Friday, September 26, 2025

The Regression Strain ~ Partners in Crime Tours Book Review, Excerpt, & Giveaway!

September 15 - October 10, 2025 Virtual Book Tour

THE REGRESSION STRAIN
by Kevin Hwang

Medical Thriller / Psychological Suspense / Mystery
Published by: Normal Range Press
Publication Date: May 21, 2025
Number of Pages: 344

SCROLL DOWN FOR A GIVEAWAY!

Synopsis:

The Regression Strain by Kevin Hwang

Nobody’s safe when the inner beast awakens.

Dr. Peter Palma joins the medical team of the Paradise to treat passengers for minor ailments as the cruise ship sails across the Atlantic. But something foul is festering under the veneer of leisure. The brig fills with felons, the morgue with bodies, and the vacation becomes a nightmare.

Peter and his staff face a vile affliction that pits loved ones against each other and shatters the bonds of civil society.

With the ship hurtling towards an unprepared New York, only Peter can neutralize the threat, but he’s hallucinating and delirious.

And sometimes primal urges are impossible to resist.

BUY THE BOOK:


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BOOK REVIEW
I don't spend time on plot summary, so please read the book synopsis above.

HALL WAYS REVIEW. WOWZA. After reading The Regression Strain, I am a superfan of Texas author and physician, Kevin Hwang – and this is his debut novel! I read this entire book in two days while sitting on a beach, across the Auau Channel from the island of Lanai. I almost missed the Maui sunset – twice – because I was so completely immersed in The Regression Strain. That’s about the highest compliment I can give a book.

“The steel cranes of the cruise terminal pointed to the sky like bony fingers clawing out of a freshly dug grave.”

Early in The Regression Strain, Hwang builds a foreboding atmosphere and throughout, he shows a talent for using figurative language to create evocative scenes and moods. Hwang excels in keeping the story both technical and understandable, never bogging down readers with medical terminology and instead enriching the reading experience. My guess is this is a nod to his training as a doctor and how to properly speak to patients.

“Eat. Sleep. Mate. Repeat. Who wouldn’t want that kind of life?”

Having gone through a real-world pandemic, which the author references throughout the story, readers will find The Regression Strain relevant and relatable. The premise of this kind of outbreak, how it spreads, and the implications of that ship making it to New York City, are horribly believable and raise the tension level with each passing chapter.

“The holes in his memory were filling in like groundwater welling up in the paw prints of a rabid raccoon. Muddy and random.”

That tension rarely subsides in The Regression Strain as readers observe main character Dr. Peter Parma fighting battle upon battle: with the crew and passengers, with his own personal demons – and with his own infection. Hwang brilliantly tugs readers back and forth, right along with Peter as he goes in and out of lucidity. Can he be trusted? Is he a reliable narrator?

“Finally, to my wife Florence for her gentle spirit and sharp eye. It was only after she proclaimed a draft was “a good story” that I had the courage to proceed with (another) tortuous round of revision.” – author Kevin Hwang in the “Acknowledgments” section of The Regression Strain

Honestly, I’m also a superfan of Hwang’s wife, Florence, because it’s such a joy to just read The Regression Strain, which is a book without any editing mishaps. I didn’t notice so much as a misplaced comma, and these days, it’s nothing short of miraculous to have a squeaky-cleanly-edited book. Bravo. The editing is a delicious icing on an already scrumptious cake.

As readers catch their breath and wind down towards the conclusion of The Regression Strain, they’ll be surprised but pleased at the direction the resolution seems to be taking. But they’ll also likely be a bit suspicious -- understandably because of the torrent of twists and turns they’ve experienced with Peter. Worth every nail-biting moment. Highly recommend.

I voluntarily reviewed this book and received a print ARC from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

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Read an excerpt:

Chapter 1

The Regression Strain

As the cab rounded the corner behind the service buildings, the full bulk of the ship rose into view, a floating city gleaming white and blue against the gray Baltic sky. The Paradise would be Peter’s home and workplace for the next month.

His shoulders tightened. Had he forgotten to pack anything? It was too late now.

The taxi ejected him into the cool summer of Copenhagen—heaven compared to the stifling heat of Texas. He checked in at the terminal counter, cleared security, and joined the stream of chattering passengers traversing the covered gangway to board the vessel. Most of them spoke in English and a few in Spanish. Others conversed in German, French, or Scandinavian tongues. They seemed affluent and confident, not at all like his impoverished patients in Houston’s Fifth Ward. That guy in front—his Rolex probably cost more than Peter’s Outback.

