Thursday, November 27, 2025

Start Little, Dream Big by Linette Rainville

About the Book

Book: Start Little, Dream Big – Grow The Ministry You Were Born To Build

Author: Linette Rainville

Genre: Christian Books, Women’s Spiritual Growth, Adult Ministry, Ministry and Evangelism, Church Leadership

Release Date: August 7, 2025

“Start Little, Dream BIG” is Linette’s personal story of how God turned one bag of skinny jeans into a million-dollar outreach.

Learn how the smallest step of faith could change your life!

Linette Rainville knows this truth firsthand. A proud Buffalo native and U.S. Navy veteran, Linette began with one simple act of obedience—a bag of skinny jeans she tried to “trade in” for things her family needed. That humble beginning sparked a million-dollar outreach ministry that now serves over 40,000 families every year with food, clothing, hope and Jesus.

In Start Little, Dream Big, Linette shares her redemptive journey and practical wisdom for women ready to step into their God-given calling. It’s filled with real-life moments—some laugh-out-loud funny, some bring-tears-to-your-eyes kind of raw—but all with one goal: to provide you a guide and a blueprint to build your own meaningful ministries, projects, and movements from the ground up.

Whether you’re just dreaming or ready to launch, Linette invites you to join her and a growing sisterhood of modern-day Esthers who are answering their call with courage, faith, and Godfidence.

You don’t have to do this alone. Your big dream starts with one little step.

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. Why did you want to become an author?
Honestly, I didn’t set out to become an author — I just wanted to share hope. Writing was my way of processing the hard seasons of life and seeing God’s hand in the middle of them. Over time, I realized my journals and stories could actually help other women find healing and purpose too. So becoming an author wasn’t really about me; it was about obedience. God put a message on my heart, and I said YES.

2. What was the most challenging part of the writing process for you and why?
The hardest part was writing through the pain. Reliving moments that broke me was tough, but I also knew that’s where the healing was. Vulnerability isn’t easy, but I’ve learned that transparency creates connection — and that’s worth every tear that hit the page.

3. What did your research process look like for this book?
Most of my research came straight from lived experience — real people, real stories, and real moments of God’s provision. I also went back through old journals, ministry records, and community outreach notes to weave the timeline together. Of course, I prayed a lot too! I wanted every page to reflect God’s heart, not just my memory.

4. What was something new you learned while writing this book?
I learned that healing and writing often happen side by side. As I revisited each season — from the military injury to the “skinny jeans” story to founding the Trading Post — I saw new layers of God’s grace I hadn’t recognized before. Writing Start Little, Dream Big reminded me that even when we think something is over, God is still planting seeds for what’s next.

5. What audience did you have in mind when writing this book?
This book was written for every woman who’s ever felt unseen, stuck, or like her dream was too small to matter, or too big to achieve. I wanted to talk to the mom at the kitchen table, the leader doubting her impact, and the woman praying for purpose. It’s for the everyday dreamers — the ones who quietly show up, even when it’s hard.

6. How did you balance keeping your book informative yet engaging as a non-fiction?
For me, storytelling is the bridge. I didn’t want Start Little, Dream Big to feel like a manual; I wanted it to feel like a conversation. I used real-life examples, faith lessons, and moments of laughter (and tears) to make the journey practical and relatable. I believe truth sticks better when it’s wrapped in story.

7. Did you have to step out of your comfort zone to write this book? If so, how?
Absolutely. Writing this book meant sharing some of the most personal chapters of my life — seasons I once thought I’d never talk about. It required courage to be that open, but I knew that if my story could help even one person feel less alone, it would be worth it.

8. How did you celebrate when you completed your book?
Honestly, with tears of gratitude and a little happy dance in my kitchen! I also treated myself to a quiet moment with a cup of coffee, just thanking God. It wasn’t about the finish line — it was about faithfulness. I was proud that I didn’t give up, even when it got hard.

9. Do you have a favorite drink or snack for when you’re writing?
Coffee. Always coffee. ☕ and maybe a handful of trail mix or a piece of dark chocolate nearby. Writing for me feels like a conversation, so I treat it like sitting down with a friend over coffee — one story, one sip at a time.

