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Book Spotlight & Author Interview — Mojave Man

11 Nov

About The Book

Book: Mojave Man

Author: JW Gilbert

Genre: Christian Fiction – Action/Adventure

Release Date: November, 2022

Mojave Man continues the adventure of Arcon Franklin as he seeks to escape the authorities demanding his containment. His rescuer, Elaina, flees with him to a survivalist compound that could end up being a trap. As a tenacious reporter edges closer to exposing Arcon, Jesus himself makes his desires known. Whether he likes it or not, Arcon’s foray into the outside world could be cut short. He may have to return to ArcPoint, whether they want him back or not. Click here to get your copy!

About The Author

John Gilbert Wozniak (JW Gilbert) grew up in an Oregon farm town. He retired in 2016 as an international data center cooling expert. Around the turn of the century, he began writing as a hobby. After years of expert guidance and a lot of editing, his ArcPoint trilogy is complete. His intent is to write books that are enjoyed by all ages—biblically accurate—with a touch of adventure, romance, and humor. JW has been married to his best friend Darlene since 1980. They are both retired and enjoy the hobby of creating lapidary jewelry. He is a member of Oregon Christian Writers, Mensa, ALLi, and the Tualatin Valley Gem Club.

More from JW

I became an avid fan of Christian fiction, especially after reading This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti. Working 12-hour night shifts as a data center technician, I had ample time on my hands. At one point I was devouring a book per night, but my favorite genre—action/adventure—was almost non-existent in Christian fiction. So, as is the case with many would-be authors, I decided to write the book I wanted to read. The setting? The future when Jesus is ruling the world, as told in Revelation chapter 20. My protagonist? Arcon, an adventurous young man from an isolated tribe of people. The premise? The people of ArcPoint don’t know that the outside world is safe and that Jesus has returned.

My first attempt at writing went well. I wrote my first draft in three weeks, edited it for six months, and landed a hybrid publisher with the final manuscript. The book garnered four- and five-star reviews, so I was pleased. (Not bad for someone who’d flunked English three times.) I was glad the reviews showed that the writing was good, but my readers were missing the message. I pulled it off the market.

For the past few years I’ve been honing my skills as a writer and reworking my ArcPoint story. There have been a few challenges. While researching, I found over a thousand verses in the Bible that sparked ideas for the time period I was writing about. Now the original book has become a trilogy, plus a prequel. However, traditional Christian publishers were not in the market for adventure stories, so I had to learn about self-publishing. And then, like a page right out of my prequel, the unexpected happened—a pandemic. I decided it would be best to put off publicizing until the entire trilogy was available. Now it is.

To see if the first book was ready to be self-published, I sent copies of Mojave Rift to Reader’s Favorite for professional reviews. It got five stars across the board. Then I entered Mojave Rift in their contest and won a silver medal. All the reviewers seemed to appreciate my inclusion of action, romance, and humor in a squeaky clean, fast-paced, futuristic novel.

I hope my ArcPoint series receives high scores from English teachers, but since I still don’t know a passive voice from a hole in the plot, we’ll see. Writing likable characters and adventure stories that run deep and inspire is something I enjoy. I’ve worked hard and it’s a thrill to get high audience scores.

BTW, did I mention the world-building for the isolated tribe in my story is set in America? Now that was a challenge.

Q & A with JW Gilbert

Many authors say that they have always been a writer — making up stories
as a child. When did you first become a writer?

Around the turn of the century, when I was in my forties.

Was there a special someone, such as a teacher, parent, or other relative,
who encouraged you to pursue writing?

Certainly never as a career (I flunked English three times). But a number of people said I should write down miracles I’d witnessed, since I’d seen quite a few. I included some of them in a fiction book, then over 150 of them later as a memoir.

Were there any obstacles you faced in your journey to publication?

Choosing a genre for the trilogy. It’s Christian fiction action/adventure, but that genre doesn’t exist. Without a specific genre, traditional publishers have not shown interest, forcing me to self-publish, which is difficult.

What types of research do you pursue? Books, on-site visits, etc.

Intense study of the Bible, finding over 1300 verses from 49 of its books. For earthly things, it’s mostly resource books and internet articles on science, horticulture, survival, and maps.

What does a typical writing day look like? Are you structured or informal in your writing schedule?

Very informal. Whenever I find the time, I write.

How long does it usually take to craft your books? (from outlines/first drafts to final edits)

About one to two years.

Can you tell us a little about what inspired your latest novel?

Isaiah 26:20 — Come, my people, enter into your rooms and close your doors behind you. Hide for a little while, until indignation runs its course. I thought, what if some people hid so well from tribulation, they weren’t aware when Jesus returned?

What do you want your readers to take away with them after finishing one of your novels?

Hope. Based on the many Bible verses I’ve collected, Jesus is soon returning to establish His government, and world peace.

Readers always want to know what is next for an author. Do you have any works in progress you can share about?

The next in the series, Mojave Rock, is about to be published. A prequel to the ArcPoint trilogy, Mojave Lee, will be out early next year. I’m also working on a sci-fi time machine sort of story, as well as rewriting my first two books.

Blog Stops

Vicky Sluiter, November 9 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 10

By The Book, November 11 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, November 12

Simple Harvest Reads, November 13 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 14

For the Love of Literature, November 15 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, November 15

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 16

Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 17 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, November 18

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, November 19 (Author Interview)

The Lit Lady, November 20

Artistic Nobody, November 21 (Author Interview)

Exploring the Written Word, November 21

Guild Master, November 22 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, JW is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a print copy of Mojave Man!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/28d34/mojave-man-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Spotlight on Historical Romance + Author Interview — Texas Times

29 Oct

About The Book

Book: Texas Times

Author: Caryl McAdoo

Genre: Historical Romance

Release Date: September 8, 2023

A prim and proper country girl is thrown into a mayhem of madams and mercy killing when Alexandria Bell inherits her estranged uncle’s portion of a big city’s premier newspaper, the Texas Times. She does find the pickin’s better in Dallas as before she knows it, three suitors vie for her attentions. One makes her laugh, one speaks to her heart, and the third possesses such a way with words, he make her envious of his talent . . . but she’s his boss. Come along on Alex’s new career adventure and see if any are successful in winning her heart and hand.Click here to get your copy!

