Grace A. Johnson's Blog: Of Blades & Thorns, page 5

guest post by andrea r. cox | strangers to romance...in a novella

Raise your hand if you love strangers-to-lovers! Of all the tropes out there, there's nothing quite like the classic strangers-to-lovers (or strangers to romance) tropes, where the hero and heroine meet during the book and develop a romantic relationship throughout the course of the story!

However, there's an unspoken rule that strangers-to-lovers is too extensive and takes too long to flesh out for it to be used in anything other than a full-length novel. But Andrea Renee Cox, one of the authors part of Springtime in Surrey anthology is here to tackle that myth!

Strangers to Romance… In a Novella

Most of the romance novellas I’ve read have featured two characters who share a past in which they didn’t get along well. All the advice I’ve ever received personally or seen online or in books has suggested that leading characters in novellas must already know one another when the book opens, because there isn’t space enough to develop a romance from beginning to end. While I enjoy those sorts of novellas, I’ve always held the belief that a novella was plenty of space to develop a brand-new romance between strangers. It might take more skill or some creative writing techniques, but it had to be manageable.

One thing I’ve learned from Apostle Paul is that nothing is impossible with God (see Philippians 4:13). It is always my goal to live this out in my writing journey. For years now, I’ve had a secret aim of trying my hand at the “strangers to romance” trope in the smaller form of a novella. It took me a long time to find the right story with circumstances that easily lent themselves to this trope, but when Wild Blue Wonder Press put out their call for novellas set in County Surrey, England, for their debut anthology, Springtime in Surrey, I knew the setting was perfect for a former ballerina hiding from her past to meet and fall in love with a sheep farmer who longed for a place to set down some roots. Even though most advice-givers I’ve run into in this writing business claim it’s impossible to start a novella with strangers and end it with a sweeping romantic climax, The Cottage on the Hill was the perfect story with which to attempt to prove them wrong.

The challenge of tackling a seemingly impossible trope was one I gladly took by the horns. My early drafts missed the mark a little. The first couple rounds of feedback indicated that the romance felt lopsided. Well, that certainly wouldn’t do! Adrian and Moira needed to care about each other equally, and the readers needed to believe that these two characters hadn’t known one another prior to the opening scene but had fallen in love with each other by the grand finale. In between editing deadlines, I dove into some tough revisions, which saw me cutting some things I really liked in order to create a stronger romance for these two characters I’d grown to cherish. The challenge of reshaping this story into the best “strangers to romance” tale I could produce at this stage of my career didn’t scare me. Intimidated me a little, perhaps, but I found my courage and faced the daunting task.

In The Cottage on the Hill, Adrian Davis and Moira Wood don’t know one another when they first cross paths. This worked well for the story, because Adrian’s seeing Moira cry into her tea intrigued him, making him wonder why… and what he might do to help her. The more he tried to cheer her up, the more they got to know one another. During the course of their growing acquaintance, a friendship blossomed into a sweet romance that neither of them could deny.

It definitely took some creativity to shrink a full romance into a shorter form, but I gladly welcomed that challenge. I set out to prove that the leads of a novella didn’t have to know one another before chapter one, and I feel like I succeeded. Cottage may be only ten chapters long, but it soared into the slot for my favorite romance I’ve written to date. It is now my hope that Adrian and Moira’s “strangers to romance” novella will resonate with readers for a long time after they finish reading it.

What is your favorite “strangers to romance” story? I would love to hear your recommendations in the comment section.

~ the author ~

Born and raised in north Texas, Andrea Renee Cox is a born-again child of God who enjoys writing stories that inspire, copyediting fiction manuscripts, tutoring middle school students, and going on road trips with her family. Whether she’s writing historical or contemporary, women’s fiction or romance, she uses her skills in research and writing techniques—as well as prayer and guidance from God—along the journey to produce the best stories of her ability. Her books may be found on her website, and readers are welcome to follow her blog for the latest updates in her journey.

Learn more about her on her website, and follow her on Goodreads, Twitter, Pinterest, Amazon, and BookBub.

~ the anthology ~

Springtime in Surrey, the first collection releasing with Wild Blue Wonder Press, is a Christian anthology featuring eight lovely stories. With a mix of historical and contemporary, romance and women’s fiction, a dash of mystery here and there, real-life themes presented in a loving way, and a vintage feel, this story is sure to charm lovers of Christian women’s fiction.

Learn more at Wild Blue Wonder Press!

I don't know about you, but I 100% agree with Andrea! It's definitely possible to write a strangers-to-lovers novella! Of course I'd say that because not only did Andrea pull it off...so did I! Make sure to preorder Springtime in Surrey to read Andrea's story, The Cottage on the Hill, and mine, Her Heart's Home, along with all the other amazing stories!

We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below! Have you ever read any strangers-to-lovers novellas or short stories? What's one of your favorite romance tropes and why?

yours in spirit & script, grace

#springtimeinsurrey #guestpost #romance #romancewriting #writing #christianfiction #tropes #romancetropes

guest post by kellyn roth | arranged marriage romances are always dirty...right?

If you've stuck around my blog long enough, you've no doubt discovered that there is little in regards to blogging that I like more than swapping guest posts with the illustrious Kellyn Roth.

Her guest post last year was a HUGE hit (and if you haven't read it yet, what is wrong with you???), so I am beyond excited to have her join us again in honor of the release of Springtime in Surrey!

Without further ado, I give to you the unfiltered thoughts of Christian historical romance author Kellyn Roth on none other than one of Christian romance's most controversial tropes: arranged marriages!

Arranged Marriage Romances Are Always Dirty … Right?

Hey folks! My name is Kellyn Roth, though you can call me Kell … and I get to come on and write a guest post for Grace, which is epic!

The reason I’m coming this time is because I’m launching an anthology called Springtime in Surrey with my small publisher, Wild Blue Wonder Press. Grace is a part of this anthology, as am I. I’m so excited to share these eight amazing stories with you!

My story is an arranged marriage romance set in the Regency era, and if you groaned, well, I get you, girl. I get you.

When I was a young thing way back when, I had an expectation that arranged marriage romances were always dirty.

Why? Because even Christians have to admit that certain things happen within a marriage, and since arranged marriage romances are generally modernized, these delicate topics are often discussed quite a bit.

Now I don’t feel quite that way—to the point where I’m in the process of writing several arranged marriage romances myself, including the novella in our current collection.

