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Readers who fell in love with Adelaide in All My Secrets will be excited to read this Christmas novella, Waiting for Christmas. Listen in and see why this book has all the vibes of beloved Christmas classics.
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I love Christmas, and Gilde-Age stories with their strong contrasts between the wealthy and poverty-stricken offers great fodder for stories, but add in a bit of "fish-out-of-water" and a little mystery, and you've got the makings of a fabulous story.
Waiting for Christmas by Lynn Austin
In this hope-filled Gilded Age Christmas novella from bestselling author Lynn Austin, the year is 1901 and the hustle and bustle of the holidays is descending on New York’s Fifth Avenue.
The novella length of this delightful work of Christmas fiction about the true meaning of Christmas makes this a great stocking stuffer or host/hostess gift Beautiful hardcover, giftable size Great companion to All My Secrets by Lynn Austin Includes discussion questions for book clubs
For the first time in her privileged life, Adelaide Forsythe won’t be swept up in it. She couldn’t be happier about the prospect of a quieter Christmas. That’s not to say her transition from Miss to Mrs. has been without challenge. Though she doesn’t regret marrying for love instead of wealth, she can barely light the hearth or cook more than burnt toast. She feels woefully unprepared to run her own household.
Then, on the first Sunday of Advent, winter winds bring change through two unlikely means: a young orphan boy, hiding near Adelaide’s front steps, and a seasoned housekeeper who seems too good to be true.
The boy, Jack, claims he isn’t an orphan at all and is desperate to reunite his family. Adelaide and her husband Howard work tirelessly to solve the riddle of Jack’s story, while Adelaide’s new endeavors open her eyes to a world beyond her past experience—and all the challenge and possibility it holds. As Christmas approaches, small glimmers of wonder light the way toward the answers Adaleide seeks and the most miraculous gift of all.
Learn more about Lynn Austin on her website. And don't forget to follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.
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College in Ireland? Sign me up! Colleen Marie has a fabulous new series with all things Irish and horses. Listen in to learn more.
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I haven't read a lot of new adult fiction, but Teagan's Treasure is definitely going on my list. I love the idea of a mystery combined with all things horses and Ireland! Woot!
Teagan's Treasure by Colleen Marie
Teagan O'Reilly has one goal upon graduation to be accepted into Emerald Isle University's Science Research Internship and spend the summer in Ireland competing for a spot in the university's coveted research program. When her acceptance letter finally arrives, Teagan is more determined than ever to win a spot into the program. She's prepared for everything until she learns her partner is none other than Finn Connolly, her first love and the boy who broke her heart.
Past feelings reignite as Teagan and Finn travel to Brigid's Crossing in the small town of Cloverdale, Ireland, to begin their internship. Their research project quickly comes to life on the Kavanaghs' horse farm, bringing new life to the farm and Teagan's dreams.
Teagan soon discovers that the farm is in financial trouble, jeopardizing her meticulously planned research, and needs a miracle to be saved. The rolling hills of the Irish countryside are hiding a secret, and the answer may lie in the legendary tale of the missing Kildare Emerald. When a plot to steal the emerald from the Kavanaghs' land is uncovered, the safety of farm and the chance at the research position lies in the balance.
As time begins to run out, Teagan is torn between winning the research position and helping the Kavanaghs save the farm. Teagan is forced to decide where her heart lies, but will her choice make her lose everything she's always dreamed of, or will she gain more than she ever imagined?
Also don't forget about her YA romance, Sadie's Star.
Learn more about Colleen on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads.
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When I say Mesu Andrews is Brave to tackle the subject of David's wives (at least the first six of 'em), I'm not being "punny." That said, she is! As hard as it is to see beloved Bible heroes doing stupid things, firmly convinced it's "of the Lord" when... really? How often do we do the same thing? Listen in to learn why she wrote David and his first two wives the way she did.
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Tackling the first two wives might be hard enough, but seeing how David might have loved both?
And if you read the synopsis, you get the hint that David's first wife already had trust in relationships issues. Bring on wife #2??? WHAT?