10. What message do you hope readers take away from your book?
I hope readers walk away believing that small beginnings still matter. You don’t need a big platform or perfect plan — you just need to say yes to what’s already in your hand. God can take the smallest seed of obedience and grow it into something far beyond your imagination. Start Little, Dream Big is really an invitation to dream with God— right where you are.

About the Author

Linette Rainville, Jesus girl, USN Veteran and Movement Leader, is on a quest to raise up the next generation of Esthers and Movement Makers. As a podcast host, speaker, mentor and founder of Daughters United, a global equipping ministry, she empowers women to build projects and start ministries from the ground up. With 25 years of hands-on poverty outreach experience, Linette has reached thousands of Kingdom women, guiding them to pursue their callings, lead movements, and build missions.

More from Linette

Friend, can I just take you back for a moment?

I never thought I’d find myself here in this place. After serving my country in the U.S. Navy, I came home with a spinal injury that ended the career I had dreamed of. Suddenly, the uniform I loved was gone, and I was simply doing my best to care for my family on an income that barely covered the basics.

It stung. It carried a stigma I swore I’d never face. You see, as a young girl my mom and I had lived on welfare, and I had made a promise to myself that my children would never have to experience that. But then life happened. A “disabled” label got stamped on my record, and just like that, my best intentions seemed to evaporate.

A few years later, I was blessed with the gift of motherhood and the challenge of disability. My husband and I were making it on one single blue-collar income, just trying to survive.

And then—God.

One ordinary day, walking out of a thrift store, the Lord planted a seed in my heart. That tiny whisper turned into a vision. That vision grew into a mission. One obedient baby step at a time—one yes, one phone call, one event, one open door—the Lord built something so much bigger than me.

Over the years, what started as a little prayer has grown into clothing programs, a pregnancy help center, food pantries, a soup kitchen, domestic abuse support, homeless outreach… and an army of volunteers who joined me along the way.

What’s wild is this: that one “yes” in 1991 has rippled out for over 30 years—locally, regionally, and now even globally… reaching over 50,000 lives each year—meeting real, practical needs.

And here’s where you come in.

Because this story—it isn’t just about me. It’s about you too. I believe God is stirring dreams and assignments inside of my sisters today. Maybe you’ve walked through storms. Maybe you’ve carried labels that felt heavy. Maybe you’ve stood staring at the “skinny jeans” of your life—dreams or abilities that no longer seem to fit.

But here’s the truth: all is not lost.

I see you.

I see you walking out of those valleys and climbing mountains, becoming warrior-ready and equipped to make a difference. I see you searching for a guide, a compass, and a roadmap for your mission.

That’s why I wrote this book. It’s the first in my Skinny Jeans Series, and I pray that it will become a companion for you—to remind us that God’s plans are never finished, even when ours feel broken.

Because as Jeremiah 29:11 declares: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

So take heart, friend.

God can take your little and build something bigger than you ever imagined…

one small YES at a time.

With BIG LOVE,

❤️ Linette

Blog Stops

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 19

Simple Harvest Reads, November 20 (Author Interview)

The Mommies Reviews , November 20

Artistic Nobody, November 21 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, November 22 (Author Interview)

Life on Chickadee Lane, November 23

Fiction Book Lover, November 24 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 25

Stories By Gina, November 26 (Author Interview)

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, November 27 (Author Interview)

A Reader’s Brain, November 28 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, November 29

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, November 30 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 1

Books Less Travelled, December 2 (Author Interview)

Lots of Helpers, December 2

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Linette is giving away the grand prize of a $50 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.

https://promosimple.com/ps/3dc76/start-little-dream-big-celebration-tour-giveaway

Monday, November 17, 2025

Shilo: A Sweet, Quirky, Romantic Muddle by Jennifer Lynn Cary

About the Book

Book: Shilo: A Sweet, Quirky, Romantic Muddle (The Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue: Book 7)

Author: Jennifer Lynn Cary

Genre: Sweet Romantic Comedy

Release Date: May 1, 2025

From Breck Girl to Hippie to Jesus People…

…It’s been a long journey back home

But can her heart truly find peace where it all began?

When free-spirit Shilo Anderson inherits two million dollars with an unexpected condition—marriage—she refuses to be bound by her grandfather’s will. Until her beloved aunt faces cancer with no insurance to cover chemotherapy.

