Showing posts with label #christianfiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #christianfiction. Show all posts

Friday, September 4, 2026

Fiction Friday: New Releases in Christian Fiction

 

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

Amish Romance:
Her Amish Christmas Rescue by Amy Grochowski -- For years, Rose Burkholder has lived in the shadow of a family tragedy. But one snowy day, she strays from her usual path and aids an injured deer in the woods. And comes face-to-face with a ferocious wolf! Forest steward Lukas Brenneman rescues her in the nick of time, just before a winter storm strands them at her family’s house. As Christmas approaches, Rose’s matchmaking grandmother and aunt conspire to push them together. And Rose and Lukas will have to find the courage to reach for the future they both truly want? An Amish Red Riding Hood retelling in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. (Amish Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Contemporary Romance:


Lighting Up Christmas by Amy R. Anguish -- Four Christmas romances. Four glowing displays. One season bright with hope. In Lighting Up Christmas, four heartwarming novellas shine with small-town charm, clean romance, and the gentle reminder that God can bring light to even the dimmest places. (Contemporary Romance from Scrivenings Press)

Autumn’s Grace by Julie Arduini -- A former teacher and a burned-out tech producer find healing, purpose, and unexpected love in Dogwood Creek, Tennessee. A teacher without a classroom. A tech producer without a stage. A story about finding purpose again. (Contemporary Romance Novella, Independently Published)

For the Love of a Child by Lee Carver -- Celeste vowed never to marry again, but she would do anything to save the life of her child. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

The One Who Felt Like Home by Tammy Karasek -- The One Who Felt Like Home serves up humor, adventure, friendship, and obstacles aplenty keeping this couple apart and is a story showing us how God is always in the details, we only need to get out of His way. (Contemporary Romance Novella, Independently Published)

The Mistletoe Baby by Heidi Main -- They both long for a true home—can the holidays bring opposites together? Saving his family’s Texas ranch is former bull rider Reggie Evermore’s Christmas wish. And he’s sure socialite Natalie Patterson can help him plan the perfect event to bring in cash. Pregnant, recently divorced and ready to prove her independence, Natalie needs a paycheck and a place to stay. So she accepts Reggie’s job offer. But planning a fundraiser is harder than attending them! When Reggie learns the truth, he’s less than happy. Can they work through their differences to transform the ranch and give love a chance to grow? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

An Irish Hope by Carolyn Miller -- Aisling Fairall has a big personality and a big heart. But lately she's been feeling a little lost and wondering what to do with her life. Until a mysterious uninvited guest at a family wedding helps her see that maybe she's not quite on her own, after all. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Who Names the Stars by Deborah Raney -- Raised on neighboring ranches in the beautiful Flint Hills of Kansas, Wrenlee Harper and August McClure are divided by shared tragedy and stubborn pride, both fighting to save the land their grandparents worked. When disaster strikes, an unexpected partnership seems their only hope—but risking unmended fences and wounded hearts could cost them everything. (Contemporary Romance from Raney Day Press)

Sing With Me by Rena Bell Yeager -- Sledgehammer is on top of the charts with his crude music and finds Angela’s song on her streaming site and instantly wants her to sing with him. Angela is a small-town worship leader with no desire for fame and steadfastly says no. When their worlds collide, will they explode, or unite? (Contemporary Romance from Pixley Knob Press)

Cozy Mystery:


Murder Goes Flying by Malissa Chapin -- She'd rather conduct a symphony than investigate sabotage. But when family loyalty takes flight, can she ground a killer before they strike again? (Cozy Mystery, Independently Published)

General Contemporary:


House of Wind by Laura DeNooyer -- Not all abuse leaves bruises. Not all prisons have bars. Wendi Burkham lives in an emotional prison she unwittingly walked into. Nobody understands, and her captor holds the keys. Married to a respected pastor, Wendi lives a life others admire--with two children and a home that reflects faith, stability, and love. But behind closed doors, Wendi is trapped in a cycle of control, manipulation, and emotional abuse no one else can see--and no one would believe. How do you escape when no one thinks you need to? (General Contemporary, Independently Published)

