#SaturdaySpotlight is on Barbara Britton & Across the Lake: Traveling with Jesus Around the Sea of Galilee

Good Morning,

Welcome to our first Saturday Spotlight of 2026 that isn't a Christmas book. I love doing our All Christmas thru Christmas feature but, as with life, it's nice to get back to 'normal' after the holidays LOL!

Our guest today is no stranger to the blog but always brings us a great read and today is no exception. Take it away, Barbara...

Thank you for having me back on the blog, Pam.

My latest book project is different than any other book I have written. My setting is the New Testament instead of the Old Testament. My main character is Jesus which means I can’t expound on dialogue or inner thought. I managed to make one of the stories a romance, but the other stories highlight the love of family members, and the ultimate love of Jesus.

How does a writer add emotion to a story that includes Jesus? I used the disciples and the people Jesus healed to reflect the awesomeness of Jesus.

The shortest book I wrote to date was 50,000 words. This project is half the length, but I wrote six short stories. Another first.

After each story is a reflection from my time visiting the Sea of Galilee in March of 2023. I took copious notes, but if I had realized I was going to write this book, I would have taken more notes. A family emergency called us home after touring the Sea of Galilee. I’m so thankful I had four days in this area of Israel. I hope you enjoy how I shared its impact in “Across the Lake.”

OH Wow, Barb, this sounds amazing! Visiting Isreal is on my bucket list. Give us more please...

Sure. Here's the Blurb: Discover the life changing power of Jesus in six short stories from the Gospel of Mark. The miracles of Jesus will leap from the page in a Biblical Fiction story, author reflection, and relatable study.

Travel with Jesus as he calms a storm, heals a desperate woman, raises a dead daughter to life, sends His disciples on a minimalist mission, feeds thousands on a hillside, and shows compassion to a persistent mother.

A perfect study for your small group, personal or family devotions, or even a book club.

And an Excerpt: (After the woman bleeding for twelve years is healed by Jesus. Mark 5:21-34)

“Daughter, your faith has healed you.”

 Daughter. Her chest seized on the word her own father had forgotten.

 “Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

 Gone. Her suffering was all gone. She was free to walk among her people and worship God without blame and banishment.

 Jesus eased away and carried on as a runner approached. The man sought the synagogue ruler accompanying Jesus.

 In this moment, she didn’t bother herself with the concerns of the synagogue. The Messiah was here in Capernaum, and she had touched Him and talked to Him.

 Suddenly, she was wrapped in an embrace. Phoebe wept into Lydia’s breast. Her friend clutched her tight.

 Lydia need not fear becoming faint from Phoebe’s embrace, for she was not the frail woman who had hobbled into the crowd. Her skin glowed with health, and she was able to move forthright.

 As she and Phoebe made their way toward their cart, Elon emerged from the shade of the terebinth tree. His cheeks were tear-stained, but his smile rivaled the grandeur of the sea.

 “You saw?” Lydia asked, elation bubbling inside her chest.

 “I saw.” His smile grew. “It was all I could do to keep myself from lifting you into Jesus’s arms.”

 “I’ve been in God’s arms every day since the bleeding started. Some days I forgot that truth, and other days it seemed like my prayers were swept far from God. He reminded me that I needed to hold firmly to my thread of belief. The wise counsel of my friend and my betrothed convinced me to seek Jesus.”

 Elon eased closer. He glanced around before caressing her cheek. “We need to plan a wedding feast.”

 Phoebe giggled. “And fast. The way you two are looking at one another, this tree is going to be set ablaze.”

OH, I LOVE it, Barbara! Thank You for sharing. Now please give us your bio and info on how to connect with you and where to find Across the Lake...

Thanks again, Pam. I am a multi-published author of Christian Fiction. My Tribes of Israel series brings little-known Bible characters to light. You can also travel to Whispering Creek, Tennessee with my sweet romance duology, Christmas at Whispering Creek.

I have a nutrition degree from Baylor University but love to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate. You can find out more about me and mybooks on my website barbarambritton.com.

I am also active on X, Instagram, and Facebook.

Across the Lake: Traveling with Jesus Around the Sea of Galilee can be found at Amazon (FREE in KU), in Paperback and Hardcover.

WONDERFUL, Barbara. Wishing you the best of luck and God's blessings on this new release as well as your other works!

Friends, check out Barbara's other visits to our blog HERE.

Until next time, take care and God bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Marilyn Leach & Christmas Greedings!

Good Morning, Happy New Year and Welcome to the First edition of Saturday Spotlight 2026 and the Last of our All Christmas Thur Christmas posts!

Our guest today is no stranger to our blog and she's sharing her brand new release with us. Take it away, Marilyn...

Thanks, Pam. It is my pleasure to be back on your blog with my latest book, Christmas Greedings.

After spending a beautiful and enriching Christmas season in England with my special friends who live there, I knew I had to write a Christmas mystery that centered around a rural tea shop. From the decorative elements of natural flora and fauna to twinkling fairy lights, from Christmas Pudding to individual mince pies, from close friends and family to a pub sing-song, from quiet thoughts to a joyful Christmas Eve Carol Service, I had to share an English Christmas with readers. 

The mystery is a holiday brain tickle that bounced around in my creative sphere until I just had to get it down in words, about 60,000 of them as a matter of fact. Of course, I had to wrap the story in bright red ribbons that tie up misdeeds with justice winning, and a romantic edge makes the perfect bow on top. I believe it’s a terrific read for what some call the “lost week” of Christmas. In Europe, December 25 to January 5 are the 12 Days of Christmas. So, snuggle into your comfy chair with a hot cuppa at hand, as well as a few gingerbread men, and be a welcome guest of Poppy Ellis and zany villagers at Tibbyhill Lane’s Tea Shop where cozy mysteries abound.

Here's the Blurb: Tibbyhill’s season of peace is being stolen, piece by piece.

When a woman many consider barmy asks Poppy Ellis, busy with her teashop, to find her miniature Christmas village piece that’s gone missing, Poppy passes it off until best friend, Emma, persuades Poppy to help the widow. Her investigation turns up some mind-baffling clues. Who steals a single miniature village piece from an entire set? It’s too odd to be true until one of Poppy’s tearoom customers has the same situation happen. Thinking it’s a childish prank, she dives deeper into facts that lead her to believe something far more sinister is at work. As more pieces vanish, the church’s Christmas Market appears to be the seed bed of growing thefts. How will Poppy solve this peculiar crime wave and restore village life harmony? For the dead of winter, it’s a cozy mystery.

