On Tour: A Hundred Magical Reasons

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.

Author Interview:

What questions do you ask yourself when preparing to write a new book?

• Crucial questions for me when planning a novel are:
• Do I have a passion for telling this story?
• Why does this story matter to me?
• Why should it matter to potential readers?
• What unique slant or perspective can I offer?

Additionally, the story must sustain my interest for the long haul—through all the ups and downs of feedback, criticism, multiple revisions, obstacles, rejection, and fears.

Regarding A Hundred Magical Reasons, I also asked what I wanted to accomplish by bringing L. Frank Baum to life on the page. Due to his creativity, love for his family, courage to face obstacles, and resiliency after failure, he serves as an inspiration—which is what I show through his friendship with young Janie.

How are your characters like you? Different? In A Hundred Magical Reasons, 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. Therefore, writing her seemed natural at times. Even so, we’re also quite different from each other. She’s a great cook and spurned a career in teaching, while I pursued an education degree and rarely find success in the kitchen.

I am nothing like L. Frank Baum (except for a big imagination), so he was my greatest challenge to write—but oh, so fun! He was outspoken and filled the room with his presence, whereas I am more of an observer, gauging the territory.

My purpose went beyond just getting the facts straight about his life. I wanted to create his essence on the page so that readers would experience what it was like to be with him sitting on his front porch, whether drinking lemonade, listening to his stories, or running a printing press together.

Why do you write in your particular genre? I love writing the kind of stories I like to read—complex and character-driven with complicated relationships and messy family dynamics. I like delving into the gray, murky areas of life, into false appearances and misjudgments. My stories serve food for thought as well as hope and second chances—tales that “redeem the years the locusts ate.”

Regarding genre, I’ve hopped all over the place. Story ideas call to me without regard for genre boundaries. All That Is Hidden is also Southern historical fiction set in western North Carolina in 1968. A Hundred Magical Reasons is biographical historical fiction—and a dual timeline novel. Both of those would be considered literary fiction. Another dual timeline story, The Broken Weathervane (September 2025) qualifies as contemporary women’s fiction (2015 and 1950s). My next two books are women’s fiction and Biblical fiction, respectively.

Perhaps the common thread in most of these is a small-town setting with multi-layered family drama that raises difficult questions. They all make good discussion for book clubs.

What is one thing you wish you could do? I would love to visit the setting for my books and meet my characters in person! That would be an absolute joy. More realistically, I would love to meet with book clubs for their discussions—not just to hear them discuss my book, but to engage and connect and find common ground.

I’m in a neighborhood book club which I thoroughly enjoy. We rarely agree on favorite titles, but each one stretches us as we poke, prod, and explore the stories and the questions they raise. Book clubs are a great way to grow and connect with others.

What was your favorite childhood book and why? In elementary school, I adored Pippi Longstocking because she was the opposite of me. I wished I had her courage—or was it audacity? Her antics made me laugh. I wanted to be Annika who lived next door so I could have regular adventures with Pippi.

In middle school, I relished Little Women and identified with Jo, the writer. I never forgave Amy for burning Jo’s stories! Destroying the irreplaceable is the worst way to hurt a writer. I’ve lost documents on my computer, but I blame technology and have learned how to back up my work. At least it wasn’t a personal attack.

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

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Megan Short

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Megan Short

Yes, I’m a writer, but I’m also a voracious reader, and finding new-to-me authors is one of my favorite things. I’m pleased to introduce you to Megan Short author of inspirational romantic suspense. Her latest book just came out two days ago!

What is your favorite thing about being a writer? Working with God to create stories that have a purpose beyond myself. Before I became a Christian, I was writing for myself. While I’ve loved writing since I wrote my first story at age three, it was not the same as writing for God’s glory. Knowing that when I write He is guiding the story is a gift.

