Watch Your Back Blog Tour from Just Read Publicity Tours

On By vickleaIn blog tour, Book Promo, Book Review, JustRead Publicity Tour11 Comments

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Watch Your Back by Kristen Hogrefe Parnell, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Watch Your Back
Series: Crossroads Suspense #3
Author: Kristen Hogrefe Parnell
Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink
Release Date: March 5, 2025
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

You can’t watch your own back.

Private Investigator Avery Reynolds leads the charge to expose Tampa’s supposedly “extinct” mob. The crime boss responsible for her foster brother’s death is within her grasp—until she hits a wall in the form of Ethan Bridger, a Coast Guard veteran who unknowingly derails her sting operation. When the elusive “Big Eddie” comes out of hiding, he targets their mutual friends about to tie the knot.

Avery sets aside her angst toward Ethan to focus on ending the crime boss’s reign of terror. But working together exposes her trust issues and his PTSD stemming from a comrade’s tragedy. When Avery goes solo into a prisoner exchange operation, she discovers her vulnerability too late—and must lean on Ethan and the God she thought had abandoned her. But will that help reach her in time?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

More In This Series

My Thoughts

This faith-filled and compellingly suspense-filled novel had me on the edge of my seat and kept me totally engrossed in the story. The basic plot had lots of elements that made it entertaining and realistic, including a kidnapped child, a powerful crime boss, and a team of private investigators who are doggedly determined to carry out their responsibilities. Avery Reynolds is on the trail of “Big Eddie” but cannot quite catch him when he turns the tables on her by kidnapping her godchild. All bets are off when Ethan Bridger, a security specialist, finds out what is happening and makes it his personal mission to keep Avery safe and to help her capture the crime king. The characters were perfectly portrayed, especially Avery and her reluctance to accept the Lord as her Savior. Ethan and Avery are both on the same road, seeking salvation, kind of, but mostly just wanting to live their lives without interference. The action is non-stop with a quick pace and an amazing attention to details in the main plot as well as the sub-plots. I enjoyed the wedding scenes at the beginning that introduced the characters and allowed me to get to know them again. So, even if I had not read the previous books in the series, this one could have been enjoyed as a standalone. I like the way faith is included in the book and all of the loose ends are tied up, including bringing refugees from Cuba. There were a lot of twists and some really surprising developments as the story progressed. This is Christian romantic suspense at its best.
Disclaimer
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Christian Fiction with intense suspense

About the Author

Kristen Hogrefe Parnell writes suspenseful fiction from a faith perspective for women and young adults. A former English teacher, she now designs curriculum for a Christian academy and spends most of her time at her favorite assignment to date: being a mom to her toddler. Her books have won the Selah Award and the Grace Award, among others. She lives in the Tampa, Florida area with her husband and son.

Connect with Kristen by visiting kristenhogrefeparnell.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Watch Your Back & a $25 Amazon e-gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight March 5, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 12, 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.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

Review: Ambush by Colleen Coble

On By vickleaIn Book Review2 Comments

About the Book

Product Details

ISBN-13:9780840714220 Publisher:Nelson, Thomas, Inc. Publication date:03/04/2025. Series:A Sanctuary Novel , #1 Pages:352

Paradise Alden’s childhood in Nova Cambridge, Alabama, was idyllic until the night her parents were murdered. Since then, life has left her scarred. The abuse she suffered in the foster care system, her first love’s betrayal, and the jaguar attack that nearly destroyed her career have led to an unshakable distrust—in men, in God, and maybe in even in herself.

After fifteen years, returning to her hometown is a last resort to finding her life again. She’s hoping the wildlife refuge where she’s accepted a veterinarian job will be the perfect place to heal from her recent traumas and unlock her memories about the night her parents died. But the day she arrives at The Sanctuary, a body is discovered on the grounds. And soon, a series of deadly events threatens not only her future, but the man who, despite all odds, still makes her pulse stutter. Arson, a shooting, a break-in, and multiple instances of animals being freed from their enclosures all point back to him, but Paradise knows Blake Lawson isn’t responsible. Not the man who has been helping his mother manage The Sanctuary these past six months and care for his stepbrothers in the wake of their father’s death . . . even if his betrayal years ago cost her everything.