Peter wheeled his suitcase through a colonnade of clapping crew members and across the threshold of the grand atrium. Its rich wood paneling and glittering chandeliers were as opulent as the brochures promised. He fused with the crush of passengers piling up in front of the diagrams posted near the elevators. Living quarters for the medical crew were on the lowest deck, conveniently adjacent to the clinic.

Amid the throng, a woman was fussing over a teenage boy in a wheelchair. She leaned in and whispered something in his ear, then tousled his thick mop of brown hair. With one hand cranked tight against his chest, he lolled his head back and rewarded her with a crooked smile. Her haggard face lit up. Now that was one tired mama.

“I like his shirt.” Peter pointed to the graphic of Thor wielding his massive hammer.

“You hear that, Calvin? He likes it.”

Calvin’s nose crinkled above the sparse stubble dotting his chin. She retrieved a ChapStick from her floral fanny pack and slathered Calvin’s lips first, then her own.

She offered the tube to Peter with a glistening smile. “Want some?”

He cringed. That was weird. “Uh, no thanks.”

“Want him?”

Peter’s eyes snapped up to hers. “Excuse me?”

“You can take him for a while.” She smiled and tipped her head. “He doesn’t eat much.”

“Ah…”

“Ha ha, it’s a joke.” She licked her moistened lips. “I’ve been on this boat too long. Cabin fever.” She gave him a little nod and wheeled the kid into the elevator.

The adjacent elevator dinged open, revealing a family that looked right at home, mom admiring the decor, two school kids horsing around. Sipping coffee in his striped polo, dad looked a bit like Peter’s microbiology professor—placid and plump.

Peter pulled his suitcase to the side with a smile. It was nice to see people relaxed and carefree. And if they needed medical attention—well, he could offer it. It would be a relief to simply treat patients. No rationing medications against their rent. No fighting through nettles of bureaucracy just to get a CT scan. He wasn’t built for that fight, and the last few rounds had left him bruised.

The younger child in the elevator darted out. Mom lunged and grabbed his collar, jostling dad into Peter. Coffee sloshed out of the man’s cup and down his jeans.

An animal snarl flashed over the man’s pale, doughy face. “Watch it, prick.”

“Sorry, I didn’t expect…”

The man leaned in, eyes glowing hot behind round bifocals.

Peter jerked back. “Whoa, are you okay?”

As the man cocked his fist back, Peter watched the sleeve of his polo shirt ride up his bicep, almost in slow motion. Peter quickly raised his open palms.

“Honey,” mom hissed. She tugged her little one back, and he huddled under her frail wings.

The man lowered his fist, the stench of coffee hot on his breath.

Peter nodded. “It was an accident. I’ll buy you another coffee. Or jeans.”

The heat in the man’s eyes dissipated and he blinked a few times, looking at Peter’s face yet his attention was directed elsewhere. “Ah, shoot.”

Sorry, mom mouthed and hustled the whole family away.

Peter stepped into the elevator among passengers who seemed oblivious to the encounter. His heart hammered in his chest, and his mouth soured with adrenaline. Microbiology professor? Scratch that—this guy was more like that assistant principal caught in a minivan with the high school girl. And here he’d nearly gotten into a fistfight on his first day.

But hey, he’d defused the situation. He was still supposed to be here. This was going to work out. He closed his eyes as the last passengers got off and the elevator continued to the bottom level.

The doors opened onto a hallway with plush burgundy carpet and polished handrails. Colorful abstract prints enlivened the walls. This was where everything could begin again, even at age thirty-two. He would be a healer on the high seas, applying his hard-earned expertise to help people on vacation.

But the aura disintegrated when he opened his cabin door. Inside was a single bed, a nightstand no larger than a magazine, and a built-in desk with a swivel chair. The sheets lay twisted in a lump at the foot of the bed, exposing a mattress with stains the color of dirty bathwater. A smudged TV hung crookedly from the ceiling, and a stale scent lingered in the air. The only feature that distinguished the cabin from a hospital on-call room was the round porthole window giving view to rusty shipping containers on the dock.

Well, he wasn’t on vacation, after all, even if everyone else was. Peter heaved his suitcase onto the lumpy mattress and began stowing his clothes. Luckily he’d packed light for this trial run. The tiny closet contained a white uniform, starched and waiting like a suit of armor, as well as an orange life vest and a safe the size of a cigar box.

The only real valuable he’d brought was his new 3M Littmann Cardiology IV, an upgrade from the battered stethoscope from residency. He fished around in the side compartment of the suitcase but came up empty. It should’ve been right there.

He checked every zippered pocket, then rummaged through his backpack. Nada. How could he have forgotten his freaking stethoscope, of all things? He’d followed his packing list. He loved lists, for heaven’s sake, loved checking off each item. Little good it had done. He drew a deep breath in then out, trying to clear his mind by counting to ten like the therapist said.

