Thursday, April 30, 2026

~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE HIS RANCH REDEMPTION ~

๐Ÿ’˜๐ŸŒณ๐ŸŒธ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ’ ๐Ÿ“˜๐Ÿ’ฎ๐Ÿ’˜

 ~ FRIDAY FICTION ROMANCE FEATURE ~ 
-- 'HIS RANCH REDEMPTION' -- 
AUTHOR LAURIE WINTER 

 ๐Ÿ’˜๐ŸŒณ๐ŸŒธ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ’ ๐Ÿ“˜๐Ÿ’ฎ๐Ÿ’˜

 

His Ranch Redemption JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for His Ranch Redemption by Laurie Winter, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

 ๐Ÿ’˜๐ŸŒณ๐ŸŒธ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ’ ๐Ÿ“˜๐Ÿ’ฎ๐Ÿ’˜

About the Book

His Ranch Redemption

Title:  His Ranch Redemption 
Series:  Fern Hollow #1 
Author:
  Laurie Winter 
Publisher:
  Harlequin Heartwarming 
Release Date:
  April 28, 2026 
Genre:
  Sweet Contemporary Romance

He was her first love… 
Can he be her forever?
 

Widowed Sarah Carmella has a wonderful daughter and fulfilling work running her grandparents’ horse rescue. So there’s absolutely no reason for regrets and what-ifs when her ex-husband, Pete O’Keefe, arrives in town for a mutual friend’s wedding. She and Pete eloped young, then went their separate ways when tragedy struck. But memories of their whirlwind romance and Pete’s charm have Sarah fearing for her heart. Because Pete would never settle down in tiny Fern Hollow. Fresh out of the army, he already has another job chasing danger lined up. Yet, could falling for each other all over again become the adventure they both need?

 ๐Ÿ’˜๐ŸŒณ๐ŸŒธ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ’ ๐Ÿ“˜๐Ÿ’ฎ๐Ÿ’˜

EXCERPT:

Sarah shook her head in an adamant showing that the option was not on the table. “Pete isn’t staying. He has a new job in Phoenix and he’ll never be content living here. And most importantly, I am not opening to a romantic relationship. Especially one long distance with no hope of that ever changing. I was blessed with a good marriage with Mike. I already had my prince charming. Now that he’s gone, I’m content staying single and devoting myself to the ranch and Chloe. I don’t need anything more.” No more heartbreak, that’s for sure. Nothing could have prepared her for Mike’s death. If she offered herself to Pete only for him leave her, she may never recover.

   ๐Ÿ’˜๐ŸŒณ๐ŸŒธ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ’ ๐Ÿ“˜๐Ÿ’ฎ๐Ÿ’˜

MY REVIEW:

๐ŸŒŸ ๐ŸŒŸ ๐ŸŒŸ ๐ŸŒŸ ๐ŸŒŸ 

Filled with deep emotion and hope for a brighter future, this contemporary romance is one of my favorite reads in this genre in 2026 . . .

Sarah Carmella has experienced great joy in her life balanced by even greater loss, and she carries the weight of her longtime grief with her each day.

When her former husband, Pete O'Keefe, returns to her small hometown of Fern Hollow, Washington, to attend a friend's wedding Sarah's pain surrounding past events is brought back to the surface full force.

The animal rescue Sarah operates at Carmella Ranch, her legacy from her grandparents, does excellent work in helping abused and neglected animals heal. However, the financial situation of the organization is tenuous and is a constant worry.

Sarah's six-year-old daughter, Chloe, is a delightful and curious child who is still dealing with her father Mike's death when she was only two. She loves animals and is a bundle of energy who will keep readers on their toes as she plays with her pet donkey, Horace, and searches for unicorns in the farm's apple orchard.

Army veteran, Pete O'Keefe, has never forgotten his first and only love, Sarah Carmella. He hasn't visited Fern Hollow since he left for the Army, but he has many unanswered questions for her about what transpired after they eloped at ages seventeen and eighteen.

Awkward doesn't begin to describe the emotion and tension between these two characters as they seek to settle things between them while they guard their hearts.

I enjoy reading stories where characters let go of the past to move on to live their best lives by forgiving, trusting, and growing in their thinking to see possibilities instead of failure . . . This book provides readers with many examples of this type of growth.

