The Because Fiction Podcast

 When I spoke to Lori DeJong last year, her True Calling series captured my interest right away. I mean, it isn't often you read stories where people truly have to choose what the Lord wants or what they want even if it seems as though choosing God is deciding against self. But Lori is BACK and she has another story--this time of two people in love with polar opposite paths. Listen in to see how that goes! note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  One of my favorite aspects of Love's True Calling was the center where students could gather in a safe place. Well, that's back in this book but with new characters to focus on. EEEP!   Learn how Lori wrote this series, when we might see the next, and more!  If you want to listen to Lori's first interview where we chatted about Love's True Calling, you can find that HERE.   Love's True Home by Lori DeJong  Allyson Kincaid needs roots. Born and raised on the foreign mission field, all she wants is home and hearth on American soil. Finally past the break-up with the man she’d thought was the love of her life, she’s ready to put herself back out there. Too bad the first guy who’s made her pulse skip in nearly two years dreams of a life spent in foreign missions. She’s been there, done that, and, although she supports him in his calling, knows his choice means she’ll be laying even more broken dreams, and a newly shattered heart, at the feet of Jesus. When Zane Carpenter relocates to Arlington, Texas, his seventh move in thirteen years, his only thought is to meet his obligation with Becker Ministries in a few months, then take a foreign mission assignment, his dream for the past several years. But working so closely with Ally in student ministry has him feeling things he’s never experienced. He’s ready for a future with her, until he accepts an opportunity to work on foreign soil and Ally stays behind. He knows God put him there for a reason, although his heart still longs for the girl back home. You can learn more about Lori (and join her newsletter!) on her WEBSITE. Find her on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple  Castbox  Google Play Libsyn  RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

 Have you ever noticed that some authors do this annoying thing where they take what you thought was your favorite book and then tell you about another book coming and boom! You're all out of sorts because that one's totally going to be a favorite?  Well, now you know how I feel about Between the Sound and Sea. Listen in to see what book is the current fave and what probably will be.  note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  Oh, boy!  I don't think I've ever met anyone who didn't love a good lighthouse story, and notes from a log book tucked into the stone walls of a lighthouse?  Sign me up, please! Amanda shares her stories of going to the Outer Banks and chatting with a man who runs an antique store out of his house.  I've GOT to see that place!  Don't miss out on the GoodReads giveaway going on through August... something.    Between the Sound and Sea by Amanda Cox  Every family has its secrets. Josephina Harris wouldn't mind if her family still had a few of their own after a lawsuit tarnishes their name. When an opportunity opens to become a temporary keeper of a decommissioned lighthouse on a North Carolina island, she jumps at the chance to escape her small town to oversee its restoration.     As the work begins, "Joey" discovers strange notes tucked deep in the crevices of the old stone walls--pages torn from a lighthouse keeper's log signed by someone named Mae who recounts harrowing rescues at sea. Fascinated by a woman lighthouse keeper, Joey digs into the past only to discover there's never been a record of a lighthouse keeper by that name.   When things start to go amiss on the island, locals are convinced that it is the ghost of the lighthouse keeper and his daughter who were lost at sea during World War II. As Joey sifts through decades of rumors and legends and puts together the pieces of the past, what emerges is a love story--one that's not over yet.   Multiple Christy Award winner Amanda Cox is your guide upon the raging seas of young love, heartbreaking loss, and learning to risk it all for a chance at happiness in this timeless novel. Get Between the Sound and Sea for 40% off with free shipping from Bakerbookhouse.com through August 5, 2024 Learn more about Amanda Cox on her WEBSITE. Follow her on BookBub and GoodReads. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple  Castbox  Google Play Libsyn  RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

 The Cape Cod Creamery series has been one of my favorites by Suzanne Woods Fisher, and can I just say I was disappointed when I realized I hadn't ordered Love on a Whim before chatting with Suzanne. Listen in to see what's in this book! note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.   Oh, and can I just say that I was 100% wrong?  Yeppers. 100%. Bakerbookhouse.com says I absolutely did order it.  Finally found it.  Guess where?  Yeah! It was with the other two (already devoured) books.  I put the thing away. Who does that? But seriously, I knew I'd love this book before I read the synopsis, but that synopsis grabbed me in a stranglehold and wouldn't let go. Come on! A woman gets married "on a whim" to a guy she just met and then runs away?  To Cape Cod? Sign me up and take my money, please!   Love on a Whim by Suzanne Woods Fisher  Brynn Haywood's impulsive marriage to a man she'd known less than 24 hours leaves her with deep regret. She flees to Cape Cod, finding refuge with her loyal friend, Dawn Dixon. As Brynn grapples with her emotions, Dawn acts swiftly, eager to help secure a lawyer for her through her mother Marnie's good friend, Lincoln Hayes. However, Lincoln's preoccupation with his daughter's lavish wedding brings unexpected challenges. The arrival of Lincoln's estranged son, Bear Hayes, stirs the waters further. Alarmed by his father's extravagant generosity toward the Dixon family, Bear ignites friction between Marnie and Lincoln. As the wedding day arrives, Lincoln vanishes--and an unwelcome guest makes a surprise appearance. Psst... you can still get the book for 30% off with free shipping from BakerBookHouse.com (sorry... website is under maintenance as I type this, so I can't grab you a link). You can learn more about Suzanne from her WEBSITE.  Also, follow her on BookBub and GoodReads. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple  Castbox  Google Play Libsyn  RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

