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STONES RIVER: A Civil War Story of Courage, Sacrifice, and an Otherworldly Love (THE SENTINEL HEART TRILOGY Book 1)

330 pages Publication date September 26, 2025

Description

When Jessie Gibbs meets Lemuel Sanders, she thinks she has finally found her ideal man—until she discovers that he is the ghost of a Civil War soldier. For 144 years, Lem has kept vigil at his unmarked battlefield grave, seeking someone to complete a personal mission so he can go to his final rest. As love grows between them, Jessie is torn. If she succeeds in fulfilling Lem’s wish, she’ll lose him when he passes into the afterlife. But if she fails and he remains in the world, she’ll never be free to find intimacy with a living man. A riveting story of passion and selfless devotion, Stones River shows the power of love to overcome all obstacles—even death itself. 

MY THOUGHTS

Stones River is written by a debut author and one to keep an eye on.
The writing has very much impressed me. This is a time slip novel but yet so much more. The author contributes a fresh take on the same old civil war story one that caught and kept my interest.


There have not been as many historical fiction books written in the past several years pertaining to the civil war as more are being written about WWII. Civil war history has always been a favorite topic of mine and this writing has been a welcome change.


A time slip we get a modern-day civil war reenactment as our start which includes a woman having a paranormal experience. I haven’t really read much as far as paranormal romance, but this one was really really good. We see many civil war stories from a woman’s point of view, but this one is from the man’s point of view during the civil war time period.

We see day to day activities of the civil war, and I love books that are full of details. It makes the reader feel as though you are really there experiencing it with the characters and you feel included.


Emotional, romantic, full of compassion and very interesting. I can’t wait to see what the author will put out next.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

About the author

M. F. JONES is a former editor for Viking Press book publishers, where she discovered Judith Guest’s bestseller Ordinary People in the slush pile and became its editor. She then moved to magazines and held senior editorial positions at Redbook, Family Circle, and Reader’s Digest. In addition to writing, she’s a devotee of reading, knitting (while listening to audiobooks), choral singing, and hiking with her rescue dog, Ruby. She lives in Tennessee with her husband, composer Douglas Hedwig. STONES RIVER is her first novel, and the first book in THE SENTINEL HEART TRILOGY.

Thank you for stopping in.

“Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy.” Anne Frank

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Falling for a French Dream: Escape to the French countryside for the perfect uplifting read

294 pages Publication date September 9, 2021 Boldwood Books publisher

ABOUT THE BOOK

After tragically losing her husband, Nicola Jacques and her teenage son Oliver relocate to his father’s family’s olive farm in the hills above the French Riviera.

Due to a family feud, Oliver has never known his father’s side of the family but Grandpapa Henri is intent that Oliver will take over the reins of the ancestral farm and his rightful inheritance.

Determined to keep her independence from a rather controlling Grandpapa, Nicola buys a run-down cottage on the edge of the family’s Olive Farm and sets to work renovating their new home and providing an income by cultivating the small holding that came with the Cottage.

As the summer months roll by, Nicola and Oliver begin to settle happily into their new way of life with the help of Aunts Josephine and Odette, Henri’s twin sisters and local property developer Gilles Bongars.

But the arrival of some unexpected news and guests at the farm, force Nicole and Aunt Josephine to assess what and where their futures lie.

This book was previously published as The French Legacy.

MY THOUGHTS

Such a lovely holiday beachy read.
Taking place in France mostly I enjoyed reading about the foods and customs. Lots of personal growth of characters and a few surprising romances come out of the book.
Ends up finishing up at Christmas time.
The author’s books are fun and fresh a read that’ll make you forget about everything else while reading. I’ve read a few by the author and will be reading more soon.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

THE AUTHOR

Hello!

If you’re already a reader of my books welcome, and if you’re just checking out my novels, I hope you find something you like.

I currently live in Brittany but I have three places I often refer to as ‘home’: Devon, Brittany and the South of France. Having lived in all of them I know certain areas like Dartmouth, Finistere, Cannes well and they are the places where I like to set my stories.