How did you learn how to write? My mum taught me how to write my first words—she was a pre-school teacher, and as the firstborn I had her full attention. But I learned my writing craft through practice, self-study, and later at UCLA via their Professional Screenwriting program. I feel like I’m still learning to write every time a start a new book!

How many books have you written, and which is your favorite? I have written more books than I

can remember—my first one when I was a teenager. But if I count published (or soon to be published) that is five. It’s hard to pick a favorite, but my current release Alaskan Abduction Target has a special place in my heart because of the message. It’s based upon the parable of the lost sheep, and I feel this is a message that will resonate with all readers during different seasons of their lives. Hopefully it will encourage anyone who’s feeling like they’ve lost their way to have that reassurance that Jesus is the good shepherd who has already laid down his life for His sheep. He’s always interceding for us, and we can trust in Him to come rescue us.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books? I learned so much about the US Coast Guards because they’re forever rescuing my characters. Wow. What those brave men and women do on a daily basis is remarkable. I had no idea that they were the ones going out to the remote Aleutian chain to rescue fishermen in all weather.

What sort of research did you do for your story, and was there an exceptionally interesting tidbit you knew you had to include? I rely heavily on research and have to make sure I’m not spending too much time going down rabbit holes! The latest interesting tidbit was about genealogical DNA testing. I ended up tracking down an FBI agent who’s helped me in the past, who put me onto come contacts at the lab the FBI uses. I thought the FBI had their own labs, but they do outsource the specialized testing, which was news to me.

How has your book changed since your first draft? Alaskan Abduction Target is the biggest rewrite I’ve ever done. Out of the 55,000 words, I replaced around 40,000. This was mostly because in the original draft I had written a Christmas story with a pregnant heroine, and my editors wanted to change those elements and add a child in danger. It opened up a lot of other scenes and depth to Jock and Phoebe and helped me to know them really well by the end. Thankfully, it was also obvious to me that God was in charge of this rewrite. Although it was challenging, I could see the message becoming clearer and clearer with every change. I’m very pleased with how it’s turned out and am so thankful to my amazing editor Besarta who always makes my books way better.

If you were to write a spin-off book about one of your secondary characters, which one would you

choose and why? I use my secondary characters to inspire my future books every single time. In fact with my latest book, the coast guard, Cody Hannigan who’d appeared in Alaskan Police Protector made an appearance in Alaskan Abduction Target. He was such a fun character—my editor says he has a golden retriever vibe, haha—that I just had to explore why he was like that. What had made him so ridiculously cheerful. From that I made him the hero of Alaskan Survival Threat.

What is your next project? I’m writing a story that’s been on my mind for a while—a second chance romance with a very reluctant hero. Set on Kodiak Island, in a fictional remote village, it’s a lot of fun. My hero reminds me a little of Judge Dredd, so pairing him with this dramatic free spirited former fiancé who broke his heart creates a lot of drama. I hope that readers will enjoy it!

About Alaskan Abduction Target

A pursuit for the truth turns into a fight for survival.

When Phoebe Tait suspects her husband’s death was no accident, she heads to Alaska searching for answers—only for her young son to narrowly escape a kidnapping. Officer Jock O’Halloran intervenes just in time, but it soon becomes clear that Phoebe’s investigation has made them a target. Now, with danger closing in, Jock must protect Phoebe and her son while they race to uncover a deadly truth. But can he keep them safe from a threat that will stop at nothing to bury the past—no matter the cost?

