Ribbons of Guilt By Laura Thomas + GIVE AWAY

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Ribbons of Guilt by Laura Thomas, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! As a HUGE fan of Christian romantic suspense, I was excited to host today's tour. Be sure to check out the book excerpt below (because you know it'll draw you in) and then enter the giveaway!

About the Book

Title: Ribbons of Guilt 
Series: Bite of Betrayal #3 
Author: Laura Thomas 
Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink 
Release Date: July 5, 2026 
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

A marriage in crisis. A betrayer in the wings. A life at stake. 

Harriet Duval has it all—a handsome French husband, a delightful young daughter, a successful career as a professional ballerina behind her, and a beautiful future in a charming village in the English countryside. Even her beloved sisters can’t see the painful truth she hides beneath her perfect mask… 

Successful businessman Leo Duval is at a breaking point physically, emotionally, and spiritually as he is forced to harbor secrets in Paris while his marriage in England dissolves before his very eyes. 

The magnetic pull of Harriet’s old dancing life and the shocking murder of a Swan Lake ballerina causes her to question everything: faith, future, family. When the killer begins targeting the Duval family, Leo and Harriet’s vulnerable marriage is tested by an unimaginable traumatic event. Will the guilt they carry divide them when they need each other most?  

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

More in This Series

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Book Excerpt

“Leo, do you trust me?”

His forehead wrinkled. “I do.”

“Remember when we first met and you said I was born for the stage?”

“Yes.”

“When you used to say I was a performer who could play any part and dance whatever was required of me?” 

“Absolutely.”

Her pulse quickened as she devised a plan. Betray the betrayer.

Leo tucked her windswept hair behind her ears and nodded. “I used to tell you that all the time. I’m glad you still remember. You were amazing. Always.” 

“Thanks.” Harriet stretched her spine as long as possible and lengthened her neck. “It’s time.”

“Time for what?”

 “I need to put the mask in place for the performance of my life.”

About the Author

A multi-award-winning Christian author, Laura Thomas writes heartwarming encouragement for your soul—especially in her numerous romantic suspense novels, Christmas novellas, teen fiction and children’s books, as well as her non-fiction writing.

Laura is a certified writing coach, a book-loving chocoholic mom and nanny, and is married to her high school sweetheart. Originally from the UK, they now live the empty nest life in Kelowna, British Columbia, with their French bulldog! 

Connect with Laura by visiting laurathomasauthor.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $50 Amazon gift card and an ebook copy of Captured in Frame!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight July 13, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 20, 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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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Names of God: Growing Strong by Grace Fox + GIVE AWAY

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Names of God: Growing Strong by Grace Fox, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! I think it's so important to understand the meaning of the names of God. To know the different characteristics of who He is is such a blessing! Be sure to check out the guest post below and then enter the giveaway!

About the Book

Title: Names of God: Growing Strong 
Series: Names of God Devotional Studies #3 
Author: Grace Fox 
Publisher: Aspire Press 
Release Date: July 7, 2026 
Genre: Christian living; devotional study

Have the demands of life left you weakened and weary? Do you struggle to get back up after life has knocked you down? 

Every day requires a fresh dose of inner strength if we are to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Growing Strong, the third book in Grace Fox’s Names of God series, explores seven Hebrew names of God that will encourage you and fortify your faith:

• Adonai—Lord and Supreme Master
• Yahweh Ropheka—The LORD Your Healer
• Yahweh Makkeh—The LORD Who Smites
• Ruach Elohim—Spirit of God
• El Emunah—Faithful God
• Yahweh Tsuri—The LORD Is My Rock
• Elohei Tehillati—God of My Praise

Designed to ground you in truth and help you understand the attributes of God, each session includes:

• The meaning, biblical context, and pronunciation of the Hebrew name
• Compelling examples that illustrate the name’s impact in the lives of historical biblical characters and contemporary women
• A guided prayer
• Reflection questions
• A video link providing additional insights from Grace Fox

Most books about the names of God seek to be informative, but this series treats readers to Grace Fox’s warm, honest, and heartfelt devotional style. You’ll not only dive into the meaning behind God’s names but also nurture your relationship with him and deepen your understanding of his character. 

Perfect for individual or small group study, Growing Strong will help empower you to “do all things” through Christ as you grow in his strength (Philippians 4:13 KJV).  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Tyndale.com | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop

More in This Series

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Guest Post

Mimi: Is there a name of God that stands out to you differently than all of the others? I know for myself, when I became a single mom years ago, Jehovah Jireh was the one that stood out and has ever since.

