About the Book

Book: The Power of the Reframe

Author: J.J. Bundy

Genre: Christian Living / Self-Help / Faith-Based Healing

Release Date: September 15, 2025

When life hits hard, you have two choices: stay stuck in the pain or learn how to reframe it. The Power of the Reframe is a healing guide for women who are ready to release the weight of the past, renew their minds, and step into a new future with God at the center. Blending biblical truth, real-life wisdom, and practical exercises, this book helps you: Recognize the patterns holding you back. Reframe your story through God’s Word and affirmations. Rebuild a new perspective rooted in faith, ownership, and hope. This is not about ignoring your pain—it’s about transforming it into purpose. With journal prompts, heart-check exercises, and encouragement for every step of the healing journey, The Power of the Reframe shows you how to take your broken pieces and build something whole.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

J.J. Bundy (Jasmine Shegog) is the founder of The Reframe Collective, LLC, a healing-centered brand that equips women and children to break cycles, renew their minds, and build generational wholeness. A mother, writer, and former teacher, Jasmine draws on her own journey through grief, emotional healing, and faith to create resources that make complex emotional and spiritual truths simple and life-changing. Through books, workbooks, and retreats, she helps others reframe their pain into purpose. She also writes children’s books under the pen name J.J. Shegog.

More from J.J.

The Power of the Reframe because I know what it feels like to be stuck in the weight of your past, unsure how to move forward. For years, I wrestled with grief, emotional pain, and cycles I couldn’t seem to break. But through God’s Word and the practice of reframing, I discovered that the same moments that once felt like breaking points could actually become turning points.

This book is my heart on paper—a guide for anyone ready to renew their mind, take ownership of their healing, and step into God’s purpose with freedom. It’s filled with encouragement, biblical truth, and practical exercises that will help you not just survive what you’ve walked through, but actually be transformed by it.

Interview with the Author

1) Which chapter was the most difficult to write?

The most difficult chapter to write was the one about my grandmother. I struggled with our dynamic for so many years, and for a long time I questioned whether sharing any part of that story would feel like a betrayal to my family. I had to wrestle with that tension: honoring my own truth while knowing that others may see it differently. But eventually I realized this is my healing journey. These are the experiences that shaped me, and I can’t silence my own voice to protect someone else’s comfort. Whoever has an issue with that, that’s their issue — not mine. Writing that chapter was uncomfortable, but it was also freeing.

2) What inspired this book?

I had actually been writing pieces of this book for months, but it never landed. The outline felt off, the language wasn’t right, and I couldn’t quite say what I wanted to say. Everything just felt incomplete.

But when my mom died—and then I remembered my cousin passing three years earlier—it all came together. Those losses forced me to confront everything I had never had the words for before. All the conversations I wished I could’ve had with them… all the things I never said because I didn’t yet have the language or the understanding… this book became the place where I finally said it.

In many ways, writing this book became the conversation I never got to have with the women I loved and lost.

3) Which author influenced you most?

As cliché as it may sound, Jesus is the author who has influenced me the most. The Bible is the book that shapes everything I write and how I think. The principles, concepts, and precepts—once you understand what God is actually saying behind the words—you begin to understand what He’s saying to you.

That clarity is what grounded this book. Scripture gave me the framework to tell the truth, to take ownership, and to write from a place of both conviction and compassion.

4) What is your favorite Bible verse or life verse?

My favorite verse is: “Owe no man anything, except to love one another.”

If we lived our lives with that as our guiding principle, we would experience transformation in more ways than we can count. It simplifies everything: love people, honor God, and stay out of unnecessary bondage—whether financial, emotional, or spiritual. That verse is a foundation.

5) What would you like your readers to get out of this book?

I want readers to understand that although they may not have caused everything that happened to them—sometimes we contribute, sometimes we don’t—it is always our choice and our responsibility to get our lives in order because we love ourselves. Healing is not about blame; it’s about ownership.

And real self-love often starts with recognizing who loved us first: Jesus. When we anchor ourselves in that truth, we gain the strength to reframe our past, make new decisions, and step into the wholeness we were created for.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 28

Simple Harvest Reads, March 1 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, March 2 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 2

Guild Master, March 3 (Author Interview)

Fiction Book Lover, March 4 (Author Interview)

It’s Mama Safe, March 5

Books Less Travelled, March 6 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, March 7

History, Hope & Happily Ever After, March 8 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 9

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, March 10 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 11

Vicky Sluiter, March 12 (Author Interview)

For the Love of Literature, March 13 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, March 13

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, J.J. is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a signed copy of the book and its companion workbook!!

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

https://gleam.io/wNgC2/the-power-of-the-reframe-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: The Bird of Bedford Manor

Author: Michelle Griep

Genre: Historical Christian Fiction / Regency

Release Date: February, 2026

Bedfordshire, England, 1820: Ruined by the sins of her father, Juliet Finch is cast into a life of self-reliance. Survival is a harsh taskmaster, but she is a quick learner and excels at tracking and snaring wild game to feed herself. Juliet embraces her new identity until the day Henry Russell catches her poaching on his land—a crime punishable by death. Henry, however, has other offenses on his mind: namely, the troublesome stalker who’s making a misery of his sister’s life. To try to put a stop to her torment, Henry charges Juliet with tracking the elusive villain so he can be brought to justice. Using her skills, Juliet hunts down the rogue. . .but may just become the prey herself.

Reader favorite Michelle Griep has penned yet another masterpiece with this page-turning adventure that has it all:

• swoon-worthy romance
• clever turn-of-phrase
• colorfully memorable characters
• charming British setting

Click here to get your copy!