General Historical:


Birth of a Warrior by Elmer Fuller -- In the rugged hills of ancient Judah, seventeen-year-old Benaiah lives under a cloud of shame. When Amalekite raiders attacked his village, he saved his sister but lost his mother and brothers. Now his father has abandoned him, and the village whispers that he's a coward. The mockery of Natan, a powerful warrior, makes each day a fresh humiliation. When King Saul calls men to war against the Philistines, Benaiah sees his chance to silence the doubters. (General Historical, Independently Published)

Historical Romance:


The Marquess’s Masked Archer by Abbey Downey -- When Cleveland society parades debutante Sylvie Bryce before another string of unsuitable suitors, she secretly claims the one thing no one can arrange for her-a life of her own. Hidden beneath a green velvet hood and emerald mask, she becomes the mysterious Lady Robin, a daring trick-shot archer who captivates the crowds at Cedar Point resort. It's the one place where Sylvie answers to no one. The last thing she needs is a charming English marquess threatening to unravel everything she has worked so hard to build. A richly atmospheric Gilded Age romance brimming with wit, hidden identities, and the tender courage it takes to love without pretense-a tale of a sharp-shooting socialite, a science-minded lord, and the summer of secrets that will change them both forever. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)

Every Given Day by Cathy Gohlke -- Inspired by true events, Christy Hall of Fame author Cathy Gohlke delivers a powerful new historical novel weaving together the discovery of insulin—a breakthrough that revolutionized modern medicine—and one woman’s brave fight to cling to her family and hope against unspeakable odds. (Historical Romance from Tyndale House)

Sabotage Games by Danielle Grandinetti -- LAKE PLACID, N.Y., 1932—Sports journalist Emma Hancock can’t wait to highlight the female athletes at the III Olympic Winter Games, including the historic speed skating demonstration. However, she refuses to limit herself to fragile stereotypes—even when her male colleagues slam the press room door in her face. After a federal agent warns her of a plot brewing, she turns her gift for following a story thread toward uncovering a conspiracy that could turn the Winter Games into a tragedy. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

The Undercover Heir by Dawn Kinzer -- A spirited heiress and a mysterious gardener work together to create a successful teahouse in 1920s Seattle, but more is at stake than serving a good cup of tea. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

A Whim and a Prayer by Julie Lessman -- Former orphans who are best friends hit snags in their relationship when he falls in love with her and wants more than friendship. She’s a former orphan desperate to protect her heart. He’s a best friend who protects her from the start. Till prayer protects them both from a true love torn apart. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

Swedish Sunrise by Linda Shenton Matchett -- Espionage. Diplomacy. Resistance. Is there any room for love? Weeks after being accepted into America’s Office of Strategic Services, Birgit Westgard finds herself in Stockholm, Sweden - “Casablanca of the North.” The job is supposed to be easy: typing and filing. Then her handsome boss taps her to be his “plus-one” at social events where they collect intelligence, plant propaganda, and dance the nights away. How much longer can she remain impervious to his charm? (Historical Romance from Shortwave Press)

Whispering Hope by Cindy Kay Stewart -- An American journalist in WWII France risks her life to expose the truth and help Allied soldiers escape — and loses her heart to the daring man leading them to freedom. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

Twelve Days and Twelfth Night by Sarah Sundin -- World War II USO director Maggie Oliver must quickly organize a Christmas show, enlisting former Hollywood star Prescott Duke, who’s searching for new purpose after career-ending injuries. As they work together, Maggie and Prescott navigate their growing feelings while trying to reunite a young sailor with his lost love and save Maggie’s grandfather’s home. (Historical Romance from Revell [Baker Publishing Group])

Mystery/Suspense/Thriller:


Shadowing You by Robin Patchen -- When the wife he believed dead calls from China, an ER doctor races to find her before her enemies silence her forever. (Mystery/Suspense, Independently Published)

