Kathy Harris's Blog, page 6

A BOOK REVIEW ~ Rick Warren’s Created to Dream

A short (133 pages), inspirational book written by Rick Warren for Zondervan Publishers. In Created to Dream*, Pastor Warren explains how God uses our goals and dreams to build our character. While the first part of the book moved a bit slow for me, the last half made up for it. There were a lot of takeaways, some I hope to share with other writers.

Pastor Warren uses abundant and appropriate Bible references throughout the book, which includes footnotes at the end. There is also a Q&A ‘study guide’ section.

WHAT Created to Dream NOT: A quick fix guide to achieving every dream come true.

WHAT Created to Dream IS: A motivational ‘handbook’ explaining how God works to build our character while we’re pursuing our God-given dreams. There are a lot of underline-worthy parts, and it’s a quick read. 

One of the best summary lines in the book: “A great dream is a statement of faith.” 

Recommended. Four and a half stars

To learn more about Pastor Rick Warren and his books, go to his publisher’s website. To purchase Created to Dream in ebook, audiobook, or hardbound, go to one of the following sites and/or visit any retailer where good books are sold.

 

 

 

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my fair and honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

 

Fresh Garden Zucchini Relish

 

PrintFresh Garden Zucchini RelishThis recipe puts the zing in zucchini with just enough spice and tang. Delicious on burgers, hot dogs, cooked pinto beans, and more. Course CondimentCuisine AmericanKeyword relish, zucchiniEquipmentHot water bath canner and related utensils6 Half pint jars, lids, and rimsIngredients5 cups shredded zucchini (Wash thoroughly. No need to peel.)1.5 cups red onion, shredded1 large bell pepper (Use red or yellow pepper for added color)1 large banana pepper1/4 cup shredded carrot 2.5 T salt1.5 cups sugar1/2 tsp turmeric1/2 tsp ground mustard seed1/2 tsp restaurant grind black pepper1/2 tsp celery seed1.5 cups apple cider vinegarInstructionsShred zucchini, red onion, bell and banana peppers, and carrot by hand or in a food processor. Place in a large bowl. Add salt, mix well, and cover. Let stand at room temperature for eight to ten hours. Transfer veggies to a colander and rinse thoroughly with water. Strain out as much water as possible and transfer to medium-sized stockpot. Add spices and apple cider vinegar; mix well. Bring to boil, reduce heat, and hold at a gentle boil for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer hot mixture to warm, sterilized jars. Add lids and rims. Simmer in a h0t water bath for twenty minutes. Carefully pull jars out of hot water and set on a heat resistant surface. Let rest for twelve to twenty-four hours at room temperature so lids will seal. 

T.I. Lowe ~ Prodigal Pitfall

What does prodigal mean? My computer tells me it means spending money or resources freely and recklessly. A few of the synonyms include wasteful, irresponsible, uncontrolled.

So what’s a pitfall? Well, my computer also tells me it means a hidden or unsuspected danger or difficulty. A few synonyms are problem, hazard, risk . . . You get the picture.

I don’t know about you but I don’t want to fool with either word. Sad fact is, we do anyway. We are all prodigals to some degree and we all experience pitfalls. That truth stinks, if you ask me. But it’s the truth nonetheless.

In Indigo Isle, my main character, Sonny Bates, lands herself in a prodigal pitfall. Sonny thinks she’s better off on her own, dismissing all the rules her parents required her to adhere to while living with them. Years pass by until Sonny finally realizes those rules were to protect her, not hold her back. It’s a messy journey for her to be able to pull herself out of the prodigal pitfall, but what a beautiful story it becomes—a story of hanging on and letting go, of redemption and reconciliation, and of a love that heals the deepest wounds.

We all mess up and can find ourselves in some dark places, but that does not have to be the end of our story. My focal Scripture for this entire book is on an index card on my closet wall so I can read it each day: “I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again” (Ezekiel 34:16). I think we could all use that reminder.

If you find yourself in a prodigal pitfall, please realize you don’t have to stay in it. Turn back to God. I guarantee He’s waiting with an outstretched hand to help bring you safely home again.

T.I. Lowe is an ordinary country girl who loves to tell extraordinary stories. She is the author of nearly twenty published novels, including her recent bestselling and critically acclaimed novel, Under the Magnolias, and her debut breakout, Lulu’s Café. Her newest book, Indigo Isle, released today!

