~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE UNTIL APRIL ~

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 ~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE ~

 --  'UNTIL APRIL'  -- 

AUTHOR JANET W. FERGUSON

 

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Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Until April  

by Janet W. Ferguson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

 

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About the Book

Title:  Until April 
Series:  Coastal Hearts 
Author:  Janet W. Ferguson 
Publisher:  Southern Sun Press LLC 
Release Date:  June 25, 2026 
Genre:  Contemporary Christian Romance

Michael Galloway has always believed freedom means living life on his own terms. His career is dedicated to saving the environment and teaching others the importance of taking care of the earth, rivers, and oceans. He’s building a life with no room for complications. Especially in his love life. 

Then tragedy turns April Yancy’s world upside down. 

After her husband’s death, April discovers he’d been hiding devastating secrets, leaving her buried in debt and struggling to protect her children’s future. The last person she expects to come to her rescue is Michael—the man who shattered her heart years ago. 

Michael has few regrets, but hurting April back in grad school still haunts him. When her situation grows desperate, he devises a risky plan to help her rebuild her life…even if it means jeopardizing his carefully guarded independence. 

Accepting Michael’s shocking offer could cost April more than her pride. His resistance to her faith clashes with the convictions she holds dear, and trusting him again feels impossible. Yet as doors keep opening and her prayers keep nudging her toward him, April begins to wonder if God is offering her a second chance at more than survival. 

 An emotional second-chance love story of forgiveness, redemption, and unexpected faith.

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EXCERPT:

“No.” He rose as her posture wilted, strode the few steps to her, and wrapped her in his arms. “Shh. It’s not your fault that you trusted Robert.”

Her muscles flinched. “It is, though. I knew how impulsive he could be. How reckless. For Jack’s sake, I should have stayed on top of the finances.”

He reached up with one hand to touch her cheek, the skin soft beneath his fingers. “You did not deserve any of this, April. Robert knew better.” Then guilt harpooned his heart. Hadn’t he done the same thing to her? Abandoned her out of selfishness? Because he’d wanted to live life his own way. “Neither Robert nor I proved worthy of a woman as special as you.”

Her gaze lifted and locked on his. The force of it jarred him. A whirlpool of emotion swirled between them, swallowing him in like a tangible force of nature. It drew him closer, so near to her, the warmth of her breath mingled with his.

He should move away. Back off and say goodnight. Instead, his fingers slid to her chin and tilted it upward. This is a mistake. The words banged in his skull.

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PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

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More in This Series

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About the Author

 

Janet W. Ferguson is a Christy Award finalist, Maggie Award Winner, and the FHL Readers Choice Award winning author of realistic inspirational fiction. An avid reader, she loved books so much she found a job as a librarian so she could be around them all day. Then she turned that love of story into writing faith-filled novels with characters who feel like best friends. You’ll laugh and cry as the quirky heroes and heroines chase their happily ever after.

Janet and her husband live in Mississippi where they say y’all a lot, and she forces him to visit the beach as often as possible. They have two grown children and a cat that allows them to share the space. 

 

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

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a paperback copy of Until April, a hummingbird feeder, a fabric bookbag (made by Janet's daughter), and lip balm!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight July 20, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 27, 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 JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

 

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~ FRIDAY FEATURE CASE CHRISTIE WEDDING AFFAIR ~

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 ~ FRIDAY FICTION FEATURE ~

-- 'THE CASE OF THE CHRISTIE WEDDING AFFAIR'  --

AUTHOR KELLY OLIVER

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The Case of the Christie Wedding Affair (The Detection Club) 

by Kelly Oliver

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About The Case of the Christie Wedding Affair

 

The Case of the Christie Wedding Affair (The Detection Club)  

Historical Cozy Mystery         4th in Series      Setting- Scotland 

 Publisher ‏ : ‎ Boldwood Books Ltd       Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 24, 2026  

Hardcover Print length ‏ : ‎ 242 pages     ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1836175744     ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1836175742 

Paperback Print length ‏ : ‎ 296 pages      ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1836175752      ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1836175759  

Digital Print length ‏ : ‎ 290 pages      ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1836175780      ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0F4WKHZHK  

Audiobook ASIN B0GYT6TMFS

 

 

Scotland, 1930: Agatha Christie is getting married. She invites fellow members of the Detection Club to the windswept Isle of Skye for a quiet break while the banns are read. But tranquility proves elusive when the formidable Lord Blackwood, leader of a hunting party sharing their lodge, vanishes from the moors.

