Monday, July 6, 2026

Thalia in Exile Tour & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Thalia in Exile

Author: Allen Brokken with Thalia Schertzer

Genre: Middlegrade Christian Fantasy

Release Date: June 26, 2026

Thalia never expected to be taken. But the Darkness has plans of its own.

When the dreaded Steele Brothers and their Giant allies raid her home at midnight, Thalia and her friends are forced on a harrowing journey to the mysterious academy at Emohnomed. Like the young men of Judah chosen for the King of Babylon’s service, they are dragged towards a land of shadowed luxury to learn the language and literature of a culture that serves the Darkness.

Thalia finds brief respite aboard a luxurious train. But when Headmistress Imogen adds a “gift from the bishop” to the students’ punch, Thalia’s keen senses catch the putrescent smell of a counterfeit light. Clinging to the Good Book she smuggled into her bag, she refuses the smoke-laced food that turns friends into unthinking foes. In a world of beautiful lies, Thalia must stand firm against false accusations and prove that the only true strength comes from the Light that cannot be tainted.

Because this isn’t just about escaping her captors. It’s about saving the people who no longer know they need to be saved.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Authors

Allen Brokken is a teacher at heart, a husband and father most of all. He’s a joyful writer by the abundant grace of God. He began writing the Towers of Light series for his own children to help him illustrate the deep truths of the Bible in an engaging and age-appropriate way. He’s dedicated 15 years of his life to volunteer roles in children’s ministry and youth development. Now that his own children are off on their own adventures, he’s telling stories and sharing clean humor on social media.

Thalia Shertzerr is a dedicated writer whose Christian faith is the central part of her life and the heart of her storytelling. Outside of writing, she has a strong interest in science and hopes to pursue a future career in clinical medicine. Thalia balances her time between her academic goals, her faith, and her love for reading and capturing moments through the lens of her camera.

More from Allen

Two years ago, I was overwhelmed with the production schedule I’d made for myself after the Towers of Light series was completed. I had a vision for three new series. First, I was trying my hand at writing a picture book with everyone’s favorite kitten, Meow Meow, as the hero. I also had a mind for an early chapter book series that was classic frontier boy hijinks, think Tom Sawyer or Huck Finn, but was an exploration of the fruits of the spirit that boys could relate to. Finally, I had a series that had the classic Victorian elements of a boarding school for girls, but set in the war-torn landscape of the Heathlands. I wanted to retell the story of Daniel’s exile to Babylon and the lessons we learn about following our conscience and persevering in a world with ungodly values.

For the first two, I had a collaborator who helped make the story real, but I just didn’t seem to have the time for the third. I had an outline and overall concept that tied the story in nicely to Spring Fields from the Towers of Light series, but there was no way I could really sit down and write it as well as everything else.

Then an email landed in my inbox written by Thalia Shertzer, an 11-year-old homeschooler from Canada. She had been a fan from the beginning, and her family was a huge supporter of my work. Thalia asked me if I needed any help writing for the Towers of Light world. I immediately knew that this was a match made in heaven. I wanted to write a story about a girl around her age, and now I had a girl who wanted to write a story. We met on a video call a few days later, and I laid out the “flight plan” for what would become Thalia in Exile. I’m really looking forward to this tour, where we’re being interviewed together to talk about our adventure in writing!

MY REVIEW

I enjoyed how the author gave Thalia quests to overcome using faith as her guide. When she is taken by the Steele Brothers it starts an adventure that she will never forget. I really liked how Thalia remembered her mother saying something about darkness . It was definitely eye opening when her mother said, “ people turn to darkness because it feels better for a time.” We walk away from God at times when we allow the enemy to lure us into a place that feels easy.

The trip Thalia finds herself on becomes tiring and she can feel anger building inside of her. Can she fight against this darkness that is trying to take her over? The creative elements in the book are good and will hold readers attention. Thalia discovers that the time spent reading her Bible will help her during this difficult time. You can tell that Thalia is not quite sure if she is making right choices but the more she follows what she has been taught, the easier her journey will become.