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About The Author

Award-winning author Caryl McAdoo prays her story brings God glory, and her best-selling tales—coming up on seventy titles now published—delight readers all around the world. The prolific writer also enjoys singing the new songs the Lord gives her; you may listen to those at her YouTube channel.

She loves working in the yard at The Peaceable, her home tucked away on twenty acres, mowing and planting flowers. She lives there with Ron, her high school sweetheart and husband of fifty-five years, five dogs, two dairy goats she milks daily, a flock of chickens, and a plethora of barn cats.

The couple shares four children and twenty-seven grandsugars, six are greats. Caryl and Ron love their quiet, country life in the woods south of Clarksville, seat of Red River County in far Northeast Texas and wait expectantly for God to open the next door so they may do His will.

More from Caryl

I can’t imagine the Cross Timbers Romance Family Saga coming to an end anytime soon, but I’m up to nine books in it! I love these characters so much and the fact that some of those beautiful fictitious people I love from my first family saga (Texas Romances) show up from time to time—I mean they all live in Texas so . . . !

This book nine, TEXAS TIMES has been so much fun because of its background setting—a Dallas newspaper in 1877. It lends itself to anything happening at any time, so the adventure and pace of the story know no bounds!

I introduce a new female character as my heroine in TEXAS TIMES, Alexandria who is moving to Dallas from the tiny Texas Hill Country community of Spicewood to assume a new position at the newspaper there after inheriting a forty-five percent ownership of it.

The Cross Timbers’ characters show up in TEXAS TIMES as the heroes. There’s Amos Humble, the paper’s star reporter and son of Landry and Arlene Humble (book three TEXAS TEARS) and Stephen O’Neal, the first class fiddler son of Flynn and Alicia (book one GONE TO TEXAS.) So I’m still in the third generation with no telling how many more books to go!

This story covers a lot. Forgiveness of others and one’s self, God’s supernatural miracles, His giftings, His plans and purposes for our lives, the importance of truth… I could go on and on. I pray you all will enjoy this fast-paced story and that it gives God glory!

BLESSINGS!

Q & A with Caryl McAdoo

Was there a special someone, such as a teacher, parent, or other relative, who encouraged you to pursue writing?

My husband Ron was always a reader, and after finishing a book called Noah, he thought it was so bad and had nothing to do with the Biblical hero, that if that lady made it to print, he and I could write a book and get published!

We hand wrote a 380 page manuscript that was rejected, rejected, rejected. The Lord led us to the DFW Writers Workshop where we learned the craft and six years later, our first book ANTIQUING IN NORTH TEXAS, a non-fiction, debuted!
 

Why did you choose historical Christian Romance genre?

Almost ten years after joining the workshop and nine titles later, we met our New York agent, Mary Sue Seymour (would you believe her maiden name was McAdoo? It was definitely a “God-thing”), and she told us if we would write a historical Christan romance set in the 1800s, she’d sell it.

Nine weeks later, she signed us to a contract after we sent VOW UNBROKEN to her. Two moths after that, she sold it to Simon & Schuster! We loved the genre and now have three family sagas and many more (39 in the genre)! They are never outdated, I love the research, and the sweeter, more moral times.

What types of research do you pursue? Books, on-site visits, etc. 

Most of our research is done online. Why wouldn’t it be? It’s so very convenient! An author can think up any bit of information to put in their book like what games did children play with or what were some slang words used in the 1880s or how much did it cost to mail a letter in 1865?

Ask Google, and voila! The answer is at your fingertips. And while you’re reading one thing, you most always come across other interesting information! It reminds me of the Scripture that says knowledge will increase in the end days—which I totally believe we are living in now!.

What does a typical writing day look like? Are you structured or informal in your writing schedule?

Ron ad I usually write early in the morning and on his computer. He goes over what I wrote the day before, then takes the story on, telling me I’m behind when he’s through. I sit in his chair, go over what he’s written, and continue the story. 

This goes back and forth from the beginning to the end of the manuscript. We hardly ever go back to change or add something. He has final say on male dialogue and actions and I have same foe the feminine characters! We average writing a thousand words a day (4 pages). That’s usually all done by nine or ten o’clock.

We say we write for discovery. We have an idea of our heroines and hero’s background information—we decide it through discussion—to know how they’ve gotten where they are and who it’s made them. Past that, we have no idea where the story is going or what will happen to our characters until we write it.   

Readers always want to know what is next for an author. Do you have any works in progress you can share about?

Well, we just finished writing THE GINGERS LOVE THEIR MYRRH, book one of a new multi-author project I’ve organized “Grandmothers Know Best” that launches in January 2024. 

Though the writing is complete, it is still a work in progress as many things must happen before it’s a book. Editing (I have several editors who go over it), making corrections, working with my cover designer Randi Gammons, formatting (designing the interior of the book), then bringing it all together and uploading it at Amazon.

ANSWERING THE CALL is the story we’re actually writing right now. It will be book three in my New Beginnings Family Saga, but first, the “episodes—rather than chapters—are published at Kindle Vella as Season Three, same name.