Why has my perspective changed?

There are three reasons.

My standards for what I consider “dirty” (or rather, ungodly) have changed. I’ve found better arranged marriage romances. The benefits of this type of romance have stood out to me more.

Let’s break those all down one at a time.

1: My standards for what I consider “dirty” (or rather, ungodly) have changed.

This probably made you cringe. It might make me cringe out of context, too. Usually standards shifting is not considered a good thing, and though there is a place for it, holding fast to what is true and good is never a bad thing.

That said, we all learn and grow. When I first started reading Christian romance, deep in my own sins and doubts and angst, I was incredibly harsh on any “negative content” or sensitive topics. I mean, I couldn’t even discuss menstrual cycles with my mother—how did you expect me to discuss … gAsP … KISSING!?

The funny thing is, I probably was harsher on passionate kisses in arranged marriage romances than in just plain ol’ romances. The reasoning? Those kind of kisses lead to sexual content. And I was uncomfortable with even the implication that it was happening off-screen.

Which was probably fine, in some ways. We are under no obligation to read what makes us uncomfortable. However, I hope that, unlike me in those early years, when something makes you uncomfortable, you will spend some time in thought and prayer and find out why.

Because sin should make us uncomfortable … but is the implication that sexual relationships have happened between a married couple sin?

Depends on the implication, and what “implication” means with vary from book to book, author to author, and reader to reader. But I argue that if the Bible can say in simple words “sexual content happened here” (not an actual Bible quote; usually it’s “he went into her,” “he laid with her,” etc., as you probably know!), we have reason to become more comfortable with that much.

Further, there’s Song of Solomon. Y’all probably groaned—because NO, Song of Solomon doesn’t have explicit sexual content. There’s no “then he did this and this to her” in SOS. However, most people agree* that the book deals with the desire of a man and his new bride to make love. It’s non-explicit, largely poetic, and really romantic.

And honestly, I’ll like to see more authors going that way.

*some disagree, and hey, that’s going to alter your perspective, but this is mine

Even if we separate this from the Bible—especially given that a lot of the time, the Bible is dealing more with needed information than sexual content for sexual content’s sake—I still believe there’s a case to be made for a little smooching and a slight implication being a-okay.

I know it’s a private relationship, but we’re reading about their private relationship from start to finish. Though we’d never want to be standing there in the room, and though I feel strongly that writing explicit sexual content is wrong, I’ve only read a Christian romance once or twice that actually had us standing there in the room during the act.

Honestly, the constant hemming and hawing around what should be a natural and beautiful experience is much worse than the actual sexually-charged scenes.

In some ways, I argue that it’s the average Christian writer’s need to explain and justify why they can write these sorts of things that makes it worse. If you’re simple and honest, people don’t complain as much. (Yet another area where we could learn from the classics!)

In my novella, Courage to Stay, I chose to have a couple kisses and a scene where it’s implied that they consummated their marriage (which is confirmed later by other things that happen #spoilers). I gave it some decent thought and prayers, as with all other aspects of the story, but these days, I find that overthinking it does more harm than good.

2: I’ve found better arranged marriage romances.

Maybe I’m wrong and if I re-read all my childhood arranged romance readers in the Christian fiction genre, I’d find they were just as good …

But I feel like I’ve found better Christian arranged marriage romances lately?

In particular, books like The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper Basham that features a healthy appreciation for how nice kissing is. (Freddie and Grace are my OTP, and you cannot tell me that they are not the cutest things ever.)

Or the The Lumber Baron’s Daughters series by Mary Connealy which shows each couple eventually entering into at least a pseudo-arranged marriage situation where they are healthily attracted to each other … and healthily excited about their new benefits. (Note: I don’t think this series is actually that well-executed in terms of writing or plotting, but I liked some of the relationship dynamics, such as they existed in my head.)

Neither of these get explicit, but they still show people approach sexuality in a healthy way. This means both parties are interested in sexual relations and find each other attractive—and both parties seemed to enjoy proceedings or at least such is implied.

I’ll discuss why I think this is important in the third category, but just know that though I say some things that sound like they’d get pretty explicit, it’s so easy to write this into the character dynamics in a way that makes sense without getting into anyone else’s private business.

In my novella, Courage to Stay, I didn’t have to approach this aspect too much except in one scene as a) it’s short, and b) their relationship is not exactly healed in any area, so spending a lot of time on the sexual aspect seems silly.

3: The benefits of this type of romance have stood out to me more strongly.

Did you know that arranged marriages are actually really good for Christian fiction readers?

Okay, maybe not ALL Christian fiction readers. There was probably an era of my life when I wouldn’t have been benefited as much as I am today. But honestly, I have been so blessed by reading and writing Christian romance in recent years—of this trope and others—that I can’t help but talk about it.

So you can address this in two different ways—one as an unmarried Christian woman and one as a married Christian woman.

As an unmarried Christian woman, I think it’s good for us to get a look inside what a Christian marriage, often one wrought with issues (because fiction = plot = conflict), can look like. Further, I think it’s important for us to acknowledge that the end of a romance story is not marriage—rather, that’s the beginning.

As a married Christian woman, the same is good, but it also helps us know that we’re not alone, and a good romance should encourage us to do better.

Further, as I said, it gives us an opportunity to explore sexual love and physical attraction in a genre that so often only gives us accounts of sin (if it gives us anything at all) before moving on to the present and a new healthy relationship.

And there’s more to overcoming sin than just, “And now I’ve found a better man/woman who won’t pressure me to X, Y, and Z out of the marriage bed.” That’s often what a move away from sexual sin and into sexual purity is seen as in Christian fiction.

However, even if the author chooses to write an arranged marriage romance which doesn’t discuss sex (which is fine and acceptable, of course), the same benefits can of course be reaped.

Which brings me to my conclusion, for I have little else to say on this subject. Simply put, I believe firmly that there is value to arranged romance novels in Christian historical romance—they have gotten a bad rap—and there is great cause to keep writing them and reading them!

At the same time, we need to be thinking harder as authors about writing great arranged marriage romances. Because yes, there are some bad ones out there—quite a few—and it seems to be a genre that experiences some of the worst issues that have plagued Christian romances for years.

What are your thoughts on Christian arranged marriage romances?

