Sunday, September 27, 2026

BlogTour and Giveaway: My Heart Is Home by Natasha R. Minier-Robinson

About the Book

Book: My Heart Is Home

Author: Natasha R. Minier-Robinson

Genre: Nonfiction- Memoir

Release Date: May, 2026

When the world grew loud, and grief weighed heavy on her, Natasha’s heart cried out, and God met her in the quiet.

Born out of a season marked by miscarriage and the ache that lingered after, My Heart Is Home gathers the moments where Natasha began to acknowledge the pain grief brought with it, to name it, to question it, and to face the reflection it revealed, as her heart found somewhere safe to reside.

For the woman grieving quietly.
For the one loving deeply but hurting silently.
For the heart that feels empty yet still longs for comfort and truth.

These reflections offer companionship, softness, and the reminder that God meets us gently in the places we struggle to name.

God has not forgotten you.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Natasha R. Minier-Robinson is a Christian author, poet, and speaker whose writing explores faith, grief, healing, hope, and the beauty that can emerge from broken places. Through honest reflections, poetry, and memoir-style storytelling, she invites readers into conversations about loss, resilience, and finding God’s presence in life’s most difficult seasons. Her work encourages others to embrace their stories, hold onto hope, and discover that even in the midst of pain, they are never alone.

When she is not writing, Natasha enjoys creating spoken word content, encouraging others through social media and her blog, and sharing messages of faith and perseverance with readers around the world. She is the author of Words Are Art, Beautiful Disaster, Colorless Love, and My Heart Is Home, and other works that inspire readers to find hope, healing, and purpose in every season of life.

More from Natasha

The My Heart Is Home series was written during a season of deep loss, hurt, uncertainty, confusion, and anger. Broken. Wounded. Heart bleeding. End of story, right?

Grief and loss equals the end, right?

No.

God used grief to birth something Natasha never could have imagined.

It was summed up beautifully by Amanda Lentz, the podcast host of Who We Become — Life Beyond Change! During Natasha’s interview with Amanda, she said something Natasha found so profound…

She said, “Grief is not the end of the story… it’s often somehow inexplicably, the beginning of a deeper one.”

As Natasha reflected on this quote weeks later, she realized grief was not the end. It was the beginning.

The My Heart Is Home series was birthed.

Even now, grief seemed like it was the whole story, but it is still unraveling. God has used the miscarriage Natasha went through and turned it into something she never would have imagined… something to help others feel seen, loved, understood, and, most of all, to help them see hope.

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, September 17 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, September 18 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, September 18

Guild Master, September 19 (Author Interview)

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 20

Fiction Book Lover, September 21 (Author Interview)

The Bookish Ledger, September 22 (Author Interview)

Lots of Helpers, September 23

Vicky Sluiter, September 24 (Author Interview)

For the Love of Literature, September 25 (Author Interview)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, September 26 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 27

Blossoms and Blessings, September 28 (Author Interview)

Stories By Gina, September 29 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 29

Books, Books, & More Books, September 30 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Natasha is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a paperback book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/B0X3T/my-heart-is-home-celebration-tour-giveaway

My Review

My Heart Is Home starts off the series, also, called My Heart Is Home by Natasha R. Minier Robinson. The author shows her honesty as writes about her grief and loss through her inspiring reflections, scripture, and writings. Despite some pages are only had a few words, it was still provoked thoughts within myself. I loved that the author was able to share her own emotions as she heals from her own personal loss. I was inspired.

I am going to give My Heart Is Home a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who searching for books about grief, miscarriage, and emotional loss. I look forward to reading the next installment from Natasha R. Minier Robinson's My Heart Is Home series, My Heart Is Home But Still Aches.

I received a paperback copy of Natasha R. Minier Robinson's My Heart Is Home from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

Wednesday, September 23, 2026

Spotlight and Giveaway: Not My Hero by Michelle Bolanger

About the Book

Book: Not My Hero

Author: Michelle Bolanger

Genre: Contemporary Romance / Biblical Retelling

Release Date: August 4, 2026

She lost everything… except the chance to begin again.

He has everything… except the freedom to follow his heart.

After losing her husband, Kennedy Bishop is left with nothing but grief, debt, and unanswered questions.

Returning to Dayton with her faithful mother-in-law, Kennedy is determined to rebuild her life without relying on anyone… especially God.

But when she crosses paths with the wealthy Donovan Taylor, a devout man committed to rescuing others while hiding burdens of his own, their lives become unexpectedly intertwined.

