About the Book

Book: The Voice I Couldn’t Ignore

Author: Johanna Frank

Genre: Christian Nonfiction / Memoirs/ Christian Death and Grief

Release Date: October 2, 2025

Through a vision, God told Hanna he was going to take her child. Seven years later, he did.

The Voice I Couldn’t Ignore

Hanna’s relationship with God is undeniably unusual—of that, she is certain.

Kept secret for three generations, a stranger’s prophecy that a window from heaven would open was aimed squarely at her. But instead, deeply wounded scars shut her off from that promised breeze, sealing away any hope for self-worth and true identity. As the years continue and she navigates motherhood, she’s drawn in and shaken by vivid dreams and visions—some illuminating, others quite alarming.

“Did God just tell me he’s going to take my child?”

When the fiercest storm of Hanna’s life strikes—a brutal whirlwind of unseen daggers—it hurls her skyward only to shatter her fragile house of faith, leaving her to wrestle in a deep pit of relentless grief. She can’t imagine trusting a soul on earth to explain why God moved the way he did in her life. And even if she tried, no one would ever believe her.

“Don’t get comfy down here.” For all her inner warnings, she’s bound in anguish and despair with no visible way out.

So she begins to piece together the God-given dreams and visions, aligning her interpretations of his handiwork in the Holy Land with Scripture. From these fragments, she shapes a parable of her own—an illustration of a new house of faith. This one on a solid foundation with gentle reminders of truth, particularly the one that sets her free: it takes the Trinity to lift a soul.

Keep a window open. Catch the breeze that binds.

Based on a true story.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Johanna Frank is a Canadian author based in Southern Ontario, where she lives with her husband, and delights in time with her children and grandchildren.

Her award-winning A Lifeline Fantasy Series includes The Gatekeeper’s Descendants (Readers’ Favorite 5-Star Medalist), Jophiel’s Secret (Winner of the 2023 General Market Suspense Fiction Award and the Christian Speculative Fiction Award), and Here Lyeth (finalist for The Word Guild’s 2025 Christian Speculative Award).

In addition, Johanna has just released a creative memoir, The Voice I Can’t Ignore, a deeply personal work that explores God’s abundant mystery and healing.

More from Johanna

A creative nonfiction based on a true story; how I rebuilt a house of faith following the death of my daughter.

This story leads the reader through an ancestral prophecy, profound visions and dreams, and a mother’s journey through symbolisms in the Holy Land. It shares how she guided her teenage daughter through a devastating diagnosis while wrestling with God, and reveals her spiritual rebuilding of an unshakable house of faith in the aftermath of loss.

Interview with the Author

• Which chapter was the most difficult to write?

The entire book actually! It took me well over a decade to piece together unusual happenings with God’s abundant sense of mystery. But when the right time came, the ink in the pen flowed easily. I was truly thankful.

• What inspired this book?

The story in The Voice I Couldn’t Ignore is based on true events. The prologue reflects knowledge handed down through generations, from mother to child, over a century ago. Everything else—coincidences, dreams, and visions—happened as described. The final chapters capture the spirit and tone of my visit to the Holy Land.

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

My purpose for sharing this personal experience boils down to a simple message. God communicates in many ways. Often, he even catches us off guard. It’s when we crawl into that upper room inside ourselves that we can hear what he wants us to hear, see what he wants us to see. It’s there, with his Son in our hearts, we feel the breeze of his Spirit. We discover the business that he’ll go to great lengths to accomplish. He wants—deeply desires—our agreement to allow him to lift our souls, to join his family.

• What is your vacation spot?

In the winters, we used to travel to Belize a lot, and my husband and I truly enjoy cruising. But I’d have to say our most common vacation spot is simply our park home in the summer time at a local trailer park set within a wooded area. So peaceful 😊.

• What is your most well-loved and well-used house appliance?

Oh, I so love my small appliances, I use them all. Perhaps my air fryer takes first place, following closely is a Ninja slow cooker, then a sandwich grill and finally, a hot air popcorn maker.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 10

Simple Harvest Reads, January 11 (Author Interview)

A Reader’s Brain , January 12 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 12

Artistic Nobody, January 13 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, January 14

Guild Master, January 15 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 16

Fiction Book Lover, January 17 (Author Interview)

Cover Lover Book Review, January 18

Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 19 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 20

Blossoms and Blessings, January 21 (Author Interview)

Stories By Gina, January 22 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, January 22

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, January 23 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Johanna 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/j2Twg/the-voice-i-couldnt-ignore-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: The Road Unveiled

Author: Tim Bishop

Genre: FICTION / Christian / Contemporary FICTION / Romance / Action & Adventure

Release Date: November 4, 2025

Two wounded hearts. Long, winding roads. And second chances neither saw coming.

Lauren Baumgartner pedals toward Yellowstone National Park, anticipating a grand celebration when she reaches the Atlantic Ocean. But when her wedding plans collapse, old wounds resurface—and a haunting secret still holds her heart hostage.

Traveling alone with bear spray and a one-woman tent, she shares the highway with motorcyclists bound for a massive rally, including gang members who eye her as theirs for the taking.

Doug Zimmer, another lone cyclist, is grappling with loss and wondering if anyone will be alongside him when he figures out what’s next. He isn’t the only one drawn to Lauren’s vitality and spirit.

But Lauren may already be in too deep. What she faces on the Golden Prairie Indian Reservation tests her courage—and her faith—more than anything she encountered as a missionary in Uganda.

A woman with a secret and a man healing from loss pedal the rugged roads of the American West on a quest for love and purpose that leads to unexpected horizons.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

After a thirty-year career in business, Tim Bishop left his corporate treasurer position, married his dream girl, and embarked with her to parts unknown—on bicycles. Ten thousand miles later, the first-time newlyweds have written four books about their cycling adventures. Their devotional, Wheels of Wisdom, won four first-place book awards. Publishers Weekly dubbed it “a road map for life.”

Tim’s first novel, The Persistent Road, won the Ames Award in General Fiction. The award acknowledges excellent books that encourage living a courageous and obedient Christian life, especially under challenging circumstances. The audiobook edition of The Persistent Road was selected as a Selah Award finalist.

Tim volunteers as a coach for a ministry that reaches people who are dealing with challenging life issues. He has written numerous articles for various Christian content providers.

A graduate of the University of Maine, a CPA, and a three-time Maine chess champion, Tim and his wife, Debbie, live in Middle Tennessee.

More from Tim

What is Christian Fiction?

I categorize my latest novel, The Road Unveiled, as Contemporary Christian Fiction. With the story set in modern times, the contemporary part makes sense.

But just what is Christian Fiction?

Is it a story with characters—and exclusively for readers—who espouse Christian values, believe in God, and exercise faith in Jesus Christ? Is it content fabricated to preach biblical truth? Or is it an entertaining tale so sanitized it won’t offend even the most sensitive of believers, even if it resembles little of what goes on in the world? Maybe it’s all the above. Or a touch of each.

