Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Back, Barbara Britton

Talkshow Thursday: 

Welcome Back, Barbara Britton

I discovered Barbara and her books several years ago, and have devoured everything she's written, so I'm thrilled to welcome her back to my blog. Take a few minutes and get to know this talented author.

When did you know you wanted to be an author?

I had no idea that one day I would be an author. I enjoyed writing papers for school, but a career in publishing was never encouraged. I came to writing through teaching children about God. I taught the Bible to elementary students in chapel and had to create my own curriculum. I prayed for creativity, and I guess I wasn’t specific enough because I received ideas for my curriculum, but I also got an idea for a story. I sat down and started writing. I finished three books before I began writing about a Bible story. My fourth book received a contract. I became a published author at the young age of fifty-one.

How did you learn to write?

I could write a novella on everything you need to know to publish a book. I had plenty of time to learn

about the craft side of writing and the business side of publishing. I began my first novel in 2007, finished four novels, but didn’t receive a publishing contract until 2015. The contract was for my fourth book. That seems like a long time, but I had a mountain of information to process and learn. The craft side of writing is all about the story. Craft involves drafting a novel with goals for your characters, believable motivations, conflict to keep readers turning pages, story length, genre considerations, and so much more.

The business side of writing involves deciding what path to take to get your book into readers’ hands. Will you pitch an agent and go with a big publisher? Will you publish with a smaller press and do a lot of marketing on your own? Promotion of books falls mainly on the author these days. Gone are the days when authors just wrote page after page. We speak, teach, show up on social media, and so much more. An author has to be savvy about contracts and book formats, and sellable rights.

My writing journey prepared me to be a published author, but I am still learning new skills and information today.

What was the best money you spent as a writer?

After reading the above paragraph, you are probably wondering how I learned about the publishing business. I joined professional writing organizations and got involved in their local writing groups. I rubbed elbows with authors farther down the writing road and gleaned from their experience. I took writing courses in person and online. I entered writing contests to get feedback on my manuscripts. I attended writing conferences and built a network of friends. All of this is work, fun work, but it is still hard work. With the rise and flourishing of the internet, a lot of information can be found through industry blogs, podcasts, and virtual conferences.

What is your advice to fledgling writers?

If you are writing, you are not fledgling. When my sons complained about writing a paper for school, I would repeat the adage that I had heard in the publishing business, you can’t fix a blank page. I’ll be honest. Sometimes it is difficult to work on a project. I would encourage writers when they get tired of a story to work on something in the writing sphere. Draft your back cover blurb or write a blog post about your story and what you have learned. Writers can use their creativity in many ways and stay fresh in their writing space. Sometimes you need to take a break from a story, walk around the block, and let your imagination fall in love with your story again.

My additional advice to writers is to never give up. Keep writing even when life gets tough. Pray over your writing and ask God to use it to bless others.

What is your next project?

My next project is new to my author life, but it stays true to my decades long ministry of teaching Bible stories. In January of 2026, I will have a Bible Study coming out called “Across the Lake: Traveling with Jesus Around the Sea of Galilee.”

I traveled to Israel in March of 2023 and pondered what to write about next. While sitting on a boat on the Sea of Galilee, I was inspired to write about Jesus and His ministry in the towns I visited. You might notice that the book blurb below is about a contemporary story. Once you learn the basics of writing, you can take that knowledge anywhere and create different stories in different time periods. God has worked in people’s lives throughout history.

Escape to Whispering Creek

Emma Uranova enjoys her office job until her boss disappears with the investors' money. To avoid the media storm and false accusations, Emma flees to Whispering Creek, Tennessee to live on her best friend' s secluded property. When a temporary position opens up in Nashville, Emma leaves small-town anonymity to pad her depleted bank account. With a handsome new boss and a steady income, Emma believes life is looking up... until she discovers she has transported the scandal in her backpack. Where is God when her life is falling apart?

Wade Donoven is recuperating from a crash that sidelined him from the family electrical business. Worse yet, his prodigal younger brother is getting the glory for Wade' s accomplishments. Desperation, and physical setbacks, have him agreeing to let Emma help him manage the business office. But when trouble follows her to his doorstep, Wade must make some difficult choices. Sending Emma back to Whispering Creek may unknowingly place the woman he's come to love in danger.

You can purchase Emma’s story on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or wherever books are sold: https://books2read.com/u/mekqEr

About Barbara:

Barbara M. Britton is a multi-published author of Christian Fiction. Her Tribes of Israel series brings little-known Bible characters to light. You can also travel to Whispering Creek, Tennessee with her sweet romance duology. Barbara has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate. You can find out more about Barbara and her books on her website http://barbarambritton.com.

