About the Book

Book Title: Mary the Missionary

Author Name: Yvonne M. Morgan

Genre: Children’s Early Reader

Release Date: February 1, 2025

A Kenya Adventure

Are you ready for an adventure in Kenya? After singing “Jesus Loves the Little Children” in Sunday School, Mary has many questions about children in other countries. When her parents learn about a mission trip to Kenya, they decided to experience another culture as a family. Mary encounters many trials on her Kenyan adventure. In the end, she learns that she and her new friends aren’t different, and Jesus loves all children.

Through colorful illustrations and engaging storytelling, “Mary the Missionary” teaches important lessons about acceptance, empathy, and love. As Mary meets children from different cultures and backgrounds, she learns to see the world through their eyes and understand the unique challenges they face. Along the way, she also discovers the unifying power of faith and how it transcends all barriers.

 

Book Excerpt

• What is the faith message Mary learns from this adventure?

1. • Mary discovered the profound truth of Jesus’ boundless love; He shows no favoritism, treating everyone the same because He created every single person. Mary learns that a life free of clutter doesn’t automatically equal happiness; it’s faith in the Lord that brings genuine joy. Finding comfort in our faith in Jesus brings us lasting peace and fulfillment.

Missed Any Excerpts, Go Here

Excerpt One: https://www.devotedtohope.com/epiclaunchmtm
Excerpt Two: https://storiesbygina.com/2025/04/02/mary-the-missionary-epic-book-launch-with-celebrate-lit-publicity/
Excerpt Three: https://lakesidelivingsite.wordpress.com/2025/03/20/mary-the-missionary-by-yvonne-m-morgan-epic-book-launch/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJJhpFleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHdPtAvuZlkDFP5ZkSqJoOTdapQXgEh_k3sVGon9ry5o_micBpZeqMj_MDA_aem_s6bM2b48JJrWBV3bCeyO2Q
Excerpt Four: https://www.artistwriterandstudentohmy.com/posts/mary-the-missionary-book-excerpt/
Excerpt Five: https://coverloverbookreview.blogspot.com/2025/03/mary-missionary.html
Excerpt Six: https://blossomsandblessings.blogspot.com/2025/03/mary-missionary-by-yvonne-m-morgan-epic.html
Excerpt Seven: https://www.simpleharvestreads.com/posts/mary-the-missionary-book-excerpt/

 

About the Author

Yvonne M Morgan takes readers of all ages on a journey of faith, hope, and love with encouraging words. Her captivating storytelling will inspire readers to trust in the Lord and give them hope. Yvonne’s insightful reflections will resonate with anyone who wants a deeper relationship with God. Find out more at https://yvonne-morgan.com

 

About the Book

Book: 63 Hours In Hell

Author: Susan L Davis

Genre: Fantasy/Speculative Fiction

Release date: March 4, 2025

To reach the kingdom of Heaven, they must unlock the gates of Hell.

Discover the Journey. Rediscover Your Faith.

On their journey to Jesus’s crucifixion, Hannah and her brother perish in a tragic accident, plunging into the enigmatic afterlife of Paradise. Jesus sends them, along with the “good thief” Dismas and a mysterious angel, on a perilous quest to retrieve scattered fragments of the key to Hell.

This ragtag team races through the epochs of biblical history, trying to outwit Lucifer’s forces at every turn. Can they restore the key in 63 hours? Or will Lucifer destroy them all

Experience the power of the Christ’s resurrection in a way you never imagined.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Susan L. Davis is an author, speaker, and blogger whose journey from skepticism to faith began unexpectedly at a funeral. Her debut novel, 63 Hours in Hell, explores the three days Jesus spent in Hell, offering a fresh perspective on biblical events. Susan lives in the western suburbs of Chicago with her husband, two children, and their mischievous dog.

 

 

 

 

More from Susan

Thank you so much for being part of this incredible journey. I am grateful for your support in helping to share my debut book!

I’m thrilled to introduce readers to more than just a novel—this is a journey into God’s love and mercy, reaching even the darkest places. Rooted in scripture, infused with traces of Jewish folklore, and written with the utmost respect for Jesus, 63 Hours in Hell examines themes of faith, forgiveness, redemption, and the healing of broken relationships.

If you’re a fan of The Chosen series, this book will resonate with you. It imagines what happened during Jesus’ three days in the depths of hell. The story follows a jilted bride, her brother, and the good thief on a quest: finding key fragments, freeing hell’s prisoners, fighting the devil, and facing their own inner demons.

A Special Message

Readers have shared how they found a personal message within its pages—something they needed to hear at just the right moment. I pray 63 Hours in Hell offers encouragement to you as well.

An Inspired Journey

As you can see in the photo, my furry companions have been a steady source of joy throughout my writing journey. (Fun fact: my majestic, wolf-like dog even inspired the demon dog in the book!)

An Invitation

I didn’t truly discover Jesus until later in life, which makes me even more in awe of His boundless love, sacrifice, and resurrection—and His patience throughout my personal transformation. This book is more than a story; it’s an invitation to understand why Jesus’ death and resurrection remain pivotal—yesterday, today, and forever.

Thank you for joining me on this journey and for sharing this book with others. Your support means the world to me!

Happy reading,

Susan L. Davis

Interview with the Author

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

It’s hard to choose, but I’d say Hannah resonated with me the most. Her story was 13 years in the making and writing her ending scenes was emotional—I even teared up.

 Hannah’s journey begins with feeling stuck and abandoned, which is something so many of us can relate to. But her transformation into a place of healing and wholeness is such a powerful reminder that, even in our darkest seasons, God is always at work behind the scenes. Like Hannah, we’re never alone in our struggles, and that gives me hope.

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

The chapters from 23 to 37 were by far the hardest. During that time, I lost my editor and friend, Ginger Kolbaba, to COVID. She wasn’t just an editor—she was a mentor, a guide, and such a bright light in my writing journey. Her passing left me devastated, and for a while, I wasn’t sure I could continue with the writing. With the encouragement of others, I kept going. This book became a tribute to her memory and the impact she had on my life.

3) What inspired this book?

When I became a Christian in my 40s, the Bible opened a world of questions and mysteries for me. Stories like the Nephilim, Jesus descending into hell, and Mary not being able to touch Jesus after his resurrection intrigued me and sparked my imagination.