I recently told my wife, Debbie, “I don’t write fantasy.” I wasn’t referring to genre but to placating readers who want only entertainment, escapism, and content that reinforces their beliefs. They’re looking for happily ever after in a world with far too little of it.

I like happy endings too. And I see entertainment as essential in fiction because a novelist must keep readers engaged if he hopes to influence them.

But I want my stories to have redeeming qualities beyond mere entertainment. Rereading my bio recently reminded me of this. It says, “Tim writes to create content that can change people’s lives.” That’s a tall order, but I wouldn’t be publishing books at my stage of life unless I wanted to touch a reader.

In The Road Unveiled, I promise I’ll take you on a journey. And certain parts of it won’t be easy. I want you to feel the pain of my characters’ relational woes so you can rejoice when they grow through them. If I can bring sweat to your brow as we climb steep ascents, you can bask in the magnificent surroundings and feel the rewarding rush when we sail down the other side. And if you feel the chill down your spine when danger looms, you’ll savor the peace at deliverance even more.

I’ll invite you to grapple with challenging cultural issues, too, so you can reconsider them with a fresh perspective. Could the difficulties we navigate with these characters make us all a little more compassionate, more aware of injustices, and more appreciative of everything God created for us? Could the nuance of a Bible passage jump from the pages of this story and smack us in the noggin? Maybe, like my protagonist, we’ll gain a better awareness of the toxic effects of a deep secret.

Strap on your helmets because we’re going for a ride. I don’t guarantee it will be smooth, but I do believe it will be worthwhile. Yes, I hope the story will entertain you. But I also want to leave you with something to think about, something that will stick with you long after you close the book. I sure hope I’ve accomplished that, but you’re the judge!

Interview with the Author

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

Making readers’ lives better. For anyone out there who isn’t aware of the economics of writing and publishing, most books sell few copies compared to those written by famous authors. A substantial portion of obscure authors make little to no money. Many lose money. So, after years with a good-paying job for a successful company, I haven’t pivoted to writing and publishing to make money. I want people to consume content that can help them. They may consider a different interpretation of a biblical principle or uncover it for the first time. They may even think about what it means to be a Christian or become one.

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

Beyond writing from a female perspective as a male author, handling delicate, hot-button social issues presented unique challenges. To avoid spoilers, I won’t share specifics. But suffice it to say that everyone has a unique perspective on these issues, whether they embrace the Christian faith or not, which can make them so difficult to deal with. We’ve suffered in our culture because religious institutions have avoided these issues or compromised what the Bible teaches about them, favoring political correctness over loving rebuke. That’s why I write compassionately about them from a biblical perspective.

3. What inspired this book?

The inspiration behind my writing comes in part from a passion to see people delivered from that which entangles them. I coach people online and hear about issues that hold them back. Many of those issues stem from a lack of awareness of what God offers us: His broken body and shed blood to set us free from the clutch of sin; the modeling and teaching of Jesus Christ, who laid down principles that bring joy and purpose. An engaging story that incorporates these godly principles has power to change lives. That’s what I want to do. The Road Unveiled portrays love, chastity, confession, forgiveness, and sacrifice. The story itself springs from the cycling journeys my wife, Debbie, and I have undertaken.

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

I have many favorite Bible verses, but a few of those passages seem so appropriate for the times we live in. I often share these with people I chat with online who are struggling over issues and wondering where God is in their time of need. They’re not living in a spiritual vacuum, but instead they have an enemy who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy. He wants to block them from the spiritual inheritance of an abundant life that is theirs for making Jesus their Lord and Savior. God is allowing them to be tested. And to pass it, they need to put on the full armor of God. In addition to the paraphrased John 10:9-10 above, I give them Ephesians 6:12 and that which follows it. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

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

Branches devoid of their fall regalia weave heavenward, revealing a latticework of branches from larger trees plastered onto a gray background in the distance. Sprouts from a nearby holly bush shake in the breeze, awaiting the guillotine and the dark world beyond. A house across the street lies dormant, its four eaves poking the sky. A hooded, faceless passerby whisks in and out of view, coaxing blood to frozen extremities.

This side of the window, a laptop computer stares back, propped on a dictionary from another era, scattered papers from assorted pads askew around it as if winter’s breeze had broken through the glass. A ribbon-bookmarked journal with a wordless green cover, a Steven James’s writing craft book, a set of headphones, and cellphone stand out amid the chaos. A boom-mounted microphone affixed to a hutch threatens to capture any audible words that avoid the typist’s fingers. Family photos on top compete for space with cards, books, reading devices, and a bag of mixed nuts that fuel any ideas from brain to fingers to computer.

This is where the make-believe world takes shape.

Blog Stops

Stories By Gina, January 9 (Author Interview)

lakesidelivingsite, January 10

Simple Harvest Reads, January 11 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, January 12

Artistic Nobody, January 13 (Author Interview)

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 14

Guild Master, January 15 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, January 16

Fiction Book Lover, January 17 (Author Interview)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 18 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 18

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, January 19 (Author Interview)

Cover Lover Book Review, January 20

Vicky Sluiter, January 21 (Author Interview)

For the Love of Literature, January 22 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 22

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Tim is giving away the grand prize of a $75 Amazon Gift Card and the two books in the Bicycle Adventure Series!!

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

https://gleam.io/nJ2bn/the-road-unveiled-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: Masa Chronicles: The Copper Scroll

Author: Nicholas Teeguarden

Genre: Christian Fiction Action/Suspense

Release Date: October 7, 2025

When American grad student and Veteran Joshua Bennett lands in Amman, Jordan, he thinks he’s chasing academic glory. What he finds instead is a centuries-old mystery that’s been waiting for someone reckless or desperate enough to uncover it.

At the center of it all is the Copper Scroll, a cryptic Dead Sea artifact rumored to hold clues to an ancient treasure buried deep in the Judean desert. But Joshua soon learns it’s no ordinary scroll.

Hidden symbols, coded phrases, and whispers of a “shepherd’s path” point to something far more significant and far more dangerous.

As the clues mount, so do the warnings. A silent observer in the library. A cryptic priest with a knowing smile. A message slipped into Joshua’s backpack: The shepherd’s path is not for the faint-hearted.

A cryptic priest and a rabbi jump in to help understand uncovered information. As Mossad agents, Templar knights, and ISIS operatives close in, Joshua and his allies race to unravel the truth. But who seeks to unearth it, and who will kill to keep it buried?

Excerpt from the Book

Joshua “Masa” Bennett hummed the Villines Trio’s familiar refrain, “I’m going all the way, I made up my mind…” as he drove toward the University of Arkansas. The song, a staple from his Lincoln church, bookended his commute, its quiet grace a lifeline since his Army days tromping biblical lands. No atheists in foxholes, they say, and Masa carried that faith into civilian life, fueling his master’s in archaeology. Today felt routine, just another class, but a spark flickered beneath it, a path to mysteries buried for centuries, secrets that could  shake faith’s foundations.