Sharp-eyed assistant to the Detection Club secretary, Eliza Baker, suspects foul play as the strange occurrences pile up: a mysterious grave in the churchyard, a missing rifle, and late-night excursions across the rugged island. There may be no body—yet—but someone at Dunmara Lodge is hiding a deadly secret.

As a storm cuts them off from the mainland, Eliza and her friend Theo must navigate lies, half-truths, and a treacherous landscape... but can they uncover the killer in the stalking grounds… or will the moors keep their secrets forever?

Head to the remote Isle of Skye in this delightful and gripping golden-age mystery series, perfect for fans of Helena Dixon, Verity Bright and T. E. Kinsey.

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CHARACTER GUEST POST : 

Interview with Eliza Baker, detective, forensic investigator, and reluctant heroine of the Detection Club Mysteries:

Tell us about the novel that you live inside. Is it part of a series? If so, please tell us about the series too.

My name is Eliza Baker, and I live in a series of murder investigations that somehow manage to become more complicated with every installment.

The stories begin in England but soon take me much farther afield. One moment I'm examining a body in London, the next I'm digging through ancient ruins in Mesopotamia, sailing down the Nile, or searching the Scottish Highlands for a missing Lord.

The series follows my work as a detective, though "work" hardly seems the right word for chasing killers across continents.

Along the way, I've had to put up with members of the famous Detection Club, including Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers. Murder mysteries in books are one thing, but in real life are quite another.

At its heart, the series is about solving puzzles. Murder leaves behind a trail of evidence. People lie. Footprints don't. Blood doesn't. Fibers don't. Facts are stubborn things, even when everyone would prefer to avoid them.

Does the writer control what happens in the story or do you get a say too?

The writer controls far too much.If I had any real say in the matter, I would spend less time being shot at, kidnapped, threatened, stranded, buried under collapsing ruins, or chased by murderers.

I'd also get considerably more sleep.

That said, I suspect I occasionally frustrate the author's plans. She seems fond of emotional conversations. I prefer evidence.

She wants me to discuss my feelings.I want to dust for fingerprints.

Somewhere between those competing priorities, a story emerges.

How did you evolve as the main character?

I began as someone who trusted evidence far more than people.That wasn't entirely unreasonable. Evidence rarely betrays you.People do.

I grew up an orphan on the streets of London. I learned early that survivaldepends upon seeing the world as it truly is rather than as you wish it to be. Later, as a detective, that habit has served me well.

But over the course of these stories, thanks to my friend Theo Sharp, I discovered that independence and isolation are not the same thing.

For most of my life, I relied only on myself. Gradually, I allowed others into my circle. My sister Jane. And Theo. A few trusted friends, including Agatha and Dorothy. I learned that accepting help is not weakness.I'm still working on that lesson, if I'm honest.

Do you have any other characters you like sharing the story with? If so, why are you partial to them?

Theo Sharp.Though don't tell him I said so.

Theo notices things other people miss. Not footprints or fingerprints, but motives and meanings and contradictions in people's stories. He has an irritating tendency to be right about human nature.He also possesses a remarkable ability to remain optimistic in situations where common sense would suggest panic. And he regularly beats me at chess… although I’m working on that too.

My sister Jane is another favorite. She's intelligent, capable, and usually arrives with information I need, though occasionally she also arrives with advice I didn't ask for. Her job working for MI5 has a habit of sweeping me into its orbit in the most unpleasant ways. But given that Jane provides the roof over my head, I can’t decline. I probably couldn’t even if I had my own flat.

And then there's Queenie the beagle. Unlike most suspects, witnesses, and aristocrats, Queenie is entirely trustworthy. She is my very best friend and faithful companion… not to mention a darn good bloodhound.

What’s the place like where you find yourself in this story?

The settings are magnificent.Unfortunately, magnificent places are just as capable of hosting murder as ordinary ones.

I've investigated crimes in the shadow of the pyramids, aboard river steamers, in remote Scottish hunting lodges, and among ancient archaeological digs.People often imagine such places are romantic.They are. But they're also full of secrets.

I've learned that a beautiful landscape can conceal greed, jealousy, revenge, and desperation just as effectively as a dark alley in London.Perhaps more effectively.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell readers about you and the book?

Most detectives in novels possess extraordinary gifts.I don't.I simply pay attention.

The truth leaves traces. A missing button. A muddy footprint. A contradiction in someone's story. A detail everyone else overlooks.The trick is noticing.

