Saturday, April 11, 2026

God Storys: Told By a Daughter of the Most High King Tour & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: God Storys: Told By a Daughter of the Most High King

Author: Victorya Wright

Genre: Non-Fiction; Inspirational

Release Date: October 14, 2025

Do you have a personal mantra that guides you? Have you ever felt God’s presence so strongly that it seemed as if He was right beside you? Do you seek His wisdom when faced with tough decisions?

For me, my constant prayer is “Not in my own strength, Lord. Not in my own strength. Guide me. Direct me. Help me.” Since childhood I have experienced God’s undeniable presence, leading me in ways both profound and personal. There are moments when I turn, expecting to see someone beside me, only to realize it is His unseen nearness. When uncertainty arises, I seek clarity through prayer and my own version of the ancient Thummim and Urim – trusting Him to reveal the way forward. God Storys is a compilation of 30 true, standalone vignettes that testify to these Divine encounters – extraordinary moments that are not mere coincidences, but God-instances. May these stories inspire you, strengthen your faith, and open your eyes to His presence in your own life.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Born at Queen of Angels Hospital in Los Angeles during one of the city’s largest earthquakes, I took my first breath as the building swayed and the gurney rolled – my parents recount a dramatic beginning marked by both chaos and grace. Life since then has been rich with God’s goodness, meaningful relationships, and profound learning. It has also brought seasons of hardship, loss and shame – yet grace has always abounded. I am the mother of seven children, two of whom are already in heaven. My five God-fearing, compassionate, and well-educated adult children live in five U. S. states. My greatest joy is spending time with them and my 14 adorable grandchildren. I have spent most of my life working in healthcare and continue to serve part time in my orofacial myofunctional therapy private practice in San Diego County and beyond. I am passionate about proclaiming all that God has done.

More from Victorya

I have been asked, “What is the purpose of this book? I believe that the answer to that question lies in the fact that you are holding this book in your hands and reading these God storys. That is not a coincidence; it is another God incidence. I do not believe in coincidence. I believe that our lives and our world are beautifully orchestrated by a very personal, very relational Creator.

This book is not about me; it is not about spiritual one-upmanship. This book is all about Him … about having a relationship with Him. I am an ordinary person; I am an ordinary Christian. I am merely His scribe writing out of obedience. Even the cover and subtitle of this book reflect God storys. I photographed the sunset from my front door before this book was ever written. The song that I refer to “The Truth”, reflects our royal relationship with Him as our King. The lock on the cover is to be unlocked as you explore your own relationship with Him, the God Who breathed life into our nostrils.

MY REVIEW

I was not prepared for what I read in this emotional book. Each story shares how God shows up in our darkest moments. He uses people we may not know or even our closest friend to illustrate grace. Each story is true and invites readers to witness how we can overcome difficult situations with Him. I like how each chapter shares struggles, miracles and triumphant endings.

I appreciate the transparency in each story and the emphasis on how God showed up to help them in their struggles. From infertility to marriage problems each chapter captures topics that are relatable. I really liked looking at Adam from the Bible. What caught my attention was that Adam was in the garden but never once stopped Eve from disobeying God. He was to be the head of the house, yet he chose to be silent and do nothing.

After finishing the book, I took a deep breath and prayed. Throughout the pages I saw God in every situation. He ordained divine appointments, opened hearts that were bitter and restored relationships that were damaged. The time I have spent reading this book has allowed me to see that no matter what you go through God is always there. He shows up and wraps His arms around you.

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

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, April 8 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, April 9 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, April 10 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, April 11

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 12

Fiction Book Lover, April 13 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, April 14 (Author Interview)

For the Love of Literature, April 15 (Author Interview)

Lots of Helpers, April 15

Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 16 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 17

Blossoms and Blessings, April 18 (Author Interview)

Stories By Gina, April 19 (Author Interview)

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, April 20 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, April 20

Books, Books, & More Books, April 21 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Victorya is giving away the grand prize of a $100 VISA gift card, a hardcover signed copy of the book and 2-Gold Antique Skeleton Keys [for bookmarks, decoration, favors, or handiwork]!!

