Welcome back, Amanda Cabot!

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Back, Amanda Cabot

Amanda Cabot is one of my favorite authors, and I'm honored to have her back on my blog today. Grab your favorite beverage and get to know this prolific author.

When did you know you wanted to be an author?

I’m tempted to say “forever,” but it wasn’t quite that long ago. It actually happened when I was seven years old. My family had moved from Texas to Western New York, which meant leaving everything familiar behind and learning to deal with such foreign things as snow and ice while adjusting to being the new kid in school. There were times when all I wanted to do was escape, and so I did – into books. Reading transported me to different times and places and helped me cope with the changes in my life. Books became such an important part of my life that it seemed only natural that I wanted to write one.

How many books have you written, and which is your favorite?

I stopped counting after forty, but it’s somewhere around forty-five right now. As for my favorite, writers aren’t supposed to have favorites. It’s like parents being told not to have a favorite child. But – and this is a big but – I do have a favorite. It used to be A Stolen Heart, the first of the Cimarron Creek trilogy, but now I have a new favorite. Although I’m usually so close to my stories that I can’t judge them impartially, when I finished Echoes of Sunrise, I felt that it was my best book yet. I’ve been delighted – more than delighted, I’ve been thrilled – that readers have agreed with me.

What was the best money you spent as a writer?

Attending the 2004 Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers conference. I can’t tell you about any of the

workshops I attended, but one thing the keynote speaker said turned out to be one of those “aha!” moments. She asked us to answer one question: Is writing what we do or who we are? My answer to that made a lot of things fall into place. It told me why I’d been able to walk away from my day job, even though it had been a very rewarding one. You see, that was “what I did.” And it explained why even when I’d tried to stop writing during the period when I was collecting more than my share of rejection letters, I couldn’t. After a few weeks, I’d feel as if something vital was missing in my life. That’s because writing is “who I am.”

If your book is part of a series: Did you set out to write a series? Why did you decide to write a series?

Echoes of Sunrise is the first book in the Sisters of the Heart trilogy. With the exception of the novella Christmas Roses, all of my books have been written as trilogies. I LOVE writing trilogies! It’s so much fun to have books that can be read as standalones but that have connections between them. There’s only one problem: once I create my fictional town and the cast of characters who live there, I don’t want to leave. Readers seem to agree with me and often ask for “just one more” book in a series. That’s why I wrote One Special Christmas, which extends the Sweetwater Crossing series. And since that was such a hit with readers, I’m planning to write another Christmas story set in Sweetwater Crossing. Assuming all goes as planned, that’ll be available in the fall of 2026.

What is your next project?

I’m currently writing the first draft of Whispers in the Valley, the second of the Sisters of the Heart trilogy, which will be released next spring. And since I received rights back on The Sagebrush Bride, a novella that was published in 2015, I’m going to release it as an e-book short this fall.

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About Echoes of Sunrise

A baby to protect. A town to save. Is a marriage of convenience the only answer?

Sophia Carr knows her recurring dreams of an identical twin sister are just that - dreams. She also knows that eventually she will inherit the hotel her grandfather built. When a fire at the hotel kills her mother, Sophia returns to Carr Valley to rebuild and ensure that a planned railroad line chooses a route that will keep the town alive. But her grandfather’s will states that she must be married to inherit, and the only man she can imagine marrying seems to have forgotten her.

Up-and-coming architect Gideon Spencer couldn’t say no when his dying friend begged him to marry his widow and raise their baby as his own rather than let a cruel grandfather gain custody. But when the young mother dies, leaving Gideon a single parent, the grandfather poses a new threat unless Gideon manages to marry again. Sadly, the only woman he’s interested in is the one he’s ignored for six months: Sophia. Knowing he needs to protect the baby, Gideon heads to Carr Valley. When he discovers that Sophia needs a husband as much as he needs a wife, he proposes a six-month marriage of convenience. Sophia agrees but adds a stipulation of her own, one that will test his resolve, even as their wedding day reveals that Sophia’s dreams of a twin sister might be more than dreams.

As Sophia and Gideon join forces, the stakes couldn’t be higher: a baby’s life, a town’s future, and love.

Purchase Link: Amazon https://bit.ly/3CG0Xd5

About Amanda
From the age of seven, Amanda Cabot dreamed of becoming a published author, but it was only when she set herself the goal of selling a book by her thirtieth birthday that the dream came true. A former director of Information Technology, Amanda has written everything from technical books and articles for IT professionals to mysteries for teenagers and romances for all ages. She is now the bestselling author of more than forty novels and a variety of novellas. Her books have been honored with starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Library Journal and have been finalists for the ACFW Carol Award, the HOLT Medallion, and the Booksellers’ Best. For her, a day is incomplete unless it includes books and at least one pot of tea.

Social Media Links
Website: https://www.amandacabot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amanda.j.cabot

Movie Monday: The Clock

Movie Monday: The Clock

Released on May 25, 1945, The Clock was actress Judy Garland’s first starring role in which she didn’t sing. It was also her last black and white film. Fred Zinneman was the initial director when production began in August 1944, but he was soon replaced by Vincente Minnelli, after both Zinneman and Judy went to producer Arthur Freed and indicated they couldn’t work together. By the end of the film, Minnelli and Judy were in love and would head to the altar on June 15, 1945. The movie had a production cost of just over one million dollars, and more than recouped the investment with initial box office earnings of $2.8 million.