With her unwavering dedication to digging out Biblical truth, Mesu Andrews plows into the hard stories that shape the life of the "man after God's own heart."
Brave by Mesu Andrews
In the tumultuous world of ancient Israel, Ahinoam--a dagger-wielding Kenite woman--flees her family farm with her unconventional father to join the ragtag band of misfits led by the shepherd-turned-warrior David ben Jesse. As King Saul's treasonous accusations echo through the land, Ahinoam's conviction that David's anointing makes him Yahweh's chosen king propels her on a perilous journey to Moab and back into Judah's unforgiving wilderness, only to encounter more hardship and betrayal.
Amid the challenges, Ahinoam forges an unexpected bond with David's sister and gains respect among David's army through her knowledge of Kenite metalworking. Though some offer friendship, Ahinoam, scarred by past relationships, isolates to avoid more pain and refuses to acknowledge her growing feelings for the renegade king. As Ahinoam's heart grapples for footing, King Saul's army closes in, and Ahinoam must confront the true meaning of love, loyalty, and courage. Is she brave enough to trust new friends and love Israel's next king?You can learn more about Mesu Andrews at her WEBSITE, sign up for her newsletter HERE. and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.
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One little boy's dream becomes a sister's determination in this beautiful historical romance. Listen in as Amanda Cabot talks about her Sweetwater Crossing Christmas Novella, One Special Christmas.
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Readers couldn't get enough of Sweetwater Crossing, and Amanda didn't disappoint. Drawing new characters into familiar scenes, she gives us a beautiful look at new hope and joy at Christmastime.
One Special Christmas by Amanda Cabot
It will take a miracle to salvage her dreams, but Christmas is the season of miracles, isn't it?
Fearing this may be her young brother's last Christmas, Greta Engel is determined to make Otto's dream of spending it at the foot of Pikes Peak come true. She'll do anything, even selling a priceless family heirloom, to get them away from Houston and the man who threatened both of them. But the trip to the fabled mountain is more arduous than she'd anticipated and a crisis leaves them stranded in the Texas Hill Country.
Even though it's only a temporary stay, Greta finds much to like about Sweetwater Crossing, including the opportunity to manage the town's tearoom. And then there's Matt Nelson, the all too handsome man who's running for sheriff. She wants to trust him when he proposes they serve as chaperones to help his brother win the woman of his dreams, but what if she's making a mistake like the one she did in Houston? What if the rumors are right and there's more to Matt's request than he's admitted?
Greta's head tells her she and Matt can be nothing more than friends, but her heart has other ideas.
Learn more about Amanda on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.
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Christian fantasy takes a new twist in Trail to the Lonely Tree. I chatted with Kurt Mahler about his series recently--all the way from the other side of the world. Listen in and see what he did with a story about animals remembering the names that Adam gave them... and what that means!
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I love the idea of animals remembering the names Adam gave them--and how that would affect mankind. And taking place in Texas? Yes, please!
A totally new fantasy idea is perfect for book lovers in your life, so don't forget about them for the upcoming holidays.
The Trail to the Lonely Tree by Kurt Frederick Mahler
Friendship, courage, and destiny meet in this whimsical magic realism journey.
Oracle, a jaguar from the Yucatán, arrives in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas because a lost monarch butterfly tells him the story of the last jaguar there. Oracle remembers Eden and the original word Adam spoke to the first of his kind, but others in the Valley have forgotten their names—including Man himself. Oracle begins his quest of restoring the Valley from the perils of loss while searching for the Lonely Tree, the location of the prophetic prayer of the last jaguar from seventy years before. But the path to the Lonely Tree is part of the realm of Man and riddled with “ironthorn” fences. Can Oracle help the animals remember their names given by Adam? Will he become the new Lord of the Valley in answer to the last jaguar’s prayer?
This poetic and hopeful tale about the mystical jaguar Oracle will stay in readers’ hearts even after the last page and provide clues for navigating life's complexities.
Learn more about him on his WEBSITE.
