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.

Rendezvous 2026 + Sara R. Turnquist + GIVE AWAY

Welcome to the Blog Tour that brings Rendezvous 2026 to you, hosted, sponsored, and organized by JustRead Publicity Tours! I can't WAIT for Rendezvous. It's going to be so fun getting together with authors and readers again! I'm happy to share Sara R. Turnquist with you. Check out her book excerpt and then be sure to enter the giveaway!

Bringing Rendezvous '26 to You!

Rendezvous: reader and writer gathering November 7, 2026 
Holiday Inn Nashville Airport

Readers and Writers will gather at the fourth annual Read Write Rendezvous, organized and sponsored by JustRead Publicity Tours, LLC, on November 7, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT at the Holiday Inn Nashville Airport. Rendezvous celebrates Christian fiction and sweet reads, featuring corporate worship, speaker sessions, author panels, small-group discussions, games, giveaways, a pop-up bookshop, and book signings. This event aims to sweeten reading and storytelling experiences with fellowship and encouragement. Over forty featured authors are participating, including The Christy Award Hall of Fame and bestselling author Tamera Alexander who will deliver the keynote address. USA Today and top ten Publishers Weekly bestselling author Lisa Phillips will lead worship. We will announce several more authors in the coming weeks! We prayerfully honor the legacy of the Christian Fiction Readers Retreat through each Rendezvous event, and this year we are especially celebrating the very first CFRR which was held 10 years ago in Nashville. Rendezvous is open only to registered attendees. Want to extend your reader getaway? The Christy Award Gala and Art of Writing conference will be held at a nearby venue on November 6.

Learn more about the 2026 Rendezvous

If you're unable to attend Rendezvous this year, we don't want you to miss out on getting to know our authors and their books. Our bloggers are bringing Rendezvous to you by spotlighting several of the participating authors this week. Follow along to grow your TBR list to astronomical proportions!  

Check out recent releases by these participating authors in the JustRead Amazon Storefront.

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About the Book

Title: Laura, The Tycoon's Daughter 

Series: Railway Romance

Author: Sara R. Turnquist 

Publisher: Mountain Summit Press 

Release Date: Feb 26, 2024 

Genre: Historical Romance

She is in a hopeless situation. He has sworn off love. Can they find hope in each other and, possibly, a way out of their personal prisons?

Laura Millington is the daughter of a prominent railroad tycoon, but that luxury comes at a price. Her father’s intentions are to use her as a pawn, steal her choices, and press her into a mold she can’t seem to fit. When her curious nature and desire for justice finds her caught up in the middle of a train run gone wrong, can she stand for the truth even if it places her in opposition to her powerful father?

Jack Patterson has been betrayed by love. And he is determined to never risk his heart again. The vulnerable, strong-willed Laura intrigues him more than he’s allowed since his heartbreak. Can he overcome his reluctance? Moreover, will he be able to protect her from the man who would see her future dashed?

Crossing paths with train engineer Casey Jones and his heroic act of self sacrifice, will Laura and Jack find a way to stand side by side against the overwhelming forces keeping them apart?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Buy from the Author | Amazon | BookBub

Autumn at the Cat Cafe by Kathleen Fuller + Interview + GIVE AWAY

Welcome to the Book Bee Blogger's Choice Blog Tour with JustRead Publicity Tours! I saw this cover recently and thought a) it's super cute, b) the title is fantastic, and c) the synopsis sounds delightful! So, even though the book isn't out yet (you can pre-order below) I wanted to highlight her for today's blog tour with an interview! Be sure to check that out below.

Title: Autumn at the Cat Cafe  
Author: Kathleen Fuller 
Publisher: Thomas Nelson 
Release Date: August 4, 2026 
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Via Dalton has sworn off men to focus on the two things she loves most: her quirky cat café, Pawsitive Vibes, and the charming town of Pecan Corner, Ohio. But her peaceful world is shaken when Earl Brewster, the owner of the beloved Second Chapter Books next door, passes away. Via is determined to buy the shop and preserve Earl's legacy, but her plans hit a snag in the form of a tall, handsome, and completely unexpected heir.

Leo Brewster's life is thriving in LA, and the last thing he needs is an inheritance in the middle-of-nowhere, Ohio. But the alternative--letting his estranged mother inherit--has him packing his bags to receive the inheritance, quickly sell it off to the highest bidder, and hightail it back to LA. What he didn't count on was the list of stipulations in the will that has him staying in the small town for a month. Oh, and the determined, sunny café owner next door who refuses to let him destroy the town's heart without a fight.

Desperate to convince Leo the bookstore is vital to her community, Via challenges Leo to complete her Autumn Bucket List. As they navigate corn mazes, pumpkin patches, and fall festivals, Leo begins to see the magic in Pecan Corner--and in Via. Despite her vow to stay single and his plan to leave, the attraction between them simmers like hot cider.

Can a season of small-town charm convince a city boy to stay, or will Via lose both the bookstore and her heart?

Grab a warm drink and curl up with this delightful grumpy/sunshine, opposites-attract story of unexpected love and small-town charm.