Reportedly, Judy approached the executives at MGM and asked that she be cast in a straight dramatic role. Once source commented that “musical stars of the era were not considered to be on the same par as dramatic stars because most musicals made were light, fluffy entertainment.” Did Judy decide it was time to be taken seriously, or did she want to see if she had what it took to be a dramatic actress? No matter the reason, the studio agreed, and she was given the script for The Clock by Freed who had purchased the rights to the short unpublished story written by Paulione and Paul Gallico.

Robert Walker tried his hand in Hollywood in 1939 and managed to get a contract with MGM, securing

a few bit parts. He finally got his chance at stardom in 1944 when he was given the main role in Since You Went Away, one of the most financially successful films that year. His next movie, Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo, was also box-office hit, and he was quickly cast in The Clock.

The plot is simplistic (from IMDB): Joe Allen (Robert Walker) is on a two-day leave in New York City and meets secretary, Alice Mayberry (Judy Garland) when she trips over him and breaks the heel on her shoe. They hit it off, and she decides to show him around the city. As they tour the sights, they begin to fall in love. The pair meet a milk deliveryman whom they befriend and help finish his route. The next morning, Joe and Alice decide to marry before he must return to duty.

Interestingly, all the scenes with Judy and Robert were filmed on MGM soundstages and backlots, not on the actual streets of New York. The most famous set in the film is the meticulous recreation of Penn Station including escalators. Despite the relative success of the movie and Judy playing a dramatic role, it would be sixteen years before she would make another non-musical drama with Judgment at Nuremburg (1961).

_____________________________

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 most of the students in her school evacuate during Operation Pied Piper, she’s left with little to do. Then her friend Margery 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, raven-haired 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?

Pre-order Link: https://amzn.to/3YHgUb0

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Back Donna Schlachter!

The Story Behind the Story of 

The Mystery of Christmas Inn, Colorado

This romantic suspense is set in Colorado in 1921 at Christmas time. My hero is re-visiting the hotel where he spent his honeymoon 40 years before, while my heroine is seeking a refuge from her haranguing family while she makes some difficult choices. Matthew cannot find a reason to go on, and Edith refuses to give up.

I chose this setting because of some research I did into a famous hotel in Colorado Springs, The Antlers, as well as research about other buildings in that city which were razed in the 60’s to make room for urban expansion. I was horrified at the way the downtown core lost its history and its personality, and wanted to write a story where that didn’t happen.

I chose older characters because, well, I’m getting older, and I find my tastes turning to older characters

who are more set in their ways, less likely to jump out of moving vehicles or parachute from perfectly good airplanes. The time period seemed perfect because the train had just started coming to Colorado Springs from Denver, and the original Antlers hotel was slated for destruction early in 1922. I wanted to change that history.

Matthew and Edith team up to find a way to save the old hotel, and in the process, they uncover more than they bargained for: a body in a wall; a decades-old murder mystery; a secret somebody wants to keep; and a love that will carry them through the coming years.

About The Mystery of Christmas Inn, Colorado:

Matthew returns to Christmas Inn to celebrate his fortieth anniversary alone, intending to take his own life so he can join his beloved Sarah, who passed on to glory the previous January. Not certain how—or if—he will go on without her, Matthew learns on his arrival that the old inn will close its doors on New Year’s Eve. A developer has purchased the building and intends to tear it down and put up a chain hotel. Determined to keep his memories and his connection to Sarah alive, Matthew embarks on a harebrained scheme to keep the inn open.

Edith Cochrane, a widow, comes to Christmas Inn because she has nowhere else to spend the holidays. Her children are angry with her because she refuses to choose to live with one of them. Edith and her husband enjoyed a long marriage and a long mission-field ministry, but ever since his passing the previous year, Edith has found herself at loose ends. She comes to Christmas Inn to spend some time thinking about her options.

Can Matthew and Edith save the old hotel—and themselves—or will they run out of time?

Buy link: https://amzn.to/43jVAJY

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

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! http://www.DonnaSchlachter.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/DonnaschlachterAuthor
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donna-Schlachter/author/B01180A2EE
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/donna-schlachter
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/search?q=donna+schlachter

Photo credit: Antlers Hotel/courtesy of Antlers.com

Traveling Tuesday: New York City's Penn Station

Traveling Tuesday: 

New York City’s Penn Station

Next week’s Movie Monday will feature the 1945 film The Clock in which New York City’s Penn Station plays an integral role. Named for the Pennsylvania Railroad, the station’s builder and original owner, the structure was designed by McKim, Mead, and White, an architectural firm founded in 1879 that quickly rose in prominence. The design was (and still is) considered a masterpiece of the Beaux-Arts style. The Beaux-Arts style is characterized by heavily ornamented surfaces and the use of elements from Greek and Roman architecture, such as columns, combined with French and Italian Renaissance and Baroque influences (also highly ornamental). The style is known for its symmetry, elaborate decorations and use of stone, iron, and glass.