Ten seconds was a long time to think about nothing. Maybe he needed a higher dose of Lexapro. He’d been reluctant to accept his diagnosis, one he himself had given to so many patients, but the antidepressant seemed to help with his mood, concentration, and sleep.

The ambiance of the bathroom matched that of the bedroom, with black spots of mildew mottling the lower edge of the shower curtain. The sink offered little space for personal items.

He opened his bottle of Lexapro, shook a tablet into his palm, and swallowed it dry as he stared into the dingy mirror. Working aboard a cruise ship would be a huge change, and he needed to bring his best. He set the bottle on the narrow counter, but it clipped the edge, flipped out of his hand, and plopped into the toilet with an insulting splash.

His stomach clenched and he squeezed his eyes shut. Maybe, by some miracle, the bottle had landed upright with the tablets safe and dry inside, like a lifeboat. A tiny boat in a tiny toilet on a gargantuan ship.

He peered down. Nothing doing—the bottle floated on its side, surrounded by white tablets bobbing in the murky water like pearls of pasta in chicken broth. Why did the water have to look like that? Was it just reflecting the grimy inner surface of the toilet bowl?

Didn’t matter. His mental health was officially soaking in shit.

The half-life of Lexapro was around thirty hours, and he’d taken one yesterday back in Houston. He could just retrieve the tablets, wash them off, and dunk them in rubbing alcohol. Without more doses, the effects would diminish over the next few days. He could picture his exit interview: I’m sorry, Dr. Palma, you came ill-prepared.

One hand drifted to his pocket. At least he’d remembered to pack his favorite metallic pen. Even in the age of digital everything, a quality pen remained one of his favorite tools—that and old-fashioned index cards. His fingers closed around the pen, clicking the top: Ta-tick, ta-tack. Ta-tick, ta-tack.

Someone knocked on the door, but the bolt clicked open before he could reach it. The slight, olive-skinned man turned back to the hall almost as quickly as he’d come in. White shirt and charcoal vest—must be a steward.

“I’m sorry, I come back later,” he said with a duck of his bald head.

Peter waved him in. “It’s all right. I just got here.”

“Nobody clean your room yet?”

“I guess not.”

“You the doctor, no?”

“One of them.” He propped the door open for the man’s cart.

The steward glanced around the tiny room. “It will be my pleasure to serve you. I come later when you have gone out.”

Peter suspected the man’s cheerful acceptance hid the same bone-deep fatigue that had weighed down his own mother. She used to clean offices, back before Felipe joined the army, and she was always exhausted. Chemical fumes permeated her clothes and hair, and her knuckles cracked and bled until he bought her the non-latex gloves that her cheap-ass boss wouldn’t pay for.

Before Peter could return to the bathroom, somebody else came knocking: a petite woman in blue scrubs, probably late thirties. A tight ponytail held back her glossy chestnut hair. Her sharp cheekbones and jawline were all business.

“Luisa Calderone, nurse on staff.” The strength in her bony handshake matched the intensity of her hazel eyes. “They said this is your first gig.”

Yep, a fresh start, a sorely needed one. “Sorry. I’ll try to learn quick.”

“We can do a proper tour later, but let’s just walk and talk for now.” She nodded back at the hallway. “I can give you some time to get changed, but we have patients—so not too long, please.”

Right back into it, then. He was a kid on a roller coaster cresting the first big incline—the moment before the bottom fell out. He opened the closet and confronted his uniform. Sure, he’d paid for the ride, but that didn’t make it any less stomach-churning.

***

Excerpt from The Regression Strain by Kevin Hwang. Copyright 2025 by Kevin Hwang. Reproduced with permission from Kevin Hwang. All rights reserved.

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MORE Praise for The Regression Strain:

"With tight pacing, visceral horror, and sharp psychological insight, The Regression Strain explores what happens when science, instinct, and morality collide in the vacuum of survival...claustrophobic, haunting, and razor-sharp" ~ K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

"I am very impressed with Hwang’s first novel. He has an ability to draw in his reader within the first few pages. There were some unexpected twists and heartwarming moments. I look forward to reading more by this author." ~ Amazon reader

"Hwang's debut is fast-paced and propulsive, and I loved the medical mystery at the heart of the thriller. He's great at crafting creepy scenes that will stay with you!" ~ Amazon reader

