Michaela Bush's Blog, page 3
August 6, 2025
REVIEW: UNLEASH GOD'S WORD IN YOUR LIFE by CORI DICKESS!
Hey everyone! Mrs. Cori Dickess reached out to me a few weeks ago, and I was pleasantly surprised with how informational, down-to-earth, and practical her book is! Before we dig into my review, here's some information about her nonfiction book, Unleash God's Word In Your Life.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Reading the Bible is how God reveals Himself to us and knowing His Word is vital to all who want to have a blessed life. Yet if one does not read the Bible daily, it can be intimidating as we fear we may not understand the stories, parables, and lessons within.
Where does one even start?
For Christians who are new to faith, wishing to strengthen their spiritual walks, or wanting to reconnect with God, Cori Dickess has a challenge that will give them the resources and encouragement to apply God's Word to their lives every day in Unleash God's Word in Your Life.
Using personal stories as well as stories of biblical figures, she teaches how to live by God's Word every day using six action steps:
How to not get discouraged when reading the Bible
Why meditating on God's Word is essential to having a good life
The most effective way to pray
How to wear the armor of God
The importance of having an obedient heart to God's Word
How to develop a deeper faith in God
Following these steps will help to develop a lifestyle of reading God's Word daily and will lead believers to rely on Him for every circumstance to live a most blessed life.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cori Dickess has walked with the Lord for over twenty years and desires to help Christians apply God's voice to their life. Her blog, Today's Godly Wisdom, and her debut book contain a collection of her stories and wisdom from the Bible. Cori and her husband, Larry, have been married for twenty years and currently live in Zanesville, Ohio. She can be found reading her Bible, writing on her blog, making products for her Etsy store, or in her garden.
MY REVIEW
This would be a perfect book to study as a small group or during personal devotion time. It offers down-to-earth, practical tips tried-and-true for anyone who’s looking to deepen their relationship with the Lord. It simplifies deep subjects without sacrificing meaning, and offers real-life examples of how these principles work and change lives! From building up your study time routine to understanding spiritual warfare in a practical sense, and deepening your prayer life, this book would be perfect for believers looking to mature in their faith.
*I read a review copy; my opinions are my own!*
July 31, 2025
AUGUST EDITING DISCOUNT REMINDER
Hey, all! Here's your reminder that my editing services are on a 15% off discount from now through September 1! Wondering what I offer?
Payment plan options. Quality editing can stretch a budget (hello inflation) but that doesn't mean you should skip it altogether. I offer payment plans for two, five, and ten month installments--and authors can choose what works best with their budget!Content editing for completed first drafts.Line editing, copy editing, and proofreading perfect for prepping your manuscript for publication.Formatting with Atticus!Editing bundles for authors who need multiple editing services completed.Manuscript and blurb critiques!I offer six years of experience, a B.A. in English with Latin honors, and a passion for helping your manuscript be the best it can be! I enjoy editing a variety of genres. Questions? Don't hesitate to reach out. Please check out the "Author Services" page on my website (above) and please contact me when you're ready to get rolling! I have very limited availability through the rest of the year, so if you'll want to act fast if you want to reserve a spot.July 30, 2025
REVIEW: BITTER END BIRDING SOCIETY by AMANDA COX!
Hey, folks! If you've been following me for any time at all, you'll know that I adore just about every book Amanda Cox puts out into the world...but The Bitter End Birding Society really knocked my socks off. The characters are dynamic, realistic, and absolutely thrilling to read about. I hope you'll check it out and find a new insta-buy author, too--especially if you enjoy contemporary fiction!
BLURB
A forbidden romance, a fractured family, and one woman's journey to piece it all together
Hometown hero Ana Leigh Watkins ventures to Bitter End, Tennessee, to help her great-aunt prepare for retirement. A town called Bitter End seems an ironic place for Ana to refresh her weary spirit, but she's desperate for respite from the attention and unwarranted admiration of her community. While on a hike in Roan Mountain, a ragtag group of amateur bird-watchers takes her under their wing--a little against her will. However, she quickly warms to these genuine souls seeking solace in the great outdoors.
But when Ana's adventures in Bitter End lead her to a severed branch of her family tree--one that involves the forbidden love between a moonshiner's daughter and a preacher's son--what began as a getaway to help her great-aunt becomes a transformative journey that binds together two women who, though they live on the same street, have been estranged for sixty years.
An immersive faith-based novel of finding belonging, reconciliation, and new beginnings for fans of southern fiction. This narrative of friendship and community makes for a perfect book club selection.
RELEASING AUGUST 19, 2025.
On Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0800747054/
40% off Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/618559 (preorders are eligible for a signed bookplate and more!)
ChristianBook.com: https://www.christianbook.com/the-bitter-end-birding-society/9780800746612/
MY REVIEW
Cox is an insta-buy author for me, but she blew this one out of the water. Appalachian mountains, long-held rumors and grudges, stories of healing and forgiveness and letting go of what you hold too tight. Grief. And healing found in nature. Cox weaves an intricate, beautiful story in THE BITTER END BIRDING SOCIETY and it was one I was not expecting. What a beautiful surprise and a story I plan to revisit.
*I read an early copy; all thoughts and opinions are my own!*
COVER REVEAL: MORLAVE'S QUEST FOR MAGIC by COURTNEY DENELSBECK!
Hey everyone! Today I'm thrilled to share book two in the Morlave's Magical Adventure series by Courtney Denelsbeck, Morlave's Quest for Magic! Check out the info below:
BLURB
Will the adventure of a lifetime destroy everything Morlave holds dear?
Cornelius Morlave and his loyal companions are on a daring quest, driven by a mysterious key left to him by his mentor, Professor Wormwood. After a grueling year at Yortsed Academy, Morlave is torn between the comfort of his parents’ shop and the thrilling adventure that awaits him.
But this key is no simple trinket — it holds the power to unlock secrets and lead them on a perilous journey through a magical forest and beyond. As they travel through the elven kingdom of Xanthia, they must navigate through dangers and challenges, all while unraveling the magical clues that the key is pointing to.
As the stakes grow higher and their lives are put on the line, Morlave and his friends must make a difficult decision — is the promise of magic and discovery worth risking their lives and their friendships for?
Join Morlave on his thrilling and heartwarming quest for magic in this adventurous YA coming of age story. Fans of beloved tales like Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and Percy Jackson will be captivated by this timeless tale of friendship, love, bravery, and self-discovery.
PREORDER NOW: https://books2read.com/u/bzNAq9
ABOUT COURTNEY DENELSBECK:
When she’s not stuck in magical worlds, Courtney is homeschooling her four daughters, chatting with her husband, drinking too much coffee, playing with her dog, or enjoying a sunset. Before she wrote books, she designed baby toys and stuffed animals. She’s always loved art and illustrates and designs her own books. Her focus is on creating immersive experiences that are whimsical and fun while weaving deeper themes and meaningful content throughout her stories. Her faith in Christ inspires and guides her content. Her debut novel, Red Fairy & Fox, released in 2024.
Author Website | Instagram | TikTok
And now for the cover...*drumroll*
July 27, 2025
JULY WRITING UPDATES!
Hey everyone! Well, it's that time again. I'm decently satisfied with what I got done in July.
July Accomplishments: I participated in RealmieWriMo July to revise TQOL and write QSAL! It's hard for me to find writing challenge groups that I feel like I "fit" in, but the past few times I've joined them, it's been such an uplifting community and a blessing. 10/10 recommend it over on the RealmSphere! In the meantime, I completely reinvented QSAL and absolutely fell in love with the concept. Narnia meets Mistborn, babes. I also completed edits for Moments in Time with a stellar editor, and we're moving forward to proofreading.
I did set aside Rooted for most of the month, but did get started on proofreads. I also worked on edits for the Legends of Lanaria special edition omnibus short stories!
In addition to that, I spent a little bit of time dabbling with Project R, my horse how-to writing book, a short story, and my thriller series that has been on the backburner for years.
August Goals:
*Get the proof copy of The Queen of Lanaria ordered
*Get the proof copy of the Legends of Lanaria omnibus ordered
*Work on Rooted
*Work on QSAL
*Reveal QSAL's title, coming August 11th
2025 goals: Publish hello is goodbye (DONE!)
Publish Where the Bridge Begins (DONE!)
Publish Project WHB (DONE!)
Publish Legends of Lanaria 5 (TKOTT/The Keeper of the Tower) (DONE!)
Publish my devotional, Rooted (GETTING THERE!)
Write two novellas within the Midnight Hour series (#0.75 and #1.5)
Publish Project CL (BACKBURNER FOR 2026)
Publish Super Secret Project MiT (WITH PUBLISHER!)
Write the first draft of a middle grade series
Write a sequel to A Dance of Rebels
Write Super Secret Project QSAL (STARTED!)
Plot thriller series--Project PRM
Start Legends of Lanaria 6, TQOL (IN PROGRESS!)
Plot a horse-themed series, young adult
Write Project TTWL
Publish a short story collection, Esperanza (DONE!) Write Project R
July 17, 2025
DUAL COVER REVEAL: THE QUEEN OF LANARIA & LEGENDS OF LANARIA SPECIAL OMNIBUS EDITION
Hey all!