 What better book option for Jane Austen July could you ask for than a time travel, time-slip novel full of all the romance and elegance of Regency England through the eyes of a contemporary US protagonist? Listen in to learn more from Linore Rose Burkard! note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  Beware shawls! You never know what they'll do to you?  Linore Rose Burkard has created a fabulous series full of wonderful characters and unique settings that converge in this portal time-travel series.     Forever Lovely by Linore Rose Burkard  This sequel can be read as a stand-alone. 1819, England Miss Margaret Andrews’ sister disappeared into the future three years ago and Margaret hasn’t seen her since. Julian St. John brings her to visit, but only for a day since his wife Claire is about to give birth to their first child. He doesn’t know Margaret’s real desire is to find a modern invention to bring back with her. A bluestocking by nature and lacking her sister’s famous beauty, Margaret knows she must make her way in society by becoming an inventress. But when the tallit, the magical time-travel shawl, goes awry, she finds herself alone and stranded in 21st-century New York City! Present Day, Manhattan Stewart Russell is a grad student studying early British female writers when he meets Margaret at a Jane Austen Society Conference in New York. Margaret is mistaken for an attendee but fits right in. Stewart is thrilled by her knowledge of the writers he’s studying, almost as much as her effortless acting with the speech and manners of Jane’s day. Until she claims to be from Jane’s day! Worse, he is a wanted man due to a mix-up, and time is running out. Margaret longs to keep him safe from the blackguards pursuing him, but first she must convince him she really is from the past. But when she can’t even get herself back to 1819, how can she hope to bring Stewart too? It’s a race against time, and she must find a way before the unthinkable happens! If you enjoyed the time-travel romance of Outlander, then you'll love Margaret and Stewart's story in Forever Lovely. Buy now before the price changes! Learn more about Linore on her  WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. Don't miss out on Linore's book (and the other eleven) in the Once Upon a Courtship collection. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple  Castbox  Google Play Libsyn  RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

 The Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing comes to a close with Amanda Cabot's upcoming release of Into the Starlight. Listen in to learn more about the series and about the mystery that has kept us all curious as we read through this series! note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  This whole series has fascinated me since the first time Amanda and I chatted about it.  I was certain that book two, After the Shadows would be my favorite, but... I don't know. Now that I hear more from Amanda about this book, I'm not so sure. Add to that learning that there will be a Christmas novella available for preorder soon (don't forget to sign up for her newsletter so you can find out when it goes live!), and well... come on!  EEEP!   Into the Starlight by Amanda Cabot  After more than a year in Europe, Joanna Vaughn returns to Sweetwater Crossing, her dreams of becoming a concert pianist shattered. As if that weren't enough, her husband, whom she married after a whirlwind courtship, has died. The only thing sustaining her on the journey back to Texas was the thought of her childhood home. But to Joanna's dismay, she's changed so much that the place she once loved no longer feels like home.   After his fiancée married his partner and both blamed him for a patient's death, Dr. Burke Finley believes it's time for a change. A quick trip with his almost-aunt Della Samuels to Sweetwater Crossing turns into an extended stay to discover what happened to his uncle and her would-be husband. But the beautiful and musical Joanna makes it more than bearable.   As the two join forces to help Della, there is no denying the attraction felt on both sides. But ghosts from the past are coming to call--and threatening to destroy any chance at happily-ever-after.   Get swept away by this emotional tale of family, friendship, and the kind of love that overcomes every obstacle. Into the Starlight is 40% off with FREE US shipping from BakerBookHouse.com through July 15th! Learn more about Amanda on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple  Castbox  Google Play Libsyn  RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