My stories usually span the generations with characters ranging in age and having to cope with unexpected problems in their lives – but there is always a hopeful ending, even if there are tears before.

Happy Reading! Love, Jennie xx

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The Christmas House: An Amish Christmas Novella by Beverly Lewis

146 pages Publisher Bethany House Publishers Publication date September 2, 2025

ABOUT THE BOOK

Beverly Lewis, the number-one bestselling author of Amish fiction, delivers a delightful Christmas novella of faith, romance, and heartwarming holiday traditions.

With the holidays approaching, Liz Lantz is dedicated to using her Hickory Hollow buggy tour business to share God’s love with the Englisher tourists who visit her Lancaster County community. But when her father and brother are called away for a while, Dat finds a young Amishman to assist her on the tours in her brother’s place, much to Liz’s dismay. Regardless, the popularity of her Christmas House Buggy Tour means she could use the help, so as the countdown to Christmas begins, she works alongside Matthew Yoder, who quickly takes a genuine interest in the tour customers–and Liz.

As an Englisher family in Hickory Hollow expresses their festive spirit with a lavishly decorated house for the second year running, Liz’s Amish community becomes increasingly concerned about attracting unwanted traffic and attention, and Liz wonders if there is any way to bridge the gap to help the new neighbors feel welcome. At the same time, she grapples with her growing feelings for Matt, whose position with her is only temporary. Can she find a way to bring harmony to Hickory Hollow in time for Christmas?

Beverly Lewis’s homespun Amish romance will draw in readers who love family, small towns, and Christmas festivities. This charming holiday novella brings cheer and faith for the winter season.

MY THOUGHTS

I haven’t read a book by the author in several years and I was thrilled to see a new Christmas novella releasing by her this Fall.


The writing was just as I expected, faith filled, fun, and a little romance.
This is Liz Lantz’s story. Liz Lantz gives the Englishers buggy tours in her Lancaster Amish community all the while spreading God’s word while doing so. So, when her father and brother are unexpectedly called away right during the peak Christmas busy season Liz is worried her business will have to be put on hold.

What she doesn’t expect is her father to arrange for a handsome Amish man to go with her as she gives the buggy tours as her brother’s replacement.


Such a beautiful story full of kindness, gentle reminders and it will leave you feeling happy and full of good Christmas cheer.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I’ve had my nose in a book, for as long as I remember. When I was about 9 years old, I started writing my own stories. By sixth grade, I’d hand-written a 66-page semi-autobiographical book titled, “She Shall Have Music.”

After I was married and our three children were in middle school, I began submitting articles and short fiction to various magazines.

My first book (Holly’s First Love) was published in May 1993, the start of a 14-book series for pre-teen girls. Soon after, my first chapter book was published for 7-10-year-old readers (“Big Bad Beans”) which later became part of my 24-book series, The Cul-de-Sac Kids. I wrote another long-running series for girls, titled “SummerHill Secrets,” which was set very close to Neffsville, PA, where I grew up–near the heart of Amish country.

But it was the story of my grandmother Ada Buchwalter’s shunning by her ultra-strict father and subsequently her old order Mennonite community that nudged me toward writing adult fiction. THE SHUNNING was published in 1997 by Bethany House Publishers, and along with its sequels, has touched a nerve in millions of readers intrigued by the Plain tradition of Lancaster County, PA. Many readers have enjoyed the Hallmark Channel’s adaptation of this book and the other books in the Heritage of Lancaster County series.

My passion for Amish-related stories continues to keep me up at night, and I’ve written over three dozen novels for adults set in Lancaster County.

When I’m between writing deadlines, I enjoy hiking in the Rocky Mountains with my husband. Cooking from scratch, playing Mozart at the piano, and making family memory albums, as well as traveling to meet my devoted readers during book tours, are some of my very favorite things. I also adore reading biographies and memoirs, as well as classic literature.