As soon as it’s finished, and it will be soon, we’ll be starting on MAIL-ORDER SHEPHERD, a part of the “Husbands of Honor” Collection, multi-author project being organized by another author. The twist is a lady needs the help of a man and places an ad.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 18

An Author’s Take, October 19

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 20

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, October 21 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 22

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 23

Texas Book-aholic, October 24

ABBA’s Prayer Warrior Princess, October 25

Pause for Tales, October 26

Sylvan Musings, October 27 (Author Interview)

The Lit Lady, October 27

For Him and MY Family, October 28

By The Book, October 29 (Author Interview)

Exploring the Written Word, October 29

Holly’s Book Corner, October 30

Cover Lover Book Review, October 31

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Caryl is giving away the prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and signed copy of the book!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/28798/texas-times-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Author, Author! — Naomi Craig and She’erah’s Legacy

9 Oct

About The Book

Book: She’erah’s Legacy

Author: Naomi Craig

Genre: Historical fiction, Biblical fiction

Release Date: August 15, 2023

As tragedy ravages the camp, can She’erah step up and complete the outpost?

She’erahs is a woman trying to leave her mark in a man’s world. Her vision and ability surpasses her father’s, yet she remains second-in-command as they are tasked to build Pharaoh’s outposts in Canaan. She knows she is worthy of the task, but her clan is skeptical

The last place She’erah expects support is from her charioteer, but Lateef is the lone voice of encouragement. His integrity and steadfastness is a plumb-line in She’erah’s life and she can no longer deny her growing feelings for him.

Acts of sabotage threaten the construction and the shaky foundation of She’erah’s pride. It’s up to She’erah to break generations of rivalry, distrust, and jealousy—if she can learn to rely on the strengths and abilities of those around her to help.

Will she learn to trust God and others before her life’s legacy comes crumbling down around her? Click here to get your copy!

About The Author

Author of Biblical fiction, avid reader, pastor’s wife, Naomi loves reading the Bible and imagining how things were at the time. When she’s not serving in various areas at church,  trying to stay on top of mountains of dishes or convincing her rescue dog, Freeway, to be cute on command for Instagram reels, you’ll most likely find her enjoying a good book and a cup of coffee. Naomi co-hosts #BehindTheStory with Naomi and Lisa, an author interview show on YouTube and your podcast platform of choice.

More from Naomi

A woman architect in ancient times?

She’erah’s family is mentioned in five verses in 1 Chronicles 7:20- 24. In this brief detour from the list of genealogy, we learn some interesting facts.

She’erah is the granddaughter of Joseph (yes that Joseph with the coat of many colors, vizier to Pharaoh)

Two of her brothers get themselves killed for cattle rustling.

Her father, Ephraim, goes into deep mourning  for his sons.

There is a late-in-life baby (as a result of dad’s mourning)

and She’erah built Lower and Upper Beth Horon and Uzzen She’erah.

Then we are right back to the begats.

Wait, hold on. That’s all we get? What is the story behind her building these towns (two of which are still standing today)? What was the reaction of those around her?

Something I find helpful to remember is that when you know about someone’s family, you in a way know the person. With her grandfather being Joseph, suddenly we have opened a whole new world of what we know. She’erah and the clan would have had access to all of Egypt’s knowledge and resources. Where she still might have gotten backlash from her more Hebrew clan, Egyptian women had more independence, managing their husband’s estates, or even their own.

We also know the generational legacy that was passed down of the younger sibling being favored above the older. Ephraim over Manasseh, Joseph over his ten elder brothers, Jacob over Esau, Rachel over Leah, Isaac over Ishmael. I’m sure sibling rivalry could have been present.

So now we can see She’erah’s picture a little more clearly. A brilliantly minded woman determined to prove herself and her abilities. Raised in Egyptian courts, yet also Hebrew. A strange mix of cultures and dynamics that shape She’erah and nurture her gifts.

She’erah’s legacy is not only the towns she builds for  generations to come, but also how she starts the work of unearthing the deep-seated rivalry that is entrenched in her family.

I pray you’ll enjoy She’erah’s adventures, as she learns to trust the Lord and those around her.

Best Regards

Naomi

Q & A with Naomi Craig

Was there a special someone, such as a teacher, parent, or other relative, who encouraged you to pursue writing?

My daughter, Jada actually. When I first started writing, I kept it all under wraps, and when I finally declared my goal of writing a novel and being published my (then) eight-year-old started telling everyone, even the dental hygienist. It was also around that time that Jada started writing these uber-creative short stories. She has so many genius fun ideas and still pounds out the stories. I can’t wait until she is published too!

What types of research do you pursue? Books, on-site visits, etc. 

The Bible is my foremost source of research. I never want to adapt the story to what I have in my mind, but rather to fit with the story of the Bible. After that, I’ll look at commentaries, ancient writings like Josephus and Jewish traditions. I’m a visual learner, so I watch documentaries on other people’s research or Bible shows like The Chosen. While the timeline doesn’t always fit, (and of course wasn’t videoed back then;-) the simpler living helps me get rid of modern distractions.

What does a typical writing day look like? Are you structured or informal in your writing schedule?

I try to stick to a tight routine. I thrive off schedules and checking things off my list. I block off the morning to write and the afternoon to market or other things that don’t require the creating part of my brain.

Readers always want to know what is next for an author. Do you have any works in progress you can share about?

I’m currently working with my good friend Donna E. Lane on edits for a New Testament collection of interwoven novellas. And Their Numbers Grew follows Saul’s progression from persecuting the Church to being an apostle from the perspectives of Stephen, Ananias of Damascus, Barnabas, and Tabitha. ATNG releases in November of this year.

Can you tell us a little about what inspired your latest novel?

