Liam and the Cooking Disaster by D. R. Whitehead

 

About the Book

Book: Liam and the Cooking Disaster

Author: D. R. Whitehead

Genre: Middle Grade Fiction (Chapter Book)

Meet the boys of the Messy Adventures in Friendship Bro Squad Series. Get ready to encounter different friendship situations and see what messy friendship adventures Kevin, Liam, Grayson and Miles have for you to explore. Created by the author of the Messy Adventures in Friendship Series.

Liam loves to cook, but his creations always end in culinary disaster! When a cooking competition is announced, Liam decides to enter. His chances of winning seem impossible, until he decides to pair up with the school’s infamous mean girl, Shayla. She may be known for being mean and having a bossy attitude, but there’s no denying her talent in the kitchen. Will Liam be able to put aside his dislike for Shayla and work together to win the competition, or will their conflicting personalities lead to disaster?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

"Liam and the Cooking Disaster" by D. R. Whitehead is a book for middle grade children, it is the third book in the series.  This is the only one I had read but I think my grandson would like the series.  his book does have a few Bible verses has part of the text. This is a story about working together and overcoming sabotage. There is a new book coming because this one ends in a cliff hanger. There are two recipes at the end of the book. 

I received a complimentary copy from the author and Celebrate Lit and these opinions are my own. 

About the Author

D. R. Whitehead is a Christian Children’s author who has been writing for several years. She is dedicated to providing books for the youth to read and enjoy. The author currently resides in New York and enjoys time with her family and going to the beach.

 

 

 

 

More from D.R.

 Blog Tour Kick-Off: Liam and the Cooking Disaster 

Welcome to the blog tour celebrating Liam and the Cooking Disaster—a fun, funny, and heartwarming middle-grade adventure that proves teamwork can be the secret ingredient to success! Filled with humor, friendship, and plenty of kitchen chaos, Liam and the Cooking Disaster is a delightful read for ages 8–12.

 

 Why Young Readers Will Love This Book

• Laugh-out-loud cooking mishaps
• A relatable underdog hero
• An unlikely friendship that grows throughout the story
• A fast-paced competition that keeps readers turning pages
• Positive messages about teamwork, perseverance, and looking beyond first impressions

 Bonus Fun: Recipes Included in the Book!

One of the sweetest parts of this book is that the fun doesn’t stop when the story ends. Readers can head to the kitchen and try recipes inspired by the book, including:

Chocolate Syrup Cake

A delicious treat perfect for aspiring bakers who want to create something sweet after finishing the story.

Oobleck

Part science experiment, part kitchen fun, Oobleck is a hands-on activity that’s sure to delight curious minds. Is it a liquid? Is it a solid? Readers can discover the answer for themselves!

 Perfect For Fans Of…

• Funny middle-grade adventures
• School competition stories
• Books featuring friendship and personal growth
• Cooking-themed books and kitchen adventures
• Hands-on activities and recipes

 Join the Blog Tour!

Over the coming days, be sure to follow along as we celebrate Liam and the Cooking Disaster with reviews, features, spotlights, and more. There will be plenty of opportunities to learn about the book, meet the characters, and discover why this entertaining story is sure to become a favorite among young readers.

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, August 11 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 12

Guild Master, August 13 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, August 14

Fiction Book Lover, August 15 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, August 15

Texas Book-aholic, August 16

The Bookish Ledger, August 17 (Author Interview)

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, August 18

Stories By Gina, August 19 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, August 20

Books, Books, & More Books, August 21 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 22

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, August 23 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, August 23

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 24

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, D.R. is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a paperback 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/FtwS9/liam-and-the-cooking-disaster-celebration-tour-giveaway

FELONS & FINDERS (Granite & Gloss Rescuers: Book 2) by LR STRONG

 

About the Book

Book: FELONS & FINDERS (Granite & Gloss Rescuers: Book 2)

Author: LR STRONG

Genre: Christian Suspense

Release Date: January 18, 2026

Powerful forces hide the most dangerous felons.

Jake Granite is more determined than ever to take down every criminal he possibly can—especially those targeting the most vulnerable. But even working with his private investigation team and law enforcement task forces, it’s been impossible. They always arrive at the scene of the crime too late. It’s infuriating. Who is at the top and who are the informers?

Tarina Gloss has commissions for sculptures and paintings but no time to work on them. After unexpectedly being pulled into Jake’s work, she is eager to save every victim she can. But she’s not equipped or experienced in this type of work. What can she possibly do to help?

Jake and Tarina discover a new partner wants to join them. He’s the Finder, and no felon can hide from him. The only problem is that the Finder only gives them confusing clues—or sets them up to stumble on the criminals in action. He does things in unpredictable ways each time, so they never know what to expect.

