Welcome to my Book Review Blog. My goal is to connect readers with the wonderful and amazing books I am blessed to reveiw. And to introduce you to the talented and wonderful authors responsible for writing these books. May my love for books show through my reviews on this site.
Stella is the oldest of three sisters and she’s got a long history of being the one to protect and provide for her family. When a dangerous threat sent the Fairfax sisters on a wagon train journey west, Stella knew her best bet was to disguise herself as a man to keep herself and her sisters safe.
Collin Mason has secrets of his own. And his family isn’t short on drama either, not with his troublemaking twin and an older brother about to get hitched. But he’s the only one who sees the real Stella—and that she needs help.
Collin sees the vulnerability Stella tries so hard to hide. When he becomes the only one she can trust and she discovers that danger has followed her family, Stella must rely on him despite her reluctance…
I have always enjoyed wagon train stories, be it watching a movie or reading a book, which I prefer. I find that Trail of Secrets is a very nice story with lots of secrets in the mix. I really enjoyed the historical parts of the story, which was basically all of the book but some parts are better than others. I loved the detailed scenes all throughout the story. It was interesting to follow the wagon train on their journey. There’s a lot of hard work involved in traveling so far. In a way I would have loved going on one of their journeys, but then I’m not sure I would want the loss and everything they go through.
Trail of Secrets by Lacy Williams is getting Five Stars from me! I want to read the.first book in this series, and I can’t wait to see what Lacy Williams has for us next.
A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
About the Author
Lacy Williams wishes her writing career was more like what you see in Hallmark movies: dreamy brainstorming from a French chateau or a few minutes at the computer in a million-dollar New York City penthouse. In reality, she’s up before the sun, putting words on the page before her kids wake up for the day. Those early-morning and late-night writing sessions add up, and Lacy has published sixty books in a decade, first with a big five publisher and then as an indie author. When she needs to refill the well, you can find Lacy birdwatching, gardening, biking with the kiddos, or walking the dog. Find tons of bonus scenes and reader extras by becoming a VIP reader at http://www.lacywilliams.net/vip .
When everything crumbles, her chance for a new beginning hangs in the balance.
Ruth Anniston survived an injury that left her physically scarred, broken, and angry at God. Now, she finds herself working behind the scenes as a kitchen and dining room supervisor at the El Tovar Hotel, hidden away from curious eyes and with little hope of finding love. When money begins to disappear from the hotel, Ruth’s entire livelihood is put at risk when she lands on the list of suspects.
Frank Henderson has at last succeeded in obtaining his dream job as head chef at the El Tovar. But competition in the kitchen is fierce, and one mistake could cost him his future. As the thefts at the hotel continue, and his affection for Ruth grows, Frank’s career–and his heart–are in jeopardy.
As tensions run high, Ruth and Frank must work together to save the El Tovar. They find themselves growing closer . . . but can their combined ingenuity overcome the odds against them?
MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK
The El Tovar Hotel is in trouble, but who could be the criminal causing so many problems for the hotel? With money missing, several of the employees are afraid of losing their jobsL unless they can help find who the crooked person is.
This is actually my first book by Author Kimberley Woodhouse, so I have not read the first two books in this series. Though I think reading the books in order would be the proper way to read them, the author does a great job of filling everyone in so we don’t get lost in the characters. I enjoyed the intriguing characters and the way they developed as the story unfolds. I really like Ruth and her enduring personality. She is one lady I would definitely want to work with. She and Frank worked together well, and their seeking out whodunit was well worth the read. I didn’t want to put this book down, the plot had me glued to the story until the finish. I love when stories have a lot of twists and turns, and this is one of those stories. It kept me hopping around trying to figure out what was going on. I am giving A Mark of Grace Five Stars! If you enjoy a good Edge of your seat thriller, this one is for you!
A special thanks to the author/publisher and Celebrate Lit for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Kimberley Woodhouse (www.kimberleywoodhouse.com) is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than 30 fiction and nonfiction books. Kim and her incredible husband of 30-plus years live in the Poconos, where they play golf together, spend time with their kids and grandbaby, and research all the history around them.
More from Kimberley
It is such a thrill to be able to bring readers A Mark of Grace, book three in my Secrets of the Canyon series. These books have been near and dear to me since 2009, right from the moment the idea of setting a Harvey Girls series at the El Tovar on the rim of the Grand Canyon first hit me.
Ever since the release of A Deep Divide, book one in the series, I’ve received tons of messages from readers who hoped Ruth would have her story. All along, the plan was for the final installment to be hers.
Ruth has been a strong character throughout the series. A mentor. A friend. A headwaitress. But when a crisis hits her life, it affects every area—emotional, physical, and spiritual—and her confidence in everything she thought she knew crumbles.
Life isn’t easy for any of us, and I love a good story that I can grow and learn through. I pray A Mark of Grace is that for you.
Book: The Kingdom of God: Our life with Jesus the King
Author: John Avery
Genre: Christian Devotional, non-fiction
Release date: March 1, 2023
What is the kingdom of God? Many people only vaguely understand (or misunderstand) it. Is it a future heavenly existence where the nicest dreams come true and nightmares are miraculously purged? After all, it is sometimes called the kingdom of heaven. Perhaps we dismiss it as an irrelevant ideal. Pastors typically prioritize topics like salvation, grace, eternal life, faith, and prayer. Yet, the kingdom was central to the messages of John the Baptist, Jesus, Paul, and other New Testament writers. Their words and behavior show that the kingdom theme is the framework uniting those topics and the entire mission of Jesus and His followers.
God’s kingdom centers on the King. It’s a life journey shared with other kingdom subjects.
This collection of 38 short pieces (2-3 pages each) explores vital questions like:
How well do we understand Jesus’ view of the kingdom of God?
What did Jesus mean when He spoke of being in (or outside of) the kingdom?
Does the kingdom make any difference to our lives right now? Should it?
Will the kingdom grow automatically, or do we have a part to play?
These pieces can be read quickly; they’re relaxed too—but think carefully and deeply.
Answers by John Avery, author of The Kingdom of God: our life with Jesus the King.
Answers by John Avery, author of The Kingdom of God: our life with Jesus the King
How long does it take you to write a book?
My first book (The Name Quest: explore the names of God to grow in faith and get to know Him better) took fifteen years (probably >10,000 hours). The devotionals that I write are 5-600 words. Some come very quickly; most take 2-3 hours for an acceptable draft. Compiling them into a book like The Kingdom of God takes additional time and editing.
2. What tactics do you have when writing? Do you just sit down and start writing? Or have an outline plan before?
Almost every piece begins in my own times with Him and reading the Bible. I might check what I sense against commentaries or reference works sometimes, but the main message comes from those times with Him. I make a point of writing the outline as soon as I finish my time with Him. I develop the work at various times after that. Sunday evenings are my reserved writing times but I try to find time on other days too.
3. What special knowledge or research was required to write this book?
I think that years of reading about the Kingdom of God and studying the Bible in general were essential. Over the last three years I focused on reading the Gospels multiple times. I analyzed the events in Jesus’ life and ministry and discovered patterns in what He said and did, where, to whom, what triggered things etc. Some of that comes out in The Kingdom of God, perhaps more in my previous book, The Questions of Jesus: questions asked by Jesus, questions people asked Him. 4. How do you make non-fiction interesting and engaging while still being informative and writing the facts?
Five things:
I try not to write things that have been written many times before or are too obvious; I believe God gives me fresh insights that are, nonetheless sound.
I try to include a brief life situation or personal experience that people can relate to.
I keep “heady” academic things to a bare minimum when they are essential.
I try to write in a casual, conversational way and to not use “Christianese” but everyday language.
I check my ideas against commentaries and other reference works to make sure I am not “off.”
5. Who is your favorite author?
CS Lewis is hard to beat. He has wonderful insight, can express things extremely well, and he writes well in multiple genres.
6. Your favorite pastime or hobby?
I am a hiker.I love to be out in the mountains or desert. Summer hiking, winter cross-country skiing. The further into wilderness, the better.
7. Do you have a favorite vacation spot?
My wife and I love going to Palm Springs area for Christmas break. It’s great for winter hiking and, of course, warmer weather than Oregon.
About the Author
John Avery is the author of The Name Quest:Explore the Names of God to Grow in Faith and Get to Know Him Better (Morgan James Publishing, 2015). The Name Quest won the 2016 Oregon Christian Writers’ Cascade Award for nonfiction. A compilation of short pieces, The Questions of Jesus, was published in 2022.
John is a trained teacher with over thirty years’ experience as a Bible teaching pastor, small group leader, missionary, and disciple maker. He has lived in England, Israel, Africa, and the Caribbean, ministering with Youth With A Mission (YWAM), international student ministry, and local churches. He and his wife, Janet, now make their home in Oregon. John likes to hike, snowshoe, and cross-country ski. John writes short, thought-provoking Bible devotionals at www.BibleMaturity.com many of which will be compiled into books like this one. He maintains a comprehensive resource for all the names of God at www.NamesForGod.net.
More from John
This book is a collection of short devotional pieces. They’re relaxed, but they challenge the reader to think carefully too. What is the kingdom of God? What does it mean for our lives?
Many people only vaguely understand (or misunderstand) the kingdom of God. Is it a future heavenly existence where the nicest dreams come true and nightmares are miraculously purged? After all, it is sometimes called the kingdom of heaven. Perhaps we dismiss it as an irrelevant ideal. Pastors typically prioritize topics like salvation, grace, eternal life, faith, and prayer. Yet, the kingdom was a priority for Jesus.
God’s kingdom centers on the King. It’s a life journey shared with other kingdom subjects.
The pieces explore vital questions like:
How well do we understand Jesus’ view of the kingdom of God?
What did Jesus mean when He spoke of being in (or outside of) the kingdom?
Does the kingdom make any difference to our lives right now? Should it?