She’erah’s Legacy is based on 1 Chronicles 7:20-24. It’s just a five-verse detour from Ephraim’s genealogy and then immerses back into the begats, but in those five verses, we see brothers getting themselves killed by cattle rustling, a late-in-life/surprise baby, and a woman building three cities, two of which are still standing today. I loved researching the ramifications of She’erah being Joseph’s granddaughter. There is also the long standing family tradition of favoring the youngest (Ephraim over Manasseh, Joseph over the ten elder brothers, Jacob over Esau, Isaac over Ishmael) so I brought that dynamic into the story as well.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, September 27

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 28

Texas Book-aholic, September 29

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 30

The Book Club Network, October 1

Connie’s History Classroom, October 2

Artistic Nobody, October 3 (Author Interview)

The Book Nook, October 3

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, October 4

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 5

Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 6 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, October 7

Simple Harvest Reads, October 8 (Author Interview)

Christina’s Corner, October 8

By The Book, October 9 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, October 10

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Naomi is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/282a4/she-erah-s-legacy-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Author, Author! — Linda Rodante

28 Sep

Please welcome romantic suspense author, Linda Rodante, to By The Book! Linda will be joining a panel discussion at the book festival taking place in Perry, Georgia in January 2024. I cannot wait to meet her in person, but until then she’s shared insights into her writing journey.

Q & A with Linda Rodante

Many authors say that they have always been a writer — making up stories as a child. When did you first become a writer?

I was a reader first, but yes, I remember making up stories starting around twelve. And I actually tried writing then, too. I wrote a 53-page hand-written “book,” that a friend’s father threw away. Like Jo in Little Women, I was devastated.

Was there a special someone, such as a teacher, parent, or other relative, who encouraged you to pursue writing?

My dad more than anyone else. He bought me a typewriter when I was about fourteen.

Why did you choose the Christian romantic suspense genre?

I wrote some books before I became a Christian that were never published. But once I accepted Jesus as my Savior, I immediately felt that secular writing was not something I wanted to do. But Christian fiction was different. I could write about what was important in life (GOD), and also entertain with a good story. I’ve always liked mysteries and romance so that combination was wonderful.

Were there any obstacles you faced in your journey to publication?

Writing conferences are expensive and then often editors will tell you how they look for reasons to throw a story out. After paying for and attending a number of conferences where I heard this, I was very discouraged. I had an agent at the time, and she talked to me about Indie publishing through Amazon. She was helping other authors go from traditional publishing to independent. I decided that was for me and have not regretted it. After publishing my first three books in one year, I found I needed to market them. Learning to market was another uphill climb for me. 

What types of research do you pursue? Books, on-site visits, etc. 

I do most of my research online or with people I know in the field. For instance, I “interviewed” two firefighters for the book FIRE. However, I don’t know any gangsters, so I did a lot of online research for the Spiritual Warfare Series.

What does a typical writing day look like?

Are you structured or informal in your writing schedule? I am not writing full-time, so my writing time is informal. I do try to write almost every day when I am working on a book. If you skip many days, the book will never get done. Often, I write at night after my husband goes to bed.  

How long does it usually take to craft your books? (from outlines/first drafts to final edits).

I’m a pantzer which means I “write by the seat-of-my-pants.” No formal outlines. I get an idea, and I start writing. Many times this idea is about the middle or end of the story, so I have to go back and create the beginning and a history for each of the characters. We pantzers sometimes say the story writes itself or that our characters end up doing things we never planned.

Can you tell us a little about what inspired your latest novel?

PREVAIL mainly started with my desire for one of the characters in another book to have a love interest (I’m trying to not give away too much here 😊). I thought it would be a novella just about this person, but then it morphed into a Christmas romantic suspense story. I love it when I don’t even know what’s going to happen in a book I’m writing! (Prevail released September 23!)

What do you want your readers to take away with them after finishing one of your novels?

Number one is that I want them to be encouraged in their walk with the Lord. I want them to see there are still good people fighting the fight and staying the course, and that God is awesome and does show up for his people—perhaps giving them a desire to get into their Bible. Secondly, I want them to put the book down with regret that it’s over but with a smile and a warm place glowing inside them.

Readers always want to know what is next for an author. Do you have any works in progress you can share about?

I am involved with nine other authors who are putting together a book set. Each author is writing a new Christian romantic suspense novel for this book set. It will be out in June 2024. I’m excited about it because it gives readers a lot of books for a small price (pre-orders are only 99c) and allows them to read some authors whose books they might not have read yet. It can be pre-ordered here: 

https://summersuspicions.weebly.com/fbclid=IwAR2LvG9dkjf4uO0BR7LnxfNC37hzVio7DusmvLTSOdRbwacjaFQAnsBtBiI

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Garrett’s job with the Coastguard is high-paced and harrowing, but his social life resembles an ocean freighter stuck in the doldrums. With Christmas on the horizon, he’s trying to hold to his new faith, but a tragedy in his childhood makes it the one holiday he dreads.

Paramedic Whitney Springfield loves Christmas, and Garrett Lovett might be the best Christmas gift ever—if she could get him to notice her. But it’s evident that silky blond locks trump her red curls where the handsome IronWorks grad is concerned.

When another Christmas tragedy strikes, Garrett and Whitney join forces to catch a killer. In the midst, they may find each other—if the guilt from past mistakes doesn’t keep them apart.

Linda Rodante was born and raised in Florida. She is married with two grown sons, a daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren. At twenty-six, she discovered the miraculous love of Jesus Christ. God blessed her with a passion for the written word—especially mysteries and romantic suspense novels, from Nancy Drew to Agatha Christie, from Dee Henderson to Kristen Heitzman. She speaks about and works against human trafficking. Her author blog is www.lindarodante.com. Her human trafficking and commitment to God blog is at https://lindarodante.wordpress.com/

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Author, Author — Christa Joy Spaeth

25 Sep

About The Book

Book: Powerful Whispers: A 7-week Journey Discovering Who You Are To God

Author: Christa Joy Spaeth

Genre: Christian non-fiction, devotional

Release Date: February 22, 2023

Powerful Whispers gives you a glimpse of how awe-inspiring God’s whispers of His love are for you. He desires to capture your heart, to communicate personally with you, to encourage and strengthen you.

