Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Back, Sherry Shindelar

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Back, Sherry Shindelar

I’m pleased to welcome Sherry Shindelar back to my blog today where she shares about her writing journey, latest release, the inspiration behind her stories, and more.

How many books have you written, and which is your favorite? I’ve written seven books. Four of the books have been published, and two will be published in 2027. I’m currently writing my eighth book. My first book, a Civil War novel, which I rewrote three times, is set to be published in 2028. My two favorites are Texas Forsaken, the first book in my Lone Star Redemption series, and my Civil War story coming out in 2028.

Can you share a real life event that inspired your writing? The story of Cynthia Anne Parker captured my heart a couple decades ago, and she still haunts my imagination. Her story inspired my

novel, Texas Forsaken, and my newly released prequel, Wichita Path Sacrifice, which is part of the Freed by the Frontier novella collection.

Cynthia was taken captive by the Comanche at age nine during an attack on her family’s fort on the Texas frontier in 1836. She became Comanche and an integral part of the tribe for over twenty-four years, married an influential war chief, and had three children. In December 1860, Texas Rangers attacked her village and captured her and her baby girl, Prairie Flower. Eventually, one of Cynthia’s settler relatives claimed her and took her to live with his family, but she refused to accept this new life that was being forced upon her. Several times, she tried to run away to the open plains, desperate to find her husband and her sons to no avail.

Tell us about your road to publication. A visit to a historic home in the Shenandoah Valley, when my husband and I were newly married, spurred my love for history and planted the seed for a story. A few years later, I wrote the novel, then buried it in a box in my closet when it didn’t get published right away. I returned to college to earn a degree in creative writing and eventually a PhD in literature, wondering if I’d ever reconnect with the stories in my head, the ones buried deep in my heart.

Then, in the summer of 2019, the Lord opened my heart to fall in love with writing all over again. And it has been my daily passion ever since. I pulled out the box and unburied the past. My new writing life was born.

I rewrote my first novel from scratch, then I wrote another novel, Texas Forsaken, as I waited for a YES from an agent or editor/publisher. After no’s from several of the biggest publishers (no’s because it wasn’t the right timing for a Civil War story or an Indian captive story), I felt like I was moving toward my goals at turtle speed.

 
But God had a plan. In His perfect timing, He threw open the doors for me to receive my first book contract in June 2023, four years from the time I fell in love with writing all over again. And when it finally happened, the Lord answered my prayers beyond my expectations!

If your book is part of a series: Did you set out to write a series? Why did you decide to write a series? My novella Wichita Path Sacrifice, which is included in Freed by the Frontier, is part of my Lone Star Redemption series. Even though it is the fourth book that I’ve published in the series, it is actually the prequel to Book One, Texas Forsaken. (It’s fine to read it out of order though.) My publisher asked me to write a series, and I’m thankful that they did. I love being able to write stories with interconnected characters and being able to show bits of my characters’ lives years down the road after they initially fell in love.

How do you come up with story lines? I love to draw my stories from real historical events and situations. Wichita Path Sacrifice (part of Freed by the Frontier) and Texas Forsaken are both inspired by real life captive stories.

Why do you write in your particular genre? I cherish history, and I love romance. And I desire to share my faith in my writing, so Christian historical romance is the perfect genre for me.

How do you celebrate when you finish a manuscript? My husband and I usually go out for a nice dinner, and I usually take a couple day off from writing before I begin editing.

What is your advice to fledgling writers? Don’t give up. Writing is a marathon. Sometimes you have

no clue how far away the finish line is. You have to pace yourself and keep running. You may trip, you may fall to your knees, but get up and keep going. Turn your race over to the Lord, and trust Him to see you through to the finish. Rejection is part of the career. Rejection is a chance to learn, and grow, and build your perseverance. Write, write, write, and join organizations like ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers, etc.). They offer loads of support. Writing can be a lonely business. I’ve been part of a ACFW critique group for the last five years, and they played a significant role in helping me to eventually get published. Finally, attend conferences and study the craft.

What writers or books have influenced you? Laura Frantz: Her books inspired me to fall in love with writing again and to start writing Christian historical romance. Lori Benton: Her Mountain Laurel and Shiloh books inspired me to write a story of redemption, second chances, and great love. In regards to craft, Susan May Warren’s The Story Equation is my go-to source.

What books are on your nightstand right now? Jamie Ogle’s Daughter of the Rebellion and Gabrielle Meyer’s The Lady of the Red River Valley.

What is your next project? This summer, I finished writing Texas Redeemed, the next story in my Lone Stare Redemption series. This book tells the story of Abigail McKenzie, a newspaper reporter, who writes a news story that gets a man killed. When the man’s brother, Indian agent Jake Cooper, shows up in her office to tell her that her story was based upon lies, she is determined to investigate and make amends. The last thing Jake needs is a city girl following him into Indian Country, putting herself and him in danger. Meanwhile, I’ve started writing the final book in the series, the love story of Little Star and Charlie.

About Freed by the Frontier:

Three remarkable women find themselves caught between two worlds on the American frontier. A captive of the Comanche must choose between escaping to white society or her growing feelings for a rising war chief in 1850s Texas. A Georgia judge’s daughter flees an unwanted betrothal during the War of 1812, only to be captured by Creek warriors but protected by a mysterious brave. And in 1754, an English lady traveling the Great Wagon Road to become a music teacher discovers her carefully planned future may not survive her attraction to a protective frontiersman.