T.I. lives with her husband and family in coastal South Carolina. Learn more about her on her website and follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Author photo by Jordyn Strickland, copyright © 2019. All rights reserved.

To purchase Indigo Isle and other books by T.I. Lowe, go to:

 

Susan Lantz Simpson ~ Christina’s Courage

USA Today bestselling author Susan Lantz Simpson has been writing stories and poetry since childhood. Her love of words and books led her to earn a degree in English-Education. She, subsequently, taught pre-kindergarten to high school level students and penned a middle-grade novel entitled Ginger and the Bully. Susan has also worked as an editor for the federal government and holds a degree in nursing.

Her inspirational novels include the Plainly Maryland Series, the Southern Maryland Amish Romances Series, and a novella, The Christmas Fudge Miracle, which is a part of the USA Today bestselling compilation Amish Christmas Miracles Collection.

Susan lives in Maryland and is the mother of two daughters.

 

What started you on your writing journey—and why Amish fiction ?

I have been writing ever since I could hold a pencil. A poem I wrote in second grade won a red ribbon at the county fair, cementing my desire to write. I wrote short stories and poetry all during my school years and decided to try novel writing as an adult.

The Amish have always fascinated me. I remember seeing them at the farmers market as a child. We have Old Order Amish, Old Order Mennonite, and more modern Mennonite communities near my home. I remember discussing an Amish story with my mother many years ago, before any Amish fiction appeared on the market, so the seed had been germinating for a long time before I wrote my first Amish novel. I admire their faith and their hard work. I wanted to write realistic stories about Plain folks that would inspire and entertain my readers.

Just as all good novels include a plot twist, the Author and Creator of our lives often writes in a twist that ultimately blesses us more than our original plan. Have you ever experienced such a “Divine Detour”?

I’ve experienced many “detours” in my life. I always wanted to become a teacher, which I was fortunate enough to do. I have taught high school, middle school, and elementary school. I thought I would always teach, but plans changed. I became an editor for the federal government and honed my editorial skills.

After my children were in school, I went back to college for a degree in nursing and spent most of my nursing career in community health. At first, I felt bad about switching careers several times, but every job I had gave me a wealth of experience and tons of writing ideas. I believe God put me in each of the positions I held to respond to the needs of others and to increase my knowledge. Looking back, I don’t regret any of the changes, even if they were difficult at the time.

Let’s talk about your new book, Christina’s Courage (Vinspire Publishing, May 2023), the first in your Plain Path Series. Please tell us about the book.

Christina Brubacher loves running the nursery and store left to her by her grandmother. The serenity she has always known at her shop is completely destroyed, however, when she discovers the body of an Englisch man in her storage shed.

Compassion and a sense of justice prompt her and her longtime crush, Noah Zimmerman, to secretly join forces with the man’s distraught sister to find the murderer. But will they be able to keep their mission secret from their Old Order Mennonite community and put all the odd clues together before one of them becomes the next victim?

A few fun questions…

When the words aren’t flowing—or when you want to celebrate if they are—what is your favorite comfort food and why?

I don’t really have a “comfort food.” As a kid, I would have answered ice cream, but now if I want a snack, I usually choose pretzels, crackers, or grapes (I love grapes!).

In the story that is your life, are you the strong, female lead; the girl next door; the mysterious woman behind dark glasses; the super heroine; or the little girl trying to walk in high heels?

I think I’m a little bit of all of these, but mainly the mysterious woman behind dark glasses. It isn’t that I am a hard person to figure out, but I’m an introvert and prefer to observe people and actions from the background. It’s so much fun to people watch. I would much rather write than talk, so I extract fibers from my observations and weave them into stories.

Is there a Bible story, parable, or passage that has been particularly important to you and/or describes your personal journey of faith?

I have a lot of favorite verses and passages. One of my favorites is “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Many times I have wondered how I was going to do something or get through a difficult time, but this verse reminds me that Christ gives me the strength I need to persevere.

Another favorite is “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). This verse reminds me that God is in charge of everything. He is at work in every part of my life and can make all things good, even things that I mess up!

Thanks, Susan! It’s nice to have you as a guest at Divine Detour.

