About the Book

Book: Psalms from the Sea, Volume IV: OPERATIONS

Author: David Reid Brown

Genre: Christian Devotional

Release Date: October, 2025

DID YOU KNOW? YOUR CHRISTIAN WALK HAS A LOT IN COMMON WITH THE LIFE OF A NAVY SAILOR!

Yes! It seems too hard to believe but it is true. Sailors experience hardship, trust, fatigue, worry, disappointment, joy–and so do you! A sailor’s life is filled with the common experiences you have every day of your Christian walk.

OPERATIONS is a compilation of over fifty devotional stories composed by DAVID REID BROWN while he served at sea. These stories present the life of sailors in a way that touches on topics that mirror your daily Christian walk. Each story concludes with a practical application section, relevant scripture, and prayer.

DAVID REID BROWN has first-hand knowledge in understanding the life of a Sailor because he lived it. As former Navy Chaplain, he also understands Biblical truth and how to identify spiritual principles and experiences that Christians and sailors share.

In this book, readers will be:

• Surprised to learn the daily lives of Christians and Sailors are quite similar.
• Inspired by sea stories that connect with Biblical truths.
• Amazed by the selfless sacrifice of Sailors, Marines, and their families.

Still curious? Read this book and find out how God will meet your curiosity with a stronger faith in Him and a deeper admiration for the service of military members and their families.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

David Reid Brown is a retired Navy Chaplain and currently serves as a high school Government, Bible, and Art teacher at Grace Christian School in Mechanicsville, VA. He has authored nine books: Spirit Soundings: A Chaplain’s Journal of Life at Sea (three volumes), Lost Summer, and Psalms from The Sea (four volumes), and a book of poetry, Sophia’s Songs. These inspirational stories were born out of his global seafaring experiences, spanning twenty-one years of peace, war, and three overseas deployments as well as his service as a Christian educator.

 

 

More from David

Did you know? The art on the front cover of my book, OPERATIONS, was designed and created by one of my Ninth Grade Art Students. Yes, it’s true. I recognized that this young artist had the technical skill and artistic flair to create the unique cover art required for this book when he was just in the sixth grade!

FOR OVER TWENTY-ONE YEARS, I have had the distinct privilege of serving thousands of sailors, Marines, and their families across the nation, upon every major ocean, as well as overseas. I am most proud to have shared a common bond of service, sacrifice, and devotion. OPERATIONS is my patriotic tribute to them.

Interview with Author

What inspired this book?

First, thank you for the opportunity to share my insights on your blog.

Operations is the fourth volume of five in the series Psalms From The Sea. During my service as a U.S. Navy Chaplain, I composed over two hundred prayers that became the outline for the book series. Operations was the volume that I dedicated to the sailors and families that I served for over twenty-one years. This book was easy to write because of the strong correlations between the daily challenges that a sailor faces and the daily walk of a follower of Christ.

 

What does success as an author look like to you?

I want to answer this question by sharing my vision statement:

To serve and honor God through composing and publishing inspirational stories that focus on blessing the lives of my readers.

While commercial success is desirable, I aim to make a difference in the reader’s life.

 

What is your favorite Bible verse or life verse?

I have many favorite Bible verses, but here are two:

Psalm 90: 17 – May the favor of the Lord, our God, rest upon us. To establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 – He makes everything beautiful in its time.

The former verse speaks to my desire for God to bless the work and use the gifts He has given to me. The latter is an admission that God will make everything wrong right one day, whether we live long enough to see it or not.

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

 

What are you reading right now?

I am reading several books right now:

Farm Girl by Cindy Freeman

107 Days by Kamala Harris

The Poet’s Market by Robert Lee Brewer

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, May 29 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, May 30 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, May 31 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 31

Fiction Book Lover, June 1 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, June 2

The Bookish Ledger, June 3 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, June 4 (Author Interview)

For the Love of Literature, June 5 (Author Interview)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 6 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 7

Blossoms and Blessings, June 8 (Author Interview)

Stories By Gina, June 9 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, June 9

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, June 10 (Author Interview)

Books, Books, & More Books, June 11 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, David 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/UBDhA/psalms-from-the-sea-volume-iv-operations-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: Chase the Light (National Parks Summers Book 2. It can be read as a stand alone.)

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

Genre: Contemporary

Release Date: May 5, 2026

When Acadia National Park ranger Scout Johnson discovers a weathered note near a remote lighthouse, she never imagines it will expose a century-old mystery. The cryptic message points to a forgotten shipwreck, a vanished treasure, and a lighthouse keeper’s suspicious death. Seeking answers, Scout enlists Naki Dana, a thoughtful man whose Penobscot heritage provides crucial insights. As they venture deeper into Acadia’s rugged wilderness, their unlikely partnership begins stirring feelings Scout didn’t expect to find. But they aren’t the only ones searching.

Chase Fletcher, a charming local journalist, sees this treasure hunt as his last opportunity to save his failing paper–and finds himself increasingly drawn to the ranger leading the search. With pressure mounting and loyalties tested, Scout must navigate a winding path between history and justice, truth and betrayal . . . and determine who–and what–deserves her trust.

 

Click here to get your copy!

Guest Review from Donna

What I think you should know: Chase the Light, a contemporary Christian Fiction by Suzane Woods Fisher is the second book in the National Parks Summers series. This book is set in Acadia National Park. The book features a wide variety of characters including Park Ranger Scout Johnson. This book can be read as a standalone.

 

What I think about this book:

The author has crafted a wonderful story involving a 170-year-old mystery set in a national park involving a Native American Nation and a lighthouse. This book has the perfect cast of characters: journalists, park rangers, a Native American lawyer and unruly and curious teens. It definitely kept me intrigued. Scout was raised by her mom to be the perfect Southern debutante, but she caught the adventure bug from her father. I loved Scout’s passion for history and the outdoors. When she was tasked with keeping Frankie in check for the summer she was definitely challenged. However it was very interesting to see the growth of characters during the story. While I don’t always enjoy love triangles, this was a great mix. I found myself guessing until the end how things were going to end up.  I look forward to the next book in the series.

