Monday, February 9, 2026

Movie Monday: Road to Utopia

Movie Monday: Road to Utopia

Released in the U.S. on February 27, 1946, Road to Utopia, fourth in the seven-movie “Road to…” series, was filmed in late 1943 and early 1944. As one site put it, viewers probably would have enjoyed watching during the tense time between Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge, but Hollywood had other plans.

Starring Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, and Dorothy Lamour, Road to Utopia is told in flashback after Chester (Hope) and Sal (Lamour) during a visit by their friend Duke (Crosby) and reminisce about their days in the Alaskan Klondike when the three searched for gold. Various villains chase them for their map while Chester and Duke compete for Sal’s love.

With the usual silly dialogue and slapstick action, Road to Utopia adds innuendo (especially a moment at the end) that surprisingly got past the Motion Picture Production Code as well as the quirky gimmick of Robert Benchley popping in to break the “fourth wall” and offer comments. The plot is thin and includes talking animals and a cameo appearance by Santa Clause.

The film is directed by Hal Walker who directed four of the Road movies and some of Dean Martin’s

and Jerry Lewis’s pictures. A fun fact is that Walker was born in Ottumwa, Iowa (hometown of M*A*S*H character Radar O’Reilly). One source indicates it was the Hope, Crosby, and Lamour trio that convinced studio executives to hire Walker for the series.

By the time she’d been selected as a lead in the Road movies, Lamour had more than a dozen movies under her belt. Crosby and Hope were also film veterans with Crosby’s Hollywood career starting in 1930 and Hope’s a few years later. The supporting cast is filled with characters actors long forgotten but who were well-known at the time. One, Jerry Colonna, would accompany Bob Hope in countless USO tours in the decades following WWII.

Written by Johnny Burke (lyrics) and Jimmy Van Heusen (music), the film’s soundtrack was popular, and “Personality” charted at number nine, and the Johnny Mercer and The Pied Pipers version hit number one. The critics loved the movie and were effusive with their praise. Tenth in the list of top-grossing movies of 1946, Road to Utopia received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay but lost to the British melodrama The Seventh Veil.

Have you seen this classic?

_________________________

Shetland Sunset (Coming 03*06*26):

Bonded by a cause but an ocean apart, will their love survive a world war?

After months in Norway helping his cousins with their fishing business, American Askel Westgard seems trapped when the Germans invade until he has a chance to get back at the Occupiers as part of the Shetlandsgjengen, or Shetland gang, a group of fishermen who transport weapons and equipment from Shetland to Norway under cover of darkness. Unfortunately, the beautiful Norwegian woman he’s just met refuses to join him in safety. Will he ever see her again?

Distraught when the Germans overrun her beloved Norway, Tonje Bondevik refuses to take the occupation sitting down. She joins the fledgling resistance movement, deriving great satisfaction distributing the underground newspaper and performing acts of sabotage…until the day the Nazis come looking for her, and she must flee for her life. Perhaps she should have listened to the handsome Norwegian-American when he offered to take her to Shetland.

Pre-order Link: https://books2read.com/u/4AWqJk

Sources:
https://paramount-pics.fandom.com/wiki/Road_to_Utopia
https://obscurehollywood.net/road-to-utopia-1945.html
https://www.classicmoviehub.com/facts-and-trivia/film/road-to-utopia-1946/
https://laurasmiscmusings.blogspot.com/2025/12/tonights-movie-road-to-utopia-1945-kino.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_to_Utopia

Photo credits:
Movie poster: By http://www.impawards.com/1945/road_to_utopia.html. Fair use.
Crosby and Lamour movie still: Courtesy Paramount Pictures
Hope and Crosby movie still: Courtesy Paramount Pictures

Friday, February 6, 2026

Fiction Friday: New Releases in Christian Fiction

February 2026 New ReleasesMore in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website

Children’s Middle Grade /Chapter:

The Cowbird’s Truth by Erin Greneaux -- What happens when the most dangerous enemy turns out to be yourself? Maya and Everly continue their quest to find the missing Virtue Gems, and this time, their greatest challenge may be each other. When the evil Deceptra offers them surprising help, including a powerful stone, the sisters must decide whether they can trust her. (Children’s/Middle Grade, Independently Published)

Apple Butter Adventure by Jennifer E. Tirrell and Lisa M. Pritchard -- Join four preteen cousins as they take their first steps toward becoming the kind of young men and women who can be trusted--brave, responsible, and ready to help--right here in the first book of a brand-new mystery series. (Children’s/Middle Grade, Turtledove Publishing)

The Case of the Midnight Mystery by Becca Wierwille -- In this Christian mystery for kids, a girl and her canine sidekick must figure out why strange things keep happening at wilderness camp—in the middle of the night. (Children’s/Middle Grade, Independently Published)

