Julie Arduini's Blog, page 12

Brave Writing by K.S. Moore

Brave Writing

As writers, I believe we’re called to not only tell a rollicking good story but also to use our narrative, our characters, and our gifts to inspire. Our readers ought to feel better, be better, and live better because they felt our words and took them to heart. The world should be a better place because our story came alive for our readers and still burns in their hearts long after the last page is turned or swiped.

The inspiration for The Bravest Among Us came when my adventure-seeking husband bought a motorcycle. But the story also includes a great deal of my own experiences: growing up poor, a devastating sense of not belonging in high school, and a lifelong struggle with self-doubt. Even now, I wonder if I am enough to have written and published this book.

Needless to say, my husband and I had a serious conversation about the motorcycle, and he assured me he had no intention of riding it. He simply wanted to fix it up and resell it, make some money. He promised he wouldn’t even register the thing. Still uncomfortable with the idea, I wrote a short story about what it would do to our family if he were to get injured or killed riding that motorcycle.

A few years later, I took that short story and turned it into The Bravest Among Us. A broken-hearted widow seemed like a good beginning for a starting-over love story.

Part Casa Blanca, part Hillbilly Elegy, and with underlying themes of self-doubt, shame, and the war on poverty, the Bravest Among Us is a work of romantic women’s fiction about three unlikely heroes with a heart for kids in crisis. Devastated by her husband’s death, will my heroine dare to love again? Or will she finally pursue her lifelong dream to become a public defender, the warrior for social justice she’s always longed to be? And which man has what it takes to join her daring quest—her wrongly convicted ex-con teenage crush or the up-and-coming actor with a questionable reputation?

With every story, we writers put ourselves out there. It takes a great deal of courage and confidence. We must constantly tell ourselves we’re enough to write the story that’s in our hearts. Editors often comment, “This will offend,”—in my work, anyway—and I’m reminded of something Oprah once said: “Do not think you can be brave with your life and your work and never disappoint anyone. It doesn’t work that way.”

Am I risking a negative review or two (or God forbid, many)? Maybe, but if only one of my readers signs up to mentor an inner-city kid this fall, I’ll know my story meant something because at least one at-risk child has a chance at a better life.

And that makes being brave totally worth it.

“To inspire, comfort, and breathe faith and hope . . .”

An avid lifelong reader, I consume at least a book or two a week. When I’m not working, reading, or writing, I spend my free time enjoying the outdoors with my family, mostly at our home on a small lake in Southwest Michigan, occasionally visiting a rustic hunting cabin in Colorado and every once in a while, when we’re blessed with the means, a vacation in the Caribbean.

My stories are contemporary character-driven tales of ordinary everyday people and the challenges we all face in life: love, friendship, parenthood, morality, mortality, compassion, and faith. My favorite novels are those that reach down deep, wrap up my whole heart and soul, and make me laugh, and cry. And those are the types of stories I strive to write. I want to touch people’s lives. I want my readers to feel better, be better, and live better because they read my words and take them to heart.

Through my words, I endeavor to inspire, comfort, and breathe faith and hope into anyone who may despair that they’re alone in this world.

Kathryn@KathrynSueMoore.com

Website / Blog: KathrynSueMoore.com

Social Media: X | Instagram | Facebook | Goodreads

Happy Thanksgiving from Julie Arduini

As I’m typing, my phone notifies that a probable terrorist attack occurred at the Niagara Canada/US Rainbow Bridge border. I can’t help but wonder was that really their destination? Were they heading somewhere bigger, especially with Thanksgiving?

How can we be thankful with those kind of thoughts and realities swirling around?

The last three years have been hard at best and devastating at worst.

But. God.

I can remain thankful on the daily because no matter what happens around me, I have Christ in me.

It makes all the difference.

Do I struggle? Of course. I’m human.

But I have so much to be thankful for.

-I’ve been married for 27 years to a man who loves the Lord, works hard, and is still fun to be around.

-We have 4 kids. Two I received as perks of marrying their dad who are married with families of their own. They are healthy and doing well.

-Our two local children are grown. One is married and making a difference no matter what adversity comes his way. The youngest is at home, attending college online, works part-time, and is active in ministry.

-We paid off a home that we didn’t love for us, but for another family, it checked all their boxes and was an answer to prayer. It will be their home shortly.

-We live in a home that offers far more than we deserve. We don’t take it for granted and love that for years it has entertained teens and been a safe place they can land.

-Our extended family is healthy and well.

-We have a church family that loves us well, and we love them.

-We have cars that run, and although it wasn’t there on paper, we always had provision for gas, oil changes, tires, etc…

-I have ministry work that grows my faith and friendships.

-I released a book despite technical issues that literally “dogged” me all year. As in the dog broke my laptop.

-I’m a dog mom that challenges me beyond anything I anticipated. One dog is a senior and his needs are changing. He needed surgery this year. We rescued a Beagle last year and the work I’ve put into him few would probably realize. He is a punk, but boy he can disarm my bad days with his affection. Most of the time.

-I read with a group of ladies every line of Revelation with study and discussion. It was hard stuff, but so fascinating.