 

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

Suzanne Woods Fisher is a bestselling author, Christy finalist, Carol and Selah winner, and two-time ECPA Book of the Year finalist, with over forty books to her name. She writes contemporary, historical and Amish novels. Suzanne lives in California with her husband, where life (and friends) inspire her stories.

 

 

More from Suzanne

If a trip to Acadia National Park isn’t already on your bucket list, it should be—and when you go, don’t miss warm popovers on the lawn at the iconic Jordan Pond House.

The Unofficial-but-Close-Enough Jordan Pond Popover Recipe*

Back in 1895, Nellie and Thomas McIntire bought a Maine farmhouse overlooking the clear waters of Jordan Pond. On their wide green lawn, they served tea and towering popovers to well-to-do summer travelers. In 1928, J. D. Rockefeller purchased the land and later donated it to Acadia National Park. The lawn remains. The view remains. And the popovers? Still iconic.

While the original recipe is famously guarded, this version comes deliciously close.

Makes 6–8 large popovers.

What You’ll Need

• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups whole milk
• 2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• Pinch of baking soda
• 2 tablespoons melted butter

Let’s Make Them

1. Start with a hot oven (and a hot pan).
   Preheat your oven to 425°–450°F. Place your popover pan (or a muffin tin) in the oven while it heats.
2. Whisk the batter.
   Beat the eggs for about 2–3 minutes until slightly frothy. Slowly pour in the milk, then add the flour, salt, and baking soda. Mix just until combined. The batter should be smooth but not overworked.
3. Fill the cups.
   Carefully remove the hot pan from the oven and grease it generously with butter or spray. Pour the batter into each cup, filling them about halfway to three-quarters full.
4. Bake.
   Bake at 425°–450°F for 15 minutes. Then, without opening the oven door, reduce the temperature to 350°F and bake another 15–20 minutes. The high heat creates the lift; the lower heat helps them set inside.
5. Resist the urge to peek.
   Do not open the oven door while they bake. The steam inside is what makes them puff and keeps them tall.

Serve immediately with plenty of butter and strawberry jam.

A Few Tips for Sky-High Popovers

• Room temperature matters. Cold eggs or milk will slow the rise. Let them sit out a bit before mixing.
• Heat is your friend. A properly preheated pan jump-starts the puff.
• No peeking. Steam is everything here. Let the oven do its work.

 

*Recipe adapted from Weston Table.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 16

Lyssa Loves Books, May 16

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 17

Texas Book-aholic, May 18

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, May 19

The Avid Reader, May 19

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 20

Lakesidelivingsite, May 20

For Him and My Family, May 21

Holly’s Book Corner, May 21

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 22

EmpowerMoms, May 23

Pause for Tales, May 23

Blogging With Carol, May 24

Lily’s Corner, May 25

Devoted To Hope, May 25

She Lives to Read, May 26

Life on Chickadee Lane, May 27

Cover Lover Book Review, May 27

Simple Harvest Reads, May 28 (Guest Review from Donna)

Lights in a Dark World, May 28

Wishful Endings, May 29

Mary Hake, May 29

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Suzanne 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/f01pi/chase-the-light-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: All That Glows

Author: Lauren Smyth

Genre: YA Dystopian Science Fiction

Release Date: May 12, 2026

The apocalypse didn’t take everyone. It just took us.

Ever since the rain turned green, Kyrie’s world has been bathed in glowing dust. She packs it into old mascara tubes and sells it as makeup alongside dried cacti, threadbare blankets, and long-expired canned food. There’s not much else to do when everyone outside Kyrie’s small town in the Mojave Desert died from the plague-bearing rain ten years ago.

Everyone—except the man in the rubber mask.

He’s on the dangerous side of the fence, huffing infected air like it’s nothing, babbling to Kyrie about college and umbrellas and yogurt and everything else that disappeared the day it rained. He doesn’t seem to know that the world ended, and he has no explanation for how he survived the apocalypse. But Kyrie doesn’t believe in ghosts.

She can’t trust him, but he’s right about one thing: Towns without secrets aren’t surrounded by chain-link fences. And chain-link fences won’t keep out the plague forever.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Lauren Smyth is an economics journalist at World News Group. Since signing her first publishing contract at age thirteen, she has written five young adult novels, coded two narrative video games, and started a blog enjoyed by readers and writers around the world. When she’s not in the broadcast studio, you’ll find her crafting episodes of her Grammar Minute writing podcast or training for her next trail run.

More from Lauren

You’d think the apocalypse already happened in Mojave, CA.

Toxic dust could invade your lungs and kill you. Owls burrowed in the ground for lack of trees. Bobcats mated and had their kittens on neighborhood roofs, and every so often, a jet screamed overhead with a thunderclap in its wake.

I arrived in the middle of the night, and when I woke up, I was in a world different from any I had ever known. As a military kid, I had eaten fresh Belgian waffles, stood drenched in Ohio rain, and fallen asleep to Las Vegas lights. But I had never seen a place so unearthly, or so tantalizingly mysterious, as Edwards Air Force Base. I stood at the window and goggled at the scenery for a while. And then I began to make it my own.

One of the first things Edwards AFB taught me was how to write. That was a byproduct of my decision, at a mature eight years old, to become a detective.

My friends and I climbed into a ditch and found a broken arrow, half the feathers ripped away, the point still intact. An assassination attempt, of course. Old golf balls buried in the dirt—secret messages to a dangerous enemy. The allure of jets overhead, of opaque military acronyms, of drab camouflage and deadly temperatures and rumors of drug lords and cowboys and sand sharks wandering the desert, gave wings to our imaginations.

The first story I wrote was a collection of “clues” we’d gathered, an attempt to frame them all into a narrative that explained how the base was going to be attacked and how we—well-prepared with our military IDs and iPods—would save everyone. I started writing in a notebook with a hot pink cover, and a hundred more notebooks kept up the thread. The story wasn’t yet a book. But it was my first attempt at weaving a story greater than anything I had experienced.

