Saturday, December 27, 2025

On Tour! Sadie's Gift: The Christmas Cabin

About the Book

Book: Sadie’s Gift: The Christmas Cabin

Author: Erma M. Ullrey

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release Date: November, 2025

BlIn the snowy embrace of McCall, Idaho, Sadie’s Gift weaves a tale of an unexpected reunion and slow-to-thaw hearts. Grief-stricken Brooke Radcliffe and frustrated author Jack Chance are brought together by fate in Aunt Sadie’s cabin. An early blizzard forces the former childhood friends to confront their differences and work together to survive. Can Brooke and Jack set aside their painful pasts and let love melt their frozen hearts? Discover a story of healing, resilience, and the transformative power of forgiveness in this heartwarming tale of love in the unlikeliest of places.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Erma Ullrey is a follower of Jesus Christ. Married for forty-four years she enjoys four wonderful children, three outlaws, and four precious grandchildren. She worked in the medical field for over twenty-five years. After completing her B.S.H.S., she became a health educator and received international credentials in childbirth education (I.C.E.A.) and lactation consulting (I.B.C.L.C.). She’s served as a women’s Bible study leader, and participates in a local book club as well as local and national writer’s groups.

She posts encouraging blogs and enjoys chatting with her Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram friends. And she keeps chickens.

Interview with Erma

What is your favorite thing about being a writer? My favorite things about being a writer are hearing the Lord’s voice in my head and the creative process. If I get stuck on a word or thought, I pray and ask the Lord to direct what I should say/what comes next. It may take a minute or days, but He has the perfect answer to my dilemma.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books? One of the most surprising things I’ve learned in creating my books is the use of humor. I tend to be lighthearted. Most books I read are not. So I’ve had to learn to incorporate funny situations or thoughts in my writing.

Can you share a real-life event that inspired your writing? A real-life event inspired my first novel, “Journaled With Love.” We had just finished watching the movie “You’ve Got Mail,” a Christmas staple in our home. I wondered why no one had ever written a book like it. From that thought, I plowed upstairs and began penning “Journaled With Love.” Thirty days of laughter and calamities later, the novel went to my editor.

What questions do you ask yourself when preparing to write a new book? While preparing to write a new book, I write what the characters have already talked to me about. I let them tell me who they are, what’s going on in their lives, and the goals they have/what they want to accomplish. I feel like I’m a passenger watching, listening, experiencing the story they’re telling.

What was the best money you spent as a writer? Tough question! Writing groups, conferences, editors, and craft books means opening your wallet. Worthwhile? YES! If time is money, I spend a lot of it. And I enjoy way more than I spend. Once you self-pub a book, be prepared to open your wallet wider to purchase ads/promote your book.

How are your characters like you? Different? My characters in “Journaled With Love” are like me in that they prayed and laughed a lot. Their circumstances and ways of handling difficulties are different than mine. In “SADIE’S GIFT: The Christmas Cabin,” the characters reminded me of the time I chose to trust God with my life. They had a different way of seeking to walk with Him than me, but their stubbornness might be the same.

How do you come up with story lines/book topic? I came up with the story for “Journaled With Love” from watching You’ve Got Mail. “SADIE’S GIFT: The Christmas Cabin” came from praying about sharing the Christmas gift God gave us in a romantic novel.

Why do you write in your particular genre? I accidentally became a romance writer! The story that’s been on my heart for years is actually a suspense novel. But the more I read romance novels, the more I wanted to know what made each couple “click.” Why were they hopeless, what would solve their conflict, how would they end up together? Each book was a puzzle I wanted to finish before the final page. I love romance!

What is one thing you wish you could do? I have two things I wish I could do, one silly and one serious. I’ve always wanted to fly. I have vivid dreams about leaping in the air, staying airborne, and seeing the world from that perspective. But, seriously, I long for a closer relationship with the Lord. His love and compassion, His ability to give or withhold an answer – His character. I want to be more like Him.

What was your favorite childhood book and why? I have two favorite childhood books. The Bible is the first. At a young age, I’d grab a flashlight, hop under the covers, and read instead of going to sleep. I didn’t understand much but I knew God loved me. Little Women is my second favorite childhood book. I loved the depth Louisa May Alcott gave to her characters. Because I grew up on the east coast, the setting appealed to me also.

More from Erma

Enter to win a free copy of SADIE’S GIFT: The Christmas Cabin. A love story set in beautiful McCall, Idaho, during a surprise blizzard that ultimately melts a couple of frozen hearts.

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, December 19 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, December 19

She Lives To Read, December 20

Artistic Nobody, December 21 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 22

Guild Master, December 23 (Author Interview)

Fiction Book Lover, December 24 (Author Interview)

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, December 25 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 26

History, Hope & Happily Ever After, December 27 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, December 28

Vicky Sluiter, December 29 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 30

For the Love of Literature, December 31 (Author Interview)

Mrs. Ryan Moser’s book and movie reviews, December 31

Life on Chickadee Lane, January 1

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Erma is giving away the grand prize of 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/3f27c/sadie-s-gift-the-christmas-cabin-celebration-tour-giveaway

Monday, December 22, 2025

Movie Monday: A Walk in the Sun

Movie Monday: A Walk in the Sun

Released on December 3, 1945, A Walk in the Sun is based on a novel of the same name by Portland, Maine native, Harry Brown, a writer for Yank magazine. The story was serialized in October 1944 in Liberty Magazine. Robert Rossen wrote the screenplay which closely followed the novel. Rossen would later recommend Brown as a screenwriter which led to an award-winning career.

