About the Book

Book: Of Dawn and Embers (The Fireborn Epic Book Three)

Author: Gillian Bronte Adams

Genre: YA Epic Fantasy

Release Date: January 13, 2026

He rides a dawnling, a steed of light and glory, destined to restore.

Jakim Ha’Nor will save his people, or so says the prophecy that upended his life and drove his brothers to betray him. Now, he has returned as the dawnrider to fulfill his purpose and reconcile with his brothers—only to find himself embroiled in a war.

Captured in the fallout of a deadly attack, Rafi grapples with the ghosts of the past. His brother is alive but no longer himself, and Rafi will stop at nothing to save him. Farther up the coast, Ceridwen strives to reignite the embers of the rebellion to burn the empire down. When Rafi is sentenced to execution before the imperial court, Ceridwen must rally every spear and steed she can for a blistering strike at the heart of the capital.

But the empire’s schemes are already in motion, and Jakim’s two missions collide when an unexpected encounter with one of his brothers reveals the true threat behind the imperial thirst for ancient secrets. Hidden forces intend to unleash a cataclysmic power, spurring Ceridwen, Rafi, and Jakim to challenge the full, crushing might of the empire for the fate of the world.

Stars weep and ash falls as the tides of battle propel the Fireborn queen, the Sea-Demon prince, and the Dawnrider priest toward a meteoric clash in this thunderous series finale.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Gillian Bronte Adams is a sword-wielding, horse-riding, wander-loving fantasy author, rarely found without a coffee in hand and rumored to pack books before clothes when she hits the road. Working in youth ministry left her with a passion for journeying alongside children and teens. (It also enhanced her love of coffee.) Now, she writes novels that follow outcast characters down broken roads, through epic battles, and onward to adventure. And at the end of a long day of typing, she can be found saddling her wild thing and riding off into the sunset, seeking adventures of her own (and more coffee).

 

 

More from Gillian

This is, at its core, a book about hope. I discovered that fact partway through the writing process. Of Dawn and Embers is the cataclysmic finale to an epic fantasy trilogy where warriors bond with elemental warhorses and the action sequences strike with ever-increasing intensity from page one, and I was halfway through drafting it before I realized that beneath the searing visuals, the blistering pace, and the moments that set your heart thundering in your chest, this story sings with hope as a powerful undercurrent.

But you’re the author, you say. How could you not already know that?

Some authors go into each project with a specific theme in mind. They begin fully aware of the deeper meaning of the story they want to tell, and they intentionally structure the sequences of the unfolding plot and character arcs to match. I, on the other hand—while an avid worldbuilder who loves creating layered fantasy stories with multiple characters facing their own paths of growth—often wind up surprised by the overarching themes that also surface through those characters’ individual journeys.

Themes of identity and worth. Of finding the beauty in our broken stories. And, in this case, of hope.

Not the soft and feathery kind, fluttering in your chest. Or the brightly optimistic kind that lends itself to cheerful sayings. But the kind of hope that dares to kneel in the ashes, with blood on its teeth and knuckles, and trust that the sun will rise again. The kind of hope that endures and keeps on enduring. The kind of hope that is as stubborn and resilient as an ember’s deep and fiery glow, waiting to be rekindled with a touch of the morning breeze.

That’s the kind of hope that I find myself clinging to in my own life. Because we live in an age where discouragement can seem rampant, flung in our faces with each news cycle and with every moment spent scrolling on this or that screen.

Even once I uncovered that underlying theme, it wasn’t until I reached the end of the first draft and started working back through that I realized just how deeply it had already been woven into the story. It was there in each breathtaking moment of connection between characters, in the first touch of gold breaking through the cloud-wrack, in the hearty meals shared around a fireside, in the friends who refuse to leave one another to face the darkness alone, and in the loyalty that proves a greater defense than any shield or weapon.

It fairly came singing to me off every page, a reflection on hope at the heart of the book.

On the ache of hope. The seeming foolishness of hope. The defiance of hope. The way hope can feel like fresh air to oxygen-starved lungs, and the way it can cause your chest to ache with the fear of losing it again. The way it holds you up and keeps you standing long after you expected to be on your knees. And the way a lack of hope can leave you grasping for some sense of control, lashing out in desperation to find your own way forward after you put your hope in something that proved incapable of enduring.

In the prologue, one of the main characters, Jakim, compares holding onto hope in the midst of hardship as a candle flame that he has had to grip tightly to shield from the buffeting winds to keep it from going out. And “lately, it had felt like the only way to keep it alive was to grasp it so tightly it singed him.”

If you’ve ever faced the long and aching wait for a hope to be realized, you know what it feels like for hope to sting. Proverbs 13:12 (NIV) talks about how “hope deferred makes the heart sick” but Hebrews 6:19 tells us where we can find that true and lasting hope that exists as “an anchor for our souls”: through the One who stepped into the darkest night in our place and took on our own hopeless state so that He could become our hope.

A hope that endures. That breathes life. That does not falter or fail. That doesn’t slip away. That isn’t in danger of burning out if we grip it too tightly.

A hope that holds onto us.

Later on, Jakim comes to the restorative realization that “Hope was not a candle flame. It was the dawn. Rising again and again after darkest night.”

Rising without any effort of his own. Rising beyond the pain of his circumstances. Rising steadfastly day by day.

And throughout the wild ups and downs of this book, through the aching chill of the dark nights and the resplendent glories of the new dawns, I hope that readers will walk away with that same assurance singing hope into their souls.

Interview with the Author

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

Oh, that’s a tough one right off the bat. Like so many authors, I would love to be able to make a full time living off of my creative work, but the realities of publishing make that very difficult, and so over the years, I’ve had to redefine my vision of success. These days, for me, I think it looks like telling the stories that harmonize with my heart and soul and taking my time to craft them with quality and depth. Those are things that rest in my hands and my control. I think, for me, it also has something to do with legacy. I would love to create something that lingers in readers’ minds, that feels real and immersive to them, and that resonates deeply enough to draw them back for a second read. Something that becomes an inspiration for them to create too. If I can write stories that can impact other readers the way my favorite books have touched and shaped and inspired me, that truly means everything!

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

Of Dawn and Embers is the third and final book in The Fireborn Epic, which is set in a world where warriors bond with magical breeds of horses and features three main point of view characters and their storylines: Ceridwen, Rafi, and Jakim. Each of those characters is so special to me for their own unique reasons, and I could honestly talk about any one of them here! But I especially loved Rafi’s storyline in this book. Rafi is a reluctant rebel with a secret identity (revealed in the first book) and an irrepressible sense of humor. He’s faced a lot of painful challenges, and he always meets them with a wry grin and a joke, but in this book, we see the toll they’ve taken as well. The culmination of his character growth and the way all the threads of his story finally come together are so intensely satisfying to me, and I think he will always be one of my favorites.