Contemporary Romance:

Mesmerize by Darlene M. Corbett -- She gave him up but hope to win him back through stories. Set against the backdrop of Las Vegas, Boston, and Dubai, a dazzling romance comes to life. Can a storyteller win back the love of her life through tales sprinkled with faith and love. (Contemporary Romance from WordCrafts Press)

A Texas Easter Blessing by Mindy Obenhaus -- After his marriage fails, single father Ryder Sinclair returns to his hometown with his young son to care for his ailing mother. He’s surprised to run into his teenage crush, Kendall Hunt, whose career as a professional chef has been shaken by scandal. As the two work together to save an Easter event usually hosted by Ryder’s mother, Kendall finds herself longing for this sense of family with Ryder and little Shepard. But when she has a chance to go back to the life she once knew, will she choose the dream she’s spent years chasing…or the new dream that has taken hold of her heart? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Hearts on the Fly by Toni Shiloh -- Jabari Hall has spent his entire life chasing victory on the ice--but one devastating hit leaves him benched, not just from hockey but from the future he thought he had. Now, as he struggles with deteriorating eyesight, his well-meaning teammates set him up on a date, hoping it will cheer him up--only the date they choose is none other than Val Elliott, his ex's sister. Val never expected to be sitting across from Jabari, especially after the way he broke her sister's heart. But when Jabari opens up about his diagnosis, Val's guarded heart softens, and she offers him a listening ear. What begins as a simple friendship quickly turns into something more. (Contemporary Romance from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])

Historical Biblical:

A Deeper Well by Jill Eileen Smith -- In ancient Israel, soon after Nessa is of marriageable age, her father gives her to a wealthy widowed friend, capitalizing on her beauty to bring in the highest bride-price he can find. Nessa is devastated, as she had begged to marry Lavi, who returned her love and saw more in her beyond her appearance. But Nessa's betrothal leads to Lavi's departure, compounding her grief, and she can never forget her forbidden first love. (Historical/Biblical from Revell [Baker Publishing Group])

Historical Romance:

Mail-Order Baroness by Misty M. Beller -- Five sons of an English duke, all raised in the Rocky Mountains…James Balfour, the charming middle son of an English duke, is determined to prove he’s capable of taking leadership of his family’s Montana ranch as the next deadly winter approaches. With the household stretched to its limits, James crafts a clever plan to hire Rose Prescott—his childhood best friend—and to right an old wrong. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

Ambush of the Heart by Mary Connealy -- As Owen Riley and his fellow Marshals escort Delaney Bridger, her brother, and an escaped prisoner to Fort Russell, a gang of outlaws ambushes them, bringing death and devastation to their party. With their lives on the line and the outlaws in pursuit, Owen directs the rest of his battered group to seek hiding at a remote ranch. After the attack leaves her brother Boone seriously injured, Delaney helps Owen, nursing Boone and a wounded Marshal back to health while danger looms ever closer. Despite the threat at their heels, romance sparks between Owen and Delaney as they fight for survival on their perilous trek to the fort. Can they overcome the obstacles and find a future together? (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])

Undercover Wish by Danielle Grandinetti -- CHICAGO, Ill., 1892—Stunt reporter Ali Di Stasio will risk anything to expose the truth and protect her fellow orphans, including rummaging through trash bins and putting herself in the crosshairs of the dangerous elite. After living on the streets, she knows every corner of her city, which means she can stay one step ahead of the cops, the powerful men who’d love to silence her before she can reveal their secrets, and the occasional wealthy bachelor wandering through her alleyways, lost and in danger of being mugged. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

To Find Where She Belongs by Robin Lee Hatcher -- Guilt followed her across an ocean. Grace called her home. Desperate to leave Hooke Manor, Keely Boyle does what she feels she must in order to flee England for America, hoping to make a new life with the help of a man who befriended her years before. But when she arrives at Eden’s Gate, a large cattle ranch in the shadows of the Tetons, it is William Overstreet who offers her a fresh start. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

Risky Business by Kimberly Keagan -- An American heiress. A British barrister with a need for speed. The London social season that changes everything. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

The Caregiver at Wounded Knee by Debby Lee -- Rose Rushing Water, an Oglala Sioux trained back East in nursing, is torn between two brothers--one who seeks to appease the government and one who fights to cling to the old ways at all costs. Tribal policeman Nathaniel Gray Cloud struggles to keep peace on the reservation and support his sister, who is also desperate to hold on to family traditions. Can Rose and Nathaniel find a peace that comes only from God, or will they lose their families and their lives as tensions reach a boiling point at Wounded Knee Creek, South Dakota? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)