Will the kingdom grow automatically, or do we have a part to play?
Lydie Beauchamp recently moved with her aunts—sisters Myrtle and Fern—to the untamed Wyoming Territory. When a teaching position in nearby Willow Falls captures her attention, can she leave her aunts, one of whom just suffered a broken heart, and embark on this new adventure? Will she find the courage to persevere in the midst of challenges, one being a handsome challenge named Solomon Eliason?
Reverend Solomon Eliason has the goal of making a difference. Hired as the pastor of Willow Falls, he must convince the congregation that he is able to undertake the role of a reverend. When he’s nominated to be the adult in charge of the annual prank tradition at the school, he embraces the idea, thinking the new teacher will be an elderly crotchety woman like his former teacher. What he doesn’t realize until it’s too late is that the teacher is far from crotchety and elderly.
When Lydie’s and Solomon’s paths cross in an unexpected way during the prank tradition at the Willow Falls school, can Solomon redeem himself in the eyes of the lovely new teacher?
Take a glimpse into where it all began with Lydie and Solomon’s story in this tender tale that reminds us that God can and does use willing hearts for His purposes.
I love Penny Zeller’a book, Love’s New Beginnings. Set in the 1860s, I knew this would be a fabulous historical fiction to read when I read the description. This book is the prequel to the Wyoming Sunrise series by Penny. Lydie and her two aunts, Myrtle and Fern, to the untamed Wyoming Territory. I love these two sisters. They sure bring a delight to the story. When Willow Falls needed a teacher, Lydia left jer aunts to teach at the school. It was there that she met Solomon.
Lydia and Solomon’s story was so much fun to read. I love how Zeller weaves the Christian life into her characters and enjoyed the fact that these two wanted to make sure they were following the Lord’s leading. The realistic and faithful characters were loveable and easy to connect with. The extensive research by Ms. Zeller is so apparent and makes the story so much more alive. I love anything written by Penny Zeller, and this book was beautifully written, just as her other books. Her writing is phenomenal, and with every book, it gets better.
If you enjoy a good clean historical fiction, with faith weaved throughout the story, this is an excellent one for you to read. I know you will love it as much as I do. I’m giving this one Five Stars!!
A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
About the Author
Penny Zeller is known for her heartfelt stories of faith and her passion to impact lives for Christ through fiction. While she has had a love for writing since childhood, she began her adult writing career penning articles for national and regional publications on a wide variety of topics.
Today Penny is the author of over a dozen books. She is also a homeschool mom and a group fitness instructor. Her desire is to assist and nurture women into a closer relationship with Christ.
When Penny is not dreaming up new characters, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters and camping, hiking, canoeing, bicycling/cycling, reading, running, gardening, and playing volleyball.
She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency and loves to hear from her readers at her website, blog, and on Facebook.
More from Penny
Stagecoach etiquette, a casket for sale in the mercantile, and mock turtle soup were just a few of the items included in Love’s New Beginnings. Research is always fun for historical novels, and I even discovered that some people ate skunks back in the “olden days.” Not a regular delicatessen, but they did eat them on occasion. After reading about the ingredients for mock turtle soup and discovering about skunks for dinner (aka supper), I’m even more grateful for enchiladas and regular plain ol’ hamburgers. Historical romance novels are a delight to read, but is Love’s New Beginnings the book for you?
If you love…
To read love stories
Stories set in the late 1800s
Settings in the Wild West in small western towns
Sweet romance and tender love stories
Plentiful humor
Character-driven plots
Faith element organically interwoven into the story
Scenes that tug at the heartstrings
Hilarious antidotes tucked within the pages of a novel
To curl up and escape into the lives of book characters
Realistic plot lines
Close-knit families
Clean and wholesome reads
Memorable characters who stay with you long after the last page
Then Love’s New Beginnings is indeed the book for you!
They both need a new start, but this looks nothing like either of them planned.
Aaron Long never expected his life to turn out this way—finally on the right side of the law, but with a bum leg and driving a freight wagon through the wild Rocky Mountains. The only excitement left in his days is his newfound faith. But in the midst of an urgent deliver to settlers fort, the last thing he expects is to discover a woman great with child who pleads for him to take her back to Fort Benton—the opposite direction from Settler’s Fort. He can’t leave her, but he also can’t take her where she wants to go.
Katie Barlowe rarely had a say in how her life would go, not even when she married the successful businessman her parents selected for her. Nor when he brought her all the way ut to the Montana Territory to start a ranch in these breathtaking and treacherous mountains. She’s a widow now and determined to take control of her future and that of the new life growing inside her. To do so, she must get back to civilization—before the babe is born. When she finally finds a freighter who will take her the first leg of her journey east, all seems to be finally falling into place. Until her transporter is killed and she’s faced with a stranger who will only agree to take her to a little mining town far from Fort Benton and the steamship to carry her home.
When Aaron and Katie set out through the mountain winter, the journey ahead will change their lives more than they could have known.
MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK
I love, love anything Misty Beller writes! I have read all of her books so far, and they keep getting better. Aaron needed his own story, and here it is. But when he took off on a run for an urgent delivery, the last thing he was expecting was finding a woman stranded. And a pregnant one at that! Their journey was fun and exciting and I thoroughly enjoyed following the two through the snowy mountains of Montana Territory. The story may have been fun for me, but for these travlers, it wasn’t always an easy time.
As always, I so much enjoyed Beller’s characters, and the way they have their oelwn unique personalities, their strengths and their weaknesses. This adds so much to the story, making it all seem so very realistic. Though I’m not sure how I would handle being in These rough mountains, I would still love to take some of the trips Misty’s characters face. It’s mainly because they have such a unique and close relationship with each other and neighbor helping neighbor. There’s so much going on here in the story. Lots of twists and turns, mainly caused by the weather and traveling. I can’t wait until the next book by this amazing author!
PI’m giving Honor’s Mountain Promise Five Stars and I wish I could give it more. I encourage you to search Misty Beller books and start reading. Once you start reading them you will find it difficult to stop until you finish them all. You can search my blog for more of this authors books!
A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Misty M. Beller is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.
Raised on a farm and surrounded by family, Misty developed her love for horses, history, and adventure. These days, her husband and children provide fresh adventure every day, keeping her both grounded and crazy.
Misty’s passion is to create inspiring Christian fiction infused with the grandeur of the mountains, writing historical romance that displays God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.
Sharing her stories with readers is a dream come true for Misty. She writes from her country home in South Carolina and escapes to the mountains any chance she gets.
More from Misty
When the Other Brother Finally Gets His Story
Have you ever read a series that needed just one more book? A significant side character needed their story told?
That’s been the case with my Hearts of Montana series for two years now! I thought I’d wrapped up the series with book 3, Faith’s Mountain Home, which features Nate and Laura as they unravel the mystery around a cave near their Montana frontier town. Nate’s twin brother Aaron played a strong part in that story—and not always as one of the good guys. He was recovering from a gunshot wound that shattered his thighbone, and Laura (the heroine) was his nurse and chief physical therapy sergeant. In those dark days during his recovery, Aaron made some poor choices and definitely wasn’t the best version of himself.
By the end of Faith’s Mountain Home, Aaron saw the change in his twin brother Nate and how his new faith made him different—a better man. In one of the last scenes, Aaron apologizes to Laura for how he’s made her job harder when she was trying so hard to help him. We even get a ray of hope that Aaron might be opening himself up to God’s redeeming power.
Ever since that book released, readers and I have both been looking for Aaron’s story! The book where he finds his own leading lady and becomes the man God created him to be (but not without major obstacles along the way!)
Even if you haven’t read the other books in the series, I think you’ll love Aaron’s story in Honor’s Mountain Promise as much as I did.
When her brother goes missing, Leora Mast will do anything to find him…even if it means putting her life in danger. Upon arriving in Montana, she finds an ally in Fletcher Shetler, but almost as soon as they meet, they’re running for their lives. With Fletcher’s help, Leora must unravel the truth about her brother’s disappearance…before the man who wants them dead tracks them down.
From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.
BOOK EXCERPT
Amish Wilderness Survival Excerpt 6
Near the barn, the training facility he’d worked on always made him proud. A fine example of Amish craftsmanship that went back generations.
Yet today, his admiration was eclipsed by the mounting concern for his
friend. It twisted like knives between Fletcher’s shoulder blades. He’d
worked with the pups long enough to be able to interpret each of their sounds. The calls coming from them now were alerting Fletcher to trouble.
The only question was how bad it was going to be.
Please, Gott, let Ethan be oke.
Fletcher applied enough pressure with his right leg for the gelding to
respond. Jacob headed left to the training facility while all sorts of bad outcomes flew through Fletcher’s mind. Had something happened to Ethan inside the facility and the dogs were doing their best to bring help?
“Whoa, boy.” Fletcher pulled back on the reins once they reached the
building. When the horse had stopped, he hopped down and wrapped the
reins around the fence post for the outdoor running pen.
Fletcher reached the gate and started to open it when something occurred to him. Molly wasn’t barking her head off like the pups.
***INSERT EXCERPT HERE***
MISSED ANY EXCERPTS, GO HERE:
***INSERT LINKS HERE***
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mary Alford is the USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of more than fifty novels. Her books have been finalists in the Selah Award, the Daphne du Maurier Award, and the HOLT Medallion Contest. As a writer, Mary is an avid reader. She loves to cook and can’t face the day with-out coffee. She and her husband live in the heart of Texas in the middle of 70 acres with two very spoiled cats and one adorable rescue dog. Mary is very active online and would love to connect with readers on Facebook and Twitter or any social platforms listed at http://www.maryalford.net.
Seeking light amid a hard journey? Learn ways to take God’s hand and be
Encouraged. Are you weighed down by physical or emotional pain? Trying to survive tough times with no end in sight? Told to “walk with God” but don’t know how?