Join Poppy and best friend Emma, Rick the village vicar, Poppy’s love interest and solicitor-in-the-law Andrew St. John, her zany aunts, and eccentric villagers to catch the thieves plus reinstate Christmas goodwill. 

And an Excerpt: A tingling of the bell on Poppy Ellis’s tea shop door was followed by an unknown woman blasting herself inside the tearoom like a fired cannon ball.

The crash of a laden tray added to the commotion when Poppy’s sensitive Aunt Glory jumped, sending full tea cups clattering and Sticky Cinnamon Buns tumbling down to the floor. 

“Miss Ellis,” the stranger shrieked, “you must help me, please.” Slamming the door shut behind her, the woman’s thin legs wobbled, and her light grey eyes bulged with fright. White disheveled hair peeked out from under a bright red knit cap, pulled down over her ears.

Tearoom customers gasped, gaped, and drew back.

Poppy sized up the situation, as she came to the woman’s aid. There was no blood, no facial bruising, the woman’s appendages worked so nothing seemed broken, although the bulky coat she wore could disguise something. Poppy’s glance out the tea shop’s bow window didn’t reveal any chasing culprit. “Are you hurt?”

“Hurt?” came out like a bullet. The woman appeared to be shocked.  

 “Calm down,” Poppy’s past training as a volunteer police special constable had kicked in. “You’re in a safe place.” She took the woman by the elbow. “Come sit down and we’ll get you some hot tea.” 

The woman timidly nodded as Poppy guided her to a nearby table and chairs. The stranger plopped into a seat. Everything about this poor creature seemed contrary to cheerful Christmas holly and evergreens that decorated Poppy’s shop.

“Flowerday,” the woman said nervously.

“Sorry?” Poppy was thankful this cannon ball settled some, but where, by all that’s good, was this woman coming from? “Flowerday?”

“Lizzy Flowerday, That’s me.” She spoke the words unevenly. “And I desperately need your help.”

Christmas Greedings can be found at Amazon (FREE in KU!).

***

Wonderful, Marilyn! Please give us your bio and links to connect with you.

Here you go...

Taking tea is one of my favorite things to do. Whether the first cup of the morning, (oh my it's grand), a happy four o'clock cuppa, or out with friends, it refreshes and adds delight to the day. My travels with dear friends in England, no matter what part of the country we're in, always include "a spot of tea" somewhere in our day. We've enjoyed cream teas at Kensington Palace's L'Orangerie, a bracing cuppa at the local shop on Woodley Square, tea and cakes at a tiny tearoom in Abbotsbury, Dorset, and Border Cake at Bambrough Castle way up North. All of it has fed inspiration into my latest mystery series, Tibbyhill Lane Tea Shop Mysteries, that centers on a rural English teashop.

Though my home is lakeside, near the Front Range of Colorado, my passport is ready to fly at any moment. Cheers.

Find, Follow and Connect with me through my Website, Amazon Author Page, Facebook, BookBub, GoodReads and X.

Wonderful! Thanks again, Marilyn. Wising you the best of luck and God's blessings in 2026!

Hope you enjoyed Marilyn's visit as much as I have, Friends. You can find her previous appearances on the blog HERE.

Until next time take care and God Bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on M. Jean Pike and Superheroes!

Good Morning and Welcome,

It has been a L-O-N-G while since M. Jean Pike visited with us and I'm looking forward to hearing what makes her new book, Superheroes, so special. Will you tell us?

Thanks for having me back Pam!

Superheroes is a story about ordinary people who, empowered by extraordinary love, become capable of things they wouldn’t have thought possible. It is a story about a young man with special needs who dreams of becoming a superhero, about a man whose love for his brother comes at a price he wasn’t prepared to pay, and about the woman whose heart refuses to give up on love, even at the cost of her own dreams. It’s about sacrificial love. Transformational love. Jesus love. The kind of love that steps in when disaster strikes, when faith is pushed to its limit, and courage is the only choice left. It is a story about the kind of love that can turn flawed and broken people into superheroes.  

How Interesting! Give us more Please...

Sure. Here's the Blurb...

At twenty-one, Abby Callahan leaves her parent’s home for a rented motel room in Redford’s Crossing. She has no friends, let alone a boyfriend, so why did she tell her controlling sister she’s bringing a date to a family party? With only one week and no prospects, she needs a miracle.

Rory St. George needs a cashier for the store he manages, and Abby is the perfect choice. When he invites her out, hoping to propose a job offer, she agrees to go---if he will accompany her to a family party. Rory’s plans don’t include a relationship, but he’s drawn to Abby in a way he didn’t anticipate.

A series of misfortunes threaten to end their relationship before it begins. With the odds stacked against them, can their newfound love survive? She’s new in town. He’s from the wrong side of town.

When disaster strikes, can love turn ordinary people into Superheroes?

And an Excerpt...

Rory stuffed his change in his pocket.  A man stepped into line behind him. Two more people came through the door. His window of opportunity was closing fast. He stood aside while Abby sold the man six scratch-off lottery tickets and a case of soda. If he didn’t leave now, he’d be late getting back to work. Go away, Tommy. 

As if on cue there was a crash in the back of the store, followed by a child’s mournful cries. 

“Now what did I say?” a woman bellowed. “Didn’t I tell you not to touch stuff? Look at what you did!” 

Tommy muttered under his breath and went to the back of the store to investigate. Thank you, Lord.

Knowing Tommy would likely be back within minutes, Rory pushed the words out. “Hey, did you hear about the light show at the college next Saturday?” 

“Yeah, I saw a poster about it on campus. It sounds amazing.”  

“So, I ended up with an extra ticket. It’s not the same as an actual meteor shower, but it might be a close second. Think you can get the night off?”

Instead of the smile he’d hoped for, her mouth dipped in a slight frown. “I already requested next Saturday off. But I’m having dinner with my parents at Hannibal House.”

Blooming heck.

He composed his face to hide his disappointment. “Fancy.” 

“It’s their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary,” she explained.

“Ahh.”

“Shoot. I’d love to take you up on the laser show ticket, but I can’t.”

“I get it. No worries.” Now he’d have to think of something else.

“Unless … would you want to go with me? Dinner is at six, and the show isn’t until eight.”

“Oh…”

“Never mind.” She flapped her hands at him. “It would be awkward for you. My whole family will be there.”

Tommy was replacing the mop in the utility closet and Rory was beyond late for work.

“No, it’s cool. We can have dinner with your family first. If you’re sure it’s OK that I tag along.”