She won’t marry for money for herself, but to save her aunt’s life? She’ll make that sacrifice in a heartbeat.

Maybe.

Jesse Franklin never forgot his first love. When her grandfather’s will brings Shilo back to their hometown, he discovers his love for her has only deepened with time. Offering to marry her to help save her aunt, no problem.

Keeping it a marriage of convenience, that might be a problem. More like impossible.

As their feelings grow stronger, Shilo faces her greatest fear: revealing the truth about her past decade. Can she make Jesse see she doesn’t belong on anyone’s pedestal?

Return to 1973 Kokomo, Indiana, where faith shapes the journey and the legend of the cardinal in the sycamore still proves true love endures all seasons.

You will enjoy this sweet, quirky tale of second chances, because sometimes the rough patches prepare us for the wildly wonderful.

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?

I’ve had this story in my head for a long time, well over a year. I even had very specific scenes that I wanted to add to a book and this one was the one crying out for them—one scene involved the cardinal in a new and different way. I’ve heard from readers that it made them crack up, that they never saw it coming. Those moments were fun. I also needed a different editor on this book as my regular editor was slammed. So I had a good friend who is also a professional edit for me. I got a chance to see her in person afterwards and her feedback and “Oh my word, I couldn’t believe you did that,” was priceless.

• How do you weave Biblical truths into your writing?

As a rule, I try to use an organic, honest to the situation touch that doesn’t beat anyone over the head, but doesn’t shy away from truth. I think I did in this book as well but since Shilo was part of the Jesus Revolution movement, I needed to let it be very central to her personality. She has a lot of conversations with Jesus more than proper prayers, and she thinks about things in how they are related to God and her relationship with Him. She also has some unique prayer vocabulary since she simply prays from an honest heart.

I didn’t start out with this theme in mind when I wrote my first book, but I eventually discovered that every one of them, no matter the genre or timeframe, have three things in common: Faith, Family, and Forgiveness. And that pretty well covers most of the Bible, right?

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

Shilo isn’t based on just one person though there’s a lot of my friend, Heather Farrah, in there. Heather passed away a few years ago, but she had a unique outlook on things. I think she and Shilo would have been good friends.

• Why did you pick this genre for your book?

I think it was a combination of several things. I had finished a series I’d set in the late 60s to early 70s and found I enjoyed writing and remembering things from my childhood. However, those books had been heavier in feeland I wanted something lighter. About that time I began reading some romcoms that were funny and clean and rewarding in their HEA. They weren’t Christian, though. I unapologetically write Christian fiction, so it wasn’t a big leap to write something fun, clean, Christian, and to set it in that timeframe. I still incorporate a few tough situations into the stories—where would they be without conflict, right?—but the main idea is to make it fun and enjoyable to read.

• How many books do you personally own?

I have no idea! Never thought to count them, But they are all over the house. And that’s after giving many away. I have books that are over a hundred years old—one was a gift to my grandfather from his sisters. A first edition copy of Sherlock Holmes. And I have some that I’ve been blessed to have signed by the author. Oh, I just realized I never considered all the books on my Kindle. Holy cow! It would take me a month to count them all, I think.

Thank you, Katie, for this interview. If anyone would like to contact me or learn more about my books, you can find me at jenniferlynncary.com. Abundant blessings to you all.

About the Author

Historical Christian Romance author and three-time Selah Award nominee, Jennifer Lynn Cary, likes to say you can take the girl out of Indiana, but you can’t take the Hoosier out of the girl. Now transplanted to the Arizona desert, this direct descendant of Davy Crockett and her husband of forty-plus years enjoy time with family where she shares tales of her small-town heritage and family legacies with their grandchildren. She is the author of The Crockett Chronicles series, The Relentless series, and The Weather Girls trilogy, as well as the stand-alone novel, Cheryl’s Going Home, her novella Tales of the Hob Nob Annex Café, and her split-time novels The Traveling Prayer Shawl and The Forgotten Gratitude Journal. Her current spin-off series, The Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue, contains standalones with a common thread.

More from Jennifer

The story for Shilo has been fermenting in my brain for a long time. I had always loved Neil Diamond’s song of the same title and could see his characters playing out their parts and thought what would happen if the girl came back after ten years?

However, what I didn’t catch was that Shilo in the song was a boy, an imaginary boy who’d been a friend to a lonely boy.

