About the Book

Book: How to Make a Miracle (How to Be a Hero Book 2)

Author: Carol Schlorff

Genre: Middle-grade action and adventure

Release Date: February 17, 2026

Three teenagers. One perilous quest. A miracle worth risking everything for.

Trapped in the Past … A visit to an old palace takes an unexpected turn when Stefan, his sister Julia, and their friend Hugo are mysteriously hurled into the harsh, unpredictable world of the Bible, where they meet Nasiya, a young slave girl caught in a dreadful fate.

Danger and Destiny … In a land where any shadow can hide an enemy, the trio must summon every ounce of faith to survive. For Stefan, however, the battle isn’t only against ruthless warriors—it’s against the anger and guilt holding him captive for too long. As the teens embark on a dangerous journey, Stefan must face the wounds of his past before they shatter his future.

A Race Against the Clock … With time running out and lives hanging in the balance, Stefan must discover that the greatest miracles aren’t about changing the world—they’re about renewing the heart. Fast-paced, richly immersive, and carrying a powerful message of redemption, this middle-grade adventure will grip readers from the first page to the last.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Carol’s passion is to write exciting stories that encourage, inspire, and boost the reader’s faith, possibly because she has always felt like an outsider. She was born in North Africa to American parents and grew up in France. At age 15, her family’s abrupt move to Philadelphia resulted in a rough transition to American life.

After graduating from Penn State, Carol joined the Army in search of adventure. She was stationed in exotic—for her—locations like California, Arizona, and Texas.

Since then, Carol has lived in Krakow, Poland, where she teaches English and organizes language camps. She also writes a blog on faith-related topics.

Carol enjoys watching or reading a good murder mystery and getting nervous while watching NFL games.

More from Carol

The idea for a middle-grade novel came to me while I was listening to a series of sermons on meditating on God’s Word. How could I show that the Bible is exciting, far from boring, relevant to our lives, and has the answers we seek about our purpose in life? And do so in a way that is fun and intriguing, keeping the readers on the edge of their seats? Write a time-travel adventure into the Bible, of course! Granted, the premise may not be new, but I aimed to write it in a way that is fresh and stimulating, giving valuable insights into the Bible.

The result of this crazy idea is the How to Be a Hero series, of which How to Make a Miracle is the second installment, although each book can be read as a standalone novel.

I targeted middle-grade readers because it’s an awkward age when young people begin to question what their parents have taught them and seek answers for themselves (speaking from experience, here). If my books can encourage them in their faith, I will consider my writing a success.

I chose the book themes based on issues young people struggle with. How to Make a Miracle addresses the problem of anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness, which I don’t need to tell you are far too prevalent in our society. The solution is forgiveness—and we all need to learn how to forgive each other, regardless of age.

Interview with the Author

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

I’m not going to lie and say the number of books sold isn’t important. It’s certainly an important measure of success, but only to a point. For me, the most important thing is that my books help my readers grow in their faith and trust in God. The higher the sales, the more people can be impacted for the kingdom of God, but if only one person reads my books and turns to God as a result, that is also success.

The problem with a “spiritual” measure of success is that it’s hard to evaluate. As a result, it’s easy to get discouraged. What keeps me going is positive feedback from parents or adults who’ve read the books.

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

Since the theme of How to Make a Miracle is forgiveness, my biggest challenge was writing certain scenes in which my teen characters discuss forgiveness. I didn’t want them to sound forced or preachy, but to feel natural. Frankly, I recoil when books or films become preachy, even when I agree with what they’re trying to say. I hope I succeeded in avoiding preachiness, and I’m sure the reviews of my book will let me know!