Thank you for having me!!

~ ~ ~

For more information about Susan, visit her website and follow her on Facebook , Goodreads, and Twitter .

To order Christina’s Courage and other books by Susan, go to —

Karen Randau ~ From Chaos

Karen Randau began writing in elementary school, and most of her major life events have been processed in prose. She earned a degree in journalism/public relations from the University of Texas at Austin and, subsequently, her career took a number of turns into high tech, mental health, and non-profit. She brings her unique experiences in those fields to her writing.

Her debut novel, Deadly Deceit, was the first book in the Rim Country Mystery series. Three more series followed. Her latest book, From Chaos, released in March.

Karen resides in the mountains of Arizona.

 

If someone asked you to describe yourself with one word, what word would that be?

Steady. I’m a very even-keeled person, and I keep pushing forward despite setbacks or lack of motivation. I do have ups and downs emotionally, but they aren’t extreme.

The Author and Creator of our lives often writes in a twist that ultimately blesses us more than our original plan. Have you ever experienced such a “Divine Detour”?

I had a difficult divorce many years ago that left me feeling like my life was over. The depression was intense, but once I was able to get out of bed, I just kept putting one foot in front of the other. By calling out to God, I came to realize that He hadn’t left me, and all I had to do was rely on Him to heal emotionally, to forgive my ex-spouse, and to get back into the game of life. I grew more spiritually than I ever had before. My life is better than it would have been had that marriage not ended. I have a son I never would have had, and he has blessed me with a grandchild. I found love again, to someone who has remained loyal and is as steadfast as I am. I discovered talents that were dormant with the chaos of my previous life.

Let’s talk about your new book, From Chaos (Independently Published, March 2023). Please tell us about it.

From Chaos is Book Two in my Peach Blossom Romantic Suspense series set in rural Oklahoma. Kelsey White was the victim in Book One, Into the Fog, and From Chaos tells her story. She fled her ex-husband’s family with too many dangerous secrets to share.

Gregorio Moreno shields his broken heart with an adrenalin-filled lifestyle and shallow relationships. The second he lays eyes on Kelsey in Book One, he begins cleaning up his act for her. Because of his reputation, she’ll only see him in groups of friends. He finally lands a solo date with her, and they witness an execution-style murder. The killers see them, and they’re now on the run through the Oklahoma wilderness. To survive their ordeal, they must face their fears, flaws, secrets, and the lies they tell themselves.

God often uses our stories to teach us something. What did you learn (about life, faith, and/or even yourself) in the process of writing this book?

Faith takes different forms for different people, and sometimes the trials we think God is putting us through are actually us not listening to God or not accepting the blessings God has put in our path.

A few fun questions…

When the words aren’t flowing—or when you want to celebrate if they are—what is your favorite comfort food and why?

I used to think it was chocolate because that’s what I always gravitated toward when I was stressed. Then I felt guilty, so how can that be comfort? I went to lunch with a friend on a particularly stressful day, and I ordered an egg salad sandwich. She told me that was what I typically ordered when I felt stressed. I think eggs are my ultimate comfort food. They just make me feel good inside.

In the story that is your life, are you the strong, female lead; the girl next door; the mysterious woman behind dark glasses; the super heroine; or the little girl trying to walk in high heels?

I’m probably the mysterious woman behind the dark glasses. As an introvert, I like to blend in, listen, and assess. People have told me that my tendency to stay quiet until I have something important to say makes me seem smart and mysterious. However, if the situation calls for it, I’ll become the strong, female lead.

I’m a dog lover. Please tell us about your pets, if any, or your favorite pet as a child.

My most recent pet was a schnoodle. He died at age seventeen, so we were able to love him for a long time, but it was hard to let him go. He was smart, sweet, and fun. As a young dog, he loved to play chase. A time or two, he actually jumped over the couch and landed on the other side in a full run. He also liked to play tug of war. He’d hang on to his end of the rope even when my son wrapped it over his shoulder and walked around with Ranger hanging down his back. He was a great part of our family.

Thanks, Karen. It’s nice to have you as a guest at Divine Detour.

My pleasure. Thanks.