Completed in 1910, the station occupied an 8-acre plot, had eighty-four Doric columns, eleven

platforms serving twenty-one tracks, and the central waiting room measured a block and a half long – the largest indoor space in the city. For the first time there was direct rail access to the city from the south. Before then the Pennsylvania Railroad’s network ended on the western side of the Hudson River in Jersey City, New Jersey, requiring passengers to board ferries to cross the river. New York Central Railroad was a rival, and their line ran from the north under Park Avenue and ended at Grand Central at 42nd Street. Proposals for a cross-Hudson connection were presented in the late 1800s, but the financial panics of the 1890s made potential investors gun shy about providing funds. Proposals for a bridge was also considered but ultimately rejected.

Then came Pennsylvania Railroad’s president Alexander Cassatt who announced in 1901, the company’s plans to tunnel under the river and build a “grand station” on the west side of Manhattan south of 34th Street, at that time a red-light district known for corruption and prostitution. Construction began in June 1903 and was completed in 1908. Unfortunately, having died in 1906, Cassatt did not live to see his dream fulfilled. Instead, his son, Edward, became president and finished the task.

Penn Station opened to the public on November 27, 1910, and by 1945, at its peak saw more than 100 million passengers pass through its doors. Tragically and despite “vociferous dissent,” the aboveground portions of the building were demolished between 1963 and 1966 to make way for a new building. More than one source indicated that the controversial demolition was the impetus for the 1965 New York Landmarks Law which saved Grand Central station and approximately 30,000 other historic buildings throughout New York City.

While growing up in New Jersey, my family and I traveled through Penn Station on numerous occasions. I wish I’d seen the original building.

Photo Credits:
By Bain News Service - This image is available from the United States Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs division under the digital ID ggbain.09705. Public Domain

William J. Roege, Pennsylvania Station on Seventh Avenue, New York City, 1923. New-York Historical Society, Photographs from New York City and Beyond.

Penn Station, Train Concourse, ca. 1910, photograph, MMW Architectural Record Collection, NYHS Image #50718.

_____________________________

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 most of the students in her school evacuate during Operation Pied Piper, she’s left with little to do. Then her friend Margery 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, raven-haired 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?

Pre-order Link: https://amzn.to/3YHgUb0

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Susan Pope Sloan!

Talkshow Thursday: 

Welcome Susan Pope Sloan!

I am thrilled to welcome Susan Pope Sloan to my blog. Her writing is excellent, with complex characters, interesting plots, and thought-provoking themes. Take a few minutes to become acquainted with this talented author.

When did you know you wanted to be an author?

During high school, I was privileged to take a class in creative writing, and that’s when the idea of being an author crystallized for me. For years I wrote short stories and articles, some of which were published or won small-time awards. I figured that short pieces would be the extent of my writing, that I didn’t have to fortitude to write a novel. Finishing that first 90,000 word story as I reached my 40th birthday was a major accomplishment.

What is your favorite thing about being a writer?

How can I narrow it to one thing? First, I love the beauty of words and find it so amazing that God allows us to participate with him in creating “worlds” through our writing. I also love that, through writing (and reading), we get to live a different life with each story. Finally, I enjoy learning and adding more information to my store of knowledge through the research that writing requires.

How did you learn how to write?

I’d say I learned to write by reading. Since childhood, I’ve been a voracious reader, and the style,

vocabulary, and patterns of writing became part of my education. In high school, I learned to accept criticism as well as praise and to use that input to sharpen my writing—a process that never ends.

How many books have you written, and which is your favorite?

The number depends on how you count them. On the fiction side, I’ve published five books, all in my historical series. Long before those, however, I wrote another novel which has not been—and probably will never be—published. I’ve also written three small non-fiction books and contributed to a couple of anthologies. As for my favorite, that’s like trying to name a favorite of your children. It changes from time to time, and usually is whatever I’m working on at the moment.

How do you develop your characters? (e.g. decide on their vocation, names, etc.)?

Since my series starts with a real-life event, the occupation of the women was a given—they were mill workers. When those positions were eliminated, the only jobs left to women in the 1860’s were teacher, seamstress, or domestic helper. Even the men had fewer choices in those days—mostly soldier, farmer, carpenter, doctor, or lawyer. To stay true to the period, I searched the U.S. census listings of names for each decade between 1820 and 1860. The tricky part about names is making them different enough from each other so the reader doesn’t get confused. In real life, some families like to give consistency to their kids’ names, but that doesn’t work well in fiction.

How has your book changed since your first draft?

Upon my editors’ recommendations, I completely eliminated one secondary character from the story, which meant some serious rewriting. The antagonist’s goal had to be hinted at earlier so it didn’t surprise the reader as “coming out of nowhere.” I also had to revise the ending to give my hero a larger role to play in rescuing the heroine.

What is one thing you wish you could do?

I wish I could travel more. I would love to visit a different historical site or museum every week. Unfortunately, even if I had the funds to do so, I find that my stamina decreases with each year that my age increases, so much of my traveling is done via the Internet.

What is your advice to fledgling writers?

Prepare well. Be an avid reader and read widely, including books about writing, but submerse yourself in the genre you want to write. Write as much as possible and submit wherever you can—articles, contests, reviews, etc. Begin building your brand and expanding your reach far and wide. Learn about the publishing industry by attending conferences and joining writers groups. Develop relationships with other writers, agents, editors, etc., and support them before you ask them to support you.

