ON MOONBERRY LAKE - Holly Varni - One Free Book

Bio: Holly Varni is a native Minnesotan of strong Norwegian and Swedish descent, who was raised in the Lutheran Church that Garrison Keillor made a career depicting. Between the lutefisk, grumpy grandparents, and crazy neighbors who mowed their lawn wearing pajamas, the seed to becoming a storyteller was planted in Holly. Though she, her husband, and their three sons live along the Central Coast of California, her beloved Midwest roots continue to haunt everything she writes. She hosts the Moments from Moonberry Lake podcast where she shares more stories of her beloved characters.

She is poised to captivate readers with her heartwarming novel On Moonberry Lake. Drawing on her Midwestern upbringing, Varni crafts a tale filled with quirky characters and homespun charm set in the Minnesotan town of Moonberry Lake. Sure to appeal to fans of Jan Karon, Garrison Keillor, Fannie Flagg, and Debbie Macomber, On Moonberry Lake will lure readers into an enchanting story of reconciliation, growth, and community to discover how friendships can transform into families and how genuine love can heal even the most brokenhearted.

About the Story: Cora Matthews life has been turned upside down. She has just broken off her engagement and her mother has died, leaving behind explicit instructions to be buried in the small Minnesota town she grew up in. Cora returns to Moonberry Lake with unresolved questions about her mother’s past and tugging memories from her own childhood that continue to haunt her.

Cora’s “quick” trip to Moonberry Lake is thwarted when she learns that her grandparents’ dilapidated lakeside lodge is her inheritance. But it comes with a surprising stipulation—she must live there for a year. With her life uprooted and nagging questions to answer, Cora resolves to accept the year in Moonberry Lake.

However, challenges abound for Cora, and the disheartening condition of the lodge is only the beginning. The residents of Moonberry Lake present their own set of conundrums, including a cantankerous handywoman, an eccentric artist, a grumpy neighbor, an elderly woman who spends all her time talking to the “residents” in the cemetery, and a very handsome neighbor who always manages to catch Cora at her worst. As Cora seeks to put together the physical and emotional pieces of her past, she must decide if she is also willing to open her heart to a new family and home that is more than she could have ever imagined.

This homespun tale of new friendships, sweet romance, and ordinary miracles will have readers wishing they could spend a summer (or a lifetime) on Moonberry Lake.

What was the inspiration for your story? My Minnesota upbringing and quirky neighbors collided in a collage of memorable encounters growing up. I was raised in a very close-knit community where everyone’s business was everyone’s business. I was also surrounded by elderly people who I found fascinating. I was so curious about their life and memorized their most unique characteristics, which always emerge in my writing.

Why did you set your story in a small Minnesotan town? Growing up in Minnesota, I was enchanted with the natural beauty and change of seasons. Some of my best memories are visiting my grandparents at their cabin on a lake. I love small towns and all the coziness and drama that comes with them.

My father was half Norwegian and half Swedish, and his parents had emigrated to middle Minnesota when they were children. Even though I have lived in the South all my life, I understand the love of Minnesota from my visits there. What are some of the underlying themes in On Moonberry Lake? My intention from the beginning was to show how people do not have to be related by blood to be family. I wanted to remind people of the power of community. I’m not only redefining family but expanding it. And then the themes of grit, perseverance, forgiveness, and being open to difference come into play.

Your protagonist, Cora Matthews, has a lot of unresolved questions surrounding her childhood visits to Moonberry Lake. Without giving any spoilers, can you provide some hints about why Cora and her mother left this small town? The one thing that separates, frustrates, binds, or breaks everyone is family drama. I don’t believe there is anyone who is spared the heartache, disappointments, and work of being in a family. Remaining close to family once you’re grown up is dependent on how much effort and commitment you are willing to make. It comes down to one’s willingness to not only accept but love individual differences and forgive past mistakes.

The unresolved questions about Cora’s childhood visits to Moonberry Lake reflect the outcome of not fighting for reconciliation but stubbornly holding on to grudges and refusing to forgive. Her mother’s actions changed the course of Cora’s childhood. After Cora learns the truth of her mother’s past, it is her turn to decide if she wants to forgive and move on.

What led to Cora’s eventual return to her hometown? When Cora’s mother passes away unexpectantly, Cora learns that it was her mother’s wish to be buried in the town of Moonberry Lake where she grew up. Cora has vague memories of visiting until she was seven years old, and then for mysterious reasons, her mother refused to ever go back. Cora’s time in Moonberry Lake is extended as she uncovers a family secret.