~ the author ~

Kellyn Roth is a historical romance & women’s fiction author who writes about the empty places where hope has the most room to grow. Her novels include the inspirational Victorian family saga, The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy. When not building her author career or her indie-author-helping business, Wild Blue Wonder Press, Kell is likely getting lost somewhere in the Pacific Northwest with her friends, watching period dramas and facetious comedies, or spending time with her husband.

You can find her online at https://kellynrothauthor.com/

~ the anthology ~

Springtime in Surrey, the first collection releasing with Wild Blue Wonder Press, is a Christian anthology featuring eight lovely stories. With a mix of historical and contemporary, romance and women’s fiction, a dash of mystery here and there, real-life themes presented in a loving way, and a vintage feel, this story is sure to charm lovers of Christian women’s fiction.

Learn more at Wild Blue Wonder Press!

To echo Kell, share your thoughts on arranged marriage romances in the comments! We'd love to have a respectful conversation within you! And while you're down there, if you do like arranged marriage romances, drop the titles of some of your favorites! Oh, and if you want a chance to read an arranged marriage romance by Kellyn herself, be sure to preorder Springtime in Surrey!

yours in spirit & script, grace

#springtimeinsurrey #guestpost #kellynroth #christianfiction #christianromance #historicalromance #writing #books #rant #romance #romanceauthor #indieauthor

good books & gratitude | july updates

For the first time in the last several years, I actually wish June hadn’t ended so quickly. Festivals, weddings, and VBS went by in a flash...and I literally am looking back over last month right now, racking my brain to figure out what in the great googly moogly did I do in June?

The truth is...I slept. I did a lot of sleeping. And by that I mean I actually went to bed at a decent hour instead of getting any work done, and didn’t wake up quite as early to get in some words before the rest of the fam woke up.

So, yes. Much sleep occurred.

And reading. I kinda sorta actually read. Like, intentionally chose picking up my Kindle over a host of other things, which was refreshing, because I got out of my reading slump and discovered some new favorites.

But as for my 90% focus on writing? Yeah, no. *sighs*

And some of my other goals, like drying herbs, didn’t make the cut either. I genuinely don’t know what happened—just that June did not go as expected.

Especially considering this one crazy thing...I bought a car.

Correction: my sister and I bought a car together. But still. I would like you all to meet the one-and-only Steve.

I’m already determined that July is going to be productive and full of reading, herb-drying, and other wonderful non-work things. And sleep. Of course I’ll still sleep. Just not until 7:30. I can’t handle the morning heat, y’all. The humidity is fever-inducing.

ANYWAY. Moving on to a brand-new addition to my monthly updates posts…

~ gratitude ~

Straight from the pages of my planner, I’m grateful for…

cheese dip good books (specifically reading them) coffee working at my nana’s store peach tee Sky’s the Limit Press VBS repurposing an old dress into a skirt basil-infused water clean sheets funny gifs and, of course, Steve

What are you thankful for from this past month? It can be little things (like I’ve shared) or big things—whatever you’re praising God for!

~ accomplishments ~

I had great plans of decluttering my inbox and social media—which lasted about a day. I unsubscribed from maybe five-ish newsletters, but I never even touched my now-500+ blog posts.

And getting in 20k-50k? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. No.

Meanwhile, in Canada, one of my best friends wrote (almost, if you round up from 95k) A HUNDRED THOUSAND WORDS IN A FLIPPIN’ MONTH. HOW THE HECK DOES THAT EVEN HAPPEN? THIS HEIFER WAS POUNDING OUT 10K A DAY.

Anyway. Totally not jealous.

I did, however, publish my Bible study journals...and post a couple times...and write a few books reviews...and catch up on graphics for my VA job...and get started on my relaunch of Sky’s the Limit Press (check out our Instagram here!)—but life things and writing things just faded into the background.

~ goals ~

So my goals for this month are simple (I literally say that every month): be productive. Make the most of my time. Feel productive rather than piddly.

Naturally, I just wanna write consistently. I know 1,500 words a day isn’t, you know, realistic...but 100 words a day is. I can do that. Even if I have to write on my phone or a notepad. So that’s my goal: write consistently.

Some people say consistent writing isn’t necessarily a good thing or the “trick” others claim it is—and as someone who (1) is as scattered as Ezekiel’s hair (if you comment below that you got this reference, I’m turning it into an official simile) and (2) operates entirely on inspiration and motivation and sweet tea, I honestly agree. No, it’s not the “trick” to being a good writer or making the most out of your writing. For some people, it probably would leave you feeling resentful and burnt-out.

But because I’m driven by drive (oh, gosh, that’s cheesy ‍♀️), I crave routine. I desire structure and organization. That’s one reason why I’m actually outlining (ish) Something Bright & Beautiful: to give myself the discipline I need to overcome my laziness dependence on inspiration.

There are writers who do need consistency and discipline to hone their skills, and there are writers who need to break out of monotonous routines to regain their love for the craft. Which are you? Would you be interested in a blog post on consistency in writing? Drop a comment down below! (This sounds like a script for a YouTube video. )

~ writing ~

I did actually somehow end up with 2,688 words. Did I used to write 15,000 words a month? Absolutely. But am I just coming out of a period of writing nothing a month? Yes. Yes, I am.

So I’ll take my 2k. Here’s to doubling it...and doubling it...and doubling it over the next few months.

~ reading ~

Y’all...my reading this month was ACTUALLY GOOD. Not that it’s been bad, per se, the last few months, because I have read and I have read books I’ve enjoyed.

I just felt really motivated to read and just really excited about the books I read.

The main reason why?

The Light of Eidon by Karen Hancock.

Y’all, this Christian fantasy semi-classic is a book I had literally never heard of until I saw Hannah Linder redesigned the cover for it (and it is GORGEOUS). So when I saw CelebrateLit was hosting a blog tour for it, I decided I’d give it a try—even though I had no idea what I was getting into and turns out some of my Goodreads friends DNFed it and/or gave it negative reviews.

And, lemme tell ya, even though it’s a bit of an acquired taste (apparently), I LOVED THIS BOOK. It was just what I needed to pull me back into a love of reading (especially on my Kindle). It had all my favorite things—a strong male lead, an amazing allegory, and ANCIENT ROME VIBES. (Mark of the Lion fan over here, peeps.) It was like Ben Hur + Dune + Lord of the Rings. As weird as that sounds, it works.