What are common traps for aspiring writers?

Thinking that writing is an easy road to success. Writing is hard, but even harder is all the other work that goes with it. Writers must assume a large part of the marketing in order to get their work into the world. Unless writers can afford to hire others, they must take on the tasks of accounting, advertising, promotion, and general weight-lifting. They must also learn to deal with criticism and rejection, meeting deadlines, and acting in a professional manner.

What is your next project?

I’m currently working on two novellas which I call the “bookends” for my Civil War series. One is a prequel, and the other one picks up where Redeeming Rupert ends. Both deal with the older generation of characters who are seen only briefly throughout the series.

About Redeeming Rupert

In the aftermath of the Civil War, a young woman's fight to save her family's legacy leads her to an unexpected alliance.

Hannah Whitfield has given up on her own dreams of love and marriage, dedicating herself wholly to her family's welfare. But when a ruthless carpetbagger threatens to seize Whitfield Hall, Hannah's last hope lies with the elusive trustee named in her late father's will. Desperate to secure her brother's inheritance, she steels herself to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Rupert McNeil, haunted by the loss of his loved ones, has vowed never to marry. Following in his uncle's footsteps, he becomes the go-to person for those in need. When he inherits his uncle's farm and the responsibility to help save Whitfield Hall, Rupert finds himself at a crossroads, torn between his own legacy and his duty to others.

As Hannah and Rupert's paths intertwine, a marriage of convenience seems to be the answer to their problems. But with a scheming relative lurking in the shadows, will their newfound alliance be enough to safeguard both their inheritances? Can love blossom amidst the challenges they face, or will the wounds of the past prove too deep to overcome?

Purchase link: https://amzn.to/4jBRt2J

Connect with Susan:
Website: https://susanpsloan.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanpopesloan
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/susan-sloan-7132a155
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20919750.Susan_Pope_Sloan
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/susanpsloan

 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanpsloan

Photo Credits:

Books and glasses: Pixabay/Anna Paula Feriani

Writing hand: Pixabay/Pexels

Wartime Wednesday: The British Home Front During WWII

Wartime Wednesday: 

Life on the British Home Front

Britain went to war on September 3, 1939, but the first six to eight months was referred to as the “Phoney War.” Not much happened, leading people to believe the conflict would be over quickly and painlessly. The government is said to have “muddled through” during that time. Then came the defeat at Dunkirk and the fall of France. British citizens realize their optimism had been misplaced, and they were in for a long, hard struggle.

Beginning in September 1940, England was bombed by the Luftwaffe relentlessly for nine months. Known as the Blitz (short for Blitzkrieg), the attacks killed 60,595 civilians and injured an additional 86,182. St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London, and Parliament were just a few of the buildings that were hit. After the bombing of Buckingham Palace, the queen mother, Queen Elizabeth, remarked, “I’m glad we have been bombed. Now we can look the East End in the eye.”

Food rationing began in January 1940, and clothes in June 1941. According to more than a few sources, by 1943, almost every necessary household item was difficult to get, many unobtainable.

The war was also a time of great upheaval for children. Over one million were evacuated from towns

and cities during Operation Pied Piper. The idea was that they were safer in rural areas that had less chance of being bombed. I met a woman several years ago who had been evacuated from London as a young girl. She commented that she had a positive experience. The family treated her as one of their own, but she went on to say that her relationship with her biological family was never as close after the war. They’d been separated for five years.

Those children who did remain in the cities dealt with threats of gas attacks, bombings, rationing, and the disruption of school. Male teachers were called up leaving a void, and school buildings were damaged. Some schools moved to requisitioned country homes miles from the city, so children boarded keeping them away from their families for the duration.

Blackout restrictions were just that – restrictive – and penalties were harsh for those who broke the rules. Air Raid Precaution wardens patrolled the streets and were quick to point out if a light could be seen. Blackout curtains were heavy, unwieldy fabric and as the war progressed became unavailable, so blackout paper became a replacement. Vehicle headlights were fitted with covers to reduce the glare, making it difficult to drive. Numerous accidents were reported. Walking in the dark was also a dangerous proposition, so most folks stayed home at night if possible.

Rationing continued until 1954 – nine years after the war began!

_________________

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 most of the students in her school evacuate during Operation Pied Piper, she’s left with little to do. Then her friend Margery 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, raven-haired 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?

Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3YHgUb0

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Back, Steven Rogers!

There is No Such Thing as Ordinary

Back in the 1990’s, my children were young, my mortgage long, and my business career developing. My faith journey was a fledgling eagle, still confined to the nest. It’s safe to describe my mental condition as “perpetually stressed, with short periods of serenity.” One morning, I was waiting in front of a hotel when a cab driver asked if I needed a ride. When I explained that the valet was delivering my car from the parking lot, she flashed a wide smile and said, “Have a blessed day.” Sitting here today, I still remember how my body relaxed with her words.

Now, incredibly, we’re in the year 2025. My business career is over, and I’m a Christian novelist. Like most writers, I dream about creating bestselling books and changing the lives of thousands of people around the world. I invest my time and resources trying to break out beyond my immediate circle of readers. Until recently, I frequently felt frustrated and disappointed about not being a “bigger name” in the Christian book market.

