• Episode 409: A Chat with Carrie Walker
    Mar 3 2025

    Carrie Walker brings us back to the characters we met in Emma's Hero with Right Before Their Eyes and again tackles some really difficult topics. Listen in to learn why this series is one of my most anticipated reads!

    note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

    The Faith Endures series is really focused on Mason... but it shows him in the light of others and his interactions with them. So we see more than just his personal story. I really love that about them and am eager to have them all so I can binge read them! EEEP!

    Right Before Their Eyes by Carrie Walker

    Sometimes the love you need most looks different than you imagined.

    Clare Martin thought nothing of agreeing to live with her dementia-ridden grandmother when her parents left on mission. Balancing that with her job as a social worker and the expectations of her career-driven boyfriend proved doable—until Grandma started a house fire.

    Mason Hughes has loved Clare for years, but the time was never right to tell her and now she’s dating someone else, fixing Mason firmly in the friend zone. He’s working to be a pediatric neurologist, a dream inspired by a special boy with a terminal brain condition, and must choose a medical school. Finances are so tight he’s forced to consider a program across the country, a troubling fact he’s kept secret.

    Lucia Roberts, a seventeen-year-old on Clare’s caseload, loses her foster home and is placed in an unwelcoming group home. At every turn she’s met with rejection and becomes desperate for any proof she has value—enough to make choices that could affect the rest of her life.

    When Grandma Dottie and Lucia's paths take a dangerous turn, Clare frantically tries to save them. As their lives knit together, will they find the love that’s right before their eyes?

    Learn more about Carrie on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

    Don't miss our first interview with Carrie HERE. And don't miss it on Kindle Unlimited!

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    28 mins
  • Episode 408: A Chat with Kurt Mahler
    Mar 1 2025

    Book two in the Jaguar Oracles series is out and wow! Things are getting intense in Texas! Listen in to see what adventures away in this next exciting installment

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    I seriously love the premise of this series. How often do we forget "our name" (our identity) in Christ and need a wakeup call! And is it just me or did we start this environmental mess in Eden? I mean, we didn't have to fight nature until then, right? Animals had to pay the price for Adam's and Eve's disobedience too.

    Wow.

    The Way Back to Eden by Kurt Mahler

    A Mystical Journey to Restore the Natural Order as Hope Guides the Way

    In the lush wilderness of the Rio Grande Valley, a centuries-old prophecy is about to be fulfilled. The jaguars, once the revered rulers of the animal kingdom, have vanished-until a brave jaguar named Oracle begins a journey to summon the scattered tribes and restore their rightful place.

    A captivating quest and an unforgettable journey home.

    His quest intersects with young Paco and his extraordinary animal companions-a wise horse named Plod, a storytelling toad called Bog, and a clever raccoon named Patch-as they navigate the mystical landscapes of the Texas-Mexico borderlands and Brazos River bottomlands, a quest that weaves through ancient forests, mysterious towers, and sacred sanctuaries.

    Guided by ancient wisdom and the enduring loyalty of his animal friends, Oracle's epic journey leads him through a world on the brink of upheaval and filled with human drama as he discovers clues to the missing jaguarundi tribe and seeks to unite the warring animal factions.

    The fate of the Valley rests on Oracle recovering lost memories and rediscovering the original harmony between man and beast. From vast Texan ranches to ancient palm forests and from well-ordered zoos to untamed wilderness, The Way Back to Eden weaves together a rich tapestry of cultures, legends, and the immutable power of the natural world.

    Blending elements of magical realism, environmental advocacy, and pulse-pounding adventure, this sweeping tale transports readers into a vibrant, unforgettable world where Oracle's quest is to preserve the ancient balance and the interconnectedness of all living things.

    The Way Back to Eden, a deeply satisfying and thought-provoking fantasy epic, is the second installment in the six-volume Jaguar Oracle series. Discover the magic that awaits where ancient wildlife sanctuaries hold secrets, where ghosts and tree house hermits guide lost souls home, and where the path back to Eden might just be hidden in plain sight.

    Follow the trail. Find the tree. Change the world.

    Learn more about Kurt on his WEBSITE and follow him on GoodReads.

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    44 mins
  • Episode 407: A Chat with E. B. North
    Feb 24 2025

    I've always been a huge fan of children's fiction, and these new chapter books featuring a dog who thinks he's a knight fighting dragons in search of "the orb of power" and other adventures is exactly the kind of thing kids love! Listen in to hear about the exciting Kickstarter coming up.

    note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

    If singing, dancing vegetables (fruits, really) aren't your kids' thing, then perhaps dogs storming the "castle," battling "dragons," and on a quest for the "orb of power" are!