What a great lesson on turning to God when you face difficulties. Thalia uncovers something dangerous and uses her knowledge of the Word to protect herself. I like how she teams up with others to fight against the darkness that wants to take over. The ending is a cliffhanger so be prepared to be patient until the next adventure begins.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Blog Stops

Vicky Sluiter, July 3 (Author Interview)

For the Love of Literature, July 4 (Author Interview)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, July 5 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, July 6

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 7

Blossoms and Blessings, July 8 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 8

Stories By Gina, July 9 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, July 10 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, July 11

Guild Master, July 12

Fiction Book Lover, July 13 (Author Interview)

The Bookish Ledger, July 14 (Author Interview)

Books, Books, & More Books, July 15 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, July 16

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, July 17 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

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

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

https://gleam.io/DMYZO/thalia-in-exile-celebration-tour-giveaway

Sunday, July 5, 2026

The White Stone: Faith at the Edge of the Deal Tour & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: The White Stone: Faith at the Edge of the Deal

Author: Scott Meinke

Genre: Contemporary Christian Fiction

Release Date: November, 2025

In the high-pressure world of corporate success, the lines between ambition, compromise, and faith are rarely clear. The White Stone tells the story of a driven professional forced to confront a question many believers face but few talk about openly: What does faithfulness look like when the cost is real- and the reward is unseen?

Rooted in the message to the church in Pergamum (Revelation 2), The White Stone explores integrity under pressure, the slow erosion of conviction, and the grace that calls us back when we’ve settled for less than we were made for.

This is a story for anyone who has wrestled with success, struggled with compromise, or wondered whether quiet obedience still matters in a results-driven world.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Scott Meinke is a business leader, writer, and ministry founder with decades of experience navigating faith in the workplace. After a long career in the insurance industry, Scott began writing stories that explore integrity, ambition, and what it means to follow Christ when success and conviction collide. The White Stone is his first novel – born out of real-world experience and shaped by Scripture – examining the quiet decisions that define character long before they define careers.

More from Scott

What if the biggest risk isn’t losing your job… but losing your soul?

We don’t drift all at once.

It happens in small decisions. Quiet compromises. Moments no one else sees.

The White Stone: Faith at the Edge of the Deal steps into that tension.

Luke Chambers is building a career, a reputation, a future.

From the outside, everything is working.

But inside, the questions are getting louder.

How far is too far?

When does success start costing more than it’s worth?

And what happens when doing the right thing threatens everything you’ve built?

This isn’t just a story about business.

It’s about integrity under pressure.

About faith in the gray areas.

About the quiet line we all face—the one between who we appear to be and who we are becoming.

Because the real danger isn’t failure.

It’s becoming someone you never intended to be… and calling it success.

But this is also a story of hope.

Of second chances.

Of truth breaking through.

Of what can be restored when courage finally outweighs control.

And beyond the pages, this story is part of something bigger—

supporting real lives and real work happening in Vietnam through Did Over Should Ministries.

MY REVIEW

I never expected to find so many wonderful illustrations of God’s truth in this fiction book. The author has impressed me with carefully placing examples of how greed and peer pressure can sneak into our lives. Luke is a man with ambition. As a successful athlete growing up he has always been successful at everything he does. A taste of the fast lane at a job leads him on a path where greed, deception and power entice him.

I like how Luke at first tries to explain away his drive to excel in business with ethical values at risk. I enjoyed reading how he finds himself trying to explain how he is not being honest with his clients. When he and his wife move to Florida he has no idea that God has a lesson prepared for him. I like how the author ties in a story from Revelations about a white stone. The story delivers a much needed reminder that integrity will be challenged. Will Luke gibe in to temptation? Can he find his way back to God?

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, June 25

Artistic Nobody, June 26 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, June 27

Guild Master, June 28 (Author Interview)

Fiction Book Lover, June 29 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 29

The Bookish Ledger, June 30 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 1

Books, Books, & More Books, July 2 (Author Interview)

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, July 3 (Author Interview)

Books Less Travelled, July 4 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, July 5

History, Hope & Happily Ever After, July 6 (Author Interview)

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, July 7 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, July 7

Stories By Gina, July 8 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Scott is giving away the grand prize of a pre-release copy of The Open Door and a Vietnam-themed coffee package, connected to the mission of Did Over Should Ministries, supporting outreach efforts in Vietnam!!

