Fiction Friday: New Releases in Christian Fiction

 

June 2026 New ReleasesMore in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website

Children’s Picture Books:

Would You Rather: Bible Attire Adventures by Jerah Alvarado -- Would you rather wear a coat of many colors like Joseph? Or would you rather wear clothes made of camel fur like John the Baptist? Choose from thirteen different Bible clothing adventures, the one you would rather experience! (Children’s Picture Book from Mt. Zion Ridge Press)

Contemporary Romance:

Wildflower Heart by Tara Baisden -- She didn't come to Serenity Crossing to fall in love. She came to disappear. Tori Hamilton has spent nearly her entire life being managed by a powerful family who gave her everything except the one thing she actually wanted — to be loved for who she is. After a lottery win hands her the means to finally break free, she leaves Atlanta behind and drives to a small mountain town in Tennessee where nobody knows her name, her family, or the secret she's carrying. She buys a house, purchases a building for the flower shop she's always dreamed of, and begins building the ordinary, beautiful life her parents would call beneath her. But the fresh start she's counting on has a crack running through it — because the truth she left out of her new story is the one thing that could cost her everything. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Cozy Mystery:

Gone with the Woodwinds by Jennifer Lamont Leo -- January 1921 brings two arrivals to Timber Coulee, Idaho: the Idaho All-State Music Competition, and a killer. Amanda Parrish, proprietress of Mountain Melodies Music Shop and newly engaged to Sheriff James Holcomb, has pulled off a small coup for the local planning committee—convincing her old conservatory friend to come up from the University of Idaho to judge the woodwinds competition. Gerald arrives on the train charming, warm, and unchanged after twenty years. He is dead before the week is out. Suspicion settles immediately on Amanda's co-manager, Callan MacTavish—a Scottish WWI veteran whose midnight walks and troubled silences make him an easy target. Amanda knows better. The clock is ticking on finding the real killer before they vanish forever...or strike again. (Cozy Mystery, Independently Published)

Dual Timeline:

Jane’s Secret by Jennifer E. Tirrell -- Bound by blood, but separated by centuries, the two women unravel a hidden family secret in a thrilling quest for truth that could change everything. Jennifer E. Tirrell’s richly layered suspense story weaves between the Tudor period and present day, pulls readers into a world of hidden truths, historical intrigue, and modern-day discovery. (Dual Timeline from Ambassador International)

General Historical:

Shining Bright by Janet Joanou Weiner -- How can a young woman with disability contribute to the French Resistance? Can she survive Nazi contempt? Jeanine Bourguet resides in a château in the south of France, but her life is no fairy tale. A repressive grandmother and a wheelchair have long impeded her desire to make significant contributions to her community. When those limitations threaten her determination to take in a young Jewish refugee, Jeanine’s lively mind and sharp sense of justice overrule her fragile body. Increasing deportations of Jewish families, food and clothing shortages, and a constant stream of Nazi propaganda present her opportunities to resist the tightening noose of Nazi control under the turncoat Vichy regime. (General Historical, Independently Published)

Historical Romance:

Mail-Order Viscountess by Misty M Beller -- When a Montana blizzard strands two strangers in a cave, honor demands a vow neither of them want. Nobody knows the truth about newly knighted Lord Thomas Balfour. He doesn’t deserve the being honor showered on him, so after this last trip with his brother and sister-in-law to Butte for supplies, he’ll leave this territory behind completely. But once he reaches town, he’s blindsided to discover his brothers have ordered him a bride by post. A woman complicates everything. And even worse—the bride has brought her sister. Kate McKinney masterminded this journey west to rescue her younger sister from their controlling mother’s plans. Yet one look at the intended groom’s scowl, and Kate’s doubts bloom. Maybe this mail-order marriage scheme will be far worse for her beloved sister than the wealthy brute their ambitious mother arranged. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)



Freed by the Frontier by Denise Farnsworth, Sherry Shindelar, and Susan F. Craft -- Three remarkable women find themselves caught between two worlds on the American frontier. A captive of the Comanche must choose between escaping to white society or her growing feelings for a rising war chief in 1850s Texas. A Georgia judge's daughter flees an unwanted betrothal during the War of 1812, only to be captured by Creek warriors but protected by a mysterious brave. And in 1754, an English lady traveling the Great Wagon Road to become a music teacher discovers her carefully planned future may not survive her attraction to a protective frontiersman. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)