Fourteen years have passed. All That Glows is my fifth book. It’s based on everything that came before it—most importantly, on Mojave and Edwards AFB and all the time I spent trying to tease out the desert’s mystery. It captures what I felt when I was there: small, under the broad desert sky and the huge airplanes; large, compared to the tarantulas that scuttled past my boots in the dust; melancholy, when I thought of how far away the rest of the world was; determined and thrilled, as I dove into the adventure I was living and the ones I hadn’t lived yet.

In All That Glows, you’ll poke your finger on cacti needles and get your shoes tangled in grabby creosote. You’ll experience the blazing daytime heat, the tumbleweeds, the bland architecture, and the rest of Edwards AFB’s unusual scenery, all set in fictional towns. You’ll count the desert stars and shiver in the cold twilight wind. You’ll have a mystery of your own to solve, and if you can stick it out to the end, you’ll have befriended a dry-humored, scrappy cast of characters.

Here’s the first line from one of those old notebooks: “When can we go outside, Mom?”

And here’s the first paragraph of All That Glows: “On the night the world ended, raindrops stained our roof tiles green. I was the first to notice when I went outside to dump the dishwater.”

A lot has changed, but the sense of adventure Mojave taught me hasn’t. If anything, since then, the mystery from back then has only heightened. Maybe the golf balls weren’t a secret message, but maybe a new kind of missile was tested while I was there. Maybe the broken arrow was just a kid playing in his backyard, but maybe one of those jets flew faster than sound seven times over.

I won’t ever know. I only have my memories. But I can imagine the battles and the sacrifice and the bravery. And so, if you’ll join me for this expedition, I’ll show you what my mind’s eye saw when I looked out across the desert.

Interview with the Author

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

I knew I’d made it when a reader told me she stayed up all night to read my book. She’d had a difficult week with a death in the family, and she didn’t want to sleep. The fact that she chose my words to calm her mind and, she later told me, to turn her thoughts to God that night, is a tremendous honor.

Being a successful author isn’t about how many people read your books. Of course it’s gratifying to go viral. It’s also nice to make enough money to cover all the coffee you drank while you were writing. And I’m grateful when that happens. But I don’t do this for the money or the fame. If I wanted that, I’d have hired out my economics degree to the dreary world of investment banking.

I do this because I believe there are stories that must be told, discussions that must be sparked, and readers who must be given something wholesome and stirring. When a reader tells me I have excited, disturbed, comforted, worried, or otherwise provoked them to feel something out of the ordinary, I’m satisfied I’ve done my job well.

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

I didn’t know how to end this book. I never do. I don’t know how to end anything, in fact—I’m one of those people who won’t watch the last episode in a TV series because I can’t handle that it’s over.

The original ending for this book was much darker than what you’ll read now. Someday, maybe I’ll release the deleted scene as an extra chapter. But my wonderful editors at Enclave encouraged me to write a happier ending, one that tied together more loose ends, let some characters go, and allowed others to have their redemption. I think it was the right call. My editor said the new twist wasn’t what she expected but she liked it. That was good enough for me!

3)What inspired this book?

Minor spoiler: When someone asks what this book is about, I say it’s about the Chernobyl nuclear accident—if it had happened in California, and if authorities kept it a secret instead of evacuating the town.

Now, back to spoiler-free. One of my favorite places in the world is Daytona Beach, Florida. I moved a lot (and still do), but Daytona has always been the one place I can count on coming back to. So it’s also where my mind is at rest and I find the energy to create.

Sophomore year of college, I think, was when I had the idea for All That Glows. I thought of the title first, which was originally For the Love of U, an obscure play on the chemical symbol for uranium.

I’d picked up a copy of Radium Girls, which tells the story of the young women hired to paint glow-in-the-dark—and deadly—radium on watch dials. It’s a tragic story, and mesmerizing. Around the same time, I was reading books like Metro 2033 and playing post-apocalyptic video games, so the “deadly virus/end of the world” inspiration seemed to be everywhere.

Only one thing: The dystopian genre is hackneyed, so I wanted to do it with a twist. This came to me as I walked for miles along the beach. I hope I manage to surprise you with it.

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

A joking answer: Proverbs 28:1. “The wicked run when no one is pursuing.” I take this to mean that all marathons should have a bear at the back of the pack. I have this verse printed on a shirt, which I like to wear to run club. They don’t seem to find it as funny as I do.

A serious answer: Psalm 8:3–4. “When I look at your heavens … what is man that you are mindful of him?” I find myself closest to God, and most able to hear His voice, when I’m outdoors doing just that—looking at His heavens. And his flowers, all so unnecessarily and extravagantly colored. And his tiny insects, which sit on the back of my hand and sparkle in the sunlight. And all the rest of this radically beautiful garden He has created for us to shape.

Then I’m reminded that I am loved, and because of that, I can run free and strong and wild and filled with overwhelming joy. And I don’t just know it—I feel it, deeply and personally, so that I can’t doubt this is God’s voice.

5)What are you reading right now?

This year, I’m particularly into adventure nonfiction. It started with Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air, which describes the disastrous Everest expedition he joined as a journalist. I’m not a climber, but I am an endurance runner, and attracted to ill-advised journeys like this one. Now I’m reading No Way Down, the biography of an equally disastrous K2 climbing expedition.

These books are great fuel for the kind of fiction I write because they reveal the outermost limits of human moral and physical strength. They are also excellent catalogues of possible character injuries, catastrophes, and cures. And, of course, they’re inspiring—not to climb Everest, which I will never do, but to take on challenges that have a real chance of failure. Such as writing a book.

My day job is to write for WORLD Magazine and its associated publications. So I also read instructional books on how to be a better journalist, which in turn makes me a better fiction storyteller. My current read in that category is The Art and Craft of Feature Writing by William E. Blundell. It can be dense but is invaluable and written by a true master.

Blog Stops

The Lofty Pages, May 26

Simple Harvest Reads, May 27 (Author Interview)

Blossoms and Blessings, May 28 (Spotlight)

Stories By Gina, May 29 (Spotlight)

Inspired by fiction, May 29

Artistic Nobody, May 30 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 31 (Spotlight)

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, June 1 (Spotlight)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 1

Guild Master, June 2 (Author Interview)

Books, Books, & More Books, June 3 (Spotlight)

Texas Book-aholic, June 4

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, June 5 (Spotlight)

Books Less Travelled, June 6 (Spotlight)

Fiction Book Lover, June 7 (Author Interview)

The Bookish Ledger, June 8 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lauren is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a signed 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/bueoY/all-that-glows-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: Chaos Woods, Chronicles of the Ever-Guise, Book I

Author: Scott T. Barnes

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Release Date: November 14, 2025

After a thieves’ auction goes wrong, young barmaid Telyn Brower winds up with a shard from a magical mask.