Guest Review from Mindy

About the Author

Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She is the Christy Award-winning author of historical romances: A Tale of Two Hearts, The Captured Bride, The Innkeeper’s Daughter, 12 Days at Bleakly Manor, The Captive Heart, Brentwood’s Ward, A Heart Deceived, and Gallimore, but also leaped the historical fence into the realm of contemporary with the zany romantic mystery Out of the Frying Pan. If you’d like to keep up with her escapades, find her at www.michellegriep.com or stalk her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

More from Michelle

The Waltz: The Dance That Shocked Regency England

Post by Michelle Griep

I’ll be the first to admit it…I can’t dance a lick. Not a jig, not a reel, and certainly not anything that requires turning in rhythm without stepping on someone’s toes. If you ever spot me on a dancefloor, it’s because someone shoved me there or I lost a bet. Which is probably why the waltz both fascinates and terrifies me. A dance that actually expects you to glide gracefully while holding someone close? Absolutely not. And yet in Regency England, it became the talk of the town.

When the waltz swirled onto the dancefloors of England in the 1790s, it caused more shock than delight. Imported from Austria and southern Germany, it was a turning, closely-held dance—far too close for the comfort of polite society. Many called it indecent, warning that no respectable couple should stand chest-to-chest before a room full of onlookers. Some critics even claimed the dance “ignited dangerous feelings” and threatened to erode proper English restraint.

Shocking, right?

But fashions shift, and all it took was the Prince Regent giving the dance his approval in 1814. Overnight, the waltz transformed from scandal to sensation. By the 1820s, it was everywhere.

Here are a few fun bits of waltz trivia from the era:
• Some etiquette books warned that too much turning could cause “disorientation” or “undue excitement.”
• Early chaperones sometimes counted the number of turns, convinced it reflected a couple’s level of impropriety.
• A lady’s hemline was said to act like a “barometer” of a gentleman’s behavior—if it swayed too wildly, he was holding her too tightly.

In The Bird of Bedford Manor, set in 1820, this same world of rigid rules and whispered scandals forms the backdrop for Juliet Finch—resourceful, determined, and driven into the woods by her father’s downfall. When Henry Russell catches her poaching on his land, everything changes. What begins as a crime punishable by death becomes something far more dangerous as he charges her with tracking the stalker tormenting his sister.

Juliet can track anything. But this time, she may become the hunted.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 24

Devoted Steps, February 24

Bizwings Blog, February 25

Book Looks by Lisa, February 25

Where Faith and Books Meet, February 25

Sylvan Musings, February 26

Sydney Schmied Books, February 26

Lily’s Corner, February 27

Melissa’s Bookshelf, February 27

Inspired by Fiction, February 28

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 28

Texas Book-aholic, March 1

Simple Harvest Reads, March 1 (Guest Review from Mindy)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 2

Books You Can Feel Good About, March 2

For Him and My Family, March 3

The Bookish Pilgrim, March 3

Betti Mace, March 4

Cover Lover Book Review, March 4

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 5

Blogging With Carol, March 5

Jeanette’s Thoughts, March 6

Blossoms and Blessings, March 6

Stories By Gina, March 7 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, March 7

Holly’s Book Corner, March 8

Pause for Tales, March 8

Vicky Sluiter, March 8

Devoted To Hope, March 9

To Everything There Is A Season, March 9

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Michelle is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon Gift Card and a print copy of the book!!

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

https://gleam.io/zqeQC/the-bird-of-bedford-manor-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: Light To My Path

Author: Erica Vetsch

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: February 10, 2026

A determined orphan caretaker and a wealthy mine owner—brought together by circumstance, tested by tragedy, and transformed by love.

Sam Mackenzie learned the hard way not to trust a beautiful face. After breaking his engagement to a fortune-hunting socialite, he’s focused solely on his family’s mining business. But when his aunt asks him to help escort three orphans and their caretaker across the country, he finds himself drawn to the selfless young woman tasked with the children’s care.

Eldora Carter has spent her life depending on no one but herself. As a former orphan now caring for three unwanted children, she knows better than to dream of a different future. When a journey by rail turns perilous, she must rely on Sam’s help to keep the children safe. Yet accepting his assistance means risking her heart to a man who could never want someone like her. As danger forces them to work together, Eldora discovers that sometimes the greatest risk is refusing to love at all.

Click here to get your copy!

Guest Review from Mindy

About the Author

Best-selling, award-winning author of The Debutante’s Code, first in the Thorndike & Swann Regency Mystery Series, Erica Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum.

More from Erica

Trains. I love trains. I got this love from my father, who is fascinated by all types of trains. When writing Light to My Path, I asked my dad lots of questions, and I relied heavily upon the things I learned at the train museums he took me to see.

One of our favorite train museums is in Duluth, MN. The Lake Superior Railroad Museum, in what was the former depot of the Gilded Age boomtown, is home to one of the most beautiful trains I have ever seen.

It’s name is the William B. Crooks, and it is a steam locomotive.

The William Crooks, the first train engine of any kind in Minnesota belonging to the St. Paul & Pacific Railroad by railroad tycoon James J. Hill of St. Paul. The William Crooks pulled its first train cars full of passengers on June 28, 1862. The William Crooks retired from passenger service in 1897.

Isn’t it beautiful? When the train retired from passenger service, it became the personal train of James J. Hill, The Empire Builder and owner of The Great Northern Railroad.

James J. Hill dreamed of pushing a railroad from Minnesota to the West Coast, through the Rocky and Cascade Mountains. It was along the Great Northern Railroad in March of 1910 that one of the worst train disasters in US history occurred. An avalanche took out two trains, killing 96 people.