The story includes an assortment of unforgettable characters such as animal rescue volunteer Milton Monroe, Horace the donkey, Dandelion the pony, Beaker and Gonzo the rescue's guard dogs, and some of the other townspeople and friends of Sarah who give her encouragement and support.

The book is completely clean in language and content. I received a copy of the book from the author through JustRead Publicity Tours. All of my thoughts and opinions shared here are solely my own. 

 ๐Ÿ’˜๐ŸŒณ๐ŸŒธ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ’ ๐Ÿ“˜๐Ÿ’ฎ๐Ÿ’˜

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

 ๐Ÿ’˜๐ŸŒณ๐ŸŒธ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ’ ๐Ÿ“˜๐Ÿ’ฎ๐Ÿ’˜

Also Available

Safeguarding the Witness Hunted by a Killer


About the Author

Laurie Winter

Multiple award-winning author Laurie Winter creates authentic characters who overcome the odds to find true love. She keeps her life balanced with jogging and binge-watching true-crime shows. Laurie enjoys time with her family and two dogs, all of who inspire her every day.

Connect with Laurie at lauriewinter.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a $20 Amazon gift card and a His Ranch Redemption custom premium candle!

His Ranch Redemption blog tour giveaway JustRead Tours

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 29, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 6, 2026. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway


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

JustRead Publicity Tours


๐Ÿ’˜๐ŸŒณ๐ŸŒธ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ’ ๐Ÿ“˜๐Ÿ’ฎ๐Ÿ’˜

Thursday, April 23, 2026

~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE MURDER LAVENDER DAZE ~

 

~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE ~
--  'MURDER IN A LAVENDER DAZE'  --  
 AUTHOR DARYL WOOD GERBER
 
 

 

Murder in a Lavender Daze (An Aroma Wellness Mystery) 

by Daryl Wood Gerber

 

About Murder in a Lavender Daze

 

Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series        Setting - Carmel-by-the-Sea, California  
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kensington Cozies      Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 28, 2026  
Print length ‏ : ‎ 304 pages    Paperback ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1496751523 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496751522 
 Digital ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496751539 ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FKWZ7F23 

 goodreads badge

 

Emma Brennan always knew that her idyllic California hometown of Carmel-by-the-Sea would be the perfect place to open her very own spa. The success of her Aroma Wellness Spa, gift shop, and cafรฉ has proved her right. But while the business is located in the Courtyard of Peace, Emma finds herself privy to events that are far from serene—like murder . . .

With its soothing dรฉcor and tempting treatments, customers are flocking to Aroma Wellness for more than just facials and massages. Lately, Emma has been booking private events, from spa parties to bridal showers and birthdays. Next on her calendar is something really unique: A “Happily Divorced” party.

After eight years of marriage, Addison Lacey is divorcing her husband, whom she claims convinced her he was Mr. Nice Guy when he was really Mr. Controlling Guy. To kick off her journey toward becoming a better version of herself, Addison wants to celebrate, bigtime. Her wealthy mother, Gianna, a former model turned difficult diva, is footing the bill. . . . But when Emma goes to Gianna’s home to pick up the final payment, she and Addison find her dead in her bed amid the aroma of lavender, with an herbal-infused pillow from the party nearby.

Soon, Addison is a prime suspect. But Emma knows there are plenty of others Gianna rubbed the wrong way, including her soon-to-be ex-son-in-law. Once again, with the help of her cousin, her nana, and her trusted Birman cat, Vivi, Emma is determined to sniff out a killer—whether the police like it or not . . .

 

MY REVIEW:

A strong cast of quirky characters, whimsical garden fairies, and a pampered cat lead readers through a well-constructed cozy murder mystery set in the picturesque coastal town of Carmel-by-the-Sea . . .
 
I enjoyed reading this entertaining clean, cozy mystery written by an award-winning author. As someone who has been fortunate to visit Carmel, California, dozens of times in the past, I feel the author successfully captured the unique ambience of this lovely small town on the Central California Coast.
 
This book features an assortment of characters, and the list of the Cast of Characters provided to readers in the Front Matter was very helpful to me as I navigated this 'new-to-me' series. A street map of the town is also provided for readers' reference.
 