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

https://gleam.io/C8evw/god-storys-told-by-a-daughter-of-the-most-high-king-celebration-tour-giveaway

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Sooner or Later Tour & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Sooner or Later

Author: Vickie McDonough

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: March 31, 2026

Rebekah’s dreams have become a nightmare.

For years, Rebekah’s mother told her that sooner or later a handsome man would come along and sweep her off her feet. That was before her mother and brother had died and her stepfather arranged for her to marry their repulsive neighbor in exchange liquor and a half-side of beef. She won’t marry the vile older man and flees in the dark of night.

Mason Danfield has no interest in a wife. He’s focused on caring for his motherless niece and nephew. But when Mason finds a young woman stranded on the side of the trail, he can’t leave her behind to possible die on the prairie.

A chance encounter with Jake, the children’s father, ends up with Mason riding in the 1889 Oklahoma land run. He hopes to get land for Jake and the children. Maybe then he can talk Jake into marrying Rebekah, so she can have a home and stay with the children she has come to love. But for some reason, the idea of her and Jale together doesn’t sit well with Mason.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Vickie McDonough is the CBA, EPCA and Amazon best-selling author of 54 books and novellas. Vickie grew up wanting to marry a rancher, but instead, she married a computer geek who is scared of horses. She now lives out her dreams penning romance stories about ranchers, cowboys, lawmen, and others living in the Old West. Vickie’s books have won numerous awards including the Booksellers Best, OWFI Best Fiction Novel Award, the Inspirational Readers’ Choice awards. When she’s not writing, Vickie enjoys reading, making cards, gardening, and traveling.

Excerpt from the Book

April 2nd, 1889

Indian Territory

Never in her life had Rebekah Bailey done anything so daring, but then she’d never been this desperate before. She peered over her shoulder at the dilapidated house as she tiptoed toward the barn. Good. Still dark.

The full moon illuminated the rickety A-frame shack that had been her home for as long as she could remember. The breath she’d been holding came out on a ragged sigh. At least she’d managed to get out of the house without Curtis hearing her. But she was far from safe.

Her heartbeat resounded in her ears, and she was certain her closest neighbors, who lived miles away, could hear it. Hugging her ma’s ancient carpetbag against her chest, she quickened her pace.

A sharp creak in the direction of the house jerked Rebekah from her reverie. With a quick tug on the reins, she turned Prince west and kicked his sides. West toward the open plains and Indian Territory. Then northwest toward Denver–and freedom. She prayed it was the last place Curtis would think to look for her.

The chanting of tree frogs gave music to her ride, and an owl hooted somewhere in a nearby tree. She used to love the sounds of the night, but now they only reminded her that she was alone. Hoping to ward off the night chill, she tugged her frayed cloak around her. The world seemed normal, asleep, as it should in the middle of the night. But she felt anything except normal. Her world had fallen apart this evening with Curtis’s declaration. Nothing would ever be same for her. She shivered at the memory. “I’ve made a deal with Giles Wilbur,” Curtis had said, grinning with pride. “Swapped you for a half side of beef and some moonshine. In the morning, you’ll be moving in with him and be his woman.” Thoughts of the filthy, drunken sloth of a man more than twice her age made her blood run cold. How could Curtis expect her to live with Mr. Wilbur without the sanctity of marriage? How could he simply swap her like she were livestock—something to be bartered? Bile churned in her stomach and burned a path to her throat. Tears blurred her vision and streamed down her cheeks.

She’d never felt so alone. Completely alone–as though not a single person in the world cared for her. But the gentle touch of the wind to her cheeks reminded her of the One who never failed. Rebekah turned to her heavenly Father as Prince trotted down the dark road. “Protect me, Lord–and show me the way. And Father . . . oh, Father, give me courage for the ride ahead and strengthen Prince’s old bones–”

The faint sound of approaching hoof beats intruded on Rebekah’s prayer.

