Saturday, September 7, 2024

Heavenly Rescues and Answered Prayers by Andrea Jo Rodgers

About the Book

Book: Heavenly Rescues and Answered Prayers: True Stories of Faith and Miracles from a First Responder

Author: Andrea Jo Rodgers

Genre: Christian Inspirational

Release date: June 4, 2024

Powerful Stories of Life’s Emergencies

For more than 35 years, veteran EMT Andrea Jo Rodgers has been helping people in their most terrifying and vulnerable moments—and bearing witness to the miraculous power and handiwork of God.

In this new collection of unforgettable stories, Andrea shares more heart-pounding accounts of rescues and interventions from her vast experience as a first responder. Whether it’s a boy fallen through thin ice into freezing water, an old woman and her walker stuck at a railroad crossing, or a loyal dog playing guardian angel for his incapacitated owner, join Andrea as she responds to incredible scenarios that testify to God’s power and love.

Not only will you be astounded by the courage exemplified by Andrea and other first responders, but you will also be inspired by her faith, empathy, and hope—even amid the most daunting circumstances. These powerful stories will encourage you and deepen your awe for God’s amazing mercy and grace.

Click here to get your copy!

I received a complimentary copy of this book,

And all opinions given are my own and not an

Endorsement of all author’s opinions.

About the Author

Andrea Jo Rodgers holds a clinical doctorate in physical therapy and has worked as a physical therapist for 30 years, specializing in women’s health, oncology rehab, and ALS. She has served as a volunteer emergency medical technician on her town’s rescue squad for 37 years and has responded to more than 9,700 first aid and fire calls. She lives with her family on the east coast. She enjoys reading, writing, day trips, and savoring a slice of avocado toast along with a cup of green tea. Andrea’s latest book, Heavenly Rescues and Answered Prayers, shares more inspirational stories based on her experiences as a volunteer EMT.

What did your research process look like for this book?

I’ve been a volunteer emergency medical technician (EMT) on my town’s first aid and rescue squad for over 35 years, responding to more than 9,600 emergency calls. Along with my fellow squad members, I’ve been called to help those suffering many different kinds of medical emergencies such as cardiac arrest, near-drownings, and overdoses as well as victims of trauma. My research comes from education, training, and hands-on experience.

What was something new you learned while writing this book?

Writing about rescue calls from my personal experience has helped me to better realize how blessed we are to serve as instruments of God, acting as cogs in the wheel of heavenly orchestrated interventions. As an EMT, I’ve observed firsthand how God carefully puts together all the pieces to create jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring rescues.

What audience did you have in mind when writing this book?

I wrote Heavenly Rescues and Answered Prayers for people who enjoy inspirational medical stories and for those looking to affirm their faith through reading about miracles, rescues, and answered prayers. I write for a non-medical audience, so I try to make sure to explain medical terms and the treatments we render in an easy-to-understand manner.

Do you have a favorite drink or snack for when you’re writing?

While I’m writing, I like to snack on popcorn with a mug of decaf green tea (plain-no cream or sugar, please). Of course, anything chocolate is another go-to!

What message do you hope readers take away from your book?

As an EMS volunteer, I meet people at their most vulnerable moments, when a seemingly ordinary day can suddenly morph into one that is dark and sinister, challenging their faith and calling into question an ongoing earthly existence versus transitioning to eternity with God. In these times of profound crisis, people turn to God for help. I know He hears our prayers, for I’ve seen them answered in ways that defy logic. His loving hand pulls us literally or figuratively to safety in ways that cannot be written off as mere chance.

More from Andrea

Have you ever wished you could keep yourself and loved ones safe from danger? Perhaps you envision placing a protective bubble around the newest driver in the family or maybe figuring out a way for germs or cancer cells to bounce off those closest to you. For some, the desire may be not for physical protection but for safeguarding the hearts and minds of family members or friends during periods of personal difficulties.

