~ FRIDAY TAKEOVER BLITZ FEATURE CHRISTY AWARDS GALA 2026 ~

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FRIDAY TAKEOVER BLITZ FEATURE 

CHRISTY AWARDS GALA 2026

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Welcome to the Takeover Blitz for The Christy Award Finalists 2026 organized by ECPA and hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! 

We extend our sincere and enthusiastic congratulations to The Christy Award 2026 Finalists & Winners (announced on November 6th)!

You are Invited

The Christy Award Gala Friday, November 6, 2026 | 7:00 PM Sonesta Nashville Airport Hotel Nashville, Tennessee Featuring Michelle Shocklee, Amanda Cox, Nicole Deese, Amanda Dykes, Susie Finkbeiner, J.J. Fischer, Rhonda McKnight, Jamie Ogle, Amanda Wright, Jaime Jo Wright, and other distinguished 2025 winners—bringing a meaningful connection between past and present excellence.

This is our year to gather together in person to celebrate and honor the best Christian fiction of the year. The Christy Award Gala will be held the evening of Friday, November 6th and will feature a premiere cast of the industry’s authors to announce The Christy Award winners in nine categories, The Christy Book of the Year, and The Amplify Award for Christian Fiction.

This year’s gala features a keynote address from Michelle Shocklee, recipient of The Christy Book of the Year for her acclaimed novel All We Thought We Knew. Her story and perspective will set the tone for an evening rooted in faith, creativity, and impact. Continuing Christy tradition, recent honorees will present category awards, including Amanda Cox, Nicole Deese, Amanda Dykes, Susie Finkbeiner, J.J. Fischer, Rhonda McKnight, Jamie Ogle, Amanda Wright, Jaime Jo Wright, and other distinguished 2025 winners—bringing a meaningful connection between past and present excellence.

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The Christy Award Finalists 2026

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE - tie

Echoes of a Silent Song by Amanda Wen (Kregel Publications)) Hearts on the Fly by Toni Shiloh (Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group) Kate Landry Has a Plan by Rebekah Millet (Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group) The Voice We Find by Nicole Deese (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group)

FIRST NOVEL

In the Light of the Sun by Angela Shupe (WaterBrook, an imprint of PRH Christian)) The Lawyer and the Laundress by Christine Hill Suntz Tyndale House Publishers) Where Stillness Speaks by Chelsey Welwood (Chelsey Welwood))

GENERAL FICTION

South of Somewhere by T.I. Lowe (Tyndale House Publishers) The Bitter End Birding Society by Amanda Cox (Revell/ Baker Publishing Group) When the Road Comes Around by Katie Powner (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group)

HISTORICAL - tie

All From the Valley We Rise by Elizabeth Musser (Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group) Splendor of the Land by Connilyn Cossette (Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group) The Daughter of Rome by Angela Hunt (Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group) The French Kitchen by Kristy Cambron (Thomas Nelson Fiction)

HISTORICAL ROMANCE - tie

Mists Over the Channel Islands by Sarah Sundin (Revell/Baker Publishing Group) The Belle of Chatham by Laura Frantz (Revell/Baker Publishing Group) The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna M. White (Tyndale House Publishers) Through Water and Stone by Karen Barnett (Kregel Publications)

MYSTERY/SUSPENSE/THRILLER - tie

Final Approach by Lynette Eason (Revell/Baker Publishing Group) Girl Lost by Kate Angelo (Revell/Baker Publishing Group) Tempest at Annabel's Lighthouse by Jaime Jo Wright (Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group) The Accused by Cara Putman (Kregel Publications)

SHORT FORM - tie

A Very Merry Matchup by Becca Kinzer (Tyndale House Publishers) One Nine by Sara Davison (Sara Davison) Planning for Nickie by Tasha Hackett (Tasha Hackett) To Reveal a Reckless Love by Robin Lee Hatcher (RobinSong, Inc.)