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

Links
Website: https://www.meganshort.net
Newsletter signup: https://meganshortau.kit.com/3679e8e43f
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/meganshortau
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/1491386579
X: https://x.com/MeganShortAU
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/MeganShortAU
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0DSW6JM1D

Photo credits:

Author photo and book image: Courtesy Megan Short

Sheep: Pixabay/Manfred Richter

Coast Guard Helicopter: Pixabay/Mattia Verga

On Tour! Hadley the Hippo is What She Eats

 

About the Book

Book: Hadley the Hippo is What She Eats

Author: Kayla E. Green

Genre: Children’s Illustrated Book

Release Date: February 10, 2026

Hadley the Hippo is hungry, and she won’t rest until she finds something to eat. But as she walks through her jungle home, she finds that the snacks in the jungle have an odd effect on her-they change her color! Still, Hadley munch, munch, munches her way through the greens, blue, purples, oranges, reds, and yellows of the jungle, hoping to finally satisfy the rumbling in her tummy. Along the way, she finds that it really does matter what you consume.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

 

About the Author

Kayla E. Green is an award-winning author and poet who writes to remind others—and herself—that light always prevails over darkness. When she isn’t writing, reading, or spending time with her family, she loves singing loudly and off-key to KLove Radio and pretending she’s a unicorn. Fittingly, her YA debut fantasy novel is titled The Goodness of Unicorns.

 

 

  

More from Kayla

I wrote Hadley the Hippo is What She Eats to provide a fun story to engage small learners. Through the hippo’s journey through the jungle where her color changes based on what she eats, pre-K and primary students can learn about both fruits and colors. But, what’s more, the back of the book contains a note to parents/teachers with activities to discuss the importance of consumption—what we listen to on the radio, watch on TV and online, and read impacts our minds and hearts. Approaching this lesson in an age-appropriate way is important for providing a foundational framework for discernment later in life.

As a former elementary school librarian and classroom teacher turned full-time mother, I know firsthand how play and learning go hand in hand. This principle applies to foundational skills for understanding biblical teachings, character development, math, literacy, and, well, a lot of things! Playing games with your learners can help reinforce that learning is fun–not only is there a game involved, but your learner will get to spend time with YOU!

As a part of the book tour, I’m so excited to share 3 learning games with you! These games are designed with minimal materials but maximum fun. PLUS, they can be modified for various age groups. Find these 3 learning games to play with littles at home here in this online slideshow:

https://www.canva.com/design/DAGL0GUW9TM/zHX6mL4Sp2gt06-apfjdMA/view?utm_content=DAGL0GUW9TM&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h3c4b129030

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 19

Simple Harvest Reads, May 20 (Author Interview)

The Bookish Ledger, May 21 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 21

Guild Master, May 22 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, May 23

Fiction Book Lover, May 24 (Author Interview)

History, Hope & Happily Ever After, May 25 (Author Interview)

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

For Him and My Family, May 27

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, May 28 (Author Interview)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, May 29 (Author Interview)

Mrs. Ryan Moser’s Book and Movie Reviews, May 29

Blossoms and Blessings, May 30 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, May 31

Artistic Nobody, June 1

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kayla is giving away the grand prize of a copy of the book, the companion coloring book, a special cookie mix from Story Crumbs inspired by Hadley, and a $20 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/efZJQ/hadley-the-hippo-is-what-she-eats-celebration-tour-giveaway

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Back, Melissa Henderson

 

Talkshow Thursday: Melissa Henderson

I’m pleased to welcome author Melissa Henderson back to my blog. She has written children’s books, novellas, articles, and devotionals. Read on for a behind the scenes look at her writing journey.

As a young girl, I created stories in my mind. A simple daily activity could turn into the basis for a story. My elementary school teachers and my parents encouraged my creativity. From watching Mama hang clothes on the clothesline and pretending I had imaginary friends running barefoot in the grass, to helping Daddy plant seeds in the garden and giving the plants silly names, I learned the art of imagination. Today, I can find a story in conversations and in watching people. Every moment can develop into a tale to be read.

One of my favorite parts of being a writer is hearing from readers. I write for numerous online and in-print publications. I’ve received heartwarming letters, emails, and messages from folks who enjoyed reading my devotions, non-fiction pieces, children’s stories, and fiction selections. Those connections give me inspiration to keep writing. I respond to each person and thank them for reaching out.