Someone dangerous is lurking beneath the town’s moss-draped trees, and Paradise refuses to let another murderer disappear into the shadows.

My Thoughts

This novel is a wild ride in a wild animal sanctuary where the owner is being threatened and is in constant danger of being killed. That’s the scenario when Paradise comes back to Alabama to accept a job as a vet at the sanctuary and finds more than she bargained for. The layers in this book are numerous and all are equally memorable. Paradise is dealing with trauma in her childhood, betrayal by her best friend Blake (who happens to be the son of the sanctuary’s owner), and new trauma from being mauled by a big cat. Blake has his own issues to deal with as he takes seriously his commitment to his mom Jenna and his two half-brothers. All of the characters popped off the page and right into my imagination. I could picture Paradise with her “mane” of hair and the two precocious little boys who loved adventure. The mystery is in who is targeting the sanctuary and why. There are many twists and red herrings before the culprit is ultimately revealed, making the book absorbing and totally captivating. I enjoyed the themes of forgiveness, restoration, seeking truth, sacrifice, and family issues. I especially enjoyed seeing characters from a previous book who live in Tupelo Grove, from another series by Coble and Acker. The truth is I really enjoyed my journey through this fascinating book in which I learned a lot about wild animals and even more about human nature and how to make wiser choices. The faith foundation is obvious but not overwhelming to the storyline, but rather adding to the overall tale. I cannot wait for more in this series and to discover who will be featured next from the sanctuary or its environs!
Disclaimer
I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions expressed are completely my own and I was not required to write a positive review.

Christian Fiction with Suspense, Rated PG

About the Author

Best-selling romantic suspense author Colleen Coble’s novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, the ACFW Carol Award, the Romance Writers of America RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers’ Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has over 5 million books in print and her books have been on the USAToday bestseller list, the ECPA, CBA, Publishers Weekly, and Amazon bestseller lists. She writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana. Visit her website at www.colleencoble.com.

Purchase Links

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Bookshop

TNZ Fiction

Powell’s

Target

Kobo

Christian Fiction

Audible

With great appreciation to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Publisher, Inc. for the advanced review copy!

Jesus Never Changes

On By vickleaIn promises, Scripture, YouVersion App6 Comments

Devotional from Daily Refresh, YouVersion Bible App

Unchanging

In an ever-changing, always-moving, constantly-shifting world, we can count on the unchanging nature of God.

Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the author of Hebrews said it like this:

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

Hebrews 13:8 NLT

A title for the three distinct parts, or “Persons,” of God is the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And the Son—Jesus Christ—is the purest reflection of the Father, who never changes.

When you unpack the stunning mystery that is God made flesh in the Person of Jesus Christ, you’ll notice that He said audacious things like: “I and the Father are one,” (John 10:30) “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father,” (John 14:9) and, “Now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” (John 17:5) 

John described Jesus as the Word: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)

God said of Himself, “I the Lord do not change…” (Malachi 3:6) This unchanging quality is called the immutability of God. 

From generation to generation, God is the immovable rock where we can firmly plant our faith.

God cannot lie. He cannot be unjust. He’s always good. He’s always faithful. He’s fully perfect. He’s self-sufficient. He’s continuously steady and constant, enduring and everlasting.

If your world has been rocked, or if everything around you seems to be shifting, or if it’s challenging to tell what is solid rock and what is shifting sand, you can trust in, count on, and place your hope in Jesus. 

He’s not only your righteous Savior, but He’s also your unchanging God.

My Thoughts

I am not a person who likes change. Yes, I moved twenty-five times. But moving was hard for me. It always seemed as though I had just made new friends and off we went to a new place. I don’t even like to rearrange furniture. I put things where I like them to be and I want them to always be right there.

