law enforcement (and criminals) to write contemporary, clean read detective and crime mysteries. 

An avid Hercule Poirot and Sherlock Holmes fan, Bruce firmly believes the world can’t have enough whodunits. When not writing, he enjoys travel, classic whodunits and a quiver full of children and grandchildren. Having lived in eighteen cities around the US and the world, he now makes his home in the Texas Hill Country with his wife of thirty-plus years. 

Connect with Bruce by visiting brucehammack.com to follow him on social media and subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(3) winners will each receive a signed paperback copy of Magic City Murder, a Smiley And McBlythe bookmark, a Reading Log, and book lover stickers!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 23, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 30, 2026. 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.

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A Whim and a Prayer by Julie Lessman + GIVE AWAY

Welcome to the Blog Tour for A Wing and a Prayer by Julie Lessman, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! Who else is ready for an O'Connor story?! If the O'Connor family hasn't stolen your heart, you are definitely missing out! Be sure to read the book excerpt below and then enter the giveaway!

About the Book

Title: A Whim and a Prayer 
Series: The Cousins O'Connor #4 
Author: Julie Lessman 
Publisher: Independent 
Release Date: September 8, 2026 
Genre: Historical Romance

She’s a former orphan desperate to protect her heart. 
He’s a best friend who protects her from the start. 
Till prayer protects them both from a true love torn apart. 

Discarded like so much trash on the steps of an orphanage at age two, seventeen-year-old Winifred Dennehy thinks God has it out for her. Abandoned by abusive parents and born cross-eyed to boot, she spent the first four years of her life battling bullies and verbal abuse. Deliverance came in the form of one Beckett Campbell, the ten-year-old orphan who became her best friend and guardian angel for life, along with an orphanage volunteer by the name of Mrs. D. When Mrs. Charity Dennehy adopts Winnie into her family, has her crossed eyes fixed, and secretly arranges for Beckett to be fostered and then adopted by elderly neighbors down the street, Winnie figures her luck has changed. But instead of attributing it to God like Beckett does, she’s inclined to believe it’s her own grit, charm, and spontaneity that has paved the way. 

From the moment twenty-four-year-old Beckett Campbell saw the tiny, cross-eyed orphan who reminded him of the sister he lost, he wanted to love and protect her forever. Best friends from the start despite over five years apart, Winnie’s naïve spontaneity for wild hairs and whims keeps Beck’s mature responsibility busy and happily so. Until the little girl he wanted to protect suddenly becomes the young woman he wants to love. When Winnie insists on protecting their friendship from the fear and risk of anything more, Beck has a decision to make. Friendship forever … or a life apart from the best friend he loves. Praying that Winnie will change her mind, Beck doesn’t hold out much hope for that day. But when an unexpected turn of events alters both of their lives, it puts “a whim and a prayer” on a collision course that just might make a way.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon

More in This Series

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Book Excerpt

And no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t escape those awful feelings, Winnie … not until I finally turned to the One who lifted them from my shoulders to His, nailing them to the cross once and for all.” 

Tears burned beneath Winnie’s lids. “But, Mama, I don’t know how to do that, or even where to begin …”

“I didn’t either, sweetheart, until your Uncle Brady showed me how. You see, we were good friends at that time, before he and Aunt Lizzie even dated, and trust me, the man doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to living for God.”

“So, what’d he say?” Winnie asked, her curiosity piqued despite her disdain for the subject.

“Well, prior to all of this, he’d taught me to pray and read the Bible, of course, but I hadn’t really taken it seriously, you know? I was just going through the motions”—Winnie jumped when her mother gave her a pinch—“kind of like you, young lady, when you go to church with Julia, Daddy, and me.” The tease in her voice faded considerably. “But after the assault, Brady called me on it. Said even though I prayed and read the Bible, I wasn’t fooling anybody, least of all God, because I had never really invited Him in.”

Winnie squinted up at her. “What on earth does that mean?”

Her mother’s smile was tender. “It meant that I had never really given my life to God, darling. Oh, I danced around it plenty, Brady said, but I had never really made a decision to live for God instead of myself. You know, no more doing things my way, out of selfish motivation? Brady flat-out told me that if I wanted God’s blessings in my life, I had to obey Him. ‘Deuteronomy 30 in the flesh,’ he called it, ‘choosing life instead of death,’ or in simple terms, choosing God’s way instead of the world’s.”

Another shudder rippled through Winnie. “Sounds pretty hard.”

“Oh, it is—if you try to do it on your own. But Brady said there was only one way any human being could ever hope to make an attempt at obeying God, and that was to make Him Lord of their life.”

Winnie tipped her head. “How?” 