Patricia Raybon has such a compelling author voice, and combined with rich characters and historically riveting settings, her Annalee Spain mystery series keeps readers on their toes. Listen in to learn what inspires Patricia's writing and what you may learn from it. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  One of the coolest things about Patricia Raybon's writing is that it shows part of American history that we don't often see. We're familiar with KKK activity in the South, but Denver?   Add to that a character who is a theologian with her own family secrets to uncover even as she works to find out who killed someone and why, and the story grips you from page one and won't let you go. Additionally, Patricia's handling of racial tensions and atrocities serve to educate without being preachy.  She handles these situations in a compassionate and intelligent way, offering readers a look into history that can be tough to encounter. I for one, can't wait for the next... and the next... and...   Truth Be Told by Patricia Raybon Denver's newest detective. A garden's deadly secrets. On a lovely June night in 1924, amateur detective Annalee Spain is mingling bravely at a high-class political fundraiser in the lush backyard garden of famed political fixer Cooper Coates, one of the wealthiest men in Denver's Black neighborhood of Five Points. When Coates’s young daughter discovers a pretty stranger dead in her father’s garden shed, Annalee is thrust onto the baffling new case just as she’s reeling from another recent discovery—a handwritten letter, found buried in her own garden, that reveals the identity of her mother. Not ready to face the truth about her hidden past, Annalee throws herself into solving the mystery of the young woman’s demise. With the help of her pastor boyfriend Jack Blake, her orphaned buddy Eddie, and her trustworthy church friends, Annalee follows the clues to three seemingly disconnected settings—a traveling carnival set up downtown, a Black civic club, and a prestigious white seminary on the outskirts of Denver. Intriguing advice also comes from a famous, real-life Denver visitor. But is Annalee on the right track or just running in circles, fleeing from conflicts racing in her heart? In a taut, heart-gripping narrative driven by secrets, romance, and lies, Annalee must unravel a case with higher stakes than she imagined—one where answers about a lovely woman's death point to truths and tensions still throbbing today. A clean historical mystery featuring an amateur female detective, from the Christy Award–winning author of All That Is Secret Third installment in the Annalee Spain series Includes discussion questions for book groups You can find out more about Patricia on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple  Castbox  Google Play Libsyn  RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

If you've never heard of the Acadians, you're in for a beautiful treat in The Seamstress of Acadie by Laura Frantz. Listen in and hear why I am excited for this book and her upcoming release this month note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  I've seen Laura Frantz's books for years, and had even bought a couple. But when another author told me to read her Courting Morrow Little, I knew this gal someone I need to read.  And learning how hard it is to find that book, I went to eBay and bought another copy just in case.   Laura talked a lot about the history of the Acadians but ALSO about another book coming out soon (that is related to The Rose and Thistle... I think?)  We recorded months ago, so I might have gotten that wrong.  The Seamstress of Acadie by Laura Frantz  As 1754 is drawing to a close, tensions between the French and the British on Canada's Acadian shore are reaching a fever pitch. Seamstress Sylvie Galant and her family--French-speaking Acadians wishing to remain neutral--are caught in the middle, their land positioned between two forts flying rival flags. Amid preparations for the celebration of Noël, the talk is of unrest, coming war, and William Blackburn, the British Army Ranger raising havoc across North America's borderlands. As summer takes hold in 1755 and British ships appear on the horizon, Sylvie encounters Blackburn, who warns her of the coming invasion. Rather than participate in the forced removal of the Acadians from their land, he resigns his commission. But that cannot save Sylvie or her kin. Relocated on a ramshackle ship to Virginia, Sylvie struggles to pick up the pieces of her life. When her path crosses once more with William's, they must work through the complex tangle of their shared, shattered past to navigate the present and forge an enduring future. And don't miss her upcoming release: A Matter of Honor Available July 24, 2024 Having grown up at Wedderburn Castle in the serene Scottish Lowlands, Orin Hume is thrust into the dazzling realm of London society and Court circles as Poet Laureate of Britain. But at the height of his fame a former tragedy and his ties to a lass he once loved lead him home to Berwickshire again. When his return is further marred by lost love letters and scheming kin who conspire to keep the pair apart, can Lady Maryn Lockhart, now Duchess of Fordyce, forgive him? Or will the shadows of the past and the complexities of the present rewrite their love story? Learn more about Laura on her  WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple  Castbox  Google Play Libsyn  RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

