Friday, November 29, 2024

A Canine Christmas by Jennifer Sienes

About the Book

Book: A Canine Christmas

Author: Jennifer Sienes

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance, Christmas Fiction, and Southern Fiction

Release date: November 18, 2024

What do you get when you mix a mail carrier, a monstrously large canine and his surly owner, and a mysterious death?

Amelia Hutchinson can’t seem to find her place in the world. Or maybe she’s just watched too many Christmas Hallmark movies. But come on, how come Aurora Teagarden and Hallie Dean get more exciting careers and all Amelia gets to be is a mail carrier? Not to mention, she’s living in her sister and brother-in-law’s guest house and the only man she could find was one who didn’t appreciate the purity ring her daddy gave her.

Rayce Jasper just wants to sell his late granddad’s farm and throw away the painful past that comes with it as soon as possible. But the memories of the man who betrayed him, a ditzy mail lady, and a strange request put a kink in his agenda.

As Rayce’s and Amelia’s worlds collide, neither of them can deny that God must be weaving His own Christmas story for the two of them.

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.

Author Interview

What was the most enjoyable part of writing your book?

The most enjoyable part of writing A Canine Christmas was getting to know main character, Amelia Hutchinson. Although I often try and spend some time planning out my characters’ personalities, this is one instance where I was writing more by the seat of my pants. Amelia surprised me with how funny she was—and it’s always fun to write when the characters take over the story.

• Are any of your characters based off of yourself or those close to you?

I have had many of my stories inspired by challenges people close to me have gone through. I’ve never actually based a character off someone specifically, though. Maybe a quirk or character flaw that I’ll include for variety, but not their personality. I never want someone close to me to read one of my books and recognize themselves even slightly. I would feel as if I’d betrayed them. And no, none of the characters are based off myself—they’d be much too dull to keep my readers’ attention.

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

I’m an early-morning person—always have been. If I’m not up by 4:30, I feel as if I’ve wasted the best part of the day. For that reason, my most productive time of day is before lunch. After lunch, I work on other things, such as blog posts, my podcast, marketing, or my newsletter.

• How many books do you personally own?

I have no idea how many books I own! If I were to count only print books, I’d guess a couple hundred. But I also have a slew of ebooks, as well. I prefer to read print—I just love the feel of flipping the pages and holding it in my hands. But ebooks are less expensive and more easily acquired through sources like BookBub.

• What is your next big goal as an author?

My next big goal is to launch into self-publishing. I’ve been traditionally published until now, so this will be a challenge. That being said, I am also working on my next series, which is a little challenging, as well. It is still Southern Fiction and still romance, but it will have the added background of the railroad to give it a unique twist.

About the Author

Jennifer Sienes holds a bachelor’s in psychology and a master’s in education but discovered life-experience is the best teacher. She loves Jesus, romance and writing–and puts it altogether in inspirational contemporary fiction. Her daughter’s TBI and brother’s suicide inspired two of her three novels. Although fiction writing is her real love, she’s had several non-fiction pieces published in anthologies–two in Chicken Soup for the Soul. She has two grown children and one very spoiled Maltese. California born and raised, she recently took a step of faith with her real-life hero and relocated to Tennessee.

More from Jennifer

I’m often asked where inspiration comes for my books. Does it start with a character or a setting or maybe something from my own life? The answer is, “Yes.” Each of those have sparked story ideas. A Canine Christmas is my fourteenth book, but it’s the first (and possibly last) novel/novella motivated by a dog.

You would think it would be my own canine that inspired one of my books—but that’s not the case here. I have a short story in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Life Lessons from the Dog titled “Soul Sniffer” based on my late Bichon Friese, Einstein. He was also in Providence—and his name was Dashiell. I have another short story in Inspire Joy titled “Canine Redemption” about Cheyenne, a rescue dog we had for a short time. But an entire book? Never.

It started with my granddaughters’ Cano Corso, Porter. The biggest (and I mean that in every sense of the word) baby I’ve ever encountered. He’s massive, and yet hides behind eight-year-old Kennedy at the slightest loud noise. His size alone is enough to intimidate the average person, but he doesn’t have a mean bone in his body. However, he wasn’t the only inspiration for this Christmas novella.

