Tag Archives: mystery fiction

Top 10 Tuesday — Alter Ego!

14 Apr

Happy Tuesday! Today’s TTT topic is book titles that describe me or my life. Uh, no! LOL! I read a lot of mystery/suspense and those titles can be seriously scary. And besides, I am a huge rule follower — just ask my husband, the man who never saw a rule that couldn’t in some fashion be broken. 😉 So I decided to flip the topic and go with titles that would describe my evil twin aka alter ego. This was a fun post to put together. I hope you enjoy it and find a great book to read.

For more insights into the real bloggers’ lives, please visit That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Titles That Describe My Alter Ego

If I was one to take on a life of crime, I would want to be thought of as a member of The Queens of Crime. In pursuit of the lofty title I’d travel to Scotland and perpetrate a Highland Heist. Not sure if that would include a few shaggy cows, but who knows what a thief could discover among the heather. I might Ambush a man in a kilt to help me carry all the loot, making sure I hide my identity and not let on An Appearance of Impropriety. I must maintain an air of integrity and not get caught! But if I’m found out and pursued by the coppers, I’ll make sure my crimes are well Hidden by a Canyon of Deceit so I am not forced into Taking A Second Shot to fend them off. A good criminal must be able To Outwit Them All! If I’m not successful, the authorities will say that Death Follows Her and I may be presumed Guilty Until Innocent .

Here’s a tip: the authors of these books are way better at telling tales than I am. Check out their fabulous books!

Spotlight on YA Mystery/Adventure — The Ultimate Blindspot

2 Apr
The Ultimate Blindside JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Ultimate Blindside by Leslea Wahl, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About The Book

The Ultimate Blindside

Title: The Ultimate Blindside
Series: Blindside series #3
Author: Leslea Wahl
Publisher: Perpetual Light Publishing
Release Date: February 3, 2026
Genre: YA Adventure/Mystery

Jake’s silver-medal life is movie-worthy.

Sophie’s role is about to be sabotaged.

Their sleepy Colorado town is overrun by a Hollywood film crew as the two teens, now high school seniors, find their private lives laid open for the world to see. Meanwhile, a mysterious woman and her daughter seek the couple’s help running from a powerful, dangerous man. In this tale of twists, whom can Sophie and Jake truly trust?

Excerpt

As I stare down at the halfpipe, I keep reminding myself that I’m at Copper Mountain, but the glaring lights, the Olympic banner, the crowd of spectators, even what I’m wearing, have all transported me back in time to the final Olympic event when I was awarded the Silver Medal. 

The two weeks of the Olympic Games, as well as the months that followed, have always been such a jumble in my mind. But standing here now, it all comes flooding back to me: the awe of competing against the guys I’d grown up admiring, the nervous energy that emanated all around me, the ease with which I boarded my first couple runs, the shock of realizing I was actually in medal contention, and then the complete disbelief when the final scores were posted. The memories are overwhelming.

I squat down and take a few breaths, unsure why they are affecting me so much. Maybe because I never really had the chance to process everything. I was too young and unprepared for the moment and all that followed. Heck, I still don’t understand it all. I peer up at the night sky. The full moon shines as bright as one of the spotlights. God, I don’t know why all this has happened to me. I believe all things can work for Your glory. Please help me to see how this crazy life can bring others to You.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon

More in This Series

eXtreme Blindside


About The Author

Leslea Wahl

Leslea Wahl is an award-winning author of adventurous teen mysteries. She not only writes for teens but is an avid reviewer of Christian fiction and a founding member of Catholic Teen Books. Her journey to become an author came through a search for value-based fiction for her own children. Leslea now strives to be an advocate for other families battling against society’s secular messages through her faith-based writing and reviews.

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


Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive print copies of the first two books of the series and book-themed items including socks, a mug, a bookmark, and a bible-verse magnet!

The Ultimate Blindside blog tour giveaway JustRead Tours

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight March 31, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 7, 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/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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

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Spotlight on Mystery/Suspense — Through Smoke And Secrets

23 Mar

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Through Smoke and Secrets by Rebecca Hemlock, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About The Book

Through Smoke and Secrets

Title: Through Smoke and Secrets
Series: Dangerous Heirlooms #1
Author: Rebecca Hemlock
Publisher: Independently published
Release Date: January 21, 2026
Genre: Mystery Suspense

A century-old secret. A relentless enemy. One Locket that was never meant to be found.