As suspicion, sacrifice, and unseen connections threaten to tear them apart, the pair must decide if they’re willing to put their trust in God and take a chance on love.

A powerful Christian romance about redemption, faith, and the courage to believe that even the most broken stories can be restored.

Perfect for readers of Francine Rivers and Nichole Deese, this emotionally rich Christian romance blends heartbreak, redemption, and faith into a modern-day story of Ruth that speaks to anyone learning to trust God again.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Michelle Bolanger a small town, socially awkward and often anxious author and artist who found unshakeable security and hope in 1998 when she surrendered her fears and her heart to Jesus Christ. Her greatest wish as an author is that her stories will be a vehicle to share the hope and courage she found through her faith with others. Michelle lives in small town Ohio with her husband of almost 30 years and a mildly chaotic Akita named Hugo. She and Robert enjoy going on long cruises, taking motorcycle rides along side roads and back roads, and cheering for their favorite professional hockey teams.

More from Michelle

When I get asked why I wrote Not My Hero, I tell people it is because I had been looking for a modern retelling of the book of Ruth that impacted me. I couldn’t find one that I loved, so I wrote it myself.

I’ve always been drawn to Boaz’s history. I wondered about his lineage and how his parents’ past might have been the reason he was well past the age a man of his station should be married with children, and yet he wasn’t. Could it have been because his mother was not only a foreigner, but that she was a former prostitute? Would other families hesitate to offer their daughters in marriage to such a family? How did that past affect Boaz’s view of himself?

And I found it so interesting that Ruth was the faithful one when Naomi felt God had abandoned her. Ruth had every reason to be wary. As a Moabite, she knew she would not be accepted in the Hebrew society, yet she clung to the God of the Hebrews. She was rewarded for her faithfulness to Naomi when God brought her to Boaz’s field, and through her, Naomi saw proof that God had not abandoned her at all.

While I wrote the story simply wanting to retell a beloved story from the Bible, I realized that even in my own darkest times God always had a plan that I couldn’t see. He is always working, even when we can’t see a way through.

It took me 8 years to write and publish this story, and I think it took that long because God needed me to see beyond the characters I had created and into His heart for me. He wanted me to understand that this isn’t just a fictional story, it is a tale that illustrates His steadfast love and faithfulness.

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, September 24 (Author Interview)

Book Looks by Lisa, September 25

Artistic Nobody, September 26 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, September 27 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 27

Pause for Tales, September 28

Texas Book-aholic, September 29

Fiction Book Lover, September 30 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 1

The Bookish Ledger, October 2 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, October 2

Cover Lover Book Review, October 3

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, October 4 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 5

Books Less Travelled, October 6 (Author Interview)

History, Hope & Happily Ever After, October 7 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Michelle is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a hardback copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/z0WKJ/not-my-hero-celebration-tour-giveaway

Book Tour: Altered (Justin Wright Suspense Series Book 1) by Rob Kaufman

Book Details:

Book Title: ALTERED (JUSTIN WRIGHT SUSPENSE SERIES Book 1) by Rob Kaufman

Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 270 pages

Genre: Psychological Thriller, Suspense

Publisher: Rob Kaufman

Release date: May 2023

Content Rating: PG-13 +M: ALTERED has a few profanities and alludes very subtly to abuse but never gets graphic or says the words. "Trauma" is used by Justin, the psychiatrist.

Book Description:

When Frank Devlin walks into Justin Wright's office, the renowned New York City psychiatrist decides to take on one of the most challenging cases of his career.

Justin is determined to help Frank, a young man with multiple personalities (“alters”), live a happier, more fulfilling life. Little does he know that Frank and his alters are secretly weaving themselves into Justin’s life in ways that will affect the Wright family forever.

A suspense-filled story driven by emotion, angst, and the ultimate revenge, “Altered” takes readers down a twisted path of uncertainty and mind games—leaving them shocked, heartbroken, and questioning what could possibly come next...

BUY THE BOOK:

AMAZON

AUDIBLE

add to goodreads

CHECK OUT THE ENTIRE JUSTIN WRIGHT SUSPENSE SERIES:

Book Details:

Book Title: JADED (JUSTIN WRIGHT SUSPENSE SERIES Book 2) by Rob Kaufman
Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 246 pages
Genre: Psychological Thriller, Suspense
Publisher: Rob Kaufman
Release date: March 2023
Content Rating: PG-13 +M

Jade, a beautiful young woman suffering from depression and despair, is trying to escape her past… a former life that catches up with her during every full moon. Justin’s biggest obstacle to helping her is Jade herself. The closer he gets to the root of her problems, the further away she pushes him — leaving Justin questioning both her sincerity and his own professional skills.