“I’m sure,” she said quickly. “Are you sure?”

He shrugged. “Why not?”

She bit down on her bottom lip. Then her face changed, as if something monumental had just occurred to her and she grinned at him. “Great.”

He’d tried to be low key about it, frame it as just a couple of friends hanging out together for the evening. He hoped she hadn’t misunderstood. But why else would she have that thunderstruck expression on her face? Why was she looking at him like he was some kind of superhero? Like he was one of the seven wonders of the world? Like some kind of miracle had just occurred. 

What a Beautiful Excerpt! Now give us the low-down on you and tell us where we can find Superheros...

Sure, Pam, here's my "official" bio and links:

Changing seasons. Unexpected blessings. Love that lasts forever. These are a few of M. Jean Pike's favorite things. With a writing career that has spanned two decades, Jean combines an insatiable curiosity about humans and why they do what they do with her faith in God to bring readers unforgettable tales of life, love, and the inner workings of the human heart. Her short works have been featured in Chicken Soup for the Soul and the Lutheran Digest. Superheroes is her twelfth novel. 

Find out more by visiting her Web/Blogsite.

Superheroes can be found at Amazon, PBG, B&N, GooglePlay, Kobo and Apple books.

Perfect. Twelve novels is an amazing accomplishment! Thank You, SO much for sharing your book with us today. We wish you the best of luck and God's blessing on all of your work.

Hope you'll check out M. Jean's book, Friends, and that you'll come back each week for another edition of Saturday Spotlight.

Be sure to check out the books in our sidebar as well as our Featured Author and Teaser Tuesday pages and be on the lookout for Autum Reads in collaboration with KeukaRoots.com!

Until next time, take care and God bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Barbara M Britton & Defending David!

 

Good Morning and Welcome to the first Saturday Spotlight of July 2025!

Hope your Independence Day celebrations are safe and happy.

Today we bring Barbara Britton back with her book, Defending David, part of her "Tribes of Israel" series.

Thanks for visiting us again, Barbara. Tell us what makes Defending David so special...

Thank you for having me back on the blog, Pam.

King David is a popular Bible hero and recently people have taken a renewed interest in David’s life with the drama “House of David.” Amazon Prime takes a few licenses with Scripture, but viewers tune in to see how a shepherd boy rose to power and became king over Israel.

In my novel “Defending David,” I capture David’s life when it is in turmoil. David is older and his son Absalom is determined to kill his father and claim the throne. David flees Jerusalem like a criminal. David is not fighting with armies or even a sling. David retreats in weakness.

David is still the man after God’s own heart as we read in I Samuel 13:14, and God provides a helper for David. God has a sense of humor because He sends a Philistine exile to assist David. This enemy exile has hundreds of fighting men and is sold out to the One True God. Who is this unlikely hero to David? A man with a fun name—Ittai the Gittite.

I enjoyed shining a light on Ittai and showing how David trusted him during a tumultuous time. Ittai is front and center as the buff warrior who saves an aging king, and he also finds love along the way.

“Defending David” covers a chunk of Scripture in II Samuel, chapters 15-19:8. 

Wonderful! Give us more please...

Sure here's the cover, blurb and an excerpt...

When a quiet journey to Jerusalem turns tragic, newly orphaned Rimona must flee a kinsman set on selling her as a slave. Racing into the rocky hills outside of Hebron, Rimona is rescued by a Philistine commander journeying to Jerusalem with six-hundred warriors.

 

Exiled commander, Ittai the Gittite, is seeking refuge in the City of David. Protecting a frantic Hebrew woman is not in his leadership plan. Although, having a nobleman's niece in his caravan might prove useful for finding shelter in a foreign land. Rimona and Ittai arrive in Jerusalem on the eve of a rebellion. In the chaos of an heir's betrayal, will they be separated forever, or can they defend King David and help the aging monarch control his rebellious son?

Excerpt:

Stifling a laugh, Ittai surveyed the approach of the closest stranger. Why was anyone traipsing over rock and crevices in the dark when sunlight wasn’t far off? Some men had no sense. How many fools had he encountered in battle? Too many and they were dead. Crouching near a tower of rocks and a spindly sapling, Ittai unsheathed his blade. He breathed in cool air untainted with kicked-up camel dust. His eyes overcame the darkness to rest on a form breeching the top of the hill. 

Sandal slaps. Wheezing. One fool had made it to the crest. Hamuran would cut off the others. 

Nearer and nearer the climber came. Ittai swallowed. The sour taste of bile pulled his jaw tight. 

Lord, give me victory. 

The man stumbled over a rock and whimpered. 

Ittai lunged. 

He grabbed the stranger and pulled the thin frame taut to his chest. His knife rested against the flesh of the prowler’s neck. 

“Stay silent, or I will send your head thumping to the dirt.” 

His captive turned to stone. Trembling stone. 

A swell of breast rose and fell beneath Ittai’s arm. No stench of sweat or body odor offended his nose. This quivering climber smelled of scented soap even after a trek up a hill. An abundance of soft curls tickled his chin. 

He’d caught a woman. 

What was a woman doing out at night? In the wilderness? In his arms? 

He eased his blade from her neck. “I mean you no harm. I am not a foe. I will release you if you keep your voice low.” 

She nodded ever so slightly. A tiny whine escaped from her lips as if she were agreeing to his demand in earnest. 

He loosened his hold but kept her upright with a commanding grasp of her arm. A crazed or enraged woman could do harm. He had learned that in the most difficult of ways. He gave her enough slack to turn and face him in the shadows. 

“Help me,” the woman rasped. “Men are chasing me.” 

Securing his weapon, he kept his gaze centered on the gleam in her dark eyes. 

“They mean to cut out my tongue.” Her chest rose and sunk like the sea. “And sell me as a slave. My father is not a thief.” 

The woman’s eyes blinked without rest. He had only seen someone so undone under two circumstances—when he told his mother he was going off to war, or in war, when a man was pleading for his life. His mind became a fog of memories. His calm, tranquil night had been set ablaze.

AMAZING! I remember how much I enjoyed reading Defending David. Get your copy on Amazon (FREE in KU), you won't regret it!

Barbara M. Britton writes Christian Fiction from Bible Times to present day. Her Tribes of Israel series brings little-known Bible characters to light. She also authored a WWI Historical set in Alaska and created Christian romances set in Tennessee. Barbara has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate. Find out more about Barb’s books on her website, barbarambritton.com, or follow her on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. 

Hope you enjoyed Barbara's visit today folks and that you'll check back every week for another Saturday Spotlight. See Barbara's other spotlights HERE.