Uncharted Blessing by Keely Brooke Keith -- When Charlotte’s caregiving leads her into Josiah’s home and an orphaned baby into her arms, two wounded hearts discover an unexpected blessing. Uncharted Blessing (Book Sixteen in the Uncharted series) weaves past and future in a faith-filled story of life in a hidden land. Prepare to be captivated by this timeless romance, brimming with mystery and suspense. Perfect for readers seeking traditional family values, faithful men who are true heroes, and clean, heartwarming courtships. If you enjoy the simplicity of frontier romance and the wholesomeness of Amish fiction, you’ll adore Uncharted Blessing. (Historical Romance, Independently Publish)

Eye of the Beholder by Linda Shenton Matchett -- Left with physical and emotional scars after the Great War, Hank Drake has been shunned by polite society as the Ugly Duckling. Fine by him. He’d much rather be alone. Until he meets the kind proprietress of a tea stand at New York’s World’s Fair who isn’t repulsed by his appearance. Can he hope for acceptance…or even love? (Historical Romance from Shortwave Press)

The Girl from Tomorrow’s Town by Naomi Musch -- After being sent away on an orphan train and surviving years of hardship, nineteen year old Lily Mae Dodge is finally heading east, determined to find the mother she lost and a life shaped by hope rather than fear. On the journey she meets Francis Basnett, a kindhearted circus roustabout barred from the Great War by his failing vision and concealing deeper unworthiness behind a pair of dark glasses. Though branded a coward by strangers, Francis longs to prove his courage. Drawn to Lily's quiet resilience, he offers friendship and refuge in the dazzling world of the traveling Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus, as she begins her search. There, amid the sawdust and spangles, Lily allows her guarded heart to soften. But when a runaway train slams into the circus cars in the dead of night—igniting a catastrophic fire—her fragile new beginning collapses. Dozens are dead, hundreds injured. . .and Francis is missing. (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)

Sarah’s Search by Jodie Wolfe -- Can two searching hearts find the same path? All her life, Sarah McBride has gone along with whatever her guardian dictates. Now on the verge of graduating from the Shippensburg State Normal School, she questions her ability to teach in a classroom when her heart isn't in the profession. What she wouldn't give to pursue her heart's desire of becoming a writer instead of following what's expected. But how can Sarah defy her guardian's plans? (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

A Heart’s Hope by Penny Zeller -- To what lengths will one woman go to rescue her sister? She’s from high society. He’s a humble rancher. Can an unorthodox marriage lead to love? A Heart’s Hope is a heartwarming marriage-of-convenience love story that reminds us that God has a way of working out even the most unconventional things. (Historical Romance from Maplebrook Publishing)

Speculative Fiction Fantasy:

Scarlet Oak by Demi Griffin -- With the fragrance of Cerulean roses filling the air, all seemed well in the kingdom at last. Dealing with guilt and fractured loyalty, Enris wasn’t prepared to embark on the quest his father asked him to take. With his newly restored relationship with the King of Cerulean redefining him as both a son and a prince, Enris couldn’t refuse the odd request to locate a twin brother he never knew he had. (Speculative Fiction Fantasy, Independently Published)

Speculative Fiction Romance Fantasy: Canthany Rising by Kenneth Bliss -- T’alla was a simple cat frolicking in Eden until the serpent came and changed everything. She and six other animals willingly ate the only fruit T’WA-O, the Three-Who-Are-One, had forbidden. Instead of just being expelled from the Garden, they awake in another world called Canthany with human-like forms. Strange rules govern this world, where health points, character levels and special abilities determine survival. And they’re not alone. The fallen angel, Ashtoreth, wants to steal them away from T’WA-O and make them and their future generations her slaves. Unsure of her place, T’alla must master her newfound psionic abilities and conquer her fears. Armed with a mysterious staff called Kolonos, every battle with Ashtoreth’s demonic minions brings new knowledge and new skills, but also a test of the Seven’s faith in T’WA-O. In a world where prayer is power and sacrifice unlocks miracles, some victories will require the ultimate price. (Speculative Fiction Romantic Fantasy, Independently)