Only one problem: In this world, humans are forbidden to use magic. In fact, they’re the only sentient beings without any innate magical powers.

That doesn’t stop Telyn and her friends from using the mask to improve life in their isolated mountain town of Harlech.

At first, the changes seem small. Helpful. Necessary.

But good intentions only carry them so far.

Soon, lies begin to surface. Trust erodes. With every spell they cast, the mask tightens its grip. The power is seductive, addictive. The consequences are dangerous.

As the subjugation of humans intensifies and enemies draw near, the only way out seems to lie deep in the Chaos Woods—an ancient forest where magic itself bends and frays.

To survive, the friends must face the cost of their choices and decide whether they can truly trust one another.

Discover the young adult fantasy Chaos Woods, rated 4.8 out of 5 stars by IndieReader, and described as “an ambitious, character-driven fantasy.”

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

An afficionado of small towns, forests, and mountains, you can find Scott T. Barnes writing in coffee shops all over Southern California. Scott won the Writers of the Future Award for his story “Insect Sculptor.” His contemporary fantasy, Memories of Lucinda Eco, set in Baja California, received a coveted “Editor’s Pick” from BookLife, while his epic fantasy Chaos Woods earned 4.8 out of 5 stars from IndieReader. Kirkus Reviews called it, “An absorbing, character-driven YA tale of camaraderie and redemption.”

 

 

More from Scott

One of the things that makes the fantasy genre so powerful, so important even, is that it often deals with existential questions, especially life versus death and good versus evil. Many other genres shy away from such question, or pretend that evil is, in fact, “relative.”

However, sharing the same stakes also means that many fantasy tales may come to resemble one another a little too much.

For Chaos Woods, I wanted to do something a little bit different. Given that the main character winds up with a magical mask, it did not take long to realize that the primary stakes of this story would be truth versus lies. This realization made the writing of the story much easier. Conflict and confrontation came easily through the turning of these two poles. This led IndieReader in a 4.8/5-star review to remark, “Scott T. Barnes delivers a richly imagined, character-driven coming-of-age fantasy that balances cozy adventure with thoughtful themes of morality, addiction, and the consequences of one’s choices.”

In addition to unique stakes, there is a lot of me in this tale. I grew up in a gold-mining town, surrounded by fields and live oak stands, and the mountains, forests, and small-town vibe enrich Telyn’s adventures. I hope the reader finds the Chaos Woods a place they want to visit again and again.

Interview with the Author

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

I have to answer that in two different ways. From a creative standpoint, I need to create. If I am not writing stories, then I feel a certain emptiness inside, sort of like an athlete who does not get a workout in. From that standpoint, as long as I am creating something new, then I am satisfying that need.

That said, it is deeply satisfying when people read my stories. I tell my team that I would like to sell 10,000 copies of every novel. What’s even more satisfying is when people are moved by my stories. For example, I was just selling novels at WonderCon, like a small ComicCon. A young man came up to me in the morning and we talked about Chaos Woods, and I could tell he was interested. But he said, “I’ll come back later.” We said goodbye, and I did not expect to see him again. But at the close of the day, nearly 10 hours later, he returned and told me he wanted to buy the book. It took a while to get the credit card reader to take his card, so I asked him what other cool stuff he bought at the convention. He replied, “Nothing. I only had $20 to spend and your novel was the most interesting thing I saw here.” What a thing to say to an author! I blushed like you wouldn’t believe. That, to me, is success.

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

Tough question. Hosh is a bit of a comic relief character, a bit clumsy and often saying the wrong thing at the wrong time, but he is loyal, stoic, and always tries his best. Not so different from me in real life. Meanwhile, Telyn has the most traits that I’d like to emulate: rebellious, tough, spontaneous, physically capable (and not afraid of heights), almost fearless, and leading with her heart.

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

I have discovered that if a scene is particularly difficult to write, it probably doesn’t belong in the book. My mind resists writing it because it considers it boring.

What can be difficult is writing fast-paced, exciting scenes. The tendency is to rush through them, to make the prose match the action, but something I learned from Stephen King is to slow down the most exciting scenes so that the readers can savor them.

4)What inspired this book?

Probably most of all the setting. I grew up in a small, mountain town surrounded by forests, which is quite a similar setting to Chaos Woods. But I never begin a story unless three or more brainstorm ideas seem to belong to the same story. In this case, the setting, the main character, and the Spring Sale, which probably was inspired by showing sheep in the 4H at the Del Mar Fair, if you can believe that.

5)Which author influenced the you most?

J.R.R. Tolkien, followed by C.S. Lewis.

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

I love Job 38. I used to think I had to understand everything, but this makes it abundantly clear that this is not only unnecessary, it is impossible. I find that a great liberation.

7)What is your vacation spot?

We used to go to Mount Hermon family camp every year. If I had to go to one place year after year, that would be it. But we have made the decision to visit different places. We just returned from Iceland, which was an adventure in itself. Definitely inspirational.

8)What are you reading right now?

I am re-reading the series Memory, Sorrow and Thorn by Tad Williams. The reason is that I remembered it being quite close to Chaos Woods in tone, and my memory is not mistaken. Anyone that likes Memory, Sorrow and Thorn will like the Ever-Guise series.

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

I almost always write in one of half-dozen coffee shops around Orange County, so my view is usually of three or four other people bent over their laptops being productive in their own way. I love the smell of coffee and the combination of solitude and being in a public place.

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

The Bible would definitely be first on the list. Next is Lord of the Rings. I reread it every couple of years and discover something new every time.