Soon they are in over their heads. Tragedies happen, leaving them confused. Can they handle working with the Finder? Most of all, can they trust him?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

LR Strong is a writer, editor, singer, songwriter, photographer, and people watcher. Her life is colored by synesthesia, and she views others through the lens of spiritual gifts. She’s equally creative and cerebral—her first career was computer programming. Her deepest loves are Jesus, family, friends, and her three delightful rescue cats. And eating dark chocolate while reading a riveting book.

 

 

More from LR

I experience life in colorful and unusual ways because I have synesthesia. Do you know what that is? Most people don’t. You can experience living with synesthesia through my main heroine, Tarina. She’s also a strong believer who has spiritual gifts. I pair her up with a hardcore ex-LAPD cop, now criminal detective, who relies solely on his street smarts and physical abilities. These two opposites are thrown together in deadly situations and have to combine their unique strengths to not only survive, but take down criminals and save victims. In the process they help save each other.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, August 8

Stories By Gina, August 9 (Author Interview)

Book Looks by Lisa, August 9

Blossoms and Blessings, August 10 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 11

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, August 12 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, August 13

Books, Books, & More Books, August 14 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, August 15

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, August 16 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 17

Books Less Travelled, August 18 (Author Interview)

History, Hope & Happily Ever After, August 19 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 19

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, August 20 (Author Interview)

Lily’s Corner, August 21

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, L.R. is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and an ebook of Granite & Gloss (book 1) and Felons & Finders (book 2)!!

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

https://gleam.io/hxQVd/felons-finders-celebration-tour-giveaway

A Baby’s Blessing for Boys/A Baby’s Blessing for Girls by Donna Wyland

 

About the Book

Book: A Baby’s Blessing for Boys/A Baby’s Blessing for Girls

Author: Donna Wyland

Genre: Nonfiction/Christian Prayer Book/Child’s Prayer Book

Release Date: November 30, 2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Perfect Gift for new parents, baptisms, and baby dedications. A Baby’s Blessing is a sweet book to guide parents, grandparents, and other caregivers to pray specific blessings over their child. This beautifully illustrated book leads people to pray a powerful prayer over the special children in their lives as they are lifted to God and Holy Spirit to bless and protect them each day.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

A Baby’s Blessing for Boys/A Baby’s Blessing for Girls by Donna Wyland are two books that would be perfect for a baby shower gift or a little older child because is a prayer for a newborn child and older as they grow. The beginning has a place to put the baby's picture.  The two books have the same prayer, but the pictures and color schemes and pronouns are different.  

I received a complimentary copy from the author and Celebrate Lit and these opinions are my own. 

About the Author

Donna Wyland is an award-winning author, editor, and coach. Her picture book, Psalms in Rhyme for Little Hearts, won the 2024 Christian Indie Award, and ‘Twas the Night Before Jesus won the 2025 Illumination Book Award. Both Psalms in Rhyme for Little Hearts and ‘Twas the Night Before Jesus were Readers’ Choice Award Finalists. Her new nonfiction books, Last Best Year (2025 Golden Scroll Award) and A Guided Gratitude Journal are also available on Amazon. Donna resides with her husband in Southwest Florida.

 

 

 

More from Donna

Oh, the wonderful power of prayer! Recent years have taught us how much we need God to intervene to protect and save, guide and help us raise our children and grandchildren to be loving, courageous children of God. In this vein, God inspired me to write these precious books of prayer to pray over the special child/children in your life. With the opportunity to personalize the book by inscribing the baby’s name, birthdate, height, and weight, along with a photo; this book will become a keepsake for every parent who receives it. Give the gift of prayer to the new parents in your life and watch their child grow in grace and favor with God as they are prayed over each day.

Blog Stops

Labor Not in Vain, August 1

Simple Harvest Reads, August 2 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, August 3 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, August 4 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, August 4

Girls in White Dresses, August 5

Texas Book-aholic, August 6

Fiction Book Lover, August 7 (Author Interview)

The Bookish Ledger, August 8 (Author Interview)

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, August 9 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 10

Cover Lover Book Review, August 11

Books Less Travelled, August 12 (Author Interview)

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, August 13 (Author Interview)

History, Hope & Happily Ever After, August 14 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, August 14

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Donna giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card a copy of one of the books!!

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

https://gleam.io/GCcrP/a-babys-blessing-for-boysa-babys-blessing-for-girls-celebration-tour-giveaway

Painkillers by Rev. Jacky Connell

About the Book

Book: Painkillers

Author: Rev. Jacky Connell

Genre: Non-Fiction, Christian

Release Date: March 6, 2026

Painkillers are a problem, but not all people in pain turn to drugs for the answers. Some people isolate themselves from others, believing they can avoid more pain if they don’t get close to anyone. Others take the opposite approach, surrounding themselves with unhealthy relationships to try and avoid dealing with the pain and emptiness they feel. It’s also common for people to bury themselves in other things—such as sports, shopping, or other “idols”—keeping busy so they don’t have to think about their pain. People even hide behind a mask of “intellect” to shield themselves.