Texas Reclaimed by Sherry Shindelar -- Cora Scott is determined to hold onto her family's Texas ranch and provide a stable home for her young half-brother, Charlie, despite the mounting challenges of post-Civil War frontier life. But when a scheming creditor threatens to seize their land, she must accept help from Ben McKenzie, a former Yankee soldier sent by her late brother. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)

Mists Over the Channel Islands by Sarah Sundin -- In World War II, Dr. Ivy Picot risks her life to treat men who have escaped from the German forced labor camps in her native Jersey. But when Dutch engineer Gerrit van der Zee sneaks maps of fortifications off the island, it could cost them both everything they love. (Historical Romance from Revell [Baker Publishing Group])

Mining for Love by Candice Sue Patterson -- Petite, fierce, and respected by the men who work for her, Daisy Connelly rules her rare watermelon tourmaline mine in Newry, Maine, with an iron will. When profits begin to vanish and the local sheriff refuses to intervene, Daisy realizes someone is stealing from her—and that remaining an unmarried woman may make her an easy target. So she does the unthinkable. Daisy proposes a marriage of convenience to private investigator Samson Gray, hoping a sudden husband will draw the culprit into the open. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

Romantic Suspense:

Deadly Rodeo Threat by Sami A. Abrams -- A trail of missing women...leads him right into a killer’s trap. When his twin sister disappears, Navy SEAL Logan Russell’s search for her leads him deep into the woods, where he finds her best friend in the clutches of a masked assailant. Sheriff Isabelle Sinclair is determined to solve Lisa’s mysterious disappearance the night of her last rodeo—and someone will do anything to keep her from digging too deep (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired Suspense [Harlequin])

Deadly Currents by Elizabeth Goddard -- Investigative journalist Cressida arrives in Hidden Bay after a worldwide journey to finish her late father's manuscript on shipwrecks. As she tries to discover the story behind the "ghost ship" Specter's Bounty, her only lead is a name her father left behind--Evelyn Monroe. As Cressida uncovers more about the ship, she quickly realizes that her research has placed her in the crosshairs of dangerous forces. (Romantic Suspense from Revell [Baker Publishing Group])

Asher by Melanie D. Snitker -- Nova Sheridan’s world is shattered when a corporate conference becomes a hunting ground. With two of her colleagues murdered and a mysterious package left in her care, she finds herself in the crosshairs of a ruthless killer. Unsure of who to trust, Nova turns to her old college friend, Asher Durham, a seasoned security specialist. As they navigate a web of deception and danger, Nova and Asher must rely on their wits and each other to survive. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)

A Royal Request by Paige Edwards -- A forged signature. A splintering romance. And a stalker who won’t quit until death do they part. Anabelle thought the flowers were from her boyfriend... She was wrong. (Romantic Suspense from Balquidder Books)

Speculative Fiction/Fantasy:

The Restitching of Camille DuLaine by Lindsay A. Franklin -- When Emlyn DuLaine accidentally bridges multiple storyworlds, she must untangle their collapsing realities—and rescue her long-lost sister Camille from a storybook trap—before a plan seventeen years in the making shatters the universe for good. (Speculative/Fantasy from Enclave Publishing [Oasis Family Media])

Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month:

On Living Stone by Heather Kaufman -- An unexpected romance and the gift of two sons, James and John, leave Salome hopeful and resolved to prove herself as a mother. Salome’s dreams are challenged, however, when her sons answer the call to follow Jesus of Nazareth. (Biblical/Historical)

Threads of Grace by Tara Baisden -- When a January storm sends her new landlord to her door because of a roof leak, quilt shop owner Melanie Harper has no idea that this quiet, guarded doctor will unravel every careful protection she has spent years stitching around her heart. (Contemporary Romance)

Katie’s Cowboy by Ruth Kyser -- Following in his father’s footsteps, C.J. Morgan is an FBI agent. Growing up, that was all he ever wanted to be. But when his grandfather passes away and C.J. returns to Bluecreek Ranch, he’s filled with doubts about his future. Then C.J. meets Katie Jo MacAllister… (Contemporary Romance)

Rebuilding His Trust by Jenna Mindel -- Meredith and Jace, who've guarded their hearts because of past hurts, find the greatest gift of love. (Contemporary Romance)

The Lies We Trade by Kristine Delano -- A high-powered Wall Street career, a beautiful family in a quiet suburban neighborhood―she seems to have everything. Which means she has everything to lose. (Contemporary Suspense)

Through Smoke and Secrets by Rebecca Hemlock -- A century-old secret. A relentless enemy. One Locket that was never meant to be found. (Crime Suspense)