Everyone knows I LOVE a good play on words, and when I listened to the audio sample of The Gardins of Edin, I was so excited that it really was a perfect one. But that's nothing to the story that unfolds in this book. Listen in to discover why Rosey Lee wrote this book. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.   What could be cooler than four women of the Bible inspiring characters in a contemporary novel--four women who weren't ALL contemporaries of each other!  You have Ruth and Naomi "types" and... Mary and Martha "types.  Whoa.   A huge, multi-million-dollar business and a matriarch and a family who doesn't accept a daughter-in-law.  Wow.  It sounds amazing, and I can't wait to read it. My copy is here (Thank you, Rosey Lee!) and my audiobook is on my phone.   The Gardins of Edin by Rosey Lee When the bonds in their family begin to fray, four Black women fight to preserve their legacy, heal their wounds, and move forward together in this heartwarming contemporary debut novel with loose parallels to beloved women from the Bible. The four women of the Gardin family live side-by-side in Edin, Georgia, but residing in tight proximity doesn’t mean everything is picture-perfect. Ruth runs the family’s multimillion-dollar peanut business, a legacy of the Gardins’ formerly enslaved ancestors. But tensions have intensified since the death of her husband, Beau, and she feels like an outsider in the very place she wishes to belong. Sisters Mary and Martha fuel the family tension. Martha’s unfounded mistrust of Ruth causes her to constantly seek ways to undermine Ruth’s decisions with the business, while Mary, trying to focus on her new restaurant that serves healthy comfort food, is dragged into the family fray by Martha. For years, Naomi, the matriarch who raised the sisters after their parents’ death and supported Ruth in her grief, has played peacemaker. But as she decides to take a step back, hidden truths, life-and-death circumstances, and escalating clashes finally force the Gardin women to grapple with what it means to be a family. A heartwarming Southern story of family and all its many complexities, The Gardins of Edin delivers a thoughtful portrayal of four women trying to hold on to their secrets. Women who just might—if they can only let go—find the peace they seek by holding on to one another. Learn more about Rosey on her  WEBSITE and follow her  on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple  Castbox  Google Play Libsyn  RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

You'll never look at postcards or silver cars the same in Laura Thomas' new romantic suspense, Captured in Frame. Listen in to learn all about Laura's new series, its cool location, and what we'll see with these three sisters. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.   When Laura and I chatted about her upcoming release, Captured in Frame, I hadn't yet read it, but I have now, and wow.  A blend of edge-of-your-seat moments, wild rides (literally) and a total Wuthering Heights moment, the mystery will keep you on your toes even while you try to keep Laura's characters on theirs. Rich in faith and local culture, you won't want to miss this series.   Captured in Frame by Laura Thomas  In an idyllic village nestled in the English countryside, photographer Georgia Brooks is desperate to begin a new chapter in her life. Bramble Cottage was supposed to give her space to heal and hope again after suffering betrayal and rejection by the only man she ever loved. This was Georgia’s chance to rekindle her faith and reconnect with her sisters in a place that held sweet childhood memories—not expose herself to the ugly underbelly of the art world and put her family in danger. Local pediatric surgeon, Doctor William Hughes, is captivated by the Canadian beauty with a camera over one shoulder and the weight of the world on the other. After suffering his own tragic loss and balancing a demanding career with raising a toddler, he recognizes the heaviness of grief . . . and the burden of guilt. When Georgia discovers she could be in possession of incriminating evidence to frame a criminal ring, she needs to trust someone. She chooses Will. Postcards, photographs, paintings—something about Bramble Cottage is worth killing for. Can Georgia uncover the truth in time? Learn more about Laura on her  WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple  Castbox  Google Play Libsyn  RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

Chatting with Kay DiBianca is always a delight, and this award-winning author also has my all-time favorite opening scene of a book. Totally because of the characters. And now she's written a novel including a pilot! Listen in to learn more about her and Lacey's Star. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  Kay and her husband just won awards for their respective stories, and when you listen to the episode, you can see why. This time a pilot is put in some seriously scary situations while Kay works through a mystery with her reader. EEEP!   The faith element is found as the result of a chance meeting with a minister. The Vietnam war vet finds a note in his little sister's Bible that kicks off the whole investigation.  She then gives us quite a few book ideas for our (or is it just my?) ever-growing TBR. Lacey's Star by Kay DiBianca Get in, sit down, buckle up, and hang on! Private pilot Cassie Deakin lands in the middle of an unwanted adventure when she discovers her beloved Uncle Charlie has been attacked and seriously injured by thieves.  But Cassie has a problem. She doesn't know who she can trust. Still, she's determined to solve the mystery behind the assault on her uncle, so she reluctantly agrees to team up with Deputy Frank White, a man she definitely does not trust, to find the culprits. But as Cassie and Frank peel back the layers of one mystery, they uncover a deeper and more sinister crime: the murder of an eight-year-old girl decades earlier. Armed with only a single, cryptic clue to the death of young Lacey Alderson, Cassie makes a crucial discovery that lands her in the crosshairs of a murderer. Learn more about Kay on her  WEBSITE and follow her  on GoodReads and BookBub. Also, Chautona asks, and Denise answers! The name of the musical adaptation of The Odyssey is EPIC: The Musical by Jorge Rivera-Herrans. He's released five sagas so far and plans to release at least one more this year. You can find them on most music-streaming platforms! Please note: This is a secular musical, so there are a few uses of mild profanity. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple  Castbox  Google Play Libsyn  RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