-After years of basically doing individual Bible study because no one seemed interested/able to join me for the deeper studies, someone is in my life now who makes my reading look lazy. We’ve finished Building a Resilient Life by Rebekah Lyons, and we’re just starting You Are Unshaken by Laura Krokos.

I know there is more. This is right off the top of my head. Have you listed any thankful thoughts from this year? I challenge you to try. No matter what chaos threatens, there is always, always something to be grateful for.

Thank you for reading this blog and following me across social media. I do not take that for granted.

Writers by Michael Garrett

Writers are entertainers who

perform on pages rather than stage or screen

I originally started this article by stating that I’ve been a published author for over forty years. I’ve been a writer, however, my whole life—there were just times when I didn’t write.

It’s easy to get caught up in the artistic side of writing, but the bottom line is that we are entertainers who perform on pages rather than stage or screen. We have a more intimate relationship with our audience because our stories are projected into the minds of our readers and we share hours and hours of their time. As entertainers, we must be forever conscious of what our readers expect from us, and if we wish to be successful, we must consistently deliver our best performance. The opinion of our readers is far more important than our own.

For instance, consider a stand-up comedian. What if the joke that he thinks is the best that he’s ever written doesn’t get any laughs? He might personally love the joke, but he’d better stop using it.

I’m a strong believer in outlines. Not the formal Roman numeral type that we were taught in school. Not even necessarily one that’s written down. To me, an outline is simply a plan, and it can be in my mind alone. I always need to know in which direction I should be headed. If I write without a plan, I tend to ramble with no direction in mind. After all, filling pages with words is not writing. Those words must work together to advance the story line.

I hate irrelevant detail when I read for pleasure. Some 100,000 word novels, in truth, should only be 75,000. Those authors probably wrote without a plan.

My first and only secular novel, Keeper, was originally published in 1990. It remains available almost thirty-five years later in print, digital, and audio formats, and it was optioned for a television movie in the ‘90s, which unfortunately never got off the ground.

As a writer, I feel as if my work is never finished, not even after it’s published. Not long after Keeper was originally released I realized that I could have taken it in a much better direction and regretted that I couldn’t immediately withdraw the book from circulation for a rewrite.

Absent from writing for the next thirty years, I had become a different person. Following a spiritual awakening, I felt compelled to use my God-given talent as a writer to honor Him and the graceful way that Jesus’ forgiving presence in my life has led me to a state of happiness that I never dreamed possible.

I had a second chance with Keeper by rewriting it for the Christian market and re-developing it as I had wished to do those many years before. I eliminated several supporting characters and added a major new one. The second-chance result, CAPTIVE, a Firebird Book Award winner and a 2023 Best Book Award finalist, is far better than the original. No swearing or sex this time.

My philosophy as a writer is that the purpose of page one is to convince the reader to read page two. The purpose of page two is to convince the reader to read page three, and so on.

Keeping my readers’ interests in mind, I try to grab their attention on page one, line one, providing a solid reason to keep reading. CAPTIVE’s opening line is:

HE COULDN’T DIVERT his attention from the crusted blood on the passenger-side floorboard.

Blood on the floorboard—someone has been seriously injured or killed!

I self-published CAPTIVE on Kindle even though I could have done so through a traditional publisher. I followed the same creative approach in writing it, though, because self-publication does not excuse an author from meeting commercial publishing standards. The jury is still out on self-publication versus traditional.

The opening line of my latest Christian romantic suspense novel, Nothing to Lose,  is:

TENSION INSIDE THE CAR had steadily risen before they even arrived at the proposed contract hit site.

Someone is about to be murdered!

Nothing to Lose is a serious departure from my previous works—it’s an unconventional love story. In my old age I’ve become somewhat of a softie and I find love stories to be quite heart-warming as long as they’re not formulaic and predictable. Nothing to Lose is a love story that takes place against a backdrop of suspense, and quite honestly, it was the only time I’ve ever cried while writing a scene. Don’t expect a standard romance here; this is a love that could only be engineered by God.

Over the Edge, the follow-up novel to the above, also became a Firebird Book Award winner and a 2023 American Fiction Award winner. For fans of the first book it answers the question of “what happens next?”

For those of you who may be unpublished writers, I return to my statement at the top of this article: Writers are entertainers who perform on pages rather than stage or screen. Prepare for your greatest performance by writing and rewriting as many times as it takes. Read your work out loud, and if you stumble in places, revise those sections. When it’s the best that you can possibly do, hire a top-notch book editor to point out where it still needs work to meet professional standards, then rewrite again.

For me, rewriting is the key to my success. As Truman Capote once said, writing without rewriting is only typing.

Will I pen novel number four? I really can’t say at this point. I don’t write just for the sake of writing; I need inspiration, so if God points me in that direction again I’ll go at it vigorously.

Every day I enjoy the fruits of God’s blessings.

It has, indeed, been a wonderful life, and it only gets better.

Life is good.

Michael Garrett holds the distinction of having served as Stephen King’s first editor and publisher. He’s one of the world’s top independent book editors, living in a small Alabama town. His life revolves around God, his wife of 35+ years, Sharon, two adult children, five grandchildren, a dachshund, and one grand dog.

As a former Writer’s Digest School Editorial Associate and contracted editor with Pocket Books and Kensington Publishing, Michael has worked with scores of highly successful authors, as well as hundreds of new writers seeking publication. For over twenty years he taught a highly acclaimed writing workshop series on college campuses coast-to-coast.