My writing space is where the creativity flows. My desk sits by a window that allows me to view the

hummingbirds in the warm weather and the Carolina wrens in the cooler weather. I have a note taped to my computer that says “PRAY FIRST”. I believe that praying before touching the keyboard or picking up a pen to begin writing is vital to the creative process. Asking God to give me the words that He wants to share is important. God is always first. I pray for wisdom, discernment, and revelation.

An interesting aspect of my writing space is that it also serves as a storage area for toys and craft items for the grandchildren. I have my designated area, and the other parts of the room are filled with bright-colored toys, stuffed animals, building blocks, games, dolls, race cars, and numerous books.

My first children’s book, Licky the Lizard was written a few years ago. The book is a best seller at vendor events, school programs, and with parents and grandparents. I wrote that story because I was afraid of lizards. The book shares that we don’t have to be afraid of lizards because God created the lizards and God created us.

My second book for children, Grumpy the Gator shares that if we see a gator, go and tell an adult. Do not go near the pond. When my husband and I moved from Virginia to South Carolina, we were shocked by the number of alligators in neighborhood ponds. I remember seeing a gator for the first time and running to the next-door neighbor’s home, pounding on the door, and shouting, “There’s a gator!” Of course, the neighbor laughed and said, “Yes, he’s there every day. Just don’t go near the water."

People often ask about my road to publication. Every writer has to choose their own path to having their writing published. I’ve been traditionally published, self-published, and hybrid published. Each experience was unique. There are pros and cons to each path of publication. A writer needs to consider the best option for their work.

A favorite part of writing non-fiction and fiction is the opportunity to speak at events and visit schools to read my stories. When I read the children’s stories, I change my voice and use different facial expressions to engage the listeners. I’ve been blessed to read at preschools, schools, and medical offices. A sweet joy fills my heart when I hear a child say, “I have that book at my house.”

I write every day. I find joy in releasing thoughts onto paper or the computer. Sharing a funny family experience on my blog, or writing about grief, or sharing a message that I’ve learned from Scripture can be ways to share the light and love of God. I encourage everyone to keep a journal to pass on to the next generation. Sharing precious memories can build wonderful relationships.

About Licky the Lizard

Licky the Lizard is one nice lizard and just like you and me, he’s one of God’s own creations. In “Licky the Lizard”, author Melissa Henderson offers parents, grandparents, and educators a tale that teaches young children a simple, yet important message: There is no need to fear any of God’s creatures because we are all created by Him—-and He loves us all.

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/47EBahV

Connect with Melissa:
Website: https://melissaghenderson.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelissaHendersonAuthor/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07GSKGB7R
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/melissa-henderson

Photo Credits:

Author photo and book image: Courtesy of Melissa G. Henderson

Praying Hands: Pixabay/Conger Design

Microphone: Pixabay/Michal Jarmoluk

Teatime Tuesday: White Tea

Teatime Tuesday: White Tea

Because caffeine tends to “disagree” with me, I stopped drinking coffee many years ago. I was eventually introduced to herbals “teas” which are actually tisanes or infusions. A couple of years ago, I discovered green and white teas which do contain caffeine but not enough to cause issues. Jasmine, a green tea, is my absolute favorite, but I also partake a white tea, a lighter, brighter flavored tea.

According to The New Tea Companion, white tea “was originally named after the tiny white or silver hairs that cover the bud {of the Camellia sinensis plant) as it develops at the top of each tea shoot.” White tea was originally only made in China from two varieties of the team plant, but with the popularity of white tea, it is now being produced in other parts of the world.

For tea aficionados, there is a difference between white teas. Some are made from only the new leaf bud

and gathered before it starts to unfurl, while other white teas are made from the new bud and one or two young open leaves. Purists will notice these white teas look significantly different from Yin Shen White Needles.