 

But what if there were a Painkiller Who didn’t merely cover up your pain but took it completely away? What if there were a relationship that didn’t just stand in for those you have lost but filled the void? What if there were a way to heal from the hurt of broken relationships, the terror of PTSD, the guilt of abortion and other sins, and even the confusion of the LBGTQ lifestyle? Painkillers introduces you to Jesus, the ultimate Painkiller, and His pathway that leads to finding total recovery and freedom from past hurts, pains, and failures.

 

Click here

  "Painkillers" Real People Read Pain Real Jesus" by Jacky Connell is a good book for everyone to have and maybe reread many times. 

And these two quotes really struck a chord within me and had to share  because I'm sure someone needs to hear these 

"Kids  are not stupid they know what you are  watching. They know you are sneaking around with pot or alcohol. They know when you're flirting with someone who is not their mom or dad. Is it worth the horror and grief of watching your children struggle through drug or alcohol addiction just escape your pain now ? If you think you're hurting before you engage in idolatry,  just wait until you see your child shaking and vomiting from withdrawals or lying on his or her deathbed  succumbing to AIDS. That is too late to wish you found a healthy example for them when it comes to dealing with pain."    PAGE 59

"How  many lives have been destroyed because drugs and alcohol mess with somebody's eyes and perverted their hearts? How many people ruined their marriages, destroyed their families, got  in fights engaged in crimes, and even killed someone all because they were intoxicated with drugs or alcohol? When  you wake up in the wrong bed or in jail and you know you've done something terribly wrong it is too late to say no to intoxication.  How many people are living with broken marriages, Unemployment m. estranged families, and in prison cells all because they got out of their mind intoxicated and made a stupid mistake they can't ever take back? Whatever pain you're trying to escape from, intoxication cannot fix or heal that pain. It can only make things much much worse. Intoxication also produces sickness. Drugs and alcohol have a profound effect on you physically. Some substances can damage  your health even in modern quantities  especially with taking long-term a few of them can kill you or even get you hooked the  very first time you use them."   PAGE 73

I think this is a good book for anyone to read a It deals with Isolation and inappropriate relationships and 5 other ways that people use to deal with pain. 

I admit when I  first seen this book and I had to read it  review purposes I was thinking I don't want to read this book I don't want to read a technical book about pain pills and  I'm glad to say  this book isn't about pain pills at all and again I recommend this book to everyone to everyone. It is a short 105 pages but full of good info.

About the Author

Reverend Jacky Connell has served as the Senior Pastor of Eden Westside Baptist Church for over thirty-six years. Rev. Connell is a pastor, teacher, author, motivational speaker, and conference leader. God has placed the desire to serve people and empower leaders in the heart of Bro. Jacky.

 

 

 

 

 

More from Rev. Jacky

Where do you run when life hurts?

That question is at the heart of my book, Painkillers.

I wrote this book because pain is universal. Every person carries wounds—some visible, some hidden. And when pain comes, we all look for relief. Sometimes we run to distractions. Sometimes to control. Sometimes to success, comfort, or isolation.

The truth is this: wanting the pain to stop is human. But where we run with that pain matters.

Painkillers was written to help people recognize the unhealthy places they turn for relief and to point them toward the only place where real healing can be found—God.

This book isn’t about pretending pain doesn’t exist. It’s about facing it honestly, understanding it deeply, and finding freedom on the other side of it.

Over this blog tour, I’m excited to share more of the heart behind the book, the stories behind the pages, and the hope found in healing.

If you’ve ever been hurt, disappointed, broken, or just tired of carrying the weight—this journey is for you.

Because the question isn’t if we run when life hurts.
The question is: Where do we run?

#PainkillersBook #HealingStartsHere #WhereDoYouRunWhenLifeHurts

Blog Stops

Artistic Nobody, August 5 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, August 6 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, August 6

Fiction Book Lover, August 7 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 8

The Bookish Ledger, August 9 (Author Interview)

The Quiet Bookmark, August 10 (Author Interview)

Life on Chickadee Lane, August 11

Vicky Sluiter, August 12 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 13

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 14

Texas Book-aholic, August 15

For the Love of Literature, August 16 (Author Interview)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 17 (Author Interview)

Blossoms and Blessings, August 18 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, August 18

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Rev. Jacky 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/g2lOJ/painkillers-celebration-tour-giveaway