Repairing Hearts Releases + #giveaway

I try to be a thankful person, but today I’m extra grateful. Repairing Hearts, Book #2 in the Surrendering Hearts series featuring the Hart sextuplets, releases. This is Ryan and BJ’s story and I love how it turned out. Whereas oldest sextuplet Jordyn had to surrender control. Ryan needs to let go of the anger he’s held on to.

Even more excited, a BIG secret is revealed that changes the course of the series.

Repairing Hearts is part of a series, but can also stand alone. I believe you would want to read Anchored Hearts first, that way you can really get to know the Hart family.

Not only is it release day, But Madi”s Musings has an AMAZING giveaway going on, and Repairing Hearts is included!

The author life is lonely and time-consuming. The returns versus the time are not compatible. But if one reader is encouraged through my writing? If anyone out there raises their hand and says they want to surrender that issue because they read about it in my work? Worth it.

Thank you for your support, encouragement, and prayers. If you read and enjoy my work, please leave a review. That really helps boost visibility.

Never Say Never by Patti Shene Gonzales

NEVER SAY NEVER

by

Patti Shene Gonzales

I have aspired to be a writer since childhood. Procrastination and self-doubt proved the biggest stumbling blocks to my writing dreams. A career, a family, and other priorities afforded excuses to save the writing for another day.

There were things I said I would never do if I pursued a writing career. Number one, the last story I would have any interest in writing would be a Christmas story. It’s not that I have anything against Christmas. It is the most joyful and meaningful time of year. However, I could not see myself crafting the type of amazing Christmas stories other authors have written.

Second, I would never self-publish a book. I wanted my manuscript in the hands of a royalty paying publisher who, by contracting it, would validate the worth of my work.

God has an amazing way of changing the minds of even the most stubborn.

Last year, a friend invited me to participate in a multi author Christmas series. The project sounded intriguing, so I accepted the challenge.

Spending too much time tossing ideas around in my head without writing them down, suddenly my deadline date loomed a mere few weeks away. Several nights found me up until 4 a.m., struggling to put the words together that would make a readable story. Ideas eluded me. I petitioned the Lord in tears, wondering if this was a project I should pursue.

The more I wrote scenes and deleted them, changed my characters’ names, and created conflict and resolution, the easier it became. I thank God for that. He puts ideas into a writer’s head that can be transposed onto paper or a computer screen to convey a message.

Once completed, I sent the manuscript to a friend who is blind. Using a reading program, she picks up mistakes the average person doesn’t. She caught those small but annoying errors—an omitted quotation mark, a missing period, a commonly misspelled word. Two other friends served as beta readers.

My fellow authors and I had agreed to self-publish the series through Amazon, so I tackled that learning curve. Expending a bit of time, I got the knack of the program. I spent several hours at my friend’s home while she showed me how to upload the book.

Standing in line at a fast-food restaurant, I received an email notification from Amazon that Cathy’s Christmas Confession was “live”. I lost count of the number of times I accessed Amazon’s web page over the next few days just to see my book there with my name on it.

The day my sister called to tell me she “loved my book,” I cried. Even though it is a Christmas story, I have received emails throughout the year from friends and relatives, telling me how much they enjoyed the story.

Recently, I learned a copy of Cathy’s Christmas Confession is nestled among other books in a little free library in Maryland, waiting for its next reader.

So much for never say never. This aspiring writer, who claimed she would never write a Christmas story and never self-publish a book, has an author page on Amazon featuring her Christmas novella.

If you choose to read Cathy’s Christmas Confession, out of the thousands of Christmas stories out there, I will be truly honored. My prayer is that the book will glorify my Heavenly Father and bless you as its reader.

Blurb for Cathy’s Christmas Confession

Christmas is not a time of joy for the hurting.

During a snowstorm, widow Cathy Fischer creams a stop sign on her way to work at the Christmas Ridge Community Church. Acquaintance David Martin stops to help. Cathy sees signs of deep grief in David, a recent widower. She reaches out with support in an attempt to help David through this most difficult first Christmas without his beloved wife.

David Martin struggles with grief over the death of his wife. He blames God for her rapid demise after her cancer diagnosis. Cathy reaches out to him with compassion and support and soon enlists him in her mission to bring joy to others at Christmas. Will their joint quest restore David’s faith?

David needs to turn loose of the past and embrace his future. Cathy has a confession to make to the entire community that may give David a different perspective of who she really is. Will her confession set her free?

Does God have plans in mind for the two of them they did not anticipate?

Buy link for Cathy’s Christmas Confession          

(available on KU and in Kindle and print format)

Patti Shene Gonzales hosts Step Into the Light, a bimonthly interview style podcast, where guests share their journey out of darkness or ways they lead others back to light. She hosts writers on her two blogs, Patti’s Porch and The Over 50 Writer. Patti is published in two anthologies and local publications and has three novels in progress. She enjoys writing, reading, critiquing, and spending time with family and friends. Patti lives in Colorado with her devoted feline companion, Duncan. Cathy’s Christmas Confession is her first novella.