When antiques dealer Annie Whitaker buys an unremarkable locket at a routine estate sale, she expects nothing more than a quiet ride home through the Smoky Mountains. Instead, a shadowy vehicle sends her car skidding off a cliffside road—and she realizes the attack was no accident. Hidden inside the locket is a key, a cryptic letter, and the first thread of a mystery tied to the disappearance of Eleanor Blackwood, a woman who vanished over a hundred years ago.

Someone has killed to keep that secret buried.

And now they’ve set their sights on Annie.

Her shop is ransacked. Her inventory destroyed. Her building intentionally set ablaze. With no phone, no transportation, and nowhere safe to go, Annie is forced to seek refuge in the only place left: the remote mountain ranch of Detective Jack Calloway, a man who once shared her obsession with cold cases—and who may be the only person she can trust.

As Jack digs into the evidence Annie uncovered, the danger spirals. Break-ins, threats, shadows stalking the ranch at night—each clue reveals a darker truth. The locket isn’t just a forgotten keepsake; it’s the final piece in a long-buried murder. And someone with power, reach, and generations of secrets will do whatever it takes to silence the truth forever.

With Annie marked as the next victim, Jack races to unravel a century of lies before time runs out. Every revelation tightens the noose around them both—and with Annie constantly in his line of fire, Jack’s focus fractures between the case and the woman he’s never been able to forget. The closer they come to exposing the killer, the more Jack realizes he may lose her long before the truth sees daylight. And every step forward draws them toward a final, deadly confrontation neither of them may survive.

Excerpt

The shadow moved again. Annie’s breath caught as the figure slipped behind a display case near the back corner of the shop. That wasn’t Uncle Eric. The man was tall and broad-shouldered, dressed in dark clothing with his face hidden beneath a mask. Papers scattered as he searched through her desk with frantic purpose. What was he looking for? Annie edged backward toward the stairs, her phone slick in her palm. 

The intruder’s head snapped toward her. For one frozen second, their eyes met. Then he lunged. Annie spun and ran. She grabbed the stair railing and hauled herself upward, heart pounding so loudly she could barely hear the heavy footsteps chasing behind her. The apartment felt impossibly small as she searched for something—anything—to defend herself. The knife block. Her fingers wrapped around the largest knife just as rough hands seized her shoulders. “Where is it?” the masked man growled. “Where is what?” His grip tightened painfully. “The locket,” he demanded.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Buy from the Author| Amazon | BookBub

Also Available


About The Author

Rebecca Hemlock

Rebecca Hemlock is an award-winning Christian Fiction author whose love for mysteries began in childhood when she first fell in love with all things Nancy Drew. That early spark grew into a lifelong passion for crime-solving stories, complex puzzles, and characters who must fight for truth even when the world around them is dark and uncertain.

Her novels are known for realism, emotional depth, and suspense that stays tightly wound until the final pages. Rebecca creates characters who face danger, trauma, and moral crossroads — moments that either test their faith or ignite a brand-new relationship with God. At the heart of every story lies her guiding verse and creative compass, Romans 12:21: “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Before writing fiction full-time, Rebecca spent four years as a freelance journalist, where she honed her ability to spot the thread of a story, ask the right questions, and build tension from real-world details. That experience sharpened her voice and laid the foundation for the 15 books she has now published, ranging from romantic suspense and mystery to historical-tinged thrillers. She also writes children’s fiction under the pen name R.C. Burch.

Rebecca is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Sisters in Crime, and she’s passionate about uplifting stories that blend danger, courage, heart, and hope. With a Bachelor’s degree in English and Creative Writing — plus an Appalachian Studies certificate — she brings layered settings, emotional authenticity, and cultural richness to her work. She continues to pursue further writing education, always seeking to grow as a storyteller.

When she’s not writing, Rebecca enjoys traveling, reading mysteries, exploring historical places, and spending time with her family. Her work is written for readers who love suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat — and faith that keeps you anchored through the storm.

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


Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a book-themed prize bundle, including a tote, a mug, a kindle dust protector, a bookmark, and a $25 Amazon Gift card!

Through Smoke and Secrets blog tour JustRead Tours

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight March 23, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 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.

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Top 10 Tuesday — Wearing o’ The Green

17 Mar

Happy Tuesday and happy St. Patrick’s Day! Today TTT bloggers are sharing books with green covers. I am hitting the review archives and my TBR shelves to bring books featuring greens of all shades. Some of the covers have more green than others, but I felt that green is what first strikes the eye.