I also finally read By Light & Love by Anna Augustine, which was so sweet, and The London Rose by Rosanne E. Lortz, which was a delightful Regency romp.

I only missed one of the books on my list for June, which brings us to my next new segment…

~ upcoming reads & posts ~

My intention is to hold myself accountable with this segment, by listing the books I intend to read this month and the posts I wanna write/share on my blog! So here goes…

to read:

Let Me Be a Woman by Elisabeth Elliott Sky of Seven Colors by Rachelle Nelson Legal Guide for Starting & Running a Small Business by Fred S. Steingold

to post:

an introduction post for Sky’s the Limit Press my author website Q&A post (which is several months overdue...no surprise there) a post about my novella, Her Heart’s Home and five guest posts from my fellow Springtime in Surrey authors!~ guest appearances ~

I got to share an extremely controversial post on Kellyn Roth’s blog in June, and Y’ALL. I had a ton of fun writing this—just not as uch fun reading the comments. Hopefully y’all will be able to understand what I mean in my post all about ✨bad boys✨!

~ follower updates ~

In case you missed it...I created and published Bible study journals for those who don’t like writing in their devotionals or study books. (That would be me. )

The anthology I’m being published in, Springtime in Surrey, is accepting launch team members AND bloggers for the blog tour! If you’re interested in helping promote SiS, check out the launch team form here and the blog tour form here! We would love for you to join us in celebrating the release of Springtime in Surrey!

I don’t know about you, but I am SO excited for SiS!!! Have you preordered your copy yet??

Well, that sums it up for June! Lemme know down below...what are your goals for July? Favorite read? What are you grateful for?

Oh, and while you’re at it...I’m in the process of creating a resource library for y’all, and I wanna know...what resources (writing, publishing, devotional/inspirational, etc.) do y’all wanna see? What would benefit you most as a writer and/or Christian? Any and all suggestions are appreciated!

Love you all and pray you have a wonderful and cool July! Don’t melt out there, my peeps.

yours in spirit & script, grace

#welcometojuly #julyupdates #monthlygratitude #upcomingposts #upcomingreads #tbr #monthlyupdates #monthlygoals #monthlywrapup #monthlyprogress #goals #wrapup #updates #reading #writing #progressreport #readinghighlights #progress #guestappearance #followerupdates #biblestudyjournals #springtimeinsurrey

(Pst! I'm an Amazon affiliate, so if you make a purchase through my Amazon links, I'll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you!)

it's time you heard the truth | title + project reveal

It's time you heard the truth behind the stories you've been told.

And, no, I'm not talking about the rumors floating around that I think pineapple and pizza are culinary soulmates. We all already know that's true.

I'm talking about the truth behind Soviet Russia, the place Issabelle Perry transports us to in her upcoming novel. Yep. Today, I'll be joining Issabelle and several other bloggers in revealing the title of her latest project!

But get this.

I'm revealing something else too.

Issabelle's not self-publishing this book. Or publishing it with Bethany House or Revell or anyone else.

Nope.

She's publishing it with this little tiny small press that hasn't even officially launched yet.

Sky's the Limit Press.

If you don't recognize that name, you're likely new here. Well, back in 2021-2022, I adopted Sky's the Limit Press as the name I publish my books under (not the author name; the publisher name ). And from there I built a website, started (and abandoned) a blog, created an online literary journal (that lasted only one issue ).

Then, in February of this year, I published an anthology under that same name.

Now, nearly six months later, I am pleased and ecstatic and kinda in shock to announce that Sky's the Limit Press IS going to be official. I'm rebranding and revamping and getting all my legal/financial ducks in a row...and Lord willing, we'll launch this fall.

And our first official publication will be a Christian historical romantic suspense novel by none other than Issabelle Perry.

So now, without further ado, allow me to introduce you to...

Don't Let Me Go

~ book 1 in The Lost Empire series ~

When truth is a crime…

Soviet Russia, 1929: Maksim Lenkov is tired of his past haunting him. An ex-Bolshevik and supporter of the revolution over ten years earlier that toppled the Romanov dynasty, Maksm has never forgotten his guilt over not saving the tsar and his family—especially a certain beautiful grand duchess. Tatiana Romanova had stolen his heart before the Bolsheviks took her life.

Maksim has spent the last ten years hunting down her killers to no avail and doing anything possible to resist the Soviet rule. Which is why when a young, spunky British girl appears out of nowhere, claiming she has the Soviet secret police on her heels and needs help escaping the country, Maksim is compelled to aid her. Especially since she says to have information that would ruin the USSR’s push for influence on western Europe and, more importantly, information that connects to one Bolshevik whom Maksim knows well. A man who was there the night of Tatiana’s murder.

This could be his chance to finally avenge the Romanovs and find peace with his past. But is his new ally all she claims to be or could she be an informer for the secret police? When OGPU draws closer, how far will Maksim go to serve justice? Inspired by true events, Don’t Let Me Go is a gripping, page-turning novel that explores the power of hope in the midst of darkness and the strength of love over evil.

Y'ALL. I am just sooooo excited for this book - and I'm not saying that because I'm publishing it. (Speaking of, that's a mock cover. Not the real thing. Trust me, this beautiful book will be getting something wayyyy better when the time comes!)

If y'all wanna see the EPIC book trailer + learn more, check out Issabelle's post HERE! Make sure to sign up for her newsletter too for updates!

Now, STLP's website and whatnot is currently under reconstruction, so if you wanna stay up-to-date + be the first to know when the new site is live, you can subscribe for the STLP newsletter HERE!

Hopefully I get to share more about STLP (and Issabelle can share more about DLMG) in the future! Until then, feel free to drop any questions you have in the comments!

Thank you all for joining us on this amazing journey God's guiding us in! I can't wait to see what He has in store!

yours in stories & stars, grace

#skysthelimitpress #issabelleperry #dontletmego #titlereveal #projectreveal #publishing #announcement #news

new release | trouble in dry springs by kristina hall

I don't know if there's any author quite as prolific as Kristina Hall. Not only does she release upwards of three books a year, but each book is amazing! From dystopian thrillers to western sagas, Kristina has got a vast array of quality Christian fiction for every reader, and I'm so excited to be spotlighting one of her newest ones - Trouble in Dry Springs, the first book in the Dry Springs Chronicles!