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, May 27 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, May 28 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, May 29 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 29

Tell Tale Book Reviews, May 30

Fiction Book Lover, May 31 (Author Interview)

The Bookish Ledger, June 1 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, June 1

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, June 2 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, June 3

Books, Books, & More Books, June 4 (Author Interview)

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, June 5 (Author Interview)

Books Less Travelled, June 6 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, June 7

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

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, June 9 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Scott 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/E1JY7/chaos-woods-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: Lipstick and Gunpowder

Author: Jane Daly

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release Date: March 10, 2025

Dale Hardy, a disgraced FBI agent, goes undercover at the Double-Bar-G Ranch in Ione, California to gather intel on a suspected opioid-growing operation.
Mark Goodson, who hired Dale to help run the ranch while his brother recovers from an injury, is initially skeptical of her abilities. But when they are both targeted in escalating violence, they must join forces to uncover the truth and save Mark’s niece who has been kidnapped for ransom.
Their past betrayals and broken relationships are put aside as they fight against enemies that threaten their lives and Mark’s ranch.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Jane Daly is the author of sixteen books, including two nonfiction works. When she isn’t hunched over her computer, she is on the move – literally. She and her husband of 48 years make their home in Rigsby, their 37-foot motor home. Together they chase sunsets, discover quirky roadside attractions, and take the Gospel to fellow travelers.

 

More from Jane

Do you like stories with strong female characters?

Dale Hardy, a disgraced FBI agent, goes undercover at the Double-Bar-G Ranch in Ione, California to gather intel on a suspected opioid-growing operation.

Mark Goodson, who hired Dale to help run the ranch while his brother recovers from an injury, is initially skeptical of her abilities. But when they are both targeted in escalating violence, they must join forces to uncover the truth and save Mark’s niece who has been kidnapped for ransom.

Their past betrayals and broken relationships are put aside as they fight against enemies that threaten their lives and Mark’s ranch.

Interview with the Author

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

When I first began writing, I thought my success could be measured by money. Now, if someone tells me they loved one of my books and took the time to write a review, that is enough. Recently, a reader told me, “I love how you weave the Gospel into your stories without being preachy.” Bam! That’s success.

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

I had fun writing both Dale and Mark because both had circumstances in the past that changed their lives. Dale’s brother committed suicide and Mark bore physical scars from his time in the military. Until we get to know others, we have no idea of the hurts and wounds they carry.

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

 It’s always tough to get past the middle. How do I keep the reader engaged? What plot twist can I invent to move this story forward?

4)What are you reading right now?

You know the feeling when you read a really engaging book – and you don’t want to read anything else for a few days? That’s where I’m at. I just finished reading The Tattooed Woman At The Well. I want to ponder why the book impacted me the way it did.

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

I live full-time in my motor home and travel the United States. My view right now is of some evergreen trees in the distance, interspersed with trees getting ready to burst into color.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 23

Simple Harvest Reads, May 24 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 25

Artistic Nobody, May 26 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys , May 26

Texas Book-aholic, May 27

Guild Master, May 28 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, May 29

Fiction Book Lover, May 30 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol , May 31

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, June 1 (Author Interview)

Because I said So, June 2

Vicky Sluiter, June 3 (Author Interview)

Pause for Tales, June 3

Holly’s Book Corner, June 4

For the Love of Literature, June 5 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jane 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/hoPfh/lipstick-and-gunpowder-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: Blue Jean Bayou

Author: Janis Jakes

Genre: Contemporary Inspirational Romance

Release Date: June 12, 2026

After Jenna’s father dies, she travels to his cabin in the Texas Piney Woods to oversee the remodeling and ready the property for sale. She’s surprised when the contractor is a childhood crush – now a handsome man with a heart of gold.

Their friendship reignites, bringing the possibility of more…but at a price. Jenna, a business owner, loves the bustling streets of Manhattan. Creed, a military veteran with a hero’s past, finds refuge in small-town living.

When Jenna learns her father led a secret life, her world turns upside down, and she suspects Creed knows more than he’s telling.

As the truth about her father emerges, Jenna faces the secrets hidden in her own heart and must choose: a life of high heels and high rises or a meandering bayou with the man she now loves.

Excerpt from the Book

When mere inches separated the canoe from the wooden dock, Jenna stood up. The man reached downward, and she grabbed his hand, leaping onto the ladder. With trembling legs, she climbed up, semi-stumbling into a hard chest before regaining her balance and firm footing.

“That canoe is not safe,” she exclaimed the obvious. “It shouldn’t be anywhere near the water. And whoever plugged the hole did a lousy job.”

“Are you OK?” Dark, coffee-hued hair, a little too long, curled about the collar of his flannel shirt and brown corduroy jacket. His face appeared freshly shaved. The scent of him reminded her of hay and leather, a warm but sweet smell that quickened her senses.

Compassion lingered within deep-set brown eyes, tugging upon a distant chord of familiarity. Jenna looked at him harder. A vague memory stirred.

She pushed her hair over her shoulders, blinking away the heat of fear-laden tears before they could fall. “Do we know each other?”

He grinned, showing a faint dimple in his chin. “Magill Bridge. You were in second grade, and I was in third. We promised each other we’d marry, live in a tree house, and adopt a monkey.” He chuckled. “We even shared a grape popsicle to make it official.”

Missed an Excerpt? Go Here:

About the Author

Janis Jakes is an author of multiple contemporary and historical inspirational romances with an emphasis on courageous men, strong women, Texas sunsets, and happily ever after.

About the Book

Book: The Broken Weathervane

Author: Laura DeNooyer

Genre: Women’s fiction, dual timeline fiction, literary fiction, book club fiction

Release Date: September 2, 2025

Two co-workers seek the same information. One wants to publish it; the other has good reasons to keep it hidden.

As Leslie Wickersham, Raymond University grants officer, seeks information to unravel a family mystery, English professor Gregory Stafford seeks an elusive interview with one more Buckwalter relative for his upcoming author biography. While Greg and Leslie guard coveted details from each other, her goals are further complicated by letters of blackmail threatening to reveal all she has worked hard to hide.

In this dual timeline novel alternating between 2015 and the 1950s, loyalty is tested and secrets abound when family honor collides with truth. Leslie grapples with the trade-off: how far will a person go to help a loved one thrive?