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Feel like kids need a picture of what Spiritual warfare looks like? R.M. Ruiz shows it in this family saga of missions from God to thwart evil beings and how He prepares them for it. Listen in to learn what's up in Iowa!
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The cornfields of Iowa may not seem like a place for battle, but don't tell the Chosen Kids that! Amid dealing with troublesome monsters, they also have to work through their own relationships in the process.
Ruiz has such a heart for children and what they read as well as an obvious love of the Lord and His word.
Encounter at Ambrose by R.M. Ruiz
SOMETHING IS LURKING IN IOWA...
For their third mission, the Chosen Kids find themselves in the Corn State where an evil being carries out a sinister scheme. The family tracks down the creature right away. But when they can’t get close enough to identify the species or figure out its plan, they devise a risky strategy. The day goes from bad to worse when someone calls the cops. Are the kids in over their heads?
Caiden teams up with big brother Caleb to save the mission. But if things go wrong, is it wise to have a known bully by his side? After a wild ride of shenanigans and mishaps, the siblings make an important discovery. Will they follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance or take their own path?
When the Chosen Kids set their trap—in the last place Caiden wants to be at nightfall— they may have overlooked one key detail.
Encounter at Ambrose came out on September
Don't miss the story of book two and the icy slopes in Episode 234
Learn more about the series, the characters, and Rosemary at TheChosenKids.com and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.
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When I read about this anthology and the group that sponsored it, I couldn't contain my excitement. Jenny Gossell signed up for the dream school for aspiring young authors and this anthology shows just how brilliant the program is. Listen in to learn more about her, her book, and the school that helped produce it!
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I feel like this college alternative is a brilliant idea, and boy do I wish I could have had that opportunity. That said, however, the anthology itself contains a bunch of stories that will appeal to a variety of people.
Jenny says most fall in the realm of some sort of spec-fic, but... there is a contemporary as well.
Voices of The Future: Stories of Family and Fearlessness by Multiple Authors
Discover the next generation of storytellers…
This inaugural edition of Voices of the Future weaves together short stories of family and fearlessness in a memorable and heartwarming collection. Experience the next generation’s creativity and vision through tales of hope and belonging from rising young creatives.Olivia G. Booms “A Book Dragon’s Story”
Jenny Chasteen “People of the Rain”
Rachel Elizabeth “Fairies in the Garden”
Hope Jian “Shattered Echoes”
Cara Peregrino “The Penny Dragon”
Madigan Thompson “Obsidian Wings”
Abi Lyn Voss “The Little Tire Shop”
Valari Westeren “Symbiosis”
Amie Woleslagle “Colors of Grief”
The Author Conservatory is a college-alternative program for gifted writers focused on raising up the next C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. 100% of your purchase goes to help students attend writing conferences where they can pitch their work to agents and publishers.
You can get a copy of this anthology directly from Jenny on her WEBSITE. and follow her on Goodreads.
Learn more about the Author Conservatory on their WEBSITE.
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I love a good dystopian novel, and New Heroes by E. H. Underhill sounds sooooo good! I am so excited to get my hands on this book! Listen in and see why.
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I love this idea of a dystopian series.
The Solar Storm Chronicles: New Heroes by E. H. Underhill
In the gripping dystopian thriller, "The Solar Storm Chronicles - New Heroes," author E.H. Underhill plunges readers into a world reshaped by solar storms and teetering on the edge of chaos. Protagonist Eric's struggle for survival unfolds against a backdrop of relentless danger and shifting alliances.
Attacked and pursued, Eric's journey through a dystopian world becomes a visceral experience. As he confronts the harsh realities of this transformed world, Eric forms unexpected alliances with a diverse group of friends, each harboring their own scars from the past.
"The Solar Storm Chronicles - New Heroes" is a heart-pounding exploration of humanity's resilience in the face of adversity. With its atmospheric setting, complex characters, and moral quandaries, the story delves into the depths of survival instincts and the bonds that form when the world falls apart.
Immerse yourself in a tale of courage, camaraderie, and the unbreakable human spirit as Eric navigates a dangerous landscape where every decision could mean life or death. Will he overcome the shadows of his past, or will the storm within mirror the chaos outside? Find out in this riveting saga that will leave you on the edge of your seat until the final page.