The lecture hall buzzed with late-afternoon chaos. High ceilings arched overhead, intricate moldings catching golden light through tall, narrow windows. Dust motes danced in the beams, stirred by restless students shifting in tiered rows of scarred desks with etched initials, coffee rings, and doodles of bored minds. Chalk dust bit the air, mingling with the musty scent of old books and the hum of flickering fluorescents. At the front, Professor Thaddeus Luke commanded the room, his wiry frame dwarfed by a blackboard scrawled with frantic chalk lines and gray hair flaring like a storm cloud as his voice boomed with passion.

Missed Any Excerpts? Find Them Here:

Excerpt One: https://www.simpleharvestreads.com/posts/masa-chronicles-the-copper-scroll-book-spotlight/
Excerpt Two: https://www.fictionbooklover.com/posts/masa-chronicles-the-copper-scroll-book-spotlight/
Excerpt Three: https://www.artistwriterandstudentohmy.com/posts/masa-chronicles-the-copper-scroll-book-spotlight/
Excerpt Four: https://www.guildmaster97.com/posts/masa-chronicles-the-copper-scroll-book-spotlight/
Excerpt Five: https://www.thebookishledger.com/posts/masa-chronicles-the-copper-scroll-book-spotlight/
Excerpt Six: https://thequietbookmark.com.customers.tigertech.net/posts/masa-chronicles-the-copper-scroll-book-spotlight/
Excerpt Seven: https://www.becausefiction.com/posts/masa-chronicles-the-copper-scroll-book-spotlight/

About the Author

Nicholas Teeguarden writes faith-fueled thrillers that explore the intersection of history, belief, and discovery. His debut, The Copper Scroll: Masa Chronicles, follows archaeologist Joshua “Masa” Bennett across the Middle East in a race to uncover one of history’s most enigmatic biblical relics. Praised for its vivid realism and clean storytelling, the novel has been honored with a ChristLit Award, a Readers’ Favorite 5-star review, and recognition at the Paris Book Festival.

A veteran whose global service inspires his storytelling, Teeguarden aims to create cinematic fiction that uplifts while it thrills. He is currently developing the next installment in The Masa Chronicles alongside The Teeguarden Writing Room, a growing creative community where readers and writers explore faith, art, and story together.

About the Book

Book: The Silver Lode

Author: Suzanne J. Bratcher

Genre: Mystery

Release Date: 2020

JEROME, ARIZONA:

Billion-dollar copper camp alive with rags-to-riches tales

Beneath the ghost town that clings to the side of Cleopatra Hill, a maze of abandoned mine tunnels conceals a vein of silver ore mixed with pure gold. Seventy years ago, the discovery of that silver lode caused a murder. Are more coming?

Historian Paul Russell is about to lose his job and the woman he loves. He doesn’t have time to search for the legendary silver lode. But when a student drops a seventy-year-old unsolved cold case on his desk, a murder connected to the silver lode, the mystery offers Paul the perfect opportunity to work with Marty Greenlaw and win her back.

As Paul and Marty search for the silver lode, suspicious deaths begin to happen. When Paul’s son disappears, the stakes become personal.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Suzanne J. Bratcher, Ph.D., delights in writing contemporary mysteries sprinkled with history. Her award-winning novels are set in the very real ghost town of Jerome, Arizona as well as the Four Corners states: New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Utah. Bratcher lives in Phoenix, Arizona. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading with her granddaughter, laughing at her rescue cat, and piecing colorful quilt scraps.

More from Suzanne

Interview with the Author

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

I feel successful as an author when a reader gets something out of a book I didn’t consciously put in. For example, one reader told me that after he and his wife both finished reading “The Copper Box,” they had a good discussion about adoption. Both adopted children, they had never discussed their individual experiences. The struggle Marty experienced in “The Copper Box” led them to have this difficult conversation. When I was writing that story, I never considered adoption as a theme. It was simply the part of the story that drove Marty to make a trip to Jerome. I was thrilled that my book had more in it for readers than I imagined.

2. What inspired this book?

A display in the Douglas mansion inspired “The Silver Lode.” I love touring old houses, so the Douglas mansion in Jerome drew me like a magnet. I was interested in it because of the history of the house, but in present day, the Douglas mansion is the home of the Jerome State Historic Park. Because Jerome started as a copper mining camp, the park headquarters is filled with displays on copper mining. At first, I wasn’t interested. Then I ducked behind a curtain to see a variety of minerals lit by ultraviolet light. They glowed with assorted colors, and I began to see the attraction of mining. I watched a film called “The Ghosts of Jerome,” and some of the people of the mining community started to become real. Later, when I strolled into the last room, a large 3-D representation of the labyrinth of mining tunnels that crisscross the hill beneath Jerome caught my attention. I wondered what it would be like to explore those tunnels. Scott Russell, a young teenager from the first Jerome mystery, seemed to be right beside me. I knew I had the main character. Not long before, I had read an account of the 1893 discovery of a rich vein of silver mixed with pure gold in Silver City, Nevada. I thought, “What about the discovery of a silver lode in one of those tunnels that was kept secret? What if Scott discovered the secret?” With that, the plot began to take shape in my mind.

3. What is your favorite Bible verse or life verse?

My life verse is Romans 8:38-39 “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers… nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord.”

When I was growing up, my Sunday school teachers and my pastor placed the emphasis on death not being able to separate us from God’s love. But as I have lived this verse, I have found that life not being able to separate us from God’s love has been equally important. Living through a divorce, losing a job, not having enough money to know where next week’s food will come from, even losing custody of a child… I have learned that none of these experiences could chase God away. God has been with me, surrounding me with love -whether I won a prestigious book award or declared bankruptcy,. After experiencing that love during life, I don’t find it hard to believe that death won’t separate me from God’s love either.

4. What is your vacation spot?

The Big Island of Hawaii is my favorite vacation spot. When I was in my late fifties, I lived on the island of Guam for four years. During that time, on trips home I was privileged to visit Hawaii four times. Twice I chose the Big Island. I loved it because it has such variety. Not only does it have the beaches Hawaii is famous for, it also has a lot of undeveloped land, including, of course, the famous volcano Kilauea that has been corrupting off and on for the last couple of years. On my first visit, long before the volcano began to erupt, I went to the visitor center by Kilauea and learned about the volcanic origins of Hawaii. I also took a helicopter ride across the interior of the island. We flew over the volcano and were able to see molten lava bubbling in several places. At night the stars were very bright. The big island also hosts Mauna Kea, one of the world’s largest observatories comprising 13 telescopes. If I had enough money, I would gladly live on the Big Island.