This historic event inspired part of the story in Light to My Path. A train, trapped by snow, unable to go forward or back, and with an avalanche imminent. It’s the kind of book that calls for a warm blanket and a hot cup of tea!

You can read more about both the William Crooks and the Cascade Avalanche Disaster at these websites:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Crooks_(locomotive)

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/march-1/trains-buried-by-avalanche

Blog Stops

Books Less Travelled, February 19

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 20

Sydney Schmied Books, February 20

Texas Book-aholic, February 21

For Him and My Family, February 22

Devoted To Hope, February 23

Lyssa Loves Books, February 23

She.lives.to.read, February 24

lakesidelivingsite, February 24

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 25

Melissa’s Bookshelf, February 26

Blossoms and Blessings, February 26

Simple Harvest Reads, February 27 (Guest Review from Mindy)

Books You Can Feel Good About, February 28

Devoted Steps, March 1

Bizwings Blog, March 1

Book Looks by Lisa, March 2

Little Homeschool on the Prairie , March 2

Cover Lover Book Review, March 3

Holly’s Book Corner, March 3

Lock, Hooks and Books, March 4

Pause for Tales, March 4

Giveaway

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

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

https://gleam.io/IemaN/light-to-my-path-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: The Caregiver at Wounded Knee (Enduring Hope Book 4)

Author: Debby Lee

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Release Date: February, 2026

Past and Present Collide on the Railway

When life seems weighed down by challenges, there are always pillars of enduring hope and love to be discovered.

Lily Mae Dodge flees Wyoming by night to find her mother, who sent her west on an orphan train ten years ago. After she’s arrested in Chicago, help comes from a man with a rare vision impairment whom she only just met on a train. Francis Basnett is a roustabout for the famous Hagenbeck-Wallace circus, where he helps Lily gain employment. Their friendship grows into more, and it seems Lily is closer than ever to finding her mother. . .until the night a rogue troop train slams into the stalled circus train, killing dozens and splintering hope.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Debby Lee was raised in the cozy little town of Toledo, Washington. She has been writing since she was a small child, and has written several novels, but never forgets home. The Northwest Christian Writers Association and Romance Writers of America are two organizations that Debby enjoys being a part of. As a self professed nature lover, and an avid listener of 1960’s folk music, Debby can’t help but feel like a hippie child who wasn’t born soon enough to attend Woodstock. She wishes she could run barefoot all year long, but often does anyway in the grass and on the beaches in her hamlet that is the cold and rainy southwest Washington. During football season, Debby cheers on the Seattle Seahawks along with legions of other devoted fans. She’s also filled with wanderlust and dreams of visiting Denmark, Italy, and Morocco someday.

More from Debby

A crime against humanity occurred more than one-hundred years ago, a massacre that still resonates, and haunts people to this day. I’m referring to the massacre at Wounded Knee Creek, the slaying of hundreds of men, women and children, their lifeless bodies left on the frozen ground surrounding this small, winding body of water.

In writing my novel, The Caregiver at Wounded Knee, I traveled to the Pine Ridge Reservation in southwest South Dakota. In late April, the grasslands had not yet drank enough water or basked in enough sun to turn themselves green. Even so, I was taken in by the evocative beauty of the land. I noted the rolling hills that seemed to stretch on and on as if they wished to reach out and touch the tip of eternity.

As I drove to the site of the massacre I passed White Clay Creek. My characters, Rose and Nathaniel have a picnic along the banks of this creek. It’s the place where Rose flees to after witnessing the massacre, where she struggles to cope with the traumatic aftermath. Thankfully, Rose and Nathaniel create more happy memories there.

I included two real people in my novel, Doctor Charles Eastman and Elaine Goodale. Dr. Eastman by the way; was a real person, his Indian name being Ohiyesa. He was educated in the east and graduated from medical school. He married Elaine Goodale, a school teacher from Massachusetts. Together they operated a clinic in the community of Pine Ridge and were in many scenes throughout my novel.

When I reached the site where the massacre occurred, I couldn’t help but notice how big of an area the site encompassed. The creek itself surprised me. It wasn’t as deep or wide as I thought it would be and the banks leading to the water were fairly steep in some places. It looked serene and almost peaceful, but I thought, oh if those waters could talk.

I stood on a hilltop where I’m told a Catholic church had once stood and I gazed across the plateau below where the Lakota people were camped. I tried to picture the area where the soldiers were stationed, along with their Hotchkiss guns, which looked like small cannons to me. What went through the hearts and minds of the Lakota people?

I tried to imagine how the stomachs of Rose and those of her tribe were knotted with hunger, how cold they were as the icy wind swept over the land, how frightened they must have been as they were surrounded by soldiers with, Lord knows, what kind of nefarious intentions.

And I cried. I more than cried. I wept. I shed what felt like a gallon of tears for the injustice perpetrated against this tribe, for native people everywhere.

The military was confiscating the Lakota weapons, when gunfire ensued. Hundreds of women and children fell, wounded, dying, or dead. It’s been said they were simply caught in the crossfire.

And yet the body of a woman, who was shot in the back, was found by Dr. Eastman more than a mile from the site. Likely chased down and shot by 7^th Cavalry. Eight or nine young schoolboys, who were returning to boarding school, were playing on a slope, nearby. They were no older than ten. They were all were shot dead. An estimated 300 Lakota men, women and children were killed; compared to 31 Army soldiers, many who died from friendly fire.