 What if you were one of the unnamed people who Jesus (sometimes through His people) healed?  D. M. Griffin explores the lives of those affected by those healings. Listen in and see what you'll find in these intriguing Biblical fiction novels. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.   Coming out one after the other, The Encounter Series looks at four women and their contact with the power of Jesus to change lives in both a physical and a spiritual way.  By the time we got done talking, I was sold on the series. Book three comes out tomorrow and book four in just a few months. No long wait!   The Crooked Daughter by D. M. Griffin   Choices her father made before she was even born reached a bony finger into her life, clouding her future with hopelessness. Her father’s cold heart had no room for her. He easily cast her aside when the Law permitted it. Defined as an outcast because of a physical infirmity, Priscilla was told death was her destiny. Despite the limited perspective brought about by years of adversity, Priscilla fought to keep hope alive and wait for the Lord's timing. Aquila lost his father at the most critical time in his life. Battling against grief and bitterness, Aquila uncovers a secret about his father's death that undermines his faith in a religious system that identified him. Driven from his homeland, Aquila becomes someone he no longer recognizes. Two people whose perspectives are skewed by adversity become divinely intertwined in mysterious ways. As they wait upon the Lord for His timing, would Priscilla and Aquila ever find the truth that would lift their eyes to the hills so they could see the purpose of life, not only between a man and a woman but between God and His creation? A poignant story about how God uses adversity for good in the lives of those who truly love and trust Him. Learn more about Demi on her  WEBSITE and follow her  on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple  Castbox  Google Play Libsyn  RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

When I found out that S. F. Baumgartner writes suspense/thriller but not romantic suspense, I knew I'd have to check out her books. Well, I did. And while I'm not quite done with the prequel, Buried Secrets (previously published as The Secret) to her Mirror Estate series, I'm enjoying it and totally lost (in all the best ways). Listen in to learn more about this series. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  Lovers of romantic suspense will love to learn Sylvia's publishing story, why she writes suspense (and without a strong romantic element! YAY!) and why her books are set in Florida! Tangled Secrets by S. F. Baumgartner  Two women. One targeted by an unknown enemy. One accused of murder. Will they overcome their obstacles? Twenty-five-year-old schoolteacher Grace Benson lives a quiet life until she receives a threatening note. But when the FBI becomes involved, her world really turns upside down. Middle-aged wedding planner Sheila Mitchell suspects her husband’s up to something, but she never expects to find him dead—and be knocked unconscious near his corpse. When she comes to, the murder weapon in her hand. Will Grace survive? And will Sheila’s ex-husband, an FBI agent, clear her name? Who is targeting these women? Learn more about Sylvia on her  WEBSITE and follow her  on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple  Castbox  Google Play Libsyn  RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

 I don't think I've ever heard fantasy authors say they wanted to emphasize light in their books, so when I began chatting with Kylie Beevers about her Rise of the LivingWood and she explained her heart for the story, I knew I'd found a book I needed to read.  Listen in to learn more about how a thirteen-year-old decided to write her first fantasy novel. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  Some might take Kylie Beevers' goal for her series (to emphasize light) to mean that the story is fluffy with no conflict or danger. Not hardly. The opening journal entry (you can read it in the sample on Amazon) shows that the boo kicks off with a terrible battle and the fallout. But knowing the story's emphasis on light shows just Who will be at the center of that, and I really liked that. I also liked her explanation of "the why" that authors need when they jump into writing. I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did.   Rise of the LivingWood  by Kylie Beevers Bramble is just your ordinary fox scrounging the forest floor with his Da, Mum, and kit brother before he is thrust snout first into the warrior life. For his whole life, Bramble has known the LivingWood to be a safe, secure place. A place where he and his family live in peace with no threats. But one day Bramble encounters his Uncle, who he had no idea even existed, and now he’s got no choice but to trust his gut and blaze a trail into a battle he has to fight. Wolves have besieged the borders. War seeks to devour them all. Will Bramble uphold his call? And what will it cost? The Young Writers Workshop " https://theyoungwriter.com/workshop-students Kylie has a list of young author helps on her website. Learn more about Kylie on her  WEBSITE and follow her  on GoodReads. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple  Castbox  Google Play Libsyn  RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

