Vanessa Hall's Blog, page 36
October 9, 2021
Cover Reveal: To Save a Life by R. M. Peterson
Today I have a cover reveal for a very special book that is being released in conjunction with the Write for Life Blog tour. I’m thankful for authors who are writing to bring attention to the horrors of abortion and the value of life. You can preorder To Save a Life on Amazon right now.
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.
Cover Reveal
October 8, 2021
Blog Tour: Interview with Maribeth Barber, Author of Operation Lionhearted
Today, I have the honor of taking part of the blog tour for Operation Lionhearted by Maribeth Barber! If you missed it, I actually reviewed this book just a bit ago. I’m not much of a sci-fi person, but this book has changed my mind on that!
Operation Lionhearted
Lindy Tremaine is proud of her work with the Meridian Intelligence Department. Clever, courageous, and armed with an uncanny intuition, she is determined to protect the planets of the Kellan Star System from villains and schemers, even if it means going undercover as a fashion journalist.
Tragedy, however, lies beneath Lindy’s self-possessed demeanor. She is an empath, a native of the war-torn Valya, and the man responsible for her mother’s death—the former prince Rael Navorre—still rules her home planet with an iron hand. Haunted by fragmented memories of bloodshed, Lindy refuses to revisit Valya or embrace her heritage, preferring to invest in her career and her adopted family.
But now Lindy and her best friend, Jo Camrin, have received the most daunting assignment of their MID careers: they must protect Valya’s exiled royal family during peace negotiations with Rael. Committed to this mission despite her fears, Lindy soon uncovers a web of lies and technological horrors…as well as the best-kept secret in the Star System.
Operation Lionhearted is available for preorder at $2.99, but snag your copy now, because it’ll go up to $5.99 on October 14!
Interview with MaribethVH: Hi, Maribeth, and welcome to the blog! I’m so excited to have you join me today. A big congratulations on the release of Operation Lionhearted – it’s such a great book!
MB: Thank you so much for having me on, Vanessa! I’m really thrilled that you’ve enjoyed my novel so much!
VH: Tell me a little bit about your writing journey. When did you first start writing?
MB: I started writing when I was 5 years old. My parents had enriched my childhood with books and I already knew by that point my dad had a knack for writing, so storytelling was something I was drawn to very early on. My first story was written in a Disney World hotel room (I was supposed to be taking a nap, haha), and I’ve wanted to be a novelist ever since.
VH: What’s the hardest part about writing for you?
MB: Wresting control from my Inner Critic. I’m a perfectionist, and the problems associated with that have definitely worsened over the past 3-4 years while I’ve edited and prepped Operation Lionhearted. Speaking positive affirmations to myself and praying for strength and confidence have become very important as I move forward.
VH: What are your favorite genres to write in?
MB: Speculative fiction is my happy place. It’s a broad term that encompasses science fiction, all the various types of fantasy (low, high, heroic, mythopoeia, etc.), alternate history, and so on. I love the worldbuilding and epic stakes that typically accompany these genres, though I’m most comfortable in what they call “soft sci-fi” and “high fantasy.”
VH: What’s one of your best pieces of advice for an aspiring author?
MB: Read lots of books—and just as importantly, watch lots of movies. You never know what might trigger your imagination!
VH: At what point did you realize you wanted to publish? How did you decide to go with indie or traditional publishing methods?
MB: While I have several “trunked” novels on my hard drive, Operation Lionhearted was the first one I’ve ever considered publication-worthy, mainly because 1) it’s a pretty straightforward, standalone story, and 2) I actually finished it!
Once I had a polished manuscript (AKA the sixth draft), I committed to a full year of querying agents. Twelve months and many more rejections later, I went with the option that had always been more appealing to me anyway: self-publishing. It allows me so much more freedom, especially with a genre that Christian publishers often avoid and a story that’s probably “too clean” for traditional publishers.
VH: I love that Operation Lionhearted is a sci-fi/adventure novel, because it seems like a pretty rare genre in Christian fiction. What made you choose to go that direction? What were the main influences behind this story?