There are a number of unique characters in this book. Which character was your favorite to write about? Oh, that is as unfair as asking a mother to pick her favorite child! I love and am fiercely protective of all my characters, but if you ask me which ones are the most fun to write, it would have to be Widgy and Kitty. I don’t write them as much as copy down what they are saying to me as fast as I can. These beloved characters are so real to me; all I try to do is capture and honor their personalities.

What do you hope readers will gain from reading On Moonberry Lake? I hope readers embrace the incredible examples of friendship and community and in some small way reach out to those around them. We live in a time where we are isolated and no longer know our neighbors, which is so sad. My hope is that On Moonberry Lake not only reminds readers of how things once were but how they can create a warm and eclectic community of people who are wildly different from them now. It is a reminder that even though we may think we have nothing in common with someone, we all share the need to be loved and have connection.

Can you provide some insight on your writing process? My writing process is a bit unconventional and wild. Nothing is ever planned or even brainstormed. As crazy as it sounds, I wait for a character to come introduce themselves to me in a dream or while I’m doing something mindless around the house. Once I can see and hear them clearly in my mind, I sit down at the computer and write. The first lines of the book and the first page are my entire anchor. I do not move ahead until I have perfected that. I start at the first sentence and write straight to the end. I don’t skip around the book because I don’t know what’s going to happen. It sounds a bit mad, but my imaginary world leaves me endlessly entertained.

Please discuss your podcast, Moments from Moonberry Lake, and how it relates to the novel. Oh, I have so much fun with the podcast! It is completely fictional and remains in the Moonberry Lake world. All I do is read sections from the town newspaper. The idea was actually birthed out of the pandemic. While everyone was hunkering down at home, I began to write these short commentaries to entertain some friends. We would meet on Zoom and I’d read two or three. They became hooked and began requesting a recording of them so I wouldn’t have to keep rereading them. I only began the podcast because I started getting calls at night with someone asking, “Can you read me ‘A Moment with Martha’?” Hearing the thoughts and wisdom from this elderly character helped distract them from the chaos in the world.

A surprising element that I didn’t take into account was how many people would love hearing me read the newspaper clippings. I’ve been told by countless listeners how my voice has a calming effect on them, which I get a kick out of. My only intention for the podcast is to bring a smile to someone’s day.

What are you working on next? My second book set in Moonberry Lake is scheduled to come out Fall 2024. Readers will get to meet some more side characters who live in town. The second book introduces Delphinium Hayes, who owns the flower shop on Main Street. There was a snippet about her in On Moonberry Lake, but now readers will get to know her and her crazy life. The book is filled with love, laughter, and flowers.

Between the unique and mysterious ability Delphinium possesses, hilarious shenanigans from a group of elders, and an unexpected love story, readers will not be disappointed in another mix of the most quirky and endearing characters.

Where can readers purchase a copy of On Moonberry Lake? Everywhere! They can buy it online through Amazon or Barnes & Noble. But I hope readers will go into local bookstores and, if it’s not there, order a copy and ask them to carry it.

How can readers connect with you? I would love for my readers to connect with me through my website, HollyVarni.com, or through Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Thank you, Holly, for sharing your book with my blog readers and me.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=On+Moonberry+Lake&i=stripbooks&crid=3KP7XZZXYRFW5&sprefix=on+moonberry+lake%2Cstripbooks%2C104&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

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THE LOVE SCRIPT - Toni Shiloh - One free book

Bio: Toni Shiloh is a wife, a mom, and an award-winning Christian contemporary romance author. Her novel In Search of a Prince won the first ever Christy Amplify Award. It has also been praised by OprahDaily.com, Popsugar, Library Journal, and Booklist, and is a Parable bestseller. Her books have been finalists for the HOLT Medallion and the Selah Award. As a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Toni loves connecting with readers and authors alike via social media.

Landing a spot on OprahDaily.com’s list of the Most Anticipated Romance Novels of 2022 with her Bethany House debut, In Search of a Prince, author Toni Shiloh continues to make waves in literary spheres. Praised for featuring “dynamic Black characters” (Library Journal) in her stories and named the inaugural winner of the Christy Amplify Award for raising up BIPOC voices in Christian fiction, Shiloh’s upward momentum continues as she launches a dazzling rom-com series for fans of the genre with The Love Script.

About the story:

In a world of glitz and glam, authenticity is hard to find.