I’ve been a volunteer emergency medical technician (EMT) on my town’s first aid and rescue squad for 37 years, responding to more than 9,700 emergency calls. Along with my fellow squad members, I’ve been called to help those suffering cardiac arrest, victims of trauma from accidents, near-drownings, people suffering from drug overdoses, and a variety of other medical emergencies. We’re blessed to be able to serve as instruments of God, acting as cogs in the wheel of heavenly orchestrated interventions. In my capacity as an EMT, I’ve observed firsthand how God carefully puts together all the pieces to create jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring rescues.

“Wow, that was a lucky save!” some might say. I believe it’s not luck at play but rather God’s saving grace. The orchestrator of miracles, He puts all the pieces in motion to create occurrences that are truly beyond mere coincidence. In Heavenly Rescues and Answered Prayers, I share my firsthand accounts of the ways God works to protect and save us. If we open our minds and hearts to the quiet presence of God in our lives, we’ll be able to recognize these heavenly rescues.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, August 29

Artistic Nobody, August 30 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 31

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, September 1 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, September 2

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 3

For the Love of Literature, September 4 (Author Interview)

Lots of Helpers, September 4

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 5

Tell Tale Book Reviews, September 6 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 7

A Reader’s Brain, September 8 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, September 8

Dee S. White, September 9

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, September 10 (Author Interview)

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, September 11

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Andrea is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5427

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

Conversation Hearts by Marguerite Martin Gray

About the Book

Book: Conversation Hearts

Author: Marguerite Martin Gray

Genre: Contemporary Romance

💝 Release date: July 30, 2024

Will she be able to save her father from the island’s magic before she falls victim to it herself?

When Megan Standish finds out about her father’s new relationship, she storms into the Suamalie Islands to rescue her father and carry him home to New Mexico. He’s firmly planted on Alexandre, however, but she refuses to let the island’s magic cast a spell on her decision. Even when a handsome islander and his daughter knock at her heart.

Jean Girard is a local with a flourishing transportation business taking passengers from island to island. When he encounters Megan’s stormy tirade on his boat, he promises to shelter his daughter and himself from her negative vibes. His concern continues to grow as he watches his daughter get attached to the American.

Either Jean will have to create an even bigger hedge of protection around his daughter and his heart from this pouty, controlling woman, or he will have to trust God to peel back the stubborn, hurting layers of the past and allow the miracle of His love again.

Take a trip to the Suamalie Islands where palm trees sway, the sand and sea pulse with life, and the people will steal your heart.

Click here to get your copy!

I received a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions given are my own and not an endorsement of all author’s opinions.

Author Interview

• What was the most enjoyable part of writing your book?

I loved continuing my characters’ stories. The island theme flavored my vacations as I tried to soak up the ambience, food, and beach time in Florida, Marseille, and Naples. I never made it to Bora Bora! Since this is a contemporary, I enjoyed the freedom in writing in a new genre, different from historical. Also, Conversation Hearts connects to the first book Room for Love and the third book Dreams Revived giving the characters extended lives.

• Was your writing process spontaneous as it came to you or very planned and organized? Why?

I am a planner and organizer by nature in all areas of my life, so it overflows into my writing. I start with my imagination and an outline. Now, the outline can change and morph as the characters take off in different directions.

• Do you have a favorite time of day you are most productive in your writing?

I love writing in the morning. Since I work at home full time, I can arrange my schedule to give me some time then. It is quiet and free of distractions, except for my constant Tully companion (my rescue dog.) I can produce more words with the least amount of pressure without anyone else around.

• How many books do you personally own?

Oh, what a question. So many from so many years. I have many collections—old, new, research, TBR, friends, travel. Hundreds. Recently, I got rid of about 100 and still have an abundance.

• What is your next big goal as an author?

I have a new series in mind that explores the micro states of Europe like Andorra, the Vatican, Monaco. It will involve history, treasures, mystery, romance, past and present. I’ve already started the first one. So, we’ll see where it goes.

About the Author

Marguerite Martin Gray is the author of Hold Me Close, Surround Me, and Bring Me Near– Revolutionary Faith Books One, Two and Three. Besides researching her historical novels, she enjoys studying history and writing fiction. An avid traveler and reader, she teaches French and has degrees in French, Spanish, and Journalism from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, and a MA in English from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. Marguerite is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Abilene Writers Guild, Daughters of the American Revolution, South Carolina Historical Society, and Preservation Society of Charleston. She currently lives in North Louisiana with her husband and Cleo, her cat. Her two adult children keep her up to date and young.