Each daily devotional offers God’s life-giving words, suggests powerful worship, and provides an activation step applying that day’s principe to your life. Let the Lord fill your cup to overflowing as you embark on this amazing 7-week journey.

Whether you’be been walking with the Lord for years or have been recently saved, you will discover in fresh new ways that: God Knows You – God Loves You – God Fights for You – God provides for You – God Chose You – God’s Peace is for You – God’s Powerful Whispers Can Change your Life

Click here to get your copy!

About The Author

Christa Joy Spaeth is the founder of Christa Joy Ministries. It was in 2022 when Minnesota-based author Christa received a compelling message from God. In a prayer cabin called “Whisper,” He prompted her to write a seven-week devotional.

Since then, Christa’s eyes, heart, and ears were opened to more whispers, so that she may start fulfilling her new purpose of helping the hurting and share the love of Christ.

This blessed wife, mother of two, and businesswoman is passionate about living up to God’s plans for her every day. So much so that in 2022, she stepped down from her decades-long career as a Registered Dietitian at a large food manufacturing company to pursue the promptings of the Lord and encourage others in Christ.

Today, Christa owns and operates Christa Joy Ministries where she publishes her own books, writes daily encouragements and God whispers on her social media accounts. In addition, she does guest blog posts for various social media accounts.

More from Christa

One morning while I was away at a prayer cabin, the Lord laid on my heart that I was to write a book. My first thought was, “Oh, my! Lord, I have never written anything other than work-related documents. Where do I begin? What do you want me to write?”

I am so honored and humbled that the Lord placed amazing book experts in my path over the next year to launch this unique devotional book in a mere 55 weeks. This feat is spectacular as I didn’t know anything about the publishing business.

Two components of Powerful Whispers that my readers love are the suggested worship and the activations. After each devotional was written I searched for the perfect worship song. You will find several suggested indie artist songs and a few popular worship songs too. Daily you will find an activation which engages your entire body to be able to get the daily truth deeper in your soul.

The Bible verse I read before I starting to write Powerful Whispers is found in James 1:5, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” God continually showed His faithfulness to me by providing wisdom to share with my readers.

My heart’s desire is that readers will soon learn through this daily devotional that God chose them, He loves them, and He wants to share His powerful whispers daily for their life.

Q & A With Christa Joy Spaeth

Many authors say that they have always been a writer. When did you come to realize this?

In my day job of over two decades as a dietitian for a food manufacturing company I wrote many articles for our customers. However, I never felt like I was a writer. It was just part of my job and writing came easy to me.

I am one of the unusual authors, I didn’t realize I wanted to be a professional writer until last year when I felt led to write Powerful Whispers. When I leaned in and listened to what the Lord had for me, I felt strongly that I was to write a book as an encouragement to others. 

Three days after I decided to write a book, I was blessed to learn that I was able to take a free class titled “How to write a book!” I jumped into the class and simultaneously started writing my book. I’ve never looked back.

Were there any obstacles you faced in your journey to publication?

As a new author, I had no idea about the value of a good editor, nor did I understand the different types of editors. The first editor I hired was a copy editor, who is really meant to be the final editor. Her focus was on punctuation, spelling, and basic grammar. Thankfully, an experienced friend in book publishing suggested I hire a content editor. I was led to work with the perfect person for me and my book. This editor took a step back and provided great direction to help my book be consistent in tone and content. She challenged me to add several thousand more words. I am thankful for her insights because they made my book more complete. 

I’ve heard it said no matter how good you think you are as a writer; you need an editor. This process sure validated that statement to me. The lesson I learned for my future books is to build in lots of time for the editing process. If you plan to write books in the future, one tip I have for you is, however long you think editing will take, double that. It’s a slow process but it was well worth the time and money!

What does a typical writing day look like? Are you structured or informal in your writing schedule?

When I wrote Powerful Whispers I had a fairly structured writing schedule. I would write or do research most days in the afternoon. However, at that time I wasn’t on social media, so I didn’t have that distraction nor the pressure of developing content.

Writing my second book, I am much less structured. Between social media, writing newsletters, and hosting a podcast, which is also titled Powerful Whispers, I haven’t found a rhythm yet to get structured. I hope I will in the near future! 

What do you want your readers to take away with them after finishing Powerful Whispers: A 7-week journey Discovering Who You Are to God. 

I want my readers to have a deeper understanding of how much God loves them, knows them and that He chose them to be here on this earth right now.

One of my readers wrote this review which sums up what I was hoping the readers to walk away with “I grew up in a tradition focused more on theology than on relationship, and this has been a good study in listening for that still, small voice that relates to me on a personal level! I love the music recommendations for each devotional. Highly recommend this 7-week study!” 

Readers always want to know what is next for an author. Do you have any works in progress you can share about?