The real turning point, though, was a surreal moment with a flat tire. A broken key caused it—at that time I was thinking of writing a book about mending the key to hell. What are the odds?! Add that to a kind stranger at the tire shop reminding me of God’s love, and it felt like more than just coincidence. It felt like confirmation from God to keep writing. That moment—and this book—marked the beginning of my writing career and stepping out and trusting God.

4) What is your favorite Bible verse?

Psalm 27:13 is the verse I lean on to get me through the tough times:

“Yet I am confident I will see the LORD’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living.”

It’s been such a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness in my life. The entire Psalm is so rich of hope—it’s one of the most beautiful, yet often overlooked, passages in the Bible.

5) What are you reading right now?

Right now, I’m reading The Let Them by Mel Robbins for a neighborhood book club. I love being part of a book club—it’s such a great way to connect with people, share thoughts, and dive into meaningful conversations that go beyond the books themselves.

Blog Stops

Guild Master, March 28 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, March 29 (Author Interview)

Inspired by Fiction, March 30

Simple Harvest Reads, March 31 (Author Interview)

For the Love of Literature, April 1 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 1

Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 2 (Author Interview)

Blossoms and Blessings, April 3 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, April 4

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 5

Artistic Nobody, April 6 (Author Interview)

Stories By Gina, April 7 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 7

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, April 8 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 9

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, April 10 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Susan 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.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54188

About the Book

Book: When the Sky Burned (A Day to Remember Book 6)

Author: Liz Tolsma

Genre: Christian Fiction / Romance / Historical Fiction

Release date: March 1, 2025

A Tornado of Fire and Embezzlement Sweep through a Community  

Enjoy a series of 6 exciting novels featuring historic disasters that transformed landscapes and multiple lives. Whether by nature or by man, these disasters changed history and were a day to be remembered.

Promising painter Mariah Randolph longs to have her canvases displayed in the world’s best museums, and Hollis Stanford, the heir of a railroad tycoon, is her ticket to success. The railroad’s bookkeeper, Jay Franklin, discovers discrepancies and is convinced that Hollis is stealing from the company. But any proof of his dirty dealings go up in smoke when fire utterly destroys the town of Peshtigo, Wisconsin, October 8, 1871.

The fire leaves Mariah blind, but Jay befriends her and even helps her to start painting again. But a trip to Chicago to return Hollis’s daughter to him could put both Mariah and Jay in more danger than even the fire that devastated the town and their lives.

 

Click here to get your copy!

Guest Review from Marilyn

There are not enough words to describe the overwhelming events of October 8, 1871 in Peshtigo, WI that is found in this book. Liz Tolsma penned another magnificent Christian Historical Romance filled with vivid details, well developed characters, faith, a slow budding romance and suspense.

 

Mariah loved painting what her eyes beheld in the small lumbering town of Peshtigo. Jay was a quiet bookkeeper and dear friend to Mariah from childhood. Their relationship had challenges due to his boss of the railroad. Mariah is willingly to assist him but the great fire that swept through the town had everyone scrambling for their lives. I felt the emotions and terror members of the community must of felt that day. Mariah loss so much but yet in time she found new faith, a true love and unforgettable artistic acceptance as only God could of designed for her with life’s challenges.

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publisher for the book tour. I have shared my own opinion.

About the Author

Liz Tolsma is the author of several WWII novels, romantic suspense novels, prairie romance novellas, and an Amish romance. She is a popular speaker and an editor and resides next to a Wisconsin farm field with her husband and their youngest daughter. Her son is a US Marine, and her oldest daughter is a college student. Liz enjoys reading, walking, working in her large perennial garden, kayaking, and camping. She is also the host of the Christian Historical Fiction Talk podcast.

 

 

 

More from Liz

I stared at my computer screen in front of me. For years, I had been searching for my great-grandmother, Anna. I got no good information. Census records in the US weren’t helpful. Some listed her birthplace as Czechoslovakia, while others had it as Austria. I had heard before that she might have been born in Czechoslovakia before, but never Austria. There were no records that I had come across that listed the city or town where she was born.

Until that one day. While searching for my great-grandmother, I ran across a passport application recorded in Warsaw, Poland, for an Anna with the same last name, though spelled differently. Her birthday was listed as 1903, which matched the birth year I knew for my great-grandmother’s niece. As I read through the application, my heart was pounding. This Anna was born in the United States but went to Dubne, Poland, with her family in 1906. It was now 1923, and she wanted to return to the US, and she would be living with…

I started to cry when I saw who her sponsor was. My great-grandfather. The name and address were correct. There could be no doubt about it. It had taken me years, but I finally made the jump to Europe and discovered that my great-grandmother was not born in Czechoslovakia but in what was then the Austro-Hungarian Empire and is now Poland.

Of course, good little researcher that I am, I had to find out all I could about Dubne, the town they were from. That’s when I first came across the term Lemko. What on earth was that?

Lemkos are a Slavic people that settled in the Carpathian Mountains of Southern Poland, Northern Slovakia, and Western Ukraine. They are also known as Lemko Rusyns, Rusyns (especially those born in Slovakia, like my great-grandfather), and Carptho-Rusyns. The mountains kept the world at bay, and they developed their own language, customs, and form of Christianity. For the most part, they were very poor, many of them eking out a living from the rocky ground.

They lived in “black houses,” called that because the poorest people couldn’t afford to have a chimney built. The smoke from the cooking and heating fires stayed inside the house and covered the walls with black tar. If you look at the cemetery records from Dubne, you would be old if you lived into your fifties. Conditions were brutal.

The most the average Lemko could afford was one sheep or one pig. Since this was their most prized possession, they couldn’t take the chance of a wild animal or a neighbor taking it away, so it lived in the house with them.

With all of them. Up to eleven people would live in a two-room house. When I mentioned that in What I Left for You, my editor questioned if I had made a mistake. No, I didn’t. I have no idea how they fit all those people in there, but they did. As I was tracking one branch of our family tree, I kept coming up with people living in house 43. Over and over and over. They stuffed that house full. Grandparents, parents, and children all lived together. They may not have had much, but that forged the Lemkos into strong and resilient people.