After the massacre the bodies of the dead were buried in a mass grave at the top of a small hill. I added a scene where Rose and her brother visit the site to pay their respects. It wasn’t easy for her to return to the scene of such trauma, but in her mind, it was necessary.

The long rectangle shaped grave is now outlined with concrete and is surrounded by resting places of many other members of the Lakota tribe. A monument has been placed there, engraved with the names of many of the victims.

There are signs on the Pine Ridge Reservation offering directions to those who want to visit the site. If you’re ever passing through, I recommend a stop there. I know I will be forever changed by the time I spent traversing this hallowed ground.

Interview with the Author

1)Which character did you connect to best in this book?

I think I related to both Rose the most. She’d been wounded by someone who gave her a warped perception of Christianity. Sadly, I think most Christians have experienced this in their faith. Rose also struggled with walking in two worlds. I am biracial, and have struggled with this in many areas of my life. Though Rose is not biracial, she spent most of her childhood in a residential school, where she was essentially immersed in White culture. When she returned to her reservation as an adult, her views clashed with a loved one who fiercely hung on to the traditional Lakota ways.

2)Which part of the book was the most difficult to write?

I struggled to write the scenes where Rose faces her past. She had to question everything she believed about Christianity and open her eyes to what faith really means and learn to forgive the person who wounded her. Those scenes were both grueling and healing, too. Though the words flowed onto the page at lightning speed, I could hard see my computer screen because my vision was so blurred by my tears.

3)What is your vacation spot?

I have wanderlust, so picking one vacation spot won’t be easy. I like visiting cities, but my husband prefers a more country setting. I’ll tell you about one that means the most to me. When my husband and I were married, we didn’t get a real honeymoon due to lack of finances, childcare and time. So, on our 25^th anniversary, we renewed our vows and then spent a week Anchorage Alaska. Anchorage offered us the conveniences of city life, restaurants and gift shops, with the opportunities to experience the countryside as well. We loved the wide open spaces, the views of rivers, forests, and wildlife. We even saw a grizzly bear while walking along a road at Mt. Denali, and yes, the thought of how fast could I run, did cross my mind. Thankfully, we made it back to our rented vehicle-without having to run for it.

4)What are you reading right now?

What is a Girl Worth by Rachel Denhollander

5)Describe your view as you’re sitting in your writing chair.

I’ve written at many different places, cars, airports, Starbucks, but the one with the prettiest view, is my upstairs office. My writing desk is next to window where I could view a field that was surrounded by trees. In the summer, I would crack open the window and let the breeze in. When it was raining I’d watch the raindrops splash against the paned glass. I haven’t spent time writing in my office for awhile, but I hope to do so again, soon.

Blog Stops

Books Less Travelled, February 26

Simple Harvest Reads, February 27 (Author Interview)

Sydney Schmied Books, February 27

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 28

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 1

Texas Book-aholic, March 2

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 3

For Him and My Family, March 4

Connie’s History Classroom , March 5

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 6

Cover Lover Book Review, March 7

Pause for Tales, March 8

Betti Mace, March 9

Devoted To Hope, March 10

Books You Can Feel Good About, March 11

Holly’s Book Corner, March 11

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Debby is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon Gift Card and a print copy of the book!!

About the Book

Book: The Restitching of Camille DuLaine (The Rivenlea Book 2)

Author: Lindsay A. Franklin

Genre: YA Fantasy

Release Date: February 10, 2023

A splintered world, a heart gone cold.

Hope reborn in threads of gold.

After accidentally bridging the storyworlds together, Emlyn DuLaine faces an impossible task: sever the connections without destroying the stories themselves. If she fails, the characters will be trapped in twisted versions of their tales, forced to relive their worst moments forever.

But undoing the bridges is only the beginning. To truly fix what’sbunraveling, Emlyn must uncover the secret flaw buried deep in Rivenlea’sbfoundation, something that’s been wrong since the very start.

And the danger has never been closer to home. The clock is ticking for the injured wyvern who needs Rivenlite air to survive and the story boy Emlyn swore she’d never fall for. Emlyn and her team must rescue Frank and Laramie from chaotic, shifting story spheres before they’re gone for good.

But Frank and Laramie aren’t the only ones lost to the spheres. Camille DuLaine is a prisoner, held as bait by someone who knows exactly how to lure her sister in. After seven years of sleep, Camille wakes to find herself trapped in a storybook and sure of only one thing: Emlyn must stay far, faraway.

Racing to solve one mind-bending puzzle after the next, Emlyn uncovers a plan seventeen years in the making. She stands at the center of a fractured universe—and she might be too late to save it.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Lindsay A. Franklin is the Carol Award–winning author of The Story Peddler, the ECPA best-selling author of Adored, and Managing Editor of Enclave Publishing. She would wear pajama pants all the time if it were socially acceptable. Lindsay lives happily among the rain and evergreens of the Pacific Northwest with her scruffy-looking nerf-herder husband, their three (nearly) grown geeklings, and three demanding thunder pillows (a.k.a. cats).

More from Lindsay

The Fiction-Fixer’s Handbook:

A Guest Post by Emlyn DuLaine, the Newest Member of Novem XVII

I haven’t been a Novemite long, and if you want advice from an absolute expert, you’ll have to ask Captain Doyle or maybe Laramie, if you can manage to push your way past the cloud of ego that surrounds him at all times.

But I’ve been diving into upside-down classics, wrangling rogue characters, bridging broken plots, and saving story spheres long enough to give some helpful pointers on how to keep your wits about you when you, too, traverse the fantastical, fictional universes we all know and love.

Read on for my hard-won wisdom.