I am excited to share that I have a new book set to be released in November. My new book is a 50-day guided prayer journal for busy moms. I am in the final stages of editing so I am not yet ready to release the name of the book. Stay tuned and please follow me on social media to stay updated on the latest details.😊 

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 13

Lily’s Book Reviews, September 14

Locks, Hooks and Books, September 15

A Reader’s Brain, September 16 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 17

Texas Book-aholic, September 18

Tell Tale Book Reviews, September 19 (Author Interview)

Life on Chickadee Lane, September 19

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, September 20

Its Mama Safe, September 21

The Book Club Network, September 22

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 23

Artistic Nobody, September 24 (Author Interview)

By The Book, September 25 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, September 25

Lots of Helpers, September 26

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Christa is giving away the grand prize package of a $30 Amazon gift card, a signed copy of Powerful Whispers devotional book, and a hand-crafted leather bookmark!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/27de3/powerful-whispers-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Author, Author — Jennifer Q. Hunt

21 Sep

My small Georgia town is hosting a book festival in January 2024. We have authors coming from all over, but it is a joy to welcome Georgia authors to be participants. One of those is Jennifer Q. Hunt. Jennifer will share her writing journey and her novels on the historical discussion panel. I cannot wait! Find out about Jennifer and her books below.

A lifelong storyteller, Jennifer has worked as a writer of both fiction and nonfiction, as well as an editor and ghostwriter. She has over twenty-five years of ministry writing experience for churches, pastors, and Christian ministries.

Jennifer writes fiction with faith and purpose. Her Sorrow and Song trilogy shows multi-generations as they wrestle with their place in history and following the Lord through challenging circumstances.

Back in north Georgia after several years away, Jennifer is a happy wife to Christopher and homeschool mother to four elementary-aged children.

For history tidbits, deleted scenes, and more “extras” as well as information about upcoming releases, visit jenniferqhunt.com or follow Jennifer on Facebook at Jennifer Q. Hunt, Author or Instagram @jennifer.q.hunt.author.

Jennifer’s newest novel is Through Thorny Ways, book 1 in the Wisteria House series, published in May 2023.

Shrouded in scandal and secrets, Arilee Rutledge’s family is as tangled as the thorns surrounding their unwelcoming antebellum mansion. When her brother Davis returns from the Great War, she hopes they will make a new start after a season of devastation. But Davis is haunted by their younger brother’s death and his wife’s committal to the state asylum; while he loses himself in his work, Arilee continues raising his children. Determined to control at least one area of their lives, the siblings hire a former acquaintance to restore their dilapidated home.

Thrown from a carefree boyhood into the horrors of trench warfare, Adam Harrison is broken yet matured by his experiences. He takes a job updating and repairing Wisteria House, not only to pay his way through medical school, but in hopes of winning the woman he has long admired. A startling discovery plunges them all into a series of events revealing dark mysteries and shaking their already-uncertain future.

Can the thorns of grief, pain, and regret ever be cleared from their troubled hearts?

For those who love the Church, for those who have been hurt by the Church, and for those of us who are both, Jennifer Q. Hunt brings a poignant new family saga in which the challenges of life are not glossed over and hope in Christ is never underestimated. Powerful and compelling, Through Thorny Ways is a story of sacrifice and family, forgiveness and love, new beginnings and utter dependence on the Lord. Find a permanent place on your shelf, because once you travel to 1921 Atlanta with Hunt, you aren’t going to want to leave. —Heather Wood, Author of the Finding Home series.

In the Sorrow And Song series, Jennifer spans the years from WWI, through The Great Depression, ending with WWII.

On Some Through The Fire — “This book captivated my interest from beginning to end! The characters and storyline were so well thought out. I want more!” —Gail Abundo, Founder of Marriage with Passion and Purpose

Two Christmas novellas, The Unbroken Song (prequel to the Sorrow And Song series) and Christmas Still, are also available.

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Author, Author — Brandy Heineman

14 Sep

My small town is hosting a big book festival in January 2024! We have 35+ authors participating in panel discussions and author presentations. I am so excited about Turning A New Page! If you live anywhere near middle Georgia, make plans to attend.

Georgia author Brandy Heineman is joining the suspense panel. She writes dual timeline stories inspired by her family history. Her newest book, Honey for The Bones, looks sensational (it’s waiting for me in my TBR). But you will want to check out her other works as well. Mystery, suspense, history, and romance! Don’t they look great?! I am going to queue up Last to Know for my yearly Christmas reading binge. 🙂

TWO HEARTS BROKEN ALONG THE SAME JAGGED EDGE MAKE A GRISLY DISCOVERY DEEP IN THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY

Present Day. Solveig Borja fled Virginia to escape the guilt of one reckless night, and once she settles the family estate, she’s Norway-bound and never looking back. Meanwhile, Kyle Benton has come seeking asylum from past sins—which Solveig shatters even as their hopeless romance blooms. But when they discover a skeleton at Rice Caverns, its century-old mystery holds startling links to the here-and-now.

1919. The Great War is won. Gussie Rice longs for her beau’s return from France, until she learns he’s confined at a stateside hospital and her closest confidant is part of the secret. Her bid for love sparks a confrontation that ricochets through time…

Bad blood and escalating threats swirl around Solveig, and Kyle’s new life proves no haven from the old with his brother’s killer trolling the shadows. As the past rears up, the cavern’s hidden places beckon with power to light their hope or to swallow them in utter darkness.

There’s more than one way to be haunted . . . 

After a series of agonizing losses, Abby Wells seeks solace with distant relatives in faraway Georgia. Maybe her great-aunt Ruby can answer the questions Abby’s mother never would. But what begins as a search for connection quickly turns with Aunt Ruby’s claims that the old family home is haunted. Desperate to believe in something, Abby throws herself into the ghost hunt—unaware of Aunt Ruby’s schemes, or that the grudges in her bloodlines run generations deep. Her heart wrestles with the land of the living, caught between her ex’s bid for reconciliation and a growing fascination with the house’s handsome caretaker. Yet it’s the burden of mystery that woos her as she calls into the stillness—Are you real?

All she wants for Christmas . . . is an end to this terrible year.

