Vanessa Hall's Blog, page 26
March 24, 2022
New Release: Refuge from the Storm by Kristina Hall
Doubt. Persecution. Forgiveness.
Tony Dorence should be dead. But after months in prison, he’s home. Yet even at home, he’s not safe from trials that hit from every angle.
Merri Dorence couldn’t be more thankful her brother is home, yet doubts have attacked her newfound faith and left her questioning all too much.
When they face a threat greater than either of them could’ve imagined, will they find refuge from the storm or be overcome by a relentless evil?
March 23, 2022
Writing Updates (And Yes, Writing Updates!)
And I’m back, only two months after my last update! (I am getting better at this, judging my last update came after nearly four months of radio silence.)
So the big accomplishment this time around was publishing Unworthy! I finished it around the first of February, and that was after much travail and many edits. 
Anyway, it’s out in the world now, so if you’d like to check it out, it’s available in print and ebook!
As for book #3 … I blazed through the first edits. It was so much fun, and it was probably the best first edits I’ve had so far. I loved digging into these characters’ personalities, and I’ve been kind of surprised by how interesting and encouraging they are (at least their problems and how they finally come to see them. Not necessarily their personalities …)
Anyway, now I’m on the second edit, and things are … interesting. School and life in general has suddenly become much busier, and most days, I only have about an hour each night to edit. (One hour. At night. To edit.)
Yeah, it’s difficult. Getting through one scene per night is about as good as I can ever hope for, and most nights, I don’t complete that scene. It’s been pretty hard—back in that slogging part of editing—but some days are better the others. (Spring break was helpful.) But the key thing is … keep on marching. And praying, really, really hard.
But I do have exciting news that’s not just about slogging through edits.
I started a new project!!
(Sorry, that had to have multiple exclamation marks because of how exciting it is. Nearly a whole year of only rewriting/editing can feel like a desert.)
If you got my March newsletter (sign up here if you’d like!), you already got a sneak peek of this project. I obviously can’t escape Russia and all my friends there, so we’re back in Moscow with book #6 of the Grace Sufficient series!
I’m really excited about this book, and it feels a lot like home. Presumably, this might be the last in the series, so this plot happens to involve everyone from the prior five books. (Yes, it’s a nightmare juggling everyone, but I love them anyway. And everyone is so old now. I feel like a mom watching her kids grow up and go to college or something.)
So those are all my updates for now – so you talk to me! How is your writing going? Or are you editing, too? Let me know how your projects are going!
March 21, 2022
Review: This Will Not Last: poetry for weary souls by Laurel Jean
This Will Not Last: poetry for weary souls by Laurel Jean
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I’m not much of a poetry reader – though I’m not really sure why, especially after reading this collection! Each poem was well-written in the author’s distinct voice, and though they weren’t long, they each held an important truth or emotion. I think that was my favorite part about this book – the honesty behind each of these poems. The author didn’t shy away from pain and darkness. This wasn’t some rose-colored vision of the world. No, this was about real life, and real life can be so hard. But even amidst the pain and frustrations and sorrow expressed throughout the first few poems, there was a beautiful ray of hope, becoming clearer and clearer as the collection reached its close. The truth that God is with us and will carry us through every difficult just sang through this book.
As Christians, we live in a sinful world, so we’re going to face trials. There’s no avoiding that. But we have a God Who is far above those trials and will use them for our good. That’s what each of these poems pointed to, because even in our darkest hours, the Lord is still reigning over all.
So if you’re looking for some quality poems that express reality but with a good dose of hope … you’ve found your book! Well done to Laurel Jean on this collection, and I look forward to seeing more from her in the future.
Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher/author. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
March 19, 2022
Cover Reveal: Flowers in Her Heart by Kellyn Roth
When her husband goes off to war, Adele feels lost and confused. In a new, less-than-ideal place in a frightening, less-than-ideal time, she flees to the garden with her daughters, determined to make their new house a home, even if it is from the outside in.
Battered by her own inner turmoil and scoffed at by those close to her, Adele seeks to make something beautiful amidst chaos. But can even the most beautiful flowers cover the years of scars?
Flowers of Her Heart will be coming to Amazon Kindle and paperback on April 26th. It’s the third and final novel in the Kees & Colliers trilogy. This book is set during the early days of WWII. Inspired by Gone with the Wind and The Great Gatsby (with a Christian twist), this series combines a dash of whimsy with a period drama to create sweet, compelling stories that tug on all your heartstrings.
Cover Reveal: Flowers of Her Heart by Kellyn Roth
When her husband goes off to war, Adele feels lost and confused. In a new, less-than-ideal place in a frightening, less-than-ideal time, she flees to the garden with her daughters, determined to make their new house a home, even if it is from the outside in.
Battered by her own inner turmoil and scoffed at by those close to her, Adele seeks to make something beautiful amidst chaos. But can even the most beautiful flowers cover the years of scars?
Flowers of Her Heart will be coming to Amazon Kindle and paperback on April 26th. It’s the third and final novel in the Kees & Colliers trilogy. This book is set during the early days of WWII. Inspired by Gone with the Wind and The Great Gatsby (with a Christian twist), this series combines a dash of whimsy with a period drama to create sweet, compelling stories that tug on all your heartstrings.