Don't know about you, but I love it when an author gets the whole "loathe to love" thing right, and it sure sounds like this new-to-me author nails it. Listen in to see why I am excited to read Jenny Erlingsson's Her Part to Play. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.   Jenny and I had a great time chatting about her debut novel (but check out her Christian nonfiction!) Her Part to Play.  I loved learning about her personal family history, the cool place she lives (seriously... it's a COOL place. bring a coat), and about Christian fiction in general. I loved hearing (in particular) how she blends Nigerian and Southern Black culture. How cool is that? Oh, and here's that link I promised on Christians reading fiction.   John Piper on Fiction: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/in-defense-of-fiction PSST!  There's a Goodreads Giveaway until June 17, 2024!  Her Part to Play by Jenny Erlingsson   Desperate for extra income after her mother's passing, Adanne accepts a last-minute job as a makeup artist for a movie filming in her small Alabama hometown. She's working to save her parents' legacy and help her brother, but the money hardly seems worth having to face the actor who got her fired from her last job in Hollywood.   John Pope has made his share of mistakes over the years. But after turning his life over to God and enduring a messy breakup, he's ready to start rebuilding his career. Imagine his surprise when the woman called in to cover for his usual makeup artist is a quiet but feisty newcomer on the set--and definitely not a fan.   Sparks of tension--and could that be attraction?--fly between them, but Adanne hates the spotlight, and John's scheming manager has bigger plans for him than to end up with the humble makeup girl from the small-town South. Can these star-crossed lovers find their way to happiness? Or will the bright lights of Hollywood blind their eyes to what's right in front of them? Get Her Part to Play from bakerbookhouse.com for 40% off with FREE shipping. SQUEEE Learn more about Jenny on her  WEBSITE and follow her  on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple  Castbox  Google Play Libsyn  RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

 Talking with Ann Gabhart is always a pleasure, but this time we got to chat about a book that I feel like is going to be my favorite of all the books she's ever written--and definitely a favorite of 2024. Listen in to see why I'm so excited about The Song of Sourwood Mountain. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.   With a story reminiscent of Catherine Marshall's beloved Christy, The Song of Sourwood Mountain touches at the heart of what historical romance readers love best--history, local culture, faith, and an epi romance.  Well, when I started reading, I knew this book had all that and more. I mean, it kicks off with a proposal from a man our heroine hasn't seen in years and didn't know well then.  If you love a good marriage of convenience story, I'm sure you'll love The Song of Sourwood Mountain.   Get the book from bakerbookhouse.com for 30% off with free shipping! The Song of Sourwood Mountain by Ann H. Gabhart   While the century began with such promise, it is 1910 when Mira Dean's hopes of being a wife and mother are dashed to pieces. Her fiancé dead from tuberculosis, Mira resigns herself to being a spinster schoolteacher--until Gordon Covington shows up. No longer the boy she knew from school, Gordon is now a preacher who is full of surprises. First, he asks Mira to come to Sourwood in eastern Kentucky to teach at his mission school. Second, he asks her to marry him. Just like that. And all at once the doors that had seemed firmly shut begin to open, just a crack. With much trepidation, Mira steps out in faith into a life she never imagined, in a place filled with its own special challenges, to serve a people who will end up becoming the family she always dreamed of. From the pen of bestselling author Ann H. Gabhart comes a heartwarming story of the unexpected blessings that can come when we dare to follow the Lord's leading. Learn more about Ann on her  WEBSITE and follow her  on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple  Castbox  Google Play Libsyn  RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

When I first saw the cover for When Plans Go Awry, I was probably more excited about that book than I've been about almost any book I've ever seen shared. Listen in to how a math whiz who wasn't much of an English "gal" ended up writing historical fiction.  note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  The one-room schoolhouse appeals to many readers--lovers of all things Little House, you know. But there was a lot more to that life than meets the eye.  Colby explores the disparity between what was expected of male vs. female teachers and that's only the tip of a rooster-topped iceberg. From the first inspiration for the story through all of its iterations, how she won a publishing contest, and finally how she created my favorite character (that rooster), Denise shares it all! When Plans Go Awry by Denise M. Colby   Olivia Carmichael escapes her past to become the next schoolmarm in the small ranching community of Washton, California. Her plan? Live a quiet spinster life alone, never to depend on anyone again. Luke Taylor selected a mail-order bride to help raise his two younger sisters and protect his broken heart. His plans don’t include being responsible for the beautiful new schoolmarm, who threatens his resolve between his need to stay away and his need to ensure her safety. Along the way, Olivia’s carefully laid-out plans are challenged at every turn, and Luke’s mail-order bride is not what he expected. With the help of the entire town and its wily rooster, can Luke and Olivia learn to trust again? Learn more about Denise on her WEBSITE and follow her  on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple  Castbox  Google Play Libsyn  RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

