Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Ultimate Blindside by Leslea Wahl, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About The Book
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.
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!
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.
Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Love & Baseball by Jaime Jo Wright (with Chloe Joanne) AND The Cinderella Plot by Pepper Basham, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About The Books
Title:Love and Baseball Author:Jaime Jo Wright with Chloe JoAnne Publisher: MadLit Publishing Release Date: February 10, 2026 Genre: Young Adult Romantic Comedy
She needed a boyfriend. AI came to her rescue. But then her fake boyfriend showed up at school.
Brielle has never wanted a boyfriend. She’s happy with her book boyfriends–purely fictional, right? Easy to maintain. She’s also not a huge fan of sports, except baseball. Not playing it. No. Again, books and cozy afternoons are her thing. But Brielle can get into baseball with the best of them when it comes to watching, repeating stats, and wearing her favorite jerseys. But apparently, that’s not enough in life. At least according to her four nosy aunts, who all think she needs a boyfriend, people at school who are convinced Brielle is a closet serial killer because she’s happier with her books, and yeah. Valentine’s Day is on the calendar.
There is a purpose for AI, and Brielle decides the genius thing to do is make a fake boyfriend. Complete with deepfake photos, Brielle creates the perfect boyfriend, and no one needs to know he’s entirely fictional. They just need to believe she met him over summer vacation, and he lives somewhere in North Carolina. Only he doesn’t. When baseball catcher, Brooks Mason shows up at high school, a lookalike to Brielle’s AI boyfriend, her entire world becomes a dog-eared, bent pages book nightmare.
Brooks is getting sick of all the girls at school wanting to date him. He wants to play ball and hang out. So, yeah. It makes sense to help Brielle out. Fake date? Why not? But once together, dating for show becomes an act that both Brielle and Brooks aren’t quite prepared for, and dealing with unexpected attraction, complicated situations, and interfering aunts and bffs?
It’s a grand slam of problems just waiting to happen, plus a game-changing shot at a championship home run at love.
** CLEAN YA Rom-Com Fiction you can read without skipping a page **
Excerpt
“Are you cold?” Brooks dropped his gear bag and bent over it. Rummaging around, he tugged out his sweatshirt. It was navy blue with the name of his old high school on the front. Before I could say, “no” or “thank you” or “yes, please,” he had scrunched it up in his hands and tugged the hoodie down over my head. My baseball cap got stuck at the neck opening, and then it flipped off my head and onto the ground as he tugged. The sweatshirt settled on my shoulders, and he finally let go of it. “Put your arms in. You’ll get warm.”
It was so off-handed, so nonchalant, like it wasn’t anything any normal, decent human being wouldn’t have also done. But as Brooks bent to retrieve my cap that lay on the ground, I slid my arms into the sleeves and inhaled the smell of laundry detergent and . . . Brooks Mason. It smelled like what I imagined palm trees and ocean spray might smell like. To die for.
Title:The Cinderella Plot Author:Pepper Basham Publisher: independently published Release Date: March 19, 2026 Genre: Young Adult Romantic Comedy
Paisley Harper is invisible.
Not in a superpower way. More like the people-look-right-through-you-in-the-hallway kind of way.
She’s the girl with the oversized cardigan, random book knowledge, and the uncanny ability to tutor the school’s star quarterback without actually being seen as anything more than helpful. Meanwhile, her aunt and uncle’s beloved small-town bookstore is under threat from a shiny corporate chain, her best friend keeps giving her looks that feel suspiciously loaded, and Homecoming is looming like a glittery reminder that senior year is running out…and she’s never been kissed.
Enter The Cinderella Plot—a wildly popular self-help book promising total transformation in five easy steps. New hair. New confidence. New life. Maybe even… a date.
With nothing to lose (except her dignity), Paisley decides to follow the plan. Because if fairy tales have taught her anything, it’s that invisible girls don’t get happy endings unless they change something first.
But as Paisley starts stepping into the spotlight, she has to ask herself an important question:
What if being seen comes at the cost of being herself?
Full of heart, humor, bookish charm, and small-town magic, The Cinderella Plot is a romcom about friendship, first love, faith, and discovering that sometimes the greatest transformation isn’t becoming someone new—it’s realizing you were worthy all along.
** CLEAN YA Rom-Com Fiction you can read without skipping a page **
Excerpt
It’s Homecoming Week, which means Spirit Days—a torture device designed by extroverts to terrify introverts on a daily basis by drawing attention to them through costumes. Jokes on them, though. They underestimate nerd-love of dressing up, which is definitely in my favor, because the fashion rules are not only spelled out but eccentric.