"I really enjoyed this novel. I was hooked from the beginning, wanting to know more about the mysterious illness and the troubled backstory of Peter, a doctor grappling with his past whilst trying to have a fresh start in life with a new job on a cruise ship. The author Kevin Hwang portrays Peter with such realism and empathy. Hwang’s keen eye for people’s inner monologue and perspective on their secret struggles must be informed by his years of work as an internist. Ultimately, Hwang’s story is a fast-paced thriller that reveals the darker side of human nature lurking in all of us. I had trouble putting this book down and can’t wait to read his next novel!" ~ Amazon reader

"This is an excellent thriller, with plenty of plot twists and turns that kept me guessing. It packed plenty of excitement and intrigue with excellent medical knowledge from the author. You don't want to put this down until you've finished reading." ~ Amazon reader

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Author Bio:

Kevin Hwang

Kevin O. Hwang, MD, is a professor of internal medicine at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston where he sees patients and teaches residents. His academic work has appeared in leading medical journals. Nothing excites him more than chicken enchiladas, index cards, and appropriately sized packaging. The Regression Strain is his debut novel.

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2 WINNERS each receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card!
(US only; ends 10/13/25)
This is a giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for Kevin Hwang. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

THE REGRESSION STRAIN by Kevin Hwang [Gift Cards]

Can't see the giveaway? Click Here!

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Wednesday, September 24, 2025

Hope Verdad Presents: Short Stories with a Twist ~ Reedsy Discovery Book Review

 

(Hall Ways book review originally posted to Reedsy Discovery, 9/11/2025)

Hope Verdad Presents:
Short Stories with a Twist
by Francesca Flood, Ed.D.

Short Stories / Anthologies / Choices & Second Chances
Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 30, 2025
Print length ‏ : ‎ 217 pages

ABOUT THE BOOK: Secrets, regrets, and a longing for redemption—what if one choice could change everything?

Life rarely unfolds as planned, and every choice you make shapes the person you’re becoming. Will you choose wisely or let regret define you?

In these eight captivating stories, relatable characters grapple with unexpected twists and moral dilemmas. Will their choices mirror your own—or challenge what you think you’d do?

Inside, you'll find:
• The secrets a hotel room door lock might spill if it could talk.
• A world without cash, where every misstep is tracked.
• Memories imprinted on your cells—could they transfer to someone else?
• The ultimate test: Would you rise to heroism or falter?
• What price would you pay for love, success, or wealth?

From award-winning author Francesca Flood comes Short Stories with a Twist—a collection of provocative tales exploring morality, humanity, and the unexpected paths to redemption.

Each story challenges you to reflect on forgiveness, second chances, and the choices that shape your life. Intriguing and thought-provoking, this collection will fire your imagination and leave you wondering: What would I do?

BUY THE BOOK:


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BOOK REVIEW
I don't spend time on plot summary, so please read the book synopsis above
(Originally posted by Reedsy Discovery, 9/11/2025)

HALL WAYS BLOG'S BOOK REVIEW: Author Francesca Flood leaves readers with plenty to ponder in her new collection, Short Stories with a Twist. Well-written short stories are such a treat to devour, and Flood’s eight quick-hit, poignant pieces have staying power.

From sentient furnishings, Big Brother, and broken people to reincarnation, redemption, and retribution, Flood ushers readers through tales that intentionally force reflection upon us. Whether it’s a what-if scenario or an unsettling realization that the author’s fictitious art mirrors real life, satisfaction is guaranteed in Short Stories with a Twist.


“I invite you to ponder the possibilities that linger in the spaces between the lines. The story ends, and your imagination begins.” – Author Francesca Flood


Short Stories with a Twist starts with the Introduction, which tells readers what to do and how to feel and interpret the forthcoming stories. Perhaps this is because she anticipates some will be unhappy or uncomfortable with the open-endedness of each story’s conclusion. However, placement at the end of the collection would have let us read outside the author’s framework.


As the title implies, each tale does have a delicious and unexpected twist that delights. Author Flood has a way with words and sprinkles just the right layer of figurative language to create worlds and evoke feelings.


The first story, award-winning “Witness,”is a reminder of the impact of bearing silent witness and how little control any of us has. Yet, it shows that even the most minimal efforts can make all the difference.


“So, people just took your post as fact and ran with it?” – from “Picasso”


“Picasso” should feel like science fiction, but it seems all too plausible that government could take technology to the next level and that social media gone wild could have deadly consequences. “Echo” goes from creepy and unsettling to a thoroughly satisfying end that gives rewarding affirmation.

“Like the rest of him, his mouth had become a gaping maw of desolation.” – from “Seed”


“Seed” seriously tugs on the heartstrings and ends with a gut-punch and the most startling ending in the collection. In “Redemption,” readers will go full circle alongside the main character who’s forgotten her roots but finds them in a bittersweet come-uppance.