I first discovered Kristina when I read Strangers and Pilgrims, so I'm super excited to get another taste of her western novels in this new story!

~ the book ~

Even the peaceful town of Dry Springs is not without trouble.

When Eliza McCoslin's brother sends for her, she exchanges war-torn Mississippi for Dry Springs, Texas. Settling into a new way of life proves difficult though, despite the arrival of the man she's long admired.

Jesse Carrigan comes to Dry Springs seeking work and a place to start the ranch he's dreamed of ever since his parents lost their farm. What he doesn't expect to find is the woman he'd like to court—or his former colonel on the run from a deadly threat.

Given the circumstances keeping Jesse and Eliza apart and the danger looming on the horizon, he and Eliza find themselves facing the loss of future love—and life. When trouble comes to Dry Springs, who will be left standing?

~ the author ~

Kristina Hall is a sinner saved by grace who seeks to glorify God with her words. She is a homeschool graduate and holds a degree in accounting. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, arm wrestling, lifting weights, and playing the violin.

Check out her website or follow her on Instagram for updates on her latest releases and book reviews!

Have you read any books by Kristina Hall? Which are your favorites - her dystopian thrillers, 1920s suspenses, westerns, or contemporarys? If you haven't read Trouble in Dry Springs yet, make sure you click the link to purchase a copy of your own!

If you want to discover more by Kristina Hall, check out my reviews of Strangers and Pilgrims, To the Uttermost, the Moretti Trilogy (my personal favorite!), Fled for Refuge, and Refuge from the Storm - AND our interview!

yours in spirit & script, grace

#newrelease #bookspotlight #christianfiction #western #romance #historicalfiction #historicalromance #indie

Pst! My Amazon links are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through my link, I'll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you!

giveaway | may we make them proud by issabelle perry

Guys, do I have a treat for y'all!!! I've got a print copy of May We Make Them Proud by Issabelle Perry on hand...along with some adorable stickers, a notepad, a set of tissues (they match, okay?), a GORGEOUS succulent mug that I'm so in love with, AND (of course) some tea!

Now, I'm not telling y'all that to show off all the goodies I've got...but because YOU (yes, you!) have the chance to win this whole set of bookish wonderfulness!

Before we get into the details, make sure you learn more about May We Make Them Proud through my review and get to know Issabelle (the AH-MAY-ZING author) through our interview! And, if you're not into physical books, giveaways, or are an international reader, let me point you to the Kindle copy of May We Make Them Proud! You can download the Kindle version for only $0.99!

Now, for the boring stuff...this giveaway is open to the US only (sorry, my international friends!!) and to entrants who are either 18+ or have their parent's permission to enter. The winner will be contacted by email and must be comfortable with providing their shipping address. And, finally, the giveaway ends on June 19th!

To enter, all you have to do is subscribe to Issabelle's newsletter, and for extra entries, you can visit her website, follow me on Instagram, or subscribe to my newsletter too!

Whether you're entering or not, comment below which prize (apart from the book) you'd be most excited for! What are some of your other favorite giveaway prizes?

May the odds be ever in your favor! I can't wait to see who wins!

yours in spirit & script, Grace

#giveaway #maywemakethemproud #issabelleperry #entertowin

humility & humidity | june updates

“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

~ 2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV ~

My least favorite month has arrived. Not only is June hot as heck and super busy for us...it’s also that month. Welp, I’m determined to celebrate June for what it really is—life month and humility month. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll begin to see June as one of my most favorite months.

What about you? What does June mean to you?

This month, I’m backing off from some things and hitting others HARD. Now that I’ve officially started my next full-length project, I am 90% focused on just writing. Which I am both nervous about and excited for! How do you usually feel when you start a new project?

Which leads us to the brunt of today’s post! Let’s not waste any time getting into all the updates!

~ accomplishments ~

Y’all...I actually think I did kinda sorta somewhat good on some of my goals. *cue the gasps*

So, in May, I wanted to do the following:

~ finish edits on Her Heart’s Home;

~ focus on posting, reading, and reviewing more;

~ starting writing Something Bright & Beautiful;

~ and update my website.

Obviously there are some of those that I didn’t do, like update my website, but I DID edit HHH, start writing SB&B, and at least post a couple more times than I have in the last two months. So yay!!! And thank the Lord!

I also designed another website (kinda last minute, but I’m pleased with how it turned out!), edited a short novel for a client, did some other miscellaneous editing, sent out my first chapter of SB&B to my alpha readers (AHHHH!), AND designed a Bible study journal I can’t wait to share with y’all. There were probably some other things I got done at the first of the month, but I genuinely cannot remember anything from the beginning of May. The month was both a blur and forever long. *shakes head*

~ goals ~

My goals for June are gonna be a little different thing go-round. Mainly because I plan on cutting back on some media intake (because it’s June), decluttering stuff (like my about-to-explode inbox), and writing. Like, a lot. Hopefully every day (but I missed the 1st, so we’ll see). I’m hoping for between 20k-50k this month alone.

My other goals are…

~ redesign/relaunch Sky’s the Limit Press (more info coming soon!)

~ design (or at least start on) a website for a friend

~ publish my study journals

~ be more consistently (again) on posting

~ catch up on devotionals (that I’m writing) + pen pals letters

I also have some influencer projects, beta-reading, and marketing (for Springtime in Surrey) to catch up on!

~ writing ~

In the writing department, I wrote about 3k in Something Bright & Beautiful last month! Whoop whoop! I mean, my friend Kads can write 3k in a day, but this is a vast improvement for me, so I ain't gonna complain.

~ reading ~

I managed to actually read a few books (I’m still ahead on my Goodreads challenge), including an ARC of The Looking-Glass Illusion by Sara Ella! I am so excited to share my review of this epic Alice in Wonderland retelling! Until then, y’all be sure to check it out here and preorder your copy!

~ blogging ~

It’s no surprise, my most popular post was my project reveal for Something Bright & Beautiful!! Learn all about my upcoming novel here!

~ guest appearance ~

Boy, have I got a treat for y’all! I was just on my VERY FIRST PODCAST with The Wordsmith’s Edge!!! Y’all, this was so amazing and I’m super excited to share it with y’all! You can listen on all sorts of platforms—just click here to check ’em all out!