The setting was influenced by my affinity for old family farms and historic cemeteries (of which there are over 33,000 in the state of Tennessee.) Add a ditzy mail lady who has an intense fear of dogs, and a disgruntled man trying to put his past to rest, and A Canine Christmas was born.

This is romance through and through, and it was a pure joy to write. I hope you’ll come to love Amelia and Rayce as much as I did—and of course, Porter, the canine matchmaker.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, November 21

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 22

Stories By Gina, November 23 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, November 24

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 25

She Lives To Read, November 26

An Author’s Take, November 27

Guild Master, November 28 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 29

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

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 30

MrsK Books to Go, November 30

Texas Book-aholic, December 1

For Him and My Family, December 2

Holly’s Book Corner, December 3

Back Porch Reads, December 4 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jennifer is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card and a 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/00adcf54104

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

The Wanderer Scorned by Natasha Woodcraft

About the Book

Book: The Wanderer Scorned

Author: Natasha Woodcraft

Genre: Biblical Fiction

Release date: March, 2024

“It all started with the banishment. As soon as the truth was known about their disobedience, my parents were driven from the Garden planted for them by the LORD God, Yahweh Elohim. A garden pleasing to the eye and filled with every kind of food. Yet for them, it had not been enough.”

Kayin lives in the shadow of his parent’s expulsion from the Garden of Eden and its lingering cloud of shame. He believes in the Creator but struggles for affirmation. When suffering comes and sibling rivalry threatens, Kayin wrestles with God, grasping at shards of faith. But his cries drown in the noise of his own doubts and fears, until his youthful faith lies shattered, replaced by a twisted dance of pride and jealousy.

As Kayin spirals further, misunderstandings within the family dynamic dominate, and whispers of temptation slither through the cracks. Then a chance at redemption presents itself. With flames of forbidden love still raging hot, Kayin and his brother bring sacrifices to Yahweh.

No one foresees the resulting tragedy.

The Wanderer Scorned is the first instalment in The Wanderer Biblical fiction series, immersing readers in the world of Genesis 4. This exploration of the first murder brings the Bible to life in a fresh way, delving into the character of the Creator God and His earliest interactions with humankind.

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.

Author Interview

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

I sort of failed at this! Ha ha. I wrote about Cain & Abel because I felt the Lord prompting me to write it, only to realize it’s really tough to find an audience for. It’s technically Biblical fiction, but it goes far beyond that, as an exploration of God’s character and His interactions with the very first humans. Because the maincharacter is an anti-hero figure, it’s also unique! I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to write to market. Those who love it, love it, but not everyone will, and that’s ok.

● What was the most challenging part of writing your book?

Presenting Kayin (Cain) as a character that people could relate to and engage with, even though he’s the “bad guy” and we know the outcome of his story. We know the what, but we don’t know the why. A lot of scripture is like this: we’re told such and such happened, and God leaves it up to us to figure out why and how, and what lessons we’re to draw from that. This requires a closeness to Him that study alone can’t produce, a dwelling with the Holy Spirit. That excites me, but also challenges me.

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

I love delving deep into the Bible and asking those big questions. Writing a whole series based on Genesis 4 has given me opportunity to spend five years in one chapter of the Bible – reading, praying, researching and repeat. It’s hugely impactedme and drawn me into a greater understanding of the Scriptures and a closer relationship with Jesus, the living Word. My prayer’s that it will do so for you, too.

● Are any of your characters based off of yourself or those close to you?

They’re based off my understanding of the text and the name meanings. Biblical names often reveal something about the character, and I weave this into the story. For example, Abel means “breath”. This alludes to his short life but also, another word for breath is “Ruach,” which is the Hebrew word for the Spirit of God, suggesting Abel was imbued with God’s Spirit, and that’s why he knew what to sacrifice. I love transporting my readers back in time by using the Hebrew rather than English names (hence Kayin rather than Cain), but the characters themselves definitely bear relation to people I know. I’m not going to reveal who though. That would be telling!

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

I’m a morning girl! However, I rarely get the chance to write early anymore because I have 4 kids to get to school and loads of animals to feed. So, it has to fit around them all. I am constantly needing God’s grace in this, as I’d far rather be writing than anything else ;-)

● What is your next big goal as an author?

