Vanessa Hall's Blog, page 34
November 10, 2021
Review: Ella Pursued by Hannah Foster
Ella Pursued by Hannah Foster
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was such a sweet story! From the very first page, this one was just warm and welcoming. I loved the environment of Joe and Ella’s church! And despite this being a short story, I connected especially with Ella. No spoilers here, but I’m glad everything turned out as it did for her. Joe was a great character, too – just what Ella needed. He was a wise guy!
Hannah’s writing style was quite nice – easy to read and not distracting from the story. Her pacing was also good, not too rushed or too slow. I loved how trusting the Lord was emphasized throughout – it’s always so good to see Biblical teachings and solid Christian characters in books. All in all, such a sweet, clean, and encouraging read! I’m looking forward to reading more of Hannah’s work in the future.
November 9, 2021
Review: Sing a Song Again by Katja H. Labonté
Sing a Song Again by Katja H. Labonté
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Oh my, what an authentic, truth-filled story! I really enjoyed reading this – Ashley felt very human with realistic emotions and desires and struggles. And Susanna! What a sweetheart. She was such a good friend. I loved it when the girls bonded over their love of books – even Sherlock Holmes! Yes! The way Susanna was such a faithful friend to Ashley in spite of initial repulsion was so powerful. And Ashley worked through real-life problems. A lot of books have characters that have suffered extremely dramatic pasts, and while that’s true for some people and works great for some characters, this book felt even more realistic because Ashley struggled with betrayal from a friend. Many people can empathize with that in one form or another.
And the ending … wow! It was just beautiful. Indeed, Jesus is the only One Who can comfort us and soothe us and be our very best Friend. I really enjoyed reading this – Katja’s writing was very well done and so nice to read. I’m looking forward to reading more of her work in the future. (And by the way, after I finished this story, I started singing “Great is Thy Faithfulness.” You’ll just have to read it to find out why.)
November 8, 2021
Two New Resources for Writers!
As any author will attest, there are times in your life when being an author is extremely difficult. Whether that’s simply finding the time to write, impossible plot holes, or a fit of writer’s block, we have lots of problems we can run into. So I’m all for finding resources to help me become a better writer and encourage me along the way!
Book Nations
“Book Nations was created with you in mind. Whether you’re feeling discouraged in your efforts, are uncertain of your calling, or have the newfound desire to write for the Lord and not for men, then this is the place to be. The purpose of this blog is to show you that you can write Christian fiction and to teach you how.”
Book Nations is run by my good friend Grace Johnson (author of Held Captive, Bound and Determined, and a whole slew of short stories), and I have been encouraged so much by what she’s said! (Just that little snippet above is so beautiful, isn’t it?) I love how she talks about Christian authors as missionaries – and that’s what we are, isn’t it? Check out her website here for a lot of encouragement and help in writing as lights in a dark world!
Writers’ Vision
“Writers’ Vision is a place where Christian writers can present their stories in a safe environment to receive feedback, advice, and even form friendships.
Open to a wide variety of genres Writers’ Vision is about making your manuscript what you envisioned it could be. It is a place where Indie and Self-published authors can receive Beta reading services from readers and other authors payment free and without fear. It’s not just a community it is a friendship. A coming together for the better good of all involved.”
Do you struggle to find someone to read your writing and give you an honest opinion – for free? That’s exactly why Kaytlin Phillips from Sisters Three started Writers’ Vision. This is a community of writers who can share their writing with each other and receive honest feedback. There’s also a place for discussion and questions where writers can connect with each other and learn from one another!
I hope you’ll check out these ladies’ websites – you won’t be disappointed!
November 5, 2021
Review: Transcending Time by J. E. Grace
Transcending Time by J.E. Grace
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Sometimes books in the Christian fiction genre are very predictable and cookie-cutter, but then there are the other ones that are completely different. And this one was completely different!
There were several characters throughout the book – Bastian, Louis, Victoria, Linda, Alfred, and others. Each one of them was intertwined with one another’s story in some shape or form, and they spanned a wider age range than many. Bastian was such a great father, and Louis a wonderful son. Their relationship and love for each other was so precious! At first, I was confused by which lady Louis would end up being attracted to, but then there was a little of a plot twist that cleared that up for me. No spoilers here. The romance, though not a huge part of the story, was clean and sweet. Alfred’s story in the second half of the story added an interesting element, and I’m intrigued to see what the next book holds for him, and for the rest of the characters!
The plot wasn’t super high-stakes, but there was plenty to keep the plot moving (and there were some suspenseful moments along the way, too.) I’m not sure if I’ve ever read a book that addressed an older person’s final days in the way this one did, and while it was sad, it wasn’t extremely heavy or depressing. Instead, it was a good representation of how believers in Jesus can face death with peace and certainty, for the moments our eyes close, we shall see the Lord in heaven!