If readers come to these books expecting grand deductions that appear out of thin air, they may be disappointed. The answers are always there. Hidden, perhaps, but present from the beginning. There will be no magical solution at the end. All clues are presented in a logical and empirically verifiable order. And if readers find themselves trying to solve the mystery before I do, all the better.

Just remember to trust the evidence, question all assumptions, and never underestimate the quiet person in the corner.They're usually the one paying attention.

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About Kelly Oliver

 

Kelly Oliver is the Agatha award-winning and bestselling author of four mystery series: The Jessica James Mysteries, The Pet Detective Mysteries, The Fiona Figg Mysteries, and The Detection Club Mysteries. The Fiona Figg Mysteries have been on the most anticipated list of Mystery Magazine and won the Mystery and Mayhem Award and the Silver Falchion Award for Best Historical Mystery. And The Case of the Christie Conspiracy, Detection Club Mystery book one, is currently nominated for an Agatha Award for Best Historical Mystery. Kelly is Past President of Sisters in Crime National, current Education Coordinator for SinC Guppies, and a Distinguished Emerita Professor of Philosophy at Vanderbilt University. To learn more about Kelly and her books, go to www.kellyoliverbooks.com. 

Website Bestselling Author Kelly Oliver  

BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kelly-oliver  

Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/Kelly-Oliver/e/B001HN3HCM/  

INSTAGRAM @kellyoliverbooks   

Pinterest Kelly Oliver Books https://www.pinterest.com.au/oliver743  

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kellyoliverauthor/  

Pinterest Kelly Oliver Books https://www.pinterest.com.au/oliver7431/  

Purchase Links Amazon US Amazon CA Amazon UK Amazon AU Amazon IN B&N  

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------  BLOG TOUR GIVEAWAY ------

LINK TO ENTER TO WIN A $25 AMAZON GIFT CARD! 

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS:

July 8 – Elizabeth McKenna - Author – SPOTLIGHT 

July 9 – Salty Inspirations – AUTHOR GUEST POST 

July 9 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT  

July 10 – View from the Birdhouse – SPOTLIGHT 

July 10 – Deal Sharing Aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW  

July 11 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT  

July 12 – Jody's Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT 

July 12 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT  

July 13 – Christy's Cozy Corners – SPOTLIGHT  

July 14 – Sarandipity's – AUTHOR GUEST POST  

July 14 – Boys' Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT  

July 15 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW  

July 15 – Cassidy's Bookshelves - SPOTLIGHT  

July 16 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT  

July 16 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT  

July 17 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – CHARACTER GUEST POST 

July 18 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW  

July 19 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST  

July 20 – Sarcastically Yours, Jen – SPOTLIGHT 

July 21 – Sarah Can't Stop Reading Books- REVIEW  

July 21 – Romance Novel Giveaways – AUTHOR GUEST POST

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~ WEDNESDAY DOUBLE COZY MYSTERY FEATURE ~

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 ~ WEDNESDAY DOUBLE COZY

MYSTERY FEATURE ~

-- 'THE MANGO MURDERS' 

&

'A DELICIOUS DECEPTION'  --

AUTHOR LUCY BURDETTE

 

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The Mango Murders & A Delicious Deception Key West 

Food Critic Mysteries by Lucy Burdette

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Book One: 

About The Mango Murders

Now Available in Paperback

 

The Mango Murders: A Key West Food Critic Mystery  

Cozy Mystery 15th in Series     Setting - Florida Publisher ‏ : ‎ Crooked Lane Books  

Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 12, 2025     Print length ‏ : ‎ 288 pages    

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8892421652    Kindle ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8892421669    ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DMTQ5QXH  

Paperback Publisher ‏ : ‎ Crooked Lane Books    Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 7, 2026    

Print length ‏ : ‎ 288 pages     ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8892424530     ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FV7CYMLC 

 

The turquoise waters of Key West are stained with pink in this explosive 15th installment of the Key West Food Critic mysteries from USA Today bestselling author Lucy Burdette.

Food critic Hayley Snow’s employer, Key Zest, is throwing the event of the season, a lavish cocktail party catered by Janet Snow, Hayley’s mother. As Hayley boards the luxurious cruise, she anticipates a smooth sailing soirée filled with shimmering cocktails, mouthwatering mango-infused delicacies, and new supporters for the e-zine. But as the boat sets sail, the festivities take a tragic turn when an explosion rocks the vessel, plunging the party guests into chaos.

In the days that follow, Hayley learns that a local culinary entrepreneur died in the explosion and it was no accident–someone on board had a deadly agenda. With the tropical city of Key West as her backdrop, Hayley navigates a web of secrets and lies. Her investigation takes her from the shadowy corners of island politics to fierce competition between high-end event caterers and personal vendettas.