Learn more about E. H. on INSTAGRAM and follow him on GoodReads.
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Welcome back to the charming community of Moonberry Lake. It's time to get to know the crazy antics taking place in the florist's shop and wow... let's just say I couldn't stop laughing. Listen in to hear what you'll find in The Blooming of Delphinium.
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Moonberry Lake, Minnesota features such a unique and charming cast of characters in this fabulous series. This second book offers even more amusing and heartwarming moments.
Don't miss the first interview with Holly Varni HERE.
The Blooming of Delphinium by Holly Varni
As far as hidden talents go, Delphinium Hayes is blessed with one of the more unique ones. With the slightest passing whiff, she knows someone's most admirable or weediest characteristic. This peculiar perception never fails to give her an advantage in life--until she meets two men who turn her world upside down.
Mason McCormack has agreed to help her with a group of seniors who have taken over her flower shop as their hangout. But his assistance is not without its price, and Delphinium agrees to compensate him with beautiful bouquets that seem to possess a bit of dating magic.
Elliot Sturgis, director of The Gardens Assisted Living Facility, is determined to discover why a group of his residents keeps sneaking over to Delphinium's shop to play poker in the walk-in refrigerator. He soon finds himself as enchanted by Delphinium as everyone else. But his devotion to following the rules and maintaining order does not endear him to the shop's owner.
Sparks fly as opposites attract and love finds a match in Delphinium's Flora Emporium--even for those who resist it the most.Learn more about Holly Varni on her WEBSITE (where you can find her podcast) and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.
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The Encounter series by D.M. Griffin looks at four women who each had a brief encounter with Jesus and its profound effect on their lives. The final book, Return of the Son just released. Listen in to see what you'll find in the covers of this Biblical fiction novel.
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Have you ever wondered who the "Widow of Naim" might have been? Griffin takes a look at what could have led up to the heartbreaking moment that led to one of Jesus' encounters with broken people.
Don't miss her first episode HERE.
Return of the Son by D. M. Griffin
Her life was perfect. At least her childhood was. Eve never wanted anything except her father's presence. As a prominent advisor to the evil King Herod, Eve's father was split between his duties to the king and his duties as the only living parent for his daughter. With no heir to claim his family's land, Eve's father did what any loving father would do. He arranged for her betrothal. But this wasn't just any betrothal. Her potential husband was related to the king she despised. With a rough marital journey ahead of her, she tenuously clings to the promises of God.
Not sharing her father's enthusiasm or respect for the Herodian dynasty, Eve acted like the spoiled child she was upon first meeting her betrothed. With faulty expectations and prejudiced opinions, she did what she could to ruin the marriage before it began. It wasn't until it was almost too late that Eve's eyes were open and she saw the opportunity to experience love for the divine intervention that it was.
Fraught with political intrigue and personal challenges, would Eve be able to fully surrender to the life God wanted her to live by loving a man she thought she could never love? When that man's shadows chase the family into the future, would Eve's son pay the ultimate price? Or would God intervene there too? Could He? Only a single, unforeseen encounter could answer Eve's impossible question. Does love truly conquer death?
Learn more about Demi on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.
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After chatting with him about his Barabbas books in the past, readers might expect a new Biblical fiction series, but next up from M. D. House... Fantasy!!! EEEP! Listen in to see what you'll find in this exciting new series!
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The End Times Convergence series opens with Crossroads of Awakening Memory, a fantasy that deals with multiple worlds serving the same God with portals! The portals are "awakening."
Add to that a tie-in with end-times expectations, and you've got a fantasy series I'm dying to read!
Crossroads of Awakening Memory by M.D. House
To young trainee Rain Barynd, becoming a Council Guard in bucolic New Haven will secure a positive future that involves neither farming nor any real fighting. Impressing his girlfriend’s skeptical parents and overcoming a handful of bullies among the trainees—along with the inexplicable intensity of his trainer, a decorated warrior from the East—are his greatest challenges. Or so he believes.