~ ~ ~

For more information about Karen, visit her website and/or follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

To purchase From Chaos, go to:

Cindy Morgan ~ The Year of Jubilee

Singer-songwriter Cindy Morgan is a two-time Grammy nominee, a thirteen-time Dove winner, and a recipient of the prestigious Songwriter of the Year award. An East Tennessee native, her evocative melodies and lyrics have mined the depths of life and love both in her own recording and through songwriting for artists such as Vince Gill, India.Arie, Rascal Flatts, Amy Grant, Sandra McCracken, and Glen Campbell.

Cindy is the author of two works of adult nonfiction—the memoir How Could I Ask for More: Stories of Blessings, Battles and Beauty (Worthy Inspired, 2015) and Barefoot on Barbed Wire: A Journey Out of Fear into Freedom (Harvest House Publishers, 2001)—and of the children’s picture book Dance Me, Daddy (ZonderKidz, 2009). The Year of Jubilee is her debut novel.

She has two daughters and splits her time between a small town near Nashville and Holly Springs, North Carolina, with her husband, Jonathan. 

 

Which came first in your life, the desire to write words or music?

When I was around six years old my grandfather Barney, who had come to live with us, restored an old baby grand piano. It was clunky and had aged keys, but it was the first time I had seen a piano, much less one as grand as this one. I composed my first song on that piano, so that was both music and lyrics— a simultaneous event. But as I grew older, I feel that words took the lead as I spent hours writing poetry. So I would say that words are much more of a driving force in my life, and the music is sometimes the vehicle.

Just as all good novels include a plot twist, the Author and Creator of our lives often writes in a twist that ultimately blesses us more than our original plan. Have you ever experienced such a “Divine Detour”?

Yes, absolutely. I believe my “divine detour” happened when I was visiting family in Ohio as a child. I went to a Greek Orthodox church with my cousins whose father was Greek, and it was the first time I ever heard a cello, and a full orchestra playing. There was something very significant about that moment for me—that connection between music and the expression of creativity and the calling that God connected me to my expression of faith through writing.

Let’s talk about your new book, The Year of Jubilee (Tyndale House, April 2023). Please tell us about it.

The Year of Jubilee is a coming-of-age story set in the tumultuous time of the civil rights movement in 1963, in the foothills of eastern Kentucky. It is a story about Grace Mockingbird, a fourteen-year-old girl trying to come to terms with her past, find her own voice in the times she is living in, reconcile the trauma she and her family have suffered, and the difficulty of the mother-daughter dynamic she feels trapped by.

What inspired you to write it?

It was inspired by my very first memory as a child, connected to the death of my brother Samuel, a week before his fifth birthday.

What do you most hope your readers will take away from the story?

I guess the best answer is to tell you what I came away with after writing it. I grew in empathy for others, people with whom I didn’t naturally connect. I learned more about people who don’t look like me or believe exactly what I believe. I also came to terms with the hard truth that sometimes suffering is the only thing that will change our perspective. I think there is freedom in accepting the fact that life will not always be happy, but there is a beautiful depth we gain through our struggles.

A few fun questions…

If someone asked you to describe yourself with one word, what word would that be?

Earthy.

What Bible passage or story best describes your personal journey of faith?

Luke 12:22-34, do not worry. Those are well-worn pages in my Bible.

In the story that is your life, are you the strong, female lead; the girl next door; the mysterious woman behind dark glasses; the superheroine; or the little girl trying to walk in high heels?

Definitely the little girl trying to walk in high heels. Always trying out something that feels a bit beyond me.

Thank you, Cindy! It’s a pleasure to have you as a guest at Divine Detour.

~ ~ ~

For more information about Cindy, visit her website and follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

To order The Year of Jubilee, visit the Tyndale House website.

Carla Laureano ~ The Broken Hearts Bakery

Multi-published author Carla Laureano is a two-time RITA® Award-winning author, who writes both contemporary inspirational romance and Celtic fantasy (under the pen name C.E. Laureano). A graduate of Pepperdine University, Carla worked as a sales and marketing executive for nearly a decade before making the decision to leave the corporate life behind to write fiction full-time.

Carla lives in Denver with her husband, their two sons, and a cat named Willow.

 

How long does it take you to write a book? What’s your writing schedule like?

It really depends on the book and the genre. For contemporary romance, since the world-building and research are less involved than something like fantasy or science fiction, I can have the book done from premise to written (not counting professional editing) in about eight weeks. That doesn’t count a few weeks here and there to incorporate editorial comments.