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C Is for Courting (Amish ABCs)

304 pages Publisher Kensington Publication date October 28, 2025

ABOUT THE BOOK

The second eldest, Beth Schrock always believed herself the most level-headed sibling. After all, in the wake of their parents’ divorce, it was she who emerged as the caretaker and steadying presence. Yet after almost two years in Ohio, Beth’s life remains the most unsettled.

Unlike her younger sister and brothers, Beth has yet to become Amish, or fall in love, much less marry.
Still, she is about to take on the biggest responsibility of them all. She is going to be a mother. A single mother. While she’s not proud of her actions, she is excited, and hopeful about the sense of purpose this change will bring.

When Beth happens to meet family acquaintance Junior Lambright, they bump heads a bit. But after she takes a part-time job at his successful candle factory, it doesn’t take long for sparks to ignite—or for Junior to decide to be the friend Beth clearly needs.

Still, neither expects a romance. Ten years older than Beth, Junior seems content to devote himself to work and his two senior Labradors. And as Beth’s due date looms, she must choose a path. She considers returning to Cleveland and her high-paying, high-stress, realtor job. She could hire a nanny. But she’d miss so much about Walden—including Junior.

And then, Junior proposes.

Beth is sure Junior’s sweet offer is only to save her reputation. . . . Unless, like her, Junior is also yearning for something more. With faith, and the courage to open their hearts, they might soon find out . . .

MY THOUGHTS

I love that the author is doing an alphabet series. It’s so much fun as we once again meet up with the four Englisher siblings who after moving to Ohio and their Amish grandparents farm must decide if the Amish way of life is actually for them or the English world has too much of a hold on them.
This is sibling, Beth Schrock’s story. Second oldest in the group she’s the rock, the one the others come to for comfort and who always seems to have the right advice. So why is she feeling so unsettled after finding herself in an unexpected situation? Beautifully told story with both Amish and English characters
We see the vulnerability in a character everyone thinks of as strong but sometimes we all need a little help. I enjoyed seeing relationships blossom and grow including a special and unexpected one. Faith filled Amish romance. Loved the characters and look forward to the next in the series.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

About the author

Shelley Shepard Gray is a NYT and USA Today bestselling author. She’s published over a hundred novels and has over a million books in print. She currently lives in northern Ohio and writes full time.

Shelley lives just an hour from Holmes County, where many of her Amish-themed novels are set. She currently writes contemporary romance and Amish fiction for a variety of publishers. When not spending time with her family or writing, she can usually be found walking her two dachshunds on one of the many trails in the Cleveland area.

She also bakes a lot, loves coconut cream pie, and will hardly ever pull weeds, mow the yard, or drive in the snow.

Shelley also spends a lot of time on line! Please visit her website, http://www.shelleyshepardgray.com to find out her latest news or to sign up for her newsletter. Shelley can also be found on FaceBook, Instagram @shelley.s.gray, or on Twitter @ShelleySGray.

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Blog Tour for Daydreams and Doughnut Cake by Rosie Green

ABOUT THE BOOK

Daydreams & Doughnut Cake

With help from the Little Duck Pond Café girls, Rosie’s Spice Kitchen is becoming a firm favourite at the Lockley Meadow farmers’ market. But when shocking things start happening and a face from the past stirs up memories she would rather forget, widow Rosie’s hopes for a better future for her and her little daughter, Amelie, are suddenly dashed. Has someone discovered her devastating secret? The secret that is preventing her from moving on and finding love again?
Meanwhile, new mum Ellie and step-daughter Maisie are both hiding emotional secrets of their own . . .

MY THOUGHTS

Another Little Duck Pond Cafe book. What can I say, well maybe just how I love them so much.
I’ve read all or just about all of the many books in the series and I never get tired of them. Always upbeat, always encouraging.


What I really love about the books is how realistic they are, all contain a touch of drama. And as in real life it makes the stories more believable. I wouldn’t enjoy reading a book with no tension of some kind, we need things going on in the story and this series really delivers.