Excerpt from the Book

Chapter 1

All washed up at age thirty-five.

            The premonition rumbled through Leslie Wickersham like a morose headline announcing her dismal future. Seated in the office of Raymond University’s administration building, Leslie Wickersham squinted at the framed quotation above the clock.

Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear,

too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice,

but for those who love, time is eternity. —Henry Van Dyke.

 

Its pithy wisdom churned her stomach. If she weren’t awaiting her third interview, she’d snap a picture, post it on Instagram, and ask, “Is time a friend or an enemy?”

Instead, she stared at the clock as if the hands had stopped at the hour of someone’s death, like back in the day. Perhaps this moment marked the demise of her career. Tomorrow she might be bagging groceries at Klipton’s.

Her phone pinged. Grimacing, she grabbed it from her purse to silence it. One look revealed a text from Vic, her ex. Ugh. She’d blocked him, so he must have a new number. She plunged the silenced phone back into her purse and wiped her sweaty palms.

Missed an Excerpt? Go Here:

About the Author

Laura DeNooyer thrives on creativity and encouraging it in others. A Calvin College graduate, she is a teacher, wife, parent of four adult children, and an award-winning author of heart-warming historical and contemporary fiction. Her novels are perfect for fans of Patti Callahan Henry, Erin Bartels, or Amanda Cox. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her reading, walking, drinking tea with friends, or taking a road trip.

About the Book

Book: A Hundred Magical Reasons

Author: Laura DeNooyer

Genre: Biographical historical fiction, literary fiction, book club fiction

Release Date: January 7, 2025

Most fairy tales have happy endings, but is it too late for this one? After all, Mrs. Charlotte Rose Gordon, the disgruntled town recluse, is eighty-eight and has grown weary of fighting the dragons of her past—including the desire to clear her husband’s name of a 1918 crime.

Dragons of a different kind pursue Carrie Kruisselbrink.

During 1980, the summer of her private rebellion, Carrie defies parental expectations and pursues her café dream. While waiting for funding, she takes a job with Mrs. Gordon.

As Mrs. Gordon unfolds the story of her oppressive childhood and delightful friendship with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz author, L. Frank Baum, Carrie never expects to encounter her own fears and soul-searching.

In this modern-day fairy tale that weaves between 1980 and the early 1900s, Mr. Baum’s influence impacts each woman’s personal quests on a hero’s journey neither anticipates. Can Carrie and Mrs. Gordon find common ground in battling their respective dragons?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Laura DeNooyer thrives on creativity and encouraging it in others. A Calvin College graduate, she is a teacher, wife, parent of four adult children, and an award-winning author of heart-warming historical and contemporary fiction. Her novels are perfect for fans of Patti Callahan Henry, Erin Bartels, or Amanda Cox. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her reading, walking, drinking tea with friends, or taking a road trip.

 

 

 

More from Laura

Smitten!

That was me—smitten—after reading a biography about L. Frank Baum, author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900). Baum was an innovative, larger-than-life personality—no surprise there, given that he created the Land of Oz.

He was also a family man with a keen understanding of children and a high regard for women. (His mother-in-law was a suffragist!) His humor and creativity gave him the capacity to bounce back from failure many times.

Having always wanted to write a novel set in the turn of the century, Baum fit perfectly into my plans.

Fun fact: The Baum family summered at the same lake where our family vacations yearly. Though we were at opposite ends of Lake Macatawa near Holland, Michigan—and opposite ends of the century—I felt a connection.

Unstoppable Imagination meets Doubt & Fear

Imagination plays a huge role in the story. My main character Janie is at odds with her rigid parents who have no use for fiction, fantasy, or fairy tales. She is only allowed to read The New England Primer, The Pilgrim’s Progress, and the Bible. Then eight-year-old Janie meets the inimitable L. Frank Baum who stretches her imagination in every way possible. This is a major tension throughout the story.

This ties to 1980, where my protagonist Carrie wants to run a literary-themed café against her parents’ wishes. They have their own goals for her. As grown-up Janie (now eighty-eight-year-old Mrs. Gordon) unveils her childhood troubles to Carrie, they both make startling discoveries.

Bonded by stories and baking Oz-inspired recipes, Carrie and Mrs. Gordon’s intergenerational friendship gradually grows and deepens—one facing fears about her future, the other living with regrets about her past.

Brains, Heart, & Courage

Whether you’re an Oz fan or not, I believe you’ll enjoy getting to know L. Frank Baum. Besides getting the facts straight, I wanted to create his essence on the page so readers experience what it was like to sit on the Baums’ Macatawa porch with him, whether running a printing press or drinking lemonade.

Baum’s stories are all about stirring the child’s imagination, and that’s a key element of my novel. Since we’re all made in the Creator’s image, everybody is creative in their own way. I hope this story inspires readers to use their own imagination to pursue dreams.

But dreams only grow in the soil of confidence. As Mrs. Gordon challenges Carrie, “Do you want to live by your passions or by your fears?” One of those fears is being yourself vs. wearing a mask.

Join the journey of two women who are hugely impacted by the wisdom, heart, and courage of the creator of Oz.

Interview with the Author

• What inspired this book?

While reading a biography about L. Frank Baum, author of The Wizard of Oz, I was smitten. Baum was such an innovative, larger-than-life personality—no surprise there, given that he created the Land of Oz. He was also a family man with a keen understanding of children and a high regard for women. (His mother-in-law was a suffragist!) His humor and creativity gave him the capacity to bounce back from failure many times.

The turn of the century was a time of great innovation with new inventions and growing technology. Baum was fascinated by these things; his creativity bubbled up alongside it all. Some of his stories foreshadow future technology.

I wanted his imagination to play a huge role in this novel. My main character Janie is at odds with her very rigid parents who have no use for fun, frivolity, fiction, fantasy, or fairy tales. She is only allowed to read The New England Primer, The Pilgrim’s Progress, and the Bible. Then . . . eight-year-old Janie meets L. Frank Baum who stretches her imagination in every way possible. This is a major tension throughout the story.