The film which takes place in 1943 and tells the story of a platoon that lands in Salerno, Italy with a mission to blow up a bridge, was initially produced by Samuel Bronston at the request of his friend, actor Burgess Meredith. Unfortunately, there were financial issues, and production closed down for a period of time before being taken over by Superior Productions. Bronston later sued and was awarded a portion of the film’s profits.

Because it was a war film, a technical advisor was brought in to ensure accuracy. The man selected was Colonel Thomas Drake who’d risen in the ranks from private to sergeant during the first world war, then commanded an infantry division at the Battle of Kasserine Pass. He was captured during the battle and eventually returned to the US as part of a prisoner exchange with the Germans.

Hollywood had to “make do,” and experts will notice an American half-track painted as a German half-

track and P-51s standing in for German aircraft among other “discrepancies.” Once complete, the film had to be shown to the Army for approval. Authorities requested two changes which I found quite interesting:

The addition of a briefing scene that explained the platoon’s mission. According to Wikipedia, the army “believed the film gave the impression the platoon meandered about without an objective.” Ultimately, the platoon sergeant reminds his men about the briefing while in the landing craft.
The addition of a remark in the beginning of the film explaining why the bazooka was not used during the attack on the farmhouse. Would the general public really have noticed that?

The movie stars Dana Andrews who is perhaps most well-known for his part as the detective in the 1944 noir film, Laura. A Walk in the Sun was his twentieth picture, and over the course of his career he appeared in over fifty as well as dozens of television shows. Additional cast members include Richard Conte, John Ireland, Lloyd Bridges, and Sterling Holloway. Burgess Meredith narrated the film.

Have you seen this classic?

____________________

The American World War II Home Front in 29 Objects:

Unlike Europe the American mainland escaped physical devastation during World War II as it was not subjected to full-scale invasions. However, that didn’t mean the United States wasn’t impacted by the war. The ramifications of large economic, cultural, and societal changes forced Americans to reconsider entrenched beliefs and traditions.

Artifacts collected from across the nation tell the stories of the American people whose lives were shaped by this second “war to end all wars,” World War II.

Purchase link: https://books2read.com/u/47pLxR

Photo Credits:

Movie Stills: Twentieth Century Fox

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Wartime Wednesday: Holiday Meals During Wartime

Holiday Meals During Wartime

Tires were the first item rationed in the US after the attack at Pearl Harbor when authorities realized rubber was going to be a crucial war materiel. It would be another four months before various foodstuff found its way onto the list, with sugar being first in May 1942. Coffee followed in November that year, then meats, fats, canned fish and canned milk, and cheese.

People integrated meatless meals in their weekly menus as well as learned how to cook “variety meats,” a euphemism for organ meats. My parents had very different experiences during the war. Mom lived on a large farm, as did many of her nearby relatives, so her family already raised most of their food. They were more impacted by gas rationing because of living so far from town. Dad lived in Baltimore City in a row house that had very little yard, so their space was limited for inputting a Victory Garden. They ate lots of canned vegetables and went without.

In the early years of our marriage when money was tight (paying off student loan, car payments, etc.) we tried our hand at gardening. We were marginally successful, but we constantly fought the deer, rabbits, and birds for our produce. And I hated weeding! We probably would have been more like Dad’s family and stuck with canned food.

During my growing up years, we went to my maternal grandparent’s house for Thanksgiving where

aunts, uncles, and cousins joined us for a feast that included turkey, ham, and meatloaf plus three kinds of potatoes, and every vegetable you can think of. For Christmas my paternal grandparents visited us (probably because the thought of loading the car with four kids and their gifts, then schlepping five hours was not my parent’s idea of a good time). Mom spent most of the morning in the kitchen, and we typically had a turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, and the iconic green bean casserole. We could count on leftovers.

During the war with meat at a premium, stews, soups, and casseroles were often served for the holidays. Desserts were limited and were often composed of fruit rather than sugar (although corn syrup and maple syrup were popular substitutes).

Here are recipes from the Victory Cookbook for a yummy and cost-effective wartime meal sure to please you and your family:

Chicken Pie with Sweet Potato Crust
3 Cups diced cooked chicken
1 Cup diced cooked carrots
6 cooked small white onions
1 Tablespoon parsley
1 Cup milk
1 Cup Chicken Broth
2 Tablespoons flour
1 Teaspoon salt
1/8 Teaspoon pepper

Crust:
1 Cup sifted flour
1 Teaspoon baking powder
½ Teaspoon salt
1 Cup cold mashed sweet potatoes
½ Cup melted butter
1 egg, well beaten

To make crust: Sift flour, baking powder, and salt. Work in mashed potatoes, melted butter, and egg. Roll ¼ inch thick.

For casserole: Arrange chicken, carrots, onions, and parsley in layers in casserole dish. Combine milk and chicken broth. Add slowly to flour, blending well. Cook until thickened, stirring constantly. Season and pour over chicken and vegetables in casserole. Cover with sweet potato crust. Bake in 350-degree oven for about 40 minutes.

Dessert: Baked Stuffed Apples

6 large, red apples (your choice)
1 Cup chopped bananas
1 Cup chopped cranberries
1 Cup sugar
1 Teaspoon cinnamon
Chopped nuts (your choice)

Cup off stem end of apples, but do not peel them. Remove core and a portion of the pulp, leaving the walls about ¾ inch thick. Mix bananas, cranberries, sugar, and cinnamon. Fill the cavities in the apples with the mixture, cover with chopped nuts, and bake in 350-degreee oven until tender, about 30 minutes.