3. What inspired this book?

The idea for the How to Be a Hero series, of which How to Make a Miracle is the second book, came to me during a church sermon on meditating on God’s Word. As I reflected on the role of the Bible in our lives, time-travel adventures set in the Bible suddenly filled my thoughts, and I knew they would be the perfect illustration of the Bible’s power and influence. My motivation for writing is to show that the Bible remains relevant to us today, provides answers to the questions we seek about life, and is exciting. Of course, I also want my readers to have fun and stay on the edge of their seats. Growing up in a Christian home didn’t stop me from having many questions and doubts about the Bible and Christianity, especially starting in middle school, which is why I target this age group.

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

One of my favorite verses is Ecclesiastes 12:13-14:

“¹³ Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.
¹⁴ For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”

The reason this is one of the verses I aim to live by is that it brings me back to what’s most important in life: to fear God and keep his commandments. Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes at the end of his life, after he had tried all the pleasures the world has to offer and had come back to his senses. His final conclusion is found in these two verses—all that matters is our relationship with God and how our lives reflect Him. These verses remind me of this truth as I go through life’s craziness.

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

I’m in my bedroom, sitting at my desk where my laptop is. To my left is my bed. Behind me is a dresser and a wardrobe. To my right, I look out from a wall-to-ceiling window with a fifth-floor view of houses with apartment buildings in the distance. Since it’s winter, the trees that line the road between my building and the houses don’t block the view. But during the summer, all I see are trees. The dirt road that runs past my apartment leads to a small community forest and is continually filled with people walking their dogs. Occasionally, I see wild boars running or walking through the unmowed grass next to the dirt road. When that happens, everyone else makes themselves scarce, as you can imagine. For the record, I live in a city, but the nearby forest attracts the wild boars.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 17

Simple Harvest Reads, March 18 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, March 19

Artistic Nobody, March 20 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, March 21

Guild Master, March 22 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 23

Fiction Book Lover, March 24 (Author Interview)

Books Less Travelled, March 25 (Author Interview)

Mrs. Ryan Moser’s Book and Movie Reviews, March 25

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, March 26 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, March 27

History, Hope & Happily Ever After, March 28 (Author Interview)

For the Love of Literature, March 29 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, March 29

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 30 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Carol 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/OTSG5/how-to-make-a-miracle-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: Titus and the Christian Coin: An Adventure of Faith and Freedom

Author: Dennis Conrad with Co-Author Derinda Babcock

Genre: Young Adult Historical Fiction

Release Date: November 7, 2025

When Titus refuses to deny his Christian faith, Roman persecution destroys his family and condemns him to a brutal life in the copper mines of northern Italy.

Underground, surrounded by despair and danger, he must choose between hatred and hope, revenge and redemption.

From a mine collapse to an emperor’s audience hall, Titus’s journey spans the Roman Empire during Constantine’s transformative reign.  Alongside Tribune Felix, he discovers that true freedom comes through forgiveness, not force. Authentic historical details bring ancient Rome to life while timeless themes of faith, friendship, and courage inspire modern readers.

This gripping adventure combines accurate historical research with compelling storytelling. Readers will witness early Christian persecution, experience Roman culture, and walk through Constantine’s palace while following Titus’s transformation from broken slave to Roman citizen.

An unforgettable tale where archaeological accuracy meets heart-pounding adventure, proving that faith can triumph over the darkest circumstances and that God’s love never abandons His people.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Authors

DENNIS CONRAD is a retired Professor of Speech Communications. He’s taught in the U.K., Central Asia, and Asia. His picture book, Marcus and the Emperor’s Coin, won Carolina Christian Writer’s Conference First Place, Kudo’s Award, for best children’s book. He is a Fellow of the National Writing Project and an Amazon Bestselling Author. Dennis is a life member of the American Numismatic Association. His books are available on Audible.

DERINDA BABCOCK is an author and graphic designer. She lives in southwestern Colorado near the base of the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. In her previous career as an English as a Second Language teacher, she worked with students of all ages and many different linguistic and cultural backgrounds. The richness of this experience lends flavor and voice to the stories she writes.