This ties to 1980, where my protagonist Carrie wants to run a literary-themed café against her parents’ wishes. They have their own goals for her. As grown-up Janie (now 88-year-old Mrs. Gordon) unveils her childhood troubles to Carrie, they both find common ground.

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

Carrie is 22 in 1980 and just happened to attend the same college I did, have the same major, and finish the same year! We even had some of the same insecurities. So, writing her seemed natural at times. Even so, we’re also quite different from each other. She’s a great cook and spurned a teaching career, while I pursued an education degree and rarely find success in the kitchen. 🙂

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

The most challenging part of this story was capturing L. Frank Baum’s personality. I did a ton of research to learn as much as possible about him and the early 1900s.

But this was more than getting the facts straight. This was about creating his essence on the page so readers would experience what it was like to be with him—to sit on the Baums’ Macatawa porch together, whether running a printing press or drinking lemonade.

As a storyteller, actor, filmmaker, and author, Baum was constantly creating ways to tell new stories and engage children. I wanted to show how he would draw out Janie’s imagination. Which activities would they do together? What was life like around the dinner table at the Baum household? We know a bit about that from biographies, but I wanted to present Baum through the eyes of a girl who visits from year to year.

Whether readers are Oz fans or not, I think they will enjoy getting to know L. Frank Baum.

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

There are many landmarks and steppingstones along the writing and publishing path, but the most meaningful one for me is getting feedback from readers. Whenever a reader takes time to reach out and tell me how my story has impacted her in some way, I feel like I’ve accomplished one of my key purposes as an author. I’ve used my storytelling voice to touch someone at the heart level. That’s a huge reward.

• What is your vacation spot?

For years, my family has gathered for a week every summer in Holland, Michigan, on Lake Macatawa. Imagine my surprise when I learned that the Baum family lived on this same lake!

From 1898 to 1910, Baum, his wife Maud, and their four sons spent summers at Macatawa Resort—between Lake Michigan and Lake Macatawa.

Though we were at opposite ends of Lake Macatawa—and opposite ends of the century—I felt a connection. Thus, I chose to focus my novel on the summers Baum spent at Macatawa.

Furthermore, I grew up in southwest Michigan not far from this setting, so I understand the Dutch culture and other things that might have impacted Baum.

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, May 22 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, May 23 (Author Interview)

Lights in a Dark World, May 23

Guild Master, May 24 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, May 25

Fiction Book Lover, May 26 (Author Interview)

The Bookish Ledger, May 27 (Author Interview)

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

Cover Lover Book Review, May 29

History, Hope & Happily Ever After, May 30 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 30

Vicky Sluiter, May 31 (Author Interview)

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

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

For Him and My Family, June 3

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 4

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Laura is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a paperback copy of the book!!

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

https://gleam.io/fbEmw/a-hundred-magical-reasons-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: A Wealth Beyond Riches

Author: Vickie McDonough

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: May 12, 2026

She’s searching for a place to belong. He’s haunted by the horrors of war. When danger threatens everything they hold dear, they must trust in God’s plan to find their way home.

Sasha Di Carlo has spent her life in her famous actress mother’s shadow, longing for family and roots. When she learns she has an uncle in Indian Territory, she seizes the chance for a new beginning. Upon arriving at her uncle’s ranch, she finds herself drawn to his quiet carpenter, Jim Conners, even as she struggles to embrace her Creek heritage.

Jim Conners came to Indian Territory hoping to escape the nightmares of his time in the Spanish-American War. Working for kind-hearted Dewey Hummingbird has helped heal his spirit, but Dewey’s beautiful niece stirs long-buried feelings. Just as his discovery of his own Native American ancestry offers the opportunity to build a bridge between them, corrupt oil companies target Dewey’s land. As Sasha and Jim work to protect their loved ones and help struggling oil field widows, they discover that true wealth lies not in riches, but in faith, family, and the courage to love.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Vickie McDonough is the CBA, EPCA and Amazon best-selling author of 54 books and novellas. Vickie grew up wanting to marry a rancher, but instead, she married a computer geek who is scared of horses. She now lives out her dreams penning romance stories about ranchers, cowboys, lawmen, and others living in the Old West. Vickie’s books have won numerous awards including the Booksellers Best, OWFI Best Fiction Novel Award, the Inspirational Readers’ Choice awards. When she’s not writing, Vickie enjoys reading, making cards, gardening, and traveling.

 

 

More from Vickie

If you read Sooner or Later, you met Jimmy when he was a young boy. He’s now grown and struggling with PTSD after fighting in the war. Oklahoma, at this time, was split in two, with the eastern section being Indian Territory and the western half, the Oklahoma Territory. Jimmy has left his family and taken a job building a house for an older Indian man. But he’s soon in for a big surprise.

Interview with the Author

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

It looks like an email from a reader who was encouraged by my book.

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

I’d have to say the hero, Jim. He was raised in Oklahoma like me, he’s pretty down-to-earth with good values, and he has a strong faith in God.

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

It’s always the middle for me. The beginning usually starts off well, and the ending wraps up fairly quickly, but keeping the pace moving in the middle of the book can be a challenge. That’s the time to make something exciting happen or to have a big plot twist.

4. What inspired this book?

Oklahoma has a unique history. At one time, the state was divided into two territories. One part was Indian Territory, where Indian tribes were relocated to in the 1800s. The other part was the Oklahoma Territory, which were the Unassigned Indian lands. The Unassigned Lands were settled by several land runs, or a huge race for the land. I covered the 1889 land rush in Sooner or Later. Several decades later, oil was discovered in Oklahoma. A Wealth Beyond Riches touches on the good and bad parts of that time.

5. Which author influenced the you most?

Two of the authors who influenced me in the beginning days of my writing were  western fiction authors, by they weren’t Christians. They wrote incredible stories, but I didn’t care for the sex scenes and knew I never wanted to writes those. I was thrilled when I discovered Christian fiction in its early days.

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

Jermiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

7. What is your vacation spot?

The place we go most often is Branson, MO. It’s less than a four-hour drive, so we often leave on Friday morning and go for a long weekend. There’s so much to do there and some great shows to see. I also love going to the Caribbean and have been blessed to go on two cruises down there. The water is just so amazing!