I’m proud to be Lemko-Rusyn, and I’m thrilled to share this story with you. I infused Helena, the historical heroine, with as much of the Lemko spunk and spirit as I could. Last October, my daughter and I had the privilege to travel to Poland and Slovakia and see the Lemko homeland for ourselves. It helped me to write a better, richer story because I now understand where they came from and who they were. Enjoy Helena’s story and her journey during WWII and beyond. I hope you come to understand and appreciate the Lemko people as much as I have.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, March 27

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 27

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 28

Pens Pages & Pulses, March 28

Books You Can Feel Good About, March 29

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 29

Simple Harvest Reads, March 30 (Guest Review from Marilyn)

Texas Book-aholic, March 30

Betti Mace, March 31

Lily’s Corner, March 31

Life on Chickadee Lane, April 1

Devoted Steps, April 1

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 2

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 3

Blogging with Carol, April 4

Connie’s History Classroom, April 4

Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 5

For Him and My Family, April 5

Stories By Gina, April 6 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, April 6

Bizwings Book Blog, April 7

Cover Lover Book Review, April 7

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, April 8

Jodie Wolfe, April 8

Holly’s Book Corner, April 9

Pause for Tales, April 9

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Liz is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon e-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.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54187

About the Book

Book: Spark of the Revolution

Author: Megan Soja

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: March 4, 2025

A spark ignites a flame that could burn down everything they hold dear.

Contrary to her name, Patience Abbott has long felt unsettled and anxious to leave behind her painful memories in England for a fresh start in America. But her new life isn’t quite what she expected, and as tension grows in her new home of Boston, so does the distance between Patience and her estranged father. So when Josiah Wagner walks into her life, it finally feels like she’s not alone. If only his patriotic leanings didn’t put him at odds with her father’s loyalties.

Josiah Wagner has spent his life yearning for a true home and family, something he works toward each day, forging tools as a blacksmith, and each night, forging plans with the Sons of Liberty. But when the destruction of tea in Boston Harbor lights the spark of the Revolution, Josiah finds himself drawn into its tumultuous wake, pulling the woman he loves along with him.

As tensions mount, will their search for belonging lead to each other, or will the obstacles between them be too great to overcome? In a land on the brink of war, can they find the home they seek in the One who calls them His own?

 

Click here to get your copy!

Guest Review from Marilyn

This debut tale from Megan Soja had me unexpectedly caught up in the history of Boston prior to the American Revolution. The research of this era is sprinkled throughout the story with scenes, dialect and historical events. The author penned graciously the city as seen through newcomers’ eyes, Patricia and Will Abbott who had arrived from England to join their father. Their arrival included more than they had anticipated to find in Boston as well as in America.

The conflicts of the tea tax brought strains upon households and the colonists. Josiah knew where Mr. Abbott stood but took a fancy to Patricia and assisted Will in securely a position. This tale was not fast paced, just like the history evolved slowly leading up to the Boston Tea Party and the American Revolution. The romance that developed was gently woven into the story along with characters returning to faith after difficult pasts, finding new hope and purpose. I look forward to reading the next book in the Harbor of Spies series.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit Bloggers Tour. I have expressed my own thoughts.

About the Author

Megan Soja is a multi-award-winning author who writes stories with strong faith, rich history, and sweet romance. She lives in western NY with her husband and two daughters and loves having adventures, both big and small, with her family. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, hiking, canoeing and kayaking, and playing French Horn.

 

More from Megan

I have a confession. When I was in school, I didn’t really enjoy history classes. That sounds awful coming from a writer of historical fiction, doesn’t it? But it’s true. The whole concept of memorizing dates and names and places just didn’t excite me.

And yet, I have loved reading historical fiction for as long as I can remember, and have always found living history museums fascinating. I think it’s because those things made history feel real and made me feel like I was part of it. They took me deeper, beyond a list of events and famous names, into the everyday lives of ordinary people who made a lasting impact, whether they realized it or not.

It was the stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things that captured my attention when I began researching for Spark of the Revolution.

They were names most of us would never recognize. Ordinary people living ordinary lives, who stepped up one night to take part in something extraordinary. Who joined an event that would go on to impact history in ways few of them likely imagined.

Names like Sarah Bradlee Fulton, who has been credited with the idea of disguising men as Mohawks and helped her husband and brothers do just that. She later rallied women to care for wounded soldiers after the Battle of Bunker Hill and traveled across enemy lines to deliver an urgent message to General George Washington.

Or David Kinnson, a farmer from Maine who journeyed to Boston with the express purpose of destroying the tea. He went on to serve in multiple battles of both the Revolution and the War of 1812, was the father of twenty-two children, and lived to be one hundred and fifteen years old.

Or Samuel Sprague, who was on the way to visit the woman he loved when he saw what was happening at the harbor and decided to join. He climbed onto a rooftop to gather soot as a disguise. Don’t worry, he did later marry his sweetheart – Joannah Thayer – and they went on to have fourteen children together. Both lived to be ninety and are buried at the Central Burying Ground on Boston Common.

I was drawn in by these stories and so many others. They reminded me that each of us are living our own stories too. And while we may often feel ordinary, we are treasured and precious in the sight of God. He has a plan and purpose for every one of us, and whether or not our names are recorded or remembered in history, we are fully known by Him.

I hope you’ll see that message when you read Spark of the Revolution. One of purpose, of meaning in the midst of the ordinary, and of belonging to the God who is unchanging throughout all of time.

Interview with the Author

Blog Stops

Stories By Gina, March 20 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 20

Texas Book-aholic, March 21

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 22

Life on Chickadee Lane, March 23

Pause for Tales, March 23

Simple Harvest Reads, March 24 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 25

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 26

Sylvan Musings, March 27

Pens Pages & Pulses, March 27

Books You Can Feel Good About, March 28

Connie’s History Classroom, March 29

For Him And My Family, March 30

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, March 30

Cover Lover Book Review, March 31

Holly’s Book corner, April 1

Leslie’s Library Escape, April 2

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Megan 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.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54179

About the Book

Book: The Way Back to Eden: Book 2 of the Jaguar Oracle Series

Author: Kurt Mähler

Genre: Magical Realism

Release date: February 28, 2025

A Mystical Journey to Restore the Natural Order as Hope Guides the Way

In the lush wilderness of the Rio Grande Valley, a centuries-old prophecy is about to be fulfilled. The jaguars, once the revered rulers of the animal kingdom, have vanished—until a brave jaguar named Oracle begins a journey to summon the scattered tribes and restore their rightful place.