A rare and ruthless bandit attack marks the beginning of the mayhem that engulfs Rain’s childhood home and sets him on an unimaginable path that includes … his own magic? Talismans that enable travel to other worlds? Griffons and dragons, ancient nemeses thought to be long extinct? Strange metal beasts that spit bellowing fire? And even elves of fairy tale, as real as the dwarves?
Amid a besom of chaos and doubt, Rain must work with members of a mysterious ancient order to piece together a growing convergence of clues long prophesied. All while trying to figure out his place in the madness. Only one thing is certain—he is not ready.You can learn more about Mike on his WEBSITE. Follow him on BookBub and GoodReads.
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The world could always use more fantasy novels, and after my chat with Steven A. Guglich, I'm sure Piercing the Veil is a great addition to the genre. Listen in to learn about how he wrote this series and what's to come.
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By nature, fantasy novels are about journeys--to places, to things, to ideas... but journeys. Steven Guglich has a new twist on it (well, it's new to me!) with fantasy that explores what happened when magic left the human race and what it will take to bring it back.
One thing that fascinated me most about his writing process is how he wrote all the backstory and history of everything. Dwarves, gnomes, gods, legends...He created it all so that he'd have it when he needed it to weave into the story but we won't get great, heaping infodumps of world-building. Because worldbuilding is such a huge part of fantasy, but authors too often build within the story instead of tell the story that came from the world they already built.
Piercing the Veil by Steven A. Guglich
They say that legends are born, not made.But for Jeremy Goodson and Masaru Hagen that is far from the truth. Confronted by something that neither of them can explain, two complete strangers from opposite sides of the world embark on an unforgettable journey that will forge them into living legends.
It has been almost 4,000 years since magic disappeared from the Earth. Hidden from humanity by the Veil, those who possess magic live in ancient settlements across the globe. Over the centuries, these beings have pierced the Veil, leaving behind glimpses and shadows of the fantastic and arcane. Fueled by distant memories and humanity’s desire for wonder, familiar stories of myths and legends have been passed down for thousands of years in nearly every culture and nation.
Jeremy Goodson, an average, overweight teacher in New York City finds his entire world turned upside down when a stranger tempts him to leave everything behind and start a journey that will test Jeremy’s mysterious gift and bring magic and hope back to humanity.
Masaru Hagen, the adopted son of American tech entrepreneurs living in Tokyo, has been guided by an unseen voice all his life. On the eve of his twentieth birthday, the voice leads him across thousands of miles, on a mysterious and perilous mission he alone can undertake.
But there are principalities of this world that will do whatever they can to stop Jeremy and Masaru and keep magic out of the hands of humanity forever.
One of these men will bring hope to the world; the other will bring death. The world they once knew will be changed forever, not only for themselves, but for everyone on Earth… and maybe not for the best.Learn more about Steven on his WEBSITE and follow him on GoodReads and BookBub.
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A chat with Liz Johnson is always a lot of fun, but a chat about another Red Door Inn book? Listen in to learn what you'll find in Meddling with Mistletoe
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Okay, so we talked about more than Meddling with Mistletoe. Yes, we learned what we'll find in that book, but... we also had to have a chat about Christmas at the Red Door Inn (a personal favorite) and about her new series coming next year!
Meddling with Mistletoe by Liz Johnson
Whitney Garrett is preparing to enter culinary school in the spring, but first she has to sell enough homemade pies at the local Christmas markets to pay her tuition. When her oven breaks, Whitney asks Marie Sloan, proprietor of the Red Door Inn, if she can use the inn's kitchen to keep up with her orders. Marie agrees, with a catch: Whitney has to watch the three Sloan children and cook breakfasts for the Red Door in return.
The inn is busy with holiday guests--including Aretha Franklin Sloan's perpetually single nephew Daniel and Ruby, a businesswoman in town to purchase Aretha's antiques store. Intent on making a Christmas match for the two, Aretha enlists Whitney's help in her schemes. But the deeper Whitney gets, the more she realizes that Ruby is definitely not the right woman for Daniel--and the more she thinks that she just might be his perfect match.