Throughout the book, Louis grew as a believer and Bastian continued his solid walk with the Lord. This wasn’t one of those books that claim to be Christian and aren’t. This was about the lives of believers working through hard times, leaning on the Lord and seeing Him work through difficult circumstances to bring good.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read. I especially appreciated the author’s attention to the details about watches. Very cool! I could tell she knew what she was talking about. If you’re looking for a gentle historical fiction book, look no further!
Thanks so much to the author for a free copy in exchange for a review.
November 3, 2021
Interview: Katherine Barger, Author of The Exiles
Earlier this year, I got the chance to read Fortune’s Fall by Katherine Barger. I didn’t really know what to expect when I began reading this YA dystopian novel, but after a few pages, I was absolutely hooked! (My review is here if you’d like to hear more detail.)
Fortunately, Fortune’s Fall is the first in a series, and the second book just came out yesterday! I am so excited to dig into The Exiles and see what happens to Nyssa and her friends. I can only hope this one isn’t quite as heart-wrenching …
If you’re into YA fiction at all, I highly recommend checking out this series. (You might want to start with the first one, though, just to get up to speed.) But even if you’re not into YA fiction, you should check these books out!
Find it here!GoodreadsOrder paperbackOrder ebookInterviewTo top it all off, I was honored to be able to interview Katie here on the blog. It was great to hear about her desire to write clean YA – such a desperately-needed genre these days.
VH: Hi, Katie, and welcome to the blog! I’m so excited to have you join me today. A big congratulations on the release of the second book in The Exiled Trilogy. I’ve been eagerly awaiting this book!
Tell me a little bit about your writing journey. When did you first start writing?
KB: I started writing as soon as I knew how to spell. I wrote poetry and short stories as a kid, then transitioned to medical writing after college and legal briefs after law school. Now, I’m back where I want to be: writing creatively.
VH: What’s the hardest part about writing for you?
KB: Everything except the editing, haha! Nailing down a firm plot with strong scenes that flow from one to the next is always the trickiest for me. But that’s not a bad thing—I usually enjoy the challenge. To me, it’s like searching for puzzle pieces that have been really well hidden and then fitting them together in a way that makes sense.
VH: What are your favorite genres to write in?
KB: YA for sure. I was a bookworm as a teen (and still am) but it was so tricky to find books that were clean, and one could argue that’s become an even more prominent problem today. Now, I have two little girls who are already avid readers, and I love that I’m doing my part as a Christian mom and Christian author to create stories that teens can read today and my girls can read when they’re older. Plus, I love writing adventure stories that are fantastical and exciting. YA is a great genre in which to do that.
VH: What’s one of your best pieces of advice for an aspiring author?
KB: Don’t give up. If you hit a writing wall, come back to it later. There’s usually a way to solve the puzzle.
VH: At what point did you realize you wanted to publish? How did you decide to go with your current publisher?
KB: I knew I wanted to find a publisher once I began writing Fortune’s Fall, the first book in The Exiled Trilogy. As far as how I decided to go with my current publisher, Anaiah Press, I clicked with my editor there (Kara) the moment she responded to my query. I had a few other offers from small publishers, but my connection with Kara was instantaneous, and I knew I wanted to work with her.
VH: Tell me a little bit about this book. I’m so excited to read it!
KB: Nyssa Ardelone has successfully made it to Fortune’s Fall, but she quickly realizes it’s not the peaceful place she expected it to be. Blamed for all that’s gone wrong outside its walls, she finds herself flailing, unwelcome, and still grief-stricken over everyone she’s lost.
When she learns that President Omri has arrested the exiles and plans to send them to the most notorious prison in America, she’s convinced Omri’s punishing them for her sins. But there might be a way to save them, and Nyssa jumps at the chance to make right what she feels is her fault, especially when she learns of the arrest of one exile in particular. It’s a dangerous task. If she fails, it will cost the exiles everything, but if she succeeds, the people in Fortune’s Fall might finally embrace her. In the midst of so many unknowns, she must reckon with her doubts about her newfound faith. Is that faith enough to sustain her?
VH: What are your main inspirations behind this series?
KB: This series was loosely inspired by the lives of Daniel and Nehemiah and the Jews’ ultimate return to Jerusalem after a long exile in Babylon. I love the supernatural elements in the books of Daniel and Nehemiah—how God speaks to his people through dreams, and those bits became the foundation for the story.
VH: How was the writing of this second book compared to the first? Were there any surprises along the way?
KB: Writing the second book was SO HARD. It took me about two years to write Fortune’s Fall (Book 1), and I wrote The Exiles in about nine months in the middle of a cross-country move and COVID. It was pretty challenging. It took me a really long time to settle on a main plot (and a lot of help from beta readers), and I think that was largely because of all the distractions happening at the time.