 What if what is perceived as a negative thing by some here on earth turned out to be a superpower "out there" in the universe somewhere?  Jared N. Michaud has taken that idea and soared with it. Listen in to see how an autistic boy is the long-awaited prophecy in another galaxy! note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.   Every once in a while, I get to talk to someone who is clearly brilliant.  I usually enjoy it, but once in a while it's frustrating (and then I usually use the experience by writing a novella to deal with the frustration).  But even more rare, I chat with someone who is both brilliant and capable of not "talking down" to me or too far above me.  Some people just have the gift of interacting with everyone on their level.  Jared Michaud is definitely one of those rare gems. I had a blast talking with him, got encouraged in my faith, got excited about his Energmatrice6 series, and walked away thinking, "Wow..."  It was, a bit I think, how people who chatted with C. S. Lewis probably felt. He had the gift of being able to converse at nearly any level as well. Don't miss out on Jared's podcast, Modern Apocrypha. Jared mentioned a couple of books, and I wanted to list those here:  Evolution 2.0 by Perry Marshall--a looking at Darwinism and Intelligent Design in a new light. Ordinary Men by Christopher R Browning--his take is that it's rough but a good read. Brightstar: Energematrice6 – The Epimyth Begins  by Jared N. Michaud  “Only the void is content to wait in peace.”  Brightstar is the beginning of an epic space adventure that introduces readers to Nate, a boy desperate to escape the prison of an ordinary life made unbearable by his autism. When he is unexpectedly transported to another universe, Nate’s perceived disability is transformed into a near superpower.  In the Aurora Galaxy, where his arrival has been prophesied for thousands of years, Nate finds the weight of expectations difficult to bear. After being greeted by an ancient ally, Nate begins gathering a misfit group of “odds” from every corner of the universe. Nate’s odyssey, which starts in the most prestigious school in civilization, will end battling monsters from the darkest imaginations of an ancient, captive Earth. Coping with greater and greater adversity, Nate finds himself confronted by enemies who all seem to be connected in suspicious ways. In the end, Nate must stand before the Lightmaker Himself, who sent Nate to the Aurora Galaxy in the first place. Brightstar is the beginning of a myth in the tradition of authors like C.S. Lewis, written to introduce young people to the most important stories and values of Western Civilization. Rich language and an epic story provide the backdrop for an exciting, yet thoughtful space fantasy. Learn more about Jared on his WEBSITE and follow him on GoodReads. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple  Castbox  Google Play Libsyn  RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

 Not all authors can step up to the plate and hit six home runs in a year, but if any can, I bet Kimberley Woodhouse is one of them.  With a packed year of novels to write and share with the world, is it any wonder that she and I chatted about two different historical fiction books in this episode?  Listen in to see which ones! note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.   First up, Set in Stone.  People who love plays on words might call this a "dino-might" series about the "Bone Wars."  Other, less ridiculous folks, chose to allude to the "gold rush" by calling this period of American history, "the great dinosaur rush."   I like dino-might.  I mean, they're dinosaurs, and they're "MIGHTy" cool creatures, no? But if paleontology isn't your thing (how can this be???) then how about a different kind of conservation--the formation of Glacier National Park and a thunderpuppy who can't see how some things that look so good on paper might not be so good for those people who rely on something different.  And how they clash--and all the fun stuffiness that comes with that. Kimberley talks about her writing with Tracie Peterson in the Jewels of Kalispell series and wow!  I'm excited myself!   Set in Stone by Kimberley Woodhouse  A dangerous scheme could bury their long-held dreams forever. . . . From the time she was little, Martha Jankowski has been digging in the dirt, much to the dismay of her mother. Now she dreams of being a paleontologist and is determined to make her parents proud by uncovering the next big discovery. When Martha finds what she hopes to be a fully intact dinosaur skeleton--one that could win her an acclaimed exhibit--she learns another team is competing against her and could steal her chance at being recognized for this momentous discovery. Paleontology student Jacob Duncan has fulfilled his dream of digging for dinosaur bones at last. In a race against time, he and his team are bent on unearthing a complete skeleton to claim a museum exhibit with their names on it. But when Jacob meets their charming competitor Martha and uncovers foul play within his team, love and danger grow hand in hand until a menacing ruse threatens to destroy it all. and With Each Tomorrow by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse Even in the midst of adversity, love and faith can flourish. As the formation of Glacier National Park takes Eleanor Briggs and her conservationist father on a journey west to advocate for public lands, her heart carries the weight of a painful past. Since the death of her mother, she has spent her life traveling the country with her father and helping him with his work, but now he's considering settling down and writing a book--and she's not sure what that means for her future. Carter Brunswick faces trials of his own when the Great Northern Railway's departure threatens his family's livelihood and the entire town of Kalispell. In the visiting conservationist's daughter, Ellie, he finds a spirited woman who challenges his convictions in ways he never anticipated, and his own dreams for the future begin to change. When tensions over the railroad's departure boil over, Ellie and Carter are drawn together on a daring journey that tests the depths of their feelings and their faith in God. Learn more about Kimberley on her  WEBSITE.  Check her out on GoodReads and BookBub, too! Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple  Castbox  Google Play Libsyn  RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