More from Marguerite

I have enjoyed this series and the relationships forming as the characters find new ways to communicate on the journey. Are you a good communicator? Introvert or extrovert? Conversation is so very important. Think about how we use it every day: directions, warnings, concerns, prayers, instructions, disciplines. Even though I teach online, my words of concern and instruction are needed to spur the students toward success. Somehow, I have the words to communicate well in so many areas of my life.

Then what about the heart? I think of the Valentine’s candy hearts—Conversation Hearts! As relationships develop between characters in Room for Love and Conversation Hearts, the heart becomes more and more a major component with all the characters. Yet, sometimes we fail to really say what we think in order to protect our hearts. There are many lessons to learn about being honest in relationships. Sometimes we avoid the conversation part and miss out on the wonderful relationships.

I embrace the conversation of the heart in my life through love, decisions, marriage, job, God appointments, children, and difficult circumstances. Explore different facets of important conversations with Amy and Walker and their families as you read this installment of Suamalie Islands series.

Happy Reading!

Blog Stops

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 30

Stories By Gina, August 31 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, August 31

She Lives to Read, September 1

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 2

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, September 3

A Reader’s Brain, September 4 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 5

Back Porch Reads, September 6 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 6

Karen Baney Reviews, September 7

Simple Harvest Reads, September 8 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Artistic Nobody, September 9 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, September 10

Holly’s Book Corner, September 11

Beauty in the Binding, September 12 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Marguerite is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5429

Thursday, August 29, 2024

Guess Who Is In God’s Family by Karen Ferguson

About the Book

Book: Guess Who Is in God’s Family

Author: Karen Ferguson

Genre: Children’s Picture Book

Release date: June 24, 2024

When Lucy comes across some old family pictures, she has a lot of questions for Papa Joe.

Who are these people?
Why doesn’t she look like them?

As Papa Joe tells Lucy about her family, he shares with her the uniqueness that God created in each of us from the very beginning, all the way back to our first ancestors, Adam and Eve.

What follows is a wild adventure through the Bible, where Lucy and her papa discover God’s love and faithfulness for all people throughout all of history.

In this second book in the Questions for Kids series, discover how much God loves diversity and how God created your family in the most beautiful and perfect way.

Click here to get you copy!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions given are my own and not an endorsement of all author’s opinions.

Author Interview

1. How do you weave Biblical truths into your writing?
a. This book series is all about biblical truth. The main character, Lucy, takes her big questions to her trusted advisor Papa Joe, and this leads them on an adventure into the Bible where they explore things like Creation, the First Family (Adam and Eve), and what will be other major Bible accounts important to building a solid faith in God. The biblical truth is easy to weave into this series because the main characters literally jump into these Bible accounts. What I add to it is a creative, relatable storyline for children to engage with. In the first book it was the concept of bullying and feeling unloved. This book deals with family and diversity.
2. Why did you pick this genre for your book?
a. I’m a mom and grandmom with a background in K-8 education and have worked with children most of my adult life. My heart has always been for young people. To share the truth that they are fearfully and wonderfully made in God’s image and loved more than they could imagine. I think some of it stems from my own experiences as a young child, trying to find my identity in all the wrong places. I realize the importance of honoring the inherent value of each child, and planting seeds of God’s truth in young hearts. I’m grateful to play a part in that through this book series.
3. What was the most challenging part of writing your book?
a. Covering such a complex and foundational topic in the Christian faith in a way that is relatable to children, and keeping it to the limited word count required for a picture book. I’ve heard some say that it must be easy to write a picture book because it’s short, but I find it to be a challenge. It’s not easy to take an in-depth Bible account and write a creative storyline that aligns with solid theology, but with very few words. But that was my mission with this book, and thankfully God’s grace is sufficient! This book is a bit longer than some picture books, though, as I felt it was necessary in order to lay a firm foundation for young readers.
4. How many books do you personally own?
a. Oh boy, that’s hard to say! I will say I have enough books to fill three big bookshelves and several large boxes of books in the garage, plus multiple books on my dining room table, night stand, and work desk. What can I say, I love books! My TBR list is a long one, and I keep adding more to my collection.
5. What is your next big goal as an author?
a. I’m working on the third book in the seven part series. While I don’t want to spoil the surprise, I will say it has to do with a boat and a rainbow :) My goal is to submit it to my publisher within the next month.