The Wanderer’s Legacy is releasing in the spring. It’s based on the end of Genesis 4, about Lamech and his two wives. Imagine being the first woman whose husband takes a second wife? I’m exploring that from Adah’s point of view, and how patriarchy and polygamy first crept into the world. It has so many lessons for today. I’d love many people to engage with it and explore the scriptures with me.At

About the Author

Natasha Woodcraft lives in a slightly crumbling farmhouse in the UK with her family of boys and menagerie of animals. She holds an honours degree in Theology and believes stories have power to communicate deep truth and transform lives. Also a songwriter, Natasha peppers her emotional prose with poetry and song.

More from Natasha

Q & A with Natasha Woodcraft

You’re an Author from the UK. Tell me more about that.

That’s right. I’m a Brit, which is great but has its challenges, like negotiating single quotation marks! There’s a massive lack of Christian fiction here. It’s not stocked in secular bookstores, there are few Christian bookstores left, and there aren’t many big conventions or publishers. I’m part of a team passionate about changing the landscape. We offer support services to authors and publishing services. Please pray for us and our country, and support British writers if you can.

Who do you share your home with?

My husband, Ben, and four sons ranging from 15 to 7. Plus a dog, 2 cats, 3 goats, 9 chickens and 16 quail (though they don’t all live in the house.) It can get a little crazy…

Sounds like it. How do you find time to write?

Good question. My mornings are usually taken up with feeding/cleaning kids and animals. My afternoons with working for the family business or publishing house. Before tea, I’ll be out picking vegetables and pulling weeds – we try to grow as much as we can ourselves. Writing gets squeezed into late nights, early mornings and quieter days. It’s my downtime and my favorite time spent with Jesus.

You write Bible-based fiction. What specifically?

The Wanderer Series is based on the story of Cain & Abel in Genesis 4. It came about because I woke up one morning wondering what prompted the first murder (no kidding; my brain is weird.) I’d been pondering Jesus’ words about murder and anger in the Sermon on the Mount and praying about what I should write for a while. Suddenly, I knew it had to be a reimagining of Cain’s story – from his perspective.

Hang on. From Cain’s perspective?

Yeah. Though there’s certainly a place for them, I personally dislike stories that are too simplistic. Where bad guys are really bad and good guys are really good – that kind of thing. The Bible teaches us that we all need grace (especially me), and as regards Cain – I don’t think he was much different to any of us. Writing from his perspective gave me opportunity to spend a lot of time in the Word of God, exploring Cain’s slide into sin in a way that challenged me to examine my own heart.

That’s some heavy stuff. Did you have any background that helped you tackle this story?

Sure. I have a degree in Theology, and I’ve also studied English Literature and Creative writing. Mostly though, it was a case of leaning heavily into what God wanted to teach me through this book and hoping some of that resonated with my readers. The reviews so far say it has!

What would you say to those questioning whether Bible-based fiction is right for them?

I totally understand the fear surrounding this genre. I felt it myself when I started writing and that was something I had to take to God and trust Him with. “Is it even ok to write these stories?” I asked.

Essentially though, it isn’t much different to a sermon. It’s exegesis and expansion of the scripture, just presented differently: in fiction rather than non-fiction. I’ve researched, covered my writing in prayer, and had pastors check my work. I’m super careful about handling scripture faithfully but state where the story comes from my imagination. It isn’t intended to replace the Bible. Quite the opposite – I hope it will inspire people to pick the Bible up. I even include an appendix that explains decisions I made, and study questions, at the back.

My hope and prayer is that Jesus will be glorified as lives are touched by this ancient story reimagined. If you’re still not sure, why not give The Wanderer Scorned a go? You don’t know until you try…

Blog Stops

A Reader’s Brain, November 13 (Author Interview)

Lots of Helpers, November 13

Back Porch Reads, November 14 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 15

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, November 16 (Author Interview)

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, November 17

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 18

Fiction Book Lover, November 19 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, November 20 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, November 21 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, November 21

Guild Master, November 22 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, November 23 (Author Interview)

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, November 24 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, November 25

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 26

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Natasha is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card and a paperback 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/00adcf5496

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Wonderfully, Marvelously Brown by Xochitl Dixon

About the Book

Book: Wonderfully, Marvelously Brown

Author: Xochitl Dixon

Genre: Children’s Picture Book

Release date: October 1, 2024

Wonderfully, Marvelously Brown, follows a young boy on a joyously affirming adventure that celebrates all shades of brown, from the darkest to the lightest.