Living with various medical issues for over a decade, author and blogger Karen Brough has
triumphed despite debilitating challenges by learning to listen to the heart of the Almighty. As if inviting you into her lounge room, Karen, passes you a hot drink, welcoming you into her personal, authentic and vulnerable places. You will be encouraged and have hope seeds planted by experiencing along with her, all that He has done! In the conversations, the events and miracles, you’ll find yourself-finding yourself in her stories.
Be Held By Him – Finding God When Life Knocks You Off Your Feet is an inspiring
exploration of the reassurance that can be found in the hardest of places by turning to our
Creator. Through Brough’s own accounts, the Lord’s love letters, and prayers, you’ll feel
unending comfort. And when you learn to hear our Father’s voice for yourself, you will build
a deeper, more satisfying faith to help you persevere.
Karen Brough is an Australian wife, mother, and former Primary School Teacher & has always had a passion for writing. She is the author of ‘Be Held by Him’ Finding God when life knocks you off your feet.
Ten years ago, when hit by a mystery illness, Karen began sharing the encouragement God gave to her, with others. Her heart loves nothing better than to demystifying how and who God is in the everyday and the miraculous.
She loves spending time with her husband and children. In Summer, you’ll find her enjoying the water and offering gelato to anyone who might drop by. In Winter, she makes soups, breads, and muffins. Often hiding vegetables in sweet recipes, much to her children’s dismay (secretly they love it though).
MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK
At some time v or another, we all find situations where life rattles us for a while, or I could be much worse when our is completely turned upside down. Be Held by Him Book and CompanionGuidebook by Karen Brough is written just for people like you. In fact, Karen faced this in her own life. In this book, Karen shares he own life, with all its ups and downs to show those who read this book how she overcomes this hurdle and how God helps her walk through every step.
Maybe your life issue is worse that Karen Bough’s is, or maybe not so bad, the good thing is we can all adapt our own situations to fit the same things Bough studies in God’s word to help. The Guidebook is an added addition I feel is totally worth buying. I think anyone would benefit from this book because it is a great study if you want to dig deeper into God’s word and study to learn more about Him, and have a closer relationship with Him. I highly encourage you to check this book out for yourself.
A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
More from Karen
I wrote this book because I was given a dream to do it. I’d had my life turned upside down through medical mystery, and yet in it, God revealed His heart of love for me; and for those who are walking through the tough of life.
At every point, God unveiled every detail of the book, through dreams, verses, songs, life events and so much more. This book series is a testament to His miraculous, hope filled and loving hand, which is ready to pick us up, hold us tenderly and show us the next step. He speaks in ways each one of us understands, and I LOVE this about Him.
Download free art declaration cards based on the chapter themes – 16 ways we hear from God. http://www.karenbrough.com
In the Revelation of Israel, God’s plan to regather His people from all 12 Tribes of Israel is unveiled. He promises to, again, raise up the Josephs, so that His lost children from the 10 Tribes of the Northern Kingdom of Israel may know who they are, be provided for, and protected through the Tribulation, which is nearly upon us.
Rachel Baxter has a professional background in engineering, with a Bachelor’s of Science in Industrial Engineering, and an MBA. Rachel currently works in the field of business process consulting with over 20 years of experience.
Rachel grew up in the Lutheran Church where she was baptized, confirmed, and married. She was born again and spirit-filled in 2014 when she received inner healing through a ministry called One Whole Heart in Omaha, Nebraska. She now serves as an elder and volunteer for this ministry. Rachel also serves her local church in various capacities.
Rachel is married to Garrick, and they have 4 children from elementary to high school age. Rachel led a Christian school and homeschool coop called Valor for 5 years. This was a missional spirit-led school where every day began with worship, and the children were taught to hear and follow the voice of the Lord, as Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice and follow me!” Rachel continues to have a heart for Kingdom youth education.
When she was baptized in the Holy Spirit, Rachel began to have dreams and visions from the Lord. He began to speak with her about the days that are ahead, the time before Jesus returns, so that she could write them down and release the prophetic words for those who were willing to hear. Rachel has received several angelic visitations. (A primary purpose of an angel is to be a messenger.) An angel of the Lord came to Rachel to tell her that she was, “Called to see that which was coming upon the Earth and to tell others what is coming.” This book is an act of obedience to that call.
More from Rachel
It’s been a year since I co-labored with the Lord to write this work. I have used it myself on a weekly basis as a reference. There is so much insight here that is beyond me. The Lord, in His glorious wisdom, is able to make the complicated and mysterious – clear and beautiful when He takes His truth and allows us to absorb it into our bones. This is the essence of a revelation! The Revelation of Israel is God’s story of His plans written before time began. It starts with a people under Father Abraham who were meant to know their God. Those people fell short in every way and were scattered across the earth. We know that Jesus came to redeem God’s people to Himself through His atoning sacrifice – but the story of God does not end there. God’s story has continued the last 2,000 years and is about to be fulfilled in the last seven years of tribulation on the earth that culminates with the return of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah at the last trump!
INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR
How long does it take you to write a book?
My first book, Lifted Up, My Whole Hearted Testimony took about a month and this one took 2 weeks. That may sound great but there are a couple of things to keep in mind. Writing the first draft of my first book was simple, but the revisions were painful and took much longer.
For The Revelation of Israel, the revision process and editing went more smoothly. I was able to self-publish within a month. For me, I do not allow the pursuit of perfection to be paralyzing. I am willing to give it my best effort initially, and then make improvements as they come forward. I printed a 2nd edition about 6 months after the first release that I feel really good about.
The other thing to know about this book is that the Lord had been opening up the topic to me over 7 years so that when I finally went to write it, the words spilled onto the pages from a place of rest and peace. I felt like the Lord had done all the heavy lifting already.
2. What do you like best about writing non-fiction?
3. What tactics do you have when writing? Do you just sit down and start writing? Or have an outline plan before?
4. What special knowledge or research was required to write this book?
I believe we are all meant to hear God’s voice and be led by Him. I learned to hear His voice a number of years ago. He began to speak to me very clearly and at times when I knew that it was Him and not me – like at 3am when I would rather be in bed asleep. I would say that I gained special knowledge through the things that the Lord spoke to me personally. Of course, this knowledge needed to line up with God’s Word found in our Bible. I became spirit-filled in 2014. This meant that Holy Spirit became my teacher. As I read God’s Word, Holy Spirit would deposit understanding into my mind and my heart that I was able to deposit into The Revelation of Israel.
I firmly believe that I did not write this book alone. It was a co-laboring I did with the Lord. I allowed Him to guide me. I submitted to His promptings and direction. And I believe it is His story, not mine. I just got to tell it!
5. What do you hope readers will take away from this story?
Oh my! My heart of hearts is that each reader would grasp the lengths that God has gone to to have A PEOPLE that are His, and that He is extending an invitation to each of us to join that group no matter the cost. Most don’t know it yet but we are going to lose everything in the years ahead before Jesus’ return. We can either lay our lives down now with His help, or choose to hold onto our own lives and plans until it is stripped from us by the collapsing world around us. If we will seek Him and His ways, He will make a way through all that is about to come. We are the blessed generation!
6. Have you ever rescuitated a project you’d shelved? What helped it work better the second time around?
7. What marketing strategies have borne the most fruit for you?
8. As a non-fiction writer, have you ever thought about transfering over to fiction?
9. What do you find enjoyable or difficult about non-fiction?
10. How do you make non-fiction interesting and engaging while still being informative and writing the facts?
I hope that I have done it by including facts and stories that I have found the most interesting myself as the Lord opened this understanding to me. To me, the Bible is an incredible book because of the fulfilled prophecies that it contains. We have so much evidence staring us in the face today and easily accessible to us through the internet. One example – Noah’s Ark was found in Turkey on Mount Ararat, right where the Bible said it would be, in exactly the dimensions as given from God to Noah. Come on! That’s amazing!
11. What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned through years of writing?
12. What is something memorable you have heard from your readers/fans?
13. What book that you have read has most influenced your life?
14. Who is your favorite author?
15. Do you prefer writing in silence or to music?
16. What’s the worst writing/publishing advice anyone ever gave you?
17. What do you know now that you wish you’d known at the beginning of your writing/publishing journey?
18. If I review one of your books, what do you want to read from me?
That is a great question! I would be interested in reading a work from you about something that has changed your life in a profound way. I’m a firm believer that we can only write about what we have experienced. I would love to read about a work that God has done in you to change your trajectory.
If only owning a bookstore didn’t mean dealing with people.
No one was more surprised than Harper Brevig when Great Aunt Lorene (not “Lori,” thank-you-very-much) died and left her least favorite niece her bookstore–including a prime piece of real estate in downtown Red Wing, Minnesota.
Making a go of the place shouldn’t be too hard. With her library science degree, she should be set. Then again, the website describing library degrees had said it would teach her excellent communication skills. It had not. Could she get a partial refund?
Still, owning the building should mean crazy-low overhead to offset her less than optimal “book-side” manner. Ahem. So when yet another huge bill arrives, and she starts getting twitchy about the low bank balance, Harper does the only thing she can think of.
Enter Milton Coleridge. He’d been excited about the possibilities of the store last year, but Harper had sent him packing before he could talk to her about them. Now he has a chance to make a difference. But she’s right. She’s bleeding money, and it doesn’t make sense!
Milton’s job is to figure out what’s going on, plug the financial leak, and maybe… do a little matchmaking. That dad with the adorable little boy would be good for her… and she’d be good for him. Probably.
Twice Sold Tales: the first full-length novel in the Bookstrings series releasing with The Mosaic Collection
USA Today Bestselling author Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her at chautona.com and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.
MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK
When Harper Brevig’s Aunt Lorene passed away, she left her bookstore to Harper, which surprised Harper very much because she was her least favorite niece. But she did have a degree that should help her in running the store. But as Harper continues each month to make ends meet, that profit is just not adding up. What is she to do.