By the time I start writing, I know exactly where the story is going to go, and it normally takes me a first draft and one revision to get the book ready to go to my beta readers. After they’ve had a chance to read and comment, I do another draft to incorporate their suggestions or fix mistakes they’ve caught, and then it goes to my editor.

I schedule every hour of my day. So in the morning, the first thing I work on when sitting down at my desk is my word count, and in the afternoon, it’s one of my current client projects, whether that’s editing a novel or coaching an author through the publication process. And then I move on to personal stuff like making dinner and spending time with my family! If I’m lucky, I might even be able to squeeze in an hour of reading before bed.

Let’s talk about your new release, The Broken Hearts Bakery (Laureano Creative Media, April 2023). Please tell us about it.

When Gemma left her hometown of Haven Ridge, Colorado, she swore she’d never return. And she’s kept that promise, leaving old shadows behind and building her reputation as one of LA’s preeminent family law attorneys. But when her lifelong best friend begs Gemma to come stay with her teen stepdaughter while she’s on a business trip, she doesn’t have the heart to refuse. She’ll simply keep a low profile, do her honorary aunt duties for Taylor, and be gone before anyone notices.

But Haven Ridge seems to have a mind of its own, and before she knows it, Gemma finds herself caught up with new friends and old rivalries. When Taylor is targeted by teen bullies, Gemma does the only thing she knows how to do: ply her honorary niece with baked goods and words of affirmation. Soon her temporary lodgings are ground zero for teenage girls seeking sugar and consolation for shockingly adult problems—which the girls soon dub the Broken Hearts Bakery.

Complicating matters is an unexpected reunion with Gemma’s high school sweetheart, Stephen, who is determined to change her mind about him, the town, and the nature of love itself. Because as it turns out, her niece isn’t the only one nursing a broken heart.

What inspired it?

The title came first, and I thought it up several years ago. I had absolutely no intention to write any more food-related books, but the phrase just kind of popped into my head and wouldn’t let me go. There have actually been a couple of different iterations of this book with different plots and Gemma and Stephen underwent a major transformation over time—it took me a while to find the right story to tell.

If someone asked you to describe yourself with one word, what word would that be?

Oh, now that’s not fair. Asking someone who routinely writes 100,000-word books to use just one word? Hmm… my friends would probably say intense. I would say eclectic. People are usually surprised by the breadth of my interests and experience.

God often uses our writing to teach us something. You first visited Divine Detour in 2014, shortly after the release of Oath of the Brotherhood. What has writing taught you (about life, faith, and/or even yourself) in the last ten years?

Writing has taught me that there’s always room to continue learning and growing, no matter how long you do something. I’m never embarrassed or ashamed by things that I published at the beginning of my career, but I can definitely point to the ways I’ve grown and changed both in how I see the world and how I approach literature.

Publishing, on the other hand—the business side of writing—is probably where God has spoken to me the most. You go into this business bright and optimistic and soon learn that it’s even harder than it looks and it almost never goes to plan! Over and over, the Lord has taught me to trust Him and give those plans over to Him. When I traditionally published my first book in 2013, I had no idea that ten years later I would be independently publishing! But God knew what was best for me in this phase of my life and career and I’ve never been happier. Had I stuck too rigidly to what I thought should happen, I would have missed out on the blessings that this new step has brought me. Truly His plans are always higher than mine.

Thanks, Carla! It’s nice to have you back at Divine Detour.

Thank you for having me! It’s always nice to visit you and your readers here.

~ ~ ~

For more information about Carla and to download her free Haven Ridge prequel novella , visit her website and/or follow her on Facebook and Instagram .

To order The Broken Hearts Bakery and other books by Carla, go to:

Scott & Christina MacIntyre ~ Enduring Hope

Scott MacIntyre learned to play piano by ear when he was three years old, graduated Summa Cum Laude from Arizona State University at age nineteen, and at twenty-three was a Top Ten finalist in Season Eight of American Idol. However, his journey in life has been far from easy. Scott, who has been blind since birth, is also a two-time kidney transplant recipient.

Through both good and bad, Scott has continued to rely on his faith. And, now, he and his wife, Christina, who have two children, share a common vision of presenting the love of God through their television and media ministry, Enduring Hope.