5. What are you reading right now?

“A Shilling for Candles” by Josephine Tey. Born in 1897, Tey died in 1951. One of the writers working during the Golden Age of Detective Fiction, she wrote nine mystery novels and seven plays. Alfred Hitchcock adapted “A Shilling for Candles” into a film called “Young and Innocent.” Overshadowed by Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers, Josephine Tey is a relatively unknown mystery writer. Nevertheless, her book “Brat Farrar” is one of my favorite mysteries. While I don’t think “A Shilling for Candles” will be a book I will go back to, it was a fun read. If you love mysteries but don’t know Tey’s stories, I hope you will track her down in your library.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Suzanne is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Certificate, a print copy of the book, and a bookmark!!

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

https://gleam.io/n6moC/the-silver-lode-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: The Goodness of Unicorns

Author: Kayla E. Green

Genre: YA Noblebright Fantasy

Release Date: October 21, 2025

One girl determined to heal her sister and another looking for purpose in a nation on the brink of war. And unicorns—with a twist you’ve never seen before.

It’s Rowan Tritonia’s sixteenth Naming Anniversary. Her plans for the day never included a headache that causes her to almost faint on a day meant for celebration. When the world comes back into focus, her brown eyes have changed to magenta. But what scares her more is that everything around her is now black and white coupled with a mysterious ability to see the light and shadows in a person’s soul. Then a local cleric implies that Rowan could have the power of Sight, a gift which has only been seen in the stories of unicorns in the Book of Verimor, an ancient text. Rowan is perplexed. Why would Verimor give her something she never asked for instead of answering her greatest prayer to help her younger sister, Blythe?

News of the girl with Sight quickly travels beyond Rowan’s local village. When the King of Wisteria learns of her gift from a letter, he summons her to the castle. With growing political tensions from neighboring nations, Rowan may be able to provide the aid they desperately need. Linnea, the king’s sister and his primary advisor, prays that Rowan has truly been blessed by a unicorn and can save the nation and its people from encroaching darkness.

Meanwhile, back at home, Blythe, sets out on her own journey. She feels helpless, tied down by the pain that keeps her homebound most of the time. Although she wears a smile to comfort those around her—especially her family—Blythe wonders if her life will ever amount to anything more than fading into the background. Is she truly too broken for any greater purpose, or can Verimor still use her?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Kayla E. Green is an author and poet who writes to remind others—and herself—that light always prevails over darkness. When she isn’t writing, reading, or spending time with her family, she loves singing loudly and off-key to KLove Radio and pretending she’s a unicorn. Fittingly, her debut novel is The Goodness of Unicorns. Kayla has also written an award-winning YA fantasy novella, Aivan: The One Truth, and an inspirational poetry collection, Metamorphosis. Kayla also has stories, poems, and devotionals featured in various anthologies, and she has several flash fiction stories available through Havok Publishing

More from Kayla

Do you enjoy reading book dedications? The Goodness of Unicorns’ dedication reads:

For my twin sister and first friend, Kari:

My world, and the world at large, is brighter with you in it.

May everyone who reads this find the strength in their own journeys to embrace the beacon of hope God has placed in their hearts for both themselves and those around them.

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15, NIV

It will come as no surprise to those who read the book’s dedication that TGOU is a story about two sisters who are best friends; but, like any relationship, conflict happens. And, sometimes, it arises from the best of intentions.

Sisters, navigating chronic pain, finding purpose and learning that bravery doesn’t always look like charging into battle are all elements you will find in The Goodness of Unicorns. Join sisters Rowan and Blythe in the world of Wisteria where they each have important choices to make for the sake of light, goodness, and one another.

Interview with the Author

What does success as an author look like to you?

For me, success is having someone read and connect to my story. Recently, I was told that The Goodness of Unicorns was a new favorite book by a reader. That, to me, is the definition of success as an author.

Which character did you connect to best in this book?

I think it’s easy to unintentionally leave “crumbs” of oneself while crafting the “recipe” for characters so it’s easy as an author for me to relate, or at least sympathize, with my cast of characters. Like Rowan, I’m a big sister and have a tendency to want to “fix” everything. Like Linnea, I strive to do right by my family and reflect God’s light but also struggle with anxiety. Like Bane, I find change difficult a lot of the time. Like Blythe, I have struggled to find my voice and advocating for myself has taken time. However, if I had to pick only one character, I would say Blythe.

What inspired this book?

I live with chronic illnesses and several of my family members and friends do, too. As a tween and teen, my twin sister struggled with severe autoimmune complications. I found one book in my entire school career at the book fair featuring siblings with one chronically sick—it was depressing and offered no hope. Children and adolescents who have chronic illnesses and know people closely who have invisible/visible disabilities deserve to find realistic portrayals that still offer encouragement.

The title, The Goodness of Unicorns, is a reflection of the goodness of God. In this fantasy world, unicorns are messengers of Verimor which is a parallel to angels as messengers of God. Even though there is darkness in the world, and we don’t always see the light because of it, God is always there. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” —Romans 8:28

Which author influenced the you most?

There are many authors who have influenced me, but Tabitha Caplinger has been exceptionally inspirational. I remember first reading her Christian fantasy book The Wolf Queen (which I highly recommend!). It was so moving and beautiful—I closed the book overcome with hope. I knew then and there I wanted to write a book that made readers feel the goodness of God’s light just like Tab’s book did. And then we move forward years later she has now read and endorsed The Goodness of Unicorns? Blessed is an understatement!

What is your favorite Bible verse or life verse?

I have had different favorite Bible verses for different seasons of life. Right now, 1 Peter 3:15 is close to my heart. It reads: “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (NIV)

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, December 20 (Author Interview)

Inspired by Fiction, December 21

Artistic Nobody, December 22 (Author Interview)

CeCe Reads and Sings, December 22

Stories By Gina, December 23 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 23

Fiction Book Lover, December 24 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, December 25 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, December 26

The Lofty Pages, December 27

For the Love of Literature, December 28 (Author Interview)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, December 29

Blossoms and Blessings, December 30 (Author Interview)

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, December 31

Guild Master, January 1

Blogging With Carol, January 2

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kayla is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card, journal, pen, and unicorn themed item!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/3f287/the-goodness-of-unicorns-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: Sadie’s Gift: The Christmas Cabin

Author: Erma M. Ullrey

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release Date: November, 2025

BlIn the snowy embrace of McCall, Idaho, Sadie’s Gift weaves a tale of an unexpected reunion and slow-to-thaw hearts. Grief-stricken Brooke Radcliffe and frustrated author Jack Chance are brought together by fate in Aunt Sadie’s cabin. An early blizzard forces the former childhood friends to confront their differences and work together to survive. Can Brooke and Jack set aside their painful pasts and let love melt their frozen hearts? Discover a story of healing, resilience, and the transformative power of forgiveness in this heartwarming tale of love in the unlikeliest of places.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Erma Ullrey is a follower of Jesus Christ. Married for forty-four years she enjoys four wonderful children, three outlaws, and four precious grandchildren. She worked in the medical field for over twenty-five years. After completing her B.S.H.S., she became a health educator and received international credentials in childbirth education (I.C.E.A.) and lactation consulting (I.B.C.L.C.). She’s served as a women’s Bible study leader, and participates in a local book club as well as local and national writer’s groups.