Severed Ties by Taylor S. Newport -- He’s left the past where it belongs. But then it comes knocking at his door. (Military Suspense)

Where Men Stand by Charlene Amsden -- On his first day out of prison, Martin "Kage" Kincaid has to decide if he is going to live up to the Biblical principles he learned, or choose to walk away and let injustice prevail. (Romantic Suspense)

Love on the Frontier Trail by Shannon McNear, Andrea Byrd, Pegg Thomas, Susan F. Craft, Denise Farnsworth, Megan Soja -- Journey across the rugged wilds of early America in a sweeping collection of historical romances where danger presses close, faith lights the way, and courage opens the door to unexpected love. (Historical Romance)

Thursday, February 5, 2026

A Guest Post by Dieta Scheidecker

A Guest Post

By Dieta Scheidecker

In the fall of 2023, something started stirring. I kept reading about the fire of God. Scripture was jumping out at me, creating a dialogue that kept getting longer and longer.

Then one day, Isaiah 35:8 came to life. A Highway of Holiness.

I saw a vision of a road with deep ditches on either side. I saw forks in the road where it split into smaller paths. I saw it winding through prairies, forests, and mountains. Then I saw a girl walking on the road. Sometimes alone, sometimes with others, not all of them friends. Some would come and go, others never to return. And finally, I saw that only the main road went to a magnificent, light-filled castle. All the other little offshoots wandered away to nothing.

This vision haunted me. A deep yearning to do something with it burned inside me. One night, the words of a friend set it afire. “Just write it. It doesn’t matter where you begin. Just start, the rest will come.”

The next day, The Fire and The Serpent series was born.

Isaiah 35:8 was the catalyst for the story, but Holy Spirit is the true author. I had concepts from scripture and knew the main character would be tied to me personally. As for how the storyline worked out, that was a total surprise.

God challenged me on a lot of the ideas. Or I should say, I challenged Him! “Lord, this will offend people.

Is this how You want to be portrayed? Are You sure this is where it’s supposed to go? Does this even make sense?”

Then the hidden layer under the main story began to emerge, and it became two stories in one. The surface story about a girl struggling with identity. The deeper layer about the Trinity and the age-old battle between good and evil.

What started as a narrative turned into a journey. Not just for the characters, but for me. I became the main character. Her insecurities, doubts, and fears were mine as well. And through a crazy trek in a world one layer away from ours, I began to heal and let go.

This story was never about building a fantasy world or writing an interesting tale. It was about wrestling with Truth, discovering identity in Christ, and letting go of offense.

It was an invitation to surrender my doubts and let God speak in ways I could not—through His fire.

The Fire and The Serpent- Book One: Sojourners

2025 Independent Author Network Book of the Year Finalist Awards (Christian/Religious Fiction & Spiritual Fiction)
2025 Readers’ Favorite Finalist Award (Christian Fiction)

“Ahhh, my dear girl,” the creature croons. “I have been waiting for one such as you. How fascinating that my adversary has chosen someone so… insignificant. Who would have thought…”

An invitation to travel a path many have chosen to abandon…
A calling hidden in the weakest vessel….
An enchanting enemy with a wicked agenda…
A king who isn’t all he appears to be…

The path before Kenna is one few choose to follow. Darkness is seeping into the hearts and minds of the people, whispering lies and twisting the truth. Nothing is as it seems. To follow the Path of the King is to risk everything she thought she knew—about the world and about herself. This journey is more than a test of strength; it’s a test of identity. Kenna thought she knew who she was, but it was all a lie.

Purchase Links:
https://amzn.to/3YULVba(print & ebook)
https://bookshop.org/shop/Dieta (print only)

https://books2read.com/u/4Xpgoe (ebook only)

About Dieta:

Dieta Scheidecker is a Wisconsin-based author, worship leader, and songwriter. Inspired by stories that stir the soul and challenge the mind, she brings a reflective voice to fantasy adventure and speculative fiction. Her award-winning debut novel, SOJOURNERS, launched her THE FIRE AND THE SERPENT series, which explores spiritual truth through allegory, suspense, and action. Her short story IN THE BETWEEN offers a powerful glimpse into the emotional and redemptive themes that shape her work.

Dieta is also the founder of Spoken Flame Company, a Christian-based coaching,and editing service dedicated to helping authors bring their stories to light.
When she’s not writing, reading, or creating music, you’ll find her exploring the outdoors—hiking rugged trails, camping off-grid, or chasing mountain views out West, always searching for the next spark of inspiration.