MB: It is rare. Christian fiction is often limited to historical romance, and many readers do love that—but I strongly believe Christians can tell effective science fiction, as well. This is a genre I’ve loved for years, thanks to thought-provoking novels like Lois Lowry’s The Giver and shows like Star Trek, the latter of which heavily influenced Operation Lionhearted. As is typical of science fiction, both of those stories deal with many of the philosophical and ethical dilemmas of the modern world. That alone offers Christian storytellers a fantastic opportunity to artfully present truth, goodness, and beauty in a futuristic setting! We just have to be willing to defy the stereotypes and expectations of Christian fiction, as well as the humanistic, utopian influences of traditional sci-fi.
VH: How much did Operation Lionhearted change over the course of edits? Did you have major overhauls in the middle of edits?
MB: The first draft clocked in at a whopping 150,000 words, so I spent a lot of time ruthlessly cutting out clutter and rewriting scenes so they’d flow better. I didn’t have any major overhauls to the plot itself, but this past summer I did add one completely new scene towards the end of the book. My beta readers insisted Lindy needed just a little more emotional closure as the story came to a close, and they were 100% right.
VH: Tell me a little bit about your MCs. Who’s your favorite, and who do you connect with the most?
MB: Lindy Tremaine, an intelligence operative and the adopted granddaughter of a somewhat controversial politician, is my protagonist. I connect with her the most: we share a lot of the same personality quirks and flaws, but she also possesses a courage and a willingness to stand up for herself and others that I admire and aspire to. That said, my favorite character in the whole book is Lindy’s best friend and fellow agent, Jo Camrin. She’s funny, wise, and a faithful friend.
VH: What do you hope readers will take away from this book?
Lindy starts out as someone who buries herself in her work to hide from her fears and inner pain. In many ways, I was doing the same thing while writing the first draft—albeit on a much smaller, less dramatic scale! But I hope my readers are encouraged (maybe even emboldened) by Lindy’s honest wrestling with her past and identity. Growing in courage and maturity is never easy, but the confidence that comes with embracing your true identity and your purpose is well worth the struggle.
VH: What do your upcoming projects look like?
MB: I’ve developed several different story ideas over the years, nearly all of them drawing on ancient myths and legends. Now that Operation Lionhearted is done and dusted, I’ve finally chosen one as my next novel! I’m still at the point where I’m keeping the details under wraps, but I can say that it’s very magical and epic, and I love my main characters.
VH: Thanks so much for chatting with me today, Maribeth, and congrats again!
Giveaway!Enter to win a paperback copy of Operation Lionhearted! The giveaway runs from Monday, October 4 to 11:59 PM on Tuesday, October 12, and Maribeth will announce the winner on her blog on October 13. Due to the unpredictability and high cost of international shipping right now, the giveaway is limited to U.S. entrants only.
About the Author
Maribeth Barber is a small-town Southerner captivated by the tales of underdogs, homebodies, and royalty. She reviews movies, books, and television at maribethbarber.com, and is also a contributing writer for The Cultivating Project. A novelist from childhood, she lives with her family on their hobby farm in Louisiana.
Blog Tour Schedule
October 6, 2021
Review of Mercy Undeserved by Kristina Hall
Mercy Undeserved by Kristina Hall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wow. Can I just say that Alberto is the man? He kind of tried to take over the amazing first book in the series, Promises Unbroken, but he came into his own in this book. And I loved it!
But first, let me talk about the other characters. Lillian – I absolutely loved her! Granted, she didn’t have the best decisions in the beginning (a lot of bad decisions, to be honest), but her character arc was just great. I loved how even after she became a believer, she struggled with living this new life and doing what was right. But her courage to do just that – what was right – was so strong when it came down to it. I felt like I really understood her character and felt her fear and desperation. Her voice was particularly good – not just one of those average female MCs who are hard to differentiate from the rest. And Scranton! I’m so glad he got a second appearance in this book. He’s just the best. I loved how he kind of “laid down the law” for Lillian and Alberto and gave them a somewhat forceful shove to do what was right. And his family was also super sweet. Mrs. Scranton seemed so cool. And of course, Matteo. That little sweetheart was just adorable. And now I’ve finally gotten back to Alberto. The dude was not one of those heroes I tend toward – the gentle, understanding, steady guys that always say the right thing and comfort the heroine. Nope. Alberto felt like this hardened mobster who was trying to live a Christian life. Yes, he made mistakes. No, he did not always comfort and say the right things to Lillian. But he tried so hard to do what was right, no matter the sacrifice. He was willing to lay down everything for Lillian and Matteo’s well-being. He might’ve not been able to put his love into words or always the right actions, but he lived it out. Not to mention, his voice was also really fun to read and very fitting. His sarcasm also added a touch of humor within the very intense plot.