Her mother gave a lift of her shoulders. “‘Invite him in,’ Brady said, ‘Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, to live in my heart and be the Savior of my soul.’ So I did, and you know what happened?”

The breath stilled in Winnie’s lungs. “What?” she whispered.

“I started doing things His way, not mine. I took it one step at a time, with God’s Word as a lamp unto my feet, looking to honor Him instead of myself in everything I said, thought, or did. It didn’t happen overnight for sure, but it did happen just like Brady said—I became ‘a new creature in Christ Jesus,’ who could finally say no to sin and yes to God.” Her mother paused to deliver a wide grin. “And you know what happened then?”

“What?” Winnie said, her voice a breathy whisper. 

“Brady told me I’d better duck my head and look out.”

Winnie blinked. “What? Why?”

“Because the blessings of God were going to overtake me, overloading me with the desires of my heart.”

About the Author

A lover of all things Irish, Julie Lessman writes close-knit Irish family sagas that evolve into 3-D love stories: the hero, the heroine, and the God that brings them together. Award-winning author of The Daughters of Boston, Winds of Change, Heart of San Francisco, Isle of Hope, Silver Lining Ranch, and The Cousins O’Connor series, Julie was American Christian Fiction Writers 2009 Debut Author of the Year and has garnered over 24 Romance Writers of America and other awards.

Voted #1 Romance Author in Family Fiction magazine’s 2012 and 2011 Reader’s Choice Awards, Julie also made Family Fiction magazine’s Best of 2015, 2014, and “Essential Christian Romance Authors” 2017-2021, 2023, as well as Booklist’s 2010 Top 10 Inspirational Fiction and Borders Best Fiction. 

In addition, Julie has written a self-help workbook for writers entitled Romance-ology 101: Writing Romantic Tension for the Sweet and Inspirational Markets, and What’s the Story, Morning Glory: A Memoir Devotional with a “Novel” Approach to Practical Christianity. Contact Julie through her website at www.julielessman.com.

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Tour Giveaway

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

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 21, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 28, 2026. 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

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High Exposure by Kelly Borjas + Q & A and GIVE AWAY

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for High Exposure by Kelly Borjas, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! I don't know about you, but this cover gives me the chills! It just looks cold! Check out my Q&A with the author below, and then enter the giveaway!

About the Book

Title: High Exposure 
Series: Jagged Edges #1 
Author: Kelly Borjas 
Publisher: Kregel Publications 
Release Date: September 15, 2026 
Genre: Romantic Suspense

The riveting start to an adventure-driven romantic suspense series from a debut author 

Determined travel blogger Julia Stevens is on her final assignment in snowy Silverberg, Colorado. She's running from her past—and God—but the charm of small-town life brings little comfort when she's face-to-face with the winter sport that killed her sister: skiing. Upon her arrival in town, she discovers a dead body and is quickly compelled to research the situation, give justice to the man's story, and kick off her new career in journalism. 

Cade Haskins is back home after a failed mission and his subsequent retirement from the DEA. His father's declining health has pushed Cade to prioritize family, and he helps at the historic Silverberg Hotel on his dad's behalf. When Julia shows up at the hotel, Cade becomes her local contact. He quickly realizes she has a knack for sniffing around where she shouldn't, and he attaches himself to her side. 

With the local death connected to a meth ring, Julia's investigation has unknowingly put a target on her back. As the danger increases and she begins to learn more about Cade and his family, she finds herself trusting the God she was running from. And Cade? He doesn't want to get dragged back into DEA work, but it seems like he may not have a choice if he wants to protect Julia . . . and his growing attraction to her.

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

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Q&A

1. What's it like having your first book out in the world?

It’s unbelievable, surreal, exciting. It’s been a labor of love and so much work. Now that it is in print, it’s so much fun because it finally feels real.

2. What made you decide to go with a series to start instead of a standalone?

I love reading a series. It’s fun to invest in a group of characters—family or friends or teammates. As a reader, I love getting to step into a whole new world. I wanted to create that with my series—an entire town, a family, a business, and of course some of my favorite romance tropes.

3. What was it like reading endorsements from well-known suspense authors?

I love this question because this was one of the scariest and most humbling parts of my journey. I could NOT believe how much help other authors were willing to give. It was a bit of an imposter-syndrome moment, but I found myself giddy when I received their endorsements. 

4. If you could be a travel blogger and go to one country to tell others about your experience, where would you go?

I think it might be America! There is so much of our country and our country’s history that I’d love to explore. It’s always amazing how different and diverse various parts of our own country can be. I would love to spend time in each state on a long road trip and document the journey.