A captivating quest and an unforgettable journey home.

His quest intersects with young Paco and his extraordinary animal companions—a wise horse named Plod, a storytelling toad called Bog, and a clever raccoon named Patch—as they navigate the mystical landscapes of the Texas-Mexico borderlands and Brazos River bottomlands, a quest that weaves through ancient forests, mysterious towers, and sacred sanctuaries.

Guided by ancient wisdom and the enduring loyalty of his animal friends, Oracle’s epic journey leads him through a world on the brink of upheaval. As greedy developers encroach on the land and threaten the delicate balance of nature, Oracle must navigate a tangled web of human greed, betrayal, and violence to find the missing jaguarundi tribe and unite the warring factions of the animal realm.

The fate of the Valley rests on Oracle recovering lost memories and rediscovering the original harmony between man and beast. From vast Texan ranches to ancient palm forests, from well-ordered zoos to untamed wilderness, The Way Back to Eden weaves together a rich tapestry of cultures, legends, and the immutable power of the natural world.

Blending elements of magical realism, environmental advocacy, and pulse-pounding adventure, this sweeping tale transports readers into a vibrant, unforgettable world where Oracle’s quest is to preserve the ancient balance and the interconnectedness of all living things.

The Way Back to Eden, a deeply satisfying and thought-provoking fantasy epic, is the second installment in the six-volume Jaguar Oracle series. Discover the magic that awaits where ancient wildlife sanctuaries hold secrets, where ghosts and tree house hermits guide lost souls home, and where the path back to Eden might just be hidden in plain sight.

Follow the trail. Find the tree. Change the world.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Kurt writes in the prophetic and poetic tradition, inspired by the wonder of creation and the cultures of the nations. Guiding sources for his works include the Hebrew prophets, the Desert Fathers, Dante, Milton, George MacDonald, C.S. Lewis, and Tolkien.

Kurt and his wife, Karen, married since 1993, raised five children in Afghanistan and have spent more than twenty years in forty nations as encouragers in the Christian faith. Their travels led to the discovery of the beauty and wisdom of storytelling. Their roots include the Gulf Coast, Rio Grande Valley, and Heart of Texas.

Kurt writes to give readers courage for their faith journeys, as he believes that no disappointment, however profound, should prevent you from completing it.

More from Kurt

The Way Back to Eden expands the Jaguar Oracle epic into a full-fledged human drama alongside the animal one. Who among the animals do you enjoy? Who among the humans do you identify with? A clue to courage for your calling lies in that intersection.

Brazos Ben is based on a relative who built a three-story treehouse with running water and electricity. Just like we find in the story, he did so on sixty acres of bottomland beside a river, where he let most of his property go wild. It contained an old pecan orchard and an abandoned cabin.

Papá Eli, a member of the old-school “gentleman mafia” of Mexico, is based on the actor Cesar Romero.

Every plant, animal,  moon phase,  and constellation are the work of much research. I use an astronomy app called Starry Night Enthusiast 8, which I learned of from reading the profound scholarly work called The Great Christ Comet by Colin Nicholl, who used this app as a key aid in his attempt to determine the nature and trajectory of the Star of Bethlehem.

While the animal characters are on a journey to “remember their names”—what Adam spoke when he named them—the human characters are on a quest to get “back to Eden.” High-tech rancher Tripp is leveraging money. The hermit Brazos Ben is letting his land go wild. Papá Eli is creating a glass arboretum where he hopes to retire alongside the jaguar. Chase the zoologist is in touch with the omens of creation.

But the jaguar Oracle is on a deeper journey. He is trapped in a “mangarden” far from the Rio Grande Valley. He will need more than mere strength and skill to escape and return; he will need weakness and suffering. Can he drink the cup? Can he return to the Valley and restore the cats to their leadership (the ocelot, the bobcat, and the lost jaguarundi)? Can he bring the animal kingdom into a “final spring in their twilight days this side of Eden”?

Read and discover. Perhaps it will inspire you to drink the cup heaven has offered you, too. His grace is sufficient. His power rests in our weakness. His blood is enough. This is our way back to Eden.

Interview with the Author

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

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 his longing for close friends and a supreme purpose that pairs with his struggle to be courageous in Patch the raccoon.

• What inspired this book?

The idea for The Way Back to Eden 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 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.

• Which author has influenced you the most?

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 Christian fantasy in order to experience the same encouragement his writings gave Lewis and Tolkien in their journey of becoming Christian fantasy authors, and it did indeed inspire me. This included books like The Golden Key and At the Back of the North Wind.  I also returned to the roots of Christian poetry with an exploration of John Milton’s Paradise Lost and Dante’s Divine Comedy.

 

• What are you reading right now?

Take the Stairs, a best-selling book on discipline by Rory Vaden.

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.

 

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

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 just below the sill. Under a brass reading lamp is an icon of the Holy Family, and with this my daytimer, called a Full Focus Planner, which I highly recommend.

A toy raccoon “reminds” me to take courage and write. (The Jaguar Oracle series features a raccoon named Patch.) And there is a desk fan, for it is quite hot where I live in Arabia. A plant sits beside the desk whose leaves curve over the corner thereof. A map of the tale—which appears in the book—is also before me, along with silhouettes of the four main cats: jaguar, ocelot, bobcat, and jaguarundi.

Blog Stops

Vicky Sluiter, March 21 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, March 22 (Author Interview)

For the Love of Literature, March 23 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 23

Fiction Book Lover, March 24 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, March 24

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 25 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 26

Blossoms and Blessings, March 27 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, March 28 (Author Interview)

Stories By Gina, March 29 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, March 30

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, March 31 (Author Interview)

A Reader’s Brain , April 1 (Author Interview)

Blogging with Carol, April 2

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, April 3 (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 six-book tale, a high-resolution cover, and an audiobook copy of the book!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54180

About the Book

Book: Ephesians: Experience God’s Power

Author: Sarah K. Howley

Genre: Bible Study

Release date: January 5, 2025

Are you ready to dive deep into the life-changing truths of Ephesians? In this 8-session Bible study, you’ll explore how God’s power is available to us today—transforming our lives, our relationships, and the world around us.