I loved seeing the growth of the characters and how things were worked out. Such wonderful character development. I’ll be coming back for more and can’t wait to continue on with this series.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKD2FL4L

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Author Bio – Rosie’s series of novellas is centred around life in a country village cafe. Look out for DAYDREAMS & DOUGHNUT CAKE, out in June 2025, and TEACAKES AND TANGOS, which will be published in August 2025!

Follow Rosie on Twitter – https://twitter.com/Rosie_Green88

Thank you for stopping in. I hope you’re having a wonderful day!

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Love and Lattes at Pumpkin Hollow: An autumn small town romance with a pinch of pumpkin spice 

306 pages publisher Boldwood Books Publication date August 4, 2025

ABOUT THE BOOK

Willow Connor has one shot to save her family’s farm – turning it into Birchbrook’s first ever pumpkin patch. There’s just one problem: she has exactly zero pumpkins and only six weeks to make it happen. Everyone in the close-knit town thinks she’s crazy, but she’s determined to prove them wrong.

Enter Dylan Henderson, a hotshot property consultant with a clipboard full of reasons why selling is the smarter choice. Determined to stand her ground, Willow makes him a bold offer – stay and watch her turn the farm around. To her surprise, he agrees.

Now, as Willow throws everything into making her pumpkin patch a success (even if it means buying every pumpkin in the county), she also finds herself learning a thing or two from Dylan – about business, about ambition… and maybe about love?

Will she save the farm and prove everyone wrong? And when the deal is up, will Dylan walk away – or has he found something worth sticking around for?

MY THOUGHTS

What better way to pass a hot day in July than by reading a Fall themed book? Full of all the autumn themes you’d want, Fall leaves swirling, pumpkin picking at the pumpkin patch and oh yes pumpkin spice drinks. If you’re not a fan of those you’re missing out.


He’s a city slicker intent on buying the financially failing farm, she’s a farmer’s daughter, it goes back in her family for generations.
Sparks fly when Willow Connor and Dylan Henderson meet, he’s determined to prove to his brother he can make the sale, and she’s just as determined to keep the farm in the family and prove its worthiness and financially stability.


With six weeks to turn a failure into a win and come up with a big plan to change the landscape of things and show not only the towns people but her father she can do it she better put her thinking cap on quickly. She never thought she’d be dreaming about pumpkins while dreaming about the enemy and how his kisses would be.


Fun, romantic and lots of Fall vibes. Great character development, so charming. Loved the main characters.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Victoria Walters is a full-time author living in Surrey. Victoria writes sweet and spicy rom coms set in the book world, and upcoming autumnal small town romance LOVE AND LATTES AT PUMPKIN HOLLOW. She used to work in publishing and a bookshop, and has been a bookworm since childhood.

Victoria is also the author of the bestselling uplifting and romantic series GLENDALE HALL and the cosy crime series THE DEDLEY END MYSTERIES. Find out more about her by following on Instagram at @vickyjwalters, on X at @Vicky_Walters or on Facebook and TikTok at Victoria Walters author.

Her new grumpy/sunshine spicy romance LONG STORY SHORT is out now.

Thank you for stopping in today.

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The Secret Christmas Library: A Heartwarming Christmas Romance Tale Set in a Scottish Castle, Featuring Unlikely Alliances in a Mysterious Hunt for Hidden Treasures 

320 pages William Morrow Paperbacks Publication date October 14, 2025

ABOUT THE BOOK

A new holiday story set in the Scottish Highlands to warm booklovers’ hearts by Jenny Colgan, New York Times bestselling author of Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop.

Mirren Sutherland stumbled into a career as an antiquarian book hunter after finding a priceless antique book in her great aunt’s attic. Now, as Christmas approaches, she’s been hired by Jamie McPherson, the surprisingly young and handsome laird of a Highland clan whose ancestral holdings include a vast crumbling castle. Family lore suggests that the McPherson family’s collection includes a rare book so valuable that it could save the entire estate—if they only knew where it was. Jamie needs Mirren to help him track down this treasure, which he believes is hidden in his own home.