 
Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month:

Find Me at the Table by Andrea Christenson -- She ruined his career with one review. Now they have to cook together. (Contemporary Romance)

Three Good Lies by Luana Ehrlich -- When CIA operative Titus Ray arrives in Panama, he discovers the intel is false, the sources can’t be trusted, and the objective is a lie. With his team under fire and the secret police closing in, Titus must rely on his training—and his faith—to survive and uncover the truth. (Romantic Suspense)

A Refuge in Montana by Allie Pleiter -- In Big Sky Country, Sometimes forgiveness takes the most courage… For her son’s sake, widowed veterinarian Vicky Siden works hard to pretend all is well. But the arrival of game warden Nick Youngston at her family’s animal rescue—with a horse and donkey in tow—changes everything. (Contemporary Romance)

Callie’s Redemption by Tammie Edington Shaw -- Can a pampered Eastern young woman, alone and betrayed, learn to trust and love again in the rugged West and a young man from the West pursue his calling to be a preacher and leave his love for a transplanted Eastern girl behind? (Historical Romance)

The Stained Glass Window by Crystal Walton -- She’s fighting to heal him. He’s risking everything to protect her. In the line of fire, they’ll need a miracle to survive. (Contemporary Romantic Suspense)

Talkshow Thursday: A Guest Post by MJ Elliott

 

Talkshow Thursday: 

A Guest Post by MJ Elliott

When I started writing The Hope of Inheritance, I had a solid direction. The story I wanted to write was beautiful, and the message was so clear that I never imagined it would change. When the prologue of the story was written in 2023, nothing compared to what it became. My vision was a character-driven adventure about what life in the early church was all about.

The story that revealed itself to me along the way was so much deeper. Character arcs that I mapped out were filled with people overcoming everything to win in the end. Every chapter led to the ultimate happy ending, and I thought it would be the easiest story I would ever write. If you have read The Hope of Inheritance, you know that is not how it all reads.

Instead, the story became a dark epic detailing many of the worst moments of that time. Every time I picked up a history book or an article to read, I found something even darker that I felt compelled to write into the story. Everything suddenly became more real. I found myself in tears many times just thinking about the pain and suffering the early believers endured because of their beliefs.

If you have read the story, you know how important Theophilus is to it. He didn't exist in The World of

Kedoshim until I was halfway through the outline. The letters that Luke writes in the story to him were only added in the last six months of writing the story. It changed the premise of what I was writing. Those letters became one of the most important aspects of the novel, and who writes a story with letters?

Even after he found his way into the story, there was a point where I wanted to send the narrator, Nathaniel, back to Caesarea with Theophilus and his family. In the end, something tugged at me to keep the focus on Rome. When I let that go and focused more on Rome, the entire plot with Lysias unraveled overnight. I read my devotions one night, and hours later, Lysias had become the antagonist.

His whole arc kept playing on repeat in my dreams. I did not know why his story mattered then, but now, his story even has a role in my next book. There were so many of these moments that shaped what The Hope of Inheritance became. In discovering them, I knew everyone mattered, even the characters most people would forget, like Rohn and the scribes.

These moments taught me much about the way the church lived and breathed during the reign of Nero, and there is so much more to learn. What I felt and imagined through many of the changes that found their way into this novel opened my eyes to an entirely unexpected world. Letting go of scenes I loved from the original manuscript gave me the freedom to explore deeper truths that others typically avoid.

In the end, the hope I meant for one or two characters to find throughout the story became the hope that this community of believers needed. Better yet, it reminded me of the hope I had lost. Sometimes battles are fought in the public eye, but more often they are fought within.

The Hope of Inheritance that the characters found in the closing narrative was not found in the ongoing wars taking place all around them; it came from something much more valuable: a faith-filled community coming together despite everything they endured. That is something our world could use a little more of, and that matters to the story being written through our own lives.

About The Hope of Inheritance

One Story Still Untold. Four Unlikely Authors. Together their Message will Speak to Many.