As with “Altered”, this novel is packed with suspense and emotion, mainly due to people from Justin’s past, including Frank Devlin, the man who has made himself the bane of the Wright family’s existence.

Once again, readers are led down a road that keeps them wondering what is real, who did what, ad when will Justin and his family finally find the peace they deserve?

BUY NOW ON AMAZON

Book Details:

Book Title: AVENGED (JUSTIN WRIGHT SUSPENSE SERIES Book 3) by Rob Kaufman
Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 256 pages
Genre: Psychological Thriller, Suspense
Publisher: Rob Kaufman
Release date: June 2023
Content Rating: PG-13 +M

SO MANY THINGS START TO MAKE SENSE IN "AVENGED" — BOOK 3 of the Justin Wright Suspense Series.

It all starts with Richard Davis, Justin's new patient seeking help for uncontrollable anger and hostility. He can barely walk a New York City street without exploding at the people around him. Can Justin relieve him of his negativity or is he too consumed with his own son Michael — a boy found after seven years in captivity who is now void of any compassion or joy?

As with the first two books, "Avenged" is teeming with emotion and suspense, not only because of Richard Davis and Michael's issues but because Frank Devlin and Jade continue to haunt Justin and Mandy from afar. As with all Rob Kaufman books, readers get the ride of their lives on a roller coaster of thrills and uncertainty until the very last page.

BUY NOW ON AMAZON

Book Details:

Book Title: SCARED (JUSTIN WRIGHT SUSPENSE SERIES Book 4) by Rob Kaufman
Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 266 pages
Genre: Psychological Thriller, Suspense
Publisher: Rob Kaufman
Release date: Jan 2024
Content Rating: PG-13 +M

IT’S BEEN 15 YEARS SINCE JUSTIN’S NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE, and life has changed dramatically for the Wright family.

Michael, now a psychologist, has a past that’s catching up with him at the same time an unsatisfied patient is planning his revenge. Justin, now practicing from his home office, has a patient consumed by the fear of death — a young man scared of just about everything — including fear itself.

As both father and son deal with their patients’ problems and their own internal challenges, they also struggle daily with Mandy’s health issue, a potentially deadly illness that threatens to take away the most important woman in their lives.

Like every other Justin Wright book, “Scared” brings you into a suspense-filled world loaded with emotion, uncertainty and, of course, mind games. It’s a story rife with complicated people, some who are not only vengeful, but scared — of both life...and death.

BUY NOW ON AMAZON

Book Details:

Book Title: DECEIVED (JUSTIN WRIGHT SUSPENSE SERIES Book 5) by Rob Kaufman
Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 250 pages
Genre: Psychological Thriller, Suspense
Publisher: Rob Kaufman
Release date: May 2024
Content Rating: PG-13 +M

IN THE MIDST OF THEIR GRIEF, THE WRIGHT FAMILY IS PUSHED TO THEIR LIMITS by a stranger who will change their lives forever.

A single phone call sets off a chain of events that will test Justin’s every belief.

When a mysterious woman claims kinship, Justin’s instincts scream deception. But when they meet, her mesmerizing appearance shatters his doubts, unveiling a truth he never saw coming.

Justin keeps the woman’s existence hidden from Michael as his son grapples with a relentless stalker, a malicious wife, and a patient who suffers from a compulsive disorder — an affliction that leads her down a path from which she’ll never return.

In this fifth Justin Wright novel, secrets collide and loyalties are tested with unexpected twists that propel you deep into a world of suspense and intrigue where nothing — and no one — is as it seems.

BUY NOW ON AMAZON

Book Details:

Book Title: REVEALED (JUSTIN WRIGHT SUSPENSE SERIES Book 6) by Rob Kaufman
Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 250 pages
Genre: Psychological Thriller, Suspense
Publisher: Rob Kaufman
Release date: Sep 2024
Content Rating: PG-13 +M

IN THE GRIPPING CONCLUSION OF THE JUSTIN WRIGHT SUSPENSE SERIES, every burning question and hidden secret comes to light.

As time marches on, the Wright family faces numerous changes, yet one mystery endures: the whereabouts of Daniel. Was Monica responsible for his disappearance? Should Benji be implicated, or has Barb wrongly accused him?