Hollywood hair stylist Nevaeh Richards loves making those in the spotlight shine but prefers the anonymity of staying behind her stylist chair, where no one notices her. But when a photo of Nevaeh and Hollywood heartthrob Lamont Booker goes viral for all the wrong reasons, her quiet life becomes the number-one trending topic.

Lamont Booker’s bold faith has gained him a platform, and the authenticity of his faith is well-known . . . until the tabloids cause the world to question everything he claims to be. With his reputation on the line, he finds himself hearing out his agent’s push for a fake relationship—something he never thought he’d consider in a million years.

With their careers at risk, Nevaeh and Lamont have to convince the world that their scripted romance is more than just an act. But when fake seems to turn into something real, can Nevaeh trust her heart in a world where nothing is ever as it seems?

Toni Shiloh dazzles in this irresistible red-carpet romance with spotlight-stealing laughter, faith, and a happily ever after.

This novel is the first book in your new Love in the Spotlight series. What do readers have to look forward to in this series? I’m so excited about this series. You’ll get real-to-life characters who are thrust into the spotlight. In the world of internet famous, these books will show how hard it is to navigate fame, faith, and love.

Since The Love Script takes place in the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, what unique challenges do your characters Nevaeh and Lamont face? Nevaeh and Lamont are living a fish-bowl life. Their every move seems to be tracked on social media, and hashtags are created just to keep up with their romance. Nevaeh has a hard time figuring out what’s real and what’s not. Whereas Lamont has to face the threat of being cancelled and trusting in God’s plan.

What are you most excited for readers to experience as they pick up this series? I’m hoping they’ll be entertained but see the depth of faith necessary to navigate life’s challenges. Hopefully there will be laugh-out-loud moments as well as the need to swoon.

Can you tell us a little bit more about Neveah and Lamont? Anything special that readers should know? Hmm, readers should know that Nevaeh cracks jokes when nervous. That she’s plus-size but refuses to be defined by her curves. That she has a dream and is doing her best to see it come to fruition. As for Lamont, readers should know he loves his devotional time with the Lord. That he became famous via YouTube. That he has two guy friends who make appearances throughout the book and bring in some lighthearted moments.

Did you learn anything interesting while researching for this book? Yes! There are so many tidbits I found interesting and wanted to incorporate into the story if possible. For instance, a lot of people in LA don’t like to travel outside their neighborhood. Considering I knew my characters would be going here and there, I tried to mix the real with the fictional.

What aspect of the story did you enjoy writing the most? The text conversations with Lamont and his two guy friends. I am not going to lie, I cracked myself up. My husband thought it was strange every time I laughed since I was the creator of the story.

What themes present themselves to readers in The Love Script? You’ll find reality vs perception, letting God defend you or devising your own plans, what it means to truly worship God, and more!

How can readers connect with you? I love hearing from readers. They can always connect with me through my website, tonishiloh.com. They can also find social media links and sign up for my newsletter on my site.

Thank you, Toni, for sharing The Love Script with us. I loved In Search of a Prince and the sequel. I was hoping for another book in that series, too.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=the+love+script+toni+shiloh&i=stripbooks&crid=2U9MYJAEOJLH2&sprefix=The+Love+Script+%2Cstripbooks%2C92&ref=nb_sb_ss_fb_1_16

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 2 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

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THE HEIRLOOM - Beverly Lewis - One Free Book

Bio: Beverly Lewis, born in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, has more than 17 million books in print. Her stories have been published in 12 languages and have regularly appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including the New York Times and USA Today. Beverly and her husband, David, live in Colorado, where they enjoy hiking, biking, making music, and spending time with their family.

In 1997, she introduced the world to her first adult Amish fiction series, The Heritage of Lancaster County, which included The Shunning, The Confession, and The Reckoning. The series catapulted to the top of the charts. Lewis, a Lancaster County native, was quickly touted as an expert source in Amish tradition, and that first series launched a new fiction genre. Now, 26 years later, Lewis’s novels have been reenacted on film and in live theater, and The Confession Musical has been adapted for the big screen and for UPtv. In Lewis’s newest narrative, The Heirloom, she comes full circle and offers a prequel that leads up to the eve of The Shunning. Lewis’s legion of fans will be thrilled to journey back to Lancaster County, particularly Hickory Hollow, for a heartwarming tale that explores themes of belonging, love, and life’s difficult transitions.