SPECULATIVE - tie

Every Hour until Then by Gabrielle Meyer (Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group) Heir of Light by Niki Florica and Jill Williamson (Sunrise Publishing) Maxine Justice: Public Offender by Daniel Schwabauer (Enclave, a division of Oasis Family Media) Of Dawn and Embers by Gillian Bronte Adams (Enclave Escape, a division of Oasis Family Media)

YOUNG ADULT - tie

Illuminary by Chawna Schroeder (Enclave Escape, a division of Oasis Family Media) Sons of Day and Night by Mariposa Aristeo (Enclave Escape, a division of Oasis Family Media) The Outsider by Katy Morgan (The Good Book Company) The Star-Blessed by Angie Dickinson (Enclave Escape, a division of Oasis Family Media

 

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Register for The Christy Award 2026 Events

Join us in Music City for a vibrant, can’t-miss gathering of the Christian fiction community.

Beyond the Books Add-On: Meet the finalist authors at this special morning gathering of authors and readers.

The Art of Writing conference will bring together writers, storytellers, and publishing professionals for an afternoon of relevant topics and networking.

The Christy Award Winners Gala celebrates this year’s finalists and winners with authors, editors, publishers, and readers!

REGISTER

The Christy Award® is a program of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) and is the foremost award honoring and promoting excellence in Christian fiction since 1999. For more information about ECPA, visit ECPA.org. For more information about the Christy Awards and Art of Writing conferences, visit ChristyAwards.com or email TheChristyAward@ecpa.org

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive their choice of The Art of Writing registration OR print copies of The Christy Award finalist titles for one category!

 

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight September 25, 2025 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on October 2, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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

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~ WEDNESDAY MYSTERY FEATURE MAGIC CITY MURDER ~

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 ~ WEDNESDAY MYSTERY FEATURE ~

--  'MAGIC CITY MURDER'  --  

AUTHOR BRIAN HAMMACK 

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Welcome to the Blog Tour for Magic City Murder 

by Bruce Hammack, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

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About the Book

Title:   Magic City Murder 
Series:   Smiley and McBlythe Mystery Series #16 
Author:   Bruce Hammack 
Publisher:   Jubilee Publishing 
Release Date:   August 6, 2026 
Genre:   Mystery / Private Detective

A missing husband. A murdered journalist. A city where everyone has something to hide. 

Blind former Houston homicide detective Steve Smiley and his partner Heather McBlythe take on what looks like a straightforward case: track down a missing husband so his estranged wife can finally file for divorce. 

The simple case turns deadly when the body of the woman the husband has been living with is found in a Miami canal. She wasn't just the missing man's companion — she was an investigative journalist silenced before her story could see the light of day. 

As Smiley and McBlythe dig deeper, they uncover a trail of political corruption and cartel money that someone powerful is determined to keep hidden. With a growing list of suspects, a city full of secrets, and a killer working in the shadows, Smiley must sort through the tangle of lies before whoever is cleaning up loose ends decides Smiley's next.  

Pick up your copy of Magic City Murder today and follow Smiley and McBlythe from Houston to Miami as they chase down a missing husband and a killer who's running out of places to hide. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie-style whodunits who love clever plots, professional detective work, and clean reads without the gore, violence, or explicit content.  

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EXCERPT:

Heather placed her Montblanc pen atop a stack of spreadsheets. She closed her laptop and stared at the man holding a white cane in front of her desk. “You have some explaining to do, Steve.”

“This may take a while, but the bottom line remains the same. Kate’s in trouble, and I’m going to Miami to find out how serious it is.”

Heather pushed a button on her office phone and waited for an answer.

“Yes, Heather?”

“Coffee and cookies for two. Cancel my eight-thirty meeting with the acquisitions team.”

Heather stood up and walked around her desk while Steve spoke over his shoulder on his way to the office’s massive conference table.

He asked, “You’re having cookies this morning?”

“They’re for you. If Kate’s in trouble, you’re worried. When you worry, you do whatever is necessary to solve the problem. That means you act like a homicide detective again.”

Steve and Heather avoided the chair at the head of the table and took their seats in the first executive chair on each side, facing each other. His service dog, Le Roi, a giant schnauzer, gave his head a nod of recognition to Heather as she passed him. Her dog, Princess, a German shepherd, had a more congenial disposition. She nudged Steve’s hand and received a thorough head rub.