David’s Debt by Urcelia Teixeira -- He came to collect. His final payment was murder. A smooth-talking salesman rolls into the small coastal town of Weyport with a coded list of debts and a long memory. Nobody gives him a second thought. Until the man turns up dead in a motel room. At first glance it looks like a heart that simply gave out. Then Sheriff Angus Reid hears the anonymous call that reported the body. And everything changes—he knows her voice. (Mystery/Suspense – Police Procedural, Independently Published)

Romantic Suspense:


Watched by Jerusha Agen -- Robert Weston became a psychiatrist to heal people’s minds. He can’t lose his. But if the strange occurrences of forgetfulness and confusion continue, he may not be able to hide the truth much longer. When his psychological issues put his life in danger, he must face the reality that the genetic nightmare he fears inheriting has seized him. Attorney Monty Montgomery doesn’t trust Robert Weston. His expert testimony once ruined her client’s case. She didn’t realize the psychiatrist wasn’t only wrong but also completely unreliable. How can she defend him against a malpractice suit for the insurance company that hired her when he’s clearly incompetent? Robert and Monty have bigger problems than they know. Someone has a mission. A mission that won’t be stopped until somebody ends up dead. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)

Amish Country Witness by Meghan Carver -- A woman on the run… An enemy on her trail. Halie Mae Hochstetler’s quiet life in witness protection falls apart when she witnesses her uncle’s murder by the mafia. Now she’s a loose end that the mob is determined to tie up. Forced to run, she puts her life in the hands of Amish widower Daniel Beiler. As Halie Mae unravels buried family secrets, Daniel helps her piece together a daring plan for justice in their fight to survive. But with merciless killers determined to make Halie Mae their next victim, staying alive may be just out of reach… (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired Suspense [Harlequin])

Fatal Encore by Jennifer Chastain -- A country music superstar. A K-9 officer with a haunted past. A stalker determined to silence the music forever. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)

Sanctuary and Sabotage by Lori DeJong -- The greatest threat isn’t the enemy outside—it’s the secrets between them. Protection Specialist Trevor Paxton returns to his Texas hometown carrying the weight of a mission gone wrong. Seeking sanctuary at his family’s ranch, he never expects danger to follow him into the life of Dr. Kinsley Talbot, the once-freckled tomboy now fighting to save her family’s land and the veterinary clinic that is her future. (Romantic Suspense from Screenings Press)

Disguised Deception by Rebecca Lake -- Ten years ago, Payton Donovan left Garnet Falls, Montana, with a broken heart and no intention of looking back. Her twin sister had severed their bond. Her boyfriend had chosen her best friend. Her dream internship had vanished. The town that once felt like home had become the place that took everything. But then that former best friend disappears, and Payton is pulled back to the town she'd spent a decade trying to forget A clean romantic suspense novel filled with small-town danger, deadly deception, shattered trust, and a second chance at love. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)

Alaskan Survival Threat by Megan Short -- Park Ranger Helena Nikolaou’s assignment takes a deadly turn when she sees a body drop from a helicopter — and she suddenly comes under fire. Ambushed on a remote Alaskan island, she’s saved by US Coast Guard rescue swimmer Cody Hannigan. Only, the assailants won’t give up easily. With danger trailing their every move, Helena and Cody are forced through unforgiving terrain to retrieve evidence linked to a sinister conspiracy. But as they fight to stay one step ahead of killers determined to silence them, one wrong move could cost them their lives. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired Suspense [Harlequin])

Deadly Schemes by Penny Zeller -- An elaborate plan. A get-rich scheme. A deadly outcome. (Romantic Suspense from Maplebrook Publishing)

Speculative/Romantic Fantasy:


A Peasant’s Sorrow by Demi Griffin -- Ayris envisioned a refined existence, one befitting the daughter of a royal scribe. When death not only robbed her of her father but thrust her into a life of poverty, her dreams shattered. Condemned to a peasant's existence, she had no say in the matter when asked to surrender her own future for that of the future king. Given the imminent danger of assassins targeting the Esilion royals, Prince Zarulias was compelled to obey the general. He had to disappear until the danger had passed. The situation worsened when the strategy demanded he masquerade as a husband. His chosen bride, the one they selected for him, was a simple peasant girl hardly worthy of the role. Forced to rely on one another, would Ayris and Zarulias expose a far-reaching conspiracy threatening the kingdom? Was their union a strategic move for their own survival, or was it orchestrated by the Holy One as part of a grander plan? (Speculative/Romantic Fantasy, Independently Published)

Western Romance:


Clara’s Courage by Jill Dewhurst -- When Clara's mysterious disappearance leads to months of captivity aboard a bride ship, Josiah's unwavering faith that she is still alive culminates in an unexpected reunion, a marriage of convenience, and a dangerous journey to protect a dying woman's legacy and bring Clara safely home. (Western Romance, Independently Published)

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

Secret Exposure by B.A. Hawley -- A cross-cultural teen begins a new life at boarding school, but old secrets—those of her mom and others—soon find her. (Reading age 10-14). (Children’s/Middle Grade)

Wait for Me by Roger E. Bruner -- Wisconsin, 1931—Wait for Me is a novel within a novel about childhood sweethearts who, as adult lovers, are separated by a tragic event that only love and trust can bridge. (Contemporary Romance)

Treading Water: Barely Above Water by Gail Pallotta -- Treading Water: Barely above Water, revised edition, which introduces promising treatments for Lyme disease, is as much about Suzie Morriss's faith as the romance, illness and job that steals Suzie's heart. (Contemporary Romance)

A King’s Dilemma by Demi Griffin -- Torn from his opulent palace life as a child, Prince Coeden never envisioned a future as the ruler of Fragalia. The path laid out for him as the second-born son was one of quiet satisfaction and a life unburdened by great expectation. A foretold prophecy shifted Coeden’s path, positioning him as a significant threat to the sinister powers that loomed over Arland. (Speculative/Medieval Fantasy)

Goldie: A Wild Ridge Novella by Alyssa Schwarz -- A disgraced actress on the run. A guarded rancher with everything to lose. And a mail-order bride who never meant to fall in love. (Western Romance)

Thursday, September 3, 2026

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Sarah Hanks!

Talkshow Thursday: A Guest Post by Sarah Hanks 


Braving Red Waters
, the third book in my Time Sailors series recently released. This series offers a unique twist on time travel and is full of faith and historical adventure. Braving Red Waters features the USS Red Rover, the first fully outfitted hospital steamboat in the Civil war. Phoebe is a competent but less-than-compassionate nurse in modern-day who time-sails to Civil War St. Louis where the Red Rover is being converted into a hospital ship. She ends up nursing wounded Union soldiers on the steamboat and learning about tenderness and compassion in the process. And she meets Miles, who I introduced in book 2. He’s a time-sailor as well, but he has no intention of returning to his original time in 2001. He’s avoided boats for years, not wanting to risk leaving his new home in 1800s St. Louis. Phoebe and Miles hit it off and bond over Pop Rocks and Friends references. Think you know where this is going? You may be right… or not. You’ll have to read to find out.

How does time-sailing work? Here’s what we know by book 3:
 
  • Time sailing is time travel from one boat to another boat in the past.
  • It’s initiated by touching an antique mailbox on board a boat. If a person gets a shock, then travels up or down stairs or an elevator, he or she time-sails to the past.
  • The time-sailor can communicate with friends and family in modern day through the mailbox onboard. There will be a matching mailbox on both boats.
  • The time-sailor must complete a mission before she can return to modern-day.
  • However, no one can tell her what that mission is. She must figure it out. The time sailor cannot change history books, or she’ll die in both times.
  • There is a time sailor guide in the 1800s named Dr. Duncan. He explains what’s happening to time sailors and provides nominal help in discovering and completing their mission. Everyone descended from Dr. Duncan is drawn to time sailors.
  • In order to return to present-day after completing a mission, the time-sailor must go on a boat.