Grace: One of my favorite names of God is Yahweh Tsuri which means “the LORD is my Rock.” It’s believed that King David referred to it while uniting his people to fight enemy nations—“Praise be to the Lord my Rock [Yahweh Tsuri], who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.” (Psalm 144:1 NIV)

Here’s why Yahweh Tsuri is one of my favorite names of God: Yahweh, translated as LORD in our English Bibles, refers to the Creator of the universe, the One for whom nothing is impossible. He is self-sufficient and self-existent. He always was and always will be. He is the great I AM, always present and relevant.

The name Yahweh depicts God as strong and trustworthy at all times. But there’s more: it also infers that He longs for relationship with His creation. Mentioned more than 6,000 times in the Bible, it’s obvious that He wants a personal connection with us. 

Tsuri refers to a rock, possibly a large boulder or even a mountain, that offers shelter from elements and enemies. It also infers steadfastness, like the stability that strong pillars lend to a structure of which they are a part. They’re designed to be strong enough to prevent the building from toppling even if the earth beneath it quakes.

The name Yahweh Tsuri assures us that God, for whom nothing is impossible, is our shelter and source of stability amid change, chaos, and circumstances that shake us to the core. He is our Rock in our hard place, and He strengthens us in that space.

Understanding this name’s meaning restored my battle-weary soul several years ago when the ground beneath me gave way: Over a two-month period, six of my friends died, a family member betrayed me, and COVID came within a hair of claiming my only brother.

Grief, shock, disbelief, and fear rocked my world. Amid the chaos, however, Yahweh Tsuri sheltered me with His presence and held me steadfast through His promises. I rose early every morning to read my Bible, and He directed me to passages that spoke of His unending love, faithfulness, and attention to my cries.

Each time a fear tremor struck, I recalled God’s Words and focused on them rather than on the circumstances threatening to topple me. I praised Him for being all-wise, compassionate, and sovereign over my life and my loved ones. I also gave thanks for His presence even on the days I couldn’t feel it and for His promise to bring good from a season that felt so bad. Living from the truth of who God is as manifest through the name Yahweh Tsuri strengthened me and enabled me to survive that most difficult season, and I am forever grateful.

About the Author

Grace Fox is the author of 16 books including "Names of God: Living Unafraid" which won the Christian Editor's Choice Award 2025. She’s a popular media guest and Bible teacher at international women’s events, a member of the “First 5” Bible study writing team (Proverbs 31 Ministries), and an annual contributor to the ""Mornings with Jesus"" 365-day devotional published by Guideposts.

Grace has been a career missionary for more than 30 years. She and her husband co-direct International Messengers Canada, a missionary sending agency with 300 staff in more than 30 countries. They recently moved back to shore after living fulltime aboard a sailboat in Vancouver, British Columbia. Married in 1982, they celebrate three grown kids and 15 grandchildren. 

Connect with Grace by visiting gracefox.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a copy of "Names of God: Growing Strong," a copy of "Names of God: Knowing Peace," a $25 Amazon gift card, and a photo with one of God's names on it -- taken and designed by the author and suitable for framing!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight July 7, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 14, 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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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

What If We Broke The Rules By Tara Grace Ericson

What if We Broke the Rules

by Tara Grace Ericson

Publisher: Silver Fountain Press

Series: The Heart of Nashville

ISBN: 978-1949896800

I'm a Tara Grace Ericson fan. Hands down, I always enjoy her stories. I was a little worried I might not be able to get into this one as much as her others since I'm not a hockey fan. I don't dislike it, I just don't watch it or know anything about it. Well, I had nothing to fear! It got 5 stars from me! Thanks to the author for sending me her story for review.

Summary:

She lives by the rules. Falling for him would break every one of them.

Pierce Schumacher, Nashville’s favorite hockey bad boy, is used to winning with charm, talent, and a little recklessness. When a late-season injury threatens his playoff dreams—and his future—Pierce is benched, humbled, and stuck in rehab with the one woman immune to his smile. Healing was supposed to be physical, not a crash course in patience, self-control, and a faith he’s never taken seriously.

Physical therapist Lindsay Granger trusts rules because rules don’t lie. They don’t flirt, don’t make promises they can’t keep, and they don’t break your heart. When her partner goes on maternity leave, Lindsay is left fulfilling her clinic’s contract with the Nashville Nightcrawlers—an assignment full of loud arenas, fragile egos, and one dangerously charming hockey player she has no intention of trusting.

Confident, sarcastic, and relentlessly hardworking, Lindsay keeps her heart under lock and key—especially from athletes who look like red flags in skates. Overthinking is a habit she can manage. Crossing professional lines is not.

As playoffs loom and sparks fly, Pierce and Lindsay must navigate strict workplace boundaries, relentless media scrutiny, and feelings that refuse to stay professional—knowing one wrong move could cost him his career, her reputation, and the hard-won faith they’re both learning to trust.

A faith-threaded, heartfelt hate-to-love romance featuring an surprisingly deep hockey player, a snarky and secure heroine, and a story about grace and the growth of friendship and love in the rockiest ground.