From quaint civilized towns to treacherous mountain passes and wilderness villages, three couples navigate cultural divisions, overcome past wounds, and face deadly dangers to discover that love knows no boundaries. But as war clouds gather and ancient tribal alliances shift, will their newfound relationships survive the coming storm? Or will the clash of worlds tear them apart?

Three unforgettable romances prove that God's greatest blessings often come disguised as our greatest challenges, and that true love can bridge any divide.

Social Media Links: 
Website: https://sherryshindelar.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sherryshindelarauthor/
FB Author: https://www.facebook.com/historylitgirl/
Goodreads author page: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/134972322-sherry-shindelar
Bookbub author page: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/527022753

Author Bio:

Originally from Tennessee, Sherry Shindelar loves to take her readers into the past. She is an avid student of the Civil War and the Old West. When she is not busy writing, she is an English professor working to pass on her love of writing to her students. Sherry is an award-winning writer: 2023 Genesis finalist, Maggie finalist, and Crown finalist. She currently resides in Minnesota with her husband of over forty years. She has three grown children and three grandchildren. Connect with Sherry at http://www.sherryshindelar.com.

Photo credits:

Author photo and book images: Courtesy Sherry Shindelar

Writing: Pixabay/Pexels

Woman Running: Pixabay/Pexels

Wartime Wednesday: The Manhattan Project

Wartime Wednesday: The Manhattan Project

More than eighty years after the end of World War II, scholars and the general public still debate the usage of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. What was the atomic bomb, and how did it come about?

Well before World War II commenced, scientists around the globe explored the possibility of splitting an atom, the basic building block of all matter in the universe, to create a bomb. So small that millions could fit in the period at the end of this sentence, the theory seemed preposterous. Yet, scientists persisted, and in 1938 a group of scientists in Nazi Germany managed to split a uranium atom. Some of these scientists feared what Hitler might succeed in his pursuit of creating an atomic bomb and fled to the United States and Britain.

One of those in individuals was Albert Einstein, who only forty years prior had proven the existence of

an atom. In 1939, physicists Leo Szilard and Eugene Wigner convinced Einstein to write a letter to President Franklin Roosevelt expressing their knowledge of the work being done with nuclear fission and their concerns about the associated dangers. Roosevelt responded that “I found this data of such import that I have convened a Board consisting of the head of the Bureau of Standards and a chosen representative of the Army and Navy to thoroughly investigate the possibilities of your suggestion regarding the element of uranium.”

The research was slow rolled until December 6, 1941, the day after the attack at Pearl Harbor, when the president approved a reorganization and acceleration of a nuclear program under the newly formed Office of Scientific Research and Development. Initially named “Development of Substitute Materials” and headquartered in the Manhattan borough of New York City (hence the name of the project), the project eventually moved to three secret locations: Hanford, Washington; Los Alamos, New Mexico; and Oak Ridge, Tennessee (a town that didn’t appear on any maps).

Directed by General Leslie Groves of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in collaboration with Britain and Canada, the Manhattan Project employed more than 130,000 people at its peak and cost an estimated $2 billon (approximately $28B in 2024 values). J. Robert Oppenheimer directed the project in Los Alamos where the bomb was designed. The Tennessee location focused on producing enriched uranium while plutonium was produced in the world’s first industrial-scale nuclear reactors in Washington. By all reports, few of the employees knew the project’s end goal – to develop, test, and detonate an atomic weapon.

My knowledge of science is limited, and I scoured the internet to get a basic understanding of how atoms are split (hopefully, the Fed won’t look at my browsing history!). I still can’t grasp the concepts, but according to Britannica:

Nuclear fission is the division of a heavy atomic nucleus into two lighter nuclei of equal mass, a process

that releases a large amount of energy. Fission may occur spontaneously or be induced by the excitation of the nucleus with particles or electromagnetic radiation. The key is that during fission, a large quantity of energy is released, eventually starting a chain reaction. If controlled in a nuclear reactor the chain reaction can provide power. If uncontrolled (as in an atomic bomb), it can lead to a devastating explosion. Oppenheimer estimated the explosion of “the Gadget,” as he called it, would equal 300 tons of TNT. During the July 16, 1945 test, the explosion “packed a power of 15,000 tons of TNS (fifty times his prediction). The military was optimistic the power of the bomb would bring Japan to its knees now that the war with Germany had ended.

The science is still beyond my comprehension, and I will not put a stake in the ground as to whether dropping the bombs was the right answer. I wasn’t there. I will never have all the facts. But what does impress me are the scientific minds that wonder, theorize, and posit the “what ifs” in the universe.

What scientific concept do you wish you knew more about?

____________________

Danish Days, The Resistance Chronicles Book 5:

Can hearts filled with hate find love?

Near the end of the “second war to end all wars,” Norwegian American OSS agent Frida Westgard finds herself assigned to Denmark, of all places. Initially sent as a radio operator, she is then transferred to Copenhagen to collect intelligence. A job made more dangerous when she becomes entangled in local resistance activities led by the handsome man known only as Rejsende–traveler.