More from Dennis

The Dairy Cow: The Origin of My Life as a Writer

By the Author of Titus and the Christian Coin

There it was at my fingertips. It was the evidence I needed to prove I’ve been a writer since childhood.

Imagine my surprise when I found The Dairy Cow in my garage. Not just any cow. It was the one I had drawn a picture of and written about in the 1960’s.

I walked by the image and ten lines of writing every day growing up because my mother placed the famed picture in the hallway on the way into my bedroom.

Why would something like this be so important to a man who has written an award-winning children’s book, Marcus and the Emperor’s Coin, and The Two-Cent Piece about the first coins with the words “In God We Trust?”

From starting school until fifth grade, I was a slow reader. My teacher took me aside one day after class and asked, “Have you ever had your eyes checked?”

My response. “No, but my father wears glasses.” After an eye exam, and glasses were prescribed, I could see.

My grades started improving. By the time I was in high school, I was given a scholarship to the six-week University of Kansas Speech and Debate Institute. It changed my life. I earned a master’s degree in Speech Communication. One year, I became Speech Coach of the Year. I ended my career as a Professor of Speech Communications.

The picture of the cow and the little I wrote about the history of cows is an heirloom from a bygone era.

Writing the earliest manuscript of Titus and the Christian Coin, my current young adult novel, required skills I acquired over a lifetime of writing including my writing and illustrating The Dairy Cow.

May God bless you and your family,

Dennis Conrad

Interview with the Author

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

    I do not attribute my success as an author to hard work, persistence, or dedication. It is not having attended countless writer’s conferences or invested heavily in training courses. Even though I have done these. Years ago, I asked, “Lord, I am open to what You have for me. Tell me what you want me to do in retirement.”

    I heard the still small voice of the Lord say, “Write for me!”

    The Lord gets the glory for my successes and my becoming an Amazon bestselling, first-place, award-winning author.

    I am successful because I have been obedient.

2)What inspired this book?

    I found a picture of a coin online and did some research. The coin was from the time of Constantine the Great. I wrote an early version of Titus and the Christian Coin as a children’s picture book manuscript. In August 2024, I pitched that book idea to a publisher. She was not interested in the children’s book version but wanted me to rewrite the manuscript as a middle-grade novel instead. She expected a 160-page manuscript. After five months, I completed a 158-page manuscript. Derinda Babcock ultimately helped with an extensive revision, so she became my coauthor. Titus’s age changed, so the final manuscript became the young adult (YA) novel it is today.

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

    My life verse is Proverbs 3:5-6.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.

    My first children’s picture book, The Two-Cent Piece, is about the first coins with the words “In God We Trust.” At the front of the book, the dedication ends with a citation of Proverbs 3:5-6. All of my books have elements that give parents an opportunity to discuss trusting God.

4)What are you reading right now?

    I am reading a nonfiction book by Dallas Willard who was a theologian and University of Southern California professor. The Scandal of the Kingdom: How the Parables of Jesus Revolutionize Life with God was released posthumously and edited by his daughter. The second chapter is entitled “How Jesus Taught.” This chapter distinguishes the difference between faith in Jesus and the faith of Jesus (in the Father to do far more that we can ever ask or imagine).

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

    If I had to choose one book, it would be the Bible, but if I had to choose one book from the Bible, I would take the book of Luke.

    Luke was a doctor. I find his Gospel, the Good News of Jesus’s birth, death, and resurrection, to be fresh every time I read the passages. I remember reading Luke. For example, I have sat with family members on Christmas Eve when we each read one verse from the Bible aloud about the events that led up to Christ’s birth. I have also been with relatives on Easter mornings when I read the details of the resurrection. Luke’s message to believers at the beginning of his book indicates that the details are accurate, for Luke says in Luke 1:3B-4, “…to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.” (ESV)

Blog Stops

For Him and My Family, March 12

Simple Harvest Reads, March 13 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, March 14