From new school desks to freckles and moles, from fresh pastries to cedar canoes, brown is everywhere around us. God created and used brown to color the giant California redwoods, the Grand Canyon walls, busy beavers building dams, great horned owls hoo-hooing, and his image-bearers.

Everywhere that I go
I’m searching to see
something wonderfully, marvelously
brown—just like you and like me!

Illustrated by Pura Belpré Honor Award artist Sara Palacios and written by Xochitl Dixon, Wonderfully, Marvelously Brown takes kids on a tour of the U.S. to seek and find all the brilliant and beautiful shades of brown—from ivory to ebony—that God created. Readers will be encouraged to love the skin tone God chose for them as they observe how the spectacular shades of brown are reflected in their communities and the world around them.

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.

Author Interview

1. What was the most challenging part of writing your book?

Researching the brown things, choosing which ones to use for the book, and writing meaningful rhymes were the most challenging things to do, though I enjoyed the process.

2. How do you weave Biblical truths into your writing?

Before I even begin writing a book, God gives me Bookend Bible Verses. These verses are the foundational truth on which I build my stories. The first verse is where I begin my story. The final verse is the last message I want the reader to experience ̶ God’s words not mine, because His Word is life-transforming. The Bookend Bible Verses are so much a part of the books I write that the pages are illustrated.

3. Are any of your characters based off of yourself or those close to you?

Everything I write comes from a personal place, no matter what genre I am writing, so my characters are often a combination of myself and the people God places in my life.

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

I know the whole story, where I’m starting and going before I begin writing. While brainstorming, I write a skeleton outline. However, I leave that outline open to change as I prayerfully write the first draft.

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

I live with chronic pain and fatigue, so I write whenever I feel well. This can happen anywhere at any time, not always in convenient places or at reasonable hours of the day or night. However, no matter where or when I am writing, I enjoy coffee and Dove milk chocolate nearby to help me stay focused on work.

About the Author

Xochitl (So-Cheel) Dixon, author of Waiting for God: Trusting Him for the Answers to Your Prayers, is a regular contributor for Our Daily Bread, the bestselling God Hears Her compilations and blog, and Tyndale’s NLT Go Bible for Kids (September 2024). Equipping readers to grow closer to God while nurturing an authentic loving community, she shares biblical encouragement, celebrates ethnic diversity, and advocates for disability awareness with her beautifully diverse family and her service dog, Callie, featured in the 2021 ECPA Christian Book Award Children’s Book Finalist Different Like Me, Diferente como yo, What Color is God’s Love? and Wonderfully, Marvelously Brown.

More from Xochitl

I’m a first-generation Mexican American raised by Spanish-speaking immigrant grandparents and parents, who taught me to be invisible and believed assimilation would lead to a better life for me. The racism and colorism I experienced throughout my life caused me to grapple with my identity, self-worth, and my sense of belonging. However, I was in third grade the first time I stood against injustice. In my teen years, my passion for celebrating ethnic diversity and standing against injustice while advocating for disability awareness and inclusion grew.

Then, in 1994, I married a man who shared my passions. As a first-generation Mexican American raised by immigrant parents and grandparents, a wife to a Black man, a stepmother to a Black son, and a mother of a biracial son, my commitment to stand against racial injustice became even more personal.

I submitted my life to Christ in 2001 and began asking the Holy Spirit to make me more like Jesus. That same year, after a student used a racial slur toward our biracial son, I wrote Different Like Me.

As God empowered me to love Him and my neighbors with a healthy and holy perspective, God began to grow our beautifully diverse family. My youngest granddaughter, whose father is Black, shared that kids teased her because she doesn’t look like her sisters, who share the same white father. I assured her that the melanin God uses to color all skin is brown, from the lightest to the darkest shades. Then, I told her that I would be writing Wonderfully, Marvelously Brown.