“There are times, Lord, help me. I’d wished some folks gone from this earth. But if we want a better world, we must start by seeing each other—the hurts, the love, the drive to make life better. That’s where change begins.” – from “Willis”


“Transplant,” set in Austin, Texas, is chock-full of familiar places and bits of foreshadowing to entice. “Willis” is amazing, offering the most quotable gems that sadly, still resonate today, despite the piece’s time range. And one small sentence at the end implies a whole different realm. WOW.


The final story, “The Boy in Room 212,” perfectly finishes Short Stories with a Twist. It is outstanding as it forces readers to think and rethink. It contains so many lessons and so much relevance, and again, that theme of redemption crosses the page and makes a huge, thought-provoking impact.


In Short Stories with a Twist, there is a smattering of typos and errors, which typically would take a discerning reader out of the stories. It’s a nod to the author’s talent for storytelling that they did not in this instance. I assume these will be corrected in the final copy.


“As we come to a greater understanding of ourselves and our place in this world, we judge less, love more, and seek to leave our fingerprint by making this place better.” – Author Francesca Flood


Adding the word “should” before "judge" to the author’s concluding statement above would make this a perfect quote. Whether one accepts the spiritual implication or not, understanding ourselves and our role should be about the needs of others and not ourselves. Even so, the author’s intention, as stated in the Introduction and again in the concluding Author’s Notes, succeeds. All eight of the stories are engaging, and time is well-spent getting lost in the pages of Short Stories with a Twist. Highly recommended reading.



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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Francesca Flood, a native of Brooklyn, New York, has carved her path in the world of writing through a crucible of life experiences. Her award-winning work focuses on evocative speculative fiction that pushes the boundaries of imagination and explores spiritual realms. Her narratives create a tapestry of the mystical and the mundane, inviting readers to delve into profound questions about life, choices, and reality. Crafting intricate plots and profound philosophical insights, Francesca’s work has garnered a diverse and dedicated following.

Dr. Flood is the winner of the 2025 Blue Nib Writer's award in both fiction and nonfiction. She has been published in multiple peer-reviewed journals and serves as an editor for Springer-Meteor. She has also been an editor/author for the American Bar Association’s book on suicide. Francesca holds a Master’s in Pastoral Theology and a Doctor of Education.

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Friday, September 19, 2025

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Ghost ~ Great Escapes Spotlight & Giveaway!

THE MYSTERIOUS CASE
OF THE MISSING GHOST
A Redemption Detective Agency
Mystery, Book 3
by MICHELE PARIZA WACEK

Cozy Mystery / Animal Mystery / Silver Sleuths
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Love-Based Publishing
Expected Publication Date: September, 23, 2025
Number of Pages ~200

Scroll Down to Enter the Giveaway!

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Emily Hildebrandt is learning to settle into some of the very strange cases that come through The Redemption Detective Agency’s door.

Like Aunt Tilde’s friend Ruth who claims she’s lost a ghost.

How does one lose a ghost? Apparently when the ghost decides to walk out the door.

But, to make matters more complicated, it’s not just any ghost but the ghost of Ruth’s dead husband. Who was murdered decades ago under very suspicious circumstances.

Emily has no choice but to go back in time and figure out what really happened to Ruth’s husband, in order for everyone to rest in peace.

A spin-off from the Charlie Kingsley Mystery series, The Redemption Detective Agency is a funny, twisty cozy mystery series set in the 1990s featuring silver sleuths solving cold cases. Great for fans of the Thursday Murder Club.


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About Michele Pariza Wacek 

A USA Today bestselling, award-winning author, Michele Pariza Wacek taught herself to read at three years old because she wanted to write stories so badly. It took some time (and some detours), but she does spend much of her time writing stories now. Mystery stories, to be exact. They’re clean and twisty and range from psychological thrillers to cozies, with a dash of romance and supernatural thrown into the mix. If that wasn’t enough, she posts lots of fun things on her blog, including short stories, puzzles, recipes, and more on her website.

Michele grew up in Wisconsin (hence why all her books take place there) and still visits regularly, but she herself escaped the cold and now lives in the mountains of Prescott, Arizona, with her husband and southern squirrel hunter Cassie.