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

The climactic sequence at the end of Of Dawn and Embers! It’s the completion of all three books in the series and weaves together multiple storylines, and there were so many elements that had to come together at just the right moments and in just the right ways. It takes up more than 100 pages toward the end of the book, so I had a giant corkboard covered in sticky notes and a massive brainstorming document, and there was about a five month stretch where every spare moment was spent thinking, dreaming, brainstorming, and trying to visualize every step of those epic action sequences and connected emotional beats. It was a hard fought part of the story, but to say I’m thrilled with the outcome would be an understatement.

• What inspired this book?

This series grew out of my love for horses and the years that I’d spent working with them as the equestrian director at a youth camp. Having spent so many hours in the saddle, both riding and training kids to rides, I wanted to capture the beauty of that bond of trust that is possible between a horse and rider … only in a fantasy world and with magically powered horses. (Because who wouldn’t want to ride a horse that could breathe fire or vanish into the shadows?)

Really, this series is the combination of so many things that are near and dear to my heart: incredibly loyal steeds, friendships that are forged through shared adventures, sibling relationships, fierce female and male warriors who fight side by side against overwhelming odds, and truly epic stories that don’t shy away from the pain of brokenness but also don’t shy away from hope or the glory of the light that breaks through. I’m beyond eager for readers to be able to experience this final installment!

• Which author influenced the you most?

I would have to say that J.R.R. Tolkien has had the most enduring and significant impact on my writing and the types of stories that I love to tell. There have certainly been many others as well, but my framework for understanding story began with The Lord of the Rings. My dad started me on Tolkien’s books at a very young age, and there’s a love for nature, an appreciation of the beauty of simple things as well as the great and the grand, and a deep complexity to the characters and their journeys that have all stuck with me throughout the years and inspired my approach to richly developed worlds and layered storytelling.

• What is your favorite Bible verse or life verse?

My favorite Bible verse is Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV) “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” I love to focus on this reminder that God is capable of turning impossible situations on their heads. He makes a way where there isn’t one, and He brings water into dry lands, and He is forever in the work of redeeming the lost and restoring the broken.

• What is your vacation spot?

The mountains. Somewhere rugged with endless blue skies and places to hike and the occasional alpine meadow to explore. Then a nice cozy fire to retire to after the day is done where I can pull out my laptop or a good book and while away the night hours. I’m basically Bilbo from The Fellowship of the Ring film: “I want to see mountains again. Mountains, Gandalf! And then find somewhere quite where I can finish my book.”

• What are you reading right now?

I’m currently reading The Strength of the Few by James Islington. It’s the second book in the Hierarchy series, and it’s a fast-paced sci-fi/fantasy read with constant twists so you never quite know where things are going next. With a little over 100 pages to go, I’m completely locked in.

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

My desk is a bit of a haphazard mess at the moment, piled high with notebooks and a thousand sticky notes, but it’s all related to the release of Of Dawn and Embers, so I’m giving myself a pass. I have a dark wood desk with a hutch above it, and the shelf immediately above my computer is stocked with candles and handcrafted mugs, while the one above that holds the books I’ve written along with a few favorites I love to keep close. Hanging over the desk is a stunning portrait of my horse that a friend made for me several years ago alongside a wooden print of one of my favorite quotes. It’s from Sam’s speech in The Two Towers film where he’s reminding Frodo about the stories that matter. “But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even the darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines, it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you, that meant something.”

That quote sums up so much of the heart behind my storytelling, and the print was a gift from my parents during a particularly difficult writing season, so I love having it hanging above my desk. And nearby, off to the side, my dog and my cat are both curled up napping. They love to keep me company while I work.

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

I would have to say The Lord of the Rings! I probably talk about it too much, but there’s so much depth and beauty to those books that you can revisit them countless times and always discover something new, which I feel like might help fend off the deserted island boredom.

Blog Stops

The Lofty Pages, January 27

Simple Harvest Reads, January 28 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, January 29 (Spotlight)

Artistic Nobody, January 30 (Author Interview)

For the Love of Literature, January 31 (Spotlight)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 31

Blossoms and Blessings, February 1 (Spotlight)

Guild Master, February 2 (Author Interview)

Stories By Gina, February 3 (Spotlight)

Book Holds and Jello Molds, February 3

Fiction Book Lover, February 4 (Author Interview)

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, February 5 (Spotlight)

Texas Book-aholic, February 6

A Reader’s Brain , February 7 (Spotlight)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, February 8 (Author Interview)

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, February 9 (Spotlight)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Gillian is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Barnes & Noble Gift Card and copy of the book!!

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

https://gleam.io/yIAxb/of-dawn-and-embers-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: Scars of the Revolution

Author: Megan Soja

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: January 6, 2026

Some scars are born from duty, others from rebellion—theirs were carved by both.

Libby Caldwell has been in love with Isaac Harrison for years, ever since her late father befriended him. While her head knows there is no hope of sharing her life with a British soldier, her heart is much more difficult to convince, especially now that he is quartering in her home. With Boston under siege and battle looming, each day together forces her to recognize how deep her feelings truly are…and how forbidden.

Bound by duty to both his family and country, Isaac is determined to serve honorably in the King’s army, despite never wishing to be a soldier. But quartering with the widow and daughter of his old friend places another obligation on his shoulders—that of their well-being. The more time he spends with Miss Caldwell, the more that duty begins to feel like something personal, something he cannot allow.

As the siege of Boston tightens, Libby finds herself drawn into a dangerous game of espionage that could save the Patriot cause—and destroy any chance of a future with the man she’s growing to love.

Will betrayal and war keep their two worlds forever apart? Or will they look to the One whose love knows no bounds to bring them healing and a future?

 

Click here to get your copy!

Guest Review from Donna

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

One of the things I love about reading and writing Christian fiction, is being able to see God’s truth woven into the story. Even though the characters and their experiences are fictional, the truth of who God is and how He loves us is very real.

In Scars of the Revolution, my heroine, Libby Caldwell, wrestles with understanding God’s goodness in the face of loss and hardship. Libby is grieving the death of her beloved father, while also facing the siege of her hometown and the worsening fight between the Patriot colonists and the British Army stationed in Boston. Her growing love for one of the British officers further complicates matters, and makes it hard for her to discern what God is doing in her life.