Haunted by echoes of his own past abduction, Michael grapples with his son’s absence, while also trying to help a patient plagued by Paranoid Personality Disorder—a man whose deep mistrust challenges Michael in unexpected ways. Meanwhile, Justin contends with the prison release of Richard Davis, something that rekindles old fears and compels him to constantly watch his back.

This sixth and final book brings you on the most suspenseful journey yet, one that concludes with events that will change the Wright family forever. It’s a story of psychological thrills and mystery that carries you into the past, the future, and back to the present, all told through the eyes of someone you might consider a stranger—or would you?

BUY NOW ON AMAZON

Meet the Author:

Rob Kaufman is a celebrated psychological thriller author, known for crafting emotionally intense stories that delve into the human psyche. With a degree in Psychology, he weaves his deep understanding of human behavior into gripping narratives filled with relatable characters and compelling twists.

Fascinated by what drives people toward darkness while seeking love and acceptance, Rob explores the fine line between good and evil. His novels aren’t just suspenseful—they unravel everyday events that spiral into extraordinary psychological dramas.

Readers become deeply invested in his characters, experiencing a range of emotions from laughter to heartbreak. His books have earned national and international acclaim for their unique, thought-provoking storylines and masterful plotting.

Beyond writing, Rob actively engages with readers, sharing insights into his creative process and the psychological depths of his characters. His commitment to authenticity and emotional resonance continues to captivate audiences, cementing his place as a compelling voice in psychological thrillers.

connect with the author: website ~ X ~ facebook ~ instagam ~ goodreads

My Review:

Once I had heard about new to me author, Rob Kaufman, and his Justin Wright Suspense Series, I instantly knew I had to read it. I was honored to have that opportunity by reading the first book of the series, Altered. I was far from being disappointed. I enjoyed getting to know Justin Wright and taking this adventure with him. This story took me in so many of twists, turns, and directions, I never knew what was going to happen next from scene to scene, from chapter to chapter. It was full of suspense, danger, and mystery. I wanted to keep going until the very end to find out how it would all end for Justin.

I had the pleasure of listening to the audio version of Altered. I loved the voice of the narrator, Al Pagano. I thought his performance was fun and entertaining to listen to. It was great hearing this tale being brought to life.

I am going to give Altered a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for fans of Psychological Thriller and Suspense. I can not wait to get my hands on the next installment from the Justin Wright Suspense Series to see what author, Rob Kaufman, has in store for Justin Wright. I am eagerly looking forward to it.

I received an audio version of Rob Kaufman's Altered from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

Monday, September 21, 2026

Book Tour and Review: The Antique Picker's Daughter by Melanie Dugan

Book Details:

Book Title: The Antique Picker's Daughter by Melanie Dugan

Category: Adult Fiction (18+), 250 pages

Genre: general fiction, literary fiction

Publisher: Inanna Publications & Education Inc.

Release date: September 2026

Content Rating: PG-13 + M: because of mature themes (youth homelessness and human trafficking), and physical abuse, some rough language.

Book Description:

“The first thing you need to know: They’re not antiques.

The second thing you need to know: I’m not his daughter.”

Abandoned first by her father, and then by her mother, Frankie has been left in the care of her deeply religious grandmother. When her grandmother’s religious convictions tip into delusion, Frankie decides to run away.

Life on the street in Toronto is hard, and with winter coming, it gets tougher. This is when Frankie first meets Francis, a man old enough to be her father. He starts training her in “the game,” as she comes to call it; buying, stealing, and reselling “inventory” at inflated prices. Through winter, spring, and early summer, the two become a team, traveling around small towns and villages in southern Ontario.

As Frankie discovers, life on the road holds dangers she can’t anticipate, and her precarious world tips into disaster when Francis abandons her in an unfamiliar town. Betrayed, alone, and deserted, Frankie realizes she’s in a dangerous situation — will she be able to find her way out on her own?

The Antique Picker’s Daughter explores youth homelessness, human trafficking, and one young woman’s search for safety.

BUY THE BOOK:

INANNA

Amazon ~ B&N

Indigo

add to goodreads

Meet the Author:

Melanie Dugan is the author of Sometime Daughter (“A stunning debut,” The Kingston Whig-Standard), Revising Romance (“…heartwarming, amusing, and…downright sexy,” Midwestern Book Review), Dead Beautiful (“Artful and funny,” Kathryn Kuitenbrouwer), Bee Summers (“…a carefully wrought portrayal of the way we carry trauma with us through life,” Brenda Schmidt, Quill & Quire), and Hard White (“It is a very compelling and beautifully-crafted story…I highly recommend it,” Skeleton Press).