Photo Credits:

Author photo/Sea of Galilee: Courtesy of Barbara Britton

Woman Writing: Pixabay/StartUpStockPhotos

Traveling Tuesdsay: Wisconsin

Traveling Tuesday: Wisconsin

The 30th state to be admitted to the union, Wisconsin originated a territorial possession of the United States in 1783 after the Revolutionary War. Four years later it became part of the Northwest Territory, then Indiana Territory from 1800 to 1809, followed by Illinois Territory from 1809 to 1818, then Michigan Territory until 1836 when by an act of Congress it became Wisconsin Territory. Interestingly, the territory remained under British control until after the War of 1812.

Initially, a leader in fur trading, the area saw a shift to lead mining after it came under American control. The change brought an influx of immigrants from the US and Europe (with a large percentage of “expert miners” from Cornwall, England) in search of wealth. According to several sources, including the Wisconsin Historical Society, Wisconsin became known as the Badger State because many of the miners lived in tunnels they dug into the hillsides, like badger dens.

By 1829, more than 4,000 miners populated the state with fifty-two smelting works. A little more than a

decade later, the state was producing more than half of America’s lead, somewhere in the amount of 15-20 million pounds. Output began to decline around 1847, and news of the 1848 California gold rush sent the miners west.

As the mining industry declined, agriculture saw a surge with wheat being the primary crop. Soil depletion and insects prompted a change to cranberries and tobacco by some farmers, however, a large percentage turned to dairy farming which proved to be an excellent decision. By 1915, Wisconsin was the leading producer of dairy products in the United States. According to Wikipedia, the term “America’s Dairyland” appeared in newspapers as early as 1913.

A close second to Wisconsin’s dairy industry is brewing. The first brewery opened in 1835 by a man name John Philips. Highly successful he opened a second the following year. By 1860, over 200 breweries operated within the state, more than forty of them in Milwaukee. Most scholars feel this is a result of the number of German immigrants who arrived in the 1840s and 1850s and the demise of the Chicago breweries in the “Great Chicago Fire.”

Come back next Tuesday to learn how the Progressive Era impacted the state. Or did the state influence the era?

Photo Credits:

Mine: Pixaby/bocux

Barrels: Pixabay/Artur Gorecki

________________

Love and Chocolate

She just needs a job. He wants a career. Is there room in their hearts for love?

Ilsa Krause and her siblings are stunned to discover their father left massive debt behind upon his death. To help pay off their creditors and save the farm, she takes a job at Beck’s Chocolates, the company her father despised and refused to supply with milk. Then she discovers her boss is Ernst Webber, her high school love who unceremoniously dumped her via letter from college. Could life get any more difficult?

A freshly-minted university diploma in his hand, Ernst Webber lands his dream job at Beck’s Chocolates. His plans to work his way up the ladder don’t include romantic entanglements, then Ilsa Krause walks back into his life resurrecting feelings he thought long dead. However, her animosity makes it clear she has no interest in giving him a second chance. Can he get her to change her mind? Does he want to?

Purchase link: https://books2read.com/u/mdQerZ

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Back Ruth Wuwong

Bound Feet and Cosmetic Surgery

By Ruth Wuwong

In my newest fiction, Echoes over Stormy Sea (Book 1 in the dual-time odyssey series), I touch on the topic of bound feet in imperial China.

Back then, small, tiny feet were considered a status symbol and a mark of feminine beauty. During my research, I was horrified by the images I discovered online: deformed feet of young Chinese girls, contorted and bound to fit the cultural ideals of the time.

Foot binding was a gruesome practice, mostly among the upper class. The idea was that small feet were a symbol of beauty and status. Folks back then believed bound feet would increase a girl’s marriage prospects, especially among the wealthy. Luckily, the lower class was spared. The poor couldn’t afford to have family members incapacitated by such practices. Consequently, their girls escaped this specific form of torture. A few articles mentioned that about 50% of girls with bound feet suffered severe disabilities, and chronic pain often plagued their lives.

Yet, as I reflect on the cultural and social constructs that perpetuated tiny feet as an unusual beauty standard, I can’t help thinking about cosmetic surgery these days and the lengths to which society pushes its members. People continue to go to extreme lengths for beauty. Movies, books, and social media feeds are filled with influencers and celebrities showcasing their “perfect” bodies, often enhanced through surgical means.