She posts encouraging blogs and enjoys chatting with her Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram friends. And she keeps chickens.

More from Erma

Enter to win a free copy of SADIE’S GIFT: The Christmas Cabin. A love story set in beautiful McCall, Idaho, during a surprise blizzard that ultimately melts a couple of frozen hearts.

Interview with the Author

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

I love this question, Mindy! To me, success as an author comes when one reader says they accepted the Gospel message because they read my book. Then, I’ve succeeded in my purpose for writing.

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

This is a tough one! I connected best to both Brooke and Jack. Brooke had a difficult heartbreak at an early age, and suffers regret for circumstances she could’ve handled differently. Jack also suffered heartbreak at a young age, and the bitterness he harbors continues to impact his life.

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

The most difficult parts to write were the times when neither Brooke nor Jack would fervently seek the Lord and let Him work through their pasts. I had a glimpse of how the Lord sees us—unyielding, grasping for control—when His plan is far better than anything we want for ourselves.

4)What inspired this book?

The inspiration for this book came from Christmas – God’s gift to us! Throughout the book, Brooke and Jack have tiny glimmers of the gift they’ve been given. But it isn’t until the last chapters that they fully grasp Sadie’s Gift.

5)Which author influenced you the most?
This is a tough question for me, too, because I have multiple answers.
As a young girl, I’d read the Bible with a flashlight under my covers late at night. I didn’t understand deep Biblical concepts at that age, but the way God wove His love through the stories inspired me. I love C.S. Lewis, Charles Dickens, Lee Strobel, Laura Hillenbrand, Lisa Wingate, Louisa May Alcott, Gabrielle Meyer.

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

My favorite Bible verse is … I hesitate to say. This verse changed my life before it ever became a blip on everyone’s radar. I had a difficult childhood, and even though I knew the Lord loved me, I acted otherwise. One day, I read Jeremiah 29:11. The rest (especially the past) is history.

7)What is your vacation spot?
I have several favorite vacation spots. McCall, ID; Sunriver and Hood River, OR; San Diego, CA; and right here at home in Boise, ID.

8)What are you reading right now?

I am reading several books right now, which is typical for me. Exploring Ezekiel by Amir Tsarfati; The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman; Reviving Embers by Paige Reed; Lady Jane Disappears by Joanna Davidson Politano

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

My view from my writing chair is to die for! I’m upstairs, and have a panoramic view of rust and amber-colored leaves, frosty rooftops, and the Bogus Basin Mountains.

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

The Bible because no matter where I am, what my circumstances are, God’s word is always true, unfailing, and eternal.

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, December 19 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, December 19

She Lives To Read, December 20

Artistic Nobody, December 21 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 22

Guild Master, December 23 (Author Interview)

Fiction Book Lover, December 24 (Author Interview)

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, December 25 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 26

History, Hope & Happily Ever After, December 27 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, December 28

Vicky Sluiter, December 29 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 30

For the Love of Literature, December 31 (Author Interview)

Mrs. Ryan Moser’s book and movie reviews, December 31

Life on Chickadee Lane, January 1

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Erma is giving away the grand prize of an eBook 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://promosimple.com/ps/3f27c/sadie-s-gift-the-christmas-cabin-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: Love in the Castle Library (In the Castle Library Book 2)

Author: Ann Swindell

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

Release Date: October 15, 2025

Predictability and efficiency have marked Delphine DuVert’s orderly life as Castle Stewardess in the small European country of Lethersby—until she is tasked by the monarchy to hire a British researcher. Lethersby needs help solving the 100-year-old mystery of their Lost Queen, a young royal who disappeared into the night during World War I.

Delphine’s split-second decision to hire Jack Worthington, a doctoral student at the University of Oxford, has long-lasting consequences when he steps in to protect her from an angry colleague determined to ruin her life. The only catch? That protection looks like Jack posing as her beau.

Jack Worthington believes that his instinct to protect Delphine was the right one, but he’s determined to stay focused on his research for Lethersby—and keep his emotional distance after reeling from a broken heart. Yet as the clues to discovering the Lost Queen’s story unravel and the Delphine’s future hangs in the balance, both Jack and Delphine must step out in faith, choosing to trust that what God has ahead for them is worth any risk.

Click here to get your copy!

Guest Review from Donna

What I think you should know:

About the Author

ANN SWINDELL writes stories that point to Christ’s presence in our day-to-day lives and the hope He brings to our hearts. She is the award-winning author of multiple books and the owner of Writing with Grace, where she teaches Christ-centered writing classes for women. Ann lives in West Michigan, and she enjoys adventuring with her family…usually with a cup of Earl Grey tea in hand.

More from Ann

Love in the Castle Library is set in two of my favorite places—one imaginary, and one real. When I started the In the Castle Library series, the main character’s journey in book one (Christmas in the Castle Library) takes her to Lethersby, a small, fictional European country full of tradition, beauty, and charm. I tried to put much of what I love about Europe into this fictional country that I wish existed. From what readers have told me, they wish it was real, too!

Book two, Love in the Castle Library, is also set in the castle in Lethersby, but I decided to make my hero and heroine take a jaunt to Oxford, England—my favorite real country outside of the USA.

I spent a summer in college studying abroad in England, and Oxford was the city that captured my heart. The “city of dreaming spires” is ancient, beautiful, and academic—a heady mix for a nineteen-year-old girl who traveled there for the first time. I even gave a nod to one of Oxford’s most well-known professors through the hero’s name, Jack.*

I had the gift of getting to go back to Oxford with my family over a decade ago, and while I’m aching to go again, including some of my favorite places in Love in the Castle Library helped me to enjoy the city vicariously through my characters. Look for some of my favorite places to eat—including Ben’s Cookies and the King’s Arms—when the characters visit. And if you ever have the opportunity to make it to Oxford, make the effort to buy one of those cookies (they’re sold by weight!) and enjoy some ice cream at G&D’s…the hero recommends chocolate of any kind (and so do I!).

I hope you love this story as much as I do, and that these tastes of beautiful places, both real and imagined, point your heart to the beauty of Christ that is at the heart of every story I write.

*Jack was C.S. Lewis’s nickname, and he taught at Magdalen College in Oxford from 1925-1954.