Oh, no! Curtis!

She was certain her heart would jump clear out of her chest. The reins nearly slipped from her trembling hands. Fear of what was behind her overpowered the fear of what was ahead.

Taking a deep, determined breath, and with a firm grip on the reins, Rebekah dug her heels into Prince’s side.

“He–yah!!!” she cried softly.

Prince vaulted into a gallop and raced down the road.

MY REVIEW

A poignant story of loss, regret and hoping for a better life. Right away I could see that our characters would be facing challenges and hard decisions. Rebekah’s life is in turmoil when she finds out that she is being forced to marry someone she has no feelings for. Running away was the only answer for her as she sets out for a better life. I can’t imagine what lay ahead but it is obvious that she was desperate to get away from the situation.

Mason is determined to find his niece and nephew’s father and return them so he can go on with his life. I don’t think he had any idea that the children would become important to him. I appreciate how Mason finds that his heart has been hurt in the past but still tries to allow the children to trust him.

The scenery of the open trail during this time period is vivid with historical details. Weather conditions changed without warning and danger snuck up on them as they travel together. I like how Mason and Rebekah learn to let down their guard and allow God to show them what unconditional love is.

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

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 7

Texas Book-aholic, April 8

Artistic Nobody, April 9 (Author Interview)

Pause for Tales, April 9

For Him and My Family, April 10

Happily Managing a Houehold of Boys, April 11

Guild Master, April 12 (Author Interview)

Books You Can Feel Good About, April 13

lakesidelivingsite, April 14

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, April 15

Fiction Book Lover, April 16 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, April 17 (Guest Review from Donna)

Cover Lover Book Review, April 18

Holly’s Book Corner, April 19

Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 20 (Author Interview)

Jodie Wolfe, April 20

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Vickie 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/mieGk/sooner-or-later-celebration-tour-giveaway

Thursday, April 2, 2026

Firebreak Tour & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Firebreak

Author: Kathy Tyers

Genre: Science Fiction Space Opera

Release Date: March 10, 2026

What would you sacrifice to save your family and your home world?

Lady Firebird Caldwell returns to the world of her birth, Netaia, intending to introduce her young sons to the noble Electors while her husband, Brennen, conducts a military inspection. When mysterious ships in distress suddenly approach the planet, the Electorate sends her to initiate first contact. Forced to work alongside a vengeful childhood enemy, Firebird uses everything within her power—even her passion for music—to negotiate, only to discover their alien technology threatens all the worlds she holds dear.

Facing ruthless betrayal, Firebird undertakes a deadly journey to salvage the mission. Brennen must make daring use of his telepathic powers to save human life in the galactic Whorl, including that of their young sons. But saving the worlds might force Brennen to give the order that would mean Firebird’s death. In a galaxy poised on the edge of ruin, survival may demand the ultimate sacrifice—from them both.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Kathy Tyers is known for her award-winning Firebird series and two licensed Star Wars Legends novels, including New York Times bestseller The Truce at Bakura. Her messiah-in-space novel, Daystar, which concluded the original Firebird series, won a 2013 Carol Award, and in 2019, Shivering World received the Christy Award in the visionary category. At home in southwest Montana with her husband, William T. Gillin, Kathy focuses on writing, music, and short-season vegetable gardening.

More from Kathy

Is the Firebird Series “Space Opera”?

Kathy Tyers

You may have come across the term “space opera” and wondered what it meant. Sopranos in space suits?

The term comes to us by way of “horse opera,” those good old-fashioned western movies with horses and bad guys and adventures and sweet-rated romance. With space opera, it’s “head ’em off at the next galaxy” and the sheriff carries a blaster (a blazer in my books) instead of a revolver, but it often has the same flavor. Remember the sci-fi TV series “Firefly”? It acknowledged its western-movie roots with horse chases and train rides. Often, people who dislike most science fiction for its far-futuristic technology find that they enjoy space opera, because its beating heart is the characters who are having the adventure.