In each book, readers learn a little more about the time-sailing process. In Braving Red Waters, they learn something big.

If you like time-travel books, historical fiction, or stories that include nurses, romance, whales and other marine life, spies, or mother-daughter stories, I invite you to give Braving Red Waters a try.

Here’s the back cover blurb:

Phoebe Bristow has spent a decade guarding her heart after her father walked out and shattered her family. When she touches a mysterious antique mailbox aboard a whale-watching cruise in Baja California and wakes up in Civil War St. Louis, she must learn to trust again, first the quick-witted man who greets her on shore, then the God who placed her there for reasons she cannot yet understand. Back on the cruise, her mother Erica clings to the mailbox as the only thread connecting her to her missing daughter, while a thoughtful marine biologist, Rodney Duncan, steadily dismantles the walls around her wounded heart. Together and apart, mother and daughter discover that the courage to love again may be the most dangerous mission of all.

This series is best read in order, so start with Braving Strange Waters then move to Braving Fiery Waters before reading this one.

Friday, August 21, 2026

Fiction Friday: New Releases in Christian Fiction

 

August 2026 New Releases


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

Contemporary Romance:


Not My Hero by Michelle Bolanger -- She lost everything… except the chance to begin again. He has everything… except the freedom to follow his heart. "Not My Hero" is a modern retelling of the Biblical Book of Ruth. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

What About the Song? by Rebecca Reed -- What About the Song? is a kisses-only, faith-forward, contemporary Christian romance set in Nashville, perfect for readers who love equine therapy, wounded-hero, and music-driven slow-burn love stories. (Contemporary Romance from Moonsong Publishing)

Her Reluctant Amish Heart by Pamela Desmond Wright -- When a reckless street race injures her brother, Anika Glick wants nothing to do with the man responsible—especially when he’s sentenced to help her family. But Elam Muller is desperate to prove he’s changed. As they work together on her family farm, Anika finds herself drawn to Elam’s remorse and kindness. But when they're presented with one last risky race that could secure their future or destroy it all, everything they’ve built is put to the test. Will their growing love survive the pull of the past—or will it all come crashing down? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

General Historical:


Keeping Thessalonica by Jenifer Jennings -- In the port city of Thessalonica, Persis, a daughter of Persia and bondservant of Aristarchus, is forever changed when she encounters the teachings of Jesus and learns of His imminent return. (General Historical, Independently Published)

Sibella’s Stand by Naomi Musch -- A woman on the New York frontier, whose husband has gone to fight, must use her wits to protect herself and a young girl when enemy forces arrive at her door. (General Historical, Independently Published)

Historical Romance:
A Lady Unveiled by Sandra Ardoin -- Frustrated with her present life, Issy Krueger seeks to reclaim the independence that defined her as the black sheep in her family. Then secret, romantic notes arrive to lift her spirits—until the words escalate into veiled threats. As tragedy strikes and fear mounts, Issy’s best chance of survival could come from the man who once broke her heart. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

A Contrary Betrothal by Denise Farnsworth -- A Cherokee lieutenant, a colonel’s daughter, and a desperate fight to protect both land and love. (Formerly published as Bent Tree Bride). (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)

The Darling’s Daughter by Sydney Schmied -- In 1912, Chillicothe, Ohio, a painter lands a job at a local theater in hopes of discovering the truth behind her stage actress mother's murder, while enlisting the help of an architect battling his own secrets. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)

The Heiress and the Woodsman by Christine Hill Suntz -- She’s a city-bred heiress chasing a brother in trouble. He’s a rugged settler with everything to lose. What begins as a desperate bargain becomes a journey of hope, healing, and a love neither saw coming. (Historical Romance from Tyndale House)

Military Action/Adventure:


Stars and Stripes for Freedom by Delores Topliff, Jennie Atkins, Ellen E. Withers, Shirley Gould, and Cindy Bonds -- With admiration for the women in all five branches of our military, these high action stories present five intelligent seasoned warriors who risk everything to protect the land of the free and the home of the brave. (Military Action/Adventure from TrueNorth Publishing)