1. Never accept apples from anyone. Ever. Even if they promise it’s organic and locally sourced. Just don’t.
2. If a book starts whispering, close it immediately. This is not the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Cursed tomes are not to be trifled with.
3. Stay away from unattended spinning wheels and mirrors that look a little too shiny. Exercise caution around wardrobe-shaped furniture. Odds are high you’re about to be enchanted, imprisoned, or transported. Stay vigilant.
4. Beware of overly charming men in masks, hoods, and/or capes. It’s 50/50 on whether he’s a tragic hero or a villain with a vendetta. Proceed with caution.
5. Always check the fine print on magical contracts. If the terms include “firstborn child” or an unspecified “favor” to be later named, run.
6. Characters who break into song at random intervals are either harmless or extremely dangerous. If they’re just narrating their morning routine, you’re fine. If the music gets ominous, assume the worst.
7. If you find yourself in the company of a talking animal sidekick, always ask for its backstory. Talking cats may be friend or foe, sometimes both if it starts telling riddles. Grumpy toads are probably cursed nobles. Overdramatic ravens are almost always bad news.
8. When in doubt, follow the protagonist—but not too closely. The main character has plot armor. You do not.

If you’re hoping for a fairy-tale ending, these tips might get you there. Stay safe, friends. And happy sphere-diving!

Interview with the Author

1)What does success as an author look like to you?

Success to me is having the privilege of continuing to tell stories. As long as there are readers out there who are excited to join me on my next adventure, I get to keep creating them, dreaming up new story people and fictional universes. That’s success to me.

2)Which character did you connect to best in this book?

Camille is the one who touched my heart in a really special way. Through her, I got to explore sisterly bonds, and I wrote this book during a time when I was really missing my own sister. Through Emlyn and Camille’s relationship, I got to travel back in time to our childhood. I got to remember the longings of my little sister heart, and in The Restitching of Camille DuLaine, I got to give Camille her own big sister voice.

3)Which part of the book was the most difficult to write?

The whole thing! This stubborn book simply refused to be outlined. I knew where I wanted to go with it, but I usually like to have a solid roadmap in hand before I start drafting, and I simply couldn’t make my thoughts come together in that way this time. With my deadline fast approaching, I simply had to start writing without my usual detailed beat sheet or index cards. But somehow, it all came together.

4)What is your vacation spot?

My husband and I both travel quite a lot but rarely together! We are usually traveling for work. For Christmas, we got to take our first family vacation in six years, and we headed to Disneyland. Disney is one of those vacations where you kind of need a separate vacation to recover afterward, but it was so much fun. This was our first trip where our kids were (mostly) grown, and it was both completely different and entirely the same.

5)Describe your view as you’re sitting in your writing chair.
If I glance to my left, I’m looking out the big window in my bedroom. From here, I can see the back garden—fruit trees, planter boxes filled with veggies and herbs, trellises and bins covered in berry and grape vines, a hill speckled in flowers, and a walking path paved in flat gray stones. Beyond the back fence, across a narrow road, my neighbor’s field stretches. Sometimes there are cows, occasionally a horse or two, but usually it’s empty. Evergreens border the small farm property, and the crisp Pacific Northwest sky stretches over it all. Rain means life for the plants, so the gray days don’t bother me. But that sky is clear and blue more often than people would guess.

Blog Stops

The Lofty Pages, February 25

Simple Harvest Reads, February 26 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 27 (Spotlight)

Blogging With Carol, February 27

Artistic Nobody, February 28 (Author Interview)

Inspired by Fiction, March 1

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 2 (Spotlight)

Where Faith and Books Meet, March 3

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, March 4

Guild Master, March 5 (Author Interview)

Blossoms and Blessings, March 6 (Spotlight)

Holly’s Book Corner, March 6

For the Love of Literature, March 7 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, March 8

Stories By Gina, March 9 (Spotlight)

Fiction Book Lover, March 10 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lyndsay is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a hardcover copy of the book!!

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

https://gleam.io/iyeVn/the-restitching-of-camille-dulaine-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: Induction (Prequel to The Agency Files)

Author: Chautona Havig

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Release Date: November 10, 2023

Someone wants her dead. Not happening on his watch.

When Roman Simon goes missing, the small town of Fairbury burns with rumors hotter than the sidewalk in July. They’re certain he’s either left his wife, or she killed him (not that they’d blame her). As the weeks pass and the police fail to find answers, things heat up more when Anna Simon disappears, too. If that’s not strange enough, the chief of police orders his officers to leave Anna out of their investigation.

As a new recruit into a secret protection service known only as The Agency to the few who know it exists, Keith Auger doesn’t know what he’s doing, but he’s determined to do his new job well. But when he finds himself guarding a woman before he’s fully trained, he already begins to doubt the wisdom of this career path.

Pressure mounts as Keith tries to stay one step ahead of the men out to kill Anna and another step ahead of Anna who is determined to find answers no one will give her.

Keith can’t help but wonder: will his first assignment with The Agency be his last?
Induction is an introductory novel to The Agency Files.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

USA Today Bestselling author Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours, and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her at chautona.com and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.

More from Chautona

Author Writing Woes: or How This Book Came to Be.

Way back in the dark ages of my writing career (you know, around 2009…ish), I had an idea for a couple. She was a plain woman in many ways—a good student.  He was the star quarterback for a college football team.  And one day, while goofing around with his teammates, he bumped into her and caused her to drop everything, ruining a library book.

She wasn’t happy.

Did several chapters follow with him trying to make it up to her?  Yep. Did she cave?

Eventually.  And a couple of years later, the day before their wedding, his mother begged him not to marry someone so dull and uninteresting.