Which means I’ve finally gotten around to the plot. This was intense! All of Kristina’s books are action-packed, and this one was no exception. Lillian and Alberto could not catch a break, so the pace was very fast and very suspenseful. There were unpredictable turns and heart-breaking moments along the way, and it just made me keep flipping the pages.
And the theme? Epic. Somewhere near the beginning of the book, it mentions how the Christian life is a battle. I think sometimes Christianity can be painted as this happy-go-lucky, stroll in the park, when it’s actually a literal battle. The Bible talks about putting on the whole armor of God, because we’re walking into battle. And I loved how this played out in Lillian and Alberto’s story. They had to fight so hard – even to the end of the book – against temptation. It wasn’t just a one and done deal. Just like every Christian, they had to fight against sin every day. And how did they overcome sin? By relying on the Lord. By clinging to the truth of Scripture. This was just so good and something I needed to hear when I was reading this book. The Gospel was presented throughout the book, and I loved the part where Alberto dealt with eternal security – for even when we fail, Jesus holds us fast.
Overall, this was such a great book. The whole 1920s/mobster/speakeasy/Prohibition scene was super cool and set the stage for so much action. Anyone who enjoys historical fiction or suspense would enjoy this book – I highly recommend!
October 4, 2021
Review of When Tides Turn by Sarah Sundin
When Tides Turn by Sarah Sundin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Now that I’ve finished this book, I’m all caught up on Sarah Sundin’s series, and I’m kind of bummed I’m going to have to wait 6 months to a year for a new book from her. Some of her books I absolutely loved (the Wings of Glory namely), and some of them fell a little flat for me. This book was one of those that fell flat.
As for the characters, I really enjoyed Tess. She was such a fun-loving girl, but in a wholesome way. She was just really sweet and would be such a great friend. I’m a little surprised we didn’t hear more about her backstory with her loser boyfriends, but no one really cares about those dudes anyway. Dan was mostly likeable – I started enjoying his character more as the book progressed, but he definitely wasn’t my favorite. Usually, I’m a fan of the serious, stoic guys in books, but Dan was just … kind of boring.
The characters were probably the best part of this book, because the plot was just really contrived to me. I don’t know if it was the mood I was in when I read this book, but that mystery thing was just weird. It seemed very forced – there had to be a mystery because it was a part of this series – and I was not invested at all in what happened. The scenes where Tess was at the French peoples’ meetings were a drag. However, the romance aspect of the story was nice. I really liked how Tess and Dan were friends before they were romantically involved, and seeing their relationship change was enjoyable. But … something that happened near the end of the book drove me up a wall. It was just unnecessary in my opinion and kind of annoying. Misunderstandings and taking things out of context are overused. Thankfully, the problem was resolved swiftly – that was a cute scene – and the characters didn’t mope too much in-between. The climax was also a bit of a letdown. I know the whole point of the book was Dan’s steadiness and doing what was right in spite of what he wanted, but his part of the climax was dull. I know the author was making a point, so I definitely appreciate that, but it dragged. Tess’s side of things, though, was suspenseful, so that helped.
As for Biblical themes, there were definitely morals presented. The Gospel wasn’t really iterated at any point that I remember, but there were morals about the important of rest and selflessness. In the past, most of Sarah Sundin’s characters had at least one flaw, but Dan and Tess really didn’t seem to have one major flaw. That’s probably more realistic, but they also got over their problems quite quickly, so the moral wasn’t quite as powerful as I think it could’ve been. However, I was glad to see morals presented throughout the book, and the romance was clean.
Overall, I’m glad I read this book because it was the last in the series. This isn’t a bad book – it was hard to decide how to rate it – but it just didn’t engage me as much as I’d like. Of course, Sarah Sundin did excellent research as she always does. I’m looking forward to reading her new releases!
October 1, 2021
Sunshine Blogger Award (Round Two!)
I got tagged again! Thank you so much to Joelle @ The Pen Inspired and Sisters Three for this tag. I couldn’t get away with not answering a double tag, so here’s round number two of the Sunshine Blogger Award. 