An Unexpected Christmas Gift by Janette Fudge Messmer

The idea for An Unexpected Christmas Gift (my latest novel) came to me because my hubby and I owned a bed and breakfast. When I remember how the story of our B&B journey began, it is actually quite humorous. 

Some of you may have read my first novel, Early Birds. In it, I talked about Rose Wilford getting the cart before the horse. In this circumstance, we did it. We’re in Montrose, Colorado less than an hour, and we spied this unique home. Four hours later we bought it.

YOU DID WHAT???

The second I saw it, I shouted, “Look, there’s a B&B, and it’s for sale.” We called the realtor, saw the house, met the previous owner, and made a deal on it. The only problem – we purchased it before the sale of our auto repair business was final.

Thankfully, forty-five days later, we signed the papers on both places. Friends and family helped us pack up and move to the western slope. We were quite the caravan going down I-70. Instead of the Clampetts, we were the Messmers.

In August of 1999, the Rusty Moose Bed & Breakfast opened its doors. We’d never owned a B&B, but with our background in customer service, we made it work. Hubby cooked (thank the Good Lord), and I served breakfast to our customers.

Ray teased me that I could retell the same story when new guests arrived every few days, and I did. But what we thought was the coolest part of owning a B&B, it was meeting the people who had made reservations.

One evening we’re sitting on the porch with two couples—one from England, the other from Alabama, and us. Ray and I were totally baffled by the conversation. Our nodding seemed to satisfy them. The other four appeared to understand each other perfectly.

Another time, a family came down for breakfast. Everyone seemed to enjoy their meal, and the mini muffins we’d added to the menu were a big hit. I didn’t know how much until I overheard one sister tell the other, “I ate fourteen of those mini muffins. Yes, I did.”

After they went upstairs, I told Ray the story and said, “We’ll be making more mini muffins for tomorrow.” The next day arrived, and the same young lady bragged at the end of it, “Today I ate twenty-one.” We still laugh about that one when we make little muffins.

One more story. We also housed overflow guests when the hotels sold out. One evening a man and his wife came in. They’d never stayed at a B&B before, and the man asked me, “You just let people stay here that you don’t know?” I smiled, “Yes, but I keep a butcher knife under my pillow in case someone gets out of hand.”

The look on that man’s face was priceless. I quickly added, “No, I don’t have a knife hidden anywhere. I trust that the Lord will protect us.” On their way out the next morning, the man said, “Thank you. Our stay has been wonderful. You sold us on B&Bs.” You’re very welcome, sir!!!

Oh my goodness, I have to tell you another story. A couple stayed with us, and two months later, we received Rusty in the mail (see above photo). The gentleman said, “This is what you look like after you’ve served all of your bed and breakfast guests.” And he wasn’t kidding. We were tuckered out. FYI: We have Rusty in our RV, and it reminds of us of our wonderful guests.   

In the almost three years of owning the Rusty Moose Bed and Breakfast, we welcomed visitors from all over the United States and the world. What an absolute joy. And, oh, we loved everyone who stayed with us.

However, because of 9/11, we had to close down and get real jobs. We rented the property to a girl’s home for a few years, and then they bought it. It’s funny, since we’ve retired, we’ve talked about opening up another one. Maybe one of these days, when we’re done RVing. For now, I’ll write a novel about one.

Here is the cover and back cover copy of An Unexpected Christmas Gift. Enjoy!

Breanna Snow owns the Snowed Inn B&B outside of Boulder, Colorado. And the city manager, Matthew Jacobson, is irritating the socks off of her. The Go-By-The-Book-Kind-Of-Guy wants to shut her bed and breakfast down. And Bree has no clue why.

But she doesn’t have time for Mr. Jacobson’s nonsense. She’s getting married. However, a tiny hiccup occurs while she’s trying on her wedding dress. It literally turns her world upside down. And to her dismay, the city manager is right in the middle of it.

Will the mortal enemies find a way to work things out before her B&B closes? Or will they die trying to find the truth and Breanna’s “happily ever after?”

Penwheels, thank you for helping authors get the word out. And for all of you who stopped by and read about An Unexpected Christmas Gift. For the month of December it is .99 cents on Amazon. Hope everyone have a Happy Holiday Season!!!

Turning Life into Comedy is Janetta Fudge Messmer’s tagline. The genre she writes in is Christian Comedy (with a touch of Romance). Janetta also writes devotionals since life on the road in a camper gives her plenty of material. When she’s not writing, she teaches classes on how to “Tell Your Story.” The inspiration for the class came when she asked her mother questions about her life. Janetta, her hubby (Ray), and their pooch (Maggie) are full-time RVers. Most days, you’ll find them out sightseeing…but first Janetta has to sit down and write a few words.

Repairing Hearts Giveaway Opportunities

Happy November!

I’m so excited that release day for Repairing Hearts is around the corner. It’s available now for Kindle pre-order, and softcover is coming soon.

If you read Anchored Hearts, you know Ryan is the second Hart sextuplet and he’s got a mess of a property on his hands. And no money to renovate it.

He agrees to participate in a reality show, but it’s nothing close to what he was promised.

Here’s a blurb:

BLURB: What happens when a reality show creates a blight on sextuplet Ryan Hart’s life harsher than his dump of a home?