In my brain, I missed the importance of him turning to his only friend in his mind.

Instead, I had a little girl moving in next door—she was Shilo—and they went from being friends to first loves, but something called her away and though he understood, he called her name like before hoping she’d return.

Okay, so not what Neil Diamond had in mind, but it became Jesse’s back story.

Then I had to ask, what was so important that she had to leave? That’s when I remembered Breck Girls. Do you remember them?

There was a time as a child that I thought one of the Breck Girls on the back of a magazine was so beautiful, I said, “She’s prettier than Mom.”

I was quickly (verbally) chastised by my dad who made sure to inform me that no one was prettier than my mom. I never thought of it as an insult. My mom was the high standard for beauty, and for someone to be even prettier, they were definitely a looker. However, I learned to keep those types of opinions to myself if my Dad was around. Mom understood and didn’t take offense—in fact, as I meant it, she thought it was a compliment that I found her so pretty.

All that to say that Breck Girls were a part of my growing up years, into the seventies. I wondered how Breck Girls were chosen, and if Shilo could/should be one. I learned there’s even an exhibit at the Smithsonian dedicated to Breck Girls and those lovely pastel portraits.

So, when (my) Shilo told Jesse she had to go before he could tell her that he loved her, it was because she’d been chosen to be a Breck Girl. Now I had a framework to start building the story.

I hope that when you read Shilo: A Sweet, Quirky, Romantic Muddle, you will be transported back to 1973 with many of your own memories.

Abundant blessings,

Jenny

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, November 15

The Important Things in Life: God, Books, & Chocolate , November 15

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 16

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 17

A Reader’s Brain, November 18 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, November 19

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, November 20 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, November 21

Books Less Travelled, November 22 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 23

Mary Hake, November 24

The Mommies Reviews, November 24

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 25

Roads to Everywhere, November 26

Fiction Book Lover, November 27 (Author Interview)

Pause for Tales, November 28

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jennifer is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and an eBook copy of the book!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/3d5a5/shilo-celebration-tour-giveaway

Friday, October 31, 2025

The Home Team by Dave Pratt

About the Book

Book: The Home Team

Author: Dave Pratt

Genre: Military / Romance

Release Date: November 11, 2025

Sam Anthem has always been a team player, leading his Home Team on secret missions around the world and chasing down bad guys for the U.S. government. But Sam has never had a place to call home or someone to go home to.
Consuelo Zamora has been serving as a missionary nurse, but her work has led her to be forced to work with some South American drug lords in order to provide medicine for the common people. After being rescued by Sam and his Home Team, Consuelo settles into a new position in Olympia, Washington, to work with a community center there. But somehow, trouble always follows her, and Sam Anthem seems to always be nearby to save the day.
When Sam is forced on a two-month vacation, he is introduced to a former covert ops soldier-turned pastor. But the vacation takes a turn when the Home Team comes under attack. As the team fights to stay alive against an unknown adversary, Sam begins to wonder if there is more to life than just the job. With his life on the line, Sam must decide between the job or his newfound faith and possible love.

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 read a good deal. For the past five years, much of what I’ve read is Clean Fiction, and

Christian Fiction. By reading current, popular material, I believed I could get a sense of what

people were reading.

What was the most challenging part of writing your book?

I think it was the editing. I was taught early on to feel free to write badly on the first draft of a

book. It allows me to lay down the book as fast as possible, while it’s still warm and fresh in

my mind. The challenge with that approach is cleaning up the bad stuff (grammer, continuity

issues, consistency issues, timeline, etc.). That’s where the tedious, line-by-line, word-by-

word heavy-lifting takes place, and it is a burden. The good news is that, after somewhere

between three and five edits, the story comes out much better – that keeps me going

through that challenging process.

What was the most enjoyable part of writing your book?

For me, the most enjoyable part is seeing the final product; cover art and all. It’s a stunning

experience and often difficult to own. What I mean by that is that I always wonder how the

story could possibly have come out of me, even with the assistance of my beta readers and

the editors at Ambassador International. But I love holding the book in my hand,

downloading the Kindle version, or listening to it on Audible.

How do you weave Biblical truths into your writing?