I’m still dabbling with white teas but find that almost all when brewed have a very pale, almost champagne-colored liquid. Some popular varieties in addition to Yin Shen are Bai Mudan (White Peony), Monkey Picked White Tea, and Darjeeling. The aroma is light, soft, and sweet, which author Jane Pettigrew describes as “velvety.” (I’m not sure how to interpret that!) Others have used words such as floral, grassy, honey, fruity, melon, peach, apricot, vanilla, chocolate, citrus, herby, mild, subtle, delicate and sweet. Because it is the least processed of the three teas (black, green, white), the level of antioxidants in white tea is higher than that of others.

In addition to its antioxidants, white tea is a great source of fluoride which can help protect your teeth from bacteria and sugar. Some studies have shown the compounds in white tea may protect against osteoporosis, heart disease, and insulin resistance.

What I find most beneficial is taking time to brew the tea, sitting down, and enjoying the fragrance and taste – being in the moment – which lessens my stress level. If you’ve never tried white tea, I highly recommend you give it a try!

________________________

Dutch Dawn

Will they survive the 500-mile journey to freedom?

Isak Westgard is only six missions short to be rotated stateside. Then the unthinkable happens, and he crashes in the occupied Netherlands where the chances of him making it back to England are slim to none. The beautiful and tough-as-nails resistance courier begs to differ and claims she hasn’t lost anyone yet. The problem is the longer they’re together, the less he wants to escape.

 
Annaliese Claasen has escorted her fair share of refugees and downed Allied pilots to safety - too numerous to remember. Until now. There’s something different about the Norwegian-American lieutenant, and it’s more than his good looks. Can she get him out of the country before losing her heart?

Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/u/bMjoxV

Sources:
The New Tea Companion by Jane Pettigrew & Bruce Richardson, Benjamin Press, Kentucky, 2008
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/white-tea-benefits
https://www.teatulia.com/tea-varieties/what-is-white-tea.htm

Photo Credits:
Tea “needles:” By Iateasquirrel, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Cup of White Tea: Courtesy of SakiProducts.com
Tea Plants: Pixabay/sxh41920

On Tour: Frogman Puck Origins

About the Book

Book: Frogman Puck Origins: The Rising Tides

Author: Joel Chanaca

Genre: Christian Sci-Fi / Action & Adventure (Teen & Young Adult)

Release Date: September, 2025

Frogman Puck Origins: The Rising Tides

The Legends Awaken: A Hero’s Dream Quest

Embark on an exhilarating journey beneath the waves—where dreams awaken, faith is tested, and a new kind of hero begins to rise.

Frogman Puck Origins introduces readers to Puck, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary dream: to explore the hidden world beneath the surface. What begins as curiosity about mysterious scuba gear in a neighbor’s shed becomes a life-changing adventure—one that carries him from the dreamlike stillness of lily pad ponds into the awe-inspiring reality of deep underwater exploration.

As Puck learns to scuba dive, he uncovers hidden strengths, long-buried secrets, and a mission far greater than he ever imagined. With each descent, the boundary between dream and destiny blurs, drawing him into a world of courage, stewardship, teamwork, and biblical truth.

Told through a unique blend of immersive prose and cinematic illustrations, the story visually mirrors Puck’s growth—shifting from the hazy wonder of childhood imagination to vivid, hyper-realistic underwater missions that place readers right beside him.

Perfect for fans of discovery, mystery, faith-based adventure, and clean action storytelling, Frogman Puck Origins: The Rising Tides is the beginning of an illustrated hero’s journey where imagination meets purpose—and the depths hold more than secrets.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Joel Chanaca is a four-time Global Book Awards–winning author whose stories blend adventure, heart, humor, and faith. His work has been recognized across multiple categories, including Humor and Heart, Children’s Books, and Teen & Young Adult Action & Adventure—celebrating storytelling that inspires without compromising imagination or excitement.

Alongside his writing career, Joel serves as a game warden with over twenty-six years of experience in wildlife law enforcement and public safety. His lifelong connection to the outdoors—shaped by years of camping, fishing, canoeing, scuba diving, and animal care—deeply informs the authenticity and spirit of his stories.