Until next time take care and God Bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Marilyn Leach & All Hallows Dead: A Berdie Elliott Saints Day Mystery

Good Morning Friends,

Today we welcome, Marilyn Leach back to our blog with the fifth book in a series that heralds the intrepid English vicar’s wife and gifted sleuth, Berdie Elliott, as an ascendant crime solver.  All Hallows Dead is a current-time whodunit that’s rooted in England’s ancient past. 

Thanks for being in our spotlight, Marilyn, can you tell us what inspired you to write a Saint's Day mystery?

Thank You, Pam, for having me back on your blog! The easy answer is to explore the North of England and breathe in the rich heritage of abbey ruins, wind-swept villages, venerable churches, brooding skies, and the North Sea, inspires creative thought and the centuries-old history generates story ideas. Short autumn days and long blustery nights are just the right season to read All Hallows Dead with a hot cup of tea close at hand.  Cheers 😊

I hear you, Marilyn. I went to England last year and you're right, the magnificent architecture and the country's history can certainly get the juices flowing. (You can read about my trip HERE). Tell us more about All Hallows Dead...

Sure, here's the Blurb...

How can a sixteenth century saint help solve a twenty-first century crime?

When Berdie Elliott, vicar’s wife and sleuth extraordinaire, attends a church course with her husband in the North of England, she bumps into her former newspaper boss who calls upon her to investigate beguiling circumstances that spell murder.  From the landed Cavendish family to the local pub’s manager, Criswell Abbey and its village are steeped in a centuries-old mystery.  The legend of a departed churchman, a mysterious bell tower, England’s tangled history, a delayed marriage proposal, and a wily parrot all help Berdie to declare the truth in All Hallows Dead.  

And an Excerpt...

Berdie Elliott and her best friend, Lillie Foxworth, often find themselves in hot water, and they’re not brewing tea.

What I found is absolutely priceless. There’s….” Berdie stopped when she became aware of clip-clop steps in the nave. “Shh.” She put her index finger to her lips.  

“Why shush?” Lillie didn’t make her voice particularly quiet. 

Berdie raised her brows and pointed toward the nave. “Someone’s about the place,” she whispered. “We can’t let on that we’re in here…”

The steps outside became louder. They were advancing toward the tower. 

Lord have mercy.  

There was a hesitation.  

Berdie held her breath. She realized instantly that whoever was on the other side of the door, was perhaps one who knew all the secrets of this place which could mean she and Lillie were in very real danger. 

Oh my, intriguing from the get go. How can we find out more about you now, Marilyn?

Here's my "official" bio Pam, including places readers can connect...

At the age of nine, Marilyn wrote her first play with a childhood neighbor, “The Ghost and Mr. Giltwallet”.  It was a mystery.  And she’s been writing in one form or another, hobby or livelihood, since.  As well as teaching art, she’s had the opportunity to co-author several plays that have been performed on both church and secular stages, as well as two screenplays.  Marilyn has had the good fortune of “discovering her roots” while visiting England where she developed lasting relationships with wonderful people there.  It has greatly impacted her writing.  A great fan of Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple and David Cook’s Hetty Wainthropp series, Marilyn was inspired to write her Berdie Elliott Mystery series.  It takes place in a small English village where the vicar’s wife, Berdie Elliott, is the divine sleuth.  Marilyn lives lakeside in a cottage on the outskirts of Denver near the foothills.

Find Marilyn at... www.amazon.com and www.pelicanbookgroup.com

Check out Marilyn's previous visits and the other books in her series: HERE 

Get your copy of All Hallows Dead at Amazon & Pelican Book Group.

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Cindy & Erin Woodsmall & Yesterday's Gone!

Good Morning and Welcome to the Final Edition of Saturday Spotlight for October 2022!

Today's gues, Cindy Woodsmall has shared treasures with us before but this time shares the spotlight with her daughter-in-law, Erin! Together they give us a peek into their novel, Yesterday's Gone. Take it away ladies....

Eliza Bontrager and Jesse Ebersol have fallen in love and are determined to marry, despite the belief of their Amish community and respective families that there’s a hidden curse—one that only shows up when an Ebersol and Bontrager marry.

Before the ceremony on the day of the wedding, Eliza’s great-aunt Rose gives her a family heirloom quilt and tells her that she may use it to change one event in the past. Eliza appreciates the woman’s heart, but she dismisses the strange conversation while keeping the beautiful quilt.

Several years later, mourning the loss of their third child, Eliza discovers her inability to deliver a healthy baby is genetic. Remembering her great-aunt’s strange words, she decides that if she can go back in time and reject Jesse’s proposal, she can save him the heartache of a childless marriage. Her sacrifice will allow him to marry someone else and raise a family. But once she puts her plan into action, she discovers the true impact of her decision—on Jesse and so many others within their community.

Excerpt: Jesse’s nerves danced across his shoulders, tightening the muscles. Hard conversations weren’t for the faint of heart, but for better or worse, it was time he came clean with Eliza. He fidgeted with the rock in his pocket as he watched her wade into the creek.

She’d reached into the shallow, clear water and picked up a palm-size stone. She bounced it in her hand. Jesse peeled out of his shoes and socks. He eased into the water.

They’d been neighbors all of their lives and friends for more than a decade. She was the ideal friend, the best one anyone could have. But he wanted more, far more. His gut said she did too, but even so, it wouldn’t solve all that was stacked against them. As much as her parents liked and appreciated who he was, and his parents felt the same about her, they would be dead set against them dating. To them, a union between the Ebersol and Bontrager families was offensive and unthinkable. . . .

He studied Eliza, his heart pounding. She was the only one for him. He knew that, but he also knew the history that was stacked against them.

CINDY WOODSMALL is a New York Times and CBA bestselling author of twenty-five works of fiction and one nonfiction book. Coverage of Cindy’s writing has been featured on ABC’s Nightline and the front page of the Wall Street Journal. She lives in the foothills of the north Georgia mountains with her husband, just a short distance from two of her three sons and her six grandchildren.

Find out more about Cindy and her work by visiting her Website.

 

ERIN WOODSMALL is a writer, musician, wife, and mom of four. She has edited, brainstormed, and researched books with Cindy for almost a decade. More recently she and Cindy have coauthored five books, one of which was a winner of the prestigious Christy Award.

 Get your copy of Yesterday's Gone directly from Tyndale Publishing or at your favorite Christian bookstore!

Thank you, Ladies for sharing your novel with us today! We certainly wish you both the best of luck and God's blessings with it.