____________________

The American World War II Home Front in 29 Objects:

Photo credit:

Tires: Pixabay/Florian Berger

Turkey dinner: Pixabay/Linda Rosium

Apples: Pixabay/Rita E.

Thursday, December 11, 2025

Talkshow Thursday: Christmas Under the Stars

Talkshow Thursday: Donna Schlachter

shares Christmas Under the Stars

This romantic suspense is set in Utah Territory in 1858 at the height of the westward expansion and wagon trains. It recalls a time in our country of great excitement as folks from the east set out to settle the land beyond the Kansas Territory. Tens of thousands of people headed west to find gold, claim land, escape their past, recreate themselves, or simply for the adventure.

Unfortunately, few went well-prepared. Numerous books were written purporting to give advice on how to pack light and travel safely, but in fact, most of the authors had never themselves made the trip, and the information in their books wasn’t only wrong or misleading, but in some cases, downright dangerous.

My heroine Edie is traveling west with her brother to meet up with another brother and his family who went ahead of them. Edie’s father was an itinerant preacher who barely managed to keep his family together. My hero Tom is heading to California to hopefully start a church. Already we can see problems, at least as far as Edie is concerned. And although Tom is attracted to Edie, once he’s introduced to her and hears she shares the same name as the man traveling with her, he assumes they are husband and wife.

Although he didn’t ask for it, Tom is soon appointed as head of their wagon train, and a series of accidents and unfortunate circumstances threaten to sabotage their journey. But are these incidents more than that? Or is someone determined to prevent them from reaching their destination?

Through miscommunication and unasked questions, Edie and Tom muddle through as best they know how, which is true of many of the emigrants. And the good news is that just like the travelers of the time, they do make it, although a little the worse for wear.

Here’s an excerpt:
Tom Aitken strode beside the lead wagon in the train, encouraging on the two lumbering oxen he could

hear but not see. “Git on Blue, git on. Brick.” The beasts lowered their heads at the sound of his voice and strained into the traces. Tom grit his teeth against another blast of cold air blowing from the Canadian Rockies.

What had he been thinking, taking a wagon train to Echo at this time of year? He’d focused on the offer of free passage to California. Free, indeed. Might not have cost him any money, but the two-month journey was surely grinding years off his life.

Digging his hands into his armpits, seeking some warmth, no matter how small, he trudged along, head down, wishing for a heavier coat. Echo was just a few more miles up this canyon. In good weather, a half day’s travel.

In this storm, forever.

As he debated whether to pull the wagon train off the trail and set up camp for the night, a faint cry echoed off the rock walls behind him. He slowed his step, allowing the oxen to pass him, waiting to hear the sound again. Nothing. He pivoted on one foot to trace his steps back, straining to see who was calling and whether they were friend or foe. Having spotted Indians several times over the past week or so, he was determined to stay alert.

Nothing but swirling, blinding snow. Lots of it.

He must have been hearing things. Probably just the wind echoing down off the canyon walls. No doubt where Echo got its name. He turned to face forward and felt someone – or something – press on his shoulder. His right hand on the knife in a sheath at his waist, he whirled around, ready to fight.

The man in the second-to-last wagon stood before him, face white with cold – or fear – and hands raised in surrender. His rough Irish brogue bespoke his heritage, and his coarse woolen coat and muffler his financial status. “I can’t find the Meredith woman.”

“What do you mean, man? Speak up.”

“I saw her maybe a ‘alf hour ago, when the wind stopped blowin’ long enough to see me ‘and in front of me face. Me missus remarked then that the lass was looking peaked.”

Tom grit his teeth against the sharp retort rising. Must he be like a mother hen to these travelers? No sooner had the thought crossed his mind than he repented of his hardness of heart. Lord, forgive me. Help her. Please. For her husband’s sake.

His silent prayer done, Tom gestured to his wagon. “Take my place as lead. Keep them straight on the trail. We’ve got just about twelve miles to go.”

The man nodded and Tom stopped, allowing the rest of the train to pass him. Although the rule was that only the very young, very old, and very sick got to ride in the wagons, sometimes folks hitched a ride when they were exhausted.

He sighed, his breath escaping like a puff of smoke from a chimney, carried off on the northerly gale. He’d have to check every wagon that passed to see if she’d climbed aboard.

If she hadn’t – well, he’d pray she was curled up in a pile of quilts rather than consider the alternative.

Tom plowed through a snowdrift nearly up to his chest. Edie Meredith wasn’t in any of the wagons. Her husband, Mark, as leader of the final wagon in the train, had been walking at the head of his team to keep them on the trail and hadn’t noticed when she’d gone missing. Tom stopped the train, and word passed up and down the line until all of the wagons paused. Women-folk and children climbed aboard their wagons to warm up, and the men divided into several groups to go in search of Miss Meredith.

The man accompanying Tom heaved along behind him, his breath sounding labored in the cold air. Harnesses jingled as the huge oxen shook themselves and got comfortable as they waited, and questions chased him as he traveled the length of the train.

“Found her yet?”

“What was she wearing?”

“Prob’ly find her froze to death.”