These ladies came up with some really great questions!
-Thank the blogger(s) who nominated you and link back to their blog(s). (Thank you, Joelle and Sisters Three!)
-Answer the questions
-Nominate eleven bloggers and ask them eleven questions
Questions and My AnswersSisters Three’s QuestionsWhat’s your favorite fantasy book?
To be honest, I rarely read fantasy. I’m kind of coming up with nothing here … I guess Sustainer’s Smile by Erika Mathews? That’s the last fantasy book I read, and I definitely appreciated the pro-life stance the author took. Check it out here!
What’s your favorite genre to write?
Romantic suspense. I think. I also love historical fiction.
Do you have a favorite quote?
Ooooh, so many!! I love quotes. There are so many verses that I could put here. I’ll just give you one that I’ve been mulling over recently.
“The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
Tons and tons of verses. But I’ll give you one quote from a man. And of course that’s going to be Charles Spurgeon, because he’s epic. This is one of my favorites:
“My hope lives not because I am not a sinner, but because I am a sinner for whom Christ died; my trust is not that I am holy, but that being unholy, he is my righteousness. My faith rests not upon what I am, or shall be, or feel, or know, but in what Christ is, in what he has done, and in what he is now doing for me.”
So good.
What drives you crazy while reading or writing?
People interrupting me multiple times. Once is ok. Twice I can deal with. Three plus times? I need patience …
What’s your favorite fairytale?
I’m not a huge fan of fairytales, to be honest, but I guess I’ll have to go with Cinderella. I know that one best.
Where do you go when you want to write?
My bedroom. I rarely deviate from my spot at my desk.
If given a choice of pen or pencil, which would you choose?
Probably a pencil. Preferably a mechanical pencil.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
Oooh … to become invisible. Introvert’s superpower.
What’s your favorite kind of chocolate?
Dark, dark chocolate. Mmmmm…
Which would you rather have, a dog or a cat?
Aw, I love them both! Probably a cat at this point, because I don’t have enough time to give to a dog to make him happy. And I love fuzzy cats …
If someone gave you a million dollars, what would you do with it?
A million dollars … hmm, I’d find a bunch of churches and missionaries and support them. And maybe buy myself a Martin guitar.
Joelle’s QuestionsIf you could visit any world/place, where would it be?
So is this fictional? Or anywhere? If it’s anywhere … I really want to go to Ireland. Yep, you’d find me out in the green fields singing “Danny Boy” at the top of my lungs.
What’s the best dream you’ve ever had?
Wow, no one wants to hear about my weird dreams. I feel like I’ve had some cool dreams where I got to go to concerts, which is a rarity in these times. I don’t usually have really great dreams … they’re usually just odd and mundane.
What’s your favorite story, and why?
“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” 1 Timothy 1:15
It doesn’t get much better than that.
Do you have a favorite quote(s)?
Oooh, more quotes! Can I give more?
Yes, I’m going to give you more.
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
And let’s see … let’s get a Luther quote. Luther quotes are epic.
“If you want to change the world, pick up your pen and write.”
Oh yeah. That’s a good one.
If you could meet any person, be they dead or alive, fictional or real, who would it be (your own characters excluded)?
Any person? Hmm … I would love to meet Luther. He’d be hilarious, but also so wise. And I’d also like to meet someone like Robert E. Lee. He seems like such a kind, Christian gentleman. And fictionally? (Can I want to meet characters I despise and tell them what I think?) I think maybe I’d like to meet Sally, from To the Uttermost. She’d be hilarious.
What’s your favorite and least favorite part about writing?
Let’s do least favorite first. It’s either editing or marketing. I hate conning people into reading my books. And parts of editing are just rough. Like the times you can’t solve a problem with your plot, and you fret over it for days. (Yes, I have had recent experience.) Or when you’re in the final edits, and you’re just so sick of the story and don’t even care enough anymore. That’s not a good stage.
My favorite part? I love that God gives us the ability to share the Gospel and His truth through stories. And I just love living life alongside my characters and learning with them.
If you could live as any person for one day, who would it be?
Oof. That one’s hard. Part of me wants to be a famous composer, because I would love to just know how those peoples’ brains work. How do they write hour-long symphonies? So impressive. But those people are also not exactly … upstanding, usually. In general. Or maybe I could be a famous violinist. That would be fun.