Sarah K. Howley, author, speaker, and founder of InspiritEncourage, is your guide on this journey through Ephesians. With insightful questions and thoughtful guidance, Sarah will help you uncover:

– The incredible spiritual blessings that God has prepared for you.

– His vision for unity among His people while honoring each person’s unique gifts.

– How to live with purpose and conviction, experiencing the fullness of life as a Christian.

– Old Testament connections that deepen your understanding of the New Testament.

– Practical ways to live out God’s truths in your daily life.

Each hour-long session includes a key Scripture passage, an introduction, engaging questions, links to Old Testament passages, and personal application. Perfect for individual or group study, Ephesians: Experience God’s Power will strengthen your faith and build deeper connections in unity with others.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Sarah K. Howley is the founder of InspiritEncourage ministries, a trained Christian counselor, and the author of numerous Bible studies. She loves Jesus and is passionate about helping believers grow spiritually and take on Christ’s character. Sarah often travels the world, usually with espresso in hand. She and her husband support initiatives for feeding the hungry and for expanding access to reading.

More from Sarah

Years ago, I was travelling a bit before starting a new teaching job. I found myself thinking that it would be neat to visit a few places of the Bible and soon made plans and set off for Turkey. One of my stops was Ephesus; the thought that I was walking in the same place as Paul and his disciples was pretty amazing. I saw the library (now open-air) and the place where the temple of Diana had been.

Having visited and then reflected on the visit while studying the Bible, I realized that the ruins of the port town of Ephesus were a living monument to the difficult living conditions of the believers in Paul’s time. There was much remaining of the Ephesian pagan world, of a time when Christians were a fledgling group that needed the encouragement that Paul offered.

Still today, looking around me it is easy to think that we are still a fledgling group of Christians that need Paul’s encouragement. Division and favoritism are still prevalent today and we are surrounded by nonbelievers. But Paul offered words of wisdom that are still relevant to us today.

You may not visit Turkey soon, but you can connect with the people of the land through Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. We can walk a mile in their shoes as we study the encouragement of Paul and experience the power of Christ in our own lives.

Interview with the Author

What does success as an author look like to you?

When I first began writing, I found that it was out of obedience, so my idea of success was “completion”. That has evolved over the last five years to “glorifying God (with whatever I’ve completed)” and, this year, also includes “reaching new people”. I pray that those who participate in one of these studies is touched and knows God more intimately than before. That is the main point of success for me as an author.

What inspired this book?

This book was inspired by another series of books that I wrote a couple of years ago. Those books looked at how the Gospels reveal Jesus as God in the Old Testament. This book helps participants see how the Old Testament was highlighted in the epistles. There has been effort over recent years in Christian living and Bible study books to show how Jesus is found throughout the story of the Bible. This book (and series) looks at how the New Testament letters repeat or expand upon ideas presented in the Old Testament. It is an extension of the idea that Jesus is found in the whole Bible.

What is your favorite Bible verse or life verse?

On my 16^th birthday, my family gave me a new Bible and noted Ruth 2:12. It has been a constant reminder to take cover under God’s wings. It has been a comfort more often than I can count.

What is your vacation spot?

My family has lived in Africa and Asia for the last 10 years and we have most often found ourselves in Bangkok Thailand for holidays. It gives us a chance to be in a modern place surrounded by cultural activities. There is a relaxing pool and shopping (everything from the home store to shoes!). But that doesn’t happen often. My favorite place to relax regularly is on the couch with a good book. After dinner, I often curl up and read.

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

It might be a toss-up between the instant pot and the food processor. As someone who has dietary restrictions and lives overseas, most things are made from scratch. That means a lot of chopping and mixing. But, since I also dedicate so much time to writing activities, I also like the convenience of the instant pot. I use both every week when I make red lentil hummus.

Blog Stops

Stories By Gina, March 15 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, March 16

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 17

She Lives To Read, March 18

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 19

The Sacred Line, March 19

Simple Harvest Reads, March 20 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, March 20

By the Book, March 21

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 22

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 23

For the Love of Literature, March 24 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 25

Cover Lover Book Review, March 26

EmpowerMoms, March 27

Artistic Nobody, March 28

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Sarah is giving away the grand prize of a $50 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.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5417

About the Book

Book: Jesus Can . . .Give You Purpose (Jesus Can... Book Three)

Author: Stephanie Reynolds/Christian Writers Collective, LLC

Genre: Inspirational, Christian, Self-help

Release date: December 5, 2024

Can Jesus give you purpose?

He most certainly can! You’ll find plenty of proof in the pages of this book. Its 46 testimonies display Jesus’ power to give purpose to people all over the world, whether they were shot and left for dead during a political revolution in Africa or struggling with loneliness and suicidal thoughts in small town America. Jesus Christ brought a unique purpose to every writer featured in this book. And He can do the same for anyone who reads it. We dare you to put Jesus to the test today!

Whether you’re looking for God’s truth yourself or want to share the gospel with family, friends or acquaintances, books from the Jesus Can … series may be the perfect solution.

Give You Purpose is the 3rd volume in this inspirational series published by the Christian Writers Collective, LLC.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

The Christian Writers Collective, LLC

Founded in 2020 by Stephanie Reynolds of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the CWC is a growing organization with writers worldwide. Our ultimate goal is to feature 100 members/writers in each Jesus Can book and to publish 10-12 books each year, equivalent to the publication pace of the popular Chicken Soup for the Soul® series. We want to reach millions each year with the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ. We pray that you’ll join this fast-growing moment as a reader, a writer, or by giving Jesus Can books to others. Thanks in advance for your participation!

 

More from Stephanie

Hi, my name is Stephanie Reynolds. I am the founder of the Christian Writers Collective, LLC, which publishes the Jesus Can book series. I was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and I’ve lived here most of my life. Like many Baby Boomers and only sisters from a family with three children, I have had the privilege of caring for both of my parents during the last months and/or years of their lives. What an honor it was to be present when my mom received Jesus as her savior just a few months before she passed in 2014. It was the Homegoing of my spiritual mom, Mrs. Naomi Walker, on October 8, 2019, that inspired me to publish Books 1 and 2 of this series on October 8 in 2021 and 2022. That’s because God gave me the courage to share my calling to publish books “to help spread the gospel far and wide,” for the first time at Mrs. Walker’s Homegoing Service. I believe God confirmed His calling by taking Mrs. Walker home to Heaven on October 8, my 61st birthday. I’m excited by the release of Book 3 of our series, Jesus Can . . . Give You Purpose.