Tom shook off this last comment and pressed on. No, he would find her before that happened. He’d noticed the pretty young woman the instant he joined the wagon train, her red hair lighting up into a thousand pinpoints of gold in the afternoon sun. Freckles dotted across the bridge of her nose as she stared at him, a smile creeping across her face.

But that was as far as their relationship was likely to go. The broad-shouldered hulk standing next to her, laying claim to her with his protective attitude and gruff voice was enough to keep any sensible man in his place. No siree, her husband was not to be trifled with. Mark and Edie Meredith. That’s how they were introduced to him. That plus Meredith’s, “She’s spoken for” when she’d smiled and bobbed her head at him, was enough to keep any sane man a sensible distance away. No matter how he might wish the situation could be otherwise.

For now, he would look for her because that was his job.

And he was good at his job. Rather, his two jobs. Drover by day and preacher by night. Such a strange combination of occupations, he was certain. Still, the good Lord knew what He was doing, and drovering was just until he got to California. Then he would start his own church at the first town that needed him.

Tom peered into the storm, the faint outline of a shadow forming ahead of him, to the side of the trail. As he neared, he could have sworn he heard singing. A soft, lilting melody, like a lullaby.

A few more steps, and he paused over the form on the ground. Already snow gathered on her cheeks, filling in the concave hollows of her eyes, testifying to how cold her skin was that the particles didn’t melt.

He knelt beside her, fearing the worst. In a neat pile beside her, a pair of gloves and a shawl. Her coat unbuttoned, she looked dead.

But there, a slight flare of her nostrils confirmed there was life in her yet. He turned back to the man

following him. “Over here. Over here.”

The man came running, and together they lifted the unconscious woman and carried her to the nearest wagon. She needed warming up, and soon.

He called to the man he’d put in the lead. “Pull the train over toward the palisades. There should be some caves around here that we can overnight in.”

The men hastened to do his bidding, and the wagon beneath him lurched, throwing him off balance. He landed in a tangle against Miss Meredith and stared into her green eyes, wide open in surprise.

No doubt about it. She was beautiful. Tendrils of damp hair at her temples decorated her pale skin. But he couldn’t sit here admiring her. She was nearly frozen to death. Her blue lips and white complexion scared him.

He was alone in a wagon with a desirable woman who needed his help.

He had no choice.

He unbuttoned his jacket and pulled her to his chest. The sudden chill took his breath away, but he persisted in his ministrations. As the heat flowed from him, he was gratified to note color returning to her lips.

Her hands pressed against his chest, and he increased his grip on her. She needed warmth now. He’d heard of folks dying in the snow who’d stripped down to their underclothing.

He glanced at the woman now resting quietly in his arms, wishing he was holding her so close, so intimately, for a different reason.

But she belonged to another.

________________________________

About Christmas Under the Stars:

November 1858, Utah Territory
Edie Meredith strives to keep her temper and her tongue under control as she heads west with her brother to California. Raised in an itinerant preacher family, she promises she will never marry a man of the cloth.

Tom Aiken, drover of the wagon train, longs to answer his true calling: to preach, and while he realizes not every woman would choose a preacher for a husband, he hopes to soon find his help-meet.

Suspicious ‘accidents’ plague their journey. Is someone trying to keep them from reaching their destination? Or will misunderstanding and circumstances keep them apart?

Check out the book here: https://amzn.to/4pWipNM Available in print, ebook, and Audiobook!

About Donna:

A hybrid author, Donna writes squeaky clean historical and contemporary suspense. She has been published more than 60 times in books; is a member of several writers' groups; facilitates a critique group; teaches writing classes; and judges in writing contests. She loves history and research, traveling extensively for both, and is an avid oil painter. She is taking all the information she’s learned along the way about the writing and publishing process, and is coaching committed writers eager to tell their story. Learn more at https://www.donnaschlachter.com/the-purpose-full-writer-coaching-programs Check out her coaching group on FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/604220861766651

Website: www.DonnaSchlachter.com

Newsletter: https://www.thepurposefullwriter.com/newslettersignup Stay connected so you learn about new releases, preorders, and presales, as well as check out featured authors, book reviews, and a little corner of peace. Plus: Receive 2 free ebooks simply for signing up for our free newsletter!
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Need a writing coach? Or want to write your family or personal story? www.ThePurposeFullWriter.com

Tuesday, December 9, 2025

Teatime Tuesday: Traditions Around the World

Teatime Tuesday:

Traditions Around the World

Tea began in China and slowly made its way around the globe. As each country has embraced the fragrant drink, cultures and traditions arose. Here are just a few:

China: Originally used as for medicinal purposes, tea was eventually enjoyed by the monks for its calming effects. There are several tea ceremonies in China, the most well-known being Gongfu Cha (“making tea with skills”). Oolong is the tea of choice for this ceremony during which guests are served over the course of twenty-five minutes, and at the end the tea is imbibed. Guests hold the cup in both hands and take three sips.

India: Over 70% of the tea produced in India is consumed by the country’s residents. Darjeeling and

Assam are popular, but Chai far outweighs consumption. The Chinese word for tea is cha, and chai is derived from that. Black tea is infused with a number of spices including cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and black pepper. Served to guests, the tea is brewed in two steps: first with the spices, then with milk and sugar.

Japan: The tea ceremony chanoyu (“hot water for tea”) uses Matcha, a powdered green tea, and as with
the other traditions, is used for guests. The ceremony is complex with many utensils and planned over several weeks. There is a specific vocabulary associated with the ceremony that can last up to four hours!