She lived in Boston, Toronto and London, England, before settling in Kingston, Ontario, where she now lives.

She has worked in libraries and bookstores, and was Associate Publisher at Quarry Press in Kingston, and also served as Managing Editor for Poetry Canada, Quarry Magazine and Canadian Fiction Magazine.

In 2009 she was promotions director for the inaugural Kingston WritersFest.

She has studied writing with Leon Rooke, Keath Fraser, Kim Moritsugu, Helen Humphreys and Anita Rau Badami.

Her short stories have been shortlisted for several awards including the CBC Literary Award.

connect with the author: website ~ facebook ~ goodreads

My Review:

The Antique Picker's Daughter: A Novel is my first experience to reading by the new to me author, Melanie Dugan. I have to admit that it took a few chapters in to get used to the author's writing style and to understand as to what was happening. It did get a little confusing with the names at times, too. Once I caught on, I was hooked. It was a tale of a young teenaged girl, Frankie, who becomes homeless and having to travel throughout small towns in the southern part of Ontario. When her traveling companion, Francis, disappears, she has to find ways to survive on her own. I admired her bravery and courage as she navigates this new heart breaking life she was thrown into. I often wonder if she will figure out where she belongs. The story is full of adventure, thought provoking scenes, action, and danger. I wanted to read all the way to the end to find out what would become of her in the end.

I am going to give The Antique Picker's Daughter: A Novel four stars. I believe fans of general and literary fiction about urban life. I would be interested in reading more from the talented author, Melanie Dugan, in the near future.

I received a paperback advanced reader copy of Melanie Dugan's The Antique Picker's Daughter: A Novel from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

Spotlight and Giveaway: As a Bride in the Wilderness by E J Ashmore

About the Book

Book: AS A BRIDE IN THE WILDERNESS

Author: EJ Ashmore

Genre: Biblical Fiction, young adult

Release Date: January 10, 2026

Eliza is sure happiness has arrived. She and her family, never to be separated again, join the rest of her people on the road to a land filled with milk and honey. A land to call home. Even better, Seti, the love of her life, has joined her people, pledged allegiance to her God, and vowed to marry her.

But life isn’t that simple. Not only are her plans disrupted by a detour into the great unknown, but she has suffered a severe concussion, thanks to Seti. Her people and her family, though loveable, prove to be a squabbling mess, and Seti, can’t stay out of trouble. Freedom is not so easy. Who is she really, and how does a free woman act?

Seti, an Egyptian, once had everything, or so he thought. He willingly gave it all up for Eliza and her God. Now reduced to an outcast sleeping outside his best friend’s tent, he has no money and no way to prove himself acceptable to Eliza’s family or her people. For the first time ever, he is filled with insecurity and fear. Fear of losing Eliza to his foolishness, but most of all, fear of disappointing the God who saved him. Yet, his every decision leads to disaster.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

EJ Ashmore is a wife, mother, and nurse, with a passion for young believers who are searching for answers about God. Whether it be what God wants, who He is, or why He does some of the things He does, she seeks to use ordinary, relatable characters to illustrate God’s unwavering faithfulness and devotion even to those who feel unworthy or invisible.

More from EJ

Why I wrote this:

This all began when my teenage son couldn’t grasp why God would harden Pharaoh’s heart and then punish him for it. But then I read Joel Richardson’s Sinai to Zion, and how God’s love story for His people (Israelite or Gentile/Christian) is framed after ancient Jewish wedding customs and how God designed marriage to mirror His desired relationship with His people.

But I also wanted to reach young girls who felt as I did as a teenager: ugly, unworthy, a constant failure, insecure, and constantly bullied. God seemed to hear everybody else but me. But God’s love story is for the individual as much as for a nation. He pursues, He gets the girl, He proves His worthiness again and again, and He builds her up as His beautiful bride who He will have an intimate relationship with.

Add in the depravity of humanity who barely know their God, stuck in a desert with nothing to do and have no idea how to act not only as free people but as people of God, yet God chooses them and loves them and wants to live in their midst.

I deeply desire for my reader to come away from this pondering how God pursued and pursues them in their own lives, and have a deeper relationship with God and a better understanding of the why God does what He does.