BACK COVER: Ryan, the independent, brooding second oldest of the Hart sextuplets, can’t enjoy the solitude he craves when he agrees to star on a reality show. The plan is to discover a project manager to renovate his hole of a property. The show reveals that it’s more about Ryan’s dating life. Can he keep his guard up when everything around him is falling apart faster than the shingles on his roof?

BJ Wallace loves her quiet life in Wisconsin that she’s created far from her traumatic childhood. Everything changes when she learns she’s competing on Repairing Ryan’s Heart. As the show focuses more on Ryan than the house, BJ falls for him. Will she win the show and destroy Ryan with her secret, or sacrifice her heart to protect Ryan?

A small-town, reality show romance with family drama and a Christian thread of surrendering pride and anger.

I share my thoughts PLUS a FEW giveaway opportunities. Not one. Not two. Not three. But FOUR opportunities to win one copy of Repairing Hearts. I will be giving two softcovers (US Winner only) and two Kindle copies (where Amazon gifted ebooks work).

What do you need to do? Just read my newsletter to learn more. Even better, subscribe so you don’t miss future giveaways. It’s not required, but it would be awesome if you did.

https://mailchi.mp/d3d352282aef/fiery-reds-and-the-finish-line?e=e6321abcde

Fiction Finder: November 2023 New Releases

November 2023 New Releases More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website

Contemporary Romance: 12 Days of Mandy Reno by Regina Rudd Merrick — Law student Amanda Reno is stuck in her tiny hometown in Kentucky for Christmas and work part-time at the Clementville Café. Her parents are stuck in Brazil, leaving Mandy to celebrate Christmas without them. Young Sheriff Clay Lacey takes matters into his own hands, devising a plan to take Mandy’s mind off her crushed expectations. She is no longer his classmate’s tagalong kid sister, but a young woman he is increasingly attracted to. How will Mandy react when she finds out Clay is the one working to make sure she has a memorable Christmas? Will she be pleased? Or will she cringe as she thanks the man who may be falling in love with her? (Contemporary Romance from Scrivenings Press)

A Family for the Orphans by Heidi Main — Three little hearts have been broken. Now they must find a way to heal them…Tragedy turned Walker McCaw from bachelor cowboy to guardian of his late best friend’s three children. Now they’re living on a new horse farm—and it’s a disaster. Trisha Campbell’s arrival couldn’t come at a better time. Together, they’ll need to work to save the struggling farm. But it takes more than hard work to make a family. It takes courage and love… (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired/Harlequin)

Repairing Hearts by Julie Arduini — Ryan, the independent, brooding second oldest of the Hart sextuplets, can’t enjoy the solitude he craves when he agrees to star on a reality show. The plan is to discover a project manager to renovate his hole of a property. The show reveals that it’s more about Ryan’s dating life. Can he keep his guard up when everything around him is falling apart faster than the shingles on his roof? BJ Wallace loves her quiet life in Wisconsin that she’s created far from her traumatic childhood. Everything changes when she learns she’s competing on Repairing Ryan’s Heart. As the show focuses more on Ryan than the house, BJ falls for him. Will she win the show and destroy Ryan with her secret, or sacrifice her heart to protect Ryan? (Contemporary Romance from Surrendered Scribe Media)

The Cowgirl’s Last Rodeo by Tabitha Bouldin — She left home to chase her dreams. Now she’s back seeking a second chance…When Callie Wade’s horse goes blind, there’s only one man who can save her barrel racing career. Brody Jacobs is the best horse trainer she knows—if he’s willing to help. She broke his heart when she left him behind to go after rodeo stardom. This time, will they put their hearts on the line to reach the championship…and a future together? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired/Harlequin)