Stig Arenfeldt has hated the Germans for as long as he can remember, so when they invade and occupy his beloved Denmark, he jumps at the chance to join the resistance. Now, five years later, the war may finally be at an end, but he won’t quit until the last soldier is gone…or dead. Then he’s paired with the attractive American agent who preaches forgiveness. A concept that has no place in his life. Unfortunately, the more they’re together, the more her words infiltrate his soul, and he begins to dread the day she’ll walk out of his life.

Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/u/3LoGlw

Sources:
https://www.nps.gov/mapr/learn/manhattan-project.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhattan_Project
https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/topics/manhattan-project
https://www.osti.gov/opennet/manhattan-project-history/Events/1945/retrospect.htm
https://www.history.com/articles/the-manhattan-project
https://www.britannica.com/event/Manhattan-Project
https://ahf.nuclearmuseum.org/ahf/history/science-behind-atom-bomb/

Photo Credits:

Trinity Detonation: By United States Department of Energy - Trinity and Beyond: The Atomic Bomb Movie, Public Domain

Albert Einstein: By Oren Jack Turner - United States Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs division under the digital ID cph.3b46036. Public Domain

Lt. General Groves: By U.S. Army - Portrait of LTG Leslie R. Groves, Public Domain

Fission Illustration: Courtesy of Los Alamos National Laboratory

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome, Karen Ferguson

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome, Karen Ferguson!

I’m pleased to welcome Karen Ferguson to my blog today. A podcaster and children’s book authors, the next book in her Questions for Kids series will release next year.

Did you set out to write a series? Why did you decide to write a series? I did not set out to write a series. The inspiration behind my first children’s book, Guess How Much God Loves You, was my favorite book to read to my girls when they were young, Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney. I wanted kids to know how much God loves them, and I had a desire for some time to write a book that would point them to Jesus. This first book was the result of that. But as I was preparing my manuscript to send to publishers, I kept coming back to the need for biblical literacy in our culture, and how this book only scratched the surface of God’s plans, power, and love. So, with feedback from family and other writers, I mapped out what would become the Questions for Kids picture book series. A seven-book series that takes young readers on exciting adventures into the Bible to discover God’s never-changing, never-failing, and never-ending love.

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

choose and why? It would have to be Lucy’s puppy, Miss Rosie, who showed up in Book 3, Guess Why God Made the Rainbow. I’ve grown fond of animal stories lately, and had the privilege of writing one about my oldest daughter's Aussie Shepherd (something exciting coming soon on this!). I would love to see Miss Rosie, who is my youngest daughter’s rambunctious, lovable, and often-goofy Golden Retriever, have an adventure of her own.

What draws you to the time period about which you write? My life changed when I discovered the power of God’s Word. When I discovered I could stand on His Promises. Even though I grew up in the church, I went through a season of significant rebellion, which I believe was due in part to not understanding the truth and power of God’s Word. I learned some great lessons in Sunday School but was never encouraged to read the Bible. And there weren’t many lessons I remember that made the Bible relevant to what I was experiencing. I want to be a small part in helping children grow a love, trust, and deeper understanding of God’s Word to guide, help, and equip them throughout their lives. I want them to know God’s truth, so they can easily spot counterfeits. I feel this is especially important in the times we live in.

What is one thing you wish you could do? Well, I have no desire to be a screenwriter or TV producer, but I would imagine the entire process of producing a successful series fascinating. And I’m a big When Calls the Heart fan, so I would love to be on site and see a season rolled out from start to finish.

How do you celebrate when you finish a manuscript? So far, my celebration has been submitting each manuscript to my publisher! But I have been blessed with some fun ways of celebrating new books. Thanks in large part to my oldest daughter who loves celebrations! The one that stands out most to me, was an intimate gathering filled with themed cookies, decorations, games and special trinkets commemorating my new book!

What writers or books have influenced you? Ted Dekker and Frank Perretti were my favorite Christian fiction authors for a long time and inspired my desire to write. I did not read Christian fiction until I was an adult, and I was captivated by these author’s stories - ones of high-energy, edge of your seat suspense! More recently I’ve come to love Tamera Alexander, who writes historical fiction set close to where I live. And I must go back to one of my favorites from the beginning, Francine Rivers, who I had the privilege of meeting at a writer’s conference years ago!

What books are on your nightstand right now? I am one of those people who read multiple books at a time. I’ve questioned if this is the best way of reading, but I can’t seem to limit myself when it comes to books :) Right now, I have The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls series by M.J. Thomas on my nightstand. My daughter introduced me to this series, because my grandson loves it. I’m also working through Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell, Dream More by Dolly Parton, and an advance copy of So Much Better by Kaci Nicole Harlow.

What is your next project? This is an exciting question! I am currently working with an amazingly talented illustrator on a special new book coming soon through my daughter’s new publishing company, Glory Era Publishers. This book introduces the cutest, bravest animal hero for young readers and I will have much more to tell before Christmas. So be sure to sign up for my newsletter and be the first to know!

About the Questions for Kids Series: Through conversations between a little girl named Lucy and her grandfather, Ferguson tackles topics in her series, Questions for Kids, that make most children wonder.