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

https://gleam.io/193LT/the-white-stone-faith-at-the-edge-of-the-deal-celebration-tour-giveaway

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

The Escape Game Tour & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: The Escape Game (The Game Masters Book 2)

Author: Gina Holder

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release Date: May 5, 2026

20 years ago, the world’s leading enigmatologist disappeared…

Demi Kayne, owner of a popular puzzle shop, has spent years searching for her father, who vanished without a trace. When she cracks the code he left behind, the trail leads her to a secluded mansion—and straight into danger.

Liam Shepherd, a missionary with a passion for puzzles, is desperate to find his missing sister. His investigation brings him to Silver Falls, where his path collides with Demi’s in ways neither of them expects.

Drawn into a deadly escape game designed by a brilliant and vengeful mind, Demi and Liam must unravel twisted riddles and confront buried secrets before time runs out. Losing could cost them everything. Their faith and each other may be their only means of escape.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Gina Holder is a Christian award-winning author of romantic suspense and cozy mysteries filled with faith, intrigue, danger, romance, and epic twists you’ll never see coming.

She’s had an infatuation with books for as long as she can remember. She loves sharing uplifting messages from God’s Word and introducing readers to new and new-to-them authors on her blog.

When she’s not writing, Gina enjoys playing the piano, cooking, reading, watching Hallmark mysteries, and solving “escape room” puzzles. She loves growing in her craft as an author. She published her debut novel in 2017. Gina lives in Wyoming with her husband and daughter.

More from Gina

The Book I Almost Gave Up On

When I turned in the first full draft of The Escape Game last September, I hated it.

Not in a playful, self-deprecating way. I really, truly hated it.

I had that awful, hollow feeling in my stomach. The one that whispers, This isn’t good enough. You aren’t good enough. Why did you ever think you could pull this off?

Honestly, I believed this book was beyond my abilities.

And it was.

But I forgot I have Someone on my side who can do all things.

Back in 2022, this story idea was supposed to be simple. A shorter novel inside a collection. I had a fun premise, a few intriguing characters, and a basic plot: a second chance romance with the two main characters locked in a deadly mansion.

Easy peasy, right?

Wrong.

I realized the story needed space to breathe, so I wrote something else for the collection, and put this story back on the shelf until the right time.

Fast forward to 2025. The Escape Game was proposed as book 2 of The Game Master series.

I started writing. Characters pushed back. They wouldn’t talk. Inside my head, there was silence.

Some books flow. This one fought.

I wrestled with tone and pacing. I rewrote entire sections only to delete them again. Scenes that sparkled in my head fell flat on the page. I second-guessed everything.

My heroine was supposed to be the faithful Christian girl who wins the bad boy to the Lord.

She wasn’t.

And my hero? He was all wrong.

So, I did something terrifying.

I replaced him.

Completely.

I created an entirely new character—Liam Shepherd.

On the surface, Liam was perfect—kind, protective, devoted to the Lord, close to his family. Every Christian girl’s dream.

But fiction doesn’t work that way. Perfection isn’t compelling.

I asked God to show me Liam’s wound.

When it came, I cried.

No, I bawled like a baby.

Liam wasn’t abused. He didn’t come from a broken home. He had love and stability. Then tragedy struck, and he faced a choice.

He chose wrong.

And it haunted him.

But the troubles were far from over.

This wasn’t just a tricky plot or a stubborn manuscript.

This story touched some deep places in my own heart—places I didn’t expect to have to revisit. Writing it meant digging into tender, uncomfortable emotions, facing truths about fear, grief, and courage that I hadn’t fully confronted. It hit a little too close to home.

Some days it felt less like writing fiction and more like surgery.

And surgery is exhausting.

By the time I reached the end, I wasn’t excited. I was just tired. I turned it in because it was due, not because it felt finished.

Then the editing began.

If drafting this book was wandering through a dark forest, editing was finally being handed a flashlight. Sentences tightened. Motivations clarified. Scenes I thought were essential were cut, and others grew stronger. What felt hopeless started to feel possible.

Slowly—painfully at times—the story started to come into focus.