The door to the office opened, and Pam, Heather’s personal assistant, entered with a carafe of coffee, mugs, and a plate with an assortment of baked delights. She filled Steve’s mug and placed the plate in front of him.

Steve picked up a cookie, smelled it, and announced, “These are wafers covered in Swiss chocolate. I’m glad I walked on my treadmill this morning.”

Pam replied, “Only the best for the world’s two greatest detectives.” She turned her attention to Heather. “Do I need to notify your pilots?”

“Put them on standby for a flight to Miami. I’ll have an answer for you after Steve tells me more and we discuss it.”

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

More in This Series

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About the Author

Bruce Hammack, a native Texan, began his professional writing career in the tenth grade when the local Rotary Club sponsored a writing contest for students in civics class. To the amazement of students and teachers alike, he won the prize of a twenty-five-dollar savings bond.

After retiring from a career in criminal justice, Bruce picked up the proverbial pen again. He now draws on his extensive background with law enforcement (and criminals) to write contemporary, clean read detective and crime mysteries. 

An avid Hercule Poirot and Sherlock Holmes fan, Bruce firmly believes the world can’t have enough whodunits. When not writing, he enjoys travel, classic whodunits and a quiver full of children and grandchildren. Having lived in eighteen cities around the US and the world, he now makes his home in the Texas Hill Country with his wife of thirty-plus years. 

Connect with Bruce by visiting brucehammack.com to follow him on social media and subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(3) winners will each receive a signed paperback copy of Magic City Murder, a Smiley And McBlythe bookmark, a Reading Log, and book lover stickers!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 23, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 30, 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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~ AUTUMN, HALLOWEEN & THANKSGIVING SEWING PATTERN SALE ~

 

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LET'S SEW! 

 

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I know the calendar officially shows it's summer for a couple more weeks, but for those of us who like to stitch seasonal home decor and party goods for kids to enjoy, it's time to start thinking about the upcoming fall season and autumn holidays!

My five eligible e-book sewing patterns for Autumn, Halloween, and Thanksgiving are available in the Kindle Store for only $.99 from now through October 31st! 

🙂 All of my sewing patterns are always free with Kindle Unlimited!

 

Visit my Amazon Author Page at:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/June-McCrary-Jacobs/author/B00E7YV522/allbooks 

 

Thank you! 🙂

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~ WEDNESDAY MIDDLE-GRADE FEATURE OFF THE RAILS ~

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 ~  TUESDAY MIDDLE-GRADE

FICTION FEATURE  ~

 --  'OFF THE RAILS'  --

AUTHOR SUSAN COUNT

 

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Off The Rails - A Wilderness Survival Adventure 

by Susan Count

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About Off The Rails

 

Off The Rails - A Wilderness Survival Adventure  

Middle Grade Fiction    Reading age ‏ : ‎ 8 - 12 years    

2nd in Series  

Setting - Montana     Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hastings Creations Group 

Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 1, 2026

     Print length ‏ : ‎ 204 pages   Paperback ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1952371236

  ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1952371233       

Digital will be available too. 

 

After planning a fun experience for a year, two Texas cousins make their first trip to Montana. When their train stalls, the boys leap from it into the white wilderness, beginning a perilous run for their lives.

As a blizzard hits, the boys spend a miserable night trying not to freeze. They struggle along the tracks to find shelter, but a disaster leaves them exposed to the elements and every famished wild creature.

Frustrated by their too-real situation, Davy and Anderson struggle to endure. Instead of vacationers at a wolf sanctuary, they become players in an unplanned survival experience.

Just because your cousin jumps from a train in the wilderness doesn't mean you should too.

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EXCERPT:

One hand on Davy’s back, Anderson pushed him through the door into the next compartment. He rushed to the first window, looking both ways, then bee-lined to an empty row of seats in the rear. Travelers raised their eyes momentarily and returned to their diversions.

Without a word, Anderson pointed into the snow-covered wilderness. He motioned for Davy to follow him. They popped out of the car and stood on the platform connecting to the next car. “I saw something moving in the woods.”