About the story: When her widowed father remarries, nineteen-year-old Clara Bender is at a loss about what comes next for her. She is no longer needed to run the household. So when she comes across letters from her Mamma’s aunt Ella Mae Zook, she is eager to visit Hickory Hollow’s Wise Woman.

Meanwhile, Ella Mae is dealing with her own losses. With the passing of her husband, her grown children are ready to make sure she is resettled. But Ella Mae is in no hurry to leave the farmhouse that she and her husband shared for over five decades. She is also grappling with her role in the community as a widow. Once viewed as a caring and spiritually insightful counselor, Ella Mae feels she no longer has the capacity to offer much wisdom anymore.

As the summer days grow longer, Ella Mae and Clara find individual healing and purpose as they share their lives and their love for quilting. When Clara’s life is upended by an unexpected incident and a potential beau, Clara must decide where her heart truly belongs—back in her small Indiana hometown or in Hickory Hollow.  

Please provide a brief summary of your newest novel, The Heirloom. This generational story features two unique Amish women—one, a courting-age girl from Indiana, and the other, an aging widow living in Hickory Hollow, Pennsylvania. When Ella Mae Zook hosts her heartbroken grandniece for a visit, the two women blend their quilting expertise to restore an heirloom wedding quilt and, in the process, reveal hidden wounds and long-held secrets.

The Heirloom is the long-awaited prequel to The Shunning. Why did you choose to come full circle with your new novel? For more than a decade, I’ve been very curious about Ella Mae’s courting-age years, including the tragedy that set her on course to becoming known as the Wise Woman. My stories must simmer in my heart, sometimes for years. So I asked myself what sort of young woman was she in her teens? How did her faith and Plain upbringing inform her choices? And . . . was this part of her life story ready to be told? Additionally, my readers have been pleading for more about this captivating and spirited Amish woman so beloved. As I do, I entrusted all that I know of Ella Mae to God and believed now was the right time for The Heirloom.

Your fans love Ella Mae Zook, Hickory Hollow’s Wise Woman, and she has made appearances in a number of your novels. What life-altering event has recently occurred in her life? She loved her husband dearly and now grieves deeply her loss, experiencing the anxiety and uncertainty of widowhood, while attempting to create new daily patterns.

Ella Mae is in a period of transition and is even questioning her purpose in the community. How does she come to terms with the new “normal” in her life? By taking one small, courageous step at a time, and with the unexpected help of a providential summer visit from her grandniece Clara.

Nineteen-year-old Clara Bender has experienced her own set of losses. What motivates her to seek out the wisdom and companionship of Ella Mae? Clara has discovered many personal letters to her Mamma from Aunt Ella Mae in Hickory Hollow. This unearthing stirs up a desire to meet the woman whose written words have touched Clara’s broken heart in a dramatic way.

How do Clara and Ella Mae find healing in each other’s presence? At day’s end, the two women work to restore the heirloom wedding quilt in Ella Mae’s front room, a quilt that holds a tender love story all its own. As they stitch and repair, the two become aware of a growing bond, and slowly, gently, their warm connection begins to restore each wounded heart.

While in Hickory Hollow, a budding romance forms between Clara and a young man. But this new relationship comes with its own set of problems. Can you provide a hint of what these problems are? Aaron’s father and the bishop are concerned that Clara’s Indiana Amish church district is far less traditional than Hickory Hollow’s. Theirs emphasizes following rules, while Clara’s upbringing underscores a personal relationship with Christ. And Clara’s father is convinced she could fall back from her faith were she to marry and reside there. Pressure from both sides presents a quandary to Clara and her hope to become Aaron’s bride.

This book is a great fit for anyone who has experienced grief or a time of transition. What other themes are found in The Heirloom? Trusting God when obstacles loom large, the importance of connecting with like-minded believers on life’s journey, and looking to God for His will in a life mate.

How has The Heirloom impacted your own life? I’ve been planning this novel for years, and when I was given a 1911 heirloom quilt that belonged to my grandmother Ada (whose true-life story inspired The Shunning), I began to relive Katie Lapp’s fictitious story . . . as well as my dear parents’ passings seven-and-a-half years apart. I made countless notes and outlined the various fictional story lines that came to me, all the while juggling other writing deadlines. But Ella Mae kept interrupting me! Meanwhile, my readers were also clamoring for more about their favorite character. So as I contemplated Ella Mae’s startling back story, along with young Clara’s heartbreaking one, I began to “feel” the two characters’ yearnings and struggles pulling them onto the pages of this novel . . . at long last.