The story includes a lot of tension between various people in the community, family members, and friends. Some of the characters were rude and obnoxious while others were kind and friendly. This blend of personalities made it challenging to pin down who actually committed the crime—the hallmark of a well-written mystery!
 
Learning about fairies, crystals, and other treatments at the spa were key to the plot and added an interesting twist to the events in the story. There are half a dozen recipes in the Back Matter of the book including regular and Gluten-free versions of some of the foods included in the story.
 
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours. All of my thoughts and opinions shared here are solely my own.
 
  * * * * * * * * * * *

 

About Daryl Wood Gerber

daryl wood gerber

 

Daryl Wood Gerber is the Agatha Award-winning and nationally bestselling author of the Literary Dining Mysteries, Aroma Wellness Mysteries, Fairy Garden Mysteries, and Cookbook Nook Mysteries. As Avery Aames, she penned the popular Cheese Shop Mysteries. In addition, Daryl writes suspense novels, including the well-received Accidental Murder, The Son’s Secret, Girl on the Run, and the popular Aspen Adams trilogy. Daryl has published a standalone Christmas romance, Hope for the Holidays, and her short stories have appeared in numerous anthologies. Fun Tidbit: as an actress, Daryl appeared in “Murder, She Wrote.” She loves to cook, garden, read, and walk her frisky Goldendoodle. Also, she has been known to jump out of a perfectly good airplane. You can learn more on her website: https://darylwoodgerber.com

Author Links:  

WEBSITE: https://darylwoodgerber.com  

FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/darylwoodgerber  

BOOKBUB: https://bookbub.com/authors/daryl-wood-gerber  

YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/woodgerb1  

INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/darylwoodgerber  

GOODREADS: https://goodreads.com/darylwoodgerber  

BLUE SKY: @darylwoodgerber.bsky.social  

 

Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N - Kobo - Bookshop.org - Website

   

 BLOG TOUR GIVEAWAY!

 

LINK TO ENTER GIVEAWAY 

 

TOUR PARTICIPANTS:  

April 21 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT  
April 21 – Jody's Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT 
April 21 – @bibliophile_foodie – REVIEW  
April 22 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW, RECIPE  
April 22 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT  
April 22 – Escape With Dollycas IntoA Good Book – REVIEW  
April 23 – Bigreadersite – REVIEW  
April 23 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW  
April 23 –The Plain-Spoken Pen – REVIEW 
April 24 – View From the Birdhouse – REVIEW  
April 24 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – REVIEW  
April 24 – Sarcastically Yours, Jen – REVIEW  
April 25 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT  
April 25 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – REVIEW  
April 26 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW  
April 26 – Sarandipity's – AUTHOR GUEST POST  
April 27 – StoreyBook Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST  
April 27 – Boys' Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT 

 

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Have you signed up to be a Tour Host? Click Here to Find Details and Sign Up Today!  

Want to Book a Tour? Click Here

 * * * * * * * * * * *

Photo Credit for Pink Lavender Bloom: June McCrary Jacobs

 

 

Thursday, April 9, 2026

~ FRIDAY CHRISTIAN WESTERN ROMANCE ASHTON ~

๐Ÿ’– ๐Ÿ“–๐ŸŽ๐ŸŒณ๐ŸŒป๐Ÿ‘ข๐Ÿ’– ๐Ÿ“–๐ŸŽ๐ŸŒณ๐ŸŒป๐Ÿ‘ข๐Ÿ’–

~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE ~
--  'ASHTON'  --
AUTHOR ANNE PERREAULT
 
๐Ÿ’– ๐Ÿ“–๐ŸŽ๐ŸŒณ๐ŸŒป๐Ÿ‘ข๐Ÿ’– ๐Ÿ“–๐ŸŽ๐ŸŒณ๐ŸŒป๐Ÿ‘ข๐Ÿ’– 

Ashton JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Ashton by Anne Perrault, 

๐Ÿ’– ๐Ÿ“–๐ŸŽ๐ŸŒณ๐ŸŒป๐Ÿ‘ข๐Ÿ’– ๐Ÿ“–๐ŸŽ๐ŸŒณ๐ŸŒป๐Ÿ‘ข๐Ÿ’–  

About the Book

 

Ashton

Title:   Ashton 
Series:   Yellowstone Descendants #1 
Author:
   Anne Perreault 
Publisher:
   Independently Published 
Release Date:
   October 1, 2025 
Genre:
   Christian Fiction/Contemporary Western Romance

Return to Yellowstone with the next generation of our beloved characters from the original series.  