VH: I love that you’re committed to writing God-honoring books for teens. Thank you so much for putting great books out there! Is there a specific reason you chose to focus on YA fiction?
KB: I have no explanation for it other than that God led me here. He’s an inherent part of my life, and He’s the reason I ended up writing YA.
VH: What do you hope readers will take away from your book?
KB: That God wants to be in our adventures, and it’s okay for His name to be part of the conversation.
VH: What do your upcoming projects look like?
KB: I’m working on Book 3 in The Exiled Trilogy! I can’t believe it’s almost over. Next up after that is a YA historical fantasy. At least I think that’s the case …. It’s still in the brainstorming phases. 
VH: Thanks so much for chatting with me today, Katie, and congrats again!
KB: Thanks so much for having me!!
About the Author
Katherine Barger writes stories about characters of faith in a world where faith is challenged. When she’s not wrangling kids alongside her forever-forbearing husband, she’s writing, eating Mexican food, or snuggling with her family’s two rescue pets: a dog named Queen Elsa and a cat named Princess Jasmine.
Katherine loves hearing from readers! You can contact her at katherinebarger.com, or on Facebook or Instagram.
November 2, 2021
Book Spotlight: The Exiles by Katherine Barger
Nothing could have prepared Nyssa Ardelone for the treachery that lurks inside Fortune’s Fall. What began as a joyful reunion with her family soon plunges into chaos, with Nyssa at the center of misplaced accusations that could be catastrophic for everyone. Confused and still grief-stricken over the friends she’s lost, Nyssa begins to question whether her journey to Fortune’s Fall was worth the cost.
When she learns that President Omri has arrested the exiles and plans to send them to the most notorious prison in America, Nyssa’s convinced Omri’s punishing them for her sins, and she sinks into even deeper despair. But there might be a way to save them, and Nyssa jumps at the chance to remedy what she feels is her fault.
The task is dangerous, though, and if she fails, she’ll lose everything. If she succeeds, the people of Fortune’s Fall will embrace her at last, and the path will open for their ultimate return to Maren—the home Omri stole from them fifteen years ago. With the help of family and a few unlikely allies, Nyssa sets out to make things right. But the stakes are higher than before, and her newfound faith has grown shaky. When the mission doesn’t go as planned, Nyssa faces a choice unlike any she’s ever had: press on despite her doubts, or give up and leave the exiles—and everyone she loves—to their fate.
Order paperback here!Order ebook here!About the Author
Katherine Barger writes stories about characters of faith in a world where faith is challenged. When she’s not wrangling kids alongside her forever-forbearing husband, she’s writing, eating Mexican food, or snuggling with her family’s two rescue pets: a dog named Queen Elsa and a cat named Princess Jasmine.
Katherine loves hearing from readers! You can contact her at katherinebarger.com, or on Facebook or Instagram.
November 1, 2021
Cover Reveal: Memory’s Mind by Erika Mathews
Design credit goes to Megan Mccullough.Kingdoms both heavenly and earthly demand his mind. No wonder he disappears for two hours each day.
Nothing escapes Kelton’s notice, and nothing leaves his memory. Yet behind his big brown eyes lurk a lifetime of soul-struggles. At nineteen, Kelton receives Adon Olam’s call to leave everything behind and seek Him in solitude upon a hill belonging to a local hermit. Somehow, the more he fixes his mind upon Adon Olam, the more it wanders. During his years with the hermit, countless lessons and revelations shape his character. Over time, the answer to his biggest dilemma becomes both more clear and more impossible.
Then the sudden death of co-king Daemien throws all Taerna into turmoil, and in the ensuing chaos, Kelton’s memories prove crucial and his hyper-analytical skills essential. But will his quiet, home-loving soul crumble under the pressure of public scrutiny? Will countless but seemingly harmless distractions inevitably win the battle for his thoughts? And will he ever feel like he knows Adon Olam?
Pre-order ebookPre-order signed paperback
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Erika Mathews writes Christian living books, both fiction and non-fiction, that demonstrate the power of the kingdom of God through ordinary people, transforming daily life into His resting life. She’s a homeschool graduate with a Bachelor’s in Communications, a Master’s in Biblical Ministries, and a passion for sharing Jesus Christ and His truth. Outside of writing, she spends time with her husband Josh, mothers her little ones, reads, edits, enjoys the great Minnesota outdoors, plays piano and violin, makes heroic ventures into minimalism, clean eating, and gardening, and uses the Oxford comma. You can connect with Erika at restinglife.com.
If you haven’t discovered the world of Taerna yet, you can start with Promise’s Prayer. It’s FREE today only! Or pick up the whole series today only for just $7.96! (regularly $18.95! That’s $11 saved!)
Watch Erika’s Instagram for celebrations, or hop over to restinglife.com/signup for all the updates plus a free short story.