I like the definition of “consistent”: steady reliability. That is what Jesus has been to me. My world may be rocking, but He is my rock that doesn’t move. I can totally depend on Jesus to always be there. An overnight hospital stay? He is right there, in all of the hustle, bustle, testing and prodding. He is right there, keeping me steady in the rocking world. Bad weather pattern coming through? Jesus is right there, letting me know that He has not ever nor will He ever leave me, not even when the power goes out and it’s less than 30 degrees outside. When the noise in the church sanctuary is too much for my sensitive brain? Jesus is right there, comforting me when I am distresses about not being able to be around the others in the congregation because the bass and percussion reverberate too much for me. The bottom line is Jesus has been with me and for me most of my life. He is my shelter and my anchor in the storms of life. I cannot make plans and know with certainty that they will come to pass. But I can know for sure that even if they don’t, it will be okay because Jesus is there, right beside me, walking through the changes in my life. Other people will disappoint me. Things that happen in the world may scare me. But…Jesus!

Follow the Leader

On By vickleaIn Admonition, Scripture3 Comments

Most of us have at one time played the childhood game of “Follow the Leader.” We did all kinds of crazy things because that’s what the leader was doing. Did you know that we are still following a leader? We have to be in tune with the Spirit of God to know where He is leading us, but He will always be there to guide us if we let Him.

When the Israelites were traveling through the wilderness, they encamped or moved based on what the Lord was telling them to do with His presence. When He moved, they moved. But if He did not move, they stayed right where they were for however long He stayed there. I think sometimes we get ahead of God. He is supposed to be leading but we get tired of waiting and move ahead of Him. That’s when we can get into real trouble!

If we get ahead of God, we are stepping into the realm of the flesh. We are going by our feelings, our own desires or our impatience to get things moving along. God warns us to be in tune with His Spirit so we don’t fall into the trap of the flesh. I cannot tell you the number of times that I thought God was delayed and needed my help in carrying something out. This is not a new thing. Remember Sarah “helping God” by giving Abraham her maidservant Hagar to have a child? There are many examples in the Bible of people not waiting for God but trying to lead instead of following.

The words “keep in step” really stood out to me here. I am not supposed to walk ahead of the Spirit, acting like the leader I am not supposed to be. Nor should I fall so far behind Him that I cannot see the way He is leading me. I am to keep in step with Him, creating a rhythm together of moving closer to God and His plan for my life.

Share the Hope of Jesus

On By vickleaIn Admonition, Scripture, YouVersion App1 Comment

YouVersion Bible App: Daily Refresh

The Mission of the Church

After Jesus’ death and resurrection, he spent 40 days on earth ministering to people and preparing His disciples for life without Him. Jesus planned on leaving earth and ascending to heaven, but before doing so, He gave His disciples a mission found in Matthew 28:19-20. We often call this mission The Great Commission.

The Great Commission begins with getting up and going to places where people need to hear about the good news of Jesus. This doesn’t mean you have to leave your country—there are people in your own neighborhood and workplace that need to hear the hope of Jesus.

The ultimate goal of the Great Commission is to make followers of Jesus. So as we go about sharing the good news of Jesus with people, we’re to show people how Jesus has changed our lives, and invite them to discover Jesus for themselves.

Jesus also instructs us to baptize new believers. Baptism is a symbol of someone’s incorporation into the family of God. It is their public display of their new faith in Jesus. Baptism is such an important part of the Christian life that Jesus made sure to include it in our mission.

It can be easy to think that making disciples and baptizing believers is the responsibility of our church pastors and ministry leaders. While those things certainly are part of every church’s mission, Jesus intended for every believer to be making disciples.

So take a moment to think about someone in your own life who helped you grow spiritually. Ask God to bring to mind someone you can help and disciple. Then, allow God to give you the courage to share the hope of Jesus with those around you.

My Thoughts

Chances are good that you did not just decide one day to become a Christian. Someone (a neighbor, a friend or a relative, or even a total stranger) sowed a seed in your life and God brought it to fruition. Where would you be today without Jesus in your life? I don’t even want to think about that possibility and I am so thankful for a new neighbor who made it her mission to tell as many people as possible about the saving power of the Lord. I was one of those people whose lives Verna touched for eternity. When you give money or food to the poor, that will help them for a little while. But when you sow a seed for Jesus, you could me affecting their forever destination. God didn’t ask us to make sure that everyone is saved. He just told us to go and tell. Is there someone you can tell today about what Jesus did and is still doing in your life? Pray and tell. Pray that the seeds you sow will fall on fallow ground. The salvation Jesus provides is not meant to be a well-kept secret…go and tell so that others may know.