Purchase Link: https://link.amazon/B0duZuOU5

About Karen:
Karen Ferguson is a writer, host of the 5-Minute Parenting podcast, and the author of the Questions for Kids picture book series. A lover of words, family, animals, and Jesus, Karen is a passionate advocate for truth that transforms lives. Her faith in God and background in K-8 education inspires her mission to share God’s unchangeable truths and unchanging love with the next generation. She wants every child to know their life matters. Karen is pleased to announce that Book 4 in the Questions for Kids series is scheduled to release in 2027 through Ambassador International. She also has a special book coming soon about an adorable and brave animal hero young readers will love. Be sure to follow Karen on social media and sign up for her newsletter to hear about special events, offers, and exciting book news.

Social Media: 

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/illuminatecommunications.org

Newsletter sign up: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/n5z4p0

Photo credits:

Author photo and book images: Courtesy Karen Ferguson

Stack of books: Pixabay/Wolfgang Eckert

Traveling Tuesday: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Traveling Tuesday: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

We visited Nova Scotia’s capital, Halifax, on one of the shore excursions while on our cruise in July 2026. Despite having an estimated population of almost 350,000 in its urban area, the city felt “homey.” During the bus rides between our three stops, we saw a plethora of gorgeous historic homes and buildings standing shoulder-to-shoulder with modern structures making for an interesting skyline.

Our first stop was at the Public Gardens, a 16- to 17-acre property that was “transformed into the urban oasis of today by the amalgamation of two adjoining gardens, a swampy piece of wasteland and a lovely bequest from an estate.”(1) Politician and journalist, Joseph Hale, founded The Nova Scotia Horticultural Society in 1836. The idea was “to advance the study of botany as well as the art of horticulture through the cultivation of new varieties of plants.”(2)

As the years passed, abutting plots were added to the original 5.5 acres. Entrances were added as were

fountains, fencing, the Gardener’s Lodge, concrete bridges, and the bandstand. Statuary and commemorative plaques (including two in honor of prominent women in the temperance movement) are scattered throughout the property. A small replica of the Titanic resides in Griffin Pond. The diversity is awe-inspiring, and according to our guide, there are plants and trees from every continent except Antarctica. The tropical and subtropical items are moved to a hothouse during the winter months. As of 2019, there were 131 different species of trees!

Our second stop was Fairlawn Cemetery where 121 Titanic victims are interred—the largest terrestrial resting place for the victims. The Catholic and Jewish cemeteries hold an additional thirty victims. Being the closest port with railway links, Halifax played a crucial role in the rescue and recovery during the tragedy. Two ships, CS McKay-Bennett and CS Minia were two of the White Star ships sent to recover victims. The headstones are made of dark granite and were purchased by the White Star Line. Many of the victims are unidentified, and their stones merely indicate a recovery number and date of death. The stones are laid out in three rows that curve slightly to represent the hull of a ship. A project to identify victims is ongoing. In addition to the Titanic section, there are Greek and Chinese sections, a mass grave for victims of the Halifax explosion, and military victims.

Our last stop was at the Citadel National Historic Site, and impressive hilltop fort that overlooks

Halifax Harbor. Home to the 78th Highlander and 3rd Brigade Royal Artillery, the fort was originally constructed in 1749, however, it is the third fort that is currently standing and named after King George III. The current five-shaped fortress was completed in 1856. Originally built as a defense against the Mi’kmaq, Acadians, and French, the fort also played an important role during the Seven Years’ War (in America – the French and Indian War), then against during America’s Revolutionary War. King George was concerned the Canadians would think independence was a great idea and join the colonialist. In 1812, additional soldiers were stationed there in case America decided to invade Canada.

The entrance was guarded by a Highlander who had to be roasting in his wool uniform. He never moved a muscle. While we were there, we witnessed the firing of the noon gun (cannon), and boy, was it something to behold. Loud! Later, we were treated to a bagpipe performance by some of the Highlanders. The Army Museum was informative with exhibits that covered the fort’s founding through its final role as the city’s anti-aircraft defense during World War II. The fort was designated a National Historic Site in 1935.

____________________

Danish Days, The Resistance Chronicles Book 5:

Can hearts filled with hate find love?

Near the end of the “second war to end all wars,” Norwegian American OSS agent Frida Westgard finds herself assigned to Denmark, of all places. Initially sent as a radio operator, she is then transferred to Copenhagen to collect intelligence. A job made more dangerous when she becomes entangled in local resistance activities led by the handsome man known only as Rejsende–traveler.

Stig Arenfeldt has hated the Germans for as long as he can remember, so when they invade and occupy his beloved Denmark, he jumps at the chance to join the resistance. Now, five years later, the war may finally be at an end, but he won’t quit until the last soldier is gone…or dead. Then he’s paired with the attractive American agent who preaches forgiveness. A concept that has no place in his life. Unfortunately, the more they’re together, the more her words infiltrate his soul, and he begins to dread the day she’ll walk out of his life.

Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/u/3LoGlw

Sources:
Notes from guided Halifax tour: July 20, 2026
https://novascotia.com/get-inspired/top-25/halifax-waterfront/
https://discoverhalifaxns.com/
https://www.halifax.ca/
https://www.halifaxpublicgardens.ca/history-of-the-gardens
https://www.halifax.ca/parks-recreation/parks-trails-gardens/municipal-cemeteries
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citadel_Hill_(Fort_George)
https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/ns/halifax

(1)(2): https://www.halifaxpublicgardens.ca/history-of-the-gardens

Photo Credits: All photos by Linda Shenton Matchett

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome David Mathews!

 

FUGITIVE OF FAITH

by David Mathews

I’m pleased to welcome David Mathews back to my blog. His upcoming release sounds fabulous and I’m anxious to start reading it. Grab a “cuppa” and learn more about David and Fugitive of Faith.

What was your motivation behind this project? In my nearly seven decades of living in the United States, I've witnessed the exponential erosion of religious freedoms. Government authority, according to Romans 13, is supposed to be a force ordained by God for good and a terror and deterrent to evil. However, it is rapidly becoming a means of silencing the voice of truth in our society. The question, “What should be the Christian's response to an authority that no longer protects good but promotes evil?” is at the heart of this novel.

What do you hope readers will gain from this story? By exploring what many believe are the legitimate options available, I hope to steer the reader toward the biblical response to corrupt legislation and governmental control. God has a lot to say about the Christian's responsibility as well as response to those in authority who make demands that often contradict the truths of Scripture and the believer's personal convictions. Our attitudes and responses to such authority say a lot about what we really believe. They also impact our effectiveness as salt and light in this corrupt world as we seek to point people to Christ.

How were you personally impacted by working on this book? The idea came to me as I was

contemplating the life of the Apostle Peter and his reactions to Jesus' arrest in the garden—fighting back and denying he knew the Lord—and I began to wonder what a modern day Simon Peter might look like. I wrote the manuscript in the pandemic months leading up to the contentious 2020 presidential election. During that time, I was challenged to review and evaluate my own attitudes and reactions to the God-given civil authorities in my life, especially when that leadership contradicts God's authority. Do I speak up or remain silent? Do I get involved, and if so, how? Am I only criticizing those in authority, or am I praying for them as commanded by God? I think this will be an on-going work of grace in my life!

Who are your influences, sources of inspiration or favorite authors/artists? Some of my greatest influences and sources of inspiration are:

• Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, and the other 3 missionaries who lost their lives trying to reach a violent people group with the gospel of Christ;
• Corrie and Betsy ten Boom, who remained confident in their Savior's love even while in a Nazi concentration camp;
• Randy Alcorn, whose books Safely Home, If God is Good, and Heaven continue to challenge me to remain faithful to my Lord, no matter what;
• Ron Hamilton, whose songs "Rejoice in the Lord" and "How Can I Fear With Jesus?" speak to my heart each time I hear them.

What else would you like readers to know: Set in contemporary post-modern California, and witnessed through the eyes of a San Francisco pastor, this novel explores the Christian's reaction and responsibility to bad legislation and ungodly authority as defined by the eternal truths of God's Word. Hang on to your seats! Once you begin reading, you're in for the roller coaster action-packed adventure of a lifetime. Follow Pastor Pete Holloway as he explores different ways of responding to the crisis, some with near-fatal results, but all with lasting consequences. You'll find yourself saying, “Just one more chapter!”

___________________________  

BOOK BLURB: What happens when speaking the truth becomes illegal?

EXCERPT FROM FUGITIVE OF FAITH:
“Suddenly, from somewhere behind him, the faint sound of a helicopter assaulted his ears. He instinctively turned and looked up-stream. The police were apparently conducting an air search as well as a ground search. And here he was fully exposed in the middle of the river!

Swimming with all his might, he made for the bank and dragged himself out of the water. He sprinted across the rocks and threw himself into the undergrowth just as the bird rounded the bend above the distant tree line. As the chuka-chuka-chuka-chuka of the blades grew louder, Pete looked around, desperate for a hiding place. His military training told him there was probably a thermal-imaging camera on board, so he needed some deep cover fast. Scrambling up the slope, he spied a large, standing sequoia about forty feet away with a small gap at the base. He raced toward the tree and squeezed through the opening. The space inside was barely large enough for his six-foot frame. Lord, You once made blind eyes see. Now would You please make seeing eyes blind?”

Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEcyXeWjkDA&t=13s  

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

https://www.davidjmathews.com
davidmathews.author@yahoo.com
https://www.facebook.com/davidmathews.author
https://www.amazon.com/stores/David-Mathews/author/B07G3K4S4K
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/david-mathews

Photo Credits:

Author and book cover images: Courtesy David Mathews

Ballot Box: Pixabay/Planet Fox

San Francisco Houses: Pixabay

Movie Monday: The Great Lie

Movie Monday: The Great Lie

This year, I’ve been highlighting movies during the anniversary of their release month, and I’d initially planned to talk about the 1946 film, Deception, starring Bette Davis, Paul Henreid, and Claude Rains. However, I had the delightful opportunity to interview Curator Emeritus, Dick Alberini, of the Littleton (NH) Historical Museum for my YouTube channel, and the town has a special association with another of Bette’s films, The Great Lie. Hence, today’s post.