Guild Master, March 15 (Author Interview)

A Simple Texas Girl, March 15

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 16

Fiction Book Lover, March 17 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 18

Vicky Sluiter, March 19 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, March 20

For the Love of Literature, March 21 (Author Interview)

Capturing Luminous, March 21

Lily’s Corner, March 22

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, March 23

Artistic Nobody, March 24

The Bookish Pilgrim, March 25

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Dennis is giving away the grand prize of a $100 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/Vpjph/titus-and-the-christian-coin-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: Heaven: Experience the Extraordinary

Author: Tony Stoltzfus

Genre: Christian Fiction

Release Date: October  3, 2025

At the very edge of heaven, beyond pain and death, the Great Leap waits for you…

Dive in with physicist Amanda for a full-on immersion in a breathtaking, mind-bending new world that’s far, far better than you ever imagined! Gravity is optional, so you can fly. Mistakes are impossible, because evil no longer exists. Time is swallowed in the Eternal Now where you never miss out or run short of time. And an intimacy and acceptance we can only dream of on earth is present with everyone you meet, from the very first moment.

And heaven’s God is gloriously, ridiculously good—as comfortable and accessible as your best friend, completely satisfied in you, yet so big that you’ll never run out of adventure, wonder and delight. Marrying scripture, near-death experiences and physics, this profound journey of imagination will transport you into an eternity you’ll never forget.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Tony Stoltzfus is the author of 21 books on coaching, life and leadership, including the best-selling Coaching Questions (over 200,000 sold). His latest is Heaven: Experience the Extraordinary—a full-on immersion into life in heaven.

His specialty over 25 years as a professional coach is working with ‘senior leaders in painful transitions’, helping them find the goodness of God in the midst of suffering. He’s had plenty of opportunities to meet God in his own adversities, including betrayals, losing access to his life’s work, depression, a home burning down in a forest fire, and more. His message through it all is, “there is nothing that can happen to you that God won’t make something beautiful of.”

Tony has launched or co-launched several coach training organizations, including Leadership MetaFormation and Coaching Mission International. He has trained and certified thousands of Christian coaches, and been recognized by CCNI for pioneering contributions to the Christian coaching field. He is the developer of the Encounter Coaching approach, which transforms the emotional brain by making Jesus a live participant in the coaching conversation.

Tony lives in Redding, CA with his wonderful wife of 37 years, a dog that is a sucking void of emotional need, and a constantly-breaking sprinkler system.

More from Tony

“If people could spend just one day in heaven, they’d give anything to go back…”

Sounds right, doesn’t it? Then what would it take for people to have that experience on earth (without, of course, the messy detail of having to die in the process)?

The surprising key is in that word, ‘experience.’ Experience is the realm of your emotional brain. That side of you that thinks in pictures, stories, and feelings—not in sterile words and detached, rational concepts. Give people a story that transports them to heaven, that lets them feel timelessness, soar in the gravity-optional skies of the Beautiful Land or fall into the all-encompassing embrace of the lover of their soul, and maybe, just maybe, they’d give up anything to go!

The book, Heaven: Experience the Extraordinary, is that story. Join physicist Amanda as she finds herself on the other side, in an astonishing, mind-bending universe where evil has been so completely stamped out that no one remembers it ever existed. In this world built of light, gravity is optional—you can sky-dive without a parachute. Conversations are spirit-to-spirit, with no chance of misunderstanding. You travel at the speed of thought. And heaven’s extra dimensions let Jesus be everywhere at once—so you never have to wait to spend time with him!

For those who’ve experienced loss or grief in this life, it’s a heaven that holds the power to make ALL things well. You’ll weep with Amanda as the devastation of losing both parents as a teen is brought to light; but then rejoice when the Man of Light enters every painful memory, washing her heart clean. You’ll see how prayers and acts of kindness done in secret echo down through generations, joining all of us in a Great Tapestry of connections. Meet the mother of an autistic child, and see how the great sacrifices that circumstance drew from her made them both Great Ones in heaven. Learn how Jesus worked behind the scenes to make the man who betrayed Amanda’s father into one of his dearest friends.