Wooing the Widower by Elle E. Kay — Margie, a successful Colorado realtor, finds herself looking for a change of scenery and a dash of adventure after her only daughter embarks on a missionary journey, so she heads to Redemption Ranch to fulfill a long-held dream: learning to ride horses. Meanwhile, Chaz, having swapped his tailored suits and executive boardrooms for the ‘aromatic’ allure of horse manure, relishes his new life at Redemption Ranch. The retired businessman and former CEO of Freedom Mountaineering now assists his brother on the ranch, his days filled with hard work, peaceful solitude, and bittersweet memories. When Margie arrives at Redemption Ranch, their lives intersect in the most unexpected of ways. Amid horse rides and starlit conversations, they discover companionship and the tender buds of love in their twilight years. As Margie explores this unexpected turn of her adventure, will she find a love she hadn’t planned for? And can Chaz see Margie as a vibrant woman with shared passions and dreams rather than simply his son’s mother-in-law? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Cozy Mystery: An Unexpected Christmas Gift by Janetta Fudge Messmer — Breanna Snow owns the Snowed Inn B&B outside of Boulder, Colorado. And the city manager, Matthew Jacobson, is irritating the socks off of her. The Go-By-The-Book-Kind-Of-Guy wants to shut her bed and breakfast down. And Bree has no clue why. But she doesn’t have time for Mr. Jacobson’s nonsense. She’s getting married. However, a tiny hiccup occurs while she’s trying on her wedding dress. It literally turns her world upside down. And to her dismay, the city manager is right in the middle of it. Will the mortal enemies find a way to work things out before her B&B closes? Or will they die trying? And can a random act of kindness from years ago change her heart to hear the truth? (Cozy Mystery from Winged Publications) General Contemporary: Carol of the Rooms by Diana Leagh Matthews — Driven. Divisive. Dissonant. Terri Neely is propelled by greed and ambition. She refuses to let anyone—except for her beloved Gramps—past her hard exterior. Long ago, her faith waivered, and her love of music turned to hate. That is until an accident forces her to view the soundtrack of her life as she visits her past, present, and future. Can the songs in Terri’s life change her heart and restore her faith before it’s too late? (General Contemporary from Elk Lake Publishing) General Historical: Crushed Hopes and Hopeful Beginnings by Carol Ashby — Can God work all things for good if you don’t even think he’s real? Lusario was content in Cyrene as part of the Philandros household. After he returns from serving the youngest son, Diokles, while he studies in Alexandria, Lusario expects to become a paid tutor for his master, earning the money to buy his freedom. But when Diokles uses him to pay a gambling debt, he must go to Carthago as the slave of a man who hates him. His once-bright future is gone forever. So why does his Christian friend Timon insist things will turn out so much better than he expects? But Carthago brings new people, like Caelus Martinus, and new possibilities into Lusario’s hopeless world. Could Timon be right? When Lusario sees a chance to escape his fate, will going for it give him a future again, or only hasten his death? (General Historical from Cerillo Press) Historical Romance: The Lamp by Edwina Kiernan — Beatrice Beckwith is an orphaned young lady living with her aunt. On the brink of her deepest wish coming true, her plans unexpectedly collapse. Then, a startling discovery and an outbreak of cholera set in motion a series of catastrophic events, plunging her into even bleaker darkness. Isaac Taylor is forced to leave Miss Beckwith just as he’s arranged a meeting to propose. His deceased great-uncle’s derelict house needs restoration. But dust is not his only enemy, and a web of secrets soon entangles him. Kept apart against their wills, Beatrice and Isaac must navigate deadly illness, family deception, and scheming neighbors, yearning for the time they’ll be reunited. But as they each face their darkest moments, they’ll endure more devastation than ever before. Can joy once again be found, or will dangerous circumstances extinguish its light—and their very lives? (Historical Romance from Moliant Publishing) Mystery: Six Days Spent by Luana Ehrlich — When private investigator Mylas Gray gets a call from the wife of a high-powered Pentagon official, he assumes it’s about her appointment to discuss a possible stalker. It’s not. It’s about her husband – he’s just been murdered. Mylas agrees to investigate the murder, even though he’s supposed to help Whitney find a place to live in the next six days. Can he do both? As it turns out, finding a murderer and finding a house have a lot in common. (Mystery, Independently Published) True Blue Christmas by Susan Page Davis — New neighbors, cryptic Christmas cards, and jury duty. What next? Campbell McBride is juggling her new role as a private investigator with her slightly wacky personal life. Can she and her dad figure out who stashed a valuable painting in their client’s attic? And is the murder of an egocentric landlord somehow connected? (Mystery from Scrivenings Press) Romance: Gifts of the Season by Deborah Raney — THEN: Inspired by a family Christmas tradition of the author’s family, “Circle of Blessings” is set in Dakota Territory in 1864. Stella Bradford is determined to win the love of James Collingwood, her English professor at the university where Stella is studying to be an architect. But the object of Stella’s affection hides a dark secret from his past. And even if Stella could capture James’s attention, she is certain her father would not approve of the match. But neither James nor Stella has an inkling that his secret is woven into her own past in a way that will ultimately bring blessing to them both—if only he dares to reveal it. NOW: “Measured with Love” is a contemporary tale set in a Mississippi River town in Southeast Missouri. Benjie Gabriel believes the chef’s position she’s just taken at an award-winning bed and breakfast is temporary—only a stepping stone to greater things. The B&B’s owner, Trevor Keye, thinks the same and—given the haughty attitude of his new chef—that’s fine with him. Will five months be long enough for them to figure out that what they’ve each been longing for, praying for, is right beneath their noses? (Romance, Independently Published)

The Hope of Christmas by Carol James — Cameron Blake has everything a man could want. Or so it appears. But in the dark of night, the contents of an old manila envelope remind him that the one thing he truly wants is beyond his reach. Kristin Hansen returns home after a messy break-up. While her parents think she’ s returned to recuperate after surgery on a broken arm, she’ s actually escaping from an abusive relationship. When the pastor of a local church recruits Kristin and Cameron to supervise the building of the church’ s float for the upcoming Christmas parade, their hidden secrets are exposed. Cam sees in Kristin what he truly desires… but knows he can never have. As Christmas nears, can Kristin help him find the thing that’ s eluded him all these years? The one thing his heart truly desires? Hope (Romance from White Rose Publishing/Pelican)