About the Author

Karen Ferguson is a freelance writer and children’s book author with a background in K-8 education. A grateful wife, mom, and grandmom she is passionate about writing stories that grab and hold young readers’ attentions, while teaching them all about God’s unchangeable truths, and His unchanging love for them. She wants every child to know their life matters. Her first children’s book, Guess How Much God Loves You, was published through Ambassador International in 2022. Now a seven book series, her newest book, Guess Who Is in God’s Family is scheduled to release June 2024.

More from Karen

Did you know the cherubim that guard the Garden of Eden have four faces – that of an ox, human, lion, and eagle? You’ll find their description in Ezekiel 10:14, and it’s quite different from most angels you’ll see in traditional children’s books. But you will see them beautifully illustrated in this second installment in the Questions for Kids picture book series, all about the First Family in the Garden of Eden.

You see, my mission from the very beginning has been to present accurate biblical accounts to young readers that are foundational to increasing their understanding of the Bible and growing a solid faith in God. Kids are bombarded with so many counterfeit messages these days that contradict the Bible, and it’s leaving them confused and hopeless. Is truth relative? Absolutely not! The real Truth lies in God’s Word, and I am grateful to play a part in counteracting the lies of our culture by presenting Truths straight from the Bible, in a fun and dynamic way.

In this book (and book series), you won’t find a regurgitation of Bible facts (that never worked for me as a child). Rather, you’ll find a young girl with many questions about God and life, much like our own children and grandchildren. And you’ll find her loving grandpa who is happy to answer those questions by pointing her to the Word of God. Their adventures into unique periods in Bible history, driven by some serious 7-year old questions, will help pull young readers into the narrative and connect the Bible to their world. It’ll also open doors to faith-building conversations with parents, grandparents, caregivers, and teachers.

The hardest part of writing these books? Keeping it short enough to fit into the picture book category ;).

I pray you and your young reader will be blessed as you journey with Lucy and her Papa Joe into the Bible to discover God’s power, His faithfulness, and His never-ending love.

Blog Stops

Blossoms and Blessings, August 24 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, August 25

Beauty in the Binding, August 26 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 27

Guild Master, August 28 (Author Interview)

Lots of Helpers, August 28

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 29

A Reader’s Brain, August 30 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 31

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, September 1 (Author Interview)

Labor Not in Vain, September 2

Fiction Book Lover, September 3 (Author Interview)

Cover Lover Book Review, September 4

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, September 5 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, September 5

Artistic Nobody, September 6

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Karen is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a signed hardcover copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5423

Tuesday, August 13, 2024

Kidventure: Through the Maize by Steve Searfoss

About the Book

Book: KidVenture: Through The Maize (KidVenture Book 3)

Author: Steve Searfoss

Genre: Middle Grade Fiction

Release Date: March 30, 2023

Chance, Addie and Sophie launch a new venture when they get lost in the country and stumble on the idea of starting a corn maze business. They quickly discover that while it’s easy to rush into a maze, finding your way out is hard. They will need to convince an investor to fund the venture, persuade a reluctant farmer to let them build their maze on his corn field, and figure out a way to work with his headstrong nephew. Along the way they will realize just how little they know about planting corn, designing mazes and writing business plans. Through many twists and turns —and dead ends— they will learn how to keep a partnership together and what the true job of a leader is. There’s only one thing harder than finding your way out of a maze: creating a maze people want to get lost in.