However, earlier this year my perspective changed. Shortly after the release of my second novel, A Year

in the Room, one reader sent me a message saying, “I think I’m a better man because I read this book.” A few months later, another reader told me “This story is my life. Thank you for writing it.” As positive as those comments were, I immediately experienced shame—because of my ambition, I was downplaying the existing opportunities God was providing to reach people. I thought back to that cab driver and her four simple words. She provided two seconds of ministry that has endured for close to thirty years.

Because I’m a writer, my brain started working overtime and I launched a period of self-evaluation and introspection. While the details are complicated, when my reading, journaling, and discussions with others ended, I had a new guiding principle for my ministry—there is no such thing as ordinary. While I should have learned this earlier in life, I now know that every breath, every action, and every thought belong to God. Every interaction is an opportunity to testify on His behalf.

What does this mean to me? Well, it means I stop worrying about selling a million books and creating an international mission field. Instead, I accept the opportunities in front of me and trust God’s leadership. This is true not only with my writing, but also in my day-to-day interactions with others. I can always offer a kind word, helping hand, or listening ear.

Would I welcome the opportunity to reach a larger audience? Sure. Would I love someday to have a charitable foundation promoting worldwide literacy? Yes. In the meantime, I’ll strive to remain unceasingly in God’s presence and satisfy His will for my life. Like the cab driver all those years ago, I will remember that everything I do, all day, every day, is ministry.

About A Year in the Room

Reluctant pilgrim Ben Cahill steps off a flight from Israel facing an unrelenting list of challenges—a fractured family, no job, no place to live, and a dubious grip on his newly-found sobriety. He has no plans for the next steps in his life. Ben starts over, settling into a small, rented room and working three part-time jobs. As his first year of recovery unfolds, Ben fights an unrelenting spiritual war against his personal demons and the consequences of his past actions.

Can a chain-smoking, no-nonsense grandmother, a retired navy cook, a crusty old Scotsman, and an unexpected pilgrimage to the legendary Scottish Island of Iona, clear away the wreckage of Ben’s life and lead him to hope? Join Ben on his journey in this sequel to the award-winning novel Into the Room.

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

About Steven Rogers:

Steven Rogers is an award-winning Christian author of the “Reluctant Pilgrim” series. His award-winning second novel, A Year in the Room was published in November 2024. The book is sequel to his award-winning debut novel, Into the Room. He lives in Richmond, Virginia with his wife of thirty-nine years, Kathy.

Social Media Links:
Website: http://www.steven-rogers.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StevenRogersWriter/
Instagram: @stevenrogerswriter

Today in History

Today in History

Today is my birthday. Those who know me well, know that I commandeer the whole month and sprinkle celebrations throughout. This year, I decided to gift myself with a vacation, so I’ve taken the whole week off, and we’re in Vermont, in one of our favorite small towns nestled in the White Mountains.

I was born the night Alan Shepard went into space. My big moment was actually five hours before his. I arrived at 2:32 AM, and he didn’t make it to space until 7:30 AM.

May 5th is also Cinco de Mayo, and we typically go to the local Mexican restaurant for my birthday and pretend the festivities are for me. In reality, the celebration is a commemoration of Mexico’s victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Here in the US, it has become a day to celebration Mexican culture and heritage. In Mexico, the holiday is primarily celebrated in the state of Puebla.

On May 5, 1973, Secretariat won the Kentucky Derby on his way to grabbing the Triple Crown (which

includes the Belmont Stakes and the Preakness). I recently found out that every horse in this year’s Derby is descended from Secretariat. Quite an accomplishment!

Perhaps less exciting for some of us, on this date in 1904, baseball player Cy Young registered the first perfect game (which means no one made it to first base). He played for the Boston Americans (later renamed the Red Sox).

In women’s history, Mary Kries was awarded a patent on May 5, 1809 for a new technique in weaving straw with silk and thread to make hats. The patent was signed by President James Madison. She is the third woman in history to receive a patent.

I share my birthday with Afonso III, King of Portugal (1210), Rupert, King of Germany (1352), and Leopold II, Grand Duke of Tuscany in addition to British-American scientist John William Draper, Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard, German philosopher Karl Marx, and American John Stetson, inventor of the favored headgear of cowboys, the Stetson, and the lesser known “Boss of the Plains” hat.

______________________

Spies & Sweethearts – on sale!

She wants to do her part. He’s just trying to stay out of the stockade. Will two agents deep behind enemy lines find capture… or love?

1942. Emily Strealer is tired of being told what she can’t do. Wanting to prove herself to her older sisters and do her part for the war effort, the high school French teacher joins the OSS and trains to become a covert operative. And when she completes her training, she finds herself parachuting into occupied France with her instructor to send radio signals to the Resistance.

Major Gerard Lucas has always been a rogue. Transferring to the so-called “Office of Dirty Tricks” to escape a court-martial, he poses as a husband to one of his trainees on a dangerous secret mission. But when their cover is blown after only three weeks, he has to flee with the young schoolteacher to avoid Nazi arrest.

Running for their lives, Emily clings to her mentor’s military experience during the harrowing three-hundred-mile trek to neutral Switzerland. And while Gerard can’t bear the thought of his partner falling into German hands, their forged papers might not be enough to get them over the border.