Cuddle up for some warm holiday cheer as New York Times bestselling author Liz Johnson explores the unforeseen consequences of meddling with mistletoe when love is on the line.You can still get Meddling with Mistletoe for 30% off and FREE SHIPPING from BakerBookHouse.com
Find out more about Liz on her WEBSITE. And follow her on BookBub and GoodReads!
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I have a special place in my heart for debut novels, and I especially love ones that deal with broken people who find healing in Jesus and His people, so imagine how excited I was to hear about The Color of Home by Kit Tosello! Listen in to learn more about her, her books, and even how her home town inspired her fictional town!
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Okay, so there's a lot to love about Kit Tosello, and not all of it has to do with a debut novel that had me hooked from the first paragraph of the synopsis! I mean, down to her last nerve? That's my life these past two weeks!
But more than a story about family, connections, the difficulties of caregiving for loved ones with dementia, and connection with the Lord... Kit Tosello is just a cool person.
How do I know?
She gets TEA. She is all about TEA. She even has a company... Suttle TEA in Oregon. Check out her WEBSITE for more. I know I have a huge order sitting here waiting for me to have half a minute to place it. EEEP!
The Color of Home by Kit Tosello
Audrey Needham, Bay Area interior designer to the rich and pretentious, is down to her last nerve. Her boss is impossible to please, her future is in jeopardy, and her great-aunt Daisy needs support as her husband descends into Alzheimer's.
When Daisy enlists Audrey's help preparing for a move to assisted living, Audrey risks her career to return to the idyllic small town of Charity Falls, Oregon, the summer stomping grounds of her childhood. But Charity Falls was also the place that broke her heart when her father was killed in a tragic fire at the Sugar Pine Inn thirteen years ago.
Despite Audrey's intent to avoid emotional entanglement, the pull of home is hard to resist. Something should be done about the deteriorating inn. A local girl with an incarcerated father needs a friend. And handsome local do-gooder Cade Carter is coloring Audrey all shades of uncertain.
Join award-winning writer and debut novelist Kit Tosello in this lyrical and often humorous exploration of how God redeems brokenness and draws us to the life we're meant to find.The Color of Home is also available from BakerBookHouse.com at 30% off with FREE US shipping.
Don't miss her December release, The Kitchen Devotional that you can get at 40% off with FREE US shipping until early December from BakerBookHouse.
Learn more about Kit on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.
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Listen in and learn about how bell towers won out over clock towers and became a big part of each of the novellas in the Christmas in the Cascades collection.
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In this episode, I chatted with April Kidwell and Marline Williams about their collection set in the Cascades in Oregon. All centered around a bell tower and... Christmas of course.
We talked about them getting to know each other, about how they learned about bells, how they created this fictional community, and how they kept everything straight.
Don't forget to find out about the Dane's Creek Christmas Cookbook!
And this is that song I mentioned about the three bells: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5pH7l3qdPw
Christmas in the Cascades by Marissa Adams, April Kidwell, Marline Williams, Chris Daniel, and Cali Black
Christmas In The Cascades
Ring in the holidays with five sweet stories of love and hope through the decades in Dane’s Creek, Oregon.
1874 – Glad and Golden Hours
When her father's injury prevents him from founding the town bell, Eleanor Craven's bleak Christmas is cheered by the arrival of the charming Silas Fairbanks. But no sooner does their romance begin than it is endangered by a startling revelation.
1910 – The Thrill of Hope
Widow Zaidée Cross, an outsider in Dane’s Creek, faces eviction from Bell Tower Cottage. Compelled to aid her wild schemes, Deputy Sheriff Björn Bergstrom fears he may lose his job and his heart.1967 – Wild and Sweet
Haunted by a near-miss campfire kiss a decade ago, Rory Adams spends the summer of ’67 fleeing her boring Philadelphia country club life. Her solo train trip to photograph historic Oregon Trail bell towers offers a fresh start—and a second chance at the love of a lifetime.
