Saturday, October 3, 2026

The Great American Christmas Movie Challenge

 



Enter the Great American Movie Challenge 
by October 8th and you could win $100,000.

Predict which Great American Movies 
will be most watched.

🎄Go HERE to create your Great American Christmas Movie List, ranking all 18 movies from most watched, 1 through 18, by October 8th.

🎄Then, catch the latest ranking results on Great American Pure Flix every Wednesday at 8pm ET starting October 21. Stay for an exclusive first look screening at an upcoming Christmas premiere!

🎄At the conclusion of the Christmas season, we will reveal the final rankings of all 18 new Great American Christmas Movies!
#ChristmasMovieChallengeMIN

#MomentumInfluencers #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout 

Murders in the Marquee (Murder Most Fowl Mysteries Book 1) by Dana Mentink

 

It's clean, Christian, historical. This is the famous hotel where they had the mallard ducks parade through every day. VERY well written - you sink in and feel comfortable with the characters and tone of the story right away. You've got to love them. Three people who come to the hotel under different circumstances and have very different backgrounds come together as one to solve the disappearance of people from the hotel with fun banter and interesting interactions. The support they give to one another is compelling, overcoming insecurities along the way. Makes you think of the tv series Only Murders in the Building, but it's quite different. Excellent read, twisty page-turner keeps you hooked until you learn what happened.

I received this book free from the author, publisher and CelebrateLit book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#MurdersInTheMarquee #DanaMentink #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #CelebrateLit #ChristianMystery&Suspense #LoveInspiredTrade 

About the Book

Book: Murders in the Marquee

Author: Dana Mentink

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Release Date: September 1, 2026

In this witty historical murder mystery set in a San Francisco hotel, an unlikely trio of amateur sleuths must uncover a killer before another guest checks out for good.

In 1905, the Grand Mallard Marquee is well known for its iconic style, as well as its daily duck parade. For Saul Niffler, a reformed jewel thief, working at the luxurious hotel offers a much-needed second chance. Staying out of trouble and in gainful employment is essential. Which makes seeing a body plummet from a penthouse window extra complicated.

Except…did he see it? There’s no body to be found, and Saul knows he should concentrate on his new duties as “Duck Commandant” rather than meddle. If only Kitty Rossi, a persistent young guest yearning to be a Pinkerton detective, would leave well enough alone. Kitty has already roped in Henry, the elevator man, to investigate suspicious goings-on around the hotel. And against his better judgment, Saul feels compelled to join them.

Between the mystery of Saul’s missing predecessor and a grisly discovery in a drain, all signs point to murder most fowl. And with a cold-blooded killer roaming the Marquee’s lavish corridors, keeping his job may be the least of Saul’s problems…

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Dana Mentink is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller as well as a two-time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, and the recipient of a Holt Medallion for excellence in mystery/suspense. She was honored to receive the Author of the Year award from West Coast Christian Writers. A California native, she’s written over sixty titles for the general and Christian markets in the suspense, lighthearted romance, and mystery genres. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense and Revell.

 

 

More from Dana

Ice cream or pie? Cake or cookies? Beach or mountains? The answer for me is always, “Yes!” I’m a restless soul, I suppose, but I’ve never been able to choose one delight over the other. I’m that way with writing too. I started my career in mystery and sidestepped to suspense. It’d be so much easier to stick with one genre but no. Dana Mentink has to write both, it seems. I attended a Harlequin anniversary celebration in Toronto a couple of years ago and listened to the editors discuss their futures wishes. Tina James mentioned she’d like to see an “Only Murders in the Building” type book or maybe a historical mystery. Whammo! The idea hit me like a train. What about both? An Only Murders in the Building/Downton Abbey type mashup? The series idea was born. Lots of twists and turns? Check. Humor? Check? An unlikely crime solving trio? You bet! I’m truly thrilled to have been allowed to step back into mystery land. I hope you’ll enjoy the results!

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, September 29
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 29
Books Less Travelled , September 30
She Lives To Read, September 30
Melissa’s Bookshelf, October 1
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 1
Texas Book-aholic, October 2
Wishful Endings, October 2
For Him and My Family, October 3
Books You Can Feel Good About, October 3
Lily’s Corner, October 4
Blogging With Carol, October 4
Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 5
Leslie’s Library Escape, October 6
Life of Literature , October 6
Connie’s History Classroom, October 7
Mary Hake, October 7
Blossoms and Blessings, October 8
Holly’s Book Corner, October 9
Pause for Tales, October 9
Cover Lover Book Review, October 10
Life on Chickadee Lane, October 11
A Good Book and Cup of Tea, October 12
Lights in a Dark World, October 12

Giveaway



To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away the grand prize of a $100 Amazon Gift Card and a signed 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/hz50N/murders-in-the-marquee-celebration-tour-giveaway


My reviews
Barnes and Noble

Saturday, September 26, 2026

The Missing Captive: The Deep Commitment to Share the Gospel in Early Colonial America by George Lapin

 

I was completely absorbed in this story right from the beginning. My husband and I both have Dutch ancestors from the Van Alstyne family who lived in the Albany area in the 1700s. My husband's history includes a story of Indians kidnapping family and going after them into Canada to get them back, so this story hits close to home. The story is very well written and quite real as to what could have happened in this time of the Queen's War with conflicts between the French, English, Indians and Canadians and shifting allegiances. It includes historical places and people who make it so and I was hooked thoroughly to see what would happen. Gideon and his sister are from a missionary family. Both are driven by their faith and wish for freedom to make their own way in life. As events take them over, their courage and enduring path in faith and family commitments are inspiring. Hard to put down satisfying read, right to the end. Quite moving. 

I received this book free from the author, publisher and CelebrateLit book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#TheMissingCaptive #GeorgeLapin #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #CelebrateLit #ReligiousHistoricalFiction  

 

About the Book

Book: The Missing Captive

Author: George Lapin

Genre: Historical Fiction

Release Date: February 28, 2025

An unforgettable journey of faith, courage, and personal transformation

Swept into the treacherous French-allied territories of eighteenth-century Canada, a young English translator embarks on a dangerous quest through the wilderness to uncover the fate of his captive sister in this tale of survival, faith, and self-discovery.

Gideon Bates must confront his deepest fears, navigate complex tribal politics, and forge unlikely alliances as he searches for his sister seized during a devastating raid. Torn between his father’s missionary ambitions and his own yearning for freedom, Gideon’s journey will test his courage, challenge his faith, and lead to an unexpected reckoning with his past.

 

Rich in historical detail, The Missing Captive is a tale of love, loss, and the indomitable power of the human spirit. Don’t miss this saga of courage, self-discovery, and the transformative journey of one man in a time of colonial upheaval. It is a historical adventure that will captivate fans of colonial American history and transport you to a bygone era.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

George Lapin is a beginning writer with a focus on Christian Historical Fiction. His first book titled The Missing Captive is set in early colonial America in a tumultuous period, decades prior to the French and Indian War. The story explores the struggles, faith and resilience of the individuals in this time period. With a passion for history and Christian values, George’s writing offers a unique perspective on the lives of early Americans and the spiritual challenges they faced.

George retired as a construction executive and discovered that he had a desire to write fiction. He possesses a vivid imagination and believes that he can use that gift to write an intricate plot.

 

George realized that most of the historical fiction novels he read centered on the French and Indian War or later. It seemed that there was such a rich history in early colonial America that was being overlooked, so George decided to write about that time period with all of its political and religious conflicts. The changes in North America during this era could help produce an interesting story.

More from George

I tried to make the story protagonist, Gideon Bates, unique in a different sort of humorous way. Born into a Puritan Missionary Family in early America, Gideon’s mother raised him to aide others when they were in need.

Gideon had no desire to be a missionary but desired to be in the military. He learned many fighting moves from his uncle who was currently a ranger in the New England Militia. He also participated in village wrestling matches and usually won.

However, whenever he got into a fight and the foe was vanquished, Gideon’s mother’s teaching kicked in. He would attempt to help his foe recover by giving him a helping hand or leaving a little money for lunch.

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, September 18 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 18
Devoted To Hope, September 19
Artistic Nobody, September 20 (Author Interview)
Guild Master, September 21 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, September 22
Fiction Book Lover, September 23 (Author Interview)
The Bookish Ledger, September 24 (Author Interview)
Books Less Travelled, September 25 (Author Interview)
Books You Can Feel Good About, September 26
Life on Chickadee Lane, September 27
History, Hope & Happily Ever After, September 28 (Author Interview)
Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, September 29 (Author Interview)
Locks, Hooks and Books, September 29
Vicky Sluiter, September 30 (Author Interview)
The Bookish Pilgrim, October 1

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, George is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

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

https://gleam.io/p5Nek/the-missing-captive-            celebration-tour-giveaway


My reviews

Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Vision of My Heart: A Shumard Oak Bend Novel (Discerning God’s Best Book 7) by Heidi Gray McGill

 

This is one of those stories that you sink into and wrap around you. So beautifully written, such lovely people. Sera lost her eyesight to smallpox but gained new vision. She is careful but wants to be treated as normal and to do things on her own. Her family, especially her father, is very protective of her but she breaks out on her own when she can. Connor is captivated by her but he's poor Irish, although he's worked hard to build his reputation with horses and as a person. They become closer during a storm and get closer as time goes on but each fight with their own feelings of inadequacy and uncertainty. Their strong faith and personalities make you feel comfortable with them and pull on your heart strings. A lovely book for yourself or a gift you can feel good about. A book I can highly recommend.

I received this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#VisionOfMyHeart #HeidiGrayMcGill #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #ChristianHistoricalFiction #ChristianInspiration #HeidiGrayMcGillBooksLLC #DiscerningGodsBest #ShumardOakBend

My reviews