Can the fugitive pair receive God’s grace to elude the SS and discover the future He intended?

Purchase Link:https://books2read.com/u/m0Od9l

Photo Credits:

Birthday Cake: Pixabay/Thomas

Horses: Pixabay/Hancock707

John B. Stetson: By Unknown photographer - Twenty-second Annual catalogue of John B. Stetson University. Public Domain

Fiction Friday: New Releases in Christian Fiction

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

Biblical Romance:

Mantle by Dana McNeely -- Faith. Redemption. The cost of leadership. Will the next generation rise to the challenge and uphold the legacy of Elijah, or will they falter under the weight of the mantle? (Biblical Romance from Mountain Brook Ink)

Children’s Middle-grade/Chapter book:

Dixie Randolph and the Mystery of Willow Creek by MaryAnn Diorio -- A twelve-year-old girl learns of a plot to kill her father and risks her life to save his.(Children’s Middle-grade/Chapter book from TopNotch Press)

Contemporary Romance:

Meet Me on Lilac Lane by Andrea Christenson -- He was her late husband's best friend, but for him she'd always been the one. (Contemporary Romance from Sunrise Publishing)

Anxious For Love by Gina Conroy -- She’s anxious about love. He’s built a career on it— what could possibly go wrong? Fans of witty banter, reluctant allies, and slow-burn tension with a splash of reality TV romance will swoon over this feel-good romcom with heart, humor, and a happily ever after. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Mountain Homecoming by Susanne Dietze -- After months away, architect Wyatt Teague returns home only to find himself named a guardian to his late friends’ orphaned twins…alongside his ex-fiancée, Natalie Dalton. But caring for them together proves to be a challenge: Wyatt’s job is in the city, and Natalie can’t leave her family’s apple orchard. As they vow to make this new partnership work, old feelings between them quickly resurface. But when Natalie finds out the true reason behind Wyatt’s abandonment, can she trust him with the babies…and her heart? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Hearts Aweigh by Shannon Sue Dunlap -- Cheeky septuagenarian matchmakers, the "Shippers" are on a mission to secure a dreamy Mr. Right for Abby O'Brien, a sunny, optimistic childcare worker for Monarch Cruises. She loves her job looking after the children of vacationing parents, but harbors one unfulfilled desire: to be a wife and a mother. With his shy five-year-old daughter in tow, divorced elitist lawyer Spencer Randolph Masterson has anything but romance in mind. His goal on the MS Buckingham is to persuade his mother, Daisy, to leave her ridiculous cruise ship lifestyle and return to New Orleans. But Daisy isn't interested in life on land. Besides, she and her matchmaking posse have a marriage to arrange. (Contemporary Romance from Kregel Publications)

Sometimes You Stay by Liz Johnson For digital content creator Cretia Martin, home is wherever her carry-on suitcase lands. She’s never been interested in settling in one spot—after all, houses are just places that collect junk and tie you down. But when she literally bumps into local dog breeder Finn Chaffey on Prince Edward Island and all of the tools of her trade end up in the harbor, she can’t exactly leave until she gets things sorted out. Finn is horrified by the part he played in the accident and offers to help, arranging for Cretia to stay with a friend at the beautiful Red Door Inn. The longer Cretia is forced to remain in one place, the more she discovers what she’s been missing with life on the road—and the more she wants to see Finn and his business succeed. But helping him means staying put, the one thing she always swore she wouldn’t do, and risking the only thing she’s never put on the line—her heart. (Contemporary Romance from Revell – a division of Baker Publishing Group)

A Valentine for a Vet by Carolyn Miller Veterinarian Jessie James loves her dog, loves her work, loves her family. She's got a lot on her plate, which means there's no time for a certain dishy teammate of her pro hockey-player brother, despite what others may think. Tom Chavez knows he's in the friend zone, but isn't one to give up too easily, especially when he's concerned that this hardworking vet might be working herself into an early grave. When tragedy strikes the vet practice, he's going to do all he can to show her he's more than just a shoulder to cry on, and that he cares about more than her skills with his dog. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

No Place Like Home by Betsy St. Amant -- Magnolia Bay’s development director, Cade Landry, would do anything for his town—and his family. So when the mayor—who also happens to be his father—decides to retire, he talks Cade into running for his seat. But Cade is already up to his dimpled cheeks in the town’s post-hurricane revitalization fundraiser—Magnolia Days, featuring a flashy Cajun Circus. If Cade can’t put the bay back on the map as a tourist town, he’ll let the whole community down…and worse yet, his father. Rosalyn Dupree is a famous aerialist with a secret—actually, quite a few of them. Much to Cade’s relief, she agrees to return to Magnolia Bay for the first time in years as a headliner for the Cajun Circus. But neither her charming former school rival Cade nor her parents know she’s broke, in debt, and nursing a back injury...among other things. Despite her best efforts at resisting, sparks fly between Cade and Rosalyn as they work together on the circus fundraiser. But when everyone’s secrets are revealed and worlds collide, will Rosalyn find forgiveness and restoration in a town being rebuilt? Or will there never be anywhere to truly call home? (Contemporary Romance from Sunrise Publishing)