Blog Stops

To Everything There Is A Season, December 6

Mary Hake, December 6

Lily’s Corner, December 7

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, December 8

Where Faith and Books Meet, December 8

Leslie’s Library Escape, December 9

Inkwell Inspirations , December 10

Mrs. Ryan Moser’s Book and Movie Reviews, December 10

Devoted Steps, December 11

Texas Book-aholic, December 12

Holly’s Book Corner, December 12

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 13

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 14

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 15

Devoted To Hope, December 16

Stories By Gina, December 17 (Author Interview)

Lyssa Loves Books, December 17

Simple Harvest Reads, December 18 (Guest Review from Donna)

Raining Butterfly Kisses, December 19

The Bookish Pilgrim, December 19

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Ann is giving away the grand prize of a $50 gift card to Amazon and a signed 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://promosimple.com/ps/3e375/love-in-the-castle-library-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: The Young Samaritan

Author: J. Schuyler Sprowles

Genre: : Faith Based/ Inspirational

Release Date: January 20, 2024

Is survival enough when faith is tested?

“The Young Samaritan” is a gripping coming-of-age story set in a tumultuous time, where faith, identity, and survival intersect on an extraordinary journey.

Joshua, a young Samaritan boy, is forced to flee his home, thrust into a world that is as dangerous as it is unfamiliar.

Along the way, he encounters a mysterious woman who delivers a haunting vision, a wild dog that stays loyally by his side, and a reclusive uncle whose life is shrouded in secrets. Amidst the chaos of his flight, Joshua discovers uncommon love in a forsaken land.

As Joshua’s journey leads him to a band of sojourners—led by a man called Rabbi—he becomes entwined with a group that many believe to be the Messiah’s followers.

Despite their hesitations, Joshua’s determination to stay with them leads him to a transformative path, one that will ultimately take him to the cross and beyond.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

A Chicago native, Schuyler as a teenager always dreamed of becoming a radio and TV talent. His aspirations led him to Hollywood where he trained as a broadcaster. He began his career as a country music DJ and news reporter in the Southwest. Ultimately he became a TV news anchor in Dallas. In time, Schuyler moved to Los Angeles, where he worked as a television news correspondent. This eventually led to a decades long high-profile career in crisis management, political consulting and speech writing. Most recently, Schuyler turned to publishing, founding a family-oriented magazine in Southern California. A lifelong Christian, Schuyler admits to walking away from his faith in the past, only to discover the light of Jesus piercing the darkness to guide him back where he belongs. Inspired by the Gospels, “The Young Samaritan” is his debut novel. He currently lives in Pasadena, California with his wife Maureen.

More from J. Schuyler

The Young Samaritan was inspired by two verses from the New Testament in the Gospel of Mark (14:51 – 52).  These brief verses describe an unidentified young man who attempts to intervene in the arrest of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. He is quickly seized by the temple guards but manages to escape their grip, leaving his garment in their hands, as he flees naked into the night.  Nothing further about him is ever mentioned in the Bible.

The Young Samaritan is my vision of the backstory for this strange and provocative episode in Jesus’ journey to the cross.  The Young Samaritan creates a compelling and transformational epic tale where a fictional literary character (Joshua) collides with biblical history.

Interview with the Author

What does success as an author look like to you?

As a self-published author, I realize that the odds of so called material success are slim. However, what brings me the greatest joy is reading not just a favorable reader review, but the ones that say The Young Samaritan made them reflect on their own life journeys.  My book has received many reviews that offer similar reflections of how this story made them look inward.  As an author, I can’t think of a better way to view success.

Which character did you connect to best in this book?

All the characters in this tale clearly spoke to me.  What surprised me was how each of them seemed to direct me throughout the course of The Young Samaritan in ways I never anticipated at the outset. However, if I had to pick a favorite, I would go with Cyrus, the long lost uncle of Joshua (the protagonist).  Cyrus was a broken man with a heart of gold who loved his nephew more than life itself and would do whatever he could to guide Joshua to a better life.

What inspired this book?

For the longest time I pondered the idea of writing a historical fiction account of Jesus’ journey to the cross.  But it wasn’t until I seriously considered the biblical passage found only in the Gospel of Mark where an “unknown young man” tries to intervene in Jesus’ arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane that I had found my protagonist.  I knew then that I had a story to tell.

What is your favorite Bible verse?

I have many favorites, but if I had to pick one Bible verse it would be Matthew 11:29.

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls.”

For me it means turn over all your burdens to Him and allow Jesus Christ to direct your life.  This is an everyday challenge, but as Jesus says in the next verse “my yoke is easy.”

What are you reading right now?

Twelve Ordinary Men by John MacArthur.  The subtitle says it all.  “How the Master shaped His disciples for greatness and what He wants to do with you.”

Blogs Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, December 18 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 19

Artistic Nobody, December 20 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, December 21

Guild Master, December 22 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, December 22

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 23

Fiction Book Lover, December 24 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, December 25 (Author Interview)

For the Love of Literature, December 26 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 27

Tell Tale Book Reviews, December 28 (Author Interview)

Cover Lover Book Review, December 29

The Bookish Pilgrim, December 29

Blossoms and Blessings, December 30 (Author Interview)

Lots of Helpers, December 31

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, J. Schuyler is giving away the grand prize of a $75 Amazon Gift Card and a 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://promosimple.com/ps/3f277/the-young-samaritan-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: The Search for the Shadow Cat: Book 3 of the Jaguar Oracle Series

Author: Kurt Mähler

Genre: Magical Realism Fantasy

Release Date: October 26, 2025

Venture into a lush, mystically supercharged natural world where the fate of an entire animal kingdom hangs in the balance in The Search for the Shadow Cat, the captivating third installment of the Jaguar Oracle series.

After a long absence from the Rio Grande Valley, the majestic jaguar named Oracle returns for a perilous quest to restore the three feline tribes—bobcat, ocelot, and long-lost jaguarundi: the “shadow cat.”

With Patch the raccoon, Plod the horse, Bog the toad, and the child named Miracle, Oracle navigates a richly-drawn landscape, pressing through pain and perplexity to rediscover ancient wisdom that will awaken creation, from a jabber of green jays to secretive turtles to trees holding on to treasured knowledge. Along the way, Oracle finds an unexpected ally in a conflicted young entrepreneur, while a hermit holds the key to unlocking the jaguar’s destiny.

Blending magical realism, mythology, and environmental advocacy, this pulse-pounding adventure will captivate readers with its tale of courage, honor, and the power of reclaiming our forgotten roots.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Kurt helps those who built someone else’s dream finally build their own.

As a speaker, advisor, and award-winning poet, he draws from twenty years of lived experience in forty nations.

He is a sought-after voice on five continents, advising expats in places as challenging as Cuba, Persia, and North Korea. He has published multiple books , hundreds of articles, and well-respected poetry.

Kurt and his wife Karen have been married since 1993 and raised their family in Afghanistan, where they founded a community development agency. They are Americans living in the Emirates with ties to the Gulf Coast, the Rio Grande Valley, Central Texas, Louisiana, and New England.

He writes in the poetic tradition, inspired by the wonder of creation, the mysteries of the Ancient Faith, and the drama of the nations. Guiding sources for his work include the Hebrew prophets, the Desert Fathers, Dante, Milton, George MacDonald, C.S. Lewis, and Tolkien.