Joel is the creator of the Frogman Puck illustrated novel series, a cinematic, faith-based adventure world designed to engage reluctant readers, families, and young adults alike. The series pairs full narrative storytelling with rich illustrations to reawaken wonder, visual imagination, and purpose-driven heroism.

In 2025, Joel also released a newly illustrated edition of Patches the Cat Is a Thief, bringing fresh life to the award-winning story that first captured readers’ hearts.

Whether crafting lighthearted animal tales or epic underwater adventures, Joel’s work consistently reflects themes of character, stewardship, courage, friendship, and hope.

“The elements of design are all around us. If we pause long enough to look, we can see how God has made a place for us. Beyond the wonders of the earth, His plan reaches into eternity.”

Your honest review helps independent, faith-driven stories continue to grow.
Thank you for being part of the journey.

More from Joel

When I set out to write Frogman Puck Origins, I wanted to bring something genuinely new to readers, both those who read constantly and those who sometimes struggle to stay engaged. I envisioned an all-new, fully illustrated novel featuring clean, epic superheroes, told in a way that feels fresh, immersive, and meaningful.

Most superhero stories begin with accidents, mistakes, or powers gained by touching a mysterious artifact. In the world of Frogman Puck, the heroes’ origins are different. Their abilities are forged through purpose, hard work, teamwork, faith, and ingenious design. The story begins with the roots of child-like memories and grows into something much larger, showing how character is built long before power is ever used.

At its heart, Frogman Puck Origins is designed to do two things at once. It invites older readers back to the wonder, curiosity, and imagination of their youth, while encouraging younger readers to dream big, work hard, and plant good seeds that will grow into strong character. It is a story about becoming, not just becoming powerful, but becoming grounded, courageous, and faithful.

The series taps into riddles, adventure, super abilities, and deep friendships, all presented in a format unlike anything else currently on the market. Readers can expect wall-crawling, SCUBA diving, flying, underwater tunnels, octopods, secret labs, personally designed base headquarters, and fierce battles between darkness and light. Every element is layered to reward curiosity and keep pages turning.

Frogman Puck Origins is only the beginning. As the series continues, the world expands, the stakes rise, and the heroes are tested in ways that challenge not only their strength but their values and faith. It is a story built to entertain, inspire, and stay with readers long after the final page.

The Frogman Puck Series is a cinematic, faith-based adventure that grows in depth and intensity with each installment. Origins begins as a dream-driven journey into underwater exploration, where curiosity, mentorship, and imagination awaken a young hero’s calling. Resurgent accelerates into a full-scale action narrative, introducing advanced symbiotic technology, global stakes, and a coordinated enemy operating in the shadows. Reckoning brings the story to its most complex and consequential phase, revealing hidden systems beneath the surface of the world itself and challenging the heroes to confront truth, deception, and sacrifice on a global scale. Across all three books, the series blends illustrated storytelling, clean action, and biblical themes to explore stewardship, courage, faith, and what it means to answer a call—one step, one mission, and one choice at a time.

God Bless, Joel Chanaca

Author Interview: 

What is your favorite thing about being a writer? You get to build a world where you are creating everything. You shape the characters, the faith, the battles we all face, and the epic showdowns. In my case, I also get to sculpt the imagery of what is happening. You can communicate hope, faith, and forgiveness, and do it with style. As you create, you think about what the reader will experience. Hearing feedback is exciting. It is especially rewarding when readers catch the deeper point and truly enjoy the content.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned while creating your books? It is a lot of work. You have to push yourself to develop new skills. You must educate yourself, learn from others, and stay focused on serving the reader. What has surprised me most is the strength of the author community. Writers often share their unique skills and insights to help one another deliver the best possible experience for readers.