Saddlehorn, MT 

Ashton Anderson, former town sweetheart and prodigal son of rancher Clint Anderson, has finally returned home. Where has he been for the last ten years, you ask? Apparently, working a smaller rodeo circuit up north. With his strength and skill, he should have done well, but he has returned battered, bruised, and grieving the loss of his faithful gelding, Dusty. As for the girlfriend who turned down his marriage proposal all those years ago . . . 

Kelsey Winters has left her less-than-idyllic past behind. She now helps others as a therapist at the therapeutic riding center outside of town, although her own personal life seems to be a solid mess. She’s tried to be a good older sister to her brother, Darren, but she can’t protect him—or herself—from his poor choices. They’re one bad decision away from homelessness when they’re robbed and Darren is put in jail for possession of a controlled substance. 

Due to circumstances beyond their control, Kelsey and Ashton’s long-ago romance resurfaces. But will it leave the gate running, or suffer a colossal wreck?  

 ๐Ÿ’– ๐Ÿ“–๐ŸŽ๐ŸŒณ๐ŸŒป๐Ÿ‘ข๐Ÿ’– ๐Ÿ“–๐ŸŽ๐ŸŒณ๐ŸŒป๐Ÿ‘ข๐Ÿ’–

EXCERPT:

As those inner rantings continued, she grew aware that the still sweet voice that usually advised her way in the deep recess of her heart was absent. Maybe not silent, but she was unable to hear and acknowledge it.

Sitting cross-legged on the couch, she closed her eyes and focused not on the anger and frustration, but on hearing that voice of wisdom.

Lord, let me hear Your voice instead of my own. Lead me, instead of me leading my heart.

That was when she heard it, so faint it was part of her heartbeat.

Compassion, not condemnation.

Mercy, not hate.

Forgiveness, not entitlement.

He was right with the last one. She felt entitled to be angry. After all, Ryley had kept them all in the dark for the last ten years. As the sky in the east lightened with the oncoming morning, Kelsey finally found it in her heart to forgive. After all, she wasn't about to allow unforgiveness to fester.

๐Ÿ’– ๐Ÿ“–๐ŸŽ๐ŸŒณ๐ŸŒป๐Ÿ‘ข๐Ÿ’– ๐Ÿ“–๐ŸŽ๐ŸŒณ๐ŸŒป๐Ÿ‘ข๐Ÿ’– 

MY REVIEW:

A powerful introduction to the author's new series, 'Yellowstone Descendants,' this story is filled with grief, trauma, suspense, and personal growth . . .

Ashton Anderson left his family and his hometown ten years ago to escape a painful event and to try to find himself. Unfortunately, he did not contact his parents, close friends, or the young woman he left behind during those ten years.

When Ash finally returned to Saddlehorn, Montana, broken and battered, some accepted him back with open arms. Others didn't want to have anything to do with him. Although he was alone, he brought along his dreams and his young colt, Captain.

I enjoyed learning how Ashton, an experienced horseman and horse trainer, related to Captain, and how he trained the two-year-old colt.

This book contains a lot of action, an atypical romance, close friendships, rekindled family bonds, and a well-written mystery filled with suspense. There is a strong faith thread woven throughout the story which includes various characters sharing their beliefs and scripture with others.

Throughout the story, the author faces many tough issues in a straight-forward manner. Addiction, racism, abuse, and family problems are some issues which come to mind. I enjoy reading stories where flawed individuals make a lot of personal growth, and this story presents several examples of this particular theme. The story is completely clean in language and content.

I received a copy of this book from the author through JustRead Publicity Tours. All of my thoughts and opinions shared here are solely my own.