    Christian children's books are hard to come by as they are, but chapter books? This father-daughter duo have done a fabulous job of creating an exciting series that kids will love for years to come.

    Dog Knights & The Orb of Power by E. B. North

    Lancelot is a dog of adventure! His favorite quest is fetching the king’s magical Orb of Power.

    Strangely, at his new home, the other dogs call it “a ball!” They’re happy napping on the patio or chewing sticks while Lance does all the hard questing.

    But alas! When a sneaky dragon steals the Orb, Lance faces a bigger challenge than he's ever faced. He can’t take down the monster alone, but the other dogs are convinced it’s just “a cat”—which is hardly the same thing!

    Can he awaken the knightly courage of his new friends, Aki "the always-hungry" and Mia "the ever-lazy", or will the dragon escape with the treasure?

    This fearless canine is determined to save the day and prove that even the smallest mutt can be a true knight.

    Dog Knights is a new series of clean, funny chapter books for early readers aged 7-10 featuring Lancelot, a dog with a big imagination who sees himself as a noble knight. It's a playful introduction to fantasy elements, while showing kids how imagination can inspire living for higher purpose. Perfect for early readers who love humor, adventure, animals, and a dash of magic. (And parents who want wholesome stories and positive values.)

    Learn more about Brandon on his WEBSITE and follow him on GoodReads and BookBub.

    For more information about Dog Knights, click HERE.

    Don't miss the Kickstarter! It'll be live on February 28th. Click HERE for more.

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    44 mins
  • Episode 406: A Chat with KyLee Woodley
    Feb 22 2025

    Okay, Old West outlaws are a staple in Western fiction but... a reluctant outlaw? A French reluctant outlaw? Listen in to see why I was determined to read this book the minute I read the synopsis!

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    Kylee Woodley's new Outlaw Hearts series promises to be a fresh take on a familiar genre. We had a great time chatting about the books' settings, the history of the time, and more!

    The Bandit's Redemption by KyLee Woodley

    A holdup gone wrong, a reluctant outlaw, and the captive she’s sworn to guard.

    Life in the American West hasn't been easy for French refugee Lorraine Durand. She has precious few connections and longs to return to her native land. So when the man who rescued her from a Parisian uprising following the Franco-Prussian War persuades her to help him with a deadly holdup, she reluctantly agrees. Despite his promises otherwise, the gang kidnaps a man, forcing Lorraine to grapple with the fallout of her choices even as she is drawn to the captive she's meant to guard.

    Jesse Alexander must survive. If not for himself, then for the troubled sister he left behind in Los Angeles. At the mercy of his captors, he carefully works to earn Lorraine’s trust, hoping he can easily subdue her when the time comes. But as they navigate the treacherous wilderness and he searches for his opportunity to escape, he realizes there may be more to her than he first believed.

    With danger lurking at every turn, they must decide whether to trust each other enough to plan a combined escape or risk falling prey to the gang’s devious schemes.

    Learn more about KyLee Woodley on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

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    35 mins
  • Episode 405: A Chat with Tabitha Caplinger
    Feb 17 2025

    Eclectic authors are right up my alley, and Tabitha Caplinger is no exception. Listen in and see why I bought The Castle Rose before we finished our interview!

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    Fantasy of all sorts (light or deep) seems to be Tabitha's strength, but when you mash up Beauty and the Beast with Phantom of the Opera and set it in New Orleans...

    Add in beignets and... well... score!

    The Castle Rose by Tabitha Caplinger

    Bastian Roux lived and died a hundred years ago. Kind of. He certainly feels like nothing more than a ghost as he haunts the abandoned Castle Rose Theatre, his only solace found in the notes of his piano. That is until Odette arrives.

    Odette Durand moved to New Orleans for a fresh start. The coffee-addicted local bookshop manager never expected to be pulled into something supernatural and she certainly doesn’t believe in ghosts. But seeing a man no one else can see and hearing music that shouldn’t exist makes a girl question her beliefs–and her sanity.

    With a mysterious and somewhat charming Southern gentleman thrown in the mix, Odette finds herself entangled in a century-old rivalry bound by a curse. If she’s the only one who can see Bastian, is she also the only one who can break whatever is keeping him stuck in the realm between the living and the dead? As Odette and Bastian navigate the shadows of Bastian’s past, they must grapple with the ultimate question: Will breaking the curse give Bastian his life back or take it away forever?

    Learn more about Tabitha on WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

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    35 mins
  • Episode 404: A Chat with Naomi Stephens
    Feb 15 2025

    One of my favorite books of 2025 has been The Burning of Rosemont Abbey by Naomi Stephens. Imagine my surprise when I learned she also has done historical romance with Biblical retellings--and I'd read one! Her latest is The Scarlet Ribbon. Listen in to see how she managed such different genres!