Russia: Traditional drunk in the afternoons, the Russian ceremony can last for hours. Brewing is done in a small ceramic pot called a samovar creating a concentrated liquid. In the early days, charcoal was used as the heat source. Each person pours a portion into their own cup and mixes it with hot water. The ceremony includes sweets and pastries.

Great Britain: It’s a well-known fact, the British people love their tea, and with it, their tea traditions. High tea originated with the wealthy and the peerage who normally only ate two meals each day: a late breakfast and a late dinner. Developed as a way to assuage hunger between the two meals, high tea takes place in the afternoon and includes three “courses:” finger sandwiches, jam and cream, and small cakes or other treats. The tea of choice is unflavored black tea with milk.

What your favorite way to enjoy tea?

_______________

A Lesson in Love:
He thinks he’s too old. She thinks she’s too young. Can these teachers learn that love defies all boundaries?

Born and raised in London, Isobel Turvine knows nothing about farming, but after the students in her school evacuate during Operation Pied Piper, she’s left with little to do. Her friend talks her into joining the Women’s Land Army, and she finds herself working the land at a manor home in Yorkshire that’s been converted to a boys’ school. A teacher at heart, she is drawn to the lads, but the handsome yet stiff-necked headmaster wants her to stick to farming.

Left with an arm that barely works from the last “war to end all wars,” Gavin Emerson agrees to take on the job of headmaster when his school moves from London to Yorkshire, but he’s saddled with the quirky manor owner, bickering among his teachers, and a gaggle of Land Army girls who have turned the grounds into a farm. When the group’s blue-eyed, blonde leader nearly runs him down in a car, he admonishes her to stay in the fields, but they are thrown together at every turn. Can he trust her not to break his heart?

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3YHgUb0

Photo credits:

Tea crop: Pixabay/Mikhail Mamontov

Japanese Matcha Tea: Pixabay/Teechan

Samovar: Pixabay/Katya36

Friday, December 5, 2025

Fiction Friday: New Releases in Christian Fiction

December 2025 New ReleasesMore in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website

Children’s/Middle Grade:

Key’s Secret by Jennifer Arrington and Albrey Arrington -- A strange blue envelope greets the kids of Coral Canal right before Labor Day weekend. Inside it contains a riddle and a set of instructions. Nobody, not even their parents, seems to know who sent the riddle, and the children only have five days to solve it and send photographic proof. (Children’s/Middle Grade, Independently Published)

Contemporary Romance:

An Unexpected Texas Reunion by Heidi Main -- After a traumatic experience, Brenna Park hopes that leading a youth summer camp with her emotional support dog, Lulu, will help ease her back into her life. Only, she didn’t expect to be sharing the responsibility with the man she left behind a decade ago. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Not Exactly Mr. Darcy by Carolyn Miller -- What happens when history teacher Olivia Bennett travels to an English village and encounters a surly gardener at the nearby ailing Hartbury Hall? Can she find a way to thaw his heart and restore the Hall's fortunes? (Contemporary Romance from Barbour Publishing)

The Gift of Mercy by Rena Bell Yeager -- He’s the new wrangler, with a lot to lose. She’s the boss’s sister, with everything to gain. Will he win her love or lose it all – again? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Christmas Wishes by Carmen Peone -- They are so close… Can Christmas Dreams Come True? With conflicting dreams, and a wedding countdown ticking, can their love survive the season? (Contemporary Romance Novella from Iron Stream Media)

General Contemporary:

Every Voice Heard by Sarah Hanks, N.Y. Dunlap, and D.T. Powell -- Three novellas about Church hurt and abuse. (General Contemporary, Independently Published)

Historical Romance:

Courting Love: Three-in-One Collection by Jodie Wolfe -- Courting the Love sisters should be easy. With their surname, they should be primed for romance. But the three men tasked with wooing them have their hands full. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

A Christmas to Remember by Penny Zeller -- He's running from his past. She's seeking a better future. Love in Time is a tender love story that reminds us that God's timing is always perfect. (Historical Romance from Maplebrook Publishing)

Love in Time by Penny Zeller -- When Otis MacCallum agrees to deliver much-needed food and medicine to the remote town of Hawthorne, Montana, he knows there's a real possibility he'll again see the woman who broke his heart. Belinda Finnigan had reasons for declining Otis's proposal, but it still hasn't lessened the pain of losing his friendship. When Otis arrives on her doorstep one wintry December day with food and medicine in hand, can two broken hearts be reconciled? Will theirs be a Christmas to remember? (Historical Romance from Maplebrook Publishing)

Romantic Suspense:

Mine by Sami A. Abrams -- Escaping her past…means risking everything to stop a twisted obsession. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)

A Killer in Texas by Jessica R. Patch -- In the search for a murderer, the hunter becomes the prey… While guarding a person of interest in several homicides, bodyguard Libby Winters is attacked by the real serial killer. The Eye, as he’s known, has been stalking her for the past two months, and now he’s ready to make his next move. Determined not to repeat past mistakes, protection specialist Axel Spears vows to keep his partner safe and take down the man who murdered his wife. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired Suspense [Harlequin])

Hooked by Stephanie Sanders -- What begins as a family trip to the Outer Banks spirals into fear as a stalker emerges from the shadows, forcing Lexi Martin to face her anxiety, navigate a complicated secret relationship, and find her way back to a faith she's long abandoned. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)

Speculative Fiction/Fantasy:

Reyuul’s Redemption by David Liberto -- Joern was once the Scourge of Cordiae—a reyuul whose dark magic was so terrifying that the god, Lohem, forged new weapons to stop him. After 400 years of evil, Joern's now a deformed cleric confessing his sins before the very people he once terrorized. (Speculative Fiction/High Fantasy, Independently Published)

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

The Prodigal by L.D. Baldwin -- Frank Martin searches for his estranged son while confronting his own war with God. (Historical Mystery)

Mail-Order Duchess by Misty M. Beller -- A marriage born of duty. A love neither expected. (Historical Romance)

Fields of Shadow and Glory: 1863 by Elizabeth Ann Boyles -- Held captive in the shadows of the American Civil War, Tom, Terry, and Sara must exercise faith and courage if they are ever to arrive at their journey's end. (Historical Romance)

The Basement Angel by LeeAnn Christian -- A desperate man and a curious young girl form an unlikely friendship within the walls of a forbidden basement. (Contemporary Suspense)

The Songbird and the Surveyor by Denise Farnsworth -- A marriage of protection. A past full of pain. In Georgia's wild gold country, love might strike when it's least expected. (Historical Romance)

Charlie’s Trip by David Hollenstein -- He needs to prove his innocence, save his marriage, and definitely wants to find a way back into God's embrace. (Biblical Suspense)

Washington Island Romance Series: Boxed Set by Annette M. Irby -- This set includes Finding Love in Friday Harbor, Washington; Finding Love on Bainbridge Island, Washington; and Finding Love on Whidbey Island, Washington. (Contemporary Romance)

Even in This by Dianna Lanser -- With a chance at first love and a recording contract pending, sixteen-year-old Miah Brennan stands on the riverbank of her future, awaiting permission to jump in. Weeks before 9/11, tragedy strikes in cruel succession, destroying her future and forcing her to make impossible choices. (General Contemporary)

Irish Rose Orphans’ Christmas by Susan G. Mathis -- This heartwarming prequel sets the stage for the upcoming Irish Rose Orphans: A Thousand Islands Gilded Age Series, where seven spirited young women serve the islands’ elite! (General Historical)

A Place to Belong: Josephine’s Story by Heidi Gray McGill -- A wounded Civil War veteran. An unwed mother with nowhere left to turn. In a town full of second chances, will a marriage of convenience become the love story neither dared hope for? (Historical Romance)

Haven for Love by Naomi Musch -- A corporate marketer and camp owner find unexpected connection, while a landscaper and teacher navigate faith and forgiveness. (Contemporary Romance)

Dangerous Shadows by Gail Pallotta -- A horrifying assault, a stalker, and a murdered gambler -- is it possible to put the pieces together in Dangerous Shadows? (Romantic Suspense)

A Thorn in Winter’s Grasp by Davalynn Spencer -- She deceived them. They love her. Is there hope for forgiveness by Christmas? (Contemporary Romance)

Fireman’s Lesson in Love by Mishael Austin Witty -- A burned-out teacher and a smitten firefighter must uncover the truth behind a deadly arson before it destroys their nascent love. (Romantic Suspense)

Thursday, December 4, 2025

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Back, Donna Wichelman

Talkshow Thursday:

Welcome Back, Donna Wichelman!

I'm pleased to welcome fellow Heroes, Heroines, and History author, Donna Wichelman, back to my blog. I just finished Rhythms of the Heart, Book 2 in the Singing Mine series. A fantastic story. Pull up a chair and get to know Donna.

When did you know you wanted to be an author?

I’ve loved telling stories since my early days in elementary school, when I wrote for the school newspaper. But it wasn’t until high school, when I had the opportunity to attend an international high school and study authors like Jane Austen and Charles Dickens, that I knew I wanted to write stories that touched the human spirit. I also traveled in Europe during that time and became fascinated by history and culture, which led me eventually to write primarily historical romance.

How many books have you written? Which one is your favorite?

I have four novels available on Amazon. Two of them are contemporary romantic suspense in my Waldensian Series. The other two are Gilded Age Historical Romances in the Singing Silver Mine Series, A Song of Deliverance, and Rhythms of the Heart. They all have a special place in my heart. But I love the characters in A Song of Deliverance, particularly Ceceilia Richards, a formerly enslaved woman whose wisdom and sense of humor bring joy to everyone in Georgetown. She also plays a strong role in Rhythms of the Heart.

How did publishing your first book change your writing?

When I published Light Out of Darkness, I was surprised people wanted to buy my book and continue to do so. But knowing this inspired me to hone my skills to become a better writer.

How has your book changed since your first draft?

Rhythms of the Heart started as a novella, To Mend a Broken Heart, which I wrote as a free reader magnet. I gave the novella away for less than a month before one of my mentors suggested it had all the right elements of a full-length novel. Amanda Cabot’s advice paved the way for the book to become a reality, and I changed the name to Rhythms of the Heart.

What sort of research did you do for Rhythms of the Heart, and was there an exceptionally interesting tidbit you knew you had to include?

In the story, Cassie’s love interest, Dr. Daniel Criley, leaves Philadelphia because his dead fiancée’s

family blames him for her death. That’s when I discovered that until the Civil War, doctors operated under the miasma theory, dating back to the third century BC. The theory assumed diseases were caused and spread by bad air or noxious vapors released by rotting vegetation, sewage, and the like.