5. What has your writing path looked like from being a Genesis Award semifinalist at ACFW in 2019 to being published in 2026?

I like to say I’ve had a very slow path to publication (with a lot of life in the middle!). My Genesis story started with rough scores, then eventually I semi-finaled, then finaled, then won the contest in 2021. After the Genesis win, I found my agent, Lynette Eason, then after working with her, pitched to my publisher Kregel, then began the process of edits and launching a book. Traditional publishing is a slow, steady pace and I’m proof of that timeline!

6. Is Silverberg, CO similar to any towns in Colorado? Did you base it off of that one?

It is similar to Silverton, Colorado. I grew up in Durango, which is about an hour away from Silverton. I took a LOT of creative license in how I built the town, but when I envision Silverberg and its mountain surroundings, I think of Silverton.

About the Author

Kelly Borjas grew up in Southwest Colorado and later moved to Southern California. She has a degree in communication studies from Biola University and a master's in leadership and organizational studies from Azusa Pacific University. She is a cohost of the Lit Ladies podcast. Find her at kellyborjas.com.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of High Exposure, a bookmark, and a $20 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 15, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 22, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Matchmaking Christmas By Toni Shiloh

Matchmaking Christmas

by Toni Shiloh

Publisher: Bethany House Publisher

ISBN: 9780764246869

I was looking forward to a new release from Toni! While I've enjoyed ALL of the stories I've read by her, this one is one of my favorites! Thanks to the author and publisher for sending me the book for review.

Summary:

Sometimes a second chance is wrapped in tinsel, mistletoe, and the conspiring of two daughters determined to reignite love.

When widow Regina Parker's daughter switches places with her best friend after school one day, Regina finds herself face-to-face with the one person she's been avoiding: Theo Evers, the high school boyfriend who shattered her heart. Regina has carefully built a new life for herself since moving back to Holly, California, and she has no intention of letting old heartbreak unravel it. 

Single father Theo Evers thought he had his hands full managing the town's Christmas tree farm and raising his daughter after his wife abandoned them both. The last thing he needs is Regina back in his life--but now their daughters have become inseparable, and the scheming young matchmakers have other plans.

Determined to create the family they've always longed for, the girls orchestrate an elaborate strategy, secretly signing their parents up for every holiday activity in town. It's up to Theo and Regina to decide if they're brave enough to trust God's plan and risk everything for a second chance at the love that got away.

My Review:

This 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘱 retelling was an absolute 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me! I messaged Toni telling her Matchmaking Christmas is my favorite of hers! 

Malea and Kyleigh are your typical 10 year olds. They're both full for mischief, feeling lots of emotions, and ready for their respective parent to find love again! So begins their plan of bringing Theo and Regina together (again).

What the girls don't know, but we get to watch play out is that Regina and Theo dated in high school! She's avoiding him and he's chopping wood! The amount of wood Theo chops...

To say there are hiccups along the way would be putting it mildly. Malea and Kyleigh come up with some sneaky ideas! One of my favorites is during a ski trip they go on! Getting a glimpse of Theo's ex would make anyone (sane or not) pull out their hair. Honestly, I appreciate how the grown-ups try to navigate parenting each of their girls. It's also terrific to see two adolescent girls working together, even if they're making things uncomfortable.

Theo is gunshy because of his past with Regina and his ex (who is a piece of work). Regina is a widow, and romance isn't on her radar. Their forced-proximity, thanks to the girls' shenanigans, doesn't give them an opportunity to avoid each other any longer! I like that while they're both working through some kind of feelings, they also behave like grown-ups. No silly miscommunication!

I don't think I've ever wanted to highlight nearly an entire chapter, but Regina's friend, Kris, brings some incredible words of wisdom to her, and I was like, SHE'S the kind of friend we ALL need! Now all I need is for Kris to get her own story because y'all, after what she's endured, she deserves a happily ever after. I also "know" a guy who has determined to NEVER get married. Famous last words, buddy.

About the Author:

Toni Shiloh is a wife, a mom, and an award-winning Christian contemporary romance author. Her novel In Search of a Prince won the first ever Christy Amplify Award. It has also been praised by Oprah Daily, POPSUGAR, Library Journal, and Booklist and is a Parable bestseller. Her books have won the Christy Award and Selah Award and have been finalists for the Carol Award and the HOLT Medallion. As a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Faith, Hope & Love Christian Writers (FHLCW), Toni loves connecting with readers and authors alike via social media. Learn more at ToniShiloh.com.

Art Of Writing 2026 + GIVE AWAY

Welcome to the Takeover Blitz for the Art of Writing 2026, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! If you're an author or an inspiring author the seminars at the Art of Writing conference sound excellent and timely! If you haven't registered for the seminar and The Christy Award Gala, time's a tickin'! Now's the time to do it. Plus, enter the giveaway below!