October 29, 2021
Cover Reveal: Paul’s Skeptical Bride by Faith Blum
Coming November 15!
When a cat causes a horrible mixup…
Pastor Paul Buchanan is told he needs a wife and soon or he would lose his church. After much prayer, he decides to look. With no eligible women in Austin, TX, he writes to a mail order bride matchmaker.
Ellie Simpson’s parents died five years ago and she has been struggling ever since. She needs to get out of Philadelphia, preferably to a small town. She writes to a mail order matchmaker with only three stipulations: he can’t be a drunk, a pastor, or too much older than her.
After they meet it soon comes out that they are not compatible in the least and they choose to be friends, but no more. When Paul’s cousin, Conrad, comes to town and appears to be exactly what Ellie is looking for, Paul has to deal with his jealousy and figure out why he is jealous.
Will Ellie find what she is looking for? Can Paul keep his church or will the elders throw him out?
Pre-order here!About the Author
Faith Blum is a small-town Wisconsin girl. She has independently published over 30 books in over eight years. Most of her books are Christian Historical Fiction with an emphasis on Westerns. During an eBook sale, she was #2 overall in Kindle eBooks on Amazon.
Faith resides in Central Wisconsin with her husband, son, and their cat, Smokey. When not writing, you can find her cooking, doing dishes, sewing, reading, or spending time with her husband and son. She loves to hear from her readers, so feel free to contact her on her website: https://faithblum.com
Blography Tag 2.0!
Thanks to the lovely girls over at Sisters Three who tagged me again! Now I get to answer this tag a second time but with different questions. (Sisters Three have some really great questions!)
Rules
Link back to the original site. (Thanks again Miles!)
Mention the one who tagged you – Sisters Three! Thanks again, you guys!!
Write an autobiography in seven words (already did this on the first version of the tag.) For this, they do not need to form a complete sentence.
To make it more interesting, answer seven seven-word questions.
Tag seven other bloggers.
Think of seven seven-word questions, or use the same ones as you answered
What’s the worst memory from your childhood?
Wow, this one starts out rough. Thankfully, I don’t have any super traumatic stories in my childhood. One thing I will say, I was a huge perfectionist, and whenever I didn’t get a 100 on a test/quiz/anything graded I had a mental breakdown. I made things way more dramatic than they needed to be.
What is your favorite biography or autobiography?
I think I’ll have to go with Grace Abounding by John Bunyan. (And yes, I know that I mentioned this was like the only biography I’ve read in recent years. But it was good.) I did just finish a sort of biography about the composer Dmitri Shostakovich, and it was super interesting. But it wasn’t a true biography, and Bunyan’s beats it big time.
How would you start your awesome autobiography?
“On a day many years ago, this stranger was born into the world.”
That makes me sound kind of cool instead of weird. Maybe.
How would you end your awesome autobiography?
I’m going to reuse this one from my last blography tag.
“I’m out.”
And I’m not so sure my autobiography would be that awesome, but thanks for the vote of confidence.
Would you rather read biographies or fiction?
Definitely fiction. I think I would really enjoy a biography if it were well-written and engaging, but fiction is just my favorite. However, biographies are cool because they really happened, and reading composers’ and musicians’ biographies is something I’d like to do when I have boatloads of free time.
During a crises what would you do, go!
Hmm … pray. Then try to keep from panicking and pray some more. I’m not super cool-headed in crises (sadly), but I hope I wouldn’t be like the characters in books that wig out during bad situations. But I probably would be. Definitely something to work on.
What animal would you write (a) biography about?
What an interesting question! Probably the horse. Or a cat. I feel like a cat’s story would be hilarious to write. So snarky.
Thank you guys again for the tag and questions! Since this is the second time I’ve done this tag, I’m not going to tag anyone or make up any new questions. Feel free to take this tag as your own, though!
October 28, 2021
WriteforLife Blog Tour: To Save a Life by R.M. Peterson
We’re nearing the end of the WriteforLife Blog tour, but I hope you keep praying and thinking of the importance and value of all life. In conjunction with the blog tour, R.M. Peterson is releasing her first book in Natty’s Warriors. I hope you’ll check it out and preorder yourself a copy, as it’s coming out November 6! Pro-life books are so incredibly important, and I’m thankful to see another author pointing to the only final solution to the horror of abortion. Only the Lord can save and renew our hearts and teach us to love one another, no matter how small and helpless our neighbor is.
And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. (Mark 12:29-31)
Pre-order here!SummaryBook 1 of Natty’s Warriors, this book tells the story of two young couples: one with big questions and one with the answers they need. When a baby is born alive after a botched abortion, the parents are faced with questions they have never considered. This story follows their journey to the Answers they need regarding Christ, the value of Life, and what they must do to turn their lives around.