My editor asked hard questions. I rewrote the entire book. (Not completely, but it felt like it.)

Each round of edits chipped away at the parts I disliked and revealed the story underneath—the one I’d been trying to tell all along.

Somewhere along the way, something unexpected happened.

I stopped hating it.

More than that, I started to like it.

Everything clicked. The story finally had the depth—and the heart—it had been missing.

And now, sitting on the other side of the process, I can honestly say something I never imagined saying last fall:

I’m proud of The Escape Game.

Not because it’s perfect—no book ever is—but because it represents persistence. Growth. The courage to dig into hard places and stay long enough to find the heart of the story.

And that heart is what I hope you feel when you read it.

What started as a small, simple idea grew into something deeper than I expected. Something that required more from me than I thought I had to give.

And in the end, it became something God and I built together.

This book reminded me of something important:

We’re all first drafts.

God is shaping us, molding us … and we fight back. We look at our lives and wish things were different. We replay our wrong choices. We feel regret, frustration, and fear.

Sometimes, we even hate what we see.

But hating your draft doesn’t mean you’ve failed.

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Philippians 1:6 (KJV)

It just means God isn’t finished yet.

And sometimes, the stories we struggle with the most end up being the ones we’re proudest to hold in our hands.

MY REVIEW

Riveting, powerful and intense brings this story to the top of my best of 2026 must reads. I loved how the author delivers a story where every turn is dangerous and every decision can cost a life. The ingenious clues brought me much entertainment and impressed me with how clever they are. This book has definitely been well researched and brings readers inside an escape room where nothing is what it seems.

The main characters are flawed yet work well together as they try to solve the mystery. I have thought of going to an escape room but I’m not sure I could handle the pressure. We see how Demi has never given up on finding out what happened to her father. I was so impressed with her intelligence and how she graduated at only fifteen years old. This shows me again how much research the author has done to make this story realistic .Her determination to find the truth is almost too much at times. She won’t move forward in her life until she finds the truth. I like how the author pairs her up with Liam because he is grounded in his faith and is willing to help Demi overcome her past.

Liam cones to town to find his missing sister which leads him to Demi and a plan that will challenge them both. Liam has traveled many places spreading the Word of God with his sister. Their parents were missionaries which Liam and his sister want to continue doing to honor their parents sacrifice. Working with Demi brings out a bond between them as they tirelessly work through each room to escape the evil that is behind everything .

I love how the author illustrates jealousy, fear, trust and finding God. The part where each character has to reveal a deep secret kept me on the edge of my seat. The woman behind this game wants to expose each of them and judge them. In her mind it makes her feel superior to them. What it really does is release bondage from the past for one, accept Jesus for another and allow one to share what her dream in life is. It brings them closer to God and allows them to begin to trust again.

This is a must read for all mystery fans who like twists and surprises. Don’t get comfortable because the story is a puzzle that will test your endurance. Grab a copy and get ready for adventure like you have never experienced.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Blog Stops

SydneySchmied books, June 26

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, June 27

Lyssa Loves Books, June 28

Book Looks by Lisa, June 28

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, June 29

Inspired by Fiction, June 30

Texas Book-aholic, July 1

For Him and My Family, July 2

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 3

Holly’s Book Corner, July 4

Mary Hake, July 5

Pause for Tales, July 6

Cover Lover Book Review, July 7

The Lofty Pages, July 8

Lights in a Dark World, July 8

Lily’s Corner, July 9

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 10

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Gina is giving away the grand prize of a copy of The Puzzle Within and a $50 Amazon gift card!!

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

https://gleam.io/P1o9U/the-escape-game-celebration-tour-giveaway

Montana Rose Tour & Giveawy

About the Book

Book: Montana Rose

Author: Mary Connealy

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: June 23, 2026

From bestselling author Mary Connealy comes a poignant Western romance about second chances, redemption, and the healing power of faith—a moving tale of a heartbroken young widow, a compassionate rancher, and the love that helps them both find their way home.

When Cassie Griffin’s abusive husband dies, leaving her pregnant and destitute, she’s forced to marry a stranger to survive. Red Dawson, a hardworking rancher and part-time preacher, steps forward to save her from a worse fate. Though Red fears marrying a non-believer goes against his principles, he can’t stand by and watch Cassie be claimed by the ruthless Sawyer clan.