 ๐Ÿ’– ๐Ÿ“–๐ŸŽ๐ŸŒณ๐ŸŒป๐Ÿ‘ข๐Ÿ’– ๐Ÿ“–๐ŸŽ๐ŸŒณ๐ŸŒป๐Ÿ‘ข๐Ÿ’–

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

More in This Series


About the Author

Anne Perrault

Anne Perreault was born and raised in Germany. By the time she was 14 years old, her family moved to Dubai, UAE. While living in this exotic place, she traveled extensively to various countries around the world. After graduating from an American boarding school in Austria, she attended college in England, where she met her husband. She graduated from New England College with a degree in biology, and settled down in Connecticut.

Anne became a horseback riding instructor as well as a certified therapeutic riding instructor. She and a group of friends started a therapeutic riding center in Bristol, CT. During that time, Anne also received a masters degree in secondary education and began to homeschool her three children. While raising their three children, she began to write an inspirational story primarily for her daughter. 12 years later, God commissioned her to write down her skating stories. That started a writing ministry she has enjoyed ever since. 

Anne, her husband, and two of their grown children now reside in Southern Vermont, where they are building their home. Besides writing, Anne enjoys reading, spending time with her husband, grown children, and granddogger. Her oldest son and his wife recently welcomed their first child making Anne and her husband now grandparents. She enjoys visiting and seeing her grandlove a few times a year.

Connect with Anne by visiting intothelightfiction.weebly.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.


Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a blind date with a book prize package which typically includes a signed paperback, bookish stickers, chocolates or mints, sticky notes, bookmarks, a drink koozie, and other fun bookish things!

Ashton blog tour giveaway JustRead Tours

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 6, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 13, 2026. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway


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

JustRead Publicity Tours


๐Ÿ’– ๐Ÿ“–๐ŸŽ๐ŸŒณ๐ŸŒป๐Ÿ‘ข๐Ÿ’– ๐Ÿ“–๐ŸŽ๐ŸŒณ๐ŸŒป๐Ÿ‘ข๐Ÿ’–
 

Sunday, April 5, 2026

~ MONDAY COZY MYSTERY TWO PURLOINED PILLOWS ~

๐Ÿ’ ✂๐Ÿชก๐Ÿงถ๐Ÿ–ผ️๐Ÿชข๐Ÿ’ ✂๐Ÿชก๐Ÿงถ๐Ÿ–ผ️๐Ÿชข๐Ÿ’ 

~ MONDAY COZY MYSTERY FEATURE ~ 
 --  'TWO PURLOINED PILLOWS'  --
AUTHOR ALLIE PLEITER

 ๐Ÿ’ ✂๐Ÿชก๐Ÿงถ๐Ÿ–ผ️๐Ÿชข๐Ÿ’ ✂๐Ÿชก๐Ÿงถ๐Ÿ–ผ️๐Ÿชข๐Ÿ’  

 

Two Purloined Pillows (A Nimble Needle Mystery) by Allie Pleiter

๐Ÿ’ ✂๐Ÿชก๐Ÿงถ๐Ÿ–ผ️๐Ÿชข๐Ÿ’ ✂๐Ÿชก๐Ÿงถ๐Ÿ–ผ️๐Ÿชข๐Ÿ’  

About Two Purloined Pillows

 

Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series Setting - North Carolina  
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kensington Cozies  
Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 31, 2026  
Print length ‏ : ‎ 272 pages   Hardcover ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1496752031  
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496752031 
Digital ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496752055  
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FGRZ45KV 
Audiobook ASIN: B0FR3WWJ4M   
Audio CD ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8228762817
 
  goodreads badge

 

When 30-something graphic artist Shelby Phillips reluctantly returned to her small hometown outside Asheville, North Carolina to manage her mother’s needlepoint shop, she thought it was temporary. But getting entangled in murder investigations has a timeline of its own…

It’s been a little over a year since Shelby started managing Nina’s Nimble Needle following her office-romance and career implosion, and Shelby’s mom has finally handed her the reins—technically, at least. Next, Shelby is excited to oversee two well-known needlepoint designers who will be participating in the town’s first two-week-long arts festival . . .

Laura Bitters and Paul Bardo have each stitched up one-of-a-kind pillows that should be big wins for the Nimble Needle at the festival’s auction . . . until the pillows vanish amid a sudden string of shoplifting incidents.

