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Wednesday, October 22, 2025

My Thoughts - THE BELL TOLLS AT TRAEGER HALL by Jaime Jo Wright

 

An abandoned estate encased in stagnant darkness . . .
A haunting legacy intent on silencing all within reach . . .


In 1890, the ominous tolling of the bell announces that death has come to Traeger Hall, leaving orphaned Waverly Pembrooke to piece together the puzzle behind her uncle's and aunt's murders. Bound by the terms of her uncle's eccentric will, Waverly finds herself alone in a manor shrouded by death and questioning the reasons for her uncle's paranoia. A madness hovers over Traeger Hall, and Waverly--as well as the people of nearby Newton Creek--are ill-prepared for the woe that has descended.

In present day Newton Creek, whispers of a family curse still cling to the century-old, abandoned property of Traeger Hall. When Jennie Phillips takes possession of the estate after her mother's passing, she is intent on solving the mystery of the Traeger murders. Yet a modern cold case suggests that untimely deaths and mysterious occurrences still plague the property. And as thorny truths surface, Jennie realizes the dark legacy threatens not only the town and the Traeger descendants . . . but also, chillingly, Jennie herself.

Book Details:

Genre: Dual Timeline Gothic Suspense
Published by: Bethany House Publishers
Publication Date: October 21, 2025
Number of Pages: 336
ISBN: 9780764243806, paperback


Author Bio:

Jaime Jo Wright

Jaime Jo Wright is the author of thirteen novels, including Christy Award-winner and ECPA bestseller The Vanishing at Castle Moreau, Christy Award and Daphne du Maurier Award-winner The House on Foster Hill, and Carol Award-winner The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond. Jaime has also written two Publishers Weekly bestselling novellas. She lives in Wisconsin with her family and fabulous felines.


Catch Up With Jaime Jo Wright:

JaimeWrightBooks.com
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads - @JaimeJoWright
BookBub - @JaimeJoWright
Instagram - @JaimeJoWright
Threads - @JaimeJoWright
YouTube - MadLit Musings
Spotify - MadLit Musings

 


Guest Post


Let’s be honest, my cat makes a cameo in The Bell Tolls at Traeger Hall. When you read the story and catch glimpses of Foo in its pages, he really exists. He’s waited seven years to be included in one of my books, and now he will be immortalized. The rescued, runt kitten we paid $5 for, who we found at a hardware store. The feisty little fellow, who could barely eat soft cat food he was so tiny. The tiny kitten we thought was a girl until he obviously wasn’t. Foo, the cat who was supposed to be a feral farm cat and instead was a beautiful Flamepoint Siamese (who knew!) destined to be my muse.

Foo is the proverbial taskmaster. He’s quite unforgiving when I am not writing. He believes that it is his place to lie on the bed while I work and give continual oversight to the project. If I choose to pen the story elsewhere, I am met with sullen disrespect and gnashing of teeth. What a playtime of attack-Mommy’s-hand doesn’t solve, a dose of catnip does. Once I’ve paid penance, Foo returns to his supervisory position in a white floof ball on the quilt, and I return to my chair to continue to write stories Foo can put his paw of approval on.

Yes. Foo has entered this story with a subtle but distinct bit of fervor. He is my boy-boy. My Foosy (when he’s nice) and my Foocifer (when he’s naughty). I hope you enjoy getting your Foo Fix in this book, because I get mine everyday and thought it was time that I share. 



MY THOUGHTS 


“The Bell Tolls at Traeger Hall” by Jaime Jo Wright is a dual-timeline gothic suspense novel that intertwines a chilling mystery from 1890 with a modern-day investigation into a haunted legacy. Jaime has such a way of weaving together two time periods seamlessly. 

Waverly Pembrooke is left orphaned after the mysterious deaths of her uncle and aunt. Bound by her uncle’s eccentric will, she must remain at Traeger Hall, a place steeped in paranoia and shadowed by madness.However, she will have to seal it up after the funeral and she's left with so many unanswered questions. 

Present day Jennie Phillips inherits Traeger Hall after her parents’ deaths. Her father had a habit of buying up properties and this was one that she just wanted to unload. However when she arrives she finds a long buried secret, remains of a missing woman. 