That's it for this week and month, friends. I hope you have a blessed, happy & safe Halloween!

Until next time take care and God bless.

PamT

#WednesdayWordswithFriends Welcomes @FayLamb Fay Lamb!

Good Morning and Welcome!

Well after a cold front last week then more days of 80 degree temps, we're once more down in the 40's - 70's and I'm loving it! I've been a firm believer and practicer of gratitude for a while now but Monday I started another round based on The Magic by Rhonda Byrne. In this book Ms. Byrne tells us to say Why we're grateful so here goes.... I am so happy and grateful for Fall because I love opening the windows after a night of rain on the metal roof!

I am also grateful for my guest today so I hope you'll sit back and enjoy Fay Lamb's visit. Take it away, Fay...

The Autumn Season of Life

For everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven…”  Ecclesiastes 3:1

Autumn in my favorite time of the year. Actually, what I love is the heart of autumn. I look forward to October with the anticipation of a child awaiting the arrival of Christmas.

In what other season can a shift in life be more felt than in the fall? And I’m saying that as a Floridian where we have two seasons: hot and hotter, and there is certainly no fanfare that brings autumn into our lives in the Sunshine State. The leaves on the trees remain two colors. Either they are green or they are brown, and they don’t fall until the dead of winter. There is seldom a cold snap in Florida in October. We are more likely to get a late-for-the-season hurricane than a cold front. Still, without the grand announcement of a shift of season, Floridians still know it is coming. There is a shortening of the days and a sense of the need to prepare. 

If I examined my heart to determine why I look forward to this heart of autumn, I might confess that it is the sense of preparation that I love, the gathering and storing. The beloved squirrels in my yard have been given by God a sense that they must prepare. In the fall, I watch them not eat the gifts of peanuts I bestow upon them but bury them all over my yard.

October is a time when we sense, like the squirrels, that hardship may be upon us—a dormancy of growth and supply. So we gather and we prepare not only for the winter, but for the renewal that occurs on the other side of the winter. On that other side is where we begin to plant what we will again gather and store.

God as made us similar to the animals in this regard. Just as the plants and the animals have a time of new birth, of strong fortitude, a time when we might feel hardship encroaching, and we prepare for the endurance of hard frost in our lives, we also have spiritual seasons: times of new birth, times of strong fortitude, times when we feel hardship encroaching upon us, and then times of hard frosts. These seasons whether physical or spiritual can come at us at different stages in our lives.

Yet I smile to think that God has prepared a “feeder” for me in His Word. A place where in times of plenty, I can glean more; in times of preparation, I can dig more; and in times of hardship, I can hide more and wait out the winters of life with an expectation of renewal.

Fay Lamb is the only daughter of a rebel genius father and a hard-working, tow-the-line mom. She is not only a fifth-generation Floridian, she has lived her life in Titusville, where her grandmother was born in 1899.

Since an early age, storytelling has been Fay’s greatest desire. She seeks to create memorable characters that touch her readers’ hearts. She says of her writing, “If I can’t laugh or cry at the words written on the pages of my manuscript, the story is not ready for the reader.” Fay writes in various genres, including romance, romantic suspense, and contemporary fiction.

If you’d like to catch up with Fay, visit her at her website, on Amazon, Goodreads, and Twitter. Also, Fay has become a “novel” gardener, and she shares her adventure in her newsletter, Tales from the Azalea Garden. You can sign up for her newsletter, Tales from the Azalea Garden, here.

Links to Social Media:

Website: https://faylamb.wixsite.com/website

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FayFaylamb

Newsletter Sign Up: https://faylamb.wixsite.com/website/contact

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/FayLamb

Amazon Central: amazon.com/author/faylamb

Check out her upcoming Christmas book, All I Want for Christmas!

A wedding headed for disaster, a crime syndicate bent on destruction, and a bunch of hungry alligators …

Knee deep in preparation for her best friend’s Christmas wedding, Abigail Brewster reels when her estranged younger sister returns to Mullet Harbor. She brings secrets, intrigue, and trouble along with her—a crime syndicate set on goals which would destroy the harbor. And Abigail is in the middle of their scheme.

Remy Arneaux doesn’t understand the reason for Susan Brewster’s return, and maybe that’s due to the brain fog from his concussion. But he does know enough not to trust her and not to let her near Abigail. The self-centered woman would only hurt her … again. Abigail has had enough pain, even from him. Still, he made a promise to escort someone else to the wedding. And with the promise is a secret that begins to rip apart his relationship with Abigail.

According to Mayor Herb’s edict, nothing is allowed to mar this occasion for his only granddaughter: not heartbreak, not tirades from a spoiled young woman, and especially not the threats from organized crime.

But what about their attempts to make good on their threats …

What lovely sentiments about Autum, Fay. Thank you for sharing!

I hope you enjoyed Fay's post, friends and that you'll check back each week for another Wednesday Words with Friends and Saturday Spotlight. Meanwhile, check out Fay's previous visit HERE.

Until next time, take care and God bless.

PamT

#WednesdayWordswithFriends Welcomes Carol James @CarolJamesAuth!

Good Morning and Welcome!

Before I turn the blog over to today's guest let me take a moment to Thank each and every one of You who have patiently followed my virtual book tour for Kyleigh's Cowboy. Your love and support mean the world to me! This week I'm sharing excerpts on Patricia Kiyono & Alina K Field's blogs. If you've pre-ordered the book through Amazon - THANKS AGAIN! If you haven't, you can not only order but read it 1 week early through Smashwords! Click HERE for details but hurry! This is a limited offer.

Now without much further ado, please give Carol James a huge hug as she returns to share with us some thoughts on The Sacred Call of the Christian Writer. Take it away, Carol!

Why am I writing? What were my goals and motivations when I began? Did I want to achieve fame and fortune? Have a book (or two) listed on the New York Times best-seller list? Be able to support my family or make a nice little nest egg for my retirement? I can imagine some of you snickering right now…

None of these is a bad reason to pursue writing. All of them have value. But for a Christian writers there can be only one reason to write. Because you’re called.

I love writing redemptive romance. One reason is because it’s formulaic and has a built-in timeline that helps me craft the story. Hitting four major plot points (Inciting Event, Point of Commitment, Black Moment, Satisfying Ending) help me with pacing and keep me on track. But what happens between those four points?