In reality, though I think I’ll go back to Spurgeon. I feel like I could learn a lot from that. (But that’s also really weird to think about being a man in the 1800s … ok, moving on.)
Why are you writing/blogging?
Writing – to glorify the Lord and to satiate the creative urge to write. Blogging … well, as an author, you have to have publicity, so you have to have some sort of internet presence. But I really do enjoy blogging, not just to con a few people into reading my books. I really like being able to connect with other people and hopefully influence them for Christ.
Why did you start writing/blogging?
Such good questions. I don’t have a dramatic story about starting writing. I wish I could remember, but I was like ten years old and just blindly fumbling through Word. Blogging? Same as above. That hasn’t changed.
What’s your current WIP about (if you have one)?
Book number two of Grace Sufficient. Those peoples have issues.
We’ll leave that there.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be? (Yes, I stole this from Sisters Three. But it’s a great question!!)
Back to the invisibility. Could you imagine how convenient and cool? Oh yeah.
Nominees and QuestionsSince this is my second tag, I’m going to open this up to anyone who wants to be tagged! Take your pick of these great questions.
September 29, 2021
Review of Operation Lionhearted by Maribeth Barber
Operation Lionhearted by Maribeth Barber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Wow, what a debut novel! I’m going to be honest here – I’m not a fan of sci-fi stuff. I don’t know if I’ve ever read an entire sci-fi book in my life. However, Maribeth Barber has convinced me that it’s a good thing to venture out of my preferred genres!
One of the best things about this book were the characters. Lindy, Ethan, Jo, and the rest of the club were just so fun to read about. I loved the different relationships that existed between the characters – it wasn’t just the romance between the two MCs. Lindy and Jo’s friendship was just so fun, and Jo brought a great touch of humor. Her voice was so fun, and her comments lightened the book a lot. Lindy and Nana’s relationship was also really sweet, and I can’t forget Mariamne! I felt for her, especially at the end, but she really had a great character arc. In spite of the sci-fi setting, the characters seemed like they could be real people. The romance was quite light and clean, but it was sweet and not rushed at all. It felt very natural and wasn’t one of those “insta-love” types of relationships that sometimes plague books. The villains were awful – ugh Rael and all of his little minions- but they had some surprises up their sleeves, too.
The plot was mostly unpredictable (though I saw one twist coming, and I think the author meant for you to), and there was plenty of action. The climax was a whirlwind! I almost teared up in the end after one of the twists I didn’t see coming. No details, but it was so sad, but also bittersweet. I got a little bit confused occasionally, mostly in reference to some of the technological details of certain planets, but overall, the plot wasn’t too confusing and well-paced even for someone who knows nothing about science fiction.
The one issue that did bug me throughout the book were the uses of God’s Name. I don’t think the characters were praying, so it almost felt like they were using God’s Name in vain. That definitely made me a little uncomfortable.
The Biblical themes of this book also weren’t super heavy, but there were some beautiful moments that addressed God’s plan and how He works all things out for good. I would’ve appreciated more than the occasional prayer to the Lord, as well as mentions of Jesus and all He’s done for us. However, the Biblical themes that were included were quite nice.
Overall, I really enjoyed Operation Lionhearted. If you’re looking for a Christian book in the sci-fi department, you’ve got it! However, I think anyone who enjoys a good story would appreciate this book. I’m looking forward to reading more of Maribeth’s work in the future!
Thanks to the author for a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
September 27, 2021
What about “Preachy” Christian Fiction?
Preachy fiction. I’ve heard this term thrown around in the Christian fiction circles for a bit now, and I’ve thought about it for a bit. Have to let these things percolate before I think about publishing my ramblings to the outside world, right?
Ok. So most of the time, this label of “preachy fiction” is applied to a book that has maybe a sermon in it, too many Bible verses, or too much stuff about the Lord. Maybe the storyline drags because the author has a long conversation about something in the Bible or has an extended prayer. You get the point. Of course, this is going to be different for everyone. Something might be “preachy” to you that isn’t “preachy” to your friend. But in general, let’s just take that definition as the basis for this conversation.