The pressures to conform remain, and it’s not just women anymore. A staggering number of men and

women undergo procedures to alter their appearance. Folks go for extensive surgeries—rhinoplasties, breastwork, liposuction. The list goes on. We’re told we need to resemble those photoshopped images to be considered beautiful or successful.

Similar to foot binding, the procedures nowadays often come with lifelong consequences. Based on my biochemical knowledge, I can say without a doubt that if you go through one of those procedures, you won’t be able to avoid risks of complications, infections, and psychological impact.

Sad but true, we’re trapped in another form of cultural binding, only now it’s global and digital.

As Christians, perhaps we can strive to challenge these societal pressures by valuing inner beauty and kindness over physical appearance. Through fostering communities that embrace diversity and encourage self-acceptance, we can work toward dismantling these modern-day “bindings” that restrict genuine self-expression.

_______________

Dr. Ruth Wuwong (PhD in biochemistry, MBA in finance) has published 120+ scientific books and papers (under her legal name) and a few Christian fiction books (Love at the Garden Tomb, The Way We Forgive, Blazing China, and Detour to Agape, under R. F. Whong). She lives in the Midwest with her husband, a retired pastor. They served together at three churches from 1987 to 2020. Her grown son works in a nearby city. She currently runs a small biotech company (www.vidasym.com)and has raised more than twenty million US dollars during the past few years for Vidasym.

In addition to her weekly newsletter and the platform (www.ruthforchrist.com), she’s active in several writers’ groups, including ACFW, Word Weavers, Facebook, and Goodreads. Through these connections, she plans newsletter/promotion swaps with others and has writers endorse her books, write forewords, and host her on guest blogs.


Echoes over a Stormy Sea

Two eras, one stormy sea. Two women navigate love and heritage across centuries. Book 1 in this dual-time odyssey series braids together a mesmerizing tale about loyalty, redemption, and transformation. Debra Gong, a PhD student in biochemistry, eagerly counts down to her upcoming 2020 wedding in Chicago. The unexpected death of her father, a famous writer, brings her back to Hong Kong. Then the sudden closure of borders because of the pandemic leaves her trapped and separated from her fiancé. 

Her father’s will requires her to complete his last, unfinished manuscript about a pirate princess to honor his memory. In 1800, Shih Yi-Lan, a martial arts master and the fierce daughter of a pirate captain, faces the cultural expectations of matrimony. Unwilling to be confined by traditional roles, when her father demands her to cement an alliance through marriage, she devises a test for any would-be suitor: he must beat her in two out of three contests to win her hand. A mysterious contender with a pigtail unlike the other sea marauders rises to the occasion and triumphs.

As both women explore their worlds in flux, the stakes grow higher. Can Debra continue her PhD work, honor her father’s legacy, and find love and commitment? Will Yi-Lan maintain her resilience and passion amid the challenges? Their parallel journeys unfold against the backdrop of tumultuous times, connecting their fates in unexpected ways.

Experience adventure and romance in distant lands, a mesmerizing tale by Whong, named a 2025 Featured Author by the Minnesota Anoka County Library.

Follow me on social media:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/love.respect.grace
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/42632055.R_F_Whong
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/r-f-whong
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/RWuwong
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To connect with me, please go to http://www.ruthforchrist.com.

Movie Monday: Here Come the Co-Eds

Movie Monday: Here Come the Co-eds

By February 1945, Americans were tired of war. Yes, from newspaper articles they knew the Allies would be victorious, but it had been a long three-plus years. Hollywood understood this and released lots of comedies in addition to their melodramas and war films. Abbott and Costello flicks were among the most popular, and they starred in more than a dozen during the war.

An interesting addition to the cast of Here Come the Co-eds is Lon Chaney, Jr., but at this time he hadn’t yet played the Wolfman or the Mummy and gotten pigeon-holed into horror films. The female lead was Martha O’Driscoll, a little-remembered actress who had a highly successful career between 1937 and 1947 when she retired after marrying her second husband. O’Driscoll got her start in print advertisements. Trained in singing and dancing, she appeared in several musicals during the early part of her career. During the war, she traveled with Errol Flynn in the USO and performed for troops across the globe.

In the film, O’Driscoll, Abbott, and Costello are taxi dancers, paid dancers in a ballroom who are paid

on a dance-by-dance basis. Imdb describes the plot as “two bumblers become caretakers at an all-girls’ college. During their misadventures, the duo raise money to free the school from its traditionally minded landlord.”

At one point, Costello’s character dresses in drag to join the Bixby girls’ basketball team. A fun fact is that as a high schooler, he was a gifted athlete who excelled in basketball, and according to several sources was twice the high school’s free-throw champion. He performed all the trick shots in the film.

