Showing posts with label Book Spotlights. Show all posts

Monday, April 20, 2026

Children's Book Spotlight: Chicken Fun! by Mary Jo Huff

This morning, I have a children's book to share in our book spotlight! Check out Chicken Fun! Take a few minutes to learn about author Mary Jo Huff and enter the book tour giveaway at the end of this post!

Children's Picture Book

Date Published: 06-01-2023

Publisher: Storytellin' Time Press

Many of our posts contain affiliate links.

Should you purchase an item via our links--we may receive slight compensation from an
affiliate partner.

about the book

This fun-filled rhyming picture book for very young learners will provide an introduction to numbers and counting while children are having a good time. There are ten chickens as they play in their backyard, getting up to a variety of shenanigans such as running from bees, playing baseball, dancing and even going on a date.

buy the book

https://mybook.to/ChickenFun
Amazon

Bookshop

about the author

Mary Jo Huff is a passionate storyteller, award-winning author, songwriter, and Early Childhood Educator who believes in the magic of words, rhythm, and imagination. Her creations have earned top national honors, including the NAPPA Gold, iParenting, Parents’ Choice, Dove, Teacher’s Choice, Kids’ First, and Mom’s Choice awards.

Children giggle and grow with her stories — from the mischievous adventures of No, No, Ebenezer, a spirited dachshund with a big heart, to the playful journeys in Chicken Fun, Going on a Gator Hunt, and The Predictable Persimmon.

As a seasoned educator and master storyteller, Mary Jo has inspired audiences in 47 states and three countries, sharing her love of language through staff development sessions, author visits, and children’s programs that burst with laughter, learning, and joy.

A dynamic keynote speaker, Mary Jo has graced Early Childhood conferences nationwide, leading hundreds of high-energy workshops and professional development events. With a heart for nurturing both children and teachers, she draws on 38 years as a center director — where she guided a team and cared for 115 bright, curious young minds every day.

Through every story, song, and puppet, Mary Jo invites children and educators alike to discover the wonder of storytelling and the power it must connect hearts, spark creativity, and make learning unforgettable.

connect with the author

Website

Facebook

Twitter: Mary Jo Huff

Goodreads

enter the giveaway

Readers Read more

Thursday, April 9, 2026

Angela Thompson 8:28 AM 0

Historical Fiction Blitz: Lila's Journey by Jane Coletti Perry

Today, we are joining the week-long book blitz for historical fiction novel Lila's Journey! Learn about the novel, read an excerpt and be sure to enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post.

Historical Fiction

Date Published: 05-19-2024

Publisher: Mustard Seed Press

Many of our posts contain affiliate links.

Should you purchase an item via our links--we may receive slight compensation from an
affiliate partner.

about the book

It’s 1866 on the Santa Fe Trail. Sixteen-year-old Lila Bonner is forced to make a life-changing decision that leaves her frightened and alone. With help from a kindhearted stranger, Lila reaches Council Grove, Kansas, where she hopes to build a new life. Fortified with determination, and tapping into a strength she didn't know she had, Lila deals with basic survival, Indian unrest, and an epidemic. As she develops into a wise, capable young woman, an unspeakably evil plot threatens her life as well as a blossoming romance. Her fate hangs in the balance between the person who betrayed her, the man she loves, and the woman she's become.

read an excerpt from Lila's Journey

She kept up a brisk pace through the wooded path as the sun peaked in and out of the clouds, shifting the shadows of the trees. Some of the trees had shed their leaves, but the mighty oaks still clung to theirs, and they rattled in the breeze. She kept her arms under her cloak for warmth but slowed momentarily when the sound of the rattling changed. She did a quick turnaround but saw nothing. “Must have been some critter scampering about,” she said, and picked up her pace again.

It happened so fast it scarcely registered.