About the Conference

The Art of Writing conference will be held on November 6 in Nashville at the Sonesta Nashville Airport Hotel, Tennessee. This focused, four-session conference will bring together writers, storytellers, and publishing professionals, curated by Thomas Nelson Fiction's Laura Wheeler.

 

Session One: State of the Industry: What's Changing, What's Selling, and What You Can Do About It

The Christian fiction marketplace is shifting—and the authors who thrive will be the ones who understand why. This panel of publishing professionals opens with a data-driven look at the current state of Christian publishing, drawing on the latest market research to map what's actually moving books today. From there, the conversation gets practical: how platform sales really work, what authors can do to actively support their books, and why audio is the format no one can afford to ignore. Whether you're traditionally published or exploring indie paths, you'll leave with a clearer picture of the industry landscape and concrete next steps for your own author education. 

Panel moderated by Laura Wheeler, and featuring Kelsey Bowen, Stephanie Broene, Nick Gilbert, Becky Monds, and Kerri Potts.

Session Two: AI and the Christian Author: Ethics, Opportunity, and a Rapidly Changing Landscape

 

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the publishing landscape faster than anyone predicted—and for many authors, it's raising as many questions as it eyebrows. This panel brings together diverse industry voices to cut through the noise with clarity and hard-won wisdom. What can AI legitimately help you do? Where are the ethical lines—and why do they keep moving? What do you need to know to protect yourself legally and act with integrity as a creative? This session is about being informed, staying anchored in your values, and navigating a fast-changing landscape with wisdom. 

Panel moderated by Jeff Crosby, and featuring Chad Harrington, Hannah Johnson, and Joshua Tallent. 

Session Three: Soul of the Writer, Heart of the Story: Writing Fiction That Reaches Every Reader

The metrics are loud. The algorithms are relentless. And somewhere in the middle of it all, there's a writer trying to create something that actually matters. This session begins with the writer and asks what it takes to stay spiritually and creatively whole in an industry that never stops measuring. From that foundation, the conversation moves into craft: how do you write fiction that carries deep conviction without losing readers who don't share your faith? What's the difference between a story that illuminates and one that lectures? How do you make those choices at the level of character, scene, and structure? This is a session for authors who believe their stories are for something—and want to write them in a way that proves it. 

Panel moderated by Amanda Cox, and featuring Amanda Dykes, T.I. Lowe, Johanna Vann, and Roseanna M. White. 

Session Four: Fix That Manuscript: Inside the Author-Editor Relationship 

What actually happens when an editor gets their hands on your manuscript—and how do the best author-editor partnerships improve the work without making it smaller? This Q&A session pulls back the curtain on the editorial process with real manuscript pages, real edits, and a real conversation between an author and editor who have done this work together. You'll learn the difference between different levels of editing and walk away with a clearer understanding of what to expect—and how to get the most—from your editorial relationships. 

Panel featuring Laura Wheeler, Vanessa Miller, and Marybeth Whalen.

Learn More about Art of Writing 2026

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New: Beyond the Books

Add-On: Get to Know the Finalist Authors during this special morning gathering of authors and readers. 

Meet and hear the hearts of the 2026 finalist authors in this intimate time of connection between authors and their readers, hosted by Amanda Dykes and ECPA President Jeff Crosby. Available to anyone registering for a single event or the bundle. Featured finalist authors will be posted on The Christy Award website after the Finalists Reveal webinar.

Learn More about Beyond the Books

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The Christy Award Finalists Reveal

Christian fiction fans are invited to register and watch the free webcast announcement of The Christy Award finalists in nine categories live on September 11 at 10 a.m. CST, featuring Christy Hall of Fame author Chris Fabry and ECPA president Jeff Crosby.

“With each passing year, I am more aware of the power that stories have to communicate goodness, truth, beauty and hope in our world,” states ECPA president Jeff Crosby. “And because of that, I am honored to be associated with the annual Christy Gala, which honors excellence in Christian fiction, and the Art of Writing conference that nurtures the work of writers of faith and contributes tools as they refine their craft.” The Christy Award® is a program of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) and is the foremost award honoring and promoting excellence in Christian fiction since 1999. For more information about ECPA, visit ECPA.org. For more information about the Christy Awards and Art of Writing conferences, visit ChristyAwards.com or email TheChristyAward@ecpa.org

Register Now for The Art of Writing & The Christy Award events

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive their choice of The Art of Writing registration OR print copies of The Christy Award finalist titles for one category!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 4, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 11, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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