Her questions and struggles reflect much of my own faith journey. When my husband and I lost our first baby just after birth, I spent months trying to reconcile what I thought I knew of God with the tragic loss we had experienced. I wasn’t angry at God, but I was utterly confused as to how to understand His goodness in the midst of something that felt anything but good.

It wasn’t easy, but when I look back now, I see how God led me through my grief into a deeper understand of His character and a stronger reliance upon Him. I can truthfully say, as Libby’s mother does in Scars of the Revolution, that it was “in the hardest times, when God has seemed utterly incomprehensible, that my faith has grown the most.”

If you have ever walked through a painful experience that made you struggle to understand God’s purpose or even doubt His love, I hope that Libby’s journey will inspire your own faith. Or maybe your experience is more like that of my hero, Isaac Harrison, whose life has revolved around duty for so long, that it is hard for him to comprehend a God who freely gives His love and forgiveness, even when we don’t deserve or cannot earn it. I won’t give any spoilers as to how Isaac’s understanding grows and changes, but I hope you’ll be encouraged when you read it.

Libby and Isaac’s story is one of love against all odds, set against the backdrop of the Battle of Bunker Hill and a complex web of espionage. But it is also a story of faith in the God who is able to turn our scars into something beautiful. I pray you will find that truth in the pages of Scars of the Revolution.

Blog Stops

Devoted Steps, January 17

Bizwings Blog, January 17

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, January 18

Life on Chickadee Lane, January 18

Books Less Travelled, January 19

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 20

Texas Book-aholic, January 21

Betti Mace, January 22

Holly’s Book Corner, January 22

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 23

Connie’s History Classroom , January 24

Books You Can Feel Good About, January 25

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 26

Leslie’s Library Escape, January 27

The Bookish Pilgrim, January 27

Simple Harvest Reads, January 28 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Cover Lover Book Review, January 29

Pause for Tales, January 30

Blossoms and Blessings, January 30

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.

https://gleam.io/nSWnS/scars-of-the-revolution-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: Blaze of Courage

Author: Avrie Swan

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: January 13, 2026

A mysterious locket brings a fire survivor and a wounded veteran together, but their growing feelings might be more dangerous than the men pursuing them.

Charlotte Clarke survived the flames that destroyed her town and took her family, but at what cost? Left injured and alone, she seizes the chance for a fresh start when a dying friend asks her to take a locket to a relative in Kentucky. But she has no means to reach her destination until she meets a handsome horse trainer headed south and convinces him to let her travel with him.

Haunted by his years in the cavalry and desperate to save his family’s failing stables, Stefan Roberts is focused on transporting his father’s racehorses to Kentucky for the spring races. He isn’t looking for complications—especially not in the form of a determined young woman with secrets of her own. Yet as they travel together, Charlotte’s courage and determination begin to crack the walls he’s built around his heart.

When a shadowy pursuer closes in, Stefan and Charlotte must face the pasts they’ve been running from, and the faith they thought they’d left behind, before their fragile hopes for the future go up in smoke.

 

Click here to get your copy!

Guest Review from Marilyn

This is Charlotte Clarke’s story after she survived the historical fire in Peshtigo, WI fire on October 8, 1871. She was transported from Peshtigo to another hospital  and found a dear friend struggling to survive also. The friend asked a specific request that meant Charlotte would have to travel to fulfill her friend’s dying wish. Charlotte was not prepared for the dangers in Chicago but kind and gentle Stefan Roberts came to her rescue. His plans changed to include Charlotte as he was traveling to Kentucky with horses. Each chapter found unexpected challenges, new dangers, some rambunctious twins, and of course villains causing Stefan and Charlotte undue trauma. This was an emotional read with the realism of the story, travel and all that was at risk. Will the primary characters find answers to all that had occurred? There is a faith message that brings hope, peace and a new love for life.

 

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher without any obligation to write a positive review. I have expressed my own thoughts.

About the Author

Avrie Swan is a Christian author and avid reader with a love for all things historical. Having grown up exploring antique stores and museums, she eventually decided to combine her interest in history with her love for writing and began working on her first full-length novel at the age of fourteen. She especially enjoys writing stories that focus on themes of family, faith, and growth through difficult times.

When Avrie is not writing, she is watching old movies, collecting antique books, and hunting for agates. A native Wisconsinite, she enjoys spending the cold winters indoors with her cat on her lap and a good book in her hand.

 

More from Avrie

Hello, folks!

When I wrote Blaze of Courage, I wanted to create a story centered on three things I love: adventure, faith, and horses. I adored horses as a kid, and although my family didn’t have the time, space, or money for a big animal, my mom managed to enroll me in a horseback riding camp when I was around nine or ten. I was over the moon! Since then, I’ve had more chances to interact with and learn about these loyal, graceful (and sometimes ungraceful) creatures. Blaze of Courage wouldn’t be complete without them!

In addition to everything related to horses, Charlotte and Stefan’s journey in Blaze of Courage centers on the theme of returning to Christ. Unlike Carina, who held onto her faith despite her struggles, the fire and its aftermath severely challenged Charlotte’s beliefs. Have you ever felt like hiding from everyone after being hurt? It’s often easier to hide our feelings and blame others rather than face what truly bothers us, and in Charlotte’s case, this includes trying to hide from and blame God. Of course, hiding from God is a strategy doomed to fail. What happens once Charlotte realizes this is something for you, dear reader, to discover.

The characters in Blaze of Courage are some of my favorites, and I thought it would be fun to create a little game based on them! Feel free to check out the link below and take the quiz to see which of the four group members you resemble most. If you play, share your results on social media or leave a comment on my Instagram! I’d love to see what you get. As always, God bless!

https://take.quiz-maker.com/QNUD28ZQX

Sincerely,

Avrie Swan

Blog Stops

Texas Book-aholic, January 24

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 25

Books Less Travelled, January 25

Simple Harvest Reads, January 26 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, January 27

Inkwell Inspirations , January 27

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 28

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 29

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 30

Holly’s Book Corner, January 30

Devoted Steps, January 31

Life on Chickadee Lane, February 1

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, February 1

Betti Mace, February 2

Cover Lover Book Review, February 3

Pause for Tales, February 3

For Him and My Family, February 4

Stories By Gina, February 5 (Author Interview)

Devoted To Hope, February 5

Connie’s History Classroom, February 6

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Avrie 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/G0Oie/blaze-of-courage-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: Terminal Danger (Guardians Unleashed Series Book 5)

Author: Jerusha Agen

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Release Date: October 24, 2024

This woman and her K-9 are being hunted. Exactly as she planned.

