Wartime Wednesday: The War Refugee Board

 

Wartime Wednesday: War Refugee Board

Dozens of government agencies were created in America during World War II, but according to historian Rebecca Erbelding, the War Refugee Board (WRB) is “the only time in American history that the US government founded a non-military organization to save the lives of civilians being murdered by a wartime enemy.”

After significant publicity, pressure, and public outcry, President Roosevelt created the WRB on January 22, 1944 by Executive Order 9417. The board was composed of the Secretaries of State, Treasury, and War, and led by Director John Pehle, an attorney and assistant to the Secretary of the Treasury. He reported directly to President Roosevelt. On paper, the organization was limited to a maximum staff of thirty, but through “detailing” employees from other agencies, that number ultimately rose to seventy by the summer of 1944.

Responsibilities of the WRB were primarily to 1) rescue, transport, and relieve victims of enemy oppression, and 2) establish havens of temporary refuge for such victims. By coordinating activities and

programs with foreign governments through diplomats, international refugee and rescue organizations, and resistance groups, and setting up bases in neutral countries such as Switzerland, Sweden, and Turkey, the WRB was able to finance operations and communicate with individuals in enemy territory. An estimated $20M funded the board’s activities.

Efforts included obtaining blockade clearances for food shipments by private relief organizations that were distributed by the International Red Cross to prisoners in Nazi concentration camps. In North Africa refugee camps were set up, and safe haven was provided in Palestine, Switzerland, and Sweden. In August 1944, the Fort Ontario Emergency Relief Shelter was created in Oswego, New York to house refugees who would return to their countries after the war ended (provided the Allies were successful).

Some sources indicate that the WRB may have used its influence to rally European countries into action such as Hungary’s cessation of deportation of its Jews to Auschwitz in July 1944. Subsequently, the board funded diplomat Raoul Wallenberg’s rescue mission to Budapest where it is through his actions protected tens of thousands of Jews.

It is unknown exactly how many Jews were saved by the WRB’s work because of the clandestine nature of its activities; however, historian David Wyman gives an estimate of 200,000. The WRB itself indicated they may have saved “tens of thousands.” However, many it was, WRB Director Pehle commented years later that their results were “too little, too late” compared to the millions of lives lost during the Holocaust.

With the war’s end, Executive Order 9614 was issued abolishing the WRB on September 15, 1945.

______________________

Eye of the Beholder: An Apron Strings Tea Tale

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.

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3Pz88KO

Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Refugee_Board
https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/executive-order-9417-establishing-war-refugee-board
https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/war-refugee-board
https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/the-war-refugee-board
https://archives.jdc.org/topic-guides/jdc-and-the-u-s-war-refugee-board-1944-45/

Photo Credits:

Newspaper: National WWII Museum

Children: JDC Archives

Father and Daughter at Fort Ontario: US National Archives

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Carol McClain!

 

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Carol McClain!

The most frequent question asked me is, “Which is the favorite book you authored? I will address my final answer to my favored book at the end. I want, first, to address the second most frequent question: “How do you get your story ideas?”

With seven books on the market, the answer is easy: the messy, beautiful, sinful, redemptive lives of those I know and love. The genesis of my newest book Choices We Make will illustrate.

Several years ago, by the hand of God, my sister-in-law of only eight years, saw something off with my brother. She rushed Art to the hospital where he had a massive cardiac issue as she pulled up to the ER. At that moment, my beloved brother’s implanted defibrillator shocked him and restored him.

Once inside, emergency staff shocked him with the AED many times. Between the ER doctors’ shocks,

his surgical defibrillator continued. Together, over thirty times. At last, my sister-in-law signed a DNR. With human hands off him, instead of dying, my brother’s heart settled. In an induced coma, we did not know if he would be brain dead, or almost worse, brain-damaged.

Thus, the genesis of my story. The two were relatively newlyweds. What would life be like having to care for a brain-compromised husband you were only just getting to know?

Art survived with no apparent damage.

Not so for my antagonist, Wyatt. His wife Tallie has to come to grips of a life with a man, who through no fault of his own, suffered damage that physically and psychologically affected his family. What would God require of us? What could we endure? Choices We Make was conceived.

What would you do if the man you married was no longer a person you recognize? If he jeopardized you and your child? What does God desire?

So, my second most frequent question is answered. All my stories come from life experiences—mine and others.