Before I put the first words on paper, while the ideas are spinning around in my imagination. I choose a Bible verse or two (Oftentimes, I’ll have one verse for the hero and another for the heroine.) and a hymn or Christian song as the foundation for the story. As I write from point to point, I constantly circle back to the truths expressed in the verses and the lyrics of the song. It’s the best way I’ve found to help me stay “on message.”

As a Christian writer, I’m called to step into the deserts of my readers’ lives and bring them hope and truth. But how do I measure that? In the story of the ninety and nine, the Good Shepherd leaves the many to find the one. I hope this is as much encouragement to you as it is to me. Touching the life of one, or two, or three with my writing is as valuable as touching the lives of a multitude. 

So, be faithful to your calling, whatever it is, and trust God with the rest.

Raised as an Air Force brat, the longest Carol James ever lived in one place was a year and a half. Maybe that’s why when she and her husband bought their first home over forty years ago, they stayed put.

Wife, mother, grandmother, and dog-mama, Carol loves writing stories of redemptive romance. When asked the difference between redemptive romance and standard romance, she replied, “A standard romance has two main characters––a hero and a heroine. A redemptive romance adds a third. God.”

Sign up for her quarterly newsletter and receive a free short story: https://www.carol-james.com/staying-in-touch.html 

Connect with Carol: 

CarolJamesWebsite

FacebookCarolJames

InstagramCarolJamesAuth 

TwitterCarolJamesAuth

GoodreadsCarolJames

BookbubCarolJames

AmazonCarolJames 

Oh MY, Carol....what a lovely message and SO timely as I release a new book! THANK YOU.

Hope you enjoyed Carol's post, Friends and that you take her words to heart as you share your gifts and talents with the world. Speaking of gifts, check out Carol's latest release, A Time for Singing at Amazon, B&N, Kobo, GoodReads, Booktopia, BookBub and Pelican Book Group.

Check out Carol's previous visits to our blog HERE.

THANKS for dropping by, Friends. Until next week, take care and God bless.

PamT

#WednesdayWordswithFriends With ME!

Good Morning Friends,

Great news! Kyleigh's Cowboy is up for PreOrder at Amazon. I'll be working to get the book up at other retailers after I receive and approve the print proof. I'd like for both to be available on publication date of 10/18/2022. Meanwhile, reserve your copy today.

Recently I came upon a book promo site called Shepherd.com where authors spotlight their books by sharing a list of books they love. Of course I had to take advantage of this free publicity and it's always a pleasure to talk about the work of my favorite authors. Below is a jpg of their main page: The Best Books on Christianity which features mostly nonfiction along with the books I deem the best Christian fiction novels that show the awesome power of God to heal the most wounded of souls.

I hope you enjoyed this quick post and that you'll check back weekly for more Wednesday Words with Friends and Saturday Spotlight.

Oh...before I forget! Sept. 20 - 25th NN Lights will be hosting a "Super Sale Bookish Event" which I'll be participating in and where an Amazon gift card will be up for grabs. Watch for the graphic and more info in the days to come!

Until next itme, take care and God bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Mary Marelli & Moon Over Montana!

Good Morning from Natchitoches, LA!

Yep, we brought the camper up Thursday and are having a lot of fun exploring our northern neighbors. Today's guest is new to me and our blog so PLEASE give Mary Marelli a Huge W-E-L-C-O-M-E as she shares with us her book, Moon Over Montana....

Megan Donovan's broken engagement has left her aimless with only one place to go: Montana. Her estranged grandfather has left the broken-down ranch of her mother's youth. Trouble is, Mom's memories of that time are so tainted that Megan doesn't want anything to do with the place.

The wild horses that David “Cam” Campbell protects from rustlers need a sanctuary to roam free. What better location than Old Man Jenkins' acreage adjacent to his own successful ranch? But Cam's gotten off on the wrong foot with Megan, and that gal's not selling—not unless Cam can convince her that it's best for everyone involved.

But is giving Megan a reason to leave, really the best he can do?

Excerpt: A soft whinny echoed across the valley. Megan gasped. Tears sprang to her eyes, and she turned her camera toward the sound. The thunder of hooves built slowly and then intensified as a herd of wild mustangs galloped through. A chestnut stallion stood watch over his domain, a sorrel mare by his side. The mighty leader whinnied and tossed his head. Majestic, devoted, and brave, he guarded his herd of mares and foals.

Cam pointed. “This is what it’s all about. This is my passion. My crusade, if you wish. This is what I’m fighting to preserve.”

Megan’s bottom lip trembled, and she lowered her camera. “They’re beautiful.” She shook her head. “No. That doesn’t do them justice. They’re magnificent. So regal and loyal.” She turned toward Cam. “They are, you know. Loyal. They’re a family.”

Cam nodded. “That they are, and I wish more people saw it that way. Look at them. They’re not causing any harm. Cattle don’t graze down in that hollow. It’s too dangerous to drive them down. As long as the horses stay here, they’re safe. It’s when they stray onto the range we rode though, that they’re in danger.”

“Rustlers?” Megan asked.

“That’s what I think.” 

****

Mary K. Marelli lives with her husband on a private lake nestled in the foothills of the Pocono Mountains in eastern Pennsylvania.  Her writing is inspired by a variety of true life experiences, and a cause dear to her heart, the preservation of America’s wild horses. Find out more about Mary by visiting her Website and connecting with her on Twitter and Facebook!

Get your copy of Moon Over Montana at Amazon or Pelican Book Group.

THANK You so much, Mary for sharing with us today! We wish you the best of luck and God's blessings with your book(s).

Moon Over Montana sounds like a great reads friends so check it out and come back next week for Wednesday Words with Friends and another Saturday Spotlight!

Until next time, take care and God bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Carol James @CarolJamesAuth & A Time for Singing!

 Good Morning My Dear Friends and Welcome!

It's been a rainy week here in SW Louisiana and although we'd been in a drought situation for quite a while, we're all feeling quite a bit soggy now and saying, "ENOUGH!" 

Why is it Mother Nature seems to be in a bad mood most of the time and go from one extreme to the next? Take a chill pill already LOL!

Regardless of the weather, it's always a beautiful day when I have the priveledge of spotlighting a fellow author and his/her newest release and today is no exception! Take it away, Carol.....

 Charlee Bennett is running from her past. Once deserted by her musician ex-fiancé, she’s vowed to avoid anything that reminds her of the pain of his betrayal.

Chance Jackson is starting over. Hoping to redeem the mistakes of his earlier life, he hopes to become the music and worship pastor of the largest church in Crescent Bluff.

Charlee tries to convince herself she should not be attracted to Chance. But then she discovers an old letter hidden in the secret drawer of an antique desk. The pain expressed by its author resonates deep within her.