With the clock ticking and the stakes higher than ever, Hayley must rely on her keen intuition to unmask a cunning culprit before they strike again.

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Book Two:

About A Delicious Deception

 

 A Delicious Deception: A Key West Food Critic Mystery  

Cozy Mystery 16th in Series    Setting - Florida Publisher ‏ : ‎ Crooked Lane Books  

Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 14, 2026    Language ‏ : ‎ English    Print length ‏ : ‎ 320 pages  

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8892426251    ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FWBC8M37    Digital ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8892426268  

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0G3SSHF54 

Mother-to-be Hayley Snow bites off more than she can chew in the sixteenth installment of Lucy Burdette’s USA Today bestselling Key West Food Critic mysteries.

When Sheriff’s Deputy Darcy Rogers asks Hayley for a small favor, she can’t say no. Nine months pregnant and temporarily benched from her food critic duties, Hayley’s itching for a distraction and eager to help. All she has to do is tag along while a young woman picks up her daughter from her father at Monroe County’s safe custody exchange location. Easy, right?

Wrong.

In the chaos of the Sheriff’s Office open house, the mother disappears. Then the father bolts, leaving Hayley with a terrified girl and the realization that something has gone terribly wrong. Hayley and Deputy Rogers head north up the Keys to search for answers.

When a body turns up, Hayley realizes this isn’t just a missing-persons case—it’s a race against time. With the little girl’s safety at risk, Hayley must trust her instincts—and her heart—to uncover the truth.

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About the Author 

      

 

Clinical psychologist Lucy Burdette writes the USA Today best-selling Key West food critic mysteries, a cozy, culinary mystery series starring food critic Hayley Snow, including #16, A DELICIOUS DECEPTION. A CLUE IN THE CRUMBS, won the Florida Book Award's gold medal for popular fiction. Both the 12th book in the series, A DISH TO DIE FOR, and the 10th, THE KEY LIME CRIME, won the bronze medal for popular fiction from the Florida Book Awards. Lucy's first women's fiction title, THE INGREDIENTS OF HAPPINESS, came out in July 2023.

As Roberta Isleib, she wrote the golf lover's mystery series (SIX STROKES UNDER) and the advice column mysteries (DEADLY ADVICE.) Lucy loves using her psychology background in her stories. She also loves to cook and to eat and to talk and write and read about food. She blogs with the wonderful crime fiction writers at Jungle Red Writers, and shares recipes and stories with twelve other cozy mystery writers at Mystery Lovers Kitchen.

Lucy's books and stories have been short-listed for Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity awards. She's a past president of both Sisters in Crime and the Friends of the Key West library.

Author Links:

Websitehttps://lucyburdette.com  

Facebookhttps://facebook.com/LucyBurdette 

Instagraminstagram.com/LucyBurdette  

BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/lucy-burdette  

Purchase Links - The Mango Murders - Amazon - B&N - PenguinRandomHouse  

Purchase Links - A Deadly Deception - Amazon - B&N - PenguinRandomHouse  

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS:

July 7 – Jody's Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT  

July 7 – @bibliophile_foodie – REVIEW  

July 8 – Christy's Cozy Corners – SPOTLIGHT  

July 8 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT  

July 9 – Romance Novel Giveaways – SPOTLIGHT  

July 9 – Sarandipity's – SPOTLIGHT  

July 9 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea  

July 10 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW  

July 10 – Baseball, Books, and Banter – SPOTLIGHT 

July 11 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT  

July 12 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT  

July 13 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT  

July 13 – Baroness Book Trove – REVIEW 

July 14 – Boys' Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT 

July 15 – Escape With Dollycas IntoA Good Book – REVIEW  

July 15 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic - SPOTLIGHT 

July 16 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT  

July 16 – Sarcastically Yours, Jen – SPOTLIGHT 

July 17 – Deal Sharing Aunt – SPOTLIGHT

 

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~ FRIDAY FICTION THE UNEXPECTED CALLER ~

 🌳🌸🍒🌹🌻🌳🌸🍒🌹🌻🌳

 

~ FRIDAY AMISH FICTION FEATURE ~

--  'THE UNEXPECTED CALLER'  -- 

AUTHOR SHELLEY SHEPARD GRAY

 

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Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Unexpected Caller  

by Shelley Shepard Gray, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

 

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About the Book

Title:  The Unexpected Caller 
Series:  The Amish Widows Club #1 
Author:  Shelley Shepard Gray 
Publisher:  Revell 
Release Date:  July 7, 2026 
Genre:  Amish Fiction / Contemporary / Romance

She finds sisterhood in the Amish Widows Club--but will she risk loving again? 