Two comedy “routines” appear in the film. The first is the “Oyster Stew” routine where Costello attempts to eat a bowl of soup that contains an oyster that spits at him each time he tries to take a sip. This routine appears later with a frog in the Abbott and Costello movie The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap. The second routine is “Jonah and the Whale” where Costello attempts to tell a joke he claims he wrote himself, but Abbott spills the punchline. (Wikipedia)

The pair would go on to make another twenty movies between the end of the war and 1956 before splitting in 1957.

__________________

A Love Not Forgotten

He can’t remember. She can never forget.

Allison White should be thrilled about her upcoming wedding. The problem? She's still in love with her fiance, Chaz, who was declared dead after being shot down over Germany in 1944. Can she put the past behind her and settle down to married life with the kindhearted man who loves her?

It's been nearly two years since Charles "Chaz" Powell was shot down over enemy territory. The war is officially over, but not for him. He has amnesia as a result of injuries sustained in the crash, and the only clue to his identity is a love letter with no return address. Will he ever regain his memories and discover who he is, or will he have to forge a new life with no connections to the past?

Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/u/m2V7Mk

Fiction Friday: New Releases in Christian Fiction

February 2025 New ReleasesMore in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website

Contemporary Romance:

Small Town Harmony by Milla Holt -- Faith, fame, and family collide as a Christian music power couple hides a secret discord. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Only You Can Love Me by Carolyn Miller -- Dr. Jess Martin--Doc Martin to her local community--might be used to solving the veterinary problems of rural south east Washington, but she can't solve the problems of her lonely heart. Cooper Reilly never pictured himself as finding his future or contentment on a ranch. But when a corporate reshuffle sees him kicked to the curb, he finds himself right back where he started. And right back to trying to convince a certain pretty vet to give him a second chance. But she's not playing, convinced she's found her Dream Match already. Can these two friends look past previous mistakes and find a future? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

An Overdue Match by Sarah Monzon -- If the covers of every romance book ever published didn't convince librarian Evangeline Kelly that she isn't heroine material, her fiancé calling off their wedding when she lost her hair to alopecia did. But what's a girl head over heels for love to do when her feelings are unrequited? Matchmake, that's what. Armed with library patrons' check-out histories, she's determined to make at least one love connection--even if it's not her own. (Contemporary Romance from Bethany House Publishers)

Winning the Twin’s Heart by Rebecca Reed -- College rodeo roper Yoani Alliegro can’t stop looking over her shoulder despite, or maybe because of, her recent success. She longs for family––the one she lost, and the one she hopes to have. When rejection shatters Yoani’s sense of belonging and sends her running in search of truth, will it lead to the family she’s dreamed of and freedom from her past, or will she discover she’s left all that in Montana? Bull rider Chantz Nannenga is caught between following his dream of teaching and upholding tradition by managing the family ranch. Should he settle for less than his dream or push forward when conquering his regrets could prevent him from winning Yoani’s heart? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Where I Found You by Betsy St Amant -- Will the treasure hunt lead them to find a prize worth more than gold, or will the longstanding family feud continue for yet another generation?⁠ (Contemporary Romance from Sunrise Publishing)

The Nature of Love by Toni Shiloh -- Dr. Erykah Kennedy, a renowned orthopedic surgeon, finds herself at a crossroads in life. At forty, she’s achieved remarkable success in her career, yet when it comes to her love life, she is feeling fractured. But when she meets Christian Gamble, a passionate wildlife conservationist, an unexpected bond forms between them despite their contrasting worlds. Despite his passion for saving the planet, Chris has yet to find someone to share his adventures with. But as his friendship with Erykah begins to blossom, he finds himself falling for her in every way. When tragedy strikes and Erykah suddenly becomes guardian to her nieces, Chris helps her pick up the pieces. With their lives turned upside down, finding their way to a lasting love while putting their faith in God may be the biggest challenge they’ve ever faced. (Contemporary Romance from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])

Uneasy Street by Becky Wade -- A wealthy, cynical CEO who has everything except love. An etiquette expert set on helping her niece solve the mystery of her birth. Equally matched in a battle of wills with their hearts on the line, they’ll have no choice but to confront their history – and the undeniable spark between them – while living side by side on uneasy street. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Contemporary Romance Novella:

Pets Amore by Amy R Anguish, and Linda Fulkerson, and Heather Greery and Beth E Westcott -- Four romantic comedy novellas with a bit of matchmaking help from the pets. (Contemporary Romance Novella from Scrivenings Press)