Can the words of long ago soften Charlee's heart and help her to discover that there is a time for singing?    

Excerpt:

So, who would it be tonight? 

From her table in the back corner, Charlee Bennett surveyed the inn’s small dining room. The only empty chair sat across from her, a sure sign she’d soon have a dinner companion. 

She smoothed the white linen napkin in her lap and sipped her water. Over the past few years, these monthly weekends at the Wayfarer Inn had become her favorites, times of pampering among the plodding. 

A tall man who definitely wasn’t from Crescent Bluff stepped into the doorway and leaned on the old oak pulpit now serving as the hostess stand. Michael presented his best maître d’ smile and then consulted the reservations list. The new diner nodded. Michael gathered a menu and silverware and turned in her direction. 

Perspiration prickled her face. Oh, no. Not this man. Anyone but him. Please…not a musician. She could spot them a mile away. After following Jake around for a year and then dating him for two more, she knew the look. PR. Painstakingly Relaxed

Last month, she’d shared dinner with a trial judge from Amarillo, and the month before that, a retired humanitarian aid worker from Uganda. Not only had both men been fascinating, they’d also been safe. Both were old enough to be her grandfather. But as Michael led tonight’s guest toward her table, only one word resonated within her. 

Danger.

Raised as an Air Force brat, the longest Carol James ever lived in one place was a year and a half. Maybe that’s why when she and her husband bought their first home over forty years ago, they stayed put.

Wife, mother, grandmother, and dog-mama, Carol loves writing stories of redemptive romance. When asked the difference between redemptive romance and standard romance, she replied, “A standard romance has two main characters––a hero and a heroine. A redemptive romance adds a third. God.”

Sign up for her quarterly newsletter and receive a free short story: https://www.carol-james.com/staying-in-touch.html 

Connect with Carol: 

CarolJamesWebsite

FacebookCarolJames

InstagramCarolJamesAuth 

TwitterCarolJamesAuth

GoodreadsCarolJames

BookbubCarolJames

AmazonCarolJames 

Newsletter Sign-up

Get your copy of A Time for Singing at Amazon, B&N, Kobo, GoodReads, Booktopia, BookBub & Pelican Book Group.

Check out Carol's previous visits HERE.

Good luck and God's blessings with A Time for Singing, Carol, the book definitely sounds like another hit! 

Hope you enjoyed today's spotlight as much as I did, Friends and that you'll check back each week for another edition of Wednesday Words with Friends and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, take care & God Bless.

PamT

#WednesdayWordswithFriends Welcomes Kathleen Neely @NeelyKneely3628 !

Good Morning Friends,

I hope this day finds you BLESSED.

Our guest is not new to our blog but she is here with a new book so please welcome Kathleen Neely back!

When a person is diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, it’s typically not a surprise. Symptoms have alerted them for some time.  I knew there was something causing the shaking of my hands. It had increased to the point where people noticed. I found myself tucking my shaky right hand out of sight or holding it still with my left hand. My primary care doctor suspected Benign Essential Tremor but sent me to a neurologist for an expert opinion. The neurologist matter-of-factly stated, “This is not Essential Tremor. You have Parkinson’s Disease.” I had suspected it and left his office not overly alarmed. Many people have PD. I shifted my care to a Movement Disorder Specialist, began medication, and continued with my life, working as an elementary principal. I joined an exercise group specific for people with PD and began attending info luncheons provided by our local PD support group. It was there that reality hit me in the gut. I saw people with advanced stages of the disease. Some who couldn’t walk without assistance. Some whose speech was garbled, rendering it incomprehensible. Some who tremored; some who swayed; some who drooled; and many with blank faces. I wanted to run from there and put my head back in the sand where I thought of PD as a nuisance instead of a life-changing disease. But that wasn’t possible. Once we learn something, we can never unlearn it. I cried and prayed, but knew that without a miracle from God, PD is progressive and without a cure. 

I know that God is able, but instead of asking for a miracle, I prayed for peace and the ability to face my infirmity with grace. I believe that the Bible speaks to us about dealing with physical ailments. When Lazarus was sick, his sisters knew Jesus could heal him. Yet despite their pleas, he tarried for two days, and Lazarus died. They couldn’t understand why Jesus didn’t help them. But we know he had greater plans. The Bible talks about a ‘thorn’ in Paul’s side. Some scholars believe it refers to a physical ailment. While Paul asked God to remove it, God’s answer was this. “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”  2 Cor. 12:9. I cling to that truth. And sing the words of “Even If.” MercyMe - Even If (Official Lyric Video) - Bing video “Even if You don’t, my hope is You alone.”

God has done remarkable things in the ten years since my diagnosis. I retired from my position and turned my attention to writing—a lifelong desire. Here’s an amazing blessing. My compromised small motor skills prevent me from writing legibly (micrographia), but I can type with great fluency. I see that as God’s provision for me to write. I’ve had six novels published in those ten years, but this latest one is special to me. I wrote a character with Parkinson’s. I’ve wanted to do that for some time. My goal is to offer readers a quality story while bringing awareness of PD. I hope you enjoy Kate’s story. I noted some common symptoms in this message, but Though the Mountains be Shaken will expand your knowledge. PD is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disease, second only to Alzheimer’s. Everyone knows someone suffering from this disease, so I hope you’ll arm yourself with information, whether through this novel or elsewhere. 

Kate Dunbar puts 100% into everything she does—a career as a literary agent, a mom of preschool twins, and the wife of Ryan Dunbar, a criminal defense attorney. She appears to have the perfect life, until it begins to crumble piece by piece—her marriage, her health, and her job. 

Kate blames emotional stress for her fatigue, stiffness, and tremors. As symptoms begin to increase, Kate finds herself unable to control her body’s erratic movements. At the same time that she and Ryan separate, she receives a diagnosis of Parkinson’s. Determined not to tell her estranged husband of her diagnosis, Kate faces an unknown future and the possibility that she’ll face it as a single mother. 

As glimmers of hope for a restored marriage begin to surface, more upheavals await them. A case that Ryan is defending endangers his family and his career. 

Kate and Ryan both harbor secrets that threaten their marriage. Can they mend their broken family? How will Parkinson’s affect their future? For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others. Every vow they spoke eight years ago is being tested. Can they survive the storm? 

Kathleen Neely is a retired elementary principal, and enjoys time with family, visiting her two grandsons, traveling, and reading. 