Today’s topic is fitting not only for the holiday, but because my yard is GREEN! It’s cold today (for central Georgia) but flowers are in bloom and the trees are full of new leaves. Such a beautiful day! I hope you have one too, plus some reading inspiration.

For more green book covers, check out That Artsy Reader Girl.

Green Book Covers

Ambush by Colleen Coble

A Caffeine Conundrum by Angela Ruth Strong

The Christmas Tree Farm by Melody Carlson

The Gardins of Edin by Rosey Lee

Guilty Until Innocent by Robert Whitlow

A Place to Land by Lauren K. Denton

Some Like It Scot by Pepper Basham

Stealing Magnolias by Leslie Kirby DeVooght

The Sweetness at The Bottom of The Pie by Alan Bradley

Under The Tulip Tree by Michelle Shocklee

Spotlight on Historical Romantic Mystery –Eyewitness Sketch

11 Mar
Eyewitness Sketch JustRead Blog + Review Tour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Eyewitness Sketch by Danielle Grandinetti, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About The Book

Eyewitness Sketch

Title: Eyewitness Sketch
Series: Di Stasio Giornaliste Agency #1
Author: Danielle Grandinetti
Publisher: Hearth Spot Press
Release Date: March 10, 2026
Genre: 1930s Historical Romantic Mystery

Finding love at Death’s Door might destroy them both.

CHICAGO, Ill., 1931—Gabriella Salatino, an illustrative journalist for the Di Stasio Giornaliste Agency, never planned to return to her island home at the tip of Wisconsin’s Door Peninsula. Nor did she plan to witness a murder. But when her life is threatened, she has no choice but to hide out under the protective care of the man she left behind.

Deputy Andri Jóhannsson has been coming to Gabby’s rescue his entire life, but having her in his secluded home tests the limits of his patience. The woman has no sense of self-preservation, and he has a smuggling ring to ferret out. Except, her skill with sketchpad and pencils might be the very investigative tool he needs in order to catch the bootleggers.

With a murderer on her trail and criminals evading detection, Gabriella and Andri must set aside the past or risk its eruption. Because this time, the collateral damage might include more than losing their friendship. It might cost them the lives of those they love.

La Verità con Integrità. Truth with Integrity. The Legacy of a (Girl) Stunt Reporter.

Excerpt

“Andri?” Her hand touched his back.

He turned and took in his first good look at the girl he hadn’t seen in seven years. Not girl. Woman. Round cheeks and narrow chin filled a face that tucked perfectly into his shoulder. He knew because he’d held her all those years ago, when her mama died.

The lighthouse beam flashed over their heads, reflecting the fear in her eyes. And the consternation. He’d always liked that about her. She could hold two conflicting emotions simultaneously.

She stepped back, woolen skirt swishing around her knees. “Now what?”

Andri swallowed past the sand gathering in his throat. “Come inside. I’ll call my mother. She has a plan.”

Gabby eased into the lantern light with Freya attached to her leg. Andri tried not to stare, but Gabriella Salatino stood on his porch looking as gorgeous, and as vulnerable, as the last day he’d seen her, the satchels weighing—

Satchels! What an obtuse man he was!

“Can I take those?” He pointed to the bags he should have asked to take minutes ago.

She caught her lip in her teeth and Andri had to fight the urge to wrap her in a hug. No woman had ever made him feel as protective as she did. But that had been his downfall after her mother died.

“It’s too cold and dark to be out here.” He took the bags and opened the door for her to urge her inside.

The warmth from his stove greeted them as they entered the kitchen. Gabby shivered. “Thank you for sending Officer Wilson on his way. He is rather boorish, but Detective Arthur trusts him.”

Andri’s brows slammed down before he could stop them. “Did he make you uncomfortable?”

Gabriella nodded and her cheeks flamed a deep auburn. “Thank you for always being my scapegoat … friend.”

He couldn’t keep from touching her. His hand dwarfed her shoulder, but her cheek inclined toward it, so he left it there rather than removing it. “I’m sorry for everything that has happened, Gabby, but it’s good to see you.” After all these years.

She met his gaze with one filled with a thousand questions. Oh yeah, he’d missed her. They—with his sister Ruthie—had been an inseparable trio. Until …

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Buy Direct from the Author | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

More in This Series


About The Author

Danielle Grandinetti

Danielle Grandinetti writes award-winning 1930s historical romance filled with mystery, suspense, and hope. She is a second-generation Italian-American rooted in Midwest traditions. Fueled by tea, books, and the creative beauty of nature, her stories explore love and belonging in hard times. Find her online at daniellegrandinetti.com.