Living in Red’s rustic cave home is a far cry from Cassie’s former life of luxury. But as she learns to work alongside him, she discovers strength she never knew she possessed. Red’s gentle patience and unwavering faith begin to crack the protective shell she’s built around her heart. When a dangerous enemy threatens their newfound happiness, Cassie and Red must trust in God’s plan—and each other—to survive.

Can a marriage of convenience bloom into true love? And can a woman who’s known only submission find the courage to stand tall? A tender story of healing, hope and the transformative power of unconditional love. Perfect for fans of Janette Oke and Karen Witemeyer.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

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

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

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

More from Mary

Montana Rose was one of the first books I wrote. Very early on, though it took a while to get it published. And I ended up rewriting it to make it part of a three book series.

My basic goals with Montana Rose were two fold.

One, I seem almost addicted to writing feisty lady ranchers. I do it so much that I decided I needed to challenge myself. Write a quiet, shy heroine.

Cassie Dawson was born. And the thing with Cassie was, she was so used to being controlled by her much older husband, it was very hard for her new husband to convince her of her own worth.

Drawing Cassie out, finding the inner woman, making her believe she had worth, was such an interesting challenge for me as an author.

For a woman who writes in the same genre all the time, I really do try and mix things up. I PROMISE I DO!

Not sure how often I succeed but making my characters be three dimensional is always my goal. And I try and do different things in my books. A fist fight on a moving train. A fire in a blizzard. Diving off a galloping horse to stop a runaway bad guy. I try different careers and different locations. Always, I am trying something new. In Montana Rose, I picked a quiet, frightened mouse of a woman.

At least that was how it started out. By the end, Cassie finds herself.

So that was the fundamental goal.

And the second aim I had was Love Comes Softly, Janette Oke’s classic, beautiful Christian romance. I just loved that book. The pregnant widow, the husband who’s trying to help and needs help himself. Shove them together into a marriage and try to find love.

Of course, my book has more comedy and more gunfire than Love Comes Softly. I call it love comes softly, with mayhem. I pitched the title Love Comes Loudly. Or maybe Love Comes Hardly. We went with Montana Rose. Probably for the best.

Cassie remains a beloved sweetheart. Red, the best hero I’ve ever written…except he was probably too nice. The hero needs to have some challenges too. But Cassie just needed Red Dawson to be so kind and strong and wise. Yes, he has red hair and he has a temper that rarely erupts…though sometimes. But most Red is the best.

Those are the creative forces that forged Montana Rose.

MY REVIEW

One of the best stories I’ve read about redemption, forgiveness and faith is found in this book. I love how the author delivers a powerful message of trusting God. The opening pages share the grief Cassie has endured in her young life. Married at such a young age she has faced abuse physically as well as emotionally. During this time period young women were forced into marriage mainly to help their family financially. No wonder Cassie is a shell of herself who is afraid to speak up for herself. Will Cassie learn to stand up for herself and not allow others to treat her so disrespectful.

Red is the hero in this book. One glance at Cassie was all he needed. His heart breaks for her as he hears others in the town saying such unkind things about her. Out of impulse perhaps, he stands up to marry her right on the grave of her dead husband. He believes he is doing the right thing so he can keep her safe. I love how Red is gentle with Cassie and treats her with compassion and understanding. We all need someone like Red in our life.

I’m not sure I would be thrilled to find out that my new home was in a cave. Can you imagine the look on Cassie’s face when she discovers her new home? Being pregnant causes some concern for Red but he does his best to make her comfortable. They do have moments where tension is high and as they get to know each other. One of Red’s biggest qualities is faith. He wants Cassie to know God but takes it slow so she can find her way to Him.

There is a little danger in the story as one man is consumed with jealousy. He wants Cassie for himself which will put Cassie in a test of trusting her new husband. She has never felt wanted or important and carries this feeling of being unworthy. I appreciate how the author gives us characters with real problems filled with emotion. In the book we discover clear examples of the Fruits of the Spirit which illustrates how we are to treat others.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.