But all this came out about a quarter of the way into the book.  The first chapter opened with her eating lunch with her husband, who ordered her least favorite dish because it’s good for her. Employees scowled, and the rumors of how awful he was to her flourished.

If only they knew. No one loved anyone more than Ramon Simon loved his Anna.  Abusive?  Never. Not even a hint, but no one in Fairbury would ever believe that.

But that was my problem.  That’s all I knew.  I called it “A Man and a Mouse” while waiting to find out what their story really was.

Twelve years later, I finally knew.

See, I had this character from one of my favorite series. The Agency Files is a suspense/romantic suspense series focusing on protecting people from “the bad guys” until law enforcement can round up those bad guys and it’s safe to go home.  They’ll do anything they have to in order to keep you safe—even kidnap you. The best of the best?  Keith Auger. And well… he wasn’t born an agent, was he?

I decided to write his “induction” into The Agency, and what better way to do it than to introduce him to Anna Simon?  Her husband is missing, and someone’s after her.  So, after a crazy ride at his job interview, and a few weeks of training, Anna is his first assignment. Keep her alive until those trying to kill her are caught.  But that’s when things get complicated.

The series has grown a lot since Justified Means released.  From that one book to last month’s exciting conclusion to this “branch” of the series with Take Cover, we’ve seen human trafficking, a drug running biker gang out to kill an ex-member who met Jesus, a crisis of faith combined with bioterrorism, a guy running for his life—he just doesn’t know why, an office manager gone rogue, an unemployed woman hiding out from “goons” in a Michigan castle, a traitor in the agency, and a bad guy who just might be the only one who can help them thwart a hostile takeover.

It’s been a bit of a wild ride for The Agency, but with the series “complete” (there will be spin-offs), it seemed like a perfect time to introduce folks to the series prequel, Induction.  All of the series books are available in print, on Kindle Unlimited, and as audiobooks (they’re even FREE on Christa DelSorbo’s YouTube channel!).

Happy reading!  And I apologize in advance for Flynne’s slang.  That girl!

Interview with the Author

• What does success as an author look like to you?

Finishing a book that I believe God wanted me to write in the way that He wanted me to write it. People reading that book and being blessed by it. Earning enough while doing it that I can afford to keep doing it. Most of all, though, the quiet confidence that I’m right where the Lord wants me.

• Which character did you connect to best in this book?

I really loved Anna and her quiet strength. She appears to be a nonentity, but she has her husband’s complete devotion and knows her worth regardless of what others may think of her. She’s one of the most feminine characters I’ve ever written and yet she doesn’t allow life to push her around. She sees what needs to be done and acts.

• Which part of the book was the most difficult to write?

Definitely the opening scene. I wanted a tension-filled scene where if it could go wrong it did and yet where Keith refused to give in. He’s sort of a parallel to Anna in that he did not let what was happening override what he thought he should do.

• What inspired this book?

I’ve always wanted to tell the story of how Keith joined The Agency, and when an opportunity arose to have a shorter novel in a collection of romantic suspense books, I realized it was the perfect time since the series (this arm of it anyway) was ending soon.
I also had begun writing Anna’s story a decade or more before and really wanted to finish it, so that combination seemed perfect.

• What are you reading right now?

I’m just about to begin A Soul as Cold as Frost by Jennifer Kroph. The description sounds a lot like Narnia meets Hunger Games. We’ll see, but I’ve only heard GREAT things about it.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 20

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 21

Simple Harvest Reads, February 22 (Author Interview)

Roads to Everywhere, February 22

Blogging With Carol, February 23

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 24

Denise L. Barela, February 25 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, February 26

For Him and My Family, February 27

Guild Master, February 28 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, March 1 (Guest Review from Donna)

Holly’s Book Corner, March 2

Fiction Book Lover, March 3 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, March 3

Lots of Helpers, March 4

Just Your Average reviews, March 5

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Chautona is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a paperback copy of the book!!

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

https://gleam.io/iQUgI/induction-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: Harlow Morgan and the Sky City

Author: Lyndsey Lewellen

Genre: Middle Grade Steampunk Fantasy

Release Date: November 15, 2025

Harlow Morgan: airship pilot, trouble magnet, possibly glowing.

Airship pilot-in-training, Harlow Morgan is a wiz in the sky—but her father’s disappointment on the ground.

In the steam-powered nation of Corshire, where science reigns and magic is outlawed, Harlow’s famous inventor father expects perfection. Her twin sister delivers. Harlow? Not so much. She’d rather be flying airships at the Academy than following in his brilliant footsteps.

But when a reckless lie puts a classmate’s future at risk—and exposes a hidden magical artifact tied to her family—Harlow finds herself swept into a dangerous underground war. With strange light burning across her skin and outlaw sorcerers on her trail, Harlow teams up with the boy she betrayed to unlock the truth behind the artifact… and survive the city in the sky.

If the deadly Magics don’t get her first, her father’s secrets just might.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Lyndsey Lewellen is the sci-fi and fantasy author of The Chaos Grid duology and the Harlow Morgan series. Growing up on a healthy dose of comic books, punk music, and sci-fi, she infuses all three loves into novels written for young adults. Inside her “what if” worlds, her characters take risks, grow, and fight for what matters. When she’s not writing or whittling down her endless TBR, she designs novel covers and paints on shoes. She lives on a small Texas farm with her best friend/husband, five children, and what some might call a zoo of animals (especially after meeting the peacocks).

More from Lyndsey

Why Steampunk?