 

Scott, when we last spoke in 2014, you had just released Lighthouse. A lot has happened since that time. Your television special, Enduring Hope, recently passed the one million viewer mark. Please tell us about it and what inspired it.

Thanks for having us back! Christina and I love helping people find hope in the midst of hardship, and our Enduring Hope TV Special brings music, testimony, and Scripture all together in order to do that. We see a lot of people hurting around the world, and this project has taken our music and story to places we couldn’t go otherwise, especially these past few years when many people have been isolated. The title really gets to the heart of the gospel – the hope we can have in Christ endures through any and all adversity, because we know God is good, and we know he is in control.

Your life story defines hope. Your single, Believe Again, recorded with Rap artist Mr. S. The Catechist and released earlier this year tackles the struggle of doubt. What was the inspiration for it ?

Over the past few years, I’ve witnessed a number of prominent Christian figures renounce their faith and walk away from God, some more definitively than others. I’m sure you can think of a few… It always saddens me, especially because in a lot of cases I think the questions these individuals are asking and using to justify walking away are questions pastors and theologians have been wrestling with for years, and all have satisfactory answers if we’re willing to humble ourselves before God. The song is basically an open letter, calling those who have walked away to believe again and come back to Jesus. I think Mr. S. says it so well in the second verse – either you trust or you don’t, give up on God or have hope.

Christina, the television special—and your Enduring Hope podcast— details your journey with Scott. How did the two of you meet? When did you first know you wanted to spend a lifetime with him?

We actually met in 2003 in a church summer camp production of the classic musical “The Music Man,” when we were 14 and 17! We were friends for about 6 years before we started dating. I am so grateful we had that friendship as a foundation for our relationship! God let me know pretty early on that we were meant for each other, so I knew when we headed out on our first date (to Disneyland!) that we would get married. But I didn’t share that with Scott until much later! We’ve been married almost 12 years and God has given us two children: our son Christian, born in 2016, and our daughter Stella, born in 2020!

Scott, stories and/or parables are an integral part of both the Old and New Testaments. Is there a Bible story, parable, or passage that has been particularly important to you and/or describes your personal journey of faith?

The account in John 9 comes to mind, when Jesus’s disciples ask whether the blind man or his parents are responsible for his blindness. Jesus’s answer is so interesting. Jesus says the man was born blind so that the works of God might be displayed. Our friend, Dr. Darryl DelHousaye, who’s a guest on the TV Special, puts it so well: the glory of God can be seen in the ending of the suffering – the healing – but it can also be seen during the suffering, before the healing. It’s hard for me to completely wish away my blindness, because I’ve seen God use it to touch so many lives.

Christina, is there a Bible story, parable, or passage that has been particularly important to you and/or describes your personal journey of faith?

I was blessed to be raised in a Christian home and accept the Lord at a young age. God has really used trials in my life to bring me closer to him, particularly when Scott and I went through his second kidney transplant together as a young married couple. One verse that has really been helpful for me during difficult times is James 1:2-4: “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Thank you, Scott and Christina! May God continue to bless your work and your life together. It’s great to have you back at Divine Detour.

~ ~ ~

For more information about Enduring Hope the television special and the podcast, visit Scott’s website and follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  

Stephanie Landsem ~ Code Name Edelweiss

Stephanie Landsem writes historical fiction for women, about women. She has traveled the world in real life—and traveled through time in her research. As she has learned about women of the past, she has come to realize that those long-ago women were very much like you and me. They loved. They dreamed, And they made mistakes. Along the way, they also struggled, failed, and triumphed. 

Stephanie lives in Minnesota with her husband, two cats, and a dog. She has four adult children. 

 

It has been ten years since you were first a guest at Divine Detour! At that time, your book, The Well, had just been released, and you considered it a divine detour. Have there been other ‘divine detours’ since that time? 

There have been plenty! Some of them I see only in hindsight, as we often do with God’s plan in our lives. My biblical fiction—The Well, The Thief, and The Tomb—were published every spring for three years. At that time I thought that to be a successful author, I’d need to publish a book every year. God had other plans and they were for my good. My fourth novel, In a Far-Off Land, wasn’t published until almost five years after The Tomb. As I look back, I can see that my family, my mom’s health, and my own spiritual growth were God’s priorities during that time. Now, almost two years later, Code Name Edelweiss is releasing, and I know God’s timing is better than my own when it comes to publishing, just as in all things.