Leanna Mast never imagined she'd be a widow at forty-one, but it seems God had other plans. After mourning her husband for a year, she realizes it's time to start living again. But her community expects her to remarry, and after living on her own, she's not eager to start cooking and cleaning in another man's home. 

When she's invited to join the Amish Widows Club, she discovers a place of belonging she didn't even know she needed. In this group of women who support each other through sharing books, stories, and companionship, Leanna immediately feels welcome. She's sure her life as a widow will bring her the fulfillment she craves . . . until handsome, kind Evan Keim comes calling. As their relationship deepens, her heart becomes involved. But how could she possibly leave the widows club for a dream that might be too good to be true? 

New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray skillfully draws readers into an endearing and delightful Amish community of friendship during widowhood and a second chance at love.

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EXCERPT:

She was so tired of being nice. No, that wasn’t true, Leanna Mast decided. She liked being nice. She was a nice person. She was just tired of being nice to the string of men who had started calling on her on Sunday afternoons. Most of them she’d known all her life. Some were old enough to be her father. None of them were husband material.

 

Though, if she was being honest, the fault was probably hers.

 

The problem was that she’d already been married once and had no desire to be married again. Ever. So this constant parade of suitors was neither desired nor asked for. They’d just started appearing at her doorstep one year and one month after Willis died.

 

When the first one had shown up, she’d been so surprised, her good manners had taken over her personal preferences. Instead of politely sending the man home, she offered him kaffi and a slice of the almond cream- cheese bread she’d made that morning. When he asked for a second slice, she gave it grudgingly. She really hadn’t wanted to give him any of her favorite afternoon treat in the first place.

“This is mighty gut bread,” he’d said with his mouth full.

“Danke.” She’d said the word while staring at her hands clenched in her lap.

 

“You are a modest woman. Not only can you cook and clean, but you are shy too.”

 

When she lifted her chin to meet his gaze, she’d seen true appreciation there.

 

She’d bitten the inside of her lip so she wouldn’t ask him to leave.

 

Unfortunately, that little decision with her first caller had created quite a stir among the single men in the area. Next thing she knew, men started coming around all the time. She’d had to start baking cookies, pies, and bread every morning just to keep up with their hearty appetites.

 

It was annoying. And exhausting.

 

Because she was ninety-nine percent sure that she didn’t want to be another man’s wife. The only reason to consider such a thing would be to have a baby. At long last. Even though the doctor had promised that there was nothing wrong with her, she and Willis had never been blessed with a child in their nineteen years of marriage.

 

However, if she ever did decide to get married again, it would not be to the man currently sitting on her couch. Zeke Detweiler was too brash and too bossy. Plus, he stared at her chest too much. Did he think she wouldn’t notice?

 

Then, to make matters worse, he’d been her husband’s boss. Leanna hadn’t liked Zeke when Willis was alive and she liked him even less now. Unfortunately, that didn’t mean she could ask him to leave before his hour was up.

 

She’d learned that a widow, no matter what her age, was expected to be kind and proper. And demure.

 

Since she still had eighteen minutes to go, she gestured to his empty coffee cup. “Would you care for some more kaffi, Zeke?”

 

“I would.” His gaze drifted over her again when she started to bend down to pick up his cup and saucer. “You are over forty now, jah?”

 

“I am forty- one.”

 

“That’s a gut age, I think. Not too young. Not too old.” He crossed his legs. “You could still have a babe.” His eyes narrowed. “You could, jah?”

 

“I suppose so.”

 

“Hmm,” said Zeke.

 

Gritting her teeth, Leanna forced her expression to remain calm.

 

“I’ll be right back,” she murmured.

 

“Don’t forget that I like two teaspoons of sugar,” he said.

 

“I would never forget that, Zeke.” He needed all the sweetness he could get.

Only when she reached the privacy of her kitchen did Leanna press her hands to her eyes. Tears were threatening. She needed to fight them back before Zeke noticed. She’d learned that most of these later-in-life suitors looked for weaknesses. Flaws. They could be used as ammunition to make her feel like she shouldn’t be alone anymore.

Or, perhaps, simply to make themselves feel better.