Social Media Links:
Website: https://www.spokenflamecompany.com/authorpage
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DietaScheideckerAuthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dietascheideckerauthor/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/DietaScheideckerAuthor/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/55249664.Dieta_Scheidecker
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/dietascheidecker

Photo credits:

Author photo and book image: Courtesy Dieta Scheidecker

Notebook and Fountain Pen: Pixabay/Pexels

Thursday, January 29, 2026

Author Intrusion: A Guest Post by Ruth Wuwong

Author Intrusion

Guest Post by Ruth Wuwong

Author intrusion (also called authorial intrusion) happens when the author’s own voice, opinions, or presence breaks through the fictional “fourth wall” and reminds readers that they’re reading a story—pulling them out of the immersive experience.

In fiction, readers want to experience the story through the characters and world you’ve created and don’t want to feel like the author is stepping in to explain, comment, or judge.

Why is author intrusion a problem in fiction writing?

It breaks immersion—the illusion that the reader is “inside” the story world.
It reduces emotional impact—instead of feeling, readers are told what to feel.
It weakens character voice—characters stop sounding authentic when the author takes over.

Some Examples:

With my editor’s help, I’ve been able to avoid some obvious author intrusion moments, such as

addressing the reader directly and injecting personal opinions or judgments. However, I have to admit that even after publishing ten fiction books and being named a 2025 Featured Author by Minnesota’s Anoka County Library, I still sometimes wrestle with subtle issues. The following are some examples from my newest book, Fires Between Two Skies.

Over-explaining emotions.

Original text: Xin crouched, tugged open his satchel, and drew out the small parcel. Dread and hope pulled at him. He crept aft, where the oil lamp was caged in a paper hood.

Revised version: Xin crouched, tugged open his satchel, and drew out the small parcel. His chest now tight, he crept aft, where the oil lamp was caged in a paper hood.

Deep point of view (POV).

In a deep POV, filter verbs like “he saw,” “he thought,” “he felt,” and “he realized” create authorial distance. Let readers experience the character’s perceptions directly, without explaining what the character is perceiving or thinking. Wherever possible, present the sensory detail or the thought itself, rather than the fact of noticing it.

Original text: His attention fell on the impeccable embroidery on her sleeve and the expensive watch with its understated black leather band. Was it a Patick Phillipe Grand?”

Revised text: The gesture showed off the impeccable embroidery on her sleeve and the expensive watch with its understated black leather band. Was it a Patek Philippe Grand?

Show. Don’t Tell.

Convey meaning through actions, dialogue, and subtext rather than commentary.
Original text: The mention of his name caught Xin’s attention.
Revised text: At the mention of his name, Xin’s shoulder twitched

From the examples, do you think my editor’s changes improve the writing?

Author bio:
Dr. Ruth Wuwong (PhD in biochemistry, MBA in finance) has published 120+ scientific books and papers (under her legal name) and a few Christian fiction books under R. F. Whong. She lives in the Midwest with her husband, a retired pastor. They served together at three churches from 1987 to 2020. Her grown son works in a nearby city.

She currently runs a small biotech company (www.vidasym.com) and has raised more than twenty million US dollars during the past few years for Vidasym.

In addition to her weekly newsletter and the platform (www.ruthforchrist.com), she’s active in several writers’ groups, including ACFW, Word Weavers, Facebook, and Goodreads. Through these connections, she plans newsletter/promotion swaps with others and has writers endorse her books, write forewords, and host her on guest blogs.

The Minnesota Anoka County Library has chosen her as a 2025 Featured Author. One of her books, Echoes over Stormy Sea, won several awards, including being chosen by readers as a winner in the HOLT Medallion Contest.

Genre: Action/Adventure.
Fire Between Two Skies (Action/Adventure; Dual-time Odyssey Book 3): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G33N9DBT
Series Page: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F4LKXS2W
By R. F. Whong, named a 2025 Featured Author by the Minnesota Anoka County Library.

About Fires Between Two Skies

Two eras. One relentless quest for truth amid desires and temptation. Across the centuries, two men are bound by parallel destinies that echo through time. Book 3 of this dual-time odyssey delves deep into the passions and struggles that connect their worlds.

In 2022 Hong Kong, Jason Guan, after losing his job as an assistant supervisor for wetland conservation, joins his uncle’s real-estate business. A chance meeting with his high school classmate, Vivian Jiang, draws him into a web of secrecy, seduction, and moral compromise. Amid the chaos, he and his wife, Debra, read an unpublished manuscript by her father, a celebrated writer, about the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom (1851–1864) and a man’s futile pursuit of justice and peace on earth.

In nineteenth-century China, Zhang Xin, an orphan saved from the streets by Missionary Issachar Jacox Roberts, is swept into the fiery rebellion of the Taiping movement. Torn between the dream of a just kingdom, his forbidden love for Miao Lan, and his loyalty to his ruthless brother, Xin reckons with doubt, conscience, and the cost of faith.