Romantic Suspense:


Mad Dog by Sara Davison -- Nothing was worth what it had cost him to walk away. In the next eight seconds, he will achieve everything he ever thought he wanted. Or he will die. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)

When the Silence Breaks by Elizabeth Goddard -- A deathbed confession. A decades-old secret. A mountain that holds the answers--and danger closing in. (Romantic Suspense from Revell [Baker Publishing Group])

The Last Noel by Sarah Hamaker, Kimberley Woodhouse, and Jayna Breigh -- The Last Noel is a riveting Christmas novella collection with suspense, intrigue, and second-chance romance. The stories are "Do you see What I See?," (Hamaker) "Do You Hear What I Hear?" (Breigh) and "Do You Know What I Know?" (Woodhouse). (Romantic Suspense Novella Collection from Kregel Publications)

Speculative/Time Travel:


Braving Red Waters by Sarah Hanks -- Phoebe Bristow has spent a decade guarding her heart after her father walked out and shattered her family. When she touches a mysterious antique mailbox aboard a whale-watching cruise in Baja California and wakes up in Civil War St. Louis, she must learn to trust again, first the quick-witted man who greets her on shore, then the God who placed her there for reasons she cannot yet understand. Back on the cruise, her mother Erica clings to the mailbox as the only thread connecting her to her missing daughter, while a thoughtful marine biologist, Rodney Duncan, steadily dismantles the walls around her wounded heart. Together and apart, mother and daughter discover that the courage to love again may be the most dangerous mission of all. (Speculative/Time Travel, Independently Published)

Jezebel’s Children by Lynne Basham Tagawa -- Historian Geneva Fielding and physicist Peter Donatelli travel back in time to document the trial of Anne Hutchinson, but they find themselves caught in a web of politics, doctrinal disputes, and colonial intrigue. A dystopian time travel story where faith, gentle romance, and even humor overwhelm the dark elements. (Speculative/Time Travel from Blue Rock Press)

 

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

Disguised Love by Marie E. Bast -- Disguised Love: An Inspirational Victorian-Era Sweet Marriage of Convenience Romance Set on the Western Frontier During the Cholera Epidemic. (Historical Romance)

The Robber and the Witness by Danielle Grandinetti -- Wisconsin, 1931—When Gideon Lundgren agrees to escort his best friend's sister to Manitowish Waters, plans go awry when she witnesses a robbery. (Historical Romance)

Passionate Pursuit by Pamela Jo Harstad -- Difficult backgrounds in the midst of threatening life challenges make having a relationship and safety almost impossible. (Romantic Suspense)

Sweet Dare by Sally Jo Pitts -- A research biologist and curious youngsters are accused of unleashing a curse when a honeymooning couple is unearthed in an Indian burial mound. (Romantic Suspense)

Sunset Pointe: The Baby Between Us by Brenda Poulos -- On the day before her Senior Prom, Karla finds out that her boyfriend, Jonathan, has fathered a baby with her best friend, Missy. (General Contemporary)

Ribbons of Guilt by Laura Thomas -- In the charming English village of Bramble Downs, threads of betrayal unravel the sickening truth as a ballerina’s family is stalked by a delusional murderer… (Romantic Suspense)

Sunday, August 16, 2026

On Tour: When the Wind Blows South

 


About the Book

Book: When the South Wind Blows

Author: Barbara A. Curtis

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: July 14, 2026

He’s spent his life chasing headlines—until the woman behind the story captures his heart.

Elizabeth Canton never planned to abandon her budding theater career, but after witnessing a crime, she has no choice but to disappear. When a family invitation offers refuge at the Double E Ranch, she seizes the chance to hide and finds unexpected purpose helping her young cousin rehearse for the stage, never expecting to be drawn to the local reporter who sees past her carefully kept secrets.