When I tell people that Harlow Morgan and the Sky City is middle grade steampunk, I either get that question—or the question, What is steampunk? I get it. Punk genres are niche. I answer the second question with references to Jules Verne and explanations of neo-futurism. Steampunk is a what if story where society advanced differently than it really did, keeping the Victorian culture and gaining cool steam-powered gadgets. There’s more to steampunk than that, but it’s my typical answer in a nutshell.

The reason I chose it to tell Harlow’s story goes back to my days working in a comic book store. As a budding artist, I treasured anything drawn by my favorite illustrators, and a comic titled Steampunk, penciled by Chris Bachalo, was no exception. Flipping through those striking pages was my first exposure to the genre. A refreshing change of pace from the usual superhero storylines I was used to. Growing up dyslexic, I had never read books like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea or Journey to the Center of the Earth. I had no idea adventure stories like these existed. I was hooked.

In my twenties, I began teaching young girls the Bible in my church. By then, I had become a reader, albeit a slow one. When a few girls I was discipling told me they also liked reading, I was excited to have common ground. But then they told me the books they read. My joy deflated at the darker themes and lack of hope in these stories. Where were the hope-filled tales of my youth?

I wanted to shine a light for young girls. So, I took the genre I loved, added a spunky airship-pilot-in-training, and threw her into a battle between the forces of light and darkness. Harlow Morgan and her neo-futuristic adventures were born.

Though she lives in a wild Victorian world, Harlow navigates tough realities that kids face today. What does it mean to be a light fighting the darkness? And when the world—and our own thoughts—tell us we will never be enough to be loved, is that true? Do we need to earn the love of our Father, or is His love freely given?

My hope is that through a fun, whimsical adventure, young readers will find not only entertainment and the joy of reading but also a little hope to brighten their lives. Or even better, a story that points them to the brightest Light of all.

Take a ride with Harlow and her friends in this high-flying start to a middle grade steampunk series.

—Lyndsey

Interview with the Author

1)Which character did you connect to best in this book?

Harlow’s sister and father are both genius inventors in a society ruled by innovation. She, however, isn’t gifted with STEM skills, and struggles to find her worth. She consistently feels the need to prove herself and earn her father’s love. I wish I didn’t relate to her troubles, but I think many of us think we need to earn the love of others. But praise be to God there was nothing we could ever do to earn His love. He freely offered it before we were even born.

2)What is your vacation spot?

For the past few years, our family of seven travel to the Realm Maker’s conference in the summer. There, we meet the best authors in Christian made science fiction and fantasy and attend God-centered writing classes. The years the conference has been in St. Louis, MO have been our favorites. It’s not too far of a drive from Texas, and filled with fun things to do.

3)What are you reading right now?

When my daughter isn’t using my Spotify account, I’m listening to The Dragon’s Tooth by N.D. Wilson. It’s a fantastic middle grade story so far.

4)Describe your view as you’re sitting in your writing chair.

A few years ago, my husband crafted me a writing desk and drilled it into my office wall. Ever since, I’ve been working standing up. Between writing and designing book covers, I knew I’d be spending hours at the computer and was worried about losing circulation in my legs. So, thanks to my woodworking husband, I stand in my pink office, making up worlds for a living. I can’t think of a better job.

5)If you could have one book or piece of art or music on a deserted island, what would it be and why?

If I had to choose a book, it’d be the Bible, for sure. No matter how many times I read it, God shows me things I missed. But if I was choosing music, it’d be any album by Children 18:3. I’m a huge punk fan, and their music is on repeat in my playlist.

Blog Stops

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, February 17

Simple Harvest Reads, February 18 (Author Interview)

CeCe Reads and Sings, February 18

Pens Pages & Pulses, February 19

Guild Master, February 20 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 21

Fiction Book Lover, February 22 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, February 23

Stories By Gina, February 24 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, February 25

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, February 26 (Author Interview)

Because I said so- adventures in Parenting , February 27

A Reader’s Brain , February 28 (Author Interview)

Labor Not in Vain, March 1

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, March 2 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, March 2

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lyndsey is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a paperback copy of the book!!

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

https://gleam.io/htf4G/harlow-morgan-and-the-sky-city-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: Before the Dawn

Author: Erica Vetsch

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: February 10, 2026

A determined wife and a blind mining engineer—separated by fear, connected by love, and tested by darkness that threatens to tear them apart.

David Mackenzie was the most capable mining engineer in Colorado until a cave-in left him blind and filled with guilt over the deaths of his workers. Now he fears he’ll never be worthy of love or respect again. When his fiancée returns from nursing her sick aunt, he must find the courage to break their engagement before she wastes her life caring for a broken man.

Karen refuses to give up on the man she loves, but David has built a wall between them that grows higher with each passing day. When he tries to call off their engagement, she forces him into marriage through an unconventional lawsuit. Now she must find a way to break through his bitter shell and prove that her love hasn’t changed—before his fears and pride drive them apart forever and she loses not only the man she loves but also her chance at the family she’s always longed for.

When David’s cousin reveals a deadly secret about the cave-in, Karen and David find themselves trapped underground, forced to work together to survive. In the darkness, they must confront the fears that threaten to destroy them both. But even if they survive, can they find their way back to the love they once shared?

Click here to get your copy!

Guest Review from Mindy

About the Author

Best-selling, award-winning author of The Debutante’s Code, first in the Thorndike & Swann Regency Mystery Series, Erica Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum.

More from Erica

My story, Before the Dawn, is set in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. As a girl born and raised in Central Kansas, the first time I visited mountains, I was in awe…and also a little worried. Having grown up in a land where you can watch your dog run away for three straight days, not being able to see very far when in between mountains was a bit claustrophobic.