Large hands overpowered her and grabbed her from behind, one covered her mouth, the other circled her waist. A surge of adrenaline triggered a painful heartbeat in her chest. She screamed through the clamped hand, but the sound was choked off. Lila struggled to free her arms from inside her cloak while she wildly kicked backwards. The harder she fought, the fiercer the grip. Lila raised her leg and shot it backwards again, this time hitting a shin. A rough voice cursed in her ear.

She was lifted off her feet and shoved against a tree, snapping the side of her head against the trunk. Pain shot through her head. Dazed, she made a feeble attempt to grab the arms. A hand slapped hard against her face. Spots danced before her eyes with the disappearing daylight, then nothing.

When Lila came out of the fog of unconsciousness, she found herself in darkness. She was blindfolded. She was on a horse with someone sitting behind her, someone with unspeakable body odor whose breath reeked of whiskey. What was happening? Who has done this? She had a throbbing headache, made worse with each step of the horse over the uneven ground.

Reaching for her head, she realized her hands were bound together. Why am I tied up? This makes no sense. She was a captive and there was nothing she could do to give herself any advantage. The realization sent her into a frenzy of fear, and tears swelled under her blindfold. Dear God, what am I to do?

Now fully awake, her heart pounded as she tried to clear her head. She had no idea how long she’d been unconscious, no idea where she was, no idea who sat behind her in the saddle. She shuddered to think who her captor was and what he had in mind.

about the author

Award winning author Jane Coletti Perry’s second novel, Lila’s Journey, will be released summer 2024. Her short story “Lila’s Song” won Women Writing the West LAURA Award (2021) and is the prequel to Lila’s Journey. Her previous historical fiction novel, Marcello’s Promise (2019), was inspired by her family’s immigrant story. She loves nothing more than digging into history and discovering unique stories unless it’s bringing those stories to life through writing. An English major, Perry graduated from Iowa State University and participates in writer’s workshops, conferences, and local writing groups.

When she’s not writing, Jane is singing in a choir, exercising in some fashion, or soaking up nature from a shady spot in the yard with a good book. She and her husband live in Kansas and have two children and six grandchildren. She treasures time spent with their far-flung family and still entertains the fantasy of appearing on Dancing with the Stars for Grandmas, although the clock is ticking. . .

Jane is a member of Women Writing the West, Western Writers of America, and Wyoming Writers, Inc.

connect with the author

buy the book

enter the giveaway

Readers Read more

Thursday, April 2, 2026

Angela Thompson 10:08 AM 1

Action Adventure Spotlight: The Liar's Treasure by Connie Mann

This morning, I have an action adventure novel to share in our book spotlight! Take a moment to learn about The Liar's Treasure and author Connie Mann! Be sure to enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post!

Book Title:  THE LIAR'S TREASURE (A Speranza Team Novel) by Connie Mann
Category: Adult Fiction (18+), 360 pages
Genre:  Action-Adventure
Publisher:  Tyndale House Publishers
Release date:   March 10, 2026
Content Rating: G/PG

Many of our posts contain affiliate links.

Should you purchase an item via our links--we may receive slight compensation from an
affiliate partner.

about the book

Camille Abernathy ignored rumors of The Liar’s Treasure and her family’s connection to it . . . until someone put a target on her daughter’s back. Growing up in New Orleans, such tall tales were as common as beignets and gumbo. But when Camille’s teenage daughter, Cass, posts pictures of a centuries-old diary her uncle gave her, she unwittingly attracts dozens of treasure hunting fanatics who are convinced Cass and the diary can lead them to a valuable cache.

To keep her daughter safe, Camille enlists the help of Speranza, a secret society always ready to help women in need. Together, they set out on a globe-trotting journey to find The Liar’s Treasure while also investigating a suspicious death related to Camille’s childhood friend. The deeper they dig, the more they suspect it’s all connected.