The Heirloom will be enjoyed by Amish fiction fans. Could you share why your novel will also appeal to quilters? For quilters who have attempted the challenging task of restoring an heirloom quilt, this book will surely inspire, and perhaps even encourage a similar project. For quilters who love to create a new quilt “from scratch,” The Heirloom will offer “aha” moments, as well as a real sense of familiarity, authenticity, and a measure of joy.

What do you hope readers will gain from reading The Heirloom? For one thing, I hope they will be encouraged in their faith, my constant hope. Also, that they will finally discover Bishop John Beiler’s motivation for imposing the harsh treatment on Katie Lapp in The Shunning. Of course, there will be my trademark underpinning of peace—because of Jesus—in the midst of the story’s conflicts, twists, and turns.

How can readers connect with you? I write a monthly newsletter available via a free subscription at https://www.beverlylewis.com/engage/newsletter. I am also active on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/officialbeverlylewis/.

Thank you, Beverly, for sharing The Heirloom with my blog readers and me. I have loved reading your books, and now I’m featuring this one while it’s only been 3 months since my husband for almost 59 years went to his heavenly home.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=the+heirloom+beverly+lewis+book&crid=ZBGYTHV39V5I&sprefix=The+Heirloom+%2Caps%2C97&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_2_13

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 2 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link: Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com 

LOST AND FOUND - Suzanne Woods Fisher - One Free Book

Bio: Suzanne Woods Fisher is the award-winning, bestselling author of more than 30 books, including The Moonlight School, Anything but Plain, The Sweet Life, and The Secret to Happiness, as well as the Three Sisters Island, Nantucket Legacy, Amish Beginnings, The Bishop’s Family, The Deacon’s Family, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series. She is also the author of several nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and Amish Proverbs. She lives in California.

Suzanne Woods Fisher has received high praise for her captivating, thought-provoking, and unusual storylines. Since the release of her first novel, The Choice (January 2010), Fisher has helped educate readers about the Amish way of life through her true-to-life narratives, charming settings, and enchanting characters. Now Fisher brings to light the Amish’s passion for birding in her newest novel, Lost and Found, which is a complement to Fisher’s bestselling A Season on the Wind. Packed with a love triangle, a dangerous chase, and a desperate attempt to defend and protect nature, this standalone novel is sure to win the hearts of Fisher’s many fans.

Trudy Yoder shares a passion for birding with Micah Weaver—and she has an even greater passion for Micah. Their friendship is finally turning romantic when Micah abruptly grows cold. Worse still, he wants to leave Stoney Ridge.

Micah Weaver thought he was over Trudy’s older sister. A year and a half ago, Shelley had broken his heart when she ran away from Stoney Ridge to pursue a singing career in Nashville. Then, out of the blue, she’s started to leave distressing phone messages for him.

When the bishop asks for volunteers to scout out a possible church relocation in Tennessee, Micah is the first to raise his hand. Despite scant details, he’s confident he can find Shelley. After all, his reputation as a field guide is based on finding birds that don’t want to be found.

What Micah doesn’t know is that what you’re looking for isn’t always what you find.

Please provide a brief summary of your new novel, Lost and Found. When Trudy Yoder hears about the plans to build at Wonder Lake, she goes straight to Micah Weaver. Together, they’ll find a way to stop the destruction of this beautiful bird sanctuary. After all, they’re a team. More than just friends. But Micah’s response is to leave Stoney Ridge.

Wonder Lake’s dire news tips Micah Weaver over the edge. He loves his community, loves the church, is grudgingly fond of Trudy Yoder—the only person on earth who doesn’t seem to realize he has a stutter—but he loves birds more. His plan is to head somewhere to chase down the most wily birds—the ones that don’t want to be found. Where, he doesn’t know. Not until phone calls start coming in from Shelley, Trudy’s estranged older sister, the girl who had once broken Micah’s heart. She’s in danger, Shelley says, and needs his help.

And suddenly Micah is on the best chase of his life.

Your two main protagonists are Trudy Yoder and Micah Weaver, but you have a third character who plays a significant role in both Trudy’s and Micah’s lives. Can you please introduce this person and explain her relationship with Trudy and Micah? Shelley Yoder played a significant role in A Season on the Wind in which sister Trudy lives in her shadow and Micah Weaver longs for her heart. Beautiful and gifted, Shelley left Stoney Ridge to pursue a singing career, leaving wounds. Shelley has left home, but home hasn’t left Shelley.