When a busload of schoolchildren disappears, Phoenix Gray knows the kidnapper is the unidentified serial killer she’s spent her life trying to catch. This time, she’ll find the killer and bring him to justice no matter what it takes. She and her Phoenix K-9 Security and Detection Agency join the search for the hostages, but they aren’t the only ones who want the criminal captured.

Callum Ross, an FBI agent who specializes in catching serial criminals, is about to resign. But not until he finds one last culprit, the killer behind a famous twenty-year-old crime Callum vowed to solve.

Despite the FBI agent’s uncanny understanding of her psyche, Phoenix refuses to be distracted from her goal. When the serial killer turns into the cat instead of the mouse, Phoenix thinks she’s ready. But will she need the God she rejected to achieve the justice she’s given her life to obtain?

 

Click here to get your copy!

Guest Review from Donna

Terminal Danger by Jerusha Agen is a Christian Romantic Suspense. It is the fifth book in the Guardians Unleashed Series, however it is really the sixth due to a prequel. I would recommend that you read the prior books starting with Rising Danger and it introduces many key members of the series in the Ladies of Phoenix K-9 group. This book features Phoenix, a story that I have been wanting since the first book!

What you might need to know:

This is not a light fluffy book, it features kidnapping, murder and other dark subjects that may need to be read with caution for some readers. I would not recommend this book to young or sensitive readers.

What I think about this book:

OH!  I had an inkling that Phoenix’s story would be a wild story and Agen did not disappoint.  I will be honest that If I had not been invested in the story, having read the previous book in the series I may have stopped because of the subject matter, however I am glad that I finished the series. I loved Callum and the steady faith that he showed throughout the story. I loved how he thought” She needed to see Christ him….”  it just made me appreciate his character even more! I loved that we got to see all of the previous leads as they worked together to save the missing children.  I love how the author showed in the end “ Everyone of us needed God to do the work of saving us in the end”  what a beautiful message. While I will miss the Phoenix K-9 group I look forward to seeing what Agen writes in the future

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

About the Author

Jerusha Agen imagines danger around every corner but knows God is there, too. So naturally, she writes romantic suspense infused with the hope of salvation in Jesus Christ. Jerusha loves to hang out with her big furry dogs and little furry cats, often while reading or watching movies.

 

More from Jerusha

Ever since I read Dee Henderson’s O’Malley Series, I’ve been hooked on a special kind of series. You probably can guess what that is. The team series premise!

In Henderson’s masterful Christian romantic suspense series, the “team” is a group of found-family siblings. I love sibling series in which each book features a member of the same family.

But another kind of team series that I enjoy reading is where the characters aren’t related but are bound together by a common job or cause.

Since I love reading team series, I couldn’t wait to write one of my own! Thus, the Guardians Unleashed Series was born.

Guardians Unleashed follows the five women operatives of the Phoenix K-9 Security and Detection Agency. Named after the founder and CEO, Phoenix Gray, this agency pairs each woman with talented K-9s who help them rescue and protect people in need.

From search and rescue to bomb detection and protection from assassination attempts, the operatives and K-9s of the PK-9 Agency can do it all.

When big or unusually challenging jobs come along, the women and their dogs tackle the assignment together. I love how the Guardians Unleashed series has one of my favorite elements of team series—the team members bond so closely with each other, that they become a family of their own!

As the final book in the Guardians Unleashed series, readers had high expectations for Terminal Danger. After all, it’s the story of Phoenix Gray, the secretive and mysterious woman who fearlessly leads her operatives into—and out of—danger.

Phoenix Gray was the most challenging character I’ve ever had to write, thanks to her high intelligence, psychological complexity, and emotional unavailability. But with much help from the Lord, this book came together as well as I had hoped.

One aspect of Terminal Danger that I and readers have enjoyed most is getting to see every team member of the PK-9 Agency again. They come together as a family for their hardest mission ever, and each character plays an important role while readers get the fun of seeing them with their heroes and dogs.

Ultimately, the people and dogs Phoenix brought together for their benefit and the benefit of others may also play an important role in her own life.

Your turn! What do you love about team series?

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 14

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, January 15

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 16

Texas Book-aholic, January 17

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 18

Guild Master, January 19 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 19

For Him and My Family, January 20

Blogging With Carol, January 21

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, January 22

DevotedToHope, January 23

Simple Harvest Reads, January 24 (Guest Review from Donna)

Holly’s Book Corner, January 25

An Author’s Take, January 26

Fiction Book Lover, January 27 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, January 27

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jerusha is giving away the grand prize of a signed paperback copy of Terminal Danger, $25 Barnes and Noble gift card, Terminal Danger tote bag, magnet, and notebook!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/c/terminal-danger-celebration-tour-giveaway

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About the Book

Book: Flames of Faith

Author: Marguerite Martin Gray

Genre: Historical Christian Fiction

Release Date: February, 2025

1870 Switzerland. One year. A mountain of ideas. And a menacing railroad forging the barrier between dreams and reality.

Claire Pennington formulates a bold plan to avoid the pressure of yet another London season. Her parents grant her one year in Switzerland, yet afterward she must return to England and find a suitor. Armed with a notebook and gumption, she determines to make the mountain town of Thun a tourist destination for all classes of society. However, she does not count on an equally determined railroad engineer set on leaving Thun in the dust.

The rugged mountain terrain grants Englishman Lucas Stanley the opportunity to launch his engineering career. The railroad is the answer to modern travel—expedient, efficient, and competitive, yet conquering the section of track from Thun to Interlaken is harder than he originally thought, especially with opposition from a fiery female. Claire confronts him at every turn, using her enthusiasm and people skills to flame local zeal for change and progress in another direction.

Opposing proposals collide as Claire, Lucas, and the citizens of the quaint Swiss town face an avalanche of decisions and compromises sparked by flames of faith—and perhaps love.

Discover romance and faith in 1870 Switzerland through this standalone novel from the Elements of Hope series where fire, air, water, and earth meet elements of the heart.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Marguerite Martin Gray is an award-winning author of a dozen novels and novellas. She enjoys the study of history, especially when combined with fiction. An avid traveler and reader, she teaches French and Spanish online. She currently lives in North Louisiana with her husband and rescue pets. Her two adult children and two grandsons keep her young and up-to-date.