To add to the knot in Shelby’s stomach, Laura proves highly anxious, while Paul is an egomaniac who believes Laura has been stealing his customers for years. But things go from bad to tragic when Laura behaves oddly at the auction dinner, then collapses—dead.

Soon after, Shelby makes a shocking discovery in Laura’s room at the local inn. Then tests reveal that Laura was poisoned. Resolved to piece together the truth, despite the police chief’s determination to keep her on the fringes, Shelby rallies her personal team, including her sister, Jessica, her friend Deb, and Jake, her potentially more than a friend. As an extra twist, a magazine reporter arrives with unsettling—yet useful—dirt that includes Laura and Paul.

What unravels is a skein of suspects, long-held resentment, bitter jealousy, and betrayal, from which Shelby will have to pull the one crucial thread tied to the killer: a murder-worthy motive . . .

 ๐Ÿ’ ✂๐Ÿชก๐Ÿงถ๐Ÿ–ผ️๐Ÿชข๐Ÿ’ ✂๐Ÿชก๐Ÿงถ๐Ÿ–ผ️๐Ÿชข๐Ÿ’ 

EXCERPT:

I stared in disbelief at my mother. “We are talking about grown adults here, aren’t we?

Mom offered me one of her more dubious looks. “I guess that depends. Behavior or chronology?”

Based on the series of warnings Mom had just given me about the two supposed grown adults in question, it was a valid distinction. We were discussing an upcoming event at Nina’s Nimble Needle, the needlepoint shop my mother owned and I’d taken over as manager. Event? Maybe. Circus of clashing egos? More likely. “Can’t we expect grown adult behavior from actual adults?”

“With those two? Not a chance!” came a declaration from an outlandish older woman named Dot, seated at the large gathering table in the back of Nina’s Nimble Needle. All the rest of the NYAGs—the Not Your Average Grannies, who have been shop fixtures for as long as I can remember—nodded in agreement. These women gathered nearly every day at the shop to work on their needlepoint and flex their considerable gossip skills. The NYAGs knew about all the goings-on in town and had opinions on most of them. They were some of our best customers, staunchest allies, sources of endless amusement, and some of Mom’s closest friends. I adored them as much as they frustrated me. And I knew enough to take their warnings to heart as much as Mom’s.

Evidently my worry showed on my face, because Dot consoled, “Don’t worry, hon,” with a dismissive wave. “You’re up for it. The trick will be to keep ’em apart.

Far apart,” added Tilly, another NYAG, as she looked up from the Christmas stocking she was working on for her fifth grandchild. It’s not at all uncommon to see people working on Christmas stockings in June here at the store. Or baby items the minute a pregnancy is announced (if even before). Needlepoint takes time to accomplish. Lots of it.

“Dot’s right. You can handle ’em,” cheered Livvy, another NYAG, in her musical Charleston accent.

I welcomed the consensus of NYAG support. After all, I’d been taking time to accomplish my work here, too. I’d been stepping farther and farther into my role as the permanent replacement for my mother, Nina. I’d been back in my hometown of Gwen Lake, North Carolina, and running the shop for just over a year now, and almost everyone considered me in charge.

Almost everyone.  

๐Ÿ’ ✂๐Ÿชก๐Ÿงถ๐Ÿ–ผ️๐Ÿชข๐Ÿ’ ✂๐Ÿชก๐Ÿงถ๐Ÿ–ผ️๐Ÿชข๐Ÿ’  

Author Guest Post

What happens when an author combines things she loves? 

The best things happen!

I’ve been writing novels with crafting themes and crafting characters for years. When Kensington gave me the opportunity to create an entire series around a small-town needlepoint shop, I jumped at the chance. Growing up on the east coast, my father owned the building on our town’s main street that housed a needlepoint shop. I have fond memories of the little needlepoint kits the owner would send our family inside her holiday cards. What a neat thing to have that come back around in my life over 50 years later!

As longtime knitter, I knew my return to the needlepoint world would include a warm welcome. My local shop was quick to help me get my skills back up to speed. Needlepoint sends me into the world of color and texture at the end of the long days I spend staring at my computer screen. It keeps me company on the tiring days of travel. And it never fails to spark a conversation in the airport or on the plane…often including the statement, “My mother/grandmother used to do that.”