It was my privilege to care for my dad during the last five years of his life. He went home to Heaven in February 2024. This book is dedicated to him.

The Jesus Can . . .  Give A Helping Hand Fund

For every copy that you purchase, a portion of this book’s net profits for two years will be given to an organization or individual that shares our primary mission: To spread the Gospel far and wide.

Our first honoree for this grant was an easy and obvious choice: Literacy & Evangelism International (LEI), located near Atlanta, GA, and staffed by missionaries Bob & Mary Mulloy.

The selection of LEI was easy because 29 of the 46 articles in this book are testimonies from individuals served by or affiliated with LEI. Bob and Mary’s testimonies are counted among the 29.

Atlanta is the ideal location for LEI because it is the home to the Hartsfield Jackson International Airport (ATL), the world’s busiest airport. Many of the people arriving at ATL from over 150 nations choose to make metro Atlanta their new home.   As evidenced by the writers in Jesus Can Book 3, Bob & Mary have had the opportunity for 16 years to minister to many individuals, including three writers in Book 3 who are victims of violence in Africa,  escapees from the killing fields of Cambodia, and a Haitian woman that was buried alive for three days.

It is our prayer that this grant will help them serve the diverse mission field in Atlanta for many more years, for it’s in Jesus’s name that we pray, Amen.

Interview with the Author

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

Answer: Our success is measured by how many books we sell. That’s because the mission of the Jesus Can book series is to spread the gospel far and wide. Our goal is to help fund the God-given dreams of our writers. I am praying that we sell at least 1 million dollars in 2025. I am clinging to God’s promise and Matthew 19:26, “with God all things are possible.”

Question: Which chapter was the most difficult to write?

Answer: The one chapter that I wrote about me, of course! Jesus Can™ books are anthologies. This means that they are a collection of the testimonies and articles by multiple authors. We ask each writer to share their testimony or story in 500 to 750 words, so that’s the length of each chapter. There are 46 writers and therefore, 46 chapters in Book 3, Jesus Can…Give You Purpose, our most recent release. Our ultimate goal is to feature 100 writers/chapters in every Jesus Can™ book. Because a writer’s first submission to any book in the Jesus Can series is always their testimony, every article is Book 1, Jesus Can…Give You A New Life!, is a testimony…including mine. Writing my testimony was difficult because I took a hard look at many of the feelings I didn’t have the time, nor the maturity, to deal with before. I shed a lot of tears as I wrote my testimony for the first time. However, I wouldn’t change a thing about the process. In fact, I’d recommend writing your testimony to every Christian that’s been hurt. The end result is a healing and closeness to Jesus that is so personal that it is virtually indescribable. That’s why I encourage every believer to write their testimony and experience this for themselves.

Question: What are you reading right now?

Answer: I just received my copy of the CS Lewis classic, The Screwtape Letters. I had a second copy of this book sent to my 20-something, incarcerated nephew. Thankfully, the Lord has been able to get my nephew’s undivided attention while he is in prison. He is now genuinely saved! It’s a joy to visit him, talk about the Bible, and listen to him recite huge passages from the Bible that he is trying to live. He pours out his heart to God in journals, so he has been getting lots of writing practice, too. He is working on submitting his testimony for Book 4. He will be the first person from my family to ever share a testimony in one of our books. I pray that many more of my family members will follow his example…of giving their life to Jesus, not going to prison. I’ve chosen not to reveal his name, but I hope you’ll look for his testimony in Book 4 when it is published in October 2025. I am so proud of him, and I believe the Lord is going to use him in a powerful way to share the gospel with others. Both I and my nephew covet and thank you so much for your prayers.

Question: What is your most well loved and well used house Appliance?

Answer: Even though I have burned out, not one, but two air fryers, my favorite house appliance is a dishwasher. While we no longer share the same address, both I and my son hate washing dishes. He is on his third countertop dishwasher, and he has even purchased one for me. When we were living at the same address, we nicknamed our dishwasher, “The Peacemaker.”

Question: Why non-fiction?

Answer: Why not?! As I’ve mentioned before, testimonies are inherently non-fiction. The Bible is God’s perfect gift of non-fiction.

Blog Stops

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, March 12 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 13

Fiction Book Lover, March 14 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, March 15 (Author Interview)

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 15

Simple Harvest Reads, March 16 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, March 17

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 18

For the Love of Literature, March 19 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 20

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 21 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 22

Blossoms and Blessings, March 23 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, March 23

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 24

Artistic Nobody, March 25 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Stephanie 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.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54171

About the Book

Book: CAST: 1 Peter 5:7

Author: Richard Nilsen

Genre: Christian non-fiction

Release date: November 14, 2023

Book: CAST: 1 Peter 5:7

Author: Richard Nilsen

Genre: Christian non-fiction

Release date: November 14, 2023

Discover the profound art of casting your cares to God and surrendering your problems to the Creator of the universe. We are thrilled to introduce you to CAST – 1 Peter 5:7, a life-changing new book from author Richard Nilsen.

Based on the popular verse, “Cast all your cares on God for He cares about you,” CAST offers practical and spiritual guidance on how to overcome worry, fear, anxiety and stress in your life.

You will learn how to trust God with your problems, how to find peace in His presence, and how to experience His love and care for you. CAST is more than just a book, it’s a journey of faith, freedom, and personal transformation. Whether you are facing personal, relational, or global challenges, this book will give you an entirely new perspective on how to cast your cares on the One who can handle them all.

 

Click here to get your copy!

Guest Review from Marilyn

Cast I Peter 5:7 is filled with Biblical scriptures, illustrations, songs and poems that speak of casting all our cares upon God. The chapters are easy to read followed by steps to follow or an action item to apply the theme of the chapter in the readers Christian life. Nilsen’s penned this in an easy to follow guidance to truly learn to cast all our cares upon our Heavenly Father. If it matters to you then it’s worth talking to
God about. as cast is throwing that care on Him instead of carrying the burden. This is one book I’ll keep referring to when the journey of life becomes difficult. The author included Biblical scriptures for a 21 day period to memorize to reinforce that no matter what God wants His children to cast their cares upon Him.