According to IMDB The Great Lie's plot is “After a newlywed’s husband apparently dies in a plane crash, she discovers that her rival for his affections is pregnant by him.” The movie is actually a bit more robust than that. Based on the novel January Heights by Polan Banks, a Sandra Kovak, concert pianist and Peter Van Allen, an aviator, marry on impulse while he’s more than a bit drunk, then find out the marriage is invalid because her divorce had not been finalized. He turns around and weds his “old flame” Maggie Patterson, then sets out to Brazil on a business trip. When his aircraft is reported missing, he is presumed dead. (Spoiler alert: nope)

Mary Astor plays Sandra, George Brent pays Peter, and Bette Davis is Maggie, the old flame. At some

point Sandra realizes she pregnant, and Maggie gets word of the situation. She proposes that she be allowed to raise the child in exchange for providing financial support for Sandra. Sandra agrees, has the child, then heads out on a world tour. Then to Maggie’s surprise, Peter arrives home, and she tells him about “their” son – The Great Lie. Eventually, Sandra returns and throws a wrench in the works by taunting Maggie. Things get ugly fast but eventually work out in the end. I’ll let you watch to see how.

Astor won an Oscar for her role with many critics and audience members claiming she stole the spotlight from Davis who was known for commandeering scenes and “skirmishes” with other actresses. In an interview later, Ms. Astor would say, “People have said I stole the picture from Bette…that’s sheer nonsense. She handed it to me on a silver platter.” One source posited, “Mary Astor knew as well as anyone that no one could steal a scene from Bette Davis unless she allowed it.”

The film has been written off by some as “sentimental fluff,” but I disagree. There is lots of tension, and as one site put it, “The Great Lie at first glance, {may} be your standard old-school melodrama. And yes, the premise leans toward the hokey. But look closer, and you’ll find a surprisingly thoughtful study of gender dynamics in 1940s America. It’s not just about love and rivalry; it’s about women navigating emotional and moral dilemmas within the boundaries society has placed around them.”

So, what is the connection between the film and Littleton, New Hampshire (of all places)? Turns out

Bette spent many happy years there. Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, she was a New Englander through and through, so after she became a successful (and wealthy) actress, she purchased a getaway in the mountains of New Hampshire in the tiny hamlet of Sugar Hill. It was there she met her second husband, Arthur Farnsworth. She headed to the house she named Butternut whenever she needed a break from the chaos and stress from her Hollywood life. Tragically, Arthur died only a few years later because falling down the stairs at the house.

Littleton was where she was happiest, and when it came time for the premiere for The Great Lie, she insisted the gala be held in New Hampshire, not Hollywood. To top it off, proceeds from the ticket sales went to benefit the local hospital. The event coincided with her 33rd birthday, and residents could pay $1.50 to attend.

Bette continued to visit Butternut after Arthur’s death, but her trips became less frequent, and she eventually sold the property. Despite the more than seventy-five years since her last visit, she still holds a special place in Littleton’s heart.

________________

Danish Days, The Resistance Chronicles Book 5:

Can hearts filled with hate find love?

Near the end of the “second war to end all wars,” Norwegian American OSS agent Frida Westgard finds herself assigned to Denmark, of all places. Initially sent as a radio operator, she is then transferred to Copenhagen to collect intelligence. A job made more dangerous when she becomes entangled in local resistance activities led by the handsome man known only as Rejsende–traveler.

Stig Arenfeldt has hated the Germans for as long as he can remember, so when they invade and occupy his beloved Denmark, he jumps at the chance to join the resistance. Now, five years later, the war may finally be at an end, but he won’t quit until the last soldier is gone…or dead. Then he’s paired with the attractive American agent who preaches forgiveness. A concept that has no place in his life. Unfortunately, the more they’re together, the more her words infiltrate his soul, and he begins to dread the day she’ll walk out of his life.

Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/u/3LoGlw

Sources:
Conversation with Dick Alberini, Curator Emeritus, Littleton Historical Museum
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Lie
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033677/
https://melanienovak.com/2021/02/17/the-great-lie-bette-cedes-the-spotlight/
https://diaryofamoviemaniac.wordpress.com/2015/06/08/the-great-lie-1941/
https://hookedonhouses.net/2016/01/14/bette-davis-beloved-butternut-farm-new-hampshire/
https://www.nhmagazine.com/weve-got-bette-daviss-plaque/
https://www.nhmagazine.com/bette-davis-eyes-sugar-hill-2/

Photo Credits:

Movie Poster: By IMDB, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php

Fiction Friday: New Releases in Christian Fiction

October 2026 New Releases
More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website

Children’s/Middle-Grade Chapter Books:

Charly’s Volcano by Lorisa D. Wiedenheft -- It’s the fall of 1993 in small-town North Carolina. Twelve-year-old Charly is in seventh grade and excited to be in junior high. But then her best friends start trying new things. Wya joins the basketball team, and June decides to be a cheerleader. Charly feels left out and can’t shake the anger simmering inside her. One minute she’s fine, and the next she’s blowing up at the people she cares about most. (Children’s/Middle Grade, Independently Published)

Contemporary Romance:

Falling into Us by Denise Hunter -- When a reluctant woman travels to Gibson, NC to deliver her late mother’s final letter to the grandmother she’s never known, she strikes a deal with a widowed journalist seeking a career-making story—only to discover that healing old wounds might require risking their hearts. (Contemporary Romance from Thomas Nelson Fiction [HarperCollins])