And when Amanda learns that her mom has chosen not to come, discover how heaven makes even THAT well.

And yet this heaven is still, always, more! Join a flash-mob gathered to revel in unrestricted joy. Breathe under water in the River of Life. Garden with an angel, and make a plant grow simply by speaking to it. Travel through time to relive any memory in your life, whenever you want.

Heaven is beyond comprehension—but not beyond imagination! And when we give ourselves permission to imagine the unthinkable, the seed of heaven gets lodged deeply in our hearts.

Interview with the Author

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

For this book, we bought 2000 copies to give away free to seekers and people who are suffering or grieving loss. Since I’m retired (sort of) and don’t have to make money from it, I just want to give away as many copies as possible. Anyone who read the book and loves it can go to the web site at www.HeavenExperience.net , fill out a form and we’ll give you free books to give to people you know who are grieving loss!

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

The most challenging part to think through was how to treat the fact that the main character’s mother doesn’t make it to heaven. How God is good and yet all are not saved is a deep theological question, and I spent several years researching and thinking about it to try to come up with an answer that is simply enough to be understood yet profound enough to make sense of an almost impossible conundrum. We are each given a spark of life. But like the battery in a laptop, it doesn’t last forever. We can trade in our spark for a connection to the power source, but it makes us dependent on him for life itself. Or we can choose to stay independent, and when life runs out…like a battery, we’re dead.

3)What inspired this book?

The original inspiration was a dream I had 40 years ago, where I found myself in heaven. I wrote a song about it, which has kept it in my mind all these years, and I decided early on that one of my goals in life was to make a movie about heaven—because if people could just experience 90 minutes in heaven, they’d give anything to go back.

4)Which author influenced the you most?

CS Lewis’s The Great Divorce, as well as The Last Battle in the Narnia series. He’s one of the few Christian authors to try to envision heaven through fiction as opposed to theologizing about it. I’ve drawn from Lewis’s ideas of heaven as a place that is more solid and real than earth, of transparency in heaven (although the way I’ve used it is almost the opposite of his) and the idea of growth and change being a part of life in heaven.

I’ve also read a bunch of NDE literature and stories, and I have a whole shelf-full of ‘I died and went to heaven’ books, although in most of them I skip the 12 chapters about their medical emergency and just read the one or two chapters about heaven!

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

I’m on our back deck right now, looking out across the woodlands to the mountains in the distance. I’ve always loved to sit in places where I can see far, and I often write out here, year round (it’s January and I’m outside under a blanket!)

Blog Stops

The Lofty Pages, March 11

Simple Harvest Reads, March 12 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, March 13 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, March 14 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 14

Fiction Book Lover, March 15 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, March 16 (Author Interview)

For the Love of Literature, March 17 (Author Interview)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 18 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, March 19

Blossoms and Blessings, March 20 (Author Interview)

Stories By Gina, March 21 (Author Interview)

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, March 22 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 22

Books, Books, & More Books, March 23 (Author Interview)

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, March 24 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Tony is giving away the grand prize of a $150 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/FRl5c/heaven-experience-the-extraordinary-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: Raging Waters

Author: Dana Mentink

Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense

Release Date: March 3, 2026

As the dam crumbles and water sweeps across the terrain, their battle for justice and survival is just beginning.

When Mackenzie Bardine’s brother Aaron was murdered in a drug deal gone wrong, she started a true crime podcast dedicated to exposing “Bullseye,” the drug kingpin responsible. But her protective heart has never let go of the blame she places on herself and Aaron’s best friend, Gideon Landry. On the run to the wilds of Washington to chase a recent lead, she meets none other than Gideon himself.