But in the mid-nineteenth century, British doctor Lord Joseph Lister conducted experiments based on Louis Pasteur’s advancements in germ theory. Lister discovered that a compound of carbolic acid used to sterilize surgical instruments and rubbed into patients’ wounds before surgery could significantly reduce his patients’ mortality rates. Though Lister’s antiseptic methods worked, it wasn’t until the 1920s that doctors universally accepted and applied antiseptics before surgical procedures.

If you were to write a spin-off book about one of your secondary characters, which one would you choose and why?

Rhythms of the Heart is a spin-off from Book One, A Song of Deliverance, in the Singing Silver Mine Series. In Book One, the protagonist, Anna Sullivan, must make a life for herself in Georgetown after her uncle dies in a mining accident. In one scene, Anna needs a ball gown for the annual Harvest Ball, and her best friend, Laurel Thomas, supplies her daughter’s gown, which she accidentally packed when they moved from Ohio. In Rhythms of the Heart, Cassie joins her parents in Georgetown after her family died in a train disaster in Ohio.

What books are on your nightstand right now?

The four most recent novels in the queue on my Kindle are Robin Lee Hatcher’s To Reveal a Reckless Love, Melanie Dobson’s Winter Rose, Liz Tolsma’s What I Would Tell You, and Kelly Jo Wilson’s Finding Forevermore.

What is your next project?

Fans of the Singing Silver Mine Series will want to know that I have a third novel in the series, titled Waiting in the Silence, planned for the future. This will also be a spin-off from Book One.

But my current work-in-progress is a World War II Slip-time novel (dual timelines), Power of the Thorn. The historical timeline takes place during Hitler’s reign of evil in the twentieth century, when the main character joins the Resistance to fight against Nazi occupation. The second takes place in the twenty-first century, when the main character battles her own war against a fatal kidney disease, while her pastor husband commits infidelity. Both women will find their way to each other and discover the power of the thorn to rescue and save the lost.

About Donna:
Donna is a 2025 Angel Book Award-winning author for her Historical Romance, A Song of Deliverance, Book One in her Singing Silver Mine Series. Her short stories and articles have appeared in inspirational publications. She has two novels in her contemporary romantic suspense Waldensian Series. Donna and her husband of forty-one years live in Colorado and love spending time with their grandchildren. They bike, kayak, and travel whenever possible.

About Rhythms of the Heart

Can she ever find happiness again after a deadly train disaster ripped away her family forever?

Life as Cassie Munro knew it ended the day her husband and children were torn away in a deadly train disaster. Haunted by her ghosts of the past in Ohio, she takes a teaching position in Georgetown, Colorado, where her parents pastor a church. One thing she knows—she will never risk her heart again. Born of privilege and educated at the Philadelphia School of Medicine, Dr. Daniel Criley never expected to lose the woman he loved to sepsis. Disillusioned with a hospital that won’t integrate antiseptic procedures and blamed by the family for her death, Daniel moves to Georgetown, where he can practice medicine his way. But just when all seems idyllic, the demons of his past appear to destroy the life he’s built.

When Cassie and Daniel meet, their attraction is undeniably intense. Will they risk following their hearts and step into a future together? Or will the fear of loss stand in the way of their happiness? Only God knows how to mend their broken hearts.

Social Media:

Website: http://www.donnawichelman.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DonnaWichelmanAuthor
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/donna.wichelman
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/donna_wichelman
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/donna-wichelman

Photo Credits:

Author photo and book image: Courtesy Donna Wichelman

Joseph Lister: By Unknown author - Weltrundschau zu Reclams Universum 1902, Public Domain

Dutch Resistance: - Werkgroep Doc. '39-'45 historische kring Dalfsen, CC0.

Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Wartime Wednesday: Norman Rockwell's Four Freedoms

Wartime Wednesday:

Norman Rockwell’s Four Freedoms

In his annual State of the Union address nearly a year before the attack at Pearl Harbor, President Franklin Roosevelt asked the American citizens to support the war going on in Europe. During the speech, which became known as the “Four Freedoms Speech,” he said, “In the future days which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms, some traditional and some new ones: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.”

At the time of the address, artist/illustrator Norman Rockwell was working on a commissioned project for the Ordnance Department of the US Army, a painting of a machine gunner in need of ammunition. After it was completed, the painting was featured on a poster “Let’s Give Him Enough and On Time” that was distributed to munitions factories. Rockwell couldn’t get FDR’s speech out of his mind and wanting to do more for the war effort was determined to illustrate the president’s Four Freedoms.

Rockwell approached the Ordnance Department, but they were not interested because of budgetary

reasons. He then went to the new Office of War Information where he was told “The last war you illustrators did the posters. This war we’re going to use fine artists men, real artists.” Disappointed, he headed back home to Vermont, but on the way, he stopped in New York to meet with The Saturday Evening Post editor, Been Hibbs. It is uncertain if the visit was planned, but it wasn’t unusual given the regular relationship Rockwell had with the Post. He shared his idea with Hibbs who loved it and immediately agreed to use the illustrations, giving Rockwell permission to interrupt his one-cover-a-month assignment.

Given eight weeks to finish the project, Rockwell took seven months to complete the four paintings. He later stated in an interview with New Yorker, that he got a “bad case of stage fright,” and “The job was too big for me. It should have been tackled by Michelangelo.” One source indicated the artist lost ten pounds over the course of the project. Three of the paintings measure 45.75 by 35.5 inches, and Freedom of Worship measures 46.0 by 35.5 inches. The pieces were published in four consecutive weeks during 1943, February 20, February 27, March 6, and March 13, and were accompanied by essays written by Booth Tarkington (Speech), Will Durant (Worship), Carlos Bulosan (Want), and Stephen Vinent Benét (Fear).