I’ve written two kinds of science fiction. My Christy-award winning novel Shivering World is what we call “hard” science fiction. The plot revolves around solving a scientifically plausible problem.

I like to explain the distinction between hard SF, soft SF, and space opera like this: All science fiction has a veneer of scientific credibility. With hard SF, that veneer has to be so thick that a scientist in that field wouldn’t scoff. I once read a compelling hard SF story in which the characters were saved by knowing the melting point of aluminum and whether it would float them across a pool of extraterrestrial lava (plainly, they were too far off Earth to Google it).

Soft SF has a thinner scientific veneer, with more emphasis on well-drawn characters. In space opera, the veneer can be thin indeed. Some people mock the Star Wars movies for showing that explosions in space go “boom” although sound waves are carried by air molecules.

Do Star Wars fans care? No! They’re in it for the adventure, the fight scenes, the fabulous visual effects, John Williams’s music, and the sense of hope that even in dark times, maybe goodness will win out.

Can’t we all use some of that?

In my Firebird space opera series, I keep the science plausible if I can. My telepaths’ ancestors dabbled in genetic manipulation to create those abilities. They exceed lightspeed using a technology that turns every shipboard molecule sideways to normal space (say quasi-orthogonal three times fast). My “magical weapon,” the crystace, contains a crystal whose X and Y axes elongate dramatically when activated by sound at a particular resonant frequency. I explained the crystace just once, at the start of the series, because what really matters in these tales is whether Lady Firebird will survive to have another adventure.

Yet there’s music in my space operas. Firebird plays a small harp, which becomes a plot point in Firebreak. All of my chapter titles have musical subheadings such as allegro con fuoco, like instructions for a performer.

There is also chaste, moral romance and deep love between a pair-bonded husband and wife. My sister accused me of trying to “create the perfect man” in my series hero, Brennen. I won’t call him perfect—no one is—but I think he’d be a catch on any planet. Then there’s Prince Tel, left a widower . . .

If you’ve never enjoyed science fiction, you might try a space opera, maybe even mine. If you already enjoy science fiction, this series could fall within your comfort zone, too.

MY REVIEW

Get ready for an unforgettable space adventure in this exciting book. I enjoyed how the author brings the entire cast of characters to life with different features with Lady Firebird at the center where she must defend family and friends from a fiery attack.

I don’t know about you but I had visions of Star Wars as I dived into the story. I visualized the weapons as they found targets and the noise of battle that streaked across the sky. You can sense that Firebird has dealt with failure and disappointment and once again that feeling comes over her. Her desire to see her vision of music spread to others places is not received well. We get a glimpse of her home life which I found enduring as she goes from fighter to mom.

Traveling back to Netaia Firebird is reminded what it was like where she came from. Cherished memories and excitement to bring her children here overwhelm her with deep thoughts. I couldn’t wait to see what journey she will find when she returns to her home planet. She prays as danger arises to who she calls “The Holy One.” With the anticipation of an unknown ship approaching everyone is on high alert. For me this begins an adventure where much activity takes place. In order to fully understand how captivating the story is you must grab a copy fir yourself.

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

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 25

Because Fiction, March 26 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 27 (Spotlight)

Artistic Nobody, March 28 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, March 29

Blossoms and Blessings, March 30 (Spotlight)

Guild Master, March 31 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, March 31

Stories By Gina, April 1 (Spotlight)

Fiction Book Lover, April 2 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, April 2

Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 3

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, April 4 (Spotlight)

Vicky Sluiter, April 5 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, April 6 (Guest Review from Mindy)

Books, Books, & More Books, April 7 (Spotlight)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kathy is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a copy of the book!!

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

https://gleam.io/28yLK/firebreak-celebration-tour-giveaway

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Half Agony, Half Hope: Dear Lily Edition Tour & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Half Agony, Half Hope: Dear Lily Edition

Author: Joy Michelle Austin

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Release Date: March 17, 2026

Lily
Days before her wedding, Lily Wentworth’s carefully planned future is shaken by an unexpected turn. Unsure how to move forward, she turns to the one person she has always trusted—her father.