Tour Giveaway

(3) winners will each receive a paperback copy of the prequel novella Undercover Wish and swag!

Eyewitness Sketch blog tour giveaway JustRead Tours

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight March 10, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 17, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only for prize as described. Ebook available instead if winner is outside the US. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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Top 10 Tuesday — Great First Lines!

24 Feb

Happy Tuesday! TTT‘s topic today is bookish quotes. I regularly participate in First Line Friday hosted by Carrie at Reading Is My Superpower. What a great way to introduce new books to readers! So today, I am including some of the best first lines from the past few months. I hope you find a book to pique your interest.

For more bookish quotes, please visit That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top First Lines!

I deeply regret to confirm that your son Lance Corporal Mark James Taylor died in Vietnam 1 November 1968.

All We Thought We Knew by Michelle Shocklee

Viola Chambers had always wondered at what point in the dying process a person understood they weren’t long for this world, and now she’d give anything to unlearn it.

The Bitter End Birding Society by Amanda Cox

“The sea never gives back what it claims . . .”

Deadly Currents by Elizabeth Goddard

A shrill sound pierced the night, sweeping through the house like the unearthly wail of a banshee.

Dragonfly Ashes by C. C. Warrens

Lizbeth Bennet clutched the handle of the wicker basket with hope.

The Heart of Bennet Hollow by Joanne Bischof DeWitt

No one knew that Carol Langstrom hated Christmas.

Once Upon a Christmas Carol by Melody Carlson

Natasha shifted uncomfortably on the rock floor of the icy cave, shoving her gloved hands under her armpits to keep warm.

Queen of Hearts by Heather Day Gilbert

Death had always been fashionable.

Specters in The Glass House by Jaime Jo Wright

Pandemonium has broken out in the streets of New York City.

Under The Tulip Tree by Michelle Shocklee

When I was eight, I watched my mother disappear in fading pixels.

Wicked Is The Hollow by K. E. Ganshert

Book Review — An Appearance of Impropriety

5 Feb
An Appearance of Impropriety JustRead Takeover + Review Blitz

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for An Appearance of Impropriety by Jayna Breigh, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About The Book

An Appearance of Impropriety

Title: An Appearance of Impropriety
Author: Jayna Breigh
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Release Date: January 27, 2026
Genre: Romantic Legal Drama

Will their love turn into a scandal despite their efforts?

As the youngest female judge in Los Angeles, Mahalia Jackson has her career on a fast track to success. Her polished exterior makes sure of that. But when she volunteers for the Junior Jurors and ends up working side by side with attorney JD Cash, her plans begin to falter.

JD heads up the program—born out of his own troubled past—where local teens learn about the legal system. He leverages his position as an attorney to fulfill God’s calling on his life: to support the orphans and widows of society who have lost beloved fathers and husbands to TransNation’s eighteen-wheeled time bombs roaming America’s freeways.

Mahalia’s rule—never date a lawyer—is a straitjacket that tightens when she presides over the case where JD serves as a young widow’s attorney. When Mahalia is placed in a vulnerable position, her resolve begins to waver.

Her increasing proximity to the empathetic lawyer sparks an onslaught from anonymous online adversaries attempting to destroy Mahalia’s reputation and career by throwing around claims of an appearance of impropriety. The digital disgrace pushes Mahalia to ask one hard question: Is loving JD worth risking her career?

With a great story, well-developed characters, and a tale that explores the value of second chances and giving back, the latest from Breigh is a must-buy. —Library Journal, Starred Review

An Appearance of Impropriety is filled with characters I cared about who were placed in challenging situations that compelled me to keep reading long into the night.”

—Cara Putman, award-winning author of the Secrets to Keep series

Excerpt

Somehow in this moment, hearing Granddaddy in her ear, preaching that verse about the excellency of Christ, both soothed and terrified her. What did all her accomplishments mean? Granddaddy had always been so proud of her, but every conversation with him ended with him asking if she’d joined a church or read her Bible.

“Sweet Mahalia baby,” his comforting voice would flow out. “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”

She’d always found a way to brush off his admonitions.

He’d let her deflect but always retorted, “I’m not giving up on you yet, Mahalia. The Word has a way of getting down deep inside of you, working. Even when you aren’t thinking about it.”