My Review:

I wasn't sure how much I'd enjoy a hockey player story. I was a bit "meh" about it. BUT (and that word should be bold) What if we Broke the Rules was about so much more than the sport. And clearly you can see that I gave it 5 stars.

While it strongly starts off with a lot of hockey lingo and information, it quickly turns to the main characters in the story! Lindsey is a physical therapist who ends up working with the the Nashville Nightcrawlers. One of their stars, Pierce Schumacher injuries himself during a game and she has to help him with rehab. 

I appreciated Lindsey's professionalism and the fact that she's not wowed by the fact Pierce is famous. Piece for his part has an incredible growth arc in the story: professionally, personally, and spiritually. Lindsey, for her part, has to learn to trust, but it's a fine line for her with the professional and personal and she's not interested in crossing that line. 

The story builds on the two of them working to rehab Pierce's injury. As you'd expect, Pierce is a bit cocky and all he wants is to get back on the ice. There are important games he needs to be in and he's willing to put his career on the line with his focus on the game.

Thank goodness Lindsey sees the bigger picture and does her best to convey that to him and challenge him when he overdoes it or thinks he knows better. You really feel for both characters as you read the story! Of course, there's one bad apple in the story and while I won't name the person, let's just say, they'll leave a bad taste in your mouth like it did me.

I appreciated how the romance part of their story grew. It was very sweet although a struggle at times. The faith thread is an important piece as well and is highlighted wonderfully in the story!

About the Author:

Tara Grace Ericson lives in Missouri with her husband and three sons. She studied engineering and worked as an engineer for many years before embracing her creative side to become a full-time author and mom. 

She loves cooking, crocheting, and reading books by the dozen. She also loves a good “happily ever after” with an engaging love story. 

That's why Tara focuses on writing clean contemporary romance, with an emphasis on Christian faith and living. She wants to encourage her readers with stories of men and women who live out their faith in tough situations.

The Eyes of River by Cindy K. Sproles + GIVE AWAY

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for The Eyes of River by Cindy K. Sproles, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! I've read several of Cindy's books and was drawn in from the VERY beginning of each one! This cover is so compelling I can't wait to dive in. I received the book for this tour! Be sure to 

About the Book

Title: The Eyes of River 

Author: Cindy K. Sproles 

Publisher: Kregel Publications 

Release Date: June 23, 2026 

Genre: Historical Fiction

A heart-wrenching Appalachian novel from a best-selling, award-winning author

In the shadowed hollers of the early-twentieth-century Appalachian Mountains, Lizzy Haney is on the run. She's been falsely accused of murder and is desperate to reunite with her brother, River, whose unforgettable green eyes haunt her. The secret in her past is a stinging wound, but it motivates her toward her goal: freedom. 

But nine-year-old River, sent through the US Post Office to their late mother's friend in Knoxville, never arrived. Lizzy's dream of finding him and starting a new life away from their alcoholic and abusive father is ripped away. 

Her hope rekindles as she happens upon an unexpected friend to help her dodge the law and save the missing youngin'. As she finds herself trusting him, she discovers the accuracy of the old adage her momma repeated: And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

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

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Book Excerpt

“Shhh.” Daddy slobbered as he tried to shush himself. He swiped the drool with the tail of his undershirt. “That River is evil. Child shoulda never been born.”

“Oh hogwash. He’s no such a thing. He’s a little boy. Your son, God help him.” I grabbed a dish towel and lifted the kettle from the stove. I lowered it to the floor and then straddled the heavy kettle while I carried it. The steam rose in twirls as I poured it into the big basin in Daddy’s room.

“The boy gives me the evil eye. It’s like he can see right through to my soul.”

“I told you to keep your voice down. And if you had a soul, that would be something. River just sees you for what you are. A louse. Youngin watched you kill his momma! Now take your coffee, go to your room, and bathe. I washed clothes yesterday, so you have clean ones in your drawer. You stink. Go. Ain’t nothing worse than the stench of a dirty, sweaty body.”

Daddy sat on the hearth and snuffed a minute before he finally stumbled to his room. He stopped at his door and turned. “That boy is evil. He needs to be at the bottom of the lake.”

“River ain’t the issue. You’re the reason Momma died. That second shove was intentional.” I growled. “All River did was see you roll her dead body out the door. You’re afraid he’ll tell. That’s why you hate him.”

“I ain’t afraid of that youngin.”

“Sure you are, and the only reason I’m still standin’ is because you need me to take care of you and River. You need a workhorse!”

Daddy stood at his door, head on his arm. He took one swig of his coffee and flung the cup at me. I dodged, and it slammed against the wall.

“Go bathe!” I gritted my teeth.

He slammed his door behind him.

