The Alcuin Letter by Jeff Raymond ~ Blog Tour

August 26, 2024

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Alcuin Letter by Jeff Raymond, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Alcuin Letter
Series: International Intrigue Series #2
Author: Jeff Raymond
Publisher: Winged Publications
Release Date: July 11, 2024
Genre: Christian Mystery/Suspense

What price success?

When a tragedy sparked by a medieval letter brings Matt and Camilla together in London, they never could have imagined the death and peril that would accompany their search for answers. The letter, rumored to lead to a relic of Biblical importance, holds ancient clues that others are also desperate to uncover.

Amidst the pressure and danger of the hunt, Matt and Camilla must confront their past heartbreaks and battle their inner doubts and beliefs. But even if they are successful, what will it mean for their faith? And what will it mean for their budding relationship?

From a quaint antique shop in Frankfort to a grand cathedral in Geneva to a secluded Swiss abbey, the pursuit of answers takes the pair on a harrowing ride. With success in their grasp, the journey culminates with a decision that will test their convictions.

Enhanced with historical figures, locations, and facts, The Alcuin Letter is a gripping tale that will entertain while prompting readers to examine their own faith. Come and join Matt and Camilla on their exciting journey.

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

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Excerpt

(From Chapter 26)

Camilla noticed the gunman at the same time I did and screamed, “Matt, watch out!” just as we found cover behind a statue of Charlemagne standing outside the cathedral’s gate. Another bullet bounced off the bronze figure as we huddled together behind its concrete base.

By this point, others in the area were yelling, screaming, and searching for places of cover. I peeked around the statue and could see the gunman walking directly toward us, gun hand extended straight out, simply waiting for his opportunity. He was wearing black jeans and a dark button-down shirt, with wrap-around sunglasses hiding his eyes. He had jet black hair, cut very short. I could see a large tattoo

extending above his collar and up his neck.

He fired again, the bullet chipping the concrete only inches from my head. Another shot hit the sidewalk just to our left and then another on the right. I think he was enjoying this, effectively preventing us from fleeing until he managed to finish the job. My overloaded mind failed to come up with a plan of action that had any chance of success. This was the end. I pulled Camilla into me and held her tight, bringing a

quick reflection of our similar experience in the burning house. We were miraculously saved once, but….

Camilla suddenly pushed herself away from me and bolted to our right. Startled, I looked that way and noticed a small girl curled up, crying loudly only fifteen feet away. Camilla’s instinct was to protect the child. She would need only four or five steps to reach the girl, but it took the gunman just two of those steps to zero in and squeeze the trigger. After one shot missed behind her, the next hit Camilla in the

side, jolting her into the wall a few feet short of her goal. She fell to the ground awkwardly, managing to reach out her hand as she came to rest with an audible groan. The young girl stretched to put her small fingers into the offered hand just as Camilla’s eyes flickered shut.

Overflowing with emotion and rage, I yelled something unintelligible as I stood and tried to move toward Camilla. The man advanced with a silenced gun pointed at my head, blocking my path. A curl of a smile appeared on his thin lips as he looked me over, appraising his conquered prey. It was a smile projecting confidence, success, and superiority.

I hoped he sensed something other than fear in my eyes as I glared back at him. The Bible says I am supposed to love my enemy. Reality, though, is a challenging teacher and, in this instance, I am probably flunking the test.

About the Author

Jeff Raymond

Jeff Raymond comes from a publication-oriented family, as both his father and older brother had accomplished careers in the newspaper business. He has had numerous articles published and has won awards for both writing and publication design. His debut novel, The Medici Quest, was honored with a Pencraft Award for Best Christian Fiction Book in the summer of 2024. Raymond graduated from Taylor University in Indiana, where he was a member of the track team. He also spent a year writing for the university newspaper and worked as a color commentator for basketball broadcasts. He went on to earn a Master’s degree from the University of Georgia. In addition to writing, Raymond has an interest in history, including Biblical history and the origins of the Bible. He has a growing collection of Olympic Games memorabilia, is a member of his church’s Worship Team. His interest in travel has allowed him to visit several international locations, both as a tourist and as part of short-term mission trips.

Connect with Jeff by visiting jeffraymondfiction.com to follow him on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win a print copy of each book in this series - The Medici Quest & The Alcuin Letter!