Romantic Suspense: 12 Days by Heidi Glick — Scott Newton retires from the sheriff’s office after a fellow officer is killed. Wracked by sorrow and the need for justice, Scott grows distant from his girlfriend, aspiring crime writer, Lindsay Billings. But, when Lindsay goes missing, and Scott discovers her research on the missing person cases thought to be the work of a serial murderer known as the Christmas Killer, Scott vows to find her at all costs. Police have never found the bodies of the people who went missing many Christmases ago, and Lindsay won’t become just another statistic. Then, someone kills again in Blanchardville. Police locate a corpse atop one of seven inflatable swans on a pond, and another body in a pear tree. Scott receives odd texts from Lindsay’s phone and deduces they’re from the killer. In order to save Lindsay, Scott agrees to meet the madman and play his game. As time runs out, Scott must learn to trust in God again, no matter what. (Romantic Suspense from Harbourlight Books/Pelican)

Beneath the Surface by Melanie D. Snitker — As the county’s chief medical examiner, many of the bodies coming into the morgue hold a mystery that Genevieve “Eve” Marks is determined to solve. In discovering what happened to the victims in her care, she can be their voice when they are no longer able to speak for themselves. Until one particular body includes a message challenging her to examine the past and solve a puzzle before the killer strikes again. Detective John Paris is leading a murder investigation that’s going nowhere. What he desperately needs is a break in the case. Unfortunately, that break comes in the form of another body that is obviously tied to the first. Even more disturbing than the idea that he may have a serial killer on his hands is the fact that the beautiful Eve Marks seems to be a target. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)

Deadly Sabotage by Elizabeth Goddard — A fatal explosion hides a lethal conspiracy. After barely escaping a lab explosion that kills her boss, microbiologist Kinsley Langell discovers that the blast was no accident—someone intentionally set off a bomb. With a target on her back and the police compromised, Kinsley must rely on her ex, protection specialist Brett Honor, to help investigate the crime. But someone won’t stop until she’s silenced—this time permanently. Can Kinsley and Brett uncover the culprit before hired killers finish the job? (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired Suspense/Harlequin)

K-9 National Park Defenders by Sheree Stover and Katy Lee — Peril at Christmas awaits… in these gripping Pacific Northwest K-9 Unit novellas. A Christmas skiing retreat turns treacherous when Pacific Northwest K-9 Unit officer Veronica Eastwood’s sister is kidnapped—and only rival officer Parker Walsh can help her in Katy Lee’s Yuletide Ransom. And in Sharee Stover’s explosive Holiday Rescue Countdown, K-9 officers Dylan Jeong and Brandie Weller must race against the clock when they face a Christmas parade bomb threat…and a killer from Dylan’s past. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired Suspense/Harlequin)

Young Adult: Rise of the Y by Angela D. Shelton — In a world on the brink of revolution, where the iron fist of the Imperium orchestrates every destiny…Seventeen-year-old Lexi refuses to bow to a future with an assigned spouse and a dictated profession. A fiery spirit of defiance burns within her, ready to ignite a revolt. But destiny has other plans. When tragedy unveils a hidden diary—a legacy of secrets and rebellion—Lexi is thrust into the perilous shadows of the elusive rebel group Y. In a whirlpool of danger, deceit, and forbidden alliances, every revelation blurs the lines between friend and foe, making trust the ultimate weapon in a battle for truth. Caught between duty and a yearning for freedom, Lexi navigates a treacherous path where love and loyalty are tested at every turn. Who can she trust in a world where betrayal lurks in the shadows? As the foundations of the Imperium tremble, Lexi battles not only for her world but for the person she is destined to become. (Young Adult, Two Oaks Publishing)  

Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month: A Mistletoe Christmas by Davalynn Spencer – When writer Georgia Andrew’s handsome, widowed pastor takes more than a passing interest in her, she wonders if there is hope in her real life for a second-chance romance. (Contemporary Romance) A Morgan Family Christmas by Ruth Kyser – A Morgan Family Christmas is a peek into the past of Samuel Clemens Morgan, Jackson and Mary Byrd, and the rest of the Morgan family. (General Contemporary) Beneath a Michigan Moon by Candice Sue Patterson – Will they open their hearts and give in to the stormy attraction brewing between them, or will illuminated secrets tear them apart? (Historical Romance) Emily’s Trials by Henry McLaughlin – One of the first female attorneys in 1880’s Kanasas chooses justice and fights for her life and the innocent. (General Historical) Hashtag Hitched at Christmas by Cathe Swanson – Who knew that meeting of their minds would spark a meeting of the lips? (Contemporary Romance) Julia Monroe Begins Again by Rebekah Millet – It seems inevitable that the man who was hard to forget might just be impossible to resist. (Contemporary Romance) Offsides by Lori Z. Scott – When an older man seems to be grooming Dani’s neighbor, Dani determines to do whatever she can to keep the girl safe. But she must watch her back, or she could become the next victim. (Young Adult)

Road Trip Rescue by Becca Wierwille

Behind the Scenes of Road Trip Rescue

By: Becca Wierwille

Twelve-year-old Kimmy trusts dogs more than people. After all, her dog Bo never made fun of her for having one hand. But two years ago, Bo disappeared.

When Kimmy stumbles across a magazine photo of a dog in upstate New York that looks just like Bo, she must find him. Years stand between Kimmy and a driver’s license, and her parents seem oddly unsupportive. So, when pink-haired, adventure-hungry Aunt Skylar agrees to a road trip with a stop in the Adirondacks, Kimmy jumps at the chance to bring her furry family member home.

But Aunt Skylar’s idea of a road trip isn’t the rescue mission Kimmy had in mind.