Chasing clues from New Orleans to Italy to the Bahamas, Camille and her friends receive unexpected assistance—and unwanted competition—from a handsome treasure hunter from Camille’s past. Then Cass is kidnapped, and finding the treasure truly becomes a matter of life and death.
Camille Abernathy ignored rumors of The Liar’s Treasure and her family’s connection to it . . . until someone put a target on her daughter’s back. Growing up in New Orleans, such tall tales were as common as beignets and gumbo. But when Camille’s teenage daughter, Cass, posts pictures of a centuries-old diary her uncle gave her, she unwittingly attracts dozens of treasure hunting fanatics who are convinced Cass and the diary can lead them to a valuable cache.

To keep her daughter safe, Camille enlists the help of Speranza, a secret society always ready to help women in need. Together, they set out on a globe-trotting journey to find The Liar’s Treasure while also investigating a suspicious death related to Camille’s childhood friend. The deeper they dig, the more they suspect it’s all connected.

Chasing clues from New Orleans to Italy to the Bahamas, Camille and her friends receive unexpected assistance—and unwanted competition—from a handsome treasure hunter from Camille’s past. Then Cass is kidnapped, and finding the treasure truly becomes a matter of life and deathCamille Abernathy ignored rumors of The Liar’s Treasure and her family’s connection to it . . . until someone put a target on her daughter’s back. Growing up in New Orleans, such tall tales were as common as beignets and gumbo. But when Camille’s teenage daughter, Cass, posts pictures of a centuries-old diary her uncle gave her, she unwittingly attracts dozens of treasure hunting fanatics who are convinced Cass and the diary can lead them to a valuable cache.

To keep her daughter safe, Camille enlists the help of Speranza, a secret society always ready to help women in need. Together, they set out on a globe-trotting journey to find The Liar’s Treasure while also investigating a suspicious death related to Camille’s childhood friend. The deeper they dig, the more they suspect it’s all connected.

Chasing clues from New Orleans to Italy to the Bahamas, Camille and her friends receive unexpected assistance—and unwanted competition—from a handsome treasure hunter from Camille’s past. Then Cass is kidnapped, and finding the treasure truly becomes a matter of life and death.

buy the book
Tyndale
Amazon ~ B&N ~ BAM
Bookshop ~ IndieBound
add to Goodreads

meet the author

Connie Mann loves taking readers on heart-pounding, suspense-filled adventures featuring strong, determined women who fight for what they believe—and for those they love. When those stories take place in exciting locales and include a tempting hero, so much the better. Her Speranza Team novels center around a modern-day secret society of resourceful, talented women who travel the globe helping other women, especially those trying to make the world a better place. Connie is also the author of the Florida Wildlife Warriors series, the Safe Harbor series, Angel Falls, and Trapped. She has won several writing awards, and Amazon declared Beyond Risk an Editors' Pick. Through mentoring and teaching writing workshops, Connie is delighted to encourage other writers on their journey.

Connie has been a USCG-licensed boat captain for almost twenty years, and when she's not writing, "Captain Connie" gets to introduce Florida visitors to dolphins, manatees, and other coastal creatures, which is as much fun as it sounds. She is also passionate about helping women and children in developing countries break the poverty cycle through education and entrepreneurship so they can build a better future for themselves and their families.

She and her husband love spending time with family and friends and heading off to explore new places, especially if they involve water and boats. Visit Connie online at conniemann.com and sign up for her newsletter for all the latest news.

connect with the author: website ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads

enter the giveaway

Readers Read more

Thursday, March 19, 2026

Angela Thompson 7:07 AM 0

Thriller Audiobook Spotlight: How to Surf a Hurricane by Todd Medema

Today, we are joining the audiobook tour for thriller How to Surf a Hurricane! Learn about the book & author Todd Medema!

Climate Fiction, Thriller, Heist, Solarpunk

Date Published: 11/18/2025

Publisher: Atmosphere Press

Narrator: Nathan Westhoff

Run Time: '6:37

Many of our posts contain affiliate links.

Should you purchase an item via our links--we may receive slight compensation from an
affiliate partner.

about the book

Bad news: Moro's project is cancelled.

Determined to get his prototypes back, he enlists the help of a professional hurricane surfer, an Alaskan oil worker, and a French salt farmer. But he's no criminal mastermind, and they soon find themselves caught between a growing hurricane and a surprise algae field.