Twice Sold Tales is such a fun book to read. And I love, love the title. What a great name for a bookstore! I love the little town of Red Wing, Minnesota. It has the most fascinating and interesting people. But the main thing is the love they have for others. Harper is a wonderful character, and my heart melted at her love for Bennie. Noah is adorable and is too hard on himself. But maybe Harper can help with that? Both Bennie and Noah stole my heart from the beginning. Author Chautona Havig created the best of the best characters for this story. I could relate to the small town and its people because I grew up in one, and the people were very much like those in Red Wing. The romance between Noah and Harper, well it was so slow you wonder if there is one. But keep reading. I can’t wait to see what’s next in this series. I has to be good! I’m giving Twice Sold Tales Five Stars!
A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
More from Chautona
“What kind of research does a contemporary book need? I mean, she’s a bookstore owner in a town you’ve been to several times. What’s there to research?”
I can’t be the only author to get questions like this. And I certainly can’t be the only one who has to fight the urge to laugh. Folks, authors research everything. In Twice Sold Tales, I think I looked up almost as much as I did in my Meddlin’ Madeline Mysteries!
Because here’s the deal. What I didn’t know about Red Wing, Minnesota wouldn’t have hurt the story most of the time. Who cares that Bev’s Café has amazing creamy cucumbers? It doesn’t technically matter. Well, except to my character who hates veggies but will eat those. They make her feel virtuous. And you get to know about it.
But… what you discover about a place or a time or an occupation or whatever can totally change the course of your story. Case in point? I went to a website about River City Days because my niece suggested it might be a good thing for Noah to do with his son. That led me to the Farmer’s Markets and to other things. How I got to the first Ghost Walk in Red Wing taking place this year? I don’t even know. What I do know is that the moment I read about it, I knew Harper had to go. And if she did, and if Milton were the instigator, Noah had to go. #BecauseMatchmaker.
And this is where it got really cool. To make the walk as authentic as I could, I read everything I could find about it. And I discovered something super cool. Like… blow you out of the water cool.
Red Wing, Minnesota sits near the shore of Lake Pepin. Little House on the Prairie lovers will remember this as the lake that Laura Ingalls crossed in the wagon as they left the Big Woods of Wisconsin (you know, right across the river/lake from Red Wing???) Well… Lake Pepin has a monster—the Nessie of the Mississippi. Yes, you read that right… a monster! I went looking and guess what? The “monster” has a name. Pepie! Needless to say, Pepie became a an important part of my story. Because how could he not?
And… I happened to find a stuffed Pepie at Treats & Treasures in Lake City, just south of Red Wing, so I ordered a couple for giveaways—including the one with this blog tour. Happy reading, and what do you think? Shouldn’t someone write Pepie’s story?
Do you deeply desire to answer the call of God on your life? Are you seeking divine wisdom for the steps and stops to take in your pursuit? Are you willing to count the cost and do whatever it takes? Join author Dr. Joelle Suel in Stepping Stones: 7 Steps to Achieving Your Divine Destiny as she equips all believers to fulfill God’s purpose for their lives while sharing some of her inspirational journey.
Click here to get your copy
About the Author
Dr. Joelle Suel is founder and Senior Pastor of Glory to Glory Christian Center in Aurora, Colorado; founder and Dean of Glory to Glory Institute of the Holy Spirit; and author of the Institute curriculum and a daily devotion, Today with Dr. J. Her 2018 book, Stepping Stones, equips readers to answer the call of God in their lives. She is in the process of making all of the Institute curriculum available in book format. She earned her Doctor of Ministry degree from the Phoenix University of Theology in 2006. A native of Puteaux, France, she became an American citizen in 2003.
Interview with the author, Dr. Joelle Suel – Stepping Stones
1. What tactics do you have when writing? Do you just sit down and start writing? Or have an outline plan before?
I enjoy free writing to find inspiration for a book, or anytime I feel stuck. An outline plan follows, which helps me stay on track. It guides the scheduled writing sessions I set using the free pomodoro app. It allows me to set up 45 minutes of uninterrupted sessions to focus on one section at a time. My goal is to set up an average of 7 of these a week.
2. What do you hope readers will take away from this story?
The one take-away from this book I hope readers will gain is that they can accomplish whatever they set their heart on, from faith to faith.
3. If I review one of your books, what do you want to read from me?
If you review one of my books, I would enjoy reading whatever you have written. I love reading.
4. Do you read your book reviews? And how do they influence your writing?
Yes. I read and appreciate book reviews. They help and encourage me in my writing journey.
5. As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
As a child, I wanted to be a teacher.
More from Dr. Joelle
Dear reader,
God loves us and counts us precious in His sight. We are full-time ministers wherever we are, and through whatever we do. Where our feet stand is where our pulpit stands. We shine the light of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and glorify Him, often without realizing it. God desires to use all of us in and through our daily activities.
My prayer is that this book will encourage and empower you to answer His call, from faith to faith. I trust the Spirit of God will strengthen you to continue what you are currently doing and lead you into additional steps in your divine purpose.
Below, please find a few quotes from the book to bless you today.
He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.–1Thessalonians 5:24 NKJV
Abundant blessings upon you and your family,
Dr. Joelle
What we do portrays a greater message than what we say.
We cannot seek God’s approval and man’s approval at the same time.
The trust in ourselves decreases as our trust in God increases.
When Christ becomes our motive for ministry, doors open for Him, not for us.
Never stop starting.
We cannot expect from others what only God can give.
Humility is the gateway to knowing Him.
What is on the inside comes out under pressure.
We do not complete with others, but we complete one another.
Behind the curtain, she must put on the performance of a lifetime . . . while love and risk take center stage.
Delia Vittoria’s mother has lost her voice at last. After five years of being her diva mother’s understudy, it is time for Delia to assume her place as the lead soprano onstage behind the Academy of Music’s faded velvet curtain. And she is all that stands between the Academy and its greatest threat–the nouveaux riches’ lavish new Metropolitan Opera House.
Kit Quincy never misses opening night, but when his sister begs him to help get her husband out of an Italian opera star’s arms, Kit accidentally confronts the younger Lady Vittoria instead. When he the stunning young diva again, he attempts to make amends, but then finds himself pulled into a society matron’s plot to win the great opera war. To draw attention to Delia Vittoria as the Academy’s new soprano star, Kit is convinced to act as both Delia’s patron and the enigmatic phantom who once haunted the Academy years ago. But when a second phantom appears, more than Delia’s rising career is threatened.
I love Grace Hitchcock’s books and this one didn’t disappoint at all. I read the first two books in this series and they are just oh so good! Really just amazing. In His Delightful Lady Delia Vittoria’s mother has lost her voice after five years. Delia has served her mother as understudy in the Academy of Music and now it’s time for her to hit the stage and assume her place as the lead soprano.
What a delightful story. Author Grace Hitchcock gives her readers another story that is difficult to stop reading once you start! I love all of the history in this story, and I am impressed at how much research went into this book and this series. I was intrigued by the Phantom and all of the Mysteries that follow. I could see depth and personality in the characters as well as how nicely they developed throughout the story. And I love how faith and the dependence on God played a part in the lives of the characters. This is a truly wonderful story. If you enjoy a good clean story with lots of history background and romance throughout, you will love this one.
A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
About the Author
Grace Hitchcock (www.gracehitchcock.com) is the award-winning author of multiple historical novels and novellas. She holds a master’s degree in creative writing and a bachelor of arts in English with a minor in history. Grace lives in the New Orleans area with her husband, Dakota, and their sons and daughter.
More from Grace
I’m pretty certain every author started as an avid reader who dreamed of how they would change an ending or change who the heroine ended up with if they could write the book instead. (Anyone else think Theodore Laurence should have married Jo March?) It’s that ever-beautiful question of “what if” that has haunted some of my favorite stories and often drives my own stories to spark to life.
I first discovered The Phantom of the Opera as a child and fell in love with the beauty of the Broadway musical, a love that continued into my adulthood. So, when I was researching ideas for Book Three in the American Royalty series and I stumbled upon the great opera-house wars between the new money’s opera house and the Academy’s elite opera house, the “what if” sequence began and I knew I had to write my version of a phantom-of-the-opera story. Then when I researched the Italian opera company, I grew even more excited, as I’m from a large Italian family. And when I say large, I mean it’s not uncommon for our smallest gatherings to be only forty people, and when the whole krewe is together, we need a large facility to house us all. I’ve also visited New York and Italy and felt I could add some authenticity to the Italian characters in my novel, which brings me to the leading lady—a delightful opera singer named Delia Vittoria, who takes a beloved hero from Book One in My Dear Miss Dupré, Kit Quincy, by surprise.
I knew from Kit’s character that if he’d met the woman he was meant to wed, nothing would have stopped him in his pursuit, so I knew I had to introduce a new heroine instead of a lady introduced in Book One. It is rather daring to bring in a new lead in the third book of a series without some form of introduction in prior novels, but I felt Kit’s character warranted it. Kit is by far the “oldest” hero I have written about to date, and to my delight, he captured my heart with his genuine soul and fierce devotion toward the woman he loves. Because of his age and personal experience, I felt that Kit could be a wonderful example of true, godly love to a woman who has seen almost nothing but poor imitations. I hope that you will enjoy their journey toward love and my nod to The Phantom of the Opera! Happy reading, friends!
To celebrate her tour, Grace is giving away the grand prize package of a $30 e-gift card to Baker Book House and a paperback copy of all three books in the American Royalty series: My Dear Miss Dupré, Her Darling Mr. Day, and His Delightful Lady Delia!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
Authors: Chautona Havig, Tabitha Bouldin, Susan K. Beatty, Jennifer Sienes, Melissa Wardwell, and Stacy T. Simmons.