Today is years in the making, and after sitting on it for three years, I finally get to reveal the cover for The Queen of Lanaria, the final book in the Legends of Lanaria series. But I'm also revealing the cover for the special omnibus edition, which will house the entire series plus some exclusive short stories, which will release a few days after TQOL!
Check them out below. Preorders are now open on Kindle AND on my Fourthwall for signed paperbacks! (P.S., there's a 15% off everything sale going on over at Fourthwall through the end of July, so...check it out ASAP!)
Add the omnibus on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/238442937-legends-of-lanaria
Add The Queen of Lanaria on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/238444634-the-queen-of-lanaria
The Queen of Lanaria The ascension Evangeline never wished for. A battle against evil. One last chance to overcome.Grief-stricken and left with newborn twins, a country to rule, and struggling with doubt, Evangeline must be the strong yet compassionate leader Lanaria needs most. As she struggles to find balance, she and the others unravel the final plot against her kingdom, including a trusted ally who has been working against them long before the war began. She is determined to fight the battle not with force, but with the gifts God has given her and her allies.
Will they find victory? Or will her people find their end?
Loosely inspired by the biblical story of Esther, The Queen of Lanaria is the thrilling finale in the Legends of Lanaria series.Arriving November 11, 2025.AMAZON | SIGNED PREORDERS
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Legends of Lanaria: The Complete Series
A long-lost princess. A prophecy scattered across the known kingdoms. Dark secrets unraveling.
A series on light overcoming darkness, forgiveness washing away sins of old, and selfless love conquering evil, the Legends of Lanaria omnibus collects all six books in the series and shares several exclusive short stories.#1: The Lady of Lanaria#2: The Healer of the Brigade#3: The Highlander’s Victory#4: The Kingdom’s True Queen#5: The Keeper of the Tower#6: The Queen of Lanaria
With the burden of finishing this war older than herself, Evangeline and her team of bravehearts must face darkness head-on and conquer it...and risk losing themselves in the battle.
Arriving November 14, 2025.AMAZON | SIGNED PREORDERS
July 13, 2025
COVER REVEAL WEEK PART 1: TO LOVE YOU
What turned into a cover reveal week for The Queen of Lanaria and the special omnibus edition of my Legends of Lanaria series...turns into three cover reveals spread out over this week! (I thought about sharing the cover for my devotional this week too, but wound up too busy.) So we'll call this week Rapunzel week because my story for To Love You is a contemporary Rapunzel retelling, and of course, Lanaria stemmed from a Rapunzel retelling. Oops.
#publishingoopsies #IWroteTooMuchAtOnce
But that just means it's a super exciting week! First off, the itinerary. TODAY, we have a reveal for To Love You, a collection by Beyond the Bookery, which will include my novella, Moments in Time. It releases December 9th and the cover is super cutesy.
Next, on FRIDAY, of course, is the dual cover reveal for TQOL and the omnibus.
So buckle up, buttercups, and let's roll!
To Love You
Beyond the Bookery invites you to step into a collection of sweet, fun, and romantic contemporary fairy tale retellings.To Love You coming from Michaela Bush, Jennie Marie Ryan, and Kaleigh Whitford on December 9th, 2025.
Pre-Order Link: https://amzn.to/4jXZsaRMoments in Time:
A missing-person report turns into a dangerous search through the Appalachians…will Olivia be brave enough to face the consequences?
I can't wait to share this little story with you, not to mention Jennie Marie Ryan's and Kaleigh Whitford's as well! For now, enjoy the cover....below!
July 7, 2025
PRIME DAY SALES: Supporting a Small Biz even on Amazon!
Hey all! I'm having a LOT of Prime Day sales on my Kindle books during July 8-11th (so--starting today)! So while you're checking out the sales on Amazon, make sure to grab some books for $0.99 or less! The full price list is here; check out my author pages on Amazon to find your deals! Make sure to double-check the sale dates for each book, as some are only available for a day or two versus the full four days.