The city of Rome was a vast and beautiful place-- on the surface. That is until a great fire burned and destroyed most of it. Deep in a world hidden from those who would strike against them, four unlikely men work together to share a message of truth. This truth was spoken by those who were cut down because of the calling to go forth and preach. The message has always been clear; The hope of our inheritance is Christ living within each of us.

In the echoes of persecution, sorrow, and even death, this message still reigns supreme, but will the people listen? Only time will tell, but before anything, these four men must come together and unite a church separated by fear and suffering. Each one of these men has endured their own journey for such a time as this, and have been given a different message they were called to teach. Together, they must rebuild what has been lost as they face the painful circumstances of the world they have inherited from the founders of their faith.

Silas, Luke, John-Mark, and Timothy, all knew Peter and Paul and the message God spoke through them. The time for these four individuals to stand in the gap between faith and reality has finally come. Will they complete this mysterious letter before they are all killed just like those who came before them? This story is the epic journey these four brothers in Christ, and their scribe, experienced as God prepared their hearts to write that Letter and how HE led them through it. Are you ready for the Journey?

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4obz0gJ

About MJ Elliott

Matthew James Elliott (M.J. Elliott) is an award-winning, dedicated writer with a strong passion for spreading the word of Christ. Matthew has spent 15 years serving in different types of ministries, both as a volunteer and a minister of the Gospel. Although he was never ordained, his experiences have given him a deep understanding of what ministry is all about and how it has evolved over time. His degree in Biblical Studies is from Oklahoma Wesleyan University and emphasizes Pastoral Care, Christian Education, and Worship.

Matthew is happily married to Traci, and they have three delightful children: Leyla, Caleb, and Hannah, who bring them immense joy and inspiration. Matthew's books aspire to minister to believers with love, equip them for service in God's glory, and nurture the body of Christ with edification through His work. He hopes that all who read his content will feel the loving touch of God's encouragement and guidance.

Website: https://www.mjelliott-author.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WritingtheJourney

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/matthew-james-elliott

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16315033.Matthew_James_Elliott

Photo credits:

Author photo and book image: Courtesy MJ Elliott

Jordan Petra: Pixabay/Plukje

Jerusalem: Pixabay/IrinaUzv

On Tour: Chaos Woods

 

About the Book

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

Author: Scott T. Barnes

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Release Date: November 14, 2025

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

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

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

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

But good intentions only carry them so far.

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

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

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

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

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

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

 

 

More from Scott

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

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

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

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

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, May 27 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, May 28 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, May 29 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 29

Tell Tale Book Reviews, May 30

Fiction Book Lover, May 31 (Author Interview)

The Bookish Ledger, June 1 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, June 1

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

Blogging With Carol, June 3

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

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

Books Less Travelled, June 6 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, June 7

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

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

Giveaway

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

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

https://gleam.io/E1JY7/chaos-woods-celebration-tour-giveaway

On Tour: Mesmerize

 

About the Book

Book: Mesmerize

Author: Darlene Corbett

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: February 18, 2026

Set against the backdrop of Las Vegas, Boston, and Dubai, a dazzling romance comes to life.

Can a storyteller win back the love of her life through tales sprinkled with faith and love.

Boston-based Delphina Tulasi, a therapeutic storyteller, has shunned men.

A year after a major betrayal, she accompanies her mother Lucia, a matchmaker, to Las Vegas to help her run an exclusive speed-dating event.

Alexander O’Hara, a CFO with secrets of his own, accepts Lucia’s invitation to attend. He meets Delphina and becomes mesmerized. They go out on a date in Las Vegas and return to Boston, where their love blossoms.

All goes well until Alex goes on a long business trip to Dubai. A visit from someone in her past confuses Delphina and lures her back to a previous relationship, prompting her to break up with Alex.

After a few dates with her ex, Delphina recognizes the mistake she’s made and becomes determined to win Alex back. She uses her creativity, spins stories based on truth, and sends them in videos across the internet.

Will it work?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Darlene Corbett has been serving others as a licensed psychotherapist for over thirty years.

With her wealth of experience in human behavior, she decided to write down her thoughts to inspire a larger audience. This set the stage for her book, Stop Depriving The World of You, published by Sound Wisdom in 2018.