Contemporary Women’s Fiction:

The Promise by Pat Nicols -- For Erica, Wendy, And Amanda, there are old wounds, and new challenges. Will they have the courage to face them all? (General Contemporary from Armchair Press)

Biblical Historical:

Dawn of Grace, Mary Magdalene’s Story by Jill Eileen Smith -- Bound to the demons within her and incapable of freeing herself, Mary Magdalene walks in shadow--until one day she encounters a healer, a rabbi who is radically different from the religious leaders and family members who could do nothing to help her. One touch from Jesus and Mary is never the same. Now Mary's one mission in life is to serve the one who freed her. She is determined never to leave his side, fearing that if she loses him, she'll return to her former bondage. Even when the unthinkable happens and her savior is arrested and sentenced to execution, she cannot abandon him as so many others did. On the brink of despair, Mary is about to discover that while the life of faith is never perfect, perfect love casts out fear--and Jesus makes all things new. (Biblical from Revell)

Historical Romance:

Heart of Beauty by Danielle Grandinetti -- Discover the origin of Crooked Tooth Ranch in this 1870s western retelling of Beauty and the Beast. (Historical Romance from Hearth Spot Press)

Tides of Healing by Sandra Merville Hart -- A Southern belle fights to reclaim her home, but will her spying destroy the Union officer she never meant to love? (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)

Mail-Order Hotelier by Edwina Kiernan -- California, 1860. A disillusioned woman must gain a mail-order husband or lose her beloved hotel. (Historical Romance from Moliant Publishing)

Snow and the Seven Brothers’ Circus by Megan Miles -- Upon her twenty-first birthday, Catherine Penner is set to inherit her late parents' vast estate and thriving coal mines, if she can make it to her birthday. An undiagnosed wasting disease threatens to steal her life, leaving her parents' legacy in the hands of her cold guardian. As Catherine wrestles with the hopeless meaning of her short life and her fragile health, it becomes clear that something sinister is playing with her future. Will she find enough hope to push through to a promising future? Or will her life fade away like her beautiful memories? (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

Redeeming Rupert by Susan Pope Sloan -- Hannah and Rupert must navigate the challenges of a marriage of convenience and learn to fight for each other as they protect their family legacies. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)

Midnight on the Scottish Shore by Sarah Sundin -- Desperate to escape the occupied Netherlands in 1941, Cilla van der Zee agrees to become a spy in Britain. But her plans to betray the Germans and work for the Allied cause are derailed when a suspicious Royal Navy officer finds her on the shores of his Scottish home. (Historical Romance from Revell)

The Bandit’s Redemption by KyLee Woodley -- A holdup gone wrong, a reluctant outlaw, and the captive she’s sworn to guard. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)

Crime Mystery:

Chilled to the Bone: A Jake Sledge Mystery by BD Lawrence -- A prominent attorney is found murdered outside his River City office. Jake Sledge and his partner, Bobo Johnson, are drawn into a case that quickly spirals out of control. They uncover chilling connections to frozen evidence, shadowy underworld figures, notorious neo-Nazis, and a dangerous game involving the high-stakes casino industry. The lawyer’s death is only the beginning. (Crime Mystery, Independently Published)

Western Romance:

Whispers of Fortune by Mary Connealy -- In 1875 California, Brody MacKenzie arrives at Two Hearts Ranch on a mission to find his runaway brothers, worried they may have fallen into harm. Instead, he finds them thriving at the ranch's school and orphanage under the care of Ellie Hart, a woman with a heart as resilient as the land she calls home. When the boys show him a mysterious journal that has been guiding their travels and may hold the key to a lost treasure, Brody and Ellie are captivated by the possibility of a thrilling adventure. With winter approaching, Brody and Ellie race against time to decipher cryptic clues and unearth the hidden fortune. (Western Romance from Bethany House [Baker Publishing Group])

Speculative Fiction/Allegory:

Whispers and Flame by Demi Griffin -- A new generation haunted by their parents' legacy must find a way to save their world. A new generation was poised for leadership in Everlasting. Secrets kept by their parents hindered what should have been a seamless transition. When Everlasting faces destruction through a massive flood, the newly chosen Sentinels must decide how to respond. Would they transition into their destined roles or adapt to present circumstances? When the king of the water domain becomes a threat of epic proportions would the next generation be equipped to defend the foundations of Everlasting? (Speculative Fiction, Independently Published)

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

A Hundred Magical Reasons by Laura DeNooyer -- This split-time novel (early 1900s and 1980) is a whimsical and poignant story rooted in a girl’s childhood friendship with The Wizard of Oz Author, L. Frank Baum, and his influence across four generations. (Literary Historical)