 

 

 

More from Marguerite

I am a tourist at heart and always have been since I was a child growing up in England as a preteen. A castle, a map, a manor house, a museum, a mystery, a myth in any country or state. Flames of Faith was sparked by a recent train ride from Interlaken to Thun, Switzerland where an old turreted castle rose above the lake and village. A perfect setting for a novel. It spurred thoughts of who visited this area as well as how and when since the terrain made it dangerous and tricky to just visit on a whim on a Sunday afternoon.

Have you heard of Thomas Cook (1850s and onward) and his famous travels all over Europe with tourists by horse, carriage, boat, foot, and finally train? He paved the way for the middle-class citizen to see gorgeous venues like Switzerland and the Alps. What an adventure to have been on one of his early tours! A Slow Train to Switzerland by Diccon Bewes cemented what I wanted to express in this novel.

 

Meet Claire Pennington, my heroine, who encompasses the traits of tourist in all the good senses. She wants everyone to have the opportunity to travel the continent and world as she does. Her bold dream inspires others to possibly regard seeing new sites as a way to refresh and revitalize their own lives.

Hop on board and discover romance and faith in 1870 Switzerland. Be a tourist without leaving your home.

 

Interview with the Author

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

I can relate to Claire Pennington, the main character, on some levels. She does not have the freedom of choice that I have, so in a way she is braver and bolder in her 1870 world. Claire desires to travel and see other cultures even as a tourist, which is a new concept in this Victorian backdrop. I would follow Claire in her enthusiasm for projects that benefit a whole community. She is able to unwrap history and present it in animated way in her presentation. In real life I wish I had her energy and youth as she explores Switzerland. She does step in my tracks on her journey.

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

Transportation is a major force in the novel as the passenger train is making its way across Europe. It was difficult having a foot in both worlds—horses, carriages aligned with ships and trains. 1870 was a pivotal time with modes of transportation, tourism, and the clash of old versus modern.

• What inspired this book?

I toured this area of Switzerland and fell in love with the quaint town of Thun and the castle. I knew some character would make her way up the tower steps and see the view I did. As I toured the museum, I was drawn to the why someone made the castle into a museum and the when the citizens made the move. Another site of inspiration was the extensive display of coats-of-arms on a castle wall, each representing a family of the past. As I walked back to the train, I promised to write a story of that special place.

• What is your vacation spot?

My go to vacation spot in the States is the Tennessee Smokey Mountains in any season. When time and finances allow, I make my way to Europe—England, France, and Italy are my favorites.

• What are you reading right now?

I read as much as possible and always have multiple books going. Right now, I’m reading Of Silver and Secrets by Michelle Griep, Lady Maybe by Julie Klassen, and No Stone Unturned by Jenelle Hovde. They are all historical fiction, yet I read across the spectrum.

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, January 21 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 22

Texas Book-aholic, January 23

Artistic Nobody, January 24 (Author Interview)

Lily’s Corner, January 25

Life on Chickadee Lane, January 25

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 26

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 27

Guild Master, January 28 (Author Interview)

Pause for Tales, January 28

For Him and My Family, January 29

Devoted Steps, January 30

Fiction Book Lover, January 31 (Author Interview)

Books You Can Feel Good About, February 1

Holly’s Book Corner, February 2

Cover Lover Book Review, February 3

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Marguerite 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://gleam.io/sMCBM/flames-of-faith-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: Increase Your Bloom Ability: Devotions for Unleashing Your Most Flourishing Self

Author: Cheri Strange

Genre: Christian Living / Devotional for Women / Prayer Books

Release Date: May 7, 2025

ARE YOU READY TO BLOOM?

Do you feel stuck in your spiritual growth, unsure if God can truly bring beauty and purpose to your life? You’re not alone. Cheri Strange knows the ache of feeling spiritually barren, but she’s discovered the secret to living a profoundly fruitful life—and she’s ready to share it with you.

In Increase Your Bloom Ability, Cheri blends biblical truth with practical encouragement to help you:

• Embrace God’s call to flourish, even in hard seasons
• Stay rooted in Christ to live abundantly
• Trust God’s plan to cultivate spiritual fruit in you
• Take simple steps to grow your faith and accelerate your bloom

Your life was meant to thrive. Step into the vibrant, fruit life Gd created you for—starting today.

 

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Cheri Strange is an award-winning author, speaker, and digital creator. She is passionate about helping women grow spiritually and flourish in their faith. With a Ph.D. and twenty years of ministry experience, she shares practical wisdom and biblical truth that meets women right where they are. Through her books, resources, YouVersion Bible plans, and digital art, Cheri inspires thousands to desire more of God in everyday life. She and her husband, Chad, live in Houston, Texas, with their eight children, and one bonus son.

More from Cheri

Have you ever wondered why, even as devoted followers of Jesus, your spiritual growth sometimes feels stalled? Why the abundant, fruit-filled life God promises can feel just out of reach? I’ve asked these questions of my own heart—and what I discovered in Scripture inspired me to write Increase Your Bloom Ability.

The Bible makes it clear: spiritual fruitfulness isn’t reserved for the gifted or the theologically trained—it’s for every believer (John 15:8). Yet many of us feel stuck, questioning whether we’re doing enough or if real growth is even possible. I dug into Scripture to uncover truths that can help unlock a life that truly bears fruit.

This devotional is the culmination of years of teaching, study, and personal reflection. I wanted to create something that equips you to experience more of God’s promises for your life. Inspired by Andrew Peterson’s words in Adorning the Dark, where he describes his ministry as “telling the truth as beautifully as he can,” I sought to do the same in this book.

I illustrated Increase Your Bloom Ability myself, filling it with over 200 pages of floral artwork—an offering of beauty alongside truth. My hope is that these pages will speak to your soul and draw you into a more vibrant, fruitful walk with Jesus.

My mission is simple: to help you experience a life of profound spiritual growth, one that blooms and flourishes as God intended. Through Scripture, reflection, and the visual beauty of this devotional, I pray you are encouraged, equipped, and inspired to embrace your calling and take intentional steps toward greater fruitfulness.

Interview with the Author

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

In Christian publishing, God’s definition of success and ours rarely match. Yes, authors want to sell books and know their work is meaningful—but that isn’t a secure anchor for me.

A friend once asked, after hearing the parts of writing and speaking that stretch me, “Then why do you do it?” Her question lingered. Because at this point, success isn’t only about why I began—it’s about why I continue.

When I look back, I see how hesitant I was to step into this calling. Jeremiah felt the same. Yet over time, the Word of God became “a fire shut up in his bones”—something he could not keep in (Jeremiah 20:9). His life became what Eugene Peterson later described as “a long obedience in the same direction.”