The illustrations were met with rousing success, and The Post received millions of requests for reprints that they sold for $0.25 ($4.54 in 2024 dollars). Suddenly, the Office of War Information was interested. President Roosevelt ordered the posters to be translated into foreign languages to be presented to the leaders at the United Nations. By the end of the war, four million posters had been printed!

A tour during the Second War Bond Drive was arranged with the Department of the Treasury that began

April 26, 2943. The 16-city tour started at Hecht’s in Washington, DC and ended in Denver on May 1. Celebrities such as Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Will Durant, and Kate Smith were part of the festivities. Rockwell attending some, but not all of the events during which more than one million people viewed the paintings and purchased $132 million worth of war bonds. Those who gave received a set of prints.

The paintings are on permanent display at the Normal Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts which I was fortunate to visit many years ago. Impressive in print, the painting are quite powerful to see in “real life.”

___________________________

The American World War II Home Front in 29 Objects:

Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Freedoms_(Rockwell)
https://www.mfah.org/blogs/inside-mfah/norman-rockwells-four-freedoms
https://www.nrm.org/2012/10/collections-four-freedoms/
https://rockwellfourfreedoms.org/about-the-exhibit/rockwells-four-freedoms/

Image credits:

By Norman Rockwell - U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Public Domain.
Freedom of Speech, Norman Rockwell. 1943. ©SEPS: Curtis Publishing, Indianapolis, IN.
Freedom of Worship, Norman Rockwell. 1943. ©SEPS: Curtis Publishing, Indianapolis, IN.
Freedom from Want, Norman Rockwell. 1943. ©SEPS: Curtis Publishing, Indianapolis, IN.
Freedom from Fear, Norman Rockwell. 1943. ©SEPS: Curtis Publishing, Indianapolis, IN.

Tuesday, November 25, 2025

Blog Tour: Sons of Day and Night

About the Book

Book: Sons of Day & Night

Author: Mariposa Aristeo

Genre: YA Fantasy – Retelling of The Prince and the Pauper

Release Date: November 18, 2025

Not even death can tell them apart.

In the wild and lush kingdom of Twinsbane, everyone has a look-alike, and each twin is cursed to die when their double breathes their last. When an ancient plague arises, the kingdom’s only hope is to sever these deadly ties. Yet King Daccias refuses to relinquish the cure, a legendary potion called the Separator.

Waruu, an orphan determined to break these ties, discovers he’s the king’s doppelgänger. He’s certain that if he can switch places, he can save the kingdom. But if anyone learns his true identity, he’ll lose everything—including the people he’s desperately trying to protect.

King Daccias wants nothing more than for his subjects to cease threatening to behead him if he doesn’t hand over the Separator. Intent on catching those opposing him, he finds himself ensnared in his own trap. If he doesn’t break loose, the kingdom will rest in the hands of an insolent boy who knows nothing about the truth behind the events unfolding around him.

To save their kingdom, both Waruu and Daccias must face their greatest enemy—each other.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Mariposa Aristeo is a writer of fantastical adventures filled with heart, humor, hope, and sometimes

dinosaurs. But, most importantly, she’s a creative who seeks to glorify God on every page of her life. Besides writing snarky characters who sass everybody, Mariposa loves bringing stories to life in full color as an illustrator. She also enjoys inspiring other creatives as the Public Relations Director at Story Embers and the Social Media Manager at the Young Writer’s Workshop.

More from Mariposa

How could I refuse to write a retelling of The Prince & the Pauper?

(Kudos to all the zillennial girls who get that reference.)

Ever since I watched the Barbie rendition of this classic tale when I was just a little girl, this story has been on my heart. As I grew older, other more adventurous tales influenced me, such as Dreamwork’s How to Train Your Dragon, Jennifer Nielsen’s The False Prince, Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, and more recently, Star Wars’ The Bad Batch.

But no matter the story, one aspect stayed the same—finding people just like me in the unlikeliest of places.

Growing up, I had a different childhood than most. I was pretty isolated with little to no friends, and not much extended family. It wasn’t until my twenties that I met the people who would later become my true family. They weren’t blood relations, and we didn’t interact in person until years later (yay for internet friends!). We are different in all the best ways but the same in the ways that matter and weird in the way that makes life interesting.

The Prince & the Pauper is a story about many things. Empathy, compassion, and learning what it’s like to live in another person’s shoes. When I set out to write Sons of Day & Night, I wanted to pay homage to this underrated tale while deepening the bond between the two very different (but also very alike) heroes. It’s not just a story about switched identities, it’s a story about the family we find even when our world is falling apart.

When my mom passed away from cancer in 2022, I felt like my world truly was falling to pieces. Besides losing a parent, I also lost what little I had of a normal family. But my found family came together to be there for me and be the family I never had.

We don’t share the same genetics, but they are every bit as much my brothers and sisters. As Stitch once said, “This is my family. I found it all on my own.”

Fast forward a few years, and I now live within 60 miles of my found family and see them almost every week. It’s funny to think how a few internet strangers became such a huge part of my life, but sometimes God sends us family in the places we least expect it.

And my hope is that Sons of Day & Night will remind you that there’s always someone out there just like you.