For No Apparent Reason by SK Derban -- A calloused murder, a chance discovery – two unplanned events become the catalyst that proves: “in all things, God works for good…” (Legal Mystery)

Bronze and Brokenness-Midianites by Christine Dillon -- Reuel rejected all the gods, and Jael followed his lead. But is what she has all she’ll ever have? Why does her sister, Zura, find such hope in the God of Israel, even though she remains blind? All are broken, but can they, like bronze, be recast? (Biblical Historical)

The Seed’s Price by Erin Greneaux -- A special seed might help Everly find her lost cat, but is she willing to pay the price? (Children’s/Middle-grade)

Uncovering the Truth by Carol J Post -- When Alyssa Anderson stumbles upon her ex-boyfriend’s illegal art theft operation, she goes on the run—and narrowly escapes a drive-by shooting. With the help of her high school sweetheart, Spencer Cavanaugh, and his service dog, Apollo, Alyssa tries to stay one step ahead of her ex who will do anything to find her. (Romantic Suspense)

Mara: The Unseen Battle by Blossom Turner -- Mara holds a secret she must bury...if she wants to survive. A story of faith and the power of the unseen.. (Supernatural Suspense)

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Back, Sherri Stewart!

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Back, Sherri Stewart!

I'm thrilled to welcome Sherri Stewart back to my blog. Listen in and learn more about Sherri's writing journey and her latest release.

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

The first time I ever thought of writing a book was when an idea came to me while sitting in a hotel room in Phoenix waiting for my husband to finish with the trainers conference he was attending. I quickly typed a few paragraphs of a story line on my laptop and saved it into a file.

A few weeks later, I was talking to a student in a journalism class I taught, and I told her about my idea. She scoffed, “That book’s already been written.” Deflated, I put the idea of the book aside until three years later, when my husband lost his job and with it his health. I’d been volunteering at a law firm as a new attorney at the time, and ideas about cases I was working on reignited my desire to write a book about them. That led to my first book, and thirteen years later I’m writing my 24th.

How did you learn how to write?

I always hated writing when I was a kid. I was the ninth grader who spent more time counting my words to reach the minimum number required, rather than trying to write an original story. But I loved teaching English—I was one of those strange people who adored diagramming sentences. Looking back, it was law school that turned me around. Having to write hundreds of timed essays engendered in me the confidence to be creative. After writing my first book, I joined Word Weavers, a Christian writers organization. Through editing other writers’ works, I learned the conventions of fiction that weren’t taught in my high school or college.

What is your favorite thing about being a writer?

My favorite thing about writing is research. I love to visit the towns in my books, sample their food,

walk their streets, and listen to their sounds. For Secrets Dark and Deep, I visited Zürich, stayed at the same hotel my main male character stayed at, enjoyed fondue and Swiss chocolates, and visited the opera. Last spring, for my most recent novella called An Uncommon Gift, I took a transatlantic cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona, trying to imagine what it was like for a young woman to travel by ship back in 1910. Even when I can’t travel to my books’ locales, YouTube is a viable source of information.

Which of your books is your favorite?

My favorite book is A Song for Her Enemies, which I wrote in 2021. My hero has always been Corrie ten Boom, who hid Jews in her bedroom closet during the Holocaust. I wrote a fictional version of Corrie’s story from the point of view of one of the Jewish women who hid in her house. For the book, I traveled to Haarlem in the Netherlands, and even visited the concentration camp where Corrie was taken. Though loosely based on her story, my book took on a life of its own, and God gave me a sign that I was to write the book. I published the second book in the series in 2023—What Hides behind the Walls, and I’m writing the third and last book in the series at the present time—In the Presence of Her Enemies.

Can you share a real life event that inspired your writing?

In my book, Secrets Dark and Deep, Maddie has a secret she’s buried so deep she can’t remember it. Then a note appears on her desk at the news station from an anonymous person who calls himself Absalom. He warns her that he knows her secret and vows to exact revenge. Thus follows a race to discover her secret before he finds her. I also have a secret that I’ve blocked—something that happened in eleventh grade, but I have no desire to find out what it is.

What was the best money you spent as a writer?

Travel. I’ve always loved to visit new places. In my twenties I was a flight attendant, and I wrote the book, Très Chic, a fictional account of my own experiences. After my husband died five years ago, traveling helped me grieve. Since then my son and I have been to Paris, Amsterdam, Zürich, Maine, Texas, Rhode Island, Boston, and most recently Spain and Portugal. Everyone of those places have provided the settings for my books. How do I afford it with the meager royalties I make? I run an editing business, which keeps me busy.