8. What are you reading right now?

I’m reading a book called A Convenient Heart by Lacy Williams.

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

It looks out on my front yard. The are 15 leafless oak trees and, right now, there are dozens of daffodils in bloom.

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

I think I’d prefer to have a cd of worship songs to help me keep my joy.

Blog Stops

lakesidelivingsite, May 20

Sydney Schmied Books, May 21

Simple Harvest Reads, May 22 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, May 23

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 23

Texas Book-aholic, May 24

Artistic Nobody, May 25 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, May 26

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 27

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, May 28

Guild Master, May 29 (Author Interview)

Books You Can Feel Good About, May 30

Pause for Tales, May 30

Cover Lover Book Review, May 31

Connie’s History Classroom, June 1

Fiction Book Lover, June 2 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Vickie 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/UnDWs/a-wealth-beyond-riches-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: The Schoolmarm and the Miner

Author: Denise Farnsworth writing as Denise Weimer

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: May 5, 2026

A teacher seeking independence. A widower guarding his heart. In Georgia’s gold country, the richest prize may be the love they’re afraid to claim.

Adelaide Duncan’s dream of teaching is within reach until her father’s drinking and gambling force her to start over. Taking a position in the rough-and-tumble gold rush town of Dahlonega[DF1] , she’s determined to prove herself. But unruly students, strict rules against [DF2] teachers courting, and her growing feelings for a certain widowed father threaten the independence she’s fought so hard to claim.

Wade Coulter walked away from the law after he lost his wife and unborn son. Raising his daughter alone is safer than letting anyone else in. But Lotty’s beautiful new teacher makes him question everything. Just as he begins to trust again, a dangerous man from Wade’s past threatens both the women he loves.

A gold strike on Wade’s property promises security…but also revives old dangers. Scarred by her father’s choices, Addie fears any man who might put [DF3] selfish desires before love. As deadly threats close in and the past refuses to stay buried, Wade must prove he’s changed or risk losing his chance at happiness forever.

 

Click here to get your copy!

Guest Review from Donna

What I think you should know:

The Schoolmarm and the Miner by Denise (Farnsworth) Weimer is the third book in the Twenty Niners of the Georgia Gold Rush Series. This book features Adelaide Duncan whose whole world has been turned upside down as her father gambled away her security.   We also meet Wade Coulter and his daughter Lotty. While this book is part of a series it can be read as a standalone as it is the first book in the series I have read.

 

What you might need to know:

Cade lost his wife and child in childbirth.

 

What I think about this book:

Oh my! I cannot say enough good things about this book! I somehow missed the first two books in this series, but I will be going back to read them. Adelaide was such a great character, she was so determined not to let her father’s choices determine her future. I love how the author swept the reader into the world of 1839 Dahlonega, Georgia. She has a gift when it comes to world building. Wade was definitely an interesting character, he has experienced loss, and is determined to protect his daughter.  I really enjoyed the interactions between Adelaide and Wade,  I appreciate how masterfully she creates characters that transcend time. I look forward to reading more of this series and this author.

 

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

North Georgia native Denise Farnsworth, formerly Denise Weimer, has authored over twenty traditionally published novels and novellas—historical and contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and time slip. As a freelance editor and Acquisitions & Editorial Liaison for Wild Heart Books, she’s helped other authors reach their publishing dreams. A wife and mother of two adult daughters, Denise always pauses for coffee, chocolate, and old houses.

 

 

 

More from Denise

At the end of book one of my Twenty-Niners of the Georgia Gold Rush series, The Songbird and the Surveyor, the bad guy walked free! Saloon and mine owner Charles Martin’s manipulative plotting and family money spared him from facing justice. Well, we can’t have that…

Wade Coulter, the sheriff whose sister died in a confrontation with Charles, turned in his badge after the man avoided standing trial for kidnapping the wife of Jesse Holden (the hero of book one) and his theft of a local mine owner’s gold. Jesse and Genny left North Georgia for a fresh start, but Wade gets stuck with the burden of failure and—following the deaths of his wife and unborn son—heartache. He’s retreated to his mountain farm with his plucky overall-wearing daughter, Charlotte, determined to keep her safe from the criminals who frequent gold rush boomtowns like the county seat of Dahlonega.

But then a new teacher arrives…one who is also fleeing heartache in hopes of a fresh start. Forced by the mistakes of her drunken father to seek employment in the gold fields rather than at the prestigious girls’ academy from which she just graduated, Adelaide Duncan has no other choice than to make her way in Dahlonega. If that means doing battle with thieves on the square, a pompous school board president, and bullies as big as she is, fine.

The one battle she doesn’t count on is keeping her heart safe from a moody widower who needs convincing by Addie and his aunt, the owner of the boardinghouse where Addie lodges, that his mannerless daughter desperately needs to attend school. It soon enough becomes clear that, despite her guardedness, Lottie longs for a mother’s love. Just when the discovery of gold on Wade’s land allows him to picture a family in his future, an old nemesis shows up with a new scheme…one that once again endangers the women Wade loves.

The Schoolmarm and the Miner packs humor, romance, action, and all your favorite tropes into a real-life town setting so charming, it’s a Hallmark movie-filming destination. After you read the story, you’ll want to plan a road trip to tour the gold museum in the historic courthouse and the drippy tunnels of the Consolidated Gold Mine, one of many that operated in Lumpkin County from the 1830s through the early 1900s. As you wander the North Georgia mountains, you’ll see why I’ve long felt there’s still plenty of treasure there. And fodder for great stories!

Blog Stops

Fiction Book Lover, May 12 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 12

Texas Book-aholic, May 13

For Him and My Family, May 14

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 15

Lakesidelivingsite , May 15

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 16

Devoted To Hope, May 17

Jeanette’s Thoughts, May 18

Books You Can Feel Good About, May 19

Connie’s History Classroom, May 20

Simple Harvest Reads, May 21 (Guest Review from Donna)

Holly’s Book Corner, May 22

Cover Lover Book Review, May 23

Pause for Tales, May 24

Lyssa Loves Books, May 25

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Denise 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/DSQoC/the-schoolmarm-and-the-miner-celebration-tour-giveaway