Silver bells are ringing, but family drama and flaky finances have Nadine Notaro wrung out. The only bright spots this holiday season are her job at the Blissford Historical Society and her cheery, dependable co-worker, Chase Garren—until the City Council cuts their funding. The lost income will be bad enough, but what about Chase? Though quick to remind everyone they’re just friends, she can’t stomach losing him, too.

While packing up the Society’s record collections, Chase and Nadine discover a journalist’s cache of negatives pointing to a decades-old scandal and cover-up. Entanglements with the City’s biggest power players pull their strings, but every clue brings them closer to the truth—and each other—until Nadine finds evidence of a betrayal she never thought possible.

Casting light on the lies may ruin Christmas and their friendship, but it stands to cost them much more.

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Author, Author — Kathy Manos Penn

4 Sep

Dogs, cats, and mystery, oh my! I love a cozy mystery. There is just something about quaint locales, quirky characters, and a smart whodunit that keeps me turning the pages. Kathy Manos Penn is the author of the multi-volume Dickens & Christie Mystery series set in England. Penn has written 10 books featuring widowed Leta Parker who leaves her corporate life in Atlanta to live out her dream of living in a small village in the Cotswolds.

My small town book festival, Turning A New Page, is delighted to welcome Penn in January 2024 as a panelist on our Coffee, Tea, And Mystery panel discussion. Find out all about her and the first installment of the series — Bells, Tails & Murder — below.

She crossed an ocean to start her life over. Can she nab a killer before her quaint village becomes a graveyard?

Recently widowed Leta Parker desperately needs a change of scenery. Pursuing her lifelong dream of retiring to the Cotswolds, she leaves her soulless corporate hustle in Atlanta and moves to England with her talking dog and cat companions—Dickens and Christie. But she’s barely begun making new friends when she stumbles across her housekeeper’s body …

With several villagers pegged for the crime, Leta teams up with a retired English teacher and her sharp-as-a-tack octogenarian mother to track the killer before the trail goes cold. As the not-so-friendly local policewoman elbows them out and scandalous rumors plague the tight-knit community, it’s left to the ladies and their pets to sleuth for the truth.

Can Leta, Dickens, and Christie sniff out the culprit before the cute little town loses more than its charm?

Bells, Tails & Murder is the delightful first book in the Dickens & Christie cozy mystery series. If you like spunky literary women, amusing animal sidekicks, and inviting cultural backdrops, then you’ll love Kathy Manos Penn’s engaging page-turner.

Other Books In The Series

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Kathy Manos Penn lives in Sandy Springs, Georgia with her husband and her four-legged office assistants. When she dreamed of retiring from corporate America, she envisioned indulging in her favorite pastimes—reading, traveling, and writing columns for her local paper. Taking her bucket list trip to England was a top priority.

A second career as an author was never part of the plan—until someone uttered the fateful words, “You should write a cozy mystery.”

Nine books later, readers can’t get enough of the Dickens & Christie mystery series. Kathy adheres to the adage to write what you know and populates her mysteries with well-read, witty senior women, a loyal dog, and a sassy cat.

Her two four-legged office assistants inspire the personalities of Dickens & Christie. Why is Dickens a fiend for belly rubs? Because Kathy’s real-life dog is. The same goes for Christie’s finicky eating habits and penchant for lolling on top of the desk or in the file drawer. She gets it from the calico cat who rules the roost.

How does Kathy describe her life? “I’m living a dream I never knew I had.”

Book I in the series, Bells, Tails & Murder, won a 2020 Readers’ Favorite Gold Award, and Pets, Pens & Murder, Book VII, garnered a 2023 Georgia Author of the Year nomination.

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Spotlight On Amy Bowdoin

23 Aug

Amy Bowdoin, known to her many followers as Honeysuckle Drive, is a dynamic inspirational speaker, and she will bring the morning keynote address at the book festival that will be in my hometown in January 2024. (For more info on that check out PerryPageTurners.com or Perry Page Turners on FB.) I cannot wait to meet Amy! I have loved following her on FB — she is so funny and insightful.

Amy also has a devotional book — Honeysuckle Drive. You really need to check this one out!

Honeysuckle Drive is a place where stories aren’t just told, they’re lived…by a small town girl who doubts, who gets discouraged, who makes mistakes, but who also desires a growing relationship with Jesus. I’m no saint, not even close. Just ask my momma. I’m also no religious scholar. I don’t even know all the books of the Bible. What I do have is a heart for Jesus, and I’m a big believer that’s all you need to change the world.

Amy Bowdoin was born and raised in Carrollton, Georgia. She lived a very normal life – until she didn’t. Good intentions and bad decisions escorted her down a different path. It required a leave from teaching middle school and an extended stay in a mental hospital battling depression. But, she’s living proof God uses all things for good. She exited that facility with a renewed purpose.

She created a popular Facebook page titled Honeysuckle Drive in 2015. It’s a place where stories aren’t just told – THEY’RE LIVED – by a small town girl who doubts, who gets discouraged, who makes mistakes, but who also desires a growing relationship with Jesus. Her followers started pecking her to death like chickens to compile her true stories into a book. She procrastinated until God placed it on her heart. Her first published book, Honeysuckle Drive, hit the shelves on November 15, 2022. It’s a 12 week devotional for any season. Amy shares the real, and the messy, and all that’s in between in hopes of helping her readers cultivate an authentic relationship with Jesus. Her book is filled with stories, scripture, prayer journals, and challenging questions that require true soul searching along the 12 week journey.

Amy even has a podcast that compliments each week in her book. The response has been overwhelming, resulting in the creation of a group leader’s guidebook. This guidebook is now being used in the women’s ministry at several churches throughout the southeast. Amy’s unwavering obedience has also led to multiple speaking engagements and will bring her to Perry, Georgia, on January 27th.