2000 – Romancing Her Home
Montana horse breeder Slim Steadman relies on lessons passed down from his granddad to remain calm as the Y2K approaches causing many around him to panic. But his faith is challenged when Jenny O'Malley, the fiery red head he’s fallen in love with, comes face to face with a crisis neither of them can bridle.
2024 – Finding Home
Mayor Jared Carter has no idea how to revive his dying town. When celebrity baker, Sass Kelleman agrees to come and bake the cake for the town’s 150th anniversary celebration on Christmas Eve, the shocking secret she carries with her leads to a sweet happily ever after.
Learn more about the authors on their websites!
https://marissaadamsbooks.com/
https://aprilkidwellauthor.com/
https://marlinewilliams.com/
https://www.authorcaliblack.com/Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:
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An heiress, a widow, and a fish-out-of water walk into a series... Listen in and see who you'll meet in the Stone Creek Brides series.
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Kathleen Rouser's Stone Creek Brides series offers strong heroines, each with something they'd rather keep quiet. This latest novel, Scandals and Mercies, dives deep into the conflict between expectations and obligations and how the Lord handles those.
Scandals and Mercies by Kathleen Rouser
He’s a reporter determined to uncover the truth, but the secrets he finds could crush her family—and their second chance at love.
Taken from her family’s farm to be raised by her wealthy aunt and uncle, Nora Armstrong has accepted that not only will she never realize her dream of becoming a teacher, she’d also rather be a spinster than submit to her cruel aunt’s society selection of a suitable husband. The one man who caught her eye betrayed her best friend. And she’s got enough on her hands, hiding her sister’s shameful secret from her aunt.
When the local home for unwed mothers burns down, the arson investigation brings big-city reporter James Cooper back to Stone Creek—and back into Nora’s life. James also has a meddling aunt who raises more questions than she answers about his past. Not to mention, he can’t figure out why Nora constantly rebuffs him. When his reporting casts aspersions on the local church and lays the blame for the fire and a series of robberies at the wrong feet, he risks losing his new position at the paper.
As they seek to unravel the town’s mystery, rescue endangered mothers and children, and navigate their own family secrets forced to light, James and Nora increasingly turn to each other for help. But can they overcome James’s lack of faith and the disapproval of Nora’s guardians to find a second chance at love?Learn more about Kathleen on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.
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I've discovered a ridiculous love for castles that probably originated when author Cathe Swanson lived in one and I visited. But Ann Swindell has ramped it up a huge notch with her fictional kingdom of Lethersby, a historical secret, and of course, Christmas! Listen in and see why I can't wait for more from her!
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Look, one book about castles and fictitious kingdoms, and hundred-year-old mysteries is pretty awesome, but learning it's the first in a series? EEEP! I can't wait.
I had a blast talking through Anne's creation of the kingdom, her characters, and what readers will find in upcoming books.
Christmas in the Castle Library by Ann Swindell
Ellie Sawyer has always felt more comfortable with books than people, which explains why she’s a PhD history student neck deep in research and trying to complete her doctoral dissertation in time to graduate. But the final books she needs are half a world away in the tiny European kingdom of Lethersby, and the only time she can access the secretive Royal Castle Library is during the Christmas holiday.
Ellie is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery that has eluded Lethersby scholars for more than 100 hundred years by figuring out what happened to their long-lost queen, a young royal who disappeared shortly after the outbreak of the First World War. With the help of Mark, a handsome castle staff member who shares her love of history, she might be able to unravel the queen’s story. But Mark is keeping his own secret from her, and what they discover together could change everything for Ellie—and the entire kingdom.Learn more about Ann on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.
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After listening to her Buried Secrets on Audible, I couldn't wait to chat with S.F. Baumgartner about her latest book in the Mirror Estate series, Hidden Secrets. Listen in and see what we'll see in this next thriller in the series!
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If you love suspense and thrillers without all the romance, this is the series for you! While there are romantic elements to some of the books, Baumgartner leaves it minimal, focusing on the suspense primarily.
Also, don't forget her audiobooks on Audible!