Why? Because thought leaders go back to the beginning to find the way forward.

The key to the future begins with a memory. Our calling comes from the original self the Creator had in mind when He said, “Let there be you.”

More from Kurt

How do you begin again? How do you take the first step alone?

Sometimes we don’t need a how-to manual to answer these questions. We need an encounter.  We need a story.

That’s why I wrote this epic tale.

Saturated with poetry, proverbs, parables, and prayers, this book is in the tradition of the Christian poets and the Hebrew prophets. It is an immersion in a mystically supercharged natural world alongside a very real human drama.

Why? Because poetic storytelling, when done well, gives prophetic insight for the decisions we face. Then we can begin again. Then we can take the first step alone. Then we can do the thing that is in our heart to do. The thing the Creator placed there. Your calling: the original self He had in mind before the Fall when He said, “Let there be you.”

That’s what this story is about.

An epic quest for redemption and self-discovery

Venture into a lush, mystically supercharged natural world where the fate of an entire animal kingdom hangs in the balance in The Search for the Shadow Cat, the captivating third installment of the Jaguar Oracle series.

A long, mysterious absence and the fulfillment of a legacy

The majestic jaguar named Oracle has returned to the Rio Grande Valley to pick up the trail left by the last guardian of this endangered realm, Kahoo the Grave. Awakening  a dormant legend, Oracle embarks on a perilous quest to restore the three feline tribes—bobcat, ocelot, and long-lost jaguarundi: the “shadow cat”—to their rightful place as stewards of the animal kingdom.

With Patch the raccoon, Plod the horse, Bog the toad, and the child named Miracle, the jaguar navigates a richly-drawn landscape where created things have a voice. Oracle  must press through pain and wrestle perplexity to rediscover the wisdom of the Days of First Things and restore the fragmented animal realm. As he does, creation awakens, from a jabber of green jays to secretive turtles to trees holding on to ancient knowledge.

Reclaiming lost wisdom and honoring our connection to nature

But Oracle is not alone in his quest. He finds an unexpected ally in Tripp Menefee, the ambitious and conflicted young entrepreneur who runs the Eden’s Bend preserve and high-tech ranch, where a rhino, zebras, and other exotic beasts dwell alongside native ones.

Tripp and Oracle forge an invisible partnership as both seek to restore the animal kingdom while Tripp grapples with his own motivations—and the growing affection he has for the woman confronting him on the toll his development plans are taking on the delicate ecosystem.

Meanwhile, the hermit Brazos Ben, who had once nursed Oracle back to health, holds the key to unlocking the jaguar’s past and the secrets of the Lonely Tree at the heart of this landscape. As Ben is forced to confront his own painful history, he must decide whether to help Oracle complete his legacy or remain trapped in the shadows of the past.

Interview with the Author

Q: Which character did you connect to best in this book? 

A: Patch the raccoon. He is the first friend Oracle the jaguar makes when he arrives in South Texas. He is cautious and unpretentious, but he is also clever and inspired to acts self-giving love for the band of new friends he and the jaguar become the core of. In the audiobook version, Nashville actor Zach Lazar Hoffman renders his voice after his favorite actor, Tom Hanks.

I expect that many readers will identify with Patch’s longing for close friends and a supreme purpose that pairs with his struggle to be courageous.

Q: What inspired this book? 

A: The idea for The Search for the Shadow Cat and the whole Jaguar Oracle series came from a black-and-white photo and a question.

The photo, dated January 1946, is of farmers and ranchers displaying what they believed to be the last jaguar in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, which they had hunted down and killed. I saw it in a book called El Valle: The Rio Grande River Delta by Seth Patterson.

A few hours after seeing this photo, during a time of prayer about some troublesome matter I no longer remember, the question dropped into me: “What if a jaguar returned to the Rio Grande Valley?”

In Book 2, The Way Back to Eden, in the chapter called “The Photo,” a main human character sees the photo in that book, and, as a result, is inspired in a dream that night.

Q: Which authors have influenced you the most?

A: Although I am constantly reading other genres—in particular world history, American history, and Eastern Orthodoxy— I especially read the works of C.S. Lewis, George MacDonald, and J.R.R. Tolkien. They picked up the prophetic tradition of the ancient Faith and clothed it with fresh, imaginative, poetic tales from the worlds familiar to them. I have attempted to pick up that tradition too.

Why? Because they understood that sometimes we need an encounter and not an explanation. Poetic fiction, when done well, contains prophetic insight for the individual whose heart is open to their Creator. Each one is on a journey from trusting Him as Creator to obeying Him as Healer and Rescuer.

Along with Dante and Milton, they knew that fiction, when submitted to the tradition of the parables that our Lord and the Hebrew prophets employed, gives the reader the opportunity to decide whether their heart is hungry or hardened. What is more, the best fruit of fiction is to render an offering of life-giving beauty and timeless truths that potentially produce joy-giving sorrow, healing of the heart, and course-correction in one’s mindset, which are essential steps in one’s personal transformation.

Although I cannot recommend these authors for every single one of their theological conclusions, I can wholeheartedly recommend the gift they each have of communicating the inexorable love and fiery holiness of our God and King, a glory that animates stories, gives them a prophetic voice, and awakens us to the life we are called to live. The joy-giving sorrow, healing of the heart, and spirit of repentance their tales impart is a retelling of the gospel par excellence.

Telling parables in Afghanistan caused me to discover how humans, as God’s image bearers, are “wired for stories” by the hand of our Creator. This led to reading George MacDonald’s fiction tales in order to experience the same encouragement his writings gave Lewis and Tolkien in their journey of becoming authors of mythopoetry. This included books like The Golden Key and At the Back of the North Wind. I also studied and explored John Milton’s Paradise Lost and Dante’s Divine Comedy.

I am also highly influenced by Lewis’ Till We Have Faces: A Myth Retold, his last novel. He said it was the best thing he had ever written by far. The tale draws us into a vividly pictured ancient, pagan world and a conflicted soul we can identify with. As we read her journal entries and memoirs, we follow her lifelong wrestling with the gods over a great sorrow, a raging heart, and a deep longing to be loved. Her discovery of Self-giving Love behind the veil of her world takes her breath away. It might strike you at our core too.

Q: What are you reading right now?

Currently, I am reading three books: Welcome to the Orthodox Church by Frederica Mathewes-Green; The Great Fire: One American’s Mission to Rescue Victims of the 20th Century’s First Genocide by Lou Ureneck; and Team of Rivals: the Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin..

I am also reading The Philokalia, a five-volume collection of practical writings from the Desert Fathers and Church Fathers collected over the early centuries of the Faith. The book reads like blog posts on how to practically obey the commands of Christ, love our neighbor, win the battles of the mind, and cultivate a pure heart.