Monday: Favorite book/movie character day.
I don’t know how this is related to school spirit, but I’m totally here for it. Go Jayhawks!
With my blue 1930s-style dress (courtesy of Aunt Diane’s thrift shop expertise) hitting just below my knee, cinched at the waist with a thin belt, my hair straightened and flipped out at the ends—as close to classic Nancy Drew as I could manage without a time machine—and a magnifying glass tucked in my belt, I’m not only ready for Spirit Day.
I’m ready for crime-solving.
Which is an important factor this week.
But as I walk toward my locker, I stop dead.
Standing in front of it is Chris.
But not like I’ve ever seen him before.
Ever.
I almost whimper.
He’s full-on Regency. Complete with the long coat, vest, the works.
My poor little heart takes off on a marathon I was not prepared to run. He looks amazing, and he even styled his hair. I am so not prepared!
Chris looks up from his phone, a slow grin spreading across his face as he sees me and my knees make jelly seem sturdy. Forget about feet sweating. My whole body just erupted!
“Nancy Drew?”
Who? I blink and then look down at my outfit. Right. Me.
Of course he’d know. Because he knows me.
I’m still trying to find my voice beneath complete air-loss. Wow. He looks fantastic.
Dashing, even.
Last time I’d seen him he was loopy and drooling on a pillow. This is…different.
“Yeah.” I manage.
“Need a Watson?”
Dear heavens, I nearly melt to the floor on the spot. Who knew this Chris was hiding behind my best friend Chris? How did I not… How…
Clearly, my brain capacity was going the way of my oxygen supply.
“Wrong detective.” I gesture to where Molly is posing for photos in her own sleuthing costume, hoping my voice isn’t as high-pitched as it sounds to my ears. “And I think Watson’s already taken.”
“Fair enough.” He’s still smiling, gaze searching my face. Is there something different in those eyes? “Well, if you need backup on your case, Nancy… I’m around.”
Was he…flirting? Because, I didn’t come prepared for that today. Or ever.
“I would love that.”
Major fail. Still high-pitched. Cinderella’s mice have nothing on me.
I clear my throat. “But… we’ll have to time travel, because you’re—” I wave toward his ensemble and check him out all over again. “Mr. Darcy?”
“Knightley, actually.”
And there goes my airflow again. “Mr. Knightley?” I squeak.
“Yeah, I like him better than Darcy. He’s more my kind of guy.”
My mind stutters to a complete stop. How have we never talked about Austen before? Disney princesses? Yes. Star Wars? Yes. Lord of the Rings? Of course. But not Austen.
I feel as though I need to encourage this on a regular, self-torture-style basis.
Though it tracks. Totally. He is more of a Mr. Knightley than a Mr. Darcy.
My silence must push him to clarify. “Don’t get me wrong, Darcy’s great and all. But Mr. Knightley? He’s underrated.”
Jaime Jo Wright is a multi-award-winning author of gothic historical mystery novels that weave suspense through dual timelines. Her debut novel, The House on Foster Hill (2017), won both the prestigious Christy Award and the Daphne du Maurier Award, establishing her as a compelling voice in inspirational fiction. An ECPA and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author, Wright specializes in chilling mysteries stained with history’s secrets, drawing readers into haunting tales set primarily in turn-of-the-century Wisconsin. Her work has earned praise from Publishers Weekly for skillfully wrapping intricate mysteries around dual timelines with enough surprises to captivate lovers of gothic fiction. When she isn’t writing mysteries, she co-authors YA RomCom with her teenage daughter, Chloe JoAnne, with a passion to provide sweet and witty romance for teenagers with no apologies needed. Residing in Wisconsin’s rural woodlands with her husband and their two children, Wright is a self-proclaimed coffee enthusiast and lover of all of her rescued felines.
Connect with Jaime Jo by visiting jaimewrightbooks.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.
Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance “peppered” with grace and humor. Writing both historical and contemporary novels, she loves to incorporate her native Appalachian culture and/or her unabashed adoration of the UK into her stories. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of southwestern VA, where she is the wife, mom to five great kids, a speech-language pathologist, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus.
Connect with Pepper by visiting pepperdbasham.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will receive a prize pack of Brielle’s Faves (an signed copy of Love & Baseball, a copy of Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen, a Milwaukee Brewers lanyard, and a Brewers Christian Yelich baseball card) and Paisley’s Faves (a signed copy of The Cinderella Plot, a Cinderella carriage jewelry holder, and a beautiful copy of Emma by Jane Austen)!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight March 2, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 9, 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.
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.
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.