Will Moro succeed? Will they beat the hurricane surfing world record? And how exactly does one farm salt?

It's a hopeful climate heist—a solarpunk blend of Ocean's Eleven, The Martian and Michael Crichton.

about the author

Todd Medema is the author of How To Surf A Hurricane, a heist thriller showing that stories about climate change and adaptation can be fun and hopeful. He wrote it because he believes the future doesn't have to be a dystopia, and he got tired of only reading stories of doom and gloom.

Todd studied Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Design at Carnegie Mellon University. He worked on self-driving cars and board games before discovering a passion for clean energy. He spent four years working on grid-scale battery storage and now offers Product Management consulting to clean energy companies.

Todd spends his free time playing games, climbing rocks, and gleefully riding his electric bike everywhere. He is currently working on expanding the Hurricane universe.

connect with the author

buy the book

Thrillers Read more

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Angela Thompson 11:03 AM 0

Contemporary Romance Spotlight: Strings by Jan Merritt

Sometimes the moments that change our lives arrive during the most uncertain times.

STRINGS by Jan Merritt brings together two people standing at very different crossroads. One is determined to rebuild her career and protect her future, while the other finds himself unexpectedly intrigued by a woman who refuses to be easily drawn into his world. When their paths cross during a time of global upheaval, what begins as curiosity slowly becomes something harder to ignore.

Blending contemporary romance, emotional drama, and elements of women’s fiction, this story explores ambition, independence, and the complicated pull of connection. Set against contrasting backdrops—from the quiet beauty of the Minnesota wilderness to the challenges of isolation during uncertain times—it’s a story about the choices we make when life shifts in unexpected ways.

Contemporary Romance, Romantic Drama, Women’s Fiction

Date Published: 11-21-2025

Many of our posts contain affiliate links.

Should you purchase an item via our links--we may receive slight compensation from an
affiliate partner.

about the book

With a national lockdown looming, a Southern journalist flees north, determined to jumpstart her career in the safety of a Minnesota wilderness, feisty and wary of entanglements, she piques the interest of a bored Native American rock star.

A pandemic is spreading across the globe. A national lockdown looms in the United States. A Southern journalist sees a chance to protect her health and jumpstart her career by escaping north to a Minnesota wilderness. Feisty and wary of entanglement, she piques the interest of a bored Native American rock star on his way home.

Robby Song’s career may be on hold, but Grace Wheeler is on a mission to build hers. To Robby, she’s an intriguing challenge. To Grace, he’s a distraction she’s not ready to handle. But the brutal Northwoods winter is coming. Grace flees back south . . . to soul-searching isolation and a puzzling middle-of-the-night call.

about the author

Jan Merritt is passionate about teaching both in the classroom and on horses, but brain cancer changed her life. Surgeries and treatments have left her with a new brain, one that does not have skills to teach middle school English or balance to ride horses . . . but loves to create stories.

Jan lives on the coast of South Carolina with strong ties to northern Minnesota. Growing up was filled with rich but conflicting narratives. Her dad told stories about his pioneering Minnesota family, egalitarian values, and the importance of self-reliance. They made annual trips to family cabins on a lake north of Duluth. But in her friends’ homes back in Charleston, she was immersed in plantation lore, tales of the Confederacy, and exclusive traditions of a social set that she was not born into. She is married to a musician who is also a mental health therapist. They have three children.

connect with the author

buy the book

enter the giveaway

Readers Read more

Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Angela Thompson 9:07 AM 2

Book Spotlight: The Lies We Trade by Kristine Delano

This morning, I have a family drama in our book spotlight! Learn about The Lies We Trade and author Kristine Delano! Be sure to enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post!

Book Title:  THE LIES WE TRADE (A NOVEL) by Kristine Delano
Category: Adult Fiction (18+), 368 pages
Genre: Women's Domestic Suspense
Publisher:  Tyndale House Publishers
Release date:  January 20, 2025
Content Rating:  PG-13

Many of our posts contain affiliate links.