Critics of preachy fiction would say that a sermon, or too many verses, or too many thoughts about the Lord disrupt the storyline. The plot stalls out as the author gets his point across. The reader will zone out during the verses. Your audience will get frustrated at the way you’re expounding on a truth and slam the book shut.
This side would prefer a much softer approach to relating Biblical things. (Keep in mind, this is in general.) The better approach, from this side of the aisle, would be to relate truths through the story. For example, lying is bad. The story shows the consequences of deceit, but there’s very few or no verses that deal with the clear command against lying. Another approach would be to use symbolism to present truths. Or even if the books simply have good and evil, it’s a valid book that can better one’s life, even if it doesn’t mention the Lord or the Bible or the Gospel.
So what are my thoughts on this? (Since you are here on my blog, kindly reading through my rambling statements, I suppose you want my point of view. And I will get to it.)
I’ve read lots of books that I enjoy from both sides of the argument. There are amazing authors who write both ways, and their stories are amazing. I love the characters, I love the settings, I love the plots.
But it comes down to this. I want to read books that edify me as a Christian. Our lives are very short. “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” (James 4:14). I don’t have unlimited time to read every book in the world. And even if I did, wouldn’t I want everything I did to be to the glory of God and draw me to Him?
I’m afraid that the backlash against “preachy” fiction has created this new form of Christian fiction, making authors afraid of preaching the Gospel to their hearers because it’ll be labeled like this. You guys know what books I’m talking about – those that say they’re Christian fiction, and all that’s included is a prayer for help in the climax (at best). It’s like the publishers and authors want enough that they can have one foot in the world and one foot in the church to appeal to the widest audiences. For their revenues, that’s great, right?
But listen what Jesus says: “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” (Revelation 3:15-16) This verse has come to mind several times when I’ve been thinking about this subject, and I think it’s very fitting. If authors want to write fiction that’s just clean—or even worse, labeled under Christian fiction and containing stuff that shouldn’t be in there—publish under a secular imprint. Don’t claim to be Christian when you’re not. Be cold. Don’t be somewhere in the middle, that disgusting lukewarmness that makes believers and unbelievers alike sick.
“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”
Revelation 3:15-16
Now, am I saying that a book should just be sermons with a few characters walking to church to hear it? Is symbolism a bad thing? Should we have pages of a character’s prayer and nothing else?
Not at all. There are ways to let the story flow into a sermon, to have the character’s life be formed so the presentation of the Gospel or Biblical teachings exist seamlessly in the plot. Symbolism can work great – doesn’t the Bible use symbolism a lot? But we have to be clear. We have to show truth. And we as authors must strive to get better and better at our craft so our stories pull readers in and make them want to keep reading.
But you know what? I’d rather read a book that has solid Biblical teachings that interrupted the flow of the plot but edified me a thousand times rather than fluffy, lukewarm books that mean nothing. I don’t want to waste four hours of my life reading something I’ll forget the next day, or all that matters to me is the plot. In the end, what is that? In the end, what really matters? Is our engaging plot the most important part of the story? Is character development most key? No. Christ matters! His Kingdom matters! Peoples’ eternal souls matter!
God has given us Christian authors a huge responsibility – a terrifying one – by giving us the chance to reach people we never would have without our writing. Do we just want to give them a nice story that might give them a few hours of pleasure and then send them on their way to hell? I know that sounds extreme, but if an unbeliever picks up your book, you have the chance to give them the Gospel that will save their lives. Why waste it? Why mince your words to maybe keep from offending people or not getting as many sales? Was Jesus ever afraid to tell the truth?
The bottom line: we have to realize what really matters. A book with a fuzzy moral that may or may not be grasped by our readers is not going to cut it. We need to share the Gospel in our books. We need to give them verses – “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17). We need to learn and work and strive to make our stories flow well, to engage the readers, to present the Gospel in a convincing matter.
And that can be scary. It scares me. I’ve have thoughts while writing, questioning if I should say something, considering what readers will think.
But don’t be afraid, author. “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” (1 Thess. 5:24) Please the Lord, not man, and leave the results in His Hands. “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” (Isaiah 41:10).
“Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
-C.T. Studd
September 24, 2021
Review of Promise of Refuge by Jayna Baas
Promise of Refuge by Jayna Baas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
When I first heard about this prequel to Preacher on the Run, I was so excited. Robert and Magdalen deserve all of the stories, in my opinion. But when I started reading, I got an extra treat since Mitchell was also a main component of the story!