I always have a blast chatting with Naomi Craig, so I knew this would be a great conversation, but Donna E. Lane, co-author of the four-novella set, And Their Numbers Grew, made this conversation extra fun. Listen in and see why. note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  Naomi Craig's love of Biblical fiction shines in every conversation you have with her about books period. Add to that her total attention to detail, and you get a great read.   I knew she'd be careful about who she wrote with, so I was eager to see how Donna E. Lane and she approached things, and boy was that a fun conversation. I loved how each of the women chose their characters, embraced their strengths, and created a picture for us of what life during those times might have been like. Okay, so I was excited to learn that they're doing more, too!  And Their Numbers Grew by Naomi Craig and Donna E. Lane Four lives. Four destinies. One gospel. Fans of Mesu Andrews and Connilyn Cossette will love And Their Numbers Grew. If you love The Chosen, the story continues in And Their Numbers Grew. Rumors of the risen Christ spread through Jerusalem like a wildfire—and the Sanhedrin is paying attention. Their efforts to stifle the name of Jesus only fuel the cause until a young Pharisee gets involved, breathing threats of imprisonment—or worse. Stephen’s brutal stoning accelerates the persecution and sends the faithful fleeing the city for their lives. They are afflicted in every way, but not crushed. As the fledgling church disperses, their numbers continue to grow. Now, the apostles must train the new believers in the ways and words of Jesus—and what it means to live in God's Kingdom here on earth. The Kingdom of God spreads to Damascus, Joppa, Caesarea, Antioch, and Tarsus through the testimonies of Ananias, Tabitha, and Barnabas. While an outraged Saul sets out for Damascus to arrest them all, the followers press on fervently, with the help of the Holy Spirit—though it may cost them their lives. Four disciples whose lives are intertwined, told in four novellas, chronicling the birth pains of the early church.   Learn more about Naomi on her WEBSITE and follow her  on GoodReads and BookBub. Learn more about Donna on her WEBSITE and follow her  on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple  Castbox  Google Play Libsyn  RSS Spotify Amazon and more!

I've been singing about kickin' somethin' all down Route 66 ever since chatting with Janine Rosche about her upcoming novel of faith, family, and forgiveness as she takes us along the "mother road" in her upcoming release The Road before Us. Listen in to see why that "mother road" moniker fits this book so well! note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  Chatting with Janine is always a treat, and this was no exception. With a story that echoes something in her grandparents' past to honor that memory, she's carefully crafted a beautiful story.  Rosche brought in so many elements--adoption, kidnapping, swindling, love, generosity, and of course, forgiveness. So much of Janine has been poured into this that I wonder how she isn't curled up somewhere sucking her thumb and wondering why she's doing this writing thing at all! My personal favorite is how "the Mother Road" adopts all travelers as they drive each mile.  Genius.  So, if you missed Mother's Day this year, this book would be a fabulous gift to say, "I'm sorry and I love you" all in one gorgeous, bookish package.  And if you didn't... well, grabbing it at 40% off right now means next year's Mother's Day (or birthday, Christmas, Book Lover's Day... whatever) is all taken care of!  The Road Before Us by Janine Rosche  How far would you go to fix the mistakes you've made and regain the trust you lost? For Jade Jessup, the answer is 2,448 miles. Once one of Chicago's significant financial advisors, Jade lost her credibility when her fiancé (and coworker) stole millions of dollars from their clients in a Ponzi scheme. Now she's agreed to help one of them--an aging 1960s Hollywood starlet named Berenice "Benny" Alderidge--seek financial restoration. Jade sets off along Route 66 with Benny and her handsome adult foster son, Bridger, who is filming a documentary retracing the 1956 trip that started the love story between Benny and her recently deceased husband, Paul. Listening to Benny recount her story draws Jade into memories of her own darker association with Route 66, when she was kidnapped as a child by a man the media labeled a monster--but she remembers only as daddy. Together, all three of these pilgrims will learn about family, forgiveness, and what it means to live free of the past. But not before Jade faces a second staggering betrayal that changes everything. You can get The Road before Us at 40% off with free shipping before May 21st (and 30% off after!) by going to bakerbookhouse.com. Also... you can get a free prayer journal for preordering! That is HERE. Don't forget to fill out her form to get preorder perks, too! You can find that HERE. Learn more about Janine on her  WEBSITE and follow her  on GoodReads and BookBub. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple  Castbox  Google Play Libsyn  RSS Spotify Amazon and more!