That, to me, is success.

2. What inspired this book?

My inspiration came from John 15—especially verse 8: “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples.” I wanted to understand what Jesus meant for ordinary Christians like me. That curiosity drew me deeper into what Jesus was saying about the relationship God intends for every believer and how it connects to His purpose for our lives.

Over time, that study became a YouVersion plan, and then a message women’s groups kept requesting. What ultimately drove me to write the devotional was the steady, expressed need from women across the years to have this message in their hands—to read, to ponder, and to pray through in their own faith journeys.

3. Which author influenced the you most?

Hands down, Charles H. Spurgeon has influenced me the most. Given the option, I prefer reading dead people. Dead people who have finished well. Naturally, these have been vetted. There is no question about the character or behaviors of those who have gone into Glory. No scandals will arise and no funds will turn up missing from their charge. Of course, they are not without missteps and regretful choices, but I’m never going to feel remorse for naming a pet or a person after someone like Charles Hadley Spurgeon.

His writing moves me. The ability he has to reach his audiences inspires me. His grasp of the English language, his knowledge of the world around him, and his passion for meeting the needs set before him impassion me. But the greatest reason for Spurgeon’s influence on my life is because of the times God has used his writings to speak to me in the deep places.

Some people grab the ice cream and Oreos when they are sad or stressed. Others sleep their sorrows away. I reach for dusty old volumes written by a century’s old has-been preacher. It has proven to offer both music and salve to my soul.

4. What are you reading right now?

On my desk are three: 21 Servants of Sovereign Joy, John Piper; C H Spurgeon’s Forgotten Prayer Meeting Addresses, and Hunt for Red October, Tom Clancy (shared with me by my new son-in-law).

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

As a mom of eight young adults, I’ve had my fair share of intimate relationships with household appliances. I’ve cooked more food, cleaned more spills, scrubbed more toilets, and washed more laundry than most women ever hope to. I appreciate a good gas stove, and I could wax eloquent about vacuum options—but my favorite and most-used appliance is, without question, my dishwasher.

You cannot fathom how many pink cups six daughters can cycle through in a single day—or how many dirty dishes appear when feeding a household of ten. And you certainly can’t imagine the strength one dishwasher needs to survive that kind of workload until you’ve replaced yours… repeatedly.

Our current model, a Bosch we picked up at the Dent and Scratch store because it was stainless and on sale, turned out to be a diamond in the rough. It has washed and sanitized thousands of loads—yes, thousands. We had a long stretch where it ran twice a day. It has never needed repairs, and although we have a backup dishwasher in the basement (it came with the house), we’ve rarely needed it.

In a home of this size, reliability is priceless. My Bosch has earned my unwavering loyalty.

Blog Stops

Leslie’s Library Escape, January 15

History, Hope & Happily Ever After, January 16 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 17

Simple Harvest Reads, January 18 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, January 19 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 19

Guild Master, January 20 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, January 21

Fiction Book Lover, January 22 (Author Interview)

Because I said so – adventures in parenting , January 23

A Reader’s Brain, January 24 (Author Interview)

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, January 25 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 25

Books Less Travelled, January 26 (Author Interview)

Cover Lover Book Review, January 27

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, January 28 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

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

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

https://gleam.io/waoaC/increase-your-bloom-ability-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: My Maker And Me

Author: Pat Domangue

Genre: Christian Living/Bible Study

Release Date: July 22, 2025

A six-week guided Bible study based on Isaiah 64:8, My Maker & Me helps Christian women discover God as their potter and understand His continual presence in their lives.

Through the unique perspective of viewing God and themselves through Scripture and the art of pottery, Christian women will learn how God intimately works to shape them into the beautiful vessels He created them to become, much like a potter shapes clay.

Many Christian women struggle with trusting God because they don’t know Him from the intimate perspective of their potter. My Maker & Me helps women grow in understanding God’s love and care for them especially when they face difficult seasons or walk through fiery trials. As their trust grows, they will also find security, purpose, and meaning even in the most difficult seasons of life. If they are struggling with who they are and discovering their purpose, they will gain a greater sense of their true identity and purpose, setting them up to embrace God’s plan for their life. Women committed to completing this six-week study will experience spiritual growth and personal transformation.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

A resident of West Monroe, Louisiana, Pat Domangue has spent the past twenty years in women’s ministry inspiring and igniting a passion for Jesus through writing and teaching Bible studies for women. Pat has an advanced certification in Women’s Ministry, a bachelor’s degree in Christian Ministries through New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and a master’s degree in Biblical Studies from Trinity Seminary in Newburgh, Indiana. She has published four Bible studies for women: Quest for Wholeness: Healing The Broken; Equipped & Empowered: Preparing Women for Spiritual Battle; DIG: Digging Into God’s Word, a how-to guide for studying the Bible; and her latest, My Maker and Me: A Six-Week Bible Study of Becoming God’s Beautiful Vessel. Pat has also produced and hosted a Christian women’s television program and radio shows, and she currently hosts H.E.R. Podcast, bringing healing and encouragement to women in real life.

More from Pat

My Maker and Me: A Six-Week Bible Study of Becoming God’s Beautiful Vessel

Have you ever watched a potter at work? Strong hands caress and move the clay, shaping it as it spins on the wheel. The potter leans close, eyes focused, applying just the right pressure to bring something beautiful to life.

That’s where my writing journey began — watching my first pottery demonstration and hearing the potter share the treasures he had discovered about God at that wheel. God had revealed Himself through the art and process of pottery, opening the potter’s eyes to see His intimate work in his life and the great value God saw in him.

As I listened, something stirred deep inside me. I wanted to know God like that — intimately, personally, as the Potter who shapes and molds my life. Within days, I was sitting in the potter’s class, craving to experience God in that same way. The potter guided us through every stage of creating pottery — from dry clay, to shaping damp clay on the wheel, to firing and glazing.

Each week, I carried what I learned from class into prayer, asking God to reveal Himself and show me how Scripture mirrors the process. Just as the potter shapes the clay, God shapes us into His beautiful vessels — molding us through seasons of pressure, waiting, and refining.

My Maker and Me was born from the revelation of Isaiah 64:8:

“But now, O Lord, You are our Father;
We are the clay, and You our potter;
And all we are the work of Your hand.”

Through this study, women will discover the heart of the Master Potter who is intimately at work in their lives—shaping, refining, and transforming them into the vessels He created them to be.