Sometimes it starts with the book’s premise, and by considering what verses in the bible

address it, such as the role of a soldier (Luke 3: 14). Sometimes it evolves out of the story

line, such as when a character is forced to wade into a difficult situation with only their faith

to guide them (Daniel 6:16-23). In The Home Team, the manifesting of Paul’s image at

Sam’s cottage just sort of popped into the story, which speaks of Paul’s meeting with Christ,

his blindness, and coming to the Lord (Acts 9:1-22). I wish I could say I was more deliberate,

but it tends to become clear during the process.

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

My kids will tell you that, in The Home Team, Sam is me and Consuelo is my wife, Rafaela. I

didn’t do that deliberately with Sam, but Ela was definitely my inspiration for Consuelo. In

the other four books in the series, three of the main characters carry my kid’s names, but the

characters in the books are definitely fictional. I just wanted to celebrate my family a bit by

doing that.

Was your writing process spontaneous as it came to you or very planned and

organized? Why?

A little of both.

The genesis is spontaneous, as much as that can ever be. I believe an idea passes through

a writer’s mind and, if it’s meaningful, takes root in that person’s subconscious. The

subconscious works on things 24 hours a day, except when the conscious mind gets in the

way. That gives that book idea a lot of time for the mind to work it over. If it’s good, then the

idea keeps coming to mind and I may pursue it.

For the writing process itself, I start with a character and put them into a unique situation.

Then I craft the first two chapters of my story. It’s during those first two chapters that the

character reveals himself or herself, along with the premise. Having said that, The Home

Team was a bit of an exception, where the premise was in place before the writing started,

and the characters showed up to chase the premise.

The combination of the premise, the character, and the first two chapters usually reveals a

plot line, along with numerous potential subplots. It’s at that point that I outline the novel,

tracing the plot throughout, which is followed by me wrestling with the characters as they try

to drag me off-plot and down different roads than originally planned. Sounds weird, I’m sure,

but I spend a lot of time keeping my characters on-plot as they evolve through the story. It

can be challenging, but it is fun and often results in a much richer story line.

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

Without a doubt, for me the best time to write is in the morning. Then again, I’ve been known

to write late into the evening and get up in the middle of the night to pursue an idea that

came to mind. That’s that subconscious thing, acting up while I’m sleeping, then waking me

up and calling me to a task.

Why did you pick this genre for your book?

I’m a voracious reader. While I read broadly, I love suspense and mysteries. They’re all

about action, adventure, escape from the real world, and solving complex problems.

How many books do you personally own?

Hundreds, not counting what’s in my Kindle.

What is your next big goal as an author?

My goal is to see all five editions of The Home Team Series of novels in print. All are in

some phase of the publication process. Only yesterday, the idea for my next book, perhaps

another series, came together for me. I’m going to give it a month or so, and then get

started. I love this stuff. Writing is a very pleasant affliction.

About the Author

David Pratt is a native of most of the U.S. west coast, from Bakersfield, California to Anchorage, Alaska. A retired U.S. Army officer and private sector project manager consultant, he is based in Olympia, Washington, and spends the majority of his time living and wandering the Pacific Northwest with his wife and family. Mr. Pratt has wide and varied publication credits, including magazine articles and short stories in a variety of regional and national magazines and journals, and six fiction and nonfiction books. His guiding light in life is Our Lord Jesus Christ, and his focus is glorifying God in all he does. He considers his wife, family, and friends as some of God’s greatest blessings in his life.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 24

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 25

Stories By Gina, October 26 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, October 27

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 28

Vicky Sluiter, October 29 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 30

Cover Lover Book Review, October 31

A Reader’s Brain, November 1 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, November 2

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, November 3 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, November 3

Guild Master, November 4 (Author Interview)

The Sacred Line, November 5

Fiction Book Lover, November 6 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, November 6

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Dave is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and an eBook copy of the book!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/3d285/the-home-team-celebration-tour-giveaway

Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Augmented by Candace Kade

About the Book

Book: Augmented

Author: Candace Kade

Genre: YA Science Fiction

Release Date: September 16, 2025

Lee Urban must win to survive.

After being sentenced to the banned list, half of the Asian Federation believes Lee Urban is a ticking time bomb that could end the world as they know it. They’re willing to do anything to erase her existence and silence her voice before she can take a stand.