 

Shelley Shepard Gray, The Unexpected Caller

Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, © 2026. Used by permission

 

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PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Baker Publishing | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Bookshop | BookBub

More in This Series

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About the Author

Shelley Shepard Gray is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 100 books. Two-time winner of the HOLT Medallion and finalist for both the Christy and the Carol Awards, Gray lives in Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town's bike trail. Learn more at ShelleyShepardGray.com.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $50 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight July 6, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 13, 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 JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

---

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

 

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~ WEDNESDAY CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK RAINBOWS ~

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 ~ FRIDAY CHILDREN'S PICTURE

BOOK FEATURE ~ 

--  GUESS WHY GOD MADE THE RAINBOW  -- 

AUTHOR KAREN FERGUSON  

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Welcome to the Blog Tour for Guess Why God Made the Rainbow by Karen Ferguson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

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About the Book

Title:   Guess Why God Made the Rainbow 
Series:   Questions for Kids #3 
Author:   Karen Ferguson 
Publisher:   Ambassador International 
Release Date:   October 1, 2025 
Genre:   Children’s picture book

Come join Lucy and her Papa Joe on another exciting adventure into the Bible, this time going back to Noah’s Ark! 

Lucy is afraid of storms. She hides under her covers every time the thunder roars. But Papa Joe calms her fears, and then he has an important question for her, “Do you know what the rainbow means?” 

Follow along in this third book in the Questions for Kids series as Papa Joe shows Lucy how God is faithful to protect and keep His promises, even amongst the storms of life.

Guess Why God Made the Rainbow is a heartwarming story of faith and trust in a God Who is with us through every storm. 
April Graney  ~  bestselling author of If Jesus Came to My School 

A perfect book for helping build literacy skills, establishing foundations in Bible study with young children, and sharing the real meaning of the rainbow! 
Kayla E. Green ~ award-winning Christian author, poet, and educator    

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EXCERPT

Lucy and little Rosie whizzed past Papa Joe down the hallway, scrambling to make a sharp turn into Lucy’s bedroom.

“Is everything okay?” Papa Joe called out.

An explosive thunder clap boomed behind him, shaking the hallway walls. At the same time, a high-pitched squeal echoed from the bedroom. Another summer thunderstorm. This was not unusual for this part of the South, but Lucy was unusually afraid of them.

It seemed to bother her new puppy, too.

Papa Joe’s scooter wheels screeched as he turned the corner into Lucy’s room. It was dark, but he could see two heads popping out from under the covers.

“Lucy, it’s okay to feel afraid; just remember that God is with you, and He protects you,” Papa Joe said, trying to comfort her.

“I know. It’s just that Rosie doesn’t like thunderstorms.”

Papa Joe held back a chuckle as he scooted to the window and opened the curtains. “Well, look at that, Lucy. The storm has died down already, and look what’s in its place. A rainbow!”

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MY REVIEW:

This colorful picture book is filled with scripture, love, and wisdom that will appeal to children and adults of all ages . . .

The warm, loving relationship between seven-year-old Lucy and her grandfather, Papa Joe, is evident from the first page of this story. When Lucy and her puppy, Rosie, are frightened by a noisy thunderstorm, they run to her bedroom and dive under the covers to get away from the noise. Papa Joe follows them on his scooter so he can assist them.

When a rainbow soon breaks through the clouds, he draws Lucy's attention to the beauty of God's special promise—the rainbow. Without prompting, she retrieves the family Bible and brings it back to her bedroom and hands it to her grandfather.

As he reads the story of Noah and the Ark aloud, Lucy settles in to listen and pictures the action in her mind. The illustrations in this section cause the Bible story come alive with color, action, and onomatopoeias such as bang, thud, rumble, splosh, etc.

The Back Matter is one of my favorite parts of this book. It includes a Scripture about courage, a list of eight Bible promises, and seven follow-up questions that open the door for a further discussion.

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. 

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

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More in This Series

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About the Author

 

Karen Ferguson is a writer, podcast host, and the author of the Questions for Kids picture book series. A lover of words, family, animals, and Jesus, Karen is a passionate advocate for truth that transforms lives. Her mission is to write stories that grab and hold young readers’ attentions, teaching them all about God’s unchangeable truths and His unchanging love for them. Karen is married to her best friend. They have two grown daughters, a growing tribe of dearly loved grandchildren, and one crazy golden retriever fur baby. Her favorite part of the week is eating dark chocolate and spending time with her family exploring new places.

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

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $35 Amazon gift card + all three signed hardcover books in the Questions for Kids series!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight June 22, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 29, 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

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

 

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