Well, that sums up May and introduces June! Before I leave y’all to your weekend, I’d love to know—should I include not just my posts and reads from the last month but also what I plan on posting/reading in the current month? Would y’all be interested in some of my more personal, less-writing-related goals? What about my monthly gratitude or something I’ve learned? Is there anything else y’all love to see in my monthly updates posts in the future?

Let me know down below, and feel free to share what YOUR goals are this month!!

yours in spirit & script, grace

#welcometojune #juneupdates #monthlyupdates #monthlygoals #monthlywrapup #monthlyprogress #goals #wrapup #updates #reading #writing #progressreport #readinghighlights #progress #podcast #topblogposts #guestappearance

(Pst! I'm an Amazon affiliate, so if you make a purchase through my Amazon links, I'll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you!)

remember me | a memorial day message

Last year, I had the privilege of sharing this post on Seeking the Timeless Anchor for Alyssa's annual Memorial Day countdown. This year, I want to share it - and a poem I wrote inspired by it - with you.

May we never forget.

The young dead soldiers do not speak.

Nevertheless, they are heard in the still houses:

who has not heard them?

They have a silence that speaks for them at night

and when the clock counts.

Since the United States was born during the American Revolution, over 1 million American men and women have died in service of our country. That’s 1.3 million lives lost on the battlefield. 1.3 million bodies broken, spirits departed, families grieving.

We set aside one day each year to recall to mind these 1.3 million brave souls, to honor their sacrifice. To remember them, we visit their graves, raise our American flags, and mournfully play Taps or our National Anthem.

And yet another war rages on. Another soldier dies.

They say: We were young. We have died.

Remember us.

They say: We have done what we could

but until it is finished it is not done.

They say: We have given our lives but until it is finished

no one can know what our lives gave.

On Memorial Day weekend in 1971, a group of over 200 Vietnam veterans marched through Massechuests to protest the ongoing war overseas. These men who had given their bodies and souls to this unjust war and received nothing from it or from their country stood up on Memorial Day and declared a new kind of remembering. Instead of just putting out flowers and mourning so many brutal or even unnecessary deaths, why not choose to make something of it? Why let those soldiers’ sacrifices be in vain? Why continue to fight for the freedom they had already won? Why wage a war to gain peace?

Those gathered there that day knew a great travesty had occurred. Our country had shifted its focus off of liberty and serenity and onto greed, chaos, hatred, and bloodlust. And that dramatic shift left us to remember vain sacrifices, fruitless attempts, and ignoble deaths.

My grandfather fought and almost died in Vietnam. Had it not been for the grace of God that spared him, my grandmother and aunt would’ve remembered my grandpa as a man who gave his life in a place he barely knew, for a country that despised him. He told me himself that he never would have chosen to fight in Vietnam. Had he been faced with the choice to take up arms to defend his country and protect his family, he would have without a second thought...but he would not have fought in vain in Vietnam.

In the end, those who have died and those who will die don’t know what they die for. They cannot know, for their deaths are only given meaning once we do something about them.

They say: Our deaths are not ours: they are yours,

they will mean what you make them.

They say: Whether our lives and our deaths were for

peace and a new hope or for nothing we cannot say,

it is you who must say this.

We leave you our deaths. Give them their meaning.

We were young, they say. We have died; remember us.

Those veterans asked their country decades ago to give their fallen comrades purpose. To sacrifice for them. To change because of them. They asked that their brothers not be remembered as dead soldiers, but as beacons of hope and peace.

Memorial Day is not just a day of remembrance...it is a day of action.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

We can choose to spend this day grieving at gravesides...or we can give our soldiers something to have died for. We can make something of their sacrifices. We can embrace the life they have given us, strive to make things news, create a better world for our children and our grandchildren. That is, after all, why they died. To give us a hope and a future. Not for us to squander it on more wars and conflicts, but to look upon the days ahead knowing that it is finished.

Christ was our ultimate sacrifice. Because of Him and His death upon the cross almost two thousand years ago, we do not have to die for our sins. His death gave us life.

And like that, our fallen soldiers, our Dead, have laid down their lives that we may have life, that we may no longer have to fight for what has already been given us.

And now the Torch and Poppy Red

We wear in honor of our dead.

Fear not that ye have died for naught;

We'll teach the lesson that ye wrought

In Flanders Fields.

Will you remember our Dead in weeping for their crushed spirits...or in joy for the new life, the second chance, they have given us?

~ further reading ~

(Please note that I don’t agree with everything in these articles; however, they did provide the historical facts and statistics I included in my post, and they do offer a different perspective on Memorial Day and our military):

https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2021/05/28/vietnam-veterans-transformed-memorial-day-weekend-into-holiday-about-peace/ https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/many-americans-died-u-s-wars https://www.history.com/news/8-things-you-may-not-know-about-memorial-day~ poems quoted ~

“The Young Dead Soldiers Do Not Speak” by Archibald MacLeish (first three excerpts) – https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-young-dead-soldiers-do-not-speak/

“In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae (fourth excerpt) – https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47380/in-flanders-fields

“We Shall Keep The Faith” by Moina Michael (fifth excerpt) – https://www.greatwar.co.uk/poems/moin...

~ remember me ~

a poem

Remember me

As the son you raised

The boy you taught

Remember me

As the spirit who sang

And chased the wind

Remember me

As the man you loved

And who loved you in return

Remember me

As the soul silenced

And rent from your arms

As cannons blasted and guns blazed

And fire struck us on every side

And shrapnel rained from the sky

Remember me

As the life sacrificed

To pay the price

For a world that knows not love

For a people who lust for war

For a hate that is bone-deep

Remember me

As the heart that beat

For goodness and honor

For righteousness and love

And ceased to beat

To bring you peace

Remember me

As the soldier

Who died

To give you

A second chance

At life

Remembering is often all too easy. It's making the most of these brave individuals' sacrifice that is so hard.

This Memorial Day, remember the lives lost to grant us freedom...and honor them by making the world they fought for just a little bit better.

yours in spirit & script, grace

#memorialday #rememberme #poem #poetry #neverforget #america #thankyou #military

trust the planner | a graduation message

Two years ago, I wrote this short little article (in part inspired by the theme of my novella, The Gift of Her Heart) to be printed in my local newspaper in honor of graduation.

Here I am two years later, and I am the one graduating. I found this post as I was scrolling through my archives and realized I needed this.