Rick
Determined not to let their darkest years define her, Rick Wentworth offers Lily the journals he wrote during the season he fought to keep her safe and survive one day at a time.

As Lily reads, she begins to uncover not only the truth of what they endured, but also the fierce, steady love that carried her through—and the strength she may need now.

Half Agony, Half Hope: The Dear Lily Edition is a clean, closed-door story of resilience, family, and the love that shaped two lives.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Joy Michelle Austin is an award-winning novelist writing contemporary fiction. Her debut found an immediate audience among readers drawn to heartfelt stories of healing and second chances, launching the Jane Austen’s Men series. She also wrote The Seaside Sleuths and the Bridal Batter Blunder, a cozy mystery tie-in project for young readers.

Joy draws inspiration from real stories of courage, grace, and the quiet heroes found in everyday life, crafting fiction for readers who seek hope, honesty, and heart in contemporary storytelling.

She is the recipient of the West Coast Christian Writers Encourager Award and the Walt Disney Legacy Award—an honor given to fewer than 1% of Cast Members worldwide for embodying Disney’s “Dream, Create, Inspire” legacy.

Through her blog, The Joyous Living, she connects with thousands of readers who share her love of culture, storytelling, and meaningful living. She lives in Southern California with her dog, Captain Hastings.

More from Joy

Half Agony, Half Hope was not a story I set out to write lightly.
It was an answer to a call God placed on my heart as a survivor of sexual assault—a call to tell the truth without exploiting it, and to create hope without diminishing the pain. From the beginning, I knew this would be a heavy debut novel. I also knew I wanted it to be clean, faith-centered, and redemptive.
The decision to tell this story through the eyes of a man was intentional. So few novels explore male survivors with compassion and dignity, yet one in six men are sexually assaulted. Their stories are often hidden, misunderstood, or minimized. Rick Wentworth’s journey exists to say plainly: healing is possible, faith is not erased by trauma, and masculinity is not diminished by suffering.
Because of the weight of Rick’s past, much of the abuse in Half Agony, Half Hope is veiled. I wanted readers to feel the truth of what he endured without being retraumatized themselves. Still, after the book released, readers told me they longed for more gentleness—more space to breathe inside the story.
That is how the Dear Lily Edition was born.
Lily was Rick’s hope and grace during the darkest years of his captivity. In the cellar, she was the reminder that love could still exist, that innocence could survive, and that God was not absent—even there. Their bond became the quiet heartbeat of the story: a wounded man learning how to hope again through the steady, healing love of a child.
At its core, Half Agony, Half Hope: Dear Lily Edition is a story of survival and faith—but it is also a story of a father and daughter choosing trust and hope despite hardship, and building a family where brokenness does not get the final word.

MY REVIEW

Although this book is very difficult to read because of the subject, it allowed me to see how someone will sacrifice everything to protect those they love. I do want to let readers know this book talks about a very sensitive subject that could be a trigger for some.

I have read books about women going through this topic but never have I read about a man enduring it. The long span that Rick suffered at the hands of a woman overwhelms me at times. He lives everyday with physical and emotional pain. How could he live day after day locked up with no contact with the outside world?

The story delivers a look at what unconditional love is when Rick who is locked in a basement cares for his daughter with little food or clothing. As Lily becomes older her father shares his journal that opens wounds that must be healed. Each entry brought raw emotion as she begins to realize that growing up for her was filled with deep emotional scars.

I applaud the author for illustrating unconditional love, hope and faith that never wavered. Although Rick experienced what we can only imagine, he showed that God had never left him. At times I wasn’t sure if I could read the next journal entry, but I knew I had to follow his journey to see how God can take the darkest moments of our life and show us freedom from what the enemy meant for harm .

“There are seasons in your life when God brings people into your life. And there are seasons when it feels like He is taking some away. Neither season is a verdict on your worth.”

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