There’s only one way to fight back: enroll in the Race to the Clouds. Winning the competition would garner global media attention and give Urban the coverage she needs to dismantle the enhancement programs. Unfortunately, it also happens to be the deadliest event of the year.

With less time to train than her rivals, Urban and her team must find a way to best the competition. But as enemies close in, riots erupt, and her homeland teeters on the brink of civil war, one thing is certain— she’s running out of time. Not just for herself, but for every Natural she represents.

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

Candace Kade is a recovering over-achiever who spends her time dreaming up stories typically involving tech, psychology, culture, and/or swords. She’s a certified Krav Maga assistant instructor and loves writing action-packed martial art scenes. A third culture kid, she considers Chengdu and OKC to be her homes.

When she’s not exploring new countries, she enjoys hiking in national parks, moving (again!), teaching her husband Mandarin, and keeping two baby humans alive. She can be bribed with boba tea, fluffy puppies, and breakfast tacos.

More from Candace

Have you ever broken a cherished possession?

I have. It was my porcelain mug that I bought while traveling through Ireland. The trip was so special and that cup always brought me happy memories as I sipped tea from it.

My husband tried to fix it for me, but the mug is not the same. It now sits tucked in the back of our cupboards too broken to be used but too precious to be throw away.

Being broken doesn’t mean something—or someone—loses purpose.

In kintsugi, the Japanese art form that involves intentionally breaking tea ware, the fragments left over are pieced back together with golden filling. The final result is more beautiful than the original unblemished version ever could be.

The brokenness enhances the tea ware’s beauty.

In my novel Augmented, I wanted to draw a comparison between brokenness and beauty. Just like kintsugi takes broken pottery and turns it into something beautiful, my protagonist Urban faces her own transformation. She is hopeless and feels like she can’t pick up the shattered pieces of her life. But as she tries out for the world’s most deadly race, she learns that being broken doesn’t mean what she thinks it does.

The things that happen to us have a purpose. If we let the Creator finish His masterpiece (us) He’ll use the fragmented pieces of our lives to make a beautiful finished work of art.

Urban feels the same way, believing her brokenness defines her. But through trial and grace, she discovers what it means to be made new.

No one is too broken to be saved or redeemed.

I wrote this book for anyone who’s ever felt lost, hopeless, or broken. We can do all things through Him who gives us strength.

Blog Stops

The Lofty Pages, September 20
Life on Chickadee Lane, September 21
Wishful Endings, September 22
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 23 (Spotlight)
Simple Harvest Reads, September 24 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, September 25
Artistic Nobody, September 26 (Author Interview)
Guild Master, September 27 (Author Interview)
Blogging With Carol, September 27
Lily’s Corner, September 28
Tell Tale Book Reviews, September 28
Fiction Book Lover, September 29 (Author Interview)
Life on Chickadee Lane, September 30
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, October 1 (Author Interview)
A Reader’s Brain, October 2 (Spotlight)
Book Butterfly in Dreamland, October 3

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Candace is giving away the grand prize of a $50 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.

https://sweepwidget.com/c/93118-8wjgredo

Monday, September 29, 2025

How To Kill a Giant by Carol Schlorff

About the Book

Book: How to Kill a Giant

Author: Carol Schlorff

Genre: Middle Grade

Release Date: June 10, 2023

He lost his courage. Will meeting a real superhero help him find it?

An awful summer … Thirteen-year-old Hugo is miserable. His move to a small Pennsylvania town has brought him nothing but trouble. Ignored by his new classmates and a favorite target for the school bullies, Hugo lets fear rule his life. It’s going to be a long summer.

An unexpected twist … Hugo meets siblings Julia and Stefan, who are just as unhappy as he is. After finding a mysterious old Bible, all three are magically transported to ancient Israel, where they meet the young shepherd David, who suspects they’re spies. The trio finds themselves caught up in a strange world where danger lurks on every side.

A terrifying adventure … As Hugo and his friends navigate the perils of this weird and frightening land, Hugo must face his greatest fear—that he’s a coward. His only hope of survival is to learn the secret of David’s bravery, but will he do so in time to face his biggest test? Find out in this thrilling tale of courage, friendship, and faith.

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?