Genre: Christian Christmas Romance
Release date: October 18, 2022
MY RATING: Five Stars⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In castles far and near, long ago and yesterday, find happily-ever-afters wrapped in love and tied with Christmas joy.
Escape to Greenaway (by Chautona Havig): She just wanted to escape another holly, jolly family holiday. Because snowbound in a castle B&B with one of Santa’s elves (or as good as) is so much better. With the help of the castle’s owner, Tonya plays matchmaker in a bid to get that Christmas-loving girl out of her hair.
The King’s Promise (by Tabitha Bouldin): In a world of airships and kings, a prince makes a promise that tears him away from his love. An ordinary baker’s daughter finds herself caught in the middle of a game where the winner earns the queen’s crown. They both want what they can’t have as they struggle toward a seemingly impossible happily ever after.
A Castle for Christmas (by Susan K. Beatty): Sadie Foster abhors wealth. Will Randolph, on the other hand, works for the uber-wealthy owner of an over-the-top castle on the California coast–Sadie’s father. When Christopher Foster leaves the castle to her, Sadie doesn’t want anything to do with it or his money. But what if Sadie and Will use the castle and her inheritance for the good of others—together?
An Irish Christmas Heart (by Jennifer Sienes): Will she choose love or an arranged marriage? In the midst of post-famine unrest, Eleanor Blake, daughter of an English nobleman, is thrown into a maelstrom of emotions. How will she escape the duty for which she was born and the confines of the ill-fated Menlo Castle of Galway, Ireland to find her true love?
Christmas at Curwood’s Castle (by Melissa Wardwell): A Christmas party at Curwood Castle should have been Angel Davis’ Cinderella moment. Especially when her dear friend Jimmy arrives. Instead, one obstacle after another threatens to break any chance at a happily-ever-after.
Christmas in the Cotswolds (by Stacy T. Simmons): She’s a paleontologist and ardent Jane Austen fan. He’s enmeshed in the exactitude of mathematics, can they find common ground? Do opposites attract, will the romantic castle, and dashing duke be the undoing of Victoria’s plans?
Grab a mug of something hot and delicious and curl up somewhere comfy. Your literary chariots await to take you on a journey from an early twentieth-century castle in the San Gabriel Mountains of California all the way across the pond to the beautiful Cotswolds of England. These six novellas, all set in castles real and fictional, celebrate the heart and joy of Christmas in this second volume of castle Christmas novellas.
Christmas at Curwood’s Castle (by Melissa Wardwell) Even though A Christmas party at Curwood Castle should have been Angel Davis’ Cinderella moment, it just didn’t happen.
A Castle for Christmas (by Susan K. Beatty) While Sadie Foster abhors wealth. Will Randolph works works for her wealthy father.
Christmas in the Cotswolds (by Stacy T. Simmons) Do opposites attract, will the romantic castle, and dashing duke be the undoing of Victoria’s plans?
These are the stories I read in this book so far. Each involves a castle, love and hopefully a happy ever after. I enjoyed these three stories so much and I plan to read the others during the Christmas season.
I loved these stories. Each story is different, yet they were alike. I enjoyed each journey and I loved the castles. And I was so nervous with the Happy ever afters for each of the couples. It just didn’t look like it would happen. None of them did. But they are all a sweet story that I will re-read again before Christmas because I love the sweet endings. If you are looking for a good Christmas read, this one is fabulous. With six short stories in one book, it makes it easy to read one story and stop. I love reading these kinds of books this time of year. This one is getting Five Stars from me.
A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
About the Authors
USA Today Bestselling author of Aggie and Past Forward series, Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her at chautona.com and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.
Jennifer Sienes holds a bachelor’s in psychology and a master’s in education, but discovered life-experience is the best teacher. She loves Jesus, romance and writing—and puts it altogether in inspirational contemporary fiction. Her daughter’s TBI and brother’s suicide inspired two of her three novels. Although fiction writing is her real love, she’s had several non-fiction pieces published in anthologies including several in Chicken Soup for the Soul. She has two grown children and one very spoiled Maltese. California born and raised, she recently took a step of faith with her real-life hero and relocated to Tennessee.
Tabitha Bouldin is a student at Southern New Hampshire University, where she is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s in Creative Writing. As a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), she works with critique groups and provides endorsements for other authors. Tabitha’s genre of choice is Contemporary Christian Romance which she describes as: Adventure with heart. Tabitha spent ten years working as a Medical Assistant before God opened the door which allowed her to become a stay-at-home-homeschooling-mom and author.
Melissa Wardwell resides in Owosso, Michigan with her husband and three teen-aged children.She doesn’t mind alternating between the world of writing and the reality of being a mother, but she would rather sit with a good book or a good friend and a cup of coffee. When she isn’t penning works of fiction, she is busy reviewing books for her blog, Back Porch Reads. To see more from Melissa Wardwell, visit www.melissawardwell.com
Who says you can’t begin a new career after middle age? Certainly not Susan K. Beatty. She is passionate about writing about finding courage through faith and grit, particularly through the trials of breast cancer and other life trials. Her daughter is a metastatic breast cancer “thriver” and has been an inspiration for her writing. Susan’s first novel, Faces of Courage, debuted May 2021, as part of the Faces of Courage series, including several novelettes. She is also the author of An Introduction to Home Education (AKA California Homeschool Manual). Susan is a professional writer/journalist and is active in the writer community. She is proof you can begin a fiction writing career at any age.
Stacy T. Simmons writes uplifting fiction that delights the reader’s romantic sensibilities. Thirty-four years of marital bliss is a great contributor. She is a mom of two grown children, and she and her family have a menagerie of pets she likes to call “Noah’s Ark.” You can find her working on her next manuscript with a piece of dark chocolate and a cup of coffee nearby. Connect with Stacy on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and her blog, Fueled by Faith and Caffeine.
More from Tabitha
Castles near and far. Over time and across worlds both real and fictional. When it came time to write for Keeping Christmas, the world opened up to offer each of us a jewel for our stories. While I chose to base my castle off of a real castle in Romania, others chose a different route. Yet we all came together with a singular mission to write stories about Christmas and to bring the joy of Christ into each and every book. Keeping Christmas is about more than overseeing a holiday. It is looking back through the years of Christmases far and wide, from our real world through fantasy lands some of us dreamed up, and keeping the spirit of the season alive.
Come and keep Christmas with us as we journey across land and sea, through the skies on an airship, and deep into the contemporary halls and towering turrets. Here you’ll meet characters to fall in love with and read stories that span the ages, from a scribe in King Herod’s castle to a paleontologist in the Cotswolds.
Formerly the wild child of three sisters, Emma Marano grew up to be a single mom working two jobs, estranged from her mother, and lying to her friends. She’d told everyone that her daughter’s father wanted nothing to do with his child, but in reality, her own inability to deal with her mistakes and shame led to the biggest lie of her life. But her daughter, Haley, is all Emma has in the world, so how can she regret keeping Haley to herself? Emma’s struggling, though, and her life is slowly imploding.
Right after high school, Justin Lee broke up with Emma Marano and joined the Army, leaving her and all her drama behind. Years later, he stumbles upon her and what turns out to be a daughter he never knew he had. Angry and confused, he insists on having a relationship with his daughter, but to do so, he’ll need to rebuild some sort of relationship with Emma, too. As he gets to know his daughter—and Emma again—he soon realizes that his biggest mistake was leaving her all those years ago. What he dismissed as drama turns out to be a serious mental health issue, and Emma needs help. Now, Justin has to decide if he can see past her flaws and forgive her lies, and together, they’ll have to work to reclaim their love and a faith in each other and in God, or they risk losing something precious in the process.
Yes. I grew up in the backwoods of the Virginia mountains and there was no kindergarten. My parents didn’t send me to school ready to learn—I didn’t even know the alphabet when I went into first grade. But, somehow, by third grade, I was writing poetry. God equips you for His purpose.
2. How long did it take to publish your first novel.
I wrote my first novel in high school, but didn’t publish a novel until I was in my fifties. So, the answer is a very long time. Having said that, I went to college, graduate school, and became a tenure professor in between so I only count the summer months. 3. Do you like music or silence when you write?
If I am going to really concentrate, I need silence. The most important thing is nobody talking to me…which is hard since my home office is in the middle of the house with this rocking chair facing my desk. I should probably get rid of that chair. 4. Where do you get inspiration for your stories? Family? Friends? Yourself?
I find inspiration everywhere—my heroines sometimes have a bit of me in them, or maybe a friend from church or my sister or my daughter. I read the newspaper every day and the plot might thicken in its pages. And my hero will always have a little of my husband in him. 5. How did you go about developing the setting(s) for this story?
Why They Call It Falling got its start in Christmas Confusion. That book was written in three and a half weeks, in order to answer an email call for Christmas novellas. I built the story around a woman whose sister was a single mother so she helped out by watching her niece every other weekend. The sister, Emma, didn’t show up to retrieve her daughter one Sunday and no one knew where she was. A lot of my readers had a visceral dislike of Emma for doing this. Now, in this third book, Emma is redeemed.
Since I wrote that first book so quickly—I wrote about my hometown of Charleston, South Carolina and its suburbs of Summerville and Goose Creek (melded together in a mythical town called Summer Creek). 6. Tell us a little about your plans for the future. Where do you see yourself as a writer in five years?
I will be retiring as a professor in a little over six years. So, I hope to retire into being a full-time writer. I want to write a book of devotions reflecting my expertise as a child psychologist. I want to continue to write Christian contemporary romance but branch out into speculative. There are so many stories percolating in this head of mine!
About the Author
A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Christina Sinisi writes stories about families, both the broken and blessed. Her works include a semi-finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest and the American Title IV Contest where she appeared in the top ten in the Romantic Times magazine. Her published books include Christmas Confusion, Sweet Summer, and Christmas on Ocracoke. By day, she is a psychology professor and lives in the LowCountry of South Carolina with her husband, two children and her crazy cat Chessie Mae.