Wright has a gift. She is a master of her craft and every book that I read becomes my favorite. I love the switching of time lines, and how she weaves them together. I love the gothic setting, the mystery, the romance, and the description of scenes. There were many times that I closed my eyes just to see the scene unfold in front of me. 

This is one author I will always read her new releases. I can count on being drawn in within the first few pages. Bravo - and since I follow the author on social media - I also loved Foo and smiled at his presence. 

Thank you to the author, publisher and Partners in Crime Book Tours for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own. 

Giveaway:

This is a giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for Jaime Jo Wright. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.


The giveaway is for:    a paperback copy of The Bell Tolls at Traeger Hall by Jaime Jo Wright and a $50 Barnes and Noble gift card to a winner in the US 



https://www.promoamp.com/c/the-bell-tolls-at-traeger-hall-by-jaime-jo-wright

Thursday, October 9, 2025

My Thoughts - Escaping the Wilderness by Carrie Stuart Parks


 Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Escaping the Wilderness by Carrie Stuart Parks, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Escaping the Wilderness
Author: Carrie Stuart Parks
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
Release Date: September 30, 2025
Genre: Romantic Suspense

On the run through the mountains—
with only each other to trust.

Amanda Cotton’s privileged life takes a harrowing turn when her grandfather’s dying wish places a target firmly on her back and she’s attacked by unknown assailants. Rescue comes in the form of widowed outdoorsman Boone McGregor, but the threat is just beginning. Unable to trust local law enforcement, they flee across the rugged Montana mountains. As they evade deadly enemies and navigate harsh terrain, they must put aside their differences to survive. But when a family secret is exposed, danger is closer than they imagined and more than just their lives is at stake…

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Harlequin.com | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop | BookBub

Also Available

   


About the Author

Carrie Stuart Parks

Carrie Stuart Parks is an internationally known forensic artist and law enforcement instructor, working on major criminal cases nationwide. She trains law enforcement professionals such as the FBI, Secret Service, NCIS, Federal Marshals, RCMP, Texas Rangers, and local and regional officers. She was nominated for Law Enforcement Trainer of the Year offered by the Federal Law Enforcement Academy at Glynco, Georgia. Her career highlights also include winning Woman of the Year for the Spirit of the American Woman and the first Educator of the Year by the Lewis Clark Alumni.Her bestselling mystery/suspense novels have won numerous awards including two Christys and four Carols. She was mentored by her friend Frank Peretti for eight years before launching her fiction writing career. Before that, she wrote and illustrated best-selling art books for North Light Publishers. As a professional fine artist, her paintings hang in many corporate and private collections.

Connect with Carrie by visiting stuartparks.com/carrie-stuart-parks-home-page to follow her on social media and subscribe to email updates.


My Thoughts


Escaping the Wilderness is written by Carrie Stuart Park. This is a Love Inspired Suspense book. The book starts off with a bang and doesn’t let up. 


Amanda is in a remote area. She had a mission given to her by her grandfather to write her mother’s story. However he did not elaborate more on that since he died suddenly. So she travels to remote Montana and is hiding out. She was raised with money. Her step father told her over and over not to trust anyone.  For they would only be after money. 


One day she’s picking up a package she ordered from Amazon.  Where she’s suddenly attacked. Boone  who happens to be in town sees it and helps her. The two quickly realize that someone is out to get Amanda. 


Boone is the type of person if I was in trouble I’d want to help. He is strong with his faith, despite having to walk a lot of dark valleys. Amanda isn’t sure she believes having losing faith when her mother was murdered while she was growing up. 


The pair along with Boone’s dog Cookie are thrust into the wilderness. Amanda is inexperienced and Boone is trying to stay two steps ahead of the threats. 


Well written, very engaging this is a wonderful story. The faith element is woven in seamlessly. 


Thank you to the author, publisher and and JustRead Publicity Tours for allowing me to read a copy of this book.  All thoughts are my own. 

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a small, original watercolor by author & professional fine artist Carrie Stuart Parks!

Escaping the Wilderness JustRead blog tour giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 6, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 13, 2025. 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!

JustRead Publicity Tours