Happy Friday! Only one week to go until theRead, White, And Blue Book Festivaltaking place in Perry, Georgia. If you are anywhere within driving distance of this great event, you need to check it out. Luncheon speaker, Becky Wade, will be joined by 40 fabulous authors for a day filled with bookish fun!
One of the attending authors is Julane Fisher. Julane writes both YA and MG fiction. Today I am featuring her YA speculative novel, The Text.
Here’s the first line:
Creating backdoor access to the most popular social media app, Allicio, proved more difficult than I imagined.
In a world where safety is scripted and freedom comes with terms and conditions, Rami Carlton is about to learn that the deadliest virus wasn’t the one that killed millions—it’s the one controlling the truth.
Fans of Divergent and The Maze Runner will race through this twist-packed thriller where control is the real contagion, and knowing the truth could get you killed.
They said it was for your safety. They lied. In 2048, America thrives under the Department of Safety Threats and Reinforcement—STaR—a government agency born from the ashes of a pandemic that wiped out a third of the world’s population. Through mandatory health monitors and its addictive social app, Allicio, STaR promises citizens a safe and healthy life.
But when a massive blackout shuts down the nation’s health tech, sixteen-year-old Rami Carlton is thrust into a dangerous mystery. Her mother disappears. Her phone goes dark. And someone sends her a chilling message: You’re being watched.
Teaming up with tech prodigy Finley Drake, Rami races to uncover the truth behind STaR’s perfect system. What they find is worse than they imagined: STaR isn’t just monitoring citizens. They’re manipulating them—and Rami is their next target. With her family in danger and the country in chaos, Rami has one chance to expose the truth.
Safety is mandatory. Privacy is extinct. And truth is a glitch in the system.
Julane Fisher is the author of the award-winning Sour Lemon Series. Sour Lemon and Sweet Tea is a humorous portrayal of life before cell phones and social media, emphasizing positive family values. Her latest novel, The Text, explores a near future where technology not only governs citizens, it controls them. Julane lives in north Georgia with her husband, twin boys, and their two mischievous Labrador retrievers. Be the first to know when she releases a new novel and sign up for her newsletter by visiting http://www.julanefisher.com.
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?
Welcome to the Blog Tour for Grandpa’s Comrade by Kelsey Gjesdal, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About The Book
Title:Grandpa’s Comrade Author:Kelsey Gjesdal Publisher: Kelsey Lee Writes LLC Release Date: November 11, 2025 Genre: Christian YA fiction, multigenerational fiction, military fiction, adventure novel
A boy who wants to be a hero. A girl who just wants to be lost in her books. And a Grandpa with a past that won’t leave him alone.
Teens Jess and Will are stuck with their grandparents for three weeks while their parents go on a second honeymoon. Neither are too excited to be bored in a house full of off-limits secrets. But when Will’s curiosity gets the best of him, the siblings uncover a mysterious box with a hidden message that could change everything. As former Navy SEAL Grandpa plans a rescue mission for a long-lost comrade, the teens must decide if they’re ready for a real adventure. Jess and Will must navigate the unknown territory of South Korea… and Grandpa’s PTSD. With each new clue comes haunting memories, and time is running out. Can Jess and Will find Grandpa’s Comrade before it’s too late?
Join Jess and Will as they learn about true bravery, family love, and the price of heroism.
Excerpt
“Jess, we have to keep going!” Will said, patting her back. “I think we can make it if we hurry!”
Jess was breathing too hard to answer, but she nodded. Straightening, she started on a jog again. Will kept pace with her this time, encouraging her to keep going. Jess wasn’t sure this running torture was any better than facing Grandpa’s wrath.
They made it back to the hotel at 9:02.
“We made it!” Will said, patting Jess as she collapsed in the elevator.
“Yay,” she whispered between gulps of air, coughing from inhaling her own spit.
Will stood, tapping his foot while watching the elevator numbers change. “I hope there was traffic.”
They hurried to their room, and Jess pulled her room key from her purse. “There’s—no light—under the—door,” she panted. She tapped her card, then slowly opened the door. They hurried in and flipped on the lights. Jess heard the pullout bed creak. She turned, expecting to see Will flopping on his bed. Instead, she saw a man twice Will’s size sit up from under the covers. And she screamed.
Kelsey Gjesdal is an award-winning author and host of the Wholeheartedly with Kelsey Lee podcast. She is the author of the Truth Squad Trilogy, A Woman of Excellence Ruth Bible study, and, most recently, Grandpa’s Comrade. Through fiction and nonfiction writing and podcasting, Kelsey seeks to encourage Gen-Z to live wholeheartedly for Christ. When she’s not writing and podcasting, you’ll find her serving in her local church’s children’s ministry, playing music, or reading a book with a cup of coffee in hand. She resides in the beautiful state of Oregon.