Recipe for Love by Penny Zeller -- Rumors started flying when all of the businesses on Main Street in Cloverdale Falls sold last month. Bakery owner Maisie Carpenter finds herself appointed to uncover the mysterious new owner’s identity, and in the process hopefully allay some of the residents' fears. What happens when she solves the mystery and discovers the man in charge of purchasing the businesses is the very man she has recently fallen in love with? (Contemporary Romance from Maplebrook Publishing)

Contemporary/Women’s Fiction:

Worthless Treasures by Mary L Hamilton -- Professional organizer Diamond Lange helps clients declutter their homes and let go of what no longer serves them. But when her mother, Eva, suddenly passes away, Diamond is left with a house overflowing with junk and a promise she regrets making. Although Diamond considers everything in her mother's house trash, Eva left behind a very specific list of five seemingly worthless objects. Eva requested these items be passed on to others who will cherish them as much as she did. In fulfilling a promise to her late mother, Diamond learns that worth isn’t always measured in dollars and cents; sometimes it’s measured in the heart. (Contemporary Women’s Fiction, Independently Published)

General Contemporary:

The Way Home by Heidi Chiavaroli -- Two lost souls, one lighthouse journey . . . and an unforgettable search for the way home. The Way Home is the second book in the Lights of Acadia series by two-time Carol award-winning author Heidi Chiavaroli. If you like romantic Women's Fiction, you'll love this thoughtful novel steeped in family secrets, second chances, and boundless compassion. (General Contemporary, Independently Published)

BirdSong: Stories of Promise and Hope by Sara Davison, Deb Elkink, Stacy Monson, Chautona Havig, Cathe Swanson, Milla Holt and Eleanor Bertin-- From unexpected journeys into the future and the past to a life-changing weekend, a spontaneous road trip, family trauma, the birth of a bookstore, and a potentially disastrous wedding, the men and women in these stories must deal with everything life is throwing at them. Which is a lot. The turmoil and craziness challenge each of them to believe the promise of God's timing—that every winter, no matter how dark and cold, will be followed by a season of birdsong. (General Contemporary, Independently Published)

General Contemporary/Split-Time:

Gideon’s Book by Maureen Miller -- This powerful time-split contemporary novel explores race, faith, love, and self-discovery, and touches on themes of adoption and abortion as well as the beauty of marital love. (General Contemporary (split-time) from Redemption Press)

General Historical:

Salome by Jenifer Jennings -- Salome, the youngest of Jesus’siblings, learns to find her voice under Jesus’ guidance, but her bold defiance against the Pharisees leads her into the hands of Roman persecution. Explore the passion, conflict, and sacrifice of the early church in Salome, Book 7 of the Servant Siblings series. (General Historical, Independently Published)

Historical Mystery:

Show Me Skulduggery by Ellen E Withers -- Death comes knocking once again in Show Me Skulduggery, the captivating third book in the award-winning Show Me Mysteries series. These mysteries involve two eras, early 1900s, and contemporary times, featuring a famous Saddlebred horse stable in Mexico, Missouri. Intrigue, deception, underhanded behavior, and murder will keep you turning pages. (Historical Mystery from Scrivenings Press)

Historical Romance:

A Slight Change of Plans by Denise M. Colby -- She believes she doesn’t matter. His scars have made him an unlovable outcast. As Jenny settles into the welcoming, but small, town of Washton, she can’t help but come across Ren, especially since his daily constitutional takes him along the same path. It doesn’t take long for them to form a connection that breaks down the walls erected by years of hurt. But when strange occurrences unsettle the townspeople, it seems their chance at happiness might be at risk. Will Jenny and Ren discover that they’re enough—for God, and each other? (Historical Romance from Scrivenings Press)

Perfect by Kimberly Keagan -- When the perfect life unravels, can love turn the page to a new beginning? In the glittering era of the Gilded Age, the heirs of Philadelphia’s Denwall Department Stores navigate family expectations, relentless ambition, and unexpected love. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

Sporting For Love by Candice Sue Patterson -- When a Boston socialite on the run gets entangled with a Maine outdoorsman, things get wild. When their weekend outing in the woods with the Appalachian Mountain Club goes terribly wrong, Ford and Juniper must decide if the lives they’ve been seeking are what they truly want or if they’re willing to risk a little adventure. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

An Unexpected Grace by Kimberley Woodhouse and Tracie Peterson -- After a decade away, Parker Bennett returns home with a traveling troupe to perform a play based on Uncle Tom's Cabin at the Kalispell Opera House. Parker has relished his life on the road, but being home awakens long-buried emotions when he encounters his first love, Johanna St. John. Widowed for three years, Johanna devotes all her time to a demanding toddler, an injured father, and a successful millinery business. After the loss of her husband, she desires to move on, but reconnecting with her past love leaves her unsure of what lies ahead. Both committed to God's distinct calling on their lives, Johanna and Parker struggle to see how their futures can unite, and when strange things start happening around town, their second chance at a life together seems more unlikely than ever. (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker] Publishing)

A Troubling Suggestion by Betty Woods -- Clarisse Matthews still grieves the tragic loss of her fiancé and doubts she'll ever love anyone again. Particularly if she has to divulge the secret abolitionist ideas she keeps hidden deep inside that only her beloved knew. After the lady Luke Williams loved spurned him and married another man, he will never risk giving his heart to another woman. But when Luke's cousin is deceived by a rogue, who only Luke and Clarisse know the whole truth about, they form a reluctant alliance to protect his cousin. Their feigned attraction grows into genuine love. But will the differences between them become a wall too tall to climb or can they find a way around? (Historical Romance from Scrivenings Press)