But on the train to the Highlands, Mirren runs into rival book hunter Theo Palliser, and instantly knows that it’s not a chance meeting. She’s all too familiar with Theo’s good looks and smooth talk, and his uncanny ability to appear whenever there’s a treasure that needs locating.

Almost as soon as Mirren and Theo arrive at the castle, a deep snow blankets the Highlands, cutting off the outside world. Stuck inside, the three of them plot their search as the wind whistles outside. Mirren knows that Jamie’s grandfather, the castle’s most recent laird, had been a book collector, a hoarder, and a great lover of treasure hunts. Now they must unpuzzle his clues, discovering the secrets of the house—forming and breaking alliances in a race against time.

A treat for booklovers and treasure hunters alike, The Secret Christmas Library serves up a delicious mystery with a hint of romance, and plenty of holiday spirit!

MY THOUGHTS

I’ve read the past few Christmas books by the author and just knew I had to read the latest.
A Scottish castle is just how you’d imagine it to be, dark, drafty and cold with endless hallways lit by wall scones attached to cold dripping stone walls.


Now this isn’t to say I didn’t like the castle because I’d visit it in a heartbeat. This is just how I imagine the inside of a castle to be.
Geeting snowed in at Christmas time in a Scottish castle may not be ideal for some but for Mirren Sutherland it gives this antiquarian book hunter ample time to search for a rare book for the laird of the castle.

Jamie McPherson knows he must have this family book belonging to a past family member if there is any hope in paying for repairs to the crumbling castle.


When another treasure hunter who has quite the reputation for finding things quickly shows up Mirren knows she has to work quickly and efficiently but who will win the race.


It was entertaining reading the clues dispersed amongst the pages, clues around the castle in the most unusual places.
There was a shadow of romance but not the main focus of the story which allowed for the focus on the great character development and of the story.
A fairytale feeling I was swept up in the story and enjoyed it very much.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

enny Colgan (born 1972 in Prestwick, Ayrshire, Scotland) is a writer of romantic comedy fiction, sci-fi and has written for the Dr Who line of stories. She writes under her own name and using the pseudonyms Jane Beaton and J. T. Colgan.

Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Have a lovely day. Thanks for stopping in.

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The Woman Who Met Herself Blog Tour

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Woman Who Met Herself

What would you do, if you met your double?

Debbie Jones thinks life is an adventure. Even having lost her husband a year ago, she’s ready for whatever the world might throw her way. Being in her sixties doesn’t mean it’s all over for her yet, and she loves her new job doing neighbourhood support for a charity. Then she knocks on a stranger’s front door.

Ruth Waverley doesn’t like surprises. Her life isn’t perhaps all she once dreamed off, but what other options are there for a woman in her sixties? She’s proud of her home and children. And she likes her life well enough. Then she hears someone knocking at the door.

As the door opens, both Ruth and Debbie get the shock of their lives. As their eyes meet – the recognition is instant. Not because they’ve met before. But because they have the same face. They’re completely identical.

And everything is about to change, for both women. In ways they couldn’t possibly imagine…

MY THOUGHTS

Life can get boring, especially as you age, set in your ways the sameness day in and day out can wear on you. There’s not much to look forward to.
But then, purely by chance two women come face to face with each other, they look identical but didn’t know the other existed even though at one time they developed in the same womb, legs and arms entwined.
These women are similar but yet so different, having been adopted with different upbringings they are trying to adjust to finding each other and the consequences of not having had each other in their lives up until this point.
The storyline is eye-opening and interesting. We get a bit of a backstory, and this is really a very emotional read.
I will be reading more by the author.