When she’s not writing, she’s usually reading, hanging out with her dog, or watching the Food Network and imagining she’s an awesome cook. (Spoiler alert, she’s not. Luckily for the whole family, Mr. PW is in charge of the cooking.)
Website -*- Facebook -*-  Instagram 

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GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!
TWO WINNERS each receive paperback copies of
The Mysterious Case of the Missing Ghost
(The Redemption Detective Agency, #3)
by Michele Pariza Wacek
(US only; ends 9/22/25)

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VISIT THESE OTHER GREAT TOUR PARTICIPANTS:
September 8 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST
September 8 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
September 9 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
September 9 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW
September 10 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – REVIEW
September 10 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT
September 11 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
September 11 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
September 12 – Novels Alive – REVIEW
September 13 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
September 13 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
September 14 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW
September 15 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT
September 16 – Deal Sharing Aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
September 17 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT
September 18 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
September 19 – Sarandipity’s – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
September 19 – Hall Ways Blog – SPOTLIGHT
September 20 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
September 21 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW


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Monday, September 15, 2025

Wonder and Joy for the Wired and Tired ~ iRead Book Tours Book Review & Giveaway!



Wonder and Joy for the Wired and Tired
A Guide to Finding Inspiration and Well-Being in a Wonder-Filled World
by Dr. Pam Stephens Lehenbauer

Adult Nonfiction (18 +) / Self-help / Trivia 
Publisher: Bear Paw Press
Release date: August 2025
Page count: 218 pages

SCROLL DOWN FOR A GIVEAWAY!

Feeling wired, tired, and stretched too thin? You’re not alone—and you’re not broken.

In Wonder and Joy for the Wired and Tired, Dr. Pam Stephens Lehenbauer, a respected researcher, epidemiologist, clinician, and thought leader on joy, wonder, and well-being, offers a compassionate and eye-opening look at why so many people feel chronically stressed, fatigued, and disconnected. She also reveals why the traditional wellness model, first conceived decades ago, is no longer serving us.

Part science-backed reflection, part celebration of the world’s awe-inspiring details, this book blends thought-provoking commentary with bite-sized facts and trivia designed to reignite our sense of childlike wonder. From the mysteries of the cosmos to the miracles of the human body and so much in between, each chapter encourages readers to pause, reflect, and reconnect—with nature, with curiosity, and with what truly matters.

This isn’t a how-to guide or conventional self-help manual. Instead, it’s a gentle, joyful invitation to look up, look around, and rediscover the extraordinary in the ordinary. Through powerful insights and warm encouragement, Wonder and Joy for the Wired and Tired helps readers step off the “happiness = wellness” hamster wheel, take a big step back, and breathe deeply. It creates space to experience the tears, the chills, and the thrills of a world filled with wonder.

Perfect for anyone seeking a mental reset or a moment of inspiration, Wonder and Joy for the Wired and Tired is both a balm for the soul and a spark for the spirit.
Buy the Book:
Amazon 
 Bookshop.org ~ B&N ~ BAM
add to Goodreads
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BOOK REVIEW
I don't spend time on book summary, so please read the synopsis above.
HALL WAYS REVIEW: 4.5 STARS. Within the pages of Wonder and Joy for the Wired and Tired, author Dr. Pam Stephens Lehenbauer offers readers a respite from the world where we're assaulted not only by toxic negativity, but also toxic positivity, which she explains can be equally problematic. Lehenbauer provides a new perspective on well-being in this well-written, well-edited, and well-researched gem of a book. 

Even reading the Introduction to Wonder and Joy for the Wired and Tired, readers will find themselves nodding in agreement, muttering yes, yes, yes as the author outlines many of today’s challenges. With all the demands and expectations put upon us to look and feel a certain way, Lehenbauer advises us to step back and reassess, and she defines “wonder” as an emotion – an accurate definition that I’d never considered despite feeling it many, many times.

Additionally, those early pages include a not-to-be missed list of ten to-dos designed to engage wonder, and a download link to a free guide and workbook to use as a companion to reading Wonder and Joy for the Wired and Tired. This guide rounds out what I was expecting and is a perfect complement to take the book to the next level. Honestly, I’d like to see it included in the book in future updates.

Though the introductory pages contain the crux of the book, everything after is designed to bring joy, amazement, and wonder. Wonder and Joy for the Wired and Tired is almost like a reference book for finding inspiration. The majority of the book is filled with statistics, trivia, myths, and both serious and giggle-worthy truths, all to wonder-fy the reader. Every reader will be reminded of the wonder of life and things bigger than us. Our bodies, for example, are truly miraculous in how they function and perform for us, but how often do we think about the miracle of the myriad components working together?

Highlights for this reader are:

*the affirmation that talking to my plants matters. (they’re responding)

*there’s such a thing as the nightmarish Zombie Ant Fungus (EEK)

*there’s a collective noun for a group of jellyfish (a smack!)

*the “Timeless Wonders of Art and Architecture” (but what about the Marfa Lights?)