A Season of Waiting and Shaping

One of my favorite sections of the study is Week 4: The Master’s Design. It explores how God uses waiting seasons not as wasted time, but as sacred shaping time. Even in the waiting, God is still working—molding and strengthening us to become His beautiful vessels.

Much like a potter allows the clay to rest before the next stage of forming, God allows us moments of stillness to prepare us for His next move. In those seasons, even when we can’t see or feel His presence, He is working—always with intention and love.

Writing this study wasn’t easy. God allowed me to live many of the lessons He was teaching me. I had my own moments of testing, trial, and surrender. Yet in every challenge, He revealed His faithfulness and assured me of His nearness.

An Invitation to the Journey

My prayer for My Maker and Me is that women everywhere will experience what I did—a deeper awareness of God’s hand at work in their lives. Whether you’re in a season of stretching, refining, or resting, I believe this study will help you see how the Potter is crafting something beautiful in you.

Come join me on this journey of becoming God’s beautiful vessel.

Interview with the Author

1. What inspired this book?

The inspiration for My Maker and Me is really two-fold.

First, early in my walk with the Lord, I attended a women’s Bible study that completely transformed my life. That study awakened a hunger in me to know Jesus more deeply, and every Bible study I joined after that brought another layer of transformation. Through those experiences, God birthed in me a desire to write studies that would help other women encounter Him in the same life-changing way.

Almost a decade later, that desire was ignited again when I watched a pottery demonstration. The potter shared how God had revealed Himself through the art of pottery—His nearness, His shaping, and even the sense of value the potter discovered in God’s hands. His testimony and the visual picture of him working the clay moved me so deeply that I wanted to understand God as my Potter in the same way.

The very next day, I contacted the potter and asked to attend his class. I learned the entire process of pottery from start to finish. In that studio, I saw the pottery process mirroring what Scripture says about God forming us into His vessels. Once again, God used that experience to bring transformation in my own heart.

I knew God had given me this experience—and this unique revelation of Himself through His Word—to share with other women. My Maker and Me was written out of that desire: to help women see the beauty of God’s intimate, intentional work in their lives.

2. Which author influenced the you most?

Beth Moore – I began my Bible study journey in a  her Bible studies and for several years I went through every new Bible study she released. Her writing and teaching dramatically impacted every area of my life, and still does.

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

This is such a hard question, because I hold so many dear to me for many different reasons. 1 John 3:1 is an overall favorite because of what it says about me, how deeply God loves me, and that I am a part of His family.

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us,

that we should be called children of God!

1 John 3:1

Jeremiah 32:17 is also an overall favorite because of what it says about the God I love and serve.

‘Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.

Jeremiah 32:17

I have two favorites that relate to my calling in ministry. First, Philippians 3:12 because it is the verse God uses to encourage me to press on.

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.

Philippians 3:12

Second, Galatians 6:9, because it is the verse God uses to remind me not to quit when ministry gets hard.

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Galatians 6:9

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

I hope that every woman who goes through this Bible study sees how loved, planned, and purposed they are. I want them to walk away from this study knowing that in every aspect of their life God is present with them and working something beautiful even in the brokenness, pain, and trials of our lives.

5. What is your vacation spot?

I am a beach lover. I’ve been to a lot of beaches, but my favorite beach is Miramar Beach, Florida. For thirty years, our family has vacationed there. And it is also, a favorite getaway destination for my husband and I.

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, January 16 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 17

Artistic Nobody, January 18 (Author Interview)

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 19

Guild Master, January 20 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 21

Fiction Book Lover, January 22 (Author Interview)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 23 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, January 23

Blossoms and Blessings, January 24 (Author Interview)

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, January 25

Stories By Gina, January 26 (Author Interview)

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, January 27 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 28

A Reader’s Brain , January 29 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, January 29

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Pat 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.

https://gleam.io/Ft6nd/my-maker-and-me-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: Freedom Rings

Author: Rachel Keith

Genre: Christian Middle-grade Animal Fantasy

Release Date: June 16, 2025

Freedom rings out. Who will hear it?

Tina the wolf and her adopted animal siblings narrowly escaped childhood enslavement and lead a quiet, secluded life together. But when they find out the usurping Authorities ravage their world of Neftar to capture more slaves, Tina feels that she and her squad are being called to free their fellow Neftarians.

As they plunge into their abolition quest, however, untold dangers arise—from betrayals, to life-threatening peril, to the discovery of Tina’s forbidden heritage.

Can Tina and her siblings fight for freedom, or will they be put to death for their rebellion… and for Tina’s outlawed bloodline?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Rachel Keith created and finished the world of The Squad at an early age. Inspired to share her faith and glorify God through her passion of writing, she used her extensive knowledge of animals, artistry, graphic design, and fanaticism for a certain video game hedgehog to bring the world of Neftar to life.

When not writing, praying, or geeking out over her video games, Rachel draws custom betta fish portraits, pampers her unusual pets, jams to Christian radio, and reads. And reads. And READS.

Because there’s no such thing as too much of a great story.

Rachel lives in her native land of Nashville, Tennessee, with her menagerie, Bible, and animal encyclopedia.

More from Rachel

I’m Rachel Keith, an 18-year-old homeschool graduate from Franklin, Tennessee. I understand how difficult it is for homeschool families to find safe, clean, Christ-centered fiction that also resonates with young readers, and that’s why I wrote The Squad: Rising series. The series focuses on Tina, an anthropomorphic wolf in a vibrant world of anthropomorphic animals. She and her squad of adopted siblings see the oppression their world is facing, and together, they fight to free their world and establish peace. Though they face plenty of perils, they trust that The Most High will guide them. Each book includes fun resources, including an animal species guide and discussion questions! Inspired by Sonic the Hedgehog and The Chronicles of Narnia, this series—beginning with book 1, Freedom Rings—is a fun new trailblazing series for middle grade fantasy, especially for Christians and anthro lovers!

Interview with the Author

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

Out of the four main characters in Freedom Rings, Tina the wolf—the lead MC—is the one I relate to the most. We have similar personalities, and when I first created her as an insecure twelve-year-old, I made her to be a role model. She simply wants to do what’s right by her kin—her adopted siblings as well as her entire race. And even when things get dreadfully hard, she trusts something good will come out of it.