Should you purchase an item via our links--we may receive slight compensation from an
affiliate partner.

about the book

A high-powered Wall Street career, a beautiful family in a quiet suburban neighborhood—she seems to have everything. Which means she has everything to lose.

Meredith Hansel should be having the best week of her life. After establishing herself as a portfolio manager at a prestigious Wall Street firm, she’s in the national spotlight for the innovative funds she created. But as Meredith prepares to celebrate, the plates she’s kept spinning for years begin to crash: Her strained marriage reaches a breaking point. Her conscientious teenage daughter acts out under mysterious pressures. Someone vandalizes her home with disturbing graffiti. And Betsey, her most trusted ally at the financial firm, goes rogue, and Meredith is forced to sign a restraining order against her.

Then her worlds collide when she receives a thumb drive and a cryptic note from Betsey threatening to reveal a secret that could have devastating effects on Meredith’s family . . . unless she can figure out what Betsey wants and deliver it in time.

As Meredith begins to dig into the data, however, she begins to suspect that it’s no coincidence her life is crumbling. That maybe what’s happening to her family is connected to what’s boiling beneath the surface at her investment company. Soon Meredith realizes there’s only one way to avoid taking the fall, and it all hinges on Betsey’s true motives. Was she really threatening Meredith or trying to warn her?

Great for fans of Colleen Coble, Laura Dave, Dani Pettrey, and Lisa Scottoline!

buy the book
Tyndale
Amazon ~ B&N ~ BAM
Christianbook.com
Bookshop.org ~ Indiebound ~ Bookbub
add to Goodreads

meet the author

Kristine Delano spent over twenty years navigating a career on Wall Street before trading her panoramic city view for her standing writer's desk. A lifelong fiction lover, she now crafts thriller novels set in the high-stakes finance world, exploring the emotional tension of work-life balance.

In pursuit of compelling stories, Kristine hosts the popular podcast We Talk Careers, where she interviews the voices of Wall Street on leadership, growth, and purpose. She is also a board member, speaker, and strategic advisor for businesses, schools, and parachurch organizations. Her faith fuels her passion for helping women navigate their calling.

Kristine's work has been recognized in fiction-focused writing competitions and with the ACFW Crown Award. She also loves the chance to stay connected with fellow authors and readers on Instagram and LinkedIn and through her membership in writers' groups.
When she's not writing, Kristine enjoys playing games with friends, scuba diving, and chasing her husband and children down the snowy ski slopes of western Maine—never does she catch them, but with joy she tries.

connect with the author: website ~ apple podcast ~ instagram ~ bookbub ~ goodreads

enter the giveaway

Readers Read more

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Angela Thompson 7:07 AM 0

Release Day: Call in the Dogs by Charlie Amos

There’s something especially compelling about a Western where the real tension isn’t just the gunfight — it’s whether a man can truly outgrow the life he once lived. Call in the Dogs feels rooted in that question.

This story leans into belonging as much as confrontation. A trading post, a growing sense of home, new friendships — and the looming shadow of an enemy who refuses to stay in the past. If you’re drawn to Westerns that mix grit with emotional stakes and community ties, this one looks like it delivers that balance.

Western/Cowboy, Cherokee, Outlaw

Date Published: 02-26-2026

Publisher: Write the West Press an imprint of Paperback Press, LLC Springfield, Missouri

Many of our posts contain affiliate links.

Should you purchase an item via our links--we may receive slight compensation from an
affiliate partner.

about the book

Levi Kuratowski, better known as “Little Kansas,” only thinks his days of carrying a gun are over. With a trading license approved by the Cherokee Nation he is determined to build a trading post on the banks of Spring Creek. Soon however he must set his hammer aside and take up his colt revolver. Upon receiving word that the outlaw Bill Kirby has escaped custody he prepares to face his old adversary.