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    This Rahab retelling set against the backdrop of the War for Independence promises to tear at the heartstrings of readers as they see the familiar story play out in a fresh new way and with new characters.

    The Scarlet Ribbon by Naomi Stephens

    As the Revolutionary War unfurls around her, Rebekah Stanton is abandoned by the man who once claimed to love her. Shunned by her father and forced to give up her child, she finds herself thrust into prostitution at the local boarding house.

    When the British seize control of the nearby fort, she gives little thought to the officers who frequent the boarding house. Men are men regardless of the color of their uniform…or so she believes. But then a young man—a Patriot spy named Benjamin Renshaw—stumbles upon her in the darkness, and she saves him from a group of pursuing Redcoats.

    With an attack on the fort brewing in the background and the father of her child returned to serve with the British, Rebekah is torn between old dreams and new hope, struggling all the while to find peace and forgiveness in a place of rising conflict.

    Learn more about Naomi on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads and BookBub.

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    40 mins
  • Episode 403: A Chat with Enewerome
    Feb 10 2025
    With her debut romance novel, Ready to be Loved by You, Enewerome offers readers not only a wonderful slow-burn romance but also an exciting look into Nigerian culture (and food!) Listen in to see why I popped this book on my Kindle Unlimited shelf before we finished speaking! note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. While I loved learning about the Nigerian culture Enewerome put into her novel, I have to say talking about why she wrote the book and when she did and what she learned in the process really grabbed me most. Admitting that it was hard work took courage in a world that often tells us that if God requires it, He'll make it easy. Tell that to Moses. Just sayin'. I'm looking forward to her coming back to tell us about her new series! Ready to Be Loved by You by Enewerome A CLEAN AND WHOLESOME CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN ROMANCE STORY Haunted by the wounds from her past, Vivienne Adetokunbo, a fiercely independent professional bridesmaid and video content creator, wants nothing to do with God, love, or marriage. Levi Edegware, despite being saddled with the weight of a past mistake, is a devout Christian and hopeless romantic events coordinator who desires a happy family with a woman who shares the same faith and values about marriage as him. When a wedding mishap throws them together, their first encounter is far from a fairytale. However, things take a turn when Vivienne and Levi become colleagues, which forces them to confront their fears, beliefs, and desires. As Levi shows Vivienne kindness she's never known, an undeniable connection grows between them. But will Vivienne let go of her fears to embrace God's love and a future with Levi, or will her walls remain unbroken? Will Levi forsake all he has ever known to be with the woman he sees a future with? If you love sweet romance with: Slow burnFaith arcsForbidden loveEnemies to loversWorkplace romanceForced proximityDual POVNigerian culture, pidgin, and foodNo smut or spice Then you will enjoy Ready to be Loved by You. Find Enewerome on her LinkTree and follow her on GoodReads. Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at: Apple Castbox Google Play Libsyn RSS Spotify Amazon and more!
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    27 mins
  • Episode 402: A Chat with Melissa LaShure
    Feb 8 2025

    A new historical romance series is coming, Bounty Brothers. Listen in to discover what to expect from the series and the first book, Unwavering Faith.

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    As a lover of "the damsel in distress" trope, Melissa LaShure gives it a fresh twist in this series. I'm excited to find out what it looks like.

    Even better, book two is coming out in May/June. And... don't forget, you can only get the books on her website--print, eBook, and audio!

    Unwavering Faith by Melissa LaShure

    Tombstone meets Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman.

    In a lawless land, Brody Young and his Bounty Brothers stare down the face of evil to protect the innocent. They’re known for forcing outlaws to confront justice. Until Brody takes on his first female bounty.

    Wrongfully accused of murder, Claire Belonge flees 5th Avenue New York in search of her brother in Dodge City. She soon finds herself in over her head in this wild west town. In utter desperation, she turns to the one man who has the ability to save her.

    Brody navigates uncharted territory with Claire, his beautiful bounty. She stirs a deep-seated desire to protect her at all costs. As truths are revealed, he'll have to make a commitment he's unsure he can honor.

    Claire's faith is set to be exposed as she confronts assassins and outlaws. Will Brody’s unwavering faith in God point her to Christ? Is it possible for Brody to safeguard Claire from her enemies and his? Does the happiness they’ve found in each other's arms have a chance of surviving?

    This heart-pounding romance is guaranteed have you gripping the edge of your seat and swooning for our hero.

    Learn more about Melissa on her WEBSITE and follow her on GoodReads.

    Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

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    36 mins