My children, growing up in SE Minnesota, had a similar experience. We were able to take the kids to Colorado several years ago, which is where I first became interested the history of Colorado Mining.

We took the kids to Idaho Springs, where we toured a mine and ore processing facility from the 1880’s. The Argo Mine was fascinating. When I ask my kids about what they remember, it’s always the panning for gold. My daughter reminded me that I was the first in the family to find any gold in my pan, a few little bright flakes, upon which many an adventurer has wagered his life.

The kids also got to sift through a box of sand and dirt to find colorful stones. As my son was enamored with agates and polished rocks at the time, this was the highlight for him.

When I wrote Before the Dawn, I tried to make the setting a character. The story is so tied to the setting, that if I changed where the story took place, it wouldn’t be the same story at all.

I hope, as you read Before the Dawn, you are drawn into the mountains, that you can feel a bit of the same sense of awe that I felt the first time this prairie girl saw the Rockies.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 5

Sydney Schmied Books, February 5

Books Less Travelled, February 6

She Lives to Read, February 7

Devoted Steps, February 7

Book Looks by Lisa, February 8

Books You Can Feel Good About, February 9

Lyssa Loves Books, February 9

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 10

lakesidelivingsite, February 11

Melissa’s Bookshelf, February 11

Texas Book-aholic, February 12

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 13

For Him and My Family, February 13

Bizwings Blog, February 14

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 15

Blossoms and Blessings, February 15

Cover Lover Book Review, February 16

Holly’s Book Corner, February 17

Devoted To Hope, February 17

Pause for Tales, February 18

Simple Harvest Reads, February 18 (Guest Review from Mindy)

Giveaway

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

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

https://gleam.io/QhNDV/before-the-dawn-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: The Convict’s Courtship

Author: KyLee Woodley

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: March 3, 2026

A remote mining town, an aspiring journalist, and the reformed convict who saves her life.

When Clara Alexander returned from finishing school to Virginia City she had two goals: to become a reporter and make peace with the father who betrayed her mother. But even in the West, there is no room for her in the newsroom or in the family her father made when he married his mistress. Clara is forced to take desperate measures to prove her worth to an editor—including a reckless venture into a dangerous mine shaft.

Reformed convict Beau Vulpe lives a quiet life of obscurity in a remote mining town in Nevada. When he rescues a beautiful woman from a sweltering mine shaft, he’s welcomed into her home as a hero, only to discover that they are the same family he deeply wronged the summer before. Now, with winter’s grip choking the mountain town and rumors of mines going bust, he is forced to stay, praying Clara won’t discover the truth before the spring thaw.

As Clara pursues her dreams of writing for the renowned Territorial Enterprise, she continually crosses paths with the mysterious Frenchman who saved her life and is drawn to him a little more with each interaction. Beau finds himself not only falling for the lovely lady but befriending her family as well. Can he protect his freedom and atone for his wrongs without losing his heart in the process? And what about Clara—will her attraction toward Beau Vulpe lead to the disappointment her mother warned her about?

Excerpt from the Book

CHAPTER 1
VIRGINIA CITY , NEVADA
NOVEMBER 25, 1875
She had really gotten herself into trouble this time.
Clara Alexander knelt on the mine shaft floor, her head in her hands, the heat engulfing her. Throat raw from shouting, she drew in a ragged breath. The geothermal springs heated the earth until the mines felt like a midsummer day—even with snow piled waist-high outside on Mount Davidson.

This was not how she’d envisioned her first, unofficial job for the Territorial Enterprise. Ironically, she’d entered the mine full of determination—wearing men’s clothes, her hair tucked up in a cap. Yet now, with the ore sample tucked safely in her pocket and each echo ricocheting down the tunnel, she wished to be anywhere but the Peterson Mine.
Clara pushed herself off the floor to wander on, the rough dirt sides of the tunnel hot to the touch. “Is it something I’ve done, Lord? I mean, I know I’m not Your favorite child, and that’s fine. You have other children to dote on, and I will try to avoid trouble.”

Something whispered against her leg. Clara froze, then
slowly lowered to her haunches, searching the dirt beneath her.

Missed an Excerpt? Go Here:

Excerpt One: https://www.simpleharvestreads.com/posts/the-convicts-courtship-book-spotlight/
Excerpt Two: https://www.fictionbooklover.com/posts/the-convicts-courtship-book-spotlight/
Excerpt Three: https://www.artistwriterandstudentohmy.com/posts/the-convicts-courtship-book-spotlight/
Excerpt Four: https://www.guildmaster97.com/posts/the-convicts-courtship-book-spotlight/
Excerpt Five: https://thequietbookmark.com/posts/the-convicts-courtship-book-spotlight/
Excerpt Six: https://www.thebookishledger.com/posts/the-convicts-courtship-book-spotlight/
Excerpt Seven: https://www.becausefiction.com/posts/the-convicts-courtship-book-spotlight/

About the Author

KyLee Woodley is a cheery romantic who loves to write about bygone days and heartwarming romance with a pinch of adventure. She teaches preschool at a lab school in Texas, where she lives with her husband of eighteen years and their three teenage children. On weekends, KyLee cohosts and produces the Historical Bookworm Show, a steadily growing author interview podcast for history lovers and readers of historical fiction.

In her spare time, she cares for a rescue mutt—Lucky Dog—a feisty feline named Hazel, and three adorable Boston Terrier puppies. She listens to Cricket Country and K-Love radio, reads classic books with her children, and watches Marvel movies with her husband, who might resemble Superman.