How do you improve your writing?

It’s hard to believe but grammar changes often. I keep up-to-date by checking with the Chicago Manual of Style for my editing business. I also attend writers conferences and am part of an online writers group that meets once a month. You’d think that an editor could edit her own work. Not in the least. We writers are too close to our own work to see our mistakes. When I edit my books, my eyes autocorrect my mistakes, so I don’t see them. It takes other writers to hone my skills.

How does God inform your writing?

I am a pantser, which means I write by the seat of my pants. I don’t have an outline from which to write each day although I have a general idea how the book is going to end. I write 500 words a day six days a week, and I depend on God to lead my writing. I’m always amazed on where He takes me. Things I never thought about take shape before my eyes. My characters are believers but flawed, and the obstacles they encounter drive them to God again and again. Most of my readers are also believers, but many aren’t, and I hope they’re inspired to seek a relationship with Jesus Christ.

About Secrets Dark and Deep

TV anchor, Maddie Caldecott, has a secret so deeply buried within that she doesn’t remember it. But the man called Absalom knows her secret, and his threats to exact his revenge are becoming more and more intrusive. As an investigative reporter, Maddie can dig out the truth of any story, but she can’t unearth the secret she’s blocked until it’s too late. Police Detective, Brody Messner, is at his wits end. How can he protect Maddie if she resists his every suggestion? His need to protect her has become personal. From Orlando to Zürich, he follows her, trying to stay one step ahead of her assailant—all of his notes to her, and the song. 

Purchase link: https://bit.ly/3OYSFjM

About Sherri:

Sherri Stewart is a woman of faith who loves all things foreign—whether it’s food, culture, or language. A former French teacher, her passion is traveling to the settings of her books, sampling the food, and visiting the sites. She savored boterkoeken in Amsterdam for A Song for Her Enemies, and crème brûlée in Paris for its sequel, What Hides beyond the Walls, and raclette in Zürich for Secrets Dark and Deep. A widow, Sherri lives in the Orlando area with her dog, Lily, and her son, Joshua, who always has to fix her computer. As an author, editor, blogger, speaker, and Bible teacher, she hopes her books will entertain and challenge readers to live large and connect with their Savior. Join, chat, and share with her on social media. http://www.stewartwriting.com/blog

Photo Credits:

Fondue: Pixabay/Annette

Arc de Triomphe: Pixabay/Lagrange

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome back, Susan Mathis!

Talkshow Thursday: 

Welcome Back, Susan Mathis!

I'm thrilled to welcome Susan back to my blog. We've become cyber friends and one of these days we'll actually manage to get together. Turns out she now lives in my old "stomping grounds." I'm a huge fan of her books, and once you've read one, you will be too! Read on to learn more about this lovely author and her books.

The third novel of your new three-book series called Love in a Lighthouse is out. Tell us about that, please.

Join the Row-family women, Libby, Julia, and Emma, as they navigate the isolation, danger, and hope for lasting love at three different Thousand Island lighthouses in the St. Lawrence River. [Note: These can be read in any order.]

Emma’s Engagement (book three)

Emma Row embarks on a journey that will test her resilience and love. She marries Michael Diepolder,

the Rock Island Lightkeeper and widower, a man who seeks a companion for both himself and his eleven-year-old daughter, Ada. But as she steps into the role of lightkeeper’s wife with a heart full of hope, little does she know that the idyllic setting conceals challenges that will shake the foundation of her happiness. Isolation creeps in, compounded by Ada’s determination to keep her father all to herself. As a storm looms, Emma must grapple with the difficulties of being a stepmother and lightkeeper’s wife. Will she find her place, or will the tumultuous waves of doubt and isolation tear them apart?

For Michael, Emma is not just a wife but the hope for his future. But the lighthouse life and being a stepmother proves harder for Emma than he ever imagined, and Ada’s animosity only intensifies it. When the lighthouse inspector questions Emma’s place due to her Canadian heritage and Ada become deathly ill, the very foundation of their family is shaken. Can their family find solace and unity on this tiny island? Amid the swirling tempest of challenges, Emma, Michael, and Ada must discover the strength within themselves and each other to weather the storm. Emma’s Engagement is a poignant tale of love, resilience, and the enduring bonds that can form in the most unexpected places. This fictional story is based on the actual lives of Michael and Emma Diepolder.