It is said that Saint Seraphim, a student of the Philokalia, was so gentle that a bear befriended him, visiting him regularly. In my story, there is a child the birds name Miracle; he becomes friends with the jaguar, raccoon, and many other animals.

Q: Describe your view as you’re sitting in your writing chair.

A: I sit at a solid wood desk with no drawers facing southeast. Two Gothic-arch windows are above it, one of which has a perch for birds who feed on seeds near a birdbath below. Under a brass reading lamp is an icon of the Holy Family.

A cat tower is to the right of my desk, where the cats Apache, Sioux, and Cheyenne take turns napping or keeping watch at the window. And there is a desk fan, for it can get quite hot where I live in Arabia.

Behind me on a shelf, a toy raccoon “reminds” me to take courage and write. (The Jaguar Oracle series features a raccoon named Patch.) A map of the tale—which appears in the book—is also nearby, along with silhouettes of the four main cats: jaguar, ocelot, bobcat, and jaguarundi.

Q: What does success as an author look like to you?

A: My hope is that readers will find courage for their calling. (“Calling” = Who the Creator thought of when He said, “Let there be you.”)

My hope is that the parables, prayers, poetry, proverbs, and prophecies filling this tale will be a silver plow preparing the soil of our hearts for the golden seed heaven plants there. Success is when readers experience what is best described in the Greek words of the early Christians:

• Metanoia: a new mindset or renewing of the mind directly causing practical changes in habits, behavior, and lifestyle. In a word: repentance.
• Charmolypi: the joy-making sorrow that softens the soil of the heart for friendship with our heavenly Father, obedience to His Son, and participation in the Holy Spirit.
• Therapeia: healing from the inside out, both in turning-point moments and over time.
• Propheteia: personal insight for one’s life and the world in which they live, leading to courage for one’s calling.

Of course, as with any author, I desire that millions of people read my books, provided they experience what I have described above.

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, December 17 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, December 18 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, December 19 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, December 20

Fiction Book Lover, December 21 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, December 22

Vicky Sluiter, December 23 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 24

For the Love of Literature, December 25 (Author Interview)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, December 26 (Author Interview)

Blossoms and Blessings, December 27 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 27

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 28

Stories By Gina, December 29 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, December 29

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, December 30 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Kurt is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card; a high-resolution digital map of the entire series, a high-resolution cover, and the audiobook version featuring Nashville actor Zach Lazar Hoffman when it is released!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/3faa0/the-search-for-the-shadow-cat-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: Underestimated

Author: Sherri Wilson Johnson

Genre: Romantic Suspense/Mystery

Release Date: December 9, 2025

Liam Holcomb is a no-nonsense forensic accountant, not a farmer—but when his grandfather dies under suspicious circumstances, Liam returns to the Anything Goats farm near Nashville to investigate. What he finds buried in old records suggests the death wasn’t an accident—and someone wanted the land badly enough to kill for it.

Wren Meadows, a free-spirited goat yoga instructor and single mom, is busy planning the church’s Christmas celebration at the farm when her daughters witness something they shouldn’t have. Now, threats are closing in, and Liam may be the only one who can protect them.

He’s serious, guarded, and sworn off relationships. She’s sunshine, spontaneity, and a walking invitation to chaos. But as danger deepens and sparks fly, Liam and Wren may discover that opposites don’t just attract—they just might save each other.

A cozy but gripping Christian romantic suspense full of heart, humor, and holiday hope.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Sherri Wilson Johnson writes romantic suspense from her home in Georgia where she lives with her husband, their two dogs and spoiled Bombay cat. Sherri loves spending time with family, vacationing at the beach, reading or working on her current work-in-progress. She dreams of a second home on some beach somewhere some day, where she can plot romantically suspenseful novels around the clock.

More from Sherri

In Underestimated, Liam Holcomb cooks his grandmother’s Beef Hash recipe. This is actually one of my mom’s recipes that I cook quite often. She passed away in 1993, and cooking her Beef Hash always brings fond memories to my mind. So I’ll share the recipe with you now. Keep in mind that just like Liam’s grandmother, I use lots of garlic salt. I sample along the way until I get just the right amount of seasoning. You may want to use more or less, depending on your preference.

But here are the basics:

Ingredients:

2 lbs lean ground beef

6-8 yellow potatoes (or 4 large Idaho potatoes) cut into cubes

½ cup finely chopped onions or dried minced onions

2-3 large cut carrots (or a ½ to ¾ bag of frozen cut carrots)

Black pepper to taste

Garlic powder and onion powder to taste

Lawry’s Coarse Ground with Parsley Garlic Salt (This is the secret sauce—use as much as you want to get that good savory flavor to your liking.) (I probably use ¼ cup for a large batch, but I’m not 100% sure, honestly. I always eyeball it and then taste it once it’s done.)

Instructions:

Season the ground beef with the garlic salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder. Brown, drain and rinse.

Cut the potatoes into cubes and slice the carrots into circles about ½ inch thick. Boil until tender (you can use an Instantpot or pressure cooker). You can add salt to the water, but I usually don’t because I don’t want to overdo the salt. I save the saltiness for the garlic salt.

After the potatoes and carrots are tender, scoop them into a pot with the ground beef and add the potato water as the broth. You can add as much as you like depending on how much broth you like.

Bring everything to a boil, smashing some of the potatoes until the broth thickens.

Toast hamburger buns until crispy then pour the Beef Hash on top and gobble it up.

Serve with a side salad.

Interview with the Author

• Which character did you connect to best in this book?
  Liam, the hero. He’s super detail-oriented and won’t stop until he finds the answers he’s looking for.

• Which part of the book was the most difficult to write?
  Honestly, the last half of it! I sailed along pretty good until life and my full-time job put up so many obstacles that I thought I never would finish the story. But once things settled down a bit and I got back into the story, the words flowed.

• What inspired this book?
  A trip to Nashville. I saw so many businessmen and businesswomen in suits that I was inspired to write something set in the city. At least that was the goal when I started and when I wrote the prequel to this series. But this book ended up being set at the grandfather’s farm the whole time!

• Which author influenced the you most?
  On a personal level, it would be Sandra Robbins, who used to write for Love Inspired Suspense before she went home to be with the Lord. She was a mentor and great friend and always had an encouraging word for me.

• What is your favorite Bible verse or life verse?
  John 14:1-3

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, December 9

The Sacred Line, December 10

Stories By Gina, December 11 (Author Interview)

EmpowerMoms, December 11

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 12

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 13

Simple Harvest Reads, December 14 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 15

Texas Book-aholic, December 16

Artistic Nobody, December 17 (Author Interview)

An Author’s Take, December 17

For Him and My Family, December 18

Betti Mace, December 19

Bizwings Blog, December 20

Because I said so, December 21

Guild Master, December 22

Giveaway

To celebrate her tourk, Sherri is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon Gift Card and a 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://promosimple.com/ps/3edbd/underestimated-celebration-tour-giveaway