Levi’s friend, Cherokee rancher Turon Turtle vows to offer aid and his rifle. Turon’s strong willed sister, Ruth, has a different vow in mind for Levi. Levi soon finds the determined Ruth as challenging as the inevitable showdown that has yet to come.

For the first time since leaving Europe three years earlier his has a sense of home. He finds customers in the neighboring Cherokee and travelers. More importantly he finds friends. Unknown to Levi is the whereabouts of the outlaw Kirby. Can Levi rely on his new friends and community? Will Levi be able to hold on to what he has built and face the man who thinks nothing except for the destruction of Levi and all he holds dear?

about the author

Born and raised on the Ozark Plateau. Charlie Amos grew up in the footsteps of outlaws, cowboys, and woodsmen. He currently lives in Oklahoma with his wife, children, and dog Banjo. When he is not tending cattle and kids he is reading and writing about the American West. Years of working in agriculture, forestry, trucking, and teaching school has laid the foundation of telling our American story through relatable characters. Writing westerns for westerners, and everyone else.

connect with the author

buy the book

Buy The Green County Series (2 Books)

enter the giveaway

Westerns Read more

Thursday, February 12, 2026

Angela Thompson 8:39 AM 0

Children's Book Spotlight: Just Call Me Pardner by Sherry Roberts

I love finding new children's books to share! Learn about Just Call Me Pardner and author Sherry Roberts! Be sure to enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post.

Children's Book

Date Published: 08-16-2025

Publisher: Solander Press

Many of our posts contain affiliate links.

Should you purchase an item via our links--we may receive slight compensation from an
affiliate partner.

About the Book

A.J. had always dreamed of being a cowboy on his family's Oklahoma farm. Without a horse, he felt like something was missing. How could he care for the animals and help with the farm work without a trusty steed?

One afternoon, A.J. returned home from school to find a surprise waiting for him in the barn - a beautiful little horse named Lady Star. She was now his to ride and care for. From that day on, A.J. spent all his free time learning how to ride Lady Star and caring for her. He dreamed of being skilled enough to ride alongside his grandfather, father, and Jon, the farm hand, during the cattle roundups.

Award-winning author Sherry Roberts weaves a heartfelt story about growing up in the 1930s and 1940s. Based on the tales passed down by her father, Just Call Me Pardner is a must-read for history lovers and those who enjoy stories of the American West.

About the Author

Sherry Roberts is an award-winning children’s book author. She holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Louisville. She has written multiple award-winning fiction picture books such as ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas…A First for Gus, Hello, Can I Bug You?, Gabriel and the Special Memorial Day, What’s Wrong with Barnaby, and The Best Reading Buddy. She also has written two non-fiction award-winning picture books, Sonnet, Sonnet, What’s in Your Bonnet? and A Visit Through the Wetlands. These two were illustrated with her photography. Sherry’s newest picture book, Amica Helps Zoe, was featured in Kirkus e-newsletter June 2025 as Indie Pick and received a Get It: Recommend review.

As a former middle school teacher, Dr. Roberts decided to write her first middle-grade novel (ages 8-13). Her debut novel, The Galaxy According to CeCe, is the first book in a three-book series. It was officially released on February 24, 2024. Book two, The Galaxy According to Cece: The Mysterious Dr. Pruitt, was released August 2024. Book three, The Galaxy According to Cece: The Stars Align, released February 2025.

Sherry’s next venture is a chapter book series (ages 6-8). The first book, Just Call Me Pardner, was released August 1, 2025. The series is about a young boy in the 1930s on a small farm in Northeastern Oklahoma and is inspired by stories of her father’s childhood in the 1930s. Book 2, Just Look at Those Boots, launches in early 2026, with Book 3, Just Don’t Give a Girl a Frog, launching in November 2026.

Dr. Roberts has also written many articles that appear in various academic journals, along with three textbooks. Personal Financial Literacy is in its fourth edition (Pearson). She is an associate professor of Marketing in Jones College of Business at Middle Tennessee State University.

Connect with the Author

Buy the Book