Julia’s Joy (book two)

When Julia Collins reluctantly sets foot on Sister Island, compelled by her grandmother’s will, she is
intent on claiming her inheritance and moving on. But when she experiences the peaceful, faith-filled island life and connects with the handsome lightkeeper, William, Julia finds herself confronting her open wounds from her parents’ deaths.

William Dodge, lightkeeper of Sister Island, harbors a heart hardened by a past betrayal. Between that and his chronic pleurisy, he wants nothing to do with love. But when Julia arrives on the island bursting with vitality and unconventional notions, William’s world is turned upside down. As she chips away at the walls William has built for himself, he finds his reluctance waning. But just as love begins to blossom between them, Julia is faced with a tempting proposal from a prominent Brockville family. Will she succumb to societal expectations or choose the richness of her island life and the love of the steadfast lightkeeper?

Libby’s Lighthouse (book one)

Elizabeth Montonna, daughter of the Tibbett’s Point Lighthouse keeper, thought she’d love the lighthouse life forever—until her mother, on her deathbed, reveals a long-buried secret. Now Elizabeth’s world has been turned upside down, making her question if she’ll ever truly belong and be loved. But when a dashing young sailor appears on her shore, wounded and disoriented, she finds purpose in helping him recover. Although the man knows nothing about his past or identity, his kindness and character steal a little more of her heart each day. If only she knew his full name.

When Owen awakes on the shore of Lake Ontario with no knowledge of who he is, or where he was headed when his ship wrecked, he has no choice but to accept the hospitality of the lighthouse keeper and his lovely daughter. But as Owen works to repay their kindness, and his relationship with Libby turns into something more, he knows their budding romance can go no further until he uncovers his past. With each passing day, Owen inches closer to discovering the secrets of his identity, but will the revelations bring him closer to Libby or tear them apart forever?

What inspired you to write Emma’s Engagement?

I have visited Rock Island Lighthouse a number of times, and it’s a beautiful lighthouse. It’s along the main shipping channel and it’s a New York State Park accessible by boat, so it’s a great place to visit. When I was asked to write a lighthouse series, I just had to write about it!

What genre do you focus on?

Pixabay/Marta Jozsa

I’m hooked on the wonderful world of historical fiction, and especially the Thousand Islands Gilded Age history. But technically, the sub-genre I write in is called “faction”—factual fiction. The setting and owners of that castle, mansion, or resort are all real characters and stories, and then I overlay fictional servants who tell the story. It’s rather complicated, but oh so much fun. This gives me so much “scope for the imagination” as Anne Shirley would say. I am also blessed to have accomplished other diverse published works, but it’s tough to promote books to three different audiences—the nonfiction premarital audience, the picture book audience, and now the historical fiction reader audience. So, what have I learned? I love historical faction/fiction and am going to stick with that! I write historical fiction with a huge dose of romance. I focus is character growth. But I’m sucker for romance and happy endings, so if a relationship is part of my main character’s storyline, all the better!

How do your faith and spiritual walk play out in your novels?

Every book I write is a journey of healing and hope, and this one was no different. My faith walk is reflected in each of my stories to one degree or another.

Is writing your full-time career?

Yes. My first novel came out in 2017. Emma’s Engagement is my fourteenth Thousand Islands Gilded Age story, and I’m working on a new novel. Yeah, I’m a crazy, writing machine. Smiles.

About Susan:

Susan G Mathis is an international award-winning, multi-published author of stories set in the beautiful Thousand Islands, her childhood stomping ground in upstate NY. Susan has been published more than thirty times in full-length novels, novellas, and non-fiction books. She has thirteen in her Thousand Islands fiction line including, The Fabric of Hope: An Irish Family Legacy, Christmas Charity, Katelyn’s Choice, Devyn’s Dilemma, Sara’s Surprise, Reagan’s Reward, Colleen’s Confession, Peyton’s Promise, Rachel’s Reunion, Mary’s Moment, A Summer at Thousand Island House, Libby’s Lighthouse, and Julia’s Joy, and Emma’s Engagement. Find out more at www.SusanGMathis.com/fiction.

Purchase links:
Susan’s website: https://www.susangmathis.com/fiction-books

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4ivQAZK

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/julias-joy-susan-g-mathis/1145647009?ean=9781963212037

Wild Heart Books: https://www.wildheartbooks.org/julias-joy.html

Connect with Susan:

Website: https://www.susangmathis.com/

Author Central: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001JP31DI

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554781378030

Twitter: http://www.x.com/susangmathis

Blog: https://www.susangmathis.com/susans-blog/

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

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6044608.Susan_G_Mathis

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/susan-g-mathis

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/susangmathisaut/