KidVenture stories are business adventures where kids figure out how to market their company, understand risk, and negotiate. Each chapter ends with a challenge, including business decisions, ethical dilemmas and interpersonal conflict for young readers to wrestle with. As the story progresses, the characters track revenue, costs, profit margin, and other key metrics which are explained in simple, fun ways that tie into the story.

Click here to get your copy!

I received a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions given are my own and not an endorsement of all author’s opinions.

Author Interview

How do you weave Biblical truths into your writing?

KidVenture books are not overtly Christian stories, but they are definitely ones that Christian parents would enjoy reading and discussing with their kids. Every chapter ends with questions for young readers to grapple with, including what they would do in the given situation. Some of these questions are business related, but many of them are moral dilemmas.

In the first KidVenture book, Twelve Weeks To Midnight Blue, there is a key moment where our young entrepreneur, Chance, has made a big mistake that lost their struggling venture a customer. He is sorely tempted to lie about it to his sister and business partner, Addie, in order to evade responsibility. There is a sweet scene where he sheepishly approaches his mother while she is weeding in the garden, and she guides him through a conversation where is able t see he needs to uproot this desire to evade the truth.

In the second KidVenture book, There’s No Plan Like No Plan, there is a similar critical moment when one of Chance’s employees accidentally breaks the window of a house and runs away. At first, Chance pretends he is not involved, since it was him who directly did the damage. And this would be an expensive mistake to fix. But soon he gets tired of carrying the guilt around and decides he needs to confess and make things right.

In my latest KidVenture book, Through The Maize, there is another key moment when Chance is severely tempted. He has taken on a difficult business partner and had to learn humility and compromise to make this new venture work. After learning, the hard way, the importance of swallowing his pride to avoid getting offended every time his new partner does something he doesn’t like, he’s pretty exhausted. And then someone approaches him with a proposal for a side-business that would make him a fairly large amount of money. Chance immediately starts entertaining the idea of keeping these newfound profits to himself, and his justification entirely revolves around feeding his ego. It’s an intense scene, where he really indulges his love of self before sober minds prevail and he realizes he needs to include his partners.

There are other episodes in the books that I think Christian readers would enjoy. For example, there is another scene in Through The Maize where there is a genuine crisis. Chance and Addie’s younger brother, Simon, is lost and they worry something has happened to him. Chance springs into action, organizing a search party and telling everyone what to do. Addie is standing still. Chance, somewhat frantic, asks her what she’s doing, and she says, “praying.” He thinks about it, and quickly says, “good, keep doing that.”

What was your process to align your book with your target audience?

KidVenture started as stories I would make-up for my kids. They always read and comment on drafts. In fact, sitting down with he family and reading through the first, and very rough, first draft is probably my favorite part of the whole process. I think each of them can point to a detail or piece of dialogue or plot twist that came out of their suggestion.

What is your next big goal as an author?

I’m working on the next KidVenture book. I have promised my four kids I would dedicate one book to each of them, so I still owe them one book.

About the Author

I wrote my first KidVenture book after years of making up stories to teach my kids about business and economics. Whenever they’d ask how something works or why things were a certain way, I would say, “Let’s pretend you have a business that sells…” and off we’d go. What would start as a simple hypothetical to explain a concept would become an adventure spanning several days as my kids would come back with new questions which would spawn more plot twists. Rather than give them quick answers, I tried to create cliffhangers to get them to really think through an idea and make the experience as interactive as possible.

I try to bring that same spirit of fun, curiosity and challenge to each KidVenture book. That’s why every chapter ends with a dilemma and a set of questions. KidVenture books are fun for kids to read alone, and even more fun to read together and discuss. There are plenty of books where kids learn about being doctors and astronauts and firefighters. There are hardly any where they learn what it’s like to run small business. KidVenture is different. The companies the kids start are modest and simple, but the themes are serious and important.

I’m an entrepreneur who has started a half dozen or so businesses and have had my share of failures. My dad was an entrepreneur and as a kid I used to love asking him about his business and learning the ins and outs of what to do and not do. Mistakes make the best stories — and the best lessons. I wanted to write a business book that was realistic, where you get to see the characters stumble and wander and reset, the way entrepreneurs do in real life. Unlike most books and movies where business is portrayed as easy, where all you need is one good idea and the desire to be successful, the characters in KidVenture find that every day brings new problems to solve.