While conducting a wilderness survival class in remote Washington, Gideon never expected to cross paths with Mackenzie, and he’s certainly not interested in helping her after he’s already declined to participate in her vigilante podcasting. He carries a mountain of guilt about Aaron’s fatal choices, but not for the reasons Mackenzie suspects.

As killers begin to circle Mackenzie like sharks, it’s clear to Gideon she’s in over her head, and in light of his troubled past with her brother, he can’t bring himself to ignore her perilous situation. Then a flood threatens the town, turning their investigation into a race to escape the raging waters and the wrath of a powerful kingpin who wants to sink them both.

A gripping, clean romantic suspense featuring enemies-to-lovers, second-chance romance, and high-stakes investigations set in small-town Washington, sweeping readers away on a turbulent wave of thrills and chills. Perfect for fans of forced proximity, wilderness survival, protective heroes, and justice-driven heroines.

Click here to get your copy!

Guest Review from Donna

What I think you should know:

Raging Waters, an Inspirational Romantic Suspense by Dana Mentink is the second book of the Elements of Danger series. This book features Gideon Landry, a member of the US Air Force and Mackenzie “Zee” Bardine. This book is the second in the series, but it does not give many spoilers to the previous book. This book can be read as a standalone with complete enjoyment.

What you might need to know:

This book features danger, man made and natural! It does prominently feature flooding.

What I think about this book:

Just when I think that Mentink can’t get any better she shocks me and takes her story to a whole other level.  Gideon is in Washington to run a remote Survival school while on military leave, when he runs into Zee, his childhood best friend’s sister,  his guilt over his death hits him full force. Zee is on a mission to bring justice for her brother’s murder and will not let anything get in her way.  Zee was definitely a character that I wanted to shake some sense into, but bad guys and nature took over the task for me. I liked Gideon from the start and was more intrigued by him as the story went on. Once again Mentink takes her readers on an action packed adventure from the first page to the last. In the story I definitely didn’t know who to trust or what was going to happen next. I can’t wait to see what adventure Mentink takes her readers on next!

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

Dana Mentink is a New York Times, USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author as well as a two-time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, and a Holt Medallion winner. She is the author of over fifty titles in the suspense and lighthearted romance genres. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, Revell and Poisoned Pen Press.

More from Dana

I’m afraid of deep water. There. I’ve said it. I live in California, famous for beaches sand and surf. If that’s not enough, there are swimming pools aplenty. I should be enjoying the surfing, boating, kayaking, sailing culture, but I’d much rather sit on a deck somewhere and watch others partake. So what’s a gal like me doing writing an adventure that takes place as a dam rupture overwhelms a town? I love to write that type of wilderness story, where stakes are high and the help is scarce. Similar to the previous book, Fire Mountain, the characters will have to dig deep of their strength and faith to survive. And you and I can enjoy it from the safety of our decks! Are you ready? Grab your book and your cuppa and let’s go!

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, March 3

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 3

The Avid Reader, March 3

The Sacred Line, March 4

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 4

She Lives To Read, March 5

Texas Book-aholic, March 5

Leslie’s Library Escape, March 6

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 6

Lily’s Corner, March 7

Pause for Tales, March 7

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 7

Devoted To Hope, March 8

For Him and My Family, March 8

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 9

Melissa’s Bookshelf, March 9

EmpowerMoms, March 10

Blogging With Carol, March 10

Just Your Average reviews, March 10

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, March 11

Simple Harvest Reads, March 11 (Guest Review from Donna)

Lyssa Loves Books, March 12

Blossoms and Blessings, March 12

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, March 12

Cover Lover Book Review, March 13

Labor Not in Vain, March 13

Betti Mace, March 14

Bigreadersite, March 14

Life on Chickadee Lane, March 15

Lights in a Dark World, March 15

Holly’s Book Corner, March 15

Stories By Gina, March 16 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, March 16

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away the grand prize of a $100 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/OQ5p4/raging-waters-celebration-tour-giveaway

About the Book

Book: The Power of the Reframe

Author: J.J. Bundy

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

Release Date: September 15, 2025

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

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

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

More from J.J.