Please tell us about your writing heroes: One you’ve met… And one you haven’t met.

A hero I’ve met: Mesu Andrews. Way back when I published my first biblical novel, The Well, I was privileged to meet Mesu at an ACFW conference. At the time, I was amazed at her caring heart and generosity of spirit to an unknown author. We’ve talked many times since, and I continue to admire her—for her excellence in her craft and her wonderful novels, but also her dedication and unwavering support of other writers. I strive to show the same kind of generosity that Mesu has shown to me.

Anyone who follows me on social media will know that I’m a big fan of Amy Harmon’s work. I find an abundance of authenticity, emotion, and storytelling brilliance in every one of her novels. I aspire to write with the same depth of meaning she brings to every book. I haven’t met her—yet! But she has agreed to join me on Where Fact Meets Fiction this spring and I’m looking forward to finally meeting her.

Your new book, Code Name Edelweiss (Tyndale House, March 2023) is set in the U.S. during WW II. Please tell us about it.

The main character, Liesl, is a single mother who is responsible for her aging mother and younger brother in the dark years of the Great Depression. As the story opens, she loses her job as a stenographer at MGM studios and is desperate to find a way to pay the rent and buy food for her family. She’s offered a job by Leon Lewis, a Jewish lawyer who claims Adolf Hitler’s Nazis are infiltrating the German American community. She agrees to work for Lewis although she doesn’t believe his preposterous notion. What she finds is shocking and far more dangerous than either she or Lewis expected.

Liesl’s story is based on real events. What inspired you to write it?

I stumbled upon the story of Leon Lewis and his spy network when I was researching my last novel, In a Far-Off Land. As I read about Hitlerites infiltrating Hollywood and Nazis taking over German American groups in Los Angeles, I was incredulous. Why hadn’t I heard of this before? How could something like this happen in America? I knew I had to find out more and write about this unknown moment in history.

What did you learn? How, and why, was Hitler involved?

The German vice-consul to Los Angeles, Georg Gyssling, exerted immense control over the content of films produced by all the major Hollywood studios. He was referred to as “Hitler’s Hollywood Consul” and his task was clearly defined: to ensure that no films portrayed Jews or Jewish life in a positive way and that no films were critical of the German people or the Nazi government.

Adolf Hitler was a master at propaganda. He knew Hollywood films were the best way to reach not only the American people, but people throughout the world. If he could control them, he could sway public opinion toward his beliefs in a way that nothing else could. His plan was to infiltrate the Hollywood studio system with German Americans and Nazis, and without Leon Lewis and his spies, he may have succeeded.

All of this sounds fascinating! How did you go about researching your real life hero in the book, Leon Lewis?

Much of what we know about Leon Lewis and his spy operation is housed in the University of Southern California archives, so there were plenty of primary sources that were both a treasure of information and one of inspiration. I also credit an excellent book by Steven Ross, Hitler in Los Angeles, with telling this chilling and little-known story and as a treasure trove of details about the people involved.

Thanks, Stephanie! It’s nice to have back at Divine Detour.

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For more information about Stephanie, visit her website and follow her on Facebook , Twitter and/or Instagram.  

To order Code Name Edelweiss , go to:  

 

Sarah Hamaker ~ The Dark Reckoning

Sarah Hamaker has been spinning stories since she was a little girl in pigtails. Her romantic suspense novels include Dangerous Christmas Memories (Harlequin/Love Inspired Suspense), Deadly Diamonds, Mistletoe & Murder, Illusion of Love, Protecting Her Witness, The Dark Guest (an ACFW Genesis winner), and Vanished Without a Trace (Harlequin/Love Inspired Suspense).  She has also been published in non-fiction with Hired@Home (DPL Press) and Ending Sibling Rivalry: Moving Your Kids from War to Peace (Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City), as well as Boredom Busters and HomeWork. 

Sarah turned her love of asking questions into a podcast with “The Romantic Side of Suspense,” where she chats about writing and romantic suspense books. As an AWSA Certified Coach, she also helps other writers achieve success.