I sat on the big rocker by the fireplace, my hands shaking. Tears filled my eyes, and anger boiled in me like the water in the kettle. The pent- up rage made me want to throw things.

Why couldn’t it have been Daddy that died? Why couldn’t it have been him? Momma would still be here. That was the day I quit thinkin’ Daddy might be hidin’ deep inside hisself. What I saw was pure evil. I no longer gave him credit that he might have good in him. Even if we’d been poorer than the poorest, we’d have been much better off if Daddy was dead. Leaning back in the big pine rocker, I took hold of Momma’s Bible and flipped it open to the book of John. Momma kept a passage marked with a crocheted bookmark.

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

If I told the truth, Daddy would kill me and River. I read and reread the Scripture. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. And I wondered for a moment if dying was the truth that would set me free.

About the Author

Cindy K. Sproles is a speaker and best-selling,award-winning author of several novels, including Mercy's Rain, Liar's Winter, and Coal Black Lies. She is the executive editor for Christian Devotions Ministries and the director of the Asheville Christian Writers Conference. She also mentors and coaches new writers with Write Right Author Mentoring Services. She is an Appalachian-born-and-raised mountain girl who now lives in East Tennessee.

Connect with Cindy by visiting cindysproles.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 The Eyes of River 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 June 24, 2026 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on July 1, 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 the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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

Part of Your World By Karen Witemeyer

Part of Your World
by Karen Witemeyer

Publisher: Hope & Light Publishing

Series: Once Upon a Time in Texas

ISBN: 979-8992420531

As soon as I saw this cover I knew I needed to get my hands on the story! Imagine how joyful I was when Karen asked me to be on her launch team. She sent me the ebook ARC for review.

Summary:

She saved him from the sea. He awakened her heart. Now a villainous scheme threatens to destroy them both.

Seawater runs through Muriel Quinn’s veins—a fact that has long concerned her father, who desires his youngest daughter to abandon the waves and embrace the respectable life expected of a grown woman. Yet even when banished from her beloved sea, Muriel feels its pull upon her soul. Drawn to the shore, she witnesses a boating accident and dives in to save a man from drowning. As she brings him back from the brink of death, a dream stirs to life in her heart.

Despite his family's wealth and social standing, Zane Erickson pursues a career in architecture, having no interest in cementing a match with any of the bridal candidates his mother foists upon him. Until a mysterious beauty saves his life and vanishes before he can learn her name. Determined to find her, he is stunned when the matchmaker his mother hired arrives with the very woman who has haunted his dreams. But he soon learns there are darker forces than romance at work in this meeting.

Entangled in a blackmail scheme that grows more deceitful and dangerous by the day, Zane and Muriel must fight not only for their love, but for the lives of those they hold dear.

My Review:

Part of Your World an incredibly fun story! The author took all of the elements from The Little Mermaid and incorporated it into a historical romance. The red hair, loving to swim, rescuing the wealthy son of a prominent family, not being able to talk to the man as part of her bargain with the villain, etc. It's all there and incorporated wonderfully into the story.

Muriel neglects some of what her family expects from her because she spends so much time swimming or with a friend. Her intentions are always pure, but the consequences with her family leave her with choices to make. That's where Octavia Underhill comes into play. She's manipulative and convinces Muriel that she can help her win over Zane and get into his family's good graces if Muriel does something for her!

I appreciated that Muriel didn't want to outright lie to Zane, but with Octavia's influence, she believes she's doing Zane a favor by not telling him everything. I enjoyed watching their relationship blossom over the time they have together. How discerning he is as he gets to know Muriel. Going into a relationship without giving all of the truth is a recipe for disaster. I honestly liked how the author handled all of that part of the story! No spoilers of course!

As for Octavia, is it concerning that I have a smidge of a sad spot for her? At least, until we get to the end when she's rather despicable. The people who go into a partnership with her know what they're getting into. That is, aside from Muriel, who is still young and not worldly. 

It was kind of funny because continuously I had to remind myself that the story was set in Galveston, TX in the late 1880s. Because Muriel is Irish, I kept imaging them in historical UK. lol I mean, there were some similarities, especially with them being on the water. But mentions of "soda shops" and similar phrases would remind me where the story was actually happening!

As always, I appreciated the faith story thread that the author wove into the story!

About the Author:

Winner of the Christy Award, ACFW Carol Award, HOLT Medallion, and Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer writes warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Voted #1 Readers' Favorite Christian Historical Author in 2023 by Family Fiction Magazine, Karen is a firm believer in the power of happy endings. She is an avid cross stitcher, tea drinker, and gospel hymn singer who makes her home in Abilene, Texas, with her heroic husband, who vanquishes laundry dragons and dirty-dish villains whenever she's on deadline. To learn more about Karen and her books, visit her website at karenwitemeyer.com.