Amy had this to say about herself: “I love Jesus, country music, and old-school rap. I’ve gotta thing for genuine people, Fireball Whisky, and infectious laughter. I’m careful with my words, but I do cuss a little. I’m no religious scholar. I don’t even know all the books of the Bible. I don’t have multiple degrees or a fancy title, and I’ve never earned a distinguished award. But, what I do have is a heart for Jesus, and I’m a big believer that’s all you need to change the world.”

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Spotlight On Historical Romance — Maeve’s Pledge

15 Aug

About The Book

Book: Maeve’s Pledge

Author: Linda Shenton Matchett

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: March 21, 2023

Pledges can’t be broken, can they?

Finally, out from under her father’s tyrannical thumb, Maeve Wycliffe can live life on her terms. So what if everyone sees her as a spinster to be pitied. She’ll funnel her energies into what matters most: helping the less fortunate and getting women the right to vote. When she’s forced to team up with the local newspaper editor to further the cause, will her pledge to remain single get cropped?

Widower Gus Deighton sees no reason to tempt fate that he can find happiness a second time around. Well past his prime, who would want him anyway? He’ll continue to run his newspaper and cover Philadelphia’s upcoming centennial celebration. But when the local women’s suffrage group agrees that the wealthy, attractive, and very single Maeve Wycliffe acts as their liaison, he finds it difficult to remain objective.

Click here to get your copy!

About The Author

Linda Shenton Matchett writes about ordinary people who did extraordinary things in days gone by. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry (of Star-Spangled Banner fame) and has lived in historical places all her life. She is a volunteer docent and archivist at the Wright Museum of WWII and a former trustee for her local public library. She now lives in central New Hampshire where she explores the history of this great state and immerses herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors.

More from Linda

When asked to contribute a story to the Suffrage Spinsters series, I immediately sat down and researched the suffrage movement. I was surprised to discover that the crusade to get women the right to vote began the 1830s. Nearly twenty years later, a women’s rights convention was held in Seneca Falls, New York, an event considered the actual “birthplace” of women’s suffrage.

The history of suffragism in America is fascinating because of the large percentage of women who were against getting the right to vote. As I continued to delve into the history of the movement, I unearthed many references to an incident that occurred at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition. Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton decided to write a document similar to the US “Declaration of Independence,” call it the “Declaration of the Rights of Women,” and present it at the Exposition’s July 4th celebration.

Their request to speak was summarily dismissed, and in fact, few women were able to obtain tickets to the event.

Undeterred, Anthony came up with an alternate plan. On July 4th, in the midst of Richard Henry Lee’s speech (grandson and namesake of one of the Declaration of Independence signers), she marched down the aisle inside Independence Hall and handed a scroll tied in a festive navy-blue ribbon to the host, then turned and made her way out of the building, distributing copies to the clamoring crowd as she went. Outside, she read the document aloud as the remaining copies were distributed. Newspapers covered her presentation and printed portions of the document. Word spread, and countless newspapers outside of Philadelphia picked up the article.

I knew I had my story, and I hope in some small way Maeve’s Pledge honors those tenacious men and women who fought to gain women the right to vote.

Blessings,

Linda Shenton Matchett

Q&A With Linda Shenton Matchett

Do you set a plot or prefer going wherever an idea takes you?

By nature, I’m an organized, list-making, process-oriented individual, so I can’t imagine writing a story any other way. I am very regimented in my preparation for crafting a story, and I’m amazed at “discovery” writers – those who can sit down without any idea of where they’re going and get words on a page. Occasionally, one of my characters will wander off the page which is a bit scary, but it usually works out in the end!

Do you pen down revelations and ideas as you get them, right then and there?

I have a pen and paper by the bed, and a notepad app on my phone for capturing ideas as they occur. Foolishly, when I first started out as a writer, I didn’t make notes because I was sure I’d remember each epiphany. Fortunately, it only took a couple of times for me to learn to write down my thoughts. I have a folder in my office where I’ve stowed my “pen and paper” ideas.

When did it dawn upon you that you wanted to be a writer?

I’ve wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember. There are two incidents that spurred the desire. The first was when I was seven or eight years old and my parents gave me a notepad and package of pens. I had a blast filling the pages, and I still have the stories. When I was twelve or thirteen, I read “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn,” and the story greatly affected me, to the point that I decided I would be a writer “when I grew up” so I could impact others the way I had been impacted.

How long does it usually take you to write a book?

My novellas take me two months to write, and my full-length novels about three months. I’m at my keyboard by 5:30 in the morning, and write for about 90 minutes. Depending on how productive I am I can get 700-1000 words on the page before I have to leave for work. On Saturdays, I’m able to write until late morning.

Where do you get your ideas for your books?

I’ve gotten ideas from the Bible, overheard conversations, readers, magazine or
newspaper articles, scenes in TV shows or movies, books that I thought should have been done differently, museum displays, and historical people and events. For example, when I was trying to decide how to plot “Maeve’s Pledge,” I reviewed a history of women’s suffrage looking for standout events. When I found an article from the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial about Susan B. Anthony presenting her “Declaration of Women’s Rights,” I knew I had my story. My female protagonist is involved in that event.

Blog Stops

By The Book, August 15 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 16

Simple Harvest Reads, August 17 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, August 17

Bizwings Book Blog, August 18

Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 19 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 20

Artistic Nobody, August 21 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, August 22

Stories By Gina, August 23 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 23

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 24

Sylvan Musings, August 25 (Author Interview)

Connie’s History Classroom, August 26

The Book Club Network, August 27

Bliss, Books & Jewels, August 28 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Linda is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Visa Gift Card and signed copy of the book!!

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

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