I was given a complimentary copy of the book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/WomanWhoMetHerself

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Author Bio –

Laura Pearson is the author of the #1 bestseller The Last List of Mabel Beaumont. She founded The Bookload on Facebook and has had several pieces published in the Guardian and the Telegraph.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: @LauraPearson22

Twitter: @LauraPAuthor

Instagram: @LauraPAuthor

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/LauraPearsonNews

Bookbub profile: @laurapearson22

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Blog Tour For The Pop-Up Cake Shop

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Pop-Up Cake Shop

Ever the entrepreneur, Ellie is planning to bring cakes to the people with her Travelling Cake Van! But as she’s ‘expecting’ to make a rather more personal delivery of her own very soon, will Katja be the one to get behind the wheel of this fabulously mouth-watering journey into the countryside?

MY THOUGHTS

Another lovely novella length story in the Little Duck Pond Cafe series. I’ve read so many of them and have no plan of stopping now. Each one keeps getting better and better. When I read one, I am instantly transferred back with the characters for a visit and a cup of tea. The characters I easily remember from past stories, and we meet a few new ones in each story as well. This story is warm and welcoming, like visiting with old friends but make sure to have a slice of cake or two with you while reading because talk of cake in the story will surely have you craving some.
The pop-up cake shop started as a way of avoiding fresh cake being wasted and it’s just taken off. Some emotional themes here as well, all realistic, an emotional pregnancy, the breakup of a long-term relationship and the possibility of a new one starting after some time has passed. Sweet, emotional and heartwarming. What’s not to love?

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pop-Up-Cake-Shop-Little-Duck-ebook/dp/B0DKB7679Thttps://www.amazon.com/Pop-Up-Cake-Shop-Little-Duck-ebook/dp/B0DKB7679T 

Author Bio – Rosie’s series of novellas is centred around life in a country village cafe. Look out for DAYDREAMS & DOUGHNUT CAKE, out in June 2025, and TEACAKES AND TANGOS, which will be published in August 2025!

Follow Rosie on Twitter – https://twitter.com/Rosie_Green88

Thank you for stopping in today.

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Blog Tour for Lessons in Life

ABOUT THE BOOK

Lessons in Life

The Yorkshire village of Beddingfield is home to the wonderful women of the Allen family: teacher Robyn, wannabe chef Jess, teenage tearaway Sorrel and matriarch Lisa, who holds the whole family together. But underneath her warmth and brilliance, Lisa has a secret – she longs to know who she really is.

In Hudson House, the grand manor on the edge of Beddingfield which is now a care home, lives seventy-something Eloise Howard. With film star beauty but memories fading fast, Eloise is slowly taking one foot at a time back into her past. Born into a prestigious family, her father the owner of the local Hudson’s Mill, Eloise’s life was destined to be one of finishing schools and balls. But when her path crossed Junayd Sattar’s, the most striking and kindest man she had ever met, nothing would ever be the same again.

When Lisa begins to spend time at Hudson House and befriends Eloise, the two women form an unbreakable bond. But unbeknownst to them both, they share secrets that, once uncovered, will change everything they believed about their own lives.

In her unmatched warm and uplifting voice, Julie Houston’s funny and profoundly moving tale of forbidden love, friendship and family ties will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page… Perfect for fans of Jenny Colgan, Fiona Gibson and Cathy Kelly.

Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/LessonsInLife

MY THOUGHTS

Once I read my first Julie Houston book, I knew I must read all subsequent books, of which this was no exception. If you want to get lost in a book that is heartwarming with realistic characters, who are not a lot of fluff and nonsense this is the author for you. The characters are relatable, sharing experiences you’re now experiencing or already have. A real pick me upper that’ll have you not wanting to put it down at bedtime, sleep, what’s that. Warm, witty, and an author that you’ll want to keep coming back to.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Author Bio –

Julie Houston is the author of thirteen bestselling novels set in and around two fictional West Yorkshire villages.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: @JulieHoustonAuthor

Twitter: @JulieHouston2

Instagram: @JulieHoustonauthor

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/JulieHoustonNews

Bookbub profile: @JulieHouston

Thank you for stopping in today.