Taken Without a Trace by Hope Welborn

Posted on August 28, 2026 by EmpowerMoms

Taken Without a Trace JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Taken Without a Trace by Hope Welborn, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Taken Without a Trace
Author: Hope Welborn
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
Release Date: August 25, 2026
Genre: Romantic Suspense

A missing person case…

or a deadly cover-up?

Georgia Special Agent Cash Brenner gets an anonymous tip on a cold case that’s haunted him for years—but following the lead has him walking into a deadly ambush. He’s saved by his ex, private investigator Maya Reid, who is on a mission to find her missing sister. As eerie similarities between their investigations emerge and Cash grapples with memory loss from the attack, they must put their rocky past aside to find answers. With danger lurking at every turn, Cash and Maya need to act quickly to solve the case and locate Maya’s sister—or risk losing everything they hold dear.

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

Also Available

MY REVIEW

The action started from the very first chapter, and I was on the edge of my seat until the very end. This love inspired suspense story had clean romance, great characters, drama, amnesia element, missing people, and an intriguing story line-all the things to make a great book!

I liked getting to know the main characters-Maya the investigator and Cash who works with Georgia Bureau of Investigation. They find themselves working together again after Cash crashes his car into Maya’s and then doesn’t recall why he was there and what case he was working on. Cash and Maya are on the run trying to solve clues of a missing woman while they try to keep themselves from getting shot or ambushed.

I enjoyed the faith element in this well written, suspenseful story. I can’t wait to read more books by this author!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions and views expressed are my own.

About the Author

Award-winning author Hope Welborn writes spine-tingling suspense, sprinkled with romance, and saturated with faith. By day, she masquerades as a digital content marketing technology specialist, and by night, she stays up too late putting words on the page. Hope is also co-owner and design/technology manager for Spark Flash Fiction and a member of the Suspense Squad. She has two indie published works, and her next novel will release from Love Inspired Suspense in August 2026. She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency.

Connect with Hope by visiting hopewelborn.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed paperback copy of Taken Without a Trace, a copy of both Hidden and Trail of Danger (also by Hope Welborn), and a $15 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight August 24, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on August 31, 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.

Enter Giveaway

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

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Step & Strength fitness challenge Beginner Strength Training routine

Posted on August 27, 2026 by EmpowerMoms

Welcome to my Steps and Strength Challenge for Sept 2026. You can start this challenge Monday 8/31 or Tuesday 9/1 – or whenever you want to!

Our goal for this month is to introduce (or increase) walking and strength training. If you are just starting out or working on being consistent; I would recommend doing cardio/walking 2 days a week and strength training 1 day a week-then increasing your workout days every couple of weeks when you feel comfortable.

By the end of the month hopefully you will be able to do strength training up to 3 times a week and cardio up to 5 times a week. Then over the next several months; you can increase your reps, sets, and weight used.

Reps = 1 complete execution of the exercise movement. (8 hammer curls)

Sets = The collection of repetitions of exercises performed in a row before taking a break (8 hammer curls + 8 tricep kickback + 8 overhead press etc.)

This challenge is meant to be a starting point in your journey-not to start and finish in 30 days. Over time-cardio can be done almost every day and strength training can be done 3 times a week-alternating days. I highly recommend not strength training 2 days in row so your muscles and body can rest. Use lighter weight or no weight when strength training so your body has time to adjust and then increase the weight over time.

Beginner strength training exercises can be done independently using my trackers below or by following along to my videos on YouTube.

Here is my YouTube channel where the (4) new Beginner Strength Training videos will be posted: (475) Rachel K Williamson – YouTube I also have a variety of other videos-strength and walk aerobics on my channel.

Warm up for at least 5 minutes and stretch for at least 5 minutes after strength training. Let me know if you have any questions about strength training or about our September challenge. I will be posting updates and check-ins on IG and on Facebook in my private challenge group.

If you want to join my free Facebook challenge group for group accountability, go here: Walk Strong with Rachel | Facebook

A Cowboy to Call Her Own by Cari Lynn Webb

Posted on July 30, 2026 by EmpowerMoms

A Cowboy to Call Her Own JustRead Blog + Review Tour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for A Cowboy to Call Her Own by Cari Lynn Webb, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: A Cowboy to Call Her Own
Series: The Bluegrass Blackwells #1
Author: Cari Lynn Webb
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming
Release Date: July 28, 2026
Genre: Contemporary Romance

This big-city cowboy
Just swept her off her boots!

Saving his family’s Kentucky racing stables is priority number one for cowboy Asher Blackwell. Love is not on his agenda. But when pretty chef Kelley Munroe pulls him into a clumsy two-step, he’s charmed. And making a deal with her to cater for the stables adds a little sunlight to his days. As a shared love of horses draws them together, and they’re roped into planning the town’s Fourth of July celebrations, the sparks between them blossom into fireworks. Asher wasn’t looking for a fresh start, and his life is in New York. But Kelley’s healing support is cracking open his guarded heart. Could she be the cowgirl he’d always hoped for?

USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR

Also Available

My Review

“Big E” Elias Blackwell returns again and this time is in in Kentucky! I have read other books by this author and they are always fun and enjoyable to read!

Kelley is a local who has had her heart stomped on in New York by her ex, so she’s back for her sister’s wedding and to figure out next steps. She loves to cater/cook and finds a job at the Blackwell horse racing ranch.

Asher returns home to his ranch after a scandal with one of the horses so he can help turn the ranch around and finds himself longing for the ranch life and a cowgirl.

I loved all the characters and flow of the story. Kelley’s sisters were a fun addition and the extra element of possible sabotage at the ranch was a good addition to the story!

Sweet clean romance that will make you smile while reading this story from beginning to end! I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions and views expressed are my own.

About the Author

Cari Lynn Webb

Cari Lynn Webb lives in Florida with her husband. She’s been blessed to see the power of true love in her grandparent’s 70 year marriage and her parent’s marriage of over 50 years. She knows love isn’t always sweet and perfect, it can be challenging, complicated and risky. But she believes happily-ever-afters are worth fighting for. She loves to connect with readers.

Connect with Cari by visiting carilynnwebb.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a $25 Amazon gift card and 2 print books by Cari Lynn Webb from the Blackwells Backlist!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight July 28, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on August 4, 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 JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

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The Unexpected Caller by Shelley Shepard Gray

Posted on July 7, 2026 by EmpowerMoms

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Unexpected Caller by Shelley Shepard Gray, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Unexpected Caller
Series: The Amish Widows Club #1
Author: Shelley Shepard Gray
Publisher: Revell
Release Date: July 7, 2026
Genre: Amish Fiction / Contemporary / Romance

She finds sisterhood in the Amish Widows Club–but will she risk loving again?

Leanna Mast never imagined she’d be a widow at forty-one, but it seems God had other plans. After mourning her husband for a year, she realizes it’s time to start living again. But her community expects her to remarry, and after living on her own, she’s not eager to start cooking and cleaning in another man’s home.

When she’s invited to join the Amish Widows Club, she discovers a place of belonging she didn’t even know she needed. In this group of women who support each other through sharing books, stories, and companionship, Leanna immediately feels welcome. She’s sure her life as a widow will bring her the fulfillment she craves . . . until handsome, kind Evan Keim comes calling. As their relationship deepens, her heart becomes involved. But how could she possibly leave the widows club for a dream that might be too good to be true?

New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray skillfully draws readers into an endearing and delightful Amish community of friendship during widowhood and a second chance at love.

MY REVIEW

This story is book one in the brand new Amish Widow Club series and I was so excited to read it!

This second chance love story was about healing, dealing with loneliness and finding a new normal after the death of a spouse.

I especially liked that the main characters were more mature, in their 40s, so the story was more relatable to me in many ways.

Leanna begins to have gentlemen callers after a respectable mourning time has passed after the death of her husband. Since she did not have a happy marriage and they were unable to have children; she isn’t eager to get married again and face disappointment. Leanna hesitantly accepts an invitation to the Amish Widows Club, where she unexpectedly finds companionship and healing. When she takes an interest in a specific gentleman, she has to decide if she’s going to take another chance at love or remain single.

I loved reading this book from beginning to end and can’t wait to read more from the series!!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions and views expressed are my own.

About the Author

Shelley Shepard Gray

Shelley Shepard Gray is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 100 books. Two-time winner of the HOLT Medallion and finalist for both the Christy and the Carol Awards, Gray lives in Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail. Learn more at ShelleyShepardGray.com.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $50 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight July 6, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 13, 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 JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

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Miriam’s Little Gentleman by Anne Blackburne

Posted on July 5, 2026 by EmpowerMoms

About the Book

Book: Miriam’s Little Gentleman (The Heart of the Amish Book 13)

Author: Anne Blackburne

Genre: Amish/Christian Fiction

Release Date: May, 2026

Her Heart Is Set on One Man

Full of faith, hope, and romance, this series takes you into the Heart of Amish Country.

Miriam Zook has loved David Miller her whole life, and she confessed her feelings the night before he moved to Indiana and joined the Mennonite church. Miriam, having been baptized into the Amish faith, makes an income by painting beautiful vignettes of Amish life. She has never married, since no one ever compared to David, and, as she is an only child, this concerns the women in her family greatly. Now, seven years after leaving, David is back in Willow Creek to embrace his Amish roots and join the church. Miriam’s heart awakens, but can she dare to hope that he will also embrace her?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Anne Blackburne lives and works in Southeast Ohio as a newspaper editor and writer. She is the mother of five grown children, has one wonderful grandchild, and a spoiled poodle named Millie. For fun, when she isn’t working on Amish romance or sweet mysteries, Anne directs and acts in community theater productions and writes and directs original plays. She also enjoys reading, kayaking, swimming, searching for beach glass, and just sitting with a cup of coffee looking at large bodies of water. Her idea of the perfect vacation is cruising and seeing amazing new places with people she loves.

More from Anne

Hello Dear Readers!

It seems like only yesterday that the wonderful Christian bloggers who work with Celebrate Literature did a blog tour for my January 1 release in Barbour’s “Heart of the Amish” series, “Plain Jane’s Secret Admirer”! Yet here we are again, with another CelebrateLit blog tour, this time for my May release, “Miriam’s Little Gentleman”.

Miriam’s story is available now to readers in print and online wherever fine books are sold, and I feel blessed to have the help of the CelebrateLit folks in launching this next tale from my made-up Amish community of Willow Creek, Ohio.

In addition to Jane’s and Miriam’s stories, my previous Heart of the Amish books in the series include, “Ruth’s Gingersnap Surprise”, “Mary’s Calico Hope”, and “Lizzie’s Little Mouse”. If you’re read any of them, you’ll remember Miriam Zook, who does beautiful folk art paintings of Amish life scenes. Miriam was also mentioned in Ruth’s story as one of the lucky recipients of a kitten from their elderly friend, Lydia’s, cat’s final litter.

Miriam’s cat is a black and white tuxedo cat named Beau. He enjoys sitting outside in the fresh air while Miriam paints, safely wearing his natty red harness to keep him from wandering into trouble. If you read Jane’s story, you know kitties sometimes do wander off!

Miriam has been hung up on David Miller for years. She even told him so . . . but unfortunately, it was too late. David had already made plans to leave Willow Creek the following morning, running from troubles he didn’t make and couldn’t fix. Years later, Miriam and David still have feelings for one another. But are they strong enough to survive the hurt and years of separation, and to forge a real and lasting love? With God’s help, of course, anything is possible. That doesn’t mean it’ll be easy!

Thank you for taking the time to learn about Miriam’s story! This book is my fifth in Barbour Publishing’s series, “The Heart of the Amish”. Look for other great reads in the series from authors Mindy Steele, Kelly Irvin and Lisa Jones Baker.

I’m currently writing my sixth book in the series, which will feature a young woman you’ve met in some of my other stories, Rebecca Beachy. Her cat is Patches, a little orange and white boy. Together, with the help of Amish farmer Rudy Miller, they’ll figure out a way to keep a dear old woman from losing her home and business. A buried treasure and a small mystery are involved!

I hope you’re having as much fun reading about these remarkable young women – and their kitties! – as I’m having writing about them. Thanks for being part of our journey!

God bless you and yours!

Joyfully,
Anne Blackburne