Since my books are time-travel adventures set within Bible stories, it’s only natural that

Biblical truths are an integral part of the narrative. However, regardless of the setting, my

process for incorporating Biblical truth remains the same. I start by choosing the theme of

the book, which is really the Biblical truth I want to convey through the story. For example,

in How to Kill a Giant, the theme revolves around overcoming fear—trusting God as the

source of our courage. Once I have the theme, I write the story so that the protagonists

learn the lesson I hope to share. However, my goal is to achieve this in a way that my

writing never feels preachy but rather comes across as natural and realistic.

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

Why?

I’m a planner. I’m always making lists of things I need to do. When visiting a new city, I

prefer to have a plan for what I’ll see and do. So, when it comes to my writing, it’s no

surprise that I need to plan as well. I start by outlining the entire story.

Of course, just because I have a plan doesn’t mean I follow it exactly. The outline helps me

get started and know my direction. It’s useful when I get stuck. But as I write, I come up with

new ideas for plot twists and character growth, leading me to places I never planned. So, to

sum up, plans are helpful, but they aren’t set in stone. They’re just a helpful tool in the

creative process.

 Why did you pick this genre for your book?

I chose to write for middle-grade readers because I believe this is an important age in a

person’s life. Young people begin to think independently of their parents and may start

doubting everything they have been taught so far. I remember that when I was their age,

even though I was raised in a Christian home, I began to have many questions about

Christianity and why I should believe what I believe. Through my books, I hope to

encourage my young readers to grow in their faith, answer the questions they have, and

show them why they can trust the reliability of the Bible and, therefore, its message. If the

readers come away from my books strengthened in their faith, then my writing will have

been successful.

 How many books do you personally own?

Ha! Good question. The answer has fluctuated over the years. I’m not sure exactly, but at

my peak, I had hundreds and hundreds of books, enough to fill several large bookcases.

However, I’ve moved a lot over the course of my life, and every move has meant that I had

to get rid of some of my books, either because I didn’t want to have to lug all of them or

because I didn’t have enough space in my new place. I’m now probably down to less than

two hundred physical books, but a new development is the main reason—I mostly read

Kindle books now. I currently have 96 items on my device, including a book I’ve borrowed

using the Libby app, which allows me to borrow eBooks from my local library (for which I’m

very grateful).

 What is your next big goal as an author?

I hope to successfully launch my next book, How to Make a Miracle, the sequel to How to

Kill a Giant. It’s scheduled for release in February 2026. In How to Make a Miracle, the trio

of Hugo, Julia, and Stefan is again transported back in time into a Bible story, this time to

Aram, where they meet Namaan’s slave girl. The teens are forced to embark on a perilous

quest to accompany Namaan as he travels to Israel in the hope of being healed by the

prophet Elisha. Their survival demands courage, but true victory comes only through

forgiveness.

About the Author

Carol’s passion is to write exciting stories that encourage, inspire, and boost the reader’s faith, possibly because she has always felt like an outsider. She was born in North Africa to American parents and grew up in France. At age 15, her family’s abrupt move to Philadelphia resulted in a rough transition to American life.

After graduating from Penn State, Carol joined the Army in search of adventure. She was stationed in exotic—for her—locations like California, Arizona, and Texas.

Since then, Carol has lived in Cracow, Poland, where she teaches English and organizes language camps. She also writes a blog on faith-related topics.

Carol enjoys caring for her cat, Tabasco, watching a good murder mystery, and getting nervous while watching NFL games.

More from Carol

The idea for my book about time travel back to the Bible came to me during a church sermon on meditating on God’s Word. As soon as the outline for the story popped into my mind, I could no longer focus on what the pastor was saying, as I was too busy organizing my thoughts into the semblance of a logical plan. That day marked the beginning of a five-year journey to write and publish my first novel, How to Kill a Giant.

My motivation for writing is to demonstrate that the Bible is relevant to our lives, provides the answers we seek about life, and is far from boring. Of course, I also want my readers to have fun and stay on the edge of their seats. Growing up in a Christian home where my parents were missionaries, I still had many questions and doubts about the Bible and Christianity, especially starting in middle school. That’s why I target this age group. If my books can help my young (and older) readers grow in their faith and trust in God, then I will consider them a success.

If you asked me to summarize my book in one sentence, I would say it explores the heart of David and the courage that enabled him to fight Goliath, wrapped up in the packaging of a thrilling action and adventure story. Happy reading!