That’s the premise of Road Trip Rescue, my debut novel for kids with themes of faith and friendship.

Though it’s the first book I’ve published, Road Trip Rescue is not the first book I’ve written. But it is especially close to my heart. Kimmy and I have a lot in common. Though I’ve never gone on a wild road trip to find a long-lost dog, many of my own past experiences shaped my understanding of her character.

The biggest thing we share in common—other than our love of dogs—is that we were both born missing half of our right arm. Because of our “little arms,” we have experienced stares and unkind words. We have felt the insecurity and loneliness that can come with feeling different from everyone around us.

You might not have a limb difference. But my guess is that most of us can still relate to the feelings of insecurity, loneliness, and loss that Kimmy experiences.

Have you ever been in a room filled with people and still felt alone? Have someone else’s words ever caused an ache of loneliness in your chest? Have you ever questioned whether God hears your prayers?

Do you know a young reader who might resonate with these questions?

Kimmy’s story may be just what they need to hear. It’s a story I wish I would’ve had when I was a kid.

One of my favorite Bible verses is Zephaniah 3:17: “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”

We are not alone. The Mighty Warrior is with us. And He delights in us.

My prayer is that kids—and adults—who read Road Trip Rescue will see that truth, through Kimmy’s fictional transformation, and in their own lives.

Author Bio:

Becca Wierwille writes stories to show kids they are wonderfully created for the unique adventures in their lives. Born with only half of her right arm, she aims to help others find beauty in what makes them extraordinary. Mom by day and novelist by relatively early in the morning, she wishes she could eat peach pie as often as most writers drink coffee. Despite her dreams of sandy beaches and mountain peaks, she loves living in Pennsylvania with her family. Road Trip Rescue is Becca’s debut novel. You can visit her online at beccawierwille.com or follow her on social media @beccawierwille. Sign up for her email newsletter to receive free resources and monthly encouragement.

Links for Road Trip Rescue:

Amazon buy linkSign up for my email newsletter for free conversation cards and other resources

Learn more about Road Trip Rescue at https://beccawierwille.com/road-trip-rescue/

An Interview with Heidi Glick

Interview with Heidi Glick

Julie, thank you for allowing me to be a guest on your blog.

Which of your books was your favorite to write? Why?

My favorite books to write are the ones on which I am currently working. The books are part of an environmental thriller series I started many years ago (tentatively titled, Queen City Heroes series). I put the series aside to work on other projects but have returned to it. This series is my favorite because the characters are so enjoyable to write about.

What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

I would recommend aspiring writers attend writing conferences (online if in-person is not an option), read books on writing, join a professional writing organization, and finally, practice writing and submit their work to an editor or a critique group.

What is your favorite Bible verse? Why?

My favorite verses are Isaiah 26:3-4 and Lamentations 3:31-33. These verses remind me to trust God, but also, they remind me of his compassion and unfailing love, even in the midst of trials.

How many books have you written?

I have written two novels and one novella. Dog Tags was released in 2013 and is available on Kindle Unlimited. In June, Hold for Release came out and is on sale through the end of October for $1.99 through Amazon Kindle. Finally, my latest release, 12 Days, is a romantic suspense Christmas novella. The novella is available for preorder on Amazon.

Are you a pantser or a plotter?

I’m 80-90% plotter. I normally plot most of my stories. With my latest work in progress, I am pantsing more than usual. I prefer to plot so my story requires less editing. However, I can’t edit a blank page, so for the sake of time, I am pantsing some of my latest story. In terms of plotting, I like the structure of Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody.

How does your “real job” influence your writing?

I recently started line editing for Scrivenings Press. Editing influences my writing because the more I practice editing, the more my writing improves. However, I will always need an editor.

How much time do you spend in research before you write a story?

The amount of research I conduct depends on the story and the plot. My current series requires quite a bit of research. I might spend a week or two on research depending on the story.

12 Days blurb:

Scott Newton retires from the sheriff’ s office after a fellow officer is killed. Wracked by sorrow and the need for justice, Scott grows distant from his girlfriend, aspiring crime writer, Lindsay Billings. But, when Lindsay goes missing, and Scott discovers her research on the missing person cases thought to be the work of a serial murderer known as the Christmas Killer, Scott vows to find her at all costs. Police have never found the bodies of the people who went missing many Christmases ago, and Lindsay won’t become just another statistic.

Then, someone kills again in Blanchardville. Police locate a corpse atop one of seven inflatable swans on a pond, and another body in a pear tree. Scott receives odd texts from Lindsay’ s phone and deduces they’ re from the killer.

In order to save Lindsay, Scott agrees to meet the madman and play his game. As time runs out, Scott must learn to trust in God again, no matter what.

Purchase link:

Social media:

http://heidiglick.weebly.com/

http://www.facebook.com/authorheidiglick

Bio:

Heidi Glick has a B.A. in biology from Cedarville University, a Master of Technical Communication from Utah State University, and a passion for writing Christian fiction. Additionally, she is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Faith, Hope, and Love Christian Writers and has written two articles for Intercom. Before becoming a suspense writer, Heidi taught science to middle and high school students and edited science documents. Heidi resides in rural Northwest Ohio with her husband, two children, and six pets.