When greed and exploitation eclipse justice, both men must navigate their respective perils. Will they prevail or be consumed?

Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/ruth.wuwong
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWuwong
Website: www.ruthforchrist.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ruth-wu-wong
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruthwuwong/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/love.respect.grace
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/42632055.R_F_Whong
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/r-f-whong

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Wartime Wednesday: Resistance During World War II

Wartime Wednesday:

Resistance During World War II

With the onset of World War II, resistance groups formed all over Europe and throughout Asia as citizens rose up against invaders and occupiers. According to Wikipedia, the most notable organizations were located in Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, the Netherlands, France, Greece, Italy, Norway, and Poland in addition to the Jewish Resistance located in multiple German-occupied countries, and the multitude of groups within Germany. In Asia, the Chinese and Korean resistance organizations were quite effective.

Resistance took many forms from non-cooperation and propaganda to sabotage, assassinations, and outright warfare. Other activities included intelligence gathering, organize uprisings, and leading refugees, escapees, and downed airmen out of their countries. Alone, the organizations would not have been full successful, but fortunately, government organizations such as America’s Office of Strategic Services and Britain’s Special Operations Executive provided personnel, weapons, and equipment as well as training.

United in a cause, resistance members came from all walks of life: political activists, academics,

civilians, soldiers, and clergy. Stories abound about the very young and the very old doing their part.

In 1944, inhabitants in Warsaw initiated an uprising that lasted an astonishing sixty-three days as combatants tried to liberate their city from the Germans. Interestingly, initial plans for “Operation Tempest” didn’t include Warsaw, however with the anticipated arrival of the Soviet army, the decision was reversed. The organization managed to pull together more than 45,000 fighters to take on 25,000 Germans, which seemed like an easy victory except for the fact that only twenty-five percent of the resistance members had weapons. Unfortunately, the uprising was unsuccessful, and the Germans destroyed over eighty-five percent of the city which led to high civilian casualties.

Most resistance organizations were small with even smaller “cells” within the group. Most scholars agree that the effectiveness of resistance movements were limited; that they are measured “more by their political and moral impact than their decisive military contribution to the Allied victory.” (Wikipedia) Does that make them any less important? I don’t believe so.

_______________________

Coming Spring 2026: The Resistance Chronicles

Book 1: Shetland Sunset: Bonded by a cause but an ocean apart, will their love survive a world war?
https://books2read.com/u/4AWqJk

Book 2: Norwegian Nights: Can their marriage endure a debilitating injury, a devastating loss, and a world war?
https://books2read.com/u/bwl5qv

Book 3: Dutch Dawn: Will they survive the 500-mile journey to freedom?

Photo Credits:

Bellorussia Jewish Resistance Group: By Unknown author - http://www.jewishgen.org/yizkor/belarus/bel427.html, Public Domain.

Civilians at the Warsaw Uprising: Courtesy National WW2 Museum

Italian Partisan: By Tanner (Capt), War Office official photographer: from the collections of the Imperial War Museum, Public Domain.

Thursday, January 22, 2026

Talkshow Thursday: A Guest Post by Priscilla Bettis

Talkshow Thursday:

A Guest Post by Priscilla Bettis

A few seasons ago, I traveled to Anchorage, Alaska, to help my mother.

While going into a sporting goods store, I saw a thin man huddled in the alcove of the entrance. I didn’t think he was hungry because it wasn’t a grocery store or a fast-food place. He must have simply looked for a spot that was out of the chilly wind. He was so motionless and crumpled-looking that I stepped closer just to make sure he was still alive. His eyes moved. He breathed. He was alive.

He also looked miserable.

Why didn’t I offer to pray with him? I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men (1 Tim 2:1 KJV).

Because I was a coward. I was embarrassed. I looked away.

Let me say here that I am a runner who logs several miles everyday. This man was not agitated. We were in a public area. Even if he suddenly got upset, I don’t think he could have leapt up in his obviously-weakened state and chase after me before I had run into the store or the crowded parking lot for help. It didn’t feel like a dangerous situation, so I can’t use that as an excuse.

Because I am a writer, I wrote about the incident when I returned home. I wanted to clarify my feelings.

After prayers and rewrites, my initial thoughts on paper morphed into a story, “Prayers Heavy with Smoke.” I moved the story to the South (where I live), and the man in the alcove became a teen, and “I” became a grandmother with an addiction. It’s one of the stories in my Christian short-story and poetry collection, Whispers of a Southern Moon. I can’t say how the story ends (spoilers), but my fictional ending is better than the way it ended in real life, and hopefully readers will like it.