The clink of knives tapping against wine goblets, signaling time to quiet and begin the meeting, found her with moisture in her eyes, threatening to spill. She swiped a knuckle under her bottom lids, straightened her spine, and watched the woman at the dais. She forced out the bittersweet memories of Granddaddy and supplanted them with her mantra. Prestigious college. Ivy League law school. Top-drawer law firm. And she added her new hoped-for position—assistant supervising judge.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Kregel Publications | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | BookBub | Bookshop

Also Available:

The Hunted Heir

My Impressions:

I loved Jayna Breigh’s debut novel, The Hunted Heir, so I was really excited for the opportunity to read An Appearance of Impropriety. Breigh again brings her knowledge of the law and the courtroom in this legal drama with a good dose of romance. Mahalia Jackson is on track to achieve all her (and her family’s) career goals. But her personal life has been less than stellar. An accidental fall leaves her mentor unable to preside over his cases, and he taps Mahalia to fill in. Enter JD Cash, a brash and committed personal injury lawyer, and soon the sparks fly. There’s intrigue and betrayal behind the scenes in the courthouse, plus complicated pasts and insecurities that stand in the way of their relationship. But this seemingly mismatched pair are perfect for each other. I loved the youth program the two are involved in, and the heart and passion that each brought to both sides of the bench. The spiritual thread is strong as the two characters struggle with being good enough. I especially liked the growth that Mahalia experienced. And if you are a fan of Breigh’s first book, you will love the cameo appearance of one of its main characters. IYKYK! 😉

An Appearance of Impropriety is a delight! Make sure you put this book on the top of your TBR.

Highly Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

(Thanks to Kregel for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)


About The Author

Jayna Breigh

Jayna Breigh is a retired attorney living in the southeastern United States and the author of The Hunted Heir. She brings to her writing over a decade of experience in trust and estate litigation in Los Angeles.

Connect with Jayna by visiting www.jaynabreigh.com. to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.


Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of An Appearance of Impropriety and a $20 Amazon gift card!

An Appearance of Impropriety 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 February 4, 2026 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on February 11, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway


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Top 10 Tuesday — Typography!

3 Feb

Happy Tuesday! Today TTT is featuring book covers with interesting typography. What is typography, you may ask? From Google AI —

Typography is the art and technique of arranging type to make written language legible, readable, and visually appealing. 

There were a lot of different directions to go with this topic, but I finally narrowed it down to titles with two or more fonts. While some are more subtle than others, the visual interest really grabbed my eye. What do you think?

For more on the subject, please visit That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Books with Interesting Typography

The Bounty Hunter’s Surrender by KyLee Woodley

The Burning of Rosemont Abbey by Naomi Stephens

For A Lifetime by Gabrielle Meyer

The Heart of Bennet Hollow by Joanne Bischof DeWitt

The Highland Heist by Pepper Basham

The Indigo Heiress by Laura Frantz

Lost Hours by Susan Sleeman

Midnight on The Scottish Shore by Sarah Sundin

Specters in The Glass House by Jaime Jo Wright

Wicked is The Hollow by K. E. Ganshert

Top 10 Tuesday — New-To-Me Authors

27 Jan

Happy Tuesday! Today we are talking about bookish discoveries (new authors, new genres, new bookstores, etc.). My lists consists of new-to-me-authors and the first book (but not the last) I read in 2025. I had a great reading year, and these authors added greatly to the fun. I hope you discover a new author too!

For more bookish discoveries, please visit That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top New-To-Me Authors from 2025

Jayna Breigh — The Hunted Heir

Crystal Caudill — Written in Secret

Leslie Kirby DeVooght — Stealing Magnolias

T. I. Lowe — Indigo Isle

Jamie Ogle — Of Love And Treason

Naomi Stephens — The Burning of Rosemont Abbey

Donna Jo Stone — When Wildflowers Bloom Again

Hope Welborn — Hidden

Top 10 Tuesday — Goals!

20 Jan

It’s good to have goals I’ve been told. But when you are just a little (or a lot) type A (with some OCD thrown in), goals can become stressful rather than tools for growth. I used to do a lot of reading challenges. They sounded like a lot of fun until I became fixed on choosing books to fit the challenge instead of reading what my mood or interests pointed to. I’ve posted reading goals every year for a long time now. This year my list is very short —

Read whatever I want.

Repeat.

LOL!

Kind of freeing, isn’t it? These goals give me permission to say yes (or no) to review requests and launch teams when a book strikes my fancy. They will also allow me to reach for those books that are languishing on the shelves. Wish me luck! I think I’ll definitely need it. 😉

Here are the books I am reading in the next few weeks.