In 2020, Our Daily Bread published Different Like Me. As I edited What Color is God’s Love? and Wonderfully, Marvelously Brown, God continued affirming that He did not create the divisive and oppressive systems that label His image-bearers as “white” or “black” and feed the ignorance of racism or colorism. Instead, He designed melanin to include every spectacular shade of brown from the darkest ebony to the lightest ivory, even in those He created with birth marks, vitiligo, and albinism.

God intentionally selected every skin tone for every person He created and loves, His image-bearers. He calls every shade of brown good, including the shade of brown He used when He created you and me. As we celebrate our God-designed ethnic diversity, we can share the Good News of Jesus Christ as we love God and all our neighbors together.

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, October 28 (Author Interview)

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, October 29

Lots of Helpers, October 30

Guild Master, October 31 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, November 1

Leslie’s Library Escape, November 1

Texas Book-aholic, November 2

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 3

Fiction Book Lover, November 4 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, November 4

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 5

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 6

A Reader’s Brain, November 7 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, November 8

Labor Not in Vain, November 9

Life on Chickadee Lane, November 10

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Xochitl is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon 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/00adcf5480/

Monday, November 4, 2024

The Locket’s Revenge by LE Richmond

About the Book

Book: The Locket’s Revenge (Chronicles of the Undersea Realm Book 2)

Author: L. E. Richmond

Genre: YA Fantasy (Little Mermaid Retelling)

Release date: October 22, 2024

A Trinket Could Unleash a Tempest

Locklyn Adair thought that finding the Sea Enchantress would lift her family’s curse. But the ramifications of her desire for a tail reach further than she could ever have dreamed. Now the entire Undersea Realm is in peril, as Circe, armed with the locket capable of controlling the Loch Ness monster, journeys to the North Sea in pursuit of revenge.

Darin Aalto’s specialty is tracking down treasure. When it looks as though a magical locket has fallen into evil hands, he joins Locklyn and her crew on an expedition to recover it, hoping to find a key to his past identity along the way. Despite having no memory of the Mermaid leading the quest, he wonders if she was more than a friend all along.

As a vengeful enchantress, fiery monster, and impending war threaten the Undersea Realm, Locklyn and Darin must decide what they are willing to sacrifice in order to stop the locket’s revenge.

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.

Author Interview

How do you weave Biblical truths into your writing?

○ I try my best to write a good story and let the Biblical truths enter as organically as possible. But all of my books have a Creator referenced in some form because I strongly believe that any world without a Creator is impossible. The other common element in all my stories is redemption. None of my books end in despair because I know that nothing is beyond God’s reach, and I want my writing to reflect that.

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

○ I am definitely a pantser. My usual process for book writing is to jot a bunch of random notes on the back of an envelope and then start writing. This is mostly due to my personality since I don’t tend to be super organized, but it is also because I love the process of drafting, so when I get a new story idea I can’t wait to jump into it.

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

○ I have three little children, and my most consistent time to write is in the afternoon during their naptime.

● How many books do you personally own?

○ About three bookshelves worth (however many that is 😊).

○

● What is your next big goal as an author?

○ My next big goal as an author is to win a major award. The Mermaid’s Tale was a finalist for the Carol Awards this year, and I would really love to someday see a shiny gold sticker on one of my books.

About the Author

L.E. Richmond was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest by an American writing teacher and a German bookseller. Her childhood largely consisted of imagining stories for her Playmobil

characters and checking out as many books from the library as would fit on six library cards. Now she spends her time chasing three little Muggles, reading aloud to the hazel-eyed young man who has her heart, and attempting to transfer the stories in her head into words for others. Her passion is for words and stories that thrill the soul, and she is endlessly amazed by the One who not only used words to bring this world into being but also crafted the most epic story of all time.

More from L.E.

Somebody is going to die. But they didn’t at first.

Minor spoiler alert, a character is going to die near the end of The Locket’s Revenge. But in my first draft of this story, this person didn’t die. It wasn’t until I was going back through and trying to flesh out the book a bit that I realized that this character needed to die. My family knows that I am a discovery writer, but they still laughed when I told them how so-and-so squeaked through alive on the first draft, but the death sentence came in the second one. To me, this is actually one of the most fun things about being a discovery writer. During the drafting process, I get to experience the story for the first time, just like any reader. Most of the time, I don’t actually know what is going to happen next. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.