The neat thing is that “granny crafts” (a term I don’t like even if I am a grandmother myself) are experiencing an explosion of popularity right now. It’s not hard to see the appeal of something so far away from our digital deluge. Every age is discovering the power of color, texture, and the creative process. My favorite letters and emails from readers are the ones that say something like “I want to try needlepoint now.” Or “I picked it back up after years away from crafting.” I deeply understand the lure of crafts and am always happy to share them. 

Craft theme aside, I knew cozy readers demand a good, juicy mystery along with their cozy. The right story combines a dose of minor chills and “ah-ha!” moments along with the good friendships and small town quirkiness. If I’ve done my job well, the reader had equal vibes of “I never saw that coming!” and “I knew it!” 

When the Nimble Needle Mysteries debuted with ONE SHARP STITCH last year, Shelby Phillips thought she was coming back to Gwen Lake to watch over her mother’s needlepoint shop for a short stint. Now as the series continues with TWO PURLOINED PILLOWS, she’s settled in as the shop manager and deepend her friendships with both neighbors and her oh-so-perfect sister Jessica. While the shop boasts a feisty circle of older stitcher known as the NYAGs (Not Your Average Grannies), Shelby has created her own circle of stitchers who prove their chops as crime solvers as well. The intergenerational fun and friction is part of the story’s charm. 

Sure, needlepoint is calming and cozy. But as TWO PURLOINED PILLOWS shows, there are some big egos and sinister motives hidden in all that color and texture. Dark secrets lurk under the stitched beauty, and it will take Shelby’s keen eye and clever nature to unravel who did what and why.


 ๐Ÿ’ ✂๐Ÿชก๐Ÿงถ๐Ÿ–ผ️๐Ÿชข๐Ÿ’ ✂๐Ÿชก๐Ÿงถ๐Ÿ–ผ️๐Ÿชข๐Ÿ’ 

About Allie Pleiter

Allie Pleiter gray shirt for press

An avid crafter, coffee junkie, and firm believer that “pie makes everything better,” Allie Pleiter writes both fiction and non-fiction, working on as many as four books at a time. The bestselling author of over seventy books, Allie has enjoyed a twenty-plus-year career with over 1.9 million books sold. In addition to writing, Allie maintains an active writing productivity coaching practice and speaks regularly on the creative process, publishing, and her very favorite topic—The Chunky Method of time management for writers. She lives in the Charlotte area with her husband and the world’s most adorable dog. Visit her website at www.alliepleiter.com to learn more.

Author Links:  

Purchase Links - Author Website - Amazon - B&N - Kobo - Bookshop.org  

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS: 

April 1 – Baroness Book Trove – REVIEW  
April 1 – deal sharing aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW  
April 1 – Storybook Lady – REVIEW  
April 2 – Jody's Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT  
April 2 – Boys' Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT 
April 2 - Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT  
April 2 - Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT  
April 3 – Christy's Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST  
April 3 – MJB Reviewers - SPOTLIGHT  
April 4 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR INTERVIEW  
April 4 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT 
April 4 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT  
April 5 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST  
April 5 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST  
April 6 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – AUTHOR GUEST POST  
April 6 – Sarandipity's – CHARACTER INTERVIEW  
April 7 – Escape With Dollycas IntoA Good Book – REVIEW  
April 7 – Salty Inspirations – CHARACTER GUEST POST 
 
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BLOG TOUR GIVEAWAY:

Prize package will include a signed hardcover copy of Two Purloined Pillows (A Nimble Needle Mystery) by Allie Pleiter, bookmarks, and a Needlepoint starter kit.

LINK TO ENTER GIVEAWAY 

 ๐Ÿ’ ✂๐Ÿชก๐Ÿงถ๐Ÿ–ผ️๐Ÿชข๐Ÿ’ ✂๐Ÿชก๐Ÿงถ๐Ÿ–ผ️๐Ÿชข๐Ÿ’ 

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 ๐Ÿ’ ✂๐Ÿชก๐Ÿงถ๐Ÿ–ผ️๐Ÿชข๐Ÿ’ ✂๐Ÿชก๐Ÿงถ๐Ÿ–ผ️๐Ÿชข๐Ÿ’ 

 

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