 

I received a copy of this from Celebrate Lit. I have expressed my own thoughts.

About the Author

Richard Nilsen is the author of several self-help books in the Christian market, including “The Road to Recovery,” “Sleep Great for Life,” and now “CAST – 1 Peter 5:7.”  He lives in Tarpon Springs, Florida with his wife of 25 years and three beautiful daughters.

 

 

 

 

More from Richard

If you had told me I would write a 168-page book based on one verse in the Holy Bible, I would have said you were crazy. God works in mysterious ways, and I believe He inspired me to write this book, a project that took three years to complete, in order to help others who are struggling.

During the process of battling earth-crushing anxiety and depression, I learned how to cast my cares to the Lord and leave them with Him. The result: He would take care of all my cares and handle my problems for me. What I discovered is that casting your cares is a skill that one has to learn. It is not something that you just do without any practice and without the correct foundation. Learning to cast your cares on God can be a struggle at first, but it is a pathway to a God-fearing and eternal mindset. Once you learn the art of casting your cares to the Creator of the universe, your life will never the same.

I have always felt compelled to help others, and writing has always been for me the best way to convey my thoughts. When my college sweetheart and wife of 4 ½ years died in a tragic accident, I wrote the free grief guide “The Road to Recovery” specifically for the victims of the September 11^th tragedy. I later converted that work into an e-book for distribution online and through Amazon. CAST – 1 Peter 5:7 is another book based a difficult time in my life and how God pulled me through.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I promise that discovering how to cast your cares to our Lord is a skill you will not regret learning! Join me on this adventure.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 5

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 6

Vicky Sluiter, March 7 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, March 7

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 8

Fiction Book Lover, March 9 (Author Interview)

Abba‘s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 10

She Lives To Read, March 11

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 12

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

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 14 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, March 15 (Guest Review from Marilyn)

Blossoms and Blessings, March 16 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, March 16

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 17

Artistic Nobody, March 18 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Richard is giving away the grand prize of a $50 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.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54176

About the Book

Book: A Constant Love

Author: Tracie Peterson

Genre: Historical Romance

Release date: March 4, 2025

Heartache has left them emotionally desolate, but traces of love and healing could forge a future.

In the wake of a harsh winter, Micah Hamilton and Charlotte Aldrich are grappling with loss and guilt after the disaster that took the lives of their loved ones. Struggling to cope with his grief, Micah abandons his father’s dreams of a prosperous ranch and cuts himself off from the rest of the world.

Charlotte has loved Micah her entire life and is determined not to lose him as well. With her mother’s help, she begins coaxing Micah to live again. Despite their enduring heartache, the affection between them deepens, but just as Charlotte thinks her dreams may come true, a scorned suitor threatens everything she holds dear. Micah and Charlotte must embark on a journey of healing and renewal to build a life founded on faith, hope, and love.

 

Click here to get your copy!

Guest Review from Marilyn

Wow, what a tremendous start to The Hope of Cheyenne series by Tracie Peterson. A Constant Love is filled with the historical events of “The Great Die-Up” during 1887.

Micah and Charlotte’s tale has all the elements of a Christian Historical read that I enjoy from historical accuracy, action, faith, hope and cronies that stir up tension and threats. Charlotte and Micah had both suffered losses with Micah’s being distraught with his dad committing suicide. Peterson penned with grace and gentleness the ramifications of this with Biblical truths. Charlotte’s mother was a gem with her undying faith. The ups and downs and deceitfulness of some kept the story moving along with romance budding between others beside of the hero and heroine. It was nice to catch up with characters from past Peterson’s books set in Cheyenne. I look forward to the next book in this fantastic new series by Tracie Peterson.

I received a complimentary copy of the book through Celebrate Lit Bloggers tour. I have expressed my own thoughts.

About the Author

Tracie Peterson is the bestselling author of more than 100 novels, both historical and contemporary, with more than 6 million copies sold. She has won the ACFW Lifetime Achievement Award and the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. Her avid research resonates in her many bestselling series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana.

 

 

 

More from Tracie

A Constant Love is a book near and dear to my heart. The book deals with tragedy and loss that came about during and after the Great Die-Up—a hideous winter of blizzards and desperately cold temperatures that affected the prairie states and up into the Rockies. Many of the ranchers in the areas were completely wiped out and gave up their ranches when their cattle died off in record numbers.

Ranchers and farmers had dealt with the elements turning against them prior to this, but the winter of 1886–1887 was different. The summer of 1886 had brought about record droughts, and many of the crops had failed. The livestock suffered as the grass died off and feed wasn’t readily available. By November, early and heavy snows started and continued. Temperatures dropped to record lows. In eastern Montana the temperatures were said to drop to  negative 63 degrees Fahrenheit.

In January, a Chinook wind warmed things considerably, melting a lot of the snow. This just made things worse, however, because when the plunging sub-zero temperatures returned, the water froze a thick layer on top of what little grass the animals had been able to dig down to eat. Mass starvation followed, and thousands upon thousands of animals were lost. In reading about the era and all that happened, I came across comments from people that showed the great despair that flooded the states involved. The hopelessness of it all was overwhelming.

During the same time I was researching and mapping out this book, a beloved family member committed suicide. The devastation we felt was overwhelming, and it all seemed to come together with what I had been reading. I felt that deep sadness and despair. I read that some people had taken their lives after that winter. People were at a loss as to what to do, and in that day and age, the church was not always very kind to the families of those who killed themselves. As I prayed about the book I planned to write, I felt compelled to write about suicide and the ripple effect it has on family, friends, and even total strangers. I wanted to share the hope that I found in God’s Word, and A Constant Love was born.

There are times in our lives when we are overwhelmed to the point of despair, when giving up seems far easier than going on. I pray if you ever feel that way, you’ll reach out to someone and talk it through. But I also challenge those who aren’t feeling that way to be observant . . . to care about those around you enough to get in their business when things just don’t seem right. You might very well save a life. As the Bible says, we need to bear one another’s burdens. I hope you’ll keep that in mind as you read A Constant Love.