She continued writing nonfiction until she heard God whisper again. And his call prompted her to take a risk and dip her toes into fiction. Visible, a women’s fiction about second chances, was published by WordCrafts Press in the spring of 2024, and in August, she won the 2024 Storytrade Book Awards for Christian Fiction in the Contemporary category.

And right now?

Her contemporary romance, Mesmerize, will be published in February of 2026 which has themes of a modern-day, Christian Scheherazade story.

Her writing continues with two romantic suspense novels. Enthralled, which takes place in Mykenos, has been completed but needs editing. A Midnight Call, located in a small fictional town in central Massachusetts, has almost reached the finishing line.

When not writing or seeing clients, Darlene immerses herself in a variety of novels and tries to support other authors of faith.

In addition, she loves animals with dogs being number one. Taking care of her beloved Shih Tzu, Stevie, puts a smile on her face.

Being a life-long learner, she’s attempting a second language and remains a nerd at heart. Staying fit, traveling, and connecting with her inner circle also take priority.

Darlene belongs to many organizations, including the ACFW, FHL-CW, and WFWA.

She lives in Central Massachusetts with Stevie, and remains excited about the next chapter of her life.

More from Darlene

For all my life, I’ve been in love with the oral and written word.

And I imagine the same for you.

How many people do not enjoy reading or hearing a good tale?

And doesn’t it make sense?

Each of us has a story, our own book of life. How it unfold lays between God and us.

Although every novel involves a story, I decided to highlight a therapeutic storyteller.

Why therapeutic?

Because I’m a therapist and have listened to stories throughout my life. Also, I remember the story of Scheherazade, and with faith and modernity, I wove it into my novel. The protagonist spins tales to… Well, you’ll have to read the book to find out.

I hope you become mesmerized by Mesmerize.

An interview with Darlene

What is your favorite thing about being a writer? Listening to God inspire me. My creativity flows from him, for which I’m most grateful.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books? The difference between nonfiction and fiction. I had been writing inspirational nonfiction for years, including a personal development book. Little did I know how much the craft of storytelling took on a whole different form. Although difficult, as it should be, exhilarating.

What was the best money you spent as a writer? Attending conferences, live and virtual, to improve my writing. And participating in contests.

How do you come up with story lines/book topic? I hear or read something, and a seed is sowed. For example, I heard that Harlequin ran a contest for a billionaire story. I can’t recall, but they offered a few proposals about how it should unfold. The seeds in my mind began took root. Although not a fit for Harlequin, my novel, Enthralled flowered, and I’m now in the process of editing.

What is one thing you wish you could do? Have more time, but God had me served in another capacity, which I respect. I’m an older adult, so I will do what I can until God takes me home.

Blog Stops

Cover Lover Book Review, May 30

Simple Harvest Reads, May 31 (Author Interview)

Artistic Nobody, June 1 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 1

Guild Master, June 2 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 3

Fiction Book Lover, June 4 (Author Interview)

History, Hope & Happily Ever After, June 5 (Author Interview)

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, June 6 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, June 7

For the Love of Literature, June 8 (Author Interview)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 9 (Author Interview)

Pause for Tales, June 9

Blossoms and Blessings, June 10 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, June 11

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, June 12 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Darlene is giving away the grand prize of a $75 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/Ap5Fn/mesmerize-celebration-tour-giveaway

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Heather Tabers!

Talkshow Thursday: 

Welcome Heather Tabers!

I'm pleased to introduce you to Heather Tabers who I "met" on Facebook when her post came through my feed. A busy lady, she writes historical romance and children's fiction in addition to designing jewelry, working as a virtual assistant, and creating digital products. Grab a 'cuppa' and get to know her.

When did you know you wanted to be an author? I’ve always loved writing and blogging, but in 2020, I couldn’t stop thinking about a story idea that was inspired by a lighthouse I visited with my husband. I’d never written long-form fiction before but decided to give it a try. After that, the ideas kept flowing, and in 2025, I felt God calling me to become a full-time independent author.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books? I was so surprised to learn how characters take on personalities of their own as you write their stories. You think you understand your characters’ motives and emotions and desires because you created them, and then out of nowhere they say or do something, or they tell you a piece of their backstory you didn’t know, and suddenly the story is better than you could have hoped or imagined.