More from Christina
In Why They Call It Falling, the hero discovers he has a daughter he didn’t know existed when he sees his ex-girlfriend in a strawberry patch at Boone Hall Plantation (here in Charleston, South Carolina). In the book, the name of the plantation had to be changed to protect the innocent, but the recipe below doesn’t.
This recipe comes from a cookbook titled, Charleston Receipts Repeats. This book has modern recipes, as well as old-fashioned ones dating back through generations. It’s a perfect accompaniment to my Charleston-based romance.
Strawberry Pie I
1 9-inch pie shell, baked and cooled
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup water
Dash salt
1 3-ounce strawberry jello (delete 1 tablespoon)
1 pint strawberries
Whipped cream
In a saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch, water, and salt.
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thick and clear.
Add strawberry jello.
Pour half of mixture into pie shell.
Arrange strawberries in jello mixture.
Pour remaining mixture over strawberries.
Refrigerate until congealed.
Serve with whipping cream.
Serves 6 to 8. Chill 3 to 4 hours.
Enjoy, and think of the sweet taste of summer and the enduring love of fall. Second chances are often the most delicious!
Victoria Randall has it all—a new job in an ideal locale and the eye of Chad, the hunkiest guy in her apartment building. Christmas is going to be great this year. But when a call from her best guy friend back in Bay Town tells her that her grandmother isn’t doing well, she decides to fly to Grandma’s rescue.
Art has loved Victoria since they were five, but after she returns and keeps him locked into total friend zone he decides to let his hopes go. Easier said than done when he spends so much time with her, making and delivering her grandmother’s fruitcakes. Add to that the legend of love surrounding them, and well… it’s tough.
A horrible accident puts things into perspective for both Art and Victoria, but Art decides it’s too late, and when some guy shows up acting like Victoria’s boyfriend, he’s sure of it. By the time she’s ready to head back to California, all hope of a romance between them seems lost—right up to the moment her grandmother thrusts a piece of fruitcake into her hands.
Are the matchmaking properties of Sally Trotman’s fruitcake their last chance at a happily-ever-after? Find out in Let Them Eat Fruitcake—a story of faith, romance, and of course, fruitcake.
MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK
I love a good clean romance I can read during the Christmas season, and Let Them Eat Fruitcake is one I enjoyed and had so much fun reading. Victoria Randall is doing well for herself, a good job, a good looking guy, and she’s happy. That is until she gets the call that her grandma isn’t doing well, and this sends her off the California to help. She knows her good friend Art will be there, but there’s nothing between them but friendship. Well, that is what she thinks. Art is different, he’s been in love with Victoria since they were five years old, and that love still shines.
Kathleen J. Robison writes an amazing Chtisymas read, with loveable characters that I grew to love immediately. Grandma is just adorable, and loves her fruitcakes. Art has already been helping her with delivery, but she still needs Valerie. I think it’s neat as well that the author’s mother in law also has s wonderful Fruitcake recipe, and ask Kathleen to help her make them. So now the recipe is will keep going in the family.
I enjoyed the scenes with Victoria and Art, and could see they were getting closer, even though they couldn’t. And it takes Grandma to get jump in and try her hand at matchmaking. What do you think? Did Grandma succeed? Or did Victoria go back to her happy little life and forget about her longtime friend, Art? This is a sweet book for anyone looking for that perfect Christmas story. This book gets Five Stars from me.
A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Kathleen J. Robison is an Okinawan-American, born in Okinawa, and raised in California, Florida, Mississippi, and Singapore. Her travels and her family are the sources of her inspiration for her books. Kathleen and her Pastor husband have eight adult children. Seven are married, blessing them with eighteen grandchildren and counting. Her ethnically diverse background extends to her family of currently thirty-five personalities which provide many opportunities to share God’s amazing love amidst the challenges of real life.
More from Kathleen
Writing this book has been a treasured time, and I’m so excited it’s released. Joining Miz Sally again (from previous Bay Town Books) and meeting her granddaughter, Victoria and love interest, Art, was a delightful journey of love and faith at Christmas. I hope you’ll feel the magic (God’s spirit) as much as I felt moved by Him to write it.
Although totally fictional, it’s personal, and close to my heart. My mother-in-law has baked fruitcakes forever. I even remember her mother, from Wales, baking fruitcakes over fifty years ago, but I wasn’t a fan of the sweet bread then. And I don’t remember how the story idea came about, but when it did, I knew I wanted to bake with my mother-in-law, red-haired Harriet…well, white-haired now. But still as feisty as the reputation of redheads, and so very generous.
My mother-in-law turned ninety-eight on this book’s release date, and she is still baking fruitcakes. Dozens of loaves. She continues to live in her own home, cooks, cleans, and drives to pick up great-grandchildren after school. Needless to say, she’s amazing. Two years ago, when I decided to write Let Them Eat Fruitcake, the first thing I wanted to do was ask if I could bake with her. I didn’t have to. She called my husband and said, “Let me talk to Kathy.” We were both quite shocked, as she’d never asked to talk to me before. Although I share a close relationship with her, her phone calls are reserved for mother-son conversations.
“Kathy, I was thinking…I want you to come make fruitcakes with me. No one else is interested in it, and I’d like to pass it down to you.” I almost cried. It definitely was a God-winked moment, and I told her so. And we did. We’ve baked and passed out the luscious cakes for two years in a row. My own grandmother also made fruitcakes, but all my family says Harriet’s is the best. So, I look forward to baking again with her this Christmas. I wish I could pass on the recipe, but it’s a mega batch! If you go on my FB Author Page and/or my blog at www.kathleenjrobison.com/blog, there’s a video that shows what I mean. I pray that Let Them Eat Fruitcake blesses the readers and points them to following the Spirit of God moving in their lives. Whether it’s through fruitcake or anything else! I hope you enjoy this fun Christmas romance.
Two families, worlds apart. Can they each find hope in the crucible of suffering?
All Lynnie Min ever wanted was to be a wife and mother. But when tragedy strikes her family, she’s left with nothing but her faith to begin life again. While pursuing a career she never wanted, can the precious faith she was raised on withstand betrayal by a hostile former friend, now a professor whose ideologies conflict with her own? And why do her puzzling dreams feature only one of her daughters, not both?
Out of a smoking ruin in northern Nigeria, Ihsan bin Ibrahim stumbles upon the solution to his wife’s barrenness and longing. But family ties have a long reach. Will he make the ultimate sacrifice to follow his conscience, even if it means losing the child he loves?
Wow! Flame of Mercy takes readers on a rollercoaster ride that last from beginning to end! Lynnie Min is happy with being a wife and mother, until tragedy strikes and her life is totally changed. Lynnie struggles with many emotions, including that of a former friend who decides to betray her. Lonnie moved back to Canada to start life over, but these weird but realistic dreams she is having about Nigeria just won’t leave her.
This is a wonderful story, but sometimes it was very difficult to read. The excruciating hurtful pain was so real I could feel it through the pages. The emotions were everywhere. What Lynnie Min endured was more than any human could handle, but she had the hand of God on her. And her very strong faith brought here through when it seemed there was no way to keep going. This is a book everyone should read. Even thought it is full of heartwrenching tragedy, it is also full of hope in the God Lynnie knew. The God she trusted was faithful. Readers will see the love and faithfulness of God. They will see God’s hand on this character as she puts her total faith in the God she loves and trust. There are so many twists and turns in this book, making it seem so realistic. I highly recommend this book. For me, this is a Five Star read.
About the Author
From her home in central Alberta, Canada, Eleanor Bertin writes fiction that ponders the depths of God’s love and mercy to humanity.
She is the author of The Ties That Bind series, Lifelines, Unbound, and Tethered, as well as the memoir, Pall of Silence, about her late son, Paul. She lives with her husband of more than 40 years and their youngest son, in what will someday be a beautiful century home. www.eleanorbertinauthor.com
More from Eleanor
If you’ve read any amount of secular fiction these days, you must be shuddering at the landscape of the family in the world today. Strife and resentment, rivalry and spite–seems there’s nothing but dysfunction as far as the eye can see. And while conflict is necessary to any novel’s plot, I wanted to write about a stable family, a loving family, one that, while imperfect, still nurtured and protected its members with acceptance and harmony.
On top of that, I wanted to depart from my previous novels where the main characters were not believers. In Flame of Mercy, Lynnie is the main character whose trust in Jesus stands firm despite going through the fires of adversity. Her family is one of the reasons for that strength.
But of course, even the best, most faithful families have their quirks. Enter the grandmothers. Grandma Hardy is stiff, stilted, and staunch in her Christian beliefs. Nanny Roundell is sugar-loving, jolly, and lets mentions of faith slide off her chubby body with a smile. Their beliefs do not align with their personae. This paradox was suggested to me by a friend as I described the contrast between two elderly relatives, sweet Christian and sour unbeliever.
“Aren’t you glad it’s not the other way around?” she asked.
Because we all know it can be. Sometimes Christians look nothing like their Lord. And non-Christians can live blissfully inconsistent with their evil master’s agenda.
And so, I had fun writing these two ladies! “The grandmothers sat next to each other, one short and round, one tall and skinny. The Ball and Bat, we used to call them when we were kids, and I’d never been able to see them differently ever since. Come to think of it, Nanny, the Ball, was like a baseball in other ways besides physical. She had always been reactionary, flung here and there with every wind of doctrine but without any viewpoint of her own. By contrast, Grandma Hardy was the Bat. She stood alone, stiff and sturdy, unwavering, and if necessary, could give you a good whack to get you moving in the right direction.