Blog Stops

Pens Pages & Pulses, March 8

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 8

Devoted To Hope, March 9

Allyson Jamison, March 9

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, March 10

Simple Harvest Reads, March 11 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Texas Book-aholic, March 11

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 12

Jodie Wolfe, March 12

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 13

Life on Chickadee Lane, March 14

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 14

Stories By Gina, March 15 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, March 15

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 16

Maureen’s Musings, March 16

She Lives To Read, March 17

Books You Can Feel Good About, March 18

For Him and My Family, March 18

Leslie’s Library Escape, March 19

Cover Lover Book Review, March 19

Holly’s Book Corner, March 20

Jeanette’s Thoughts, March 20

lakesidelivingsite, March 21

Pause for Tales, March 21

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Tracie is giving away the grand prize of a $15 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.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54169

About the Book

Book: Jake Rogers’ Planet

Author: Philip Wilder

Genre: Christian YA Science Fiction

Release date: February, 2025

Jake is about to embark on a perilous adventure through an alien wilderness filled with hidden wonders and hazards.

While backpacking with his father, Jake Rogers discovers a mysterious portal and accidentally plunges headfirst into an alien world. Stranded on this bizarre planet, he must evade predators, adapt to the strange elements, and navigate the ever-changing landscape to return home. However, as Jake stumbles upon technologically advanced alien ruins, a chilling question arises: Are the aliens still alive?

Even on this terrifying journey, God reminds Jake of the profound verse: “Do not fear, for I am with you.”

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Philip Wilder has been writing since the age of seven. He’s authored two nonfiction books, is a ACFW Genesis Contest finalist, and is currently a Realm Makers Aurora Contest double finalist. He’s spent two years as an undercover missionary in the Middle East, gone sky-diving, and traveled to 35 countries. Philip works with the Great Commission Alliance to train and equip believers around the world. He’s passionate about using fiction to inspire believers to live adventurous lives of faith.

 

More from Philip

Fear is a dangerous enemy.

At the age of 22, I felt God calling me to become a missionary in the Middle East—not for a week or a month, but a year (that eventually became two). Having never traveled outside the US or moved away from my home city of Denver, I was overwhelmed by fear. I’d be moving to a foreign land where I didn’t know a single person and doing work that wasn’t widely accepted there. I spent many sleepless nights wrestling with God’s gentle prompting.

Fear is inevitable in a Christian’s walk, but its power diminishes as we learn to lean into God and trust Him with the unknown. No matter where a believer is on their faith journey, God always guides us to step outside our comfort zones.

The inspiration for this novel came in 2016 while I was living in the Middle East. While watching The Martian, I realized that even if I were stranded on Mars, millions of miles from humanity, God would still call me to trust Him and not fear. That realization was life-changing: no matter what we face, God assures us nothing is worth fearing if we walk in joyful obedience.

Moving to the Middle East was terrifying and far from easy, but God was always present when I needed Him. In following God to take this step, I realized another beautiful truth: God knows what we need, love, and desire more than we do.

My firm belief is that God has wired each of us to love and enjoy different things because He wants to lead us down a unique path, where He desires to see the deepest parts of our hearts come alive. Walking this path is hard and full of fear. It requires letting go of dreams and trusting God will fulfill the right desires at the right time.

This is the journey Jake faces in Jake Rogers’ Planet. The fears he wrestles with are the same ones I had to navigate to declutter my mind and follow God.

I hope this book will help believers overcome their own fears and follow God. My prayer is that everyone reading this novel will be inspired by Jake’s story to take wild steps of faith to follow God on the wondrous adventure he has in store for them.

Interview with the Author

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

I’ve had to wrestle with the idea of success for a long time. As the youngest of three brothers, I can closely relate to David in the Bible. For a while, I was desperate to succeed and win the attention and approval of others. Fortunately, God was always with me and helped me to see that I don’t need to find approval in others. I can be His child, and walk in His love. Though I still have to fight off lies that have followed me from my youth, I now define success as being faithful. I succeed if I walk the path God is calling me toward. This takes a ton of pressure off me, especially when it comes to publishing books; it doesn’t matter how many sales I get or what people think of it, because I’m simply doing what God calls me to do.

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

In many ways, Jake is me. I didn’t realize it at first, but God used his growth to help me trust in him and find my hope and identity in him. I can especially relate to Jake’s desire to be seen for himself.

• What inspired this book?

During my time as a missionary in the Middle East, I often wrestled with loneliness. I missed my family, my home, and my friends. I felt so far away from them and had the nagging fear in the back of my mind that God would call me to the Middle East for the rest of my life.

After a few months of praying over this fear, I was spending the day alone with God and decided to watch The Martian. While watching it, I realized that being stranded on another planet would terrify me. It brought all these deep fears to the surface. Then, God showed me that even if I was this guy stranded on another planet. Even if I would likely never see another person and would spend the rest of my life alone. Even then, God would still call me not to fear. Beyond this, I wouldn’t need to fear. God knows everything I need and want. He knows my future. Certainly, He knows what was best for me. I can trust Him more than I can myself. So if He leads me down a path that terrifies me, I can know deep down that He’s doing something good even if I can’t see it.

This realization hit me hard, and immediately got me thinking about how I could capture this profound truth in a story.

• What is your favorite Bible verse or life verse?

It’s so hard to pick one verse, but recently Psalm 30:2-3 has taken a special place in my heart: “Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.”

I absolutely love the idea of God being my fortress because a fortress is only as good as it is strong. Since nothing is stronger than God, dwelling in his presence is absolute peace. This concept also emphasizes the point of continually being with God. I also love the end of this verse because it reminds us that asking God to shelter, sustain, and guide us should always be for the purpose of glorifying His name in this lost world.

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

I don’t have a writing chair; I have a writing hammock. When it’s warm out, I pop some popcorn, grab my dog (and sometimes my wife and baby), and head out to a river near my house where I can be surrounded by the natural sights and sounds of the world. I hook up my hammock between two big trees, watch the birds fly, and wait for any animals to pass by. I figure there’s no better place to write a survival story.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 7

Simple Harvest Reads, March 8 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, March 9

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 10 (Author Interview)

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, March 11

Blossoms and Blessings, March 12 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, March 13

Artistic Nobody, March 14 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 15

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 16 (Spotlight)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 16

Stories By Gina, March 17 (Author Interview)

cecereadsandsings, March 17

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 18

Guild Master, March 19 (Author Interview)

Little Homeschool on the Prairie , March 20

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Philip is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card, plus a signed hardcover copy of the book, a bookmark, and a vinyl sticker!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54168