So I thought, why not share it again? Whether you're graduating high school or college or kindergarten, whether you're starting a new job or just quit/lost an old one, whether you're settling down or moving on...we all need to be reminded to trust the planner.

I don’t know about you, but I like plans. Routine. Lists. There’s something comforting in knowing what you’re doing before you do it, having control over the way your day or career or life is going. And what really burns my britches is when things don’t go as planned.

The wise King Solomon wrote in Proverbs 16, verse 9, “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps” (KJV).

It’s a fairly simple concept. He’s saying that no matter what we determine in our hearts to do, God is always one step ahead, preparing a path for us—and sometimes that path is much different than we imagined or even wanted. Maybe His path seems horrifying and not at all what you think you need.

I’ll be blunt with y’all—graduation is upon us in mere days. Across the country, young adults are experiencing one of the biggest changes in their lives this month: their first step into reality. Whether they’re graduating from college and searching for a job, graduating high school and applying to universities or tech schools, or entering the workplace, twelve percent of the US population is about to embark upon one of the scariest journeys of their lives.

Some of them have it all figured out. Cap and gown—check. College—check. Major—check. Scholarship—check. Dorm room—check. Part-time job—check. They’ve made lists and plans and calculated everything.

Maybe you’re one of them. Maybe you’re not. Either way, we’ve all been there, and we’ll probably be there again, on the brink of something new and exciting, planning all our steps.

My message is for you, because as you make your schedules and write your lists, you are totally unprepared for life. Life isn’t confined to one person’s plans—it’s wild and unexpected. Sometimes it’ll do nothing but throw lemons at you (in which case, I suggest lemonade). Other times, it is the most beautiful thing. Whatever the case, you can’t bet on life and expect to win.

Do you know why?

Because there is something—Someone—greater at work in our lives. There is a God Who sees your plans and lists and laughs—yeah, I’m sure He laughs. He has something even better in mind, after all. Something beyond all your wildest dreams. Something you could never plan.

It may be tough getting there. It may be rocky at the start. You may not understand God’s plan or His path for you—and you might veer off of it. But that’s why we go to Him in prayer and seek His will. Ask Him what His plans are for you. Consult Him before your calendar.

We can plan all we want. Make schedules. Dictate actions. Book flights. Allot time. Save money. Pass tests. Pray like St. Patrick.

But…in the end, our Sovereign God wins out. Whether or not you heed His commands and follow His precepts, His plan is the only one put into motion, the only one which comes to pass. He is God and there is no other.

His ways are higher than our ways. His thoughts are so much higher than ours. We think we have it all figured out, exactly the way it should go, but He sees the big picture. He sees where, yes, we screw up. He sees where something goes wrong. He sees where our life impacts someone else, long after we’ve passed away. He sees how one slave feeds thousands in a famine. He sees how a blind baby displays His immense glory. He sees why an innocent Man must die for one wretched soul two thousand and twenty-one years in the future.

That’s why I ask you to trust the Planner. Trust God and His divine will and purpose for your life. Only He knows how many souls you can reach, how many people you can impact. Let Him use you!

Life won’t come easy—especially now, during this new beginning and glorious unfolding—so place your life in the hands of Almighty God. Whether you’re graduating high school or college in a few days, getting married next month, having your first child, or retiring from your job, place all your hopes and dreams and faith in God! Seek His will for your life, and He’ll plant His desires into your heart and bring them to fruition.

Don’t miss out on your purpose by planning your destiny. Let the God Who sees—El-Roi—direct your path. Deviating and rebelling will only get you lost. Let Him find you now.

What change or transition are you experiencing in your life right now? How can you places your plans and hopes and dreams into God's capable hands and trust Him above all?

You're not alone in this season of change. We all go through periods of chaos and crazy, watching and waiting, praying and planning...and God is with us through it all.

in spirit & script, your fellow graduate, grace

#graduation #faith #christianliving #trustgod #god #future #plans #fromthearchives #repost

project reveal | something bright & beautiful

Over a year ago, I typed “The End” (or, more accurately, “dead”), completing my third (published) novel. Since then, I’ve written a few flash fiction pieces, a couple short stories, a novelette (a story between a short story and a novella...because we have to have specific words for everything ). Anything but a novel.

Well, my lovelies, the time has come.

Technically the time came in January, but life happened, so I haven’t actually done anything with that time until now. A n y w a y…

I have at long last begun my next novel. I honestly was 100% unprepared for this event, because when I made it to the last leg of Bound and Determined and was forced to reconcile with the fact that I would no longer be chillin’ with Rina, Keaton, and Daisy like I had for the previous three years.

I would have to move on. To another project. And truth be told, I wasn’t entirely certain what that other project would be, because I have SO many vying for my attention—from Held Captive’s new edition, my Civil War dramanstery (drama + romance + mystery), to my prequel series to the Daughters of the Seven Seas. The one story I hadn’t expected to be on my radar was Something Bright & Beautiful, the full-length sequel to Daylight (my 9/11 short story).

But try as I might to get August and Sylvie out of my head, I couldn’t. (It probably didn’t help that I might have, um, created a huge Pinterest board for their story. )

It just felt…right. Like this was The Story™. The crazy thing is that I have NEVER felt so assured that I was writing the right thing and the right time like I have with SB&B. No, I don’t think anyone’s gonna like it or understand some aspects of it (as per usual), but that doesn’t matter like it did with BAD. (I had really bad anxiety over BAD—pun not intended.)

Regardless of what happens with this story, I know for some reason, I’m supposed to write it. And I want to, despite all the many other stories I crave returning to.

So here it is, folks. My official project reveal.

Meet Something Bright & Beautiful.

~ the book ~

Something Bright & Beautiful is set in rich, vibrant city that's been torn to shreds. Manhattan suffered a lethal blow when the Twin Towers were felled by the evil machinations of terrorists in September of 2001, and one young woman is left to pick up the pieces of her fragile life in the aftermath.

Sylvie Harpe's father lies dead in a small Catholic cemetery and her best friend August has one foot in the grave from his hospital bed at St. Vincent's. As August slowly recovers, it's up to her to hold it all together: keep her father's apartment building running when his insurmountable debt hangs over her head, find a job to pay his medical bills, and hide the heartache that claws at her.

When August's deadbeat father shows up after he left for another woman over a decade before, a new obstacle comes between Sylvie, August, and their healing. Can August find it in his heart to forgive his father, and will Sylvie ever find the hope she craves?