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

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

Interview with the Author

1) Which chapter was the most difficult to write?

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

2) What inspired this book?

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

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

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

3) Which author influenced you most?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 28

Simple Harvest Reads, March 1 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, March 2 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 2

Guild Master, March 3 (Author Interview)

Fiction Book Lover, March 4 (Author Interview)

It’s Mama Safe, March 5

Books Less Travelled, March 6 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, March 7

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

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 9

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

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 11

Vicky Sluiter, March 12 (Author Interview)

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

Mary Hake, March 13

Giveaway

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

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

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

About the Book

Book: The Bird of Bedford Manor

Author: Michelle Griep

Genre: Historical Christian Fiction / Regency

Release Date: February, 2026

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

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

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

Click here to get your copy!

Guest Review from Mindy

About the Author

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

More from Michelle

The Waltz: The Dance That Shocked Regency England

Post by Michelle Griep

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

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

Shocking, right?

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

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

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

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

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 24

Devoted Steps, February 24

Bizwings Blog, February 25

Book Looks by Lisa, February 25

Where Faith and Books Meet, February 25

Sylvan Musings, February 26

Sydney Schmied Books, February 26

Lily’s Corner, February 27

Melissa’s Bookshelf, February 27

Inspired by Fiction, February 28

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 28

Texas Book-aholic, March 1

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

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 2

Books You Can Feel Good About, March 2

For Him and My Family, March 3

The Bookish Pilgrim, March 3

Betti Mace, March 4

Cover Lover Book Review, March 4

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 5

Blogging With Carol, March 5

Jeanette’s Thoughts, March 6

Blossoms and Blessings, March 6

Stories By Gina, March 7 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, March 7

Holly’s Book Corner, March 8

Pause for Tales, March 8

Vicky Sluiter, March 8

Devoted To Hope, March 9

To Everything There Is A Season, March 9

Giveaway

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

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

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

About the Book

Book: Light To My Path

Author: Erica Vetsch

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: February 10, 2026

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

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

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

Click here to get your copy!

Guest Review from Mindy

About the Author

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

More from Erica

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Blog Stops

Books Less Travelled, February 19

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 20

Sydney Schmied Books, February 20

Texas Book-aholic, February 21

For Him and My Family, February 22

Devoted To Hope, February 23

Lyssa Loves Books, February 23

She.lives.to.read, February 24

lakesidelivingsite, February 24

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 25

Melissa’s Bookshelf, February 26

Blossoms and Blessings, February 26

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

Books You Can Feel Good About, February 28

Devoted Steps, March 1

Bizwings Blog, March 1

Book Looks by Lisa, March 2

Little Homeschool on the Prairie , March 2

Cover Lover Book Review, March 3

Holly’s Book Corner, March 3

Lock, Hooks and Books, March 4

Pause for Tales, March 4

Giveaway

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

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

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

About the Book

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

Author: Debby Lee

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Release Date: February, 2026

Past and Present Collide on the Railway

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

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

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

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

More from Debby

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Interview with the Author

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

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

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

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

3)What is your vacation spot?

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

4)What are you reading right now?

What is a Girl Worth by Rachel Denhollander

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

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

Blog Stops

Books Less Travelled, February 26

Simple Harvest Reads, February 27 (Author Interview)

Sydney Schmied Books, February 27

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 28

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 1

Texas Book-aholic, March 2

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 3

For Him and My Family, March 4

Connie’s History Classroom , March 5

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 6

Cover Lover Book Review, March 7

Pause for Tales, March 8

Betti Mace, March 9

Devoted To Hope, March 10

Books You Can Feel Good About, March 11

Holly’s Book Corner, March 11

Giveaway

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