2. What inspired this book?

For the readers, my inspiration was having “friends” in books who kept me company when I was lonely. I wanted to do the same for other young readers who need those “book friends.” For the subject matter, there was a lot of different inspiration that poured into Freedom Rings, and into different parts of it. The world and story itself was inspired by a blend of The Chronicles of Narnia and Sonic the Hedgehog! A world inhabited by animals, mythical animals, and all sorts of lore, mixed with anthropomorphic animals who have crazy powers and fight for freedom—that was going to make for an awesome story. And it did! Smaller pieces of inspiration include a lot of comics, 1980s cartoons, and, of course, my insatiable love for zoology.

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

One of my favorite Bible verses is 1 Timothy 4:12—“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” (NIV) It fits not only the characters of Freedom Rings and the entire The Squad: Rising series, but it fits my own life as well. Starting my ministry as an author at age twelve is not an easy route, but here I am, and I’m not about to stop. I know this is what God wants me to do, and He’s going to use The Squad: Rising for something amazing.

4. What are you reading right now?

I’m currently reading the Lavender Dawn Saga by Ella Quill, which is another anthro fiction series like The Squad: Rising, except a cozy fantasy with chipmunks living in magical trees. It’s very cute!

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

Sitting in my chair, at my way-too-big desk, there’s my 16-year-old laptop is in front of me and ready to keep functioning, which I will take as a sign of God’s grace. I have an iridescent “Hello Sunshine” sticker on the back of the desk, a heat lamp, and a huge terrarium housing a 10-year-old hermit crab named Culver. The Squad: Rising series and pretty much its entire cast as custom-painted Calico Critters are staring at me from a couple shelves, as well as an army of Calico Critter families and a Funko POP figure of Silver the Hedgehog dressed as Green Lantern.

Blog Stops

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, January 13

Simple Harvest Reads, January 14 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, January 15 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 15

Fiction Book Lover, January 16 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 17

Vicky Sluiter, January 18 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, January 19

For the Love of Literature, January 20 (Author Interview)

Cover Lover Book Review, January 21

Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 22 (Author Interview)

Blossoms and Blessings, January 23 (Author Interview)

Stories By Gina, January 24 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, January 24

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, January 25 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, January 26

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Rachel is giving away the grand prize of 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://gleam.io/DNsrJ/freedom-rings-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: THE GODCHILD

Author: S.C. Terlecky

Genre: YA Christian Dystopian

Release Date: December 9, 2025

When fifteen-year-old Ellie Wilder discovers a contraband journal hidden in her attic, her decision to read its contents rather than turning it over to TEAMMATE officials will destroy any chance of living a normal life. The good news? Andy Jacobs, the most popular boy in her school, now realizes she exists. The bad news? She might not exist much longer if TEAMMATE has anything to say about it. Now that she’s awakened from the encompassing lie of the world she lives in, how can she possibly warn others who are content to remain in a blissful Neverland? She’ll need to challenge her own beliefs, embrace her destiny, and put everything on the line or else the dying spark she’s uncovered in this hostile future will be extinguished—along with her life, forever.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

S.C. Terlecky lives in Northeast Ohio with his two daughters and herd of cats. He enjoys a multitude of outdoor activities and reading stories each night to his girls. His previous works include American Relic and Canticle of the Spear. He loves strong storytelling, interesting characters, and concepts with lasting impact.

 

 

 

 

More from S.C.

The truth may set you free, but are you prepared for the cost?

When I set out to write my third novel, THE GODCHILD, I wanted to create something that would remain on the mind of the reader after the final page. There are a number of excellent young adult books that left a lasting impression on me in my younger years, and my desire was to contribute something truly moving for the next generation.

Drawing from some of my favorite classic YA dystopian fiction novels, there is often one theme in common—they focus on fighting an all-powerful, evil group of people with a smaller group of likeable underdogs who want to preserve some important, physically tangible aspect of living. It may be saving a faction of people from oppression by another faction like in Veronica Roth’s Divergent or Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games. The story may highlight a need to break free from a world of total control like in The Giver by Lois Lowry or A Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. They may even primarily focus on saving humanity from extinction like in James Dashner’s The Maze Runner. But how many add the spiritual implications of eternity alongside these important physical themes? This is where THE GODCHILD is meant to have a deeper reach into the reader. And when the tale is completely told, the chilling part of this story is that it’s not unbelievable—especially in today’s world.

Interview with the Author

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

My perspective on success as an author might look different than many other writers. For me, the impact the story has on the individual reader is the most important metric of success. By impact, I mean, did the story intersect with a part of the reader’s life that might have a positive influence on their day? Obviously, every reader is different and will experience the story through a different lens, but if by the end of the story, they’re counting their own blessings, or thinking fondly about someone they love—that’s what a win looks like to me. I believe the human soul needs stories with hope, love, and redemption.

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

As a father of two daughters, I connected most with Kirk Wilder, Ellie’s father. The story was originally written through multiple different characters, and he was one of the main other contributors. It was later changed to be solely through Ellie’s eyes, as it really is her story.

3. What inspired this book?

This book was inspired by observing the growing division we all see on a daily basis in the world. I wish I had more of an answer on how to eliminate this growing divide, but there doesn’t seem to be an easy answer. Then I wondered, what if we just removed everything that caused the conflict? How would we do it? Would human nature even allow it? From there the story grew.

 

4. Which author influenced the you most?

There are quite a few good ones I could name. Probably the one that got me thinking I could really do this writing thing was Richard Paul Evans. I read THE WALK series by him some years ago and saw what he was capable of doing with just a four- or five-page chapter and I was absolutely amazed. The man is talented and I really loved the positivity I felt after reading each one. I write short chapters as well, and I realized that quality over quantity was my path forward. I’m not as verbose as many other ultra-talented writers but I do sincerely believe in the heart of my stories.

5. What are you reading right now?

Right now, I’m finishing up TRUE BELIEVER, by Jack Carr. It’s the sequel to the popular Amazon show, THE TERMINAL LIST which stars Chris Pratt as a Navy SEAL. It was suggested by a good buddy of mine. I read quite a few different genres, mostly by recommendation. I also just finished THE CHRISTMAS STRANGER by Richard Paul Evans.

Blog Stops

The Lofty Pages, January 12

Simple Harvest Reads, January 13 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 13

Artistic Nobody, January 14 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, January 15 (Author Interview)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 16

Fiction Book Lover, January 17 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, January 18

Vicky Sluiter, January 19 (Author Interview)

For the Love of Literature, January 20 (Author Interview)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 21 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, January 22

Blossoms and Blessings, January 23 (Author Interview)

Stories By Gina, January 24 (Author Interview)

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, January 25 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 25

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, S.C. is giving away the grand prize of a $100 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/kZzku/the-godchild-celebration-tour-giveaway