 
As for my first most frequently asked question about my favorite work : my usual answer is, “Who is your favorite child?” (And shh. Don’t tell my other novels. My favorite book is the one I never thought I’d ever love.)

About Choices We Make

What happens when the vow “for better” becomes dangerously worse?

Journey into the heart of a marriage tested beyond imagination. Tallie Peters, a devoted wife and accomplished marriage counselor, cherishes her life with her soulmate, Wyatt. They share dreams of growing old together, filling their days with love and children. Yet, life has its own plans. A tragic accident leaves Wyatt with a brain injury, transforming the energetic, loving man into a stranger grappling with uncontrollable impulses, anger, and an increasing dependence on alcohol. For her faith and for her son, Tallie must confront the reality of her marriage and her choices. She must decide whether the life she’s loved can be saved.

Purchase link: https://amzn.to/430NG8J  

About Carol

Carol McClain is the author of seven published novels She loves God, glass, good books, and goats—especially when the goats are not eating her manuscript. Carol also edits, teaches Bible studies, hikes the Smokies, and pursues many other interests that allow her to avoid housecleaning. Why make a bed when you’re only going to mess it up again? When she’s not writing stories filled with people making spectacularly messy choices, she’s wrangling goats or chasing shiny bits of stained glass.

Sign up for her newsletter at http://www.carolmcclain.com

Photo credits:

Author photo, book cover image: Courtesy Carol McClain

Emergency sign: Pixabay/ElasticComputeFarm

Emergency Room gurney: Pixabay

Traveling Tuesday: The Baltic States During WW2

 Traveling Tuesday: The Baltic States

My knowledge of geography was not good until my interest in World War II surfaced, and I learned about the more than seventy countries involved in the conflict, many of them tiny nations such as the three Baltic states Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia that together are smaller than the American state of Missouri.

Located in northeastern Europe on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea and bordered by Russia, Belarus, and Poland, the Baltic states have existed in some form since antiquity. Despite sharing a geographical region, the three countries have vastly “different histories and ethnic compositions experiencing varying foreign conquests that shaped their distinct political and cultural developments.” (Wikipedia) The three also have different geography with Estonia having a highly “indented coastline” and more than 2,000 islands; Lativa featuring forests that cover almost half the country, and Lithuania being a mix of lakes and forests and the Curonian Spit, a long, thin sand-dune spit that separates the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea.

The Baltic States all achieved their independence at the end of World War I or shortly thereafter. They

experienced growth and economic development, however the stability was short-lived, and all three countries suffered greatly during World War II.

In 1939, Hitler and Stalin signed the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact which divided Europe into German and Soviet “spheres of influence.” Not long after, the Soviets backed the Baltic States into “mutual assistance treaties” which gave the USSR the right to establish military bases in the countries. Then in June 1940 elections were held in which only pro-Stalin candidates were allowed to run, and unsurprisingly, the new parliaments voted to join the Soviet Union.

Life in the Baltic States took a tragic turn as arrests, executions, and mass deportations occurred of more than 200,000 people. Others were sent to Gulags and labor camps. The following year, the Germans invaded, and the Latvians, Lithuanians, and Estonians were thrilled to see them arrive, but excitement quickly turned to horror as the Germans set up a civil administration that targeted the Jewish population with mass killings and deportations to ghettos. The Red Army returned in late 1944 as part of the Potsdam Agreement. By the end of World War II, fewer than five percent of the original Jewish population in the Baltic States remained.

Independence would not be restored until the late 1980s.

__________________________

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/Occupation_of_the_Baltic_states
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_occupation_of_the_Baltic_states_during_World_War_II
https://communistcrimes.org/en/timeline-soviet-occupation-baltic-states
https://gulag.online/articles/soviet-repression-and-deportations-in-the-baltic-states
https://www.britannica.com/event/World-War-II/The-Baltic-states-and-the-Russo-Finnish-War-1939-40
https://www.reddit.com/r/BalticStates/comments/14aqiqo/why_were_the_baltic_states_annexed_into_the/

Photo Credits:

Map of Soviet Invasion: By The Soviet Baltic Fleet H.Q. - Russian State Naval Archives (RSNA), Public Domain

Stalin and Ribbentrop after signing the Agreement: By Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-H27337 / CC-BY-SA 3.0, CC BY-SA 3.0 de

Soldiers entering Lithuania: By Unknown author - Kėdainių krašto muziejus via LIMIS (primary account number of exhibit: Kė KM Kė KM Gek 3274), Public Domain

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