You introduce two new sects of the Older Order Amish church in Lost and Found. Why did you include them in the novel? One of the biggest mistakes people make is to assume that the Amish are one-size-fits-all. Not true! There’s a wide spectrum of Old Order Amish—from the progressive Beachys, who drive cars and allow modern technology in their homes, to the ultra-conservative Swartzentrubers, who flatly reject all modern conveniences (including indoor plumbing), to the Stoney Ridge church that lies in the middle. In Lost and Found, all three churches have a stake in how the story unfolds. This is what I enjoy about the Amish—there’s always something new to learn.

The clock is ticking in Lost and Found. Can you provide some details as to why? The little Amish church of Stoney Ridge is under pressure. Ever since the Beachys, a more progressive church, moved in, there’s been less affordable farmland, fewer jobs, and more temptations for their youth to jump the fence. Historically, the Amish move on to avoid conflicts. So Bishop David Stoltzfus sends a team to scout out a new location, led by a very-eager-to-go Micah Weaver. Panicking, Trudy Yoder knows that her father would never leave Stoney Ridge without his estranged daughter, Shelley. If Trudy can stop the Beachys from building at Wonder Lake and destroying the bird sanctuary, she’ll keep her beloved Micah Weaver from leaving town to find new birds to chase. What Trudy doesn’t know is that Micah is already on a chase to find Shelley, the girl who broke his heart.

Micah desires to further his experience as a field guide for birding. How does his knowledge in this area help him in his search for Trudy’s missing sister? Micah, Trudy says, can find any bird. He has an almost otherworldliness about birds, like he can almost think like them. His birding mantra: Stop. Look. Listen. Identify. When Shelley Yoder started leaving phone messages for Micah, he was able to listen carefully to background sounds to narrow down her whereabouts. Listening well, Micah says, is the most important skill of all. 

You’re known for choosing unusual topics to write about the Amish. Why did you choose birding for this novel? The Amish hold a reverence for nature, especially for birds. Every Amish farm is dotted with bird feeders and birdhouses—both for insect control and for sheer enjoyment. Birding is a popular pastime for Amish families, including children of all ages. Unlike most birders, the Amish don’t use technology while birding (such as smartphones to “call in” birds). They only bring their scopes and their patience.

What are some of the main themes covered in Lost and Found and what do you hope readers will gain from reading your book? When I first tossed out the plotline of relocating the Amish church of Stoney Ridge, my editor gave it a thumbs-up. “I like it,” she said. “America is on the move.” In 2020, according to the US Census, nearly 10 percent of Americans relocated. In this story, Bishop David Stoltzfus realized there were two things at stake in considering a relocation for the church: Leaving Stoney Ridge, and all that would mean. Staying put, and what would need to change. If relocating your home is something you’re thinking about, both points seem worth a good, long ponder.

What do you love most about writing Amish fiction novels? The simple life has always resonated with me. Simple as in prioritizing the most important things, like faith and family, and making life less complicated. It’s a constant battle to hold on to those values in this fast-paced world, and the Amish remind us that it can be done.

How does Lost and Found complement A Season on the Wind? While both novels are stand-alones, they are similar in structure, with amusing bird logs in between chapters. A Season on the Wind carried Micah’s point of view. Trudy gets her turn in Lost and Found. If you liked A Season on the Wind, you’re sure to like Lost and Found.

How can readers connect with you? I enjoy hearing from readers! You can find me through my website: www.SuzanneWoodsFisher.com. Also, I’m on Instagram @SuzanneWoodsFisher.

Thank you, Suzanne, for sharing Lost and Found with us. I always love reading your books.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=lost+and+found+suzanne+fisher&i=stripbooks&crid=1L52V0SEHUWI7&sprefix=Lost+and+Found+suzann%2Cstripbooks%2C88&ref=nb_sb_ss_fb_1_21

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VOICE OF THE ANCIENT - Connilyn Cossette - One Free Book

Bio: Connilyn Cossette is a Christy Award– and Carol Award–winning author whose books have been found on ECPA and CBA bestseller lists. When she is not engulfed in the happy chaos of homeschooling two teenagers, devouring books whole, or avoiding housework, she can be found digging into the rich ancient world of the Bible to discover gems of grace that point to Jesus and weaving them into an immersive fiction experience. She and her husband currently call a little town south of Dallas, Texas, their home.