By the time I finished my story, I had decided to work on being braver with my Christian beliefs. I’m now talking more about my faith. I’m observing my surroundings, too, and maybe there will come another opportunity to pray with a stranger … if I don’t look away.

ABOUT WHISPERS OF A SOUTHERN MOON:

An artistic, new collection of inspirational fiction and poetry by Priscilla Bettis.

Includes the award-winning story “Fix Your Face,” a “wonderful Southern Gothic piece akin to the work of Flannery O'Conner!”—Brooke Dreger, Editor, Solid Food Press

A simple man in rural Alabama risks his sanity to keep his sister alive. Lines of poetry celebrate the symphony of a Southern night. A sentient house deep in Virginia’s Great Dismal Swamp lures those it seeks to protect.

In Whispers of a Southern Moon, Priscilla Bettis intertwines short stories and poetry to create an inspirational collection of literary fiction and verse. Bettis explores questions about faith, love, and our perceptions of reality, and she does so with an elegant but fierce grip on the reader. This collection spans everything from Southern Gothic prose to Biblically inspired haiku. By the end of the collection, readers will be encouraged that even in the most twisted circumstances, God is present, and we are loved.

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4aWoXYe

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Priscilla Bettis is an avid reader and a joyful writer who lives in small-town Texas with her two-legged and four-legged family members. She enjoys writing fiction and poetry inspired by her awe of God and love for fellow human beings. Priscilla is the author of Whispers of a Southern Moon, a short-story and poetry collection.

Priscilla is a reviewer at The Well Read Fish, a Christian fiction review blog: https://thewellreadfish.com.
She chats about life and writing on X: https://x.com/PriscillaBettis.

Photo Credits:

Author photo and book image: Courtesy of Priscilla Bettis

Writing Hand: Pixabay/Pexels

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Books on Tour: The Silver Lode

About the Book

Book: The Silver Lode

Author: Suzanne J. Bratcher

Genre: Mystery

Release Date: 2020

JEROME, ARIZONA:

Billion-dollar copper camp alive with rags-to-riches tales

Beneath the ghost town that clings to the side of Cleopatra Hill, a maze of abandoned mine tunnels conceals a vein of silver ore mixed with pure gold. Seventy years ago, the discovery of that silver lode caused a murder. Are more coming?

Historian Paul Russell is about to lose his job and the woman he loves. He doesn’t have time to search for the legendary silver lode. But when a student drops a seventy-year-old unsolved cold case on his desk, a murder connected to the silver lode, the mystery offers Paul the perfect opportunity to work with Marty Greenlaw and win her back.

As Paul and Marty search for the silver lode, suspicious deaths begin to happen. When Paul’s son disappears, the stakes become personal.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Suzanne J. Bratcher, Ph.D., delights in writing contemporary mysteries sprinkled with history. Her award-winning novels are set in the very real ghost town of Jerome, Arizona as well as the Four Corners states: New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Utah. Bratcher lives in Phoenix, Arizona. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading with her granddaughter, laughing at her rescue cat, and piecing colorful quilt scraps.

More from Suzanne

When readers ask me where I get my ideas, I sometimes wonder if they expect me to reveal a secret process for starting a book. I only wish I could. But far from proceeding along the steps of a process, each of my books begins with nothing more than a spark that catches my imagination like a match catches a piece of kindling. I pile ideas on the spark and when I have enough for a blaze, I start to write. The spark for The Silver Lode was a 3-D display of the myriad abandoned mining tunnels that crisscross the hill beneath the ghost town of Jerome, Arizona.

The idea for The Silver Lode came to me while I was still an English teacher. So, what was I doing studying a model of a long defunct copper mine when I should have been reading William Faulkner or e.e. cummings? The reality was-at the time, I had no idea I was studying a copper mine. I thought I was visiting an old house.

The first time I turned off Arizona Highway 89A to visit Jerome State Historic Park, I wanted to tour to the Douglas mansion, the park headquarters. I love old houses. I’ve visited Thomas Jefferson’s home, George Washington’s, numerous antebellum mansions scattered throughout the South, and the family homes of many famous American writers. The Douglas Mansion, then, was a natural stop. But besides old houses, I also love research-learning simply for the sake of learning. I don’t have to have a specific goal in mind to enjoy adding bits of information to my hodgepodge of knowledge.

So…as I strolled through the high-ceilinged rooms in the Douglas mansion, I found myself drawn into the history of copper mining in Jerome. In addition to the three-dimensional display of the mine tunnels, I saw shelves of rocks and minerals bathed in ultraviolet light, a wall of photographs of the Douglas family that included one of Winston Churchill’s sisters, and a video that told the story of the ghosts of Cleopatra Hill. My interest piqued, I plunged more deeply into research. I bought books and read firsthand accounts of life in the billion-dollar copper camp. I visited the Jerome Historical Society and read yellowing newspapers. I ventured into the Mining Museum and wandered through a reconstructed mineshaft. I searched the internet for information about mining in the late 1800s and early 1900s, whether for copper, silver, or gold.