Who is your favorite author and what is it that strikes you about their work? Ugh. That’s an impossible question to answer. I have many favorites and have gleaned so much from each of them. I was reading books by Heidi Chiavaroli when I visited that lighthouse and got inspired to write. As I was reading her books, I kept thinking to myself, “I want to write like this.” Then there’s Crystal Caudill. I keep her book, Counterfeit Love, on my desk when I write. When I get stuck or feel like my writing is lacking, I read a few pages to remind myself what good writing looks like.

I’m also extremely fond of Heather Kaufman’s lyrical writing, Sarah Sundin and Elizabeth Camden’s well-researched historical romance, and Charles Martin’s powerful storytelling.

Can you share a real life event that inspired your writing? Yes! In May of 2020, my husband and I

wanted to celebrate our tenth anniversary, but the world was shut down. We live in Florida, so we decided to stay a few days at a hotel on the beach. One day, it was raining, and we didn’t want to stay locked up in our room, so we started looking for anything local that was open. That’s when we found the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse and Museum. As I read the stories of the light keepers and their families, I kept thinking, “What if…?” I shared my ideas with my husband, and he encouraged me to write it down. The story changed drastically from my initial idea, but that original “What if?” question is still an important part of that story. That book has been written but I haven’t published it yet.

Tell us about your road to publication. I had been working with one of the best agents in the Christian literary world for almost two years when I felt God calling me to go indie. That was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever made. But a few months later, I held my independently published book in my hands, and I knew that I’d made the right choice. It was a Christian living book that many would find controversial, and if I had stayed with the agency, no publisher would have published it, as I am predominantly a Christian fiction author. However, dozens of hurting parents have been blessed by that book and have found hope, healing, and encouragement within its pages. That gave me the motivation to keep going.

What was your inspiration for the story? I’m currently writing the second book of my Words & War series which takes place in and around Camp Sheridan, Alabama, in 1918 during WWI. I felt like everyone was writing books about WWII, so I decided to explore WWI, instead. In my research for In Books & Battlefields, I learned that the American Library Association sent volunteer librarians to serve at Army camps across the US and overseas. Once again, my mind started asking, “What if…?” and an entire series was born.

My work-in-progress, In Fairy Tales & Fraud, stemmed from two characters featured in Book One and the research I did about the early days of aviation. My youngest son is a pilot, so including aviation in my plot was especially fun.

What is your process for writing? (do you outline, have a special place or time of day you write, etc.) What is your favorite part of the process? I’m an insane plotter. I tease that my outlines have outlines, but it’s actually true. I have a binder for each book I write, and creating that binder brings me more joy than I can express. I created my own novel workbook that I sell now on Etsy to help me (and other authors) stay organized. It includes everything from character interview questions, calendars for the years the book covers, character images, common slang used during that time period, character arcs, romance arcs, faith arcs, clothing details, location details, and then my story plots and chapter plots. The plotting process is, by far, my favorite part of the entire writing process.

What are common traps for aspiring writers? I’ve only been at this for 6 years, so I’m still working through some of the traps. I’d say the biggest trap is comparison, and that’s the one I struggle with the most. I’m never going to be Sarah Sundin or Elizabeth Camden or Roseanna White. God already made one of each of them. He thought the world needed a Heather Tabers, so I need to be Heather Tabers and stop trying to be someone else. I’ve published five books, and Roseanna has just submitted her 55th book. Comparing myself to her is ridiculous, and yet I do it. As writers, we miss out on what God has for us when we’re focused on what He has for others.

What is your next project? When I finish In Fairy Tales & Fraud, I’ll start In Letters & Landmines and then the surprise I have after that. I’m currently working on finishing up Framing Big Ben in my children’s series. I also have a Christmas rom-com in the works.

While all that is happening, I’m also rolling out a serialized fiction version of my grandparents’ real-life WWII love story. It’s available, one chapter at a time, through my newsletter under a subscription through Substack. Two to three times a month, subscribers receive the next chapter of In the Shadows of Sacrifice, a narrated character art video, and other immersive extras, including the stories behind the scenes, coloring sheets, recipes, playlists, and more.