The Alcuin Letter JustRead blog tour giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight August 26, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 2, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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Harriet Hurry-Up and the Oh-So-Slow Day! by Allia Zobel Nolan ~ Book Review

August 23, 2024

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Harriet Hurry-Up and the Oh-So-Slow Day! by Allia Zobel Nolan, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Harriet Hurry-Up and the Oh-So-Slow Day!
Author: Allia Zobel Nolan
Illustrator: Alexandra Colombo
Publisher: Kregel Childrens Books
Release Date: August 13, 2024
Genre: Children's Story Book

"Can you send me some patience, God? Please?"

Harriet's mom calls her Harriet Hurry-Up--and it's easy to see why. There's nothing this little girl can't stand more than waiting. From a slowpokey sun that won't rise before she does, to the shy sprouts on her school potato experiment, to the long line at the store with Mom, everything takes forever for Harriet. Why, oh, why can't this day just go faster?

But with her Gran's help, this impatient little girl is learning to trust God's timing and find the blessings he puts in every single day--if she can just slow down long enough to see them.

With rhymed text that kids will love and colorful, whimsical illustrations full of surprises, Harriet Hurry-Up and the Oh-So-Slow Day! will quickly become a family favorite. It's perfect for birthdays, back-to-school reading, and for anyone--child or adult--who finds that having patience is hard.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop

About the Book

This was a great picture book and a read aloud for my youngest. I love that this book teaches about learning how to wait. Kids can be extremely impatient in everything they do and this book helps with giving parents an example on teaching kids that it's important to wait and wait on what God has in store for us. Changing the way we thing about waiting and turning it into a positive is a great skill to teach children.

I really enjoyed that the author added a page in the back to help parents and caregivers by providing ideas on how to teach patience to kids. The illustrations are fun and relatable and you will not regret grabbing this book for yourself or as a gift for someone!

I received this book for review. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

About the Author

Allia Zobel Nolan

Allia Zobel Nolan is the author of over 150 traditionally published titles. Her books reflect her two main passions: God and cats. Recent titles include Cat Confessions: A Kitty-Come-Clean Tell-All Book (over 130,000+ copies sold); The Worrywart’s Prayer Book, winner of the gold medal first place 2022 Indie Book Award for Christian Non-Fiction; Laugh Out Loud:40 Women Humorists Celebrate Then and Now...Before We Forget, finalist in the 2019 Indie Book Awards for Humor, the classic bestselling children’s book, What I Like About Me: a Book about Differences, and the sequel, What I Like About You: a Book About Acceptance finalist in the 2020 Indie Book Awards for Children’s Picture Books. God Made Us Just Right, from Kregel Publishers, won a 2022 Catholic Media Award for best children’s book. Her latest picture book Harriet Hurry-Up and the Oh-So-Slow Day is currently on presale and will be published August 13, 2024. She lives and writes with her husband, Desmond, their two fur babies, Nolan Nolan, and Colleen Fiona Shannon, and their recently-adopted shelter dog, Miss Kitty, in New England.

Connect with Allia by visiting alliawrites.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win a signed copy of Harriet Hurry-Up and the Oh-So-Slow Day, a Harriet doll, and book-themed gift items!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight August 21, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on August 28, 2024. 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.

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Beyond Ivy Walls by Rachel Fordham ~ Book Review

August 2, 2024

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Beyond Ivy Walls by Rachel Fordham hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Beyond Ivy Walls

Author: Rachel Fordham

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Release Date: August 14, 2024

Genre: Historical Romance

Reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast, a recluse and a young woman discover that the scars of life are no match against an act of love.

Iowa, 1903. All of Monticello believes Otis Taylor has been away fostering his musical genius. But the truth is that his father exiled him long ago, rejecting Otis's appearance and the scars that came with it. Now that he is the last living Taylor, Otis has covertly returned to settle his family's affairs and rid himself of his past for good. However, he soon discovers that he may not have been the only discarded Taylor and begins a tireless search for his missing niece.

At twenty-three years old, Sadie West left her family farm and found employment at the Hoag feather duster factory. It isn't a romantic job, but she's hardly had a glimmer of romance since her beau went off to college, leaving her with no promise of a future together. Desperate to save money and help her family make ends meet, she trespasses and finds shelter in an abandoned building--and is thrown in the path of the town's mysterious bachelor.

Otis's wounds are deep, but as Sadie's friendship with him grows, she begins to fall for the man beneath the mask. The mystery of his long-lost niece, however, is more complex than either could have imagined, and Sadie may be the key to Otis Taylor finally finding his way home.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Bookshop

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My Thoughts

If you enjoy stories that have a trope reminiscent to fairy tale stories or classics then this may just the book for you. This carries a nod to Beauty and the Beast which is obvious in the characters and the way that they are described physically. You will be reminded of the beast character through Otis as well. I also picked up a hint of Little Women when meeting Sadie's sisters in the story.