“My sister was what Grandma frowningly called ‘frivolous.’ And Lissa was mischievous enough to purposely do things that would get Grandma’s goat. I mean, deliberately cavorting through the sprinkler in a bikini directly in front of Grandma’s kitchen window was outright asking for a lecture. You couldn’t call it a scolding since Grandma never raised her voice, but it was always a one-way communication generously salted with Bible verses. Lissa told me Grandma even referred to hand-written notes a couple of times while talking to her. And Grandma’s tone carried the expectation that we would change our ways accordingly. We had been taught to respect our elders so there was no answering back. We only meekly listened.” With Grandma, there was no statute of limitations and past sins could receive present censure.
Nanny’s eyes twinkled. “I’m feeling better every day. It’s given me my life back. Why, with my dentures and glasses, a new knee, and a titanium hip, I’m eighty percent fake.” She cackled her infectious laugh and we joined in, exchanging glances. Being in Nanny’s presence infallibly lifted my spirits.
“This cheesecake is delicious, Sue,” Nanny chimed in. “I could keep on eating and eating if I weren’t already so full after an excellent meal.”
Grandma frowned at what she doubtless saw as gluttony, one of the seven deadly sins. Thankfully she restrained herself this time…She set her fork down beside her plate that still held half her slice of cheesecake and taking her napkin, dabbed at her lips. “This is certainly a rich dessert.”
I hope you enjoy reading about the Hardy family’s faith and foibles as much as I have in writing them. Look for a bit of Grandma’s back story in my story in this year’s Mosaic Christmas anthology.
This story was previously part of The Hope of Christmas collection.
They’re supposed to be allies, but mutual distrust puts this pair on opposite sides.
Emma O’Sullivan is one of the first female doctors to enlist after President Franklin Roosevelt signs the order allowing women in the Army and Navy medical corps. Within weeks, Emma is assigned to England to set up a convalescent hospital, and she leaves behind everything that is familiar. When the handsome widower of the requisitioned property claims she’s incompetent and tries to get her transferred, she must prove to her superiors she’s more than capable. But she’s soon drawn to the good-looking, grieving owner. Will she have to choose between her job and her heart?
Archibald “Archie” Heron is the last survivor of the Heron dynasty, his two older brothers having been lost at Dunkirk and Trondheim and his parents in the Blitz. After his wife is killed in a bombing raid while visiting Brighton, he begins to feel like a modern-day Job. To add insult to injury, the British government requisitions his country estate, Heron Hall, for the U.S. Army to use as a hospital. The last straw is when the hospital administrator turns out to be a fiery, ginger-haired American woman. She’s got to go. Or does she?
A Doctor in the House, by Linda Shenton Matchett is set in WWII, at a time in which a home was needed to care for the patients. Dr. Emma O’Sullivan finds herself setting up a convalescent home using the beautiful home of Archibald “Archie” Heron. When he finds the Dr. is a woman, he was not happy at all. There is a lot of tension and emotions between these two all throughout the story. Readers will find themselves amazed at these two characters. At first I didn’t really like Archie, but he grew on me as the story unfolds, and I ended up liking him a lot.
There’s a lot happening in this short story. I like how Dr. Emma shows that she is competent in her work as a Dr. Archie was so sure she would fail. But there was a lot if tension flying around among the two of them, and Archie couldn’t deny the fact that he was attracted to this Dr. This is a really good story and I can tell how much research went into this book by the vivid details in each scene. If WWII is your cup of tea, I strongly encourage you to check out this book. I believe it is one you are sure to enjoy reading. I’m giving this one Five Stars.
A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
About the Author
Linda Shenton Matchett writes about ordinary people who did extraordinary things in days gone by. A volunteer docent and archivist for the Wright Museum of WWII, Linda is a former trustee for her local public library. She is a native of Baltimore, Maryland and was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry. Linda has lived in historic places all her life, and is now located in central New Hampshire where her favorite activities include exploring historic sites and immersing herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors.
More from Linda
Dear Reader:
As a long-time Human Resources professional, I’m fascinated by the history of women in the workforce, especially during the World War II era when many filled jobs previously held by men. A Doctor in the House came about when two bits of information collided with me on the same day.
I’m an avid fan of the BBC mystery show “Foyle’s War” about a detective chief superintendent located in Hastings, England. He’d rather be “doing his bit” for the war effort, but he continues to be assigned to regular police work. One of the episodes takes place in a huge country home that was requisitioned by the British government for use as a hospital.
Research turned up the fact that the British government took over people’s homes (whether or not the inhabitants were willing to give up the house). Later that day I was creating “this day in history” posts for my social media account and one of the events was Dr. Margaret Craighill becoming the first commissioned officer in the US Army Medical Corps. Previously, women were not afforded this opportunity.
I dug into Dr. Craighill’s story, and there were several references to difficulties she encountered by people who didn’t think women belonged in the military or in officer positions within the military. I thought the combination of a man who isn’t happy to have lost the use of his home with an American female doctor in charge of the hospital had the makings of a fun story. I hope you agree!
They’ve been in love for ten years, but it takes an interfering neighbor with a penchant for poker to unravel the mystery of their persistent platonic relationship.
Flirtation can be an art, or so they say. Well, if so, Ruth and Richard are “the old masters” of the flirting game. Despite their strictly platonic relationship, there’s “something there,” as so many of their friends and families say. Neighbors and friends for ten years, neither seems willing to change the course of their relationship.
Three doors down, at the end of the cul-de-sac, Mason Dickenson has watched his favorite neighbors with an interested eye, but he’s finally had it with the dance. So, with a pack of cards and a few tricks up his sleeve, he’s determined to get them out of the “friend rut” and into romance.
Thanks to Mason’s unique matchmaking scheme, Ruth and Richard concoct one of their own—a deeper, stronger, eternal love and relationship that nothing on earth can match.
The Matchmakers of Holly Circle is about Ruth and Richard, two people who have been in a platonic relationship for ten years. It seems that everyone on their street knows they are in love except this duo. Finally, a gentleman a few doors down decides to beef up his matchmaking skills to show them their real feelings for each other. But does it work.
I love this beautiful and fun story, and it gets better the more you read. Chautona Havig does a fabulous job writing this sweet romance with a bit of underlying mystery. Mason’s matchmaking skills he uses are exceptional, and very intriguing. The entire story was so well written, the characters, some I really love and some I really didn’t, but we need them all to came the story more colorful and enjoyable. It’s truly a sweet Christmas story you are sure to want to read during the Christmas season. I am happy to give The Matchmakers of Holly Circle by Chautona Havig Five out of Five Stars.
**And as a special note. You can find The Matchmakers of Holly Circle by Chautona Havig on Kindle Unlimited, along with many other Christmas stories from this author.
A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
About the Author
USA Today Bestselling author of Aggie and Past Forward series, Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her at chautona.com and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.
More from Chautona
Download a free short story that happens 10 years before the book begins?
The Bible answers with one word: Love. What am I to do when my love is weak and in short supply? What difference does godly love make in the rush of everyday living? These are questions that Christians ask and need answered.
Love Matters answers these vital questions and others through a careful examination of what the Word of God has to say about reproducing God’s love in the exercise of personal faith. Love Matters is unique in developing this study of love in a redemptive-historical setting.
Love Matters is a biblical study of the divine call to love God and others wholeheartedly and the means by which the believer can overcome deficiencies in that call.
1. How long does it take you to write a book? including research, it took me six years to write me first book, This Is Love. Love Matters, took six years as well. This doesn’t count the years of preparation behind my considering the subject of love in the Bible. It commanded my attention in biblical study of the subject in preaching, teaching and counseling.
2. What do you like best about writing non-fiction? it has been the joy of my life to serve the Lord as a pastor and preacher for over 50 years, and to take the knowledge I’ve gleaned and translating it into books that I pray are faithful to the Word of God and bring him glory. After all the chief end of man is to glorify God as the Westminster Shorter Catechism reminds us.
3. What do you hope readers will take away from this story? Allow me to share a paragraph from the Introduction to my first book, “I pray that this book will enrich your understanding of the love of God… I pray that you will be fired up to read your Bible and read it with a new appreciation… I pray that the love of Christ may be reproduced in your own life. Jesus loved us to the uttermost and calls us to love one another as he has loved us. If you are a stranger to the grace and glory of the love of God, I pray, the by means of this book, God will open your heart to receive that love, so that you too may come to love him, and your neighbor, as Jesus love you.”
4. What is something memorable you have heard from your readers? One day an unexpected letter came. In it a college coed wrote that my book, This Is Love, changed her life. It was one of several indications of the impact my book has had on my readers by the grace of God. He alone does wondrous things.
5. How do you make non-fiction interesting and engaging while still being informative and writing the facts? Illustratins tha fit the narrative. I’ve been told by more than one reader how helpful the illustrations have been.
About the Author
Neil Tolsma was born on February 5, 1935, Saddle Brook, NJ. Met his wife, Lenore Merop, at Garfield Community Church (where he had made his profession of Christ as his Savior at the age of 17) and they were married on August 29, 1959. They had both been part of the Billy Graham Choir that introduced the popular hymn, How Great Thou Art, to America the summer of 1957. He graduated from Shelton College, Ringwood, NJ, 1962 with A.B. And from Westminster Theological Seminary 1965, B.D./M.Div. Ordained by the Presbytery of the South, Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 1965. Served as pastor of Bethel Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 1965 to 1974, Falls Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, 1974 until his retirement in 2004. They are the parents of three daughters and 8 grandchildren. Neil is the author of This Is Love: Tracing the Love of God throughout the Biblical Story.
More from Neil
Why Another Book on Love
Walk into any bookstore, Christian or general market, big or small, and you’re sure to be inundated by books on love, both fiction and nonfiction. How to love your spouse or significant other. How to love your children. How to love yourself. Love, love, love. That’s all we seem to hear about today. Love in all its forms, both good and evil.