~ the progress ~

I’m currently not even 2,000 words into this story. Writing has been painstakingly slow, since my month has been outrageously busy, and where I could’ve written a chapter in a week (back in 2019, when I wrote Held Captive and Prisoner at Heart), I’m down to roughly a chapter a month (hence why BAD took so long to write ).

I expect about 21 chapters and 80k words (give or take, of course), which I’ve been able to determine because I actually...outlined the story...before I started writing...for the first time E V E R.

Y’all. I’ve been writing for eight years, and in those eight years I’ve written, started, and developed literally countless stories…but this is the first time I’ve ever outlined a story before I began writing. I still can’t believe it either!

No, I haven’t officially turned over to the dark side and become a plotter...yet!

I’d love to talk more about the process, but I’m saving that for an exclusive post series on my Patreon!

~ the aesthetic ~

I SO wanna share the whole board and the playlist and everything—but I can’t. So I’ll stick with the graphic below to give you a glimpse into the aesthetic of the story!

the vibes

~ shattered wine bottles

~ neon lights against an inky sky

~ terracotta flower pots in the window

~ rusty fire escapes

~ smoke hanging in the air

~ crumbling brick buildings

~ forehead kisses

~ crying in the shower

~ dancing in the rain

~ late nights in front of the TV

~ mixtapes scattered across the floor

~ the sneak peek ~

Naturally, I have to include a sneak peek. What’s a project update without one, after all? This one may seem short, but it’s literally half the novel at this point. So, without further ado, enjoy the first part of Chapter 1!

manhattan, new york

saturday, sept. 15, 2001

The doorway to August’s room looms before me, empty. Hollow. Kinda stinky, to be honest. Like old socks and dirt and smoke—certainly not the type of smell you’d expect to lure a person in...but it does.

My fingers latch onto the door frame for support, my feet sluggish as I try to get them over the threshold.

It feels wrong being in here without him. As if I’m invading his inner sanctuary. Which is laughable, really, because August never spends any more time in his room than he has to. He’ll catch a few winks between nine pm and five am, then throw on his clothes and be out of there.

Come to think of it, he’s not at home that much at all these days. Ever since he was promoted to crew chief, he’s been hard at work every day from six in the morning to eight in the evening. Then it’s straight to Vinny’s to grab dinner and back home for a shower and some sleep. On top of that, he’s always at my place on the weekends, experimenting in the kitchen, working on a new sketch, annoying me as I try to fold laundry.

Loneliness clenches me. It hasn’t ever been so quiet when I’ve folded clothes as it was this morning. And there wasn’t anything of Pops’ this time. No ratty shirts or beer-stained tanks or polka dot boxers or sweaty socks.

Just my stuff and one shirt of August’s I forgot to wash after he threw it in last week.

I block out the images of my clothes all alone in the laundry basket, close off the sight of my dad’s bedroom even emptier than August’s, suppress the roil of my stomach that threatens to toss my lunch.

I’m not here for an emotional breakdown. I’m not here to torture myself with all the memories and the what ifs. I’m here to get August’s sketchbook and leave.

Quickly.

I release the door frame, pushing off of it and launching myself into my best friend’s bedroom. The scent that’s so uniquely August—in all its stinky glory—envelopes me like a heavy coat, gripping my arms and making every movement stiff and unnatural. I fumble through work boots left in random places and wadded-up papers on the floor to reach his desk, which is just as cluttered as the rest of his room is.

August may be the one of the sweetest, gentlest guys I’ve ever met—but he’s still a guy. In other words, he’s still a disgusting mess.

I wrinkle my nose but tamp down the admonishment that rises in my throat. “Oh, Gus, if you were here, I’d get on your tail for this mess, lemme tell ya.” I reach for his sketchbook, with its frayed edges and loose sheets, and a handful of pencils. He never can use just one—apparently each pencil has a different purpose, but I wouldn’t know. He’s as crotchety as an old man when it comes to his sketches—I can never watch him work or even glimpse the design until he is completely finished, and that right there has taken upwards of a year before for just one design.

My fingers trace the edge of the book. I could look in it right now, view the lines and curves he’s spent so many hours perfecting, calculate the dimensions in my head to get an idea of the design in real life. Touch the pages he’s pored over and imagine them as his hands, whole and healed, instead of just paper and memories.

Tears sting the back of my eyelids. The darned things just won’t stop coming, not even after three days.

“Gah, I wish you was here, August. I wish we was together on the floor in the den, throwing stale popcorn at each other, instead of me here and you—” Ah, what’s the use? He can’t hear me. Not miles away in his hospital bed, recovering bit by bit from the injuries those blamed terrorists—and my own stupidity—inflicted on him.

Slamming my eyes shut, I stuff the sketchbook and pencils in my knapsack—the one August gave me for my birthday last year—and leave the room as if it were as hot as my tears.

~ the form ~

For the first time in forever (like, literally ever), I’m searching for alpha readers for Something Bright & Beautiful…just a handful of people (two-to-four) who are willing to give me their honest feedback and reactions on the story. They don’t even have to stick around until the end, but simply read what they can, when they can.

If that’s you, I’d love for you to consider signing up! I’ll be taking in as many “applications” as I can until the first week or so in June, and then I’ll select my alpha reader team! And if you don’t “make the cut” or decide not to sign up, but still want to read, watch out for beta reader sign-ups once I actually finish writing! (Whenever that is. )

Anyway, the form’s below. Do with it what you will.

So there she is, folks. Something Bright & Beautiful. If you’re on Goodreads, consider adding it to your want-to-read list (or even adding it to a list or two!) through the link below! Until then, stay tuned for more updates and sneak peeks on SB&B as time goes on! Y’all will get progress reports every month in my monthly updates posts, and my patrons will receive exclusive behind-the-scenes articles on Patreon!

I’d love to know what you think of SB&B below! Have you read Daylight, the prequel story? Would you be interested in alpha reading? Do the vibes of SB&B sound up your alley? Let me know in the comments!

yours in spirit & script, grace

#somethingbrightandbeautiful #projectreveal #newbook #writingupdate #writingprogress #newproject #daylight #novel #romance #christianfiction #alphareaders #patreon #goodreads #nineeleven #sylvie #august #literaryfiction #historicalfiction #wip #workinprogress