We meet Sadie right away who works in a a feather duster factory. She is trying to help her family out, now that her dad is not able to tend the farm due to an accident. She doesn't truly have a place to stay and so she basically becomes a squatter in an abandoned building. Otis returns home to Monticello after being sent away due to his physical appearance. Both his parents have passed and so has his brother so he returns to settle the estate and leave everything behind until he finds out that he may have a niece he has never met and also when he meets Sadie.

I won't tell you the whole story because you have to make your own decisions about it and read it. I thought it was a sweet story. The romance was light and I feel like there were some things that were confusing for me. It wasn't until the end of the book when I read the authors notes that I finally had some knowledge on what the condition that Otis suffered from was. The entire time I thought it was something his dad had done to him through all the remedies he was giving him and sending him away. Another part of the storyline that never was resolved completely was the presumed beau of Sadie. He sends her a note that they should meet and they never do and while that may have been insignificant to most, he was mentioned enough in the story that I thought he would make an appearance.

Overall I thought it was a sweet story and perfect for any aged reader. If you enjoy books with a theme of story retelling then you will enjoy this book!

I received a copy of this book. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

About the Author

Rachel Fordham

Rachel Fordham is the author of The Letter Tree, Where the Road Bends, A Lady in Attendance, A Life Once Dreamed, The Hope of Azure Springs, and Yours Truly, Thomas. Fans expect stories with heart and she delivers, diving deep into the human experience and tugging at reader emotions. She loves connecting with people, traveling to new places, and daydreaming about future projects that will have sigh-worthy endings and memorable characters. She is a busy mom, raising both biological, adopted and foster children (a cause she feels passionate about). She lives with her husband and children on an island in the state of Washington.

Connect with Rachel by visiting rachelfordham.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive print copies of the author’s previous 6 novels: The Hope of Azure Springs, Your's Truly, Thomas, A Life Once Dreamed, A Lady in Attendance, Where the Road Bends, and The Letter Tree!

(2) additional winners will receive one Rachel Fordham backlist print copy of their choice!

Beyond Ivy Walls JustRead Giveaway

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight August 7, 2024 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on August 14, 2024. 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.

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Beyond Ivy Walls JustRead Takeover + Review Blitz

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Guess Who is In God's Family by Karen Ferguson ~ Book Review

August 1, 2024

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Guess Who Is in God's Family by Karen Ferguson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Guess Who is in God's Family
Series: Questions for Kids
Author: Karen Ferguson
Publisher: Ambassador International
Release Date: June 4, 2024
Genre: Children's Picture Book

When Lucy comes across some old family pictures, she has a lot of questions for Papa Joe. Who are these people? Why doesn’t she look like them? As Papa Joe tells Lucy about her family, he shares with her the uniqueness that God created in each of us from the very beginning, all the way back to our first ancestors, Adam and Eve. What follows is a wild adventure through the Bible, where Lucy and her papa discover God’s love and faithfulness for all people throughout all of history. In this second book in the Questions for Kids series, discover how much God loves diversity and how God created your family in the most beautiful and perfect way.

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

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My Thoughts

My younger kiddos enjoyed being back with Grandpa and Lucy as he tells her how no matter what we look like we are all part of God's family. We find Lucy thumbing through a photo album and looking at old photos of different family members and she notices that everyone looks different. Through this opportunity he takes time in explaining to Lucy that we all are descendants of the first family which is Adam and Eve.

I really enjoyed how this book focused on the first three chapters of Genesis. Lucy and Grandpa are peeking in on the story and watching the story unfold. Grandpa touches on some very important knowledge nuggets such as sin and forgiveness. Which are great talking points to have with our children.

We really enjoyed this book and the illustrations were simple and realistic which my nine year old really enjoyed.

About the Author

Karen Ferguson

Karen Ferguson is a freelance writer 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 faith in God and background in K-8 education inspires her mission to write stories that grab and hold young readers’ attentions, teaching them all about God’s unchangeable truths and His unchanging love for them.

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

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win a $25 Amazon gift card, print copies of Guess How Much God Loves You and Guess Who Is In God's Family, and a book tote!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight July 31, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on August 7, 2024. 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.

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Guess Who is in God's Family JustRead Blog Tour