So, then, why would I write another nonfiction book on love? Aren’t there plenty to choose from already? Well, yes and no. There are many on the shelves. Have your pick. But how many of those talk about what real, biblical love is, why we are to love, and where our one and only source of love is?
So many people today don’t know what love truly is. We have romanticized versions of flowers, chocolates, and violins. We dream of being swept off our feet and spending every waking minute with someone who will cherish us above all else. One of the most popular sayings of the day is Love Is Love.
Is it really? How do we know what true love is? That understanding only comes from God and his word to us. Only through him and in him do we find pure, holy, agape love. Love that sacrificed his only Son for us to give eternal life to us sinners—the impure, unholy, and filthy.
And so that’s why I wrote Love Matters. Because it does. It matters to our lives today, in how we relate to our spouses, our children, our family members, and the world at large. It matters to our eternity in how we view our salvation and how we are to love our Lord. It matters when we’re old and when we’re young, when we’re at home and when we’re at work, when we agree with someone and when we disagree with them.
Throughout my fifty years of in-depth Bible study as a pastor and counselor, I was brought back time and time again to the Bible to discover what love is. Over and over, I returned to the command God gave in Exodus, that we are to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, souls, strength, and minds, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
Because God is love and love matters to him, it has to matter to us.
It’s not easy being the bishop’s daughter, especially for Lydie Stoltzfus. She’s not like other Amish girls, as much as she wishes she were. The only thing she does well is disappoint others. Leaving her family and church seems unbearable, but staying might be worse.
Knowing Lydie is “between” jobs, the local doctor asks her to fill in at the front desk for a few months. To Lydie, this is a boon. It gives her time to figure out how she’s going to say goodbye to her neighbor, Nathan Yoder–the main reason she needs to leave Stoney Ridge. Nathan claims he’s in love with her, but she knows she’s not good enough for him. If in doubt, Nathan’s father reminds her frequently.
As Dok spends time with Lydie, she recognizes symptoms of an uncommon disorder among the Amish. She offers treatment for Lydie. But will it be enough to make her stay? Or has help come too late?
Suzanne Woods Fisher is a Christy finalist, a Carol Award winner, a two-time ECPA Book of the Year finalist, and the Publishers Weekly, ECPA, CBA, bestselling author of more than thirty books. Her genres include contemporary and historical romances, Amish romance, and women’s fiction. She and her husband live in a small town in California, where everyone knows everyone else, knows what they are doing and why. Most folks act a little nervous around Suzanne because they usually wind up in one of her novels. She has four grown children and enough grandchildren to keep her young. Visit Suzanne at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com
MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK
I have been reading books by Suzanne Woods Fisher for a long time and have loved every one of them, just as I love this one. I felt so bad for Lydia because she never felt she belonged. She didn’t feel she was good enough for her Beau, and she just didn’t want to be in the community anymore. But when she started work for the local Dr., the more time Lydia spends there the more the Dok recognizes her symptoms. Will Lydia take the treatments she needs in order to help her condition?
I like that Ms. Fisher deals with a very difficult issue, that doesn’t happen with the Amish so much, but still here it is. Fisher does am amazing job with crafting her characters and writing them into the story so well. The Sweet Amish community was well detailed and I think the new medical issue made a difference in Lydia and her family. I’m always excited to read a Suzanne Woods Fisher and I am honored I can read and review this one. If you enjoy a clean Amish fiction with the Christian faith running through its characters, you will love this one. I’m giving Anything But Plain 5 Stars. And doesn’t that name fit the story so well?
A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
More from Suzanne
Easily Distracted? 8 Strategies to Help Stay Focused
Anything but Plain is a story about a young Amish woman with undiagnosed ADHD. Lydie Stoltzfus feels like a square peg in a round hole. She just doesn’t fit in and, to make matters worse, she’s the bishop’s daughter. At this point, the only path forward she can see is to leave Stoney Ridge. Leave her church, her friends, her family, her neighbor Nathan Yoder. It’s better to leave, Lydie decides, than to keep disappointing everyone she cares about. I won’t say anymore so that I don’t spoil the story for you.
ADHD is not a common diagnosis among the Amish and many might assume it’s not a real thing. Of course, they’re mistaken. ADHD is a real thing. While I don’t have ADHD, I do have many friends and family members who have been diagnosed. It’s challenging! And something we should all take seriously. Here’s why:
Evidence is mounting that a growing dependence on digital devices could be giving all of us some ADHD-like symptoms. Have you wondered if distractibility is becoming a problem for you? Or has a spouse or child or friend remarked on how often you pick up your phone to check a text message or scroll Instagram? You might remain physically present but your mind has wandered away. For me, the answer is, regrettably, yes.
There’s a recurring phrase in Anything but Plain that comes from an old-fashioned farming term: Walking the beans. Literally, it means weeding by hand. Figuratively, it means paying attention to our priorities. To pull the weeds before they take root.
One of the takeaway lessons of this book is to “walk the beans” of technology’s role in my life. So…I’ve been working on a few strategies. When I practice, I see a difference. Life is calmer. More manageable.
So…I wanted to pass these tips along to you. (If you have little children, these might not work for you. Not when your little ones are awake, anyway.) Hopefully, you’ll find them to be useful, and maybe spark some strategies of your own.
Make a plan. I start the day with an index card and write down the day’s priorities. And I check off tasks as I finish them!
Go off-line. Create an environment that helps you stay focused. Turn your cell phone to silent. If working on the computer, close your email app. Put yourself in distraction-free mode until you’re accomplished what you need to do
Finish one task before moving on to the next. Even little tasks.
Distractibility is at its peak during transitions. Build in margin. For example, arrive a few minutes early instead of rushing in a few minutes late.
When distractions are high, make tasks smaller and break down your large projects into smaller tasks to help you concentrate and give you a sense of accomplishment and progress.
When I’m facing a big task, I’ll break it down into smaller, more manageable pieces.
Set a deadline for a task. Beat the clock! Use a timer.
Rewards! When I beat the clock, I’ll take a break from computer work and pop up to the garden, text a friend, walk the dog. Something that feels good.
Genre: Christian Fiction/ Historical / Romance / Intrigue
Release date: September 1, 2022
My Rating: Five of Five Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A University Student Smuggles Children Out of Amsterdam
Full of intrigue, adventure, and romance, this series celebrates the unsung heroes—the heroines of WWII.
Helen Smit believed she was called by God to become a teacher. Little does she know that her care for kids will take a drastic turn for survival when the Germans occupy Amsterdam and Jewish children and parents begin to be deported. Now all she can think of is helping all the kids escape before it’s too late.
Erik Misman’s newfound love for Helen is tested when he joins a plot to help move Jewish children to a safe place in the countryside. If danger can foster a closer bond with Helen and save the lives of the little ones, he will do it all. But a German patrol that stumbles upon the farm where they are hiding with three children and a soldier who takes an unexpected interest in Helen, could well destroy their plans for safety and love.
Escape from Amsterdam by Lauralee Blissis is from a series put out by Barbour Books celebrates the unsung heroes—the with the children. I’m glad so many children were able to escape.
MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK
Escape from Amsterdam by Lauralee Bliss is part of the Unsung Heroines of WWII series. Set in the Netherlands in 1939, some of the storyline is quite difficult to read, though it’s a big part of the story. Taking the children from their homes to a hiding place was necessary to try and save them, but it was difficult on the parents. As a parent, I can’t imagine.
Helen was a teacher, but she had the job of helping hid the children and Erik Aldo helped in this endeavor. There was so much fear, as you can imagine, among the families. My heart was hurting for these children and their parents. This is truly unsung heroes that most people never hear about. I think the characters were well developed and the author does a really great job of writing this book. The detailed events and scenes are so realistic and well thought out. If you enjoy WWII stories, this is one you definitely want to read. I’m giving this one Five out of Five Stars.
A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
About the Author
Lauralee Bliss is a published author of many romance novels and novellas, both historical and contemporary. Lauralee’s prayer is that readers will come away with both an entertaining story and a lesson that speaks to the heart and soul. When not writing, Lauralee can often be found on the trails where the author has logged over 10,000 miles of hiking. She makes her home in the Blue Ridge mountains with her family. Visit Lauraleebliss.com for more information about the author and her adventures.
More from Lauralee Bliss
Oh, the simple beauty of the Netherlands. Windmills. Tulips. Dutch wooden clogs. Beautiful Delftware and delicious speculaas cookies. Quaint villages nestled beside the waters. And here I am, an American that was able to visit this beautiful country on the heels of my husband winning a contest through his work. We had planned to immerse ourselves in Dutch culture, see the sites, and yes, visit places like the Secret Annex of Anne Frank and the town where Corrie ten Boom and The Hiding Place existed. Little did I realize though that this unique trip would become a journey into the heart of a hurting country in World War II. During our time there, we visited the Jewish Quarter in the center of Amsterdam and learned the details of Nazi occupation for many years that eventually caused two-thirds of the Dutch Jewish population to be exterminated. Walking in the place where a theater once stood and Jewish people gathered there to be deported was indescribable. Seeing the Jewish stars embedded in the pavement and noting the name of a man or woman killed at Auschwitz, was heart-wrenching. But through these horrendous details came the strength of courage and heroism. Across the street from the theater, Jewish children were rescued because of the efforts of those who gave everything to see them go into hiding. Thus the book, “Escape from Amsterdam” was born. It honors those that aided and hid Jewish children from the Nazis to avoid deportation. I am grateful for the opportunity to write this story of two common Dutch people, a college student and a grocery store clerk, called to a dangerous mission to save the innocent when the odds were the greatest. It is a timely book that magnifies the strength of courage in adversity and allows us to become better people because of it. I hope you enjoy this journey and as you do, remember those who came before us and allow their acts of courage to encourage you to persevere, no matter what.
About the Book
splashesofjoy 