By now I was actively working on a plot that would revolve around mining for silver in Jerome. Because The Silver Lode was the second book in my trilogy of Jerome mysteries, I already had the main characters for the story. In my head I could see Scott, a young teenager, exploring those interlocking tunnels under the town. But I didn’t know what he was looking for. I needed another spark to start that fire.

I ran across it quite accidentally as I was reading about a large deposit of silver mixed with gold discovered in Virginia City, Nevada in 1859. Dubbed a silver lode, it was one of the richest deposits of its kind ever discovered. Of course, the Comstock Lode had nothing to do with mining in Jerome between the two World Wars. Nor did the history of Nevada influence the history of Arizona in the 1920s. Still, as I read about a large deposit of silver mixed with gold called a silver lode, I knew I had found both the treasure and the title for the story I was working on.

The next big story question was “Who else is looking for the silver lode?” In other words, “Who is the villain?” It was clear I needed secondary characters to drive the search for my imaginary silver lode buried deep in Cleopatra Hill. These characters came from my research into the families who built the town of Jerome and spread down the hill to build Clarkdale. I had my ideas.

Now…back to the question my readers sometimes ask: where do I get the ideas for my mysteries? The answer is as simple as it is complicated: I get my ideas from research. As I write, I use these ideas as a springboard so that they appear in camouflage. When you read The Silver Lode, I hope you find these nuggets of fact buried deep in the imaginary story of the long ago murder of a college student’s grandfather, a contemporary search for a legendary silver lode, and a desperate rush to save a child’s life.

An Interview with Suzanne

What is your favorite thing about being a writer?

I love, imagining stories that take me and my reader on an adventure. I love to follow a character as she (or sometimes he) faces down a personal problem while battling an outside force that is trying to kill her. When I was a kid, I used to lie in bed and tell myself stories. I love being able to continue that process with my writing.

Can you share a real-life event that inspired your writing?

My grandfather went blind when he was 55 and I was three. So for all of my conscious life, he couldn't see. When I was little, he used to take me on his lap and make up stories for me. I remember a continuing series about an alligator that could fly. As I grew older, the stories got more complex. By the time I was 10 or 11, I would sit with him and listen to audio books that came on 33 1/3 vinyl records from the Talking Books program sponsored by the Library of Congress. I think my grandfather showed me how much fun it is to imagine stories. Then he opened the world of reading by introducing me to books that were above my reading level. Somewhere along the way, I realized I wanted to use my imagination to make up new stories. I started to write.

What was the best money you spent as a writer?

Attending writing conferences. At first, I attended small conferences near where I lived. Those didn't cost too much because the fee was usually low, and I could stay at home and avoid travel expenses. Later, as I got more serious about my writing, I invested quite a bit of money in national conference fees, travel expenses, and motel costs. But I learned an amazing amount by attending workshops and listening to successful writers teach their craft. I also eventually made the contacts that led to the publication of my first novel. It took investment to learn the craft and meet people who were more skilled at writing than I was.

How do you come up with storylines/book topic?

My mysteries start with a setting that has caught my imagination. Kokopelli's Song started from an unscheduled visit to Chaco Culture National Monument. I hiked through the amazing ruins. I bought a book about the people who built those structures, and I was hooked. I got my idea after reading two or three more books. My Jerome Mysteries come from settings in and around Jerome, Arizona. The Copper Box came out of numerous visits and research into the ghost town of Jerome, Arizona. I got the idea for that book walking up a steep hill with ruined houses on both sides of the road. I saw one inhabited house, and I thought about who might live there. “The Silver Lode” grew out of the mining history of Jerome. I got interested in the mining tunnels that crisscross the hill that Jerome is built on. The Gold Dubloons was inspired by a score of visits to Montezuma's Castle National Monument. The ideas for my stories usually come to me as I wander around some place that fascinates me. I imagine characters in that setting and interesting conflicts they might encounter.

Why do you write in your particular genre?

I write mysteries because it has been my favorite genre to read since I was very young. I was a Nancy Drew fan. When I was in junior high I had two friends I played complicated Nancy Drew games with. Later I started reading the library books my mother brought home: Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, and Ngaio Marsh. I listened to Nero Wolfe stories with my grandfather. Along the way, I discovered Christian mystery writers: Colleen Coble, Dee Henderson, and Teri Blackstock. It was natural for me to write what I loved to read.