*the ”Ordinary But Extraordinary List for Wonder, Joy, and Gratitude”  (pages of small joys)

It’s too much to sit and read this book straight through because of the sheer quantity of information contained in Wonder and Joy for the Wired and Tired. But I absolutely will revisit it, particularly when life’s feeling heavy, but also to make a habit of feeling wonder. I can choose a category (flowers? stars? my digestive system?) and be reminded of the miracles of each. And with the companion workbook, there’s opportunity to dig deeper and reflect upon them.

“Please take time to pause and appreciate the many gifts available to you from your everyday life and consider how you might help others find wonder and joy.”

Granted, I kinda have the perfect setting to be receptive to this book and mindset: a vacay in a spectacular, wonder-inducing place. Nonetheless, there are plenty of takeaways for the reader, no matter the situation or surroundings, and a big takeaway is to show gratitude for this astonishing universe and all that’s within it.

Step one: go to tropical island
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Meet the Author: Dr. Pam Stephens Lehenbauer, Ph.D., MBA, MSN, PMHNP-BC is an epidemiologist, nurse practitioner, researcher, educator, and an adjunct professor at Northern Kentucky University where she teaches in the faculty of graduate studies and investigates well-being. Pam is a popular international speaker and thought leader on wellness and well-being, how wonder, joy, and interacting with nature impact health and wholehearted living, and why we need to shift the paradigm from wellness to well-being. She is also the creator and author of the popular blog, Mother Nature’s Apprentice, and her first book is Wonder and Joy for the Wired and Tired: A Guide to Finding Inspiration and Well-Being in a Wonder-Filled World.

Pam has over forty years of combined experience in clinical practice, health administration, and teaching. She has served on the editorial and administrative boards for several provincial, state, and national nursing organizations and is a member of the American Nurses Association, the Kentucky Coalition of Nurse Practitioners and Nurse Midwives, Sigma Theta Tau International, and is a clinician member of the Planetary Health Alliance.

In addition to her extensive professional and academic work, Pam is also an avid gardener, a Certified Home Horticulturalist, and a conservationist who has created award winning gardens and sustainable wildlife habitats.

Pam lives on a small acreage in beautiful Northern Kentucky with her husband, Marty. They are the parents of several adult humans and countless non-humans who walk, fly, flutter, swim, crawl, and burrow. She loves to read, write, play piano, and explore the world’s beauty and wonders with her husband, family, and friends.

connect with the author: Website Facebook Instagram Goodreads

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Enter the Giveaway!
ONE WINNER
receives an autographed copy of
WONDER AND JOY FOR THE WIRED AND TIRED
+ $25 Amazon Gift Card
(USA and Canada only; ends 9/29/2025)
Wonder and Joy for the Wired and Tired Book Tour Giveaway



Friday, September 12, 2025

Canyon of Deceit ~ Partners in Crime Tours Book Review, Trailer, & Giveaway!

CANYON OF DECEIT
By DiANN MILLS

September 8 - October 3, 2025 Virtual Book Tour

Genre: Christian Fiction / Romantic Suspense
Published by: Tyndale House Publishers
Publication Date: September 9, 2025
Number of Pages: 352

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SYNOPSIS

Canyon of Deceit by DiAnn Mills

A rescue team searches for a missing young girl and suspects all is not as it seems in this high-stakes romantic suspense novel from the author of Lethal Standoff and Facing the Enemy

When wilderness survival expert Therese Palmer receives a frantic phone call from former colleague Professor Rurik Ivanov, she is shocked by the news that his young daughter, Alina, is missing—and that Rurik wants Therese’s help finding her. She’s sure Rurik hasn’t given her the whole story . . . especially since he refuses to report the kidnapping to the police. Yet with a child’s life hanging in the balance, Therese can’t turn down this mission. She knows the clock is ticking and she can’t do this alone.

Therese reaches out to Texas Ranger Blane Gardner, whom she met seven months ago during one of her training courses in wilderness survival skills. Blane’s specialized training and background with the Crisis Negotiation Unit make him uniquely prepared for this search-and-rescue mission. He agrees to help Therese and to accept Rurik’s terms to keep Alina’s disappearance quiet, and as the two begin working together, Therese is determined the spark growing between them won’t distract from their mission to save Alina.

Traversing deep into the desert of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Alina’s last known location, Therese and Blane struggle to separate truth from lies within the mix of intel they’re receiving. As they close in on answers that suggest the involvement of Russian organized crime and a high-profile international assassination attempt, they must fight to rescue Alina before she becomes an innocent casualty of a much bigger plot—no matter the risk to their own lives

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Check out the Canyon of Deceit Trailer:

Plus, Canyon of Deceit includes two original songs written by the heroine, Therese—one from her childhood and one that captures the depth of her love and transformation as an adult. These heartfelt lyrics come to life in custom-recorded tracks that reflect the emotion and spirit of the novel.