Can you share a real-life event that inspired your writing? Growing up in the woods, building forts, spending time at family gatherings, and being immersed in God’s creation all shaped me. Listening to stories around campfires, watching an incredible movie, and wondering how everything works together fueled that spark of creativity and imagination. The underwater world opened up an entirely new dimension for me. I have dived in rivers, lakes, and the open ocean. In that environment, you feel like you are flying, free from the weight of gravity, seeing things many people never get to see. That sense of discovery and freedom deeply inspires the adventure found in the Frogman Puck world.

How are your characters like you? How are they different? Team TIDES loves many of the same things I love: the water, the skies, the woods, intelligent design, and studying creation to adapt and improve their skills. Where they differ is when they suit up and activate Echo Sync and Hyperrealistic Amphibious Mode. At that point, they are operating on a level far beyond me. They are definitely much cooler.

What is one thing you wish you could do? I wish I could fly and dive underwater without time limits.

What was your favorite childhood book and why? I loved The Chronicles of Narnia for its depth of faith and adventure. Listening to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea on record was also epic. The underwater exploration and sense of mystery made a lasting impression on me.

Blog Stops

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, May 15 (Author Interview)

Books Less Travelled, May 16 (Author Interview)

History, Hope & Happily Ever After, May 17 (Author Interview)

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, May 18 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, May 19

Simple Harvest Reads, May 20 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, May 21 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, May 22 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, May 22

Fiction Book Lover, May 23 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 24

The Bookish Ledger, May 25 (Author Interview)

Vicky Sluiter, May 26 (Author Interview)

For the Love of Literature, May 27 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, May 27

Tell Tale Book Reviews, May 28 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Joel is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and an autographed 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/c1Hae/frogman-puck-origins-the-rising-tides-celebration-tour-giveaway

On Tour with CelebrateLit: Vinny

About the Book

Book: VINNY

Author: MaryAnn Diorio

Genre: Contemporary Romantic Suspense

Release Date: April 15, 2026

VINNY by MaryAnn Diorio
Book 1 in The South Philly Italians Romantic Suspense Series

Vinny Morello is on track for a promising career in the fine arts. But when tragedy suddenly hurls him headlong into a life-altering crisis, he faces a frightening fork in the road. Which one will he take? The road that leads to life or the road that leads to death?

VINNY is an edge-of-your-seat, romantic suspense story where tragedy and triumph merge into transformation. Don’t miss it!

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

MaryAnn Diorio writes award-winning fiction from a quaint small town in New Jersey where neighbors still chat while walking their dogs, families and friends gather on wide, wrap-around porches, and the charming downtown finds kids licking lollipops and old married folks holding hands. A Jersey girl at heart, MaryAnn is a huge fan of Jersey diners, Jersey tomatoes, and the Jersey shore.

More from MaryAnn

All Things Italian

by MaryAnn Dorio

 I grew up in a home where Italian was my mother tongue. My late mother, one of the first war brides of World War II, was an immigrant from the romantic city of Naples, Italy. When I was born, she knew no English. So, we communicated in Italian. Although my mother eventually learned English, she and I always spoke in Italian until she passed away.

When I went off to college, I majored in French and minored in Italian. After I graduated, I spent a year of study at the University of Florence in Italy, earning my Master’s degree in Italian Language and Literature. Afterward, I taught Italian at the university level here in the States.

From my earliest days, Italy was a big part of my culture and of my heart. And it still is. It is no wonder then that I gravitate to writing fiction with an Italian flair. This is the milieu I know and understand best. It is the milieu I love. And I want to share it with you through my stories.

But, my fiction is far more than Italian. It is universal. In other words, it deals with issues that pertain to all of us humans. Issues of pride, rebellion, lust, and greed. Issues of deception, betrayal, hatred, and fear.  Issues that result from our failure to love.

When you read my stories, you will travel to the deepest places of the human heart. Places you might not want to go to because they are places of pain, of confrontation, of facing our past and our sin. But they are also places of truth where you will find the freedom from the past and from sin that only truth brings. For my stories not only explore the deepest issues of the human heart; they show you how to overcome them through Jesus Christ.