 

What started you on your writing journey?

My imagination! Seriously, I made up so many stories as a child, it was only natural I’d start jotting them down. But I didn’t get serious about writing until after I had a couple of kids and decided I needed to actually finish a novel. I participated in National Novel Writing Month in November for years, as it was a good discipline to write an entire book.

The Author and Creator of our lives often writes in a twist that ultimately blesses us more than our original plan. Have you ever experienced such a “Divine Detour” ?

This may sound strange, but I think of divine detours more as opportunities for spiritual growth than anything else. I’m still a work in progress but I’ve been trying more to view the implosion of my carefully planned day or week as a divine detour—and learning to be both accepting of the unexpected turn and seeing how God is using it for my good and His ultimate glory. My heart still needs work on this, but I’ve been quicker to let go of my own resentment and embrace the day God has given me, rather than mourn the day I thought I’d have.

Let’s talk about your new book, The Dark Reckoning (Seshva Press LLC, February 2023). Please tell us about it and the series.

The Dark Reckoning is a standalone romantic suspense story and the last book in my Cold War Legacy trilogy. I’ve enjoyed writing a modern-day story that has the central mystery based in 1980s East Berlin, behind the Iron Curtain. I’ve always been fascinated with that time in history and it’s one that’s been little written about in Christian fiction. Each book in the series is a standalone story, and each has a separate mystery the modern-day hero and heroine are trying to solve.

When Isana Thomas finds a smartphone among the cherry trees, her life is put in jeopardy. Isana discovers the phone belongs to Lillian Hillam, whose son, Cyrus “Cy” Hillam, works at The Heritage Museum with Isana. But Lillian is missing, and someone doesn’t want the pair to find her.

Cy can’t believe his mother would disappear without telling him, not after his father’s suicide when he was a child. Then kidnappers claiming to have Lillian contact him, asking to exchange her life for a list of names. Cy and Isana must delve deep into his parents’ past to find the list and save his mother’s life.

But someone doesn’t want them to succeed and will do anything to stop their search. Will Cy and Isana uncover the truth about the list before their lives are snuffed out?

A few fun questions…

When the words aren’t flowing—or when you want to celebrate if they are—what is your favorite comfort food and why?

Can I share my favorite comfort beverage instead? Hot tea! I’m a bit of a tea snob and love to have a couple of cups in the morning and decaf tea in the evening. It makes me feel happy to sip a nicely brewed cuppa. I mainly drink black tea blends and am a bit obsessed with Harney & Sons teas—so delicious! Maybe it’s because I’m also a little obsessed with BritBox and love watching British crime shows while drinking tea.

What Biblical story, parable, or passage best describes your personal journey of faith?

The Lord drew me to himself at very young age, so I can’t remember not loving Jesus. One verse that has been part of my journey has been Psalm 37:4: “Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (ESV). I love this because it commands us to delight in God, and when we are truly delighting in Him, our desires and His merge ever closer. This has been what I’ve longed for as I continue to grow in my faith—that the desires of my heart would also be what God desires for me.

In the story that is your life, are you the strong, female lead; the girl next door; the mysterious woman behind dark glasses; the super heroine; or the little girl trying to walk in high heels?

I like to think I’m the strong, female lead, who just happens to be an introvert, LOL. I never wanted to be a super-anything, and I like to write strong female leads who might not realize how strong they are at the beginning the book but they do by the end.

I’m a dog lover. Please tell us about your pets, if any, or your favorite pet as a child.

I’m a cat person, although I had a collie (like Lassie!) as a teenager who I loved very much. When my husband and I married, we lived in a tiny condo and it didn’t seem fair to confine a dog there, so we ended up getting two cats from the Siamese Cat Rescue Center. Goliath had six toes and acted more like a dog, greeting visitors and service personnel with enthusiasm. He lived to be 20 years old. We now have three cats, who we also adopted through the same rescue center—Finn (male), and litter mates Odin (male) and Ember (female), who we got as six week old kittens. While my husband has expressed interest in getting a dog from time to time, none of our four kids want one, and so we’re sticking with cats for now. 

Thanks, Sarah! It’s been wonderful to have you as a guest at Divine Detour.

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For more information about Sarah, visit her website or follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 

To purchase The Dark Reckoning and other books by Sarah, go to: