EmpowerMoms

The Mistletoe Baby by Heidi Main

Posted on October 14, 2026 by EmpowerMoms

The Mistletoe Baby JustRead Blog + Review Tour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Mistletoe Baby by Heidi Main, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Mistletoe Baby
Series: Home to Evermore Ranch Series
Author: Heidi Main
Publisher: Love Inspired
Release Date: September 29, 2026
Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

They both long for a true home.
Can the holidays bring opposites together?

Saving his family’s Texas ranch is former bull rider Reggie Evermore’s Christmas wish. And he’s sure socialite Natalie Patterson can help him plan the perfect event to bring in cash. Pregnant, recently divorced and ready to prove her independence, Natalie needs a paycheck and a place to stay. So she accepts Reggie’s job offer. But planning a fundraiser is harder than attending them! When Reggie learns the truth, he’s less than happy. Can they work through their differences to transform the ranch and give love a chance to grow?

MY REVIEW

I enjoyed reading this heartwarming, family centered, holiday romance story! I liked getting to know Natalie as she navigated her new life as divorced, pregnant, and ready to make it on her own. She starts to work at Paradise Guest Ranch and gets to know Reggie, Mama Jean and others.

Both Reggie and Natalie struggle with trust especially after being burned by past family relationships. They both work together to come up with ideas on how to raise money for the ranch while learning to trust in each other and their community around them.

I loved this sweet, feel-good Holiday story!

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

About the Author

Heidi Main

Heidi Main is a New York Times Bestselling Author. Her sweet inspirational romance novels celebrate small-town life, faith, and the beauty of second chances. Though she lives in the suburbs, Heidi dreams of acreage and horseback riding—longings that find their way into her novels through wide-open ranches and loyal horses.

She loves popcorn and milk chocolate (not necessarily in that order), and savors novels and movies with happily-ever-afters. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys taking walks, gardening, playing card games, curling up with a good book and watching home renovation shows. Before starting her writing career, Heidi worked with computers and taught Jazzercise. A perfect Saturday is spent relaxing on the deck with her husband and watching the birds that visit their backyard.

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

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of The Mistletoe Baby, a $20 Amazon gift card, an ornament, and a tote bag!

The Mistletoe Baby blog tour giveaway JustRead

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 12, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 19, 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 Glades by Angela Hunt

Posted on October 13, 2026 by EmpowerMoms

The Glades JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Glades by Angela Hunt, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

The Glades

Title: The Glades
Author: Angela Hunt
Publisher: Hunt Haven Press
Release Date: October 13, 2026
Genre: Suspense Thriller

When Katherine Armstrong arranges a birthday weekend on her husband’s private island in the Everglades, she plans for everything: the guest list, the menu, the flowers, the careful distance between herself and the dark water beyond the dock.

She does not plan for the storm.

By nightfall, the power is gone, the mainland is unreachable, and something in the mangrove shadows has begun to move. Katherine has spent years building a life that looks flawless from the outside. Now, with her children beside her and the water on every side, she will have to decide what that life was actually worth.

Sixty years earlier, a World War II veteran named Conrad Boone made a decision on these same waters — one that seemed containable, even necessary, at the time. He passed the consequence of that decision to his family. They learned to live with it. And the island learned to keep its secrets.

Until the storm.

The Glades moves between a Florida that no longer exists and a Florida that is drowning in its own inheritance, between a man who thought he could manage what he’d done and a woman who never knew there was anything to manage. What lives beneath the water has been patient for sixty years.

It will not be patient much longer.

MY REVIEW

I could not stop reading this Florida Everglades thriller story-Jurassic Park meets Nile Crocodiles! I love visiting my family in Florida and this story was one of my worst nightmares come true!

The chapters go back and forth between present day and the late 1950s when Connie, who is known for being the best guide in the everglades, meets Victor Armstrong. Victor wants Connie to become his caretaker of Armstrong Island and help him raise his imported (secret) Nile Crocodiles. Over the years we see how Connie learns and takes care of the family of 4 Niles and then eventually his son Micco takes over as caregiver. Three generations of Armstrongs come and go from the Island where the present-day story picks up.

Micco and his granddaughter Yuna are trapped on the Island with Mrs. Armstrong, her kids and friends. After a deadly storm comes through, they have to figure out how to survive the crocodiles lurking underneath and make it back off the Island alive.

This fast paced, clean thriller was AMAZING and hard to put down! I really enjoyed reading it and getting to know the characters and how the Everglades helped shape their futures and beliefs.

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

About the Author

Angela Hunt

Christy-Award winner Angela Hunt writes for readers who have learned to expect the unexpected in novels from this versatile author. With nearly six million copies of her books sold worldwide, she is the best-selling author of more than 160 works ranging from picture books (The Tale of Three Trees) to novels and nonfiction.

Now that her two children are grown, Angie and her husband live in Florida with Very Big Dogs (a direct result of watching Sandlot too many times). This affinity for mastiffs has not been without its rewards–one of their dogs was featured on Live with Regis and Kelly as the second-largest canine in America. Their dog received this dubious honor after an all-expenses-paid trip to Manhattan for the dog and the Hunts, complete with VIP air travel and a stretch limo in which they toured New York City. Afterward, the dog gave out paw-tographs at the airport.

When she’s not home writing, Angie often travels to teach writing workshops at schools and writers’ conferences. And to talk about her dogs, of course.

Readers may visit her web site at www.angelahuntbooks.com.

Tour Giveaway

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

The Glades blog tour JustRead Tours

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 13, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 20, 2026. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. No delivery restrictions. 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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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!

Posted in Book Reviews | 8 Comments

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

Posted in Fitness, Walk Strong Roanoke Fitness | Comments Off

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!