About In Books & Battlefields

In 1917, spirited librarian Isabella Pearson leaves her comfortable life in Denver to serve at Camp Sheridan, Alabama, determined to bring hope to weary soldiers—not fall in love. But her plans for independence are tested when she finds herself pursued by Major Byron McDaniel, a brooding Army surgeon haunted by loss, and Nathaniel Steele, her brother’s loyal best friend who followed her across the country with hopes of winning her heart. As mysterious accidents and whispers of sabotage plague the camp, Isabella must decide who to trust—with her heart and with her life.

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/4voZcqI

 

 
Connect with Heather:
Website: https://heathertabers.com/

Newsletter/Website: https://heathertabers.substack.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heather.tabers/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrsheathertabers/

Photo credits:

Author photo and book image: Courtesy Heather Tabers

Ponce Inlet Lighthouse: Pixabay/heatherlynnhaas0

Inspection at Camp Sheridan: Courtesy Alabama Department of Archives and History

Movie Monday: Cluny Brown

 

Movie Monday: Cluny Brown

“A free-spirited parlor maid and a Czech refugee surprise

an English village with their unconventional ways.”

~IMDb~

German American director Ernst Lubitsch was known and well-respected in Hollywood for his “comedy of manners” films – satirical comedies that question and comment upon the manners and social customs of a sophisticated, artificial society (Wikipedia) much like Jane Austen did with her novels. Cluny Brown is Lubitsch’s final film, and it’s a classic screwball comedy. Two sources referred to it as effervescent, a great description.

The movie features Jennifer Jones, a prolific actress who has been largely forgotten, as Cluny Brown, and Charles Boyer as Adam Belinski, a political refugee. Cluny’s uncle is not happy with her unladylike behaviors and arranges for her to work as a parlor maid in the country house of Sir Henry Carmel. It’s not long before she is attracted to Belinski, but she difficulties abound because

she is already seeing someone – a “stuffy chemist.” All sorts of shenanigans occur, including a scene during which Cluny fixes the plumbing at her boyfriend’s house, horrifying his mother, a social diva. More confusion and chaos before she gets her happily ever after with Adam.

Cluny Brown is based on the novel by English novelist Margery Sharp who also wrote The Rescuers.
An author of more than two dozen adult novels, fourteen children’s books, four plays, two mysteries, and many short stories, Margery got her start with pieces in Punch, Good Housekeeping, Harper’s Bazaar and Ladies’ Home Journal. Cluny Brown was written in 1944 while she was working as an Army Education Lecturer.

Many of the actors in the film made the transition from stage or silent movies to “talkies,” and by the mid 1940s were doing well as character actors: Reginald Owens, C. Aubrey Smith, Ernest Cossart, Florence Bates, and Una O’Connor. The movie also stars a very young Peter Lawford. Critics gave high praise such as the New York Times that said, “a delectable and sprightly lampoon,” and “among the year’s most delightful comedies.” Variety was equally complimentary with “Cluny Brown is in the best Lubitsch tradition of subtle, punchy comedy, and his two stars make the most of it. It is a satire on British manners, with bite and relish.”

Have you seen this classic?

__________________________

Eye of the Beholder: An Apron Strings Tea Tale (Releasing June 30, 2026)

Shunned for his appearance, a disfigured veteran encounters acceptance and love where he least expects it.

Left with physical and emotional scars after the Great War, Hank Drake has been shunned by polite society as the Ugly Duckling. Fine by him. He’d much rather be alone. Until he meets the kind proprietress of a tea stand at New York’s World’s Fair who isn’t repulsed by his appearance. Can he hope for acceptance…or even love?

Grace Sutton has no interest in marrying and is tired of her parent’s snide comments that she’s still single on the eve of her 40th birthday. After she loses her job thanks to budget cuts, she decides it’s time to follow her dream of feeding others. Armed with Mrs. Canfield’s cookbook, she opens a refreshment stand at the World’s Fair unaware how one man will turn her life upside down and upset the apple…er, tea cart.

Pre-Order Link: https://amzn.to/3Pz88KO

Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cluny_Brown
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038419/
https://www.criterion.com/films/28564-cluny-brown
https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/cluny-brown-1946

Photo Credits:

Movie Poster: Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12521988

Movie Still 1: Twentieth Century Fox

Movie Still 2: Twentieth Century Fox

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