Ranch hand Logan Palmer has always dreamed of writing stories that matter, not livestock columns for the town paper. Elizabeth’s grace catches his eye. But it’s her patience and tenderness with her cousin that captures his heart, even as her mystery stirs his reporter’s instincts. The closer he grows to her, the more he questions whether some stories are better left untold.

As Elizabeth and Logan grow closer, danger follows her to Idaho. When her past catches up with her, she’ll have to choose between protecting her heart and trusting in love. And Logan must decide what matters more—the story that could launch his career, or the woman who’s stolen his heart.

Set against the rugged beauty of the American West, this touching historical romance explores the healing power of family, second chances, and learning that sometimes the greatest role we can play is simply being ourselves.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author



Barbara A. Curtis lives in Connecticut with her husband, and they have one grown son, a blessing to their hearts. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Novel Academy.

 

 

 

More from Barbara

Chocolate, Chocolate

What part does chocolate play in When the South Wind Blows? To little Susannah, it plays a big part, as Logan is going to help her frost her salvaged cake.

“Miss Lizzie?” Logan hadn’t moved from his spot next to the stove. “If it’s all right with you, may Susannah and I make the frosting for the cake?”

He knew how to make frosting? And again, he included the little girl.

“Thank you. Susannah, why don’t you pull out the cookbook for chocolate that your grandma and I like, and you and Logan will be in charge?”

“Oh yay! The Hershey’s Cookbook? They have the best frosting recipe.”

 

Yes, in 1934 Hershey’s had published a cookbook, so it would have been well loved and used in the Double E Ranch kitchen in 1950.

And Nestlé’s Toll House cookies weren’t far behind, as Nestlé acquired the rights to the original recipe in 1939. By World War II, the cookies were a staple included in packages sent to US servicemen overseas. Do you think they’d mind that Elizabeth called her version Victory cookies? Though they had nothing to do with the war but a little victory right at home.

Have you ever renamed a favorite recipe just for your family for fun?

I hope you enjoy When the South Wind Blows, the final book in the Blooms of the Bitterbrush series. Maybe with a cup of tea and a chocolate chip cookie to go along with it.

 Blessings.

Barbara


Interview with Barbara


What is your favorite thing about being a writer? I love seeing what was a blank page at one moment be filled and “come to life” with characters and words that didn’t exist when starting out—especially words that can offer hope in God to readers.

What questions do you ask yourself when preparing to write a new book? Often the first question starts with what are the characters’ names. Until I find the names that fit them, I have trouble writing anything about them. Then I ask what is it that they want, and then what obstacles will stand in their way and how will they get to their goal.

What was the best money you spent as a writer? The best money spent and also my biggest investments are the in-person writing conferences I was able to attend and joining the writing classes and community Susan May Warren offers through My Book Therapy and Novel Academy.

How do you come up with story lines/book topic? Sometimes ideas come from a snippet of reading or hearing something and wondering who the people were and “what if.” And those what-ifs can lead to more questions and looking into research of an area or era. I like writing about small-town communities, so it’s a matter of imagining and “finding out” what’s going on in these towns among the imagined characters. It’s not so much as selecting a topic to start with but somehow letting these townspeople “take on a life of their own.” But ultimately, I believe God plants the story seeds and walks alongside as they grow.

What was your favorite childhood book and why? I’ll have to say “books”—as I can’t pinpoint just one, as I loved the Trixie Belden and Nancy Drew series. One of my elementary school teachers would read a chapter a day from these books after lunch, and each day’s new chapter was something to look forward to as the stories unfolded. I believe that’s where my love of mysteries started. And I also loved the Black Stallion series—and horses often end up with a role in my stories as well.

Blog Stops




Simple Harvest Reads, August 6 (Guest Review from Marilyn)





Books Less Travelled, August 11 (Author Interview)


DevotedToHope, August 12




History, Hope & Happily Ever After, August 16 (Author Interview)


Pause for Tales, August 17

Giveaway


To celebrate her tour, Barbara is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

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

https://gleam.io/oVpBV/when-the-south-wind-blows-celebration-tour-giveaway