Military Suspense:

No Time to Die by Taylor S Newport -- Australian mercenary Tyler Reid, known as "The Ghost of OZ," has a talent for evading detection, a skill that has caught the eye of multiple government agencies. When a shadowy group targets a CIA asset and her revolutionary drug ND1, the Deputy Director calls in Tyler. Eager for action, Tyler takes the job. For covert foreign operative Alexandra Romanova, freedom is a distant dream. Her deadly skills are at her boss's disposal, but she’ll use them only to escape. Her final chance hinges on retrieving ND1, but the elusive Ghost of Oz complicates things. Tyler Reid isn’t an easy mark, and the better she gets to know him, the more she questions the mission she's tasked with. Soon she faces a dire choice: kill a man she is convinced is good, or pay with her own life. In this high-stakes fight, time is running out, and the margin for error is zero. (Military Suspense from Whitewater River Publishing)

Romantic Suspense:

Rescued Heart: A Last Chance County Novel by Megan Besing -- Actress Bianca “Bia” Pearl has finally landed the headlining role that could help leave her scandalous past behind—a role that may even earn back her parents’ respect. All she has to do is stick to the script, both on and off camera. Bianca is determined to prove to the press that she’s not who they say she is…an overrated gold digger. Firefighter and former foster child Eddie Rice has always drawn the short straw in life. Now, he’s determined to help kids in need have a better future than he did. And when Eddie is selected to represent the fire station at Last Chance County’s masquerade ball, he realizes it’s the perfect opportunity to secure the mayor’s signature on a grant for a much-needed rec center. But when a case of mistaken identity and a bribe lead to Eddie and Bia being trapped together in a fire, the pair must team up to escape—and protect their futures in the process. (Romantic Suspense from Sunrise Publishing)

Midnight Offensive by Elle E Kay -- ER nurse Sadie Kline can’t shake the feeling that something is off about the man who comes into her ER late one night. But she brushes it off—until a blind date with her brother’s best friend, Craig Malone, leads to something far more complicated than old feelings and second chances. Craig, now a Homeland Security agent, is tracking a stolen biological weapon when Sadie’s unsettling experience places her on his radar. She may hold the key to identifying a dangerous suspect, and when her family is targeted, protecting her becomes more than just part of the job. As danger escalates and secrets unravel, Craig and Sadie must work together to stop a biological attack. But in a world of shifting loyalties and silent threats, trusting each other might be the most dangerous move of all. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)

Missing in Texas by Virginia Vaughan -- The moment FBI agent Christy Williams arrives in Mercy, Texas, determined to solve her friend’s disappearance twelve years ago, she becomes a killer’s number one target. Ignoring the threats on her life, she partners with Deputy Mike Tyner, the cousin of one of the chief suspects…and the last person to see her friend alive. As they work to investigate this cold case together, it becomes clear someone will stop at nothing to keep the past hidden. With time running out, can Mike keep Christy alive long enough to find justice for her friend…before a murderer strikes again? (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Suspense:

Inheritance by J.A. Webb -- Father Curtis has forsaken his vows. He has left the Order and joined the Seekers, a hidden rebellion dedicated to uncovering the truth long buried by the global church. But walking away from the Order does not mean escaping its reach. When word spreads that a copy of the True Text — the original thirty-nine books of the Creator — has surfaced on the far side of the world, Curtis, Professor Reuel, and Phillip embark on a desperate mission. If they can retrieve the artifact, it could change everything. If they fail, the truth will be lost forever. The war for truth has begun. And the Order will not suffer heretics to live. (Suspense, Independently Published)

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

Just a Piece of Stone by Mary Ann Hake -- A Jewish boy receives a special stone passed on through the generations, clear back to Bible times, and learns its history via family stories. (Children’s Middle-grade/Chapter Books)

Frazzled Moms vs Wild by Stephanie Paige King -- Two moms, one campsite, zero survival skills. Nothing's more frazzling than a family camping trip, except bringing along the neighbors and their trio of toddlers. (General Contemporary)

Forever Changed by Diana Leagh Matthews -- What would you do if you had to raise someone else's family and step into their lives? Can Caleb and Danielle let go of their painful pasts, forgive, and move forward into an uncertain future? (Contemporary/Women’s Fiction)

Mouse in Your Pocket by Janetta Fudge Messmer -- How can Jessica handle inheriting a junkyard, her common sense going out the window, and Jimmy Barnes? She doesn't, without the Lord. (Contemporary Romance)

Frayed Promises by Lynn U. Watson -- If you enjoy stories of faith in the face of society's pressures and trusting God in times of struggle, you'll love this closed-door romance that will keep you guessing until the end. (Historical Romance)

Road Trip Redemption by Becca Wierwille -- Jada talks her two older sisters into a trip to Pennsylvania to reunite Kimmy with her furry friend. But as new questions about their canine companion unravel Jada’s plans, she wonders how she’ll face Kimmy after all these years. The road ahead may be more complicated than Jada imagined. (Children’s Middle-grade/Chapter Books)