“Strange. Was it red? Pileated Woodpecker’s are red. They live in Montana. Some say they are a sign the forest isn’t healthy because they use big dead trees for their nests. They dig in the bark…”

“Not red and it’s not a bird.” Anderson insisted. “It was on the ground weaving through the trees.”

“A fox maybe. Wouldn’t it be amazing to see a wild fox?”

“That’s what I’m thinkin’ or a wolf.”

“I was hoping to see an Arctic fox while we’re here. I researched it and they don’t live this far south of the tundra. Their snow-white tails are over a foot long and they use them for balance and to keep their noses warm. They find mice and things to eat buried deep in the snow with their super-sonic hearing.”

“Easy on the animal kingdom lessons.” Holding onto the metal grab bars, Anderson moved down the steps. Then from deep in the woods something yelped in pain. “Did you hear that? Something needs help.”

“Whatever it is, it’s wild. You can’t help it. Whatever wants to eat it would eat you too.”

Anderson moved down another step. “How can I stand here and listen to a helpless animal crying in pain?”

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BONUS CONTENT:

I have had the pleasure of featuring four previous posts about this author and her books  on my blog over the past few years. Here are links to those posts:

https://authorjunemccraryjacobs.blogspot.com/2024/11/monday-middle-grade-book-feature.html

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https://authorjunemccraryjacobs.blogspot.com/2022/09/blog-tour-stop-abbys-pony-love.html

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https://authorjunemccraryjacobs.blogspot.com/2020/10/great-escapes-firefly-warriors-club.html

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https://authorjunemccraryjacobs.blogspot.com/2020/03/mmgm-dream-horse-series-blog-blitz.html 

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About Susan Count

Susan Count is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, American Christian Fiction Writers, and Texas Association of Authors. She takes studying the craft of writing seriously. Revision is her super-power.

Ms. Count has published Texas Boys Adventures, Dream Horse Adventures, and Dream Pony Riders. All series are for young readers ages 8 – 14.

Susan is a life-long equestrian and owned by a Rocky Mountain Horse that is kind-hearted enough to take her on long, forested trail rides. She says the only thing more fun than riding might be writing adventure stories for children.

Answer to why did I write Off The Rails :

Ten of my novels are horse books for girls. But on the rare occasions that I do an event book table, I’m inevitable asked if I’ve written any books for boys. So, I wrote this two book series (Texas Boys Adventures) because you asked and kept asking. You and my four grandsons. Finding wholesome books that will engage 8- to 12-year-old boys is a parental challenge.

I’m so old school. Let the kids keep their childhood for as long as possible. I believe in protecting their young hearts and minds. Give them adventures where they learn to build friendships and be the hero of their own stories. Capture their interest and then encourage and strengthen them to grow into the arrows they are destined to be.

Social Media Links:  

Website   http://www.susancount.com  

Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/susancountauthor/ 

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

Pinterest  https://www.pinterest.com/susancount/  

Twitter/X  https://twitter.com/SusanCount  

GoodReads  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14771062.Susan_Count 

LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-count-7bba4427/  

YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtHR27qiVUc  

BookBub  https://www.bookbub.com/profile/susan-count

   

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Buy Link - Amazon  

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 BLOG TOUR GIVEAWAY!

 

PRIZE IS A $25 AMAZON GIFT CARD!

 

LINK TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY 

 

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS: 

September 2 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT  

September 2 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – SPOTLIGHT  

September 3 – Jody's Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT 

September 3 – Sarandipity's – CHARACTER INTERVIEW 

September 4 – Baroness Book Trove – REVIEW  

September 4 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – AUTHOR INTERVIEW 

September 5 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT  

September 5 – Escape With Dollycas IntoA Good Book – SPOTLIGHT  

September 6 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT 

September 7 – Boys' Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT  

September 7 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT  

September 8 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT  

September 9 – deal sharing aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW  

September 10 – Sarcastically Yours, Jen – SPOTLIGHT  

September 11 – Book HookUp – REVIEW

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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

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