She is the author of The Street Singer, Beauty for Ashes, The Least of These, Arms of Freedom, and In Search of True North. Kathleen won second place in a short story contest through ACFW-VA for her short story “The Missing Piece” and an honorable mention for her story “The Dance”. Both were published in a Christmas anthology. Her novel, The Least of These, was awarded first place in the 2015 Fresh Voices contest through Almost an Author. She has numerous devotions published through Christian Devotions. 

Kathleen continues to speak to students about writing and publication processes. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. 

Website – www.KathleenNeely.com 

Facebook – www.facebook.com/kathy.neely.98

Twitter - https://twitter.com/NeelyKneely3628

Instagram – www.Instagram.com/KathleenNeelyAuthor 

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14602744.Kathleen_Neely 

BookBub -- https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kathleen-neely 

Get your copy of Though the Mountains be Shaken and Kathleen's other books by visiting her Amazon Page.

Check out Kathleen's previous visits to our blog HERE.

Wow, Kathleen THANK YOU for sharing your incredible story with us! We certainly wish you the best of luck and God's blessings and His complete healing and restoration through the Blood of Jesus!

Hope you enjoyed Kathleen's post as much as I did friends, and that you'll check back weekly for Wednesday Words with Friends and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, take care and God bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Chris Fabry & Lifemark!

Hello Again Friends,

Please help me welcome author, Chris Fabry back with a peek at his latest book, Lifemark.

For eighteen years, she tried to believe she had made the right decision—for him.

But if she never saw him again, how could she ever be sure?

Melissa had clung to the thin thread of hope given by the adoption agency that someday her newborn son might want to connect with her. When his eighteenth birthday arrived, she called the agency to simply update her contact information, not expecting a response.

Susan and Jimmy Colton had raised their boy with openness about his adoption. After the heartbreaking loss of two infant sons that marked their early years of marriage, they promised themselves they would try not to hold too tightly to David or hold back any information he wanted about his birth. And so they waited on him.

David was hesitant to talk about the questions and curiosities about his birth story that often haunted him. But as he neared adulthood, his need to know the full story of his life became something he couldn’t shake. Until the call came to the Coltons from the adoption agency, and the first tentative bits of communication and connection set in motion a story that would change all their lives forever.

From the team that brought you the movies Courageous and War Room comes Lifemark, the novelization of the new film inspired by a true story of adoption, redemption, and hope.

 In Lifemark, Chris Fabry explores:

Crafting the novelization of the new Kendrick brothers' movie Lifemark; inspired by a true story of adoption, redemption, and hope.

The storyline of a young man, adopted at birth, on a journey to find the birth parents he's never known.

The counter-cultural behaviors of unselfishness and loving well, as demonstrated by his characters in Lifemark.

How the decision to “choose life” presents opportunities for healing and reconciliation.

How adoptive parents must push through great loss and persevere in the adoption process.

Excerpt:

He looked at her, then back at the object in his hand. “You think you might be pregnant?”

“I’ve been sick to my stomach every morning for the past week.”

“What does it say?”

“Says you’re going to be a father.”

The air seemed to leave the room for both of them.

“Whoa.”

“Is that all you can think to say?”

He looked at her again. “I didn’t . . . I mean . . . I don’t know what to say. What do you want me to say?”

She saw him all blurry now, like in one of those hall-­of-­mirrors rooms at the county fair. She wiped her eyes and tried to stay in control, but her chin quivered and she couldn’t stop it, and she hated that. She’d sat in the bathroom for a half hour after the test turned positive while a wave of emotion and fear swept over her. What she hadn’t prepared for in all of that was the unexpected feeling that crept up on her. Something she couldn’t tell Brian.

“What are you going to do?” he said.

Melissa pulled her head back, then looked away. Her face felt hot all of a sudden and she clenched her fists. She’d had fights with Brian, but she’d never felt this way before. “What am I going to do? Is that your question?”

“Yeah, I mean, what do you want me to ask you?”

“How about, what are we going to do? You’re part of this, you know.”

“I know that.” His eyes got soft and he reached out to touch her shoulder, but she moved away. The couch cushions sagged. She grabbed the edge and pulled herself up, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed.

“We’re not ready, Melissa. I don’t have a job. I’m behind on the rent. There’s no food. I’m not going to my mom for help and I know you don’t want to go to your dad.”

He was right about all of that. And there were more reasons they weren’t ready and shouldn’t be having a baby. But Melissa couldn’t shake the feeling she’d had in the bathroom. Mixed in with all the fear and shame and feeling stupid for not being more careful and a hundred other bad thoughts was a single word that rose to the surface like a rainbow trout in her heart.

Mother.

She was going to be a mother. And there was something about that word, something about the concept, that made her feel alive. That tingle inside surprised her. On one hand, she felt like a million bricks had collapsed on top of her. She couldn’t breathe. And there was nobody she could tell because she knew what they’d think, what they’d say.

At the same ­time—­and it was the strangest thing to feel this ­way—­she sensed there was something good growing inside her. But every time she thought of that, another brick would fall and snap her back to reality.

“What do you think we should do, then?” Brian said.

“I don’t know.”

Adapted from Lifemark by Chris Fabry Copyright © 2022. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries.  All rights reserved.

Chris Fabry is an award-winning author and radio personality who hosts the daily program Chris Fabry Live on Moody Radio. He is also heard on Love Worth Finding, Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman, and other radio programs. In 2020, he was inducted into the Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications Hall of Fame. A native of West Virginia, Chris and his wife, Andrea, now live in Arizona and are the parents of nine children.

Chris's novels, which include Dogwood, June Bug, Almost Heaven, and The Promise of Jesse Woods, have won five Christy Awards, an ECPA Christian Book Award, and two Awards of Merit from Christianity Today. He was inducted into the Christy Award Hall of Fame in 2018. His books include movie novelizations, such as War Room and Overcomer, and novels for children and young adults. He coauthored the Left Behind: The Kids series with Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye, as well as the Red Rock Mysteries and the Wormling series with Jerry B. Jenkins. He encourages those who dream of writing with his website heyyoucanwrite.com. Find out more about his books at chrisfabry.com.

Get your copy of Lifemark at Amazon or ChristianBook(dot)com. Check out the movie and check out Chris's previous visits to our blog HERE.

 

Wow, wow, wow....what an excerpt! Thanks for sharing Chris, sounds like an amazing book. Wishing you the best of luck and God's blessings with it.

Until next time, friends, be sure to check back weekly for Wednesday Words with Friends and Saturday Spotlight.

Take care and God Bless.

PamT