The Baker of Christmas Wishes by Georgia Curtis Ling -- Sarah Baker is about to find out if her grandmother’s folklore is really just a recipe—or something more. They say Christmas Wishing Cookies carry prayers straight to heaven, but for Sarah, they reveal a secret she never saw coming. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Not So Very Sensible by Carolyn Miller -- Elinor and Katie Bennett are as opposite as sisters can be: Elinor loves structure, planning and design, while Katie’s head is in the clouds as she chases fanciful, romantic dreams. A college graduation trip to the Blue Mountains sees them staying at the Hydro Grand hotel for a murder mystery weekend. There, they end up meeting two men who just might hold the keys to their hearts—taking the sensible Elinor Bennett by surprise while crushing the romantic Katie’s hopes. . .and proving that the path of love doesn’t always follow one's plans or dreams. (Contemporary Romance from Barbour Publishing)

The Pastor’s Christmas Prayer by Mindy Obenhaus -- Returning to Legacy Ranch with his two young daughters, widowed youth pastor Jonathon Bauer is delighted to find his first love, Meredith Hunt, is one of the owners. When Jonathon and Meredith are thrown together to oversee the annual Christmas Under the Stars event at the ranch, past affections stir between them. But Meredith has been keeping a secret since they were teens—one that she must reveal if she and Jonathon are ever to have a future together. Will the truth tear them apart…or give them everything they’ve always dreamed of? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

More Than Enough by Krystina Renae Rankin -- Teacher and former foster care youth Isabelle and pastor and single father Dustin learn to heal and love again. (Contemporary Romance from Quirky Bullpen Press)

The Sweetest Thing About You by Alyssa Schwarz -- She’s been looking for somewhere to belong for ten years. He’s been running away from the only place he ever had. Two plane tickets. One month. And one Maple Lake bakery about to remind them both what home actually feels like. (Contemporary Romance from Sunrise Publishing)

Crazy for Christmas by Penny Zeller -- It’s Christmas in Cloverdale Falls! Take a trip to the town you’ll want to become a resident of in this hilarious installment, perfect for the Christmas season and beyond. She’s an extrovert who loves Christmas. He’s an officer who loves law and order. And there’s a Corgi. (Contemporary Romance from Maplebrook Publishing)

Contemporary Suspense:

The Glades by Angela Hunt -- A dual-time novel about the consequences of man's hubris in the Everglades. Billionaire’s wife Katherine Armstrong is planning a quiet birthday weekend on her private island in the Everglades—just her children and her two closest friends, far from the cameras, her husband, and the noise of her public life. Then the storm comes. By morning, the power is gone. The water is off. The mainland is unreachable. And in the mangrove shadows beyond her mansion in the mangroves, an apex predator circles. What was meant to be a retreat becomes a trap. (Contemporary Suspense from Hunt Haven Press)

Cozy Mystery:

Fatal Impulse by Janet Sketchley -- When a newly-discovered corpse could be a neighbouring teen's runaway mom, can Landon prove the secretive woman is still alive? Landon Smith doesn’t dare investigate. Juggling intense university courses, a fledgling romance, and an empty bed and breakfast, the twenty-four-year-old trauma survivor is fighting for her dreams. Yet her heart breaks for the hurting teen who’s convinced his mother is the body in the woods. For his sake, she’ll dig into the secretive woman’s abrupt flight. But when the missing persons case ties into the murder, Landon fears she’s placed herself on the villain’s hit list. (Cozy Mystery, Independently Published)

General Contemporary:

Letting Go of Perfect by Janell Goodrich York -- When Olivia moves with her two children to a small town, she hopes to find her footing, finish her degree, and give her family the fresh start they need, but what she doesn't expect is a community determined to make her one of their own. (General Contemporary from Scrivenings Press)

A Bookshop for Christmas by Heidi Chiavaroli -- When Brooke’s beloved grandparents die unexpectedly, their final wish brings her scattered family back to Hope Creek, including Jeremiah, the boy she once loved—the same boy who abandoned them when the Chilton clan disintegrated years ago. Despite the long-held grudges and awkward secrets that kept them all apart, Brooke and Jeremiah convince the Chilton cousins to help honor their grandparents’ last request: to take the old church they saved from destruction and turn it into a bookshop that will serve their beloved community. And to do it all before Christmas. But repurposing the church building may be easier than healing the deep wounds that tore their family apart. (General Contemporary from Hope Creek Publishers LLC)

Mercy’s Rose by Delores Topliff -- Mercy’s Rose invites readers to join a young Amish woman’s journey as she struggles to help her family through a medical crisis while respecting the confines of her community’s faith. This is a sweet coming of age story that allows Mercy to grow into the right love and the right role for her through discernment and faith. (General Contemporary from TrueNorth)

Historical Biblical:

Unwavering Heart: The Story of Rebekah by Angela Hunt -- When Rebekah is offered a marriage to Isaac--heir to wealthy and well-respected Abraham--she leaves behind the only world she has known and ventures into the sunbaked lands of Canaan. (Historcial/Biblical from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])

Historical Romance:

Mail-Order Lady by Misty M. Beller -- Five sons of an English duke, all raised in the Rocky Mountains… She agreed to a safe, sensible marriage. He agreed because she already holds his heart. From a USA Today bestselling author comes a royal family saga featuring a marriage of convenience, unrequited love, and a family mystery that spans continents…all set in the rugged Montana Territory. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

Loyalty’s Pursuit by Shannon McNear -- August 1780. After the Battle of Camden leaves British camp follower Bess Eaton widowed, expecting a child, and stranded in enemy territory, she faces two impossible choices: a return to an England that offers her nothing...or marriage to a stranger before the army marches on without her. Backcountry loyalist Rob MacFarlane has already buried a wife and son and has no intention of risking his heart again. But he can't ignore the vulnerable widow in his path. What begins as an act of duty quickly becomes something far more complicated when he offers Bess protection—and a name. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)

Romantic Suspense:

Coordinates of Death by Darlene L. Turner A police officer will do anything to catch the serial killer that got away—even if it means playing a deadly game in the icy wilderness. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Deadly Charade by Lynette Eason and Kelly Underwood -- One wrong move and their cover is blown. So their charade sparking real feelings is the last twist they can afford. Special Agent Kira Miller's new career at the FBI has started--in translations. It's not the opportunity she was hoping for to show off her skills, until she detects a lead in some paperwork. Now assigned an undercover role, she's in her element as she gathers intel on an art smuggling ring. She's daunted not by the mission but by her cover--posing as a married woman to the fake husband she met less than twenty-four hours earlier. Special Agent Bryce Lambert's assignment to go undercover as a newlywed couple with Kira has the two of them moving next door to the prime suspects, and a relationship is the last thing he wants, fake or real. With secret auctions and hidden treasures, there's plenty to keep them busy--if only they can play the part their lives and careers depend upon while keeping their own hearts in check. (Romantic Suspense from Revell [Baker Publishing Group])

Speculative: Soft Science Fiction and Romantic Fantasy:

The Prodigy and the Telepath by Kenneth Bliss -- After burying his adoptive mother, thirteen-year-old psionic prodigy Eric D'Tra'val discovers that the voices of rage and despair filling his mind are something far more dangerous than grief. (Speculative/Soft Science Fiction, Independently Published)

Violet Fly by Demi Griffin -- Rescued by a Mystic with no memory of his life prior to the event that should have ended it, Siaran becomes the ward of Prince Enris. He matures into a young man with all the privilege and protection of the Emerald Palace while the kingdom is ravaged by enemies. Life in the palace on the mountain should have been peaceful. The disappearance of the king’s firstborn child haunts the corridors and hearts of the royal family. With the Cerulean Rose wilting, the kingdom’s divine protection falters. Siaran is desperate to do something to help. An unsanctioned departure from the palace takes him on an adventure that brings the legend of the Violet Fly to life, making him the hero the kingdom needs. Wrestling with the unknowns of his past, Siaran’s restless soul leads to his captivity. Only one thing can save him - the woman he mistook for an enemy. (Speculative/Romantic Fantasy, Independently Published)

Western Historical Romance:

The Heart’s Most Wanted by Mary Connealy -- When a mysterious threat follows their every step, can two wounded hearts find refuge and love? With outlaws, a rugged hero, and a spirited heroine, Mary Connealy presents another action-packed Old West historical romance. For fans of second chance romance, frontier journeys, and hijinks in the Colorado wilderness. (Western Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])

Young Adult: Into the Crashing Waves by Stephanie Cardel -- After Dante Edmonds is torn from his foster dad and the girl he loves and sent to juvie for a crime he didn’t commit, he is forced to escape and assume a new identity. But he doesn’t want a life on the run. HE WANTS REVENGE. (Young Adult from WordCrafts Press)

Edges & Other Hard Things by Lauren Thell -- A teen artist with a sensory disorder and a high-strung boy photographer hiding a dangerous secret collide in this sweet, faith-based YA romance. (Young Adult, Independently Published)


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

Murder at Crayfish Cove by Suzie Peace Pybus -- Hester receives an empty envelope in the post, follows it to Crayfish Cove and finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation. (Cozy Mystery)

Just Grace by Kimberly Banet -- Two families. One long-held secret. Only God’s grace can heal them when they collide. (General Contemporary)

The Seafaring Women of the Faithful by Susan Page Davis and James S. Davis -- Captain Alice Packard and her all-female crew face danger, uncertainty, and a fight for their future when the Vera B reaches England, forcing them to rely on faith, courage, and one another both on land and at sea. (General Historical)

Moonshine River by Marie Wells Coutu -- She'll break the law to save her mother. He'll uphold it to save her soul. (Historical Romance)

Vision of My Heart by Heidi Gray McGill -- Blinded by smallpox and guarded against pity, Serafina Shankel never expects a steady Irish horseman named Connor Finnegan to unlock a love built on trust, patience, and a way of seeing that has nothing to do with sight. (Historical Romance)

The Lost Warrior of Noridge by Demi Griffin -- His life was a mistake. Her love had to remain hidden. Would their united faith shine bright enough to save their world? (Speculative/Romantic Fantasy)

As the World Burns by Aaron Ryan -- For the Earth to survive, one father must sacrifice his only son. (Speculative/Science Fiction)