Known for her captivating biblical fiction novels, Connilyn Cossette has successfully carved out her own space in the genre by fictionalizing characters and storylines that take place against the backdrop of major biblical events mentioned in scripture. Launching a new series marked by impeccable research and stellar writing, Cossette now brings to life the first years of King Saul’s reign in Voice of the Ancient, book one in The King’s Men series, which fans of Tessa Ashfar, Angela Hunt, and Jill Eileen Smith won’t want to miss.

About the story: As the eldest son of a Levite and a Philistine, Avidan is torn between his duty to his family legacy and the desire for something more. When Ammonites attack the city of Yavesh, he takes the opportunity to fight with his cousins for the newly crowned King Saul. But when one of the cousins goes missing during the battle, Avidan stays behind to search for him in hopes that he’s still alive.

Keziah is the daughter of one of the most powerful clan chiefs in the territory of Manasseh. On the brink of a forced marriage to a loathsome man decades older than her, she has no choice but to run. Dressed as a boy, she takes her horse and heads south, hoping to find sanctuary with her mother’s family. 

Struggling to survive the dangers surrounding them, Avidan and Keziah make a pact to travel together. As Keziah’s true origins are revealed and Avidan’s search for his cousin becomes increasingly dire, they must not only rely on each other to stay alive but also learn to trust the true and eternal King of Israel to guide their every step.

Can you tell us a little about your new novel Voice of the Ancient, book one in The King’s Men series? This first book in the series is a spin-off of Between the Wild Branches, from the Covenant House series, and opens at the very beginning of the reign of King Saul. We journey along with Avidan, one of four young cousins who run away from home to fight for the newly crowned king. Not only is Avidan not yet of military age, but he is also a Levite and therefore forbidden from serving as a soldier. When disaster befalls the four cousins and one of them goes missing during a battle, Avi refuses to believe his cousin is dead and stays behind to search for him instead of traveling on with the others. He crosses paths with Keziah, a young woman who has also run away from home, because she is being forced to marry a dangerous man decades older than her. They make a pact to journey south together, searching for Avi’s cousin and Keziah’s family, and together they discover who the true king of Israel is and why he deserves their full allegiance.

How are your books distinctly different from other biblical fiction novels in the genre? Even as a kid, I used to wonder about the people “behind the scenes” who interacted with Moses and David and Rahab and Jesus—the villagers or servants in the palaces and the nameless faces in the crowds—and so that is who I like to write about. I love to wonder what I would have done if I came face to face with the pillar of fire in the wilderness or had to collect manna every day or felt the ground shaking under me at Jericho. So that’s why my desire has been to write from the perspective of fictional characters who witness those biblical events and how those well-known happenings pointed “everyday people” to Yahweh’s goodness and his beautiful grace long before he sent his Son to earth in human flesh. It sets me apart in the genre a little bit, but it also gives me some really fascinating white space to peer between the lines of scripture and wonder “what if . . . ?”

What led you to write your own brand of biblical fiction? I really didn’t set out to write biblical fiction, nor did I consider that my spin on it was a little different than the rest. I was fascinated with the historical context and culture surrounding the biblical narrative, especially the Old Testament time period, and found myself dreaming up a cast of characters that led me on that first journey out from Egypt in Counted With the Stars. Once I found that biblical-era fiction was my passion, the stories began to flow and now I can’t keep up with all the ideas I want to write! I may explore other genres in the future, but for now, I feel like the Lord is constantly bringing me fresh inspiration for books that illuminate the ancient world of the Bible.

What do you think readers gain by diving into the history of their faith? Just like the Renaissance painters who depicted Jesus and his disciples wearing current-era clothing and hairstyles among European settings like their own, we westerners tend to look at the Bible through the lens of our own culture, experiences, and worldview. The more I have learned about ancient Hebraic culture, language, and customs, the more I appreciate some of the deeper meanings found in scripture that have been obscured or even ignored over time. I think it’s not only enriching for Christians to dig deeper into the roots of our faith and understand the historic context of the Bible and the world in which its authors lived, but it’s also imperative to understand more fully the nature of the Hebrew Messiah we worship, the culture in which he lived, and how to better align our distorted worldview with his perfect one.