Hidden Secrets by S.F. Baumgartner
Abducted. Trapped. Hunted. Grace Benson must find a way out… or die trying.
After her harrowing escape from a kill order, Grace thought she’d return to a normal life, only to be abducted from her home.
Meanwhile, FBI investigations into the murders of a congressman and his staff uncover a shocking link to Grace's abduction, threatening international stability.
Desperate to survive, Grace allies with an unlikely partner—a child who knows the bunker's secrets—but as they navigate the treacherous tunnel system, a misplaced step echoes through the corridors, alerting a deranged captor who now closes in, gun in hand.
If you like Alex Cross, Gabriel Allon, you will like this unpredictable, fast-paced suspense thriller.Learn more about Sylvia on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.
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No one does Christmas like Melody Carlson, and her latest Christmas release, The Christmas Tree Farm promises to be one of her best. Listen in and see why I was so excited to read it that I opened my mail while we chatted to get it!
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Melody was such a trooper, fighting all kinds of technological glitches (that thankfully you can't hear!) and learning new things to get me recordings and such. I so appreciate her.
We talked about themes of forgiveness and releasing control to God, working out relationships, and more.
Inspired by seeing how the Oregon fires affected tree farms over the state, Melody wrote a story of a neglected tree farm, the travesty happening next door (tongue firmly in cheek, but not according to her character!), and the fractured relationship between two sisters.
She also gave a hint of what's coming next spring! EEEP!
The Christmas Tree Farm by Melody Carlson
When Madison McDowell returns from several years teaching overseas, she has high hopes of picking up where she left off at her family's Christmas tree farm in Oregon. But between damage from a recent wildfire and the neglect due to her sister Addie's unwillingness to invest, the farm is in sad shape. In fact, Addie is intent on selling the property. And to top it off, her former high school flame, the now-widowed Gavin Thompson, has plans to break Madison's heart again by turning his neighboring property into a dusty, noisy dirt bike track for his daughter.
With the odds stacked against her, Madison decides there's only one thing to do: double down on her dreams. It will take a ton of hard work--and some help from an unlikely ally--to save the farm she so dearly loves. But it may take a miracle to restore her relationship with her sister.
Bestselling and award-winning author Melody Carlson charms and delights with this uplifting Christmas story full of old memories and new beginnings.You can get The Christmas Tree Farm for 30% off and maybe with free US shipping from BakerBookHouse.com.
Learn more about Melody on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.
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Author of one of my top reads of the year, June Bug, Chris Fabry is also the novelist for the Kendrick Brothers' beloved movies including the most recent, The Forge. Listen in as we discuss the story and the process of writing from a screenplay!
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Chis Fabry, author of so many beloved novels and the podcaster behind Moody's Chris Fabry Live, has teamed up with the Kendrick Brothers again to bring the book version of the story to readers.
I loved chatting about the themes within the book, the process of writing it, and what we might see in the future.
The Forge by Chris Fabry
As Cynthia Wright’s marriage implodes, she is forced to raise her teenage son, Isaiah, alone. The pressure of providing for them through her salon is a full-time job in itself. When Cynthia sees Isaiah pulling away and escaping into video games, tensions rise and prayers feel unanswered. Angry and hurt, Isaiah starts acting like the father who abandoned him, and Cynthia gives him an ultimatum while turning to her twin sister, Elizabeth Jordan, for support. Elizabeth enlists a seasoned prayer warrior who challenges Cynthia to pray boldly and believe God for the impossible.
Caught in the middle, Isaiah longs for respect, but sees no clear path to becoming a good man. Desperate for a job, he wanders into Moore Fitness, Inc. and encounters the owner, Joshua Moore, who introduces him to the concept of working for a coach rather than a boss. Needing the work, Isaiah reluctantly begins his mentoring process with Joshua. While Cynthia clings to hope, no one sees the coming storms brewing at the company and in Isaiah’s heart.
The Forge is about the power of prayer, the transformation only God can achieve, and the lasting influence one person can have on others.You can learn more about Chris Fabry on his WEBSITE. Also follow him on GoodReads or BookBub.
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