Let me talk about these characters … Robert definitely was like himself, but I could tell he was a few years younger and maybe not as wise as he was in the first book. I thought that was great writing and great characterization. Magdalen, of course, was strong and brave as she always is. Honestly, Maggie is just such a great character. The romance between her and Rob wasn’t really strong at all – more of a mutual attraction, and we just get the implication that they end up together. (And if you’ve read the first book, of course, then you know how it all turns out.) But I thought it was very sweet how they bonded over common passions and a love for the Lord. Yes, they thought each other attractive physically, but that wasn’t the basis for their relationship, which was a refreshing change from a lot of books. And finally … Mitchell. I just love him! I think his story was my favorite part. Like Rob, he seemed like himself, but quite a bit younger and greener. I absolutely loved his and Robert’s interactions (they seem like such fun brothers), and Mitch’s struggle with knowing what the Lord required of him was so good. (Like, can I have a Brother Latimer in my life? He’s epic.) I really enjoyed seeing the backstory of Mitch’s calling. Also, though it probably wasn’t his brightest moment, when he marched into the tavern and confronted that guy … I was cheering for him, even though it wasn’t completely wise. But all of these characters are easy to care for, and I’m so glad I got to see them in their younger days.
I’m not going to go into the plot very deeply, given this is a short story, but it was well done. I came into reading it already knowing the characters, but I think it could work for someone who’s never read any of the series. Personally, I would’ve liked to see a little more of Maggie and Rob’s relationship, but that’s just because I like the characters so much. The writing style also worked really well. I loved the distinct voice Jayna has, both for the dialogue and the narration. It just … feels right, if you know what I mean, for the historical setting. Really great job there.
And the themes. I already mentioned this when I was talking about Mitch, but I loved how the author showed a realistic struggle in a believer’s life. Many times in our lives, we’re going to have to make a decision, and sometimes we just don’t know what to do. We have to trust the Lord. And I’m going to quote Brother Latimer here, because I loved this line: “Hang on to the promises, lad. Sometimes they’re all you’ve got. But when you’re in a storm, they’re all you need.” Even in a few short pages, this book spoke on some powerful truths!
Needless to say, I greatly enjoyed this story, and it made my day better. I am so excited for the second book in this series!
September 22, 2021
The Blography Tag!
Another day, another tag! Thank you, Grace and E.G. Bella, for tagging me!
Rules
Link back to the original site. (Thank you, Miles. Such a creative tag!)Mention the one who tagged you. (Grace and Bella! Go check them out; they’re the best!)Write an autobiography in seven words.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.I’m going to break the rules a tiny bit since I was tagged twice. I didn’t answer all of the questions (sorry!), because some of them didn’t really apply to me or were kind of a repeat. But I answered a lot of them. 
Okay, here we go!
Seven-word biographyRedeemed by the Blood of the Lamb.
That ’bout sums it up.
The QuestionsWhat seven words would best describe you?
Oh dear. (That wasn’t one.) Flexible. Musical. Redeemed. Upbeat. Wordy. Thoughtful. Storyteller.
That was way too hard.
Where would you spend your last days?
Hopefully at home chilling with my family and finishing whatever novel I’m on. Or, maybe I could go out in a blaze of glory and be doing crazy stuff up until the moment I die. That’d be kinda cool too. I think option one is still the best, though, because I’d hate to leave a project unfinished. Someone would just have to finish it for me. I pity that person who has to figure out my plot dilemmas and wild characters …
Who would write your biography for you?
Definitely my sister, Kristina.
Only after my death, though, because I wouldn’t want to be around to hear all the embarrassing stories she’d put in there …
What would you title your story?
Man, I hate titles. I can’t even title my own books, much less my life …
Maybe Abounding Grace? That’s stealing from Bunyan, in a way, but titles aren’t copyrighted, right?
What is your biggest regret in life? (I know that’s a tough one, sorry.)
Oof. I will forgive you, Grace, but that is hard! Probably instances when I should’ve given someone the Gospel and was too afraid to say anything. When you think about the possible consequences of that action in that person’s life and eternity, things get really bad really quick.
(Gonna steal Miles’s question here…) Who would you write a biography about?