Michaela Bush: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Michaela-Bush/author/B01JM6MOOM
Makenzie Gray: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B09N9WFFCB
Poetry:
Everything and Nothing: Free from July 8-11
Everything I Never Said: Free from July 8-9
everything i became: Free July 8-11
wading through the fog on a sunny day: Free July 8-11
hello is goodbye: Free July 8-11
Contemporary Fiction:
Where the Last Verse Ends (Bethlehem Belle Novella #1): $0.99 from July 8-11
Where the Bridge Begins (Bethlehem Belle Novella #2): $0.99 from July 8-11
Where Hope Begins: Free July 8-11
Back to Me (The Bridge Duology #1): $0.99 July 8-10
Between Us (The Bridge Duology #2): Free July 8-11
Faith, Hope, and Love, Volume 1: Free July 8-10
Fantasy:
Esperanza: and other fantasy short stories: $0.99 from July 8-11
The Keeper of the Tower (Legends of Lanaria 5): $0.99 from July 8-11
The Kingdom's True Queen (Legends of Lanaria 4): $0.99 from July 8-11
The Highlander's Victory (Legends of Lanaria 3): Free July 8-11
The Healer of the Brigade (Legends of Lanaria 2): $0.99 from July 8-11
The Lady of Lanaria (Legends of Lanaria 1): Free July 8-11
A Dance of Rebels: $0.99 from July 8-11
Chasing the Lutetia Light: $0.99 from July 8-11
Devotionals:
Back to Him: Free July 8-11
Sustain: Free July 8-11
Dystopians:
Those With Ears (Midnight Hour #1): Free July 8-11
Let Them Hear (Midnight Hour #2): $0.99 from July 8-11
Eyes To See (Midnight Hour #3): $0.99 from July 8-11
Remnant of Us (Midnight Hour #4): $0.99 from July 8-11
Until Kingdom Come (Midnight Hour #5): $0.99 from July 8-11
Midnight Hour Omnibus Edition: $3.99 from July 8-11
July 6, 2025
MOMENTS IN TIME: Part of the TO LOVE YOU collection!
Today I'm excited to share the dedication from my upcoming novella, Moments in Time, PLUS an announcement about its release date!
It will be published December 9, 2025 as part of the Fairy Tale Frenzy collection by Beyond the Bookery, included in the collection titled To Love You.
More details are below, including preorders:
To Love You
Beyond the Bookery invites you to step into a collection of sweet, fun, and romantic contemporary fairy tale retellings.To Love You coming from Michaela Bush, Jennie Marie Ryan, and Kaleigh Whitford on December 9th, 2025.
Pre-Order Link: https://amzn.to/4jXZsaR
It's a privilege to be included alongside Jennie Marie Ryan and Kaleigh Whitford to share contemporary fairy tale retellings! Mine, of course, is a loose Rapunzel retelling set in the Appalachians of Maine. I can't wait to share it with you later this year!
This story is a call for those who are lost and still trying to find their place in the world. Those who have seen darkness and hurt, but still hope for a sweeter tomorrow. For those who underestimate themselves. For the humble. For the ones who love and serve well. And I hope it's a story that encourages someone who needs reminded that there is still good in the world, and that darkness cannot overtake you unless you allow it to. The Lord is walking beside you always.
July 2, 2025
TITLE REVEAL: MORLAVE BOOK 2 by COURTNEY DENELSBECK!
Hey everyone!
So earlier this year, I reviewed Morlave's School of Magic and absolutely loved it. I'm beyond thrilled to be on the launch team for the second book in the series, and there just so happens to be a title reveal for book two today!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Will the adventure of a lifetime destroy everything Morlave holds dear?
Cornelius Morlave and his loyal companions are on a daring quest, driven by a mysterious key left to him by his mentor, Professor Wormwood. After a grueling year at Yortsed Academy, Cornelius is torn between the comfort of his parents’ shop and the thrilling adventure that awaits him.
But this key is no simple trinket — it holds the power to unlock secrets and lead them on a perilous journey through a magical forest and beyond. As they travel through the elven kingdom of Xanthia, they must navigate through dangers and challenges, all while unraveling the magical clues that the key is pointing to.
As the stakes grow higher and their lives are put on the line, Morlave and his friends must make a difficult decision — is the promise of magic and discovery worth risking their lives and their friendships for?
Join Morlave on his thrilling and heartwarming quest for magic in this adventurous YA coming of age story. Fans of beloved tales like Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and Percy Jackson will be captivated by this timeless tale of friendship, love, bravery, and self-discovery.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
When she’s not stuck in magical worlds, Courtney is homeschooling her four daughters, chatting with her husband, drinking too much coffee, playing with her dog, or enjoying a sunset. Before she wrote books, she designed baby toys and stuffed animals. She’s always loved art and illustrates and designs her own books. Her focus is on creating immersive experiences that are whimsical and fun while weaving deeper themes and meaningful content throughout her stories. Her faith in Christ inspires and guides her content. Her debut novel, Red Fairy & Fox, released in 2024.
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | FACEBOOK | X
And now for the title reveal!
Make sure you follow Courtney Denelsbeck for updates as release day approaches!