More from Steve

KidVenture books are interactive business adventure stories for middle grade readers. In every KidVenture book, a group of young entrepreneurs start a business and have to overcome a series of challenges to make their business profitable. Every chapter ends with a series of questions where readers face the same choices as the protagonists and can reflect on what they would do and how they would respond to the obstacle. These can be great starting points for rich discussions if read with a parent or as a group.

Beyond teaching business lessons, KidVenture books are also full of characters encountering ethical dilemmas and all sorts of temptations: the desire to lie when the business is not doing well, the enticement to break a partnership when it’s no longer convenient, the inducement to keep extra profits to yourself and not share them, and so on. Young readers are asked to wrestle with these questions too as the story progresses.

Years ago when my son was about 4 or 5 we went to a corn maze on a school field trip. After a while it occurred to me to hand him the map and have him lead us. I got to show him how to interpret the map, decide which way to turn, and how to look for landmarks. And —this was the best part— I let him get lost, and helped him figure out how to know when you’re lost and how to get find your way back to a spot you recognize. It was such a sweet memory, an almost perfect vision of what fatherhood is like. And then later I realized, as wonderful as that day was, being a father is much more challenging. The maze has a right way and a wrong way. Life is messier, way more complicated. That thought always stuck with me, the contrast between that day inside the maze and every day outside it. I didn’t know what to do with that idea, until I got a burst of inspiration and decided to write a new KidVenture book based on a corn maze business.

In Through The Maize, there are a group of three siblings who decide to start a corn maze business. Chance, Addie and Sophie remember going to a corn maze when they were younger and lament that it has no closed, so they are inspired to stat one of their own. They go visit a farm just outside of town and present the farmer with a proposal to build a corn maze on one of his fields and fields. The farmer is skeptical and asks for an upfront payment to use his land. This threatens to sink the kids’ new venture before it ever gets going, but after some debate they decide to put together a business plan and find an investor. That’s when the action really starts.

After some negotiation, the farmer agrees to partner with the kids but they must work with his nephew, Cody who is older and has a lot of experience working on a farm. Right away Cody and Chance butt heads, as Cody seems to disagree with everything Chance proposes. Even worse, Cody demands his own share of the profits, separate from what was promised to the farmer. As the kids proceed with their plan, begin planting corn and drawing the maze map, the situation between Chance and Cody only gets worse. Finally tempers explode and the whole venture is in jeopardy. Not only is the business falling apart, there is an investor who will lose his money if Chance and Cody can’t figure out a way to work together.One of my goals with KidVenture books is for kids to feel empowered to take on the world and tackle complex problems. I don’t just mean business problems like figuring out what the price of a product or service should be, or how to market a company. That’s certainly part of it. But more broadly, I want kids to learn how to handle difficult people problems. Business comes down to working with people and to be good at business you have to be good at working with people, whether It’s motivating people on your side to work towards a common goal or negotiating with people on the other side to reach an agreement both can benefit from.

My hope is that young readers will see how Chance handles the relationship with Cody and learn from it. At first, Chance does a terrible job. He’s jealous of the attention Cody gets and he begins to interpret everything Cody says and does as an attack, as a challenge to his authority, even when it isn’t. Things finally start to change when he begins to understand what his role as a leader should be, and that includes making the people who work for him (like Cody) feel like heroes in their own story. That requires humility and letting other people take credit for what they’re accomplishing. Chance has to decide what’s more important: feeling properly recognized, or getting the job done and having a successful business?

Once Chance begins to reframe his relationship with Cody in this way, he also starts to become more aware of how he has been filtering all of Cody’s actions through his own sense of wounded pride and interpreting them in the worst possible way. Chance realizes he has the power to change how he construes what Cody says and does, and this gives him the freedom to focus on what’s important to him (namely finishing the maze) and not be constantly reacting to Cody. This is an enormously empowering realization, one that I hope young readers can learn from which will help them get through their own mazes in life.