March 18, 2022
Review: Ares by Jenna Therese
Ares by Jenna Terese
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
4.5 stars
Wow, what a short story! I came into this not having read Ignite (sadly – I hope to change that sometime!), and while a few parts were a tiny bit confusing, it was still heartbreaking! While I’d definitely recommend reading Ignite first, there’s still so much to enjoy in this one.
Characters: Ares was such a cute little guy! I’m not sure if I’ve ever read a book where the main character was only five years old, but hey, it worked. His little sister, Astrid, was also such a sweetheart. And they both acted like realistic kids. (Except for the superpowers, that is.) The parents … yeah. That was rough. That’s all I’m going to say there so I don’t spoil everything.
Plot/Setting/Writing Style: The plot was pretty straight-forward, and there definitely was some suspense while you waited for the inevitable to happen – you just didn’t know when it would come! The emotional impact of it all, though, was tough. I’ve never read anything quite like this story, so how the superpowers were addressed was interesting. And for the writing … wow. The kids actually seemed like kids, and that’s not an easy thing to do at all. That was superb.
Moral/Theme: This was where I would’ve liked to see a little more. Maybe just because it was a short story, and I didn’t know the whole context of the rest of Ares’ story, was the reason I kind of missed a theme or moral? I’m not sure, but that’s the one area I would’ve preferred more – but then again, this a prequel and a short story.
Overall, this was an original, clean read. I’m looking forward to reading more by this author in the future!
Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher/author. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
March 17, 2022
Cover Reveal: The Lady of the Vineyard by Kellyn Roth
When her ex-husband reappears in her life determined to spend more time with their child, Adele Collier allows him to take Judy to France for the summer. As the summer goes by, an internal battle rages in Adele’s heart. Can she give up her glamorous lifestyle to win her daughter’s heart?
Six-year-old Judy is more than happy to trade Adele’s neglect for her father’s adoring care. She loves his vineyard and wishes she could stay there forever, but someday she must return to England. Can Judy trust her mother again?
Lady of the Vineyard the second novel in the Kees & Colliers trilogy. This book is set during the late Great Depression (1938) in England and France. Inspired by Gone with the Wind and The Great Gatsby (with a Christian twist), this series combines a dash of whimsy with a period drama to create sweet, compelling stories that tug on all your heartstrings.
March 16, 2022
Cover Reveal: Kiera by Kate Willis
Kiera’s life is pretty simple—garden, hang out with her best friend, babysit little Jade, and finish up homeschool highschool. But a global war and mandatory draft turn her eighteenth birthday into a nightmare.
Brennan, Jade’s adoptive dad, offers his last name and exemption status, leaving Kiera to question everything she’s ever thought about love. Even worse, she might actually be starting to have feelings for him.
Life settles into a routine before shattering again, and Kiera is left with only one question… If God truly loves her, why is this happening?
Goodreads
For preorders, you will receive a special bundle of Kiera– inspired goodies! Click below if you’re interested.
Pre-ordersMarch 15, 2022
Cover Reveal: Souls Astray by Kellyn Roth
Adele has been lost for a long time now …
Adele Collier has sought a carefree lifestyle ever since her tragic childhood. Determined to never allow anyone or anything to control her life or emotions again, she consistently seeks distraction in gaiety. But shaking her ghosts isn’t as easy as she’d like.
Troy Kee has been alone in the world since the Great War took his parents and left him in charge of his younger sister. When she marries, he’s left to seek after his goal of a healthy, complete family. But how can he focus on his dream when trouble plagues his family vineyard?
When Adele and Troy meet, a whirlwind romance begins—but can two lost souls have a healthy relationship?
Souls Astray is set during the First World War and also covers the tumultuous years of the 1920s and early 1930s in England and France. Inspired by Gone with the Wind and The Great Gatsby (with a Christian twist), this series combines a dash of whimsy with a period drama to create sweet, compelling stories that tug on all your heartstrings.
March 11, 2022
Review: Writing by Faith: Following God’s Call to Be a Christian Author by Allyson Kennedy
Writing by Faith: Following God’s Calling to Be a Christian Author by Allyson Kennedy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
4.5 stars
Free on Amazon!Add on Goodreads!If you’re a Christian author, you really should get your hands on a copy of this book. There was just so much in here that I either hadn’t thought about as deeply as I should or angles on topics that I hadn’t considered much. Being a Christian author is indeed a huge responsibility, and it is so easy to lose sight of why we’re writing and for Whom we’re writing. This book addresses that and so many other struggles that Christian authors will face. I loved how honest Allyson was – she doesn’t claim to have everything figured out, but speaks from experience in a loving way. She didn’t shy away from difficult topics, either, ranging from self-doubt to covetousness.
Her writing style was very engaging, much like a well-written conversation. I think this book would great to use both on your own and in a group setting with a bunch of author friends. The questions at the end of each chapter allow for some time for sincere reflection, and if you’re into journaling, this would be perfect for you! I also liked that each chapter had a verse at the beginning that directly related to the topics contained in that chapter. The best way to look at anything is through the lens of the Lord’s Truth!
Overall, I found book a great resource for Christian authors – even if all of these topics are just reminders of what you already know. It’s so important to make sure our priorities are correct and our eyes are on the Lord as we serve Him as He has called us!
Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher/author. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