Ooh! So many people, especially musicians. Their stories are crazy. Probably first place would go to Martin Luther, but there’s a million of those out there. I’ve been told I should write a biography of Max Bruch (and you say who’s that? Yep, that’s the reason someone needs to write a book about him. There’s only one non-German biography, and dude was a great composer. He was a little bitter and snarky, though …) Anyway. So Luther, Bruch, or maybe some other crazy composer. Schumann? Bach? Or Dvořák. Love that guy.
How would you describe your life story?
Blessed, but unexpected and untold.
Oooh, that was dramatic.
Some of the original tag questionsThese are from E.G. Bella.
Starting simple, what’s your happiest childhood memory?
Another hard one, because I have so many! Lots of holidays were very good – Christmas and Easter in particular, as well as some birthdays. There was also the time my family went out West for about a week, and it was so much fun seeing all those places far from home with my family. Basically, a lot of times with my family. They’re the best!
Which age would you choose to revisit?
Wow. Hmm. When I was 15/16, I had a lot of musical experiences that were just so much fun. But I also had a great time during my first year of college. But last year was also great, because I had a wonderful time writing, especially in the summer, and 2020/2021 I felt like I’ve grown in the Lord.
Too many choices.
How would you have your biography end?
I’m out, dudes.
(I guess that’s my autobiography.)
What would you name the current chapter?
“Muddling through Life with a Faithful Guide”
For the other questions, I’m going to be downright honest here: I don’t read many biographies or autobiographies. The most recent I can think of and remember in general was John Bunyan’s autobiography, Grace Abounding. Definitely an intense read, but very interesting and edifying in regards to his journey to Christ.
But I don’t think I’m prepared to answer any of those questions about biographies, because I am no expert.
Kate Willis @ Once Upon an Ordinary
Madi @ Madi’s Musings
Joelle @ The Pen Inspired
Abigail Kay Harris @ Read, Review, Rejoice
Faith @ Faith on the Farm
And you!
I’m not going to come up with any more question, because these are great. And I don’t think I could do all of them with seven words …
Thanks again to Grace and Bella for the tag, and to Miles for creating it!
September 20, 2021
Review of To Dwell among Cedars by Connilyn Cossette
To Dwell Among Cedars by Connilyn Cossette
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I don’t think I’ve ever read Biblical fiction, but after hearing lots and lots of good things about this book from several people, I decided I had to try it. For the first hundred or so pages, I wasn’t sold. The pacing was just a little off, or maybe I just wasn’t able to connect with the characters. But sometime near the middle of the book, this story gripped me, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
The cast of characters was great. Eliora was such a brave, selfless woman, and Ronen, with all of his faults, was also likeable for the most part. I enjoyed that he was a musician and that he began praising the Lord again as he’d been called to. And Lukio/Natan? Yep, that guy definitely needs a book. The way the author set up the second book was perfect. The other supporting characters – especially Eliora’s family and Azuvah – were great. I loved seeing Eliora’s adopted family! And poor Azuvah, she was just so faithful.
The plot of the book was really interesting and something I’d never thought about before. I didn’t imagine the Hebrews fighting over where the Ark of the Covenant stayed, and I didn’t think about some people not believing the Ark had much power (or rather, that God’s power would come through it.) It’s very clear in Scripture that bad things happened when the Ark was abused, but I guess doubt and disbelief were just as common back then as they are now. Eliora and Ronen’s romance was also sweet – definitely very clean, which was welcome. The ending was pretty suspenseful, and the second half of the book really moved along well.
One of my favorite parts about this book were the themes. There was so much good stuff in here! Belief in the Lord’s power, the adoption of Eliora into a brand-new family, the importance of obedience, being thankful for who the Lord made you, and worshiping God through music were all touched upon. I especially loved the part about Eliora’s adoption when she finally understood that her place in the family wasn’t dependent on her performance – just as it is in the Lord’s family! We aren’t saved by works – we’re saved by grace, sufficient grace that never changes or alters even when we fail. Watching Eliora learn that in her earthly family was so beautiful and such a great picture for Christians!
Overall, I enjoyed my first foray into Biblical fiction. It’s probably still not my favorite genre, but I loved the strong Biblical themes (and it was cool to see Samuel show up!) I’m going to have to find the second book now and see what happens to Lukio!