Click here to listen and step deeper into Therese’s world.

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BOOK REVIEW
I don't spend time on plot summary, so please read the book synopsis above.

HALL WAYS REVIEW: It takes a talented storyteller to so fully immerse a reader in her book that all else completely fades away. In Canyon of Deceit, author DiAnn Mills transports readers into the wilds of the Guadalupe Mountains and beyond in this pulse-pounding, action-packed thriller. (Author bonus points: the setting she managed to remove me from was lounging under a palm tree on a pristine Maui beach. What sea turtles and sparkling waters? Impressive reading escape.)

“The weather matched my mood. The more we learned, the more it rained disillusion.”

In Canyon of Deceit, events quickly escalate, and Mills doesn’t shy away from describing the violence that comes with these kinds of shady characters and the organizations that fund them – and the organizations that fight them. Some of the scenes are intense, but they are never gratuitous and always increase the reader’s heartrate and page-turning pace.

“My mind clicked like a photographer’s lens, sealing incredible views into my life’s album.”

I’ve read several of Mills’s books, and her gift for writing richly detailed descriptions and realistic, complex characters always shines. In Canyon of Deceit, the nuances of Guadalupe Mountains National Park pop to life on the pages, as readers explore its rugged splendor that’s both devastatingly beautiful and deadly. A few chapters later, we’re dodging bullets in dodgy dive bars where the ick-factor is palpable. And we’re seeing it all through the eyes of our main characters, Therese and Blane.

Chapters are told mostly from our MCs’ alternating points of view, so we get good insight into how these people tick. But Mills does something interesting in Canyon of Deceit by providing backgrounds of some of the unscrupulous characters.  So, readers may feel sympathy and maybe even relief that there is a reason for their evil. It forces thought about the ages-old nature versus nurture argument.

“Had God shown up to walk with me into the hereafter, one with more misery than I’d ever known?”

There is another character in this book, and it is faith. Not a character named Faith, but faith in the one sovereign God. In Canyon of Deceit, the faith journey of both main characters is front and center, which surprised me. It ventured out of the comfort zone of my own faith practice with the witnessing, instantly becoming a believer, and crediting God for the placement of a deadly bullet. My experience with the Christian fiction category in the past several years, including some of Mills’s other titles, is that the faith element is subtle: a thoughtful thread that complements the story without taking center stage -- and that’s my preference. But that’s not to say that plenty of other readers won’t enjoy the religious aspect exactly as it’s done in this book. 

“Did I want to get stuck in a quicksand of crimes?”

Careful readers may pick up on small clues and bits of foreshadowing that Mills carefully sprinkles throughout Canyon of Deceit. If so, one might figure out a thing or two before the spectacular resolution reveals all the answers. But never fear! In Canyon of Deceit, there are so many shifts and twists, the pleasure is in the journey getting to the fantabulous resolution. Readers will finally let out the breaths they've been holding and miraculously, despite the body count, feel hopeful. 

I read an ARC of the book, so I assume the final copy will be edited clean as a whistle, as all Mills's books have been. I recommend Canyon of Deceit for readers who want all the suspense and pacing of a high-stakes thriller but without the profanity, steamy scenes, and doom and gloom endings to bog it down. 

I voluntarily reviewed this book and received a print ARC from the author
through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

Beach read bliss!

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AUTHOR BIO:
DiAnn Mills

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who invites her readers to step into stories where suspense meets adventure and romance warms the heart. Known for crafting unforgettable characters tangled in unpredictable plots, DiAnn believes every breath we take unfolds a story waiting to be told—so why not make it thrilling?

Her novels have consistently landed on bestseller lists including CBA, ECPA, and Publishers Weekly, and have won prestigious awards such as the Christy, Selah, Golden Scroll, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol awards.

DiAnn is a founding board member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Conference Advisor for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers. She actively participates in Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, and International Thriller Writers. DiAnn passionately invests in helping fellow authors succeed through mentoring, book coaching, and editing. She travels nationwide speaking and teaching engaging writing workshops.

A proud coffee snob who roasts her own beans, DiAnn also enjoys diving into good books, experimenting in the kitchen, and unabashedly spoiling her grandchildren—whom she insists are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband make their home under the sunny skies of Houston, Texas.

Connect with DiAnn online for behind-the-scenes glimpses, writing tips, and lively discussions:

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Two winners each receive their choice of a $30 gift card from: Barnes and Noble, Bookshop.org, or Amazon
(US only; ends 10/5/25)
This is a giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for DiAnn Mills. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.
CANYON OF DECEIT by DiAnn Mills (Gift Cards)

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