Won’t you join me on this entertaining journey of exploration and transformation? If you do, I have a feeling that at the end of my stories, you will discover that you have become a far better person than you were at the beginning.

An Interview with MaryAnn Diorio

What kind of stories do you most enjoy reading? I enjoy reading romance and romantic suspense, both historical and contemporary.

How do you come up with character names? Usually, they just pop into my head. In fact, I need a character’s name before I can start writing a novel. When an intriguing name pops into my head, the character comes to life, and I see him or her start to walk across the stage of my mind.

What is something good that has happened or something that you have learned as a result of you becoming an author? The best thing that has happened to me as a result of becoming an author is that I have learned to love Jesus in a much deeper way. Through co-creating stories with the Holy Spirit, I have learned to trust God more. I have learned more about the Father’s character and about His love for me. These are priceless lessons.

What is your favorite thing about being an author? My favorite thing about being an author is co-creating with God and sensing His Spirit hovering over me as I write.

What’s something about writing that you find surprisingly difficult? I haven’t found any one particular thing surprisingly difficult, but I have found many things difficult. For example, like all believers, writers who are Christ-Followers are continually attacked by Satan. Writers are especially attacked in those areas essential to writing; for example, in their fingers, their eyes, their bodies, their computers, their technology. The enemy wants to stop the message of Christ’s love from getting out. But praise God, we have the victory in Christ, and we can overcome any attack in His power! Glory to God!

What makes a good story? A good story stems from a character with a deep emotional wound that causes a serious problem that seems impossible to overcome. The character is forced to face the problem or else suffer severe consequences, maybe even death. When he does face the problem, he grows and is eventually transformed into becoming the person God created him to be. At its core, a good story shows the character’s process of identifying the lies in his life, renouncing those lies, and replacing them with the truth.

Do you have any traditions or special treats you enjoy as a way to celebrate when you finish a WIP or publish a new book? I either go out to eat with my husband, or I treat myself to a new book.

What kind of scenes are your favorite to write? Which are the hardest for you? I love to write scenes that show forgiveness prevailing in very hard places, where, in the natural realm, forgiveness seems impossible. The hardest scenes for me to write emotionally are scenes depicting the physical effects of evil, such as scenes in which someone is injured or killed.

When a new reader picks up you book(s), what kind of story or themes will they find? Forgiveness is a theme that occurs in every one of my novels, but I don’t plan it that way. I can only conclude that since forgiveness has been a huge part of my own life and my own healing, the Holy Spirit writes this theme through me in each of my stories.

What advice would you offer an aspiring author? Start writing TODAY. Don’t wait until things are perfect, because they never will be. When my children were small, I used to write while waiting for a red traffic light to turn green. The driver behind me always let me know when that happened. Trust God to give you the words to write. You are co-creating with Him. He will never leave you nor forsake you as you write. He will be there, inspiring you with the story of His heart. Study the craft of fiction writing (or whatever type of writing you choose). Scripture commands us to study the Word to show ourselves approved. This principle applies to writing. We need to study to learn the craft so that we can create the best stories possible. There are no shortcuts here. Read widely in your chosen genre. We learn by osmosis. Reading the works of other published authors will greatly help you improve your own work. Treat your reader with respect. Readers are very intelligent. You owe them your honor, your respect, and your best efforts.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 9

Simple Harvest Reads, May 10 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, May 11

Artistic Nobody, May 12 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, May 13

Guild Master, May 14 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, May 15

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

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 16

Pause for Tales, May 17

Fiction Book Lover, May 18 (Author Interview)

Cover Lover Book Review, May 19

Books, Books, & More Books, May 20 (Author Interview)

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, May 21 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 21

Books Less Travelled, May 22 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour MaryAnn is giving away the grand prize of a $50 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/loxwx/vinny-celebration-tour-giveaway