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Author Interview

Mimi: Have you ever been to a cat cafe and have you ever been tempted to take home a cat (if they were up for adoption)?

Kathleen: Yes! Gibson's Cat Cafe in Conway, AR. I was tempted to take all of them home! I love cats (dogs too!) and it was a fun way to relax and give the kitties some love. 

Mimi: Where did you come up with the idea for a cat cafe being a fabulous idea to include in a book?

Kathleen: My daughter Zoie visited Gibson's with her friend Laura and came back and told me about it. The idea took off from there. 

Mimi: Would you prefer to live in a big city or a small town and why would you choose that?

Kathleen: The biggest city I've ever lived in is Little Rock, AR where I grew up, and I also lived in a medium sized one, North Olmsted, OH. Otherwise, I've lived in small towns or towns that have that tight community feel. There are pros and cons to both, but I lean toward small because of the community connections. 

Mimi: How do you decide on plot threads ie: what will bring characters to a certain location, how characters will meet, where to set the story, etc? Do you have a notebook full of ideas that you pick and choose from?

Kathleen: Great question! Most of the time the story dictates where characters will meet and interact once I've decided the setting. I do make sure to write down places that are in the town and surrounding areas. Autumn at the Cat Cafe takes place almost exclusively in the business section of Pecan Corner, so it was fun to decide what shops and businesses would be there. The autumn bucket list in the book was also helpful. There are definitive activities the characters have to do. It also gives the book that pumpkin spice latte feel.  

Mimi: Which would be a bigger draw for you and which door would you choose to walk through first: an indie bookstore or a cat cafe?

Kathleen: Cat Cafe. I love books but I love cats/dogs more.

Mimi: Do you have a cat? Could you see yourself writing a story about a dog mom/dad? Say, a dog walker, pet sitter, a dog groomer?

Kathleen: As of right now, we're in the process of getting a cat, something we've been wanting to do for a while. We have a dog, Chief, who is a cute Shorkie. Our other Shorkie, Mollie, passed away in December, and now it's time to get Chief a friend. I would love to write a story with an emphasis on a dog and it's human and I do have some ideas percolating. Stay tuned! 

Pre-Oder PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

Sunflowers in Paris by Ashley Rescot + GIVE AWAY

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Sunflowers in Paris by Ashley Rescot, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! How adorable is this cover! I adore sunflowers so of course that grabbed my attention! Be sure to check out the book excerpt below and don't forget to enter the giveaway!

About the Book

Title: Sunflowers in Paris 
Series: The Strings of Sisterhood #2 
Author: Ashley Rescot 
Publisher: Rescot Creative 
Release Date: April 7, 2026 
Genre: Clean Contemporary Split-time Romance

After a career-altering injury, violist Adrienne Pearson digs deep into her French roots. As the second of five sisters, she seeks individuality. But when several of her family members and friends decide to join her on a French excursion, she must navigate old and new relationships while finding her place in a foreign land. Will she rediscover her voice in the home of her ancestors? 

Jean-David Béranger, a brooding, reclusive French journalist, finds his life upturned when his eccentric godmother invites an entourage of American students to live with them while studying music at the local conservatoire. Can Adrienne, a beautiful American sunflower girl, dismantle the fortress surrounding his heart and convince him to turn toward the light?  

Sunflowers in Paris takes the reader on a journey through the Loire Valley, Versailles, and Paris, the City of Light, weaving elements of historical and contemporary French life with a centuries-old cold case about a real, 18th-century composer. 

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

More in This Series

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Book Excerpt

Jean-David sighed as he drove in search of a parking place, which was nearly impossible in Paris, especially on a holiday. Several blocks down, he finally found one next to the Seine River. A glance at his watch showed he’d better hurry. Cici had chosen the late afternoon service so that everyone could still admire the stained glass windows before it grew dark.

The previous night, he’d re-read his article about his last visit to Notre Dame, the day of the fire. The images still blazed in his memory. How could they have rebuilt it in five years? 

His steps slowed as the 800-year-old cathedral rose in front of him. Wow, it looked incredible. The west rose window glistened in the afternoon light between the majestic towers. The bells of Notre Dame chimed, calling parishioners to join in the Christmas Eve concert and mass. People poured inside, and yet he stood, rooted to the spot. Could he brave the memories? 

“Amazing, isn’t it,” a vaguely familiar voice sounded behind him. He turned around to see an elderly woman. At first glance, she looked like Cici; their features resembled each other.

“Gigi,” he gasped.

She nodded. “It’s been a while. You’ve grown up.”

About the Author

Ashley Rescot is a professional violinist, educator, writer, and Fulbright Scholar. An aficionado of music, pedagogy, family, faith, and language, she writes about her life as a musician. With degrees in both violin performance and French literature, she hopes her stories will inspire the next generation of musicians, encourage music professionals, and educate others about the exciting world of music.

Connect with Ashley by visiting rescotcreative.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive French chocolates and a copy of A Change in Tune and Sunflowers in Paris!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight June 1, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 8, 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!