How is this series different from other biblically based novels you’ve written? First of all, these books are primarily hero-based stories, since four young men are at the center (although their heroines have strong roles and voices through each book). I’ve written male voices before, which I enjoy doing, but this series is really the journey of four young men who start out from a place of strong friendship. Through tragic circumstances, they are forced to find their own way apart from the cousins they’d always relied on and instead lean into Yahweh for direction and growth. There’s also a bit of a mystery throughout the series, since it’ll be a good long while before we know what happened to that missing cousin, so that’s been fun to develop and weave into these books. I’ve also now moved from the Judges period of the Bible into Kings, which was such a time of transition and upheaval for the people of Israel.

Can you share a snapshot of the beginning of King Saul’s reign, the period in history in which this novel and series take place? Before Saul became king, the tribes had their own elder-run legacy leadership and some of them had even lived far across the Jordan River, separated from the center of religious life, for hundreds of years. But after being harassed and oppressed by the nations around them, Israel was desperate to have a human king to rule over them, give them some standing in the world, and protect them from their enemies. They didn’t care that Yahweh had already promised his divine protection and blessings or that he had warned them a human king would eventually become corrupt and self-serving. They wanted a good-looking tall guy to represent them and make those enemies shake in their boots. So, the Lord graciously gave them exactly what they asked for. And, as prophesied, things did not go well. Saul may have started out as the embodiment of all the people wanted in a good king, but it was not long before it became about him and his own glory. My series explores this time of transition and the struggle to understand what it means to pledge our full allegiance to the Eternal King, regardless of what the culture around us looks like. It’s a lesson I think all of us who follow the true Anointed One must learn, especially in the time of upheaval and uncertainty in which we now live.

What inspired the idea behind a series set during this famous biblical king’s reign? Honestly, I just had such a fun time getting to know the family in the Covenant House series that I wasn’t ready to leave them behind. I was excited to explore a new era but also wanted to continue on with the next generation. Therefore, the idea of using a group of four young cousins who showed up at the end of Between the Wild Branches came to life in my mind. The era of King Saul’s reign tends to, in my opinion, get skimmed over a little bit when we are reading through the Bible, so I thought it would be great to slow down and explore what it must have been like for a group of tribes to change from elder-led government to a united monarchy, especially after being so independent for hundreds of years (longer than America has been under the Constitution). There was always strife between the sons of Jacob, and it is obvious from the contentious split after Solomon’s reign that nothing ever really changed. With humankind, there is never full consensus on anything—let alone politics and religion! Therefore, all that strife between people and nations gives me lots of juicy drama to play with in this series.

What lessons can the lives of your main characters Avidan and Keziah teach modern Christians today? Avidan and Keziah come from vastly different backgrounds. Avi grew up in a Levitical family, in a community where Samuel the Prophet himself taught the Torah to his students. He knows the stories of the Israelites and knows much about Yahweh, yet he struggles to see his own place in those stories and understand his role in the larger picture. Learning to listen to and obey the voice of the Ancient One by laying down one’s own desires and following His will is an ongoing process for all who are called by His name. On the other hand, Keziah grew up in a place far away from the center of worship, in a community that had largely forgotten their heritage and had allowed pagan practices to mix with worship of the True God. Her journey is one of discovering who Yahweh is, of separating truth from fiction, and bowing her knee to the One True King of Israel for the first time. And don’t we all need to examine our hearts and determine whether we are holding onto false idols as well?

What are you working on next? I am writing Book Two of The King’s Men series and having so much fun exploring the story of yet another of the cousins who run off to fight for King Saul and the feisty woman he meets who wants nothing to do with one of Saul’s warriors. I’m going to keep the rest of the details on this one close to my chest for now, but I will say that I’ve had this book percolating in my head for over two years now and I am dying to get it on paper! And yes, I do mean paper, because I write all of my manuscripts entirely by hand now and would never go back to my old way of drafting. There’s just something magical about scribbling away with a physical pen on real paper that sparks my imagination and gets my creative juices flowing!

How can readers connect with you? The best way to find me is at my website, ConnilynCossette.com where readers can sign up for my periodic newsletter and keep up with all my writerly news. But I can also be found on instagram.com/connilyncossetteauthor and facebook.com/connilyncossette. I also have a special Facebook group page (Connilyn’s Bibliophiles) where readers can get the inside scoop and interact with me personally from time to time. Come find us, we’d love for you to join in the conversation!

Thank you, Connilyn, for sharing Voice of the Ancient with us. It sounds like a wonderful read. I know my blog readers will love it.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=voice+of+the+ancient+connilyn+cossette&crid=2Q1TS6ZZRFNFD&sprefix=Voice+of+the+Ancient+%2Caps%2C110&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_21

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 2 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link: Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com