Connect with Kelsey by visiting kelseyleewrites.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.
Tour Giveaway
(2) winners will each receive a print copy of Grandpa’s Comrade plus a $15 Amazon Gift Card!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight January 20, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on January 27, 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.
Happy Tuesday! I am an eclectic reader — the only thing I don’t read are spicy books. IYKYK. 😉 It’s easy to read books that fit my parameters when I stick mostly to Christian fiction. So this week’s topic — books out of my comfort zone — was a bit daunting. I do know that I rarely read YA fiction simply because I’m not really the target audience, not because of topic or genre, so I am going to feature a few books that I have read and enjoyed (denoted with an asterisk) and a few that look very interesting. I hope you find one to love!
Happy Tuesday! Today’s TTT topic is a Halloween Freebie. Last week bloggers posted about cozy/atmospheric novels. I chose cozy with a follow-up of atmospheric books today. To fit with the Halloween theme I am defining atmospheric as a book setting that conjures up a feeling of mystery and intrigue, with a little bit (or a lot) of spooky thrown in. It’s always good to have at least one spooky read during October. 😉 I hope you find one that intrigues you.
Welcome to the Blog Tour for A Summer to Treasure by Leslea Wahl, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About The Book
Title: A Summer to Treasure Author: Leslea Wahl Publisher: Perpetual Light Publishing Release Date: May 27, 2025 Genre: MG/YA Adventure Mystery
Teenage siblings Luke, Celia, and Austin are dreading their summer vacation. A month cooped up in an RV, touring around the Southwest, with their parents, grandmother, and each other? Pure torture.
But when Grandma reveals the real reason for the trip, the journey becomes an unexpected adventure. As they travel through breathtaking canyons, the teens develop new friendships, deepen their faith, and join together to solve a decades-old mystery.
And if the siblings can put down their phones long enough to enjoy the incredible journey, they might just discover that their relationships with each other are truly the greatest treasure.
Excerpt
Luke squeezed his eyes shut. Now what? His life seemed to be unraveling before his eyes. Gone were his girlfriend and football season. Undoubtably losing both would affect his standing in their friend group. His whole high school identity had been dismantled as he’d hit rock bottom—literally. He opened his eyes; thousands of stars came into focus. Maybe it was time to follow Grandma’s advice and trust in God.
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 newsletter updates.
Tour Giveaway
(3) winners will each receive a signed copy of A Summer to Treasure, a book-themed Glass Tumbler with Lid and Straw, and a magnetic bookmark!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 27, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 3, 2025. 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.
Title:Duets Series:Honeybrook High (prequel novella) Author:Jordan Saez Publisher: Independently Published Release Date: February 2025 Genre: Christian YA Fiction
No one gets me at all, except for Hester. And she’s not even real. She’s a woman from the 1800s, but she totally understands what it’s like to hide love. So, she’d understand why hiding text messages is super important. But, since my dad became a Christian and all, I have to be super careful. But my parents are hiding things too, like why my mom is riding the struggle bus while she’s expecting my baby brother or why dad is talking to the other woman at the office.
**************
Excerpt
If I hadn’t considered the baby when I was planning, would I ever forget him in the future? My team looked at me, expecting me to fix everything in the sum of thirty seconds. You’ve planned dozens of parties before and you can do it now. I thought to myself. But you’ve never overlooked your due date, ever. Was it because… I took off my reading glasses and pinched my nose. I tried to take in a deep breath, but it came out like a choking seal. (Leslie)
Jordan Saez is a God-lover, author, and avid reader. She thinks that chocolate should totally be considered healthy! When she’s not writing stories, you can find her watching movies with her family (and eating chocolate) or baking homemade goodies (with chocolate!)
(5) winners will receive a $10 gift card to their choice of either Amazon or Spotify!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight February 18, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 25, 2025. 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.
Many of the books I review are provided to me free of charge from publishers, authors, or other groups in return for a review. The opinions expressed in the reviews are mine and mine alone. No monetary consideration is given. This disclaimer is in accordance with FTC rules.
I am an Amazon.com affiliate, which means that I earn a small percentage of the sales from products purchased through links on my site. I NEVER recommend a book in order to receive a profit. Proceeds from affiliate sales help to defray operating costs of the blog.
Giveaways are open to persons 18 years or older. All winners are picked randomly. No purchases are necessary to enter a giveaway. All giveaways are for US entries only and are void where prohibited.
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